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This article, Iron Crows, was written by Forge Master Zed. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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This article, Iron Crows, is currently under active construction. The author, Forge Master Zed, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
The Iron Crows are a Loyalist Space Marine Successor Chapter created from the stoic and unforgiving Iron Hands. Chapter Lore states that they have existed in some capacity since the Horus Heresy, although Imperial records dispute this with the chapter being officially recorded after the War of the Beast. Despite these discrepancies, the chapter has served the Imperium well as a fleet-based chapter. Their most notable campaign is the Malixian Reconquest after which they were awarded a home-world within the Malixius Sector.
Due to their long history as a fleet-based chapter and a belief in the Emperor's providence the Iron Crows consistently make due with little to no resources, instead, they rely on scavenging from wrecked ships in the void. They are usually in outdated and patchwork power armor with brutal scavenged and handmade weapons to supplement their well-worn standard equipment. The Chapter is known for their religious devotion to the Emperor of Mankind as a god similar to the zealous Black Templars Chapter, although they differ from the imperial creed in some aspects of their belief.
Chapter History
Like many organisations within the Imperium of Man, there are two tales of the origins of the Iron Crows chapter. Official Munitorum records confirm the chapter was founded as a result of the War of the Beast in 546.M32, recording the chapter purging Ork and other xenos threats along the Eastern Fringe of the Segmentum Ultima. In contrast, chapter lore claims the Iron Crows, although not officially recognized as an independent chapter, worked apart from their Iron Hands progenitors in exile. During their exile they served the Imperium as a fleet-based force, purging traitors, and xenos on fringes of imperial space far from the sight of their progenitors. It was not until the aftermath of the War of the Beast did the Imperium officially recognized the Iron Crows as a chapter.
Origins - Great Crusade
The origins of the Iron Crows chapter can be found, like many chapters, in the Horus Heresy. Chapter lore provides an account of the origins of those Iron Hand Legionaries who would become the progenitors of the Iron Crows chapter. It begins with the Marculus Expedition. This expedition would target a sub-sector in the southernmost edges of the newly formed Imperium. The goal of the expedition was to reestablish contact with the imperial planets that had recently gone silent. The cause of this was soon found to be a xenos incursion who had destroyed imperial resistance and enslaved the remaining human population. The marines had a new objective: to purge of the system xeno taint. Even with the Astartes taking the lead it was a bitter and grueling campaign that would push the leadership of the expedition to its breaking point.
Leofric Albianaxe
The expedition was led by a chapter's worth of Iron Hands legionaries alongside the Imperial Army and Mechanicum cohorts. The Iron Hands commander was Praetor Leofric Albianaxe. Leofric was an Iron Hand of Terran origin and had maintained a secret disdain for the primarch and the changes made to the legion and its culture. Despite this, Leofric was a successful Praetor within the Iron Hands even after the unification of the legion with Ferrus Manus. Despite his attempts to hide his distaste, Leofric's sentiments became evident, isolating him within the legion. Due to this, Leofric's chapter became a place where the reprobates of the legion found themselves serving in honorless and arduous campaigns, from which Leofric developed a bitterness that would break his loyalty at the onset of the Horus Heresy.
Oberen Kull
Oberen Kull was an Iron Hands Lieutenant during the time of the Great Crusade. A legionnaire recruited into the Iron Hands from one of the countless of worlds liberated by them during the Great Crusade, Oberen served with honor and reached the rank of Sergeant. While serving as a Sergeant, Oberen became aware of the burgeoning Imperial Cult and procured a copy of the Lectitio Divinitatus. Although he was still a firm believer in the Imperial Truth, the words of the book planted the seeds of faith within him. After the events of Monarchia, there was a purge of such practices within the legion, and Oberon was chastised for having such a book in his possession. As a result, he was transferred to serve under Leofric Albianaxe for the remainder of the Great Crusade, where he was able to earn the rank of Lieutenant. As the Marculus expedition dragged on, Oberen's faith would rekindle in the face of brutal, high-casualty combat.
The Horus Heresy
Grim Tidings
It was the Horus Heresy that shattered the leadership of the Marculus expedition. Shortly after the last planet was retaken from the xenos, the expedition received broken transmissions. The only intelligible message that could be determined was the immediate recall of all Iron Hands Legion assets. As a result, Leofric initiated the standard protocols to depart from the sub-sector. The Fleet prepared to depart and was initially rebuffed by the warp causing severe damage to some of the ships. This caused the fleet to pause their efforts in reuniting with the legion. While the expedition regrouped and repaired the damage, they started receiving fragments of communication from legion channels. The words "Horus," "betrayal," and "Istvaan" which caused concern within the leadership of the fleet. Many wanted to press on despite the dangers but Leofric wanted to delay until the warp subsided. But the days wore on and the tides of the warp did not calm. Within this time the fragments of communication festered within the fleet. Secret meetings were held between secret brotherhoods in the dark parts of ships. After a week of waiting the navigators of the fleet proposed a plan to Leofric, an alternative route. So it was decided they would push on. The route seemed calmer then previous one, but the warp is a treacherous thing. As sudden and undetected warp fluctuations claimed several ships, Leofric, at the prospect of losing more ships, gave the command for the fleet to prematurely exit into real-space. The fleet exited within the vicinity of an unknown star system. As they were getting their bearings, several other ships arrived from warp space into the system – the largest was the battle barge by the name of the Spear of Delieverance, a badly damaged Raven Guard vessel. The ships were hailed, and it was revealed that they were survivors of the Dropsite Massacre who revealed the extent of the betrayal, the carnage on Istvaan V, and the death of the Iron Hands primarch Ferrus Manus.
Purge
This news created significant unease among the leadership of the expedition. Within the next 24 hours, a series of events unfolded on the flagship of the expedition, the Battle Barge Iron Spite. A civil war had erupted between Leofric and Oberen. Leofric saw this as an opportunity to escape the yoke of the Imperium and create his own petty kingdom within the recently liberated sub-sector. This blatant betrayal of the Imperium forced Oberen to take up arms, and a fight broke out between the two commanders and their supporters. Mortal and transhuman blood was spilt as loyalists and the newly declared renegades clashed. But Oberen proved to be the better warrior as he slew Leofric on the flagship's bridge. When their leader fell some of the traitors sued for mercy, while others fought to the bitter end. Eventually, the loyalists regained control of the ship. But the chaos of the Iron Spite had spread to the rest of the fleet. As Oberen discovered that Leofric's intentions had been disseminated throughout the expedition. As civil war erupted across the fleet, Oberen rallied the loyalists and was soon able to completely purge the fleet of Leofric's loyal supporters. The surviving leadership of the fleet we called to the flagship to decided the expedition's next steps.
Breaking
The meeting took place on the bridge of the Iron Spite which was still wet with the blood of the Traitors. There, the leadership of the expedition, both Astartes and mortal, alongside the survivors of Istvaan V decided on the fleet's next action. While this was happening, the fleet reconsolidated and sent out scouts into the unfamiliar system in search of place where the fleet could rest and resupply. Forward scouts were sent into the system and small mining world with a planetary void station that would be suitable for their needs. The system showed some signs of conflict but very little void activity. While the scouts led a reconnaissance mission into the station with caution as it neither answered or made any hails. The station and colony had be attacked but the infrastructure was still intact. Whatever human inhabitants had left seemingly after the area after some fighting had taken. The fleet docked and started repairs at the grim void station. They were able to identify the system as the Ghalmrost system and the mining world as Jurnrius Minor. The most heavily damaged ships were repaired and what merger supplies was looted over the next several days. It was decided to head furtherer into the system with hopes of finding more supplies. As the fleet prepared to leave the void station, warp flares were detected on the edges of the system, ships were exiting the warp. Some hoped it was more survivors of the massacre, but they were sadly mistaken. Ships of the Wordbearers and World Eaters had appeared in the system, along with a large contingent of traitor imperial army vessels. With the fleet caught somewhat unaware took the lead of the Raven guard vessels as they quickly gave orders as those undocked ships moved to create defensive line against the oncoming traitors. The fleets contingent of imperial army vessels and some iron hands ships sacrificed themselves in order to give those moored ships time to make their way into the system. Soon the fleet was scattered into the system with the survivors either adandoning heavily damaged ships making emergency landfall on the Jurnrius Minor below. Others retreated into the system losing their attackers amongst debris fields found within the system. The Marculus expedition had been broken and now a fight for survival had begun,
The Iron Hands battle barge Iron Spite is recorded leading the defense of a loyalist withdrawal from the planet Gherrit Epsilon, a planet along the Nightmare Passage.
The Great Scouring
Return and Exile
It was to be a full century after the Great Scouring did Oberen Kull and his surviving legionaries made contact with the surviving remnants of the Iron Hands Legion. The reunion was short-lived as the newly forged Iron Council saw the survivors' newfound faith as nothing more than a weakness of flesh that had consumed their souls. They demanded the marines renounce their faith and rejoin the legion as Iron Hands or face extermination. Oberen and 346 of his followers refused. Oberen Kull pled with the Iron Council to let him and his followers leave in exile, vowing never to return to Medusa. After much debate, the Iron Council agreed to this proposal and exiled Kull and his followers from the legion. They would remain in this state until the events of the War of the Beast where they formally recognized as a fully-fledged chapter.
Notable Campaigns & Events
- War of the Beast (544-546.M32) -
- The Malixian Reconquest (144-148.M37) - A campaign to retake the Malixian sub-sector, after the chaos caused by the War of the Beast allowed the forces of the archenemy and xenos to take control of the large swaths of the sector. Spearheaded by the Adeptus Mechanicus who escaped the revolt they implored all who would listen, promising glory and favour for all who helped in the reconquest of the sector. Several space marine chapters pledge their support. Although most only devote a strike force to the crusade, chapters such as the are the Iron Crows and Storm Eaters.
- Cerberi of the Rotting Veil (160.M37) - The Iron Crows alongside the Sons of Kalamax and the Storm Eaters to purge the remaining elements of traitors lurking within the rotting veil. The campaign ends with the death of the Chaos Lord Sol-Draken by the hands of the Indux Vance of the Iron Crows 4th company.
- First Sphere of Expansion (502.M37)
- The Age of Apostasie (238.M36)
- First Tyranic War (745.M41)
- Laternax Councils (Late M41)
Notable Battles
- The Purge of Iron (147.M37)
Chapter Homeworld
Zergeist
Terrain
Government
The Iron Crows are meticulous rulers of their home world, running it with the utmost efficiency to rival any forge world. Formerly a feudal world, the Iron Crows transformed the planet into a civilized world that produces basic supplies and recruits for the chapter. The civilian population is largely governed by a regional system, that was derived from the former feudal clans' structure, with each "clan" governing a region of the planet, to produce regional resources, and recruit potential aspirants for the chapter. It is the duty of the Iron Crow's 10th company captain to run the day-to-day affairs of the planet in conjunction with the regional clan leaders.
Karrock - Fortress-Monastery
Karrock is built into a lone mountain located in the north western hill country of the planet. Chapter lore says when the Iron Crows were gifted Zergeist by the administratum, the chapter master at that time Solomen Vest saw a vision of Emperor who instructed the leader of the chapter to go into the boneyard to find the wreak of void ship which would be the foundation of their Fortress-Monastery. The chapter would find within the boneyard the wreak of a retribution class battleship. Most of the ship was nothing more then scrap but the bridge and part of the prow were still intact. These the Iron Crows took with them back to Zergeist. The Chapter still following the vision given to them, integrated the salvaged parts into the design of their new Fortress-Monastery. According to Zergeist local legends, the lone mountain was home to long forgotten kingdom that used to rule the planet before the coming of the Emperor.
Chapter Organization
The Iron Crows are followers of the Codex Astartes to an extent, but differ in chapter organization. The chapter's focus on void warfare and patroling means the chapter does not often gather at full strength. Instead, the chapter is organized around the fleet elements of the chapter possess, these formations are called Fleets which are roughly equivalent to standard chapter company. Where a Codex-compliant chapters have specialist companies that supplement each battleline company, Fleets are expected to be self sufficient in terms of every aspect of warfare.
The chapter does have three non-fleet companies, which are the chapter veterans, Dreadnoughts, and penitent formations. Such forces are distributed across the fleets to provide extra support or stationed on the chapter's home world.
Officer Ranks
- Chapter Master
- Captain
- Lieutenant
Specialist Ranks
- Arch Iudex - Chapter Master of sanctity equivalent
- Redeemer - Only one Iudex holds this title at any given time. He alone holds the keys the Cells of redemption
- Iudex - Title for a Reclusarch of the Chapter. In charge of passing judgement on battle-brothers and training confessors.
- Confessor - Chaplain equivalent usually attached to a commander to council and instruct.
- Deacon- Chaplain in training. Sometimes
- Chief Librarian
- Master of the Forge
- Reclaimer - Techmarines trained in ways of the tech exorcism to purge and recover technology the chapter finds. Often in charge of reclamation squads.
- Techmarine
- Chief Apothecary
- Chapter & Company Champion
- Chapter & Company Ancient
Line Ranks
- Veteran Sergeant
- Battle-Brother
- Scout Marine
- Neophyte
Specialist Units and Formations
Penitent Squads
A cult unique to the chapter and bearing a similarity to the Sisters of Battle Repentia squads. Members are made up of those who within the chapter who seek redemption. A revenant in the eyes of the chapter is already dead and can only hope that a final glorious death in battle can redeem their souls. Very rarely does a revenant rejoin the chapter proper, although in cases where a revenant brother survives an otherwise lethal engagement with the enemy or other such acts of improbability, a revenant rejoins the chapter under a new name although his face remains scared a reminder of his redemption.
Becoming a Penitent
If a battle-brother commits an act that violates the laws of Iron or another such chapter stricture, he will be brought before an Iudex of the chapter who will judge him and place him in censorship. In some cases an Iudex will condemn the brother to the company, the brother's deeds and name are removed from the records of the chapter and all rank and honors are stripped from him. He will then be made part of the Revenant company a placed under the command of a confessor who will be his guide and redeemer. There are some brothers who request placement in the company instead of any lesser punishment, this may be because they view their crimes as deserving greater penitence.
Appearance and Equipment
These censured brothers mark themselves by painting their armor black with bloody red marks on their knees and arms. Penitents also fuse skeletal iron masks to their faces, and most unusual of all, most censured will replace their lower legs or previous bionics with large mechanical talons. Penitents are equipped with eviscerators and equivalent heavy chain blades, they also use melta bombs against armored opponents.
Formation
Penitents units are lead by confessors in training, Deacons who lead formation of 4-9 penitents. They heavy shock infantry used to break enemy formations or engage elite units. They are attached to patrolling forces or on occasion are used for large scale purging operations.
Reclamation Squads
Squads of veteran battle brothers that are the main force for purging space hulks and void craft, due to the chapter's relative lack of terminator armor. They also focus on recovering and reclaiming the artifacts found on such structures and excorcising the corruption they find within them.
Order of Battle
Headquarters
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| Armoury | Reclusium | Apothecarion | Librarius | ||
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 Confessors Deacons |
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Fleets
| Home world Fleet | Frontline Fleets | ||||
| The 1st Company"The Scarred" | 2nd Fleet"The Abolishers" | 3rd Fleet "The Carrion Company" |
4th Fleet"Warp Scourges" | ||
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| Reserve Fleets | ||||
| 5th Fleet | 6th Fleet "The Shepherds" |
7th Fleet "The Scraps" |
8th Fleet | |
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Fleets
| Specialist Companies | ||
| The Dread Company "The Iron Dead" |
9th Company "The Suffering" |
Scout 10th Company "Wardens of Zergeist" |
Reclaimers |
Unknown number of penitents Chaplain Dreadnoughts |
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Chapter Recruitment
Chapter Beliefs
- "And so it came to pass. My father dead and my brothers scattered across a galaxy wreaked by war. I discovered our true purpose."
- — Anonymous Iron Crows Astartes
The Chapter's beliefs are recorded in the books known as the 'Leges Ferrum' or 'Laws of Iron'. This book holds deep religious reverence within the chapter.
The 'Laws of Iron' is a religious text written by the Oberon Kull. The Laws of Iron synthesize of the teachings of the Cult Mechanicus and Imperial Cult into a coherent religion drawing from the Sixteen Universal Laws and other core cult mechanicus texts, the Lectitio Divinitatus, and the collected writings of the Primarch Farrus Manus. While most imperial historians would agree that Farrus Manus wrote little of philosophy, there are some surviving texts penned by the Primarch. But the portions attributed to Manus match with the surviving texts of the Iron Hands Primarch.
The beliefs of the Iron Crows are derived from two books - the Lectitio Divinitatus and the Leges Ferrum or 'Laws of Iron'. This latter book, in particular, is a book derived from the writings of the first chapter master and terran born Iron Hand, Oberen Kull. The Laws of Iron provides the chapter with unique beliefs among the imperial faithful. They believe the Omnissiah and Emperor are one and divine, and they unite the teachings of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Adeptus Ministorum into a singular belief system that places them at odds with the more zealous members of either creed.
The Emperor's Providence
One of the more unique beliefs of the chapter is the Emperor's Providence. This belief states that the God-Emperor guides and cares for the chapter. This belief is seen within the chapter's lore where their are several examples of a member of the chapter seeing visions of the God-Emperor guiding or informing the brother in cryptic way into a course of action that benefits the chapter. It also manifests as a common belief that current circumstances or random chance are beneficial to the chapter in some yet unknown way. An extreme interpretation of this belief manifests itself as an unhealthy belief that anything is a direct gift from the Emperor and it is a grave sin to waste it.
The Emperor's Gifts
Another one of the chapter's beliefs is that of the Emperor's gift. Which is the view that the Emperor's death, is a sacrifice used to save humanity from Horus' betrayal. Thus all servants of His Imperium should give nothing less as repayment for such a gift. Iron Crows do not flinch at death in the service of the imperium making them bitter and zealous fighters, as the Emperor gave his life, one should do no less. From this belief dreadnoughts are seen as extremely pious and blessed as they are allowed to give a second life in service to the Emperor.
Iron Traditions and Practices
The Grim Rituals
When a battle brother dies if his body is recovered, all useable material is harvested by the apothecaries of the chapter. This is all done through a series of rituals in order to preserve as much material as possible for the chapter. Materials such as geneseed, equipment, bionics, and even the brother's organic matter. All are repurposed by the chapter into making new astartes, equipping them and even providing nourishment. Due to the Iron Crow's genetic flaws the chapter routinely turns its fallen into victuals not unlike the corpse starch found on must hive worlds. Neophytes are often given such rations upon implementation of their Omophagea. As most cannot make use of the organ it has little to no effect although those who have retained use of the organ may gain knowledge as a final gift from their forbearers. Other equipment is repurposed and redistributed within the chapter in continued service to the God Emperor.
The Iron Toll
The Malxilium Sector given to its proximity to the Rotting Veil Phenomena experience a large of amount of Piratical raids within the sector from both Xenos and Human pirates. The Iron Crows as part of their duties as a member of the Cerberi patrol and defend imperial shipping lanes. Within the sector various organizations, both interplanetary and imperial, supply the Cerberi with resources to maintain their capabilities across the sector. A simple vox coder in the shape of a large lron disk, baring the mark of the Cerberi is distributed to organization's ships, allowing verification of payment.
Genetic Flaw:
Among Iron Hands successor chapters, the Iron Crows have a relatively stable gene-seed although it is not without its flaws. Within the chapter 6-10% of brothers develop the chapter's genetic flaw over the course of their service making them obsessed with preserving equipment and supplies. A more minor flaw is the failure of their Omophagea organ.
Omophagea Failure
By the time a Iron Crow becomes a fully fledged battle brother 90% are unable to use the Omophagea organ do to a genetic flaw.
Primarch's Curse: Waste not Want not
As a former fleet-based chapter, the Iron Crows are prudent warriors. Making the most of limited resources and developing a culture that abhors waste. This has its roots in their chapter's traditions and religious beliefs believing everything given to the chapter is a gift from the God-Emperor himself. Everything from a battleship to a bolt shell. This frugalness in extreme cases can cause them to view even missing a shot as extremely sinful and warranting penance. In severe cases the flaw will manifest into either an intense hatred for those who waste resources or an intense feeling guilt and shame for allowing such a sin to happen.
- Level 1 (Conserve Resources): The Battle-Brother is extremely frugal and careful with his equipment and resources. He keeps careful track of every round fired, every grenade thrown, and every item used, ensuring that nothing is wasted.
- Level 2 (Scorn Waste): The Battle-Brother becomes deeply distressed when he sees resources wasted. He will refuse to do any action that will, as he views it, waste resources. He may even become irrationally angry or take drastic measures to prevent waste even if it is done by an ally.
- Level 3 (Distain Excess): The Battle-Brother views any waste as a grave sin, and will go to great lengths to make amends for it, even if it means risking his own life. In battle, he leans toward tactics that preserve resources even if they are not suitable for completing the task at hand. He may undertake dangerous missions or seek out penance from his chapter's leaders to make up for any transgression
Combat Doctrine
Being a fleet-based chapter for the majority of their existence, the Iron Crow's combat doctrine focuses on void combat and boarding actions as a core part of their doctrine. Another legacy of their time as a fleet-based chapter is their focus on efficiency and self-sufficiency. Iron crow fleets are expected to conduct long-range patrolling actions without resupply for years at a time. All Iron Crows are expected to use their armaments with the utmost efficiency, using only the bare necessities for an engagement. This unsurprisingly makes them quite adept at guerrilla warfare whether in the void or solid ground, as Iron Crow forces can last years within resupply.
Boarding Doctrine:
- Surgical Strikes: The Iron Crows excel at precision boarding operations. They meticulously study the layouts of enemy vessels, identifying key targets and weak points, allowing them to execute surgical strikes with minimal collateral damage.
- Iron Grip: Once aboard an enemy vessel, the Iron Crows employ a relentless grip on their targets. They establish secure zones, preventing enemy reinforcements from reaching critical areas and isolating the enemy crew. This ensures maximum control of the ship during boarding actions.
Void Combat Doctrine:
- Guerrilla Tactics: The Iron Crows have spent most of their history as an independent fleet-based chapter making use of guerilla warfare on the ground as well as in the void. The chapter is skilled at void-based raids, ambushes, and hit-in-run tactics. While they are not as masterful as those chapters of the Raven Guard they often surprise enemies with their flexible and evasive tactics.
- Combined Unit Tactics: The Iron Crows is known to work well with Imperial Navy and commonly incorporate any local naval assets to the utmost efficiency.
Guerrilla Warfare Doctrine:
- Hit-and-Fade Tactics: The Iron Crows utilize hit-and-fade tactics, striking swiftly and disappearing into the shadows before the enemy can respond effectively. They rely on their agility and mobility to engage enemy forces on their own terms, always maintaining the element of surprise.
- Ambush and Counter-Attack: The chapter excels at setting ambushes, luring enemy forces into carefully prepared traps. Once the enemy is engaged, the Iron Crows unleash devastating counter-attacks, exploiting weaknesses and disrupting enemy formations.
- Tech-Scavenging Saboteurs: Leveraging their expertise in scavenging and repairing technology, the Iron Crows employ specialist units adept at infiltrating enemy lines. These saboteurs disable enemy equipment, disrupt supply lines, and sow chaos in the enemy ranks, making guerrilla warfare even more effective.
Deathwatch Service
The Malixius Sector is home numerous xenos threats from minor xenos empires, pirates, and incursions from Tyranids and the Tau Empire.
Notable Members
Chapter Fleet
The Iron Crows maintain a larger than-average fleet compared to other Space Marine Chapters. They notably have a total of 4 battle barges making them an effective force in large-scale void combat. These battle barges are utilized by their front-line companies for rapid strike and expeditionary capabilities. Reserve fleets utilize formations of 1-2 Cruisers and 2-3 escorts for patrolling their home sector or supplementing an Iron Crow expeditionary force.
Battle Barge
- Iron Spite (Warspite-class Battle-Barge) - Iron Spite is the Flagship of the Iron Crows Chapter
- Shepard of Iron (Battle-Barge)
- Vulture of Zergist (Battle-Barge)
Strike Crusier
- Penitent's Fist (Strike Cruiser)
- Steel-Storm (Strike Cruiser)
- Carrion-Maker (Strike Cruiser)
Escorts
Space station
- Aegis of Iron - The space station
Chapter Relics
Bitter Redoubt - relic combat shield
A combat shield of ignoble design. At first glance it seems just a piece of a bulkhead fashioned into a crude shield is in fact one of the relics of the Iron Crows Chapter. As the chapter lore states the shield has been within the the chapter's care ever since the Scouring. The tale goes that it was originally part of a traitor ship that had been wrenched off the bulkhead within the heat of battle to protect a hero of the chapter. The shield is said to reflect and absorb the most devastating of punishment despite its seemingly simple design and material. The shield has a verity of legends attached to it. Weather the shield has the iron halo of Oberen Kull imbedded within it or some other reason does not matter as the shields continues to faithful serving the chapter throughout the 41st millennium.
Chapter Appearance
The Iron Crows are known for their battle-scarred and patchwork appearance, reflecting their resourceful nature and reliance on salvaged equipment. Their power armor is often adorned with repairs, jury-rigged enhancements, and superficial damage. Each suit of armor tells a story of survival and adaptation, with unique modifications made by the Battle-Brothers to suit their individual needs. Individuals will adorn their armor with trophies, charms, and markings as a devotion to the chapter, the Emperor, or the Imperium. For weapons, Iron Crow battle brothers are equipped with ancient and outdated armaments. Additionally, an individual battle brother will equip themselves with simple weapons fashioned from whatever material is at hand. It is not uncommon to see savage blades, bludgeons, and even crude firearms at the belt of an Iron Crows battle-brother.
Chapter Colors
The two primary colors of the chapter are dark gray and dark red. The gray chests and legs are framed by red arms and power pack. The helm for an average battle-brother is also dark gray, but this is changed to show rank or status a marine. Marines will often display their company insignia on their left pauldron or on their right knee pad.
Chapter Badge
Relations
Sworn Brothers
Allies
| Name | Iconography | Notes |
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Forge World Malice has a debt to the Iron Crows as it was one of the chapters that bleed to free it from the Dark Mechanicus hertecks during the Malixian Reconquest. The Iron Crows also regularly trade scavenged Archeotech in return for the basic supplies that the Forgeworld creates. | |
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There is an unspoken comradery between the two chapters, perhaps it is due to their shared scavenging nature, some shared hardship or battle, or some other secret bond. Whatever the case The Iron Crows do not disclose this friendship instead keeping such knowledge close within chapter lore. | |
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The Iron Crows are known to cooperate with local inquisitors, particularly the Ordo Mechanicum who enlist Iron Crow battle brothers to hunt particualerly dangerous quarries. | |
| Black Templars | After severing alongside the chapter during the Malixius Reconquista both chapter hold bonds of mutual respect for each other. |
Troubled Relations
| Name | Iconography | Notes |
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The Iron Crows have always had a troubled relationship with their parent chapter.
Exiled from ever returning to Medusa, the Iron Hands and many of their successor chapters look down on the beliefs of chapter as a weakness. |
Enemies
Notable Quotes
By the Iron Crows
About the Iron Crows
Gallery
