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- "The Flesh is weak, never has this been more true than now. Morals, fortitude and order are missing from the heart of the masses. They cannot be trusted to hold court over themselves. Through the history of our Gene seed, we have rid ourselves of the inherent weakness that maligns this mortal flesh. Only we can balance the scales of justice and we have one singular purpose, to bring that balance to the empire. Order will come, we will bring it with open hands or brandished swords. weakness will leave, we will purge it. Law will prevail, WE ARE THE LAW!"
- — 1st Justicar Lamont
The Karaashi Arbiters are a non-Codex compliant Loyalist Successor Chapter created from the lineage of the stoic and unforgiving Iron Hands during the 11th Founding. The chapter maintains a home world in the Finial Sector located in the Segmentum Obscurus but is primarily fleet-based and is spread thinly across imperial space. They are little known unlike other Astartes Chapters but are widely respected within the Imperium's elite class and the Adeptus Arbites for their brutally efficient skill in quelling uprisings on imperial worlds. The Arbiters ruthlessly uphold and impose the law that they bring to a world, maintaining newfound stability with an iron fist.
Like many of the chapters born of Ferrus Manus, the Arbiters are driven to constantly enhance their abilities with extensive cybernetic augmentations.
Chapter History
The chapter is unusual, in that they hold an almost religious belief in documenting their history, codes and creeds. The sum of this knowledge is known to the chapter as The Book of Law and is considered to be a sacred tome by all that serve. The following history is taken from the Chapter's records but is not confirmed to be accurate by either official imperial or Adeptus Mechanicus records.
Pre-Formation
Following the events of the Dropsite Massacre of Istvaan V, all battle-brothers of the Iron Hands Legion felt a deep sense of injustice and failure. Over the millennia, small numbers of battle-brothers from every clan began to believe that this failure was down to the weakness of flesh inherent in man and that they, as the mechanically-enlightened, were the only beings able to bestow true justice on the race of man.
These beliefs led to Space Marines increasingly interacting with the general populace more and more often to the detriment of the mission. These Marines were shunned by their brethren and slowly moved to a little used outcast unit led by Gideon Lamont. Centuries of isolation as an outcast unit solidified their belief that the true meaning of the Gorgon's words "the flesh is weak" was not to do with the physical form but man's pre-disposition towards Chaos and death.
The unity found within these marines emboldened Lamont and following a pilgrimage to the ice pinnacle of Karaashi (the site that Ferrus Manus is said to have fallen to Medusa as a child) he began to petition the High Lords of Terra during the 11th Founding to allow his unit to found a new chapter. Gideon successfully argued the need for his unit to split from the Iron Hands in pursuit of enforcing law and order within the Imperium. Throughout many campaigns, these marines had built up good relationships with the Adeptus Arbites that they encountered and would increasingly be called upon to dispense Justice in situations they could not. Written testimony provided by senior Judges, Magistrates and Marshals helped to secure the Imperial Edict. Thus, in late 35 th Millennium, Gideon Lamont became the first Chapter Master of the newly formed Karaashi Arbiters.
Post-Formation
The first mission the newly formed chapter was given sent them to a little-known star system in the Finial Sector where the civilised world of Forum had renounced the Imperium. The Adeptus Arbites dispatched to the world initially made progress in returning the world to the fold but had underestimated the size of the militia that Forum had raised nearby farm worlds. Lamont saw this as the perfect example of his chapter's core tenant that weakness of the flesh was the mindset that had spread like a disease on this planet. Lamont instilled the belief into his battle brothers that they were the only ones capable of instilling peace as they had already conquered their own weak flesh. With this potent belief, the battle-brothers broke the militia and instigated direct rule over the planet in a few short solar days.
- "Look at you. You shy away from the Emperor's light yet claim to be enlightened yourself. It is not your fault you are but weak flesh, confusion for you is an unalterable truth. Your confusion spreads like an insidious disease, infecting your entire planet. For this you are judged to be guilty and will never see the light again."
- —Gideon Lamont as he executed the Governor General of Forum
The swift victory on Forum came to be seen as an affirmation of the chapter's purpose and creation leading it to be formally claimed by the chapter as their homeworld being renamed Karaashi Prime in the process. Over the first few decades of rule, the High Gothic culture of Karaashi Prime permeated the chapter leading to the use of ceremonial ancient titles in lieu of traditional Astartes ranks. This was the time that the Karaashi Arbiters were first entered into official Imperial records as the Chapter's official name and the title of chapter master was withdrawn in favour of Justicar.
Notable Campaigns
The Halo Crusade (136.M37)
The Arbiters lead a crusade to the outer reaches of the astronomicam within the Halo Stars after receiving confirmation of an incursion by a rogue faction of the Adeptus Mechanicus known as the Cult of Sigma. After 100 terran years of skirmishes the crusade was ultimately successful in pushing the incursion back. The Arbiters have garrisoned a small patrol force in the region since to prevent further attacks.
Judge Thy Brother (991.M38)
Inquisitor [Redacted] of Ordo Malleus requested support from the Arbiters to censure the [Redacted], chapter of space marines having found them guilty of falling to chaos. All records of the guilty chapter have been wiped from imperial records and officially they never existed. Arbiter history records that the chapter came to the aid of Inquisitor [Redacted] and that following a brief campaign on the heretic chapters homeworld all members of the chapter were sentenced to Equilibrium. Chapter Master [Redacted] was kept alive in Equilibrium for 365 sols before it was declared his balance had been restored and he was allowed to die.
Lamont's Apostasy (482.M39)
After receiving a distress call from officers of the Adeptus Arbites stationed in the hive city of Moalan, Justicar Lamont led Arbiters from the 1st company on a mission to return the city to peace. Finding Moalan to be overrun with a Chaos cult the Arbiter force conducted standard operations with their strike teams to eliminate top cult figures before proceeding with urban pacification. so extreme was the taint of chaos within the city that Arbiters could not be sure any living sole had not been corrupted leading to the summary judgement of death to be placed upon all of Moalan by the Custolegis, This included the very Arbites officers they had arrived to reinforce. For the chapter this had been a standard successful campaign that aided them as with the city dead there was no requirement for a detachment of Pax Custodes.
Following the engagement veterans of the chapter began to notice a change in their Justicar who had been morose since the moment re returned to the chapter's home world. He could be heard prowling the Bench whispering to himself that 'they didn't need to die' and on several occasions made comments to his troops about the need for mercy when dealing with civilians. Rumours began to circulate amongst the Arbiters that Lamont himself had succumbed to his weak flesh. Seeing the potential for disaster to strike the chapter Lazarus Tarauth placed Lamont on trial for heresy. The trial held by the veterans of the chapter behind closed doors concluded that Lamont had been touched by chaos and had renounced his faith in the book of law, the only judgment for such, was death. In reality, Lamont was the first victim of a flaw in the Chapters Gene seed known as 'Delusional Judgement'.
In the years after new folk tales spread amongst the serfs of Karaashi Prime. Lamont was not executed, instead he still serves the chapter as the lobotomised servant that bears the Book of Law for Tarauth.
Chapter Homeworld
Kaarashi Prime
Like the chapter itself , the homeworld of the Karaashi Arbiters is named after the great Ice pinnacle where Ferrus Manus first fell to Medusa. Before being claimed by the chapter as it's homeworld, Karaashi Prime was known as Forum, a civilised world that resembled the culture of Ultramar. On claiming the world the Arbiters took direct control of the populace and split the settled lands in to 8 districts that are controlled by 8 of the 10 companies in the chapter. Each company maintains a Court House which acts as their company headquarters as well as the symbol of authority for the area.
The 10th company maintain a sprawling training ground on the second undeveloped continent.
The 9th Company command a penal colony, known as Delusion, on Ma'at the largest moon of Karaashi prime.
Fortress-Monastery
The Bench
The Bench is giant citadel built into the highest peak of Karaashi Prime known as Gorgon's Peak. The Bench is the central governing power of the planet and houses the vast library of the Custolegis.
The top floor of the Bench is known as the Great chamber, it houses a grand table that seats each of the 10 company commanders. over looking this is another table, also known as The Bench that seats the Justicar in the centre flanked by the Grand Custolegis and Man-at-Arms.
Below this is the Justicar's Court. An ornate court room used to hold ceremonial trials. Largely used for rituals within the chapter it has seen limited use in its official function. Most notable of these was the trial of Gideon Lamont. Only Adeptus Astartes may enter this chamber and it is almost unheard of that any Astartes outside of the chapter have been allowed entrance.
At the base of the mountain huge iron doors lead into the cavernous garages and workshops of the Tech marines.
Chapter Organisation
Officer Ranks
- Justicar (Chapter Master)
- Vicarius (Captain)
- Ealdorman (Lieutenant)
- Man-at-Arms (Chief Tech Marine)
- Grand Custolegis (Chief Librarian)
Specialist Ranks
- Custolegis
Within the Kaarashi Arbiters the traditional Astartes roles of Librarian and chaplain are combined into the single rank of Custolegis (Guardian of the Law or Custodian). The Custolegis is responsible for maintaining the book of law. whilst not an actual book it represents the combined archive and knowledge of the chapter. For the Arbiters this knowledge is the spiritual heart of the chapter.
- Tech Marine
Line Ranks
- Alderman (Sergeant)
- Arbiter (Battle-Brother)
- Neophyte
- Aspirant
Specialist Units & Formations
- Pax Custodes
This company specialises in its peacekeeping role. Following the large-scale pacification of a population by the main Arbiter force this company will be deployed to maintain worlds newfound peace by upholding the laws imposed by the chapter with an iron fist. Due to the nature of their role, the Pax Custodes favours lighter armour than the main force and utilises Phobos armour to a greater extent.
This company utilises the hail storm variant of storm speeders, Impulsor tanks, bikes and ATV's
Units of the Pax Custodes have their armour painted White with a blue helm and right shoulder pad to symbolise their peacekeeping role.
Order of Battle
Headquarters
Companies
Chapter Beliefs
The core Tenant of the Karaashi Arbiters is that man is not capable of maintaining law and order and they must be saved from themselves by those with the fortitude to dispense true justice. Only Astartes that understand the inherent weakness of the flesh can deliver cold impartial justice free of emotional bias. To the Arbiters, there are no extenuating circumstances or grey areas. There is a clear and distinct line that cannot be crossed, All laws are equal, for if a man breaks one law they will break all and this cannot be allowed.
The Balance
- "In our hands we hold the scales of justice. on one side sits the burning fire of the emperors wisdom , balanced by the cold ice of the Gorgon's Logic. We few Arbiters are duty bound to carry the burden of the scales. Our hands, untainted by weak flesh are the only means to keep the scales balanced. For in equilibrium we find indisputable justice."
- —Lazarus Tarauth, Grand Custolegis
Punishment
Any man who would cross the line of the law must face swift justice, Death is the only true form of Justice. Despite this belief, the Arbiters do not indiscriminately execute all those they judge, as there are many forms of death. A man can have his life extinguished but still serve the imperium with his body as a servitor.
Common sentences
Mors - a straight death sentences. the uttering of this word is usually followed by a bolt to the head within a few milliseconds.
Mors Animi - This is a death sentence for your mind and soul, your body is useful and will continue to serve the imperium.
Mortem in Servitio - You will work or fight as a slave until you die, This sentences is often issued when one of the Arbiters ships requires re-fuelling.
Purgatio - You, your family and any person you could be related to are removed from the gene pool of a population to stop the spread of your weak flesh.
Exterminatus - The annihilation of the entire planet.
Equilibrium - A death penalty in all but name. reserved for the elites of society that have committed heinous crimes. A man's equilibrium must be restored before death, to achieve this their lower half is emersed in liquid nitrogen, shortly after the upper body is engulfed in fire. a potent cocktail of stims is administered that both heighten the sense and keeps you awake to ensure there is time for equilibrium to be restored.
Chapter Gene-Seed
The chapter's gene-seed is that of the Iron-hands and is considered to be relatively stable. Like the Iron Hands the chapter has a strong belief that the Flesh is week and will ritualistically replace parts of their bodies with cybernetic replacements. A seemingly natural mutation within the seed has led the chapter to also believe that cognitive thought is a part of the flesh. This mutation manifests in three stages:-
- The Flesh is Week
An Arbiter see's his biological body as a hindrance and weakness. Initially he will scar or punish his body as the only means of soothing the anger he feels towards his own weakness. As time goes on the Arbiter will begin to replace parts of his body with cybernetic replacements, commonly limbs and ocular implants.
- The Mind Falters
As the hatred towards their flesh intensifies and more of the body becomes robotic, a psychological safeguard begins to manifest and the Arbiter will begin to lament their lost humanity, As this develops their judgement can become impaired as they will begin to be more lenient to those that they judge. Arbiters in this stage harbour a deep feeling of shame to having these thoughts and will hide their impairment from their battle-brothers for as long as they can.
- Delusional Judgement
In this final stage an Arbiter loses all of their logical thought and are overwhelmed with empathy to lesser people. This renders them unable to pass judgement or to fight effectively. This stage is rare amongst the chapter and it was first discovered after Justicar Lamont succame to it during Lamont's Apostacy. This stage is not known to anyone outside of the chapter as it is seen as a great flaw that would impact the authority the chapter carries. Once an Arbiter succumbs to delusional judgement they are forcibly returned to their home system where they are incarcerated in the lowest level of the Delusion Penal Complex on the moon of Ma'at.
Deathwatch Service
The Karaashi Arbiters do not see service within the ranks of the Deathwatch as an honour, it was instead used as a punishment for those Arbiters who lack the fortitude required to deal with the complex matters of man. Arbiters sent to serve the Deathwatch forever live with the shame that they are only equal to delivering justice to mere beasts and animals. Due to this the Deathwatch no longer recruit from the Arbiters.
Chapter Combat Doctrine
The chapter utilises small strike forces, generally favouring smaller handguns and melee weapons. forces will enter the battlefield at strategic points and converge on the target that has been designated as the 'Prima Reus'. Once justice has been served on the primary defendant large teams of assault marines will descend to serve summary justice on any forces that remain.
Once fighting has ended the chapter will garrison a force of peacekeepers to remain on the planet to ensure that law is strictly adhered to, During this time, the Arbiters will train and teach members of the Adeptus Arbites and general populace in the ways of the law.
Notable Space Marines
- Justicar Gideon Lamont - The founding Justicar of the Karaashi Arbiters.
- Grand Custolegis Lazarus Tarauth - Known to many within the chapter as 'The Infallible Truth', Lazarus Tarauth is the foremost knowledge on the book of law within the chapter and acts as the head of the Custolegis and as the Justicar's personal advisor. It is rumoured amongst the chapter that his knowledge is so vast and invaluable that he will be interred within a dreadnaught chassis should he fall so that his wisdom can continue to serve the chapter for eons to come
- Cato, Champion of Balance
- Odhran the Gaoler - Vicarius of the 9th Company and master of Delusion
Chapter Fleet
- Righteous Indignation (Battle Barge) - Flagship
Chapter Relics
- Bronze Hand of Justice - An ornate powerfist recovered from the battlegrounds of the Dropsite Massacre from a fallen Marine of the Iron Hands Legion. The powerfist was first used by Gideon Lamont when part of the Iron Hands Chapter and grew to be the symbol of leadership within the ranks of the Arbiters during the founding years. It is now given to champions within the chapter and is rarely used in combat. Those that receive it are revered as masters of 'the balance'.
- The Gorgon's Gavel - a thunder hammer resembling that used by Ferrus Manus, it is given to a chapter master upon their ascension to leadership and is a symbol of their absolute authority. once the gavel falls a judgement is irreversible.
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colours
The chapter utilises grey power armour with navy blue shoulder pads trimmed in bronze. Each Marine paints the fists of their power armour bronze to symbolise the bronze hand of justice that symbolises their chapter. The specialist Pax Custodes utilises a different colour scheme to the rest of the chapter. Units in this company have white power armour with a light blue helm and right shoulder pad. The chapter badge on the left shoulder remains bronze but is on a white background.
Chapter Badge
The chapter badge is similar to that of the Iron Hands. The hand insignia is painted bronze and symbolises justice. This symbol is often referred to as 'the bronze hand of justice'. The hand sits on a navy blue background, symbolising the cold logic needed to dispense true justice.
Relations
Allies
Enemies
Notable Quotes
By: Karaashi Arbiters
About: Karaashi Arbiters
- "Do not be complacent with the peacekeepers, for the the peace will be kept. Judgement will be swift, should you cross the line, and there will not be time for remorse"
- —unknown citizen
| Eleventh Founding Space Marine Chapters | |
|---|---|
| Dark Angels Successors | • |
| White Scars Successors | Shades of Cog • |
| Space Wolves Successors | N/A |
| Imperial Fists Successors | Exalted Blades • Skull Takers • |
| Blood Angels Successors | • |
| Iron Hands Successors | Blood Guard • Karaashi Arbiters • |
| Ultramarines Successors | Steel Hawks • |
| Salamanders Successors | • |
| Raven Guard Successors | • |
| Unknown Lineage | Murdering Sons • Howling Wolves • Night Terrors • |
Gallery
Models of the Karaashi Arbiters
