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This article, Myrmidons, is currently under active construction. The author, Achilles Prime, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
- "Give me a place to stand and I will move the heavens!"
- — Myrmidons Proverb
Forged in the crucible of the 3rd Founding, the Myrmidons are a brotherhood of steel and fury, scions of Roboute Guilliman yet far removed from the calm reason of their sire. Descended from the infamous Imperius Ravagers, they carry within their gene-line a legacy as dark as it is indomitable. Where other sons of Ultramar embody the Codex Astartes as sacred writ, the Myrmidons regard it as a weapon—useful, but never binding. Their war councils speak not of measured counterstroke but of relentless advance, of shattered foes and burning worlds. To the Myrmidons, victory is sanctified only when the enemy is utterly destroyed and their ashes scattered to the void.
Their fortress-monastery, Alkaios stands sentinel upon the storm lashed world of Ægina Primus. This rugged planet is a crucible of black basalt mountains, iron seas, and ceaseless tempests, where lightning rends the sky in blinding arcs and the land itself groans beneath tectonic fury. From Alkaios’ obsidian battlements, the Chapter surveys a realm as harsh and unyielding as the warriors it breeds. Ægina Primus offers no gentle nurture: its tribes are forged in constant trial, and only the fiercest survive to be chosen as aspirants. It is said that even the Myrmidons’ warships echo the planet’s wrath, their hulls ringing like thunder when they launch into the void.
Over millennia of ceaseless war, the Myrmidons have earned both fear and reluctant respect. The Orks of the Vargoth Cluster remember the Tide of Iron, when Myrmidon spearheads turned greenskin war moons to drifting cinders. Chaos warbands speak in hushed curses of the Pyratheon Purge, where no traitor was left alive and entire hive spires burned for their treachery. To Imperial commanders they are a double edged blade. Devastating in battle, unyielding in obedience to the Throne, yet forever skirting the ragged edge of sanctioned savagery. In the grim darkness of the far future, the Myrmidons are the Emperor’s relentless executioners, proof that even the blood of Guilliman can run black with war.
Chapter History
Origins
- "Rage - sing the rage of Guilliman's son Achilleus,
murderous, doomed, that cost the followers of the Great Enemy countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters' souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and birds,
and the will of the Imperator was moving toward its end."- — Excerpt from the Epic of Achilleus.
The origins of the Myrmidons Chapter trace back to the Age of Darkness, a catastrophic period when the burgeoning Imperium of Man was thrown into chaos by the Horus Heresy. This galactic civil war, instigated by Horus Lupercal, the Emperor's once-favored Primarch, saw half of the Space Marine Legions, along with numerous other factions, turn traitor in an attempt to overthrow the Emperor. The galaxy was shattered, leaving devastation in its wake. It was during this cataclysmic time that the legend of Achilleus Cassios, Patriarch and first Chapter Master of the Myrmidons, was born.
Achilleus was forged in the fires of the latter years of the Horus Heresy, when the Imperium and its Space Marine Legions were strained to their breaking point. The brutal and unceasing warfare of this time decimated the Legions, including the Ultramarines, who suffered catastrophic losses during the Calth Atrocity and the subsequent Shadow Crusade at the hands of the Word Bearers and World Eaters Traitor Legions. With the need for fresh warriors urgent, the Ultramarines resorted to the creation of the Legio Inductii, new recruits rapidly trained and indoctrinated in a desperate bid to replenish their depleted ranks.
Achilleus was one of these Inductii, raised into the ranks of the XIIIth Legion not during the glory days of the Great Crusade, but amid the desperate warfare of the Heresy. The Inductii were forged in fire and blood, warriors who had only ever known the brutal, internecine fighting against fellow Space Marines. Though they were moulded into effective killers, they lacked the refinement and honour of the Legion's veterans who had fought for the Emperor across the stars, carving out the Imperium's early conquests.
Assigned to the assault cadre of the 24th Chapter's Evocatii, Achilleus and his comrades found themselves at odds with their more experienced brothers, many of whom had survived the Calth Atrocity and earned the scars of betrayal. As one of the "Unmarked" Chapters, they had not faced the same trials as the veterans, who viewed them as lesser warriors. The bitterness and animosity that this engendered in Achilleus would mark him deeply, leaving scars that would influence his actions throughout his life.
Despite these tensions, Achilleus' skill in battle could not be denied. His ruthless efficiency on the battlefield saw him rise swiftly through the ranks, even earning the rank of Centurion in the 8th Chapter under the command of Bruticus Kratos. Following the end of the Heresy, the breaking of the Legions in the Second Founding saw Achilleus assigned to the newly-formed Imperius Ravagers, where he was elevated to Tribune of the 2nd Maniple. Here, he served with distinction, carving out a reputation for himself through his prowess and his talent for leading warriors into the teeth of battle.
It was during a daemonic incursion that Achilleus' fate would take a decisive turn. When his Praetor was slain in combat against a host of daemons, Achilleus took command, leading a counterattack that ultimately drove back the daemonic horde and secured victory for the Imperium. His courage and leadership during this critical moment earned him widespread recognition, and he was promoted to Praetor of the 2nd Company.
Founding
The origins of the Myrmidons, like many chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, were forged in fire and blood. This notorious Chapter was created during the 3rd Founding, which occurred during the dawn of the 32nd Millennium - a tumultuous era marked by uprisings, extreme Warp activity and daemonic incursion throughout the Galaxy. In their wisdom, the High Lords of Terra saw fit to authorise a new founding of several newly created Space Marine Chapters. These Chapters were characterised as being both brutal and ruthless in the extreme in order to strike fear into the Imperial populace and scare them into compliance. The Myrmidons were created alongside such brutal Chapters as the Executioners, Flesh Eaters, Charnel Guard and Scythes of the Emperor. These ferocious Chapters of this era wreaked terrible slaughter on those who opposed Imperial rule, and due to their bellicose and merciless natures, developed a savage culture as a result.
The Myrmidons were created from the gene-lineage of the bellicose and unforgiving Imperius Ravagers, a brutal 2nd Founding Chapter, who themselves, were descended from the lineage of Roboute Guilliman. Upon their inception, the newly-created Myrmidons Chapter swore an oath to defend the realms of the Emperor from the enemies of Mankind, bringing blade and bolter to any that dare oppose the Emperor's will or encroach upon His domain. In almost ten thousand years they have not wavered once in this charge.
In 001.M32, during the Third Founding, Achilleus was granted the honour he had long sought. Recognized for his relentless tenacity and service, he was chosen to lead a newly created Chapter as its first Chapter Master. Naming his Chapter the 'Myrmidons', after the legendary warriors of ancient Grecian myth from Old Earth, Achilleus sought to forge a Chapter in his own image: bellicose, ruthless, and utterly dedicated to the Emperor's cause.
Under his leadership, the Myrmidons became known for their overwhelming application of force and their preference for direct, brutal engagements. Achilleus led from the front, embodying the warrior ethos of the Chapter. For nearly two centuries, he guided the Myrmidons to victory against the myriad enemies of the Imperium, from xenos invaders to traitor forces. His name became synonymous with bloodshed and conquest, a leader feared by his enemies and respected by his peers.
Achilleus' legendary career came to an end during a massive Chaos incursion from the warp rift known as the Maelstrom. It was here that the Myrmidons faced an overwhelming host of Chaos, including a Greater Daemon of Khorne. In a titanic battle, Achilleus fought the daemon to his last breath but was ultimately struck down. His death marked the end of an era for the Myrmidons, but his legacy lived on, forever enshrined in the annals of the Chapter. Under his leadership, they had become a force to be reckoned with, and his name continued to inspire future generations of warriors to uphold the brutal and unyielding nature of their Chapter's creed.
Forged in Fire and Blood
In the latter centuries of M33, the Imperium experienced the War of the False Primarch - a dark and bloody episode in the Imperium's history, now largely lost to myth and purged from the official record, which plunged the Segmentum Pacificus into anarchy. The Myrmidons were one of several chapters sent into the heart of this ongoing conflict, though the details of their exploits are not recorded. Despite being recorded as one of the Myrmidons' most momentous battle honours, the Chapter's own chronicles are curiously empty of any reference to this conflict.
In the wake of the anarchy that followed the murderous internecine conflict of the War of the False Primarch and its aftermath, the Hellion Sector declares its secession from the troubled Imperium. Bloodily attacking its neighbours, it becomes quickly apparent that the sector's rulers had fallen to the worship of the Dark Gods, and its millions of men-under-arms were corrupted and given over to darkness, while its mass manufactora were turned to churning forth twisted war machines consecrated to the dark gods. The call-to-arms is eagerly answered by several bellicose and savage Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes that possess a war-like mien, including the Myrmidons, Megalodons, Void Reapers, Blood Scorpions and the Imperius Ravagers - the latter Chapter being the Myrmidons' genetic forebears. With the arrival of this formidable Space Marine task force, these Chapters begin to systematically destroy each Secessionist force they encounter. But soon, the ever widening war swells to ravage more than eighty inhabited systems and uncounted billions die in the fighting. By the dawning of M35, the Hellion Sector and its environs are reduced to little more than a waste zone of barren worlds and dead hive cities.
Notable Campaigns
Chapter Homeworld
Departmento Cartographicae pict-capture of the Myrmidons homeworld of Ægina Primus
Ægina Primus, the Chapter homeworld of the Myrmidons, is a feral world that exists on the fringes of Imperial civilization. The planet is split into four major continents, with a vast landlocked sea at its center, dividing the world into two distinct cultural and geographic regions.
The southern continents are predominantly inhabited by descendants of the original settlers, who live in a state of primitive tribalism. These people maintain a lifestyle reminiscent of early Bronze Age cultures on Old Earth. They are organized into ruling city-states, each with its own chieftains and warrior elite, engaged in frequent conflicts over land and resources. Despite the technological regression of their society, they possess a rudimentary form of agriculture and have managed to survive in a world that offers little in terms of advanced infrastructure. The people have slowly embraced the teachings of the God-Emperor, and while their grasp of the wider Imperium is limited, their fealty to Him is undeniable.
The northern continents are more developed, containing several isolated and semi-civilized enclaves, where the descendants of later settlers live in slightly more advanced conditions. However, the technological disparity between the north and south remains vast, and despite this, most inhabitants of the southern continents have resisted the opportunity to migrate north, preferring their more traditional way of life.
The Myrmidons draw many of their recruits from the hardy peoples of the southern continents. These recruits, raised in a world of constant strife and warfare, are seen as ideal candidates for the trials of becoming an Astartes. The brutality of their tribal wars and the harsh environment they endure forge them into tenacious and unyielding warriors, perfectly suited to the demands of service in the Adeptus Astartes. The Myrmidons' recruitment process, while rigorous and dangerous, is viewed by the natives as a great honour, and those who are chosen often become legendary figures within their tribes, whether they survive the transformation or not.
Though Ægina Primus is largely self-sufficient, it remains under the watchful eye of the Myrmidons, who see the planet as not only their home but as a vital source of new blood for their Chapter. It has been suggested that the hardy and warlike people of Ægina Primus could also serve as the foundation for an Astra Militarum regiment, further extending the reach and influence of the Imperium across this volatile world.
Chapter Recruitment
The selection process for becoming a Myrmidon is a gruelling and perilous journey that begins with a grand tournament, held once every decade at the foot of Alkaios, the fortress-monastery of the Myrmidons on Ægina Primus. This tournament is a defining event for the young warriors of the planet's southern continents, where tribes send their most promising champions to compete. The event is as much a spectacle as it is a test, drawing spectators from across the region to witness the display of skill, savagery, and strength that unfolds.
The tournament is structured in stages, each progressively more brutal than the last. Competitors are pitted against one another in single combat, armed only with primitive weapons of their own making, reflecting the Bronze Age technology of their culture. These duels are often to the death, as only those willing to lay down their lives are considered worthy. The arena itself is unforgiving, surrounded by jagged cliffs, burning sands, and treacherous pits - designed to push the Aspirants to their absolute limits. The weak and unworthy are quickly eliminated, either by their competitors or by the harsh conditions.
For those who survive, the true test begins: the ascent up the winding, treacherous paths leading to Alkaios. The climb is as much a spiritual journey as it is a physical trial. The path is filled with traps and obstacles designed to cull the weak, and the Aspirants are given no rest, no respite, as they make their way up the mountain. The air grows thinner, the terrain steeper, and the temperature colder as they ascend. Many fall to exhaustion, injury, or simply lose the will to continue. Only the most determined warriors make it to the fortress gates.
Those who reach Alkaios are considered worthy of beginning the next phase of their transformation. Inside the fortress, they are subjected to a series of life-altering surgeries that will augment their bodies with the gene-seed of Roboute Guilliman, the Primarch of the Ultramarines. This process involves the implantation of several new Astartes organs, each of which must integrate perfectly with the Aspirant's existing physiology. These organs, grown from the gene-seed, will fundamentally alter the recruit's body, granting them the enhanced abilities that define a Space Marine. Their bones will thicken, their muscles will grow, and their reflexes will become lightning-fast. They will also develop the ability to heal from injuries that would kill an ordinary human, and their senses will be heightened to superhuman levels.
However, the physical transformation is only part of the process. The Myrmidons believe that a warrior's mind and soul must be just as strong as their body. To this end, the recruits are subjected to rigorous psychological and spiritual training. Hypno-indoctrination is used to instil the teachings and traditions of the Chapter deep within their subconscious minds. They are taught to meditate for long hours, focusing their thoughts on the Emperor and their duty to Him. The spiritual tests are designed to break down their old identities and reshape them into something new - a Myrmidon, a warrior of unyielding faith and loyalty.
During this phase, the recruits are also introduced to the martial traditions of the Chapter. They are trained in the art of war as practised by the Myrmidons, learning the brutal tactics and overwhelming force that the Chapter is known for. This training is relentless, and many do not survive this phase, as their bodies and minds are pushed beyond the limits of ordinary humans. The weak-willed are weeded out, and only those who can endure both the physical pain of their transformations and the mental strain of their indoctrination are allowed to progress.
The final stage of the transformation is a series of spiritual rites, conducted by the Chapter's Chaplains, which bind the recruits to the Myrmidons' legacy. These rites are solemn and sacred, representing the culmination of the recruits' journey from mere mortal warriors to superhuman Astartes. It is here that they swear eternal oaths of loyalty to the Emperor, to the Chapter, and to their brothers-in-arms. Only those who pass every trial, survive every surgery, and maintain their sanity through the psychological conditioning will be fully inducted into the Myrmidons. When the process is complete, they are no longer the warriors they once were. They are now Space Marines—living weapons of the Imperium, shaped by the trials of Ægina Primus and forged in the fires of their transformation.
Chapter Organisation
The Myrmidons, while descended from the Ultramarines and thus nominally Codex-compliant, maintain their own distinctive structure and approach to warfare, shaped by both their unique culture on Ægina Primus and their pragmatic view of military doctrine. Unlike their more rigidly Codex-adherent cousin Chapters, the Myrmidons see the Codex Astartes as a guide rather than an inflexible set of rules. This perspective allows them to adapt their strategies and organisation to meet the needs of their specific battle environments, while still maintaining the overall structure and discipline that has served the Adeptus Astartes well for millennia.
At the core of the Myrmidons' organisation are the ten companies, each consisting of roughly one hundred battle-hardened Space Marines when operating at full strength. These companies are the backbone of the Chapter's combat strength, embodying both the tactical flexibility and brutal efficiency the Myrmidons are known for. Each company is a well-rounded fighting force, with its own complement of specialists, support staff, and heavy equipment, capable of deploying to warzones independently or in concert with the larger Chapter as required.
Commanding this formidable force is the Castrum, or Chapter Command, headed by the 'Legatus Praetore' - the title given to the Myrmidons' Chapter Master. The Legatus Praetore is not only a warrior of immense skill and tactical brilliance but also the spiritual leader of the Chapter, embodying the Myrmidons' martial values of strength, loyalty, and strategic ruthlessness. He is supported by an elite group of veteran warriors who form the Chapter's inner command structure. These leaders include company captains, senior officers, and other specialists, all of whom are battle-tested and proven in the fires of countless campaigns.
The Myrmidons' use of custom rank designations and unique organisational practices reflects the influence of their homeworld's warrior culture. Ægina Primus, with its feudal and tribal warrior traditions, places a high value on personal combat prowess, leadership in battle, and the strength of warrior brotherhoods. As a result, Myrmidon rank designations tend to carry connotations of ancient heroism and martial prestige, evoking the legendary warriors of Old Earth's ancient myths, such as the Myrmidons from which they draw their name.
While each company in the Chapter operates semi-independently, they are all bound by the guidance of the Chapter's various specialist departments. The Librarium oversees the Myrmidons' psykers, whose combat abilities and strategic foresight are essential on the battlefield. The Apothecarion, led by the Chapter's Apothecaries, is responsible for maintaining the health of the Myrmidons, both through battlefield medical care and the preservation of the Chapter's gene-seed. The Reclusiarchy, under the command of the Chaplains, safeguards the spiritual health of the Chapter, ensuring that every Myrmidon remains steadfast in his faith to the Emperor and the Chapter's warrior creed.
The Myrmidons' combat effectiveness is further bolstered by the heavy support units under the Armoury, which fields an array of devastating battle tanks, gunships, and artillery. These units are often deployed to provide critical firepower in siege warfare, planetary assaults, or drawn-out engagements where overwhelming force is required to break an enemy's lines. The Myrmidons also maintain a fleet of voidships capable of both rapid deployment and full-scale space combat, allowing the Chapter to operate across a wide swath of the galaxy and strike where their enemies least expect.
In keeping with their practical approach to warfare, the Myrmidons do not view their custom organisation and rank structures as deviations from the Codex Astartes but rather as necessary adaptations. They believe that adherence to the Codex's strategic wisdom is paramount, but that the specific ways in which a Chapter organises itself must reflect its environment, culture, and the specific nature of the enemies it faces. This has led the Myrmidons to develop a balance between tradition and innovation, ensuring that they remain a potent force on the battlefield without being shackled by unnecessary orthodoxy.
While the Myrmidons' approach to the Codex may seem unconventional to some of their more conservative brother Chapters, it has proven highly effective in countless campaigns. By blending the discipline and structure of the Codex with the adaptability and tenacity of their own culture, the Myrmidons have built a Chapter that is as flexible as it is formidable, capable of responding to any threat the galaxy might throw at them. This, in turn, has earned them the respect of their peers, even if they are occasionally viewed as outsiders within the broader Ultramarines lineage.
Officer Ranks
- Legatus Praetore - Senior-most rank within the Myrmidons. Equivalent rank to a Chapter Master.
- Cohortarch - Equivalent rank to a Force Commander, this senior rank is granted to those who are charged with commanding a cohort comprised of at least four or more companies.
- Merarch - A senior rank granted to those who are charged with commanding a strike force comprised of at least three or more companies.
- Legatus - A temporary rank granted to a Praetor who is charged with commanding a strike force comprised of at least two companies.
- Praetor - Equivalent rank to a Captain.
- Tribune - A Tribune is a rank held by a senior Astartes line officer of the Chapter who serves as an executive officer and second-in-command to a company's Praetor. Serving as a battle-commander middle-tier line officer, they also take on more specialised functions such as a Shield-Lieutenant, given charge of a boarding party in a savage void battle. Tribunes are considered Praetors-in-training, and as such, are treated with the utmost respect by their subordinates.
- Centurion Primus - A Centurion Primus is a rank held by those junior line officers who hold seniority over other Centurions. These individuals are consummate warriors who have risen through the ranks of their Chapter and have already demonstrated their worth in the bloody fires of conflict, and have been recognized for their dedication, skill and tactical acumen.
- Centurion - A Centurion is a rank held by those Astartes junior line officers who have proven themselves on the field of battle. This rank is equivalent to a junior lieutenant.
The Praetors
In the Myrmidons Chapter, the role of Captains or 'Praetors' holds significant weight beyond the typical duties of a company captain seen in most Codex-compliant Chapters. These warriors serve not only as field commanders but also as counsellors to the Legatus Praetore (Chapter Master) and the Praetorian Prefect (the Chapter's second-in-command and senior advisor). Their responsibilities extend far beyond those of traditional company captains, reflecting the Chapter's unique organizational structure and cultural values.
In addition to their military roles, Praetors serve as guardians of the Myrmidons' cultural heritage and traditions. Ægina Primus' warrior ethos is an essential aspect of the Chapter's identity, and the Praetors, as its foremost champions, help maintain this by leading ritual ceremonies, overseeing the spiritual well-being of their companies, and acting as the interpreters of the Chapter's warrior creed. In this way, they ensure that the Myrmidons remain not just a fighting force, but a brotherhood united by shared values and history.
Additional Duties
Beyond their direct command responsibilities, Praetors often take on specialized roles that support the broader needs of the Chapter. Some oversee the training and induction of new recruits, ensuring that fresh warriors are moulded into capable Myrmidons who embody the Chapter's ideals. Others may manage critical resources, such as the distribution of wargear, the oversight of battlefield logistics, or the maintenance of alliances with Imperial institutions like the Adeptus Mechanicus or Astra Militarum. Their versatility ensures that the Chapter operates efficiently both on and off the battlefield.
These additional duties include the following:
- Praetorian Prefect - While the Legatus Praetore stands as the supreme commander of the Chapter, the Praetorian Prefect serves as his second-in-command. This position is held by the Chapter's First Captain, commander of the elite 1st Company and commander of the Legatus Praetore's Honour Guard (Praetorian). This specialty rank is only granted to the most eminent and distinguished warrior within the Chapter. He is a commander without equal and is held in the highest regard by his fellow battle-brothers. The Praetorian Prefect works closely with the other Praetors to implement the overall strategic vision of the Chapter. As the Chapter's chief executor of the Legatus Praetore's will, the Praetorian Prefect ensures that the Praetors have the resources, guidance, and authority they need to fulfill their duties. In this sense, the Praetorian Prefect acts as the key link between the Chapter's leadership and its operational forces, coordinating efforts across the Chapter's various deployments to ensure unified execution on the battlefield.
- Tesserarius - Equivalent rank to a Master of the Watch. Assigned to one of the Chapter's Praetors, a Tesserarius is charged with the responsibility of the defence of his Chapter's fortress-monastery and home world in the absence of the Legatus Praetore. This title is given to the commander of the designated company that is currently charged with the garrisoning of the fortress-monastery, which is allotted to a different company on a rotational basis.
- Praefectus Fabrum - Equivalent rank to a Master of Sieges, this Praetor is a master of siege warfare and oversees the construction of the Chapter's defences in the field. He is also a master of ordnance and heavy artillery, commanding the Chapter's formidable firepower like no other. The Master of Sieges is also a high explosive ordnance expert and is responsible for overseeing the crafting of the necessary earth-breaching charges used by the Chapter's siege-works to breach the most desirable location in an enemy's defences.
- Navarch - Equivalent rank to a Master of the Fleet. Assigned to one of the Chapter's Praetors, a Navarch possesses the most experience and greatest skill at planning and executing void-combat. His is given overall command of the Chapter fleet, and essentially serves as the Chapter's fleet admiral, commanding his flagship and all other space assets when they deploy for major engagement. Traditionally, the Navarch is usually the commander of the 4th Company.
- Praefectus Castrorum - Equivalent to a Master of the Marches, as well as leading an entire company of Space Marines in battle, the Praefectus Castorum has the duty of overseeing the deployment of the Chapter's fighting strength. It is his knowledge of Chapter dispositions the Chapter Master turns to when readying for war. The Master of Marches is wholly devoted to his duty as he gazes at a massive length of parchment held aloft by a Cyber-cherub, which contains critical data. Upon his backpack are twin vox-casters which are utilised to project orders across the noisy battlefield. The Praefectus Castrorum is usually the commander of the 5th Company.
- Praefectus Sacrorum - Equivalent to a Master of Rites, this Praetor is charged with recording and preserving the martial traditions of the Chapter - a bombastic, courageous warrior with unswerving loyalty to his battle-brothers. This individual exudes a sense of martial pride and fervour to those around them. A large servo-skull with an incorporated vox-caster that amplifies his war cries is anchored near his feet by a weighty pair of censers. The Praefectus Sacrorum roars inspiring rhetoric during the heat of battle, reminding his battle-brothers to remember their duty and heritage, even as they clash with the foe. The Praefectus Sacrorum is traditionally the Praetor of the 6th Company.
- Praefectus Escasius - Equivalent to a Chief Victualler, this Praetor is responsible for all of the Chapter's supply needs, particularly those pertaining to food, drink and the other personal requirements of the Chapter's Astartes and human support personnel. Traditionally, this role is assigned to the commander of the 7th Company.
- Praefectus Carnifex - Equivalent rank to a Lord Executioner. Assigned to the Praetor of the Chapter's elite 8th Close Support Company, this commander is the master of the Chapter's Close Support forces. This Praetor commands the Lancearii formations when squads are deployed from multiple companies to act as a single unit in the field. He also oversees their training. Often times, the Dominus Carnifex is a brutal and direct individual, not so much given to glittering heroics and flamboyant challenges as short, bloody and efficient close combats. Clutching his favoured master-crafted melee weapon in his hands, he strides purposely forward in battle, the expression of a stone cold killer writ on his face as he heads towards his grim duty. His artificer armour is often impressively detailed with embossed skulls, scrollwork and multiple purity seals. Of all the Myrmidons' Praetors within the Chapter, the Dominus Carnifex is the most menacing.
- Praefectus Balistarius - Equivalent rank to a Master of Ordnance, this Praetor is charged with the heavy weapons and relic weapons utilised by the Ballistarii (Fire Support Marines) of the Chapter. He also leads formations of said marines when so required by the mission. He projects an aura of stoic watchfulness as he directs the withering look upon distant foes. On his backpack is installed a targeting array which matches the angle of his gaze, gathering telemetry information to be fed to the Chapter's Fire Support Marines.
- Praefectus Tirones - Equivalent to a Master of Recruits, the Praetor who is responsible for training all of the Chapter's Tirones (Neophytes). He will be a skilled Veteran of hundreds of battles and a shrewd judge of character, easily able to determine what will bring out the best in the genetically-altered adolescents who survived their Aspirant Trials and transform them into true Astartes. As the leader of a Scout Company, the Master of Recruits will be an expert in the irregular forms of combat that define the missions of Space Marine Scouts, including sabotage, infiltration and counterinsurgency. Traditionally, this role is assigned to the commander of the 10th Company.
Ekklēsia
The 'Ekklēsia' or 'Council of War' is attended by both the Praetors and the Chapter's senior specialists. This council advises the Legatus Praetore on key strategic, doctrinal, and long-term operational decisions. This council is a vital decision-making body within the Chapter, ensuring that the leadership collectively shapes the course of the Myrmidons' campaigns and broader activities across the galaxy.
Each Praetor's experience in battle, coupled with their deep understanding of the Chapter’s values, makes their counsel indispensable, and their contributions ensure that the Myrmidons remain formidable, both in planning and in execution. The inclusion of senior specialists - like the Augur Primae (Chief Librarian), the 'Primus Medicae' (Chief Apothecary), 'Prefectus Fabrorum' (Master of the Forge) and the 'Pontifex Primus' (Reclusiarch) - brings expertise from every facet of the Chapter's operations, ensuring a holistic approach to every mission the Myrmidons undertake.
This assembly of minds represents the core of the Myrmidons' leadership, and through the Ekklēsia, they maintain a focus on brutal efficiency and calculated strikes, qualities that are hallmarks of the Chapter.
Specialist Ranks
- Tetrarch - A Tetrarch is a specialty rank held by the four exalted officers of the Chapter that make up the Tetrarchy, who attends the Legatus Praetore as his personal advisors.
- Prefectus Fabrorum - Equivalent rank to a Master of the Forge, the Chapter's senior-most Techmarine.
- Fabrorum - Equivalent rank to a Techmarine.
- Delegatus - A Delegatus is a specialty rank held by a mid-ranking Chapter officer, such as a Centurion, who is often granted this rank and tasked with specific missions by Chapter high command and formally dispatched to act in all matters with the full weight of their commander's authority. As such, they could mobilise the Chapter's resources to the full, deploy it's assets and, if performing a mission of vital strategic worth, assemble a strike force of chosen warriors.
- Pontifex Primus - Equivalent rank to a Reclusiarch of the Chapter.
- Pontiff - Equivalent rank to a Chaplain.
- Primus Medicae - Equivalent rank to a Chief Apothecary of the Chapter.
- Medicae - Equivalent rank to an Apothecary.
- Augur Primae - Equivalent rank to a Chief Librarian of the Chapter.
- Augurius - Equivalent rank to a Chapter Librarian.
- Signiferi - Equivalent rank to a Standard Bearer.
- Eques - A specialty designation given to a battle-brother who is a pilot of an aerial vehicle or a driver of an armoured vehicle.
Line Ranks
- Decurion Primus - Equivalent rank to a Veteran Sergeant, the senior-most Sergeant within a company.
- Decurion - Equivalent rank to a Sergeant.
- Evocatus - Equivalent rank to a full battle-brother.
- Hastatus - Equivalent rank to a Scout Marine.
- Tiro - Equivalent to a Neophyte; a novice.
Specialist Formations
- Tetrarchy - The Tetrachy is composed of four exalted officers of the Myrmidons known as the Tetrarchs who attend the Legatus Praetore as his personal advisors. The Tetrarchy exists outside the rest of the Chapter's regular command structure. Together the Tetrarchy functions as the soul of the Myrmidons, supporting their Chapter Master and steering the Chapter's temperament and decisions. Only those officers who possess the necessary qualities of strength and charisma are ever allowed to serve at their Chapter Master's side.
- Praetorians - Elite Terminator-armoured Veteran Marines of the elite 1st Company who act as the Legatus Praetore's personal Honour Guard.
Squad Formations
- Triarii - (Singular: Triarius) A Terminator-armoured Veteran Marine.
- Vexillarii - (Singular: Vexillarius) Equivalent to a Veteran Marine.
- Lancearii - (Singular: Lanciarius) Equivalent to an Close Support Astartes.
- Principes (Singular: Princeps) Equivalent to a Battleline Astartes.
- Ballistarii - (Singular: Ballistarius) Equivalent to a Fire Support Astartes.
- Hastati - (Singular: Hastatus) Equivalent to a Scout Marine.
- Tirones - (Singular: Tiro) A newly inducted Neophyte.
Non-Astartes Personnel
- Trierarch - Equivalent rank to an Imperial Navy Captain, this specialty rank is assigned to one of the Chapter's mortal officers who possess a long history of space combat and commanding fleet engagements, such as a former or current commanding officer of the Imperial Navy who has been seconded to the Chapter under ancient inter-service agreements.
- Beneficiarii - (Singular: Beneficiarius) Calatores who serve as orderlies and perform various services for the various senior officers of the Chapter, such as the Reclusiarch and Primus Medicae.
- Calatores (Singular: Calator) This is a term when referring to the Chapter's human serfs who are charged with carrying out the day-to-day functions within the Chapter.
Order of Battle
Chapter Command
| Legatus Praetore's Castrum | |||
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| Praetorian Prefect (Equerry) |
Praetorians (Honour Guard) |
Tetrarchy (Senior Advisors) |
Ekklēsia (Council of War) |
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| Other Departments | ||||
| Librarium | Armoury | Reclusiarchy | Apothecarion | Fleet Command |
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Companies
| Veteran Company | Battle Companies | |||
| 1st Company | 2nd Company | 3rd Company | 4th Company | 5th Company |
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| Reserve Companies | Scout Company | |||
| 6th Company | 7th Company | 8th Company | 9th Company | 10th Company |
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Combat Doctrine
Unlike their genetic forebears, the Ultramarines, the Myrmidons do not adhere rigidly to the tenets laid down in the Codex Astartes. They freely interpret the worlds of Guilliman in accordance to the ebb and flow of battle, believing it foolish to to follow the dictates of the Codex through blind orthodoxy. Every battle fought against an unidentified opponent requires a warrior to first identify the foe's strengths and weaknesses. Only once these are known can strengths be avoided and weakness exploited. The Myrmidons are adept at using a variety of different approaches against new foes in remarkably short order. Once a particularly effective tactic is identified, it is then used for as long as it remains effective. However, if no commonly known methods provide a necessary solution, these Space Marines do not hesitate to attempt to find an alternative.
Each of the Myrmidons' ten companies is organised to be fully and independently functional. To maintain this ability, all Battle-Brothers undergo constant cross training so that they may effectively serve the role of a Scout, Tactical, Assault, or Devastator Marine as the tactical situation necessitates. Due to their crusading nature, each company is capable of maintaining sufficient resources in its armoury to equip its members with the gear necessary to fulfil any of these roles effectively. The Myrmidons are generally philosophically opposed to the use of covert techniques prior to and during a battle. They prefer to proudly demonstrate their presence and their markings. They firmly believe that their iconography and wargear are a crucial symbol of their allegiance to the God-Emperor. Anything that prevents their foes from seeing these insignia is a veritable affront to their faith. While they have been known to use Codex standard camouflage patterns, even these are accepted only with reluctance. Initiates are trained as scouts, in keeping with the Codex standard, but even they are seldom assigned to protracted reconnaissance missions. Instead, their Neophytes are generally deployed to either the main battle lines or held in reserve so that they may serve as a reserve force.
Like their predecessors, the Imperius Ravagers, the Myrmidons also prefer the use of shock tactics, close-quarters combat, and the brutal application of overwhelming force to annihilate their enemies. Unlike the majority of their fellow Scions of Guilliman, the Myrmidons are not hidebound or unimaginative in their thinking, preferring to deploy in vanguard and strike formations. Their warriors are skilled, courageous and ferocious. Though they prefer shock assault tactics, unlike the assault units of many other Chapters which are known for their savagery or even their outright bloodthirstiness, the Myrmidons are universally of a disciplined and exacting mien. They are superlative practitioners of sword- and pistol-play with precision, their strikes perfectly timed and placed to maximum effect.
Part of the Myrmidons' success in war is due to the intense level of discipline maintained throughout the Chapter. To a certain extent, this discipline is instilled through the use of their religious focus in every aspect of their lives. Unquestioning obedience is second nature for Myrmidons Battle-Brothers. They firmly believe that their lives are dedicated to and directly guided by the God-Emperor. They trust in His guidance and the knowledge that if their lives are lost, they can enter the afterlife to enjoy His eternal blessings. This level of discipline enables the Chapter's commanders to execute strategies that might be highly risky when utilising troops that were not so thoroughly devoted to seeing a plan through to its completion.
Chapter Gene-Seed
The Myrmidons' gene-seed is consistent with that of other Chapters from the lineage of Guilliman. It is free from any known contamination, reproduces stably, and produces the full range of Space Marine implants. Because they are extremely active within multiple war zones, the Myrmidons are rigourous about harvesting and securing the progenoid glands from its Battle-Brothers in a timely fashion. Recoveries made in the field are secured upon the nearest vessel in short order, and then returned to Ægina Primus for storage at the earliest possible opportunity. This sense of obligation is in large part due to the fact that the Chapter has a very high rate of turnover amongst its members. These Space Marines prefer to engage in the thickest portion of any battle and are almost always at war. Consequently, the Chapter does suffer a higher than usual casualty rate, which can only be compensated by a proportionately high rate of recruitment and initiation. Currently, records indicate that the Chapter is sufficiently well supplied with gene-seed to accommodate even their prodigious needs.
Primarch's Curse: Death Before Dishonour
The Myrmidons are more than willing to fight to the last, holding their ground with a siege-like mentality which will see them triumph or die in the attempt. This expression of duty can become exaggerated in members of the Chapter after long periods in combat, especially against numerous and unrelenting foes like the Ork hordes of a WAAAGH! or the chitinous tide of a Tyranid hive fleet. In these instances the Battle-Brother sees only death; the death of their comrades, the death of the world, and the death of their foes. They consider that the only righteous path lies in the expenditure of their lives for these purposes and will face them with a stoic heart and a single-mindedness that can only lead to the complete annihilation of everything and everyone he faces, often eventually including themselves and those that fight beside him.
- Level 1 (No Retreat, No Surrender) - As the odds mount so does the Battle-Brother's stubborn refusal to retreat, seeing only the glory and honour in defeating such overwhelming foes if even the barest glimmer of victory remains. Even if the doctrine and teaching of the Codex dictates retreat or flexible defence, the Battle-Brother will be loath to disengage until there is absolutely no choice, though often this can come too late.
- Level 2 (Suffer Not Defeat) - Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for the Battle-Brother and he would rather die fighting than accept that he has failed. This can lead to reckless behaviour as he throws himself into the fray or takes on excessive odds to win when prudence and tactical reason would dictate he withdraws. If the Battle-Brother suffers enough wounds or if one of the members of his squad is incapacitated or killed, he will renew the vigour of his attacks and launch himself into the foe. In this circumstance he must attack, seeking out the most able or dangerous of his foes.
- Level 3 (Unto Death) - The Battle-Brother has come to accept that perhaps only the cost of his own life will be enough to secure victory and is gladly willing to give it up. This can have dire consequences should the circumstances present him with a chance to martyr himself for the Emperor and bring ruin to the enemies of the Imperium. Once the Battle-Brother suffers severe wounds, he gains a fatalistic desire to sell his life for the cause and will choose to expend his own life for a chance at victory or the safety of his brothers. This means he will fight on regardless of his wounds and continue to attack or place himself in the path of attacks even though the next blow could mean his end. He will also gladly accept suicidal or near suicidal tasks (such as disarming unstable warheads, leading a forlorn hope objective assault or holding a breach to buy time for his companions) without complaint.
Deathwatch Service
Myrmidons Evocatus Varraius Kephalos, one of the Chapter's first Primaris Space Marines to be accepted to the Long Vigil with the Deathwatch.
The Myrmidons, a Chapter whose legacy is steeped in both glory and controversy, have long been subject to an unwarranted reputation that has cast a shadow over their storied history. Despite their martial prowess and centuries of unflinching loyalty to the Emperor, they have seldom been selected to serve the Long Vigil in the ranks of the Deathwatch, the Imperium's elite xenos-hunting force. This is due in part to lingering mistrust from Imperial authorities and suspicions about their methods, which some have deemed too brutal or unorthodox for the standards of the Deathwatch.
Nevertheless, the few Myrmidons who have been given the honour to don the black armour of the Deathwatch bring with them a wealth of experience that spans millennia. These battle-brothers have honed their skills against countless xenos threats, from the brutal Orks to the insidious Aeldari, and even the nightmare horrors of the Tyranids. Their time in the Deathwatch has seen them use this hard-earned expertise to devastating effect, acting as vanguards in some of the most dangerous missions.
Unlike the prejudices cast against them, those Myrmidons who serve in the Deathwatch have proven themselves exemplary warriors - stoic, reliable, and fiercely protective of their fellow battle-brothers. Each Myrmidon Astartes, deeply aware of the rare privilege they have been granted, goes above and beyond to demonstrate their loyalty and dedication. Many have fought to the bitter end in the defence of their kill-teams, willing to lay down their lives not just for the mission, but for the bonds forged in battle.
While they may not be numerous within the Deathwatch's ranks, the Myrmidons who do serve leave an indelible mark. Their stories of valour and sacrifice often return with them to their Chapter, helping to slowly shift perceptions of their worth in the eyes of their Imperial peers. The Myrmidons' blend of relentless ferocity and unwavering loyalty to their brethren in the Deathwatch continues to stand as testament to their stalwart dedication to the cause of Mankind, even in the face of long-standing prejudice.
Notable Myrmidons
- Legatus Praetore Achilleus Cassios - Patriarch and first Chapter Master of the Myrmidons, Achielleus Cassios was a veteran of the Horus Heresy, serving in several of the latter campaigns of this galaxy-wide civil war that left the burgeoning Imperium a shattered and dismal shell of its former glory. During the latter years of this conflict, unceasing warfare shattered the Imperium and brutalised the Space Marine Legions. As Legionaries fell in their droves, casualties far outstripped the ability of the Legions to replace them with new recruits. The Ultramarines were no exception, as they had suffered greatly at the hands of the treacherous Word Bearers during the Calth Atrocity as well as the joint-campaign conducted between them and their allies from the blood-maddened World Eaters Legion during the Shadow Crusade. Confronted with the dilemma of recruiting viable candidates to replace the large number of casualties sustained during this conflict, the Ultramarines were forced to turn to newer methods to replenish their numbers, no matter the cost. This saw the formation of the Legio Inductii - newly created Legionaries who had never known the glory of the Great Crusade but only a galaxy consumed by war.
Achilleus was one of these newly created Legionaries who underwent the harsh training programmes supplemented by intensive bouts of hypno-indoctrination in an attempt to rapidly mould Legionaries' minds. He took part in many of the latter actions of the Horus Heresy which became ideal proving grounds for these new Legionaries, for they were brutal affairs which forged survivors of great mettle, but possessing little finesse or true understanding of honourable combat, as they only known the brutal arts of fighting other Space Marine Legionaries.
Assigned to the ranks of the assault cadre of the Evocatii of the 24th Chapter, they were one of five whole Chapters of the Ultramarines that had been spared the Mark of Calth. They had not faced the fires of betrayal and been tested like the rest of their fellow Legionaries, and because of this, a rift formed between these war-tested veterans and the so-called 'Unmarked' chapters. To make matters worse, Achilleus was one of the XIIIth Legion's Inductii, having never known the glory of standing in the presence of the Master of Mankind, nor had they ever had the honour of fighting under the command of their own Primarch, for they had been created as brutish tools and thrown into the unceasing conflict of fire and blood of this Age of Darkness.
Some of the Inductti's detractors considered them lesser Legionaries despite the fact that they had been cut from the same cloth genetically. However, they were often considered pale shadows of those veteran warriors that had fought during the Great Crusade for nearly two centuries, leaving their mark on the galaxy and in the Legion's annals of glory. The Inductii were mere striplings compared to the legends that had walked the galaxy before, from an age now long dead. This alienated Achilleus to no end, imprinting upon him bitterness and animosity towards his veteran brothers. This would mark his soul deeply, as Achilleus would carry these feelings of rejection for the rest of his life.
Following the end of the Heresy, Achilleus was selected to join the ranks of the assault cadres of the 8th Chapter under the command of the willful and bellicose Bruticus Kratos. Despite his misgivings, he was recognised for his talents in warfare and his skill as a warrior. This saw him quickly elevated to the rank of Centurion. Following the dissolution of the Space Marines Legions and the subsequent 2nd Founding, Achilleus found himself selected to be a part of the newly formed Imperius Ravagers as one of its command cadre and was promoted to the rank of Tribune (Lieutenant), serving as a junior officer for the 2nd Maniple (Company).
Achilleus was later chosen to become the Chapter Master of a newly incepted Chapter after his actions during a massive daemonic incursion when he assumed command over his company following the death of his Praetor (Captain) after he fell in battle while battling a host of daemonic entities. Assuming command, he helped play an instrumental role in turning the tide and launching a successful counterattack that drove back the massive horde of Neverborn and achieved a decisive victory. Following the end of this campaign, he was recognised for his actions and raised up to assume the position of Praetor over the 2nd Company.
During the 3rd Founding in 001.M32, Achilleus achieved the recognition he had always sought. For his long and dedicated service and continuous display of tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds, Praetor Achilleus was granted the high honour of assuming the role of the first Chapter Master of a newly-created Chapter. He named this newly incepted Chapter the 'Myrmidons' in honour of the legendary warriors of the ancient Grecian myth of Old Earth. Displaying a propensity for strategic planning and the brutal application of overwhelming force, Legatus Praetore Achilleus preferred to lead his Chapter from the front, forging new legends of blood and slaughter into the pages of the Imperium's annals. For nearly two centuries, this bellicose and ruthless warrior continuously led his Chapter against the myriad of enemies of Mankind, until he was finally brought low by a Greater Daemon of Khorne, during a massive Chaos incursion from the warp rift known as the Maelstrom.
Legatus Praetore Crex Sinon, Chapter Master of the Myrmidons
- Legatus Praetore Crex Sinon - Crex Sinon serves as the current Chapter Master of the Myrmidons. A ruthless and bellicose commander, Crex Sinon is known for his fearsome mien and bitter anima, ruling over his Chapter with an iron fist. Possessing a sinister reputation amongst his fellow Chapter Masters among the Adeptus Astartes, Sinon is known for being a bloody-handed commander that revels in unleashing elemental destruction when the Myrmidons are called upon to render bloody judgment upon the enemies of Mankind. From a raw Neophyte and Scout Marine his rise through the ranks of his Chapter was meteoric, as time and again, he displayed steadfast dedication, fortitude and uncommon valour. Sinon was a born war leader, wrought in the crucible of some of the worst conflicts faced by the Myrmidons. In recognition of his deeds, he was elevated to the esteemed position of Legatus Praetore, following the death of the Chapter's previous Chapter Master, Akriseus Moros, when he was laid low by the vile Tryanids of Hive Fleet Erlik in 992.M41. Though he has been Chapter Master for less than a decade, already Crex Sinon has forged a formidable reputation as a brutal, but skilled tactician that enjoys the utter destruction of his foes, but maintains very little patience when forced by circumstance to work with other Imperial forces. Most especially, he loathes other Imperial military commanders and their propensity for councils and endless debates when it comes to strategic planning, preferring to prosecute his Chapter's campaigns as he see fits.
- Praetorian Prefect Alexandros Cassos - Commander of the 1st Company, Equerry to the Legatus Praetor, Commander of the Praetorians and member of the Tetrarchy.
- Praefectus Fabrom Cyrus Venterius - Commander of the 2nd Company, Master of Sieges and member of the Tetrarchy.
- Tesserarius Kalesius Goranus - Commander of the 3rd Company, Master of the Watch and member of the Tetrarchy.
- Navarch Odius Augustian - Commander of the 4th Company and Master of the Fleet.
- Praefectus Castorum Melegros Cordarius - Commander of the 5th Company and Master of the Marches.
- Praefectus Sacrorum Kalesius Augustio - Commander of the 6th Company and Master of Rites.
- Praefectus Escasius Nikolaus Corvion - Commander of the 7th Company and Chief Victualler.
- Praefectus Carnifex Rhexenor Dolerius - Commander of the 8th Company, Master of Executions and member of the Tetrarchy.
- Praefectus Balistarius Marcelleon Decimo - Commander of the 9th Company and Master of Relics.
- Praefectus Tirones Proetus Odinius - Commander of the 10th Company and Master of Recruits.
- Augur Primae Odeanathos Tiburius - Chief Librarian and Master of Knowledge.
- Prefectus Fabrorum Vulcaneos Alcon - Master of the Forge.
- Pontifex Primus Apostolis Thassion - Reclusiarch and Master of the Faith.
- Primus Medicae Icarion Ventanus - Chief Apothecary and Master of Healing.
- Evocatus Varraius Kephalos - Varraius has the honour of being one of the Chapter's first newly inducted Primaris Space Marines to be accepted into the Long Vigil with the Deathwatch.
Chapter Fleet
The Maelstrom-class Galleas of War, the Trireme, flagship of the Myrmidons.
The following are the most well-known vessels possessed by the Myrmidons. They also possess an unknown number of Strike Cruisers, Escorts and support vessels:
- Trireme (Maelstrom-class Galleas of War) - The Trireme is a recently forged vessel based upon the ancient Great Crusade-era Maelstrom-class ship design, one of many such warships recently commissioned for construction by the newly returned Primarch Guilliman to take part in the Indomitus Crusade. This was a supremely profound gift that was graciously accepted by the Myrmidons from their gene-sire, and now this vessel serves as Legatus Praetore Crex Sinon's personal command vessel and as the Chapter's flagship.
- Phosphoros Imperator (Warspite-class Battle Barge)
- Olethros (Odysseus-class Galleas of War)
- Porphyrion (Ironclad-class Battle Barge)
- Thanatos (Warspite-class Battle Barge)
- Khronos (Legate-class Battle Barge)
- Ouranos (Legate-class Battle Barge)
- Ophion (Vanguard Cruiser)
- Helios (Vanguard Cruiser)
- Oneiros (Vanguard Cruiser)
- Morpheus (Vanguard Cruiser)
- Phantasos (Strike Cruiser)
- Discordia (Strike Cruiser)
- Horkos Sacramentum (Galdius-class Frigate)
- Hesiod (Gladius-class Frigate)
- Æginaean (Gladius-class Frigate)
- Kharon (Nova-class Frigate)
- Hekate (Nova-class Frigate)
- Haides (Nova-class Frigate)
- Minos (Nova-class Frigate)
- Lytta (Sword-class Frigate)
- Poinai (Hunter-class Destroyer)
- Aiakos (Hunter-class Destroyer)
- Rhadamanthys (Hunter-class Destroyer)
- Triptolemos (Hunter-class Destroyer)
Chapter Relics
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colours
The Myrmidons primarily wear burnt umber coloured power armour, with the exception of their shoulder pauldron insets, poleyns (knee guards) and greaves (lower leg armour) being painted pure white. Of further note is the Chapter's extensive use of the distinctive 'Hoplite' sub-type pattern helmet, an idiosyncratic variant of the widely used Mark VII 'Aquila' pattern produced by the artificers of the Chapter. The faceplates of these helmets have a very distinctive appearance as they are crafted in the typical Æginaean style. These helmets are often adorned with the Myrmidons trademark aquamarine blue dyed horse hair longitudinal crests, which go from front-to-back. Officers can be identified by their unique horizontal crests that go from ear-to-ear and are dyed blue-and-white.
The battle-brothers of this Chapter are also known for wearing their distinctive cintus - a type of leather sword belt fastened around the waist to suspend their swords. Pteruges - heavy strips or lappets of leather, with studs embedded along their length - also hang down from their sword belts. These strips make up the traditional defensive skirt worn by the warriors of Ægina Primus. Officers sometimes wear epaulette-like strips from their shoulder pauldrons, to denote their seniority of rank and high status within the Chapter. On the right shoulder pauldron is an aquamarine coloured, open-faced squad specialty symbol which identifies a battle-brother's assigned role (Tactical, Devastator, Assault and Veteran).
The power armour worn by the Astartes of this Chapter typically bears syncretic Æginaean iconography on one of their shoulder pauldrons, vambrace (forearm armour), poleyn or weapon, which supposedly denotes rank and battle record. Many of these symbols have meanings hidden from outsiders of the Chapter, though it is believed that the numeration and colouration of the "lambda" Helikan-glyph markings common to the Myrmidons' heraldry refers to attested "kills" against worthy opponents in single combat, likely in increasing order of magnitude.
Chapter Badge
The Myrmidons Chapter iconography is a stylised, aquamarine coloured winged Æginaean-style helmet, with a horizontal crest, centered above a fanciful filigree symbol and centered upon a field of pure white.
Relations
Allies
| Imperius Ravagers |  |
The Imperius Ravagers are the progenitors of the Myrmidons. A bellicose and ruthless Chapter created during the 2nd Founding, they share a similar fearsome mien and bitter anima as their Successor Chapter. Since their inception, the Imperius Ravagers have forged a fell reputation as both ferocious and unforgiving, wreaking terrible slaughter on those who dare to oppose Imperial rule. Since that time, this bellicose Chapter has continued to defend the sovereign realm of the Emperor and bring swift death to those who dare oppose His will. These traits have been passed down to their successors, and since their creation at the dawn of M32, both Chapters have fought alongside one another for several millennia. They have sworn binding blood-oaths that should one Chapter ever call upon the other for aid, they will readily do so - a debt repaid by both sides on several occasions. |
| Spartiate Marines |  |
The Spartiate Marines are a bellicose and ruthless Chapter that hails from the same proud lineage of Guilliman as the Myrmidons. This Chapter serves alongside several other Chapters in Sector Occident Prime, located in the Segmentum Solar near the Segmentum Ultima, to defend the Imperium against Chaos incursions from the dual warp rifts known as the 'Hellgates'. The Myrmidons first crossed paths with their cousin-Chapter during the Third Hell Crusade in 514.M39, when the largest incursion of Heretic Astartes from the Hellgates launched a massive invasion, conquering and slaughtering whole populations on a score of Imperial worlds in several surrounding sectors. To stem the flow, the High Lords of Terra ordered the immediate mobilisation of several fleet-based Chapters to come to the aid of the Hell Warders Chapters, halt the invasion and bring salvation to the imperilled planets. Upon their arrival, the Myrmidons coordinated their efforts with the Hell Warders Chapters. The Myrmidons and the Spartiate Marines found that their tactical doctrines complemented one another, and they were successful in freeing half a dozen systems from the tyranny of the Ruinous Powers. Since that time, these two Chapters have continued to enact a coordinated exchange program. This program fosters brotherhood between the two Chapters as well as helps to develop cultural understanding, regional expertise and interoperability. |
| Wardens of Orask |  |
The Wardens of Orask is a stoic and proud Successor Chapter descended from the noble lineage of Roboute Guilliman. The Myrmidons first encountered their cousin Chapter during the Third Hell Crusade in 514.M39, they were a part of a large Imperial counter-insurgency force to stem the tide of the Forces of Chaos that poured from the twin warp gates. Alongside their fellow Scions of Guilliman, the Spartiate Marines, the three Chapters co-ordinated their efforts and launched a counter-strike against the encroaching heretic fleets. Over several years, the three Chapters successfully freed one Imperial system after the other, until nearly a dozen systems were freed from the yoke of the Ruinous Powers. Since that era, the Myrmidons formed strong bonds of brotherhood with the Wardens and swore binding oaths to answer the call-to-arms of one another should the need ever arise, an oath which has been carried out only on half a dozen occasions down the long millennia. |
Enemies
| Forces of Chaos |  |
Like any true servant of the Imperium, the Myrmidons vehemently hate the followers of the Dark Gods with every fibre of their being. Seeking to use Chaos as a means to an end, that end being power and bloody vengeance on the Imperium that has scorned and cast them out, these heretics are hated and hunted by the loyalist Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes. For warriors of the Myrmidons, this antipathy remains undimmed, although on occasion their role as a crusading Chapter takes priority over ancient oaths of vengeance, at least for a time. However, such oaths are never forgotten, and for the Myrmidons, they are intent on bringing the light of the Emperor to the darkest corners of the galaxy. They take much pleasure in hunting such vile servants that make truck with the Ruinous Powers, for their existence is abhorrent to the Emperor of Mankind, and they must be put to the sword. |
| Renegade Chapters | Pict-File Unavailable | Among the servants of the lost and the damned, sadly, even those servants that are supposed to be above reproach, the Adeptus Astartes, have been laid low by their own sins or fallen due to the lies and whispered promises of the Dark Gods. These former faithful servants of the Imperium have turned Traitor to their own kind, in return either for the promise of power or simple survival. These Heretic Astartes are the greatest Traitors to the Imperium. Led astray by the machinations of the scheming Chaos Gods, these Renegade Chapters have willingly given themselves over fully to one great power of Chaos or another, becoming exemplars and champions, while others refuse to bend the knee fully to any Master, even the Dark Gods. Instead, these Renegades seek to use Chaos as a means to an end, that end being power and bloody vengeance on the Imperium that has cast them out. The Myrmidons have a penchant for launching castigation campaigns against renegades or isolated elements within an otherwise loyal Chapter that refuses to suppress its own. This bellicose Chapter undertakes such mission with relish, intent on confronting the most potent of enemies - Heretic Astartes. |
Notable Quotes
By the Myrmidons
(Draws sword from scabbard and points it towards the enemy)
"Immortality! Take it! It's yours!"
- "If you are with me it's because you are the most skilled and hardened warriors to have ever roamed the galaxy! And today you are going to show it!"
- — Excerpt of the harangue of Legatus Praetore Crex Sinon to his Myrmidons before the Battle of ---- during the Indomitus Crusade.
- "At night, I see their faces. All the men I've killed. They're standing there on the far bank of the river Styx, waiting for me. They say "Welcome brother."
- —Unknown Decurion of the Myrmidons
- "My aim is accurate because I have trained it. My mind is sharp because I have honed it. My body is strong because I have pushed it. I have earned my skill with sweat and blood. I am not just a warrior, I am a weapon!"
- — Anonymous Myrmidons Evocatus
- "We everlasting gods...Ah what chilling blows we suffer - thanks to our own conflicting wills - whenever we show these mortal men some kindness."
- — Myrmidons Pontiff (Chaplain) Zalmoxis, ruminating upon the Adeptus Astartes' nature to frequently intervene in mortal affairs, which often results in unkindness toward them (usually by rebels/heretics).
About the Myrmidons
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Warhammer 40k Lore - The Myrmidons, Homebrew Chapters