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This article, Obsidian Griffons, was written by Alexander Tiberius. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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This article, Obsidian Griffons, is currently under active construction. The author, Alexander Tiberius, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
The Obsidian Griffins are an unknown Founding chapter, currently located far away in the heart of the Imperium Nihilus. Their history and existence are almost unknown to the Imperium itself, except for a few institutions such as the Inquisition. They call themselves the Medren Arogard, a name that instills terror into the hearts of their enemies. This loyalist chapter is currently waging a defensive war on the small portion of territory it occupies against the forces of chaos and Tyranid invasions.
Chapter History[]
Origins[]
The first appearances of the Chapter would be around the 35th Millennium. The reports that resulted from these appearances mentioned absolute calm before screaming giants came out of the shadows to perpetrate nameless massacres on the Emperor's enemies. After accomplishing their sinister task, the giants vanished into darkness, without seeking contact with the imperial forces on the spot. This way of doing so forged their sinister reputation within the confines of the Segmentum Ultima. Before the Inquisition came to assure the imperial forces who were to collaborate with the chapter, they thought they were dealing with raids by a warband of Heretical Astartes.
Notable Campaigns[]
- 095.M35: A reduced fleet of the chapter would have been seen on the edge of the Segmentum Pacificus after the declaration of independence of the World of Nova Terra ++Nature of the engagement unknown++
- 723.M36: The chapter seems to have intervened during the Fifth Black Crusade when it was just beginning and requests for reinforcements had not yet had time to reach the closest systems. ++Nature of the engagement unknown ++
- 503.M37: During its first sphere of expansion, the Tau encountered by chance several vessels of the Chapter that crossed in a deserted system. As a result, the vessels of the Medren Arogard disappeared without the reasons for their presence in this region being known.
- 144.M41: The Medren Arogard quickly withdraws to its territory after being intercepted by Black Legion forces.
- Early M42: After the opening of the Great Rift and the Noctis Aeterna, the chapter no longer intervened outside the systems constituting its territory and resisted as well as possible to the aggressions of the séides of chaos and the constant invasion attempts of the xenos.
- M42: The first company of the Medren Arogard is sent to assist an inquisitorial force, despite the Chapter's difficulties in maintaining control of its territory. The only valid reason for such a large and risky deployment is a dire prediction from an Augur of the Abyss or a mutual assistance pact made long ago between the Chapter and the inquisitor, or perhaps both.
- Circa 100.M42: The territory of the Medren Arogard is shrinking more and more, and it manages with difficulty to maintain its staff due to the losses that the chapter is suffering. It appears that the chapter has received occasional reinforcements from the Blood Angels to secure the western part of its borders. Several joint campaigns were reportedly conducted until a dispute of unknown nature caused the two chapters to split up.
Chapter Home World[]
Fortress-Monastery[]
The Rhamnonte Mound, home of the Medren Arogard
The Rhamnonte Mound is an atypical place on the surface of Cagrora. Indeed, this fortress-monastery rises steeply from the South Pole of the planet. This hostile region of the Medren Arogard's homeworld is unfit for life and the temperature never rises above zero, although primary life forms have already been seen there. The fortress itself is a most impressive building. Several hundred meters high and several hundred meters wide and sinking deep into the bowels of the planet, the Rhamnonte Mound looks like a gigantic mountain divided by the center. Glaciers and snow cover almost all of its outer surface, although it is possible to distinguish some of its architecture in certain places spared by eternal frost. It is impossible to say why this Fortress was designed so large, as its structure is adapted for a legion of yesteryear as well as a chapter.
In any case, the Rhamnonte Mound has housed the Medren Arogard since time immemorial and is a stronghold that has never fallen since its occupation by the chapter. It is common that those who want to join the Medren Arogard to become a marine space, walk through the icy expanses to the fortress. This ordeal seems to be the only one that finds favor in the eyes of the hierarchy of the chapter, because no one can survive in these places if he is not an Astartes. Once per rotation, the Seklar leave the Mound of Rhamnonte and go to find initiates in the temperate plains of Cagrora. Legend has it that none of those recruited in this way can claim high office in the Medren Arogard. The few who were able to reach the Rhamnonte Mound by crossing the icy expanses of the South Pole are promised a great destiny.
Chapter Organisation[]
Hierarchy[]
Officer Ranks[]
- Ar'Vekan - Chapter Master equivalent.
- Seklar - Company Captain equivalent.
- Kri'gor - Junior officer, serves as a Second to an Iron Paladin as a chief advisor.
Specialist Ranks[]
- Vul'garon - Master of the Faith, senior Chaplain.
- Djezaï - Chaplain equivalent.
- Traetor - Techmarine equivalent.
- Liferos - Apothecary equivalent
Primaris Space Marines[]
Since the appearance of the Cicatrix Maledictum, it is difficult to know if the Obsidian Griffins have received Primaris reinforcements. On the other hand, there is a good chance that these new brothers would be very badly received by the Chapter in normal times, but the current situation is so critical for the Medren Arogard, that it is likely that the Chapter will willingly accept these unexpected reinforcements. The differences between the Primaris and the First-born, on the other hand, would be so great that a distance would naturally be created between the two, preventing the Primaris from adapting to the customs of their older brothers. No Obsidian Griffon Primaris could be seen yet. However, it is likely that their engagement tactics are closer to what the Raven Guard teaches than to the distorted version of the Medren Arogard. The confrontation of the two visions could lead to a clash between the two sides. It is obvious that the few remaining Inquisition agents in the Imperium Nihilus and close to the Medren Arogard will be watching all of this closely.
Augurs of the Abyss[]
The chapter seems to disregard military logic when choosing its interventions. Indeed, the Medren Arogard seems to blindly follow the macabre predictions of the astartes capable of glimpsing the future through visions. This behavior explains why fleets of the chapter found themselves, for no apparent reason, on the scene of major attacks against the Imperium even before they took place. Whether these unprecedented predictive powers are the result of psykers or a flaw in the Chapter's genes, the Augurs of the Abyss guides Medren Arogard on the path to war.
Vengeance Volume[]
The Medren Arogard maintains its archives in a very approximate way. On the other hand, there is a part of their history that is perfectly maintained and detailed. It is what they commonly call in their language the Book of Vengeance, even if in reality it is several dozen works in which are transcribed all the defeats and grudges of the chapter, both against the enemies of the Imperium and the imperial factions themselves. As soon as an opportunity to avenge a defeat or an affront presents itself, the Obsidian Griffins do everything possible to do so, and will not stop until their revenge is carried out.
Chapter Recruitment[]
The Medren Arogard seems to recruit among the primitive tribes that crisscross the steppes of Cagrora. How these recruitments take place is unknown, but no doubt they must be just as rigorous, if not more, than most chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. The cultural specificities of each tribe is preserved after the transformation into Space Marines, this creates customs and behaviors sometimes very different within the same company. However one notes a recurring doctrine, whatever the company of the chapter: a pronounced taste for tracking.
Combat Doctrine[]
The Medren Arogard is particularly fond of tracking tactics from the shadows before engaging in a frontal assault as brutal and bloody as possible. Sending landing modules into the heart of enemy formations is also a particularly popular strategy within the chapter. In combat, the Medren Arogard uses chainsaws, Flash Claws, and Evicerators to distribute death and pain as violently as possible. Many witnesses suspect the chapter of doing this in order to lower the morale of the enemy. A decisive strike, delivered in a single point to instill fear in the heart of the adversary and drive him away in terror. Outside of combat, each astart of Medren Arogard indulges in silence and meditation, paying homage to the fallen brothers and seeking to soothe the boiling fire that animates their souls. This culture of barbarism actually hides an icy tactical sensibility, leaving little room for subtlety, but focusing on results and economy of means deployed. Some assume that these are only the original doctrines of the Raven Guard, but exacerbated and integrating the psychological parameters of the target.
Experienced Assassins[]
Although mass assaults on the core of enemy formations are a doctrine widely favored by the Medren Arogard, he is also able to send a lone astart to hunt down a major target, if this prevents a prediction by an Abyssal Augur from coming true or prevents a deployment of the Chapter or other imperial forces. These trackers are masters of concealment and terror, capable of wiping out entire squads of renegade guards within seconds after blunting their senses with fear. After their interventions, there is usually only one nameless butchery left. When a tracker has a designated target, he does not return until he has completed his duty. Thus, it sometimes happens that some Medren Arogard astartes do not return until several years after their departure.
Chapter Gene-Seed[]
Genetic[]
Before the appearance of the Cicatrix Maledictum and the Noctis Aeterna, the chapter seemed to escape the rigors of genetic tithing for obscure reasons. The very fact that the Inquisition itself approved of this failure brings dark rumors about the chapter's genetic profile. Some information, however, may have reached the most obscure offices of the Administratum, namely the possible mutations of the marine space organs.
- Occulobe : A possible mutation of this implant would be at the origin of the completely black eyes of the astartes of the chapter.
- Melanchromic Organ : A possible mutation of this implant would be at the origin of the particularly pale complexion of the astartes of the chapter.
Apart from these exceptions, the genes in the chapter appear to be remarkably stable and pure despite all the suspicions that continue to surround Medren Arogard's existence. Each chapter astartes seems to take great pride in this state of affairs, and disdainfully allow themselves to judge other, less genetically stable chapters when inter-chapter cooperation occurs. This contributes a little more to the isolation of the chapter from its cousins. The Inquisition, on the other hand, takes a great interest in this, and does not hesitate to call upon Medren Arogard to keep an eye on a chapter suspected of heresy, or even to send them directly to purge in case of confirmed suspicions, their methods agreeing and facilitating this kind of work.
Chapter Relics[]
Indomitus Pattern Armour[]
Caïdoron of the first company wearing an Indomitus pattern armour
All the astartes of the 1st company of the Medren Arogard wear these powerful relic armors, because they are the ones who will go up to the assault first. These Terminator armors are very often modified to give them a more tribal look, as the rest of the chapter. These armors are covered with a profusion of raptor bones common to Cagrora, feathers and engravings, representing a deployed wing. All these decorations are intended to make the warriors of the Medren Arogard look wilder in order to instill a primary fear in their enemies. Like the rest of the chapter's energy armor, this armor is often reconstructed from parts of other armor models. The Medren Arogard seems to take great pride in these modifications, which clearly identifies them on the battlefield unlike other Astart chapters. It is not uncommon, given the chapter's methods, for these relics to be damaged and become unrecoverable. Not being especially materialistic or based on the dogma of the Mechanicus, these losses are experienced as irreplaceable from a war material point of view and not a blessed relic of Omnesia.
Chapter Relations[]
Allies[]
- Inquisition - The Medren Arogard has more than once collaborated with the Inquisition on various missions, from the most commendable to the most questionable. Thanks to their efficiency and the silence in which the Chapter's astrologers indulge, they maintain excellent relations with the agents of the Golden Throne.
- Blood Angels - Until recently, the Medren Arogard was assisted by the Blood Angels Chapter. For some unknown reason, a different one separated the two chapters, which have since ceased to cooperate in the defense of the Imperium Nihilus.
Enemies[]
Notable Quotes[]
By the Medren Arogard[]
- "The Medren Arogard brings fear and blood to the enemies of his eternal lord. Do not seek our pity, for today we are not in the mood for it."
- — Kal-Memnos, Ar'Vekan of the Medren Arogard
- "Your name has long been inscribed in the Vengeance Volume. I have the opportunity to cross it out. Thus the Medren Arogard decided to do so, don't see any malice in it."
- — Unknown
- "Acta kodota, Ar'Vekan ... I see it. The faithful servant of the Immortal Lord will have great need of you. The falsely accused will die by the hundreds, and the disloyal sons, praised for their unspeakable deeds, will open the door to the Krigorrs of the great tide. The faithful servant will need you, Ar'Vekan. For only you will be able to understand his choices, and only you will be able to implement them, with all the fury that the circumstances require... Acta Kodota, Ar'Vekan ... I see it ..."
- — Prophecy of an Augur of the Abyss to the Chapter Master of the Obsidian Griffins
About the Medren Arogard[]
- "They are everywhere! There! In the shadows! No! Over there! No ... They are everywhere! Flee! Flee..."
- — Vox transmission cut-off abruptly, unknown origin
