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Administratum Scribe This article, Retributors, was written by Algrim Whitefang. This is an Expanded Universe article. The lore expands upon established canon, but does not contradict it.

This article was written on behalf of the YouTube channel Astartes, with all rights reserved to the original creator (Sayama Pedersen) for the purposes of the Warhammer 40,000 Homebrew Wiki. Please consult the author before making any edits or links to this article, or involving anything on this page with your own work in any way.



The Retributors are a Loyalist Successor Chapter of the stoic Imperial Fists, created during an unknown Founding. Since their inception they have continuously stood stalwart in the face of myriad threats to the Imperium of Man, including hordes of foes, cunning witchcraft and terrifying unknown technologies. The Chapter primarily operates along the borders of the Eastern Fringe in the Segmentum Ultima.

This Chapter has been described as distant, relentless and efficient by those fighting alongside them as the Retributors are a stern and austere Chapter, more interested in battlefield success than glory and accolades.

Chapter History

Because the Retributors place so little emphasis on acquiring glory while many forces of the Imperium go out of their way to seek it, much of the chapter's history, while not truly unrecorded, largely went unnoticed. Despite playing vital roles in several campaigns, these endeavors tended to be drowned out in Imperial archives due to their lack of self-promotion. Despite this, the High Lords of Terra and astute Imperial commanders were well aware of the Retributors capabilities and their assistance was always in demand. Of particular note is their significant cooperation with Inquisitorial lead operations throughout their history.

Ironically, the Retributors finally gained a bit of fame when they disappeared. Shortly after the Argosa Uprisings, the Retributors lead the efforts to chase down and finish off the fleeing rebel forces. The details of what transpired during this campaign have been classified by order of the Inquisition, but whatever occurred cause the Chapter to become more and more withdrawn throughout the next two millennia. The only regular contact the Retributors kept during this time period was with agents of the Inquisition operating in the Eastern Fringe. By 846.M41, all contact with the original Firstborn members of the chapter had been lost.

Believing the chapter dead, Roboute Guilliman ordered the chapter be refounded with a fresh batch of 1,000 Primaris Marines descended from Rogal Dorn as soon as the Indomitus Crusade was concluded. However, shortly after they we assigned to the former chapter's original holdings, the new First Company discovered some sort of evidence of the original chapter's continued existence. What this evidence was, however, they refused to reveal to not only the wider Imperium, but the rest of the chapter as well. Rather than explain what they'd found, the new Chapter Master sent those not already privy to the secret to join another nearby Imperial Fist Primaris chapter, the Reclaimers of Dorn, declared those that remained "the 11th Company", and demoted himself to Captain of this company.

Notable Events

  • The Argosa Uprisings (482.M39) - [RECORDS SEALED BY ORDER OF THE INQUISITION]
  • Last Known Transmission (846.M41) - The last known sign of the original chapter. After this date, all contact was lost.
  • The Refounding (112.M42) - Believed to be lost, Guilleman orders that the Chapter be refounded in the Ultima Founding.
  • The Discovery (115.M42) - The First Company discover evidence that the original Chapter still exists, exiles all other Primaris Marines of their number to join the Reclaimers of Dorn, and organize themselves into the 11th Company.

Chapter Organisation

The majority of the chapter's organization followed the dictates of the Codex Astartes. The only major exception is the use of "Impulsor" squads. Impulsors appear at first glance to be very similar in role to Tactical Marines, in that they are well versed in all aspects of war and equip themselves to suit the tactical situation rather than specializing in any particular role or wargear. What differentiates Impulsors from Tactical Marines is their role as independent forward operatives. Through additional training regimens loosely inspired by the Adeptus Custodes, Impulsors are able to act with far more independence than a typical Space Marine, able to swap seamlessly between acting as a coordinated squad or as individuals pursuing their mission objectives on their own, as the situation calls for. Because of this, Impulsors are ideal units for operating behind enemy lines or spearheading assaults on key targets. When sent to reinforce other Imperial forces, sending a single Impulsor squad can often have a greater impact than if they had deployed an entire company.

11th Company

As all contact with the original Retributors Chapter has been lost since late M41, when Roboute Guilliman assigned a portion of the Primaris Marines to the chapter, he did so assuming they were lost and needed to be replaced. However, when the new Primaris Retributors arrived at the original chapter's last known location, their First Company found what is believed to be evidence of the original Retributor's continued existence.

What this evidence consisted of was hidden from the rest of the Retributors Primaris, but it was significant enough that the newly appointed Chapter Master insisted on demoting himself to Captain of what he declared the 11th Company, and assigning what was their new First Company to this 11th Company. Rather than reveal what this evidence was to the rest of their brothers, however, Captain [Name Pending] instead ordered them to journey to the planet Caldera to join another nearby Imperial Fist Primaris Chapter, the Reclaimers of Dorn.

Chapter Recruitment

Chapter Gene-Seed

As their gene-seed is derived from the Imperial Fists, it suffers the same flaws as their parent Chapter: a non-functional Betcher's Gland and Sus-an Membrane. Beyond these organ failures, their gene-seed is extremely stable and suffers no known mutations of any kind.

Combat Doctrine

Retributor doctrine often dictates their forces are applied as widely as possible across a threatre of war, operating in small self-sufficient units tasked with taking on as many high-risk targets and objectives as possible, crippling key enemy assets to allow Imperial forces to bring campaigns to quick and decisive victories.

"Impulsor" squads lead this strategy, relentlessly engaging and re-deploying themselves in pursuit of their objectives. They work in a highly independent fashion (when the tactical situation is deemed advantageous) alongside other supporting Imperial elements in order to seize targets of opportunity.

Deathwatch Service

The original Retributors often used Deathwatch service as a way to groom members of an Impulsor squad for the rank of Sergeant of such squads. The logic behind this was that if he could handle the task of coordinating a kill-team of Astartes from entirely different chapters, then the relative independence of an Impulsor squad made up of his brothers would be easy by comparison. Because of this, Retributors among the Deathwatch often found themselves serving in leadership roles, even if that was not their officially designated assignment.

Notably, some Firstborn from the original Retributors chapter still remain among the Deathwatch. However, they appear to be just as ignorant of what happened to their original chapter in their absence as the rest of the Imperium. Rather than rejoin the newly refounded Primaris Marines of their chapter, those in the Deathwatch have elected to continue their service until the Firstborn chapter's return.

Chapter Appearance

Chapter Colours

Retributors Armorials & Markings

Retributors Chapter heraldry and markings.

The Retributors primarily wear dull slate-gray coloured power armour. They wear a gold coloured stylised Imperialis on their plastron (chest guard) which is reminiscent of their Chapter iconography. The white coloured squad specialty symbol is stenciled on the right armorial identifies an individual battle-brother's assigned squad specialty (Impulsor, Tactical, Devastator and Assault). Unlike other Codex-oriented Chapters, the Retributors repeat their squad specialty iconography on a battle-brother's helmet to help with ease of identification on the battlefield for squad leaders and commanders. Veteran and Command squads can be identified by a gold coloured squad specialty symbol stenciled on their right armorials.

Sergeants are identified by different coloured squad specialtist symbols on their helmets: Impulsor and Tactical (Black), Devastator and Assault (Red) and Veteran and Command (Gold). To further distinguish their warriors on the field of battle, the Retributors utilise a simplistic form of identifying the various squad specialties by the colour of both armorials and helmets: Impulsor and Tactical (slate grey), Devastator and Assault (Black) and Veteran and Command (White).

Retributors Co

Retributors company heraldry.

The Chapter identifies company assignment by their own unique heraldry consisting of black and slate gray in colouration on their right poleyns (knee guards). An open-faced circlet and number centered within the company symbol, indicates a battle-brother's assigned squad. A smaller white and black circlet on the left shoulder pauldron inset also indicates squad assignment.

Chapter Badge

The Retributors Chapter badge is comprised of a stylised gold coloured gauntlet, which is reminiscent of their progenitor's Chapter icon. The gauntlet is clenching a skull, with six lightning bolts emanating from the bottom of it.

Relations

Allies

Enemies

Notable Quotes

By the Retributors

About the Retributors

Feel free to add your own

Trivia

The Retributors were the stars of the fan-made YouTube video series Astartes, created by Syama Pederson.

In 2021 Games Workshop announced that the series had proven to be so successful and well-crafted that they were adding Astartes to the line-up of official Warhammer 40,000 animations coming to YouTube.

With the transition of the Retributors to official status, more information will be added to this page.

More Resources


Imperial Fists Successor Chapters (Last Wall)
2nd Founding Dawn TemplarsDeath Templars
3th Founding Astral PaladinsBlack MastodonsCrimson RobesImperial Sentinels • †Imperial TemplarsIronclad TemplarsPhrygian KnightsRevealersStone FistsWardens of Annihilation
4th Founding Argent WardensBolts of DornGatekeepersGauntlets of DornGolden PanthersHost of AiakidesIron MyrmidonsKnights of TerraMortiferous ShadesPhrygian KnightsRebutorsSilver ShardsSons of the EmperorTeeth of the StormTempest KnightsVoid Vultures
5th Founding Steel Angels
6th Founding
7th Founding Sons of Zeus
8th Founding Ash ScorpionsBears of KalumCrusaders InexorableSable LionsThunder Guardians
9th Founding
10th Founding Lions of BabylonVoid Templars
11th Founding Exalted BladesSkull Takers
12th Founding Blades of DornLyran GuardTerra's Hammers
13th 'Dark' Founding
14th Founding Templars Moline
15th Founding RedemptorsStorm Fists
16th Founding
17th Founding Blades of Resurgence
18th Founding
19th Founding Knights of Sol
20th Founding
21st 'Cursed' Founding Abyss GazersFrost ClawsHonour MaulsLords of MetalMolten FistsShield BearersThunderboot Grenadiers
22nd Founding Dawn Stalkers
23rd 'Sentinel' Founding Auric SubjugatorsBrotherhood of the SwordConquistadorsDoom FistsEternal PaladinsIron GuardNemean LionsPlatinum SoulsStorm ZealotsVoid Lions
24th Founding Mordekaisers
25th 'Bastion' Founding Crimson DragoonsEternity InvictorsShenandoah KnightsStorm SentinelsVoidwardens
26th Founding Gray HussarsKnights of Thunder • †Korps MarinesMourning WardensStormbreakers
Ultima Founding Blood Fist TemplarsCadian WallDeath GladiatorsIron ArbitersMaelstrom FistsPaladins of ThunderShadow WolvesSilver FistsSolar TitansSons of PraetoriaVoidwardensStorm MarchersWave Breakers
Unknown Foundings Bulls of RetributionCelestial StarsConsuls ExemplarDiamondbacksEnlightened SonsFatebinders of TyrGolden LionsHoly HospitallersImperial WardensKnights of ArgentKnights of the FistMasonic MarinesObsidian FistsProwlersRampant LionsRetributors
Renegades Marines VigilantPrivilegedPraetorian Masters
[Source]


Unknown Founding Space Marine Chapters
A
Abbots of AbsolutionAnacondasAngels VampiricAngels VehementAngels of RepentanceAngels of SilenceAngels of SlaughterAngels of UlanArchangels* • Ash SoldiersAshen AngelsAshen HeraldsAshen RaidersAshen ThanesAshen WraithsAstral ArbitersAstral SmithsAstral Serpents
B
Baleful BoarsBlades of OnyxBlades of the WolfBlood GriffinsBlood HoundsBlood HuntersBlood Jaguars • †Blood JawsBlood of VulkanBloodswornBloody PeripateticsBroken WingsBronze GuardiansBrotherhood of ShadowsBulls of Retribution
C
Caustic CherubimCelestial StarsChalice HeraldsChancellors of GenesisCharybdis AstraChildren of SethChiroptera LegionConsuls ExemplarCrimson SentinelsCrotalidsCrypt KeepersCyclopean Sons
D
DakkamarinesDark HostsDawn LordsDeep AngelsDiamondbacksDominatorsDoom HuntersDrakes of DeathfireDust KnightsDust Raiders
E
Ember SharksEbony DragonsEclipsed WardensEmperor's LiberatorsEmperor's MartyrsEmperor's OwnEmperor's ReapersEmperor's RiflesEmperor's TridentEmperor's WardensEnlightened SonsEternal GuardEthereal DragoonsExalted Seraphs
F
Fatebinders of TyrFire AddersFlesh Rippers
G
Garuda LegionGhost CrusadersGilded HammersGold KnightsGolden KnightsGolden LionsGrail KnightsGraven SkullsGrecians
H
Halo TemplarsHoly HospitallersHounds MortalisHounds of Kerberos
I
ImpalersImperial RavensImperial WardensImperius SerpentesIron BisonIron BloodIron DrakesIron PurityIron Revenants
J
Jackal Claws
K
Keepers of the AccordThe KinKnights of ArgentKnights of WarKnights of the AnvilKnights of the FistKnights of the WatchKnights RevenantKraken Scythes
L
The Last ChapterLightning SonsLions MalevolentLunar ResplendentLunar MarinesLycaean Liberators
M
Masonic MarinesMasters of SaltMegalodonsMourning CherubimMortarchs Serpentia
N
Nemean LionsNew DawnNight StormsNight Walkers
O
Obsidian FistsOmni-LegionOmniscions
P
Pale OnesPhantom KnightsPhantom StalkersPhoenix LegionPrædicatorsProtean VipersProwlersPurgatoriansPurge Marines
Q
Quartermasters
R
Rampant LionsRed AxesRedeemedRevenant AngelsRevenantsRetributorsRhinos
S
Sanctors of LightrimSanguine Berzerkers • †Scions of the KonicSea SerpentsSeekers of PenitenceSeraphs of VigilanceSermo InvictusSin EatersSkull ReapersSmilodonsSoaring ChaliceSolar WolvesSons of CerberusSons of EnlightenmentSons of RaptureSons of the CreedSons of the GallowsSpartans of VeloxSpectral WolvesStar ReapersSteelscale WyvernsStorm GriffonsStormbreakersSun Guard
T
Tempest GuardTemplars of SanguiniusTemporal LordsTenebris Shades
U
Unholy CrusadersUnwilling Sons
V
Venerus FathersVigil RaptorsVindicator LordsVoid ReapersVoidmasters
W
War RavensWar ShieldsWardens of AbsolutionWarstalkersWhite PaladinsWings of JudgmentWings of SalvaxesWolf's-Head MarinesWolves of Retribution
X
Y
Z
Zealot Scythes
[Source]


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