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This article, Shadow Dragons, was written by BrotherOrion. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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This article, Shadow Dragons, is currently under active construction. The author, BrotherOrion, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
Born of shadow and fire, the Shadow Dragons are the shadows amidst the blazing inferno of the Emperor's eternal war. Forged in the crucible of the 23rd "Sentinel" Founding, they trace their lineage to the heroic bloodline of the Salamanders. A legacy of heroism and endurance that runs as hot as the volcanos of their homeworld. Where others falter in the dark, the Shadow Dragons advance, their shadowclad forms wreathed in darkness, stalking those who stray from the light of the Emperor's will.
On the battlefield, the Shadow Dragons wage war with precision. favoring the efficiency of a single bolt round, their quiet advance across the field, for only a few seconds of fire, before the enemy goes silent. Each campaign is conducted with the precision of a bolt rifle and the swiftness of the Roaring Ash, for the Shadow Dragons are masters of both stealth and marksmanship. In the flaming basalt deltas they call home, they have learned that victory is won by speed, and precision, Ending the foe before they can fight.
Yet beneath their discipline lies a quiet knowing, a weariness that only those born of the Salamanders can know. The Shadow Dragons fight not for glory nor recognition, but to defend those can not defend themselves. They are the Emperor's angels, laying their life's down for others. Yet among each battle, they know, that they can only fight, as long as they live, but this does not stop them, they will fight, to the last man, Least breath, last drop of blood, if it means one more life saved.
Chapter History[]
M38 - Founding and Early Period
The Shadow dragons origins hark back to the dark time of the 38th millennium, the desperate times of battle, which laid waste to as many as 57 chapters. with the loss of so many chapters, more were needed, and with that need, the 23rd founding began, among the many chapters formed during this found, the shadow dragons would be one of them, drawing from the gene seed of the noble salamanders, the newly formed chapter, would be cast in to fire soon after its founding, finding themselfs in combat with the forces of chaos, formed from the chaos of the Age of Apostasy, which still harassed the imperium. the Shadow dragons would also come in to conflict with various ork rampage's across the imperium's frontier. By the end of the 38th millennium, the chapter would already have a strong legacy of combat, the forces they faced, forged by the chaos surrounding their founding, were strong, but the sons of vulkan endure
M39-M41 - Interbellum
from their founding forged in fire, the Shadow dragons forged a Belief defined by battle against the ruinous forces of chaos, with a doctrine of stealth and surgical strikes. Their Fortress-Monastery, now adorning incaendium with the ashen stone fortress of Arxardens, the Shadow dragons continued to fight, coming to defend multiple world chaos wrabands. the most common enemy of the shadow dragons were the world eaters, their unrelenting charge's often fell them in to ambushes.
992.M41 - Arrival of Hive Fleet Kraken
M42 - Current Chapter Status
Notable Campaigns[]
- Defence of Igninus (992.M41) - When Hive Fleet Kraken landed at the doorstep of Igninus, the shadow dragons called for aid as they set up defense's, the first wave of tyranids came, but it never ended, a continuous onslaught, death by a thousand cut's, when they were pushed back to Arxardens, they prepared to hold the Fortress-Monastery, where the civilian population of Igninus was sheltered, it was to be a defence until the last man, the last stand of shadow dragons, the tyrannic hordes drew in, bolter's and flamer's let loose, it seemed their death was assured
but their death would not come, Roaring wind as drop pods fell from the sky, bullets laiden the ground as gunships make's attack run's, the tyranids forces thining, with the aid of the Macragge Guard's chapter, the shadow dragons push the tyranids back, a hopeless day, turning to a triumphant victory.
but the battle's Price was high, many left dead, the chapter Master of the shadow dragons, caligo venator, Master Apothecary, markulus sanatio, multiple captains, nearly half of the drakones umbrae, at least 600 marines from both chapters, and even with the shadows dragons evacuating Saxumm, countless civilians had still died at the the hand of tyranid
Chapter Homeworld[]
Igninus
The world of Igninus is a world formmed from ice and fire, a frozen ocean off set by massive volcanic activity, a world where the sun is a distant, and the planet burning heart warms itself. ice sheets stretch for kilometers, shifting and cracking with their weight, the flaming vulcano's bright amongst the cold word. What solid land exists is forged from basalt, pillars of rock and ash where humanity forges life from the ash and stone. To the outside viewer, Igninus is a oddity, with the heat and snow; to the shadow dragons, it is home.
The settlment of Saxumm, Built around the basalt, the largest settlement upon the planet, a mess of bridges and ladders, with continuous upward expansion. Built by the first settlers to capitalize on the planets rare minerals, its coast litered by rigs and extraction towers claw into the planet’s crust, vomiting smoke, flame, and ice into the air as they draw rock from beneath the ground. The people of Saxumm live and die by the rock, their lives admist the world of two opposites, their prayers offered to the Emperor through the smoke of Volcanos, or from within snow storms. A world, made of fire and ice. Both exaciting their will, both shaping the planet, hot, cold, fire. ash, snow, and ice.
Fortress-Monastery[]
Arxardens
The fortress-monastery of Arxardens sits upon the burning pillar of a vulcano known as incaendium, an brimstone citadel perched on a mountain of burning rock. To call it Burned would be folly, for even the smallest stone, was forged with the stone and ash of vulcano. Built atop the flaming mountain, surrounding the peak, the fortress stands as both a marvel of Imperial engineering and a monument to the ancient homeworld of all salamander succesors. with it's fortitude, secured by fire and stone, the mighty monastery stand as a black colossus, As ashen pillar, to stand as long as the shadow dragons.
Arxardens walls are a blend of stone, ash, and burning steel, layered in hot rock and hymn, scripts that shine under the light of the Vulcano. Its grand halls echo not with choir song but with the sound of hammers and the Roar of magma. The Chapter’s war machines sleep in vaults of basault, their engines kept alive by the constant labor of Techmarines who wage ceaseless war against entropy and hot. Within the fortress, chaplains preach endurance and altruism, For even in the darkest of time's, the ancient oaths of the salamanders shine through their successors. The shadow revere their vulcanic monastery not merely as a home, but as a shrine to Vulkan himself.
Yet despite the burning stone that it surrounds, Arxardens endures. Its scripts and seals replaced with diligent pride, each new lava floe that comes from the mountain, each fissure and collapse, read as omens. When the Volcano burns to life, the forge master descend in armored processions, seeing in the planet’s molten lifeblood as a calling of a weapon yet to be forged, burning bright from within the fortress. In Arxardens flaming shadow, they find their truth. Strength lies not in roots or walls, but in the will to march ever forward and Protecting those can not protect themselfs, even in the heat of the ever burning battle.
Chapter Organization[]
Officer Ranks[]
- Chapter master — The Chapter Master serves as lord and commanding officer of the Chapter, this position is currently held by Ceryx virtus
- Captain - Captains are the leader of one the companies within the chapter
- Drakones Captain - Leader of the elite Drakus Umbrae
- Lieutenant - 2 per company, they act under the captain usually acting as battlefield command
Specialist Ranks[]
- Chaplain - Spiritual and discipline officer, who keeps in check the purity of the Chapter.
- Master Chaplain - Most senior of the chaplains.
- adiles - Guards and Keepers of the relics of the Reclusiam.
- techmarine - The role of a Techmarine is to keep and maintain Chapter weaponry and motor pool.
- Forge Master - Most senior of the Techmarines.
- Apothecary - Specialist trained about the Astartes physiology. An Apothecary not only serves as a field medic but is also charged to recover the precious gene-seed from the fallen
- Master Apothecary - Most senior of the Apothecaries.
- Company-ancient - Charged with holding the banner of his company, attached to a command squad.
- chapter-ancient Charged with holding the Banner of his Core, usually accompanying a high captain.
Line Ranks[]
- Veteran Sergeant - The leaders of terminator and Centurion Squads.
- Veteran Battle-Brother - The mainly seen in Terminator and Centurion Squads, in addition they make up most of a command squad.
- Sergeant - The head of a squad, they are responsible to carrying out orders from their superiors.
- Battle-Brother - The bulk of each Company, a Battle-Brother is expected to fulfill various roles.
Specialist Units & Formations[]
- Drakus-Brother - Masters of stealth, and Armed with a heavy flamer and power weapon, often deployed behind enemy line's to break them without warning. they are the most elite members of the chapter
Order of Battle[]
Headquarters[]
Companies[]
Chapter Recruitment[]
Chapter Beliefs[]
Chapter Gene-Seed[]
The Shadow Dragon's gene-seed is not consistent genetically, with that of other Chapters from the lineage of Vulkan, while sharing many traits, there many places where it differs, but most contamination does not cause major problems, it reproduces stably, and produces the full range of Space Marine organ implants. Recoveries made in the field are secured upon the nearest Chapter vessel in short order, and then returned to their homeworld for Reuse.
Currently, records indicate that the Chapter is sufficiently well supplied with gene-seed to accommodate even their prodigious needs
Genetic Flaws[]
Overactive Iris melanocytes - The Chapter's melanocytes, specifically those in the Iris, overreact to their condition, causing them to develop bright green Iris
Combat Doctrine[]
stealth
"Surprise Assault, Infiltration, Reconnaissance in Force"
Making use of Phobos armor, the shadow dragons excel in stealth operations. using weapons such as Instigator Bolt Carbines, Bolt Sniper Rifle, and combat knifes, to great advantage. And when combined with their augmented phobos armor, have been able to empty even the most secure fort. They make particular use of specialized grav shutes Reiver, to deploy behind enemy lines sliently.
Sabotage
"Sabotage, Guerilla Actions, Strategic Interdiction"
Making use of jump packs, for high mobility, the shadow dragons can strike at key location, lay ambushes, or delay supplies. using flamer's and bolter's to great advantage. able to cripple any force from cultist to the most organized chaos warband. They make particular use of Melta bombs, to cripple armor and vehicles.
Deathwatch Service[]
Notable Members[]
- Ceryx Virtus- Ceryx Virtus is a man forged from the devastation of Igninus, Once the Drakones-Captain, Virtus's rise was not marked by ambition, but by a solemn death. When , his predecessor, caligo venator, died, in the defense of Igninus, stabbed in the chest by a hive tyrant, Virtus took control of the chapter amidst the chaos. He directed brothers back to Arxardens, His armor cracked and bleeding, still he stood at the fore front of the battle line, for if the tyranids broke their line's, they turn upon the civilians first. after the battle, The Chapter's senior council saw in him as the best option, Not for seniority, nor bravery, but unyielding purpose, a leader who would uphold the oaths that go back to the time of vulkan, he who would lay down his life, to save another.
In battle, Virtus wears his modified suit of shadow drake tactical dreadnought armor, a relic of the time before the tyranid attack. The machine has been refitted to weld the Stellae Obscurae, its plating reinforced with heat reactive ceramite and its systems tuned to be near silent. To see Virtus stride across the battlefield is to witness an burning Warrior, each step a march through the flame and ash his super-heavy flamer cause's. He fights, not only for his chapter, but for the survival of everyone who can not fight themselves, with the unending march of flame, slow and destructive. His warriors say that when Virtus enters the field, the only thing the enemy can hear, is a encroaching flame, and their judgment before the emperor.
Chapter Fleet[]
- Battle Barges
- incaendium Mk.2 battle barge, incaendium is the flagship and the largest ship of the shadow dragon's Battlebarge's, named for the volcano Arxardens sits upon, incaendium has seen more combat then any other Battlebarge of the shadow dragon's, being the ship at the head of most vanguard forces
- Glacies Mk.1 battle barge, Glacies is the second of the shadow dragon's Battlebarge's, named for the largest ocean of Igninus, the Glacies is used for a command role, being the ship that transports the chapter master and his Entourage
- Strike Cruisers
- Escorts
Chapter Relics[]
- Stellae Obscurae - The Stellae Obscurae is a unique Iron Halo said to be crafted by the first chapter master of the Shadow Drakes, Altus Obscurus, in the heart of a raging volcano. Its unique conversion field offers near immunity to las weapons. it is permitted to be used Only by the chapter master of the Shadow Drakes.
- the Hammer of artifex - the Hammer of artifex, is the unique thunder hammer used the shadow dragons first chapter master, Altus Obscurus, it's presence is said to humble even the most esteemed blacksmiths of the shadow dragons.
- Gravissimus - Gravissimus is the unique weapon welded by Ceryx Virtus, based upon the Ultima Pattern Heavy Flamer, this weapon holds two extra barrels and enhanced fuel stores, it is a devastating weapon, worthy of the legacy of the salamanders.
Unique Wargear[]
- Shadow Drake Tactical Dreadnought Armor - Based off Indomitus Pattern terminator armor, shadow drake armor, with its limb and foot dampeners to quiet movement, additional sensors, and in-built Holochromatic Field generator, They Are unnerving stealthy for their size. they are given to the members of the drakones umbrae, as a part of their wargear, or used by the chapter master.
Chapter Appearance[]
Chapter Colours[]
The chapter use's black, Green, and white,
Black covers most of the body.
Green is used on the poleyns (knee guards), Gauntlets and shoulder trim.
with white used on the face-plate and interior of the shoulder.
Company
Company signification is shown by changing the color of left shoulder trim, they are as written.
1st Company: Green
2nd Company: dark Green
3rd Company: blue
2nd Company: dark blue
4th Company: Red
5th Company: Yellow
6th Company: Orange
7th Company: Purple
8th Company: Gold
9th Company: black
10th Company: white
Rank
Helmet color variations to distinguish ranks go as follows.
- Captain - white helmet, black face-plate, with a gold stripe
- Lieutenant - White helmet, Green face-plate, with black stripe
- Veteran-Sargent - white helmet, black face-plate
- Veteran-battle-brother - black helmet, white face-plate, with white stripe
- Sargent - white helmet, white face-plate
- battle-brother - black helmet, white face-plate
Chapter Badge[]
The chapter, like many other of the descendants of Vulkan, use a image of a drake as their badge. in specific, the head of a drake staring head on, with green eyes
Relations[]
Allies[]
| Name | Iconography | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ember Drakes |  |
The bond between the Ember Drakes and the Shadow Dragons is one forged not in convenience, but in shared purpose and spiritual kinship. Both Chapters trace their gene-lineage - by blood or by belief - to the Primarch Vulkan, and within each burns the tempered fire of his legacy. Yet where the Ember Drakes embody the flame's consuming fervour, the Shadow Dragons channel its steady glow, the quiet radiance that endures long after the blaze fades. Their alliance was not ordained by decree of the High Lords nor bound by oath of crusade, but born of recognition—two kindred brotherhoods who saw in each other reflections of the same burden: to preserve the spark of humanity amidst the endless night. When they first fought side by side during the Saros Cleansing, the Dragons' measured precision and the Drakes' prophetic wrath fused into perfect harmony, a balance of reason and faith that neither could achieve alone. In the Shadow Dragons, the Ember Drakes see the discipline and restraint that tempers their own zeal - a reminder that even holy fire must be contained lest it consume all it touches. The Shadow Dragons, in turn, revere the Ember Drakes' unwavering devotion and the unbreakable certainty of their cause. They understand the language of faith spoken through the crackle of the forge and the silence between the hammer's strikes. To them, the Ember Drakes are not fanatics, but brothers who carry the same flame, kindled differently by the will of the Emperor and the echo of Vulkan's soul. Together, they represent two halves of the same divine truth: that salvation comes not only through endurance or flame, but through the balance of both. Their alliance endures through ages of war and silence, tested in the crucible of endless conflict. When the Drakes' prophecies foretell doom, it is often the Dragons who stand beside them, lending quiet certainty to the Drakes' roaring faith. When the Shadow Dragons descend into the blackened ruins to guard the innocent, the Ember Drakes' fires burn above, a beacon against the dark. United, they are as the forge and the anvil - one shaping, the other enduring—and in their brotherhood, Vulkan's legacy burns ever bright. |
| Ice Dragons |  |
The Ice Dragons are a ghost among Chapters - a relic of the Imperium's hubris and the Adeptus Mechanicus's forbidden ambition. Born of the ill-fated 21st "Cursed" Founding, their genesis was an act of desperation, a vain attempt to forge perfection from flawed divinity. From the gene-seed of Vulkan they were shaped, their flesh and spirit tempered in the forge of Mars' secret biolabs, yet what emerged was not a new dawn of transhumanity, but a tragedy encased in frost. The Ice Dragons' gene-stock carried a flaw as cruel as it was poetic - an unholy sensitivity to heat that rendered them incapable of surviving in any climate above freezing. Bound forever to the cold, they became creatures of the tundra and storm, exiles from the warmth of humanity's worlds. Retreating to Crystallos, a frozen hellscape where even the sun's light is swallowed by endless blizzards, the Ice Dragons rebuilt their Chapter within ice-bound fortresses and subterranean forges. Their armour became their lifeline - cryogenic engines humming beneath ceramite plates, exhaling frost with every step. Over the millennia, their isolation deepened their discipline into something glacial and unyielding; their every motion deliberate, their every word measured. They fight as phantoms in the blizzard, striking with silent precision before vanishing into the snow, leaving only frozen corpses and the whisper of frost. To most of the Imperium, they are a myth, a cautionary tale of the Cursed Founding's folly, yet in the farthest reaches of the Eastern Fringe, their watch never falters. To the Shadow Dragons, the Ice Dragons are both kin and mirror - two Chapters bound by duty and shadowed legacy, forged of Vulkan's blood yet marked by loss and endurance. The Dragons of Ice and Shadow have often fought side by side in the frozen voids and dead worlds beyond Imperial reach, where faith and heat alike fade to nothing. In the Ice Dragons, their brothers see not failure, but purity - souls refined by suffering, fire made cold and eternal. Together they embody the paradox of Vulkan's legacy: flame and frost, compassion and silence, the will to endure even when the warmth of the Emperor's light can no longer reach them. |
Enemies[]
| Name | Iconography | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Notable Quotes[]
By: The Shadow Dragons[]
- "Stand and fight brothers! This world and its inhabitants shall not fall victim to the tyranids!, we stand here today, not as vulkans shadow, BUT HIS HAMMER!"
- — Now chapter master, Ceryx Virtus, during the Defense of Igninus
About: The Shadow Dragons[]
- "They walk where light dares not burn, our shadowed kin — and yet their fire is no less fierce for being unseen."
- — Forge Lord Varric Pyroth of the Ember Drakes
- "The Shadow Dragons fight as ghosts in flame. You will not see them, only the cinders they leave behind."
- — Brother Captain Ithrion Varran of the Ember Drakes
- "That armor of your’s, Shadow Dragon, it unnerves me, the same way I feel when a Lictor nears before its strike."
- — Brother Johan, Macragge guard, upon encountering a Drakus-brother in battle
- "We are not the roaring flame of glory, nor the thunder that shakes the heavens. We are the ember in the ash - the quiet burn that endures when all light fades. Each bolt we fire, each life we spend, is given not for triumph, but for the living yet unguarded. The Shadow Dragons are not forged for victory, but for sacrifice; we fight so that others may draw breath beneath an unbroken sky. Remember this, brothers—our duty ends only when the last heart ceases to beat, and the forge of our purpose grows cold."
- — Frost Drake (Captain) Ashamun Kur of the Ice Dragons Chapter, current commander of the 5th Fangshard (Company), "The Winterwardens" and "Forge-Thane of Ash and Ice."
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