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This article, Solar Phoenixes, was written by KellarSuiramot. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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The Solar Phoenixes are a Space Marine Chapter of unknown origin. Records indicate they were likely created during the 21st Founding, or the 'Cursed Founding'. While only being slightly larger than the average Firstborn Space Marine, they are somewhat stronger and are able to match their Primaris counterparts for a short time under certain circumstances due to mutations in various organs. Formerly a Fleet Based Chapter, they largely act as defensive force in the Segementum Tempestus, now operating out of the their Chapter home-world of Argentus Tempest. They frequently aid Imperial planets against xenos and chaotic incursions, burning the invaders to ashes. In battle, they are known for their Skyfire and Infernus Doctrines, where they use flame and melta weaponry alongside aerial superiority and drop-pod assaults to deadly effect.
Due to the superstition of various factions in the Imperium, the Solar Phoenixes are largely untrusted. Many find their unknown origins to be suspect. Some have speculated that they are derived from Traitor gene-stock, due to some of their iconography and psychological traits. Other suspect their gene-seed to be chimeric in nature; an abominable perversion of the Salamanders gene-seed is the most common of speculations. This cloud of suspicion has largely kept their deeds and victories unknown, which are often credited to other chapters such as the Salamanders. Despite their dubious origins and mutations, the Black Dragons, Salamanders, Imperial Fists, and Space Wolves are the only chapters that seem to respect them or welcome their presence.
Chapter History
Inception and Creation
Due to many records being sealed away by order of the Inquisition, much of the records surrounding their creation is unknown. However, it is known that the chapter was created to act as a bastion against xenos in the Segmentum Tempestus and take or reclaim worlds that were deemed essential for the Imperium. The Mechanicus promised to bless the new Chapter, seemingly pleased with the successful creation of the chapter and lack of corruption, with powerful relics alongside of their armory and fleet. These relics, one being a near-pristine Lunar Class Battleship from the age of the Horus Heresy, has raised suspicion. Some have speculated that deal was struck with the Mechanicum to gift such relics to a chapter that was created during a founding so fraught with corruption and destruction.
First Encounter
The Solar Phoenix Chapter left Forge World Graia after receiving their armory and fleet, moving deeper into the Segmentum Tempestus. Despite being relatively unknown, it would not be long before the wider Imperium came to know who they were. The Star Rider, a Dromedary Class Heavy Transport ship, was the first to report the existence of Space Marine Chapter that referred to themselves as the Solar Phoenixes. The ship logs indicate it was fleeing from an overrun industrial world, called Ostmegna, with a small fleet of Orks pursuing them. After many hours of trying to contain the Orks in the aft section the ship, a company of Solar Phoenixes boarded the Star Rider and proceeded to purge the Orks. Their presence halted the loss of life at 50,000 Imperial Guards and 20,000 civilians. Imperial Guardsmen aboard the Star Rider claimed that the Marines calmly unleashed a torrent of flame and bolter fire into the corridor where the Orks were trapped. Some swore the Marines became apart of the fire themselves as they advanced over the charred corpses of the Orks. Many swore their intervention to be a miracle, others called it an ill omen. After searching for survivors in damaged sections of the ship, the Captain of the 3rd Company, who called himself Ordarian, was quoted with saying, "You will not be without out your world for long." before leaving with the rest of his company.
Reclamation of the Ostmegna System
At the beginning of 110.M36, two months after saving the Star Rider, the full might of the Solar Phoenix chapter and cousin chapters were brought to bear upon the Ostmegna system. Out of the 8 Hive cities that marked the continents of the Ostmegna, only the hive city of Corinthias held out against the Ork WAAAGH! under the command of Commissar Egrand. The Commissar and the remaining PDF did their best to evacuate as many surviving citizens onto the Star Rider with a squadron of escort ships before mounting a final defense. Commissar Egrand proved resourceful and valiant, having salvaged important important defensive weapons before they fell to the hordes of wailing greenskins and using them to bolster Corinthias' defenses tenfold. However, after two months of pushing back wave after wave, dwindling ammunition reserves for defensive batteries began to falter. The Orks, led by Warboss Rukz Uld'garskar, saw this opportunity and breached the defensive barrier with his largest wave of Orks yet. Spilling en masse into the city, the Orks tore into the remaining PDF forces. After an hour of the breach, Commissar Egrand received word from the Imperial Navy that they had arrived with the Storm Giants, Black Dragons, Solar Phoenix, and Imperial Fists of the Adeptus Astartes, who would soon be making planetfall.
Chapter Home World
Fortress-Monastery
Notable Campaigns
Phoenix Rising (110.M36)
Chapter Organization
Officer Ranks
Specialist Ranks
Line Ranks
Order of Battle
Headquarters
Companies
Combat Doctrine
Chapter Beliefs
Chapter Gene-Seed
- "We never fear death, for we shall always arise from the ashes. With each fallen brother, he is reborn stronger in another. Many call this a curse, a heretical mutation. They are wrong. It is power bestowed to us by the Emperor, so that we may be a beacon of light for all of humanity."
- —Dramivus Brekt, First Solar Phoenix Chapter Master
The gene-seed of the Solar Phoenixes is shrouded in mystery, as many of the records regarding its original inception was sealed away by order of the Inquisition. What is known can be witnessed when interacting with the chapter, whether on or off the battlefield.
The Phoenix's Blessing
The most prominent is what is called the Phoenix's Blessing. The Phoenix's Blessing is linked to mutations within the Larraman's Organ and Haemastamen. The Larraman's grows from the size of a golf ball to the size of a small human fist and becomes capable of flooding the damaged body with adrenal-like steroids. These steroids grant a temporary surge in strength and reaction speed, which can match a Primaris Space Marine in that short period. The Haemastamen grows bigger as well and mutates to convert blood into stem cells, allowing for greater regenerative ability, such that lost limbs can be regrown. However, this second ability requires the attention of chapter Apothecaries and the time of complete regeneration can vary from a month to a year. Additionally, this ability is the first to shut down if the body suffers especially grievous and mortal wounds. While a potent ability, it is not infallible and has cost the lives of especially arrogant brothers who thought themselves invincible on the battlefield.
These stems cells also contribute for the extremely long life span of Solar Phoenix Space Marines and appearance. With old blood being broken down and transformed into stem cells, it effective renews their bodies to peak condition every five solar years. This constant renewal makes even the oldest members of the chapter appear as they were when they first became fully fledged battle brothers.
Gene-Seed Flaws
Burden of Truth
- "Blessed are those who are guided by truth. Damned are those who pursue it to the end of time."
- —Anonymous
One of the three major gene-seed flaws that haunt the Solar Phoenixes. The concept of truth is a major pillar within the Chapter's beliefs and culture, many within the chapter can tell when others lie. But, this trait also comes to haunt them if it is not controlled. In it's early stages, it is subtle and hard to detect. It only becomes apparent when interacting with those outside the chapter or when it is too late. When this genetic flaw appears, it appears in three stages:
Stage 1 - Suspicion of Virtue: The Battle-Brother begins to suspect all outside of the chapter to be lying or hiding secrets. They become abrasive and distrustful of authority, suffering from outbursts of anger.
Stage 2 - Pursuit of Veracity: The Battle-Brother's suspicion devolves into paranoia. They begin to fixate on particular individuals, following them and watching them whenever possible. They believe that they hide a deadly secret which could bring great harm to the Chapter and Imperium.
Stage 3 - Gospel: The Battle-Brother becomes insane, believing they have uncovered a vast conspiracy meant to irreparably harm the Chapter, with the targets of their suspicions being at the center of the plot. This is the hardest stage to handle, as those in this final stage can radically shift their behavior. At one moment, they seem as though all is well and the next has them bearing down on their "foe" with everything at their disposal. A brother in this stage will hunt down all who they believe to be apart of this vast plot unless dealt with by a Chapter Chaplain or killed.
Echo of the Ancestors
- "What I speak of are past lives, so to speak. The memories of Brothers who once served the Chapter burn and echo within each of us. Their voices are a cacophony and their tales are staggering. Our teachings will prepare you against the flood of past lives, so you may learn from them. I pray, young one, that you will have the strength to not be overwhelmed by your fallen brothers, or the Emperor's guise will be the last face you see."
- — Ash Bearer Ormallus Laeyth, speaking to a neophyte.
The second of the three major flaws. This is a unique flaw allows Battle-Brothers to inherit genetic memories from fallen brothers. This flaw did not appear until around a century after the creation of the Solar Phoenixes, as new recruits began to experience vivid flashbacks to wars they never took part in and memories that were not their own. Some neophytes and aspirants began to change in personality which were strangely similar to brothers who had died over the many years. This at first was thought a blessing after the Battle of Ganeliad IV in 009.37M, when Captain Laer Veliman of the 4th Battle Company was able to rally against and drive off a deadly Eldar ambush, despite taking heavy losses, due to inheriting memories from the Dramivus Brekt. In time, Laer became the third Chapter Master and this recollection of past memories was deemed the "Echo of the Ancestors" and heralded as a great boon to the Solar Phoenixes. However, this veneration would be short lived. The Chapter soon came to experience much more volatile Echoes, as some in the Chapter began hallucinating and unable to distinguish memory from reality. Others suffered mental schisms in the midst of battle, endangering their brothers. The Bearers of Ash, or the Chapter Reclusiam, began to construct meditations and teachings to reign in this dubious "boon" and to avoid the ever present watch of the Inquisition. Those teachings became what is now the the Chapter Cult, the Cult of Rebirth. Today, the Echo of the Ancestors is believed to be a double-edged sword, as the ancient Terran saying goes. A blade by which can slay your enemies but will slay your brethren without rigorous training and mental fortitude. When a Battle Brother experiences an Echo, an Ash Bearer (Chaplain) stands ready to either consult them or recite their last rites.
The Phoenix's Wrath
- "It is a feeling unlike any other, brother. The fury, strength, and clarity of it is a blessing only we have! Nothing else can compare and there is no greater joy than feeling it overcome you. "
- —Battle Brother Velek, 1st Avernus Assault Squad of the 2nd Company
The third of the three major flaws. The Phoenix's Wrath is tied directly to the Phoenix's Blessing, as the sudden surge of stimulants and steroids can overwhelm even the most disciplined minds in the Chapter. The Wrath will throw a Battle-Brother jarred by a heavy wound into a frenzy and launch themselves into enemy lines, cutting down foes and instilling fear into their hearts. While similar to the Black Rage of the Blood Angels and their successors, Battle-Brothers are still conscious of where and who they are but overtime, this rage can alter the mind of a Solar Phoenix. The steroids will cause those who experience it frequently to become more aggressive and impatient. Guardians of Rebirth, or Apothecaries, have noted that these individuals exhibiting these traits will often be despondent and depressed as they become addicted to that rush of chemicals. Such individuals often readily request being put into Assault Squads, so they can feel that rush again. Ash Bearers and Guardians have worked to slow these effects but the Chapter dedicates at least one Assault squad per company to those who are too far gone. These squads are known as Avernus Squads, as they willingly launch themselves into and revel in the most hellish of battles.
Notable Members
Chapter Fleet
- Wrath of the Phoenix (Battle Barge) - Chapter Flagship.
- Storm Soul (Battle Barge)
- Dawnforge (Battle Barge)
- Radiance (Strike Cruiser)
- Caelum Ignis (Strike Cruiser)
- The Sulfur Wolf (Strike Cruiser)
- Heaven's Descent (Strike Cruiser)
- Lorphandris (Strike Cruiser)
- Solaris (Vanguard Class Light Cruiser)
- Forerunner (Vanguard Class Light Cruiser)
- Meteorum (Gladius Frigate)
- Aegis Invictus (Gladius Frigate)
- Caeruleum Spear (Gladius Frigate)
- Razortalon (Hunter Destroyer)
Chapter Relics
Blade of the Eclipse
A mysterious relic sword found in recent years during the Ascension Crusade. The blade, upon first encounter, appears if to have been forged in the blackest of voids; no light escaping its presence. Upon closer inspection, it appears to have been made with technology long lost to humanity, possibly from the Dark Age of Technology or even before. When activated, a blinding glow outlines the blade, like some long-lost god turned an eclipse into a weapon, a symbol of its awesome power.
Dawn Talon
Among the many cherished artifacts and relics that the Solar Phoenixes posses, Dawn Talon is revered above all. It is the most ancient dreadnought chassis in their armory and records of it coming into the chapter reliquary are lacking. The Dawn Talon is equipped with dual Twin Volkite Culverins, weapons of the age of the Horus Heresy, which have been used to great effect in vaporizing and demoralizing enemy infantry and light armor. The current occupant entombed in Dawn Talon is Ancient Thraksis, hero of the chapter and the oldest of all current chapter members. Ancient Thraksis first fell during the Ascension Crusade, as he inspired his brethren to overcome an overwhelming Tyranid splinter fleet as it threatened to consume an agriworld in a nearby subsector. After the chapter took heavy losses, Thraksis charged through the creatures and sacrificed himself to bring down a Hive Tyrant with a well placed melta-bomb. His actions scattered much of the Tyranid force on the world and rallied his brothers to counter charge, destroying the Tyranids and dealing a heavy blow to the splinter fleet. His sacrifice was honored by interring him into the Dawn Talon. This was a symbolic and literal rebirth as he awoke in a new body. With every battlefield Ancient Thraksis walks upon, he alone can turn the tide of battle as he unleashes Dawn Talon's ancient fury.
End of Deceit
Even those of blessed light are haunted by darkness. The End of Deceit is a relic bolt pistol specifically crafted to bring the Emperor's peace to Solar Phoenixes who fall to the Burden of Truth. It is often likened to Absolver Bolt Pistols but it has put down hundreds of brothers over its long history. It is said that the machine spirit of the End of Deceit has become acutely aware of the state of mind of Solar Phoenixes, guiding the High Ash Bearer when it senses a brother descending into madness and will never fire upon a brother who does not suffer the curse. Chapter records tell of the End of Deceit saving the chapter from itself when a captain fell to the curse, nearly collapsing the chapter and waging war on the Black Dragons. No other weapon in the armory has ever killed more Adeptus Astartes than this relic and few are held in higher regard.
Firesoul Shrouds
Wholly unique to the Solar Phoenix chapter are cloaks so named the Firesoul Shrouds. These cloaks, upon first glance, appear to be scintillating capes that shift from bright, metallic yellows, oranges, and reds to a deep, amaranthine hue. However, they are more than just mesmerizing drapery; in truth, they are carefully crafted capes made by Chapter, mirroring the specific craft used by the populace on their home-world. Much like their Adamantium Mantle counterparts, it is woven with adamantium fibers but it is unknown what creates the unique color-shifting properties they have and the Chapter has yet to speak of it. In battle, they ignite as they block projectiles and blows, sparking brightly and said to reflect the fiery souls of the Space Marines who wear them. They are most prominently worn by the Chapter Honor guard and other heroes of the chapter. A prominent owner of a Firesoul Shroud is the current Chapter Champion.
Honored Mantle of Fire
Formerly a suit of ancient Cataphractii Terminator power armor that was destroyed in a forgotten battle ages ago. Though the markings are unrecognizable, rumor holds that it once belonged to a Salamander Firedrake. What remained for many centuries was the tattered upper half of the suit, slowly being repaired to match its former splendor. The armor did not see a return to the battlefield until the Era Indomitus and the introduction of Mk X Gravis armor. With great effort, the chapter wove the Cataphractii elements into a suit of Gravis and thus combining many favorable facets of both armors together. This armor is currently worn by Chapter Master Kellar Tomarius.
Razors Ignatium
A unique, artificer pair of lightning claws that have been handed down to each and every Chapter Master of the Solar Phoenixes since they were first crafted by the first Chapter Master, Dramivus Brekt. These three-bladed claws are able to generate intense heat, aiding in cleaving through armor of any kind and glowing white hot at the cutting edges. By tradition, these lightning claws are passed down to each new Chapter Master, who are tasked with improving them in some way to prove their skills as master artisans. These claws are a grand tapestry, showing the history of chapter leadership; each minor iteration adding to its deadly potential and beauty over the five millennia since their creation.
Standard of the First Dawn
The Standard of the First Dawn is the one of the oldest relics in the Chapter. It was created to commemorate the Chapter's Fortress monastery on their new home-world and the success of the Phoenix Rising Crusade. In the eyes of the Solar Phoenixes, it represents renewal, the Emperor's guiding light, and the endurance of the chapter. It has long been tradition to pass down the standard to the newest of Ancients to arise in any part of the Chapter, as a symbol of a new dawn and the life that comes with the new light. When Ancient Thraksis is awakened in times of crisis, he will mantle the Standard, for it was he who inspired his brothers in countless battles with this standard before for he fell. The standard depicts a fiery phoenix flying over land, with a sun rising in its wake and has true phoenix feathers woven into the tapestry. It is one of the highest honors to receive this standard and usher the First Dawn onto the battlefield at sunrise.
Solphorus Bolts
These unique bolter shells were developed after members of the chapter began to spend more time in the service of the Deathwatch. They are named after the canid-like species that exhale a caustic gas to subdue and kill their prey on their chapter home-world. In effect, these bolter shells have their main warhead replaced with a liquid chemical core with a smaller explosive within. It has a proximity fuse that can be toggled by way of their auto-senses should the enemy be obscured by cover. Upon detonation, the chemical turns into a dark, black gas that envelops the target area. Organisms, and certain metals, that come into contact with this gas are eaten away by the caustic nature of it. If inhaled, it eats away at vital organs and causes intense internal hemorrhaging; it is quite effective in dealing with organic xenos, though is largely ineffective against Necrons. This round is said to have been a response to the Chapter running into multiple Mekboyz with Kustom Forcefields across various crusades, noting that regular bolters shells had their effectiveness heavily reduced. Brothers noticed how smoke seemed to move through the barrier without issue, and thus they created these bolts as a potential means of evading their defensive field. Needless to say, they were a success and have seen use since. However, these are used sparingly due to the resources required to make them and the indiscriminate nature of the chemical once vaporized.
Uraniatus' Fire
A specially devised heavy flamer created to tolerate the intense heat from the combination of promethium and a unique chemical found on the Solar Phoenix home-world of Argentus Tempest. The mixture creates blue flame upon combustion and burns far hotter than what is considered "standard" promethium. The intense heat from the combustion can only be tolerated by a single heavy flamer that was crafted by a master artisan Uraniatus. Legend holds that Uraniatus stood his ground beside a 1st Company Salamander cousin when both of their brethren fell to an Ork horde. Together, they held off the horde for an hour until support units cleared the orks and continued to fight by his side until the the orks were cleansed from the planet. His deeds did not go unrecognized, and he alone was given the knowledge to create a Pyroclast Flame Projector, a pattern of flamer first created by Vulkan himself, as a sign of gratitude but only if he never shared this knowledge with his brothers. He agreed and upon his return, Uraniatus created his heavy flamer. His creation, based on the secrets he acquired, became a weapon to be feared by all who witnessed its ghostly blue flames. In battle, the nozzles can adjust to create a fan of flame that can engulf hordes or be focused into a sharp stream to slice through strong armor.
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colors
Chapter Badge
Relations
Allies
Enemies
Notable Quotes
By the Solar Phoenixes
- "We were reborn as Angels of Humanity; reborn in holy fire and sacred ashes like our chapter's namesake. By the Emperor's will, we were humbled by his gift and forever shall we be loyal as his ascended. We are Astartes; that is never to be questioned. We are human; that is never to be forgotten. It is never to be forgotten that the Emperor was human. It is humanity that is our progenitor, as it is his. It is our sacred duty to free and guard our kin, as it is his. It is our mission to unleash the inferno of our wrath upon anything that would DARE try to harm them, as our Emperor does! To degrade humanity is to degrade the Emperor, the most egregious of sins! Would it not spark your rage if something harmed your family on Argentus Tempest, one of your battle-brothers, or cousins? The Emperor felt this way, and he purges those malevolent forces without mercy! He wishes for humanity to rise from the ashes, for his resplendent light to shine through out the galaxy! We too believe in this and we work to restore life to the Imperium once more! Think upon these words and burn them into your soul, for they embody what it means to be a Solar Phoenix!"
- —Harbinger Ru'Tan Camend, Master of Recruits
About the Solar Phoenixes
Feel free to add some quotes.
Gallery
