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This article, Sons of the Emperor, was written by Petrus Tyrannus. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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This article, Sons of the Emperor, is currently under active construction. The author, Petrus Tyrannus, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
- "My Emperor, deliver us, slaves of your will. My Emperor, deliver us, servants of your wrath. My Emperor, deliver us, heralds of your justice. My Emperor, deliver us, rightful sons of yours."
- —Common litany of the Sons of the Emperor
The Sons of the Emperor are a Loyalist Successor Chapter of the fanatical zealots known as the Black Templars, who in turn descend from the stalwart Imperial Fists, the VII Legion of old. Considered excessively religious even by the standards of other Space Marine chapters, the Sons consider every aspect of their lives to be watched carefully by the God-Emperor, and they devote every single moment of their days and nights to honoring this belief. When resting in their fortress-monastery, the Halls of Faith, these Astartes pray continuously, stopping only in the few occasions when a superhuman member of the Adeptus Astartes must sleep. In times of war, every bolt shot, every sword strike and every tactical decision are made while a quiet pray is being intoned, making sure that their supreme deity is always pleased by their actions.
The chapter received their name from the Custodian officers that served alongside their first chapter master during the Siege of Terra. For this reason, the Astartes strive all the harder to honour their glorious name, usually by spreading their ways of battle and culture to other Space Marine brotherhoods whenever they come in contact. Usually seen as ignorant snobs, the Sons' superiority complex has led to many disagreements with other warrior-orders in the past, yet luckily none with bloodshed.
In order to preserve their fighting strength and to better interact with other Imperial organizations, the order have, unlike their foster chapter, adopted Roboute Guilliman's Codex Astartes as their standard dictates for waging war and conducting proper diplomacy with other loyal subjects of the Emperor's will. Because the chapter can only muster one thousand active members at any given time, due to the Codex' limitations, they are not nearly as active as their parents that totally disregard the sacred book of the space marines, yet much more frequently seen waging war than any other Codex-compliant forces. One thing that allows this non-stopping belligerent behavior is the fact that the Sons do not recruit from a single planet, but from an entire region known as Malalian Sub-Sector, which assures that they are always at full combat capacity.
Chapter History[]
Horus Heresy[]
- "Listen carefully, astartes champion. The enemies we face are Sons of Horus, followers of the Arch-traitor, Warmaster of Chaos and nemesis to all that the Imperium embodies. An Imperial warrior must be anathema to them all, and I see you are that, thus I entitle you Son of the Emperor. May that be both a sign of His trust and an eternal burden of loyalty."
- —Shield-captain Dohron Jalastar adressing captain Belrot Wyrmane of the Imperial Fist's 44th company, first chapter master of the Sons of the Emperor
The history of the Sons of the Emperor is an ancient and proud one indeed, stretching all the way back to the Horus Heresy, when Holy Terra itself came under attack by the traitorous forces led by Warmaster Horus Lupercal and his corrupted brother primarchs. Back then, the Imperial Fists legion fought side by side with the demi-godly members of the Legio Custodes, reinforcing the defenses of Sol and eventually going face to face with the horrors that Chaos presented upon humanity's birthplace. Among the many astartes champions that fought on that battle, many would earn their places among the halls of legends, and one such legendary figure was captain Belrot Wyrmane of the VII Legion's 44th Company.
Notable Campaigns[]
Chapter Homeworld[]
Malalian SubSsector[]
Unlike most space marines chapters that are responsible for guarding a single strategic world or a star system, the Sons of the Emperor are the appointed wardens of an entire sub-sector. Located in the border between the Segmentae Solar and Ultima, the Malalian sub-sector is a part of the Daleus Sector, made famous for the amount of civilized xenos species that inhabit its stars. For this exact reason, following the catastrophic War of the Beast, the Adeptus Terra ordered the creation of a fighting force in that region, keeping in check most if not all aliens.
The sub-sector itself is composed of four star systems:
Hulthar[]
The main system of the Malalian sub-sector, this is where most of the Sons of the Emperor's operations are centered, and where their capital, Hulthar Tertius, is located. The system is mainly composed of civilized worlds from where the chapter recruits their new battle-brothers, as well as where the Sons' main fleet stays stationed in the rare times when the order is not waging war.
The system was previously inhabited by splinter warbands from WAAAGH! The Beast, and several planets still contain spores from the original xenos inhabitants, which makes that, from time to time, new savage ork tribes arrise, waging havoc around the countryside like the maniacs they are. The chapter, instead of purging the greenskins directly, prefere to let the potential recruits do it, claiming that: "if a to-be Son of the Emperor can't even defeat some feral orks, how come he hopes to achieve the battle standards necessary to carry our God's will?"
Hulthar is also Battlefleet Daleus's main headquartes, as most of the sector is in a constant state of war with the many lesser xenos races. This makes the chapter's capital the only viable place to settle a working resupply source, where ships from the Imperial navy can dock, refresh their crew and provisions, make repairs and launch once more into the cold, dark and unforgiving void. A Ramilies Star Fort, as well as many void stations are located in the star system, serving as orbital shypyards for the battlefleet.
Choramar[]
The second largest and most important system of the Malalian sub-sector, Bahamar is primarily a giant farm/mine. The star system's planets and moons have all been turned into agri-worlds or mining facilities, all these resources either sent to Hulthar to be used by the chapter or shipped back through one of the main trade routes that strip through the Segmentum Solar.
The Sons of the Emperor keep some outposts in the system to avoid attacks from pirates and oportunistic xenos races whose worlds have probably been purged by the brotherhood of astartes. The space marines serving in these outposts tend to be novitiates from one of the reserve companies or, rarely, experienced warriors who misbehaved and were sent to learn about patience and humilty.
Banrisal[]
A small system containing few inhabitable worlds, Banrisal is a penal system. The planetarty cluster is where the deranged criminals, heretics and mutants from all across the Daleus Sector that are not outrightly executed are sent to be reeducated in the Emperor's ways and be reintroduced in society, usually in the form of mindless servitors or hypnotized suicide soldiers in the most dangerous battlefronts.
The chapter tends to overlook this system as they have nothing to gain from protecting the Imperium's rubble, which tends to make it the perfect place for damaged pirate or alien ships to take shelter, either taking time to repair what little they can or preying over the few passing voidcrafts of the Adeptus Arbiters carrying newcomers to the prison. Sometimes, however, the Sons' techpriests will send a mission to gather interns to create new servitors, and unsuspecting raiders may attack the vessel only to discover too late that these are not the common folk of the Imperium they are used to dealing with.
Fenalis[]
Fenalis is one of the main reasons why the Sons of the Emperor, even being crazed religious fanatics of the God-Emperor, have such a close relation to the servants of the Omnisiah, even though it's the Malalian sub-sector's smallest system. The star system was once home to a minor dinasty of Necrons now long forgotten and still dormant, and its constructions can be found all across its planets, moons and debris belts, making it the perfect study site for new insights on the undead xenos technology.
It isn't uncommon to see an Ark Mechanicus orbiting a specific world, searching for long lost technologies. The chapter tends to send one of their own vessels to assist in the work of the tech priests, as well as to assure that whatever lays baried below the surface of those dark monolyths stays in their eternal, lifeless slumber.
Halls of Faith[]
The Halls of Faith are the Sons of the Emperor true home, their fortress-monastery where all the chapter's records are kept and where all lives of newcomers as battle-brothers begin. The structure of the fortress was built inside Hulthat Tertius's largest mountain range, stretching over several kilometers in all directions, and its the home not only to the brotherhood of astartes, but also to the order's serfs, servitors, equerries, vehicles and where diplomatyc representatives will be met by the chapter's command.
Like it's fitting for most successor chapters of Rogal Dorn, the Sons of the Emperor are experts in defensive fortifications and siege warfare. As such, they have an almost unnatural instinct for the better approach for reinforcing their position and eliminating weakpoints. With the Halls of Faith, it could not be different: several layers of orbital and land-based defenses separate any fool enough enemy from the home and base of the Sons, including orbital platforms, mines, missile silos and much more. Truly, if there is a place in the galaxy where neither xenos nor heretic alike can touch besides Holy Terra, it's Hulthar Tertius.
Chapter Organization[]
As all Codex-compliant chapters, the Sons of the Emperor follow a strict set of dictates that aim to optimize the order's relatively small numbers and turn it into a force that can rival most threats the galaxy may throw at them. Although names may vary from the original writtings of Roboute Guilliman following the Reforging period, the core nature of the rank and file stay the same.
Command Ranks[]
- Chapter Master: The greatest leader of the Sons of the Emperor, the chapter master is responsible for overseeing all that permiates his brotherhood, from the planetary taxes of the Malalian sub-sector to deciding which campaigns his brothers will be joining and conducting the diplomatic relations with other Imperial organizations. All this bureaucratic work by no means imply this venerable warrior is without combat capabilities, and more often than not, he will actually be the chapter's greatest fighter.
- Captain: Undisputed leaders of one of the ten companies, captains must supervize the 100-men force put under their command, making sure that they are used most properly according to the needs of the chapter and the wider Imperium. Usually, captains are centuries-long veterans with thousands of battles fought, and will be experts in all fields of war.
- Lieutenant: A new title introduced with the return of Roboute Guilliman and the introduction of his primaris space marines in the Sons of the Emperor's ranks, lieutenants must serve as advisors and representatives of their captains. Each one of the ten companies has two lieutenants that can act as vanguard leaders in the absense of their superior officer. Lieutenants are also the most likely choice for the next captain in the case that the previous one may fall in combat.
Senior Specialist Ranks[]
- High Chaplain: also called keeper of faith, the leader of the chapter's Reclusiasm and the keeper of all that is holy beneat the impregnable walls of the Halls of Faith, the High Chaplain is the holiest member of the Sons of the Emperor, entrusted with the chapter's most sacred relics and the keeper of all the religious traditions that permiate the order's daily affairs. No recruit will ever join the ranks of the brotherhood without being blessed by the High Chaplain's hand, no officer elevated of position without his approval, no war planned without his close advise. Truly the chapter master is the Sons leader in regards to the material world, but none can challenge the authority the great reclusiarch has over the spiritual matters.
- Chief Apothecary: the leader of the chapter's apothecarion, keeper of all the lore concerning the Sons of the Emperor's gene-seed, its origins and wherabouts, the chief apothecary is a vital asset to the chapter's survival, for he alone can petition and authorize the growth of new gene-organs and the creation of new recruits. This is especially important during times of extreme violence, when several lossess are expected, and the chapter must replenish its numbers quickl or face the risk oh anihilation.
- Chief Librarian: The use of psychic abilities is highly encouraged by the command staff of the Sons of the Emperor, after all, the God-Emperor himself was the greatest psyker the galaxy has ever known and will ever see. This has allowed for a great amount of freedom and encouragement to the chapter's librarium in their pursuit of knowledge conserning the immaterium, which in turn produced strong psykers across the millenia. Foremost amongst these delvers of the warp is the chief librarian, the most psychically attuned astartes amongst the Sons of the Emperor, as well as the keeper of the oldest and most secretive lore of the brotherhood. As it is fitting for someone with the sheer intelect and knowledge that only a chief among librarians could muster, his words are highly sought after by high-ranking command members searching for advise and indpiration, as well as those that simply need to release the destructive power of this Emperor-blessed warrior.
- Master of the Forge:
Specialist Ranks[]
- Chaplain:
- Apothecary:
- Librarian:
- Techmarine:
- Company Ancient: Another new title introduced by Roboute Guilliman's reformation of the many Adeptus Astartes chapters, ancients carry their companies' respective banners into combat, raising it proudly above their heads to both inspire their battle-brothers and struck fear in their oponent's hearts. Being an ancient is a tremendous responsability, for loosing the banner during the mist of battle can cause a huge shame to the company as a whole, and these brave souls will go to any lengths, including the ultimate sacrifice, to save their valued artifacts.
- Chapter Champion: the undisputed champion of his chapter, the chapter champion is a veteran of countless battles, having claimed the lives of hundreds of unholy heretics, foul xenos and unworldly abominations. He serves as the chapter master's closest counselor, as well as his ever-present bodyguard, giving his own life if necessary to preserve that of his esteemed leader. It is also the duty of the champion to organize and lead the Sons of the Emperor's honour guard, the greatest heroes of the order whose personal histories are written in the halls of the Halls of Fath's inner sanctum.
- Company Champion: The companies' greatest warriors, champions are a new rank among the astartes ranks that take the duty of setting the standard of martial prowess to their brothers. Company champions tend to serve as the speartip in most of battles, challenging enemy leaders directly and assuring that each of their strikes spill the enemy blood and inspire their brothers-in-arms to acts of ever greater heroism. Champions also serve as the leaders of each companiy's command squad
Squads & Specialist Formations[]
- Honour Guard: Sometimes, a battle-brother will endure centuries of constant battle, slaying innumerable foes and raising to the highest standards of the chapter, usually assuming ranks of leadership and renown. That yet is not enough to grant access to the numbers of the honour guard, for to be amongst these heroes is to echo through time as a living myth. Only those that are deemed the most worthy, having proved to possess an inner light that shines as brightly as the Astronomican itself, such is their faith, may be allowed membership of this select group. Honour guards wear the chapter's best equipment, surpassing even that of the astartes veterans, and are called forth only when all hope seems lost, for they fight like touched by the God-Emperor Himself.
- Company Veterans: Each of the ten companies seniormost members, company veterans form the command squad and war council of all captains, acting both as unflintching bodyguards and the maelstrom of many charges. Veterans are generally equiped with some of the best wargear the chapter's armoury has to offer, by far surpassing the quality of other squads' weapons and armours.
- Honoured Ancient: In the few scenarios where even the honour guard might falter due to the overwhelming chances against them, the chapter command will allow that one among their ranks take to the battlefield wielding the Sons of the Emperor's banner, the chapter's most sacred relic. Honour ancients tend to be not only the oldest among his brothers, but also the most physically and mentally fit, and usually will have already served as company ancient as one of his previous ranks. The mere presence of the banner's glorious sight makes all Sons enter a battle frenzy, while their enemies shiver and coil, unnable to whistand being close to such a holy artifact.
Line Ranks[]
- Veteran Sergeant: Veteran squads are devastating forces of nature, capable of turning the tides of most battles, having accumulated the military accumen of entire lifetimes. Leading such venerable forces lays the veteran sargeant. Usually the last title a marine will aquire before entering the ranks of the chapter's command ranks and specialist formations, veteran sargeants are warriors without equal in the galaxy, capable of assuming any tactical need and always perceiving the quickest, safest and best way to win any engagement he and his stalwart brothers might find themselves upon.
- Sergeant: The closest officers to the battle-brothers daily lives, sargeants lead squads of ten members and are the most commonly seen commanders in the battlefield. These veterans tend to give advice to their younger brothers, serving as beacons of hope and embodyments of what the chapter's ideals are. There are several variations of sargeants employed by the Sons, each one with a different title, such as assault, devastator, scout, tactical and so on.
- Battle-Brother:
- Scout Marine:
- Neophyte:
- Aspirant:
Order of Battle[]
Headquarters[]
Companies[]
Chapter Culture[]
Recruitment Traditions[]
Greenskin Hunt[]
To enter the ranks of the Sons of the Emperor, some would say the most devoted chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, one has to surpass what is expected even from a mortal man. Indeed, many other orders of astartes consider the recruitiment traditions of the Sons to be overly cruel and unnecessary. To understand these practices, one must simlply look at the first years of the Hulthar system as an Imperial conclave, when, back then, the galaxy was being torn apart by the great WAAAGH! The Beast. As the main fighting force of the ork warlord approached Terra, several smaller warbands started to spread across the Segmentum Solar searching for easy loot and places to plunder, and one of these groups would end up in Hulthar.
Eventually, the forces of the Black Templars' 4th company, under the command of Belrot Wyrmane, defeated the greenskins and brought peace back to the system. What the first astartes of the to be created Sons of the Emperor did not notice at the time was that spores from the foul orks remained on the planets and moons of Hulthar, and these would eventually create new feral orks that, if left unchecked and undisturbed, could cause the destruction of the whole system. Taking advantage of this seemingly unfortunate situation, the chapter created one of the most brutal tests of recruitment in the Imperium.
Young men from all across Hulthar and Choramar are grouped and sent to fight feral tribes of orks with nothing but crude weaponry and no body protection save for ragged cloths. Even though these boys are generally in a confortable numerical advantage, a single nob warrior can rip their numbers with ease, so the ensuing battle resembles much more a desperate bloodshed than anything else. In the end, the orks usually are decimated such is the numerical weight of the recruits, although the overwhelming majority of the aspirants lay now dead or mortally wounded, and the few remaining standing are still not assured to initiate as new Sons of the Emperor. Only those judged untouched by the horrors they've witnessed, both in body, mind and soul, can truly be accepted in the chapter. Although this method seems radical even to the standards of the space marines, it is a testament that even the youngest scout marine of the Sons is a masterful warrior.
Chapter Gene-Seed[]
Genetic Flaws[]
Combat Doctrine[]
Notable Sons of the Emperor[]
Chapter Fleet[]
Chapter Relics[]
Deathwatch Service[]
Chapter Appearance[]
Chapter Colours[]
Chapter Badge[]
Chapter Relations[]
Allies[]
Enemies[]
Notable Quotes[]
By the Sons of the Emperor[]
About the Sons of the Emperor[]
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
