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The Steel Redemptors are a semi-Codex-compliant loyalist Space Marine Chapter descended from the cold and iron-willed lineage of the Iron Hands. An Ultima Founding Chapter, disagreement among the High Lords of Terra delayed their formation until the near very end of both the first decade of the 42nd Millennium and the first phase of the Indomitus Crusade. Originally intended to bolster the defenses of systems formerly patrolled by their now crippled parent chapter, the Steel Confessors, the collection of circumstances surrounding their founding has reduced their numbers significantly.
Their reputation as adept Tyranid hunters is well-established, and they are often called upon by the Ordo Xenos and Ordo Machinum of the Inquisition for critical extermination campaigns. Though many Imperial institutions value their reliability in battle, others, particularly the Ordo Hereticus and Ecclesiarchy, regard them with suspicion due to their deep ties with the Adeptus Mechanicus. Dispatching an inordinate number to serve within the Deathwatch and their willingness to collaborate with most chapters have earned them quiet respect among some veteran commanders. Despite their limited numbers, few question their combat effectiveness or unwavering loyalty to the Imperium of Man.
Internally, the Chapter is organized into four Houses with each containing a subset of the standard ten companies and emphasizing different combat doctrines shaped by the survivors of their founding. All leaders have completed at least once stint of service in the Deathwatch while all officers are trained as Techmarines, resulting in a leadership caste uniquely versed in both the rites of the Machine God and combat skills of other chapters. Their fortress-monastery, Saedric, is shared among the Houses and serves as both a strategic hub and symbolic anchor. The chapter refuses to recruit from the worlds belonging to their Adeptus Mechanicus allies, instead selecting applicants instilled with hatred for the Tyranids from worlds the Steel Redemptors just cleansed. Many battle-brothers suffer from a persistent quirk marked by self-doubt and obsessive self-improvement, a condition which may stem from a genetic flaw, psychological trauma, or a combination of the two.
As one of the younger chapters of both the Adeptus Astartes and the Ultima Founding, the Steel Redemptors are still forging their legacy within the crucible that is the 42nd Millennium. Their customs, structures, and combat doctrine reflect the unique circumstances of their creation. Though born from necessity and hardened by adversity, they continue to adapt with purpose, drawing strength from their trials and rediscovered knowledge. In a galaxy defined by uncertainty and war, the Steel Redemptors stand as a testament to the ability of mankind to forge something enduring from the ashes of loss.
Chapter History[]
The Steel Confessors[]
The origins of the Steel Redemptors chapter are closely intertwined with the tragic fate of the Steel Confessors. Following the Battle for Kalevala (997.M41), despite having successfully defended their second homeworld from Hive Fleet Leviathan, the sheer number of casualties resulted in the chapter struggling to replace its losses, becoming known as the "crippled Steel Confessors Chapter." Not long after would come the Ultima Founding and with them, the Primaris Space Marines. The Lord Commander of the Imperium Roboute Guilliman had decreed that those chapters most devastated by the ongoing wars should be prioritized to receive their reinforcements. Having lost much of their combat potential the Steel Confessors should have almost certainly been among the first to be replenished.
Defense of Tathalon[]
As one of the crusade fleets neared the area of space that the Steel Confessors were believed to be, a relatively inexperienced contingent of Greyshields and a Custodian escort were dispatched as had been done countless times before. En-route to their destination, the detached fleet would approach the Tathalon System. After traversing through the dense asteroid rings surrounding the system, they would come upon a horrific sight, a Tyranid Splinter Fleet devastating the three forge worlds of Tathalon. Being intended as reinforcements, the marines present numbered around a mere 500 yet threw themselves into the fray.
Despite being outnumbered and without vehicle support, ten squads dropped onto each of the forge worlds from orbit. Joining up with the local Skitarii forces, the Tyranid horde was slowly being repelled, but at a great cost. By the point at which the Skitarii were able to continue the fight of the forge worlds on their own, over one-quarter of the marine forces that landed on the surface of each of the worlds had perished. In particular, almost no squad was unscathed, with the vast majority having lost their sergeants. However, the fight was not over as upon regrouping and consulting the Fabricator-Generals of the three worlds, they were informed that a Ramilies-class Starfort which had been brought to the system for resupply, had also been overrun. Despite their heavy losses, the Marines knew there would be no respite until the alien threat had been exterminated, and commenced boarding the massive installation at the cost of even more lives.
By the time the Tyranid threat was annihilated from the system, only a couple hundred Astartes remained and only four sergeants stood among them. Even worse, the boarding of the star fort to slay the Hive Tyrant had claimed the life of their custodian escort. Their transport fleet faced similar losses, with only a single strike cruiser remaining. While they had managed to save the Tathalon System, their path forward, especially the plan to rendezvous and reinforce their parent chapter, had quickly fallen apart.
Reforged Anew[]
The four surviving sergeants met with the fabricator generals of the triplet forge worlds of the system and hatched a plan. They attempted to contact the crusade fleet and Terra, but perhaps due to damage to the astropathic relay, a warp storm or the lingering Shadow in the Warp, there was no reply. Grateful for their assistance in the face of near-certain annihilation, the representatives of the Adeptus Mechanicus agreed to help repair what was left of the Torchbearer fleet, but it would take time. Meanwhile the decision was made for Sergeant Kaelith to take the sole operable strike cruiser and one hundred battle brothers in a desperate attempt to try and reach their parent chapter.
At some point after his departure, the remaining stranded Astartes would come into contact with a Deathwatch kill team which was dispatched to purge the system from Tyranids only to find the system had already been pacified. The kill team consisted of brothers originally from the Iron Hands, Salamanders, and Raven Guard chapters and their successors. These veteran members of the Deathwatch had initially reacted in disgust upon seeing the inexperienced primaris marines and their losses. However, upon hearing of the feat of defeating the hive tyrant and saving not only this system but likely the surrounding ones, they acknowledged their bravery and tenacity. They would assist these esteemed veterans with eradicating the Tyranid threat from the surrounding systems benefiting from their mentorship.
It would be around the time that Kaelith's journey was assumed to have failed that a response was received from the Senatorum Imperialis delivered in person by the Watch Commander of their mentors. The High Lords had received word of their circumstances but were locked in deliberation. The Adeptus Mechanicus advocated for their formation as a new chapter, while the Inquisition had been strongly opposed as they had been to the Steel Confessors before. With the intercession of Guilliman at the urging of Belisarius Cawl, a compromise was reached. They would be formed as a new chapter and receive additional Primaris reinforcements to replenish their losses. The Deathwatch would temporarily send any Steel Confessors among their ranks to serve as veteran training cadre as the Astral Knights once did for the Sable Swords. In exchange, the new chapter would send detachments at the call of the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos and Ordo Machinum. Finally, their Chaplains would be trained by the Iron Fathers of Medusa to ensure they maintained an acceptable distance from the Mechanicus.
Their training cadre would soon arrive and were greatly surprised. From the reports, they had expected inexperienced greyshields no better than a battle brother freshly graduated from the scout company. What they found, however, was a diversified force. There was clearly apparent the favorite combat style of the Steel Confessors and Iron Hands incorporating the heavy use of vehicles and dreadnoughts, gifts of gratitude produced by the triplet forge worlds to their saviors. However, there were also large numbers of marines that favored the flame weapons and stealth tactics generally more associated with the Salamanders and Raven Guard. While they would still learn a lot of combat skills and tactics, the most important mark left on the new marines was an intense hatred for Tyranids, for the destruction of Kracis IV, and more recently, the invasions of Tathalon and Kalevala. They conveyed the lessons of the past foremost among which was to never underestimate any threat to their homeworld. The triumvirate of sergeants would name their new chapter the Steel Redemptors. The name represents their desire for the chapter to put a definite end to the tragedies suffered by their crippled parent chapter and during their first battle to achieve redemption.
Present[]
The Steel Redemptors have adhered to the deal forged to enable their formation, regularly dispatching two-thirds of their number in response to requests. The extensive support from the triplet forge worlds of their system have been both a blessing and a curse. The chapter processes a vast number of vehicles with each company's separate armory being the size of some smaller chapters'. The workload combined with their innate propensity for technological prowess has resulted in many brothers being selected to travel to Mars. However, while considered a great honor, the number of Redemptor pattern dreadnoughts provided and their tendency to burn out their pilots has many veterans and sergeants even without significant injuries undertaking the process, culminating in depleted ranks and a general loss of expertise. Additionally, a significant number of brothers take the long watch; the reason for this is two-fold, to repay the many Watch Captains who expeditiously sent brothers from their parent chapter at their formation but practically it also serves as a way for brothers to learn from other chapters similar to the first Steel Redemptors. The latter reason has become even more necessary due to the internment of many of the chapter's veterans.
Notable Campaigns[]
Chapter Homeworld[]
As a fleet-based chapter, the Steel Redemptors do not have a homeworld in the traditional sense. However, the Tathalon system is of special importance due to the location of the chapter's fortress-monastery.
Fortress-Monastery[]
The Steel Redemptors utilize the Ramilies-class Starfort "Saedric" as their fortress-monastery, having liberated it during their initial defense of Tathalon. Originally belonging to the Adeptus Mechanicus, it was brought to the system to be resupplied and repaired within the relative safety of Tathalon's protective asteroid rings and Oort Cloud on its way to conduct deep-space research. The exact details of the research likely died with those aboard when they were overrun by Tyranids. Following the Steel-Redemptors' successful eradication of the invaders and subsequent establishment as a chapter, they were given the honor of using it as their chapter's fortress-monastery. Unfortunately, likely as a result of damage dealt during its occupation and the death of its Navigators, it is no longer capable of Warp-travel. Constant monitoring and adjustments ensures that it remains safely within the L1 point between Tathalon AB and Tathalon C to prevent it from being dragged into the gravity wells of any of the system's three stars.
Like any Ramilies-class Starfort, Saedric has four quadrants, each with its own Void Shield emitters and weapons. Each of the chapter's four Houses utilize one of the quadrants. Starting with the quadrant facing towards Mars Terra and continuing clockwise in order, they are House Kaelith, House Myzian, House Orikarn, and House Yakraine. Each quadrant also contains each House's constituent companies' separate armories, meeting hall, and company chapel. The quadrant of House Yakraine is also home to an additional training area and living quarters for the Chapter's neophytes and aspirants. The Basilica is home to the Chapter's great hall, assimularum, librarius, apothecarion, and reclusiam. The quarters for the current Chapter Master and meeting chambers for the Dalkansir Triumvirate and the wider council.
Chapter Organization[]
The Steel Redemptors are organized similar to most codex-compliant chapters prima facie. The most glaring difference is that other than the first, each other company consists of only 50 marines rather than the standard 100 brothers. The reason for this is not deliberate, for the Steel Redemptors would field full companies if they were able. Similar to the Iron Hands, each company maintains a separate armory and fleet. However, unlike those clan companies, it is very common that there is collaboration rather than competition. Battle brothers regularly move between companies especially after passing Genparme's three trials and after returning from the Deathwatch. Shifting of entire squads or newly-promoted sergeants to companies belonging to the same house returning from crusade is also a regular occurrence.
Houses[]
The Steel Redemptors also possess an organizational level below the entire chapter-level known as houses. The three houses are House Myzian, House Orikarn, and House Yakraine. Their names are that of the three surviving sergeants after the Defense of Tathalon. Each house was originally comprised of Greyshields who shared similar fighting styles and philosophies which were then reinforced as the lessons were imparted on new brothers and as veteran brothers who had gained relevant experience returned from the long watch.
Each house is comprised of three companies and has a leader known as a Dalkansir (House Head) and a deputy with the title of Kansir (Vice-House Head). These titles are held in addition to their bearers' ranks within the chapter. The Dalkansir is indirectly elected being succeeded by their Kansir in the event of resignation or more likely death while the Kansir is elected by the Techmarines of their house. In the unlikely event of a tie, the house's dreadnoughts are roused to cast the deciding vote.
While it is common that a Captain of one of the house's three constituent companies is chosen, this is not always the case. In particular, House Myzian is often known to choose its Master of the Forge. When the Dalkansir holds the title of Captain, that company is often known as the head company of the house, while the others are known as branch companies. If the Dalkansir is not, the honor is often bestowed to the company led by the Kansir, or selected by the Dalkansir upon ascension, most often being the company led by his predecessor. Rather commonly, both the Dalkansir and Kansir will both be captains, as is currently the case with House Orikarn. Regardless, a Captain serving as either a Dalkansir or Kansir will allow a Lieutenant to ascend to the position of Captain-Minra, as they retain command only in name.
There is also technically a fourth house, House Kaelith, which comprises only the chapter's first company. Its members are drawn from the veterans of the other three Houses and comprises entirely of terminator squads. Unlike the other houses, House Kaelith is organized as a single company with a captain and two lieutenants. Being selected to join the fourth house is a great honor but also a sacrifice. Once selected its members must abandon all loyalty to their previous house and company while eschewing nearly any possibility of further advancement within the chapter outside of their new house. House Kaelith is part of the bastion that protects the Steel Redemptors' home system of Tathalon and therefore upon induction, a battle brother knows he will almost certainly never venture beyond the rings again.
Dalkansir Triumvirate and Council[]
While the Steel Redemptors have a Chapter Master, the title is not permanent and rotates rather frequently among the three Dalkansir. In fact, the title simply goes to the house head currently stationed on Saedric to watch over Tathalon. Outside of emergency decision authority, that would be afforded to any commander, the true decision-making power actually lies with the Dalkansir Triumvirate, the formal name for the three house heads. It is common, however, for one or two of the heads to be unreachable due to being on crusade and in such a case the captain of House Kaelith will cast a vote on their behalf.
For larger decisions, the Triumvirate will occasionally consult a wider council but especially if neither of the two crusading Dalkansir cannot be contacted. Known as the Council of the Crucible, it is comprised of the Dalkansir of the Triumvirate, the three Kansir, each House's Master of the Forge, and the chapter's Chief Genetor, Master Technomancer, and Iron Arch-Father. The captain of House Kaelith casts the tiebreaking vote if applicable.
Officer Ranks[]
- Dalkansir - The three heads of the chapter's three principal houses. The position of Chapter Master rotates between them. In addition to relics of the chapter, they often wield relics originally belonging to the house's Deathwatch mentors.
- Kansir - The three deputy heads of each house. They are elected by the Techmarines of their house. They often accompany their Dalkansir to learn through their mentorship and gain the experience to one day lead their house. When stationed in Tathalon, they will often visit one of the system's forge worlds to further their skills.
- Steel Captain - The heads of each of the chapter's ten companies. Having served two vigils in the Deathwatch, once as a battle brother and another as a Techmarine, they are well-versed not only in battle tactics but in other chapters' and xenos technology.
- Guardian of the Crucible - The captain of the chapter's 1st Terminator company and head of House Kaelith. While technically a captain, he is often acknowledged as first among equals with his wise counsel being heeded by even the Dalkansir serving as Chapter Master. Serving as the impartial warden of the chapter's fortress-monastery he has not to date has left Saedric since the chapter's formation.
- Captain-Minra - The title afforded to a lieutenant serving in command of a company technically commanded by a Kansir or Dalkansir. Functionally, their role is no different than any other captain.
- Steel Lieutenant - Each company has two lieutenants which serve as second-in-command to their company's captain. While some may have finished their second stint of service in the Deathwatch, the vast majority are replacements selected from the more senior Techmarines in their chapter's armory.
Specialist Ranks[]
- Techmarine - Serving the same role as other chapters, the Techmarines of the Steel Redemptors are sent to train on Mars to train for many standard years in the rites and knowledge necessary for the maintenance of war machines and their machine spirits. However, unlike most other chapters, brothers serving solely in the position of Techmarines are often either newly minted or returning from service in the Deathwatch.
- Genetor - The chapter's version of an Apothecary. Selected from the chapter's Techmarines that display affinity or interest, they receive additional training not only from their senior Genetors but also the Magos Biologis residing on the forge worlds of Tathalon. Unlike many of their chapter and lineage, Genetors view flesh as not necessarily inferior to steel and rather understand living creatures as biological machines. A large portion accompany the companies of House Orikarn. There are also occasionally those Genetors focused on the biology of Xenos rather than Space Marines who serve as valued advisors and whose findings increase the chapter's capability in bringing vengeance to the Tyranids and other threats.
- Iron Father - A Techmarine sent to study under the Iron Chaplains and Iron Fathers of the Iron Hands under the terms that allowed the chapter's founding. Similar to the Chaplains of the Iron Hands, they do not receive a Rosarius from the Ecclesiarchy because of the perceived heresy of their beliefs in the Omnissiah rather than the standard Imperial Creed. They are also schooled in the ways of the Machine Cult more than standard Techmarines. As a result of their affinity, Iron Fathers of the Steel Redemptors carry an Omnissian Axe rather than the standard Crozius.
- Technomancer - The chapter's equivalent of a librarian, they are very few in number. Rarely upon assisting an inhabited world against a xenos invasion, they will find a child with signs of psychic capability. If they display affinity towards technomancy, they may be rescued by the chapter and taught to control their powers within the chapter's Librarius. Occasionally, the chapter may draw additional candidates with similar affinities from the Scholastica Psykana. Unlike other neophytes who complete the majority of their training on board the ships of the crusading house, returning to Saedric only to complete the three trials of Genparme, Technomancer neophytes are trained on the star fort entirely under the watchful eye of both the Iron Fathers and other Technomancers. Upon the completion of their training, they are often sent to Mars to train as Techmarines where their psychic abilities to innately understand machines can cause them to be viewed as prodigies even among other Techmarine candidates. As a result, most Technomancers wield force weapons that resemble an Omnissian Axe.
Line Ranks[]
- Veteran Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Sergeant-Minra - An apprentice Sergeant. Due to the Steel Redemptors' fondness for small squad operations, full ten-man squads are often split into five-man squads. In such a case, the Sergeant-Minra will take command of the second-half. Sergeants-Minra are not marked any differently than their fellow squad mates, but the position is often occupied by the most senior battle brother of the squad. The title dates back to the Defense of Tathalon where deaths of many Sergeants required more senior battle brothers to assume the role but without the luxury of time to swap their helmets or war gear.
- Battle Brother
- Apprentice - A neophyte who has completed their initial transformation to becoming a full battle brother but has yet to pass the Trials of Genparme.
Specialist Units & Formations[]
- House Guards - Without a permanent Chapter Master, the Steel Redemptors maintain a total of seven separate Honor Guards, one for each Dalkansir and Kansir. Often personally selected from the Company Veterans of their House, each Honor Guard is often equipped to most effectively support their commander. The members of the House Guard regularly undertake the most dangerous of missions; it is not unheard-of for a Kansir to be ordered to cleanse an entire planet of Tyranids with just their five-man House Guards.
- Company Veterans - With the 1st Company being a separate House, each company maintains a larger contingent of Company Veterans.
Order of Battle[]
Headquarters[]
| Chapter Command | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter Master Deucalis
Chapter Equerries, Serfs, and Servitors | |||||
| House Myzian | House Orikarn | House Yakraine | |||
| Dalkansir Thallid
Master of the Forge Command Squad House Guard House Ancient Strike Cruiser |
Dalkansir Heitaros
Master of the Forge Command Squad House Guard House Ancient Strike Cruiser |
Dalkansir Deucalis
Master of the Forge Command Squad House Guard House Ancient Vanguard Class Light Cruiser | |||
| Armoury | Reclusiam | Apothecarion | Librarius | ||
| The Steel Redemptors do not maintain a centralized Armoury like other Chapters. Instead, each company maintains its own vehicles and war machines, with each house having a Master of the Forge. |  Iron Fathers |
 Genetors Genetors Biologis |
 Technomancers | ||
Companies[]
| House Kaelith | House Myzian | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Company
Veteran Company |
2nd Company
Branch Company |
3rd Company
Head Company |
4th Company
Branch Company | ||
| Steel Captain Vankeis, Guardian of the Crucible
2 Lieutenants Command Squad House Guard 10 Veteran (Terminator) Squads Master of the Forge Techmarines Dreadnoughts |
Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 3 Battleline Squads 2 Fire Support Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 2 Gladius-class Frigates |
Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 3 Battleline Squads 2 Fire Support Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 2 Gladius-class Frigates |
Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 3 Battleline Squads 2 Fire Support Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 2 Gladius-class Frigates | ||
| House Orikarn | House Yakraine | ||||
| 2nd Company
Head Company |
3rd Company
Branch Company |
4th Company
Branch Company |
2nd Company
Branch Company |
3rd Company
Branch Company |
4th Company
Head Company |
| Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 1 Battleline Squad 2 Fire Support Squads 2 Close Support Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 2 Gladius-class Frigates |
Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 1 Battleline Squad 2 Fire Support Squads 2 Close Support Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 2 Gladius-class Frigates |
Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 1 Battleline Squad 2 Fire Support Squads 2 Close Support Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 2 Gladius-class Frigates |
Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 5 Vanguard Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 1 Rudense-style Cruiser |
Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 5 Vanguard Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 1 Rudense-style Cruiser |
Steel Captain
2 Lieutenants Command Squad Company Veterans 5 Vanguard Squads Techmarines Dreadnoughts Transports Battle Tanks Gunships 1 Rudense-style Cruiser |
Chapter Recruitment[]
Selection[]
Despite the chapter's close relationship with the forge worlds of Tathalon, they do not recruit from the populace of their home system like their parent Chapter, the Steel Confessors. While there are many speculative rumors for this, from just being denied by the possessive ruling Tech Priests to not wanting to display even closer affinity to the Adeptus Mechanicus to avoid facing scrutiny from the Ordo Hereticus, the reason is perhaps more philosophical. The chapter simply desires to recruit from worlds not already serving the will of the Machine God. As a result, the Chapter also does not recruit from other forge worlds, even if it would help replenish their depleted ranks.
The chapter generally sources its recruits from worlds saved from the Tyranid swarm by one of the crusade fleets, but promising prospects have been found during the Chapter's expeditions in support of the Ordo Machinum. These potential aspirants are often desired for their hatred of the Chapter's sworn enemy. A natural affinity for technology is also highly desirable; the Iron Fathers often preach this as saving one blessed by the Machine God by giving them the opportunity to cultivate their skills. Many of the recruits are often selected for their desire for learning, for example an apprentice whose master was devoured.
Induction and Trials of Genparme[]
Upon selection, the aspirants are turned over to a company of House Yakraine for training. During this time, the aspirants will learn the ways of the chapter and develop their combat skills. At this point there is no formal test for whether an aspirant can transition to being a neophyte, but approval is needed from the Iron Father overseeing their training. However, the vast majority will either perish in their harsh training or fail to receive approval in time becoming a chapter serf. Once beginning the process, they are assigned to a scout squad within the company. With their sergeants having served in the Deathwatch, they are exposed to even more fighting styles and tactics. Following the implantation of their black carapace and completion of their training, the neophyte will replace their left hand with a bionic one, but will not considered a full battle brother until they complete the Trials of Genparme.
After beginning the Trials, the neophyte then becomes known as an apprentice. The first step begins in House Myzian, where they will join a scout squad comprised of their fellow apprentices. Many apprentices spend a long time in this stage as it can only be completed when their company returns to Tathalon. To complete the trial, the apprentice must first collect iron sand and clay from Tathalon's rings. Crafting a clay vessel and smelting the iron sand into steel can take over a week. After the metal is tested for purity and strength, the apprentice completes the trial and transfers to a scout squad in House Orikarn. The second trial involves heating and folding the steel numerous times before forging a blade. Finally, the apprentice returns to where he started, House Yakraine. The final trial is generally only completed when their company is on crusade. Equipped only with the knife forged by his own hands, the apprentice must hunt and kill a Tyranid. Upon completion of this task, the apprentice is welcomed as a full battle brother and selects a house to join based on the skills he has learned.
Chapter Beliefs[]
Much like the Iron Hands and some of their successor chapters, the Steel Redemptors hate weakness, particularly among their own ranks. Similarly, they have a compulsion to replace their own biological flesh with bionic substitutes, the first being the left hand of a newly minted apprentice. However, in other ways, their disgust of weakness manifests differently than other sons of Ferrus Manus. Individually, many amongst the Chapter underestimate their own skills and abilities. This tendency for self-doubt often occurs most in apprentices and sergeants-minra and only truly subsides upon internment in a dreadnought or returning from Mars. Along with slowly becoming more machine than man, this also manifests in a heightened desire to learn. In fact, the Steel Redemptors have a pretty good rapport with other loyalist chapters of the astartes, believing that to ignore lessons learned by others would only serve to weaken themselves further. In particular, the brothers sent to serve in the Deathwatch have an extra layer of desire to learn from the Salamanders and Raven Guard, as well as, their successor chapters. Whereas the Iron Hands may blame them for the tragedy at Isstvan V, the Steel Redemptors believe that experiencing such hardship conveys a wealth of lessons to be learned from.
Unlike their parent chapter, the Steel Redemptors do not believe in the idea of a divine trinity containing the Machine God, the Emperor of Mankind as the Omnissiah, and Ferrus Manus as a messenger of the Omnissiah. One of the restrictions in the agreement which enabled their founding mandated the Chapter's chaplains to undergo training under the Iron Fathers/Iron Chaplains of the Iron Hands. It is believed this was a demand from the Inquisition's Ordo Heredicus and the Adeptus Ministorum to prevent the new Chapter from becoming too close to the Adeptus Mechanicus in creed. However, it is also a fact that those same chaplains, as well as the entirety of the Chapter's leadership are Techmarines having been trained and inducted into the Cult Mechnicus on Mars. As such, it is widely speculated that the Chapter bears similar beliefs and it is not uncommon to hear "For the Omnissiah" as the Steel Redemptors enter battle.
Chapter Gene-Seed[]
The gene-seed of the Steel Redemptors is rather stable, bearing no confirmed additional genetic mutations beyond those already observed among all sons of Ferrus Manus. The majority of the original gene-seed can be traced back to Belisarius Cawl and the Sangprimus Portum, so it is possible that any additional mutations just have yet to occur. A very small portion of the Chapter's gene-seed can be traced back to the Steel Confessors senior training cadre that were recalled from the Deathwatch temporarily to aid the Chapter in its formation. As highly skilled astartes, only a handful would perish while leading the new marines on various missions and would live on through the Chapter.
Genetic Flaws[]
There is one known flaw that the Steel Redemptors possess beyond those commonly observed in all chapters with genetic lineage traced back to the tenth legion. However, it has yet to be determined if this harmful quirk is due to a mutation in the Chapter's gene-seed or a psychological disorder resulting from the many deadly battles their predecessors have endured including the Drop Site Massacre of Isstvan V, the Battle for Kracis IV, the Battle for Kalevala, and the Defense of Tathalon. It is currently codenamed the 1MP-0.5-T3R phenomenon (1st mutation possibility, observed in 50% of the sample, located in T3R shorthand for Tathalon's three forge worlds and dense rings). Reports suggest that this trait begins to manifest upon becoming an apprentice. It is marked by self doubt, underestimating their own capabilities, and a compulsion to seek additional skills/knowledge. These traits tend begin to appear around the time a neophyte becomes an apprentice and increases with time and experience. The qualities associated with the flaw seem to significantly worsen upon becoming a full battle brother and some time during their first tour of service in the Deathwatch, nearing its peak upon becoming a sergeant. The rate it worsens only seems to begin to decline after finishing training on Mars, and the condition only disappears around the time the brother finishes his second tour of service in the Deathwatch or completes specialized training to become a Chaplain, Librarian or Apothecary. Internment in the metal sarcophagi of the Redemptor-pattern dreadnought reduces the malady significantly but also prevents it from subsiding completely. It is unknown whether this is a direct result of the process or if the pilots burn out before their symptoms can fully subside.
Primarch's Curse: Steel Over Flesh[]
- Stage 1 (A Disdain for Flesh): The Battle-Brother perceives his own flesh as a hindrance. Scarring or punishing the biological portions of his body is the only way to soothe his anger.
- Stage 2 (Cold Fury): The ruthlessness of the Iron Hands manifests more strongly in the Battle-Brother, making him prone to aggression. The Battle-Brother must summon forth all his considerable willpower when confronted by an enemy or by something he considers "weak"; failure means that the Battle-Brother's fury is released in some way, most likely causing a feud, confrontation, or escalating into open violence.
- Stage 3 (Zero Tolerance): All Iron Hands abhor weakness, but the Battle-Brother has taken this attitude to an extreme. The Battle-Brother will seek to remove any perceived source of weakness, to the point of refusing to fight alongside allied forces such as the Imperial Guard - in extreme cases, even entering into open conflict with an allied force.
Combat Doctrine[]
Broadly, the Steel Redemptors favor mechanized warfare, making good use of their numerous tanks, transports, and dreadnoughts. Due to the relatively small size of the chapter and their leadership's service in the Deathwatch, they regularly make use of small squad tactics to execute their objectives. Chapter and company leadership such as Captains and Lieutenants but also specialists such as Techmarines and Apothecaries Biologis are often delegated single squads to achieve particularly critical missions.
Each House also possesses a favored combat style. Since the Chapter's crusade fleets are often comprised of one company from each of the three primary houses, all three doctrines are observable to some extent, however, the combat style matching the House Head in command or the individual commander when a detached force is used is the most apparent. While uncommon, disagreements among newer leaders due to contradictions between the Houses' doctrines have happened, but most acknowledge the strength of other strategies due to their experience in the Deathwatch.
Due to rarely leaving the Tathalon system, House Kaelith's terminators are highly skilled in defensive warfare. Commanders of House Kaelith are often criticized for being slow to act. They often prefer to wait to utilize their teleport homers to strike only when the moment is right. As such, in the rare event that an officer of this House suggests to strike, the advice is always heeded. Compared to other houses, their commanders tend to rely more on chaplains.
House Myzian takes the Steel Redemptors' propensity for mechanized warfare to a new level. In large engagements, they often will devote the majority of their deployed forces to armor. In particular, as the House with the most dreadnoughts, they rarely deploy without a single one in even the smallest detachments and prefer them over tanks. They will often deploy Techmarines in support of their forces. When on crusade, commanders of the House often prefer to utilize troops borrowed from the company from House Yakraine to achieve the parts of the mission necessitating more careful execution. Commanders of this House are generally trusted with larger scale engagements with little environmental cover that allow their tactics to show their full potential. However, they are often criticized for their blunt approach to executing objectives.
House Orikarn are known for their favoritism of flame-based weaponry. Compared to the other houses, they make a higher use of transports to deliver their troops to within the effective range of their flame based weaponry. Additionally, they often make use of gravis-armored squads and have more of a preference for melee combat than the other houses. Commanders of House Orikarn are frequently criticized for their higher rate of injury among brothers under their command due to deploying units to face threats that could have been easily solved by bombardment, in order to spare citizens nearby. Compared to other houses, they tend to deploy more Apothecaries and Apothecaries Biologis. Commanders on crusade will often requisition additional tanks from House Myzian to support the destruction of larger enemies.
House Yakraine is known for mobile, stealth-based tactics. They are often trusted with achieving objectives such as taking out single targets, information retrieval, and sabotage. In addition to the use of cameleoline cloaks, the house also has a large stockpile of jump packs at their disposal. Other than occasional use by House Kaelith, this House is almost the sole user of Librarians in combat roles. Commanders belonging to this House are often criticized for failing to face and eradicate their enemies. The Invictor Tactical Warsuit is almost only ever seen when this House is on crusade as commanders of this House value the mobility gained by its lighter armor whereas other houses prefer the Redemptor pattern. Additionally, when on crusade, they will often use their expertise to grant additional mobility to the heavily armored infantry of House Orikarn.
Deathwatch Service[]
Service in the Deathwatch is integral to the Steel Redemptors chapter. What originally began as a way to repay the role that many members of the Deathwatch played in the Chapter's founding has since become necessary to maintaining combat expertise in Chapter. All veterans and brothers above the rank of Sergeant have completed a vigil. During this time, the brother develops his skills further learning the strategies and combat styles of other chapters. Upon returning to the Chapter, whereas in other chapters the brother may choose to wear a pauldron bearing the Deathwatch insignia on their right shoulder, the Steel Redemptors instead wear a unique pauldron all together. Such veterans will replace their right pauldron with one appearing to be a hybrid of the Deathwatch insignia and the Inquisitorial Rosette surrounded by a silver cog.
Additionally, after training on Mars, those not selected to undergo the supplemental training to become a Chaplain, Librarian, or Apothecary will often volunteer for a second watch if they have ambitions of eventually becoming a Lieutenant. Due to the relative rarity that other chapters send their Techmarines to take the Long Watch, a not insignificant portion of these specialists within the numerous watch fortresses hail from within the rings of Tathalon. During this time, brothers gain knowledge of other chapters' technology but also Xenos technology and recovered lost technology when supporting operations led by the Ordo Machinum. It is sometime between departing the surface of Mars and returning to Tathalon after this second watch that the self-doubt and indecisiveness that manifests upon becoming an apprentice finally subsides for most brothers.
Notable Members[]
- Magos Explorator Goronex Nyuthen Masam-IX - Previously in command of an Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator fleet destroyed by the Tyranid menace, she was rescued by Technomancer Kol Adakis after barely escaping the wreckage of the Secutor-class flagship. Her expertise in void combat was so critical to House Yakraine's first crusade that upon return to Tathalon, she would be appointed Master of the Fleet. While it is not uncommon for such a position to occupied by a mortal human, in rare cases a former or current flag officer of the Imperial Navy has been seconded to other chapters under ancient inter-service agreements, the Chapter's admiration of her many years of expertise and affinity with the Adeptus Mechanicus allowed for this very unusual arrangement.
Chapter Fleet[]
Despite being a fleet-based chapter, the Steel Redemptors maintain a rather small fleet. Other than additional assault craft and landers such as their numerous Steelphoenix-pattern Stormraven gunships, the entirety of the Chapter's fleet is derived from the remnants of their original Torchbearer fleet.
The Steel Redemptors Chapter fleet comprises the following number of vessels:
- 2 Strike Cruisers
- 1 Vanguard Class Light Cruiser
- 3 Rudense-style Cruisers
- 12 Gladius-class Frigates
Chapter Relics[]
As a relatively young chapter, the Steel Redemptors do not possess what other chapters would probably consider a relic. Most of the Chapter's relics are merely relatively recently produced standard gear belonging to a member of the original Deathwatch kill team that made contact with the Chapter prior to its formation which was either gifted or recovered after their previous owner's demise.
- Uchistial - This unique Grav-Raider was recovered by the crusading fleet of House Orikarn. Originally a Land Raider Excelsior, it was abandoned for an unknown number of years before being discovered by the chapter. In addition to removal of its treads in favor of grav-plates, its modular design allows for its armaments to be swapped to resemble the standard Land Raider, Land Raider Crusader, and Land Raider Redeemer variants while not sacrificing its Augur sensor arrays, Cogitators, and other advanced communications features which enable its command and control function. Commanding such a tank is a great honor often bestowed to the Captain or Captain-Minra of House Orikarn's head company, but has been offered to branch company Captains on occasion. Recovered alongside Uchistial was the Rhino Primaris renamed Shidol in honor of the chapter's former custodian escort. Its conversion into a type of Grav-Rhino resembling stories rumored to have been uttered by its namesake was successful. However, due to extensive existing damage and additional modifications made in the retrofitting process, it has been unfit to transport any of the chapter's ranks. It now resides on Saedric under the protection of House Kaelith as the chapter's numerous Techmarines work tirelessly in hopes of allowing it to serve once more.
- Protonus' Armor - This suit of Gravis armor was created from a heavily damaged set of Terminator armor. It is rumored that the original Terminator armor was worn by the Chapter Master of the Steel Confessors Protonus at the Battle for Kracsis IV during which he was killed. The truth of its origins are unknown. It does bear some resemblance to that armor with a large round copper belt buckle and white pinstriping on the bluish silver armor of the Steel Confessors, but some of the more identifiable details such crosses and chest insignia, if they were there, have since been covered as the armor has been reinforced and patched with dark gunmetal grey metal sheets by its handful of owners in recent memory. Its power pack also has a unique forge bolter. This relic of the Chapter is often given to the Master of the Forge of House Myzian and has been upgraded and repaired by each of its subsequent owners.
- The Seven Weapons of Vankeis - The original relics of the Steel Redemptors, these seven weapons belonged to the members of Kill Team Vankeis, the Deathwatch Kill Team that first made contact with the stranded greyshields. The weapons are an Axe of the Omnissiah (lost), a pair of Lightning Claws, a Vigil Spear, a Thunder Hammer, a Chainsword, a Power Tetsubo, and a Power Spear.
Chapter Appearance[]
Chapter Colours[]
The Steel Redemptors armor is mainly a dark gunmetal grey while their weapons generally bear red accents. Cloth worn by members of the chapter, including Camleoline cloaks are almost always red and may feature castle-like trim in white. This is potentially due to the original intended use for this cloth possibly being for Tech Priest or Skitarii garments.
Their left pauldron generally bears the Chapter iconography while the right is normally one of two designs. The standard design is of a gold skull surrounded by a silver cog while brothers who have served in the Deathwatch have a red Deathwatch Symbol with gold skull and crossbones on the cog instead. Their pauldron inlays are colored bone white with a red cog pattern border. Except in the case where it would serve as an impediment to mobility, such as when wearing Phobos armor, the left pauldron also has a cog patterned neck guard for additional protection similar to the standard pauldrons of the Deathwatch. Members of this Chapter do not display their company, squad, or battlefield role on their armor as their smaller companies and segmented House/Company structure makes these markings unnecessary for identifying fellow brothers even at a glance. Additionally, Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Librarians, Techmarines, Apothecaries, and Chaplains do not wear the badges of their respective offices on their right pauldrons instead opting to display the honor associated with their service to the Deathwatch. However, some of these brothers may still choose to display these symbols elsewhere on their armor. Members of House Kaelith instead wear the Crux Terminatus on their left pauldron and the Chapter's badge on their right. The pauldron bearing the Crux Terminatus lacks the cog-trim.
Other than the three Dalkansir and Kansir, as well as, scouts, members of the Chapter rarely go into battle without their helmet. The standard helmet color matches the rest of the armor, a dark gunmetal gray. Veterans and Sergeants wear bluish-silver helmets resembling the color scheme of the Steel Confessors based on the helmet coloring of the senior training cadre who assisted the chapter shortly after its formation. Sergeants generally wear a golden skull to distinguish them but this is not always the case. Veteran Sergeants have a red stripe in the center of their helmet while Lieutenants augment this with two thin white stripes on either side. Instead of painting their entire armor the standard color, specialists only wear a different colored helmet (Techmarines - red, Librarians - blue, Apothecaries - white, and Chaplains -black). Captains wear a unique helmet with layered face plates similar to Techmarines adorned with a transverse crest with a gear design.
Chapter Badge[]
The symbol of the Steel Redemptors is nearly identical to that of their parent chapter, the Steel Confessors, but with the dark green trim and bright red oval in the center of the black cross being replaced with dark red trim and a bright green oval. The green oval in the center represents Tathalon with the red trim representing the Chapter as well as the asteroid rings that serve to protect it. A rogue trader passing through Tathalon once speculated that the black cross represents the Chapter's four Houses and the Ramillies-class star fort serving as the Chapter's fortress monastery, but this is almost certainly not the case as the same cross features in the heraldry of the Steel Confessors.
Relations[]
Allies[]
- Adeptus Mechanicus - The Chapter maintains close ties with the Adeptus Mechanicus especially the Tech Priests of Tathalon's forge worlds. The Chapter often relies on the Adeptus Mechanicus' expertise and support. The entirety of the Chapter's leaders are Techmarines and the beliefs of the Cult Mechanicus are major parts of the chapter's cult. Kansir and Dalkansir will often study under high ranking Tech Priests within the Tathalon System to further their knowledge. Whereas many Techmarines are viewed by members of the Adeptus Mechanicus as mere Engineseers, the six leaders of the Chapter are viewed by some more akin to apprentices to or a low ranking Magos. When on crusade, a House Head will very rarely not prioritize the defense of a nearby forge world over all others. Out of respect, the Chapter never recruits any aspirants from forge worlds or other planets controlled by the Adeptus Mechanicus. While the Chapter maintains a large contingent of Servitors, they are generally maintained by the Chapter's numerous Techmarines and as such, few Tech Priests are loaned to the Chapter to provide support. Despite generally being well regarded, especially by the worlds they save, some more conservative Tech Priests dislike the Chapter's tendency to seek knowledge about Xenos technology and secretly suspect that some of the technology the Chapter reports to find are the result of innovation rather than lost STLs. Some of this suspicion is likely due to Belisarius Cawl's rumored fondness for the Chapter.
- Ordo Xenos - Inquisitors of the Ordo Xenos regularly call upon the Chapter when a crusading House's fleet is nearby for their expertise in Tyranid extermination. Some younger Inquisitors have expressed frustration that the Chapter does not deal with other Xenos with the same level of zeal and efficiency, but many will eventually come to view the Chapter as a specialized tool rather than a generalized blunt instrument. Whispers among some within the Inquisition speculate that the Chapter's position of high esteem among Inquisitors of this Ordo is a major factor preventing interference by their peers in the Ordo Hereticus.
- Ordo Machinum - Few in number, Inquisitors of this minor Ordo often collaborate with the Ordo Xenos and accompany Mechanicus explorator fleets which is likely when many of them became acquainted with the Chapter. Although they generally wield less influence in sum than their counterparts within the Ordo Xenos, they can often count on the aid of the Chapter with greater reliability. Some Inquisitors have occasionally suggested the Chapter become the Ordo's chamber militant but such suggestions have never gone further than a simple single utterance. The vast majority of unique technologies adapted by the Chapter are reported to have been found when accompanying Inquisitors of this Ordo.
- Deathwatch - Starting with the role the Deathwatch played in the Chapter's infancy, their strong relationship persists. A rather large number of brothers from the Chapter are undertaking the Long Watch at any given time. In particular, a not insignificant proportion of Techmarines within the numerous watch fortresses hail from Tathalon. Experience gained during their time in service is integral to the Chapter. Crusading Houses have regularly come to the aid of killteams requiring extra forces to eradicate a large Tyranid invasion.
Enemies[]
- Tyranids - Of all the enemies of mankind, the Steel Redemptors especially abhor Tyranids which can be traced back to the Defense of Tathalon and the swarm's battles against their parent chapter. The Chapter is constantly seeking to improve their effectiveness against their archenemy. Other commanders of the Imperium have occasionally expressed frustration when a contingent from the Chapter disregard orders to purge nearby Tyranids but are rarely dissatisfied with the results.
- Ordo Hereticus- While not an enemy per se, Inquisitors of the Ordo Hereticus are not very fond of the Chapter. Specifically, they are suspicious of the Chapter's closeness with the Adeptus Mechanicus. One of the only reasons none of these Inquisitors have started a formal inquiry may be the intervention of their peers in the Ordo Xenos who value the Chapter's contributions to the Deathwatch and efficiency in eradicating Tyranids.
- Adeptus Ministorum- The Ecclesiarchy does not hold the Chapter in high esteem due to the Chapter's relationship with the Adeptus Mechanicus and rumors that the Cult Mechanicus' beliefs in the Machine God and Omnissiah are practiced in the Chapter. Chaplains of the Chapter are not granted a Rosarius for this reason and also wield Omnissian Axes rather than the Crozius. Desperation has occasionally resulted in the Chapter being called to assist worlds ruled by the Ecclesiarchy especially in repelling a Tyranid invasion. Once the threat has been pacified, the Chapter is often rudely encouraged to depart and are forbidden from seeking potential aspirants from among the populace they just saved.
Notable Quotes[]
By the Steel Redemptors[]
About the Steel Redemptors[]
