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This article, Storm Fists, was written by Halfmanhalfsquidman. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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This article, Storm Fists, is currently under active construction. The author, Halfmanhalfsquidman, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
The Storm Fists are a Loyalist successor chapter of the Imperial Fists. Like their progenitors, the Storm Fists are extremely disciplined and unyielding, both when attacking or defending, often resulting in casualties beyond what the Codex Astartes would consider acceptable losses.
Much of the Chapter was beyond the Great Rift when it opened, far from its homeworld of Heimat, and were thus unable to replenish the grievous casualties it suffered as it attempted to retain control of imperial worlds. As such the chapter is currently reconstituting losses from Primaris Marines drawn from the Unnumbered Sons that share the blood of Rogal Dorn.
Chapter History
The Storms Fists were founded in the 15th Founding sometime in late M35 from the gene-seed of the Imperial Fists. The first test of the chapter was bringing to heel the rebellious governor of the Agri-world Heimat, located to the galactic south of the great warp storm known as The Maelstrom. The Planetary Defense Force of Heimat was little challenge even for a new and inexperienced chapter like the Storm Fists. The PDF was mercilessly destroyed through a series of lightning-quick orbital strikes and a mechanized assault that swiftly overran the defenders. The Storms Fists recognized that merely seizing territory was not enough, it has to be held. So the chapter was granted the planet as their fief and began fortifying it against the raids of Drukhari and Orks who would certainly overrun the world they had just left bereft of defenses.
The chapter rebuilt and headquartered itself in a massive Orbital Fortress named The Bulwark. For the next five millennia the chapter struggled against renegade governors, Orks, Drukhari, and the forces of Chaos. The 41st Millennium brought with it new challenges. The twin threats of the bestial Tyranids and upstart T'au, appeared on the fringes of the Imperium. The Storm Fists showed their prowess in the Damocles Gulf Crusade but were called back to defend against the coming storm that was Hive Fleet Behemoth. While the Ultramarines had to relearn the importance of a tenacious defense at the Battle of Macragge, it came as naturally as breathing to the Storm Fists.
This steadfastness has, however, cost the chapter dearly. Three companies committed to the defense of Cadia were destroyed to the man, including Chapter Master Villhelm. Fully half the chapter was committed to crusades beyond the Great Rift when it opened. Severed from reinforcements these forces were whittled down to only a handful of veterans guarding a cache of sacred gene-seed aboard a single strike cruiser, the Heart of Dorn, before they were able to make their way back through the eastern rift corridor. Fortunately, many Unnamed Sons were available to immediately replenish the chapter's badly depleted ranks.
Notable Campaigns
- Damocles Gulf Crusade (742-745.M41)- The Storm Fists played a supporting role in this campaign. The 8th Company stormed several of the deep space orbitals in the Dal'yth system. The 8th Company won additional accolades by disabling a Kroot warsphere that was part of a relief force the Tau dispatched to Dal'yth Prime. Although the crusade was aborted to deal with the Tyranid incursion, Storm Fist strike forces frequently returned to the Damocles Gulf to check Tau growth and especially to retake human worlds where the population turned from the light of the Emperor in favor of foul xenos ideology.
Chapter Homeworld
Departmento Cartographicae pict-file of Heimat, Agri-world and fief of the Storm Fists Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes
Heimat is an Agri-world to the galactic south of the Maelstrom. Although much of the surface of the world is covered in verdant farms, deep warrens of defensive bunkers honeycomb the world's mountain ranges. Ample food supplies and ammunition have been stashed away, enough to sustain nearly the whole planetary population through a multi-year siege should the need arise.
The Bulwark
The Fortress-Monastery of the Storm Fists is the giant orbital fortress known as The Bulwark. It is a remnant of the ring of orbital defense platforms that once encircled Heimat like a string of pearls. By the founding of the Storm Fists, it was the last operational fortress and the only real obstacle to their first conquest. Although based on a Ramilies-class Starfort, it was not manned nearly well enough to prevent the Storm Fists from overcoming the defenders. Even then, it took the combined efforts of the whole chapter nearly a month to root out the final pockets of traitors. The collateral damage to the starfort was extensive and its ability to generate a warp field was permanently compromised. The chapters Techmarines have labored to restore The Bulwark to most of its former glory. It now acts as an impregnable shield to the world below and a secure base from which the Storm Fists can strike against the enemies of mankind.
Interestingly, psykers are barred from The Bulwark. Navigators for the Storm Fists battle barges and strike cruisers remain aboard their own vessels while the chapter's Librarius and astropaths are housed in one of Heimat's deep subterranean bunkers called The Vault.
Chapter Organization
The Storm Fists generally adhere to the Codex Astartes dictates regarding the proper organization of a Space Marine Chapter. There are, however, some changes to the employment of the reserve companies. Rather than act as reserve companies of tactical or intercessor squads, the 6th and 7th Companies are organized as battle companies like the 2nd through 5th Companies. These companies, however, rarely deploy as an intact force. Instead, they typically augment Storm Fist Battlegroups with demi-companies The 8th Company maintains primarily assault and inceptor squads but also trains as specialists for boarding actions. As a result of this specialty, veterans from the 1st Company donning Tactical Dreadnought Armor frequently augment the 8th company.
Command Ranks
- Chapter Master
- Castellan - A rotating position held by the most senior captain to remain aboard The Bulwark
- Captain
Junior Ranks
- Lieutenant
- Veteran Sergeant
- Sergeant
Line Ranks
- Veteran
- Battle-Brother
- Brother-Aspirant - Prospective Astartes who have taken a solemn oath of loyalty to the chapter, but who have yet to receive the complete transformation into an Astartes. Brothers-Aspirant whose bodies reject some implantation, yet live, may still serve the chapter in lesser roles as fleet officers or pilots for the chapters Thunderhawks.
Specialists
- Chief Librarian
- Librarian
- Apothecary
- Chief Armorer
- Techmarine
- Chaplain
Order of Battle
| Headquarters | ||||
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| Other Departments | ||||
| Armourium | Librarius | Reclusium | Apothecarion | |
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Companies
| Veteran Company | Battle Companies | |||
| 1st Company | 2nd Company | 3rd Company | 4th Company | 5th Company |
| Battle Companies | Reserve Companies | Scout Company | ||
| 6th Company | 7th Company | 8rd Company | 9th Company | 10th Company |
Chapter Culture
Recruiting
Heimat is an Agri-world with a low population density, particularly when compared to Hive Worlds where endless pools of manpower can be drawn from to fill the Astra Militarum's unsatiable need for manpower, and it requires nearly every available person to work the fields. This low population density does not hinder the recruiting numbers needed of an Adeptus Astartes chapter, even one that suffers losses as frequently as the Storm Fists.
The people of Heimat participate in an annual harvest festival. Each town presents the chapter with a boy of 12 to be of service to the chapter. These boys are screened for fitness for selection as a Brother-Aspirant and to begin their transformation into an Astartes. To do this they must complete the Trial of Prospection. The boys are tested for genetic, psychological, and intellectual aptitude. A vast majority of the boys are deemed unacceptable. Some are taken into training as midshipmen for the chapter's war fleet, many others act as chapter serfs doing all the many tasks below the time and dignity of an Astartes, the most unfortunate of the boys are so mentally and psychologically destroyed by the trial they become fit only to be turned into mindless servitors.
The final test of the Trial of Prospection is the Virtus Dolorum. Most boys are weeded out before this final challenge, but those who do make it to this final step are subjected to scourging, deprived of food and water, and constantly tested in their commitment to the Emperor. The Virtus Dolorum does not end until the prospective Astartes receives a vision of their doom. If the boy accepts this fate without fear or hesitation then they may proceed with first implantations and are deemed worthy of the rank of Brother-Aspirant.
Collegium Consilio
The Storm Fists' Librarius also manages the Collegium Consilio. The Collegium Consilio is the whetstone that sharpens the mind of the Storm Fists. When they are not actively crusading or physically training the Storm Fists leadership can be found deep in the roots of Heimat's mightest mountain studying the ways of their foes. Kreigspiels, as the Storm Fists call them, are simulated battles fought against any conceivable foe in any conceivable place. In these kriegspiels the Battle-Brothers take on the role of foul xenos and even traitors so that they might learn the tactical strengths and weaknesses of their foes and so they may keep flexible and supple minds that do not become bogged down in the dogma of how a siege, assault or defense should develop.
The other key lessons studied at the Collegium are not merely the simple tactical requirements for victory on the battlefield, but all the requirements to plan and administer a grand campaign against the Emperor's foes. The captains of the Storm Fists study how the Imperial Navy dominates the stars so that they may better support a crusade, and how much fodder and ammunition the tens of thousands of guardsman of the Astra Militarum consume so that they may be fed and armed to support the Storm Fists and to occupy the grand fortifications they leave behind on any pacified world. At the Collegium Cosilio the Storm Fists study not simply to be masters of battle, but masters of war.
Battle Formations
The Storm Fists attempt to employ the tactical flexibility they learn by creating specially organized battle formations drawn from members across multiple companies. The most basic is a Battle Company augmented by and additional demi-company from the 6th or 7th Companies, several swift-moving assault marines or inceptors from the 8th Company, and heavy weapons from the 9th Company and veterans or terminators from the 1st Company. However, the balance of forces can change depending on the mission or target of a battlegroup. If a heavily fortified defensive line needs to be breached then there may be more armored vehicles assigned to the battlegroup, or if an orbital installation needs to be taken the 8th Company may form the core of the battle group with augmentation by 1st Company veterans.
Chapter Belief
The Storm Fists are deeply dedicated to the Imperium and the Emperor of Mankind, but they do not view him as a God. Instead, they view him as humanity's greatest warrior, simultaneously battling the ruinous powers in their own realm while letting his own light shine through in the form the Astronomican. The Storm Fists seek to honor his sacrifice and emulate his indomitable will with their own. Perhaps it is this less than zealous interpretation of the Imperial Creed that explains the chapters relatively few chaplains and that has brought the Storm Fists into conflict with the Ecclesiarchy and Inquisition. Although their steadfastness has not been found wanting to any challenge from the traitors and daemons that the Storm Fists have faced, local Inquisitors of the Ordo Hereticus look on the chapter with a wary eye.
Chapter Gene-Seed
The Imperial Fists gene-seed has remained stable for millennia. However, the Storm Fists share these defects, specifically the lack of a functional Belchers Gland and Sus-an Membrane.
Primarch's Curse: Ever Forwards, Never Backwards.
Like their Primarch, the Storm Fists are stubborn and tenacious. The very concept of yielding ground to a foe, even to gain a tactical advantage is anathema to their very being. Like their sister chapter the Crimson Fists, this single-mindedness can result in the Storm Fists accepting tremendous losses when wiser heads would council disengaging. When attacking, rather than admitting an enemy's defenses are too strong to be overcome battle-brothers of the Storm Fists have been known to throw themselves forward recklessly in the hope that if they can open even the smallest gap in the enemy lines their brothers will flood through and find final victory.
Deathwatch Service
The Storm Fists consider service in the Deathwatch to be a way of honoring one of the most renowned brothers of their progenitors, Captain Koorland, who was instrumental in the creation of the Deathwatch.
Service in the 10th Company, which typically inserts into hostile worlds ahead of the main battle group to scout for weaknesses and disrupt enemy defenses, is reserved for Battle-Brothers who have completed a rotation through a Deathwatch Kill-Team
Notable Members
Pict-File of Chapter Master Fredik
- Chapter Master Fredik Ehrenfaust - Fredik is the current Chapter Master of the Storm Fists. A redoubtable warrior, Fredik embodies all that a Storm Fist battle-brother should represent. He first distinguished himself in the Underhive of Hive Helheim on the hive world of Sutharia. The Evangilizers warband had established chaos cult in the depths of the underhive, a threat to which the Storm Fists responded. Separated from his brothers by an ambush, Fredik remained resolute in his mission to root out the cult. For two weeks he stalked the cultists, using only his combat blade when his bolter ammunition was expended. Finding the cult's sanctum Fredrik slew the cult's leadership, including several of the Chaos Marines. Fredik quickly rose through the ranks to the position of First Captain. In this role he was leading a substantial strike force when the Great Rift opened. For the next 50 years he held together his strike force and defended many worlds from the threat of Chaos, Orks, and renegades. Eventually, Fredik was able to fight through the treacherous passage across the Great Rift aboard the Heart of Dorn. Upon his return, he was elected Chapter Master and, along with the grizzled veterans he returned with, crossed the Rubicon Primaris. He now leads the Storm Fists as he rebuilds chapter.
- Chief Librarian Donnor Sturmgheist - Donnor Sturmgheist is deeply respected by all members of the Chapter, not just for the important role he plays as a protector of the chapter from the evils that reside in the immaterium, but also for his duties as the head of the Collegium Cosiglio. In this capacity Sturmgheist mentored all the officers and many sergeants in the chapter.
- Sergeant Tass - One of the Unnumbered Sons to reconstitute the chapter following the devestations of late M41. A consummate swordsman, and now a grizzled veteran after a century crusading at the side of Roboute Guilliman, Sergeant Tass now leads Chapter Master Fredik's honor guard.
- Chapter Master Ignacious Tormenda - Ignacious Tormenda was the first Chapter Master of the Storm Fists. Originally 5th Captain of the Crimson Fists, Tormenda was given command of the newly formed Chapter to ensure it had veteran leadership. His armor formed the basis from which the Chapter's colors and his tenaciousness in battle became a hallmark of the Chapter's battle-brothers.
Chapter Fleet
- Battle Barges
- Thunderer
- Truth Bringer - Presumed lost while operating in the Dark Imperium
- Emperor's Fury
- Strike Cruisers
- Heart of Dorn - Returned with the last survivors and gene-seed of Strike Force Fredrik
- Indomitable
- Thunderchild - Presumed lost while operating in the Dark Imperium
- Soul of Heimat - Presumed lost while operating in the Dark Imperium
- Irresistible
- Furious - Presumed lost while operating in the Dark Imperium
- Implacable
Chapter Relics
Relations
Allies
Enemies
Notable Quotes
By the Storm Fists
- "If one can not defeat the enemy by sufficient force, then one must defeat the enemy by sufficient will."
- — Chief Librarian Donnor Sturmgheist
- "Never waver, not ever. The Emperor expects every man to do his duty. We know ours. We shall not falter. We shall not break. We shall hold, or we shall die."
- — Chapter Master Villhelm Vongrundstein, Final transmission to Strike Force Villhelm before the destruction of Cadia.
About the Storm Fists
| Fifteenth Founding Space Marine Chapters | |
|---|---|
| Dark Angels Successors | Marines Baleful • |
| White Scars Successors | Celestial Heralds • |
| Space Wolves Successors | N/A |
| Imperial Fists Successors | Redemptors • Storm Fists • |
| Blood Angels Successors | Blades of Korenaga • Martyrs Vindicant • Winged Legion • |
| Iron Hands Successors | • |
| Ultramarines Successors | Xenoclasts • |
| Salamanders Successors | • |
| Raven Guard Successors | • |
| Unknown Lineage | Ruby Sabres • |
Gallery
