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This article, Stormborn, was written by Glorious Mongoose. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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This article, Stormborn, is currently under active construction. The author, Glorious Mongoose, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
- "The Tenninites might be stiff bastards, but they know how to swing a sword and they're loyal to the Angel. That's enough for me to call them friends."
- —High Chaplain Karradan 'Soul Devourer' of the Flesh Eaters
Born during the 23rd 'Sentinel' Founding, the Stormborn are a Successor Chapter created from the lineage of the heroic Blood Angels, famous (or infamous) for the importance they place upon their honour and their almost suicidal refusal to retreat or compromise. Coming from the world of Tennin; a world of islands and warring feudal lords the Stormborn are a rigid and unbending force. As a Chapter they have had a tumultuous history, but one filled with honourable actions and fearsomely impressive deeds. Loyal to a fault, the Stormborn are proud sons of Sanguinius.
Chapter History
Created during the 23rd 'Sentinel' Founding, which was seen by many as a rebuke of the cataclysmic failure of the 21st 'Cursed' Founding, the Stormborn were made from the greatest gene-stocks of the Blood Angels. From the beginning their status as a pure Chapter of noble warriors was made evident and, when applied to the rigid, honour-bound culture of the Tenninite society, made for a rather arrogant, albeit skilled Chapter. The Stormborn quickly made a name for themselves through their redoubtable duellists and relentless warriors. However, despite these laurels, they were often found lacking in brotherhood beyond their ancient familial respect for the ancestors in the Blood Angels. As time went on, more and more, the politicking and honour-obsessive squabbles of the Tenninite households infected the Stormborn and the Companies (who until this point had been more akin to the independent, self-contained Great Companies of the Space Wolves), until eventually, they were, more or less, considered the ruling heads of the households their company was drawn from.
Instead of being the paragons of what it means to be a Space Marine, as was intended for those Chapters created during the 23rd Founding, the Stormborn became more and more fractious, casualties mounted in more and more wars over ridiculous desires to maintain honour, more and more the companies competed against each other, bringing the politics of Tennin into Chapter life. Eventually, after the 2nd Company, was lost to the warp in a needless last stand against the forces of the Dark Gods and the casualties of the Chapter mounted during the vicious Damocles Gulf Crusade, as their monstrous rigidity and obsession with honour against the flexible and adaptive Tau, dissenting voices who had once been silent murmurs before, grew in volume and number. Takeru Mikoto, Captain of the 1st Company and perhaps the oldest warrior in the Chapter, barring his contemporary; Hajime the Taishōgun of the time was seen as a leading figure in this dissent, one of the most vocal reformists within the Stormborn, putting a voice the immense problems their dogmatic adherence to the whims of Tennin was causing. Though externally he was a warrior of great virtue and skill, within the Stormborn, he was seen as a renegade, one who dishonoured the Chapter with his beliefs.
After his unorthodox victory on the Tau sept of Ka'gu, as well, as his own station in the 1st Company, more and more flocked to Takeru, now nicknamed the 'Dragon of Ka'gu' the likelihood of a Chapter-wide civil war grew, fractures in the upper echelons emerged; with Taishōgun Hajime being gainsaid by his own Shinigami (Master of Sanctity equivalent) Mako.
resulted in the death of the then Chapter Master Hajime, Takeru Mikoto, Captain of the 1st Company was promoted. Takeru was one of the most vocal reformists of the Stormborn
Notable Campaigns
- Damocles Gulf Crusade (742.M41 - 745.M41) - The Stormborn in their entirety took part in the Damocles Gulf Crusade, infuriated by the Tau's infiltration of the Eastern Fringes of the Imperium. Under Taishōgun Eiko, the Stormborn leapt into this war against the xenos. It was during this time, that Takeru Mikoto and Satoshi Seiji first rose to prominence, serving against the Tau Empire under Shinigami Mako. It was during the Damocles Crusade, that the 2nd Company under Daiymo Arata was swallowed by the warp, battling against the forces of Chaos as they marshalled to join Damocles.
- Destruction of Ka'gu (743.M41) - Possibly the Stormborn's most significant battle during the crusade against the T'au. The Sept of Ka'gu was a volcanic world and used as an immense supply of iridium for the empire of the Greater Good, during the Imperium's assault into the Damocles Gulf the Stormborn came upon this world. After smashing into the Tau fleet, the Susanoo began probing the world. Despite the suddenness of their arrival After the discovery of an immense lava-flow that had been dammed to exploit the iridium within, Takeru Mikoto, the Hachiman and a small detachment of scouts infiltrated the settlement and destroyed the dam, flooding the Sept's capital with lava. With the T'au's forces split between evacuating any survivors from the melting city and defending against the Stormborn, Ka'gu fell quickly to the wrath of the Warriors of Tennin.
- Fall of the 2nd Company (744.M41) - As the Damocles Gulf Crusade raged, more and more members of the Stormborn were sent by the current Taishōgun to join the war against the Tau Empire. During this period, the 2nd Company, under Daimyo Arata were swallowed by a Warp Storm. After warring against a Nurglite daemonic incursion, Arata, a deeply traditionalist member of the Stormborn, refused to retreat, least he shame the Tenninite Dynasty bound to his Company, eventually however, twisted by his own bull-headedness and the whispers of the warp, Arata devoted himself to the Plague Father.
- Devastation of Baal (999.M41) - Forewarned by the strange visions that had haunted him since his ascension to Astarteshood, Taishōgun Takeru Mikoto arrived at Baal with the entirety of the Stormborn's martial strength. During the defence of their Primarch's homeworld, the Warrirors of Tennin split their forces between the walls of the Arx Angelicum and the furious combat of the void.
Chapter Homeworld
The Stormborn's homeworld; Tennin, is a beautiful but deadly world, a world of islands ruled by warring feudal lords. The planet itself is rather unstable, the tectonic plates shifting make landmasses larger than islands nearly impossible. Tennin's climate is primarily subtropical and subarctic, with the largest island; Sengen being a combination of the two.
Fortress-Monastery
Suga (translating into Low Gothic as the Palace of Restoration). In Tenninite mythology the archipelagos of the planet were formed when the Izanagi (the Emperor) slew the immense eight-headed, serpentine monstrosity Yamata no Orochi and carved its body into the islands of the ocean world. The island of Sengen, where the Palace of Restoration lies, is both the largest and oldest of the islands, surrounded by seven smaller islets, is said to have been crafted from the devouring monster's main head, still burning with its ravenous fire thanks to the active volcano on it.
Suga itself is a huge structure. Like the Stormborn, its strength is hidden by the tranquil artistry of its form.
Chapter Organisation
Much like their progenitors, the Stormborn are largely codex-compliant, with a few deviations. As with countless Chapters, the Stormborn retain the terminology of their homeworld when referring to ranks.
Officer Ranks
- Taishōgun- The Chapter Master of the Stormborn, the Taishōgun is the greatest of their number; unparalleled in wisdom and honour,
- Daimyo- Captain
- Ikko-Ikkei- Chaplain
- Shinigami- The title of the Stormborn's High Chaplain, and Executioner. A position currently held by Mako, the Laughing Warden.
- Muramasa- Techmarine
- Sengo Muramasa - Master of the Forge
- Onmyōji- Librarian
- Seimi Onmyōji - Chief Librarian
- Han-I - Sanguinary Priest
- Goteni - Sanguinary High Priest
- Kogashira- Sergeant
Specialist Ranks
- Ōjin - The Exalted Herald of Sanguinius
- Minamoto - Sanguinary Ancient
- Oja Daimyo - Company Champion
- Kensei Uma-jirushi - Standard Bearer
Line Ranks
- Kensei- Veteran Marines
- Kosho- Scout Marines
- Ashigaru- The generic designation given to regular Space Marines. To specify what manner of Marine, the Ashigaru is given a secondary title.
- Yarigumi- Assault Marine
- Yumigumi- Tactical Marine
- Teppogumi- Devastator Marine
Specialist Formations
- Hachiman - The Stormborn's Sanguinary Guard, each armed with a Kitetsu Blade, these golden warriors are a protective warrior spirits of Tenninite mythology brought to life, thundering through the skies with a warcry on their lips. Becoming one of the Hachiman is a rare and astounding honour. When one of their number falls in battle, the selection of a worthy successor can take years, for the Hachiman are more than simple guardians to their leader; they are a link to the past, when the Great Angel once soared the skies, they are exemplars of a greater time and paragons of their Chapter, warriors of great virtue and steely will. Since the Devastation of Baal, where every member of the Hachiman fell to Hive Fleet Leviathan, but a single member has been recruited, for the standards of the Hachiman are rigorous, even for a Space Marine. Becoming a member of that ancient brotherhood is a long, secretive process, hidden away from all but the leaders of the Chapter. To those outside this small council, the choices appear to be random and sometimes inexplicable. When a potential candidate for the Hachiman is brought to the attention of the Taishōgun, a silent raft of hidden character tests begin. Potential members of the Stormborn's Sanguinary Guard rather mysteriously are given a Tenninite bonsai tree to care for, they are not informed why, but never the less, they are informed it must be cared for. Next, the Onmyōji (Librarian) also start giving the potential Hachiman small mental nudges, attempting to tempt them to grow laxer with the principles the entire Chapter lives by. Not simply content with these two hidden trials, the Ikko-Ikkei (Chaplains) and Han-I (Sainguinary Priests) begin to single out the unknown candidates for ‘weakness’. Finally, when the pressure of such tests has reached its apex, duels are called between the hopefuls, interestingly victory in these duels is not necessary, give the sheer weight of these unknown pressures the potential Hachiman are watched, to see if they maintain the honour of the Stormborn. Even after all ten Hachiman have been acquired, the trials do not end. If the Exalted Herald and Ancient positions are vacant, then yet more trials must be completed, for the Stormborn are nothing if thorough. The first trial for both, is, if he still lives, is to serve the Stormborn who mentored them during their time as an initiate. Those who are successful then must pass separate trials. If one desires to become the Exalted Herald, the hopeful must duel two fully armed and armoured Veterans of the Chapter, armed only with a wooden blade they must have quickly make themselves. If there are multiple hopefuls, after this brutal trial, those who succeeded in the duel against the veterans must then, fully armed and armoured this time, duel against each other with the Taishōgun and a council of leaders deciding who is deserving. To become an Ancient, after serving their old mentor like an initiate once again like potential Exalted Heralds, the hopeful Ancient must then spend time learning from the Chapter's Chaplaincy. Once they are deemed ready, each and every hopeful must duel each other for the right to bear the Chapter's banner, the last member standing who actually holds the banner at the time of success is granted the right to bear it as the Ancient.
Order of Battle
| Veteran Company | Battle Companies | |||
| 1st House - "Yoshida" | 2nd House - "Motonari" | 3rd House - "Jiro" | 4th House - "Mori" | 5th House - "Takahashi" |
Kensei Uma-jirushi Command Squad |
Command Squad |
Command Squad |
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| Reserve Companies | Scout Company | |||
| 6th House - "Suzuki" | 7th House - "Fujii" | 8th House - "Hashimoto" | 9th House - "Kobayashi" | 10th House - "Ko" |
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Command Squad |
Command Squad |
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Headquarters
Psychic Powers
Like so many Chapters, the Stormborn psykers have learned to manipulate the warp in unique ways, their powers are much like the Chapter themselves, elegant, but wrathfully elemental. As with everything in the Stormborn, each member of the Onmyōji is expected to have honed and perfected themselves to a razor's edge. Their existence as psykers is an extra burden that must be excelled in.
- Suīpusuraisu (Sweeping Slice) - Channelling the power of the warp, the Onmyōji unleashes a great carving slash of power, slicing through the enemy hordes like some giant's blade.
- Izanagi's Fury - The Onmyōji summons forth a great vortex, surrounding themselves with thrashing wind, battering water and searing arcs of lightning, the Stormborn is transformed into a walking tempest, true to their Chapter’s name.
- Blinding Flurry - The Onmyōji summons a great eddy of cherry blossoms, leaving their the enemies blinded as their opponent, unimpeded by this beautiful flurry may act as they desire.
Companies
Before Takeru Mikoto became Taishōgun of the Stormborn, the companies of the Chapter were organised in a similar manner to the Great Companies of the Space Wolves. However, because of the increasing influence of the of the dynastic families of Tennin effectively became de-facto branches of the Companies.
Since the Dragon Ka'gu came to power, the ties to the great dynasties of Tennin have been largely severed, allowing only some symbolic influences (such as the flowers that represent each Company). After this change, the Stormborn have become largely Codex-Compliant much like their brethren in the Sanguinary Brotherhood.
Chapter Recruitment
The Stormborn's recruitment methods are, whilst also physical trials, test their warrior's will and spirit to its absolute limit. Because of the cultural shift that occurred since Takeru Mikoto’s ascension to Taishōgun, an extra trial has been added, to the already lengthy and heavily spiritual recruitment methods.
Where several Chapters may make the journey to their Fortress-Monastery as a trial in of itself, those who aspire to become Stormborn are taken to Suga. Upon arrival, they are greeted by the looming, ominous duo, of a Ikko-Ikkei and a Hyōrō (Chaplain and Sanguinary Priest respectively). Once greeted by these austere, taciturn giants, those aspirants who have survived the journey to the island of the Stormborn are given the first of many harsh trials. The each of the hopefuls are commanded to scale the Hebi no Mau, the largest volcano on Tennin, located near to Suga and retrieve the fruit from one of the Jurōjin (Trees of Fortune Unending) from mouth of the volcano, for the Stormborn. Before they leave, the aspirants are given the implication that the peaches they retrieve are the key to the Chapter's power and how they maintain themselves, giving them the idea that by simply eating one of the fruit, they would immediately become Stormborn. Simply scaling the volcano is no easy task, as their are countless wild beasts roaming it, from roving bears to the bizarre kappa beasts of Tennin, the weather itself is punishing; relentless rain, violent storms, freezing snows, and searing air full of ash are all potential concerns. As well, the volcano itself is still active; so lava flows and constant earthquakes are always a danger. Those who return, whose will-power has not wavered and have not eaten the power-giving peach they were ordered to retrieve are told the truth; the peach is little more than a pleasant delicacy, the quest itself was a test of the aspirant's loyalty towards those they wish to join as well as their honour. Whilst the hopefuls have been scaling and descending the the Hebi no Mau, the Stormborn have watched their every action.
Since the ascension of Takeru Mikoto to the rank of Taishōgun, another trial was added. After seeing the effects of the encroaching dynastic politics on the Stormborn, the Dragon of Ka'Gu the second trial; so early into their journey, the aspirants are still tied to their old family histories so they are charged by the Stormborn to serve their house's rival family for a year. Given the ancient histories of Tennin's families, such service is brutal and infuriating. They are watched by those spies of the Stormborm.
The third trial is brutal, the aspirant must fight a member of the Stormborn to the death. Such a thing would be impossible, for the Stormborn are Astartes and no matter their abilities as warriors, the aspirants are mere humans. No matter what, they will be defeated, their deaths assured by the watching Space Marines. However, unbeknownst to their other aspirants at this point, those who have proved their worth are indeed spared and mentored by the Astartes they fought for a month. All in preparation for the final trial that all born from the blood of Sanguinius must undergo.
The final test is the most horrifying and harsh; the rite of insanguination is the most agonising and unavoidable facet of the Stormborn's existence. As with any scion of the Ninth, the power of the Angel's gene-seed can drive any implanted with it to insanity and mutation. Once they receive it, the pain-wracked, sanity-strained aspirants are simply placed in the sinister Aokigahara; an immense and shadowy forest situated near the Hebi no Mau (Dancing Snake in Low Gothic). Near delirious with madness and pain, only given a katana-pattern blade, they must simply endure; to be not driven to insanity and mutation. Eventually the Stormborn will return, to collect those who have survived this nightmarish trial. Those few survivors are invariably scarred, but, they are triumphant, they are Stormborn.
Chapter Beliefs
The Warriors of Tennin are a proud Chapter, to them, honour is paramount. Perhaps because they were created during the 23rd Founding, the Stormborn place a high value on purity, influenced as well by the feudal culture of their homeworld. Interestingly, much like the Angels Resplendent, before religious fervour gripped them and transformed them into the Angels Penitent, the Stormborn place a high value on more than just simple butchery. In order to master the Red Thirst and combat the Black Rage, the Stormborn have established the practice of Kanpekina Baransu (Perfect Balance) through this, they believe that through the mastering of artistry or duelling, the battle-brother may, in a sense, master themselves. Examples of this belief include calligraphy, sculpting, or other artwork. As well, they master the art of the blade, using the Katana-Pattern combat blade as a spiritual focus for themselves; mastery of the blade and duelling bringing mastery of the self.
Kanpekina Baransu
Meaning Perfect Balance in Low Gothic, this is the most central belief of the Stormborn, the philosophy they live by and the path they tread in order to master themselves and so the twin curses of their bloodline. Though like the innumerable tenets and brotherhoods of the Unforgiven, Kanpekina Baransu is more than simply a protocol, the core of the tradition is centred around seven principles, virtues for the Stormborn to live their life by.
- Trust - "Know the wisdom of the Primarch, follow his spirit as it guides the blood. When the fury calls answer it." Whilst the Warriors of Tennin are proud of the control and purity of their gene-seed, meaning both the Red Thirst and Black Rage have a lesser hold over them than much of their brethren, they still understand it is part of who they are. As it is part of Sanguinius' genetic legacy, utter renouncement of the twin curses is tantamount to sacrilege, thus, the tenet of trust. A warrior of the Stormborn is to understand themselves, hear the voice of their Primarch in the blood rage and to act when counselled by it.
- Honour - “Honour may not garner power, but it is purest worship of your ancestors. Just as the great houses of Tennin trace their blood back to those who first swore loyalty to the Izanagi, so too can we trace back to the Ninth Son. We inherit their honour just as we do their blood. Let your honour be like sun, pure and unquestionable.” The greatest of all the tenets. A Stormborn’s honour is
- Loyalty - “The man who has nothing, still has faith. Without faith we are honourless, and without honour, we are faithless.”
- Calm - "Understand the rage, but do not become its slave for that way lies the path to the great nemesis. Be as the Angel, the perfection of fury and tranquillity." Whilst the tenet of trust calls for an understanding of the rage flowing in their veins, the Stormborn know that to simply give into the carnage hungry demands of the Red Thirst is to follow the path of damnation, the path Ka'Bandha has laid before them, but their gene-sire shielded them from. True to their name, the Tenninites must be as the lightning; devastating and furious, but controlled and precise, a cold fury.
- Excellence - “Forged in his image, upon the anvil of purity. As the Angel taught us be not defined by your flaws, strive for victory in all things.” To be a warrior of Tennin is to be born to excel. The warriors of the Chapter were forged to be exemplars amongst exemplars, the lords of 23rd ‘Sentinel’ Founding were created to be the perfect Astartes. The Stormborn strive to live up to this purpose.”
- Patience - “The storm is not an endless riot. The tempest waits, just as we must. Be as lighting, swift and furious, precise and devastating but wait. Patience is the virtue of strength and to see the horizon. It is on the horizon the storm builds and that we are born.”
- Wisdom - “Time is the whetstone of the mind. Let experience sharpen it until it is as the Blade Encarmine or the Spear of Telesto. There is honour in wisdom and to be a Stormborn is to be honourable.”
Chapter Gene-Seed
As with every Chapter born from the blood of Sanguinius the Stormborn are blighted by the twin curses of the Red Thirst and Black Rage, one a flaw of their own flesh, the other a blight caused by the Arch-Traitor's cruelty to his once beloved brother. However, due to the 23rd 'Sentinel' Founding being conceived of as an example of the Astartes at their greatest as a mighty crusading force, the Stormborn were chosen from some of the purest Blood Angels gene-seed available, thus the Warriors of Tennin are less afflicted by the twin curses giving them some (relative) safety from the madness that lurks in their blood.
Combat Doctrine
Like all Scions of Sanguinius, the Stormborn are an aggressive and decisive force, specialising in lighting assaults and brutal close combat. The Warriors of Tennin favour heavy use of drop pods, supplemented with covering fire, allowing them to dive into the thick of combat, before cleaving great swathes through their foes.
Often, as first wave, the Chapter's more spartan Death Company is deployed to tear into their enemies. Aside from those lost to the madness of the Black Rage, the Stormborn are peerless duellists, because of their adherence to the belief of Kanpekina Baransu (Perfect Balance) the Warriors of Tennin are calm, almost artistic with their skill in blade-work.
Chapter Armoury
As a Chapter created during the 23rd 'Sentinel' Founding, the Stormborn are a well armed, martial Chapter. Rather appropriately, given the Founding's purpose to create crusaders for the Imperium, the Stormborn are equipped with large stores of MK II 'Crusade' power armour.
- Kitetsu Blades - The Kitetsu Blades are a dark and sinister weapon of the Stormborn. To bear one is seen as both an honour and as a test for, made as they are from a disturbing substance known on Tennin as 'kinzoku o nomu' translated in Low Gothic as 'drinking metal' whilst rare in other parts of the Imperium the metal is found in large quantities on Tennin. The crafting of a Kitetsu Blade is a rare and difficult thing, for it must be forged by the combined efforts of a Sanguinary Priest, a Warden and a Techmarine, to ensure such a dark material is not used for more heretical purposes. Due to the strange properties of the metal, a Kitetsu Blade seems to psychically resonate the emotions of rage and bloodlust. Due to this ability the blades can also drive a battle-brother to insanity and make him degenerate into vampiric blood-mad mutant like the Knights of Blood. So, as well as a mighty and brutal weapon, the Kitetsu Blades are also a symbol of status, for those who wield them have perhaps the greatest control over the ancient blood madness of the Red Thirst.
- Katana-Pattern combat blades - Though, like the combat knife, the Katana-Pattern blades are a useful tool in the Stormborn's arsenal, their purpose is more ceremonial and spiritual. Serving as a more convenient and portable method with which the Sons of Tennin practice Kanpekina Baransu (Perfect Balance) for they believe, that in mastering the sword, they master themselves and the roiling blood-hunger of the Red Thirst that lurks within every Astartes that bears the blood of the Ninth Primarch.
Deathwatch Service
The Stormborn send the required amount of brothers to the Deathwatch. They are highly skilled duellists and often sought for missions regarding the T'au as their experience (and hatred) of that particular species of xenos makes them talented in dealing with the servants of the Ethereals. Often, they send more experienced members of their Chapter, likely due to their increased flexibility and ability to work more closely with others. This age and experience is appreciated and looked to by members of their kill-team, however this is also something of a double-edged sword, as with age comes an inflexibility due to tried and true methods which can become insufferable. In many cases, these veteran warriors have often been called dreadnoughts-without-the-coffin, wise but set in their ways.
Notable Members
- Taishōgun Takeru Mikoto - Taishōgun, Dragon of Ka’gu and Lord of the Stormborn, Takeru Mikoto is the current and perhaps longest serving Chapter Master of the Stormborn. An honourable and faithful warrior, it was Takeru that pulled the Chapter from the brink annihilation that the Pestilential Harvest and their own rigidity of culture had left them on. Wielding the Kitetsu Blade known as Kusanagi (Grass-Cutter in Gothic) is a fearsome figure on the battle-field his blade mowing down foes with an effortless grace. Much like a his and confidante High Chaplain Mako, Takeru is very much a departure from the standard view of the Stormborn, whilst still focused on maintaining the honour of Chapter, the Dragon of Ka'gu an older, wiser presence, compared to some of his more stiff contemporaries. Unknown to all, save for High Chaplain Mako, Lord Commander Dante and Akio Kei; the Stormborn's Exalted Herald of Sanguinius, ever since his inception into the Chapter, Taishōgun Mikoto has suffered prophetic dreams, perhaps due to some lingering inheritance from the Great Angel. Though mainly metaphoric and apocryphal in nature, these sporadic visions have aided the Chapter Master throughout his entire life and were in fact, the reason the Chapter was able to marshal its entire strength so quickly to aid in the Devastation of Baal, due to his dream of an immense eight headed snake from Tennin myth; known as Yamata no Orochi duelling a great golden angel (Since their emergence the Tyranids have been known as 'Yamata no Orochi' by the Stormborn). However, during the Devastation of Baal, the Dragon of Ka'gu suffered to date, his only lucid, waking vision to date which, combined with the grief of witnessing the slaughter of the Hachiman and the fury feeding properties his Kitetsu Blade, drove him into the murderous blood fury that lost him his left arm. Of those who know of his visions, only Dante knows the contents of the most recent one, though Mako as his suspicions. Unlike every other dream, this was completely lacking in any metaphor. Takeru saw himself duelling against what can only be described as a horrific parody of a Blood Angel, some nightmarish, flamewreathed daemon, wearing power armour and bound in chains. As they fight, visions of his Primarch's duel against Horus begin to intrude on his vision and an unstoppable rage takes hold. Though he knows that he will soon fall to the Black Rage, Takeru is devoted to discovering and slaying this being, this Red Angel, before his gene-line's madness overtakes him.
- Shinigami Mako - The Laughing Warden and Deliverer of Darkness. As a member of the Stormborn and indeed as the Chapter’s High Chaplain many would believe Mako to be a withdrawn, taciturn warrior, grim and shrouded with the bleak doom of his station, even with a title like the Laughing Warden. This assumption has often led to those actually meeting the Chaplain for the first time to be surprised by the loud and expansive personality they are presented with. Though bearing a helm stylised after the terrifying tree ogres that haunt the depths of Tennin’s forests, the most disturbing aspect of Mako’s character is the deep, cackling roar that is his laugh, a laugh that echoes across the battlefield as he unleashes the Death Company upon the enemies of the Imperium, for whilst his purpose and duties bring him sorrow, the utter devastation his lost kin can unleash brings him great joy, though the Black Rage was robbed them of their sanity, it cannot take away their last moments of glory.
- Seimi Onmyōji Satoshi Seiji - The Ocean's Son, Satoshi currently serves as Seimi Onmyōji (chief librarian) of the Stormborn. Both blessed and cursed with prodigal psychic abilities. Satoshi first came to the attention of the Warriors of Tennin when his abilities explosively manifested; a famine was blighting the coastal village that the future master of the librarium called home, night after night, when the fish should've been at their most numerous, the frustrated child tried to hook food to feed his family, eventually, after a week of relentless angling, Satoshi's anger finally exploded forth; a buoyed by freshly unleashed psychic might, an immense wave arose, casting Satoshi aside, and flooding the village.
- Goteni Yasuo - Known as the Envoy of the Angel, Yasuo is perhaps the oldest member of the Chapter. He has seen the rise of the Stormborn’s greatest heroes, and the fall of its most hated foes. As such an honoured, venerable member of the Chapter, Yasuo is one of the few members of the Stormborn to be allowed to bear the symbol of the butterfly, which on Tennin represents their beloved Primarch.
- Ōjin Danieru Toshio - Danieru Toshio, the Great Crane of Tennin and Exalted Herald of Sanguinius, bears the honour of being the longest serving member of the Hachiman in the history of the Stormborn. By this venerable warrior's actions, the recently emerged Pestilential Harvest, led the Nurgle-corrupted Arata the Returned, former Captain of the 2nd Company, were driven away. When the emaciated Chaos Lord made to kill the then Taishōgun; Eiko, Danieru leapt to his lord's defence. Even as the festering powers of Nurgle wreaked havoc on him, Danieru persisted, dragging the traitorous Arata forwards with his weapon’s own chain wounding him so deeply, that the Great Crane’s kitetsu blade nearly severed the chaos lord’s spine, forcing the Nurglite traitors to quit the field.
- Brother Akio - After the Devastation of Baal, for the first time in living memory, every member of the Hachiman were killed. Since then, given the punishing standards set to join the venerable brotherhood, only a single battle-brother has been chosen so far. For all intents and purposes, Brother Akio of the Stormborn is the Hachiman.
Chapter Fleet
The fleet of the Stormborn is configured primarily towards the purpose that their Chapter was founded; aggressive and highly capable of sustaining long and independent campaigns. During the Devastation of Baal, the Stormborn's fleet took significant casualties.
- Susanoo (Battle-Barge) - The Chapter's flagship, the Susanoo first rose to fame during the Damocles Gulf Crusade, During the Devastation of Baal however, the massive ship was crippled by a Tyranid Hive Ship which nearly tore the ship in two, attempting to bite it in half. Whilst the Chapter Master; Takeru Mikoto was able to save the Susanoo and destroy the great beast the ship itself was left crippled, needing extensive repair from the tech-adepts of the Chapter. It would be after the conclave of the Sanguinary Brotherhood, when the Angels Vermillion and Draconian Impalers were brought back into the fold of Sanguinius' sons, when the Death Guard, guided by the Pestilential Harvest rampaged throughout the Imperium Nihilus. Coming to the aid of Kaito Jiro, 3rd Daimyo of the Chapter, the Susanoo made its dramatic return, spearing out from the warp into the midst of the surprised traitor fleet alongside its twin; the Raijin, shearing through the rotten vessels of the traitors before disgorging an immense hail of drop pods, led by the Taishōgun, the mighty Susanoo led the embattled strike force to a great victory.
- Raijin (Battle-Barge) - A fast and brutal ship, the Raijin is often seen serving alongside its venerable twin, the Susanoo. After the Devastation of Baal, when the Susanoo was nearly irreparably crippled by an immense Hive Ship, the Raijin served as the Chapter's temporary flagship.
- Fujin (Vanguard Class Light Cruiser)
Chapter Relics
- Kusanagi - The beautiful and deadly Kitetsu Blade wielded by Chapter Master Takeru Mikoto, Kusanagi (Tenninite for Grass-Cutter) truly lives up to its name, slicing through its master's enemies as though they were simply blades of grass, mowing them down as its killing edge drinks deep of their life-blood.
- Nami no Hōkō - The force weapon wielded by the Satoshi Seiji, shaped like a great bladed oar. With every swing of this weapon, great deluges of water seem to slam into those who fight against the Ocean's Son. Nami no Hōkō is a unique weapon; forged from the merging of kinzoku o nomu metal and the crystalline psy-conductor of force weapons. Though such a weapon has been attempted in the past, a proper merging of the two materials has never before been managed; given the emotionally reactive properties of the metal, explosive psychic overload if not balanced is inevitable thus, Nami no Hōkō is the greatest culmination of Sengo Muramasa Daichi's craft thus, its maintenance is of paramount importance to the Master of the Forge, who has even threatened to kill Satoshi Seiji should the weapon be damaged.
- Tempest's Mantle - Presented to Takeru Mikoto by Dawa Khan of the White Scars, as a celebration of his actions during the Damocles Gulf Crusade. This Iron Halo integrated as head-guard, on the curriass, formed like a sharp crest. True to its name, the iron halo seems to crackle and arc lightning across the Taishōgun.
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colours
The Warriors of Tennin bear a two-tone colour scheme. Their helm, backpack, arms and legs are a deep crimson and their pauldrons and torso are a gleaming white. On Tennin these colours represent both power and death and, given the Stormborn's history of war these beliefs hold true. Due to the Stormborn's belief of Kanpekina Baransu (Perfect Balance) there is a heavy focus on artistry and symbology in their appearance, with battle-brothers customising their armour with accoutrements of their homeworld, calligraphy and the like being most popular.
Company Iconography
Rather than simply using numerical markers for the company designation, the Stormborn bear renditions of flowers that bear cultural meanings similar to the company they represent either on their right-hand pauldron alongside their speciality marker or on their right arm:
- 1st Company - Bears the yellow poppy.
- 2nd Company - Bears the violet.
- 3rd Company - Bears the daisy.
- 4th Company - Bears the dahlia.
- 5th Company - Bears the daffodil.
- 6th Company - Bears the bluebell.
- 7th Company - Bears the azalea.
- 8th Company - Bears the peony.
- 9th Company - Bears the amaryllis.
- 10th Company - Bears the freesia.
For squad speciality, the Warriors of Tennin use logographic characters:
- Battleline Marines - Bear 心 (heart/core)
- Fire Support Marines - Bear 火 (fire)
- Close Support Marines - Bear 剣 (sword)
- Veterans - Bear ろく (worthy)
- Commanders - Bear 定規 (ruler)
Chapter Badge
The symbol of the Stormborn is an artistic representation of the Heavenly Steed, a mythological horse that rides about the skies of Tennin, bringing with it great thunderheads, a bringer of lightning and typhoons. The Heavenly Steed is rearing up, its head and mane surrounded by lightning.
Relations
Amongst the larger Imperium, relations with the Stormborn had been largely a fraught and unpleasant affair before their reorganisation. Though loyal to their progenitors, the Stormborn were seen as aloof and abrasive, as though holding their supposed superiority over others. After Takeru Mikoto, Mako and Satoshi Seiji took command of the Chapter, Chaplaincy and Librarium, relations began to thaw and the Stormborn became firm allies with both the Flesh Eaters and Mantis Warriors.
Whilst the Stormborn have seen a renaissance in their relations amongst the wider Imperium
Allies
In their early years, the Stormborn were a haughty and arrogant Chapter, though devoutly loyal and respectful to their Blood Angel progenitors, to others they were dismissive and far too obsessive regarding their honour.
When the 2nd Company was swallowed by the warp, resulting in Taishōgun Masa resigning in shame, Takeru Mikoto, the most ardent and vocal reformist in the Chapter took the reigns of the Stormborn.
Chapters of the Blood
Livery for the Chapters of the Blood.
Since the reforms instituted by Takeru Mikoto, Mako and Satoshi Seiji, relationships between the Stormborn and other scions of Sanguinius have improved. Where once there was an ill-will, fomented by the growing haughtiness of the Chapter, now in-roads have been made to repairing their relationships, restoring it back to those early days, when the Stormborns were skilled and humble. Most notably, the Flesh Eaters, have become firm allies of the Warriors of Tennin, despite their, rather obvious differences in disposition.
Aside from their recovering status within the Sanguine Brotherhood, the Stormborn have always had something of a fondness for their more savage brethren, Bones of Noth. During the Chapter's confused foundling years when the Black Rage and Red Thirst along with the Immortals the Stormborn would send a teacher, to bring the brutish warriors of High Hermitage into the fold. Where the Immortals sent Chaplain Tariq Al'Mitanni, the warriors of Tennin sent their Sanguinary Priest; Daiki Ito. As a scholar in the gene-lore and philosophy of the Blood, Daiki made sure to
Mantis Warriors
Armorial of the Mantis Warriors.
Given their cultural similarities, the Mantis Warrior's friendship with the Stormborn is no real surprise. Given their loyalty to the Chapters of the Blood, the Stormborn believed that the punishment inflicted upon the Lamenters for Huron's deceptions to be harsh and unwarranted. After serving alongside the Mantis Warriors during a savage and horrific battle against the time-warping xenos, the Hrud, this same belief and loyalty have been extended to the Mantis Warriors, both swearing mutual bonds of friendship.
Enemies
Iconography of the T'au Empire.
T'au Empire
During the Damocles Gulf Crusade, the Stormborn grew to despise the T'au Empire. With their foundation during the 23rd 'Sentinel' Founding, one of the Stormborn's duties is to ensure the integrity and purity of the Imperium of Mankind. The Water Caste of the T'au Empire, disturbingly skilled as they are in the art of diplomacy and subterfuge are, just like the invasive genestealer cults, are anathema to that purpose. Perhaps the hatred the Stormborn reserve for the T'au is based on the xenos empire's proximity to Tennin. What is known however, is that by the time of the Battle of Ka'gu, where Takeru Mikoto first acquired his title; the Dragon of Ka'gu, the Warriors of Tennin already loathed the T'au with a fierce intensity. Perhaps as well, because of Tennin's caste-based culture that the Stormborn used during their earlier years, the mere existence of the T'au is an unwelcome comparison for them.
Pestilential Harvest
The Pestilential Harvest are both the Stormborn's greatest foes and their greatest failure, for these withered and disease-riddled servants of Chaos were once the 2nd Company of the Warriors of Tennin, undone by their own obsession with honour and enslaved by the Lord of Decay. Led by the fell Arata Famine-Bringer this band of near skeletal Marines is a truly hateful and disturbing foe. The genesis of this vile band of traitors, was during some darkest period of the Stormborn's history; Tennin's culture of honour, pride and noble families, had transformed the Chapter into Marine filled copy of itself. Old rivalries from recruit's days as unaugmented humans transferred over into the Companies, who more and more resembled the old households on the planet. The usual politicking, family honour and reputations of the their subjects had metastasized into the Chapter proper, making them near maniacal about their reputation and the manner in which they would be remembered. The internal, as well as external politics of the Stormborn were in shambles.
Notable Quotes
By the Stormborn:
- "Takeru Mikoto, you appear to be one arm lighter since last we saw each other."
"Indeed Seth and I find the circumstances by which I lost it have given me new insight into you Flesh Tearers."
"Oh? Righteous fury is a new sensation for you?"
"No, but mindlessness is."
"Hah. Well played Stormborn. I'm heartened to see that tree remains firmly wedged up your arse."- —Takeru Mikoto and Gabriel Seth before both departed Baal after the Tyranid invasion.
- "To wield a Kitetsu Blade is to feed the Red Thirst. Do you have the willpower to do that, to feed the blood-hunger with every slash, every stab? Do you have the strength to know when to use such a dark weapon and when not to? We shall soon find out."
- —Jun Kaede of the Hachiman
- "Surrender and die cleanly, or the Lost will be unleashed and you can die by their hands. Thirty minutes and they’re free.”
“Your threats are empty against the truth of the Greater Good. We shall not retreat.”
“Excellent.”"- —Mako, the Deliverer of Darkness, the Laughing Warden and High Chaplain of the Stormborn and Shas’O Sashei discussing the Tau’s surrender during the Battle of Makkaren
About the Stormborn:
- "They abandoned us. Left us in the warp with the oldest enemy. Our deaths went unavenged, our honour mattered little to them. Mikoto and his lackies used our deaths to shred the honour of the Stormborn. They abandoned the old ways. But we didn't. We endured, Father Nurgle preserved our honour. We return now, to kill these usurpers. Our brothers are blind, but we...we will help them see..."
- —Arata the Returned, Lord of the Pestilential Harvest
Gallery
