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This article, The Last Chapter, was written by Grimlitz. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
- "There is an old proverb about the autoquill being mightier than the chainblade. So we wield both, just to be sure."
- — Tertius Bogadar, Chapter Master of the Scribes
The Last Chapter, also known as the Capitulum Ultimum, or, colloquially, the Scribes or the Letters, is a Loyalist chapter of the Adeptus Astartes whose founding, lineage and even name remain a subject of controversy. The homeworld of the chapter was destroyed at an unknown point in time, turning the Scribes into a vagrant, fleet-based chapter, lacking a home Sector or even Segmentum, and possessing little to no evidence about their past.
Chapter History
Disputed Origin
There are no Imperial records mentioning the Scribes earlier than M.37. However, oral history passed down the generations of battle-brothers suggests that the chapter may be millennia older, originally hailing from a world called Nurhen. The planet was devastated by an unknown event, costing the Scribes their fortress-monastery, equipment, archives and – allegedly – all their companies save for the 3rd which was deployed off-world together with the chapter’s fleet. Upon discovering the destruction of the rest of the chapter, the sole surviving company reorganised itself and its Captain assumed the rank of Chapter Master.
There are several issues with this story. Official Imperial records, fragmented as they are, contain no mention of a world called Nurhen. Furthermore, it is rare for multiple Companies to be present at a chapter’s fortress-monastery at the same time, let alone all but one. It is suggested that “Nurhen” was a local name for the planet, different from its official nomen entered in Imperial archives, and that the companies were summoned to defend their homeworld from an unknown threat, perhaps upon discovering that the planet was, in fact, a Tomb World. This, however, begs the question by what means did these companies travel home, as the chapter’s entire fleet was supposedly supporting the 3rd company elsewhere.
Further controversy springs from the fact that there was a well-documented early-founding chapter called the Falcons Sable whose High Gothic motto was, "hic est capitulum ultimum vitae tuae" ("Here comes the last chapter of your life"). The Scribes' motto, "capitulum ultimum vitae tuae scribimus ", ("we write the last chapter of your life"), is not only similar, but both contain the High Gothic version of the Last Chapter’s very name. Furthermore, in M.37, the Falcons Sable vanished without a trace, presumed warp-lost, not long before the first documented appearance of the Last Chapter in Imperial records.
The Scribes vehemently deny any connection to the Falcons Sable, claim pure coincidence, and insist their official origin story is true.
Notable Campaigns
Recorded Events
Even since M.37, there have been few verified records of the Last Chapter’s actions. They are known to have taken part in the fighting during the 8th, 9th and 10th Black Crusade, but not the 11th, 12th nor the 13th. Presumed warp-lost or destroyed, they reappeared at the onset of the Indomitus Crusade, joining the fight and taking the opportunity to reinforce their ranks with Primaris Marines, new weapons, vehicles and equipment.
Due to the vagrant nature of the chapter, the actions of the Scribes between and after the various Black Crusades, as well as the reasons of their long absence between the 10th Black and the Indomitus Crusades, are virtually unknown. Scattered sightings over the millennia and rare contacts during resupply visits to remote Forge Worlds suggest one if not more catastrophic events which had greatly reduced the chapter’s strength, both in fleet size and, presumably, manpower. At one point, the chapter was reduced to its flagship, the battle-barge Finis Tuus, and two escort frigates, all critically damaged and requiring long, extensive repairs. The cause of these losses is unknown. Indeed, the mass replenishment on the onset of the Indomitus Crusade may have been the first time the Scribes achieved full numbers since the alleged destruction of their homeworld.
Chapter Organisation
Officer Ranks
- Chapter Master - Supreme commander of the Chapter
- Master of the Fleet - Chief commander of void operations; can be assumed by the Chapter Master, or delegated to another senior officer
- Fleet Captain - Commanding officer of a ship; the Chapter tends to put Astartes in command of crucial vessels in the fleet
- Field Captain - Company commander
- Lieutenant - Deputy Company commander and/or Demi-Company commander
- Chapter Master Emeritus - The role was created for the former Chapter Master Nestor Falkur, entombed in a dreadnought after being mortally wounded in combat at an unknown point in time. As Emeritus, Falkur does not possess direct power over the Chapter, takes no part in day-to-day activities, nor is a combat commander. He is, however, deeply respected and venerated by the entire Chapter as a mentor and advisor, and enjoys a degree of influence over the senior officers.
Senior Specialist Ranks
- Master of the Scrolls - A role unique to the Chapter, responsible for directing the Chapter's secretive non-combat activities, reporting directly to the Chapter Master like the rest of the specialist leadership.
- Master of the Auxilia - Another unique role, an Astartes liaison to the Auxilia Martial, responsible for providing a direct link between its units and Chapter leadership.
- Master Librarian
- Master Apothecary
- Master Chaplain
- Forgemaster
Specialist Ranks
- Librarian
- Chaplain
- Apothecary
- Techmarine
- Scribe - Reporting to the Master of the Scrolls. Little is known about these specialists, they wear no special insignia, and the role might be be given ad hoc to regular rank-and-file Battle Brothers as required.
Line Ranks
- Veteran Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Veteran
- Battle-Brother
- Neophyte
Specialist Units & Formations
The Auxilia Martial
Unique to the Chapter, the Auxilia Martial is a military force of baseline humans who fight alongside the Astartes in roles usually reserved for Techmarines. Originally, its purpose was to supplement the missing Astartes and increase the Chapter's fighting power. After the Chapter achieved full numbers during the Indomitus Crusade - presumably for the first time since the destruction of its homeworld - there was talk of disbanding the Auxilia altogether, but the Chapter Master finally decided to keep the force intact. Recruited from Imperial worlds, usually from PDF or even Imperial Guard units, the members of the Auxilia are rigorously trained under the supervision of the Master of the Auxilia and the Forgemaster, and then assigned to one of the following branches:
- Auxilia Aviatica ("the Runners") - Maintaining and piloting the Chapter's atmospheric craft in combat, support and supply roles.
- Auxilia Ballistica ("the Gunners") - Providing heavy fire support with standard Imperial Guard SPGs, tanks and other heavy guns.
- Auxilia Constructiva ("the Aces") - Performing military engineering works with an assortment of heavy equipment and machinery.
The Auxilia is a separate branch of the Chapter, distinct from Chapter serfs and hierarchically positioned above them. Its members normally wear uniforms in the same beige hue as the power armour of the Astartes, although their battle gear may incorporate various camouflage patterns corresponding to the landscape of the world they are deployed to. In addition, the three branches wear distinct insignia - blue headwear and rank insignia for the Runners, red for the Gunners, and black for the Aces. Further distinction may exist, but is unknown. The rank system is similar to the Guard, with Privates, Corporals and Sergeants as troops and Lieutenants, Captains, Majors and Colonels as officers.
While the Runners mainly fly the Chapters's aircraft, being responsible for directly supplying the Astartes and the Ballistica in the field with fresh ammunition and other equipment may include landing at a distance and making extremely dangerous supply runs to the battle line, by vehicle and sometimes just on foot. Similarly, while the Gunners usually fight using heavy vehicles and equipment, in rare cases, they are deployed to the front lines as mechanised infantry. There are also fragmentary reports of the Gunners having several elite units of saboteurs and special operators. Therefore, the Aces are the only branch of the Auxilia that is virtually never gets in direct contact with the enemy.
The exact numbers of the Auxilia manpower and vehicles are unknown. It is estimated that its total force is equal to one or two Imperial Guard Regiments.
Chapter Characteristics
The Scribes are a Codex-compliant chapter with several minor idiosyncrasies regarding names, paint schemes and other cultural aspects.
Combat Doctrine
The Scribes are a fleet-based chapter, spending most of their time aboard their ships in the Void. This makes them proficient in Void warfare and boarding actions. Their ground doctrine is focused on support weapons and overwhelming firepower, preferring to fight at distance. This is attributed to the chronic understrength the chapter suffered from in the past, often being able to field only one full company in total. Large numbers of heavy weapons and vehicles were used in lieu of the missing battle-brothers, as well as Auxilia Martial units composed of specially trained chapter serfs who performed duties otherwise reserved for Astartes. This tradition has been preserved and the Auxilia Martial still accompanies the chapter's companies in the field where possible.
Chapter Fleet
The ancient battle-barge Finis Tuus serves as the flagship of the Last Chapter's fleet as well as its mobile fortress-monastery. Certain districts deep within the ship are entirely dedicated to the chapter and off-limits to anyone except the Astartes, servitors and select chapter serfs. The cloister is said to be heavily armoured, contained and self-sufficient to the point that if the ship around it was destroyed, the core would survive and preserve anyone and anything within. It contains the chapter's sanctum, armoria, medicae complex, training grounds, quarters and other facilities as well as the chapter's gene-seed stores, relics and extensive archives.
The Finis Tuus sails accompanied by a pack of strike cruisers and a screen of frigates and destroyers. The combat vessels are accompanied by an auxiliary fleet of factory ships, embedded Mechanicum ships, tenders, troop carries for the Auxilia Martial etc. This provides the Chapter with prolonged self-sufficiency and allows it to undertake extensive voyages before a resupply visit to an Imperial world is necessary. The entire Chapter fleet usually operates as a whole and rarely splits into smaller groups.
Chapter Culture
If the Scribes carried any traditions from their lost homeworld, they have eroded away during the millennia of void-faring, leading to an internal culture described as "standardised" or even "sterile". The chapter's members communicate in Low Gothic, even among themselves, while knowledge of High Gothic is also required for various purposes. No other languages are permitted. Potential recruits who are not native speakers of Low Gothic are required to learn the language and shed their original cultural identity before being even considered for selection.
Focus on knowledge
Ironically – considering the almost complete lack of records about their own chapter – the Scribes’ most apparent trait is the pursuit of knowledge and gathering of information. This includes visiting friendly Imperial worlds and copying their entire archives, retrieving databanks from enemy vessels during boarding actions, establishing contacts with Rogue traders and, allegedly, even with Xenos such as the Aeldari for the purpose of trading lore. Some claim that the Scribes' long periods of absence were due to them exploring the fringes of the Imperial domains and perhaps beyond. Be that as it may, the Scribes are almost universally suspected of analysing, processing and compiling the gathered knowledge into tomes which they then use as currency. Furthermore, it is almost certain that these actions are well-known to the upper echelons of the Imperial hierarchy, and that the High Lords themselves are in possession of compendia penned by the Scribes. Whether these activities are merely tolerated, encouraged, or even directly requested by Terran leadership, remains unclear.
Chapter Gene-Seed
Due to the obscure origin of the Scribes, it is unknown which of the original Legions they descend from, or indeed whether their Gene-Seed contains one or multiple lineages. If the theory about the Scribes being descended or splintered from the Falcons Sable (see above) were true, it would make them an Ultramarines successor chapter. This connection, however, remains unconfirmed. Since they do not display any obvious genetic deviations, they are unlikely to be descended from the Blood Angels or the Space Wolves, and since they seem to possess all Astartes organs, Imperial Fists heritage may be excluded as well.
Genetic Flaws
The Scribes apparently cannot use their Omophagea.
Deathwatch Service
There are no records of a Last Chapter member serving in the Deathwatch.
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colours
The Chapter's armour and vehicles are painted in a beige hue described as "parchment" or "limestone" and are almost always decorated with inscriptions, from single letters to entire sentences. These are unique to each suit of armour or vehicle and are sometimes considered akin to tattoos. Their meanings range from personal mottoes, boasts or achievements to taunts directed at the enemy, e. g. "Pacem Imperatoris suggero" ("I provide the Emperor's peace") inscribed on the barrel of a Repulsor's main weapon, or the infamous "Mater tua crassa est" inscription on a transport vehicle, insulting the enemy’s birthgiver. This tradition presumably gave the Last Chapter their second nickname, the "Letters".
Chapter Badge
The chapter's sigil is a white quill on a black field, a direct allusion to the Chapter's motto, and most probably the source of their colloquial "Scribes" nickname. These colours are also used on flags and other insignia.
Chapter Relics
The Scribes safeguard their relics deep inside the core of the Finis Tuus and do not allow access to outsiders. Therefore, no concrete information exists.
Notable Members
Chapter Master Emeritus Nestor Falkur - The oldest living member of the chapter, entombed in a Dreadnought after suffering mortal wounds in an unspecified battle. He is probably the main, if not the only source of information the chapter has about its origins and early history. His is placed in a state of suspended animation deep inside the flagship, and very rarely awakened. His exact age is unknown.
Relations
The Scribes are described as "private" and "elusive", preferring to operate alone and far away from prying eyes. Their willingness to directly cooperate with other Astartes chapters is lukewarm at best. However, they seem to be more than happy to fight alongside the Imperial Guard and even fraternise with its units.
Allies
- The High Lords of Terra (disputed) - It is almost certain that the Scribes have a relationship (or at least an "understanding") with Terran leadership, providing it with valuable information gathered across the galaxy. The details and extent of this relationship are unknown.
Conflicting
- Inquisition - The Inquisition is said to have launched several inquiries into the Last Chapter’s non-combat activities, but the Scribes have allegedly met them with a wall of polite, yet firm silence, or they simply moved their fleet to avoid being spoken to entirely.
Enemies
- As sworn defenders of the Imperium, the Scribes are hostile to any and all outside threats. Their particular grudges, if any, are unknown.