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This article, The One Truth, is currently under active construction. The author, JSMulligan, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
The One Truth is a little known, fleet-based Chaos Warband that takes their name from their creed, "There is but one truth in the universe, and that is change." The members of this Chaos Warband worship the god of change, Tzeentch, and believe that change is the driving force in all of existence. As part of their belief, they cast aside any and all ties to the past, so it is unknown who they were before they fell to Chaos or anything about their genetic heritage. It is nearly impossible to predict what they will do in any given combat situation as well, since they are always changing their battle tactics and rarely use the same formations or strategies twice.
Warband History[]
Almost nothing is known of the history of this Warband, and what stories have been told are often contradictory. The members of the Warband themselves keep little if any records of their past actions. Since the past is unable to be changed, they deem it unworthy of attention.
There is speculation that the Warband originated with a Chapter of the Adeptes Astartes that was nearly wiped out in a gruesome battle against daemonic forces, and that the original heretics that formed the Warband were Marines who survived, but had their minds shattered by the horrors that they saw. This is a somewhat contentious theory, however, as it is believed that Space Marines indoctrination and training should make them resistant to the sort of mental collapse suggested. If this is true, it could suggest a flawed process in the formation of the original Space Marine Chapter, linking them to a potential 'Cursed Fouding' Chapter.
Notable Campaigns[]
The Cry of Sorrow Incident (ca. 947.M41)[]
The One Truth used the Space Hulk known as The Cry of Sorrow to attempt to entrap and destroy Astartes from the Chapter known as the Eternal Paladins. They boarded the massive ship and directed it to emerge from the Warp near the loyalist Hive World of Kheske and waited. When the Paladins arrived in the Strike Cruiser Focal Dúshlánach, the One Truth waited for the Space Marines to board the vessel, then sprang their trap.
Several squads and sorcerers assaulted the Marines on the Hulk, while multiple ships emerged from the Warp to engage the Strike Cruiser. Were it not for the intervention of another Chapter of Adeptes Astartes, the Star Marauders, the One Truth may have achieved their goal of eliminating nearly an entire Company of their hated foe.
When the Star Marauders interfered, the battle swung against the One Truth. Every ship they brought to the encounter was destroyed, and the troops they landed on the Space Hulk were routed by the combined might of the Astartes forces. The sorcerer that led the mission was killed by the Captain of the Star Marauders' 3rd Company, and the remaining Marines of the One Truth fled into the ship. Those that did not die were pulled into the Warp when the Space Hulk was ripped back from material space.
Even so, they considered the action a minor victory in forcing massive change on the foe that dared deem itself "Eternal" as many Marines were killed, including the Captain leading the force, and the Librarian involved was maimed, losing a leg.
Warband Headquarters[]
The One Truth are a fleet-based Warband, as having a single homeworld would defy their notions of the universe being in a constant state of change.
Warband Combat Doctrine[]
No one has been able to determine a set combat doctrine for the Warband. This has driven opposing commanders mad. The One Truth never approaches any two combat situations the same way. Sometimes they are heavily favoring foot soldiers, sometimes fast attack bikes. Other times they may field heavy artillery and several tanks, while in other engagements they may never even set foot on the ground.
One thing that does seem to be consistent is the use of mutants and cultists as foot soldiers. Even in engagements where the Chaos Marines of the warband never set foot on the ground, it is likely that screaming bands of beastmen or those hoping for the blessings of Tzeentch's mutations will be present, usually fighting with melee weapons.
Warband Organization[]
True to their beliefs, the organization of the Warband is constantly in flux. It is rare for any one Warband leader to last long in the position, and many times there isn't even just one leader, but the Warband takes on a multi-headed structure.
Warband Gene-Seed[]
The Warband does not know who their gene-sire is, nor do they care. Their gene-seed is also highly unstable, leading to a wide variety of mutations in their ranks. Any mutations that arise in their persons or geneseed are welcome as gifts of the Changer of Ways and fully embraced. The one mutation that has completely taken hold within the Warband is the fact that their faces appear to be ever changing.
Warband Beliefs[]
Change. That is the one truth that the Warband holds to. They have fully embraced the teachings of Tzeentch in all things. Anything that refuses to change is either worthy of destruction, or unworthy of their attention. This last position is mostly referenced when dealing with the past. Since what has been done cannot be undone or changed, it is to be ignored.
Next to Tzeentch himself, the Warband holds the demon known as the Changeling in high regard, due to his ever changing form. It was partially because of this that Tzeentch blessed them with their primary mutation.
Warband Appearance[]
Warband Colors[]
Members of the Warband begin in armor that is an iridescent blue. As the armor is damaged, pieces may be replaced with whatever the traitor Marine can find, resulting in armor that begins to take on a more random appearance. Other changes to the armor, such as dents and scrapes, are often left in place, and any cracks or holes are usually patched with a different color to show the evolution of the armor itself reflecting constant change. Many members of the Warband have also seen their armor twisted and reshaped by the whims of Tzeentch or the energies of the Warp. Like physical mutations, these changes are seen as blessings and will often play a role in the traitor Marine ascending in rank.
Warband Badge[]
Like many Warbands bound to the service of Tzeentch, the One Truth wear a badge based upon the symbol of Tzeentch himself. This usually takes the form of an iridescent orange Mark of Tzeentch.
Allies[]
Enemies[]
- Eternal Paladins - The One Truth has a near pathological hatred of the Eternal Paladins. This has led to speculation that the Warband may have some connection to the Bronze Templars, the Chapter of Adeptes Astartes that original called the world of Oighir home before mysteriously vanishing, a disappearance that was later connected to the world being a minor Necron Tombworld. More likely, as it seems to be a focus of their rhetoric directed toward members of the Chapter, a Warband believing in Change above all else simply takes umbrage to something using the word Eternal in their name.
Notable Quotes[]
From The One Truth[]
- "'Eternal Paladins?' The very name reeks of hubris. Nothing in the universe is eternal, least of all you. Space Marines come and go. Chapters are born, and chapters die. Your corpse Emperor will eventually rot to nothing and be gone. There is one truth, one thing that stands forever, and that is change. See, I can change your Chapter right now."
- —Chaos Space Marine of The One Truth to an Eternal Paladins battle-brother before killing him