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- "Oi Barry! Did that Greenskin just scratch Delilah? Right, where’s my bike? I’ll have him I will."
- —Techmarine Crefft admonishes an Ork for damaging his favourite Rhino.
The Wyverns are a partially Codex-complaint Loyalist Space Marine Chapter and successors of the White Scars. The Chapter was created during the 4th Founding in the aftermath of the War of the Beast in the middle centuries of the 32nd Millennium. The Wyverns' name and Chapter symbol are derived from the huge reptilians that soar above the wilderness of Rhos. In the wake of the opening of the Great Rift, Rhos' strategic location near the Nachmund Gauntlet - one of the only known safe passages through the Great Rift - have the Wyverns taking the additional responsibility for the security of the passage.
Chapter History[]
The Wyverns Chapter was created in the aftermath of the War of the Beast. The High Lords of Terra recognised a need to create several new Chapters of Astartes as the Imperium recovered from the devastation of the Greenskin invasion. All Chapters of Astartes were ordered to release a portion of their veterans to form the basis for the founding.
The White Scars Chapter was no exception to this edict. From a handful of the Khan's veterans, a new Chapter was to be raised in the galactic far North, with the purpose of patrolling the Nachmund Sector for emerging threats, lest a force as great as the Beast’s WAAAGH! present itself again. The feral world of Rhos was given to the new Chapter.
At some point in the Chapter’s distant past, Rhos came under assault from an as-yet unencountered foe. Described by Cardinal Miriamulus, the Elder of Thracian Primaris as "a vast host of winged xenos that descended upon the sector", the aliens attacked Rhos en mass with swarms of winged lifeforms. While the Wyverns ultimately prevailed in defending their homeworld, it was at a great cost. The then Chapter Chieftain Fyghor was slain along with his Grand Healer and almost the entirety of the 5th and 7th company before most of the remainder of the Chapter arrived to exterminate the attackers. Imperial scholars theorise that these xenos were an early encounter with the Tyranid Hive fleet now known as Ouroboris.
In the wake of the opening of the Great Rift, Rhos' strategic location near the Nachmund Gauntlet - one of the only known safe passages through the Great Rift - has the Wyverns taking the additional responsibility of the security of the passage.
The Wyverns inherited the White Scar’s preference for sending individual companies on far-reaching patrol missions. This relative isolation over thousands of years of attrition left the Chapter significantly understrength by the time of the Era Indomitus. The opening of the Great Rift made it impossible for the Chapter to receive Primaris Greyshield reinforcements, though later the Wyverns were granted Primaris technology by a torchbearer fleet.
Notable Campaigns[]
- The Battle of Rhos Drift (Unknown Date.M36) - In the 36th Millennium, Cardinal Miriamulus the Elder of Thracian Primaris records the history of the "Legion of Ouroboris," a vast host of winged xenos that descended upon the sector and stripped the life from dozens of planets. A grand Imperial crusade finally defeats these creatures in a twelve-day battle on the edge of the Eye of Terror. This was not before the xenos attacked Rhos, perhaps wishing to assimilate the planets unique reptilian avians into their biomass.
- The Vigilus Campaign (Unknown Date.M41) - The Wyverns were one of multiple Astartes Chapters whom answered the call for aid sent by the rulers of Vigilus. Vigilus is a planet of great strategic importance, another world that guards the Nachmund Gauntlet - one of the only known safe passages through the Great Rift. A Wyverns taskforce lead By Chieftain Harri Owain deployed to assist the defenders of Vigilus, whom were assailed by multiple foes including Orks, Genesteaer Cults, Aeldari and finally, the forces of the Black Legion. Chieftain Owain was slain by Chaos Lord Haarken Worldclaimer, and the Wyverns were forced to withdraw from the conflict. To this day, The Wyverns are preparing a task force from Rhos to return to Vigilius, which they have vowed to reclaim for the Emperor.
Chapter Home World[]
Rhos is feral world found within the Nachmund Sector in the Segmentum Obscurus. It is the only planet in the Rhos system capable of supporting human life. An absence of mineral resources in exploitable quantities meant that it was not considered worthwhile to bring the inhabitants of Rhos up to the same levels of technology as the wider imperium. The planet did have one resource to give however; its hardy war-like people were seen as an ideal source of aspirants for the Chapter at its inception.
Age of Technology[]
The inhabitants of Rhos are speculated to be descended from colonists who settled the planet during the dark age of technology and were primarily from a group of people claiming "Celytec" ancestry. Archaeological research during this period hinted at another sentient and intelligent race having roamed the planet millions of years previously. However, these human settlers faced no competition from any native peoples, seeing instead a planet populated by hardy reptilian and mammalian-like wildlife, with seas teeming with shoals of fish creatures and gigantic predators.
Rhos thrived as a centre for scientific research. It's pristine landscapes provided the ideal environment for calm concentration. Technology developed by the colonists allowed them to live on Rhos whilst having minimal impact on its native species. However, the lack of natural resources made the human population, which was nearing 30 million, especially reliant on trade with other colonies outside the Rhos system.
The Men of Iron[]
As with most of humanity, Rhos made extensive use of artificially intelligent humanoid thinking machines known as the Men of Iron. It appears that society on Rhos suffered considerably during the Cybernetic Revolt of the 23rd Millennium. War with the Men of Iron had a near catastrophic impact on the planet. A pre-revolt population of nearly 30 million was reduced to barely over 3 million by the end of the conflict. Rhosian society as it was had been completely destroyed, their technology irrecoverable and scientific knowledge lost.
Age of Strife[]
A resource-poor planet as it was, Rhos was not a priority for recovery efforts after the war. This meant that there had been no significant recovery by the time violent warp-storms marked the isolation of the Age of Strife. By this time, what remained of the Rhosian people were unadvanced tribal societies with a deep mistrust of technology and 'magics'. Almost everything about their past had been forgotten. All that remained was the Rhosian dialect - descended as it was from the Welsh, Gaelic, Gallic, Cornish and Breton tongues of Rhos' colonisers. Much of this time was spent rooting out and destroying any visible remaining technology from their space-faring past, lest it curse them as it did their ancestors.
Other than this technological regression, Rhos seemed to whether the Old Night relatively unscathed when compared to other human colonies. The degradation into a deeply superstitious tribal society meant that the people of Rhos would kill anyone who displayed strange powers or 'witchcraft'. This culling of any Psykers may have saved the planet from demonic incursions during the Age of Strife.
31st Millennium[]
Given it's isolated position and lack of resources, Rhos was not considered a priority for reclamation during the Emperor's crusade across the known Galaxy. It appears the planet was simply noted in imperial records and largely ignored in favour of one of the countless conflicts with xenos that demanded the attention of the expeditionary fleets. This in turn seems to have saved Rhos from any impact of the Horus Hersey. Not even the Arch traitor's forces appear to have considered the planet worthwhile.
32nd Millennium[]
Up until this point, Rhos had remained a resource-poor planet with nothing noteworthy to the wider Imperium. However, during the hastily-ordered 4th founding, Rhos was identified as an ideal source of space marine aspirants and stewardship of the planet was given to the newly founded Wyverns Chapter.
41st Millennium[]
At the onset of the Cicatrix Maledictum tearing the galaxy in half, Rhos was bombarded with warp energy spilling from the great rift. The result of this appears to be a significant increase in the frequency of psykers emerging among the natives. Whilst the tribes’ abhorrence toward witches has kept the psyker population in check, the Wyverns Chapter have seized the opportunity. It is due to the constant vigilance of the 10th Company that more aspirants have been located and abducted from their tribe before they are killed. The vast majority of these potential neophytes are only too willing to attempt the trails, given the fate they can expect if they returned to the tribe.
Unfortunately, the instability and lack of mental fortitude in most young psykers has so far prevented the increase in psyker aspirants from translating into an increase in such recruits surviving the trials. The Chapter is still forced to cull the majority of psyker aspirants.
Rhosian Culture[]
The inhabitants of Rhos possess a culture and level of technology broadly comparable to the Bronze-age era of ancient Europa on Terra. The people have developed limited, very basic agriculture but are still a society largely consisting of hunters and warriors divided into tribes, whom are in constant conflict. The natives live among the various avian reptilian species that dominate the food chain. Slaying such a beast is often a rite of passage for young hunters, though many aspiring warriors become prey themselves.
The state of constant competition between Rhosian tribes makes the inhabitants ideal aspirants for the Wyverns. This is of such importance to the Chapter that the Wyverns 10th Company will regularly conduct covert operations to ensure that no one tribe ever becomes too powerful and upsets the balance of power on Rhos. Such operations range from covert campaigns of influence to targeted assassinations.
The Dragon Cult[]
Rhosians display nothing recognisable as organised religion. Instead, they appear to show reverence for natural spirits and perform various degrees of ancestorial worship. They only common religious factor across the planet is a belief in a chief deity or "Star Dragon" - a very crude approximation of the Emperor of mankind. This deviation from the Imperial cult - known as the Dragon Cult - is a Ministorum-sanctioned deviation from the Imperial faith. The Dragon Cult places great emphasis on the chapters self-sufficiency and adaptability. This was likely influenced by the White Scars, who had grown accustomed to working alone on the furthest fringes of known space.
The Dragon Cult transcends the culture of Rhos and governs the beliefs of the Wyverns Chapter. As with many Astartes Chapters; the Wyverns venerate the Emperor as the exemplar of mankind and preach faith in him, though do not acknowledge the Emperor as a deity.
Rhosian Geography[]
Rhos is approximately two thirds the size of Terra, with a similar speed and length of orbit to its sun. Its twin moons are much larger in comparison to Luna, leading to violent sea currents and deadly tides at the coast. The planet's surface consists mostly of ocean, with one large continent consisting of huge mountain ranges and sweeping, windswept plains. Deep fir forests cover much of the surface. The climate is mostly sub-artic, with mild summers and harsh winters.
Chapter Fortress-Monastery[]
The Wyverns' fortress-monastery is known as The Maw and is found at the peak of Breconnia; the highest and most perilous of the mountains running across the centre of the continent. The Maw is founded upon the remains of a huge, cavernous defence platform from the dark age of technology.
Chapter Organisation[]
The Chapter is organised in such a way that it is considered partially compliant with the Codex Astartes
Officer Ranks[]
As in Codex-complaint Chapters, the Wyverns hierarchy is based around the squad formation. Each squad is led by a Sergeant. Every Sergeant is a former battle brother who earned veteran status before being given leadership of a squad. Those who distinguish themselves as Sergeants may return to a veteran squad to serve as a veteran Sergeant.
In accordance with the revised Codex, the Wyverns have also introduced the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenants are former Veteran Sergeants who have been identified as potential future Captains and have been elevated in rank in order to assist their Captain in leading the Company.
Captains are Chapter veterans who have fought successfully against many foes but have also learned from failures to become more rounded leaders. Many of those serving as Captains have also survived vigils with the Deathwatch before returning to the Chapter to take responsibility for a Company. As with Codex-compliant Chapters, Wyvern Company Captains also carry additional titles and responsibilities. Some are mostly ceremonial in nature, though some are legitimately additional responsibilities. Each Captain may chose to don any armour they wish, including terminator armour, and join battle with their veteran squads.
Whilst not a requirement of the Chapter, it is has become common practice for Wyverns veteran Sergeants to volunteer for the surgery to become a Primaris marine. As a result, many of those ranked Lieutenant and above are Primaris marines, either from inception or by later decision.
Specialist Ranks[]
Librarium[]
"I cast MIND BULLETS"
DRAGONMAGE FELIX.
Like their fellow Astartes Chapters, the Wyverns also maintain a Librarius of potent psykers who are highly talented and trained to master the power of the Warp at the highest levels, though they refer to these warriors in the Rhosian dialect as 'Dragonmages'. The Chief Librarian is known as the 'First Mage'.
The Dragonmages of the Wyverns are chosen from those Initiates who display an affinity to the warp during screening. Additionally, on the occasion that a native youth is noticed to display rudimentary psychic abilities, the Wyverns will abduct them for screening before they are killed by the tribe, whom abhor witchcraft. Should they survive the trials and become a neophyte, they will be trained separately from their peers initially. After a certain period, however, they will re-join the other neophytes in order to use their abilities to complement their training as scout marines. Once both their scout Sergeant and Dragonmage mentors are satisfied, the neophyte will join the Librarius as a 'Sage', the lowest rank of Dragonmage. Dragonmages will colour their entire armour an electric blue, save for the shoulder pads.
Between the Rhosian hatred of witches, and the rarity of aspirants surviving to become Sages, the Wyverns are able to field fewer Librarians than most Chapters. Those that pass the trails and do become Dragonmages are held in high regard by their battle brothers, who are in awe of those blessed with psychic gifts by the Emperor. Rare is the occasion that a Company commander would not seek the council of his Dragonmages.
Armoury[]
"Don't make me come down there and CTRL+Z you!"
TECHMARINE ROBAT.
The Wyverns select prospective Techmarines from battle brothers who display a particular affinity with technology and machine spirits. The long training period with the Adeptus Mechanicus has left the Chapter with a shortage of such brothers. Master of the forge Culian dutifully cares for the Chapter's remaining machines as well as the new vehicles supplied in the Era Indomitus. Techmarines are instantly recognisable for their augmentic enhancements and Martian red armour.
The Wyvern’s disjointed deployments mean that the Chapter has a comparatively high number of pre-Indomitus vehicles and technology. Traditionalists within the Chapter are loathe to completely replace these vehicles with newer variants. It is for this reason that the Wyverns still field considerable numbers of Rhino variants in addition to the newer vehicles. However, the Wyverns remain a pragmatic Chapter at its core and Vanguard formations make extensive use of lighter and stealthier Impulsor troop transports.
Reclusiam[]
"Sorry mate, but it says here you're a heretic. So... y'know, time to die." CHAPLAIN CLIVE, DELIVERING A LITTANY OF ABSOLUTION TO A TRAITOR LEGIONARY.
The spiritual health of the Wyverns is monitored by its Chaplains, known as 'Shamans' The most senior Shaman is known as the 'First Shaman' and is second in rank only to the Chieftain. The Wyverns have also adopted the position of Judiciair, though these potential Chaplains are referred to as 'Novitiates'. Shamans and Novitiates both colour their armour midnight black with blue undertones.
It is the responsibility of Wyverns Shamans to guide the Chapter according to the teachings of the Dragon Cult and the traditions of the various tribes within the Chapter. In addition to providing an inspiring example on the battlefield, Shamans also promote the various musical and poetic traditions pivotal to the Chapter's wellbeing.
The most junior of these (a Novitiate) will typically be found accompanying a Company's vanguard forces. It is here that the Shaman-in-training will administer to the spiritual and moral needs of his brothers, as their operations far behined enemy lines leave them reliant on each other for survival. Unlike the Judiciairs of other Chapters, Novitiates are not bound to a strict vow of silence. When undertaking covert operations however, they will refrain from loud battlefield sermons unless undertaking an attack alongside Reiver squads.
Joining the battleine forces of a company will be a fully-fledged Shaman, providing visual and auditory inspiration to his brothers. This Shaman will be assigned as the mentor to the Company Novitiate and is responsible for determining when they are ready to return to Rhos to seek the approval of the First Shaman.
It is not unusual for a Wyverns company to have a third Shaman. This is the most senior Shaman in the company and supercedes all but the Company Captain in authority. The senior Shaman of a company will be primarily occupied with duties within the Company Reclusaim. They will take to battle accompanied only by veteran Squads. The senior Shaman is the only member of a Company's Chaplaincy permitted to wear tactical Dreadnought armour.
Apothecarion[]
"Red to red, white to white, bone to bo- By the Khan, what's all this green stuff?!"
HELIX ADEPT WYNN.
Apothecaries in the Wyvern Chapter are known as 'Wound Wrights'. The Chief Apothecary is known as the 'Grand Healer'.
Those serving in vanguard formations who display an affinity for battlefield medicinal craft are given additional training as potential Wound Wrights, these are known as 'Helix Adepts' and will carry a scaled-down version of an Narthecium, better suited for prolonged operations behind enemy lines. Wound Wrights will wear clean white armour. Helix Adepts will wear the same colours as regular Vanguard Marines.
Specialist Units & Formations[]
The Talonguard[]
Those who distinguish themselves as a veteran within their Company may be granted the prestigious honour of joining the Talonguard; personnel bodyguards of the Chieftain. The Talonguard are commanded by a Captain whom is roughly equivalent to the first Captain in a codex-complaint Chapter. When the Chieftain takes to the field of battle, he will anoint a champion from among his Talonguard who's duty it is to protect his charge from any threats in close combat.
When a mission requires the absolute best that the Chapter can muster, the Chieftain may send his Talonguard to fulfil it. The Talonguard are also capable of deploying covert operatives, near identical in appearance to the vanguard forces deployed by the Companies. The Talonguard answer only to the Chieftain and act completely independently of the wider Chapter.
Order of Battle[]
Headquarters[]
The Officer that leads the Wyverns is not known as Chapter Master, but takes the title of 'Chieftain' when translated from the Rhosian dialect. The current Chieftain is Airell Drenn, who holds the right to appoint Company Captains, but rarely takes direct control of the Chapter. Rather, Drenn gives direction to the Chapter at the behest of his leadership council, or 'Cyngor'. This is made up of each of the Company Captains, the First Shaman (Master of sanctity), Grand Healer (Chief apothecary), First Mage (Chief Librarian), and Master of the forge.
The independent nature of the Wyvern's Companies means that that each Company can operate with minimal oversight. This means that the death of a Chieftain is unlikely to significantly effect the operations of the Companies. In the event of the death of a Chieftain, the First Shaman will assume command until his replacement is appointed. The replacement is selected not via election by the Chapter's senior officers but is instead chosen through a mysterious process on Rhos known as the 'Treialon'.
Those who decide to put themselves forward for the position of Chieftain (who according to Chapter custom, must be either a Company captain or chief of the Talonguard) will travel to Rhos and enter the mysterious underground caverns of the Maw. The aspiring Chieftains will remove their power armour and relinquish their weapons before entering the caverns wearing only simple tribal garbs. Accompanying them will be the most senior of the Chapter's Shamans and Dragonmages. No-one outside of the Chapter knows what takes places during the Treialon, but only one of the candidates will emerge from the caverns, the fate of the others known to no-one. No Chieftain will speak of what transpired.
Formally Captain of the 5th Company, Drenn became Chieftain after his predecessor was killed defending the hive world of Vigilus, during a fight with Black Legion Chaos Lord Haarken Worldclaimer. Though Drenn holds unwavering commitment to and respect for the traditions of the Chapter, he knew that in order to survive the Wyverns must embrace the future. Drenn led by example and underwent the dangerous surgery to cross the Rubicon Primaris. Drenn wears upon his shoulder the skull of a Rhosian Wyvern.
Companies[]
- "Brother-Sergeant, what do I fix the melta bomb to?"
"The enemy, boyo."- — Scout-Sergeant Robert delivering wisdom.
The organisation of the Wyverns Chapter diverges significantly in places from the dictates of the Codex Astartes. Rather than being comprised of separate Veteran, Battleline and Reserve companies, the Chapter is divided into nine Companies which are composed similarly. Each Company operates with a degree of Autonomy rarely seen among Chapters of Astartes. Many battle brothers will spend most of their lives in the same Company and may never actually see brethren from the wider Chapter after joining the Company. The Chapter in its entirety will rarely be seen in the same place.
While the Wyverns do maintain a 10th Company, it exists solely for the selection of aspirants and training of neophytes. The 10th Company does not typically operate outside of their home system as it does in other Chapters. Rather, the trials for aspirants are conducted solely within the worlds of the Rhos system. Aspirants are held at Chapter’s Fortress-Monastery, known as The Maw. A senior Captain, known as the master of recruits and assisted by his Lieutenants and scout Sergeants, is responsible for aspirant trials. The title "Master of reconnaissance" is found in each Company, bestowed upon the Lieutenant whom oversees the Company's Vanguard and Scout element.
Aspirants who survive the trials and become neophytes are then tutored in the ways of the scout until the implantation of the Black Carapace at 16-18 Solar years of age. After this point, and assuming the Scout’s Sergeant considers him ready, the scout is sent with his brothers to join a Company. Companies will make a return to Rhos roughly every 20 solar years for resupply and it is at this time that the Tribe will take custody of the unfinished space marine, so that the scout may finish their training under the watch of the Company’s own scout Sergeants. On ascension to full battle brother, each marine will find themselves cycling between different battlefield roles within the Company.
The mixed Firstborn and Primaris nature of the Chapter means that the makeup of the Companies is not exactly uniform. Rather, Companies may contain squads that are not the same but fill similar battlefield roles such as tactical squads and Intercessor squads.
The partial compliance with the codex is reflected in the size of the Companies. The Wyverns reflect their parent chapter in that its Companies inherit the cultures of the tribes the Chapter recruits from and mixes battle brothers from different tribes to foster unity. This is where the similarities end however. The independent nature of the companies, to the extent that they can sustain themselves away from each other and Chapter command for extended periods of time, is more reminiscent of the Great Companies of the Space Wolves. Like the warriors of Fenris, it is suspected that the Wyverns Companies sustain far more than the 1000 battle brothers and limited armouries demanded by the Codex Astartes. In reality, each Company Captain possibly commands a force more akin to an understrength chapter than a codex-compliant Company.
Each Company has its own fleet-based, smaller-scale Armoury, Reclusiam, Librarius and Apothecarion. Each is overseen by a senior officer of their speciality who is subordinate to their senior on Rhos. While the Wyverns do have a tribally orientated structure such as that of the White Scars or Space Wolves, the presence of battle brothers from different warring Rhosian tribes within a Company does not lead to friction. Rather, the mixed nature of the companies is considered to be one of its greatest strengths. The Shamans of the Chapter attribute this to the overarching faith in the Star Dragon which is shared by all tribes on Rhos.
The tribal structure and lax attitude toward the Codex Astartes have led to the Wyvern’s fostering strong ties to the Space Wolves. Rhos' comparatively close distance from Fenris has led to more frequent contact with the sons of Russ than with those of their parent Chapter on Chogoris.
There have been many instances over the millennia of task forces of Wyverns being present in the same theatre as and undertaking joint operations with the Vlka Fenryka. In fact, due to a centuries-old honour packs between the two chapters, It is not uncommon for battle brothers from the Great Company of Rangar Blackmane to be seconded to the Wyverns and vice-versa.
Brother Njal of the Space Wolves, currently seconded to the Wyverns 6th Company.
 Talonguard Chapter Equerries Serfs and Servitors | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter Armoury | Chapter Reclusium | Chapter Apothecarion | Chapter Librarius |
 Techmarines Servitors Battle Tanks Land Raiders Gunships Centurion Warsuits |
 Shamans Novitiates |
 Wound Wrights Helix Adepts |
 Epistolaries Codiciers Sages (Collectively known as Dragonmages) |
| Companies | |||
| 1st Company
"The followers of Teithiwr" |
2nd Company
"The Wardens of the Northern Stars" | ||
| 3rd Company
"The Hunters of the Plains" |
4th Company
"The Stalkers of the Forests" | ||
| 5th Company
"The Fire from Above" |
6th Company
"The Archers of The Void" | ||
| 7th Company
"The Charioteers of Rhos" |
8th Company
"The Ghosts of the Night" | ||
| 9th Company
"The Bringers of The Storm" |
10th Company | ||
Veterans[]
A Wyverns veteran in Terminator plate.
A Squad of Wyverns Sternguard Veterans
Instead of having a 1st Company devised entirely of veterans, veteran squads are found in every Company. They can be found either in squads of Terminators, Vanguard veterans, Sternguard veterans, Bladeguard veterans, Gravis veterans or serving as bodyguards to Company leadership. The veterans of each Company come under the command of that Company Captain rather than a separate First Captain. As with the Chieftain's Talonguard, each Company captain may nominate from among his retinue of veterans his own bodyguard and a champion. It is the charge of this champion to protect his Captain at all costs.
Dreadnoughts[]
Like any other Astartes Chapter, the Wyverns maintain a pool of cybernetic combat walkers in which the most revered members of the Chapter are interred after being near mortally wounded.
Perhaps it is because of the Rhosian mistrust for technology. Perhaps it is an unknown flaw in their gene seed, but being forever confined in a lumbering sarcophagus, never allowed to truly join his ancestors in death is a horrific concept for a Wyvern Astartes. It is not uncommon for a marine to refuse interment, preferring instead an honourable death in battle. On more than one occasion however, their wishes have been overruled. Some veterans have too much valuable wisdom to be allowed to truly die. These warriors are known among the Chapter as leth-mharbh, which means something like half-dead in the Rhosian dialect. the leth-mharbh are charged with taking an eternal vigil outside the Chapter gene-seed vaults on Rhos and within the Chapters star ships.
These Astartes live an existence between worlds; despairing at their confinement, but committed absolutely to their charge of protecting the future of the Chapter. These warriors' position is one that demands both awe and trepidation among the wider Chapter. None but the Woundwrights, Shamans and Techmarines of the Chapter will meet them regularly. Even the most experienced veterans are left with a feeling of great unease by the presence of the leth-mharbh, horrified by the fate they represent. It is a rare thing indeed for one of the leth-mharbh to take to the field of battle. Such a thing would only occur at the express request of the interred warrior, and only then with the permission of the Company commander, on the advice of his Shamans and Dragonmages.
Vanguard Forces[]
The Wyverns may be renowned for their expertise in mechanised assault, but the chapter places just as much emphasis on their vanguard forces. Scout marines are taught the importance of clandestine operations in support of the wider mission. Infiltrators are used to identify and destroy high value targets behind enemy lines. Incursors destroy isolated units in aggressive hit and run attacks. Reivers sow terror among the ranks, emerging from the shadow and the storm to the sound of the Carnyx, a terrifying Rhosian war horn and slaying many of the enemy before disappearing . All the while, Eliminators cover the battlefield from unseen positions afar, targeting enemy commanders.
Combat Doctrine[]
"See that jump pack Dafydd? That's mine." ASSUALT MARINE BRYN.
Whilst capable of fielding all the capabilities expected of a codex-complaint Chapter, the Wyverns retain a preference for mobile warfare as found on their home world, where steed-drawn chariots carry the warring tribes into battle. This has manifested itself in a preference for a highly mobile, shock-and-awe fighting style. The tribes of Rhos also have a reverence for skilled archers, who may defend the tribe from the predatory flying reptiles from which the Chapter draws its name. This is reflected in the Chapter's preference for close-range firefights. The Wyverns have an aptitude for piloting flying speeders and ground-attack aircraft as well as their bikes and transports. They make up for their lack of heavy armour by adding as much anti-armour capabilities as possible. Every Wyvern is accustomed to wielding missiles, meltas and plasma weapons.
Those who bear witness to the Wyvern’s less then inconspicuous approach to warfare would be sorely mistaken to believe there was nothing more too it. In actuality, the lightening assaults undertaken by the Chapter are the parts they want the enemy to witness. The tribes of Rhos may spend much of the year roaming and warring across vast plains, but the winter months are spent living and hunting in the deep fir forests. It is here, that a scarcity of food and presence of venomous predators force the tribes to master a more clandestine approach to survival.
The duality of life on Rhos is reflected in the Chapter; the loud and fast assaults are but one stage in a wider doctrine known as the talons and jaw.
From the offset, the Chapter will deploy substantial vanguard and neophyte scout forces in order to disrupt enemy capabilities through jamming, sabotage and assassination. Concurrently, lightning ambushes with Reivers will be conducted against isolated key targets. This in turn confuses the enemy and sows fear and discord among the ranks.
Once the enemies supply lines, reserves and morale have been crippled, highly mobile forces incorporating ATVs, bikes, Invictor warsuits and other fast vehicles will harry the enemy in hit and run attacks and feints. The foe will be coerced into committing their main force where they think the Wyverns are weakest. By the time they realise their mistake, it is too late. Waiting for them will be an ambush consisting of the Chapter’s heaviest elements; Squads of devastators, inceptors and heavy intercessors keep the enemy from bringing their most capable assets to bear, allowing mechanised infantry to engage the foe in close combat, be it with bolters or blades.
Chapter Culture & Beliefs[]
Rhosian culture is deeply rooted within the Chapter and is still instilled by Chapter Shamans into Neophytes. In addition to the unique naming conventions used by the Chapter, Wyvern battle brothers will regularly adorn their armour and their skin with Rhosian symbology. The tribes of Rhos have a longstanding oral tradition, whereby the history of the tribe is retold in poetic sagas. This has continued in the Chapter. Many battle brothers will use their periods of reflection transiting between war zones to engage in poetic and scholarly pursuits.
The Dragon Cult transcends the culture of Rhos and governs the beliefs of the Wyverns Chapter. As with many Astartes Chapters; the Wyverns venerate the Emperor as the exemplar of mankind and preach faith in him, though do not acknowledge the Emperor as a deity.
Despite denying the Emperor's divinity, the Wyverns do venerate him as the Examplar of mankind and the Khan as his foremost son.
In contrast to their forebears on Rhos, the Wyverns to not hate psykers. Rather, they came to believe that such powers were a gift from the Emperor himself. This was likely the legacy of the White Scars, who made plentiful use of their Storm Seers. The dragonmages must keep their hubris in check however. Those who become too confident in their abilities will find themselves succumbing to the foul forces of the ruinous powers from overexposure.
While contact with their parent Chapter is minimal, The Wyverns share the White Scar's belief that Jaghatai Khan will one day return to lead his sons.
The Wyverns name and Chapter symbol are derived from the huge reptilians that soar above the wilderness of Rhos. Slaying one of these beasts is often one of the trials undertaken by aspirants.
Chapter Recruitment[]
The Wyverns recruit from the natives in a number of ways. At times, wyvern Shamans will watch battles between tribes from afar to identify potential neophytes. The young warrior would be abducted and given a choice – hand the Shaman their weapon and become an aspirant, or walk away (after having been mind-wiped). In reality, the folklore of Rhos holds a deep reverence for the mysterious giants, and such an offer is almost never refused.
Alternatively, those who themselves chose to become aspirants may seek to prove themselves by besting a giant Wyvern on the northern planes in addition to outwitting the smaller, stealthy species that hunt in the forests. After all, the Chapter has no use for neophytes who cannot show potential to adapt to different environments. The aspiring hunter will bring the heads of both creatures to The Maw. Assuming they survive the perilous journey.
It took considerable time to fully implement the Primaris process into the Chapter recruitment effort. Therefore, for the first few decades after Primaris technologies were gifted to them, the Wyverns only made Primaris marines out of half of their neophytes. The remainder were created as Firstborn marines. It is for this reason that the modern Chapter contains Primaris and Firstborn marines who have undertaken similar lengths of service. The Wyverns have now fully implemented Primaris technologies and as a result, all neophytes are expected to become Primaris Marines.
Deathwatch Service[]
The Wyverns Chapter has a longstanding agreement with Watch Fortress Orelund to tithe battle brothers for the long vigil.
Chapter Gene-Seed[]
The Wyverns' gene-seed is consistent genetically with that of other Chapters from the lineage of Jaghatai Khan. It is free from any known contamination, reproduces stably, and produces the full range of Space Marine organ implants. The battle fury of all the Khagan’s sons is still present among the Wyverns. Outsiders may mistake this for savagery, but this is nothing but ignorance. The Wyvern’s fury is well controlled, and its battle brothers are also encouraged to pursue artistic and scholarly pursuits during rare moments of rest bite.
Because they are active within multiple war zones, the Wyverns are meticulous about harvesting and securing the Progenoid Glands from their fallen brothers in a timely fashion. Recoveries made in the field are secured upon the nearest Chapter vessel in short order.
Notable Members[]
- Chieftain Teithiwr – One of the original groups of veterans tithed to create the Wyverns; Teithiwr was once known as Khan Khagir of the White Scars. Khagir was selected to become the first Chapter Master. He was chosen as much for his shrewd diplomacy as his battle prowess. He knew that the Wyverns could not simply be an extension of his old Chapter. It is for this reason that Khagir took considerable effort to learn the customs and culture of the tribes of Rhos, taking the new name of Teithiwr, meaning "traveller" in the Rhosian dialect. Teithiwr went to the great effort so that the new Chapter may draw from the same culture and naming conventions, rather than simply copying those of the White Scars.
- Chieftain Harri Owain - Owain was Chieftain during the Vigilus campaign. He was slain in battle with the Chaos lord Haarken Worldclaimer.
- Chieftain Airell Drenn – Former 5th Company Captain Drenn now serves as Chapter master. Since crossing the Rubicon Primaris, Drenn takes to the battlefield alongside his Talonguard, whom cleave a path toward the hardiest of foes for him to engage.
- 2nd Company Commander Captain Iago Stant - The first Company commander to have joined the Chapter as a Primaris marine; Stant has taken to a method of warfare which epitomises an Astartes from the lineage of the Khan. Choosing to join battle via jump pack, Stant is rarely seen without his vanguard veteran squads by his side. Spearheading a highly mobile force designed to overwhelm an unsuspecting enemy, Stant shows what it means to wage war like a Wyvern.
- Ancient Braydun – One of the very few remaining Castraferrum dreadnoughts in the Chapter, Venerable Dreadnought Braydun has seen almost five thousand solar years of service. Gravely wounded during the battle of Rhos Drift, veteran Sergeant Braydun was interred in his new sarcophagus. Braydun has never managed to adjust to being restricted to so slow a construct. It takes much soothing benediction from the techmarines of the Chapter to calm him before each period of deep sleep. Given his temperamental and increasingly unreliable nature, it is a rare thing indeed for the Chapter to rouse him from his slumber.
- Ancient Ruarcc - Ruarcc was once Company champion of the 6th Company. Known for his brash nature, Ruarcc would push the boundary of what was considered rational when it came to engaging the foe in melee combat. It was during battle with the devious Drukhari that he was struck low by the abhorrent poisoned weapons of the Kabalites of the Wraithkind Kabal. Ruarcc's valiant charge was pivotal in saving the life of 6th Company Captain Tomos. Hurried away from battle, Ruarcc was destined to become one of the leth-mharbh, forever watching over the Chapter gene seed vaults. Fate was not to be so kind as to allow Ruarcc to meditate however. The periods of calm between visions of soaring to battle on transport or jetpack never came to him, and Ruarcc is instead in a state of near constant agitation. As a result, the former champion often demands to be allowed to take to battle, running straight at the enemy with little heed for self-preservation. Whilst the Chapter is always honoured to allow him to join them in battle, Ruarcc's tendency to disregard any tactics and charge his Brutalis Dreadnought form in to battle is sometimes more of a hinderance than a help. It takes a skilled commander to best know how to employ Ruracc.
- Master of the Forge Brendann Gabhar - A short tempered space marine, Gabhar is rumoured to value the preservation of the Chapter's war machines more than that of some battle brothers - particularly those pesky neophytes. Ruling the armoury with a literal iron fist, Gabhar demands nothing but exemplary work from his techmarines.
- Felix, the storm-weaver - Dragonmage of the 9th Company and originally of the Epidii tribe, Felix takes to the field of battle with his long mane of hair flowing behind him. Felix will use his powers to alter the very elements of the atmosphere, bringing forth turbulent winds and pitch-black clouds to mask his brother's advance, or blast foes apart with witch-fire and lightening.
- Brother-Sergeant Brell holds the honour of becoming the latest brother to undertake the long vigil and begin a secondment to watch fortress Orelund of the Deathwatch.
- Shipmistress Willow is the commander of all mortal crew upon Khan's Blessing. Willow demands a level of respect seldom granted no non-Astartes.
- Shaman Morgan of Clan Llyod a veteran Shaman, Morgan orginates from a long-dead Rhosian tribe. Leading always from the front, he inspires his battle brothers with what the loremasters of the Chapter can describe only as a cock-ney/Welsh accent.
Chapter Fleet[]
- Khan's Blessing (Battle Barge) - 1st Company vessel that serves as the Chapter's flagship, this ancient vessel was formally part of the old White Scars Legion's fleet.
Chapter Appearance[]
Chapter Colours[]
The colours worn by battle-brothers of the Wyverns take inspiration from the venomous avian reptilians native to Rhos.
Battleline[]
The most common species of Wyvern on Rhos have distinctly green or red hides and it is for this reason that battle-brothers wear sea green armour, with a burgundy helmet, power pack and pauldron trim. The pauldrons are white, possibly in reverence to their parent Chapter. The Wyverns do not typically display a battlefield role on their armour. Nor do they give any visual indication of the Company to which they belong. Rather, the right pauldron displays the iconography of the Rhosian tribe from which the individual space marine originated, unless the armour configuration does not allow this in which case it is displayed elsewhere. This often leads to confusion among outsiders when they see squads containing Astartes wearing different symbols. For their part, the Wyverns care not to explain their internal structure to others. In fact, it is likely used as an obfuscation measure to confuse the enemy.
Officers[]
Sergeants can be identified by golden skull motif(s) on the helmet and/or pauldron(s), along with a white helmet. Additional silver skulls may be worn elsewhere to commemorate acts of valour, but these do not denote rank. Lieutenants can be identified by similar skull motif(s) and a white helmet, with a red stripe on the top or face. Captains wear a black helm with skull and a winged skull elsewhere on the armour, usually the right pauldron.
A Firstborn Wyverns Sternguard veteran arrayed in artificer armour.
Veterans[]
Veterans follow broadly the same colour scheme as the rest of the Company. However, they wear the wyvern on both pauldrons where possible. Another noticeable difference in appearance is the more ornate artificer armour, which often incorporates extra skull motifs, laurels and other accolades. The individuals tribe is usually denoted elsewhere on the armour, to the discretion of the battle brother. Veterans may chose to wear any pattern of armour, though they most often don artificer, Mark X Tacticus or Gravis variants. Those veterans chosen to be Company champions are distinguished by the wearing of a golden helmet. This is reflective of the Rhosian tradition of a tribal chief's bodyguard painting themselves in the brightest colours to make themselves a more obvious target to an enemy, thus drawing their attention from his charge.
The Talonguard[]
The chosen veterans who's honour it is to protect the Chieftain use the same colour scheme as other Chapter veterans. However, they may embellish their armour by displaying the personal heraldry of the Chieftain. A Talonguard Sergeant, Captain and Lieutenant are denoted in the same way as the rest of the Chapter. Chapter champions are coloured the same way as Company champions.
Vanguard Forces[]
The smallest Wyvern species on Rhos are expert stealth hunters and wear drab green and black scales that helped them blend in among Rhos’ forests. This is why the Chapters Vanguard forces, and the vehicles they employ, wear similar colours. However, the Wyverns remain an adaptable chapter and given enough time to prepare, will alter the colours of their clandestine operatives to best suit the environment in which they operate. Reivers will contrast their muted colours with a skull helm that is painted with a bright colour of the individuals choosing. This is designed to sow alarm and confusion among the enemy. Vanguard Sergeants, Lieutenants and Captains will make no overt statements of rank on their armour. These measures are believed to be deliberate obfuscation.
Scouts[]
Wyverns neophytes, who serve as scout marines, will wear similar colours to Vanguard units. Scout Sergeants wear no signifiers of their rank, though they will wear their tribal iconography somewhere. Until they have finished their gene-seed implantations and completed their training, Wyverns neophyte scouts are not permitted to wear the iconography of their tribe, as they have not yet proven themselves or their tribe worthy of being represented in a fully-fleged space marine.
A Wyverns Primaris scout marine.
Vehicles[]
The warriors of Rhos will often take to battle on crude chariots drawn by Quadrupedal steeds. These creatures are adorned with tribal symbols in a warpaint of deep blue. This is reflected on the colours adorned on the Chapters vehicles and combat walkers, which incorporate blue in addition to the white found on individual Astartes.
Tribal Markings[]
In a divergence from the codex Astartes, the Wyverns do not visually display Company markings. Rather, individual space marines wear the iconography of the Rhosian tribe from which they originated, usually on the right pauldron. Battle-brothers will often embellish their armour and skin with other markings derived from Rhos' tribal cultures.
Company Captains, Wound Wrights, Techmarines, Dragonmages and Shamans are premitted to add their own heraldry to their armour. This privilege does not extend to Lieutenants or other, more junior specialist officers.
Colours[]
It is a rare occurance for the Company colours to be brought to the battlefield. When they are, they are carried only by a company veteran in the role of an ancient. Ancients will carry the colours only as part of a Captain's retinue, as the Company commander is ultimately responsible for their safeguarding until they are returned to the Company reclusaim.
Chapter colours can be flown only in the retinue of the Chieftain or that of the first Shaman.
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Wyverns Chapter icon.
Chapter Badge[]
The Wyverns Chapter badge features a stylised example of the Rhosian creature from which the Wyverns take their name. This is painted in black on a white pauldron, possibly in reverence to their parent Chapter.
Relations[]
Allies[]
| Space Wolves |   |
The tribal structure and lax attitude toward the Codex Astartes have led to the Wyvern’s fostering strong ties to the Space Wolves. Rhos' comparatively close distance from Fenris has led to more frequent contact with the sons of Russ than with those of their parent Chapter on Chogoris.
There have been many instances over the millennia of task forces of Wyverns being present in the same theatre as and undertaking joint operations with the Vlka Fenryka. In fact, due to a centuries-old honour packs between the two chapters, It is not uncommon for battle brothers from the Great Company of Rangar Blackmane to be seconded to the Wyverns 6th Company and vice-versa. |
| Castellans of the Rift |   |
The Castellans of the Rift is a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter comprised entirely of Primaris Space Marines created from the lineage of the Ultramarines and raised during the Ultima Founding of ca. 999.M41. The Chapter was founded with the express duty of protecting the Nachmund Gauntlet. It would be assumed by many that the Wyverns' would welcome the assistance of the Castellans in this duty. Contact between the Chapters however has been fleeting and cordial at best. There are many in the Wyverns who sees such a comparatively young Chapter as too inexperianced to effectively protect the passage through rhe great rift, though few among them will deny that the Casrellans’ efforts have brought some relief to the Chapter. |
Enemies[]
| Haarken Worldclaimer, Black Legion | Since their Chieftain was killed by Worlclaimer on Vigilus, the Wyverns have sworn an oath of vengeance against him and the Black Legion forces under his command. |
