Editing Chaplain (section)

==Overview==
Chaplains were originally formed by [[Lorgar]] as part of the religious slant he brought to the [[Word Bearers]], charging them with spreading the cult of the Lectitio Divinatus, his early form of [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]]-worship. After assuming control of the Council of [[Terra]], [[Malcador the Sigillite]] instructed the Space Marine Legions to employ Chaplains to enforce the [[Council of Nikaea|Decree of Nikaea]], the Emperor's restrictions on [[Librarians]], as a sort of proto-[[Commissar]]. Prior to this some legions employed the [[Legion Consul]]s for a while.
[[File:DreadnoughtChaplain01.jpg|300px|thumb|left|This Chaplain is a Dreadnought, [[Chaos Space Marines|your]] [[Heresy|argument]] is invalid]]

In the present, a Chaplain's role in the chapter is primarily [[Dogmata |ensuring the spiritual purity]] of the chapter: rooting out potential heresy, instilling and enforcing the wisdom of the [[Imperial Cult]] (although given the high amount of autonomy the Astartes gets, they may or may not have their own interpretations), and reminding his brothers of the chapter's traditions and history, from which they may draw strength and inspiration.

In battle however, Chaplains are just as inspiring, as they are in a chapel sermon. Donning black power or terminator armor with a skull helmet, a rosarius, their badge of office (a sacred power maul called a [[Power weapon#Crozius Arcanum|"Crozius Arcanum"]]) and a fiery rhetoric able to inspire the most unmotivated troops into fanatical warriors of the Emperor on the spot. A chaplain maintains the morale of his battle brothers, ensuring their [[RAGE|righteous anger]] is stoked into a raging fire, even in the most bleak and darkest of battles, either through inspiring sermons and/or being an example of The Emperor's fury by bashing His enemies into a bloody pulp with extreme prejudice. Outside of the company Chaplains, you have the Master of Sanctity or High Chaplain oversees the [[Space Marine Chapter|Chapter]] Chaplaincy and is a senior advisor to the [[Chapter Master]], and the Reclusiarch, who oversees the Reclusiam, where the Chapter's sacred relics and trophies are displayed. Many Chapters combine the two posts, but not always.

For all intents and purposes, just imagine a Space Marine, but even more fanatical and badass. He also has [[Indrick Boreale|great oratorical skills]] to make his brothers stop [[Bitch|bitching]] and to pick up his knife then charge that [[Bloodthirster]] and stab him right in the balls because goddammit that's how you make the [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emprah]] proud. [[Promotions|It is also suggested that Chaplains use their "oratory" skills for other purposes as well]], but these may just be rumours spread to question the [[Slaanesh|loyalty]] of the Spess Mehreens. As an interesting aside chaplains seem to be more in-touch with their emotions than other Space Marines, seriously though if you listen to their lines in Dawn of War they sound like they're about to burst into manly tears of pride or rage; they must watch [[Fist of the North Star]] as part of training.

The [[Chaos Space Marine]] equivalent is the [[Dark Apostle]], most associated with the [[Word Bearers]]. Older fluff stated that this was because Word Bearers Chaplains were already those who were preaching about the Chaos gods before they'd even made it to their position, whereas the Chaplains in all other traitor legions (who were still all in favour of the Imperium) refused to turn and were killed by their fellow legionnaires. [[FAIL|Of course this didn't stop Forgeworld from giving traitors the ability to take Chaplains anyway.]]

For those more observant saying "Wait a minute, aren't loyalist Space Marines atheist super soldiers who still follow their own interpretation of the [[Imperial Truth]], and have no need of Chaplains after the Nikaea edict was dissolved?" After the Horus Heresy their roles changed from enforcers to moral & JAG(Judge Advocate General's) officers who watch for signs of Chaos taint among their battle brothers in addition to their normal duties.