Editing Scale Bearers (section)

=Legion History=
==Sacred Band==
The XVII Legion Astartes were noted to have served admirably-though without distinction-during the initial stages of the Merican Campaign. This would change during the fighting in the Merican Dustbowl. The center of the continent was a vast wasteland, home to countless numbers of 'Road Warrior' tribes fighting amongst one another for dwindling resources in the shadows of burned-out hives.

As the armies of the Emperor moved inland they were fiercely opposed by these violent waste-dwellers, who cooperated for the first time in their history to face the invaders. They saw how the Imperium cleaved through the coast and were too clever to face the massed regiments of Thunder Warriors or the infantry of the Imperial Army in pitched battle. The nomads used the high mobility of their technicals and weapon-bikes to strike at supply convoys, isolated Imperial Army forces, and exposed flanks.  The actions of the 'Road Warrior' tribes slowed the Emperor’s advance to a crawl. [[Hektor Cincinnatus]] was ordered to defeat or subjugate the tribes so the advance across Merica could continue. Hektor permitted Rychad Owain of the XVII Sacred Band to copy the tribes' own 'bike' techniques for use against them. The XVIIth heavily modified these captured bikes so that each could bear a Marine's weight and weaponry, and performed a series of successful counter-ambushes which destroyed the fighting strength of one prominent tribe and proved the XVII's use of 'fast attack bikes' as an effective tactic.

This pattern would be repeated and the XVII became the core of a bike-mounted force, sweeping behind enemy formations and striking at exposed flanks in lightning attacks. The Imperial armies finally saw progress after months of stagnation, as the tribes fell one by one to the advancing Imperial forces. At the conclusion of that campaign when Imperial Forces finally reached the other side of the dustbowl, the XVII Legion was granted the title ‘The Imperial Riders’ by Primarch Hektor, among the first of the fledgling legions to earn a name for themselves.

==Early Campaigns==
For the initial stages of the Great Crusade, the Imperial Riders were used as a fast attack force. Where others used stealth, subterfuge, or brute force, the XVII used speed and power. They reinforced flagging Imperial Army campaigns and struck at elusive foes. The Riders found worthy foes in Eldar Raiders, Dactyls and others who relied on speed and maneuverability to win battles. Bikes and mounted squads were at the heart of their formations and they fielded endless varieties of the design. While other Legions adopted bikes, none could equal the Imperial Riders in their mastery of the motorized mounts.

Worlds without number were taken by them. Many planets in a fraction of the time estimated. Few could match their speed. What they could not outfight, they outmaneuvered. They lived up to their name in full, quickly securing planets and moving on as soon as their Imperial Army replacements would arrive to bring the world fully into compliance. Where the early battles of the Merican campaigns saw them with little distinction, they shined like suns in the early battles of the Great Crusade.

==Primarch Discovery==

The Emperor arrived to Solnhofen as the Primarch of the Legion was waging war against the Xenos inhabitants of the planet. He confronted the man, revealing himself and the Primarch's origins. The mighty warrior bent the knee to his father and was rewarded with the command of the XVII Legion. After completing the conquest of his world, Primarch [[Tiran Osoros]] formally took command of his Legion.
 
After his education on Terra, Tiran Osoris opted to change the focus on the Legion. As opposed to its previous focus on repeated hit and run tactics, he opted for a method of fighting which saw success on his home planet. Speed and endurance were critical to this new discipline, but not in the same manner as before. Instead, they would focus on tiring an enemy before hitting them with a rapid force and overwhelming firepower.

Above all, Tiran enforced a "humanization" of his forces. While on Solnhofen, Astartes were expected to aid the local citizens with a variety of tasks required for day-to-day survival. All his Marines were trained to have some skill in farming, construction, toolmaking, and other arts required for civilization to thrive. They were instructed to spend time learning from iterators and remembrancers, learning how to negotiate and become diplomats. As Tiran saw it, his men were individually responsible for upholding the ideals of the Legion, and by extension, the entirety of the Imperium of Man.

==Heresy==
[[File:Scale_Bearers_Tactical_Marine.jpg|thumb]]
They get attacked by the [[Iron Rangers]]. They lose. Tiran dies. Very sad. Much confusion.

==Post-Heresy==

The Legion slowly pieced itself back together throughout the Heresy and into the Scouring. Though they fared better numerically than many of their fellow legions, the Iron Ranger's practice of targeting their leadership had taken its toll. The Legion was fragmented into numerous factions, each with different ideologies and interpretations of what would be necessary for the continuation of the Legion.  The primary dispute was over Tiran's legacy and vengeance. Some believed that it was imperative to immediately strike out and avenge their fallen Primarch. Ultimately a group of moderates, led by Rychad Owain. The group largely believed that it was important to stay true to Tiran's legacy, however they recognized the Legion as being in a state of crisis and pushed forward methods to boost their immediate numbers which were largely antithetical to their Primarchs teachings. None within the Legion were happy, as the radical sect became embittered that more was not being done, while the idealists were horrified a the turn of their own Legion. This divide was furthered by the failure at [[Battle of Rai|Rai]], when numerous, almost irreplaceable Sors were lost.

The divides soon vanished as they imparted on a massive expedition against Profi Tiroedd and the Iron Rangers. Though the victory was not as decisive as many would have liked, the majority of the Scale Bearers found peace in their actions. As they were broken down into Chapters in the aftermath of the Scouring, Owain stepped down from his position as Legion Master, vowing never to take such command again. Though he had always maintained guilt for the actions of his Legion's reconstruction, most within the Legion would come to accept his interim rulings as necessary for the betterment of the Legion. The largest chapters forged in the second founding were the Knights Saurian, Violet Serpents, Dawn Terrors, and Fire Breathers.

While the Legion had more than enough reason to form an animosity of the Iron Rangers, rumors and stories stoked the flames. While the two Primarchs were largely cordial to each other, and were known to converse from time to time, they were not the closest of brothers. As the history was told slightly differently with each telling, they became close allies, and eventually the closest of brothers in the view of the Scale Bearers. As they became closer, the betrayal of [[Rogerius Merrill]] became a deeper and deeper wound. In the 41st Millenium, Merrill is viewed by the Scale Bearers as the worst of the traitors, and any activities of the Iron Rangers is sure to bring as many men who carry Tiran's geneseed as can be mustered.