Chaplain

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"Happy indeed will you be if he finds you faithful in your stewardship. You are called shepherds; see that you do not act as hirelings. But be true shepherds, with your crooks always in your hands. Do not go to sleep, but guard on all sides the flock committed to you. For if through your carelessness or negligence a wolf carries away one of your sheep, you will surely lose the reward laid up for you with God."

– Pope Urban II.

In the Warhammer 40K universe, a Chaplain is a basically a Space Marine version of the Ecclesiastical priest, but with guns and power armor. They are also the most badass type of Space Marine, the only possible exception might be this guy.

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 Emperor-worship. After assuming control of the Council of Terra, Malcador the Sigillite instructed the Space Marine Legions to employ Chaplains to enforce the Decree of Nikaea, the Emperor's restrictions on Librarians, as a sort of proto-Commissar. Prior to this some legions employed the Legion Consuls for a while.

This Chaplain is a Dreadnought, your argument is invalid

In the present, a Chaplain's role in the chapter is primarily 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 "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 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 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 great oratorical skills to make his brothers stop 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 Emprah proud. 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 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. Of course this didn't stop Forgeworld from giving traitors the ability to take Chaplains anyway.

Variations

Blood Angels Chaplain

The Blood Angels Chaplains were originally known as "Wardens", who served as advisors and mentors to the younger generations. When the Edict of Nikaea was declared and the Chaplain Edict followed, the Wardens were appointed to oversee enforcement. Following the Horus Heresy, the Wardens of the Blood Angels and their successor Chapters became Chaplains, and were tasked with an additional, somber purpose: they were to lead the Death Company, those Marines who fell to the Black Rage and the Red Thirst, into battle. Being surrounded by raging berserkers, the Chaplains must have iron strong wills to oversee these Marines and maintain their own sanity.

Dark Angels Interrogator-Chaplain

The Dark Angels and their successors have an extra rank for Chaplains who make it into the Inner Circle and learn the "truth" (or at least part of it) about the Fallen Angels. After passing several trials of the soul (the penalty for failure being death or worse), they interrogate (read: torture) captured Fallen Angels to try and force them to repent for their crimes. These "Interrogator-Chaplains" are extremely patient and resilient against the *cough* insidious lies of captured heretics, and will take as long as necessary to finally break them. To put this in perspective, the very best Interrogator-Chaplain that the Dark Angels ever had only managed to get ten Fallen to confess and repent over the course of 300 years of service.

Iron Hands Iron Father

Among the Iron Hands, the Chaplains are known as an "Iron Father", which combines the role of Chaplain and Techmarine together, which reflects the Iron Hands heavy preference for augmentics. Also unique in the fact that they're completely separated from the Ecclesiarchy altogether, considering the chapter's predilection towards machinery and the like. The spat ended with them splitting off and the Iron Hands unable to have Rosarii. To compensate that, the Iron Hands have to fabricate their own equivalents using some special Adeptus Mechanicus schemes.

Space Wolves Wolf Priest

The Chaplains of the Space Wolves are the Wolf Priests, who combine the role of Chaplain and medic into one. All Wolf Priests, along with the Rune Priests (Librarians) and Iron Priests (Techmarines) serve as part of the Company of the Great Wolf (the elite Great Company under the Chapter Master of the Space Wolves) and are assigned to the other eleven Great Companies as needed.

Grey Knights Chaplains

Believe it or not, Grey Knights do have Chaplains of their own. The Chaplains of The Emperor's Space Paladins don't differ greatly when compared to other Chapters, but the challenges Grey Knight Chaplains have are unique (and very often difficult). Although Grey Knights are incorruptible, with time even their faith can be tested and doubt will assail their minds at some point one way or another. Chaplains are here to straighten them up, get them on the proper tracts, have their doubts evaporated and give new meanings to the mission of their Battle-Brothers. Just like all Grey Knights, the Chapter's Chaplains are also Psykers. They are recruited from the very purest of the Paladin Brotherhood, which is already one of the two elite brotherhoods, so this makes the Grey Knight Chaplains one man armies to a man. Also were known to not be available as HQ options for some stupid reason until 8th.

Alpha Legion Chaplains

All Alpha Legion chaplains are secretly Alpharius, just as all other Alpha Legionnaires are secretly Alpharius. or maybe not. They are used to spread propaganda and misinformation amongst Imperial citizens, though they might not be. Alpharius himself may have been a Chaplain, though he might not have been.

Primaris Chaplains

The Primaris Marines' version basically function pretty much the same, the only notable differences are their appearance and their Crozius Arcanum.

Notable Chaplains

• Varnus: An Ultramarines Chaplain whose defining deed (making him a potential Mary Sue (IT WAS AWESOME NONETHELESS)) is single-handedly pwning a fuck-mothering BLOODTHIRSTER. Needless to say, Khorne was very salty.
• Asmodai: Interrogator-Chaplain of the Dark Angels. A major buzzkill and batshit crazy, but more famous than his boss thanks to how much Asmodai sucks at his job. Takes interrogation to another level and leaves his victims deranged and totally insane, though, this seems to reveal little to no information.
• Sapphon: High-Interrogator of the Dark Angels, at odds with Asmodai over practically everything. Supposed to be the head honcho, but Asmodai doesn't give a shit.
• Grimaldus: Reclusiarch of the Black Templars. A seriously hardcore bastard who defended Helsreach and all-around awesome character. Took on a sizable WAAAAAAGH with a meager garrison, said some mean ass shit, and beat the crap out of countless orks.
• Xavier: Famous Salamanders Chaplain, meaning he's a major bro.
• Ortan Cassius: Master of Sanctity for the Ultramarines. Responsible for the formation of the Tyrannic War Veterans, to better help combat the menace that almost devoured all of Ultramar. One of the few Ultramarine character who is not "THA BEST EVAR!" and thus an unsufferable Mary Sue. Also helped envision serious deviations from the Codex Astartes... but anyone who goes blow for blow with a carnifex and asks for seconds gets their opinions duly rewarded.
• Ulrik the Slayer: High Wolf Priest of the Space Wolves. A wild bastard who survived the First War of Armageddon and also has Leman Russ' own helmet. Angron himself saluted this dude's combat prowess after he curb stomped three Berzerkers completely unarmed.
• Kardan Stronos: Iron Hands Iron Father. Was elected to act as Chapter Master by the clan council. Also has a massive boner for Razorbacks, and an equally large hate-boner for the Necrons.
• Astorath the Grim: Blood Angels Master of Sanctity and Redeemer of the Lost. His job involves rounding up those in the Death Company and then lopping their heads off, as they're pretty much lost causes by that point. Gabriel Seth himself even said this dude was more than a match for him, and had to hurl him off a wall just to prove a point.
• Lemartes: Blood Angels Chaplain who's badass enough to rein control over the Black Rage. Keeps an eye over the Death Company as Guardian of the Lost. He is currently the second most 40K thing in 40K, being the patron saint of always being mind-shatteringly angry, closely beat out by the Eversor Assassin. He is only released when unstoppable carnage is the most expedient means to achieve victory.
• Mikelus: Blood Ravens Reclusiarch who was said to have beaten the Necron Lord of Kronus...according to Davian Thule. Everyone else can attest to him dying like a bitch to the 'cron Lord's incredible amounts of cheese. But he was a nice honour guard member so it's okay.
• Carnak: No, not that Carnac. This one is a Chaplain of the Imperial Fists, from Ultramarines: The Movie. How do you stand out in a movie about the Ultrasmurfs? John Hurt has two words for you: "BURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRN, HERETICS!"
• Durendin: Chaplain of the Grey Knights who appears in the first story of Justicar Alaric. Known for wielding relic nemesis force lightning claws passed down from the early days of the chapter.
• Diomedes: Former Honor Guard Captain turned Chaplain in light of his never waving faith and loyalty in the emperor when the Blood Ravens chapter master went full-heresy. His great oratory skills spur on his brothers in the battle for baldness. Believes that in a mad age, the madmen should lead the way.
• Daenyathos: The Spiritual Liege of the Soul Drinkers chapter and a traitor who used his influence and reputation to turn the Soul Drinkers away from the Emperor. His vision was to rule the galaxy through suffering and the enslavement of Chaos. He turned the Soul Drinker's entire Reclusiam into his personal agents of corruption.
• Thalastian Jorus: Contender to the title of most awesome Chaplain to have ever lived in their 10 millennia of existence, for channelling the spirit of Sigismund (despite being a Blood Angel) and kicking Abaddon's arse. No we are not kidding. This man lead a small contingent of Death Company brother on a string of suicide ambushes directly upon the Warmaster and his chosen guard. They fought so well, that after they were eventually slain, their bodies and armor were carefully preserved. NO looting or defilement at all. Abbadon himself demanded that they be honored. Though given Abbadon's track record, that may not be much of an honor.

Tabletop

For 90 pts Chaplains have a Veteran stat line with +1WS, 2Ws, and LD10. They've got a bolt pistol and Crozius which counts as a powermaul, and a 4++, with access to Terminator armor, ranged, special issue, and chapter relics like other Independent Characters. Chaplains are more a support character than a singular power house, giving their unit re-rolls to hit, and Fearless. Vanilla Marine's chaplains have no choice in melee weapons for some reason. Odd considering that codex represents the broadest spectrum of chapters. Only getting to take a powerfist, in place of their pistol.

Dark Angels have two: regular ones and Interrogators. Regular ones are identical to the above, but cannot take Terminator Armor and Chapter Relics. They do however have access to melee and ranged weapons. Interrogators come for 20 more points and get the Deathwing, Preferred Enemy (Chaos) and Fear rules and a near-captain stat line with -1WS, and access to every piece of wargear expect heavy weapons, they practically outstrip regular Captains in every way unless you pimp out a captain with loads of expensive gear. If you use them they're best used in either the Black Knights or Deathwing Knights.

Wolf Priests are probably an oddity among the Space Wolves, since they can take multiple ranged options but no melee. They also have access to Chapter Relics, Terminator Armor and Runic Armor, other than having a 4++ thanks to the wolf talisman. Having the same stat line of regular chaplains, these guys are even more support-focused than their vanilla counterparts. Thanks to the half-apothecary gig, they give Feel No Pain(6+) to the unit they're in, along with Favoured Enemy, making them the perfect scrub-sitters, making the weakest units in your army able to hold their own in a fight, especially if supported by big numbers. Wolf Priests also have Counter Attack and Acute Sense, much like every other unit in a Space Wolf army. Best use for a Wolf Priest is to stick them in a big Blood Claws unit (or even better, Swift Claws) and use them to target the opponent's infantry. Favoured Enemy allows you to use an abundance of plasma guns with relative safety and kinda makes up for the Blood Claws' WS3 and BS3, while FNP gives your guys a chance to last even against stronger opponents, at least for a while. Unfortunately, the lack of melee options means the Wolf Priest is not gonna be much useful in challenges against MEQs, so you better give him a Wolf Guard pack leader properly kitted for the task, while the Wolf Priest and the Blood Claws drown the rest of the enemy unit with the sheer amount of attacks.

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  Chaplains
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  Death Company
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  Interrogator-Chaplain
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  Iron Father
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  Wolf Priest(Ulrik the Slayer)
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  Deathwatch(Ortan Cassius)
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  Grey Knight

Gallery

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  Now in Dreadnought flavour.

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  I SERVE THE EMPRAH!!!!!

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  PRAISE THE EMPEROR AND PASS THE AMMUNITION!

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  A Chaplain's role is not only to fight in combat, but to also duel in guitar solos.

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