Iron Rangers

"To the citizens of this planet: we wish you no harm. We only wish for you to see that we intend to integrate you into a society of enlightenment. One where you all will help all of humanity advance, as the rest of humanity will help you. To the leaders of this planet: we came today in peace. We didn't bring our weapons or battle troops. You may keep your power over this planet, provided you use it justly and wisely. But if you continue to try and prevent reunification with mankind, we will kill you all."

Chapter Master Cigfran Fod Sibrydion, addressing the planet of Thressius IV after several months of failed negotiations.

Iron Rangers
Battle Cry	"No one is beyond our reach."
Number	XX
Founding	First Founding
Chapter Master	Sergei
Primarch	Rogerius Merrill
Homeworld	Profi Tiroedd
Strength	85,000 (estimated)
Specialty	Asymmetrical Warfare
Allegiance	Chaos Undivided
Colours	Green, Brown, and Black

Summary of Legion I

Asymmetrical Warfare Specialists (Assassination, Guerrilla Warfare, etc.) The Iron Rangers believe in stealth and speed above all. They are very rarely seen on the front lines, however their methods have given them a rather infamous reputation. Rather than facing an enemy directly, they quietly dispose of their leadership and support capabilities.

Legion Tactics

The Iron Rangers are pragmatists. They don't need to use a direct and costly assault when a sneaky assassination would get the job done. They are taught to work alone or in small groups, often using guerrilla tactics, or supplementing other forces. Utilizing these strategies, they have outfought much larger well equipped foes.

Pre-Heresy Tactics

Before falling to Chaos, the Iron Rangers preferred diplomacy over force. When force was required, they would often merely launch small strikes against individual leaders that opposed them, to reduce collateral damage and make transitions more or less peaceful. When possible, they would use methods harder to trace back to themselves (poison, utilizing local weaponry to make it look like an in-house job). When they were required to be fielded in larger campaigns, they rarely attacked in full. They had a threefold plan for working in Campaigns. Their Tactical Squads (and some Captains/Command Squads) would split into small teams to bolster and assist whatever allied regular human forces were available, in the form of additional training, better equipment, strategic/tactical advisors, additional, specialized firepower, and the morale boost of fighting next to Space Marines. Their scouts would deploy to set up Observation Posts and various Rally Points and Forward Operating Bases, whilst their Jetbikes, Skimmers, Assault Marines, and Air Power would be delivering hit-and-run missions against enemy Supply and Communications lines, Supply/Equipment Depots/Caches, destroying key strategic and defensive assets, and assassinations of High Value Leaders. As a result, most campaigns the credit went to whatever forces they were allied with, which left them seeming to be the weakest of the Legions, rather than being credited as one of the most subtle and inspired strategic thinkers.

Legion Doctrine

Appearance

Merrill is smaller than almost all of the other Primarchs, yet still stands head and shoulders above your average Space Marine, with dark, reddish skin, and long, black hair, shaved along the sides. He is also considered softer of features, and, in comparison, seems one of the most unassuming. In stark contrast to this are his eyes. While soft brown in color, they are eyes that have clearly seen hardship, giving a bitter, resentful look to what would otherwise be a rather bland and unassuming face. He wears a lighter version of his brothers' armor, leaving more soft armor, his neck, and arms exposed for greater flexibility. When not in a combat zone, he is often seen wearing softer leather and fur clothing, in the style of his homeworld.

He is among the physically weakest of the Primarchs, but what he lacks in brute strength, he makes up for in speed and cunning. His signature weapon is the spear, both for the sentimentality of being raised with one on Profi Tiroedd, and for its gains of reach and defensive uses in combat.

Youth

Upon his landing on Profi Tiroedd, he was found by one of the local tribes, who raised him as their own, and gave him his name. They taught him the necessities of living in the forest. How to hunt, track, gather food, and how to fight. However, his tribe was one of the smallest and weakest, and so, had to stay constantly on the run, else be targeted for raids and attacks by other, larger tribes. Merrill was a quick learner, though, and rapidly adapted to every problem thrown his way. Eventually, though too young to be considered for the position, he was unofficially made chieftain. It was at this point he made a decision: no more running. The tribe would never again have to flee for its own safety. With that in mind, he began a number of small raids against the more warlike neighbors, burning longhouses, stealing, and destroying supplies under cover of darkness before returning to their own tribe. Eventually, this led to assassinating the leaders of the tribes that would oppose them. As he slowly destroyed the larger tribes, others came to join him. Slowly, either by diplomacy, surrender, or annihilation, he united all of the tribes under his own rule, and created a council of elders to act as advisers and lesser rulers.

The Coming of The Emperor

The Coming of the Emperor was marked by tribesmen noticing "Great Birds" in the sky. Many became worried, and reported their sightings to the Great Council. Merrill decided that he should lead the hunt to find out what these were and where they went, as he was the best hunter and warrior of the tribes. So, with a select handful of his best, he set out to find them.

Several days into the hunt, they did discover the "Beast," surrounded by Custodes. Merrill attempted diplomacy, but that failed, and was forced to fight, killing three Custodes before being rendered unconscious. He awoke to the Emperor, who told him of his birth and design. Merrill reluctantly agreed to take control of the legion, while learning everything he could of life in the 31st Millennium. Oddly enough, he requested that Profi Tiroedd be kept at its current technological state, only asking for Medicae facilities. If Profi Tiroedd were to be his recruiting world, he needed the difficulties of life and the hunt to be ingrained in his future soldiers. Men pampered with technology that made all aspects of life easy made poor warriors, and poorer hunters.

The Great Crusade

Merrill decided to keep the original title of the chapter, as he believed anything else would be insulting to the men that had served in the Legion before his discovery. He disliked having his forces in direct confrontation with the enemy, and was best suited for long range asymmetrical warfare. With that in mind, he requested for, and was approved of, a fleet of Imperial Army soldiers. He would use his regular soldiers to bolster their fighting capabilities and dispense advice to their command structure, relieving him of having to plan and read large-scale engagements, so he could move his men around the planet like a Regicide board, to strike their most valuable assets.

During an extended battle with Eldar pirates, an STC was discovered, with what was believed to be an AI for targeting, strategic and tactical advisement, friend or foe designations, and other battlefield aids. Not wishing to wait for the STC to be confirmed as safe for use by Mars, he had it researched and studied in-house, and then installed it into all Power Armor in the Legion, in order to provide his soldiers with an extra edge against their foes. Unbeknownst to all involved, it was already corrupted with the seeds of Chaos, which started taking root in the Marines through the neural link.

As the infection began to grow, Merrill and his men became increasingly distant, bitter, and resentful. Their use of Imperial Army changed, slowly using them in a role more fitting as well-trained distractions and human shields, as opposed to their previous view of sending some Marines to aid the Army.

Interactions With Other Primarchs

Merrill, by nature, is a bit of a loner. He is slightly resentful of many of his brothers, as it may seem that his exploits go unappreciated. He appreciates foresight, planning, and pragmatism in others, and looks down on those seeking glory or fame. He thinks his method of fighting is the best option available. So when others take an approach that creates a lot of collateral damage or loss of lives, he believes that person isn't seeing the bigger picture, or thinking as clearly. He keeps an even temper on most occasions, but when his ire is up, he is easily provoked into a fight. As his AI took hold, he became increasingly resentful and bitter, and lost his temper more and more frequently. >Tl;dr, he's not an outright asshole, just has an immense sense of pride and a bit of a superiority complex.

Bohemond:

He likes Bohemond as a person. He's fairly easy to get along with, and both of them think along the same lines when it comes to an attack. He would gladly greet him at just about any social event.

Arelex:

He would get along well with Arelex. The spirit of exploration and adventure definitely resides within him, and would enjoy discussions on everything from new discoveries, to tactics. Would make friendly jests about the necessity of his armor and weapons, as Merrill never really needed more than his spear, and sometimes a pistol

Gaspard:

Doesn't trust him. Can't put his finger on it, but something just doesn't seem right. Will greet him warmly, and try to leave as quickly as he can while still being polite.

Golgothos:

He trusts Golgothos to be direct and frank with him, and responds in kind. This has led to bickering in the past, and possibly a few rounds in the training room. While he respects his brother's personality, he has tried to teach him to think more asymmetrically on the battlefield, to no avail, frustrating both of them.

Kleisthenes:

Believes Big K to be too direct. He's clearly a smart guy, why can't they see eye to eye on things? May have led to bitterness and resentment. Also a few rounds in the training room.

Uriel:

Likes Uriel, but he's run his share of hunts, and can tell that something else is going on. Will be cordial, accept and offer aid, but keep him at arm's length, and never out of sight.

Hektor:

One of the few to fully give him credit for his operations. Also, he's the Warmaster, so we don't need to be friends, but at least be on decent terms. Not angry after Ullanor, as he thinks he didn't want the responsibility, and thinks Hektor was one of the best choices for Warmaster.

Johannes:

While appreciating Johannes' abilities with medicine and healing, Merrill always thought his methods were a bit extreme. Planets were not bodies, and life was not an infection to be destroyed in its entirety. He was always ill at ease around the fellow Primarch, and tried to avoid the man.

The Voidwatcher:

As Johannes, he appreciated the psychic potential of the voidwatcher. He enjoyed discussing secrets of the universe, and his love of exploration. Unlike many other Primarchs, Merrill believed psychic potential to be perfectly natural, however it is a path to be tread on with extreme caution. The Voidwatcher ran down that path, recklessly. His ambition for power drove him far too much, and, while Merrill advised caution, his brother wouldn't listen. He was not surprised in the least to discover the man as a fellow Revolutionary for the gods (as he thought of it).

Aubrey:

One held a scalpel, another a spear. Both used it for the same purpose. To carefully remove that which was hurting mankind, without damaging the rest. Although a warrior tribesman and urban surgeon-turned-warrior had little in common, they were on good terms. Conversation was never more than a few words, but there was a mutual respect for the others' work. Although since the fall, Aubrey became a little too obsessed with cutting out the cancer, and Merrill with destroying society as a whole. Their mutual agreements are no more.

Nathanog:

Does not play well with others. If Nathanog is in the sandbox, Merrill will take the jungle gym. When forced into mutual contact, snide remarks are often utilized. Usually about the contents of his gullet and head.

Darius:

Rather enjoys the man's company. Reminds him of the priests and elders back home. Due to both coming from feral worlds, they can relate somewhat to the change of becoming Primarch. Enjoyed learning his weapon. Although Merrill still doesn't understand how anyone can be so direct at a fight.

Octullus:

Always wanted Octullus to join the Revolution. Appreciated the man's foresight and skill with a rifle, and was always friendly towards him. As both were men of specific skill, there was a mutual respect, and often friendly contests.

Brennus

Merrill always had a soft spot for Brennus. Although from completely different cultures, they grew in much the same fashion. During times of rest or organization, they would often converse and share bread. If he ever had the need to brag or compare triumphs, it was with his fellow tribal leader. He was elated when he found that the Thunder Kings had joined Hektor's Revolution, but equally dismayed to find that Brennus himself was not in this number.

Alexandri

Alexandri is an interesting man of dualities. And Merrill is torn on the man. In one hand, he appreciated the man's achievements and exploits. On the other, he saw the man as ostentatious, vain, overly ambitious, and wasteful of his resources. While there was no real bad blood between them, but Merrill would often antagonize him and challenge his decisions, out of his dislike of ever agreeing with the man.

Tollund Ötztal:

For another tribesman, Merrill is surprised at his lack of stealth. He just does not understand the man, and their stubborn ways have gotten them into numerous arguments through the years. Although he would never admit it, he admires the man for the hardship he endured and his endless optimism.

Tiran Osoros

As another tribesman and Primarch who understands nature, Merrill has a great deal of mutual respect for the man. He was one of the few that understood his kinship to the beasts of his world, and was one of the few who would not receive various taunts or goads about his methodology. When it was left to Merrill to prevent the Scale Bearers from landing at Istvaan V, Merrill took it to himself to end the man, as he deserved a "better death" than a spear to the back by his men. He walked away wounded and hollower, leaving instructions to leave a beacon by the Primarch's body, so it could be recovered and given proper respects. The same courtesy was not afforded the rest of the dead.