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Crossbow

2020-03-08T17:40:03Z

2607:FB90:6FA8:6FFE:5C96:CA38:4FB2:B59F: /* Types of Crossbows */

[[image:crossbow.jpg|thumb|300px|right|An Arbalast Crossbow with an iron prod. Note the iron stirrup ring on the front; which the user could use in this case to hold down with his foot when pulling back the draw string or mounting a gaffe lever to push the string back]]
{{topquote|'''I waste him with my crossbow!'''|Bob Herzog, ''[[Knights Of The Dinner Table]]''}}

The '''crossbow''' is named for its cross-shaped design, as it is basically a [[Bows and Arrows|bow]] (in technical terms, called a prod) on a stock (alternatively called a tiller) that uses a locking trigger mechanism to hold and fire either an arrow (called a bolt or quarrel) or a small spherical stone or lead bullet (the latter usually being used for hunting). Bolts are arrows with a shorter shaft, and could range from being lighter than an average arrow to several times heavier. It operates on the same principle as the traditional bow in that a tough bowstring is pulled back to store potential energy in the bow, which upon release of the string, transfers it to a projectile.

While historians are unsure who first made the crossbow, the earliest known crossbows were found in [[China]] around 700 to 500 BCE. During the Warring States period, crossbows became a preferred ranged weapon of Chinese armies due to ease of use for conscripts and the use of crossbows certainly aided in the rise of the Qin Dynasty and the beginning of Imperial China. The Greeks and Romans experimented with hand-held crossbows, but they never made extensive use of them, although they did make extensive use of ballista (basically a crossbow scaled up to the size of an artillery piece, and often shot stone instead of scaled up arrows). The [[Asians|Chinese]] of these times, on the other hand, had crossbows of all types and shapes: from one-handed repeater crossbows, capable of launching dozens of (fairly weak, but often poisoned) arrows per minute, to absurdly heavy ones, designed to be pulled by legs, rather than arms, and launch arrows the size of small javelin, later with gunpowder-filled bombs on the heading at range, only rivaled by siege engines, though later they passed out in favor of multiple rocket launchers (yes, you read it right). Crossbows began to see widespread use in Europe around 1000 CE, at this time emerged crossbows with steel bow sections, more commonly called arbalasts.

The difference between a bow and a crossbow is that a bow's string needs to be pulled back and held by the user while aiming, while a crossbow has a mechanism that locks the bowstring in a readied state and only requires the user to operate the trigger to release the bolt upon sighting their target. The trigger mechanism evolved over time, as did aids for drawing the crossbow's string. The weight or size of the crossbow certainly had an effect on the mechanisms involved, as light crossbows could be reset by hand, but heavier version could end up using levers or crank-operated windlasses to pull back and cock the string, and tended to use more robust release mechanisms due to the increased stress involved.

In fantasy settings, technologically advanced races who don't (or in limitation) employ [[firearm]]s as their go-to weapon typically make heavy use of crossbows. It is also the ranged weapon of choice for richer and more experienced mercenaries.

For some reason in a lot of fantasy and medieval fiction it seems to be the preferred ranged weapon of whoever the bad guys are. Examples include A Song Of Ice and Fire (where it seems to be the favorite weapon of [[brundlepenis|King Joffrey]]), The Lord of the Rings ([[Ork|Uruk-Hai]] marksmen use crossbows) and different settings of DnD ([[Drow]] poisoned repeater crossbows). This may have something to do with crossbows being less relying on the wielder's strengths, stamina and personal skill, and thus regarded as "unfair" weapon compared to bow, it was at one point banned by the pope for use on Christians, although due to it's usefulness on the battlefield this was largely ignored.

The crossbow is also the favored ranged weapon of [[dwarves]] in most fantasy fiction, though in this case it may be more than just aesthetics; while it would be fitting for a race known for their technical expertise to use a more complex device, also keep in mind that dwarves would have a harder time using regular bows. A bow's power depends on its draw length, and having shorter arms, dwarves can't get as much power out of a bow. They also need a weapon that can be used more easily in confined spaces, which disqualifies longbows right away. What they do have going for them, though, is great strength, making a crossbow's high draw weight less of an issue for them.

==Use in warfare==
A major advantage of crossbows over regular bows is that because they're fired using a mechanism instead of depending on human strength to hold the bow in a ready-to-fire position, user fatigue is no longer such a huge factor Additionally, the heavier crossbows could generate more force than most humans thanks to the pulley systems used to cock the string, thus heavier bolts could be thrown, resulting in greater penetration of the target. Possibly its biggest advantage is that it was easier to train the use of a crossbow than bows since the weapon's operation is much less taxing.

Of course, the main drawback with crossbows is that they require a wider range of resources and skills to produce due to the mechanisms involved. Crossbows also generally have a lower rate of fire than bows. At best, a crossbowman can get off about eight shots a minute. More powerful arbalast crossbows that used windlasses could manage about three shots a minute, but could store more energy than a human could physically pull back with bare hands. For these reasons Crossbows excel in a siege situation where the ranges are long and you can duck into cover easily while you're reloading. And since sieges tended to be drawn-out affairs anyway, reload time wasn't as necessary.

That being said, despite crossbows being much more expensive than bows, they were much less demanding on user's skill and physique, meaning you can train as many crossbowmen as you have crossbows and replenish killed ones in just few months of training, while in order to train a bowmen you need to start with kids. So while a single bowman is much more effective than a single crossbowman, you can afford a half-dozen of crossbowmen for the cost of one bowman, and replace lost ones quickly as long as their weapon survives the battle. This is probably why they first took off in Warring States period China, where raising large conscript armies was the name of the game.

It should be noted that despite having much greater draw weights than contemporary bows (above 500 lbs in some cases), crossbows were not proportionally more powerful due to their very short draw length, translating into a much briefer energy transfer. More modern crossbows sometimes address this by using recurve bows, or even by using a bullpup configuration by turning the bow backwards and then pulling the string past the bow. Additionally, the reduced aerodynamic properties of crossbow bolts as compared to arrows mean that they very rapidly lose velocity after a relatively short distance, giving them great punch at short range but reduced effectiveness at longer ranges as compared to bows.

The fact that even relatively poorly trained men armed with crossbows could royally murder fully armored knights, made the crossbow one of the most hated pre-firearm weapons in the Europe, even more than the infamous flamberge. At some point it even came to the pope banning crossbows as unholy weapon not to be used on fellow Christians, but even then they remained popular among mercenaries, rich lords and Protestants. Proud knights could accept deaths from elite long/composite bowmen who like them were training from childhood, but not from some hastily drilled dirty peasant levies whose lord could afford few dozens of crossbows.

Crossbows are still occasionally used for military purposes; while a crossbow's bolts lack the stopping power of modern firearms, the bolts it fires are quieter than any "silenced" firearm and it can also be used for niche purposes such as launching grappling hooks or detonating tripwire-activated mines, and its lower projectile speed means it's much less likely to set off any worn explosives. While its comparatively lower ability to kill outright can be an issue you could use the same solution that the Indian Navy used for this problem and use Cyanide tipped bolts, or take the Rambo route and use bolts with explosive tips.

See Also: [[Katanas are Underpowered in d20#Crossbows are Underpowered in d20|Crossbows are Underpowered in d20]]

===Loading Mechanisms===
Because later crossbows were often too tough to simply pull back unaided, a number of devices were invented to allow the wielder rearm the crossbow via pulling back the string (in a process called spanning). The device used usually depended upon the draw weight of the bow, as heavier bows would require more advanced devices that required more time to pull back.

*'''Gloves and Stirrup''': Generally leather or some other material, good quality gloves (or some tough callouses) can save one some finger or palm bleeding from trying to pull it by the old fashioned way. Talking from experience, if one is to do it this way, put your entire upper back and arms into it, and pull. Either user placed both feet on the bow's span on each side of the stock or in the stirrup ring attached to the crossbow head. Most commonly associated way of reloading in popular culture besides the Cranequin and Windlass. First appearance: 700 to 500's BCE. Mechanical advantage: 1 to 1. Maximum draw weight: 150-300 lbs.
*'''Stirrup and Belt Hook''': Most crossbows you see have a stirrup ring towards the front end for putting your foot through to hold it steady. Combined with a belt worn around the waist with a hook attached to it, the wielder could use their whole body, rather than just their arms, to arm the crossbow. Could also use a belt-attached pulley configuration to lessen the strength to draw. First appearance: 1200's. Mechanical advantage: about 2 or 1 to 1 (depending on whether using pulley configuration). Maximum draw weight: 320-450 lbs.
*'''Goat's Foot Lever''': This was a fairly simple detachable metal lever that gave the user more leverage when pulling back the string. Composed of a rod attached to two curved prongs and two hinged hooks; it's shape had a resemblance to a goat's foot (obvious in the name). Mounts on two metal lugs on the body's sides near the trigger, pull drawstring back in one motion via two hinged hooks, place folded lever back on belt, load the bolt on the crossbow, and then shoot. This could arm the crossbow in a single motion with the lever's curved prongs making the drawing force decrease as the spanning distance increases. Very common for field portable bows and mounted crossbowmen. First appearance: Between 1300's to 1400's. Mechanical Advantage: from 5 up to 30 to 1 (depending on how far the lever is pulled). Maximum draw weight: 500-600 lbs.
*'''Gaffe Lever''': a two piece wooden lever held by a hinge and attached to the stirrup ring via metal hook. User pushed down on the lever to push the drawstring into the trigger before removing. More associated with nobles for hunting or shooting clubs after the gunpowder weapons appeared in the 1500's during the Renaissance. First appearance: 1500's. Mechanical advantage: up to 30 to 1. Maximum draw weight: 400 lbs.
*'''Lever-Action''': Alternatively called "Self-Cocking" or "Self-Spanning" crossbows. These generally use hinged or sliding levers embedded into the crossbow body. The user unlocks catch holding the hinge firm before folding open the half of the crossbow body to catch the drawstring on a latch before pulling back to the trigger to arm the crossbow. Unlike the Asian equivalent in the Chu-Ko-Nu, these did not have a top magazine. This enabled users to aim after loading and pulling a trigger to shoot at the cost of having to load the bolt by hand. Besides the Scottish Border Reivers' latchet crossbow in the 1600's, two noted examples are Martin Löffelholz's armbrust in the Codex Löffelholz and Da Vinci's Balestra Veloce in the Codex Atlanticus (the balestra veloce). While [[Awesome|impressive]], lever-action crossbows were never mainstream or famous due to the transition to gunpowder weapons in the 1500's during the Renaissance. First appearance: 1500's. Mechanical advantage: up to 25 to 1. Maximum draw weight: 220 - 300 lbs.
*'''Windlass''': Alternatively called the "Winch." Like the Cranequin, this was a winding device, but it also came with a bulky pulley system that was mounted to the back of the crossbow. As a result, this was a tremendously powerful pulling system at the expense of needing a lot of time to arm. Along with the Cranequin, this was one of the strongest crossbow loading methods. Contrary to popular culture, it was more often used on large, heavy crossbows for stationary battles like trench warfare or sieges like modern anti-tank guns. On the other hand, usage on open battlefields (behind pavise shields) for support artillery wasn't unheard of. First appearance: 1400’s. Mechanical advantage: ~160 to 1. Maximum draw weight: 1500 lbs+ (limited by time and bow strength).
*'''Cranequin''': Also called the "Rack and Pinion," this device used gears and a crank to wind up the bowstring, requiring multiple turns to pull it all the way back. Device slid onto lugs mounted on the stock and was removed before firing. Along with the Windlass, this was one of the strongest crossbow loading methods. Contrary to popular culture, it was more often used on large, heavy crossbows for stationary battles like trench warfare or sieges like modern anti-tank guns. On the other hand, usage on mounted crossbowmen with lighter crossbows and by footmen on open battlefields (behind pavise shields) for artillery support wasn't unheard of. First appearance: 1500's. Mechanical advantage: ~600 or 840 to 1. Maximum draw weight: 2000 lbs+.

==Types of Crossbows==
As a general note, crossbows are not ballistas, despite their visual similarity. Unlike Crossbows which store energy in a set of arms which are bent back, Ballistas instead store energy in twisted rope that has a wooden beam pushed into it which is then twisted back farther before firing to store energy. That said, some ballistas are discussed here until a proper "[[Siege Weapon|siege]]" article is consolidated.

*'''Gastraphetes''': an early Greek crossbow, the Gastraphetes, or "belly bow", was cocked by resting the stomach on the bolt rest of the stock (which contained a sliding plank attached to the drawstring) and pushing down so that more energy can be stored then an archer could provide. The Gastraphetes worked slightly different from the classic crossbow, in that its arrow slot was two-piece, with the sliding inner plank attached to the drawstring. Thus, rather than drawing back the crossbow, you readied it by slamming it into the ground until the trigger catches onto a latch. While impressive, it was restricted to hip fire, was fired with a button-like trigger, and was more of a man portable siege weapon. A larger winch-spanned, tripod-mounted version, the Oxybeles, was in use as a stationary artillery weapon before being replaced by the ballista.

* '''Polybolos''': roughly meaning “multi-bolt thrower” in Greek and also known as a "repeating ballista," the Polybolos more often resembles a big crossbow than a ballista since the arms are fixed to the "stock" and don't twist around to fire it; though some versions do use arms wedged into tense bundles of twisted ropes like regular ballista. The repeating ballista was fired by turning a wheel connected to a chain drive forward to cock it, then turning it the other way to load it again from a hopper on top of the stock and fire it. Turning the wheel at the back of the crossbow counterclockwise pushed a sliding plank called the mensa (like that from the Gastrophetes/Oxyboles) forward. Once driven forward sufficiently, the latch claws at the back of the plank are pushed up by a lug under the plan and hold the drawstring in place. Then, turning the wheel clockwise drew the drawstring back as the plank slides backwards. At the same time, the motion of the plank drives a screw threaded pole (in contact with the plan by a block with a sliding nut) to rotate and load a bolt (via a built-in notch on the rod) onto the body of the plank from the hopper on top. Pulling the wheel back to the very end will bump the latch on another lug that triggers the latch into releasing the drawstring and firing the bolt.

* '''Chinese "Nu" crossbow''': the Chinese version of the crossbow is noticeably different from the European crossbow: which had a power stroke (drawing span) of about 7 inches, used a rolling nut latch held in place by a sear pushed by a long horizontal lever-like trigger mounted in the middle of the stock, and used prods (bow pieces) made from simple wood, composite, and later with metal. In contrast, the Chinese crossbow had a power stroke of about 21 inches, used a complicated two-piece vertical trigger at the very back of the stock (held together by tension and two pins at the very end of the stock) inside a pistol grip mount, and used wood or composite prods (often salvaged from recurve bows and constructed for conscripts to use en mass instead of drilling archery skills into them). Thus, due to the longer power stroke via the trigger being placed further back and assuming that all other factors are equal, the bolts fired by the Chinese bows (usually with draw weights of 380 lbs) were launched with comparable performance to an average European windlass crossbow (with a draw weight of 1,500 lbs). However, the Chinese crossbows themselves were rather large, cumbersome, and had to be reloaded with just stirrup rings, belt hooks, and/or gloves.

* '''Chu-Ko-Nu''': literally meaning “Zhuge’s Crossbow," classical legend associated it a Chinese noble named Zhuge Liang (2nd Century AD). Alternatively known as the "Lian Nu" (repeating crossbow), it's also known as the "Chinese repeating crossbow" and is one of the more common types of specialty crossbows seen in fiction. In reality, it was invented during the Warring States Period (4th Century BC) in the State of Chu. The term "repeating crossbow" brings to mind some bastard combination of Assault rifle and crossbow, which it kinda is and is not. Without doubt, this thing could fire quickly; trained soldiers could loose ten bolts in fifteen seconds before having to reload. Mechanically, it consisted of a stock that the user secured on their hip with the bowstring sliding through a slit on each side of the sliding magazine/bolt rest. By pushing and then pulling the lever that secures the magazine to the stock, the user catches bowstring on a notch at the back end of the slits while loading the bolt by gravity onto the bolt rest. Once the lever is fully compressed down, a sliding lug nut at the base of the magazine pushes the string up off the notches and propels the bolt out. However, because of the mechanism's design, the pumping action that pulled the string back also fired the bolt at the same time while the magazine is built on top of the bow. Due to that, you could not pull the string back and then aim. Chu-ko-nu's were limited to hip fire; giving you almost ork levels of accuracy in exchange for an appreciable volume of fire. In layman's terms, it's the same as being restricted to hip-firing a pump action shotgun with the trigger permanently welded in the fire position. Additionally because you were pulling the string back one handed, the bolts had a lot less penetration power than those of a regular crossbow. However, the bolts (which fell down onto the stock from a hopper mounted on top) were often poisoned to make up for that (as seen with the [[Drow]], who make use of the weapon extensively). While no matter how strong the poison on your bolt is, you're not gonna kill a man instantly with a scratch. However, on the battlefield causing enough pain to make a person go into shock is as good as killing them outright, and poison delivers the last one in spades. The downside was you had next to no luck piercing good quality armor or thick leather that an enemy is wearing while you're using it.

* '''Balestra Veloce/Löffelholz Armbrust crossbows''': First mentioned in Leonardo Da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus (1478 to 1519) and Martin Löffelholz's Codex Löffelholz (1505), both versions of the said lever-action design (which differ mainly by the arrangement of the trigger, latch, and sear mechanism) used a stock consisting of two wood and metal pieces on top of each other and hinged at the head of the crossbow. By unlocking a catch on the stock, the user can then swing forward the bottom half of the stock to extend a a latch housed in a sliding plank (like that on the gastraphetes) to catch the drawstring. Once the drawstring is caught, the stock is then closed; locking the stock back together and bringing the latch (which is held firm by a spring-loaded sear) back into contact with the trigger on the lower half of the stock. User then loaded the bolt and pulled the trigger to compress the sear; letting the rolling nut release the crossbow string. Whether the German or Italian version came first is unclear; though the rapid fire crossbow pages in the Codex Atlanticus are dated back to 1485. Either codex's blueprints can be found online via an online archive created by "The Visual Agency" media company or a pdf scan hosted by Krakow's Jagiellonian Library respectively. While firing and reloading more rapidly than the mainstream "goats foot lever" crossbows, it was not widely used due to possibly three reasons.
** First, the amount of expert craftsmanship to make it and the extensive training to use it was cost prohibitive for a relatively complicated and delicately structured weapon. This meant that it was likely more of a special luxury weapon that only wealthy people could afford rather than a mass produced weapon for conscripts (the same reason why breech loading rifles existed since the 16th Century for noble hunters but didn't replace muzzle-loading smoothbore muskets in mass use for militaries until the 1840's).
** Second, while quicker than spanning a crossbow with a goat's foot or gaffe lever, the draw weight is reduced to a mere average of 220 lbs. Being half of the maximum draw weight of gaffe and goat's foot lever crossbows, this meant weaker penetration and shorter ranges. This was likely to make the lever-action crossbow more easily rearmed without being too strong to either break the trigger lock or cock with your hands.
** Third, the introduction of gunpowder weapons alongside the volley fire from massed Pike and Shot square formations occurred during the Renaissance. Since these crossbows were developed right when gunpowder took over, this meant these lever-action crossbows already went obsolete the same way that heavy plate-armored cavalry and longbow archers did. Hence, this is why these crossbow types (as well as other related specimens preserved at Vienna's Kunsthistorisches and New York City’s Metropolitan museums) were usually hunting or city militia pieces rather than military arsenal pieces.

* '''Latch/Latchet Crossbow''': A light lever-action crossbow popular with Scottish border raiders called Reivers in the 1600's to 1700's, it worked via swinging an internal metal lever forward from the top to push a sliding latch forward to secure the drawstring after unlocking the catch. The user then pushed the lever back into the body to arm the bow before loading and shooting. Popular to the Scottish in the region for home defense and raiding as they were small, easy to use, easy to make, very quiet compared to the more finicky wheel-lock pistol, and took only 10 seconds to rearm and load. Their downside was their short range and being restricted to hip firing due to the trigger being a button on the top (a trade off to enable horsemen to fire one-handed from the saddle though you could tuck it into your armpit and adjust to aiming over your thumb).

* '''Bed Crossbow''': A Chinese peculiarity, where multiple crossbows mounted on a static frame were combined to create an increased draw strength. A precursor to the compound crossbow.

*'''Bullet Crossbows''': Also referred to as pelletbows, stonebows, and ballesters, these were essentially the same as regular crossbows or similar to a slingshot in crossbow form, except they fired stone or lead shot instead of bolts. Usually used for recreational shooting and small game hunting.

*'''Crossbow pistol''': Small crossbows designed to be fired from one hand, with modernized versions commonly featuring a more modern pistol grip and trigger. While these did exist in the past, they were nowhere near as lethal as battlefield crossbows as the draw weights were far smaller.

*'''Arbalast''': As European armor improved with the development of steel plate crossbows with wooden bow sections were just not cutting the mustard anymore, as such they began making that part out of steel. This meant that the bow could store more energy and launch a projectile farther and faster, significantly improving armor penetration but it also increased the amount of energy required to draw it, often requiring various leavers and cranking mechanisms to reset it.

*'''Slurbow:''' A crossbow with a cover over its barrel and a small gap used to draw its string back. Arguably influenced by the pistol, the slurbow was mostly used for firing unfeathered quarrels or darts.

*'''Sauterelle''': The last apparition of a crossbow-like weapon in a modern battlefield for frontline work. In WWI, soldiers had a problem: all the artillery that existed was big and unable to drop explosives accurately into a trench, especially at close range. And on the other hand, thrown hand grenades had the precision but too limited range. As an interim solution the French invented the ''Sauterelle'' (grasshopper in French): basically a big crossbow built to lob grenades at around 150 yards distance. Worked decently enough but later in the war they were replaced by small, two-man team infantry mortars that were just as easy to move around and use but had three or four time the range and a better rate of fire.

*'''Compound Crossbow''': the modern version of the crossbow, which is basically a modern compound bow on a rifle stock. Many of these also come equipped with telescopic sights modified with cross-hairs that compensate for the effects of gravity, wind, elevation, and other factors that might affect a bolt's accuracy. They are primarily used for hunting, sport and (unusually) home defense in Britain since everything else has been banned. Also finds military (specifically special forces, not frontline grunts), espionage and law enforcement utility by being used to fire ziplines or grappling hooks, explosive, incendiary, poisoned or gas releasing projectiles, or simply well made darts for a silent kill. Most use conventional spanning mechanisms but some more recent exotic ones combine various technological concepts from past and present (such as the ones build by hobbyists like Lacas Crossbows or cottage industries like GoGun's Cobra Adder; with those being a bizarre chimera between the Chu-Ko-Nu's hopper magazine (the latter's being detachable), the Balestra Veloce's lever action system, along with modern optics, grips, and compound, composite bow-pieces).

{{MedievalWeaponry}}

Traitor Legion Loyalists

2020-03-06T22:10:20Z

2607:FB90:6FA8:6FFE:5C96:CA38:4FB2:B59F: /* Known Loyalist Members of the Traitor Legions */

{{Wh40k-stub}}
{{Spoilers}}
[[File:TOTALLY LOYAL AND NOT AT ALL HERETICAL.jpeg|500px|thumb|right|COMPLETELY 100% LOYAL.]]
{{topquote|Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.|Exodus 23:2}}

'''Traitor Legion Loyalists''' are the rare few Space Marines who, despite hailing from the Traitor Legions, stayed loyal to the Emperor and the Imperium, proving that despite what some characters in 40k think, having [[geneseed]] from a suspect source is no sure indicator of bad character. They are a very rare group of individuals given the initial purges of loyalists elements from the traitor legions at [[Battle of Isstvan III]] or by internal purges such as those enacted by “The Brotherhood” in the Word Bearers. While most of the information below has just been hints for now, this is a matter that has been popping up every now and then since a few years ago.

As it happens, many of these Traitor Legion Loyalists during the [[Horus Heresy]] who did not end up in annals of history became [[Blackshield|Blackshields]], the precursor to the 40k equivalent of the same name where a marine with no emblems or markings can petition to join with the [[Deathwatch]] on a permanent basis, no questions asked. The term "Blackshield" by itself leaves it open as to whether the individual marine seeks to redeem himself OR his chapter if it went rogue or was destroyed. Although Blackshields are a rarity in 40k, there were enough in 30k for such a tradition to begin and survive to the present time in the Imperium.

Those groups with enough numbers, or perhaps ties to the right people, were able to pass themselves off as successors of other chapters after the [[Second Founding]]. [[Blood Ravens|Or their founders purged and changed their own records, so that over time, no one within the chapter knows who their true progenitor is ]](which can lead to some [[skub|fun times]] when an inquisitor comes across evidence that it occurred).

Generic armies of them can be fielded in 30K with the Orphans of Betrayal [[Warhammer_40,000/Tactics/Space_Marine_Legion_List_(30k)#Rites_of_War|Rite of War]]. As is fitting for a rogue, largely unsupported force, the rite doesn't provide many bonuses unless you're fighting Traitor versions of the same Legion you're fielding.

==Known Loyalist Members of the Traitor Legions==
'''Note:''' Characters whose names are listed in ''italics'' have received rules in some form in FW's Horus Heresy releases for the 30k era.

* [[Death Guard]]
** ''[[Nathaniel Garro]]'' (became the first of the [[Knights-Errant]], first to bring word to the Imperium about the Horus Heresy)
** Andus Hakur
** Meric Voyen (former head Apothecary of 7th Great company. defected with Nathaniel Garro. Renounced his vows as an astartes following 'The flight of the Eisenstein', slain after being possessed by the Lord of the Flies)
** Huron-Fal (Venerable Dreadnought, Killed on Isstvan III)
** Tollun Sendec (Slain by the lord of the flies on Luna)
** Ullis Temeter (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Helig Gallor (Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** Bajun Kyda (Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed at Proxima Majoris)
** ''Crysos Morturg'' (Became a Blackshield during the battle of Isstvan III, survived and was rescued by Calleb Decima. He ended up surviving the entire heresy and became Captain of the 108th Independent Company, he and his company were eventually sent out to monitor and patrol the Ghoul Stars. Notably, this was over fifty years after the Heresy ended, implying at least some surviving traitor legion loyalists were utilized by the Imperium to form "Independent Companies" instead of chapters)
** Erud Vahn (Became a Blackshield during the Horus Heresy)
** Juball (Died on Isstvan III)
** Solun Decius (Succumbed to Nurgle's Rot, becoming the Daemonic entity calling itself "The Lord of the Flies")
* [[Emperor's Children]]
** ''[[Saul Tarvitz]]'' (MIA)
** Callion Zaven (Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed on the 'Vengeful Spirit')
** Argentus Kiron (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** ''Ancient Rylanor'' (Contemptor Dreadnought, KIA post Heresy, nearly succeeded in killing Daemon Prince Fulgrim)
** Rakishio (KIA in Sol System by traitor White Scars who failed to infiltrate Terra)
** Solomon Demeter (Capitan of 2nd Company, KIA Isstvan III)
** Lord Commander Vespasian (slain by Fulgrim)
* [[Iron Warriors]]
** Warsmith [[Barabas Dantioch]] (Defied Horus' and Perturabos' orders to betray the Emperor. Lead his garrison in the defense of the stronghold *The Schadenhold* during the the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' [[Imperium Secundus]]. Activated the [[Pharos]] navigation/communication beacon under Guilliman's orders. Sacrificed himself in a glorious battle to save the forces of [[Imperium Secundus]]. Posthumously declared a '''HERO OF THE IMPERIUM'''.)
** Iron Palatine Zygmund Tarrasch (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Chaplain Zhnev (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Sergeant Ingoldt (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Legionary Baubrista (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Legionary Toledo (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Venerable Vastopol (Venerable Dreadnought of Dantioch's garrison. Died at the end of the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne)
** Warsmith Auric Saxton (Remained fiercely loyal to the Emperor and killed the Lord Commander of the traitorous Emperor's Children during the Battle of the Harrow Ravening).
** Warsmith Annovuldi (Remained fiercely loyal to the Emperor and allied with the Raven Guard and helped take the planet Carandiru from the traitor forces. Was later sent to Terra by Corvus Corax.)
** Warsmith Kyr Vhalen (77th Grand Battalion. Led 2,800 Loyalist Iron Warriors during the First Battle of Paramar. Later became a Blackshield.)
** Legionary Zhinnon (77th Grand Battalion, 5th Counter-Armour Wing, 30th Squad. Fought for the loyalists in the First Battle of Paramar. Later became a Blackshield.)
** Tubal Cayne (A member of the Crusader Host. Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed while infiltrating the '[[Vengeful Spirit]]' durin the Battle of Molech.)
** Consul-Praevian Nârik Dreygu' (Initially allied with the traitors, he eventually defected to the side of Cassian Dracos of the [[Salamanders (Chapter)|Salamanders]])
* [[Luna Wolves]]
** ''[[Garviel Loken]]'' (Survived the battle of Isstvan III, Recruited into the Knights-Errant, rules are for Luna Wolf version only)
** [[Tarik Torgaddon]] (Killed on Isstvan III by Horus Aximand)
** [[Iacton Qruze]] (Recruited into the Knights-Errant, later killed by Horus)
** Severian (Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** [[Nero Vipus]] (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Vaddon (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Unnamed Pre-Heresy Era Luna Wolf discovered in statis on a space hulk and revived by the Flesh Tearers in M38 (Went berserk after getting an update on what happened before “borrowing” a warp jump capable vessel. Apparently now on a mission to personally put a boot in the ass of every traitorous Son of Horus he can find).
* [[World Eaters]]
** [[Macer Varren]] (Recruited into the Knights-Errant, killed on Terra by the Lord of Flies during the Battle of White Mountain)
** ''Endryd Haar'' (Became a Blackshield during the Horus Heresy)
** Tagore (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Subha (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Asubha (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Skraal (Fought with Word Bearers to weaken their forces during the battle of Calth, slain on the Furious Abyss)
** Ehrlen (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Shabran Darr (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Karnaugar (Killed by his gene-father on Isstvan III with Angron staying at his side as he died out of respect for giving Angron a wound that nearly killed him)
** Juljak Nul "The Storm Walker" (killed on Isstvan III during a battle between the loyalist and traitor World Eaters, tho not before killing several of the traitors.)
* [[Thousand Sons]]
** Atharva (Executed by Dorn on Terra, though either he or his shade appeared to Magnus after his defeat against Russ)
** Revuel Arvida (Fused with a fragment of Magnus and took the name Ianius, later the first Supreme Grand Master of the [[Grey Knights]])
** Omari Anat (captured by the [[Flesh Tearers]], stayed their captive to test whether or not [[Nassir Amit]] would go insane and kill him despite ample evidence of his innocence, fate unknown)
** Mhotep (Fought with Word Bearers/Chaos to weaken their forces during the battle of Calth, slain on the Furious Abyss)
** Izzakar Orr (part of the original defense of Prosporo, he was slain by the Space Wolves in a warp maze. His soul later helped the Space Wolves in M42 find the maze and rescue 200 Space Wolves who had been trapped since the Burning of Prosporo. After reuniting and resurrecting his body, he learned that the attack on Prospero had been ordered by the traitorous Warmaster [[Horus Lupercal]] and not [[the Emperor of Mankind]]. He later closed the warp gate to the maze in order to prevent Magnus the Red from following the Space Wolves).
** Phosis T'Kar (part of the original defense of Prospero. Came to his senses and realized he had been warp corrupted during the battle. He then immediately stopped fighting, to allow Constantin Valdor to execute him, rather than continue falling to warp mutations/corruption).
* [[Night Lords]]
** Fel Zharost (Former Chief Librarian sent into exile, Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** Kasati Nuon (aided the Raven Guard in their guerilla war against the Traitor Legions)
** Vilnius Malik (Abandoned the Night Lords after becoming disgusted with what they had become. Joined up with the loyalist [[Alpha Legion]] warband The REDACTED.)
* [[Word Bearers]]
**Kaspian Hecht/Barthusa Narek (Initially drawn to the Knights-Errant. Went rogue and independent of all other factions. Helped Eldrad kill off the Kabal before returning to the Word Bearers secretly with plans to assassinate Lorgar with the Fulgurite leftover from the attempted assassination on Vulkan. Final fate unknown.)
**Volkhar Wreth (Member of the Crusader Host. Mortally wounded and forcibly bonded with a Daemon on Terra)
**[[The Anchorite]] (Disillusioned Astartes who surrendered on Calth and was spared by Guilliman. Entered contemplation while detained and re-embraced the Lectitio Divinitatus; which he had memorized in his youth. Interred in Contemptor Dreadnought after attempted suicide and secretly taught the contents of the book to a selected few in the Imperial Cult's Ecclesiarchy on Almace. Existence revealed during the Indomitus Crusade and somehow manifests powers of a Living Saint)
* [[Alpha Legion]]
** Legate Chaitin (KIA alongside his crew on the strike cruiser ''Sigma'' by Alpharius's manipulation of the ''Sisypheum'''s crew while the Primarch was disguised as [[Shadrak Meduson]])
** Occam the Untrue (Leader of the REDACTED warband. Considers his legion a [[Cypher|tool to test the Imperium]]. Currently interrogating a Deceiver shard bound in a Tesseract Labyrinth after a very costly battle in M42)

==List of suspected chapters==
*'''[[Grey Knights]]''' (Founders were initially drawn from the [[Knights-Errant]]) - outright stated, although only from their history. While several Astartes from traitor legions were among the founders of the Grey Knights, the Grey Knights believe their gene-seed is derived from the prime template of the Emperor, though whether that's true is a point of contention among the fanbase (despite it being repeatedly and clearly stated in any and all Grey Knight's fluff, its still unclear just HOW Big E made it).
*'''[[Exorcists]]''' (Successors of the [[Grey Knights]]...alternatively [[Word Bearers]]) - confirmed by extension from the Grey Knights. Alternatively, the link to the Grey Knights is only due to a small mention by an Inquisitor....and the Grey Knights are notoriously against ANYONE messing with their gene-seed. However, their chapter colors, scripture written on their armour, Specializing in getting possessed by daemon (just the Exorcists then banish the daemons from their bodies) are almost 1 to 1 with Heresy-era Word Bearers.
*'''[[Shadow Wolves]]''' ([[Luna Wolves]]) - All but confirmed. Despite not being Space Wolves successors (being listed as Imperial Fists), they use tons of Wolfish iconography. Author/creator of the chapter (ADB) confirms they were created to represent the concept of loyalist Luna Wolves as a tribute to his wife Katie (who is a fan of the Luna Wolves).
*'''[[Blood Ravens]]''' ([[Thousand Sons]]) - All but confirmed. Links to the Thousand Sons Corvidae Cult, high number and heavy usage of Librarians (especially to look into the future to scry enemy's plans like the Corvidae Cult), similar color scheme to Pre-Heresy Thousand Sons, similarly have an extreme thirst for knowledge. The only known copies of their lineage are currently sealed under the orders of the Ordo Malleus. Just prior to the Fall of Prospero, a psyker named Kallista Eris foresaw the future of the Thousand Sons Corvidae Cult, during which she all but states they will become the Blood Ravens: "The Ravens. I see them too. The lost sons and a Raven of Blood. They cry out for salvation and knowledge, but it is denied!”
*'''[[Brotherhood of a Thousand]]''' ([[Thousand Sons]]) - Speculated. Minor chapter with a tiny footnote implying heavy librarius and have a similar name. Use a "M" as their chapter symbol, similarly to the heraldry of the Great Crusade-era Thousand Sons.
*'''[[Minotaurs]]''':
**(Old Lore) ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar battle doctrine, known for being complete berzerkers in battle.
**(Revamped Lore) ([[Iron Warriors]]) - All but confirmed. They maintain a similar battle doctrine that favours close combat but is now also focused on pragmatic, siege, and attrition warfare tactics (their special rule is a near exact match for the Horus Heresy Iron Warrior's signature special rules). Their Ancient Greek theme also matches up with the Iron Warriors, and their geneseed is mentionned to have extremely high assimilation rates, just like the IVth legion of old. They even have records of action dating back to M32. Edwin Brown, a playtester for the Badab War books, has also stated that the Minotaurs use Iron Warrior geneseed. Of note: The lore alludes to the possibility of there having been another chapter called the "Minotaurs" more similar to the old lore descriptions, being part of the 21st Curse Founding of M36, and references to chimeric geneseed, adding to the the confusion to it all.
*'''[[Marines Malevolent]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated. Very similar behaviors to Iron Warriors, some similar iconography. Extremely pragmatic, consider one another disposable, complete disregard for causalities or collateral damage, an extreme disdain for weakness, a tendency to challenge other chapters, and they are pretty entitled little bastards. Like the Minotaurs, they take the wargear of defeated Astartes foes as trophies. They basically are the Minotaurs, if the Minotaurs DIDN'T have the backing of the High Lords. Their veteran's markings are also identical to the Iron Warrior's signature yellow/black hazard stripes.
*'''[[Silver Skulls]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated. Suspected to be from the gene-seed of the loyalist Iron Warriors, led by [[Barabas Dantioch]], who helped defend Ultramar. The Silver Skulls also have a penchant for siege warfare (including a rank called "Siege Captain"), and their chapter iconography/colors are near identical to pre-Heresy Iron Warriors. They are also highly defensives and secretive of their gene-seed. It's not that clear, though, as they also act a lot like the [[Word Bearers]]. The Silver Skulls worship the Emperor as a god (rare for Astartes but [[Red Scorpions|not]] [[Black Templars|unheard]] [[Fire Angels|of]]), and more tellingly they have absolute faith in the Emperor's Tarot and will religiously follow the word of prognosticators (making battle plans and combat decisions based entirely on these). The writers have said this is just due to the culture they are recruited from, and Silver Skulls not from their main recruitment world find these traditions strange and backwards as well, making the case less clear. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are also possibly an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.
*'''[[Necropolis Hawks]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated, officially listed as [[Raven Guard]] successors. Similar behaviors to the [[Iron Warriors]], particularly pragmatic, calculating, unrelenting, brutal, and a preference for close quarters combat. Unlike most supposed Raven Guard successors, they do not specialize in stealth, ambush, or guerrilla tactics (or really use them at all). Instead they specialize in urban warfare/city assault (as in siege warfare, once the walls are breached). tl;dr - They act nothing like their supposed progenitors, but a LOT like [[Iron Warriors]]. Not like Cawl hasn't made [[Sons of the Phoenix|other Primaris chapters]] from traitor legion gene stocks.
*'''[[Red Scorpions]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - Speculated. Have an obsessions with the "perfection" of their gene-seed, to the point of being outright hostile to any they see as "imperfect".
*'''[[Hawk Lords]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - Speculated, tho officially considered [[Ultramarines]]. Identical color scheme and [[Sirae Karagon|very similar iconography]] to pre-heresy Emperor's Children. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are likely an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.
*'''[[Death Eagles]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - All but confirmed (origin suspected due to records of a Loyalist Blackshield warband from the Emperor's Children's Death Eagles company during the Horus Heresy) while the Chapter's recorded actions stretch back as far as M32.
*'''[[Sons of the Phoenix]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - All but confirmed (It's practically confirmed that [[Belisarius Cawl|Papa Cawl]] got a hold of uncorrupted III Legion Gene-seed). Similar iconography. Their name also possibly references Fulgrim, who was known as the Palatine Phoenix. Known for liking to put on a show when in combat. Causing as much flash and boom as they can, like a rock star concert. The even have groupies.
*'''[[Carcharadons]]''' ([[Night Lords]]) - Speculated. possible chimeric geneseed. Most similar beliefs and battle doctrine to Night Lords. Often have a black and white morality. Focus on shock and fear tactics combined with stealth. Preferred tactic is to brutally and horrifically annihilate the target population (be they enemy or civilian), but leave a few survivors to go tell everyone else about what happened. Physical traits (black eyes, pale skin) similar to both Night Lords and Raven Guard. Dagger-like teeth similar to Kurze's own. Mental mutations and unstable sanity similar to Night Lords. Similarly to Night Lords, the Charcaradons recruit from criminal populations. Their newest lore hints at them being at least one part [[Raven Guard]] successors; specifically the [[Ashen Claws]]: a [[blackshield]] warband that was heavily involved in the fights across the [[Nostramo]] sector during the heresy, as the Carcharadons share the title for their leader: "Shade Lord" . However, the Ashen Claws warband still exists as of [[M41]]. Notably, said Ashen Claws have called the Charcaradons "mongrels" aka "mixed breeds", hinting at either Chimeric gene-seed, or possibly that the Carcharadons use both Raven Guard and Night Lords gene-seed lines in parallel.
*'''[[Raptors (Chapter)]]''' ([[Night Lords]]) - Speculated, only rumored to be [[Raven Guard]]. Gene-seed more similar to Night Lords. While they suffer the pale skin/black eyes seen in both Raven Guard and Night Lords, unlike the Raven Guard but just like the Night Lords, they have fully functional Betcher's Glands. Their homeworld is near the Eye of Terror, but despite being a well know and active chapter, their homeworld's name has been "lost", so noone knows what or where it is. The chapter once blockaded a system, with the entire system's population vanishing. Anyone who attempted to investigate, even members of the Inquisition, also disappeared without a trace. While the chapter shares it's name with Corvus Corax's attempt at making a [[Primaris Space Marines|Space Marine 2.0]], said attempt ended in complete [[fail|failure]] thanks to [[Alpha Legion]] [[Just As Planned|sabotage]], the mutated products of the program were all killed in battle.
*'''[[Storm Wardens]]''' ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar preferred battle doctrine and color scheme to pre-Heresy War Hounds (Armored assaults combined with close-combat infantry, blue armor with white pauldrons). Records of their origins have been deliberately lost or destroyed, and their homeworld sanctioned against contact with the rest of the Imperium.
*'''[[Executioners]] & Successors''' ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar battle doctrine. Highly similar chapter culture and behaviors. Iconography made of images minorly associated with the World Eaters (red, axes). Two of their three successor chapters' names invoke more Khornite associations (Crimson Axes and Skull Bearers). Known for having some of the most brutal close combat methods, even for Astartes. A liking for decorating their armour with the flayed skin of their victims. Lineage questioned by other Imperial Fists successors due to lacking traits associated with the sons of Dorn. Known to be reclusive, only closely associating with their own successor chapters. This [[Black Templars|isn't exactly unique]] among Imperial Fist successors however, and the HH black books and novels all but state that their unique culture is due to their origins in the VIIth legion's [[Breacher Siege Squad|specialist formations]].
*'''[[Fire Angels]]''' ([[Word Bearers]]) - Speculated. Highly similar behaviors and chapter colors. Strict follows of whatever rules they are given? Check, they follow the Codex to the letter. Highly Religious? Double check, they make the Black Templars seem like choir boys in their levels of religious zeal. Don't like Guilliman? Check. Their armour colors are even the same as the Word Bearers, just reversed (What the Word Bearers paint red, the Fire Angels paint silver. What the Word Bearers paint silver, the Fire Angels paint red). While they aren't the only highly religious Astartes chapter, nor are they the only Chapter to adhere so strictly to the Codex (especially among Ultramarines), nor the only "Ultramarines" successors to not like Guilliman (see the Mortifactors below). The combination of all of these traits, along with their Chapter colors) makes them essentially loyalist Word Bearers in all but name. Much like the Minotaurs, there are noted records of their possibly having been more than one Fire Angels chapter.
*'''[[Sons of Antaeus]]''' ([[Death Guard]]) - Speculated. Similar genetic traits included an unnatural hardy stock.
*'''[[Mortifactors]]''' ([[Death Guard]]) - Speculated. Similar color scheme and iconography to pre-heresy Death Guard, specialized in night fighting like the Dusk Raiders, similar grim attitude, and have a preference for using Power Scythes (the signature weapon of the Death Guard). This chapter is also obsessed with death, I mean really obsessed with it. Like the [[Fire Angels]], these guys really do not like their "official" Primarch. Being a [[Second Founding]] chapter, they could be a prime example of the ''Ultramarine Connection''.
*'''[[Iron Snakes]]''' ([[Alpha Legion]]) - Speculated, officially from [[Ultramarine]] stock. Use combat doctrines and show behaviors extremely similar to the [[Alpha Legion]]. Similar iconography (a single headed snake instead of a three headed hydra). The Iron Snakes also have unusually specific design similarities to said [[Alpha Legion]]. Such as their Chapter Master being [[Primarch|taller than usual for an Astartes]], [[Alpharius|conceals his face]], and has been known to [[Omegon|swap identities]]. They also separate their chapter into independent cells, just like Alpha Legion harrows. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are also likely an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.

==The Ultramarine's Second Founding Connection==
The [[Ultramarines]] are confirmed to have harboured loyalist members of traitor-legions after the Heresy, rebranding them as their own to obfuscate the newcomer's past (as for why they would do such a thing, [[Roboute Guilliman]] himself is characterized as someone who abhorred the waste of any human life (Astartes or otherwise). Guilliman also needed all the manpower he could get when he thought the rest of the Imperium was destroyed during the era of [[Imperium Secundus]], so giving even legionnaires from suspect sources a chance to prove themselves was a practical solution, for which in the end he was not disappointed. The penning of the Codex Astartes and the shattering of the Legions into individual Chapters would also have provided the perfect opportunity to separate the loyalist traitor-legion elements back into separate formations (both to work more as they were intended, and to make it easier to exterminate any of them that decided to betray the Imperium at a later time). Furthermore, it is confirmed that after '''[REDACTED]''' that led to the deaths of the Missing Primarchs happened, the Astartes of the II and XI Legions were mind-wiped by Malcador the Sigilite into thinking they had always been part of the Ultramarines and Imperial Fists, as to not waste useful Astartes assets. This act was backed up by Dorn and Guilliman voluntarily agreeing to have their memories of what really happened suppressed beyond even a Primarch's ability to recall. Dorn would later have this mental block partially lifted, making it likely Guilliman did the same.

Of the chapters listed above, the chapters that are suspected of this connections are:

*'''[[Silver Skulls]]''' - [[Iron Warriors]]
*'''[[Hawk Lords]]''' - [[Emperor's Children]]
*'''[[Mortifactors]]''' - [[Death Guard]]
*'''[[Iron Snakes]]''' - [[Alpha Legion]]

[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]][[Category:Space Marines]][[Category: Chaos]]

==Sources==

'''Forge World Horus Heresy Rulebooks'''
*''Betrayal''
*''Retribution''

'''Horus Heresy Novels'''
*''Flight of the Eisenstein''
*''Pharos''
*''Vengeful Spirit''
*''Corax''
** ''Weregeld''

'''Other'''
*How to Paint Space Marines, pg. 86
*Apocalypse by Josh Reynolds

Traitor Legion Loyalists

2020-03-06T22:09:09Z

2607:FB90:6FA8:6FFE:5C96:CA38:4FB2:B59F: /* Known Loyalist Members of the Traitor Legions */

{{Wh40k-stub}}
{{Spoilers}}
[[File:TOTALLY LOYAL AND NOT AT ALL HERETICAL.jpeg|500px|thumb|right|COMPLETELY 100% LOYAL.]]
{{topquote|Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.|Exodus 23:2}}

'''Traitor Legion Loyalists''' are the rare few Space Marines who, despite hailing from the Traitor Legions, stayed loyal to the Emperor and the Imperium, proving that despite what some characters in 40k think, having [[geneseed]] from a suspect source is no sure indicator of bad character. They are a very rare group of individuals given the initial purges of loyalists elements from the traitor legions at [[Battle of Isstvan III]] or by internal purges such as those enacted by “The Brotherhood” in the Word Bearers. While most of the information below has just been hints for now, this is a matter that has been popping up every now and then since a few years ago.

As it happens, many of these Traitor Legion Loyalists during the [[Horus Heresy]] who did not end up in annals of history became [[Blackshield|Blackshields]], the precursor to the 40k equivalent of the same name where a marine with no emblems or markings can petition to join with the [[Deathwatch]] on a permanent basis, no questions asked. The term "Blackshield" by itself leaves it open as to whether the individual marine seeks to redeem himself OR his chapter if it went rogue or was destroyed. Although Blackshields are a rarity in 40k, there were enough in 30k for such a tradition to begin and survive to the present time in the Imperium.

Those groups with enough numbers, or perhaps ties to the right people, were able to pass themselves off as successors of other chapters after the [[Second Founding]]. [[Blood Ravens|Or their founders purged and changed their own records, so that over time, no one within the chapter knows who their true progenitor is ]](which can lead to some [[skub|fun times]] when an inquisitor comes across evidence that it occurred).

Generic armies of them can be fielded in 30K with the Orphans of Betrayal [[Warhammer_40,000/Tactics/Space_Marine_Legion_List_(30k)#Rites_of_War|Rite of War]]. As is fitting for a rogue, largely unsupported force, the rite doesn't provide many bonuses unless you're fighting Traitor versions of the same Legion you're fielding.

==Known Loyalist Members of the Traitor Legions==
'''Note:''' Characters whose names are listed in ''italics'' have received rules in some form in FW's Horus Heresy releases for the 30k era.

* [[Death Guard]]
** ''[[Nathaniel Garro]]'' (became the first of the [[Knights-Errant]], first to bring word to the Imperium about the Horus Heresy)
** Andus Hakur
** Meric Voyen (former head Apothecary of 7th Great company. defected with Nathaniel Garro. Renounced his vows as an astartes following 'The flight of the Eisenstein', slain after being possessed by the Lord of the Flies)
** Huron-Fal (Venerable Dreadnought, Killed on Isstvan III)
** Tollun Sendec (Slain by the lord of the flies on Luna)
** Ullis Temeter (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Helig Gallor (Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** Bajun Kyda (Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed at Proxima Majoris)
** ''Crysos Morturg'' (Became a Blackshield during the battle of Isstvan III, survived and was rescued by Calleb Decima. He ended up surviving the entire heresy and became Captain of the 108th Independent Company, he and his company were eventually sent out to monitor and patrol the Ghoul Stars. Notably, this was over fifty years after the Heresy ended, implying at least some surviving traitor legion loyalists were utilized by the Imperium to form "Independent Companies" instead of chapters)
** Erud Vahn (Became a Blackshield during the Horus Heresy)
** Juball (Died on Isstvan III)
** Solun Decius (Succumbed to Nurgle's Rot, becoming the Daemonic entity calling itself "The Lord of the Flies")
* [[Emperor's Children]]
** ''[[Saul Tarvitz]]'' (MIA)
** Callion Zaven (Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed on the 'Vengeful Spirit')
** Argentus Kiron (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** ''Ancient Rylanor'' (Contemptor Dreadnought, KIA post Heresy, nearly succeeded in killing Daemon Prince Fulgrim)
** Rakishio (KIA in Sol System by traitor White Scars who failed to infiltrate Terra)
** Solomon Demeter (Capitan of 2nd Company, KIA Isstvan III)
** Lord Commander Vespasian (slain by Fulgrim)
* [[Iron Warriors]]
** Warsmith [[Barabas Dantioch]] (Defied Horus' and Perturabos' orders to betray the Emperor. Lead his garrison in the defense of the stronghold *The Schadenhold* during the the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' [[Imperium Secundus]]. Activated the [[Pharos]] navigation/communication beacon under Guilliman's orders. Sacrificed himself in a glorious battle to save the forces of [[Imperium Secundus]]. Posthumously declared a '''HERO OF THE IMPERIUM'''.)
** Iron Palatine Zygmund Tarrasch (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Chaplain Zhnev (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Sergeant Ingoldt (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Legionary Baubrista (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Legionary Toledo (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Venerable Vastopol (Venerable Dreadnought of Dantioch's garrison. Died at the end of the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne)
** Warsmith Auric Saxton (Remained fiercely loyal to the Emperor and killed the Lord Commander of the traitorous Emperor's Children during the Battle of the Harrow Ravening).
** Warsmith Annovuldi (Remained fiercely loyal to the Emperor and allied with the Raven Guard and helped take the planet Carandiru from the traitor forces. Was later sent to Terra by Corvus Corax.)
** Warsmith Kyr Vhalen (77th Grand Battalion. Led 2,800 Loyalist Iron Warriors during the First Battle of Paramar. Later became a Blackshield.)
** Legionary Zhinnon (77th Grand Battalion, 5th Counter-Armour Wing, 30th Squad. Fought for the loyalists in the First Battle of Paramar. Later became a Blackshield.)
** Tubal Cayne (A member of the Crusader Host. Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed while infiltrating the '[[Vengeful Spirit]]' durin the Battle of Molech.)
** Consul-Praevian Nârik Dreygu' (Initially allied with the traitors, he eventually defected to the side of Cassian Dracos of the [[Salamanders (Chapter)|Salamanders]])
* [[Luna Wolves]]
** ''[[Garviel Loken]]'' (Survived the battle of Isstvan III, Recruited into the Knights-Errant, rules are for Luna Wolf version only)
** [[Tarik Torgaddon]] (Killed on Isstvan III by Horus Aximand)
** [[Iacton Qruze]] (Recruited into the Knights-Errant, later killed by Horus)
** Severian (Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** [[Nero Vipus]] (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Vaddon (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Unnamed Pre-Heresy Era Luna Wolf discovered in statis on a space hulk and revived by the Flesh Tearers in M38 (Went berserk after getting an update on what happened before “borrowing” a warp jump capable vessel. Apparently now on a mission to personally put a boot in the ass of every traitorous Son of Horus he can find).
* [[World Eaters]]
** [[Macer Varren]] (Recruited into the Knights-Errant, killed on Terra by the Lord of Flies during the Battle of White Mountain)
** ''Endryd Haar'' (Became a Blackshield during the Horus Heresy)
** Tagore (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Subha (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Asubha (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Skraal (Fought with Word Bearers to weaken their forces during the battle of Calth, slain on the Furious Abyss)
** Ehrlen (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Shabran Darr (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Karnaugar (Killed by his gene-father on Isstvan III with Angron staying at his side out of respect for wounding him as he died)
** Juljak Nul "The Storm Walker" (killed on Isstvan III during a battle between the loyalist and traitor World Eaters, tho not before killing several of the traitors.)
* [[Thousand Sons]]
** Atharva (Executed by Dorn on Terra, though either he or his shade appeared to Magnus after his defeat against Russ)
** Revuel Arvida (Fused with a fragment of Magnus and took the name Ianius, later the first Supreme Grand Master of the [[Grey Knights]])
** Omari Anat (captured by the [[Flesh Tearers]], stayed their captive to test whether or not [[Nassir Amit]] would go insane and kill him despite ample evidence of his innocence, fate unknown)
** Mhotep (Fought with Word Bearers/Chaos to weaken their forces during the battle of Calth, slain on the Furious Abyss)
** Izzakar Orr (part of the original defense of Prosporo, he was slain by the Space Wolves in a warp maze. His soul later helped the Space Wolves in M42 find the maze and rescue 200 Space Wolves who had been trapped since the Burning of Prosporo. After reuniting and resurrecting his body, he learned that the attack on Prospero had been ordered by the traitorous Warmaster [[Horus Lupercal]] and not [[the Emperor of Mankind]]. He later closed the warp gate to the maze in order to prevent Magnus the Red from following the Space Wolves).
** Phosis T'Kar (part of the original defense of Prospero. Came to his senses and realized he had been warp corrupted during the battle. He then immediately stopped fighting, to allow Constantin Valdor to execute him, rather than continue falling to warp mutations/corruption).
* [[Night Lords]]
** Fel Zharost (Former Chief Librarian sent into exile, Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** Kasati Nuon (aided the Raven Guard in their guerilla war against the Traitor Legions)
** Vilnius Malik (Abandoned the Night Lords after becoming disgusted with what they had become. Joined up with the loyalist [[Alpha Legion]] warband The REDACTED.)
* [[Word Bearers]]
**Kaspian Hecht/Barthusa Narek (Initially drawn to the Knights-Errant. Went rogue and independent of all other factions. Helped Eldrad kill off the Kabal before returning to the Word Bearers secretly with plans to assassinate Lorgar with the Fulgurite leftover from the attempted assassination on Vulkan. Final fate unknown.)
**Volkhar Wreth (Member of the Crusader Host. Mortally wounded and forcibly bonded with a Daemon on Terra)
**[[The Anchorite]] (Disillusioned Astartes who surrendered on Calth and was spared by Guilliman. Entered contemplation while detained and re-embraced the Lectitio Divinitatus; which he had memorized in his youth. Interred in Contemptor Dreadnought after attempted suicide and secretly taught the contents of the book to a selected few in the Imperial Cult's Ecclesiarchy on Almace. Existence revealed during the Indomitus Crusade and somehow manifests powers of a Living Saint)
* [[Alpha Legion]]
** Legate Chaitin (KIA alongside his crew on the strike cruiser ''Sigma'' by Alpharius's manipulation of the ''Sisypheum'''s crew while the Primarch was disguised as [[Shadrak Meduson]])
** Occam the Untrue (Leader of the REDACTED warband. Considers his legion a [[Cypher|tool to test the Imperium]]. Currently interrogating a Deceiver shard bound in a Tesseract Labyrinth after a very costly battle in M42)

==List of suspected chapters==
*'''[[Grey Knights]]''' (Founders were initially drawn from the [[Knights-Errant]]) - outright stated, although only from their history. While several Astartes from traitor legions were among the founders of the Grey Knights, the Grey Knights believe their gene-seed is derived from the prime template of the Emperor, though whether that's true is a point of contention among the fanbase (despite it being repeatedly and clearly stated in any and all Grey Knight's fluff, its still unclear just HOW Big E made it).
*'''[[Exorcists]]''' (Successors of the [[Grey Knights]]...alternatively [[Word Bearers]]) - confirmed by extension from the Grey Knights. Alternatively, the link to the Grey Knights is only due to a small mention by an Inquisitor....and the Grey Knights are notoriously against ANYONE messing with their gene-seed. However, their chapter colors, scripture written on their armour, Specializing in getting possessed by daemon (just the Exorcists then banish the daemons from their bodies) are almost 1 to 1 with Heresy-era Word Bearers.
*'''[[Shadow Wolves]]''' ([[Luna Wolves]]) - All but confirmed. Despite not being Space Wolves successors (being listed as Imperial Fists), they use tons of Wolfish iconography. Author/creator of the chapter (ADB) confirms they were created to represent the concept of loyalist Luna Wolves as a tribute to his wife Katie (who is a fan of the Luna Wolves).
*'''[[Blood Ravens]]''' ([[Thousand Sons]]) - All but confirmed. Links to the Thousand Sons Corvidae Cult, high number and heavy usage of Librarians (especially to look into the future to scry enemy's plans like the Corvidae Cult), similar color scheme to Pre-Heresy Thousand Sons, similarly have an extreme thirst for knowledge. The only known copies of their lineage are currently sealed under the orders of the Ordo Malleus. Just prior to the Fall of Prospero, a psyker named Kallista Eris foresaw the future of the Thousand Sons Corvidae Cult, during which she all but states they will become the Blood Ravens: "The Ravens. I see them too. The lost sons and a Raven of Blood. They cry out for salvation and knowledge, but it is denied!”
*'''[[Brotherhood of a Thousand]]''' ([[Thousand Sons]]) - Speculated. Minor chapter with a tiny footnote implying heavy librarius and have a similar name. Use a "M" as their chapter symbol, similarly to the heraldry of the Great Crusade-era Thousand Sons.
*'''[[Minotaurs]]''':
**(Old Lore) ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar battle doctrine, known for being complete berzerkers in battle.
**(Revamped Lore) ([[Iron Warriors]]) - All but confirmed. They maintain a similar battle doctrine that favours close combat but is now also focused on pragmatic, siege, and attrition warfare tactics (their special rule is a near exact match for the Horus Heresy Iron Warrior's signature special rules). Their Ancient Greek theme also matches up with the Iron Warriors, and their geneseed is mentionned to have extremely high assimilation rates, just like the IVth legion of old. They even have records of action dating back to M32. Edwin Brown, a playtester for the Badab War books, has also stated that the Minotaurs use Iron Warrior geneseed. Of note: The lore alludes to the possibility of there having been another chapter called the "Minotaurs" more similar to the old lore descriptions, being part of the 21st Curse Founding of M36, and references to chimeric geneseed, adding to the the confusion to it all.
*'''[[Marines Malevolent]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated. Very similar behaviors to Iron Warriors, some similar iconography. Extremely pragmatic, consider one another disposable, complete disregard for causalities or collateral damage, an extreme disdain for weakness, a tendency to challenge other chapters, and they are pretty entitled little bastards. Like the Minotaurs, they take the wargear of defeated Astartes foes as trophies. They basically are the Minotaurs, if the Minotaurs DIDN'T have the backing of the High Lords. Their veteran's markings are also identical to the Iron Warrior's signature yellow/black hazard stripes.
*'''[[Silver Skulls]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated. Suspected to be from the gene-seed of the loyalist Iron Warriors, led by [[Barabas Dantioch]], who helped defend Ultramar. The Silver Skulls also have a penchant for siege warfare (including a rank called "Siege Captain"), and their chapter iconography/colors are near identical to pre-Heresy Iron Warriors. They are also highly defensives and secretive of their gene-seed. It's not that clear, though, as they also act a lot like the [[Word Bearers]]. The Silver Skulls worship the Emperor as a god (rare for Astartes but [[Red Scorpions|not]] [[Black Templars|unheard]] [[Fire Angels|of]]), and more tellingly they have absolute faith in the Emperor's Tarot and will religiously follow the word of prognosticators (making battle plans and combat decisions based entirely on these). The writers have said this is just due to the culture they are recruited from, and Silver Skulls not from their main recruitment world find these traditions strange and backwards as well, making the case less clear. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are also possibly an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.
*'''[[Necropolis Hawks]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated, officially listed as [[Raven Guard]] successors. Similar behaviors to the [[Iron Warriors]], particularly pragmatic, calculating, unrelenting, brutal, and a preference for close quarters combat. Unlike most supposed Raven Guard successors, they do not specialize in stealth, ambush, or guerrilla tactics (or really use them at all). Instead they specialize in urban warfare/city assault (as in siege warfare, once the walls are breached). tl;dr - They act nothing like their supposed progenitors, but a LOT like [[Iron Warriors]]. Not like Cawl hasn't made [[Sons of the Phoenix|other Primaris chapters]] from traitor legion gene stocks.
*'''[[Red Scorpions]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - Speculated. Have an obsessions with the "perfection" of their gene-seed, to the point of being outright hostile to any they see as "imperfect".
*'''[[Hawk Lords]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - Speculated, tho officially considered [[Ultramarines]]. Identical color scheme and [[Sirae Karagon|very similar iconography]] to pre-heresy Emperor's Children. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are likely an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.
*'''[[Death Eagles]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - All but confirmed (origin suspected due to records of a Loyalist Blackshield warband from the Emperor's Children's Death Eagles company during the Horus Heresy) while the Chapter's recorded actions stretch back as far as M32.
*'''[[Sons of the Phoenix]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - All but confirmed (It's practically confirmed that [[Belisarius Cawl|Papa Cawl]] got a hold of uncorrupted III Legion Gene-seed). Similar iconography. Their name also possibly references Fulgrim, who was known as the Palatine Phoenix. Known for liking to put on a show when in combat. Causing as much flash and boom as they can, like a rock star concert. The even have groupies.
*'''[[Carcharadons]]''' ([[Night Lords]]) - Speculated. possible chimeric geneseed. Most similar beliefs and battle doctrine to Night Lords. Often have a black and white morality. Focus on shock and fear tactics combined with stealth. Preferred tactic is to brutally and horrifically annihilate the target population (be they enemy or civilian), but leave a few survivors to go tell everyone else about what happened. Physical traits (black eyes, pale skin) similar to both Night Lords and Raven Guard. Dagger-like teeth similar to Kurze's own. Mental mutations and unstable sanity similar to Night Lords. Similarly to Night Lords, the Charcaradons recruit from criminal populations. Their newest lore hints at them being at least one part [[Raven Guard]] successors; specifically the [[Ashen Claws]]: a [[blackshield]] warband that was heavily involved in the fights across the [[Nostramo]] sector during the heresy, as the Carcharadons share the title for their leader: "Shade Lord" . However, the Ashen Claws warband still exists as of [[M41]]. Notably, said Ashen Claws have called the Charcaradons "mongrels" aka "mixed breeds", hinting at either Chimeric gene-seed, or possibly that the Carcharadons use both Raven Guard and Night Lords gene-seed lines in parallel.
*'''[[Raptors (Chapter)]]''' ([[Night Lords]]) - Speculated, only rumored to be [[Raven Guard]]. Gene-seed more similar to Night Lords. While they suffer the pale skin/black eyes seen in both Raven Guard and Night Lords, unlike the Raven Guard but just like the Night Lords, they have fully functional Betcher's Glands. Their homeworld is near the Eye of Terror, but despite being a well know and active chapter, their homeworld's name has been "lost", so noone knows what or where it is. The chapter once blockaded a system, with the entire system's population vanishing. Anyone who attempted to investigate, even members of the Inquisition, also disappeared without a trace. While the chapter shares it's name with Corvus Corax's attempt at making a [[Primaris Space Marines|Space Marine 2.0]], said attempt ended in complete [[fail|failure]] thanks to [[Alpha Legion]] [[Just As Planned|sabotage]], the mutated products of the program were all killed in battle.
*'''[[Storm Wardens]]''' ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar preferred battle doctrine and color scheme to pre-Heresy War Hounds (Armored assaults combined with close-combat infantry, blue armor with white pauldrons). Records of their origins have been deliberately lost or destroyed, and their homeworld sanctioned against contact with the rest of the Imperium.
*'''[[Executioners]] & Successors''' ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar battle doctrine. Highly similar chapter culture and behaviors. Iconography made of images minorly associated with the World Eaters (red, axes). Two of their three successor chapters' names invoke more Khornite associations (Crimson Axes and Skull Bearers). Known for having some of the most brutal close combat methods, even for Astartes. A liking for decorating their armour with the flayed skin of their victims. Lineage questioned by other Imperial Fists successors due to lacking traits associated with the sons of Dorn. Known to be reclusive, only closely associating with their own successor chapters. This [[Black Templars|isn't exactly unique]] among Imperial Fist successors however, and the HH black books and novels all but state that their unique culture is due to their origins in the VIIth legion's [[Breacher Siege Squad|specialist formations]].
*'''[[Fire Angels]]''' ([[Word Bearers]]) - Speculated. Highly similar behaviors and chapter colors. Strict follows of whatever rules they are given? Check, they follow the Codex to the letter. Highly Religious? Double check, they make the Black Templars seem like choir boys in their levels of religious zeal. Don't like Guilliman? Check. Their armour colors are even the same as the Word Bearers, just reversed (What the Word Bearers paint red, the Fire Angels paint silver. What the Word Bearers paint silver, the Fire Angels paint red). While they aren't the only highly religious Astartes chapter, nor are they the only Chapter to adhere so strictly to the Codex (especially among Ultramarines), nor the only "Ultramarines" successors to not like Guilliman (see the Mortifactors below). The combination of all of these traits, along with their Chapter colors) makes them essentially loyalist Word Bearers in all but name. Much like the Minotaurs, there are noted records of their possibly having been more than one Fire Angels chapter.
*'''[[Sons of Antaeus]]''' ([[Death Guard]]) - Speculated. Similar genetic traits included an unnatural hardy stock.
*'''[[Mortifactors]]''' ([[Death Guard]]) - Speculated. Similar color scheme and iconography to pre-heresy Death Guard, specialized in night fighting like the Dusk Raiders, similar grim attitude, and have a preference for using Power Scythes (the signature weapon of the Death Guard). This chapter is also obsessed with death, I mean really obsessed with it. Like the [[Fire Angels]], these guys really do not like their "official" Primarch. Being a [[Second Founding]] chapter, they could be a prime example of the ''Ultramarine Connection''.
*'''[[Iron Snakes]]''' ([[Alpha Legion]]) - Speculated, officially from [[Ultramarine]] stock. Use combat doctrines and show behaviors extremely similar to the [[Alpha Legion]]. Similar iconography (a single headed snake instead of a three headed hydra). The Iron Snakes also have unusually specific design similarities to said [[Alpha Legion]]. Such as their Chapter Master being [[Primarch|taller than usual for an Astartes]], [[Alpharius|conceals his face]], and has been known to [[Omegon|swap identities]]. They also separate their chapter into independent cells, just like Alpha Legion harrows. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are also likely an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.

==The Ultramarine's Second Founding Connection==
The [[Ultramarines]] are confirmed to have harboured loyalist members of traitor-legions after the Heresy, rebranding them as their own to obfuscate the newcomer's past (as for why they would do such a thing, [[Roboute Guilliman]] himself is characterized as someone who abhorred the waste of any human life (Astartes or otherwise). Guilliman also needed all the manpower he could get when he thought the rest of the Imperium was destroyed during the era of [[Imperium Secundus]], so giving even legionnaires from suspect sources a chance to prove themselves was a practical solution, for which in the end he was not disappointed. The penning of the Codex Astartes and the shattering of the Legions into individual Chapters would also have provided the perfect opportunity to separate the loyalist traitor-legion elements back into separate formations (both to work more as they were intended, and to make it easier to exterminate any of them that decided to betray the Imperium at a later time). Furthermore, it is confirmed that after '''[REDACTED]''' that led to the deaths of the Missing Primarchs happened, the Astartes of the II and XI Legions were mind-wiped by Malcador the Sigilite into thinking they had always been part of the Ultramarines and Imperial Fists, as to not waste useful Astartes assets. This act was backed up by Dorn and Guilliman voluntarily agreeing to have their memories of what really happened suppressed beyond even a Primarch's ability to recall. Dorn would later have this mental block partially lifted, making it likely Guilliman did the same.

Of the chapters listed above, the chapters that are suspected of this connections are:

*'''[[Silver Skulls]]''' - [[Iron Warriors]]
*'''[[Hawk Lords]]''' - [[Emperor's Children]]
*'''[[Mortifactors]]''' - [[Death Guard]]
*'''[[Iron Snakes]]''' - [[Alpha Legion]]

[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]][[Category:Space Marines]][[Category: Chaos]]

==Sources==

'''Forge World Horus Heresy Rulebooks'''
*''Betrayal''
*''Retribution''

'''Horus Heresy Novels'''
*''Flight of the Eisenstein''
*''Pharos''
*''Vengeful Spirit''
*''Corax''
** ''Weregeld''

'''Other'''
*How to Paint Space Marines, pg. 86
*Apocalypse by Josh Reynolds

Traitor Legion Loyalists

2020-03-06T22:08:02Z

2607:FB90:6FA8:6FFE:5C96:CA38:4FB2:B59F:

{{Wh40k-stub}}
{{Spoilers}}
[[File:TOTALLY LOYAL AND NOT AT ALL HERETICAL.jpeg|500px|thumb|right|COMPLETELY 100% LOYAL.]]
{{topquote|Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.|Exodus 23:2}}

'''Traitor Legion Loyalists''' are the rare few Space Marines who, despite hailing from the Traitor Legions, stayed loyal to the Emperor and the Imperium, proving that despite what some characters in 40k think, having [[geneseed]] from a suspect source is no sure indicator of bad character. They are a very rare group of individuals given the initial purges of loyalists elements from the traitor legions at [[Battle of Isstvan III]] or by internal purges such as those enacted by “The Brotherhood” in the Word Bearers. While most of the information below has just been hints for now, this is a matter that has been popping up every now and then since a few years ago.

As it happens, many of these Traitor Legion Loyalists during the [[Horus Heresy]] who did not end up in annals of history became [[Blackshield|Blackshields]], the precursor to the 40k equivalent of the same name where a marine with no emblems or markings can petition to join with the [[Deathwatch]] on a permanent basis, no questions asked. The term "Blackshield" by itself leaves it open as to whether the individual marine seeks to redeem himself OR his chapter if it went rogue or was destroyed. Although Blackshields are a rarity in 40k, there were enough in 30k for such a tradition to begin and survive to the present time in the Imperium.

Those groups with enough numbers, or perhaps ties to the right people, were able to pass themselves off as successors of other chapters after the [[Second Founding]]. [[Blood Ravens|Or their founders purged and changed their own records, so that over time, no one within the chapter knows who their true progenitor is ]](which can lead to some [[skub|fun times]] when an inquisitor comes across evidence that it occurred).

Generic armies of them can be fielded in 30K with the Orphans of Betrayal [[Warhammer_40,000/Tactics/Space_Marine_Legion_List_(30k)#Rites_of_War|Rite of War]]. As is fitting for a rogue, largely unsupported force, the rite doesn't provide many bonuses unless you're fighting Traitor versions of the same Legion you're fielding.

==Known Loyalist Members of the Traitor Legions==
'''Note:''' Characters whose names are listed in ''italics'' have received rules in some form in FW's Horus Heresy releases for the 30k era.

* [[Death Guard]]
** ''[[Nathaniel Garro]]'' (became the first of the [[Knights-Errant]], first to bring word to the Imperium about the Horus Heresy)
** Andus Hakur
** Meric Voyen (former head Apothecary of 7th Great company. defected with Nathaniel Garro. Renounced his vows as an astartes following 'The flight of the Eisenstein', slain after being possessed by the Lord of the Flies)
** Huron-Fal (Venerable Dreadnought, Killed on Isstvan III)
** Tollun Sendec (Slain by the lord of the flies on Luna)
** Ullis Temeter (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Helig Gallor (Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** Bajun Kyda (Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed at Proxima Majoris)
** ''Crysos Morturg'' (Became a Blackshield during the battle of Isstvan III, survived and was rescued by Calleb Decima. He ended up surviving the entire heresy and became Captain of the 108th Independent Company, he and his company were eventually sent out to monitor and patrol the Ghoul Stars. Notably, this was over fifty years after the Heresy ended, implying at least some surviving traitor legion loyalists were utilized by the Imperium to form "Independent Companies" instead of chapters)
** Erud Vahn (Became a Blackshield during the Horus Heresy)
** Juball (Died on Isstvan III)
** Solun Decius (Succumbed to Nurgle's Rot, becoming the Daemonic entity calling itself "The Lord of the Flies")
* [[Emperor's Children]]
** ''[[Saul Tarvitz]]'' (MIA)
** Callion Zaven (Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed on the 'Vengeful Spirit')
** Argentus Kiron (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain by the Thunder Warrior Ghota)
** ''Ancient Rylanor'' (Contemptor Dreadnought, KIA post Heresy, nearly succeeded in killing Daemon Prince Fulgrim)
** Rakishio (KIA in Sol System by traitor White Scars who failed to infiltrate Terra)
** Solomon Demeter (Capitan of 2nd Company, KIA Isstvan III)
** Lord Commander Vespasian (slain by Fulgrim)
* [[Iron Warriors]]
** Warsmith [[Barabas Dantioch]] (Defied Horus' and Perturabos' orders to betray the Emperor. Lead his garrison in the defense of the stronghold *The Schadenhold* during the the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' [[Imperium Secundus]]. Activated the [[Pharos]] navigation/communication beacon under Guilliman's orders. Sacrificed himself in a glorious battle to save the forces of [[Imperium Secundus]]. Posthumously declared a '''HERO OF THE IMPERIUM'''.)
** Iron Palatine Zygmund Tarrasch (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Chaplain Zhnev (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Sergeant Ingoldt (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Legionary Baubrista (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Legionary Toledo (Dantioch's garrison. Survived the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne. Recruited by the Ultramarines to '''FORTIFY''' Imperium Secundas.)
** Venerable Vastopol (Venerable Dreadnought of Dantioch's garrison. Died at the end of the Great Siege of Lesser Damantyne)
** Warsmith Auric Saxton (Remained fiercely loyal to the Emperor and killed the Lord Commander of the traitorous Emperor's Children during the Battle of the Harrow Ravening).
** Warsmith Annovuldi (Remained fiercely loyal to the Emperor and allied with the Raven Guard and helped take the planet Carandiru from the traitor forces. Was later sent to Terra by Corvus Corax.)
** Warsmith Kyr Vhalen (77th Grand Battalion. Led 2,800 Loyalist Iron Warriors during the First Battle of Paramar. Later became a Blackshield.)
** Legionary Zhinnon (77th Grand Battalion, 5th Counter-Armour Wing, 30th Squad. Fought for the loyalists in the First Battle of Paramar. Later became a Blackshield.)
** Tubal Cayne (A member of the Crusader Host. Recruited into the Knights-Errant. Killed while infiltrating the '[[Vengeful Spirit]]' durin the Battle of Molech.)
** Consul-Praevian Nârik Dreygu' (Initially allied with the traitors, he eventually defected to the side of Cassian Dracos of the [[Salamanders (Chapter)|Salamanders]])
* [[Luna Wolves]]
** ''[[Garviel Loken]]'' (Survived the battle of Isstvan III, Recruited into the Knights-Errant, rules are for Luna Wolf version only)
** [[Tarik Torgaddon]] (Killed on Isstvan III by Horus Aximand)
** [[Iacton Qruze]] (Recruited into the Knights-Errant, later killed by Horus)
** Severian (Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** [[Nero Vipus]] (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Vaddon (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Unnamed Pre-Heresy Era Luna Wolf discovered in statis on a space hulk and revived by the Flesh Tearers in M38 (Went berserk after getting an update on what happened before “borrowing” a warp jump capable vessel. Apparently now on a mission to personally put a boot in the ass of every traitorous Son of Horus he can find).
* [[World Eaters]]
** [[Macer Varren]] (Recruited into the Knights-Errant, killed on Terra by the Lord of Flies during the Battle of White Mountain)
** ''Endryd Haar'' (Became a Blackshield during the Horus Heresy)
** Tagore (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Subha (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Asubha (Member of the Outcast Dead, slain on Terra)
** Skraal (Fought with Word Bearers to weaken their forces during the battle of Calth, slain on the Furious Abyss)
** Ehrlen (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Shabran Darr (Killed on Isstvan III)
** Karnaugar (Killed by his gene-father on Isstvan III with Angron staying at his side out of respect for wounding him as he died)
** Juljak Nul "The Storm Walker" (killed on Isstvan III during a battle between the loyalist and traitor World Eaters, tho not before killing several of the traitors.)
* [[Thousand Sons]]
** Atharva (Executed by Dorn on Terra, though either he or his shade appeared to Magnus after his defeat against Russ)
** Revuel Arvida (Fused with a fragment of Magnus and took the name Ianius, later the first Supreme Grand Master of the [[Grey Knights]])
** Omari Anat (captured by the [[Flesh Tearers]], stayed their captive to test whether or not [[Nassir Amit]] would go insane and kill him despite ample evidence of his innocence, fate unknown)
** Mhotep (Fought with Word Bearers/Chaos to weaken their forces during the battle of Calth, slain on the Furious Abyss)
** Izzakar Orr (part of the original defense of Prosporo, he was slain by the Space Wolves in a warp maze. His soul later helped the Space Wolves in M42 find the maze and rescue 200 Space Wolves who had been trapped since the Burning of Prosporo. After reuniting and resurrecting his body, he learned that the attack on Prospero had been ordered by the traitorous Warmaster [[Horus Lupercal]] and not [[the Emperor of Mankind]]. He later closed the warp gate to the maze in order to prevent Magnus the Red from following the Space Wolves).
** Phosis T'Kar (part of the original defense of Prospero. Came to his senses and realized he had been warp corrupted during the battle. He then immediately stopped fighting, to allow Constantin Valdor to execute him, rather than continue falling to warp mutations/corruption).
* [[Night Lords]]
** Fel Zharost (Former Chief Librarian sent into exile, Recruited into the Knights-Errant)
** Kasati Nuon (aided the Raven Guard in their guerilla war against the Traitor Legions)
** Vilnius Malik (Abandoned the Night Lords after becoming disgusted with what they had become. Joined up with the loyalist [[Alpha Legion]] warband The REDACTED.)
* [[Word Bearers]]
**Kaspian Hecht/Barthusa Narek (Initially drawn to the Knights-Errant. Went rogue and independent of all other factions. Helped Eldrad kill off the Kabal before returning to the Word Bearers secretly with plans to assassinate Lorgar with the Fulgurite leftover from the attempted assassination on Vulkan. Final fate unknown.)
**Volkhar Wreth (Member of the Crusader Host. Mortally wounded and forcibly bonded with a Daemon on Terra)
**[[The Anchorite]] (Disillusioned Astartes who surrendered on Calth and was spared by Guilliman. Entered contemplation while detained and re-embraced the Lectitio Divinitatus; which he had memorized in his youth. Interred in Contemptor Dreadnought after attempted suicide and secretly taught the contents of the book to a selected few in the Imperial Cult's Ecclesiarchy on Almace. Existence revealed during the Indomitus Crusade and somehow manifests powers of a Living Saint)
* [[Alpha Legion]]
** Legate Chaitin (KIA alongside his crew on the strike cruiser ''Sigma'' by Alpharius's manipulation of the ''Sisypheum'''s crew while the Primarch was disguised as [[Shadrak Meduson]])
** Occam the Untrue (Leader of the REDACTED warband. Considers his legion a [[Cypher|tool to test the Imperium]]. Currently interrogating a Deceiver shard bound in a Tesseract Labyrinth after a very costly battle in M42)

==List of suspected chapters==
*'''[[Grey Knights]]''' (Founders were initially drawn from the [[Knights-Errant]]) - outright stated, although only from their history. While several Astartes from traitor legions were among the founders of the Grey Knights, the Grey Knights believe their gene-seed is derived from the prime template of the Emperor, though whether that's true is a point of contention among the fanbase (despite it being repeatedly and clearly stated in any and all Grey Knight's fluff, its still unclear just HOW Big E made it).
*'''[[Exorcists]]''' (Successors of the [[Grey Knights]]...alternatively [[Word Bearers]]) - confirmed by extension from the Grey Knights. Alternatively, the link to the Grey Knights is only due to a small mention by an Inquisitor....and the Grey Knights are notoriously against ANYONE messing with their gene-seed. However, their chapter colors, scripture written on their armour, Specializing in getting possessed by daemon (just the Exorcists then banish the daemons from their bodies) are almost 1 to 1 with Heresy-era Word Bearers.
*'''[[Shadow Wolves]]''' ([[Luna Wolves]]) - All but confirmed. Despite not being Space Wolves successors (being listed as Imperial Fists), they use tons of Wolfish iconography. Author/creator of the chapter (ADB) confirms they were created to represent the concept of loyalist Luna Wolves as a tribute to his wife Katie (who is a fan of the Luna Wolves).
*'''[[Blood Ravens]]''' ([[Thousand Sons]]) - All but confirmed. Links to the Thousand Sons Corvidae Cult, high number and heavy usage of Librarians (especially to look into the future to scry enemy's plans like the Corvidae Cult), similar color scheme to Pre-Heresy Thousand Sons, similarly have an extreme thirst for knowledge. The only known copies of their lineage are currently sealed under the orders of the Ordo Malleus. Just prior to the Fall of Prospero, a psyker named Kallista Eris foresaw the future of the Thousand Sons Corvidae Cult, during which she all but states they will become the Blood Ravens: "The Ravens. I see them too. The lost sons and a Raven of Blood. They cry out for salvation and knowledge, but it is denied!”
*'''[[Brotherhood of a Thousand]]''' ([[Thousand Sons]]) - Speculated. Minor chapter with a tiny footnote implying heavy librarius and have a similar name. Use a "M" as their chapter symbol, similarly to the heraldry of the Great Crusade-era Thousand Sons.
*'''[[Minotaurs]]''':
**(Old Lore) ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar battle doctrine, known for being complete berzerkers in battle.
**(Revamped Lore) ([[Iron Warriors]]) - All but confirmed. They maintain a similar battle doctrine that favours close combat but is now also focused on pragmatic, siege, and attrition warfare tactics (their special rule is a near exact match for the Horus Heresy Iron Warrior's signature special rules). Their Ancient Greek theme also matches up with the Iron Warriors, and their geneseed is mentionned to have extremely high assimilation rates, just like the IVth legion of old. They even have records of action dating back to M32. Edwin Brown, a playtester for the Badab War books, has also stated that the Minotaurs use Iron Warrior geneseed. Of note: The lore alludes to the possibility of there having been another chapter called the "Minotaurs" more similar to the old lore descriptions, being part of the 21st Curse Founding of M36, and references to chimeric geneseed, adding to the the confusion to it all.
*'''[[Marines Malevolent]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated. Very similar behaviors to Iron Warriors, some similar iconography. Extremely pragmatic, consider one another disposable, complete disregard for causalities or collateral damage, an extreme disdain for weakness, a tendency to challenge other chapters, and they are pretty entitled little bastards. Like the Minotaurs, they take the wargear of defeated Astartes foes as trophies. They basically are the Minotaurs, if the Minotaurs DIDN'T have the backing of the High Lords. Their veteran's markings are also identical to the Iron Warrior's signature yellow/black hazard stripes.
*'''[[Silver Skulls]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated. Suspected to be from the gene-seed of the loyalist Iron Warriors, led by [[Barabas Dantioch]], who helped defend Ultramar. The Silver Skulls also have a penchant for siege warfare (including a rank called "Siege Captain"), and their chapter iconography/colors are near identical to pre-Heresy Iron Warriors. They are also highly defensives and secretive of their gene-seed. It's not that clear, though, as they also act a lot like the [[Word Bearers]]. The Silver Skulls worship the Emperor as a god (rare for Astartes but [[Red Scorpions|not]] [[Black Templars|unheard]] [[Fire Angels|of]]), and more tellingly they have absolute faith in the Emperor's Tarot and will religiously follow the word of prognosticators (making battle plans and combat decisions based entirely on these). The writers have said this is just due to the culture they are recruited from, and Silver Skulls not from their main recruitment world find these traditions strange and backwards as well, making the case less clear. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are also possibly an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.
*'''[[Necropolis Hawks]]''' ([[Iron Warriors]]) - Speculated, officially listed as [[Raven Guard]] successors. Similar behaviors to the [[Iron Warriors]], particularly pragmatic, calculating, unrelenting, brutal, and a preference for close quarters combat. Unlike most supposed Raven Guard successors, they do not specialize in stealth, ambush, or guerrilla tactics (or really use them at all). Instead they specialize in urban warfare/city assault (as in siege warfare, once the walls are breached). tl;dr - They act nothing like their supposed progenitors, but a LOT like [[Iron Warriors]]. Not like Cawl hasn't made [[Sons of the Phoenix|other Primaris chapters]] from traitor legion gene stocks.
*'''[[Red Scorpions]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - Speculated. Have an obsessions with the "perfection" of their gene-seed, to the point of being outright hostile to any they see as "imperfect".
*'''[[Hawk Lords]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - Speculated, tho officially considered [[Ultramarines]]. Identical color scheme and [[Sirae Karagon|very similar iconography]] to pre-heresy Emperor's Children. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are likely an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.
*'''[[Death Eagles]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - All but confirmed (origin suspected due to records of a Loyalist Blackshield warband from the Emperor's Children's Death Eagles company during the Horus Heresy) while the Chapter's recorded actions stretch back as far as M32.
*'''[[Sons of the Phoenix]]''' ([[Emperor's Children]]) - All but confirmed (It's practically confirmed that [[Belisarius Cawl|Papa Cawl]] got a hold of uncorrupted III Legion Gene-seed). Similar iconography. Their name also possibly references Fulgrim, who was known as the Palatine Phoenix. Known for liking to put on a show when in combat. Causing as much flash and boom as they can, like a rock star concert. The even have groupies.
*'''[[Carcharadons]]''' ([[Night Lords]]) - Speculated. possible chimeric geneseed. Most similar beliefs and battle doctrine to Night Lords. Often have a black and white morality. Focus on shock and fear tactics combined with stealth. Preferred tactic is to brutally and horrifically annihilate the target population (be they enemy or civilian), but leave a few survivors to go tell everyone else about what happened. Physical traits (black eyes, pale skin) similar to both Night Lords and Raven Guard. Dagger-like teeth similar to Kurze's own. Mental mutations and unstable sanity similar to Night Lords. Similarly to Night Lords, the Charcaradons recruit from criminal populations. Their newest lore hints at them being at least one part [[Raven Guard]] successors; specifically the [[Ashen Claws]]: a [[blackshield]] warband that was heavily involved in the fights across the [[Nostramo]] sector during the heresy, as the Carcharadons share the title for their leader: "Shade Lord" . However, the Ashen Claws warband still exists as of [[M41]]. Notably, said Ashen Claws have called the Charcaradons "mongrels" aka "mixed breeds", hinting at either Chimeric gene-seed, or possibly that the Carcharadons use both Raven Guard and Night Lords gene-seed lines in parallel.
*'''[[Raptors (Chapter)]]''' ([[Night Lords]]) - Speculated, only rumored to be [[Raven Guard]]. Gene-seed more similar to Night Lords. While they suffer the pale skin/black eyes seen in both Raven Guard and Night Lords, unlike the Raven Guard but just like the Night Lords, they have fully functional Betcher's Glands. Their homeworld is near the Eye of Terror, but despite being a well know and active chapter, their homeworld's name has been "lost", so noone knows what or where it is. The chapter once blockaded a system, with the entire system's population vanishing. Anyone who attempted to investigate, even members of the Inquisition, also disappeared without a trace. While the chapter shares it's name with Corvus Corax's attempt at making a [[Primaris Space Marines|Space Marine 2.0]], said attempt ended in complete [[fail|failure]] thanks to [[Alpha Legion]] [[Just As Planned|sabotage]], the mutated products of the program were all killed in battle.
*'''[[Storm Wardens]]''' ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar preferred battle doctrine and color scheme to pre-Heresy War Hounds (Armored assaults combined with close-combat infantry, blue armor with white pauldrons). Records of their origins have been deliberately lost or destroyed, and their homeworld sanctioned against contact with the rest of the Imperium.
*'''[[Executioners]] & Successors''' ([[World Eaters]]) - Speculated. Similar battle doctrine. Highly similar chapter culture and behaviors. Iconography made of images minorly associated with the World Eaters (red, axes). Two of their three successor chapters' names invoke more Khornite associations (Crimson Axes and Skull Bearers). Known for having some of the most brutal close combat methods, even for Astartes. A liking for decorating their armour with the flayed skin of their victims. Lineage questioned by other Imperial Fists successors due to lacking traits associated with the sons of Dorn. Known to be reclusive, only closely associating with their own successor chapters. This [[Black Templars|isn't exactly unique]] among Imperial Fist successors however, and the HH black books and novels all but state that their unique culture is due to their origins in the VIIth legion's [[Breacher Siege Squad|specialist formations]].
*'''[[Fire Angels]]''' ([[Word Bearers]]) - Speculated. Highly similar behaviors and chapter colors. Strict follows of whatever rules they are given? Check, they follow the Codex to the letter. Highly Religious? Double check, they make the Black Templars seem like choir boys in their levels of religious zeal. Don't like Guilliman? Check. Their armour colors are even the same as the Word Bearers, just reversed (What the Word Bearers paint red, the Fire Angels paint silver. What the Word Bearers paint silver, the Fire Angels paint red). While they aren't the only highly religious Astartes chapter, nor are they the only Chapter to adhere so strictly to the Codex (especially among Ultramarines), nor the only "Ultramarines" successors to not like Guilliman (see the Mortifactors below). The combination of all of these traits, along with their Chapter colors) makes them essentially loyalist Word Bearers in all but name. Much like the Minotaurs, there are noted records of their possibly having been more than one Fire Angels chapter.
*'''[[Sons of Antaeus]]''' ([[Death Guard]]) - Speculated. Similar genetic traits included an unnatural hardy stock.
*'''[[Mortifactors]]''' ([[Death Guard]]) - Speculated. Similar color scheme and iconography to pre-heresy Death Guard, specialized in night fighting like the Dusk Raiders, similar grim attitude, and have a preference for using Power Scythes (the signature weapon of the Death Guard). This chapter is also obsessed with death, I mean really obsessed with it. Like the [[Fire Angels]], these guys really do not like their "official" Primarch. Being a [[Second Founding]] chapter, they could be a prime example of the ''Ultramarine Connection''.
*'''[[Iron Snakes]]''' ([[Alpha Legion]]) - Speculated, officially from [[Ultramarine]] stock. Use combat doctrines and show behaviors extremely similar to the [[Alpha Legion]]. Similar iconography (a single headed snake instead of a three headed hydra). The Iron Snakes also have unusually specific design similarities to said [[Alpha Legion]]. Such as their Chapter Master being [[Primarch|taller than usual for an Astartes]], [[Alpharius|conceals his face]], and has been known to [[Omegon|swap identities]]. They also separate their chapter into independent cells, just like Alpha Legion harrows. Due to being [[Second Founding]], they are also likely an example of the ''Ultramarines Connection''.

==The Ultramarine's Second Founding Connection==
The [[Ultramarines]] are confirmed to have harboured loyalist members of traitor-legions after the Heresy, rebranding them as their own to obfuscate the newcomer's past (as for why they would do such a thing, [[Roboute Guilliman]] himself is characterized as someone who abhorred the waste of any human life (Astartes or otherwise). Guilliman also needed all the manpower he could get when he thought the rest of the Imperium was destroyed during the era of [[Imperium Secundus]], so giving even legionnaires from suspect sources a chance to prove themselves was a practical solution, for which in the end he was not disappointed. The penning of the Codex Astartes and the shattering of the Legions into individual Chapters would also have provided the perfect opportunity to separate the loyalist traitor-legion elements back into separate formations (both to work more as they were intended, and to make it easier to exterminate any of them that decided to betray the Imperium at a later time). Furthermore, it is confirmed that after '''[REDACTED]''' that led to the deaths of the Missing Primarchs happened, the Astartes of the II and XI Legions were mind-wiped by Malcador the Sigilite into thinking they had always been part of the Ultramarines and Imperial Fists, as to not waste useful Astartes assets. This act was backed up by Dorn and Guilliman voluntarily agreeing to have their memories of what really happened suppressed beyond even a Primarch's ability to recall. Dorn would later have this mental block partially lifted, making it likely Guilliman did the same.

Of the chapters listed above, the chapters that are suspected of this connections are:

*'''[[Silver Skulls]]''' - [[Iron Warriors]]
*'''[[Hawk Lords]]''' - [[Emperor's Children]]
*'''[[Mortifactors]]''' - [[Death Guard]]
*'''[[Iron Snakes]]''' - [[Alpha Legion]]

[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Imperial]][[Category:Space Marines]][[Category: Chaos]]

==Sources==

'''Forge World Horus Heresy Rulebooks'''
*''Betrayal''
*''Retribution''

'''Horus Heresy Novels'''
*''Flight of the Eisenstein''
*''Pharos''
*''Vengeful Spirit''
*''Corax''
** ''Weregeld''

'''Other'''
*How to Paint Space Marines, pg. 86
*Apocalypse by Josh Reynolds