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Chaplain

2018-08-27T07:58:59Z

2A02:587:3A12:6900:F821:22C3:A864:268A:

[[File:Doom Chaplain.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Welcome to the 1st Imperial Church of Awesome]]
{{Topquote|Happy indeed will you be if he finds you faithful in your stewardship. You are called shepherds; see that you do not act as hirelings. But be true shepherds, with your crooks always in your hands. Do not go to sleep, but guard on all sides the flock committed to you. For if through your carelessness or negligence a wolf carries away one of your sheep, you will surely lose the reward laid up for you with God.|Pope Urban II.}}

In the Warhammer 40K universe, a Chaplain is a basically a [[Space Marine]] version of the [[Ecclesiarchy|Ecclesiastical]] priest, but with guns and power armor. they are also the most badass type of space marine.

==Overview==
Chaplains were originally formed by [[Lorgar]] as part of the religious slant he brought to the [[Word Bearers]], charging them with spreading the cult of the Lectitio Divinatus, his early form of [[God-Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]]-worship. After assuming control of the Council of [[Terra]], [[Malcador the Sigillite]] instructed the Space Marine Legions to employ Chaplains to enforce the Decree of Nikaea, the Emperor's restrictions on [[Librarians]], as a sort of proto-[[Commissar]].
[[File:DreadnoughtChaplain01.jpg|300px|thumb|left|This Chaplain is a dreadnaught, [[Chaos Space Marines|your]] [[Heresy|argument]] is invalid]]
In the present, a Chaplain's role in a chapter is to root out [[heresy]], inspire other Marines by chanting a litany of verses, maintain the Chapter's relics and traditions, and basically make the Marines around him righteously angry. Unlike [[Commissar]]s of the Imperial Guard, he isn't keen on executing his own men for simple cowardice, mainly because Space Marines only retreat to gain a better tactical advantage and the fact that a Marine is more expensive to create than an expendable guardsman (plus the whole "And they shall know no fear"); but he does still torture/kill [[xenos]], mutants and heretics for tactical, religious, or recreational purposes. Chaplains are an HQ unit and use a Crozius Arcanum. It is their badge of office, a fuckhueg [[power weapon|energy-wreathed mace]] capable of going straight through armour and utterly shattering your head right off of your shoulders in a single swipe. All the while looking totally sweet in his black Power Armour and skull visage helmet while scaring the living shit out of the enemy (Well, in fluff. On the tabletop it's just a Power Mace in 8th ed.), higher ranked Chaplains may also be issued Terminator armour. Outside of the company Chaplains, you have the Master of Sanctity or High Chaplain oversees the [[Space Marine Chapter|Chapter]] Chaplaincy and is a senior advisor to the [[Chapter Master]], and the Reclusiarch, who oversees the Reclusiam, where the Chapter's sacred relics and trophies are displayed. Many Chapters combine the two posts, but not always.

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

The [[Chaos Space Marine]] equivalent is the [[Dark Apostle]], most associated with the [[Word Bearers]]. Older fluff stated that only Word Bearers could have them because no other Chaplains ever fell or will fall to Chaos... which later editions revealed to be a lie, since Chaplains in their present form only originally existed ''in'' the Word Bearers in the first place. (They did start to appear in other Legions after the Edict of Nikaea though. And that's not counting more recent Chapters going renegade.) The [[Death Guard]] also have a sort of variants in the form of the [[Tallymen]].

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

===Dark Angels Interrogator-Chaplain===

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

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

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

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

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

===Primaris Chaplains===
The [[Primaris Marines]]' [[Primaris Chaplain|version]] basically function pretty much the same, the only notable differences are their appearance and their Crozius Arcanum.

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==Notable Chaplains==
*'''Varnus''': An [[Ultramarines]] Chaplain whose defining deed (making him a potential mary sue (IT WAS [[AWESOME]] NONETHELESS)) is single-handedly [[AWESOME|pwning a fuck-mothering]] [[Bloodthirster|BLOODTHIRSTER]]. Needless to say, [[Khorne]] was very [[RAGE|salty]].
*'''[[Asmodai]]''': Interrogator-Chaplain of the [[Dark Angels]]. A major buzzkill, and batshit crazy, but more famous than his boss.
*'''Sapphon''': High-Interrogator of the Dark Angels, at odds with Asmodai over practically everything.
*'''[[Grimaldus]]''': Reclusiarch of the [[Black Templars]]. A seriously hardcore bastard who defended Helsreach.
*'''[[Xavier]]''': Famous [[Salamanders]] Chaplain, meaning he's a major bro.
*'''[[Ortan Cassius]]''': Master of Sanctity for the [[Ultramarines]]. Responsible for the formation of the Tyrannic War Veterans, to better help combat the menace that [[Tyranids|almost devoured all of Ultramar]].
*'''[[Ulrik the Slayer]]''': High Wolf Priest of the [[Space Wolves]]. A wild bastard who survived the First War of Armageddon and also has [[Leman Russ]]' own helmet. Angron himself saluted this dude's combat prowess.
*'''[[Kardan Stronos]]''': [[Iron Hands]] Iron Father. Was elected to act as Chapter Master by the clan council. Also has a massive boner for Razorbacks, and an equally large hate-boner for the [[Necrons]].
*'''[[Astorath]] the Grim''': [[Blood Angels]] Master of Sanctity and ''Redeemer of the Lost''. His job involves rounding up those in the [[Death Company]] and then lops their heads off, as they're pretty much lost causes by that point.
*'''[[Lemartes]]''': Blood Angels Chaplain who's badass enough to rein control over the [[Black Rage]]. Keeps an eye over the Death Company as ''Guardian of the Lost''. He is currently the second most 40K thing in 40K, being the patron saint of always being mind-shatteringly angry, closely beat out by the [[Eversor Assassin]].
*'''Mikelus''': [[Blood Ravens]] Reclusiarch who was said to have beaten the Necron Lord of Kronus...according to [[Davian Thule]]. Everyone else can attest to him dying like a bitch to the 'cron Lord's incredible amounts of [[cheese]]. But he was a nice honour guard member so it's okay.
*'''Durendin''': Chaplain of the [[Grey Knights]] who appears in the first story of Justicar Alaric. Known for wielding [[awesome|relic nemesis force lightning claws]] passed down from the early days of the chapter.
*'''[[Diomedes]]''': Former Honor Guard Captain turned Chaplain in light of his never waving faith and loyalty in the emperor when the [[Blood Ravens]] chapter master went full-heresy. His great oratory skills spur on his brothers in the battle for baldness. Believes that in a mad age, the [[Angry Marines|madmen]] should lead the way.
*'''[[Soul Drinkers|Daenyathos]]''': The [[Spiritual Liege]] of the [[Soul Drinkers]] chapter and a [[Heresy|traitor]] who used his influence and reputation to turn the Soul Drinkers away from the Emperor. His vision was to rule the galaxy through suffering and the enslavement of Chaos. He turned the Soul Drinker's entire Reclusiam into his personal agents of corruption.

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

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

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

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Chapdread.jpg|Now in [[Dreadnought]] flavour.
image:ChapDread.jpg
Image:BurningChaplain.jpg|I SERVE THE [[EMPRAH]]!!!!!
Image:Grimaldushelsreach.jpg|PRAISE THE EMPEROR AND PASS THE AMMUNITION!
File:EmprahsMetal.png|A Chaplain's role is not only to fight in combat, but to also duel in guitar solos.
File:Interrogator Chap.jpg
</gallery>

{{Marines-Forces}}
{{Blood Angels}}
{{Dark Angels}}
{{Grey Knights}}

Retribution of Scyrah

2018-08-27T02:44:55Z

2A02:587:3A12:6900:F821:22C3:A864:268A:

[[Image:ScyrahArmy.jpg|1000px|]]

The elf faction. These elves are the pure essence of [[grimdark]] played straight. Unlike most factions in [[WARMACHINE|Warma]][[Hordes]], the Retribution of Scyrah isn't a nation but an extremist organization that believes human magic is killing their gods. Only recently has it been given official backing from two of the elf great houses, making them more of a standard army than a crazed terrorist cell (well, the Iosians are still rather reluctant about associating themselves with these guys and it's definitely not the Iosan army that's marching with them).

==The history of the Elves in the Iron Kingdoms==
[[Image:Retribution.jpg|thumb|right|]]
Unlike most settings, elves are not the first race in Immoren. [[Menoth|Menoth's]] creation of humans inspired a group of other gods to try their hands at it. Unlike Menoth, who wanted [[Protectorate of Menoth|servants and warriors]], the elf gods wanted children and so took extra care in their making. As a result, the elves advanced much faster than humans, spreading all over western Immoren and creating the Empire of Lyoss. At their height, they built the Bridge of Worlds in their capital city Nyshyl. The intent was that the gods could use the Bridge to cross from Urcaen into Caen and live amongst their people. Like most attempts to communicate directly with gods through mortal ingenuity, it failed big time.

Once the gods crossed the bridge, it exploded, obliterating the capital city of Lyoss and the surrounding countryside. The gods and the surviving elves migrated west. Along the way, volunteers from the Dawnguard of Nyrro chose to guard the rear of the refugee column, sacrificing their lives almost to the last. The elves constructed eight cities dedicated to each of their gods, who would live in great temples at the center of each city. Apparently not learning their lesson the first time, the elves resolved that their new nation, Ios, would be just as grand and beautiful as Lyoss.

Over the centuries, elves started to age and die of natural causes. Political unity fell apart. Worst of all, the gods announced that they would leave Caen. They said that living outside the Veld had caused them to weaken and in turn that weakness spread to their people. They met one last time and then left Ios; their meeting hall has been perpetually sealed as a holy place. In the aftermath of the gods' departure, a prophet named Aeric claimed to have received a vision of the gods telling him to lead his people out into the wilderness. After their departure, Darsael was expunged from historical records, as if the people wanted to forget about the city and Nyssor's people. They would later become known as the Nyss.

Hundreds of years later, the clergy of Nyrro claimed that their god had returned. Many joined, but some were skeptical, especially because the clergy were refusing to give details of Nyrro's return and his messages. Eventually it was discovered that the clergy were not just lying, but engaging in horrific rituals that included living sacrifices. The Dawnguard, infuriated that the priests of their god had fallen so low, hauled them out and executed them. Since then, Eversael has been abandoned as a haunted city and the Dawnguard have abandoned their worship of Nyrro.

Then came the Rivening. All the priests of the elven gods went nuts at once. When the madness ended, all the surviving priests except Scyrah's had lost their magic. Elven scholars believe that the loss of Ayisla, the goddess of reincarnation, is why babies are being born without souls. They also observed the human resistance against the Orgoth and discovered that the humans could wield magic. This magic appeared to disturb the cosmological balance and was attributed as increasing the incidents of elven soullessness.

Over the centuries after the Rivening, elves would heed a call to Ayisla's abandoned realm to find spiritual fulfillment. Instead, they found a new god: Ethrunbal, AKA Everblight, a disembodied dragon who carefully corrupted their minds, bodies, and souls, refining his techniques to create the perfect blend of loyalty and lethality that he desired. When the elves finally realized the threat, they moved against him. Everblight brought his power to bear, obliterating the city of Issyrah before he was cast down and his athanc torn from his flesh to be imprisoned in a remote mountain where he would never affect the world again, [[Legion of Everblight|right]]?

But there was good news (hurray!): Scyrah came to Shyrr, walked into the Fane of Lacyr, and never came back out (hurray?). Her priests said very little about her until they announced that she was dying. Displeased by the lack of action of their politicians, two sects have formed: the Seekers and the Retribution of Scyrah. The Retribution's mandate is to end human magic and its practitioners to save Scyrah's life. It was swiftly outlawed, but not eradicated.

The Retribution has gained followers over the centuries, and one of their advance scouts, Eiryss, has brought news to Ios: Ghyrrshyld of House Vyre, long thought dead, is the eldritch Goreshade, he has Nyssor's sword, and the Khadoran government has Nyssor himself.

Ios and the Skorne are ancient enemies, going back to before the Rivining when the Skorne would raid their outlying settlements. When the Skorne invaded, they lost no time in renewing the ancient feud. Now under siege, the Retribution has diverted forces to aiding their homeland against foreign invaders.

==Forces of the Retribution==
===Warcasters===
*'''Adeptis Rahn Shyeel''' - One of the strongest elven spellcasters, he is a master of Jerkassery and Wizardry. He mostly joined the Retribution for personal gain and is only somewhat interested in saving his Goddess and his race. His hobbies include going bowling with jacks/beasts and flinging blasts everywhere. Both his theme lists are solid, but are not required to make him good. Bring Arc Nodes for maximum effect. With the right setup he can perform assassinations from a ridiculous distance.
* '''Dawnlord Vyros Nyarr''' - Like Rahn, he joined the Retribution for personal gain but is actually truly interested in saving his Goddess and his race. His feat, his spell list, and his Bird's Eye ability (he and his jacks can see through forests and intervening models) suggest that he likes jacks, but he does not have enough focus to run them all effectively. On his feat turn you can sometimes get some silly things happening, such as jacks that have Side Step or Beat Back being able to kill an entire unit. An enterprising player from Wales created a unique but very effective version of Vyros' first theme force which has double Daemons marshaled by a pair of Sentinel units, using the Sentinel Officer's Drive: Pronto to give the Daemons more mobility.
** '''Vyros, Incissar of the Dawnguard''' - "I'm on a horse." One of three warcasters (and one warlock) in the game with the spell Synergy, which with the right setup can make a light jack strong enough to take down a colossal. Because of Synergy, he generally brings a list comprised mostly of Griffon myrmidons. If you play competitively, expect to see him a lot, since he is one of the few decent answers to Legion beasts (and the Shadow Pack spell) that Retribution has.
* '''Kaelyssa, Night's Whisper''' - The battle box caster, she brings no offensive buffs but lots of anti magic and a strong defensive feat. High-ish focus, you tend to see quite a few jacks with her, including a few Arc Nodes to make use of her True Sight spell casting. Can steal focus/fury, but don't get yourself killed doing it. Her second theme force, "Force Wall," is pretty effective and lets you bring a large amount of House Shyeel myrmidons.
* '''Garryth, Blade of Retribution''' - His pistols have bayonets on the butts. He probably stabs himself with them a lot. With his high MAT and Weapon Master he's a pretty good melee assassin, but don't underestimate how much damage his paired pistols can do. Squishy as hell, though. He is sometimes referred to as The Most Interesting Elf in the World.
* '''Ravyn, Eternal Light''' - When paired with the Mage Hunter Strike Force (+ UA) listed below, she presents a scary assassination threat as she can buff both their accuracy and their range. This is known as "Snipe, Feat, Go," or SFG. In practice, SFG fails as often as not, but the ''threat'' of SFG is still very effective because the mere possibility of being attacked by a unit that ignores most defensive measures from outside your range to deal with it will control the pace of games. In addition to Mage Hunters, she usually brings other long range units such as Stormfall Archers. Even though she doesn't support melee troops, she herself is no slouch in melee and can buff herself with Vortex of Destruction or "gun kata" her way through a unit using a combination of melee attacks and point blank ranged attacks.
* '''Issyria, Sibyl of Dawn''' - A unique warcaster with no weapons or damaging spells at all. However, she is extremely effective at supporting her army. Her feat increases the accuracy and damage of both melee and ranged attacks. She can also increase charge distance, which lets her army get off a devastating alpha strike. Her Blinding Light spell is an excellent debuff so expect Arc Nodes with her, and also possibly a Hyperion for her to use Ancillary Attack on. She also runs an infantry swarm army rather well.
* '''Lord Arcanist Ossyan Vyre''' - After Ghyrrshyld (AKA Goreshade) fucked things up for House Vyre, Ossyan is trying to repair his House's tattered reputation. He was able to recover the frozen God Nyssor, but then Vyros took all the credit for it. If you need to tear down something tough from range, Ossyan is your man. He has some movement shenanigans through speed buffs/debuffs and out of activation movement, but the main reason for bringing him is his feat which buffs ranged damage rolls. Give him a Banshee or two for their knockdown guns, then bring some Stormfall Archers and go to town. Killing a colossal in a single turn from range is not unusual, especially if you bring the mercenary Lady Aiyana for her damage buff spell.
* '''Thyron, Sword of Truth''' - A swordmaster from House Ellowuyr, Thyron is very strong in melee with Reach, Weapon Master, and Riposte. He can also buff himself up with his Storm Rager spell, or cast Storm Rager on a powerful solo like Fane Knight Skeryth Issyen or a Mage Hunter Assassin. He has a number of useful buffs for both infantry and jacks, including Field Marshal: Cleave. He helps add variety to the faction by bringing a less ranged-heavy playstyle compared to some of the other warcasters.

===Light Myrmidons===
All current Retribution light jacks are made by House Shyeel and have forcefields (MK3 Edition)

* '''Chimera''' - A light arcnode that can teleport short distances and phase partially out of existence (giving it a Defense buff). It's primary purpose is as an Arc Node, but it also has two open fists which let it throw and slam effectively. It has enough damage for killing with ease infantry models, and can also combo strike to deal with tougher models. His mobility and his cheapness make him the best friend of any caster who want to use spells without exposing themselves. While he is annoying, he tend to survive quite well since he is not very dangerous by itself, and that most people will ignore it except if they can shut it down quickly.
* '''Gorgon''' - Currently the only non-character light jack with a gun that Retribution has. If the Gorgon is engaging an enemy, Force Lock keeps the from moving, which seems neat but don't expect it to survive long once it gets into place as people hate being unable to move. His gun is strong enough to kill solo and infantry, but his main purpose is a speed debuff ( -2) on his foe, which is EXTREMELY USEFUL in this game, because a jack with 2 SPD is even less dangerous than a dead jack.
* '''Griffon''' - Contender for best light combat jack in the game. It has pathfinder, it's naturally fast plus has a situational speed booster, it has a reach attack which gets an accuracy bonus when charging, and it has a shield, all for only eight points. They are frequently seen with Vyros2 (Incissar), where Synergy turns can make them it quite hard (pow 18 with a mechanik), Vyros 1, who make them murderous with his feat and mobility, as well with Thyron. They have one of the best power/resilience/speed/cheapness ratio in the game.
* '''Aspis''' - A Shield Guard jack who can absorb one shot per turn in the place of one model in 3 " near him. While he is low-armored, he can regenerate his forcefield shields automatically just like a Phoenix's, making it very resilient for his ridiculous cost. His two bowling ball fists give him beat back and some decent anti infantry potential as well.

'''Character 'Jacks'''
* '''Moros''' - Garryth's character jack. It has stealth, does decent damage with its blades, and good def. Its blades and short-ranged gun each cause Paralysis, which makes his foe unable to charge, run or execute power attacks as well as locking them at Def 5 - effectively auto-hits for everybody. With Garryth it gain acrobatic, making him able to pass through enemies and threaten a kill (or setup for Garryth's murder run) behind the front lines.

===Heavy Myrmidons===
Retribution heavy jacks are priced and statted with the understanding that you will take an Arcanist with them. Do not leave home without at least one Arcanist, and if you have more than one jack you should probably bring two Arcanists.

'''House Shyeel''' - These jacks have forcefields, which you can spend focus to regenerate (like regen in hordes, but worse). They are faster than Vyre jacks but have less armor.

* '''Hydra''' - Its main trick is gaining focus when it gets hit and then storing that focus between turns, which then boosts the power and range of its gun. It also has two open fists and a Chain Attack, so it can be useful in melee but its damage output is too low to take down other heavies.
* '''Manticore''' - It has a Rate of Fire 3 Hand Cannon, which can also create a Covering Fire template. It has two open fists and is also capable of giving itself a strength buff, which when combined with Combo Strike gives it the single hardest hit in the faction.
* '''Phoenix''' - Expensive, but so worth it. Has a penchant for fire, with Continuous or Crit Fire on all its attacks and is equally at home clearing infantry or taking on other heavies. Like its namesake, it can regenerate its forcefield without spending focus. Also has an Arc Node.

'''House Vyre''' - Slower than Shyeel jacks, but more armor. No forcefields, but they have extra hull boxes to make up for it. Their guns are not tied to any systems, which means they are still a threat until the model is dead.

* '''Banshee''' - As expensive as a Phoenix but just as worth it. Its gun lets you slam smaller models or knock down large ones, and it has a high powered melee weapon to boot. Banshees wail, so enemies can't hear orders or cast spells when close to it.
*'''Daemon''' - You're bringing it for its gun, which makes mini black holes. Suck in all models around the one it hits, then stick a template on top of them. Blessed fists give it some melee threat, but not as much as the other heavies.
* '''Sphinx''' - The cheapest heavy we have, its a melee jack at heart. It has two open fists (one of which has reach) which give it some flexibility, and like all Ret jacks it has a gun. Its gun adds 3" to the range of spells targeting the model it hits, so it's also a great option if you want to play Battle Mage pinball with your enemies.

'''Character 'Jacks'''

* '''Hypnos''' - Ossyan's jack. The main thing of note is his gun, which when you bring him with Ossyan can stop warjacks and warbeasts from spending focus or forcing, and even works on Colossals and Gargantuans. Even though his melee damage is only average, Hypnos' higher MAT and the ability to make warjacks stationary mean he's pretty strong in melee. Also has an Arc Node. He's definitely worth considering with Ossyan as a second jack after a Banshee.
* '''Discordia''' - Technically Rahn's jack, but she spends more time with everyone else. She has a long range magic spray and can make models around her immune to blast damage. Her higher MAT makes her a strong melee threat, on par with the Banshee and Phoenix.
* '''Imperatus''' - Vyros's jack. Essentially a souped up Phoenix, Impy trades the Arc Node and Combustion abilities for an extra sword and Side Step. He is a serious assassination threat with most of the Ret warcasters, and he can also revive himself when killed which makes him as durable as a Colossal.

===Colossals===
* '''Hyperion''' - Big stompy robot that was designed to take down dragons like Everblight. Compared to other Colossals, its bladed fists have decent power (which can be buffed by Arcanists), it has average armor, and it has above average defense and damage boxes. Its main gun is a short ranged but high powered blast with Crit Consume attached, which can let it wipe whole units off the board quickly.
* '''Helios''' - "PRAISE THE SUN!" The Retribution's second colossal brings completely different abilities to the table compared to the first. It has fire fists instead of bladed fists. Its main gun is a tractor beam which doesn't do any damage but can move enemies around and fires three times per round. It gets +2 DEF vs ranged attacks, and can spend focus to gain a number of special abilities including an additional +2 defense, the ability to push attackers away from it, and it can give focus to other nearby myrmidons (which is great for "jack heavy" lists like Vyros2 Griffon Spam or Kaelyssa's Force Wall theme force).

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===Units===
* '''Dawnguard''' -
** '''Invictors''' - Their swords have guns and they are efficient in melee too. With Assault, they can shoot, then charge and attack opponents, and so can annihilate infantry with ease and dent heavy infantry/cavalry. They can use Combined Ranged Attacks and with their UA, Invictors can reroll their Combined Ranged Attack, making them able to remove with ease even the hardest-to-hit model. They can use a once-per-game range increase too. Extremely effective against infantry and even lights jack, they are very cost effective and one of the best jack of all trade unit in the whole game.
** '''Sentinels''' - Their swords don't have guns, but they do have Reach and Weapon Master. They kill 'jacks and beasts. They have Vengeance and Wall of Steel built-in (if your opponent wants to neutralize their threat they'd better commit to killing a whole lot of them) while their UA gives them Iron Zeal and Relentless Charge for more reliable delivery. Once again they're expensive, but unlike Invictors they're pure brawlers. A bit slow, but if you can get them stuck in they will wreck face.
** '''Destors''' - They have horses and revolver lances. Sounds cool, but their high cost, fragility (for cav models), and conflicting rules mean you don't see them often.
* '''House Shyeel Battlemages''' - Elf [[Muscle Wizard|Muscle Wizards]]. They can cast Fist twice per turn, and they can take a 1" step between each casting. They also have Fist at a Distance, which yanks people around like ragdolls and sometimes knocks them on their ass. They are a solid choice with most warcasters, but they can annihilate on Rahn's feat turn.
* '''Houseguard''' -
** '''Halberdiers''' - The closest thing to a line grunt that Ret has. They are relatively inexpensive, they have solid base stats, they have Set Defense and Shield Wall which make them survivable against charges or low powered ranged attacks, respectively, and with Brutal Charge they can also be devastating themselves. The UA gives them Reform, which helps keep them alive longer once stuck in, and a mini-feat for more damage and accuracy. Compared to basic Reach infantry in other factions, they are definitely top-tier for their price.
** '''Riflemen''' - Basic CRA trooper. Their UA increases accuracy at close range, and lets them CRA into melee. Before the Houseguard Thane was released, they were generally overshadowed by the Invictors and Mage Hunter Strike Force, but the Thane lets Riflemen ignore Stealth, which is a unique and very valuable niche.
** '''Heavy Rifle Team''' - Light artillery with an Armor Piercing anti-materiel rifle. Slow moving and squishy, but reasonably accurate while the spotter is alive and able to threaten anything with an armor value. Combine with a Thane to take the heads off any Stealth models loitering in your firing lane.
* '''House Vyre Electromancers''' - These techno-mages are trying to steal Cygnar's thunder (haha) by breaking their monopoly on lightning tech. The Electromancers can use electro leaps to clear infantry, or do d3 damage rolls against a single target (good for medium armor targets, but not heavy jacks/beasts).
* '''Mage Hunter''' - All mage hunters ignore armour and defence buffs, as well ignoring focus-camping on warcasters, which makes their low power go much further. They also have pathfinder.
** '''Strike Force''' - The reason people hate Ret. With the UA their ranged attacks ignore half the rules in the game (defensive buffs, line of sight, terrain), but they are allergic to blasts. Unlike most ranged units they are still decent in melee combat. They get a damage bonus against warjacks with both melee and ranged attacks, but don't expect them to scrap a heavy without help.
** '''Infiltrators''' - Fast and fragile, but painful when they hit you. They may have low power, but their Gang ability combined with ignoring defensive buffs makes them good at slicing through most infantry. They also have Mage Killer, which means they will make a mess of warcasters and warlocks as well, if you can get them there.
*** '''Eiryss, Mage Hunter Commander''' - Unit attachment for both our mage hunter units. You can't take her on the same unit as the Strike Force UA, so you can't get LoS ignoring, focus/fury removing shots. She gives Fearless and Reform to the unit, which makes the Infiltrators a lot more survivable since they can spread out after ganging up on something. If she hits a spellcaster, she will remove any upkeep spells that the model she hit cast. Unlike her previous two versions, has taken some combat training and is now a Weapon Master, which means that she can probably kill infantry that jam her now.
* '''Stormfall Archers''' - Elven archers... with grenades attached to their arrows. Three types of arrows: extra damage on a direct hit (good for taking down heavy jacks/beasts), long-range arrows (good for carpet-bombing low ARM infantry), or fire arrows (good for lighting shield walls on fire). Plant them on a hill and keep them the fuck away from anyone with melee.
* '''Soulless Escort''' - A universal weapon attachment. He protects his unit by forcing the enemy to get closer to cast spells on the unit, and he can dispel upkeeps. Flank gives him decent melee potential, but he's squishy beyond belief so you may want to keep him way in the back. He also has a Magical Weapon in case you come up against Incorporeal enemies and don't have enough spells to deal with them.

===Solos===
* '''Arcanist''' - Can repair stuff, give a strength bonus to myrmidons, or provide a point of focus. Bring one for each jack you have at a minimum. They are almost on a par with the Choir of Menoth in terms of useful jack support.
* '''Dawnguard Destor Thane''' - He has a hand cannon with Multi-Fire on a cav base (his horse giving him much-needed mobility), but he also has a decent melee charge if needed. Looks plain at first but once you know the cav rules inside and out, Destor Thanes are rather hard to pin down and make good spot removal tools and objective holders.
* '''Dawnguard Sentinel Scyir''' - This guy got a revamp in Mk3. His order of activation issues are eased by replacing Flank with Weapon Master, allowing him to go before his jack without hindering his damage output. His Drive now grants Righteous Vengeance to himself and his jack, allowing them to deathmarch alongside Sentinels. He also give Dawnguard in his command range the ability to move through each other's bases.
* '''House Shyeel Magister''' - The Battle Mages' bigger brother. He adds Combo: Smite to the mix, letting him slam enemies, as well as the ability to move your own models with Whipsnap.
* '''House Shyeel Artificer''' - Nicknamed "mega-mittens," he gives out blast immunity, can move enemy models, and is rather tough. He's slow, but if you can get him into melee he has power on par with a light warjack.
* '''Mage Hunter Assassin''' - Elf chick with a giant whip chain that can ignore focus camping and defensive buffs. As if that weren't bad enough, she's also a weapon master that rolls an extra die on damage. As if that wasn't bad enough, she also has Decapitation, which doubles all damage that gets past armor (so if you exceed their armor by 5 points, you actually do 10 damage instead of 5). The frosting on the cake is that she's also got a four-inch reach. The decorative icing on the frosting is that she also has Stealth. And Pathfinder. And Stealth. And Advance Deployment. All for two points. The only saving grace is her low armor: expect your opponents to bombard your single elf chick with every fucking AOE on the planet once they realize what she can do.
* '''Ghost Sniper''' - When he hits something he can opt to do three automatic damage instead of rolling, and against warjacks/warbeasts you can choose which column on the grid/spiral to damage. Good at killing solos, UAs, and knocking arms and aspects off of jacks/beasts.
* '''Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios''' - Biggest threat is her disruptor bolt, which is effectively game over if you manage to land it on a warcaster. Like the Ghost Sniper, she can also hunt solos and UAs if you can't get her to their caster. Works for other factions as a merc. Gets called all sorts of names, none of them polite.
** '''Eiryss, Angel of Retribution''' - Like the first Eiryss, but trades some power on her disruptor bolt for the ability to remove upkeeps. Also works for other factions as a merc. Probably hated even more.
* '''Fane Knight Skeryth Issyen''' - Fast Weapon Master with a Blessed weapon, he gets tougher and stronger when allies near him die. Things tend to die when he reaches them.
* '''Nayl''' - Character soulless. Totally untargetable by spells, when he dies he blows up and removes all focus and fury in an area round him, which can either be great (Terminus loses all his camp), bad (the enemy chucks him back at your caster), or worse (enemy uses him to remove fury from his beasts, so can get more work out of them). Use at your own peril.
* '''Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios''' - Character mage hunter assassin. Trades Decapitation and Chain Weapon for an extra melee attack and Sprint, which lets him dance around the battlefield. Crossbow for when you can't get in range to hit other stuff.
* '''Sylys Wyshnalyrr, the Seeker''' - Like Eiryss, Sylys is a mercenary who counts as a faction model when working for Ret. He is a warcaster attachment and gives some useful boosts to Ret's casters.
* '''Elara, Tyro of the Third Chamber''' - Our Journeyman Warcaster. Can munch through light infantry in melee by herself, but poor ranged ability due to having no ranged weapon and only four focus to cast her spells. She has a spell which gives Counter Charge to her and her jack, which is situationally useful. Rahn gives her a passable assassination option with his feat.
* '''Houseguard Thane''' - Makes Houseguard effectively fearless, and either move faster or ignore stealth. Single-handedly makes the Riflemen worth taking, and gives the Halberdiers a stupid threat range, especially if you take them with certain casters (they get a 15" charging threat with Ossyan and Issyria).
* '''Soulless Voidtracer''' - A Solo version of the Soulless Escort. She can't be targetted by spells, and if a nearby model is targetted by a spell then the spellcaster takes a few points of damage. She also has Stealth and a Reach Magical Weapon.

===Mercenaries===
Iosan elves are extremely xenophobic, so the merc options available to the Retribution are limited.

* '''Dahlia Hallyr & Skarath''' - A creepy elf girl who charmed a giant snake by playing her flute. Dahlia's spells and flute are useful for shutting down enemy (living) units. Skarath is a bit on the weak side for a heavy beast, but he does provide some extra muscle without requiring focus from your warcaster and his venomous spray attack is good for clearing infantry.
* '''Cylena Raefyll & Nyss Hunters''' - Cylena and her gang are some of the only Nyss left who were not corrupted by Everblight. They play kind of like a mix between Dawnguard Invictors and Mage Hunter Strike Force.
* '''Lady Aiyana & Master Holt''' - Aiyana brings some very useful abilities to the Retribution, including a damage buff against a single target and a spell to give a model/unit Magical Weapons. She can also make herself and her boyfriend Holt stealthy for a round. Holt is one of only two humans who can work for Ret, and he brings two accurate Hand Cannons shots and is not horrible in melee.
* '''Lanyssa Ryssyll''' - Another Nyss, she is an average spellcaster who can use Hunter's Mark to increase charge distance or lay down a snow storm.
* '''Madelyn Corbeau''' - The second human who can work for Ret, Madelyn's most useful ability is to give one of your models an extra 3" move when an enemy comes near her.

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Scythes of the Emperor

2018-08-26T22:28:43Z

2A02:587:3A12:6900:F821:22C3:A864:268A:

{{Infobox Spess Mahreen Chapter
|Name = Scythes of the Emperor
|Heraldry = [[File:Scythespauldron.jpg|200px]]
|Battle Cry = "For the Emperor! We are his Scythes!"
|Founding = Third ''(though they had been around longer)''
|Successors of = [[Ultramarines]]
|Successor Chapters = Unknown, likely none
|Chapter Master = [[Thrasius]]
|Primarch = [[Roboute Guilliman]]
|Homeworld = [[Sotha]] (Destroyed) Now fleet-based.
|Specialty = Anti-Tyranid Experts
|Strength = 1000 marines (>90% Primaris)
|Allegiance = [[Imperium]]
|Colours = Black arms, legs and helmet. The rest yellow.
}}

{{Topquote|It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.|Unknown}}

{{Topquote|Quite aside from the secret shame of [[Imperium Secundus]], the existence of the Aegida company could be seen as proof of his wilful and deliberate flouting of Imperial decree - a decree that he and his surviving brothers only agreed upon after much conflict.|[[Ultramarine]] Chaplain Segas justifying the founding of the Scythes of the Emperor}}

The '''Scythes of the Emperor''' are a [[Codex Astartes|Codex]]-compliant [[Space Marine Chapter|chapter]] of [[Space Marines]]. Not a huge amount is known about them, except that their homeworld and original fortress monastery was [[Tyranids|omnomnommed]] by [[Hive Fleet Kraken]]. Their new monastery is also their flagship, the Heart of Cronus, making them a now fleet-based chapter. They also have a pretty kick-ass colour scheme. They are not to be confused with the Astartes Chapter, Emperor's Scythes, which have kickass purple armor and are even more mysterious than The Scythes of the Emperor.

==History==
[[file:scythesprofile.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Did someone say psychotic Tyranid-killers?]]

While not that much is known about the Scythes of the Emperor themselves, much of their early history can be extrapolated from the [[Horus Heresy]]:

Their homeworld of '''Sotha''' was a key world in [[Roboute Guilliman]]'s [[Imperium Secundus]], being the site of the '''Pharos''', which was a xenos device that aided warp travel and communication, but operated in a fundamentally different way to the [[Astronomican]]. Instead of illuminating the world like a lighthouse for all to navigate by, it acted more like a lantern that allowed travel to selected worlds within its range.

The device was fortified by the [[Ultramarines]] 199th ''Aegida'' Company, along with a small contingent of [[Imperial Fists]] and loyalist [[Iron Warriors]], although level of Fortification was kept discrete as to not attract attention to the importance of the precious artefact that was maintaining Guilliman's pocket empire. The rest of the planet was populated by farmers who were kept ignorant of Pharos' true purpose, ostensibly making Sotha an Agri-World of little significance.

Despite the efforts of the [[Night Lords]], the world clearly remained under Imperial control after the [[Horus Heresy]], and after battle the 199th company garrisoned on Sotha were allowed to bear the crossed scythes icon to represent their duty of protecting farmers. Following the [[Second Founding]], in an act of Double Heresy; Roboute Guilliman allowed the Aegida company to remain on Sotha as an <u>eleventh</u> company of Ultramarines to ensure the secret of the Pharos was not revealed, and with it the shame of [[Imperium Secundus]].

Later, when the '''Third Founding''' was ordered by Rogal Dorn, the Ultramarines knew they would fall under intense scrutiny and offered Aegida Captain Oberdeii a choice: either leave Sotha and join the Ultramarine 5th company properly with the implied intention of allowing him to martyr himself and take the secrets of the past with him. '''OR''' quietly join the third founding as a new Chapter, but give up his status as an Ultramarine. His choice was to form the Scythes of the Emperor.

During the aforementioned struggle with the Night Lords, the Pharos was overloaded in an attempt to purge the traitors from the planet, a course of action which succeeded but that brief flash of energy was bright enough to seen from outside of the galaxy and caught the attention of the [[Tyranids]], practically sealing the doom of the planet when they inevitably arrived ten thousand years later.
[[file:scythesbadass.jpg|thumb|right|Last stand on Miral]]
Nearly 10,000 years later the chapter was devastated by their defeat on Sotha. [[grimdark|Only about four hundred marines survived.]] Though the bulk of the Chapter Fleet managed to escape. They evacuated to the world of Miral which they hoped to make their new homeworld. Alas, Kraken caught up to them and they were forced to escape once more after losing 3/4th of their number including their Chapter Master and First Company. Shortly after their escape, Captain Thracian of the 3rd company took the mantle of Chapter Master and immediately started launching hit and run attacks against the hive fleet. They kept this up until they learned that the Ultramarines had finally halted Kraken at Ichar IV and were [[Butthurt|greatly disappointed]] that they weren't present.

Chapter Master Thracian later set about to rebuilding the chapter and avenging his fallen brothers. Low on Astartes, as well as limited amounts of equipment, the chapter could not completely follow the Codex Astartes while they were regaining their strength. At one point they only had four suits of Terminator armour left, one of which was only partial.

In the Space Marines: The Omnibus story Orphans of the Kraken, the Scythes of the Emperor are shown working in so-called Saviour Squads, which board Tyranid hive ships to search for battle-brothers (Both dead and alive) and equipment to bring back to the Chapter, as well as using the opportunity to train recruits. While some in the Chapter, understandably, think that doing this is retarded, it is revealed that Thrasius was actually using the information brought back from the expeditions to construct a hive ship simulator on one of their ships, so that they can train recruits without risking their lives.

Overall, they are kind of like an Ultramarine equivalent to the [[Crimson Fists]].

==Current status & Future==
In M42, their luck seems to have finally improved. When Guilliman returned from his Indomitus Crusade, he announced his intention for the Scythes of the Emperor to be one of the 10 Ultramarine successors pledged to guard Ultramar. The Primarch brought thousands of Primaris Space Marines to form 8 new Primaris-only chapters and fully reinforce the Ultramarines and Scythes several times over. Although equipment and fleet losses may take longer to replace, they now have a Chapter nearly full of Primaris Marines who brought brand new armor, weapons, and more importantly, the ability to produce more Primaris Marines with them.

In a rare case in the grimdarkness of 40k, the Scythes of the Emperor seem to have gotten a pretty good reward for all their hard work.

==Significant Engagements==
*'''The Corinth Crusade (698.M41 to 705.M41)''' - The Scythes fought alongside several other chapters, among who were the Ultramarines, Lamenters and Marines Errants as well as over fifty regiments of Guardsmen, against the [[Orks]] of Waaagh! Skargor. The Imperial forces defeated the Orks and delayed further attacks for over three decades.
*'''Damocles Gulf Crusade (745.M41)''' - The chapter led the first landing in Tau territory. The chapter later deployed alongside the Ultramarines and [[Iron Hands]] and participated in several spearhead assaults. They also maintained constant night patrols to defend against Tau infiltrators. At the end of the crusade they withdrew together with the rest of the Imperial forces to help defend against [[Hive Fleet Behemoth]].
*'''Second Tyrannic War (992.M41)''' - The Scythes of the Emperor didn't partake in the Second Tyrannic War until Hive Fleet Kraken came home to them and politely asked for a cup of tea ''(read: eat your face)''. Even though planets with fortress monasteries are some of the most heavily defended in the Imperium, the Scythes were soon defeated and were dangerously low on both manpower and equipment. About a company's worth of marines and a small amount of support managed to escape on the chapters flagship Heart of Cronus, which now serves as their new fortress-monastery.
*'''Battle of Hamagora(M42)''' - Reformed and re-stocked with Primaris Marines, the 2nd Company of the Scythes of the Emperor battled against the forces of Nurgle on the Hive World of Hamagora. Assailed by an endless swarm of Nurgle daemons their casualties began to mount before a Grey Knight strike team bailed them out by send the Great Unclean One leading the chaos invasion screaming into the warp.

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==Secret of the Scythes==
[[File:Scythes Colour Scheme.jpg|200px|thumb|right|What most of them used to look like]]
Remember that Last Stand on Miral? Yeah it was actually a lot less 'noble' than you think.

Before this battle, a suspicious Space Marine named Hadrios (who no other Scythe had any memory serving with) repeatedly requested an audience with the Chapter Master. Denied, he took his case to 3rd Captain Thrasius instead. Apparently he knew why the Hive Fleet came to Sotha and the reason behind the formation of the Chapter in the first place. Upon hearing of this revelation not only does Thrasius fly into a rage, he takes the Battle Barge Heart of Chronus and half the Chapter's fleet away from Miral, leaving his Chapter Master and the bulk of the Scythe's forces to face the might of Kraken.

Thrasius does come back later with his forces but by then the Chapter Master is dead and only a company of Scythes are left alive. It is heavily implied that he did this on purpose as not only does he become Chapter Master after this, but the most vocal opposition to him including the Chapter's 1st Company is now dead. It leaves him free to chart what he believes is the 'true destiny of the Chapter.'

His more sinister machinations are also put into play as he has Hadrios [[Inquisition|kill the Chapter's Chief Apothecary due to that fact that he 'knew too much']]. It is also heavily hinted that Hadrios had a hand in the Chapter Master's death as well. Hadrios then goes on to become Thrasius' right-hand man and gets tasked with carrying out his more questionable orders out of sight.

Now that the Scythes have re-emerged and once again become a full-chapter (due to Primaris reinforcements) as well as one of the 10 Chapters dedicated to guarding Ultramar, it raises questions on how they would be able to keep that secret. Not to mention doing so in the face of their reborn Primarch.

Of course, there's also the question of "who the fuck is Hadrios and how the fuck does he know secrects from the 31st millennium". Alpha Legion spy? Night Lord dicking around with Thrasius? Tzeentchian psychic bullshit? You decide.

==Notable Characters==
*'''Chapter Master Thorcyra''' - Chapter Master before Kraken attacked Sotha. He was killed on the death world of Miral in the aftermath of the attack.
*'''Chapter Master Thrasius''' - Current Chapter Master. Promoted after Thorcyra fell and determined to rebuild the chapter. Possibly left his Chapter Master to die in order to sieze power for himself and protect his Chapter's secret.
*'''Lieutenant Hadrios''' - Currently Thrasius' closest advisor. Mysterious individual who no one has any memory of being in the Chapter before. Convinced Thrasius to abandon his Chapter Master and take command of the Scythes for himself. [[Malal|Teamkiller]] and currently in charge of assassinating anyone who gets in Thrasius' way as well as [[Blood Ravens|procuring geneseed by any means necessary]].
*'''Forge Master Sebastion''' - Promoted to Master of the Forge as he was the highest ranking Techmarine still alive in the chapter. Responsible for the training of new Techmarines and is also working on restoring and [[Blood Ravens|acquiring]] Terminator armour.
*'''Captain Vosok Dall''' - At some point turned renegade and swore allegiance to [[Khorne]]. He was slain on New Badab by [[Honsou]].
*'''Commander Cassios''' - An officer in the fifth company who [[what|survived for three years aboard a Tyranid Hive ship]]. He was later killed when he [[derp|returned to the same Hive ship]].
*'''Battle Brother Eesall''' - A Battle Brother known for [[awesome|riding a Tyranid Harridan bareback]] in the Black Library audio drama ''Daedalus''.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Achilleos.jpg|Warning for large amounts of [[Awesome]]. Viewer discretion is advised.
Image:scythesnew.png|What most of them look like now
</gallery>

== See Also ==
{{Marines-Official}}

Scythes of the Emperor

2018-08-26T22:17:52Z

2A02:587:3A12:6900:F821:22C3:A864:268A:

{{Infobox Spess Mahreen Chapter
|Name = Scythes of the Emperor
|Heraldry = [[File:Scythespauldron.jpg|200px]]
|Battle Cry = "For the Emperor! We are his Scythes!"
|Founding = Third ''(though they had been around longer)''
|Successors of = [[Ultramarines]]
|Successor Chapters = Unknown, likely none
|Chapter Master = [[Thrasius]]
|Primarch = [[Roboute Guilliman]]
|Homeworld = [[Sotha]] (Destroyed) Now fleet-based.
|Specialty = Anti-Tyranid Experts
|Strength = 1000 marines (>90% Primaris)
|Allegiance = [[Imperium]]
|Colours = Black arms, legs and helmet. The rest yellow.
}}

{{Topquote|It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.|Unknown}}

{{Topquote|Quite aside from the secret shame of [[Imperium Secundus]], the existence of the Aegida company could be seen as proof of his wilful and deliberate flouting of Imperial decree - a decree that he and his surviving brothers only agreed upon after much conflict.|[[Ultramarine]] Chaplain Segas justifying the founding of the Scythes of the Emperor}}

The '''Scythes of the Emperor''' are a [[Codex Astartes|Codex]]-compliant [[Space Marine Chapter|chapter]] of [[Space Marines]]. Not a huge amount is known about them, except that their homeworld and original fortress monastery was [[Tyranids|omnomnommed]] by [[Hive Fleet Kraken]]. Their new monastery is also their flagship, the Heart of Cronus, making them a now fleet-based chapter. They also have a pretty kick-ass colour scheme. They are not to be confused with the Astartes Chapter, Emperor's Scythes, which have kickass purple armor and are even more mysterious than The Scythes of the Emperor.

==History==
[[file:scythesprofile.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Did someone say psychotic Tyranid-killers?]]

While not that much is known about the Scythes of the Emperor themselves, much of their early history can be extrapolated from the [[Horus Heresy]]:

Their homeworld of '''Sotha''' was a key world in [[Roboute Guilliman]]'s [[Imperium Secundus]], being the site of the '''Pharos''', which was a xenos device that aided warp travel and communication, but operated in a fundamentally different way to the [[Astronomican]]. Instead of illuminating the world like a lighthouse for all to navigate by, it acted more like a lantern that allowed travel to selected worlds within its range.

The device was fortified by the [[Ultramarines]] 199th ''Aegida'' Company, along with a small contingent of [[Imperial Fists]] and loyalist [[Iron Warriors]], although level of Fortification was kept discrete as to not attract attention to the importance of the precious artefact that was maintaining Guilliman's pocket empire. The rest of the planet was populated by farmers who were kept ignorant of Pharos' true purpose, ostensibly making Sotha an Agri-World of little significance.

Despite the efforts of the [[Night Lords]], the world clearly remained under Imperial control after the [[Horus Heresy]], and after battle the 199th company garrisoned on Sotha were allowed to bear the crossed scythes icon to represent their duty of protecting farmers. Following the [[Second Founding]], in an act of Double Heresy; Roboute Guilliman allowed the Aegida company to remain on Sotha as an <u>eleventh</u> company of Ultramarines to ensure the secret of the Pharos was not revealed, and with it the shame of [[Imperium Secundus]].

Later, when the '''Third Founding''' was ordered by Rogal Dorn, the Ultramarines knew they would fall under intense scrutiny and offered Aegida Captain Oberdeii a choice: either leave Sotha and join the Ultramarine 5th company properly with the implied intention of allowing him to martyr himself and take the secrets of the past with him. '''OR''' quietly join the third founding as a new Chapter, but give up his status as an Ultramarine. His choice was to form the Scythes of the Emperor.

During the aforementioned struggle with the Night Lords, the Pharos was overloaded in an attempt to purge the traitors from the planet, a course of action which succeeded but that brief flash of energy was bright enough to seen from outside of the galaxy and caught the attention of the [[Tyranids]], practically sealing the doom of the planet when they inevitably arrived ten thousand years later.
[[file:scythesbadass.jpg|thumb|right|Last stand on Miral]]
Nearly 10,000 years later the chapter was devastated by their defeat on Sotha. [[grimdark|Only about four hundred marines survived.]] Though the bulk of the Chapter Fleet managed to escape. They evacuated to the world of Miral which they hoped to make their new homeworld. Alas, Kraken caught up to them and they were forced to escape once more after losing 3/4th of their number including their Chapter Master and First Company. Shortly after their escape, Captain Thracian of the 3rd company took the mantle of Chapter Master and immediately started launching hit and run attacks against the hive fleet. They kept this up until they learned that the Ultramarines had finally halted Kraken at Ichar IV and were [[Butthurt|greatly disappointed]] that they weren't present.

Chapter Master Thracian later set about to rebuilding the chapter and avenging his fallen brothers. Low on Astartes, as well as limited amounts of equipment, the chapter could not completely follow the Codex Astartes while they were regaining their strength. At one point they only had four suits of Terminator armour left, one of which was only partial.

In the Space Marines: The Omnibus story Orphans of the Kraken, the Scythes of the Emperor are shown working in so-called Saviour Squads, which board Tyranid hive ships to search for battle-brothers (Both dead and alive) and equipment to bring back to the Chapter, as well as using the opportunity to train recruits. While some in the Chapter, understandably, think that doing this is retarded, it is revealed that Thrasius was actually using the information brought back from the expeditions to construct a hive ship simulator on one of their ships, so that they can train recruits without risking their lives.

Overall, they are kind of like an Ultramarine equivalent to the [[Crimson Fists]].

==Current status & Future==
In M42, their luck seems to have finally improved. When Guilliman returned from his Indomitus Crusade, he announced his intention for the Scythes of the Emperor to be one of the 10 Ultramarine successors pledged to guard Ultramar. The Primarch brought thousands of Primaris Space Marines to form 8 new Primaris-only chapters and fully reinforce the Ultramarines and Scythes several times over. Although equipment and fleet losses may take longer to replace, they now have a Chapter nearly full of Primaris Marines who brought brand new armor, weapons, and more importantly, the ability to produce more Primaris Marines with them.

In a rare case in the grimdarkness of 40k, the Scythes of the Emperor seem to have gotten a pretty good reward for all their hard work.

==Significant Engagements==
*'''The Corinth Crusade (698.M41 to 705.M41)''' - The Scythes fought alongside several other chapters, among who were the Ultramarines, Lamenters and Marines Errants as well as over fifty regiments of Guardsmen, against the [[Orks]] of Waaagh! Skargor. The Imperial forces defeated the Orks and delayed further attacks for over three decades.
*'''Damocles Gulf Crusade (745.M41)''' - The chapter led the first landing in Tau territory. The chapter later deployed alongside the Ultramarines and [[Iron Hands]] and participated in several spearhead assaults. They also maintained constant night patrols to defend against Tau infiltrators. At the end of the crusade they withdrew together with the rest of the Imperial forces to help defend against [[Hive Fleet Behemoth]].
*'''Second Tyrannic War (992.M41)''' - The Scythes of the Emperor didn't partake in the Second Tyrannic War until Hive Fleet Kraken came home to them and politely asked for a cup of tea ''(read: eat your face)''. Even though planets with fortress monasteries are some of the most heavily defended in the Imperium, the Scythes were soon defeated and were dangerously low on both manpower and equipment. About a company's worth of marines and a small amount of support managed to escape on the chapters flagship Heart of Cronus, which now serves as their new fortress-monastery.
*'''Battle of Hamagora(M42)''' - Reformed and re-stocked with Primaris Marines, the 2nd Company of the Scythes of the Emperor battled against the forces of Nurgle on the Hive World of Hamagora. Assailed by an endless swarm of Nurgle daemons their casualties began to mount before a Grey Knight strike team bailed them out by send the Great Unclean One leading the chaos invasion screaming into the warp.

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==Secret of the Scythes==
[[File:Scythes Colour Scheme.jpg|200px|thumb|right|What most of them used to look like]]
Remember that Last Stand on Miral? Yeah it was actually a lot less 'noble' than you think.

Before this battle, a suspicious Space Marine named Hadrios (who no other Scythe had any memory serving with) repeatedly requested an audience with the Chapter Master. Denied, he took his case to 3rd Captain Thrasius instead. Apparently he knew why the Hive Fleet came to Sotha and the reason behind the formation of the Chapter in the first place. Upon hearing of this revelation not only does Thrasius fly into a rage, he takes the Battle Barge Heart of Chronus and half the Chapter's fleet away from Miral, leaving his Chapter Master and the bulk of the Scythe's forces to face the might of Kraken.

Thrasius does come back later with his forces but by then the Chapter Master is dead and only a company of Scythes are left alive. It is heavily implied that he did this on purpose as not only does he become Chapter Master after this, but the most vocal opposition to him including the Chapter's 1st Company is now dead. It leaves him free to chart what he believes is the 'true destiny of the Chapter.'

His more sinister machinations are also put into play as he has Hadrios [[Inquisition|kill the Chapter's Chief Apothecary due to that fact that he 'knew too much']]. It is also heavily hinted that Hadrios had a hand in the Chapter Master's death as well. Hadrios then goes on to become Thrasius' right-hand man and gets tasked with carrying out his more questionable orders out of sight.

Now that the Scythes have re-emerged and once again become a full-chapter (due to Primaris reinforcements) as well as one of the 10 Chapters dedicated to guarding Ultramar, it raises questions on how they would be able to keep that secret. Not to mention doing so in the face of their reborn Primarch.

Of course, there's also the question of "who the fuck is Hadrios and how the fuck does he know secrects from the 31st millennium". Alpha Legion spy? Night Lord dicking around with Thrasius? Tzeentchian psychic bullshit? You decide.

==Notable Characters==
*'''Chapter Master Thorcyra''' - Chapter Master before Kraken attacked Sotha. He was killed on the death world of Miral in the aftermath of the attack.
*'''Chapter Master Thrasius''' - Current Chapter Master. Promoted after Thorcyra fell and determined to rebuild the chapter. Possibly left his Chapter Master to die in order to sieze power for himself and protect his Chapter's secret.
*'''Lieutenant Hadrios''' - Currently Thrasius' closest advisor. Mysterious individual who no one has any memory of being in the Chapter before. Convinced Thrasius to abandon his Chapter Master and take command of the Scythes for himself. [[Malal|Teamkiller]] and currently in charge of assassinating anyone who gets in Thrasius' way as well as [[Blood Ravens|procuring geneseed by any means necessary]].
*'''Forge Master Sebastion''' - Promoted to Master of the Forge as he was the highest ranking Techmarine still alive in the chapter. Responsible for the training of new Techmarines and is also working on restoring and [[Blood Ravens|acquiring]] Terminator armour.
*'''Captain Vosok Dall''' - At some point turned renegade and swore allegiance to [[Khorne]]. He was slain on New Badab by [[Honsou]].
*'''Commander Cassios''' - An officer in the fifth company who [[what|survived for three years aboard a Tyranid Hive ship]]. He was later killed when he [[derp|returned to the same Hive ship]].
*'''Battle Brother Eesall''' - A Battle Brother known for [[awesome|riding a Tyranid Harridan bareback]] in the Black Library audio drama ''Daedalus''.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Achilleos.jpg|Warning for large amounts of [[Awesome]]. Viewer discretion is advised.
Image:scythesnew.png|What most of them look like now
</gallery>

== See Also ==
{{Marines-Official}}