Editing Nova Defenders

{{Infobox Spess Mahreen Chapter
|Name = Nova Defenders
|Heraldry = [[File:Novadefenders.jpg|200px]]
|Battle Cry = We defend to the end!
|Number =
|Founding = Third Founding
|Successors of = [[The Crusaders]]
|Successor Chapters = 
|Chapter Master = 
|Primarch = 
|Homeworld = Rylethon
|Specialty = Static firepower (gun-line tactics)
|Strength = 
|Allegiance = Imperium of Man
|Colours =
}}
{{/tg/-Heresy-Head}}

The '''Nova Defenders''' were a codex-compliant Third Founding Chapter.  The proud warriors were the pledged guardians of an ancient relic in the Galactic South-East.  While much of their history was obscure, they rose to some fame with the arrival of the Tyrannids.

===Chapter History===
After the defeat of [[Hektor Cincinnatus]], the Loyalists launched a great counter-offensive across the Galaxy.  Thomas Gaudin's Crusaders, though bloodied in the Siege of Terra, were unbroken.  They played a critical role in the fighting, sending forces to every Segmentum.  Deep in the galactic South-East, elements of the Third Company discovered an ancient structure on the Feral World Rylethon.  The precise nature of the Lighthouse of Rylethon was never determined, but the assessment of every inspecting Magos shared one common thread: the artefact was a potent relic of the Dark Age of Technology.  [[Thomas Gaudin]] accepted the wisdom of the Adeptus Mechanicus as it was and moved to establish a Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes to safeguard the Lighthouse.

Gaudin also took the opportunity to remove a thorn from his side.  Captain Rook North was a superb warrior who had fought with great distinction on Terra and in the Scouring.  However, he was also over-fond of his own looks and all too free with his opinions.  Finding a place for such a warrior had been difficult enough during the dark days when the Loyalists had to hang together or hang separately.  Gaudin did not think the abrasive North would suit command of one of his critical Segmentum command Chapters.  Finding a place for him during peace time was even worse, and much ill-will had festered within the Crusaders Chapter.  The opportunity to "reward" North with a far-off assignment was too good to pass up.

'''746.M41 Battle of First Night'''  A splinter of Hive Fleet Behemoth attacked the Nova Defenders homeworld, causing great losses to the Chapter and devastating Rylethon.  However, the arrival of other Imperial forces ensured the Nova Defenders' survival and gave the Imperium an early victory over the Tyrannid menace.

===Notable Members===

'''Chapter Master Rook North'''
[[File:Rook_North_of_the_Nova_Defenders.jpg|200px|thumb|Chapter Master Rook North]]
Rook North would be the first to tell others that he was a narcissist.  He would also be the first to inform them of his courage, tactical brilliance, honourable nature, good looks, and as anything else about himself that he had time to impart.  But if the man bragged, he certainly had plenty to brag about.  He was one of the first intake of Terrans who had fought alongside Hektor in the Merican Hives.  North had gone on to fight in all of the most illustrious campaigns of the Crusaders, even before they were reunited with Gaudin.  He developed the elite boarding companies, the ''Sturmtruppen'', who would so distinguish themselves in the Siege of Terra.  Even when Thomas Gaudin carried the Emperor's broken body from the ''Sun Chariot'', North was at his side, fiercely defending his lords.  North's valour and skill at arms is testified by the fact that he was the last Loyalist survivor of the Sacred Band to fall in battle.  He was the original Crusader, and he never let anyone forget about that.

===Chapter Combat Doctrine===
In contrast to their sires, the Nova Defenders are known for the inexorable advance and heavy firepower.  The Chapter possessed a surprising number of Land Raiders, no doubt a reward from the Priests of Mars for their ceaseless vigil, but rarely deployed smaller vehicles such as the Rhino.  As a legacy of Rook North's ''Stormtruppen'' boarding squads, the Nova Defenders favoured carrying ''pavise'' combat shields.

===Chapter Beliefs===
It is unclear whether standing as guardians over the Lighthouse shaped the Nova Defenders, or Rook North's attitude simply rubbed off on them.  Whatever the cause, they are a Chapter noted for their arrogance.  These Marines regarded their charge as a symbol of man's once and future brilliance, and came to think that their duty would lead to a new golden age.

===Chapter Homeworld===
Rylethon was an ocean world, peopled by primitive fishermen.  The Nova Defenders were kind to their charges, protecting and bettering their peaceful way of life until the invasion of the Tyrannids ruined the planet.  As a consequence, the Chapter tended to recruit from more warlike planets elsewhere in the Sector.

{{/tg/-Heresy-Successors}}