Silver Cataphracts

"That is how you would describe those poor bastards final moments? 'Glorious'? 'Magnificent'? 'Heroic'? Do not waste my time with these words!"

Quote attributed to a Silver Cataphract, upon relieving the battered defenders of Terra.

Silver Cataphracts
Battle Cry	"Let us finish this!"
Number	XXIII
Founding	First Founding
Successor Chapters	True Sons of the Regent, Seers of Winter
Chapter Master	Sergei
Primarch	Alexandri
Homeworld	Rosskar
Strength	150,000 or 190,000, or even more.
Specialty	Attrition Warfare
Allegiance	Imperium of Man
Colours	Silver, Light Grey, Light Blue

This page details people, events, and organisations from The /tg/ Heresy, a fan re-working of the Warhammer 40,000 Universe.

The Silver Cataphracts are a Loyalist Space Marine Legion and Chapter. Led by the ambitious Primarch Alexandri, they have and always will remain ever pessimistic of the future, with only their contempt greeting the present. Dour and somber these Marines have always held realist views on subjects of glory, morality, and battle. In the Great Crusade they were famed for their slow advances, which saw countless systems receive minimal losses - if you only counted the Astartes. No matter what the cost though, they will achieve victory.

Summary of Legion XXIII

Numeration: The XXIIIth Legion

Primogenator: Alexandri (also known as "The Regent")

Cognomen (Prior): None. Note: Alexandri never cared to change it, the name Silver Cataphracts assigned to them by Hektor Cincinnatus, the Arch-Traitor.

Observed Strategic Tendencies: Attrition Warfare, Adaptation, Human-Astartes Joint Tactics

Noteworthy Domains: The Rosskar System (Primary), nineteen other systems held in tributary fiefdom at the closure of the Great Crusade.

Alliegence: Fidelitas Constantus

"I never understood the obsession with honor. Honor won't protect you, it won't shield you, and it definitely won't keep you warm. You can't touch it, you can't hold it, and you can't feel it. Trust in the heat of your brother's blood, and that of your own blood. The only truth in this world is the one you make of it, but blood is forever constant. It is always warm."

First Battle Company Captain Sergei, Grand Officer of the Legion, M.30

History of the Silver Cataphracts

Many Legions wear their honors on their sleeves, but not the soldiers of Alexandri. There are no halls of heroes upon Rosskar, there are no weapons named after dead Marines who had heroic deeds in the past. They are a stoic, solemn breed of Astartes. War is reviled for what they perceive it is, never honoring the deeds of fools who couldn't retreat or think a way out of a last stand. From the very moment the first members of the Legion were made to the present, they have kept silent of their acts and have always down played their involvement in campaigns. Some may see this as humble, perhaps it even is.

For whatever reason the Silver Cataphract are what they are, stepping towards the front line with stern determination.

Infamous Beginnings, the 24th Squad

During the time of Hektor's Sacred Band, the Twenty-Fourth squad was heavily penalized for their conduct in battle. This was especially exemplified during the Pacification of the Merican Hives when the members Antoyi and Ranosmir used human shields to protect them from gun fire. They had no respect for the enemy, but held Hektor and the other members of the Sacred Band in the utmost regard. By Hektor's expressed orders they ceased their questionable conduct during operations, but it would be later revealed they dabbled in horrible and debase tactics such as leaving out a wounded soldier in the sun, just to allow other soldiers to pass over the poor soul to retrieve him. The man had planted on him a melta bomb, which would immediately detonate once his comrades would attempt to retrieve him. Other such inglorious methods were used, including the use of human shields, and children as bargaining chips.

The members of the Twenty-Fourth Squad.

• Atosh, The Spine Breaker. (Survived to be Squad Sergeant)
• Antoyi, Lover of Devestation. (Survived to be Squad Sergeant)
• Baroslav, The First Cataphract. (Deceased; at unknown time)
• Byk, Strongest of The 24th. (Survived to be Junior Army Commander)
• Galash, The Witch Without Guidance. (Survived to be Master of Covens)
• Mikhail, The Render of Neya-'yrk Hive. (Deceased; died in Lenard Depths Campaign)
• Nomenir, Poet of the Dour. (Deceased; executed for High Treason)
• Toren, the Astartes Rembrancer of the 24th. (Deceased; charged suicidally at enemy lines)
• Ranosmir, Brother to Hektor. (Deceased; at unknown time)
• Veshnyak, Accuser of the Emperor. (Deceased; executed by the Emperor)

The Butchering of Neya-yrk

Souls rest sound asleep

Piled among bodies deep

Bloodied and damned,

By Mikhail's hand.

Nomenir's First Poem, composed after the Pacification of the Merica Hives

---

Before there were even Legions, and Hektor was the first and only Primarch, among the first Astartes was the Sacred Band. A collection of the best minds and keenest warriors molded by the highest of savants including the Sigilite himself. Hektor choose these men to be the elite of the forming Legions, a brotherhood which would stand the test of time. The first major battle this group took part in as a whole, where they all stood side by side was the Pacification of the Merica Hives. Antoyi had been chosen for his wisdom and charisma, being able to both rally his fellow squadmates and plan ahead during a skirmish.

Veshnyak desired to be the leader, a newly found ambition flourishing in the Albian man who years before had only a burning desire to serve. He wanted to recognized as the leader, he wanted to be the man answering to Hektor himself. Throughout the battle, from the beginning deployments to the thick of a fire fight he continuously questioned Antoyi's command. He formed deep bonds with the rest of the squad further cementing his influence. Eventually no one in the squad followed Antoyi's voice, but Veshnyak's. Antoyi was merely an emissary to Hektor. As the humble soldier never wanted to cause trouble, no complaints were lobbied towards Veshnyak's conduct. But soon the Marine found a new interest, one which would lead to his undoing.

Slaughter.

The 24th Squad was positioned alongside the Thunder Warriors and techno-barbarian armies, helping to lead the spearhead into the walled and guarded hive of Neya-yrk set upon an island which had seen the ocean dry up long ago. The fighting was brutal, and nearly all of the brothers died but Veshnyak was not only power hungry, he was fiercely cunning. He used the captured soldiers of the Neya'yrkers as shields, making most of the defenders unwilling to focus their fire upon them.

But something surprised the Marines who had been able to swiftly break into the armored city. All of the defenders of Neya-yrk gave up their arms immediately. Countless millions lived in the spires and hab-blocks, and the Neya-yrkers would not risk bringing a fight here. Mikhail was distraut, wishing to make them pay for all those who had died outside. Veshnyak formed a cunning idea as more and more soldiers surrendered. He gave Mikhail the order he wanted. To kill every last Neya-yrk fighter. But as the last of the captured warriors was cut down, Mikhail, Atosh, and Veshnyak did not simply stop there.

When the Thunder Warriors arrived, savage and brutal beings that they were, joined in. The rest of the Twenty-fourth could only watch as the Hive was cut down, nearly half of the entire populace being butchered before Hektor was able to reign them in.

No one but Atosh and Mikhail followed Veshnyak after that.

The Accusation of the Emperor

For months Veshnyak had showed repeated disruptive behavior, and had been reported by other members as showing unremarkable cruelty to the wounded and capture enemies both on and off the field of battle. His drive was malicious, as the man was driven by a mix of sadism and paranoia. When the Thunder Warriors were culled, he gathered his two closest allies, Mikhail and Atosh, to join him on an errand to speak to Hektor about the fate of the Astartes. They never made it to their Primarch leader, as Veshnyak had utterly lied about his intentions. With his two brothers on tow, he attempted to threaten and berate the Emperor himself. Veshnyak did not comprehend the immense power of the Master of Mankind, and he was overwhelmed mentally by his psychic might.

A taint had taken hold in the Marine's soul, which the Emperor made a point to show to all those of his court. Hektor had been speaking to Ranosmir about the conduct of Veshnyak at the Palace while this happened, leading to both of them arriving at the scene. Veshnyak was forced to confess all his crimes in detail, which have been stricken from the Imperial records for their profaneness. The Emperor made this man an example, by showing the Marines what could happen if they did not act as proper exemplars of humankind. Mikhail and Atosh both fell to their knees, begging for forgiveness. All that is known of that day was Veshnyak was executed, and Hektor pleaded for the lives of the two other members of Squad 24.

Ever since then, the Legionnaires of the XXIIIth Legion swore never to take on a name until one was given to them. They cleared their old paint schemes and purged the old records of their deeds, only being accounted in the works of others during the Unification Wars. Many decades later, Hektor would give them the cognomen 'Silver Cataphracts', for their unpainted armor and unstoppable, yet ponderous advances during the early Great Crusade era.

The Deluge

"The less said of those days, the better."

Master of Arms, Byk

The time spent ingloriously fighting battles on behalf of the Imperium between the Unification Wars and the finding of their Primarch was known by the Veterans of the Legion as the Deluge. The name Silver Cataphracts was used because Hektor had given them it, otherwise it would have fallen off like the other names given by their comrades. To the Scions of Europa they were known as 'The Grey Death,' and by the Steel Marshals they were known as, "The Brothers Repentant.' In every battle they fought with clear distinction, but annoyed the other Primarchs with their slow progress and unwillingness to join the fray in close combat.

Ranosmir perished in this time, when is not recorded for the Cataphracts did not believe they deserved honors or even mention. As did Baroslav, who was echoed to have first heard and accepted the name 'Silver Cataphracts' from Hektor. Toren disappeared, and what happened to was not known as his purpose had been lost. This time is not well regarded by the Veterans, but many became the perfect vessels for Alexandri's teachings and the Rosskan culture by going through this depressing episode which slowly eroded away the zealotry and replaced it with cold, hard, reason.

It was Roman Albrecht's guidance which helped the Legion. While Hektor maintained the Sacred Band, Roman took a direct hand in guiding the leaderless Legions. His own Marshals gave the Cataphracts peers to lean on, and people to aspire to match. It kept the flame of hope alive within them, however muted it was. The tenants learned during this time stayed with the core of the Legion even into the days of the Scouring, when few Veterans still lived to remember Albrecht's wisdom. It is not known when, but Sergei took an interest in speaking to both the surviving members of the Sacred Band within the Cataphracts along with Primarch Roman himself.

Discovery of Alexandri

"Imagine our disappointment when we learned this place was our home."

Grand Officer of the Legion, Sergei

The momentary joy of their Primarch's discovery died shortly upon arrival to their new home. The 24th Legion were not welcomed to this place with open arms but armed suspicion. Alexandri had ruled Rosskar for years before their arrival, facing attempt after attempt on his life. The Emperor's own arrival had soured his mood further with the destruction left in the wake of his Father's exit. The Legionnaires were brought to a huge assembly hall, where they were disarmed of all equipment. Alexandri told them that they would never be trusted by him if they were not at least Rosskans. So he was going to make them into Rosskans. Stripped of all status and rank, the Marines were then escorted into the streets of the Central Plain, the largest city on Rosskar.

The entire process was a test, to select the traits in which Alexandri would come to rely on in the coming wars. Thousands merely existed, doing oddjobs and physical labor they were predisposed towards. It was easy for them to become minors, laborers, and lumberjacks. But a few hundred rose above these simple desires, choosing to become leaders and organizers. A few even became the leaders of cities. While the nobles would nominally own the territory, they would hold the cards between the underground organizations and other lesser nobility. One though stood out from all others. He was Sergei, who had not only located the headquarters of Alexandri's legendary Secret Police, but also infiltrated it and subverted it to allow him to speak to the Primarch personally. His progenitor was so impressed, he was promoted on the spot.

It did not take long until all the Silver Cataphracts were summoned to the place they had originally been ushered out of. Here those who showed cunning and ambition were promoted, ensuring the brightest and best among the Legion's ranks would lead while those without a particular care for ingenuity stayed as line troops. Thousands of recruits were selected as the Legion enjoyed a massive boom in numbers. The remaining members of the Sacred Band weren't particularly favored over their brothers, but a few showed some potential for leadership same as they did on Terra years ago. But Alexandri limited their influence best he could, knowing their ideals of honor and brotherhood could pollute the true purpose of the Astartes, in his mind at least. They were tools of war, to be used. Nothing more, nothing less.

The old Cataphracts had not died with a bang, but a whimper. The new twenty-fourth Legion was born from the corpse.

The Campaign of Astral Woe

"I shall never forget the screams of the innocent, who were put into the snow same as the guilty."

Supreme Commander of Rosskar, Alexey

The Campaign of Astral Woe was a series of protracted and vicious engagements fought by the Silver Cataphracts and Mastodontii Legions on the periphery of the Lenard Deeps region during the mid phase of the Great Crusade's progress into the Galactic East. On the far eastern side of the galactic core, the Lenard Deeps was home to a menagerie of notable xenos life forms, many of which were sentient and almost all lethal, having competed bloodily in petty wars with each other since time immemorial. That region was shared by a number of human Enclaves and Empires, who had allied with and fought those Xenos in their endless feuds and wars.

The Dierex Campaign

More Strelky had been called up than ever before, with the new manpower bases of the worlds under the Fief adding to them. The Cataphracts had a significant swelling of numbers too, making for the coming campaign to be one of the biggest in the Legion's history. The Lenard campaign had left much to be desired in Alexandri as a military commander and his own Legion. They had nearly destroyed the wealthy sector, with many of the humans they were sent to pacify being slaughtered wholesale. While successful, it was hardly a useful start to the beginning of their hopeful career among the other Legions. The decades rolled by with little more being accomplished by Alexandri's silver devils. Only a few hardly noteworthy conquests at the edge of the Imperium dotted his honors.

The defining moment of the Silver Cataphracts, showing their prowess to all, would be the Dierex Campaign.

First Contact

The Dierex subsector was without a single remarkable planet within its borders. The area of space held in total eight worlds, six being Agri-worlds subservient to a system with twin Hive Worlds called the Serx system. Alexandri intended to make this area the starting point for a far grander invasion, only to be met with an Ork WAAAAGH the sizes which after Ullanor would be unthinkable. Dozens of roks along with Space Hulks of every size and dimension barreled towards the Agri-worlds, being met with strong resistance by the Grand Rosskar Fleet. The multitude of Orks set against the defenders had to be at least in the hundreds of millions.

The only explanation would be that the sector beyond Dierex had to be filled with Greenskins. The coming war would not notable, but arduous. His Legion would be worn down by the conquest, having to fight tooth and nail for every planet if they wanted to salvage anything from them. All they would be known for is mediocre victories, bringing little material to the Imperium with their campaigns. Alexandri decided to form a plan alongside his top officers, choosing that they would break the back of this tiny yet mighty Ork realm here and now. This minor astral pocket would be the pivotal point not for their glory, but recognition.

All the worlds were attacked at once, with the Orks happily throwing themselves into clashes with the Imperial Army and Strelky deployed to defend the civilians. Oddly enough, none of the Cataphracts had landed. Until that is when they dropped down upon the surface of Serx-III with the full might of their Huscarls in a full sized Battalion. Before reprisal could be made by the Orks however the Cataphracts immediately disengaged. The first taste of the Astartes warriors battle prowess had been given to the raging hulks. Their fury demanded more, needed more. Those boys were a real, proper fight!

The Turning Point

Alexandri understood the Orks would lust to have a real fight, but did not know where exactly the Cataphracts had come from. A message was sent to the Warboss heading the WAAAAGH, going by the title Gashtuk Headsplitta. He was taunted, told all his soldiers could do was fight weak farmers and weren't willing to face a real fight on a moon in the Serx system. The flagship redirected so fast it is said several other roks were busted apart as it pushed towards the moon. Millions of Orks from Gashtuk's own warband dislodged down, bent on rending apart the armored 'beakies'.

The Primarch of the Silver Cataphracts had picked the location for the upcoming battle well. The moon was named Serex, containing its own atmosphere and lakes but was incredibly cold to the point little could survive along its arctic surface. The Legion had built fortifications upon a false island, luring the massive horde towards them. As they trampled long the long ago frozen ice, explosives erupted all around them. Countless Greenskins sunk to their doom, only for hundreds of ships above to come out silent running, firing massive salvos straight into Gashtuk's primary rock.

Alexandri was quick to rally the Legion, having them strike swiftly then disappear all over the subsector. As they did, more taunts were sent out over the void along derelict ships demanding more Orks come to face the Cataphracts. Soon even more millions were upon Dierex, but the Legion had prepared for this. Never did they fight them out in the open, or on unfavorable terms. The use of camouflage greatly confused and shocked the less cunning, who would one day see the Cataphracts using their grey and blue only for them to switch the following day, ambushing them along a raid for supplies.

The following conquests were ridiculously easy, as nearly all the Orks having gone to Dierex to fight the 'Sivar uns'. Little had they known that they had been lured into a deathpit which rewarded their Orkish love of battle against them.

Aftermath

The entirety of the campaign took a gruelling ten years, but the Cataphracts emerged victorious. They denied the Orks satisfying fights, always teasing and prodding at their edges. In the end, Dierex was rebuilt by Alexandri himself. The Agri worlds which had problems feeding just two Hive Worlds were repurposed with more efficient divisions of labor and leadership, with new machinery too. They were able to feed dozens of Hive Worlds from nearby sectors, giving a little more life to the emerging Imperium. The Serx system was practically given over to the Mechanicum, allowing Mars to make them into highly productive planets constantly producing arms and munitions for the Cataphracts.

Three hundred million Strelky fell in the campaign, but only ten thousand Cataphracts had fallen throughout the entire campaign even in the face of such overwhelming odds. As a result of luring the Orks into Dierex, the nearby three Sectors became stunningly easy to pacify in the name of humanity.

The Scouring

Rosskar was cold, silent, and nearly dead. A half-dead patient on life-support. Alexandri set the Legion alongside the Void Angels and Steel Marshals, hunting down relentlessly the forces of the Traitors. Several worlds were cleansed of life, as the Primarch saw little use in fighting for targets which could not be repopulated later. The Silver Cataphracts fought endless battles stretching them extremely thin. Tough skirmishes with the Iron Rangers and Sons of Fire saw to nearly half the Legion being lost in a whirlwind of blood and combat.

The Empire of the Bulwark was the hardest campaign fought in this time. Alexandri strode out personally in a rare display of front line leadership alongside Roman Albrecht, to face Sebastian Rex. The Legion suffered from the loss of two fathers that day, as Alexandri was reduced to a husk of his former self and Roman Albrecht was consumed by the explosion. Long dirges were held in the ruins of Rosskar, with many singing hymns to the fallen Marshals in place of the Cataphracts. They believed those brothers deserved to be beheld above even them, for all they had done for the dour Rosskan sons.

It was during this time when Alexandri chose to accelerate the training progress, to hyper-boost the rate in which Astartes were produced. Despite numerous warnings by Byk, Sergei, and Galash this continued on leading to the first of many failures in the geneseed to become pronounced. First was the loss of the Belcher's Gland, which heralded a series of coming losses in organs. The Cataphracts regained their numbers in record times, able to press the advantage on the Traitors and finish off the last few bastions in realspace. The Scouring had come to an end, the Cataphracts were now able to enjoy a victory with a cracked geneseed and still broken home.

Legion Doctrine

Always pragmatic the Silver Cataphracts prefer to wear their enemies down over an extended period of time throughout an engagement rather than attempt to bet the fate of an entire campaign on a single battle. Relying on an excess of troops and material the Silver Cataphracts usually maintain a sustained assault coinciding along multiple fronts. Seen as cowardly by most fellow Legions, the Legion brushes aside such petty opinions displaying their numerous orderly successes with limited casualties compared to the more zealous Legions. They focus on tactics which work, whittling down forces in long protracted engagements.

Though no strangers to the carnage of melee fighting, they rarely commit themselves to a charge or throw themselves into the thick of a clash. The entire battle philosophy of the Cataphracts is to limit their own losses while maximizing those of the enemy. In symmetrical warfare with battle lines and fortifications they are able to dominate, but respond poorly to their own philosophy being used against them. Foes which strike before a response can be taken, or those who hit from within are able to reap great damage upon the Legion.

Within the combat philosophy of the Cataphracts, they hold success in the highest regard. Victory is the only justification necessary for them. They are willing to resort to any tactic, to adopt any stance they need to in order to achieve a lasting, meaningful victory. The major losses are avoided, and thus the Cataphracts usually guard themselves with a thick web of auxiliaries either in the form of the Imperial Army or the Strelky. A single Cataphract may even have a whole squad of mortal warriors at his beck and call, along with squad Sergeants directing whole companies.

A major driving force for cooperation with other Legions is to copy what works for those Legions and what doesn't, applying it to their own strategies. The Cataphracts abhor the idea of glory, as they solemnly march on to the taxing duty of warfare. Honor is a fool's word to their minds, the notion having no place on the battlefield. Never are the Cataphracts malicious or cruel for no reason. The belief of killing for killing's sake is the worst crime in their eyes, as is the pointless waste of human lives. The key word in that sentence though is pointless, as they will happily sacrifice a few for the many.

Most often the Cataphracts will paint themselves in camouflage, using their normal colors only when such measures would be pointless. Constantly they assault the enemy, but in their own measured way. On the squad level, there are several ways in which they pick off their foes. Taking out a few sentries here, or making a night raid upon a camp to sow panic there. On a broader scale, these attacks are done to cause cumulative losses to the enemy, wearing down their combat effectiveness one chip at a time. When acting as a larger whole the Cataphracts normally they focus on cutting off supply and enemy isolating forces to allow them to be attacked piecemeal and at their leisure.

Commonly viewed as fatalistic, a Cataphract Legionnaire simply has accepted his death as an inevitability. Without the illusion of a glorious demise or an honorable life, this leaves them reclusive and quiet individuals. A precious few among their number have a unique spark within them. The desire to either make things better for themselves, or for everyone. These members usually possess qualities of their Primarch, being gifted with skills in leadership and wisdom. Sometimes they are admired, other times they are looked down upon. No matter what, they rise to positions of power within the Legion in little time.

Legion Organization

Due to the nature the Silver Cataphracts prided themselves on being organized and orderly in warfare. Several formations deviating from the normal layout were produced, based on actual effectiveness rather than neat division. The main fighting unit was the Army, led by an Army Commander. Army Commanders had to prove themselves personally to the Primarch in games of skill and intelligence, showing they had the capabilities to think ahead and prove they could comprehend complex manoeuvres. Army Commanders who would further prove themselves would then be reevaluated again, and if they were found worthy, would be promoted to Group Commander who would sometimes have to manage two campaigns at once with an Army split among two different expedition fleets.

There was only ever two Overseers of Operation, but towards the beginning of the Heresy rumor was of a third planned to be promoted but never was. They would coordinate the Legion, keeping them connected and in as close to near constant communication as possible among galactic distances. Helping them in this task was the Grand Officer of the Legion, of which there was only one for the entire history of the Legion. This rank utterly invalidated all others both in the Strelky and in the Legion, and the word of the Grand Officer could only be matched by the Primarch alone. This was to allow decisive action be taken in case the Primarch was unavailable somewhere else for any reason.

The main unit fighting beside the Expedition Fleets was the Army. In the Dierex campaign, the Heresy, and Scouring however Battlegroups were deployed throughout to face considerable areas of resistance then break up into several parts to strike out at any number of planets. This allowed for the Silver Cataphracts to sweep over entire Sectors as if they were a tide. An endless sea of armored grey which crushed its foes under the boots of their advance.

The Strelky were also closely integral to how the Legion operated with the Rosskan mortals filling in gaps between the formations, giving them additional support and firepower. Every Marine held the rank of Sergeant in the Strelky, Sergeants of the Legion held the position of Captain, and Captains themselves were Colonels in the Strelky. An Overseer of Operations held equivalency with the Marshal-General of the Strelky too. The highest position available was Grand Officer of the Legion, which could be held in addition to another rank within the Legion.

Organization Breakdown

Joint Strategic Battlegroup (Entire Legion, all Strelky Regiments Available), led by a Grand Officer of the Legion.

Battlegroup (60,000 Marines, Fourteen Hundred Regiments of Strelky), led an Overseer of Operations.

Assaultgroup (30,000 Marines, Seven Hundred Regiments of Strelky), led by a Group Commander.

Army (15,000 Marines, Three to Four Hundred Regiments of Strelky), led by an Army Commander

Battalion (7,500 Marines, One to Four Hundred Regiments of Strelky), led by a Junior Army Commander.

Battle Company (1,000 Marines, One Hundred Regiments of Strelky), led by a Captain.

Company(500 Marines, Four Companies of Strelky), led by a Lieutenant.

Assault Squad(50 Marines, Ten Platoons of Strelky), led by a Praporshchik(Senior Sergeant).

Battle Squad(10-20 Marines, Five Platoons of Strelky), by a Sergeant.

Specialist Ranks

The Witchborn, or Librarians

The Witchborn is the name given to the gifted among the Legion's ranks, of which there were few. But they were powerful, particularly for their dabbling in the arcane. Trained in the ways of the Covens of old, in secret and very rarely the Librarius practiced witchcraft and sorcery. They would use is sparingly, and usually onto to augment their own natural ability. The Witchborn would have attendees and female Psyker students who would take care of the lore for the Legion, as they would focus exclusively on augmenting their abilities above all else.

Little is known about the Witchborn after the Heresy. It seems most Chapters made them into regular Librarians, but rumor is a few have gone back to the old ways. Even going so far as to train their own witches as servants.

The Huscarls

Due to the lack of Assault Marines in the Legion, and the large lack of melee enthusiasm among the ranks, Byk of the Sacred Band took it upon himself to forge ahead with an elite core of capable close combatants. Wielding massive adamantium tower shields and crackling power axes, the Huscarls saved the Legion many times when their usual tactics would fail them. Rigorously would the Huscarls train, battling themselves in sometimes day long sparing matches in which they would use fake practicing axes but wear full equipment otherwise. They were the backbone of the Legion, what they would fall upon when under a vicious charge or stunning route.

However, the Huscarls were only ever a defensive formation, failing when it came to the need to press the attack. In the successors exists a small core of them among the forced upon Assault Marine squads. They are the epitome of what few Cataphracts who desire melee can aspire towards.

The Varan

The elite First Battlecompany had an even more exclusive and prided unit within, named the Varan. These fifty Terminators had all sworn oaths of binding fealty towards their Primarch, promising to defend him with their lives. Years of hidden rebellion had warped Alexandri's mind to always suspect danger from every source, his eyes watching constantly. Sergei was chosen for his honesty and ingenuity, strangely not having a desire to command but to serve. Still, a thin layer of mistrust was sown during the Campaign of Astral Woe, forcing Alexandri to create a formation specifically to disallow his person being threatened like that again.

The Varan were an exception among the Legion. Most Terminators preferred assault cannons or autocannons, sometimes taking two into battle at once. The Varan used two massive poweraxes, what a Thunderhammer is to a Power Sword. They dual-wielded these weapons, whirling and swinging them into their enemies with a scything fury. All the Varan perished in the battle against Sebastion Rex, most dying during the battle, the rest succumbing to the blast from the Hidden Rex's final goodbye.

Legionary Vityaz

Among the Legion are a few with the honorific title from their homeworld. Given mostly out of respect, they mark a warrior who prides themselves on the virtues of chivalry and glory. Most of the Vityaz in the Legion serve as representatives of the nobility thoroughly pacified and placated from Alexandri. Most never rose above the rank of Captain, if they even reached that. Still many of their number served in both the Varan and in the Huscarls, being some of the few Cataphracts capable of throwing themselves into a brutal clash. The rank Vityaz changed Post-Heresy however, to mean someone who had proven themselves to their battle-brothers in combat by nearly sacrificing themselves for the rest of the squad.

Vityaz are not celebrated, or even favored by commanders, but they are given a degree of respect by their fellow squadmates if nothing else.

Legion Equipment

The Silver Cataphracts have always had an enormous amount of Marines, growing well beyond their ability to arm them sufficiently. Some Marines had to make do with outdated equipment such as lesser grades of power armor even. Having no concept of the term 'conservation', the Cataphracts have been recorded to use twice the amount of projectiles than other Legions in the field. Bolt shells are extremely time consuming to replace, leading many in the Legion to prefer wielding heavy stubbers or other ammunition effective solutions. Even after the breaking of the Legion in the Second Founding, many use special patterns of tri-linked lasguns or heavy stubbers to help lighten the load on their Techmarines who work tirelessly to produce more munitions.

Squad Sergeants of the Silver Cataphracts prefer to forgo the usual armament of melee weaponry, choosing instead to use a simple bolter or even use a plasma gun. The Captains almost never engage their foes in pitted close combat either, focusing all their attention on leading and directing the Marines under their charge. Huge vox-modules can be seen attached to each Captain, along with a vast array of grenades and pistols. The pistols are of many kinds and types, all for different purposes if the Captain needs to pull them out in a flash. Specialized auto-stubbers for the unamored, plasma pistols for heavy foes, and Inferno pistols for the truly remarkable opponents.

The Cataphracts maintain much of their equipment, making small modifications with the overseeing of a Techmarine. Many have small improvements, usually pertaining to the individual themselves. Famously Silver Cataphracts successors loot equipment from the battlefield in accordance to their old Legionary traditions. This usually leads to minor amounts of xeno-tech to be added to the armoury, which is only tolerated because normally the Cataphracts can be trusted to always hand them over if the Inquisition desires so. As long as this unspoken understanding exists, they are able to keep their spoils.

Culture

Homeworld: Rosskar

Rosskar
Segmentum	Segmentum Pacificus
Sector	Kuzgeta Sector
Sub Sector	Rosskar Principality
System	Rosskar Solar Duality
Population	6 Billion
Temperature	Subarctic

Geneseed Successors

The geneseed of the Silver Cataphracts is one of the most stable and reliable strains in the Imperium. This has allowed for a great multitude of successors to develop over the the many foundings. While this is all true, the geneseed has deteriorated due to rapid training and harvesting of geneseed. The Sus-an Membrane, Omophagea Implant, and Belcher's Gland are not longer compatible with the Cataphracts or their successors.

All successors also show universal disdain of the Codex Astartes, especially about the maximum amount of Marines in a Chapter. Commonly Cataphracts successor have numbers well beyond the established limits set, and use Imperial Guard regiments in a manner reminiscent of the Strelky of yore. However due to the nature of the Cataphracts few Chapter Masters can stay subordinate to one commander for long leading cooperation to become difficult as a Crusade pushes on. A common trait in the successor Chapters is the development of their homeworlds into industrial bases to help give them an edge in material over their enemies. Oddly enough The Silver Cataphracts and their successors cooperate closely with the Inquisition, sharing many views on the necessity of certain inglorious actions and conduct. Though there is intense arguments over the treatment of Psykers between the two organizations.

Second Founding

True Sons of the Regent

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True Sons of the Regent
Battle Cry	"We fight for the future!"
Founding	Second Founding
Successors of	Silver Cataphracts
Chapter Master	Tilisen the Second
Primarch	Alexandri
Homeworld	Desmoxi
Strength	500+
Specialty	Raiding
Allegiance	Renegade
Colours	Silver, Light Grey, and Crimson

Sergei wanted to push all those fiercely loyal to the Primarch into one Chapter to help keep track of these uncommon, zealous elements. The True Sons of the Regent regarded their progenitor with utmost respect and reverence. His philosophy was recorded and taught as if it was religious text. His ideas on the Imperium were highly discussed and debated on the meaning as if scripture. Chaplains became theologians for this psuedo-Faith that flourished within the distant Chapter. They believed Alexandri truly was meant to be 'The Regent', meant to rule in the Emperor's stead if ever there was a reason for him to do so. Thus his word was as good as the Emperor's own, as their reasoning summarized.

The True Sons were always reclusive even by Cataphracts standards. Their homeworld was a colonized planet beyond the reaches of the Astronomicon. There in the realm of the Halo Stars they enjoyed total seclusion, protecting the Imperium at random intervals whilst keeping their lore and secrets. As the millennia dragged on, the Imperium worsened. The rise of tyrannical and evil rule became widespread. It was not even attempted to be stemmed in the slightest and in some cases even readily accepted. Religion took strong hold in the place of the Imperial Truth, tolerated since it gave the populace an opiate to sate themselves on. Even though they followed a cult of personality the True Sons demonized actual religious belief. Several times they had clashes with the Ecclesiarchy, incuring the wrath of the Ordo Hereticus.

On the world of Cyrona a Priest had cleansed one tenth of the population because he saw 'evil in their hearts'. The True Sons were helping collect tithe in system when hearing of this. A great battle raged between the Frateris Militia and the Imperial Guard assigned to the Cataphracts as the cleansing came to an end. The Space Marines swept in like a furious tide, killing every last member of the Adeptus Ministorum on the world. Any who wished to follow them were allowed to, leading to a massive population boon upon their homeworld.

The True Sons broke away from the Imperium, declaring they would no longer stand by and watch as world after world fell from within and without. Chaos planets burned where the Imperium was unable or unwilling to confront them. Hive Worlds were liberated from aristocracy and oppression, with the Imperial tithe still being paid but now with benevolent governments helped by the Cataphract's successor. Not all worlds were successful, but there was enough victories for the True Sons never to give up. Over the years however the constant warfare with all sides wore them down. A decision was made to become the ultimate pragmatists, even by their own parent Legion's standards.

Xenos who agreed not to endanger humans were accepted, some even fighting alongside the Chapter as auxiliaries. The Kroot were among the most cherished allies, seen as the truest of Xenos. Witches in the fashion of the old Rosskar Covens were used to great effect too. Imperial Guard forces abandoned in the wake of retreats or defeats were picked up, sworn in to obey the Chapter as the reborn Strelky. Elements of other Renegade Chapters were allowed in after thorough examination, as the taint of Chaos was still a major concern. The Inquisition has in recent history pursued this Chapter with the utmost fury, but due to their location in the fringes of mapped out space it is difficult to find their base. Some Inquisitors even muse the use of sorcery may give them a huge advantage, allowing them to make their own pathways in the warp.

Twenty-first Founding

Seers of Winter

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The curse of the twenty-first did not spare the Cataphracts progeny. The only Chapter to survive this founding is the misbegotten Chapter of the Seers of Winter. The Seers had a horrible mutation in their geneseed, causing only one in one hundred recruits to live after ten years spent grafted with the genestock. Those handful that survived took specialist roles such as Chaplain or Librarian, with the few Captains living out their days along on ships with only the company of their Serfs to keep them company. Though hope was found when the Chapter Master came to a realization.

Not all their Marines needed to possess the geneseed. They could serve their Chapter as scouts indefinitely, only choosing to become full Marines on their own. While they had a ample supply of recruits, few ever survived after donning the Black Carapace. This allowed the Chapter to still operate, albeit in a limited capacity. Their small pocket of space is defended with a fury, fighting off Ork, Eldar, and Heretic alike. The Seers specialize in fast deployment, with a reliance on landspeeders and the element of surprise. Their scouts can stay behind enemy lines for months at a time wreaking havoc on the enemy from within. The lack of power armor means sometimes they must depend upon numbers, fielding at some times 30 Companies, all with scouts and landspeeders with the occasional Whirlwind or Predator company.

Alexandri, Primarch of The Silver Cataphracts

In summing up the life of Alexandri of Rosskar, it is right to judge him by his own standards - not out of sentiment, but because he viewed the galaxy soberly and correctly. Alexandri was not concerned with the love of the people, nor with gentleness and compassion. His whole existence was bound up with the struggle for Order, the only hope for mankind. Those who fret over the casualties of his campaigns miss the point. For every death caused by Alexandri's commands, a thousand more were saved.

If every general had done so much, we could lay down our arms and live in peace.

(Excerpt from Gaspard Lumey's Alexandri of Rosskar)

Appearance

Regal best describes the towering progenitor of the Silver Cataphracts. A huge, flowing brown beard that goes down the front of Alexandri's power armour is a common sight to be seen even when he is on the battlefield. Having spent most of his formative years in regular clothing, Alexandri prefers when not on the Crusade to be wearing something other than his power armor. Despite commonly holding a smile and good humor on his face, Alexandri appears to have weathered the years less than handily when compared to his brothers. Dark circles have burrowed in deep into his eye sockets and many lines have formed on his face. Even specks of grey and white have touched his beard. All this only adds to his appearance as the iron-fisted ruler of Rosskar.

Youth

During the first few years on Rosskar's surface, Alexandri did not wander the wilds as a savage or toil beneath the oppression of slavers. He was raised up in a quite wealthy family due to his quick grasp of mathematics and the arts. Orphans with capability were rare, and a good investment made by adopting them to help the family legacy grow was a common practice by the Rosskan aristocracy. Rosskar itself was a cold, frigid place filled with malicious forests and an endless host of terrifying monsters lurking within the depths of these mega-woods.

Alexandri learned of his true origins fairly early, leading him towards the desire of ruling over all of Rosskar. He began with a swift rebellion in his home city which saw the deaths of more than a hundred aristocrats, but no one else was harmed as a result. Alexandri first began to experience the revulsion from others as a direct result of his actions for the first time as he was disowned by the family who had come to love him and care for him. At the time, the Primarch did not care at all. He had a world to conquer!

The years drove on, his armies being halted until no progress was being made. The few cities holding out had fortified themselves to the point none of his forces could press onwards. Alexandri stayed young and healthy, while his family began to die around him. A great depression overtook the ruler which had him seek the society of witches upon his world, the Covens of Rosskar. Here he gained knowledge of both sorcery and the pragmatism that would dictate the rest of his life. A new, bloody and efficient doctrine still in use by the Cataphracts was employed to bring the capitulation of the remaining cities. Alexandri's grand ambition pushed him ever onward, seeking to fix the many problems with Rosskar and its people.

Sadly, this is frankly impossible. You cannot change fundamentals about a planet and it would take more than a few generations to change its people or its culture. Alexandri faced many attempts on his life by fanatic groups who believe this ridiculous change could only be brought about by his death. When these would-be assassins targeted his family, his nephews and nieces, this is when Alexandri forged his secret police which are still unknown to even his Legionnaires to this day. The police keep in check all movement upon Rosskar, making sure nothing threatens the rule Alexandri has put in place.

The Coming of The Emperor

At first the Emperor's coming was met with glee and celebration. The people of Rosskar were glad to not be the only ones alone in the galaxy. But not all turned about to be well. The Emperor disliked the existence of the Covens, which had helped the Rosskans through countless hardships and even helped Alexandri achieve victory and happiness, for a time. The Custodes were quick to expunge every trace of the society. When it turned out that some were being hidden from the Emperor by the secret police, more purges continued this time in the hearts of Rosskar's cities causing a great many deaths as Silent Sisters joined the fray, to null the effect of the witches' sorceries.

Alexandri would never forgive his Father for this act, but he understood the necessity of accepting it. He never once rose up his might to oppose him, and even as hundreds died in the purges he didn't attempt to bicker with him as a child either. A silent hatred grew between them, the same hatred which festers in the hearts of Rosskans secretly for the rest of the Imperium as a whole. It ruined their grand dreams of a better future. Every knew now that the rest of the galaxy is just the same, a damn shithole.

The Great Crusade

Never once did the Silver Cataphracts refuse the call to arms when summoned. Due to the massive population of Rosskar the Legion's ranks swelled to the brim, and then spilled over. It was never clear if the Cataphracts even once told the truth of the actual size of their Legion. To further add to this blatant growth of Astartes numbers, millions of regular human soldiers were introduced as part of the Legion as the Rosskar Strelky. The Strelky served as a valuable source of support during the Crusades, fighting as an auxiliary force to the Cataphracts main operations.

When not helping the Emperor or his fellow Primarchs however, Alexandri was eager to expand the realms of the Imperium on his own. He searched for worlds either with unrealized industrial potential or low population, high resource worlds. A huge warmachine was forged form the tiny fiefdom he claimed to help fund his ever expanding Legion and auxiliary force. When rumors of a rising amount of Librarians in the Cataphracts came to light, along with reports of witches serving in the auxiliary, it became clear that Alexandri had great ambitions that might upset the balance of order in the Imperium. Still, even if Alexandri broke regulations, he was always loyal to humanity, understanding the Imperium's way was the best way. The Imperial Truth just needed, bending.

Post-Heresy

Alexandri had lost half of his entire family in the Heresy, but this did not stop him from pushing the remaining members to fulfill their ambitions. Alexandri's kin spread out into multiple high-ranking positions in the aftermath of the Heresy. The tragedy of the event had left quite a few shoes to fill. The remaining Loyalist Major-Generals were invited to Rosskar so Alexandri could speak with then, coordinate them, and recruit them to his future goals. At this point it was clear to First Captain Sergei what needed to be done.

The Silver Cataphracts would have followed Alexandri into hell, not out of admiration, but out of the logic that Alexandri would only go into hell if it was the best option. Now? He was being driven by dreams and fancies, not by reality. With the blessing of Gaspard Lumey, Sergei eliminated Alexandri. The assassination was made to look as if the age old Rosskan rebels had finally got him. After living through the trials of his own world's conquest, fighting to the end in the Heresy, and everything in between during the Great Crusade Alexandri the Regent died from a coward's bullet. Unremembered, unnoticed. At the time the Imperium was engulfed in the Scouring, with all resources and attention focused on rebuilding and fighting the Traitors.