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The Paladrean Knights


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Chapter name: Paladrean Knights

Chapter number: CCXC (290)
Primarch: Roubute Guilliman
Chapter-Master: Artos Ellmaran
Homeworld: Paladrea
Fortress-Monastery: The Citadel
Main Colours: Blue and Red
Speciality: Armoured assault and Mechanised Infantry
Successors: Sons of Calixta

Battle cry: "For Paladrea! For the King! For the Emperor"
Motto: "Regi patriaque fidelis "


spacemarine.jpg
Astartes of the Paladrean Knight's Second Company

A
fter the Third Black Crusade of Abbadon in 909.M32 Chaos warriors in the Maelstrom and Xenos threats throughout the Imperium sensing weakness struck out at worlds throughout the entirety of the glorious empire of Mankind bringing suffering and war wherever they attacked. The Eighth Founding was decreed by the High Lords of Terra in an attempt to bring stability to the Imperium. However, that Founding failed to bring the stability desired to the Imperium, and, fearing even more collapse, the High Lords embarked on the second stage of their plan and launched the Ninth Founding to support the fledgling Chapters of the Eighth and succeed where they had failed. One such Chapter formed during these tumultuous events was the Paladrean Knights Chapter.

Direct successors of the honourable Ultramarines Chapter, the young warriors were tasked with assisting in guarding against Chaos incursions from the Maelstrom and threats from various Xenos factions, notably Eldar piracy and Ork war bands. The Paladrean Knights were placed in the Galactic West of Ultima Segmentum on the prosperous semi-Feudal world of Paladrea where they bolstered the line of defence for mankind.

Paladrea had been, for the past five thousand years, the centre of a mini empire that encompassed the neighbouring systems of Telmar, Erathia and Enroth as well as the Paladrean system, under the rule of the Kings of Paladrea who had unified them during the Age of Strife. The coming of the Imperium reduced the freedom of Paladrea, but it remained a unified body due to its acquiescence to the Ultramarines Legion. During and after the Heresy the region had remained loyal to the Emperor despite an attempted coup by disgruntled nobility.

When the Chapter was formed, in roughly 100.M33, they found the Kingdom in crisis; the last King had died with no clear successor and the nobles across the four systems were gearing for war to determine the next King. Samson Edara, the fledgling Chapters first Master, seeing this situation declared himself Regent of Paladrea and the ruler of the Paladrean subsector.

The Chapters rule over the Kingdom and the Chapter-Masters subsequent taking of the title of King has brought some inquisitorial suspicion upon the chapter, however over the past six and a half thousand years the Chapter has fought against the enemies of mankind and have proved their loyalty time and again in countless battles, wars, and campaigns. Earning the respect of Chapters throughout the Segmentum they have waged war in His name with honour and courage, refusing to back down to any foe when victory could be in sight.

Homeworld
T
he third planet from the sun, Paladrea is the only inhabited planet in the system, asides from the mining colony of Paladrea Minor, the fifth planet. Paladrea is a beautiful planet with three large continents that are home to roughly three billion inhabitants. The planet is ruled over by nobles who maintain their own contingents of Men-at-Arms with large numbers of serfs who till and work the land for their masters. All of the chapters Lord-Captains hold important titles and own large amounts of estate upon Paladrea itself, these titles, however, belong to the King of Paladrea ultimately and are his to award as he chooses. The Kingdom of Paladrea also contains Erathia IV and Enroth, both similar planets to Paladrea; however, Enroth is classed as a civilised world although it, too, retains the nobility found upon the other two planets. Inside the Erathian system are two other worlds, that are inhabited, the small five-and-a-half billion manufactorium world of Erathia II. However, the most diverse system in the Paladrean Kingdom is the Telmar system; Telmar is home to twenty-five Billion citizens who spend their lives inside one of its vast towering hives that dominate the landscape. Air, food and water are poured into the planet by its neighbour, Manetheran, home to one billion people who run this large agri-world. While the Knights recruit from all four systems the majority of the recruits come from the seat of power, Paladrea herself, where the military academies are and where the strongest noble roots lie. Paladrea is protected from attack by its twin moons that are heavily armed and the Chapter’s Fortress-Monastery: The Citadel. Battlefleet Paladrea also provides additional support to the Chapter in times of crisis. The Paladrean Knights maintain two Battle-Barges and five Strike Cruisers for their marines, as well as a large Imperial Battleship Class vessel. The Shipyards for the fleet lie upon Enroth Prime, a small world neighbouring Enroth. While the four systems are regarded as the official Kingdom of Paladrea, several other systems exist under the protection of the Knights and the King. Most of these systems send some sort of tribute to Paladrea, usually covered in a treaty signed with the Kingdom. This informal empire building, while not officially endorsed by many of the Imperium’s organs, is ignored by the majority of individuals in authority who realise the extent of the Knights influence as they recognise the need for strong control in these dark times. The oldest system under the protection of the knights is Endemar which has been watched over by the Knights for nearly seven thousand years, ever since the day of triumph and blood against the World Eaters.

Combat Doctrine
K
nightly preference for warfare is seen in the way the doctrine the Paladrean Knights wage war, the concept of the heavily armoured warrior punching a hole in the enemy’s position is translated by the Chapter on to the battlefield by the use of mechanised armoured formations led by Armoured Spearheads that punch a crushing hole through the enemy’s weak points. The greater use of tanks in the Paladrean Knights Chapter has resulted in a larger than normal armoury and the cultivating of good relations with Mars and the other Forgeworlds. Old Knightly traditions of jousting and horse riding have also led to the increased fielding, by Assault Squads in the Battle-Companies, of Bikes in recent years; whether or not this will be an increasing trend amongst the Chapter remains to be seen.

The Hexis Crusade
In 997.M40 the planet Hexis rebelled against the Imperium and an Imperial Guard taskforce was despatched to return it to the fold, however soon after arrival the majority of the Guard also turned traitor. The Paladrean Knights were requested to send a taskforce to establish law and order upon the planet.

Lord-Captain Lucius of the Knights Eighth Company was despatched with around a hundred Astartes from his company, the Seventh and the Ninth Companies. He was to command an initial force to establish a ‘zone of control’ until Lord-Captain Arador Davros and the Third Company could arrive and take charge of the situation. This galled Lucius who saw himself as a better commander than Arador; he had long also felt cheated as he desired the command of a line Battle-Company instead of the weaker and, as he saw it, the less prestigious Eighth Company.

Lucius threw himself into the crusade with a determination to win before Arador could arrive, to prove that he was worthy of a true command. He led his brothers and the remaining Guard into battle after battle winning time and again, even capturing the planetary capital, Arctos. In a day of horror he ordered the extermination of the inhabitants, which, in a final moment of desecration he dedicated to Khorne, his new Lord as he turned on all his previous oaths.

War raged on as Arador arrived to witness the corruption of most of the Knights on the battlefield. The only remaining loyalists led by the Seventh Company Chaplain; Augustus Tenos were quickly supported by the Third Company who deployed In strength to crush the treachery of Lucius. Soon a huge amount of the Chapter was deployed as they struggled to defeat Lucius and his renegades. Even the White Scars Fourth Company assisted as daemons swarmed through a growing warp rift that had consumed Arctos. Slowly but surely the Imperial forces pushed the traitors back towards Arctos, aided by Lord-Inquisitor Saros of the Ordo Malleus. In a daring strike the Chapters Librarium and the Inquisitor struck at the rift, sealing it for ever, and a hero of the Chapter, Barahir Davros in the first of his hundreds of exploits, slew the arch-traitor of the Chapter: Lucius. But a cruel blow was also stuck that day, Arador the brave Captain would forever more serve the Chapter as a Dreadnought.




The battle for Endemar is one of the darkest days in the Chapters history. The feldgling Chapter led by their first Chapter-Master Samson Edara, an ex-Ultramarine Captain, fought against the traitors of Endemar. In a day filled with blood, courage and honour the Paladrean Knights fought against the traitor guard on the Plains of Garamor, only to discover the ultimate treachery: Chaos. Members of the World Eater Legion themselves stormed against the Chapter from the rear of the companies that were already present on the field. Marine after Marine fell, blood ran and the Chaos Gods laughed and cajoled. The Chapter-Master himself fell, slain by the Chaos Lord along with his guard and the entirety of the First Company. The Second and Fourth held on, waiting and waiting, determined to never falter, to never give in...Relief came in the form of Octavius Rydor and the remainder of the Chapter. The forces of Chaos were driven off and destroyed and the Emperors justice returned to Endemar.

Appearance


T
he Marines of the Paladrean Knights Chapter wear Regal Blue Power Armour with Red Shoulder Plates. The Chapter Badge is worn on the left shoulder, with the designation on the right, as per Guilliman’s Codex Astartes. The symbol of the Knights, as aopted by Samson Edara in honour of the ancient Arms of House Aquilos are the twin swords; Justice and Honour that have existed as the twin protectors of Paladrea since time immemorial.


Organisation



A
part from the large numbers of vehicles and their rule of the Kingdom, the Paladrean Knights are a Codex adherent Chapter in almost all senses of the phrase, as one naturally would expect from an Ultramarine successor. They differ in form, however, in the way that they view themselves as, first and foremost, a Knightly Order dedicated to protecting the Kingdom of Paladrea. Knightly Ranks are present throughout the Chapter; each Marine bears a dual rank, one which signifies their place in the Order and one with respect to their Marine heritage. For example, a Tactical Marine is not only a Brother-Marine but a Knight as well.

The Paladrean Knights organisational doctrine and laws are held in an ancient Tome written by the Second Chapter-Master, Octavius Rydor. The Tome is used as the second volume of the Codex Astartes and has replaced the original doctrinal instructions that Guilliman laid down. Though, replaced is the wring term to use as they still follow the Codex organisation in many ways. Rydor was considered a maverick by many in the Ultramarines Chapter, he was never expected to assume the role of Lord-Captain Commander, however, it fell to him to rebuild the chapter from the depths of its first disaster.
quests of the Paladin Exemplars
The mighty Paladin Exemplars regularly undertake mighty quests throughout the Imperium. The reasons for questing vary from Knight to Knight, whether from an affront to the honour of the Chapter or self, but undertake a quest they will. Many Daemon Princes, Eldar pirates and Chaos Warlords have met their gods at the hands of a Paladin Exemplar. Unfortunately many of these noble warriors have perished before they could bring their quest to a conclusion. Some quests are undertaken with the recovery of a sacred relic in mind due to a previous Knight perishing before his time…

The Paladrean Knights have a larger than normal complement of Chaplains although the reasons for this have never been made clear to any Inquisitors from the Ordo Hereticus who have questioned this although some few have whispered that it is that the taint of heresy may be lurking there somewhere, although there is no tangible evidence to support this theory at all. Despite some tensions with the Ordo Hereticus, both the Ordo’s Xenos and Malleus have strong ties with the chapter through shared histories and the fact that the Knights often supply Brothers to the Deathwatch kill teams.



Ranking in the Chapter

Initiate=Scout
Acolyte=Marine in the Ninth and Eighth Companies
Brother-Knight=Battle-Brother of the Reserve companies and of the Tactical Companies
Paladin=Veteran
Paladin Exemplar=Honour Guard
Paladin Sergeant=Veteran Sergeant
Lord-Captain=Brother-Captain
Lord-Captain Commander=Chapter-Master

Recruitment


T
he Paladrean Knights, unlike most chapters, maintain a high number of Squires, pre-Initiates who have not yet received any modifications to become a marine. Training starts at the age of eleven where the thousands of hopefuls are taken; from amongst the nobility, the hive gangsters of Telmar and the many serfs of the other worlds. For two years these hopefuls are educated in all areas of warfare until the age of thirteen, where around a thousand are chosen to become Squires: potential Knights, the remainder continue their education and most will become members of the famed Paladrean Guards who serve as the local PDF.

Those lucky enough to pass this second stage learn under the tutelage of the elite Royal Guard; equivalent of many other elite regiments. They not only enhance their craft of war, but also study under one of the Chaplain-Bishops who lectures to them on the four virtues of Honour: Duty, Faith, Loyalty and Perseverance and how they should behave. The best one hundred are finally selected to become initiates, how they are chosen is never a question of mere skill, strength or savagery, but also how they have best developed the virtues of Honour. The rest continue to train and will become members of the famed Paladrean Royal Guard.

Beliefs


“What is Honour you ask? Honour has Four Virtues; these are Duty, Faith, Loyalty and Perseverance.

A Knight must protect his people, the people of Paladrea and the citizens of the Imperium. He must defend the Imperium of Man from enemies, both those within and those without. His faith in humanity must never falter, nor his faith in the King and his brothers, those brethren who stand beside him. A Knights loyalty lies with his King and the Emperor, he must never falter when he must be hard; he must be compassionate and merciful when it is right to do so. To give up, to falter. That is not the way of a Knight, he will fight even when the odds are against him, and he will succeed where all others have failed.

It is right and proper for a Knight to strive to achieve these Virtues for only then will he gain true Honour and prove himself worthy to be called a Son of Guilliman and the Emperor.

By achieving this, thus does the Knight gain true honour, and, through that, true glory.”

-Lord-Commander Octavius Rydor, King of Paladrea, extracts from the Tome of Rydor.

N
ot for the mighty Knights of Paladrea the hysteria of the masses in the worship of the God-Emperor as prescribed by the Ecclesiarchy, but, rather, the cult of the heroes and the doctrine of Honour. Venerating the Emperor as their Lord and Ruler, Emperor Eternal of Mankind, not as a God, but as their ultimate liege-lord the Paladrean Knights also view two other figures as their patriarchs in this trio of mighty Lords; Octavius Rydor and Guilliman himself.

While Guilliman may be their Gene-father, it is Rydor who is first of these two in their affections for it was he who rebuilt the Chapter after the dark days of Endemar and it was he who forged them from a brotherhood of Astartes into an Order of Knightly Warriors determined to keep their Honour intact and to protect those whom they are sworn to defend.

This strong emphasis upon honour sometimes clashes with the demands of war and the actions that the Imperium has called them to commit. These they undertake with a heavy heart where there is no alternative – or if the alternative is too deadly and tragic to contemplate. Their dedication to their individual Honour and that of the Chapter has led to heroic last stands and tragic deaths of heroes striving to prevent the stain of dishonour – the ultimate shame – from descending upon their name. Time and again a Knight has sacrificed his life so that a mere civilian can be saved from the clutches of death itself. Indeed, the people of Thelsus Reach will never forget the actions and sacrifice of Lord-Captain Adaeus and his Fourth Company.

The near disdain that the Chapter bears of the Imperial Cult, has led to odds with the Ecclesiarchy on more than one occasion. During the Age of Apostasy the Paladreans held themselves aloof from as much of Gorge Vandires rule as they could, but it was in the aftermath of his fall from power that the Paladrean Knights waged war on the armies of the Church who refused to yield to Sebastian Thoth’s decrees as they saw these rouge elements as dangerous, branding them traitors, and, ironically, heretics.

For the Chapter, to serve their people is central to their creed and the Doctrine of Honour. Paladrea and the Kingdom is the central point in their orientation, but, despite this, it is the Imperium that has, over the years, been served faithfully by the Chapter. Even during Waaagh! Rawtorff that affected the Telmar system, the Second and Third companies continued in their defence of Sellorn Reach until the campaign reached its conclusion. Only then did they make course for the homeland.

It is not an uncommon sight to see Marines of the Chapter assisting in projects for the people of their realm; Techmarines and Knights directing and working on infrastructure that will benefit all upon their worlds. Some Inquistors hold this devotion to their own Kingdom in a dark light, but all who see the benefits of the strong realm for the Imperium entire applaud and encourage the efforts of the Knights as they create a bastion of civilisation in an uncaring universe in the name of the Emperor Eternal.

Geneseed


T
he geneseed of Guilliman was used by the High Lords of Terra to create the Paladrean Knights. Taken from the Ultramarines Chapter in M.33 along with a training cadre from the Chapter the Knights have suffered no recorded mutations or degradations in their geneseed as of yet and the geneseed remains as pure as that of the Ultramarines to this day
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The only drawback to this article at the moment is this bit:

Known Descendents: =][= CLASSIFIED =][=

It isn't typical in an article to go through the known successor chapters, so adding this is like pointing to it. Unless it comes up in the story of the chapter why their descendents have been classified, then don't bother saying it. Just delete the line - no-one will even notice its gone :P

 

As for the rest of the chapter, background wise it is fine - there is nothing wrong with it. The HLoT being pro-Empire building is a little off-putting, and I would suggest this decision is made by the chapter rather the the HLoT. They are told to go clear up this bit of space, they get there and rebuild the empire because it works in Ultramar.

 

I do feel like a little more character and flow to the article is needed to really refine it into a good IA. At the moment it seems more in note form and each section doesn't link well to the next. I would suggest reading a few complete IAs (found in the Librarium or in many people's sigs) to get a good idea about how to write a good final article :lol:

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I more or less agree with Ferrata - if you want to keep the line then perhaps replacing CLASSIFIED with "None acknowledged" would be much more cryptic and less of a flag? :D
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thanks for the feedback, will delete it...yea, wasnt really th HLoT decision really, just kinda happened cause the region had been ruled over by Paladrea for the past three odd thousand years, so they were used to the control from Paladrea. The Chapter prevented a civil war in the form of a succession war taking place.
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thanks for the feedback, will delete it...yea, wasnt really th HLoT decision really, just kinda happened cause the region had been ruled over by Paladrea for the past three odd thousand years, so they were used to the control from Paladrea. The Chapter prevented a civil war in the form of a succession war taking place.

Such mini-empires doesn't exist within Imperium, though.

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It depends what is meant by a mini-Empire. In the Eisonhorn books, it is obvious that certain planets are governed by other planets. I am guessing there are numerous planets that run almost a Feudal system amongst them, especially if Imperial command is quite distant. Also, it has been pointed out in the latest codex that a number of mini-Ultramars are popping up as it is the only way to support and defend those planets.
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As I will be pointing out when 2.0 is put up, this 'mini-empire' covers 4 systems and had existed from before the Imperium arrived, altough they surrendered quickly to the might of Ultramar :(

 

Because the King of the Kingdom died with no clear successor, it was veeeery close to being plunged into a war of succession so, to avoid this, the newly arrived Chapter took control of the old kingdom and have ruled ever since.

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  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...
It's a very competent IA. The only thing I feel that's particularly wrong is that they're not that unique. That's probably due to the fact that the knightly theme is one that is done often. I'd try and get just something a little more unique to add to their character. Flaws help in this department. Flawed heroes are a generally lot more three-dimensional.
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What do you suggest as a potential flaw?

 

I rather see them as 'bland', but, maybe their tension with the ecclesiaschy? perhaps having some conflict with another Chapter, say, coming to blows?

Of course, it's your chapter so if you want them to be shining paragons they can be :o It just sticks out a little in the shades of grey approach the 40k Galaxy has.

 

The potential conflict with the Ecclesiarchy is one that could be explored. I'm really not sure what flaw you could run with, sorry. I would try to make it something a bit deeper though.

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  • 4 months later...

ok, version 3 up, some major changes to recruitment. Trying to work in their 'flaw' which is mostly due to the problems one faces when trying to do the right thing results in losing a planet.

 

Not easy to forge into my IA, when/if I write some stories, then I should be able to flesh out this flaw/problem in their character and training. Theres also hubris, notice humility is not a virtue of Honour??

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  • 1 year later...

I have to say, at first the lack of a Origins section was a bit different but throughout the article you drop bits of information about their origins. I find this interest. It gives me the impression that less importance is placed on where they came from than where they are.

 

Also...that section on ranking looks familiar :p

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I have to say, at first the lack of a Origins section was a bit different but throughout the article you drop bits of information about their origins. I find this interest. It gives me the impression that less importance is placed on where they came from than where they are.

Also...that section on ranking looks familiar tongue.png

I had not thought about that at all, but yea, that captures the essence of the PK! Their focus is on their duty to their people and what defines them is the here and now - how they behave in essence.

The Paladrean Knights are 2 years old last month actually.

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Still, it might not hurt to have a small section to ease one into the article. Not a Origins section but a sort of "teaser" to get the reader hooked. I mean if you feel it wouldn't derail the flow of the article. You might come up with something better. Just food for thought.

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