CHAPTER NAME
Crimson Sons of Vengeance
SUMMARY
▪ GENE-SEED (PREDECESSOR): Blood Angels
▪ FOUNDING: 25th founding(Late M40)
▪ CHAPTER MASTER: Commanding Chaplain Alvoro(Early M42)
▪ CHAPTER WORLD: Kavillion Secondus
▪ FORTRESS MONASTERY: Templum Luctus
▪ MAIN COLOURS: Deep Red(Primary), Bone(Secondary), Black or Gold trim
▪ BATTLE CRY:
Force Leader/Chaplain: What are you to the Angel Above?
Response: His Sons!
FL/C: What are you to the enemy?
R: WRATH AND DEATH!
▪ CURRENT STRENGTH: 1500 strong counting Death Company, Sanguinary Guard, Neophytes and Chapter Serfs
▪ KNOWN DESCENDANTS: None as of M41.
▪ ALLEGIANCE: Inquisitorial mistrust but loyal to the Emperor and supremely loyal to the Blood Angels and Sanguinius
ORIGIN OF THE CHAPTER:
The chapter was created after the warp storm which developed in the Dolchiate Sector had grown to swallow an entire solar system into it. They are to be the guardians of the sector and principally reside within the Semyon System.
CHAPTER HOMEWORLD:
Kavillion Secondus was a lush rural world some millennia ago. Imperial records are able to show reports of an apocalyptic level carnage which affected all of the worlds of the Sector. The only conclusions that could be drawn from this highly censored data are that all Imperial Forces were forced into abandoning the Sector and that in that absence, Xenos and Heretical Forces alike were able to move in and mold the worlds into a parody of what they once were.
Being a world twice the size of Holy Terra, with a slightly augmented gravity level compared to the homeworld of humanity, Kavillion Secondus is a world of few agri fields and many war fields. Since The Retaking it has supplied more men and women then food or resources to the war effort.
The citizens of Kavillion Secondus live in tribal villages. The most populace of these villages have been known to reach numbers of less than a hundred people. With little food, shelter or gainful livings available to them, the various inhabitants of the villages will often turn to infighting and treachery just to survive. This has the adverse effect of creating a populace of extremely selfish, sceptical and violent human beings. Where as Baal can create Angels out of the most sickly and weak of mankind, Kavillion Secondus creates them out of Devils themselves.
The homeworld of the Sons resides in the Symeon System and is the only habitable world of the system. It is neighboured by a death world and a ferro world. A shadow presides over the entire system, the husk of what remains of Kavillion Prime, a planet shattered many millennia ago by an order of Exterminatus, the reasons now censored from all Imperial Records save those of the highest Inquisitorial clearances. Prime is now considered a sanctuary world by the Crimson Sons of Vengeance.
COMBAT DOCTRINE:
The Crimson Sons, much like any sons of the Angel, favour close quarters fighting. But due to the high demand of assistance in the systems of the Dolchiate Sector, they have allowed the Battle Companies to operate as Fleet Based Forces. This independence permits the Sons to be at multiple locations at once and develops a specialisation within each Battle Company for the challenges that await it on hundreds if not thousands of battlefields in the Sector.
The Veteran, Specialist and Scout companies abide on Kavillion Secondus and elements of each are shared amongst the Fleet Forces as dictated by the requirements of each.
ROLL OF HONOR:
C.Early M41 - The Retaking Campaign
The entirety of the Crimson Sons of Vengeance Chapter completes its warp jump into the Dolchiate Sector and travels into the Semyon System aboard its massive fleet. They immediately assess the system as one ideal for a base of operations in the sector and deploy an elite vanguard force unto Kavillion Secondus, facing off against agents of Slaanesh and their traitorous Emperor’s Children allies. Many years are required to completely purge the world of Chaos’ taint but ultimately the Sons prevail and begin construction of the Templum Luctus. It is to be noted that the commander of the Chaos Warband escapes Kavillion Secondus with some kind of priceless artifact, something that Commanding Chaplain Alvoro is not soon to forget.
120.M41 - The Cleansing of Prime
With the Templum Luctus complete and total control on every world of the Symeon System, the First Captain and Sanguinary Guard focus their attention to the corpse-planet, Kavillion Prime. An elite force of 50 Space Marines arrive and, like a surgeon’s scalpel, remove all of the cancer from the remains of the world in the form of Xenos, of which Aeldari and Genestealers held a heavier presence, while efficiently preserving the relics found about the remains of the once living world. From henceforth Sanguinary Guard will often stand vigil upon what remains of Kavillion Prime.
150.M41 - Into The Dark
The Crimsons Sons of Vengeance replenish their Battle Companies and begin the long task set before them of reclaiming the Dolchiate Sector for the Imperium of Man. The 2nd Battle Company, known as the Merciless Specters, take on the slave raiders of the Drukhari that have been plundering the sector of it’s lives and material resources. The 3rd Battle Company, known as the Eruptors, is charged with the resource filled Deork System. The 4th Company, known as the Warp Scorned, answer the challenge of the Rott System, with a main objective to find and eliminate the Warband responsible for Kavillion Secondus’ fall. The 5th Battle Company, known as the Deceivers, are charged with the reclamation of the populace Obeliscus System. Meanwhile the 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Companies replenish themselves from the efforts of the Retaking Campaign and begin to establish themselves in the Symeon System.
157.M41 - First Contact: Obeliscus
Captain Freytas’ message is received on Kavillion Secundus of the state of affairs in Obeliscus. Warfare is nonexistent. The people seem to go through their day to day lives without any change. The worlds seem compliant to all imperial creed and continue to fulfill their quotas to the ruling governors. Of these however, Freytas has yet to make contact. Initial Imperial estimation was that the system had been eradicated of all life, and yet the life is here and well. Chaplain Marchena is tasked with investigating the state of the hierarchy of the system. Contact with the local Imperial Guard regiments is to be made and establishment of an armed presence begins as the Deceivers seek to find what kept Obeliscus from the carnage and chaos that they found in Symeon.
159.M41 - Symeon Reclaimed
First Captain Diogo returns to Kavillion Secondus with his task complete. The 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th company return victorious to the now homeworld of the Crimson Sons of Vengeance having cleared the system of all of Chaos’ taint. The various reports begin to filter in from the furthest regions of the Dolchiate Sector and elements of the reserve companies begin to be sent out to bolster the efforts of their brothers across embattled worlds.
162.M41 - First Contact: Rott
Chaplain Cesar establishes contact with the homeworld upon entering the warp storm that now is the Rott System. The Warp Scorned expect to be mostly radio silent until their target is acquired, apprehended and dealt with. Extreme prejudice is authorised from Commanding Chaplain Alvoro.
165.M41 - First Contact: Deork
The furthest System of the sector is finally reached by the Eruptors. Their report back to Kavillion Secondus is one of great worry as they describe whole worlds plundered and yet worshiping the infamous Drukhari pirates. Slave ships filled to the point of bursting into the void are boarded and their human cargo freed by the Third Battle Company. They expect and welcome heavy fighting in the coming years, but with Chaplain Pireyra, Captain Rabelo & Sanguinary Priest Martel leading them, the headquarters of the Sons has full confidence in the Third’s will and ability to reclaim Deork.
C.Early M41 - Behind the Veil
A shadow war engulfs the Obeliscus System. The Fifth Battle Company is tasked with eliminating the heretical threat to the system, but they must keep it from the eyes of the populace who love the local puppet governors. A political and propaganda driven campaign allows the Deceivers to have each governor replaced and then executed behind the scenes. Although Obeliscus is reconnected with the Imperium of Man, those who pulled the strings are never brought to light.
C.Early to Mid M41 - The Elusive Prey
The Merciless Specters make first contact with the various Drukhari raiders of the Symeon System in the first quarter of the 41st Milenia. Assisted by the other elements of the Crimons Sons of Vengeance allows them to free many hundreds of thousands of human souls from the Xenos’ grasp and slave ships. It isn’t long before Symeon becomes a fruitless reaping ground for the Drukhari, but reports from Obeliscus and Deork begin to surface and so the Second Company takes the fight into those systems as well.
451.M41 - A Thorn By Any Other Name
Communications are received by various Astropaths on Kavillion Secondus, all originating from various points in the Rott System. Some have yet to be decoded as to their true meaning but the information that can be well received is as follows: The Fourth fights on undaunted. Casualties are many and mounting. The System is an ever changing board game of the Chaos Gods. Tzeentch has the upper hand. But hope exists, pockets of resistance are found and cultivated. The Angel Above is with us. The enemy has a name. Aruhna Requiem. Gryff’Rodh.
C.Mid M41 - A Costly Stalemate
Although able to free many from Drukhari slave ships and able to prevent raids on various worlds and space stations, the Second Battle Company finds itself in dire straits after more than half a millennia of hunting. The Xenos always seem to be one step ahead, pushing forward when they are expected to fall back and disappearing from sight when expected to assault. The casualties and lack of a true kill have forced the Merciless Specters back to Kavillion Secondus in the hopes of replenishing bodies and minds for the war effort against this elusive foe.
C.Mid M41 - The Pyres of Estonia
With the pulling back of the Merciless Specters from both Deork and Obeliscus, the Eruptors find themselves ill prepared for the Xenos’ craftiness in their system. A short and brutal campaign is fought between the Space Marines and Drukhari, with the latter seemingly being held away from their objective: the souls of Estonia’s citizenry hives. As the Third’s strikeforce consolidates on the city itself, the treacherous plan is finally revealed. Incendiary explosives planted across the lower levels of the hive are detonated doing very little structural damage but engulfing the lower levels in flames. Countless human souls are lost to the shame of the Second and Third companies. What was a glorious battle soon turns into an urgent rescue mission for the Eruptors who must silence their guns in favour of the lives still left to save.
705.M41 - House Lagarto Surfaces
Word reaches Kavillion Secondus from the Rott System: Allies have been found. Upon one of the Death Worlds lost in the storm, the Warp Scorned make contact with a surviving Imperial Knight Household; House Lagarto. This alliance proves fruitful to both parties as the Knights receive a mobile and informed fighting force and the Crimson Sons of Vengeance get a strong hold to launch attacks from. This point of contact also allows Commanding Chaplain Alvoro to lead reinforcements into Rott and join the hunt for the Aruhna Requiem.
C. Late M41 - War Comes to Obeliscus
Through pressure and information gathering, the fifth Battle Company is able to bring to light the manipulators of Obeliscus. Hiding among the populace of Somes, the Aeldari forces tear off their masks to unleash ancient fury upon the human world. The reasons for their deception remain in the shadows of the warp as these same Xenos flee the world leaving the guns of the Fifth behind. The interest of the Aeldari would not end with this confrontation however as they would use the accursed webway to harass Somes, Xanthus and Ormuz for centuries.
C.Late M41 - Various messages are received from Commanding Chaplain Alvoro and the Warp Scorned crusading in Rott. Accounts of skirmishes with both Traitors and Daemons across various worlds in the system. No real progress can be reported back as the warp’s fickle temperament affects this system in ways that imperial records have yet to show. The planet count itself cannot be properly recorded as whole worlds seems to disappear from existence only to reappear an undetermined time later. Time itself is relative and cannot be counted upon in or out of battle.
972.M41 - Deork Lost
Raids of Drukhari, riots from emerging Genestealer Cults and the sudden presence of Tyranids puts pressure on all fronts and spreads the Eruptors thin across the Deork System. With battlegrounds lost and casualties mounting, First Captain Diogo calls for a retreat of all imperial forces out the system. Deork is once again plunged into chaos.
989.M41 - Xenos Initiative
A Xenos fleet emerges from the eastern edge of the system and begins spreading its lies of peace as the other Xenos fall before it’s advanced artillery. They are soon identified as Tau and claim the name of the Other World Initiative Defense Command. The dwindling elements of the Third Battle Company take immense offense at this affront and charge back into the system to fight these Xenos across planets and in the space in between. They are hard pressed to find any success against the various threats that exist within Deork, but their bright flame of warfare is still something to make the Angel Above proud.
997.M41 - The 1025th Deceived
As the Millennia draws to a close, the Aeldari complete the ultimate deception and convince the Legion of the Astra Militarum known as the 1025th to turn upon the Crimson Sons of Vengeance on Somes, Xanthus and Ormuz. The battles are at first even as the Sons hold back in the hope of revealing the truth but soon Captain Saul Freytas must stomp out the would be rebellion to the detriment of Obeliscus' defenders. The 1025th is reduced to a shadow of its former self, and martial law is enforced by the Crimson Sons. When the fires of war are quenched, the Aeldari are nowhere to be found.
998.M41 - The Twilight Towers of Skiros Campaign
The Tau claim many of the worlds of Deork in a very short matter of time, and it is upon the Forge World of Skiros that they believe themselves the safest. First Captain Diogo receives the reports of the Eruptors concerning the planet, its occupation and its value to this sector and other neighbouring ones. He decides to send large elements of the 6th and 7th reserve companies to push into Skiros and remove the Xenos from its surface. The specialists tactical advantage aided by the fury that is the Third mount an assault on the Other World Initiative Defense Command’s stronghold. No siege is had as the Sons of the Angel Above wipe out the Tau to a man and establish Skiros as their point of attack going forward.
999.M41 - Birth of the Cicatrix Maledictum
A message is received during the last days of the 41st Millenium. Commander Dante, Chapter Master of the Blood Angels sends out his call to arms to all Sons of the Angel Above. First Captain Diogo receives the message and arms elements of the First and Fifth Battle Companies to accompany him to the home world of Sanguinius. They perform the jump into the Warp. However, it suddenly becomes a roaring sea of souls and daemons, an impossibility to navigate and a high risk to the assets within it. Diogo commands they exit the warp to assess the situation and although it kills the navigators on board, the fleet safely exits without any further damage. They find themselves staring at the husk of Kavillion Prime, but with an eerie glow set about it’s features. It isn’t long until the Crimsons Sons of Vengeance lay their eyes upon the Great Rift.
Reconvening upon Kavillion Secondus, the First Captain and the Chapter Headquarters receive a second message from Baal: The planet is safe, the Tyranids obliterated, many of their cousins are dead, whole chapters sacrificed to preserve Baal. Then the negative reports are confirmed, Terra is beyond their call, they are now cut off and alone. This is the last message the Sons receive from their parent Chapter. Reports flood in from the systems of the sector as the rift’s consequences begin to be assessed. Xenos and Chaos push forward undaunted. They strike at every world. But not all hope is lost, imperial agents arrive from neighbouring sectors to shore up the defense of Rott, and a chance at vengeance presents itself. Word is received from Commanding Chaplain Alvoro and the Fourth Battle Company. They have their eyes set on the traitor Gryff’Rodh and this time he won’t escape.
C.Early M42 - The Hangman’s Noose Campaign
(still to be played)
CHAPTER ORGANIZATION:
The Crimson Sons utilise the Codex Astartes to organise themselves but do have the following differences:
Much like the Blood Angels, they use the Baal Class variant Predator as well as the Furioso, Death Company and Librarian variant Dreadnoughts. The Death Company is also present.
The Battle Companies(2, 3, 4 & 5) are composed of 4 assault squads, 4 tactical squads and 2 devastator squads. This provides the Sons with added mobility on the battlefield, and reflects their desire for close quarter fighting.
As they prioritise, and often suffer greater casualties amongst, assault squads the 6th and 7th specialist companies are entirely composed of assault marines. The former being the jump pack mobility specialists whereas the latter are deep strike focussed. The 8th company is composed of the devastator and heavy weapon specialists of the Chapter.
The 9th and 10th company very much resemble the tactical reserve and scout companies described in the Codex Astartes. However the Sons diverge in how a scout becomes a fully fledged battle brother.
As per the Codex, scouts are evaluated on and off the field and can be assigned to the Sanguinary Priesthood, the Librarius or the Reclusiam, if they show the qualities required to succeed within these organisations. Any scout not destined for this sort of specialised duty is immediately upgraded to the 9th Tactical Reserve Company. Within this company these battle brothers are put through greater duress to test their resistance to the red thirst and the black rage, but they are also studied for career improvement and thus further allocation to one of the specialist companies or to a battle company should their mastery of the thirst and rage be acceptable.
Finally, the remaining divergence is in the command of the Chapter as well as of each Company. The Sons are always led off the battlefield by a triumvirate of a Reclusiarch, Sanguinary Priest and a Captain. This trinity of command has prevented much confusion during transition phases of command, should a Captain fall in combat, but also allows each company to act independently of the Chapter in its quest to protect the Dolchiate Sector.
The Company Reclusiarch is the Company Commander on and off the field of battle, his expertise in mastering the Black Rage has made him an essential part of all military operations. The Sanguinary Priest and Captain assist him in his duties and can overrule him if united. The trinity of command is also reflected in the Chapter Headquarters. To make this possible, The Crimson Sons of Vengeance have established an old Blood Angel Legion rank known as the First Captain. Along with the Sanguinary High Priest and the Commanding Chaplain, who is considered the acting Chapter Master as far as Codex duties are concerned, these three keep watch over the Chapter in all matters. For clarification, the High Chaplain rank is still in use and commands the Reclusiam without being overruled by the Commanding Chaplain.
HIDDEN TRUTHS
Like many Blood Angel successor chapters, the Sons celebrate their humanity through art. The songs and poetry that they compose have been a source of inspiration, hope and compassion to any man or woman privileged enough to enjoy it.
It has however led other Imperial eyes to question its themes and veracity. Much like any other artwork, the artist is never around to confirm or deny interpretations and so rumours have formed about the past of some of the Crimson Sons, prior to the Chapter's founding.
One of the rumours that circulates is based on the detail and amount of information revealed within these works of art about the carnage that brought the system to its knees. The official position of the Sons is that all inspiration is derived from the current state of things in the Sector and oral tradition of the tribes and villages of Kavillion Secondus. But it is believed that a link may exist between the apocalyptic level carnage and the Sons.
Members of the Chapter also seem to remain ageless even after more than a millennia of service in the Emperor’s name. Some speculate that the Blood Angels gene seed has allowed for this longevity, although it has never been seen in quite such a number. Others believe that the occult practices found in other of Sanguinius’ sons may have found their way into the daily lives of the Crimson Sons of Vengeance. The more radical of rumour mongers believe these everliving marines to be members of an Exterminated Space Marine Chapter from long ago.
The focus within the Chapter organisation to reduce any damage or loss caused by the Black Rage and Red thirst has caught the attention of Inquisitive minds. Why such precautions? Why so many details to prevent a void in leadership? Are they concerned by a mass fall to the Rage? Has that sort of Carnage ever befallen a Chapter before? Answers are non existent as asking the questions themselves could result in a swift death.
FLEET ASSETS:
Endovelicus - Battle Barge - Favored ship of the Commanding Chaplain.
Ataegina - Battle Barge - Favored ship of the First Captain and Sanguinary Guard and of the High Priest and Priesthood.
Neto - Strike Cruiser - Favored by the 2nd Battle Company
Borvo - Strike Cruiser - Favored by the 3rd Battle Company
Cariocecus - Strike Cruiser - Favored by the 4th Battle Company
Trebaruna - Strike Cruiser - Favored by the 5th Battle Company
Dercetius - Strike Cruiser - Favored by the 6th Specialist Company
Runesocesius - Strike Cruiser - Favored by the 7th Specialist Company
15 Rapid Strike Vessels
33 Thunderhawk Gunships
BELIEFS:
The Crimson Sons of Vengeance are affected by the death of Sanguinius much like other Sons of Sanguinius. However whereas the Blood Angels impossibly seek the Angel’s beauty in art and life or the Flesh Tearers seek to tap into His fury, the Sons find themselves united in the opportunity this new life brings.
And so they write and sing and compose, but not grand works of their deeds and conquests, but of who they were and who they wish to become. The desire is to never forget the wretched humanity that was left behind. The belief is that in doing so they may come to understand the darkness within them and how to fight it.
This view of Sanguinius and His gift of near ascendant immortality has been speculated to inspire emotions of familiarity and reverence amongst many of the Crimson Sons bringing many more of them closer to serving the Death Company than most Blood Angels successor chapters. This worry amongst the Sons Headquarters has inspired a greater dependence upon the Reclusiarchy and so elevating Chaplains to a more involved Leadership role in the Chapter.
Other beliefs are shared amongst the organisations within the Chapter. For one, the reverence of the corpse of Kavillion Prime. Not much information is released to this effect but it is believed by many imperial scholars that the Guard will often reside upon the shards of the world in reserved contemplation and many of the Sons’ heroes and greats have been allowed to make the pilgrimage in the hopes of being enlightened to the consequences of failing the Angel.
RECRUITMENT:
Like all Space Marine Chapters, the Sons recruit from a selected group of 12 to 14 year old males. Unlike other Space Marine Chapters, the invitation to the Chapter's Fortress-Monastery is open to boys of all ages, regardless of physical and mental attributes, social status or cultural standing.
Because of this, the poorest and weakest families of the many tribes of Kavillion Secundus will often encourage their youngest to make the trip to the Templum Luctus in the hope of having them survive day to day killers such as hunger and disease, let alone the daggers concealed in the robes of their fellow man. Youths as young as 8 have been known to successfully make it and so be given the chance to be accepted into the family of the Crimsons Sons.
Once at the Fortress-Monastery, these youths are inducted into the Crimsons Sons of Vengeance Laity. They are then overseen by a member of the Reclusiarchy and Sanguinary Priesthood who will be taking the next few years in instructing and evaluating every member both physically and mentally. The time a youth spends in the Laity is different for each. Some spend months in their studies of the great works and analytical writings of Sanguinius but most will spend years.
When the boys come of age, they are guided into the labyrinthine catacombs deep beneath the Templum Luctus where each is assigned a cell. After a day and night of fasting and meditation, each recruit is given a small goblet to drink from. Just as their parent Chapter, the Blood Angels, the goblet is filled with the blood of the Sanguinary Priests mingled with the remaining vitae of the primarch. After emptying the contents of the goblet, the recruit fasts for a second day and night. It is on the third day that the visions begin, making any form of quiet meditation impossible. The boys all see Sanguinius in his ancient glory, The Angel Above in perfect, winged form, unarmored and unclothed, and how they react to these visions begins to weed out those unsuited for the Emperor's work. Confronted with such beauty and grace, purity and goodness, any man would reflect on himself, his actions, his thoughts. Any recruit who can cast his eyes on Sanguinius, then upon himself and who can admit that he is unclean, unrighteous and unworthy of The Angel's favor does not fall to madness. Those who fall, becoming ravenous scoffers seeing themselves as a god amongst men, are removed from their cells. At this point the visions dissipate but hallucinations continue for the recruits. Some claim to speak to the Angel himself, others to a knight in rust red armor, some even to a family member or village elder, but all speak of the same thing: how can any earn the Angel's favor?
Truly the recruits now speak directly to men, even if it isn't the ones they think they are speaking to. Each boy is visited in turn by the Chaplain and then the Sanguinary Priest and they are told of Sanguinius and his confrontation with Horus and then offered a second cup of blood. To drink it is to accept that The Angel Above is the only one capable of transforming a wretch into an Angel of Death. Those who drink fall immediately into a deep sleep. Those who don't suffer tremendous organ failure and eventual death.
The Crimson Sons now have in their possession the future servants of Sanguinius and the Emperor. The slumbering recruits are brought out of the catacombs and brought into the main chapel within the Templum Luctus. This is the first time that they enter into the inner realm of the Sons. The chapel floor is cleared beforehand to allow space for the sleeping recruits. When all is in order the Master of Recruits, known as the Viriathus Tiro, joins the Sanguinary Priest and Chaplain of the 10th company to confirm the commission of those present. He reads each remaining recruit's full name aloud, announcing his past heritage and assigning him a new surname to be known by henceforth. Should the recruit awaken at the announcement, he is brought forth and given the goblet of blood for a final time before being placed into the sarcophagus in which the surgeries and transformation into a Battle Brother can be completed. Those who slumber through the announcement are taken away once all announcements are completed and welcomed as a Chapter Serf.
Although unexplained in a secular sense, this process has proven its effectiveness as the Crimsons Sons boast a near faultless survival rate in the process of turning these selected youths into Space Marines. The only explanation provided is that these youths were chosen by The Angel for this task. So they proudly bring wrath and death to the enemies of Sanguinius and the Emperor.
LOCAL RITUALS:
The pilgrimages to Kavillion Prime is the most sought after ritual that any Crimson Son seeks to be permitted to do. Many of these pilgrimages have yielded some of the greatest works by the heroes who do spend time upon the corpse of the world. However there are some rumours of those same heroes never returning. It is believed that the Sons induct these men into the dreaded Death Company as they finally succumb to the visions of the Angel’s demise at the hands of the Archtraitor.
Aside for this great honour, the Sons do participate in sharing their artistic creations communally with their battle brothers.
CHAPTER BANNERS OR BATTLE STANDARDS:
The Chapter Symbol found on banners and standards is a single, stylised white feather upon a red background. The Sons have adapted this symbol as the one signifying the loss and inspiration that is The Angel Above, known to the imperium simply as Sanguinius. It also not only reflects their loyalty to their Blood Angel and successor Chapter “cousins” but also their own artistic reflective attitude towards the arts of literature and musical composition.
This symbol is reflected on each Battle Brother by a crude drawing of a black feather on the bone colored shoulder pads.
HONORS, RELICS, DECORATIONS AND AWARDS:
The Crimson Sons of Vengeance are still quite young in their history to have established honors beyond those of the Codex Astartes, however there are some that have begun being passed down from the respective Company and Chapter leadership groups.
One of the obvious ones is the chapter symbol found on each Sons’ shoulder pads. The symbol begins as a crude drawing of a feather but can then be added upon. Squad Sergeants have the authority of honoring combat squad leaders and weapons specialists with such a designation, so too do Captains onto the Sergeants and their personal honour guard or command squads. It is noted however that the Company Captains have been given free reign as to stylize the chapter symbol as a personal heraldry. Each of these modifications is never to be removed as it would be disrespectful to the battle brother responsible for bestowing the honor, and because of this one can trace a Crimson Son’s career. Within the Hall of Honour in the Templum Luctum one can find a collection of these shoulder pads as an equivalent to banners in other Space Marine Fortress Monasteries.
BATTLE CRY:
Force Leader/Chaplain: What are you to the Angel Above?
Response: His Sons!
FL/C: What are you to the enemy?
R: WRATH AND DEATH!
GENE-SEED:
The Crimson Sons of Vengeance share the Blood Angels gene-seed and in doing so they find themselves sharing in the same joys and pains. They are known for a very similar longevity as the original sons of Sanguinius, with some Sons only beginning to become pillars of the chapter well into their 300th year of service, while many of the revered martyrs amongst the battle brothers find themselves joining The Angel after a millennia of fighting in His name.
The Sons are also known to suffer from the Black Rage and the Red Thirst. Their view of handling these curses is particular for a Blood Angel Successor Chapter. Both are seen by this Chapter as the result of the human psyche being overpowered by a part of Sanguinius spiritual presence inhabiting a Space Marine. The legendary Death Company is therefore seen by the battle brothers of the Chapter as the group of brothers that have personally felt The Angel reach into their very souls, whereas the leadership of Company and Chapter keep a wary eye on these Sons and on the effect their presence has on the rest of the Chapter. The Red Thirst is shared amongst all Crimson Sons and the entire Chapter shares the same view of origins of this curse as they do for The Black Rage, however the act it encourages is considered more acceptable than the reverence battle brothers will have for the Death Company. Although it isn't known if the drinking of blood happens on or off the field of battle or under what kind of conditions.
CHAMPIONS OF THE CHAPTER:
(Currently updated until Early M42)
Commanding Chaplain Achilleus Alvoro
Although no information is readily available on the Commanding Chaplain’s activities prior to leading the Crimson Sons of Vengeance, which often attracts more than one inquisitor’s gaze, however since being de facto Chapter Master he has been nothing but the ultimate weapon of the Emperor and Angel’s wrath. His most notable engagement has been to lead his Chapter in The Retaking Campaign and bringing not only the world of Kavillion Secondus back to the Imperium but also ensuring the protection of the Symeon System and giving a bright hope to the entire Sector.
First Captain Mencius Diogo
The first Captain is also amongst those whose past is shaded in mystery. However his brilliance in combat and near symbiotic control of the famed Sanguinary Guard of the Sons during The Retaking Campaign have made his name hallowed amongst even the captains of the Sons of Vengeance. His firstmost achievement during that campaign was being first on the ground to achieve first blood even before any of the Guard had drawn their weapons.
Sanguinary High Priest Osvaldus Benedito
Osvaldus Benedito was still very young in his Space Marine career as a Blood Angel when the Sons were created. The Blood Angels being notified of these new cousins imminent birth had planned to send a percentage of their scouts and neophytes to aid in the quick establishing of this Successor Chapter. Benedito volunteered. Becoming a Sanguinary Priest of the Crimson Sons, it wasn't long before his meekness and faith in Sanguinius were outshone by his wisdom and the Sanguine Miracles he performed through The Angel Above’s blessing. Benedito was thus made Sanguinary High Priest before The Retaking began and quickly became a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. He is known for guarding a suicide styled sternguard squad against the gigantic explosion of a Fellblade that they downed. An explosion that left nothing but Benedito and the sternguards standings for many kilometers around. Not a scratch on any of the brothers.
Chief Librarian Alaricus Galharde
The nicknamed prince and known Regent of Kavillion Secondus rose to his position very quickly sometime in mid. M41. A part of the first batch of Kavilionite recruits, Alaricus’ psychic powers were quickly noticeable by the leadership of the Sons.
Galharde’s rise to the position of Chief Librarian is only the beginning of his tale. It is told that a psychic attack was detected on Kavillon Secondus, inducing murderous rage amongst the people itself, and that the elect of the Librarius reunited within the Templum Lectus to defend against and repel the attack as best as they could. However, the victims only found there situation worsening as more and more of the people of Kavillion Secondus were falling to this psychic induced rage. As time passed, the attack began to take its toll even upon the elect, each day that passed was announced alongside the death of one of these powerful Space Marine Librarians. By the 7th day only Galharde remained and the leadership of the chapter was nowhere near to finding the source of the attack. Commanding Chaplain Alvoro was ready to take matters into his own hands to preserve what was now his most powerful Librarian. He stormed into the room now filled with bleeding bodies and a lone Son sweating profusely, fighting with all his might. Alvoro stared into the eyes of Alaricus Galharde and saw a man determined not to fail. He attempted to reason with this proud brother but all Galharde would respond in a barely heard whisper was “I will not fail my people”. As time passed and the day began darkening, blood began trickling down his nose and yet still Galharde’s reply was “I will not fail my people”. Finally night fell and blood began trickling from his eyes, at the sight of this Alvoro charged at him in a hoped attempt to conserve his life. Upon making contact an explosion was felt across the planet. When the dust cleared, Galharde carried Alvoro out of the room and as reports began coming in over the vox about how the rage left the populace and all recovering could only explain the cure as a pronounced feeling of love that washed the rage away, Alaricus Galharde was heard saying to a near out of conscience Achilleus Alvoro: “I will not fail my people.”
This display of power and love made the promotion of Galharde to Chief Librarian and Regent of Kavillion Secondus a formality.
Edited by Dolchiate Remembrancer, 22 July 2019 - 08:17 PM.