Iron Eagles

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## Iron Eagles

Iron Eagles armorial with Chapter iconography.

Iron Eagles Battle-Brother of the 2nd Company ('The Black Falcons'), unknown Battleline Squad.

## Space Marine Chapter

### **Allegiance**

Imperium of Man
(*Fedelitas Scindere*)

### **Successor of**

Raven Guard
(Corvus Corax lineage.)

### Successor Chapter(s)

None

The **Iron Eagles** are a venerable Successor Chapter that hails from the proud lineage of the ancient XIX Legion – Raven Guard. They were created during the Second Founding which occurred in 021.M31, seven years after the near disastrous civil war known as the Horus Heresy which saw the Imperium brought to the edge of the abyss. The initial command cadre of the newly created Chapter drew heavily from the surviving Veterans of the Raven Guard, many having served both during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy eras. Their esteemed ranks included several members who survived the cruel betrayal of the Drop Site Massacre of Isstvan V.

Since their inception, the bellicose Iron Eagles have tirelessly prosecuted an eternal crusade of vengeance against the vile Traitor Legions across the width and breadth of the galaxy, prosecuting their bitter shadow war in order to gain a measure of vengeance on behalf of their Raven Guard ancestors.

## Chapter History

Following the disastrous galaxy-wide civil war known as the Horus Heresy, the structure of the shattered Imperium and its military forces were reorganised by the acting Lord Commander of the Imperium, Ultramarines Primarch Roboute Guilliman, in accordance to the dictates of his newly adopted *Codex Astartes*. The nine remaining Loyalist Space Marine Legions were to be partitioned into smaller, more flexible, formations known as Chapters which consisted of a maximum allotment of 1,000 Astartes each.

The sundering of the Legiones Astartes was necessary in the wake of the actions committed by the Arch-Traitor Horus, and his turning of over half the Space Marine Legions to his treacherous cause. No one individual would ever be allowed to wield the power of a Space Marine Legion under his command again.

Following the adoption of the *Codex Astartes* and the sundering of the Space Marine Legions, the Raven Guard was partitioned and four new Chapters were sired from the gene-seed of Primarch Corvus Corax including – the Black Guard, Revilers, Raptors and the Iron Eagles.

The Iron Eagles ranks were drawn heavily from the Veterans of the original XIX Legion, including the few survivors of the disastrous Drop Site Massacre of Isstvan V amongst them who survived against all odds, as hordes of Traitors attempted to run them to ground like cornered animals. Due to these dire events, their vaunted spirits had been stretched to the breaking point. These few veterans had never forgotten the Traitor death squads hunting down the Loyalsit survivors and visiting unspeakable atrocities upon the fallen.

The tragic events of this lamentable campaign left an indelible scar cut deep into the psyche of the surviving Raven Guard legionaries. From that moment on they vowed that while a single Son of Corax continued to fight, no Traitor could rest without fear that justice would be visited upon them.

Since their inception, the Iron Eagles have continued their never-ending pursuit to enact vengeance against the hated Traitor Legions who betrayed their Progenitors on that fateful day. The Iron Eagles have proven to be worthy inheritors of their Primarch, striking in battle with speed, precision and ferocity before fading back into the shadows.

## Notable Campaigns

### Great Scouring (ca. 014-021.M31)

Following the end of the Horus Heresy, Corax continued his campaign of vengeance against the hated Traitor Legions, became an avenging son of wrath. Whilst the Ultramarines Legion maintained order within the battle-scarred Imperium, the Raven Guard continued their prosecution of the Traitor Legions, hunting them down across the width and breadth of the galaxy, never relenting in their pursuit of their hated foes. The vengeful XIX Legion took their pound of flesh during the Imperial campaign of vengeance against the Forces of Chaos known as the Great Scouring. Whilst others shaped the new Imperium, the Raven Lord immersed himself in striking back at those that had nearly seen the destruction of his legion on Isstvan V. For much of this era, Corax remained absent from the highest councils until he was summoned back to Terra when Roboute Guilliman presented his *Codex Astartes* as the future of the Space Marines.

#### Costhlis Excoration (Exact Date Unknown.M31)

As dusk fell on the loyal planet Costhlis the population feared the worst. Traitorous cultists, abandoned by the fleeing corrupted Legions during the Great Scouring, had mobilised to enslave the planet to their own will. The Costhens looked to their Emperor to save them but no relief had arrived and the Imperial Guard were being overwhelmed. The population, in desperation, began to fall back on ancient legends from before the Emperor's truth had come. They hoped the planet's historical lore of myriad mythical beasts would come true and return to save them. Many told of old tales of the giant Dark Falcons that had once descended from the heavens to cleanse the planet of evil centuries before. As dawn broke, the clouds erupted above with swarms of what the Costhens believed to be the fabled birds of prey. But it was the Iron Eagles 2nd Companies' Thunderhawks and Drop Pods that filled the sky! A new chapter formed for the Scouring, charged with cleansing the traitors from the system that had received the distress signals and vox cries. The 2nd Company were relentless and would cut through the surprised traitors in less than a day while protecting the population and guard forces with minimal further casualties. By nightfall the threat was expunged. The surviving population lauded their saviours with their black armour and conical helmets referring to them as 'The Black Falcons'. The 2nd Company, having enjoyed the stories, adopted the name from that day forth.

### The Silver Raptors (Unknown Date.M32)

During a routine refit, the 8th Company's strike cruiser came under surprise attack by Drukhari Raiders. The Marine's armaments and new powerpacks were still being readied and hadn't yet been rendered in the Chapters colours. The Marines fought back the raiders with melee tactics, power blades and small arms to try to reclaim the Cruiser's bridge but were cut off when the Drukhari sealed the entrances. Two squads, with the help of the cruiser's deck hands, managed to fit their powerpacks so as to seal their armour and activate life support for extra-vehicular activity... The Marines would Close Support the bridge from outside the ship.

As they made their way to the emergency airlocks the raiders prepared for battle, sealing their own suits in preparation. The doors were ruptured and the bridge was compromised with the loss of all hands to the void of space including the Cruiser's veteran commander. The Iron Eagles with their un-primed ceramite powerpacks fought the Drukhari in hand-to-hand combat in zero gravity inside and outside the ship. The Marines were victorious but with the loss of many important officers for the company. The 8th would decide to honour their losses by rendering their powerpack silver from that day.

### Scouring of Ultima Prandium (Unknown Date.M36)

During the invasion of the planet Ultima Prandium in M36 by a devastating Tyranid Swarm the planet had been overrun and the populace almost entirely wiped out. The 6th Company ('The Unbreakable') of the Iron Eagles were the nearest force to the system and responded to find a regiment of Astra Militarum protecting the final sanctuary citadel of the planets' Administratum infrastructure. Many families had been secured inside but the tide was close and soon the guardsmen wouldn't be able to prevent the remnants from obliteration.

As soon as the 6th touched down time was too short to evacuate. The Astertes set about securing the great doors, windows and other openings, setting up fire team positions in strategic towers and weaponry to cause as much effect on the attacking hoard as possible. Traps were laid and bulkheads erected through the winding tunnels and corridors of the citadel, creating choke points and funnels for the xenos spawn. The fortifications were a spectacle to the remaining guardsmen who were in awe of how such defences could be created so quickly.

The xenos lunged from the shadows of the city to test the citadel and the resolve of the warriors. Wave upon wave smashed into the walls and doorways to claim their final slaughter only to be mowed down by bolt shells and hurled into traps making pits of chard alien corpses. The attacks continued. The Tyranid drones made progress only to find themselves in the citadel's killing chambers where the 6th could herd them into the narrow funnels and use their bodies to block more passages.

As months past the swarm had lost drones in the hundreds of thousands but knew no pause. The choke points had allowed marines to save ammunition and use melee tactics and diversion to stem the tide. But now the 6th were now cut off from their cruiser that had sent all it could in aid to the planet. It's commanding officer reluctantly poised to serve heavy ordinance upon the city which would ultimately mean the companies end. The bodies of the enemy stacked upon the citadel's spires meant their vox channels were all but useless.

After 8 months of brutal savage fighting the 6th were down to less than a fifth of their number and the guardsmen were gone. The families remained but feared the worst. As the sun rose the next morning the system's star would cast a shadow of an immense floating fortress. The *Phalanx*, home to the Imperial Fists Chapter had connected with the Companies cruiser and entered the system to relieve the 6th. Their Drop Pods falling from the sky shattering the swarms of xenos below them. The Imperial Fists Chapter mobilised most of their number and massacred the xenos by their millions. The respite allowed the 6th to finally evacuate the families that had survived the long ordeal. The relieving Imperial Fists, impressed by the strategies and fortitude of the Iron Eagles 6th Company, honoured them with the name: 'The Unbreakable'.

## Chapter Organisation

The Iron Eagles do not follow the *Codex Astartes* for Company organization, instead of the usual mandated 10 Companies commonly found in most Chapters, there are 12 Companies within the Iron Eagles Chapter. The 1st Veteran Elite, 2nd-9th Battle Companies and 10th-12th make up the reserves. Each Company specialises in a specific type of engagement but all are capable and well equipped to cover most strategies of warfare independently.

The 1st Veteran Company are the elite. The most experienced and battle hardened of the chapter. This is common of most chapters. What isn't common is their strict dedication to the honour of wearing the 'Corvus' pattern Power Armour. The Mk VI plate is considered to be a symbol of the defence of Terra and the defeat of the Traitor Legions. It is also considered to represent the chapter in appearance (The helmet cone similar to the Chapter badge) and its versatility. The Iron Eagles therefore cherish these suits and bestow them upon only the worthiest of the chapter.

Within the Iron Eagles Chapter, Tactical Dreadnought armour isn't restricted to veterans of the first company only. This is so more Marines gain experience of their use over longer service. The 1st Company have more suits at their disposal but Battle Companies also benefit from Terminator Armour and are more capable to deploy independently with all the tools they require for almost any type of warfare.

The 2nd Company ('The Black Falcons') have seen more action in wars for the imperium than many chapters have! Their inspiring deeds span millennia and are feared for their tactical prowess on the battlefield.

The 3rd Company ('Crusaders') regularly embarks on crusades in the name of the Emperor. Since their inception through the Second Founding following the Great Scouring, the Iron Eagles have strived to prove their loyalty to the Imperium. The chapter's origins are clouded due to lost records and tales of the chapter being lost to the warp only to re-emerge. This has only added to the Iron Eagles need to prove their purity and unshakable fidelity to the Emperor, feeding the Inquisition with tales of great deeds and sacrifice to further his vision.

The 3rd Company are therefore especially charged with bringing the Emperor's truth to the galaxy. It is their unending crusade and have conquered and reclaimed countless worlds in his name. They have even fought alongside the famously zealous Black Templars for the cause on occasion.

The 4th Company ('The Death Strike') of the Iron Eagles Chapter are renowned for their lightning fast, pinpoint strikes to cripple the enemy at the most opportune moment. The Death Strike, as they have become known, choose their objectives to cause the most crucial damage to the enemy position in order to weaken, confuse and to surgically cut out any advantage. The 4th has proven themselves in many battles where the odds did not seem to weigh in their favour. They can turn a battle to the Imperium's advantage in a moment of precise action that leaves the enemy disorientated, providing that essential moment to collapse their momentum.

The Company contains Battleline and Fire Support units but are mostly fitted as Close Support squads. All within the company are trained to use jump packs, bikes and Land Speeders when required. The 4th is deadly in close combat and speed. Each unit is drilled into a specific discipline whether it is flying into a Titan's weak spots to plant charges, identifying ideal locations on starships for fast and devastating boarding actions or cutting into lines of infantry at precise moments to deal the most damage to morale and cohesion.

The Death Strike fear no sacrifice for the purpose of victory against all odds and their lightning speed leaves most enemies in disarray as they turn the tide of battle. All enemies of the Iron Eagles fear the moment of the Death Strike!

The Iron Eagles 5th Company ('The Executioners') are specialists in operations that require more precision and stealth-based tactics. When a complex scenario presents itself and a target is identified the 5th are often called upon to assassinate the enemy leadership, destroy a strategic outpost and eradicate threats before they can grow into tyrannical regimes.

The 5th pride themselves on their ability to mobilise and perform special operations with precision. They have proudly worked alongside the Raven Guard in many joint ops due to their Battlelineprowess and have earned praise from their leadership. Their name derives from their impressive record in stealth manoeuvres and their history of success in executing all mission objectives.

The 6th Company ('The Unbreakable') are known for their unassailable defensive capabilities and stubborness in the face of overwhelming odds. They are known for their ability to adapt to any given tactical situation and adjust their tactics accordingly in order to neutralise any threat they might encounter.

The 7th Company ('The Iron Reach') have deployed in more sectors of the Imperium than many chapters have ever reached. They have many smaller and faster cruisers at their disposal allowing them to spread their force further and often take part in crusade's with the 3rd or engage in special operations with the 5th that span multiple worlds.

The 7th is known for their vast experience of the galaxy and for their ability to quickly respond to distress signals when required. The Iron Reach as they are known, with their famous silver right armour, strive to support Imperial forces and will land their drop pods apparently out of nowhere to assist imperial army and brother chapters alike at times of great need. Their assistance in battle has consistently proven to turn the tide and established the 7th as saviours of many engagements for the Imperium. When all hope seems lost, look to the skies for the Iron Reach.

The 8th Company ('The Silver Raptors') are masters of melee combat and EVA tactics. Their prowess in melee combat and use of power blades has become renown and named 'The Silver Raptors', adopted for their aggressive and effective close Close Support tactics in battle.

The 9th ('Dusk Hawks') and final Battle Company of the Iron Eagles consists of predominantly Close Support Squads and utilise jumppacks, bikes and Landspeeders to great effect on the enemy. The 9th excel at using night operations for surprise Close Supports on unsuspecting targets. The Dusk Hawks, as they have become known, traverse extreme landcapes with apparent ease and can launch into close combat from directions the enemy thought strategically impossible and unwise to waste there guard upon.

Specialists in air based and fast ground Close Support manoeuvres, the 9th are a fearsome force and experts when it comes to outflanking entire armies. Strategic objectives such as bridges, high towers and mountain fortresses are not safe from the Dusk Hawks.

The first and largest of the Iron Eagles Reserve Companies are called 'The Watch'. Comprised of entirely Battlelinetrained Space Marines, they help to bolster the Battle companies when required. When they are not in battle the 10th will patrol and police the domains of the Imperium under the sphere of the Iron Eagles' protection.

Reserve companies are comprised of newer recruits to the Iron Eagles but are fully trained and battle ready. If a Space Marine of a Reserve Company proves their aptitude in a particular field of combat or tactics they will be promoted to one of the battle companies best suited for their skills.

The 11th ('The Spear Tips') and second reserve company of the Iron Eagles are specifically trained for close combat and air Close Support. This also includes bike squadrons, Landspeeders and the use of jump packs.

The Spear Tips are regularly deployed in battle as the first strike, either to thin out the enemy's attack or as a second wave to the forward line's charge. Marines of the 11th are chosen for their strength and skill with blades and regularly prove their prowess in the most brutal engagements. The 4th, 8th and 9th Battle Companies tend to recruit directly from the 11th Reserve.

The 12th (and last) company of the Iron Eagles are trained in heavy support weaponry as Fire Supportunits. The 12th ('Titan Hunters') are deployed when maximum firepower is required especially in heavy mech engagements. At full strength, the Titan Hunters carry enough ordinance to take down one of these godly machines and so are an extremely powerful asset at a commander's disposal.

Dreadnoughts are a common asset within Iron Eagles companies. They are treasured above all within the chapter. Techmarines always prioritise these fallen heroes and their heavy weaponry.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

#### Inception

Upon their inception, the Iron Eagles originally used shadow grey as their primary colour for their battle-plate with blue/grey as a secondary colour on both gauntlets and a vertical stripe on the helmet. Over time, the Chapter would undergo many changes in their appearance, until the settled upon their current colour scheme.

#### Modern Era

The Iron Eagles primarily wear black coloured battle-plate with secondary blue/grey worn on their helmet, both vambraces and gauntlets. The Aquila or Imperialis icon affixed to their plastrons (chest guard) is shadow grey in colour.

Squad specialist markings, which indicates a battle-brother's assigned specialty (Close Support, Fire Support, Battleline, Veteran or Command) is stenciled upon the right armorial inset and is also grey/blue in colour.

In lieu of numerals or *Codex*-proscribed colours, the Iron Eagles instead utilise unique heraldry upon their left poleyn (knee guard) or somtimes, their backpacks, which designates a battle-brother's assigned company.

Listed below are examples of the metamorphosis of the Iron Eagles' ever-changing colour scheme down the millennia:

Iron Eagles Chapter colour scheme (ca. M31, M33).Iron Eagles Chapter colour scheme (ca. Late-M33-M34).Iron Eagles Chapter colour scheme (ca. M35, M37).
#### Helmet Markings

The Iron Eagles helmet colour designates their rank within the Chapter:

* **Officers** - White helmet with specialty icons ('Winged Sword' for Captains, 'Imperial Eagle' for Lieutenants.
* **'Vetust' Veteran** - White helmet.
* **Battle-Company Veteran Terminator** - Blue/Grey helmet.
* **Veteran** - Mk VI 'Corvus' helmet coloured black with vertical Blue/Grey stripe.
* **Sergeant** - Blue/Grey helmet with 'Winged Skull' icon affixed to forehead.
* **Corporal** - Blue/Grey helmet with 'Skull' icon affixed to forehead.
* **Battle-Brother** - Blue/Grey Helmet.

Specialist helmet markings are as follows:

* **Chaplain** - Black helmet with skull faceplate.
* **Techmarine** - Red helmet.
* **Librarian** - Blue/Grey helmet.
* **Apothecary** - White helmet.

### Chapter Badge

The Iron Eagles chapter badge is a stylised blue/grey coloured winged eagle icon, facing forward towards the enemy, centered upon a field of black.

## Notable Quotes

### By the Iron Eagles

"*The Inquisition will never be satisfied with victory alone, only through great sacrifice do they hold back their gaze. The war never ends, Victory to them is the pound of flesh they so require. The Emperor expects, and his truth shall be known by our sacrifice. He knows our will and our blood is his to spill in the battles to come... If that settles them too, so be it.*"
— Brother Captain Vin Cestra of the Iron Eagles 3rd Company ('Crusaders'), ca. M34.
### About the Iron Eagles

*Feel free to add your own*

[Source]

 White Scars Successors
 Imperial Fists Successors
 Blood Angels Successors
 Iron Hands Successors
 Ultramarines Successors
 Salamanders Successors
 Raven Guard Successors
 Unknown Lineage
 Renegades

[Source]

## Gallery

Iron Eagles 'Vetust' Veteran of the Chapter's elite 1st Veteran Company, arrayed in relic Indomitus pattern Terminator Armour and armed with a deadly Assault Cannon and Power Fist.Iron Eagles Battle Company Veteran Marine of the 2nd Company ('The Black Falcons') arrayed in relic Indomitus pattern Terminator Armour.An Iron Eagles Chaplain.