Imperial Ravens

Imperial Ravens armorial with Chapter iconography. Note: Attached prayer scroll.

Bishop (Captain) Gardrel Fulinor, commander of the 4th Diocese.

## Space Marine Chapter

### **Allegiance**

Imperium of Man
(*Fedelitas Totalis*)

### **Specialty**

Policing Actions, Suppression of Ideological Revolt, Targeted Decimation, Gnoetic Purgation, Limited Theatre Compliance Campaigns

### Successor Chapter(s)

N/A

The **Imperial Ravens** are a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter created during an Unknown Founding and of uncertain lineage. They are known for being conservative in nature and most unusual for a Chapter of Adeptus Astartes, are zealous adherents of the Imperial Creed, believing in the Emperor's divinity and Mankind's manifest destiny to rule over the known galaxy. Wherever their assignments take them, the Astartes of this Chapter are known for their ostentatious display of devotion through extensive use of purity seals, Imperial Aquila pendants and prayer scrolls attached to their battle-plate, chanting songs of devotion and prayer, even in the heart of the most fiercest battles.

More often priests, than warriors, these Battle-Brothers transformed their homeworld, Malevolancia, into a veritable shrine world - erecting innumerable gigantic cathedrals and monuments to display their intense faith - each competing in size with the greatest titans of the Imperium. The Imperial Ravens rarely depart from their demesne in the Malevolante Sub-Sector, of which they have become this region's principal administrators and protectors, but they will send separate deployments of their Chapter's various Diocese to answer a call-to-arms, especially if it is a War of Faith.

## Chapter History

The origins of this fiery and zealous Chapter are all but unknown, as there are no written accounts in official Imperial records - neither in the archives of the Chapter itself, nor the Library Sanctus on Terra itself. The reasons behind the creation of the Chapter, or from whose genetic lineage they are descended from, have all been purposely obfuscated, making it all but impossible to ascertain their true origins. However, extant records indicate the Imperial Ravens first appeared in official records in M35 (which indicates the Chapter could've been created anywhere between the the 8th-21st Foundings) when officials of the Adeptus Ministroum attempted to interfere into the investigations of the Inquisition's Ordo Hereticus, when the latter organisation attempted to research into this mysterious Chapter's origins.

This action was followed by an accord that was eventually reached between the two institutions, to place the Chapter under the seal of a special *Bull Absolute* - to deliberately suppress and seal any records on the Imperial Ravens - under binding edicts laid down by both the ruling Inquisitorial Representative and the Ecclesiarch of the Adeptus Ministorum. Both these institutions also agreed that the responsibility of the Chapter's operations would fall under special purview of the Adeptus Ministorum, who would designate which campaigns would be assigned to the Chapter.

### Isolationists

Since this event, the Imperial Ravens were reassigned to the Malevolante Sub-Sector, to base themselves upon world of their choosing, to stand eternal vigilance along the borders of the Segmentum Obscurus against encroaching Forces of Chaos or xenos raiders. The Chapter selected the world of Malevolancia as their own, and established a fortress-monastery on the soil of this region's Sector Capital world. The Imperial Ravens ensured the rebuilding of the planet's faith and social structures, extolling the divinity and righteousness of the Emperor. The Chapter rebuilt cities and raised temples from which the Imperial faith could be maintained, and the faith gifted to their new homeworld ensured that the peoples' belief in the Emperor was unquestioning and unfailing.

### Iconoclasts

Throughout the worlds of the Malevolante Sub-Sector, the Imperial Ravens brought their zealous religious fervor and beliefs in regards to the divinity of the God-Emperor. The people of the sub-sector willingly embraced the Imperial Ravens as their saviours. The greatest of the Imperial Ravens Chaplains converted millions to the worship of the Emperor with their words alone. At the direction of the Imperial Ravens, the people of the Malevolante Sub-Sector demonstrated their faith and devotion to the God-Emperor by building countless cathedrals and places of worship. These worlds became models of perfect, abject devotion to faith in the God-Emperor. The Chapter became the authority on behalf of the Adeptus Ministorum and did not hesitate to carry out many processions and interminable sermons for the population of Malevolancia. The Chapter's fortress-monastery itself served as a place of worship, open to the inhabitants of the planet to gather and listen to the sermons of the Chaplains of the Imperial Ravens.

## Notable Campaigns

### The Second War of the Sons of Lorgar

After the return of the Avenging Son and the defeat of Mortarion in the Plague War, a rumour reached the ears of the Black Chaplain Erebus. A fanatical chapter of the Adeptus Astartes is said to have led several crusades for the glory of the Emperor in several places controlled by the Forces of Chaos, fighting with a fervor worthy of the ruthless fervor of the Word Bearers. The first years of the second century of the Forty-Second Millennium would then have been marked by a massive campaign launched against several of the Chapter Recruitment Worlds of the Imperial Ravens. Battles such as the Fall of the Moon-Cathedral of Zionad or the Stellar Ambush of Garwelt Pass between the brave Loyalists of Malevolancia and the demented Zealots of Azargal are already famous in the imperial annals.

#### An uncommon relentlessness

The Imperial Ravens, placing faith in the Emperor-God above all other considerations, could not let the sons of the felonious Primarch Lorgar act with impunity. Although the first incursions of the Imperial Ravens crusades into enemy territory were successful, the consequent counterattack of the chaotic forces forced the loyalists to withdraw closer and closer to the Malevolante subsector. Stabilizing in defensive warfare, the Loyalists repelled wave after wave of the countless assailants sent by Black Chaplain Erebus. In the course of the various defenses that the chapter led, a zeal that was not known to them seemed to have seized them in the systematic elimination of the corrupt astartes.

#### Initial Suspicions

This important event, which is still relevant today, led several imperial institutions to ask questions about how hard the two sides are fighting against each other. They show a strange determination to bring down corrupt astartes. Confessor Hartelm, increasingly intrigued by this issue, now seems to be gathering forces to confront the Word Bearers and Hell Crusaders while beginning research on the worlds of the Warriors of Malevolancia in hopes of understanding why they attract so many of the Sons of Lorgar.

#### An interminable war

This conflict began in 108.M42 and continues to this day. The most significant event for the Imperium was the conflict of the Cantabile breakthrough, where a massive incursion of the corrupt sons of Lorgar found a safe route to Malevolancia, the capital world of the Ravens. Although brief, thanks to the determination of the planetary defense forces and their high quality equipment, this event forced the loyalists to send large reinforcements to Cantabile to prevent the arrival of a counteroffensive, thus weakening the other defensive fronts of the chapter.

#### The Cantabile Front

Accustomed to conquering entire worlds with his corrupting sermons to his enemies, Azargal, the Dark Apostle commanding the forces of the Hell Crusaders, apparently expected an easy victory, underestimating the fervor of his opponents. As a result, several heretical vanguard forces found themselves trapped by Chapter ambushes. However, if the unwavering faith of the Warriors of Malevolencia could protect them from Azargal's malignant influence, this was not the case for the citizens and serfs of the Chapter on the spot. Within months, crowds of zealots swelled the ranks of the Hell Crusaders and Word Bearers, launching several suicide attacks aimed at destroying the defensive installations and line supplies of the Imperial Ravens. In this way, Cantabile became the first challenge of the Sons of Lorgar War: the Loyalists had the advantage of the terrain in their defensive maneuvers, the traitors gaining more and more cannon fodder every day to hinder their enemies and protect the advance of their Astartes and armor.

#### The Fall of Iselm IV

Apart from the increasingly uncertain situation in Cantabile, the hardest blow dealt to the Imperial Ravens during the siege of their stellar domains was the burning of Iselm IV. In contact with their die-hard enemies, the Hell Crusaders soon realized which points to attack in order to achieve Loyalist pride, and the Sanctuary World of Iselm IV was one of them. While little is known of the Imperial Raven's early history, their triumph over the Planet Splinter of the Iselm Sub-Sector, renamed Iselm IV, remains a famous event that established the fame of the Crusaders of Malevolencia. So it was where the Imperial Ravens had given their most striking proof of loyalty to the Emperor that Azargal and Erebus decided to strike. The Shattered Planet was an ancient world fractured by a fearsome orbital bombardment perpetrated by the Treacherous Legion of the Word Bearers during the Heresy of Horus. However, as the millennia passed, its pieces had been connected to each other by a complex of stellar docks. According to ancient local legends, the Chapter defended the construction site of these docks against the countless waves of the Orks at an undetermined time and held out, giving hope to the people of the Shining Planet who had been forced to survive on the barren deserts of the shards of their world where oxygen had become a scarce commodity.

The heretics unleashed their forces on Iselm IV, forcibly converting the survivors of their attacks. It is said that on all the vox channels of the Imperial Ravens, the voice of the Black Apostle Azargal is said to have resounded, provoking the loyalists. The Warriors of Malevolencia, for the most part bogged down in the bloody quagmire of Cantabile, had been unable to send out any defensive forces to counter the attack of the Sons of Lorgar and it was a Cornelian choice for the High Cardinal to clear the main front to avenge the affronts of his enemies. The Verdict Striking Force was therefore sent to Iselm IV and although they found the Hell Crusaders there, they were especially horrified to see that the population of the Sanctuary World had become a crowd of fanatical mutants, sometimes merged with the statues of the Imperial Saints, welcoming the Imperial Ravens with blissful acclaim. The worst was yet to come, however. Taking advantage of the fact that their loyalist enemies had gone down to clean the stellar docks of Iselm IV, the fearsome Chaplain Erebus and his Word Bearers summoned a horde of Warp Demons to attack the Strike Force Attack Cruiser Verdict. The crew was slaughtered and the survivors were possessed by the Things from the Immaterium. On the order of Erebus, the ship was propelled straight to Iselm IV, breaking the planet a second time and causing the loss of valuable parts of the chapter.

#### Hope Reborn in Cantabile

The tragic event that happened at Iselm IV, burning the entire planet, seems to have greatly affected the Chapter on the spot. The Imperial Ravens are said to have split into two tendencies: those seeking revenge by launching a powerful Chapter-wide offensive against their opponents, and those preferring to continue to keep the Forces of Chaos in a war of attrition in Cantabile. After a full night of strategic discussions with the Bishops and then a full day spent in prayer for communion with the Emperor-God, the High Cardinal is said to have taken the decision to simulate a massive withdrawal of more than half of the Loyalist Forces to Malevolencia in order to concentrate all enemy forces once again on Cantabile. These instructions were apparently known only to the Bishops of the Chapter as well as to the Reclusiarch to prevent the plan from filtering through. The strategy worked. Azargal himself came to Cantabile to confront the "remaining" Imperial Ravens on the front lines. It was then that the servants of Chaos watched in amazement as the sky lit up with a blinding light. The Chapter Fleet had emerged from the Warp and was orbiting the rear of the heretic armies with the most renegade Astartes and Demon Machines. While an unexpected space battle was being fought between the Loyalist and heretic ships, a shower of landing modules was thrown up as a result of the orbital bombardment. This battle was the first decisive victory won by the Imperial Ravens in the War of the Sons of Lorgar. The Enemy Folly was forced to retreat and the disorganized Hell Crusaders were reportedly largely massacred by the Angels of Death, with the survivors scattered across the wilderness of Cantabile.

#### The War Continues...

Despite the First Victory at Cantabile, the Imperial Ravens are not yet rid of their terrible enemies. The Hell Crusaders and Word Bearers that survived the Loyalist onslaught now seem to be leading a guerrilla campaign, not only on Cantabile but also, inexplicably, on several other worlds, seeming closer to Malevolencia with each new attack. Three Chapter Bishops are reportedly dead by now, and there are rumors that the Chaos Fleet, still under the command of Chaplain Erebus, has been sighted off several Imperial Ravens Recruitment Worlds, curiously, without having attempted to attack them. The most optimistic now think that the Word Bearers and Hell Crusaders are preparing their battle of honor against the Warriors of Malevolencia, but the more pragmatic remain intrigued, considering that the Warp Zealots seem to be waiting for something ...

## Chapter Homeworld

### Fortress-Monastery

At the very heart of the world of Malevolancia, the planetary capital is overlooked by a giant of steel and adamantium that has been dead in battle for millennia. The Malevolant Deus Rex was originally an Imperator-class Titan who fought for the defense of the planet during the Dark Heresy of Horus. Died in battle, suffering irreparable damage, it was left behind and its most essential components were recovered. All that remained of the Titan was an empty shell, a gigantic monument commemorating a victory forgotten in the stream of carnage of that dark period. After their arrival, the Imperial Ravens decided to transform the colossus into a Monastery Fortress, allowing them to keep a watchful eye on the population below. The "rehabilitation" of this Titan into such a monument thus allowed the inhabitants of this planet to make pilgrimages and to attend long processions and masses inside the Titan, under the supervision of the Chapter Astartes. The carcass of the Titan itself constitutes the heart of the fortress, and immense works of enlargement, earthworks and stabilization were undertaken.

#### Armaments

Although the Titan's original weapons are no longer in use, the Imperial Ravens transformed the Behemoth's carcass into a veritable stronghold, equipped with an impressive number of devastating weapons of defense and attack. The Chapter took a long time to consolidate the structure and add many Gothic arches, pillars and spirals, transforming the Titan into a unique cathedral to the glory of the Emperor-God.

## Chapter Organisation

### Officer Ranks

* **High Cardinal** - Chapter Master equivalent.
* **Bishop** - Captain equivalent.
* **Deacon** - Lieutenant equivalent; a junior officer that serves as a Second of a Bishop and Chief Advisor.

### Specialist Ranks

* **Reclusiarch** - Primary Chaplain; Master of the Faith.
* **Chaplain**
* **Primate** - Techmarine equivalent.
* **Hospital** - Primary Apothecary; Master of Apothecarion.
* **Medicus** - Apothecary equivalent.
* **Camerlingue** - Personal advisor to the High-Cardinal.

### Line Ranks

* **Dean** - Veteran Sergeant; senior sergeant of a company.
* **Vicar** - Sergeant equivalent; commands a squad.
* **Preacher** - Battle-Brother equivalent.
* **Seminaris** - Scout Marine equivalent.

### Specialist Formations

* '**War Singers'** - Equivalent to the Marine Devastators, this specialized training of heavy weapons specialists is known as War Singers. They are well equipped with a variety of heavy weapons at their disposal in the Chapter's arsenal. Despite the distance at which they fight, they are just as zealous in battle as the other members of the Chapter. They are highly respected for their propensity to spread death from afar, while reciting thunderous prayers and songs, rivaling the roar of their Heavy Bolters. Disciplined and well-trained, their precision in combat makes them a unit of choice for long-range confrontations or Chapter stand. The War Singers will always be supported by Chapter Assault Brothers or Tactical Marines so as not to be interrupted in their sacred task of eradicating the enemies of the Emperor-God. Any Chaplain-Sergeant wishes to have a War singer in his squad to support the other brothers while paying homage to the Emperor in the best possible way.

### Peculiarities of the Chapter

#### Chaplains

The number of Chaplains present in a single company, also called a Diocese, is much higher than what is originally required in accordance to the dictates of the *Codex Astartes*. Indeed, each squad, also called Clergé, includes a Chaplain in addition to the usual strength for a standard Space Marine squad, which brings the number of Chaplains per company to ten. They are also responsible for the sermons and various ordinations on Malevolancia and the other planets of the sub-sector. The Chaplains answer to the spiritual needs of the Chapter and of the civilian populations and local military forces are among their major concerns. Each Battle-Brother of the Chapter is considered a Chaplain in the making, as they perform almost the same functions by their actions. However, they would never dream of overstepping their assigned duties, and attempt to usurp the Chaplain's sacred position as a spiritual leader of the Chapter. Due to their religious convictions and dedication to the faith, it is not uncommon to see several battle-brothers praying together without the presence of a squad's Chaplain.

### Camerlingue

The title of Camerlingue is both a great honour and a departure from the rest of the chapter and its theatres of operation. The Camerlingue is the personal adviser of the Haut-Cardinal, but also the manager of all the resources of the Malevolante sub-sector and the agent of relations with the other institutions of the Imperium. His responsibilities are therefore extremely numerous. The Battle Brother, whether he is a Bishop or a simple seminarian, is chosen by the High Cardinal, generally because the two astartes maintained, before the appointment of the High Cardinal to this position, strong bonds of brotherhood. Precedents exist in the archives of the Chapter where a simple human was raised as a Camerlingue, but even the effectiveness of rejuvenating treatments is limited, and this kind of exception is therefore extremely rare.

The title of Camerlingue also carries with it a heavy responsibility, in addition to the others which are already consequential. If by misfortune the High Cardinal were to die, the chapter enters a transitional period also called the "Sede Vacante" period. It is then up to the Camerlingue to ensure the stewardship, after having broken the seal of Command of the deceased Master of Chapter, during the twelve days of deliberation of the Bishops to elect among them the new High Cardinal. Once the "Sede Vacante" is over, the Camerlingue must make way for his successor, designated by the newly elected High Cardinal, and return to the ranks of the chapter.

## Chapter Beliefs

Unlike most Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, the Imperial Ravens are notably strict adherents of the Imperial Cult, believing in the Emperor's divinity and humanity's manifest destiny to dominate the stars. Rooted in the beliefs of the ancient *Lectitio Divinitatus* which formed the basis of the official state religion of the Imperium of Man and the foundation of the Imperial Cult espoused by the followers of the Adeptus Ministorum. Rooted in the beliefs of the Imperial Cult, the Imperial Ravens believe themselves to be heralds of a terrible new age for Mankind of religious servitude to the divine God-Emperor. Only united behind the teachings of the Ecclesiarchy and offering proper obeisance to the Master of Mankind, can the masses of humanity be saved from the perils of the xenos menace, the corruption of the daemonic and internal schisms spread by the apostate. There is only one power in the galaxy worthy of such submission, and that is the glorious majesty of the divine God-Emperor.

In battle, the Imperial Ravens are led by the black-clad and skull-helmed Chaplains, who act as both spiritual guides and heralds of the Chapter. It falls to these zealous and fierce adherents of the Imperial creed to ensure the moral strength and purity of their fellow battle-brothers. They show the way of truth through both word and deed, not just to the conquered but to those who hold the sword. When a world or city is burned or a people are put to death, they perform the deed with the solemnity of a rite, spreading the scattered ashes of dead and defiant worlds over the bowed heads of their Chapter's warriors, while speaking in ritual phrases.

### Building Worlds of Faith

Each warrior of this Chapter is a missionary bringing the light of the divine Emperor of Mankind with them, preaching the one true faith to those that will hear it and exterminating those who will not. To the Imperial Ravens, their affirmation in the divinity of the Emperor of Mankind drives their purpose: to give humanity faith in the God-Emperor at its pinnacle. As a result, the Imperial Ravens are determined to spread their own faith in the Emperor to every world that their Chapter encounters in the course of the various campaigns and Crusades they take part in. Broken worlds that have lived under the yoke of aliens, witches and idolatrous beliefs in false gods, are brought into the light of the Emperor's divine truth.

Amidst the devastation, the Imperial Ravens raise temples. Chaplains and their mortal vassal preachers go amongst the conquered to speak of the god who now reigns over them, producing enormous devotional works on the divinity and righteousness of the Emperor. Through countless speeches and sermons, these fiery zealots are able to convert millions to the worship of the Emperor with their words alone. The foundations of new cities are sunk into the embers of the old, while vast monuments and cathedrals dedicated to the worship of the Emperor are erected upon the mounds of the dead belonging to those who resist conversion. The people of these re-forged worlds grow and prosper in the wake of the Imperial Ravens' efforts, and the people are utterly loyal to the Imperium and the God-Emperor.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

The gene-seed of the Imperial Ravens was originally thought to be quite pure, absent of any idiosyncrasies or genetic drift commonly found in many gene-seed of other Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. Opportunities to study the zygotes involved in the creation of the Chpater's organs have been exceedingly rare, and the Imperial Ravens themselves are singularly unhelpful in this regard, due to their isolationist tendencies. On the few occasions the Magos Biologis have managed to acquire the body of one of these Astartes, upon conducting medical examinations they noted that the Chapter's gene-seed seems untainted, if subject to some long-term degradation.

However, the Astartes of this Chapter have a marked tendency towards dogged, unquestioning belief and fanaticism that often time verges on zealotry. Dour and mirthless, few of the battle-brothers of this Chapter have formed the bonds with other Chapters that do not share their faith in the God-Emperor. For them there is no joy in battle, nor glory in conquest, for they believe that all that matters is that their duty be done in the name of the Master of Mankind. The Imperial Ravens do not acknowledge or respect their foes, for they see no virtue in defiance. Only when their enemies are left broken and bowed in repentance, can they be accepted as deserving anything but ruin.

Though the Imperial Ravens are held in high regard among the members of the High Lords of Terra and the Ecclesiarchy, several other Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes consider this Chapter somehow darkly tainted, over-prideful and wanting in brotherhood. Some detractors have even gone so far as to suggest that they have been corrupted by some flaw in the Chapter's collective psyche or gene-seed, though none can gainsay their effectiveness in battle.

### Primarch's Curse: Divine Purity

The Imperial Ravens hold themselves to the highest of standards and consider their loyalty second to none when compared to other servants of the God-Emperor and soldiers of the Imperium. Part of this pride and their unswerving adherence to the Imperial Creed and its teachings is justified in the purity of their gene-seed and the glorious record of wars and battles won in the Emperor's name, though more cynical minds might wonder if the mysteries of the Imperial Ravens' past and their origins might also have something to do with their fanatical desire to prove their loyalty and that they are beyond the reproach of their peers. Whatever the cause, the end result is a strong distrust in allies fostered by many Imperial Ravens which can become more acute over time until many of the Chapter come to believe that none among the followers or children of the Emperor share their own purity and strength of loyalty, and can never be fully trusted.

When this curse manifests itself in affected battle-brother, in comes on in three stages:

* **Level 1 (Only the Pure):** The Battle-Brother has come to question the purity of all the servants of the God-Emperor and cannot believe that they are somehow without fault or flaw. This is especially true of obviously tainted allies, despite any kind of sanctioning, such as psykers, abhumans, and navigators. When the Battle-Brother must deal with anyone with a psychic gift (not including Librarians of his own Chapter), or a mutation (no matter how benign or beneficial) they must restrain themselves from lashing out physically against a psyker. Such a cold reception is almost always reciprocated and such individuals often feel intensely uncomfortable in the presence of the Battle-Brother, aware of the hulking warrior's scorn, and worsen their disposition when in the Battle-Brother's presence.
* **Level 2 (True Sons of the Emperor):** While it has always been held that the Adeptus Astartes stand above all other warriors of the God-Emperor, many of the Chapters consider themselves equals and there is usually a degree of respect afforded between Battle-Brothers no matter their origins. Imperial Ravens can come to believe that this is a falsehood, and that no other Chapter can hope to match their loyalty, seeing other Space Marines are lesser copies of themselves and ultimately not as worthy of their position in the armies of the Emperor.
* **Level 3 (None but Us):** In time, an Imperial Ravens Battle-Brother can come to believe that only his Chapter alone can be trusted and those around him, despite their outward claims and displays of loyalty, are in fact unreliable; traitors waiting to turn their cloaks. Though the Battle-Brother would not move against such men without just cause, as such rash actions would shame his Chapter and go against the Imperial Creed which he holds in such high regard, he will be careful not to give them too much power over him or expose his back unless he has to. The Battle-Brother will not work well with members of other Chapters.

### Characteristics

#### Stoic

The Astartes of this Chapter have a marked tendency towards tenacious and unquestioning belief which, often over time, borders on fanaticism. Bitter and joyless, few of this Chapter's battle-brothers have bonded with other Chapters who do not share their faith in the God Emperor. For them there is neither joy in battle nor glory in conquest, for they are convinced that what matters is that their duty is done in the name of the Master of Mankind. The Imperial Ravens do not recognize or respect their enemies, as they see no virtue in defiance. Only when their enemies are broken and bowed down in repentance can they be accepted as deserving of anything other than ruin.

#### Suspicious

Although the Imperial Ravens are held in high esteem by the High Lords of Terra and especially the Ecclesiarchy, several other Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes consider this Chapter somewhat obscure, too proud and unfraternal, even dangerous. Some detractors have even gone so far as to suggest that they may have been corrupted by a flaw in the Chapter's collective psyche or in their genetic makeup, though none can argue with their combat effectiveness.

## Combat Doctrine

"*They are just as noble servants of the Emperor as we are, so it is our duty to inspire them so that they serve Him at best.*"
— High Cardinal Ramuh Catarius
The Imperial Ravens rarely deploy more than half a company, per theater of operation. Indeed, the Chapter prefers to rely on the number of human forces present on site rather than a massive deployment of their own workforce. The sermons, chants and prayers of the Imperial Ravens are utilised to galvanise the troops of the Astra Militarum and/or local Planetary Defence Forces on the battlefield, allowing them to obtain better results during a conquest or defence. The Chapter knows better than anyone that morale is a weapon in the same way as a bolter or a chain-axe. Due to the special composition of their squads and their doctrines, the Imperial Ravens scatter their combat units wherever their allies stand to benefit from.

## Chapter Relics

* ***Canis Ad Bellum*** - The *Canis Ad Bellum* (translated from the High Gothic into "Dog of War") is not strictly speaking a relic, due to its ease of production within a Forge World. His SCS, found in M36, was a blessing for the Chapter and the Miordavolenci Forge World. The Canis Ad Bellum is a Battlewalker with a much weaker power system, even primitive because using a combustion system, than a Titan or an Imperial Knight. The SCS of the Canis allowed to solidify the relations between the Imperial Ravens and Miordavolenci. Since then, the Battlewalker has been produced on a large scale both for the defense of the Forge World and for the armored regiments of the Planetary Defense Forces of Malevolancia and the Chapter. They were all painted in the Chapter's colors and have become a common weapon of war in the Malevolancia Sub-Sector. Requiring only one operator for piloting and combat, the Canis Ad Bellum allows for rapid deployment over any type of terrain, although it is not equipped with Void Shields or Heavy Armor it is still more mobile and faster than a tank while maintaining an equivalent or even greater potential for destruction.

* **Mark III 'Ares' Pattern Power Armour** - The Imperial Ravens possess an arsenal both provided by the Adeptus Mechanicus but also by the Adeptus Ministorum. As a result, they have access to a wide variety of ancient weapons, armour and equipment that isn't found the inventory of most modern-era Chapters. This is the case of the ancient and rare Mark III "Ares" pattern power armour. These heavy armour is reserved for the most prestigious Diocese of the Chapter, namely the veteran First Diocese. All the Astartes of this company are equipped, except those equipped with "Indomitus" pattern Terminator Armour, and worn with pride and respect. The elite First Diocese of the Imperial Ravens is probably the most rarely deployed, but when it is, the entire Diocese is then mobilized to perform heavy and devastating strikes or to serve as a spearhead in joint assaults with other forces of the Imperium. Although in they possess this rare pattern in large numbers, the Chapter still considers these ancient suits of armour to be true relics, the loss of which is perceived as an irreplaceable loss. Although officially considered an Mk3 model, the "Ares" variant, specific to the Imperial Ravens, is the result of numerous modifications made jointly by the Mechanicus and the chapter. The various structural weaknesses of the armor have been corrected by sacrificing some of the front and rear armor, characteristic of this heavy armor. More balanced and equipped with newer cogitators, this armor more effectively protects its wearer from flank attacks while allowing the wearer to obtain a high level of support from the machine's mind. It is highly likely that the "Ares" variant is only the result of a reassembly of several models and pieces of Mk3 armor recovered, then reworked and modified in order to obtain a unique model.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

The Imperial Ravens primarily wear ebon coloured battle-plate with bright red, the coloured of spilled blood, upon their backpacks, shoulder pauldrons, plastron (chest guard) coutres (elbow guards) and vambraces (forearm armour). A black coloured squad specialty symbol stenciled upon the right shoulder pauldron inset indicates an individual battle-brother's assigned squad specialty (Tactical, Devastator, Assault and Veteran). It is not known how the Chapter identifies squad or company assignment.

### Symbols of Faith

Battle-Brothers of the Chapter often decorate their armour with symbols of faith - the Imperial Aquila or the symbol of the Ecclesiarchy - as well as inscribing passages from Ecclesiarchy's holy scriptures upon their battle-plate, or adorning themselves with parchments of prayer scrolls and purity seals. This is done in order to spread the message of the God-Emperor and convert more of Mankind to the service of Him on Terra. It is quite common for Battle-Brothers of the Chapter to sing praises to the God-Emperor or loudly pray in the heat of battle, while their Chaplains speak passages from the holy scriptures on the battlefield, propelling the warriors of the Imperial Ravens onward, no matter the odds against them.

### Chapter Badge

The Imperial Ravens' Chapter icon is a stylised black coloured symbol that resembles a capital letter 'I' with half of an iron halo in the center of it, which represents the Chapter's close ties to the Adeptus Ministorum. A stylised raven, its wings displayed and elevated as if about to take flight, is centered upon the Adeptus Ministorum symbol. The raven is adorned with an iron halo upon its brow.

## Notable Quotes

### By the Imperial Ravens

"*Let you be permitted to hear His Holy Word through our blessed arms, for He is the only one who will judge you once we have done you the honor of sending you to His door, heretics.*"
— Sergeant-Chaplain Radrick Vulturion. Cantable, M42.
"*I see only potential enemies among our human allies. They are so fallible and the false promise of an escape from death will turn their weapons against us. so, to our Immortal Lord, that He may dispense His most Holy Judgment.*"
— Bishop Gadrel Fulinor. Cantable. M42
"*Abjure your false gods, heretic! Not that the Emperor can forgive you, but perhaps he will be less severe than me.*"
— High Cardinal Christus Sempiterion. Location unknown, 624.M39
"*And traitors and heretics will come to you, their words laden with false promises of eternal glories and freedoms. which will know no end until His servants come to grant you His forgiveness. And the righteous will bring light to the wayward, that by His light They shall be judged!*"
— Rodrigo Doporos, Bishop of the 8th Company of the Imperial Ravens
### About the Imperial Ravens

"*We all know what it's like to go to mass. We all know what it's like to pray to the Emperor. But by the Throne, next to these guys, the Ministorum is cat piss I tell you.*"
— Major Erik Trass. Location unknown. Date unknown
"*Of all our allies, these space marines are surely the only ones in this whole damn galaxy, who will not turn against us as long as we fight in His Name. Why? You have already seen a penance session in the middle of an improvised mass with Holy water airdrop? No? Go take a look outside then...*"
— General-Commander of the FDP of Cantabile at his council of war. Cantable. M42

[Source]

## Gallery

A newly assigned Primaris Intercessor of the Imperial Ravens.