Space Marines (Warhammer 40K)

> "*They shall be my finest warriors, these men who give of themselves to me. Like clay I shall mold them and in the furnace of war I shall forge them. They shall be of iron will and steely sinew. In great armor I shall clad them and with the mightiest weapons shall they be armed. They will be untouched by plague or disease; no sickness shall blight them. They shall have such tactics, strategies and machines that no foe will best them in battle. They are my bulwark against the Terror. They are the Defenders of Humanity. They are my Space Marines...and they shall know no fear.*"
>
> - The Emperor of Mankind
>
>

## Information

### Homeworld

Macragge (Ultramarines)
Caliban (Dark Angels)
Baal (Blood Angels)
Medusa (Iron Hands)
Inwit/Earth (Imperial Fists) (Formerly)
Fenris (Space Wolves)
Nocturne (Salamanders)
Deliverance (Moon of Kiavahr) (Raven Guard)
Chogoris (White Scars)

### Language(s)

English
High Gothic

### Allies

Humanity
Good alien races

### Enemies

Evil alien races
Forces of Chaos

### Weapons

Bolters
Plasma-based weaponry
Chain Weapons (I.e. Chainswords and Chainaxes)
Flamers

### Powers and abilities

Enhanced strength and speed, superhuman reaction times, superhuman senses, superhuman survivability, natural disease immunity, and no reaction to fear.

### Quote

"We are the Emperor's chosen!"

The **Space Marines**, also known as the **Adeptes Astartes**, are genetically modified super soldiers from the Imperium of Man. They are said to be the greatest of the Emperor of Mankind's warriors, and are assigned with the mission of protecting humanity from anything that threatens it.

## **Background**

### **Physical Appearance**

At first glance, a Space Marine may appear as a typical human male, with (usually) typical human skin tones along with typical eye and hair colors, but despite their origins, they are much more than typical humans. Without their armor, a typical Space Marine stands at 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) tall, and their bodies are usually dotted with black plastic-like plugs from the "Black Carapace" upgrade, which allows them to link up to their Power Armor easier.

The Power Armor itself is a set of heavy armor comprised of adamantium and plasteel plates, encased in a ceramite layer. The Armor takes inspiration from medieval plate armor, but the main difference include large shoulder pads, a chestplate with the Aquila or Imperialis insignia on it, a backpack housing the primary power core for the armor, as well as reserve cells and an emergency solar collector. The helmet may vary for each Space Marine type, but the main helmet appears as a scowling face with an exposed respirator vox grill and red visor lenses. The color of the armor varies from legion to legion, and more so from chapter to chapter.

## **History**

### **Origins**

The Space Marines can trace their origins back to the Unification of Earth, where the Emperor first revealed his existence to humanity. In order to help unify humanity with the help of the other major factions, the Emperor used genetic modification to create the precursors of the Space Marines known as the Thunder Warriors.

The First true Space Marines were the (Now Defunct) Grey Legions, which were created using a material known as Gene-Seed that gave them their superhuman abilities. Each Gene-Seed was different per regiment, which planted the idea of the different Space Marine Legions.

When the Emperor first created his 20 sons, known as the Primarchs, he used the Primarch's DNA as a basis for the current Space Marine Gene-Seed, which is used to this day. Unfortunately, problems occurred when the Horus Heresy, an event where the Primarch Horus Lupercal, along with 9 other Primarchs, betrayed the Emperor under the Forces of Chaos. After the Horus Heresy, 2 of the Primarchs and their legions were lost to time, and 9 of the 18 remaining legions become Chaos Space Marines. This led to the new Codex Astartes stating that the legions would be split into 1,000 chapters, each lead by a Chapter-Master.

### **Current Era**

The remaining 9 Space Marine legions are still loyal to the Imperium of Man, and have now allowed themselves to be allied with alien races. When the Tripodisians attacked the Solar System, the Space Marines helped save the Emperor, who at this point was in a comatose state after the Horus Heresy, by converting the palace into an Ark of Humanity.

## **Types**

Scout Marines: **Scout Marines** are the newest recruits in a Space Marine Chapter. Their duties are to infiltrate the enemy positions or to fight as lightly armed skirmishers ahead of the rest of the Chapter. Operating behind enemy lines, Space Marine Scouts set ambushes for their foes, spy out the enemy's movements, and gather what information they can about their opponent's plans.

Tactical Marines: **Tactical Marines** are the dedicated foot soldiers in a Space Marine Chapter. They are equipped to fight using a variety of ranged weapons across a broad range of combat conditions and are usually part of a ten-Marine unit called a Tactical Squad.

Assault Marines: **Assault Marines** are close support Space Marines equipped with weapons that are specialized towards melee combat at close quarters. Assault Marines are powerful melee fighters able to best almost any opponent in the close-quarters melee fighting.

Biker Marine: **Biker Marines** are Space Marines that are part of close support tactical formations known as **Bike Squads**. Bike Squads, and by extension, Biker Marines are used in a wide array of tactical uses, which can include performing reconnaissance maneuvers, hit-and-run raiders behind enemy lines, or outriders for armored columns, scouting ahead for potential ambush sites and guarding the tanks' flanks and rear from assault.

Centurions: **Centurions** are Space Marines equipped with a powered exoskeleton worn over their normal suit of Power Armor known as a **Centurion warsuit**, which allows them to serve a heavy ranged fire support or close support assault role. A Centurion warsuit enables a Space Marine to stride into battle with the firepower of a battle tank at their fingertips.

Librarians: **Librarians** are Space Marine Psykers with the ability to bend the powers of the [[Warp]] to their will for the benefit of their fellow battle-brothers and in service to the Emperor of Mankind.

Chaplains: **Chaplains** are Space Marine warrior-priests that minister to the spiritual and psychological well-being of their fellow battle-brothers, instilling in them the values and beliefs of the Chapter and promote the veneration of the Emperor of Mankind, thereby boosting morale and encouraging fellow battle-brothers to keep fighting

Apothecaries: **Apothecaries** are Space Marine combat medics that have spent years studying science and medicine. They are incredibly skilled doctors and scientists that are even more courageous than other Space Marines, as they value the lives of fellow battle-brothers more than theirs.

Techmarines: **Techmarines** are Space Marine technicians and engineers. Those chosen to become Techmarines are often those who are initiated into the Adeptus Mechanicus , as despite their odd tendencies and worship of machinery, they are one of the best mechanics, engineers, and technicians the Imperium, and somewhat humanity, can offer.