501st Mechanized Infantry Regiment

## 501st MIR

This is the official regimental patch of the 501st, which the regiment take great pride in wearing as well as its history.

The Standard Issue uniform of the regiment

## Regimental Data

### **Home World**

Cordania Prime
Does recruit from the whole system and outside of it

### **Type**

Astra Militarum Regiment
(Mechanised Infantry)

### **Strength**

Roughly 100,000 of personal as of currently after massive losses

### **Motto**

"*Honour super omnia!*"
Translation into Low Gothic: "*Honor above all!*"

## Other information

### **Specialty**

Mechanized Infantry, ranged combat, guerrilla warfare and counter-guerrilla operations.

## Commanders

### **Notable Commanders**

Lord Commissar Craig Secundum
Veteran SFC. Martilus J. Bellator

"*We honor our vows as it is written down on the old scripture of which He Himself wrote during our liberation and reunification with our real home. And through this, we shall stand united as one. We, the Cordanian people, will never forget His mercy and His divine justice to those who had wronged us. So forever onwards...we shall answer the call.*"
— Attributed to (unknown Colonel) the first 501st Regimental Commander
The **501st Mechanized Infantry Regiment**, known formally in Imperial records as the **501st Cordanian Mechanized Infantry Regiment**, is considered one of the greatest and one of the oldest regiments of the Astra Militarum, and it is one of the largest and most decorated regiments of the Cordanian System. As they have a long honorary history of service to the Imperium of man.

## Regimental History

The history of the Regiments Formation dates back to "The Long War" of which the Cordanian system was under siege from the Foul xeno race known as the Drukhari which they had been fighting them for over 70 years. During that time... the inhabitants of the planets of Cordania Prime and Forge World Manis was keeping their ships from orbital bombardment them with their Ground-to-void cannons and the surviving Mechanicus ships. But on the ground, in the Mericonia Region of the planet of Cordania Prime of which they used a great deal of the wilderness of layout the lands to there advantage against the Dark Eldar as of over the Years they had been using Guerilla warfare against them, and greatly counter-attacking there ambushes and raids. However, they had been at large stalemates against them with one side unable to greatly winning over the other. But that all ended with its rediscovery by the Imperium of Man during the Great Crusade. With the aid of the Legiones Astartes of the XIX, The XVIII, and the IX Legions.

After the Meeting with the Emperor of Mankind himself and the signing of the treaties, the armies of the System was formed up and the 501st was born. They were assigned to the XIX due to there skills of battle, which would later be officially named the Raven Guard after being reunited with there gene-father. Even Corvus Corax himself have noted the Cordanian people and the service members that were under his command, were very versatile quick learners. But what really impressed him was how far that they are willing to sacrifice for his sons.

During the events of the Drop Site Massacre of Istvaan V, Whole companies of the 501st chose to stay behind while the surviving Raven Guard force used there transports to escape the world. A great deal of the Legion was surprised by their actions and self-sacrifice for them. They would later regroup back to the Cordania system to recover and prepare for Horus and his forces. But a great coup was made by many of Cordanian's own people & military forces had betrayed them, and announced that swore full fidelity to Horus Lupercal and they were aided by Alpha legionnaires. Which infiltrated within the ranks of the **Raven Guard** that were in the system. The coup itself was swiftly put down by the combined forces of the Imperium and the **Primisus Knight Corps**. However, the damage was already done and they successfully crippled a great deal of the system which was exactly what Horus had planned. But did not stop them from serving the Emperor and their oaths of duty. They will be one of many Imperial Army elements of which helped in the defense of the Imperial Palace.

After the events Horus Heresy and the breaking down of Imperial forces, Corvus Corax grated them to have there Legion symbol as a sign of great gratitude and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice to save as many of his sons, including him. To this day the 501st wear it on there regimental patch and banners with great pride and never forgetting Corvus Corax's great gift to them. Even though happy as they were... They felt they much redeemed their people as a great deal of them betrayed the Imperium and they were unable to help more for Imperium in there time of need. So under the command of Primarch Roboute Guilliman of the Ultramarines, chanced the Traitor legions back to Eye of Terror. then Help to put order back into the fractured Imperium. After seven long years, all of the Imperium's military forces reformed and reorganized the 501st Mechanized Legion into the 501st Mechanized Infantry Regiment. Which they are now currently are, in the 42nd millennium.

## Notable Campaigns

### The Rermus Campaign (405.M41)

On an agri/research planet of Rermus, an unknown enemy appeared on the planet from under the surface of the planet and dig their way through to the civilian settlements and PDF base across the planet. The call for aid has been sent into Terra. Segmentum Command has sent in the 501st Cordanian MIR, 302nd Cadian Shock Troops Regiment, and small elements of the Kasrkin Stormtroopers. They also have to accompany with Inquisitor Agrippa from the Ordo Xenos to investigate the planet and the status of the research stations. When they got there, most of the population was killed and the survivors were sent to the last PDF/Research stations that were on the planet. Which was using an experimental psychic field which masks their location from the unknown xenos race? So they set up their forward operating base in the research station. They have also set up a command center in the main administrative building of the station. But as for most of the base, Astra Militarum, and the civilian population was not allowed enter most of the base as they are under the rule of the Inquisition. Only members were allowed to roam free across the station, but any found getting close to the main entrances of the main research builds, was prosecuted and was not even seen again.

As for the unknown xenos enemy, during the regiment's first engagement, they brought back the remains to Inquisitor Agrippa to study. They also have to give her accounts about the tactics and behavior of the xenos race. They gave their accounts that they do have the intelligence to use most of the basic weapons the Imperial Guard. But the majority of them will simply rush at the targets with their massive numbers to try overrun the squads. Using makeshift weapons such as blades or even using their own sharp rodent-like teeth. They even had an encounter with larger versions of the xenos race, which have been theorized that this is some type of mutation or some type of warp influence being used to create these abominations.

Over the past few months, they have been fighting the hostile xenos race to regain lost PDF bases from the vile xenos. They soon got additional help from the 182nd, the Scotia Warriors. As they used their power shields units and melee skills to fight the Xenos at their own game. But thanks to the Squat's forge masters and the Mechanicus elements from Manis. They came up with an idea to finally end the xenos threat. They used specialized missiles which will dig down the mapped tunnel systems and donate their promethium payloads to fill the tunnels with fire. This took some time for them to get most of the tunnels mapped out then they unleash specialized missiles across the planet which caused earthquakes across the planet. But this killed 90% of the xenos race. But the rest was whipped out by Imperial Forces... down to the last. But is still unknown about the xenos of how they got to the planet, how long they been there when the first human settlements have been made. But most of this knowledge of these question are locked away under the orders of the Inquisition.

### First War for Armageddon (444-445.M41)

The 501st was one of many regiments that were ordered to help in the defense of Armageddon from the forces of Chaos. Lead by the Daemon Primarch, Angron and his Chaos warbands of World Eaters Traitor Legion. It was a very costly war to Regiment. But with the aid of Great Wolf Logan Grimnar of the Space Wolves and Brother-Captain Taremar Aurellian of the Grey Knights. They manage to drive off the Forces of Chaos. But when the war was over, the Inquisition have ordered the Regiment and the Space Wolves to hand over the surviving population of Armageddon to be process and purge. Both were greatly against the dishonorable act that they were doing. Addition to this. They have to give up some of their companies to be quarantine and test for corruption. After many fights between them, they were forced to give up the survivors and three full platoons of royal soldiers who bravely fought against the forces of Chaos. Both the Space Wolves and Cordanians never forgave the Inquisition for this and see this organization as one of the greatest sources of corruption than any in the Imperium. But many years after the war, only the Veterans and the General Staff truly know as to what happened after the War and they will like to keep this knowledge to themselves and their system government in fear that their home system will be placed under an act of Heresy and purge from the Imperium.

### The Fall of Dolumar IV (Unknown Date-700s.M41)

A call for aid was sent out to the Adeptus Administratum as the Planetary Governor (Meyloch Severus) was concerned of the Tau Empire are planning on attacking the Desert World of Dolumar IV. They sent in the 501st, 412th, the 182nd and the 111th Cordanian Regiments to aid in the coming war. But a warp storm has cut off the main route to the planet so they have to reroute their path. They came to the system a week late and the Tau have already made steady progress against Dolumar Planetary Defense Forces. So when they had analyzed the threat. They unload all of their transport ships across the battlefields while the Battlefleet was providing cover for them to the surface while they can hold of the Tau battlefleet and try to cut off their reinforcements. They successfully got all of their regimental troop carriers to the planet.

Their task now is to regain grounds and trench lines that were lost from the Tau forces. These tasks are given to the 501st and the 182nd, while the 111th is given the task of clearing out the civilian population out of the war zone while also providing aid to the surviving Dolumar Planetary Defense Forces. The 412th was given the task to drop assault into gaps that are in Imperial lines so that the T'au force have no chance of escaping through them. They were making great progress against the Tau forces until a high order was given by Captain Ardias of the 3rd Company of the Ultramarines.

That all Imperial Force now must stand down. This did not sit well with most of the Imperial Guard personnel, but they have followed their orders. But the Imperial forces were then betrayed by the Planetary Governor Meyloch Severus. To compound matters, a large Chaos Warband of the vile Word Bearers Traitor Legion made a massive surprise attack on the planet. So they begin an evacuation of the remaining civilian population, they also greatly made sure that they don't have any knowledge of Chaos. They use their own psykers to mind cleanse them of the knowledge of Chaos.

### The War of Blood (751.M41)

On the planet of Mortem III, the planet was being attacked internally by the Chaos Blood cult along with some of their PDF being converted to the Blood Pacts. Much to the incompetents of their planetary governor, his advisors have told him that they need to get to call in for aid if they are dealing with a Chaos incursion. However, did not allow this as he just sees them as a minor nuisance that the PDF can deal with easily. Against his wishes, his advisors have sent a message to Administratum to help in this threat. He later found out about this and he has greatly angered so he put them in prison and later to be put to death. But regiments came days after and release the advisors before the execution can go through, as they see them doing their duty to the Emperor. The planetary governor was put to death for incompetents and allowing Chaos to take hold of the planet. He was executed by the Senior Commissar of the 501st Regiment and they begin their war against the blood pacts. They would later get additional aid from the Preceptory of the Adepta Sororitas of the Order of Our Martyred Lady. It was a bloody conflict but they manage to put an end to the conflict and found the World Eaters Terminator Squad that was leading the war. After they lured them to the opening. Several of their heavy weapon squads opened fire on the traitors until there was nothing but a bloody mess.

### The First Cordanian-Severan Dominate War (801-802.M41)

Several years after the Calixis Sector seceded from the Imperium of Man under the leadership of the former Sub-sector Governor of the Periphery, Duke Severus XIII of Kulth and became the Severan Dominate. The 501st and several Cordanian Regiments was sent to reclaim the system and bring them back into Imperial Compliance. They soon found out that they have made deals with some of the vile xenos races. One of these race was their most hated foe, the vile Drukhari. Finding evidence of this and the heresy that the Severan Dominate was doing to their own citizens. They quickly went to the Haeresis System and begun their first campaign. They may have known that the Imperium was coming but they did not know how fast the Cordanians would arrived and begin their attacks. They manage to quickly take out the system's fleet, Planetary defense weapons and then made planetfall. Within two days, they establish a FOB on the capital planet of the system. The 501st, 560th, and the 412th Cordanian Regiments will handle the Capital planet while the other Cordanian Regiments will bring the other planets and research stations back to Imperial Compliance. By the end of the year, the war was won. But they stuck around a bit longer so that the system has a strong defense for Imperium and the loyal citizens were safe from any counter-attack from the Severan Dominate or any other enemy of man.

### Second War for Armageddon (941-943.M41)

The regiment was once again was sent to the Hive World of Armageddon. This time, to aid in the defense against the massive WAAAGH! of the infamous Ork Warboss Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. However, they were the only regiment that manages to arrive early to Armageddon. By the time the regiment have got there. Many of its cities have already fallen to the Ork WAAAGH! There only hope is to make contact with one of the surviving cities under the command of Senior Commissar Sebastian Yarrick. Yarrick has ordered the regiment to make an outside defense of the city of Hades Hive. Which he gave them the task to set up important strategic locations where they can hold off the WAAAGH! Until they could bolster the defenses of Hades Hive or until further reinforcement can arrive. With the aid of the Armageddon Steel Legion, they managed to hold the Ork WAAAGH for 3 whole days until the fourth day. Their Ratling units in the 6th and 7th companies had weakened some of its defenses. Because of this, Yarrick ordered the regiment to fall back to the Hades Hive for the final defense. However, thanks to Commissar Yarrick's superb Leadership, they managed to hold off the Ork WAAAGH! until the timely arrival of Lord Commander Dante of the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter, whom the defenders of Armageddon turned to for leadership. Thanks to Commissar Yarrick, this was a big turning point that helped win the Second War for Armageddon. But the relations with the Abhuman Ratlings was fully broken and to this day, The 501st Regiments refused to fight alongside them unless when they greatly need too and there is a Commissar or an officer present at all times with the Ratling squads.

### The Therone Hive War (961.M41)

A small splinter hive fleet had come upon the hive world of Botrus IV. Fortunately, one of the Cordanian battle fleets was in the system when the hive fleet invaded. However, they only had a few troop carriers that have a few platoons of the 501st and the 111th at the time. These two units dispatched their scout ships out to answer the call for reinforcements. Even if it was a small splinter hive fleet, they were comprised of potentially thousands, or even millions, of Tyranid bio-organisms. These Astra Militarum regiments had to hold the main infection areas where the Tyranids made planetfall until they could receive more aid. It took several days for the scout ship to answer the beleaguered world's call for aid to be sent outside the range of the Tyranids' Shadow of the Warp null-effect. But now the Imperial defenders had to further hold out for the next four weeks. They were forced to bombard the inter-lands and parts of cities just to slow down the Tyranids' inexorable advance. They were even forced to abandon a hive city when they could no longer hold it, but they managed to hold out and receive much-needed aid when their regiment and several other additional regiments from Cadia arrived. They drove back the Tyranids until they reached the Lost Hive city. However, there were millions of Tyranids all over the city and it would be too costly to retake. Officially, there is no knowledge that the city had any survivors after the evacuation and retreat from the city. So the Imperial forces opted to bombard the hive city until there was nothing but a crater of rubble and dust. As for the Hive Fleet, Therone was completely destroyed, down to their smallest ships and troops. The hive fleet is believed to have been utterly destroyed, but was later found again decades later.

### Dark Rain at Vallenin (967.M41)

The 501st and several other regiments were dispatched to free the enslaved population of the Agri-world of Vallenin from the Drukhari Kabal of Lethal Guile. The regiment was also accompanied by the Ultramarines' 3rd Company to help in this cause, but they were sorely pressed by the xenos' grav-craft until the Ultramarine's Hunters were deployed to reap a great tally amongst the swift craft. In the end, Imperial forces killed every Drukhari raider on the planet, down to the last warrior. They even destroyed the webway gate that was on the planet, cutting off any survivors from escaping. The regiment claimed an extensive collection of trophies, including over three hundred sets of Drukhari ears and three heads from their high-ranking commanders. This brought a great boost in moral to the 501st who honored their oaths they had taken before leaving their home system.

### Tartarus Campaign (Unknown Date.M41)

Even if the 501st did not take much part in the campaign, they did assist in the evacuation of the civilians against an unnamed Ork WAAAGH! To compound matter, they also confirmed that there was a presence of Chaos on the planet. The regiment made every effort to save as many people as possible and to also ensure the planet's refugees weren't exposed to the existence of Chaos so that they would not suffer a terrible fate at the hands of the Inquisition.

### The Evacuation of Septem XI (970.M41)

The planet of Septem XI comes under a plague unleashed by the Chaos God Nurgle, releasing the dreadful Zombie Plague upon the doomed world. This plague quickly claimed most of the hive cities on the planet. Septem XI was soon deemed lost to the Imperium. During the final days of the planet, the 501st sent out 5 full platoons of soldiers along with their support elements of heavy armour and mechanised vehicles. They managed to hold out against the hordes of zombies and managed to evacuate the last of the uninfected survivors off-world before the wall defences finally fell. The regiment also managed to get most of the last remaining armed forces out before the seal of *Exterminatus* was enacted. The regiment suffered the loss of six full companies, with one company whittled down to only a squad of survivors. Following this campaign it took nearly two-and-a-half years to re-constitute their ranks, since they suffered the loss of some of their finest within the platoons of the 501st.

### The Cleansing of Lutum VI (988-990.M41)

Within the Quisquiliae sub-sector, a mining world of Lutum VI went into revolt when the planetary governor declared that planet was no longer under Imperial control. Communications were shortly cut off after the revolt. The Departmento Munitorum and Segmentum Command ordered the 501st, 182nd and the 101st Cordanian Regiments to meet up with Inquisitors representing both the Ordo Hereticus (Inquisitor Veruim Orruptem) and the Ordo Xenos (Inquisitor Noli Timere). Much to the disgust of all General Officers in aiding the Inquisition, they followed their orders and continued their duties to the Imperium. When they entered the system, they were shot at from Lutrum's surface, but they managed to make contact with the surviving loyal PDF. They were then informed as to why the revolt had occurred - the planetary governor was, in fact, part of an insidious Genestealer Cultist. This situation also did not help that most of the population had fallen under the control of these vile xenos infiltrators. Receiving such grave news, the Inquisitors knew that this was just the first stage of an inevitable Tyranid invasion, and if they did not get back control of the planet before the hive fleet arrived, the surviving population would be consumed by the Great Devourer. Or in the worst case scenario, the Inquisition would be forced to enact *Exterminatus* upon the doomed world in order to deny the Hive Fleet of biomass. The Imperial force knew that had to act fast if they wished to save the planet and its people from damnation.

The Imperials quickly managed to retake control of the planetary defense weapons of Lutum's main military base, then called in for more support. Within 8 weeks, they managed to receive a full Astra Militarum Shock Troops regiment from Cadia and several companies from both the Raptors and Iron Hands Space Marine Chapters. The Imperial forces on Lutum even received several companies from the elite xenos-hunting Deathwatch Space Marine Chapter. But what surprised them most, was when they received aid from a Commandery of the Order of the Argent Shroud of the Adepta Sororitas, that was enroute back to their homeworld when they received the astropathic distress message. Commanded by Canoness Commander Maria, the Battle-Sisters quickly changed course and went to aid the Imperium's efforts to cleanse the planet from the Genestealers after receiving the call for aid. It took three years to fully cleanse the Genestealer cults off the planet - city by city, settlement by settlement, mine by mine and one sewer at a time.

By the end, most the main population of 50 million had been whittled down, with at least 2-8 million citizens left alive and uninfected by the cults. But most of the population was either slaughtered by the cults or had become infected. As there was no known cure for those infected by the Genestealers, the Imperial forces knew they had to kill both the host and their vile offspring. Those who were infected that are willing to die, are granted a painless death, while the ones being uncooperative or violent were summarily executed. The estimated amount of casualties is still pending even after a decade. The amount of Genestealers that were killed, numbering approximately 20-40 million, or perhaps even more. However, even if the planet was cleansed of Genestealers, there is still the lingering threat that a Tyranid hive fleet may still be coming.

Sadly, after the events of the Gathering Storm, the entire Imperium was severely weakened following the formation of the Great Rift. The Tyranid Hive Fleet Therone had come to consume the planet. Only a few ships managed to escape the doom world while the Great Devourer consumed all that failed to escape or those who vainly stood and fought back.

### The Herda V Campaign (993-994.M41)

The 501st, the 182nd, and the newly formed 600th Regiment was task with reclaiming the agri-world of Herba V from the Severan Dominate. Even if it did not have a very large military presence on the planet, the Astra Militarum still managed to receive vital Inquisitional intelligence that said the enemy was planning on constructing militarum bases and fortresses on the planet if they did not retake the planet before construction was finished. Things would be made extremely difficult for Imperium's forces in the sector, with the addition of new secessionist regiments to fight. So they understood that they needed to act quickly on this intelligence. Imperial command secretly sent in several Valorcus Special Operations Forces (SOF) squads to gather more intelligence on the ground. After completing their mission they managed to sabotage key planetary defence weapons. The Imperial forces then began their attack on the planet. It would take two years, but they finally managed to fully reclaim the planet for the Imperium. This campaign took longer due to the Secessionist force's and local population's resistance, for they were still loyal to the Severan Dominate. Therefore the Imperials ensured the local population that they are there to bring the planet back under Imperial rule and that they would not suffer severe repercussions for their actions. The Cordonian regiments conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and tact. They did not resort to busting down doors and forcing the locals to comply, like most regiments would do.

### The Dark Mancipium Campaign (996.M41)

In sub-sector Ignis, the Mancipium System came under siege by the vile Drukhari. Three habitable planets of the system fell to the Drukhari, who enslaved helpless Imperial citizens by the thousands. Though it took a month after the call for aid was sent out, but eventually Astra Militarum regiments from both the 501st and the 182nd were dispatched and were the first to arrive in-system. They began to swiftly deploy on the besieged planets. After making planetfall and establishing forward operating bases, they soon received additional help in the form of the 67th and 430th Cadian Shock Troops Regiments and a Preceptory of Sisters of Battle from the Order of the Sacred Rose. Reinforced, the Imperial forces began their search-and-destroy operations to destroy the multiple Webway portals across the system and cut off the Drukhari's ability to receive reinforcements or escape from the Imperial Forces. Within a few months time, the Imperials successfully eradicated the Drukhari's presence from the system.

### The Third War for Armageddon (998.M41)

The entire Regiment was sent to the Armageddon System, along with many other Astra Militarum Regiments across the Imperium, in order to mount a powerful defense of the vitally important world of Armageddon for one final time. This time, the infamous Ork Warboss Ghazghkull Thraka brought the largest Ork WAAAGH! ever seen - larger than the WAAAGh! from both the Second War for Armageddon and the War of the Beast. These regiments were boasted by the arrival nine full chapters of Adeptus Astartes, and soon several of the famous and mighty First Founding Chapters answered the call-to-arms. There were a dozen Titan Legions that also took part in the conflict as well. This was one of the Imperium's largest land wars ever fought in Imperial History. They were greatly aided by the Adepta Sororitas' Order of the Argent Shroud in the evacuation of civilians and wounded. In the end, the war was just a minor victory for the Imperium when left Ghazghkull was driven off the planet, for there is still constant heavy fighting going on the besieged planet to this day. Only a few companies of the 501st were left to aid the PDF, while the rest of the Regiment was sent to Cadia when the 13th Black Crusade begun.

### The Second Cordanian-Severan Dominate War (998-999.M41)

The Cordonian regiments had fought fought over a hundred wars on the Spinward Front against the Severan Dominate, that has seceded from the Imperium of Man under the leadership of the former Sub-sector Governor of the Periphery, Duke Severus XIII of Kulth. The 501st reclaimed over a dozen planets until the 13th Black Crusade had begun. The majority of the Regiment was sent to aid the Imperial forces fighting the Forces of Chaos. So all they could spare was several platoons aiding many other regiments such as the Death Korps of Krieg, Tallarn Desert Raiders, the Armageddon Steel Legions, and the Cadians themselves. They also have to battle the Orks of WAAAGH! Grimtoof.

### The Gathering Storm (999.M41)

The regiment took part in the defense against Warmaster Abaddon and his 13th Black Crusade. They were deployed to the surface of Cadia to help the local military regain control of the planet from the Forces of Chaos. The regiment had recently received aid from the Adepta Sororitas, fighting alongside the Orders of the Argent Shroud and Sacred Rose once again. But later on during the conflict, they were all betrayed by several other Astra Militarum Regiments, including many of their own. Many high ranking generals and officers were killed, leaving Ursarkar E. Creed as the highest ranking senior officer on Cadia. They managed to bring down the Traitors regiments, but they knew that this was only the beginning of the onslaught and was merely a small sign of what was to come. These Astra Militarum regiments did not stand idly by, and so, they continued to maintain their daily patrols, drills, and kept themselves ready at a moment's notice.

When Abaddon the Despoiler and his Black Crusade finally came, the Imperial forces on Cadia were ready, but even with the combined battle fleets throughout the Imperium arrayed against the Warmaster's Black Fleet, they were severely battered, and many Chaos vessels broke through the Imperial blockade. Even the vast planetary defence weapons of Cadia could only manage to shoot down so many ships and transports. There were even ships that initially crashed into the planet while other Chaos vessels targeted the planetary defence weapons. This left a wide gap for the Traitors to exploit and land their troops. Millions were killed within hours and millions more died as they made planetfall. Many more died in the following days, even with many great regiments throughout the Imperium and the aid of the zealous Black Templars. The Imperial forces were forced to keep falling back to more trench lines and fortresses. But they made sure they did not pay without exacting a heavy toll against their foes. The Imperial forces even received aid from a highly unlikely ally in the form of the infamous Necron, Trazyn the Infinite. He unleashed several additional forces from his personal collection, including Inquisitor Grayfax of the Ordo Hereticus.

During the great battles fought on Cadia's Elysian Fields, when all hope seemed lost, there was a bright light that blinded many on the field, but burned and banished a vast amount of daemons from their midst. Everyone saw the arrival of a beautiful black-haired angel on the battlefield, and at that moment all fighting ceased and many of the 501st and the Sisters of Battle kneeled before the Living Saint. The Imperials all saw that their prayers had been answered by the God-Emperor. With a loud voice, she inspired all the Imperials to rise up and retake the battle to the Traitors. She was not alone, for behind her stood a force of the most unusual Astartes. They were arrayed in battle-plate that was as black as night, with bones and fetishes decorating their surface and their bodies were wholly engulfed in holy fire which seemed to burn any daemons that came in close proximity to them.

This brought great inspiration to all the Imperials who heard the Living Saint. With this new relief of vigor, the Imperial forces made a great counter-attack against the Traitors. But there was still a great multitude of them as well as endless daemonic legions materializing from the Warp, to assist the Traitors. There seemed to be no end to the fighting, until all the forces of the Imperium were either killed or enslaved. With the help of the Necron Lord, Trazyn and the Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl, they both managed to successfully reactivate all of the mysterious Cadian Pylons located across the planet. Once activated, these arcane devices banished all the daemons from the material realm, but unfortunately, also banished the Legion of the Damned from their midst. The activation of the pylons also caused great pain to all the psykers present the field of battle, with several dying from great pain. Many soldiers and Astartes on both sides had also been afflicted by this great pain as well, with blood coming out of their nose and eyes. The Living Saint, Celestine, also had her powers greatly weakened, due to the pylons awakening. However, both sides fought on.

Abaddon had enough of the Imperials stalling his Black Crusade's progress, for had had already wasted too much time and lost too much of his forces. When he retreated off-planet, he then ordered the remains of the Blackstone Fortress under his control, to be launched into the surface of Cadia. Despite the efforts of the Imperial Fists efforts, their flagship *Phalanx* was unable to fully halt the progress of the falling Blackstone Fortress. Though much of the ancient alien device was destroyed by the formidable array of weapons the mobile, fortress-monastery was able to bring to bear, they could not halt the progress of the large debris that still rained down upon the surface of the doomed planet below. The impact of the debris caused a chain reaction which resulted in massive tectonic shifts in Cadia's land masses. This caused the planet's volcanoes to erupt, releasing lava all across the world's surface, and finally resulted in a severe tectonic shift, causing the dying planet to explode spectacularly. Just before the planet's destruction, the remaining Imperial forces continued to vainly fight on. Sensing the inevitable doom of the planet, they evacuated what little of the civilians that were left alive on the planet's surface. Many great men and women stayed behind to defend the retreating forces and the civilians. The 501st was one of these forces and were nearly destroyed as of many great regiments from Cordania Prime, but many were completely destroyed, down to the last man.

Many of the Imperial forces were forced to land on Cadia's moon and most of the battle fleets retreated out of the system. But still, many chose to stay behind and hold the Traitors for their allies to retreat and regroup. Many platoons of the 501st were stranded on a moon, along with many of the forces of the Adeptus mechanicus, the Black Templars, other Astra Militarum Regiments even Inquisitor Grayfax herself. Fortunately, fate smiled upon them, and the Imperials were saved from those most unlikely of saviors - the wily and often arrogant Aeldari. Much to the 501st's disgust, they did not have much of a choice in the matter, and though reluctant, they agreed to flee alongside the xenos. They journeyed through the Webway and ended up on the other side of the galaxy, on the Ultramarines Chapter homeworld, Macragge. There, they encountered the remains of the Traitors they had fought on Cadia. The Imperial forces that fled Cadia were greatly aided by reinforcements from the Ultramarines and Macragge's elite PDF forces, but they were still losing a lot of ground. Unexpectedly, they received further aid in the form of over a hundred Raven Guard Astartes that went to Macragge to aid their fellow chapter. Even though the 501st had been whittled down to only a few battalions, they wished to fight alongside the great Chapter of which they had severed millennia earlier.

The Imperial forces soon bore witness to one of the greatest moments in the Imperium's history - the rise of the long-dead Primarch, Roboute Guilliman. Awoken from his millennia-long stasis, he was ready to save the Imperium in its greatest hour of need. Even though Guilliman was confused by some of the regiments' behaviors, like the 501st, which simply saluted the Primarch but kneeled before the Raven Guard. But what was most unusual was when he met the 412th, many of which bore the symbols of his Ultramarines, but were not, in fact, from his home planet. They only had one senior officer left from the 412th that survived the Fall of Cadia, who told the Primarch in a great speech of their regiment. Soon the Primarch recalled back in his long memory the world of Cordania Prime and having an Imperial Army Regiment or two that his Ultramarines Legion had fought alongside during the Great Crusade. But the Primarch was more surprised that they still remembered him after ten thousand years.

After the Imperial forces drove the Traitor forces out of the Macragge System, they brought many of their fallen comrades of the Raven Guard and the 501st with them. Guilliman has seen their great strength and zeal. Despite only a few battalions remaining, they had fought on for the Imperium and the Emperor, as well as the remaining great regiments that had survived the Fall of Cadia. The Primarch infuriated both the Grey Knights and the Inquisition who were present, as he allowed these Astra Militarum forces to back to their home systems. There, they were to replenish themselves and rebuild their numbers back to full-strength and await the Primarch's call to war. What was left of the Cordanian Regiments and many of the Sisters of Battle. Where they had left the planet, with escort ships of Macragge's Naval Battlefleet to escort them back home, but unfortunately were lost in the warp and had skipped 200 years into the future which they turned up in their own system. They saw their great planet that was once a beautiful civilized agri-world turned into something that greatly horrified them and what it had become.

### The Hunt for the Corrupted (Unknown Date.M42)

When the surviving Cordanian regiments returned home and skipped 200 years into the future. They find many regions of the planet heavy polluted and many parts of the planet change for the worse. They also find a new orbital station that they had never seen or heard of. However, the fleet was stopped by there own people an inquisitorial battle force. They threaten to be shot down if they do not identify themselves. They stated who they were and where they have come from. There were much shock and confusion over Cordanian vox communication. But when it was cleared up, they were ordered to the orbital platform under Inquisitorial Quarantine. All the survivors and Macragge elements had feared the worst what will happen to them. But after most of the personal being processed and cleared to come to the planet's surface. However... they were put under tight observation by the Inquisition under the orders of Inquisitor Maxentius Addamson. when most of the survivors came down to the planet they have found out as to what happens to their homeworld. But they were approached with a great operationality by Inquisitor Maxentius Addamson to find and put the disgrace Governor to the sword.

Even though the surviving regiments were reluctant to be taking orders from someone from the Inquisition. The Inquisitor have done more than any other known to the system. Even his effort has brought great fruit as to shortly see the planet return to its formal glory. With the new reinforcements and now the permission granted to them. They went across the Sub-sector to find and capture all the corrupted. Eventually, they found the Governor himself the rest of his 'royal' forces, forcibly ruling over a feudal world of Ilmoria. Even with the army's pride, confidence, and filled with zeal. They Figured that would win in this war and force the Cordanians to see their independence of a new great power within the sub-sector. But they were swiftly crushed in a day as the massive Cordanian regiments and there allies which came right at them as if they were the Drukhari themselves.

Fighting with such brutality that a lot of companies of the traitors simply surrendered without firing a shot. Then it all finally came down to the governor himself... ignorant to the end. He tried to fight back... only to violently beaten then given much more hostile treatments by a veteran squad of the 501st. They only stopped when the Inquisitor orders them to stop and convince them to claim down. He has been saved by Inquisitor from dying from the hands of the veteran squad... only to be personally tortured by the Inquisitor himself while on the way back to Cordania. They brought him back to the planet as a completely broken man, in torn clothing and rags. He was put through a swift trial than to be publicly hanged while being pic record for all the system to see. After these events... it was documented forever in the **Halls of History** that to any that even thought about betraying the Code or the people, would also meet a similar fate. Now every legislative branch of the Cordanian System's government and the sub-sector as well would forevermore, fear retribution.

### The Khaigara Crusade (112.M42)

After the of the hunt of Corrupted planetary Governor of their homeworld was found and executed. The 501st make way back to there home system when they received a high order transmission from a Chapter Master of a Space Marine Chapter. He gave his name and the name of his chapter that he came from. He was Chapter Master Decimus Aurelian of the Ordinators chapter Space Marines. He called in for urgent Mission that they must partake under the Orders of the Inquisition. Even though the Inquisition is not really liked by most within the Cordanian Sub-sector. But they have followed their orders to the Letter. During their short stay at the home system, they managed to scrounge up enough new recruits and gather a few regiments from the Forge World of Manis and even getting a large army of Skitarii. As soon they got repairs to the Ships and resupply were done, they made their journey to the coordinates that were given to them by the Chapter Master. Took about a month before they had reached their destination, they when they got there… they see that they were not the only one that has answered the call.

The ones who have shown up were Several other Astartes chapters, as well a number other Imperial battle fleets, forge worlds, and regiments. They were joined by the Will Breakers, Star Wardens, Battencian Heralds, Astral Leviathans, and the Heralds of Light Astartes chapters. Along the Ordinators was Battlefleet Azuran which were the first to join before anyone. Later on, Forge World Keltia answered the call. But when there rivals the Harelds of Light chapter first saw them, they imminently drew weapons at each in the very meeting room. It took the intervention of chapter master Aurelian and Lord Commissar Secundum claim the situation down before it had gotten out of hand.

When tensions have finally ceased, they were surprised that they would be joined by two orders of the Adeptus Sororitas. The orders were the Order of the Machine God and the Order of the Coming Dawn. With the mass of the Imperial high ranking officers would later be debriefed on the situation by Chapter Master Aurelian and Inquisitor himself. Of which during the events of the Gathering Storm which caused the great rift, and shortly after the Indomitus Crusade. A Large warp portal opened inside of the Wedway tunnels, revealing a Drukhari satellite realm city of Khaigara.

The Port is built on a moon-sized spherical protrusion from the webway walls and is detached from the main satellites of Commorragh by a partially collapsed webway tunnel prone to frequent daemonic infiltration. Before its collapse, a great number of the Kabal and Haemonculi Covens that lost positions in the center of Commorragh but continued to pay tribute to Asdrubael Vect were allowed to survive in this anarchic city. It has grown from a slum into something more affluent rapidly as it has found a number of Imperial soft targets across the Cordanian sub-sector. To raid for slaves and used them to build their smaller sister to the Dark City itself up towards its own greatness.

This was a great insult to the Cordanains, as the Drukhari had ever dared to come to the sub-sector ever since the great crusade until now when the Imperium was at its weakest as it has ever been. This also includes the Cordanain System itself as it had ever been relieved, ever since the events of Gathering Storm, the Indomitus Crusade, the Plague Wars, and finally the Corrupted’s own damage which they greatly crippled the system itself.

This is great insult to them, that their great enemies had chosen to do raids in the sector that is known that they protect. Either simply do to there sheer ignorance of what their race had always been. Or that they seemed have forgotten of what the Cordanain people were and what sub Sector that they came to. Either way... this ignited flames of wraith within all the Cordanain officers in the meeting room. So now they know of why they were the first to be called to arms and why the System Council have and the Adeptus Administratum, has sent so many resources to get rid of this threat that is now within Segmentum Solar. They are thankful for these massive allies and resources that were given to them as they know their enemy better than most within the Imperium. Including they are now marching in the realms of the Wedway itself which none of the Cordanain militaries has ever done or even dared since the years of "The Long War". But with reinsurance by the Inquisitor and his company, he calculated that they can make an escape out of the Portal. He also tells them that they must take this opportunity if they wish to save Imperial citizens and to be the first in Cordanain history to finally burn a Drukhari city into rubble and to escape to tell the tale of there duty.

But what is worst… according to the Inquisitor, they have invented vat-grown tanks that they can now make the perfect clones of their race and they are attending to make a large army which they could potentially invade the Cordanian system itself or worse. But as far as they know… this new technology has not reached the wider Drukhari race so this is maybe the only opportunity to destroy this technology from its roots. But the Inquisitor also have other motives and he wants them to save some of his own personnel which was captured. But he also wanted them to bring any all Drukhari Survivors and prisoners to him… he promised them that they will greatly suffer under his care.

When they made their plans of battle. they all return into their ships and told there inter army of what they are going to do. This new information, all the regiments and the Mechanicus of elements. Had filled them flames of wraith within them, as it did with their officers as well. But with a recurrence of what they going to do and with a great coalition of Imperial Force they will see a victory by the end and see their city turn into a pile of rubble and ash. And finally to honor all there oaths that they have all taken before leaving the system.

When finally debriefing all officers across the Cordanian forces, they got into a position of the center-left flank of the Imperial fleets. But before they made there warp jump, Major General Hale gave a great speech to all Cordanian regiments under his command, and to all Imperial Forces that are willing to listen over the vox-net.

"*This is to all of the Cordanian Fleet and to all other fleets who are willing to hear this. I want all of you to know that you are all the greatest Cordanian system to offer. But not just us Cordanians... but to all who will stand by us for this great act of retribution, we will deliver to these foul xenos. They have seemed to forgotten the wraith we the Cordanian people have within our hearts. So we all will remind them of that fear that we gave their kin ten thousand years ago. And show that we... the People... have never forgotten. I know a lot of you have never truly have rested after the long campaigns that we been in across the Imperium and have never truly gotten back to our former strength. But we still stand in great strength as it will not be not just our numbers... but our spirit. And to all survivors of Cadia, I know that you have returned to us. After the Emperor have looked over you all and returned home to us. I know that your memories of Cadia are still very fresh on all of your minds and feel that you have failed. But I tell you that all should not feel this way as you all of you have gone beyond the call of duty. Even Lord Guilliman himself has said this as well. Even though all thought that you all have perished during your trip through the unstable warp tides, but the Emperor has protected all of you and brought all you back to us in our greatest time of need. I know that this says a lot from someone that you have never been under the command of or even know me personally like my predecessors. But know this that I am just as good as them and I do care for all under my command just like them that maybe one day… you come to see me as one of them. Now bring for worth our retribution. We are going to show them. That we… are the whirlwind, for our wraith… will bring justice to all who have suffered from their filthy hands. For Cordanian people… and for the Emperor!*"
— Lord General Hale, Leading Commander of the Cordanian Regiments
After this great speech, they all forces have made haste to the Khaigara, Even though some of the forces have been lost in the warp, but they pushed forward like a hot knife through butter through their naval forces. So fast that they were unable to respond fast enough to repulse the Imperial force even though the Cordanian forces have lost a cruiser and a handful of fighters and bombers. What struck them hard was that the Drukhari unleashed a new secret weapon that summoned a massive black hole in the middle of the naval battle. Even though they have lost none of there fleet, a great deal of other Imperial forces have. Close to a dozen of there ships were greatly damage and were dead in the void. Thankfully… a squadron of Astartes fighters from the Ordinators chapter had saved the stranded ships. But then some late arrival of Sisters of Battle of the Order of the Coming Dawn have arrived and have been lost in the warp for a good amount of time but had return thanks to their leader. They quickly set up a strike force of Astartes and Sisters of Battle to board the lead ship. They were successful in their attack and brought down the ship and there new experimental weapon. They all brought high ranking Kabal as a prize and have done a ceremonial execution on him for all Imperial forces that were lost in battle from the void of the webway.

After making further plans for the ground battles, they quickly deployed their forces to the ground the Regiments of Manis were the first to hit the ground and were being led by **Archmagos Tryssius Stronus** of Manis. They only sent a few thousand at once, thinking that they whipped out the majority of the force in the plaza. But they would find themselves in a situation that the surviving Drukhari force of the plaza is using a massive amount of slaves as a living shield wall. They quickly reacted and told all force from who are yet to be deployed in full and they now have to fight in a massive 300 meter of dead lands while they have to fire above the Slaves heads to even fight back against the Drukhari. The 501st was called upon a lot sooner than expected… but they have to do it with great haste and deployed a massive wave of Cordanian forces and the 501st now retaking the lead of the Cordanian system forces. With the great aid of other Imperial Forces, they have successfully held off the Drukhari forces. Until they have sent fast attack troop carriers right at the Imperial lines. They have destroyed many of them but a great deal of them broke through the lines and have killed and wounded many of the Imperial force and now have to fight a two-way battle from the front and the back of the Imperial lines. But the Drukhari forces were also surrounded by the newly deployed forces of the Cordanian forces and they have to go up against the Astartes as well as they quickly reacted to the breach and killed the Majority of the Flanking suicide forces. But they were quickly threatened the Ashimer and Sororitas lines that were trying to push through into the slave markets of the city to save the captured Imperial citizens. So the regiment quickly responds by sending in Airstrikes and a precision orbital strike on all the Drukhari forces in the plaza.

The Star Wardens Flagship and the Cordanian flagship “*The Sword of Freedom*” had made there way above the Plaza where they begin to line up their guns at there respected targets. When authorization was passed and preparations were made for danger close fire mission. The Cordanian’s Ship crew successfully had made their orbital strike while only injuring a small amount of Cordanian Personal… But a friendly fire incident happened when the Star Wardens got reckless in there firing and had massively killed & wounded the majority of the Cordanian System regiments. They had not just killed many of the personnel of the Cordanian regiments... but also a massive amount of the slaves that were being used as living shields were killed as well. This even shocks the Astartes themselves and have seen the consequences of their actions of what they have done. The Cordanian forces morale was destroyed and the vox feed across the net spoke in great anger for what had happened. Many were beginning fighting each other or not willing to fight anymore. But a great deal of them had taken all the anger out on Druhkari with such Brutality that even the Astartes did not know what to think of it. There was even an account of a Regimental veteran have used everything that he had got on the Drukhari… even using his own teeth. He screamed and cursed at the Star Wardens for there reckless and that they have now condemned him forever. The battlefield of the Plaza was such a mess… but all that change when a great miracle has happened which change everything and truly made the Drukhari run.

The Order of the Coming Dawn Leader was wounded in battle while pushing into the market and was saved by one of the Astartes and brought back to the makeshift encampment of the deployment fields were they quickly began to make a field hospital. But when she was about to die… she exploded with holy light and came into the middle of the field burned all the Drukhari into ash… then brought back all the dead back to life, all the guardsmen and Human slaves that were killed by the bombardment. She even healed all the wounded as now they begin getting back up from newly healed wounds. There was even an account that she even repaired the damage flags and banners that the Cordanian regiments brought with them. She even heals the wounded veteran and cured him of his bloodlust and insured him that he was forgiven for his sins as it was not his fault for happened. With a newfound zeal, the Drukhari forces stood no chance against the combined Imperial forces. And were slaughtered to a man at the plaza and only a few manage to escape. With the mission complete that they fully secured a massive plot of land against them and they have just freed millions of their slaves. They quickly made a FOB for all Imperial forces and started to heavily fortified their positions. But something transpired at the Arena District of the city and the Heralds of Light have Suffered massive casualties and the Astral Leviathans have abandoned their duty to all the Imperial forces and have cost the lives of many Astartes from the Heralds of Light. This was something that the Cordanian will never forget and never forgive them. This goes as well for the Forge World Keltia who are heavily expected to be involved in the deaths of many Astartes and they no longer trust the Forge World or it's personal ever again. Even though the 501st and the rest of the Allied force quickly came to the aid of their Allies at the District and killed the great Hydra… The Herald of Light was nearly wiped out by this and the plan on taking on the Arena of a second FOB failed. The Cordanians insured them that this is not what they have wanted and attended. They even told them that we will come back to there system and they will give them whatever they can to help the chapter rebuild.

The 501st and many of the Imperial forces have made their way into the lower wards of the city and killed the majority of the Drukhari forces. And the 501st was the most ruthless in their pursuits against them. But sadly… several hundred raiders escaped back to Commorragh in a hidden Raider in an underground hangar, far too fast for the Imperial naval forces in the Plaza to hit with its shadowfield active and tremendous speed and the Haemonculua (Ynneazahr the Haemonculus) escaped into realspace. Even though they had destroyed most of his technology and data crystals… but Ynneazahr had taken plenty of data crystals that he could get from his lab with him. All of the Cordanians have sworn an oath that they are going to do whatever they can and put him to the sword and destroy all his works.

The Imperial Forces have sent some infiltration teams into the city and greatly crippled the Drukhari forces and successfully made their way into the lower wards of the city and have rescued the Inquisitorial informants and brought a nuclear bomb with them. But failed to fully destroy Haemonculua’s research & only destroyed most of his technology. They even failed to kill the Haemonculua himself when they had the chance. But either way… when the bomb was announced was going to be activated and that they had a time window. All Imperial forces packed up and took everything with them and even took every single brass casing that they could pick up. When all the Imperial forces left… they activated the bomb and destroyed all of what is left of the city. Even though the city was mostly destroyed… they further bombarded it from orbit until there was nothing was rubble and ash. They even did the same thing to the shipyards and kill whoever survived or left behind.

After the war was officially over… they all gathered at the Ordinator’s main battle barge and had a grand meeting with all the officers of the Imperial forces. Archmagos Tryssius Stronus and the Star Wardens officers announced their partnership and they will come to Cordania’s aid when it's greatly needed. But the discussions were of what happened between the Chapter and Manis Archmagos was kept the secret only to the most trusted by both parties. The Cordanains have made a great memorial ceremony to all who have died. They have not just collected most of there own… but other force’s K.I.As as well, and took proper care of them. They even went through the trouble of collecting any Casualties that they can from the void of the webway. When the ceremony was over… they gave the all the other Imperial forces dead back to them respectfully and with proper care and rites.

As for the rescued slaves… the majority of them psychiatric & pathology damaged. They were sent to the Hospitaler orders at Ophelia VII, from under their care and to those who have passed under their care will be taken to Encendion. Where they can rebuild their lives on the shrine world. And possibly live by the sacred fire lit by Vulkan on Dark Eldar in defense of humanity. Offering them a chance to truly restore their hearts and hope.

## Regimental Organisation

The 501st is organized much more differently then most other Cordanian regiments as they have a much larger than other regiments as the average size of a Cordanian Regiment is 10,000 but 501st has roughly 250,000 of total personal while their max was over 300,000. This is due to the fact they want to be where ever the Imperium needs them most and living up to there own reputation of being one of the greatest regiments within the Imperial Guard. Due to there high numbers that have reorganization numbers for the Regiment.

* Regiment - between 250k to 300k, Commanded by a Colonel
* Battalion - 25k of personal, Commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel
* Company - 5k of personal, Commanded by a Captian or a Major
* Platoon - 1k of personal, Commanded by a Lieutenant
* Conscript Squad - between 10 to 30, Commanded by a Commissar or a veteran Non-Commissioned Officer
* Standard Squad - between 8 to 14, Commanded by a Corporal or higher

### Training

There training is mostly the same as most Imperial Guard, but they train their soldiers to be versatile as they can be. As they are trained to survive and fight in any variety of planet environments that are in the Galaxy. As they have a great number of places within the Cordanian System that they train the cadets and even in high tech combat simulations. But the Training is brutal and hard then most other cordanian regiments. To the point that it is a really common case of recruits passing out due to exhaustion and sent to medical. Even the Drafties and conscripts are not free from this harsh Training, even they are put through to the max.

The average training time for most of their regiments will 10 weeks of just basic training, and the completion of their training will be close to 15 or 20 weeks. To those that have not succeeded, are just put into the Cordania Prime PDF or Imperial Guard reserves until they have to redo their training. But those who have succeeded, are considered the best that the Cordania System has to offer. But with the Imperium is contest war set upon all sides of the Empire. The 501st have to train entire platoons on particular skills to minimize the amount of time to train these troops and sent them where the Imperium needs them most. If it is the vile xeno races, the Severan Dominate, the Tyranids, or the vile forces of Chaos.

### Chain-of-Command

Regiments chain-of-command does differ from other Imperial Guard. But they also show their own system of their own military hierarchy though certain colors and badges. Their Conscripts or Draftees as they call them if they are from their own home system will be given white Aquila and emblems on their armor. They will also be a white strip across on the lower part of the shoulder pads. Fully trained standard soldiers will be given steel Aquila and emblems. As for Non-Commissioned Officers, they will be given silver Aquila and emblems. Finally, for general Regimental Officers or higher will be given golden Aquila and emblems. Regimental veterans will also be given golden Aquila and emblems on their armor. The veterans also have a lite color olive drab stripe on their helmets and an olive drab stripe on their shoulder pads. The Rank of Veteran is not much of a rank of all but rather a title to those who decorated themselves in a war or had survived a number of campaigns in their service. But the title has many advantages as they are granted a lot more access in the Imperium's armaments

From highest to lowest, the ranks of the regiment include:

#### Senior Commissioned Officer Ranks

* Colonel
* Lieutenant Colonel
* Major
* Captain

#### Commissioned Officer Ranks

* 1st Lieutenant
* 2nd Lieutenant

#### Warrant Officer Ranks

* Master Warrant Officer
* Chief Warrant Officer
* Warrant Officer

#### Senior Non-Commissioned Officers

* Command Sergeant Major
* Sergeant Major
* 1st Sergeant
* Master Sergeant

#### Non-Commissioned Officers

* Sergeant 1st Class
* Staff Sergeant
* Sergeant
* Corporal

#### Line Ranks

* Specialist
* Private 1st Class
* Private
* Cadet or Conscript

### Current Leader of the Regiment

**Colonal Andrian Winters:** Colonel Winters is the Current Leader of the 501st which as of currently had been made the leader for about ten years as of currently. He may not have an impressive track record like his predecessors or the same amount of experience as them. But he a Circumspect commander, do all Leaders of the Regiment should be. And earning his position as the leader is commendable enough through the amount of hardship that he went through. However, he is now struggling to earn the respect from the Survivors from the events of Gathering Storm and has shown to be Melancholic at times as well.

### Recruitment

The Regiment gets its recruits from the all over from their home system. But they main chose to from there region nation of Mericonia were the 501st were made and born. They have been largely known to take whole companies of drafties/concripsts to fill up KIAs and to keep up with there numbers. The term drafties is used as a much less harsh term for any that are from there home system which the Council orders all able body men and women to be drafted into service. While conscripts are ones that are pressed into service are outside the system and beyond. But both are given the same treatment of being put through really rough training with Regimental Veterans, training them like they were trained in basic training and advance training.

### Anatomy of the 501st

The Cordanian people are very well disciplined and steep with military traditions. As they see that to have a civilization, you also must have a well trained and well-equipped military to back it up. As well of most of its civilians to support them in any event. This also extends to the Regiment itself as well, but they have been known to take longer than most other regiments to complete campaigns. Which they make sure that that the world itself is rebuilt and have strong defenses to help defend themselves from any threats... even training the planet's PDF forces as well.

They are bit more conducted themselves with the utmost professional and tact when come to waging wars against other humans. But are a bit more humanitarian then what other regiments are in the Imperium. this goes as well with most regiments are from the Cordanian system. They also never use bioweapons of any kind, only on human enemies. But it also seems that they also do this with some xeno race to an extent. Like the T'au empire which they have plenty of opportunities to bombard or attack the T'au civilian population zones. Even trying not to kill any that were unarmed, both soldier and civilian. However, there are few that do such actions. Which are really frowned upon but never get severely punished for but also never encourage. This also goes for taking POWs as well. But they will never help the T'au civilians to escape a deadly war zone or even help get off-world, they have fid for themselves. This all due to the **Cordanian Code** and the **Cordanian Way of Honor**. But when it comes to fellow humans, on the other hand, they get a much different but better treatment.

But if a soldier even as so much hurt a human civilian in any way. They are severely beaten, whipped, and set to judgment by a Senior officer or a regimental Commissar. But if killed... they are put to death on the spot and put into the **Records of the Dishonored** forever. This also shames them and their family name. But when it comes to the Wounded human Combatants or surrendering one. They put into okay livable conditions until they are sent to judgment for there actions. The only exceptions to this are one who turned to chaos, or filled with some type of taint, or even made dealings with xenos. Such as the Drukhari and Severan Dominate which they make deals with each other. When it comes to corruption and real betrayal against humanity and the Imperium as a whole. The 501st and many other Cordanian Regiments well greatly show their true wraith within them.

But when it comes to them facing the Drukhari in battle, they hold nothing back when fighting them. They use whatever means to destroy them to the last. even if they are unarmed, wounded or simply surrendering. They simply kill them on sight. It has been known greatly that if a squad finds an unlucky wounded Dark Eldar, they usually have a kicking match to see which one of there kick will finally end them. There even worse examples as well they do to them as well. The regiment itself has a tradition of which they collect the right ear of a Drukhari kill, as to mark how many that they have killed and to honor their oaths that have taken to hunt down the race. But when its come to a high ranking officer of there kind. They take the whole head, cleaned it all off until leaving only the whole skull itself. And puts in hot liquid metal to give it a thick metal plate over it. They polish the metal plate to chrome like shine, then they engrave the name of the dead officer if they know it or gotten off of them before they died. Then they finally put the soldier's name, rank, and date of who made the kill. Even engraving on how they killed them. The only thing that will stop them if there is a senior officer or commissar on-site or someone much higher then the Regiment themselves if they want to keep some of them alive.

### Relations with Abhumans and the Regiments

The Abhumans like the Ogryns, the Squats, the Ratlings, or any other Abhuman races. The Ogryns are an Abhuman race that greatly needed to any Cordanian Guard regiment. This also goes for the 501st as well, as they are one of the toughest Abhuman that the Astra Militarum can offer. The Ogryns have been known to be so strong that they can rip Chaos Marines apart and some of the toughest Orks known. But due to their low intelligence and having a very nasty odor that many will not like to fight close to them. This does not help that when an Ogryn is angered. It is very tough to claim him. They also want to keep them away from any civilian populations. This is due to their sheer height and looks that the Ogryns have will most likely scare the civilians rather for them to come to the Regiment for aid or want to be recruited as a conscript.

Squats in the other hand have a different Treatment in the Cordanian Regiments. the Cordanians have strong ties with squats. As they develop strong trade routes together and the squat houses they do trade with. The Squad houses that they do the most trade with, are ones who withholding the many values that the Cordanians do. They are very skilled fighters as well and really good cooks as well. Even have a great deal of knowledge ballistic weapons and they are often found help others maintaining their weapons.

As for the Ratlings, let's just say that the 501st greatly dislike them as they (Also so many other Cordanian regiments) have been causing way too many problems with them. The reason why for this resentment against them, happen during the Second War for Armageddon. When the 501st send 3 full platoons and armor attachment from Armageddon, to hold an important strategic point to protect the hive city of Hades Hive. But being hammered by constant Orks waves has taken its toll on the regiment. They were getting low on food, water, ammo, and major supplies. They will not be expected to be reinforced and resupplied within the week. But during late in the night, most of their food and supplies went missing and a Baneblade that has been reported stolen during the night as well. When the tank crew was performing repairs on it. The Squats and the Cordanians are greatly angered by this and blame the Ratlings for having been nothing but trouble since they were first drafted to the to the 6th and 7th companies. This does not help that their anger was justified when a Commissar has investigated and found some of the missing supplies off of one of the Ratlings.

They were soon interrogated by the Commissar and gotten the confessions out of Ratling's squad that they were, in fact, the ones responsible for the stolen supplies and stealing the Baneblade for a drunken joyride. The regimental officers and the Commissar himself soon sent the Ratling squad to execution by firing squad to make an example of to the rest of the Ratling squads to ever steal Militarum property. To this day the 501st refuses to work alongside them unless they absurdly need too and there is a Commissar or an officer present at all times with a Ratling squad.

But when it comes to psykers, the Cordanian people had ever truly trusted them and never used them in any civilian roles. This due to the ancient history that had happen on **Cordania Prime** during the fall of the Golden Age of Technology. They are extremely rare to ever see or ever used on the battlefield with the regiment. The only time they do anything major that is required of them is when "Flagellum Memoriae Protocol" activated which in any event that any guardsmen or civilian heard or saw something that they should not have. They get there minds whipped away and rewritten with something else. Which mostly helps them and qualified to not fall into the hands of the Inquisition.

But relations of other special regiments like the Catachan Jungle Fighters or The Armageddon Steel Legion will get along well enough for the most of the time. But like any regiment, there will be a few that will come to blows with each other as Cordanian own beliefs and customs are way different than most of the Imperium. As they have lesser harsh punishments and have more freedoms than what they are allowed in the Imperium. To most, they will be deemed unfit or too weak for service. But in fact, make the regiment as a tight net brotherhood with their officers and their fellow comrades. This mostly gets very pleasant results, as the other outside regiments are mostly allowed the same treatment as they will fight side by side with each other in battle.

### Unique Regimental Units of the 501st

The in a addition to their training, they set up their own specialized roles within their own squads then what most regiments do.

#### Heavy Auto Gunners

These soldiers are trained in medium to long range combat as they are used to suppress the enemy and to allow the other squad mates to advance forward. They also can be to an Ammo Carrier partner if there is a room in the squad to allow it. The issued weapons that these units are given an MX60 or the MX249 Machine Gun and an N90 .45 cal Stubb Pistol.

#### Light Stub Gunners

These soldiers are trained in long-range combat as a support role. which carries Stub machine guns that it meant to be picked up by one person. They are used also to suppress the enemy and to allow the other squads. They also can be assigned with an Ammo Carrier partner. The issued weapons that these units are given an MX240 Machine Gun with two boxes of belted .308 rounds and an N90 .45 cal Stubb Pistol.

#### Ammo Carriers

These are soldiers who help make sure that their team or squad is supplied with ammo. They are issued with a standard issue Kantrael Pattern Lasgun. The reason for them using a Lasgun that the weapon itself is only 5 pounds as the soldier is already weighed down by weight of the ammo, this also depends on what team that the trooper is assigned to. As they can be issued to a special weapons team, heavy weapons, or just put into a standard squad. The ammo for his lasrifle itself is rechargeable and lite, as the ammo bag is meant for the whole squad, not for themselves.

#### Marksmen

These soldiers are trained in long-range combat as they are used to cover the squad within firefights and to pick off enemy officers. They are also trained to set up traps in place for enemy patrols. The issued with a very old flexible flak vest or simply the standard is issue MR-4 Body armor, combat webbing vest over the flak vest. Their weapons that these units are given are Manis pattern MR-14 Stubb Rifle and a Voss Pattern Mk11 Auto Pistol.

#### Valorcus Scions

These units are not specifically are in the 501st but they are in all the Cordanian Regiments. These soldiers are the best men and women of the Cordanian system that can offer. These men and women have been hand selected to be further advance trained that both the Cordania and the Imperium can offer on the tallest mountain ranges of Mericonia Region of Cordania Prime. They are issued with advance caseless auto weapons and Cordanian Modified Hellguns. They are given an issue of MR-4 Spec-Ops Armor that is a better equivalent than the Standard MR-3 Combat Armor. The MR-4 is lighter, stronger, and has the new ability of a stealth field put into the back of the armor for stealth operations. They will also be given personal combat force field, but these are reserved for high officers to the Stormtroopers.

They are only used to protect the High ranking officer of the regiments. Take part in small combat operations which are too dangerous for normal guardsmen to take. Or do secretive missions that are too sensitive for the wider Imperium needs to know about.

* Note from the Author: These are just fan-fiction fluff and that they do not have any of their own rules or unit stats. These are just making the regiment more unique.

## Regimental Traditions

### Mors Votum

When a recruit has fully passed their training. Now must take the vow that when they leave their home system. They will bring the vengeance against the Dark Eldar that brought the pain and suffering they have been brought upon their people ten millennia ago. That when they come home, they will bring the ears and the heads of the Dark Eldar. Or come home dead while in the service to the Cordania System and the Emperor.

### Mordeat Serpens Caput

When conscript or a draftee have survived their first engagements and gotten their first kill. They will do a regiment Tradition of drinking the blood of Cordanian Black Vivere snake. But the one that bites the head off is considered the greatest honor in this tradition, as they see him the toughest conscript or a draftee in the Company.

### Dispute Duels

This most often is a duel between officers when they get into a dispute over anything that is personal or over ideas. So they will fight in hand to hand combat to the best of their abilities. But these are heavily supervised so that they do not get any serious injury that will interfere with combat performance. This is mostly down on a improvising 12-foot circle area and most often, both opponents must wear a mask and have their uniforms cover up any identifying markings or tattoos on them so to not be identified. The one who wins is given to the right while the opponent must drop his arguments against the other. Should the fight end in a draw, the opponents must find a more subtle way of working out their arguments and come to terms. If not, then they will reschedule for another match.

These rarely happen on duels like this, but If an opponent was caught cheating in some way or form, then they will be brutally whipped into submission for bring great dishonor to himself and his family and be put to judgment. Should an opponent go so far as to use any form of weapon as handguns or knives, then they are given even a worse sentence than a simple whipping.

They will be brutally beaten by a squad, almost to near death and imprisoned in the brig and given only minor medical assistance until a Commissar decides on the accused's fate and delivers a sentence as he sees fit. If the challenger manages to injure or kill his opponent with a weapon, then there will be no judgment. They will face immediate summary execution by firing squad or at the hands of the regimental Commissar. The disgraced individual will then suffer the fate of an Edict of Obliteration (also known as a *Damnatio Memoriae*, a High Gothic phrase meaning "condemnation of memory") and all traces of the dishonored is removed from official Imperial records and they are forgotten by the Imperium. This is one of the most severe fates for a servant of the Emperor could suffer, though this rarely occurs in these duels.

## Notable Regiment Members

* **Veteran-Staff Sergeant Bellator (*Steel Warrior*):** Bellator is a rare breed of a soldier, as he was just a standard trooper at the age of 18, to becoming one of the finest soldiers in the 501st. Some men are born with just raw strength, some are born with good intelligent, luckily... he is a mixture of both these characteristics. He has been the with the 501st for over a decade of surviving and fighting the enemies of man. Being in several campaigns and winning some great honors with his actions, which earned the rank of Veteran for this for his actions and number of wars he was in. He has also been noted that he was the top ten soldiers that have a high kill count. He has also gotten 34 Drukhari ears and a head of a Kabal Officer that he manages to kill with a Catachan blade from his fallen comrade & friend, Corporal Aurelius.

* **Veteran-Corporal Akoni (*The Sorrow*):** Akoni has always been the right-hand man to Bellator for years now. He is one of the oldest members of their squad. He has many honors on him and could be at the rank of major if wanted. But after disastrous firefight against the Genestealers and losing his cousin. He can not bear that same pain again so he leaves to someone who is harder and can take on the responsibility of leading a team or a squad. Even if this seems heretical or weak. He was later demoted due to his failure and his attitude. But it never stops him from doing his service to the Regiment. Commissar Secundum has great respect for him and knows the same pain as he does. However, after the events of the Gathering Storm, his mood had changed a bit as he was forced to lead squads himself. even though facing the horrors of chaos, he leads many successful raids and ambushes against the traitors. Which when returning to his homeworld, he earned the Cordanian bronze star for his actions on cadia. Which finally gaining back the confidence that he lost so long time ago.

* **Veteran-Corporal Marra (*Smartmouth*):** Lied about her age when she joined the Cordanian System Military, she was only 16 when she joins while the Cordanian standard age for joining is 18 to 30 years of age, but there are a few exceptions. But being raised on a forge world she greatly knows the rights and prayers of the Cult Mechanicus and knows the basics of being a mechanic and working with Vox Communications & machines. She even has knowledge of using specialty weapons and qualified to use such weapons, such as plasma rifles and Grenade launchers.

* **Mess Sergeant Adair Diarmid:** An abhuman squat which followed the Laws of the Cordania system, he joins the Cordania Military after marrying and having children to pass his bloodline for House Dimier. He served greatly in the Imperial Guard for some time and was noted as one of many heroes in the Second War for Armageddon. But now with his age, he chose to stay in the service instead of retiring and going home to House of Dimier. Now working as one of the Mess Officers for the regiment.

* **Lord Commissar Secundum (*The Old Raven*):** As he not fully with the 501st, but he been with regiment longer than most other Commissars. As they will die in combat or been transferred to another regiment. This also could be that they have to settle internal conflict as the Cordanians tend to speak out their minds out and what is right or wrong is when it comes to rules of engagement. But he has been willing to stick with the Regiment and only execute soldiers who deserve that punishment. He has great knowledge Cordania Prime, its people, and their customs. He also has a high respect to the Cordanian Regiments as he sees them as some of the best standard soldiers that the Imperium has to offer. He also as high respect to his soldiers under his command, this goes for the soldiers as well that fought alongside him. After the events of the Fall of Cadia and the assassination of his predecessor, he was promoted to Lord Commissar of the Regiment and now oversees the other commissars and can take control of the regiment when the need arises. However, it acquires him now to not take part of most of the frontlines of the field. Be he always assisted that he will take the field despite his rank. Even though he has to work with personal bodyguards which bothers him a lot. he learns to live with it and Scions always mean well and are only doing their duty.

## Relations

### Allies

Raven Guard Astartes Chapter - The 501st will royalty follow the chapter whenever they fight alongside the Astartes Chapter. Willing to give them fire support wherever it is needed. They will also provide distractions to the enemy by whatever means so their strike team will get into position or process with their mission with a lot more ease. Even providing intel for the Chapter in any way possible.

Star Wardens Astartes Chapter - During the Khaigara Campaign, The Astartes chapter was one of the many allies that participated in the campaign. Even though the Chapter caused a massive 'blue on blue' incident which killed thousands of 501st and many other Cordanian Regiments, but also killing most of the Slaves that were suppose to save. But this was all repaired by the arrival of a great **Saint Naerina** from the Order of the Coming Dawn of which mysteriously healed all the wounded and brought the dead, who died from the orbital bombardment... back to life.

But shortly after the saint showed up, **Archmagos Tryssius Stronus** from Forge World Manis Had set up a very private meeting with the Chapter Command staff which were not currently in the battle. What happens in this meeting is largely unknown and only the Astartes Chapter and the Cordanian High Authority know what transpired. But is allowed to be known is that the Chapter is now granted permission to take recruits in the sub-sector and the Cordanian System, They will also be there in Cordania's time of need and goes for the Chapter needs it as well.

### Enemies

The Drukhari - They have a deep hatred of the vile xenos as they and the Cordanian people had never forgotten the crimes that they had committed. Their hatred runs so deep that most soldiers completely disregard any Rules of Engagement and the Cordanian Code. Where they are known to beat down any of the wounded and the unarmed. Were it is known that many personal of the 501st were using everything at their disposal. Even using their helmets as makeshift weapons to beat the Dark Eldar to death.

The Severan Dominate - Ever since they betrayed the Imperium and chose to make dealings with Xenos. But none as much as the vile Drukhari themselves as they were purposely selling inter world's populations under their control and to forge alliances with them. For the past 400 years, they have been better enemies and have brought down several worlds out of their control and killed or captured a great deal of their personal.

## Notable Quotes

### By the 501st

"*Do you truly have forgotten how we mortals work or have you forgotten how to even remotely to be human? Then let me tell you about the concept of Hope... Hope itself is the concept of when all else have failed. You must keep trying or we just take it. Even the great man himself had hope as well. Hope that we as a species will surpass all others. Hope that we will succeed past the expectations that he wanted from us. Hope itself is the reason that we are even alive as a species as of now!*"
— SSgt. Bellator to a Marines Malevolent, 3rd War of Armageddon
"*One of the main reasons that we dislike fighting or defending inside hive cities is not political corruption they breed, even though its a great deal a part of it, but its mostly that we may have eat and drink recycled s^^^. And great deal of the time that they badly recycled. And do not get me started of what they do to the bodies.*"
— SSgt. Bellator of the Cordanian 501st MIR, 3rd War of Armageddon
### About the 501st

"*Those Cordanians and their weapon choices... they always bring more bullets then men. Maybe they should be issued with more brains while they are at it!*"
— Attributed to an (unknown Cadian Sergeant)