Castigated

## The Castigated

Left Shoulder Pauldron of Castigated Astartes

Castigated Astarte Superior

"*The Emperor Himself would shudder at the sight of our abomination, my lord. I fear even we are beyond His light now...*"
—KY-231, Lexmechanic of Cypra Mundi
**The Castigated** are a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter that was created from the gene-stock of Primarch Corvus Corax during the recent Ultima Founding. This grim and bellicose Chapter has garnered a dark reputation as retributors of the Emperor, concerned only with bringing swift and merciless retribution to those who dare defy the Master of Mankind's will.

It is unknown who originally made the suggestion of using convicted criminals as test subjects for Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl. After the success of Ultramarines Chapter Master Marneus Calgar crossing the Rubicon Primaris, the proposition was sent to Cawl for supplying testing stock, with which he would strive to hone the conversion process so that future conversion surgeries could be made less risky for the "true Astartes." While no response was ever received from the depths of Mars, shipments of convicted criminals from the worst prison worlds across the Imperium have consistently returned empty of their cargo, and this fact alone has satisfied the High Lords of Terra that their program had been successful.

An emissary was sent from Mars to the High Twelve to petition them to create a new chapter of Astartes from the recently revealed Primaris Space Marines that Cawl had created. They agreed, on the condition that they would serve only the Imperium, and that they would be used to aid in the exploration of the Great Rift.

## Chapter History

### A New Beginning

At the behest of the High Lords of Terra, these subjects were used for far more than just living test material, to be discarded after their uses expired. While the entirety of the Primaris project has been shrouded in mystery, some accounts from Mars place the current death rate of the conversion at about 50%, which has served as encouragement for those involved that the refining process for the surgery is working. The Adeptus Mechanicus placed the Astartes that actually survived the transformation surgery into stasis, and disguised them as inconspicuous cargo. These shipments were then placed on ships devoid of auxiliary crew and were then sent into the Great Rift at different points, and the telemetry from their voyages, whether successful or not, was then used in the early attempts to discover effective routes through to the Imperium Nihilus.

Once through these ships made their way to the forge world Cypra Mundi, where the Adeptus Mechanicus had maintained a strong presence prior to the formation of the Great Rift. Once there, these Primaris Astartes awoke in prison cells not unlike those they occupied on the vast prison worlds of the Imperium, but far worse than anything they remembered. They then underwent rigorous testing and evaluation to determine their levels of memory, ability and loyalty. The Primaris were then formed into a new chapter, known as the Dusk Merlins in the Imperium Nihilus, or The Castigated in the Imperium Sanctus.

This new chapter was largely viewed in the Dark Imperium as lesser Astartes, despite their obvious superiority over the mostly old marine chapters that predominated the Imperium Nihilus at the time. The tech-priest Gea Rhaus was appointed by the Fabricator-General of Cypra Mundi to oversee the creation of this chapter, and given almost complete power over decision-making regarding the project and awarded the title of Archmagos. She vehemently refused the idea of having one of the convicted criminal Astartes lead this group, and so sent her personal lexmechanic, KY-231, to find a way back to Mars, to request a shipment of 'True Primaris Astartes' to form the leadership of The Castigated.

### Cream of The Crop

Upon his arrival on Mars, KY-231 was interrogated thoroughly for months for information from the far side of The Great Rift, a task he had been prepared for by Gea Rhaus, who had a trove of information compiled to take with him, along with the extensive knowledge he possessed himself as a lexmechanic. When he was finally granted an audience with Belisarius Cawl, he diligently relayed the request of Archmagos Rhaus and explained the plans she had made for the Primaris Astartes. Cawl, although disappointed that his Primaris seemed to need leadership external from themselves, sent KY-231 back to Cypra Mundi aboard a transport filled with Primaris Astartes created from the gene-seed of Corvus Corax, to ensure cohesion with the Primaris converted from the criminals, as they were of the same gene-seed. In addition to these marines, the shipment also included a select few Invictor Tactical Warsuits, to be tested, improved and reproduced on the far side of The Great Rift, and a precious few units of Centurion armor. The arrival of these 'pure' Primaris Astartes, and the powerful inclusions of the warsuits into the chapter, were the final pieces of the puzzle required for Archmagos Gea Rhaus to form The Castigated chapter.

### Official Commission by the High Lords of Terra

The chapter operated solely under the control of the Adeptus Mechanicus of Cypra Mundi, until the Nachmund Gauntlet was discovered, and the High Lords of Terra could finally travel into the Imperium Nihilus. On their inaugural journey through the Great Rift, the High Lords of Terra lost their navigational bearing and wandered until a cargo ship came into range for them to follow. This ship, as it would happen, was headed to Cypra Mundi, laden with more Primaris recruits for The Castigated. Upon their arrival on the planet, the High Lords of Terra were at first disgusted to learn that Astartes were being used by the Adeptus Mechanicus, and planned to destroy any trace of the chapter. However, the deployment of The Castigated to eradicate a pocket of Hereteks that had long been considered by Terra to be impenetrable proved to the High Lords of Terra that The Castigated were worth their mettle, and so the chapter was formally commissioned by the High Lords of Terra upon their return the Cypra Mundi.

## Notable Campaigns

### Battle of Cypra Mundi

After weeks of quiet observation, a Chaos Fleet of Iron Warriors descended upon Cypra Mundi, believeing it to be almost completely undefended. They were accompanied by Daemon Engines, which laid a crippling machine curse upon the planet. During this attack, The Castigated were thrown into the fray alongside the Imperial Guard forces stationed on the planet. As the Adeptus Mechanicus labored to find a way to lift the machine curse on Cypra Mundi, The Castigated were stationed at select points along the entrenched front lines, to aid the guardsmen in slowing the advance of the Iron Warriors toward the Imperial Segmentum Fortress.

The Castigated were treated as lasgun fodder by the Adeptus Mechanicus during the campaign, and they in turn held no reservations about using Imperial Guardsmen as meat shields to protect their men. As a result, the Imperial Guard suffered astronomical casualties on Cypra Mundi, however, The Castigated escaped relatively intact. After the Adeptus Mechanicus lifted the curse, and the forces of chaos were driven from Cypra Mundi, word spread through the Imperial Guard of a legendary force of Primaris Astartes that saved the planet, although any attempts to confirm such were unsuccessful. In the official records of the Imperium, the Imperial Guard remains the sole protector of Cypra Mundi.

## Chapter Homeworld

Although the members of The Castigated are pulled from prison worlds across the Imperium Sanctum, the homeworld of The Castigated is recorded as Cypra Mundi, as that is the planet where the chapter is effectively mustered. On this planet, the Castigated have no palace or monastery to call their own, as they are kept confined to a prison block miles below the surface of the planet, until the need to call upon the unit arises.

## Chapter Organization

Unlike other chapters, The Castigated maintains little compliance with the *Codex Astartes*. The organization of the chapter is overseen by Archmagos Gea Rhaus, and so bears more similarities to the hierarchy of the Adeptus Mechanicus than that of other chapters. This, combined with the relatively small number of Primaris Astartes in the chapter, means that leadership and organization are unique to The Castigated. There are around 500 Astartes in the chapter at any given time, as the Adeptus Mechanicus on Cypra Mundi remain wary of inflating the chapter any further, for fear of being unable to control it, given the marines' criminal pasts. The chapter is divided into 5 companies, known as a "Divisum Castigatorum," with the specific Divisum's designator being the number after the name. ( i.e. "Divisum Castigatorum 1" )

### Chapter Companies

There are 5 Divise Castigatore in the chapter, each of which is specialized to a certain aspect of the chapter's operations.

* **Divisum Castigatorum 1** - The first Divisum is composed of the most experienced and proficient Astartes in the chapter. They are considered the most valuable part of The Castigated by chapter leadership and the Archmagos, which means they are deployed to combat only when necessary to complete a mission. This Divisum is also the most complete and versatile of the 5, as experienced members of all the other 4 Divise are pulled into this Divisum.

* **Divisum Castigatorum 2** - The second Divisum is the vanguard of the chapter. It is by far the largest Divisum, numbering roughly 200 Astartes at a given time. They are the most often called to action and are lethal in combat. Every Novite in the chapter is a part of this Divisum, and Novite that are promoted to Astartes are also initially part of this Divisum, until the need arises to pull Astartes into another Divisum.

* **Divisum Castigatorum 3** - The third Divisum is comprised of the Astartes most proficient in stealth and assassination operations. While the entire chapter is trained in stealth and covert operations, this Divisum is the best the chapter can offer. The Divisum is composed of roughly 75 Astartes, as they tend to work in groups of 15 marines to complete their missions. They are regularly deployed into covert missions, and can operate independently from support from the rest of the chapter more than the other Divise.

* **Divisum Castigatorum 4** - The fourth Divisum is trained to be the most violent and deadly Astartes in close-quarters combat. These Astartes are some of the most violent marines created, and they are considered by the Adeptus Mechanicus to be the peak of Astarte's capabilities. They number around 100 Astartes in the Divisum. When a new Astarte Victor must be chosen, he is almost always selected from this Divisum.

* **Divisum Castigatorum 5** - The fifth Divisum is the smallest of the chapter, and the Astartes in it are trained in the use of the tactical warsuits the chapter possesses, as well as the centurion armor sent from Mars. These Astarte are deployed when the need arises to ensure their brothers can complete their mission, and the Astartes have been known to perish before allowing their brothers to be overrun. Interestingly, Astartes can only be selected to become a part of this Divisum by the Astarte Dominus or the Astarte Superior of the Divisum, and must exhibit adequate technological prowess to be considered for the rank of Astarte Automator. All Astartes Automatores are trained within this Divisum.

### Officer Ranks

* **Chapter Commander *"Astarte Dominus"*** - The Astarte Dominus is appointed by the Archmagos in charge of overseeing the chapter, Gea Rhaus. The chapter commander answers only to the Archmagos.

* **Captain *"Astarte Superior"*** - Each Astarte Superior commands one Divisum Castigatorum and answers only to the Astarte Dominus and the Archmagos.

* **Lieutenant *"Astarte Adjutor"*** - Tasked with assisting their Astarte Superior, and assuming leadership within their Divisum Castigatorum, the Astarte Adjutor ensures that the orders of the Astarte Superior are carried out to the letter.

### Chapter Ranks

* **Chaplain** ***"Astarte Vicar"*** - A marine with a special dedication to the Imperium (and, importantly, to the Cult Mechanicus) is designated an Astarte Vicar. This position, like the other chapter ranks, elevates the Astarte above the Asarte Optio but still answers to the Astarte Adjutor, and superior ranks. An Astarte Vicar is responsible for ensuring that the Astartes of his Divisum remain devoted to the chapter, the Imperium, and the Adeptus Mechanicus. Unlike other Chaplain marines, the teachings of an Astarte Vicar are more centered on devotion to the chapter itself than anything else.

* **Apothecary** ***"Astarte Posologar"*** - An Astarte that shows promise in combat medicine and an understanding of biotechnology is appointed an Astarte Posologar. They work to maintain the health of their fellow Astartes in battle and occasionally bring their fallen brothers back from death. Astartes Posologares are closely monitored by the Archmagos and her subordinates, as their augmentation abilities could pose a considerable threat to their captors.

* **Ancient *"Astarte Antiquor"*** - An Astarte Antiquor is an Astarte that has displayed great combat prowess and extreme loyalty to the chapter. they are the closest thing in The Castigated to a position of honor, and Astartes have been seen engaging in impossible feats of combat to vie for this rank.

* **Librarian *"Astarte Curator"*** - Although there are more Astartes Curatores in the chapter than in other chapters, relatively speaking, the rank of Astarte Curator is a position that Astartes of the Castigated pray they are not promoted to. Although Astartes Curatores are powerful psykers and are a critical part of the combat abilities of the chapter, they are some of the most harshly treated Astartes in the chapter, save perhaps for the Novites. The Archmagos ensures that these marines are unflinchingly loyal, and any sign of questioning or hesitation is severely punished. Some Astartes Curatores have been known to perish during these interrogations, and as such Astartes of the chapter actively try to suppress any psyker abilities, though usually unsuccessfully.

* **Techmarine *"Astarte Automator"*** - There are very few Astartes Automatores in the chapter, as there are so few pieces of mechanical firepower in the chapter. There are usually only one or two Astartes Automatores at any given time, and they are designated by the Astarte Dominus himself, such is their importance.

* **Champion *"Astarte Victor"*** - The Castigated retain only one Astarte Victor in the chapter, and he is the enforcer of the Astarte Dominus. In combat, he is unmatched in battle prowess, and in conviction, he is completely devoted to the execution of the Astarte Dominus' orders. Oftentimes, the Astarte Victor is sent to points of special importance, to ensure his fellow Astartes do not falter in their orders.

### Line Ranks

* **Veteran Sergeant** ***"Astarte Prioptio "*** - A sergeant of the Divisum Castigatorum 1 is known as an Astarte Prioptio. These are the most experienced, and most loyal, line Astartes in the chapter. they command their squad without hesitation and are known to be the most ruthless Astartes in the chapter.

* **Sergeant** ***"Astarte Optio"*** - An Astarte Optio commands his squad of Astartes and is selected from the squad by the Astarte Superior of their Divisum. Usually, the selection is at the request of the previous Astarte Optio, as they are required to name a replacement in the event of their death, to aid in leadership during combat.

* **Battle-Brother** ***"Astarte"*** - The common marine of the chapter, Astartes are the vanguard of The Castigated. Treated as nothing more than expendable fodder by all except their brothers, Astartes are among the most violent killers in the Imperium Nihilus.

* **Neophyte** ***"Novite"*** - Primaris marines fresh out of stasis are known as Novites, and are treated worse than any other members of the chapter. They are the first to die, the first to be blamed, and the last to be fed. Should a Novite survive to kill his first enemy in single combat, he will be promoted to Astarte, and assigned to a Divisum.

## Combat Doctrine

The Castigated are masters of stealth and subterfuge. Upon presentation of the chapter to the Fabricator-General of Cypra Mundi, he remarked "The stories of old tell of the Traitor Legion, yet they seem a better fit for these Astartes. We must ensure their loyalty lies with the Omnissiah alone, Gea." The Castigated are most often sent on missions from which no notoriety could arise, as is the desire of the Adeptus Mechanicus to keep the chapter in the shadows of the Imperium. On the rare occasion they are brought to bear against the enemy in public, the chapter is whisked away from the field of battle long before the recorders and historians can discern the truth of the engagement.

## Chapter Culture

The culture of the chapter is among the bleakest in all the Imperium. Every second that an Astarte is not fulfilling his mission is spent in their cell, miles below the surface of Cypra Mundi. Conversation and overt brotherhood are essentially non-existent. Despite this, the Astartes have grown an unspoken bond between them, and the overseers have on multiple occasions witnessed Astartes fall into a deep depression at the loss of their brothers. Silence is the language through which the marines have learned to communicate, to the extent that the rare instances of interaction with other chapters are unbearably awkward, with the other chapter reasoning that these Astartes must possess some sort of genetic mutation that predisposes them to silence.

The leadership of the chapter, despite being Primaris Astartes straight from Mars, are treated exactly the same as the converted Astartes of the chapter. Due to them being brought directly out of stasis into the cells of Cypra Mundi, they have no knowledge that they are any different than their battle-brothers. All officers are appointed directly by the Archmagos herself, to avoid leadership promoting Line Astartes to become officers, and the new officers are additional 'pure' Primaris Marines that are kept in stasis on the planet until they are needed to fill the ranks of chapter leadership. When awakened, these marines undergo the same trials that standard recruits undergo, and it is only after they pass these, of which none have ever failed, that they are brought before the Archmagos herself to be told their duties and rank.

## Chapter Recruitment

The recruitment process is slow, despite the involuntary nature of their selection. The recruits are the most violent convicted criminals in the Imperium, and over 80% perish during the conditioning process, and subsequent Primaris conversion surgery.

The select few who do survive all this awake years later, in a cramped, dark cell. These recruits then undergo months of excruciating interrogation and indoctrination at the hands of the Archmagos, though the recruits will never actually see another living being for the first two months on Cypra Mundi. It is during this time that the general rules of life for members of The Castigated are imposed upon the recruit, including silence until questioned, complete obedience and loyalty to The Castigated.

After the overseeing tech-priests are satisfied with the state of the recruit, he is brought to a near-pitch-black chamber, where he will learn the patterns of stealth and use of his heightened senses to perceive his surroundings. Though the recruit is unaware, the assailants in this training are full Astartes of the chapter, who are ruthless in their attacks during this trial. The Astartes are generally told to avoid killing the recruit, though recruits that are exceedingly weak have no place on Cypra Mundi, and die in this chamber.

Should a recruit survive the second trial, he is then considered a Novite. However, until the Divisum Castigatorum 2 is called to action, the new Novite will remain in his cell, still having never even met his new battle-brothers. When this day does come, the door of the Novite's cell opens without warning, and the Novite must fall in and learn how to operate with his Divisum immediately. Every deviation from the exact operating procedure of the chapter is met with a painful retribution.

Punishments are varying and uncertain, ranging from corporal punishment to sleep deprivation, and even to extremes such as periodic dismemberment. Overseeing tech-priest have been known to remove limbs from a Novite, and leave them mutilated just long enough to keep them alive, before replacing the limb as if nothing had happened, causing lingering pain, and the need to essentially relearn how to use that limb. Such is the regular experience of a Novite, and there are those who remain at this rank for years, or even decades, as the only way to advance to the rank of Astarte is to defeat an enemy in single combat, witnessed by their battle-brothers.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

The Castigated is derived from the gene-seed of Corvus Corax, Primarch of the XIXth Legion, Raven Guard. There are no mutations of any kind in the gene-seed of the Astartes, although the Archmagos, and the Adeptus Mechanicus as a whole, hold the opinion that the criminal origin of the recruits is forever a flaw. The leadership of the chapter consists entirely of 'pure' Primaris Marines, also derived from the gene-seed of Corvus Corax. These Astartes are the purest form of marine in the eyes of the Fabricator-General of Cypra Mundi, and they are the subject of study by the Adeptus Mechanicus on the planet.

## Notable Members

* **Astarte Dominus Spartacos Osprix** - The chapter master of The Castigated, Osprix is the fourth Astarte Dominus to lead the chapter. Regarded as one of the most intelligent Astartes to ever interact with The Adeptus Mechanicus of Cypra Mundi, Spartacos often has his brain dissected by the Archmagos to study his intelligence, though this is entirely unknown to him.

* **Novite Zanthus Castartem** - Zanthus is a Novite in the chapter and has been so longer than any other member in the chapter's history. Widely considered to be one of the best hand-to-hand combat experts in the chapter, Zanthus has long been capable of rising through the ranks. Despite this, he continues to concede his opportunities for single combat to other Novites, allowing them to ascend to the rank of Astarte. Although the entirety of the chapter treats him as cruelly as any other Novite, every Astarte of The Castigated has great respect for the ageing Novite.

## Chapter Fleet

The chapter possesses no fleet of its own but is supplied by the Adeptus Mechanicus on Cypra Mundi with what the Archmagos deems necessary for them to complete their mission. On the occasions that require space travel, the Astartes are transported on specialized prison barges that identically match the prison block deep below the surface of Cypra Mundi, such that often the Astartes do not even know they are being transported through space at all.

## Chapter Relics

The Castigated possess no Relics, but on occasion are issued 'specialized equipment' when the overseers seem it necessary for the mission. These can be anything from power claws to jump packs, but any marks are erased and there is no proof that any 'specialized equipment' is ever reissued. There are only two exceptions to this, one of which is sanctioned by the Archmagos, and one which is largely just fabricated by the Astartes themselves.

* ***Power Claws of The Condemned*** - These power claws are passed from Astarte Dominus to the next by the Archmagos, and many of the Adeptus Mechanicus believe they are the sister set to the Raven Claws worn by Kayvaan Shrike himself.

* **Knife of The Novite** - This is the combat knife wielded by Zanthus Castartem and has grown to a certain level of notoriety among The Castigated. It is accepted by many that when the blade of Zanthus singles out an enemy, a new Astarte will be recognized that same night.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

#### Armor

 File:The Castigated Armor.png
The uniform of The Castigated has been kept consistent since the creation of the chapter, as their appearance has bore little importance to the Adeptus Mechanicus relative to their propensity for combat. Every member of the Castigators wears Mk. X Phobos pattern armor, as this is the armor they are put into stasis wearing, with the only exceptions being those selected to certain special positions within the chapter. The armor is black, with white lining the edges of both shoulder pauldrons, and entirely white helmets. The right pauldron is light blue, so that the Adeptus Mechanicus can identify the chapter marines from a distance, and the left pauldron is black, with the chapter badge in white centered on the pauldron.

#### Helmet

The helmet of The Castigated is white, with black stripes running from brow to crown, the number of which corresponds to rank. More stripes represent a lower rank, as the number of stripes indicates the number of ranks to which the marine answers. In addition, Astartes above the rank of Sargeant retain the right to remove their helmet, which is strictly forbidden for all lower ranks of The Castigated. With the exception of these ranking leaders of the chapter, marines have no knowledge of their brothers' faces.

#### Rank Designations

Certain changes and unique markings are designated for marines of particular ranks and positions. Those who are not line infantry or officers have similar designators in their colours. These Astartes have their rank markings on their helmet painted in certain colours to denote their specific rank

* **Chaplain** ***"Astarte Vicar"*** - Rank markings are in white, as the helmet is painted black.

* **Apothecary** ***"Astarte Posologar"*** - Rank Markings are in black.

* **Ancient *"Astarte Antiquor"*** - Rank markings are in green.

* **Librarian *"Astarte Curator"*** - Rank markings are in blue. In addition to the left pauldron being light blue, Astartes Curatores also wear a blue robe over their armor.

* **Techmarine *"Astarte Automator"*** - Rank markings are in red.

* **Champion *"Astarte Victor"*** - Rank markings are in purple.

### Rank Designators

Rank is shown on the helmet of an Astarte, in black stripes running brow to crown on the crown of the helmet. The number of lines corresponds to the rank of the Astarte, with fewer lines corresponding to a higher rank, signifying the Astartes that marine answers to.

#### Officer Ranks

* **Chapter Commander *"Astarte Dominus"*** - A solid white helmet, with no stripes.

* **Captain *"Astarte Superior"*** - A single black stripe running down the center of the helmet

* **Lieutenant *"Astarte Adjutor"*** - Two black stripes running down the helmet, one down the center, and one to the right of the center.

#### Chapter Ranks

* **All chapter ranks** - Three coloured stripes running down the helmet, one down the center, one to the right of center, and one to the left of center. Colour represents specific chapter rank.

#### Line Ranks

* **Sergeant** ***"Astarte Optio"*** - Four black stripes running down the helmet, one down the center, two to the right of the center, and one the left of the center.

* **Battle-Brother** ***"Astarte"*** - Five black stripes running down the helmet, one down the center, two to the right of the center, and two to the left of center.

* **Neophyte** ***"Novite"*** - A solid black helmet, with no stripes.

### Chapter Name

The Castigated were officially named thus by the High Lords of Terra on Terra, for the manner in which the Astartes were to be treated by Cawl. Initially, The High Lords never expected to see any marines ever survive the tests they were to be subjected to by Belisarius Cawl, and so they were assumed just lost to the Adeptus Mechanicus until the arrival of KY-231 on Mars brought news of their arrival on Cypra Mundi. The purpose for which the High Lords initially created the program was likened to the worse punishments that the prison worlds of the Imperium could boast, and thus from the High Lords of Terra the name 'The Castigated' was born.

On Cypra Mundi, Archmagos Gea Rhaus preferred to refer to the chapter as "The Dusk Merlins" at the formation of the chapter, and so the name is recorded in the histories of the Imperium Nihilus thusly. However, after the return of KY-231 to the planet, the name The Castigated was brought to the attention of the Archmagos, who acquiesced to the name that the High Lords of Terra had chosen for the chapter.

### Chapter Badge

The chapter badge of The Castigated is a white skull, imprisoned behind black bars, on a black background. The badge is meant to represent the life of an Astarte in the chapter, a killer imprisoned until there comes a time for such a warrior. Through the centuries of the chapter's history, the badge of The Castigated has never changed, and the sight of the badge alone is enough to cut a wide swath through the throngs of humans that find themselves in their way.

## Relations

### Allies

* **Adeptus Mechanicus** - The homeworld of the chapter, Cypra Mundi, is also an Adeptus Mechanicus forge world, and it is believed that this was the original reason that the cargo ships were routed here past The Great Rift. The Adeptus Mechanicus are the greatest ally, and most oppressive incarcerators, of The Castigated, and supply the chapter with everything they require to complete their objectives.

### Enemies

* **Hereteks** - The Dark Mechanicum, or "Hereteks" as they are known to the Adeptus Mechanicus, and by extension The Castigated, are a faction of the Adeptus Mechanicus themselves, who defected during the Horus Heresy, to aid the forces of Chaos in overthrowing the Imperium of Man. Although this was unsuccessful, the Hereteks remain one of the most reviled enemies of the Adeptus Mechanicus, who will take any chance they can to eradicate them. As such, The Castigated have been sent numerous times to exterminate pockets of Hereteks, and are informed by their overseers that they are never to leave any survivors and that the penalty for failing these missions is worse than anything they have yet endured. Because of this, The Castigated show particular ferocity toward Hereteks and have been known to incinerate battlefields after victory, to ensure their enemies would remain forever defeated.

## Notable Quotes

### By The Castigated

"*I pray you have no further use for us, as we would return to our solitude again.*"
—Spartacos Osprix, Astarte Dominus of The Castigated
### About The Castigated

"*Brother, something is very wrong here. These are not our brothers, or if they are, they are beyond repair...*"
—Unknown Celestial Lions marine
## Acknowledgements

I must give proper credit to the creator FatalDan101, who was the mastermind behind The Condemned Space Marine chapter, which was what first sowed the seeds of this chapter in my mind. He is truly a great author, and this chapter would never be where it is today without his work.

[Source]

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

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