Cyclopean Sons

Cyclopean Sons armorial with Chapter iconography.

The **Cyclopean Sons** are an Astartes Chapter of unknown founding and descent. Little known to the greater Imperium this elusive and enigmatic Chapter has always been drawn to the pursuit of knowledge and the acquisition of ancient lore. It produces an unusually large number of Librarians among its ranks as a high proportion of Neophytes develop psychic abilities soon after their implantation with the Sons gene-seed organs.

Their powerful Librarians guide the Chapter, enabling them to fight with a precision and calculated fury made possible by their ability to predict and thwart their enemy's strategies and tactics before they come to pass. These arcane powers have led to great speculation and some concern about the true nature and origins of this Chapter in the rest of the Imperium of Man, but as of yet no formal investigation has commenced and with the return of the Primarch Guilliman and the need for loyal Chapters more acute than ever before, it is likely that it never will.

## History

Though the Cyclopean Sons certainly have a long and glorious history, none can say when and from which Primarch they were founded and few can even vouch for their existence. Their history dates back millennia but few outside of the Chapter know of it. Even within the vast halls of the Adeptus Terra they are mentioned in passing only, in fact only two campaigns can be conclusively identified as being carried out by the Cyclopean Sons and even those are clouded in falsehoods and half-truths, that they have fought in uncounted wars is one of the few truths to be had from this enigmatic Chapter.

### The Ritual of the Dammed

One of the few confirmed appearances of the the Chapter was in the works of the noted scholar Raphael Myrhuss and his account of the so called Ritual of the Dammed. Fought during the distant years of the 35th Millenium, Myrhuss account of this conflict and the mysterious Chapter that had persecuted it had been lost for many years, finally found during the cataclysmic Idomitus Crusade it has granted those fortunate enough to be permitted a glimpse into its pages a chance to learn more about a Chapter that has mystified scholars for generations. The years of the 35th millenium were a fractious time for the Imperium, known as the Nova Terra Interregnum, it was a time of civil war a time of strife as warring factions threatened to tear the Imperium apart. The heretic Astartes of the Eagles Iridescent used the chaos and strife to launch an audacious plan, upon the planet of Lloetis they enacted their great plan, they would use their foul sorceries to attempt to allow a Lord of Change to break though into the mortal plane. Only the intervention of the Cyclopean Sons prevented this from occurring but the Eagles Iridescent took an horrific toll upon the world and upon the Sons themselves who were forced to battle through hordes of cultists and their demonic allies as well as the Astartes of the Eagles Irdescent themselves before they could reach the summoning grounds, according to the works of Raphael Myrhuss the Sons themselves used all manner of sorcerous powers to defeat their enemies culminating in a battle both within the material and immaterial planes. Some 200 Astartes of the Cyclopean Sons fell to achieve this victory but victory was achieved nonetheless but the victory would have far reaching repercussions that would not be felt for five thousand years.

### Noctis Aeterna

During this dark period the hopes of trillions was reignited with the return of one of the Emperors loyal sons - the Primarch of the Ultramarines - Roboute Guilliman. With his return, he brought with him the fruits of 10,000 years of research and labour - the Primaris Space Marines. Representatives from the Primarch were dispatched to every Astartes Chapter to gift these wondrous creations and soon Primaris Astartes were serving alongside their elder brethren with distinction, but unlike many other Chapters that received full grown and battle-hardened Primaris, the Cyclopean Sons instead received the technology and knowledge to create their own Primaris Space Marines.

The wargear to arm these formidable warriors was also received, including 500 suits of Mk X Power Armour in their various patterns, hundreds of Cawl and Belisarius Pattern Weapons, four Redemptor Dreadnoughts Chassis, 2 Overlord Gunships and two Repulser Grav Tanks, all of which have been assigned to the Pyrae Fellowship. Thanks to this great fortune, the Cyclopean Sons now prosecute their wars with even greater vigor. The numbers of Primaris Astartes currently serving are unknown but during the battles of the Indomitus Crusade they were able to field an entire company.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Ritual of the Dammed (745.M35)** - The Ritual of the Damned was an attempt by the heretic Astartes of the Eagles Iridescent and their cultist followers to bring forth a Lord of Change upon the planet of Lloetis. The Cyclopean Sons stopped the ritual before it could be enacted and cleansed the world of it's taint but only at great cost to both the World and the Sons themselves.

* **Battle of the Pyramids (111.M42)** - The Battle of the Pyramids was fought in the wake of Phosis T'Kar's elevation to Chapter Master. A large force drawn from the Thousand Sons Legion led by a foul Daemon Prince attempted an Invasion of Thebes. With Phosis T'Kar leading them the Cyclopean Sons utterly destroyed the followers of Tzeentch, with Phosis battling the Daemon upon the summit of Hiemlender, defeating the creature and obliterating it's essence from existence in such a way that it could not be resurrected again by it's foul god.

## Homeworld

The Cyclopean Sons hail from the verdant world of Thebes, it is a beautiful world of vast forests and clear blue oceans while magnificent cities of marble and gold rise from rolling hills. It's people are hardy and proud, ever ready to defend the Imperium from it's enemies, subsequently they make fine Astartes recruits.

Unlike many other world within the Imperium, Thebes is a place of learning, of knowledge where ideas and philosophies are freely discussed without judgement within great amphitheatres while massive libraries with uncounted tomes and scrolls dominate the cities.

The planetary seat and largest city is Memphis, it is known as the ''City of Light'' within which the Sons have built their massive Fortress-Monastery Hiemlender, itself comprised of eight connected Marble Pyramids, these arcologies as they are known house the vast training facilities, libraries and barracks of the Chapters Fellowships, each is a fortress within itself with powerful void shields while massive defence batteries cleverly hidden behind marble and gold shutters defend them from any attack.

A ninth structure and by far the largest stands at the centre of the city, within the sculpted boundaries of Occullum Square. Unlike the other eight, there are no Fellowships in residence here for this is the domain of their master, the Magister Templi. A complex of ancillary buildings and lesser pyramids sprawl across the square at its feet, within which is housed the collected wisdom of Chapter.

These structures comprise the Great Library, the most hallowed treasures of Thebes, vast halls overflowing with ancient tomes and scrolls, and the ninth arcology is the Pyramid of Photep, the sanctum of the Magister Templi and his Cult Arcana.

Few other than the most trusted of the Chapters officer corps and the elite warriors of the Raptora Fellowship ever enter those halls and bear witness to the hidden labours and experiments of the greatest of the Chapters Librarians, fewer still are granted audience with their master within his golden throne room at the heart of the Pyramid.

## Organisation

The Cyclopean Sons are a Non-Codex compliant Chapter, meaning they do not follow the words laid down many centuries ago by the Primarch Roboute Guilliman, they do not have ten companies, rather seven Fellowships and each of the seven save the vaunted Raptora Fellowship and the Pyrae Fellowship, in which the Chapters Primaris Brothers serve are organized identically with some exceptions, notably in the allocation of vehicles and dreadnoughts. Each Fellowship is able to undertake independent operations far from from Thebes without support from other forces, each possess their own armour and fleet assets and each recruits their own aspirants, often from the same locale, recruits are therefore bound to their Fellowship by more than just brotherhood. Armour and Weapons tend to be of the older type, very few of the newer patterns have been observed to have been operated by the Sons, likely as a result of their long absences from the greater Imperium.

A way they significantly differ from Codex Chapters is in the number of Initiates that manifest psychic powers and it is not rare occurrence to find psykers even within marines assigned to tactical squads, however due to the ever present danger when interacting with the immaterium only those Marines who have received the necessary training in the use of their powers are permitted to use them. It falls therefore on the squad sergeants to ensure that these rules are followed, any that they suspect have used their powers are either dealt with immediately or referred to the Medjed for judgement.

### Specialist Ranks and Formations

* **Rehati** - The Rehati are both the Captains and the Librarians of the Cyclopean Sons, because of the many recruits who manifest psychic abilities the Sons have many within their ranks that are able to both command a Fellowship and serve as Battle Psykers, their gifts granting them great boons in battle through the unimageable power of the immaterium.

* **The Cult Arcana** - The war council of the Cyclopean Sons, comprised of four of the most powerful Librarians within the Chapter, they advise the Magister Templi on all matters as well as the Company Captains in the field despite the fact that they never leave the crystal pyramid that is their home, they know many of the more esoteric secrets of the Chapter thanks to the row upon row of ancient tomes that line their homes walls and are sworn to keep them hidden. A second secret task known only to Phosis T'Kar is also theirs to perform. A special event known as the Ritual of Ra is enacted once every one hundred years, during the Ritual each member will take their anointed place within their pyramid, standing sentinel over their lord, in the centre will stand the Magister Templi, at the climax of the Ritual the Magister will project his essence across the galaxy, though for what purpose is known only to Phosis.

* **Scarab Guard** - The Scarab Guard are the elite bodyguard of the Magister Templi, a handpicked cadre of five of the most skilled warriors within the chapter, they accompany their lord wherever he goes and when he enters his private sanctuary they stand sentinel at the doorway, clad in ancient red and gold terminator plate and wielding arcane weapons of a type not seen for many centuries they are a formidable and relentless foe, ever ready to give their lives in defence of their Lord.

* **Medjed** - The Medjed are the Chaplains of the Cyclopean Sons, because so many Neophytes develop psychic abilities the Medjed, in addition to their normal duties have to watch over their Brothers for the ever present danger of the Warp least it overwhelms them, dealing with those fallen before they can endanger the Chapter, consequently the Medjed are entirely comprised of those without psychic abilities, a very rare occurrence within the Chapter.

* **Djadjaemankh** - An elite and little known unit even within the Chapter, the Djadjaemankh act as the right hand of the Medjed and like their masters are entirely comprised of those without psychic powers. Unlike the Medjed the Djadjaemankh are seldom seen and woe betide any that fall under their gaze for these Marines are the executioners of the Medjed, hunting down any that have had the misfortune of falling under suspicion, dealing with them immediately or dragging them to the Medjed for punishment.
* **Akhet** (Lieutenant Equivalent)

### Order of Battle Ca 111.M42

Magister Templi Phosis T'Kar

Chapter Master of the Cyclopean Sons

5 Scarab Guard

The Cult Arcana

Chapter Equerries

Armourium

Brother Phanek

Master of the Forge

14 Techmarines

109 Tech-Servitors

35 Rhinos

9 Razorbacks

21 Predators

4 Vindicators

3 Whirlwinds

7 Land Raiders

21 Land Speeders

38 Bikes

9 Centurion Suits

4 Stormtalons

7 Stormravens

2 Stormhawks

Reclusium

Baleq

High Medjed of the Cyclopean Sons

12 Medjed

Brother Auramagma, Judicier of the Cyclopean Sons

The Djadjaemankh

Apothecarion

Brother Argonis

Chief Apothecary of the Cyclopean Sons

11 Apothecaries

Fleet Command

Brother Ghrastak

Master of the Fleet

Tessarakonteres (Relic Battleship)

2 Battle Barges (Sycorax & Ankhtowe)

Unknown Remaining Fleet Composition

Raptora Fellowship

"Knights of the Sand"

Akhet (Madox & Mordant)

Rehati Baleq Uthizzar

Medjed Cythega

Apothecary Thothmes

Techmarine

104 Veterans (Including Terminators)

2 Venerable Dreadnoughts

Corvidae Fellowship

"The Might of Thebes"

Rehati Sobek

Akhet (Ignis & Karlsen)

Medjed Phael Toron

Apothecary

Techmarine

8 Battleline Squads

6 Close Support Squads

5 Fire Support Squads

2 Scout Squads

14 Unassigned Neophytes/Aspirants

11 Rhinos

2 Razorbacks

5 Land Speeders

11 Bikes

2 Predators

1 Dreadnought

Pavoni Fellowship

"Knights of the Pyramid"

Rehati Sanakht

Akhet (Tolbeck & Atehp)

Medjed Arvida

Apothecary

Techmarine

8 Battleline Squads

6 Close Support Squads

5 Fire Support Squads

2 Scout Squads

17 Unassigned Neophytes/Aspirants

11 Rhinos

2 Razorbacks

5 Land Speeders

11 Bikes

2 Predators

1 Dreadnought

Athanaean Fellowship

"The Serpents"

Rehati Astyanax

Akhet (Ankhu & Imhoden)

Medjed Atum Sum

Apothecary

Techmarine

8 Battleline Squads

6 Close Support Squads

5 Fire Support Squads

2 Scout Squads

7 Unassigned Neophytes/Aspirants

11 Rhinos

2 Razorbacks

5 Land Speeders

11 Bikes

2 Predators

1 Dreadnought

Ammitara Fellowship

"Chosen of the Sands"

Rehati Serehk

Akhet (Kallimakus & Ctesias)

Medjed Revuel

Apothecary

Techmarine

8 Battleline Squads

6 Close Support Squads

5 Fire Support Squads

2 Scout Squads

7 Unassigned Neophytes/Aspirants

11 Rhinos

2 Razorbacks

5 Land Speeders

11 Bikes

2 Predators

1 Dreadnought

Khenetai Fellowship

"Scarab Sons"

Rehati Mahavastu

Akhet (Luxan & Khalophis)

Medjed Maat

Apothecary

Techmarine

8 Battleline Squads

6 Close Support Squads

5 Fire Support Squads

2 Scout Squads

7 Unassigned Neophytes/Aspirants

11 Rhinos

2 Razorbacks

5 Land Speeders

11 Bikes

2 Predators

1 Dreadnought

Pyrae Fellowship

"Sons of the Cyclops"

Rehati Primaris Imhotep

Akhet (Astyanax & Hathor)

Brother Primaris Tybalt Banner Bearer

Medjed Primaris Talonus

Apothecary Primaris Lucian Xavyer

Techmarine

8 Battleline Squads

5 Close Support Squad

7 Fire Support Squad

24 Unassigned Neophytes/Aspirants

4 Redemptor Dreadnoughts

2 Repulsers

4 Invictor Tactical Warsuits

2 Repulsor Executioners

3 Gladiators

4 Impulsors

1 Astraeus

2 Overlords

All Primaris Space Marines of the Cyclopean Sons are assigned to the 'Pyrae' Company, including all their specialised wargear, equipment and vehicles.

## Battle Doctrine

Due to their almost unique organization and the quirks of their gene-seed the Cyclopean Sons follow their own battle tactics and plans, disliking, even disdaining close combat, the Sons rely instead on strategy and their psychic abilities to achieve victory. Deceit and guile are their hallmarks, overwhelming their foes even before they realise they are under attack, their defences smashed aside by the unimaginable power of the warp and the defenders left completely unable to comprehend what they have witnessed. That the Sons have at times been criticized by their fellow Astartes is of no concern to them, only victory for the Emperor is of import and the Sons will use any means to achieve it.

## Gene-Seed

It is unknown which Primarch the Cyclopean Sons descend from and the Sons themselves have never revealed this information and any who ask are given no answer save a warning not to delve into things they do not want to know the answer to.

What is known is that the Sons produce unusually high number of Battle-Brothers who possess psychic talents, this trait manifests itself almost as soon as they are implanted, even within recruits who had shown no psychic ability during their screening.

Thus far, there has been no evidence of outside mutation, which points to the gene-seed as the source of the Sons disproportionate number of psykers within their ranks and the unusual potency of the psychic powers they exhibit.

The lack of records pertaining to whom they descended from implies that they were created in anticipation of a specific purpose, to counter some threat to the Imperium in centuries past that has since been dealt with and defeated, or from a source that was considered so shameful that all records of the connection between the Sons and their progenitors had to be hidden from future generations.

### Primarch's Curse: The Search

The Cyclopean Sons constantly seek out knowledge and the mysteries of the Universe but this can become dangerous and a Cyclopean Sons Space Marine can become consumed by his thirst for knowledge if he is not careful in his pursuit. This comes with the added danger that much of the sort of lore the Sons seek is dangerous in and of itself, either as proscribed texts or things touched and tainted by the Warp. This genetic curse usually occurs in three stages:

* **Stage 1 - Unhealthy Curiosity**: The more answers about the Universe the Sons discover, the more questions arise to be answered, leading to an ever-expanding circle of secrets and lies that can consume those without the restraint to know when to stop looking. The Battle-Brother's quest for lore and knowledge has led him into dangerous places, and his continued survival given him a false sense of security and the drive to press on. Whenever the Battle-Brother is presented with the chance to learn a secret or uncover some knowledge either of importance to the Universe or pertaining to the Adeptus Astartes, he must summon forth his willpower to overcome his overarching obsession with the acquisition of knowledge.
* **Stage 2 - Knowledgeable Obsessions**: As a Battle-Brother learns more forbidden lore, they can become obsessed with a particular subject, an aspect of the whole which they come to believe is linked directly to the secrets of Choas or some other great and important part of the Imperium's struggle against its enemies. Whenever a Battle-Brother is presented with a chance to learn more about this obsessive knowledge, he almost always places his quest above the needs of others, often putting his own life or the lives of his squad in danger.
* **Stage 3 - Unholy Enlightenment**: After a time a Battle-Brother will learn many secrets from his Chapter and may even spend time in its Librariums coming into contact with great volumes of forbidden lore. All of these secrets can taint a man, burdening his mind and granting him both a great understanding of the universe but also a touch of madness as he tries to contain and understand all that he has seen.

## Notable Members

* **Magister Templi Phosis T'Kar** - The current Chapter Master of the Cyclopean Sons. A giant in both physical and mental terms, a quirk of his Gene-Seed has turned him into a copper-skinned giant blessed with immense psychic power, with the flick of his wrist he is able to snap battle titans in two and with a single utterance turn an entire army upon itself. Clad in the Scarab Plate and wielding the Blade of Anubis, a khopesh-like sickle-sword and combined with his immense psychic power he is a truly formidable foe.

* **High Medjed Baleq** - The Reclusiarch of the Chapter, Baleq has long served his Chapter spiritual needs, hearing his brothers confessions while smiting his enemies on the field of battle. Like all other Medjed within the Chapter he lacks the psychic powers that characterize the Cyclopean Sons but only the most foolish of Initiates would consider that a flaw.

* **Rehati Baleq Uthizzar** - Captain of the Raptora Fellowship, the Cyclopean Sons equivalent of the 1st Company, in terms of martial and psychic strength he is second only to Phosis T'Kar and makes him one of the most powerful figures within the whole Imperium, he goes to battle clad in an ancient suit of Mk IV Plate, wielding a strange and unique force staff of a type not seen for centuries.

* **Rehati Sobek** - Captain of the Corvidae Fellowship, Sobek is one of the greatest heroes of the Chapter and has served for nigh on 4 centuries, like all other Rehati he is both a skilled warrior and gifted psyker, in addition to his role as Rehati he often serves as an advisor to Phosis T'Kar.

* **Rehati Imhotep** - Captain of the Pyrae Fellowship and a Hulking Primaris Astartes, one of the first to have been recruited, like all Captains within the Chapter he is a formidable Psyker as well as a superlative warrior.

* **Akhet Hathor** - First Akhet of the Pyrae Fellowship and like many of his brothers, an immensely powerful Psyker.

## Chapter Relics

* ***Scarab Plate*** - An exquisite suit of golden power armour forged by the finest armoursmiths within the Chapter but the *Scarab Plate* is more than just a suit of Armour, it is as much a thing of tangible psychic force and Empyreal energy as it is a physical construction, shifting form and appearance as Phosis T'Kar wills, and the means by which it protects him is proof against even the most savage of weapons.

* ***Blade of Anubis*** - An exquisite force weapon of prodigious power, the *Blade of Anubis* is a khopesh-like sickle-sword and like all force weapons it is a psychically-attuned extension of the bearers will, channelling his power into the blade, it needs no arcane contraption within its blade to carve through even power armour as if it were paper. It true power comes to the fore when dealing with creatures of the empyrean, slain outright by a single wound as their bodies and minds are destroyed by the unearthly powers of the Immaterium. The Blade of Anubis is an ancient relic of a bygone era whose like can no longer be reproduced in this stagnant Imperium

* ***Staff of Ra*** - A unique and powerful force staff wielded by the Captain of the Raptora Fellowship Baleq Uthizza, like the rest of his wargear it dates back to Great Crusade, it was once carried by an ancient hero of the Legiones Astartes and used throughout the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.

## Fleet

The Cyclopean Sons posses a large and powerful fleet centered around the ancient Battleship ***Tessarakonteres***, this relic of a forgotten era is a massive and powerful vessel, able to smash aside lesser vessels with ease. Complemented by the Battle-Barge's **Sycorax** and ***Ankhtowe*** complemented by a large number of Strike Cruisers, the fleet is a powerful asset to the Chapter.

* ***Tessarakonteres* (Relic Battleship)**
* ***Sycorax* (Battle Barge)**
* ***Ankhtowe (Battle Barge)***
* ***Kymmeru* (Strike Cruiser)**
* ***Herumon* (Strike Cruiser)**
* ***Geometric Web* (Strike Cruiser)**
* **Imhotep *(Strike Cruiser)***
* **Scarab *(Strike Cruiser)***
* ***Waning Moon* (Strike Cruiser)**
* **Eclipse (Strike Cruiser)**
* **Hetepheres (Strike Cruiser)**
* **Baris (Destroyer)**

Unknown number of Escort Ships

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

The Cyclopean Sons wear black and white Power Armour. The outer helm, inset of the shoulder plates, thighs, gauntlets, and boots are black. The top of the power pack, faceplate, torso, groin, forearms, knee guards and greaves are white and the shoulder pad trim is red. A red stencilled roman numeral on the left knee designates fellowship number while all members have the roman numeral XV stencilled on their right knee. The red squad specialty symbol on the right shoulder guard designates operational specialty -- Tactical, Devastator, Assault or Veteran. A red Roman numeral is stencilled in the corner of the shoulder pad, indicating squad number.

### Chapter Badge

The Cyclopean Sons Chapter Badge takes the form of the Latin numeral "M", which represents the number 1,000.