Aristeo Tann

> *"Faith is a choice. Strengthen that faith and that faith will protect you."*
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Aristeo Tann is the current Marshal of the Apophasis Crusade pledging to bring the light of The God-Emperor to the faithless and protect the faithful. One of the first Black Templars Ascended; Aristeo strives to act as a beacon of faith in The Emperor and Mankind's manifest destiny.

Aristeo was elevated to his position 50 years before the reveal of the Primaris Space Marines and High Marshal Helbrecht crossing the Rubicon Primaris. Aristeo petitioned to be one of the first as a show of supreme faith in the God-Emperor and is rumoured to be one of the first examples that it's possible that the Black Templar faith is the reason that they are especially resilient in crossing the rubicon.

## History

> *"Our faith is our shield. Our fury is our blade. Both are needed in service of the Emperor."*
> - Marshal Aristeo Tann addressing his household before departing on the Apophasis Crusade. 010.M42
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Born in 809.M41 on Tortosa, Aristeo Tann was recruited like others from one of the many recruitment worlds of the Black Templars. Originally known as Evander, he became an Expectanten at the very young age of 7. Able to brave the many dangers of his home world he fought long and hard to find himself at the walls of the Chapter Keep, his brother Aristeo having made the same journey several years before. Under the watchful eyes of the Black Templar that were stationed there to monitor the aspirants for stand outs and failures, Evander knelt and thanked the God-Emperor for delivering him to the keep and to allow him to look for more clues about the final fate of his brother even if he had to fight the stars for them. Though keep records did show that he survived and was made a Neophyte, there was no more records of his brother afterwards. The Black Templar made note of this sign of faith and continued their watch. Marked thusly right away, Evander was singled out by Brother Initiate Jürgen. Brother Jürgen was known to be quite a hard master and so he subjected him to his usual oppressive direction. Most aspirants under Jürgen's tutelage failed and became chapter serfs serving where they could in the chapter keeps of their native worlds. It was the example of the boy's faith in the God-Emperor that allowed him to persevere and Brother Jürgen reluctantly allowed him to become a Neophyte.

Once he was allowed to become a Neophyte and join the muster, he was chosen by Brother Initiate Günter. Günter was an Initiate of great faith and so they both found a powerful kinship in that faith.

### Ascension

Günter served as Evander's Initiate for 10 years. As a Neophyte, Evander would be schooled in the art of war nonstop for those 10 years. During this time he would learn all that could be learned about the Holy Bolter and Chainsword. It was also during these early years that he would learn that faith in the God-Emperor was just as strong and lethal as the Bolter.

#### Battle of Blood Gulch

Neophyte Evander was to become a fully fledged Initiate at the Battle of Blood Gulch in 831.M41. During the battle against Traitor Space Marines of the Word Bearers legion, Evander would be accepted as full battle brother by Günter and his Brother Initiates. It was just during the final conflict did Günter take an injury, nearly laying him low but for Evander standing guard over his master. Defending him against the traitors and their daemon allies, Evander intoned a prayer and fought as long as he could determined to sell his life as dearly as possible. Accepting his fate and ready to die, it was at the last minute that the other Black Templars were able to cut their way to their fallen brother and his charge. Günter survived and upon his recovery, he declared that Evander was done his learning and finally ready to take his place amongst his Brother Initiates and assume his proper name. Evander would now be known as Aristeo in memory of the brother he lost and the brothers he now gained.

### Elevation

Aristeo fought for almost a century as an Initiate training several Neophytes of his own.

#### Deathwatch Service

Developed into a Black Templar of a most lenient propensity, Aristeo has the distinction of being seconded to the Deathwatch for several tours of duty, part of a collection of Veteran Space Marines drawn from all of the different extant Chapters who serve together in the Inquisition's service for a discrete period of time. A rare example from a chapter such as the Black Templar. He would excel in the preferred method of his founder; using Power Sword, Storm Shield, and Bolt Pistol; meeting many different marines, his cousins during their service. He would serve faithfully for nearly 15 years before returning. Upon his return Aristeo was elevated to his Castellan's personal household and fighting as a Sternguard then Vanguard; eventually given the crimson cloak of the Sword Brethren.

#### Fall of the Spire

Aristeo assumed overall command at one point during the Fall of the Spire in 948.M41. During the Fall of the Spire, Castellan Brunner would fall fighting the Orks during a holding action to evacuate as many innocents from a besieged Golgotha Hive. Surrounded by dead Orks and Imperials alike, Brunner fell to a crude power claw, cutting him in half. Aristeo was closest to his lord as he was cut down and drove his Power Sword through the Ork's palate as it bellowed, celebrating it's extremely short-lived victory. Even though the spire fell and suffering from multiple injuries himself; Aristeo was able to coordinate the surviving Sword Brethren, taking up Brunner's Relic Shield, and recover his body. Aristeo also took command of the Strike Cruiser *Sigismund's Rage* and coordinated the evacuation of the remaining refugees from it's command deck even as Apothecaries ministered to his wounds. Upon his recovery, the surviving Sword Brethren unanimously elected him and High Marshal Helbrecht approving their selection.

### Halo Stars Crusade

Aristeo's last crusade before crossing the Rubicon Primaris was the Halo Stars Crusade. Following the path of the Lord Solar's Own of the Macharian Crusade, Aristeo and his warriors answered the distress calls of the Imperial worlds that were under attack by a myriad of Xenos forces there. They successfully persecuted this crusade for nearly 50 years before the High Marshal called it a success and recalled them back to their spiritual home, the *Eternal Crusader*. It was at this time that the High Marshal would meet with the reborn Imperial Regent, Roboute Guilliman.

#### Rubicon Primaris

After the Imperial Regent's visit, Helbrecht called together all the Marshals and Castellans present to muster new crusades, even promoting some of the most senior Sword Brethren. Aristeo was to be promoted to Marshal and launch his own crusade. During the necessary preparation period to launch the new crusades, Helbrecht would cross the Rubicon Primaris. It was during this time that Aristeo would learn that his brother Aristeo, now known as Gottfried Tann in memory of their father, not only survived and was now a Black Templar but that he was present at the fleet as well. A surprise but welcome reunion, Helbrecht saw providence is this and assign Gottfried permanently to Aristeo's household. Thanking the God-Emperor for delivering his brother back to him and wanting to begin his new Crusade with a supreme act of faith, Aristeo and Gottfried petitioned the High Marshal to allow them both to cross the rubicon as well. Helbrecht acceded to their wish and they undertook the dangerous procedure with a prayer on both of their lips. After their recovery, Helbrecht ordered Aristeo to take command of the Black Templar Battle Barge *Emperor's Grace* and assigned the *Sigismund's Rage* to him. Gottfried promoted to Master of the Forge and given command of the Forgeship *Maximian Rex*. *Sword of Faith* Squadron and *Glorious Shield* Squadron to serve as escort to their fleet.

Aristeo and Gottfried had emerged from the Rubicon Primaris reborn, full of faith and now both known as one of the Ascended.

## Primaris Knights of the Inner Circle

The Space Marines that are part of Marshal Aristeo's Knights are listed below.

* Master of the Forge Gottfried Tann
* Ancient Sacrosant Vindex
* Palatine Gregor Adelmund
* Emperor's Champion Bruno Friedrich
* Master of Sanctity Leandro Pohl
* Mortarch Adelmo Lehmann
* Chief Apothecary Marius Horn
* Praesus Sword Brother Albrecht Vorn
* Castellan Leandro Krause

## Wargear

* ***Armour of Tortosa*** - Since becoming an Ascended, Aristeo has worn the *Armour of Tortosa*, a suit of Mark X Gravis power armour that his brother Gottfried specially modified for him that provides an unprecedented level of protection.
* ***Tyrannus Mors*** - A heavy broadsword, the *Tyrannus Mors* is a Master-crafted Power Sword drawn from the Temple of Dorn. It dates back to the original Templar Brethren of the Imperial Fists Legion.
* **Relic Shield** - A large power shield, this relic used to be carried by Castellan Brunner. He was killed by Orks at Golgotha Hive in defense of the Imperials there as the hive fell. Aristeo now carries it in memory of Brunner and those fallen innocents.
* **Heavy Bolt Pistol**
* **Iron Halo** - This device is a symbol of achievement in the shape of a candelabra that is given to a Space Marine who show exceptional initiative or bravery in battle. The Iron Halo emits a very strong gravitic Conversion Field around its wearer, which makes his armour even harder to pierce with enemy weapons. In addition, it provides its wearer with immense resilience to even the most potent weapons on the battlefield such as Lascannons and missiles of all varieties. The shield stands a good chance of deflecting many deadly projectiles that would otherwise slay even an Astartes with ease.
* **Crusader Seals** - Crusader Seals are waxen or metallic tokens with vows of piety and Chapter blessings inscribed on hanging strips of parchment that are bestowed upon Space Marines of proven zeal and courage.
* **Frag Grenades**
* **Krak Grenades**