Sons of Rapture

*Some ambient music for you to enjoy while you read!*

Sons of Rapture armorial with Chapter iconography.

Sons of Rapture Primaris Battle-Brother of the 10th Clan Company, 5th Battleline Squad.

## Adeptus Astartes Chapter

### **Allegiance**

Imperium of Man
(*Fedelitas Totalis*)

### **Successor of**

Iron Hands
(Ferrus Manus lineage)

### **Specialisation**

Sub-Aqueous & Void Warfare, Ship-Borne Assaults & Boarding Actions (Space Hulk Purgation, Boarding Operations)

### **Battle Cry**

"With flesh and bolter! With blood and steel!"

## Location

### Segmentum

Segmentum Ultima

The **Sons of Rapture** are a Loyalist Successor Chapter of the stoic and unforgiving Iron Hands. Created during an Unknown Founding, they were formed from a group that went their separate ways after a disagreement on the Iron Hands' ideals when the High lords created the successor chapter. Stubborn and honourable to a fault, they wage war on mankind's enemies wherever is required, learning what they can from the enemy so as to destroy them all the better.

## Chapter History

**Ideological Disagreement 716.M40**

One quiet night deep in the iron hand historical archives, an Iron hand sergeant name Doth Agrexan combs through the mountains of stored data and ancient scrolls, searching for ancient knowledge and lore. While sifting through a particularly ancient pile of manuscripts, the dust packed on thick enough to form a carpet, he finds something strange. One of them was marked with a different seal, more ornate than the simple designs stamped upon the others. Reading through it, the scrolls proposed alternate ideals to the iron hands teachings. Stating that the cooperation of flesh and machine will save humanity in the end, not the strength of machines alone. To Doth the intricate design and ancient teachings could only mean one thing: it came from their progenitor himself.

He brought his findings before the iron hand elders, who, naturally, found his claims ludicrous. Reprimanding the sergeant, Doth left in fury that the council would not even debate over his findings. Doth proclaimed the truth of the teachings in secret from then on, explaining it to anyone who would listen.

**A new path 720.M40**

Through ages of silent teachings of his findings, Doth cultivated a certain amount of hatred amongst his superiors. Indirect slights against him made Doth even more steadfast in his beliefs. And so, when the high lords requested a new chapter to be raised from iron hand gene stock, Doth Agrexan and his small group of followers volunteered without hesitation, and the Iron Council couldn’t approve it fast enough. Granted a vessel by the Mechanicus and the necessary supplies and geneseed from the administratum, they set forth into the void.

**The Road Leads to Home 763.M40**

While traveling amongst the warp's calm waves, the ship’s astropath was suddenly bombarded with numerous cries for help. Not a lot could be made out from the death cries poisoning the message itself but what could be understood told a grave tale: “mil\*\*ons de\*d, Ano\*mu\*\* att\*\*k\*ng, \*eq\*est he\*p”.

The speed with which these marines changed course could be best described as a hand brake turn as the small vessel raced towards the Disov system. Upon arrival, the sight was grim. Great spots of oil and blood tainted the great blue oceans. The few visible islands were nought more than burning ash, but sparking gunfire could be spotted from the largest landmass. The marines rocketed towards the planet’s surface with any voidcraft that could be scrounged together.

The subsequent fury brought upon the strange xenos creatures assaulting the imperial settlers was a true sight to behold. Chitin was torn asunder under hammer and gauntlet, the golden beaches of Blackrock bay quickly turning a foul green with xenos ichor. Once the civilians were safely aboard the landing craft, the Astartes set to work. The first fortification was built by nightfall, dubbed “fort Blackrock”.

**Crustaceans and Warfare 763.M40 - 780.M40**

And so, the war for Disov V began. The local PDF gained new strength under the command of the Astartes. Newly formed Disovian divers assaulted Anomura positions, driving them deeper and further. One by one, the hive domes were liberated and the few remaining survivors were rescued. As more and more Hive domes were rescued, fort Blackrock grew and grew. Great battlements covered under the watchful eye of bolter turrets, thick walls protecting anyone inside from the vile xenos. Inside, the chapter strengthened its might, already beginning to recruit marines to join the newly formed chapter. But For all the new strength of the chapter, the Anomura capital remained hidden, secreted away in the deepest darkest cracks of the abyss.

**Death of the First 832.M40**

But good fortune only lasts so long, and grave news arrived on a dark and stormy night. Doth Agrexan, their founder and leader, had perished while on a rescue mission to a large hive dome called “Rapture”. He was found in front of an escape bulkhead, his body propped up by a large coral spear going through one of his hearts. Around him were heaps of dead Anomura, some killed by bolt shells others by crushed skulls. Upon retrieval of his body, it was discovered his power armor had long shorted out, meaning he had fought off the Anomura onslaught with nothing but his own strength.

In the end, he had given his life so more people could escape, and his name will live on in legend: Doth Agrexan, First of the Sons of Rapture, Lord of the Deep.

**Big Gauntlets to Fill 833.M40**

The one who took up the mantel was Tossgall Mulloyi. He was Doth's right-hand man on Medusa and his second in command on Disov V. Tosgall himself was a rather timid man, even for a marine. But what he lacked in bravado he made up for in tactical genius. To counterbalance his lack of a booming voice he was always accompanied by a voxofficer pulled from the Disovian divers. The weight on his shoulders was great, having to lead the burgeoning chapter and the entire planet.

**Founding 998.M40**

When the walls of the Anomura capital were reduced to nothing but wet rubble, and the vaults were plundered for their riches, the chapter could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The Anomura were wiped out or driven into the wilds, where they would likely be eaten by the wildlife and almost all of the domes were rescued and secured. A fresh war strengthened the new chapter, and their numbers had grown. The largest source of recruits was the very hive dome Doth had died for, this sacrifice caused some of the marines recruited from that dome to start calling themselves "sons of rapture" in honour of the city saved by honoured blood.

This trend spread like wildfire amongst the Rapture recruits, and soon even high-ranking officers took the moniker. It didn't take long for it to be adopted as the official name of the chapter. New colours were decided and the chapter logo formed: a white skull with chained tentacles reaching out from it.

**Parental Meeting 001.M41**

It was a day the chapter scowled at, a day their progenitor would visit them. A black ship loomed above the planet; most marines already had thrown obscenities at the distance vessel. Soon the time came and a thunderhawk settled on the exterior landingpad of the central spire. An Iron Father, accompanied by a squad of iron hand Astartes, stomped down the steps toward the blastshield. At the end waited Tossgal and the veteran guard. His vox officer hiding amongst the huge frames of the Astartes. The iron hands were met with scowls from the Sons of Rapture Astartes, the disdain the iron hands had for them was still fresh after all. The discussions between the 2 leaders must have been heated as it was rumoured the iron hands had been barraged with empty ale tankards and "chased out".

**The Ancients Rise and Yield 003.M41**

One of the first campaigns the Sons of Rapture were involved in was a retaliating strike against a marauding force of Aeldari. Assisted by several infantry regiments of cadian and elysian guard, alongside an armoured regiment from the planet of catachan, the 2nd and 3rd company (with a leviathan guard detachment) descended upon the system. Under the watch of the astartes, heavy fortifications were erected on the hiveworld of Veska. Dug in and armed to the teeth the Sons of Rapture set their trap. A great psychic beacon was projected by the planet's psykana division and the eldar took the bait.

When the eldar made planetfall the beartrap swung shut. The xenos fleet was engaged in orbit as the heavy guns hidden in the defences let fly. Storms of lead hit the eldar full on, scores of them shredded in the hailstorm. The eldar had no way out, their ships stuck in a struggle with the imperial vessels. Great companies of artillery hammed the eldar positions so hard that at the end the area was renamed to the Grey Crater. The battle was finally decided as the eldar flagship suffered a catastrophic detonation and its burning carcass reigned down onto the planet's surface. The imperial took advantage and launched the coounter attack.

The spoils of war were immense. Tasgoll, already having proved the benefit of studying enemy technology, ordered the collecting of any intact xenos tech that could be found. They were secretly whisked away into the Astartes battlebarge by members of the 3rd company. The hold stacked high with forbidden technology.

**Carved from Iron and Stone 008.M41**

To hide the new technologies the chapter's high command was so keen to research, a cavernous hall was carved out deep into the rock. A highly secretive vault to hide the forbidden technology the chapter has found while fighting all across the Imperium. Battle after battle the halls filled more and more, reinforced plasteel racks holding tech looted from nearly every single race. Hulking guardian servitors, created for the sole purpose of roaming the endless halls, doggedly guarded the chapter's treasures.

**The Roaring 058.M41**

When the core of fusilia raged against its planetary cage the event could be seen from the islands of Disov. Mass panic ensued, defences were raised and people fled to the safety of the domes. For a day and night the skies burned red with rage as the ashen planet tore itself apart. Debris was flung across the system, chunks of rock crashed down upon the voidshields of fort Blackrock. The population hunkered down and awaited the end with baited breath.

When the skies returned to their normal color and the meteors stopped crashing into the waters, the aftermath was awe inspiring: the ashen world was ripped asunder. The seperate tetonic plates held in place by the remains of an internal super structure. Orange glow wormed it's way from between the city sized canyons carved into the grey landscape. The Mechanicus was informed and called in immediately, their expertise would hopefully shed a light upon this seemingly divine wrath.

**The Laughing Stranger 102.M41**

While the forgewright and master apothecary were in deep study of another artifact, the great plasteel shelves began to violently shake. A blinding white light grew from far in the distance. Rushing towards the source, several guardian servitors being called to their position in support, they came upon an astonishing sight. A harlequin sat on a shredded servitor, his grinning mask a stark contrast in the blinding light of the webway gate.

Before the marines could carve the intruder apart, he made his case. He had come here for an item that would guarantee the success of a mission. Something that would benefit them all. The Forgewright had already lifted his bolter in the xenos' direction but the master apothecary bade him to wait and asked what item it wanted. A simple sword, collecting dust somewhere in the cavernous halls. The two officers argued for hours but eventually agreed on the Harlequin’s request on only one condition: a trade for a trade...

**Saintly Visitor 167.M41**

One quiet day upon the high seas a magnificent red-coloured vessel held its orbit above the blue marble. The country size cog of gold and silver shined with the sunlight reflecting off of it. Rumours of a holy figure aboard quickly spread amongst the populace. In actuality, the rumours weren't far off as Fabricator general Elenora von Valtic had arranged a meeting with the chapter's high command. A small procession flowed out of the oversized lander, rows of priests spreading incense around the feet of the towering tech saint. Behind her rows of finely dressed skitarii followed behind in perfect step, carrying small kegs of wine and food. Tosgall stood on the other end, flanked by rows of leviathan guard and three dreadnoughts. A slight show of power sure, but he knew it would get the message across.

After pleasantries were exchanged the ensemble made their way inside the main hall. No one knows for sure what happened inside but when it was over the skitarii were seen carrying kegs of Disovian ale. An accord was struck, that was certain. But what was exchanged...?

**Vast Riches Foretold 251.M41**

Dozens of warp signatures broke the signals in the scanning stations, as a handful of chaos ships had entered realspace behind defensive lines. The chapter mobilized in force, the wanderer leading the charge and joined by the arks of the Mechanicus. Canonfire raked the flanks on both sides, decks detonating in fire and scrap as men and women were torn from the safety of the hulls by the vicious claws of space.

The battle was settled as boarding torpedoes connected with the traitor's capital vessel. Grey and orange armoured marines swarmed through the warped hallways and broken bulkheads. Their traitorous kin shredded under barrages of bolterfire and carved apart by wrathfully wielded blades. Eventually, the marine broke through to the central command room, finding the warlord desperately clutching a peculiar device in his arms. A quick bolter round to the head relieved him of his desperation to keep the artifact and it was whisked away to the vault. Studying its gears and carvings the forgewright discovered it was a mechanical database of sorts. The numerical intricacy could reveal uncountable locations, leading the chapter to technological marvels unknown.

**The Ancients Three 389.M41**

The Aragnarok triplets they were called. children born in the slums together, brought before the gates of Blackrock fortress together, survived the rigorous Astartes training together, and were fatally wounded on the battlefield together. They were interred within the first contemptor dreadnoughts the chapter had found with wonderous knowledge of the retrieved database, now dubbed the Smaugian Records. Sadly, these machines were in disrepair and the chapter did not yet have the means to bring them fully operational so the triplets decided on a different course. They asked to be interred into the databanks of the vault, hanging from databanks with man-thick cables and linked to the mountains of information the Sons of Rapture had access to. So, they would became the ancients three. A council ready to aid with the knowledge they possess.

**Grand betrayal 450.M41**

A page of great shame for the chapter, when a group of traitor Sons of Rapture succeeded in killing the chapter master and nearly gaining entrance to the iron vault. The traitors planted explosives in the command room, right beneath the intricate throne upon which the chapter master resides. The explosion itself was catastrophic, Tasgoll himself was instantly incinerated in the blast. The traitors used the immolation as a distraction and they made their way towards the entrance of the iron vault, killing dozens of menials and mortal officers. But upon their arrival, they stopped dead in their tracks. Saraid, flanked by two other dreadnoughts, blocked their way. The power of the warp they so worshipped now coiled around their bodies in an ever-tightening grip.

The inquisition quickly caught wind of the betrayal and soon came knocking. The investigation was swift and brutal, with 15 marines and dozens upon dozens of mortals found guilty. All of them were hung by the neck in front of the dark walls of Blackrock fortress. The traitor marines were hung by their own Disovian chains, the chains themselves later molten down into a block and thrown into the oceans. No one shall mourn them, no one will even remember them.

The pieces of the throne were collected and forged into an enormous greatsword. The detailed decorations of the shattered throne formed an ornate hilt to hold the enormous blade.

**Muireach the Father 451.M41**

Muireach the Father, A kind ruler through and through. Some say he embodied the salamanders more than the iron hands, Muireach came from the dark slums of the underdomes. His slow rising through the ranks assured him plenty of time to hone his skills. His ascension to chapter master came naturally, beloved by the regular Astartes and other captains.

**A Gift from Beyond 589.M41 - 625.M41**

The planet of Fusilia trembled, sundered planetary plates cracking under otherworldly strength. The mechanism in the core shook and shuddered as gears raced to life in a clicking sonet of foreboding music. The core was saying its last. With violent rage, it tore against its conquered prison in vain and with one last struggle the warp tore open in a symphony of dread. When all went quiet the only thing left was a titanic hull of burning wreckage. A creation of old, lost for centuries deep within the turning tides of the warp, called to this place by the death cry of a world. The Mechanicus raced towards their discovery, the wreck promising ancient tech untold.

The initial explorations proved more difficult than expected, a swarm of hullspawn slowing their advance toward the unscanned centre. With rifle and flamer, the foul abhumans were scorched from the gangways, clearing a path for the now seared black kataphron destroyers. Without warning one of the teams went dark, sloshing sounds of tearing meat and dripping blood were all that was heard through the voxcaster. Soon the other exploration teams followed each one quietly disappearing into the dark hallways of that accursed vessel.

There was only one solution: send in the Astartes. Teams of terminators and breacher marines were sent into the darkness. There they discovered what had slaughtered the skitarii: flesh-covered flayed ones skittered across walls and ceilings. Only the unceasing bolterfire kept the mad machines at bay as they swarmed towards the marines. Slowly the ship was cleared, the resulting bounty stacked high in the halls of the iron vault. The now-empty wreck was towed into the orbit of Disov, and decades of repair turned the floating scrapyard into a monstrous vessel armed with apocalyptic weaponry.

**Debt Paid in Full 738.M41**

The iron vault trembled once again; titanic forces clawed at the reinforced beams as a blinding light swallowed its surroundings. With a final ear-piercing screech, the halls were empty again. At the origin stood the same solitaire that had visited them centuries before. He held a single blank page with the utmost care, seemingly in reverence. The Forgewright accepted the gift carefully and before the marine could speak the Solitaire bowed and vanished once more. Once the lights dimmed a message was seared into the metal flooring.

"Fools of metal, fools of flesh. Thine fate will soon be done. heed the page and what it holds. For thine second act has just begun."

**Time of Drowning 993.M41 - The 2nd Act**

Every chapter has a black page in its history books and for the Sons of Rapture it is the “time of drowning”.  A period of unending bloodshed and sacrifice when foul greenskins splashed down into the blue oceans of Disov V. At First the planet’s myriad of predators stemmed the tide as they gorged themselves upon orks and gretchin alike but eventually even the mightiest of beasts stayed clear and searched for easier prey. After a time, the orks found their way to the few landmasses, and fort Blackrock was from then on under constant siege.

And something as certain as death, the greenskins found a way to dive into the abyss and assault the hivedomes hidden in the deep. Uncountable civilians died and marines perished by the handful. The orks took billions of lives but the sea claimed at least twice as many. Desperate calls for aid were made but the great grin of gork and mork made it impossible to be heard.

**The Great Rift 999.M41**

The Great Rift was, unlike most planets, a fortuitous event for the planet of Disov. The great warp tear and subsequent wave of daemons distracted the orks long enough for the marines to fight back. Slowly but surely, they were able to retake several key points and re-establish a defensive line. The ork empire was decimated as the daemons tore into it, unknowingly sparing the Disov system and its inhabitants.

**The Indomitus Crusade 001.M42**

When the great light of the Indomitus Crusade finally shone upon Disov V, and the fury of the primaris descended upon the remaining orks, the planet was finally saved from greenskin savagery. The death toll was in the trillions. The blood of uncountable humans coloured the seas red, empty husks of marine armor lay rusting on the great wilds of the sea floor. Even the chapter master at the time, Muireach, had succumbed to his wounds after embedding an anchor in warboss mugnuzz’ skull. Barely a hundred Astartes total survived the onslaught so the primaris reinforcements were welcomed with open arms.

With new blood running through the chapter, the system fortified their positions and waited with bated breath. But the daemons never came. No roars of combat, no whispers of deceit, no disease-ridden laughter nor words of seduction. So close to the great rift and all was quiet. Although, deep in the bowels of many a hivedome, the criminally insane and maddened dreamers whisper in strings of rationality. They gaze in fear into the abyss beyond, for its darkness hides much more than anyone could comprehend.

**Return to Sender 042.M42**

Warp signatures broke the quiet of Disov's scanning array, Great green vessels swarming the mandeville point. The Saurians chapter had ventured to the system to return a relic they had recovered from greenskin hands. The forge splinter, a weapon created with illegally obtained kin technology, was handed over on the moon of Agnar. The saurians were impressed with the strength and power of the relic, requesting the secrets behind its creation. Not wanting their misdeeds and secrets discovered the Sons of Rapture astartes feigned ignorance, claiming that the knowledge was lost long ago. To avoid any further suspicion the weapon was gifted back to the saurians, it now serving their war against the enemies of mankind.

## Notable Battles

**The 10.000 League March**

A battle where the Sons of rapture's affinity for underwater combat proved its merit. A group of chaos renegades had taken over a defensive fortress on the coast of hive city Electrez. The governor, unwilling to destroy the vital defensive position, attempted to break through to the renegades by airdropping in elite infantry but the heavy AA guns placed at key points of the defence made that idea mute. Even artillery bombardment proved futile as the ancient voidshields were still more then capable of defending the complex from direct bombardment. It was fortunate that the Sons of rapture were close at hand and when they heard of the commander's predicament they joined the assault without another word. With slow thudding steps they stepped into the water one by one. They marched for days, hidden from sight, across the abyss between them and the fortress.

Soon they found themselves at the cliff that separated them from the fortress and after a slow climb they found themselves at the ferrocrete walls. Covered in algae and other sea life, they appeared as creatures from myth to the heretics. Then the walls were rocked by a titanic explosion, opening the fortress up to assault. It turned out that the astartes had strapped every single melta bomb they had together and glued it on the wall. The fortress was soon taken, and without the strongpoint the heretic line collapsed.

**The Ferrocrete Massacre**

**The Shifting Tides on Sobrars 011.M42**

The Smaugian records had revealed another of its secrets. The forgewright gazed in expectation as tiny bronze parts slotted into place and revealed the next location: an abandoned aquatic planet named Sobrars. It wasn’t long after that that the Wanderer found itself once more amongst the waves of madness. But it seemed fate was kind on them that journey. The warp seemed calm, gentle almost. The ship’s captain took this as good fortune but often good omens are tricks with foul intent. For the vultures all too keen on the price lying in wait on that little wet rock weren’t far behind.

As the great shadow of the Wanderer loomed over the oceans, the company deployed to the planet’s surface. Hulking suits of ancient terminator armour trudged alongside hermetically sealed rhinos protecting their lesser armoured brethren. They soon came upon their mark, Large metallic gates hidden at the end of a deep, cavernous trench. The door was locked tight, even devices from previous finds proved useless in unlocking it. It was soon after fate’s smile turned into a grin as the Wanderer reported multiple warp rifts opening, spitting out a number of ships. The gleaming purple of the emperors’ children announced their malicious intent. The Wanderer received the order to retreat, the lone ship not able to fight off such a force. Deep beneath the ocean the marines did the opposite. Rhinos lined up in front of the gate, terminators stood beside their captain and tactical marines set up heavy weapons behind the makeshift defending line.

Then the soundwaves hit. The water sending thunderous cacophonies across the ocean as the canyon shuddered from the noise. Bolter fire soon followed, the advantage of the claudica rounds keeping the enemy at range for now. But fire was met with fire and several marines slowly dropped to the sand ground, unmoving. As more chaos marines moved up the bolter fired intensified forcing the tacticals to take cover behind the rhinos. The fight became desperate as even the terminators had to lower their heads. Niall ordered a distress call, a desperate last roar into the void.

Luckily it was heard. Far into the deep void of space a small fleet of the 5th crew of the tide benders picked up the long-range beacon. High Captain Edris Teuch, captain in charge of the fleet couldn’t let the distress call go unanswered and plotted a course to the besieged planet. Upon arrival the situation was clear. The emperor’s children’s ships blockaded access to the planet but the Tidebenders fleet struck true. With help from the larger Wanderer the faster ships of the Tidebenders raced past the blockade quickly performing emergency deployments with their drop pods, losing a few in the process. As the ships turned back to support the other vessels the enemy was bombared with shell and torpedo.

The fight on the ground was even more dire, the Sons of Rapture were pinned down and facing losses. One of the rhinos had detonated and shredded a few marines taking a chunk out of the defensive line. Oil and shrapnel filled the canyon as tidebender streambikes punched a way through the chaos line. Automatic bolter fire stitched patterns across traitor marines as rockets violently threw them aside. The hit and run finally allowed the 3rd company to regroup and terminators led the way forward, covered by the tidebenders from above. The fight slowly turned into the loyalists favour as the ”Churning Tranquility”, together with the “Wanderer” severely crippled the traitor capital ship forcing the now outgunned traitor ships to flee.

On the ground the combined loyalists spear head punched through the enemy line. The two captains, High Captain Edris Teuch and Captain Niall Duanei, facing chaos lord Sal Zerarg in personal combat. The Combined assault was too much for chaos lord and he was forced to retreat, securing victory for the loyalists.

Post battle a great feast was held aboard the Wanderer. Servitors brought in barrels of Disovian ale and food was ferried in by the wheelbarrow. Somewhere during the feast, Niall suddenly stood up and tore a link of his chains before handing it to Edris Teuch. With just a nod he sat down again, downed a tankard of ale and crushed it with hands.

**The Gorefields of Okra**

One of the few moments the Sons of Rapture lost control, the gorefields were the result of a bloody campaign on the planet of Okra. A group of heretic astartes had occupied the manufactorums in an attempt to bleed the loyalist armouries dry for as long as possible. The loyalist forces, which included a contingent of sons of rapture with the Dreadwake in support, had managed to push back traitor forces to their breaking points, forcing them to retreat to the tunnel systems beneath the planet.

Enraged at the loss the traitors changed their objective to pure bloodshed. Posts and encampments of little to no tactical value were assaulted, burned and every person staked. These "gorefields" became an insult to the loyalist marines, unable to react quickly enough to intercept the bloodshed. This lasted for months, each burned hospital or temporary encampment was a red mark on the war effort. The final drop in the bucket was when a minor logistical post was raised to the ground, and several chapter personnel were included in the slaughter. In response, that ironhand's brutality reared its ugly head.

The Dreadwake was ordered to load plasma shells in its mauler nova cannon and every post that sent out distress beacons were cratered in a ball of superheated fury. Any heretic survivors were hung with chains and raised high on plasteel posts driven into the ground. This brutal slaughter lasted for another month, millions were dead, hundreds of nova shells had been fired and thousands of traitors hung. At the moment only the latter mattered.

## Chapter Home World

**Fortress-Monastery: Fort Blackrock**

The largest island on Disov V (and one of the last islands still bound to the seafloor) it was a perfect place the construct the new Fortress-Monastery. The underlying black rock from where the fortress got its name formed a perfect material to dig tunnels and build fortifications. After the domes were secured and the mines restarted, building materials started flowing once more towards the surface and building of the fortress commenced.

Now the fortress covers a large part of the island, layered defences make it nearly unassailable from all sides, long winding tunnels carved deep within the island make moving material and troops easy and efficient. Large halls and barracks can easily house the entire chapter and numerous civilians. Ever since the time of drowing the fortress has been updated and reinforced with the tech recovered by the 3rd company. The outer layer is a combination of emplaced fortifications and networks of trenches, meant more for delaying then actually repelling the enemy.

    The Second layer is where the enemy will face more resistance. Overlapping killzones covered by numerous heavy guns and automatic servitor emplacements. Great ammo hoppers keep large caliber autocannons fed and content, reinforced bunkers housing serfs and astartes on emplaced heavy weaponry in support. Automated ammo trains keep up with the ravenous appetite for ammo, hauling crates at high speeds through underground tunnels and reinforced rail networks.

**The Iron Vault**

Hidden deep inside the lower layers of Blackrock fortress lies a giant hollow cavern. It is guarded by layers of Automatic defences and armed guards, a true bastion within the mammoth walls of BlackRock fortress. At the end lies a cavernous Gate forged from ferrocrete and ceramite which hides the secrets of the iron vault. A Warehouse where the chapter stores all of its findings, archeotech and data. Even xenotech is plundered, stored and studied. And within the security does not end, hulking combat servitors wander through the vast rows, blasting apart anything that doesn’t belong.

Through these halls the Master BoneSmith and the Forgewright conduct their extensive studies. Carefully taking apart the technology brough to them by the returning companies. Another aspect is the archeoharvest, a great quest that pulls the third company all across the galaxy. Here do the spoils end up stack upon stacks of ancient weaponry. It is the task of the forgewright to repair them but it is an arduous task. Most of the knowledge is gone and forgotten and after centuries in dilapidated bunkers a lot of it is only good for spare parts. None the less the tow officers toil over their duties in secrecy as the knowledge and technology in this vault would get them all declared traitor.

## Chapter Organisation

### Special Units & Formations

**Bonesmiths**

A bonesmith is a special rank within the Sons of Rapture chapter, a combination of an apothecary and a techmarine. It was a position created by neccesity during the "Time of Drowning" where the prolific use of cybernetics in the chapter required Apothecaries to be able to repair them due to the lack of manpower. These medics then continued their studies into the machine learning the ways of mending flesh and steel. In battle they can be a bulwark, their highly modified power amor allowing them to take an enormous amount of punishment and their knowledge allowing them to strike in turn with all the might of the astartes.

**Chain wardens**

clad in a myriad of types of terminator armor, chain wardens are the spiritual leaders of the chapter. Their primary duty lies with recovering the Disovian chains of fallen astartes for it is often the last thing to remember them by. They are nearly all bellicose and bold of character, two traits needed to yell above the roar of war and to wade into the enemy to fullfill their tasks.

**Leviathan Guard**

A group of highly skilled veterans who have proven their prowess by hunting one of the galaxies monsters and personally slaying it. Killing a creature marked with the Leviathan rune is considered a grave insult and due to the vastness of the galaxy a few unknowing hunters have had the misfortune of killing one of these marked beasts. (Some monsters are of limits since the catachan barking toad incident: "total casualties still unknown"). Only members of the first company may get the chance of going on a Leviathan hunt, joining the most elite group in the chapter. Operating independent from the main force they often join companies on important battles. Mostly as advisors but, if necessary as leaders.

**Disovian Divers**

A specialised group of the Disov pdf tasked with clearing the inner tunnels and accompanying marines on low depth underwater raids and patrols. On induction the soldier is implanted with several cybernetics and connection ports which allow him to better function in the damp tunnels and amid the dangerous sea life.

## Chapter Culture & Beliefs

The marines of the sons of rapture are primarily a people of the sea. Direct, stubborn, hospitable but with a rage few can coax out and none can stand against.

**Baradile scales**

In the sons of rapture the all too familiar service studs are not as common then in other chapters. Most marines prefer the baradile scales: A small metal plate fashioned in the likeness of the scale of a baradile, a large reptilian predator infamous for its tough hide. One such scale is given for every 5 years of service to be implanted into the forearm. Eventually this can form a sort of armoured second skin around the arm if the marine serves long enough.

For Space marine officers it is a bit different. They have to hunt one of these beasts, a large pile of muscle and teeth. Once the marine has slain his mark the corpse of the animal is brought back to fort blackrock where it is skinned and cleaned. The new biological scales, nearly as tough and lasting as their metal mimics, are then implanted into the marine’s forearm. The skull of the creature is displayed in the grand hall inscribed with the name of the officer that killed it. The largest skull is all the way at the end, the name upon it worn out to time.

**Disovian chains**

The great islands upon which the marines of the sons of rapture have built their fortresses are held in place by enormous chains. Giant links forged by ancient ancestors hold the sway of the sea at bay with dazzling weight. To the people of Disov these chains mean safety and prosperity, to the marines it means a connection to their duty as protectors of the people.

Once a initiate has passed his training the company that will receive this recruit organizes the “dive” a grand feast where the initiates dive down one of the great chains, slowly crawling deeper and deeper along the barnacle and coral encrusted giants. When reaching the black abyss, where sand covers chains long broken, they will with equipment given beforehand remove a chunk of material from one of these links and bring it back to the surface. Where, upon there arrival, it will be handed over to the companies’ chain warden and forged into the chains he will carry with him for the rest of his life. After the feats that follow each initiate will be presented with their suit of power armor and given time to customize it.

**Union of flesh and steel**

In contrast to the iron hands, who place the machine above all else, the sons of rapture view flesh and steel as equals, the former to be mourned when the latter replaces it. They see the value cybernetics can bring but wait until it is necessary to replace their biological limbs. Machines are a tool to be used not a replacement for what was already crafted so long ago by their progenitors.

These teachings came from the ancient scroll found by their founder in that old and dusty hall filled with archaic databanks so long ago. Texts rumoured to be from their primarch itself although detractors would try to convince you otherwise. a text so profound and well written could only come from their progenitor...right?

## Chapter Recruitment

The chapter recruits a large amount of their initiates from the hives domes beneath the waves, primarily from Rapture. These aquatic hive cities offer the billions upon billions of people needed to supply recruits to the adeptus astartes. Most are offered willingly to the chapter once a year, hoping for their children to ascend to angels of the emperor and to lift their family above the rest. But the chapter is not shy of more brutal means if needed. After all no one cares what happens in the underdomes…

This once-a-year event, called the day of offering, is a time of grief and hope. Parents join the long queues winding down from the gates of blackrock fortress, tearfully saying goodbye to their sons for they know not every recruit will make it in the end. Marines will often walk amongst the lines too, looking to see their own family or brothers coming forth to join the astartes.

**Trial of the Sea**

Dropped on a raft in the middle of some forgotten ocean the aspirant must make his way back to fort Blackrock. Even though recruits are spread all over the planet the current has a habit of bringing them together. Due to the chapters more lax nature towards humanity, cooperation is not forbidden but expected. It isn't uncommon for small flotillas to terrorize the sea during this time. On one occasion the aspirants even becoming fully fledged pirates for a year, plundering several fishing vessels for food.

**Trial of the Land**

The dissapearing island of Disov provide an unique challenge that the astartes greedily take advantage off. To survive on one of these island requires all the wits and strenght a recruit can muster as they are little more then barren rocks. To survive one must have an innate knowledge about the natural cycle that drive the planet, the tricks he can use to gather the little food he can get. Even with all of that knowledge most still die, only the strongest and most determined will stand on those rocks when sailing ships find them again.

**Trial of the Abyss**

The last test before a neophyte can go and collect his chains this will test his nerve more then anything. Stuffed into a diving suit modified from astartes power armor, they are made to walk down into the black abyss. A place where monsters and beasts reign and inky blackness twists at the fringes of sanity. Here they have only two options, succumb to the madness and never return or brave the abyss and rise forever strengthened.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

**Bonewaste**

For a long while, the geneseed of the sons of rapture stayed pure and unblemished. But the knaw of time and sea slowly eroded that purity. A geneseed defect began appearing amongst the ranks: the Bonewaste. A slow but cruel disease turning ligaments and muscle tissue into bone. Older marines are most often affected, the bone-hardening process that made their skeletons so strong in the first place seemingly going into overdrive.

It often starts in the limbs. Arms and legs suddenly much harder to move as joints seize up and crack. They are often quickly replaced with robotic counterparts for these marines have no quarrel with cybernetics. But once affected it is already over as the hardening process will spread to every part of the body turning the marine completely immobile.  Once at this stage only two things can be done: A boltshell to the forehead (sadly the most used solution) or for marines of great standing, dreadnought entombment is a possibility.

For all its ails and pain, there is a small consolation price from this wicked affliction: Sons of rapture dreadnoughts seemingly take to their new body way faster and easier than other chapters. Bonesmiths have deduced that it might have something to do with the immobility letting marines see the new metal body fully as their own.

**Increased Strength**

Before the Bonewaste set in the chapter received a blessing. The decades of their underwater travel mutated the geneseed, increasing a marine's strength beyond normal astartes levels. Muscle density increased to aid movement in the crushing depths of the ocean's of Disov. Heavy weapons now became common place, eviscerators being wielded like regular chainswords, heavy bolters swung around like las rifles.

In some rare occasions this mutations goes beyond it's normal level. The few lucky ones become titans of strength, giants that can toss around other marines with abandon. The majority are unlucky, bones snapping and twisting as their own muscles pull their bodies apart.

## Combat Doctrine

As the seas are dark and treacherous, its beast as strong and tough as they are fast the sons of rapture quickly discovered long firing lines are not only inconvenient but outright dangerous so deep in the black abyss. Over the years their own combat doctrine emerged. Marine squads are usually very independent in tactics and loadout. Captains leave their sergeant to decide how to best act in their situation, but of course will decide on large scale tactical decisions.

When fighting alongside other imperial factions they will assume the same concept, assigning squads to bolster as much of the front line as possible. This not only boosts morale of most of the soldiers on the front line but always more info to reach the commanding officer.

The freedom in armament also shows the love these astartes have for heavy weaponry. For as an old Disovion saying goes: “Only a heavy bolter will kill beasts from the deepest dark”.

## Notable Members

* Sabia Hennes
* Àaron Sgeinn

## Quotes

"*Cesan, i told you! You owe me a keg!*"
—brother Rònan while ripping off an ork warboss' head
"*Gaze into that black abyss. You'll find monsters there.....and me*"
—rumoured to be the last words of Muireach Agrexan
"*By the kraken there are a lot of em. serf, fetch me my chainaxe!*"
—leviathan guard Macrath upon gazing on warzone kralber
"*your skill is like the astartes eating snail of the fifth undercurrent" "how's that?" "it doesn't exist*"
—scout sergeant training new recruits
"*6 rhinos, 3 broken volkite, 15 bolters, one partly built suit of terminator armor and a power sword...is that really all you could find in there?" "don't forget the track linkages sergeant" "....I'm not writing down the track linkages*"
—sons of rapture marines after a disappointing cache
"*for I stand amongst bones and graves, sacred ground which they will not defile again. Their blood will cleanse their transgressions, their skulls will pay their debts. Find my kin child, they would most likely like to hear about the destruction i will have wrought*"
—last stand of a leviathan guard
"*Is that all that you have?! i thought you greenskins were supposed to be good at fighting! now cmon, show me what counts for skill amongst your primitive kind and bring me your champion!!*"
—unknown Sons of Rapture marine in ork fighting pits. his body later found in front of hive city gate with a note: "waz a bloody good 'un"
"*Save your strength master bonesmith, even your skilled hands cannot save me again. Seems that after seeing numerous worlds burn, and thousand enemies of the imperium crushed underfoot my duty is done. Bury...me...close to the north island....i always liked....it there......*"
—contemptor venerable ancient Taog

## Chapter Fleet

Departmento Cartographicae pict-file of the DreadwakeDepartmento Cartographicae pict-file of the Wanderer
## Chapter Specific Weapons and Vehicles

### Weaponry

The Sons of Rapture are to the one great tinkerers. Seemingly having a natural propensity for creating weaponry and tools. They'll spent days on perfecting their latest ideas drawn up in complex schematics.

**Power halberds**

Inspired by the creation of the anchor of muireach some higher ranking marins started forging halbers in the same design. Large axe shaped blades and rear mounted hooks made it excellent for monster hunting, allowing the marine to hook in oppenents and finish them of with a strong downward blow.

**Power cutlasses**

a large part of initiates already had started to learn on how to wield the the short heavy swords known by the sailors of disov. So it was natural, when ascened to the height of an astertes, they would be conformtable to use them in combat.

**Combi-harpoon bolter**

This strange weapon is devised from Hadriax Agrexans personal combi-bolter. Using high pressure single shot gas containers it can propel a ceramite harpoon at extremly high speeds. Easily being able to penetrate light tank armor and, for which it is currently most used, penetrate the shells of armorcrabs.

**Claudica pattern bolts**

To improve the effectiveness of bolter rounds a new type was developed by techmarine Niallghas. The shells themselves are double-packed in proppellant and explosive charge. The second addition is to improve the explosive impact as these rounds do not have the velocity neccesary to pierce more heavily armoured targets. They aren't exactly liked amongst Sons of Rapture marines as the larger round makes it impossible to carry a large amount of them. Alongside these rounds a new bolter was designed to fire them, the longer fire mechanism specifically designed to house these new shells. Its bulk makes it slightly unwieldy but the effectiveness this combo provides cannot be denied on the underwater battlefield.

**Nimice pattern flamer**

It was quickly discovered that standard pattern flamers could not handle the viscosity of magnethium. To counter this a flamer with a more complex feeding system and a larger nozzle was developed to effciently use the new fuel. The weapon produces a thick spray of flame covering a medium sized area. In water it burns hot enough to deter most forces from passing through, boiling even armoured opponents alive. On land it is a blazing inferno, a true sight to abhor. Eating through flesh and bone like a raging wildfire through a desert forest.

**Magnethium**

A rather recent invention by Forgewright Maoilios, Magnethium is a custom mix of promethium that burns so hot and fierce even the ocean cannot easily douse it. Its main component being a high dose of magnesium harvested from the great seas. The exact recipe is closely guarded, only a few closely-allied chapters have access to it.

### Vehicles

**Quake pattern diving droppod**

The brain child of some unknown Sons of Rapture sergeant, the Quake pattern was designed to reach the deepest parts of the ocean in the shortest amount possible. Thicker reinforced cermaite walls make the pod able to withstand the immense pressure. Large jet propellors allow it to semi-control its watery descend, the final impact shaking the nearby area.

**Tersus pattern scouting vehicle**

Adapted from the Achilles Ridgerunner, the Tersus is a scouting vehicle designed to patrol the deep tunnels beneath Disov. Hermetically sealed and equipped with high quality life support and equipment they are beloved by the mortal crews that risk their lives in those dark winding halls.

**Praescript pattern command vehicle**

Even though only a few Praescript were ever made the vehicles are beloved among the techmarines in the Sons of Rapture armoury. It's complex systems and fiercesome armour and armament only reserved for the higher ranking officers and bodyguards.

**Termes pattern contemptor dreadnought**

Designed by the 3rd company during a prolonged and arduous void battle against the eldar, the termes pattern dreadnought is an armoured juggernaut designed to wreak havoc on the confined hallways of space faring vessels. in the xenos ships had entrenched themselves in an asteroid field and no matter how many macroshells and torpedoes where thrown at the floating wall of rock no progress was made. Boarding attempts were made but the eldar had secured the positions well, the astartes and void soldiers making little progress.

A couple of contemptor dreadnoughts were uparmoured with left over armor plating, the extra centimeters worked well to allow the dreadnoughts to spearhead the assaults on the smaller eldar vessels. Soon the new variants started to arrive too: the Termes. The techmarines had attached huge chaincleavers to the right arm of the uparmoured dreads, allowing them to easily carve their way down the wraithbone corridors. It didn't take long for the new machines to work their way through the eldar, cementing the new variant in the chapter's armoury.

**Fusilia-Pattern Arrestor Skid**

An old stc fragment discovered on some distant world, the arrestor skid is designed to quickly deploy astartes vehicles to the fray. Its extremly rugged design and use of rocket motors allows the skid to lower the impact of a top speed aerial insertion to barely tolerable levels. The skid is ferried to its droppoint by a thunderhawk transporter, the only aircraft compatible with the arrestor skid and capable of orbital insertions. The aircraft screams down and, while still going at full speed, releases the vehicle. Right before the vehicle makes impact with the ground the powerfull retro rockets fire, stopping the vehicle from becoming another wreck on the battlefield. With a violent rumbling the skid slides to a halt, often crushing nearly anything caught beneath it, then the magnetic locks release and the vehicle drives off into war.

This type of vehicle delivery allows the Sons of Rapture to give their marines armoured support faster then most, driving an armoured fist down the throats of any enemy unprepared for the fury of a land raider machine spirit dropped by an arrestor skid.

## Chapter Relics

**Binaric revolver**

A gift from the fabricator general of fusilia, Elenora von Valtic, the binaric revolver is loaded in custom made high caliber rounds and nano engraved with a thousand binaric prayers to the machine god. its mechanisms near perfect, each striking of the hammer an offering to the omnissiah.

**Abyssal lantern**

When the astartes finally battered down the gates of the Anomura’s inner sanctum and had slaughtered their royal family they found a trove of treasures and trinkets. Amongst the pile stood out a small chest, inside a crystal that shone brighter than anything they had seen before. Even in the dark abyss of Disov V all was clear, no beast nor fish dared to enter its radiance. Returning to the fortress it was immediately put in a device to harness its strange properties. Now each chapter master has carried it with him, A symbol of his rule over the oceans of Disov V.

**The Smaugian records**

Officially known as the "Cryptex Armorum", it is a relic that contains the locations of archeotech, ancient databanks and vast weapon caches. Recovered at great cost by a joined force of Fusilian legion and Sons of Rapture marines from the hands of a chaos warband that had been spit out in the middle of the Disov system.

The warband was using it to rearm themselves with ancient tech and so to rise to new heights in the eyes of their foul god. But after they were brutally brought low by bolterfire and radium rounds it now serves a new purpose: arming the soldiers of the imperium of man. Deep in the iron vaults the forgewright and the master bonesmith study its intricate mechanisms, trying to glimpse another solution to new coordinates.

**Anchor of Muireach**

The anchor of Muireach is a Custom cog axe made from the anchor the former chapter master Muireach Agrexan had used to split the skull of an ork warboss before he succumbed to his wounds. Pulled from the greenskin's head and reforged as a relic it now serves as the main weapon of every subsequent chapter master and a reminder of the hardships of the time of drowning.

**Helmet of Doth Agrexan**

When the long cold body of Doth Agrexan was recovered his armour was placed in a reliquary except for his hammer, which was strangely missing from the battlesite, and his helmet. An ambitious techpriest modified it to include a small but powerfull shield generator. Now it hangs of the belt of a chosen company champion projecting a field that protects the wearer and his commander.

**Kraken's song \*currently missing\***

A Mastercrafted volkite pistol that was stored in the central chamber of the iron vault. Created by a former forgewright from parts recovered in the archeo harvest. The combination of different parts and different make made it a volatile but powerful weapon. Sadly, it mysteriously vanished one faithful night. A loud bang was heard inside of the central chamber, some quick scrambling, another bang and the weapon was gone.

**Grave Sword**

Forged in remembrance of Tasgoll the general, the weapon's hilt was made of the shattered pieces of the throne he sat upon. The blade was forged with the molten bones of the deceased chapter master himself. Its powered mechanism was hand crafted by the finest artisans fusilia could muster and the whole weapon assembled deep in the long dead core. The blade itself is a terror to behold, rumoured to hold the otherwordly wrath of a mind beyond comprehension...or the bottomless rage of a betrayed astartes commander.

**The Absolan Core**

Deep within the winding tunnels of the dreadwake lies a technoligcal marvel called the Absolan core. A winding assembly of wiring, pipes and arcane connections leading to a central container which holds what remains of captain Sabia Hennes. Created with no little amount of questionable technology it allows the half dead captain to remain in coommand of the enormous vessel. The core's connections have their strangleholds all over the ship, Sabia herself able to take over control over the individual systems of the ship. To make the more diplomatic side of her job easier that local forgeworld created a artisan robot in her likeness. Created by the divine hans of Elenora von Valtic the proto-döppelservitor allows the captain to still experiece most of regular life and eases the communication between her and other people.

**The Thunderer**

Gifted by the iron juggernauts as compensation for the dreadwake-minoris vessel, the thunderer is an experimental type of neo-grav bike. In contrast to their older cousins, the Tulpar pattern grav bike is a battering ram. Using it's mass and grav plates to mulch bone and steel into dust while heavy weaponry thunders away happily. To this date the chapter has created only one of the variant, as the forgewright who built it declared it "irresponsbly uncontrollable and dangerous". His doubt has not stopped several higher ranking members of using it anyway, a few having developed a certain liking to the temperamental machine.

## Chapter Appearance

**Chapter Colours**

The Sons of Rapture primarily wear light grey power armour, with portions of their armour painted in secondary orange, including; faceplate, armorial trims, coutres (elbow guards), gauntlets and both poleyns (knee guards). The white coloured clan company number is stenciled on the left poleyn, indicating company assignment. The squad specialty icon is stenciled on the right poleyn, indicating a battle-brother's assigned squad specialty (Fire Support, Close Support, Battleline, Veteran or Command). A smaller white coloured Roman numeral is stenciled above it, indicating squad assignment.

**Chapter Badge**

The Sons of Rapture Chapter badge takes the form of a large stylised white skull with blue coloured tentacles and three blood drops centered upon it's forehead, two pairs of chains dangling outwards from the tentacles, indicating the Chapter's iron-clad loyalty to the God-Emperor and their sacred duty to defend the Imperium and its citizens from the enemies of Mankind.

**General appearance**

Although the chapter allows personalisation of equipment and every marine is trained in the skills required, the battleplate of most SoR astartes is relatively simple as most marines have discovered that, and I quote: "Shiny attracts beasts". The chains each marine wraps around their armour are made of a dark and dull metal.

Officers are given an extra shoulderplate to be attached on top of a shoulderpad of their choice. Most astartes officers then also attach one of their chains to it. This started with Doth Agrexan who wore it to signify his leadership and after his death officers started to mimic it.

## Relations

### Allies

The captain of the 5th crew is also one of the few outsides that has received part of a disovian chain, a great honour in the eye of any inhabitant of the planet.

## Enemies

Template:Iron Hands Successor ChaptersTemplate:Unknown Founding Chapters

## Gallery

Sons of Rapture member of the Leviathan Guard wielding a custom powerswordSons of Rapture sergeant of the Chapter's 3rd Clan Company (Clan Mòr), arrayed in standard battleplate with an officer's tartaros shoulderplate.A depiction of a sons of rapture droppodDepiction of the current chapter master of the sons of rapture, Hadriax Agrexan arrayed in full battle dressPrototype pattern of terminator armor named Sluagh patternDozer rhino in Sons of Rapture colorsSons of rapture Deredeo
## Videos

 File:Warhammer 40k Lore - The Sons of Rapture, Homebrew Chapters