The Beirniads

Early on into his creation of his own empire, in a life before the Emperor and the Imperium of Man, Artellion Emerabron saw a need within his own forces. Artellion has always viewed combat as an unfortunate necessity, his preference being elevating humanity to a new standard of living wherever he ruled; and this mentality extends to his own forces. After encountering several worlds with a cruel aristocracy ruling over the masses, and the bloody wars that ensued, the morale of Artellion’s forces was at an all time low, and thus the Beirniads were born. Often amongst the most severe of Artellion’s forces, the resolve of these stern men never waved, with their dedication and focus emulating their leader’s own resolve. They shouldered their squadron’s mental and psychological burdens with grim determination, becoming the mental linchpin that Artellion’s forces required to continue with the task of bringing enlightenment and prosperity to all of humanity.

Amongst their duties also included telling stories of great heroism or remembering the fallen who allowed their victories. Consequently, many amongst the Beirniad are renowned authors and storytellers, with their works housed in many libraries throughout the realm of Avalon. Topic among these works often are examinations of the human condition, philosophy, and examinations of various cultures encountered by Artellion and his forces. Within the first decade of their implementation within Artellion’s forces, their worked numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

After encountering the Emperor and joining the Imperium, the Adeptus Astartes quickly became the backbone of Artellion’s forces, and transitioning the Beirniad position into their ranks was a natural decision. Artellion had seen first hand how the lack of a spiritual bulwark could hamstring his forces, and had no intention of repeating that mistake. Astartes of the Beirniad rank serve as the squad commander’s lieutenant within their squadrons, often serving as the second-in-command within their hierarchy. They are charged with personally debriefing each squad member following any combat engagement, assessing psychological health and providing counseling when required. Their recommendations are then forwarded up the chain of command, ensuring that the 15th’s mental fortitude is as strong as possible for future campaigns during The Great Crusade.

In much the same way [REDACTED], Beirniad Astartes are the spiritual heart of the Silver Basilisks, acting as partners for the newer recruits, if they must undergo a Cofio ritual before finding another battle brother they would prefer to complete the ritual with. Many recruits look up to the Beirniads as incorruptible symbols of the Legion, above reproach, who are extensions of their Primarch’s will. They also are the primary instructors to these recruits, teaching them the traditions of the Legion, the standards they must strive to obtain, and the histories of their Legion’s heroes and exemplars.

There are, however, smaller groups amongst the Beirniads who have an intense distrust of psykers, and in particular, the Librarians serving alongside the main Adeptus Astartes forces. While they would never give voice to these feelings publically, as Artellion brooks no dissention within his own ranks, they feel that psykers meddle with forces that would be better left alone.

Armed with a Power Morningstar, Ceramite Power Armor, and an Iron Halo, Astarte Beirniads often take a supporting role, keeping their squadmates alive and chanting the various Silver Basilisk Battle Hymns during combat. It is also common amongst the Beirniads to wear strips of scales from fallen Silver Basilisks in their squad when possible, many of them having trained their own squadmates, and through their Beirniads they continue to fight the enemies of the 15th Legion.