Instigators

Instigators armorial with Chapter iconography

Candidate Ber Amnon of the 7th Squadron, 3rd Troop

### **Specialty**

Shock Assault, Harrowing Actions, Strategic Decapitation Strikes, Retribution and Counter-Insurgency Operations

### Successor Chapter(s)

Unknown

"*Criminals, malignants, scoundrels, every single one of them. It is unfortunate that they share the title of Astartes.*"
—Aspen Corr, Battle-Brother, Dragonspears Chapter
The **Instigators** are a loyalist semi-*Codex* compliant Space Marine Chapter raised during the 25th 'Bastion' Founding. Headquartered on the atoll world of Wake, they have deployed to countless warzones across the galaxy. The chapter is known primarily for its bizarre cultural practices and traditions that are uncharacteristic of the Adeptus Astartes. Bellicose and unruly, the Instigators revel in tormenting those they perceive as easy to push around, whether friend or foe. The behavior, mannerisms and figure of speech of a typical Instigator resemble an undisciplined Guardsman rather than the Emperor's finest. This can manifest in brutally violent tendencies; a civilian may find themselves facing a wall of bolter fire and Astartes laughter for simply driving by one of their armored columns.

The command structure is largely decentralized and large amounts of power rests with individual company and squad-level commanders and units rather than the Chapter Master. Recruitment focuses on the ability to adapt and adopt chapter culture and "fit in" rather than exploiting raw talent and warfighting ability. This gives each team and squadron unique minutia and allows for comradery between the ranks. However, units also have rivalries between each other that, while initially friendly, can quickly spiral out of control and turn bitter, frequently resulting in resentment and hatred. This is rather rare, and the majority of units remain brothers-in-arms.

The result of these strange practices and interactions is a volatile mix of individualism and unity that often baffles other Space Marine chapters.

## Chapter History

### Origins

The foundation of the Instigators lay in the latter days of the now-extinct **Deltamarines** chapter and the aftermath of the **Battle of Wake**. The Deltamarines, zealous and hardline in regards to *Codex Astartes* compliance, began experiencing internal friction that, ultimately, boiled over into open conflict on their own chapter homeworld. The exact details of the skirmish on Wake are forever lost to history by design and are only remembered by those that lived through it, but by its
conclusion resulted in the birth of the Instigators.

## Notable Campaigns

**Raid on Dehiba (149.M41) -** The Instigators received an intelligence report on a Traitor Astartes weapon and ammunition depot on in the town of Dehiba on the savannah world of Niakala, located somewhere in Segmentum Obscurus. 5th Squadron deployed to the region and prepared an assault on the chaos-tainted hideout. The raid would prove to be disastrous. Dehiba was surrounded by dense forest but had a no-man's land area of shrub and desert in between the town and the jungle. 3rd Squadron arrived in the area and began an immediate drop pod assault within the southern jungle. Almost immediately, heavy lascannon turret emplacements unloaded onto the disembarked Astartes and cut down many where they stood. The traitor units did not have to see their targets to hit their mark; they simply unleashed overwhelming fire into the rough areas of the drop pod landing sites. Those that survived the initial drop tried to move through the empty tracts of dust and desert to enter the town, but like the first wave, were destroyed. A duo of Astartes managed to get to a large compound wall and applied an explosive breaching charge to enter, but tragically, it was too powerful and obliterated both of them where they stood on. By this point, total anarchy was spreading throughout Instigator forces still on the ground. Heretic Astartes were running rampant throughout their lines without being spotted, and lascannon fire continued to pound away at their positions, blasting away both Instigator and Traitor Astartes. Command and communication eventually broke down and troops began operating as individual units, losing all sense of cohesion. There were rumors that some individual Astartes broke ranks, shot their brothers, and fled the battlefield in unbelievable acts of cowardice. The erratic, unpredictable and 'no plan is a good plan' approach of the Instigators' warfighting philosophy has rarely ended so terribly. Dehiba, ultimately, was levelled by Thunderhawk bombing raids. The few survivors of the raid were extracted after. The raid itself was intended to be small and relatively inconsequential, but the loss of so many Astartes in such a short time has turned it into a massive and unforgettable defeat.

## Chapter Homeworld

    The homeworld of the Instigators, Wake, is located in the far western reaches of the Segmentum Pacificus in the Ascension system. It is a large but sparsely populated oceanic world covered in atolls, reefs, islands and small continents.

Wake is an agri-world with a large focus on aquaculture. The exact population is unknown but estimated at around 15 million. Most of this number is located on the continent of Bursmeda in the northern hemisphere. The individuals that live on Bursmeda are typical of advanced peoples throughout the Imperium, but many smaller populations of primitive, stone age fishermen and sailors exist on the countless inlets and islands scattered across the ocean.
The planet is under the governance of Setu Savali, a local of the world itself. His family has ruled over the planet for untold generations and has kept the planet stable, ensured the tithe is sent, and guaranteed its defense. The presence of the Instigators greatly helps these efforts, as did the Deltamarines before them. The chapter is left to its own devices and the Astartes do not interfere with the day to day running of the world.

###  Fortress-Monastery

Initially, the Instigators utilized the Deltamarines former Fortress-Monastery, but in the first decade of their existence, it was demolished, and work began on new facilities to better accommodate their already developing chapter culture. Now, squadron level units have their own, individual islands and fortresses spread far apart from any of the other squadrons. Even further, individual troops have their own facilities within these fortress that may be utilized for their personal use. The only shared location is a spaceport and deployment hub on the former site of the Deltamarines stronghold, saved for the exceptionally rare times that the entire chapter is required to travel as a single force.

Most, but not all, squadron facilities are spread out and are composed of many smaller fortified buildings and military centers, rather than one monolithic structure. While these locations are not as vast as other chapters fortress monasteries, each squadron heavily customizes their facilities to fit their own needs. For example, 3rd Troop of 2nd Squadron, located on Manicord Atoll, has turned their location into a massive live-fire zone for practicing their relentless drop pod assaults typical of Instigator doctrine. Others have transformed entire island chains into practice areas for long-range infantry engagements.

This situation leaves the Instigators in a precarious place in the event of an invasion. While Astartes are mighty warriors, having their chapter so spread out from one another on their own homeworld leaves them vulnerable to pinpoint surgical strikes, not unlike the very kind of attack they themselves utilize so frequently. Thankfully, the remoteness of the Ascension system and its apparent undesirable location in the galaxy gives them peace of mind that any such event is unlikely.

The only standardized feature of the Instigators many fortresses are the numerous **Wall of Heros** scattered throughout them all. They are simple, but strong stone walls with the names of fallen Astartes etched onto each individual block. Their Marauder Coins, relics forged upon ascension to the chapter, are implanted into the wall under their name,

## Chapter Organization

The Instigators military organization generally follows the tenants set forth in the *Codex Astartes,* but there are significant differences throughout the chapter. Companies, called '*Squadrons*', are organized into the typical 100 man structure as seen in other, more standard Space Marine chapters. Likewise, individual squads, called '*Troops*', are 10 marines strong.

That, however, is where the similarities end. Troops are given great autonomy from their parent Squadron and, like the veterans of typical 1st Company Space Marine Chapters, are allowed to equip, arm, and wage war largely unrestricted. Specialized pieces of kit, like Terminator Armour, are guarded by the more senior members of the chapter, but there are no regulations stipulating that only they may use it. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see relatively new initiates donning the ancient wargear.

Individual troops are given specific tactical specialization, but not weapon specialization, though some individual marines may be specialized in a specific weapon set regardless. For example, 1st Troop of the 3rd Squadron is pegged as a reconnaissance unit, but often fields equipment far more analogous to a heavy support team, such as full Tacitus armor, lascannons, and heavy bolters. While it seems counter productive to wield such equipment in an observation role, this particular troop will observe an enemy location far out of sight before unleashing their arsenal on their unsuspecting targets and make a quick escape on bikes or land speeders. Examples like this are common throughout the chapter.

### Headquarters

* **Commander** - Chapter Master and overall leader of the chapter. They direct campaigns, issue deployment orders, and oversee the direction of the chapter overall. The Commander, by personal choice and precedent, does not make large chapter decisions before consulting all of Headquarters. This sense of autonomy and 'staying out of the way' attitude goes down the ranks to the Troop level.

* **Executive Commander** - Assistant Chapter Master and assists, advises and counsels the Commander when required. They are fully capable of assuming leadership suddenly collapsed.

* **Squadron Commander -** Leader of individual Squadrons. They have a generally soft hand over the 10 troops under their command.

* **Squadron Sergeant** - Highest-ranking and longest-serving Troop Sergeant of the squadron. This position could be any sergeant of any troop so long as the previous conditions are met. Acts as a liaison between their Troop Sergeants, normal marines and headquarters. They lead their own troop in addition to the above responsibilities.

### Specialist Positions

* **Troop Sergeant -** Commander of individual troops. They are responsible for the training, discipline, and overall upholding of standards among their subordinates. They wield an incredible amount of autonomy for such a small unit, and interference from above is limited, though not uncommon if a troop is beginning to fall behind in battlefield performance.

### Line Positions

* **Operator -** A normal, battle-line member of the Instigators. This is the designation every member of the Instigators holds regardless of specialization. Analogous to battle-brother of other chapters.

* **Candidate -** Neophytes. These individuals are not full members of the chapter and must earn the right to become an operator.

The Instigators do not implement the use of Chaplains. To them, it is unnecessary, as the massive focus on fitting in and having ties to ones chapter negates their use. Many brother chapters have scolded them for this practice, as having chaplains may have prevented disasters such as the Raid on Dehiba from spiraling out of control.

## Chapter Recruitment

### Recruitment Grounds

The Instigators recruitment drives are one of the few standardized processes the chapter has. The chapter will send representatives to worlds that are highly militarized and scout for talent amongst its youth organizations. Planets that are active warzones in a state of total war are also visited. Typically, a combination of qualities are looked for in a potential candidate. Age, general warfighting experience, determination and the will to succeed are all traits that Instigator operators seek out. The most important personality trait, however, is *likeability.* A candidate that has the right age, best training and greatest raw ability will always lose out to the candidate that is the most likeable. To them, if you don't like the person wielding the power armor and sigil of your chapter, how can you trust them to watch your back when you need them to?

Likeability is a rather subjective and opinionated concept, and thus, the Astartes being sent to a particular world will have a heavy influence on what recruits ultimately follow him back to Wake. There are some common themes, however. Youths that revere, respect, or otherwise look up to the transhuman warrior are brushed aside, while the one that is headstrong, brash or outright hostile are sought out. To the Instigators, a recruit that faces challenges with confidence and conviction is all that is required to be deemed Space Marine material.

### The Pipeline

The Pipeline is the nickname given to the cruel process the Instigators uses to weed out potential candidates. There are two phases to the Pipeline: the selections and the crucibles.

#### The Selections

The Selections are a cruel and demanding series of trials that see candidates perform various challenging, although simple, feats of physical and mental endurance. Close quarters live-fire combat drills, grueling long-range land navigation in brutal weather, endless repetitive exercise circuits and other mundane physical tests are conducted over and over again until the Instigators training staff deems it necessary to stop. Often, the staff will make the candidate groups restart over the most minor of mistakes or offenses. Training staff Astartes will often berate, belittle, and antagonize the Guardsmen during the entire process. The tasks are ultimately meant to serve no other purpose than to *exhaust***.**

Before the seemingly endless trials are finally called off, the candidates will have marched and pushed harder than they thought they could have done prior. The end goal of this dull and laboring process is to see what men recruits the drive, determination and raw will to see it through to the end. Anyone can do a battle drill; not everyone has the patience to do them every day for years on end while being mocked by a group of Astartes. The candidates that have the courage to stand up to their harassers and verbally lash out are often propelled to the top of their class by the training staff. Those that see it to the end have both the personality and the willpower to be inducted into the ranks of the Instigators.

#### The Crucibles

After the Selections are over, a candidate is accepted into the ranks of the Instigators on a probationary status, assigned to one of the battleline squadrons, and implanted with the gene-seed and organs that all Astartes bare. Even so, they are still not yet full sigil-bearing members of the chapter. Before then, they must undergo multiple crucibles, which are essentially trials by fire.

Candidates are given outdated, but functional, power armor variants, and then attached to a battleline troop and squadron that needs an extra hand. The candidate will deploy with their troop to a warzone anywhere in the galaxy and will be expected to perform the duties of a full rank-and-file operator of the Instigators. They receive no training beforehand and are expected to learn on the job. For them, learning how to operate a bolter for the first time will be in active combat against the enemies of the Imperium of Man. Despite being deployed to relatively low-level warzones, many candidates perish at this stage of the recruitment process.

The candidates that survive their first deployment will have made many mistakes but will have had them corrected by either themselves or their troopmates. These operators and their Troop Sergeant send a report on their experience and opinions on the candidate to their Squadron Commander. After this, the candidate is sent to another troop in the same squadron, often one with a different specialization and culture than the last, and shipped off to another warzone. This process will repeat itself multiple times until the Squadron Commander determines that sufficient time has passed for the candidate to gain experience.

When the candidate is ready, a meeting of the Troop Sergeants, Squadron Sergeant and Squadron Commander will convene, and votes will be cast for or against the candidate's induction. If one votes no, the candidate is removed from the chapter recruitment process. They are, uncharacteristically for the Instigators, treated with respect and sent to another chapter that they feel the candidate would better serve and fit in with. Oftentimes, this can be averted if a particular Troop Sergeant desires them bad enough and the other Sergeants simply abstain from the vote, casting neither yes or no, once again showcasing the great amount of autonomy units have from one another.

If all vote yes, however, then the candidate will, finally, become a full, official operator within the Instigators chapter and have earned their title of Astartes. The troops in their squadron that liked them the most will debate and fight with each other to secure their placement in their troop and not another. A powerful sense of belonging will almost certainly follow, as being *chosen* and not *assigned* is a victory in itself and makes the troop, squadron, and entire chapter stronger as a result.

## Chapter Beliefs

### 'Us versus Them'

The Instigators are notorious for disliking and mocking almost every other Adeptus Astartes chapter in the galaxy, whether it is warranted or not. If a fellow chapter is codex compliant, the Instigators will happily antagonize them for being too 'by the book' and unable to think when a plan taken from their holy scripture goes wrong. If another chapter treats the codex as outdated and useless, they will provoke them by insinuating they are clueless on to how to wage war and incompetent. This prevalent arrogance and "us versus them" attitude, seemingly, is down to one simple reason: entertainment. The Instigators find joy and amusement in the rage and unshackled aggression many other chapters show when they are ridiculed. The angrier their brother chapters get, the more the Instigators will antagonize them.

Despite this, the chapter is overwhelmingly loyal to the Imperium of Man and dedicates the resources it has to defending the Emperor's rightful territory. They will oftentimes come to the aid of the very Astartes chapters that they have taunted, and almost always unrequested.

### Competition is Strength

The chapter, as mentioned earlier, has a strong focus on small-unit autonomy. Individual troops often have self-chosen nicknames and designations to separate them from the others of their squadron. These troops often have friendly, but intense, rivalries with one another, seeking to outperform on the each other on the battlefield. For example, the 1st Squadron, 1st Troop named "STRIKER" has a long-standing and bitter rivalry with 1st Squadron, 2nd Troop, known as "BRUISER." Astartes will typically refer to teams by these names rather than the formal troop and squadron number. This sort of dynamic is heavily encouraged by Troop and Squadron commanders and is a large part of the cultural heritage of the Instigators.

Sometimes, these rivalries exceed their boundaries and turn from being a simple competition into fierce hatred and loathing by both parties. While rare, the repercussions are large enough that troops who have deployed together and experienced friction in battle will often be prohibited from working together in the future and never deploy side by side again, as more than once, campaigns and battles have been lost due to these problems. This is more common amongst the greener troops of the chapter, as they seek to make a name for themselves and blow out their competition, as compared to the veterans troops who were raised long ago, as their storied histories and accolades are already countless, and as such friendly rivalries can exist.

### Targeted Xenophobia

The xenophobia of the Instigators chapter is strange and difficult to describe. During some campaigns, they will obliterate and eradicate any signs of xenos presence. In others, they will work side by side with them if required and generally be a shaky ally if a larger threat presents itself. This seeming contradiction does not seem to bother the chapter. Their policy towards the alien can, seemingly, best be described as opportunistic and targeted. If the chance to destroy the xeno presents itself, they will do it without hesitation, but otherwise, they will wait for that better chance and act as reluctant comrades. This policy does not stop the marines from launching verbal attacks and harassment towards their alien allies in the thick of battle, as is typical of their number. This has, on more than one occasion, broken down the fragile peace between the two sides and sparked immediate commencement of hostilities.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

The chapter is, officially, listed a successor of the Ultramarines, but the records that were kept long ago have been lost, forgotten or simply misplaced due to simple indifference. Their progenitor is not as important as the history of their campaigns and the stories of their individual members. The actual gene-seed vaults of the chapter are scattered across the multiple squadron fortresses on Wake and are secured behind multiple layers of ceramite blast doors. Chapter Master Cyneas Arcaddon takes great interest in this particular topic, but without the green light from his suboordinates, waging wars or conducting studies for information on their origin is quite difficult.

## Combat Doctrine

The Instigators are, first and foremost, a chapter that specializes in "shock-and-awe" tactics. The typical Instigator mission set involves dropping dozens of Astartes from orbit in drop pods or Thunderhawks into the center of an enemy force with little to no warning and blasting away with unrelenting and unending bolter fire until victory. Complex battle plans are forgone for the simplicity of crushing the enemy until dead. This is not to say that the chapter is incapable of designing grand maneuvers or complicated battle strategy; indeed, some of their troops and squadrons specialize in that very thing. However, these units typically perform their plans around and in preparation of the final dramatic and overwhelming assault, not in replacement of it. As a result, wargear and support platforms such as Predators, Vindicators, Dreadnoughts or others are relative rarities amongst their forces. Typically, if any support is present, it is in the form of Thunderhawk gunships and other airframes capable of quick and effective close air support. If there is one thing the chapter lacks more than anything else, it is *patience.* If an Instigator shock assault fails and their forces get bogged down, disaster is almost certainly soon to follow.

The Instigators also perform secondary roles such as counter-insurgency operations and conventional support campaigns. Typically, this will see the chapter integrate with either local planetary defense forces or deployed Imperial Guard units. Troops of marines will support their engagements, but will not take part in massive combat duties in the overall strategic picture. Typically, only a troop or two at most will perform these types of missions, although larger campaigns have occurred. These deployments are those where many recruits are acquired. They have closer relationships with specific Guard regiments than they do with many of their brother Space Marine chapters, owing to their own members origins and history. An example of this is the 54th Psian Jakals, a Tempestus Scion unit that has an eerily similar warfighting style to the Instigators themselves; the chapter has deployed to support them many times.

## Deathwatch Service

Deathwatch service is not particularly common amongst the chapter, although voluntary enlistment is a privilege given to senior members who wish to serve the Imperium in a way greater than they believe they currently can. Most do not volunteer, as the comradery the Instigators so cherish is not something they wish to lose. If a candidate passes their crucibles during the recruitment stage but receives a no vote, they will often be sent to the Deathwatch if the Ordo Xenos is willing to accept them.

## Chapter Fleet

The Instigator fleet is known to contain two battlebarges, the *Invader* and the *Antagonizer.* The ships are identical and serve the same functional roles. During their quintessential lightning drop-pod assaults, one of the battle barges and escort ships will quickly dewarp above a hostile planet, drop their Astartes warriors, and jump out just as fast as they arrived. Speed is prioritized aboard these vessels, and as such, minimal armor plating is installed. This does not stop the vessels from wielding large amounts of weapons, both heavy and light. The Old Earth term *glass cannon* is an apt descriptor for these void ships.

When orbital superiority is required for more hard-hitting operations, the battlebarges will deploy alongside more escort vessels than normal to ensure not only fire superiority, but also logistical superiority.

## Chapter Relics

The Instigators have few, if any, ancient relics. They possess a great many sets of ancient and outdated power armor, but they are given to candidates and operators who prefer their aesthetic style over newer models. They have no ingrained reverence for these objects as a whole, though some Astartes may deviate from this and show the adoration that is more common amongst other chapters. The only relic that is officially recognized is the practice of forging and awarding of the Marauder Coins.

**The Marauder Coin -** this is not one single relic, but many. Upon the ascension of every candidate to full operator status, a coin of ceramite is forged with the symbol of the Instigators on its front and a strange, ancient symbol on the back. A field of silver and light blue broken into inverted square sections fills the background, while a jagged helmet and two crossed axes with unusual symbols etched into their surfaces reminiscent of those found on Old Earth take up the center. The meaning of this particular insignia is entirely lost and forgotten, but the front is all too easy to understand. The coin is carried on every operator on deployment for their entire Astartes career, any many carry it on their person at all times. On death, the coin is harvested alongside their geneseed, and planted in the squadron's Wall of Heros. Great pains are taken to ensure the coin is recovered in battle. While these tokens are not ancient, they are given the same reverence other chapters give to their holy relics.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colors

The Instigator chapter colors are simple: unpainted, grey steel with black and brass pauldrons and a brass center Aquila. Many Astartes personalize their armor further than this, but the general scheme applies throughout the chapter.

### Chapter Sigil

The symbol of the Instigators is an ancient Mark III power helmet from, apparently, the Great Crusade era. These particular helmets are fashionable among many in the Instigators, but why this specific pattern was chosen to represent the chapter as a whole is unknown.

## Notable Instigators

**Commander Dardanus Tydeus -** First Commander of the Instigators and founder of the chapter, he was formerly a lowly Sergeant of the 2nd Company of the Deltamarines before the Battle of Wake. The circumstances of him being raised to his position are lost to the wider Imperium. He led the Instigators through its first years as their leader and oversaw the culture that permeates today. He died in an assault on the Chaos-tainted planet of Tycho sometime in ~350.M40.

**Executive Commander Azarah Banipal** - First Executive Commander and co-founder of the chapter, he was the former Captain of the 2nd Company of the Deltamarines and the superior of Dardanus Tydeus. His participation in the Battle of Wake earned him a spot in the new chapter, though it is uncertain why he was not made the Commander, owing to his superior rank. Nonetheless, he served his new leader faithfully until hids disappearance in ~170.M40.

**Operator Zarek Tritus** - Long-standing member of the Instigators and veteran Thunder hawk pilot. Pilots, in general, are a rarity within the chapter, and so it is not only unusual to have one, but exceptional to have one for so long. Zarek has served with the Instigators for hundreds of years and conducted thousands of successful bombing raids and close fire support missions on behalf of Instigator ground elements.

## Relations

The Instigators have few friends amongst their brothers in the Adeptus Astartes, owing to their antagonistic behavior; the ever quiet murmurs and gossip concerning their initial founding does not help in this regard. They form far closer bonds with the Astra Militarum regiments they so frequently give aid and support to. That said, they do have friendly connections to a handful of chapters. Their enemies are countless.

## Notable Quotes

### By The Instigators:

"*No plan, no problem!*"
—Common saying amongst the Astartes of the Instigators
"*Mortars pops, brother?*"
—Operator Gron Copenhaddon, moments before being obliterated by an Accatran mortar
"*We seek out and engage the Traitors for many reasons. Betraying the Emperor, sowing discord and destruction, wreaking havoc and spreading untruth and, on top of it all, because they are absolutely ridiculous.*"
—5th Squadron Commander Alaric Ost, commenting on their hatred of Chaos to a fellow Astartes
"*Two deployments? Really? And that makes you think you're ready for the vote? While your impatience is most certainly something you share with all of us, you will be an Instigator when we deem you ready to be one. No, you aren't one of us yet. Make peace with that. Strive for better or get left behind.*"
—Troop Sergeant Arbogast Stantor to an unnamed candidate.
"*Does the Codex Astartes tell you to miss every shot you fire?*"
—Operator Belshazaar Bardisan insulting a Battle-Brother of the Novamarines during a joint engagement.
"*Suffer Not the Xenos to Live...unless it is convenient to do so.*"
—An Instigator to a comrade in jest, commenting on their perhaps too lukewarm relationship with the alien.
### About The Instigators:

[Source]

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

[Source]