Crotalids

Crotalids armorial with Chapter iconography.

(To be added)

The **Crotalids** are a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter created during an unknown Founding and from uncertain lineage. However, circumstantial evidence indicates they were either created from the gene-stock of either the lauded Ultramarines or altruistic Salamanders Chapter. Stationed in the Segmentum Ultima, this Chapter is notable for their perculiar beliefs - venerating not only the God-Emperor but all nine of the loyalist Primarchs.

## Chapter History

The Crotalids are a *Codex*-compliant chapter of Adeptus Astartes located in the Segmentum Ultima, Crotalidus Sub-Sector, approximately halfway between Nocture and Ultramar. They are of unknown founding and origin, however they are strongly suspected of being either Ultramarines or Salamanders successors. Regardless of which chapter is their lineage, they have devoted nine of their companies to venerate the nine primarchs. The Veteran 1st Company venerates the Emperor. Their recruiting world is the death planet "Lost Hope". This planet is noteworthy for its large concentration of crotalids, or "warp crocodiles". Other worlds that are important to the Crotalids include Hecheos, an allied forge planet, Eleanor, their shrine world, and Leth, their tradeworld.

## Chapter Organisation

They are largely *Codex*-compliant, with a few notable departures. Over the millenia, the Crotalid origins have been shrouded in mystery. It is not known which Primarch they are descended from, and attempts to categorize them have met with failure. For this reason each company in the Crotalids has turned to being guided by a different Primarch, so that none is unaccounted for.

### Order of Battle

#### Companies

Each company has become molded in the image of their Primarch. The Company is denoted by a color-coded paint on the left knee pad:

* **1st Company**: Emperor/Custodes

* **2nd Company**: Guilliman/Ultramarines

* **3rd Company**: El’Johnson/Dark Angels

* **4th Company**: Khan/White Scars

* **5th Company**: Russ/Space Wolves

* **6th Company**: Dorn/Imperial Fists

* **7th Company**: Vulkan/Salamanders

* **8th Company**: Sanguinis/Blood Angels

* **9th Company**: Mannus/Iron Hands

* **10th Company**: Corax/Raven Guard

## Combat Doctrine

The Crotalid chapter is known for calm professionalism, a diplomatic respect, and never making a threat it can’t enforce. They bear an outlook similar to the Ultramarines or Salamanders, and do their best to keep collateral damage to a minimum, while also trying to save human life wherever it is in danger.

That is not to say the Crotalids are pushovers. When push comes to shove they fight as fiercely and as cleverly as their namesake. Patience is ingrained in each Astartes, so that it is nothing to them to wait weeks or months or even years for their plans to come together. They are known for anticipating ambushes and turning the tables on those who threaten them. Crotalid plans often have secondary or tertiary backups in case situations change. Additionally every Crotalid is raised to think both independently and as a group. A single Crotalid has the ability to change the course of a battle from a loss into a win, and they are encouraged to see and exploit these opportunities. They are often favored by outsiders, due to their helpful nature and willingness to be reasonable in negotiations.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Badge

The Crotalids's Chapter badge takes the form of a white Terran "Ultima" glyph Ʊ, which is similar in appearance to the Grecian letter Upsilon. However, this symbol is turned ninety degrees (sitting sideways) appearing as a makeship capital letter "C". The (modified) use of the Ultramarines' symbol have led some to conclude that the Crotalids are an Ultramarines Successor Chapter.