Meros

Armorial of the Revenants.

Blood Captain **Meros Moriar Berilo**, known to his battle-brothers as '*The Executioner*', is the current commander of the 9th Company of the bellicose and savage Revenants Space Marine Chapter.

## Background

Captain of the 9th Company and a hulking Primaris Astartes, Meros is a warrior born -- a killer whose skill with Bolter and blade have always stood out, even amongst his superhuman brethren. His martial prowess is almost second to none, even as a Neophyte, none but the finest warriors of the Chapter could best him in practice. His actions during the bloody Battle of Stavragrrah earned him the sobriquet of the Executioner, his elevation to Captain and the respect of the Lord of the Blood Angels Himself. Clad in Artificer Mk X Armour he stands at the forefront of Angelic Host. But even the greatest angel can fall, the tell-tale signs that the twins flaws that characterize the Sons of Sanguinius have begun to take hold has been noticed and whilst he remains a Blood-Captain, he more and more often descends to the same Blood-Soaked depths as his Brothers in the Death Company, even killing his own brother while lost in the frenzy of battle, how long he can continue to pull himself from the depths and return to a semblance of sanity is unknown and it is likely that in time he will fall completely into the abyss.

## Youth

Born sometime in the waning years of the 41st Millenium, Meros and his twin Donatelaius were born into the final days of the Imperium before the horrors of the Great Rift engulfed the Galaxy. Born of the Levonii Tribe they grew to adolescence in the harsh Northern reaches of Lux Angeli, a world of arid plains and deadly predators. The Levonii are regarded throughout the world as one of the deadliest Tribes, headhunters and reavers of the highest order they constantly fight others for supremacy. Forced to learn how to fight as soon as they were able to walk, Meros and Donatelaius became ferocious fighters and by their fourteenth year they had become legendary throughout the region. Tall and muscular despite their youth and with alabaster skin and golden hair they were the finest warriors the tribe had ever produced, identical in appearance as well as in many other aspects, in temperament they are polar opposites, where as Donatelaius is composed, focusing his rage and fighting with controlled fury, Meros is filled with rage and anger, fighting with wild abandon, forever charging forward, Despite their differing styles, in battle the brothers were undefeated.

## The Blood Dual

The year 014.M42 was a pivotal year for the people of Lux Angeli for this year marked the first  Blood Games to be held since the Revenants returned from Baal, as is expected, every Tribe on the Planet sent their sons to compete, the Levonii no different. The brothers arrived in Castigora the day before the trials began, the first of the trials is to reach the "Place of Challenge" by any means necessary. The contestants must make their way across the hostile rad-deserts, leaping from high cliffs with only a crude hang-glider to cross the gap with. They must avoid Fire Scorpions and other mutated predator species that inhabit the canyons, then climb the mountain to the Place of Challenge. Meros and Donatelaius easily made their way to the Place of Challenge before swiftly advancing through the bouts, battering every opponent they faced into submission, even killing several before both reached the final on the the ninth day. As the ninth day dawned the atmosphere within the duelling grounds was tantalizing, never before had brothers faced off in the duals, facing each other across the sands both Meros and Donatelaius stood with their weapons drawn before finally at the signal they charged forwards , for hours they fought without respite, both sustaining several serious wounds but neither would back down but in the end Meros would prove the victor, knocking his brother unconscious and claiming victory. With this victory Meros had won the Blood Games and, he expected, a place in the ranks of the Revenants. The following the day the challengers gathered in the still blood-stained arena, as they waited a massive gunship swooped down over the grounds, landing near the arena no less than five Brothers of the Revenants emerged from it's hold, every tribesman kneeling in respect as the group approached. In a voice of thunder the leader of the group announced those that had been chosen, Donatelaius was chosen as was Maulgriel Dardrus of the Attoarii, Apollinaris Castio of the Chaedini, Taharal Aglo of the Suardones and a dozen others, a deafening silence descended, Meros was not among them.

At the announcement Meros merely stood and watched, not saying a word as he heard the words, many expected violence to result but this was forestalled by the arrival of another, clad in midnight black Power Armour, blood red eyes glaring from a skull faced helm, carrying an ornate mace came Chaplain Morlus of the Revenants, moving with the easy stride of a warrior without equal, power radiated from him in palpable waves, he didn't just deserve respect, he demanded it. The crowd parted in awe as he approached Meros, towering over the warrior Morlus stood before him, he told Meros that though he had won the games, that alone was not enough to ensure selection, there was one final trial he would have to overcome, Meros would have to fight Morlus in single combat, win and he would be accepted, lose and he would return to his tribe a failure.

Less than one solar hour the combatants faced each other across the sands, Morlus was shorn of weapons and armour, naked save a simple loin-cloth, the centuries of combat stood out on Morlus pale skin, a criss-cross of scars spread across his entire body while the left side of his torso was a mass of acid burned tissue, muscles barely able to be contained stood out like steel cables, he needed no weapons to best any foe. Facing him, Meros too was naked save a loincloth but was far different, powerful and tall by the standards of his fellow tribesman, compared to Morlus he was completely outclassed, no one gave him a chance, offered various weapons for the dual he turned them all down, he would fight with bare hands, across the sands Morlus inclined his head slightly, so slight that it was barely perceptible, it was a gesture of respect.

At the signal to begin Meros charged forward, he fought with honour, courage, tenacity and fury and in the end he was beaten, Morlus battered him into unconsciousness within a solar minute. When he awoke less than an hour later he found himself alone in the arena, alone save Morlus who had now redonned his armour, Meros begged the Chaplain to kill him for he had failed, he could not return to his tribe in disgrace. Morlus laughed, a booming laugh that shook Meros to the core, he told the shocked warrior that he had not failed, he had been chosen long before the games had even concluded, Morlus and his Brothers had been watching him for many days, gauging what kind a man he was, Morlus told him that his final trial was to see what he would do against an opponent who he had no hope of defeating, his courage merely confirming what Morlus already knew, that Meros was destined to become one of the greatest heroes in the Chapters history.

That night the Thunderhawk left Lux Angeli bound for the Angeli Domini Mors, carrying the future of the Chapter.

Following a year of trials, challenges and training Meros was gifted with the legacy of Sanguinius and became so much more than he had ever dreamed he could be.

## Battle of Stavragrrah

The Battle of Stavragrrah was a military campaign against the dark cousins of the Eldar who had invaded the Hive World of Zantranthria II, the Revenants committed themselves to the fight and Meros actions during the cleansing of Hive Stavragrrah would enter his name into the legends of the Chapter.

Located within the Imperium Nihilus, Zantranthria II was an unremarkable world, a barren, wind-swept world of towering Hives and massive mines, it existed only to supply the Imperium with the raw material it needed to fight it's wars, it's entire populace was given over to mining these materials and the great hives were built above the largest of the mines. In 043.M42 the Drukhari invaded the world through hidden portals and swiftly took over several of the Hives, subjecting the populace within to unheard of levels of cruelty and malice, the Lord Regent of Imperium NIhilus, Commander Dante of the Blood Angels acted swiftly, personally leading elements from 4 Astartes Chapters of the Sanguinary Brotherhood, the Blood Angels, the Angels Sanguine, the Flesh Tearers and the Revenants who sent part of their 5th and 9th Company's.

As a Brother of the 9th Company, Meros was among those sent along with his brother, the Blood-Chaplain Primaris Donatelaius and his closest friend Apollinaris Castio who served alongside him in the Assault unit. Upon reaching the system strike forces were sent to the surface, Captain Garian Astea of the Revenantss 9th Company would lead 70 Marines drawn from the Blood Angels, Flesh Tearers and the Revenants in the assault against Hive Stavragrrah

The assault into the hive depths was costly. The hive city extended five kilometres beneath the surface and every level was contested bloodily by the Drukhari and more devastatingly, the human miners and their families who had been led to believe the Xenos were their saviors and throwing off their allegiance to the Emperor they attacked the Astartes as soon as they had penetrated the Hive, veins distended with combat drugs and other stimulants some of these traitors drove ore grinders armoured with metal plates and armed with powerful Lascutters, plunging directly into the Astartes without relent or fear. Others fought within hydraulically-powered lifting suits stronger even than a Space Marine, fitted with plasma-burners, whirling chainblades and energy hammers capable of cracking open Power Armour. During two solar days of non-stop fighting, the Sons of Sanguinius slaughtered a path into the depths but thanks to the unceasing combat the Astartes had lost nearly a third of their number and many had begun to show the tell-tale signs of falling to the Black Rage, Captain Astea himself was killed when fully given over to the Black Rage he charged headlong into the packs of Wyches fighting for control of the Arbites Citadel, killing more than two dozen before finally falling. The Sons of Sanguinius refused to back down, however by the end of the 6th day, only thirty of them remained, none ranked above that of Sergeant. Meros, despite being merely a Line-Brother had become the leader of the Astartes within Hive Stavragrrah, in attack after attack he led them, never faltering and never taking a step back, Meros showed himself to have an masterful grasp of strategy and tactics, feints, ambushes and sudden, overwhelming counterattacks ripped through the Drukahari forces and drove them back to their sanctum within the desecrated Temple of Light. There the vile Archon and his Court waited, surrounded by Incubi, Wyches and the finest warriors of his Kabal but Meros and his Brothers did not falter, charging headlong into the fray, smashing into the vile Xenos they slaughtered them in droves and at the climax Meros dueled the Achon in single combat, battering aside the Archon's attacks he systematically dismantled him, first disarming him, then breaking his arms and smashing his windpipe, he forced him to kneel and to the howls of his Brothers and the scream of his chainsword he took the creatures head from it's shoulders and in doing so he earned his Brothers eternal respect and the sobriquet '*The Executioner*'

In the aftermath, Commander Dante sought Meros out and honoured him with promotion to Captain, the relic Eviscerator ***Cruenta Irae*** and the masterwork suit of Armour ***Syrgisaeos***. Meros and his brothers then returned to Lux Angeli with great honour.

## Hades Crusade

During the Hades Crusade, Meros led his Company with distinction throughout the Revenantss actions during the War, the 9th spearheading several assaults, most notably during the Battle of Purgior V although heavy casualties were sustained by the civilian population when the Revenants lost control.

The most infamous episode to involve Meros occurred during the Battle of Mordraelu Prime, during the notoriously brutal battle, both the loyalist and secessionist Chapters seemingly lost control of their actions and descended to horrific depths. During the final assault on Hive Domina, Meros was tasked with capturing the western hive quadrant this he accomplished at the cost of thousands of civilian casualties, at the head of a seething mass of raving, delusional Battle-Brothers, Meros led the assault, Though his charge carried the day, and though the ferocity of his assault has since become legend but in the aftermath of the quadrants capture, Meros, while lost in the fury of the attack was witnessed charging into the midst of the enemy lines, his brother Blood-Chaplain Donatelaius soon followed after him, intent on bringing his brother back from the depths. The brothers were discovered later in the ruins of a hab-block, surrounded by the corpses of the enemy, Donatelius lying dead on the floor, his brother sitting quietly beside him, his armour still dripping with the gore of those killed, his fellow Revenants surely knew what had happened but none would express their thoughts. Following the battle's conclusion Meros was witnessed carrying his brother into the waiting Thunderhawks, his face a frozen mask of hate and anger, Donatelaius would ultimately be placed within the Mausoleum of the Dead upon the Chapters return to Lux Angeli and while the knowledge of what happened has spread throughout the Sanguinary Brotherhood none think any less of Meros for all know that they are one step away from such depths for the darkness that exists within all Sons of Sanguinius is every ready to turn them all into monsters

## Recent History

Much of the activity of the Revenants since the Hades Crusade is unknown and as such so is the known activities of Meros although he and his Company were known to have served during the Battle of Taslebari Gamma alongside the Flesh Tearers and his and his Brothers actions during the Purge of Hades Prime have been documented, like the rest of his Chapter, his whereabouts and current activities are unknown

## Appearance & Personality

Possessing alabaster skin and golden hair, like many of his Brothers Meros bears a striking physical resemblance to the Chapter's lost Primarch as a result of a specific expression of his gene-seed. His voice has been described as having an iron quality to it.

Like all Revenants officers, Meros is a formidable warrior, possessing a savage aspect in battle and who battles constantly with his berserker lusts. Before he became an Astartes, he was infamous for his rage but that was nothing compared to what he would become, the implantation of Sanguinius gene-seed amplified his rage to inhuman levels and he now possesses an near infinite pool of rage that he unleashes in combat, this inborn trait has enabled him to become a superlative close-combat warrior of extraordinary abilities.

Meros is a brash, blunt and fearless leader, in battle he leads his Company from the front, landing in the vanguard of the Revenantss assaults as his massive two-handed Eviscerator, '***Cruenta Irae'***, scythes through his foes in vivid crimson arcs. Close to the centre of the action and knee-deep in the dead, Meros can better command his Battle-Brothers but this does mean that when the Black Rage takes him he will not stop until everyone he considers an enemy is dead.

## Wargear

* ***Cruenta Irae (Bloody Wrath) -*** A relic of Baal, Meros Moriar Berilo wields *Cruenta Irae*, one of his Chapter's most deadly relic weapons, which is a massive two-handed Eviscerator that is almost twice the size of the standard variant used by his fellow Astartes. Never was a weapon so aptly named as Meros's massive Chainsword. Armed with this ruinous blade, Meros can carve even the most heavily armoured opponents into welters of gore. Cruenta Irae is every bit as unsubtle and savage as its owner. Forged with teeth ripped from the skull of a Mica Dragon, *Cruenta Irae* serves as both armament and banner, its guttural roar a rally cry to the enduring nature of the Revenants and the violence they will inflict on those before them.
* ***Thonalaeor (Absolver Bolt Pistol)* -** Traditionally carried by Chaplains, Meros favours the immensely powerful Absolver pistol over the Heavy Bolt Pistol thanks to sheer damage it causes. Untold outside the Sanguinary Brotherhood is how Meros came to acquire this weapons for the Executioner took this pistol from his brother, Chaplain Donatelaius who had attempted to come to Meros aid while he was in the grip of the Black Rage only to be torn asunder by the crazed Meros, the weapon now stands as a reminder to Meros of the depths that he can fall.
* ***Artificer Mk X Tacitus Armour (Syrgisaeos)* -** An exquisite suit of Astartes war-plate, Syrgisaeos, as it is known to it's owner is a masterpiece of craftmenship, an Artificer suit of Mk X Tacitus armour, hand-crafted by the armour-smiths of the Blood Angels themselves at the dawn of the Indomitus Crusade, it was gifted to Meros by Dante himself in honour of Meros's actions during the Battle of Stavragrrah, it's masterwork plates have saved Meros more times than can be counted.
* ***Halo of Thorns (Iron Halo)***
* ***Frag Grenades***
* ***Krak Grenades***