Iron Beasts

Iron Beasts armorial with Chapter iconography.

An Iron Beasts Drengr of the 7th Throng, 3rd Pack.

"*We are the rage of Russ. We are the fury of the Allfather! And by our Iron Will, none shall be safe from our fangs and claws!*"
—High King Apontis Silvermaw upon the Chapter's formation
The **Iron Beasts** also called the ***'Jerndyr'*** in the tongue of the Dvalinnians and Fenrisians, of are a recently created Ultima Founding Chapter consisting solely of Primaris Space Marines. Successors of the ruthless Space Wolves and carriers of Leman Russ's legacy, the Iron Beasts have shown excellent mastery of close combat, backed up by their quick moving attacks and armoured assaults on enemy defenses. They have inherited their parent Chapter's disdain for authority and do not fully adhere to the Codex Astartes, and have developed a reputation of clashing with Imperial authority, mainly the Inquisition. They see themselves as Russ' rage made manifest and thus have conducted what they call the "Great Hunt" in slaying all those who have betrayed the Emperor.

## History

The Iron Beasts are a Ultima Founding Chapter consisting solely of Primaris Space Marines, descended from Leman Russ, the Primarch of the Space Wolves. A chapter who holds Russ in high regards, the Iron Beasts wish to prove their worth as heirs of the Wolf King, and worthy successors of the Space Wolves. Thus, the Iron Beasts have fought in countless battles with ferocity equal to their parent chapter. They have developed a reputation as determined and stubborn, rarely fighting alongside Imperial forces unless necessary, and developed a great hatred towards the Traitor Astartes.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Indomitus Crusde (Unknown.M42)**:
	+ **The Berserkers of Velda**:
* **The Esax Campaign (Unknown.M42)**:

## Chapter Organization

Like their parent chapter, the Iron Beasts deviate from the Codex Astartes. They possess a total of thirteen companies, known as Iron Throngs, with one led by the Chapter Master. These Throngs are not divided into Veteran, Battle, Reserve, or Scout Companies, but rather function wholly as Battle Companies in name only. Each Iron Throng is independent unless given commands from the High King. Additionally, the actual number of Astartes is unknown, especially among their Neophytes, and is believed to exceed the 1,000 Astartes required within the Codex. This has put the Chapter under Inquisition investigation, but due to their success since the Indomitus Crusade, combined with their own natural stubbornness, has made it difficult for any actual action to be taken.

### Officer Ranks

* **High King**: The High King is Chapter Master of the Iron Beasts Chapter. They command the rest of the chapter and are responsible for bestowing the title of "Jarl" to future commanders of Throngs.
* **Jarl**: The Captains of the chapter's Iron Throngs, the Jarls are ultimately responsible for the organization, armour and weapon supplies, and care of the battle-brothers under their command.
* **Ulfsark**: Both Champions and Commanders, Ulfsarks are battle-brothers who have survived many horrors, even when their entire Packs have been wiped out, and yet continue fighting. Such power is looked upon awe by the Iron Beasts, and those deemed worthy are chosen to become Ulfsark. They not only serve as the Company Champion, but as its sub-commander, standing beside the Jarl or leading at the front, issuing the Jarl's command to his brothers. Sometimes the Ulfsark will also command the Einherjars.
* **Hersir**: Lieutenants of the Iron Beasts, these veterans are both skilled leaders and warriors. They serve as field officers on the battlefield, leading their battle-brothers against the foes of mankind. Also they act as sub-commanders, advising the Jarl or commanding their younger brothers into battle.
* **Thane**: The Chapter Ancients, the Thanes are powerful and old warriors, fighting alongside their young brothers and departing their wisdom on those who seek it out. However, they are also lone warriors, seeking to fight great enemies on their own and add to their ever growing list of achievements through combat. This itself is an inspiration as these warriors can face the most dangerous of foes on their own and come out alive and victorious. Along with being Standard Bearers, the Thanes will also take part in the recruitment of New Blood, those who could become Thralls and later full-fledged Drengrs to serve in the Iron Beasts Chapter.
* **Einherjar**: The Einherjar serve as Honour Guards among the Iron Beasts. Protecting both the High King and their respective Jarls, the Einherjar are also Veteran Marines who fight by example, inspiring their younger brothers to commit greater deeds of glory on the battlefield. Each Iron Throng has a total of Six Einherjar Packs, in honour of the Sixth Legion, the Space Wolves.
* **Skalds**: While Einherjars are the Honour Guards of their High King and Jarl, they are also advisors and officers too. Those who show incredible skills in leadership and are capable of giving sound tactical advice from centuries of experience, become Skalds. Skalds make up the War Pack, the Chapter's version of a Codex Astartes' Command Squad. The War Pack is also led by one of the two Hersirs.

### Specialist Ranks

* **Lord War Seer**:
* **War Seer**: The Librarians of the Iron Beasts, the War Seers adopt the cultures of the mystics of Dvalinn. These psykers will conjure the spirits of past warriors to aid them in battle, unleashing the might of spiritual plane upon their foes. The War Seers are also in charge of searching for future recruits among Dvalinn's tribes, and cataloging the chapter's records and to write down future sagas.
* **Chief Gothi**:
* **Gothi**: The Chapter's Chaplains, Gothis serve as the spiritual driving force of the Iron Beasts. Similar to the Space Wolves, their helms are shaped to look like the skulls of animals (i.e. wolves, eagles, lions, apes, bulls etc) to show their bond with Dvalinn. When in battle, the skull helms will emit a powerful primal roar to inspire the Gothis' battle-brothers and sow terror into the enemy.
* **Master Lach**:
* **Lach**: The Iron Beasts' Apothecaries, the Lachs are task with both healing wounded brothers and retrieving the sacred gene-seeds from the fallen for future warriors. Along with the War Seers, the Lachs will journey across Dvalinn to find worthy warriors to join the chapter.
* **Great Rune Maker**:
* **Rune Maker**: Techmarines of the Iron Beasts, the Rune Makers are responsible for the well-care of the chapter's armory, which includes vehicles, armor and weapons. As befitting their title, Rune Makers will carve runes onto their work, known as 'Iron Sigils'. Approved by the Cult Mechanicus, these runes are to give strength and protection to the Machine Spirit, as the runes bestow extra protection to vehicles and armour.

### Line Ranks

* **Merkis**: The Merkis are the Iron Beasts' Sergeants who lead the Packs (Squads) of their respective Iron Throngs. Merkis are brutal warriors who have faced many battles and shown leadership qualities. Many Merkis are those who were once members of the Einherjar and were given a position of leadership, to lead their Brothers into battle.
* **Huskarl**: Huskarls are the Veteran Marines of the Iron Beasts whose bloodlust and savage nature has been tempered by experience. Thus, they can restrain their thirst for battle better than their younger brothers and can be entrusted with the more dangerous weapons of the Chapter.
* **Radningar**: A special role given to certain Merkis who have shown an aptitude for both leading and teaching, the role of the Radningar is to train and lead the Thralls of the Chapter. They serve as examples to their younger brothers while at the same time beating out their youthful fury and glory-seeking desires. Even during times like these, the Radningars are also learning, for it is by showing they can lead others that they too may one day rise to become a Jarl.
* **Drengr**: The name for all full-fledge Space Marines of the Iron Beasts, Drengrs have not yet earn the honour of being deemed veterans. Yet, they are still just as ruthless in battle as their older brothers, slaying any foes who dare to stand against them. Driven by duty and honour, the Drengrs will face the enemies no matter their numbers or who they are.
* **Thralls**: Also called 'New Blood', Thralls are the neophytes or Scout Marines of the Chapter. Just recruited, the Thralls must prove their worth in battle and deeds and are normally trained by the Radningars when not in battle. The greatest desire of the Thralls is to become full-fledged Drengr and stand proudly as sons of Leman Russ.

### Specialist Units

* **Jötunns**: The Iron Beasts have put the Invictor Warsuits into squads of three known as the Jotuun Packs. These Packs are dressed with fur of Dvalinn wolves slain by the pilots during their trials, as well as ruins made to ward off harm. Many members of the Jotuun Packs prefer to use close combat, and have already made a reputation of leaving behind corpses in their wake and even fell larger foes with ease.
* **Kavalerier**: The Bike Squads of the Iron Beasts, Kavalerir strike like predators, preforming hit and and run attacks or shock tactics. They will weaken and disorganize the enemies so that the rest of the Throng may assault them unhindered.
* **Veiðimaðr**: The Veiðimaðrs are the Vanguard Space Marine Squads. Unlike the rest of their chapter, these killers prefer to attack from a distance, or striking from the shadows, like a predator stalking its prey. The younger brothers scorn what they perceive as cowardly tactics, the older more experience battle-brothers understand just how dangerous the Veiðimaðrs are, and how invaulable they are in battle.

### Order of Battle

As mentioned, the fighting force of the Iron Beasts are split into Throngs, with each one except for one, commanded by a Jarl, while the last is led by the High King himself. Unlike most chapters, the squads are not divided into Veteran, Battleline, Fire Support, Close Support, Vanguard and Neophyte Squads, but simply into Tactical, Heavy, and Assault Packs.

#### Headquarters

**Apontis Silvermaw**
***High King of the Iron Beasts***
**Ulfsark Baelor Ragegaze**
**Joghand Redsword, Thane of the Gudsdyr**
**2 Hersirs**
**Skald Pack**
**Gudrun Lavawalker**
***Great Rune Maker***
**Rune Makers**
**Chapter Serfs**
**Servitors**
**Land Speeders**
**Gunships**
**Battle Tanks**
**Dreadnoughts**
**Frode Windspeaker**
***Lord War Seer***
**War Seers**
**Gorm Starcleaver**
***Chief Gothi***
**Gothis**
**Chapter Serfs**
**Birger Steelheart**
***Master Lach***
**Lachs**

## Chapter Culture and Belief

### Mantles of War

Traditionally, battle-brothers of the Iron Beasts Chapter will carry the teeths of the beasts they killed for their recruitment trials on their armour, either as necklaces, around their arms or attached to their belts or legs, or even on their weapons. For Veterans, they will wear the fur and skulls of the beasts they've slain over their Power Armour, to prove as a sign of their skills and to intimidate the foe.

## Combat Doctrine

The Iron Beasts, in their desire to honour their Primarch, follow similar combat styles as the Space Wolves. Armed with new weapons and armour, they will perform fast and frontal assaults, taking the enemy by surprise with their sudden presence. They will normally engaged the enemy at close range using melee weapons and heavy armour, breaking the opposition's defenses and destroying their morale. This is also due to their belief of fighting the enemy face to face rather than attacking from the rear or performing flanking maneuvers. However, other times they will act like hunters stalking their prey. This is more used by the Jegers or Jarls who prefer to attack from the shadows, taking the enemy by surprise and destroying whatever confidence they might have had.

A difference between the Iron Beasts and the Space Wolves is that the former are more keen on the use of vehicle support. Whether ground or air, the Iron Beasts' Throngs will always have heavy armour to back them up in battle. This isn't just because for tactical advantage, but also for morale, as the sounds of cannon fire and explosions fill the sons of Russ with joy and excitement as they charge the enemy. Dreadnoughts are especially held in awe as their heavy armour and weapons, combined with their incredible melee prowess and strength are a great boon for the Iron Beasts.

## Notable Members

* **High King Apontis Silvermaw**: The first and current High King (Chapter Master), Apontis Silvermaw is a veteran of the Indomitus Crusade. During the crusade, Apontis was part of the Unnumbered Sons and fought alongside Ijard Valkin, who would later become Chapter Master of the Maelstrom Fists. During one battle, Apontis received a devastating blow to his face from a Khornate Berzerker, but miraculously survived and then sliced off the Chaos Marine's head. He later formed the Iron Beasts and settled on the Feral World Dvalinn. Like the Space Wolves, Apontis holds animosity to not just the Thousand Sons, but any worshippers of Tzeentch, having seen the action of said god's cults during the Indomitus Crusade.

* **Jarl Domas Daggerdust**: Jarl of the Iron Shadow Throng, Domas was originally a Reiver Sergeant during his time among the Unnumbered Sons. Serving under Apontis at the time, he readily joined his fellow brother when Apontis founded the Iron Beasts Chapter. His skills in stealth were highly noted, having eliminated various Chaos Warlords and Chosen, and was the first to be made a Jarl of the new Chapter. Retaining his Heavy Bolt Pistol, Jarl also wields a runic Chainsword given to him by the Iron Priests of the Space Wolves Chapter.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Badge

The badge of the Iron Beasts Chapter is that of a wolf appearing to have iron fur, in a style similar to the Space Wolves' badge and in honor of the Dvalinn Wolves, who hides are considered to be quite durable, capable of stopping autogun fire. Underneath it are a pair of iron claws tearing through flesh and leaving behind a bloody gash. This symbolizes the chapter as beasts made of iron body and will, ripping through the enemies of man without fear or remorse.

## Quotes

### About the Iron Beasts

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 Renegades

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

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