Dawn Lords

## Dawns Lords

Dawn Lords armorial with Chapter iconography.

A Dawn Lords Primaris Intercessor of the 4th Company, 2nd Battleline Squad.

The **Dawn Lords** are a 10th Founding Loyalist Successor Chapter of the Destroyers Chapter (from the lineage of Primarch Jaghatai Khan ). The Firstborn iteration of the Dawn Lords were thought lost sometime in late M40. Subsequently, the heraldry, name, and geneseed of this chapter were reissued during the Ultima Founding to replace their long-lost Firstborn brothers.

According to Imperial Records (such as exist in these fragmented and dark times), the original Dawn Lords have been declared lost: with no news of their end it is left to the Inquisition to guess what foe is capable of destroying ten companies of Astartes without a trace. While their fate is unknown, the Primaris brothers of the Ultima Founding hope to find word of their lost brothers' status.

The search will have to wait. The Ultima Refounding of the Dawn Lords have been assigned to the Indomitus Crusade's Fleet Secondus, where their rapid mechanized assault tactics have proven effective in battle against the foul denizens spilling from the Eye of Terra. Since assuming their duties, the Dawn Lords have endured terrible losses to the rising tide of the alien, the heretic, and darkness within the Imperium Nihilus. It remains to be seen whether the Dawn Lords will survive the events of this age.

## Chapter History

The original Dawn Lords Astartes Chapter was created as part of the 10th Founding (mid M35) from the line of the Destroyers Chapter, despite concerns about potential geneseed instability. It is unclear what exact heroism earned the Destroyers this honor, but whatever it was it did not allow the esteemed 2nd Founding Chapter the luxury of giving their new fleet-based Successor much in the way of support or Relic weapons. The symbol of the now-defunct Vth Legion's Brotherhood of the Lightning Arrow was selected as the Chapter sigil in recognition for their participation in the Siege of Terra.

The Dawn Lords were initially established to roll back the eroding borders of the Imperium caused by the upheaval of the Nova Interregnum, and it was thought that the risks posed by the Destroyers’ unstable geneseed were mitigated by the fact that this new Chapter would remain fleet-based: allowing the Apothecarion to be more broadbased in their recruitment of novitiates.

True to their forefathers’ reputation, the Dawn Lords emerged as a reckless assault force which excelled at brutal, close quarters combat. This outlook made them effective in campaigns where total destruction was desirable, but often left the Dawn Lords short on manpower. It also had the effect of upsetting potential allies – something which often costed the Chapter in resupply of more difficult-to-acquire hardware, such as Land Raiders, Vindicators, and plasma weaponry. The Chapter forge had to compensate by learning to manufacture and maintain a variety of power armour types, and most especially the reinforced MkV variety. Despite this manufacturing capability, the Dawn Lords were often seen in an amalgamated mix of MkIII, MkVI, and MkVII plate, constantly reforging workable armor out of broken Relics, captured stock, and the occasional resupply.

The following represents all that remains of the Chapter's history.

**The Great Malagantine Purge** (770.M38 – 791.M38)

Five Astartes Chapters were asked by the High Lords (including the Fire Hawks, Silver Skulls, and Charnel Guard) with delivering the Emperor’s wrath on the heretical Malagant sector in the Segmentum Tempestus. The Dawn Lords’ role in this episode of Imperial history long forbidden remains a secret from many in the Inquisition, and the records remain sealed deep in the lightless chambers of the Celarno Vaults on Holy Terra. The death toll of this bloody campaign is believed to have reached into the hundreds of billions as whole worlds were put to the sword by orbital bombardment and virus weapons.

**The Auximus Campaign, Fourth Quadrant Rebellion** (775.M41 – 777.M41)

Perhaps the largest civil war affecting the Imperium in more than a millennium, the Fourth Quadrant Rebellion was in fact a series of mostly unrelated secessionist wars which set blaze to nearly a full quarter of the Segmentum Solar and outlaying systems. These civil conflicts were made worse by opportunist attacks by Renegades, cults, and Xenos forces taking advantage of widespread anarchy. One such conflict began when the planetary governor of Auximus IV refused to release his tithe of Infantry Regiments from his PDF to the Imperial Guard, claiming that he needed these men to defend his own holdings. Eventually, this matter escalated until Auximus sat at the center of a small pocket empire of several worlds. The Dawn Lords 3rd Battle Company made landfall in a combined drop pod, jump pack, and teleportation strike to capture a critical space port near the capital hive city. Leading the way with siege dreadnoughts and boarding shields, the last resistance was crushed at significant loss to mortal forces and Astartes alike.

Note: *The Auximus Campaign saw the loss of approximately 250 to 350 battlebrothers and it is estimated that the Dawn Lords were reduced to about half strength. No records tell of what befell them in the 200 years between this campaign and the Fall of Cadia and subsequent formation of the Cicatrix Maledictum.*

The Dawn Lords were re-founded shortly after the commencement of the Indomitus Crusade. Awakened en masse from their cryosleep by the servants of Belisarius Cawl, the 1,000 Primaris Astartes were given two primary missions. First, the newly re-founded Chapter was to serve as a pioneer force for the four major Battle Groups of Fleet Secondus. Fleet Command needed to be apprised of Archenemy force strengths and dispositions wherever possible, but traditional reconnaissance elements were being lost without signal. Second, the Dawn Lords worked to identify nodes of enemy strength, pockets of Imperial resistance, and opportunities to score quick victories with raids or rapid assaults.

As a reflection of the Chapter's near permanent dispersion to four major Battle Groups within Fleet Secondus, the Dawn Lords developed what would become known as the Themata system. Each Themata is a semi-permanent task force combining a Battle Company with a Reserve Company. The 1st Veteran Company and 10th Reconnaissance Company were likewise dispersed to lend counsel and strength to each of the Battle Groups. A core of Veteran battle brothers remains as the High Khagan's Honor Guard.

## Notable Campaigns

Due to the Chapter's role as a pioneer force, the Dawn Lords were often not present at the major battles of Fleet Secondus - or perhaps were there only in small numbers in a secondary capacity.

- Irasmus Themata: the Bastioch Push, containing the 2nd and 6th Companies with detachments from the 1st and 10th Companies

- Betaris Themata: the Hydraphur Push, containing the 3rd and 7th Companies with detachments from the 1st and 10th Companies

- Lambdax Themata: Nachmund Rift War and the subsequent Defense of the Sanctus Wall, containing the 4th and 8th Companies with detachments from the 1st and 10th Companies

- Justus Themata: the Armageddon Advance,containing the 5th and 9th Companies with detachments from the 1st and 10th Companies

## Chapter Organisation

### Officer Ranks

The Dawn Lords Chapter ranks are reflective of the Ultima Founding and the Chapter itself is *Codex*-compliant except for the Themata system and a few other modifications in titles. The Dawn Lords Chapter's leadership is structured as follows;

* **High Khagan** (Chapter Master)- Senior-most Khagan and Master of the Gloriae Illustrata. The High Khagan is elected from amongst their former peers in a conclave, though the senior-most candidate is often selected. Typically they will remain with one of the Themata Battle Groups, although they have the authority to assemble the whole Chapter or tailored Strike forces if necessary.
* **Khagan** (Captain) - Commands his Company and his ship in all things. The Chapter has eleven Khagans - one each per company and one serving as the Chapter Master. The Battle Company Khagan serves as Themata Commander, taking precedence over the less experienced Reserve Company Khagan.
* Decanus (Lieutenant) - Leads a demi-company. Receives direction from the Khagan and guides his squads to victory.

### Senior Specialist Ranks

Although the post of High Khagan transfers between the four Themata Khagans by election, there is a permanent Chapter Staff which provides continuity. These are;

* **Reclusiarch** (senior Chaplain, elected from amongst the Patriarchs of the Companies).
* **Chief Apothecary** (senior elected from amongst his peers, much like the Reclusiarch)
* **Chief Storm Speaker** (senior elected from amongst his peers)
* **Master of the Forge** (senior elected from amongst his peers)
* **Chapter Ancient** - Chapter Standard Bearer equivalent. Selected by the High Khagan by merit.
* **Chapter Champion.** Selected by the High Khagan by merit. Leads the Chapter Honour Guard.
* **Honour Guard**. A specially selected Veteran corps from amongst the 1st Company. These elite are frequently equipped in Relic Cataphractii Terminator armor but this varies based on the battlefield.

### Specialist Ranks

* **Chaplain** ('*Patriarch*', another honorific).
* **Apothecary**
* **Storm Speaker** - Librarian equivalent.
* **Techmarine**
* **Company Ancient** ('Great Sergeant', another honorific) - those Sergeants who have proven their great leadership potential are selected to bear the company banners. Selection is based on merit first, and by seniority second. This assignment has the additional benefit of providing command experience by observation.
* Patriarch (Chaplain) - Responsible for the spiritual welfare of the Company.
* **Champion** (Lieutenant) - The Champion may lead detachments if additional splitting of forces is required in a campaign. Generally, their role is to defend the Khagan with their life.

### Line Ranks

* **Veteran Sergeant** - Leads Khev'tuul Guard (1st Company Veterans). Occasionally attached to Battle Line, Close Support or Fire Support squads where their experience can benefit the whole Chapter.
* **Sergeant** - Commands a squad or a combat-squad. Oftentimes selected from amongst those that have achieved veterancy (including the Khev'tuul Guard). Selection is determined by the Command Squad sitting as a committee, with the Khagan granted veto power.
* **Battle-Brother**
* **Scout Marine**
* **Neophyte**
* **Aspirant**

### Specialist Units & Formations

* **The Storm Speakers** - Storm Speakers are the Librarius of the Dawn Lords Chapter (much like their elder cousins in the White Scars). Their role is to leverage their psychic might against the Imperium’s enemies. Away from the battlefield, they act as Guardians of the Code. There are always two Stormspeakers per Themata (one per Company), and this is maintained by cross-loading psychically gifted neophytes between companies. There must always be a pair to ensure that those with psychic powers can be monitored (both for each other, and for other battle brothers who may be minorly gifted).

* **Sagyar Mazan**: Like many White Scar successors, the Dawn Lords have a strict sense of honor. Violation of the Code within the chapter has consequences. The Dawn Lords punish failures or lapses in discipline by denoting the offenders as “Sagyar Mazan”. Similar to the Legion practice of old, the Sagyar Mazan are suicide troops assigned a difficult task they must achieve to restore their standing within the chapter. Successful completion of their assignment enables them to remove the crossed lightning of penance, although this is a rare achievement in practice. Sagyar Mazan are the only brothers to be interred within a Dreadnought chassis, as their shame means they cannot die without making every effort to achieve their task. This means that there are relatively few Dreadnoughts in the Dawn Lords at any time.

* **Khevtuul Guard**: Each Themata has a veteran contingent from the Veteran 1st Company. Known as the Khevtuul Guard, this elite corps acts as advisors for leadership and shocktroops in battle. Khevtuul membership requires honorable standing with the Code and veterancy status. These veterans typically fight as Blade Guard Veterans or Stern Guard equivalents, although they may use whatever weapons are appropriate for the circumstance, even wearing Terminator armor.

### Order of Battle

Themata System: The Dawn Lords Chapter operates in a permanent division into four groupings. Each Battle Company has a semi-permanently assigned Reserve Company (2nd/6th, 3rd/7th, 4th/8th, 5th/9th) and a detachment from both the 1st Veteran and 10th Reconnaissance Companies. The Reserve Companies are not dedicated to a single role but rather have four Battle Line Squads, three Close Support and three Fire Support Squads.

As an extension of this strategy, each of the four Themata of the Dawn Lords maintains the crucial elements and armaments necessary to support themselves (such as Techmarine, Apothecary, Chaplain, a Stormspeaker pairing, and a complement of neophytes). Likewise, the High Khagan is merely the senior Captain; he alone has the authority to recall the companies when the entirety of the Dawn Lords is needed to address a threat. The High Khagan generally travels with the Chapter senior Specialist Staff, Honor Guard, and one of the Themata (depending on the needs of Fleet Secondus' campaigns). The Veteran Company is dispersed evenly to the four Themata with a subset kept in reserve as the High Khagan's Honor Guard. Likewise, the 10th Scout Company is dispersed under the tutelage of the Patriarchs to support each Themata's reconnaissance needs while providing live-fire training opportunities for the Chapter's novitiates.

Each Battle Company possesses the following;

* Command Squad: Khagan, two Decanus, a Stormspeaker, a Company Ancient, a Company Apothecary, the Company Champion, Techmarine, Patriarch, and two Company Veterans.
* Khev'tuul Guard: Elite veterans serve as the shocktroop honor guard of the Company. Number attached varies at the discretion of the High Khagan.
* Scout Detachment: Novitiates and Reconnaissance specialists evenly distributd from the 10th Company.
* 6x Battle Line Squads.
* 4x Specialist Squads. Two of these serve as close support and the other two serve as fire support.
* Armoury. Every Themata has enough vehicles to deploy as a completely mechanized force using the Reserve Company brothers as crew. Each Themata's armoury reflects their preferences and the culture which has developed since the start of the Indomitus Crusade. Vehicles are normally painted with it's assigned Squad designation.
* Attachments. Dreadnoughts, Neophyte Scout Squads, Combat Servitors, and modular fortifications all have their place in every Themata. Typically, Reserve Company brothers not operating vehicles will remain in orbit to defend capital ships and provide orbital support.

## Combat Doctrine

The chapter prefers to conduct mobile and heavily armored assaults to engage the enemy at close range from multiple directions. These elements can operate alone or converge in a coordinated attack from all sides.

## Chapter Culture & Beliefs

Understandably, the fact that each Themata task force recruits and trains their own Astartes independently (combined with the wide-ranging deployments befitting a pioneer formation) means that each has a sub-culture of it’s own. This causes friction between Companies, especially after the death of a respected High Khagan. The Chapter is bound, however, by a strict honor code which specifies both personal behavior and relationships between the Themata are based on battle honors. Of course, this means that the second company is not elevated above the third (and so on) and that relative prestige can rise and fall based on the merits of the brothers in service. For this reason, the violation of the Code is extremely serious because it can change the strategic direction of the chapter for decades. Astartes who fail their Company are given the title ‘Sagyar Mazan’. In penance, they are assigned a task to accomplish by the Stormspeakers to restore their honor. The Khev'tuul Guard serve as paragons for the honorable standards of the Code and swear an oath not to influence the direction of the Chapter for any reason other than to enforce these standards. Therefore, selection for Khev'tuul membership or the Storm Speakers requires setting aside opinions on the Chapter's strategic direction.

Fleet Secondus Historitors have identified a few commonalities across the wide-ranging Themata cultures. The Dawn Lords have a propensity for aesthetic armor modifications. Experienced Sergeants heavily decorate their helms with golden plating, studs, or mammalian hair top knots. Astartes of all ranks value relic wargear and especially seek older First Born items with which to upgrade their MkX armor. Astartes who often find themselves in close-quarters combat roles accentuate their armor with ritual metallic spikes.

## Chapter Recruitment

The Dawn Lords recruit from any suitable world they pass. Once the recruits pass their initial trials the Themata Chaplains are tasked with leading the neophytes– shaping body and soul into full Astartes. Neophytes typically serve as scouts or crew for the many vehicles within the Dawn Lords vehicle pool. Here they are protected by armor and guided by some of the best the Company has to offer.

## Notable Members

* **High Khagan Theodoric Amal**: Originally the Khagan of 2nd Company. After the losses incurred on Lalakaon, he was elevated by his peers to serve as High Khagan. In battle, Theodoric presents a fearsome force bedecked in his artificer Saturnine pattern tactical dreadnought armor and a black-furred xenos beast's pelt. He wields a storm bolter and a fearsome double-headed power axe inlaid with carved golden dragons.

* **Khagan Bohemond Nisephor**: Rising through the ranks from line Astartes, Bohemond has proven himself in battle as an astute officer and devastating combatant. Within the Dawn Lords' 2nd Company, which he now commands (since the ascension of Theodoric Amal to High Khagan), Bohemond is known for his apparent good luck. On multiple occasions he has taken victory from the jaws of defeat . In battle, he is most often equipped with an artificer Mk X power armor suit modified with a relic jump pack and iron halo. He wields a Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield.

* **Heraclius Otana**: Formerly a Veteran Sergeant, Heraclius' flawless combat record was ruined when his Vanguard Veterans Squad was unable to respond to a Word Bearers counterattack on the Shrine World of Sarcen VI. Heraclius had chosen a target of opportunity instead of following the original mission plan, leading to possibly preventable deaths of 4th Squad, 2nd Company. Heraclius' attempted rescue lead to his mortal wounding and subsequnet internment into a Brutalis chassis to serve even in death as Sagyar Mazan until 4th Squad has a brother reach veteran status.

* **Sergeant Alexios Angal**: Sergeant of 4th Squad, 2nd Company. Angal was recently promoted from the line (formerly of 5th Squad) and is currently the youngest Sergeant in the company. Sergeant Angal received acclaim at the battle for Sarcen VI's spaceport, where he simultaneously defeated two Word Bearers in combat with his relic blade. He is famous as a master swordsman whose skill surpasses his relative inexperience, and his calm under pressure coupled with his heroics have marked him as a candidate for higher commands. 4th Squad is just as inexperienced as their leader, having all been raised up from the Scouts together after the previous brothers of 4th Squad were slain on Sarcen VI.
* Of note, Sergeant Angal habitually embellishes his armor with a bloody handprint taken from the gore of the first kill in each engagement. The Patriarchs have noticed both his reckless charisma and his deviation from established practices with some disquiet. Conversely, the sole Dreadnought of 2nd Themata has taken note, as well, seeing a little of himself in the young Sergeant.

## Chapter Fleet

Each company can draw on various escorts and supply ships, as well. The below is the Command ship for each Company (Themata).

**Command Battle Barge (Flagship): *Gloriae Illustrata***

**1st Company (Strike Cruiser): *At First Light***

**2nd Company (Strike Cruiser): *Amber Clad***

**3rd Company (Heavy Cruiser): *Ortus Lumina***

**4th Company (Heavy Cruiser): *Calamus Rex***

**5th Company (Gladius-class Frigate): *Equites Machaera***

**6th Company (Nova-class Frigate): *Aurora Bellicosa***

**7th Company (Gladius-class Frigate): *Sagittar***

**8th Company (Gladius-class Frigate): *Ursa Turbata***

**9th Company (Strike Cruiser): *Undying Light***

**10th Company (Gladius-class Frigate): *Praebari Aeterna***

## Chapter Relics

The Dawn Lords have recovered an assortment of Relics throughout their campaigning alongside Fleet Secondus. Power armor helms of an older mark are most prized, and it's not uncommon for veterans or officers to ornament their equipment, ostensibly under the supervision of their Techmarine.

Most notable amongst the accumulated panopolies within the Themata armories are the eleven black suits of Relic Tactical Dreadnought armor recovered from a Space Hulk during the Indomitus Crusade. These suits, ten of the Cataphractii pattern and one of the ancient Saturnine pattern, are worth more than parts of the Chapter's fleet and are only deployed in the most apocalyptic of battles. Typically, these are reserved for the High Khagan and his Khev'tuul Honour Guard. Now featuring the Dawn Lords' colors, these mysterious terminator suits are mainly equipped for close quarters action. However, a variety of relic terminator weapons have been found and occasionally find use.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

The Dawn Lords' power armour, like their indirect First Founding progenitors, is predominantly white with portions of it painted orange, including the backpack, top of the helmet, cuirass (chest armour) and the shoulder pauldron trim. Like their genetic forebears, the Dawn Lords also make use of imagery in the form of jagged lightning bolt designs, specifically, to use for squad identification. In addition, the Dawn Lords display their squad marking on their poleyns (knee guards) or greaves (lower leg armour) as opposed to showing them on their armorials. The deviations from Codex compliant unit markings is an homage to the lost Firstborn Dawn Lords. It was also thought that a reunion (however unlikely) would be made simpler should the lost chapter be found to have survived.

The Dawn Lords make use of *Codex*-proscribed, black coloured squad specialist symbols on their right armorial insets (Fire Support, Close Support, Battleline, Veteran or Command). The Chapter's iconography is prominently displayed on their left armorial inset.

Squad markings are typically displayed on the right poleyn. In each company there are, at any given time, ten squads of up to ten warriors apiece. Traditionally, each Company's most experienced brothers will be placed into the lower numbered Squads. Consequently, Company Officers display the 1st Squad marking on their right poleyn, although this may vary. Likewise, the Chapter's Honor Guard all bear the 1st Squad poleyn mark despite standing apart from (although commonly fighting alongside) the Veteran 1st Company

While each company has their own specific customs and markings, the Dawn Lords as a whole favour the wear of furs and skulls from hunts across a dozen wworlds. Spikes are frequently added to wargear, particularly in close assault units like Assault Terminators and Assault Intercessors.

#### Armorials

Line Astartes wear white coloured armorial insets with orange trim. To identify squad specialists (Hellblasters, Aggressors, Inceptors, ect), their armorial insets are painted black in colour. Command (Officers, Stromspeakers [Librarians], Chaplains, Apothecaries and Ancients) also have black insets (normally, but not always, with gold coloured trim based on their veterancy status). Those relegated to the ranks of the '*Sagyar Mazan*' can be identified by their all-orange coloured shoulder pauldrons.

#### Helmets & Markings

Sergeants and Chapter officers can be identified by their white coloured helmets. The only exception is a Captain, who can be identified by a black helmet with white faceplates, a vertical orange stripe painted on the forehead. Sergeants and other Chapter officers often wear heavily modified helms reminiscent of ancient Mark III 'Iron' pattern helmets.

Veterans typically wear non-standard helmets crafted with great artistry. This tradition of displaying prestige is common amongst the primitive tribes found on several worlds from which the Chapter recruits.

### Chapter Badge

The Dawn Lords Chapter iconography consists of a black coloured crossed jagged lightning bolt and arrow, centered upon a field of white. Specialists and veterans wear opposite colours, with the Chapter icon being white and their insets being black in colour.

## Notable Quotes

### About the Dawn Lords

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