Crimson Hounds

Crimson Hounds armorial with Chapter iconography.

Crimson Hounds Primaris Intercessor, unknown company.

### **Specialty**

Shock Assault, Close-Quarters Actions (Boarding Operations, Line-Breaker Attacks, 'Forlorn Objective' Assaults), High-Mobility Warfare; High Vehicle Use (tanks, flyers, bikes and dreadnoughts)

### Successor Chapter(s)

None

The 23rd Founding, the so-called 'Sentinel Founding', occurred during a period when the Imperium was hurting for Adeptus Astartes. They had lost a lot of Chapters in the previous centuries due to the dire events surrounding the Age of Apostasy and the disaster of the ill-fated 21st 'Cursed' Founding. The Imperium was being pressured by its enemies so the need for battle-hungry marines was pressing and to push back the rising tide of xenos. Thus the Sentinel Founding occurred.

Possessing all the hallmarks of one of the Sentinel Chapters, the Crimson Hounds are known to be restless and possess a strong crusader's zeal. The Founding is filled with Crusade Chapters that plunged into the battlefields of the far future almost as soon as they were created, and never stopped fighting; the Crimson Hounds know this all but too well. Ever since their Founding, the Crimson Hounds have had a reputation as being stoic while absolutely savage in their techniques as a Space Marine Chapter - one that throws itself into battle without hesitation and emerges victorious in spite of overwhelming odds. They seem to be steadfast in a stoic manner; then utilize a fast attack technique that focuses on utilizing vehicles, with savage hand-to-hand combat utilizing dreadnoughts.

## Chapter History

The Crimson Hounds are a secretive chapter with much of their early Imperial records lost during the Age of Apostasy. Some see similarities in the culture to the Ultramarines and their Successors the Emperor Spears; while others note the high use of techmarines, chaplains and vehicles with plasma to other chapters. The Crimson Hounds use and love of technology and machinery has won the eye and support of the Mechanicum. They are not as far as the Iron Hands in their goal of human augmentation, but the Mechanicum connects with the Crimson Hounds on their constant research and development of improved vehicles and weaponry.

## Chapter Home World

Valcarium is the homeworld of the Crimson Hounds chapter, located in the Ultima Segmentum. The Ocean Planet is surrounded by an asteroid ring which creates a high level of natural protection and colossal electromagnetic storms which conversely cause the worlds surface to constantly be storm-wracked. The surface is incredibly hazardous with the massive sea storms and cold temperatures. The raw landscape comprises of a system of isles, enormous cliffs surrounding highlands and frozen mountain ranges with forests at the bases. If the raw landscape does not kill the average human the horrifying creatures roaming above and below its surface certainly will. The harsh environment breeds strong people, perfect for recruitment into the Crimson Hounds.

The Ocean Planet is on the verge of becoming a feudal planet, however, due to the waring of the tribes on the isles seems to always teeter back into a feral planet.

## Chapter Organization

### Order of Battle

**Fortress-Monastery** - **Áth na Fuinseoige -** A large castle that sits at the base of the highest mountain, with passages that spiral through the inside of the mountain to the very top, where the keep sits atop the mountain.

## Chapter Combat Doctrine

The Crimson Hounds are a fairly pragmatic Chapter of Astartes, for they sought to cause maximum attrition amongst the foe whilst minimizing their own casualties  through use of speed in vehicles and overwhelming firepower. The Crimson Hounds are known for their hunger for battle and ability to be stoic right until the very moment they unleash their attack with savagery, speed and tactical prowess toward the enemy, along with their primordial desire to be the last men standing in any fight.

## Chapter Culture & Beliefs

The Chapter has close ties with the Mechanicum as they see the use of machinery and tech facinating. They constantly study and develop new variations of weapons and vehicles that best suit them. If technology and machinery can do it better, the Crimson Hounds will utilize it; for them why have hundreds or thousands of men die when a machine can crush through the enemy.

Some of the veteran marines keep the hounds from their homeworld and can be seen fiercely fighting by their side. The hounds are the only connection to things more human and connected with nature, as the Crimson Hounds Astartes stoic and cold logic are at the core of who they are. They value the hounds unflinching loyalty, stoicism and efficiency in battle. Many outsides wonder how the hounds are connected to the Astartes, and to answer that we must understand the tribes on their home world of Valcarium. There are warrior trials within the tribes, and one is to tame a hound. If the warrior is successful the hound and warrior are bonded for life. Even after a warrior is selected to become an Astartes the hounds will seek them out, and the Astartes feels their call.

Some Astartes keep their hounds as pure hounds with minor upgrades like adamantium teeth, or cyberoptic eyes, others go though enhancements to enlarge them, and some go as far to make full cyborgs.

## Chapter Recruitment

The Crimson Hounds recruit off of their homeworld. Their home world, Valcarium, is a storm-wracked planet filled with isles that have high cliffs and highlands covered in a crimson like grass. The archipelago system has many waring tribes that constantly struggle for power over the majority of the isles. These tribes tame the local hounds to hunt with them; and taming the hounds is no small feat. The few feudal lords that have tried to claim control and a sense of peace and trace on the planet recognize the tribes and hounds as some of the fiercest, loyal, and respectful counterparts on the planet. The tribes hunters must go through ritualistic rites where they earn the respect and loyalty of one of the hounds. Once they bond with one of the hounds they are bonded for life.

The Astartes will choose the fiercest, most strategic leaders and warriors to become an Crimson Hound. The tribes look as becoming an Astartes as the ultimate ideal and have a comfortable respect for the Crimson Hounds, as their Fortress Monastery is on the planet atop the highest mountain.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

The Crimson Hounds are from an unknown gene seed and continue to search for their lost history. Their high amount of chaplain and techmarines study and research endlessly for answers. Some have inklings as to who their primarch may be, but there is no definitive answer yet.

Their gene-seed seems to be vary stable, yet their connection to the hounds of their home planet has caused the imperium to question certain things, however, after testing there seems to be no issues or link to the canis helix of the Space Wolves.

## Notable Members

Malachy Gildea - Lord (Captain)

Finn Houndstooth - Veteran

Duncan Fallsight - Librarian

Kiu Shulainn - Company Champion

## Chapter Appearance

This is where the Crimson Hounds differ slightly from the codex. They only display which company they are in by the right knee guard, not using the should pad trim like most Codex compliant chapters, while using the left knee guard to add their own personal heraldry from their clan.

### Chapter Colors

The Crimson Hounds primarily wear black power armour with the right arm and backpack being crimson red. The Aquila or Imperialis affixed to their plastron (chest guard) is gold in color.

#### Company Colors

Company colors are displayed on the right poleyn (knee guards), which are as follows:

* **1st Company** - White
* **2nd Company** - Yellow
* **3rd Company** - Red
* **4th Company** - Green
* **5th Company** - Black
* **6th Company** - Orange
* **7th Company** - Purple
* **8th Company** - Silver
* **9th Company** - Blue
* **10th Company** - No color , only the Chapters black poleyns.

#### Specialist Markings

A large white colored squad specialist symbol stenciled on the right armorial inset denotes a battle-brother's assigned tactical role – Battleline, Close Support, Fire Support, Veteran or Command.

### Chapter Badge

The Crimson Hounds Chapter badge consists of a large white customized hound's head centered upon a field of black.

 White Scars Successors
 Space Wolves Successors
 Imperial Fists Successors
 Blood Angels Successors
 Salamanders Successors
 Raven Guard Successors
 Chimeric Lineage
 Unknown Lineage
 Renegades

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