Celestial Knights

Celestial Knights armorial with chapter iconography.

Celestial Knights Veteran in Mk IV Power Armour

The **Celestial Knights** are a fleet-based Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. The Chapter was created during the 2nd Founding from an unknown progenitor. They are notable for their rapid assault tactics, quickly getting into the action and enveloping their foes with a torrent of bolter fire and the revving of chainswords.

## Chapter History

### Foundations

Founded in the 2nd Founding as a successor of the Imperial Fists legion, the Celestial Knights was formed and granted its recruitment world of Ankar. It is said the Rogal Dorn gifted Aurelius, first chapter master of the Celestial Knights, the *Celestial Blade* and the Battle Barge *Redemption* at the time of the chapter's founding. Unlike most chapters, the Celestial Knights was founded with only 200 space marines rather than the standard 1000 with the reason behind it unknown.

### The Hunt for Gold

"Gold" is an unknown substance or material that seems to be of great interest for the chapter. Relegated as a duty of the 1st Company, the Celestial Knights go to great lengths to acquire said "gold" whenever it is discovered or rumored to be in an area akin to the hunting of the Fallen by the Dark Angels. The chapter is tight-lipped when it comes to the subject, not saying much other than the importance of its acquisition.

### The Great Rift

The chapter was not present on Cadia during its fall and was stranded in Imperium Nihilus after the formation of the Great Rift. The Celestial Knights were hit hard after the formation of the Great Rift, as they were beset by daemons and traitor astartes alike. The chapter eventually makes the jump throuh the Nachmund Gauntlet to return to Imperium Sanctus and their recruitment world of Ankar to regain numbers and rejoin the fight against chaos.

### The Primaris

The Celestial Knights welcomed the primaris into the chapter without question. Unpredictable and untested, the firstborn of the chapter saw these primaris marines with suspicion of their capabilities. Chpater Master Aurelius Lunus took a keen interest in the primaris as he saw them as a great asset to the chapter. To gain the trust of the firstborn, Aurelius Lunus crossed the Rubicon Primaris, showing the firstborn that they indeed can be trusted. Many battle brothers followed the chapter master in crossing the Rubicon Primaris however a stubborn few refuse to cross.

## Notable Campaigns

* **War of the Beast (544-546.M32)** - The War of the Beast was the first major campaign taken on by the Celestial Knights. The Celestial Knights joined the Black Templars and other Imperial Fists successor Chapters on the attack against the greenskins' massive attack moon in orbit over Terra which left the Celestial Knights battered. The battered Chapter would also join Imperial forces on the Second Invasion of Ullanor. After the campaign's resolution, the Chapter was reduced to a quarter strength. The Celestial Knights returned to Ankar and starting recruiting to recover their losses. When an insufficient amount of aspirants volunteered to service, the Celestial Knights resorted to forcibly taking Ankarians and pyscho-indoctrinating them into loyal members of the Chapter.

* **1st Siege of Ankar (769-770.M33)** - The Celestial Knights received a call to arms from Knight House Celestion as the Drukhari lay siege to Ankar and its system. As the Celestial Knights enters the system, their fleet is engaged by the Drukhari fleet that anticipated their entrance. Initial attempts to drop Marines onto Ankar were met with failure however, the 2nd, 5th, and 8th Companys were eventually able to make it planetside and assist House Celestion and Planetary Defense forces fend off the enemy. The tide turns as a Salamanders' fleet arrives into the system, hearing the call for aid sent by the Celestial Knights. The remaining Celestial Knights' forces were able to make planetfall with the assistance of the Salamanders and the 1st Company, led by Chapter Master Aurelius Magnus, decimated the Drukhari forces in a bloody and decisive battle. After the Celestial Kngiths' victory, Drukhari forces retreated and left the system.

* **The Pale Wasting (ca. Late M34)** - The Celestial Knights' involvement during The Pale Wasting is unknown as records of the event have been censored or purposefully destroyed. The Celestial Knights' own chronicles make no mention about their involvement during the campaign except that they have acquired the *Finis Umbra*, a battleship of unknown design that is believed to have originated from the Dark Age of Technology. The Chapter suffered heavy losses during The Pale Wasting but as to precisely how many is unknown. The losses incurred was enough to warrant the forcible recruitment of Ankarian citizens like they did before during the War of the Beast.

## Chapter Homeworld

The Chapter's Homeworld of Ankar is Feudal World located in the Segmentum Solar near its border to Segmentum Tempestus. The World is also the Homeworld of Imperial Knight House Celestion which holds political authority of the planet. The Celestial Knights have been granted by the High King of House Celestion a Fortified Stronghold from which to conduct Chapter business planetside with the expectation that the Chapter will come to the planet's aid should it be attacked.

## Chapter Organization

The Celestial Knights Chapter is separated into Companys (company equivalent) which is one veteran Company, eight battle Companys, and one scout Company. As of the Ultima Founding, the Chapter has integrated Primaris units within each of the Companys.

### Command Ranks

* **Chapter Master**
* **Captain**
* **Lieutenant**
* **Reclusiarch** (Master of Sanctity)
* **Chief Apothecary** (Master of the Apothecarion)
* **Chief Librarian** (Master of the Librarium)
* **Master of the Forge** (Senior Techmarine, Master of the Armorium)

### Specialist Ranks

* **Chaplain**
* **Apothecary**
* **Librarian**: (Lexicaniums, Codiciers, & Epistolaries)
* **Techmarine**
* **Ancient**
* **Chapter Champion**

### Line Ranks

* **Veteran Sergeant**
* **Veteran**
* **Sergeant**
* **Battle-Brother**

### Order of Battle

#### Companies

**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Veteran Squads**
**Dreadnoughts** | **Captain**
**Gnaeus Pompey**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**
**Dreadnoughts** | **Captain** **Julius Sulla**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**
**Dreadnoughts** | **Captain**
**Marcus Hadrianus**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**
**Dreadnoughts** | **Captain**
**Cassius Antony**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**

**Indram Cain**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**
**Dreadnoughts** | **Captain**
**Marius Scipio**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**
**Dreadnoughts** | **Captain**
**(To Be Named)**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**
**Dreadnoughts** | **Captain**
**(To Be Named)**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**
**Dreadnoughts** | **Captain**
**(To Be Named)**
**Lieutenant**
**Command Squad ( Ancient, Apothecary, Chaplain, Techmarine & Lexicanium)**
**Tactical Squads**

## Chapter Recruitment

The Celestial Knights recruit from the common citizenry of Ankar. Citizens of Ankar may volunteer to join the Celestial Knights however, the Chapter will and has taken aspirants by force should the need for new Battle-Brothers be urgent enough. This has only ever happened twice in the Chapter's history during the War of the Beast and The Pale Wasting. Nobles are exempt from recruitment in this way as they make up the families of Knight House Celestion. However, nobles can and have joined the ranks of the Celestial Knights on their own accord.

## Chapter Beliefs

The chapter adheres to the Imperial Truth as laid out by the Emepror of Mankind during the Great Crusade.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

The Gene-Seed of the Celestial Knights was originally believed to be that of Imperial Fists origin. This was later refuted when it was discovered that the Chapter's members had functioning Betcher's Gland and Sus-an Membrane organs. Due to no other genetic flaws characteristic of particular Chapters are present, it is believed that the true origins of the Celestial Knights Chapter lie with either the Ultramarines or Dark Angels Chapters or their successors.

## Combat Doctrine

The combat doctrine of the Celestial Knights comprises of adapting to enemy tactics. Squads within the Chapter's companies are trained to use each weapon in their arsenal making them malleable, conforming to whatever formations are needed in a particular campaign. When fighting alongside allies, they adapt their tactics to best compliment their allied force.

## Deathwatch Service

The Celestial Knights host a tournament akin to the Feast of Blades to determine who amongst them will gain the privilege to join the Deathwatch. Battle-Brothers fight amongst one another until one emerges victorious amongst all his brothers. This Battle-Brother is given ceremonial honors before being sent to the Deathwatch and fulfill the tithe with honor and valor.

## Notable Members

* **Chapter Master Aurelius** - Founder and first chapter master of the Celestial Knights. Aurelius was as survivor of the Iron Cage and was one of the captains that would form a space marine Chapter upon the Imperial Fists adoption and adherence of the *Codex Astartes*. In honor of Aurelius' deeds and extensive service to the Imperium and the Chapter, Chapter Masters take on the name Aurelius in addition to a cognomen upon ascending to the esteemed position.
* **Mordred Vass** - former chapter champion and longest living Battle-Brother of the Chapter, serving the chapter till his death at 1087 years of age.
* **Chapter Master Aurelius Magnus** - Third chapter master of the Celestial Knights. Defended Ankar against the Drukhari during the 1st Siege of Ankar. Aurelius Magnus was mortally wounded while while on campaign and was interred into a Contemptor Dreadnought chassis.
* **Crassus Morian** - Former captain of the 1st Company. Massive in size and stature, he could only wear terminator armour as it was the only suit of power armour that could support his big frame. Crassus fought alongside Chapter Master Aurelius Magnus during the 1st Siege of Ankar which left him mortally wounded. He was interred into Leviathan Dreadnought chassis so that he may still serve the chapter.
* **Chapter Master Aurelius Lunus** - Former chapter master of the Celestial Knights. The first chapter master to cross the rubicon primaris. Was slain while covering the retreat of his chapter from a world infested with Orks. His body and wargear were later recovered left on a altar intact and undisturbed by their foe for an unknown reason.

## Chapter Fleet

* ***Finis Umbra*** (Battleship) - Flagship and Fortress Monastery of the Celestial Knights. The *Finis Umbra* is Battleship of unknown design believed to have been made during the Dark Age of Technology and was acquired by the Celestial Knights in the Ghoul Stars during the Pale Wasting.
* ***Redemption*** (Battle Barge) - Gifted to the Celestial Knights by the Imperial Fists upon its founding. It served as the Fortress Monastery of the Celestial Knights until the discovery and acquisition of the *Finis Umbra*.
* 2 Battle Barges
* 2 Battleships
* 6 Cruisers
* 4 Strike Cruisers

## Chapter Relics

* ***The Celestial Blade*** - Legendary amongst the Celestial Knights, it is the symbol of the Chapter Master's authority and command they hold within the Chapter. Gifted to Chapter Master Aurelius personally by Rogal Dorn, it is now the mark of office that is passed down to each Chapter Master by their predecessor. The blade shines a golden glow while wielded and is a ray of light upon the darkness of the battlefield.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

The Celestial Knights wear primarily white power armor with gold trim. Gold is also present on the knee and elbow plates and on the backpack. Black is present on the chestplate, squad markings and the Chapter iconography.

### Chapter Badge

The Celestial Knights' Badge is a black and winged sword within a black sun upon a field of white.

## Relations

### Allies

* **Knight House Celestion** - Sharing the world of Ankar, however strenuous at times, has been managed and both the Celestial Knights and House Celestion have kept good relations over the centuries.
* **Imperial Fists and Successors** - Although with the discovery of the Celestial Knights not truly being sons of Dorn, the Chapter has kept amicable relations with their former progenitor and successors.
* **Salamanders** - A friendship was established between the Celestial Knights and the Salamanders after the latter assisted the former during the 1st Siege of Ankar, an act that Celestial Knights will never forget.

### Enemies

* **The Black Legion** - The Celestial Knights have a great hatred for the Black Legion, targeting the warband specifically when they are within the same campaigns and whenever their fleets ever cross paths with one another.

* **Flesh Tearers** - Due to this Chapter's pension to cause great casualties upon their allies, the Celestial Knights refuse to work with the Flesh Tearers for any reason, seeing them as no better than the Khornate Berserkers.

## Notable Quotes

### By the Celestial Knights

"*They shall know no respite nor shall they find solace with their false gods. They shall only know death by the hands of the true and loyal sons of Mankind.*"
— Aurelius Lunus, referring to the Black legion.
"*Our founder, survivor of a slaughter amongst brothers and a massacre within a cage of iron, established our chapter to redeem our name in the eyes of the Emperor.*"
— Mordred Vass, recounting the founding of the chapter to new Battle Brothers.
### About the Celestial Knights

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

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