Ashen Heralds

Ashen Heralds armorial. Note: Bolts and meander decorations denote personal battle honors for valor.

Intercessor of the Ashen Heralds 2nd Host, Banner Primus of the 4th Great Banner. Runes on the left pauldron marks this Battle-Brother as having been initiated into the Promethian Cult of Nocturne.

## Space Marine Chapter

### **Allegiance**

Imperium of Man
(*Fedelitas Totalis*)

### **Founding**

Unknown
(Believed to be 3rd or 4th Founding)

### **Successor of**

Unknown
(Commonly believed to be Iron Hands Successors)

### **Homeworld**

N/A; Fleet based (Currently)
Collinus (Formerly; Destroyed)

### **Fortress-Monastery**

*Vengance Reborn* (Mobile Fortress-Monastery & Flagship)

### **Allies**

Salamanders, Knight Houses of Krania Secundus, and Forgeworld Gunlak

### **Specialty**

Bite and hold tactics. (Shock assault followed by rapid fortification).Rapid orbital bombardment and assault.

### Successor Chapter(s)

None

" *The green brutes have taken the bait, now bleed these xenos brothers! For the Emperor and His people, and by the Creed of Vulkan, let the ashes of this war clense the world!* "
— Chaplain Nicarus Melikid at the Defiance of Krania Tertium, ca. 874.M34
The **Ashen Heralds** are an ancient Chapter of Space Marines of unclear origin and descent. Active since before Abaddon the Despoiler's Third Black Crusade, the chapter’s long history of service has earned it a reputation for fielding pragmatic, stoic marines, intent on waging war on the foes of the Imperium with a cold fury. The earliest history of the Ashen Heralds is largely unknown, much information on them was lost in the wake of catastrophic losses against the forces of Chaos that left the chapter on the verge of extinction. Through the grace of the Salamanders chapter, which loaned veterans and officers to guide the few surviving Heralds in raising the next generation of neophytes, the chapter survived, and has gone on to wage war in the name of the Emperor for millennia.

## Chapter History

### Heralds of Vengance and Refounding

Originally known as the Heralds of Vengeance, the exact origins of the Ashen Heralds are unclear, and seemingly lost. The earliest records of the Ashen Heralds come from the last years of M32, when two companies of the Ashen Heralds took part in the defense of the Cadian Gate during the Third Black Crusade, suggesting the Chapter was formed in the 3rd or 4th foundings. These early accounts of the Ashen Heralds describe them as able warriors, but reclusive, cold, and remorseless, almost seeming to detest working closely with other Imperial forces. The lack of other records of the Chapter’s actions during M32 suggests that the Heralds of Vengeance preferred seeking out their own theaters of war in whatever campaigns they took part in.

Disaster struck the Ashen Heralds in mid M33, when the Collinus system, containing the homeworld of the Heralds, came under attack from a chaotic Warband of the Black Legion. This Warband descended upon the Ashen Heralds chapter fleet over their homeworld Collinus, intent on looting the gene vaults and armory of the chapter. The Chaos attack was well-timed, with the Heralds of Vengeance being understrength from other engagements. In the face of the enemy's superior force, the Heralds of Vengeance brought their fleet to bear and mounted a desperate defense both on their homeworld and in the void around it. The Heralds of Vengeance sought to draw the battle out, hoping to hold until Imperial reinforcements were able to reach the system. The chapter fleet engaged in hit-and-run engagements in the void around Collinus Secundus which, alongside the defense lasers of the Chapter Monastery, were able to deny the Black Legion a safe staging ground for orbital bombardment, so the battle devolved into a siege.

The Ashen Heralds were able to drag the battle out for almost a standard week, engaging in running battles in the void around Collinus Secundus. The Heralds were unable to turn the tide, however, as each piece of the void they yielded to the Black Legion opened the planet to devastating orbital bombardment, and their vessels were eliminated one by one, destroyed by enemy fire or falling silent after hours of grueling boarding actions. The conflict reached its climax when the chapter flagship, *Spiteful Retribution*, was finally destroyed, robbing the chapter of its high command. With the Black Legion fleet cornering the remaining Ashen Heralds vessels, two captains were all that remained of the Ashen Heralds commanders. One, Gelon Mandras took the battle barge *Might of Iron* and a skeleton crew consisting of most of the remaining astartes in a final assault against the Chaos fleet, while the other, Xenias Pavlack, seriously wounded, withdrew with the chapters remaining neophytes, and what was salvaged of its gene-seed stores and armory.

Captain Pavlack was able to lead the survivors to a neighboring system, where relief forces had started marshaling, including a large contingent of Salamanders. The Imperial Navy and Salamanders moved into the Collinus system, but only briefly clashed with the Black Legion’s rearguard, as the looting of the system was done, and all that remained of the Collinus system was ash. After this catastrophic loss, the Heralds of Vengeance under Pavlack petitioned the Salamanders for aid, and the Salamanders accepted, seconding veterans, officers, and chaplains to guide the next generation of the Ashen Heralds. Over the next few centuries, the chapter was rebuilt and some of its fleets were reconstructed. The strong influence the Salamanders had on raising the next generation of the chapter shifted its character, instilling the marines with the ideals of the Promethean Creed and Captain Pavlack, now Chapter Master declared the Heralds of Vengeance no more, and the Chapter was refounded as the Ashen Heralds. Since its refounding, the Ashen Heralds Chapter has waged war across the galaxy, defending the Imperium and its people across countless worlds. The Ashen Heralds have found a new recruiting world, Krania Tertium, and found staunch allies in the forge world of Gunlak, and its allied Knight world of Krania Secundus.

### Nomadic Hosts

Despite having earned a primary recruting world that could have been made into a homeworld, the Ashen Heralds chose to remain a fleet-based Chapter. Considering it their duty to defend the Imperium, not just a personal domain, the Ashen Heralds constructed a small fortress and recruiting center, left a token garrison, and returned in force to the void, to seek out any threats to the Emperor's realm. This period would see the Chapter cultivate a warrior culture on Krania Tertium, adopt its own formations, breaking with the organization of the Codex Astartes, and finally establish istelf in Imperial Records. The Ashen Herald's established the honorary office of Steward, granted to an Astartes wounded enough that their capacity to battle is damaged. This Space Marine serves as the Chapter's representative in the Krania system, and over multiple human generations the few astartes that occupied this post successfully established a system of trials for recruitment, and instilled a strong admiration for warriors in the culture of the world to encourage participation in the trials. As the Ashen Herald's forged Krania Tertium, so too did the Kranian sector mould the Ashen Heralds. As more Kranians were brought into the Chapter as recruits and serfs, and as the Chapter crusaded with knights from Krania Secundus, the culture began to impact the Heralds. As the Chapter began to reorganize into Hosts as opposed to companies, seeking to better compartmentalize their forces for their nomadic patrols, the Heralds slowly did away with Codex titles and ranks, adopting those traditionally used by Kranians. As the Ashen Heralds and their domain completed their transition into the forms they would become know for, the Chapter reclaimed the pre-Heresy vessle *Vengance Reborn* from the hull of a space hulk. This vessle was rebuilt by the Forgeworld Gunlak, and would provide the Ashen Heralds with a flagship of extraordinary power to serve as a Fortress-Monastery. With this new boost to their void capabilities, the Ashen Heralds would move across the stars, responding to distress calls with great alacrity. Rarely fighting as a whole Chapter the Ashen Heralds instead contributed small detachments to countless wars, earning a reputation as a minor, but ever present force of warriors guarding the Imperium.

### 13th Black Crusade & Indomitus Crusade

As the 13th Black Crusade loomed over the Cadian sector, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Hosts of the Ashen Heralds strained their voidcraft to reach Cadia, while the 3rd and 5th Hosts were dedicated to patrolling the Maelstrom, lest the Red Corsairs seek to strike while the Imperium's attention was turned to the Eye of Terror. To the Horror of the Ashen Heralds, Cadia fell before they arrived, and violent Warp storms forced them to turn back. Acting to counter the worst case scenario, Hetman of the Throne August Kroll turned his fleet back, and began navigating slowly to Terra in case it was in need of defense. The Ashen Heralds would encounter the lead elements of Fleet Primus of the Indomitus Crusade while in transit, learning of the Crusade, Guilliman's resurrection, and the Primaris. While Custodes of the 'Torch Bearer' elements would provide Primaris Space Marines to the Ashen Heralds Hetman Kroll would still be graced with an audience with the Primarch, before joining elements of Fleet Priums driving towards the Maelstrom. Eventually the primary Ashen Heralds fleet would reunite with other forces, brining the gift of Primaris to the last of the Chapter's Hosts. Since this reunification of the Chapter, the Ashen Heralds have embraced the Indomitus crusade in its fullest, throwing open their geen-vaults, lifting recruitment restrictions, and sailing the void as a complete force to battle for the Imperium's continued dominance over the galaxy.

## Chapter Recruting World

As a fleet-based Chapter, the Ashen Heralds lack an official homeworld upon which they reside, however they maintain sovereignty over their recruiting world of Krania Tertium. The Ashen Heralds use the planet as their primary source of recruits, and as a staging ground for marshaling forces. The chapter also maintains a small garrison that conveys edicts to the world's government and serves as emissaries to the Chapter's allies in the Kranian system. Krania Tertium itself is a Civilized world, of temperate climates and a population of just over 8 billion. The world as a whole is large and temperate if lacking any noteworthy natural resources. The smallest continent is maintained by the Ashen Heralds as a massive natural reserve, covered in dense, snowy forests and mountains, this region is used as a training ground for Aspirants, where the vast wilderness and unmolested wildlife serve as challenges to be overcome.

The Ashen Heralds came to control Krania Tertium in late M34, after it had endured the brunt of an Ork WAAAGH! that crippled the plant. The Ashen Heralds had played a pivotal role in defeating the Ork fleets and were offered stewardship of Krania Tertium in recognition of their actions in saving the world. Since receiving this fiefdom, the Ashen Heralds have made a constant effort to encourage the development of a martial culture on the planet. While the process took several centuries to take off, it was a success, and in the cities of Krania Tertium, academies are dedicated to training the youths of the planet in martial arts and survival skills, so that they might obtain the honors associated with finding some success in the recruitment trials of the Ashen Heralds.

### Chapter Recruitment

The Ashen Heralds recruit fresh manpower into their ranks using two distinct methods.

* **The Kranian Trials** - The Kranian Trials account for the majority of the new recruits that enter the service of the Ashen Heralds. Under normal circumstances, the trials are held every other year on the Ashen Heralds' recruiting world of Krania Tertium and are composed of a year-long training regime, consisting of exercises, combat tournaments, and hunting expeditions in the immense forests and mountains that the Heralds maintain for such purposes. These trials are overseen by Chapter serfs and a small number of Ashen Heralds that evaluate the aspirants as they go through the trials. As the trials progress, there are three outcomes for those that fail the trials without perishing to accidents, exposure and predators. Those that fail particularly early are dismissed in shame for having wasted the time of the overseers. Those that falter but were noted for their tenacity are sent home with honors, and often go on to obtain prestige the world’s PDF forces. Finally, those that falter far into the trials are recruited as serfs, while only those that pass the trials are allowed to become neophytes. The Krainian Trials also bear the distinction of allowing women and older men to participate, for while they have no opportunity to become Astartes, they have the potential to earn service within the chapter as serfs.

* **The Ashen Tithe** - The second method of recruitment, the Ashen Tithe is the process through which the Ashen Heralds, when engaged in harsh battle in population centers, will take children from families suffering from the combat. The Ashen Heralds believe that children that have endured the brutality of urban warfare or a siege without breaking will be tempered by the experience, and make ideal recruits. This recruitment method brings in relatively few new aspirants, but it is seen as a useful method to diversify the makeup of the Chapter.

## Chapter Organisation

The organization of the Ashen Heralds deviates from the *Codex Astartes* slightly, using idiosyncratic terms adopted from their recruiting world, dispersing veterans throughout the chapter as autonomous squads, and adding a rank of officers above a Codex Captain.

### Ranks

#### Chapter Command

* **Hetman of the Throne** - Chapter Master equivalent.
* **Grand Hetman** - Unique rank, commands two Hetmans.
* **Hetman** - Captain equivalent.
* **Herald**- Lieutenant equivalent.
* **Battlemaster**- Sergeant equivalent.

### Formations

* **Host** - The largest of the Chapter's units, Hosts are formations 200 marines strong commanded by a Grand Hetman, intended to be completely self-sufficient in patroling the Imperium and when prosecuting standard system engagements. The whole of the Ashen Wardens is made up of five such Hosts.
* **Great Banner** - A formation of 100 marines, Great Banners are comparable to the companies of Codex compliant chapters. Two Great Banners make up a Host and are commanded by a "Hetman."
* **Banner** - A formation of 40 marines, Banners are comparable to the demi-companies of Codex compliant chapters, if slightly smaller. Two Banners make up the bulk of a Great Banners forces and are commanded by a "Herald."
* **Lance** - A formation of 10 marines, Lances are comparable to a squad of a Codex compliant chapter. Four Lances make up a Banner and are led by a "Battlemaster."
* **Independent Lance** - A formation of 10 marines like a normal Lance, Independent Lances are made up of the elites and specialists of the Ashen Heralds. These lances have the same operational independence as a Banner, with two such Lances acting as independent components of a Great Banner alongside the two Banners that make up the majority of the manpower of the formation.

The Organization of the Ashen Heralds is designed so that Hosts can patrol the systems of the Imperium as a complete strike force while maintaining the capacity to quickly break down into smaller units to spread forces across systems if a large number of smaller battles require immediate support.

Additionally, the Ashen Heralds make no use of scouts in their battle formations, as these duties are taken up by Vanguard marines operating in Independent Lances. Neophytes are instead held in reserve until needed to fill the spot of a fallen astartes, only seeing combat before then in the worst-case scenario, the defense of the Ashen Heralds ships against overwhelming boarding assaults.

## Notable Campaigns

* **3rd Black Crusade - (909.M32):** When Abaddon's 3rd Black Crusade crashed against the Cadian Gate, two companies of the Ashen Heralds, then still known as the Heralds of Vengeance, responded to defend Cadia. While the Heralds played a minor role in the fighting, this campaign is notable as the first appearance of the Heralds of Vengeance in standard Imperial Records. During the fighting, the Heralds were observed to be able warriors, but cold and remorseless. The Heralds of Vengeance fought hard to grind through opposing forces and appeared to care little for coordinating their attacks with other Imperial forces.

* **Scouring of Collinus - (487.M33):** A campaign launched against the homeworld of the Heralds of Vengeance by elements of the Black Legion, the Scouring of Collinus nearly annihilated the Chapter. The Chapter had returned to their Homeworld in strength as part of a massive recruitment drive after losses in other campaigns when an armada of Black Legion vessels translated into the system. The Heralds of Vengeance fought delaying actions in the void and sought to hold their fortress-monastery through the coming siege, holding out for 160 hours of continuous battle before their resistance broke. Black Legion ships were able to pick apart the Heralds’ fleet, and as their ships died and could offer no more support, the defense lasers of the Heralds’ fortress guns were insufficient to prevent orbital bombardment. As the void shields of the monastery cracked from the bombardment, it fell victim to teleportation assaults and was overrun. Only one battlebarge, *Tidebreaker,* was able to escape the fighting, and by the time relief forces arrived, the Collinus system had been ransacked and burned to ash. This battle is commonly considered the moment where the Heralds of Vengeance ceased to be, even though the declaration of the Chapters refounding as the Ashen Heralds would not occur for another decade.

* **Defiance of Krania Tertium - (874.M34):** Commonly upheld as one of the greatest of the Ashen Heralds' triumphs, and the battle that earned them their current recruiting world. The outermost Imperial world of Krania Tertium had been invaded by an Ork WAAAGH! which had swarmed over the planet, despite the presence of forces from the nearby Forgeworld of Gunlak and Knight world of Krania Secundus. When the Ashen Heralds arrived in the system, a void battle raged around the battle, but the forces on the world itself were at risk of being overrun and destroyed. The flagship *Tidebreaker* and its escorts dove into the Ork fleets, breaking their lines to perform a flyby of Krania Tertium, unloading its entire complement of Astartes during the maneuver. These 250 Space Marines landed just behind the Ork vanguard, destroying their weapon stores and throwing up fortifications comprised of trenches, prefabricated bunkers, and improvized walls made of linked rhino transports. From this fortified base, the Ashen Heralds would go on to repel wave after wave of Orks, putting up such a tenacious fight that the Ork forces that could have easily moved past the Heralds' location to run down the other Imperial forces, instead turned back to take part in the propper fight that had just presented itself to them. The Ashen Heralds put up such a fight that the other Imperial forces on Krania Tertium were able to regroup, and start a counterattack into the Ork hordes. While the Ashen Heralds on the ground saved tens of thousands of imperial soldiers, the fleet above was able to spearhead assaults that broke away at the Ork's strength until the WAAAGH! began to disintegrate. By the end of the fighting, only 37 of the initial Ashen Heralds landing force still lived, but their sacrifice had preserved many other imperial lives. This action earned the Ashen Heralds the right to rule over Krania Tertium, and make them close allies of the other Imperial factions within the Kranian system, making this battle the start of the Kranian Triumverate.

* **Salvaging of *Vengeance Reborn* - (924-926.M36):** When a Space Hulk designated *Manipulations of Malice* emerged from the warp, a massive operation was undertaken by the Kranian Triumverate to explore the hulk for technology. Early on in the operation, a massive human voidship was discovered in the outer shell of the hulk, with its superstructure mostly intact, and unique plasma generators still in working order. Plans were hastily arranged to carve off a section of the Space Hulk so the ship could be salvaged. Over the course of the better part of a standard year, massive las-cutters tore at the Space Hulk, while strike teams butchered their way through the mutant creatures that dwelled within the massive ship to place melta charges that would assist in freeing the entombed vessel. The resistance put up by these horridly mutated humans was immense, at one point requiring a Cerastus Knight-Acheron to be deployed into a derelict hangar to clear the surrounding hallways with fire so demolition teams could advance. Eventually, the skill of the Mechanicus saw the ship freed from the Hulk, and after it had been thoroughly purged, it was towed back to the forgeworld Gunlak to be studied. Within the ship's databanks, were a small fortune worth of STC designs, and in thanks for their assistance in acquiring such as bountiful reward, the forgeworld pledged to build the chapter a new flagship on the skeleton of the ancient vessel, a task that would take the techpriests three centuries to complete.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

The gene-seed of the Ashen Heralds is relatively pure and has an above-average acceptance rate among those implanted with it, and all the gene-seed organs of the Ashen Heralds are in working order. Observers have also noticed the astartes of the Ashen Heralds never seem to suffer from biotic implants being rejected, leading some to speculate their descent from Ferrus Manus and his Iron Hands, though neither the Ashen Heralds nor the Iron Hands claim any relation.

## Chapter Culture and Beliefs

The beliefs of the Ashen Heralds are formed from three primary sources, the Promethean Creed from the chapter's time under the guidance of the Salamanders, the local culture of their primary recruting world, and the dregs of tradition from their earliest years as the Heralds of Vengace.

### Brotherhoods of Forge and Flame

When Salamanders officers and chaplains helped raise the first generation of Ashen Heralds after the destruction of the Collinus system, the Promethean Cult was introduced to the chapter's neophytes, which led to the Cult dominating the chapter after a generation. The Ashen Heralds fully embraced the idea that they are living weapons of the Emperor built to protect humanity, and that loyalty, duty, self-discipline and endurance are the greatest virtues a Space Marine should strive towards. The Ashen Heralds have even adopted the Salamanders' respect for the forge, and while the Heralds are not artisans like the Salamanders, they are all expected to be capable of maintaining their own wargear. Millenia later in M42, the Promethean Cult remains the heart of the warrior philosophy of the Ashen Heralds, though so many years fighting their own battles has led to minor alterations to the Cult, and now there exist two major, unofficial sects within the Ashen Heralds, the Brotherhood of the Forge, and the Brotherhood of the Flame.

* **Brotherhood of the Forge**

The Brotherhood of the Forge is an variation of the Promethean Cult that has come to dominate the Ashen Heralds. The Brotherhood of the Forge holds the same core values of the Promethean Cult, but has taken on a more pragmatic, stoic, and less spiritual aspect. Among those considered of the Brotherhood of the Forge, flame is not venerated to the same degree, ritual branding is rare, and the respect for artifice has taken on a more utilitarian aspect. Warriors considered part of this Brotherhood focus on efficiency in the maintenance of their wargear, keeping weapons and armor in prime condition but usually eschewing fine decorations on personal arms and armor. To the members of the Brotherhood of the Forge, loyalty, duty, self-discipline and endurance remain the greatest virtues an Astartes can strive for, but the embellishments of branding and gold trims on wargear are generally viewed as unnecessary. It is commonly theorized that this philosophy has emerged due to the fleet-based nature of the Ashen Heralds, where supplies must be managed carefully should the chapter fleets be prevented from resupplying, and efficiency takes priority.

* **Brotherhood of the Flame**

An Ashen Herald is considered a part of the Brotherhood of the Flame if they still abide closely to the Promethean Cult as the Salamanders do. These Ashen Heralds fully embrace the spiritual aspects of the Promethean Cult, complete with ritual branding and the belife that fine craftsmanship in all things, including wargear maintenance, is healthy for a warrior's spirit. While the majority of the Ashen Heralds are not considered part of the Brotherhood of the Flame, the chapter's chaplains remain fully devoted to the original Promethean Cult, ensuring the original teaching of the Salamanders never die out.

### Personal Honors

The Ashen Heralds place great importance in recognizing the accomplishments of individual warriors. As an Ashen Herald endures decades of war, they gradually accumulate the right to bear an increasing number of icons, talismans, and trophies on their armor.

#### Honor Banners

A system for displaying honors taken from the Ashen Heralds' primary recruiting world. Honor Banners are bolts of cloth, taking the form of small talismans, Tabards, and most often small capes, with campaign honors and deeds sewn into the fabric using metallic threads. Worn honor banners are bestowed upon a Space Marine by their superiors in recognition of great deeds, but every Astartes has a large banner made upon their death, all of which are stored in a a valut of remembrance.

#### Promethian Runes

Those Ashen Heralds that chose to immerse themselves in the mysteries of the Promethean Cult will have their armor decorated with runes by a Chaplain. These runes denote the wearer's status within the Cult, and it is common for these warriors to form the honor squads of the Chaplains, or to walk the path of the Chaplain themselves.

## Chapter Doctrine

The Ashen Heralds’ combat doctrine places heavy emphasis on massed orbital assaults, followed by the rapid entrenchment of key locations, sometimes referred to as “bite and hold” tactics. These tactics see the Ashen Heralds seize key locations enemy forces cannot afford to lose in shock assaults, then dig in to hold them, seeking to inflict as many casualties as possible on the enemy when the inevitable counterattack comes, grinding them down through attrition. To augment these tactics, the Ashen Heralds make heavy use of Drop Pods, gunships, and Hammerfall Bunkers for the rapid deployment of warriors and defences. The Ashen Heralds prefer to leave long range battles to be decided by their air and orbital support, and as such usually equipt their squads for more close range engagements. Flamers and melta weapons are common in Ashen Heralds squads, and even assault and vanguard squads favor short, stabbing blades and axes for fighting in cramped spaces over longswords and halberds which require more space to wield.

These tactics are applied to boarding actions by the Ashen Heralds as well, with the tight confines of ship corridors imposing smiliar limitations as trenches. This has made boarding actions a favored tactic for breaking enemy fleets among Ashen Heralds comanders.

### Honor Guards

The Ashen Heralds place heavy importance on figures of import having personal retinues for their protection, and as such maintain multiple honor guard formations. Every Hetman and member of chapter command, such as the Master of Sanctity, have a squad that serves as their honor guard, bearing the officer's personal heraldry on their right pauldron.

Of note among these units is the **Banner of Honor.** The personal command of the Chapter Master, the Banner of Honor is comprised of terminator veterans, deployed at the Chapter Master's command. Champions of this Banner are also attached to every Host, serving as elite line breakers and liasons to the chapter command.

## Deathwatch Service

The Ashen Heralds view Deathwatch Service as one of the highest honors a warrior can obtain. As such, those Ashen Heralds that have survived their tours with the Deathwatch continue to wear their silver pauldrons with pride.

A result of this reverence for Deathwatch service is the position of Consul-Chaplain. This honorific is granted to any Ashen Heralds Chaplain that has served in the Deathwatch. Such Chaplains, should any be living within the Chapter, serve as diplomatic emissaries to other imperial forces, using their vast knowledge of different cultures within the Imperium to ensure good relations are maintained with allied forces. It is also very common for Consul-Chaplains to rise to the ranks of Reclusiarch and Master of Sanctity.

## Chapter Fleet

As a fleet-based Chapter, the Ashen Heralds possess a robust fleet, with each Host maintaining a small flotilla and flagship. Those flagships are as follows.

* ***Vengeance Reborn* (Unique Class)** - The flagship of the 1st Host, *Vengace Reborn* is a massive battleship of unique design that serves as the mobile fortress-monastery of the Ashen Heralds. Originally a part of a massive Space Hulk, which three Hosts of Ashen Heralds and a large force from the foreword Gunlak had set out to explore in M36, the Techpriests of Gunlak discovered a large, partially intact pre-Heresy vessel at the edge of the Space Hulk. The powerful plasma generators were disassembled and salvaged, then the skeletal hull of the ship was cut free using melta charges and laser cutters. These components were taken back to Gunlak, where over a quarter of forgeworlds output was devoted to constructing a new battleship around the salvaged skeleton. Almost 300 years were dedicated to completing the vessel, which has since served as the pride of the Ashen Heralds, and their single most valuable asset.

* ***Tidebreaker* (Battle Barge)** - The flagship of the 2nd Host, *Tidebreaker* Is an ancient Battlebarge and the only vessel in the Ashen Heralds fleets that served them when they were still known as the Heralds of Vengeance. This was the same ship that carried Xenias Pavlak from the burning Collinus system. *Tidebreaker* served as the flagship and Fortress-Monastery for millennia, until that role was taken over by *Vengeance Reborn*.

* ***Eternal Pyre* (Overlord-class Battle Cruiser)** - Flagship of the 3rd Host, *Eternal Pyre* is the flagship of Grand Hetman Janus Ostrov, commonly regarded as the greatest admiral of the Ashen Heralds commanders. *Eternal Pyre* also has the distinction of being an Overlord Class Battlecruiser, for while Ostrov has the seniority to use a Battlebarge as his flagship, he prefers the more nimble Battlecruiser for hunting preferred game, the pirates of the Red Corsairs.

* ***Endurance of Hope* (Battle Barge)** - Flagship of the 4th Host under Grand Hetman Bohdan Cheroski. A master of prosecuting orbital assaluts, Hetman Cheroski has drilled the crew of *Endurance of Hope* such that they are capable of the most accurate orbital strikes in the Chapter.

* ***Iron Heart* (Battle Barge)** - Flagship of the 5th Host. Originally the flagship of the 3rd Host, *Iron Heart* was transferred to the 5th Host after it lost its Battle Barge, *Baleful Siren* in battle with the Red Corsairs in the aftermath of the creation of the Cicatrix Maledictum.

## Chapter Relics

* **Vengeance Reborn** - Considered the greatest of the Chapter's relics, *Vengeance Reborn* is an ancient vessel salvaged from a Space Hulk. The Voidship predates the Horus Heresy, and maybe even the Great Crusade. *Vengeance Reborn* serves as the Ashen Heralds' Fortress-Monastery, its ancient plasma reactors providing superior outputs to other battleships of comparable size.

* **The Iron Aquila**  - An ancient battle-standard the Chapter has carried since its inception, the Iron Aquila is a dull iron pre-heresy aquila of non-standard design with the chapter symbol contained in a hollowed center. Mounted atop a pole decorated with ancient campaign badges, the Heralds claim this standard was granted to the chapter by the Emperor's Ten Thousand.

* **Cremator** - An ancient power-mace currently wielded by the Chapter Master of the Ashen Heralds. Cremator is notable for containing incredibly potent power cells, which discharge immense volumes of light and heat when a true blow is struck, causing unarmored foes to burst into flame, and even armored enemies can be cooked inside their armor.

* **Ageis of Truth** - A suit of ancient Cataphractii armor decorated with Hexagrammic Wards, the Ageis of Truth is one of the most hallowed relics of the Ashen Heralds. Normally, the armor would be issued very rarely, often only worn by a champion for a dire battle before being returned to the armory. In light of his unmatched martial skill and immense term of service, Stannis Gryf, Herald of the Honor Guard, has been granted the special honor of wearing the Ageis of Truth as his standard battle kit.

## Notable Ashen Heralds

* **Master of the Ashen Heralds, Hetman of the Throne, and Tyrant of the Shattered Sky, August Kroll** - The reigning lord of the Ashen Heralds Chapter, August Kroll spent a century serving dutifully in the 2nd Great Banner of the Chapter but failed to earn recognition, his martial feats unremarkable compared to those of his brothers. It was not until a botched drop assault against the palace of a rebellious governor that resulted in the death of his Herald that August would be able to distinguish himself. Kroll took the initiative, leading the banner and an allied regiment of the Imperial Guard that was besieging the palace from the outside. Coordinating a multi-pronged assault against the palace, Kroll was able to crack its defenses, allowing guardsmen to flood the structure. This feat of tactical initiative earned the attention of the chapter command and earned Kroll a promotion to Herald. Once in a position of command, Kroll proved to be a sharp tactician and a master of strategy. Over the next three centuries, his capacity as a leader would first see him rapidly ascend to Hetman and Grand Hetman, before being elected Hetman of the Throne after the death of the last Chapter Master at the hands of the Drukhari.

* **Grand Hetman of the 3rd Host, and Fleet-King, Janus Ostrov** - Leader of the 3rd Host, Ostrov is a firstborn Astartes and capable fleet commander. He commands the largest detachment of the chapter fleet and has sworn to hound the raider forces of the Red Corsairs after they inflicted a shameful defeat upon him a century before the Indomitus Crusade.

* **Herald of Honor, Stannis Gryf** - Master of Battles, Lord of Rites, Exemplar of Duty and the Millenial, Herald Gryf is an ancient marine with over 1100 years spent in service to the Imperium. Gryf remained a Battlemaster, a Sergeant, for centuries only due to his own staunch refusal of any offer of promotion. Gryf has many times denounced his own strategic skill, insisting he continue to fight in the manner he has nearly perfected, leading the terminator veterans of the Banner of Honor, the Ashen Heralds Honor Guard. Clad in ancient Cataphractii Terminator armor, Gryf’s service record and martial skill are unmatched in the chapter, and in lieu of promotion in rank, he has been showered in battle honors and titles for his long service.

* **Casomir, The Herald of Vengance** - Sometimes referred and "Ancient of Ancients," Casomir is the oldest member of the chapter, having seen its founding, and the occupant of the Leviathan pattern dreadnough *Fidelis Perditor*. Driven mad by the dreadnought chassis before the fall of Collinus, Casomir is an unstable, but incredibly potent asset of the Ashen Heralds. Casomir rambles incoherently most of the time when awoken for war, prodded into action by the chapter command rather than ordered, but the ancient warrior experiences moments of lucidity during combat that makes him a terror on the battlefield. Two quriks of Casomir’s failing mind is that even at his most coherent, he cannot comprehend the idea that his chapter has changed, and still refers to himself and his brothers as Heralds of Vengance, and while its is understood that he was a founding member of the chapter, questions regarding its past only prompt bouts of aggression from the ancient warrior.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

Ashen Heralds armor is painted black and gray, with bronze trims and red markings. The Host of an Ashen Herald is identified by a numeral on the right pauldron, beneath the squad identification marking. The Great Banner is identified by patterns in the left kneepad, and the Banner is identified by the colors of the pattern. Finally, a warrior's squad is identified by the initials of their Battlemaster painted on their pauldron or chest. Normal marines paint their helmets black with gray faceplates, while veterans paint the entire helmet black.

### Officer Insignia

The Officers of the Ashen Heralds are all identified by tilting sheilds bearing personal heraldry attached to their left pauldron. Battlemasters bear a bronze skull on their helm, while Heralds add a red stripe down the middle of their helm. Hetmans and Grand Hetmans bear personalized heraldry and equiptment, and have their Host's numeral depicted within a winged bolt. The Hetman of the Throne replaces this numeral with a haloed skull.

### Specialist colors

The Ashen Heralds require their Techmarines, Apothecaries, and Chaplains, to paint their helmets in Codex compliant colors, though they are free to choose if any other parts of their armor will be painted Codex colors as well. The one exception is the Librarians, use gray instead of Codex blue to denote their rank.

### Chapter Badge

The badge of the Ashen Heralds is a firebird, a creature of living flame from the old legends of their original homeworld, Collinus. Additinal markings are added to the badge to denot personal honors for exemplary valor or skill. Such markings include bolts, laurel wreaths, and patterns around the chapter emblem or border like checkers or meanders.

## Relations

### Allies

* **Salamanders** - The Ashen Heralds have always retained a close relationship with the Salamanders chapter, considering their chapter indebted to the Salamanders for saving them from the verge of extinction. The Salamanders shaped the culture and mentality of the Ashen Heralds, and the relationship between the two chapters is as close as the relationships other chapters share with their progenitor.

### Kranian Triumvirate

The Ashen Heralds are closely allied to the Knight world and Forgeworld that they share the Kranian system with. This dense collection of power within the system has led to the three powers being collectively referred to as the Kranian Triumvirate.

* **Knight Houses of Krania Secundus** - An unusual Knight world, the Imperial Knights of Krania Secundus are not of a single house, but rather a collection of dozens of families. Some families command immense power and numerous Knight walkers, while others cling onto single war engines, but all cooperate under a single ruler, a Grand Duke who is elected for life from among the house heads.

* **Gunlak** - A minor forgeworld of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the forges of Gunlak have been closely allied to the Knights of Krania Secundus since before they were brought into compliance during the final days of the Great Crusade.

### Enemies

* **The Black Legion** - The Ashen Heralds hold a special hatred for the forces of the Black Legion. The Black Legion destroyed the original homeworld of the Ashen Heralds, and the Heralds have fought against the Black Legion in multiple Black Crusades in turn.

## Notable Quotes

### By the Ashen Heralds

"*Always remember that this new life entitles you to nothing! You have been graced by the Emperor with ascension, you will become a greater being than any of you could have dreamed of before now. You will thank Him on Terra every day for this blessing until you can repay this gift by giving your life in service to His Imperium.*"
— Herald of Honor Stannis Gryf, addressing neophytes.
"*Where His enemies gather, we shall strike. Where they attack, we shall defy them. Where they are strongest, we shall break them. We herald His judgment and shall unmake His foes.*"
— Venerable Nicarus.
### About the Ashen Heralds

"*As the Heralds of Vengeance, they brought the flames of revenge to the foes of the Imperium and its people, a righteous calling to be sure, but a simple one representing only hate and bitter duty. As the Ashen Heralds, they represent so much more. The pain of defeat, yet the endurance to fight on in spite of it. The agony of passion dying, yet the dedication to move forward. While their flames of vengeance have died out, they march on with the ashes of their past covering the embers of their souls, guarding them against the galaxy so they might light fires anew in the hearts of the Emperor's subjects.*"
— Ko'dan, Chaplain of the Salamanders.
## Gallery

Vanguards of one of the Independent Lances of the 3rd Host of the Ashen Heralds

[Source]