Crimson Harbingers

Crimson Harbingers armorial with Chapter iconography.

Crimson Harbingers Battle-Brother of the 6th Company, 6th Battleline Squad.

## Main Information

The **Crimson Harbingers** are a renegade Successor Chapter of the **Ultramarines**. having gone renegade shortly after they returned from the **warp** during mid **Era-Indomitus**. the Chapter and the whole star-system with which they dwelled within was cast into the **Warp** when the **Great rift** was opened. From their perspective they were present in the **Warp** for mere moments, & in that time their gene father, **Primarch Robute Guiliman** returned and the **Indomitus Crusade** was launched.

Several months after their return to **Real-space**, and rumors of their return spread. a **Torchbearer fleet** was dispatched with the purpose to provide the Chapter with **Primaris** reinforcements. so they could fight throughout the **Ultima Segmentum** to provide relief for the imperium, but that is not what would occur.

When the **Torchbearer** contacted the Chapter, the malicious powers of the **Warp** clouded the minds of the **Crimson-Harbingers**. and would use their genetic flaw, known as the *"Iratus Colossus"* to make them fire upon the **Torchbearer fleet** and cause substantial damage to it.

The fleet would withdraw because of the suprise assault, not wanting to waste more lives, as a tide of **"daemons"** would appear and attack. The survivors incorrectly assumed the **Crimson Harbingers** summoned the forces of **Chaos**, and the Chapter was moments later deemed EXCOMMUNICATE TRAITORIS by the **Inquisition**.

Upon witnessing the Daemonic tide sweep over the initially believed pirate armada, the truth of their actions dawned on the Chapter. Just as the Daemonic Tide struck out against the few **Torchbearer** vessels which had yet to withdraw. **Chaos Daemons** had moments later began to receive an enormous volley of fire from the **Crimson Harbingers** and their fleet. Which should've been compared to a small battle-fleet more than that of a chapter-fleet.

## Chapter History

The founding of the Crimson Harbingers is (**REDACTED**) however, what is known is that the Chapter was created sometime during some of the earliest Black Crusades led by Abaddon the Despoiler, and sometime during or before the **War of the Beast**. The newly incepted Chapter soon gained a reputation for its preference for brutal and rapid shock-assault tactics. This garnered the Crimson Harbingers a reputation as an honorable and bloody-handed Chapter. They were often utilized by the High Lords of Terra to serve as frontline assault troops in campaigns across the width and breadth of the galaxy - often providing the killing-strike for larger Imperial crusades in war zones where an impasse had been reached, to the Chapter's dismay. the Chapter unknown to all was initially founded to limit the power that certain groups and religions could obtain, however with the introduction and growing enforcement of the Codex Astartes the chapter was unable to match the growth of the Inquisition or the Ecclesiarchy, leading the Chapter to ensure it's true goals remained hidden from all. The Crimson Harbingers were highly effective in their chosen field of warfare and quickly achieved an enviable tally of victories in the annals of Imperial history. there were many who fought alongside them who found them also to be honorable, effective, albeit intemperate and Unstoppable to any combatant that should stand in their path.

Within a matter of decades, some battle-brothers of this Chapter began to display the first signs of a genetic flaw, Within those that were affected by it, this flaw took the form of Immense rage, strength, durability, and a larger Stature than all other Firstborn Space Marines. if a Marine with this flaw should be enraged, it could very well spell the death of many enemies, and in a very rare number of instances the death of allied forces. A flaw that only truly impacted the Chapter recently due to the believed lie that their primarch had still remained in stasis which would lead to they're Excommunication by the Inquisition, and the belief by the wider Imperium that they fell to Chaos which is in fact Incorrect and still remains so.

Amongst the Chapter, this flaw came to be referred to as the '*Iratus Colossus*' or 'Angry Giant'. This aberrant flaw would be the means by which the Chapter would see it's deception by the Chaos god Tzeentch.

### Cadia Falls

At the close of the 41st Millennium, the Imperium faced their most dire threat in the form of Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade, the largest invasion launched from the Eye of Terror by the Forces of Chaos against the vitally important fortress-world of Cadia. With news of the massive invasion, the Crimson Harbingers made hasty preparations to launch their Chapter fleet in its entirety in order to take part in Cadia's defence. However, this would not come to pass, as before they were able to depart, news reached them that Cadia had been destroyed! This resulted in a series of events that saw both the formation of the galaxy-wide tear in reality known as the Cicatrix Maledictum, which unleashed a tsunami of ferocious empyric energy and supernatural darkness that dimmed the psychic light of the Astronomican, marked by the loss of galactic navigation and disruption in all astrotelepathic communications. These disruptions would endure for variable times across the galaxy, lasting for only thirty-three solar days on Terra itself, but for solar decades or even standard centuries elsewhere. This dire event came to be known by the Imperium as the Noctis Aeterna. This effect alone claimed countless worlds, fleets, and armies.

### Indomitus Crusade

The Imperium of Man was split in twain as countless civilisations caught in the shadow of the Great Rift were terrorised, enslaved, or altogether destroyed by the unnumbered Daemon legions that poured forth from the Great Rift. Otherwise, many of these doomed worlds would suffer ignominious fates in the form of mutation and corruption. The Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes were forced to hold fast and protect their own demesnes that erupted in open rebellion, mutation, and daemonic invasion. All contact was lost with the wider Imperium, and many Chapters were presumed lost to the events that occurred following the destruction of Cadia.

However, there was a beacon of hope in this time of utter darkness - an unprecedented miracle unheard of in the modern era - the return of one of the Emperor's sons! Through a series of strange events, the long-dead Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines, was returned from the realm of death and back into the land of the living. Fighting his way towards the Imperial Throneworld, the Avenging Son sought an audience with the God-Emperor. When he finally emerged from the Sanctum Imperialis, the Primarch set about with a newly-acquired purpose and declared the beginning of the Indomitus Crusade.

Newly invested with his original position as the acting Lord Commander of the Imperium, Guilliman forged not mere armies, nor even crusades in the traditional Imperial sense, but rather immense fleets of vengeance and reconquest that dwarfed all that had come before them. With these tools at his disposal, Guilliman would fight back against the lackeys of the Dark Gods. To ensure the success of this grand new crusade, Guilliman presented the sorely depleted forces of the Adeptus Astartes with a profound gift - the Primaris Space Marines - the next stage of evolution of the Astartes that were far larger and faster than their Firstborn brethren.

Early during the muster of the Indomitus Crusade fleets, specialised task forces were assembled and sent racing out into the galaxy. Known as "Torchbearers", they were tasked to make contact with specific Firstborn Space Marine Chapters and to furnish them with the "Primarch's Gift" -- the name given to the genetic technologies and Magi Biologis required for those Chapters to create their own Primaris Marine battle-brothers from new recruits. Torchbearer task forces typically comprised small, fast, heavily armed voidcraft and were garrisoned with a mixture of Sisters of Silence, Adeptus Custodes of the Emissaries Imperatus, and Greyshield Primaris battle-brothers of the same genetic line as the chosen Chapter to be reinforced. These escorts ensured that their precious cargo reached its destination regardless of threats and impediments and was put swiftly to use by its recipients.

The arrival of one of these task forces to the Crimson Harbingers' home world of Tertius IV would harken the Chapter's Trickery by Chaos.

### Fall of the Crimson Harbingers

After the opening of the great rift the Crimson Harbingers and Terchius IV were thrown into the warp, while for the denizens of Terchius IV and the Chapter it was mere moments when the system returned to realspace it had in fact been years. and in that time the Indomitus Crusade was launched, and Primarch Robute Guiliman returned to life. However, the Chapter drew attention to the dark manifestations of the warp and in Particular the Chaos-God Tzeentch.

Unknown to the Chapter, their fate had been predetermined by the 'Architect of Fate' - the Chaos God Tzeentch. Through his foul machinations and dark scheming, he manipulated the Crimson Harbingers to commit an act of treachery for which they would be forever shunned by much of Humanity for all eternity. Led by a contingent of golden-armored Adeptus Custodes, a Torchbearers fleet arrived in the Chapter's home system after hearing rumors of the Crimson Harbinger's return from the depths of the warp. The Chapter was told of the joyous news of their Primarch's return and the launching of the Indomitus Crusade, and most surprising of all, the profound gift that had brought to them in order to create a new generation of battle-brothers.

Throughout their existence, the Crimson Harbingers had always struggled against the rage within their souls, attempting to control their anger through iron-willed discipline. However, the whispers of the Lord of Change influenced much of the Chapter to not allow the vessels that were believed to be Pirates into their system. Refusing to believe their obvious lies, the Chapter Master ordered their Chapter fleet to fire upon the believed pirate vessels. Caught by surprise, the Torchbearer fleet was utterly wiped out by the enraged Chapter. Caught within the throes of their rage, the Crimson Harbingers were manipulated by Tzeentch and destroyed the interlopers.

However, this would not be the end of the misery inflicted upon the Chapter, as their own home world, Tertius IV, had fallen to daemonic taint which had taken root during the Chapter's absence. The Chapter Master ordered Exterminatus upon their own home world to cleanse it of Chaotic-taint. Taking what few uncorrupted survivors were found, the Crimson Harbingers launched an orbital bombardment of cyclonic torpedoes which utterly eradicated all life on the doomed planet. With no more reason to cling to their lost world, the Chapter fled the system. Since then, they have cut off all communications with the Imperium with only a few worlds in exception, and even fewer welcoming them.

Known to few amongst the Imperium of Man the Chapter is, in fact, un-tainted and still loyal to Humanity and the vision of the Emperor, a mistake that the Inquisition would pay for in blood...

## Notable Campaigns and Battles

* **The Eldrum Campaign (Date: Current)** The Crimson Harbingers have begun gathering renegade Chapters, Regiments, knight houses, and fleets to their banner. All these forces being gathered in order to conquer the Forgeworld of Eldrum, a crucial world in both it's own sector, and the surrounding sectors as well. The intention being to claim both the Forgeworld and surrounding space, which would then be heavily fortified and guarded, which would act as a staging ground for the Invictus Crusade. However, a nearby Black Templar Crusade fleet, alongside a multitude of Imperial forces have begun mobilizing to defend the sector(s) from the invasion spearheaded by the Crimson Harbingers, Imperial forces numbering roughly 5,000-7,000 space marines, 375 ships of mixed class and size, and 2-4 million Imperial Guardsmen. Whereas the renegade forces outnumber the Imperial forces, the Renegades number of roughly 7,000-11,000 renegade space marines, 400-500 ships of mixed class and size, 4-6 million renegade Imperial Guard. Should the Crimson Harbingers be successful their plans could be accelerated by centuries, but a defeat could cost them just as much time.

Outcome: (yet to be determined)

* **The battle of Terchius IV ( Date: Redacted)**
* **Part One** - the initial part of the battle of **Terchius IV** was the engagement where the Crimson Harbingers, blinded by the Chaos god Tzeentch fired on the Torchbearer fleet taking it by surprise and greatly damaging it. The Torchbearer fleet however side manage to return fire damaging the Chapter greatly and thus reducing the overall number of battle-brothers and ships greatly, largely damaging the 2nd fleet of the Chapter greatly.

Outcome:

**Imperial loses: (defeated):** 7 Adeptus Custodes, 471,941 Imperial Guardsmen, 12,126 Members of the Adeptus Mechanicus, 7 Ships (mixed class & size)

**Renegade loses: (Victorius):** 707 Space Marines, 502,367 Renegade Guardsmen 32 Renegade Ships (mixed class & size)

* **Part Two** - The battle occurred shortly after the Chapter went renegade. It began when imperial forces came to investigate what happened to the Torchbearer fleet. After fleeing their home system after their betrayal, the Crimson Harbingers returned to ensure no daemonic forces remained. The Imperial forces that were dispatched got to the daemons first, however, which would lead to the Imperium to believe that the whole Chapter fell to Chaos when it didn't in actuality. So when the Crimson Harbingers returned they found a retribution fleet comprised of 25 Grey Knights, 100 Minotaurs, 10,000 Sisters of Battle, and 500,000 Imperial Guardsmen. The Crimson Harbingers possessed 1,465 Astartes and 1.7 million renegade Guardsmen on their side. The ensuing battle was one the Imperial Forces weren't prepared for it was believed the chapter had given in to its rage and forsaken all organisation. Instead, they found a highly organized and well-prepared force they weren't able to defeat.

Outcome:
**Imperial Losses (defeated)**: 17 Grey Knights, 97 Minotaurs, 7,286 Sisters of battle, 500,000 Imperial Guardsmen, 17 ships (mixed class & size)
**Renegade Losses (victorius)**: 739 Space marines, 987,197 Renegade Guardsmen, 49 ships (mixed class & size)

## Chapter Home World

### Terchius IV

• The homeworld of the Crimson Harbingers was known as Terchius IV, which was a civilized world of great beauty and prosperity, however the system was eventually isolated due to the increasing expansion of the Tau Empire, and after the opening of the Great Rift would be further isolated and situated rather close to the Rift, So much so it was thrusted into the warp for years.

• Alas after the System returned from the depths of the Immatirium and back into real-space, Chaotic-taint had began to spread amongst the world and the whole solar system. Eventually even tainting the Planatary governor and much of the planets population, eventually though the Space Marine Chapter of the Crimson Harbingers would rescue the untainted and loyal and launch a Bonbardment of Cyclonic torpedoes and wiping out all life on Terchius IV, destroying the once prosperous and loyal world and leaving it nothing but a husk of what once was.

### Fortress-Monastery

* **Zealots Bane (Emperor-class Battlelship)**: The vessel otherwise known as the "Zealots Bane" is the personal flagship of Chapter Master Varalius Numinor of the Crimson Harbingers Chapter. It has been with the chapter since roughly M34 and is a Emperor-class Battleship. it was constructed over the skies of Terchius IV and has been kept in good condition since it left the their homeworld's orbital shipyard.

## Current Goals & Objectives

• The longstanding goal of the **Crimson Harbingers** has been to purge the works of the **Word Bearers**, punish the **Inquisition,** and purge the galaxy of the Alien and witch alike. The Chapter holds even by the standards of **Ultramarines** an immense hatred for the **word bearers** for their betrayal at Calth. The reason being that within the **Historia Imperii**, an in-depth analysis of the battle and its events is detailed, even down to specific words held by a select few. The majority of the Chapter are staunch believers in mono-Dominance, the largely outdated belife that the galaxy belongs to Humanity alone and the any & all Xenos should be purged from it's entirety.

• The current objective of the Crimson Harbingers is to rally as many Renegade Imperial forces. Once they have enough forces gathered, they would begin the "*Invictus Crusade*". The goal of which would be to conquer much of Ultima Segmentum and cleanse it of faith. And then they pursue Calth and even Macragge itself. Afterwards, then push deeper into Imperial held space, after the near total conquest of the Ultima Segmentum.

• with the Return of Primarch Lion E'l Johnson, the Crimson Harbingers have been deliberating on whether they would contact the Returned Primarch. To whome they may explain their plight, or attack, or if they should simply watch and observe.

Should they provide no proper response, it stands to reason that the Eldrum Campaign would be far more difficult nigh impossible.

## Chapter Organisation

### Officer Ranks

* **Chapter Master**

* **Veteran Captain (First Captain Equivalent)**

* **Captain**

* **Lieutenant**

### Specialist Ranks

* **Reclusiarch**
* **Chaplain**
* **Chief Librarian**
* **Librarian**
* **Chief Apothecary**
* **Apothecary**
* **Master of the Forge**
* **Techmarine**
* **Ancient (Standard Bearer)**
* **Chapter/Company Champion**

### Line Ranks

* **Veteran Sergeant**
* **Sergeant**
* **Corporal**
* **Battle-Brother**
* **Scout Marine**
* **Neophyte**
* **Aspirant**

### Specialist Units & Formations

* **Crimson Guard**: The Crimson Guard are the main body that protects the Chapter master. The Crimson Guard serve as the 1st Company, they use modified relic Cataphractii Terminator armor referred to as "Terchius pattern" due to the modifications. The Crimson Guard act as the Chapter master's Enforcers, should a member of the Crimson Guard fall in battle, the Captains, Sergeants and Lieutenants of the Chapter duel amongst themselves on who will take the position. The Crimson Guard is led by First Captain Auralius Luminum who has led the Crimson Guard for eighty-nine standard Terran years.

### Order of Battle

#### Headquarters

* **Crimson Lament** (look above to learn about it)

## Combat Doctrine

* **Lightning Warfare**: The Crimson Harbingers prefer to first deploy behind enemy lines, and in the state of confusion then deploy in mass within the now exposed and disorganized enemy lines, taking the enemy by storm in the process, when a battle of attrition is required the Chapter will usually call upon its Renegade Imperial Guard Auxiliaries in mass but organized formation with the support of Aircraft, and the renegade Astartes themselves.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

### Genetic Flaws

The gene-seed mutation of the Crimson Harbingers affects them in more than just size. This flaw is known as the '*Iratus Colossus*' or 'Angry Giant', which makes them larger and stronger, however, when someone manages to anger an Astartes with this genetic flaw, the Astartes may very well fly into a berserk rage. Due to this factor, the Astartes of the Chapter have sought to gain control over this innate rage. As a result of their assault of the vessel commanded by the Adeptus Custodes while in this enraged state, the chapter has sought greater control over itself due to their great shame.

## Notable Members

* **Chapter Master Varalius Numinor**

* **First Captain Auralius Luminium**

## Chapter Fleet(s)

* **First Fleet: Crimson Horizon** (57 ships of mixed class and size, 436 Renegade Astartes, 851,172 Renegade Guardsmen)

* **Second Fleet: Red Oblivion** (21 ships of mixed class and size, 290 Renegade Astartes, 849,737 Renegade Guardsmen)

## Chapter Relics

* ***Historia Imperii*** - The original book was initially written in the days of the Great Crusade, it contains the near totality of the history of the Imperium, and has been rewritten innumerable times and eventually would become a Relic of the Chapter, a closly-guarded secret that even the likes of the Inquisition are unaware of. Each member of the Chapter is given one piece of information from the book, and marines of the Chapter are permitted to discuss what was revealed to them to each other but never anyone from beyond the Chapter. It is unknown who the original author was, it is kept with the Chapter master solely and should the Chapter master fall, the copy of the book is to be retrieved or destroyed at all cost so as to keep its existence a secret, however copies do indeed exist however are guarded closely by the Crimson Guard and are spead across 4 separate vessels so the destruction of one ship does not mean the lose of such an important relic.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

The Crimson Harbingers chapter colours are primarily deep red. The secondary colour is white, including the lower backpack vent, gorget, chest guard, hand guards, poleyns (knee guards), and sabatons. The main part of the gauntlets are dark grey in colour. Their battle-plate is trimmed in gold, including the shoulder pauldron trim, wrist trim, center of the belt buckle, and knee guards. The Aquila or Imperialis worn on their plastron has been removed from many sets of Power Armor, it is known that the Imperialis and the Aquila are used to respect those who fell eons ago, however the Chapter chooses to honor them not with Iconography, but instead with they're actions.

A large black coloured squad specialist symbol is stenciled on the inset of the right shoulder pauldron. This indicates a battle-brother's assigned squad specialty (Fire Support, Close Support, Battleline, Veteran or Command). A small white coloured Roman numeral stenciled on the squad specialty symbol indicates squad assignment. The inset of the left shoulder pauldron prominently displays the Chapter's iconography. A larger black coloured Roman numeral stenciled on the left poleyn indicates company assignment.

Standard battle-brothers of the Chapter have white pauldrons w/ red helms, Sergeants have red pauldrons w/ red helms, and veterans have white pauldrons w/ white helms.

The first company otherwise know as the crimson guard is unique in that the left pauldron is yellow, with the helmet and right pauldron used to determine a battle-brother from a Sergeant or Veteran, with markings on remaining irrespective of rank or formation.

### Basic Model Colours

-Khorne Red

-White scar

-Balthazar Gold

### Chapter Badge

The Crimson Harbingers Chapter icon takes the form of a six-sided hexagon, a closed two-dimensional polygon with six sides. The main symbol is bisected by four alternating deep red and white panels. This central symbol is centered upon a large black coloured laurel.

## Relations

### Enemies

* Astra Militarium

* Forces of Chaos

* Inquisition

* High lords of Terra

* Adeptus Mechanicus

* Adeptus Custodes

* Adeptus Astartes

* Adeptus Ministorium

* Xenos

## Notable Quotes

### By the Crimson Harbingers

"*In religion is weakness, but in unity and the embrace of man, strength is found.*"
— Chapter Master Varalius Numinor
### About the Crimson Harbingers,

"*They are no Angels, they think themselves Harbingers, but they are but Harbingers of heresey and ignorance."*

—Lord Inquisitor (REDACTED)

[Source]