Imperial Wardens

Imperial Wardens armorial with Chapter iconography

Imperial Warden Marine

### **Specialty**

Shock Assault, Siege Warfare, Scorching Warfare, Extended Unsupported Operations within Hostile Domains

### **Battle cry**

"*Visio nox, visio nex*"- "*Face us, face death.*"

### Successor Chapter(s)

None

**The Imperial Wardens**, also referred simply as "Wardens", are a Loyalist semi-Codex Astartes-compliant Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes created from an unknown founding, but whose official records date back to M32. Known for their close adherence to the Imperial Creed to an almost monastic behavior, the Wardens have garnered a reputation of heretic hunters, and as such the chapter is held in high regard by members of the Ecclesiarchy and the Inquisitors of the Ordo Hereticus.

The Wardens are a fleet based chapter continuously plying the routes of Imperial trade, pilgrimage, shrine worlds and really anywhere they deem necessary. Not limiting themselves to just one Segmentum of the Imperium, they often boast to have been at every corner of the Emperor's domain, however due to this attitude of "trespassing territories'' several Adeptus Astartes Chapters consider the Wardens as "overly prideful" invaders. This is not to say that their timely appearance have not benefited the holy wars of the imperium as many of their wartime allies can attest.

The Imperial Wardens believe, despite the lack of official records, that they are descended from the Imperial Fists Primarch, Rogal Dorn. They exhibit a veneration of Dorn, whom they view as a saint, taking pride in their legacy to such an extent that they boastfully claim to be one of the second founding chapters. Such is their devotion that they believe themselves "Dorn's divine retribution", his red right hand, outwardly showing so by painting their right gauntlet and shoulder plate in deep crimson.

The Chapter suffered grievous losses while fighting against the Forces of Chaos during the 13th Black Crusade, culminating in the destruction of their flag ship and being declared as lost in action by the Imperial Fists chapter who witnessed the event. The Wardens survived this great blow to their chapter and remained active, if low on numbers, for much of the Indomituous era and are currently rebuilding.

## Chapter History

### Lost Origins

    The Imperial Wardens have a long history of service to the Emperor, but their exact origins are both mysterious and a matter of contention between Imperial savants. The Wardens personal records, Chapter lore pertaining their founding and early campaigns are long lost. Current archives officially start somewhere in the 32 millennium, though some of their legends vaguely match with records of the Imperial Adepta and litanies of other Chapters, which seem to prove that the Wardens existed for many centuries before then.
The Chapter itself has forever boastfully proclaim themselves to be one of the second founding's chapters, descended from the Imperial Fists Primarch, Rogal Dorn. According to Apocryphal legends within the Librarium, the Wardens were formed in the Second Founding from former members of Phalanx Warders, who were renowned for the stark regime under which they trained and the prosecution of war on the foes of Mankind, which they have kept since their inception. To aid the new Chapter Dorn gifted the Wardens with a mighty Star Fort active in the Volgotha Deeps during the dark days of the Horus Heresy.

Fragmentary evidence gathered through verification of the Wardens legends suggests that the Chapter served as a fleet chapter in the pursuit of enemies of the Imperium before setting on an unknown planted simply referred as "The First World". It's inferred that the "First World" was a death planet for continuous references to "Inhospitable" and possessing an "inimical day cycle". In current day it's unknown what was of the chapter original Start Fort, if it existed, and homeworld as the Chapter allegedly abandoned the later after an unknown cataclysmic event that contributed with the loss of their earlier history.

### The First Dawn

"*The orcs came to our land,
And we fought them hand to hand,
Sweat and blood,
Turned the ground to mud,
Ork and Astartes in strife,
Sought to vanquish every life,
When the Wardens sang!*"
—Extract from the "First Song"
The events that lead to the reconstruction of the Imperial Wardens chapter after the loss of their homeworld is a well-known tale among its members. Colloquially known as "The first Dawn", and immortalized in the letters of the "First song", it chronicles the rise to power of Kanaan Dume, First Lord of Dawn.

According to the letter of the first song, the Wardens original Homeworld was besieged from orbit by the forces of a powerful Ork Warboss. The massive invasion somehow eluded detection and the surprised Wardens were unable to contain it. Within hours the Ork Waaagh managed to land a critical blow to the line of command of the chapter, slaying their chapter master and much of their first company. The Wardens' remnants evacuated their fortress monastery before blowing it up to prevent it falling on enemy hands, and prepared to evacuate the world. The decision was not taken lightly, but it was agreed that they should live to fight another day.

The Wardens who survived this encounter were worn, few in numbers and demoralized, but befitting their legacy pressed on to follow the Ork fleet rampage across the Segmentum. The details remain blurry, but it's said that the Warboss was slain and the fallen Wardens avenged, however they were alone in an Imperium who couldn't help them to rebuild themselves. It is in this scenario where Dume is first mentioned.

Dume was the first marine ever to take the name the "Lord of the Dawn", title shared by all Chapter Masters after him, and although wasn't the first chapter master his figure fills the same role in the chapter mythos. The accounts of his exploits are somewhat contradictory and outlandish: A survivor of the Horus Heresy, a member of the original Warders, a knight errant; among the most well-known stories. Regardless of his origins Kanaan guided the Wardens through these tumultuous times and was responsible for instilling many of the chapter's traditions.

Through Dume intervention and appeal to Terra the chapter was given one battle barge, which the new Chapter master directed to their fallen homeworld. Dume directed himself with conviction and faith, shepherding his fellow Wardens with a charisma at odds with their situation. Understrength and lacking in equipment, Dume returned to the "First World" in search of the Chapter cashes of armor and weaponry they were forced to leave. It was all but considered wishful thinking that such praised treasure still existed, but against the most pessimistic beliefs, they found it intact. The Emperor had favored the Wardens with the work of this miracle, and as such Dume consecrated his brothers in the faith to the Emperor.

Called the "Lord of the Dawn", for he brought the chapter to a new dawn in the emperor, Kanaan declared that the chapter would learn from their mistakes. No longer would they wait in a single planet for their enemies to ambush them, they were the "Wardens of the Imperium", they shall chase their enemies across the stars and they shall work so a tragedy like this never occurs again.

With this much needed boost to their forces, the Wardens eternal crusade started.

### Errant Crusaders

Since their rebirth the Imperial Wardens have been almost continuously on the move, traveling between war zones and making their forces available to those who would petition for their aid. Their constant travels have made the issue of keeping official records within the Imperium a very difficult task, often losing contact with the wider imperium only to reappear at some point. However the Wardens are justly renowned for their role in many great conflicts, always returning to draw their swords once more in the Emperor's service.

They are, however, most recognized by their zealous hunt of treachery and heresy. Befitting their core beliefs and adherence to the Imperial Creed the Wardens see those who turn their faces from him on earth as the greatest enemies of the Imperium. At the same time, they remain dutifully prepared to protect the members of the Imperium that remain loyal. Because the Wardens patrol routes trace the same routes of Pilgrimages across the Imperium, their fleets are often seen followed by a great many members of the Adeptus Ministorum and civilians on route to shrine worlds.

Their long story with Ecclesiarchy can be traced to the many wars of faiths that took part shortly after the Ecclesiarchy was declared the official state religion of the Imperium. The honors won by claiming shrine world for the glory of the emperor remain even to this day as one of the Wardens greatest achievements. These same honors have constructed strong ties with the Ordo Hereticus, as the Wardens have never declined the opportunity to bring rebelling worlds into the folds of the Imperium.

### Dark Imperium

In the closing years of M41, Abaddon the Despoiler launched the 13th Black Crusade against the fortress world of Cadia. The Imperial Wardens were amongst the many chapters deployed to defend the Cadian Gate from the forces of Chaos. While the Wardens were reeling from the casualties suffered from "Death Choir" campaign, and a part of the chapter was still engaged elsewhere, Lord of the Dawn Joseph Dume sent a signal to all companies to regroup and sail for Cadia.

The chapter fleet contributed to the battle in space through the use of their Warders Units to board enemy ships. The 1st Company, including Chapter Master Joseph, were based on the Chapter Battle Barge Libertas, and were engaged in duel with their ancient foe the Death Guard. However tragedy struck with the fall of Cadia and the formation of a massive, galaxy-wide tear in reality known as the Cicatrix Maledictum. Although the exact events that lead to it are a mystery, the Imperial Fists Chapter reported the destruction of the Libertas and the loss of contact with members of the chapter on it. With most attempts to look for survivors rendered impossible due to the dire circumstances the Imperial Fists declared the Wardens Lost in action.

The Chapters 8th and 10th Company Eventide arrived too late to both aid the defense of Cadia and assist the rest of their chapter. They quickly proceeded to try and recover any elements of the chapter still on site, succeeding on rescuing many of their brethren, but with many more, including almost the entirety of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd company, declared lost. With the Chapter barely at half-strength, Captain and Lord of the Night Nathaniel Crux call for the emergency protocols of the chapter to regroup and rearm in Albion.

With the Fall of the Libertas, the 10th company Battle Barge "Dark tide" became their new flagship and the bulk of the chapter started their return to safe port. The remaining captains declared that once on Albion, they would rebuild themselves with a large-scale recruitment and production of arms so they could hunt for the responsible of the Fall of Libertas. But this grand rebuilding was not to be. *Cicatrix Maledictum* dimmed the light of the Emperor and the Astronomicon making traveling between the stars impossible. Moreover the Chapter had to divert their route to the defense worlds and sectors that needed their assistance. The greatest of these engagements was the return of the Rubicante Flux on the Abra Sector, spawning Renegade Space Marine hosts on the surrounding star systems.

The Wardens established themselves in the Abra sector for the first years of this traitorous era. Ever warriors of honor and nobility, they responded to as many worlds as possible within the region, engaged in a series of defensive stands and aggressive attacks to drive back the forces of chaos until their relief the Black Templars near the start of the Indomituous Crusade.

## Notable Campaigns

* **War of the Beast (544-546.M32)** – The first recorded appearance of the Imperial Wardens. Althought vaguely alluded to, Astartes who meet the description of the Imperial Wardens are reported to have been seen with the Black Templars during the duration of the conflict. From the Wardens side, their records point out the chapter returning from deep space to Segmentum solar for the first time in millennia, to answer their duties to recreate the Imperial Fists Legion as required by the "Last Wall Protocol" when Terra itself was under threat. However the Wardens suffered great many loses and couldn’t contribute their geneeseed to rebuild the extinct Imperial Fists Chapter, a fact that shames the Wardens.
* **First War of Flames (M33)** – The War of flames was the one of the many conflicts that took part during the **"War of the Confessor"**, after the Ecclesiarchy was declared the official state religion of the Imperium. During this period the Wardens functioned mostly independent of the political machine of the Imperium, and where largely neutral on the first stages of the Confessor War. Moreover, they were recovering from a bloodied confrontation and decimation of a chaos warband.  Confessor Zachariah Dullark, one of the many Ecclesiarchy members participating of this military movement, had heard of the Wardens reputation as believers on the Imperial Creed (then something more unique among Astartes chapters) petitioned the assistance of the Wardens on the campaigns he and his Frateri militia were undertaking. Hesitant at first, the arch confessor proceeded to present his case to the Wardens with a passionate speech on the Importance of creating more shrine worlds for the honor of the Imperium. The Zachariah would finally convince the Wardens when he promised both a line of supply of wargear for the depleted Wardens, and recruitment right for the conquered world. While Zachariah promises didn't had weight behind them, the chapter still decided to compromise themselves to his campaign. The war of Flames spawn for nearly a decade as the Wardens took brought many worlds to compliance in the name of the Emperor, mercilessly scorching the ground of the would be Shrine worlds taken by the Ecclesiarchy during this era.
* **Solar Crusade (Unknown date)** - The Solar Crusade was a campaign undertaken by the Imperial Wardens into the outskirts of the Segmentum Solar and close to the Ultima Segmentum. The exact circumstances of the Wardens extended activity in this area remain unknown, however around this time the Chapter declared the foundation of a permanent base of operation henceforth called "Albion". For Millenia since the Wardens have returned to the Segmentum Solar on a semi regular basis to rest and perform recruitment of Neophytes.
* **Barbarus Incursion (831.M35)** - The Iperial Wardens along with the Black Templars took part in an unknown campaign remembered only by its name -- the Barbarus Incursion. Wardnes record said that it was a Daemonic incursion. Following this campaign all records pertaining to it were sealed and declared Inconcessus (forbidden).
* **Death Choir Campaing (M41)** - TBA
* **13th Black Crusade** – TBA
	+ **Fall of the Libertas -** TBA

## Chapter Homeworld

Since its inception the Imperial Wardens have establish themselves as a fleet based chapter traveling the entirety of the Imperium in their never ending crusade. While this offered tactical flexibility by coordinating fully mobile campaigns, grievous loses in the past had made them reconsider the option of maintaining a homeworld. Among these worries were finding a secure storage location for their gene-seed and a place to assemble as a safe port should the need ever arises.

The answer would present itself on during the secretive **Solar Crusade**. The discovery of Albion, and subsequently position of their battle station "Wardens Cliff", the chapter have maintained the highest levels of secrecy about its location. The chapter is still considered a **Crusading Chapter** because they treat **Albion** as a simple base of operations rather than the center of a great realm.

Only few outsiders are aware of Albion, mostly high-ranking members of the Adeptus Administratum, and its relation with the Chapter.

### **Albion**

Deliberately vague in any discussions of their homeworld, "Albion" is the chapter's name for their chosen gene-seed repository and safe port. The official Imperial designation it's unknown, and there are vague and contradictory accounts of location, though it is believed to be located either in the Solar or Ultima Segmentums. What little information the Imperium does possess comes from either second had accounts or unverifiable sources.

Albion is inferred to be either a Feral or Death world, housing a variety of terrains that range from deserts to lush forest, and with one third of its biosphere rendered inhabitable from some unknown reason. With a slightly bigger circumference than holy terra, the day in Albion is 37 hours long and its fauna appears to have had an explosion in diversity at some point creating wild and ferocious creatures that travel across its surface. Only the northern hemisphere has any population estimated by the chapter at 2,000,000 humans.

### Fortress Monastery: "Wardens Cliff"

    The Warden's Cliff is a massive, unique, semi-mobile space fortress from unknown origin, discovered by the Wardens around the same time they seized control of Albion as their main base of operations. The station seemingly has no conventional engines; instead it uses some form of unknown propulsion which has baffled the Mechanicus, both in terms of understanding or replication. What documents remain suggest it to be part of an unknown *"Subjugation class",* but little to no information remains of it and most of the arcane technologies that once powered the fortress have long died.
The Chapter spent considerable resources to refit the station to support life and have since used it as base of operations. The Wardens Cliff is layered as an immense cathedral of white and gold over an asteroid big enough to house it. Imperial representatives that have visited the station spoke of a monastery shrouded in light where acolytes transcribed ancient texts, meditated and fought as part of their duties as battle-brothers of the Chapter.

## Chapter Organization

The Imperial Wardens follow the broad organization doctrines of the *Codex Astartes* in both the structural and squad-level pattern. However the chapter differs over to its command structure, company arrangements and its tactical general approach to warfare.

The Imperial Wardens is a fleet-based Crusading Chapter that prefer to operate as a whole, with as few divisions of their forces as possible. Their independent streak means that they concentrate the chapter power into single objectives, which in turns makes them excel at siegecraft and, if needed, attritional warfare.

One of the chapters more noticeable differences is the use of their "Squire formations". Instead of grouping the scout recruits all in a single company, they are divided into three rotating squads whose purpose largely depends of the needs of the company they are serving at the moment. As the scouts are regrouped in this squads, the spot of the 10th company is reserved for the "Eventide".

The Imperial Wardens Chapter is known for having a much higher number of Apothecaries and Chaplains than most Chapters. It is not uncommon for multiple Apothecaries to be attached to companies, and its practically an unwritten rule that Chaplains assume the title of company commander in the event of battlefield losses. Librarians however take a more subtle role and, due to the nature of some of their unique psychic abilities, aid in preparation for all battles in solid ground.

When times require the chapter to separate their forces to answer to some other enemy, almost always while the bulk of the chapter is already engaged in something else, the Wardens deploy always at company level. It is here where the pattern of organization differences with other more traditional chapter are shown.

The Wardens split their Chapter into a number of Battle Companies designed to operate independently. The Company captains and high officers are assigned flag command of a ship in the Chapter's fleet, a dedicated number of Terminator Veterans are reassigned from the first company and serve as the company spearhead, as well company bodyguards if needed. In other words each company possess elements of Close Support, Fire Support and a small cadre scout recruits directed by the a killteam of the 10th company "Eventide". Each ship also is equip with their own Reclusiam and Apothecarion, with their respective officers, but the chapter shies away from deploying both Librarian and Techmarines from the bulk of the chapter due to how hard it is to replace them and are only seconded to this far away mission if completely necessary.

### Order of Battle

**Lord of the Dawn Nathan Dume,**
**Chapter Master of the Imperial Wardens**
**Emperor's Champion Exekiel Torrin,**
**Dawn Guardians (Honour Guard)**
**Command Squad:**
**Richard "The left hand" (Standard Bearer), Chaplain, Librarian, Apothecary, Techmarine**
**Chapter Equerries**
**\_\_ \_\_,**
**Master of the Forge**
**Techmarines**
**Servitors**
**Battle Tanks**
**Land Raiders**
**Gunships**
**\_\_ \_\_,**
**Reclusiarch**
**\_\_ \_\_,**
**Chief Apothecary**
**\_\_ \_\_,**
**Chief Librarian**
**Epistolaries**
**Codiciers**
**Lexicaniums**

## Combat Doctrine

"*The soul of a Warden can be found in his sword.*"
—A paraphrased quote from the "Book of five Spheres" used by the Imperial Wardens.
What a Warden brings to battle greatly depends on their objectives, but at its most fundamental level the Wardens are organized around the principle of equipping individual Space Marines as well as possible. Done so the battle-brothers can operate for extended periods without resupply or support if necessary, it reflect the Wardens belief that they must not turn away from combat.

The chapter possess a preference for lower maintenance weapons: swords and a knife for close combat in attritional engagements; and Bolters, flamers, melta over volkite and plasma as their main weapons. The use of such weapons helps diminishing friendly casualties while companies or squads are undertaking long rage operations and/or in the rare occasion they battle within cities or the assist Imperial guard. This reliance on simply, yet effective, tools it's also an outward manifestation that the combat doctrine of the Imperial Wardens was based in large part around the *Book of the Five Spheres,* of which quotes are written over the armor plate of the battle brothers.

The wardens are noted for maintaining a well-rounded capacity for unleashing multiple modes of warfare. Most strategic and tactical operations seem to follow a blunt and simplistic approach of overwhelming the enemy with superior strength, in lieu with the companies being equip for prolonged engagement. Armored vehicles, lines of infantry men, supported by shock troops and devastator squads are a common sight in such engagements, as it listening to the chapter running interference in all vox signals filling it with hyms to the emperor. However the Wardens show surprisingly maneuverability with the use of multi-vectored offensives, with fast attacks to push enemies into the Wardens main assault force. The Wardens go into this engagements in their own terms and the secretive use of reconnaissance and infiltration often take by surprise the enemy because the Wardens always seem to know where and when to strike. Becoming both the hammer and the anvil, the Imperial Wardens march to battle relentless and remorseless for they don't run away from any enemy.

### War gear and Vehicles

    The Imperial Wardens give great thought to the appearance of their armor and vehicles. It's not uncommon to see a Wardens armor in excellent conditions, even in the height of war, an attitude that causes derision from other battle harden chapters who claim that the Wardens "have not seen combat in years". This dogma has its more pragmatic roots too since Warden stayed for long periods of time in the void separated from a Chapter normal lines of supply, and the independence with which they had always fought since their inception.
The need to maintain their gear in optimal conditions without external assistance has bred many customizations unique to the chapter. The Wardens made extensive use of custom patterns whom they call "Cinerator" gear. Combi weapons, or specialized flamer gear, are common and grants the chapter tactical flexibility, and give them a limited capacity to deal with threats that their main weapon would find hard or impossible to damage. It also keeps the principle of equipping individual battle brother as well as possible.

The chapter possesses an unexpected amount of vehicles that range from the fast attack transports of Land Raiders and attack bikes, to dedicated siege unit such as the Vindicator and Spartan Assault Tank, the last of which rarely see action outside the "Scorching". The Wardens also maintain a number of Dreadnaughts of many different patterns, customized to follow the Chapter tendency for fire, because they represent the epitome unshakable resolution by being capable of fighting beyond death.

These vehicles have received numerous modifications over the long millennia to conquer any terrain. While they certainly don't have the Mechanicus’ approval, their relationship with the worshipers of the Omnissiah has been soothed over thanks to the fact that has brought the forges of Mars many forms of technology since their inception. At one point in the chapter's history, Mars would finally grant the Wardens their very own custom Terminator suits, with the chapter Cinerator specifications.

### The Scorching

The Wardens wage war in order to keep their losses low and their gains high. Against Traitors or the forces of Chaos the Imperial Wardens manifest their truly terrifying arsenal. The chapter showcase a zealous attitude against this type of enemy unleashing their mostly destructives weapons from Plasma weaponry, to scarcely used Rad Cannons, assisting their normal flame weaponry. Thus in this tools of war scar a planet permanently and burn everything to their ashes, this as their favorite way of war against such foes is known simply as the "Scorching".

A concentrated and crushing battle formation, the Wardens would first sent their tenth company to make the way and prepare long before the Wardens made their presence known. The Wardens would fill every vox, radio or any means of communications with litanies to the Emperor, while from the sky orbital bombardment began falling from the chapter ships cleaning a long landing area. Soon drop pods and thunderhawk gunships will arrive at the zone while the rest of the chapter prepares to transport all necessary personnel to land. The Wardens infantry will provide strategic strength, while the bulk of the chapter heavy armed vehicles moves cracking the earth beneath them. The members of the first company, the "Crimsom Shrouds", Terminators and Dreadnoughts provide reinforcement and an assault spearhead where needed.

With their predilection for flamer weaponry the Wardens vanquish any trace of the enemy, moving from target to target like a remorseless tide of fire, leaving behind their custom battle servitors to keep the scorching so that no place is spared from the Emeperor's blaze. In warzones such as this, and the terrible reputation they garden from the few unlucky witnesses, had many imperial regiment outright denying following the Wardens as their Scorching make it hard to see, breath, or can become potentially dangerous to them and precludes in many friendly casualties.

The wardens for their part never object this, it serves their independent style of warfare.

## Chapter Recruitment

As a fleet based chapter that’s constantly on crusade the Wardens recruitment practices varies depending on the occasion. Their preferred recruit world is their base of operation Albion, with the vast majority of its new initiates coming from the feral population of the world. However the Wardens have shown themselves open to recruit from everywhere they meet a potential candidate.

### *Pilgrims of the Imperium*

Due to the work of Imperial Wardens safeguarding many Pilgrims routes across the Imperium through millennia old of service, the practice of recruiting from the children of Pilgrims who show great fate in the emperor or are survivor of particularly dangerous travels, became common place in the chapter.

The Wardes Chaplains often pays visits to their charges for the duration of their escort through space, selecting the strongest juveniles amongst them, with some even being willingly offered. Captains, and even the lord of the Dawn himself, retain the right to nominate candidate themselves, but the last word would always be on the chaplain.

The trials of a space marine chapter are extensive, laborious, and the Chaplains of the chapter make sure to be constantly supplied with fresh aspirants. Only the strongest of them would survive, coming from the trials a strengthen faith in the Emperor. This long standing practice has even become an important part of the chapters identity, so regardless of their origin of precedence, all members of the chapter are psycho indoctrinated to believe their parents where ardent believers of the Imperial Creed.

### *Squires*

    In a way reminiscent of the Black Templars recruitment practices, the Wardens Initiates are not grouped into the 10th company, but rather in a series of "Squire Formations".
The Squire formations are small, easily manageable squads of Neophytes in the service of Company. Instead of donning the chapter colors, all their gear is dull grey, representing the fact that they are not Wardens yet and have not spill blood for the chapter, and the emperor. The Squires became servants of the company, tending to the equipment, train in combat, maintaining vehicles and such. Chaplains would oversee this training, making sure they learn the chapter customs and offering spiritual guidance. Should a squire show potential on a specific area, The Master of Recruits will make sure to assign a specific battle brother for mentorship.

While expected to fight in the front lines with the company they serve to, Squires would fulfill more traditional scout roles like in other codex complaint chapters. Tasked with infiltrating enemy positions or fulfilling some other critical mission, to be trusted to so represent the trust the company has on their squires, inspiring them to fight even harder.

## Chapter Beliefs

"*We are the unbroken blades and by our hand justice is delivered to those who have turn their faces from he on earth!*"
—Kanaan Dume, first Lord of Dawn.
Self-reliant and stubbornly prideful, the Imperial Warden's are among the most zealous chapters in service of the Imperium. Since their inception the Wardens have put faith in inner strength, iron will and unshakeable resolution in the face of hardship and an utter contempt for those they deemed inferior. It does not matter the enemy or the theatre of war, from trench battles in harsh death worlds, to a desperate siege battle against the forces of Chaos, the Imperial Wardens will not yield to the enemies of the Imperium.

The Imperial Wardens are one of the few Chapters to recognize the Imperial Cult's teachings and the Emperor of Mankind as God. To express this ideology the battle brothers notably make use of chains in their left pauldron, symbolizing the weight and compromise to their duty. The Wardens believe in humanity's manifest destiny to dominate the stars, but to do so mankind should be free of terror and so they are target with protecting the Imperium by destroying everything that threatens humanity.

For this reason, as Wardens, they undertook their never ending crusade across the stars.

### Cult of the Blade

    The lifestyle and doctrines of the Imperial Warden's are a reflection of old Albia in ancient Terra. How exactly the Wardens gardened such culture or from which it was influenced it's a mystery. In following with such martial traditions the Wardens respect strength, one on one duels and martial skill. The Wardens are relentless, but can also be honorable opponents, who would hold to bargains struck for early surrender and honor symbols of truce. Such honorable terms may only be extended to human foes worthy to be spared, as only the strong shall be forgiven so they serve the Emperor. For the Xenos, the Mutant and the Traitor fire is the only option.
From the days of Kanan Dume, each Warden who recognize someone's strength in battle and in the way they carry themselves, would reward such individual with a blade and cup wine. Being the fleet based chapter that they are, the Imperial Wardens rarely have access to certain luxuries, so they view a cup of wine and a blade as suitable gifts for they represent victory. Indeed, red wine has almost become synonym with the blood of the chapter. The Wardens celebrate major victories drinking from the finest wines they can find in the Imperium, and their champions are allowed to carry small flasks of wine with them. In recent history it's not unheard from such things as the Lord of Dawn personally inviting handpicked battle brothers that have defeated enemies of the chapter to drink with him from his personal stack.

Outside battle the Wardens are almost monastic in nature. Being fervent adherents of the Imperial cult, they see the Emperor as the one true God and their Primarch as saint. The time of a battle-brother is split between reflection on the teachings of Rogal Dorn, the *Lectitio Divinitatus* and the honing of their abilities so they are always battle ready. The wardens hold the cardinal belief that the Space Marine is the greatest of all weapons in service of the Emperor. Their chaplains put the image of He on earth as the goal they all aspire to be, will never be, but reflect on their actions. To always remember such teachings the battle brother would inscribe extracts from sacred texts in their armor. This action elevates a brothers armor into a sacred relic, so the Imperial Warden always make sure their armors remain in optimal conditions. Every damage, every scar, and every stain reflects badly on themselves and the Emperor. To carry with such damage in themselves is to erase such sacred words, and no foe, traitor, mutant or heretics deserves to leave its mark in a Warden.

#### Chants of Prey

Imperial Wardens possess a long tradition of passing down their history in the form of songs. Teach as early they begin the trials of recruitment, each chapter brother is capable of elevating deafening chants in synchronicity with the rest of the chapter in and out of battle. Indeed, the chapter is capable of coordinating themselves with the same hymns they use to run interference in all enemy communications giving them a viable way to communicate openly amidst campaigns.

It's unclear where or how began this tradition, but it has remained with the Wardens long enough to become a trademark part of them.

#### Cleanse by fire

Fire is considered sacred by the Chapter, a belief influenced in great part from the chapters preferred weapons and not the other way. Through millennia the wardens have bear witness to how fire consumes the enemy, burning it to ash, and how only from the ashes may a new beginning come forth. Thanks to this the chapter believes their preferred way of war, the "Scorching", to be their cleansing of all unholy in the name of the Emperor. After finishing such campaigns, the Chaplain would recollect ashes from the battle and store them in small's urns to remember their victories.

Fire also takes a part in the chapter burial rites. When a Warden receives the Emperor's peace and his body is recovered and its stripped of all gene-seed organs before being cremated. The chapter then reunites, ceasing all activities while they make a toast in the marine's honor. The Marine tag chain is then fused with the small urn that carry its ashes, and taken into the hall of chains, so his peace is ever lasting in the eyes of the Emperor.

## Chapter Geneseed

    The Imperial Wardens gene-seed is relatively untainted, but as the rest of the chapter heritage, a matter of discussion. The chapter has always fanatically claimed to be descended of Rogal Dorn, and are proud of such heritage displaying the stoic and gene-crafted behavior not unlike other sons of Dorn. However it's of note that only a small number of marines within the chapter show trademark loss of betcher's gland and the sus-an membrane that the sons of Dorns are so characterized for.
Instead the chapter's gene-seed shows other different idiosyncrasies. There is difficulty to pin points which are the result of some long term degradations over their millennia of service, and which are the result of their geneseed, an issue that muddies the task of determining their genetic lineage.

The first and most apparent of such idiosyncrasies is their gaunt appearance. Members of the chapter display muted, often bone white, shades of skin, attributed to a malfunction in their Melanochrome organ. Oddly enough, the eyes of a Marines change color, turning progressively paler, over time; with clear cyan eyes being the most common.

The second defining treat of the Wardens gene-seed comes from reports of an overactive Biscopea implant. This implant is the major source of failure during the process of creating new marines in the chapter. It's often the case that the implant accelerated muscle growth can be harmful for the neophyte, to the point of lethality. However if the recruit survives, the resulting marine will show great durability and robust physique, giving him the ability to withstand great amounts of physical damage that would normally kill other marines.

The Imperium officially lists the Wardens as a chapter of unknown lineage, but imperial savants hold some interesting ideas as to the origin of their gene-seed. The superficial attributes of alabaster skin have driven comparisons with marines created from Raven guard gene-seed, but the function of the other organs not present in the sons of Corvux discredits this theory. Other attributes, such a similarities between the chapter organization, the chapter insistently drive for independence and some visual similarities, suggest the chapter being descent from the First Legion (although the Dark Angels have always denied such a thing).

### The Ghouling

    Over their millennia of service the Imperial Wardens have always displayed their unshakeable resolution in combat, but in times in which such determination goes above and beyond, a curse can appear. Known simply as "The Ghouling", the chapter curse manifests itself in events where physical stress from wounds go beyond an uncertain threshold.
While normally, the Wardens are capable of resisting grievous wounds in combat, they can still be reasoned with and taken from combat so they can tend their wounds. However marines affected by this curse will fight until victory or mutual annihilation. Persisting through horrendous wounds, severed limbs, massive trauma, all accumulate while the marine slowly descends into a single minded focus in battle. Far from a berserk rage, this almost calm state made them look more like walking corpses.

Theorized to be either a malfunction, or a mutation, in the "Catalepsean Node" the marine body apparently shuts down pain receptors and other functions to derive all resources to continuing fighting. Their body slowly dries up, withering their skin giving them a husk appearance on top of their festering wounds. Only when the enemy it's down will the marine stop fighting, immediately entering a sus-an membrane induced coma. Not many marines reach this status, and ones that do are taken by the apothecarium in order to try and find a cure so this won't repeat in the future. The apothecarium would hold no more than 20 marines afflicted by this curse until the chapter honors them by sending the cursed into battle so they will receive the emperor's peace performing their duty.

## Notable Imperial Wardens

**Kanaan Dume, First Lord of Dawn:** Dume was the first marine ever the wear the Red, white and Gold, setting the bases for the Chapters culture and traditions. A veteran of the Great Crusade and Survivor of the Horus Heresy, Dume was old by the time he took up the mantle of Chapter Master. Records are unclear about his origins, some even claiming that he was decent from the old warrior tribes in old Albia and others that he was part of Rogal Dorn's *Huscarls* by account of his intimate knowledge of them. All that remains from him is the history of his deeds.

## Chapter Appearance

The Imperial Wardens's are a chapter noted for carrying armor of "ancient provenance". Given the amount of time the Wardens spent in the void, the chapters shows predilection (even when the opportunity to update their armory) to use of many Marks III 'Iron' and IV 'Maximus' power armor, it helps that as part of the chapters beliefs their gear is kept in very good conditions by their wearers. All this equipment, along with their banner and the flanks of their vehicles, are then introduced into the chapter by covering them in spidery, handwritten Gothic text extracted from the pages of the *Book of Five Spheres, The Book of Atticus* and many other tomes held sacred by the Imperium.

### Garments

The "Aketon" is the traditional garment and symbol of the chapter culture, wore by all ranks within the Wardens. Aketons are red with gold trim flexible padded armor held up by straps and worn from the belt. They are made from ablative and shock-absorbent materials to ensure its durability and malleability, each of them elaborated by hand for the use of the chapter members. The Wardens implement the Aketons and mail skirts as a way to emulate the ways of ancient Albion knights and to proudly show their chapter culture in the midst of battle.

Crimson cloaks and hoods with golden trims are worn by members of the first company, the "Crimson Shrouds". This garments represent the baptism of its members in blood, both spill from themselves and their enemies, symbolizing their relentless loyalty to the Emperor.

### Chapter Colours

The Wardens power armor is bone white with golden trim. The Wardens Aquila, a winged skull held by a gauntlet, is also painted in gold. The entire right vambrace, coulter (occasionally painted gold), gauntlet and shoulder plate are painted the deep crimson, symbolizing the "Drying blood" of the Emperor's enemies. When a neophyte joins the ranks of the Squire formations, the right arms of their scout armor are left grey, symbolizing that they have yet to spill the blood of the enemy, and only after they have done so would they be allowed to carry the red arms.

Among the first born the back packs are painted black, while among the Primaris it's painted in the same bone white as the rest of the armor, the reason behind this seems to be the representation of the Primaris as a "new dawn" for the chapter.

The 10th company, Dusk Riders, colors follow the same "Red right hand" of the chapter, however the rest of the armor is painted black or "storm Grey" to facilitate the dark operations of the company. Moreover they usually lack the common symbols that would identify them as Imperial Wardens, which befits their work in covert operations.

The Wardens squad specialty symbol is painted white and indicated on the right shoulder guard, while the company is marked by a big red symbol on the right greave as opposed to the codex mandated way. A small white High Gothic numeral is stencilled in inset of the right shoulder pauldron designates squad assignment. Ranks are denoted by tags hanging from chains over the left pauldron, and such tags can also denote particular feats courage from the battle brother.

### Chapter Badge

The Imperial Wardens Chapter badge is a red skull halved, with a half roundel with red right hand carrying a sword on the other side, centered on a field of bone white. This symbol is said to represent the great sword carrying champions of the Horus Heresy such as Sigismund and Garro. It symbolizes the promised death to the traitors and heretics, and the role of the Wardens as the red right hand of the emperor.

## Gallery

Imperial Wardens "Cinerator" custom Terminator Armor.

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