Iron Spears

**This article, Iron Spears, was written by Phoenix Arcanum. It may be linked to any page without asking for the author's permission.**

## Iron Spears

Iron Spears Armorial

Brother Gawain, a highly decorated Battle-Brother of the Iron Spears 4th Clan-Company.

## Space Marine Chapter

### **Allegiance**

Imperium of Man
(*Fidelitas Scindere*)

### **Successor of**

Storm Lords
(Jaghatai Khan lineage; Suspected)

### **Allies**

* White Scars
* Space Wolves
* Storm Wardens
* Sanguine Spears
* Arcana Sector Imperial Factions

### **Specialty**

Shock Assault, High-Intensity Warfare, Harrowing Actions, Extermination Operations, Strategic Decapitation Strikes, and Close-Quarters Actions (Space Hulk Purgation, Line-Breaker Attacks, 'Forlorn Hope' Objective Assaults)

### **Colours**

Green and Silver

Hailing from the Death World of Ailinne, the **Iron Spears** (***Hastae Ferrum*** in High Gothic and **Gaith Airanna** in Ailinnean) are a Chapter of Space Marines with a long and proud history. They were created from the genetic lineage of the Storm Lords, whom themselves supposedly hail from the ancient White Scars. Operating from their fortress-monastery of Dunbairrche, the Iron Spears are deployed across the Segmentum Obscurus and Segmentum Ultima. The Chapter has been led by High Chieftain Fionn Cathair for nearly five centuries since his predecessor passing in 634.M41.

## History and Notable Engagements

### Founding

The true origins of the Iron Spears Chapter have been lost to time. Surviving historical records indicate that the Iron Spears were created as a 4th Founding Successor Chapter of the Storm Lords (the first Iron Spears officers were said to be from the Storm Lords' 4th Company), thus hailing from the hallowed lineage of Jaghatai Khan. Whether or not the Iron Spears truly are Sons of the Great Khan, the Chapter still maintains a rather close bond with the White Scars Chapter.

The Iron Spears originating from the 4th Founding does hold substantial weight since almost all records agree that the Chapter was founded shortly after the War of the Beast to serve as a standing force within the Imperium's northern regions. Perhaps coincidentally, the Iron Spears' original theater of operations covered an area of space nearly identical to the boundaries of the modern-day Imperium Nihilus.

Rinnal Boru was the nigh-legendary first High Chieftain (Chapter Master) of the Iron Spears Chapter. According to Chapter myths, Rinnal Boru was born in the City-State of Ghórmac on Ailinne. When the Iron Spears were eventually created, Rinnal Boru chose his own home of Ailinne to be the Homeworld of his new chapter. In the days of the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy, Ailinne was the location of an Astartes Legion redoubt. In the absence of the Legion, the redoubt was taken over by the local population and re-named *Dunbairrche*. For nearly a thousand years, the *'High Kings of Ailinne'* would rule from Dunbairrche. Over the centuries, Dunbairrche would develop into a veritable fortress as the locals constructed their own additions and expansions to the original Legion Redoubt.

When the first officers of the Iron Spears arrived at Ailinne, they 'reclaimed' Dunbairrche and Rinnal Boru took the title of *'High King of Ailinne'*. The native Ailinneans that inhabited Dunbairrche became the first Chapter Serfs of the Iron Spears Chapter.

The first officers of the Iron Spears included the Chief Librarian, High Chaplain, Chief Apothecary, Master of the Forge and five Captains. Most of these original officers were believed to have originated from the White Scars and Storm Lords Chapters. Strangely, the Iron Spears claim that both their original Chief Librarian and their original Captain of the 1st Company hailed from the Space Wolves Chapter. The presence of two Sons of Russ would greatly influence the development of the Iron Spears' Chapter culture.

Alighieri selected his home planet, Ailinne, to be the Homeworld of the Iron Spears Chapter. In the days of the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy, Ailinne was the location of a Blood Angels Legion redoubt. In the absence of the Blood Angels, the redoubt was taken over by the local population and re-named *Dunbairrche*. For nearly a thousand years, the *'High Kings of Ailinne'* would rule from Dunbairrche. Over the centuries, Dunbairrche would develop into a veritable fortress as the locals constructed their own additions and expansions to the original Blood Angels Redoubt.

When the first officers of the Iron Spears arrived at Ailinne, they 'reclaimed' Dunbairrche and Alighieri (now known as Rinnal Boru) took the title of *'High King of Ailinne'*. The native Ailinneans that inhabited Dunbairrche became the first Chapter Serfs of the Iron Spears Chapter.

### Feinnwe Crusade (157.M33)

The earliest recorded record of the Iron Spears' combat history was their involvement in a crusade against the Aeldari of Craftworld Feinnwe.

In the 157th year of the 33rd Millennium, the AAeldarii Craftworld Feinnwe (a Craftworld that usually roams the Arcana Sector) strayed to close to an Imperial Star System and was attacked by the local PDF Forces. The AAeldarii of Craftworld Feinnwe retaliated swiftly and efficiently by eliminating the PDF Forces, exterminating the Imperial population, and effectively sterilizing the entire Star System. Later Imperial Scholars speculate that one of the planets in the system may actually have been an AAeldarii Maiden World, meaning the Aeldari would have slaughtered the Human populations regardless of whether or not the Imperium attacked first.

In retaliation for the destruction of a Star System, the Imperium instigated the **Feinnwe Crusade**, a protracted campaign comprising of numerous battles conducted by a coalition of Imperial Forces taken from across the Arcana Sector. For decades, if not centuries, the Imperial Coalition hunted down and harassed the forces of the Craftworld wherever they appeared. Imperial efforts were overseen by High Chieftain Chulainn of the Iron Spears chapter alongside Inquisitor Lord Constantine Gigas of the Ordo Xenos.

Unbeknownst to either the Imperium or the Craftworld, Imperial Forces were indirectly aided by a highly unlikely secret ally. This shadowy "third-party" (a Thousand Sons Sect known as the Grimoire Heralds) also sought to see Craftworld Feinnwe "laid low" and used the Imperial Coalition as pawns to achieve their goals without the latter's knowledge. The Magisters of the Grimoire Heralds, powerful Exalted Sorcerers of Tzeentch, used their collective psychic power to partly obscure the future from the eyes of the Craftworld's Farseers. Agents of the Grimoire Heralds also served to inform the Imperial Logis Strategos regarding the locations and activities of Feinnwe's forces.

It is said that a strike force of Iron Spears Veterans managed to successfully infiltrate the Craftworld itself. While successful at causing harm to the Aeldari of Feinnwe, the victory came at a great cost. Only one Astartes of the strike force had survived, having been discovered in a damaged Caestus Assault Ram drifting through empty space. The Iron Spears were able to salvage the Assault Ram, but the Marine inside was wounded to the point that he was interred within a Dreadnought Sarcophagus soon after. For whatever reason, records detailing the Iron Spears' infiltration of Craftworld Feinnwe remain scant. The surviving Marine, who yet lives as a Dreadnought in the 41st Millennium, is one of the few living beings who know of the infiltration mission.

Soon after the surviving Marine was recovered, the Imperium declared that vengeance for the sterilized Imperial World had been fully exacted. Feinnwe Crusade proved two things. To the Aeldari, it proved that the Imperial Arcana Sector was not a force to be trifled with. To the Imperium, it proved that the Aeldari of Feinnwe were a force to be reckoned with and would not be easily exterminated. Following the Attack on Craftworld Feinnwe, the Arcana Sector and the Feinnwe AAeldarii entered a perpetual 'Cold War'. While they certainly came into conflict with one another in the form of skirmishes, firefights, confrontations etc. the two factions never engaged in full-scale conflict against each other.

### Pacification of Mavros (236.M39)

In 236.M39, the population of the planet Mavros, homeworld of the Angels Vigilant Chapter, attempted to secede from the Imperium. During the Mavros Revolution, the Angels Vigilant had entered a state of radio silence, never responding to any transmissions from the greater Imperium. The Iron Spears were sent to quell the rebellion and investigate the radio silence. When they arrived on Mavros they discovered temples, shrines, altars, and effigies built to honor the Chaos gods. As they cut through the hordes of cultists and reached the Angels Vigilant Fortress-Monastery, the Loyalists were assaulted by a unit of Death Company Marines bearing the Mark of Khorne. In the midst of the skirmish, the rest of the Angels Vigilant Chapter (now known as the Void Stalkers) emerged, revealing that they had fallen to chaos and that this renegade chapter was the mastermind behind the planetary secession. After a long and grueling battle against the Void Stalkers and their waves of chaos cultists, the Astartes forces were forced to resort to Exterminatus. However, some of the Angels Vigilant escaped the planet aboard a lone Battle Barge and fled into the Eye of Terror.

### Battle of Ailinne (677.M39)

The Battle of Ailinne took place in the year 677.M39 and pitted the Iron Spears Chapter against massive Heretic army lead by the Void Stalkers (who had returned after 441 years in hiding). The Void Stalkers' army consisted of 1,200 Void Stalkers, 900 Word Bearers, 600 World Eaters, 300 Thousand Sons, and cultist soldiers "beyond number".

The Heretical Host attacked Ailinne whilst the Iron Spears Chapter was gathered for a *'Great Feast'*, a long-standing tradition in which the entire Chapter (including the largely independent Fenians, which numbered 64 Marines at the time) gathers at the Fortress Monastery for a grand celebration. The surprise assault caught the Marines off guard as the entire Chapter mobilized to defend their home. Before interstellar communications were shut down, the Iron Spears were able to receive aid from the Planetary Defense Forces of Brigid and Leix as well as naval elements of the System Defense Fleet. Despite their apparent lack of technological progress, the native inhabitants of Ailinne soon proved themselves to be invaluable asset in the fight against the Traitors. The Déisi, warrior-serfs of the Iron Spears and the Planetary Defense Force of Ailinne also played an instrumental part in the defense of Ailinne.

The battle was initially largely in favor of the Iron Spears, whose Monastery was protected by void shields, auto-defenses, and a natural ring of impassible mountains with only one passage. For a time the Iron Spears were able to exact heavy casualties among the Traitors until they were betrayed by Gofraid, Chieftain of the 10th Clan-Company. During the battle, Gofraid was psychically contacted and corrupted by Elymas, Arch-Sorcerer of the Void Stalkers.

After falling to chaos, Chieftain Gofraid was responsible for disabling the fortress' automatic defense systems and opening the "Blackstair Gate", allowing the Traitors to storm Dunbairrche directly. Gofraid also aided the Heretic army in surpassing many of Dunbairrche's defenses. To make matters worse, a "second wave" of Traitors far larger than the first arrived to assault the fortress-monastery. Despite the loss of the automated defenses and Gofraid's betrayal, the Iron Spears prevented the enemy from breaching the inner-most sections of the Monastery where much of the Chapter was now holed up.

In orbit, the massive Chaos fleet prevented communication between Ailinne and the rest of the Imperium. However, it would seem that the grace of the Emperor was with the Iron Spears as a small Escort ship, under the command of Thane Murchadh, managed to escape the Chaos blockade. When the Escort ship was en route to Baal, it encountered a fleet of the Broken Wings. Murchadh relayed his story to the Broken Wings Captain who agreed to aid the Iron Spears. Murchadh and the Broken Wings Captain were able to recruit a strike force comprising of nearly 2,000 Astartes from various Chapters including; the Blood Angels, Broken Wings, Angels of Salvation, White Scars, Storm Lords, Storm Wardens, and Space Wolves. Among the coalition of Imperial relief forces sent to Ailinne were Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy units taken from across the Arcana Sector.

This strike force made their way to Ailinne to provide relief for the Iron Spears. The five loyalist chapters were finally able to finally drive away the traitors (including Gofraid, now known as Talexus Battlereaver). Despite successfully defending their Homeworld and Fortress-Monastery, 75% of the Iron Spears Chapter (including the High Chieftain Garmund Mor) had perished in battle. The Iron Spears would not recover from their losses until around 770.M39

### Arminius Campaign (777 - 780.M40)

In the late 40th Millennium, the Greenskin forces of WAAAGH! Garrog rampaged across the Arcana Sector before being put down. Once the present threat had been dealt with, the Arcana Sector Authority resolved to end the Ork menace once and for all.

The Arminius Campaign was a xenocidal war conducted by the Imperium which sought to completely exterminate the Orks of Kilandros. The Campaign came to an end in 780.M40 when the Imperium reduced the Ork population of Kilandros to null. Despite this, however, Orks of the Mad Skulls Clan migrated from distant star systems to recolonize Kilandros and re-established it as a major Ork World.

### Kilandros Crusade (271 - 286.M41)

In the 2nd Century of the 41st Millennium, the Mad Skullz Orks of the planet Kilandros and surrounding systems formed into WAAAGH! Golrag. In the early months of WAAAGH! Golrag an Ork of titanic size known only as *the Primork* supplanted Golrag as Warboss. *The Primork* rapidly expanded the WAAAGH! by uniting hundreds of Ork Klans and invading at least ten Sectors of Imperial space. WAAAGH! Primork soon grew to become the greatest Ork threat to the Empire since the War of the Beast.

By 271.M41 the Imperium had finally mobilized to combat the threat. The Imperial Coalition consisted of countless Imperial Guard Regiments, numerous Battlefleets of the Imperial Navy, seven Titan Legions, several Preceptories of the Sisters of Battle, and Astartes from twenty-two Chapters; the Ultramarines, Blood Angels, Imperial Fists, Space Wolves, Salamanders, Black Templars, Storm Wardens, Blood Ravens, Iron Spears, Sanguine Spears, Revenants, Angels of Salvation, Death Templars, Mordekaisers, Holy Hospitallers, Sons of Odin, Knights of Guilliman, Penitent Knights, Astral Paladins, Steel Crusaders, Storm Riders, and the Corvus Legion.

Imperial efforts to drive off the Ork threat became known as the Kilandros Crusade, also known as the Primork Crisis. It would take fifteen years for the forces of the Kilandros Crusade to liberate all ten Sectors plagued by WAAAGH! Primork. When the Imperium finally launch an assault on WAAAGH! Primork's "capital world" of Kilandros, they discovered that the Orks were attempting to convert their homeworld's moon into a mobile fortress they dubbed 'Da Great Rok'. The Orks planed to use 'Da Great Rok' as the flagship that would lead WAAAGH! Primork in an assault on Terra itself. With the ten years the Imperium had spent cleansing world attacked by WAAAGH! Primork, the Mad Skullz had nearly completed their "battle station".

The Primork himself was present during the Battle of Kilandros, leading the Orks against the Imperium. Despite the efforts of the Imperium's greatest heroes, the Primork could not be slain. Though while Imperial forces failed in their initial plan to disable the thrust system using meltabombs, the Astartes of the Storm Riders and the Corvus Legion managed to gain control of the area around the primary power generator and rigged it with manually activated incendiary devices. The Imperial forces were ordered to withdraw so that the power generator may be detonated. By then however, many Sanguine Spears and Revenants Marines had fallen victim to the Red Thirst, ignoring the order to withdraw and instead focused on personally slaughtering every Ork present, inspiring the Death Templars, Sons of Odin, and Iron Spears to do the same. It was left to the more "level-headed" Chapters such as the Angels of Salvation and Holy Hospitallers to successfully reign in the frenzied Sanguine SpearsChapters and forcibly remove them from the battlefield. It was through this that the Angels of Salvation earned the respect of the Iron Spears, something that could not be said for many sons of the Lion.

The Second Captain of the Sanguine Spears, having had his honor stained in a previous engagement, elected to stay behind with the detonator alongside roughly half of the Sanguine Spears' 2nd Company while the other Imperial forces withdrew from the doomed planetoid. The destruction of the primary power generator not only successfully destroyed "Da Great Roks" machinery, but also created massive tectonic upheavals that killed all the Orks on the planetoid. Not only did the 2nd Company ensure the Moon was destroyed, they ensured that the Primork perished alongside his kindred.

Despite their victory, the Imperium was once again unable to fully eliminate the Ork presence on Kilandros and the surrounding systems. After the Battle of Kilandros, the Imperium left Kilandros devoid of Ork-based life. But once again, after Imperial forces abandoned the system, Mad Skull Orks from distant planets migrated to Kilandros to resettle the Ork World.

### Other Notable Campaigns

* **The Beheading (646.M32):** Following the coup against Vangorich, the Throneworld fell into dissaray. Chapter Master Agnathio leads fifty Space Marine Chapters (including the Iron Spears) to Terra to contain the anarchy.
* **Obscuran Uprisings (Late.M34):** The High Lords of Terra deploy Imperial forces to cull the two Renegade Chapters, the Sons of Vengeance and the Silver Guards.
* **Wars of Atonement (c.300-500.M36):** Despite the death of Goge Vandire, heresy and corruption continued to be rampant within the Imperium. The Arcana Sector descended into a series of Civil Wars known as the Wars of Atonement. For little two centuries, the Arcana Sector Loyalists systematically hunted down the rebel heretics to the last man. Starting around 350.M36, the Loyalists were assisted in their task by Sisters of Battle that would later become the Order of the Gilded Rose.
* **Eleventh Black Crusade (301.M39):** Abaddon's forces are scattered across the Materium at the onset of the Eleventh Black Crusade. One Warlord and his Warband appears to terrorize the Arcana Sector
* **Twelfth Black Crusade (151.M41):** The Iron Spears 4th Clan-Company is deployed to assist the Gothic Sector during the Twelfth Black Crusade
* **Cernunnos Crusade (817-828.M41)**
* **Castigation of Aetiras Majoris (932.M41)**
* **Second War for Armageddon (941-943.M41):** An Ork WAAAAGH! under the command of Ghazkul uruk-Thraka invades the Hive World of Armageddon within Segmentum Solar. Astartes from the Iron Spears' 1st and 2nd Clan-Companies are sent to aid Imperial forces. During the War, Chieftain Ulaidh Tara of the 1st Clan-Company is wounded in battle and interred within a Dreadnought Sarcophagus
* **Third War for Armageddon (998.M41):** The Iron Spears Chapter assist Imperial forces in the defense of Armageddon during Ghazkul uruk-Thraka's second invasion of the Hive World
* **Thirteenth Black Crusade (999.M41)**
* **Indomitus Crusade (M42)**
* **War of Nightmares (M42)**

## Homeworld

The Iron Spears hail from the planet Ailinne, a hyperborean Death World consisting of towering snow-covered mountain ranges, artic forests, and expansive frozen wastelands. The planet's climate is extremely cold, with temperatures ranging from -30 °C during the summer and -50 °C in the winter. Howling blizzards are quite common. The planet's surface is around 50% water in the form of large frigid oceans. Ailinne is a very dangerous and unforgiving place; from its hostile environment to the large ferocious beasts that inhabit it.

Ailinne is home to two groups of Humans. There are those that reside in city-states with a feudalistic government structure and those from the barbarian tribes of the ice-wastes of "Outer Ailinne". Overall, the culture of Ailinne appears to be an amalgam of various Northern European cultures (primarily Celts and Víkingr) from Terra's ancient Medieval Period.

The Déise are the warrior-serfs of the Iron Spears Chapter and the Planetary Defense Force of Ailinne.

Ailinne is orbited by a single moon known as Ibrickane. Ibrickane is a feral moon with a warmer environment than the planet it orbits. Ibrickane is covered in tundras, boreal forests, and large misty lakes. The Humans of Ibrickane serve as the Chapter's secondary source of recruits.

The Iron Spears Fortress-Monastery of Dunbairrche is built on a large snow plain surrounded almost entirely by a ring of mountains called the Black Mountains, creating a natural protective barrier that is used to keep out the tribal populace. The only opening in the Black Mountains is the narrow Blackstair Pass. The Chapter takes great pride in the artful decoration of their Monastery; statues of Chapter heroes grace the halls, mighty tapestries hang from the ceilings, and great murals line the walls and floors. In the deepest reaches of the Fortress-Monastery lies the *Dubsacrair,* the Dark Sanctum. It is said that the darkest secrets of the Chapter reside here, never to see the light of day.

The central structure of Dunbairrche was once a redoubt of the am Astartes during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy. Following the Second Founding and the splitting of the Legions, the redoubt was largely abandoned. With the departure of the Astartes, the structure was taken over by the locals. The *'High Kings of Ailinne'* would rule out of the redoubt (now known as *Dunbairrche*) for a thousand years until the Emperor's Angels of Death returned.

## Chapter Organisation

The Iron Spears Chapter is organized into 10 Companies known as Clan-Companies (or simply Clans, with squads referred to as 'Septs'). The Iron Spears organization is very similar to *Codex* organization with only a few major differences. One of which is a semi-autonomous unit unique to the Iron Spears known as a *'Fenian'*. Nominally, the Iron Spears are Codex *Compliant* in size with 1,000 Marines.

Since the introduction of Primaris Marines in the closing days of the 41st Millennium the Iron Spears organization was changed in order to accommodate. Following the "Primaris Reformation" each Battle Company and Reserve Company now contain 6 squads of 5 Primaris Marines.

Combined, the Iron Spears Chapter has a total of 240 Primaris Marines. This number went up to 340 after 100 Vanguard Primaris Marines were added to the 10th Clan-Company.

### Officer Ranks

**High Chieftain** - The High Chieftain is the Iron Spears term for the Chapter Master. The High Chieftain is typically one of the oldest Marines in the Chapter, utilizing his centuries of experience in order to best lead the Chapter. The High Chieftain also serves as the High King of Ailinne and Ibrickane, as well as the *de jure* Iron Spears representative to the Arcana Sector Council. The High Chieftain is sometimes addressed as simply the 'High Chief'

**Chieftains** - Chieftains are the Iron Spears equivalent of Captains. Chieftains lead Clan-Companies into battle directly, typically near the front of the assault. Chieftains are sometimes referred to by the number of their Company (i.e. the Third Chieftain is the Chieftain of the 3rd Clan-Company), however this is more often than not used to distinguish the Chieftain of the 1st Clan-Company. Chieftains are sometimes addressed simply as 'Chief'.

**Lieutenants** - Part of Primarch Guilliman's revision of the *Codex Astartes* involved dividing Space Marine Companies into two Demi-Companies (comprised of 50 Marines) lead by a Lieutenant. There is still some debate amongst members of the Iron Spears Chapter in regards to which title Lieutenants should bear; 'Tanist' (leaders of a Tanistry) or 'Sub-Chieftain' (leaders of a Sub-Clan). It is often the personal choice of each individual Lieutenant as to which of the two titles they prefer.

**Thanes** - Thanes are the Iron Spears equivalent of Sergeants. Thanes are tasked with leading the Chapters Squads (known as Septs) into battle.

### Specialist Ranks

**Clerics** - Clerics serve as the Chapter's Chaplains. They are responsible for the mental and spiritual well-being of all the Battle-Brothers. In battle they maintain morale by chanting litanies of the Iron Spears' glory in the native Ailinnean language. Whenever a Battle-Brother becomes entombed within a Revenant it is the Clerics that inscribe prayers into its chassis*.*

**Druids** - Druids are the Chapter's Librarians. Druids are responsible for the recording and preservation of the Iron Spears' history and they are the guardians of the Chapter's legacy. Like the Space Wolves, the Druids of the Iron Spears do not believe their powers originate from the warp. Rather, they believe that they gain their power from the "elemental spirits" of their homeworld Ailinne, and its moon Ibrickane. The beliefs and practices of Iron Spears Druids are heavily influenced by the Space Wolves Wolf Priests. This is because the first Archdruid (Chief Librarian) of the Iron Spears Chapter hailed from the Space Wolves Chapter.

**Shamans** - Shamans are the Iron Spears version of Apothecaries. Apothecaries are charged with observing their Brothers for genetic purity and providing them with all necessary biomedical needs. They are also responsible for the induction of new Astartes into the Chapter as well as the implementation of Gene-Seed Implants. Iron Spears Shamans are known to sometimes combine traditional medical practices with esoteric "Ailinnean Healing Rituals".

**Blacksmiths** - Blacksmiths serve as the Chapter's Techmarines. They are the custodians of the Armoury and Motorpool, charged with the maintenance, operation, and repair of the Chapter's myriad of war machines. Every piece of technology, from a mighty Battle Barge to a single Bolter round is considered Holy and every Blacksmith views the neglect of such equipment as tantamount to blasphemy. The Iron Spears Chapter sends their prospective Techmarines to Mars to be inducted into the Cult Mechanica and trained in the ways of the Omnissiah. With the formation of the Great Rift, travel to Mars from the Dark Imperium has become unreliable. Because of this, the Iron Spears have begun to send prospective Techmarines to the Forge World of Beltane for their training.

**Honour Guard** - The Honor Guard of the Iron Spears is made up of the most elite veterans of the Chapter, on par with (or above) the Chieftains of the Clan-Companies. One member of the Honour Guard is tasked with representing the Iron Spears Chapter on the Arcana Sector Council.

**Fenians:** Fenians are Battle-Brothers that wander the Galaxy as hunter-warriors and operate semi-independently from the rest of the Chapter. Fenians will sometimes come together to form a "temporary" warrior-band known as a Fiann (plural **Fianna**) lead by a Rigfiann. The basis of the Fenians may have been inspired by the Lone Wolves of the Space Wolves Chapter. The total number of Fenian at any given time would be enough to fill a Demi-Company (50-75 Marines)

### Line Ranks

**Veterans** - Veterans are among the oldest and wisest members of the Iron Spears and as such are some of the most elite and experienced Battle-Brothers in the Chapter.

**Neophytes** - Unlike most Chapters, Iron Spears Neophytes are more often employed as assault troops, much like the Blood Claws of the Space Wolves or the Neophytes of the Black Templars.

**Battle-Brothers** - Battle-Brothers make up the bulk of the Iron Spears Chapter. Battle-Brothers of the Iron Spears are divided into three "types"; Battleline Marines, Fire Support Marines, and Close Support Marines.

**Vanguard Marines:**  With the introduction of Primaris Marines, the 10th Clan Company now contains100 Vanguard Marines; 40 Infiltrators, 20 Rievers, 20 Eliminators, and 20 Suppressors.

**Revenants** - Revenant is the unique term the Iron Spears use to refer to their Dreadnoughts.

### Order of Battle

#### Chapter Command

**High Chieftain Fionn Cathair,**

**Mael Goran, Exalted Champion**
**30 Honor Guard**

**Cathbad Rhun, Grand Cleric of the Iron Spears, Master of Sanctity**
**35 Clerics**
**Gobannus Gofannon,**
**Chief Blacksmith of the Iron Spears,**
**Master of the Forge**
**35 Blacksmiths**
**80+ Servitors**
**30 Predators**
**10 Vindicators**
**10 Whirlwinds**
**10 Hunters**
**10 Stalkers**
**40 Rhinos**
**40 Land Raiders**
**50 Stormraven Gunships**
**Centurion Warsuits**

**Oisín Edaron,**
**High Shaman of the Iron Spears,**
**Master of the Apothecarion**
**25 Shamans**

**Rónan Fel,**
**Archdruid of the Iron Spears,**
**Master of the Librarius**
**5 Epistolaries**
**10 Codiciers**
**15 Lexicanums**

**7 Druid Revenants (Librarian Dreadnoughts)**

## Combat Doctrine

The Iron Spears are masters of shock assaults, ferociously charging headlong at their enemies with overwhelming strength; savage fury in their eyes and burning rage in their hearts. Once they get close enough, Battle-Brothers engage in vicious close-quarters combat; either hacking at their enemies with melee weapons or blasting at them with ranged weapons. The Iron Spears attack relentlessly, using all their might to crush and annihilate their foes as swiftly and violently as they can. Through this, they are able to disrupt their enemy's perception of the battlefield and destroy their will to fight. All the while they carry out their duties with an unnerving amount of zeal. As seemingly barbaric as they are, the Iron Spears still strive to be as 'honorable as possible' and are akin to 'noble savages'. They are also noted as being less violent than Chapters like the Knights of Blood or the Marines Malevolent. Even with their somewhat destructive combat doctrine, the Iron Spears make a meticulous effort to prevent or at least minimize civilian casualties.

## Chapter Beliefs

Despite the fact that the Iron Spears do not hail from Space Wolf stock, the Chapter nevertheless holds a great deal of reverence for the Wolf King Leman Russ, Primarch of the Space Wolves. This is likely due to three factors. The first factor is that Rinnal Boru, first High Chieftain of the Iron Spears, was said to often served alongside forces of the Space Wolves Legion (including Russ himself) during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy. The second factor is that two of the original Iron Spears officers - the Chief Librarian and the First Captain, both hailed from the Space Wolves Chapter. The third factor is that Ailinnean culture is very similar to Fenrisian culture, creating a bond between the Iron Spears and Space Wolves Chapters.

Although Primaris Marines were openly welcomed into the Chapter, the Iron Spears remain wary of what they consider their "semi-heretical" and "non-Ailinnean" origins, only maintaining a limited amount of Primaris Marines at any given time. Every other Marine is created using the "old fashion method".

## Chapter Gene-Seed

### Primarch's Curse: Innate Savagery

It is unknown whether the controlled savagery of the Iron Spears came originally from their Primarch (believed to be Jaghatai Khan), or from the wild and fierce people of Chogoris themselves, or even some combination of the two, but whatever the cause, there is a ferocity within their hearts and their blood that grants them great power, but which also threatens to consume all that they are and damn them. All Iron Spears are watchful for this necessary yet insidious savagery, and it is only with great discipline, humble introspection and often the watchfulness of their Battle-Brothers that they can hope to master themselves. This genetic curse manifests itself in only two stages

**Stage 1** - A Moment Unrestrained: The Battle-Brother's discipline begins to slip and falter, allowing brief moments of untamed ferocity to emerge in the heat of battle. Often, the Battle-Brother will not even know that he is succumbing to this savagery, and it requires the presence of his Brothers to warn him of his failure.

**Stage 2** - Suppressed Rage: Within the darkest reaches of the Battle-Brother's mind lurks the shadow of his rage and fury, seeking any opportunity to emerge, and causing the Battle-Brother to become belligerent and quick to anger.

### Physical Appearance

The Gene-seed of the Iron Spears carries with it three physical mutations. Perhaps due to Ossmodula mutation, all Marines in the Iron Spears Chapter display large canine fangs. Due to Occulobe mutation, Iron Spear Marines have unnatural eye coloration; displaying red, yellow, or orange eyes. A mutation of the Melanchromic Organ causes all Marines to have a pale/pallid complexion and prevents them from tanning in sunlight.

## Chapter Customs and Demeanor

The Iron Spears dogma holds that nothing related to their foes should remain standing. Battle-Brothers are driven by a desire to burn the enemies corpse, destroy his works, and go to great lengths to sweep away everything related to him. This has sometimes led to Iron Spears forces refusing to relent even when the opposing forces have already surrendered. This specific belief stems from the Chapter's honor code which states that once someone has made a decision they must follow through with it until the bitter end and accept the consequences of their actions.

In a similar manner to the Salamanders and Space Wolves, the Iron Spears seem to have a sense of respect for loyal Imperial citizens. As children of Sanguinius and harbingers of the Emperor's will, the Iron Spears believe that they have a 'duty of care' and an obligation to aid and protect loyal citizens of the Imperium no matter the cost. Even with their destructive combat doctrine, the Iron Spears make a meticulous effort to prevent or at least minimize civilian casualties.

Battle-Brothers of the Iron Spears Chapter are known to become so engrossed in their mission that anything else is regarded as a secondary concern. The Iron Spears have no concept of the notion of defeat and would rather die a glorious death than accept that they have lost. They are unwavering in the face of adversity and are capable of the most awe-inspiring feats of courage. Yet on occasion stubbornness of Battle-Brothers has been to the detriment of the larger strategic situation. Through sheer tenacity and refusal to retreat or surrender, the Iron Spears have ensured that their defeats are few and far between. Yet their great many victories are oft pyrrhic in nature, costing the lives of countless Battle-Brothers.

Like their supposed progenitors, the Iron Spears also have an appreciation for fine art and poetry, but like with everything in their Chapter, is filled with the iconography of Ailinne (poetry is done in the Ailinnean language). The Chapter's love of art is evident in the decoration of their Fortress-Monastery. Some Battle-Brothers adorn their armor with various symbols, icons and imagery. Various Ailinnean cultural imagery (including tartan-pattern loincloths, animal pelts, animal teeth/bones, and tribal warpaint) is used out of respect for the native Ailinneans from which the Chapter's Battle-Brothers originate.

One of the more unique aspects the Iron Spears have adopted from the Ailinne natives is the concept of feasting when not in battle. After every successful battle, the Iron Spears that partook in the conflict gather together for a "feast". A feast consists of copious amounts of food and alcoholic drinks (strong enough to affect the metabolism of an Astartes warrior). This eating and drinking is always accompanied by loud singing and storytelling. Every hundred years or so, the Iron Spears hold a "Grand Feast" at their fortress-monastery where the whole Chapter gathers in joyous celebration.

## Notable Members

### Previous Chapter Masters

* **Ulfric Torvin:** Served 201 - 634.M41
* **Garmund Mor:** Served c.200 - 677.M39
* **Daire Barrach:** Served 811.M37 - 133.M38
* **Hagan Rothgar:** Served until 811.M37
* **Thorin Dairsciath:** Served c. 185.M36 - c. 811.M36 High Chieftain during the Age of Apostasy
* **Chulainn Nuada (Second High Chieftain):** Continues to serve the Chapter as a Venerable Leviathan Dreadnought
* **Rinnal Boru (First High Chieftain):** Served 1,006 years

### Other Notable Members

* **Mael Goran:** Mael Goran was once a Company Champion twice-disgraced, first for failing to protect his Captain and twice for failing to lead the Clan-Company to victory. As penance, Goran was to serve as a Fenian for as long as the Chapter Master deemed fit. Over the course of several solar decades, Mael Goran would slowly rebuild his reputation and became the most well-known of the Chapter's Fenian. When the Chapter Champion, Angus Lugh, fell in battle during the 13th Black Crusade it was Goran who took up *Claiomh Solais* (a relic power sword wielded by Chapter Champions) and defended the Champion's body from the ravenous hordes of Daemons. For his heroics, Mael Goran would fully regain his honor and succeed Angus Lugh as the Exalted Champion of the Iron Spears.
* **Ulaidh Tara:** Ulaidh Tara served was the previous Chieftain of the 1st Clan-Company. Ulaidh Tara was maimed in a duel against an Ork Warboss during the Second War for Armageddon (941.M41) and was subsequently interred within a Furioso Revenant whose right hand has been painted red. After his internment, Ulaigh's crimson-colored power fist (dubbed the Red Hand of Ulaidh) was declared a relic of the 1st Clan-Company and gifted to his successor Niall Ciotach, who later used it as a cybernetic replacement for his right arm that he lost to Tyranids in 998.M41.
* **Fenran Mordyval:** Previous Chieftain of the 2nd Clan-Company who served from 562.M41 until he fell in battle in 966.M41 at the venerable age of 703.
* **Dunistar Unferth:** Previous Chieftain of the 8th Clan Company that fell during the 13th Black Crusade. Unferth began his tenure as Eighth Chieftain in 714.M41 and served the Emperor for a total of 530 years.
* **Cian Asgorn:** Previous Chieftain of the 5th Clan Company who fell during the 13th Black Crusade. Asgorn began his tenure as Fifth Chieftain in 787.M41
* **Malachadh:** Veteran Marine seconded to the Deathwatch. Eventually attained the rank of Watch Captain.
* **Sheogán:** Primaris Apothecary seconded to the Deathwatch.
* **Thoore:** Chieftain of the 2nd Clan-Company prior to Fenran Mordyval. Fought during the Kilandros Crusade,
* **Therán Signus:** One of the first Space Marines to be inducted into the newly formed Iron Spears Chapter.
* **Abhartach:** A former officer of the Iron Spears that broke away from the Chalter to form his own Chaos Warband dedicated to Khorne. Abhartach is considered to be the worst renegade ever produced by the Chapter.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

The Iron Spears are identified by their dark green armor and silver details. The Chapter is also known for encouraging it's Battle-Brothers to customize their armor in honor of great deeds. Examples of common armor decorations include; silver icons, battle trophies, crimson warpaint, animal fur, colored tartans, animal bones or teeth, etc. The more decorated a Battle-Brothers armor, the more experienced they are. Each individual decoration is an honor marking indicating a great deed.

Iron Spears Chieftains (Captains) and Lieutenants typically incorporate crimson-colored Codex-approved Company heraldic symbols on their right shoulder inset.

### Company, Squad, and Specialist Markings

The Iron Spears white-coloured *Codex*-approved markings indicate specialty (Battleline, Fire Support, Close Support, Veteran, or Command).

Roman (occasionally Gothic) numerals are used to indicate squad number. Squad numbers are emblazoned on the right shoulder inset, often superimposed over the specialist marking.

Company is often indicated by a white Gothic numeral emblazoned on the left knee guard. Some Iron Spears Marines have their Company numeral superimposed over a crimson-colored, *Codex*-approved Company heraldic symbol.

### Chapter Badge

The Chapter badge of the Iron Spears is a white fleur de lis, a symbol also utilized by the Red Templars Space Marine Chapter as well as the Orders of the Adepta Sororitas.

## Chapter Fleet

* **3 Battle Barges:**
	+ ***Dawn's Beauty* (Flagship)**

* **5 Strike Cruisers:**
	+ ***Spearhead* (Strike Cruiser)**
	+ ***Pride of Boru* (Strike Cruiser)**
	+ ***Sunburst* (Strike Cruiser)**
	+ ***Hammer of Ailinne* (Strike Cruiser)**
	+ ***Jade Tempest* (Strike Cruiser)**

* **15 Rapid Strike Vessels (Escorts)**
* **35 Thunderhawk Gunships**
* **5 Tunderhawk Transports**

## Chapter Relics

* ***Red Hand of Ulaidh***: The *'Red Hand of Ulaidh'* is the most recent "addition" to the Iron Spears' Reliquary. It is a crimson-colored powerfist that was used by Ulaidh Tara, the previous Chieftain of the 1st Clan-Company. After Ulaidh was maimed by an Ork Warboss during the Second War for Armageddon (941.M41) his power fist was picked up by Veteran Sergeant Niall who used it to beat the Warboss to death. After Ulaidh was interned into a Furiosos Remnant, he gifted his power fist, now dubbed the Red Hand of Ulaidh, to Niall who succeeded him as Chieftain of the 1st Clan-Company. Later, when Niall lost his right arm to Tyranids of Hive Fleet Leviathan during the Cryptus Campaign (998.M41) he had it cybernetically replaced with the *Red Hand of Ulaidh*.
* ***Claiomh Solaís***: '*Claiomh Solaís*' ('*Sword of Light*' in Low Gothic) is a master crafted power sword. The power of Claiomh Solais is so great that its corona of energy is capable of blinding enemies and it is said that the blade was enchanted so that it never misses its mark. Claiomh Solaís is wielded by the Exalted Champion of the Iron Spears, an office currently held by Mael Goran.

## Chapter Relations

### Allies

* **White Scars**: It has often been suggested that the Iron Spears are descended from the lineage of Jaghatai Khan. Regardless of whether or not this is true, the Iron Spears Chapter maintains close relations with the Sons of the Great Khan. Both Chapters are known for their love of art and poetry and both have often been painted as "noble savages."
* **Space Wolves:** Iron Spears marines share much in common with the Fenrisian marines, namely their "noble savage" motif, similar Chapter cultures, and respect for Imperial citizens. For this reason, the Space Wolves and Iron Spears often work alongside one another and maintain very good relationships.
* **Angels of Salvation:**  While the Iron Spears have a typically low opinion of the Sons of El'Johnson, they have a higher opinion of the Angels of Salvation despite a strained relationship and major cultural differences between the two Chapters. This respect was born from the fact that Marines of the Angels of Salvation risked their own safety to protect Iron Spears Marines who had succumbed to savage battle lust during the Second Kilandros Campaign.
* **Arcana Sector Imperial Factions:** The Chapter takes pride in the defense of it's home sector, forming close bonds with the Imperial factions that are present (including the Sororitas Order of the Gilded Rose and the Mechanicus Forgeworld Beltane). The Chapter is even somewhat active in the government, with a spot on the Sector Council designated for the Iron Spears Chapter.

### Enemies

* **Void Stalkers:** The Iron Spears have developed a hateful relationship with the Void Stalkers Warband over the course of their many battles against each other. This relationship was highlighted when Iron Spears destroyed Mavros (Void Stalkers homeworld) and the Void Stalkers assaulted Ailinne (Iron Spears homeworld). The Void Stalkers and other servants of Chaos utilize the Dolorex Anamoly within the Cernunnos Expanse to terrorize the Arcana and Kastorius Sectors. Following the formation of the Cicatrix Maledictum, the Dolorex Anomaly grew into the Dolorex Rift, increasing the size and occurrence of Chaos incursions in both the Arcana and Kastorius Sectors.
* **Mad Skulls Clan:** The Mad Skulls are a massive group of Orks that inhabit the Cernunnos Expanse. The arid world of Kilandros seems to be a sort of "holy place" for the Mad Skulls as every time the Ork population of Kilandros is reduced to null, Mad Skull Orks from distant worlds migrate and recolonize the planet. The "kapital" of Kilandros is "New Ork City" which has been destroyed and rebuilt several times across the millennia.
* **Hive Fleet Leviathan (Arcana Tendril):** The Iron Spears have fought against the swarms of Hive Fleet Leviathan as the latter encroaches on the northern portions of Segmentum Ultima. A small tendril of Hive Fleet Leviathan has seemingly split off and has begun to appear within the Arcana Sector. The Tyranids of the Arcana Tendril have become notably distinct compared to the rest of their Hive Fleet, displaying paler flesh and darker (almost black) chitin.
* **Kabal of the Bleeding Heart:**  Since the early 40th millennium the Arcana Sector has been plagued by several raids conducted by the Drukhari Kabal of the Bleeding Heart.
* **Craftworld Feinnwe:** While Craftworld Feinnwe is one the oldest enemies of the Iron Spears Chapter, in the present both factions are locked in a "Cold War" and remain content to stay out of each other's way (with the exception of small skirmishes). The rune associated with Craftworld Feinnwe is similar to Ulthwé's rune but with the Flame of Asuryan instead of a heart and it is flanked by two Tears of Isha.
* **Akaphet Dynasty:** The Akaphet Dynasty ruled by Phaeron Sarazekh, began to appear in the Arcana Sector and the surrounding region of space in late M41. The Akaphet are known for their silver armour and bright crimson details and trim. Scant Imperial records indicate that the Crownworld of the Akaphet Dynasty is the Xyonite Colony World 'Alexandria Nova' within the Cernunnos Expanse.

## Notable Quotes

### About the Iron Spears

*Feel free to add your own*

[Source]

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

[Source]

## Gallery

Iron Spears Terminator.Iron Spears 'Stormblood' Marine; 7th Clan-Company, 6th Sept (Battleline).Iron Spears Primaris Intercessor, 5th Clan-Company, 2nd Sept (Battleline).Iron Spears Revenant.