Mantis Warriors

Mantis Warriors Sashimono (back banner) with Legion iconography.

Mantis Warriors Bushi ('Warrior') arrayed in his Legion's unique style of power armour.

## Space Marine Legion

### Noteworthy Domains

Tranquility; Endymion Cluster (Segmentum Ultima)

### Allegiance

Imperium of Man
(*Fedelitas Constantus*)

### Warcry

"For the Emperor! For the Mantis Warriors!"

The **Mantis Warriors** are the IX Legion, they are the sons of Kamakiri, the Amethyst Blade. Like their Primarch, the Mantis Warriors are highly spiritual and ritualistic, incorporating many of the unique cultural aspects of their homeworld. This is epitomised by their practice of the way of the warrior, which emphasises a life of virtue and integrity. This is encapsulated in the concept of a warrior's honour, which is seen through an individual's actions and choices throughout their lives. Like many Legions tasked with standing as the sentinels over far-flung frontiers, or to carry out vigils in those darker backwaters of the galaxy where the darkest threats lie in wait, the Mantis Warriors have long stood alone, their autonomy seldom challenged.

## Legion Homeworld

### Endymion Cluster

The Mantis Warriors' ancient world is located in the Endymion Cluster, a stellar region located in the Segmentum Ultima. It is composed of 20 planets (6 of which are of major importance in the region). This region of Imperial space lies to the direct galactic east of Terra. The cluster is surrounded on all sides by unsettled wilderness space and has never proven to be politically or economically coherent enough to be accepted as a fully-organised Imperial sector since almost all of the human-settled planets within the cluster are pre-industrial Feral and Feudal Worlds. Notable worlds and systems that make up the Endymion Cluster include the following:

* **Sacristan (Frontier World)**
* **Kirab V (Fortress World)**
* **Piety (Cemetery World)**
* **Ibis III (Feudal World)**
* **Endymion X (Frontier World)**
* **Sigard System (Void Colonies)**

### Tranquility

The world of Tranquility is a planet designated by the Imperium as a feudal world, due to it being frozen in a state of technological grace where manpower dominates and modern technology is limited. Tranquility society is highly stratified and reflects and affirms the correct Imperial roles of master and servant, where all know their place and all know their duty to their lords, vassals, and of course the Emperor of Mankind.

This world is filled with green plains, mountains, forest and lakes and it is known that the sun on Tranquility rises faster than on Terra. Physically, the people of Tranquility are known to resemble ancient Terran stock of Asiatic heritage. The natives of this world are known to observe a strict code of honour, where it is preferable to die honorably rather than live with shame.

#### Honour

Power, wealth and position - all these mean nothing to a citizen of Tranquility if he is without honour. Honour is a reflection of one's character and the character of his family. It is a measure of one's worth in society, his dependability, his personal character, his trustworthiness, his decency, and more. The honour of a family affects the honor of a character and vice versa. With honour comes respect, power, influence, and position. Without it, one can expect disrespect, humiliation, and insults.

Honour is something that is earned through one's actions. Moreover, honour can also be lost, depending on the actions of the individual. In fact, honour is easier to lose than to gain, so one must carefully consider the consequences of their actions. Breaking faith, treachery, cowardice, and unavenged insults result in loss of honour. Valiant deeds, self-sacrifice, master of skills, and keeping faith earn an individual warrior honour. Honour is more a measure of the deeds accomplished by both the individual warrior and his family clan. It reflects obedience, loyalty, talent, and success, qualities that can be held by anyone, regardless of their station.

#### Wildlife

The lands of Tranquility are vast and varied in both climate and geography. Within the near boundless spaces of the continent exist virtually every type of geographic condition known. These conditions provide a wide range of habitats for both normal and fantastic creatures. Many are common throughout the world - deer, oxen, rabbits, foxes and horses. Yet others are unique to the lands of Tranquility - pandas, tengu, oni, and water buffalo. Creatures common to other worlds have never made their appearance in Tranquility, held at bay by the world's isolated location, distance and the fickle tides of the Warp.

Much of wildlife of Tranquility resembles that of ancient Terran Japan. The most notable species is the Tranquility warhorse, a hardy breed of equine descended from various ancient Terran stock that possess brownish fur and live in the great plains of Tranquility. These massive horses are big, powerful and not lacking in stamina. Standing at twice the size of an Astartes, these massive equines are capable of carrying a fully armoured battle-brother at a full gallop and can travel for weeks on end without brink of exhaustion and death. Recognized for their great strength and resilience in battle, these hardy mounts have given rise to the famous cavalry formations of the Mantis Warriors, riding these beasts to war.

## Legion Organisation

The Mantis Warriors are a highly spiritual and ritualistic Legion, having a uniquely rich culture to them based on the foundations of honour and mutual respect. This results in them maintaining a disproportionately large Recluiam and an unorthodox armount of Chaplains. The large majority of their manpower trains in the art of the sword, maintaining some of the Legiones Astartes most consummate swordsmen and duelists. It is a common belief in the Legion that close-combat is the most honourable form of warfare and and it is where heroes are most often forged.

### Officer Ranks

* **Shōgun** - An ancient title for a supreme commander, which comes from the Tranquility words "sho," meaning "commander," and "gun," meaning "troops". An honourary title when referring to their Legion's Primarch..

* **Daimyo** - A Tranquility word that means 'Lord'; a Chapter Master equivalent.

* **Hatamoto** - A Tranquility word that means 'Bannerman'; a Captain equivalent.

* **Sobugyo** - A Tranquility word that means 'Field Commander'; a Lieutenant equivalent.

### Specialist Ranks

* **Sohei** - A Tranquility word for 'Warrior Monk'; a Chaplain equivalent.

* **Shukenja** - A Tranquility word for 'Wandering Monk'; Apothecary equivalent.

* **Shokunin** - A Tranquility word for 'Artisan' or 'Craftsman'; Techmarine equivalent.

* **Wu Jen** - A Tranquility word for 'Spirit Monks'; a Librarian equivalent. These psychic warriors command the elements, spirit forces and the very powers of the Warp.

### Line Ranks

* **Kensai** - In the local language of Tranquility, a Kensai is a 'sword saint' or 'sword master'. These are the Legion's elite veteran warriors, whose consummate skills in the arts of the blade and impeccable code of honour, are second-to-none. They are the Veteran Marine equivalent of other, more *Principia*-oriented Legions.

* **Yari-kogashira** - Veteran Sergeant equivalent.

* **Kogashira** - A Sergeant equivalent.

* **Bushi** - A Tranquility word that means 'Warrior'; Battle-Brother equivalent.

* **Shinobi** - Scout Marine equivalent.

* **Apprentice** - Neophyte equivalent.

* **Aspirant**

### Specialist Units & Formations

* **Black Priests** -

* **Praying Mantidae** -

* **Ronin** - A Ronin is a battle-brother afflicted with an all-encompassing death-seeking madness, they have no master, and are assigned to the ranks of fellow Ronin. Their only role is to die in battle, as they seek an honourable death against the most powerful foes on the battlefield.

### Non-Astartes Personnel

* **Kenin** - A Tranquility word that means 'housemen', they are the administrators or vassals that serve their Astartes masters.

## Legion Appearance

When Kamakira took command of the IX Legion, he ensured to outfit his gene-sons in armour that was both functional and highly aesthetically pleasing, resulting in a highly personalised and stylised Legion.

### Legion Colours

The Mantis Warriors Legion primarily wear lime green power armour with the exception of their helm's faceplates and armorial insets, which are coloured bright yellow. This Legion incorporates the standard *Principia Bellicosa* squad specialist markings, which designates a Legionary's assigned specialty (Devastator, Destroyer, Assault, Tactical, Veteran or Command). A large red coloured High Gothic numeral stenciled on the center of the squad specialty symbol indicates squad assignment.

However, due to the Legion's unique segmented pauldron designs, Mantis Warriors bear their squad and rank markings on their vambraces instead. They are also known to incorprate various heraldry and markings associated with their homeworld's culture.

### Legion Badge

The Mantis Warriors Legion badge takes the form of a large black coloured, stylised mantis head within a yellow circle, centered on a field of green.

## Gallery

IX Legion Mantis Warriors ChartMantis Warriors Kogashira (Sergeant) arrayed in artificer armour. Note: Sashimono (back banner) with Legion honour.