Lucratius Gratis

Lucratius Gratis as a Deathwatch Champion

**Lucratius Gratis** is a talented veteran of the Novamarines Chapter. He has become known for his incredible feats of memory, as well as being excessively charismatic and likeable; almost annoyingly so. These traits meant that, shortly after crossing the Rubicon Primaris, the Chapter's leadership believed him to be fit to be sent to the Deathwatch. During his first vigil, he made a name for himself for his encyclopedic knowledge of xenos threats - indeed, he had memorised the entirety of the *Libris Anomalus* in his efforts to better pursue the Xenos - and quickly ascended to the role of Champion. His second vigil has seen him seconded to Black Bastion, to help them defeat the newly arriving Necron threat.

## History

### Youth

Lucratius Gratis remembers next to nothing about his childhood. He knows everything about his homeworld of Honourum, and its traditions and its native people. But of the specific details of his own youth, his famous memory is conspicuously silent. All that is left is a sense that he was happy and at home. It is this feeling that has motivated him for his entire life. Waking up from the implantation of his gene-seed, it was the sense that he had lost something significant that filled him and drove him from that time on. In his efforts to regain his lost memories, he began to voraciously read about Honourum and the worlds surrounding it, desperately trying to spark something that would return his memories to him. This was ultimately a failure, but he has since retained this thirst for knowledge. His memory and desire to know everything he can about those he fights and those he fights alongside are now some of his most defining and well-known factors.

### Astartes Career

During his time as a Firstborn, Lucratius proved himself to his superiors many times over. He watched his superior's actions intently, learning everything he could about the ways of command. He moved through the companies quickly, gaining extensive and valuable experience as a devastator, assault marine, and tactical marine. By the time he was a century old, vast stretches of his skin were already covered in tattoos, representing his already storied career.

His final battle before becoming an official veteran was in the void above the Forge World of Xaxis. The Novamarines sent a small force to help push back a Drukhari attack on the Forge World. The Drukhari and Space Marines collided in low orbit, and the resulting battle quickly dissolved into a series of boarding actions and small conflicts on the surface of the Novamarine's flagship. The battle was looking good, until Lucratius's commander decided to push forwards and finish the battle quickly - a move in complete contradiction with the *Codex Astartes*. This failed miserably, and the push collapsed. Lucratius's close friend, a Librarian named Platos, ended up being killed by a Drukhari Archon, alongside the rest of his squad. Lucratius picked up his friend's force sword, now deactivated, and defended their bodies until the Apothecary could recover the gene-seed, killing the Archon in the process.

After this battle, Lucratius ascended to the rank of veteran. However, he requested that he be allowed to take a pilgrimage to Ultramar before he did so. This pilgrimage was granted, and upon returning he ritually donned the Laurals of Ultramar. He then took charge of Terminator Sqaud Gratis.

It was this Terminator squad which Lucratius was commanding when he was sent to defend Ultramar from the Death Guard. He proved himself once again, sticking completely to the Codex, allowing him to work seamlessly with his fellow Ultramarine successors. After the battle, he crossed the Rubicon Primaris. Removing his Terminator armour, he donned the wargear of a Bladeguard alongside those who accompanied him across the Rubicon from his previous squad.

He fought in Bladeguard Sqaud Gratis for several years, before the Chapter Leadership deemed it fit to send him to the Deathwatch. Though he found his first vigil tough, as the *Codex Astartes* did not provide much help in relation to the kill-teams of the Deathwatch, he quickly became a respected figure in the Watch Fortress, known primarily for his knowledge of his Watch Brother's Chapters. The Yat'kara Dynasty's attack coincided with the ending of Lucratius's first vigil, and he volunteered to take a second at Black Bastion. The leader of his previous Watch Fortress promoted him to the rank of Deathwatch Champion and sent him on his way.

## Appearance

Lucratius is a tall and imposing figure, even for a Primaris marine. It is said that not a single part of his original skin can be seen - between scars, service studs, and the ritual tattoos that the Novamarines are so fond of, his skin is completely covered. His eyes are a cool blue, betraying his likeable nature.

## Personality

Lucratius is, above all, very likeable and knowledgeable. His most defining feature is his knowledge and memory. He quickly memorised the entirety of the *Codex Astartes* and *Librus Anomalus*, even beyond what was forced into his mind by the psycho-conditioning and mandatory reading. He has also tried to learn everything about the other Adeptus Astartes and forces of the Imperium, down to their homeworld and local customs. This has all been in an effort to retain those memories he lost while becoming an Astartes.

The Novamarine is also very likeable and charismatic. He seems able to remain on his fellow Astartes's good sides without fail. His own self-righteousness and desire to stick to the *codex* don't even seem to put others off for long, and Lucratius always seems to correct anything he has done to offend them. He puts these friendships and alliances above all else.

As a veteran Novamarine, Lucratius has fallen to the final stage of their gene-curse. He cannot stand the thought of peaceful interaction with the xenos of any kind - anything short of total eradication is tantamount to heresy in the Astartes' mind.

## Abilities and Traits

The Novamarine is a skilled close combat fighter, experienced with all kinds of weapons, but particularly fond of his sword and shield that he has recently used in his role as a Bladeguard. He has an incredibly deep knowledge of the weaknesses of all types of xenos, a skill that has been of particular use in recent years.

As a leader, Lucratius is also very talented. Having served as a veteran sergeant before coming to the Deathwatch, he has been able to transfer this experience. He does his best to learn the strengths and weaknesses of those he commands and take fights that play to them.

## Equipment

### Armour

* **Mk X Tacticus Armour**
* **Iron Halo**

### Used Weapons

* **Honourum's Wrath** - A deactivated force sword used by a close friend of Lucratius before he was slain. Lucratius recovered the sword and protected his body until the Apothecary could recover his gene-seed.
* **Storm Shield**
* **Heavy Bolt Pistol**