Masonic Marines

Masonic Marines armorial with Chapter iconography.

Brother Lydos of the 4th Degree ("Inner Guards"), 9th Battleline Squad. Note the personal Coat of Arms on the right knee guard.

## Space Marine Chapter

### **Allegiance**

Unknown allegiance, believed to be loyal to the Imperium of Man.

### **Successor of**

Imperial Fists
(Rogal Dorn lineage).

### **Specialty**

Defence Strategists, Siege Warfare, Psychological Warfare, Objective Assaults, Information Gathering, Information Warfare.

### **Battle cry**

"Veritas Persuadet!" ("The Truth Convinces"; low Gothic).

### **Colours**

Blue, Purple and White.

The **Masonic Marines** are a nominally Loyalist, non-*Codex* compliant Space Marine Successor Chapter created from the lineage of the stoic and brave Imperial Fists. Some Imperial records state that the Chapter was created during the 3rd Founding in the early 32nd Millennium, while other records do not mention the Chapter until late 41st Millennium during the recent Ultima Founding.

There are also diffrent views on the allegiance of the Chapter. Some sources puts the Masonic Marines as a true loyalist Chapter, while other describe them as renegades.

## Chapter History

There are no Imperial records still in existence that can verify the origin of the Chapter. Only those brothers that have reached the highest degree will be allowed to get the insight of real origin of the Masonic Marines and the truth of the galaxy. There are rumors however that the Chapter have connection to a ancient, but now forgotten, organization of Old Terra.

The Chapter rarely leave their homeworld *Solomon*. This small moon is just as much a fortress as it is a library with endless shelves of books, tomes, documents and data banks with information now lost and forgotten by the rest of the Imperium. The brothers of Chapter guard this invaluable knowledge with their life and only a few selected individuals have ever gained access to *Solomon* and its mighty source of information.

## Notable Campaigns

There are no Imperial records that mention any campaigns in which the Masonic Marines has been a part of. The truth is that the Chapter keep records of everything they do and are involved with, but they wont release any files of this to the Imperium. According to the Chapters own records the Masonic Marines has been engaged in thousands of battles and numerous campaigns.

* **Masonic File FGT142: "Recapture Outpost" (Date Classified)** - The Chapter made a orbital assault on a moon that was infested by Orks. The purpose was to gain control of a old Imperial outpost and to secure a ancient relic that was hidden there.
* **Masonic File JUO869: "Necron Defence" (Date Classified)** - After disembarked several Battle-Brothers on a planet they were attacked by a overwhelming Necron force. After several hours of defence they were picked up by a Thunderhawk. They reported no casualties.
* **Masonic File XVN753: "Convoy Destruction" (Date Classified)** - Neophytes of the 3rd degree ambushed a convoy of a unnamed Chaos Cult. Utterly destroying all of them.
* **Masonic File QOA620: "Purification" (Date Classified)** - Terminators of the 8th degree cleansed a Space Hulk and secured numerous of tomes and ancient artifacts.
* **Masonic File LUT348: "Area Control" (Date Classified)** - The Chapter send Primaris Vanguard Marines into Chaos controlled territory to secure a ancient stronghold. The Chaos army attacked just as Chapter reinforcements arrived. All Chaos forces was annihilated.

## Chapter Homeworld

The Chapter homeworld *Solomon* is a small moon in orbit around *Pentagram*, a Dead World in Segmentum Solar. *Solomon* is classified by the Imperium as a Fortress World despite it small size. How and when *Solomon* was made a Fortress World is unknown but it is believed that the Chapter itself is the creators of this world without influence from the Imperium.

### Chapter Fortress-Monastery

*The Grand Temple* is the Fortress-Monastery of the Masonic Marines. This huge building is a architectural masterpiece with astounding halls, corridors, repositories and libraries. This is where the Chapter keeps its greatest secrets and most unique relics. But its also a mighty and imposing stronghold with countless of defenses and fortifications. Besides its Fortress-Monastery the Chapter has numerous of libraries, temples, fortifications and barracks all over *Solomon*.

## Chapter Organisation

### Officer Ranks

* **Grand Sovereign** - Chapter Master equivalent.
* **Deputy Master** - Deputy Chapter Master.
* **Master ad Vitam** - Standard Bearer equivalent.
* **Knight of Valor** - Chapter Champion equivalent.
* **Marshal** - Honor Guard equivalent.
* **Commander** - Captain equivalent.

### Specialist Ranks

* **Master of the Royal Secret** - Chief Librarian equivalent.
* **Master of Ceremony** - Master of Sanctity equivalent.
* **Knight of the Rose Croix** - Chief Apothecary equivalent.
* **Knight of the Royal Axe** - Master of the Forge equivalent.

### Masonic Marines Librarians

The Librarians has two special disciplines unique for the Chapter.

* **Touch of History** - The psyker use his warp-sight to see the history of objects and humans. In battle the Librarian use this power to drain his victims of their memories and thoughts, driving them insane.
* **Creator's Hand** - The Librarian has the psyhic power to lift and shape large boulders. In battle this power is used by the psyker to hurl the very ground towards his enemies or to raise fortifications to protect his brothers.

## Order of Battle

The Masonic Marines use degrees to organize the Chapter, not companies. Each brother are belonging to one of the ten degrees of the Chapter. How many brothers that are in each degree varies from time to time.

When a Initiate become accepted into the Chapter a long journey starts for the new brother as he evolve not only as a warrior but also as a servant for the good of mankind. Each degree will make the brother one step closer to learn the truth about himself and the galaxy. In rare cases the brother even could be accepted as a Knight of the Grand Temple, but this honor are only a privilege of a few and could take hundreds of years.

### Headquarters

**Demetrius -**
*Grand Sovereign of the Masonic Marines*
**Orpheus -**
*Deputy Master*
**Thaddaeus -**
*Master ad Vitam*
**Hector -**
*Knight of Valor*
**Timeus, Nestor, Hamon -**
*Marshals*
*Master of the Royal Secret*
**Librarians**
**Librarian Initiates**
**Chapter Serfs** | **Plato -**
*Master of Ceremony*
**Chaplains**
**Chaplain Initiates**
**Chapter Serfs** | **Adonis -**
*Knight of the Rose Croix*
**Apothecaries**
**Apothecary Initiates**
**Chapter Serfs** | **Pythagoras -**
*Knight of the Royal Axe*
**Techmarines**
**Techmarine Initiates**

### Degrees

* **1st Degree, "Apprentices"** - The first degree of the Chapter in which the recruits that are chosen as Initiates are placed. This is first step for the new brother to prove himself worthy, both in battle and in sprit. To indoctrinate Primaris Marines into the Chapter, they are considered Apprentices and will have to rise in degrees just like their new brothers.
* **2nd Degree, "Elected Journeymen"** - Those Initiates that show progress will be chosen to proceed as Neophytes. This is the first real step to becoming a full Battle-Brother.
* **3rd Degree, "Outer Guards"** - After decades of battle experience as a Scout the brother has still not set foot inside the Fortress-Monastery of the Chapter. As a Outer Guard he have to proven himself to be able to handle himself in every possible situation, both mental and on the battlefield.
* **4th Degree, "Inner Guards"** - As a full Battle-Brother of the Chapter, the brother are now allowed to step inside the Fortress-Monastery and will start his journey to learn about the secrets of the galaxy. The brother are now permitted to make his own Coat of Arms.
* **5th Degree, "Grand Sword Bearers"** - When a brother have been accepted into the 5th degree he will be given a sword by the Chapter as a token of reaching halfway thru his journey to fulfillment. This degree focus mainly on the brothers ability in close combat and sword fighting.
* **6th Degree, "Wardens"** - Not many brothers will ever reach higher than the 6th degree. This degree focus entirely on a brothers capability to defend himself in body and in soul. The Wardens usually make up the largest part of the Chapter.
* **7th Degree, "Knight Aspirants"** - For a senior brother to be accepted as a Knight Aspirant is a great honor but it is also like being a Initiate once more. Brutal challenges, both physical and mental, will determent if the brother is ready to become a veteran of the Chapter.
* **8th Degree, "Knights of the Brazen Serpent"** - As a veteran and a knight the brother now have access to a unique selection of rare weapons and armour. He also have gained a deep understanding of the secrets of the galaxy. A Firstborn brother is now allowed to acscend into a Primaris Marine if he choose to do so.
* **9th Degree, "Knights of the Sun"** - Only when a veteran brother is regarded as senior after hundreds of battles he is allowed to rise to the the second highest degree of the Chapter. To reach the 9th degree is a privilege that only a few brothers ever will recive.
* **10th Degree, "Knights of the Grand Temple"** - Several hundreds of years and countless of battles has passed since the brother was first initiated into the Chapter. Now as a honored champion his skill in combat is unparalleled and his level of insight is unique. He is now ready to learn the about the actual orgin of the Chapter and the real truth of the galaxy. His name will forever be remembered as one of the distinctive Knights of the Grand Temple.

*Commander*
**Honorable Veterans** | **Euripides -**
*Commander*
**Senior Veterans** | **Alexius -**
*Commander*
**Veterans** | **Erastus -**
*Commander*
**Senior Brothers** | **Leander -**
*Commander*

*Commander*
**Adept Brothers** | **Dion -**
*Commander*
**Novice Brothers** | **Philemon -**
*Commander*
**Adept Neophytes** | **Sophus -**
*Commander*
**Novice Neophytes** | **Ajax -**
*Commander*

## Chapter Combat Doctrine

The Masonic Marines are defense and fortification specialists. They make extensive use of Hammerfall Bunkers, Firestrike Servo-turrets and different types of Tarantula Sentry Guns as static defenses. Together with heavy tanks and artillery support they force the enemies to submit and surrender.

When the Chapter attack targets they often use their defense strategies to secure beachheads and slowly advance towards the enemy lines. With fortifications and artillery that dominate the battlefield, there are few that could withstand such a onslaught.

The Chapter also have more Librarians than is common among many other Space Marine Chapters.

## Chapter Fleet

### Notable Vessels

* **The Monument** - *The Monument* is a ancient Battle Barge that function as the flagship of the Chapter.
* **The Wall** - This Vanguard Cruiser is on a constant patrol of the perimeter around *Solomon*.
* **The Stone** - *The Stone* is a Strike Cruiser that function as a escort vessel for *The Monument*.

## Chapter Beliefs

The Chapter is driven by the pursuit of knowledge and the hunt for artifacts and tomes for their scholars and librarians to study. To safeguard this vast amount of knowledge on their homeworld is the first priority for the brothers. What happens in the galaxy is of minor concern for the Chapter, as long it dosent threaten the safety of *Solomon*.

That which separates the Masonic Marines from many other Chapters loyal to the Imperium is that the brothers don't see the Emperor of Mankind as the only true divine power of the galaxy. According to the Chapter the Emperor is the progeny of a entity called *Jahbulon*.

### Jahbulon - the Grand Builder

According to ancient writings *Jahbulon* is a entity that is associated with knowledge, wisdom, architecture and creation. He is, according to the myth, the *Grand Builder* that created the Milk Way and shared his knowledge with the Emperor. Therefore the Chapter belive that *Jahbulon* is the creator of the Emperor and the humanity. Their homeworld *Solomon* with its majestic buildings and temples and the vast amount of knowledge the Chapter has collected and protects is a tribute to him.

*Jahbulon* is regarded as a understanding and benevolence entity. He is often symbolized as a golden or orange-red right triangle.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

As Successors of the Imperial Fists, the Masonic Marines suffers the same flaws as their parent Chapter: a non-functional Betcher's Gland and Sus-an Membrane. Beyond this, the Chapters gene-seed is stable and suffers no known mutations of any kind.

### Primarch's Curse: Death Before Dishonour

All Space Marines are the product of their genetic inheritance, benefiting from its blessings as well as suffering from its shortcomings, and the Masonic Marines are no different. Their Primarch was a deeply devoted warrior who fought tirelessly at the right hand of the Emperor, but even this towering exemplar had his flaws, as he himself is known to have acknowledged. Perhaps because of his dedication, Dorn was devastated when the Emperor fell, and shouldered far more than his fair share of the blame. He cast himself into a crusade of redemption that only ended in the terrible crucible of the Iron Cage, re-forging the Legion in the bloody furnace of war. Dorn's glorious legacy lives on through the Masonic Marines, but so too does his curse. This usually occurs in three levels:

* **Level 1 (Suffer Not Failure)** - The Battle-Brother believes himself deficient in some manner, whether real or imagined, and becomes truculent and obstructive when ordered to redeploy in the face of a stronger foe. When acting as a squad leader or Deathwatch Kill-Team leader, he makes demands of his squad that others might consider unreasonable, and views any disagreement as outright disobedience.

* **Level 2 (Beware Hubris)** - The Battle-Brother spends his every waking moment brooding on past battles, seeking even the slightest flaw in his own deeds, and those of others. While he stops short of outright criticism of his Battle-Brothers, he condemns his own actions as falling short of the example set by his Primarch, and seeks to redeem himself in the fires of battle.

* **Level 3 (None Are Flawless)** - The Battle-Brother obsessively reviews every detail of every mission he takes part in, finding fault with his own actions and those of his squad. He becomes withdrawn, maudlin and confrontational, and unwilling to accept or issue any order that does not result in imminent battle

## Recruitment

### Chapter Agents

The Chapter use agents that travel all over the galaxy, either alone or in small groups, to track down recruits. Once a possible recruit is found the agents will observe and follow him and report back their findings to the Chapter. If he is considered a candidate the agent will approach him with a invitation to the Chapter.

Other missions for the Chapter Agents is intelligence retrieval, reconnaissance and psychological operations.

### Recruitment Profile

The most important characteristics of a recruit is intelligence and bravery. Mental strength is also more important of a recruit then psychical strength. Recruits with psychic powers are very sought after by the Chapter.

## Notable Masonic Marines

* **Demetrius** - Brother Demetrius is the Grand Sovereign of the Masonic Marines. He is a defense genius and a master strategist. He has never lost a battlefield that he has defended.
* **Gregor** - The current Commander of the 10th degree "Knights of the Grand Temple". Brother Gregor has acscended into a Primaris Marine and is a fearsome force on the battlefield.
* **Hector** - As the most experienced warrior of the Masonic Marines, Brother Hector is the elected Chapter Champion. His skills in combat is second to none.
* **Pythagoras** - Brother Pythagoras is not only the Master of the Forge. He is also the ingenious architect behind numerous of the Chapters defenses on *Solomon*.
* **Timeus** - As a Honor Guard, Brother Timeus is one of the decorated protectors and advisors to the Chapter Master on the battlefield.
* **Aegeus** - Brother Aegeus is a 9th degree "Knight of the Sun". He is famous for singel-handed repelled a Orc-ambush, while searching a old temple ruin for a ancient tome.

## Chapter Relics

### Notable Relics

* **The True Gavels** - Unlike ordinary Thunder Hammers that is often wield with both hands, *The True Gavels* are a pair of smaller one-handed dual-wielding Thunder Hammers. The Chapter Master bring this weapons upon the battlefield.
* **The Circinus** - A ancient master-crafted Lascannon.
* **The Norma** - This is a huge relic two-handed Power Sword that is wield by the Champion of the Chapter.

### Masonic Pattern Tactical Dreadnought Armour

The Masonic Pattern Tactical Dreadnought Armour, also known as Masonic Terminator Armour, is similar to the standard Indomitus Pattern Terminator Armour. The armour features large rounded pauldrons and but has an helmet design that resembles the face of a human. It has been constructed to give the bearer a extra layer of protection for better defense, but at the same time it provide full mobility.

On each suit's left shoulder always sits a large golden or orange-red right triangle and underneath there is a small version of the revered Crux Terminatus. Each suit is also inscribed with a complex pattern of ancient symbols.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colour

The power armor of the Chapter is painted blue and purple in a quartered pattern with white vambraces and gauntlets. Both armorials and helmet are also painted white.

A black coloured squad specialty symbol stenciled on the right armorial indicates a Battle-Brother's assigned squad specialty (Fire Support, Close Support, Battleline, Veteran or Command). A small white roman numeral stenciled on the squad specialty symbol indicates squad assignment.

A larger white roman numeral stenciled on the left poleyn (knee guard), indicates which degree a Battle-Brother has reached (I-X). On the right poleyn (knee guard) there is a personal Coat of Arms for each brother. Astronomical and geometric symbols in white adorn the power armour.

All Battle-Brothers have short white tabards with blue edges and a large golden or orange-red right triangle upon it. Cloaks are worn by brothers of the the 8th (white), 9th (blue) and 10th (purple) degrees.

### Coat of Arms

Each Battle-Brother of the Chapter that has reached the 4th degree will be allowed to make his own personal Coat of Arms that adorns the right poleyn (knee guard) of the Brothers power armour.

### Chapter Badge

The Chapter Badge of the Masonic Marines is a orange-red capital "G".

## Relations

The Masonic Marines regard nearly all other Imperial organizations and Space Marine Chapters as untrustworthy. Therefore the brothers prefer to fight alone to achieve their own secret goals. The Chapter consider themselves as a neutral force and wont take sides in most conflicts unless it threaten the Chapter itself or their homeworld *Solomon*. They also don't accept directions or orders from anyone outside the Chapter, unless in dire need.

### Allies

* Chancellors of Genesis - The Chancellors of Genesis is the only Space Marine Chapter that the Masonic Marines trust and regard as allies.

### Enemies

* N/A

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## Trivia

This Chapter are based on the Freemasons. The titles, ranks, relics and degrees are inspired by the traditions and organisation of freemasonry. Also the battle cry and chapter colors are a part of the Freemasons. The entity *Jahbulon* is sometimes called the masonic god. The capital "G" in the chapter badge stands for "Geometry".