Gilded Vanguard

### **Warcry**

None shall remember them! (pre fall)From the depths we rise, Let the galaxy drown! (post fall)

The Gilded Vanguard specialize in precision artillery strikes followed by light transport troop drops (ordinarily with rhinos, storm eagles, and thunder hawks) so they can weaken their enemy before moving in with an overwhelming blitz. The goal of the 8th is to hit hard and hit quick so they can disorient their enemy and crush them under their supreme firepower and iron fists. The Vanguard have made modifications to their transports to allow them to carry more troops without sacrificing speed. They have also modified their artillery firing coordinators to allow them to operate at a level of precision seen by few other legions. Allowing them to fire danger close without much worry of friendly fire. In addition, they have a rotating band of Auxilla they make heavy use of to help bolster their numbers.

When the Apostasy broke out, Jacinto remained on Borja as the Hounds of Surmah went to the planet under Almire's orders to attempt to bring them into the fold. When the War Bears unexpectedly arrived over the planet Jacinto opened the Doors in the Mountain. Causing the Gilded Vanguard and Jacinto to disappear as the planet imploded in on itself.

## Legion Organisation

### Great Crusade and Early Apostasy

#### Equipment

The Vanguard rely heavily on MK III and IV armor due to the point when Jacinto was found. The Legion exploded with the arrival of their gene father and as a result the Legion was equipped with newer armor marks. They also make use of modified rhino, storm eagle, and thunderhawk vehicles so they maximize speed and capacity to allow the Eighth to deploy several squads at once to overwhelm the enemy.Their artillery has personalized coordinating technology to allow them to aim for specific areas with more precision and ease. Allowing the Eighth to target danger close without fear of friendly fire.

The Eighth also wields speciality made power rapiers that are designed to hit an enemy’s weak points with speed and precision. Allowing them to dispatch foes quickly and effectively. They also wield a speciality power halberd similar to that of the First. This has invited invitations between the two Legions’ weapons, which a squad of Watchers called the Vanguard, “mimics’. This strained relationships between members of the Eighth and the First heavily as the Eighth took this comment as a great insult. Whereas the First told them it was a simple joke.

## Legion Geneseed

While seemingly pure to outsiders, their homeworld has had a strange effect on the Vanguard’s geneseed. First, their irises began to turn a vibrant white. As time passes the Astartes of the Eighth become increasingly paranoid of outsiders. Dissent and superstition begin welling up among their ranks as the Legionnaires become withdrawn to anyone not within their own ranks. Eventually, they begin to lash out thinking other legions have the intent to do them hard. As they grow older, their appetites for human flesh begin to grow. They crave it and must imbibe in eating or else their paranoiac tendencies increased tenfold. Forcing Jacinto to deploy his veterans in isolated campaigns for fear they will bring attention to their unusual gene quirks.

## Legion Personality

Haughty, they hold an air of polish and superiority that can put them at a distance towards their cousin legions. Despite this, they enjoy spending time with their cousins. The legion has a dry wit that comes off as condescending or standoffish at times. Combined with their borderline anal-retentive status to be polished and organized they can be a hit or miss legion in terms of personal compatibility with others.

The Vanguard are a tight knit Legion. Every member of the Eighth looks out for one another in all aspects from battle to training. They know that they are only as strong as their weakest member. In their eyes if the weakest of them is still stronger than the rest of the dangers they face then they are unbreakable. They take insults poorly and insulting one of them results in the rest of that Astartes squad feeling the brunt of the insult as well.

The Legion has an interest in other cultures, but they often steal or take from what they find. Treasures, goods, and anything they can bring back to Borja are shipped back to be displayed in grand museums to be shown off to visitors. Including xeno specimens that are contained in great zoos for the citizens of their homeworld to show off.

Jacinto and his sons are pathologically against superstition and religion. To the point where they almost rival the Hounds in terms of finding those who follow or practice either despicable. Despite the whisperings from the doors in the mountains they almost seem to be in a sheer state of denial that it could exist even when such an example is found right before their eyes.