Blazing Hearts

*Some thematic music to accompany your reading. Lowering volume is suggested.*

Blazing Hearts armorial with Chapter iconography.

Blazing Hearts Primaris Assault Intercessor of the 2nd Company, 9th Close Support Squad.

## Space Marine Chapter

### **Allegiance**

Imperium of Man
(*Fidelitas Totalis*)

### **Successor of**

 White Scars
(Jaghatai Khan lineage)

### **Chapter Master**

Revered Master Jiang Ziya, "The Smiling Dragon"

### **Allies**

Ultramarines
Tidebenders
Salamanders

### **Specialty**

Rapid Drop Pod Deepstrikes, Offensive Siege Warfare, Inspiring Allies

### **Battle cry**

"Cinders stir! Fires wake! Set your hearts ablaze!"

### **Colours**

Dark Gold, Red, White

"*What is life without passion? A short misery. A mundane thing, barely worth the effort it takes to preserve it. Not so for those who know passion within themselves, those who feel the burning heat of battle's joy and carry the laughter of triumph across the stars. For passion turns faith into zeal, it turns anger into wrath, battle into victory! For those who have set their hearts ablaze, life is worth living!*"
— Jiang Ziya, Revered Master of Zhoushala
**The Blazing Hearts** are a Space Marine Chapter created during the mysterious  13th Founding using the gene-seed of the  White Scars, making them the sons of the mighty Khan. Their homeworld, Zhoushala, is located at the western edges of the Ultima Segmentum, near the planets of Ryza and Golgotha.

The Blazing Hearts excel in striking the enemy quickly from orbit via Drop Pods and butchering their way through the enemy with chainsword and flamer in hand, laughing with delight as they inspire their allies through their presence. One might even say that to raise the morale of those weaker than themselves is their true calling, for the Blazing Hearts are adept at stirring hope in dour hearts and in lifting the spirits of those around them, Astartes or not. Be it their awe inspiring displays of martial prowess on the battlefield, or their cheerful songs and feasts, these sons of the Khan have made it their mission to bring a flicker of passion into the vast darkness of the galaxy.

Although they have taken liberties with the combat markings and nomenclature of their order, they largely follow the edicts and guidelines of the *Codex Astartes*. At the very least, they consider themselves to be more *Codex*-compliant than their brothers in the White Scars, with whom they share a complicated relationship.

With the opening of the Great Rift, the Chapter homeworld found itself enclosed in a warpstorm extending into realspace from the depths of the Maelstrom. As a consequence, the Blazing Hearts were completely isolated from the wider Imperium when they were assailed by an Ork WAAAGH!. It was only through the arrival of Primaris reinforcements that the Chapter was able to survive, leading to half of the Chapter currently consisting of the newer strain of Astartes. While the more severe effects of the warp storm have subsided, Zhoushala still struggles with psychic disturbances and occasional daemonic incursions, ensuring that the Chapter's skills against the Neverborn remain sharp.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Sin-burnt Scouring (238.M36)** - [RECORDS SEALED BY ORDER OF REVERED MASTER RENKU XIN]

* **Tempestus Purges (610.M36)** - The Sounding Blades of the 7th Company embark to aid the Segmentum Tempestus authorities in their endeavor of restoring order to the southern regions of the Imperium.

* **5th Black Crusade (723.M36)** - Hearing of the bloodshed caused by Abbadon's incursion, the Sunswords of the 1st and the Moon Serpents of the 3rd are sent to intervene. A sudden warpstorm delays the strikeforce and the Chapter arrives only to witness the aftermath of Abbadon's campaign. To redeem their honour, the Blazing Hearts begin cleansing all nearby imperial words of even the slightest trace of corruption.

* **Maelstrom Incursions (989.M36)** - Warpstorms across the galaxy expand, resulting in an unprecedented number of attacks spewing from the Maelstrom. The bulk of the Blazing Hearts is mobilised to wage a bloody war against Chaos Warbands, pirate fleets and daemonic cults. At the cost of more than half the Chapter's fighting strength the surrounding systems are spared from destruction, thanks in part to the assistanec lent by other Chapter's stationed around the Maelstrom.

* **Wrath of the Chaos Sun (010.M37)** - Although weakened from the Maelstrom Incursions, the Blazing Hearts send a significant number of their warriors to assist the High Lords in quelling the disaster of the Maxil Beta system. Dozens of worlds are pacified or purged by their hands.

* **9th Black Crusade (573.M38)** - The Blazing Hearts go to fight alongside other imperial forces in the wake of the Warmaster's Black Crusade. All brothers of the Windblades sent to battle fall to the enemy, so that the exact details of the Chapter's involvement remain unclear.

* **First Maelstrom Calamity (788.M38)** - A great force of coordinated Chaos Warbands and Renegade Chapters unleashes a sudden assault from within the Maelstrom, brutally annihilating the populations of six inhabited worlds lying in the Chapter's sphere of influence. Outraged, the Blazing Hearts muster every Battle-Brother they can and lead the Imperial counteroffensive against the invaders. Most Guard Regiments and Navy assets in the region are mobilized to form an aggressive spear aimed at the traitors and their cultist legions. The Astartes lose so many of their number in the initial clashes that they are forced to greatly accelerate the process of recruitment and implantation for neophytes, enabling them to more swiftly replace their losses. Following the deaths of the Revered Master and most other high officers, the Blazing Hearts manage to drive the enemy back to the Fortress World of Sheh Vdon, whose population is quickly taken hostage by the occupiers. In a rare display of indifference to the lives of the common citizenry, the Chapter proceeds to bombard the planet into submission from orbit, scorching the defenders and most of their hostages to cinders. Those few civillians that survive this nigh-Exterminatus are taken in by the Blazing Hearts and allowed to settle on Zhoushala.

* **Battle of the Firehulk (930.M39)** - A massive, ork infested Space Hulk is discovered by a Chapter strikeforce while on patrol. Upon further inspection the Space Marines realize that the entire structure is slowly being torn apart by internal explosions and leaking fuel reserves which send fires throughout the entire hulk. Instead of retreating from the Space Hulk and safely dispatching the threat via their voidships, the brothers choose to venture inside and fight their way through the aliens with any and all weapons at their disposal, all whilst avoiding certain death in the fire touched hallways that seem only moments from falling apart in a crumbling blaze. While little is ultimately gained from the engagement, the tale of the mighty Firehulk is forever enshrined in the stories and histories of the Chapter as a worthy battleground of glorious slaughter.

* **Torching of The Plague Garden Viridi Pulmonis (104.M41)** - After a failed Navy assault on the Plague Garden Viridi Pulmonis, a request is issued to nearby Astartes Chapter to help in the eradication of the blighted planet. The 1st, 2nd and 4th companies are close enough to quickly respond and join forces with elements from the Crystal Lions, Tidebenders and Abators Golden Chapters. The combined force of nearly 1,200 Astartes sets about the task of committing Viridi Pulmonis to cleansing fire. The Space Marines hold firm against hordes of plague cultists, daemons of Nurgle, and plague marines of the Death Guard, and the planet is engulfed in the Emperor's fire after a mere 4 months of withering conflict.

* **Siege of Crimson Glory (393-395.M41)** - Four companies join the forces of the Macharian Crusade and take part in multiple planetary invasions over the course of two years. The last millitary action undertaken by the Blazing Hearts before their return to Zhoushala is the Siege of Tesh Vah, now known in the Chapter histories as the Siege of Crimson Glory, for the battle to take the fortress world was one of breathtaking scale and brutality. Seven months the warriors of the Blazing Hearts bombard, burn and butcher the enemies of the Imperium without pause or restraint, giving birth to many epic tales of heroic feats. Because the officers of the strikeforce failed to formally declare their participation in the crusade, official records of the Administratum classify their feats as independent actions unrelated to the Macharian troops. In spite of this, many of the Battle-Brothers who took part in the fighting travel to Macharia after hearing of the Lord Commander Solar's death, paying their respects at his funeral procession.

* **High Heart Incident (600.M41)** -

* **Second Maelstrom Calamity (939.M41)** - Once more the vile Mealstrom pulses with malice and sends its dark servants against the systems under the Chapter's protection. The forces arrayed are lead by a particular Renegade responsible for the slaying of the Revered Master in the First Mealstrom Calamity more than 3,000 years prior, who was originally believed to have died along with the Fortress World of Sheh Vdon. Unlike last time, the daemons summoned by the traitors are able to be invoked with greater ease and remain longer in the material realm, due to the tides of the warp growing more violent over the millenia. Warbands and Cults from the depeest reaches of the Maelstrom come against the Imperium as a darkling horde, counting hated foes such as the Red Corsairs among their numbers. As the first major campaign commanded by Jiang Ziya as Revered Master, the Second Maelstrom Calamity grows into a fierce conflict in which many heroes of the Chapter are forged. Even with the help of the Guard and the Navy, the Blazing Hearts find themselves spread thin and greatly pressured against the odds. So grave is the situation that a fleet of Red Corsairs manages to assail the Chapter World of Zhoushala itself. During this dire time the Space Marines of the Tidebenders arrive to aid the defenders in their war against the filth of the Maelstrom. On ocean worlds and desert planets, and many other battlefields besides, the two Chapters carve a bloody path through the traitors, fighting in unison as the cold hammer smote upon a churning anvil. Eventually the warlord leading the enemy is cornered and bested by Jiang Ziya, thereby avenging a slight of three millenia ago and proving his worth as the Revered Master of Zhoushala. Without the assistance of the Tidebenders and the guidance given to the Revered Master by High Chieftain Pryce Dukka, all may have been lost. This campaign would mark the beginning of a lasting friendship between the two orders.

* **Viridis Crematoris Campaign (999.M41)** -

* **Great Charge of Heaven and Earth (999.M41)** -

## Chapter Home World

Zhoushala is a Feudal World in the western reaches of the Ultima Segmentum, ruled over by the Revered Master of the Blazing Hearts Chapter. It is somewhat smaller than Holy Terra in terms of size and mass and boasts only two inhabited continents. The landmasses known as Lesser Ming and Greater Qing are defined by warm and humid summers as well as dry, strong-winded winters, and are connected through a vast landbridge known as "The Dragon's Neck". Though the planet is only affected by two perceivable seasons, the local calendar still divides them into the four seasons known to humanity from it's birthplace. The Zhoushalan equivalents for the seasons, translated into low gothic, would be as follows:

* Vivid Light - Spring

* Golden Blaze - Summer

* Mortal Colours - Autumn

* Becalmed Beauty - Winter

The citizens of Zhoushala attribute much meaning to the season in which one is born, at times even affecting the professions allowed to be undertaken by those born in certain seasons. It also comes with stereotypes and generalisations, such as the idea that those born in winter are abrasive, stubborn and secretive, whereas those born in spring are said to be indecisive and brazen. These stereotypes differ from region to region and are very much affected by the local climate.

Records on the planet's distant history are long lost, most likely torched in the madness of the Horus Heresy. The only sources telling of Zhoushala's past are the countless myths and legends handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. The truth of any of these is a matter of debate among imperial historitors. One detail most stories seem to agree on is the existence of a group known as the heavenly kings. Described as divine rulers born as mortal men, these tyrants constantly warred over the world's riches and territories following the great darkness of Old Night. Their ultimate fate is unknown, although many are convinced that the armies of the Emperor cast down the heavenly kings during the time of the Great Crusade.

Another frequently mentioned element are the mischievous daemons that supposedly once plagued the people of Zhoushala with petty pranks, ill-fated bargains and devious tricks. Most citizens of the planet had long sinced discarded them as old fables made up to scare children, yet recent events following the opening of the Cicatrix Maledictum have shown the truth to far too many souls. With the arrival of true daemons on the grasslands and in the stone forests of Zhoushala, the inhabitants have learned to fear cold nights once more. Only their superhuman protectors now stand capable of shielding them from the terrors of the Maelstrom.

The world's largest city and capital, Renlei Kahs, sits in a lush valley at the southern coast of Greater Qing and is home to the greatest concentration of Zhoushala's denizens, with roughly twenty million of them living out their lives here. The capital's architecture is dominated by simple yet elegant houses made from black wood and white marble, with roofs covered by red tiles and accented with gilded metal and bronze. The most regular colour schemes employed are those of white, black, red and gold. Iconography of flames, dragons and smiling daemons is commonplace also, though the latter has since been looked upon with ill taste. The planet at large is scarcely populated, both continents ammounting to a mere two hundred million living scattered in towns, trading hubs and small farming villages. The Fortress Monastery of the Blazing Hearts is situated in the midsts of the Rexu stone forest, several kilometers north of Renlei Kahs.

As fascinating as the many unique life forms of Zhoushala may be to a biologist, the only creatures truly worth noting are the reptillian animals known as the *Urdrakes*, colloquially referred to as the *Old Dragons*. These fierce beasts have lived on Zhoushala since time immemorial and have been thought to have suffered extincton many times, only to re-emerge time and time again. The archives of the Blazing Hearts record no less than thirty-seven supposed extinctions of the Old Dragons since the time of the Chapter's founding. As a result, the Urdrakes have become a symbol of immortality and perserverance for not only the mortal populace but also the Battle-Brothers of the Space Marines. In recent centuries, only a scant dozen have been spotted in the wild, leading to the belief that the species is currently in decline. This was read as a bad omen by the superstitious, one that may have been true, for the last time an Old Dragon was seen was mere days before the fall of Cadia. None of the creatures have been seen since.

An Urdrake can grow to be almost thirty meters in length, with thick scales that can resist even bolter fire. The hair of their great manes is a highly sought after commodity, though it can only be found scattered in the wild during the dragons' mating season, as attempting to slay one of these beasts for their hair would hardly be worth the effort. While the species is capable of spewing flames from their maws, this is only the case for the oldest females, who lead the younger males in packs. Dangerous as they may be, Old Dragons are not known to attack humans under most circumstances. Only when provoked or when disturbed in their own territory do they unleash their fury.

### Fortress-Monastery

The Coldfyre Vihara is a series of great temples and millitary facilities built atop the peaks of the Ashram Mountains. These mountains rise from the earth like jade-green monoliths, singular in shape and arranged like a stone forest of mighty pillars. Therefore most visitors to the Vihara arrive by air, for only the Astartes of the Chapter are aware of the highly sophisticated network of cargo lifts and personel elevators hidden inside the mountains.

The Coldfyre Vihara gets its name from the freezing temperatures permeating almost every hall, as well as the strange blue flames that dance in the braziers of every corridor and seem to lack any warmth. In addition to these fires, large parts of the monastery are lit with dim electric lights, giving most areas a dim, blue-ish gloom. While one might think that this is unfitting for the hot-blooded Blazing Hearts, it is actually an effective way of controlling their temperaments, both metaphorically and literally. For the Chapter's geneflaw known as the *Heartstorm* is a condition that can be curbed by personal self control as well as low temperatures, thus making the environment of the Coldfyre Vihara a spiritual and medical measure.

#### Red Sepulchre

"*Shed no tears at my passing, brothers. Strike no stone on which to write my name. Do not light sorrowful candles over a lonesome and forgotten tomb, buried deep below the cold dirt. Instead, build me a tavern, and dance upon my grave!* "
— Last words of Revered Master Mal Ye
There is only one hall within the Vihara which is heated and alight with golden fires, that being the Red Sepulchre. As the name implies, this grand Assimularum is constructed from light crimson granite and unpolished chunks of raw ruby, and serves as the main gathering place for the warriors and servants of the Chapter. Faintly yellow beams of hard wood form gantries that circle the chamber, and vast pillars of red-white marble support the high roof.

It is fashioned in the likeness of a banquet hall, meant for social interaction and feasting as much as sacred ceremony. One thing that gives sanctity to this place more than anything else is the fact that the Coldfyre Vihara has no crypts or tombs, as all the fallen heroes of the Chapter are interred here, laid to rest below the heated floor upon which stand the benches and tables of the brightly lit hall. Whatever the Space Marines of the Blazing Hearts do inside the confines of the Sepulchre is done mere meters above the remains of their comrades. Whether they feast or dance or sing, whether they cheer to victory or take silence in mourning, it is all done in the presence of those who came before them.

It was the fourth Revered Master of the Blazing Hearts who, with his dying words, bid his brothers to bury him not in a lonely, cold place below the earth, but in a place of warmth and laughter where he would be able to partake in the passions of his peers, even in death.

## Chapter Organisation

### Officer Ranks

* **Revered Master** - Chapter Master Equivalent
* **Captain**
* **Lieutenant**
* **Sergeant**

### Specialist Ranks

* **High Flammifer** - High Chaplain Equivalent
* **Flammifer** - Flammifers are Senior Chaplains that lead important rites and ceremonies. They outrank the Heatfire priests and are experts in the study of the Chapter's geneflaw
* **Heartfire Priest** - Chaplain Equivalent

* **Sovereign of Heaven** - Master of the Fleet Equivalent

* **Chief Pyromancer** - Chief Librarian Equivalent
* **Apostle of the Flame** - Epistolary Equivalent

* **Great Heartmender** - Chief Apothecary Equivalent
* **Heartmender** - Apothecary Equivalent

### Specialist Units & Formations

* **Jinjun Summerborn** - The elite Honour Guard charged with the safety of the Revered Master and other high officers of the Chapter. The name derives from the ancient Zhoushalan belief that only those born in the heat of summer are capable of becoming great warriors, thus the personal guards of the old heavenly kings were exclusively drawn from those known as the Summerborn. Despite the name's history, the brothers chosen for this duty are selected based only on skill and not their time of birth.

### Order of Battle, Era Indomitus

#### Headquarters

**-Revered Master-**
**Jiang Ziya, "The Smiling Dragon"**

**Jinjun Summerborn (Honour Guard)**
**-First Brother of the Jinjun Summerborn-**
 **Brother Saburo Ichimonji**

**20 Jinjun Summerborn**

***-Forgemaster-***
**Brother Shishin El**
**19 Techmarines**
**250 Servitors**
**13 Predators**
**5 Whirlwinds**
***-High Flammifer-***
**Brother Tiān Shàngdì**
**5 Flammifers**
**10 Heartfire Priests**

***-Sovereign of Heaven-***
**Captain Leishen Liu**
**2 Battle Barges**
**4 Strike Cruisers**
**1 Vanguard Cruiser**
***-Chief Pyromancer-***
**Brother Rosewin Emirey**
**Apostles of the Flame**
**Codiciers**
**Lexicaniums**
**Cinder Acolytes**
**3 Furioso Librarian Dreadnoughts**

***-Great Heartmender-***
**Brother Hanaok Seishū**
**Heartmenders**
***-Master of the Arsenal-***
**Captain Tsukael Asano**

#### Companies

***"Sunswords"*** | **2nd Company**
***"Flame Pillars"*** | **3rd Company**
***"Moon Serpents"*** | **4th Company**
***"Thunder Dragons"*** | **5th Company**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**4 Veteran Close Support Squads**
**4 Veteran Fire Support Squads**
**2 Veteran Battleline Squads**

**Terminators**

**Dreadnoughts**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**3 Close Support Squads**
**2 Fire Support Squads**
**5 Battleline Squads**

**Dreadnoughts**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**3 Close Support Squads**
**1 Fire Support Squads**
**6 Battleline Squad**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**4 Close Support Squads**
**4 Fire Support Squads**
**2 Battleline Squads**

**Dreadnoughts**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**5 Close Support Squads**
**2 Fire Support Squads**
**3 Battleline Squads**

**Captain Shiroi Byakko**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**10 Close Support Squads**

**Captain Uzun Bào**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**9 Close Support Squads**
**1 Fire Support Squad**

**Captain Zhong Zharin**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**9 Fire Support Squads**
**1 Close Support**

**Dreadnoughts**

**Captain Uroko**

**2 Lieutenants**
**Company Ancient**
**Company Champion**

**9 Battleline Squads**
**1 Close Support Squad**

**Dreadnoughts**

**Captain Yun Tong**
***-Master of Recruits-***

**2 Lieutenants**

**Scout Squads**

## Combat Doctrine

" *Ha! It would seem that the bombardments were not enough to break them after all, Brother-Sergeant. Just as well. Let us see how they respond to a more intimate form of fire. Fetch my Chainsword and inform the men to ready themselves! The ashes of the fortress will make a fine feasting ground.* "
— Uzun Bào, Captain of the Sounding Blades
To the Blazing Hearts, warfare is something to be experienced up close and personal, slaying the foe face to face with fire and sword. Their tactics often involve the swift encirclement of enemy units and the subsequent slaughter conducted with flamers, stormbolters and melta weaponry. It is their conviction that the quality of a weapon can be determined by how loud of a sound it makes and how blinding of a flash it produces.

Expectedly, the Blazing Hearts make much use of heavy weapons formations and artillery when not engaging in close quarters, further emphasizing their love for bombastic methods of ending their opponents. Eradicators, Aggressors, Hellblasters and Devastators are fielded in great number, and though the Chapter's motorpool is not very extensive, it still boasts several whirlwind patterns and even a number of ancient Mastodon Heavy Assault Transports, thereby giving the Chapter a natural talent for siege warfare.

Perhaps one of their most unconventional doctrines involves the inspiration of allied forces through almost theatrical displays of courage and skill. The Astartes of Zhoushala are well known to deploy dozens of their brothers to the very front of Imperial Guard assaults, having them act as brave heroes to follow into battle as they bellow their warcries, set their swords ablaze and sing their songs whilst storming onwards into the fray. It is even said that they sometimes orchastrate specific situations on the battlefield to bolster the morale and confidence of the millitarum troops, having them defeat far larger forces or bringing down significant strategic targets and individuals seemingly all on their own. While some within the Chapter have referred to these antics as needlessly patronizing, the success of such methods can not be denied. Wherever the Blazing Hearts go, they heighten spirits and aid their mortal comrades in surpassing their own limits. It has even become a custom in the ranks of the battle brothers to modify chain weapons to include small, improvised promethium flasks in order to set their blades on fire at a moment's notice, purely for the sake of spectacle.

While the order has inherited a semblance of rapid savagery from its parent Chapter, the use of landspeeders and bike formations is far less common than one might think. To the Blazing Hearts, the fastest, and generally most effective, way of striking the enemy with speed and strength is the large scale deployment of drop pods, thereby penetrating hostile lines in a most overt and explosive manner.

## Chapter Culture & Beliefs

"*A fire burns as passion churns,
our hearts are set alight!
As laughter wakes
the dancing breaks
the darkness of the night!* "
— Excerpt from the Blazing Ballad, a popular folk song of Zhoushala
The core values of the Blazing Hearts revolve around passion, comraderie and ancient traditions. They are among the most social and cheerful members of the Adeptus Astartes one can find, regularly mingling with soldiers of the Astra Militarum, voidsmen of the Imperial Navy, sisters of the Sororitas and countless other baseline humans in personally arranged feasts and celebrations. These grand victory feasts that are regularly held following their victories are indeed one of the most renowned habits of the Chapter. On rare occasions, these festivities have been known to escalate into planet wide celebrations, sometimes leaving entire regiments stricken with headaches and sore muscles in the following days, much to the anger of millitarum officials and munitorum representatives who then have to restore order to their troops and supplies.

The question of where the Space Marines "find" the resources and funds to host such lavish festivals is one that the officers of the Chapter have yet to provide an answer to. And while none would ever dare accuse the respected warriors of the Adeptus Astartes of thievery or decadence, there is a reason why the Blazing Hearts are often under-supplied and lacking maintenance in their fleet assets. Ammunition, weapons and vehicles are all often in short supply in the hangars and storage spaces of the Coldfyre Vihara. Naturally the responsible envoys of the Adeptus Terra maintain that this is due to unfortunate delays and disruptions of supply lines, yet one must wonder why these supposed complications always tend to occure immediately following one of the Chapter's famed banquets.

The unusual kindness shown to baseline humanity by their members sprang from the very ideals of its founding master, Renku Xin, who held the belief that the strong only exist to protect the weak. Strength is a gift that comes with the inherent obligation of using it for the benefit of those who cannot help themselves. Surely that was the reason the Emperor created the Space Marines in the first place. In the creed of Zhoushala, using power to fulfill selfish desires is a grave sin.

The demeanor of the men of the Blazing Hearts is one of brazen battle lust and confidence. They leap into battle loudly laughing and brightly smiling, drawing sheer delight from the firery deaths of their foes and the furthering of His will. They are not easily agitated and often take disrespect and even insults in stride. Yet when their anger *is* roused, it is a quickly rising and savage rage that is hard to subdue. Their passion, so it is said, elevates both their joy and their wrath to unusual intensity.

Their bold and cheerful personalities often lead to misunderstandings with other Space Marine Chapters who mistake their attitude as one of disrespect and brutishness. Though they get along with some brotherhoods more than others, they always find themselves alienating comrades from different orders with their unusual ways. The warriors of the Salamanders have proven to be kindred spirits in many ways, yet even they are sometimes put off by the Blazing Hearts' need for dance and song, and their strange sense of humour.

The Chapter's Culture is deeply rooted within the myths and legends of Zhoushala, which tell of divine dragon beasts and fantastical creatures that gave both blessings and curses to the people of the old times. The most well known are the stories dealing with snickering trickster daemons and powerful wyrm monsters, both of which have become common imagery on the armour and architecture of the Astartes.

Also stemming from those ancient times are the sacred tradtitions of once religious significance. While the inhabitants of Zhoushala have adopted the old rites and chants for the veneration of the Emperor, the Space Marines have taken them on as a way of enacting ceremonies that are more linked to the Space Marine way of life rather than religious worship. Although the Blazing Hearts have never been a brotherhood of faith, they have never outright denounced the worship of the Emperor as a god. In truth, the brothers of the Chapter care little about the theological debates revolving around this subject. In the old tales Zhoushala was ruled by the great Heavenly Kings of the high peaks, mythical figures who were by all acounts very much mortal men, but also undeniably divine. To the Zhoushalans, making a clear distinction between mortality and godhood is folly, for their cultural understanding includes both aspects as being inherently connected. A man may be a god and a god may be a man, the Astartes of the Blazing Hearts could not care less which case is true for the Emperor. Only their loyalty to Him is an absolute certainty.

Above all else, their beliefs encourage them to live each day to the fullest, with the most joy that can be found and the most laughter that can be had. If a conversation can not be improved with a joke, there is rarely a point in having it. If a victory is not accompanied by the thunderous boom of cannons and the blinding light of fire, it is not a victory worth celebrating. Any food, no matter how simple or drab, should be enjoyed as much as possible, for each meal may be a warrior's last. And most importantly of all, if a brother's passing is not met with deep mourning and countless tears, he was not worth remembering.

## Chapter Recruitment

When it comes to replenishing their numbers, the Blazing Hearts follow a straightforward method of recruitment. Whenever the Chapter announces its need for new blood, youths from across Zhoushala embark to face the trials and ascend to the lofty domain of the Coldfyre Vihara. For many the journey itself poses a challenge, as the untamed lands outside of the major settlements and villages are home to dangerous beasts and treacherous terrain.

Once the aspirants have made their way to the Ashram Mountains they are met with two trials. The trial of the Mortal Colours, in which the aspirants are exposed to a variety of hostile environments and tasked to survive for a certain amount of time, and the trial of the Golden Blaze in which the goal is to best a brother of the Chapter in a contest of wits. At least, that is how the warriors of the Blazing Hearts prefer to describe the trial of the Golden Blaze. In truth, the real challenge is not to outwit a Battle-Brother per se, but rather to make him laugh, or at the very least to amuse him in some manner. The aspirants are not aware of said objective, as they are simply sat into a room with one of the Space Marines and told to engage in casual conversation. This also serves as an opportunity for the Astartes to learn the character of the youths, most importantly whether or not they carry the gift of passion within their souls.

At the end of the trials, twenty of the most promising aspirants are selected to become neophytes of the Chapter. Those who made it until the final selection but were not chosen are given the choice of either becoming Chapter serfs or to return home with their honour intact.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

"*I suppose it is a fitting curse to be bestowed upon us. We who live each day as if it were our last. The brighter we burn, the faster we are extinguished. Tsk. How poetic.*"
— Amat Terani, Captain of the Sunswords
The geneseed of the Blazing Hearts Chapter is afflicted by a unique mutation referred to as the *Heartstorm*. The alteration was first discovered some 2,000 years ago after having initially been misidentified as a mere escalation of the White Scars' savagery inherent to their geneseed.

It is akin to a sudden fever and most commonly emerges during times of great excitement, usually in the midst of battle. It rises quickly and burns hot, often causing feelings of extreme euphoria and ecstasy in response to either great joy or phsyical activity. It is most usually triggered by battle lust, to which Astartes are no strangers. When allowed to rage unchecked, the Heartstorm can cause a battle brother to loose themselves in violent slaughter, to the point where they no longer pay heed to their own survival. While this puts the afflicted Space Marines at risk, they always retain their ability to distinguish friend from foe. Even so, it can easily lead to death if the warrior in question remains in the grip of the Heartstorm for any prolonged period of time and is consequently brought down by his fever. Sometimes the only option to avert this is to make said individual lose consciousness and artifically lower his body temperature.

In addition, the Heartstorm quite literally saps the life force of its victims, rapidly aging them each time they succumb to its heat. This is the reason why many of the Blazing Hearts' senior members appear far older than their actual age, a result of frequently falling to the Heartstorm in battle. It is because of this that the Astartes of Zhoushala have a far lower average life expectancy than those of other orders.

The boons of this condition are considerable however, as it effectively nullifies pain and greatly heightens a marine's physical capabilites. The feats of strength and speed displayed by those suffering from the Heartstorm border on the supernatural, even for an Astartes. For brothers faced with almost certain death, the flaw is a final trump card to play in hopes of either surviving or offering a worthy last stand.

As a consequence, meditation and mantras of emotional self control have become important aspects of their training regimen. Some in the Chapter are able to control the ailment through this meditation, therefore gaining the ability to trigger it at will. Although even for these brothers, the terrible side effects remain.

## Deathwatch Service

Members of the Blazing Hearts are only rarely seen in the Watch Fortresses of the Ordo Xenos, due to several reasons. Many aspects of the Deathwatch are incompatible with the soul of the Chapter, for the Xenos Hunters wearing the black fight the foes of mankind in team-sized units which specialize in combat actions that are more precise and subtle in nature, at least when compared to the Chapter's own doctrines. Bombastic sieges, battles of grand scale and displays of dramatic showmanship are not nearly as common for the Deathwatch.

Not to mention that the battle-brothers's attitudes often have a polarizing effect on those of certain Chapters. Misunderstandings and disagreements with fellow Kill-team members make up only some of the incidents caused by this.

What makes the brothers of the Blazing Hearts even more unsuited for such a role is the need for secrecy and discretion concerning one's service. Expecting the Astartes of Zhoushala to remain silent about their Long Vigils, thus barring them from sharing stories of their joys and glories with their peers back home, is folly. While none of them would ever break their vows of silence, almost none are ready to take them in the first place. Few of the Blazing Hearts are ever called upon to serve as a consequence, for the Inquisition is more than aware of the complications that may arise, and even fewer ever choose to answer said call.

In the last 500 years, there have only been three individuals in the Chapter who have served in the ranks of the Deathwatch.

## Chapter Fleet

Current void vessels of the Blazing Hearts Fleet:

* ***Flammifer Cordis*** **(Battle Barge)** - Chapter Flagship

* ***Dragon Inconquerable* (Battle Barge)** -

* ***Dancing Tiger* (Strike Cruiser)** -

* ***Final Fire* (Strike Cruiser)** -

* ***By Zhurong Clad* (Strike Cruiser)** -

* ***Blazing Ballad* (Vanguard Cruiser)** -

* **Risible Roar (Vanguard Cruiser) -**

* **10+ Escorts**

Notable Vessels of the past that were lost or destroyed throughout the Chapter's history:

* ***Xin's Passion* (Strike Cruiser)**
* ***Smiling Star* (Strike Cruiser)**
* ***Han's Fury* (Strike Cruiser)**
* **Heaven's Light (Strike Cruiser)**
* ***Revered Chariot* (Vanguard Cruiser)**
* ***Burning Lance* (Vanguard Cruiser)**
* ***Ninth Purgatory* (Strike Cruiser)**

## Chapter Relics

* **Ignis Cataclys -** A great, two handed chainsword modified with a promethium flamer to set its teeth ablaze with red-green fire. An imposing weapon wielded by First Brother Ichimonji of the Jinjun Summerborn.

* **Drakeheart -** The Drakeheart is a large Multi-Melta once gifted to the Blazing Hearts by the Salamanders Chapter. It has seen many heated engagements throughout the ages and was witness to many of the order's greatest moments.

* **Claws of Han -** A pair of deadly Lightning Claws carried by Revered Master Jiang Ziya. Like many other weapons of the Chapter, they have been customised to include small flamers, similiar to the Flamestorm Gauntlets used by Primaris Space Marines.

* **Glaive Symphonius -** This glaive is a unique power weapon whose disruption field eminates a musical ringing sound with every strike of its blade. The more skilled the wielder, the more harmonious and pleasing to the ears the sounds of the glaive. The exact reason for this strange effect still eludes the Techmarines of the Chapter, and even the weapons exact age and origins are hazy. It was often used as a special tool during important ceremonies but is now the favored weapon of Seventh Captain Uzun Bào, who claimed the weapon for himself as a reward for saving the Revered Master's life during the war of the Second Maelstrom Calamity.

* **Revered Mask -** The mask traditionally worn by the Revered Master of the Blazing Hearts. It is broken and reforged with the appointment of each new Revered Master, who fashions it in his own style. The mask of the current Revered Master, Jiang Ziya, depicts a fierce dragon with its face contorted in a mocking smile.

* **Dragon's Fist -** The Dragon's Fist is a mighty Chainfist granted to a chosen Veteran Sergeant of the 1st Company before every battle. How the Flammifers of the Heartfire Reclusiam choose which warrior should be given the honour to wield it is unknown, but it is an important tradition dating back to the founding days of the Chapter. Whenever the Sunswords go to war, the Dragon's Fist must bear witness.

* **Vortessus -** Vortessus is a master-crafted force spear created by the current Chief Pyromancer, Rosewin Emirey. It serves as a powerful conduit for psychic energy and has proven exceedingly effective against the daemons of the warp who have come to fear its banishing edge.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

The battleplate of the Blazing Hearts is of a dark gold colour. The knees, shoulder trims and the helmet are painted a bright red, as are parts of the backpack and the Imperial Aquila. The pauldrons are fields of pure white. There may be some slight variations to this depending on the battle-brother.

### Chapter Badge

The symbol of the Blazing Hearts is a golden heart crowned by two sharp flames. A red heart sits inside the golden, with a golden diamond at its heart.

### Company Markings

Companies are marked by the number of diamonds on the right leg and arm of a battle-brother. The specific way in which these are meant to be arrayed is dictated by the Chapter texts, although in truth only the number of diamonds truly matters. None will question a deviation from the "correct" patterns. Further decorations may be added by the Marines to highlight their belonging to a certain company, if they so choose.

* **Squad and Combat Role Markings** - The squad number is signified by a Zhoushalan symbol on the right knee. The combat role is displayed on the right shoulder.

* **Veterans** - Veterans bear red helmets with white eye lenses. Painted underneath each eye is a white tear. As Space Marines who have undoubtedly lost many a brother in their long years of service, they have many reasons to weep for the fallen. Yet such is not in line with the character of the Blazing Hearts, who cherish cheer more than sorrow. Thus, the veterans of the Chapter let their armor shed tears in their stead.

* **Sergeants** - Sergeants bear red helmets with golden accents and blue eye lenses.

* **Lieutenants** - Lieutenants bear golden helmets with white accents and red eye lenses.

* **Captains** - Captains bear white helmets with golden eye lenses.

The Chapter as a whole makes much use of armor that imitates dragon scales, and helmets ornamented with the horns and laughing faces of daemons or animals. The hair of Urdrakes too is sometimes worn atop their helmets.

## Relations

### Allies

* Tidebenders **-** The Tidebenders are a Chapter of Space Marines hailing from the ocean world of Kalypse. Their friendship with the Blazing Hearts began during the Second Maelstrom Calamity, when the sons of Kalypse came to the aid of the Chapter in their hour of need, helping them to cast the horrors of the archenemy back into the depths of the Maelstrom. They have proven reliable allies, though their preferred strategems of aquatic warfare initially seemed incompatible with the scorched earth tactics of the Blazing Hearts. Yet the flexibility of their forces proved effective beyond expectation, and so a deadly bond was formed. Their Chapter Master, High Chieftain Pryce Dukka, has long since acted as a mentor to Revered Master Jiang Ziya and remains a steadfast friend to both him and the Astartes of Zhoushala.

* Salamanders **-**

* Ultramarines **-**

### Enemies

* **Red Corsairs**

* **Daemons of Chaos**

* **Orks**

## Notable Members

"*By the Emperor, I tire of speeches! With me brothers, let us murder them!*"
— Revered Master Jiang Ziya

### **Veteran-Sergeant Ikarieu Galvanius**

#### Personal History

Brother Ikarieu Galvanius of the 9th Company was not born upon Zhoushala, for he was part of the "Exchange of Virtues", a custom of the Tidebenders Space Marine Chapter in which two aspirants are exchanged between orders as a sign of friendship and good faith.

Born among the mysterious tides of Kalypse's Quickala Sea, Ikarieu was but the son of humble brothmakers, seemingly destined for an unremarkable life. It was the sudden onslaught of an Abyssal Titan, a mighty creature native to the deep seas of Kalypse, which would change everything.

Seeing his home being devoured by the monstrous beast, Ikarieu could do little other than watch as a group of giants clad in dark blue emerged from the ocean depths to face the creature in battle. The boy knew the stories of course, the tales of the valiant protectors of Kalypse, those who shielded the eight seas with fire and steel, but even so he could not believe his eyes. Staring in awe he saw the warriors fight such a vast foe with no sign of fear.

Ikarieu could not just sit idly by, an impulse of raw fury and determination took hold off him as he took up a discarded harpoon and hurled it at the beast. The youth could not hope to best this thing in combat, but his one moment of bravery was enough to cut the Abyssal Titan on one of its legs. It was a shallow wound, but it managed to irritate the monster all the same. In that brief moment of distraction, the Space Marines of the Tidebenders were able to deliver a killing blow to the giant, felling it with precise brutality.

Ikarieu Galvanius stood there, unsure of what next to do. One of the blue-clad giants regarded him with a pondering gaze, then extended a hand to him. He had been given an opportunity, a chance to prove himself and undergo further tests to see if he too could walk the stars as a hunter of the deep. There was no reason to refuse, the sea monster had taken everything from him, and so there was nothing for him to leave behind. A necklace hanging around his neck was all he took with him, a prized heirloom of his family. It was simply made, but of great value. Eight seashells gathered from the eight seas were arrayed, bound together by a string of pearls. It was all he needed to face whatever came next.

To his own suprise, Ikarieu managed to pass the final test, the Trial by Tide, though losing a finger and a good chunk of his left leg in the process. It seemed that the Obsidian Watchers of the Tidebenders had noticed something within him that would qualify him for an extraordinary honour, an honour destined to take him far from home indeed.

He was to take part in the "Exchange of Virtues" and go with the Astartes of the Blazing Hearts to become one of their warriors, thereby strengthening the bonds between the two Chapters. Ikarieu was both excited and saddened by this news. Curious and honoured though he felt, he found it hard to say farewell to his fellow aspirants, those that had survived alongside him in the wilds of Cephalon. After losing his family to the terrors of the sea, he considered them the closest thing to a family he had left. And yet his future brothers reassured him that he would not be lacking comrades to call family on Zhoushala. There was a fire in him they said, and where fire burned, there passion churned. The young aspirant had no idea what that meant, but a part of him felt relieved by it nonetheless.

The trials of the Blazing Hearts were a trifling matter compared to what he had already been through, so his ascension was assured from the moment he witnessed the lush green forests and high mountains of his new home.

As the years passed him by in the service of the Chapter, Ikarieu emerged as a bright and brilliant flame in the ranks of the 9th Company. The Glacial Glaives fought with savage strength, but their movements would flow like the violent streams of the ocean. There was something comforting on those teaching, and the young Space Marine endeavored to perfect the techniques.

Like his brethren, he was agressive. Yet unlike many of his comrades he was not reckless in battle. He was loud and brazen, but never disrespectful. It was odd to behold, how cheerful yet considered his words were at all times. Ikarieu was, by all accounts, full of passion and life whilst simultaneously having the restraint and reason to temper his own flame when need be.

Over time, he grew into a great champion, a warrior of rare skill and decisive action. Always the first to lead the charge into oncoming bolterfire, always the first to leap into the breach of a stricken fortress, his burning chainsword aloft. His brothers, his family, he never once abandoned even at the risk of failing his mission. Ikarieu became an inspiring presence on the planes of war, a steadfast leader that could bring victory swiftly.

Although he had no mind for grand strategies or long-term plans, he found his place all the same. Destined to never rise above his role as Veteran-Sergeant of the Glacial Glaives, the champion was still content to remain on equal footing with his kin, for he did not desire to command those below him but rather support those around him. He became a leader, yet not a leader. The bearer of the torch, but never its master.

It was not long until he became known by all, his name etched into the Dragon Crypts of the Colfyre Vihara and his counsel heeded in the halls of the Revered Master. With a hearty laugh echoing from his throat he walked the halls of the Fortress Monastery undisturbed, not bothered by the cold flames or the chilling temperatures inside the temple. He had known far colder climates in his childhood after all.

His greatest skill, so the high officers believed, was not his fierce battle-lust but his silver tongue. He had always been charismatic, able to make those around him hark to his words. Those closest to him liked him, and even those of the Chapter that he often disagreed and argued with paid him respect at the very least. A diplomat with a sharp mind, a strong swordarm and great charisma was worthy of many priviliges, and soon Ikarieu became a leader of the Chapter in all but rank. Sergeant though he remained, all in the Blazing Hearts knew his name and saluted his standing.

He now fights as he always has, with the fires of the Old Dragons in his hearts and the trust of the brothers at his side. And, of course, with the seashells of Kalypse around his neck.

## Notable Quotes

### By the Blazing Hearts

" *Firing one rocket hasn't produced the desired reaction. I shall fire a thousand more!*"
— Lieutenant Cao Ryudo
### About the Blazing Hearts

"*The Blazing Heart are ferocious and reckless Chapter, always changing the mood with their boisterous yet eager speeches. Even if said mood is a fight to the death against the servants of the Dark Gods. Always ready for a fight like Orks preparing for one of their many wars. Barely contained by their flaming passions that would make Vulkan proud. Yet they always have each other, a band of brothers to temper their darker urges and remain focused on protecting mankind. They truly do live up to their name. For that we are thankful to have them as our friends.*"
—Chronicler Isarious of the Tidebenders Chapter recounting his fond opinions on the Blazing Hearts
" *Those... barbarians make a mockery of discipline, they make a mockery of the arts. All they do is destroy and butcher and burn, masking their sins behind laughter and feasting. I have nothing more to say.*"
— Brother Dawros of the Argent Eagles

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

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