Bernhardt Rackarth

> *"What is the terror of death?* *That we die, our work incomplete.* *What is the joy of life?* *To die, knowing our task is done."*
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Bernhardt Rackarth is the brother Chaplain attached to the Bladeguard of Marshal Aristeo's household. A taciturn individual, Bernhardt rarely speaks outside of meetings of the Inner Circle, preferring to let his actions in battle inspire and extol as Aristeo's Bladeguard are usually found where the fighting is thickest.

Wielding his massive war maul, Bernhardt prefers to wade through the enemies of the Imperium allowing it's brutal weight and size to sing the praises of the Emperor in one of the few ways that Space Marines know how to truly offer worship.

The fires of battle transform into his place of worship, the roar of Bolters now his prayers, the culling of his foes the offerings to the God-Emperor.

## History

Bernhardt Rackarth has always preferred to be where the fighting was bloodiest and thickest. A religious individual, it was in the heart of battle that Bernhardt truly relished being. Here, was a place that he felt he could offer genuine praise to the Emperor since he didn't always have access to the hallowed halls of the Chapter's fleet. It was during battle that Bernhardt felt that oneself was truly baptized and he eventually came under the scrutiny of his brother Chaplains.

### Fleet Primus

Created on Mars, belonging to the gene-line of Dorn, and awoken on the Zar-Quasesitor by Belisarius Cawl; Bernhardt started as an Intercessor as part of the Unnumbered Sons of the Primarch, or "Greyshields", when Lord Commander Roboute Guilliman launched the Indomitus Crusade. It was during the crusade that Bernhardt would be exposed to the strengths and weaknesses of the different gene-lines of the Primaris and learn to use them efficiently. To draw them into something more when used together than as individual gene-lines, Bernhardt saw the benefits of the mixed squads and that vision made him Sergeant and taught the different roles of the Primaris.

Fighting as a Bladeguard Veteran was Bernhardt singled out by the Chaplaincy and taken as a Novice to it. His duties involved assisting the Chaplains during rituals but also study into their observances and ceremonies. At this time did his personality shine and his devotion to the Imperial Cult. It was clear that he was meant to become a Chaplain.

#### Devastation of Baal

The assault by the largest concentration of the Tyranids so far, Hive Fleet Leviathan attempted to destroy Baal, the home world of the Blood Angels Chapter of Space Marines. The battle, fought in ca. 999.M41, was a key battle of the Indomitus Crusade and one of defining moments of Bernhardt.

Arriving just in time, Overlord gunships dotted the skies above Baal, as Guilliman and the Primaris Space Marines rained down into the midst of the Tyranid swarm. Leviathan's remaining forces still outnumbered the Space Marines, but the death of the Swarmlord by Dante and the destruction of the orbiting Tyranid fleet left it reeling, as the lower Tyranid lifeforms reverted to their frenzied, predatory instincts. Bernhardt and the other Primaris spent the next solar month cleansing Baal and Baal Secondus. It was during this month that the fires that the Chaplains of the Indomitus Crusade saw came ablaze as Bernhardt lead his battle brothers and he developed a hatred for the alien xenos.

#### Battle of Raukos

The Pit of Raukos was an isolated Warp Rift dominating 108/Kalapus-9. Here Guilliman fought a major battle hoping to crush allied Chaos forces including the Word Bearers, the Iron Warriors and the Black Legion. This is where Daemons and Chaos Space Marine forces launched raids into Imperial territory.

Outmatched and outgunned, the Chaos Space Marines didn't stand a chance against the Imperial Regent. The space battle culminated in the destruction of the orbiting Word Bearer temple. The orbital assault on the planet was led by Primaris Space Marines drawn from the Unnumbered Sons including Bernhardt. The Marines landed on a fortress-complex built and garrisoned by the Iron Warriors. Now he was truly able to come to grips with his gene-line's cousins and bitter rivals. He gained firsthand knowledge about the Traitor Legions and his detestation for them developed even more here.

### Eternal Crusader

Near the end of the Indomitus Crusade and after the Battle of Raukos, the last of the Greyshields armies were disbanded. Those marines left were either formed into new Primaris Space Marine Chapters or like Bernhardt, sent to reinforce established Chapters by bolstering their ranks. One such chapter was the Black Templars and Guilliman personally went to meet them to give them the "Primarch's Gift"-- the genetic technologies and Magi Biologis experts required to create their own Primaris Marine battle-brothers.

After being assigned to the newly promoted Marshal Aristeo's household as a Bladeguard Veteran and again being recognized for the example that he's shown, he was elevated to a fully realized Chaplain. Given his symbols of office and presented to the marines who are now under his spiritual guidance, he is an awe-inspiring warrior-priest leading from the front, fighting wherever the foe is most fierce, leading his brothers and praising the Emperor through the destruction of His enemies.

## Wargear

* **Mark X Tacticus Power Armour**
* **Skull Helm** - One of the most iconic elements of a Chaplain's wargear is his macabre Skull Helm, a stern visage that depicts the face of the Emperor mordant, evoking the Emperor's wrath. These helmets may take many different forms and have been crafted by numerous Space Marine Artificers across the galaxy. Universally, however, they are all fearsome in aspect.
* **Crozius Arcanum** - Over 2 meters in length and shaped in the form of giant maul topped by the winged Aquila and Black Templar Chapter Badge that represents the Emperor's sacrifice, the Crozius Arcanum serves as both a melee weapon and the primary badge of office of Space Marine Chaplains. This maul is wreathed in crackling gravitic disruption fields, and more importantly serve as a symbol of the bearer's status as a spiritual guardian of his battle-brothers.
* **Absolvor Bolt Pistol**
* **Frag Grenades**
* **Krak Grenades**
* **Rosarius** - Another symbol of a Chaplain's office, Bernhardt's Rosarius takes the form of a skeletal hand made of adamantium and houses a powerful protective Conversion Field emitter, protecting him from attacks, both physical and psychic, that might otherwise break through the protection of even the mighty Space Marine Power Armour or the indomitable psychic strength of a Chaplain's own will.