Emerald Crusaders

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The **Emerald Crusaders** is a homebrew Space Marine Chapter hailing from a scorching, rocky planet, Ardentum IV. With an unyielding commitment to the ideals of their forebears, the Salamanders, and the Emerald Crusaders are dedicated protectors of humanity. They draw inspiration from their planet’s harsh environment, forging an unbreakable brotherhood among their ranks. Adapting to their arid world, the chapter’s battle tactics emphasize precision strikes and unyielding resilience.

They are known for their skill in crafting high-quality and unbreakable bolters and power swords, enabling them to utilize precision to their advantage. The Crusaders' armor is adorned with green and red markings, and they use Roman-style helmet decorations to show rank, skill, and wisdom, symbolizing the unique culture and identity of their chapter. The chapter’s recruitment process is highly selective, seeking candidates with unwavering determination and a strong sense of justice. Their rigorous training regimens hone their combat skills and forge an unbreakable bond among the warriors, instilling in them the importance of protecting the weak and upholding the Emperor’s will.

The Emerald Crusaders are also renowned for their humanitarian efforts. They often work alongside the Adeptus Mechanicus to provide technology and resources to underprivileged Imperial worlds, earning the respect and admiration of the populace. Their deeds extend beyond warfare, embodying the spirit of their progenitors by tending to the needs of those they defend. In battle, the chapter employs tactical flexibility, adapting to various challenges with a combination of precise fire and unwavering determination. They often strike swiftly and decisively, exploiting weaknesses in their foes while minimizing collateral damage to protect innocent lives. This strategic approach has earned them a reputation as honorable and effective defenders of the Imperium.

## Chapter History

During the Battle of the Damocles Gulf (742-745.M41), and after Operation Pluto and Operation Hydra, the Tau forces of the Sac'ea Sept briefly allied with a small force of Salamanders to ward off a splinter force of Hive Fleet Behemoth. In this secret alliance, their goal was to cut off the preliminary forces of Hive Fleet Behemoth. After their success, the small salamander force agreed to let the Tau evacuate their forces on the edge of the Damocles Gulf, while enacting Exterminatus operations on surrounding planets to create a Tyranid buffer zone.

After their operations ceased, the small Salamander force broke off and settled on their newfound homeworld, Ardentum IV, secretly established near the Damocles Gulf. No one except the Emerald Crusaders actually knew the precise location of their homeworld. After years and years of development and establishment, the Emerald Crusaders had turned from a small fighting force, into a full-fledged Imperial Chapter.

As to why the previous Salamander force split off from their old chapter, is a mystery shrouded in secrecy and its knowledge is believed to only be known by Marcellus Vulkar himself and some members of the First Company.

## Notable Campaigns

Since their founding, the Emerald Crusaders have fought multiple battles against various Xenos and Chaos forces. Some more than others:

* **Ork Purge (867-870.M41)** - The Emerald Crusaders removed Ork forces of Ork Empire of Alsanta Grog Ironteef from planets surrounding the Ardentum system, during the War of Dakka. This war was a decisive turning point for the Tau Empire, who eventually beat back the Ork invasion. This engagement was also the first major battle that saw the Emerald Crusaders deploy the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Companies, with support from the Second and Sixth. Various actions performed by members of the Emerald Crusaders saw many promotions. All units from these Companies are now considered, at the least, Blooded. The Emerald Crusaders leadership, headed by Marcellus Vulkar, determined entrenching themselves to bear the brunt of the Ork WAAAGH, was the best option. After completely halting the Ork advance on multiple planets, the Emerald Crusaders launched a brutal and savage counterattack that saw the swift deviation of the Orks. The counterattack was short-lived as the Emerald Crusaders found themselves without many Orks to fight after a week of brutal and intense engagements.

* **Tyranid Purge (Various Dates.M41)** - As Hive Fleet Behemoth rests beyond the Damocles Gulf and the Ardentum system, many small recon forces have penetrated planets and asteroid fields, threatening the Emerald Crusaders. These various engagements have seen the deployment of First, Second, Third, and Fourth Companies to end the threat. Even with these forces being completely eliminated, there seems to be an endless stream of Tyranids.

## Chapter Homeworld

The homeworld of Ardentum IV is surrounded by a few planets in the solar system, serving as material supply and defensive positions. After that, there is a massive cloud of asteroids and death worlds, due to the Exterminatus operations before the chapter's founding. This provides ample buffering from attacking forces and is easily defended, as demonstrated by the Ork Purge and Tyranid Purge.

The planet itself is hot and rocky, with massive, beautiful trees sparingly scattered around the planet, providing a basis for life of all kinds to thrive under its protection. These trees, known as Abormajus, are a symbol of peace, protection, and the ability to thrive in harsh environments. Qualities that the Emerald Crusaders embody, and employ in their day-to-day activities.

### Fortress-Monastery

The Great Castle Fortress of Scoria lies on the highest peak on Ardentum IV, above the capital city. Massive walls with ornate designs protect the master-forges, libraries, barracks and training grounds for the Space Marines. If the Chapter has no need for the Space Marines at a given time, they return to their positions before recruitment. This is a highly efficient way of enabling master-crafted power weapon production and debates of great scholars, both Space Marine or not.

## Chapter Organization

The Chapter is organized into 7 Companies, as described below. They field Cobra Class, Dauntless Class, Dictator Class and Retribution Class spaceships, maintained in their High-Atmosphere-Parking-Lot, and are used only for the purposes of transporting their companies and support to the battlefields. They rarely engage in ship-to-ship combat, although the fights they have been in haven’t ended well for the opposition.

### Officer Ranks

* **Chapter Master**
* **Captain**
* **Lieutenant**

### Specialist Ranks

* **Reclusiarch**
* **Chaplain**
* **Chief Librarian**
* **Librarian**
* **Chief Apothecary**
* **Apothecary**
* **Master of the Forge**
* **Techmarines**
* **Chapter Champion**
* **Company Champion**
* **Ancient (Standard Bearer)**
* **Honoured Ancient (Dreadnought)**

### Line Ranks

* **Veteran Sergeant**
* **Veteran**
* **Sergeant**
* **Battle-Brother**
* **Scout Marine**
* **Neophyte**
* **Aspirant**

### Order of Battle

#### Headquarters

Each Company is led by a Space Marine with the rank of Captain or higher. They are often accompanied by Techmarines and Chaplains, and fight alongside their battle-brothers. The only exception to this is First Company, which is led by Marcellus Vulkar himself.

#### Companies

The Emerald Crusaders are split into 6 Companies, each with their own specialty. Each Company has 107 Space Marines:

* **1st Company** - Close Quarters Combat. This company has seen the most action, and is used as normal battle-line units. All of the space marines in this company are Veterans.

* **2nd Company** - Close Quarters Combat, Hit and Run tactics. Similar to First Company, this Company also fields Scout units and are experts in sabotage.

* **3rd Company** - Heavy Weapons Company. Usually Dreadnoughts and transports along with a maintenance division that services the whole chapter.

* **4th Company** - Air Wing. Usually services the Stormtalon, Stormraven, and a few Thunderhawk gunships. This company also fields drop pods and is the designated space-to-surface transport company.

* **5th Company** is the designated Precision Artillery and Assassination company. This unit is highly trained in tactics to take out high-value targets, both enemy fortifications and their leaders.

* **6th Company** - This company is a rear-detachment unit. Equipped with both light and heavy units, they stay behind the front line to beat back any possible breach. Due to the Emerald Crusaders' high skill and experience in warfare, line breaches almost never happen (albeit breaches not related to the Emerald Crusaders), leading the Sixth Company to also take upon the roles of the Seventh Company. The Seventh Company serves the role of a Reserve Divison, Training Division, Reserve Maintenance Division, and Recruitment Division.

## Chapter Recruitment

Since the Emerald Crusaders value quality of their marines rather than quantity, recruits are put through trials similar to what their founding Chapters Primarch went through, Vulcan, on his homeworld of Nocturne.

## Chapter Culture & Beliefs

### Military Theory

The Emerald Crusaders value wisdom and skill, as their society revolves around scholars and blacksmiths to create their Chapters wargear. Due to this, the Chapter is equipped with some of the best power swords, relic shields, and bolters of all types in the known galaxy. Due to this, their military capabilities are not the usual 'High-Low' build like most other Armies of the Imperium and mostly consist of highly specialized, trained, skilled and deadly elite units. These units mixed with a fair amount of dreadnoughts and a few Mastodon Super-Heavy transports make the Emerald Crusaders either a valued ally or a deadly enemy. While their numbers may be low, they are more than capable of punching significantly above their weight, and losses on the battlefield are no small issue.

### Culture

The Emerald Crusaders fosters a culture of scholars and blacksmiths. They value respectful discussion about philosophies of war, life, death, forging of weapons, and keeping of peace. Their near obsession with master craftsmen has seen the Emerald Crusaders commit massive amounts of resources into the engineering and science behind these powerful weapons. Due to their relatively low unit count and manpower, losses on the battlefield are more impactful than usual, both in their culture and military strategy. Because of this, their homeworld of Ardentum IV has some of the most elaborate and Intricate cemeteries, usually called “Gardens of the Dead”. When they bury their own, or have a ceremony for their loss, beautiful and massive tree saplings are planted, to remind the people of Ardentum IV that even in death, there is a possibility of life.

## Combat Doctrine

Companies work together in combined-arms engagements designed to completely and swiftly remove and eliminate enemy forces, to ensure maximum effect of all units involved and to mitigate collateral damage to the minimum possible amount.

## Deathwatch Service

While the Emerald Crusaders are on good terms with the Tau Empire, they are still forced to send their brothers to the Deathwatch. If a battle-brother is sent to the Deathwatch, they are bound to the oath known as “The Silence of the Tree”. In this oath, they vow no never disclose their relationship with the Tau, for they could be labelled as Heretic and exiled. Once they return, they are promoted to the Vulcanium rank, which shows their service to the Deathwatch.

## Notable Members

* **Marcellus Vulkar** - Current Chapter Master of the Emerald Crusaders.
* **Vulcanium** - Served in the Deathwatch.

## Chapter Fleet

Various numbers and classes of Imperial Navy Ships.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Badge

A Crusaders Cross, inside a Roman-style decorative wreath. Unit numbers are signified by Roman numerals.

## Relations

### Allies

Allies of the Emerald Crusaders Include:

* **Salamanders**

* **Adeptus Mechanicus**

### Enemies

* **Tau Empire**

* **Orks**

* **Tyranids**

## Notable Quotes

### About the Emerald Crusaders

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