vizn3r/warhammer40k-lore huggingface dataset:
Crimson Fists - Crimson Fists: The Crimson Fists is a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter and a Second Founding Successor Chapter of the Imperial Fists Legion. The Crimson Fists until recently was a Chapter on the edge of extinction, its fortress-monastery destroyed and its numbers all but annihilated when the Ork WAAAGH! Snagrod descended on the Loki Sector of Segmentum Tempestus and its Chapter homeworld of Rynn's World in 989.M41.Yet the Crimson Fists fought on, bearing the blows of a cruel fate with a stoicism that has become legend across the Imperium.Even amongst the elite ranks of the Space Marines, the remaining Crimson Fists are held as warriors without peer, forged in the fire of the most terrible and hopeless battles.As one would expect of successors to the Imperial Fists, the Crimson Fists are steadfast and stubborn warriors, reluctant to yield so long as victory is possible. Nonetheless, the Chapter's brush with annihilation has tempered this ardour with grim reality.The Crimson Fists' future lies with a handful of Space Marines, their lives to be expended for greater rewards than the salving of personal pride. Now the battle-brothers of the Crimson Fists fight for more than the Emperor of Mankind, more than honour and renown. They fight so that their Chapter may survive, and one day regain its former glories.Though they originated as a fleet-based Chapter, the Crimson Fists have become well-established as defenders of the Loki Sector. There are countless Ork empires active in the region, which represent an ever-present threat to the Imperium's interests.Over time, the Crimson Fists have become particularly adept at combating these savage xenos, though they have also engaged in countless battles against a broad spectrum of opponents across the span of the galaxy.As successors of the Imperial Fists, they proudly maintain the legacy of Rogal Dorn while also holding true to the teachings of the Codex Astartes.In recent years, the Chapter has suffered severe losses following the Battle of Rynn's World at the hands of the Greenskins of WAAAGH! Snagrod and the subsequent massive daemonic incursions during the Warp Storms that followed the formation of the Great Rift in 999.M41.The Crimson Fists found themselves clinging precariously close to existence. The Crimson Fists were successful in halting this incursion, though their stubbornness in the face of overwhelming odds cost them greatly.When the forces of the Indomitus Crusade entered orbit above Rynn's World, they brought more than just reinforcements to the Crimson Fists -- they brought a future and not a small degree of hope. From Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl's freighter-hulk Zar-Quaesitor, a new generation of Crimson Fists -- the Primaris Space Marines -- joined the fray.Their strength renewed, the Crimson Fists now fight to overthrow xenos despots and tyrants.
Crimson Fists - Zealous Servants: While many Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes are firm in their beliefs and zealous in defending the Emperor's Imperium, the Crimson Fists' zeal is, if anything, greater than usual.This Chapter trait has led to the Crimson Fists being called upon numerous times by the High Lords of Terra to exterminate their fellow Space Marine Chapters who have been declared Excommunicate Traitoris.At least three such instances have been recorded in Imperial history. The first such occurred after the Crimson Fists were ordered to eliminate the Sons of Gideon Chapter, whose Astartes had embraced madness and heresy and turned Renegade.The second Chapter the Crimson Fists took action against was the Marines Vigilant, who had come under the influence of an unknown possible xenos phenomenon that had wiped away the Chapter's willingness to engage in any form of combat.Tragically, the Marines Vigilant put up no resistance at all as the Crimson Fists' fleet bombarded their verdant homeworld into a wasteland on the orders of the Inquisition and the Adeptus Terra.The third Chapter the Crimson Fists fought against were the Soul Drinkers. Dark rumours persist that there were 6 Second Founding Chapters of the Imperial Fists, the final one being the Soul Drinkers.For unknown reasons, in the last century of the 41st Millennium, the Soul Drinkers were declared Excommunicate Traitoris and all records of the Chapter were destroyed by an Inquisitorial Edict of Obliteration. Somehow these Renegade Space Marines escaped destruction.On Entymion IV, an entire Battle Company of the Crimson Fists sought to eradicate the remaining Traitors of the Soul Drinkers. Remarkably, the Soul Drinkers not only out-maneuvered the Crimson Fists but managed to escape the planet as well. While the Crimson Fists did manage to foil a brewing plot concocted by a Dark Eldar Kabal, the Chapter was furious that the Soul Drinkers had escaped the righteous retribution of the Emperor. The Crimson Fists' willingness to sanction their fellow Space Marines has earned them a reputation as the High Lords of Terra's lapdogs by the more unorthodox Chapters such as the Space Wolves, White Scars and the Exorcists.
Crimson Fists - Bloodied But Unbowed: Following the losses of the Rynn's World Campaign, the Crimson Fists found themselves in the unusual position of having a disproportionate number of Veterans and specialists amidst their ranks, Techmarines and Apothecaries in particular. The presence of these experienced brothers was vital to the rebuilding of the Chapter, for without the Techmarines' intricate knowledge of the workings of the Machine God, the Crimson Fists could not maintain the wargear of their armoury and remain a viable fighting force.Without the Apothecaries' knowledge of the complex process of creating new warrior brethren, the Chapter would dwindle and disappear within a short span of years. The safeguarding of the Chapter's gene-seed is of paramount importance to the Crimson Fists, and it is a rare day when they will withdraw from the field of battle before their Apothecaries have recovered the Progenoids of every last fallen brother, even in the face of overwhelming enemy attack.The Crimson Fists have begun recruiting additional brethren from not only Rynn's World, but across the entire Loki Sector. The process couldn't be rushed, however, for the Crimson Fists had a long and noble tradition to maintain, and to compromise on the quality and suitability of Aspirants at such a critical juncture could one day spell its doom.Though the newly re-formed 10th Company consisted of only a few Scout Squads, the Chapter had begun to forge the future of the Crimson Fists with every battle they fought. These squads had been the recipients of much of the Chapter's knowledge and experience and had already distinguished themselves in their early actions against Ork forces in the sector; tellingly, the Scouts were also developing an abhorrence for Greenskins rivalling that of even the Chapter's Veterans.As one would expect of Successors to the Imperial Fists, the Crimson Fists are steadfast warriors, reluctant to yield so long as victory is possible. Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for their battle-brothers and they would rather die fighting than accept that failure. Nonetheless, the Chapter's brush with annihilation has tempered this ardour with grim reality, forcing them to withdraw when they find themselves in futile conflicts.The Crimson Fists' lives were to be expended for greater rewards than the salving of personal pride or the pursuit of vengeance, even against the despised race of Orks who nearly brought the Chapter to its knees. Now the battle-brothers of the Crimson Fists fight for more than honour and renown -- they fight so that their Chapter may survive, and one day regain its former glories in the service of the Emperor.
Crimson Fists - Indomitus Crusade: During the recent events of Abaddon the Despoiler's 13th Black Crusade, the long-standing Fortress World of Cadia was destroyed. With Cadia's fall and the loss of the network of Necron-built Cadian Pylons that had long prevented the Eye of Terror from naturally expanding into the Materium, the Warp rift began to expand exponentially across the width of the known galaxy.This tear in reality, known as the Great Rift, effectively rent the Imperium in half. The beleaguered forces of the Imperium increasingly found themselves overwhelmed as the power of Chaos and the xenos hordes grew unstoppable. Whole sectors of the Imperium lost contact with Terra, while others reported the onslaught of rabid Greenskin hordes, aggressive T'au fleets or undying Necron hosts, seemingly driven to conquest in the face of the expanding Warp Storm fronts.Heretic Chaos Cults and rogue psykers rose up in the billions, and every Imperial world now seemed set to burn in the fires of unending war. But all was not lost, for upon the Ultramarines' homeworld of Macragge during the Ultramar Campaign of 999.M41, the genius of Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl combined with the power of Ynnead, the Aeldari god of the dead, to resurrect the Primarch Roboute Guilliman from his millennia-long, deathless slumber.Before his wounding, Guilliman had anticipated the need for a new breed of hero for this, the darkest age in the Imperium's history. He knew that the galaxy would need warriors resilient enough to stand against the forces of Chaos as the Imperium found itself poised on the brink of annihilation. To that end, for 10,000 standard years, Archmagos Cawl had been working upon improving the Adeptus Astartes themselves.The result were the Primaris Space Marines of the Ultima Founding, a more powerful corps of transhuman warriors, more potent than even the original Astartes. New armies were raised in breathtaking numbers and new and terrible weapons were developed whose fury even the worshippers of the Dark Gods would be unable to withstand. Gathering a great new armada, composed of elements of the Adeptus Custodes, the Silent Sisterhood and a vast war host of Primaris Space Marines from many newly founded Chapters, the Lord Commander of the Imperium launched his Indomitus Crusade.
Crimson Fists - Coming of the Avenging Son: History seemed doomed to repeat itself when Rynn's World was struck by daemonic incursions during the Warp Storms that followed the birth of the Great Rift. Though Rynn's World found itself far to the galactic south of the primary anomaly, like much of the Imperium Sanctus this did not save the planet from an outbreak of unregulated psychic phenomena and Warp Storm activity. The Daemon Prince Rhaxor -- a daemonic warlord of terrible might -- and his hellish legions attacked, and the Crimson Fists were once more outnumbered and besieged upon their homeworld, their forces barely restored to half-strength.Three times Pedro Kantor led spearheads out to drive back the foe. When the Indomitus Crusade arrived unlooked for at Rynn's World, they broke the daemonic legions of the Daemon Prince. Roboute Guilliman himself led the relief of Rynn's World, linking his forces to the surviving Crimson Fists and the Rynnsguard Planetary Defence Force, before working with Pedro Kantor seemingly as equals to coordinate the annihilation of the daemonic menace. After the fighting was done, Roboute Guilliman himself gazed upon the piled dead of their foes and commended both the Chapter and their stalwart leader.The Crimson Fists marvelled at the return of the legendary primarch, but were even more grateful for the arrival of Primaris Space Marines bearing their own heraldry. In the wake of the planet's second salvation, Archamgos Cawl's Ark Mechanicus Zar-Quaesitor, delivered an equal measure of redemption to the Crimson Fists themselves in the form of company after company of Primaris battle-brothers. The technologies to fashion new Primaris Astartes were gifted to the Crimson Fists' Apothecarion, and hope kindled anew in the hearts of those battle-brothers who had survived the daemonic invasion of their world.Guilliman had decreed that those Chapters who had suffered the keenest losses and the highest rates of attrition fighting against the myriad foes of Mankind would be the first to receive Primaris Space Marine reinforcements.The Crimson Fists proved to be one of the first recipients of these new transhuman warriors, and would be able to finally rebuild their decimated Chapter. Here were warriors whose genetic composition was closer to their own primarch, Rogal Dorn, than had ever before existed. For his raw material, Cawl had selected warriors of Terra, and had taken them only a few generations after the original Imperial Fists had been created by the Emperor.Indeed, some had been held in stasis since the days of the Great Crusade; a few of the Primaris Space Marines could recall having seen Rogal Dorn himself. When these transhuman warriors of the Ultima Founding had been brought before their parent Chapter, it was like a meeting of brothers separated at birth. Arriving at a time of great darkness and upheaval, the Primaris Astartes' strength was welcomed.
Crimson Fists - Chapter Recruitment: Though Rynn's World is the Crimson Fists' home, it is not a planet from which they actively recruit. During their millennia as a crusading Chapter, the Crimson Fists established the practice of recruiting on many worlds of the Loki Sector. While a few had significant technological bases, the Chapter has generally recruited preferentially from Feral Worlds such as Blackwater, which is situated relatively close to Rynn's World.The natives of this world are renowned for their ferocity and courage, but are far from barbarous primitives. They are a noble people, whose lives are a daily struggle against adversity, and it is this stoic nature that makes them such ideal raw material to become Crimson Fists. While Aspirants are sometimes taken from other worlds, this practice has become increasingly uncommon. However, the Crimson Fists have never sought out those who engaged in savagery for its own sake. Rather, they seek the most appropriate candidates who are characterised by a combination of honour, athleticism, and stoicism in the face of overwhelming odds.However, the Crimson Fists also now recruit from Rynn's World itself and other worlds near to it. Having been a fleet-based Chapter for several millennia, the Chapter had grown accustomed to recruiting from many worlds but always came back to Blackwater and several nearby star systems for a steady source of reliable recruits, making the move to become a ground-based Chapter relatively simple.The Chapter annually travels to Blackwater to conduct the Festival of the Bloodied Fist. Through the course of this ceremony, Aspirants are subjected to a battery of trials that are used to evaluate their martial, mental, and spiritual prowess. Few of those who attempt the trial make it to the later stages. For those who do, the final challenge requires a worthy Aspirant to travel deep into the planet's toxic swamps and kill a barb dragon with their bare hands. Each year, there are few who manage to complete this brutally challenging test. However, those who successfully survive are far more likely to complete their initiation into the Crimson Fists Chapter than are Initiates with most other Chapters.Upon recruitment, a Crimson Fists Neophyte will serve in the Chapter's 10th Company as a Scout Marine just as in any other Codex Astartes-compliant Chapter. Upon completing the ritual known as "The Steeping", the Neophyte goes on to become a full battle-brother of the Chapter and takes his place in one of the Crimson Fists' Reserve Companies. Failed Aspirants, primarily those whose bodies proved metabolically and/or immunologically unable to accept the Chapter's gene-seed and Astartes implants, become Chapter Serfs.
Crimson Fists - Specialist Ranks and Chapter Titles: As Scions of Rogal Dorn, the Crimson Fists are regarded as a Codex Astartes-compliant Chapter, as their organisation, order of battle and tactical operations adhere closely to the tenets laid down in that most sacred of tomes for the Adeptus Astartes. There are, however, several noteworthy and substantial deviations from the Codex-prescribed doctrine. Most notable among these deviations is the use of certain honourific ranks and titles within the Chapter in place of the standard Space Marine ranks, which include the following:Lord Hellblade - Noble title accorded by the people of Rynn's World to the Chapter Master of the Crimson Fists, who is recognised as a member of the Imperium of Man's feudal nobility with Rynn's World as his demesne. Lord Hellblade is also always the commander of the Chapter's elite Crusade (1st) Company.High Chaplain - Informal title for the Crimson Fists Reclusiarch who serves as the Master of Sanctity for the Chapter.Master of the Librarius - The title used by the Chapter's Chief Librarian.Master of the Technacarum - The formal title used by the Chapter's Master of the Forge.Master of the Shield - Title held by the Captain of the 2nd Company.Master of the Line - Title held by the Captain of the 3rd Company.Master of the Charge - Title held by the Captain of the 4th Company.Master of the Watch - Title held by the Captain of the 6th Company.Master of the Gates - Title held by the Captain of the 7th Company.Master of Blades - Title of the Captain of the 8th Company.Master of the Siege - Title of the Captain of the 9th Company.Master of the Shadows - Title of the Captain of the 10th Company.Master of the Fleet - Rank held by a senior headquarters Astartes of the Chapter with proven void combat experience, rather than a company captain.The Chosen - The Chapter's Serfs are made up of failed Astartes Aspirants collectively called "The Chosen", who serve the Chapter in multiple combat support roles. It is from these Serfs that messengers, skilled labourers and even the Chapter Master's Major-Domo are all drawn.
Crimson Fists - The Arx Tyrannus: The Arx Tyrannus, the former fortress-monastery of the Crimson Fists, was situated in the Hellblade Mountains of the Sorocco Province on Rynn's World. While they were still a crusading Chapter, the Arx Tyrannus was a mighty Battle Barge and the Chapter's flagship. Once they settled, they dismantled the Arx and reconstructed it as their fortress-monastery. It comprised a central citadel surrounded by buildings dedicated to the Chapter Reclusium, Apothecarion, Technicarum and other specialist enclaves.At its heart was the sacred Monument Hall where the name of every fallen battle-brother of the Chapter was inscribed. The Arx was protected by a curtain wall featuring four mighty towers known as the Sercia, Protheo, Marez and Laculum Bastions. It was an anti-ship torpedo fired from the Laculum Bastion that ultimately destroyed the Arx Tyrannus during WAAAGH! Snagrod's invasion of Rynn's World in 989.M41. Roughly 600 Astartes were within the Arx Tyrannus when it was destroyed and the loss of all but 16 of them was the greatest loss of life the Chapter has suffered since the Siege of Barenthal.At its height, the Arx Tyrannus was staffed by specialised Chapter Serfs, including a senior Astropath known as The Monitor who presided over the fortress' Communicatus, and the Major-Domo who served as the overseer of the Chapter Serfs and the personal attendant and confidante to Lord Hellblade himself. The last serving Monitor was Durlon Cholo, while the last Major-Domo was a failed Aspirant named Ramir Savales.Savales had been a promising recruit to the Chapter but was unable to become a Space Marine when his body rejected the Astartes implants and the genetic alterations initiated by the gene-seed's viral machines. Savales' direct predecessor was a man named Argol Kondris. As with many of the Chapter's serfs, Savales became Major-Domo after being selected as an apprentice to Kondris, which was a tradition for many of the more important positions held by the Chapter's support staff. All but 400-odd Chapter Serfs were killed when the Arx Tyrannus was lost, and none within the fortress survived the explosion.In addition to the Arx Tyrannus, the Crimson Fists possessed a Chapter keep known as The Cassar within New Rynn City, an orbital dock known as Raxa Station that serviced the Chapter fleet and had lunar tracking stations on Rynn's World's moons of Dantienne and Syphos. Of these assets, only The Cassar apparently survived the invasion of the Arch-Arsonist and his WAAAGH!. It is unknown at this time if the Crimson Fists will begin the reconstruction of the Arx Tyrannus or move their fortress-monastery to an entirely new location.
Crimson Fists - The Cassar: The Cassar is a Chapter keep of the Crimson Fists that was situated in the Zona Regis, also known as the Silver Citadel of New Rynn City. The Citadel is situated on a small island at the center of New Rynn City, with the rapid flowing River Rynn on either side. The Cassar and the entire Silver Citadel are protected by potent Void Shields which made it the most protected location on the planet next to the Arx Tyrannus itself.With the destruction of the Arx Tyrannus, the Crimson Fists based themselves within The Cassar until such time as the Chapter can salvage the ruins of the Arx Tyrannus and build a new fortress-monastery. Fortunately, 400 Chapter Serfs and nearly 30 Servitors were despatched to The Cassar to prepare it for Snagrod's invasion, ensuring that the Chapter still possesses some of its original support services as it attempts to rebuild its strength.
Crimson Fists - Crimson Fists Librarians: Like their fellow Astartes Chapters, the Crimson Fists also maintain a Librarium of potent psykers who are highly talented and trained to master the power of the Warp at the highest levels. Each Chapter selects its Librarians in its own way, either from seed worlds, as it does with the bulk of its Initiates, or from the ranks of gifted psykers brought to the Scholastica Psykana of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica. Most Chapters train and test chosen psykers following the ancient traditions laid out in the Codex Astartes. Librarians of the Crimson Fists are trained in this way, and, with few minor traditional variances, have been taught to live by the word of the Codex. Crimson Fists Librarians have a number of unique psychic abilities only used by the psykers of their Chapter, including:Bloody Fist - Crimson Fists Librarians have mastered powers which aid them in the destruction of xenos, especially those with tough hides and thick skins that might thwart a normal attack or rob it of its power. With the Bloody Fist power, the Librarian infuses his melee attack with extra force, allowing him to inflict some damage even if his blow does not breech the creature's armour or hide.Enduring Duty - Duty is paramount to a Crimson Fists Space Marine and even when the shadow of death falls upon him or his companions he will continue to fight on to the end. The Librarian steels his own spirit or that of one of his companions to fight on, even when the body should have given up and all hope is gone. Either the Librarian or a single ally within range can be the target of Enduring Duty. While this power is maintained, a battle-brother can continue to fight on, even after suffering mortal wounds which will eventually kill him, ignoring his fatigue and extreme pain.Hammer of Man - The Crimson Fists Librarian focuses his hatred of xenos into a tangible force which he projects out around him, causing pain and anguish to any sentient beings who are not human.
Crimson Fists - Deathwatch Service: Though brought to a fraction of full strength by a devastating Ork attack at Rynn's World, the Crimson Fists are famous for never giving up -- they still tithe warriors to the Deathwatch whenever the need arises. For centuries the Crimson Fists have waged the Emperor's wars against the alien, fighting in all corners of the galaxy against a vast myriad of xenos. However, none have suffered as much under the blades and bolts of the Chapter as the Orks, and over the years the battle-brothers of the Crimson Fists have become exceptionally skilled at dispatching the greenskinned alien warriors.Such is the skill the Chapter has displayed against the Orks that both Imperial forces and the xenos themselves have taken note, and Imperial commanders are quick to request the Crimson Fists should they fall under the shadow of a WAAAGH! The Deathwatch recognises the Crimson Fists' hard-won expertise, and over the course of many centuries a strong relationship has been forged between the Deathwatch and the Crimson Fists. Many of the most senior and adept battle-brothers of the Chapter have served within the Deathwatch and honed their combat arts for its Inquisitors.These men make sure that the Deathwatch has its due and many within the Crimson Fists are seconded for service, an arrangement which benefits both the Chapter and the Ordo Xenos. The result is that Crimson Fists have both great pride for their place in the Deathwatch and a great responsibility to live up to the Long Vigil's expectations. This can sometimes grate with the other members of a Crimson Fists Astartes' Kill-team as the Space Marines of other Chapters consider them aloof and entitled, as if the right to wear the silvered shoulder plate of the Deathwatch was always their due and not something to be earned only through glory and death.
Crimson Fists - Chapter Homeworld: Rynn's World is a feudal Agri-world within the Loki Sector. Its primary exports have historically been particularly exotic foods, which became renowned delicacies among the Imperial nobility of the sector. The world is largely isolated from other human-inhabited planets, but the Crimson Fists' presence has led to the implementation of an extensive planetary defence system. Further, the Chapter's actions during the Voltigern Crusade in the 40th Millennium significantly mitigated the Ork presence within the sector.
Crimson Fists - Fortress-Monastery: The Crimson Fists have little direct involvement with the human population of Rynn's World. Their fortress-monastery, the Arx Tyrannus, is located within the Hellblade Mountains. The huge structure's main hall is dominated by a statue dedicated to the memory of The Great Father, Alexis Polux, which remained within the Chapter's former Battle Barge for centuries before it was dismantled and reconstructed as the Crimson Fists' fortress-monastery.With its arrival on Rynn's World, the restructured fortress-monastery's main hall continued to serve as one of the Chapter's most sacred sites until it was destroyed during WAAAGH! Snagrod's attack. The Chapter has been heavily involved in the reconstruction of much of Rynn's World's infrastructure in the years since the world was reclaimed by Imperial forces from the Orks of WAAAGH! Snagrod, though it is currently unknown if they have begun the process of reconstructing the Arx Tyrannus or have chosen to establish a new fortress-monastery altogether.
Crimson Fists - Chapter Beliefs: Chapter Master Polux reorganised his battle-brothers in a format that followed closely with the structure proscribed by the Codex Astartes. However, he continued to follow many of the tactics and traditions that he had learned at the hand of the primarch as a member of the Imperial Fists.For this reason, the Crimson Fists remained expert at defensive actions, just like their progenitors. The Chapter maintained the tradition of permitting a single warrior to assume the heraldry and status of the Emperor's Champion prior to entering a major conflict, but this practice has only been invoked upon rare occasions. Similarly, the Crimson Fists are one of the twelve Chapters that participate in the Feast of Blades, alongside the Imperial Fists.The Chapter has come to embrace the Codex Astartes, including much of its core philosophy as regards preparation for battles. Their use of oral history as a reminder of their ancestors' actions, their ability to adapt to battle against hundreds of different races of xenos, and their aptitude for all phases of warfare all leave the Crimson Fists as a Chapter that is capable of facing with a broad range of different opponents -- a lesson that they had to learn through the course of their extended Crusades.Through their time as a fleet-based Chapter, the Crimson Fists became adept at warfare against the many xenos foes present in the galaxy. At the same time, their constant warfare against the Ork scourge of the Loki Sector has led to a particular focus against those foes. The Chapter has a proud history of service amongst the Deathwatch, which enables them to both hone and share these techniques with other Kill-team members.The Crimson Fists never hesitate to demonstrate their devotion to the Imperium and embody it with their battle cry: "There is only the Emperor. He is our shield and our protector!"
Crimson Fists - Chapter Gene-Seed: As a Successor Chapter of the Imperial Fists Legion, the Crimson Fists share their genetic legacy with that First Founding Chapter, and have inherited many of the characteristics of their common primarch, Rogal Dorn. The Chapter's gene-seed is highly stable, though the Imperial Fists', and therefore the Crimson Fists', genome is lacking the Betcher's Gland that allows a Space Marine to spit corrosive acid, and the Sus-an Membrane that allows him to enter a life-sustaining state of deep hibernation.The Crimson Fists' gene-seed is remarkably stable and healthy, free of all other major mutations and Chaos contamination. Were it not, it is unlikely that the Chapter could have survived the multiple incidences of extreme loss that they have suffered during their history. As a result of these losses, the Chapter has been forced to recruit new members at rates substantially higher than would normally be expected. Under such conditions, the failure rate of the surgeries required over the course of an Initiate's career increases substantially, a fact that is likely due to the heavy workload of individual Apothecaries.The Chapter only narrowly escaped extinction during the destruction of its fortress-monastery on Rynn's World. According to the Genetors of the Adeptus Mechanicus, a Chapter reduced to less than a single company of brethren has only a 20-25% chance of long-term survival, for the failure rate of the Progenoid Glands will often preclude the successful harvesting of new gene-seed, resulting in an inability to induct new brethren. It was only the Chapter's superior gene-seed that saved it from extinction, for the Crimson Fists were reduced to less than a company of brethren before their renewal during the Indomitus Crusade. Yet even before that reversal of fortune, they seemed more than capable of rebuilding their numbers.
Crimson Fists - Primarch's Curse: Only Honour In Death: Like their founding Chapter, the Crimson Fists are more than willing to fight to the last, holding their ground with a siege-like mentality which will see them triumph or die in the attempt. This expression of duty can become exaggerated in members of the Chapter after long periods in combat, especially against numerous and unrelenting foes like the Ork hordes of a WAAAGH! In these instances the battle-brother sees only death; the death of their comrades, the death of the world, and the death of their foes.They consider that the only righteous path lies in the expenditure of their lives for these purposes and will face them with a stoic heart and a single-mindedness that can only lead to the complete annihilation of everything and everyone he faces, often eventually including himself and those that fight beside him. When the Chapter's genetic curse manifests itself in an affected battle-brother, it comes on in three stages:Stage 1 - No Retreat - As the odds mount so does the battle-brother's stubborn refusal to retreat, seeing only the glory and honour in defeating such overwhelming foes if even the barest glimmer of victory remains. Even if the doctrine and teaching of the Codex Astartes dictate retreat or flexible defence, the Battle-Brother will be loath to disengage until there is absolutely no choice, though often this can come too late.Stage 2 - Suffer not Defeat - Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for the battle-brother and he would rather die fighting than accept that he has failed. This can lead to reckless behaviour as he throws himself into the fray or takes on excessive odds to win when prudence and tactical reason would dictate he withdraw.Stage 3 - Unto Death - The battle-brother has come to accept that perhaps only the cost of his own life will be enough to secure victory and is gladly willing to give it up. This can have dire consequences should the circumstances present him with a chance to martyr himself for the Emperor and bring ruin to the enemies of the Imperium. Should a battle-brother suffer mortal wounds, he gains a fatalistic desire to sell his life for the cause and will choose to expend his own life for a chance at victory or the safety of his brothers. This means he will fight on regardless of his wounds and continue to attack or place himself in the path of attacks even though the next blow could mean his end. He will also gladly accept suicidal or near-suicidal tasks (such as disarming unstable warheads, leading a forlorn hope or holding a breach to buy time for his companions) without complaint.
Crimson Fists - Chapter Fleet: The Crimson Fists were once a fleet-based Chapter, but WAAAGH! Snagrod virtually obliterated their entire Chapter fleet. Pedro Kantor made a diplomatic request for new void assets to the Imperial Navy forces at Ramilies-class Starfort Goliath Vigilant -- in exchange for a permanent garrison of Crimson Fists.Battlefleet Tempestus made several squadrons of Imperial Navy escorts, a trio of cruisers, and the Emperor-class Battleship Throne's Fury available to the Crimson Fists.This allied void armada has become known as Battlegroup Vengeance, and they have borne out Kantor's strategic genius in their every action, from the Kielden Reach to the Second Cleansing of Badlanding.The Crimson Fists Chapter fleet is known to possess the following vessels:Throne's Fury (Emperor-class Battleship) - This battleship was only recently donated to the Crimson Fists Chapter by the Battlefleet Tempestus of the Imperial Navy. It currently serves as both the Chapter's flagship and the lead vessel of Battlegroup Vengeance.Intractable (Strike Cruiser) - This Strike Cruiser, commanded by Veteran Brother Fuentas, was responsible for successfully hunting down the Gothic-class Cruiser Scourge of the Faithless in the Cereus System commanded by the former Crimson Fists captain Haxan the Defiler, who had become a Chaos Lord of the Red Corsairs who often preyed upon Shrine Worlds and the faithful of the Imperial Cult.
Crimson Fists - Chapter Colours: The Crimson Fists paint their power armour deep blue, with crimson trim and white markings. When a neophyte finally joins the ranks of the Chapter as a full initiate his left gauntlet is painted crimson, symbolic of Rogal Dorn's tradition of cutting the palms of new recruits into the Imperial Fists Legion and sharing his blood with them directly, creating a bond between them.Upon reaching Veteran status and entering the Crusade Company, a Crimson Fist's right gauntlet is also painted crimson.A Crimson Fists lieutenant's rank is denoted by a red stripe down the centre of their helmet. Scout Marines of the Chapter are often portrayed with two red gauntlets but blue hand guards.The crimson squad specialty symbol -- battleline, close support, fire support, Veteran or command -- is centred within a crimson roundel, is indicated on the right shoulder guard.A white High Gothic numeral is stenciled in the centre of the squad specialty symbol, indicating the squad number. The Crimson Fists do not display company numbers.
Crimson Fists - Chapter Badge: The Chapter badge of the Crimson Fists is a left-hand gauntlet, raised and clenched. It symbolises not only the strength and determination of the Crimson Fists, but also their defiance of Heretic and Traitors.The Crimson Fists symbol is derived from that of their parent Chapter -- the Imperial Fists -- albeit painted red in honour of Alexis Polux, the first Chapter Master of the Crimson Fists.The badge is usually shown as a crimson fist on a black field surrounded by a black border.
Crimson Fists - Sources: Adeptus Astartes: Successor Chapters (Limited Release Booklet), pg. 26Codex Adeptus Astartes - Space Marines (8th Edition), pp. 21, 40-41, 105, 120, 135, 199, 201Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pg. 44Codex: Deathwatch (7th Edition), pg. 20Codex: Orks (8th Edition), pg. 31Codex: Space Marines (9th Edition), pg. 68Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition) (Revised Codex), pg. 34Codex: Space Marines (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), pg. 140Codex: Space Marines (6th Edition), pp. 19, 47-49, 115, 154Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pp. 29, 46-48, 90Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition), pg. 72Codex: Space Marines (3rd Edition)Codex: Witchhunters (3rd Edition)Codicium Imperialis, "The Battle for Rynn's City"Deathwatch: Honour the Chapter (RPG), pp. 58-65Deathwatch: Rising Tempest (RPG), pp. 18, 129Deathwatch: Rites of Battle (RPG), pp. 66, 235-236Games Day (UK Program 1999)How To Paint Space MarinesImperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition, pp. 136-137Imperial Armour Volume Two, Second Edition - War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes, pp. 19Insignium AstartesPlanetstrike (4th Edition)Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (1st Edition)White Dwarf 29 (January 2019), "Index Astartes - Crimson Fists", pp. 102-111White Dwarf 338 (UK), "Battle for Rynn's World"White Dwarf 315 (UK), "Fists of Dorn - Space Marine Showcase", by Glyn Hames, pp. 56-59White Dwarf 288 (UK) ,"Index Astartes - Crimson Fists"White Dwarf 275 (US), "Codium Imperialis: The First War for Armageddon"White Dwarf 248 (US), "The Third War for Armageddon"White Dwarf 236 (UK), "Bloodied Fist: The Rynn's World Incident", pp. 57–62White Dwarf 94 (UK), "Skirmish on Rynn's World", by Andy Chambers, pp. 56–61Crimson Tears (Soul Drinkers Novel) by Ben CounterDeathwatch (Novel) by C.S. GotoHeroes of the Space Marines (Anthology) edited by Nick Kyme and Lindsey Priestly, "One Hate" by Aaron Dembski-BowdenLegends of the Space Marines (Anthology) edited by Christian Dunn, "The Relic" by Jonathan GreenRynn's World (Novel) by Steve ParkerLegacy of Dorn (Novel) by Mike LeeTraitor's Gorge (Novella) by Mike LeeShadows of Treachery (Anthology) Edited by Christian Dunn, "The Crimson Fist" (Short Story) by John FrenchWarrior Brood (Novel) by C.S. GotoPredator, Prey - The Beast Arises, Book 2 (Novel) by Rob SandersPedro Kantor: The Vengeful Fist (Short Story) by Steven ParkerThe Emperor Expects - The Beast Arises, Book 3 (Novel) by Gav ThorpeThroneworld - The Beast Arises, Book 5 (Novel) by Guy HaleyThe Beast Must Die - The Beast Arises, Book 8 (Novel) by Gav ThorpeWrath & Glory RPG Art - Crimson Fists Scout MarineImperial Nihilus - Vigilus Defiant (8th Edition), pp. 84-85Warhammer 40,000: Rulebook (7th Edition), pg. 43None More Loyal (Short Story) by Mike Lee
Crimson Guard - Crimson Guard: The Crimson Guard is a Codex Astartes-compliant Loyalist Space Marine Chapter of unknown Founding and genetic lineage.
Crimson Guard - Chapter Colours: The Crimson Guard's power armour is painted halved red and metallic-yellow. The Aquila or Imperialis on the chest plate is dark grey.The yellow squad specialty symbol -- battleline, close support, fire support, Veteran or command -- is indicated on the right shoulder plate.A black Low Gothic numeral centred on the squad specialty symbol indicates squad number.The colour of the Aquila or Imperialis on the chest indicates company number in accordance with the Codex Astartes -- i.e. white (1st Company), yellow (2nd Company), red (3rd Company), etc.
Crimson Guard - Chapter Badge: The Crimson Guard's Chapter badge is a pair of red, single-headed axes crossed over a field of metallic-yellow.
Crimson Gulf - Crimson Gulf: Crimson Gulf is a Hold World of the Greater Thurian League of the Leagues of Votann located in the galactic core.  It is situated in the central region of Thurian space and is a major trade hub for the Leagues. Crimson Gulf is famed among the Kin alongside its fellow Thurian Hold World Ûrvymm's Bulwark for its sheer size and nearly impenetrable defences.
Crimson Hunters - Crimson Hunters: The Crimson Hunters are amongst the most unusual of the Asuryani Aspect Warriors. Their ritual wargear is not blade or sidearm, but instead a sleek aerial fighter that represents the pinnacle of Aeldari aeronautics.These formidable aircraft, known as Nightshade Interceptors, are just as much a part of the Crimson Hunter's wargear as the Howling Banshees' power sword or the Dire Avengers' Shuriken Catapult. Their lethality, however, is measured on a different scale altogether.The Crimson Hunters are few in number, though their Aspect Shrines are becoming ever more widespread amongst the Asuryani craftworlds. These temples to Khaela Mensha Khaine, the Aeldari god of war, are unlike any other. They are not buildings or landscapes at all but tunnel-linked collections of transparent atriums that float around the periphery of their craftworlds like archipelagos at the edge of a vast landmass.It is within these realms of captive sky that the Crimson Hunters duel, their weapons of choice the Bright Lances and Pulse Lasers gracing each interceptor's curving fuselage. During the breakneck battles that take place in these shrines, the weapons of the Crimson Hunters are set to illuminate rather than to pierce, for the Nightshade Interceptor has been designed specifically to hunt down and destroy aircraft of any kind -- even those of the Asuryani's dark Aeldari kindred, the Drukhari.A single beam of light can be the difference between victory and defeat, though it is said that the reflexes of a Crimson Hunter are so preternaturally sharp that they can evade even these.By training every night against their own kind -- in essence, the most gifted fighter pilots in the galaxy -- the proud warriors of the Crimson Hunters ensure that the act of destroying the aircraft of the "lesser races" is a simple exercise that proves their inherent superiority over the sluggish would-be pilots that pollute the skies of the universe. The Crimson Hunters embody the war god Khaine's ability to leave a more powerful foe reeling and ready for slaughter.The Crimson Hunters are also known to have a special veneration for the Aeldari god Kurnous, the god of the hunt, and they refer to themselves at times as the "Hawks of Kurnous."Soaring through the air in a blur of colour, the Crimson Hunters hunt down and destroy the aircraft of the foe, ensuring total air superiority for the Craftworld Aeldari so that the ungainly bulk of the enemy army is left blinded and slow to react.Once the pinpoint strikes of the Crimson Hunters have ensured the enemy army is ripe for destruction, the barbaric horde is taken apart at leisure by the rest of the Asuryani warhost.
Crimson Hunters - Exarchs: Crimson Hunter Exarchs are very similar to the standard warriors of their Aspect Shrine, save that they fly Nightshade Interceptors that have been modified to carry heavier Laser Weapons, including two Starcannons in place of the standard complement of two Bright Lances.A Crimson Hunter Exarch is known to possess uncanny night vision and to generally be an even more accurate marksman when behind the controls of his fighter craft than a standard Crimson Hunter combat pilot.
Crimson Hunters - Notable Shrines: Ascendant Strike ShrineFalling Blood ShrineScions of Kuron Shrine
Crimson Hunters - Wargear: Nightshade Interceptor - The Nightshade Interceptor is a potent Craftworld Aeldari fighter that is equipped with the following weaponry:2 Bright Lances - Aeldari Laser Weapons use psychically-grown crystals to refine their already intense bursts of coherent light to their optimum potency. Many Aeldari consider the laser weapon the most elegant of all, exulting in the fact that their technological mastery extends even to light itself. Some heavier Aeldari Laser Weapons are calibrated to send out a staccato series of blasts, whilst others narrow their focus to such a degree that they can pierce any armour, no matter the thickness. The Bright Lance is one such Aeldari Laser Weapon and the equivalent of the Imperium's Lascannon. It operates the same way, firing a concentrated blast of coherent light capable of destroying enemy vehicles, though the Bright Lance is far more efficient thanks in part to the use of psychically-grown Aeldari crystals. It is also more accurate than an Imperial Lascannon, making armour below a certain thickness redundant.Pulse Laser - The Pulse Laser is a highly advanced Aeldari Laser Weapon capable of firing a stream of powerful laser bolts. Compared to the Bright Lance, it has a higher rate of fire and longer range, though at the expense of penetrative power.2 Starcannons (Crimson Hunter Exarch Only) - The tech-adepts of the Imperium of Man have never really harnessed the full power of Plasma Weapons technology; only the Aeldari have truly mastered its potential. To the Aeldari, it is further testament to the idiocy of Mankind that he has created a weapon that frequently maims or even kills its wielder. The sophisticated Starcannons of the Craftworld Aeldari have no such flaws. Each weapon's plasma core produces the incandescent heat of a star, but sophisticated electromagnetic containment fields ensure that the weapon's exterior remains cool to the touch. A Crimson Hunter Exarch may replace their Nightshade Interceptor's Bright Lances with the more potent Starcannons.
Crimson Hunters - Sources: Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pp. 39, 62-63Death from the Skies (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), "The Hawks of Kurnous"On Wings of Blood (Anthology), "Wraithbound" (Short Story) by J.C. Stearns
Crimson Knights - Crimson Knights: The Crimson Knights is a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter and a successor of the Blood Angels. They were created during an unknown Founding in the 35th Millennium as a standing force intended to bolster the defences of a region of Imperial space against the predations of the Craftworld Aeldari; specifically, this led the Chapter to fight a series of battles against Craftworld Kaelor.Their 3rd Company captain is regarded as a hero for successfully leading a raid against this craftworld, earning both the captain and the Crimson Knights the eternal enmity of the Asuryani.The Chapter is currently rebuilding its numbers after having suffered severe losses in battle. During one notable incident, the Chapter's forces were saved due to the timely intervention of an Imperial Navy battlefleet. Due to this event, the Crimson Knights now count the Imperial Navy as one of their closest allies.The Chapter's homeworld is the distant world of Tembron, where the Chapter's leadership is also regarded as the world's ultimate authority.
Crimson Knights - Chapter Homeworld: The Crimson Knights hail from the distant planet of Tembron, which is classified as a Feudal World by Imperial cartographers. The world's predominant terrain is a wasteland. The wind-scoured and polluted wastes are dominated by massive, looming keeps where the feudal lords of this planet control and protect the peasants of their households. The Crimson Knights have taken to directly ruling the barren planet, meaning the Chapter's leaders are figures of ultimate authority on this world.
Crimson Knights - Chapter Gene-Seed: The Crimson Knights' gene-seed originates from their progenitors, the Blood Angels. As such, they too, suffer from the effects of the inherited genetic Flaws of the Red Thirst and Black Rage.
Crimson Knights - Chapter Colours: The Crimson Knights' Chapter colours are primarily red with golden greaves.
Crimson Knights - Chapter Badge: The Crimson Knights' Chapter badge is a sword flanked by multiple blood drops.
Crimson Knights - Trivia: The Crimson Knights and Tembron were created by Fantasy Flight Games, long a licensee of Games Workshop, who created many of the Warhammer 40,000 board games and roleplaying games like the two editions of Dark Heresy, Rogue Trader and Deathwatch. The Crimson Knights were used as an example of how to create a Space Marine Chapter using the rules in the Deathwatch RPG sourcebook Deathwatch: Rites of Battle.