Emperor's Champion - Emperor's Champion: An Emperor's Champion is an honourary position within the ranks of the Space Marines, especially amongst the First and Second Founding Chapters whose history dates back to the dark days of the Horus Heresy.Almost all Chapters of the Space Marines have had an Emperor's Champion of their own at one time or another, especially during the campaigns against the Traitors immediately following the Horus Heresy in the 31st Millennium, known as the Great Scouring. The practice is much less common in the 41st Millennium.However, the position of Emperor's Champion has played an important and enduring role within the ranks of the zealous Black Templars Chapter since the Chapter's inception as a successor of the Imperial Fists, and has been maintained with reverence and high esteem throughout nearly ten millennia of endless crusades and ceaseless conflicts.In battle, it is the duty of a designated Emperor's Champion to seek out and challenge the commander of the enemy force, fighting him or her in single combat for the glory of the Emperor. Many great battles and wars have been turned in favour of the Imperium by the slaying of enemy leaders or other key figures in a foe's chain of command by an Emperor's Champion.Always at the forefront of the Black Templars' battle line strides a singular figure, his gleaming blade carving a path of ruin through the foe. This warrior will challenge any enemy, no matter how mighty, for he is the Emperor's Champion and divinity rests upon his shoulders as both mantle and shroud.On the eve of battle, as the Black Templars kneel before their Chaplains and pray for the Emperor's favour, one amongst them may be granted a vision. In his mind's eye, angelic hosts wielding blades of flame bestride the stars, driving back the writhing shadows with their righteous fury. Glorious battles of both past and future whirl through the battle-brother's mind, accompanied by the certainty that he has been chosen by the Emperor as His mortal vessel upon the field of battle.As this fugue state passes, the Space Marine knows that he must heed this summons and stand forevermore apart, bereft of his brothers in the searing light of the Emperor's gaze. The Chaplains then lead the chosen battle-brother to an isolated contemplation chamber. Here, he is clad in holy raiment, donning the Armour of Faith, and surrendering his weapons in favour of one of the Chapter's ten sacred Black Swords.Only a handful of Emperor's Champions arise each century, their emergence a miracle worthy of remembrance, and at any given time there can be only one in the Chapter. It is, therefore, the duty of the Chaplains to ensure that a single Black Sword accompanies each crusade from its inception, ready should an Emperor's Champion arise. Should this happen, the name of the blade's new wielder is inscribed into its obsidian hilt, immortalising a new hero as a part of the blade's own legend.When battle is joined, divine might flows through the Emperor's Champion's every sinew. His vision shimmers with golden light that burns brightest around the mightiest of enemies. In this way, the Emperor's Champion is guided through the press, swatting lesser enemies aside as he closes upon his target. Leaving his brethren to fight the broader battle, the Emperor's Champion engages the most deadly foes in single combat. The Emperor's Champion will never concede defeat, for his duty does not end until the Black Sword is pried from his cold, dead hands.