vizn3r/warhammer40k-lore huggingface dataset:
Rangers - Rangers: Rangers are the scouts of the Asuryani craftworlds, well-trained survivalists and marksmen able to find the eye sockets and neck joints of even the most heavily armoured enemy troops with their Long Rifles. The most skilled of the Aeldari Rangers are known as Pathfinders.In order to defeat the constant claim of the Chaos God Slaanesh on their souls, the Craftworld Aeldari or "Asuryani" practice a form of emotional deprivation, narrowing their entire focus onto a single craft, perfecting it and then moving on to another, a system known as the Asuryani Path.However, there are some among their number who cannot stand such practices either because they are unable to focus on one Path at a time, are afflicted with wanderlust, or they simply dislike the restrictions the craftworld and the sometimes rigid Asuryani society places on them.These Aeldari then choose or are forced by their fellow craftworld denizens to walk the "Path of the Outcast," an Aeldari wanderer who is equipped to live off the land and to explore far and wide from the craftworld. These solitary Aeldari are the Rangers.Many Rangers remain loyal to their craftworlds and the kin who live upon them even if they do not feel the need to live there, so when the craftworld goes to war, they almost always provide their aid, offering to conduct reconnaissance of enemy forces and wield their expert marksmanship to harry and cripple enemy forces and eliminate select targets like commanding officers that will cripple the foe's command and control.The Rangers' preternatural skill at finding the eye socket, neck joint or any other weak point on even the most heavily armoured enemy troops is legendary even among a species as keen-eyed as the Aeldari.While some Rangers never return to their craftworlds, their lives claimed by the alien dangers of some unknown world or consumed by their own passions and ultimate fall into the embrace of Slaanesh, many others do, scarred and finally ready to settle into another Path, their experiences as a Ranger having granted them both a better understanding of themselves and their place in the Aeldari society of their craftworld.
Rangers - Pathfinders: Pathfinders are the most experienced and skilled of the Asuryani Rangers who have successfully walked the Path of the Outcast for many Terran centuries. They have overcome their temptations to engage in the types of hedonistic excesses and savage behaviours that cause the Aeldari's souls to be devoured by Slaanesh, yet they still feel compelled to walk the Path of the Outcast.Pathfinders are even more skilled at infiltration and survival in hostile environments than standard Rangers. While Pathfinders can be found across the Milky Way Galaxy, calling every Asuryani craftworld their homes, by far the most skilled or most notable Pathfinders come from the craftworld of Alaitoc.Alaitoc society is more rigidly organized around the pursuit of the Asuryani Life Paths than many others and so many of the young Aeldari of Alaitoc are more prone to rebel against this disciplined lifestyle and to seek adventure as Outcasts. More Aeldari from Alaitoc pursue the Path of the Outcast than from any other Asuryani craftworld.Pathfinders have become adept over the centuries at roving ahead of the main Aeldari warhosts, using their expertise in guerilla tactics to sabotage their enemies' forces or damage their chain of command before battle has even been joined.Bypassing sentries, sabotaging machinery, destroying supply dumps and even the mysterious assassinations of important commanders all ultimately take their toll upon both the enemy's numbers and their morale, leaving them jittery and uncoordinated as they vainly try to restore their units' cohesion and momentum.This allows the more mobile Asuryani forces to strike at their foes' newly revealed weak points with the grace and efficiency that have always been the Aeldari's trademark in warfare.
Rangers - Craftworld Utilisation: Alaitoc - Of all the Asuryani craftworlds, Alaitoc adheres most stringently to the Asuryani Path. This zealous attitude has caused many of the Alaitoc Aeldari to live the life of outcasts and become Rangers. As a result of this, when Alaitoc goes to war it falls to the Rangers to return to protect their craftworld. For example, an Alaitoc Ranger force of unequalled size operated on Medusa V, severing enemy communications and preparing the way for the larger Aeldari armies to attack.Biel-Tan - Thanks to the dazzling array of Aspect Warriors found in a Biel-Tan army, its Ranger squads are often foolishly overlooked by ignorant foes. A key component in a Biel-Tan attack force, Aeldari Rangers direct the fury of the Swordwind against the enemy, silently scouting out enemy positions in preparation for the main assault.Saim-Hann - Saim-Hann is famed for its mighty Wild Rider Hosts, composed of scores of sleek and deadly Jetbikes and skimmers. Unlike the other members of their craftworld, the Aeldari Rangers of Saim-hann do not ride headlong into battle, instead utilising stealth and cunning to approach the enemy unseen. When a Wild Rider Host goes to war its Rangers scout ahead, ascertaining the lie of the land and neutralising immediate threats.Telennar - The cordial relations between Alaitoc and Telennar brought this small craftworld to Medusa V, where its warriors battled to protect the Webway from the oncoming Warp Storm.
Rangers - Rune: The rune of the Outcast is most often used to represent the way of the Ranger and their methods of waging war.It embodies the concepts of unconventional warfare, counter-intuitive tactics and shadow-hunting -- strategies employed by the Rangers to constantly outwit their foes.
Rangers - Wargear: Ranger Armour - The armour worn by Rangers is a special mesh suit with wraithbone carapace plates attached to it to provide enhanced protection, while still maximising ease of movement and the ability to move quietly and undetected. As a result, Ranger Armour is very flexible, which allows Rangers to move more freely. However, this flexibility comes at the expense of increased protection, as this armour is useless against bolter fire or powerful directed energy weapons.Asuryani Cameleoline CloakRanger Long Rifle - The favoured weapon of the Aeldari Ranger is the Ranger Long Rifle, a long–barrelled sniper weapon not dissimilar to the Long-Las sniper weapon used by Astra Militarum snipers. Whereas the Long Las is an upgrade to the humble Lasgun, the Ranger Long Rifle is a more advanced las-weapon entirely, seemingly custom grown for the user, tailored perfectly to their eyesight and grip. Whereas the artificial crystals used in Imperial las-technology struggles to maintain a focused beam over long distances, the psychically-grown crystals used by the Aeldari are able to focus a tight beam over a much greater distance, allowing a skilled user to punch through weak points in armour at great distances.Shuriken Pistol - These weapons are graceful dealers of death that use sophisticated anti-gravity accelerators to hurl volleys of miniature razor disks known as shurikens that literally slice their victims apart in only solar seconds.
Rangers - Sources: Codex: Eldar (2nd Edition), pg. 20Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), pg. 38Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pp. 48, 55Codex: Eldar Craftworlds (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), pg. 70Codex: Necrons (5th Edition), pp. 25, 27Dark Heresy: Creatures Anathema (RPG), pp. 80-81Path of the Warrior (Novel) by Gavin ThorpeThe Carnac Campaign: Nightspear (Short Story) by Joe ParrinoWarhammer 40,000: Munitorum - Ranger Long Rifles (Digital Edition)White Dwarf 320 (UK), "Index Xenos: Eldar Rangers," pp. 88-91Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm (PC Game)Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II (PC Game)Warhammer 40,000 - Dawn of War II - Retribution (PC Game)Warhammer 40,000 Eternal Crusade - Rogue Trader Store: Outcast RangerOwlcat Games website - Yrliet Lanaevyss: Wanderer Among the StarsWarhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (PC Game)
Ranulf - Ranulf: Ranulf, known as Ranulf the Strong, is supposedly the largest warrior within the Space Wolves Chapter's entire history, said to have rivalled even the mighty Leman Russ in size. Ranulf was a legend in his day as a member of the Wolf Guard Terminators and remains a legendary figure in the Chapter even now, long after his death. His specially-customised Terminator Armour rests in the Hall of Heroes within The Fang, towering over all who view it.
Ranulf - History: Ranulf is said to be the largest warrior of all the Space Wolves, larger in girth and mightier of arm than even the Chapter's Primarch Leman Russ. His Terminator Armour, which now stands in the Hall of Heroes, towers over all who look upon it. Ranulf performed many feats of strength. Once, when his squad was trapped by a river of lava, Ranulf pushed the wreckage of a Land Raider into the molten stream so that his Pack could cross. The story of Ranulf's death is told at great length in his saga. The Space Wolves were retreating over a narrow mountain pass following a rare defeat at the hands of the Orks. When the Orks caught up with the end of the Space Wolves' column, Ranulf and a handful of Wolf Guard put up a gallant stand against the entire Ork army in a narrow gap in the pass. While the few warriors held back thousands of Orks, the remaining Space Wolves made it back to safety. Although they greatly outnumbered the defenders, the Orks were unable to bring more than a handful of troops into combat at any one time due to the narrowness and shape of the defile. Before many solar hours were passed there was a pile of Ork bodies as high as a wall. But even the giant Space Wolves warrior could not hold out forever. One by one, his Wolf Guard fell, until only Ranulf was left. Though the Orks overcame him in the end, even those creatures could not bring themselves to desecrate his body. When the Space Wolves recovered the pass they found Ranulf and his dead companions seated in a hastily constructed shrine surrounded by an immense pile of Ork wargear. To the Space Wolves Ranulf was a great Champion –- but to his enemies he became nothing less than a god.
Ranulf - Wargear: Terminator ArmourStorm BolterPower Fist
Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon - Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon: The Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon is a variant of the Battle Cannon commonly found on Imperial armoured vehicles used by the combat walkers of the Questor Imperialis, the Imperial Knights, and by the Renegade Knights of the Questor Traitoris.These weapons are akin to a large-calibre, ballistic artillery cannon, and feature an automated loading system that allows them to fire accurate, highly-explosive shots at a rapid rate.The explosions are capable of racking up a horrific number of casualties when employed against massed infantry hordes, yet are also capable of destroying light and medium tanks with ease.The Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon is the main ranged weapon of the Knight Paladin, but is also used by the Knight Crusader. Most Rapid-Fire Battle Cannons also feature a Heavy Stubber mounted to the weapon's gun shield, which is used to engage enemy infantry that get too close.
Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon - Variants: Due to the sheer diversity of Knight Worlds and Forge Worlds in the Imperium there exist a multitude of minor variants of the Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon, each different from the last in a number of distinct ways. All known variants include:Standard Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon - The most common type of Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon, this variant features a single, long-barrelled cannon and a Heavy Stubber.Snub-barrelled Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon - An uncommon variant, this version features a much shorter cannon barrel than the standard pattern, similar in appearance to a Demolisher Cannon. This version may or may not feature a built-in Heavy Stubber.Medium-barrelled Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon - An uncommon variant, this version features a shorter cannon barrel than the standard pattern. It may or may not feature a built-in Heavy Stubber.Upgraded Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon - A rare variant, this version possesses a muzzle break and additional hydraulic bracing, resulting in a reduction of recoil and unwanted increases in barrel height and loss of accuracy during rapid fire. This version commonly features a built-in Heavy Stubber.Twin-linked Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon (Side-by-Side) - A rare variant, this version features two Battle Cannons twin-linked together, in a side-by-side configuration. This version typically lacks the built-in Heavy Stubber found on the standard pattern.Twin-linked Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon (Over-and-Under) - A rare variant, this version features two Battle cannons twin-linked together, in an over-and-under configuration. This version typically lacks the Heavy Stubber found on the standard pattern.
Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon - Sources: Codex: Imperial Knights (7th Edition), pp. 16, 21, 24, 29-30, 115Warhammer 40,000: Index - Chaos (8th Edition), pg. 109The Horus Heresy - Book Four: Conquest (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pg. 301The Horus Heresy - Crusade Imperialis Army Lists, pg. 112Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade (Video Game)
Rapid Strike Vessel - Rapid Strike Vessel: A rapid strike vessel is a small, escort-grade warship used by the Adeptus Astartes to defend the larger strike cruisers and battle barges of their Chapter fleets, and to patrol their assigned regions of Imperial space.The number, types and classes of rapid strike vessels varies from Chapter to Chapter, though some common patterns include the same Sword-class and Firestorm-class Frigates and Cobra-class Destroyers used by the Navis Imperialis as escorts. The designation also includes classes specific to the Space Marines and found among no other Imperial military forces, such as Hunter-class Destroyers, Gladius-class Frigates and Nova-class Frigates.Unlike most larger Space Marine warships, rapid strike vessels typically have no Astartes actually aboard. Only a small team of Techmarines are usually on hand to support the crew of Chapter serfs who actually man the voidship.
Rapid Strike Vessel - Notable Rapid Strike Vessels: Adytum (Black Templars) - The Adytum is an rapid strike vessel sent by High Marshal Helbrecht of the Black Templars to join Magos Lexell Kotov's Explorator fleet for their voyage into the Halo Scar.Amareo (Blood Angels) - The Amareo was a rapid strike vessel of the Blood Angels Chapter. It takes its name from the Tower of Amareo on Baal, the stronghold in the Blood Angels' fortress-monastery where those Space Marines who have succumbed to the Black Rage are imprisoned. Commanded by Brother-Captain Gallio, the Amareo was dispatched to the Shenlong System by Commander Dante to confront the Renegade company led by Sergeant Arkio and Sachiel during the Blood Angels Chapter Civil War. The Amareo and all hands aboard were lost when the battle barge Bellus opened fire on it without warning, on the orders of Arkio himself.
Rapier-class Titan - Rapier-class Titan: The Rapier-class Titan is a Titan combat walker that was most commonly used during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy by both the Loyalist Titan Legions and the Traitor Titan Legions. It is a Scout Titan, and is the smallest known class of Imperial or Chaos Titan, being even lighter armed and swifter than a Warhound-class Scout Titan.During the final years of the Horus Heresy, it was noted that the Rapier was becoming an ever rarer sight among the orders of battle of the Titan Legions of both Traitors and Loyalists.
Rapier-class Titan - Notable Rapier-class Titan: Alacrity of Thought - The Alacrity of Thought was a Rapier-class Scout Titan of the Legio Defensor. It was destroyed in combat on Beta-Garmon III during the Battle of Beta-Garmon of the Horus Heresy.
Rapier - Rapier: The Rapier is a semi-automated, tracked ballistic or directed energy weapon mount that is used by both the Astra Militarum and the Adeptus Astartes as a mobile heavy weapons platform. It is used to transport weapons that are too heavy for a single Imperial Guardsman or even a Space Marine to carry on his own.The Rapier is similar in appearance and operation to the Space Marine Thunderfire Cannon, and features on-board targeting systems and power generators. The Rapier can be operated by a single operator or by a pair of operators who control both the device's movement and weapons fire from the controls at the rear of the mount.The Rapier can be controlled by either a Tech-priest or a Techmarine, or by specially-trained Imperial Guardsmen and Space Marines. While the Rapier's Machine Spirit is capable of moving the Rapier on its own, its weapons cannot be fired without input from its operator.The device is usually armed with a set of quad Heavy Bolters or Multi-Lasers for anti-personnel use or a Laser Destroyer Array for anti-armour use. The machine can also be armed with an Astartes Quad Mortar, useful for siege warfare or suppressive fire. Rapiers could also be armed with even more exotic weaponry for special operations, such as a Graviton Cannon.This now-rare weapon can trace its origins back to the Great Crusade of the late 30th Millennium where it was used by both the Imperial Army and the Space Marine Legions against the enemies of the newly-formed Imperium of Man, and later by both sides during the Horus Heresy of the early 31st Millennium.
Rapier - Unit Composition: 1 Rapier Carrier with 2 Space Marine Gunners (41st Millennium Only, Adeptus Astartes Only)1-3 Legion Rapier Carriers with 2 Space Marine Crew per Carrier (31st Millennium Only, Legiones Astartes Only)
Rapier - 41st Millennium Wargear: A standard Rapier Carrier is armed and equipped with:A set of Quad Heavy BoltersA Rapier Carrier's Space Marine crew is each armed and equipped with the following:Bolt PistolFrag GrenadesKrak GrenadesPower Armour (Any pattern)A Rapier Carrier may replace its Quad Heavy Bolters with one of the following weapons:Laser Destroyer Array
Rapier - Horus Heresy Era Wargear: A standard Legion Rapier Carrier is armed and equipped with:A set of Quad Heavy BoltersA Legion Rapier Carrier's Space Marine crew is each armed and equiped with the following:A Bolt PistolFrag GrenadesKrak GrenadesPower ArmourA Legion Rapier Carrier may replace its Quad Heavy Bolters with one of the following weapons:Laser Destroyer ArrayGraviton CannonQuad Multi-LasersAn entire Legion Rapier Carrier battery may also replace their Quad Heavy Bolters with an Astartes-grade Quad Launcher, becoming a Quad Launcher Support Battery. A Quad Launcher Support Battery can be outfitted with the following ammunition:Frag Shells (Standard)Incendiary ShellsShatter ShellsSplinter ShellsPhosphex Canister Shot (Only if the detachment includes a Siege Breaker Consul)
Rapier - Sources: Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard (Second Edition), pg. 267Imperial Armour Index: Forces of the Adeptus Astartes (8th Edition), pg. 43The Horus Heresy - Collected VisionsThe Horus Heresy - Book One: Betrayal by Alan Bligh pp. 109, 179, 201The Horus Heresy - Book Two: Massacre by Alan BlighThe Horus Heresy - Book Four: Conquest by Alan Bligh, pp. 44-45, 260-261The Horus Heresy - Book Five: Tempest by Alan Bligh, pg. 205The Horus Heresy - Book Six: Retribution by Alan Bligh, pp. 221, 240-241The Horus Heresy: Legiones Astartes - Age of Darkness Army List, pg. 35White Dwarf 100, pg. 8Forge World - Space Marine Rapier Laser DestroyerForge World - Imperial Guard Rapier Laser DestroyerForge World - Legion Rapier with Quad Heavy BoltersForge World - Legion Rapier with Graviton CannonForge World - Legion Rapier with Laser DestroyerForge World - Solar Auxilia Rapier with Quad Multi-Lasers
Raptor (Audio Drama) - Raptor (Audio Drama): Raptor is the thirty-second audio drama for The Horus Heresy series that was not originally released as part of an anthology or other release. Raptor was first released as an audio drama in March 2015, and later as part of the Corax main series anthology.
Raptor (Audio Drama) - Official Synopsis: After the decimation of his Legion on the killing fields of Isstvan V, the Primarch Corax sanctioned an accelerated implantation process to create new Raven Guard -- a process subverted in secret by his enemies. But in spite of their horrendous mutations, the warriors of the 'Raptors' still stand ready to do their Primarch's bidding. When a watch-pack of Space Wolves Legionaries arrives unannounced, it falls to Lieutenant Navar Hef to greet their warlike kinsmen and decide whether or not they might be hiding flaws of their own...
Raptor Guard - Raptor Guard: The Raptor Guard, also known as a Raptora Cadre, was an elite formation of the Oblivion Knights of the Sisters of Silence that existed during the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. Raptora often served as the honour guard for the highest-ranking sisters of their order, including the Knight-Commander.
Raptor Guard - Role: The Silent Sisters of the Raptora Cadre stand as the foremost warrior knights of the Chamber of Oblivion. Each of them is a sublime fighter of superlative skill and they often serve as thepersonal bodyguard for the high command of their order, for which purpose they are issued with the finest weapons and armour the Silent Sisterhood can provide.Incorruptible and possessed of an untarnished spirit, the Oblivion Knights of the Raptora Cadre are only ever deployed against the most dangerous of foes such as rogue alpha-level psykers or major Daemonic incursions, where they form the spearhead of the Silent Sisterhood's attack.The Raptora Cadre is known to have formed the honour guard of Knight-Commander Jenetia Krole herself during the First Battle of Prospero and, though their order suffered greatly upon the battlefield of Tizca, it is certain that they were instrumental in the near destruction of Primarch Magnus the Red's traitorous Thousand Sons Legion.
Raptor Guard - Unit Composition: 3-9 Raptora
Raptor Guard - Wargear: Vratine ArmourVoidsheen CloakBolt Pistol (Human-sized)Execution BladeFrag GrenadesKrak GrenadesPsyk-out GrenadesAuspex (Only one Raptora)Nuncio VoxHand Flamer (As replacement for Bolt Pistol)Needle Pistol (As replacement for Bolt Pistol)Plasma Pistol (As replacement for Bolt Pistol)Power Fist (Human-sized, as replacement for Execution Blade)Proteus Neuro-Lash (As replacement for Execution Blade)Kharon Pattern Acquisitor (Dedicated transport)
Raptor Guard - Notable Raptora: Aphone - Aphone was an Oblivion Knight of the Sisters of Silence during the Horus Heresy. By the time of the Siege of Terra in 014.M31, Aphone was the overall commander of the Raptor Guard and served as Knight-Commander Jenetia Krole's second-in-command. When Krole went to assist in the defence of the Imperial Palace complex's Eternity Wall Spaceport from Traitor forces, she left Aphone behind despite her reluctance to be parted from her mistress. Krole expected that upon her death, Aphone would take up the reins as the new knight-commander of the Silent Sisterhood.
Raptor Imperialis - Raptor Imperialis: The Raptor Imperialis, also called the Raptora Imperialis, was an early icon employed by the Emperor of Mankind and his nascent Imperium of Man during the Unification Wars and the Great Crusade to represent the Imperial cause.Originally, this honour badge was only used by the proto-Astartes known as the Thunder Warriors, but would later be adopted by the genetically-enhanced regiments of the Excertus Imperialis and the early Terran-born Legiones Astartes as well.As the Great Crusade entered its later stages, the Raptor Imperialis was replaced by the more common Imperial Aquila icon and it became a sigil instead worn by those Imperial troops who had personally fought alongside the Emperor.By the latter years of the Great Crusade, this honour was usually found only amongst the more senior Terran Astartes of the Space Marine Legions who had seen significant action during the final campaigns of the Wars of Unification.
Raptor Imperialis - Notable Recipients: Sigismund - Sigismund, the First Captain of the Imperial Fists Legion, was known to bear this version of the Raptor Imperialis upon the knee plate of his heavily-modified suit of Mark II Crusade Power Armour.
Raptor Imperialis - Sources: The Horus Heresy - Book Four: Conquest (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pg. 94White Dwarf Weekly 73 (20 June 2015), "Forge World - Sigismund, First Captain of the Imperial Fists"
Raptors - Raptors: The Raptors is a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter and a Second Founding successor of the Raven Guard. It has been heavily involved in many of the most recent campaigns of the Imperium of Man, including the Badab War, the Third War for Armageddon and the Taros Campaign.As a Chapter, the Raptors have been nearly rendered extinct multiple times, but have learned to adapt to changing circumstances so well that they have flourished where other Chapters would simply have had their names added to the ranks of the fallen.The Raptors' Chapter culture is one that is very wary of the idea of martial glory or honour, and prefers instead to emphasise pragmatism, adaptability and completion of the mission over all other concerns. The Raptors, having been reduced to so few battle-brothers so often in their history, have no illusions about what war truly is.They understand that war is suffering and death. It is a brutal business that they specialise in, but they have no desire to wallow in its misery beyond what is required to carry out the Emperor's will.The Raptors Chapter has constantly faced and overcome tragedies throughout its ten standard millennia of history. These begin with the disasters that afflicted the Raven Guard Legion prior to the Chapter's Founding and extend to the destruction of its homeworld and repeated instances of near-extinction.The Raptors' success is dependent upon their ability to think and execute in a distributed and independent fashion. The Raptors willingly employ whatever tactics they believe most appropriate, relying upon success to establish their Chapter's glory rather than misguided notions of martial honour and dogmatic thought.The Raptors prize skilled marksmanship and independent thought, and view the Codex Astartes as a highly effective set of guidelines rather than absolute doctrine like many other Chapters.The Raptors are known for fielding substantial 10th Company Scout Marine assets supported by waves of combat skimmers.
Raptors - Chapter Organisation: Like their genetic forebears the Raven Guard, the Raptors adhere to the broad organisational patterns and provisions laid down in the Codex Astartes, but as a Chapter, they see the Codex as a highly effective and proven set of strategic and operational guidelines rather than inviolable dogma to be obeyed without question.The Raptors maintain a high degree of tactical flexibility in their deployments and structures, and in battle favour hit-and-run tactics over all else.
Raptors - Raptor Librarians: Like their fellow Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, the Raptors also maintain a Librarius 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 adolescent male psykers brought to the Scholastica Psykana of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica.Most Chapters train and test chosen psykers following the ancient doctrines laid out in the Codex Astartes. Librarians of the Raptors Chapter are trained in this way, and, with few minor traditional variances, have been taught to live by the word of the Codex.Raptors Librarians have a number of unique psychic abilities only used by the psykers of their Chapter, including:Librarian's Farsight - The Librarian calls upon his psychic gifts to enhance his vision and grant himself a hunter's gaze which can sweep across the battlefield to find targets. This keen sight not only allows the Librarian to pick out targets at extreme ranges but also thwart their attempts to hide, differentiating shapes from within shadow to see those that are trying to hide from him. In addition, his enhanced sight allows him to see things much closer than they would normally appear and reduces the range to a target when using a ranged weapon. This ability can also be used to see fine detail from the same distance which normal sight might not be able to see. This power only works when the Librarian is using his own vision and does not function in conjunction with scopes or lenses which would enhance ranged vision.Raptor's Wings - The Raptors have an affinity for striking from the sky, making extensive use of Jump Packs and Land Speeders to descend on their foes from unexpected angles. The Librarian can manifest great wings of psychic power which bear him aloft. While active, others will be able to see the Librarian's wings as crackling green nimbuses of energy that arch up over his shoulders and can make it very difficult for him to hide. Also, when he moves if the wings brush against any surface they will crackle and burn with contained Warp energy (though the surfaces or objects they touch suffer no harm).Screaming Eagles - The Raptors Librarian can summon forth a swarm of shadowy birds of prey from the Warp which rise up from the ground screaming for the blood of his enemies. The effects of this power also have the effect of creating a brief cloud of darkness when the ethereal birds spring from the ground, and, though not complete darkness, this does foul vision and cast a shadow over the area of effect as thousands of black beating wings arch skyward.
Raptors - Chapter Homeworld: The Raptors are quite deliberately vague in any discussions of their homeworld. This is among their fellow battle-brothers as well as in discussions with outsiders. It is in their nature to be secretive and to value the careful application of stealth.The fact that the Raptors lost their first homeworld only serves to intensify their concern. The safe preservation of their adopted home is clearly a priority for the Raptors. However, this has become a point of concern between the Adeptus Administratum and the Chapter.Not only could this act of independence have heretical consequences, but it effectively complicates any communications between Terra and the Chapter. The name of the Raptors' fortress-monastery is also kept a secret by the Chapter, who generally refer to it simply as "Prime", though it is believed to be located on a planet named Numina, Ra, Badwater, or Cortiz-Pol, located in the Sutter Spiral Nebula of the northern Segmentum Solar.
Raptors - Chapter Recruitment: The Raptors draw recruits from many worlds in the vicinity of their hidden homeworld. They are also known to draw recruits from worlds they have liberated and conflict zones in which they have operated. By recruiting from a broad variety of cultures, the Raptors have been spared the emergence of a ritualistic and cult-like belief system such as those that define many other Chapters.In addition, each recruit brings with him a vastly different understanding of the art of war, wilderness survival, tracking and other skills honed in a wide range of environments and against a broad spectrum of foes. The Raptors value independent thought even amongst aspirants, and as such, recruits are encouraged to share their experience during the course of their training.Due to the degradation of the Raven Guard's gene-seed, an issue that also afflicts fellow genetic scions of Corvus Corax, the surgical enhancements and indoctrination required in order to induct these aspirants takes considerably longer than in Chapters with more-stable gene-seed.Upon ascending to the 10th Company as neophytes, they immediately become a key component of the Chapter's strike forces, for the Raptors deploy large formations of Scouts, who are often required to operate without the support of their senior battle-brothers for extended periods. So valuable to the Chapter are its Scout elements that the Raptors' most skilled Veteran sergeants often opt to remain in the 10th Company for the entirety of their service.Nevertheless, losses amongst these neophytes are often heavy, and the Chapter's Reclusiam faces a constant uphill battle to select, evaluate and induct new aspirants in order to maintain the Chapter's already flagging strength.
Raptors - Chapter Gene-Seed: Throughout their history, the Raptors suffered catastrophic losses on several occasions. In spite of this, as a testament to their perseverance, they have managed to recover each time.This ability to rebuild in spite of massive losses also suggests that their gene-seed is healthy and stable. Under the conditions of rebuilding, the success of each implantation into a neophyte is crucial for the Chapter's survival.In spite of this fact, many of the genetic flaws of their progenitor Chapter continue to haunt the Raptors. As with the Raven Guard, battle-brothers of the Raptors Chapter gradually attain an ever paler skin tone as they age. After just a few standard centuries of service, some have skin that is very nearly translucent.At the same time, their hair colour darkens, so that the Chapter's Veterans are easily identified by their black hair and pale complexions. Again, like their progenitors, the Raptors also lack a functional Mucranoid implant.However, they do have a fully functional Betcher's Gland. It is unclear if this organ's function was somehow recovered by the Raptors or if their Founding occurred prior to the Raven Guard Chapter losing that organ from the standard array of Adeptus Astartes organ implants.Raptors are as intensely loyal as any of the Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes and do not take their duty nor the oaths they take to the Emperor lightly. Regardless, however, they retain a fatalism which can cling to them even in their most triumphant moments.Unlike the stubborn adherence to duty that other Chapters might possess, which would see a battle-brother fight on until claimed by death, the Raptors have instead a grim determination to do their duty. This is not so much a desire to die as it is an acceptance that death is the only end to the path a Space Marine treads, and everything he does is another step along that path and one closer to his eventual demise.As this condition increases, the battle-brother can become more and more fatalistic about his chances, citing the many times the Raptors have suffered near-extinction or that the Imperium itself has come close to the edge of destruction. These black moods will not affect his willingness to do his duty nor makes him turn from his brothers, but it can press in upon his squadmates all the same.
Raptors - Primarch's Curse: Grim Determination: When the Chapter's genetic curse manifests itself in an affected battle-brother, it comes on in three stages:Stage 1 - The Shadow of Death - The battle-brother starts to see death in everything. He becomes distant and makes little effort to forge alliances with new squad members, knowing they will soon be in the grave. He becomes more dismissive of death and the praising of the dead, seeing little glory in their sacrifice, only the inevitable end to their duty and another corpse to feed the gods of war. This attitude can grate on those around the battle-brother and he suffers with his fellowship when dealing with other Imperial soldiers or members of the Adeptus Astartes.Stage 2 - The Bad Beneath the Good - The battle-brother cannot help but reflect on the worst side of a new development and will endeavour to find the worst aspect of even the most favourable of circumstances. Quite apart from causing friction within his squad, the drawing of focus onto potential problems and unforeseen dangers (regardless of the actual likelihood they will impact on the squad's mission) can cause compromises in command and less than direct tactical judgements.Stage 3 - Game Over - Death is inevitable and the battle-brother is already a walking corpse just waiting for the moment when an enemy's blade or bullet ends him. Filled with visions of his own demise, the battle-brother begins to act recklessly, accepting that it is his time and there is nothing he can do to prevent it coming. This will not only place him in danger but can endanger his entire squad. The battle-brother does not contribute to the squad's cohesion as he fails to adequately aid them in battle. In addition, he tends not to gain the benefit of hiding behind cover, as even when behind barricades and walls he exposes himself to fire with little mind to remaining concealed.
Raptors - Chapter Fleet: War Talon (Battle Barge) - The War Talon is a renowned battle barge that deployed in support of Loyalist forces during the Badab War. The War Talon went on to become the terror of Secessionist raider forces who found the mighty vessel lying in wait for them on numerous occasions. The battle barge was eventually badly damaged during Operation Sedna and in need of major repair, but still went on to fight in dozens of separate engagements before the end of the war.Arias Vex (Strike Cruiser) - Deployed in support of the Raptor task force during the Badab War, this strike cruiser was lost after it was gutted by a reactor breach during the fighting above the world of Gargathea.Shadow Stalker (Strike Cruiser) - The Shadow Stalker was deployed in support of Loyalist forces during the Badab War. When the bulk of the Raptors task force withdrew from the war zone, the Shadow Stalker and a small chosen force remained for some time afterwards in the Maelstrom Zone for unknown reasons.Coatal (Gladius-class Frigate) - A Gladius-class frigate of the Raptors Chapter that served during the Badab War.
Raptors - Chapter Relics: Diomedes' Grace - Captain Diomedes of the Raptors had the finest Artificers of his Chapter adapt the Jump Pack he favoured with an advanced gravitic suspensor rig and dispersion jets to assist his manoeuvrability in the jungle warfare he had mastered. The Jump Pack eventually made its way to the Deathwatch, where it has served without equal in all manner of areas normally inaccessible by such means.Marksman Combat Sight - As part of their exceptional marksman training, the Raptors stationed in the Jericho Reach have developed a number of combat sights for use with their weapons, incorporating various aspects of standard Imperial sights but enhanced and improved by the skills of the Chapter's Techmarines. A Raptors battle-brother may possess a Combat Sight specially developed for his own needs, one he will have trained with and adjusted to his own unique abilities. A Combat Sight has been specially configured for its user and will only grant its full effects to the battle-brother it was intended for, its size, shape, and focus matching only that Space Marine's particular physiology and marksman style.
Raptors - Chapter Appearance: The Raptors Chapter first appeared in the 1st Edition of Warhammer 40,000 as the "Raptor Legion", and wore blue power armour with a yellow faceplate, shoulder plates, gloves, boots, and greaves. The Chapter badge was a white hawk's head.When the Chapter was revisited during the 3rd Edition, the "Legion" suffix was dropped from its name and its battle-brothers became specialists in jungle warfare. At this point their armour colour changed to a dull green, with the white hawk's head badge retained, and this new colour was ideal for fighting within flora-dominated spaces.How To Paint Space Marines shows that during the 4th Edition release of Space Marine-related material, the colour scheme was reverted to blue and yellow, although material published by Forgeworld after this time retains the 3rd Edition dull green. It is possible the Raptors and the Raptor Legion are supposed to be two different Chapters, but no official statement on this can be found in any official sources.In one incident the entire Chapter became stranded on a jungle Death World, leading to them repainting their armour green in order to better survive. However, as stated, the issue of the Chapter's colour has not been cleared up by Games Workshop.In Games Workshop's online Space Marine Gallery the figure shown as a Raptor Space Marine had bronze power armour.The Raptors Chapter utilises a blizzard camouflage pattern in arctic environments.
Raptors - Chapter Colours: The Raptors primarily wear drab green power armour. The Aquila or Imperialis on the chest guard is silver.The white squad specialty symbol on the right shoulder guard designates the Astartes' tactical specialty -- battleline, close support, fire support, Veteran or command.A black High Gothic numeral is stenciled in the centre of the squad specialty symbol which indicates squad number.A white High Gothic numeral stenciled on the right knee plate indicates company number.
Raptors - Chapter Badge: The Raptors' Chapter badge is the profile of a white raptor's head centred on a field of dull green.
Raptors - Canon Conflict: The colour scheme and name of the Raptors were altered following their first appearance in White Dwarf 101 (UK) in May 1988 where they were named as the "Raptor Legion" and were outfitted with blue and yellow power armour.This same colour scheme for the Raptors also appears in the publication How to Paint Space Marines.
Raptors - Sources: Adeptus Astartes: Successor Chapters (Limited Release Booklet)Codex: Armageddon (3rd Edition), pg. 18Codex: Space Marines (3rd Edition), pp. 22-23, 47Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pg. 8Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition) (Revised Codex), pg. 47Codex: Space Marines (9th Edition), pg. 69Codex: Ultramarines (2nd Edition), pg. 9Deathwatch: Honour the Chapter (RPG), pp. 82-88Fire Warrior (Novel) by Simon SpurrierHow to Paint Space Marines, pg. 83Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition, pp. 17, 43, 81, 91, 177Imperial Armour Volume Two, Second Edition - War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes, pg. 18Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign, pp. 39, 40-41, 45, 146Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Campaign, Second Edition, pg. 117Imperial Armour Volume Nine - The Badab War - Part One, pp. 31, 39-40, 47, 98-105, 169Warhammer 40,000: Compendium (1st Edition), "The Badab War", pp. 35, 117 (Reprint of article from White Dwarf 101 (UK) (May 1988), pp. 35, 117)White Dwarf 494 (November 2023), "Index Astartes - Raptors," pp. 45-46, 48-49Third War for Armageddon Worldwide Campaign - Forces Disposition, Imperial Forces: Raptors
Raptorus Rex - Raptorus Rex: The Raptorus Rex was the vast, mobile pre-Imperial star fortress of the Fire Hawks Space Marine Chapter that served as their primary base of operations and mobile fortress-monastery.During the Badab War this vessel was the largest warship operating within the Badab Sector and is indeed one of the largest warships ever used in the Imperium of Man's service. The formidable firepower of this colossus of war was capable of scouring the surface of a world within mere moments of its emergence from the Warp or challenge an entire squadron of cruisers alone.The Raptorus Rex and the entire Fire Hawks Chapter fleet was officially declared "Lost in the Warp" by the Imperium following an attempted Warp jump from the Piraeus System to the Crow's Word Sub-sector in 963.M41.
Raptorus Rex - Origins: During the Wars of Apostasy ca. 378.M36, the Fire Hawks Chapter was still young. They bravely joined the stand made by the Imperial Fists, Black Templars and Soul Drinkers Chapters, along with the Martian Tech Guard against the corruption and enormities of the megalomaniacal High Lord Goge Vandire. The Fire Hawks went on to fight valiantly in many major battles against the Apostate forces of the insane Vandire.Their defiance was paid for with the loss of their first homeworld, Zhoros, to mass thermal bombing by a Frateris Templar fleet loyal to Vandire. Refusing to relent in their opposition to the Apostates, the Fire Hawks helped play a key role in Vandire's overthrow, taking part in the attack on Terra which finally unseated the mad High Lord.Left in tatters, the Fire Hawks' diligence and valour was not in vain, as it is believed that it was at this time they received command of the Raptorus Rex as a gift from the hand of the reforming Ecclesiarch Sebastian Thor himself.The Raptorus Rex was a truly immense and ancient vessel, believed to be pre-Imperial in origin and constructed some time during the Age of Technology and to have participated in the campaigns of the Great Crusade. Like the Imperial Fists' Phalanx, the Raptorous Rex was a legend long before its involvement in the infamous conflict known as the Badab War in 904.M41.The powerful mobile star fortress served as the Fire Hawks' primary base of operations throughout that campaign. The massive void station possessed more firepower than an entire squadron of Imperial cruisers and could devastate the surface of any world within only solar minutes of its arrival in orbit.The Raptorus Rex 's most dreadful reputation was as a destroyer of worlds, its hull studded with scores of orbital bomb racks enabling it to seed a planet's atmosphere with clusters of hideous thermic bombs. But its greatest power lay in the sheer durability lent to it by its size and ancient design, which allowed it to shrug off the heaviest fire all but unscathed and smash aside defence lines and attacking fleets with arrogant power.
Raptorus Rex - Fate of the Raptorus Rex: The Raptorus Rex, along with the entirety of the Fire Hawks Chapter, was officially declared "Lost to the Warp" and assumed dead by the Convocation Astartes after they disappeared following an attempted Warp jump from the Piraeus System, 120 light years from the Crow's World Sub-sector, in 963.M41.The Raptorus Rex and five starships of the line, with a complement of approximately 800 battle-brothers (the greatest strength the Chapter had attained since the end of the Badab War) and some 2,000 other support personnel vanished without a trace.It is believed by some Imperial savants that the star fortress may have been recovered by the mysterious Warp-tainted Astartes who call themselves the Legion of the Damned either because the Legion is the remnant of the Fire Hawks Chapter that survived their ill-fated Warp jump or because whatever the Legion is, the spectral Astartes discovered the star fortress in the Warp.All that is known for sure is that a vessel matching the exact description of the Fire Hawks' Raptorus Rex was sighted during the unexpected defence of the Imperial Cemetery World of Certus-Minor with the aid of the Legion of the Damned against the predations of the Cholercaust Blood Crusade in the 41st Millennium.
Raptorus Rex - Canon Conflict: In the Horus Heresy novel Battle for the Abyss by Ben Counter, there is a Word Bearers vessel known as the Raptorous Rex, a vessel formerly devoted to the Emperor, who had plucked their Primarch Lorgar from Colchis during the Great Crusade and placed the Word Bearers at his command.It later became a profane temple to the Ruinous Powers, following the Word Bearers "illumination" during the primarch's pilgrimage into the Eye of Terror. Their faith subverted to the worship of the Dark Gods, the traitorous Word Bearers henceforth had any images or iconography related to the False Emperor stricken from its corridors.It is unlikely this is one and the same vessel, as the Fire Hawks' flagship was a likely pre-Imperial mobile star fortress of unknown class, and the Word Bearers' vessel is an unknown class of ancient vessel utilised during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.This may have simply been an oversight as the author may have been recycling a name used in other Warhammer 40,000 fiction, or it may be the start of an unusual new backstory for this ancient vessel.
Rashan - Rashan: The Rashan are a xenos race of which almost nothing is known. There is speculation by Imperial savants that they were one of the many potential warrior races nurtured by the Old Ones during their ancient war against the Necrons and their C'tan masters.