vizn3r/warhammer40k-lore huggingface dataset:
Storm Wardens - Chapter Beliefs: The battle-brothers of the Storm Wardens Chapter are known to exhibit a fierce resolve in the face of overwhelming odds and display an unstoppable drive to test themselves against all who would stand before them. Perhaps this feature of their character is a result of the beliefs instilled in each before he has even joined the Chapter, for the warrior clans of Sacris are fearsome and resolute indeed.Others might say that the need to test their limits is a result of the Nemesis Incident, for the Storm Wardens do not know which of the primarchs is their gene-father, who they should revere above all others. In truth, there are many Chapters that do not have knowledge of the identity of their Founding Space Marine Legion, but perhaps things are different for the Storm Wardens because, presumably, they once possessed that knowledge, but necessity has shorn that link.Few battle-brothers can imagine such an existence, the doctrine and dogma of the Chapter, including accounts of its founding and its earliest battle honours, locked deep within the stasis vaults in the deepest levels of the fortress-monastery.Some Storm Wardens battle-brothers become disturbed with the fact that so much of their Chapter's heritage is lost, and are consumed with an existential grief. The Chapter's Chaplains are ever watchful for such afflicted brethren, and when they are identified they are counselled to renew their quest for excellence, challenging themselves against ever greater foes. In some cases, the Chaplain must set the target of the quest himself, knowing that in its completion the battle-brother will find respite from his spiritual turmoil, on this side of the grave, or the other.
Storm Wardens - The Way of Honour: The Storm Wardens, like the feral tribesmen they recruit from, value personal honour and physical strength at arms over all. Many Storm Warden Astartes prefer to challenge enemy commanders to single combat in order to test themselves against the mightiest of enemies. Storm Wardens often seek out single combat with a foe they consider worthy of the honour, although more than a few Veteran sergeants and captains have fallen against particularly dangerous opponents this way.As noted, the Storm Wardens are an unusually insular Chapter and rarely visit other worlds in the Imperium. In fact, the Calixis Sector is largely unaware that it is even home to an Adeptus Astartes Chapter, with the exception of certain Inquisitors and the sector governor, Lord Sector Calixis Marius Hax of Scintilla. Much of the Chapter's standoffish culture results from the Storm Wardens' deep sense of personal honour.Some Imperial analysts believe that these Space Marines prefer not to stain themselves through association with so many of the disreputable worlds of the sector that surrounds them. Despite their remote natures, the Storm Wardens rarely clash with the Imperium's other adepta as Space Marine Chapters often do, having assisted both the Inquisition and the Astra Militarum in numerous campaigns and battles throughout the Imperium's history.Many Imperial frontier planets under dire threat from xenos or the forces of Chaos have witnessed the incredible sight of the Storm Wardens' Drop Pods entering their atmosphere, each containing a squad of ten Astartes who will defeat the foes of the Emperor and defend Mankind. This is the true Way of Honour.While fierce upon the field of battle, Storm Wardens are no less committed to the tenets of personal honour and obligation. Generally considered clannish and aloof even by other Space Marines, Storm Wardens prefer to remain distant from the Imperium at large. A Storm Warden is slow to make friends, but esteems and protects those who persevere to become companions.Amongst the Storm Wardens, one's word is his bond, and honour is paramount. The night before battle is often spent in meticulous planning of tactics and strategy, sharing quiet camaraderie amongst fellow warriors. Many of the most senior battle-brothers engage in ritualised duels so that the victor may gain a coveted place in the vanguard.Most Storm Wardens enjoy debate and crafting intricate points to support their arguments, although some outsiders see these tendencies as quarrelsome or insubordinate. However, once a course of action has been agreed upon, a Storm Warden will set aside any dispute and carry it out.Perhaps because of their fondness for debate or their own turbulent history, Storm Wardens have an interest in mysteries and enigmas. This curiosity has led more than a few battle-brothers of the Chapter to volunteer for the Deathwatch. When battle begins, Storm Wardens Astartes fight with keen fervour, and often seek out an enemy champion or commander to test their skills against.
Storm Wardens - Chapter Fleet: The Storm Wardens Chapter fleet is known to contain the following vessels:Warchilde (Battle Barge) - Warchilde was a Storm Wardens battle barge lost in the Acheros Salient during the Achilus Crusade. It is now a lifeless husk in orbit amid the radiation-swept storm zone of the Magog binary pulsar.Eternal Sentinel (Strike Cruiser) - A Storm Wardens strike cruiser active during the early centuries of the 41st Millennium.Glendwyr's Lament (Strike Cruiser) - A Storm Wardens strike cruiser displaced thousands of light years and several solar decades into the past by the Hadex Anomaly.Mark of Honour (Strike Cruiser) - Command ship of Captain Kynar Half-Hand and the 7th Company.
Storm Wardens - Chapter Relics: Fury Unrelenting - These vambraces were salvaged from the ruined armour of a battle-brother of the Storm Wardens during an engagement by the Chapter against a T'au battlegroup. He survived the barrage brought to bear against his squad by XV88 Broadside Battlesuits and charged the position held by the heavy guns alone. In vengeful rage, his Sacris Claymore shattered by the barrage, he assaulted his foes with just his armoured fists, but his furious blows were enough to bring down the two battlesuits in the fire team before he was slain in a hail of plasma. The instruments of his fury were miraculously undamaged after his assault, and they were repaired and gifted to the Deathwatch so that their fury against the alien might serve a wider theatre.Levin Shield - The Storm Wardens' Chapter Master, Lorgath Maclir, once wielded the Levin Shield, a powerful, master-crafted Storm Shield. It is said he passed it to the Deathwatch in payment of an honour debt to then-Watch Captain Mordigael. This Storm Shield adjusts to the bearer's bio-electric signature and uses his body as part of the circuit to generate its powerful energy field. The crackling nimbus protects the wielder while electrifying his foes. The Levin Shield's kinetic repercussion plating also unleashes thunderous fury when struck.Morwenna - This is a revered Chapter relic of the Storm Wardens, a two-metre-long Sacris Claymore of forbidding reputation. The current bearer of this blade is Deathwatch Watch Captain Brand Mac Lir.Skybolt - Skybolt is a unique Power Weapon crafted in the form of a heavy spear. Whilst the Sacris Claymore is the weapon of choice amongst the feral tribesmen of the Storm Wardens' homeworld, spears are commonly used when fighting in larger battles, often in conjunction with a shield. This relic was fashioned for an honoured Storm Wardens Chapter Master from before the time of the Nemesis Incident, whose name is now lost with much of the Chapter's past. His weapon remains, a bold symbol to be wielded by a skilled warrior.Tempest Amulets - The native traditions of Sacris place a strong emphasis on the ability of an individual to affect change in the world through strength of arm and force of will. Tempest Amulets are rooted in primitive tribal mysticism, but also serve as a focus for the Storm Wardens' stubborn will. These small leather pouches contain "Tempest Stones," rocks fused into glass by the fierce lightning storms of Sacris and wrapped in prayer scripts written by the owner.
Storm Wardens - Chapter Colours: The Storm Wardens wear blue and light grey power armour. The Aquila or Imperialis on the chest guard is light grey. The open-faced, blue squad tactical specialty symbol -- battleline, fire support, close support, Veteran or command -- is located on the right shoulder plate.A blue High Gothic numeral stenciled in the centre of the squad specialty symbol indicates squad number.A black High Gothic numeral stenciled on the left knee plate indicates company number.
Storm Wardens - Chapter Badge: The Storm Wardens' Chapter badge is a grey lightning bolt imposed over a blue shield, centred on a field of light grey.
Storm Warriors - Storm Warriors: The Storm Warriors is a Loyalist, Codex Astartes-compliant Space Marines Chapter of unknown genetic origin and Founding. This Chapter hails from the world of Taran III.It appears that the Storm Warriors are a late Founding Chapter.
Storm Warriors - Notable Campaigns: Tesra IV (Unknown Date.M41) – Returning from a bloody and prolonged campaign, the weary Storm Warriors Chapter was diverted to the world of Tesra IV instead of returning to its Chapter homeworld to snuff out a growing rebellion against the Imperium. Wearied by the recent protracted campaign and the devastating losses incurred (two Astartes starships and 300 full battle-brothers had been lost) the Storm Warriors' Chapter Master Calan was reluctant to open hostilities against the rebellious forces of Tesra IV for fear of taking even more needless casualties. An Inquisitor, Adrijssen, arrived in orbit of the world with a bold plan that would allow the Imperials to accomplish their assigned task without incurring any further loss of life to their forces. Bravely, Calan descended to the planet's surface on his own, knowing that he was walking right into a rebel trap. Taken to the planetary governor who had initiated the rebellion against the Emperor's peace, Calan confronted the rebellious leader and presented him with the evidence of his heresy. The Storm Warriors Chapter Master's words, combined with the actions of an Assassin of the Officio Assassinorum (who secretly poisoned the governor), convinced the Heretic to reconsider his treachery. Grateful to be given another chance, the governor forswore his traitorous actions and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Imperium. He then had the network of rebels within his administration destroyed. The bold actions of Chapter Master Calan were hailed by the Imperial forces, and made a great impression on the battle-brothers within the Chapter as well as the attached units of the Navis Imperialis and the Black Templars who had been assigned to bring the world back into the Imperial fold. Calan taught anew an old lesson: not all battles are fought with weapons, but with words.13th Black Crusade (999.M41) - The Storm Warriors committed their entire Chapter's complement of Astartes to the defence of the Cadian Sector during the 13th Black Crusade to defend the Imperium against the latest onslaught of the forces of Chaos.
Storm Warriors - Notable Storm Warriors: Chapter Master Calan - Calan is the current Chapter Master of the Storm Warriors who put down the rebellion against the Imperium on the world of Tesra IV through the simple power of his rhetoric.Captain Kortar - Captain of the Storm Warriors' 1st Company. It is said about Kortar that he is an officer whose courage verged on recklessness or even insubordination. Kortar was the one who supported the invasion of Tesra IV.Captain Sovak - Captain of the Storm Warriors and a potential successor of Chapter Master Calan.Chaplain Dusal - Chaplain of the Storm Warriors.
Storm Warriors - Chapter Fleet: The Chapter-fleet of the Storm Warriors is known to have the following vessels:Sirius (Battle Barge)Ilyan (Strike Cruiser)
Storm Warriors - Chapter Colours: The Storm Warriors primarily wear stone grey power armour. The open faced, white squad tactical specialty icon -- battleline, close support, fire support, Veteran or command -- is located on the right shoulder plate.A white High Gothic numeral is stenciled in the centre of the squad specialty icon, indicating squad number.The colour of the Aquila or Imperialis on the chest guard indicates company number in accordance with the Codex Astartes -- i.e. White (1st Company), Yellow (2nd Company), Red (3rd Company), Green (4th Company), etc.
Storm Warriors - Chapter Badge: The Storm Warriors' Chapter badge is a vertical, white sword, with the tip pointing upwards.It is flanked by two yellow lightning bolts protruding from the pommel. This image is centred on a field of stone grey.
Storm Wings - Storm Wings: The Storm Wings is a Loyalist Codex Astartes-compliant Space Marine Chapter of unknown Founding which is also allegedly a rare Successor Chapter of the Raven Guard. The Storm Wings Chapter homeworld is Eyrie, a planet in the Segmentum Solar.
Storm Wings - Notable Campaigns: Encounter with the Tiger Claws (680.M41) - The Storm Wings encountered the long-lost Strike Cruiser Bakasurra, a known vessel of the Tiger Claws Chapter, which reappeared on the edge of the Segmentum Pacificus after being declared "Lost in the Warp" over a thousand years earlier in 280.M40 when the entire Tiger Claws Chapter itself had disappeared. The starship appeared to have been subject to severe temporal distortion in the Warp, and for the 100 Battle-Brothers aboard the Bakasurra, no more than a few months had elapsed since they had set out on their journey. After making contact with the surviving Tiger Claws, the Storm Wings strike force aided them in battle against Drukhari slavers. They resupplied the Tiger Claws, who then departed to make their way towards the location of their fortress-monastery on their homeworld of Krodha.
Storm Wings - Chapter Beliefs: The Space Marines of the Storm Wings Chapter believe in embracing the burden of one's failure as a symbol of strength. This belief comes in form of a chain of thick, dark iron links.Each link is crafted in the shape of two interlocking talons, like birds of prey bound in combat. The chain serves as a record of the Chapter failures. The talons bite into the skin of the neck so that no Battle-Brother will forget the failures of the Chapter.
Storm Wings - Chapter Colours: The Storm Wings wear dim grey Power Armour. The Aquila or Imperialis on the chestplate is red. The red squad specialty symbol on the right shoulder guard designates operational specialty -- Tactical, Devastator, Assault or Veteran. A black Roman numeral is stenciled on the centre of the squad specialty symbol which indicates squad number. The colour of the shoulder plate trim indicates company number in accordance with the dictates of the Codex Astartes -- i.e. White (1st Company), Yellow (2nd Company), Red (3rd Company), Green (4th Company), etc.
Storm Wings - Chapter Badge: The Storm Wings' Chapter badge is a red skull, facing forward, with red, lightning-like wings projecting from its sides. This is centred on a field of dim grey.
Stormbird - Stormbird: Stormbird is a catch-all term that refers to a series of various super-heavy dedicated attack landers that were once used by the Legiones Astartes as their primary means of deploying forces into combat.Stormbirds also served in air support and general planetary transport roles during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy eras in the late 30th and early 31st Millennia.Unlike the spacecraft used later, the Stormbird series is based on an incredibly old and incomplete STC (Standard Template Construct) design and as such consists of multiple classes and patterns of super-heavy flyers.These super-heavy spacecraft were used nearly exclusively by the Space Marine Legions before the development of the smaller and much easier to produce STC-based Thunderhawk gunship and was often considered the lynchpin of any Space Marine Legion's aviation arm, as it was able to fulfill many combat roles.The Stormbird was fully void-capable as well as of functioning as an orbital drop ship, an assault lander, a heavy ground attack gunship, a bomber, or as a ground bastion or firebase. This spacecraft was able to quickly carry Space Marine forces from orbiting starships down into the midst of a battle, while at the same time providing supporting fire against enemy ground or air targets.All known Stormbirds were bulkier and larger than the Thunderhawk and also less agile in flight. However, some Stormbird classes, such as the Warhawk IV, could carry up to the equivalent of a modern Space Marine company, up to 100 Space Marines or the equivalent in vehicles or cargo, far larger than the Thunderhawk's carrying capacity. Some Stormbirds had missiles or bombs slung under both wings while other classes included powerful ballistic cannons mounted on its nose.Stormbirds were piloted by two Space Marines or Legion serfs along with either hardwired servitors, Space Marines or Legion serfs operating the craft's various weapons.While various classes and patterns of the Stormbird have been described, it is not known what most actually looked like, yet descriptions of some classes include folding wings, armoured cockpits with view slits, multiple large engines, and magnetic launch rails used aboard Imperial starships to quickly launch the craft into the void.However, one of the more modern Stormbirds, the Sokar Pattern, has a nearly full technical data sheet available at present, including telling pict-captures.
Stormbird - History: The Stormbird originated as the Warhawk and Nephoros-class assault transports and were first utilised by the Yndonesic Bloc for use against the Panpacific techno-barbarian tribes during the Unification Wars on Terra. They were later adapted by the Emperor for His early Space Marine Legions, replacing the aging Skylance Gunships used earlier on.The Stormbird was deployed in great numbers by the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade in the late 30th Millennium before being slowly replaced by the Thunderhawk gunship by the outbreak of the Horus Heresy. The Thunderhawk gunship is still used in the late 41st Millennium by nearly all Space Marine Chapters, the Stormbird being an incredibly rare sight even amongst the Traitor Legions.The Stormbird was void-capable as well as versatile in atmospheric flight. During the Great Crusade, many of the more venerable Legions, such as the Luna Wolves and the Death Guard, made every effort to keep the old, heavy-duty machines in service. They had been delivering Legionaries into war since before the beginning of the Great Crusade in 798.M30.By the latter years of the Great Crusade, most Imperial expeditionary fleet forces had become reliant on the smaller, STC-derived Thunderhawk and Thunderhawk Transporter.During this time, even as most Stormbirds were retired from service, there were some that were kept exclusively as transports for a Legion's primarch. These Stormbirds were specially outfitted or adorned and made use of pennants associated with the carriage of such an important individual.Since the time of the Horus Heresy, while the Stormbird has been phased out of Imperial service by the Adeptus Astartes in favour of the smaller Thunderhawk, these spacecraft are still seen in use amongst several of the Traitor Legions, most notably the Word Bearers.However, as the dreaded Time of Ending draws near, many Space Marine Chapters are starting to bring their oldest and most powerful weapons and vehicles out of their deepest armouries and reliquaries, and one day the Stormbird may fly in Imperial service again.
Stormbird - Armament: Armoured Ceramite fuselageMachine Spirit (artificial Intelligence)Dual Void Shield Generators5 turret-mounted twin-linked Lascannons6 wing-mounted Dreadstrike Missiles
Stormbird - Transport Capacity: At least one variant of the Stormbird, the Warhawk-class Stormbird, made use of massive cavernous launch bays aboard Legion starships that included a series of large magnetic rails. The Warhawks were launched from the rails at extreme speed.At the ends of the rails were large protective blast doors that would open when the spacecraft were launched. When opened, gravitic integrity fields would energise to protect the inside atmosphere from rushing out from the bay into the void.The spacecraft were stored on loading bays at the head of the launch rails, and their wings could be extended and retracted for easier storage within the crowded landing bays.It is not known exactly what the transport capacity of the various Stormbird patterns are, save the Sokar Pattern, which can carry 50 Astartes, Jump Infantry, Rapier batteries, Astartes Bikes and Jetbikes.The Sokar Stormbird may carry Dreadnoughts of any type, each of which takes up the room of approximately 10 Astartes. Dreadnoughts can only embark/disembark using the aircraft's main ramp.The Sokar Pattern can also carry as part of its standard complement a single Rhino armoured personnel carrier which takes up the capacity of 12 Astartes, though the Rhino may carry Astartes within it as well during transport.
Stormbird - Uses: The following is a list of notable uses for the various Stormbird classes:Void and Atmospheric Transportation of Troops and Cargo - The Stormbird could carry infantry, vehicles, combat walkers, cargo, and important individuals from starship to starship, or to a planet's surface.Void and Atmospheric Assault Transport - The Stormbird could be used to land forces into the launch bays or onto the outer hulls of enemy starships, or land forces on a planetary surface while under fire.Ground Force Fire Support - The Stormbird could use its various weapon systems to support Imperial ground forces during combat, including during an extraction.Assault Bomber - The Stormbird could be outfitted with Macro-bombs for surface bombardment and orbital uplinks to call down a bombardment from orbiting starships.Bastion or Firebase - The Stormbird, once landed, could use its various weapon systems to protect disembarking forces and provide additional firepower against enemy forces near the landing zone. Some Stormbirds could divert unused engine power to extend their Void Shields outwards to provide additional protection to ground forces.Medicae Duty - Some Stormbirds were converted to be used as medical craft and were outfitted with medical equipment such as gurnies, medicae machines, and many other medical tools. These craft had armoured bucket seats that lined the craft's fuselage where Apothacaries and other medicae personnel sat during flight.Funerary Duty - Some Stormbirds were used for funerary duty, scouring the battlefield for fallen Astartes to return their bodies to the bosom of their Legion.Personal Transport - A Stormbird was the go-to choice for personal transportation during the Great Crusade, as its imposing size would insure all eyes were upon it as it landed. These craft were used during this time to transport the great Primarchs themselves, some even possessing personalised spacecraft with symbolic heraldry or even special upgrades or weapons. During the Horus Heresy, former Death Guard Battle-Captain Nathaniel Garro used a personal Stormbird provided by Malcador the Sigillite to criss-cross the galaxy in search of potential Astartes drawn from all of the Space Marine Legions, Loyalist and Traitor alike, who remained loyal to the Emperor and willing to destroy any threats to the Imperium. These Space Marines would later become the heart of the Grey Knights Chapter and the Chamber Militant of the Inquisition's Ordo Malleus. Like his own power armour after he entered the service of the Sigillite, Garro's Stormbird was a uniform grey, with no Legion colours or other insignia or markings.
Stormbird - Notable Stormbirds: The following is a list of notable Stormbirds:Firebird - The Firebird was a heavily modified Stormbird which served as the personal transport for the Primarch of the Emperor's Children Legion, Fulgrim, during the Great Crusade. The Firebird was part of the arsenal of the Pride of the Emperor, Fulgrim's personal Gloriana-class Battleship. Fulgrim had personally designed and constructed the Firebird in the armorium decks of his flagship. Its wings had a greater span than a standard Stormbird, curving in a graceful backward sweep, and its hooked prow gave it a fearsome visage that struck terror into the hearts of the Primarch’s foes. It is known that the Firebird took part in the Cleansing of Laeran. When the Firebird came in from orbit, fiery re-entry would wreath its wings and body giving it the visage of a burning Phoenix.
Stormbird - Variants: The Stormbird was one of the few widely-used Imperial vehicles that was not based upon an intact Standard Template Construct (STC) design, as such the Stormbird had many different patterns and variants. The following is a list of all known craft designated as a Stormbird:Warhawk-class Stormbird - The Warhawk-class of Stormbird was the most common of the different Stormbird classifications, and was one of the original assault transport classes utilised by the Yndonesic Bloc during the Unification Wars on ancient Terra. There are known to be at least four different marks of the Warhawk class. It is believed that the Warhawk's wings could be folded or collapsed back against the Stormbird's chassis in some manner when the aircraft was being stored aboard an Imperial starship. Described as monstrous and fat-bodied, the Warhawk IV had a massive transport capacity of up to 100 seated Astartes, using rear-facing cage seats that had weapon locks for safe stowage. The seat restraints were manually locked in place when the Astartes sat down but would automatically release upon landing. The seat restraints could also be manually released in case of an emergency. The seating was completely removable to facilitate the transportation of cargo, vehicles, or for other more specialised purposes.Nephoros-class Stormbird - The Nephoros-class Stormbird was one of the original assault transport classes utilised by the Yndonesic Bloc during the Unification Wars on ancient Terra. No other information about this class is known.Condor-class Stormbird - The Condor-class Stormbird was a more massive and less agile pattern than Warhawk-class. It was used by the Sons of Horus Legion during the Battle of Hive Illium.Sokar Pattern Stormbird - The Sokar Pattern Stormbird was one of the later patterns of Stormbird developed during the Great Crusade and was used as the design precursor to the smaller, more widely produced Thunderhawk gunship. It was conceived as a specialised, high-durability orbital assault craft -- almost a mobile bastion and firebase -- which could land a Space Marine strike force and withstand heavy ground fire while its passengers forced a landing zone. During the Battle of Prospero the Space Wolves] Legion used over 300 Sokar-class Stormbirds.Apophis Pattern Stormbird - The Apophis Pattern Stormbird was the largest Stormbird pattern, widely known for its ominous appearance and vast wingspan, which earned it the title of "Sunkiller". During the Battle of Prospero the Space Wolves Legion used 30 of these monstrous aircraft.Khonsu Pattern Stormbird - The Khonsu Pattern Stormbird was one of the largest Stormbird patterns, used to transport Space Marine Legion vehicles. During the Battle of Prospero the Space Wolves Legion utilised 100 Khonsu Stormbirds.Sykri Pattern Stormbird - During the Legion Wars fought within the Eye of Terror after the Traitor Legions' failure to overthrow the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, a Sykri Pattern Stormbird was used by the Chaos Lord Thagus Daragek as his personal vehicle.
Stormbird - Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications: The Adeptus Mechanicus technical specifications for this ancient spacecraft are not yet publicly available.
Stormbird - Sources: The Horus Heresy Legiones Astartes: Age of Darkness Army List (Forge World Series), pg. 92The Horus Heresy - Book Four: Conquest (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pg. 48The Horus Heresy - Book Five: Tempest (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pg. 217The Horus Heresy - Book Seven: Inferno (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pp. 94, 98Horus Rising (Novel) by Dan Abnett, pp. 16, 18, 139, 141-142, 144-145, 148-149, 151-152, 156, 182, 184, 202, 305False Gods (Novel) by Graham McNeill, pp. 29, 43, 88-89, 91-93, 98-99, 101-103, 115, 175-177, 180, 182-183, 201, 205, 222, 227-230, 334The Flight of the Eisenstein (Novel) by James Swallow, pp. 61-62, 92, 96, 107, 160-162, 172-173, 359-364Fulgrim (Novel) by Graham McNeill, pp. 23, 31, 53, 55, 85-91, 133, 137-138, 146-147, 149, 243-245, 300-302, 305, 309, 472, 474, 499Angel Exterminatus (Novel) by Graham McNeill, pp. 52, 249, 278-280, 287-288, 332, 371, 397Promethean Sun (Novella) by Nick KymeGarro: Oath of Moment (Audio Book) by James SwallowGarro: Legion of One (Audio Book) by James SwallowDark Disciple (Novel) by Anthony ReynoldsThe Beast Arises - Book 1: I Am Slaughter (Novel) by Dan Abnett, Chapter 15The Black Legion (Novel) by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
Stormblade - Stormblade: The Stormblade super-heavy tank is a variant of the Astra Militarum's Shadowsword Titan-killer tank. It is armed with a Plasma Blastgun instead of a Volcano Cannon, but it is still able to perform the role of Titan-hunter on the battlefield.Stormblades are built on Forge Worlds that lack the ability to build true Shadowsword tanks, and thus have to compensate by using different weaponry and other less advanced technologies than the original.On the battlefield, the Stormblade's primary function is to blast Titans and enemy super heavy armour into oblivion, although unlike the Shadowsword, it is more of a medium-range heavy support vehicle than a pure Titan-killer.Unlike the Shadowsword's Volcano Cannon, the Stormblade's Plasma Blastgun is a less voracious consumer of energy and can be fired either at full power or in short bursts, granting the Stormblade a much greater tactical flexibility that the Shadowsword at the cost of some firepower. The Plasma Blastgun's multiple settings allow the Stormblade to engage both infantry and armoured targets with relative ease.Additionally, the photonic cells serving as onboard ammunition forgo the use of the capacitors which so hamper the Shadowsword, granting the Stormblade better speed, manoeuvrability and the capacity to sport 2 twin-linked Heavy Bolters and 2 Lascannons as secondary armament, enough to fend off any marauding infantry or smaller armoured vehicle.Like all super-heavy tanks of the Astra Militarum, the Stormblade's very presence on the battlefield is a potent morale booster for rank-and-file Imperial Guardsmen, and it is for that reason that some senior officers requisition a Stormblade to serve as their personal command tank.Such vehicles are outfitted with powerful Vox-casters and tactical arrays, allowing the officer to remain aware of the pace of battle while taking the field.Although the Stormblade does not suffer from some of the disadvantages of the Shadowsword, it is still a slow and ungainly vehicle, whose fixed main gun requires the whole vehicle to be bodily aimed at the intended target.This precludes any front-line usage, for a fast opponent will be able to manoeuvre around the tank, while a canny one will aim for the tracks, preventing the Stormblade from adjusting its aim further.The Plasma Blastgun is also less efficient as a pure Titan-killer than the Shadowsword's Volcano Cannon, for it does not have the needed power to punch through Void Shields nor the extreme range of the larger weapon.Unlike the Shadowsword, which can operate as a lone Titan-hunter, the Stormblade must be supported by the other elements of the Imperial Guard to unleash its full potential.
Stormblade - History: The Stormblade came into being in a manner that demonstrates the feudal nature of the Forge Worlds and their relationship with one another and Mars. Certain Forge Worlds lacked the necessary STC imprints to construct the Shadowsword super-heavy destroyer and, due to internecine political and doctrinal differences, were unable to secure them from the Red Planet.The magi of another great Forge World, Ryza, perceived a means of circumventing the issue and gaining power for themselves in the process. Ryza, known for its mastery of plasma technology, built the first of the Stormblades, a weapon to rival the Shadowsword, and ceded its pattern to those lesser Forge Worlds who would enter into mutually beneficial compacts with them.The elite Solar Auxilia of the Excertus Imperialis, maintained treaties of provender with many of these domains, and while Shadowswords were a rare commodity often reserved for the dedicated super-heavy regiments of the Imperial Army, Solar Auxilia Cohorts had ready access to the Stormblade.The Legion Stormblade utilised by the Legiones Astartes was a variant of the Imperial Army super-heavy tank constructed on the Forge World of Lucius and equipped with a mighty Plasma Blastgun. This weapon occupied a tactical niche between the much heavier Turbolaser Destructor carried on the Shadowsword and similar, but lighter weapons carried on smaller vehicles.The Plasma Plastgun was simpler to maintain and supply than the Turbolaser, giving the Stormblade an extended operational range, and its Space Marine crew were a lot more resistant to the heat and radiation generated by its enormous reactor array than the crews of Imperial Army Stormblades.The majority of Space Marine Legions maintained a stock of Stormblades amongst their super-heavy tank formations, though some only utilised them as Legion reserves and did not commit them to the line as a matter of course.The Iron Warriors and the Iron Hands had both been known to utilise armoured vanguards comprising Stormblades, often flanked by Predators and Sicarans.Just as it was ten millennia ago, in the 41st Millennium, many Forge Worlds still lack the ability to build Shadowswords and instead build Stormblades. Even though it was never considered an official STC design, it does not lack in performance and thus is a very popular choice of super-heavy tank for the Astra Militarum when a true Shadowsword is not available.Most Stormblades, along with the Shadowsword and Stormsword, are built on the Arkurian Pattern chassis, although more conservative Tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus view the rarer Mars Pattern chassis as superior.
Stormblade - Armament: The Stormblade is armed with a massive casemate-mounted Plasma Blastgun. Normally found only on Titans, this weapon is ideal for both anti-armour and anti-Titan roles.The potent capacitors and power generator used by the Shadowsword is replaced by large photonic fuel cells that power the Stormblade's main gun.The extra space that is left over with the replacement of the Volcano Cannon's systems is used to house a well-designed cooling system which keeps the weapon from over-heating while the tank's crew is protected from the heat by thick ceramite heat shields.The Stormblade is preferred by many Astra Militarum tank regiments over the Executioner variant of the Leman Russ tank  due to its cooling systems reliability and its overall firepower.The Stormblade replaces the Shadowsword's sponson-mounted targeters for two Lascannons, but retains the two twin-linked Heavy Bolters. The Stormblade can also have a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, Improved Communications equipment, a mine sweeper, a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber or Storm Bolter, and Smoke Launchers.The Stormblade is always outfitted with Searchlights, which are used to highlight enemy infantry for attack with the tank's sponson weapons.At one time in the past these tanks could also be equipped with external Hellion Missile Racks, but these were prone to exploding catastrophically when hit by enemy weapons fire.After three Stormblades of the Phyressian 31st Heavy Tank Company were destroyed in this way, Hellion Missiles were deemed unsafe to be carried on these vehicles and were withdrawn from Imperial service.
Stormblade - Unit Composition: 1 Astra Militarum Stormblade (Astra Militarum only, 41st Millennium)1 Legion Stormblade Super-Heavy Tank (Legiones Astartes, 31st Millennium Only)
Stormblade - Wargear: A standard Legion Stormblade Super-Heavy Tank of the Horus Heresy era was armed and equipped with:Plasma BlastgunHeavy BolterSearchlightSmoke LaunchersA Legion Stormblade Super-Heavy Tank could take the following sponson-mounted weapons:2 Twin-linked Heavy Bolters2 Lascannons (Located on top of the other sponson weapons)A Legion Stormblade Super-Heavy Tank could replace its two sets of sponson-mounted twin-linked Heavy Bolters with the following weapons:2 Twin-linked Heavy FlamersA Legion Stormblade Super-Heavy Tank could take one of the following pintle-mounted weapons:Twin-linked Bolters (Combi-Bolter)Combi-WeaponHeavy BolterHeavy FlamerMulti-MeltaHavoc Missile LauncherLegion Stormblade Super-Heavy Tanks also had a variety of vehicle equipment such as:Hunter-Killer Missile LauncherArmoured Ceramite PlatingLegion Stormblade Super-Heavy Tanks could also be upgraded to a:Super-Heavy Command TankLegion Stormblade Super-Heavy Tanks could also be upgraded with:Space Marine Legion Crew - Replaces the vehicle's human crew with Legiones Astartes Space Marines
Stormblade - Known Regiments That Use Stormblades: Solar Auxilia Cohorts (Great Crusade & Horus Heresy eras)Cadian 98th Armoured RegimentDeath Korps of Krieg 1st Heavy Tank CompanyDeath Korps of Krieg 61st Tank RegimentDeath Korps of Krieg 11th Heavy Armoured RegimentDeath Korps of Krieg 12th Heavy Tank CompanyPhyressian 31st Heavy Tank CompanySarenian 5th Heavy Tank CompanyVaust 14th Regiment
Stormblade - Known Stormblades: Huntsman - Vaust 14th Regiment
Stormblade - Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications: Arkurian Pattern StormbladeVehicle Name:StormbladeMain Armament:Plasma BlastgunForge World of Origin:Ryza, LuciusSecondary Armament:2 Lascannons, 2 Twin-linked Heavy BoltersKnown Patterns:I - VIITraverse:2 degreesCrew:1 Commander, 1 Driver, 1 Main Gunner, 1 Remote Gunner, 1 Comm-Operator, 1 EngineerElevation:-2 to 12 degreesPowerplant:MR507 v18 Multi-FuelMain Ammunition:16 Shots From Fuel CellWeight:310 TonnesSecondary Ammunition:1600 RoundsLength:13.5 metresArmour:Width:8.4 metresHeight:6.3 metresSuperstructure:220 millimetresGround Clearance:1.2 metresHull:210 millimetresMax Speed On-Road:25 kilometres per hourGun Mantlet:200 millimetresMax Speed Off-Road:18 kilometres per hourVehicle Designation:0427-658-0251-SB04Transport Capacity:N/AFiring Ports:N/AAccess Points:N/ATurret:N/A
Stormblade - Sources: Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy, pp. 99-104Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard (Second Edition), pp. 8, 106-111, 267, 276-277Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks, Part OneImperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks, Part TwoImperial Armour Volume Eleven - The Doom of MymearaImperial Armour - Apocalypse, pg. 8The Horus Heresy - Book Two: Massacre (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pp. 54-55The Horus Heresy - Book Three: Extermination (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pp. 23, 181, 242-243The Horus Heresy - Book Four: Conquest (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pp. 88, 288The Horus Heresy - Book Six: Retribution (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pp. 16, 38The Horus Heresy: Legiones Astartes - Age of Darkness Army List, pg. 85
Stormboy - Stormboy: A Stormboy (pl. Stormboyz) is an elite Ork shock trooper who shows an unusual level of strategic planning and tactical accumen for the Greenskins and is particularly skilled at mobile warfare.A Stormboy strives to stand out amongst the anarchy of Ork society. They studiously ape authority figures, practise things until they can do them right, and openly polish their boots in public places, much to the disgust of their elders.Yet no matter how much they fly in the face of Greenskin values with their wilful forward planning and blatant regard for the rules, Stormboyz are still Orks. They live to get stuck into a good, bloody fight as quickly as they can.To this end, the Stormboy Korps strikes deals with local Meks to equip them with large, noisy Rokkit Packs. These they use to propel themselves toward the foe amid resounding (and suspiciously well-synchronised) bellows of "WAAAGH!", striking the enemy line like ballistic missiles and hacking apart anything unlucky enough to find itself in arm's reach.
Stormboy - Notable Campaigns: Who's Da Boss? (982.M41) - During fierce fighting on the Exodite world of Lyrithar, Warboss Zagstruk takes personal offence at being outmanoeuvred by the lightning-fast Wild Riders of Saim-Hann. Enraged beyond words as his cowardly foes retreat into the Webway, Zagstruk lights up his Rokkit Pack and gives chase along with a hard core of his most devoted Stormboyz. The portal closes behind Zagstruk, and Da Boss is next seen some ten solar months later when he stalks into the encampment of Warboss Golgrot. He slaughters a couple of dozen Lootas, and reclaims his stolen Fighta-Bommer. No-one has the guts to enquire as to Zagstruk’s recent whereabouts, but all note the fresh batch of red and white Eldar helmets dangling from his belt.
Stormboy - Notable Stormboyz: Zagstruk - Zagstruk is the fanatical and merciless Ork Warboss of a much-feared band of Stormboyz known as the "Vulcha Squad". His squad gets its name from Zagstruk's personal aircraft, a massive red Fighta-Bommer called Da Vulcha that is an antique by the standards of modern Ork aircraft. Nevertheless, it still packs a fearsome payload, not least of which are the Vulchas themselves. Boss Zagstruk and his Boyz fly in low attack runs over the front line, riding in the belly of their Vulcha, and at a barked command from Zagstruk, the Vulcha Boyz plummet towards the battle below into the heart of the enemy, iron-plated boots first. To make sure his feet hit the hardest, Zagstruk is equipped with Da Vulcha's Klaws, a pair of bionik legs that allow him to perform his favourite manoeuvre -- the fly-by decapitation.Brikkfist - Brikkfist is a Stormboyz Nob that serves as a bosun to the notorious Ork Freebooter Kaptin Bluddflagg when the need arises for assault skills. Boisterous, rabble-rousing and violent, Brikkfist is usually found at the heart of where the fighting is thickest. Strapped to a volatile Rokkit Pack, he flies towards his foe's lines to quickly get to grips with the enemy.
Stormboy - Notable Stormboyz Formations: Flashy Skyboyz - A Stormboyz formation that serves the Bad Moons Flash Git Gashrakk Da Flash. Gashrakk likes Stormboyz because, like him, they prefer to keep themselves clean and polish their kit all the time. However, he has never got used to the way they insist on saluting him when he walks past.Choppa Storm - An infamous Stormboyz Mob led by Boss Nob Tora, which is comprised of three separate Stormboyz Mobs (Tora's Terraz, Gerruff's Jumpboyz and Deffrokkits) that serve the infamous Ork Warlord Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka and his Great WAAAGH!. They took part in both the Second and Third War for Armageddon. The Choppa Storm is said to have developed a rude militaristic marching song which they bellow as they descend to battle, although mercifully the words are typically drowned out by the roar of their rokkit packs.Da Vulcha Skwad - During both the Second and Third Wars for Armageddon, Ghazghkull made regular use of hard-hitting formations of Stormboyz, known as Stormer Mobs. Dropping down from highflying Ork kargo kraft, Stormer Mobs proved to be highly effective at clearing defenders from atop the ramparts of Hive City outer walls. The most successful of these aerial raids were those orchestrated by Boss Zagstruk and his infamous Vulcha Skwad. Ghazghkull soon learned to ensure that the most daring of these raids were led by the ferocious Stormboy Kommander, where his own unique brand of violence always carried the day. Unlike the other Stormer Mobs of WAAAGH! Ghazghkull, Zagstruk's Vulcha Skwad would often fight not as a trio of Stormboy mobs, but a single mass of airborne greenskins that left only death and ruin in its wake.Krooga's Airboyz - A notorious Stormboyz Mob led by Boss Nob Krooga that serves the infamous Ork Warlord Ghazghkull and his Great WAAAGH!. They took part in both the Second and Third Wars for Armageddon. It is not unusual for Stormboyz in WAAAGH! Ghazghkull to bear the extra black and white checks associated with Goff  mobs or a variant of Ghazghkull's personal symbol -- perhaps emblazoned with rokkit fuel or marked by lightning bolts.
Stormboy - Wargear: SluggaChoppaStikkbombzRokkit Pack - Stormboyz use crude Rokkit Packs to propel themselves across the battlefield in huge, bounding leaps. Whether they smash into enemy lines or a solid ferrocrete wall is a different matter entirely, however.
Stormboy - Sources: Codex: Orks (2nd Edition), pp. 31, 34Codex: Orks (3rd Edition), pg. 10Codex: Orks (4th Edition), pp. 47, 63Codex: Orks (7th Edition), pp. 47, 74, 84, 134-135, 158-159Only War: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 365Orks Collectors' Guide, pg. 16WAAAGH! Ghazghkull: A Codex Orks Supplement (7th Edition), pp. 72-73, 139-141Warhammer 40,000: Planetstrike, pg. 7Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - RetributionWarhammer 40,000: Space MarineGames Workshop - Stormboyz Mob
Stormfang - Stormfang: The Stormfang, officially the Stormfang Gunship, is a specialised gunship used solely by the Space Wolves Space Marine Chapter. The Stormfang is a variant of the Stormwolf Assault Boat, another vehicle used only by the Space Wolves. For the Space Wolves, the Stormfang Gunship is considered the final word in aerial superiority. Designed to dominate the skies in the same manner as the dreaded ice wyrms of Fenris, the Stormfang's ferocious armament mirrors the fighting qualities of the Space Wolves themselves.The large troop hold of the Stormwolf is nearly removed, mostly replaced with a single Helfrost Destructor that runs along the length of each of these deadly Attack Craft. Helfrost Weapons are designed to freeze their target area to absolute zero in an instant. Even when faced with notoriously unyielding materials such as ceramite, ferrocrete or even Eldar Wraithbone, none can hope to withstand the thermal shock of plummeting to such a low temperature, shattering beneath the beam's icy touch into millions of frozen fragments. Many Stormfang pilots are boastful of the deadly firepower they have at their command, marking their craft with tallies of their fallen foes.
Stormfang - Armament: In addition to the centrally-mounted Helfrost Destructor, the Stormfang Gunship is also armed with two sets of sponson-mounted twin-linked Heavy Bolters and two dorsal-mounted Stormstrike Missiles. The Stormfang can have its sponson weapons replaced with either two Skyhammer Missile Launchers, or two sets of twin-linked Multi-Meltas, and the dorsal missile launchers can be replaced with a set of twin-linked Lascannons. The Stormfang is also equipped with armoured ceramite plating, and a robust Machine Spirit (artificial intelligence) to help with navigation and targetting.
Stormfang - Ice Storm Assault Pack: Taking their name from the freezing tempests that regularly batter the surface of Fenris, the Ice Storm Assault Pack formation excels in planetary assaults where the Space Wolves fight to seize secure drop sites and ferry their battle Packs to the ground. These Packs are formed around cores of Stormwolf Assault Boats, with Stormfang Gunships running an escort to ensure no enemy threatens the landfall. As the assault boats thunder in to land, the gunships roar overhead, their Helfrost Destructors spewing beams of ultra-cold energy that freeze the enemy to creaking statues. With their victims trapped in icy tombs, the disembarking Space Wolves pounce upon their easy prey and smash them to bloody, ice-wreathed shards.
Stormfang - Notable Stormfang Gunships: The following are a list of notable Stormfang Gunships:IcetoothMorkai's Arrow - Morkai's Arrow fought as part of the Skyfangs during the battle for Voldariah II, piloted by Iron Priest Syngvir the Swift.Stormgaze - Stormgaze is a transport of Ragnar Blackmane's Great Company.Iron Spear - The Iron Spear is the pinnacle of the Iron Priests' art. This deadly vehicle fits perfectly amongst Egil Iron Wolf's Great Company. Capable of destroying any foe, the Iron Spear will hunt out the greatest war machines of the enemy.