Raptors - Chapter Beliefs: As a Chapter the Raptors have been brought to the brink of extinction several times, yet have managed to endure and return to full strength when other Chapters would have been destroyed.They have a remarkably grim determination to survive, and one of the Raptors' hallmarks is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and respond swiftly to the fortunes (or misfortunes) of war. This has tempered their character with a general disregard and suspicion of the mere trappings of honour and glory, favouring results by any means necessary.When faced with insurmountable odds, the Raptors manifest the ability to bend rather than break, and to change their tactics and withdraw to fight again where more prideful Chapters would perhaps choose to stand and die. The Raptors value the art of concealment, and utilise secrecy and surprise as paramount weapons in their arsenal.As a result they have always cultivated in themselves the ability to see clearly through the fog of war and strike at the hidden heart of the enemy, where they can inflict the most damage and achieve their objectives, undistracted by hubris or hidebound dogma.In order to attain such a goal, the Chapter's battle-brothers are trained in a variety of ways that are remarkably inconsistent with most other Space Marine Chapters. Perhaps most critical of these changes is their attitude towards the Codex Astartes. The Raptors consider the Codex Astartes to be a critical guide to strategy and tactics. They do not, however, consider that its words must be obeyed without question.Ultimately, the Raptors Chapter is focused upon success in all of its endeavours. Failure is never an acceptable option, but neither is an approach that needlessly throws away the lives of battle-brothers or irreplaceable wargear. When an objective is identified, these Space Marines pursue that goal relentlessly.However, their tactics are seldom direct. They study a tactical situation intently, so that they may accomplish their goal with a minimum of risk. This outlook has often caused tension during those missions where the Raptors work closely with Space Marines of other Chapters. On more than one occasion, the Raptors have been accused of cowardice by other Adeptus Astartes formations. Members of the Raptors do not look kindly upon such accusations, but they seldom take such insults as a major affront.For their part, the Raptors consider the more orthodox Chapters to be blind adherents to tradition. While they seldom instigate such rivalry, they accept it and reluctantly participate in it when such actions do not interfere with accomplishing their objectives.Flexibility also plays a key role in their decision-making process. Conditions in the field often change with alarming speed. Before a Space Marine of the Raptors Chapter can assume an officer's responsibilities, he is thoroughly trained in all  aspects of battlefield awareness and observation. Tactical cognisance and strategic prioritisation play crucial roles at every level of command. These battle-brothers are expected to identify any changes that occur through the course of a battle -- including unexpected enemy response -- at the earliest stages and act upon them accordingly.Throughout the Chapter, blind obedience is strongly discouraged. All of these Space Marines are expected to act upon their own initiative at the appropriate times. However, such actions must fit within the context of the larger battle scheme. Battle-brothers consider unorthodox tactics during their preparation for any conflict. These include unusual deployment manoeuvres and covert infiltration. At times, they have gone so far as to assemble ad hoc units specifically appropriate for resolving a particular tactical problem.In the same way battle-brothers of the Raptors Chapter will concede the articles of faith and honour in the name of victory, they also willingly concede minor objectives in the interest of achieving overall military success. This idea is foreign to many of the other Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes but well within the goal-focused flexibility of the Raptors. Their continued focus on the overall outcome of any conflict and their goals rather than individual honour or glory is key to propagating this ideal among the Chapter's battle-brothers.At various times during their history, the Raptors have almost faced extinction but the Chapter has never the less continued to function, rebuild and once more face its enemies. It is part of the Raptor mentality that the Chapter will endure no matter the cost and that the eventual destruction and rebuilding of all Chapters in the Adeptus Astartes is inevitable.As one battle-brother dies, another takes his place to continue the endless struggle where the gene-seed lives on but the warrior does not. Death is the only constant in the universe and regardless of victory or defeat, it is the only true reward a battle-brother can look forward to.Quite apart from casting a dark cloud over the battle-brothers of the Raptors Chapter, this outlook fills them with stoic pragmatism to face everything that the universe can throw at them, to fulfil their duty until they eventually die and another takes their place.The galaxy and its many horrors hold no surprises for them and they know that somewhere out there amongst the inky black is the piece of ground where they will fall, having served their Emperor and held back the night that seeks to consume Humanity at least for a brief time.Other Chapters can find these attitudes at odds with a strong devotion to the Emperor and the righteous plight of Mankind, though the Raptors see the two as intertwined, and their Chapter has always done its duty and remains unquestionably loyal to the Imperium.For the Raptors, battle-brothers facing death is only a matter of time, and they carry the knowledge with them every solar day, alongside their duty to their brothers and their oath to the Emperor.