Crimson Bulwark
| Chapter Name | |
|---|---|
| |
| Warcry: | We are His Shield! / The Bulwark Shall Not Fall! |
| Founding: | Unsure, pre-10th Founding |
| Founding Chapter: | Unconfirmed, suspected Imperial Fists |
| Chapter Master: | Molruibh 'The Flagellant' Callum |
| Homeworld: | Shield of Absolution |
| Fortress-Monastery: | Absolution's Reflection |
| Colors: | Red and Bone-White |
| Specialty: | Large Apothecarium, Anti-Plague |
| Strength: | 1000 Marines, ~90,000 Chapter Serfs |
| Chapter Creed: | We are His Fortresses, His Redoubts, His Bulwark |
Overview
The Crimson Bulwark, formerly known as the Crimson Hammer, are a loyalist Chapter found in Subsector Makerus of Sector Eternum. Over millenia of conflict against the Rotbelchers and other servants of the plague God, they have become skilled at countering both invasions originating from the Bubonic Rift and the plagues Nurgle's followers so often bring.
History
According to chapter records, almost all history prior to M35 was lost when the fortress Hammer of the Emperor (now known as the Shield of Absolution) was severely damaged and infested with data and memetic viruses by an attack from the plague god's forces. Outsiders who lost their own records over time note several inconsistencies in this incident, but none they would bring up to the Bulwark. Some of the few fragments that survive record that the chapter was originally founded to observe and protect against the warp touched area of space that would become nascent Bubonic rift, which explains their fierce defense of the Eternum sector.
The chapter home world is the fortress monastery Shield of Absolution, with all recruiting worlds in subsector Makerus. The chapter used to boast several recruiting worlds, but after several vicious campaigns lead by the death guard, only a handful remain. Originally known as the Crimson Hammer, the Chapter renamed themselves after the Battle of Absolution during the First Poxwar.
Due to losses incurred, the Bulwark changed to emphasize heavy ranged firepower supported by tactical squads, with melee used as a scapel instead of a sledgehammer and a high importance placed on sturdy armor leading to further veneration of their armor and craftsmen. Each battle brother is expected to help maintain their armor, and each forge litanies and benedictions detailing the clan's and armour's service on the inside. This, combined with the artistry behind each piece of armor, has a side effect of warding the armor against certain types of attacks (which only add to the armor's list of deeds). Each marine takes pride in their armor, and a poorly maintained or crafted armor can result in the responsible marine being stripped of holy armor for disrespecting the legacy of the craft. The increase in seriously injured marines during the First Poxwar caused an increase in Dreadnoughts and more apothecaries than normal for a traditional chapter.
Beliefs and Reputation
The Bulwark pride themselves on their recruitment world's clan's town or village's honor, and fight for them in the field. These clan villages, feral or civilized, fight for the right to send applicants and the Bulwark takes only the best of the winning village. Assuming the clan's best warriors win, the clan's town is renamed in honor of the initiates, declaring the successful initiates each their Lord Ex Crusadas, and becoming untouchable (by threat of chapter retaliation) to any other villages who would make war on them. Marines, while loyal first to the Emperor and Chapter, do come to see themselves as the masters and Paladins of their clans and holdings, returning in times of relative calm to extravagant processions and feasts in the Emperor's name. Marines view their fiefdom, and by extension all of the chapter's clan, as much a part of the chapter and themselves as their arm and thus when the Rotbelchers razed or corrupted whole recruitment planets the marines were assailed by guilt, rage, and suicidal despair at their loss and failure compounded by the losses their chapter suffered.
The Crimson Grief started during the First Poxwar, whether by some latent gene seed defect or warp machinations none can say, though all marines can be subjected to it, even those whose home is still alive. Marines who lose their fiefdom, most or all of their clan, or fail a stubborn oath they've sworn are shamed in the eyes of the chapter, and join the ranks of "The Marked" (at least the ones who do not lose themselves to the Grief completely). These clans are generally governed by the populace (either a local noble or council, depending on the population and local culture), with the marine serving more as a ceremonial role with absolute power they rarely use. As the worlds the Bulwark recruit from are generally tough and brutal like Death Worlds, Feral Worlds, and mixed tech Feudal worlds, there will often be a nearby monster or threat to deal with whenever the marine returns and this serves to both hone the lone hunter skills of the marine will maintaining their ties to the clan. Most clans will only have one Lord Ex Crusadas, but larger clans may have multiple in which case power is split between them (either by having them rule in a quasi military republic junta, or splitting the clan into different sects). It's very rare a marine actually involves themselves with local politics, but it can happen if the marine believes the local government or populace have grown weak or decadent.
As part of the chapter, each town is expected to provide the destitute, unemployable, and other lower classes to the Chapter to become servitors and members of the working and higher class as chapter serfs, to better help the chapter maintain its artisan weapons, armor, and fortifications. If a town has run out of the lower classes, they will begin to either raid non affiliated towns for potential servitors, or increase the amount of laws to increase the amount of criminals, this reflecting the safety and prosperity being serfs of the chapter brings. The Bulwark's stubbornness is also legendary, and once a marine has decided on a mission there's little that can stop him beyond death (and in the case of Dreadnoughts, not even death). This results in violent arguments when two marines of equal rank disagree internally, and can lead to a duel, or, a recently interred dreadnought breaking lines to charge forth to kill a target he swore he would kill while alive if he can still remember the oath that ended with him being interred. That being said, once settled the marines will bond again, holding no grudge with their brothers. Outside of the chapter, however, these can turn into serious, long term grudges, with the perfect example being Gulliman and the Custodes forcing of the Primaris - the Bulwark now views the former as borderline heretical upstarts, and the latter as perverting the vision the Emperor had for the space marines. Compounded by the fact that when Gulliman's "pets" were in danger, the Ultramarines and their successors deployed in legion strength while the Bulwark was left to fend alone against a tide of plague, their dislike of Gulliman, his marines, and the Custodes has only increased. The only reason the Bulwark could ever fight alongside the Custodes or Gulliman is if the alternative is being declared traitor, even that is a stretch. If such an event were to occur, both would likely find themselves receiving far more 'friendly fire' than they would normally expect while more hardline members of the chapter edge closer to being renegades.
Ties to other Imperial Organizations
The Bulwark will on occasion work with other Imperial Institutions (primarily the Guard, but rarely the Inquisition) when their goals overlap, or if an individual that has previously shown their veracity in combat makes a compelling case for a joint action. The Bulwark respects the honorable who serve the Emperor, and regiments they have served with them and proven their mettle can have somewhat closer ties to the chapter, not enough to regularly request support, but one that can lead to the Bulwark accepting an official imperial command request for support in a larger action. This does require a two way relationship, and if the Bulwark needs a larger amount of fire support than normal, a diversion offensive, or bodies to hold a line they expect Guard support in turn. That's not to say the Bulwark is callous with the lives of guardsmen, but won't hesitate to sacrifice a pawn to capture a queen, knowing that the Guardsmen will be at the Emperor's table.
Views on the Emperor
The Chapter's views are somewhat confusing, owing in part to the loss of most historical records before M35. Some of the few records existent that mention anything regarding the Horus Heresy state the Emperor did not consider himself a God, but records after that point to the Emperor being increasingly powerful and deistic to outright being called the God of Mankind by surviving records around M34. The current views ascribe Godhood to the Emperor, but differ from the Imperial Cult in that the Bulwark believes he has become a God since the Heresy versus always being one. This is not a universal belief, while all acknowledge the Emperor as the master of mankind, some marines believe he is not a true God and just the incredibly powerful father of Mankind.
Organization
Each company is led by a Captain with two lieutenants and has its own staff of four apothecaries and a tech-marine. Company apothecary staff rarely take to the field in force, with generally only one or two 'frontline' apothecaries deploying and the remainder focused on disease research and countering, more advanced treatment with the facilities of the company's strike cruiser or section's battle barge, or managing the dreadnaughts and other critically wounded marines.
The First Poxwar not only caused a heavy loss in marines and recruits, but also several chapter relicteries. As such, the Crimson Bulwark are limited to slightly over 60 suits of Indomitus Terminator Armor, and each marine with Crux Terminatus honors is expected to assist the chapter's artificers with maintaining them. Due to the nature of what they fight, the Bulwark use flamers, melta, and plasma frequently to burn any remnant of Nurgle's pathogens.
The bulk of the Crimson Bulwark is stationed in the Eternum sector and neighboring sectors to respond to incursions by the Rotbelchers and Nurgle's daemons, but the Fifth Company, among others as situations demand, is only stationed in Eternum to rearm and refuel after a crusade. All marines are expected to serve at least one campaign on crusade (though most will serve for a long period of time before promotion), assisting the Imperium in distant battlefields learning vital knowledge in how to defeat all the Emperor's foes and fulfilling ancient oaths of support. Although incredibly rare, it is possible for Fifth company to return from a crusade to assist the rest of the chapter, but only if Makerus itself is under mortal peril. The rest of the companies will normally stay near Eternum to pursue the Rotbelchers and protect neighboring sectors, but individual marines are allowed to volunteer or be assigned to crusade, either as part of a desire to learn more of their enemies, for glory, or a penitent crusade. Fifth Company will almost always be accompanied by some first Company veterans for this crusade, comprised of those who want to learn more or seek distant glory for the chapter. Outside of Second Company and the bulk of Third, most companies will disperse across the larger sector to assist in engagements and campaigns as needed, only deploying in full strength for the greatest of threats.
As a result of the collective loss and guilt of the first pox war, the Bulwark attempt to prevent any more from falling to the dark god of decay, as such it is common to see reserve companies screening evacuation of Imperial civilians while the battle companies wage brutal war. Although they will attempt to save as many as possible, if they come across infected would be evacuees they will execute them, and if too many are compromised or there is a risk of hidden infection, they may instead spare the imperial citizens their grisly fate through inferno bombardment while speaking the Emperor's fallen benediction. In their eyes this is a failure, only adding to their sorrow and guilt. Guilt is a common feeling amongst the Bulwark, leading individuals to flagellate or self-immolate themselves as a penance for their failures, real or perceived.
The Bulwark favors ranged combat, with the bulk of marines armed with heavy firepower and high temperature weaponry. Melee specialists are either veterans who wear heavy armor or penitent assault squads. Penitent assault squads are composed of the marines who feel significant guilt, grief, or rage at the chapter's losses during the first pox war, and aim to earn absolution through visceral melee combat, commonly using flames to purge the enemy and purify themselves.
Recruitment
Chosen from the best offspring of the victorious warring villages in the Crimson Bulwark's domain, or from a fiefdom's populace if an individual catches the attention of their Lord Ex Crusades, recruits are closely screened to ensure they are free from taint, psych-indoctrination, and possess a stubborn temperament with healthy hatred of anything, even flora, that dare to challenge mankind's dominance. Potential recruits first face the trial of craft where they must forge a longsword and simple shotgun with any materials they wish, those that cannot form even the most basic of swords or shotguns are disqualified. Those who succeed then face a trial of the predator, where they alone must best one of the multitude of xenos monsters alone. Only the most ferocious and clever can defeat these xenos monsters alone, armed with nothing beyond the longsword and shotgun they produced. If they succeed, they are grouped with several other initiates and dropped off at the Redoubt of Reflection, a fortification that is consistently assaulted by xenos monsters, both the dumb and strong and the clever and many.
The fortress is cleared prior to drop-off, and the aspirants have their choice of serf weaponry including lasguns, stubbers, frag missile launchers and more, flak armor or no armor, and one week of rations. They are told to hold the Redoubt for one week against the tide of filth before they will be relieved, and those that survive will begin the process of becoming a fully fledged Battle Brother. To better recreate the Bulwark's position and history, the aspirants are actually expected to hold the fortress for two weeks with no signal that help is coming. The aspirants must go without food and limited water for another week, all the while being whittled down by the xenos with no hope of rescue. Those that try to escape the fortress will be shortly eaten by the monsters, while the few that hold onto the fortress, even if pushed to the last strong room, have proven they have the stubborn resolve to join the Bulwark.
The last test is the test of character. The survivors are grouped into pairs of two, separated from each other, then told that to, in a break of tradition due to too many recent aspirants, earn their place in the chapter, they must fight to the death, with only the winner becoming a brother. Those who follow the instruction and make to attack their fellow initiate, who they spent two weeks fighting an unending horde of enemies, are executed. Only those who are of such a morality to refuse to attack their fellows, or try to dissuade the other and only prepare to fight defensively are allowed to proceed. Rarely, only one initiate survives the trial of the Redoubt. These inmates, Lone Survivors, are believed to be marked for greatness to succeed where all others failed, though their last test is unique. As there are no battle peers to test their morality against, the overseer of the trials, again telling the aspiring warrior that in a break from tradition they'll face a unique test owing to unique circumstances, instead they're offered a Xenos device and told to peer into it to gain immense insight. This is a test designed to trick those that aren't utterly convinced of Man's superiority, as the only correct answer is for them to refuse or destroy the vessel in question.
Successful Neophytes start out as scouts to both stay relatively safe until they've earned their armor and to better learn the disciples of Nurgle's tactics. After completing a stint as a scout, they are assigned to devastator squads. After a long service as a devestator, the marine either stays as a devastator or is inducted into a short stint of training as an assault marine, with those who suffer from the Grief forming more permanent (until the Grief clears) assault squads. Afterwards, they begin training as tactical marines before either electing to stay or continue up the path to become a veteran. Chaplains and leaders closely monitor their battle brothers, and those who show aptitude for command are selected to begin training. A future leader must complete tactical marine training before starting command training, regardless if they are a veteran devastator or currently going through tactical marine training.
Equipment and Fleet
Dreadnoughts
Marines chosen for internment into Dreadnoughts are those too wounded to continue service and have normally (but not always) mastered their grief. Dreadnoughts loadouts almost always mirror their marine's former specialty, with former devastators using lascannons or assault cannons with a missile launcher, former assault marines using flamers and Dreadclaws, and former tactical marines using a combination. Almost any marine is eligible for internment, provided there is no other way to save them, they're compatible with the mind interface, and most importantly, mastered their grief. Dreadnoughts will generally maintain their fiefdom in title only, choosing a battle brother they trust implicitly as a steward in their absence. A dreadnought that falls to the grief (however exceedingly rare) will charge the nearest enemy, even going as far as threatening serfs to help deploy him from orbit if he's stuck on a ship, where the dreadnought will continue until he meets his end or slaughters enough to satiate his wounded pride. The chapter also possesses several relic Dreadnoughts, though how they gained possession of them is a history destroyed when the chapter records were destroyed. A different type of brother is interred in each dreadnought, with the Leviathan being the only pattern redeemed marked brothers can be interred in. Even though they have lost the stigmata, they still carry their quest of repentance and thus the dangerous Leviathans are the perfect fit. While the chapter does remove the sarcophagus from the Leviathans between battles, extended operations sometimes prevent this from occurring and thus the interred brother must be of exceptionally resolute mind and willpower, which the veteran redeemed possess after surviving the guilt for so long. The most veteran Leviathan dreadnought still in service is brother Barca the Black, one of the most respected redeemed marked in the chapter's known history.
The Crimson Grief
The Crimson Grief is an affliction of unknown origin that began to impact the Chapter during the First Poxwar. Not every Battle Brother will suffer it, but many will. The grief's cause is not well understood, but all who suffer it share the same symptoms. Sufferers are generally lucid but occasionally suffer bouts of confusion, believing they're in the First Poxwar regardless of whether they served in it or not. They will attempt to reinforce squadrons that no longer exist, move to intercept a force that disappeared long ago, or more dangerously believe they're surrounded by hostile Rotbelchers and lash out with lethal results. During these bouts, they cannot be reasoned with and will only reply to commanders who died long ago, while taking up arms with any flame based weaponry nearby and firing excessively to purge any perceived (real or not) taint. Chaplains are some of the few marines who can get the afflicted to occasionally follow orders. For the lucid, they are filled with a mixture of sorrow and rage, to the point that they will discard any ranged weaponry save close range weapons like flamers, melta, or pistols to close to melee and tear apart the enemy, purposefully seeking a brutal death to atone for their perceived failure.
Though some never come out of the Crimson Grief, most eventually break out of it after a period of service as an assault marine after a long campaign, ready to return in service of the chapter. Few receive a vision of absolution, earmarking them for ascension to the Chapter's Chaplains. None can say what the vision holds, but all chaplains share the same vision. Chaplains will not discuss the vision outside of their own, and only they know what it contains and what it means. As the Chaplains closely monitor those who suffer from the Grief, they are first to know of vision sufferers.
For those marines who never break out of the Grief, their chapter will oft find them gone one morning, leading a suicidal lone charge against an overwhelming enemy, or more rarely, off to report to long passed commanders on a dead world where the elements, raiders, and leftover chaos forces will wear them down until they're eventually killed or throw themselves into a self made pyre, dying a lonely death on a forgotten world for a forgotten battle.
The Marked
Marines who lose their clan or fiefdom lose a piece of themselves, and as penance burn one of their limbs off. As part of this penance, the marine receives an augmentation that, whenever the brother is not in battle or training or chaplain services, randomly and occasionally simulates the pain of burning a limb. The Marked will generally form up into squads geared towards close combat with an emphasis on flame based weaponry, with both knee plates painted black instead of only the right called 'The Ashen Stigmata' to represent them kneeling in the ashes of their fiefdom. They will generally maintain their company rank but will never advance unless, however incredibly rare, they regain their honor and avenge their village. The only way for them to regain their honor and status is to both eliminate those directly responsible for the destruction of their home, and perform an unbelievably heroic feat against an enemy (for example, Marked Brother Anthron Buchler single handedly brought down a Rotbelcher helbrute in close combat after the monster and his retinue had killed his whole squad, killing both the commander (interned in the brute) responsible for his village's destruction and performing a feat few could match. As a result, he was allowed to remove the Ashen Stigmata and purifier pattern augmentic and return to a status of honor among the Bulwark, becoming a bearer of sorrow of his lost fiefdom and regaining the respect of his brothers. A brother who regains his honor is eligible, although exceedingly rare, to be awarded stewardship of either a dreadnought's (at the interred brothers discretion) or deceased brother's (at the chapter master's discretion) fiefdom and merge clans. Awarding the wrong fiefdom or clan to a redeemed battle brother is a serious moral offense to the chapter, and thus the chapter master closely consults with his captains and chaplains before considering any reward of stewardship.
