Kraken lords

Kraken Lords
Battle Cry	"Beware the Kraken!"
Founding	Late M33
Successors of	Space Wolves
Chapter Master	Drokkor Droginssen
Primarch	Leman Russ
Homeworld	Korath (Hive World)
Strength	700
Allegiance	Imperium
Colours	Dark grey with burgundy arms

The Kraken Lords are a doomed chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. Named the "Hrasshvalur Wyrdmake" in their tongue, the Kraken Lords hail from the hive world of Korath.

Chapter Summary

Korath is a hive world ruled by a psyker conclave. Residing aftward of the Eye of Terror, the entire system sits next to a large nebula nicknamed "The Abyss". The hive itself was divided in two, the "Star-blessed" pskyers who occupied the top quarter of the hive and the "Root-bound" working class who lived in the cavernous depths of the planet, many living and dying without seeing the surface. The Root-bound worked in large foundries, munitions depots and cargo storehouses that dotted the hive. Crime was surprisingly rare but brutally repressed by the governance of the Star-blessed aristocracy. It was common for even petty crimes to be met with severe capital punishment or psychic torture. The conclave of pskyers, however, was only nominally loyal to the Emperor. While gladly paying their tithes of lives to the Throne they ignored many of the decrees sent out by the High Lords of Terra

Sensing warp storms erupting from the fringes of "The Abyss", the Astra Telepaths on the planet warned the High Lords of Terra of a possible incoming Chaos invasion, perhaps even a dreaded Black Crusade. The Space Wolves were sent to the sector, but fearing that even the mighty founding chapter might be overrun, the High Lords also decreed that a new chapter would be formed to protect the Imperial lives who dwelled there.

Upon the arrival of the Space Wolves in the 33rd millennia, the planet was completely transformed in the chapter's wake. Ever distrustful of pskyers and especially wroth with their obvious lip-service to the Emperor, the Space Wolves did nothing to help the Star-Blessed when they were forcibly removed from power though a series of coups. Inspired by their hosts, the Root-bound established a new Meritocracy, allowing only those who contributed to the hive to flourish. From the large pool of workers, many were chosen to become Astartes. Principal amongst these was a young man named Drogin, a forgeworker who'd had his left hand removed as a child for petty theft. Given a Wolf claw to replace it, he excelled at the brutal assault tactics taught by the Wolves and was bestowed the moniker "Krakenblood" for beating a wolf guard in an honor duel.

The feared invasion came only two Terran years after the Space Wolves had reached Korath, barely enough time to tutor the new chapter in the ways of war. Rather than heaping themselves wholesale into the enemy lines, the foundlings took to the old Fenrisian tactic of "Dundyr yr Bljtssen" or "Thunder and Lightning"; savage assault forces would strike the front lines and retreat over and over until the tide of troops and heavy support could smash into the weakened and disoriented forces left. A host of World Eaters and other Khorne-devoted warbands descended on the planet, baptizing the new chapter in fire and blood.

During the first hours of the battle, the pskyers on Korath began falling to the dreaded flesh change, forcing the marines to fight on two fronts. The former ruling conclave was affected worst of all, devoting themselves to Khorne and melding into a foul Daemon Prince named Aberraxus. The new Astartes fought bravely, but were increasingly being routed by the arrival of so terrible a foe. Even bolstered by the Space Wolves, Korath seemed that it might fall.

On the 12th day of fighting, less than a third of the new chapter remained, and only a handful of Space Wolves. The warbands had been reduced by nearly half but with Aberraxus at their front, victory was assured. A fateful skirmish took place in one of the largest forge halls, with Aberraxus itself fighting against the Wolf Guard holding the location. The Wolves fought with their infamous tenacity, but seven were cast down by the beast, until Drogin Krakenblood rushed into the fray. While the Daemon was distracted, he leapt onto its foul hide and cast his Wolf claw into its heart, holding it aloft for all Khorne worshippers to see. "Behold," he cried, "the fate of those who face the Kraken!"

With Aberraxus defeated, the remaining Chaos marines were smashed by the reinvigorated might of the Imperial forces. The invasion was ended and peace returned for the time being to the system. The remaining space wolves pledged their thanks and brotherhood to the new chapter, calling them "Hrasshvalur Wyrdmake", or as they are known in low Gothic, "The Kraken Lords." Drogin was made chapter master.

Post-Founding Legacy

The Kraken Lords are the first line of defense against a horde of marauding chaos warbands, making them experts in dealing with all variety of warp-tainted beasts. As such, they are fiercely loyal to the emperor and will not tolerate any deviance from his divine will. Whispered rumors have suggested that suspected detractors, even civilians, have been summarily executed for their lack of deference. Pskyers on any planet they encounter are also not permitted to practice any warp sorcery unless they can prove unwavering and absolute devotion to the golden throne. It should be noted that multiple 'Rogue traders' are rumored to have vanished in nearby space, though no disappearances have ever been confirmed.

Most recently, the chapter has been suffering from dwindling numbers due to an incredibly high number of black carapace rejections. Their geneseed has been increasingly difficult to manage and some have called the chapter doomed for their inability to create new marines. Drokkor Droginssen, their current chapter master has led them for centuries, and seeks salvation for his chapter in the form of the Ultima Founding. While some are resistant to welcome the Primaris marines or become Primaris themselves, Drokkor has done his best to allay their fear and rebuild his forces.

The Korath system and it's adjacent sectors have been faithfully protected by the Kraken lords for nearly 7000 years, earning them an undeniable list of achievements. It is not unheard of for them to be consulted in cases of conflict with Chaos marines, and they have personally been involved in the Imperial defenses against 4 Black Crusades.

Chapter Organization

The Kraken lords are organized quite differently from the Codex Astartes, owing to their Fenrisian cousins. They have no true librarius, and any pskyers within their ranks must work doubly so to earn the trust of their brothers. The Chapter is made up of 6 companies numbering between 100 and 150 marines, each with its own clan markings and battle tactics. Rank is earned by merit rather than length of service, and aspirants can duel the ranking sergeant or captain for their role. Though there are no wolves on Korath, fanes and totems are still commonplace; Kraken Lords marines often carry trophies from remarkable kills or ancient relics passed down from brother to brother.

The Kraken lords do not have a large fleet, so it is not uncommon for several companies to be present on Korath at once. These are quite often rotated out when reinforcement and resupply is needed, but more than half the chapter is typically on their home world at any given time. Their proximity to a nebula referred to as "The Abyss" gives them a steady supply of Chaos warbands and Dark Eldar raiding parties to fight.

Special Equipment and Tactics

The Kraken lords are a small but fierce chapter, continuing their tradition of "Thunder and Lighting" warfare. To this end, each company is divided in half; Rapid assault troops form the 'Lightning' and can range from jump-pack-equipped assault marines to close combat equipped terminators. Assault bikes are also popular, though with limited resources, not every company has them. Many Captains prefer the use of drop pods when transporting their assaulting forces, often eschewing Rhinos or Razorbacks, though some are even more extreme and only use teleport strikes or meteoric descent. The 'Thunder' is represented by the deployment of their main body of troops, a rushing tide of tactical squads, supported by devastator marines and heavily equipped Terminators.

Wargear is simplistic but effective, usually consisting of bolt and plasma weaponry. Outside of Devastators, flamers and any las-weaponry is incredibly rare. Whole squads of terminators are sparse, with only one terminator usually being assigned as a squad leader or captain. Lightning claws are still the preferred close combat weapons, though power swords or axes are also used. Thunder Hammers and power fists are occasionally seen, but usually reserved for the 'Thunder' forces.

Curse of the Kraken

Their geneseed was altered to try and rid them of the 'Wulfen' curse and has had dark twisting effects over their near 7000 years of service. Though none have ever turned to chaos or become 'wulfen', some have fallen victim to what they dub 'The Curse of the Kraken'. Victims become inconsolably enraged, so full of bloodlust they have been known to rip their own limbs off if there are no enemies to fight. There has also been an usually large number of black carapace rejections, leading to only a fraction of hopefuls actually becoming Astartes. There is hope in the form of the Ultima founding, which might repair their tattered gene stock, though many of the veterans of the chapter are wary of the Primaris marines and what might become of their chapter in the future.

Important Figures

Drogin Krakenblood, first Chapter Master of the Kraken Lords. Defeated the Khorne Daemon known as Aberraxus in M33. Killed by a Dark Eldar Wraithknight in M34 after nearly 700 years of service. The tines of his Wolf Claw, Murder-make, are kept as a chapter relic in the heart of Korath's hive.

Drokkor Droginssen, current Chapter Master of the Kraken Lords. At 500 years old, he is by far the oldest marine in the chapter. Drokkor has bested over two hundred of his battle-brothers in honor duels defending his postion. Perhaps most infamous for killing a Keeper of Secrets with a single blow from his power axe, Hatred. He has proved a stalwart and capable leader, guiding his chapter during their darkest hour and into the hopeful redemption of the Ultima Founding.

Kjoltor 'The Dread' Captain of 3rd Company. Notorious for being one of the few pskyers in the Kraken Lords, Kjoltor has proved his worth countless times, banishing warp creatures and savaging all who worship the Ruinous Powers. His magicks are not dissimilar from those of the Fenrisian Rune Priests, though he also has proved an incredibly able fighter without any warp augmentation.

Quotes

"If you allow yourself to become a weapon, let your mind be the haft and your soul the blade." -Drogin Krakenblood, first Chapter Master of the Kraken Lords

"Korath was ready for war, make no mistake. their nature is same as their hive: just below the surface." -Tjr Tjrssen of the Space Wolves

"Not statesmen, nor merchants. No lockstep pageantry or careful watchers on siege walls. No skalds in dusty libraries or magisters in dark towers. Predators. Wild beasts. The ever hungry monsters unleashed on enemies of the Emperor. Woe betide all who face our jaws" Kjoltor 'The Dread', Captain of 3rd Company

"Hate is better than fear. Fear seduces and destroys. Hate yokes the strong and fear coddles the weak. We are not afraid. Hate has burdened us with conviction. We have been given purpose and strength and our hatred has demanded the blood of the fearful in return. This isn't about being right, it's about what we have to do." Drokkor Droginssen, Current Chapter Master of the Kraken Lords