Scythes of the Emperor: Difference between revisions
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In the Space Marines: The Omnibus story Orphans of the Kraken, the Scythes of the Emperor are shown working in so-called Saviour Squads, which board Tyranid hive ships to search for battle-brothers (Both dead and alive) and equipment to bring back to the Chapter, as well as using the opportunity to train recruits. While some in the Chapter, understandably, think that doing this is retarded, it is revealed that Thrasius was actually using the information brought back from the expeditions to construct a hive ship simulator on one of their ships, so that they can train recruits without risking their lives. And by the end of the 41st millennium they announced that they will rebuild the Chapter, so they might be doing alright by now. | In the Space Marines: The Omnibus story Orphans of the Kraken, the Scythes of the Emperor are shown working in so-called Saviour Squads, which board Tyranid hive ships to search for battle-brothers (Both dead and alive) and equipment to bring back to the Chapter, as well as using the opportunity to train recruits. While some in the Chapter, understandably, think that doing this is retarded, it is revealed that Thrasius was actually using the information brought back from the expeditions to construct a hive ship simulator on one of their ships, so that they can train recruits without risking their lives. And by the end of the 41st millennium they announced that they will rebuild the Chapter, so they might be doing alright by now. | ||
In M42, their luck seems to have finally improved. When Guilliman returned from his Indomitus Crusade, he announced his intention for the Scythes of the Emperor to be one of the 10 Ultramarine successors pledged to guard Ultramar. The Primarch brought thousands of Primaris Space Marines to form 8 new Primaris-only chapters and fully reinforce the Ultramarines and Scythes several times over. Although equipment and fleet losses may take longer to replace, they now have a Chapter nearly full of Primaris Marines who brought brand new armor, weapons and more importantly, the ability to produce more Primaris Marines with them | |||
Somewhat of a rarity in the grimdarkness of 40k; the Scythes of the Emperor seem to have gotten a pretty good reward for all their hard work. | |||
Overall, they are kind of like an Ultramarine equivalent to the [[Crimson Fists]]. | Overall, they are kind of like an Ultramarine equivalent to the [[Crimson Fists]]. | ||
Revision as of 13:24, 26 June 2017
| Scythes of the Emperor | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Battle Cry | "For the Emperor! We are his Scythes!" | |
| Founding | Third (though they had been around longer) | |
| Successors of | Ultramarines | |
| Successor Chapters | Unknown, likely none | |
| Chapter Master | Thrasius | |
| Primarch | Roboute Guilliman | |
| Homeworld | Sotha (Destroyed) Now fleet-based. | |
| Strength | ~100 marines | |
| Specialty | ||
| Allegiance | Imperium | |
| Colours | Black arms, legs and helmet. The rest yellow. | |
The Scythes of the Emperor are a Codex-compliant chapter of Space Marines. Not a huge amount is known about them, except that their homeworld and original fortress monastery was omnomnommed by Hive Fleet Kraken. Their new monastery is also their flagship, the Heart of Cronus, making them a now fleet-based chapter. They also have a pretty kick-ass colour scheme. They are not to be confused with the Astartes Chapter, Emperor's Scythes, which have kickass purple armor and are even more mysterious than The Scythes of the Emperor.
History
While not that much is known about the Scythes of the Emperor themselves, much of their early history can be extrapolated from the Horus Heresy:
Their homeworld of Sotha was a key world in Roboute Guilliman's Imperium Secundus, being the site of the Pharos, which was a xenos device that aided warp travel and communication, but operated in a fundamentally different way to the Astronomican. Instead of illuminating the world like a lighthouse for all to navigate by, it acted more like a lantern that allowed travel to selected worlds within its range.
The device was fortified by the Ultramarines 199th Aegida Company, along with a small contingent of Imperial Fists and loyalist Iron Warriors, although level of Fortification was kept discrete as to not attract attention to the importance of the precious artefact that was maintaining Guilliman's pocket empire. The rest of the planet was populated by farmers who were kept ignorant of Pharos' true purpose, ostensibly making Sotha an Agri-World of little significance.
Despite the efforts of the Night Lords, the world clearly remained under Imperial control after the Horus Heresy, and after battle the 199th company garrisoned on Sotha were allowed to bear the crossed scythes icon to represent their duty of protecting farmers. Following the Second Founding, in an act of Double Heresy; Roboute Guilliman allowed the Aegida company to remain on Sotha as an eleventh company of Ultramarines to ensure the secret of the Pharos was not revealed, and with it the shame of Imperium Secundus.
Later, when the Third Founding was ordered by Maximus Thane, the Ultramarines knew they would fall under intense scrutiny and offered Aegida Captain Oberdeii a choice: either leave Sotha and join the Ultramarine 5th company properly with the implied intention of allowing him to martyr himself and take the secrets of the past with him. OR quietly join the third founding as a new Chapter, but give up his status as an Ultramarine. His choice was to form the Scythes of the Emperor.
During the aforementioned struggle with the Night Lords, the Pharos was overloaded in an attempt to purge the traitors from the planet, a course of action which succeeded but that brief flash of energy was bright enough to seen from outside of the galaxy and caught the attention of the Tyranids, practically sealing the doom of the planet when they inevitably arrived ten thousand years later.
Significant Engagements
- The Corinth Crusade (698.M41 to 705.M41) - The Scythes fought alongside several other chapters, among who were the Ultramarines, Lamenters and Marines Errants as well as over fifty regiments of Guardsmen, against the Orks of Waaagh! Skargor. The Imperial forces defeated the Orks and delayed further attacks for over three decades.
- Damocles Gulf Crusade (745.M41) - The chapter led the first landing in Tau territory. The chapter later deployed alongside the Ultramarines and Iron Hands and participated in several spearhead assaults. They also maintained constant night patrols to defend against Tau infiltrators. At the end of the crusade they withdrew together with the rest of the Imperial forces to help defend against Hive Fleet Behemoth.
- Second Tyrannic War (992.M41) - The Scythes of the Emperor didn't partake in the Second Tyrannic War until Hive Fleet Kraken came home to them and politely (read: eat your face). Even though planets with fortress monestaries are some of the most heavily defended in the Imperium, the Scythes were soon defeated and were dangerously low on both manpower and equipment. About a company's worth of marines and a small amount of support managed to escape on the chapters flagship Heart of Cronus, which now serves as their new fortress monestary.
Current status & Future
The chapter was devastated by their defeat on Sotha. Only about one hundred marines survived aboard their flagship. Shortly after their escape, Captain Thrasius of the 3rd company took the mantle of Chapter master and immediately started launching hit and run attacks against the Hive fleet. They kept this up until they learned that the Ultramarines had finally halted Kraken at Ichar IV and were greatly disappointed that they weren't present.
Chapter Master Thrasius is currently trying to rebuild the chapter. They also want to avenge their fallen brothers. They are not only extremely low on Astartes, but have very limited amounts of equipment as well. They only have four suits of Terminator armour left, one of which is only partial. Thus the chapter can't completely follow the Codex Astartes while they are regaining their strength.
In the Space Marines: The Omnibus story Orphans of the Kraken, the Scythes of the Emperor are shown working in so-called Saviour Squads, which board Tyranid hive ships to search for battle-brothers (Both dead and alive) and equipment to bring back to the Chapter, as well as using the opportunity to train recruits. While some in the Chapter, understandably, think that doing this is retarded, it is revealed that Thrasius was actually using the information brought back from the expeditions to construct a hive ship simulator on one of their ships, so that they can train recruits without risking their lives. And by the end of the 41st millennium they announced that they will rebuild the Chapter, so they might be doing alright by now.
In M42, their luck seems to have finally improved. When Guilliman returned from his Indomitus Crusade, he announced his intention for the Scythes of the Emperor to be one of the 10 Ultramarine successors pledged to guard Ultramar. The Primarch brought thousands of Primaris Space Marines to form 8 new Primaris-only chapters and fully reinforce the Ultramarines and Scythes several times over. Although equipment and fleet losses may take longer to replace, they now have a Chapter nearly full of Primaris Marines who brought brand new armor, weapons and more importantly, the ability to produce more Primaris Marines with them
Somewhat of a rarity in the grimdarkness of 40k; the Scythes of the Emperor seem to have gotten a pretty good reward for all their hard work.
Overall, they are kind of like an Ultramarine equivalent to the Crimson Fists.
Notable Characters
- Chapter Master Thorcyra - Chapter Master before Kraken attacked Sotha. He was killed on the death world of Miral in the aftermath of the attack.
- Chapter Master Thrasius - Current Chapter Master. Promoted after Thorcyra fell and determined to rebuild the chapter.
- Forge Master Sebastion - Promoted to Master of the Forge as he was the highest ranking Techmarine still alive in the chapter. Responsible for the training of new Techmarines and is also working on restoring and acquiring Terminator armour.
- Captain Vosok Dall - At some point turned renegade and swore allegiance to Khorne. He was slain on New Badab by Honsou.
- Commander Cassios - An officer in the fifth company who survived for three years aboard a Tyranid Hive ship. He was later killed when he returned to the same Hive ship.
Gallery
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Warning for large amounts of Awesome. Viewer discretion is advised.
