Kraken lords

Kraken Lords
Battle Cry	"Beware the Kraken!"
Founding	Late M33
Successors of	Space Wolves
Successor Chapters	None
Chapter Master	Drokor Droginsen
Primarch	Leman Russ
Homeworld	Hive world (Korath)
Strength	700
Allegiance	Imperium

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 History

Sensing disturbing warp storms erupting from the fringes of a aftward nebula, the Astra Telepathica forewarned the High Lords of Terra of an incoming Chaos Warband Invasion, possibly 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.

Korath, the largest world in the system, was a hive world ruled by a psyker conclave who was only nominally loyal to the Emperor, gladly paying their tithes of lives to the Throne but ignoring many decrees sent out by the High Lords of Terra. 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.

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 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.

Chapter Organization

The Kraken lords are organized quite differently from the Codex Astartes, owing to their Fenrisian cousins. They have no 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 number between 100 and 150 each, 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, totems are still commonplace, often trophies from remarkable kills or ancient relics passed down from brother to brother.

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, altered to try and rid them of the 'Wulfen' curse 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 Kraken's curse'. Victims become inconsolably enraged, so full of bloodlust they have been known to rip their own limbs off if there 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.

Quotes

"If your body is to be 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." Drokkor Droginssen, Current Chapter Master of the Kraken Lords

"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." - Kjoltor "The Dread", Captain of 3rd Company