Crimson Warhawks

The Crimson Warhawks
Battle Cry	Second to None!
Number	II
Successor Chapters	Is this a thing?
Primarch	Raydon Neratos - The Hawk, Lord of the Skies, Master of Descents, The Red Hunter
Homeworld	Port Indefatigable
Specialty	Masters of the sky & Peerless void combatants
Allegiance	Fallen Imperium of Man
Colours	Crimson armor with brass trim. Pauldron on the right all yellow, with legion mark.

"Battles are won through manoeuvre and slaughter - the more you commit to the first, the less you need to commit the second."

- Debate between Raydon and Balthasar

The Warhawks are dedicated warriors of the God Emperor of Mankind. In battle they descend from the skies in shadowhawks, stormbirds, darkwings, and fireraptors - targeting identified critical capabilities, seeking to neutralise the enemies battle-plan rather than achieve outright destruction of his forces. The chapter specialises in covert insertion and direct actions such as ambushes, sabotage, assassination, and raiding.

In order to maximise their mobility on the ground they largely forgo the use of heavy weapons instead relying on firepower providing by their close air support or by precise long range artillery called in by hidden observers.

Their expertise with fliers and penchant for covert operations makes them masters of void combat, unparalleled masters of the 3D battle-space they launch their strike teams onto enemy vessels and to ply their trade: elimination of command and control nodes and disrupting key systems such as weapons, shields, engines, and radars.

In the Dark future of the 40th Millennium, unlike many of their Brother legions they have not settled a Crusade State, instead continuing the fight against the Dark Imperium and the Traitor Primarchs - their war unending.

With the loss of their Primarch's leadership and presence, the Legion fell back on its roots as hunters and pirates, maintaining only small independent fleets to avoid detection and maintain mobility in hostile territory. But staying true to the mission. Death to the False Emperor!

Summary of Legion II

Numeration: The II Legion

Primogenitor: Raydon Neratos - The Hawk

Cognomen (Prior): None

Observed Strategic Tendencies: Air-mobile strike teams, air superiority, and direct action.

Noteworthy Domains: Star Forts Dominos, Invictus, Hydros and "Ravenloft"

Allegiance: Imperium

Assorted Fluff yet to be properly worked through

The warhawk fleets are small but many, preheresy this was so they could act as outriders. They entire legion at its height had only a few battle barges, relying instead on strike cruisers, frigates, and destroyers.

It is estimated but some that whilst the legion had by far the fewest battle barges, and only a few dozen strike cruisers that the sheer number of escort class vessels it maintained meant that almost every squad of battle brothers could be deployed on one if the need arose.

They did maintain a string of star forts, however post heresy theses were either, lost or destroyed (save perhaps one or two the legion managed to protect).

Post heresy, the chapters fleets act as buccaneers - raiding the dark imperium as the legion seeks out its revenge on the fallen. Slowly but surely crossing off the names of the traitors held within the White Book.

The legion fleet vessels are modified sacrificing damage output for advanced stealth technology and sacrifice conventional armour for emhanced mobility and manoeuvrability.

They strike enemy fleets from the shadows of the void, quickly disabling key weapon systems whilst evading enemy detection and counter battery fire.

Each vessel will also hold at least a small landing bay, so that it can deploy a squadron of fighters, this being the primary method of interplanet deployment (stormravens/stormbirds) or their stealthier counterpart s (shadowraven/sablebird).

Each fleet is composed in a pragmatic way, and will attempt to remain in the dark imperium for extended periods - using their skills as pirates to sustain themselves, only returning to the east for refitting and repairs - or to attended the feast of remembrance

+++ Geneseed +++

The geneseed is stable, however has several quirks.

Common Traits: + A feeling of internal darkness, known as "The Thrill" by some, the chapters religious teachings use it as an example of primal inner strength that can be drawn upon but never given into. + A sense of mistrust for outsiders + as a Battle brother reaches extreme ages, their skin darkens turning a deep red/brown (think uruk-hai after 500+ years). The process begins around the 150yr mark where they start darkening (orangish). In this way, those familiar with the legion can identify the approximate age of a battle brother at a glance. + The legion has increased reflexes compared even to their astartes brothers, though not remarkably increased, it provides sufficient advantage in high speed environments such as the aerospace battles they often find themselves in. + the legion also has black eyes. + has a strange occurrence known as "the harrowing" where occassionally a battle-brother has flashes of vision or glimpses of knowledge that their genetic forebare experienced. This can be both a blessing and a curse, allowing them to access otherwise unattainable knowledge, experience, and skills however in the worst cases they relive their ancestors most traumatic experiences, and even their deaths. This has been known to leave an otherwise perfectly operable Battle-Brother in a state of comatose, or devolve rapidly into a raving mad beast, intent only on surviving whatever battle they envisage themselves fighting in, determined to vanquish the phantoms they see all around them.

Homeworld

Port Indefatigable was an artificial planet-port built during the ages before the Great Crusade, and was a rapidly converted into a second-line defence as well as a mustering point for the crusader fleets. With the outbreak of the Heresy, it was one of the initial targets for the War Master, he had saboteurs destroy vital graviton belts that held the planets-ports internal structure together and within hours it had collapsed in on itself.

Yet another plot in the Warmasters schemes, uncertain of which side the Hawk would take in the Heresy he ensured that the destruction of Port Indefatigable was attributed to the Loyalists, hoping to tip the scales of decision.

Legion Tactics

The Hawks practice a way of war, quite unlike their brothers - economy of action. Committing no more than necessary to achieve their missions. They work quickly, quietly, and efficiently. They drop from the skies in small strike teams, often in tandem with other teams fighting elsewhere. Eliminating the critical aspects of the enemies resistance.

They see war as a great hunt, the enemies as their prey. That is not to say they think of their enemies as lesser, indeed they acknowledge a certain nobility in some prey, those who fight well, those who are skilled at evasion, those who show conviction in the face of certain death.

All this changes however in relation to their fallen brothers, they revile the traitors - having a reserved a special undying hatred that few can truly fathom. Indeed if it was not for their unbridled loyalty to the Emperors light, it is likely their hatred would consume them entirely.

Legion Organization

Legion Organisation.

High Command Primarch with his personal council made up of chapter ancients and senior officers. Below that are the Legion representatives (consuls) with their honour guards. The Vigilator Primus answers directly to the Primarch and is otherwise outside the chain of command.

Strike Divisions Approximately the equivalent of a chapter. Consists of a Flagship (typically a Strike Cruiser). Led by a Lord-Commander. Combat Support includes: Armoury, various escort craft, the Divisions Librarium & Apothecarion. Combat Arms include: 3 Strike Battalions & A single Support Squadron.

Strike Battalion Led by a Strike-Captain. The Battalion fleets consist of Frigates and Destroyers, with Navigators organic to the organisation. Combat Support includes: Tech Marine Covenants, an Apothecarion detachment. Combat Arms include: 2 Sabre Companies and 1 Lance Squadron.

Sabre Company Led by a Commander. Combat Support: Techmarine or Two. Apothecarion Pair. Fleet assets enough to enable galactic mobility (Frigates & Destroyers) Combat Arms: 3 - 5 Strike Teams.

Lance Squadron Led by a Wing-Commander. Combat Arms: 3-5 Raptor Wings, 0-2 Storm Birds.

Strike Team Led by a Sergeant, includes 4-9 Battle Brothers and a Darkwing Transport.

Raptor Wing Led by a Wing-Sergeant, includes a pair of Fire Raptors.

The legion practises a dispersed organisation in order to best practice their role as outriders.

The Legions basic building block is the Talon and the Wing, Talons being a team of operatives - roughly equivalent to a combat team in size. A Wing likewise is a grouping of like-vehicles whether they be Fire Raptors, Storm Eagles, or Shadowhawks.

The Legions organisation is around Strike Teams, a case-by-case assortment of various Wings and Talons - purpose built and armed for the tasks at hand.

Legion Relationships

Pre-Heresy

Primarch	Legion	Opinion
Graha'nak	Void Lords	Friendly rivalry in regards to Void Combat, not particularly close as Primarchs. Disagreed with his fondness of Orbital bombardment, finding it wasteful and crude.
###	@@@	###
Xun Tohilcoatl	Sky Serpents	both vocal proponents of the Librium Project. were becoming friends towards the beginning of the heresy, and while Raydons favoured brother post-heresy he still resented Xuns "passive" approach.
Alexios the White	Angels of Light	Envious of his ability to build empires, but knows that his is the soul of a wanderer, and would hate being 'trapped' in a single place for too long. Didn't spend time with him during the crusade as they werent deployed together. After the Heresy, Raydon suggested that Alexios be made Lord-High Marshal of the Loyalist Forces, his ability to rebuild being vital. However he grew to resent Alexios over the years, as he instead built his Imperium Minoris.
Marcus Sinistrum	Fists of Mars	Did not spend time with during the Great Crusade, however afterwards the two grew close, the Fists being instrumental in supporting Raydon's Eternal Crusade. Raydon considered Marcus "one of three" who would be a fitting candidate to lead the loyalists.
Sarco Funerus	Undying Scions	The legion sees being trapped in dreadnoughts as a fate far worse than death, having a strong ancestor honouring culture. They would pity them, but also most likely hold them in high regard for the sacrifice they would have made to be incarcerated within the dreadnoughts armour. Raydon thought Sarco was abit wild prior to his internment, but had very little to do with him both during the Crusade and after the Heresy.
Engerand	Storm Hammers	Respected, but only worked with on a few occasions. Mostly after the Heresy, Raydon enjoyed duelling with Engerand, attempting to find a sparring partner to replace Klaus.
Klaus Staffel	Knights Exemplar	Close bonds, Raydon's closest ally during the Crusade, it was said that his death changed Raydon everafter, he became dark and hate filled, a curse that has since passed onto his sons.
REDACTED	Eyes of the Warmaster	Most hated enemy, having fallen prey to the traitorus tournament. To this day hunting these traitors is always considered a top priority. A step or two below the devotion that DA hunt the fallen, the Warhawks definately hold the a grudge.
Enoch the Relentless	Judgement Bringers	Worked with extensively, never got along with.
Rubinek	Iron Hearts	Up until the Heresy they worked closely together, and shared many battle honours. Was devastated by their betrayal.
Balthasar the Bloody	Bloodhounds	Disapprove of methodology, and think they are shameful "hunters". A Barbarian. Probably the Primarch Raydon disliked the most.
Kashaln	Silver Spears	Disapproved of utilisation of mass infantry assaults, thinking them a waste of resources - and callous, but mostly a waste.
Saul Sheridan	Second Sons	Another close friend before the Heresy, shared many musings with, and the two legions worked extensively together during the great crusade.
Gengrat Vannevar	Behemoth Guard	Avoided whenever possible, disagreed with tactics, mentality, and personality.
Oramar	Warp Raiders	Avoided due to an eeries feeling Raydon was plagued with when in Oramars presence.
Anders Kor	Paladins of Kor	Respected his humanitarian outlook but thought him naive. Lost his respect when he turned Renegade, seeing no divide between the traitors actions and his. Hates him for preaching 'neutrality' a pointless and empty gesture in a galaxy at war.
Faustus Ascelpious	Oathsworn	@#@#@

Post-Heresy

Loyalties	Summary	Description
Traitors	++EXCOMMUNICATE TRAITORIS++	The prey for the Great Hunt. No Mercy, No Remorse.
"Independents"	++EXCOMMUNICATE TRAITORIS++	During the Heresy there were those who fought for the Emperor, and those who didn't. These Independents may claim neutrality but there absence was noted from the final battle, their inaction causing the deaths of many loyal brothers.
Crusader States	Desperate Allies	While still loyalists, tensions are vary from Legion to Legion, the Hawks having closer ties with some Legions than others. Ultimately though, they resent those with the power to retake the Imperium and continue the Emperors vision.
The "True Blades"	Battle Brothers	A covenant of those that have remained committed to the Eternal War and defending teh Emperors vision.

Legion History

Great Crusade

Second Legion found.

Volunteered as outrider for the crusade.

[// BATTLES YET UNWRITTEN //]

Returned for council of Nikeae.

Sent away by Warmaster [on task X]

Part of the Warhawks return for the Tournament.

News of the bloody tournament & the civil war reaches the Primarch.

He returns and sees his Legion base (Port World) destroyed, supposedly by the instigators of the civil war (loyalists).

He moves towards Terra to get answers for the civil war.

Runs into Enoch who attemps to sway him to the Warmasters side, but comes across creepy and evil.

Begins a delaying action but fails miserably, instead opts to reconstitute his scattered legion.

Flees with other loyalists to the Eastern Imperium, and calls the Council of Primarchs to rally the Legions in an attempt to take back Terra. They reference the fall of Klaus, and put forth the idea of stabilising the Eastern Imperium (and cannot agree on how best leading to the Crusader States) - The idea infuriates the Hawk and he storms out, to launch his own crusade.

The Red Road to Terra

The forces attached to the Bloodhounds were executed wholesale.

The forces attached to the "prey" Legions fled with them.

The Eastern Imperium

Flees with other loyalists to the Eastern Imperium

Calls the Council of Primarchs to rally the Legions in an attempt to take back Terra.

They reference the fall of Klaus, and put forth the idea of stabilising the Eastern Imperium

The idea infuriates the Hawk and he storms out.

The discussion turns to how best stabilise the East and obviously turns to shit, leading to the development of the crusader states.

Raydon Neratos

Neratos holds himself to an incredibly high standard, a standard extremely few could meet – even among his Brother Primarchs, to the point that he found his existence lonely, having few he could truly relate with. He had a distinct tendency to brood, rarely sharing his thoughts with anyone without encouragement. He preferred to keep to himself unless called upon, finding peace in isolation – his mind constantly abuzz when in the presence of others.

He found himself constantly embattled with his dark and sometimes savage thoughts, in order to temper this, he sought out isolation, and when that was not possible, the thrill of the hunt and the Emperors Vision.

One of his most defining traits is his loyalty, despite being questioned by both sides during the Heresy and even the Great Crusade before that. Indeed it has been postulated by many scholars in the ages since that should the loyalty to the Emperor be known prior to the Heresy, the Warmaster would have committed more to disrupting their consolidation rather than attempting to sway them.

It was in fact his inner savagery that ensured his loyalty, for in order to control it fully - he needed to anchor himself to a single, solid ideal. The ideal he chose was that the Emperor was the only power truly worthy of sitting on the Throne of Terra, stating clearly he would bend the knee to no other.

It was said that the Hawk had never been anything other than his own master. And despite his ego, he never attempted to be anything other than what he was. He understood his role in the crusade – and knew he would never be a central figure of it, unlike his Brothers [[TBC]]. Instead he embraced his role, and that of his Legion.

Among the Legions he had few friends, his role putting him far forward of the main action and so he rarely interacted with many of them, and those he did often disturbed him – the callousness and brutality with which they waged war. Notable allies during the Great Crusade being Aodhán Kael, Rubinek, Klaus, and Saul. He had few friends among his brothers due to the rarity of shared deployments, and of those he trusted 3 turned traitor and the other died. In more modern times this meant he rarely sought out companionship after the Heresy, though he did grow close to Xun and Marcus.

Always the pragmatist the Hawk would never throw away an advantage when it came his way, a lesson he tried to pass onto his sons.

The Hawk was also a superlative swordsman, he fought with clinical motion, his movements precise. His every muscle and motion the pinnacle of economy, each thrust and parry executed to perfection, no strength wasted in striking, no stamina wasted in the defence. At times on-lookers would think he was in far greater danger than he was, for his dodges and parries were often only JUST in time, only JUST wide enough to avoid a lethal blow. What they didn’t understand was this was the pinnacle of his control and skill. His superior reflexes combined with his innate precognition allowed him to fight for a time against superior combatants. He was noted among his Brother Primarchs by Klaus himself, as "a dangerous foe whose eyes were as sharp as his blade".

The Hawk was also rumoured to be a low-level psyker, having several remarkable abilities according to remembrancers, among which were his ability to shield his thoughts from psykers, and even conceal his physical presence for periods of time. Likewise he had an uncanny knack for sensing his surroundings, both being able to identify the location of otherwise concealed enemies and being able to instinctively react to threats that even his Demi-God Brothers could not perceive. All of which is in addition to his prophetic dreams which led him to the Emperor, and implored him to dispatch his Vigilator Primus to the Tournament of Blades in secret – a defining moment for the Legion in determining the truth of the event.

Quotes

"Whilst even one of my sons still draws breath, this war isn't over, the Imperium still stands, for now and forever."

- Last words of Raydon Neratos, Primarch of the Crimson Warhawks, the Emperors Shadow.

++ TRANSMISSION BEGINS ++

Enoch: Join us Brother, we can give you the freedom you seek. Freedom from Father’s foolishness, freedom to roam wherever you want, freedom! True freedom! Or would you rather be His slave forever?

Raydon: Freedom granted can be taken away, the only true freedom is choice. And I have chosen brother, as have you.

Enoch: You cannot hope to be victorious against us, don’t be foolish – to stand against the Warmaster is to die, you must know this – The Warmaster makes for Terra as we speak. Victory is imminent, mere months away.

Raydon: My Brother, there are two principles that must be adhered to in order to achieve victory; the first is never tell others everything you know.

>> Explosions wrack the Judgement Bringer vessel <<

++ TRANSMISSION ENDS ++

================================================================

Bloodhound Captain: "Camouflage is the colour of fear... I have no need to hide from my foes... I have no fear of death. My colours I wear openly, they proclaim louder than any words, "I am proud to live - I am proud to die"."

Warhawk Strike Commander: "Die then, and do so proudly."

================================================================

Judgement Bringer Commander "Raise the flag high. Let those degenerates know who comes to claim their lives this day!"

War Hawk Vigilator "I've got him in my sights now, firing in 3... 2... 1..."

Fighting Philosophy

Xun eyed Raydon carefully. This was always an interesting match Xun thought to himself as he gribbed his staff tighter.

Raydon took a short sharp breath dashing forward, blade extended in a lunge.

Xun spun on his heels, taking a step back as the blade passed harmlessly through the air infront of his face.

Xun looked for an exploitable opening but Raydon composed himself immediately, adopting a defensive stance. "Such precision" Xun thought to himself telepathically probing his adversary being met again and again with a cold grey stone wall. Raydon's mental blocks intregued Xun, he often thought to ask his brother managed to effortlessly shield his mind from psychic probing but knew that Raydon was a secretive kind and would not take kindly to anyone attempting to read his thoughts even if it was a comrade just sparring.

It was a delicate topic at the best of times his brothers psychic ability, Xun had tried to broach the topic of his brother possibly being a psyker but each time Raydon had dismissed it as nonsense. He would say "his instincts were strong aye, but not special." "he got lucky, thats all" "they were just dreams". His excuses were endless.

Xun dodged again, forever spinning, his hands circular in motion deflecting Raydons strikes with ease, letting the natural force of the blows carry them on after he applied only a tiny portion of force to intercept it.

The technique was famously useful when applied to his brother Primarchs, there immense strength becoming a glaring weakness, Xun smiled as he swung out with a blow of his own. Raydon leaning back slightly letting the staff pass below his chin.

Xun again became lost in his thoughts, he did enjoy sparring with his brother, even though Raydons duelling style was perhaps the best counter to Xuns own, or maybe because of it.

Xun pushed out, not with his body but with his mind as he parried yet another blow. Raydon was swept off his feet, send hurtling through the air. Spinning with inhumane agility he landed in a defensive stance.

"Thats cheating brother" Raydon said with a smirk.

"No more than you using your 'battle instincts'" Xun retorted.

"Every warrior has them brother, release your mind and hear the song too" Raydon dashed forward, a series of thrusts, fients, and slashes. Xun spun and spun, evading the blows until Raydons penultimate attack was launched.

A high strike coming down at Xun's head, the Primarch raised his staff to block twisting slightly back and to one side as he did so, the blade connected with the staff and began to slide harmlessly down the shaft. It was then that Raydon released his grip.

With a speed Xun found hard to track the Hawk dove forward, the tackle connecting and the two rolling across the floor. Xun was an apt grappler the Hawk knew, and in a real fight that might have mattered. As the two continued to roll across the floor Raydon drew his knife and tapped the tip lightly on Xuns chest plate.

"Its over Brother" Raydon joked, attempting to seem menacing.

"to first strike was perhaps a bad idea" Xun retorted.

"Our matches last too long in other formats, Brother. You know that." Raydon said as he walked across the room to reclaim his sword.

The Clash of Blades, the Smell of Steel

The blades clashed, again, and again.

Aodhans attacks came on, fast and bold - reckless even, but the assault was enough to force Raydon onto the defence. The two moved about the arena a blur, many of the spectators unable to truly perceive the duel as it unfolded.

Klaus stood to the side, a grin on his face. Critiquing the two, Aodhans form was far from perfect but his speed and aggression left little opportunity for his opponent to capitalise. Raydon a near polar opposite, his movements short and sharp, where Aodhan was passion, Raydon was precision. Aodhan attacked in large sweeping motions, he jumped and spun, and thrusted without end. Raydon's parries and dodges came late - or seemingly so, specatators would remark that he dodged each blow by barely an inch - Klaus knew differently though, his eyes able to perceive what others could not, his knowledge of battle far beyond those of regular astartes.

It was not barely an inch, it was an inch. Every strike evaded by precisely an inch. It was if he could read the Aodhans movements, impossible ofcourse, as Aodhans erratic movements confused even Klaus' exceptional skills. But the results spoke for themselves. Aodhand detected it to, more from instinct than conscious perception. It did not anger him, no, it inspired him. A foe forever just out of reach. His speed and strength increased, spurred on by his excitement.

Klaus loved to watch these Brothers duel, his favourite match-up infact. His knuckles grew pale as he gribbed his seat ever more tightly. He had duelled them both himself, any he knew from experience that Aodhan would most likely win, Raydon won only one in three times, and they drew just as often. His victories though were always upsets, times when Aodhan left an opening just too big, or left it open just too long. Raydons eyes were keen and he never missed the chance if it occured.

Suddenly a siren sounded, the round was over, inconclusive again. The two halted mid-strike. Aodhan laughed loudly.

"Next time, my Brother, I will have victory."

Raydon sheathed his blade.

"Im not so sure Brother, Im starting to see through you. Next time we fight I may just land a blow or two of my own."

The two walked from the arena together, as the crowd cheered. Klaus stood, applauding his brothers for another elegant match.

"Fabulous, you two are marvellous as always. I can hardly wait to see your next bout"

Little did Klaus know that their next bout would not be a duel in an arena, surrounded by friends and adoring sons. No, it would be atop burning ships, fought not for pleasure but because Aodhan knew what was to become of his Brother, and sought to give him a death he deserved. The last gift he could give his old-friend, if only fate was kind enough to allow it.