Paladins of Kor
| The Paladins of Kor | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:Paladins icon.png | ||
| Battle Cry | Die Alone, Die Standing! | |
| Number | X | |
| Successor Chapters | Few | |
| Primarch | Anders Kor | |
| Homeworld | Cydonia | |
| Specialty | Masters of Coordination and Combined Arms, Duelling | |
| Allegiance | Kor Protectorate | |
| Colours |  |
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"What do I care if Father died? He told me to abandon the civilians and come to his aid instead of theirs. I feel nothing towards him but disdain."
-Anders Kor, upon being informed of the Emperor's death on Terra
The Paladins of Kor are the defenders of all innocents in the galaxy. When they come to the aid of those in need, they march forward under blazing artillery fire and cut the enemy down with expert swordsmanship alongside any allies willing to fight back against their aggressors. When the galaxy is calm, they stay inside the progressive Kor Protectorate and maintain the peace against the close-minded Loyalists and malicious Chaos worshipers. All peaceful peoples are welcome within their borders, whether xeno, heretic, or regular human.
Summary of Legion X
Numeration: The Xth Legion
Primogenator: Anders Kor
Cognomen (Prior): The Shields of Terra
Observed Strategic Tendencies: Massive infantry assault supported by artillery and allied forces.
Noteworthy Domains: Attila (home of the Attilan Rough Riders)
Alliegence: Kor Protectorate
Homeworld
Cydonia is the capital of the Kor Protectorate, and a beacon of hope to those who wish to coexist peacefully. When Anders Kor and the Paladins of Kor relocated the refugees of the Battle of Terra, Cydonia was chosen as the best place to start fresh. The sparsely-populated ocean world had all of the space needed for the people of the largest hive-world in the galaxy to live, and the waters were filled with enough food to feed a campaign across the segmenutm twice over. Anders and the newly formed Council of Determination had the refugees living on the Paladins of Kor's fleet for 3 years before construction of the hives was complete enough for them to be habitable, and when the people were settled in Cydonia could truly be considered a home.
Legion Tactics
The Paladins of Kor are partial to negotiating before combat begins, but if conflict is unavoidable then things will escalate quickly. Once on the ground, the Paladins will scout and probe at the enemy's positions under cover of relentless artillery fire. If the enemy can whether the initial bombardment, the marines will then charge the enemy with their close-combat weapons and cut down the survivors. But this is only if thee Paladins fight alone. In most engagements, the Paladins of Kor will find allies to assist them, making up for any areas the Legion may be lacking in, fighting in perfect harmony. Even when they are supported, however, the Paladins fight in a style called "Independent Focus". The Paladins enter a state of mind in which they are the only one fighting the enemy, trusting that the men they fight alongside will be able to accomplish their own objectives. This may seem like a very risky way to fight, but incredibly even while unaware of the presence of another Paladin they still manage to save each other's lives, deflecting blows that would fell their comrades instinctively. It is unknown whether or not this ability is psychic-based or the result of years of disciplined training.
Legion Organization
The Paladins of Kor are unique in the way their Legion is composed. While the same basic structure of all of the Legions is still in place, the Paladins have an additional force known as the Errants. These wandering Paladins are made up of deserters of the other Legions, both Loyalist and Chaotic, and their job is to go outside of the Kor Protectorate's borders to assist innocent people in need. While the main Legion stays within the Protectorate, these brave men go wherever they are needed to help the people of the galaxy. Sightings have been reported in every Crusader state, as well as withing the Hunting Grounds of the I forget, the Dark Imperium, and even the Warp itself. They perform a duty considered sacred to the Legion, but despite their sacrifices are not considered full members unless they die in their quest to make the galaxy a better place. This means that they receive no support from the Paladins once they leave the Protectorate, and must acquire resources in the field. This also allows the less noble of them to do as they please without the Legion knowing, resulting in some Errant Paladins "falling" and becoming what the other Errant call "Blackguard". Blackguard give themselves over wholly to their dark side, raiding and pillaging to their hearts content. Many of them also begin to practice Chaos worship, something prohibited to Paladins of Kor. This leads to some proclaiming the entire Legion has fallen, which itself leads to many tense situations and sometimes the unfortunate deaths of non-Chaotic Errant Paladins.
Legion History
The Great Crusade
After Anders Kor was found, he immediately set to work in making the Paladins of Kor (formally the Shields of Terra) secure the interior of the Imperium. While the Crusade sought to expand the borders, there were still a multitude of threats to humanity that were either missed or overlooked. For many years, the Paladins fought against Ork hordes that had once been defeated, but returned to pillage the "defenseless" worlds left behind by Anders' crusading brothers. When these defensive actions neared the head of the Crusade, the Paladins would often fight alongside the Angels of Light, Undying Scions, Judgement Bringers, and the Knights Exemplar. Anders and Alexios built a friendly relationship because of their similar ideals, and would often go out of their ways to see each other if they were operating in the same area.
The Grand Betrayal
Captain Bannroud Tenriel and his 1st Terminator Unit were present when Milvious Garron of the Silver Spears killed INSERT LOYALIST in their duel during the Tournament. When the traitors began to fight the loyalists, Tenriel and his Terminators fought through the Eyes that had come from the stands behind them, and escaped the arena under heavy artillery fire from the Judgement Bringers with considerable losses. The vessel they arrived on, the Distributor of Flame was engaged by the traitor's fleet, but managed to pick up the Paladins and jump out of the system.
Upon arriving at Derminius, Bannruod informed Anders Kor of the heinous actions of the traitorous forces. To the utter disbelief of Tentriel, Kor did not condemn the actions of his brothers, nor did he take up arms against them. Instead he reasoned that the traitors must have valid reasons to fight against the Imperium, and that it would be foolish to act against them. Seeing this as completely unreasonable Tenriel took his remaining Terminators and left Derminius, raging at the decision of his Primarch. Tenriel would later found the Guardians of the Apocalypse chapter of Space Marines.
During the Heresy
While the Paladins of Kor took a stance of neutrality, that does not mean they were inactive. Anders Kor took part in innumerable civilian evacuation actions across the galaxy in order to lessen the impact of the heresy on the general population. Many times they were fired upon by the forces of both sides, and were forced to kill and be killed by their brothers. It is during this time period that Anders and Alexios have a falling-out.
The Battle of Terra
Anders and the Paladins of Kor are present during the Battle of Terra. They take it upon themselves to move the citizens of Terra to the Paladin fleet in order to leave before the traitors and loyalists begin fighting, but unfortunately the battle erupts midway into the evacuation. This leads to many battles and heavy casualties, both Paladin and civilian, and Kor is forced to retreat before more lives are lost. The Emperor calls to the Paladins of Kor to leave the civilians and aid in his fight with the Warmaster, but Anders ignores the orders and leaves both Terra and the Emperor to their fate.
Relocation
In the years after the Fall of Terra and the death of the Emperor, the Paladins of Kor travel to the galactic East in search of peace and isolation. It is hard to feed the refugees, and so the Paladins travel a great distance to find a world that is suitable. During this journey the fleet is harassed by the forces of Chaos and loyalists alike, either out of anger for letting the Emperor die or to please the Gods of the Warp. After 100 years pass, the planet of Cydonia is found among the Exodite worlds. Habitation is built, and eventually the planet becomes the seat of a new empire.