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Auspex - Auspex: An Auspex, also called a Surveyor, a Multi-scanner, or simply a scanner, is a short-ranged, Imperial passive and active sensor device used to detect and analyze multiple inputs, including motion, invisible gases and directed or ambient energy emissions across a wide band of the electromagnetic spectrum.This includes such emissions as heat, radiation, plasma and most other forms of electromagnetic energy given off by vehicles and living troops as well as the molecular composition of various substances found in a given environment.An Auspex's main tactical use is for triangulating the location of otherwise hidden enemy forces so that they can be fired upon by Imperial troops. The standard range of an Auspex is fifty metres, although walls more than fifty centimetres thick as well as certain types of building materials are able to block an Auspex's active and passive sensor modes.An Auspex can take the form of a separate hand-held device, or its mechanism may be built into a helmet such as in the case of Adeptus Astartes power armour and Terminator Armour auto-senses.The Astra Militarum uses hand-held, short-range scanners known as "surveyors," though the technology is essentially identical.The Space Marines and other Imperial forces like the Orders Militant of the Adepta Sororitas, the forces of the Inquisition, the Adeptus Arbites and the Imperial Navy use the Auspex.Similar technology is also used by the Heretic Astartes and other forces of Chaos like regiments of Traitor Imperial Guard who make use of former Imperial technologies. |
Auspex - Augur: Long-ranged passive and active sensors like those used on Imperial voidships are often referred to as "augurs," though they make use of the same sensor technology and detection vectors as the auspex, save with far greater range and power when in active scanning mode. |
Auspex - Notable Augur Variants: Bg-15 Assault Scanners - Optimised for the support of planetary invasions, this suite of voidship scanners is designed to pinpoint the power sources of both planetary and orbital installations, the better to rain fire down upon them.X-470 Ultimo Array - This suite of voidship sensors provides the vessel with a broad spectrum of constant data on all events in the void beyond its hull. This is accomplished through a series of high-powered emitters that transmit a large array of electromagnetic wavelengths and subatomic particles. |
Autarch - Autarch: An Autarch is one of those few Craftworld Aeldari who have mastered many of the Asuryani Paths over the centuries, including one or more facets of the Path of the Warrior. They possess a consummate understanding of the art of war and serve as the supreme commanders, strategists and generals of an Asuryani craftworld's warhost.This Asuryani Path, known as the Path of Command or Path of the Leader, is pursued by highly skilled individuals who believe martial excellence can be achieved by gaining a wider perspective of battle that allows the Eldar warhost to achieve victory in the most efficient and lethal way possible.Autarchs do not limit themselves to the single-minded specifications required of a single Path like most Asuryani. The Autarch possesses an unparalleled strategic ability which far outshines an Exarch's obsession with only a singular facet of war. This enables an Autarch to lead a craftworld warhost that operates in perfect unison, with each component of the Asuryani war machine functioning in perfect synchronicity.It is not only at the aspect of command that an Autarch excels, for they are consummate warriors as well, and often spearhead assaults, fighting an enemy army's leader in personal combat or contemptuously destroying war machines with ease. Autarchs are considered integral parts of Asuryani culture due to their versatility and ability to lead the Asuryani on the myriad paths of life and death. |
Autarch - History: Compared to Humans, the Aeldari are incredibly long-lived. In the ancient past, this xenos race learned the dangers of unfettered indulgence, much to their loss, and so their society is now rigidly structured around the concept of the Paths of Life. Over the course of their long lives, Craftworld Aeldari choose many different Paths, not moving on to another until they have mastered their current choice. The Paths most familiar to Imperial scholars are the Path of the Warrior and the Path of the Seer.Following the Path of the Warrior, an Asuryani chooses one Warrior Aspect of their war god, Kaela Mensha Khaine, and pursues it to total mastery. Most of these warriors then put aside their armour and weapons and pursue a new Path, completely unrelated to warfare and violence. Rarely, an Aspect Warrior becomes lost on the Path, forever trapped within the pursuit of martial superiority; these warriors become the dreaded Exarchs, the leaders and high priests of the Aspect Shrines.When an Asuryani leaves an Aspect Shrine, he abandons its teachings and disciplines, forsakes its weapons and wargear, and absolutely disassociates himself from it in the pursuit of a completely new Path. Not so the Autarch, whose duty it is to learn about each Warrior Aspect in turn so that he might better guide them in defence of the craftworld. To this end, the Autarch will join each of his craftworld's most prevalent shrines for a time, learning all that he can of the rituals, skills and battle doctrines of that Aspect.Once he has taken the teachings of that shrine into himself, he will leave, though he will first participate in a ceremony with the shrine's Exarch known as the Rhaan Lona, or the "Convenant of Wargift." In this secretive rite, a selection of weapons, armour and wargear of the shrine are laid out before the Autarch, from which he chooses a single item to take with him on his ritual journey. The Autarch retains this wargear throughout his life, using it -- and the knowledge that it represents -- for the betterment of his craftworld.Those selected to walk the Path of the Leader must be the most capable of their kind, for they carry the weight of their race's survival on their shoulders. They must be willing to devote themselves to a long and arduous task above all else. After a time, every Autarch comes to learn that the road to true martial excellence lies not in the heat of melee, but rather in gaining a wider vision of the battle and directing the Asuryani warhost along the most efficient path to victory.For an Aspect Warrior, success is to embody a specific element of Khaine's warlike nature, becoming one with their ritual weapons so that they might slay the foe with preternatural grace and ease. For an Autarch, success is to harness every aspect of Khaine's might at once -- to achieve victory without weakening the craftworld, and prove the supremacy of the Aeldari race in the process. |
Autarch - Role: An Autarch's insight into each element of the Asuryani warhost gives him an unparalleled strategic ability that an Exarch, obsessed with one facet of Khaine's bloody craft, could never hope to achieve. When a Craftworld Aeldari army is led by an Autarch and guided by his Farseer advisors, it functions as a well-honed machine, each component acting in perfect concert with the others to form an irresistible force.However, it is not purely as a commander and general that the Autarch excels. When the war-lust is on him, he will call upon the skills he honed amongst the Aspect Shrines to spearhead assaults, duel with the leaders of the foe and destroy their war machines with contemptuous ease. Many Autarchs lead their warhost from the front, plunging into the fray to change the course of the conflict with each well-placed kill. |
Autarch - Notable Autarchs: Athanwe Illunivar - Athanwe Illunivar, also known as the "Scourger of Serator Prime," is fearsome in his defence of the Craftworld Aeldari, their ancient sites, and their artefacts, and has brought many an inquisitive Rogue Trader to ruin. In recent history, Illunivar appears to have become a major guardian of sites and locations sacred to the Aeldari, in particular throughout Winterscale's Realm in the Koronus Expanse. Illunivar's complete destruction of the Rogue Trader Pietro Ironarm's flotilla in orbit around Valcetti's Salvation marked the intensifying of Asuryani aggression in the region. Ironarm's flotilla had followed years of research that indicated the hidden location of an ancient xenos crash site on Salvation. Soon after the first survey craft had landed, however, a wave of Asuryani assault ships attacked, destroying all of the ships in orbit. The Rogue Trader’s forces still on the ground were annihilated by an overwhelming force of Aspect Warriors, led by Illunivar himself, his Swooping Hawk wings allowing him to descend upon Ironarm as he fled into the desert.Nyathuren Kith-menras, the Wandering Scholar - Most often alone, Nyathuren travels from planet to planet compiling a collection of all knowledge concerning ancient battles. All of her research revolves around Mankind's earliest wars within the region, and she has amassed vast amounts of knowledge from that period, but she does not part with her wisdom lightly. To beg for her assistance is often more dangerous than to meet her in open combat. A Rogue Trader desperate enough to brave the Scholar's wrath, however, many seek out Kith-menras when all other options have been exhausted, but most come to regret the decision. After standard years of fruitless searching for any news regarding his father's lost fleet, Rogue Trader Josef Sendaarin sought the guidance of Kith-menras. Though she proved almost as elusive as the information he originally hunted, Sendaarin finally tracked down the Asuryani war-sage on the battlefield world of Zayth. None know the price she exacted from this desperate scion of a once-noble family, but he returned to Port Wander a broken man and has not spoken of his father since.Surinthiel Mihrendelas, the Collector - From Port Wander to the Rifts of Hecaton, from the Frozen Sisters to Aubray's Anvil, Mihrendelas can be found, tracking down rumours and legends of ancient xenos artefacts. Ruthless in the extreme, no price is too high and no sacrifice too great in the pursuit of these artefacts. Several Rogue Traders have been utterly ruined through the acts of Mihrendelas, their only crime being in his way. Renowned Rogue Trader Bradfreid Craven was rendered all but destitute when he was stranded on Solace Encarmine, his ship destroyed in orbit when Mihrendelas created a new asteroid field from the planet’s third moon in search of a legendary artefact. No one knows if the xenos was successful or not. |
Autarch - Wargear: Heavy Aspect Armour - Incorporating thick armoured plates but retaining great flexibility, this armour is amongst the best in the known galaxy.Shuriken PistolHaywire GrenadesPlasma GrenadesForceshield - These devices contain a powerful energy shield projector that can deflect any attack. |
Autarch - Rune: The more complex an Aeldari Lexicon rune, the more meaning it can carry, as with the rune of the Autarch, which denotes both the aggression of the warrior and the insight of the leader in perfect union. |
Autarch - Source: Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), pg. 29Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pp. 27, 65-66Codex: Eldar Craftworlds (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), pg. 50Rogue Trader: The Koronus Bestiary (RPG), pp. 58-59 |
Autek Mor - Autek Mor: Autek Mor, known as "The Maimed" and the "Blood-Wrought," was both Iron Lord and Iron Father to the infamous Morragul Clan of the Iron Hands Legion during the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. He was known for his fearsome mien and bitter anima, and ruled over his Clan Company with an iron fist.Though he and his Primarch Ferrus Manus did not see eye-to-eye, when the Loyalist Legions were callously betrayed during the Drop Site Massacre of Isstvan V, it was Autek Mor and his flagship, the Red Talon, that was one of the first Iron Hands vessels that arrived in the Isstvan System amid the titanic space battle that had erupted between the Loyalist and Traitor fleets. Mor ordered his vessel to attack in a desperate attempt to reach the planet's surface and was only driven off after sustaining massive damage, fleeing the system dogged by murderous pursuit.Even as the Imperium reeled, Autek Mor would begin his own war, one fought beyond the sight and the staying hand of the War Council on Terra. It cannot be said for certain when Autek Mor launched the first strike of his campaign, yet certainly the fate met by Gethsamaine Colonus in the Cyclops Cluster must rank as one of the very first such instances. The Iron Hands claimed key Traitor prisoners before destroying the world's major cities in all-consuming nuclear blasts that would render the entire world uninhabitable for generations to come.In the wake of the Horus Heresy, and the restructuring of the Imperial armed forces established by Ultramarines Primarch Roboute Guilliman and his great military treatise, the Codex Astartes, the Space Marine Legions were broken up into smaller existing military formations known as Chapters. In 021.M31, the Second Founding occurred, and the sinister Iron Lord Autek Mor was given command of the newly created Iron Hands Successor Chapter, the Red Talons, becoming its first Chapter Master. |
Autek Mor - History: Both Iron Lord and Iron Father to the Morragul Clan Company, Autek Mor held a sinister reputation within his Legion, and dark rumours accompanied him long before the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, including whispered accusations that the origins of his gene-seed or perhaps his bloodline were not as they should be. A Terran by birth, he was part of the Xth Legion's first intake and fought in the re-conquest of the Sol System. He held field command by the time of his primarch's finding on the world of Medusa, having already developed a reputation both as a weaponsmith and malevolent soul.Mor was known to have killed several members of his own Legion in duels over "slights to his honour," and to rule his company with a cruel and unforgiving fist. On the Xth Legion's new homeworld, Medusa, he took over the outlaw Ra'Guln Clan's leviathan crawler in a bloody night of violence and made himself its lord, imprinting on it his name and will. In the years that followed, his Morragul Clan became a sink for the outcasts and most unstable elements of the Iron Hands Legion, who fought and died under Mor's merciless command. No love was lost between Autek Mor and his primarch, Ferrus Manus. |
Autek Mor - The Red Talon: Autek Mor was a war leader wrought in the crucible of the earliest battles of the Great Crusade, a Terran-born Legionary of the Xth Legion who had bought the right to command his own clan with the blood of its former lord. Mor was something of an outcast within the Legion and while he bent knee to his primarch, he was never truly counted as kin to the other Clan-Company masters. It was to the ranks of Clan Morragul that those Legionaries whose humours were ill-balanced with those of their brothers were consigned, turning it into a refuge for those who, like Autek Mor himself, could not fully integrate into the Legion and its rigid codes.As outsiders within the Xth Legion, it should come as no great surprise that Clan Morragul was not counted amongst the force that the Iron Hands Primarch Ferrus Manus chose to stand by his side in the first wave of the assault on the Traitors at Isstvan V. Indeed, Lord Manus reserved that honour for his favoured clan, the Avernii, and thus it was that when the hammer of betrayal descended upon the Iron Hands, Raven Guard and Salamanders, the bulk of the Xth were deployed as orbital reserves, yet to unleash the full fury of their wrath upon the Traitors.Mor's flagship, the Red Talon had yet even to assume its allotted position in the line at the moment of the betrayal. When at last the Red Talon arrived at Isstvan V, it came upon a scene from hell itself. The massed warships of the orbital reserve were burning and the vox-net was drowned in the bellows of rage and denials. Through it all one fact was repeated over and over, a fact few gave credit to yet which Mor accepted with bitter finality -- Ferrus Manus was dead, the father of the Iron Hands had fallen to the blade of his own brother Primarch Fulgrim of the Emperor's Children.Though he ordered the Red Talon to break through the Traitor fleet that had already sent dozens of Loyalist vessels to their doom, there was nothing that the master of the Morragul Clan could do to avert the massacre being inflicted on the surface or in orbit. At the last, the Red Talon's flanks aflame and her armour crawling with Traitor boarding claws, Autek Mor ordered his flagship and any other vessels within range to fight their way clear and to break Warp that they might regroup and perhaps later return to exact vengeance upon the Traitors.For most of the Loyalists who miraculously broke out of the slaughter at Isstvan V, vengeance would become secondary to survival. In time, the so-called "Shattered Legions" coalesced around the Iron Hands war leader Shadrak Meduson, but Autek Mor would have no truck with his brother-officer's scheme to instigate a guerrilla war intended to bleed the Traitors by a thousand cuts; Autek Mor rejected such ploys as unworthy and beneath him, and instead formulated a strategy of his own.He would gather what forces would rally to his banner and launch a series of full-scale assaults upon worlds that the Traitors had captured or turned, allowing them to expend their strength and then destroying what remained with overwhelming force. He would thus create a firebreak across the void, dividing the sectors that had fallen under the Warmaster Horus' heel from those still loyal to Terra.It was a brutal strategy in which entire populations were to be allowed to fall while the Iron Hands stayed their wrath, yet it was one that made full accounting of the relentless calculus of war. With their force blunted by their invasion operations, the Traitors could be attacked at the moment of their supposed victory whilst at their weakest and obliterated without mercy. There were plenty more worlds that were to fall beneath the Traitors' power with not a drop of blood being spilt, and for these Mor would reserve the greatest measure of his boundless wrath. |
Autek Mor - From The Deeps: Of the Iron Hands Legion, it was known that many had been driven to stark madness by witnessing their father's end and thrown themselves wholesale into the crucible of war as if to absolve their loss in their own deaths. Yet, a substantial number of Iron Hands Legionaries had extricated themselves from the massacre, and while few had made it off the surface, many more had survived the calamitous void ambush of the Legion's fleet, breaking away and scattering across the stars. Some would form isolationist bands, fighting their own private wars against the Traitors, such as the infamous "Red Talons" of Autek Mor.Within a year of the Dropsite Massacre, the greater part of the northern Imperium had fallen to the Traitors. The Loyalist armies were in disarray and prevailing conditions in the Warp had made long range travel and astro-telepathic communications perilous in the extreme. World after world had fallen to the Traitors' inexorable advance on Terra and the Loyalist armies reeled before them, forced into a series of costly fighting withdrawals that at times bordered on a rout. It was from the bloodied void that the Red Talon descended upon the Warmaster's dark empire in a campaign of fire and blade that was the diametric opposite of that being silently waged by the Shattered Legions of Shadrak Meduson, one born of the fearsome mien and bitter anima of Autek Mor. The Age of Darkness has obscured the true accounting of a great many battles, and those fought along the leading edge of the Warmaster's advance on Terra are especially shrouded. It cannot be said for certain when Autek Mor launched the first strike of his campaign, yet certainly the fate met by Gethsamaine Colonus in the Cyclops Cluster must rank as one of the very first such instances.Riding from the depths of the outer darkness of the Grail Abyss, a ragged yet bellicose flotilla of warships led by the Red Talon fell upon the Gethsamaine System. More than a year previously, in 005.M31, the Gethsamaine System had submitted to Horus without resistance and this obeisance had thus far spared them the worst of the war's deprivations. The system's only inhabited world, Gethsamaine Colonus, had been forced to suffer newly imposed overlords in the shape of Tithe Aquistors bearing the serpent's eye of Horus, where once they had the raptor-headed Seal of Terra. Under their directions, the industries of Gethsamaine now laboured, and the planet's vast rain forests were being clear-cut to provide fodder for off-world export, but other than the Aquistors' harsh quotas, little in truth had changed for the people of Gethsamaine. But just as the unexpected arrival of a lone survivor from the Isstvan System in 006.M31 had gone on to herald the dawning of the terrible war that was to follow, so now with fell irony was a second survivor of that great treachery to herald a new wave of conflict.When the ill-starred warp route from the haunted Grail Abyss tore open once more, the vessel that cut into realspace with dreadful purpose was no derelict caparisoned in Emperor's Children amaranth as that first survivor-ship had been, but a jagged and scar-hulled killer in black iron and blood crimson. It was the Red Talon, the ship of the Iron Hands Clan Morragul, and their master, Autek Mor. Gethsamaine had been stripped of much of its void defences in the Traitors' passing and now it stood all but naked before this spectre of the Imperium's grim retribution. The few remaining gun platforms which protected Gethsamaine Colon us were quickly swept away by the attacking grand cruiser, and a ruthless bombardment of the planet from low orbit immediately commenced preparatory to a ground assault. Then came the grim sons of Medusa to enact judgement.Any resistance to the Iron Hands was swiftly obliterated, and an entire cohort of planetary militia and their Horusite overseers crushed beneath the treads of Clan Morragul's armour in less than an hour settled the matter into a general rout for the defenders. Wasting no time, seats of government were blasted to rubble, and those in positions of power that had aided the Traitors or sided with their cause were methodically hunted down and executed, save for a select number of prisoners deemed to have potentially useful information, who were dragged screaming back to the Red Talon's gunships. As the Iron Hands Thunderhawks blasted off from the surface, the bulk of the civilian population, which had fled into hiding during the sudden assault, nervously rejoiced and came forth, little knowing what would come next. In each of the five major cities of Gethsamaine, the Iron Hands had left behind an improvised atomantic device fashioned by the bloody hand of their Iron-Father, each bomb clad in layer upon layer of radioactive material designed to enrich and multiply the fallout generated by its detonation a hundred fold. The Red Talon broke orbit just as the cities bloomed into fire; sentence had been passed on both the Traitors and those who had knelt before them, and notice served that there could be no bystanders in this terrible war, no civilians to be given quarter, only Loyalist and Traitor to the death.Gethsamaine Colonus may have been the first Traitor-controlled world to know the judgement of the Red Talon, but many more would know it by the end. It has been said of Autek Mor and the force he built around the Morragul Clan-Company that he was the last Loyalist out of the Coronid Deeps. In truth, he never abandoned them nor took a single step backwards. Rather, he simply weathered the storm of the Traitors' passing before striking from the rearward, a strategy that, though unacknowledged at the time, is likely to have saved countless Loyalist worlds from the Warmaster's hand. |
Autek Mor - Destruction of Bodt: In the middle of 008.M31, the Traitor Legion fief world of Bodt fell under the baleful gaze of an orphaned subject of the betrayed and slain Primarch Ferrus Manus, albeit one whose heritage perhaps bore more in common with the masters of the World Eaters fief world than that of his own sire. That warrior was Autek Mor, Iron-Father of the Morragul Clan of the Legiones Astartes Iron Hands. It was Autek Mor and his flagship, the Red Talon, that was one of the first Iron Hands vessels that arrived in the Isstvan System amid the titanic void battle that had erupted between the Loyalist and Traitor fleets. Mor ordered his vessel to attack in a desperate attempt to reach the planet's surface and was only driven off after sustaining massive damage, fleeing the system dogged by murderous pursuit.Even as the Imperium reeled, Autek Mor would begin his own war, one fought beyond the sight and the staying hand of the War Council on Terra. As the war ground on, Autek Mor's force was swelled by other Loyalist factions, including remnants of the Imperial Fists Legion and the Agathon Solar Auxilia who had opposed the Warmaster during the Manachean War. But it was not just allies that Mor amassed as he fought on, but enemies too, for he made a point of taking prisoner key Traitor officers and administrators from each world he struck at. It was from these captives that Mor learned of the status of the nearby World Eaters fief world of Bodt, and his suspicions were confirmed when the Imperial Fists communicated that they had encountered and engaged a number of Traitor Dark Mechanicum conveyance vessels plying the warp-lanes linking Sarum and Bodt.Mor surmised that the World Eaters subject world was not only intact, but building towards some role in the war that had yet to be fully revealed or realised. This made the fief a high value target indeed, and one which Mor now had a strong enough force to engage. Doing so would be an escalation beyond Mor's existing strategy of allowing a world to fall to a Traitor assault before launching a massive counter-attack, but for several reasons the operation was judged worth undertaking. Primarily, it was known to the Loyalists that the muster world had once hosted a sizable stockpile of Legiones Astartes war materiel, which, if it was still present, should be denied to the Traitor cause at all costs. Secondly, the records indicated that the planet served as a recruiting world for the XIIth Legion and so might still be host to a large and as yet uncommitted Legion reserve whose neutralisation would serve the Loyalists' war effort well.Autek Mor's first deed in the assault on Tredecimmia was as symbolic as it was practical. As the Red Talon fleet speared towards Bodt it came upon its lone moon, a body possessed of a far-ranging and sharply elliptical orbit. At that point in its transit, the satellite was closing on Bodt, affording Mor a singular opportunity. The Iron Father ordered that the moon be violently shunted but a fraction of a degree from its course using what remained of the Red Talon's stocks of high-yield void ordnance. As a result, instead of passing Bodt at half a million kilometres, the satellite was set upon a course that would strike the planet within hours with apocalyptic force far in excess of any weapon of mass destruction in the Red Talon's arsenal. While the World Eaters and their allies would no doubt be thrown into a state of some disarray by the spectacle of the flaming moon, Mor knew that it would take a far greater effort to render them incapable of standing against the next phase of his assault.The Iron Father ordered the launch of a massive orbital drop. Halting such a drop was almost certainly impossible, but the sheer weight of fire sent up by the surviving defence batteries took a fearsome toll. Even if a dozen drop pods crashed and burned, two dozen more set down in their immediate wake, and by the end of the fourth hour of the assault, Iron Hands and Imperial Fists Legionaries were pressing outwards from the burning drop zones, bringing overwhelming fire to bear upon the defenders. The fury of Mor's ground assault was magnified by a simultaneous sub-orbital strike of staggering proportions. To the south of the inner sea, Tredecimmia star port, as well as a number of unidentified Mechanicum facilities further east, came under simultaneous drop pod assault. The star port was attacked by a large Iron Hands force, which drew upon itself a large force of World Eaters whose reported ferocity, even for this most notoriously savage of Legions, was the first evidence of the unsanctioned implantation protocols the Worlds Eaters had been engaged in.The wastes surrounding the unidentified Mechanicum facility were the scene of the largest single drop conducted during the assault on Tredecimmia, where elements of the 1522nd Cohort of the Agathon Solar Auxilia established a blocking line so that whatever machine horrors the Traitor Mechanicum might have spawned there would be interdicted if they attempted to deploy. The assault on the silos is known to have begun in the fifth hour of the operation and represented the greatest moment of risk for the attackers. With the bulk of the defenders of the macro silos swarming eastwards to give battle to the Iron Hands heavy units deployed there, Autek Mor was then able to commit to the true objective of the entire operation. This phase is known to have been led by the Iron-Father himself, attended by the iron-hard core of the Morragul Clan Company -- spearheaded by Autek Mor's elite Gorgon Terminator units, a technology he had personally been able to replicate, even as an exile of war. At last, Autek Mor stood upon the cusp of his objective. The burning moon looming in the tortured skies, Autek Mor ordered his warriors to form a ring of impenetrable steel about the entrance. With a curt order, he utterly forbade any of his warriors to follow in his wake, no matter what occurred either above or below. With that, he is said to have passed through the breached armoured portal and descended the steps into the stygian vaults below.In the final hours of the assault, the World Eaters fief world is known to have entered a new and still more savage phase, heralded by the burning moon as it drew so close that the entire upper atmosphere appeared to have been set alight. In the sixth hour the fighting reached a climax during this period and that both sides suffered and inflicted a fearsome death toll. Though the entire world was evidently doomed, the invaders' objective in launching their attack, which had yet to be revealed, might now have failed. The exact nature of Autek Mor's ultimate objective is still debated amongst Imperial Strategio-savants, but whatever it was, the Iron Father had determined that it was worth the cost in blood and treasure the invaders were paying across Tredecimmia while the Iron Father was apart from his force in the vaults beneath the macro silos. Whatever Autek Mor was seeking in the subterranean vaults, his mission was clearly taking too long. As the burning moon waxed so large it now consumed the entire sky, the warriors fighting one another across the surface resigned themselves to their fate and redoubled their efforts to exact what vengeance they could before the end.As the doom of Bodt grew ever closer to hand, and the balance of death threatened to turn entirely against the Loyalists, Autek Mor finally emerged from the macro silos. In one hand he bore his ancient paragon blade, its edge jagged from scores of nicks, and in the other his volkite charger, its induction coils aglow like red hot coals. It was the object that Autek Mor held in the grip of his back-mounted servo-arm that gave witness to his true mission however -- a stasis casket, its flanks etched with the arcane sigils of the inner order of the Emperor's Terran gene-wrights, who under the guidance of the Master of Mankind had brought into being the Primarchs and the entire Legiones Astartes. Autek Mor is known to have looked upon the destruction unleashed across Tredecimmia and spoken a single word of command. It was the order to withdraw and within moments it was enacted. Iron Hands and Imperial Fists units that had deployed by drop pod hours before fell back to pre-arranged zones where the Storm Eagles and Thunderhawks of the orbital strike wings set down to carry them clear, the Fire Raptors and other gunships circling overhead and unleashing a storm of suppressive fire on the hordes of Traitors attempting to pursue. To the south, the Solar Auxilia forces are known to have fought a disciplined and bold withdrawal back to their own heavy landers, and while in places the frenzied enemy forces overtook them, the greater number were soon being ferried to their vessels in orbit.In the aftermath of the Loyalists' sudden withdrawal, the Traitors were bereft of foes, with the exception of those few who had been unable to depart and who resolved themselves to a bitterly fought last stand. In moments, the hordes turned their wrath upon their own and the battle lines were redrawn anew. At the last, the gun-clanners and the World Eaters fell upon one another, locked together in the mutual berserker fury of their final moments. Finally, the burning moon struck. The apocalypse was witnessed by thousands of Loyalists as their vessels sped clear, and etched into the data-stacks of countless logic engines. The moon impacted the surface and a tsunami of flaming matter rapidly rushed outwards to encircle the entire globe. The surface buckled as the moon impacted, the greater planetary mass literally swallowing the smaller satellite with horrifyingly slow grace. In moments, the atmosphere was aflame and the already unstable crust was rent open by a thousand fractures, and volcanic eruptions exploded across the entire surface as the mantle below was swelled by the additional mass. By the time the moon was finally consumed not a single living being survived on the surface, the entire population, Traitor Legiones Astartes, Sarum Mechanicum, Legio Titanicus and gun clan alike burned to ashes and cast to the fiery winds. |
Autek Mor - Shadow War of the Red Talon: The full role taken by the independent battlegroup under the command of Autek Mor is impossible to collate. Nevertheless, fragmented accounts of dozens of battles are extant in the scattered records of the era. Some list no more than the warlord's name, soon a byword for destruction behind the Traitor lines, and can therefore be considered apocryphal, while others are more complete, offering a tantalising glimpse into the many shadow wars of this bloody age. One such substantiated account is the destruction of the Traitor Mining World of Saria Major. Here, the Red Talon unleashed an orbital bombardment that scoured the hive-refineries from the planet's surface and condemned the surviving population to a slow death in the poisoned aftermath. Viable imagery also places Autek Mor himself at the Battle of Locurtar Station, where his personal forces, the so-called Bloodwrought, counter-attacked a Sons of Horus-led company poised at the moment of victory over a holdout Loyalist garrison and routed it. Less certain is Mor's involvement at Kvalgron, where it is known that a powerful fleet ambushed a heavily escorted Traitor-aligned supply convoy heading to the staging grounds at Paramar, capturing or destroying the entire convoy in twelve hours of bitter void warfare. Likewise, the incident at Nashe's World, where a Death Guard extermination detachment was destroyed amidst the cyclopean xenos ruins that towered over the deadly jungles, has often been attributed to Autek Mor but no firm evidence remains extant for this. |
Autek Mor - The Second Founding: In the wake of the calamity that was the Horus Heresy and the entombment of the mortally-wounded Emperor within the Golden Throne, the foundations of the Imperium of Man were reformed. The first High Lords of Terra established the structure by which the Adeptus Terra operated, and described the feudal responsibilities and duties of the planetary lords. One of the most important accomplishments was the reorganisation of the Imperium's fighting forces. This was undertaken almost single-handedly by the Primarch of the Ultramarines Legion, Roboute Guilliman. Of all of his works, the most influential is the Codex Astartes, the great prescriptive tome that lays down the basic organisational and tactical rules for the Space Marine Chapters. The Horus Heresy had revealed previously unknown genetic weakness in the gene-seed of the Primarchs and Space Marines among the original 20 First Founding Space Marine Legions, weaknesses that left the Legions in question greatly exposed to corruption by the Ruinous Powers of Chaos. This risk was exacerbated by the rapid and atypical nature of Space Marine recruitment during the centuries between the start of the Great Crusade in ca. 798.M30 and the outbreak of the Horus Heresy itself at the dawn of the 31st Millennium.The Codex decreed that the nine remaining Loyalist Legions would be divided into 1,000-man Chapters, the Chapter Masters of which would be directly beholden to the Emperor Himself and no other, not even the Primarchs of their original Founding Legions (save in the case of the single Chapter that would remain under each Primarch's control and retain its Legion's original name). No one man in the Imperium would ever again control the superhuman might of an entire Legion of 100,000 or more Space Marines.In 021.M31, the Second Founding of the first Successor Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes under this new system commenced. The Red Talons were one such Successor Chapter, formed from those Battle-Brothers of the Iron Hands Legion who were the most volatile and bloody-handed of the Sons of the Gorgon, and were disposed towards aggressive and bold styles of warfare. Furthermore, the events of the Horus Heresy had imprinted upon this Chapter an unstoppable drive to continue to avenge the treacheries committed by the Traitor Legions. The sinister Iron-Lord Autek Mor was given command of the newly created Chapter, becoming its first Chapter Master. |
Autek Mor - Wargear: Armis Panoptikos - Designed and constructed by Mor himself, the Armis Panoptikos combined the functions of heavy battleplate, multi-spectral auspex cogitation network and sophisticated biological support system in one. Despite its vast weight, bulk and apparent complexity, Mor could operate the numerous additional limbs as if they were his own thanks to a neural-interface matrix etched into his skin, allowing him to see, hear and feel through the suit as if it were his own flesh.Cyber-familiarArgonikos - The immense, double-headed halberd that Autek Mor carried into battle and bore as a self-appointed badge of office was another of his own creations, constructed with countless layers of ferro-alloy liberated from the ancient forges of Damas. Brutal even without augmentation as a Power Weapon due to its sheer size and weight, Argonikos projects a crackling energy field that vaporises flesh and steel alike on contact.Volkite Charger |
Autilon Skorr - Autilon Skorr: Autilon Skorr, known as the "King-Killer," and the "Hydra's Headsman," was a Consul-Delegatus of the Alpha Legion during the 30th and early 31st Millennia, and was listed on the roll of honour of the Great Crusade's Council of War no less than seven times before the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, for he was frequently dispatched by his Legion's high command to demand Compliance of newly discovered worlds in the name of the Imperium.After the outbreak of the Heresy, he furthered the Warmaster Horus' campaign of "Dark Compliance" by many bloody handed deeds. At Epsilon-Stranivar IX, the Shattered Legions would be all that stood between Skorr and greater victories. |
Autilon Skorr - History: Autilon Skorr served as the Consul-Delegatus to the Alpha Legion, and what reliable sources the Imperium has been able to gather indicate that Skorr was at the head of the Alpha Legion's 78th Chapter. He was frequently dispatched by his Primarch Alpharius to demand Compliance of newly discovered worlds in the name of the Imperium.Those worlds that refused invariably fell to disorder within solar weeks, a strike force of Alpha Legion squads led by Skorr himself delivering the coup-de-grace and bringing Compliance with only a single shot fired, invariably through the temple of the world's broken ruler. After the outbreak of the Horus Heresy he performed the same role, until the debacle at Epsilon Stranivar IX, where the disparate forces of a dozen shattered Loyalist battle groups threw back his forces in ignominious defeat.In the wake of this defeat, Skorr's once spotless record was marred and he quickly fell from the graces of both the Warmaster Horus and his primarch, exiled to the distant battlefields of the northern rim of the galaxy and forgotten. There, desperate for a return to glory, he seized upon the Mezoa campaign as a chance for his return to the upper echelons of the Traitors' cause. Determined to sacrifice every last warrior under his command to feed his ambition, Autilon Skorr once more trod the path to war.Skorr assembled a sizeable taskforce that consisted of nearly 9,000 Legionaries, amongst them the bitter veterans of the Iron Warriors' 114th Grand Battalion under the command of Nârik Dreygur, three fully-fledged Taghmata from the Forge World of M'Pandex and some 20,000 Imperialis Auxilia troops, representing one of the greatest forces of the Horus Heresy not directly commanded by a primarch. Nârik Dreygur later defected to the Salamanders force under the command of Cassian Dracos due to Skorr's betrayals of the Iron Warriors at the Siege of Epsilon-Stranivar IX and the Siege of Mezoa. Skorr fled from the Siege of Mezoa after one of his arms was crushed in a duel with Xiaphas Jurr. |
Autilon Skorr - Wargear: Artificer ArmourBolt PistolMaster-Crafted Power AxeRefractor FieldFrag GrenadesKrak Grenades |
Auto Bolt Rifle - Auto Bolt Rifle: An Auto Bolt Rifle is a variant of the Mark II Cawl Pattern Bolt Rifle that has been altered to make use of a high-capacity, drum-shaped, rotary magazine and was created for use by the Primaris Space Marines. However, this increased rate of fire comes at the cost of range compared to the standard Bolt Rifle. The Auto Bolt Rifle can be used by individual Primaris Marines or hardwired as a twin-linked version into a vehicle like the Invader ATV.The Mark II Bolt Rifle is still essentially the archetypal firearm of the Adeptus Astartes, but now re-engineered, re-crafted and perfected for use by the transhuman warriors of the newly-created Primaris Space Marines. This pattern of bolter was named for its creator, Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl.Like all weapons in the bolter family, the Bolt Rifle fires small, self-propelled missiles known as bolts which explode with devastating effect. The Bolt Rifle has a longer range and slightly more penetrating power compared to the standard-issue bolter of the original Firstborn Adeptus Astartes.This bolter variant is intended to be highly modular, allowing for variants like the Auto Bolt Rifle to be easily created, depending upon tactical need. |
Auto Bolt Rifle - Heavy Auto Bolt Rifle: A Heavy Auto Bolt Rifle is a variant of the Auto Bolt Rifle that has greater range than the standard variant of the weapon. |
Auto Launcher - Auto Launcher: An Auto Launcher is an Imperial vehicle-mounted Grenade Launcher similar to a Smoke Launcher. They are six-barreled launchers mounted on an Imperial vehicle chassis and capable of firing salvoes of grenades three at a time. An Auto Launcher can be loaded with Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, or Blind Grenades and are useful providing a close-in defence of an armoured vehicle or blinding the enemy by releasing a smoke screen around the vehicle. An Auto Launcher carries a magazine of 6 grenades, always all of the same type. |
Auto Quill - Auto Quill: An Auto Quill is an elaborate, arcane writing device, composed of ink-stained brass and vat-grown or otherwise synthetic quills that are used by Imperial savants, scribes, administrators and anyone else who does a great deal of writing. They allow their user to copy text or transcribe speech with impressive speed and accuracy.Many Imperial scribes in the employ of the Inquisition carry portable Auto Quill units, which are suitable for recording interrogation sessions or xenos translations. |
Auto Weapons - Auto Weapons: Auto Weapons are ballistic, ranged weapons which use solid-slug ammunition and thus are the equivalent of 3rd Millennium military-grade firearms. They are found in pistol, rifle or cannon form.Auto Weapons are still popular amongst soldiers of the Astra Militarum, as the autogun was the standard-issue weapon for the troops of the Imperial Army and the Imperial Guard alike until the start of the 32nd Millennium. While autopistols and autoguns are similar to their laser variants (the Laspistol and Lasgun), autocannons are very unlike Lascannons. Autocannons are rapid-fire ballistic heavy weapons designed to eliminate heavily armoured infantry or light vehicles, and are often used by the Imperial Guard's Heavy Weapons Squads in battle, due to their versatility and reliability.There are also Auto Weapon sniper rifles which use solid slug ammunition -- although, like other Auto Weapons, they are restricted by their use of heavier ammunition. The advantage the Sniper Auto Weapon has over its photon-based counterpart is that fewer enemies will recognise the report of the rifle, as opposed to the Long-Las' distinctive ruby beam.Auto Weapons are still used throughout the Imperium of Man and are similar in operation to twentieth and twenty-first century fully-automatic ballistic firearms. They use solid ammunition rather than the easily rechargeable power packs of the more common Imperial laser weapons, meaning Auto Weapons are more likely to run out of ammunition in a protracted battle, thus making their use more reliant on good logistical support.The strong points of Auto Weapons are that they use relatively basic technology, can fire specialised ammunition with exotic effects, and can be inexpensively produced even on low-technology worlds. |
Auto Weapons - Autogun: The autogun is an automatic ballistic firearm similar to a twentieth and twenty-first century automatic rifle in appearance and operation. Unlike the 2nd and 3rd Millennium versions, Imperial autoguns use small calibre, high velocity caseless bullets which are made from metallic or synthetic materials encased in solidified propellant.An autogun works by using a solid hammer and striker to ignite a sensitive chemical in the round, which in turn ignites the main charge and forces the solid projectile through the barrel. The reactive force of the bullet's expulsion, which may be assisted by gas redirected from the barrel, opens the breech and resets the hammer. The new round is then removed from the magazine and repositioned by the mechanism as it is pushed back into the battery by mechanical force. This cycle will repeat several times per second until the magazine is empty or the trigger is released, barring malfunction.Autoguns often find their way into the hands of all forms of planetary militia, some Planetary Defence Force regiments, and are the standard firearm used in less advanced Human cultures across the galaxy. |
Auto Weapons - Autopistol: The autopistol is a rapid-firing automatic ballistic pistol which is intended to be fired in short bursts. As the name implies, an autopistol is the pistol version of the autogun. It is similar to twentieth and twenty-first century machine pistols and submachine guns, sacrificing controllability in sustained fire, accuracy of the weapon itself, and projectile speed and weight for the purpose of making the weapon compact and light.Autopistols are still in use throughout the Imperium due to the fact that they can be easily produced on low-technology worlds. Some Astra Militarum regiments, including the 8th Cadian Regiment, often equip their troops with autopistols as sidearms, improving their combat firepower. In other quarters, it is felt that only the Imperial Guard's officers should be equipped with pistol weaponry, so such equipment is reserved for guardsmen of and above the rank of lieutenant.Autopistols are also popular among the gangers of many Hive Worlds because they are easily concealable and their weaker stopping power compared to las weapons does not hamper their effectiveness against unarmored victims. The low technology threshold for their manufacture has likely led to numerous improvised designs made in illegitimate workshops for these purposes in many underhives across the galaxy. |
Auto Weapons - Heavy Stubber: A Heavy Stubber is a fully automatic, slug-firing ballistic weapon based upon an old machine-gun design, and is fairly common and reliable. Its high rate of fire makes up for its lack of strength and armour-piercing abilities. It is an ideal support weapon for low-technology worlds that cannot maintain Laser Weapons in working order due to technological or resource limitations.Heavy Stubbers are often pintle-mounted on Imperial vehicles and used for close defence against infantry and as light anti-aircraft weapons when the rarer Storm Bolters are not available.Some Astra Militarum regiments use Heavy Stubbers as heavy weapons for their Heavy Weapons Squads. |
Auto Weapons - Ripper Gun: One of the few Imperial weapons intentionally crafted for use by the massive Abhumans known as Ogryns, the Ripper Gun is a short-range Auto Weapon that fires several Shotgun shells at once to compensate for the poor aim of the average Ogryn. It is in essence a very bulky and sturdy autogun chambered for the large-gauge shotgun shells.The Ripper Gun can fire either a single heavy shell or a hail of shots, and possesses a hardwired burst limiter to prevent the Ogryn from emptying his weapon the first time he pulls the trigger. This is something Ogryns find amusing, but as they often fail to remember to switch magazines, this habit leaves them without a ranged weapon.Ripper Guns are also built unusually robustly, so that the Ogryn can use them as convenient clubs in melee without damaging the weapon. |
Auto Weapons - Autocannon: An autocannon is a self-loading, heavy ballistic Auto Weapon that fires a high velocity hail of solid 20 millimetre to 40 millimetre shells that is used by the military forces of the Imperium of Man. It is an ancient weapon, but has nevertheless remained a widely-used piece of wargear throughout the Imperium's history.These rapid-firing weapons can lay down a burst of fire to cover advancing troops, or strafe enemy-held positions. Autocannons are considered ideally suited for attacking enemy vehicles and fortifications from long range. They lack the heavy punch of a Lascannon, but can fire more shots and are less prone to overheating, though the need to carry large amounts of ammunition is a distinct disadvantage.This weapon is also very large and ungainly. This bulk, combined with the serious recoil it creates, often restricts an autocannon to a vehicle mounting or to use by dedicated heavy weapons teams. Like its ancient counterparts, an Autocannon is usually mounted on a weapon carriage or a vehicle because of its high weight and recoil.Astartes, with their superhuman strength, have been known to use autocannons as man-portable heavy weapons. Due to their high rate of fire and sufficient killing power, they are effective against heavy infantry and light vehicles. Autocannons are used by the Astra Militarum, Space Marines, the Witch Hunters of the Ordo Hereticus and the Chaos Space Marines. |
Auto Weapons - Battle Cannon: The Battle Cannon is a larger and heavier version of an autocannon. It fires a large, high-explosive shell, which causes far more damage and explodes over a wider area than that of the smaller autocannon. Due to its massive size, it is only mounted on Imperial vehicles or special weapons carriages. It is the standard weapon of the Astra Militarum's Leman Russ main battle tank.The Battle Cannon is a fairly conventional 120 millimetre smoothbore cannon. The standard munition is an Armour-Piercing High Explosive (APHE) round capable of penetrating all but the heaviest armour with ease but also containing a substantial impact-fused explosive charge with a large blast radius. This makes the Battle Cannon an effective dual-use armament capable of taking out light and medium vehicles as well as groups of heavy infantry. |
Auto Weapons - Macrocannon: Macrocannons are the largest member of the family of Auto Weapons and it has been used as a main armament on the warships of the Imperium of Man since the time of the Great Crusade in the late 30th Millennium. A Standard Template Construct (STC) technology, a Macrocannon's effective range is far greater upon warships due to the lack of gravity and atmospheric drag.These massive ballistic weapons are deployed in batteries, and destroy their targets through the delivery of powerful broadsides of shells fired in volley to overwhelm their enemy in a barrage of destruction. Macrocannons are giant, edifice-size weapons covered with gantries, cranes, power lines and pipes manned by a crew that stands hundreds strong.Macrocannons can also be deployed to serve as potent artillery weapons by Imperial ground forces, though such instances are rare as these weapons are not very mobile, and their range and accuracy drops tremendously when deployed within the confines of a gravity well and atmosphere, to the point that their massive firepower can present as much danger to friendly forces as to the foe. |
Auto Weapons - Ork Small Arms: Slugga - The most basic of Ork ballistic firearms, the Slugga is a short, stubby solid–shot pistol that would be devastating up–close were it not for the inaccuracy of the Ork wielding it. Most sluggas inflict more wounds as crude clubs than they do as ranged weapons.Shoota - Whilst nothing could take the place in an Ork's heart of chopping up an enemy in combat, they do have a great love for loud, noisy weaponry, and nothing so embodies this type of weapon than the Shoota. "Shoota" is a catch–all term for a variety of short to mid–range Ork firearms, inevitably capable of at least burst fire, that are cobbled together to launch a hail of bullets when the trigger is pulled with little regard for accuracy or recoil.Snazzgun - The shootiest of shootas are known as Snazzguns, ballistic weapons favoured by the most ostentatious and obnoxious of Orks, known as Flash Gitz. Snazzguns vary as much in design as shootas, but all are lethal to the extreme. Many Flash Gitz hard-wire their snazzguns to their primitive bionics, incorporating a variety of barrels, scopes and targeting arrays into their gear -- not that this necessarily makes them any better shots, but it does make them feel bigger and cleverer as they’re shooting. An individual snazzgun shoots either bolts of energy or shells, but not both. Snazzguns have a random penetration value, for the velocity of their shots varies with every shot. A Snazzgun, just like a Shoota, is inherently Inaccurate. However, when targeting equipment or bionics are used with the snazzgun, it loses the Inaccurate weapon quality instead of gaining any bonuses to hit. |
Auto Weapons - Ork Macrocannons: Ork starships are more heavily armed than Imperial vessels of comparable size. Massive batteries of Macrocannons dot the hulls of every Ork warship, turrets and barrels protruding from every gap in the ship's hull that are capable of battering through an enemy vessel's Void Shields and ripping large chunks out of its hull. In a matter of minutes, an Ork vessel can unleash thousands of shells at a target, filling the void around an enemy ship with debris, shrapnel and unexploded shells. Above all other weapons, Orks favour massive shell-hurling Macrocannons, referred to collectively as "Gunz." Grouped together into batteries, these weapons fire volley after volley of solid shot and explosive shells, overwhelming any enemy in a torrent of destruction. However, these weapons do not always work as desired, sometimes misfiring or jamming. They may also be deactivated for repairs or "improvements" by a bored Mekboy. The following is a list of the most common "Gunz" found aboard Ork spacefaring vessels:Gunz - The most common Ork Macrobatteries are referred to simply as Gunz. Though this encompasses any number of different types of ship-based weapons, most fire ballistic projectiles of some sort or another. It is fairly common for Orks to loot weapons from defeated vessels, so many Gunz are "improved" versions of standard Imperial Macroweapons. The Ork inclination towards firepower is such that any gap in the haphazard armour plating of a Greenskin warship is soon filled with a Gun.'Eavy Gunz (Kannonz) - Alongside more conventional Macrocannons, the Orks commonly employ short-ranged but extremely powerful ballistic cannons called 'Eavy Gunz or Kannonz. Firing dense slugs of scrap metal massing thousands of tonnes, as well as jury-rigged plasma bombs, these shells quickly become inaccurate over long range. Nevertheless, they cause terrifying damage at close range. Often rebuilt from the largest broadsides of Imperial Cruisers, these guns protrude menacingly from the scowling armoured prows of Ork Kill Kroozers, ready to unleash salvoes of heavy explosive shells. Kannonz often have extra-long barrels, so the shells will fire further. |
Auto Weapons - Solid Projectile Weapons: Commonly known as slug-throwers, these weapons are exceedingly common throughout the galaxy. Chaos Cultists, Hivers and scum often make use of such weapons due to their ease of manufacture and availability. Most alien races have their own versions as well, as it's a fairly simple technology that is easy to manufacture. People of all types commonly carry one kind or another for their basic protection or livelihood:Autogun - Autoguns are cheap and easy to produce weapons, popular when Lasguns are not available. A typical weapon may not be incredibly accurate or as reliable as a lasgun, but will make up for it with a high rate of fire and cheap ammunition. Most autoguns fire solid low-calibre bullets from standardised magazines, and the design is ubiquitous enough that many xenos have their own variants.Autopistol - A common weapon for hivers and scum, the Autopistol is a pistol capable of a high rate of fire and access to a variety of ammo types.Heavy Stubber - The Heavy Stubber is a popular weapon amongst military forces and gangers alike, as, like most solid projectile weaponry, they are easily maintained and reasonably reliable. Heavy stubbers are large, belt-fed heavy weapons, often with long vented barrels. Though not as devastating as a heavy bolter or autocannon, they lay down an impressive rate of fire and can shred infantry and unarmoured vehicles. Heavy stubbers are typically employed with a bipod or tripod mount to avoid the punishing recoil, though some tough individuals may be able to carry them with extensive bracing harnesses or suspensors. Many patterns use an ammunition belt of 100 rounds, though this often requires a loader to ensure the feed doesn’t jam. However, heavy stubbers can also be purchased with a smaller drum magazine of 40 rounds that does not require a loader.Autocannon - An Autocannon is a crew-served heavy weapon, a selfloading high calibre cannon that uses dense solid shells to punch through armour. Though unable to fully penetrate the Ceramite of Space Marine Power Armour, they decimate light to medium vehicles and see widespread use in the Imperial Guard and many renegade armies.Reaper Autocannon - The Reaper Autocannon is a double-barrelled variant of the standard Autocannon. This weapon was designed during the Great Crusade for use as a heavy support weapon for the Terminator Squads of the Space Marine Legions. The weapon features two barrels and is capable of a high rate of fire but requires the incredible strength available to those who wear Terminator Armour to use, as the recoil was too great for even Power Armour wearing Space Marines to use the weapon effectively. The weapon usually features a large blade on the end of the barrels that can be used in close combat if needed. By the time of the late 41st Millennium, the Reaper Autocannon is no longer used by the forces of the Imperium who replaced it with the more effective Assault Cannon, although it is still a relatively common sight amongst the fragmented warbands of the Traitor Legions. The Reaper Autocannon is usually found being used by Chaos Terminators, but it also employed by Defiler and Blight Drone Daemon Engines, Helbrute walkers, and the mighty Decimator super-heavy tank. |
Autocannon - Autocannon: An autocannon is an automatic, self-loading, heavy ballistic weapon that fires a high velocity hail of solid shells, and is used by the military forces of the Imperium of Man and the Leagues of Votann.It is an ancient weapon, dating back to the 2nd Millennium during the Age of Terra, but has nevertheless remained a widely-used piece of wargear throughout the Imperium's history. These rapid-firing weapons can lay down a burst of fire to cover advancing troops, or strafe enemy-held positions.Autocannons are considered ideally suited for attacking enemy vehicles and fortifications from long range. Though they lack the heavy punch of a Lascannon, they can fire more rapidly and are less prone to overheating. However, the need to carry large amounts of ammunition is a distinct disadvantage. This weapon is also very large and ungainly. This bulk, combined with the serious recoil it creates, often restricts an autocannon to a vehicle mounting or to use by dedicated Heavy Weapons Squads.Autocannon shells once contained an explosive charge similar to that of a bolt (only far larger) though the means of producing this charge has been lost to Imperial science and now the rounds fired by an Autocannon are less powerful than they once were. However, the autocannon is still more than capable of eliminating heavily armoured infantry or light vehicles, and is employed by Astra Militarum fire support weapons teams due to their versatility and reliability.Though autocannons are designed to be fired from a standard pattern bipod with a steel glacis, in extreme situations it is not unknown for some of the physically stronger troops to carry them into battle slung from a suspensor harness, though this "gung-ho" method of firing an autocannon is unusual and not encouraged.Surprisingly, the autocannon is almost ignored as a weapon by the warriors of the Adeptus Astartes. While their transhuman physique and power armour-augmented strength allows a Space Marine to carry and fire an autocannon with ease, the large majority of Loyalist Chapters favour either ranged weapons with a much higher rate of fire, like the Heavy Bolter or Assault Cannon, or ranged weapons packing more killing power with each individual shot, like the Lascannon or Multi-melta.As such, the autocannon is a rarely-fielded weapon for the Space Marines. However, the Heretic Astartes who have thrown in their allegiance with the Ruinous Powers do make ample usage of the autocannon, as it is a simple and sturdy weapon requiring very little of the heavy maintenance that most Chaos Space Marine warbands now lack the resources to execute. |
Autocannon - Notable Imperial Autocannon Patterns: Agrippina Pattern Mark II - A common pattern of autocannon utilised by the Astra Militarum.Gryphonne IV Pattern - Formerly manufactured on the now-devastated Forge World of Gryphonne IV, this pattern of autocannon is often utilised on the Salamander Scout armoured reconnaissance carrier. Ammunition for this smoothbore gun is fed automatically through a four-round feeding tray, and extra ammunition is dropped into the tray by hand. Other features of this pattern include recoil dampeners, electronic sighting and rangefinding.Herakles Pattern Accelerator Autocannon - This ancient pattern of Heavy Autocannon was only ever found mounted upon Sicaran Battle Tanks. These rapid-firing weapons fired shells at a much higher velocity than a standard autocannon, enabling them to successfully engage moving targets and strike with pinpoint accuracy.Ironhail Autocannon - The Ironhail Autocannon is a Dreadnought-sized Imperial autocannon that is deployed on the Invictor Tactical Warsuit as a primary weapon. The Ironhail Autocannon allows an Invictor walker to unleash a punishing hail of ballistic firepower at relatively close ranges.M34 Autocannon - The M34 Autocannon is an older version of a common Astra Militarum pattern, and is used throughout the Calixis Sector. It uses a tripod mount and can be manned by one person, though it ideally employs a crew of two to move, set up, and assist with reloading the weapon."Six/Twelve" Mauler Cannon - An adaptation unique to the Spinward Front of the Calixis Sector, the Mauler Cannon is actually a modified, twin-barrelled M34 Autocannon designed specifically for use by Ogryns. Rebuilt with a heavier frame, shorter barrels, a fire-limiter, larger handholds, and a triple harness capable of withstanding an Ogryn's strength, the Mauler Cannon gives Ogryn units an enormous boost to their firepower. Sadly Mauler Cannons have picked up the nickname "Six/Twelve" by regular guardsmen, referring to the number of shots an Ogryn will likely fire before they somehow break it or decide to use the weapon as a club.Syrtis Pattern Autocannon - A commonly used pattern of autocannon mounted on Predator Destructor tanks.Accelerator Autocannon - These rapid-firing weapons fire shells at a much higher velocity than a standard autocannon, enabling it to successfully engage moving targets and strike with pinpoint accuracy. A smaller version of these weapons are used by Primaris Marine Vanguard Suppressors.Icarus Autocannon - The Icarus Autocannon is a type of large autocannon utilised commonly on Imperial anti-aircraft arrays as well as by Imperial Knights. On Imperial Knights, it is linked directly to the pilot's mind via the Throne Mechanicum and can track down and destroy incoming enemy aircraft.Armiger Autocannon - The Armiger Autocannon is a type of autocannon wielded by Armiger Helverins. The Armiger Autocannon has a high rate of fire and is capable of laying down hundreds of armour-piercing shells per solar minute.Reaper Autocannon - The Reaper Autocannon is a type of autocannon used predominately in the 41st Millennium by Chaos Terminators. However at the time of the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy they were common in the arsenals of all the Legiones Astartes. Originally designed as a support weapon for Tactical Dreadnought Armour, the Reaper is a compact, rapid-firing autocannon which depends on the strength of Terminator Armour to stabilise the weapon and cope with its massive recoil.Cthon Pattern Autocannon - The Cthon Pattern was a type of autocannon deployed by Space Marine Legion Terminators during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy eras. |
Autocannon - Tactical Implications: Although the autocannon is quite common, its popularity is rather inconsistent. Many Imperial commanders shun use of the autocannon, maintaining that it serves no role fully. It lacks the firing rate of a Heavy Bolter or Multi-Laser, meaning that its anti-infantry role is limited. It also lacks the sheer armour-piercing strength of a Krak Missile or Lascannon, and thus cannot be deployed to destroy enemy armour.However, although many disapprove of the autocannon, there are just as many who hail it as a tactically vital weapon. Its supporters argue that its versatility is its best attribute; that it can in fact be useful against both infantry and armour. Although it cannot tear through ranks of infantry like an Assault Cannon can, or bring down enemy armour to the extent of a Lascannon, it can still support an army in any tactical situation.However, it is against the Tyranids that the autocannon finds its true calling. The ability to deliver large volumes of heavy firepower is vital in combating massive Tyranid bioforms such as Hive Tyrants and Carnifexes, which lack the natural armour that requires the penetrating power of a Lascannon, but are too tough to be threatened by a Heavy Bolter. |
Autocannon - Construction: The autocannon is a relatively simple weapon; it is mass-produced in the manufactoria of Imperial Hive Worlds and Forge Worlds. It is a large weapon, and is far too cumbersome to be carried with its ammunition by one man. As a consequence, the weapon is usually mounted on vehicles.However, in the Astra Militarum, autocannons are often operated by teams of two guardsmen. This is a manageable arrangement; one trooper mans the gun itself while the other loads the ammunition. Man-portable autocannons are usually fitted with a small blast shield to provide some protection to the crew from incoming fire. |
Autocannon - Astra Militarum: The Astra Militarum generally makes heavy use of the autocannon. This usage does of course vary, depending on a given regiment's tactical preferences.It is frequently used with:Leman Russ Exterminator, a variant of the Leman Russ Main Battle TankHeavy Weapon SquadsSentinelsSalamanders |
Autocannon - Navis Imperialis: The Navis Imperialis frequently equips its light fighter aircraft with autocannons. The light-armour-piercing and semi-rapid fire characteristics of the weapon perfectly suit the Navy's snub fighters in dogfighting situations.The Lightning fighter craft in particular employs this weapon to great effect. The Navy commonly mounts the autocannon on:Lightning fightersThunderbolt heavy fightersMarauder fighter-bombers |
Autocannon - Space Marines: The autocannon is not used as widely in the Adeptus Astartes as it is in other branches of the Imperial military. Being an elite and fast-moving army dedicated to head-hunting planetary assaults and force multiplier operations, the autocannon has fallen out of favour with them, and weapons such as the Lascannon or Heavy Bolter are preferred.However, due to the autocannon's sheer versatility, most Chapters still retain a few examples in their Armoury. Many Terminators carry them, as these ultra-heavy troops can move and fire an autocannon one-handed and still carry out direct assault.The weapon, as noted above, is far more popular with Chaos Space Marines, particularly those drawn from more recent Renegade Chapters. Autocannons are frequently used with:Predator main battle tanksTerminators (as Terminator Armour-mounted weapons) |
Autocannon - Notable Variants: Reaper Autocannon - The Reaper Pattern Autocannon is a particular type of double-barrelled autocannon no longer employed by the forces of the Emperor. It is often seen amongst the ranks of Chaos Terminators, who use the heavy volume of fire it lays down to great effect, giving Chaos Space Marine warbands an ability to take out heavy troops and light armour at range.Syrtis Pattern Autocannon - This pattern of autocannon is commonly utilised on the Predator Destructor.Hades Autocannon - The Hades Autocannon is most frequently used by the monstrous Daemon Engines of the forces of Chaos, specifically the Heldrake and Forgefiend. Hades Autocannons possess six barrels and each can sustain a high rate of fire capable of tearing through massed infantry and well-armoured targets with ease. Hades Pattern Autocannons also have increased damage potential per shot compared to the standard Imperial autocannon. It is a weapon that the Imperium of Man has come to fear just as much as the hideous creatures that wield it.Magna-Coil Autocannon - A Magna-Coil Autocannon is a ballistic autocannon deployed on the Magna-Coil Grav Bikes used by the Hernkyn Pioneers of the Leagues of Votann that fires a high-velocity hail of solid shells.MATR Autocannon - A MATR Autocannon is a ballistic, three-barrelled, gatling autocannon deployed on Leagues of Votann vehicles like the Sagitaur to provide heavy fire support. The MATR Autocannon fires a high-velocity hail of solid shells that is intensified by its triple, rotating barrels. However, Kin weapons like MATR Autocannons are superior in almost every respect to those patterns of autocannon wielded by the agents and military of the Imperium, since the Kin employ superlative materials and methods in their construction and have no fear of further innovating on an ancient STC design. As a result, the MATR Autocannon and its variants like the Magna-Coil Autocannon often have longer ranges and more stopping power than any of their Imperial equivalents. |
Autocannon - Sources: Black Crusade: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 156Codex: Chaos Space Marines (6th Edition), pp. 36, 65, 102Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition) (Revised Codex), pp. 81, 138Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pp. 59, 61Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition), pg. 82Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition), pg. 68Codex: Imperial Knights (7th Edition), pg. 116Codex: Leagues of Votann (9th Edition), pp. 96, 97, 101Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook (RPG), pp. 114, 175Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy, pg. 131Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition pg. 29Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project, pp. 116, 118Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One, pg. 97Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks, Part Two, pg. 148Imperial Munitorum Manual, pg. 70Only War: Shield of Humanity (RPG), pg. 127Rogue Trader: Faith & Coin (RPG), pg. 82The Horus Heresy Book Three: Extermination (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pg. 119Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, pg. 82Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (2nd Edition), pg. 34Nightbringer (Novel) by Graham McNeill, pg. 169Forge World - Sicaran Battle Tank |
Autoch Pattern Bolter - Autoch Pattern Bolter: An Autoch Pattern Bolter is a hand-held, ballistic, anti-personnel weapon used by the military forces of the Leagues of Votann that is very similar to the Imperial bolter.Like its Imperial counterpart, with which it shares a common technological heritage from pre-Imperial Terra through the STC databases, the Autoch Pattern Bolter fires kinetic projectiles known as "bolts" that explode on impact.However, Kin weapons like Autoch Pattern Bolters are superior in almost every respect to those wielded by the agents of the Imperium, since the Kin employ superlative materials and methods in their construction and have no fear of further innovating on an ancient STC design. As a result, the Autoch Pattern Bolter and its variants often have longer ranges and more stopping power than any of their Imperial equivalents. |
Autoch Pattern Bolter - Autoch Pattern Bolt Pistol: An Autoch Pattern Bolt Pistol is a smaller, single-handed pistol version of the Autoch Pattern Bolter used by the military forces of the Leagues of Votann. It works using the exact same principles and armament as its larger counterpart, and possesses the same stopping power, but only half the range.Autoch Pattern Bolt Pistols are a favoured back-up weapon for Kin Hearthkyn soldiers of the line, and for officers such as Brôkhyr Thunderkyn, theyns, and kâhls. |
Autoch Pattern Bolter - Autoch Pattern Combi-bolter: The Autoch Pattern Combi-bolter is a Combi-weapon used by the military forces of the Leagues of Votann that is simply two standard Autoch Pattern Bolters that have been mechanically combined into a single weapon, rather than having been constructed that way in the first place like a Storm Bolter. It thus is able to unleash double the rate of fire.The Autoch Pattern Combi-bolter is based on the same STC technology relied on to create the Combi-bolters that were used by the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy before the later development of the Storm Bolter which replaced it in standard Imperial usage by the 41st Millennium.A Leagues of Votann Autoch Pattern Combi-bolter can be combined with an exo-armour gauntlet's RAM Shield for use by Einhyr Champions or can be used as a separate weapon in its own right. |
Autogun - Autogun: An Autogun is a fully automatic Auto Weapon that fires solid-slug ballistic rounds at the intended target in rapid succession. Cheap, rugged and reliable, it can be found throughout the Imperium of Man, where it is appreciated for its decent damage and accuracy.Its main drawbacks are its weight and the need to carry a large amount of cumbersome ammunition for prolonged operations. The latter drawback has led to the Astra Militarum being equipped with Lasguns as its standard armament since the early 32nd Millennium.Xenos races such as the brutal Orks are known to take particular relish in using several of their own crude versions of these formidable automatic weapons, known as Sluggas, Shootas and Snazzguns. |
Autogun - History: The origin of Autoguns lay in Mankind's past, to its precursors the automatic rifle and assault rifle, which date back at least to the late 2nd Millennium. Autoguns came into their own during the early 3rd Millennium. These ancient automatic weapons used large calibre, low-velocity bullets which were made from brass.At the time of the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy at the end of the 30th Millennium, most members of the Imperial Army were issued with Autoguns, as the weapon proved easy enough to use and maintain for the average trooper, while at the same time being cheap and efficient enough to be furnished to the masses of human warriors.The only disadvantage of the Autogun were the nightmarish logistics problems faced in ensuring a stable supply of ammunition, and so the Autogun was eventually phased out as the standard weapon of the Astra Militarum in favour of the Lasgun by the Departmento Munitorum in the early 32nd Millennium, as both weapons were roughly equal in efficiency and ease-of-use, but the standard Power Packs that powered the Lasgun could be easily recharged in the field, while crafting more ammunition for the Autoguns proved arduous.In the late 41st Millennium, Autoguns are not as common as the Lasgun amongst the Imperial Guard regiments, but they are still issued in substantial numbers, especially by second or third line Planetary Defence Forces or militias.There are many different patterns and models of Autogun produced across the Imperium. The simple technology needed to manufacture Autoguns make them common on Frontier Worlds and also with gang members on Hive Worlds. These are the most commonly employed weapons in the Underhive of a Hive City.On such worlds Autoguns are made in the factories of the hive city and traded down through the hive. Crude but effective versions are made in the Underhive workshops themselves. Ammunition, spares and repair facilities are relatively easy to find throughout the Underhive, and traders always have guns and ammunition for sale. |
Autogun - Characteristics: The Autogun is a ballistic projectile weapon similar in appearance and operation to the assault rifles of ancient Terra, but the Imperium's technological advances allow these weapons to use caseless ammunition with projectiles made of metal, plastic or ceramics.The weapons are themselves constructed with plasteel, increasing their rate of fire and reliability. There are many different patterns and models of Autogun produced across the width and breadth of the Imperium.The typical Autogun may not be incredibly accurate or as reliable as a Lasgun, but will make up for it with a higher rate of fire and cheap and readily available ammunition, standardised in preloaded magazines.As a weapon, the Autogun is comparable in effectiveness to a Lasgun but lacks some of the Lasgun's versatility, damage output and reliability. Autoguns are prone to jamming, especially in dusty and muddy conditions where intricate moving parts can quickly become fouled.A good maintenance routine is necessary for troops armed with Autoguns. In general, Autoguns and their ammunition are also heavier than Lasguns and their power cells.However, an Autogun does surpass a Lasgun with its higher rate of fire. Additionally, those hurt but not killed outright by an Autogun are more likely to bleed out from injury and succumb to follow-up infections, while a las-shot immediately cauterizes any wound it creates.There are innumerable models and variants of the Autogun in use around the Imperium widely differing in technical specifications (most Autoguns are entirely non-STC constructs, so they are made according to locally developed schematics and to accommodate for locally available cartridges).One of the best examples of such weapons is an Agripinaa Pattern Mark 2 Autogun that saw action during the Siege of Vraks as a staple arm for the Heretic forces infantrymen. Here are its specs:Length: 109 centimetresBarrel: 54 centimetresWeight: 6.2 kilogramsCalibre: long 8.25mmFeed: 20 or 30 rounds box magazineCyclic rate of fire: 625 rounds per minuteMuzzle velocity: 825 metres/second |
Autogun - Known Imperial Patterns: Agripinaa Pattern Type II - A pattern of Autogun hailing from the Forge World of Agripinaa, this Autogun is chambered for the largest standard ballistic round in the Imperium, and possesses a simple fire selector allowing the user to fire single shots, three round bursts or fully automatic streams. The oversized rounds this weapon fires gives the model an excessive recoil and muzzle flash, but also excellent damage capabilities. To compensate for its recoil, the barrel has had a counter-weight added to try to counteract the weapon's tendency to rise off-target during automatic fire.Agripinaa Pattern Type III - Another pattern of Autogun hailing from the Agripinaa Forge World, the Type III is a slightly reworked version of the Type II intended to speed up production. It fires a long 8.25 calibre round, on either single shot, semi-automatic and fully automatic, with a cyclic rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 820 metres per second. It takes both a 20 and 30 round box magazine. This pattern includes a flash suppressor, but one of the weapon's drawbacks it is excessive muzzle flash on firing. There is also excessive recoil when firing the weapon in fully automatic mode due to the size of the round being fired, making fully automatic firing wildly inaccurate at standard combat ranges. The Type III version attempted to correct this by the addition of a counter-weight, a heavy block placed at the front of the fore grip, designed to reduce the weapon's natural tendency to rise off target during automatic fire, thus assisting the firer in keeping the target in his sights. While testing confirmed the counter-weight did aid accuracy, it also added to the weapon's considerable weight. This gun only includes a basic iron sight.Armageddon Pattern - Produced on the Hive World of Armageddon, the Armageddon Pattern is an old but proven pattern Autogun that is loud, lethal and uncomplicated; a heavy-hitter for an Autogun, it fires large calibre solid slugs from a 15-round short box magazine and can stand a phenomenal amount of abuse and keep firing. The Armageddon Pattern has become a staple of the arms trade in many sectors where there are uprisings as well as making inroads into frontier areas where its stopping power and robust design rapidly gains converts.M40 Armageddon Pattern - This pattern of Autogun is also produced on Armageddon, and is regularly issued to local Planetary Defence Forces and militia forces. Lightweight in comparison to other models, it only sports a 12-shot magazine.Hax-Orthlack Creed-9 Pattern - The Creed-9 is a compact Autogun designed for close-quarter warfare and constructed to a local variant of a long established design intended for Imperial Navy boarding troopers. Made using lightweight materials and fitted with a telescopic stock, the Creed-9 is not much larger than a military Autopistol in size and is the favoured weapon for many enforcer kill squads, as well as the private armies of numerous noble houses and Chartist Captains. Because of this "elite" role, it's common to see Creeds sporting numerous upgrades and modifications such as red-dot sights, expanded mag-ports and fire selectors.Urdesh Minor U90 Pattern - The U90 is a heavy duty Autogun of ancient design still manufactured on the Forge World of Urdesh Minor in the Segmentum Pacificus. Despite its retractable metal stock, the U90 is a long, cumbersome weapon. Its muzzle is unusually large to accommodate the weapon's .45 calibre rounds. This has led several Guardsmen to jokingly remark that the U90 is closer to a down-scaled Autocannon than it is to a true Autogun. The U90 offers phenomenal damage and can be fitted with several types of ammunition, including armour-piercing rounds. Standard ammunition clips used by the weapon include both the sickle-shaped 15-round magazine and the larger, 40-round drum magazines. The U90 can fire in both semi-automatic and full automatic modes. As a matter of tradition, every Urdeshi regiment carries an extensive stock of U90s as back-up weapons, which has proven its efficacy against the xenos mercenaries known as Loxatl. The U90's main drawback is that it is prone to jamming, especially with the larger magazines, but it is a risk many Urdeshi gladly take for the added firepower. As Urdesh Minor was occupied for many standard years by the Blood Pact, it is not unusual to discover the U90 in the hands of Chaos Cultists and Traitor Guardsmen within the sector of the Sabbat Worlds. |
Autogun - Ork Autogun: Slugga - The most basic of Ork ballistic firearms, the Slugga is a short, stubby solid–shot pistol that would be devastating up–close were it not for the inaccuracy of the Ork wielding it. Most Sluggas inflict more wounds as crude clubs than they do as ranged weaponsShoota - Whilst nothing could take the place in an Ork's heart of chopping up an enemy in combat, they do have a great love for loud, noisy weaponry, and nothing so embodies this type of weapon than the Shoota. "Shoota" is a catch–all term for a variety of short to mid–range Ork firearms, inevitably capable of at least burst fire, that are cobbled together to launch of a hail of bullets when the trigger is pulled with little regard for accuracy or recoil.Snazzgun - The shootiest of Shootas are known as Snazzguns, ballistic weapons favoured by the most ostentatious and obnoxious of Orks, known as Flash Gitz. Snazzguns vary as much in design as Shootas, but all are lethal to the extreme. Many Flash Gitz hard-wire their Snazzguns to their primitive bionics, incorporating a variety of barrels, scopes and targeting arrays into their gear -- not that this necessarily makes them any better shots, but it does make them feel bigger and cleverer as they’re shooting. An individual Snazzgun shoots either bolts of energy or shells, but not both. Snazzguns have a random penetration value, for the velocity of their shots varies with every shot. A Snazzgun, just like a Shoota, is inherently inaccurate. |
Autogun - Sources: Black Crusade: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 153Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition), pg. 42Codex: Imperial Guard (4th Edition), pg. 34Codex: Imperial Guard (2nd Edition), pg. 28Codex: Orks (4th Edition), pp. 89-90Dark Heresy: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 132Dark Heresy: Creatures Anathema (RPG), pg. 102Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook (RPG), pp. 114-115Ere We Go: Orks in Warhammer 40,000 (1st Edition), pg. 154Gorkamorka: Da Roolz (Specialty Game), pp. 54-55Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks, Part One, pp. 42-43Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks, Part Two, pg. 148Imperial Armour Volume Eight - Raid on Kastorel-Novem, pp. 114-119Necromunda - Battle for Survival in the Nightmare Undercity (Hardback Rulebook), pg. 49Necromunda - The Game of Underhive Battles (3rd Edition), pg. 39Rogue Trader: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 120Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (1st Edition), pg. 71Warhammer 40,000: Rulebook (6th Edition), pp. 56, 203Warhammer 40,000: Rulebook (4th Edition), pg. 34Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (4th Edition), pg. 34Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (2nd Edition), pg. 20The Guns of Tanith (Novel) by Dan Abnett, pg. 247 (French Edition) |
Automated Repair System - Automated Repair System: An Automated Repair System is a T'au vehicle support system that consists of numerous dispenser hubs mounted around the vehicle's hull.If the vehicle's engine drives or weapon systems become damaged during the course of a battle, the Automated Repair System will automatically release swarms of tiny Maintenance Drones to quickly perform field-repairs and restore the systems to full function in the midst of battle. |
Autopistol - Autopistol: An Autopistol is a hand-held, fully automatic Auto Weapon that fires solid-slug ballistic rounds at the intended target in rapid succession. The origin of Autopistols lay in Mankind's past, in its precursors the ancient machine pistol and submachine gun, that date back to at least the late 2nd Millennium. Autopistols are still utilised in the modern 41st Millennium. Small enough to be held and controlled in a single hand, these weapons are the favored sidearm of many a warrior in the Imperium of Man, despite their lack of range and notoriously poor accuracy. Though poor at penetrating armour, its high rate of fire makes it useful against lightly armoured opponents. Like all pistol weapons, the Autopistol is more commonly employed by those who specialise in close combat, as it leaves their other hand free to wield a close combat weapon. Popular with Imperial servants and renegades alike, Autopistols are prized for their ease of manufacture and versatility, especially on low-tech worlds. |
Autopistol - Characteristics: An Autopistol is a rapid-firing, fully automatic ballistic firearm that has a faster rate of fire than most other pistol-grade weapons. In essence, they are the pistol version of the Autogun, and resemble the compact submachine guns of ancient Terra. The weapon works by using a solid hammer to strike and ignite a chemically combustible propellant. The explosion of the propellant expels the solid projectile through the barrel, while the reactive force of the bullet's expulsion pushes the breech back. This mechanical action extracts another round from the magazine and loads it in the breech, re-cocks the mechanism and, providing the trigger is still depressed, fires the just-loaded round. This cycle keeps repeating until either the magazine is empty or the trigger is released.Autopistols are lightweight and easily concealable weapons, but they suffer from a lack accuracy beyond close range due to the relatively low velocity of their projectiles and the shortness of their barrels. They have a high rate of fire, but only use small calibre, caseless rounds. The lightweight Autopistol slugs have very poor armour penetration characteristics, but their high rate of fire allows the user to literally spray a target with bullets, putting it down in a single burst at short range. The weapon is therefore favored as a sidearm, to be used at point-blank range against lightly armoured opponents.There exist innumerable models and variants of the Autopistol, but most models fall within the following rough characteristics:Length: 19-40 centimeteresBarrel: 4-18 centimeteresWeight: 0.5-0.8 kilograms (empty)Feed: 5-30 rounds straight magazineType of fire: Semi-automatic or automaticSights: Fixed front and centre optic sightCyclic rate of fire: approx. 900 rounds per minuteMuzzle velocity: approx. 255 metres/second |
Autopistol - Use: Autopistols are used widely throughout the Imperium and can be found even on low-technology Imperial worlds. Like the larger Autogun, the Autopistol is very easy to construct and readily available in large numbers. The Autopistol is a common weapon amongst Renegades, hive gang members, and lowly criminals, due to the aforementioned ease of construction, use and maintenance. The Autopistol is not generally considered a military issue weapon, but is a favourite amongst many military veterans as a supplement for their standard Lasgun or as a backup weapon, especially for those using bulky heavy weapons and Flamers, or unreliable Melta and Plasma Weapons. The Autopistol is also sought after by vehicle crew members for self-defence, who often lack room inside their vehicle to carry larger weapons, and prefer it to the Laspistol due to the higher rate of fire.Some Imperial Guard regiments, like the Cadian 8th Regiment, equip all their troops with Autopistols as sidearms as part of their standard equipment load-out, improving their combat firepower. Other Imperial commanders do not requisition sidearms for the rank-and-file Imperial Guardsmen, but allow their troops to acquire spoils from the battlefield for their own use, and Autopistols are popular choices for such battlefield trophies. In other quarters, it is felt that only officers should be equipped with pistol weaponry, so such equipment is reserved for soldiers of and above the rank of Lieutenant. Despite these sometimes contradictatory customs, the use of Autopistols has over time become so widespread in theImperial Guard that the Departmento Munitorum included a paragraph about correct Autopistol handling and caring in The Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer, to ensure every Guardsman is able to correctly use and care for the weapon should he be issued with or acquire one. |
Autopistol - Known Autopistol Patterns: Disposable Handgun - A Disposable Handgun is basically an Autopistol stripped down to its bare minimum with a small fixed (non-removable) magazine. Made by a wide variety of manufacturers, Disposable Handguns are one of the most easily obtainable and inexpensive firearms in the galaxy. Many shipboard survival kits contain one of these weapons. They have very shoddy craftsmanship and poor performance, and seasoned warriors joke that when the magazine runs out, the user is better off throwing the gun at an opponent than trying to reload it. However, many of the destitute cannot afford a better weapon and it remains a useful tool for self-protection.Hax-Orthlack Puritan-14 Execution Pistol - The Puritan is a squat, dual-barrelled Autopistol with an integrated single shotgun cartridge chamber. An ugly weapon whose appearance signals its brutal purpose very well, the Puritan is designed for use by covert kill-squads and produced in small quantities both for the Adeptus Arbites and the elite Magistratum "Crimson Sashes" of Sibellus, (although a few copies have found their way into the black market as well). The Puritan may fire either as an Autopistol or as a Shotgun, but not both at once.Hecuter 9/5 Heavy Combat Autopistol - Often regarded with some justification as a "prince among pistols", the Hecuter manufactured by the Orthlack of Gunmetal City on the capital world of Scintilla, located in the Calixis Sector is actually a copy of a famed out-sector design, whose pattern was awarded as part of some long-forgotten trade war. A firm favourite among Metallican gunslingers and Malfian bloodsworn, the weapon is tooled and balanced to exact tolerances, making it quite controllable despite its large calibre for an Autopistol. The Hecuter's magazine projects somewhat from the angled grip, giving the weapon a distinctive profile, while despite its size, its excellent design makes it an "easy carry" from shoulder rigs and quick-draw holsters.Ius Automatic Pistol - Crafted by the gunsmiths of Gunmetal city on the world of Scintilla, located in the Calixis Sector, this particular model has been crafted to be as sturdy as possible. The Ius is a solid and unspectacular yet utterly reliable weapon. Normally used by the Calixian branch of the Adeptus Arbites as a backup firearm, it is ubiquitous amongst both Calixian Arbitrators and the planetary law enforcers of Scintilla. Typically issued to junior ranks within both organisations, the Ius is designed to be foolproof and to withstand punishment that would damage other firearms.Lyndwyrm A-25A "Volcano" Autopistol - Lyndwyrm Armoury, one of the largest munitions suppliers in the Calixis Sector, produces one of the most coveted autopistols in the segmentum, the A-25A "Volcano." Manufactured to an exacting standard rivalling that of the Lathes, the Volcano is renowned for reliably firing every time, its mechanisms so precise and well-calibrated that it almost never jams or misfires. A fire selector allows the user to quickly switch between semi-automatic and full automatic fire. Such is the reputation of this weapon that soldiers, Arch-militants, and bounty hunters in the Expanse pay exorbitant sums to obtain a Volcano to keep at their side.Naval Pistol - Many varieties of Naval Pistol are in existence, the most well-known of which are those named for the Segmentum Fortresses of the Segmentae Majoris, such as the famous Cypra Mundi "Irontalon" pistol. Naval Pistols are heavy, large-calibre Autopistols characterised by their robust construction, which allows them to deliver solid blows in melee combat, should it prove necessary. Naval Pistols use special fragmenting ammunition designed to inflict minimal damage to ship systems while having a devastating effect on unarmoured flesh. Naval Pistols are only issued to crewmen of the Imperial Navy, and are never issued to the troops of the Imperial Guard. Nevertheless, Guardsmen often take Naval Pistols as mementos of a particular journey -- when they can get away with it. Naval Pistols hailing from famous starships or fleet bases hold great value in trade, particularly for the officers of some regiments.Orthlack Mark IV Thollos Autopistol - Produced by the Fane of Orthlack in Gunmetal City, the “Thollos” or “Tholl” has long been a popular backup weapon for line officers in Calixian Guard units, who favour its stopping power over most regulation sidearms. Indeed, so common has the practice of carrying one become that many old military families often present their sons and daughters with a commemoratively inscribed Thollos to mark their first commission.Ripper Pistol - A Ripper Pistol is a heavily modified Autopistol which fires specially designed armour-piercing metal shards containing a vicious cocktail of venomous chemicals. The initial wounds caused by the shards allow the venom to enter the victim's bloodstream and cause death, and thus the weapon can bring down the largest opponents in a single shot. It is designed so that if the vicious impact of the bullet does not kill the target, the toxins flooding into its bloodstream will. Crafted to very high standards, Ripper Pistols are precise and reliable, and can be outfitted with a suppressor to operate almost soundlessly. The Ripper Pistol is a favoured weapon of well-connected Rogue Traders, Explorators of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Inquisitors who trust a discrete yet deadly sidearm. Living Catachan legend Sly Marbo is a renowed user of the Ripper Pistol.Sulymann Encarmine Service Autopistol - A sophisticated Autopistol no larger than the average compact Stubber, the Encarmine sacrifices stopping power for a reduction in size and increase in magazine capacity. Widely carried for personal defence and as a sidearm by "second liners" (such as plainclothes enforcers, hauler rig crews and merchants factors), the Encarmine packs a lot of firepower into a relatively small frame. Unfortunately if faced with armoured opponents, the firer is likely to wish for something with a good deal more kick.Talon Mark III Short Autopistol - Another common Imperial pattern, manufactured to a high standard by the Fane of Sulymann in Gunmetal (along with several other makers), the Talon is a medium calibre, fully automatic caseless cartridge pistol of a sturdy and practical design. Easily maintained, capable of laying down a hail of fire and handy enough to be easily used in confined spaces, autopistols such as the Talon are very popular for hive warfare and used extensively by enforcers and scum alike.Tronsvasse Hi-Power Autopistol - The Tronsvasse Hi-Power Autopistol, or Tronsvass Parabellum, is another version of the ubiquitous Imperial Autopistol.Volg “Ripper Clip” Autopistol - Known locally as the “zip gun” or “chopper”, this bulky autopistol is purposely designed to be a cheap as possible to manufacture and maintain. Rather than caseless ammo, the Ripper Clip uses basic stub rounds and the weapon itself is made from industrial spares and crude pressed metal parts. A further eccentricity of its design is its loading mechanism, a vertical strip of bullets wrenched through the autopistol as it fires (a feature copied from a common rivet gun).Voss Pattern Mark 10 - The Voss Pattern Mark 10 originated on Voss Prime. These weapons are known for their adaptability and can be modified for a variety of purposes. During the Siege of Vraks, captured Voss Pattern Mark 10 Autopistols were often heavily modified for night- and tunnel-fighting. The stock flash suppressor was usually removed, and a modified home-made suppressor fitted in its place. It also had a wrist loop added so that the weapon could not be dropped accidentally and it was often blackened for camouflage during night time operations. All other changes, including its counter-weight, are due to it being the older Mark 10 version of the weapon.Voss Pattern Mark 11 - The Voss Pattern Mark 11 originated on Voss Prime and features a folding skeletal stock, which is not often used as the increase in accuracy for aimed fire is not generally required and its only sight is a small iron one. This model has a flash suppressor and a moulded fore-grip. |
Autopistol - Sources: Black Crusade: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 155Dark Heresy: Core Rulebook (RPG) pg. 132Dark Heresy: Book of Judgement (RPG), pg. 63Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook (RPG), pp. 115, 117-118, 120, 175Deathwatch: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 149Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks, Part Two, pg. 148Necromunda (RPG), pg. 44Only War: Core Rulebook (RPG), pg. 177Only War: Hammer of the Emperor (RPG), pg. 112Rogue Trader: Core Rulebook (RPG) pg. 120Rogue Trader: Faith and Coin (RPG), pp. 80-81Rogue Trader: Into the Storm (RPG), pg. 112Specialist Games Catalogue, pg. 14The Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer (Sourcebook) by Matt Ralphs, pp. 21-22Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (1st Edition), pg. 75Warhammer 40,000: Rulebook (6th Edition) pg. 57Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (2nd Edition), pg. 14Malleus (Novel) by Dan AbnettHereticus (Novel) by Dan AbnettXenos (Novel) by Dan Abnett |
Auxilia Myrmidon - Auxilia Myrmidon: The Auxilia Myrmidon is a sub-organistion of the Adeptus Mechanicus' cybernetic Skitarii Legions composed of elite Tech-priests known commonly as "Siege Engineers" or "War Savants." Within the Calixis Sector, the undisputed centre of the Auxilia Myrmidon's power is the Lathe System and its vast forge city network, and in particular their heavy fortified arsenal and base on the city-sized Panopticon orbital station.From this mustering ground, the few Myrmidons in existence are dispatched in small bands to oversee the defences of the Mechanicus' domains, and seek out and destroy its enemies. The Myrmidons, although largely independent, are closely linked to the archmagi of the Lathes, who is one of the guarantors of their dominance.This Mechanicus sect exists to study the art of destruction with the ardent fervour that their fellows might apply to the creation of machinery or the recovery of lost archeotech. Legend has it they came to the sector during the earliest days of the Angevin Crusade (322-384.M39) for reasons of their own, and have since remained to defend the Cult Mechanicus’ possessions there. Myrmidons are expert killers, weapon masters and destroyers.At the behest of the ruling archmagi of the Lathe Forge Worlds, they are sent to accompany Explorators in investigating finds in the most dangerous sectors of space and to retrieve the most hazardous xenos-specimens, whilst others are tasked to hunt down Mechanicus Renegades accused of the foulest techno-heresies and terminate them with extreme prejudice.Tech-priests who devote themselves to battle are often inducted into one of the Mechanicus' militant sects as their knowledge and prowess increases over time, either through their own application or the will of their distant archmagi masters. A Myrmidon Secutor is the first rank in the Auxilia Myrmidon who serves, presumably, as the standard trooper, and is also the first Adeptus Minoris rank in the Divisio Mandati. The ancient designation of Secutor is believed to date back, like much of the Auxilia's organistation and sects, to the armed forces of the Mechanicum of Mars in the distant pre-Imperial antiquity of the Age of Strife.It is a fact that only adds to their mystery and makes them a subject for some concern to those in the adepta who understand what this implies. Certainly this conclusion is backed-up by the ancient and terrifying weapons drawn from that distant past which they are known to sometimes employ.Other members of the sect operate their vehicles as drivers, and are known simply as Myrmidons, who also serve in the Ordo Reductor. The leader of a platoon of Myrmidon Secutors or Myrmidons is a "centurius." A "tribune" (commonly known as a lieutenant in the stand Imperial armed forces) commands a century; a "magnus" (also known as a captain, and perhaps an "Adept Majoris") commands a cohort, with a "colonel-priest" having control of a battalion and a "magos commander" in charge of an entire legion of the Auxilia Myrmidon. |
Auxilia Myrmidon - Myrmidon Secutors: Some Tech-priests of the Auxilia Myrmidon are drawn to the path of the Myrmidon Secutor through a fascination with the unique and intellectual challenges warfare provides, while others feel themselves fascinated by the intricacies and beauties of creation and destruction, or the sacred art of weapon-smithing. Still others simply see this path as a means to an end, either for the protection of the Machine Cult, the furtherance of their own independent researches, or some other, hidden agenda.Regardless of the reason for their vocation, a Tech-priest skilled in such destructive arts as the Myrmidon Secutor is an invaluable ally for an Inquisitor, and makes for a singularly lethal Acolyte. The only downside to such an association is that the Inquisition can never be fully sure where the Myrmidon Secutor's loyalties lie -- even more so than other Tech-priests -- or what ancient and dark secrets they may themselves possess. |
Auxiliary Reserve Cadre - Auxiliary Reserve Cadre: An Auxiliary Reserve Cadre is a T'au Empire cadre comprised of T'au Auxiliaries. That means that this battle group is usually made up entirely of alien warriors allied to the T'au like the Kroot, Vespids and Human Gue'vesa. |
Avalos - Avalos: Avalos is a Dead World located within the Jericho Reach. Its biosphere was devoured by the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Dagon. |
Avalos - History: Near the end of the 41st Millennium, a Deathwatch Kill-team played a vital role in preventing a Tyranid invasion of Avalos, which had previously been secured by the forces of the Achilus Crusade's Orpheus Salient.Genestealers had deeply infiltrated the planet and initiated a rebellion against the Imperial governor.The Kill-team was sent in to investigate an Inquisitor who had failed to report to his superiors. Unfortunately, the Inquisitor was slain by a Broodlord prior to their arrival.Shortly after that grisly discovery, a Hive Ship with a substantial escort arrived. The timely intervention of a small Imperial fleet, led by the Emperor's Wrath, provided the Kill-team with a means to lead a boarding action against the hive ship.To the honour of the Primarchs and the God-Emperor, the Kill-team carried the day and managed to destroy the vessel's synapse chamber. This desperate act threw the Tyranid invasion into disarray.While the invasion was halted, countless xenos did make landfall. The clean-up may take generations to complete, and still might draw another hive ship to the planet.Further Deathwatch actions will be necessary to assist in the process of eradicating the xenos intrusion. |
Avatar - Avatar: An Avatar is the term normally applied to the physical form that the spirit of an Aeldari god has managed to possess and animate in realspace.This term is most often applied to the physical wraithbone body possessed by a fragment of the spirit of the Aeldari god of war and strife Kaela Mensha Khaine, though the term can actually apply to any divine entity of the Warp that has found some way to take on a corporeal form on the mortal plane of existence.By far the most well-known Avatar is that of Khaine, but recently a new Aeldari god, Ynnead, the god of the dead, has begun to awaken. Ynnead also has an Avatar in the material world, known as the Yncarne. |
Avatar - Avatar of Khaine: At the heart of every Asuryani craftworld sits the Avatar of Khaine, its own incarnation of the Bloody-Handed God of the Aeldari, Kaela Mensha Khaine. Aroused from his throne of smouldering iron, the Avatar of the god of war and murder leads the warriors of his craftworld to battle. Huge and all-powerful, the Avatar is a god incarnate, the embodiment of the Aeldari racial soul, and a deadly opponent even for the most mighty powers of Chaos.It is said that after the birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh, "She Who Thirsts," during the Fall of the Aeldari in the 30th Millennium, she fought and killed the ancient Aeldari gods one-by-one in the Immaterium, absorbing their essences into her own just as she had the souls of the Aeldari themselves.But the god of war and strife, Khaela Mensha Khaine, was too strong to be destroyed forever. So Khaine's spirit fled the Warp and found refuge dispersed among the Infinity Circuits, the psychically-reactive wraithbone hearts of the remaining Aeldari craftworlds.Wherever his essence landed, a wraithbone artefact in the form of a great statue of the god was created, allowing future Aeldari to be able to summon a fragment of the spirit of Khaine back into the Materium to defend his race when a craftworld faces a particularly dire crisis.These fragments of Khaine's spirit can be summoned into realspace in times of great danger by the Aeldari from the Infinity Circuit where they rest to inhabit a physical body that will fight on their behalf. These are the Avatars, a single fragment of a true Aeldari god.The Aeldari of the craftworld call forth the Avatar in times of dire need by sacrificing an Exarch to Kaela Mensha Khaine on the eve of battle. The Avatar becomes a fiery, animated manifestation of the god of war in the wake of this blood sacrifice and leads the Aeldari armies into battle. |
Avatar - Ritual of the Young King: The sacrifice of the ancient mythological Aeldari culture hero Eldanesh, who allowed himself to be slain by Khaine rather than serve the war god and bring all of the Aeldari under his dominion, is still honoured amongst the Craftworld Aeldari when they need to go to war.As the call-to-arms rouses the Aspect Warriors and Guardians, a craftworld's Infinity Circuit will gather all the excess psychic aggression and hatred of its denizens and channel it into the metal body of Khaine's Avatar, to empower it for its eventual possession by the god of war and strife's soul shard that lies dormant within the Infinity Circuit of every craftworld.The Ritual of the Young King is the final step necessary to entreat the shard of Khaine to enter his Avatar's body and march forth to war. It has minor variations on each craftworld, but in essence it remains the same: one of the craftworld's Exarchs will embody the Young King Eldanesh as he refuses Khaine's offer of dominion over the universe. This brutal reminder of his greatest failure will so enrage the fragment of the war god in the craftworld's Infinity Circuit that it will enter the prepared vessel of wraithbone and slay the impudent mortal once again.As with everything amongst the Aeldari, this event is highly ritualised to prevent any psychic overspill attracting the attention of Slaanesh. First, the Exarchs will choose amongst themselves who will be the Young King. The method of the choice differs from craftworld to craftworld. Some have the Exarchs rotating through the position during a fixed timespan, others see the Exarchs choose who amongst them will receive the honour just before the awakening by ritualised combat.Once an Exarch is chosen, he or she becomes the Young King. The gender matters not, and a female will still be referred to as the "Young King," for she embodies Eldanesh, and Eldanesh was male. When the Ritual of the Young King reaches the moment for awakening the Avatar, the other Exarchs will gather in the antechamber of Khaine's shrine and form a circle around the Young King, softly chanting. They will solemnly assist the Young King in removing his or her Exarch Armour, which will reverently be returned to its Aspect Shrine.Once this is done, the Young King will stand tall, completely naked, arms spread wide and head bent backwards in adoration while the most senior Exarch of each Aspect carves the rune of its Aspect of War in the Young King's back. On some craftworlds, a golden cup called the Chalice of Criel is held to the small of the Young King's back to collect his blood, while on others, it is allowed to flow freely, anointing the ground of Khaine's shrine.Once all the runes have been carved into the Young King's back, the Exarchs will bring forth the Suin Daellae, the "Howling Death," the gigantic spear or sword that serves as the weapon of the Avatar of Khaine. The Young King will take the Suin Daellae while the remaining ornaments are brought and placed upon him; most often these are a cloak and a simple garland of flowers.If the Chalice of Criel is used in the ritual, it will be presented to the Young King who will take a sip of his own blood before accepting the cup. Once the preparations are completed, the doors to the inner sanctum of the shrine will be opened, and the Young King will step forth carrying the Avatar's weapon. The doors will close behind him and the Exarchs will offer a hymn of praise to Khaine and thanks to the Young King for his or her sacrifice.What exactly happens in the inner sanctum, none knows, for no Young King has ever lived to speak of it. But inevitably, after a few moments, the doors will open again, and the Avatar, fully empowered, will march to war. Of the Young King, no trace, save perhaps the dripping blood on the hands of the Avatar, will remain... |
Avatar - Wargear: Wailing Doom - Each Avatar of Khaine carries a mighty weapon in the form of a spear or a greatsword, known in the Aeldari Lexicon as the Suin Daellae, the Wailing Doom. This massive blade is many feet long, and shrieks as it tastes mortal flesh, wailing and crying and hurling murderous bolts of psychic force as the Avatar strides to war and reaps a brutal tally at close quarters. Upon its surface, ancient Aeldari Lexicon runes writhe as they struggle to escape from their bondage as if tortured by the heat of the Avatar's grasp. The Wailing Doom is no mortal weapon, but the manifestation of a dark and sinister god -- a part of the Avatar imbued with his divine power. |
Avatar - Avatar of Ynnead: The Aeldari god of the dead Ynnead is a dream, the embodiment of a possibility that has yet to be fully realised. Some Asuryani Seers long believed that when the last Aeldari died during the Rhana Dandra (the Final Battle with Chaos), Ynnead would be born from the Warp with the strength of all the Asuryani souls stored in the Infinity Circuits of the craftworlds and the World Spirits of the Exodites. Ynnead would then have the power to destroy Slaanesh forever in a final battle, thus correcting the mistakes which led to the Fall of the Aeldari and allowing the race to be reincarnated into a universe free of the taint of Chaos.Or at least that is what the Asuryani believed would happen for almost ten thousand standard years. Then, in ca. 999.M41, during the Battle of Port Demesnus on the moon of Coheria, the High Farseer Eldrad Ulthran of Craftworld Ulthwé partially completed a ritual intended to awaken Ynnead using the power of the souls found in the Infinity Circuits of every craftworld in the galaxy.While the unexpected intervention of the Imperial Deathwatch interrupted the ritual before it could be completed, the god of the dead was partially awakened, and sought out a champion and prophet to complete his rise in the form of Yvraine, the Daughter of Shades. Yvraine founded a new Aeldari kindred dedicated to the Whispering God's resurrection known as the Ynnari.Ynnead's avatar, the Yncarne, was summoned into being following the sacrifice of many souls wihtin the Infinity Circuit of the craftworld of Biel-Tan during the Battle of Biel-Tan, which was attacked by the Daemonic servants of Slaanesh under the leadership of the Herald of Slaanesh known as the Masque of Slaanesh. Yvraine successfully undertook the ritual and the newborn Yncarne was able to save Biel-Tan's remaining Infinity Circuit from The Masque. After its birth, the Yncarne fought alongside the Ynnari in their quest for the Crone Swords.The Ynnari, with members drawn from the Craftworld Aeldari, the Harlequins, and the Drukhari of Commorragh, seek the restoration of the ancient Aeldari race and the full awakening of the god of the dead by collecting the artefacts known as the Crone Swords from across the galaxy. The birth of the Yncarne represented the first step on this so-called "Seventh Path" to awaken Ynnead without first requiring the death of every Asuryani in the galaxy.The combined ritualistic use of the Crone Swords at a single focused point in realspace will allow Ynnead to fully manifest his power in the Warp, where he will combat Slaanesh, hopefully destroying the Prince of Chaos and freeing the Aeldari from the soul-devouring curse of She Who Thirsts forever. Only then will the Aeldari species, restored to the unity and name of the ancient Aeldari, seek to rebuild a new and better interstellar empire.However, while on the way to the ice moon of Klaisus in the Cadia System where they sought to ally themselves with the Imperial survivors of the Fall of Cadia, the Ynnari were assailed by the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion under the command of Ahriman. Though successful in fighting off the Heretic Astartes, the Yncarne went missing after the battle.In battle, the Yncarne wields the Crone Sword Vilith-zhar. |
Avatar - Imperium of Man: While only the Craftworld Aeldari have actually made use of physical Avatars to date, the Thorian faction of the Inquisition searches for the Avatar of the Emperor of Mankind who they believe will actually be born somewhere in the galaxy at the time of the greatest need for the Human race among the teeming billions of the Imperium.There are numerous factions within the Adeptus Mechanicus, including the Khamrians, who pursue the forbidden science of artificial, or "abominable intelligence."The Omnissiads of the Cult Mechanicus seek to summon the Machine God into an Avatar called the Omnissiah.In the early days of the Great Crusade, the Emperor of Mankind was recognised as the Omnissiah by the leaders of the ancient Mechanicum of Mars, prompting the Treaty of Mars and the alliance of the Cult Mechanicus with the nascent Imperium of Man, but the Omnissiads refuse to recognise the Emperor as this physical extension of the Machine God, and instead seek to create their own. |
Avatar - Sources: Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pp. 7-8, 26Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), pp. 6, 9, 11, 24-25Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 8, 17Codex: Eldar (2nd Edition), pp. 4, 7, 15, 22, 33, 56, 72, 85Fulgrim (Novel) by Graham McNeillAurelian (Novella) by Aaron Dembski-BowdenGathering Storm - Part Two - Fracture of Biel-Tan (7th Edition)Dawn of War (PC Game)Forge World - Eldar AvatarForge World - Eldar Avatar with Spear |
Avenger-class Grand Cruiser - Avenger-class Grand Cruiser: The Avenger-class Grand Cruiser is in many ways the archetypal grand cruiser. It is a massively potent and brutally simple warship that mounts colossal close-ranged macrobatteries of Macrocannons in broadsides that run for kilometres along its flanks.While regarded as unusually reliable and faithful for Grand Cruisers, the Avengers are now amongst the rarest of their type of warship.The Avenger dates from an earlier period of Imperial Navy fleet tactics, when squadrons of Grand Cruisers were employed as "line-breakers."Traditionally, they were thrown into the midst of massive fleet engagements, soaking up enemy fire while racing into the middle of enemy formations, then crushing their opponents at short range with tetrajoules of energy or projectiles from their oversized broadsides.These unforgiving tactics have taken their toll upon the few surviving Avengers, and they all bear the scars of grim, forgotten battles fought when the Imperium was young. |
Avenger-class Grand Cruiser - History: A noteworthy but relatively uncommon type of warship, grand cruisers are "pocket battleships" -- something of a halfway house between a battleship and a cruiser in size and firepower.They are intended principally to be capable of operating on their own rather than as part of a larger fleet, however, like many vessels of this type, they have been further designed for range (which is to say duration of deployment without significant resupply or refit) or to mount a specialised weapon system which requires particular tactics to utilise.Grand cruisers can make for formidable heavy raiders and can use their range and speed to catch targets unawares, as well as being powerful flagships for small Imperial fleets or fleets of cruisers and their escorts.The Imperial Avenger-class Grand Cruiser is a very old class of warship, a gun boat designed as a line-breaker during a time when the tactics of the ancient Armada Imperialis (the precursor to the post-Horus Heresy Imperial Navy that was actually a division of the ancient Imperial Army) were much different from what they are today.This class was used in a fairly simple way: squadrons of Avenger-class Grand Cruisers would deploy behind a screen of escorts or light cruisers while closing with the enemy fleet, then accelerate to maximum speed and race into the heart of the enemy fleet.Once there, it would sit in place and use its massive number of heavy broadside weapons batteries to trade barrages at point-blank range. The Avenger would also take severe damage from its foes in the process, but its big batteries could out-shoot most enemies at close quarters.When using Avengers, an Imperial battlefleet's tactical plan would usually call for two or three squadrons of the vessels to launch these brutal attacks simultaneously, causing so much damage and disruption through this close-quarters slug-match that the enemy formation would be reduced to disarray.The enemy vessels that survived the guns of the Avengers would then prove to be easy prey for the following waves of Imperial warships to mop up. This tactic was often effective, but the rate of attrition amongst Avenger squadrons was equally brutal, and the ship fell out of favour.Unfortunately for the Avenger-class, Imperial naval tactical doctrine changed over the years, making the Avenger redundant in many Imperial Navy battlefleets. For the most part, the Avenger-class has been relegated from front-line duty, with many Avengers having had their massive weapons batteries ripped out for use elsewhere.Those Avenger-class squadrons that remain are mostly mothballed in fleet reserves, patiently awaiting the day when they will once again be called upon to blast their way into the heart of an enemy fleet to defend the Imperium of Man. |
Avenger-class Grand Cruiser - Notable Avenger-class Grand Cruisers: Emperor's Vow - The Emperor’s Vow comes from an earlier era of Imperial fleets, where Grand Cruisers straddled the line between Cruisers and Battleships; heavier and slower than a Cruiser but less armed than a true Battleship. No one knows for certain where the Emperor’s Vow first originated, although the reserve fleets of Battlefleet Gothic are a likely possibility. Sebastian Winterscale journeyed through the Maw on its bridge, and it has called the Koronus Expanse its home ever since. Each Winterscale has ruled his interests from aboard it, to the point where Calligos does not bother to maintain a stronghold of operations on a planet or space station. In its many millenia of service, the Emperor’s Vow has undergone a great deal of modifications. The original macro-weapons have been replaced with either longer-range laser batteries or extremely powerful short-ranged macrobatteries, guaranteeing the ability of the Emperor’s Vow to crush its foes at any range. In addition, the aft gundecks have been removed and replaced with Titanforge lance turrets. Those foes foolish enough to fight the Emperor’s Vow find a ship able to wreak havoc at long range, but as they close its fire only intensifies, until they flee or break up under the punishment. The ship is utterly unsubtle, which seems to fit Winterscale’s desires perfectly. Its martial pride and legacy of Imperial service are immediately obvious by the unmasked ranks of gun batteries and baroque ornamentation portraying it as an Imperial vessel. Those who serve aboard her report the vessel seems to contain an aura of complete confidence and utter pride, as if the vessel itself could not conceive of a challenge it could not overcome. This hubris may not be misplaced -- in its centuries of service in the Winterscale’s fleet, the times the Emperor’s Vow has been forced to retreat from battle are few and far between.Guardian of Aquinas - The Guardian of Aquinas is a famous Avenger-class warship of the Martian Reserve Fleet.The Sword Infernus - The Sword Infernus is a renowned Avenger-class warship of Battlefleet Corona.Burden of Vigilance / Burden of Revelation - Once a proud member of the Imperial Navy, the Burden of Vigilance was tasked in 789.M41 to chart a stable Warp route between the Cellebos Warzone and Samech, for a future direct strike against that planet of Hereteks. Though it was guided by the young and talented Navigator Kokabiel Grigoris, after a long, fruitless search, the ship disappeared into the Hadex Anomaly. In 793.M41 the vessel reemerged from the Hadex Anomaly with a new name, the Burden of Revelation, now captained by its former Navigator. Having been turned to the service of Chaos, Kokabiel Grigoris now used the vessel to prey on passing Imperial voidships as the latest Chaos reaver to afflict the Jericho Reach. |
Avenger-class Grand Cruiser - Dimensions: Hull: 7.5 kilometres long, approximately 1.8 kilometres abeam at fins.Class: Avenger-class Grand Cruiser.Mass: 40 megatonnes, approximate.Crew: 141,000 crewmen, approximate.Acceleration: 2.2 gravities maximum acceleration. |
Avenger - Avenger: The Avenger is a strike aircraft of the Imperial Navy's Aeronautica Imperialis that is dedicated to ground attack missions on behalf of the regiments of the Astra Militarum.The Avenger is a dedicated strike fighter, intended to conduct high-speed, low-level attacks on ground targets, with armoured vehicle formations and high-value strategic assets such as munitions dumps forming its principal prey.The Avenger Strike Fighter boasts firepower that exceeds most other Imperial aircraft of its size, and its particular reputation as a tank-killer is due to the potent Avenger Bolt Cannon it carries. A rapid-firing Gatling Bolter weapon, the Avenger Bolt Cannon is known to be a highly effective tank-killer.Its effectiveness is such that it is now a staple of any Imperial Navy air support mission. The Avenger's use is often specifically requested by the Adepta Sororitas should they require close support during their purgations and the aircraft is also used by the armed forces of the Adeptus Mechanicus, who made use of the aircraft in its own conflicts before the Imperium was even founded. |
Avenger - History: The Avenger is an ancient pattern of aircraft that predates the Imperium of Man, and was designed on Mars by the ancient Mechanicum during the Age of Strife. The Avenger was produced by the Mechanicum for use by the Imperial Army during the Great Crusade, and was also used by the armed forces of the Mechanicum.Imperial records show that the Avenger either fell out of use by the Imperium after the Horus Heresy and Great Scouring or its Standard Template Construct (STC) designs were lost until its reemergence in the 36th Millennium.The Avenger was adopted by forces loyal to the Imperial Saint and reforming Ecclesiarch Sebastian Thor during the bloody wars of faith and schism of the 36th Millennium now called the Age of Apostasy by Imperial savants.In the 41st Millennium the Avenger is widely used by the Aeronautica Imperialis to support Astra Militarum units on the ground. |
Avenger - Armament: The Avenger Strike Fighter is heavily armed, and is most commonly used to destroy enemy armoured vehicles and fortified structures. The basic loadout of the Avenger is a hull-mounted Avenger Bolt Cannon, a set of twin-linked wing-mounted Lascannons, one on each wing, and a rear-facing Heavy Stubber for defensive actions in case enemy aircraft are on its tail.The aircraft can be further outfitted with additional weapons on its wings which can include either 6 tactical bombs or 2 Hellstrike Missiles or 2 Hellfury Missiles or 2 Missile Launchers, a set of twin-linked Autocannons or a set of twin-linked Multi-Lasers.The Avenger can also be outfitted with the following enhancements: a chaff launcher, an armoured cockpit, infra-red targeting equipment, and illumination flares.During the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy eras in the late 30th and early 31st Millennia, the Avenger was capable of having its entire Human crew replaced with hard-wired servitor control and dedicated cogitator arrays designed to identify and target weak spots on enemy vehicles.This automated control transformed the Avenger into an extremely deadly tank hunter. It is unknown if this capability is still possible in the Avengers deployed by the Imperial Navy in the 41st Millennium. |
Avenger - Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications: The technical specifications of the Avenger have not yet been made publicly available by the Adeptus Mechanicus. |
Avenger - Sources: Imperial Armour Aeronautica, pg. 20Imperial Armour - The Horus Heresy - Book One: Betrayal, pg. 272Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard (Second Edition), pg. 266Imperial Armour Volume Twelve - The Fall of Orpheus, pp. 19, 206-207 |
Avenger Bolt Cannon - Avenger Bolt Cannon: The Avenger Bolt Cannon is one of the primary weapons of both the Avenger strike fighter and the Fire Raptor gunship. It is a rapid-firing, rotary bolt weapon that is particularly effective in providing anti-armour fire support for forces on the ground. |
Avenger Bolt Cannon - Trivia: The Avenger Bolt Cannnon is similar in form, function and name to the United States Air Force's GAU-8 Avenger Gatling Gun, used on A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, which are also potent tank-killers. |
Avenger Gatling Cannon - Avenger Gatling Cannon: The Avenger Gatling Cannon is a large, multi-barrelled, rotary ballistic cannon used by the combat walkers of the Questor Imperialis, the Imperial Knights, and by the Renegade Knights of the Questor Traitoris. The Avenger Gatling Cannon is similar to an oversized Assault Cannon and features multiple cyclic barrels that fire high velocity mass-reactive shells capable of tearing enemy infantry to ribbons and ripping through lightly-armoured vehicles. Well-placed shots from the weapon are even capable of penetrating thicker armour plate, blasting apart heavily armoured infantry and causing severe damage to battle tanks.When the Avenger Gatling Cannon fires at its maximum rate its spinning barrels move faster than the eyes can see. The weapon is used to stitch deadly patterns of death across the enemy's lines, turning entire groups of infantry into clouds of bloody mist, causing charges to falter and destroying entire attack columns of light vehicles. The Avenger Gatling Cannon is found most prominently on the Knight Crusader and Knight Warden classes of Knight armour. The Avenger is usually carried along with a melee weapon or another ranged weapon, and in some cases even another Avenger Gatling Cannon. The weapon is equipped with an under-slung Heavy Flamer that is used to engage enemy infantry that get too close, flush enemy infantry from cover, or destroy targets that would be a waste of the Avenger's ammunition. |
Avenger Gatling Cannon - Variants: Due to the sheer diversity of Knight Worlds and Forge Worlds in the Imperium, there exist a multitude of minor variants of the Avenger Gatling Cannon, each different from the last in a number of distinct ways. All known variants of the Avenger Gatling Cannon include:Six-barrelled Avenger Gatling Cannon - The most common variant of the Avenger Gatling Cannon features six cyclic barrels in a cylindrical pattern. This type usually features an under-slung Heavy Flamer.Tri-barrelled Avenger Gatling Cannon - An uncommon variant of the Avenger Gatling Cannon, this variant features only three barrels in a triangular pattern. This variant has a lower rate of fire than the more common six-barrelled Avenger Gatling Cannon. This variant sometimes lacks the under-slung Heavy Flamer.Quad-barrelled Avenger Gatling Cannon - This uncommon variant features only four barrels in a square pattern. This variant has a lower rate of fire than the more common six-barrelled type. The quad-barrelled Avenger Cannon sometimes lacks the under-slung Heavy Flamer.Eight-barrelled Avenger Gatling Cannon - This rare variant features eight total barrels in a cylindrical pattern. This variant possesses a higher rate of fire than the more common six-barrelled Avenger Gatling Cannon, and features reinforced plating around the ends of the barrels. The eight-barrelled Avenger Cannon sometimes lacks the under-slung Heavy Flamer. |
Avenger Gatling Cannon - Sources: Codex: Imperial Knights (7th Edition), pp. 16, 21, 24, 29-30, 115Warhammer 40,000: Index - Chaos (8th Edition), pg. 109White Dwarf Weekly 66 (02 May 2015), "Imperial Knight Warden," "Imperial Knight Crusader," & "Paladins & Errants," pp. 4-5, 10-12, 18, 64-65Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade (Video Game)Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III (Video Game) |
Avenger Mega Bolter - Avenger Mega Bolter: An Avenger Mega Bolter is a deadly and formidable rapid-firing weapon utilised exclusively by the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter elite 2nd Company, known as the Ravenwing, and by the Dark Angels' Unforgiven Successor Chapters. The Avenger Mega Bolter is a smaller version of the Vulcan Mega Bolter. Nose-mounted on the Dark Angels' deadly air corps of Nephilim Jetfighters, they have proven ideal for engaging opposition flyers in deadly dogfights, and can carve through both enemy infantry and vehicle squadrons on ground attack strafing runs. |
Avengers - Avengers: The Avengers is a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter of unknown genetic origin and Founding. Nothing else is known about them in Imperial records, except that they were created some time after the Second Founding. |
Avengers - Chapter Colours: The Avengers Chapter primarily wears bone white power armour. The Aquila or Imperialis on the chest, the power pack and shoulder plates are red. The trim of the shoulder plates is bone white.The white squad tactical specialty symbol -- battleline, close support, fire support, Veteran or command -- is indicated on the right shoulder plate.A black High Gothic numeral centred on the squad specialty symbol indicates squad number. The identical iconography (mirror images), on both knee guards, indicates company number in accordance with the Codex Astartes. |
Avengers - Chapter Badge: The Avengers' Chapter badge is a white maltese cross, with a roundel in the centre. A large white skull sits in the centre of the roundel on a field of red. |
Avenging Sons - Avenging Sons: The Avenging Sons is a Codex Astartes-compliant Loyalist Space Marines Chapter originally created during the 19th Founding from the gene-seed of the Ultramarines.The Avenging Sons hail from the world of Traekonnis Major. |
Avenging Sons - Chapter History: The Avenging Sons were raised during the 19th Founding in the mid-36th Millennium.They are a Successor Chapter of the Ultramarines and proudly maintain that Chapter's vaunted martial traditions and their stoic faith in the tenets of the Codex Astartes written by their Primarch, Roboute Guilliman. |
Avenging Sons - Notable Campaigns: Space Port on Archimedon (Unknown Date.M41) - The world of Archimedon was the place where a major engagement of the Avenging Sons' 3rd Company unfolded. Their mission was to defend a spaceport on the planet. However, after the battle turned against them, they destroyed the spaceport themselves rather than let it fall into enemy hands. The Chapter Master of the time disagreed with this course of action, but he did not formally punish the company. The 3rd Company suffered substantial losses in this battle, including their Chaplain (who was replaced afterwards by Chaplain Herdain) and these losses helped to prime the company for the betrayal of the Emperor they would carry out on the world of Helmabad.Helmabad Rebellion (970.M41) - The Avenging Sons' Captain Gessart and his 3rd Company turned Renegade whilst fighting in the civil war on Helmabad against a force of Chaos Cultists, who had stirred up a rebellion against the Emperor, to save their own lives when the course of the battle went against them. Killing their Chaplain and those Loyalist battle-brothers who would not follow them, the Space Marines of the 3rd Company negotiated with the Traitors for safe passage to their Thunderhawk in return for leaving the Planetary Governor undefended for the cultists to slay. After fleeing the planet, which had been struck by a Warp Storm, the 3rd Company painted over their Chapter badges and other Imperial symbols and set course for the Eye of Terror. It should be noted that Captain Gessart intended to continue fighting for the good of humanity, yet could not remain as part of the Avenging Sons Chapter after he had allowed the elimination of those Space Marines who had refused to abandon the world of Helmabad to Chaos to save their own lives. This event has left a nigh indelible stain on the Chapter's honour. The renegade Astartes of 3rd Company have been sighted on at least three separate occasions between 996.M41 and 998.M41 in the vicinity of the Cadian Gate, each sighting moving ever closer to the Eye of Terror.Liberation of Antillis IV (Unknown Date.M41) - The Avenging Sons' 2nd Company led by Force Commander Selleus took extremely heavy casualties during the Antillis IV campaign to recover that world from the forces of Chaos. Outnumbered by a Chaos force led by a warband of Chaos Space Marines of the Black Legion, the detachment was ground down and eventually surrounded. Their defences broken, they fought to the end, detonating their position just at the moment of being completely overrun. The only known survivor was a single member of an attached Scout Squad and a Thunderhawk gunship which contained a large portion of the company's precious gene-seed, extracted during the battle.Taros Campaign - First Taros Intervention (998.M41) - A strike force composed of the Avenging Sons' 2nd Company fought in the first Imperial intervention that began the Taros Campaign on the desert Mining World of Taros in the Ultima Segmentum. The Avenging Sons' Captain Armaros led a Kill-team comprising a single reinforced company of the Avenging Sons to Taros in order to execute Planetary Governor Uphir Aulis within the Governor's Palace for his traitorous dealings with the T'au Empire, but the Space Marines were surprised by Taronian Planetary Defence Forces and a large contingent of T'au Fire Warriors who were secretly on the world to try and seize it from the Imperium. As a result of the unexpectedly large presence of the T'au Fire Caste on Taros, the Avenging Sons' mission failed and they had to extract themselves from the world with heavy casualties, including the loss of a Dreadnought. |
Avenging Sons - Notable Avenging Sons: Captain Armaros - Amaros was the Avenging Sons Kill-team Force Commander during the First Taros Intervention of the Taros Campaign as well as captain of the 2nd Company.Captain Gessart - Disgraced for dishonourably withdrawing his forces during the Archimedon Campaign, Captain Gessart and the Avenging Sons' 3rd Company were reassigned to fight a grueling campaign on the world of Helmabad. Feeling the strain of continuous warfare and angered by the unprofessional standards of the Helmabad Planetary Defence Force, Gessart became disillusioned. He soon learned from the company's Librarian that Helmabad was mere hours away from a massive incoming daemonic assault, and that to stand and defend it would mean certain death. Desperate to survive what he saw as a pointless sacrifice, Gessart resolved to withdraw his forces from the doomed planet. When his proposed plan was met with open hostility by Chaplain Herdain, the desperate Gessart murdered the Chaplain in cold blood. He then removed any further resistance within his company until only battle-brothers loyal to him remained. Gessart ordered his company to subjugate the Helmabad PDF and secure the Imperial Governor as a hostage. He turned the Governor over to the rebel Chaos Cult forces as a bargaining chip in order to secure passage off-world. Unable to reconcile these dishonourable actions with his Chapter, Captain Gessart soon realised that he and his men had become Renegades and ordered his company to chart a course for the Eye of Terror.Force Commander Selleus - Selleus was the force commander who led the Avenging Sons' 2ndCompany during the Liberation of Antillis IV.Chaplain Herdain - A resolute and staunch battle-brother, Chaplain Herdain was reassigned to the 3rd Company after their dishonourable actions during the Archimedon Campaign, and resolved that he would ensure that the company's Astartes were absolved of their sins by achieving a noble death during the grueling campaign on Helmabad. When Captain Gessart informed the Chaplain of the approaching daemonic incursion and made the suggestion that they should withdraw, the Chaplain refused to countenance such cowardice and was provoked into confronting the disreputable captain for command of the company. When he attempted to sway the men of the 3rd Company to support him, Gessart ended the debate by shooting Herdain in the head, killing him instantly.Chaplain Baraqel - An Avenging Sons Chaplain who participated in the First Taros Intervention.Epistolary Gathein - Gathein was a Primaris Space Marine and a member of Tetrarch Decimus Felix's Honour Guard called the Chosen of Vespator.Librarian Zacherys - Zacherys was the Librarian assigned to the 3rd Company. His prophetic visions helped influence the company's actions. When he informed Captain Gessart of the impending daemonic incursion that would arrive in a matter of hours as part of a Warp Storm that would engulf the doomed world of Helmabad, Gessart resolved to withdraw his forces and save his men by any means possible. Zacherys stood by his captain and supported his decision after discerning the meanings of his visions; for he knew that to stay on the planet meant certain death.Apothecary Tylo - Tylo was an Apothecary assigned to the 3rd Company. He sided with Captain Gessart against Chaplain Herdain, claiming that to allow their Chapter's gene-seed to fall into the hands of the forces of Chaos was unthinkable.Apothecary Korpus - 2nd Company Apothecary during the Antillis IV Campaign.Apothecary Actium - Actium participated in the First Taros Intervention.Veteran Sergeant Einem - Einem took part in the First Taros Intervention.Sergeant Andura (KIA) - Andura took part in the First Taros Intervention as the leader of 3rd Tactical Squad. He was killed by the T'au during the first phase of the operation.Veteran Sergeant Foras - Foras was a Veteran sergeant of the 1st Company who took part in the First Taros Intervention.Hechsen - Hechsen was a battle-brother of the 3rd Company who sided with Chaplain Herdain, choosing execution at the hands of his fellow battle-brother, Nicz, rather than sully his company's honour further by withdrawing from Helmabad in disgrace.Karlrech - Brother Karlrech was a battle-brother of the 3rd Company who sided with Chaplain Herdain's decision to stay and die an honourable death, refusing to change his mind even after Herdain's execution, and was subsequently executed at the hands of Brother Nicz.Lehenhart- Lehenhart was a battle-brother of the 3rd Company who sided with Captain Gessart's decision to withdraw, declaring that to do so was not cowardice, but survival. To fight against impossible odds was tantamount to committing suicide.Nicz - Nicz was a battle-brother of the 3rd Company who sided with his commander's decision to withdraw from the doomed world of Helmabad, though his viewpoint was more extreme than even Gessarts' own; the situation was untenable and the company's honour meant nothing compared to survival. In the end, after the 3rd Company's Astartes successfully carried out their plan and withdrew from the doomed world, Gessart realised that they had truly become Renegades and ordered the company to set course for the Eye of Terror. Realising his folly, Nicz attempted to assert his authority over his commander, but the captain confronts Nicz and dared his subordinate to shoot him if he believed that he could best him. Nicz relented and stood down, resigned to his fate as a Traitor to the Emperor.Ruphen - Ruphen was a battle-brother of the 3rd Company who agreed with Chaplain Heldain's decision to stay on Helmabad and die honourably. He was the first Avenging Son to draw his weapon and aim it at a fellow battle-brother.Rykhel - Rykhel was a battle-brother of the 3rd Company who also agreed with Chaplain Heldain's decision, declaring his oaths of loyalty to the Chapter meant that he had no say as to the manner or place of his death. Reluctantly, he went along with Captain Gessart's devious plan after Heldain was executed. After the 3rd Company successfully withdrew from the planet, Rykhel elected to desert in an escape pod to bring word to his Chapter of Gessart's treachery. Considering the only place he would be able to land safely was controlled by Heretics and was about to be overrun by a daemonic incursion unleashed by an onrushing Warp Storm, Gessart doubted that Rykhel would live long enough to carry out his plan.Willusch - Willusch was a battle-brother of the 3rd Company who sided with Captain Gessart; to throw the 3rd Company's lives away in such a pointless manner was a needless self-sacrifice.Heynke - Heynke was a battle-brother of the 3rd Company who was unsure which side to choose, but eventually chose to support the opinion of the vast majority of the 3rd Company, and agreed to Captain Gessart's plan to withdraw their forces from Helmabad.Caim (Dreadnought) - Brother Caim was a Mark V Castraferrum Dreadnought of the Avenging Sons' 2nd Company who served during the First Taros Intervention of the Taros Campaign. He was killed in action against the Tau during the failed attempt to assassinate the heretical Planetary Governor of Taros, Uphir Aulis.Hakael (Dreadnought) - Brother Hakael was a Mark IV Castraferrum Dreadnought of the Avenging Sons' 2nd Company who served during the First Taros Intervention of the Taros Campaign Kill-team. |
Avenging Sons - Non-Astartes Personnel: Kholich Beyene - Chief Chapter serf who served aboard Captain Gessart's strike cruiser Vengeful. |
Avenging Sons - Chapter Fleet: The Avenging Sons have an average-sized Chapter Fleet, of which the only known vessels are:Proxima Justus (Strike Cruiser) - The Proxima Justus delivered the Avenging Sons' 2nd Company to the desert Mining World of Taros during the First Taros Intervention in the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Planetary Governor Uphir Aulis that set off the Imperial Taros Campaign against the Tau in 998.M41.Vengeful (Strike Cruiser) - The Vengeful belonged to the former commander of the 3rd Company, Captain Gessart. When the commander fled the doomed planet of Helmabad in the face of an impending daemonic incursion and Warp Storm, Gessart ordered the vessel to make course for the Eye of Terror, as they were now true Renegades and would never be able to reconcile with their Chapter. |
Avenging Sons - Chapter Colours: The Avenging Sons wear azure power armour. The Aquila or Imperialis on the chest guard is gold.The white tactical squad specialty symbol on the right shoulder pauldron designates squad tactical specialty -- battleline, close support, fire support, Veteran or command.A black High Gothic numeral is stenciled on the centre of the squad specialty symbol which indicates squad number.The colour of the shoulder pauldron trim indicates company number in accordance with the dictates of the Codex Astartes, i.e. White (1st Company), Yellow (2nd Company), Red (3rd Company), Green (4th Company), etc. |
Avenging Sons - Chapter Badge: The Avenging Sons' Chapter badge is a white crosslet, centred on a field of azure. |
Avenging Sons - Canon Conflict: In the novel Dark Imperium by Guy Haley, a Chapter of Primaris Space Marines is raised at the Pit of Raukos as the last action of the Ultima Founding, and it is called the Avenging Sons. Roboute Guilliman based this new Chapter at the world of Callimachus within the growing Realm of Ultramar.It is not known whether the name of this Primaris Marine Chapter is a mistake or if it has some connection to the original Avenging Sons. |
Avenging Sons - Sources: Adeptus Astartes: Successor Chapters (Limited Release Booklet), pg. 15Imperial Armour Volume Two - Second Edition: War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes, pp. 8-9Imperial Armour Volume Three - Taros Campaign, pp. 19, 22-35Imperial Armour Volume Thirteen - War Machines of the Lost & The Damned, pg. 33Insignium Astartes, pg. 60Dark Imperium (Anthology) (2001), "Apothecary's Honour" by Simon JowettHeroes of the Space Marines (Anthology) edited by Nick Kyme and Lindsey Priestley, "Renegades" by Gav Thorpe, pg. 79Dark Imperium (Novel) by Guy Haley, Ch. 20The Rewards of Tolerance (Short Story) by Gav ThorpeBelisarius Cawl: The Great Work (Novel) by Guy Haley, Ch. 5 |
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