Difference between revisions of "Salamanders"
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Despite the fact that the Salamanders follow the Codex Astartes, they nonetheless also follow the doctrines of their own Promethean Cult. The Promethean Cult places high emphasis on self-reliance, self-sacrifice and loyalty. Symbols of the forge - such as fire and hammers - are prominent throughout Promethean iconography. As such, flamers, melta weapons and thunder hammers are widely used throughout the chapter. Because of their early training as blacksmiths, all Salamanders are fully capable of maintaining and performing moderate repair on their weapons and armor, leaving the Chapter's artificers with the free time necessary to create great works of technology and metallurgy. As a result, the Salamanders Chapter has an unusually high number of master crafted weapons and artificer armor. | Despite the fact that the Salamanders follow the Codex Astartes, they nonetheless also follow the doctrines of their own Promethean Cult. The Promethean Cult places high emphasis on self-reliance, self-sacrifice and loyalty. Symbols of the forge - such as fire and hammers - are prominent throughout Promethean iconography. As such, flamers, melta weapons and thunder hammers are widely used throughout the chapter. Because of their early training as blacksmiths, all Salamanders are fully capable of maintaining and performing moderate repair on their weapons and armor, leaving the Chapter's artificers with the free time necessary to create great works of technology and metallurgy. As a result, the Salamanders Chapter has an unusually high number of master crafted weapons and artificer armor. | ||
| − | In an interesting example of juxtaposition, however, the | + | In an interesting example of juxtaposition, however, the fluctuating gravity of Nocturne makes training with certain units such as landspeeders and bikes difficult, therefore the chapter makes little use of them, in favour of Devastator squads and Terminator Squads (the chapter has 120 veterans as opposed to the typical 100). |
Indeed, it is fitting that Salamanders be lacking in the way of Fast Attack, as for some inexplicable reason, they naturally have slightly slower reflexes than most Space Marines. It should be noted though, that their reflexes are still significantly faster than those of a normal human. | Indeed, it is fitting that Salamanders be lacking in the way of Fast Attack, as for some inexplicable reason, they naturally have slightly slower reflexes than most Space Marines. It should be noted though, that their reflexes are still significantly faster than those of a normal human. | ||
Revision as of 11:50, 19 June 2006
Basic Information
History
Horus Heresy
The Salamander's role during the Horus Heresy is not well known to Imperial Scholars; what is for certain is that the legion, along with the Iron Hands and Raven Guard, was part of the first wave of attackers during the battle of Istvaan V.
After the announcment of Horus's treachery and the destruction of Istvaan III, the Emperor ordered seven Legions of Space Marines to attack the forces serving his former son and friend. But among those seven Legions, four were already traitors.
The initial landing force fell into a trap and, despite their martial skills, the three loyal Legions were forced to begin a tactical withdrawal toward their landing site, which had been fortified by the four traitor legions forming the second wave. At this moment the second wave opened fire on the retreating Marines, crushing them between the hammer of Horus's forces and the anvil of the fortified drop site. Despite a heroic defense, the three loyal Legions were practically destroyed; all but a handfull of battle brothers fell on that fateful day.
After this awesome defeat the Salamanders, as well as the other two betrayed Legions were unable to perform any tasks the Emperor had planned for them and spent the rest of the time of the Heresy rebuilding their forces.
Battle for Armageddon
Second War for Armageddon
Led by Chapter Master Tu'Shan, whose tenure as Chapter Master had only begun 3 years before, the Salamanders fought with distinction. Among other feats, they managed to defend the bridge over the River Stygies from a thousand strong Speed Freeks Army, and prevented the Orks from destroying a water purification plant, thus saving Hive Tempestora from a slow death by dehydration. Although the hive eventually fell, their efforts allowed it to be evacuated before the Orks could capture the hive.
The Salamanders have been involved in many magnificent conquests and wars, but in recent times even these great achievements have been eclipsed by their stalwart fighting during the Second Armageddon War While the Blood Angels set about destroying the Ork horde, and the Ultramarines bent their strength to the defence of the surviving hive cities, the Salamanders took upon themselves the essential but neglected task of protecting the supply convoys, fighting rearguard actions against the Ork advances and escorting refugee columns. So unstinting were they in these arduous but unsung duties, the Salamanders were to earn the gratitude and respect of thousands of Imperial Guardsmen and civilians. The Salamanders have become renowned as sturdy and dependable allies, a reputation which is not shared by other more unpredictable, Chapters
Third War for Armageddon
When Ghazghkull launched his new offensive against the Imperial forces on Armageddon, the Salamanders were one of the first Chapters to respond, sending a full six Companies to combat the Orks, including Chapter Master Tu'Shan personally leading his Firedrakes. The Salamanders have launched several counter-attacks against the rock-forts landed by the Orks along the Hemlock river. Preferring the close-quarter lighting within the maze of crudely carved tunnels within the Roks to the long-range duels in the desert, the Salamanders have made the Orks pay a high price for their audacity. At least three Roks have been destroyed by the Salamanders' attacks, killing untold thousands of greenskins.
Organisation
Combat Doctrine
Despite the fact that the Salamanders follow the Codex Astartes, they nonetheless also follow the doctrines of their own Promethean Cult. The Promethean Cult places high emphasis on self-reliance, self-sacrifice and loyalty. Symbols of the forge - such as fire and hammers - are prominent throughout Promethean iconography. As such, flamers, melta weapons and thunder hammers are widely used throughout the chapter. Because of their early training as blacksmiths, all Salamanders are fully capable of maintaining and performing moderate repair on their weapons and armor, leaving the Chapter's artificers with the free time necessary to create great works of technology and metallurgy. As a result, the Salamanders Chapter has an unusually high number of master crafted weapons and artificer armor.
In an interesting example of juxtaposition, however, the fluctuating gravity of Nocturne makes training with certain units such as landspeeders and bikes difficult, therefore the chapter makes little use of them, in favour of Devastator squads and Terminator Squads (the chapter has 120 veterans as opposed to the typical 100).
Indeed, it is fitting that Salamanders be lacking in the way of Fast Attack, as for some inexplicable reason, they naturally have slightly slower reflexes than most Space Marines. It should be noted though, that their reflexes are still significantly faster than those of a normal human.
Trained never to give up or retreat, Salamanders are capable of going on when their entire squad is dead, holding positions for months on end. This is one of the more significant effects of Promethean doctrines upon the Chapter's collective psyche.
Company Disposition
Salamanders differ from most if not all other chapters in the fact that each company posesses 120 men as opposed to the standard 100 that the Codex Astartes promotes. Additionally, instead of having 10 companies, the Salamanders have only 6 companies of marines in addition to a small scout company. The Chapter Organization of the Salamanders is as follows:
The Fire Drakes - First Company
Squads: 12 Veteran Squad
Support: Dreadnoughts, Rhinos, Land Raiders, Terminator Squads
Company Colors: Chapter badge white on a black background, Codex company markings.
Battle Companies - second through fourth companies
Squads: 7 Tactical Squads, 3 Devastator Squads, 2 Assault Squads
Support: Dreadnoughts, Rhinos, Bike Squadrons, Land Speeder Squadrons
Company Colors:
Second - Chapter badge white on a black background, Codex company markings.
Third - Chapter badge fiery yellow on a black background, Codex company markings.
Fourth - Chapter badge green on a black background, Codex company markings.
Reserve Company 1 (5th company)
Squads: 8 Tactical Squads, 4 Devastator Squads
Support: Dreadnoughts, Rhinos
Company Colors: Chapter badge black on a fiery yellow background, Codex company markings.
Reserve Company 2 (6th company)
Squads: 4 Tactical Squads, 8 Devastator Squads
Support: Dreadnoughts, Rhinos
Company Colors: Chapter badge green on a fiery yellow background, Codex company markings.
Scout Company
Squads: 6 Scout Squads
Support: Scout Bike Squadron
Company Colors: Chapter badge black on a white background, Codex company markings.
