Executioners

Executioners
Founding Chapter:	Imperial Fists2
Founding:	3rd (Unconfirmed, only mentioned in Chapter chronicles) 3
Descendants:	Iron Champions3, Crimson Axes (listed as Lost circa 092.M39)3, Skull Bearers3 (unproved)
Chapter Master:	Unknown
Homeworld:	Stygia-Aquilon3
Fortress-Monastery:	Darkenvault3
Colours:	Silver, with Yellow shoulder inset
Specialty:	Close-range firefights and Hand-to-hand combat3
Strength:	Unknown
Battle Cry	Unknown

History

The Executioners are a Chapter that trace their origins to the tumultuous years following the Horus Heresy. They are descendants of the Imperial Fists, and were said to have been first led by Fafnir Rann, said to have been one of the most vicious of Rogal Dorn's captains. According to the Chapter's own chronicles, they were founded for the express purpose of seeking out and slaughtering the foes of Mankind. They had ceaselessly pursued this duty for many millennia, that is, until the events of the Badab War^3e.

The Badab War

The Executioners sided with the forces of Lugft Huron, the Tyrant of Badab, as a matter of honor. In the closing years of the 39th Millennium, the twin homeworlds of the Chapter were laid under siege by a dangerous xenoform it never encountered before. Soon even the hallowed vaults of their fortress-monastery had been penetrated, and while the marines of the Executioners fought back grimly against the invaders soon there were few left to mount a proper defense of the fortress' inner sanctum. Extinction seemed inevitable, until the forces of the Astral Claws, supported by the ships of Battlefleet Tempestus, arrived to break the siege. The xenos were driven off, but at the cost of the lives of countless Astral Claws. The surviving Executioners, grateful for the aid given them, swore to assist the Astral Claws in the same manner if the Chapter was threatened in the same way.^3a

While nominally allied with the forces of the Tyrant, it became immediately apparent that the Executioners fought on their own terms, and apparently looked at their allies with contempt. The Chapter refused to garrison troops, claim territory, or attack non-military targets. Despite this its forces soon formed a fearsome reputation, especially among the Howling Griffons, whom they dealt catastrophic damage to at Khymara, and the supply convoys of the Loyalist forces, whom they mercilessly hounded with their warship, the Night Hag.^3f

The alliance would last until 911.M41, when forces under Astral Claws Arch-Centurion Commodus attacked the Salamanders battle-barge Pyre of Glory, intent on pillaging its gene-seed stores and armory despite the fact that it had peacefully surrendered to the Executioners. Incensed at this breach of honor, the Executioners turned on the Astral Claws, not stopping until all the oath-breakers were dead. From that point on, the Chapter would become a rogue element in the war, attacking both Loyalist force and Secessionist alike, although supply convoys were left surprisingly alone.^3g

The Executioner's role in the Badab War came to an end late into 912.M41. Through the intercession of Captain Pellas Mir'san of the Salamanders, who felt that he owed the Executioners a debt of gratitude for their intervention during the attack on the Pyre of Glory, the Chapter was allowed to peacefully exit the hostilities, despite some misgivings from the Loyalists. The entirety of the Executioners force, led by Chaplain Thulsa Kane, was escorted back to the Salamanders homeworld of Nocturne, where they would remain until the end of the war.^3h

The Aftermath

Although they had suffered relatively the least amongst the Chapters that had sided with the Tyrant of Badab, the Executioners were still required to undergo a hundred-year penitent crusade to atone for its actions. They were given a measure of clemency however, and their twin homeworlds were held in trust by the Salamanders and the Executioners' own successors, to be returned to them if they returned from their quest for contrition^3b.

Organization

Death Speaker of the Executioners^3j

For a Chapter with such a savage reputation, it would surprise many to learn that the Executioners adhere very strictly to the tenets laid down in the Codex Astartes, with only a few variations. The most notable of this is the replacement of the standard Devastator Squad in a Battle Company with a squad of Veterans equipped in the Sternguard configuration^3c.

Another change is that each Company is assigned three Chaplains instead of one. These individuals, called the "Death Speakers" serve the dual role of recounting the tallies of the honored dead, as well as keeping order in the Chapter.^3e

The Executioners seem to disdain the use of bikes and attack bikes, and instead rely on Land Speeders for scouting duties.^3c

Each Captain of the Chapter is allowed a degree of autonomy, and considered a warlord in their own right. Although the Chapter Master, called the High Executioner, holds the ultimate authority in matters regarding the Chapter's practices, but if he should be found unfit or unworthy by popular assent, then any Captain has the right to challenge the incumbent for the position. Such contests are almost always bloody^3d.

Notable Executioners

• High Chaplain Thulsa Kane - The overall leader of the Chapter's forces during the Badab War, Thulsa Kane was charged with fulfilling the blood debt the Executioners owed to the Astral Claws. Possessed of a macabre wit and scornful demeanor, Kane is nonetheless a potent warrior, whose tally of heads taken in the name of the Emperor he himself had long lost count of.³ⁱ

Sources

• ¹: White Dwarf 101(uk) "Index Astartes: The Badab Uprising" by Rick Priestley
• ²: Imperial Armour Volume Nine - The Badab War - Part One, 2010 p. 24
• ³: Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two
  • ^3a: P. 88
  • ^3b: P. 54
  • ^3c: P. 86
  • ^3d: P. 87
  • ^3e: P. 84
  • ^3f: P. 89
  • ^3g: P. 30
  • ^3h: P. 46
  • ³ⁱ: P. 175
  • ^3j: P. 85

Related Articles

• List of Space Marine Chapters