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Codex Astartes

1,422 bytes added, 30 March
Moved deviations out of the history section and to the bottom of the page, as it was less relevant and not time-related. also added some more info to the section
There is no such thing as a single version of the ''Codex Astartes'', and the original text no longer exists in any form.{{Fn|32a}} The earliest known copy is the [[Apocrypha of Skaros]].{{Fn|33}} Over the millennia, the work has been added to by successive hands so extensively that various competing versions have emerged. In some cases these are so divergent that chapters have gone to war over differing interpretations of the [[Primarch]]'s will. Therefore, although the doctrines presented in all are invaluable, and collectively the existing versions are perhaps the single greatest work on the art of war in the Imperium, attribution of each individual part of the text is nigh impossible, even with the help of its putative author. {{Fn|32a}}
 
===Deviations===
Secretly, however, Dorn formulated his own protocol to possibly circumvent the Codex Astartes known as the [[Last Wall]], a code phrase that would require the Imperial Fists and the Successor Chapters to bind together under one supreme commander.{{Fn|12}}
 
Likewise, the [[Dark Angels]] and their successors, while dividing into chapters, have remained united in their single-minded pursuit of the [[Fallen]].{{Fn|26}}
 
The [[Space Wolves]] Legion, however, never fully accepted the new doctrine; rather they held sacred the teachings of their Primarch, Leman Russ. For that reason, the Wolves consist of twelve [[Great Company|Great Companies]], rather than the ten mandated by the Codex, and their system of organisation and promotion bears little resemblance to that of hardline Codex chapters, such as the Ultramarines. Although the Space Wolves attempted to create Successor Chapters, the genetic instability of their [[gene-seed]] made a disaster of their first attempt, the ill-fated [[Wolf Brothers]].{{Fn|9}}
 
In the immediate aftermath of the Heresy, [[Nassir Amit]], the founder and first chapter master of the [[Flesh Tearers]], expressed little but scorn for the Codex, finding it amusing that Guilliman, who had been absent from the [[Battle of Terra]], should think himself fit to impose restrictions on the other Legions.{{Fn|13}}
===Recent Reformation===
* 9th Company: Light Blue {{Color sample|size=15|DodgerBlue}}{{Fn|15b}}
* 10th Company: Company colour is not displayed on their armour, because of their need to blend with their surroundings on reconnaissance missions.{{Fn|27a}}
 
While [[Scouts]] don't have pauldron trims to display company colour, [[Vanguard]] Space Marines do. When not attached to another Company, the trim of the Vanguard marine's pauldron is painted the same colour as the rest of the armour, i.e. an [[Imperial Fists]] [[Infilitrator]] of the [[10th Company, Imperial Fists Chapter|10th Company]] would have yellow pauldron trims.{{Fn|41}}
====Attached Units====
[[Image:SquadMarkingsv2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Organisational squad markings{{Fn|15c}}]]
Members The left shoulder plate of a Space Marine's Power Armour usually shows the Marine's Chapter Badge, while the right displays squad typically bear that markings. Squad markings in a Codex-compliant Chapter consist of a squad's number laid over a battlefield role icon and squad number on their right pauldrons. [[Close Support Squad]]s utilise display a 4-way arrowto designate their battlefield role, while [[Fire Support Squad]]s display an inverted V known as a chevron, and [[Battleline Squad]]s use a simple upwards-facing arrow. [[Space Marine Command Squad|Command Squads]] bear a skull, and [[Veteran Squad (Space Marines)|Veteran Squads]] use a stylised version of the [[Crux Terminatus]] similar to a Cross Pattée. [[Space Marine Veteran|Veterans]] in [[Terminator Armour]] wear a real [[Crux Terminatus]], albeit on their left shoulder pads, displacing their Chapter Badges to their right pauldron.{{Fn|20a}}{{Fn|27a}} Some Chapters choose to display squad information on other parts of the armour, e.g. on kneepads.{{Fn|18b}}{{Fn|18c}}
====Squad Markings====The left shoulder plate of a Space Marine's Power Armour almost always shows the Marine's Chapter BadgeSquads in Battle Companies are numbered so that squads 1-6 are Battleline, squads 7-8 are Close Support, and squads 9-10 are Fire Support. The right pad shows the squad badgeHowever, this indicates the type of squad the marine belongs squads 11-20 from Reserve Companies attached to and the number of his squad within the company. [[Veteran Squad]]s use a stylised version of the [[Crux Terminatus]] similar Battle Company don't appear to a Cross Pattée, Tactical Squads use an arrowfollow any required format, Assault Squads use four perpendicular arrows pointing outwards and Devastator Squads use an inverted V known as a chevron. Space Marines in Terminator Armour wear the [[Crux Terminatus]] on their left padmeaning they could all be Close Support squads, and their Chapter Badge on their right padfor example.{{Fn|27a20a}} Squad numbers are typically superimposed on The Vanguard squads in the 10th Company also don't follow the same strict numbering scheme that the squad type insigniabattle companies do, but many chapters choose so it's possible to display them on other parts of the armour, e.g. on kneepadshave a Battleline 10th squad in a Codex-compliant 10th Company.{{Fn|18b}}{{Fn|18c41}}
===Vehicles and Dreadnoughts===
{{CMS}}Each Codex-compliant Space Marine Company maintains a permanent number of [[Dreadnought]]s and transport tanks, and can requisition more from the Chapter [[Armoury]].{{CMEFn|20a}}
Vehicles attached to a company will generally bear the company's colour and number in a small roundel somewhere on the hull, as well as an identifier number to distinguish between different attached vehicles, although the exact meaning of identifier numbers vary.{{Fn|Note 2}}{{Fn|26c}} Transport vehicles attached to a specific squad also bear that squad's heraldry, including squad number and battlefield role insignia.{{Fn|26c}}
Aircraft are usually organised into squadrons, which are structured similarly to Space Marine squads, except with [[Techmarine]]s piloting (usually 3) aircraft instead of infantry. Squadrons are led by a wing leader, who combines the function of a [[Space Marine Sergeant|Sergeant]] and a Techmarine. Squadrons are also often attached to Companies, and bear that company's insignia. While there is no official marking scheme for squadrons, aircraft are usually marked with large blocks of colour on the wings and tail for easy identification from long distances, with the wing leader's aircraft featuring the most ornate design. Numbers applied to aircraft's hulls can also be used to differentiate between aircraft in the same squadron, with the wing leader usually being numbered 1.{{Fn|40}}
Battlefield roles can be given to aircraft, with some having the close support role.{{Fn|40}} Aircraft can form mixed-type units, such as a [[Storm Wing]], which contains a [[Stormraven Gunship]] escorted by two [[Stormtalon InterceptorsGunship]]s.{{Fn|40}}
===Ranks===
====Techmarine====
[[Techmarine]]s are Space Marine engineers and mechanics,{{Fn|27h}} and can also function as pilots for some of a Chapter's larger vehicles, such as aircraft. {{Fn|40}} They wear red armour, irrespective of what chapter they belong to, and wear their Chapter Badge as normal.{{Fn|27h}}
====Apothecary====
*''"The Codex Astartes leaves no doubt, you cannot touch the warp and remain unscathed."''<br>- [[Leandros]], voicing his concern over the inexplicable survival of [[Demetrian Titus]] having held [[Project Aurora]]'s [[warp]] infused power source unshielded.{{Fn|30}}
 
 
==Deviations==
===Imperial Fists===
While the Imperial Fists are one of the most Codex-compliant Chapters, they are known to exploit a vagueness in the Codex's progression scheme. While it is taken to mean that marines are to progress from the 10th Company to the 1st in reverse numerical order by most other Chapters, this is not explicitly stated in the Codex. The Imperial Fists hence use this to direct their 10th Company initiates into the 8th Company before the 9th, meaning they purge themselves of tendency for close-range physical violence before moving onto the precision-oriented Fire Support role in the 9th, retaining this combat style throughout the higher Companies.{{Fn|41}}
 
Secretly, Rogal Dorn alsoa formulated his own protocol to possibly circumvent the Codex Astartes known as the [[Last Wall]], a code phrase that would require the Imperial Fists and the Successor Chapters to bind together under one supreme commander.{{Fn|12}}
 
===Dark Angels===
Similar to the Imperial Fists, the [[Dark Angels]] and their successors, while dividing into chapters, have remained united in their single-minded pursuit of the [[Fallen]].{{Fn|26}}
 
===Space Wolves===
The [[Space Wolves]] Legion, however, never fully accepted the new doctrine; rather they held sacred the teachings of their Primarch, Leman Russ. For that reason, the Wolves consist of twelve [[Great Company|Great Companies]], rather than the ten mandated by the Codex, and their system of organisation and promotion bears little resemblance to that of hardline Codex chapters, such as the Ultramarines. Although the Space Wolves attempted to create Successor Chapters, the genetic instability of their [[gene-seed]] made a disaster of their first attempt, the ill-fated [[Wolf Brothers]].{{Fn|9}}
 
===Flesh Tearers===
In the immediate aftermath of the Heresy, [[Nassir Amit]], the founder and first chapter master of the [[Flesh Tearers]], expressed little but scorn for the Codex, finding it amusing that Guilliman, who had been absent from the [[Battle of Terra]], should think himself fit to impose restrictions on the other Legions.{{Fn|13}}
==Notes==
*{{Endn|38}}: [[Imperial Armour - The Siege of Vraks: Second Edition]], pg. 50
*{{Endn|39}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Eight - Raid on Kastorel-Novem]], pg. 110
*{{Endn|40}}: [[Flyers of the Dark MilleniumMillennium]], pgs. 4-19 *{{Endn|41}}: [[Codex Supplement: Imperial Fists (8th Edition)]], pgs. 10 & 21
===Uncited===
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