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|Founding Chapter=[[Iron Hands]]{{Fn|11a}}|Founding=n/a; chapter ratified by edict 011.[[M37]]{{Fn|11a}}|Chapter Master=n/a; chapter overseen by triumverate council of [[Iron Thane]]s{{Fn|11a}}|Descendants=None{{Fn|11a}}|Homeworld=[[Fleet based]]; three primary independent battle groups{{Fn|11a}}|Fortress-Monastery=Asteroid network, [[Taelus System]]{{Fn|11a}}|Colours=Green with black aquila and white helmet.{{Fn|11a}}{{Fn|4}}

|Battle Cry="Purge the weak."{{Fn|11a}}

The '''Sons of Medusa''' are a [[Successor Chapter]] of the [[Iron Hands]].{{Fn|11a}}

The Sons of Medusa, although born out of strife and discontent, share much in common with their parent [[Chapter]] in terms of organisation and philosophy. They , too , abhor mortal weakness and place an unusual reliance on technology and equipment.{{Fn|11a}}

The Founding of the Sons of Medusa is highly unusual in that, technically, they were never actually founded at all. Their origins lie within an [[Imperial]] civil conflict known as the [[Moirae Schism]], which itself occurred during the [[Nova Terra Interregnum]]. During this schism, which affected all branches of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] and those Imperial factions closely tied to it, the Iron Hands chapter stood on the brink of destroying itself in an internal chapter war. However, the ruling council of the Iron Hands, the Great Clan Council, was able to settle the matter by getting all concerned to agree to a simple solution; the Moirae dissidents were to be exiled from the chapter, with all parties swearing never to take up arms against each other. In the wake of this ruling, almost a full third of the chapter split away to become a [[fleet-based]] divergent branch of the Iron Hands. Over time, they increased their numbers (by accepting Moirae dissidents from other Iron Hands successor chapters as well as traditional recruiting) and by the time the Moirae Schism was over, the Moirae Iron Hands were reckoned to stand at chapter-strength.{{Fn|11a}}

With the restoration of the [[High Lords of Terra]] during the [[Age of Redemption]], the Moirae Iron Hands were carefully judged and scrutinised by the resurgent Imperium for their actions during the Schism and the Interregnum, and were found pure and loyal to the greater Imperium. As a result, the High Lords of Terra issued a special edict that would ratify the Moirae Iron Hands' right to exist as a Space Marine chapter in their own right. They were renamed the Sons of Medusa and gained new heraldry, as well as the distrust and wary observation of some in the Adeptus Mechanicus and other Space Marine chapters unhappy with this development.{{Fn|11a}}

As if to test their loyalty, the first campaign officially issued to the Sons of Medusa was that of the [[Great Cull]]; the eradication of those elements of the Imperium found wanting. They are noted to have performed above and beyond expectations in this campaign, outshining their parent chapter as well as other Imperial forces with their zeal to destroy Imperial traitors, as well as other foes of humanity.{{Fn|11a}}

The Sons of Medusa most recently appear in Imperial records as one of the chapters who that took part in the [[Badab War]] on the side of the loyalists. They In response to a call for aid from [[Inquisitor|Legate-Inquisitor]] [[Jarndyce Frain]], they entered the war after the initial period of conflict as reinforcements called in to deal with the secessionists after they had officially been deemed heretical. The first strike cruisers of the chapter deployed significant forces to the war would arrive in early 907.M41, and performed admirably throughout. They spent the first few years would be comprised of their involvement purging enemy outlying strongholds, during which they are only noted to have suffered one serious setback; the destruction full Atropos Clan with equipment and sections of the Lachesis and Magaera Clans. This joint force would be led by [[Strike CruiserIron Thane]] ''[[WarspiteVaylund Cal]]'', along with all hands aboard. The ''Warspite'' was destroyed by of the secessionist [[Executioners]] chapterAtropos Clan. When In total, the Executioners surrendered not too long after, estimated force of the Sons of Medusa advocated bloody retributionwas six codex companies with a supporting fleet of fourteen various escort and attack vessels, howeversix [[Strike Cruisers]], they were denied this by the two [[Forgeship|Forgeships]] and one [[SalamandersBattlebarge]] forces present in the warzone that stepped in to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. This incident is noted to have seriously soured relations between the loyalist chapters.{{Fn|11b}}

Command Squad The Sons of Medusa performed admirably throughout the Atropos Clan Battle Company fought in Badab War, despite only coordinating with the Red Scorpions. They spent the first few years of their involvement purging enemy outlying strongholds, first scouring [[Cygnax]], then later on raiding the planets of [[Decablus]] and [[Eshunna]]. Most notably, the Sons of Medusa led the [[Galen Subjugation]] campaign during . During their involvement in the Badab War, the chapter is only noted to have suffered one serious setback; the destruction of the [[Strike Cruiser]] ''[[Warspite]]'', along with all hands aboard. The ''Warspite'' was destroyed by the secessionist [[Executioners]] chapter near the [[Grief System]] in 911.M41.{{Fn|51b}}

The When the Executioners surrendered not too long after, the Sons of Medusa advocated bloody retribution; however, they were in at the kill of denied this by the [[Fall of Badab]] and [[Lugft HuronSalamanders]]'s secessionist forces, being primarily responsible for present in the capture of one of the star fortresses which protected [[Badab Primaris]] from attackwarzone that stepped in to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. The capture of this particular fortress was Whilst direct conflict between the last act needed to shatter the [[Tyrant Sons of Badab]]'s "Ring of Steel" Medusa and open Badab Primaris the Salamanders was narrowly avoided, this incident is noted to planetary assault{{Fn|1}}. The Chapter's '''Atropos War Clan''' took heavy loses in have seriously soured relations between the [[Badab War]], which in [[M42]] were later largely replaced by [[Primaris Space Marines]]loyalist chapters.{{Fn|101b}}

In [[M42]], during The Sons of Medusa were in at the kill of the [[Indomitus CrusadeFall of Badab]], three and [[Torchbearer FleetLugft Huron]]'s were dispatched to reinforce secessionist forces, being primarily responsible for the Sons capture of Medusa's War Clans. Each carried with it a larger than average force one of [[Adeptus Custodes]], as the star fortresses which protected [[ImperiumBadab Primaris]] knew from attack. The capture of this particular fortress was the War Clans were likely last act needed to resist taking shatter the ability to create [[Primaris Space MarinesTyrant of Badab]]'s "Ring of Steel" and open Badab Primaris to planetary assault{{Fn|1b}}. Also the fact that The Chapter's '''Atropos War Clan''' took heavy loses in the [[GreyshieldBadab War]] reinforcements they carried, were born from which in [[Iron HandsM42]] were later largely replaced by [[Gene-seed]] would cause problems as well. The Custodes' presence, however, was to leave no doubt to the Sons of Medusa, that the Primaris came from the boon of the [[EmperorSpace Marines]] Himself. To deny them, was to directly deny the Master of Mankind.{{Fn|1410}}

In [[M42]], during the [[Indomitus Crusade]], three [[Torchbearer Fleet|Torchbearer Fleets]] were dispatched to reinforce the Sons of Medusa's War Clans. Each fleet carried a larger-than-average force of [[Adeptus Custodes]], as the [[Imperium]] knew the War Clans were likely to resist taking the ability to create [[Primaris Space Marines]]. Also, the fact that the [[Greyshield]] reinforcements they carried were born from [[Iron Hands]] [[Gene-seed]] would cause problems as well. The Custodes' presence, however, was to leave no doubt to the Sons of Medusa that the Primaris came from the boon of the [[Emperor]] Himself. To deny them was to directly deny the Master of Mankind.{{Fn|14}}  All three [[Torchbearer Fleet]]s found their respective War Clans, but had various difficulties in convincing them to accept the [[Primaris Space Marine|Primaris]]. Lachesis was the easiest, as its Fleet rushed to aid the War Clan in its battle against the [[Orks]] of the [[Dravus Cluster]]. The Torchbearer Fleet would then fight alongside Lachesis for a full year , and the martial bonds they forged allowed the War Clan to accept the Primaris. However , the Fleets that dealt with Mageara and Atropos, had a much more difficult time in doing so. In the end, the challenges they faced went far beyond the resistance shown by the two remaining War Clans themselves...{{Fn|14}}

*[[M35]] — [[Moirae Schism]]; Moirae Iron Hands exiled and become independent.{{Fn|11a}}*'''011.[[M37]]''' — Moirae Iron Hands ratified as a Space Marine chapter; re-codifed as the Sons of Medusa. Took part in the [[Great Cull]].{{Fn|11a}}*'''182.[[M38]]''' — The [[Bellrath Crusade]]; liberation of the [[Laanah Rifts]] from [[xenos]], [[heretics]] and scum.{{Fn|11c}}*'''453.[[M38]]''' — The Bellrath Crusade ends.{{Fn|11c}}*[[M39]] — Sons of Medusa establish permanent [[fortress-monastery]] complex in the [[Taelus System]].{{Fn|11c}}

*'''907.[[M41]]''' — Entered the [[Badab War]].{{Fn|11c}}*'''912.M41''' — The Badab War ends.{{Fn|11c}}

Like their progenitors, the Sons of Medusa are afflicted by the almost obsessive desire to replace what they perceive as their weak flesh with the strength provided by [[cybernetic]] replacements. They also maintain extremely close links with Despite these similar views, multiple factions of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] and are distrustful of the chapter, while their relationship with their belief in progenitors, the [[Iron Hands]], is civil albeit extremely cold. Despite these many distant relations, the Sons of Medusa maintain amicable relations with some [[Machine GodExplorator]]sects.{{Fn|1c}} Similar to their progenitors, the Iron Hands, the Sons of Medusa adopted a clan system. This replaced the usual ten companies a Space Marine chapter would usually have with three War Clans: '''Lachesis''', '''Mageara''' and '''Atropos'''.{{CMEFn|1c}}

Whilst the Sons of Medusa are unusually structured - being split into three separate and effectively autonomous War Clans (Lachesis, Mageara and Atropos) - their overall organisation is reasonably close to that laid forth in the [[Codex Astartes]]. This is achieved due to the makeup of the individual War Clans: One [[Battle Company]], one [[Tactical Company]], one Support Company (composed of [[Devastator Squad|Devastator]], [[Assault Squad|Assault]] and [[Veteran Squad]]s) and one auxilliary [[Scout]] force each. When the makeup of these companies is totalled, the Sons of Medusa "notionally" end up with about the same amount of marines assigned to the various roles as a more straightforward [[Codex Chapter]].{{Fn|11a}}

However, the Sons of Medusa have a particularly exacting recruitment and indoctrination process, which can result in a lower-than-average number of initiates at any one time. On the plus side of this equation, the high wash-out rate does ensure the chapter has a large number of [[servitors]].{{Fn|11c}}

Each War Clan is commanded by an [[Iron Thane]] — these three being the ruling council of the chapter - and each company by a [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]]. Besides the official command chain, there sit the unofficial links of respect and tradition; the wisdom of the chapter's [[Venerable Dreadnought]]s and their [[Techmarine]]s, who group themselves together as the "Chamber Ferrum." The Chamber Ferrum not only advises the War Clan leaders, it keeps direct control over essential chapter resources such as the forges and [[apothecarion]]. This ensures chapter unity in focus, philosophy and materiel.{{Fn|11c}}

Indeed, the Sons of Medusa are noted to be a very unified chapter despite their clan organisation, with their chapter philosophies of logic and the abhorrence of the weak always being forefront in the mind of each Astartes. The chapter possesses extensive forge resources, allowing them to field an impressive amount of Space Marine equipment, in both number and variety. There is almost no pattern of vehicle or armour they do not possess, either through direct forging or battlefield scavenging. The Sons of Medusa historically favour combats with [[renegade chapters]] and through their skills at techno-exorcism, are always able to find use for enemy equipment.{{Fn|11c}}

*''[[Warspite]]'' - [[Strike Cruiser]]. Destroyed by the [[Executioners]] during the [[Badab War]].{{Fn|11a}}

*[[Vaylund Cal]] — Iron Thane of Atropos War Clan, High Artificer of the Sons of Medusa, Scion of the Moirae.{{Fn|1g}}

Sons of medusa marine.png|Brother [[Kheres]] of the Magera War Clan]]{{Fn|11d}}SonsMedusaTerm1.jpg|Terminator Sgt [[Drakon (Sons of Medusa)|Drakon]]of the Atropos War Clan{{citethisFn|1e}}SonsMedusaTerm2.jpg|Terminator Brother [[Sthal]]of the Atropos War Clan{{citethisFn|1f}}SonsMedusaAss.jpg|Brother [[Ashmon]]of the Atropos War Clan{{citethisFn|1d}}SonsMedusaTech.jpg|[[Forge-Wright]] [[Lumic]]of the Atropos War Clan{{citethisFn|1d}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two]], :**{{Endn|1a}}: pgs. 94 & 96**{{Endn|1b}}: pgs. 98-99**{{Endn|1c}}: pgs. 91–10396-98**{{Endn|1d}}: pg. 95**{{Endn|1e}}: pg. 100**{{Endn|1f}}: pg. 101**{{Endn|1g}}: pg. 181

*{{Endn|5}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Two - Second Edition: War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes]], : pg. 198