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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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clean up, replaced: armor → armour
*[[Weeping Veil]]{{Fn|29a}}{{Fn|29b}}
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The '''Word Bearers''', originally known as the '''Imperial Heralds''' and the '''Iconoclasts''', is the '''XVII Legion''' of the original twenty [[Space Marine Legion|Space Marine Legions]]s. They were the first of the nine Legions which betrayed the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]], becoming the first known [[Chaos Space Marine|Chaos Space Marines]]s, pledging their allegiance to their [[Primarch]] [[Lorgar]] and to [[Chaos Undivided]].{{Fn|1}}
Known for their extreme religious fervor even before their conversion to [[Chaos]], the Word Bearers are some of the most fanatical Chaos Marines, notable for using [[Dark Apostle|Dark Apostles]]s, a corrupted version of Space Marine [[Chaplain|Chaplains]]s, to inspire their Marines and their [[cultist]] allies in battle.{{Fn|1}}
==History==
===The Horus Heresy===
[[Image:First heretic cover clean.jpg|thumb|right|350px|[[Possessed Chaos Space Marine|Possessed]] Word Bearers battle the [[Adeptus Custodes]] during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|7i}}]]
After the [[Drop Site Massacre]] on [[Isstvan V]], the Word Bearers abandoned all their past pretenses of loyalty. They openly preached the [[Chaos|Primordial Truth]], changed their armor armour to crimson red, and utilized Daemonically [[Possessed Chaos Space Marine|Space Marines]] known as the [[Gal Vorbak]].{{Fn|7b}} At the time of the [[Horus Heresy]], it is estimated that the Word Bearers legion numbered some 150,000 combat troops.{{Fn|11}}
====Ultramar====
The Word Bearers are notable for being the only [[Traitor Legion]] who still have a corps of Chaplains, now known as [[Dark Apostle]]s. The Word Bearers follow the words of their Dark Apostles with total faith in battle. The Dark Apostles divine through many ways how a battle is to be fought and won, and the warriors of the Host obey unquestioningly. A Host may also be led by a [[Chaos Lord]], with the same devotion from his troops should he speak as the [[Voice of Lorgar]], under fearsome influence should he be titled [[Master of the Union]].{{Fn|10}} Before battle, the Word Bearers gather in ritual prayer, chanting hymns and cult doctrine to affirm their faith in the power of Chaos. Such battle chants, which may predate the Word Bearers' fall to Chaos, include the [[Martio Imprimis]] and [[Martio Secundus]].{{Fn|17}} Often these chants will be answered and it is common for the Word Bearers to fight alongside daemonic entities.{{Fn|1}}
[[Image:Word_Bearers_Marine_1Word Bearers Marine 1.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Post-Heresy Word Bearer{{Fn|1}}]]
Alongside the [[Black Legion]] and [[Death Guard]], the Word Bearers are one of the three traitor Legions that did not fracture in the aftermath of the Horus Heresy.{{Fn|29a}}{{Fn|29b}} The legion is ruled centrally from the [[Dark Council]] of [[Sicarus]].{{Fn|1}} This evil priesthood enforces a strict regime of worship of the Chaos pantheon upon their fellow Word Bearers and are also highly likely to be found leading the Legion in battle. Each is gifted an army of their own, known as a [[Host]]. The numbers vary, with the smallest typical size roughly analogous to that of a [[Space Marine Company]], and the largest exceeding the manpower of a Space Marine [[Chapter]].{{Fn|60}}
**{{Endn|53b}}: pg. 116
*{{Endn|54}}: [[The End and the Death: Volume II (Novel)]], 8:vii
*{{Endn|55}}: [[White Dwarf 370 (UK)]], pgs. 90-97 – ''[[Army Workshop]]: [[Word Bearers]]''
*{{Endn|56}}: [[Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Ablaze]], pgs. 81-84
*{{Endn|57}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook]], pg. 369
