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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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*'''???.[[M42]]''' - Salamanders forces under [[Vulkan He'Stan]] along with [[Hammers of Nocturne]] and [[Covenant of Fire]] troops journey to the world of [[Zero]] within [[Imperium Nihilus]]. Once there however, it was revealed that the [[Alpha Legion]] had infiltrated the allied Covenant of Fire marines and managed to sway much of the world to their cause. In the subsequent battle Vulkan and his forces prevailed and forced the Alpha Legion to retreat, but no clue as to the Unbound Flame could be found.{{Fn|62}}
*'''Year Unknown''' - Using [[Land Raider Redeemer]]s, the Salamanders spearheaded the cleansing of the hive city of [[Dhormus III]].{{Fn|44b}}
==Culture==
[[file:salamanderslib.jpg|thumb|right|160px|Salamanders [[Librarian]]]]
Drawing from the teachings of Vulkan, the Salamanders are renowned as compassionate towards the average citizens of the [[Imperium]] and as defenders of the weak. Rare amongst chapters, the Salamanders (with the exception of [[Firedrakes]]) live amongst the civilian population of their homeworld [[Nocturne]] and serve as guardians, exemplars, and caretakers.{{Fn|39}} While some decry this as a weakness, the Salamanders see it as a strength. Even the [[High Lords of Terra]] have in the past condemned the Salamanders for this. Similarly, the Salamanders have always evinced a readiness to ally themselves with other Imperial forces, to the extent that they are often the first chapter to extend diplomatic overtures.{{Fn|47f}}
Although 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. It also sees importance in collective decision-making and the good of the whole. To that end, the people of Nocturne and by extension the Salamanders are prone to holding political councils of elders to debate and decide upon important courses of action in a way not dissimilar to the quorums of [[Macragge]].{{Fn|39}}
Symbols of the forge - such as fire and hammers - are prominent throughout Promethean iconography. As such, [[Flamer]]s, [[Melta Weapon]]s and [[Thunder Hammer]]s are widely used throughout the chapter. As one can imagine, this preference for Flamers and Meltas leads to a strong affinity among the Salamanders for close-range firefight when in combat, although they are just as capable at other aspects of Space Marine battle doctrine.{{Fn|1a}}
Because of their early training as blacksmiths, all Salamanders are fully capable of maintaining and performing moderate repair on their weapons and armour, 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, [[Artificer Armour]] and even [[Tactical Dreadnought Armour]].{{Fn|1a}} The Chapter also favours the use of [[Land Raider Redeemer]]s.{{Fn|66}}
In an interesting example of juxtaposition, however, the fluctuating gravity of Nocturne makes training with certain units such as Land Speeders and Bikes difficult, therefore the chapter makes little use of them, in favour of Devastator squads and Terminator Squads. 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. Before each battle the Salamanders get a brand mark each by a Brander-Priest. This symbolizes their respect for the chapter. Only veterans ever get brand marks on their faces.{{Fn|1a}}
===Rituals of the Promethean Cult===
[[Image:ArmageddonFight.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The Salamanders battle [[Ork]]s{{Fn|51}}]]
* '''The Burning Walk''' - An ancient ritual of trial, the Burning Walk is undertaken by an individual as a solitary pilgrimage into the vast Pyre Desert of Nocturne. Usually, the aged, infirm or crippled pursue such a path with the intention of ending their last days in fire. Some Salamanders may choose to undertake the journey as a means of restoring a troubled soul or die in the attempt. To date, only one Salamander has ever returned from the Burning Walk - Apothecary Fugis of the 3rd Company.{{Fn|30}}
* '''Rituals of Interment and Ascension''' - When a [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] of the Salamanders is slain, this ceremony is performed to commemorate his passing, and celebrate his successors promotion. The ritual involves chaining what remains of the fallen to a vast, [[ceramite]] coated slab of black marble. This slab is then lowered into a lava flow which pools within a vast, ceramite-sided basin of volcanic rock. The slab is lowered by means of two chosen Astartes robed in the traditional garb of Nocturnean metalworkers, who pass chains twice the size of an Astartes fist and etched with symbols of the forge - the flame, the anvil and the hammer - through their hands. As the chains are red-hot from the heat of the lava below, the symbols are branded into the palms of the incumbents.{{Fn|4a}}
The Astartes must grip the chains precisely and in unison, for any deviation will result in an irregular brand - a mark of great shame that will be scoured away in disgrace. Following this Ritual of Interment, comes the Ritual of Ascension. The prospective Captain is stripped naked aside from a sash to preserve his dignity and branded with the marks of a Captain upon his chest and right shoulder. Stepping onto a dais, the ascendant is subjected to a blast of flame from below, surrounding him in a pillar-like inferno for a few seconds. This complete, the ascendant is addressed by the [[Regent of Prometheus]] with the words' ''"Vulkan's fire beats in my breast..."'', to which the ascendant concludes, ''"...with it, I shall smite the foes of the Emperor."'' Finally, the Regent bids the new Captain to rise.{{Fn|4a}}
* Upon the start of a new campaign, each Salamander builds his own pyre, separate from his battle-brothers and leaves, returning when the flames are at their apex. In solitude, they anoint their armour and focus upon the key tenets of the Promethean Cult.{{Fn|5a}}
* Upon the death of a Salamander, if the body is not returned to Nocturne and ritually burned in the Pyreum under Mount Deathfire, his brothers may elect to cremate the body locally during or after a campaign. In such a situation, as the fallen Fireborn burns, his fellow Salamanders thrust their arms into the flames of the pyre. As a very personal ritual, singular touches may be added to the ceremony. In some cases a Lament may be sung, or the comrades of the fallen may offer a few words of wisdom or remembrance. The ritual is conducted individually in the case of the fallen, with each of the slain having their own pyre, attended by his squad and closest brothers.{{Fn|27c}}
==Homeworld==
