Index Astartes: Night Scorpions

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"Brothers, We are young, but we are not weak, a time will always come when a child steps out of
the shadows and stands taller than it's parent. Brothers! This is that time, fight hard for the eyes
of the Emperor are upon you." Wing Lieutenant Tarius addressing the first Scorpion Wing,
867.M41
Overview
The Night Scorpions are a young Chapter who have garnered a reputation as a sturdy force who
excel in drop pod assaults and arctic warfare. Children of the Crimsons fists they are currently
patrol the reductus sector protecting the light of the Imperium from the xenos that prowl the edge
of the galaxy.
Origin
The Night Scorpions were formed in the 26th Founding 738.M41 with the modus operandi of
plugging a perceived threat of xenos incursion in the Reductus Sector between the chapters of
the Crimson Fists, The Marines Exemplar and the Dark Hunters. They were raised from the
Crimson fist geneseed and thus the Patriarch Rogal Dorn of the Imperial fists. The Night
Scorpions were equipped and armoured by their parent chapter thanks largely to the little
distance between the two chapters. They would be established upon the lush jungle death worlds
of Paethon & Cleon, nestled within the Cerberus stars, a small system comprising important agri-
worlds that even the might of the Crimson fists would be spread too thin to defend were it to
come under any sort of sustained attack from the nearby Ork menace. Paethon, the larger of the
two worlds, would act as the main base of the chapter, it's sister world Cleon would allow for
further recruitment to the Chapter, their planetary conditions being almost identical and each
planets population being relatively low.
THE ALPHA III DELTA INCIDENT
In 867.M41 seismic disturbances were registered all across the northern hemisphere of Paethon.
A small task force of scouts from the 10th Company, lead by Commander Atlas, were sent on an
exploratory mission to discover the causes of said disturbances. It was expected that little but
natural causes were the root of the problem and as such only light weaponry was taken and the
force consisted only of scouts. Even Commander Atlas donning his old suit of scout armour.
Three weeks into their mission no further activity had been recorded however the tribes of the
surrounding region were uneasy. Flayed bodies of animals were beginning to be found in the
surrounding jungles, huge natural predators that even the hardy population of the deathworlds
feared. By the middle of the fourth week villages began to drop out of contact, the population
suffering the same fate as the wild life the week before. At this point, fearing a xenos incursion
Commander Atlas radioed in for help, the transmission was cut mid feed. Responding quickly
Chapter Master Nestor summoned up the remainder of the 10th Company along with the 1st, 2nd
and 3rd Companies, the only sections at full strength given the youth of the chapter and began
deployment to the northern continent. As the thunderhawks swooped in to Atlas' last
transmission area they took in the full horror of what was unfolding on their world. The few
remaining scouts were fighting back to back, a mortally wounded commander in their midst.
Their foe, metallic skeletons, firing relentless green bolts of energy into their ranks. Quickly
dismounting the reinforcements tried to surround the enemy, pouring massively disciplined
bolter fire into them. This assault however largely ineffective as the Necrons seemed to simply
shrug off damage that would kill even a space marine, dragging shattered body parts back into

alignment.
The terminator squads were moved in and proved hugely more successful, powerfists ripping
apart the metallic bodies of their enemies. With this success the combined might of three
Companies managed to destroy the small Necron threat. Scouts were rapidly sent out in strictly
non-combat reconnaissance and returned with grave news, a Necron tomb has opened up deep
within the jungle. A council of war was quickly convened with all of the Ten Chapter Companies
and their Commanders (bar Commander Atlas who was in a critical condition with the chapters
apothecaries) to decide what to do. It was eventually concluded that the enemy was too strong to
be tackled head on by anyone but terminators and heavy weapons, much to the objections of the
companies who lacked any terminator squads. It was therefore decided that, given the power of
terminators against the threat, the 1st companies Tactical Dreadnought suits would be split
between the remaining companies to form self sufficient battle groups. It was however
unanimously agreed that no help would be sort, the chapter would fight to the end to retain it's
honour. Having pin pointed the Necron tomb battle plans were drawn. The remainder of the 10th
Company, supported by the rest of the chapter, would act as a diversion to draw the Necrons
away their tombs and the reactors that lay within. Each battle company would then fight running
battles with their foes, using their newly acquired terminator armour to its best effect. While this
was happening the Chapter's first and second battle companies, lead by the chapter master
himself, would fight their way into the tomb and rig its very heart with melta bombs, destroying
it from the inside. The fighting however was bloodier than any had imagined. The 3rd battle
company in particular sold their lives dearly keeping the Necrons at bay, a valour for which their
insignia is still applied in gold. The first and second companies were however able to battle their
way to the core of the tomb, and as those not in Terminator Armour exfiltrated out melta bombs
were rigged to the archaic structures, the terminators teleporting out as the explosives ripped
their way through the crypt. The titanic explosion ripped a hole in the side of the planet
permanently scarring its luscious surface, but the deed was done and the Necrons had been
destroyed or scattered without a leader.
Homeworld: Paethon & Cleon
Paethon was once a lush jungle deathworld, home to hardy tribes of humans who lead a life of
constant struggle against the denizens of the vast jungles that surrounded their small
encampments. The most feared inhabitant of these places was a massive species of scorpion that
resided only in the darkest of places, distinguished by it's luminescent green eyes. It is this
creature that townsmen had to slay to become part of a tribe's council or even it's leader. Similar
practices are were found across Cleon although the planet lacked the nocturnal scorpions of
Paethon.[gal_img]1607[/gal_img]These practices found favour with the Imperium. Paethon and
it's inhabitants were quickly chosen to become the home world for a new space marine chapter,
designated the Night Scorpions after the jungle creature with a marines armour incorporating a
mix of it's shell and eyes. Indeed the first chapter master distinguished himself from the other
inhabitants of Paethon by killing the largest recorded scorpion while Imperial scouts were
assessing the suitability of the planet. Since the massive blast from the Alpha III Delta Incident
the planet has been thrown out of orbit with it's sister world Cleon. The explosion stripped much
of Paethon's atmosphere away, and what was left on the other side of the world was slowly lost
within a few months. The Astartes undertook a huge effort to relocate those human inhabitants of
the world that survived to Cleon, along with a handful of the planets wildlife including the
Scorpion so that Paethon's initiation rites might continue. The lop sided planet still rotates
haphazardly, it's light cycles taking up to 6 terran days to complete. The Night Scorpions chapter
fortress-monastery resided deep within the jungle but is now located a few miles among the
miles of snowy tundra which now clothe Paethon. The Chapter's fortress-monastery, the Aegle
Proteus, so named because it is here that the inhabitants of Paethon believe that man first came to
Paethon. It is said in folklore that a being of immense power, robed in Gold and flanked by
silvery angels visited the peoples of Paethon, perhaps even the Emperor himself. It is constructed
on top of an ancient temple that once marked the spot of this event. It is considered a sacred relic
of past times that none but the most honoured Astarte may enter. It is however restricted to all
those who are not within the Night Scorpion chapter, proving a point of contention between them
and the Ordo Xenos who fear that it holds a more sinister secret. The outside of the fortress-
Monastery is caked in a permanent frost that makes it glitter in the moonlight providing a
beautiful and terrible sight to recruits. Since Cleon became the Chapter's main recruitment world
the Chapter outpost there as seen vast improvements bringing it close the majesty of the Aegle
Proteus. Potential recruits are still required to slay creatures of the jungle and bring them to the
Outpost, to prove themselves worthy of becoming a space marine. Those that kill the newly
introduced Nocturnal Scorpions that now reside on Cleon are prized most highly of all. Those
original inhabitants of Cleon have proven incredibly quick to adapt to this new predator, it is not
uncommon for those arriving at the outpost with this dead beast to be of an equal split between
Cleons and Paethons.
Organization
The Night Scorpions were raised from Crimson Fist geneseed and thus The Imperial Fists.
Unlike their progenitor chapter, they deviate significantly from the Codex Astartes in Chapter
organization. The Chapter is organized into ten wings, each of these is raised from different clans
on their home world of Cleon, then made responsible for their own equipment and recruiting.
This means that each of the wings can operate on an independent level if need be. The first four
wings each have two five man squads of terminators, the second four wings have access to one
five man squad each, while the last two wings have yet to receive any suits. Scouts squads are
present in each Wing with more squads within those wings lacking terminator suits.
[gal_img]1606[/gal_img]As previously mentioned due to the winged structure of the chapter
each wing will operate on a largely independent scheme from each other with only occasional
direct co-operation. This however is not to say that the chapter is fragmented or relationships are
anything less than cordial. Each brother marine values each of his comrades equally, regardless
of their background and the chapter command is careful to keep an eye on each of their wings
deployment. In the current climate with increased xenos threat throughout the galaxy wings two
through six are on patrol throughout the reductus sector at any one time while the first wing
guards the twin planets and the seventh wing continues routine missions between the Night
Scorpions protected human worlds. Wings eight through ten, due to their underpowered nature
are tasked with training and recruitment in the hope of a speedy rise to strength. Like a Company
each Wing will benefit from the tactical prowess of a captain in the form of a "Wing
Commander", within the Wing each chaplain and Librarian will possess the rank of "Wing
Lieutenant" and will often act as the leaders of any form of smaller battlegroup formed from
within the Wing. The rank of second in command will traditionally be filled by the sergeant of
the first tactical within each of the wings, bearing the rank of "Master Sergeant" and the most
likely the successor to "Wing Commander" should the current brother become
incapacitated.Because of the Night Scorpion's need for thorough cold weather training each
recruit is put through an extensive arctic survival course. Each recruit, having first past the
arduous initiation ritual on Cleon must survive the night and sub zero temperatures of Paethon in
a 50km hike within a mere five days with little food and meager shelter. After this trial by ice a
specialization in the cold and it's effects on the machinery of war must be undertaken. Even a suit
of power armour may become caked in ice under such conditions. It is therefore imperative that
each recruit has a beyond average (for a space marine) knowledge of his weapon and his suit, it
is for this reason that the chapter maintains less tech marines than other more codex chapters.
Indeed this specialization for cold weather deployment extends beyond the mere personal
equipment of a brother marine. Each recruit must also have a certain level of working knowledge
with each of the vehicles at the chapter's disposal. It is those recruits that show the best working
knowledge of such instruments of war that become trained for assaults squads or the small
amount of maintained land speeder squadrons. Within the Night Scorpions the vast majority will
miss out on a distinctly assault squad orientated training, instead engaging in close combat
training within their tactical squad training. As Neophytes are trained from within due to the
winged structure the scout squads attached to a wing are highly respected members of the
organization, bonded by genealogy and geology. Each scout knows that this is the wing he will
likely be serving with for the rest of his life and so will give his all to earn the praise of his
elders, while this attitude means the tactical marines of the wing value their dedication and
central role in sabotage and stealth capable within the arctic terrain.Since the reclamation of the
of Undesignated World X898.C8 from Daemon control through a combined force of the
Scorpions 3rd Wing and a detachment of Grey Knights with the subsequent scouring of its
demonic artifacts the Night Scorpions have held somewhat of a sustained relationship with
Inquisitor Vohn and thus the inquisition as a whole. It is for this reason that quadannual training
is held by the Grey Knights for Veteran Night Scorpion squads and why on occasion they are
seen fighting side by side in areas that call for the attention of an inquisitor. It is perhaps for this
reason, along with their youth, that only a handful of Night Scorpion have yet fallen to the taint
of chaos. It is doubtful such a rapport would continue to exist were such events to occur on a
grand scale, and, as with any Chapter, it is perhaps just a matter of time until such a blight befalls
the Scorpions. This however is not to say the chapters are allies in any more than their bonds
within the Empire as a whole. No Space marine would ever truly trust an inquisitor, and this is
certainly the case within the Night Scorpion chapter council.
Reclamation
The Night Scorpions' most notable victory was the defeat of a Khornesque cult deep in the
Segmentum Tempus. Upon receiving an imperial distress signal from the supposedly abandoned
planet a small task force from the 4th Wing lead by Wing Lieutenant Aeolus was sent to
investigate. Upon making planet fall the force was immediately ambushed by frenzied cultists.
The battle group fought valiantly out of the ambush however lost one brother and two scouts in
the process, a grievous loss for the new chapter. Once the enemy had been beaten back Aeolus
quickly signaled for more assistance, a signal that the Inquisition picked up. Sending a
detachment of Grey Knights under Inquisitor Vohn. One week later the Inquisition was in place
and the remainder of the Night Scorpion 4th wing had been called upon and hung in readiness in
orbit. The wings scouts had already located the base of operations for the cultist and lay in wait
to begin their attack as the rest of the combatants made planetfall. With the use of the locator
beams the scouts had set up the 4th wing deployed via drop pod while the Grey Knights
teleported into the fray. Quickly the Imperial forces realized that the situation was graver than
they had first feared as greater daemons appeared from among the ranks of the cultists, a great
Bloodthirster ripping its way out of the mortal form of the head cultist. Unswayed the brother
marines began the process of systematically laying waste to their foes relying on their honed
bolter drills and the wings Terminators to deal with the larger of the foes, The Grey Knights
accompanying the 4th Wing Command Squad made their way towards the heart of the enemy
forces and their greater daemon. As the battle raged around them Justicar Cortez, Wing
Lieutenant Aeolus and Inquisitor Vohn engaged the daemon. The great Khornate beast was a
pillar of carnal rage killing many of Aeolus' honour guard. Ultimately however it was no match
for the combined force and was brought low by Aeolus's force weapon. However in a final act of
defiance it swung a killing blow at Vohn. Aeolus reacting with lightning speed blocked the strike
but in doing so shattered his weapon and his right arm was cleft from his body. The day was
won, but Brother marines had fallen and Wing Lt. Aeolus was in a perilous state. Night
Scorpions however had gained the respect of the Grey Knights and the Inquisition.
Combat Doctrine
The Night Scorpions mission was ultimately to be a defence against any would be Waagghh! Or
other xenos threat that could slip through the current bastions assembled in the reductus sector.
This threat would traditionally have been met with a large emphasis on tanks, infantry discipline
and great reliance on the heavy bolter. Their tactics however have had to change following the
explosion that plunged their home world into a perma-frost. Tracked and wheeled vehicles such
as the rhino and its variants struggle under such conditions becoming bogged down in the thick
snow drifts. Similarly the icy winds make the use of jump packs and land speeders difficult as air
vents begin to freeze over or the kerosene begins to solidify. Thus the Night Scorpions have
developed an emphasis on the use of drop pod assaults more than most codex chapters so that
they might reach their enemy without delay. This does not however mean that they have
abandoned their roots, the Night Scorpions are still as slick an infantry machine as they ever
were if not more so. Marines will practice for hours on end honing a precise bolter discipline on
the ranges while the Wings will regularly perform exercises in cohesion and massed bolter fire.
This new tactic was put to the test when an Ork warband designation Skar'got landed on Paethon
in the night side. Quick to react the entire 5th Wing deployed via drop pod assault, as they
emerged from their pods they layed down a withering hail of fire, wiping the enemy out before
the dawn came two days later. Past their initial assaults the Night Scorpions are known for their
precise bolter fire in the face of the large hordes often seen when facing the green skinned
menace. This has also lead to the wide employment of specialized bolter shells. Such deployment
has meant that many tactical squads have forgone the use of longer ranged firepower to deal with
mechanized enemies, instead using melta technology to cripple a maneuverable foe before
overwhelming them. Like many chapters the Scorpions refuse to adopt camouflage even if it
means that they are at a tactical disadvantage. This is particularly prevalent when the marines are
fighting in the sub zero temperatures that they are so famed for. This however does not strictly
apply to the scout squads present within each wing. While their armour remains black and green,
honouring their chapter colours, the scouts will adopt a lighter coloured under armour while
sporting camouflaged cloaks to help conceal them among the eddying snow drifts. Before an
attack is launched scouts from the wing will regularly adopt observation posts to direct the main
spearhead of drop pods to their target. They will often use modified Land Speeder Storms to
achieve this task, special designed to cope in even the coldest of conditions. The ultimate
Doctrine, like many marines, is that attack will provide strong defence, plunging quickly to the
heart of the enemy and eradicating them before it can react or sectioning off small groups for
destruction. This has proved hugely effective throughout the years and vital in many of their
theatres of war.
Geneseed
The Night Scorpions Gene-Seed is by all means normal, though like all Son's of Dorn they lack
the Betcher's gland and Sus-An. No further defects have currently been found with it.
Philosophy
The Night Scorpions value hardiness and versatility above all us, only marines with these
qualities can stand up to the struggle of living in the intense heat of the jungle and then operating
as an Astartes in the intense cold of the snow. The youth of the Scorpions has also led to a huge
belief in perseverance to succeed and a zealous love of their chapter. This has manifested itself
into a sometimes fool hardy doggedness in battle, refusing to give ground except In death. Due to
the low turn over of new equipment from Mars and the low ranking of the Night Scorpions in
receiving this equipment the Chapter is taught to venerate each and every piece of armour or
weaponry that passes through the brother ranks. Each ceramite plate is lovingly protected by its
owner and usually by the end of a brothers career highly embossed and engraved. The same is
true of a brothers bolter which is seen as their most important piece of equipment, each Astartes
is trained to weild their weapon with a single hand if the situation calls for it, allowing for the use
of close combat weapons while retaining the strength of the holy weapon. Indeed such reliance
leads to many squads forgoing the use of specialist equipment beyond melta or flamer
technology. For a Brother to lose his bolter in battle is the greatest shame he can bring upon
himself, not even breaking in the face of the enemy will bring such condemnation. As such any
Scorpion will fight with his utmost vigour to reclaim the weapon if it is lost in the heat of the
battle, if however they are for some reason forced to leave without it they will more often than
not begin a penance, withdrawing from their brothers into thought and meditation as they begin
the slow and painful process of creating a new weapon for themselves.The peoples of Paethon
believed that in their ancient history the Emperor himself, clad in shining gold, arrived upon their
planet gifting them with basic technology. It is for this reason that the Night Scorpions believe
the Emperor is in fact, as the Ecclesiarch would have the Imperium believe, a deity. The ruins
scattered across Paethon, and to a lesser extent Cleon, indicate that this God Emperor will one
day return to his planet and claim its inhabitants as his own, thus the brother Astartes believe that
the Emperor will one day be liberated from his internal slumber and lead his armies. These views
however has lead to them being viewed as somewhat backwards by their brother marine.
Nothing however seems to have dimmed the Scorpions belief, indeed they keep good company
with many other Chapters of a similar belief set who follow the majority of Imperium in their
reverence of the Emperor.
Battle Cry
"Strength through Purity, Purity through Faith"