[WarWolf88]

Sons Of Hellas - ΣΟΝΣ ΟΦ ΗΕΛΛΑΣ (lots of text)

This is something I've been working for some time now (I got lazy again...), and I still have a few notable places, characters and battles to finish. But, since I'm kinda bored (the thing known as "real life" has kept me busy, and I haven't painted much anything in ages), I decided to drop this here. I aim to finish it as soon as I get the time and inspiration going again, and maybe even get you sample mini. Who knows. Any way, here's the fluff:

SONS OF HELLAS - ΣΟΝΣ ΟΦ ΗΕΛΛΑΣ


Basic Data
Name: Sons of Hellas
Founding chapter: Imperial Fists Legion
Founding: 2nd Founding
Chapter Master: Xythus Christopoulos - ΞΥΘΥΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΠΟΥΟΛΟΣ
Homeworld: Helot
Fortress-Monastery: Spear of Ares
Main colours: Dark yellow, white shoulder pads with black trim, white knee pads and elbow pads.
Specialty: Unique formation
Battle Cry: For the Glory of Hellas! For the Honour of the Legion! For the Emperor!
Estimated strength: ~1700

History:

Sons of Hellas are an ancient and proud Chapter. They are a successors of one of the original Legiones Astartes; the Imperial Fists. They’re history goes as far back as the Second Founding, during wich the Space Marine Legions were first divided into Chapters. Deep in the vaults of the Librarium lie many a heavy tome detailing their history, but the oldest and most revered of them all is an ancient book named “Hellas of Lakonia”. Within it are contained the tale of their origins that lie even deeper in history then the 2nd Founding.

In the aftermath of the Horus Heresy, a detachment of the Imperial Fists Legion Space Marines were sent to hunt down a warband of the Iron Warriors traitor Legion. While in their pursue, the detachment, led by Captain Alexandrius, was ambushed by a much larger Iron Warriors force then they had anticipated in an uncharted system in the “northern” part of Segmentum Obscurus. Barely surviving the encounter, Alexandrius and some 100 survivors of the Imperial Fists managed to make planet fall on the systems second planet, preparing to die fighting. But before the Iron Warriors were able to locate the survivors, they met a group of local human soldiers led by a young man named Hellas. He led the Imperial Fists into an ancient fortress in one of the large valleys the mountains in this part of the planet formed. This fortress was named Spear of Ares, and for five years it was the base of operations for Hellas and Alexandrius who struggled hard to unite the city states of Helot, as the locals called the planet. In the end they were close to success, as their armies were laying siege to the last city still in Iron Warriors hands, when they were informed that spear of Ares itself had come under siege. Leaving their own siege in to the hands of their lieutenants, they took 5000 Helot warriors, and through force march they were able to arrive to the fortress quickly. But it was a trap; the fortress was undisturbed. As the reinforcements tried to understand the situation, the main force of Iron Warriors led by the Warsmith Tyressius, fell on the valiant loyalist. With traitorous Hoplites coming to aid their dark masters, the result was a massacre. Only 200 loyal Hoplites and Imperial Fists, Hellas and Alexandrius among them, made to the safety of the Spear.

For a full month they kept the traitors at bay, largely thanks to the narrow passage that was the only entry to the fortress, as well as the defences that the Imperial Fists had been able to repair. On the 32nd day of the siege the traitors were finally able to break through the defenders now thin line. Alexandrius and Hellas fought side by side, holding the main gate. It was here that they came face to face against Tyressius. In the ensuing battle, Alexandrius and Hellas very barely able to defeat the Wasrsmith, but at the cost of Hellas’s life. Their leader dead, the traitors hesitated for a moment, and a moment later the skies were filled with a roar not heard since the day the imperial Fists had descended on Helot. One of the original detachments ships had been able to survive and now led new Imperial Fist forces on the planet, led by their Primarch Rogal Dorn. The Fists used drop pods to land right on top of the battlefield and in hours the last of the traitors were dead, and the Imperial Fists moved to secure the traitors stronghold.

After Helot was cleansed of the traitors, Alexandrius was told that the Primarch of Ultramarines, Roboute Guilliman, had finished his Codex Astartes, and the Legions would be broken into “Chapters”. Alexandrius was made a Chapter Master, and Helot was to be the Chapters homeworld. The new Chapter was named Sons of Hellas in honour of the late hero and saviour of his home planet, also receiving the symbol Sigma, wich also means 200, in honour of the month long stand of the loyalists.

The Chapter has since served through out the Imperium, in conflicts such as the 1st Black Crusade, the Obscuran Uprising, the Conflict of Helica, the Macharian Heresy, the Sabbat World Crusades, the 13th Black Crusade and many more notable campaigns and crusades.

 

[WarWolf88]

Organization:

The Sons of Hellas were founded in the time when the Ultramarines Primarch and the writer of Codex Astartes and Rogal Dorn, his brother and the Primarch of the Imperial Fists, still walked amongst Men. But despite this, the Sons do not strictly follow the Codex, instead founding their organization more on the military traditions and formations of Helot.


1st Companion Company
Captain: Kronus - ΚΡΟΝΥΣ

2nd Companion Company
Captain: Gareus - ΓΑΡΕΥΣ

3rd Companion Company
Captain: Ausiceus - ΑΥΣΙΧΕΥΣ

4th Phalanx
Captain: Baramic - ΒΑΡΑΜΙΧ

5th Phalanx
Captain: Damet - ΔΑΜΕΤ

6th Phalanx
Captain: Paramus - ΠΑΡΑΜΥΣ

7th Phalanx
Captain: Arymus - ΑΡΥΜΥΣ

8th Phalanx
Captain: Usone - ΥΣΟΝΕ

9th Phalanx
Captain: Sethes - ΣΕΘΕΣ

10th Scout Company
Captain: Didianteuse - ΔΙΔΙΑΝΘΕΥΣΕ

11th Scout Company
Captain: Timestius - ΤΙΜΕΣΤΙΥΣ


1st Companion Company consists of 11 Squadrons of 8 Companion Marines. The 1st Company also have the honour of riding the Helots most vicious horses, whose ancestors are believed to have been genetically modified prior to the Age of Strife. These warhorses are taught to use their hooves as weapons, and due to their unnatural strength the warhorses can shred even battle tanks armour. Only members the 1st Company and the officers are allowed to wear a fully red cape, adorned with golden Chapter symbol.

Both the 2nd and 3rd Companion Companies comprise of 15 Squadrons of 8 Companion Marines mounted on the less powerful if more common breed of horses. They are faster then warhorse, but due to their lack of strength they are not able to attack themselves. Each Companion Marine carries a Athena shield, short sword and bolt pistol as well as a Thunderspear.

Each Phalanx is formed of 10 Hoplite Sarissas, a group of 10 Marines, supported by 4 Skirmisher Sarissas, and 6 Peltast Sarissas. The Skirmishers are the equivalent of the standard Assault Marines, and Peltasts those of Devastators. Each Phalanx Sarissa Marine is equipped with a shield, short sword and a Thunderspear. The Skirmishers are usually equipped with shields, bolt pistols and short swords, while the Peltasts bring the Chapters heavy weapons. They can also be escorted or supported by Hoplite Marines.

Scouts of the Sons of Hellas usually deploy on foot, but they can also be deployed as light cavalry. The Chapters scouts are encouraged to learn the usage of the sniper rifle, besides the shield and short sword.

In battle Sons of Hellas deploy in a formation they call the Phalanx. In a Phalanx a up to six Hoplite Sarissas for a line, supported by the Skirmishers on the flanks, Peltasts behind the line and the rest of the Companies Hoplites. The Hoplites will hold the line, the skirmishers making sure they are not flanked, and Peltasts use their heavy weapons to destroy the enemy afar. The Phalanxes are some times supported by a detachment from one of the Cavalry Companies, and they are used to shatter the already engaged enemy by attacking their flanks or rear with a mighty cavalry charge.
The officers, namely Captains and elder sergeants are recognisable for their red capes. The capes are worn as symbols of the Sons long and dutiful service. The Sons who are allowed to wear capes are the Hoplite sergeants, Guardian Hoplites and Guardian Sergeants and the whole 1st Company as well the officers.

The Librarians are rare amongst the Sons, and even more rare is to find them on the field unless it is absolutely vital. They spend most of their time in the Fortress-Monastery, probing and testing the newest recruits, and sometimes even the older Marines. Never the less, the Librarians hold a special respect amongst their brethren, for being the keepers of the Chapters history and for their obvious wisdom. It is not uncommon for the Chapter Master to request the opinion of the Librarians on many matters, both almost trivial as well as vital. They are also members of the Council of Sages.

The Chaplains are a more common sight amongst the ranks of the Phalanxes, taking their place in the midst of the line. They also carry a Thunderspear and shield besides their Crozius Arcanum, that they usually hang from their belts.

Sons of Hellas are also known for their large number of Venerable Dreadnoughts. These ancient heroes who live inside their sarcophagus only to serve the Emperor one more time, are the pride of their Chapter, and the Phalanx Companies always deploy a number of these yet living warrior legends.

Equipment and Armoury:

The Sons of Hellas do not use armoured vehicles, the only exceptions being the many Dreadnoughts and Venerable Dreadnoughts the Chapter is able to call upon. They are mainly an infantry army, the only fast units being the three Companion Companies and mounted Scouts, the Light Lancers. The Chapters is also able to field a number of Thunderfire Cannons.

The Chapter is also known for its non-standard helmet design. They are said to reflect the helmets of soldiers in Helots past, but the Sons version is fully comparable the more widely used models.

The Athena shield every Son carries is charged with a small energy charge, akin to that of the Storm Shields even tough being much weaker. One such shield provides a certain amount of cover and protection, but the full capacity is realised when the Hoplite Sarissa form their tight formation, the energy field fusing with one another providing the whole unit protection worthy of Strom Shield.

Soon after their founding the Forge Masters of the Chapter discovered where the local population of Helot had gotten their inspiration for their Thunderspears, a weapon that had the appearance of a spear, but that held a black powder weapon attached to it. An ancient STC-mould for a weapon of its type was found deep within the Spear of Ares. With the aid of from the Techpriests of Mars the Chapter was equipped with a new kind of Thunderspear, one that was fitted with a bolter. Currently the Forge Masters are able to fit the spear with other types fire arms, such a flamer, plasma gun or pistol, or even a meltagun. The blade of the spear is also able to cut through almost any armour with ease. Still collectively called the Thunderspear, it has become the weapon of choice as well as a symbol for the Sons of Hellas.

The warhorses of Helot are believed to be a breed of horses that were genetically modified prior to the Age of Strife. Their speed is easily equal to that of Space Marine Bikes of other Chapters, and just as untiring. These warhorses are known to have fought for days at a time along side their riders.

 

[WarWolf88]

Beliefs

The Sons of Hellas, like most other Chapters, care little for the raving priests of Ecclesiarchy, holding to their own traditions. The people of Helot are brought up believing that the Emperor is the father of all the Gods, his sons, the Primarchs, being his divine sons, and the Space Marines are their demigod sons. The Sons of Hellas themselves see the Emperor as the most powerful ruler of Mankind, but hold true to the Emperors own wish not to be worshiped as a god. Yet, they believe that one day, the end of days will come, and on that day the Emperor, or a new Emperor, will rise to lead the forces of Man to once and for all drive back the forces of Chaos once and for all.

Besides the Emperor, the people of Helot also worship their old gods, such as Hermes, Zeus and Hades. Hades is especially a potent figure in their myths, for he is the god of Death. He is also known as the Lord of Skulls, Master of Plagues, and other titles that have made some Imperial scholars to connect Hades with the various Dark Gods of the Ruinous Powers. This, and the fact that the peoples do not solely worship the Emperor, has created tension between the Sons of Hellas, the Divine Inquisition and Ecclesiarchy. Both of these mighty organizations have tried to “correct the misguided views” of the citizens and city states of Helot, but in ten millennia nothing has changed.

The Sons hold a strong bond to the Imperial Fists, believing that even tough they are separated with a different name and customs, they are still part of the 7th Legion along side the Imperial Fists. This holds true in their war cry: “For the Honour of the Legion!”.

The Chapter also celebrates its own unique traditions:

The Week of Hellas.

A week of festivals, joy and feasts, all held in the honour of the saviour of Helot, Hellas of Lakonia, held once every year. But the most important events are always the competitions, known commonly as the Games. It is in these competitions that the youth compete against one another, while the elders usually make bets to see who of their city wins this year. There are a number of different sports, such as ‘pale’, the traditional wrestling of Helot, as well as boxing, running and even swordplay. The winner of the Games is declared as the Champion. Any male citizen is allowed to participate. The women too have their own competitions, but they are quite a bit more peaceful, as well as more practical.

The Sons of Hellas also hold their Games, tough only once every decade, and the winner is declared the Chapter’s Champion who is usually given a prize such as an ancient bolter or other weapon, or a blessed item that is to keep him safe from harm. The Champion also has the honour of attending the Feast of Blades. The Champion can also be given a special honoured task in his Company or the Chapter itself, and it is not unknown for the Chapters Champion to be the one to carry the Chapter colours to battle. Such duty is naturally for life, and these Champions can no longer attend the Games, but they do usually supervise them.

The Week of Alexandrius

After the Week of Hellas begins a Week of Alexandrius. This week is reserved for many religious celebrations, masses and meditations. Besides these the Sons also use this week to get the newest aspirants used to their new home. They are taught of the many things that the people of Helot know nothing about, the aliens, the mutants, as well as the history of the Imperium. It is only after this week that they are given their first training assignments and divided into their future sarissas and Companies.

The Sigma

The Sigma is the emblem of the Sons of Hellas, chosen in the memory of the two hundred that stood besides Hellas and Alexandrius in their defence of the Spear of Ares. But it is also name to an unexplained phenomenon, the name given by the Sons to a group using odd golden Terminator armours, with bright red sigma emblems. According to the existing reports, this group is usually a few men strong and they are able to match almost any enemy standing in their way. On Hurti V one such warrior felled a Bloodthirster, on Regaal another one single-handedly brought down an Eldar Titan.

Perhaps the best known appearance was at the time of the battle of Headeopolis during the Heresy of Ptolemaios. There 30 of these golden warriors were accounted, and according to the surviving Battle Brothers that fought closest to the Temple of Hades where Hellas has been laid to rest, they all came from the sealed burial chambers. But no evidence was ever found of the seals, neither physical or other, to them having been disturbed in anyway.

The Chapters Librarians have studied these warriors for long now, but all they have been able to determine has been that the Terminator armours are Mark 0 pattern that date back to beginning of the Great Crusades and the Unification Wars of Earth. No form of communication has ever been successful with the Sigma. They appear to aid the Chapter in its bleakest moments, slaughter their enemies, and disappear without a trace.

 

[WarWolf88]

Homeworld

Helot is the second planet of its star system, which is to the galactic north of the Eye of Terror. It has a warm climate, but snow does fall around the polar areas and high in the mountains. Helot does not have much in the way of native beasts, as most animals and wildlife in general remind that found on ancient Terra. Most scholars agree that Helot did go through a phase of “terra forming” and it was nearly completed at the beginning of Age of Strife.

Helot has one large continent and numerous islands. The islands vary greatly in size, some as small as few miles across to large ones that hold a number of city states. Most notable of these are:

Gaia - ΓΑΙΑ, the city of the “Living Gods”.

The centre of Helot’s religious life and home of the Living Gods. The vast temples for every god can be found here, each boasting beautiful marble statues of mythological heroes and beasts, as well as a giant statue of the God worshipped in the temple, laden with gold and other valuable metals. Gaia is a home to numberless priests and religious sects, but few peasants ever even visit it, other then during important holidays. In Gaia the only currency is according to an old Helot saying “Words, relics and more words”.

Each of the temples have their own devoted Hoplite guard units, each made of well served veteran Hoplites that have made their mark in the history of Helot. But mostly these unit serve only a ceremonial purpose, as Gaia is a holy city and none would dare to attack it in fear of the vengeance of the Gods.

Hadeopolis - ΗΑΔΕΟΠΟΛΙΣ, the city of the dead.

Before the Age of Strife Hadeopolis had been a hive city, but perhaps because of a war or other catastrophe it had been abandoned. Over the ages many buildings had collapsed, the old homes of millions of people turned into ruins. The city is always wrapped in a chilly mist, and no sun light seems to able to penetrate it. The city is also surrounded by a tall, black wall, but its massive gates are all unusable after millennia of neglect. But the most striking detail of the city is that instead of rusting, the jutting pillars and support beams of structures are bone white. Many a story and legend claims that a great sin was committed in the city, and the Living Gods had cursed it to resemble their dark brother and his domain. But later scholars believe that the colour is the result of an ancient biological weapon or even a sign of warp activity during the Age of Strife.

Whatever may have caused the discoloration, the city is a scene of many ghost stories, all emphasising how the bone white spires look like the skeletal arms reaching out to the sky in a last desperate and silent prayer to see sunlight one more time.

Kurnossos - ΚΥΡΝΟΣΣΟΣ, the eternal or timeless city.




Notable Characters:

Chaplain Leonidas - ΧΑΠΛΑΙΝ ΛΕΟΝΙΔΑΣ

Sons of Hellas’s Chaplain Leonidas is known throughout the Chapters that descend from the Imperial Fists Legion. His zeal is legendary, and it is said that his preaches can make even the most hardened Marine to break to tears, or to drive them to a fury that seems almost inhuman.

Leonidas rides a Helot warhorse named Spartian, and he is easily recognised by his large banner. Its presence alone is usually enough to make the Brother Marines around it double their efforts and fight with little regard of any horrors thrown at them.

He is one the oldest heroes of the Chapter, having served a full millennium in their ranks. He always wields the skull helmet of a chaplain, and none of the younger Brothers now know his face. Only rumours and tales tell of a terrible battle on a crusade against the Eldar, and that at the height of the battle a plasma grenade nearly burned his whole face off. Miraculously, not only did he survive, but continued to fight until nightfall descended on the field. The apothecaries managed to save his life, but it is believed that his whole face is now replaced by a bionic mask.

 

[WarWolf88]

Notable events:

Heresy of Ptolemaios the Magnificent - ΗΕΡΕΣΥ ΟΦ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΣ ΘΕ ΜΑΓΝΙΦΙΧΕΝΤ

In late M33 two city states of Helot, Herrenia and Harrania, were on the brink of full scale war. This is not unusual on Helot, but what made this situation so dangerous, was the number of allies both could call upon. In case of a war, many islands states and the whole eastern part of the main continent would be engulfed by the conflict. According to legend, these cities had been founded by twins, Herren and Herran. The cities are less then 50 miles apart, and strong allies at the time. But near the end of the Age of Strife the cities numerous minor disputes had gotten out of hand, and a small misunderstanding led to the outbreak of a full scale war between the two city states.

Upon the arrival of the Imperial Fists and the wars led by Hellas of Lakonia, the cities abandoned their generations old war, for the time being. After the founding of the Sons of Hellas, Herrenia and Herrania had constant skirmishes and proxy wars through their allies, but full scale confrontations were always avoided. Then, in 966.M33, the eldest son of the governor of Herrenia was killed in an ambush. He immediately demanded the head of the killer, but the ruler of Herrania refused. Threats were issued, proxy wars intensified and the closest settlements to both cities were destroyed, with every man, woman and child put to the sword. At the high of the conflict the rival cities armies assembled on the field, but before the fight had a chance to begin, the Sons of Hellas arrived and announced that they would not allow this conflict to go any further.

The Space Marines are seen as demigods by the people of Helot, and as such the governors and city states could only obey. A treaty was signed, and the second prince of Herrenia was married to the princess of Herrania. Through such events was Ptolemaios born, and he was named, as declared and demanded by the treaty, as the heir of both city states. But then, when Ptomlemaios was just 3 years old, the eastern coast of the main continent was hit by a plague. It claimed almost all of his relatives, including his grandparents and parents. But oddly, this was seen as a good omen, as the sole heir to both cities had survived, and the “old rule” was quite effectively seized to exist. Truly, this must have been a sign from the Gods.

He was to raised by a High Seeres, a well respected member of the Sage Council, noted for her great powers and wisdom. But unbeknownst to rest the Council and the Sons of Hellas, the High Seeres had been seduced by the Ruinous Powers, and now worshipped the Dark God of schemes and sorcery. And so, she was able to mould and manipulate the heir of these two mighty cities from an early age. Ptolemaios grew to become an inspiring leader, a mighty warrior and cunning general under the teaching of some Helots best generals. He also loved arts, poetry and music in particular, and some of his poems are still in use, though he is never named as the creator. Under this young ruler and his wise Seeress, the Twin Cities flourished, and the people gave him the title Magnificent.

Small wars and skirmishes are part of everyday life on Helot, and Ptolemaios was always seen leading his troops from horseback, riding up and down the line inspiring them ever greater feats. And with every victory, the young ruler became ever more greedy, taking more and more land, making other city states his unwilling allies. But every time a greater war seemed inventible, Ptolemaios stopped and signed numerous treaties that seemed to please every one. And so did he avoid notice from the Sons of Hellas. And with each treaty, each new city and each new pool of men and materials from which to draw upon, he prepared the conquest his “aunt” and her Master wished for.

Then, just as Ptolemaios celebrated his 35th birthday, the 4th Black Crusade was launched. 9 of the 11 Companies of the Sons of Hellas were immediately deployed to intercept it along numerous other Imperial forces. Only the 8th Phalanx Company and most of the 11th Scout Company were to remain on Helot. The time to strike had come. The first step in the plan was to lure the Captains to Ptolemaios’s palace. They were invited to a great feast in Herrenia, to celebrate the coming success in the coming war against the hated enemies of the Imperium. This was nothing unusual, as the seers and court wizards were just attuned to the warp as any psykers, and they were able to use the Tarot as well as more native methods of getting information, and so the lords of Helot were always somewhat aware of wars the Sons would take part in. So it had become a custom for the lords to invite a Captain of the Chapter for a celebration, and it would be a sign of disfavour and disgrace if such an invite was rejected.

Both of the Captains accepted the invitation, and arrive in Herrenia accompanied by a small escort of Scouts and Battle Brothers of the 8th Company. They were treated at the very least like kings, served with the finest of cuisines and entertainment. But notably absent was the host himself. When asked about this, the seneschal would simply answer that the governor would arrive at any moment, as he had been delayed in Herrania where he had been on official business. Little did the Captains know that Ptolemaios was coordinating his troops as he was preparing for his first strike in his new war of conquest.

Eventually the Space Marines grew tired of waiting and demanded to see the governor or they would leave. Just then Hoplites burst in to the room and quickly surrounded the Sons. To the horror of the guests these troops were wearing the new emblem of Twin Cities: an eight pointed star. Maybe Ptolemaios had underestimated the Sons of Hellas or he had overestimated the competence of his henchmen, for a small group of the Sons manage to evade the traitors long enough that they could send a warning message to the Spear of Ares, alerting their brethren of the danger. In the end the brave Battle Brothers were overwhelmed and only the Captains were taken as captives. The traitors had gained their first victory, but full success had been denied, as now the Sons of Hellas knew of Ptolemaios’s treachery.

Over night dozens of city states were attacked and thousands of people put to the sword across the entire planet. Almost half of the main continent declared allegiance with Ptolemaios and the Dark Gods along with numerous island states. Such a thing had not happened since the days of Hellas and Alexandrius. Within a week most of the still loyal city states were either under siege or their armies forced to retreat under the mass waves of enemy troops and citizens that were now raving cultists. Ptolemaios led the armies of Herrenia and Herrania, and in their wake everything was burned and sacrificed in dark rituals, except for those willing to bend their knee to their new ruler and his Gods. And The Sons of Hellas did nothing.

The destruction wrought by Ptolemaios was not random, for as ironic as it is the Dark Gods do little without a plan. Eight points were chosen for the sacrificial rituals. Eight times did the Seeres, now reviled as the witch she was bearing the mark of her God, deliver the sacrifice. One more great sacrifice did the Dark Gods demand, the sacrifice of the body Hellas himself. Hellas had been, contrary to local custom, buried. And not just in any place, but at very centre of the city of Hades, Hadeopolis. Ptolemaios led his army to the gates of the city, but just as they were approaching a lone figure in robes stood in their way. Enraged Ptolemaios demanded that this fool be removed from his sight and five of his own bodyguards stepped forward to make short work of this stranger. Each of the traitors wore the mark of the mutant in various ways, by having extra limbs or tentacles where a hand or a leg should have been. But whatever their new God had gifted them, they counted for nought as the hooded stranger cut each of them down with five strikes from his Relic blade. He then cast down his hood and reviled his face. What Ptolemaios and his witch had not known was that some time earlier the Brother-Captain of the 7th Phalanx Company had been wounded and sent back to Helot to recover. Now he stood in their way, defying them and through them their Gods.

Before the traitors could react, sniper fire rained amongst them, killing many more the tainted bodyguard. Then the loud door banging sound of the bolters joined them, and Hades claimed many souls in those few opening moments of the battle. Ptolemaios withdrew his forces and took a moment to appraise the situation. His army numbered more then 5 000 Hoplites and 15 000 cultists, but he knew he could not act rashly. The Sons of Hellas were occupying the high walls of Hadeopolis, and even though the gates had long turned into dust and rust, the Sons would only need a handful of men to block them. And indeed, now one could easily see the golden yellow shields of the Space Marines, and the long Thunderspears that held their bolters as well as a long blade that could cut into any armour.

So did Ptolemaios send a wave after wave of his cultists against each gate, trying to find a weak point. But each mindless onslaught was repulsed with a wall of bolter shells, and the worshipers of the Dark Gods fell in their hundreds. But for every one that fell, there was another to replace him. After more then three thousand of the cultists lay dead, did Ptolemaios halt the suicidal attacks. Instead he sent five hundred Hoplites against the Grand East gate of Hadeopolis, as the walls around it had crumbled and left the gate wider then others, and thus harder to defend. So did the phalanx of the traitors approach the gate, shrugging off most of the fire directed at them thanks to their large shields. Even the death of many of their officers due to sniper fire did not slow their advance and they managed to get into an effective firing range of their own Thunderspears. But as they fired their first volley that bounced harmlessly off the Space Marines shields and power armour, loud shots were fired from behind the Sons lines. Before they knew it, many of the traitors fell to the ground as the Airburst rounds of the Thundercannons exploded above them.

Now did the Ptolemaios realize what the Sons of Hellas had done in the week that he had rampaged across the continent. Knowing that they were watched and most likely surrounded by strong enemy forces, they had used the large underground tunnels network that had once connected the Spear of Ares to the other fortresses and made their way out unseen. Once they had seen the extent of the task ahead, and identified the main target of Ptolemaios they had prepared just for this conflict. Without a doubt they had alerted the rest of the Chapter, but Ptolemaios knew it would take a long time for any reinforcements to arrive to their aid, while he could call in innumerable cultists and Hoplites to crack their defence. So did the Siege of Hadeopolis begin.

Two days went on, as the traitors sent in wave after wave of men to take the city, and each wave was met with disciplined volleys of bolter fire, the roar of Thundercannons and the impenetrable wall of shields and Thunderspears. Then Ptolemaios ordered his troops to rest for two days, while over 40,000 fresh cultists and traitor Hoplites marched to join them. In the following days the Sons of Hellas were forced to give up their stubborn defence of the city gates, and were pushed inside the city. If the enemy had expected an easier time once through the gates, they were in for a nightmare. The dank fog filled streets offered only limited visibility, and snipers, trap and new defensive positions all took their toll on the number of the attackers.

Hundreds of traitors died daily as they pushed again and again into the streets of the city. And eventually the numbers were beginning to take its toll, as the Sons were soon running out of ammo. The Space Marines were now constantly forced to fight hand to hand, and even though every one of them equalled dozens of traitors, the toll of constant fighting was taking its toll. Here and there a Brother fell to the traitors fire, another fell under the blade of a cultist. All of them were avenged swiftly, but these losses were something the defenders could ill afford. For every Son to fall, dozens new cultists came to bolster the number of Ptolemaios’s army. And so they pushed the brave Space Marines ever deeper into the city, ever closer to the Temple of Hades. Ever closer to victory of the Ruinous Powers.

After two weeks the defenders had been pushed into the inner most city. The Captain of the 7th Company had fallen on the 13th day of the siege, and the eldest sergeant of the 8th Company took command. Out of the nearly two hundred and fifty defenders almost half was dead or too badly wounded to continue the fight. On the fifteenth day of the siege the traitors managed to break through the defensive lines and thousands cultists rushed towards the Temple. The Sons all fell back and blocked the nine stair cases that led to the Temple, standing shoulder to shoulder and shield over lapping shield. Knowing that victory was near Ptoleamios ordered all of his forces to attack. Hadeopolis was a filled by a sea of traitors. The Hoplites were first sent to take the stairs, and when they failed a black wave of screaming and mutated cultists crashed against the shield wall. When they were finally cut down a new Hoplite formation made its way up the stairs. The Sons were forced to give ground stair by stair, each of them at a high cost to the attacker.

On the third day of the final assault Ptolemaios and the Witch-Seeress came to lead their troops. With her vile powers the Witch made large gaps into the ranks of the defenders, but still they stood in their ground. Ptolemaios led strikes to all weak points in the shield walls, felling many Sons with his foul demonic blade. But still the defenders kept fighting on. But eventually even the Space Marines resilience was at its end and they were pushed to the very base of the temple. Ptolemaios, certain of his victory spoke to the Sons, urging them to follow him. Through him the Sons would rise into glory and fame like never before, as true Sons of the Gods. As if from some unseen signal the Sons of Hellas begun to sing an ancient hymn, the death song of Lakonia. They would rather meet their end here then to submit to the twisted Ruinous Powers like this weak ruler and his minions.

As they reached the chorus, the Temple begun to tremble. What caused this none can say, but at the same time traitors all around Ptolemaios begun to fall. From within the Temple strode forth thirty massive figures. Their golden armours were massive, resembling the Terminator armours used by many Space Marine Chapters. Their weapons spat death in to the midst of the enemy, their large hammers smashing dozens of enemies aside with each strike. Leading them was a tall figure garbed in a pure white robe, bearing a large broken sword. His face was covered by a hood, and some Brothers swore they saw a light shining underneath it. This figure challenged both Ptolemaios and the Witch, while the thirty warriors and those of the Sons that yet were able to fight set out to purge Hadeopolis of all the lesser traitors. And not even for a moment did the Sons cease their hymn.

The Witch-Seeress summoned demos to aid her in her fight, but the robed fire dispatched these in an instant without difficulty. Then lightning struck the figure, but had little effect on him. The Witch grew desperate as she had now used her most powerful tricks. In her fear she made a mistake, one was to cost her life and soul. She turned into a Keeper of Secrets, a powerful Greater Daemon of the Ruinous Powers. It unleashed fire, ice, lightning and missiles of foul magic at the fool that stood in its way. The white robed figure evaded many of the attacks, and even those that struck him did not seem to effect him. Each time he dodged a fire ball, jumped over frozen ground, evaded lightning and parried the Keepers mighty blows of its staff, the mysterious figure inched closer to it. Then finally, he was within range and after trading fierce blows, the broken blade cleaved the Keepers head clean off.

The figure sank to one knee, exhausted, but the battle was not yet over. Ptolemaios charged at the figure like a mad man. He was obviously upset at what he had just witnessed, and perhaps for the first time he truly understood what he had done, and what awaited him. Had the stranger not been so weary, Ptolemaios would have died without a possibility to strike back. But now they were almost equal. The madness that had taken over the traitor gave him inhuman strength, while the stranger was left struggling just to defend himself. Then Ptolemaios managed to get pass his defence, pushing the long blade through his stomach. The traitor rejoiced, pushed the robed figure against the Temples wall, and prepared to give the final blow. But as he struck all he found was thin air, as the stranger dodged and instead drove his own sword into Ptolemaios’s heart. The traitor fell to the ground without a sound.

Around the Temple the traitors and loyalists had fought ferociously, but as both of their leaders fell, the cultists and traitor Hoplites broke and fled. The Sons pursued, intending to wipe these heretics from the face of the planet. None know what happened next, but according to the survivors reports, the streets were once thick with fog, and next when the Sons could see anything they were already outside the city. The only thing that told of the presence of the traitors was their now empty main camp. The severely wounded Sons that had been unable to move were now standing amongst the other survivors, barely a scar on them. The more ominous sight was a small pile of black boxes, that in the end were proven to contain the gene-seed of the fallen scouts, and the pile of scout equipments, armours and weapons. Next to them were rank upon rank of power armours used by the Sons of Hellas, each holding their shields and Thunderspears in their left gauntlet, and a black box on the palm on the right one. Closer look proved that the all the armours were empty, and they belonged to the Brothers that fell during the battle.

Scant hours later the first Thunderhawks landed, signing the arrival of the 2nd, 4th and 5th Companies. With the help of the coalition made by the loyalist city states the traitor cities were cleansed one by one. In Herrenia and Herrania not a stone was left to stand on another, as the people of these cities themselves rebelled against their corrupt rulers. In seeking forgiveness, they destroyed their magnificent cities, but left the mighty libraries and archives untouched, and the documents within were later retrieved by the Sons. Thousands died, as they were suspected of having fallen to worship the Dark Gods. When the loyalist forces arrived to the area, preparing to meet the last stronghold of the traitors, they found a ramshackle set of tents and huts in the middle of what used to be no-mans-land between the two cities. Seeing the arrival of the Sons of Hellas the people threw themselves to ground, howling like animals and promising to submit to any punishment the Sons would see fit. After the Sons witnessed the total destruction of the fabled Twin Cities, there was little they could do. The Chapters Librarians and Chaplains were called to root out any possibly remaining rebels, and to see a new leader to be chosen for the people.

In the coming centuries the people built a new city, naming it Herapolis. This city would in time achieve even greater glory and honour then either of the twin cities, becoming a true jewel of the main continent. But the dark days of the Heresy would haunt the people of the city forever, and a certain air of paranoia always seems to cover the otherwise cheerful and bright atmosphere of Herapolis.

 

[WarWolf88]

Battle of Baal - ΒΑΤΤΛΕ ΟΦ ΒΑΑΛ

In M37, the 7th Black Crusade was launched by Abaddon the Despoiler. It would be known as the Ghost War, as the Chaos forces disappeared as soon as they arrive, bypassing Cadia. During this conflict, the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter suffered a great massacre at the hand of Khorne Berserkers. They were led by Abaddon himself on the planet Mackan. The losses of Blood Angels were horrendous, and the Chapter had to withdraw to their homeworld of Baal to rebuild. But their suffering was not yet over, as a sizable force of the Iron Warriors traitor Legion was approaching Baal, supported by a great number cultist and renegade Imperial Guard Regiments.

Realizing that their forces were far from sufficient to hold such an onslaught, the Blood Angels Chapter Master called aid from all nearby Imperial forces and the Chapters own Successors. The answer was not encouraging, as most nearby Imperial armies and Chapter were currently engaged elsewhere with little units to spare for the time being. Even the Successor Chapters were too spread out to send immediate aid. But there was hope, as a detachment of Sons of Hellas was able to arrive on Baal before the battles started in earnest.

Using Thunderhawk transport to drop the troops, full 3 Companies of the Sons were deployed to support the Blood Angels. The 2nd Companion Company, and 4th and 5th Phalanx Companies were commanded by Captain Memnos of the 2nd Company. He was one the most famous living heroes among the Sons of Hellas, and many believed that he would become the next Chapter Master. Memnos immediatly divided his forces into three groups, sending the first two groups formed of the majority of the two Phalanx Companies and his own Companions to protect the two inhabited moons of Baal: Baal Primus and Baal Secundus. He took command of the third group, numbering 8 Hoplite, 2 Skirmisher and 4 Peltast Sarrissas along with two Companion Squadrons and his own Command Squadron. These he took with him to bolster the defences of the Blood Angels Fortress-Monastery.

The traitor forces arrived almost immediately afterwards and thousands of traitors swept across the surface of the planet and it moons, the outnumbered Imperial vessels giving them way and luring them out in smaller numbers into a number of ambushes. In the nuclear blasted wastes of the defenders repeatedly used the same kind of tactic: using the phalanx formations of Sons of Hellas to draw the enemy attention, and when they were fully committed, the Blood Angles and Companion Squadrons of the 2nd Company would strike from behind, decimating them bit by bit. They also fought a more guerrilla type war, destroying important field dumps, sabotaging equipment meant to protect from the lethal levels of radiations and eliminating key leaders. The tough inhabitants of Baal also did they part in these raids, also ambushing many enemy scout parties.

But the Fortress-Monastery came under the fiercest onslaught, as the majority of the Iron Warriors took part in its siege. As days wore on to weeks, the traitors capture territory surrounding the Fortress, inch by inch and with a huge number of casualties. But most of these were cultists and the renegades of Imperial Guard, while the Iron Warriors probed the defenders and defences alike for any weaknesses. Memnos and his men earned an undying respect of the Blood Angels, as they repelled wave after wave of heretics. But, after almost three weeks into the siege, the Chaos forces finally managed to reach the base of the mighty Fortress. Now was the time that the Iron Warriors had waited, and they immediately set out to use their demonic siege machines to work.

But the defenders would not be so easily beaten, and each breach was quickly identified, the in rushing enemy troops neutralized and the breach sealed. Each time this was done with ever mounting casualties, and even the mighty Space Marines were beginning to feel the weight of their wounds and exhaustion. The Sanguinary priests, Blood Angels Apothecaries, were doing their best to keep their Battle Brother in a fighting shape, also helping the Sons as well as they could. The fighting dragged on for a further week with such a routine.

But then disaster struck, as another breach was made, directly under the Apothecarium. To make matters worse, this time the attack was made by large numbers of Iron Warriors instead of the usual screaming cultists. It was soon clear that this had been their main objective from the beginning. A Space Marine Chapter cannot exists without it gene-seed, that was stored inside a vault within the Apothecarium, and without the Apothecaries it cannot be harvested for future use. With this one foul strike the Iron Warriors sought to wipe the Blood Angels out.

Many wounded loyal Marines were slaughtered while lying on a hospital bed, unable to move or make any resistance. Two Sanguinary Priests also fell in the initial onslaught, a dire loss for the Chapter. All hope seemed lost, but just as the archenemies victory seemed complete, Captain Memnos, who had been wounded earlier in the day, and some forty less injured and fully armed Brother Marines of both Chapters burst into the room. This startled the traitor for a moment, just long enough for those Brothers still able to move to grab their weapons and also attack the hated traitors.

The battle for the very existence of one of the most renowned and fabled Chapter in the Imperium had begun, and neither side would ask or give any mercy as bolters barked and chainswords screamed, biting into the flesh of loyalists and traitors alike. Even though their opponents were weary and wounded, the Iron Warriors found no easy path to the vault, as each effort they made to thwart the defenders they found them selves to be the ones being pushed back. The Thunderspear and Athena shield bearing Sons of Hellas fought tightly side by side in their Phalanx formations, and the Blood Angels visited their foes with fury the Chapter was so well known of. But then a new, more fearsome foe arrived to the battle. Larger then any other of his kin, his face had little to even tell that this creature had once been a human. Large horns grew from his head in the shape of a twisted parody of a eight pointed crown, and his eyes were so dark they seemed to suck light itself. And where this monster tread, there the defenders were crushed.

This new turn in the battle almost shattered the valiant defence of loyalists, who were now hard pressed to hold their positions. Realising this Memnos bellowed a challenge to this new comer, as a last gambit to buy more time for reinforcements to arrive. It was answered by a counter challenge filled with such loathe and hatred that sent shivers go down the spines of every defender. Though already badly wounded, Memnos felt no fear as he strode to meet this demonic foe. His relic blade met the traitors dark rune carved sword, and they begun to trade fierce blows. Each had recognised the other as a hated enemy, and this hatred had its roots in the times of the Horus Heresy and even before it.

So did the Captain and the Chaos Champion trade blow after blow, whilst their followers continued their equally fierce battle. The Iron Warriors chanting cursed chants, The Sons of Hellas proving to be true sons of Dorn with their unbroken and unyielding stubbornness, and the Blood Angels welcoming the inner rage to give them strength. So did the battle go on, and only the Emperor knows how long it lasted, as the survivors could never remember. All they remember is that at climax of the battle a blow managed to pass Captain Memnos’s guard forcing him to fall to his knees, and that along with an inhuman howl the Champion prepared to give the final strike. But Memnos was not defeated yet. He forsook all regards to his own safety and survival, and put everything to his final strike that caught the traitor completely by surprise. Memnos’ blade pierced the traitors heart at the same moment as the Chaos blessed sword cut deep own chest.

The fighting quieted down for a moment as both sides stopped to hesitate, bewildered by the simultaneous demise of both leaders. Then as a last twists in this battle the Chapter Master of the Blood Angels flanked by no fewer then five Sanguinary Guards and more squads of Battle Brothers arrived to the Apothecarium, and with this the Iron Warriors broke and fled. After this the Chaos forces soon begun to deteriorate. Infighting broke out amongst their ranks, and they obviously lacked a leader. Within a day fresh Imperial forces arrived to Baal, and the traitors were all cut down in the following few weeks. Only a small group of the Iron Warriors managed to escape before the wrath of the Imperium.

The Sons of Hellas had lost some 60 of their Battle Brothers during this conflict, including Brother-Captain Memnos, and almost three times as many were wounded. But their sacrifice was not in vain, for the Blood Angles yet prevailed. Their Chapter Master praised those Sons had taken part in to this battle, and each Company involved received special banners that were blessed by the Blood Angels Chaplains and each holds an important artefact of the Chapter. Ever since those fateful day these two famous Chapters have hold strong bonds and deep respect to one another, vowing to help another in any dark days to come.

 

[ThatOtherGuy]

Too long, didn't read, but here is rep for effort... something that lacks once in a while

 

[WarWolf88]

Too long, didn't read, but here is rep for effort... something that lacks once in a while

I guess you could call it a bad habit that I always end up writing quite long bits of fluff, but once I have an idea of something I like I end up expanding the little bit I had in the beginning so that I think I have covered what I consider as "the basics"... oh well.

Thanks for the rep. Now, where was that Templars of Steel fluff I intended to re-write....

 

[ThatOtherGuy]

No problem... But the thought and depth you put into this is your strength and your weakness. Its very thoughtful and imaginitive but... really really long.