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{{ambig|subject=Chaos Space Marine Legion|disambiguation=Iron Warriors}}
{{Ambiguous|subject=the [[Chaos Space Marine]]s [[Traitor Legion|Legion]]|disambiguation=Iron Warriors}}
 
The '''Iron Warriors''' were the '''IV Legion''' of the twenty original [[Space Marine Legion]]s.  Their [[Primarch]] is [[Perturabo]].  They were one of the nine legions which betrayed the [[Emperor]] during the [[Horus Heresy]], becoming [[Chaos Space Marine]]s.  Their specialty is siege warfare and the reduction of fortified positions, which made them natural rivals of the [[Imperial Fists]] even before the Heresy.  The Iron Warriors are also fierce close-range fighters, witnesses comparing their ferocity to the berserkers of the [[World Eaters]] traitor legion or the loyalist [[Blood Angels]].  They make common use of slave-soldiers as cannon fodder to wither the ammunition supplies of the besieged and to locate the positions of enemy gun emplacements. Like the Iron Hands they used bionics often to replace mutated limbs, as they hated all forms of mutation.
 
 
 
 
{{Traitor Founding Legions
 
{{Traitor Founding Legions
|Marine=IronWarriorsMarine.jpg
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|Marine=IWMarine.jpg
 
|Marine Px=250
 
|Marine Px=250
|Name=Iron Warriors
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|Miniature=Ironwarrior2019.jpg
|Current Banner=Ironwarlogo.gif
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|Name=Iron Warriors{{Fn|1a}}
|Legion Number=IV
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|Current Banner=Ironwarriors.png
|Primarch=[[Perturabo]]
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|Marine Image=IWMarine.jpg
|Homeworld Pre-Heresy=[[Olympia]]
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|Legion Number=IV{{Fn|1a}}
|Homeworld Current=[[Medrengard]] in the [[Eye of Terror]]
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|Primarch=[[Perturabo]]{{Fn|29a}}
|Chaos God= [[Chaos Undivided]]
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|Homeworld Pre-Heresy=[[Olympia]]{{Fn|29a}}
|Colours= Silver armour, gold trim, black shoulder pads
+
|Homeworld Current=[[Medrengard]] in the [[Eye of Terror]]{{Fn|29a}}
|Pre-Heresy Banner=IW.jpg
+
|Chaos God=[[Chaos Undivided]]{{Fn|29a}}
|Specialty=Siege Warfare
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|Colours=Silver armour, gold trim, black shoulder pads{{Fn|29a}}
|Battle Cry=Iron Within, Iron Without!
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|Pre-Heresy Banner=IWPreHeresySymbol.jpg
 +
|Specialty=Siege Warfare{{Fn|29a}}
 +
|Battle Cry=Iron Within, Iron Without!{{Fn|1f}}
 +
|Warbands=
 +
*[[Abrial's Claw]]{{Fn|57}}
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*[[Anathraxis Warhost]]{{Fn|58}}
 +
*[[Barbican Lords]]
 +
*[[Bitter Sons]]{{Fn|59}}
 +
*[[Bloodborn|The Bloodborn]]{{Fn|9}}
 +
*[[Chromite Beasts]]{{Fn|78}}
 +
*[[Effacers of Medrengard]]
 +
*[[Ferrocratic Creed]]
 +
*[[Forgemaws]]{{Fn|78}}
 +
*[[Hammers Relentless]]{{Fn|58}}
 +
*[[Iron Fist (Warband)|Iron Fist]]{{Fn|60}}
 +
*[[Metal Claw]]{{Fn|29a}}
 +
*[[Oppressors]]{{Fn|78}}
 +
*[[Pitiless]]{{Fn|58}}
 +
*[[Savagers]]{{Fn|78}}
 +
*[[Scions of Medrengard]]{{Fn|73}}
 +
*[[Siege-masters Olympian]]{{Fn|58}}
 +
*[[Sons of the Forge]]{{Fn|61}}
 +
*[[Steel Brethren]]{{Fn|3}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
The '''Iron Warriors''' were the '''IV Legion''' of the twenty original [[Space Marine Legion]]s. Their [[Primarch]] is [[Perturabo]]. They were one of the nine legions which betrayed the [[Emperor]] during the [[Horus Heresy]], becoming [[Chaos Space Marine]]s.{{Fn|1a}}
 +
 +
Their specialty is siege warfare and the reduction of fortified positions, which made them natural rivals of the [[Imperial Fists]] even before the Heresy.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|1c}} The Iron Warriors are also fierce close-range fighters, witnesses comparing their ferocity to the berserkers of the [[World Eaters]] traitor legion or the [[loyalist]] [[Blood Angels]].{{Fn|1d}} They make common use of slave-soldiers as cannon fodder to wither the ammunition supplies of the besieged and to locate the positions of enemy gun emplacements.{{Fn|1f}} Like the [[Iron Hands]] they used bionics often to replace mutated limbs, as they hated all forms of mutation.{{Fn|22a}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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[[Image:IV Legion.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Unification Wars-era Iron Warrior{{Fn|20e}}]]
 
=== Origins===
 
=== Origins===
Originally founded as the '''IVth Legion''', the Legion was founded atop the wreckage of a recidivist fortress on the [[Terra|Terran]] Auro Plateau of Sek-Amrak. The warlike gun-tribes in the surrounding areas made up the first of the Legion's Marines. The early IVth Legion proved itself in the [[Unification Wars]], making its domain one of the most stalwart domains of the [[Emperor]]. The Legion's [[gene-seed]] showed above average adaptability and a below average resistance rate to [[Bionics]]. This allowed the Legion to be one of the largest and the earliest deployed alongside the [[Dark Angels|I Legion]] and [[White Scars|V Legion]].{{Fn|20a}}
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Originally created as the '''IVth Legion''', the [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] was founded atop the wreckage of a recidivist fortress on the [[Terra|Terran]] [[Auro Plateau]] of [[Sek-Amrak]]. The warlike [[Gun-tribe|gun-tribes]] in the surrounding areas made up the first of the Legion's [[Space Marines|Marines]]. The early IVth Legion proved itself in the [[Unification Wars]], making its domain one of the most stalwart bastions of the [[Emperor]]. The Legion's [[gene-seed]] showed above average adaptability and a below average resistance rate to [[Bionics]]. This allowed the Legion to be one of the largest and the earliest deployed alongside the [[Dark Angels|I Legion]] and [[White Scars|V Legion]].{{Fn|20a}}
  
The Legion continued to distinguish itself in the conquest of the [[Sol System]] during the early days of the [[Great Crusade]], winning honours in many battles, most notably in the [[Mehr Yasht]] campaign on [[Venus]], where the IVth Legion was commanded by the [[Emperor]] itself to defeat the deadly [[Litho-Gholem]] armies of the [[War Witches]]. In light of their early successes, the Legion was given first access to new equipment being delivered from [[Mars]]. The Legion led the 8th [[Expeditionary Fleet]], which distinguished itself in many campaigns. However the Legion did not adapt their tactics to the new realities of the expanding Crusade, and was called unimaginative by other Space Marine Legions and by [[Horus]] himself. Horus however was impressed by their stubbornness and would use the Legion to fight inglorious but vital campaigns of attrition. They soon became known as the workhorse Legion, relied upon for their tenaciousness and following orders to the letter. It was during this time that the Legion began to spread itself out, garrisoning many worlds and fighting many smaller campaigns across the expanding Imperium.{{Fn|20a}}
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The [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] continued to distinguish itself in the conquest of the [[Sol System]] during the early days of the [[Great Crusade]], winning honours in many battles, most notably in the [[Mehr Yasht]] campaign on [[Venus]], where the IVth Legion was commanded by the [[Emperor]] himself to defeat the deadly [[Litho-Gholem]] armies of the [[War Witches]]. In light of their early successes, the Legion was given first access to new equipment being delivered from [[Mars]]. The Legion led the [[8th Expeditionary Fleet]], which distinguished itself in many campaigns. However, the Legion did not adapt their tactics to the new realities of the expanding Crusade, and was called unimaginative by other [[Space Marine Legion]]s and by [[Horus]] himself. Horus however was impressed by their stubbornness and would use the Legion to fight inglorious but vital campaigns of attrition. They soon became known as the workhorse Legion, relied upon for their tenaciousness and following orders to the letter. It was during this time that the Legion began to spread itself out, garrisoning many worlds and fighting many smaller campaigns across the expanding [[Imperium]].{{Fn|20a}}
  
One of the Legion's most tragic episodes would come in 842.[[M30]] during the liberation of the [[Forge World]] of [[Incaladion]]. The stubborn IVth Legion used their typical tactics of heavy artillery and armored spearheads, and suffered staggering losses in a protracted siege. Nearly 29,000 Legionaries died over the year long campaign, virtually annihilating the 8th Expeditionary Fleet.{{Fn|20a}}
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One of the [[Space Marine Legion|Legion's]] most tragic episodes would come in 842.[[M30]] during the liberation of the [[Forge World]] of [[Incaladion]]: The stubborn IVth Legion used their typical tactics of heavy artillery and armored spearheads, and suffered staggering losses in a protracted siege. Nearly 29,000 Legionaries died over the year long campaign, virtually annihilating the [[8th Expeditionary Fleet]].{{Fn|20a}}
  
Meanwhile, the Iron Warriors' [[Primarch]], [[Perturabo]], was raised on [[Olympia]], a mountainous planet divided into warring city-states. Because of this rugged terrain, military supremacy revolved around the construction of stone fortresses and the control of strategic mountain passes. Perturabo had an affinity for cold logic and the use of technology which made him a superb military engineer. By the time the [[Emperor]]'s [[Great Crusade]] reached Olympia, Perturabo was the warlord to the [[Tyrant of Lochos]]. As was his custom when one of his lost sons was found, the Emperor gave Perturabo rule over his home planet and relocated his [[Legion]]'s headquarters there.{{Fn|1a}} Upon taking command of his Legion, Perturabo reviewed the war record of his new forces. After heavily analyzing their record, effectiveness, doctrines, and practices, Perturabo found them wanting. His punishment was [[Wikipedia:Decimation (Roman army)|decimation]]. By lottery, one in every ten Legionaries was chosen to be beaten to death by his comrades. Such would be Perturabo's reign: brutal and unforgiving.{{Fn|20a}}
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Meanwhile, the Iron Warriors' [[Primarch]], [[Perturabo]], was raised on [[Olympia]], a mountainous planet divided into warring city-states. Because of the rugged terrain, military supremacy revolved around the construction of stone fortresses and the control of strategic mountain passes. Perturabo had an affinity for cold logic and the use of technology which made him a superb military engineer. By the time the [[Emperor]]'s [[Great Crusade]] reached Olympia, Perturabo was warlord to the [[Tyrant of Lochos]]. As was his custom when one of his lost sons was found, the Emperor gave Perturabo rule over his home planet and relocated his [[Space Marine Legion|Legion's]] headquarters there.{{Fn|1a}} Upon taking command of his Legion, Perturabo reviewed the war record of his new forces. After heavily analyzing their record, effectiveness, doctrines, and practices, Perturabo found them wanting. His punishment was [[Wikipedia:Decimation (Roman army)|decimation]]. By lottery, one in every ten Legionaries was chosen to be beaten to death by his comrades. Such would be Perturabo's reign: brutal and unforgiving.{{Fn|20a}}
  
Even before they were reunited with their primarch, the [[Space Marines]] of the IV Legion had inherited his same military qualities. Perturabo quickly recruited new troops from Olympia and embarked [[Fall of the Black Judges|on a campaign]] against the nearby moon base known as the ''[[Rock of Judgement]]'', ruled by the [[Black Judges]]. It was a stunning success, though only fragmentary records of it survive in the aftermath of the Heresy.{{Fn|1a}}
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Even before they were reunited with their [[Primarch]], the [[Space Marines]] of the IV Legion had inherited his military qualities. [[Perturabo]] quickly recruited new troops from [[Olympia]] and embarked [[Fall of the Black Judges|on a campaign]] against the nearby moon base known as the [[Rock of Judgement]], ruled by the [[Black Judges]]. It was a stunning success, though only fragmentary records of it survive in the aftermath of the [[Horus Heresy]].{{Fn|1a}}
  
 
===The Great Crusade===
 
===The Great Crusade===
[[Image:IronWarriorPH.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Pre-Heresy Iron Warrior Space Marine]]
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[[Image:IronWarriorPH.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[Horus Heresy|Pre-Heresy]] Iron Warrior Space Marine{{Fn|1b}}]]
Quickly recognised as experts in the art of siege warfare, the Iron Warriors were regularly called upon to exercise their skills in cracking open enemy defences. This had an unfortunate effect on the character of their Legion. By their nature, sieges are the most grinding and demoralising type of warfare: long periods of tedium and unspectacular labour, broken by episodes of merciless, close-quarters brutality. The Iron Warriors saw the storming of the breach as an escape from the tedium, and developed into ferocious close quarters fighters. They even came to prefer for enemy strongholds not to surrender, thus justifying the slaughter of everyone within once the fortresses were taken.{{Fn|1b}} It became the Legion's curse (one of many) that these episodes of brutality eclipsed their superb affinity for the application of logic and mathematics to military problems, in the eyes of their fellow [[Space Marines]] and the [[Imperium]] as a whole.{{Fn|14d}}
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Quickly recognised as experts in the art of siege warfare, the Iron Warriors were regularly called upon to exercise their skills in cracking open enemy defences. This had an unfortunate effect on the character of their [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]]. By their nature, sieges are the most grinding and demoralising type of warfare: long periods of tedium and unspectacular labour, broken by episodes of merciless, close-quarters brutality. The Iron Warriors saw the storming of the breach as an escape from the tedium, and developed into ferocious close quarters fighters. They even came to prefer for enemy strongholds not to surrender, thus justifying the slaughter of everyone within once the fortresses were taken.{{Fn|1b}} It became the Legion's curse (one of many) that these episodes of brutality eclipsed their superb affinity for the application of logic and mathematics to military problems in the eyes of their fellow [[Space Marines]] and the [[Imperium]] as a whole.{{Fn|14d}} Even in its earliest days before officially being dubbed the Iron Warriors, the Legion was known for its thankless and brutal siege operations which led to the informal slang as the '''Corpse Grinders'''. However the use of this term was frowned down upon by Imperial authorities, and could even result in punishment.{{Fn|75}}
 
+
[[Image:IWPreHeresySymbol.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Heresy-era symbol]]
Given their expertise at constructing and manning fortresses, the legion also found itself constantly diminishing in active crusading size as units from it were detached to act as garrison troops watching over worlds in the process of compliance. The most famous of these garrisons was that of the Iron Keep on [[Delgas II]], where one 10-man squad of Iron Warriors watched over a disgruntled population of 130 million.{{Fn|1b}} It is unknown why the Iron Warriors were so often selected for such assignments, or why Perturabo always accepted such orders without protest, but it is supposed that it began to inflict serious damage to the legion's morale. Even [[Space Marines]] need rest, but the Crusade gave them none.{{Fn|1c}} A particularly brutal battle of the Great Crusade for the Iron Warriors was the thankless [[Sak'trada Deeps Campaign]] against the [[Hrud]], which saw heavy casualties on a strategically far-off and worthless system.{{Fn|25}}
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Given their expertise at constructing and manning fortresses, the [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] also found itself constantly diminishing in active crusading size as units were detached from it to act as garrison troops watching over worlds in the process of compliance. The most famous of these garrisons was that of the ''Iron Keep'' on [[Delgas II]], where a single ten-marine squad of Iron Warriors watched over a disgruntled population of 130 million.{{Fn|1b}} It is unknown why the Iron Warriors were so often selected for such assignments, or why [[Perturabo]] always accepted such orders without protest, but it is supposed that it began to inflict serious damage to the Legion's morale. Even [[Space Marines]] need rest, but the [[Great Crusade|Crusade]] gave them none.{{Fn|1c}} A particularly brutal battle of the Great Crusade for the Iron Warriors was the thankless [[Sak'trada Deeps Campaign]] against the [[Hrud]], which resulted in heavy casualties on a strategically far-off and worthless system.{{Fn|25}}
  
Worse, their "typecasting" as siege engineers or garrison troops set them apart from their brother [[Legion]]s and made them feel increasingly marginalised. In particular they were aggrieved by the [[Imperial Fists]], whose primarch, [[Rogal Dorn]], often boasted about the impregnability of the defences they had constructed around the [[Imperial Palace]] on [[Terra]]. Perturabo was not the only one of the primarchs who found his brother Dorn braggadocios, but Perturabo was unable to let the insults to himself and his Legion pass, and these continued to fester in his heart.{{Fn|1c}} Likewise, [[Corax]], the primarch of the [[Raven Guard]], made little secret of his contempt for Perturabo and his Legion, dismissing them as stolid attritionists, anathema to Corax's own concept of fluid, hit-and-run warfare.{{Fn|19}}
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Worse, their "typecasting" as siege engineers or garrison troops set them apart from their brother [[Space Marine Legion|Legions]] and made them feel increasingly marginalized. In particular they were aggrieved by the [[Imperial Fists]], whose [[Primarch]], [[Rogal Dorn]], often boasted about the impregnability of the defences they had constructed around the [[Imperial Palace]] on [[Terra]]. [[Perturabo]] was not the only one of the Primarchs who found his brother Dorn boastful and arrogant, but Perturabo was unable to let the insults to himself and his Legion pass, and these continued to fester in his heart.{{Fn|1c}} Likewise, [[Corax]], the Primarch of the [[Raven Guard]], made little secret of his contempt for Perturabo and his Legion, dismissing them as stolid attritionists, anathema to Corax's own concept of fluid, hit-and-run warfare.{{Fn|19}}
  
The Iron Warriors did little to improve relations with the rest of the Imperium's armed forces. They maintained a cold and rude relationship with their fellow Space Marine Legion's, while to the [[Imperial Army]] they became known as the ''Corpse Grinders'' for the high casualties their forces experienced under Iron Warriors command. Imperial Army regiments began to mutiny rather than be placed under Iron Warriors command or continue with their bloody attacks. [[Horus]] remedied the situation by ensuring only that criminals and slaves would be transferred to Perturabo.{{Fn|20a}}
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The Iron Warriors did little to improve relations with the rest of the [[Imperium]]'s armed forces. They maintained a cold and rude relationship with their fellow [[Space Marine Legion]]s, while to the [[Imperial Army]] they became known as the ''Corpse Grinders'' for the high casualties their forces experienced under Iron Warriors command. Imperial Army [[Regiment|regiments]] began to mutiny rather than be placed under Iron Warriors command or continue with their bloody attacks. [[Horus]] remedied the situation by ensuring that only criminals and slaves would be transferred to [[Perturabo]].{{Fn|20a}}
  
 
=== The Turning Point ===
 
=== The Turning Point ===
This growing disillusionment that began to show itself during bitter and pointless battles such as the [[Sak'trada Deeps Campaign]] would eventually translate into a tragic explosion of despair and rage as the Iron Warriors learned that their own homeworld, Olympia, had revolted against Imperial rule. Enraged, Perturabo drew his legion away from the extermination campaign they were waging upon the [[Hrud]] and led them homewards, falling upon the world with no mercy. The planet was battered into submission, and he gave orders that cities were to enact decimation, killing one in every ten of their own or face extermination and enslavement. Cities burned, and over 5 million inhabitants were killed. Some Iron Warriors refused to take part in the genocide, and they too were struck down.{{Fn|25a}} In the aftermath, the legion as a whole seemed aghast at their actions, aware that they had committed an unforgivable atrocity.{{Fn|1c}}{{Fn|1d}}
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The growing disillusionment that began to show itself during bitter and pointless battles such as the [[Sak'trada Deeps Campaign]] would eventually translate into a tragic explosion of despair and rage as the Iron Warriors learned that their own homeworld, [[Olympia]], had revolted against [[Imperium|Imperial rule]]. Enraged, [[Perturabo]] drew his [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] away from the extermination campaign they were waging upon the [[Hrud]] and led them homewards, falling upon the world with no mercy. The planet was battered into submission, and he gave orders that the cities were to enact decimation, killing one in every ten of their own or face extermination and enslavement. Cities burned, and over five million inhabitants were killed. Some Iron Warriors refused to take part in the genocide, and they too were struck down.{{Fn|25a}} In the aftermath, the legion as a whole seemed aghast at their actions, aware that they had committed an unforgivable atrocity.{{Fn|1c}}{{Fn|1d}}
  
However, before word of their actions could reach the other arms of the [[Imperium]], they once again received orders to move into action. This time it was to move to the [[Isstvan system]]. While the Iron Warriors had been engaged in suppressing the rebellion on Olympia, the [[Galaxy]] had turned upside down: [[Horus]] had rebelled against the [[Emperor]], [[Fulgrim]], [[Angron]], and [[Mortarion]] had joined him, and the [[Space Wolves]] had slaughtered the [[Thousand Sons]] on [[Prospero]]. If the Iron Warriors had committed an outrage on Olympia, then their brother Legions seemed determined to outdo them; the Horus Heresy had begun.{{Fn|1d}} Horus promised Perturabo not only forgiveness for his genocide on Olympia but even commended him for it. Perturabo soon swore a secret oath of loyalty to the Warmaster.{{Fn|14}}
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However, before word of their actions could reach the other arms of the [[Imperium]], the Iron Warriors once again received orders to move into action. This time it was to move to the [[Isstvan system]]. While the Iron Warriors had been engaged in suppressing the rebellion on [[Olympia]], the [[Galaxy]] had turned upside down: [[Horus]] had rebelled against the [[Emperor]], [[Fulgrim]], [[Angron]] and [[Mortarion]] had joined him, and the [[Space Wolves]] had slaughtered the [[Thousand Sons]] on [[Prospero]]. If the Iron Warriors had committed an outrage on Olympia, then their brother [[Space Marine Legion|Legions]] seemed determined to outdo them; the [[Horus Heresy]] had begun.{{Fn|1d}} Horus promised Perturabo not only forgiveness for his genocide on Olympia but even commended him for it. So Perturabo soon swore a secret oath of loyalty to the Warmaster.{{Fn|1c}}
  
 
===The Horus Heresy===
 
===The Horus Heresy===
The Iron Warriors were ordered to join the second assault on the traitors' position on [[Isstvan V]], but instead declared their true allegiance to [[Horus]] and fell upon their former brothers in the [[Raven Guard]] and the [[Iron Hands]] without mercy during the [[Drop Site Massacre]].{{Fn|1d}} Following the Massacre on Isstvan V, the next major action of the Iron Warriors was the ambush of the [[Imperial Fists]] fleet [[Battle of Phall|at Phall]].{{Fn|13}}  
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[[Image:TacticalSupportMarine.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Heresy-era Iron Warriors Space Marine{{Fn|20f}}]]
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The Iron Warriors were ordered to join the second assault on the Traitors' position on [[Isstvan V]], but instead declared their true allegiance to [[Horus]] and fell upon their former brothers of the [[Raven Guard]] and the [[Iron Hands]] without mercy during the [[Drop Site Massacre]].{{Fn|1d}} Following the Massacre on Isstvan V, the next major action of the Iron Warriors was the ambush of the [[Imperial Fists]] fleet [[Battle of Phall|at Phall]].{{Fn|13}}
 +
 
 +
Following the action at Phall and the [[First Siege of Hydra Cordatus|reduction of Hydra Cordatus]], the [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] under [[Perturabo]]'s personal command would journey with [[Fulgrim]] to the [[Crone World]] of [[Iydris]], pursuing an ancient weapon known as the [[Angel Exterminatus]]. However the [[Battle of Iydris|entire affair]] was a ploy by Fulgrim to achieve [[Daemon Prince|daemonhood]].{{Fn|14}}
  
Following the action at Phall and the [[First Siege of Hydra Cordatus|reduction of Hydra Cordatus]], the Legion under Perturabo's personal command would journey with [[Fulgrim]] to the [[Crone World]] of [[Iydris]], pursuing an ancient weapon known as the ''Angel Exterminatus''. However the [[Battle of Iydris|entire affair]] was a ploy by Fulgrim to achieve [[Daemon Prince|daemonhood]].{{Fn|14}} After this incident Perturabo and the Iron Warriors found themselves trapped by the singularity in the heart of the [[Eye of Terror]]. In a desperate gamble, their fleet dove straight into the heart of the Eye of Terror, and were transported far across the warp to the [[Tallarn]] System. Once arriving at Tallarn, Perturabo was made aware of the [[Cursus of Alganar|Black Oculus]] hidden beneath the planet, and he immediately drew up plans to [[Battle of Tallarn|acquire it]].{{Fn|23}}
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After this incident [[Perturabo]] and his Iron Warriors found themselves trapped by the singularity in the heart of the [[Eye of Terror]]. In a desperate gamble, their fleet dove straight into the heart of the Eye of Terror, and were transported far across the [[Warp]] to the [[Tallarn]] System. Once arriving at Tallarn, Perturabo was made aware of the [[Cursus of Alganar|Black Oculus]] (also known as the ''Cursus of Alganar'') hidden beneath the planet, and he immediately drew up plans to [[Battle of Tallarn|acquire it]].{{Fn|23}}
  
The intended hit-and-seize raid turned into a protracted conflict, as both the Traitors and the Imperium poured war material to their respective allies on Tallarn, neither willing to admit defeat. Over a million armored vehicles fought across the desert, which is reckoned as the largest tank confrontation in Imperial history, until eventually the Iron Warriors were forced to retreat without the Cursus.{{Fn|5}} After Tallarn, the Iron Warriors were assigned to guard worlds to the rear of Horus' front that  since the death of the [[Ruinstorm]] were now threatened by the advance of the [[Ultramarines]]. Many of these worlds served as the traitor's chief supply line. Overextended, under-supplied, and engaging in thankless bitter sieges against the forces of [[Roboute Guilliman]], the Iron Warriors took heavy losses and found themselves in a situation similar to that of the [[Great Crusade]].{{Fn|26}} This situation was interrupted when Perturabo recieved orders to find [[Angron]] and muster at [[Ullanor]] in preparation for the [[Siege of Terra]]. Despite having to abandon large amounts of warriors and worlds they bitterly bled for for many years, Perturabo dutifully obeyed. Though many Iron Warriors were lost in the ensuing redeployments, Perturabo succeeded in arriving at Ullanor with Angron and his [[World Eaters]].{{Fn|26}} After the events at Terra the remaining garrisons would of Iron Warriors dispersed across the galaxy would continue to be a thorn in the Imperium's side.{{Cite This}}
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The intended hit-and-seize raid turned into a protracted conflict, as both the Traitors and the [[Imperium]] poured war material to their respective allies on [[Tallarn]], neither willing to admit defeat. Over a million armored vehicles fought across the desert, which is reckoned as the largest tank confrontation in Imperial history, until eventually the Iron Warriors were forced to retreat without the [[Cursus of Alganar|Cursus]].{{Fn|5}} So great were their losses that Perturabo had to launch a [[Iron Shackles|mass recruitment program]] to replenish their strength in the aftermath.{{Fn|79}}
  
In the end, Horus was defeated by the Emperor, and the bulk of the Iron Warriors retreated into the [[Eye of Terror]], while the rest sought to defend their scattered empire across the Imperium. Under a joint assault from both the [[Imperial Fist|Imperial Fists]] and [[Ultramarine|Ultramarines]], Olympia itself held out for two years. Eventually, the Iron Warriors triggered their own missile stockpiles when defeat was near, transforming the planet into a barren wasteland that, like the other Traitor Legion homeworlds, was declared Perdita.{{Fn|1d}}
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After [[Battle of Tallarn|Tallarn]], the Iron Warriors were assigned to guard worlds to the rear of [[Horus]]' front that  since the death of the [[Ruinstorm]] were now threatened by the advance of the [[Ultramarines]]. Many of these worlds served as the Traitor's chief supply line. Overextended, under-supplied, and engaging in thankless bitter sieges against the forces of [[Roboute Guilliman]], the Iron Warriors took heavy losses and found themselves in a situation similar to that of the [[Great Crusade]].{{Fn|26}} This situation was interrupted when [[Perturabo]] received orders to find [[Angron]] and muster at [[Ullanor]] in preparation for the [[Siege of Terra]]. Despite having to abandon large amounts of warriors and worlds they bitterly bled for for many years, Perturabo dutifully obeyed. Though many Iron Warriors were lost in the ensuing redeployments, Perturabo succeeded in arriving at Ullanor with Angron and his [[World Eaters]].{{Fn|26}} During the [[Siege of Terra]] Perturabo became the face of Horus' war to the loyalists, engaging in the ultimate siege against his rival brother Rogal Dorn. The Iron Warriors led the assault against the [[Lion's Gate Spaceport]] and [[Gorgon Bar]] during the battle.{{Fn|52}} Hopwever the setback at the [[Saturnine Wall]], Perturabo began to despair over the state of his allies. All save he and the Iron Warriors had by now fully fallen to Chaos, and with his warriors marched all kinds of [[Warp]] abominations. Perturabo realized that the war was no longer one of Legion vs. Legion and the ultimate test against his brother Rogal was now tainted. The final straw for Perturabo came after Horus informed Perturabo that he was to disperse his Iron Warriors amongst the various warzones and that his position was to be taken over by [[Mortarion]] and the [[Death Guard]]. Finally having had enough, Perturabo ordered the Iron Warriors to evacuate Terra and withdrew to the ''[[Iron Blood]]''.{{Fn|70}}
 +
 
 +
In the end, [[Horus]] was defeated by the [[Emperor]], and the bulk of the Iron Warriors retreated into the [[Eye of Terror]], while the rest sought to defend their scattered empire across [[Imperium|Imperial space]]. Jointly assault by both the [[Imperial Fist|Imperial Fists]] and the [[Ultramarine|Ultramarines]], [[Olympia]] itself held out for two years. Eventually, the Iron Warriors triggered their own missile stockpiles when defeat was near, transforming the planet into a barren wasteland that, like the other Traitor Legion homeworlds, was declared ''perdita''. After the events at [[Terra]] the remaining garrisons of Iron Warriors dispersed across the galaxy, digging into the [[Empire of Iron]] and continuing to be a thorn in the [[Imperium]]'s side.{{Fn|1d}}{{Fn|72}}
  
 
===Post-Heresy===
 
===Post-Heresy===
[[File:IronWarrior.jpg|right|195px|thumb|A Post-Heresy '''Iron Warrior'''{{Fn|8}}]]
+
[[Image:IWSymbolChaos.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Post-Heresy Iron Warriors shoulderpad symbol]]
Perturabo soon devised and enacted the one real victory for the Iron Warriors in the immediate aftermath of the Horus Heresy. He crafted a trap on Sebastus IV, designed to ensnare [[Rogal Dorn]] and the [[Imperial Fists]], with whom Perturabo and his warriors harboured a bitter rivalry. The trap was known as the Eternal Fortress, a keep centred within twenty square miles of bunkers, towers, minefields, trenches, tank traps and redoubts. Upon hearing of this, Rogal Dorn publicly declared that he "would dig Perturabo out of his hole and bring him back to Terra in an iron cage". As a result of this statement, the ensuing battle has become known as the [[Iron cage|Iron Cage]].
+
[[Perturabo]] soon devised and enacted the one real victory for the Iron Warriors in the immediate aftermath of the [[Horus Heresy]]. He crafted a trap on [[Sebastus IV]], designed to ensnare [[Rogal Dorn]] and the [[Imperial Fists]], with whom Perturabo and his warriors harboured a bitter rivalry. This trap was known as the [[The Iron Cage|Eternal Fortress]], a keep centered within twenty square miles of bunkers, towers, minefields, trenches, tank traps and redoubts. Upon hearing of this, Rogal Dorn publicly declared that he "would dig Perturabo out of his hole and bring him back to [[Terra]] in an iron cage". As a result of this statement, the ensuing battle has become known as the [[Iron cage|Iron Cage]] or "Iron Cage Incident".{{Fn|1d}}
  
Rogal Dorn expected an honourable battle, but this was not to be. Beginning by isolating the four Companies of the Imperial Fists that landed from their orbital support, Perturabo began to carefully divide his enemy and destroy them piecemeal. Some Imperial Fists managed to penetrate the defences and reach the center of the Eternal Fortress, only to find there was no central keep - simply an open space watched by yet more defenses. The fortress was a decoy of no real value. By the sixth day of the siege, Imperial Fists Space Marines were fighting individually, without support, using the bodies of their own battle brothers for cover.
+
[[Rogal Dorn]] expected an honourable battle, but this was not to be. Beginning by isolating the four Companies of the [[Imperial Fists]] that landed from their orbital support, [[Perturabo]] began to carefully divide his enemy and destroy them piecemeal. Some Imperial Fists managed to penetrate the defences and reach the center of the [[The Iron Cage|Eternal Fortress]], only to find there was no central keep - simply an open space watched by yet more defenses. The fortress was a decoy of no real value. By the sixth day of the siege, Imperial Fists [[Space Marines]] were fighting individually, without support, using the bodies of their own battle brothers for cover.{{Fn|1d}}
  
The siege of the Eternal Fortress (later referred as the "Iron Cage Incident") lasted for a further three weeks. Relief came in the form of [[Roboute Guilliman]] and a force of [[Ultramarines]]. The sacrifice of over four hundred loyalist Marines' [[gene-seed]] paved the way for Perturabo's ascension to [[Daemon Prince]].
+
The siege of the Eternal Fortress lasted for a further three weeks. Relief came only in the form of [[Roboute Guilliman]] and a force of [[Ultramarines]]. The sacrifice of over four hundred loyalist Marines' [[gene-seed]] paved the way for [[Perturabo]]'s ascension to [[Daemon Prince]]. Following this, the Iron Warriors retreated into the [[Eye of Terror]] and Perturabo crowned the world of [[Medrengard]] as the new home of the Legion.{{Fn|1e}} Since then, Perturabo has remained on Medrengard while his Legion both continues the [[Long War]] while warbands periodically battle one another.{{Fn|1d}} Their grudge against the Sons of Dorn has, however, endured the long millennia, and even now, the Iron Warriors take great pleasure in tearing down the defences of the Imperial Fists.{{Fn|74b}}
  
A major crisis hit the Iron Warriors when in 600.[[M34]] a [[Iron Warriors Civil War|civil war]] shattered the legion into various warbands.{{Fn|}}
+
A major crisis hit the Iron Warriors when in 600.[[M34]] a [[Iron Warriors Civil War|civil war]] shattered the [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] into various warbands.{{Fn|23}}
 +
 
 +
The Iron Warriors pay homage to the Chaos Gods as a pantheon, though few of them are especially devoted. Their primary loyalty is to Perturabo, who they view as having saved from from being sacrificed in the galactic ambitions of the Emperor.{{Fn|74a}}
 +
 
 +
In the aftermath of the 13th Black Crusade, the Iron Warriors have expanded into the Imperium Nihilus, raising enormous, hideous citadels in their wake; monuments of their own malice, cruelty, and ego. These are often jagged towers, surrounded by living [[Accordion Wire|razor wire]] and daemon-haunted trenches. They hold a particular reputation as Warp-Masons and martial engineers as a result of this.{{Fn|74b}}
  
 
====Notable Engagements Post-Heresy====
 
====Notable Engagements Post-Heresy====
*'''???.[[M31]]''' - The [[Iron Cage]]
+
*'''???.'''[[M31]]: [[Iron Cage]]{{Fn|1e}}
*'''544.[[M32]]''' - The [[War of the Beast]]
+
*'''544.'''[[M32]]: [[War of the Beast]]{{Fn|30}}
*'''???.[[M32]]''' - The [[Solar Rebellion]]
+
*'''???.'''[[M32]]: [[Solar Rebellion]]{{Fn|23}}
*'''600-730.[[M34]]''' - The [[Dispute of Iron]]
+
*'''600-730.'''[[M34]]: [[Dispute of Iron]]{{Fn|23}}
*''''999.[[M37]]''' - The [[War for the Andromax System]] during the [[8th Black Crusade]]
+
*'''999.'''[[M37]]: [[Eighth Black Crusade]]{{Fn|31}}
*'''001.[[M39]]''' - The [[10th Black Crusade]]
+
**[[War for the Andromax System]]{{Fn|31}}
*'''???.[[M41]]''' - The [[Scouring of Makenna VII]]
+
*'''001.'''[[M39]]: [[Tenth Black Crusade]]{{Fn|32a}}
*'''???.[[M41]]''' - The [[Obsus Prima Uprising]]
+
*'''???.'''[[M41]]: [[Scouring of Makenna VII]]{{Fn|33}}
*'''???.[[M41]]''' - The [[Second Battle of Exyrion]]
+
*'''???.'''[[M41]]: [[Obsus Prima Uprising]]{{Fn|34}}
*'''455.[[M41]]''' - The [[Siege of Goddeth Hive]]
+
*'''???.'''[[M41]]: [[Second Battle of Exyrion]]{{Fn|24}}
*'''755-778.[[M41]]''' - The [[Sabbat Worlds Crusade]]
+
*'''???.[[M41]]''': The [[Battle of Shen'tzi Vo]]{{Fn|48}}
*'''813-830.[[M41]]''' - The [[Siege of Vraks]]
+
*'''455.'''[[M41]]: [[Siege of Goddeth Hive]]{{Fn|35}}
*'''865.[[M41]]''' - The [[Battle of Cypra Mundi]]
+
*'''755-778.'''[[M41]]: [[Sabbat Worlds Crusade]]{{Fn|36}}{{Fn|68}}
*'''905.[[M41]]''' - The [[Siege of Castellax]]
+
**The Iron Warriors supported the [[Shriven (Chaos Cult)|Shriven]] [[Chaos Cult]] on the [[Forge World]] of [[Fortis Binary]].{{Fn|68}}
*'''969.[[M41]]''' - The [[Invasion of Taladorn]]
+
*'''813-830.'''[[M41]]: [[Siege of Vraks]]{{Fn|37}}
*'''971.[[M41]]''' - The [[Fall of Malodrax]]
+
*'''865.'''[[M41]]: [[Battle of Cypra Mundi]]{{Fn|38a}}
*'''~990's.[[M41]]''' - The [[Siege of Hydra Cordatus]]
+
*'''905.'''[[M41]]: [[Siege of Castellax]]{{Fn|22b}}
*'''998.[[M41]]''' - The [[Battle for the Endeavour of Will]]
+
*'''969.'''[[M41]]: [[Invasion of Taladorn]]{{Fn|38a}}
*'''999.[[M41]]''' - The [[Invasion of Ultramar]]
+
*'''971.'''[[M41]]: [[Fall of Malodrax]]{{Fn|38b}}
*'''999.[[M41]]''' - The [[13th Black Crusade]]
+
[[File:IronWarrior.jpg|right|195px|thumb|A [[Horus Heresy|Post-Heresy]] Iron Warrior{{Fn|8}}]]
*'''111.[[M42]]''' - The [[Battle of Raukos]]
+
*'''~990's.'''[[M41]]: [[Siege of Hydra Cordatus]]{{Fn|9}}
*'''???.[[M42]]''' - The Battle for [[Protogone V]]
+
*'''998.[[M41]]''': [[Battle for the Endeavour of Will]]{{Fn|12}}
*'''???''' - The [[Siege of Terror]]
+
*'''999.[[M41]]''': [[Invasion of Ultramar]]{{Fn|11a}}
*'''???''' - The [[Steelstone Keep Rebellion]]
+
*'''999.[[M41]]''': [[Thirteenth Black Crusade]]{{Fn|32b}}
*'''???''' - [[The Humbling]]
+
*'''012.[[M42]]''': [[Battle of Raukos]]{{Fn|37}}{{Fn|55}}
*'''???''' - The [[Wars of Flesh]]
+
*'''???.[[M42]]''': [[Battle for Protogone V]]{{Fn|38a}}
*'''???''' - [[Waaagh! Zagstomp]]
+
*'''???.[[M42]]''': [[War of Beasts]] on [[Vigilus]]{{Fn|39}}
*'''???''' - The [[War of Rust and Ruin]]
+
*'''???.[[M42]]''' - The [[Talledus War]]{{Fn|49a}}
 +
*'''???.[[M42]]''' - The [[Charadon Campaign]]{{Fn|69}}
 +
*'''???.[[M42]]''' - The [[Nachmund Rift War]]{{Fn|73}}
 +
*'''???.[[M42]]''' - The [[Arks of Omen Campaign]]{{Fn|76}}
 +
 
 +
Undated:
 +
*The [[Battle of Holline's Hope]]{{Fn|51}}
 +
*[[The Humbling]]{{Fn|29a}}
 +
*[[Siege of Terror]]{{Fn|40}}
 +
*[[Steelstone Keep Rebellion]]{{Fn|41}}
 +
*[[Waaagh! Zagstomp]]{{Fn|31}}
 +
*[[War of Rust and Ruin]]{{Fn|42}}
 +
*[[Wars of Flesh]]{{Fn|29a}}
  
 
==Organisation==
 
==Organisation==
 
{{QuoteBox
 
{{QuoteBox
|quote = '''''They have an efficiency about them that makes their corruption all the darker. It lies deep indeed to leave the surface undisturbed. Discipline without, but in their hearts is a deviance I am glad I cannot imagine.'''''<br>
+
|quote = '''''They have an efficiency about them that makes their corruption all the darker. It lies deep indeed to leave the surface undisturbed. Discipline without, but in their hearts is a deviance I am glad I cannot imagine.'''''<br><br>
 
''[[Reclusiarch]] [[Lycaon (Imperial Fists)|Lycaon]] of the [[Imperial Fists]].{{Fn|21}}
 
''[[Reclusiarch]] [[Lycaon (Imperial Fists)|Lycaon]] of the [[Imperial Fists]].{{Fn|21}}
 
|}}
 
|}}
  
 
===Pre-Heresy===
 
===Pre-Heresy===
[[Image:IronWarriorPreHeresy.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Pre-Heresy Iron Warrior Space Marine]]
+
[[Image:IronWarriorPreHeresy.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Horus Heresy|Pre-Heresy]] Iron Warrior Space Marine {{Fn|20d}}]]
Even before being reunited with their primarch, Perturabo, the Iron Warriors were known for an affinity with technology and the clinical application of logic to military problems.  This affinity was channeled by Perturabo, a skilled practitioner of siegecraft, into the mastery of that form of warfare.  These abilities were increased by cross-training with the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]. Their Warsmiths could match skills with [[Techpriest#Magos|Magi]] and it is said that Perturabo could beat any and all in the art of machine engineering. Their methodical attitude made them merciless men in battle and siege. After the siege works were built there was a choice given to the besiegers; either they throw down their arms then and there or the Iron Warriors would show no mercy. Just like many other legions they soon gained the reputation of brutality during siege, not to mention their merciless manner after the siege took place. A number of warrior societies within the Legion also existed during this time, most notably the [[Dodekatheon]], [[Apolakron]], [[Kheledakos]], and [[Lyssatra]]. It also maintained a special unit known as the '''[[Stor-Bezashk]]''', which commanded mighty siege weapons unseen outside of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]' [[Ordo Reductor]] itself.{{Fn|20b}}
 
  
The Iron Warriors suffered a great deal of dispersion during the [[Great Crusade]], with various units being detached for separate siege and garrison missions.
+
Even before being reunited with their [[Primarch]] [[Perturabo]] the Iron Warriors were known for an affinity with technology and the clinical application of logic to military problems. This affinity was channeled by Perturabo, a skilled practitioner of siegecraft, into the mastery of that form of warfare. These abilities were increased by cross-training with the [[Mechanicum]]. The Iron Warriors' [[Warsmith]]s could match skills with [[Techpriest#Magos|Magi]] and it is said that Perturabo could beat any and all in the art of machine engineering. Their methodical attitude made them merciless men in battle and siege. After the siege works were built there was a choice given to the besiegers; either to throw down their arms then and there or the Iron Warriors would show no mercy. Just like many other [[Space Marine Legion|Legions]] they soon gained the reputation of brutality during siege, not to mention their merciless manner after the siege had taken place.{{Fn|20b}}
  
The strategic command of the Legion were overseen by Grand Battalions, which functioned similarly to a Chapter, but had a larger stockpile of armor, artillery, and logistical support than other legions. The Iron Warriors had a notably high rate of attrition, so the strength of the Grand Battalions fluctuated. Some had as little as 500 Legionaries and others had an excess of 4,000. Severely depleted Grand Battalions were folded into active units. Grand Battalions were commonly divided in Cohorts or Grand Companies. Below these were Line Companies and Armor Centuries. The companies roughly had 100 Legionaries and the centuries had a range of 20 to 50 armor units. In each Grand Battalion there were elements of the Tyranthikos, informally known as the Dominators. These were the Legion's Terminator veterans.{{Fn|20a}}
+
A number of warrior societies within the Legion also existed during this time, most notably the [[Dodekatheon]], [[Apolakron]], [[Kheledakos]], and [[Lyssatra]]. It also maintained a special unit known as the '''[[Stor-Bezashk]]''', which commanded mighty siege weapons unseen outside of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]' [[Ordo Reductor]] itself.{{Fn|20b}} The Iron Warriors suffered a great deal of dispersion during the [[Great Crusade]], with various units being detached for separate siege and garrison missions.{{Fn|1b}}
  
Tactically, Iron Warriors were organised as a number of Grand Companies each commanded by a Warsmith. Originally each Grand Company would have had a similar organisation, totaling around 1,000 Space Marines. At the time of the Heresy, the Legion had at least twelve Companies, although with the widespread deployment of many small detachments of the Legion at the time it is impossible to be sure if this figure of around 12,000 fighting [[Astartes]] was their maximum strength.{{Fn|1}} The overall size of the Legion was between 150,000 and 180,000 Marines.{{Fn|20c}}
+
The strategic command of the Legion was overseen by [[Grand Battalion]]s, which functioned similarly to a [[Chapter]], but had a larger stockpile of armor, artillery, and logistical support than other [[Space Marine Legion|Legions]]. The Iron Warriors had a notably high rate of attrition, so the strength of the Grand Battalions fluctuated: Some had as little as 500 Legionaries and others had an excess of 4,000. Severely depleted Grand Battalions were folded together into active units. Grand Battalions were commonly divided into '''Cohorts''' or [[Grand Company|Grand Companies]]. Below these were '''Line Companies''' and '''Armor Centuries'''. The companies roughly had 100 Legionaries and the centuries had a range of 20 to 50 armor units. In each Grand Battalion there were elements of the [[Tyranthikos]], informally known as the '''Dominators''' - these were the Legion's [[Terminator]] veterans.{{Fn|20a}}
 +
 
 +
Tactically, Iron Warriors were organised as a number of [[Grand Company|Grand Companies]] each commanded by a [[Warsmith]]. Originally each Grand Company would have had a similar organisation, totaling around 1,000 [[Space Marines]]. At the time of the [[Horus Heresy]], the [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] had at least twelve Companies, although with the widespread deployment of many small detachments of the Legion at the time it is impossible to be sure if this figure of around 12,000 fighting [[Astartes]] was their maximum strength.{{Fn|1f}} The overall size of the Legion was between 150,000 and 180,000 Marines.{{Fn|20c}}
  
 
===Current===
 
===Current===
[[Image:IronWarriorsCombat.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Iron Warriors in action.]]
+
[[Image:IronWarriorsCombat.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Iron Warriors in action{{Fn|1f}}]]
After the events of the Heresy the Iron Warriors were finally set loose upon the galaxy. They gave up any remaining pretense of mercy, becoming a feared enemy of the Imperium. Whole worlds surrendered to the Iron Warriors, some not even offering resistance. Over the last ten thousand years, the Iron Warriors have captured weapons of war from all theatres giving them a wide variety of vehicles, guns and artillery.
 
  
Their current organisation is completely non-standard, particularly after their [[Iron Warriors Civil War|civil war]] fragmented the legion.{{Fn|23}} A Grand Company will often be divided into component detachments led by lesser champions. A tendency towards operating in multiples of three has been noted.{{Fn|1}} While their Primarch remains in his fortress at [[Medrengard ]], the Iron Warriors are now almost exclusively led by Warsmiths who command Grand Companies.{{Fn|1f}} A Warsmith is a high-ranking leader within the Iron Warriors Legion with control of a [[Grand Company]], seemingly similar to a [[Chapter Master]] with several companies lead by Chaos Champions still called Captains. The Iron Warriors are known to pursue their recruitment programs aggressively, notably capturing a sizable source of pure gene-seed from the facility on [[Hydra Cordatus]] and using it to hot-house new Iron Warriors using a chaotic techno-organic method.{{Fn|9}}  These new Iron Warriors are selected periodically by Warsmiths for their Grand Company and subjected to various ordeals until they prove themselves worthy.
 
  
Traitor [[Titans]] are known to work with the Iron Warriors so much that some believe that they are in fact now part of the Legion.
 
  
The first [[Obliterators]] witnessed amongst Chaos forces were amongst the Iron Warriors and, on rare occasions, Iron Warriors have manifested the ability to 'morph' weapons, although with nothing like the versatility of true Obliterators.{{Fn|1}}
+
Their current organisation is completely non-standard, particularly after their [[Iron Warriors Civil War|civil war]] fragmented the [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]].{{Fn|23}} A [[Grand Company]] will often be divided into component detachments led by lesser champions. A tendency towards operating in multiples of three has been noted.{{Fn|1f}} While their [[Perturabo|Primarch]] remains in his fortress at [[Medrengard]], the Iron Warriors are now almost exclusively led by [[Warsmith]]s who command Grand Companies.{{Fn|1f}} A Warsmith is a high-ranking leader within the Iron Warriors Legion with control of a Grand Company, seemingly similar to a [[Chapter Master]] with several companies lead by [[Champion of Chaos|Chaos Champions]] still called [[Space Marine Captain|Captains]]. The Iron Warriors are known to pursue their recruitment programs aggressively, notably capturing a sizable source of pure [[gene-seed]] from the facility on [[Hydra Cordatus]] and using it to hot-house new Iron Warriors using a chaotic techno-organic method.{{Fn|9}} These new Iron Warriors are selected periodically by Warsmiths for their Grand Companies and subjected to various ordeals until they prove themselves worthy.{{Fn|1e}}
  
Iron Warriors hate mutations so they cut off and replace all mutated limbs with cybernetics.
+
The first [[Obliterators]] witnessed amongst [[Chaos]] forces were amongst the Iron Warriors and, on rare occasions, Iron Warriors have manifested the ability to 'morph' weapons, although with nothing like the versatility of true Obliterators.{{Fn|1f}} Iron Warriors hate mutations so they cut off and replace all mutated limbs with [[bionic|cybernetics]].{{Fn|22a}} Many of these cybernetics are, in turn, daemonically infused to the point of resembling the mutated Obliterators.{{Fn|74b}}
 +
[[Image:IWArt9th.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Iron Warriors Chaos Space Marines{{Fn|74b}}]]
  
===Known Sub-Factions===
+
==Tactics==
*[[Steel Brethren]]
+
The Iron Warriors are unparalleled masters of siege warfare as well as of building defensive fortifications and fortresses.{{Fn|1c}}{{Fn|1e}}{{Fn|1f}} They frequently set up field fortifications after making an initial landing{{Fn|1d}} Right after they set up their field fortifications and before the initial bombardment, the Iron Warriors will commonly send infiltration units ahead of the main force to disable the enemy's defenses and set up ambushes and conduct flank attacks while the main force charges the fortifications. Their attacks are slow and methodical, and once the enemy is at their mercy they will destroy them at their leisure.{{Fn|1d}} Wherever possible, they make frequent use of the [[Traitor Titan Legion]]s, so much so some Imperial analysts believe the Titans to be part of the Legion itself.{{Fn|1e}}
*[[Bloodborn|The Bloodborn]]
 
*[[Sons of the Forge]]
 
*[[Abrial's Claw]]
 
*[[Bitter Sons]]
 
*[[Metal Claw]]
 
  
== Tactics ==
+
The Iron Warriors are expert sappers and engineers and have aquired a variety of siege engines over the years, including [[Termite]]s, [[Dreadclaw]]s, a large assortment of Imperial-made artillery, and [[Leviathan (Transport)|Leviathan]]s. These are used sparingly and are maintained and guarded by the [[1st Company (Iron Warriors)|1st Company]]. Additionally, they use a large number of [[Corvus Assault Pod]]s which allow them to make use of any Titans and use them as mobile siege towers.{{Fn|1e}}
The Iron Warriors are unparalleled masters of siege warfare as well as building defensive fortifications and fortresses.{{Fn|1}} Their attacks are typically slow, but relentless and scientific.{{Fn|14}} Most Iron Warriors assaults begin with an intense orbital bombardment, followed by a rapid aerial landing. As the Iron Warriors secure their landing zone, they will begin to erect fortifications around their drop site and use this as their base of operations for a siege as well as prevent counter-attacks by the enemy. In lieu of building materials for these fortified positions, the Iron Warriors will connect their [[Rhino]]s together into a ring of pillboxes. With their position established, the Iron Warriors will then deploy great siege engines to reduce the enemy positions before a final charge.{{Fn|14}}
 
  
Right after they set up their fortifications and before the initial bombardment, they will commonly send infiltration units ahead of the main force to disable the enemy's defenses and set up ambushes and flank attacks while the main force charges the fortifications.  
+
Many who face the Iron Warriors have believed that, due to their emphasis on long-ranged bombardments and gruelling sieges, that the Legion can be overwhelmed with a swift assault. The Iron Warriors are thoroughly experienced in brutal, close-quarters combat from their lengthy sieges, and are just as capable of crushing their enemies in hammer-blows of personal combat as they are from exhaustive bombardment.{{Fn|74a}}
  
== Unbreakable Litany ==
+
==Unbreakable Litany==
From the time before the Horus Heresy, the Unbreakable Litany has been a meditative chant and battle-cry for the Iron Warriors, used by Perturabo himself.{{Fn|14c}}  
+
From the time before the [[Horus Heresy]], the '''Unbreakable Litany''' has been a meditative chant and battle-cry for the Iron Warriors, used by [[Perturabo]] himself:{{Fn|14c}}
  
<b> From Iron, cometh Strength. From Strength, cometh Will. From Will, cometh Faith. From Faith, cometh Honour. From Honour, cometh Iron. This is the Unbreakable Litany, and may it forever be so </b> {{Fn|16}}  
+
<b>''"From Iron, cometh Strength. From Strength, cometh Will. From Will, cometh Faith. From Faith, cometh Honour. From Honour, cometh Iron. This is the Unbreakable Litany, and may it forever be so</b>"''{{Fn|16}}
  
 
==Noted Elements of the Iron Warriors==
 
==Noted Elements of the Iron Warriors==
[[Image:Storm of Iron Crop.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Iron Warriors in battle]]
+
[[Image:Storm of Iron Crop.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Iron Warriors in battle{{Fn|28}}]]
 +
[[Image:IronWarriorLegionary.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Iron Warrior{{Fn|29a}}]]
  
 
====Iron Warriors Armoury====
 
====Iron Warriors Armoury====
Line 149: Line 187:
 
==== Fleet ====
 
==== Fleet ====
 
{{main|Known Vessels of the Iron Warriors}}
 
{{main|Known Vessels of the Iron Warriors}}
*''[[Iron Blood]]'' - [[Battleship]] - Flagship during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|13}}
+
*''[[Aesculus]]'' - [[Strike Cruiser]] during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|46}}
*''[[Contrador]]'' - [[Battle Barge]] during the Heresy.
+
*''[[Calibos]]'' - [[Grand Cruiser]]{{Fn|13}}
*''Stonebreaker'' - [[Battle Barge]]{{Fn|9b}}
+
*''[[Contrador]]'' - [[Battle Barge]] during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|13}}
 +
*''[[Daughter of Woe]]'' - [[Space Hulk]] during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|46}}
 +
*''[[Ferrous Malice]]'' - [[Grand Cruiser]]{{Fn|12}}
 
*''[[Indomitable]]'' - [[Ramilies]]-class star fort{{Fn|11a}}
 
*''[[Indomitable]]'' - [[Ramilies]]-class star fort{{Fn|11a}}
*''Ferrous Malice'' - [[Grand Cruiser]]{{Fn|12}}
+
*''[[Iron Blood]]'' - [[Battleship]], flagship during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|13}}
*''[[Calibos]]'' - [[Grand Cruiser]]
+
*''[[Iron Silence]]'' - Controlled by [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] [[Kaurbek]]{{Fn|53}}
 +
*''[[Merciless Spite]]'' - Flagship{{Fn|29a}}
 +
*''[[Rebuke (Cruiser)|Rebuke]]'' - [[Strike Cruiser]] during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|50a}}
 +
*[[Soul Harvester]]s{{Fn|49b}}
 +
*''[[Stonebreaker (Battle Barge)|Stonebreaker]]'' - [[Battle Barge]]{{Fn|9a}}
 +
*''[[Tamunash]]'' - [[War Barque]]{{Fn|38b}}
 
*''[[Warbreed]]'' - [[Battle Barge]]{{Fn|11b}}{{Fn|11c}}{{Fn|15}}
 
*''[[Warbreed]]'' - [[Battle Barge]]{{Fn|11b}}{{Fn|11c}}{{Fn|15}}
*''[[Tamunash]]'' - War Barque
+
*''[[Warforged]]'' - [[Strike Cruiser]] during the [[Horus Heresy]]{{Fn|45}}
*''[[Merciless Spite]]'' - Flagship
 
  
 
==== Notable Members ====
 
==== Notable Members ====
 
{{main|Known Members of the Iron Warriors}}
 
{{main|Known Members of the Iron Warriors}}
 
=====Heresy Era=====
 
=====Heresy Era=====
*[[Perturabo]], [[Primarch]]{{Cite This}}
+
*[[Perturabo]] - [[Primarch]]{{Fn|1a}}
*[[Forrix]], [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]], 1st Company{{Fn|9}}
+
*[[Forrix]] - [[Warsmith]], [[1st Company (Iron Warriors)|First Company]]{{Fn|9}}
*[[Barabas Dantioch]], [[Warsmith]], 51st Expeditionary Fleet, Loyalist{{Fn|16}}
+
*[[Berossus]] - [[Warsmith]] of the [[2nd Grand Battalion (Iron Warriors)|2nd Grand Battalion]]{{Fn|14a}}
*[[Barban Falk]], Warsmith of the 126th Grand Battalion, later known as [["The Warsmith"]]{{Fn|14a}}{{Fn|14b}}
+
*[[Erasmus Golg]] - Captain of the 11th Grand Company{{Fn|}}
*[[Toramino]], Warsmith of the 235th Grand Battalion, Master of the [[Stor-Bezashk]]{{Fn|14a}}
+
*[[Barabas Dantioch]] - [[Warsmith]], [[51st Expeditionary Fleet]], Loyalist{{Fn|16}}
*[[Harkor]], Warsmith of the 23rd Grand Battalion{{Fn|14a}}
+
*[[Barban Falk]] - [[Warsmith]] of the [[126th Grand Battalion (Iron Warriors)|126th Grand Battalion]], later known as [["The Warsmith"]]{{Fn|14a}}{{Fn|14b}}
*[[Kyr Vhalen]], Warsmith of the 77th Grand Battalion
+
*[[Harkor]] - Warsmith of the 23rd Grand Battalion{{Fn|14a}}
*[[Erasmus Golg]], Captain of thet 11th Grand Company
+
*[[Kroeger]] - Trooper and later Warsmith{{Fn|14a}}
*[[Tubal Cayne]], member of the [[Crusader Host]] and later [[Knights-Errant]]
+
*[[Soltarn Vull Bronn]] - Warsmith of the 45th Grand Battalion{{Fn|14a}}
*[[Soltarn Vull Bronn]], Warsmith of the 45th Grand Battalion
+
*[[Toramino]] - Master of the [[Stor-Bezashk]]{{Fn|}}
*[[Idriss Krendl]], Warsmith of the 14th Grand Company
+
*[[Auric Saxton]] - [[Warsmith]], Loyalist
*[[Berossus]] - Warsmith of the 2nd Grand Company
+
*[[Bahdet Vort]] - Captain of the [[Iron Blood]]{{Fn|14e}}
*[[Kroeger]] - Warsmith
+
*[[Volk]] - Commander of the [[786th Grand Flight (Iron Warriors)|786th Grand Flight]] and the first [[Obliterator]]{{Fn|26}}
*[[Bahdet Vort]] - Captain of the [[Iron Blood]]
+
*[[Tubal Cayne]] - member of the [[Crusader Host]] and later [[Knights-Errant]], Loyalist{{Fn|65}}
*[[Hrend]] - [[Contemptor Dreadnought]]
 
*[[Vhakis]]-[[Contemptor Dreadnought]]
 
*[[Khragan]]-[[Contemptor Dreadnought]]
 
*[[Sor Orgol]]- [[Deredeo Pattern Dreadnought]]
 
*[[Narik Dreygur]] - Commander of the 114th Grand Battalion
 
*[[Dargron]] - Warsmith
 
*[[Varrek]] - Warsmith
 
*[[Endemion]] - Captain
 
*[[Volk]] - Commander of the 786th Grand Flight and the first [[Obliterator]]
 
  
 
=====Post Heresy=====
 
=====Post Heresy=====
*[[Perturabo]], [[Daemon Primarch]]{{Cite This}}
+
*[[Perturabo]] - [[Daemon Primarch]]{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|1e}}
*[[Barban Falk]] Warsmith who ascended to [[Daemon Prince|Daemonhood]] on [[Hydra Cordatus]]{{Fn|9a}}
+
*[[Barban Falk]] - [[Warsmith]] who ascended to [[Daemon Prince|Daemonhood]] on [[Hydra Cordatus]]{{Fn|9b}}
**[[Honsou]], Warsmith and successor to the unnamed Warsmith{{Fn|9}}
+
*[[Honsou]] - [[Warsmith]] and successor to the unnamed Warsmith{{Fn|9}}
**[[Forrix]], Champion of the unnamed Warsmith(deceased){{Fn|9}}
+
*[[Shon'tu]] - Powerful [[Warsmith]]
**[[Kroeger]], Champion of the unnamed Warsmith(deceased){{Fn|9}}
+
*[[Manneus Drath]] - ruler of [[Brigannion Four]]{{Fn|3}}
*[[Berossus]], Warsmith (deceased){{Fn|10}}
+
*[[Forrix]] - Champion of the unnamed [[Warsmith]]{{Fn|9}}
*[[Andraaz]], Warsmith{{Fn|22}}
+
*[[Kalkator]] - Warsmith
*[[Toramino]], Warsmith{{Fn|10}}
+
*[[Czagra]] - Warsmith
*[[Ferrous Ironclaw]], Warsmith{{Fn|18}}
+
*[[Cadaras Grendel]] - [[Master of Arms]] to Lord [[Berossus]]{{Fn|10a}}
*[[Kolvax]], Warsmith of [[Forgefane]] (deceased) {{Fn|2}}
+
*[[Kroeger]] - Champion of the unnamed [[Warsmith]]{{Fn|9}}
*[[Koros]], Warsmith{{Fn|7}}
+
*[[Onyx (Iron Warriors)|Onyx]] - [[Champion of Chaos|Champion]] of [[Honsou]] and [[Possessed]] [[Chaos Marine]]{{Fn|10c}}
*[[Korus]], [[Chaos Lord]]{{fn|24}}
+
*[[The Newborn]] - a mutated clone of [[Ultramarines]] [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] [[Uriel Ventris]]{{Fn|10d}}
*[[Shon'tu]], Warsmith{{Fn|12}}
+
*[[The Slaughterman]] - damned conductor of the [[Omphalos Daemonium]]{{Fn|10b}}
*[[Zhorisch]], Warsmith
+
 
*[[Kalkator]], Warsmith
+
*[[Tzimiskes Flay]] - [[Apothecary]], joined [[Fabius Bile]]'s [[Consortium]]{{Fn|67}}
*[[Krom Gat]], Warsmith
 
*[[Garathrax]] - Chaos Lord
 
*[[Korus]] - [[Chaos Lord]]
 
*[[Chengrel]], Warlord and [[Chaos Dreadnought]]{{Fn|17}}
 
*[[Manneus Drath]], ruler of [[Brigannion Four]]{{Fn|3}}
 
*[[Cadaras Grendel]], Master of Arms to Lord Berossus
 
*[[The Newborn]], a mutated clone of [[Ultramarines]] [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] [[Uriel Ventris]]
 
*[[The Slaughterman]], damned conductor of the [[Omphalos Daemonium]]{{Fn|10}}
 
*[[Vhostok Pistonhand]] - [[Warpsmith]]
 
*[[Rendix]]
 
*[[Lacuna]]-Former [[Dreadnought]] turned bulldozer pilot
 
*[[Astorax]] - [[Sorcerer]]
 
*[[Gharros]] - [[Sorcerer]]
 
*[[Valicar]] - Went on to join the [[Black Legion]]
 
*[[Tzimiskes Flay]] - [[Apothecary]], joined [[Fabius Bile]]'s [[Consortium]]
 
  
 
====Known Fortress Worlds====
 
====Known Fortress Worlds====
*[[Brigannion Four]] - Continually disputed by other Chaos Space Marine warbands{{Fn|3}}
+
*[[Brigannion Four]] - continually disputed by other [[Chaos Space Marine]] warbands{{Fn|3}}
*[[Medrengard]] - Post-Heresy Legion homeworld{{Fn|1d}}
+
*[[Burjan's World]] - located in the [[Mitre Gulf]]{{Fn|17}}
*[[Malodrax]] - Laid to waste by the [[Imperial Fists]]{{Fn|4}}
+
*[[Castellax]] - overrun by [[Orks]]{{Fn|22b}}
*[[Forgefane]] - Consumed by [[Hive Fleet Leviathan]]{{Fn|6}}
+
*[[Forgefane]] - consumed by [[Hive Fleet Leviathan]]{{Fn|6}}
*[[Burjan's World]] - Located in the [[Mitre Gulf]]{{Fn|17}}
+
*[[Ironhold]] - destroyed by [[Imperial]] forces{{Fn|29b}}
*[[Castellax]] - Overrun by [[Orks]]
+
*[[Klostra]] - overrun by [[Orks]]{{Fn|62}}
*[[Klostra]] - Overrun by [[Orks]]
+
*[[Malodrax]] - laid to waste by the [[Imperial Fists]]{{Fn|4}}
*[[Ironhold]] - Destroyed by [[Imperial]] forces
+
*[[Medrengard]] - [[Horus Heresy|post-Heresy]] [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]] homeworld{{Fn|1d}}
 +
*Albric Crucible - fortress within the Imperium Nihilus{{Fn|74b}}
 +
*Xoraforge - fortress within the Imperium Nihilus{{Fn|74b}}
 +
*Fortress of Animus Eternal - fortress within the Imperium Nihilus{{Fn|74b}}
 +
 
 +
====Unique Units====
 +
*[[Castellan Rhino]] - APC/mobile bunker
 +
*[[Cloud-Hammer]] - Airship{{Fn|54}}
 +
*[[Dodakathik]] (Heresy-era){{Fn|50c}}
 +
*[[Iron Havoc]] (Heresy-era){{Fn|20h}}
 +
*[[Lightning Crow]] [[Imperial Aircraft|Strike Fighter]]{{Fn|26}}
 +
*[[Stor-Bezashk]] ([[Horus Heresy|Heresy-era]]){{Fn|20g}}
 +
*[[Thunderburst]] Artillery{{Fn|64}}
 +
*[[Thunderstrike]] Artillery{{Fn|63}}
 +
*[[Tyrant Siege Terminator]] ([[Horus Heresy|Heresy-era]]){{Fn|20g}}
 +
*[[Tyranthikos]] (Heresy-era){{Fn|25b}}
 +
*[[Warsmith]]{{Fn|16}}
  
====Unique Troops====
+
[[Image:IronWarriorsMarine.jpg|thumb|right|220px|One of the first Iron Warriors picture from the ''Index Astartes''{{Fn|1b}}]]
*[[Warsmith]]
 
*[[Stor-Bezashk]] (Heresy-era)
 
*[[Tyrant Siege Terminator]] (Heresy-era)
 
*[[Iron Havoc]] (Heresy-era)
 
*[[Thunderstrike]] Artillery
 
*[[Lightning Crow]] Strike Fighter
 
  
==Related Articles==
+
==See also==
 
*[[Chaos Space Marine Legions and Warbands (List)]]
 
*[[Chaos Space Marine Legions and Warbands (List)]]
 
*[[Space Marine Forces (List)]]
 
*[[Space Marine Forces (List)]]
  
== Sources ==
+
==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Index Astartes I]], "Bitter and Twisted: The Iron Warriors Space Marine Legion" by [[Pete Haines]] (originally published [[White Dwarf #256 (UK)]])
+
*1: [[Index Astartes I]]: ''Bitter and Twisted: The Iron Warriors Space Marine Legion'': pgs. 32-38
 
**{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 32
 
**{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 32
 
**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 33
 
**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 33
Line 248: Line 278:
 
**{{Endn|1e}}: pg. 36
 
**{{Endn|1e}}: pg. 36
 
**{{Endn|1f}}: pg. 37
 
**{{Endn|1f}}: pg. 37
*{{Endn|2}}: [[White Dwarf 362 (UK)]] - Liber Apocalyptica : [[Tyranid]]s article, pg. 46
+
*{{Endn|2}}: [[White Dwarf 362 (UK)]], pg. 46: ''Liber Apocalyptica : [[Tyranid]]s''
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]], pg. 23
+
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]], pgs. 23-24
 
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)]], pg. 91
 
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)]], pg. 91
 
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition)]], pg. 17
 
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition)]], pg. 17
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)]] pgs. 28-31
+
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)]], pgs. 28–31
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Deathwatch: First Founding]] pg. 94
+
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Deathwatch: First Founding]], pg. 94
*{{Endn|8}}: [[The Sabbat Worlds Crusade (Background Book)]] by [[Dan Abnett]], pg. 87  
+
*{{Endn|8}}: [[The Sabbat Worlds Crusade (Background Book)]], pg. 87
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Storm of Iron (Novel)]] by [[Graham McNeill]]
+
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Storm of Iron (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|9a}}: Part 3, Chapter 5, pgs. 400-401, 403
+
**{{Endn|9a}}: Part 1, Chapter 2
**{{Endn|9b}}: Part 1, Chapter 2, pg. 30
+
**{{Endn|9b}}: Part 3, Chapter 5
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Dead Sky, Black Sun (Novel)]] by '''Graham McNeill''', {{Cite This}}
+
*10: [[Dead Sky, Black Sun (Novel)]]:
*{{Endn|11}}: [[The Chapter's Due (Novel)]] by '''Graham McNeill'''
+
**{{Endn|10a}}: ''Prologue''
**{{Endn|11a}}: Chapter 1, pgs. 13-21
+
**{{Endn|10b}}: Part One, Chapter Two
**{{Endn|11b}}: Chapter 5, pgs. 61-64
+
**{{Endn|10c}}: Part Two, Chapter Five
**{{Endn|11c}}: Chapter 8, pgs. 110-111
+
**{{Endn|10d}}: Part Three, Chapter Sixteen
*{{Endn|12}}: ''[[Endeavour of Will (Novella)]]'' - [[Architect of Fate (Anthology)]], Part 1
+
*11: [[The Chapter's Due (Novel)]]:
*{{Endn|13}}: ''[[The Crimson Fist (Novella)]]'' by [[John French]] - [[Shadows of Treachery (Anthology)]], "The day of the Battle of Phall", pgs. 84-85, 91
+
**{{Endn|11a}}: Chapter 1
*{{Endn|14}}: [[Angel Exterminatus (Novel)]] by '''Graham McNeill''',
+
**{{Endn|11b}}: Chapter 5
** {{Endn|14a}} Dramatis Personae
+
**{{Endn|11c}}: Chapter 8
**{{Endn|14b}}: Chapter 27, pg. 439
+
*{{Endn|12}}: [[Endeavour of Will (Novella)]] [[Architect of Fate (Anthology)]], Part 1
 +
*{{Endn|13}}: [[The Crimson Fist (Novella)]] [[Shadows of Treachery (Anthology)]], ''The Day of the Battle of Phall''
 +
*{{Endn|14}}: [[Angel Exterminatus (Novel)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|14a}}: ''Dramatis Personae''
 +
**{{Endn|14b}}: Chapter 27
 
**{{Endn|14c}}: Chapter 22
 
**{{Endn|14c}}: Chapter 22
 
**{{Endn|14d}}: Chapter 1
 
**{{Endn|14d}}: Chapter 1
*{{Endn|15}}: ''[[The Skull Harvest (Short Story)]]'' by '''Graham McNeill''' - [[Heroes of the Space Marines (Anthology)]], pgs. 19, 51
+
**{{Endn|14e}}: Chapter 13
*{{Endn|16}}: ''[[The Iron Within (Short Story)]]'' by [[Rob Sanders]]
+
*{{Endn|15}}: [[The Skull Harvest (Short Story)]] [[Heroes of the Space Marines (Anthology)]]
*{{Endn|17}}: ''[[The Masters, Bidding (Short Story)]]'' by [[Matthew Farrer]]
+
*{{Endn|16}}: [[The Iron Within (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|18}}: ''[[The Long War (Short Story)]]'' by [[Andy Hoare]]
+
*{{Endn|17}}: [[The Masters, Bidding (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|19}}: [[Raven's Flight (Audio Book)]] by [[Gav Thorpe]]
+
*{{Endn|18}}: [[The Long War (Short Story)]]
*20: [[The Horus Heresy Book Three]]
+
*{{Endn|19}}: [[Raven's Flight (Audio Book)]]
**{{Endn|20a}}: pgs. 104-112
+
*20: [[The Horus Heresy Book Three]]:
 +
**{{Endn|20a}}: pgs. 104–112
 
**{{Endn|20b}}: pg. 109
 
**{{Endn|20b}}: pg. 109
 
**{{Endn|20c}}: pg. 118
 
**{{Endn|20c}}: pg. 118
*{{Endn|21}}: [[Malodrax (Novel)]] by [[Ben Counter]], Chapter Twelve, pgs. 275-276
+
**{{Endn|20d}}: pg. 250
*{{Endn|22}}: [[The Siege of Castellax (Novel)]], Chapters 19-21
+
**{{Endn|20e}}: pg. 120
*{{Endn|23}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Thirteen - War Machines of the Lost and the Damned]] pg. 22
+
**{{Endn|20f}}: pg. 93
 +
**{{Endn|20g}}: pgs. 252-253
 +
**{{Endn|20h}}: pg. 253
 +
*{{Endn|21}}: [[Malodrax (Novel)]], Chapter Twelve
 +
*22: [[The Siege of Castellax (Novel)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|22a}}: Chapter II
 +
**{{Endn|22b}}: Chapters XIX–XXI
 +
*{{Endn|23}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Thirteen - War Machines of the Lost and the Damned]], pgs. 21-22
 
*{{Endn|23}}: [[Black Oculus (Short Story)]]
 
*{{Endn|23}}: [[Black Oculus (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|24}}: [[Will of Iron]] #1
+
*{{Endn|24}}: [[Will of Iron (Comic Series)]], Issue #1
*{{Endn|25}}: [[Perturabo: The Hammer of Olympia (Novel)]]
+
*{{Endn|25}}: [[Perturabo: The Hammer of Olympia (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|25a}}: Chapters 13-15
+
**{{Endn|25a}}: Chapters 13–15
*{{Endn|26}}: [[Slaves to Darkness (Novel)]] - Chapter 2
+
**{{Endn|25b}}: Chapter 6
 +
*{{Endn|26}}: [[Slaves to Darkness (Novel)]], Chapter 2
 +
*{{Endn|27}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20080411011732/http://uk.games-workshop.com/chaosspacemarines/ironwarriors/ Games Workshop: The Iron Warriors] ''(saved archive page, dated 11 April 2008, last accessed 07 March 2021)''
 +
*{{Endn|28}}: <nowiki>https://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/Storm-of-Iron-2008-Edition.html</nowiki> (Black Library: Storm of Iron) ''(site no longer online, no archived version found, last accessed 15 April 2019)''
 +
*29: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Edition)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|29a}}: pgs. 31-33 (also images in overview table)
 +
**{{Endn|29b}}: pg. 38
 +
*{{Endn|30}}: [[Echoes of the Long War (Novel)]], Chapter 7
 +
*{{Endn|31}}: [[Codex: Adeptus Custodes (8th Edition)]], pg. 31 — ''The Tale of the Ten Thousand: Envoys to the Omnissiah''
 +
*32: [[Black Legion - A Codex: Chaos Space Marines Supplement]]:
 +
**{{Endn|32a}}: pgs. 39-40, ''The Conflict of Helica''
 +
**{{Endn|32b}}: ''The 13th Black Crusade''
 +
*{{Endn|33}}: [[Apocalypse]], pgs. 171–172
 +
*{{Endn|34}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Escalation]], pgs. 8-9 — ''Uprising on Obsus Prima''
 +
*{{Endn|35}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (6th Edition)]] (E-Book Edition), ''Ultramarines Successor Chapters''
 +
*{{Endn|36}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks - Part Two]], pgs. 40-46
 +
*{{Endn|37}}: [[Codex: Cult Mechanicus (7th Edition)]] — ''The Quest for Knowledge''
 +
*38: [[Sentinels of Terra - A Codex: Space Marines Supplement (6th Edition)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|38a}}: ''The Invasion of Talodorn''
 +
**{{Endn|38b}}: ''The Fall of Malodrax''
 +
*{{Endn|39}}: [[Dark Imperium (Novel)]], Chapter 7
 +
*{{Endn|40}}: [[Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Ablaze]], pg. 40
 +
*{{Endn|41}}: [[Codex: Harlequins (8th Edition)]], pg. 31 — ''The Dance of Ages: The Siege of Terror''
 +
*{{Endn|42}}: [[Codex: Death Guard (8th Edition)]], pg. 23 — ''The Chronicle of Virulence: Rust and Ruin''
 +
*{{Endn|43}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20151010034954/http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/resources/fw_site/fw_pdfs/Horus_Heresy/Narik.pdf Forge World: Nârik Dreygur] ''(saved archive page, dated 10 October 2015, last accessed 07 March 2021)''
 +
*{{Endn|44}}: [[Codex: Chaos Daemons (6th Edition)]], pg. 23
 +
*{{Endn|45}}: [[Spear of Ultramar (Novella)]], Chapter 1
 +
*{{Endn|46}}: [[The Solar War (Novel)]], Chapter 2
 +
*{{Endn|47}}: [[Codex Supplement: Imperial Fists (8th Edition)]], pg.32
 +
*{{Endn|48}}: [[Codex Supplement: Salamanders (8th Edition)]], pg. 33 - L''egends of Nocturne: Ill-met Allies''
 +
*49: [[Psychic Awakening: Faith and Fury]]:
 +
**{{Endn|49a}}: pgs. 8-9
 +
**{{Endn|49b}}: pg. 16
 +
*50: [[The First Wall (Novel)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|50a}}: Chapter 10
 +
**{{Endn|50b}}: Chapter 14
 +
**{{Endn|50c}}: Chapter 22
 +
**{{Endn|50d}}: Chapter 27
 +
*{{Endn|51}}: [[Codex: Adepta Sororitas (8th Edition)]] pg. 43
 +
*{{Endn|52}}: [[Saturnine (Novel)]], Part 2 Chapter 6
 +
*{{Endn|53}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition Rulebook]]: pg. 315
 +
*{{Endn|54}}: [[The Path of Heaven (Novel)]]: Chapter 8
 +
*{{Endn|55}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20210117154523/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/12/05/the-warhammer-preview-online-black-library/ Warhammer Community: Warhammer Preview Online: Black Library (posted 05 Dec 20)] – Interview with Guy Haley ''(saved archive page, dated 17 January 2021, last accessed 07 March 2021)''
 +
*{{Endn|56}}: [[The Gate of Bones (Novel)]], ''Dramatis personae''
 +
*{{Endn|57}}: [[Apocalypse]], pg. 171
 +
*{{Endn|58}}: [[Vigilus Ablaze]], pg. 73 - ''Forces of Chaos: Heretic Astartes''
 +
*{{Endn|59}}: [[Gathering Storm: Rise of the Primarch]], Chapter 2: ''War Zone Ultramar''
 +
*{{Endn|60}}: [[Shroud of Night (Novel)]], Chapter 3
 +
*{{Endn|61}}: [[Sentinels of Terra]] - ''The Invasion of Taladorn''
 +
*{{Endn|62}}: [[The Last Wall (Novel)]], Chapter 12
 +
*{{Endn|63}}: [[Raven's Flight (Short Story)]]
 +
*{{Endn|64}}: [[The First Wall (Novel)]], Chapter 4
 +
*{{Endn|65}}: [[Vengeful Spirit (Novel)]], ''Dramatis personae''
 +
*{{Endn|66}}: [[Spear of Ultramar (Novella)]], Chapter 1
 +
*{{Endn|67}}: [[Fabius Bile: Primogenitor (Novel)]], Chapter 21
 +
*{{Endn|68}}: [[First and Only (Novel)]] — [[The Founding (Omnibus)]], Part Three, Chapter Nine
 +
*{{Endn|69}}: [[War Zone Charadon - Act I: The Book of Rust]], pgs. 40-41
 +
*{{Endn|70}}: [[Mortis (Novel)]], Chapter 8
 +
*{{Endn|71}}: [[War Zone Nachmund: Vigilus Alone]], pg. 35
 +
*{{Endn|72}}: [[Dark Imperium (Novel)]] Second Edition, Chapter 10
 +
*{{Endn|73}}: [[War Zone Nachmund: Rift War]], pg. 32
 +
*74: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (9th Edition)]]
 +
**{{Endn|74a}}: pg. 40
 +
**{{Endn|74b}}: pg. 41
 +
*{{Endn|75}}: [[The Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness]] Rulebook, pg. 49
 +
*{{Endn|76}}: [[Arks of Omen: Abaddon]], pgs. 18-23
 +
* {{Endn|77}} : [[The Horus Heresy Book Six - Retribution]] - p. 47
 +
*{{Endn|78}}: [[White Dwarf 484]], pg. 24
 +
*{{Endn|79}}: [[Campaigns of the Age of Darkness: The Siege of Cthonia]], pg. 9
  
 +
<br>
 
{{SMLegions}}
 
{{SMLegions}}
  

Latest revision as of 16:12, 9 March 2024

Targetdrone.gif This article is about the Chaos Space Marine Legion. For other uses of Iron Warriors, see Iron Warriors (disambiguation).
Simple Badge Chaos Space Marines.png
Chaos Portal
Iron Warriors[1a]
Ironwarriors.png

IWMarine.jpg

Legion Number IV[1a]
Primarch Perturabo[29a]
Homeworld Olympia[29a]
Current Base Medrengard in the Eye of Terror[29a]
Chaos Affiliation Chaos Undivided[29a]
Colours Silver armour, gold trim, black shoulder pads[29a]
Specialty Siege Warfare[29a]
Battle Cry Iron Within, Iron Without![1f]

The Iron Warriors were the IV Legion of the twenty original Space Marine Legions. Their Primarch is Perturabo. They were one of the nine legions which betrayed the Emperor during the Horus Heresy, becoming Chaos Space Marines.[1a]

Their specialty is siege warfare and the reduction of fortified positions, which made them natural rivals of the Imperial Fists even before the Heresy.[1a][1c] The Iron Warriors are also fierce close-range fighters, witnesses comparing their ferocity to the berserkers of the World Eaters traitor legion or the loyalist Blood Angels.[1d] They make common use of slave-soldiers as cannon fodder to wither the ammunition supplies of the besieged and to locate the positions of enemy gun emplacements.[1f] Like the Iron Hands they used bionics often to replace mutated limbs, as they hated all forms of mutation.[22a]

History

Unification Wars-era Iron Warrior[20e]

Origins

Originally created as the IVth Legion, the Legion was founded atop the wreckage of a recidivist fortress on the Terran Auro Plateau of Sek-Amrak. The warlike gun-tribes in the surrounding areas made up the first of the Legion's Marines. The early IVth Legion proved itself in the Unification Wars, making its domain one of the most stalwart bastions of the Emperor. The Legion's gene-seed showed above average adaptability and a below average resistance rate to Bionics. This allowed the Legion to be one of the largest and the earliest deployed alongside the I Legion and V Legion.[20a]

The Legion continued to distinguish itself in the conquest of the Sol System during the early days of the Great Crusade, winning honours in many battles, most notably in the Mehr Yasht campaign on Venus, where the IVth Legion was commanded by the Emperor himself to defeat the deadly Litho-Gholem armies of the War Witches. In light of their early successes, the Legion was given first access to new equipment being delivered from Mars. The Legion led the 8th Expeditionary Fleet, which distinguished itself in many campaigns. However, the Legion did not adapt their tactics to the new realities of the expanding Crusade, and was called unimaginative by other Space Marine Legions and by Horus himself. Horus however was impressed by their stubbornness and would use the Legion to fight inglorious but vital campaigns of attrition. They soon became known as the workhorse Legion, relied upon for their tenaciousness and following orders to the letter. It was during this time that the Legion began to spread itself out, garrisoning many worlds and fighting many smaller campaigns across the expanding Imperium.[20a]

One of the Legion's most tragic episodes would come in 842.M30 during the liberation of the Forge World of Incaladion: The stubborn IVth Legion used their typical tactics of heavy artillery and armored spearheads, and suffered staggering losses in a protracted siege. Nearly 29,000 Legionaries died over the year long campaign, virtually annihilating the 8th Expeditionary Fleet.[20a]

Meanwhile, the Iron Warriors' Primarch, Perturabo, was raised on Olympia, a mountainous planet divided into warring city-states. Because of the rugged terrain, military supremacy revolved around the construction of stone fortresses and the control of strategic mountain passes. Perturabo had an affinity for cold logic and the use of technology which made him a superb military engineer. By the time the Emperor's Great Crusade reached Olympia, Perturabo was warlord to the Tyrant of Lochos. As was his custom when one of his lost sons was found, the Emperor gave Perturabo rule over his home planet and relocated his Legion's headquarters there.[1a] Upon taking command of his Legion, Perturabo reviewed the war record of his new forces. After heavily analyzing their record, effectiveness, doctrines, and practices, Perturabo found them wanting. His punishment was decimation. By lottery, one in every ten Legionaries was chosen to be beaten to death by his comrades. Such would be Perturabo's reign: brutal and unforgiving.[20a]

Even before they were reunited with their Primarch, the Space Marines of the IV Legion had inherited his military qualities. Perturabo quickly recruited new troops from Olympia and embarked on a campaign against the nearby moon base known as the Rock of Judgement, ruled by the Black Judges. It was a stunning success, though only fragmentary records of it survive in the aftermath of the Horus Heresy.[1a]

The Great Crusade

Pre-Heresy Iron Warrior Space Marine[1b]

Quickly recognised as experts in the art of siege warfare, the Iron Warriors were regularly called upon to exercise their skills in cracking open enemy defences. This had an unfortunate effect on the character of their Legion. By their nature, sieges are the most grinding and demoralising type of warfare: long periods of tedium and unspectacular labour, broken by episodes of merciless, close-quarters brutality. The Iron Warriors saw the storming of the breach as an escape from the tedium, and developed into ferocious close quarters fighters. They even came to prefer for enemy strongholds not to surrender, thus justifying the slaughter of everyone within once the fortresses were taken.[1b] It became the Legion's curse (one of many) that these episodes of brutality eclipsed their superb affinity for the application of logic and mathematics to military problems in the eyes of their fellow Space Marines and the Imperium as a whole.[14d] Even in its earliest days before officially being dubbed the Iron Warriors, the Legion was known for its thankless and brutal siege operations which led to the informal slang as the Corpse Grinders. However the use of this term was frowned down upon by Imperial authorities, and could even result in punishment.[75]

Heresy-era symbol

Given their expertise at constructing and manning fortresses, the Legion also found itself constantly diminishing in active crusading size as units were detached from it to act as garrison troops watching over worlds in the process of compliance. The most famous of these garrisons was that of the Iron Keep on Delgas II, where a single ten-marine squad of Iron Warriors watched over a disgruntled population of 130 million.[1b] It is unknown why the Iron Warriors were so often selected for such assignments, or why Perturabo always accepted such orders without protest, but it is supposed that it began to inflict serious damage to the Legion's morale. Even Space Marines need rest, but the Crusade gave them none.[1c] A particularly brutal battle of the Great Crusade for the Iron Warriors was the thankless Sak'trada Deeps Campaign against the Hrud, which resulted in heavy casualties on a strategically far-off and worthless system.[25]

Worse, their "typecasting" as siege engineers or garrison troops set them apart from their brother Legions and made them feel increasingly marginalized. In particular they were aggrieved by the Imperial Fists, whose Primarch, Rogal Dorn, often boasted about the impregnability of the defences they had constructed around the Imperial Palace on Terra. Perturabo was not the only one of the Primarchs who found his brother Dorn boastful and arrogant, but Perturabo was unable to let the insults to himself and his Legion pass, and these continued to fester in his heart.[1c] Likewise, Corax, the Primarch of the Raven Guard, made little secret of his contempt for Perturabo and his Legion, dismissing them as stolid attritionists, anathema to Corax's own concept of fluid, hit-and-run warfare.[19]

The Iron Warriors did little to improve relations with the rest of the Imperium's armed forces. They maintained a cold and rude relationship with their fellow Space Marine Legions, while to the Imperial Army they became known as the Corpse Grinders for the high casualties their forces experienced under Iron Warriors command. Imperial Army regiments began to mutiny rather than be placed under Iron Warriors command or continue with their bloody attacks. Horus remedied the situation by ensuring that only criminals and slaves would be transferred to Perturabo.[20a]

The Turning Point

The growing disillusionment that began to show itself during bitter and pointless battles such as the Sak'trada Deeps Campaign would eventually translate into a tragic explosion of despair and rage as the Iron Warriors learned that their own homeworld, Olympia, had revolted against Imperial rule. Enraged, Perturabo drew his Legion away from the extermination campaign they were waging upon the Hrud and led them homewards, falling upon the world with no mercy. The planet was battered into submission, and he gave orders that the cities were to enact decimation, killing one in every ten of their own or face extermination and enslavement. Cities burned, and over five million inhabitants were killed. Some Iron Warriors refused to take part in the genocide, and they too were struck down.[25a] In the aftermath, the legion as a whole seemed aghast at their actions, aware that they had committed an unforgivable atrocity.[1c][1d]

However, before word of their actions could reach the other arms of the Imperium, the Iron Warriors once again received orders to move into action. This time it was to move to the Isstvan system. While the Iron Warriors had been engaged in suppressing the rebellion on Olympia, the Galaxy had turned upside down: Horus had rebelled against the Emperor, Fulgrim, Angron and Mortarion had joined him, and the Space Wolves had slaughtered the Thousand Sons on Prospero. If the Iron Warriors had committed an outrage on Olympia, then their brother Legions seemed determined to outdo them; the Horus Heresy had begun.[1d] Horus promised Perturabo not only forgiveness for his genocide on Olympia but even commended him for it. So Perturabo soon swore a secret oath of loyalty to the Warmaster.[1c]

The Horus Heresy

Heresy-era Iron Warriors Space Marine[20f]

The Iron Warriors were ordered to join the second assault on the Traitors' position on Isstvan V, but instead declared their true allegiance to Horus and fell upon their former brothers of the Raven Guard and the Iron Hands without mercy during the Drop Site Massacre.[1d] Following the Massacre on Isstvan V, the next major action of the Iron Warriors was the ambush of the Imperial Fists fleet at Phall.[13]

Following the action at Phall and the reduction of Hydra Cordatus, the Legion under Perturabo's personal command would journey with Fulgrim to the Crone World of Iydris, pursuing an ancient weapon known as the Angel Exterminatus. However the entire affair was a ploy by Fulgrim to achieve daemonhood.[14]

After this incident Perturabo and his Iron Warriors found themselves trapped by the singularity in the heart of the Eye of Terror. In a desperate gamble, their fleet dove straight into the heart of the Eye of Terror, and were transported far across the Warp to the Tallarn System. Once arriving at Tallarn, Perturabo was made aware of the Black Oculus (also known as the Cursus of Alganar) hidden beneath the planet, and he immediately drew up plans to acquire it.[23]

The intended hit-and-seize raid turned into a protracted conflict, as both the Traitors and the Imperium poured war material to their respective allies on Tallarn, neither willing to admit defeat. Over a million armored vehicles fought across the desert, which is reckoned as the largest tank confrontation in Imperial history, until eventually the Iron Warriors were forced to retreat without the Cursus.[5] So great were their losses that Perturabo had to launch a mass recruitment program to replenish their strength in the aftermath.[79]

After Tallarn, the Iron Warriors were assigned to guard worlds to the rear of Horus' front that since the death of the Ruinstorm were now threatened by the advance of the Ultramarines. Many of these worlds served as the Traitor's chief supply line. Overextended, under-supplied, and engaging in thankless bitter sieges against the forces of Roboute Guilliman, the Iron Warriors took heavy losses and found themselves in a situation similar to that of the Great Crusade.[26] This situation was interrupted when Perturabo received orders to find Angron and muster at Ullanor in preparation for the Siege of Terra. Despite having to abandon large amounts of warriors and worlds they bitterly bled for for many years, Perturabo dutifully obeyed. Though many Iron Warriors were lost in the ensuing redeployments, Perturabo succeeded in arriving at Ullanor with Angron and his World Eaters.[26] During the Siege of Terra Perturabo became the face of Horus' war to the loyalists, engaging in the ultimate siege against his rival brother Rogal Dorn. The Iron Warriors led the assault against the Lion's Gate Spaceport and Gorgon Bar during the battle.[52] Hopwever the setback at the Saturnine Wall, Perturabo began to despair over the state of his allies. All save he and the Iron Warriors had by now fully fallen to Chaos, and with his warriors marched all kinds of Warp abominations. Perturabo realized that the war was no longer one of Legion vs. Legion and the ultimate test against his brother Rogal was now tainted. The final straw for Perturabo came after Horus informed Perturabo that he was to disperse his Iron Warriors amongst the various warzones and that his position was to be taken over by Mortarion and the Death Guard. Finally having had enough, Perturabo ordered the Iron Warriors to evacuate Terra and withdrew to the Iron Blood.[70]

In the end, Horus was defeated by the Emperor, and the bulk of the Iron Warriors retreated into the Eye of Terror, while the rest sought to defend their scattered empire across Imperial space. Jointly assault by both the Imperial Fists and the Ultramarines, Olympia itself held out for two years. Eventually, the Iron Warriors triggered their own missile stockpiles when defeat was near, transforming the planet into a barren wasteland that, like the other Traitor Legion homeworlds, was declared perdita. After the events at Terra the remaining garrisons of Iron Warriors dispersed across the galaxy, digging into the Empire of Iron and continuing to be a thorn in the Imperium's side.[1d][72]

Post-Heresy

Post-Heresy Iron Warriors shoulderpad symbol

Perturabo soon devised and enacted the one real victory for the Iron Warriors in the immediate aftermath of the Horus Heresy. He crafted a trap on Sebastus IV, designed to ensnare Rogal Dorn and the Imperial Fists, with whom Perturabo and his warriors harboured a bitter rivalry. This trap was known as the Eternal Fortress, a keep centered within twenty square miles of bunkers, towers, minefields, trenches, tank traps and redoubts. Upon hearing of this, Rogal Dorn publicly declared that he "would dig Perturabo out of his hole and bring him back to Terra in an iron cage". As a result of this statement, the ensuing battle has become known as the Iron Cage or "Iron Cage Incident".[1d]

Rogal Dorn expected an honourable battle, but this was not to be. Beginning by isolating the four Companies of the Imperial Fists that landed from their orbital support, Perturabo began to carefully divide his enemy and destroy them piecemeal. Some Imperial Fists managed to penetrate the defences and reach the center of the Eternal Fortress, only to find there was no central keep - simply an open space watched by yet more defenses. The fortress was a decoy of no real value. By the sixth day of the siege, Imperial Fists Space Marines were fighting individually, without support, using the bodies of their own battle brothers for cover.[1d]

The siege of the Eternal Fortress lasted for a further three weeks. Relief came only in the form of Roboute Guilliman and a force of Ultramarines. The sacrifice of over four hundred loyalist Marines' gene-seed paved the way for Perturabo's ascension to Daemon Prince. Following this, the Iron Warriors retreated into the Eye of Terror and Perturabo crowned the world of Medrengard as the new home of the Legion.[1e] Since then, Perturabo has remained on Medrengard while his Legion both continues the Long War while warbands periodically battle one another.[1d] Their grudge against the Sons of Dorn has, however, endured the long millennia, and even now, the Iron Warriors take great pleasure in tearing down the defences of the Imperial Fists.[74b]

A major crisis hit the Iron Warriors when in 600.M34 a civil war shattered the Legion into various warbands.[23]

The Iron Warriors pay homage to the Chaos Gods as a pantheon, though few of them are especially devoted. Their primary loyalty is to Perturabo, who they view as having saved from from being sacrificed in the galactic ambitions of the Emperor.[74a]

In the aftermath of the 13th Black Crusade, the Iron Warriors have expanded into the Imperium Nihilus, raising enormous, hideous citadels in their wake; monuments of their own malice, cruelty, and ego. These are often jagged towers, surrounded by living razor wire and daemon-haunted trenches. They hold a particular reputation as Warp-Masons and martial engineers as a result of this.[74b]

Notable Engagements Post-Heresy

A Post-Heresy Iron Warrior[8]

Undated:

Organisation

They have an efficiency about them that makes their corruption all the darker. It lies deep indeed to leave the surface undisturbed. Discipline without, but in their hearts is a deviance I am glad I cannot imagine.

Reclusiarch Lycaon of the Imperial Fists.[21]

Pre-Heresy

Pre-Heresy Iron Warrior Space Marine [20d]

Even before being reunited with their Primarch Perturabo the Iron Warriors were known for an affinity with technology and the clinical application of logic to military problems. This affinity was channeled by Perturabo, a skilled practitioner of siegecraft, into the mastery of that form of warfare. These abilities were increased by cross-training with the Mechanicum. The Iron Warriors' Warsmiths could match skills with Magi and it is said that Perturabo could beat any and all in the art of machine engineering. Their methodical attitude made them merciless men in battle and siege. After the siege works were built there was a choice given to the besiegers; either to throw down their arms then and there or the Iron Warriors would show no mercy. Just like many other Legions they soon gained the reputation of brutality during siege, not to mention their merciless manner after the siege had taken place.[20b]

A number of warrior societies within the Legion also existed during this time, most notably the Dodekatheon, Apolakron, Kheledakos, and Lyssatra. It also maintained a special unit known as the Stor-Bezashk, which commanded mighty siege weapons unseen outside of the Adeptus Mechanicus' Ordo Reductor itself.[20b] The Iron Warriors suffered a great deal of dispersion during the Great Crusade, with various units being detached for separate siege and garrison missions.[1b]

The strategic command of the Legion was overseen by Grand Battalions, which functioned similarly to a Chapter, but had a larger stockpile of armor, artillery, and logistical support than other Legions. The Iron Warriors had a notably high rate of attrition, so the strength of the Grand Battalions fluctuated: Some had as little as 500 Legionaries and others had an excess of 4,000. Severely depleted Grand Battalions were folded together into active units. Grand Battalions were commonly divided into Cohorts or Grand Companies. Below these were Line Companies and Armor Centuries. The companies roughly had 100 Legionaries and the centuries had a range of 20 to 50 armor units. In each Grand Battalion there were elements of the Tyranthikos, informally known as the Dominators - these were the Legion's Terminator veterans.[20a]

Tactically, Iron Warriors were organised as a number of Grand Companies each commanded by a Warsmith. Originally each Grand Company would have had a similar organisation, totaling around 1,000 Space Marines. At the time of the Horus Heresy, the Legion had at least twelve Companies, although with the widespread deployment of many small detachments of the Legion at the time it is impossible to be sure if this figure of around 12,000 fighting Astartes was their maximum strength.[1f] The overall size of the Legion was between 150,000 and 180,000 Marines.[20c]

Current

Iron Warriors in action[1f]


Their current organisation is completely non-standard, particularly after their civil war fragmented the Legion.[23] A Grand Company will often be divided into component detachments led by lesser champions. A tendency towards operating in multiples of three has been noted.[1f] While their Primarch remains in his fortress at Medrengard, the Iron Warriors are now almost exclusively led by Warsmiths who command Grand Companies.[1f] A Warsmith is a high-ranking leader within the Iron Warriors Legion with control of a Grand Company, seemingly similar to a Chapter Master with several companies lead by Chaos Champions still called Captains. The Iron Warriors are known to pursue their recruitment programs aggressively, notably capturing a sizable source of pure gene-seed from the facility on Hydra Cordatus and using it to hot-house new Iron Warriors using a chaotic techno-organic method.[9] These new Iron Warriors are selected periodically by Warsmiths for their Grand Companies and subjected to various ordeals until they prove themselves worthy.[1e]

The first Obliterators witnessed amongst Chaos forces were amongst the Iron Warriors and, on rare occasions, Iron Warriors have manifested the ability to 'morph' weapons, although with nothing like the versatility of true Obliterators.[1f] Iron Warriors hate mutations so they cut off and replace all mutated limbs with cybernetics.[22a] Many of these cybernetics are, in turn, daemonically infused to the point of resembling the mutated Obliterators.[74b]

Iron Warriors Chaos Space Marines[74b]

Tactics

The Iron Warriors are unparalleled masters of siege warfare as well as of building defensive fortifications and fortresses.[1c][1e][1f] They frequently set up field fortifications after making an initial landing[1d] Right after they set up their field fortifications and before the initial bombardment, the Iron Warriors will commonly send infiltration units ahead of the main force to disable the enemy's defenses and set up ambushes and conduct flank attacks while the main force charges the fortifications. Their attacks are slow and methodical, and once the enemy is at their mercy they will destroy them at their leisure.[1d] Wherever possible, they make frequent use of the Traitor Titan Legions, so much so some Imperial analysts believe the Titans to be part of the Legion itself.[1e]

The Iron Warriors are expert sappers and engineers and have aquired a variety of siege engines over the years, including Termites, Dreadclaws, a large assortment of Imperial-made artillery, and Leviathans. These are used sparingly and are maintained and guarded by the 1st Company. Additionally, they use a large number of Corvus Assault Pods which allow them to make use of any Titans and use them as mobile siege towers.[1e]

Many who face the Iron Warriors have believed that, due to their emphasis on long-ranged bombardments and gruelling sieges, that the Legion can be overwhelmed with a swift assault. The Iron Warriors are thoroughly experienced in brutal, close-quarters combat from their lengthy sieges, and are just as capable of crushing their enemies in hammer-blows of personal combat as they are from exhaustive bombardment.[74a]

Unbreakable Litany

From the time before the Horus Heresy, the Unbreakable Litany has been a meditative chant and battle-cry for the Iron Warriors, used by Perturabo himself:[14c]

"From Iron, cometh Strength. From Strength, cometh Will. From Will, cometh Faith. From Faith, cometh Honour. From Honour, cometh Iron. This is the Unbreakable Litany, and may it forever be so"[16]

Noted Elements of the Iron Warriors

Iron Warriors in battle[28]
Iron Warrior[29a]

Iron Warriors Armoury

Main article: Iron Warriors Armoury

Fleet

Notable Members

Heresy Era
Post Heresy

Known Fortress Worlds

Unique Units

One of the first Iron Warriors picture from the Index Astartes[1b]

See also

Sources