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==History==
 
==History==
The '''Lamenters''' are a [[Successor Chapter]] of the [[Blood Angels]] and, until recently, were believed to have avoided the fate of those implanted with the [[gene-seed]] of [[Sanguinius]].  The curse of the Blood Angels has finally begun to manifest in the '''Lamenters''' however, this development typical of the Lamenters' own seemingly cursed existence.  For while they have a long history of effective and well-intentioned service to the [[Imperium]], the '''Lamenters''' are quite simply burdened with what appears to be a ''galactic'' level of misfortune.
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The '''Lamenters''' are a [[Successor Chapter]] of the [[Blood Angels]] and, until recently, were believed to have avoided the fate of those implanted with the [[gene-seed]] of [[Sanguinius]].  The curse of the [[Blood Angels]] has finally begun to manifest in the '''Lamenters''' however, this development typical of the Lamenters' own seemingly cursed existence.  For while they have a long history of effective and well-intentioned service to the [[Imperium]], the '''Lamenters''' are quite simply burdened with what appears to be a ''galactic'' level of misfortune.
  
 
=== Founding ===
 
=== Founding ===

Revision as of 20:33, 4 February 2011

Lamenters
65px
Lamentersmarine.jpg Lamentersmini.jpg
Founding Chapter: Blood Angels5-p.89
Founding: M36 (Cursed) 21st Founding
Chapter Master: Unknown
Homeworld: None
Fortress-Monastery: Not applicable, the Chapter BarqueMater Lachrymarum 7
Colours: Yellow with black and white checks
Specialty: Unknown
Strength: Lost; est. 300 marines at time of last contact
"From Blood Born; to Blood Evermore Consigned."-Libris Malefica

History

The Lamenters are a Successor Chapter of the Blood Angels and, until recently, were believed to have avoided the fate of those implanted with the gene-seed of Sanguinius. The curse of the Blood Angels has finally begun to manifest in the Lamenters however, this development typical of the Lamenters' own seemingly cursed existence. For while they have a long history of effective and well-intentioned service to the Imperium, the Lamenters are quite simply burdened with what appears to be a galactic level of misfortune.

Founding

A product of the so-called 'Cursed Founding', the Lamenters were long-considered a successful result of whatever mysterious methods were used in the creation process of this Founding that so damned a number of their brethren chapters. Despite showing no signs of mutancy or incipient madness, the noble Lamenters still found themselves shunned by a great number of the existing Astartes Chapters due to their association with the Cursed Founding. By the early years of M37 the majority of the surviving Cursed Founding chapters were embroiled in various disputes concerning their right to exist. As some of these became violent, the seemingly pure Lamenters decided to quietly relocate to the western fringes of the galaxy. A fleet-based chapter, they elected to go on crusade against the enemies of the Imperium, an endeavor that would take up much of the next millennium and a half.7

Their self-imposed crusade was curtailed when the chapter was once again relocated enmasse, this time on the order of the High Lords of Terra. The Lamenters - along with a number of other fleet-based chapters - were tasked with repelling Chaos incursions from the Eye of Terror. During one such defense against the Black Crusades the Lamenters' status as a Cursed Founding chapter worked against them once more, when the Mortifactors chapter refused to have anything to do with them and abandoned them during the defense of Corillia from the Black Legion. The Lamenters elected to remain and defend the populated Imperial world despite this change in situation, and suffered heavy casualties as a result. By the time a relief force made up of elements from the Ultramarines and White Scars made it to the planet to rescue them, barely 200 battle-brothers of the Lamenters were left. In an early demonstration of the kind of serious misfortune that would come to plague the Lamenters, the survivors of this campaign were immediately caught in a warp-storm and vanished, with the entire chapter swiftly being declared lost in the warp and presumed destroyed.7

Recent Years

File:Lamenters Original Color Schemes.jpg
Lamenters original color scheme as they appeared during the Badab War (W40K Compendium).

Having returned from the warp and built up their strength, the Lamenters returned to crusade duties, this time around the galactic core, before once again being reassigned by the High Lords in mid M41. Along with the Astral Claws, Mantis Warriors and Charnel Guard the Lamenters were transferred to the Maelstrom Zone as the Maelstrom Warders, an Astartes brotherhood formed to defend local Imperial space against threats emanating from the Maelstrom. Close ties were formed between these chapters (although the Charnel Guard was withdrawn from the sector after some short time), particularly between the Astral Claws under Lugft Huron and the Lamenters. It has been theorized that the demonstrations of friendship and bonds of brotherhood undertaken and shown by the Astral Claws to the Lamenters, things not familiar to the oft-spurned Cursed Founding chapter, may have had a great impact on the chapter's subsequent behavior.7

For in the last century of M41 Lugft Huron - the Tyrant of Badab - instigated the Badab War, drawing the Lamenters and Mantis Warriors with him into armed conflict with the wider Imperium. Somewhat unwilling combatants - the Lamenters refused to compromise the honor-bonds forged with the Marines Errant during the Corinth Crusade by firing at them, instead using maneuver and numbers to drive them off - the Lamenters were eventually removed from the war by the actions of the loyalist Minotaurs chapter, who manged to locate the Lamenters' fortress-monastery, baiting the entire chapter to rush to its defense. In the brutal ambush and boarding fighting that followed, the Lamenters came off the worst, eventually being forced to surrender with only 300 battle brothers remaining, most of whom were wounded.7

It was found that the chapter's siding with the renegades was not from any notion of rebellion against the Imperium, rather they viewed the Imperial attack on the Astral Claws as a challenge to the sovereignty of the whole Adeptus Astartes. At the defeat of the rebellion, the Lamenters were granted the Emperor's forgiveness, subject to a hundred year penitent crusade.1

Their crusade led them straight into the jaws of Hive Fleet Kraken. The Lamenters fought hopeless battles defending planets such as Malvolion and Devlan from the invading Tyranids, taking heavy losses in return. The last known census of the chapter reported that only 3 companies of Lamenters remained.6

The Lamenters' (believed) success at avoidance of the Red Thirst and Black Rage recently prompted the Blood Angels to eagerly attempt to contact their brothers, to invite them to the conclave of chapters descended from Sanguinius to discuss the fate of their ill-starred bloodline. Ships that ventured to find the Lamenters have returned empty-handed and the current status of the Lamenters is unknown.5

Organization

An example of a battle-brother of the Lamenters Death Company.

The Lamenters were one of the chapters created in the Twenty First Founding, afterwords which become known as the Cursed Founding. Created from altered Blood Angels stock, some in the Imperium believe that the Lamenters' inception was an attempt to breed out the deficiencies known to mar that otherwise superior DNA. If true, the experiment seemed to have been successful in its objectives for some time, as the Lamenters were long-thought not to suffer from the Black Rage associated with the Blood Angels-descendant chapters. Of course, the Lamenters are thought cursed in another way, suffering the most appalling twists of ill fortune and tragedy.

The lack of typical Blood Angels deficiencies in their gene-seed meant that the Lamenters were considered as a Codex Astartes-adherent chapter for much of their history, although the nature of a fleet-based chapter does require some flexibility in this regard, with isolated fleet elements being forced to adapt their tactics to the resources available to them. Additionally, the Lamenters fought without direct Imperial support for most of their history due to their reputation, instilling in them a sense of self-reliance uncommon in many Codex-style chapters who are more comfortably meshed in the greater Imperial war machine. The regular outbreaks of misfortune that happened to the chapter also resulted in a great deal of flexibility and pragmatism developing in the Lamenters philosophy, as well as in their recruitment procedures.7

In combat the Lamenters favor shock assault and close air-support tactics, and are used to performing drop-assaults and boarding actions. Lack of contact, both practical and philosophical with the other sons of Sanguinius resulted in only a small number of Blood Angels-style arms and equipment existing in the chapter and beyond this the Lamenters also own only a small number of Tactical Dreadnought suits. The Apothecary department does operate like that of the Blood Angels, with a type of Sanguinary Priest referred to as a Calix existing as a senior officer. This Calix Priesthood has become more integral to the chapter in recent times as the curse of Sanguinius has manifested in the chapter, which in turn has resulted in the creation of a Death Company.7

Timeline

  • M36 - Founded.
  • M37 - Departed for the western fringes of Imperial space; initiated a whole-chapter continuous crusade against the enemies of mankind.7
  • M39 - Ninth Black Crusade; chapter reduced to around 200 marines in strength and lost in the warp for over a century.7
  • M41
    • 587.M41 - Assigned to the Maelstrom Warders.7
    • 698.M41 - The Corinth Crusade; 300 marines and the battle-barge Daughter of Tempests. Two-thirds casualties.7
    • 904.M41 - Entered the Badab War; approx 870 marines7
    • 908.M41 - Surrendered to Imperial justice; approx 300 marines remaining.7
    • 912.M41 - Sentenced to a 100 year penitent crusade
    • c.992.M41 - Encounter Hive Fleet Kraken; contact subsequently lost

The Banner of Tears

After the Lamenters' part in the Badab War, their chapter banner was a tattered remnant. When they were granted the Emperor's forgiveness, the banner was given to the Adepta Sororitas to be repaired and purified. Their handiwork was said to be inspired by the Emperor, and that they wept as they wove, contemplating the Emperor's great sacrifice for humanity. The banner became known as the Banner of Tears and was taken with the Lamenters on their penitent crusade.4

Notable Lamenters

  • Chyron - Interred in a Dreadnought, Chyron avoided the ultimate fate of the Lamenters due to being on assignment to the Deathwatch. Believes himself to be the last surviving member of the Chapter.8

Sources

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