Silver Skulls
Victory does not always rest with the big guns, but if we rest in front of them we shall be lost.
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The Silver Skulls are listed as an Ultramarines Successor Chapter.[24] However, their gene-seed records are "inconclusive" and under investigation by the Ordo Hereticus.[30a][30b]
Contents
Background
The Silver Skulls were created during the Second Founding, in the days following the Horus Heresy. Originally the Silver Skull's homeworld was known as Lyria. Sometime in M33 the world was rendered a Dead World when the Silver Skulls enacted the sanction of Exterminatus upon it, to prevent it from falling under the control of the forces of Nurgle.[31]
Since then, the chapter's homeworld has been the planet of Varsavia in the Ultima Segmentum, on the boarder of the Segmentum Obscurus and near the Gildar Rift, and now in the area known as Imperium Nihilus. Here the Silver Skulls are surrounded by numerous Xenos species, recently fighting costly yet significant battles against the Dark Eldar and Necrons.[15]
The Silver Skulls also patrol the nearby Gildar Rift, accepting the challenges of maintaining peace in the sector, despite it being a plain and inglorious duty.[30a]
After the opening of the Great Rift, the Silver Skulls have been amongst the most active of all Chapters fighting against the forces of Chaos and are now fighting on many fronts across it.[24] They have been named as one of the 10 Shield Chapters of Ultramar.[35]
Notable Campaigns
- In M35 the Silver Skulls along with the Howling Griffons aided the Salamanders in an invasion of Commorragh. However this invasion ultimately assisted Asdrubael Vect as he orchestrated it in order to topple Commorragh's noble houses and leave the city open for his rise to power.[4]
- Suppressing the Cult of the Red Heresy during the Plague of Unbelief with the aid of the mysterious Cypher.
- 679.M36: The Silver Skulls' 7th Company were deployed in support of the Beta-Garmon IV Expeditionary Force[11], aiding the Rogue Trader Khorlu to re-discover and conquer the fabled Beta-Garmon System in the Veil of Kanth region. For their sacrifice and aid in helping him secure the System, Khorlu later ceded them the planet Beta-Garmon IV, considered the jewel of this System.[23]
- 165.M37: The Antecanis Massacre: During the 9th Black Crusade, Abaddon, the Black Legion and their allies attack and decimate the Hive World of Antecanis with the aim of denying the Imperial Naval Shipyards at Cancephalus with their source of manpower. As Chaos rampages across the planet, the Silver Skulls are the first to arrive and harry the Chaos fleet in hit and run attacks, denying orbital support to Chaos ground forces. Finally, with Imperial reinforcements inbound, Abaddon loads the Black Legion ships with slaves and plunder and breaks the Silver Skulls blockade of the system, leaving his allies behind to distract the Imperium. [2b]
- 770-791.M38: The Great Malagantine Purge. The Silver Skulls are one of five Space Marine Chapters in a group referred to as the Manus Irae. This group is ordered by the High Lords to "Spare none and set a bloody, fearful example to the realm of Mankind" by cleansing the Malagantine Sector. The reasons remain to this day unknown to anyone, not even the Inquisition, with the knowledge hidden in the vaults of Terra.[12a]
- 698.M41: The Corinth Crusade. The Silver Skulls were part of combined Space Marine force led by Marneus Calgar, consisting of the Angels of Absolution, Lamenters, Marines Errant, Scythes of the Emperor, the Ultramarines and over fifty Imperial Guard Regiments. During a seven year crusade the force inflicted a series of major defeats on Waaagh! Skargor in the Corinth system within the Ork empire of Charadon. By the time the crusade finished, Waaagh! Skargor was destroyed and the invasion of Waaagh! Argluk was delayed for thirty years.[7][12b]
- 954.M41: The imminent attack by the Soulmaw. The Silver Skulls' Librarians suspected an imminent attack by the Daemonic warband, the Soulmaw, on their homeworld. Most of the chapter was absent from Varsavia due to answering a distress call from the Silver Skull vassal world of Aragave which was being ravaged by an unidentified warband of Daemons. The Daemons quickly vanished as soon as the Silver Skulls forces arrived, successfully luring them away from Varsavia. This could have be in retribution for Librarian Lucius Clave reportedly destroying the Soulmaw champion years before in 892.M40 during the scouring of Ammas.[10] In 956.M41, the Soulmaw assaulted the Silver Skulls homeworld, but they managed to resist the attack.
- 998.M41: The Third War for Armageddon. Records show them to have been deployed to Armageddon during the Third War. Here they deployed seven out of ten companies of Space Marines to fight the Orks.[3]
- 999.M41: The Zeist Campaign. The Silver Skulls heeded the call of Lord Macragge, and provided tactical squads to fight for the liberation of Augura (a staging point for the Tau forces).[6b]
- Late M41 - the Lazar Blockade[5a]
- The Yria Massacre
- The Gildar Rift (M41, exact date unknown) - after destroying a Red Corsairs battle force, the Silver Skulls under Captain Daerys Arrun pursue the renegade fugitives to a string of inhabited worlds across the Gildar Rift, wiping them out in a matter of weeks.[6a][14x]
- The Purging — (M41, exact date unknown) - Receiving distress signals from the planet Equinox, a small detachment of Silver Skulls arrived, with the aim of cleansing the planet of the influence of Chaos. They tirelessly swept through the city-states of Equinox one by one in a bloody massacre. The population, already halved by disease and starvation, was halved again and whole areas of city-states were used as mass graves. The Silver Skulls left as quickly as they had struck, fading to nothing more than a bloody memory in the collective consciousness of the survivors.[17]
- The Second Relief of Mordian - M42. The Silver Skulls aid the Iron Hands and their successor chapters against Chaos forces.[26]
- The Battle of Horestis (M41, date unknown) - Prognosticator Vorxec Calvarus leads 50 battle-brothers against Nurgle cultists, but most are exposed to a Virus Bomb. After narrowly surviving, Calvarus endures 49 days of agony before he turns to Nurgle and forms a band of raiders.[29]
- Battle of Skataurus — year unknown. There Silver Skulls found that only Centurion Assault Squad could make headway through the rubble of previously proud avenues of the main city. Heretics of Skataurus soon understand that not dug-in tanks, not reinforced bunkers of the hive could stop the hulking warriors. Massed cultist ambushes also proved useless and soon rebellion was suppressed.[25]
- The War of Beasts on Vigilus in early M42 — The Silver Skulls send a single company.[26]
- The Nachmund Rift War[37]
Culture
The Silver Skulls are recruited from the fierce tribesmen of Varsavia and this culture has bled into the Chapter. They bury their warriors upon Varsavia's moon of Pax Argentius, believing that the spirits of their ancestors watch over them. The ashes of the fallen are placed in urns and put on display after prayer rituals. The honored dead include not just warriors but also Chapter Serfs.[14c] The Chapter homeworld's culture has also given them a fearful reputation as headhunters.[28] As part of its post-battle rituals, the Chapter selects the heads of the most powerful enemies, flense flesh from bone and layer the skulls in a coat of silver to be displayed within the Fortress-Monastery.[13][15] The Silver Skulls also tattoo the skin of their entire bodies in honour markings, with the face being the last area to be marked; the right to do so must be earned in battle.[13]
Presumably, the chapter did not have these cultural influences when their homeworld was the planet of Lyria.[31]
The current Chapter Master of the Silver Skulls always bears the name of Argentius upon assuming command. Currently, they are on their 27th bearer of the name.[13] Likewise, their Chief Prognosticator bears the name of Vashiro, meaning "The One Who Sees". The current "Vashiro" has held the name for over 500 years.[19]
Organization
The Silver Skulls organize themselves primarily along the lines written in the Codex Astartes, however the 9th Company has been altered from a reserve Devastator Company into a designated "Siege" company, with the 9th Company's captain holding the title of "Siege Captain".[30c]
The chapter hosts two orders of Chapter Champions:
- The Prognosticars, elite battle-psykers and part of the Prognosticatum.[14b]
- The Talriktug, the chapter's elite non-psychic warriors and considered second only to the Prognosticars, part of the 1st Company.[19]
The Silver Skulls paint their company signifier as a number on their knee pad, while their squad number is paints upon their backpack. They also paint their role signifier on their right pauldron (with the signified painted in the company's colour), while they place their chapter emblem on their left pauldron.
Combat Doctrine
The Silver Skulls primarily hold to the tenants and tactics of the Codex Astartes, however they further specialize in siege warfare. In battle, the chapter is known for being relentless, efficient, and extremely pragmatic, not adverse to using whatever tactics it takes to win. When engaged in melee combat, they are known for their barbaric brutality[19][21][31]
Their most notable aspect is the use of Prognosticators, the Silver Skulls Librarians and partial spiritual advisor alongside their Chaplains.[13][15] These warriors are the seers of the Chapter, reading the Emperor's Tarot or Rune-stones for divination of the future, granting the squads and companies they are attached to an edge for the coming battle.[13][15] The Chapter takes the readings seriously, as such that on some occasions, the Prognosticators have counselled against the Chapter becoming embroiled in a particular war, however this can prove problematic as the honour of the chapter at times demands that they take part in a battle they know will end in defeat. Despite this somewhat fickle nature, the Chapter is known to fight with honour the length and breadth of the Imperium.[15]
Geneseed
The Silver Skulls claim[8] and are believed to be descendants of the Ultramarines Chapter; however, with the passage of time this remains unconfirmed, although they behave as a Codex Chapter[15] and fight alongside the Primogenitor Chapters as if they were their own kin[15]. During the Thirteenth Black Crusade, the Primarch Guilliman returned to the Imperium and the Chapter was recognized as one of the Scions of Guilliman.[24]
The Silver Skulls' geneseed has also been under investigation by the Ordo Hereticus. For unknown reasons, the chapter's geneseed records were so heavily classified that Inquisitor Liandra Callis struggled to obtain them, despite visiting the genevaults of Terra itself. However, the inquisitor eventually completed her investigation. While the chapter was shown to be free of taint or mutation, when the results of the investigation were presented to the Silver Skulls leadership, it was feared that their origins could cause a schism within the chapter were the rest of the SIlver Skulls to learn of them.[30d]
Known Chapter Elements
Chapter Fleet
- Argent Hammer — Battle Barge[5a]
- Manifest Destiny - Battle Barge[14d]
- Silver Arrow — Strike Cruiser[21]
- Quicksilver - Strike Cruiser[14e]
- Dread Argent - Strike Cruiser[14i]
- Spear of Destiny - Strike Cruiser[33]
- Seer's Steed - Thunderhawk[33]
Notable Silver Skulls
- Lord Commander Argentius — Silver Skulls' 27th Chapter Master. The current "Argentius" is believed to be "Artreus", formerly captain of 6th Company[13]
- Chief Prognosticator Vashiro - the current "Vashiro"'s birth name is "Aerus".[13][19]
- Epistolary Thule
- Prognosticator Andus[19]
- Prognosticator Bhehan - attached to First Company[31], formerly attached to the 5th then 8th Companies[31][13]
- Prognosticator Brand - attached to the 4th Company and acts as its senior adviser.[14f]
- Prognosticator Rennin Tri'el - currently serving in the Deathwatch
- Prognosticator Rhondus - (deceased)[33]
- Prognosticator Aharan - (deceased)[33]
- (former) Prognosticator Vorxec Calvarius. Turned traitor while battling Nurgle Cultists on the world of Horestis. After surviving a Virus Bomb and enduring 49 days of agony, he converted to the Plague God and now leads a force of traitors that plunders the stars.[29]
- Apothecary Malus - guided Inquisitor Thraxx around the Silver Skulls' Apothecarion during his visit to inspect the Silver Skulls' gene-seed[9]
- Apothecary Ryarus - attached to the 4th Company. He is renowned as a hero who had the names of every warrior whose gene-seed he recovered tattooed onto him. He eventually was slain by Orks in a heroic last stand during the Gildar Rift campaign.[14g]
- Techmarine Nodens - Member of the Deathwatch[15a]
- Techmarine Correlan - Attached to the 4th Company. Known for his humorous attitude and tendency for insubordination. Took part in the Gildar Rift campaign.[14g]
- Techmarine Kuruk - attached to 8th Company[19]
- Techmarine Theoderyk - (deceased)[19]
- Techmarine Rikolux - (deceased)[33]
- Techmarine Zilaris - Serving in the Deathwatch[36]
1st Company - ‘Fortius quo fidelias’ "Strength through loyalty"
- Captain Kerelan[19]
- Brother Djul - Talriktug[31]
- Brother Vrakos - Talriktug[31]
- Brother Ma’lok[33]
- Brother Dastillus[33]
- Brother Ko[33]
- Brother Asterios[31]
- Sergeant Bastev Tor’ra - Jade Squad (deceased)[33]
- Brother Tek - Jade Squad (deceased)[33]
- Brother Vra’del - Jade Squad (deceased)[33]
- Captain Daerys Arrun - (deceased)[14c]
- Sergeant Matteus - (deceased). Killed during the Gildar Rift campaign.[14h]
- Sergeant Porteus - Squad Carnelian
- Sergeant Braxus - Amethyst Squad (deceased)[33]
- Brother K'la - Amethyst Squad (deceased)[33]
- Brother Artum - Amethyst Squad (deceased)[33]
8th Company - Vincit Qui Patitur "He who endures, conquers"
- Assault Captain Kyaerus - formerly a sergeant of the 7th Company
- (former) Captain Keile Meyoran - (deceased}[21]
- (former) Captain Andreas Kulle - (deceased)[21]
- Sergeant Gilaes Ur'ten - Squad Sergeant of The Reckoners squad[21]
- Brother Reuben - Gilaes's second in command of The Reckoners squad[13]
- Brother Jalonis - The Reckoners squad[13]
- Brother Tikaye - The Reckoners squad[13]
- Brother Wulfric - The Reckoners (deceased)[13]
- Dreadnought Diomedes[21]
- Siege Captain Rasheke Daviks - known as solid and dependable and frequently acts as the diplomatic leader of the Chapter.[14e]
- Scout Captain Attellus - Chief of Recruits[30b]
- (former) Scout Captain Sephera[14j]
- Scout Sergeant Kyaerus[21]
Other
- Volker Straub - Originally an Aspirant, he was chosen to undergo an experiment that would see him fused to the controls of the Strike Cruiser Dread Argent.[14i]
- Ignatius - Chapter Serf / Cruor Primaris[33]
- Berem - (deceased) Chapter Serf / Pilot
Unknown Company
- Captain Alkon - (deceased)
- Captain Sinopa[14c]
- Captain Solkun[34]
- Lieutenant Golrath Stern[34]
- Veteran Sergeant Igneus - (deceased) possessed and corrupted by a lesser daemon of Nurgle in M33, causing the fall of Lyria. Slain 8,000 years later by a combined Silver Skulls and Eldar force.[31]
- Brother Varlen - (deceased) Defended their original homeworld of Lyria until it was wiped clean of life.[31]
- Brother Diamedes - Part of the Chosen of the Tetrarchy[35]
Relics
Relics | |||
---|---|---|---|
Name | Type | Notes | Source |
Argent Guide | Emperor's Tarot | Gifted to Watch Fortress Erioch and used by members of the chaptered seconded to them. | [15] |
Silverstrike | Stalker Bolt Rifle | Mastercrafted. Wielded by Captain Argentus | Chapter Approved 2018, pg. 17 |
Soul Render | Force Sword | Wielded by Prognosticator Rhondus | [33] |
Images
A Silver Skulls Marine (Rogue Trader Era)[1]
A Silver Skulls Marine by Clint Langley[16]
A Silver Skulls Primaris Ancient displaying the banner of the 3rd Company[32]
Calvus — a Damocles Command Rhino of the 7th Company which took part in the Beta-Garmon IV Expedition[11]
Notes
- Note 1: The Silver Skulls are listed as hailing from a later Founding (not 1st or 2nd) in Chapter Approved 2001[20], however, in other sources[18a] it is stated that the Silver Skulls are indeed a 2nd Founding Chapter.
Trivia
- Sarah Cawkwell, author of The Gildar Rift (Novel) and Silver Skulls: Portents (Novel) among other Silver Skull stories, originally planned for the Silver Skulls to be White Scars successors before being told by Games Workshop that they were Ultramarines successors.[38]
Related Articles
Related Publications
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, pg. 169
- 2: Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook
- 3: Codex: Armageddon (3rd Edition), pg. 30
- 4: Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition), pg. 14
- 5: Codex: Necrons (5th Edition)
- 6: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)
- 7: Codex: Space Marines (3rd Edition), pg. 36
- 8: Codex: Ultramarines (2nd Edition), pg. 43
- 9: Index Astartes I, pg. 2
- 10: White Dwarf 368 (UK), pg. 25
- 11: Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition, pg. 80
- 12: Imperial Armour Volume Nine - The Badab War - Part One
- 13: Primary Instinct (Short Story)
- 14: The Gildar Rift (Novel)
- 15: Deathwatch: Honour the Chapter, pg. 111
- 15a: pg. 125
- 16: Black Library Blog
- 17: Inquisitor Conspiracies 3 - Heavenfall, pg. 5
- 18: Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook
- 19: Cause and Effect (Short Story) — Hammer and Bolter 8
- 20: Chapter Approved 2001, pg. 117
- 21: Action and Consequence (Short Story) — Hammer and Bolter 5
- 22: How to Paint Space Marines, pg. 84
- 23: Imperial Armour Volume Two - Second Edition: War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes, pg. 17
- 24: Codex: Space Marines: Your first look! — Successor Chapters
- 25: Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition), pg. 73
- 26: Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Defiant, pg. 79
- 27: Codex Supplement: Iron Hands (8th Edition), pgs. 32-33
- 28: Deathwatch: Honour the Chapter pg.111
- 29: Black Crusade Core Rulebook pg.342-343
- 30: Silver Skulls: Portents (Novel)
- 31: The Pact (Short Story)
- 32: White Dwarf May 2018 - Battle Report - The Defence of Drevaris
- 33: The Twisted Runes (Short Story)
- 34: Citadel Combat Cards: Spacewar
- 35: Belisarius Cawl: The Great Work (Novel) - Chapter 5
- 36: War Zone Octarius - Book 1: Rising Tide, pg. 22
- 37: War Zone Nachmund: Rift War, pg. 30
- 38: Sarah Cawkwell's Twitter https://twitter.com/pyroriffic/status/1530546976005160965