Grief Bringers
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The Grief Bringers are a Space Marine Chapter.[1]
History
Recent History
A company of the Grief Bringers under the command of Commander Hachard was led by the Lord Inquisitor Torq Serpilian to the world of Valhall II, where they suffered heavy losses fighting against an Enslaver infestation that was inciting rebellion in the local populace against the Imperium. Losses included the company's Techmarine and a Chaplain, leaving approximately 3 squads and a variety of accompanying equipment (including no fewer than 3 laser cannon armed Land Raiders).[1]
Afterwards, they accompanied the Inquisitor to another world Delta Khomeini V, onboard the cruiser Human Loyalty, to track down a powerful young psyker. En route, Serpilian reinforced his numbers with 2 squads of Ogryns and a Squat engineer. Upon finding the psyker the Grief Bringers encountered what possibly was an early model of an Imperial Knight Titan (gunmetal-grey with unknown heraldry) whose pilot was lost in the warp for eons predating the Dark Age of Technology. Serpillian suspected that the Knight survived onboard a Space Hulk lost in the Warp looking for a psychic beacon strong enough and compatible to open a portal. While in the Warp, Serpillian also surmised that the consciousness of the Knight was possessed by a Daemon who was not able to take full possession of the being, as there was no physical body to stamp its mark onto. The Grief Bringers lost several more marines in the encounter and one Land Raider.[1]
Organisation
The Grief Bringers are organised along Codex lines. The ranks of sergeants and captains are referred to as Commander. In addition, squads are referred to as platoons[1]
Culture
What is finer than death in battle to defend the future of mankind?
The marines exhibit stoic bravery willing to sacrifice themselves readily (up to and including suicidal charges while carrying melta bombs) so that their brothers may live. They are dutiful of the responsibility they have been given over the Imperium treating its citizens with respect; however, they are not above laying waste to a system to achieve their objective even in the face of insurmountable odds. [1]
Heraldry
The Grief Bringers armour is described as "principally a dark pea-green, with engrailed chevrons of purple." The Chapter symbol is a white skull skewered by a dagger.[1]
Variant colours exist for certain positions: the Command armour has a purple Aquila on lavender chest plate and dark pea-green with engrailed purple chevrons (alternating zigzags).[1] Chaplains wear a chapter green chasuble with purple apron featuring a filigreed chapter insignia and a mauve stole embroidered with aliens in torment.[1]
In addition, Chapter members have facial tattoos and painted black teeth (signifying that each grin is a dark smile).[1]
Brilliant red (Vermillion) Axe symbol on right kneepad could indicate company heraldry. Marines also carry chapter symbols in other areas of the armour including verdigris smeared skull transfixed by a purple dagger on belt or lower torso.[1]
Company banner is the colour of dried blood.[1]