From Lexicanum

This is an article which is incomplete, but is too long to be a stub. You can help the Lexicanum by including more information and details.

Contents 1 The Art of Replicae 2 Side Effects 3 Known Attempts 4 Sources

The Art of Replicae

The art of replicae is a means of creating Space Marine warriors without using a recruit as a base for gene-seed transformation. Instead gene-seed is used to create clones of previous battle brothers which can be amalgamations or singular individuals. The Astartes gene-seed is used to artificially produce a fully upgraded mature warrior which possess all the implants and modifications of all astartes, e.g. a secondary heart. Note that excessive use of replicae will result in gene-seed quality deterioration, an example of the results is the Raven Guard chapter.

Side Effects

Being one of the many technologies developed in the Dark Age of Technology, a great deal of the processes and techniques to create successful and functioning clones was lost. These include the purification of the blood to be used in the cloning proceedure and the elimination of gene-flaws. Due to the loss of these techniques, mutations and other deformities will occur. These include extra limbs, e.g. tentacles, other growths such as claws and fangs and also mental and psychological changes, including fury and predatory bloodlust. The replicae process can also magnify and accentuate already present gene-flaws. In many cases deformities present in the gene-stock can take disturbing and horrific shapes in the replicae. One example of this is the gene-flaws black rage and red thirst in the Blood Angels chapter, which cause replicae to mutate with the red thirst into vampire like organisms.

Known Attempts

• Corax and the Raven Guard: Due to the heavy losses the Raven Guard chapter sustained during the Horus Heresy, many accounts describe the chapter implementing the art of replicae to bolster their dwindling numbers in order to return as quickly as possible to combat readiness. Due to the secretive nature of the Raven Guard chapter, little is known of the success of the chapter's attempt at cloning, however many rumours circulate in the ranks of other chapters describing the outbreak of mutants.¹

• Apothecary Majoris Caecus of the Blood Angels: Also due to heavy losses, inflicted during the Arkio Insurrection, the Blood Angels sort to find a means to bolster their numbers, before their enemies caught wind of their weakened state. One such method was the art of replicae. This was carried out by Majoris Caecus against the will of Lord Dante. It is not entirely sure whether it was the flawed procedures used by the Apothecary and his cohorts or the manipulation of the traitor Fabius Bile that led to the extreme mutations which their creations suffered. The replicaes, at first glance, were identical to any other battle brother, but because of the extreme nature of the gene-flaws present inside them, they grew a lust for blood. With its consumption the "bloodchilds" mutated and evolved into more sinister beings. This attempt at replicae almost led to the Fortress Monastery of the Blood Angels almost becoming overrun by these "bloodfiends".¹

Sources

• ¹:Red Fury by James Swallow
• ²:Index Astartes IV