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Part of the Chaplain's formal regalia is the ''[[Crozius Arcanum|crozius arcanum]]'', the Chaplain's staff of office.  Used in chapter ceremonies and worship, many Chaplains take them into battle, symbolizing that battle is the highest ritual of the Chapter. The crozius is usually topped with an Imperial Eagle or winged skull. It incorporates a potent energy field, allowing it to be used as a weapon; one that will punch through armour easily, showing the power of faith.
 
Part of the Chaplain's formal regalia is the ''[[Crozius Arcanum|crozius arcanum]]'', the Chaplain's staff of office.  Used in chapter ceremonies and worship, many Chaplains take them into battle, symbolizing that battle is the highest ritual of the Chapter. The crozius is usually topped with an Imperial Eagle or winged skull. It incorporates a potent energy field, allowing it to be used as a weapon; one that will punch through armour easily, showing the power of faith.
  
The Rosarius that Chaplains wear around their neck bears the Imperial eagle, and incorporates a powerful force field generator, offering the bearer protection against weapons that even power armour would offer no hope of survival against. In light of this, the rosarius is sometimes referred to as a Chaplain's 'soul armour'.
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The Rosarius that Chaplains wear around their neck incorporates a powerful force field generator, offering the bearer protection against weapons that even power armour would offer no hope of survival against. In light of this, the rosarius is sometimes referred to as a Chaplain's 'soul armour'.
  
 
==Chapter Variations==
 
==Chapter Variations==

Revision as of 12:17, 10 November 2008

Template:SMPort

Space Marine Chaplains are the spiritual leaders of Space Marine chapters. They are also warriors, and live and fight alongside their battle-brothers. In battle they are frequently found in the fiercest fighting, chanting the Chapter's sacred battle creeds, and inspiring their brethren to further feats of bravery. They are spiritual leaders as well as Marines, which means they fight with as much savagery as any of their brothers. To enemies they appear as terrifying and sinister figures in black power armour and skull-visaged helmets.

Each Chapter has its own unique cult, which is often thousands of years old. As these cults often predate the rise of the Ecclesiarchy and the general worship of the Emperor, the Chapter cults are not simply facets of the common Imperial cult of the Ecclesiarchy. The Ecclesiarchy and its parishioners (its lay followers) worship the Emperor as the most divine god. Although the reverence Space Marines have for the Emperor borders on actual worship, he is is supposedly not seen as an actual god but as a brilliant and inspirational man. The Space Marine cults are more ancient than the cult of the Ecclesiarchy, and their specific practices often primitive and barbaric. The chapter's own Primarch is also a major part of the Chapter's specific cult, revered as much as the Emperor.

A formal sign of entente between the differing interpretations is that of the rosarius. A rosarius is a holy symbol, taking the form of a necklace, amulet or brooch which often displays the Imperial Eagle or the Terminator cross, or other shapes to suit the particular devotional qualities of the Chapter concerned (for example, the Space Wolves and their wolf iconography). Gifted to Space Marine Chaplains by the Ecclesiarchy, this blessing represents the brotherhood of the Imperial Faith and formally marks the continuance of religious concord between the two groups. In practice, the link between the organisations remains rather tenuous.

Responsibilities within a Chapter

Chaplains are the most well-versed in the knowledge of the Chapter's cult. This knowledge is put to practical use as Chaplains are responsible for the spiritual health, discipline and faith of the Chapter brethren. The bond between Marines and their Chaplains is a strong one. Chaplains are present in a Marine recruit's life as soon as he is chosen as a neophyte, presiding over their indoctrination as recruits as they progress toward becoming full battle-brothers.

Within a Chapter's fortress-monastery is the Reclusiam, a large chamber devoted to cult activities, and where the Chapter's holy relics and, sometimes, the body of its Primarch, are housed. The Chaplains lead their sermons from here, and rouse the Marines in their love of the Emperor. The battle barges and ships of the Chapter's fleet also include huge cathedrals in the heart of each ship, allowing the Space Marines to pray while away from the fortress. Chaplains always lead the Space Marines in prayer, but a Chaplain is not always needed for a Marine to pray.

Each company comprising a Chapter has its own Chaplain. At the headquarters level of the Chapter organization are Chaplains holding the ranks of Reclusiarch and Master of Sanctity, whose responsibilities extend to the Chapter as a whole.

Wargear

File:SpaceMarineChaplain.jpg
A typical Space Marine Chaplain.

The power armour suits worn by Chaplains are considered holy in themselves. Often they are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old.

A Chaplain's armour is highly stylised and archaic in appearance. Black is the color associated with Chaplains, and most or all of their armour is painted in this color. Symbols such as skulls and Imperial eagles commonly adorn the armour, but Chapter-specific symbols are also used. The face plate or the entire helmet is traditionally skull-shaped. Skulls are also repeated throughout a Chaplain's armour - adorning an entire shoulder plate, the upper chest armour or the groin guard. One area of the armour, such as a shoulder guard, is always left in the Chapter colours, displaying the Chapter symbol.

Part of the Chaplain's formal regalia is the crozius arcanum, the Chaplain's staff of office. Used in chapter ceremonies and worship, many Chaplains take them into battle, symbolizing that battle is the highest ritual of the Chapter. The crozius is usually topped with an Imperial Eagle or winged skull. It incorporates a potent energy field, allowing it to be used as a weapon; one that will punch through armour easily, showing the power of faith.

The Rosarius that Chaplains wear around their neck incorporates a powerful force field generator, offering the bearer protection against weapons that even power armour would offer no hope of survival against. In light of this, the rosarius is sometimes referred to as a Chaplain's 'soul armour'.

Chapter Variations

As each chapter has its own distinct cult, the specific roles of Chaplains can vary from Chapter to Chapter. The most notable differences in the roles of Chaplains of different Chapters are as follows:

Dark Angels

Although the Dark Angels have normal Chaplains, above the company level organization of the chapter are Chaplains known as Interrogator-Chaplains, who form part of the Inner Circle. Their primary task is hunting down the Fallen, their damned brethren, and forcing them to repent. This involves torture. This highly confidential mission makes Interrogator-Chaplains a secretive and somewhat sinister lot. Once a member of the Fallen has been captured, it is the duty of the Interrogator-Chaplains to force the prisoner to confess and repent. Those who repent are spared further torture and receive a painless death. Those who hold to their innocence are exorcised of their sins through excruciation and death.

Iron Hands

The Iron Hands entertain the rank of Iron Father, fulfilling the roles of Chaplain, Apothecary and Techmarine. They hold a particular reverence to the mechanical, and are rumoured to spend time on Mars as the guests of the Adeptus Mechanicus during their training. It is said that they venerate the Machine God aspect of the Emperor ahead of any other version as a result, which does not please the Ecclesiarchy at all. Due to this animosity between the Iron Hands and the Ecclesiarchy, the Iron Fathers are not issued with a rosarius and they must instead manufacture their own versions of the protective holy symbol.

Blood Angels

The Chaplains of the Blood Angels chapter constantly watch their brothers for the onset of the Black Rage. Only the Chaplains can communicate successfully with those unfortunates who have succumbed to the Rage and so lead them in battle as the Death Company, fearsome warriors whose demise is assured. They also care for those who completely succumb to the Red Thirst, and are rumoured to look after those who are locked away on their homeworld, Baal.

Space Wolves

Within the Space Wolves, the Wolf Priests fulfill both Chaplain and Apothecary roles. They minister to both the spiritual and physical well-being of their brethren, and are completely responsible for all parts of the recruitment and indoctrination of new Space Wolves. As a result, individual Wolf Priests can regularly be seen traveling across the surface of Fenris, watching the proud natives for those who show the potential to become one of the Imperium's mightiest warriors.

Word Bearers

The traitorous Word Bearers Legion still make use of Chaplains in battle, although spreading the twisted faith of Chaos rather than the Imperial creed. Skilled and cunning orators, these champions - now known as Dark Apostles - can lead entire armies fearlessly to sacrifice their lives, or summon hordes of daemons to tear into the enemy. Their Crozius Arcanum have been defiled over the centuries, the resultant Accursed Crozius acting as weapon, shield and rallying point for the warp.

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Space Marine Infantry
Chapter Command Chapter MasterMaster of SanctityChief LibrarianMaster of the ApothecarionMaster of the ForgeMaster (Master of the WatchMaster of the FleetMaster of the ArsenalMaster of the MarchesMaster of the RitesMaster of RelicsLord ExecutionerMaster of RecruitsMaster of the SignalMaster of Reconnaissance)Chapter Ancient (Primaris Ancient) • Chapter ChampionHonour Guard
Company Command Company Command SquadReclusiam Command SquadCaptain (Primaris Captain) • Lieutenant (Primaris LieutenantVanguard Lieutenant) • Company Ancient (Bladeguard Ancient) • Company Champion
Specialists Librarian (EpistolaryCodicierLexicanumPrimaris LibrarianVanguard Librarian) • Chaplain (ReclusiarchPrimaris ChaplainJudiciar)Apothecary (Primaris ApothecaryHelix Adept) • Techmarine (Primaris Techmarine)
Veteran Squads Sternguard Veteran SquadVanguard Veteran SquadTerminator Squad (Terminator Assault Squad) • Bladeguard VeteranVeteran Intercessor SquadCompany Veterans
Battleline Squads Tactical SquadIntercessor Squad (Heavy Intercessor Squad) • Infiltrator Squad
Close Support Squads Assault SquadAssault Intercessor SquadJump Pack Intercessor SquadInceptor SquadReiver SquadIncursor SquadAssault Centurion Squad
Fire Support Squads Devastator SquadHellblaster SquadAggressor SquadEliminator SquadSuppressor SquadEradicator SquadDesolation SquadInfernus SquadDevastator Centurion Squad
Scouts Scout Squad