Crimson Fists

Some text passages and/or images of this article have been removed due to insufficient Citations and placed under Quarantine on this article's Discussion page until proper citations have been provided. You can help to restore them to the article by finding the correct citations and re-integrating the quarantined text and/ or images as described in the Help article on citations.

Space Marines Portal Crimson Fists

This article is about the Space Marine Chapter. For other uses of Crimson Fist, see Crimson Fist (disambiguation).

Crimson Fists Founding Chapter: Imperial Fists[1] Founding: Second Founding[1] Chapter Master: Pedro Kantor[2] Homeworld: Rynn's World[1] Fortress-Monastery: Arx Tyrannus[10] Colours: Dark blue, crimson red[12] Specialty: Anti-Ork Warfare[22] Strength: Less than 500, but recently rebuilding strength[15a] Battle Cry Chaplain: There is only the Emperor Reply: He is our shield and protector[1]

The Crimson Fists are a Space Marine Chapter. They are one of the successor Chapters created during the Second Founding, their progenitors being the Imperial Fists and their Primarch Rogal Dorn.^[1]

Background

History

After the Horus Heresy, it was decided (in the Codex Astartes written by the Ultramarines Primarch Roboute Guilliman) that no single man should ever wield the power of a whole legion of Space Marines alone, and that each legion was to be split up into thousand-man strong chapters. Rogal Dorn of the Imperial Fists legion long opposed this, but decided to yield rather than risk the fragile peace of the post-heresy Imperium. The Imperial Fists legion was divided into four chapters: The marines most devoted to their Primarch were to remain Imperial Fists, the most zealous started the never-ending crusade of the Black Templars and the younger and more levelheaded marines formed the Crimson Fists. The first Chapter Master of the Crimson Fists was Alexis Polux, a hero of the Heresy. The chapter's name derives from the ceremony conducted at the initiation of new chapter masters in the Imperial Fist legion. The Chapter Master and the Primarch would both cut their palm and share blood in a warrior handshake; strengthening the marine with the blood of the Primarch and forming a symbolic bond between them.^[1]

The Crimson Fists spent their first nine millennia as a space-faring Crusade Chapter, based aboard the fortress-monastery Rutilus Tyrannus^[6], much like the Black Templars. Their first victory was against a large host of Exodite Eldar on Urolak Prime, followed by the cleansing of HR8518; the home system of an alien race known as the Scythians.^[1] Their most legendary campaign was the Crusade of Righteous Liberation - the retaking of planets lost after the Age of Apostasy. The largest Crimson Fist operation in more recent times was the Voltigern Crusade in late M40, where several Ork empires in the Loki Sector were attacked and destabilized, later to collapse in civil war. For this, the Crimson Fists were granted fiefdom over Rynn's World, a prosperous agri-world.^[1] The ruins of the Rutilus Tyrannus were moved to Rynn's World and the Fists built their new Fortress-Monastery around it.^[22a]

Crimson Fists Sternguard Veteran^[23]

Their homeworld was invaded by Orks in mid-M41. The Crimson Fists, led by Captain Drakken of the 3rd company had earlier tried to sabotage an Ork Waaagh building on the nearby world Badlanding, but failed. The Orks rallied under Warlord Snagrod — the Arch-arsonist of Charadon — and invaded in response, despite the almost suicidal nature of invading a Space Marine homeworld. The odds shifted in the Orks' favour when the Crimson Fists fortress-monastery was destroyed by a stray missile from its own defence system. Of more than six hundred space marines stationed there, only sixteen (among them Chapter Master Pedro Kantor and Brother-Captain Cortez) escaped the blast.^[10] Circumstantial evidence, and coincidences have led some to believe the Officio Assassinorum may have had a hand in the strange destruction of the fortress-monastery, but no concrete evidence has ever come to light.^[4]

The last two-hundred and eighteen surviving Space Marines on Rynn's World consolidated their defences at the planet's capitol, New Rynn City, and managed to stave off the invasion after a furious, 18-month siege behind the city's walls. The siege was broken by a relief force of more than 2200 ships and elements of 6 Space Marine Chapters (amongst them the Ravenwing of the Dark Angels^[3]), the Titan Legions, and the Imperial Navy. ^[10] With no more than a hundred surviving marines the Chapter came close to being disbanded due to irrecoverable battle losses, but have since managed to recover.^[1] The chapter is back to half its original strength as of late M41.^[7]

Crimson Fists marine (Mk.VIII armour)^[24]

During the Imperial attempts to reclaim the planet of Entymion IV, the Crimson Fists answered a request for reinforcements. During the first assault, the Crimson Fists' commander, Captain Reinez, discovered the presence of the Soul Drinkers on the planet after suffering an attack by Tellos. Additional companies arrived led by Chaplain Inhuaca, but their campaign ended in failure as Entymion IV was lost and the Soul Drinkers successfully accomplished their goals and escaped off world.^[7]

Crimson Fists marine (Mk.VI armour)^[16b]

With the formation of the Great Rift the Crimson Fists homeworld of Rynn's World was again invaded, this time by Daemons. Ultimately Roboute Guilliman's Indomitus Crusade arrived to break the Dameonic siege. With them came new Primaris Space Marine recruits, allowing the Fists to rebuild their former strength and embark on new campaigns against the enemies of mankind.^[15a]

Notables Battles and Campaigns

• The War of the Beast — 544-546.M32. During the war, Chapter Master Quesadra died and was replaced by Cuarrion. During the conflict, the Crimson Fists contributed a portion of their strength to rebuild the Imperial Fists.^[13]
• Defending Thule during the Eldar Thule Intervention — 978.M39^[25]
• Assault on the Stormbeast (M41) — Terminators of the Crimson Fists teleported onto the Stormbeast's command bridge and, despite taking heavy casualties, succeeded in slaughtering its renegade crew.^[26]
• The Zeist Campaign.^[5a] (M41) — The Crimson Fists heeded the call of Lord Macragge, and provided tactical squads to fight for the liberation of Augura (a staging point for the Tau forces).
• Vortigern Crusade - 745.M41^[21]
• Achilus Crusade^[6] — 777.M41 — The Crimson Fist contributed a demi-company to a series of operations on Khazant in the Cellebos warzone. They achieved some victories before being recalled by their Chapter to combat the Orks of Charadon. Thy lost the Dreadnought and its pilot, Ancient Castores, who was once Captain of the Chapter’s First Company. Although the Chapter’s forces now fight elsewhere, those Crimson Fists assigned to serve in the Deathwatch in Jericho Reach maintain a watch for their fallen hero, hoping that one day his sarcophagus may be returned to Rynn’s World.
• Battle of the Steel Cross — 853.M41^[27]
• Battle of Hellabore — 867.M41^[27]
• The defeat of the Chaos Lord Sathash the Golden — 934.M41^[5a]
• Battle for Rynn's World — 988.M41 - The Crimson Fists homeworld is lost to Ork forces.^[1]
• Rynn's World Reclamation — after 988.M41^[1]
• 13th Black Crusade - 999.M41 - The Crimson Fists send 1 Company^[28]
• Indomitus Crusade — ???.M42. Rynn's World is besieged by Daemonic armies, forcing the Crimson Fists to defend their homeworld once more. Guilliman's Indomitus Crusade and newly arrived Primaris Space Marines bearing the markings of the Crimson Fists arrive at Rynn's World and break the siege. The Fists on Rynn's World marvel at the new Space Marines and see them as closer to the ideal of Rogal Dorn.^[15a]
• Voltigern Crusade — ???.M42^[29]
• War of Beasts - ???.M42 - 5 Companies^[30]
• A Crusade of Vengeance against the Ork race in retribution for the Invasion of Rynn's World. Strengthened by a great influx of Primaris Space Marines, several greenskin Waaagh!s are diverted by their Warbosses in hopes of a better fight.^[18]
• Battle for Geo-Station Erpes — with the Orks^[16a]
• In one of battles with Orks Crimson Fists used an entire formation of Land Raider Redeemers to destroy the Ork Mektown of Khurkhuk.^[15b]
• Declates Crusade^[31]
• Battle on Temportus — Crimson Fists Chapter eliminated Ork Freebooters from the planet.^[26]
• The Crimson Fists destroyed the chapter of the Marines Vigilant. This chapter, described by Pedro Kantor as "troubled", had suddenly and without explanation refused to even fight against Xenos. The Marines Vigilant did not defend themselves when the Crimson Fists attacked them on orders from the Adeptus Terra. Though they did so reluctantly, Pedro Kantor himself considers the destruction of the Marines Vigilant "the most distasteful act" in the Chapter’s history.^[11]
• The Nachmund Rift War^[45]

Organisation

Crimson Fists^[32]

The Crimson Fists embrace the Codex Astartes readily, and are probably the most traditional among the sons of Rogal Dorn, and receive training of all aspects of combat as written by Roboute Guilliman. There are a few minor deviances; such as the first company being known as the Crusade Company, a tradition started after the Crusade of Righteous Liberation left the Crimson Fists with no more than 128 survivors. The 1st company has been kept at 128 marines since, with the master of the Crusade Company always being the Chapter Master as well. It is considered a bad omen to march to battle with less than a full veteran company.^[1]

The Crimson Fists have always had close ties with the Imperium and the Inquisition. They have contributed many warriors to the kill-teams of the Ordo Xenos, being renowned Ork fighters. They have also, at the order of Terra and the Inquisition, destroyed two chapters of brother Space Marines; the insane Sons of Gideon and the mind-wiped Marines Vigilant. This has earned them a reputation as lap dogs of the Inquisition among certain chapters^[1]

The Chapter's main colour is deep blue with white or silver details. When an initiate joins the ranks of the Chapter his left glove is painted red; when he becomes a member of the Crusade company his right glove is also painted red. Scouts are often portrayed with red gloves but blue hand guards. Their Chapter symbol is almost an exact copy of that of the Imperial Fists but uses different colours, namely dark blue and crimson red.^[1]

Current Organization

As of the beginning of the Indomitus Crusade M42:^[22]

Headquarters

Chapter Command
Pedro Kantor, Chapter Master[22] Honour Guard[22] Chapter Serfs[22] Servitors[22]
Armoury	Apothecarion	Fleet Command	Librarius	Chaplaincy
Jainas Ruzco[22] Master of the Forge[22] Techmarines[22] Servitors[22] Tanks[22] Transports[22] Bikes[22] Land Raiders[22] Gunships[22] Thunderfire Cannons[22]	Celurian Varendus[22] Chief Apothecary[22] Apothecaries[22]	Master of the Fleet[22] Battle Barges[22] Strike Cruisers[22] Rapid Strike Vessels[22] Thunderhawks[22]	Delevan Deguerro[22] Chief Librarian[22] Epistolaries[22] Codiciers[22] Lexicaniums[22] Acolytum[22]	Hauis Argento[22] High Chaplain[22] Chaplains[22]

Companies

Crusade Company	Battle Companies
1st Company[22]	2nd Company[22]	3rd Company[22]	4th Company[22]	5th Company[22]
"The Crusade Company"[22] Captain Ishmael Icario[22] Master of Crusades[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] 10 Veteran Squadrons[22] Dreadnoughts[22] Transport Vehicles[22] Land Raiders[22]	"The Shieldwall"[22] Captain Steffan Hios[22] Master of the Shield[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Battleline Squads[22] Close Support Squads[22] Fire Support Squads[22] Dreadnoughts[22]	"The Red Lightning"[22] Captain Faradis Anto[22] Master of the Line[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Battleline Squads[22] Close Support Squads[22] Fire Support Squads[22] Dreadnoughts[22]	"The Crimson Lancers"[22] Captain Isidore Haleous[22] Master of the Charge[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Battleline Squads[22] Close Support Squads[22] Fire Support Squads[22] Dreadnoughts[22]	"The War Riders"[22] Captain Razal Solano[22] Master of Steeds[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Battleline Squads[22] Close Support Squads[22] Fire Support Squads[22] Dreadnoughts[22]
Reserve Companies[22]				Scout Company[22]
6th Company[22]	7th Company[22]	8th Company[22]	9th Company[22]	10th Company[22]
"The Iron Guardians"[22] Captain Alejandros Solari[22] Master of the Watch[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Battleline Squads[22] Dreadnoughts[22]	"The Wardens of Rynn"[22] Captain Castian Alzonas[22] Master of the Gates[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Battleline Squads[22] Dreadnoughts[22]	"The Red Path"[22] Captain Gerarde Garrosso[22] Master of Blades[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Close Support Squads[22] Dreadnoughts[22]	"The Fists of Rynn"[22] Captain Raphael Acastus[22] Master of Siege[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Fire Support Squads[22] Dreadnoughts[22]	"The Wayfinders"[22] Captain Caldimus Ortiz[22] Master of Shadows[22] 2 Lieutenants[22] Company Ancient[22] Company Champion[22] Company Veterans[22] Vanguard Squads[22] Scout Squads[22] Scout Bikes[22]

Homeworld & Recruitment

Though the Crimson Fists are a based on Rynn's World, they usually recruit from the nearby Feral World of Blackwater. They have also found Rynn's World unsuitable for training, and thus use the Loki Sector for such activities. Rynn's World largely occupies a ceremonial and aspirational role.^[22a]

Fleet

The Crimson Fists fleet was largfely destroyed during the fall of Rynn's World. However recently Chapter Master Pedro Kantor made a diplomatic request for warships to Battlefleet Tempestus, at their Ramilies Star Fort Goliath Vigilant. An agreement was then made, which saw the Battlefleet make several squadrons of escorts, a trio of cruisers and the Emperor Class Battleship Throne's Fury available to the Chapter, in return for a permanent garrison of Crimson Fists aboard the Goliath Vigilant. Since then Battlegroup Vengeance has borne out Knator's strategic genius in their every action, from the Kielden Reach to the second cleansing of Badlanding.^[33]

Chapter Assets

Armoury

Relics
Relic Name	Relic Type	Notes	Source
Dorn's Arrow	Storm bolter	Wielded by Pedro Kantor	[5b]
Duty's Burden	Bolt Rifle		[33]
Sceptre of the Sacred Blood	Holy symbol	Was lost during the Invasion of Rynn's World, presumebly destroyed	[11]
Fist of Vengence	Power Fist	Mastercrafted power fist recovered from the ruins of the Fortress-Monestary on Rynn's World.	[22b]
Night's Edge	Power Sword		[34]
Vengeful Arbiter	Bolt Pistol		[30]

Vessels

• Throne's Fury - Emperor Class Battleship and flagship of Battlegroup Vengeance^[33]
• Intractable - Strike Cruiser^[44]

Notable Crimson Fists

• Chapter Master Alexis Polux – 1st Chapter Master (dec.)^[1]
• Chapter Master Quesadra – Chapter Master in mid-M32 (dec)^[35]
• Chapter Master Algernon Traegus — 16th Chapter Master (dec.)^[10]
• Chapter Master Klede Sargo — 17th Chapter Master (dec.)^[10]
• Chapter Master Pedro Kantor — Lord Hellblade, current Crimson Fists Chapter Master (M41), Captain of Crusade Company, 29th Chapter Master^[1][10]
• Master of the Forge Jainas Ruzco^[22a]
• Chief Librarian Delevan Deguerro^[22a]
• Chief Apothecary Celurian Varendus^[22a]
• Master of Sanctity Hauis Argento^[22a]
• Captain Drigo Alvez — Former Captain of the 2nd, Master of the Shield, Captain in charge of defence of New Rynn City, overwhelmed and killed by Orks (dec.)^[10]
• Captain Steffan Hios - Current Captain of the 2nd.^[22a]
• Captain Ashor Drakken — Former Captain of the 3rd, Master of the Line, killed in the assault on Krugerport (dec.)^[10]
• Captain Faradis Anto - Current Captain of the 3rd^[22a]
• Captain Alessio Cortez — Former Master of the Charge^[10], Nigh-invulnerable Captain of the 4th Company
• Captain Isidore Haleous - Current Captain of the 4th^[22a]
• Captain Selig Torres — Captain of the 5th^[10]
• Captain Ruis Tracinto — Former Captain of the 5th. Killed on Cadia by Baranox during the Thirteenth Black Crusade.^[14]
• Captain Razal Solano - Current Captain of the 5th.^[22a]
• Captain Olbyn Kadena — Former Captain of the 6th, Master of the Watch^[10]
• Captain Alejandros Solari - Current Captain of the 6th.^[22a]
• Captain Caldimus Ortiz — Former Captain of the 7th, Master of the Gates (.dec)^[10]
• Captain Castian Alzonas - Current Captain of the 7th^[22a]
• Captain Matteo Morrelis — Former Captain of the 8th, Master of Blades^[10]
• Captain Gerarde Garrosso - Current Captain of the 8th^[22a]
• Captain Raphael Acastus — Captain of the 9th, Master of Siege^[10]
• Captain Ishmael Icario — Captain of the 10th, Master of Shadows^[10]
• Captain Jhermandes^[30]
• Captain Julias^[33]
• Captain Telamon^[37]
• Captain Gauvian^[38]
• Captain Rigellus^[34]
• Captain Konrade Karlito^[40]
• Captain Isidor Montes - Betrayed the Imperium and joined the Red Corsairs^[44]
• Veteran Sergeant Grevius — Member of a Deathwatch Kill-team and was killed by a Tyranid Lictor on Herodian IV^[8]
• Brother Fuentas - Commanded the Strike Cruiser Intractable and successfully hunted down the rogue Gothic Class Cruiser Scourge of the Faithless under ex-Captain Haxan the Defiler.^[44]
• Sergeant Ricario Vicentius^[30]
• Chapter Ancient Endigio Gomarex^[30]
• Brother Toma of the Fifth Company, Crimson Fists^[9]
• Forgemaster Javier Adon — Master of the Technicarum (dec.)^[10]
• High Chaplain Marqol Tomasi (dec.) ^[10]
• Chief Librarian Eustace Mendoza — Master of the Librarius (dec.) ^[10]
• Librarian Carrigan Nos^[39]
• Apothecary Esteban de Dominova – Deathwatch Watch Captain^[36]
• Chaplain Sagramor^[41]
• Aldierrez – Deathwatch Member^[43]
• Vondel Omid — was a part of the Kill Team Excis of the Deathwatch. He was killed during the initial investigation of Ghosar Quintus.^[17]
• Dreadnought Agaston^[26b]
• Dreadnought Morven^[28]
• Ironclad Dreadnought Iocles^[28]

Images

• 

  Rhino, Chapter Colours, Non-Codex^[19]

• 

  Rhino, Field Commander, personal livery^[19]

Related Articles

• Loyal Space Marine Chapters (List)
• Space Marine Forces (List)

Sources

• 1: "Bloodied Fist: The Crimson Fists Space Marine Chapter" by Andy Hoare, White Dwarf 287 (US) / White Dwarf 288 (UK) / Index Astartes IV
• 2: Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook, pg. 102
• 3: Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pg. 44
• 4: Codex: Assassins (3rd Edition), pg. 13
• 5: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)
  • 5a: pgs. 48-49
  • 5b: pg. 90
• 6: Deathwatch: Rites of Battle, pgs. 66–67
• 7: Crimson Tears (Novel),^{[Needs Citation]}
• 8: Warrior Brood (Novel),^{[Needs Citation]}
• 9: One Hate (Short Story)
• 10: Rynn's World (Novel),^{[Needs Citation]}
  • 10a: Chapter 12
• 11: Pedro Kantor: The Vengeful Fist (Short Story)
• 12: How to Paint Space Marines, pg. 80
• 13: Shadow of Ullanor (Novel), Chapter 3
• 14: Gathering Storm: Fall of Cadia,^{[Needs Citation]}
• 15: Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition)
  • 15a: pg. 21
  • 15b: pg. 91
• 16: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
  • 16a: pgs. 102–103
  • 16b: pg. 169
• 17: White Dwarf September 2016, Deathwatch Overkill - Kill Team Excis
• 18: Codex: Orks (8th Edition), pg. 30
• 19: Warhammer 40,000 Compendium, pg. 79
• 20: Codex Supplement: Angels of Death, pg. 31
• 21: Aeronautica Imperialis: Rynn's World Air War Campaign Book, pg. 49 - Epilogue: The Air War Rages On
• 22: Codex Supplement: Imperial Fists (8th Edition)
  • 22a: pgs. 27-28 - The Crimson Fists Chapter Organisation
  • 22b: pg. 58
• 23: Black Library Return to Rynns World (last accessed February 12, 2013)
• 24: The Madness Within (Novel), Cover
• 25: Imperial Armour Volume Two - Second Edition, pg. 19
• 26: Codex: Space Marines (7th Edition) — The Chronicle of Heroes - Slaying the Beast
  • 26a: Temportus
  • 26b: Imperial Fists Successor Chapters
• 27: Codex: Space Marines (3rd Edition), pgs. 38–39
• 28: Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition), pg. 16
• 29: White Dwarf January 2019, pg. 103 — Index Astartes: Crimson Fists
• 30: Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Defiant, pg. 180
• 31: One Hate (Short Story)
• 32: White Dwarf 286 (US), pg. 41
• 33: White Dwarf January 2019, pgs. 107-111 — Codex Supplement: Crimson Fists
• 34: Legacy of Dorn (Novel), Chapter 10
• 35: Predator, Prey (Novel), Chapter 19
• 36: Deathwatch: Rising Tempest, pg. 18
• 37: Imperial Armour Volume Two (Second Edition), pg. 60
• 38: White Dwarf September 2017, Battle Report: The Blood of Heroes
• 39: The Beast Must Die (Novel), Chapter 3
• 40: Shadow of Ullanor (Novel), Chapter 3
• 41: White Dwarf 279 (UK) — Battle Report: Return of the Grand Warlord
• 42: Codex Supplement: Angels of Death, pg. 31
• 43: Codex: Deathwatch (7th Edition) — Knights of the Long Vigil
• 44: None More Loyal (Short Story)
• 45: War Zone Nachmund: Rift War, pg. 30

Uncited

This article purports to rely on sources which are not cited in the body of the text. For help on citation see the citation guidelines. You can help Lexicanum by fixing it.

• White Dwarf 43 (DE)
• White Dwarf 94 (UK), Skirmish on Rynn's World: The Battle of Jadeberry Hill