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Flesh Tearers

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Targetdrone.gif This article is about the Space Marine Chapter. For other uses of Flesh Tearers, see Flesh Tearers (disambiguation).

The Flesh Tearers are a Second Founding chapter, created when the Blood Angels legion split up after the Horus Heresy in accordance with the Codex Astartes. They suffer from a mutation in their gene-seed, making them far more prone to suffer the Black Rage than other chapters with Blood Angels gene-seed. If no cure is found the chapter is likely to be extinct within the next two millennia. The Flesh Tearers are also ill-famed for their savageness and thirst for blood in battle.

Flesh Tearers
Flesh Tearers Livery.jpg
Flesh Tearers Battle-Brother.jpg Flesh Tearers Mini.jpg
Founding Chapter: Blood Angels
Founding: Second Founding
Descendants: None
Chapter Master: Gabriel Seth[4]
Homeworld: Cretacia
Fortress-Monastery: Unknown
Colours: Red, Black[17]
Specialty: Assault
Strength: ~400 marines

History

A Space Marine of the Flesh Tearers.[19]
Flesh Tearers, original color scheme (W40K Rogue Trader).[6]

The Flesh Tearers Chapter was created in M31 when Roboute Guilliman decreed in his Codex Astartes that no longer should a single individual control the might of an entire Space Marine Legion. Thus the Blood Angels were divided into several Successor Chapters; one of these being the Flesh Tearers. Their reputation for blood-letting quickly spread in the aftermath of the Horus Heresy, indicating that the extensive flaw in their gene-seed was already present at their creation. Instead of checking the rumours of entire populations wiped out, the High Lords of Terra simply looked at the long list of worlds pacified and dismissed the accompanying casualty lists as inconsequential.[Needs Citation]

After thousands of years as a crusading chapter the Flesh Tearers eventually settled on an extremely hostile Death World known as Cretacia. A lost colony of primordial humans proved perfect recruits for the chapter, being pure of taint and extremely strong. The world lies deep in the galactic west[2].

The chapter has since become more and more dependent on the easy access to recruits, as their gene-seed mutation gradually worsens. More and more marines succumb to the Black Rage, with few marines older than two centuries.[2] As of late M41, the Flesh Tearers only have 4 full Companies of marines, less than half of the normal number. If the degradation of their gene-seed continues at the same rate they will count no more than 200 marines within a millennium.[Needs Citation]

Over the years several Imperial bodies have questioned the combat doctrines and sanity of the Flesh Tearers. Many have refused to fight alongside the chapter, disgusted by their savagery in combat or fearing they would get caught up in the bloodshed along with the enemy. The chapter has been under Inquisitorial investigation since the Kallern Massacres of M36.[2]

Recent History

Dates Unknown

Organisation

A Flesh Tearers Terminator[15]

The Flesh Tearers was originally a standard Codex Chapter, but has over the millennia evolved into a pure assault force. Being obsessed with bloodshed often mean that they will close in on the enemy with utmost speed and engage in close combat. Flesh Tearers operations therefore have large numbers of assault marines and transport-mounted squads.

The low number of marines has also led to an unexpected diversity in skills among the Flesh Tearers, with each marine being proficient in tactical, devastator, vehicular and assault roles. The chapter has few vehicles apart from Rhinos and Razorbacks (a few Whirlwinds and one Baal Predator are also present).

Flesh Tearers Company markings mirror those of the Blood Angels.[5c]

  • 1st Company - White Skull[5c]
  • 2nd Company - Yellow/Gold Blood Drop[5c]
  • 3rd Company - White/Silver Blood Drop[5c]
  • 4th Company - Green Blood Drop[5c]

If the Chapter regains strength, the Company markings will progress the same.[5c]

Squad Number designation is Low Gothic numerals on the right knee pad.[5c]

Chapter Fleet

The Flesh Tearers' fleet is small, with only one Battle Barge, the Victus currently in service. The Victus is an ancient vessel, having been in service possibly since the Great Crusade[2]. However, they also have seven[2] modified Strike Cruisers with an extended transport capability.

Known Vessels

Known Aircraft

Notable Flesh Tearers

Character Notes

  • Carnarvon and Carnaevon are possibly the same character with different name spellings. The same for Belthiel and Balthiel.

Armoury

Relics
Relic Name Relic Type Notes Source
Blood Reaver Chain Weapon Wielded by Gabriel Seth [5d]
Bones of Baelsor Dreadnought armour Last worn by Skoraen [23]
Shield of Cretacia Power Armour [23]
Slayer's Wrath Boltgun [23]

Canon Conflicts

Earlier editions of the Flesh Tearers' history states that they spent thousands of years as a Crusading Chapter after their formation and that it was a Chapter Master named Amit who finally settled the chapter on the world of Cretacia.[2]

However, Amit appears as a Captain of the Blood Angels Legion in the Horus Heresy series. Amit has a vicious and savage reputation, even by the standards of the World Eaters and his oath brother, Kharn. Indeed it was during his frequent fights in the World Eaters gladiatorial pits that Amit earned his nickname the "Flesh Tearer".[12]

During the Blood Angels' assault in the Signus Cluster, Captain Amit of the Blood Angels served as captain of his personal battle barge, the Victus.[13] This battle barge would later find service in the Flesh Tearers as their only known battle barge, and is rumored to have been in their possession since the Heresy and their founding.[2] It is unknown if this is a coincidence or if there is a connection.[12]

Related Articles

Sources

Uncited