Iron Hands

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

Space Marines Portal Iron Hands Legion Number X Primarch Ferrus Manus Homeworld Medusa Fortress-Monastery None, Substituted by Ten Mobile Fortresses[17] Chapter Master Kardan Stronos, elected by the Iron Council[53e] Colours Black and Silver[25] Specialty Bionics, Armored Assault[63a] Strength Estimated > 1000 marines Battle Cry The Flesh Is Weak! Successor Chapters: Brazen Claws[48] Iron Fists[1c] Iron Lords Knights of Byzantium[55] Red Talons[48] Sons of Medusa Star Dragons (speculated)[40b] Steel Confessors (speculated)[39]

The Iron Hands were the X Legion of the twenty original Space Marine Legions, sometimes referred to as the "Iron Tenth". Their Primarch is Ferrus Manus. Like the other loyalist Legions, much of the Iron Hands forces would later, according to the dictates of the Codex Astartes, be re-organized into smaller Chapters. The Iron Hands are notable for their heavy use of bionics and their reverence for all things mechanical, and thus their close ties to the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Homeworld

Great Crusade-era Medusan Immortal^[41a]

Great Crusade-era Iron Hand^[21d]

Medusa is located near the Eye of Terror. Its landscape is harsh and generally unstable, with massive tectonic shifts occurring on a regular basis. Medusa is not united by any single government, but instead is populated by disparate clans of miners living out of great tracked vehicles travelling in caravans. There are only two notable locations on Medusa: a volcano known as Karaashi, which was the location of the arrival of Ferrus Manus on the planet, and the Land of Shadows. The Land of Shadows is populated only by ghostly relics of ages past and is said to be haunted by the spirits of Medusans long dead; those who go there only go in order to become supplicants to the Iron Hands' recruitment process.^{[Needs Citation]}

History

Origins

Originally known as the Storm Walkers^[31] or Stormwalkers,^[22a] the legion was created during the latter days of the Unification Wars on Terra. Recruitment bases at this time were spread widely all across the planet, but the warlike cultures of Albia in particular provided effective initiates for the Legion. The Legion's first instance of recorded combat was in the Sol system against a Mutant warband known as Scythers. Shortly thereafter they exterminated the Xenos Lyasx on the world of Oberath. While the Legion was victorious in both actions, they did not yet seem to specialize in any area of warfare. It was only during the invasion of the Ork-held Planet 02-34 (designated 'Rust') that the Legion's effectiveness in utilizing slow-moving mass firepower became apparent.^[21a]

Ferrus Manus

The Primarch of what would later officially become the Iron Hands, Ferrus Manus (also known as "The Gorgon"), was among the first of the Emperor's sons to be rediscovered.^[21a] The early history of Ferrus Manus is chronicled in the folklore of Medusa. The most popular of these tales is the "Canticle of Travels", which details the trials of Ferrus Manus and his ordeal with the Great Silver Wyrm known as Asirnoth. The Canticle is the only tale that even attempts to explain the mystery of how Ferrus Manus came by his living metal hands. Ferrus Manus never united the people of his homeworld in the way most of the other Primarchs had, on the basis that competition grew greater strength. When the Emperor eventually came to Medusa, Ferrus Manus tested himself against him as well in a cataclysmic battle that is said to have lain waste to entire mountains. Finally having found someone his equal, Ferrus accepted the Emperor as his master and took command of the X Legion of Space Marines, which was renamed the Iron Hands in his honor.^[21a]

With the Gorgon at their head, the Iron Hands quickly became renowned for their ability to confront enemies of the Great Crusade head-on, gaining a reputation as ruthless and calculating fighters. They excelled at high-intensity warfare against both technologically advanced foes and brutal xenos such as Orks whose sheer power and vast numbers constituted a grave threat to the success of the Crusade. Soon enough, the Iron Hands became known as the Iron Tenth and were deliberately deployed to battlefronts where set-piece engagements against massed armies were likely. As their battle style required advanced war engines, the Iron Hands began to establish their notoriously close ties with the Adeptus Mechanicus, whose culture was astonishingly similar to their own.^[21a] One of the most notable campaigns waged by the Iron Hands during the Great Crusade was that against the Diasporex. During the Astranii Campaign, the Iron Hands had a severe dispute with the Imperial Fists over what should become of the Astranii Machine Empire. Ferrus wished for the civilizations destruction as Hereteks, while Rogal Dorn wanted them assimilated into the larger Imperium. Ultimately, it fell to Horus Lupercal and an honor duel to settle the dispute.^[61]

The Horus Heresy

At the outset of the Heresy, Fulgrim — the Primarch of the Emperor's Children — tried to turn Ferrus Manus to join the side of the traitors. When Ferrus refused, Fulgrim had his fleet launch a crippling attack on the Iron Hands vessels, although he could not bring himself to kill his brother. In the wake of this betrayal, Ferrus took as many of his veterans as he could onboard one of the few undamaged vessels to participate in the loyalist attack on Isstvan V. This proved to be a disaster when four of the supposedly loyal Legions turned on their allies, resulting in the Drop Site Massacre and horrendous casualties amongst the Raven Guard and Salamanders Legions and the death of Ferrus Manus and his entire retinue.^[3] Rumors persist that Ferrus Manus's corpse was taken to Mars but the Iron Hands deny any such claims.^[10] The events at Isstvan V proved to be deeply traumatic to the Iron Hands, and they struggled to explain their crippling defeat. The survivors drew sharply different conclusions:^[41a][21b] Many developed a grudge against all the participants of the Heresy: the traitors, for being weak enough to become corrupted, but also against the other loyalists, for not being strong enough to protect the Emperor and their Primarch.^[10][21b] Others became convinced that the Iron Hands and Ferrus Manus himself had been defeated because they had proven to be too weak, and devoted themselves to self-hatred. Some drew far darker conclusions, and went completely renegade. Large numbers of Iron Hands could not cope with the disaster at all; they went simply insane.^[21b] Either way, the majority of the Iron Hands consequently launched "campaigns of redemption" to both atone for their own perceived weaknesses as well as to take revenge on the traitors.^[41a]

As a result of the defeat at Isstvan V as well as their internal disagreements, the Iron Hands factually broke as a Legion.^[21b][64b] One of the largest Iron Hand factions organized under Shadrak Meduson and waged a guerrilla war,^[41a] nearly assassinating Horus, Fulgrim and Mortarion during the Battle of Dwell. Meduson attempted to reforge the Iron Hands and their Raven Guard and Salamanders allies into a new Legion to battle Horus directly, but was undermined by the crazed Cult of the Gorgon which claimed that it had resurrected Ferrus Manus.^[35b] Ultimately Meduson, driven by vengeance, was slain at the Battle of the Aragna Chain.^[35c] Meanwhile, another large Iron Hands force rallied under Autek Mor and devoted itself to the complete and merciless destruction of any Traitors; Mor's most notable success was the complete destruction of Bodt, a world used by the World Eaters to train its new troops.^[41a][41d] Other Iron Hands organized as part of smaller Shattered Legion groups, joining warbands which included Space Marines of several different legions; one such contingent was part of the loyalist army which took part in the Siege of Baal.^[41a][41c] Another important Shattered Legion force was led by the Iron Hands Ulrach Branthan, and later Cadmus Tyro, who campaigned against the traitors aboard the Sisypheum.^[18]

"Ignominy is preferable to the shackles of cowards too weak to walk by their sire's side."
- Description of the Medusan Council, given by an unknown Iron Hand survivor of the Dropsite Massacre^[64b]

A large section of the Iron Hands retreated to Medusa, where they formed the Medusan Council and mass recruited new Space Marines. These Iron Hands would only reenter the Horus Heresy during its later stages, launching counter-attacks against the Traitors,^[41a][64b] most notably the "Bitter War" against the Word Bearers.^[64b] The Medusan Council was largely recruited from individuals who had avoided the Dropsite Massacre due to having been exiled by Ferrus Manus. Accordingly, this faction commanded little respect among other Iron Hands loyalists.^[64b] The Medusa-based faction and other Iron Hands would later be accused of having turned to forbidden technology after Ferrus Manus' death, particularily the Keys of Hel.^[41a] Finally, there were some Iron Hands who were so disillusioned after Isstvan V that they took even more extreme steps. Some decided to strike out on their own, rejecting all masters and pursuing their own agendas ignoring the wider Horus Heresy. Others turned their back on the Legion entirely, becoming Blackshields.^[21b] There was even a force of Iron Hands who turned completely traitor, joining the armies of Horus and adding the livery of the Sons of Horus to their old Iron Hands heraldry.^[59]

Post-Heresy

The Iron Hands battle the Death Guard^[53d]

Following the Horus Heresy, the Iron Hands were in a state of disarray and still reeling fron their near-destruction.^[53a] The remnants of the Legion were split up into smaller Chapters, with known descendants of the Iron Hands at this time being the Red Talons and the Brazen Claws.^[11] Those who were not split off were reorganized into the Iron Hands Chapter. While many Imperial factions bayed for blood and rushed to vent their fury upon their betrayers, the Iron Hands Chapter gathered its strength on Medusa for a conclave known as "the Tempering". There, it was decided that no single individual would command the Iron Hands again. Instead, the Iron Council would oversee the Chapter.^[22a][53a]

The "Tempering" conclave further determined the Human race itself – in all contemptible emotion – was to blame for the Heresy, and must be purged of flaws. So it was that the Iron Hands determined their guiding mission. They would exact payment for the wrongs done to them, but with a measured ruthlessness. In their every thought and deed, they would seek out weakness and destroy it, replacing it with machine-like fortitude. Thus began a bloody campaign that continues to this day, fought by the Iron Hands and those amongst their successors shaped by these teachings.^[53a] Meanwhile, the Mechanicum devised a scheme to edit a pre-Imperial document in order to better manipulate the Iron Hands to their will. This document became known as the Canticle of Travels.^[37b][37c]

Known campaigns

• M31: Siege of Cthonia^[64a]
• M31: Bitter War^[64b]
• M31: War for the Ulmetrican Reach^{[Needs Citation]}
• 544.M32: War of the Beast — The Iron Hands sent three companies to defend Terra.^{[Needs Citation]}
• c.M35: Moirae Schism — A civil conflict which occurred during the Nova Terra Interregnum. During this schism, which affected all branches of the Adeptus Mechanicus and those Imperial factions closely tied to it, the Iron Hands chapter stood at the brink of destroying itself in an internal chapter war. The crisis came to a head when Moirae elements of Clan Dorrvok attempted to seize Chapter Gene-Seed and impose adherence to their creed at a genetic level. In the end, they were stopped by Clan Raukaan.^[53f] Ultimately the Great Clan Council of the Iron Hands were able to settle the matter by exiling the Moirae dissidents from the chapter, with both sides swearing never to take up arms against each other. Almost a full third of the chapter split away to become a fleet based divergent branch of the Iron Hands. This branch became known as the Sons of Medusa.^[5]
• 550.M37: Occlusiad War — The Iron Hands battle forces of the Legio Covenentia on Pelos.^{[Needs Citation]}
• 756.M39: Battle of Euthanatos^{[Needs Citation]}
• 929.M40: Skarvus Ambush^{[Needs Citation]}
• 013.M41:Death of the Witching Moon^{[Needs Citation]}
  

  Iron Hands Tactical marine^[22]

• 050.M41: Slaughter on Dawnbreak^{[Needs Citation]}
• 412.M41: Defence of Fabris Callivant — The Iron Hands defended the homeworld of their allies, House Callivant, from Ork forces.^[37b][37c]
• 460.M41: Gaudinian Heresy — A third of the Iron Council is lost to a massive Daemonic corruption and in an ensuing ambush by the Emperor's Children.^[22b]
• 742.M41: Damocles Crusade — The Iron Hands contributed forces to the Crusade, battling T'au Empire forces on the world of Dal'yth^[14]
• 754.M41: Battle of Estaban III^{[Needs Citation]}
• 765.M41: Fall of Bromoch^{[Needs Citation]}
• 779.M41: Siege of Hammerspire^{[Needs Citation]}
• 802.M41: Defense of Parathen City^{[Needs Citation]}
• 812.M41: Purging of Contqual — The Iron Hands eliminated Chaos forces from twelve planets in the Contqual subsector.^[4] At the height of the battle Chief Librarian Telach sacrificed himself to stop Julius Kaesoron, former First Captain of the Emperor's Children, now a Daemon Prince of Slaanesh.^[53g]
• 863.M41: Saint Cyllia Massacres — The Iron Hands pursued the Adamant Fury Traitor Titan Legion following the massacre.^{[Needs Citation]}
• 900.M41: Crusade of Steel^{[Needs Citation]}
• 900.M41: Battle of Shemnoch^{[Needs Citation]}
• 900.M41: Battle of Sazalor^{[Needs Citation]}
• c.M41: The False Saint] — Elements of the Third Company lead the assault on the stronghold of the False Saint, the daemon-possessed body of Saint Drusus, on the storm-riddled dead world of Grangold in the Calixis Sector. Though wiped out in battle with the daemonic forces of Tzeentch, their actions allows elements of the Imperial Guard, led by agents of the Inquisition, to banish the False Saint and close the Warp portal the daemon was opening.^[16]
• 910-911.M41: Siege of Hypnoth — The Iron Hands contribute to the Imperial defence of Hypnoth against the Necrons^[15]
• 963.M41: Battle for Fellcore Moon — The Iron Hands and Space Wolves come to blows after Iron Captain Telavech's logical critique of Ragnar Blackmane's impetuous performance is taken as an insult.^[19c]
• 984.M41: Adacore Exterminations^[26]
• 997.M41: Along with the Death Strike, Flame Falcons and Genesis Chapter the Iron Hands perform a series of Exterminatus operations throughout the worlds of the Ulik Sector which lay in the path of Hive Fleet Leviathan to try and stop the Hive Fleet from gaining momentum.^[19c]
• 999.M41: Siege of the Fenris System — The Iron Hands send forces to aid the Dark Angels-led coalition.^{[Needs Citation]}
• 999.M41: Thirteenth Black Crusade — The Iron Hands commit all ten clans against the forces of the Black Crusade. During this conflict the Iron Hands' homeworld, Medusa, is invaded by Chaos forces; these forces are eventually defeated by the combined forces of all the Clan Companies.^[6]

M42

• Invasion of the Stygius Sector — In what becomes known as the Iron Crusade, the Iron Hands are joined by many successor chapters such as the Sons of Medusa, Fire Lords, Silver Skulls, Brazen Claws, and Iron Lords. They manage to hold Mordian from Chaos assault and are continuing to battle traitors throughout the Sector.^[53h]
• Sabbyst Planetstrike — Clan Raukaan launches a reckless assault on Sabbyst seeking vengeance against Fulgrim. Ultimately Iron Captain Sind Grolvoch is killed by the Daemon Primarch while buying time for refugees to escape.^[53c]
• Liberation of Odissar — Iron Captain Rakk Golloth is slain when his gunship is downed by enemy fire.^[53d]
• Medusa Raid — The Iron Hands homeworld of Medusa is raided by the Cleaved, The Purge and the 1st Plague Company of Typhus. The Iron Hands drive off the attack but not before terrible damage is done.^[34]
• War of Beasts — The Iron Hands are the first Space Marines to arrive on Vigilus, battling Genestealer Cults on the strategically vital world alongside the Brazen Claws. Eight Clan Companies under Kardan Stronos ultimately arrive.^[29]
• War on Ghoulwright — Clan Raukaan aids the Mechanicum Forge World of Ghoulwright
• Battle of Xalladin — The Iron Hands and Imperial Fists nearly come to blows over the relic known as the Brimstone Heart.^[53h]
• Battle on Nolth Prime — The Iron Hands fought alongside the Order of Our Martyred Lady.^[54]
• The Nachmund Rift War^[60]
• The Arks of Omen Campaign — Captain Albaar leads the boarding of the Ark of Omen Morbidius^[62]

Undated

• Destruction of the Tomb World Shemnoch — With the aid of the Brazen Claws the Iron Hands invade Shemnoch and eliminate Shemnoch's Necron Dynasty^{[Needs Citation]}
• Mechrid Eclipse
• Attack on Heat Sink 871^[33b]
• Scorched Earth Crusade
• Siege of Umbrus^{[Needs Citation]}
• Battle of Tsarvia II
• The Yardeen Rebellion

Beliefs and Reputation

Iron Hands Battling Dark Eldar^[22]

An Iron Hands Techmarine leads their forces in battle^[40a]

The Iron Hands have a reputation for being relatively straightforward and incredibly harsh. In the Battle of Thranx for example the resources of several depleted Clan Companies were pooled for a full-frontal assault using five Land Raiders against a facility bristling with anti-tank defenses that had made a mockery of previous attempts with whole armoured companies; in the retaking of the Contqual Subsector, one-third of the population was summarily executed after a successful campaign simply to demonstrate the price of weakness. ^[10] They are also known to be on poor terms with the Raven Guard and after the liberation of the Kelldar System from an Ork Waaagh! in 810.M41 refused to sit at the same feasting table as their Raven Guard allies.^[19b]

Bionics

The Iron Hands are infamous for their extensive use of bionics, which has helped bring them into a close relationship with the Adeptus Mechanicus.^[9a] After the Horus Heresy, when the Legions were reorganized into Chapters, the Iron Hands became recluses, attempting to find ways to make themselves even stronger so that they would be fit for serving under Ferrus Manus again at the end of times. Many within the Chapter consider flesh to be a sign of weakness, and seek to expunge it from themselves through mechanical enhancement.^[63b] To this end, they have made it a practice to make extensive use of bionic modifications, going so far that there are rumours of some battle brothers being wholly mechanical. Iron Hands consider the greatest honour they can receive is to be interred in Dreadnought armour.^[9a] It is in the so-called Blessing of Iron ritual that the Iron Hands replace parts of their bodies with Bionics.^{[Needs Citation]}

The Iron Hands also eschew the traditional office of Chaplain in favor of their Iron Fathers, specially trained Techmarines who serve to protect the faith of their brethren; some outsiders view this, as well as the Iron Hands' ties to the Adeptus Mechanicus, as an unhealthy relationship.^[10]

Forgechain

While many Iron Hands use skull-studs to denote long service in the same manner as other Chapters, in recent years some have begun using a strange augmetic known as the Forgechain. The Forgechain is a series of augmetic vertebrae. Each new vertebrae shows acceptance into a another Clan. Each company makes its own links so all links in the chain are different. Clan Dorrvok for example uses plain steel to form the first vertebrae for each of their new Scouts. Clan Sorrgol's is formed from a finely tooled galvanite alloy. Clan Raukaan is black Sigilanium veined with Theldrite circuitry. The chain serves as a reminder to the wearer of the bonds that bind the chapter together. Some believe it is to echo the chains that Ferrus bound around the Iron Hands' hearts. ^[22]

Possible Tech-Heresy

Adeptus Mechanicus Mech-wright Calymn Auros reported possible Iron Hands tech-heresy that he had found in the Jericho Reach. Calymn Auros wrote he had witnessed "terrifying biomechanical behemoths fusing man and machine into living weapons" that fought alongside the Iron Hands against the Stigmartus hordes in the Acheros Salient and sported their heraldry on their hulls. He claimed to have examined the burnt-out wreckage of another of these weapon-studded behemoths and he was convinced it was "animated by the essence of an Iron Hands Battle-Brother who had entirely shed every cell of his biological heritage, little more than pure hate and rage remaining to drive him ever onwards". Auros also claimed to have shared his findings with Inquisitor Calistair. Archmagos Zynth received the report but his reaction consisted only in ordering to send out mono-task servitors and a Secutor to the Cellebos Warzone and retrieve Calymn for adjustment as he believed him corrupted.^[13]

Strategy and Tactics

Between battles or on their warships while in the Warp, Iron Hands often spend time uploaded to cryo-pods, inloading tactical schematics and information. This aids the over-arching strategic hexamathic formulae that they deploy while on campaign known as the Calculus of Battle. This system seeks to break down wars to raw data and numbers, where enemy actions, logistics, casualties, and environmental elements can be predicted and balanced like an equation. Once a conclusion has been reached, the Iron Hands' nihilistic brutality translates well to war. When they attack, they do so without hesitation or mercy and will show little regard to the well-being of allies, as the Calculus of Battle has no factorial representation for civilian.^[63c] Similarly, the Calculum Rationale gauges the necessary resources for any engagement and whether or not commitment to it is worthwhile.^[65]

This ruthlessness extends even their own Battle-Brothers, who will be coldly sacrificed to achieve an objective should it be necessary to achieve a victory of worth greater than the cost expended. This does not deter warriors of the Iron Hands however. Iron Hands fear no death and view injury in battle as something that should be sought after instead of shunned.^[63c]

The Iron Hands rarely commit to a campaign unless overwhelming victory is all but guaranteed. To that end, they employ Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priests known as the Magi Calculi whose job it is to analyze data and ascribe to it strategic worth and likelihood of victory. However the Iron Council can overrule the decisions of the Magi Calculi, as seen when Kardan Stronos disregarded their conclusions and joined Roboute Guilliman's Indomitus Crusade anyway.^[63c]

Gene-seed

The Iron Hands exhibit no physical flaws that can be traced back to their gene-seed, but it is possible that their extreme contempt for weakness in themselves and others may actually be due to an unidentified psychological flaw carried by their gene-seed. Being Space Marines, the Iron Hands already have superior physiology, and the bionics which they embrace do little to improve on it. Thus, the Iron Hands may suffer from body dysmorphia.^[56]

The ritual of taking in the Gene-Seed of the Iron Hands is known as the Taking of the Soulsteel. During the ritual, Neophytes purge themselves of fear, pain, and anger and repress mortal weakness with mantras of cold logic.^[53e]

Organization

Organization of a typical Iron Hands Clan^[12]

The Iron Hands are organised in a similar fashion to a Codex Chapter but with several distinct differences: The Chapter consists of ten "Clan Companies" based on the Clans of Medusa^[40a] which are composed in a fashion comparable to that of a Codex Battle Company. Each Clan Company is an independent entity, responsible for its own recruitment and equipment aquisition. Each Clan also possesses a colossal mobile fortress, a Land Behemoth.^[17]

The Great Clan Council

Each Clan Company chooses a member to serve in the ruling body of the Chapter, the Great Clan Council (also called the Iron Council.^[19a]) The organizational structure of the Iron Hands changed after the Horus Heresy and the death of Ferrus Manus; it was decided that no single warrior should be the leader of the Iron Hands. Instead, the Clan Captains and most revered warriors of the Legion formed the Iron Council. Those who sit on the Council are known as Iron Fathers, and the body has guided the Iron Hands ever since.^[19a] Due to the reverence for the mechanical amongst Iron Hands, the council members are often Venerable Dreadnoughts.^[10] Precisely forty-one Iron Fathers sit on the Iron Council.^[22a]

The Iron Council elects the Chapter Master of the Iron Hands, as unlike in most other Chapters the holder does not bear the title for life.^[53e]

Clan Companies

The bulk of the Chapter is divided into ten Clan Companies. The Clan Companies are based off of the historic Clans of Medusa, which are in a state of constant war with one another as well as the harsh elements of their world. Though Ferrus Manus long ago united Medusa under his rule, the Iron Hands make no effort to end the fighting between the clans. They view the constant warfare as weeding out the weak and shaping strong recruits for the Chapter. Each of the ten current Clan Companies continues to utilize the symbols and traditions associated with their corresponding Clan on Medusa.^[40a] As should be of little surprise, the Iron Hands have a reputation for aloofness among the people of Medusa. Indeed, they wish to forget the fragile, contemptible flesh that once they were. This has never been more true than with the energies of the Great Rift blazing down. Deliberate contact between the Chapter and the clans who supply its recruits are few and fleeting outside of tithing season. Even when Dark Eldar raiders make planetfall in search of slaves, the Chapter seldom intervenes, reasoning that the attacks will serve to temper the Medusans to greatness.^[53c]

Each Clan is a self-contained unit not dissimilar to a Codex Astartes Battle Company; however, each Clan is responsible for its own recruiting and maintenance of its motorpool. Each Clan, in addition, possesses a mobile Land Behemoth fortress monastery on Medusa which they consider their base of operations. Some materials is traded between the Clans, but still they are often in open competition with one another.^[10] They are known to compete politically and even sometimes come to blows. The Clan system developed as a reaction to the Drop Site Massacre during the Horus Heresy when large numbers of Iron Hands Captains were slain, creating confusion among the collective Iron Hands ranks.^[37b][37c] The Chapter's fleet disposition is unknown.

Clans in the Iron Hands are more than simple companies, they are each distinct not only culturally but also in how they wage war and view their service to the Emperor: Clan Garrsak for instance values collective unity while Clan Vurgaan hordes captured enemy weaponry.^[37b][37c]

While Clan Companies are fixed, their place within the Codex Astartes and Iron Hands organization is not. For instance, had it not been for the efforts of Iron Father Feirros on the Iron Council Clan Raukaan would have lost its status as the 3rd Company and may have instead been "demoted" to a Reserve Company.^[53c]

Chapter Disposition (post-Great Rift)

Headquarters^[53b]

Chapter Command
	Kardan Stronos, Master of the Iron Council Malkaan Feirros, Master of the Forge Iron Fathers Helfathers Venerable Dreadnoughts

Apothecarion	Librarius	Chaplaincy
Anaar Telech, Chief Apothecary Apothecaries	Lydriik, Chief Librarian Epistolaries Codiciers Lexicaniums Acolytum	Ranek Varth, Father of Iron Reclusiarch Raastus Korphaal Iron Chaplains

Clan Companies^[53b]

Veteran Company	Battle Companies
1st Company	2nd Company	3rd Company	4th Company	5th Company
Clan Avernii "The Forge-Born"	Clan Garrsak "The Tempered Wardens"	Clan Raukaan "The Firehearts"	Clan Kaargul "The Watchers of Karaashi"	Clan Haarmek "The Relic Guard"
Caanok Var, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 10 Veteran & Terminator Squads Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth	Eutuun Hes, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 6 Battleline Squads 2 Close Support Squads 2 Fire Support Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth	Klaarc Kalag, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 6 Battleline Squads 2 Close Support Squads 2 Fire Support Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth	Brask, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 6 Battleline Squads 2 Close Support Squads 2 Fire Support Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth	Hastiim Haarmek, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 6 Battleline Squads 2 Close Support Squads 2 Fire Support Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth
Reserve Companies				Scout Company
6th Company	7th Company	8th Company	9th Company	10th Company
Clan Sorrgol "The Watchkeepers"	Clan Borrgos "The Will of the Omnissiah"	Clan Morlaag "The Fist of Manus"	Clan Vurgaan "The Brothers of Iburaani"	Clan Dorrvok "The Crucible"
Kaldabane Vhor, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 10 Battleline Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth	Dourr Raan, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 10 Battleline Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth	Doroor Hesh, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 10 Close Support Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth	Agaar Verrox, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 10 Fire Support Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Battle Tanks Aircraft Warships Land Behemoth	Taahg Telavech, Iron Captain Lieutenants Company Ancient Company Champion Company Veterans 10 Vanguard Space Marine Squads Scout Squads Bikes Land Speeders Dreadnoughts Techmarines Transports Land Behemoth

Heresy-Era Clans

• Clan Atraxii^[27b]
• Clan Burkhar^[27b]
• Clan Felg^[27b]
• Clan Kadoran^[27b]
• Clan Lokopt^[27b]
• Clan Morragul^[27b]
• Clan Ungavarr^[27b]
• Clan Vorganan^[27b]

Iron Fathers

A Terminator Armour equipped Iron Hands Marine.^[9b]

The traditional Chaplains' role of other Chapters is fulfilled by Iron Fathers, specially trained Techmarines who serve to protect the faith of their brethren.^[10] Iron Fathers also sit on the Iron Council of the Chapter.^[19a]

Terminators and Veteran Sergeants

After the events of the Battle of Isstvan V the Iron Hands lost most of their veteran forces. Therefore, suits of Terminator armour are even more rare than normally is the case. Due to this the deployment of full Terminator Squads is also rare. However, sergeants are often equipped with suits of Terminator armour as the inspirational value they provide to their squads is invaluable.^[10]

Recruitment

Each of the Clan Companies of the Iron Hands is responsible for their own recruitment. These new recruits are taken from the nomadic Clans of Medusa. Only those of great physical and mental strength are recruited and during the recruitment candidates have their weaknesses purged from them.^[9a] Regardless of origin, those that survive the initial selection process spend their first decade in Clan Dorrvok and train in the desolated proving grounds of Ooranus on Medusa. Even fewer survive this grueling process, and recruits are treated with extreme disregard. Infighting amongst the Aspirants and Initiates is common and even encouraged, with Iron Hands sergeants often stopping training exercises just to turn brothers on each other or enflame rivalries. Even when elevated to full Battle-Brother a Marines chance of survival improves little. Believing themselves to be weeding out the weak and unworthy, raw recruits are often given near-suicidal assignments that would usually be given to veterans in other Chapters.^[63b]

Due to their harsh training regimen and stubbornness in both attack and defense, only the strongest in the Chapter survive. Thus the Iron Hands are a top-heavy chapter with many veterans but less Scouts and Initiates. To maintain their strength, recruits are constantly sought after by Clan Iron Fathers within the Wastes of Medusa. Librarians are often recruited from Black Ships passing near Medusa.^[63b]

Equipment

• See Space Marine Armoury for generic Space Marine weapons, vehicles and equipment
• See Iron Hands Armoury for Iron Hands-specific items

Noted Elements of the Iron Hands

Iron Hands battling Eldar^[22]

An Iron Hand battling Orks^[22]

Relics

• Canticle of Travels - prized text documenting the legend of Ferrus Manus
• Axe of Severance
• Skull of Ferrus Manus^[57]
• Heart of Iron

Vessels

• Fist of Iron - Flagship at the time of the Horus Heresy^[3a]
• Omnipotence - Mobile Fortress-Monastery/Land Behemoth of Clan Raukaan^[37b][37c]
• Gorgonesque - Battle Barge
• Master of Iron - Battle Barge
• Metallus - Battle Barge
• Thetis - Battle Barge
• Red Talon - Grand Cruiser and Flagship of Clan Morragul at the time of the Horus Heresy^[21c]
• Fastidious Prosecutor - Heavy Cruiser (Heresy-era)^[36]
• Bane of Asirnoth - Strike Cruiser
• Darkspear - Strike Cruiser
• Kalach - Strike Cruiser, involved in the Purging of Contqual^[12b][12d]
• Sisypheum - Strike Cruiser, played a crucial role at the outbreak of the Horus Heresy
• Veritas Ferrum - Strike Cruiser, carried remnants of the 111th Clan Company to Pythos after the Drop Site Massacre, destroyed above the planet^[24]
• Alloyed - Cruiser of Clan Garrsak^[37b][37c]
• Brutus - Cruiser of Clan Borrgos^[37b][37c]
• Light of Battle - Patrol Cruiser (Heresy-era)
• Ferrum - carried Ferrus Manus and his veterans to Isstvan V.^[3],[23]
• Iron Heart - Flagship of Shadrak Meduson (Heresy-era)
• Strength Eternum - Escort^[37b][37c]
• Mount Volpurrn - Escort^[37b][37c]
• Tempered Claw - Destroyer of Clan Morlaag^[37a]

Iron Hands Primaris Space Marine^[40a]

Vehicles

• Weyland - Land Behemoth of Clan Vurgaan^[1c]
• Cestus - Land Raider^[32]
• Myrmex - Land Raider^[33a]
• Metallus Gravus - Land Raider^[32]

Most notable Members

Heresy Era

• Ferrus Manus - Primarch of the Iron Hands.^[3]
• Gabriel Santar - First Captain of the Iron Hands during the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy; killed on Isstvan V.^[3]
• Shadrak Meduson - Clan Sorrgol Clan Commander, Captain during the Great Crusade and warleader during the Horus Heresy era.^[31]
• Autek Mor - Iron Father and Lord of the Morragul Clan during the Horus Heresy, later became the first Chapter Master of the Red Talons.^[21e]
• Amadeus DuCaine - Lord Commander.^[21a]
• Vaakal Desaan - Captain of the 9th Clan-Company.^[27a]
• Ulrach Branthan - Captain of the 65th Clan-Company.^[42]
• Casalir Lorramech - Captain of the 98th Clan-Company.^[36]
• Castrmen Orth - Spearhead-Centurion.^[21e]
• Cadmus Tyro - Equerry of Ulrach Branthan.^[42]
• Sabik Wayland - Iron Father.^[18]
• Thamatica - Iron Father.^[18]
• Jebez Aug - Iron Father, 2nd to Shadrak Meduson.^[35a]
• Kardozia - Iron Father and Dreadnought.^[43]
• Goran Gorgonson - Apothecary.^[35a]
• Vermanus Cybus - Iron Father.^[18]
• Eeron Kleve - Iron Father.^[45]
• Crius - Lord of Clan Kadoran.^[46]
• Karaashi Bombastus - Dreadnought.^[18]
• Khalon - Leviathan Siege Dreadnought.
• Morn - Contemptor Dreadnought.
• Erasmus Ruuman - Ironwrought.^[44]
• Bion Henricos - Sergeant of the 10th Clan-Company.^[27a]
• Ignatius Numen - Battle-Brother.^[18]
• Viton Tahn - Veteran Pilot.^[41a]
• Oresk Torgoll - Traitor who joined the World Eaters

Post Heresy

• Kardan Stronos - de facto Chapter Master of the Iron Hands.^[4b]
• Kristos - Iron Father and Clan Commander of Clan Raukaan, became corrupted during the Gaudinian Heresy.^[22b]
• Arven Rauth - Clan-Commander of Clan Raukaan.^[12a]
• Feirros - Iron Father and Master of the Forge.^[22d]
• Xerill - Master of the Forge of the Deathwatch.^{[Needs Citation]}
• Lydriik - Chief Librarian.^[22f]
• Axagoras - Sits on the Iron Council.^[1a]
• Bannus - Dreadnought, sits on the Iron Council.^[1a]
• Bartolk - Iron Father, sits on the Iron Council.^[1a]
• Madeus - Librarian, sits on the Iron Council.^[1a]
• Talumech - Dreadnought, sits on the Iron Council.^[1a]
• Jorggir Shidd - Master of Sanctity.^[44]
• Anaar Telech - Chief Apothecary.^[44]
• Orban Lomax - Iron Father of Clan Sorrgol, sits on the Iron Council.^[1a]
• Arven Rauth - Commander of Clan Raukaan.^[22b]
• Arlaan - Clan-Commander of Clan Kaargul.^[47]
• Brask - Iron Captain of Clan Kaargul.^[53d]
• Rumann - Iron Captain of Clan Kaargul,^[44] now a Dreadnought.^[53d]
• Telavech - Iron Captain of Clan Dorrvok.^[44]
• Terrek - Iron Captain of Clan Haarmek.^[52]
• Verrox - Iron Captain of Clan Vurgaan.^[44]
• Paullian Blantar - Renowned Iron Father.^[1a]
• Daarmos - Iron Father of Clan Raukaan.^[22c]
• Kaldabane Vhor - Iron Captain of Clan Sorrgol.^[53d]
• Rakk Golloth - Former Iron Captain of Clan Sorrgol.^[53d]
• Anatolus Gdolkin - Iron Father.^[1a]
• Dauuk - Iron Captain.^[30a]
• Galkraan - Iron Captain.^[49]
• Graevaar - Former Iron Father.^[22b]
• Shulgaar - Iron Father.^[22c]
• Arnok Kraan - Iron Father.
• Sien - Iron Captain.
• Sind Grolvoch - Former Commander of Clan Raukaan.^[30b][30c]
• Rathkugan - Iron Father of Clan Haarmek.^[58]
• Karrdas - Former Iron Father of Clan Haarmek.^[50]
• Maklon - Former Iron Captain of Clan Raukaan.^[22g]
• Furnous - Venerable Dreadnought, Clan Raukaan.^[22e]
• Lortex - Techmarine.^[30c]
• Marrus - Iron Father.^[22b]
• Gaumech - Battle-Brother.^[9c]
• Ennox Sorrlock - Member of the Deathwatch.^[51]
• Rorlaan - Venerable Dreadnought.^[30c]
• Oros Telemar - Clan-Champion.^[9d]
• Albaar - Captain^[62]
• Urlon - Dreadnought.^[30c]

Unique Troops

The Iron Hands possess a number of unique ranks and troop types:

• Iron Fathers
• Morlocks
• Helfathers
• Gorgon Terminators (Horus Heresy era)
• Medusan Immortals (Horus Heresy era)
• Land Behemoths

Trivia

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

Notes on Hierarchy

The exact commander of the Iron Hands has been fairly convoluted throughout publication history.

• White Dwarf 262 (UK) states that the Chapter does not possess a Chapter Master but is instead led by the Great Clan Council, which is itself made up of revered representatives from each of the ten Clans. This is described as being a precaution against future heresy and a reflection of Ferrus Manus' teachings.^[10] A more current source, Imperial Armour - Volume 10, also confirms the existence of the Great Clan Council^{[Needs Citation]}.

• Apparently contradicting this, Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition) describes Kardan Stronos as Chapter Master of the Iron Hands. Also other, earlier sources describe an Inquisitorial official petitioning the Chapter Master of the Iron Hands for assistance during Abaddon the Despoiler's Thirteenth Black Crusade.^[4]

• Later, Codex: Space Marines (6th Edition) describes the Chapter as being overseen by the Chapter Council and lacking a formal Chapter Master. However, Kardan Stronos is the first among peers on the council due to his reputation and instead serves as a de facto leader.^[19a]

• In Codex Supplement: Iron Hands (8th Edition) it is stated that Kardan Stronos exists as the official Chapter Master, but like his predecessors was elected by the Iron Council. It is stated that the Iron Hands Chapter Master does not serve for life.^[53e]

See also

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

Sources

This article needs work on its citations. For help on citation see the citation guidelines. You can help Lexicanum by fixing it.

• 1: Iron Hands (Novel):
  • 1a: Chapter 2
  • 1b: Epilogue
  • 1c: Chapter 1
  • 1c: Chapter 12: Lost Gods
• 2: Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition), ^{[Needs Citation]}
• 3: Fulgrim (Novel)^{[Needs Citation]}
  • 3a: Part Two, Chapter Six
• 4: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), ^{[Needs Citation]}
• 5: Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two, pgs. 91–103
• 6: Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition), ^{[Needs Citation]}
• 7: Black Library: Iron Men (archive page) (last accessed 14/04/2019)
• 8: Horus Heresy (Artbook Series) Collected Visions, pg. 19
• 9: Index Astartes III — The Iron Hands Space Marine Chapter:
  • 9a: pgs. 47–49
  • 9b: pg. 3
  • 9c: pg.10
  • 9d: 15-17 — Company Champions
• 10: White Dwarf 262 (UK), pgs. 64–71
• 11: Codex: Ultramarines (2nd Edition), ^{[Needs Citation]}
• 12: Wrath of Iron (Novel)
  • 12a: Chapter One
  • 12b: Prologue
  • 12d: Chapter Three
  • 12e: Chapter Twenty
  • 12f: Chapter Twenty-One
• 13: Deathwatch: First Founding, pgs. 7-8
• 14: Codex: Tau (3rd Edition), pg. 60
• 15: Codex: Necrons (5th Edition), pg. 26
• 16: Dark Heresy: The Chaos Commandment, pg. 58
• 17: The 13th Black Crusade (Background Book), pg. 73
• 18: Angel Exterminatus, Book 2, Chapter 5, onwards
• 19: Codex: Space Marines (6th Edition) (E-Book Edition)
  • 19a: pg. 224
  • 19b: pg. 232
  • 19c: pg. 234
• 20: Iron Soul (Short Story)
• 21: The Horus Heresy Book Two - Massacre:
  • 21a: pgs. 64–68
  • 21b: pg. 73
  • 21c: pg. 185
  • 21d: pg. 230
  • 21e: pgs. 236-237
• 22: Clan Raukaan - A Codex: Space Marines Supplement
  • 22a: The Age of Ferrus
  • 22b: The Gaudinian Heresy
  • 22c: A Show of Force
  • 22d: A Grand Calculation
  • 22e: Armored Might
  • 22f: A New Resolve
  • 22g: Disaster Strikes
• 23: The First Heretic (Novel), Chapter 24
• 24: The Damnation of Pythos (Novel), Chapter 16
• 25: How to Paint Space Marines, pg. 79
• 26: Codex: Space Marines (6th Edition), pg. 70
• 27: Feat of Iron (Novella) — The Primarchs (Anthology)
  • 27a: Part 1 - Wrought of Iron
  • 27b: Part 3 - Wrath of Iron
• 28: The Phoenician (Short Story)
• 29: Warhammer Community
• 30: Codex Supplement: Angels of Death:
  • 30a: pg. 11
  • 30b: pg. 34
  • 30c: pgs. 36-37
• 31: Meduson (Short Story) — Meduson (Anthology)
• 32: Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition, pg. 9
• 33: Imperial Armour Volume Two - Second Edition: War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes
  • 33a: pg. 12
  • 33b: pg. 28
• 34: Codex: Death Guard (8th Edition), pg. 22
• 35: Old Earth (Novel)
  • 35a: Dramatis Personae
  • 35b: Chapter 16
  • 35c: Chapter 23
• 36: The Lion (Novella) — The Primarchs (Anthology), Chapter IX
• 37: Voice of Mars (Novel)
  • 37a: Chapter 2
  • 37b: Chapter 6
  • 37c: Chapter 7
• 38: Horus Heresy (Artbook Series), pg. 306
• 39: Note: The claim that also the Steel Confessors are a successor Chapter of the Iron Hands can not be verified for the time being as the only known potential source is not accessible. For more details please check the corresponding Steel Confessors article.
• 40: Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition, 2nd Codex)
  • 40a: pgs. 52-53
  • 40b: pg. 59
• 41: The Horus Heresy Book Six - Retribution
  • 41a: pg. 21
  • 41b: pgs. 118-120
  • 41c: pg. 24
  • 41d: pgs. 28-31
• 42: The Seventh Serpent (Novella)
• 43: The Weregeld (Novella)
• 44: Scorched Earth (Novella)
• 45: The Unremembered Empire (Novel), Chapter 3
• 46: Riven (Short Story)
• 47: Urban Conquest, pg. 19
• 48: Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook, pg. 183
• 49: Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Ablaze, pg. 16 — Retaking the Hoist
• 50: Codex Supplement: Ultramarines (8th Edition), pg. 18 - The 7th Company: The Chain Laurels
• 51: White Dwarf 109 (2016) — Kill Team Cassius
• 52: The Lost King (Short Story)
• 53: Codex Supplement: Iron Hands (8th Edition)
  • 53a: pg. 9
  • 53b: pg. 11
  • 53c: pgs. 13-14
  • 53d: pgs. 17-18
  • 53e: pgs. 21-22
  • 53f: pgs. 28-29
  • 53g: pgs. 30-31
  • 53h: pgs. 32-34
• 54: Codex: Adepta Sororitas (8th Edition), pgs. 72-73
• 55: Successor Showcase: Hawks, Knights and Pointy Sticks! (Posted 16/08/2019) (Last accessed on 28 January 2020)
• 56: Wrath of Iron (Novel), Chapter 8
• 57: Eye of Medusa (Novel), Chapter 7
• 58: Faith in Iron (Short Story)
• 59: The Horus Heresy Book Four - Conquest, pg. 19
• 60: War Zone Nachmund: Rift War, pg. 30
• 61: Sigismund: The Eternal Crusader (Novel) - Chapter 6
• 62: Arks of Omen: Abaddon, pgs. 30-35
• 63: First Founding (Background Book):
  • 63a: pg. 10
  • 63b: pgs. 199-201
  • 63c: pgs. 210-211
• 64: Campaigns of the Age of Darkness: The Siege of Cthonia:
  • 64a: pg. 32
  • 64b: pg. 107
• 65: Codex: Space Marines (10th Edition), pg. 56 Iron Hands