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==Background==
 
==Background==
[[Image:SilverSkullsRT.jpg|thumb|180px|right|A Silver Skulls Marine (Rogue Trader Era)]]
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[[Image:SilverSkullsRT.jpg|thumb|180px|right|A Silver Skulls Marine (Rogue Trader Era){{Fn|3}}]]
  
 
The '''Silver Skulls''' claim{{Fn|17}} and are believed to be descendants of the [[Ultramarines]] Chapter, however with the passage of time this remains unconfirmed, although they behave as a Codex Chapter{{Fn|16}} and fight alongside the Primogenitor Chapters as if they were their own kin.{{Fn|16}} Hailing from their homeworld of Varsarvia in the Ultima Segmentum, they are surrounded by numerous Xenos species, recently fighting costly yet significant battles against the Dark Eldar and Necrons.{{Fn|16}}  
 
The '''Silver Skulls''' claim{{Fn|17}} and are believed to be descendants of the [[Ultramarines]] Chapter, however with the passage of time this remains unconfirmed, although they behave as a Codex Chapter{{Fn|16}} and fight alongside the Primogenitor Chapters as if they were their own kin.{{Fn|16}} Hailing from their homeworld of Varsarvia in the Ultima Segmentum, they are surrounded by numerous Xenos species, recently fighting costly yet significant battles against the Dark Eldar and Necrons.{{Fn|16}}  
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===Notable Campaigns===
 
===Notable Campaigns===
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[[File:SilverSkullClintLangley.jpg|left|300px|thumb|A '''Silver Skulls''' Marine by [[Clint Langley]]{{Fn|2]]
 
*In [[M35]] the Silver Skulls along with the [[Howling Griffons]] aided the [[Salamanders]] in an invasion of [[Commorragh]]. However this invasion ultimately assisted [[Asdrubael Vect]] as he orchestrated it in order to topple Commorragh's noble houses and leave the city open for his rise to power.{{Fn|5}}
 
*In [[M35]] the Silver Skulls along with the [[Howling Griffons]] aided the [[Salamanders]] in an invasion of [[Commorragh]]. However this invasion ultimately assisted [[Asdrubael Vect]] as he orchestrated it in order to topple Commorragh's noble houses and leave the city open for his rise to power.{{Fn|5}}
  
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**{{Endn|1a}}: Page 132  
 
**{{Endn|1a}}: Page 132  
 
**{{Endn|1b}}: Page 148
 
**{{Endn|1b}}: Page 148
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 3rd Edition Rulebook]]: {{Cite This}}
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*{{Endn|2}}: [[http://www.blacklibrary.com/Blog/Silver-Skull.html%7C| Black Library Blog]]
 
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]]: {{Cite This}}
 
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]]: {{Cite This}}
 
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Armageddon (3rd Edition)]]: Page 30
 
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Armageddon (3rd Edition)]]: Page 30

Revision as of 03:14, 8 August 2012

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The Silver Skulls are a Space Marine Chapter of Ultramarines descent.

Silver Skulls
SilverSkullsShoulder.JPG
Silver Skulls Marine.jpg x160px
Founding Chapter: Ultramarines (Claimed/Believed) [16][17]
Founding: Unknown
Descendants: Unknown
Chapter Master: Argentius[12]
Homeworld: Varsavia [1a][7a]
Fortress-Monastery: Unknown
Colours: Steel color armor, silver helmet, and black shoulder guards. Right shoulder markings are in red (may be company color). Symbol is a stylized silver skull.
Specialty: Prognosticators
Strength: Unknown
Battle Cry Primus inter pares[14a]
(First Amongst Equals)

Victory does not always rest with the big guns: but, if we rest in front of them we shall be lost.
+++ Lord Commander Argentius, Chapter Master of the Silver Skulls +++[7d][12]

Background

A Silver Skulls Marine (Rogue Trader Era)[3]

The Silver Skulls claim[17] and are believed to be descendants of the Ultramarines Chapter, however with the passage of time this remains unconfirmed, although they behave as a Codex Chapter[16] and fight alongside the Primogenitor Chapters as if they were their own kin.[16] Hailing from their homeworld of Varsarvia in the Ultima Segmentum, they are surrounded by numerous Xenos species, recently fighting costly yet significant battles against the Dark Eldar and Necrons.[16]

There are two ways in which the Chapter cult deviates from the Codex Astartes, the first being descended from their recruiting worlds; the practice of head taking. Especially powerful enemies are beheaded during battle, serving as trophies until victory is achieved. As part of its post-battle rituals, the Chapter selects the heads of the most powerful enemies, flense flesh from bone and layer the skulls in a coat of silver to be displayed within the Fortress-Monastery.[16]

The second Codex deviation is


Another characteristic feature of the Silver Skulls’ character is to be witnessed in their use of various precognitive disciplines. While some would label them overly superstitious, the Silver Skulls believe that by consulting the Emperor’s Tarot, the Chapter’s Librarians—referred to as Prognosticators—seek to decipher the Emperor’s will and commit their strength as best suits his otherwise unknowable scheme. Because of this enhanced role within the Chapter’s traditions, the Prognosticators work closely with the Silver Skulls’ Chaplains. On some occasions, the Prognosticators have counselled against the Chapter becoming embroiled in a particular war, though honour has often dictated that it do so regardless. To fight knowing that defeat is inevitable is perhaps a curse the Chapter must bear, the price of the wisdom the Prognosticators are undoubtedly party to. Despite their seemingly mercurial nature, the Silver Skulls are known to fight with honour the length and breadth of the Imperium.


The Silver Skulls are a successor Chapter created during the Second Founding and are said to be among the most renowned and honoured chapters of the Second Founding's ranks.[2] They have earned a reputation for victory, no matter the odds.[11] They claim lineage from the line of the Ultramarines although records are hazy on the matter. Given the number of successor chapters who take their genestock from this great line, however, there is no dispute. [13].

The chapter takes its name from its tradition of claiming the heads of their opponents, coating them in silver and then displaying them as trophies of battle in their ships and vaults.[12]

The entire chapter is deeply superstitious and will never deploy itself into battle without consulting the augury of a chapter Prognosticator (Librarian) to read the fates, which they consider as the projected will of the Emperor. The Silver Skulls have even been known to refuse to go into battle if the auguries come out poor. Prognosticators are highly revered within the chapter and also function as spiritual guides similar to Chaplains. [12]

The Silver Skulls tattoo the skin of their entire bodies in honour markings. The face is the last area to be marked and the right to do so must be earned in battle.[12]

Notable Campaigns

2
  • The Antecanis Massacre - 165.M37:- During the 9th Black Crusade, Abaddon, the Black Legion and their allies attack and decimate the Hive World of Antecanis with the aim of denying the Imperial Naval Shipyards at Cancephalus with their source of manpower. As Chaos rampages across the planet, the Silver Skulls are the first to arrive and harry the Chaos fleet in hit and run attacks, denying orbital support to Chaos ground forces. Finally, with Imperial re-inforcements inbound, Abaddon loads the Black Legion ships with slaves and plunder and breaks the Silver Skulls blockade of the system, leaving his allies behind to distract the Imperium. [1b]
  • The Great Malagantine Purge - 770-791M.38: - The Silver Skulls are one of five Space Marine Chapters in a group referred to as the Manus Irae. This group is ordered by the High Lords to "Spare none and set a bloody, fearful example to the realm of Mankind" by cleansing the Malagantine Sector. The reasons remain to this day unknown to anyone, not even the Inquisition, with the knowledge hidden in the vaults of Terra.[15a]
A Damocles Command Rhino of the 7th Company which took part in the Beta-Garmon IV Expedition[8]
  • The Lazar Blockade: - The Necron Cryptek, Orikan the Diviner, predicts that the Imperial naval Shipyards of Helios IV will be destroyed by Waaagh! Skullkrak, however this is not the case as, due to the vagaries of the warp, the 4th Company of the Silver Skulls intervenes and defeats the Orks. To remedy this, Orikan travels back in time and intercepts the 4th Company some weeks earlier with a Necron force, decimating them. This ensures the destruction of the Helios IV Shipyards via the Orks but causes other problems.[6b] In 857.M41, The 5 Space Marine Chapters including the Death Spectres, Howling Griffons and the Silver Skulls blockade the Lazar system[7c] to purge the Necrons from its planets in vengeance for the damage suffered by the Silver Skulls 4th Company[6a][6b]. The Space Marines overwhelm and obliterate the main Tomb World, however secondary bases throughout the system suddenly come to life. Rather than withdraw, the Silver Skulls dig in for a grueling campaign. In 859.M41 Anrakyr the Traveller arrives and immediately joins his forces with the Necron defence. The tide of battle is turned at the Battle of Dreadpeak when Anrakyr's Pyrrhian Eternals spearhead an assault on the Silver Skulls' downed battle barge the Argent Hammer. Anrakyr seizes control of its still-functioning weapons and turns their full fury on its previous owners. The Silver Skulls suffer greatly - their Chapter Master slain and their forces scatted into disarray. They are forced to withdraw their blockade of the system, taking great care to make sure word of their defeat would does not spread.[6a]
  • Imminent attack by the Soulmaw - In 954.M41 Silver Skulls' Librarians suspected an imminent attack by the Daemonic warband the Soulmaw on their homeworld. Most of the chapter was absent from Varsavia due to answering a distress call from the Silver Skull vassal world of Aragave which was being ravaged by an unidentified warband of Daemons. The Daemons quickly vanished as soon as Silver Skulls forces arrived, succesfully luring them away from Varsavia. This could have be in retribution for Librarian Lucius Clave reportedly destroying the Soulmaw champion years before in 892.M40 during the scouring of Ammas.[10]
  • The Third War for Armageddon - 998.M41: - Records show them to have been deployed to Armageddon during the Third War. Here they deployed seven out of ten companies of Space Marines to fight the Orks.[4]
  • The Gildar Rift (M41, exact date unknown) - after destroying a Red Corsairs battle force, the Silver Skulls pursue the renegade fugitives to a string of inhabited worlds across the Gildar Rift, wiping them out in a matter of weeks.[14]

Notable Silver Skulls

Related Articles

Sources