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Ultramarines

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Ultramarines

The Ultramarines were the 13th, of the original twenty, Space Marine Legions. This loyalist Legion was later re-organized and divided into Chapters according to the Codex Astartes. Their Primarch was Roboute Guilliman, whose leadership (not to mention the Codex Astartes) were instrumental in humanity's survival following the Horus Heresy. Because their Primarch wrote the text that defines a Space Marine Chapter, the Ultramarines follow this Codex strictly; their only deviation being the recent formation of the Tyrannic War Veterans, comprised entirely of veterans of battles with the Tyranids. The Ultramarines are possibly the most important Imperial organization on the Eastern Fringe.

Basic Information

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Ultramarines
Ultramarines Symbol.png
Legion Number XIII
Primarch Roboute Guilliman
Homeworld Macragge
Fortress-Monastery Fortress of Hera
Chapter Master Marneus Calgar
Colours Blue, white, gold aquila
Specialty Codex Chapter
Strength ~1000 marines
Battle Cry Courage and Honour!
Successor Chapters:

Eagle Warriors7, Silver Eagles7, Doom Eagles7, Novamarines7, Patriarchs of Ulixis7, White Consuls7, Black Consuls7, Libators7, Inceptors7, Praetors of Orpheus7, Genesis Chapter7, Aurora Chapter7, Sons of Guilliman8b, Silver Skulls8b, Sons of Orar2b, Mortifactors10, Howling Griffons11, Avenging Sons

Homeworld

The Ultramarines are unique in that, unlike their fellow chapters, they control nine star systems, rather than a single planet. Collectively, these systems are known as Ultramar, with Macragge as its capital. Macragge is a cold and rocky world, though certainly capable of sustaining life, and is home to the Fortress of Hera, the Ultramarines' main base.

Ultramar2c

Macragge is just one of the eleven worlds in the Ultramar sector. The others are:

History

Ultramarines (Rogue Trader era)

As a First Founding Chapter, the Ultramarines have a long history dating back to before the Horus Heresy. When the Emperor landed on Macragge and met Roboute Guilliman, Roboute instantly recognized him and readily took command of the Ultramarines. During the Great Crusade, the Ultramarines won countless victories, greatly expanding the realm of the Imperium. Due to Roboute's tactical genius and brilliant administration skill, he ensured that all the worlds he took were left more prosperous than before and thus able to contribute to the Imperium.

The Horus Heresy

Before Horus declared his treachery against the Emperor, he had ordered the Ultramarines Legion to go to the Veridan System in Segmentum Tempestus far to the galactic south, claiming that the system was under attack by an Ork invasion force from the Ghaslakh Empire. Roboute Guilliman commanded his troops to depart at once and set course for Ultramar, so he could meet up with more of his forces and obtain supplies. Ultramar was close enough for an assault against Veridan, so Roboute ordered his Legion to assemble in the Calth System.

As Roboute and his fleets arrived at Calth, they knew something was wrong, because none of their Astropaths could get messages through the Warp and the storms were interfering with the navigation of their ships; they were blocked from the rest of the Imperium. It was at this moment that the traitor forces of the Word Bearers Legion attacked, rendering the Ultramarines unable to participate in much of the Battle for Terra.

Upon learning of the treachery, Roboute immediately set course for Terra, destroying Chaos reinforcements along the way, but arrived after the war had already been won. Because of this, the Ultramarines were one of the few Legions at full strength; thus, Roboute and his Ultramarines bore much of the burden of holding the Imperium together against aliens and Chaos forces in the aftermath of the Heresy. During this time, the Ultramarines recruited heavily from their homeworld and eventually counted for over half of the Loyalist Marines. Around a decade after the Heresy ended, the Imperium finally reached a point of stability.

Creation of the Codex

After the Horus Heresy, Roboute Guilliman set himself to create the Codex Astartes, which would define the tactics and organization of all Space Marines, from battlefield strategies to squad markings. Most important of these changes was the division of the Legions into 1,000-strong Chapters. One of the Chapters would retain the heraldry of the original Legion, but the others would be given a new name and symbol. In doing so, Guilliman hoped to divide the power of the Space Marines to ensure that the Horus Heresy could never occur again.

This, however, caused dissention among the remaining Primarchs. Rogal Dorn, Vulkan and Leman Russ opposed the splitting of their legions while Guilliman himself was supported by Jaghatai Khan and Corax. Neither side was willing to relent and the controversy grew more intense with Rogal Dorn calling Guilliman a coward for not having participated in the Siege of Terra, and Guilliman accused Dorn of being a rebel for his refusal to follow the Codex. The situation threatened to bring the Imperium into another civil war. When the Imperial Fist strike cruiser Terrible Angel was fired upon by the Imperial Navy, Dorn finally relented and agreed to split his legion.9

Against the Tyranids

File:M2030040 P4Mb1.jpg
Marines vs. Genestealers

The Ultramarines were the first Space Marine Chapter to successfully repel a Tyranid invasion. With the help of Ultramar's PDF, a Titan Legion, and ships from Battlefleet Tempestus, Hive Fleet Behemoth was defeated at the Battle of Macragge in 745.M41. Since then, the Ultramarines have tirelessly hunted down the Tyranids to honour and avenge the fallen at the Battle for Macragge. They contribute a large number of Marines to the Deathwatch because of this. The Ultramarines were also instrumental in defeating Hive Fleet Kraken on Ichar IV, and Hive Fleet Leviathan on Tarsis Ultra.

Organisation

The Ultramarines follow the Codex Astartes in all matters of organization. Roughly two thirds of all Space Marines can trace their origins to the Ultramarines, and many still revere Roboute Guilliman as their creator.

Armament

As well as a Boltgun, many Ultramarines carry a short sword known as a Gladius.5 The Ultramarines Honour Guard wield formidable close combat weapons known as the Axes of Ultramar.

Company Disposition

Ultramarines Task Force
As the paragon Codex Chapter, the Ultramarines are divided into ten Companies of 100 Marines, as prescribed by the Codex Astartes. Each Company is led by a hero of the Ultramarines, many of which - in addition to their Company command - are in charge of a particular aspect of the Chapter's logistics and hold a "Master Of The Chapter" position. The current Company Captains are as follows:

Successor to Captain Invictus who died at the Battle of Macragge.

Successor to Captain Agemman who was promoted to Captain of the First Company after the Battle of Macragge.

Successor to Captain Ardias who died in battle with the Tau.

Successor to Captain Idaeus who hand picked him just before his heroic sacrifice at Bridge Two-Four on the world of Thracia.

Note: Until 999.M41, Captain Idaeus led the Fourth Company, but died in battle on Thracia. Uriel Ventris was confirmed as the successor Captain shortly after, but has been exiled from the Ultramarines for failing to adhere to the Codex Astartes. He completed his death oath on Medrengard, and has returned to Macragge. He has since been reinstated to his former rank.

Note: Until 745.M41, Captain Ardias led the Third Company, but was seriously injured on Joran IV during the Damocles Crusade. Fabian was confirmed as his successor on the Battle of Macragge against Hive Fleet Behemoth

Note: Normally, the Captain of the Fourth Company would hold the position of Master Of The Fleet. Uriel Ventris bestowed his title upon Lord Admiral Lazlo Tiberius instead, whom he felt was better suited for the job.

Fleet Disposition

Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition) lists the following vessels in the Ultramarines fleet circa 999.M41 (not including planetary defence ships):2a

However, Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition) records the Caesar as being destroyed in 745.M41 by Hive Fleet Behemoth12, while the novel The Chapter's Due has it destroyed by Iron Warriors in league with M'kar (854999.M41)2d,13.

A Battlefleet Gothic article in White Dwarf indicates that while most Chapters would only possess two or three battle barges, the Ultramarines control several systems, and therefore possess a considerably larger fleet. The vessels named are:14

Additionally, a 6th battle barge, Pro Merito, is listed as having been lost in the Warp.

Notable Ultramarines

Sources

See also

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