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.
Contents
Basic Information
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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:
- Tarentus: Agri World
- Quintarn: Agri World
- Konor: Adeptus Mechanicus Research World
- Calth: Cavern World
- Espandor: Cardinal World
- Iax: Garden World
- Masali: Agri World
- Talassar: Ocean World
- Talasa Prime: Inquisition Fortress
- Parmenio: Training World
History
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
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
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:- First Company: Captain Severus Agemman, Regent of Ultramar
Successor to Captain Invictus who died at the Battle of Macragge.
- Second Company: Captain Cato Sicarius, Master of the Watch.
Successor to Captain Agemman who was promoted to Captain of the First Company after the Battle of Macragge.
- Third Company: Captain Mikael Fabian, Master of the Arsenal [2a]
Successor to Captain Ardias who died in battle with the Tau.
- Fourth Company: Captain Uriel Ventris[1][3]
Successor to Captain Idaeus who hand picked him just before his heroic sacrifice at Bridge Two-Four on the world of Thracia.
- Fifth Company: Captain Caito Galenus, Master of the Marches
- Sixth Company: Captain Epathus, Master of the Rites
- Seventh Company: Captain Ixion, Chief Victualler
- Eighth Company: Captain Numitor
- Ninth Company: Captain Sinon
- Tenth Company: Captain Antilochus, Master of the Recruits. ("How To Paint Space Marines" lists a Captain Abraxxon as the Tenth Captain8a).
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
- 3 Battle Barges: Octavius, Caesar, Severian
- 8 Strike Cruisers, including the Vae Victus, Valin's Revenge and the Garra de Macragge (Macragge's Claw)
- 12 Rapid Strike vessels
- 31 Thunderhawks
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
- 5 Battle Barges: Aeternus, Emperor Incarnatus, Adsidus, Seditio Opprimere, Lord Laomedon
- 10 Strike Cruisers, including the Vae Victus, Iter Splendere, Fidelis, Internecio, and the Accipiter
Additionally, a 6th battle barge, Pro Merito, is listed as having been lost in the Warp.
Notable Ultramarines
- Roboute Guilliman - Ultramarines Primarch
- Marneus Calgar - Current Chapter Master and Lord Macragge. 77th Chapter Master in the history of the Ultramarines.3
- Varro Tigurius - Current Chief Librarian, and is believed to be the strongest psyker in the Imperium.
- Ortan Cassius - Chaplain and veteran of the Battle of Macragge, and now leads the Tyrannic War Veterans into battle.
- Varnus - Chaplain who led an Ultramarines escort that accompanied the Cadian 412th Regiment to retrieve the Imperator Titan Dominatus.
- Invictus - Captain of the 1st Company during the Battle of Macragge (Dec.)
- Cato Sicarius - Captain of the Second Company and commander of Imperial Forces during the Medusa V Schism.
- Uriel Ventris - Captain of the Fourth Company, sent to fulfill a Death Oath for failing to follow Codex Astartes rules.
- Galatan - Ancient and Bearer of the Banner of Macragge (Dec.)
- Helveticus - Ancient and Bearer of the Banner of Macragge. (Dec.)
- Torias Telion - Scout Sergeant, unparalleled marksman.
- Antaro Chronus - Brother-Sergeant of the Ultramarines Armoury.2d
- Lysimachus Cestus - Captain of the 7th Chapter during The Horus Heresy. (Dec.)5
Sources
- 1: UK White Dwarf 264, p. 47
- 2: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)
- 2a: p.17
- 2b: p.25
- 2c: p.31
- 2d: p.40
- 2e: p.89
- 3: Chapter Approved 2001
- 4: UK White Dwarf 256, p. 89
- 5: Battle for the Abyss (Novel), Ben Counter.
- 6: Codex: Space Marines (3rd Edition), p. 47
- 7: Codex: Ultramarines (2nd Edition), p.9
- 8: How to Paint Space Marines
- 8a: p.40
- 8b: p.84
- 9: Codex: Black Templars (4th Edition), p.6
- 10: Warriors of Ultramar (Novel), Graham McNeill.
- 11: Chapter War (Novel), Ben Counter.
- 12: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition), p.14
- 13: The Chapter's Due (Novel), Graham McNeill.
- 14: US White Dwarf 288, p. 115