Astral Claws
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The Astral Claws were a Space Marine Chapter who turned Renegade in M41. Their survivors exist as the Red Corsairs, and their Chapter Master, Lufgt Huron, is now the infamous pirate lord Huron Blackheart.
Contents
History
The Astral Claws were founded during the mid-35th millennium as a Crusading Chapter in order to help stabilize the slowly crumbling Imperium during the Nova Terra Interregnum. Their founding chapter is unknown, as most records of their existence have been destroyed in an Edict of Obliteration, though speculation on their gene-seed stability and combat tactics point towards either the Ultramarines or the Dark Angels.[1a]
Before their downfall the Astral Claws possessed a roll of battle-honours that would be the envy of many; after their performance in the Fifth Black Crusade, their Chapter Standard was placed in the halls of the Eternity Gate in the Imperial Palace on Terra.[1a]
According to the Apocrypha Kaali, the Astral Claws had "three sons", but only names one; the Tiger Claws. During the Badab War, Inquisitorial investigations found that the Astral Claws were hiding members of the long-thought lost Tiger Claws chapter within their own ranks, as well as illegally expanding their own numbers above Codex-approved norms.[1a]
After rebelling against the Imperium and being defeated in the ensuing Badab War, the Chapter's survivors fled into the Maelstrom, becoming the core of the Red Corsairs. As a chapter they have been declared Excommunicate Traitoris and any records of the chapter are marked to be destroyed.[1a]
Timeline[Needs Citation]
- M35 - Founded
- Campaigned during the Nova Terra Interregnum
- M36 - 5th Black Crusade
- M37 - Stationed in Segmentum Obscurus, unknown homeworld
- 678.M37 - Assigned to the Taninim Crusade.
- 714.M37 - Returned from the Taninim Crusade bringing with them the thought-lost Explorator Ark Principia Gravis.
- M38 - Stationed in Segmentum Obscurus, unknown homeworld
- Believed to have been used as primogenitor for three other chapters by this time, one of which is named the Tiger Claws.
- Recorded as destroyed in action during the Altid Crusade.
- M39 - Reappear at full strength during the Gorgon Pentarchy.
- Become fleet-based chapter, ranging across Segmentum Solar and Segmentum Tempestus.
- M40 - Patrol Segmentum Solar and Segmentum Tempestus.
- Relief of the Executioners chapter, besieged upon their homeworld of Stygia-Aquilon
- M41 - Assigned to the Maelstrom Warders, 587.M41.
- 640-650.M41 - The Scourge Campaign
- 697.M41 - Lufgt Huron becomes Chapter Master.
- 718.M41 - Huron assumes overlordship of Badab Primaris and the Badab sector.
- 748.M41 - Huron begins withholding the Astral Claws gene-seed tithe.
- Secret expansion program begins.
- 780.M41 - The Lycanthos Drift Campaign; Huron elected commander of all Imperial forces present.
- 901.M41 - The Badab War begins.
- Battles on the Gargathea III
- 912.M41 - Conclusion of the Badab War; the chapter is effectively destroyed, the remnants becoming the Red Corsairs.
Chapter Elements
Armoury
Armoury | |||
Name | Type | Notes | Sources |
Blood Biter | Chainsword | Weapon of Carnac Commodus | [5] |
Chimeric Talons | Lightning Claw | [2] | |
Ghost Razors | Lightning Claws | Wielded by Lufgt Huron. Destroyed during the Fall of Badab | [1d] |
Goldenfang | Power Sword | [1e] | |
Indynabula Array | Servo-Harness | [1f] | |
Spectre Pattern Bolter | Boltgun | [2] | |
Tiger's Claw | Lightning Claw | Wielded by Andar Scarion | [6b] |
Notable Members of the Astral Claws
- Lufgt Huron - Chapter Master
- Corien Sumatris - 2nd Company Captain, The Tyrants' Champion, Warden of Piraeus[1b]
- Armanneus Valthex - Master of the Forge, The Alchemancer, Personal Armourer to Lufgt Huron and Corien Sumatris.[1c]
- Andar Scarion - Watch Captain of the Deathwatch[6a]
- Carnac Commodus - Arch-Centurion[3][4]
See also
Sources
- 1: Imperial Armour Volume Nine - The Badab War - Part One
- 2: Deathwatch: Honour the Chapter, pg. 126
- 3: Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two, pg. 30
- 4: Forge World Scenarios (last accessed 20 June 2015)
- 5: Forge World - Badab War New Characters (last accessed 20 June 2015)
- 6: Deathwatch: The Jericho Reach
Uncited