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Chaplain

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A Firstborn Chaplain of the Dark Angels.[1]

Space Marine Chaplains are the spiritual leaders of Space Marine Chapters.

Warrior-priests, they fight alongside their battle-brothers, chanting the Chapter's sacred battle creeds, and inspiring their brethren to greater feats of bravery. To enemies they appear as terrifying and sinister figures in black power armour and skull-visaged helmets.

Overview

Each Chapter has its own unique cult, which is often thousands of years old. As these cults often predate the rise of the Ecclesiarchy, the Chapter cults are not simply facets of the common Imperial Cult. While the Ecclesiarchy and its lay followers worship the Emperor of Mankind as a deity, several Chapter cults regard him as merely a brilliant and inspirational man, though with scarcely less reverence. As in all things, this view of the Emperor's divinity, or lack thereof, varies from Chapter to Chapter. The chapter's own Primarch is also a major part of the Chapter's specific cult, revered as much as the Emperor.[19]

A formal sign of entente between the Ecclesiarchy and the Space Marines is the rosarius, a holy symbol, taking the form of a necklace, amulet or brooch which often displays the Imperial Eagle or the Crux Terminatus, or other shapes to suit the particular devotional qualities of the Chapter concerned (for example, the Space Wolves and their wolf iconography). Gifted to Space Marine Chaplains by the Ecclesiarchy, this blessing represents the brotherhood of the Imperial Faith and formally marks the continuance of religious concord between the two groups. In practice, though, the link between the organisations remains rather tenuous.[19]

History

During the Great Crusade, the Emperor specifically outlawed religious worship of any kind, but several Space Marine Legions still employed spiritual advisors of some kind. The first known Space Marines who bore a resemblance to Chaplains were members of the XVIIth Legion, known as the Imperial Heralds. The Legion's 'heralds' wore black armour with a skull-faced helmet and a winged mace and delivered the Emperor's ultimatum to new worlds: submission or destruction.[5a] After the Primarch Lorgar joined the XVIIth, renaming them the Word Bearers, he created a role for spiritual advisors, referring to them as 'Chaplains', who were assigned to minister to their brothers' psychological needs.[2b] Like the heralds, these Chaplains carried a skull-faced helmet and a winged mace but initially wore the same colours as other Word Bearer Legionaries. They later repainted their armour black in remembrance of the ashes of Monarchia.[3]

Similar positions also existed in other Legions, such as the Blood Angels Wardens, who served as the watchmen of the Blood Angels, serving as mentors and guides for the younger members of the Blood Angels, but also charged with upholding the laws of the IX Legion. These duties were varied, from offering a Captain advice on tactical doctrine, to leading a ceremony of remembrance for fallen Space Marines.[2a] Wardens also wore all-black armour and carried the Crozius Arcanum as a weapon.[2a][6] The Salamanders also had a body of chosen Legionaries who carried out the direct promulgation of the doctrines of Vulkan, shaped by the culture of Nocturne, called the 'Voices of Fire'.[5b] The Iron Hands' role of Iron Father, which combines the position of Chaplain and Techmarine was brought into the legion from an order of engineer-mystics who maintained Dark Age of Technology machinery on Medusa, following the re-discovery of Ferrus Manus.[7]

After the Decree of Nikaea, Lorgar offered his Chaplains' services to the other Legions. These Chaplains travelled among the Legions to counsel former Librarians who felt uncomfortable at the loss of their psychic role, and ease them back into duty as ordinary Battle-Brothers. Many Primarchs accepted Lorgar's offer, the use of Chaplains spread to legions such as the Dark Angels, Emperor's Children, World Eaters, and the Death Guard [4]. Other Primarchs such as Sanguinius declined, the duties being given to the already existing Wardens.[6]

Following the Horus Heresy, the position of Chaplain continued in both Loyalist and Traitor Legions, those in the Traitor Legions becoming known as Dark Apostles.[Needs Citation]

Responsibilities within a Chapter

Chaplains are the most well-versed in the knowledge of the Chapter's cult. This knowledge is put to practical use as Chaplains are responsible for the spiritual health, discipline, and faith of the chapter brethren. The bond between Marines and their Chaplains is a strong one. Chaplains are present in a Marine's life from the moment he is chosen as a neophyte, presiding over their indoctrination as they progress toward becoming full battle-brothers.[19]

Within a Chapter's fortress-monastery is the Reclusiam, a large chamber devoted to cult activities, and where the Chapter's holy relics and, sometimes, the body of its Primarch are housed. The Chaplains lead their sermons from here, and rouse the Marines in their love of the Emperor. The Battle Barges and ships of the Chapter's fleet also include huge cathedrals in the heart of each ship, allowing the Space Marines to pray while away from the fortress. Chaplains always lead the Space Marines in prayer, but a Chaplain is not always needed for a Marine to pray.[19]

Each Space Marine Company has its own Chaplain. Chaplains begin their careers as Judicars within the Chapter.[21] At the headquarters level of the Chapter organization are Chaplains holding the ranks of Reclusiarch and Master of Sanctity, whose responsibilities extend to the Chapter as a whole.[19]

Wargear

The power armour suits worn by Chaplains are considered holy in themselves. Often they are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old. A Chaplain's armour is highly stylised and archaic in appearance. Black is the colour associated with Chaplains, and most or all of their armour is painted in this colour. Symbols such as skulls and Imperial eagles commonly adorn the armour, but Chapter-specific symbols are also used. The face plate or the entire helmet is traditionally skull-shaped. Skulls are also repeated throughout a Chaplain's armour - adorning an entire shoulder plate, the upper chest armour or the groin guard. One area of the armour, such as a shoulder guard, is always left in the Chapter colours, displaying the Chapter symbol. Part of the Chaplain's formal regalia is the Crozius Arcanum, the Chaplain's staff of office. Used in chapter ceremonies and worship, many Chaplains take them into battle, symbolizing that battle is the highest ritual of the Chapter. The crozius is usually topped with an Imperial Eagle or winged skull. It incorporates a potent energy field, allowing it to be used as a weapon; one that will punch through armour easily, showing the power of faith.[20]

In many Chapters, once a Space Marine is inducted into the Chaplaincy, they are forbidden to remove their helmets while in the presence of those who are not of their order.[22]

The Rosarius that Chaplains wear around their neck incorporates a powerful force field generator, offering the bearer protection against weapons that even power armour would offer no hope of survival against. In light of this, the rosarius is sometimes referred to as a Chaplain's "soul armour."[19]

Chapter Variations

As each chapter has its own distinct cult, the specific roles of Chaplains can vary from Chapter to Chapter. The most notable differences in the roles of Chaplains of different Chapters are as follows:

Blood Angels

The Chaplains of the Blood Angels chapter constantly watch their brothers for the onset of the Black Rage. Only the Chaplains can communicate successfully with those unfortunates who have succumbed to the Rage and so lead them in battle as the Death Company, fearsome warriors whose demise is assured. They also care for those who completely succumb to the Red Thirst, and are rumoured to look after those who are locked away on their homeworld, Baal. The Blood Angels' chaplains also share responsibility for their battle-brothers' spiritual health with the chapter's apothecaries, known as Sanguinary Priests.[Needs Citation]

The Death Company of the Blood Angels maintains its own special variant of the Chaplain, the Death Company Chaplain. These officers provide sanity amidst the carnage and rage of the Death Company.[9]

Dark Angels

Although the Dark Angels have normal Chaplains, above the company level are specialised Chaplains known as Interrogator-Chaplains, who form part of the chapter's Inner Circle. Their primary task is hunting down the Fallen, their damned brethren, and forcing them to repent, which usually involves torture.[1]

This highly confidential mission makes the Interrogator-Chaplains a secretive and somewhat sinister group. Once a member of the Fallen has been captured, it is the duty of the Interrogator-Chaplains to force the prisoner to confess and repent. Those who repent are spared further torture and receive a painless death. Those who hold to their innocence are exorcised of their sins through excruciation and death.[1]

A Chaplain of the Black Templars[23]

Emperor's Spears

The Emperor's Spears group together their Chaplains, Librarians, Techmarines and Apothecaries under the term Druids. These warrior-priests each stand ready to harvest the gene-seed of fallen brothers, as well as performing their own duties based on their specialist skills and esoteric abilities. [39]

Executioners

The Executioners assign three chaplains, instead of just one, to each company. Each trio of Chaplains is known as the Death Speakers and are charged with maintaining the roll of the dead, and ensuring order within the chapter.[8]

Iron Hands

The Iron Hands use the specialised rank of Iron Father, combining the roles of Chaplain and Techmarine. Iron Fathers hold a particular reverence for the mechanical, and are rumoured to spend time on Mars as guests of the Adeptus Mechanicus during their training. It is said that they venerate the Machine God aspect of the Emperor ahead of any other version, which does not please the Ecclesiarchy at all. Due to this animosity between the Iron Hands and the Ecclesiarchy, the Iron Fathers are not issued with a rosarius and they must instead manufacture their own versions of the protective holy symbol.[7]

Space Wolves

Within the Space Wolves, the Wolf Priests combine the roles of Chaplain and Apothecary. They minister to both the spiritual and physical well-being of their brethren, and are completely responsible for all parts of the recruitment and indoctrination of new Space Wolves. As a result, individual Wolf Priests can regularly be seen traveling across the surface of Fenris, watching the proud natives for those who show the potential to become one of the Imperium's mightiest warriors.[Needs Citation]

Grey Knights

Grey Knights Chaplains are given the duty of ensuring the mental fortitude of the Chapter's warriors against all things Daemonic. They are also focuses of the Emperor's anti-daemonic might.[11]

Primaris Chaplains

Primaris Chaplain[12]

The new generation of Space Marine, Primaris Space Marines, also utilize the rank of Chaplain. Besides their standard Crozius, Primaris Chaplains are frequently seen wielding an Absolvor Bolt Pistol.[10]

Notable Space Marine Chaplains

Main article: List of Chaplains

Images

  • Chaplains

  • Primaris Chaplain (9th Edition)[15]

  • Primaris Chaplain on Bike (9th Edition)[16]

  • Primaris Chaplain[34]

See also

Sources

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Space Marine Infantry
Chapter Command Chapter Master • Master of Sanctity • Chief Librarian • Master of the Apothecarion • Master of the Forge • Master (Master of the Watch • Master of the Fleet • Master of the Arsenal • Master of the Marches • Master of the Rites • Master of Relics • Lord Executioner • Master of Recruits • Master of the Signal • Master of Reconnaissance) • Chapter Ancient (Primaris Ancient) • Chapter Champion • Honour Guard
Company Command Company Command Squad • Reclusiam Command Squad • Captain (Primaris Captain) • Lieutenant (Primaris Lieutenant • Vanguard Lieutenant) • Company Ancient (Bladeguard Ancient) • Company Champion
Specialists Librarian (Epistolary • Codicier • Lexicanum • Primaris Librarian • Vanguard Librarian) • Chaplain (Reclusiarch • Primaris Chaplain • Judiciar) • Apothecary (Primaris Apothecary • Helix Adept) • Techmarine (Primaris Techmarine)
Veteran Squads Sternguard Veteran Squad • Vanguard Veteran Squad • Terminator Squad (Terminator Assault Squad) • Bladeguard Veteran • Veteran Intercessor Squad • Company Veterans
Battleline Squads Tactical Squad • Intercessor Squad (Heavy Intercessor Squad) • Infiltrator Squad
Close Support Squads Assault Squad • Assault Intercessor Squad • Jump Pack Intercessor Squad • Inceptor Squad • Reiver Squad • Incursor Squad • Assault Centurion Squad
Fire Support Squads Devastator Squad • Hellblaster Squad • Aggressor Squad • Eliminator Squad • Suppressor Squad • Eradicator Squad • Desolation Squad • Infernus Squad • Devastator Centurion Squad
Scouts Scout Squad

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