The Emperors Disciples Space Marines

The Emperors Disciples space marine chapter were founded during the 13th 'Black' Founding and is a small fleet based chapter, that spends much of its time in the outer fringes of the Segmentum Pacificus, guarding the Imperium from enemies from beyond the Emperors reach. The chapter is entirely fleet based and claims no home world, nor dominion over any systems. Instead it roams at will, fighting as and when it sees fit.

Whilst the founding chapter is officially unknown, many, both within and without, believe that the chapter is a descendant of the Imperial Fists, and while the chapter follows the teachings and ideas of Dorn and also Guilliman, they maintain a very different chapter structure. This is due to the fact that the the chapter is a highly mobile fleet based chapter, where each company can operate in relative isolation for long periods of time from the rest of the chapter. As such each company contains a sternguard, a vanguard and a terminator squad, in addition to the 6 tactical, 3 devastator and a single assault squad. This composition reflects both the isolated nature of the companies and there tactical doctrine, preferring long range fire power over close combat, as such the assault squad spends much of its time deployed on the companies attack bikes and land speeders. In addition, the company master maintains a personal honour guard. In addition to the attack bikes and land speeders, each company also maintain a small force of rhinos, razorbacks and predators, with a few companies containing valuable dreadnoughts. 

As many of the veterans are contained within the individual chapters, the 1st company is relatively small, containing only the chapter master and his personal honour guard, as well as the Apothercarion, the Chaplaincy and the Librarius, as well as the chapters Techmarines. However, many of these spend there time with the various companies, usually only returning to the 1st company at the request of the chapter master. The 2nd company, unlike many chapters, contains the chapters recruits, and travels with the 1st company, upon the chapters only battle barge, the Emperors Gift. This mighty vessel is also home to the chapters few land raiders, whirlwinds and vindicators.

As the Emperors Disciples prefer the use of long range firepower over close quarters fighting, spending large amounts of time perfecting their marksman ship, they do not maintain a large number of vehicles. This also shows in the fact that they are specialists in small scale surgical strikes in support of larger Imperial forces. 

Like many of the 13th founding chapters, the Emperors Disciples have suffered a number of tragedies, with the loss of three whole companies to the warp and an additional 3 companies lost to chaos, either partly or wholly turning on the imperium. Two of these companies have been purged to the man, as is only right for a traitor to the Emperor. The chapter also differs from many chapters in how it deals with such losses, and as such the current companies number, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 15, with the lost companies not being reformed, in addition to there being no 13th company.

The chapter  is fiercely loyal to the Emperor, and believes in the complete destruction of the enemies of man, and that it is only this result that matter, not the means and so are willing to use any and all options at their disposal. As such the chapter is more than happy to experiment with xenos weaponry and technology or even delve in the powers of chaos for any advantage. Although the chapter is willing to use chaos artifacts and even the power of chaos itself to defeat the enemies of man, it is careful not to repeat the mistakes of the Relictors or Soul Drinker and other similar chapters. This may have resulted in the turning of the tainted companies and has resulted in the chapter being threatened with Excommunicate Traitoris many times, but it is a risk considered to be worthwhile in the fight for man’s survival. This has however, lead to a number of run-ins with the inquisition and other marine chapters and while the disciples aim to avoid any conflict with other forces of the imperium, it cannot always be avoided due to the closed mindedness of many weaker servants. There has however been some who share the views of the Disciples, mainly those of the Xanthism Radical faction of the Inquisition. This has led to a close working relationship between the emperors’ disciples and several members of the inquisition who operate within the Segmentum Pacificus. This has meant that the chapter has had some protection from those who would see the chapter excommunicated.

The 15^th (XV) Company

The 15^th company is the newest company of the Emperors Disciples and is commanded by Company Master Marcellus. The company is based upon the Emperors Claw Vanguard Class Cruiser and established less than 50 years, after the loss of the 12^th company to the warp nearly 200 years ago and it is keen to prove itself within the chapter. Due to the company’s recent creation, it has not fought in many battles, the largest and most important campaign was the battle of Hjaltland, where the company was deployed in its entirety for the first time in its history. The company is currently not at full compliment, standing at company master and honour guard, 5 man terminator squad, 5 man sternguard squad,  4 tactical squads, 2 devastator squads. The sole survivor of the 5th company, the dreadnought Emperors Courage, also resides with the 15th.

Emperors Disciple's Tactical Marine, notice the yellow helmet crest and hand, in honour of their founding chapter.