Caustic Reach

History
The Caustic Reach are a small Adeptus Astartes chapter that at one time operated out of their former stronghold (Ghuld) on the death world Tyran residing in the Eastern Fringe. The Caustic Reach were established during the Cursed 13th Founding when it was decided that there had to be extra measures taken to hold back Hive Fleet Kraken. The Ordo-Xenos commissioned the scientists based out of a Ordo-Xenos lab on the Death World Tyran to modify an existing unknown gene-seed that could counteract the high potency of the tyranid poisons and toxins they commonly employed. Given the existing gene-seed the scientists managed to create a genetic resistance to the tyranid poisons and toxins via unprecedented mutation. Once the gene-seed was considered fit for use the Ordo-Xenos commissioned an unknown Black Shield of the Deathwatch to oversee chapter administration, fortress construction, and marine recruit selection from the tribal villages on the northeastern hemisphere of the planet. Due to the unusual practices of the Caustic Reach chapter and an assault on their home world by Hive Fleet Kraken all former members of the Caustic Reach chapter only exist in memory. All records of deceased Caustic Reach space marines and their actions are unequivocally destroyed, forcing the chapter to create entirely new records regarding their current activities and members.

Today the Caustic Reach stand as a damaged chapter with over half of their chapter strength depleted at the hands of Hive Fleet Kraken. The Reach now operate out of the science labs they share with their Ordo-Xenos allies due to the destruction of their fortress (Ghuld) during a tyranid assault. The Caustic Reach are constantly at war with both the Tau Empire and Hive Fleet Kraken in the eastern fringe.

Combat Doctrine
"'I pity you creature... For you will not know the glory your head will bring to me.'""- Veteran sergeant Carsarus Van Kelov after beheading a Tyranid Hive Tyrant on the moon of Jorda"The Caustic Reach chapter is one of an unusual and complicated combat doctrine. The Caustic Reach excel at close quarters combat and guerrilla warfare (something not many space marine chapters take part in). They are known to set various traps before flanking their foes and engaging in hand to hand combat. The Reach are also known for utilizing enemy weaponry in combat (or in preparation for combat) to their advantage such as seizing enemy artillery, using enemy explosives to set traps, and sabotaging enemy vehicles. The Reach are also known for collecting enemy weaponry for study purposes upon request by the Ordo-Xenos. This has caused some controversy leading to the nickname "Carrion" used to degrade the chapter by others. The Reach however are proud scientists themselves and can be seen utilizing experimental xenos-based weaponry on the battlefield.

Recruitment
"'I want thinking men, not some mindless killing machines. Go back and find someone with a fire in his eyes... and a brain that can make his ambitions a reality.'""- Chapter Master Xeredus Berloc The Antivenom, adressing a chaplain on his recruitment strategies"