Ashen Thanes

The Ashen Thanes are one of the oldest, non-founding chapters in the Imperium. Unfortunately most of the early records of the chapter were lost in the destruction of the Chapters original Fortress monastery Tol Elmoth in M37 when the Chaos Marines, World Eaters attacked their Homeworld, Taur-Hithlum.

A well respected chapter, their Primarch is unknown and the Chapter has made no attempt to discover who it is, instead choosing to venerate Leman Russ as their founder. Why they do is unknown though their homeworld was one of the many planets brought in to the Imperium by Russ during the Great Crusade.

History
Though much of their early history has been lost, the chapters Skalds (Librarians) managed to remember some to be rerecorded by the chapters early history. While the founding has been forgotten it is known that the chapter quickly rose to prominence among the Imperium for their victories and their reliability to hold to their oaths. If help was promised from the chapter, a Imperial commander could rest assured that it would arrive. One clue as to the chapters age is that it was among the first imperial forces to encounter the Blade of Infinity crusier.

The next recorded events are from a war in the Ghoul stars during the Pale Wasting. While they won some renown for having survived where so many other chapters fell it is commonly said that it significantly altered the character of the chapter. The Ashen Thanes attitude towards mortals (considerably kinder than that of many other chapters which has led to disdain from some chapters or respect from others) was inspired by 'the fear of losing their humanity'.

Following that the next records come from other chapters, recording their interactions with the Ashen Thanes. many other accounts come from these 2 Chapters as well as others all though M34-M36.
 * The Space Wolves record a crusade fought alongside the Iron-Bound Thanes in M35 It was led by Chapter Master, Earl Asgon who forged many bonds with the Space Wolves over the course of the Crusade. It is remembered among the Space wolves that Asgon was a master of combat and bested no less than 12 minor Ork Warbosses in single combat and is recorded to have 'destroyed a Stompa with naught but a powerfist' though many believe this to just be an exaggeration.
 * The Salamanders first recorded interaction with the Iron-Bound Thanes was recorded in M36.349 in a battle to drive Dark Eldar forces from Canet-2. The Salamander Librarian in their history display a respect for the Iron-Bound Thanes determination to protect the Civilians of the planet including refusing to attack a vulnerable dark Eldar held valley because it would require leaving a city helpless.

Burning of the World
In M37.173 a Warband of Chaos unexpectedly translated out of the warp above Taur-Hithlum. Without warning the chaos Ships opened fire upon the planet and managed to destroy 70% of the surface through orbital bombardment until the Chapter's fleet managed to arrive, (returning from a crusade elsewhere) and engage the Chaos fleet in orbit. Without Imperial Navy forces to aid them the Iron-Bound Thanes were hard pressed to wrest control of the skies from the World Eater forces, their superior tactics eventually forced the Chaos ships to retreat back into the warp, but not without cost. Over half of the fleet was destroyed with many more ships crippled.

Rushing to the surface the remaining forces found the Fortress monastery, Tol Elmoth, in ruins with what few marines that had been on world when the attack began fighting hordes of World Eater Marines, and worse, Deamons. The World Eaters had sacrificed a nearby city to their god Khorn to summon his Demonic forces. What ensued has been burned into not only the memory of the Chapter but the Planet as well. For nearly 2 months the 2 forces battled, each side unwilling to surrender. When things looked their bleakest, unexpected aid came from the Space Wolves 3rd company and a contingent of the Imperial Guard. With the sudden reinforcements the Battle tipped in favor of the Imperial forces and a week later the planet had been cleansed of the demonic taint.

It had almost been to late for the chapter however. With 3/4th of the planets population dead, Tol Elmorth in ruins and less than a hundred marines remaining the Chapter nearly went past the point of no return. It would take a nearly a thousand years for the planets population to recover and nearly as long for the chapter to return to full strength. However the Chapter character changed immensely with their near destruction. Ever after a full company would always be left to defend their homeworld, they became far more vengeful than before, letting no defiance go unpunished. Renamed the Ashen Thanes in memory of the burning of their world the newly reborn chapter would take to the stars to forge anew the legacy that they had lost with the loss of their history.

Notable Campaigns
Coming soon

Chapter Culture
Similar to the Space Wolves the Ashen Thane's culture is reminiscent of the Scandinavian cultures of ancient Terra. The Chapter strictly hold to a code of honor called the Comitautus. The Marines of each squad are loyal directly to their companies' Earl (Captain), following his orders and avenging his death if he is slain. In return each Earl (Captain) appoints the best Sargents he can and arms his marines as best he can. A similar relationship exists between the Earls and the Chapter Master. Whenever a Chapter Master either passes his 200th year as Chapter Master or successfully leads his Chapter to a series of 5 great victories, he is allowed to take on the title of 'King of Taur-Hithlum'.

The Chapters interactions with normal humans are considerably different from most other chapters, due to their fear of becoming as monstrous as the forces they battle, as well as pity for their short lifespans, the chapter treat mortals with greater respect than almost all other chapters. Whenever they recruit a new aspirant from Taur-Hithlum they give the family of the aspirant a 'were-guild' in return for the boy. This usually is in the form of a modest amount of money or food which is always welcome.