Storm Draugar

"The galaxy is filled with uncountable armies, vast and powerful. They have a great many champions and heroes, warriors of great might and cunning. But I am stronger. My warband is stronger. This is no boast... it is the truth. I will prove it."

- Malak Blackspawn

The Storm Draugar are a greatly feared Warband of Chaos that has marauded and pillaged the Segmentum Solar, Tempest, and Ultima since the Horus Heresy.

Led by the Chaos Lord Malak Blackspawn and his sorcerer brother, Ingar Blackspawn, the Storm Druagar have been fighting the Long War against the thrice damned Imperium since the onset of the Horus Heresy and will not stop until they see Terra itself burn to ash.

The Storm Draugar are a group of Chaos Marines from various backgrounds and paths. Some are members of the old legion, having defected with the Blackspawn Brothers during the Horus Heresy nearly ten millennia ago. Others have arrived from more recent Chapters, or were created from the flesh pits by the warbands twisted Apothecarion.

As such, the Storm Draugar's tactical abilities are varied and flexible, with no one school or philosophy of battle holding a greater sway than any other. However, having access to their own considerable forges and a close alliance with two Dark Forgeworlds has affected their way of battle and rarely do they face their opponents without considerable mechanized forces to support them.

They are a Chaos Undivided Warband, paying homage to the Chaos Gods as something more akin to elements of a larger whole. The Storm Draugar cult doctrine states that the faithful should hold the Gods as mere constructs of the greater force that is the Warp itself. The Warp is a thing to be harnessed for their causes, and the Gods simply means to their own ends. Every sacrifice to the Chaos Gods is a contract, with a set agreement. For their service and supplications, the Storm Draugar believe that the forces of Chaos as a whole will reward them. However, to curry the favor of particular Gods is not considered an unworthy act. It is considered practical, but shortsighted. Only the truly ambitious and determined followers dare to court the full favor of the Warp itself.

The Blackspawn Brothers
Malak and Ingar Blackspawn began as nothing more but underhive trash, born to a whore and left to fend for themselves when she abandoned them at the ages of four and six respectively. The duo had depended on no one else but one another their whole lives, Malak being the older and stronger of the pair, and Ingar being considerably smarter and later manifesting psychic powers which played no small hand in their survival in the desolate hives. Together they eventually became well known as a pair of deadly bandits in the black pits of the dying hive cities of Cthonia, in spite of their young ages.

When the Emperor arrived on their barren world, the Blackspawns were rounded up with much of the rest of Cthonia's youth to be recruited into the Luna Wolves Space Marine Legion. Though adapting to the regimented lifestyle of the Legion was not easy on Malak, and Ingar had to strive to keep his growing powers under control, the two soon became well known as deadly warriors within the XVI Legion.

Great Crusades
The Blackspawn brothers earned great renown for their deeds in the name of the Emperor and Legion. Tales of the duos feats became the stuff of legend amongst the Legionaries, and the brothers would become quite popular with Horus himself. The daring duo were at the forefront of the most brutal battles the Luna Wolves, Malak slaying countless foes with his massive Relic blade, Worldslayer, and Ingar felling even the mightiest enemies with his arcane powers and Power Sword, Nirvana. Eventually they were promoted to the glorious First Company and found themselves fighting alongside their honored Primarch. Malak was promoted to the prestigious ranks of the Justaerin, while Ingar found a place of high regard amongst the ranks of the Legions Librarium. However, unlike many Luna Wolves, the Blackspawn brothers never saw Horus as their father or venerated him above the Emperor. (not that the Emperor held much weight with the brothers either) They had not lost their vicious edge, even in the indoctrination. In the end, behind all of the hails to the Emperor, the Blackspawn brothers were still more about their own personal survival than those of the Imperium and their Primarch. And so, when the Warmaster turned to heresy, there was no doubt what the brothers course of action was. To oppose their genefather was needless suicide, but to face their former cousins on the field of war? That was a situation in which the pair could prosper. Malak finally getting to test his might against truly worthy foes, and Ingar prepared to bring sorcerous death to his former allies so long as it ensured that he and his brother could live on.

Horus Heresy
The Brothers fought under the Warmasters banner for most of the war, gaining renown across the Traitor Legions for their exploits, until the historical battles on Istavaan V and IV. After the pyres of loyalist bodies were lit and Horus proclaimed that nothing could stop the Traitor Legions, Ingar was suddenly assailed with extremely vivid visions of Horus' downfall and the subsequent Scouring, and that he and his brother would not survive. Dark voices whispered to Ingar that he and his brother should flee East, and that there they would find salvation. Ingar told this to his brother who, despite his initial skepticism, had learned to trust his brothers visions in the past. Thus the Blackspawn brothers, began their preparations, gathering as many supporters and vessels as they could. This did not go unnoticed by the Warmaster however, and as the Blackspawns and their sizeable group of supporters from various Legions prepared for their discrete departure, they were attacked by forces of the Sons of Horus. Most who chose to follow the Blackspawns died in brutal ship to ship combat, and in the end, only the Blackspawns and a handful of their supporters managed to escape aboard a single ship, the Strike Cruiser known only as The Storm.

Cold Harbor
The Blackspawn brothers and their entourage soon found themselves staring into the second largest Warp Storm in the galaxy... The Maelstrom. Ingar's visions told him that within that hellish tear in reality, they would find their salvation. The Storm navigated through the Maelstrom unmolested save for a few foolish pirate fleets that thought they could overtake the massive Cruiser. Soon the Blackspawn brothers and their followers came across an astounding relic from and unknown time... a Star Fort larger than even an Eldar Craftworld. As the makeshift band of traitors disembarked, they found that, though warped and twisted by the Maelstrom, the Star Forts myriad systems were in working order, if not untouched.

The Star Fort would be christened, Lupercal's Folly, in "honor" of the Warmaster who by this time had just begun his invasion of Terra. The Blackspawns forces began scouting out the massive vessel and discovered a wealth of archotech and manufacturing systems, along with armories full of weaponry. However, the warbands numbers were pitifully few, and with only one vessel to their name, the band that would become the Storm Draugar were still quite vulnerable.

Rising Storm
With Lupercal's Folly secured, the Storm Draugar began to hunt for bodies to supply them with the forces they needed to dominate the stars. At this time, the Scouring had just commenced, and much of the Malestrom, though dangerous, was uninhabited by any major powers. The Storm Draugar, numbering only a bare forty Astartes and a few hundred former Imperial Army soldiers, began their campaign of terror. They struck out against various worlds, kidnapping populations and raiding tainted civilizations, on the constant lookout for resources to grow their ranks. It was a long and arduous campaign, but with the Blackspawn brothers at the helm, it was not an impossible task. By the time the first elements of the tattered traitor legions entered the Malestrom, the Storm Draugar had grown significantly, their warband commanding a fledgling fleet of warships and well over three hundred Astartes, not to mention a considerable army of thousands of mortal traitors and various daemonic entities.

It was during this period that the Storm Draugar gained their namesake. The fearful little fiefdoms of the Malestrom were terrified by the Blackspawn brothers and their small but tenacious band of followers. Their flagship, The Storm, became an icon of terror amongst the charnel lords an xenos overlords of the realm, and collectively they named these hulking super warriors, Draugar. Deathless warriors with skin of steel and souls of flame, chosen by the Dark Gods. Malak was fond of the reputation, and thus christened the Warband accordingly. By the time their fellow traitors arrived, they faced, not a small band of cowards who had fled the Heresy at its highest point, but the nightmarish force of marauders known only as the Storm Draugar.

The Word of True Divinity
The Storm Draugar had readied themselves for the arrival of the brothers they had abandoned, though their numbers were still pathetic in comparison to even the halved might of the traitors that soon spilled into the Malestrom, the Imperials hot on their heels. But of these traitors, none were as mighty as the Word Bearers, who came in full force. Immediately, Lorgar began to secure his powerbase, bringing to heel countless damned worlds. When the Storm Draugar came to his attention, his melancholy briefly became rage. How did these cowards and deserters dare to fester in this holy place? He decided that he would personally teach the Blackspawn brothers the folly of their irreverent and faithless ways.

Marshaling his finest Legionaries, Lorgar assaulted Lupercal's Folly, throwing all the Blackspawns had worked for into serious jeopardy. But the Primarch had seriously underestimated the tenacity of this band of traitors, and the arsenal of their fortress. A grave battle took place amdist the swirling chaos of the Maelstrom as eldritch blasts and great cannon fire tore into the Word Bearers fleet, while the fleet responded in kind with withering barrages. The Storm Draugar bled dry their reserve fleets of butchers and madmen, while the Word Bearers prepared to board.

The great assault via thousands of Dreadclaws, each packed full of Legionaries, daemons, and even cultist cannon fodder.

Weapons/Technology
The Storm Draugar have access to ancient and powerful weapons thanks in no small part to their Star Fortress, which was stockpiled with such technology. However, the Blackspawn brothers are loath to lose any of this irreplaceable wargear and rarely hand it out to anyone who has not proven themselves extensively in the field. As such most of the warband is equipped with basic Imperial technology and a few examples of unique wargear. The mighty and many forges of Lupercal's Folly can produce anything from a Rhino to standard lasguns and bolters. The Storm Draugar also have access to Vita-Womb technology, constructed by the deranged Warpsmith, Hurlok Zahz. As such the warband can call on thousands of vat grown recruits. However, the Warpsmith cannot make true Space Marines from the Vita-Womb process, thus any potential Storm Draugar must be trained and Gene-Seeded rather than created. (though the genetically enhanced recruits are more likely to survive the trials to become a Chaos Marine, thus the warbands numbers have swelled) And any vat grown individual that is not fit to be a Chaos Marine is free to join the teaming ranks of Cultists that call Lupercal's Folly home.

The few examples of rare wargear seen by Imperial forces are listed as thus:

Volkite Weapons- The Storm Draugar's elite forces are often armed with deadly and rare Volkite Weapons. Many of these weapons were present on Lupercal's Folly when the Blackspawns commandeered it, but a few were simply carryovers from the most ancient times of the Space Marine Legions. Volkite weapons of nearly any scale are a sign of status and standing in the Storm Draugar, as these ancient weapons are only in the hands of the most ruthless and cunning of their number.

Relic Sonic Blasters- Strange and elegant weapons supposedly forged eons before the Imperium and found now in the hands of the chosen champions of the Fourteenth Storm, lead by the infamous Draugar Lord Onas Krel. These weapons are designed to look more akin to an instrument, complete with strings and tuners. But these are no mere musical apparatuses, these are weapons forged from the blackest pits of the Warp itself. It is said that the strings are actually forged from the souls of the most fair mortal singers, and that with each pluck of the string their wails of agony and torment convalesce into a blast of soul rending sonic power. These Relic Blasters are rare as they are deadly, with only six known to exist in the entirety of the galaxy. Of these six, four are in the hands of Onas and his trio of honor guard.

Rending Blades- More common but nonetheless coveted weapons amongst the rank and file of the Storm Draugar's cultists, the Rending Blade is a serrated mono-edged blade known for its grizzly affect on flesh and bone. It's serrated edges rip chunks of flesh from the body and slash through bone and armor. Thanks to its mono-edge, it rarely becomes bone-stuck in spite of its serrated design. This makes it a reliable and savage weapon, capable of cutting down hordes of foes with cleave after cleave.

Daemon Engines- The Storm Draugar, through various alliances with Dark Mechanicus Forgeworlds and their vile Titan Legions, have acquired a fair deal of experts in the field of black technomancy. This has made these often rare beasts somewhat common within the Warband, being seen in nearly every engagement in various forms and numbers. These range from the agile Blight Drones of Nurgle, the blood hungry Blood Slaughterers of Khorne, and even the dreaded Heldrakes. These beasts of steel and madness are often key to the Storm Draugars victories, their weapons and unnatural constitutions bringing utter ruin to all who stand in their way.

Combat Doctrine
The Storm Draugar are a highly flexible warmachine, owing to the fact that most of its commanders are of various Legions and Chapters. Thus, while some may lean towards a certain way of battle, none hold to any one style rigidly. This allows for a great deal of unpredictability and an advantage against the more specialized Loyalists Marines and other such armies.

An emphasis is placed on armored assaults, with squads of infantry, be they daemonic or mortal, often supported with some form of armored vehicle or close air support. The average Storm Draugar assault is a measured and fluid one, like a wave, sweeping away all resistance in a swift march of blade and bolt. Daemon Engines are a favorite of the Warband, and the like of Forgefiends and Helldrakes are common. The Warbands aging Dreadnoughts are also placed in high regard, though their lack of reliability has caused the Storm Draugar to slowly phase them out in favor of the much more cost effective Defiler.

Organization
The Storm Draugar are organized into various battle fleets spread throughout the Galaxy, each returning to Lupercal's Folly to resupply, these battle fleets are referred to as Storms. A Storm is similar to a Space Marine Company, numbering one hundred Space Marines. However, each Storm also has its own armored and infantry forces comprised of cultists and Janissaries, allowing Storms too overwhelm the foe with manpower as well as the elite skill of their Marines. Currently there are Fourteen Storms marauding their way throughout the Galaxy, the most deadly and elite warriors of these Storms are armed with archotech weapons and other advanced forms of wargear.

Each Storm is led by Storm Master and a Draugar Lord, save for the First Storm which is led personally by the Blackspawn Brothers. Storm Masters are in command of the given Storms fleet while the Draugar Lords command the forces on the ground personally. The Storm Masters are often considered second in command, though this is not always the case.

Individuals known as Legates command individual Astartes squads with the same function as a Sergeant. While human Lieutenants command individual infantry and armored Platoons. The cultists are, as one would imagine, subserviant to the will of any Astartes garrisoned within their ranks. Thus, even the lowest ranked Storm Draugar is far and above the command of most cultist commanders. Janissaries usually make up the higher tier of the Draugars human forces, and are usually somewhere between the Space Marines and lowly cultists in the command structure.

The Storms are known for their organization and iron clad discipline, as they fight as a coordinated force to eliminate their foes. Rarely are there the same foolish assaults and wasteful maneuvers as seen with other, more deluded servants of Chaos.

Daemons summoned to fight on behalf of the Warband are often under the thrall of the Sorcerers responsible for their summoning, but powerful Greater Daemons and other great daemonic agents are usually given the measure of respect that they demand from their mortal allies.

The Third Storm is unique in that its mission is to guard Lupercal's Folly while the other Storms are out brutalizing the Imperium and other factions.

The Storms and their leadership are as follows:

Sciatha Fuath
The Sciatha Fuath or "Hate Shields" are Malak's personal Honor Guard of elite Terminators. Each one has proven himself worthy of fighting at the side of the Greatest of Draugar Lords. Some are what remains if the infamous Squad Hector, a group of Justaerin Terminators led by Malak during the Great Crusade. These elite warriors are given the best weaponry the Warband can provide, Volkite weapons and dreaded Daemon Swords and Mauls. Generally speaking they are armed for melee combat, as their master has little patience for firefights. On the battlefield, the Sciatha Fuath are less bodyguard and more of a screen for their lord, ensuring that none interrupt his fearsome duels with enemy commanders and eliminating the chaff unworthy of his blade.

Storm Squads
Elite warriors drawn from all areas of the Warband, Storm Squads are entrusted with the finest pieces of archotech wargear the Warband has to offer. Usually clad in Terminator armor and outfitted with Reaper Autocannons, Volkite Culverins, Power Claws, and Daemon Mauls, Storm Squads are often made up of Chaos Marines who have constantly shown themselves above and beyond their fellow traitors and each is a Champion of great skill and devotion to the Long War. However, the very nature of their rank often leads to internal strife, as each of these veterans aspire to be the greatest in the warband, and Chaos Marines, regardless of their creed, do not accept others to stand in the way of their goals for long. Even in the well disciplined ranks of the Storm Draugar, internecine rivalries between Chaos Marines can quickly turn deadly if their commander is not stern or fearsome enough.

Janissaries
Slave warriors grown in the flesh pits of Lupercal's Folly, the Janissaries are considered the most favored of the Storm Draugars mortal pawns. Janissaries were all potential candidates for gene-seeding but were found wanting in the preliminary examinations. These individuals are faster, stronger, and more durable than the average man, and are psycho conditioned for total loyalty and fearlessness. Janissaries are considered 'elite' amongst the mortal slaves of the Storm Draugar, and hold rank far above most traitor guardsmen and unfortunate slave levies from other worlds the Draugar dominate. The Draugar themselves see the Janissaries a shining example of all the best qualities of the average human brought to fruition, they are ruthless, fearless, and unquestioningly obedient to their cruel masters whims. Thus they are given a higher level of respect and regarded with some kindness by some Chaos Marines within the Warband, where only spite and disgust is shown to the less impressive slave auxiliaries and mercenary cohorts.

Culture
Aside from the Storm Draugars organization and extensive archotech armory, they are similar to most Chaos Warbands, worshiping their gods as it benefits them and furthers their goals. They, unlike other Chaos Warbands, do not universally hate the Imeprium or the Emperor, rather, they view the Imperium as a prey item or a favored foe to test their skills against. Chaos Marines of the Storm Draugar are known to show respect to their Loyalist counterparts and see them as equal fighters, as if they are both competitors in some Great Game.

The Storm Draugar are famed for unflinching brutality and blood lust, killing anything that has the misfortune to cross their path. Even where Khorneates would see no honor in killing the Storm Draugar relish in slaughter, even where Night Lords have had their fill of terror Storm Draugar escalate their fearsome wrath, and where even Emperor's Children are finished with their torment... the Storm Draugar have only just begun.

The Storm Draugar are also unique in that they do not necessarily raid the Imperium for resources, as their colossal interstellar fortress offers most of the wargear they need and the warband controls other key resource producing worlds in a small empire of twelve or so planets. Thus the Storm Draugar fight more for the sake of war and the Dark Gods rather than anything else. This is reflected in the dogged nature of their forces, who seem hellbent on burning whole worlds simply for the thrill of it, who annihilate whole populations simply to see the streets run red with blood, who test themselves against the mightiest foes merely because it is another battle to be won.

Brethren of Thunder
[THE GLORIOUS SCRIPTS OF THE DARK GODS ARE PENDING, THE CULTISTS ARE BEING DISCIPLINED FOR THIS DELAY]

The Kabal of The Skewering Feather
The Kabal of The Skewering Feather has come into conflict with the Storm Draugar for many years now and while Silinurl Luvt finds these Chaos Marines amusing, the Storm Draugar consider the Kabal to be an excellent foe, crafty, sadistic, and unpredictable. The Archons Incubus bodyguard and brother, Izrivan Luvt developed quite the rivalry with Malak Blackspawn after the two dueled to the during The Sacking of Beilas.

Hadrak, the Visceral Artist
A powerful Daemon Prince of Slaanesh summoned on rare occasion by the Storm Draugars various Sorcerer Cabals and Ingar himself, Hadrak is a deadly weapon utilized when the boundless ability of a servant of Slaanesh is required. Inherently difficult to summon and requiring significant tribute following his entrance into the material realm, Hadrak is usually considered a form of last resort. However, his preference of a humanoid form and willingness to follow general orders make him a boon on the battlefield, where his unassuming form allows him to close in on the enemy from unexpected corridors or even taint the minds of the enemy from behind their own lines. During the brutal series of battles on the Imperial world of Fraxus, the Daemon Prince befriended the infamous Raptor Champion Umbal the Duelist. The two fought side by side hundreds of times during the Fraxus Campaign, and spent much time off the field admiring one anothers "art".

The Red Corsairs
Before Huron Blackheart fell to Chaos, The Blackspawn brothers and their Warband had sorely tested the forces that made up the Maelstrom Warders. After Huron formed his vile Corsairs and began building an empire, he found his old foes were more than happy to sabotage him every step of the way if not flat out contest him for control of the hellish Warp Storm. The oceans of bad blood between the two Warbands has been sealed with the corpses of hundreds of pirates and traitors, and the Storm Draugar consider the destruction of the Red Corsairs as one more objective in the course of the Long War. (one they will relish once it is complete)

The Word Bearers
Enemies since the end of the Horus Heresy, there are many reasons that the Storm Draugar are despised by the most pious of the Dark Gods legion. The Draugar's senior most members were faithless worms that abandoned the Heresy, in fact, even those from their own ranks who had the audacity to question their faith! Furthermore, the Storm Draugar have made themselves enemies of the Word Bearers after several campaigns to steal geneseed from their brothers and pirate worlds under their control.

While the Word Bearers are a force truly terrible, they are large and their enemies are many. The Storm Draugar, for all their bluster and bravado, are but one of a thousand other irreverent fools that dare the wrath of the Legion. Thus, the Word Bearers have yet to mass their forces against the Storm Draugar in numbers great enough to make the Warbands strength irrelevant.

Eidolon
The mechanical assassin Eidolon once attempted to kill both of the Blackspawn brothers during the infamous raid that would be known as the Burning of Haclon, and though it was unsuccessful in this, it is noted as one of the only beings that ever managed to engage both Ingar and Malak in single combat and emerge alive, a feat not duplicated by any other being before or since.

The Sacking of Beilas
The Storm Draugar of the fearsome First Storm, led by the Blackspawn brothers themselves, assaulted the already beleaguered world of Beilas, and in the end left the world a dead husk, soaked in the blood of weakling loyalist, mindless Kroot, and spineless Dark Eldar foes.

The Spear of Perdition
The forces of the Storm Draugar would clash with their loyalist foes in M34

[THE GLORIOUS SCRIPTS OF THE DARK GODS ARE PENDING, THE CULTISTS ARE BEING DISCIPLINED FOR THIS DELAY]

The Annihilation of Valarian
The Storm Draugar decened upon the Hive World of Valarian with blood lust in their black heats, and slaughtered millions before scions of Lion El Jonson dared interfere. The Dark Angels fought the Storm Draugar tooth and nail for every inch of ground and saved countless lives, much to the fury of the Draugar Lord of the 7th Storm, and infamous Fallen, Heshgar the Heathen. Heshgar ordered the blood of every loyalist spilled before he would ever consider retreat, for his hate for the Dark Angels was greater than any of the Storm Draugar. And so, block by block, street by street, room by room, the war carried on into bitter months. The Dark Angels refused to abandon the world until they had slain as many traitors as they could and many of their Battle-Brothers fell valiantly defending the innocent from the ravages of the Storm Draugar. In the end the Storm Draugar had pushed the Dark Angels and the legions of survivors they defended alongside the local PDF to the last station and forced the loyalists off the world.

But the Captain of the Dark Angels 3rd Company would not allow Heshgar his triumph, and bombarded the world so severely that it began to fall apart as the Storm Draugar made a hasty retreat.

The Battle of Firehold
Firehold is now the backbone of the Blackspawn Dominion, a fully fledged Foretress World from which much of their holdings in the Maelstrom are governed. While Lupercal's Folly is the home of the Warband, Firehold is where its mortal supporters rally and their vast fleets muster to defend their territory while the Storms are away. However, Firehold was once under the command of the vile xenos warlord Hul'Dak'Shoka, who had ruled this fortress world deep in the heart of the Maelstrom for as long as time immemorial. This would change but a century following the Horus Heresy, as the forces of various warlords and upstarts from the Traitor Legions battled for control of this valuable world. But of all the foes the Storm Draugar would face in the conquest of the world, none were as fearsome as the mighty Chaos Lord known simply as Xaphuris.

The Butchery of Umdran
[THE GLORIOUS SCRIPTS OF THE DARK GODS ARE PENDING, THE CULTISTS ARE BEING DISCIPLINED FOR THIS DELAY]

The Fires of Nosta
A brutal battle for the sacred shrines of decadence on the Chaos controlled world of Nosta, the Storm Draugar contested the Slaaneshii Warband known as the Children of the Twisted Lash, lead by then infamous Daemon Prince Vorule the Omnipotent. The war began in earnest when the might of four Storms, the 1st, 4th, 11th, and the 2nd, launched a surprise attack on the Nosta system. The combined might of the four Storms, plus the added support from elements of the Blackspawn Dominions local warfleets, was more than enough to overwhelm the indolent daemon prince's local fleet.

With foes bearing down upon his lavished throne world, Vorule decided to call in sellswords and old favors to fill in the gaps in his Warband. The reinforcements arrived just in time, as the Storm Draugar had utterly ravaged the system, laying waste to the Children of the Twisted Lash's forces as they attempted to repel the invaders. With the support of a rogues gallery of sellswords and mercenaries, Vorule's final stand on his throneworld of Nosta would prove considerable. To deal with Malak Blackspawn himself, however, was a more difficult task than the actual defense of his palace and the planet it lay upon. For months Vorule had sent assassin after assassin but to no avail. Even his most skilled champions and powerful sorcerers had all fallen to ''Worldslayer. ''But an opportunity presented itself with the raptor known as Umbal the Duelist. Umbal boasted that he had never been bested in a duel, and swore to the Daemon Prince of Nosta that he would see his enemies dead for a price. Vorule graciously accepted the young raptor's terms, so long as the menace of the Storm Draugar was dealt with. Unfortunately for Vorule, Malak bested Umbal, and even gained the young Chaos Marines admiration. With Umbal at his side, Malak was able to invade Vorule's palace and face down the Daemon Prince within his own chambers. The resulting battle was one of epic proportions, for Vorule the Omnipotent was surely no weakling, having slain scores of great foes before. But Malak Blackspawn proved himself stronger, as he tore the Daemon Princes hearts from his chest.

Nosta would then fall to the rule of one of the Daemon Prince's prized slaves, a lowly pleasure slave by the name of Feng. Before his internment as one of Vorule's many concubines, Feng, known by his proper title as Prince Feng Kim Shin IV, was the next in line to rule the civilized Imperial world of Phadras XII. However, as he is now, he is considerably more pleased to now be lord and ruler over the pleasure world of Nosta. For Nosta is now the main revel world of the Storm Draugar, where the ends of great campaigns are celebrated and vast orgies of debauchery and indulgence are held in the name of the Prince of Pleasure.

The Killing Fields of Hellgate
The Cornelius Sub-Sector was once a crown jewel of the Imperium, a vital area of space that connected the great tithe ships from the Galactic East to the Segmentum Solar at the very heart of the Imperium. Located on the very edge of the Segmentum Solar, the Sub-Sector was vital to many Imperial worlds both before and behind it. For, without the Sub-Sector as a safe harbor, many ships would see their routes extended for many months if not years. A shame then, that it was destined to be the battle ground of a bloody conflict. The heralds of this bloodshed was the swarms of the Tyranid Splinter Fleet known as Hive Fleet Shoggoth. The hideous, Warp Tainted Hive Fleet descended first on the great fortress world of Hellgate. Hellgate was the very heart of the Cornelius Sub-Sectors fleet and home to its elite military forces, with regiments drawn from all over the guard and its very own Hellgate Guard. The Guard fought hard but the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Shoggoth were simply too many and ravenous. Within months much of the fortress world and most of the Sub-Sector's fleet were ovverun. But the Tyranids too took grievous casualties, and soon the war ground to a stalemate. That is, until the Storm Draugar arrived. The 1st Storm arrived to pillage the famously wealthy Sub-Sector, and were lead by none other than the Blackspawn Brothers themselves. The Storm Draugar slammed into both the Tyranid and Imperial fleet over Hellgate, catching both off guard and casting them aside.

Blood on Sentinel Prime
The capital of the several worlds that made up the Cornelius Sub-Sector and the second to be assaulted by the might of the First Storm, the Imperial Industrial world of Sentinel Prime would have been the prize of Malak and Ingar, were it not for the actions of a scant force of Guardsmen from the Vostroyan 43rd. The Guardsmen had been sent to this world to quell a rebel uprising on the behalf of the Capital Worlds influential Governor, but their forces were considered minor, with little more than a few squadrons of Leman Russ Tanks and Sentinels along with a few hundred men. When the Storm Draugar came, the men and women of the 43rd were caught off guard. The naval detachment sent to ferry them off world was destroyed swiftly and without mercy by the Storm Draugar's blood hungry fleet, and the initial assault, spearheaded by Malak himself, claimed two of the neighboring industrial cities within days.

Assault of Ke'Lan
During the bloody battle on Sentinel Prime, the forces of the Eldar Craftworld Ke'Lan slipped into the sector without notice. The Farseers foresaw great sorrow for the nearby Maiden Worlds that existed just outside the Sub-Sector, kept safe from the Imperium by powerful psychic barriers and ancient technologies, should the forces of Chaos succeed in this war. They held that the havoc and sorcery caused by the Storm Draugar in their wake could very well destabilize these ancient wards of protection, leaving the Maiden worlds vulnerable to either the forces of Chaos or the Imperium of Man.

Battle of the Nexus
[THE GLORIOUS SCRIPTS OF THE DARK GODS ARE PENDING, THE CULTISTS ARE BEING DISCIPLINED FOR THIS DELAY]

The Siege of Halcyon
[THE GLORIOUS SCRIPTS OF THE DARK GODS ARE PENDING, THE CULTISTS ARE BEING DISCIPLINED FOR THIS DELAY]

The Blackspawn Dominion
A cluster of twelve or so planets that are subservient to, or allied with, the Storm Draugar, these planets form the backbone of the Storm Draugar's supply network and are their primary source for recruitment. These planets are also the basis for the Warbands territorial power, and keeps them well defended in the Maelstrom while the Storms are off on crusade. The worlds are as follows:

Malak Blackspawn
"So loyalists, tell me, does the Emperor still protect?"

- Malak Blackspawn to the corpses of six Astral Claws Space Marines of the 3rd Company after beating them to death with his fists

Malak Blackspawn is the eldest of the Blackspawn brothers and one of the most feared Chaos Lords in the whole of the Maelstrom. Malak Blackspawn began life as nothing but underhive garbage, born to a whore on the dying world of Cthonia. However, Malak was destined to become a warrior the likes few had ever seen. As the eldest, he fended for his little brother, Ingar, after their mother abandoned them on the streets. Life was harsh for the brothers, young and alone, fighting for scraps in the underhives. But Malak was strong and tenacious, even at the tender age of six he was already a capable fighter. He was fortunate to have been born with an impressive physique for a child, especially on the barren world of Cthonia, which played no small roll in his ability to keep both himself and his brother alive. He would kill rats, snakes, even large dogs with his bare hands for sustenance. He would also have to fight off other underhivers and even mutants should it be impossible for the pair to run or hide from such dangers. It was in this role that the young Malak found his natural calling. Even for a child, Malak was a dangerous opponent to a malnourished underhiver. Armed with a rusty shank or length of pipe, the pint sized brawler would fight for his life with all the fury of a caged animal. However, Malak could not have survived alone. Without Ingar's keen eyes or sharp wit, the pair would have missed many a meal and blundered into many a trap. It was Ingar who regularly intervened when Malak found himself cornered by a large foe, slashing at the tendons and knees. Together they survived, and, as they grew, they would even begin to thrive.

When Ingar discovered his [THE GLORIOUS SCRIPTS OF THE DARK GODS ARE PENDING, THE CULTISTS ARE BEING DISCIPLINED FOR THIS DELAY]

It was not long after that the Emperor of Mankind descended upon the planet and found the first and greatest of his lost sons. When Horus swore loyalty to his father, the Blackspawns had no choice but to follow suit. Malaks supreme physical condition and warrior spirit made him an ideal candidate for the Luna Wolves and it was not long before he and his brother were both fighting for the glory of the Imperium alongside the rest of the VI Legion. Malak became a legend in his own right amongst the Astartes of the Luna Wolves, for his was the might of ten Astartes and his unbound fury and ten foot frame was a sight to behold as he carved his way through the foes of mankind, a living engine of destruction. Some say to this day Malak Blackspawn would have been better suited for the World Eaters such was his pension for brutality and violence, but there are also those who say his cunning and cruelty would have made him an ideal Night Lord. Malak served the Imperium for most of the Great Crusade and soon was admitted into the glorious First Company alongside the Warmaster himself, many times Malak fought alongside Horus and his confidant, Abaddon. But Malak would always prefer the company of his psyker brother, Ingar, to that of his Primarch and his inner circle, and the two would often fight side by side, Malaks physical might and Ingars psychic powers making for an unstoppable combination.

Malak, as wrathful and headstrong as he was, tended to heed his younger brothers advice and visions. For without Ingar, Malak would have certainly died ages ago, either on the field of war or alone in the hives of his homeworld. And during the calamitous time of the Horus Heresy, Malak often sought his brothers wise council. After the events of Istavaan III and IV, Ingar came to Malak, wide eyed and speaking of grim fates for them both. Ingar begged Malak to abandon Horus's mad crusade and follow him east, where he was certain their salvation lie. Malak was uneasy about abandoning the war against the Imeperium, not out of loyalty to Horus, but for fear of retribution from the rest of the Traitor Legions. But the bond between brothers is a strong one. Malak, being the most charismatic of the duo, set out to gather up a crew to support their flight from the Heresy. Using his own reputation as a great warrior and favored Son of Horus, Malak convinced Astartes from various other Legions to join them in their quest East. Munch to the surprise of his younger brother, Malak had convinced a small army of various Astartes to join them in their journey to salvation, convinced by the power and reputation of the Blackspawn Brothers.

Following their flight, Malak would find himself the master of a vast and ancient vessel in the midst of the Maelstrom, a devotee of the mysterious will of the Chaos Gods. Though to Malak, his allegiance matters not, only the glory of conquest and battle. He fights, not because he holds any personal ire for his foes (though that can be a motivator) or to appease the Dark Gods, but because battle is all he has ever known and will know. The blessings of Chaos are but secondary benefits, mere trinkets, compared to the sheer thrill and glory of battle. In his great age though, Malak longs for challenge. So many foes have fallen before his blade that much of his life is in danger of becoming one long hazy half-memory of blood and screams, of fire and blades, of rage half remembered and fallen foes more dream than reality.

He strides into battle, hellbent on wreaking as much gory destruction as possible, his dark heart caring only for the glory of himself and the Warband he built from nothing. If there were one loyalty Malak has other than to his battle lust, it is to his brother, Ingar. Where other Chaos Lords would have slain such a great potential opponent to his power, thousands of years of fighting alongside one another and preserving each others lives has strengthened the bond of these brothers beyond paltry ambition. The two have survived only because of one another. Malak knows full well that without Ingar to foresee events to come he would no doubt fall prey to assassins and traitors within his own Warband. For his might and reputation may be great, but it is far from inexhaustible. Should any foe ever target or harm Ingar, Malak will bear down on them with all the fury he can muster.

Malak wears his signature Chaos Terminator armor, originally of the Cataphractii pattern. The armor has long been enchanted by his brother with dark runes and decorated with various trophies. It is studded with sharp spikes and with its bulk is a deadly weapon in its own right. Built into the gauntlets of the armor are a pair of Possessed Volkite Serptentas that can incinerate lightly armored foes instantly and cook armored targets inside out. The Serpentas beam is known to seek out its enemies as if guided by a malevolent intelligence. He is also never without his massive, Chaos tainted Relic Blade, Worldslayer, which can rend through even the mightiest foes with one fell stroke and can penetrate even tank armor as if it were parchment. Most would have to wield Worldslayer two handed, but Malak can easily manage it one handed if he must. Malak is usually accompanied by a cadre of ancient Chaos Terminators, christened the "Sciatha Fuath" by the Warband, who fanatically follow him into battle. They are less bodyguards, and more of a screen of blades and bolts, so that Malak's battlefield duels are not interrupted.

Malak is famed for his sheer physical might, his imposing ten foot frame, and fearsome rage the likes of which few foes can match. Malak is a brutal and relentless fighter, often finding great joy in crushing the strongest of foes and is known to challenge the enemies leadership to personal combat. However, he is known to fight with his own brutal brand of martial honor, rarely partaking personally in underhanded tactics such as backstabbing or luring the foe into a trap. He would rather engage them in personal combat on the field of battle, where he may destroy them with Worldslayer or his bear hands. He is also known to accept any challenger on the battlefield, be they a lowly guardsman, mighty Loyalist Marine, or even a filthy xenos warlord. Though he may seem simple minded in his brutal tactics, Malak is a natural leader and like any Son of Horus can lead an offence with seeming impunity, decimating any defense with contemptuous ease.

When their mighty Chaos Lord takes the field, it is said that the Storm Draugar cannot be defeated so great their battle lust and determination becomes, for they all see Malak Blackspawn as the ultimate warrior of darkness. As far as the Chaos Marines of the warband are concerned, Malak Blackspawn is nigh invincible and the mightiest warrior to ever stride onto the battlefields of the 41st Millennium.

Ingar Blackspawn
"Fools, you attacked knowing full well that I had foreseen this development. Faith has blinded each and every one of you. To the truth. To the nature of all creation. Though now, perhaps you would wish it would blind you to the end?"

- Ingar Blackspawn to a group of captured Dauntless Angels Space Marines following the Fall of Murbella

Ingar Blackspawn was once nothing more than the child of an underhive whore on a dying planet, but with time he would grow to become one of the most feared sorcerers in all of the ranks of the Traitor Legions. Abandoned by his mother at the age of four, Ingar had to depend on Malak to survive, as he was a sickly and comparatively frail child. But where Malak had brawn, Ingar had brains. He was always possessed of a quick wit and keen eye, more than capable of picking locks and ferreting out edibles and other supplies where others would only find rubbish. He could almost subsist off his scrounging alone had he not had to share it with Malak. But Ingar never begrudged his big brother, for without him, Ingar would surely be food for the mutants. Malak was large, strong, even intimidating. Without him to fight back the horrors and kill the big animals, Ingar would live his days running without end, existing a short life as a meek, scrabbling creature until a singular lapse in judgement took his life from him. Together the pair would manage to hold on, to live in the barren and hostile underhives of Cthonia.

But Ingar was to face an even greater challenge after his sixth birthday. He discovered, through powerful whispers and visions, that he was a psyker. Under normal circumstances, Ingar's soul would have been devoured by heinous Warp Entities as his mind struggled with its profain connection to the Warp. But through a desperate will to live and the constant support of his brother he managed to fight off the monsters in his mind. Years of harsh self discipline and training transformed him into a very young but adept sorcerer, specifically a diviner. With this new skill, Ingar saw a chance for salvation. He and his brother would no longer prey on beasts and mutant scum, just for the meat to fill their empty stomachs. No, now they could stalk their fellow man, and kill for what they needed. Ingar would use his powers to scout out targets in the dark alleys of Cthonia, and together he and his older brother would assault their mark, often killing them and stealing all of their belongings. Ingar soon developed a phenomenal skill at divining, and even made early covens with lesser daemons through simple blood sacrifices and strange rituals, not knowing what effect such things could have on the soul. His ability, combined with Malak's might, would be the key their survival in the bleak underhives. Ingar would plan and orchestrate, and his brother would execute, together the two became well known as terrors of the underhives, black devils in the night that slew lone individuals and swiftly dragged their bodies into the blackness, never to be seen again.

Soon however, a great power rose, one that even Ingar did not foresee. Horus Lupercal began to dominate the hive with his own gang, and soon all others fell before his ruthless advance. All that opposed the yet unknown Primarch fell, soon only the Blackspawn brothers stood to oppose him. Ingar was at a loss, every tactic he foresaw and planned for was thwarted, Horus attacks were unstoppable regardless of any precognition, his offence was flawless. In the end, surrounded and fighting for the last breath, Ingar was shocked to see the Primarch offer the Blackspawn brothers a place in his gang. Ingar quickly whispered in his brother's ear, calling for his acceptance, for he knew Malak would never bow of his own volition. Luckily, Malak heeded Ingar's words.

Swiftly following the brothers joining the ranks of Lupercal's gang, the Emperor of Mankind discovered the dying planet and reunited with his soon to be favored son. When Horus took his place beside his beloved father, Ingar and Malak had little choice but to follow. Soon Ingar was trained, gene-seeded, and became a powerful Librarian of the Luna Wolves Legion. Ingar Blackpawns talent to foresee future events made him a very valuable asset to the Legion, and eventually became a tactical adviser for the Warmaster himself. Rarely did Ingar stride forth onto the field of battle, but when he did, he was a herald of doom to all who opposed him, sidestepping feeble strikes and delivering death in a myriad of sorcerous forms. Often Ingar would have his own cadre of fellow Sorcerers, but when he was called upon the field of battle, he would often seek out his brother, for together, with Malaks might and Ingars own flawless manipulation of the Warp, they were truly unstoppable, Ork Warbosses, Barbarian Kings, no abomination or heathen could stand against them.

However, after the purge on Istavaan III and the butchery of Istavaan IV, Ingars visions became much more dark and voices spoke to him in his dreams. Soon he began to see the end result of the Horus Heresy and that he and his brother would certainly perish during the final battle at the gates of the Imperial Palace. Determined to change these prophesied events he sought out his brother and pleaded with him to abandon the Heresy and travel to the Galactic East, for there his visions prophesied, they would find salvation. Though skeptical, Malak gathered what support he could, and the duo set out East. Soon the Blackspawns were face to face with the Maelstrom and Ingar prophesied that there, in that hellish and madding realm, they would find salvation in the form of a massive and well stocked Space Fortress of unknown origin.

Since that day, Ingar Blackspawn has been a powerful devotee of the Dark Gods, providing them with a great many supplications and sacrifices over the eons. However, he is no fanatic, for he believes the Gods to be little more than constructs of the Warp. Beings that, while certainly powerful, are little more than a means to an end. To Ingar, the end has always been survival. Ingar's greatest loyalty is the one he holds for his brother, who fought tooth and nail to keep him alive in their savage childhood and even now defends him with a brother's fury. Without Malak, Ingar would have either died then, or die in the near future, surrounded by enemies too numerous for even his great powers to defend him from. Should Malak be threatened he will come to his side with all the sorcerous might he can summon and his own considerable skills in the psychical realm of combat.

Ingar Blackspawns wargear consists of his power armor, bolt pistol, and the vicious Daemon Sword, Nirvana. Ingar's powers of divination make him an unmatched combatant, compensating for his comparative lack of martial skill when compared to the likes of his brother. He can strike where his foe is most exposed, and can evade with almost supernatural grace. His bolt pistol, though comparatively humble, is a tool of unmatched devastation when every shot is directed by a mind that can see into the future. Ingar is also an expert daemonlogist and can summon a cadre of daemons ease to further strengthen his twin retinue of highly trained sorcerers.

In spite of his talents, Ingar Blackspawn is rarely seen upon the battlefield, content to command the fleet and orchestrate the Warbands movements from afar. To bring down the heavy guns of the warships upon the infidels and lay waste to their pathetic fleets. He guides his brother Malak and supports his planets side campaigns with the expert acumen that comes from a master diviner and ten thousand years of combat experience. To the Chaos Marines of the Storm Draugar, Ingar is an unbeatable tactician and endowed with the very cunning of the Dark Gods, he may not stride into thunderous battle like his elder brother, but when he does take the field, his foes will wish they were facing the quick blade of Malak as their souls are sacrificed upon Ingar's cruel altar.

Collus
"Perhaps you should have challenged my lord instead... he would have killed you much faster."

- Collus as he strangles Chaos Lord Chadan the Defiler

An ancient and infamous Chaos Marine, Collus once served alongside the Despoiler himself in the Great Crusade, and fought fervently for the glory of the Warmaster during the Horus Heresy. He and Malak would become close comrades during the Great Crusade, though Collus was not of Cthonian blood, he had earned Malaks brotherhood when the two stood side by side against Ork forces during the Siege of Gurtan. However, unlike his freind and mentor, Collus followed at Horus' side after the Istvaan Massacres. Though he did not fault Malak for following his brothers premonitions, as he knew the bond between the two was stronger than any cause, he thought that Ingar's visions were inane ramblings of an ailing mind and nothing more.

Collus was at Horus Lupercal's side when the Emperor smote him, he saw Abaddon, a warrior he once respected and held close as a brother, turn tail and flee... he saw the Sons of Horus die on that day. But he would be damned if he stayed long enough to see it renamed the Black Legion. Just before he abandoned the Legion for the Maelstrom, Collus openly spoke against Abaddon, calling him a weakling and a fool, saying that he let the Warmaster die in vain and that he was a disgrace to the blood of their Primarch.

Collus single-handedly fought his way to the Maelstrom, dodging the newly founded Inquisition, killing loyalists left and right, he finally limped his way into the Maelstrom aboard a crippled cargo ship. Collus drew what he felt would be his last breaths as he succumbed to his wounds, the bodies of an Inquisitor and a group of Ultramarines his only companions. When he awoke however, he saw a familiar form looming over him.

In spite of the fact that Collus did not join Malak when he first abandoned the Heresy, the Chaos Lord held no ill will against his old friend. However, the Malak that Collus knew was no more, the brute that stood before him had found patronage under the banner of the dark and cunning gods, and had become far more prone to anger than ever before. Regardless, Collus was once again amongst warriors he could be proud of, true sons of Horus.

Collus is wise and forward thinking, unlike his liege, who is brash and headstrong. Collus also believes in the virtues of brotherhood and honor, even amongst the ranks of the Storm Draugar, and is well liked by his fellows. He holds nothing but hate for the Black Legion, ardently calling himself "A true son of Horus." And even the Blackspawns will not speak ill of the late Warmaster in his company.

Collus is the leader of Malak's honor guard, the infamous, Sciatha Fuath. He is also the Standard Bearer of the Black Banner of the 1st Storm. The Black Banner is a relic, once the standard of the famed 1st Company of the Sons of Horus. Collus stole it when he fled the Black Legion, and clutched it close when he was at deaths door. Now he bears it into battle, an icon of the Warband's fighting spirit to his fellow Chaos Marines.

Clad in his ancient suit of Cataphractii Terminator armor, and brandishing his Power Axe and Volkite Charger, Collus is an awe inspiring sight to behold on the battlefield. Though not as imposing as his master, Collus' mere presence calls the minds of veterans back to the days of the Great Crusade, when the legions were mighty and their foes broke before them. And to the young ones who did not have the privilege to fight during the Heresy, he is an inspiration. On his back he proudly bears the Black Banner, which doubles as a Teleportation Beacon, so that he may summon his bothers to his side at a whim.

Hane and Dauma
Hane and Dauma are twin Chaos Marine Sorcerers who were originally captured and trained by a strange cult upon the Space Hulk Fervent Despair. However, once the two potent psykers had learned to control their powers at a rudimentary level, they managed to escape, hijacking a valuable voidcraft and escaping via a blind Warp jump. For three weeks the two simply drifted about in deep space until a scouting craft from the 5th Storm discovered them. They were immediately inducted into the Warband and survived to become full Chaos Space Marines. The duo forged a name for themselves and eventually came to the attention of the Warbands Chief Sorcerer, Ingar Blackspawn. Ingar procured the two, and began to train them as his protégés, but he never divulged all of the arcane secrets he knew. Thus the two are his personal bodyguards and assist him in complex rituals.

Both Hane and Dauma are cold and quiet beings, likened by some to be similar to servitors. However the truth of the matter is far more unnerving. The twins are supremely analytical, both possessed of eidetic memories and sinister humors. They watch and relay what they can to their master, allowing Ingar to know the peculiarities of any being he may encounter. They speak only when bidden to do so by their master or his brother, and rarely do they remark between themselves. However, if one were to listen closely, they would hear both cackle and breath heavily when time comes for combat or blood rituals.

Hane and Dauma are both sadistic and are extremely deadly with their dark powers. Both are well versed in daemonology. Hane prefers the discipline of Telekinesis, rending the foe apart and tossing them to the wind with his very mind. Meanwhile his twin Dauma is a dangerous Biomancer, boiling blood and twisting flesh and bone in horrific ways. Hane is armed with a tainted Power Halberd and a custom made Grav-Pistol, while Dauma bears a vicious Chain Halberd along with a bolt pistol and a set of Plague Grenades.

Krysis
"With me my brothers, we shall wreak divine havoc upon the infidels!"

- Krysis leading a his Berzerkers forward

Also known as the Lord of the Cult of the Eight-Fold Path, Krysis savage berzerker borne of the infamous Night Lords. A fanatic devotee of Khorne and the foremost berzerker of the Warband, Krysis was once a young whelp of the Night Lords, taken directly from Nostramo's teaming ranks of criminal scum. Though Krysis was exceptional at sewing terror and fear, he was considered too dim witted and blood hungry to ever be a "true" Night Lord. Disdained by his Primarch, as many of the newer Legionaries were, and constantly put down by his senior peers who saw him as a pawn and little more, Krysis joined the then legendary Blackspawn brothers in their abandonment of the Heresy. During the Warbands sojourn into the Maelstrom, Krysis was seduced by the power of the Dark Gods and became a self styled warrior priest of Khorne. Now Krysis is a powerful warrior, using both the terror tactics of his old Legion and the berserk fury of his zeal to show all those who doubted him just how mighty he could become without their weakness holding him back.

Now blessed by the Blood God with powerful martial skill which is in turn greatly enhanced by millennium of combat experience, the one who was tauntingly called whelp in his own Legion is now respected and feared in the Storm Draugar Warband. Marshaling his reputation, Krysis has called to his side the most fearsome berzerkers of the warband, calling them his "Bloody Congregation".

In battle Krysis is always clad in his terrifying Power Armor, adorned with the corpses of fallen foes, and flanked by a cadre of hand picked Berzerkers. He bears his double sided Chain Glaive, Shredbaron, and wrist mounted Hand Flamer into battle, wreaking what he calls "Divine Havoc" amongst the enemies ranks. Through his bloody proselytizing, he has been blessed with the Mark of Khorne, granting him power and wrath far above most other warriors. Ruthless and utterly psychotic, Krysis is the picture of a raving fanatic, his zealous fury to crush all of the galaxy's infidel races and empires completely consuming his being.

Mahdiler the Pale
"Obcisor is ready, as am I."

- Mahdiler inspecting his Power Claw before riding into battle

A specter of doom on the battlefield, Mahdiler the Pale is also known as the Pale Knight, the Swift Shroud, and the Horror Blade of Umdran. Mahdiler is a Chaos Marine Assault Biker and blessed recipient of the putrid Mark of Nurgle. No one knows where Mahdiler came from, his legion or chapter of origin, nor his history before he was discovered on Umdran by the 1st Storm. He was encountered on the killing fields of Umdran, alone save for his ancient assault bike. His armor bore no markings, simply being a pallid white adorned with rotting skulls as plague grenades. He joined the Warband following the planets eventual destruction, holding the Warband as worthy of his claw and bolter. It was not soon after that he was revealed to be a devotee of Nurgle, and after no less than a year in the service of the Warband had he finally earned his mark.

As a being marked by Nurgle, Mahdiler is gifted with unholy endurance and his weapons are blessed with dreadful pestilence. He has yet to become a true Plague Marine, but many know that such a blessing is only a matter of time. Upon his Assault bike, he has slain a great many foes, both Champion and lowly infantryman. With bolters, bolt pistol, and vicious power claw Obcisor, he has achieved such feats as the slaying of Warsmith Vulmer and the famous Autarch Sebin of Craftwlord Ke'Lan. This has earned him a small following in the form of a cadre of fellow Assault Bikers, who too have embraced Nurgle's vile love.

As a Champion of the warband, Mahdiler can be found wherever battle is to be, and a great deal of death can be sewn. He strikes like an airborne pathogen, suddenly and without warning, leaving a sicking aura of dread in his wake. His very strike has been the death of entire armies, men routing as their commanders were cut down in the wake of Obcisor and plague grenades made of the heads of fallen foes. Mahdiler rides atop his charnel steed Shroud, a warbike covered in great spikes with which to impale those who dare stand in the Pale Knight's path. Many of the corpses have been left to rot, creating a gruesome and foul smelling visage that makes Mahdiler all the more terrifying to his foes.

Umbal the Duelist
"It seems you have bested my men. Impressive, I must say. Such valorous blood will certainly produce a fine painting! En Garde!"

- Umbal prior to slaying a Grey Knight

The Corpse Painter of Elysum, the Marauder of Maiden Souls, the Quickblade of Nosta, all these and many more black titles are held by the Raptor known as Umbal the Duelist. It is said that he was born with the Mark of Slaanesh upon him, the result of a union between a powerful cult leader and an unknown companion. (some fearfully whisper that he is of daemon blood) Umbal was born a slave to the infamous Emperor's Children, but due to his birth mark, was immediately forged into a Chaos Marine. He rapidly rose through the ranks, becoming an astute Raptor, sewing terror and death with his sonic screeches and impeccable swordsmanship. Yet he was not content to stay indolent with the Legion, and left its ranks of his own accord to find greater excitement on the field of war.

As the Dark Gods would have it, Umbal stumbled across the Storm Draugar in his travels as a sell-sword to the forces of Chaos. He was hired by a rival warband to assassinate Malak Blackspawn on the world of Nosta. Though Umbal struck with surprise and allies on his side, he was still bested by the hulking Chaos Lord. Most would be outraged, but Umbal had never felt defeat, none in the Legion had ever bested him in a duel of blades. Such an experience was completely new, and, to Umbal, exhilarating. Thus, before Malak tore him in half, Umbal pledged his body and blade to the Storm Draugar. He quickly gained a following amongst the warbands other Raptors as he proved himself with his finely crafted Power Sword and plasma pistol.

Umbal is now a famed Raptor Champion of the warband, whose skill in hand to hand combat is unparalleled by any but Malak himself. And even then, Malak cannot match Umbal's grace or speed. It is said that Umbal handles his power sword as an artist handles a brush. An apt comparison, as Umbal himself is an avid painter. His power armor and walls of his sizable quarters aboard the Strike Cruiser Nemesis is beautifully painted with vivid depictions of glorious battles and scenes of the galaxy. One would most certainly suspect Umbal to be quite skilled in the the art, but the infamous Duelist would state that the most key element to his work is the materials used. Brushes from the softest animal hides, canvas made of long extinct plants or finely tanned human skin, and paint made of the blood of the finest virgin maidens in all the Galaxy.

Umbal is a bitter rival with the infamous Noise Champion known as Vermorta the Screamer. Umbal considers the bastard seeded mutant little more than a bombastic savage, fueled by drugs and under the thrall of daemonic weaponry. A true champion of Slaanesh is one who seeks utter perfection in all things, and to become indolent on mere sensation alone is to throw away Slaanesh's gifts of obsession and purpose.

Umbal is also locked in an unending feud with the powerful daemonette known as Leshta the Man Eater, whose constant meddling and kill thievery has caused him no small frustration. He finds the pompous and self absorbed little daemon to be a severe irritant that he wishes to flay alive with his blade. However, he also fantasizes about what a beautiful painting he could create with he blood of a deamon, slowly bled out from a still live body.

Vermorta the Screamer
"Yessssss... Bring the noise."

- Vermorta basking in the bass of his Doom Siren, Screamfiend

A powerful Champion of Slaanesh, Vermorta the Screamer goes by many other black titles, such as the Voice of Perdition, the Call of Ruin, and the Doom Siren of Nellos. Such titles are assuredly deserved, for amongst the ranks of the Storm Draugars Noise Marines, few are as uncompromisingly lethal and depraved as Vermorta. Manic, gluttonous, and ever obsessive, Vermorta is a constantly twitching and cackling hulk of genetically enhanced muscles infused with the most potent combat drugs known to the vile mystics of Chaos. He leads his pack of crazed pleasure seekers through the battle fields of the 41st Millennium, creating a crescendo of violence and pain to slake his bloodlust.

Vermorta was born in the flesh pits of Lupercal's Folly, bred to be the ideal specimen for gene-seeding. However, Vermorta was born with several monstrous flaws. Due to chemical imbalances in his vat while he gestated, an accidental oversight due to a faulty servitor and clumsy maintenance worker, Vermorta's musculature grew almost out of control. Still forming flesh and skin threatened to rip itself apart more than once during his rapid development, and it was only the swift actions of the mad Warpsmith, Hurlok Zhaz, that saved Vermorta's unborn form. Because of this, Vermorta suffers from uncontrollable bouts of spastic twitching, and an overdeveloped musculature, making it almost impossible to control the force with which he applies with his hands. While in most circles, such a creature would be relegated to the ranks of the cultists, Hurlok became intrigued by the potential of Vermorta's abhorrent physiology. With his blessing, Vermorta underwent the trials to become a Storm Draugar. It was during these times that the Warpsmith discovered that the application of a powerful cocktail of various chemicals and drugs could at least mitigate Vermorta's overactive physiology, allowing the soon to be Chaos Marine a modicum of control over his own body. With his monstrous body under control, Vermorta quickly proved himself nothing short of an ideal specimen. Towering over the other initiates, monstrous muscles bulging and rippling with unnatural force, he easily ripped his competition to shreds with his bear hands. The Vermorta dreaded and feared today began to take shape, being conditioned to take pleasure in violence as every kill activated his surgically implanted auto-injector. With every life he took the constant pain of his writhing body was stripped away, leaving only pure ecstasy. It was also at this time that Vermorta discovered his body could do more than destroy. It could feel, intensely, everything around him. The cool air in the halls of Lupercal's Folly was akin to a stinging blizzard, the warmth from the nearby furnace a scorching inferno, the pale glow-globes instead stinging spheres of brilliance. He slowly learned to take joy in pain as well, for every sensation was one more intense than the last.

By the time he was fully implanted with his bastard gene-seed, hand crafted by Hurlok Zhaz to best suit his mutant physiology, Vermorta was a monster of such a scale that not even the insidiously wise Warpsmith fully comprehended what he had wrought. On his first deployment, on a minor Hive World known as Vassen Secundus, Vermorta reportedly perpetrated the infamous "Block #12 Massacre" singlehandedly. The crazed Chaos Marine supposedly abandoned his squad in the midst of battle, armed with nothing but a shotgun and a simple combat knife. He wandered the Hive, killing anything that he came across, be they PDF, Guardsmen, or civilians. When his shotgun ran out of ammo, he found a rocket launcher. When that was no more, he used grenades. When those ran out, he resorted to his blade. When that became too dull, he found his hands more than capable. But it was one weapon that changed Vermorta forever. During his rampage, he discovered the remains of a Storm Draugar Noise Marine Squad. Of all their gaudy wargear, one piece in particular called out to him. An ornate Doom Siren, still thrumming with life even after its former master was hewn in half by lasfire. Vermorta felt compelled to don the bewitched relic. It was at that moment that Vermorta finally reached his apex, for at that moment the world was plunged into sensation. Dazzling colors, potent perfumes, overwhelming sensations. But most importantly, the noise. That beautiful, wailing, screaming, roaring noise. He was consumed by it as it washed over his very being, as it swept up his soul in a glorious tidal wave of sensation.

Vermorta was rediscovered by a Storm Draugar armored column, knee deep in the bodies of refugees and guardsmen, surrounded by the smoldering wreckage of what was an evacuation convoy. It was only then that Vermorta realized, solely by omission of his stunned comrades, that he had been behind enemy lines for no less than eight months. Vermorta came to terms with what he was, he was a Noise Marine now, a lustful servant of, as he termed, "The Great Prince of Holy Noise." Since then, he and his Doom Siren, Screamfiend, have sown utter ruin across the stars, blasting out deadly siren calls that surely send scores of beings to their bloody deaths.

Vermorta the Screamer is a powerhouse in battle, his mutant physiology and Screamfiend allowing him to bring death to any who are unlucky enough to fall under his hungry gaze. Armed with the baroque power sword known as Sweet Touch, designed by some of the Draugars finest weaponsmiths, and his elegant bolt pistol, Vermorta kills with a manic hunger and measured sadism that few of his comrades can match. Sweet Touch is a perverse tool of death, drinking deep of the blood of the fallen, and converting that into a sweet ichor within its pommel, which is immediately injected directly into Vermorta's veins with every kill. How this warp tainted blade makes clean the blood of even those touched by Nurgle is unknown, but its effects on its master are a great boon in battle. Due to his mutant physique, Vermorta is considerably faster and stronger than a Space Marine born of purer blood, this shows in his style of combat. Vermorta was psycho-conditioned for battle, but he lacks much in the way of artful finesse or grace, instead striking like a ravenous animal. He uses his speed and strength to rend his foes limb from limb, their gushing wounds and screaming bringing him great pleasure. His own screams blast away all but the strongest, reducing them to pulp and gore.

It should be noted that, as rival Champions of Slaanesh, Vermorta the Screamer and Umbal the Duelist have a fierce history of one upmanship. Vermorta considers Umbal to be a preening fool, obsessed with his blade and paints. A true champion of the Great Prince of Holy Noise revels at all times, and cares not for anything but the next rapturous sensation.

Vermorta also takes umbrage from the upstart daemonette, Leshta the Man Eater, finding the daemon to be insufferably smug and competitive. While she is one of Slaanesh's chosen creations, this dose not inspire in Vermorta any less of an urge to blast her smug grin away with Screamfiend.

Emile the Fury
"Yes, scatter like the vermin you are! Flee! Ahahah! FLEE!"

- Brother Emile strafing the trenches of the Valhallan 79th during the infamous Torsoth Raids

Known as the most skilled pilot in the ranks of the Storm Draugar, Brother Emile, also known as Emile the Fury or simply The Fury, is a devastating terror on the battlefield. Alone, he pilots the Storm Draugars last remaining Fire Raptor Gunship, Firebreed, bringing swift death and ruin from above with her twin linked Avenger Bolt Cannons and dual Reaper Autocannons.

Emile is a young star in the Warband, created from the flesh pits of Lupercal's Folly with the singular destiny to serve the Blackspawn Brothers. He was found to be ideal for the rigors of Marinehood, and was quickly forced through the regimen devised by the insidious Warpsmith, Hurlok Zahz. Within a few short years, Emile was a fully fledged Chaos Marine of the Storm Draugar, forged in madness and perversion, molded by cruelty and hatred, and driven by the burning blood of the Iron Warriors and World Eaters in his geneseed. Early in his career, Emile showed a preference for ranged combat, joining the ranks of the Havocs. Armed with but a simple autocannon, Emile racked up a small but noteworthy tally over the course of his first half century.

However, Emile lusted for greater excitement, and found it in even greater and mightier weapons. Soon he moved from the ranks of the Havocs to those of the warbands pilots and mechanical experts. Such technology enthralled him, armed with weapons of great scale and devastating power. But most attractive was the raw speed and power of the Warbands aerial fleet. Thunderhawks and Storm Ravens, loaded with the might of their arsenals, were the subject of his obsessions. He quickly proved himself an adept pilot, transporting his battle brothers to the battle field and laying down withering barrages from the Thunderhawk known by its simple call sign, ''Savage 3. ''For another trial of half a century, Emile proved himself to be one of the Warbands finest pilots, preforming a long list of daring and villainous feats. From the infamous Spire #242 Massacre, to the Battle of Pa'Voi, the enemies of the Storm Draugar learned to fear the skies. But it was not until the Campaign of Slaughter that he was recognized as worthy for his current position. During that crusade across the Tarthis Sub-Sector, Brother Emile scored a mighty tally of kills against both ground targets of the Lightbringers Chapter and local Guard forces and aerial targets over the skies of Hive Terdon and Agri World Sollon.

Such exemplary and bloody handed feats did not go unrewarded. The insidious Warpsmith, Hurlok Zahz, had plans for the young ace. Emile was commended for his feats following the Campaign of Slaughter, and granted the highest honor that could be bestowed upon such a burgeoning pilot. With the Warpsmith's blessing, Emile was granted the right to pilot Firebreed, the Warband's sole Flame Raptor Gunship. Prior to his first deployment with his new steed, Emile underwent various bionic enhancements at the hands of Zahz himself, enhancing his already super human reflexes and targeting skills. These enhancements also allowed Emile to neurally link with Firebreed, making the gunship an extension of his will while he piloted it.

However, during his first deployment, something unexpected befell the young astartes. Firebreed's Machine Spirit had long been corrupted by the influences of the Warp, and had become self aware. With a malicious and bloodthirsty cunning, she attempted to take control of Emile's mind during the Invasion of Creed Majorus. The battle of wills was waged for but a bare span of seconds, but the result would bind the two entities together. Though unsuccessful in overtaking Emile's mind, Firebreed would become linked with his consciousness, the two becoming one in a sense. Now the Gunship could speak telepathically to its new pilot, and Emile could command his vessel even if he were not in the cockpit.

Over the eons, the two would bond as comrades, Firebreed always hungry for blood and battle, and Emile always willing to oblige. Together they dominate the skies, slaying all who oppose them with near impunity. Firebreed is outfitted with her deadly aresneal of nose mounted twin-linked Avenger Bolt Cannons and side mounted twin-linked Reaper Autocannons. She is also blessed by the exalted mark of Tzeetch, which grants her weapons even greater power as they burn through armor and rend the soul. Emile, meanwhile, is rarely on the field, but on the off chance that he is forced to engage on the ground, he is clad in his scavenged power armor and armed with a bolt pistol and combat knife.

Hurlok Zahz
"You have proven most resilient, Captain Idros, but I would expect nothing less from an Imperial Fist. Pheraps it is now that I explain to you why they call my maul Knucklebreaker."

- Hurlok Zahz prior to slaying Captain Idros of the Imperial Fists 8th Company

A powerful warrior and unfathomable intellect, Hulok Zahz is the Master Warpsmith and Chief Apothecary of the Storm Draugar. Responsible for keeping the Warbands other Warpsmiths and Hereteks in line, as well as spearheading the research and development of various weapons and technologies. Hurlok Zahz was once an honored Tech-Marine of the Iron Warriors Legion, but abandoned the Legion to pursue his interests. The study of the entities of the Warp and the ways of the machine have always been key subjects for Hurlok. But most of all he is vexed by the implications these forces can have on mortal flesh. Thus he has set out to dominate each of these three elements, to one day command them as a god would. Already he has made great strides in his chosen fields, creating a vast array of cybernetic horrors and mutant monstrosities. His creations include the deadly daemon engines of the Warband, of which he is most proud. He is also the chief reason the Warband has scores of raw recruits, as the Warpsmiths understanding of Vita Womb technology is vital to the Warbands manpower. Finally, the development of potent daemon engines and other, more mundane vehicles would be nowhere as prolific where it not for his guiding hand.

Though Zhaz is not well known for his skill in battle, his eons of experience and genius mind make him a force to be reckoned with on the field of war. Not to mention the force of his abominable creations which inevitably accompany him. Chief amongst these pets is the brute Leviathan, a great Maulerfiend who is ruthless in the persecution of its master's enemies. Zhaz need not be shadowed by his vile companion however, armed with his great array of Mechadendrites and his mighty Daemon Maul Knucklebreaker, even if he was caught without a machine to command or a band of Chaos Marines to defend him, he can still be a force few can hope to overcome.

As he is such a powerful and vital member of the Warband, Hurlok Zhaz often finds himself attached to whatever Storm he fancies. Thus he is likely to be encountered by foes during engagements revolving around arcane technology or strange daemonic artifacts.

Geudan the Vanquished
"To me, slaves of the false Emperor! To your doom!"

- Geduan charging the ranks of the Imperial Guard on Theris VI

A deadly Chaos Dreadnought kept chained on Lupercal's Folly when none of the Storms are in need of his might, Geudan the Vanquished is a living cautionary tale to the other Aspiring Champions of the Storm Draugar. Geudan was once an Astartes in his prime, a more potent example of the Storm Draugars unrelenting brutality and might not seen since Malak himself. Geudan served alongside the Blackspawn brothers himself, and many say he would have one day become an astute Draguar Lord, leading his own Storm into battle against Xenos wretches and Imperial weaklings.

But such a life was cut short by an Equalizers Veteran Sniper, whose Oblivion Sniper Rifle tore Geudan in half, rendering his body almost beyond repair. Malak, though more than willing to dispose of the failure, instead had him entombed in the cold prison of an ancient Contempter Pattern Dreadnought, as an example to all those who disappointed the Greatest of Draugar Lords.

Geudan is a shattered wreck of his former self, his ambitions cut out from underneath him by what he sees as a cruel twist of fate, he now vents his bitter wrath upon mankind, his massive Power Fist with an integral Flamer and Contempter twin-linked Autoannon doling out his vengeance on all who dare stand before this titan of hatred and admantium. Though mocked by various upstarts within the Warband when he is in stasis or out of earshot, Geudan is given a wise amount of respect when he is on the field, for, unlike so many Chaos Dreadnoughts, he has maintained his sanity and is completely aware of his position, and has little patience for any mortal that crosses him, be he friend or foe.

Maggard the Striker
"You can run. But this will only spare you from seeing the end when it comes. Trust me, it is better to know then to question what has taken your life."

- Maggard rallying the Janissaries of the 4th Storm to battle.

Striding forth on great legs made of admantium and boasting an arsenal that would make a Leman Russ' machine spirit jealous, Maggard the Striker is an ancient Deredeo Pattern Dreadnought. Formerly a member of the Sons of Horus 23rd Grand Company during the Great Crusades and a ranking member in the Black Legion for three thousand years following the Heresy, Maggard is no stranger to war. In fact, it is all he knows, for he has long since forgotten the virtues of loyalty and honor. Now he seeks only to destroy, to indiscriminately sew chaos and death with his vast arsenal and reap a bloody toll for the Dark Gods. When he awoke on the eve of the battle for the forge world Nurnan and saw the unfamiliar forms of Storm Draugar Warpsmiths, he only asked in who had dared to awaken him in passing as he boarded the drop pod. For it matters not who he serves, so long as he can continue to wreak havoc and mayhem.

Maggard is obsessed with destruction, yet his cold and ruthless demeanor has tempered his mind and staved off the madness that plagues the other, younger Dreadnoughts of the Warband. His calculated attacks have devastated many an armored column or infantry brigade, feeding them to the fires of chaos with withering barrages fired from his Anvilus Autocannon Batteries, torso mounted twin linked Heavy Bolters, and Ailolos Missile Launchers.

Leshta the Man Eater
"Yummy..."

- Leshta's catchphrase

A cunning predator in the guise of a lithe temptress, Leshta is a Daemonette like no other. Sadistic, possessive, and vain to a fault, at first one would merely pass her off as little different from the ruthless pack of five other Daemonettes that follow her every command. But then one would discount how truly ruthless Leshta is. Otherworldly lust drives her insane gluttony, for she is obsession manifest, mad hunger and sadistic whims made flesh and bone. To this end, Leshta's flawless master has blessed her with the ability to slake her hunger, if only for a time.

Leshta was first encountered by the Storm Draugar during the ending days of the Cornelius Sub-Sector campaign, summoned by Ingar and his cabal of scorcerous minions to support the Warband against the Vostroyan 43rd during the Battle for Sentinel Prime alongside several other packs of daemons from the other three Chaos Gods. Determined not to be outdone by the minions of her lords rivals, Leshta committed her fellows to the front lines with all due haste, instinct drawing her alongside the ranks of Umbal the Duelist and Vermorta the Screamer, who were engaged in a brutal contest to slay the most of the Emperor's faithful. Little did they expect Leshta to leap into battle before them, gracefully scything down scores of guardsmen with her twin daggers. But it was what she managed with her unique gifts from Slaanesh himself that most awestruck the Chaos Marines. Sighting a particularly handsome guardsman, Leshta let lose her long, whip like tongue, which stuck like Mechanicus grade epoxy to the guarsman's forehead. With a quick tug, his head was freed from his shoulders, face frozen in a state of abject shock and horror as it plunged down into the daemonettes cavernous maw. Stunned, both Umbal and Vermorta were at a loss for words as Leshta smirked smugly at the pair before continuing her slaughter, easily outpacing the both of them.

Since that day, the young Daemonette has been an all too common sight within the ranks of the warband, securing her stay in the material realm through various willing daemonhosts and constant feeding upon the flesh for mortals. Many a naive cultist has been swallowed alive to ensure she remains to further upstage the two Champions Umbal and Vermorta, obsessing over the two for reasons unknown. It is likely that she merely finds their mixed jealousy and desire for her entertaining, and that the material realm has so many flavors of sentient being to be digested alive and screaming.

Armed with her flawlessly crafted twin daggers, serpentine maw, and prehensile lash tongue, Leshta is easily one of the most deadly Daemons at the Storm Draugars disposal. She is also the most crafty and well known, having a small cult dedicated to her and the guile to remain within the material realm. Not only is Leshta deadly on the field of war, but her ability to appear human and or possess human bodies allows for a wide variety of subtle roles as well.

Captain Krauser
"We are born to kill. We are born to die. We are born to serve."

- Captain Krauser recites the mantra of the Janissaries

The commander of the infamous 76th Janissary Company, forged in the flesh pits of Lupercal's Folly and bred to serve their dark masters as their frontline troops and special forces units, Captain Krauser is considered one of the highest ranking mortals in all of the Warband. He is one of the few human officers placed at the side of the Blackspawn Brothers, and perhaps the only one that has their respect and trust. He alone commands the mighty 76th Company, an elite unit of Janissaries that is famed for being the most decorated unit of the already formidable Janissary force within the 1st Storm. He was grown in a tank and conditioned from birth to be the ideal soldier of Chaos. Ruthless, unquestioning, and completely loyal to his superiors, Krauser is a figure of great fear and respect amongst the other mortal forces of the Storm Draugar.

Krauser began his life as nothing more than a potential candidate for gene-seeding, as most Janissaries are at the beginning. However, his body was found lacking, weather it was some crucial gene or a simple case of minor mutation, none can be certain. Thus he was pressed into the elite Janissaries, where he would be pushed to the very limits of his mind and body. In the end, he survived the training, and became something far more deadly than the average cultists or traitor guardsman. He was now proficient with nearly any weapon, from blades and rifles, to explosives and exotic weapons tainted by Chaos itself. His mind was stripped clean of any emotions that could have interfered with his duties, like fear, empathy, and love. He had become little more than a well trained attack dog, set upon the enemies of the Storm when the might of the Astartes was unable to reach the foe.

For many years Krauser climbed the ranks, working his way from a lowly private, to sergeant, and eventually lieutenant by the time of the infamous Battle for Sentinel Prime. It was during that bloody engagement that he would earn his place as the commander of the 76th Janissary Company. Engaged in the choked streets of Sentinel Prime's Capital Hive City, Krauser lead his platoon in a brutal counter attack during the now infamous "Battle of Span #2235". The battle for this single bridge connecting the main gate to the Spires above and the hive below was the most bloody of the entire conflict. Hundreds of men gave their lives for every inch of that span. It was during this battle that Krauser commandeered a disabled Rhino and used it to plow his way through the enemy gun line, crushing several guardsmen and breaking the back of the enemy as he and his men fired their hellguns relentlessly from the transports gunports. With the main line broken, the way was open for the rest of the Cultists to beign their charge. Soon the Imperial ranks were overwhelmed and hacked to pieces. The fall of their front lines signaled the arrival of the Storm Draugar themselves, including the great Malak Blackspawn and the deadly Champion Umbal. Krauser would go on to distinguish himself further as he and his men spearheaded the advance directly alongside the mighty Draugar Lord, and Krauser's skill with his Hellgun and Power Sword was such that, even though the forces of the Storm Draugar were eventually routed by Imperial Guard armored reinforcements, Malak Blackspawn would still promote Krauser to the rank of Captain.

Now, as the commander of the mighty 76th Company, Krauser is an icon of all things the Storm Draugar value in their human subjects. Loyal, tenacious, and ruthless beyond measure. Now, clad in his flak armor and brandishing his Hellpistol and Power Sword, he will cut down foe after foe in the name of the Storm Draugar and Chaos.

Emanuel the Icon
"Yes! Fly high, oh wondrous black banner! So that the enemies of the Dark Gods may see us! So that they may know our names! So that they may know our blades!"

- Emanuel leading the charge against the Eldar forces of Craftworld Ke'Lan

The famous Standard Bearer of the 76th Janissary Company, the man known as the Icon began life as little more than a genetic sample in a Vita-Womb. But he would grow to become one of the most inspiring examples of mad bravery and zeal the Warband had ever seen. Emanuel's tale is one of steadfast dedication and dogged obedience in the face of insane odds, and such a tale made him worthy of holding high the tainted black banner of the Company.

During the Battle of Firehold, Emanuel was merely a private, armed with only his Hellgun and combat knife, holding the line against the forces of several other Warbands and those of Firehold's xenos overlords. He and his squad were holding the line at a great open plaza in the shadow of the xenos warlord's palace, fighting against both cultists and Chaos Marines alike. They held the line until a brutal artillery barrage ravaged the area. Disoriented, ears ringing, and hellgun cast from him, Emanuel saw that the Company Standard had been cast to the ground in the chaos, its bearer torn to pieces. He then looked behind him, the lesser cultists of the Storm Draugar were abandoning the position in the face of the onrushing enemy tide. That was against orders. His orders were to hold the line. Emanuel would hold the line. He dashed out into the open, taking up the banner as he ran, and with all the power he could muster let loose a great warcry. His voice was said to have been blessed by Khorne himself on that day for it seemed to roar with the force of a thousand war horns, so great that even the enemy were taken aback by this lone man charging their oncomming ranks, banner held high. He dove into the teeming mass of enemy cultists, singlehandedly slaughtering one after the other with nothing but the banner, which, though intended for such a purpose, was also intended as a last resort. But alone the valiant Emanuel could stand no chance, for his enemies were like insects on a corpse. As they surrounded him, ready to pull him to the ground, a booming roar sounded from across the plaza. The cultists of the Storm Draugar had regrouped, and in a great counter charge, rallied to Emanuel's side.

It was due to his great actions that the Storm Draugar won victory on that day, for had Emanuel not overturned the enemy's charge, the force assaulting the palace would have been overrun, caught between the artillery and infantry. For his valor and loyalty, Emanuel was commended personally by the mighty Malak Blackspawn, and rewarded with the position of Standard Bearer for the illustrious 76th Company until death takes him. Clad in his flak armor and armed with bolt pistol and banner, Emanuel serves as a living example of the Dark Gods favor, and commands the bravery of all who stand before his great black banner.

Liutenent Blake "Shrapnel" Twinshanks
"Oh look, more guardsmen."

- Blake "Shrapnel" Twinshanks, readying himself for yet another wave of Kreigers during the Bloodbath of Tenthan

A cold, merciless butcher, Blake "Shrapnel" Twinshanks is a brutal psychopath always on the lookout for his next kill. Once a low ranking member of the Imperial Navy, Blake joined the ranks of the Storm Draugar when the Warband captured the Imperial Tithe Ship Grand Bounty, having made his choice to join the Dark Gods at the end of a Chaos Marines bolter.

Press ganged into the ranks of the Storm Draugars cultists and slave cannon fodder, Blake quickly learned to adapt, his quiet, soft demeanor quickly becoming violent. He learned that he had to assert some form of dominance or be constantly at risk, his own life meaning nothing to his superiors and even less to his fellow cultists. So, when the time was right, he proved his worth. On the barren world of Xerxes Prime, Blake initiated a confrontation with his commanding officer, a cult leader of significant status. Though the altercation was far from clean and swift, after gouging out the mans eyes and bashing his skull in with a length of pipe, Blake's superiors took notice.

Blake then found himself promoted to the ranks of the traitor guardsmen and other paramilitaries. It was here that Blake earned his reputation. Armed with a basic grenade launcher and laspistol, Blake survived in the ranks for over three years. However, he only reached his current level of infamy during the bloody Battle of Olm. There, on the fungal death world, he and his comrades found themselves fighting for their very lives against the forces of the Catachan Jungle Fighters. Cut off from the main body of the Storm Draugar on world, and surrounded on all sides, Blake took command of the ravaged remains of his platoon. Through cold determination and ruthless cunning, he managed to drag himself and fourteen others out of the flesh eating muck and man eating foliage, with a Catachan Combat Knife as a trophy. It was also here that he earned the nickname "Shrapnel", as his grenade launcher had put an end to many a Catachan hiding in the brush.

Nathan "Tactic" Citcat III
"I always got a plan baby. Always."

- Nathan to his fellow cultists prior to hijacking an Imperial Guard Chimeria

A sly manipulator and cold blooded murderer, Nathan Citcat III has lived on the razors edge since the day he was born to the pirate lord Nathan Citcat II. The only bastard son to take up his fathers meager fleet, Nathan was educated by his wealthy father in the ways of void warfare and hand to hand combat. His father was a once a powerful Rogue Trader, but scandal and heretical intrigue left his wealthy house in ruins, leaving only a scattered fleet of renegades and pirate scum. But Citcat II would still hold onto what remained of his once wealthy house with an iron grip, even as he was driven into the Maelstrom for the sake of simple survival.

Thus he taught his bastard son, his only possible heir, all he knew. Swordplay, piracy, the sordid legacy of the Citcat line. Nathan was a quick learner, swiftly adopting his fathers cynical and self serving attitudes and becoming very adept in close quarters combat. Such skills would serve him well,

John "Fido" Fistan
"Now I don't bite... hard."

- Fido intimidating a band of slaves

Born on Lupercal's Folly, John "Fido" Fistan learned at an early age that to survive amongst the ranks of the Lost and Damned, one must be utterly ruthless. Joining the Lupercal Enforcers at a young age, John quickly found his ruthless attitude rewarded.

Alessandra Angoletta
"My lords the Blackspawns are... interesting subjects. I have long known the "honor" of being their personal remembrancer. I have followed their lives for at least then thousand years, and I can say that they are, at the very least, beings of their word. Ten thousand years ago they promised that I would be treated well and cared for, and not a day goes by that I am not grateful to be alive. Even now, here deep in the Maelstrom, where daemons roam freely and madmen kill without fear of law, I am free to roam the halls without fear. But I oft wonder, what will become of me and my fellows when they are no longer here to protect me? Very few of their men are of the same breed. The Blackspawns, as cruel and brutal as they are, still respect the power of the written word and sculpture. I know there are those under their command who would not hesitate to throw me upon a pyre of my own works. So why do I stay? Why don't I run? Even if I was caught, it would surely be better than waiting for death to inevitably come. But perhaps, perhaps this is the last place that will allow me my silly little skills. It seems like only a month ago a person of my ability was the kind the Emperor hand picked to document humanities revival. Now... now its all so different... so muddled. This is the only place where I have meaning, recording the monstrous feats of warlords and madmen. There is nowhere else for me to be. I do not know weather I am blessed, or cursed."

- Rememberancer Alessandra Angoletta, Vox Log #449753

Once a Alessandra Angoletta was renowned throughout the stars as one of the living treasures of Mankind. Now she is little more than a vanity piece, her and her fellow Remeberancers aboard Lupercal's Folly acting as little more than propagandists or scribes for the Blackspawn Brothers and some of their select minions. As the greatest amongst her fellow Rememberancers, Alessandra is the personal scribe of the Blackspawn brothers themselves. Responsible for works such as The Memoirs of Cthonia, The Fallen Hundred, and Spawns of War, Alessandra has been recording the deeds and lives of the Blackspawn brothers for untold centuries now. As their personal scribe, Alessandra is a prisoner in a guided cage, afforded every luxury but freedom. Though now, as the days grow dark and the toll of endless war grows on the Galaxy, she ponders weather or not her position is truly lamentable.

Born on Terra during the rapid reconstruction following the Unification Wars, she was witness, not to the bloodshed of unification, but the wonders. Vast cities arose where ruin once lay, industry and civilization sprung up where only war and death had once been the norm for untold generations. Alessandra was very much a product of her time in a sense. At age six her talent for the arts was recognized when she sculpted a nearly lifelike figurine of the Emperor out of simple clay. By age nine she was a celebrity within her burgeoning hive city, a wunderkin of the arts. She could compose symphonies, write epic sagas and poems, even sculpt masterworks in record time. Such talent earned her one of the most prestigious of offices following the alliance with Mars. At the young age of only fifteen, she was selected amongst many of mankinds greatest artisans to document the great conquests of the Great Crusade. And such an assignment could not have come sooner, for the first of the Emperor's lost sons had just been discovered.

Alessandra was there to document Horus' personal address to his Legionaries, and for the mass recruitment of Cthonian youths. From then on, she was a common face amongst much of the Legion, documenting readily every great battle and siege the Luna Wolves took part in. However, a certain pair of Legionaries became the object of her undivided attention. The exploits of the Blackspawn brothers had started to become the talk of the Legion, especially after the brutal battle of Siph VI and its native Siphonian Blood Reavers. When she first heard of the duo facing off against the hordes of insectoid xenos, the thought it merely the stuff of hyperbole. Surely it would have taken more than two Legionaries to slay the Reaver queen and her royal guard. But it was when she followed the pair during the Siege of Gurtan that they became the object of near obsession.

She had been following the pair for almost a month, constantly bothering them for interviews and quotes, finding their personalities to be quite captivating. Malak with his brutish bravado and simple charisma seemed so at odds with Ingar's reserved and measured mannerisms. She would have hardly thought them brothers until she saw them in action at the siege. She was on the field during the bloody battle, close to her subjects as always, when the great wall of the Ork stronghold gave way to the XVI Legion's punishing artillery fire. As the Orks spilled out to face the Legionaries, Alessandra found herself suddenly caught up in the melee. She was as out of place as any petite human would be surrounded by a sea of xenos barbarians and legendary astartes warriors. It was only when the walls of power armor and green muscle opened for her did she see and marvel in awe. Malak stood at the front, Worldslayer in one hand, while the other was locked firmly on an Orks throat. With ease he crushed its windpipe so violently that its head blasted off like a bloody cork. Then, as an Ork rushed him from behind, Ingar seemed to materialize out of the chaos, driving Nirvana into the beasts jaw and twisting the blade around in its skull. It was at that point that Malak heaved something from the muck. It was another Legionary, clad in a beaten suit of Cataphractii Terminator Armor. He still clutched his power axe in one hand, and a Volkite Charger in the other. Malak bayed the Terminator to stand and fight, and fight the trio of Legionaries did, deep into the Ork's ranks. Malak seemed to be unstoppable, his blade and fist cutting a bloody path through the green tide while Ingar moved with fluid grace, killing with impunity as his blade and pistol rounds found their marks without fail.

Following the Siege, Alessandra would become the Blackspawn brother's shadow. Wherever they went, she went. When one was unavailable, the other would suffice. No other Legionaries captivated her as they did, none had the might nor the cunning that these two did, none so perfectly encapsulated what it was to be the most treasured sons of the Emperor. However, Alessandra's obsession would one day turn to horror as the Great Crusade came to a close, and the Horus Heresy began.

Alessandra would manage to survive the opening days of the heresy, keeping a low profile and rarely leaving her chambers aboard the ''Vengeful Spirit. ''However the constant threat of death paled at the time to the fate of her works. Constantly the young Rememberancer feared for her various historical documents and artworks, stealing away what she could into her quarters during the ships sleep cycles. It was during one of these midnight skirmishes that she overheard the murderous plot that would become known as the Drop Site Massacre.

By
"Come then, Loyalist, I wish to see if the sons of the Executioner have grown soft in their father's absence!"

- Malak Blackspawn challenging Wolf Lord Herald Frosthide of the 4th Great Company

"Where is your Emperor now?"

- Geudan the Vanquished as he burns a platoon of Guardsmen alive "Very good. You have all fought well in the name of your bloated Corpse-Emperor. Allow me to commend you."

- Hurlok Zahz to a band of Inquisitorial Storm Troopers prior to unleashing Leviathan upon them "Yes, Farseer, you did predict this outcome. But what you could not have predicted is that I would predict it as well. You missed the signs so sure you were that this was the right path. And now I will reap the benefits of your own self deception."

- Ingar Blackspawn to Farseer Nahla of Craftworld Ke'Lan prior to summoning a pack of Daemonettes

About
"First they make the classic blunder of falling to the Moronic Powers, then they double down by choosing to worship no gods in particular. These idiots wouldn't be worth a moment of my time except they have stuff that should belong to me."

- Douchard Bagge "You walk a path of servitude and weakness. I walk a path of damnation that far eclipses your parasitic gods of chaos!"

- Izrivan Luvt to Malak Blackspawn upon their final duel.

"If the Draugar wished to incur our wrath, then they have succeeded. Baserilus' death shall not go unavenged. I will see to that personally."

- First-Captain Locun of the Revealers.

"The assassins were amusing to say the least, but this is simply laughable. Here I stand, searching for a way to break your warband's advances, and you stride forth to offer your life up to me. Truly the Dark Gods favor me this day, for the head of the beast now bares it's throat and begs to be decapitated!"

- Xaphuris, accepting Malak Blackspawn's challenge

"It was the strangest thing, in the middle of the night the enemy just stopped firing back at us. We could hear explosions and gunfire through the night, but it wasn't incoming. It wasn't till the morning that we found out what happened. The scouts reported the enemy trenches full of corpses, including some wearing colors we didn't recognize. Oh well, saves us the trouble of killing them ourselves, and we still get paid."

- Foreman Petrov of the Tremorisian Mine Guards, in the aftermath of a siege. "Always is refreshing to fight alongside you Umbal. Not many can appreciate the great dance quite like you, matching me step for step, dip for pivot and thrust for slash. It's almost like dancing with a lover you haven't seen in years... we must do so again soon dear."

- The Visceral Artist, Hadrak, speaking to Umbal before his departure after aiding the Draugar

"Malak, you bad dog! Sit, stay, role over... no? Well don't worry, I have just the song to fix your bad attitude!"

- Calios, Lord-Conductor of the Void Sirens "Heheheh, that is an ADORABLE little dance you have Leshta, but must it be so simple? Don't you have any pride as one of our Dark Prince's spawn? Even for a daemonette... you're disappointing."

- Hadrak after "dancing" with Leshta and severely outclassing her.

"I look upon you, and still I see a whelp who holds his tail higher than he should. You were always a fool Krysis, but this...this is droll. Come then, show me if you can wield your glaive better than your wit."

- Osiris the Man Eater

"Do tell your Lord Blackspawn that we await with baited breath, the opportunity to include the Storm Draugar in the next step of our master plan to topple the Imperium in the Pacificus. We're thinking of the kind of violence that'd be right in his wheelhouse."

- Ducky "Bloodgorger" Rumsfeld-Mathers, aspiring Champion of the Wisteria Rascals.

Trivia

 * A Draugar is a creature of Norse Mythology, basically the vengeful spirit of an evil person, Draugar were able to grow at will and drive mortals mad with their mere presence, they could also "swim through rock" and drank the blood of their victims. A Draugar could only be killed if its head was cut off, its body burned to ash, and its remains cast into the sea.