Bellatorum in Tenebris

Overview
The Tempered Souls are not always available to protect Necro and so the task falls to the world's PDF forces, trained to the highest possible standard available to them.

Their name translates from High Gothic as "Warriors of the Darkness" but in everyday speech are usually refered to as "The BT". As they live on a very religious world their units have their own Chaplains as well- they fight alongside their charges marked by a dark red stole emblazoned with gold Aquilae worn around their shoulders.

While they allow both men and women in their ranks and relationships are allowed such relationships are rare, they generally focus on their duties instead of personal matters.

Structure
Their overall commander, the Praetor is always the best qualified regional commander, appointed by the Chapter Master of The Tempered Souls as the Chapter is the first line of defense they want to ensure that the PDF, the second line of defense, is led as well as possible. At present the position is filled by Achates Stamos.

Beneath him are 10 regional commanders each with control over their own army of 10,000 men.


 * Each army consists of 10 Cohorts(equivalent to a regiment) of 1000 men under the command of *AStrategos (equivalent to a Colonel) and a 9 man staff including a Demi- Strategos(equivalent to a Major, and serves as Regimental Executive Officer) Cohort Chaplain, Cohort Standard Bearer and a bodyguard assigned to each of them.
 * Further divided into 10 Maniples(equivalent to a company) of 100 each The Princeps(Captain), Maniple color guard and Chaplain serve as commanders.
 * Divided further into 9 infantry squads of 10 men under the command of a Hastati(equivalent to Sgt.)

Uniform and Equipment

 * Black fatigues with rank markers in dark red on the sleeves


 * Carapace armor/helmet

Virtually identically to Stormtrooper Carapace theirs is black and carries a white Aquila on the upper left chestplate with regiment number beneath it, a Tempered Souls symbol on the right shoulder with Cohort,Company and Squad Numbers beneath (e.g 1-1-1)

Officers and chaplains wear the same Carapace Armor but are also given a bolt pistol and chainsword.


 * Corbonis "Blackout" Pattern laspistol- imported from Corbonis like all their weapons, this variant of the Corbonis pattern is produced from blackened metal instead of the standard materials, a slightly larger charge pack good for 55 shots, and a flash suppressor.


 * Corbonis-Necro Pattern lasgun- the flash suppressor built into the muzzle serves a dual purpose- it protects the operators eyes, which are adjusted to low light conditions, and makes the weapon's discharge harder to see- giving them an advantage in Necro's darkness.


 * Prostatis(protector)Pattern Autogun: While not a standard issue weapon and one more commonly seen in the hands of the Syprios Militia more than a few have made their way into the hands of Necro PDF soldiers. They rarely see use anywhere but in training, and only a trooper in dire need reaches for one.


 * Necro Pattern Combat Knife- with a 14 inch blade it's almost a short sword rather than a knife- made of blackened steel it has the Tempered Souls Chapter Insigna etched on one side of the blade, the Imperial Aquila on the other, both in dark gray. Some troopers coat the edges with Sereoggos poison, though this practice is frowned on officially most commanders turn a blind eye to it, they need every advantage they can get.

Tilvius Molinuex and Devona Fantz
"I was unafraid of death but only of rejection from the woman I love- what is wrong with me?"

"Death is easy- life is such a fragile thing, it can be snuffed out in a moment. A life unloved is a tragedy."

-Molineux and Fantz immediately before their first kiss. The Bellatorum in Tenebris fought alongside the Tempered Souls during the 13th Black Crusade, among them Tilvius Molinuex and Devona Fantz.

Molineux had been in love with Fantz for years but had lacked the courage to say anything, until one moment when they were almost overrun by invading cultists.

He proposed marriage believing it to be his last chance(unwittingly doing so on an open vox channel) She was surprised but did not hesitate to say yes, revealing that she had recently fallen in love with him as well but was afraid to speak. Driven by this they survived the battle and the rest of the 13th Black Crusade.

Impressed by their courage and devotion to each other they were married by the Tempered Souls Chaplain as soon as the fighting ended with their commander, their squad mates and several Battle Brothers as witnesses.

At present they are happily married, raising their children in a home given to them as a gift by Necro's government.