Scarlet Beasts

The Scarlet Beasts were a Codex-compliant chapter. Similar to the Brazen Claws chapter, the Scarlet Beasts were one of the few Codex chapters hailing from the gene-stock of the Iron Hands and the Primarch Ferrus Manus.

Praised throughout the many millennia they served the Imperium of Mankind, the Scarlet Beasts earned fierce, unyielding and succesfull reputation amongst the ranks of the Astartes even if they faced many misfortunes and hardships. Last records about the Scarlet Beasts were made during the 39th Millennium and it is believed that the whole chapter had perished while fighting the Eldar in the lower galactic plane.

History
As the spirits of the revered dead rose to battle against the vile incursions from the Warp, a new generation of Space Marines were born. Among the many chapters, borne by the Red Priesthood in their hazy labs, were the Scarlet Beasts who hailed from the venerated gene-stock of the Iron Hands.

Unlike many of the chapters created from the geneseed of the Lord Gorgon Ferrus Manus, Scarlet Beasts were created and organized into a Codex compliant chapter. Ready to bring the fury of the Imperium as the First Lord of Ultramar, Roboute Guilliman, intended.

Organisation
Scarlet Beasts were during their days a Codex compliant chapter, holding the creeds of the Codex Astartes high. As such, the chapter was divided into ten companies, of which four (2nd-5th) were battle companies, four (6th-9th) were reserve companies, one (1st) was a veteran company and one (9th) a scout company.

Gene-seed
No notable flaws exist in Scarlet Beasts' geneseed. The chapter's members use extensive amount of bionics, usually replacing their completely healthy organs such as eyes, heart(s), skull and hands. However, it is not as visible or common as the trend tends to be within other successors of the Great Gorgon.

Chapter Culture
Chapter Culture was, as can be guessed, highly influenced by the creeds of the Codex Astartes. Chapter also had quite peculiar faith and relation to the Emperor, Master of Mankind. "Leopard doesn't change his spots."

- Captain Ibrahima of the Infernal Leopards

Stalwart defenders and stubborn assaulters, the unyielding nature of Scarlet Beasts was well known and much revered. The chapter did however have a much more sinister side too which was mostly shunned and hushed after the great victories they performed with few casualties. You see, Scarlet Beasts were known of extreme brutality and nigh savageness when it came to those they suspected of heresy or rebellious thoughts. This was propably the only clearly visible trait given to the Scarlet Beasts by their primogenitor. It is also speculated that these traits, pooled together, led to the chapter's destruction.

Appearance and Heraldry
The colors of the Scarlet Beasts are scarlet and grey. Scarlet is used for weapons, backpacks, shoulder pauldrons and for right knee pads. Left knee shows the company color. Crest aquila (if present) is golden.

According to the Scarlet Season, an old and venerated tome of the chapter, each member of the chapter is allowed to paint his helmet with scarlet red. It is however strictly controlled, what shapes and in what sizes, are allowed to be painted on the helmet. Usual paintings include lightning pattern, halved and even quartered. Helmet stripes are also common and especially veterans of the first company favor these marks. It has come into practice that any such painting refers to certain battle or gained skill. This is the reason why lightning pattern is usually replaced with quartered or halved color when one moves from assault squad into devastator squad, and finally painted fully when the "rank" of a tactical marine is achieved. Some never paint their helmets, finding no suitable reason or particular feat from themselves to be shown to their brethren.

Chapter symbol can be found, as supposed, from the left shoulder pauldron painted with grey on scarlet. Those who have gained the honor to wear tactical dreadnought armor wear their chapter's symbol on the right pauldron, as do chapter's specialists.

Chapter's commanders are allowed to carry personal crests on their armor, usually in front of another armpit. These tend to be simple geometric patterns, further bolstered with baroque details after the commanders' deaths by the aspirants of the Librarium.

Free Use
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