The Vanguards of Damnation, are a Warband of the followers of Chaos, first sighted in Imperial space late M37.679. The Warband is noted for it's seemingly open nature, seeking corruption of the people, rather than destruction. They have been theorized to have spawned from a faction within the Word Bearer's legion, and over the years, have only been gaining in power. Despite their views that Chaos is the only true answer, and that the worship of the Dark Gods should be passed down to the people of the Imperium, they are more than willing to pillage and attack Imperial controlled space with a large garrison of military forces, seeking to crippled Imperial retaliation, so that they might educate the world in question, and raise it to be a proud supporter of Chaos. Interestingly, this Warband does not seem to seek an empire of servants, as all planets which fall to it's influence are viewed as independent systems, banded together to defend their indepence from an Imperium that had brought them strife. Currently, the Warband lends it's forces to the 13th Black Crusade of Abbadon the Despoiler, seeking to push forth the edges of The Eye of Terror, seeking to engulf the entire galaxy in worship to the dark gods. One of the strangest things noted about this particular warband, is it's willingness to allow warriors to keep their personal heraldry, seeking to unify warriors from all legions, back into one fighting force, such as in the days of the Heresy. As such, it is not uncommon to find people of all backgrounds and creeds serving in this melting pot of traitors and renegades.
Forces of the Vanguard
Leaders and Chosen Warriors
Thamiron, Sovereign of the Vandguard
Bio: Thamiron is the founder, and current leader of the Vanguards. An acolyte to the Sorcerer Salvicius of the Word Bearers, he originally left the Sorcerer's company, seeking to establish his own legacy amonst the forces of Chaos. It is his mind that manages the Warband, choosing when and where they shall strike, what new goals they shall pursue, and how best to bring the teachings of the ruinous powers to the common man. Through his guidance, the Vanguards have become more than a simple fighting force, they have become a loyal and drilled machine, each man and woman ready to work with all different sorts of warriors, making this a very large band of brothers. From his flagship, The Harbingr of Enlightenment, an ancient Gloriana-Class ship, taken from the depths of the Eye of Terror, and repaired with the most brilliant smiths he could find, Thamiron crusades across the galaxy, bringing his horde of fanatical soldiers to worlds ripe for ascendance.
Van Met'Alum
Bio: Van Met'Alum is a master of musical and heretical art. He plunges into battle, Sonic wargear blasting with tunes so beautiful and revolting, so simple and yet so complex, but most noticeably, so loud and powerful, that all who hear his cacophony are prone to falling to the ground, their mind overloaded with pure ecstasy. Despite being a character of some note to Thamiron, Van Met'Alum holds very little power in the form of rank, choosing often to fight alone, rather than with a group, saying "This Experience is a One-Man Gig". However, forces running under the Vanguards would be foolish to deny an order from the Noise Champion, as often, his insight and experience offer a unique perspective in tactics, often stunning most generals with their outlandish plots. One of Thamiron's earlier champions, Van Met'Alum enjoys the command of his own ship, a flying fortress of pleasure, dubbed The Garden of Eden, an old Oberon-Class vessel, and is given free reign on how best to employ how it will contribute to the cause, the only restraint being that the ship is to stay with the main fleet.
Bruticus the Bloodwrencher
Bio: An ancient warrior, hailing all the way back to the days of the Great Crusade, Bruticus is a fallen warlord, given a second chance through his service to Thamiron. Having once led an army of his own, Bruticus stands as a firm general to Thamiron's forces, regularly aiding the up and coming Lord in his quest, despite Bruticus's lack of interest in their goals. His own agenda is to once more proudly walk the fields of battle, that he might leave the shame of his fall to the past, and as such, he leads almost every major ground engagement from the front lines. A veteran of unimaginable campaigns, he is the primary leader of Thamiron's force of Khornate worshipers, showing them that rage and bloodshed are not all their is when worshipping Khorne. He drills such things as honor, and duty, along with martial pride into the minds of his men, and works tirelessly to help all under his command to learn how to master their implants, The Butcher's Nails, instead of letting the machines master them. Commanding his Khornates from the bridge of World Bleeder, a Despoiler class vessel, Bruticus's ship is a decorated weapon of war, often the first into the fight, and the first to deploy troops planetside.
Daeymon and Pythias
Bio: Where these two individuals have come from is unknown, but their roots lie somewhere within the twisted history of the Alpha Legion. What is certain is that these two are both twins of sorts, both physically, and spiritually, as those with the power of warp sight see the split soul that is shared between them. Acting as one, these two bear the ability to link their minds while in combat, greatly increasing their speed, reaction timing, and combat ability, often almost likening them to two dancers, both moving in utter co-ordination. These two were the first notable men to join Thamiron, and are without a doubt the most loyal to his cause, serving as his 2nd in command, their authority is only overridden by the highest in the echelons of the Vanguard's command structure. As his top Lieutenants, they are tasked with the recruiting, training, and serving of the Warband's CHosen, warriors taken from the varying groups and regiments within their forces, and act as the personal bodyguards to the Lord himself. They are prominent in Thamiron's war councils, and their words are always to be taken with the utmost respect, for one can recognize the genius behind any plot of the Alpha Legion. As per their status within the armies, they stay with their lord aboard the Harbingr of Enlightenment, never to far from either their men, or the Lord.
The Triad-Masters of Metal
Bio: Drawn together from an ancient practice in the ranks of the Iron Warriors, the Triad is a collection of three Warsmiths, responsible for the maintenance and care of the Vanguard's equipment, vehicles, and daemon engines. Warsmith Targon, eldest of the three, is responsible for the requisition of materials needed to outfit their armories, and acts as a liaison to their allies within the Dark Mechanium, thus the war machine of the Vanguard constantly relies on his ability to procure what is needed to successfully launch a campaign. Warpsmith Arcturus, a somewhat skilled sorcerer, is the source of the various Daemon Engines that are employed in the Vanguard, almost never leaving his fell forges, where he enacts dark rituals to bring forth daemons to bind to his mechanical monstrosities. With every successful ritual, his love for his metal children grows, for despite their foul nature, and obvious ferocity, Arcturus treats every one of his creations like a beloved pet, naming and tending to each creature, his older creations bearing multiple scars and outlandish upgrades to their arsenals. He oversees the employment of every daemon engine in battle, and his savage pets constantly shed blood in the name of their dark master. The final Warsmith, Sozin, Keeper of the Eternal Flame, bears the largest of the forge ships in the Vanguard's service, and perhaps in all the traitor forces, he is the largest producer of the warband's ammunition and vehicles. Controlling a large mass of servants, this colossol vessel bears lost technologies from the days before the time of Long Night, technologies that even the Mechanium has no knowledge of, causing much desire to see this vessel captured. His forging techniques are great, having been in a line of smiths trained from the gathered teachings of Ferrus Manus, a much coverted treasure amongst the traitors, and cause for great anger in the face of Iron Hands. This Triad may not be responsible for the backbone of the armies, but it is their work that keeps the all well equipped, supported and ready for combat.
Salazaar, Chief Sorcerer of the Interex
Salazaar was once the head librarian in his former chapter, granting him access to the gathered knowledge and secrets of the collective Astartes. This obsession with knowledge soon turned to a lust for more secrets, more answers to the great mysteries of the universe, and ultimately, his corruption into the service of the Ruinous Powers. This path to damnation had him seeking out ancient tombs of lost civilizations, risking all simply for the answer to his most recent riddle, the meaning of existence. After centuries of searching, his mind would grow twisted, his mentality single minded, and ultimately, his search for knowledge led to his ignorance and blindness in the face of danger, causing him to enter into an ambush, set by an equally obsessed Inquisitor. Trapped within the confines of Imperial interrogation, the irony of of his capture still maddeningly burning in his mind. This is where he met the Vanguard, as the forces of chaos erupted from the warp, their armies blitzing through the meager defenses of the relatively isolated world, and soon, the Sorcerer was freed. It was at this moment that Thamiron approached the student of the ruinous powers, offering him a position within his forces. Without another word, the Sorcerer agreed to serve Thamiron, and over time, he came to accept that the only answer he would need, is Chaos. Now Salazaar is the head of a cabal of thirteen Sorcerers, their powers ranging from the old great houses of Prospero, their combined strength capable of aiding the Vanguard's quest through the mystical acts of warp manipulation, be it through divination, pyromancy, or telepathy. The representative of Tzeentch's will, Salazaar's powers have been greatly empowered by the recovery of the legendary book of Magnus, and armed with this power, he plots the a course through time, leading the Vanguard down the paths to victory.
Ank-Khar-Garrush
The most powerful member of the Vanguard, Ank-Khar-Garrush is a Daemon Prince of Tzeentch, and as such, acts as a connection to the daemons of the Warp. Thamiron uses this powerful entity for his collection of wisdom, psychic ability and pure raw strength, as many mortals who face down a chosen child of the Gods will know that they are indeed much less beings and more likened to forces of nature. He represents the ultimate goal of any serving Thamiron, ascendance to the ranks of the God's chosen, and as such is given the highest respect from any who come before him. However, despite his supposed allegiance to Thamiron's cause, Ank-Khar-Garrush is not a willing being in this matter, for his true name, that which binds and controls him, is has been invoked by Thamiron, so that he may pledge himself to the cause. This has caused great fury and shame for the supposed Prince of trickery and great plots, and not a moment goes by without the Daemon dreaming of his freedom, so that he might enact vengeance upon the arrogant mortal. Yet part of him feels amusement at this entire warband, for only he can claim to know it's ultimate fate, and that knowledge, for better or worse, is quite hilarious to the being.
Elites and Special Task Forces.
Fist of the Eight-Point Star
Bio: Among the forces of the Vanguard, Thamiron believes there are certain individuals who are marked by the Ruinous Powers for greatness. To find these individuals, The War Council holds an annual gathering of the Aspiring champions, to test their mettle in various trials. Salazaar tests their minds, Bruticus tests their skills in combat, Ank-Khar-Garrush searches for their future in the waves of the great oceans, and various other tests to see if they have been marked. Once an individual is located, he is sent to the forges, tutored under Warsmith Sozin, taught to master the art of creation, maintenance and repair of wargear, so that each aspiring champion might learn how to properly care for his equipment, only ascending after gaining his approval. Next they are brought before the Interex, to learn the ways of sorcery, so that they might better understand the nature of chaos itself. Following this, they are sent to the gladiatorial pits of of the Berserkers, to learn how to hone the best weapon a fighter has, his own body. Undergoing rigorous training of hand-to-hand combat, upon completion of their training, they are sent to the flying fortress of Van Met'Alum, where at great restraint to the Noise Marine, they are taught how to amplify their senses, so that they might better react and respond to new information. Finally, the men are brought before Thamiron, for their final judgement. Should Thamiron find them wanting, they are sent to either return to their former positions, or are qualified to enter into Thamiron's personal guard. Those accepted are gifted with Items personally crafted by the Triad, and are given the mark of their ascendance. As members of the Fist of the Eight-Point Star, all members are given the rank needed to oversee military operations as they see fit, only coming under the command of the highest ranked lords.
Commanding Officer: Brother Khen-Shyro
Number of Active Members: 256
Standard Armament:
-Artificer or Terminator armor
-Master Crafted Melee and Ranged weaponry of choice.
-Sigil of Corruption
Base of Operation: Aboard the Harbingr of Enlightenment
Organization: 5 Man Squads, deployed via teleportation
Notes:
-Usually all members have several blessings and gifts from the Dark Gods, though they all may vary.
-Team boasts a variety of different skill sets, giving each unit a somewhat unique spin to it.
-All Teams are given atleast one Aspiring Sorcerer.
The Interex
Bio: Gathered from the vast reaches of the Galaxy, The Interex represents the central figures responsible for the gathering, researching and usage of all major acts of sorcery. These secretive, hooded individuals keep exclusively to the vast Libraries aboard Thamiron's flagship, constantly honing their skills to delve deeper and deeper into the mastery of the warp itself. Their leader, Salazaar, personally oversees their dedicated service, regularly testing their abilities in divination, telepathy, pyromancy, and various other old schools of the long forgotten Prospero. So great is their ability, that with usage of their divination, they can predict the strategies and tactics of coming opponents, void wars constantly relying upon their ability to predict, react and attack to the enemy warships. Whether delving into the minds of crucial crew members to sabotage the attackers, or reading the waves of the warp to see incoming attacks, the seers of the Interex are invaluable to the Vanguard, and it is with their combined power, that Thamiron holds one of his deadlier weapons in his arsenal.
Commanding Officer: Chief Sorcerer Salazaar
Number of Active Members: 13
Standard Armament:
-Warped Master Crafted Armor
-Runes of Fell Powers
-Auras of Dark Glory
-Corrupted Force Staves
-Tomes of vast Knowledge
Base of Operation: Harbingr of Enlightenment
Organization: Powerful Cabal of Sorcerers
Notes:
-Rarely seen in a front line role
-Often utilized as a means of rapid communication between Thamiron and his generals durning campaigns
-Never seem to reveal their faces
-Dedicated to a variety of gods, primarily Tzeentch
Void Rangers
Bio: The Void Rangers hail from the far depths of the Eye of Terror, said to have once rode across the world now inhabited by the Daemon Primarch Fulgrim. Devout worshippers of Slaanesh, these individuals live for the thrill of battle, noise and speed, having dedicated their lives to serving their god the best way they know how, riding into the fields of battle on their metal steeds, sowing confusion, chaos and death wherever they happen to strike. Masters of hit and run tactics, the Void Rangers were said to have learned their craft from the infamous daemon known as Doomrider, their tactics outlandish and seemingly formed not to give the rider the best chances of survival, but to assure constant danger, and threat, leading to massive stimulation to the person involved. Each Ranger is equipped with their own vehicle, a bike, the venerable machines warped by the near constant presence of the Warp, and decorated and maintained by each rider. Their equipment is fully in tune to the personal preferences of the individual, some sporting flamers atop their rides, some dual bolters, some even going so far as to rig up sonic blasters, the only limit being their own personal appetite for destruction. Perhaps the most outlandish thing about the Void Rangers, is their signature form of battle, said to have been taught to them by Doomrider himself. In the course of their long existence, the Void Rangers have unlocked the secret to allow their bikes to warp across the battle field, seemingly at will, allowing for short distance teleportation. This allows for a range of ambush, evasion and attack patterns, bikes disappearing in a flash of light one moment, and appearing again coming from another direction, the howls of the invigorated rider being the only noise heard over the roar of their engines.
Commanding Officer: Mad Mad McQueen
Number of Active Members: 78
Standard Armament:
-Traitor Astartes Ceremite Plate
-Custom Made War Bike
-Range and Melee Weapon
Base of Operation: The Garden of Eden
Organization: Seemingly random number of "Gangs"
Notes:
-Utilized for Hit and Run, Scouting, Shock deployments
-Highly independent, difficult to control
-All dedicated to Slaanesh.
The Unleashed
Bio: With careful dealings with the inhabitants of the Warp, Thamiron and his Dark Apostles have managed to gain the favor of several Bloodthirsters of considerable standing in the planes of Khorne's domain. These greater daemons, practically gods in their own rights may be called upon in times of need, with proper sacrifice, to lay waste to the enemies of the Vanguard. Though without name, allied forces have come to call them, the Unleashed, for once they are set loose upon an enemy, their appetite for violence and bloodshed is nearly insatiable, and they will continue to kill until either slain themselves, or all that lies before them lies dead, their skulls being sacrificed in the name of the Blood God.
Commanding Officer: N/A, all act independantly
Number of Active Members: 4
Standard Armament:
-All carry Axes of Daemonic origin
-Collars of Khorne
-Brass Daemonic Armor
Base of Operations: The Warp
Organization: Summoned as a Group, each Bloodthirster acts freely.
Notes:
-Often dealings with the Unleashed end with a combined effort to slay them, sending them back to the Warp before they turn their axes upon the Vanguard.
-Work through the Dark Apostles, as they are needed for summoning them forth.
-Have only been brought forth three times in the past.
The Huntsmen
Bio: When the Vanguards are put up against huge monstrous creatures from the nightmares of mortal everywhere, these warriors rally for the hunt. A group of Khornates specializing in tracking and killing large beasts, no matter their origin, the Huntsmen seek to only offer the greatest of skulls to their god. Armed with years of experience, only the smart and strong last in this clan of marauders. Riding atop the vicious Juggernauts of Khorne, their armored steeds carry them after their prey, flesh hounds at their heels, snarling and roaring in anticipation of the kill. Each member bears a vast trophy case of personal kills and the various skulls of their fallen prey, proudly displayed for all to see, for the only rank found here is determined by the mettle of your quarry, and the number of your kills. Thus with a strong sense of survival of the fittest, battles for dominance are common in their ranks, the honor of Huntsmaster being given to whoever can slay the former in combat. A fierce, fearless group, they are called upon in any campaign that faces the hated Tyranids, their knowledge of the beasts invaluable when planning for offensives against the xeno swarms.
Commanding Officer: Huntsmaster Kromm
Number of Active Members: 104
Standard Armament:
-Various Power Weapons
-Lances
-Flails
-Axes
-Collars of Khorne
-Traitor Pattern Armor
-Decorated Boarding Shields
Base of Operations: World Bleeder
Organization: Various clans, sizing approximately 18 individuals
Notes:
-Most armor is adorned with various bones of slain prey.
-Despite being Khornate, some argue they please Slaanesh, due to potential for an excess in the hunt. (Any mentioning this usually get a quick chain-axe to the face.)
-Said to have been formed from the Dark Angel's Fallen, who's homeworld Caliban originally had an order of monster hunters.
Children of the last Angel
Bio: To those who fight alongside the forces of the Vanguards, these individuals would at first seem to behave exactly like normal traitor marines. Their skills with bolter and chainsword as moderate as any others you could find serving Thamiron, and their armor, while varying, blending with the armor of the normal rank and file. Yet it is when the drums of war are sounded that the true nature of this group revealed. Creaking metal, reshaping to the wearer's will, the crack of bones, the ripping of flesh, screams of torturous pain and pure pleasure, as these individuals change into their true forms. Possessed by daemons through the same ancient means that transformed the Gal Vorbak back in the days before the Great Heresy, the Children of the last Angel are a group of chaos undivided marines who seek to follow in the hallowed footsteps of the legendary Word Bearer, Argal-Tal, first of the Ruinous Powers blessed children to receive their greatest gift. These marines are granted speed and strength beyond that of a standard chaos space marine, as now two entities inhabit the one body, and are given a primal ferocity in battle, their newly formed claws and teeth carving through solid ceremite as though it were paper, serving as valuable shock troops to break the lines of even the best drilled soldiers in the Imperium's armies. Each one's daemonic form is unique, yet despite their differences they work as a pack, swarming over enemy lines, causing fear and chaos among the enemy lines, seeking the thrills that only battle may now offer their dulled senses. Once the slaughter is over, they return to their original forms, taking this time to fall to their knees and pray, as the cleansing of the dead continues around them, the ashes of the deceased falling upon their blackened armor like flesh, as they continue to give thanks to their dark masters
Commanding Officer: Arnon Passius
Number of Active Members: 320
Standard Armament:
-Flesh Metal skin
-Daemonic Claws
-Aura of Dark Glory
Base of Operations: The Apex of Devotion
Organization: Packs of Eight
Notes:
-While in daemonic form, some members seem to enter a feral state.
Lords of the Word
Bio: As the Vanguard is a large organization of various warbands and traitors working together for a common goal, there are times when conflict arises within their own ranks. When a dispute occurs between two brothers of the ruinous powers, it is the Lords of the Words who are sent to resolve the conflict, restoring order among the soldiers, reminding them of the more important task at hand. These individuals are Dark Apostles chosen by Thamiron, and trained to become masters of keeping morale high and the Vanguard's men in line. Each is not only a mighty foe to face on the battlefield, but a charismatic leader, it not being to uncommon for Imperial guardsmen to abandon their oaths to the Emperor upon hearing a speech from these orators. It is these among these people that are chosen for the highest duty, honor guard of the Lord Vanguard himself. Reaching this stage, they are managed by the twins, Daeymon and Pythias, who overseer their training and upkeep, assuring their master has the best bodyguards one can provide.
Commanding Officer: Daeymon and Pythias
Number of Active Members: 534
Standard Armament:
-Sigil of Corruption
-Power Maul
-Traitor Pattern Ceremite Armor
Base of Operations: Harbingr of Enlightenment
Organization: Groups of Four, to represent the four gods.
Notes:
-While they are a respected bunch for their ability to rally the men, the position of Honor Guard is commonly viewed as a poor fate for an aspiring champion, as it halts any chance for battlefield glory, seeing as the guards rarely leave their master's side.
The Infantry
The Lost and The Damned
The True Sons of Cadia
Bio: The True Sons of Cadia, are a group of freshly turned Imperial Guardsmen, united through both their former service to the Imperium, and their prophetic visions that led to their rebellion. Across Cadia's war-torn planetscape, millions of men would receive cryptic dreams, telling of the original inhabitants of Cadia, those who openly worshiped the powers of the Chaos Gods, shown how their loyalty was rewarded with immortality and power beyond imagining. They were also shown how these original inhabitants were slaughtered by the Imperium to cover up their existence during the times of the great crusade, and how the planet had suffered since. Of these soldiers, many came forth to their local officers for guidance through these troubling dreams, only to be met with execution on the grounds of heresy, the Imperials trying to keep such rebellious thoughts down, lest the people find themselves corrupted by the forces of chaos. This outbreak of execution angered those with the visions, seeing what they believed to be the true face of the Imperium, a cold, heartless empire that cared little for the qualms of man and his dominion, so long as their dogmatic ways could continue. One night, as if by divine intervention, those plague by these visions rose up as one, their scattered numbers erupting forth against their loyalist brethren, sudden rebellion found within the ranks of the Imperials. With the speed and strength of this attack, the loyalists could not react quickly enough to stomp out these traitors, and soon, an open battle would be fought, as these troops now turned their guns upon themselves, many being forced to pick sides quickly, lest they find themselves with no allies. By dawn, the renegade guardsmen were now an organized force, their people rallying together to face the Imperial foes, outnumbered, yet still willing to die for their planet and their people. It was at this moment, that from above, the forces of the Vanguard came from the skies, their assault craft making short work of the battered loyalists, their soldiers coming down like angels of death to save the renegades. From that day forth, these soliders have pledged their loyalties to the Vanguard, and despite their alliance with the ruinous powers, still retain the rank and drill of an Imperial Guard force, making them a deadly adversary on the battlefield.