Guardians of Silence Revamped

INTRODUCTION AND FOUNDING

The Guardians of Silence were part of the 25th Founding in the 40th Millenium in response to the Necron forces found in the Segmentum Pacificus. It all began when an Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator Fleet stumbled upon a dead world in the Halo Stars that showed evidence of an extinct highly-advanced culture. As they scoured the planet looking for arcane technology they found a great door that led into a series of tunnels, none of their equipment was able to see too far past the door. Magos Grinwald, head of the expedition, entered the the tunnels with a research team afterdays of work to open the door. Inside they found technological wonders like none they had seen before. After hours of exploration the team had only found one symbol that give any clue as to who the ancient technologists were. The Magos returned to the surface and took the relics with him back to the ship, planning to begin studying the strange machinery they had recovered. As he began to experiment, alarms sounded throughout the ship. Reports from the research team were coming in, mechanical beings had began to come out of the door through the tunnels. Their first reaction was awe, but awe turned to fear as the xenos weapons disintegrated the team one by one. Their armed escorts were hardly fairing better, their weapons didn't even penetrate the armor of the beings and their armor might as well should have been sand for it disintegrated with them. Grinwald ordered his ship to leave orbit and head for the Sol system, he wasn't going to loose the far beyond ancient relics he had recovered and he had to tell his brothers of his discovery. As they left orbit, two of the smaller vessels in the fleet were caught by a shot from the surface and they exploded in great balls of plasma fire. He noticed that the shot had gone through their void shields and armor as if they weren't even there. Whoever the race was, they controlled technology far beyond that of the Imperium. When Magos Grinwald returned to the Sol system and reported what happened, the Fabricator-General caught wind and informed the other High Lords of Terra. Realizing the threat of whatever species had awoken on the planet, the High Lords of Terra sent an Imperial Guard regiment to further investigate and Magos Grinwald was to stay behind and continue his research. The Imperial Guard Regiment was never seen again, one message came back. The feed was dark and grainy , a frightened guargsmans face was all that could be seen, the image bounced erratically making it clear he was running.  The background flashed with the sound of gunfire, loud hissing noises were followed by the screams of his bretheren.  "The enemy is relentless! We barricaded ourselves in a structure hoping to receive reinforcements. They just kept coming,they never seem to die! Aaaaggghhh!!!" The image was swallowed in radiant green energy, then the ghoulish outline of the enemy stores forward crushing the lift device under foot. The council of High Lords met to discuss what to do about this new threat, the final decision: create a new chapter of Space Marines to defend the Imperial borders in the region. They would stand guard over the Halo Stars and crush this new enemy. They would be outfitted with the Terminator Armour for the mission against these xenos would require heavy firepower and thick armor. This chapter became the Guardians of Silence. They are descended form the Ultramarines, but they were initially trained by the Deathwing of the Dark Angels Chapter. The Deathwing are masters of battle within their Terminator armor and their experience was critical in the success of the Guardians. The Guardians arrived at the fringe of the Halo Stars and the Astronomican in 777.M40 and began the journey into the grim darkness. Years later they came upon a large planet with necron energy signatures upon it, its name is Bezgroda.

Obmutescere Inimicos Imperator!

"Silence the Enemies of the Emperor"

-Battle Cry of the Guardians of Silence

BEZGRODA

The dark planet of rolling plains, tall mountains and thick forest is home to the fierce people, called the Nappa'im.  The light upon the planet is dim, especially compared to that of Terra. At night, the planet's lone moon, Strix, glows an eerie purple. Yet it is not from reflecting the dim light of the system's star but rather from the stones that make up its surface. Bezgroda, in the native language means "Taken Darkness" due to the fact that it was taken long ago by their chief god from the foul beings who lived there in ancient times. The tale of this battle is well known by even the children and is referred to as the Tale of the Soulless Ones.  It centers around Napi, their creator and chief god, who defeats the Soulless Ones with the help of 10 sages.  It is believed that this is actually the story of a man who came with a group of people in the Age of Technology to make the planet as an outpost on the far edges of the galaxy.  Recent research has shown that the Soulless were in fact Necrons and were wiped out by a form of technology no longer known by mankind.  It is the Holds of these tribal people that drew the Guardians of Silence to their planet, for they were once Necron storehouses and they emit the energy signal picked up by the Acteus Device.  The planet itself is rich in life, many creatures live on the planet but most are ferocious beasts that prey upon the population of humans.  Only one of the planets continents are settled and it is surrounded on all sides by water.  The other continents are filled with even fiercer creatures than those who stalk the Nappa'im.

Tale of the Soulless Ones

“Long before our people walked through these tall mountains, these thick woods; walked a nation of soulless evil.  They built the great holds we now live within and walked among the stars.  They were foul beings, ruling the stars with malice and hate.  Their presence destroyed the heart of the land, killing the life that lived before them.  They waged war with anything that had a soul, simply to fulfill their hate for the living.  Their rule of terror was long, but they were eventually defeated by great gods and they returned to recover in their holds.  Only to be disturbed by Napi, our Great grandfather, who walked across the stars to bring our ancestors here.  In their hate, the Soulless Ones attacked Napi as he walked this world.  They struck from the darkness, fighting like ghosts, but he was unafraid.  He was the greatest of all warriors, both in skill and might.  His greatest weapon was his mind, its powers were limitless.  And with him stood 10 Sages, their combined skill and power eventually overpowered the ghastly demons.  Napi banished them, removing their taint from the land and life returned once again.  Napi then brought our people to the holds, giving us the powers of the Sages and teaching us the art of war.  He taught us how to harness our minds and forge them into great weapons.  This is why we, still to this day, have the 10 Tribes with each specializing in their own way of war.  He was preparing us for the return of the Soulless Ones at which point he would return to save us once again.  Yet he will need new sages to join him in battle, only the greatest of warriors will be chosen.  And so, my son, you must become the greatest warrior and the wisest sage in hopes that you may join our grandfather when he needs you most.  Do this and he will protect you always.”

-Typically told from father to son once the boy was to begin learning the art of war

Fierce, warring peoples; the Nappa’im inhabit the Holds built on Bezgroda many millenia ago.  The exact time they came to the planet is unknown but Imperial scientists believe it was during the Age of Technology.  In the millenia that have passed, the technology that brought them so far out of the galaxy has vanished and they now live their lives as tribal nomads.  The Holds in which they live are structures of immense size, easily recognized by the great carved stone arches that lead up to them.  They reach into the sky shining brightly in the dim light of the system’s sun.  Each arch contains thousands of stories carved upon the hard white stone, documenting the long history of the tribe who inhibits the Hold ahead.  The Holds themselves are ancient buildings, made with no discernable purpose except perhaps storage since there is usually only one large, open space within.  The smooth walls and high ceilings are made of the same brilliant white stone of which the arches are made, but the floors are made of a jet black onyx.  The buildings were built with little ornamentation, further adding to the idea that they were once used as storehouses.  Inside the walls are lined with paintings added by the Nappa’im, lit by the fires of torches whose flames have permanently marred the white stone with black soot.  The paintings tell the stories of their gods and heroes, often depicted slaying the fierce wildlife that often threatens the tribes.  The floor is covered in the homes of all the tribe’s families, each made from the skins of local animals and decorated with trophies taken during battles and hunts.  The variety of trophies ranges from skulls of wild creatures to armor and weaponry of enemy warriors.  The greatest hut of all, is that of the Hold’s shaman and it is decorated with the relics of the tribe’s greatest victories and hunts.  The shaman himself holds the only position of power within the Hold and he is expected to protect the people spiritually as well as physically.  They are usually the best psyker within the hold and teach the people how to protect their minds from the dangers of the warp.  Most of the Nappa’im people are psykers, most often the extent of their power is limited to being able to feel others souls and to communicating using their minds.  The risk of corruption within the Holds are high and there are many stories of entire of Holds being lost to the “Ain’sik” or madness.  The tribe, Sipis’tu, have been destroying those corrupted with Ain’sik since before the shaman’s can remember.  They are powerful psykers and fierce warriors with no Holds to their name, but all tribes welcome their presence.  There are 10 tribes, not including the Sipis’tu, and they all descend from one of the fabled sages who assisted Napi.  Every tribe controls many holds, but the number is often changing with the constant warring of the tribes.  The border holds are often partially destroyed and located in good hunting grounds.  The tribes are often very dissimilar both culturally and in dress, the only uniting piece being the Napi mythos that binds all the tribes together and their constant desire for war.  The tribes have been warring continuously for as long as any shaman can remember.
The religion of the Nappa'im consists of a mix of paganism and ancestor worship.  Napi is most commonly shown as a great bird in the night sky striking down upon his enemies or as a great warrior cloaked in gold. The Ten Sages are seen as fathers of the tribes and each one is worshiped as a protector.  The ancestors of a warrior are said to guide them in their battles and in rare cases their are stories of ancestors returning to save the life of a great warrior.  These beliefs have carried over to the chapter as it becomes more and more Bezgrodan.  Death is the central theme of Bezgrodan life, whether it be death from a rival tribesman blade or the fangs of a wild creature death is ever present.  It is viewed lightly in the eyes of the people as the great transition, a disembarkation point where one simply changes forms.  Death is reflected upon constantly by all the tribesmen, but none meditate upon it like the warriors do. The tribe's warriors are their holy men. They are devout and faithful to their creator god, they kill their enemies with no remorse and look forward to the day of their death, hoping to join Napi in the afterlife.  Every religious ceremony is a reminder that death is always near and that every person must master their mind, so that when the cold moment comes they can guide their soul to Napi's side.  The greatest of all the various tribes warriors are often reclusive hermits, spending most of their life in cave's honing their skills and studying the wisdom of their ancestors. Meditation is common among all the Nappa'im people, yet it is only the fiercest warriors who dedicate their lives to it.  When two of these masters meet, the battle is often fought within their minds. The loser often just slumps to the ground, his mind destroyed by the victor.  These masters are fed by their people in payment and homage of their protection. Some of the greatest of these hermits have proven their worth by defeating the great birds of the land, the Virbu.  The largest birds on the planet, the Virbu, resemble Terran owls except for their massive size and deadly demeanor. It is said that they carry the honored dead to join the armies of Napi, but only if they died honorably.  Many warriors meet their end attempting this feat, but for those who succeed they are awarded the respect of all the tribes.

Tribes of the Nappa’im 

The Inai  Tribe- Known for their ability to charge forward and crush whatever is in front of them with their sheer power.  The warriors of this tribe are large, stout men.
Hold Locations: in the plains.

The Mamai Tribe- The Mamai attack from the rivers and the sea.  One of the few tribes who know the art of constructing boats.
Hold Locations: near the sea.

The Namo Tribe- The men of this tribe are small and agile, they attack in waves on the flanks of their enemies in a way that could be best described as a swarm.
Hold Locations: the foot hills.

The Popai Tribe- No man wishes to battle without armor, these men don’t wish to battle with the safety of large, thick armor.  In these warriors eyes, speed is not important when the enemy can’t pierce your armor.
Hold Locations: the Dark Marshes.

The Ki’ayu Tribe- The most powerful tribe in Bezgroda, the Ki’ayu are massive men who rely on strength to win the day.  No other tribe boasts warriors of such strength.
Hold Locations: Low lying mountains.

The Skikini Tribe- Tall, slender warriors who favor fighting from a distance.  They live far above the other tribes and are often at war with the Northern Mamai tribe.
Hold Locations: the high mountains

The Ato’yi Tribe- The tricksters.  False alliances and calls for help are common ploys used for they are not the strongest or swiftest.  Tricks of the mind are employed by their shamans, confusing the minds of their enemies.
Hold Locations: the northern forests.

The Pitsina Tribe- Dark twisted men make up the armies of the Pitsina.  Their army has rarely been seen whole, these men favor assassinations and the  use of poison over the use of brute force.
Hold Locations: the southern forests.

The Natai’yo Tribe- The Nappa’im are considered feral by the Imperium, but even among the tribes these men are considered feral and wild.  They typically fight alone in the dense forests they live in, waiting for an enemy force to get separated and lost in the thick foliage.  Their favored weapon is called a Catiae, which resembles the lightning claws of the space marines.
Hold Locations: the northern forests.

The Kapi’sai Tribe- Teamwork has always been a sure way to win in battle and the Kapi’sai are masters of it.  Generally operating into small groups of warriors, they work with each other to disorient enemy warriors and kill them off one by one.
Hold Locations: the eastern woods.

STRIX

The planet's moon became the home of the Guardians of Silence and they took the name the locals had for it, Strix. From space it appears dead, a scarred mass of dark stone and the dull color of lichen and moss. Tall, jagged mountains pierce through the surface like ancient blades of obsidian, reaching high into its atmosphere. Moss and lichen cover the bare stone wherever the light rests upon it, yet not much light ever touches it. The sky is never brighter than Terra at sunset, the orbit of the moon prevents it from ever receiving but the slightest touch from the sun. The air is moist and earthy smelling, the weather never changes. The thin atmosphere makes the planet warm and humid trapping the heat given off by its strange surface material.  This stone material emits an eerie purple glow and is warm to the touch, it is what makes the moons glow a soft magenta. It is here, upon this moon that Napi is said to have lived. He is said to be with his vast army, waiting for the ancient beings to return so he can defend Bezgroda once again. This has led the people of Bezgroda to see the Guardians as his generals, considered part of the fables just as Napi is.

We are His Sons,

We are His holy sages,

We are His weapons, 

We are His shield.

We are his Silent Fury!

VAENGR MONASTERTY 

The Astartes live within the thick walls of the great monastery Vaengr, its might has been tested over the centuries of war fought in isolation. Great walls surround the monastery, its steeples and chapels stand tall and mighty  in the dark, purple sky. The largest structure is the Regnia Magna which contains all the battle trophies of the chapter and paintings of its greatest victories upon its wall, it shows the history of the chapter better than any book can explain it. It is the first place one must go to enter the monastery and it stands testament to the fierce enduring nature of the chapter. The next largest structureis the Great Solitorium, a place of darkness and silence. It's purpose is to provide a place for meditation and study. Deep within the center of the structure is a circular room filled with the names of those who perished in battle, the jet black walls filled with the golden names of the chapter's ancestors. In the center of the room stands a statue made of the purple stone, it is of the Emperor standing triumphantly over the body of a daemon. He is revered as their greatest ancestor, father to all Space Marines. Like the Nappa'im the marines go beyond just venerating the Emperor, they see him as an all powerful god capable of anything.  His protection is sought in great hymms chanted before battle.  The chapter initiates spend copious amounts of time meditating in front of the statue, focusing upon the great sacrifice the Emperor made for mankind and of the sacrifices made by all their brothers past. Their duties often include maintaining the flame at his feet and ensuring incense burns throughout the day.  The rest of the monastery is a defensive master piece designed by the first chapter master, Ivan Verillian. It took a century to be completed by the Adeptus Mechanicus.

CHAPTER RELICS

Wisdom's Judgment
The master-crafted thunder hammer of the First Great Sage Ivan Verillian is made of a meteor that crashed upon Bezgroda shortly before the Guardians arrival. It was used in Sigurn Mordax's defeat of the Necron Lord Herald of Sorrow which cost Ivan Verillian his life. The myth of the hammer states that it will bring wisdom to its owner but if one of impure mind is to wield it they will fall in battle. Upon Ivan Verillian's death the hammer was given to Sigurn Mordax.
Shield of Strix
Forged from the material that makes up Strix, this master-crafted storm shield is said to protect a true warrior of Strix, one who has mastered death. It was made for Great Sage Sigurn Mordax when he became Brother Sage of the 8th Company by order of Great Sage Ivan Verillian.
The Acteus Device
Created by Magos Grinwald this device detects an energy pulse generated by Necron technology. It is typically a large piece of equipment mounted on the Chapter's Battle Barges and scout cruisers. It's range is limited but can be amplified by focusing physic power into the device. Magos Grinwald had been working on developing a smaller version that could be mounted in the helmet of Space Marines to assist in fighting the Necrons as they phased in and out. The design is still being worked on by his apprentice, but the task seems almost impossible.  One prototype model exists and is maintained by the Keeper of Acteus, it is heavily draining on the user psyker and thus is often limited to be used as the tombs are entered.

DOCTRINAE GUARDIANUS

The Guardians of Silence are great sages of war, their battle style has been refined over the past centuries under the guidance of the Deathwing veterans. Every marine spends time after battle reflecting upon every instant, gleaming whatever knowledge they can from every mistake.  Meditation is a religious practice that has been carried over from the Nappa'im culture. The Astartes are oft meditating in the darkness of Strix, seeking the wisdom of the Emperor. The most common form of meditation causes a marine to grow near to death, purposely they lower their breathing rate in order to feel the cold fingers of death wrap around them.  As their bodies begin to fade the sages focus upon the feeling, embracing its touch.  This is said to ground one to their purpose and make them invincible on the battle field for they are accustomed to deaths dark touch. The faith of these Astartes is without end, the strong religious ties the Nappa'im had with Napi was transferred to that off the Emperor.  His protection is sought in many ways, most of the chapter carry small icons of the Emperor or small aquilas which are believed to aid in gaining his protection.  When not meditating or praying to the Emperor, the guardians spend their days mastering their close combat weapons of choice, hopefully entering into the exalted battle meditation.  A state in which death and life no longer exist, they become the maestro of a symphony of death focusing every muscle fiber into every action driving forward with divine purpose. It is within this state,the Guardians seek to exist permanently and only the oldest veterans have accomplished this feat for it is the true form of enlightenment that the Nappa'im seek in their isolated meditations. Thus it is tactical skill and weapon mastery that are favored vice physical prowess and brute strength. The Guardians are righteous and undaunted by the fiercest of foes.  Pushing ever onward no matter the odds.

What is our duty?

To destroy the enemies of our father, the Emperor.

To fail, is a fate worse than death.

Sages of War,the Guardians fight with land raider spearhead advances followed by deep strike flanking operations. When founded, the Guardians of Silence were given many suits of tactical dreadknought or terminator armor because the High Lords of Terra knew fighting within the great tombs of the Necrons would require thick armor and devastating power.  Every suit is a relic acquired from across the Imperium's Space Marine Chapters.  The Adeptus Mechanicus agreed to help provide a large number of suits, providing they would be given access to all the information acquired by the chapter on the Necrons.  The armor is fiercely recovered if lost, even at the cost of more lives. The ability for terminator armor to be teleported into position is widely used throughout the chapter's companies, but Land Raider Assault is preferred. The chapter also prefers the honor of close combat to that of long ranged warfare,choosing to smite the enemies of the Empire wherever they stand.  Many of the original marines were lost during the Battle for Sinister, the first engagement the chapter had with the Necrons.  Since that point many Nappa'im have become veteran brothers of the chapter, but some of the founders remain to teach the younger marines the way of the Imperium.  A small detachment of the Deathwing has stayed with the Guardians, constantly providing the insight they've gained over centuries of combat.  These battle brothers are afforded the highest honor of the chapter and often join the spearhead in battle.

Battles of the Guardians of Silence

The Battle for Sinister - 890.M40
Shortly after establishing their monastery on Strix, the chapter commenced their first attack on the damaged Necron tomb world called Sinister, originally found by Magos Grinwald.  The Guardians showed up in force to take on the foe, even so they were greatly outnumbered by the enemy.  Initially only the eighth company deployed as the spearhead, teleporting directly into the tunnels found by the Magos.  All 10 squads split up to explore the tunnels which led in all driections, it was a slow advance as Necron scarabs began to pour into the tunnels.  The first and second company were dropped on the planet via Thunderhawk gunships and they soon entered into the tunnels to assist their brothers who were beginning to be overrun by the scarabs and canoptek spyders.  As they entered the tunnels, shadows began to appear from nowhere cutting into the armor of the marines.  The wraiths had awoken and marines from the 3rd and 4th companies were teleported in to assist the spearhead.

As the battle waged on, more Necron defenses awoke to meet the terminators who were slowly pushing deeper into the tomb. Many of the chapter’s brothers had already given their lives and they had just begun to reach the end of the tunnels.  They all led to a great chamber filled with machinery beyond comprehension and inside were thousands of metallic warriors barely awakening.  At the center of the chamber was a great crypt, still unopened.  Beside it stood two smaller crypts.  As the terminators began to enter into the chamber, led by Great Sage Ivan Verillian and Sage Sigurn Mordax, one of the smaller crypts opened revealing an ornately decorated Necron Lord called Herald of Sorrow.  The Great Sage charged forward to meet it in battle and fought with everything he had, but he was felled by the overbearing power of the Lord and his Immortal guard.  Sigurn Mordax took his hammer, Wisdom’s Judgement, and continued the battle.  Barely escaping with his life he destroyed Herald of Sorrow taking his weapon and head as trophies.  Even with the destruction of the Necron Lord, the Guardians of Silence were being overrun.  Sigurn Mordax called for a retreat.  The chapter fell back through the tunnels, losing more men but making sure to retrieve as many of the suits of armor as they could.

It was the chapter’s first meeting with the Necrons and it was a loss.
*I'll be working on a narrative for this particular battle*