Special report

Black Consuls Status

Assembled by
*redacted*
Among these grim times, there lie unnumbered tales of desolation and hopelessness.
In equal number however, there are tales of heroes and of perseverance. Counted among
each list is the ongoing tragedy of the Black Consuls. Officially the Black Consuls have
been recorded as annihilated at the Siege of Goddeth hive in 451.M40. It was there that
the great majority of the chapter was conducting a siege against a large warband of Iron
Warriors. Records indicate that at the moment the Black Consuls breached the final
defense line the cowards detonated the nucleonic stacks and annihilated the entire
northern hemisphere of the planet. Nearly the entirety of the chapters ground force
present was completely destroyed and a portion of their fleet in low orbit also suffered
catastrophic damage. The only surviving marines were those that had been evacuated as
severe casualties of the 1st wave and those not present in the campaign. Unbeknownst to
official records the Black Consuls have been waging a secret and silent crusade in the
search for their most hated enemies; the Word Bearers that humiliated them.
The White Consuls chapter master, a chapter with whom the Black Consuls had
close ties, is believed to be complicit in covering up the chapters survival. The exact
purpose of this secrecy is unknown but is likely to aid the Black Consuls in finding
vengeance. Also unknown to official records they are led by the newly crowned chapter
master Ignathius, who is rumored to be a survivor of the battle that saw the chapter
devastated. Records indicate that he had suffered grievous wounds in the 1 st attack and he
and his command squad had withdrawn to a medicae deck on his strike cruiser. If this is
true then that would surely explain why he survived and why they have embarked upon
such a focused crusade. Whatever the truth, there are few men as reserved and grim as
Chapter Master Ignathius. It is whispered by those that claim to have seen him that he is
soft spoken, but in a way that resembles a restless volcano not yet ready to waken but
whose fury waits just beneath the surface. In the finest traditions of the Ultramarines, he
is rumored to be highly intelligent, disciplined and well-spoken, but what effect the end of
his brotherhood has had is impossible to tell.
The Black Consuls homeworld of Cyclopia was settled by the chapter less than a
millennia ago when their great star fortress, the Noctis Obscurum was destroyed by the
Dark Eldar. From here they mounted their campaign of vengeance that spanned 15
surrounding star systems and 3 centuries and collapsed an entire portion of the Eldar
webway. Cyclopia is a Hive World located in the Calixis sector in Segmentum Obscurum.
Assuming this world has not become a target of the Word Bearers, then as a hive world the
Black Consuls will have an enormous and diverse pool from which to recruit aspirants and
serfs. The Calixis sector itself is also home to the forge world of Cyclopea which will
certainly become the crutch on which the battered chapter can lean in the fight to repair
and reequip its armories. As a chapter the Black Consuls are among the most zealous
adherents to the Codex Astartes. They have a noted predilection to hunt down those
particular enemies which have caused them grievance such as the dark elder raiders that

destroyed their star fortress, the Noctis Obscurum. It is probable that they once again
have turned their focus onto finding the traitors responsible for their plight.
The Black Consuls greatest strength was and its history of close cooperation with
other imperial forces to most efficiently prosecute campaigns against their targets. The
Black Consuls are renowned as astounding diplomats and are adept at smoothing
internecine conflicts between different arms of the Imperial war machine. Among their
fellow astartes they have managed to stay above disagreements with other chapters and
have formed close bonds of brotherhood with many of their brother chapters including the
Ultramarines, the White Consuls, and their own successors especially. Oftentimes single
men or squads were dispatched to widespread warzones to offer guidance and support to
ailing theatres. This, coupled with their high level of volunteers in the deathwatch, means
that many more space marines survived the siege than previously thought. This also means
that currently the Black Consuls are working with many others to hunt down their enemies
and can rely on instant cooperation with most other imperial forces including forgeworlds,
the ecclesiarchy, and other space marine chapters. In addition to the scattered remains of
the chapter itself, it is known that other imperial forces are taking part in Ignathius
crusade. Among these are counted a knight spearhead, and several regiments of Cyclopia
PDF. This force is known to be well equipped including wargear, vehicles, weapons and
even a company of baneblades
As a primogenitor chapter the Black Consuls have a history as long and illustrious
as any chapter in the Imperium short of the founding chapters themselves. This means
that in their long history their armory has collected examples of incredibly rare and ancient
pieces of wargear and other relics. Sadly, much of this was lost in the battle that claimed
the chapter but among the present day force a few very precious items and artefacts can
still be found. Otherwise their equipment is almost entirely composed of those most basic
and easily produced staples of chapter wargear such as rhinos, predators, and Mk.7 power
armor. Rarer and harder to produce items such as terminator suits, land raiders and
dreadnoughts only exist in those few examples that survived the fall.
It is believed that the Black Consuls sired 2 successor chapters, the Stone Guard
and the Elementals. All offers of munitions and material have been denied by Ignathius but
allied forces from both chapters have been present in several of the Black Consuls
campaigns. Both are known to be crusading chapters and whose strength has been noticed
to be gathering in the Segmentum Pacificus where the remains of the Black Consuls are
known to be operating. Most likely this indicates these 2 chapters are also aiding the Black
Consuls in persecuting the Word Bearers legion. It is even believed that a Company of
each chapter is currently garrisoning the Black Consuls fortress monastery and helping to
train the chapters recruits on Cyclopia.
All of these characteristics combined mean the chapter, though devastated, has the
means and the capacity to rebuild. Allied forgeworlds have begun limited production of
weapons and war gear to add to a small existing stockpile on Cyclopia. Those single ships
and men on duty across the galaxy have been ordered to complete their obligations and to
return to Cyclopia with all haste. Over the centuries these Astartes and representatives of
the chapter, already equipped with fast ships and crews, have returned to be given new
assignments to go out and gather recruits and to call upon old alliances for aid. Much of
the chapters remaining strength is thusly occupied but Ignathius has gathered about him

on Cyclopia a growing strike force composed of the rebuilt 2 nd Company to strike where
word of their enemy reaches them. Far from idle, the 2 nd company mounted in their strike
cruiser have been sighted making swift and fierce assaults across the Segmentum
Pacificus. Every marine not engaged in the 2nd company, in envoys across the galaxy, or in
the Jericho reach, are added to the garrison on Cylopia and tasked with guarding the
remainder of the chapters gene seed and its aspirants undergoing training and
modification. All of these factors considered, and considering other chapters similarly
beset by tragedy the Black Consuls have a high chance of recovery, though itll be a long
and arduous process.
Surviving order of battle 999.M41
The Black Consuls, even in the midst of tragedy, continue to follow the dictates of the
Codex Astartes. In this time of doubt they look to this holy tome as a bedrock upon which
they can mount their revival. This adherence applies to tactics, organization and even
insignia and doctrine. The only exception is a severe focus on a particular enemy and
what might be called a disregard of all other pursuits. The Black Consuls are striving to
reestablish their chapter a company at a time starting with 4 companies, the 1 st, 2nd, 6th,
and 10th. Though of these only the 2nd is near full strength.
Chapter Command
Chapter Master Ignathius
Ignathius was originally the 2nd company captain and was the most senior
captain to survive the fall. In battle he carries Lorgars Bane and is
accompanied by an honor guard formed of 5 members of company veterans
(including the chief apothecary) who acted as his bodyguard before the fall.
He has borne the loss of the chapter with complete silence but the fall has
almost certainly left an indelible scar on his psyche. He, much like his
chapter, is broken and determined to be made whole.
-

Epistolary Librarian Augustine

o Augustine is the original Chief Librarian of the chapter. He was not at
the siege that destroyed his chapter but his mind has been troubled ever
since by whispers of the dead, leading the chapter to its destiny warzone
by warzone.
o Augustine wears terminator armor and often leads one of the last
remaining terminator squads into battle where he and his can make the
most impact and best act as Ignathius right hand.

Master of Sanctity
o The current Master of sanctity is somewhat of an oddity. No chaplains
survived the chapters destruction and so he has trained himself to fulfill
the role mandated by the Codex Astartes. His responsibility is still a new
burden on his shoulders but he has studied long with the chaplains of the
Hammer of Dorn Chapter so that he might execute his duties in a manner
befitting such an ancient chapter as the Black Consuls.

1st Company (newly formed)

The 1st company currently does not have a captain but instead is led by its lead
sergeant until such a time as a captain can be appointed. Half of the 1st company stays
with the 2nd on its strikes throughout the galaxy, the other half garrisons the chapter
fortress.
-

21 Veterans (14 suits of terminator armor)

Venerable Dreadnought

2nd Company
-

Captain
o Captain is Ignathius second in command. He is young by Astartes
standards for a captain and is not yet corrupted by anger. It seems that
this man is the one that Ignathius hopes will lead the chapter into the
future.
o Leads a 5 man command squad and carries a lightning claw and combiplasma
6 Tactical squads
2 Assault squads
2 Devastator squads
Brother Dreadnought
Brother Ironclad Dreadnought

3rd Company
The space marines of the 3rd company safeguard the Chapter fortress and its armory. They
also oversee the training of the PDF on Cyclopia.
Tactical squad
Devastator squad

6th Company
The members of the 6th company are currently engaged in the Jericho Reach.
Captain Nobile, Master of Relics, 6th company captain
Leads a 5 man Command Squad and carries an immense jade thunder hammer
-

3 Tactical squads
Dreadnought

10th Company

The members of the 10th company are the primary intelligence gathering asset
under Ignathius command and its Captain is known to have the personal confidence of the
Chapter Master. The leading officers minus the captain are currently training a massive
pool of aspirants on Cyclopia, striving to raise quantity without sacrificing quality.
-

Captain Christo, Master of Recruits, 10th company captain

Carries a thunder hammer into battle and is known to rarely ever remove his
helm as a symbol to his recruits that secrecy and anonymity are paramount to
their crusade.
60 scouts
Land Speeder Storm

Apothecarion
-

Chief Apothecary
o The chief apothecary is attached to the chapter masters personal bodyguard.
It is by his care and command that Ignathius was evacuated and his life
saved.
3 apothecaries in training

Lbrarius
These are the pupils of the Chief Librarian and his survival has ensured that the
chapter will have librarians to guide it on its journey back to greatness.
-

1 Lexicanium
2 Acolytum

Surviving vehicle pool

-

8 Techmarines including the newly anointed Master of the Forge

246 armory servitors
958 chapter serfs
Land raider Hades
2 Land Raider Crusaders; Impervious ,Implacable
12 Rhinos
3 razorbacks
4 Predators;
Vindicator
2 Whirlwinds
7 Land Speeders
18 Bikes

Surviving Fleet
-

Battle Barge Bastion of Ire

The Bastion of Ire was in dry dock for nearly a century for repairs following the
Siege of Goddeth Hive. It currently remains in system as a super heavy weight
defense monitor. The Bastion of Ire is in turn guarded by the Seat of Governance
and a trio of defense frigates.
3 Strike cruisers, Lordship, Seat of Governance and Death of Tyranny
The Lordship was Ignathius personal command before he was chapter master
and is the ship that carries the 2nd company onto its strike missions.

The Death of Tyranny carries the 6th company on its missions in the Jericho
Reach.
4 landing craft; 2 on bastion, 1 each on governance and lordship
16 Thunderhawks; 3 each on the lordship and governance, 2 on tyranny, 5 on
bastion
11 thunderhawk transporters; 2 per cruiser, 5 on battle barge
14 storm talons
3 storm eagles
45 drop pods

Known Surviving Relics

-

Caesars Claw
2 Deactivated Contemptor dreadnoughts
Thanes Armor
Chapter Banner, newly commissioned and redesigned to be a marine walking
through fire, the slogan proclaims, we walk through disaster and remain
unbowed
Banners of the 2nd, 4th and 6th companies
Lorgars Bane

Allied Forces
Iron 9th Auxilia Corps
Composed of members of the Cyclopia planetary defense force. Limited manpower is
compensated for by ample vehicle support. The Iron 9th is rarely fielded as a unified force
but detachments and regiments are deployed as the situation dictates. In total the Corps is
believed to number over 30,000 designed to act as a relatively small but powerful shock
force not meant for protracted engagements. They are an elite force with good training
and equipment under strong leadership and acting as an extension of the chapter itself.
The baneblades and other specialized equipment are believed to have been supplied by
Cyclopea, a nearby forge world.
-

1st Infantry Regiment (dark green armor and green fatigues, mostly foot infantry
trained to operate in boarding actions and as light infantry) est. complement of
9000
The 1st Infantry Regiment form the vanguard of any invasion and often work in
close concert with the chapters scouts. The attrition rate within this regiment is
among the highest in the entire corps and contributes to an elitist attitude and
temperament.

2nd Siege Infantry Regiment (grey overcoats, specializing in city fighting,

includes vehicles but limited to vehicles and patterns suited for close-in fighting)
est. complement of 9000
This regiment is the main fighting force of the corps and is used in instances
where operations must be performed in and around built up areas planet side.
This regiment also assists the 1st in boarding actions.

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (green armor and grey fatigues, includes attached
armor and air elements including 31 leman russ and 18 valkyries, 1 baneblade)
est. complement of 2400
This regiment forms the corps speartip

and is the first combat element engaged in almost every action. This formation
is designed to hit hard and to move and be deployed quickly. Additionally the 3 rd
Armored Cavalry Regiment is equipped to bloody an enemy formation many
times its size. Therefore the best equipment and soldiers in the corps are
assigned to this regiment and it is fully mounted in APCs and includes attached
armor support. This is one of the few all-arms forces of this size in the entire
Imperium.
4th Armored Regiment (95 leman russ of various patterns, 3 baneblades) est.
complement of 1600
In situations where the enemy
is to be met over open ground then the 4th armored regiment is landed. This
formation is designed to be a tactical reserve best suited to punching a hole in
enemy lines to be exploited by allied units. This formation, the knight
spearhead, and the cavalry regiment all operate in close cooperation to ensure
mutual survival and support.
Despite its relative size to the 1st and 2nd
regiment some tacticians consider this to be the main punch of the Iron 9 th.

5th Artillery Regiment (54 basilisks, 18 medusas, camouflage varies) est.

complement of 1000
This regiment operates closely with the 2nd regiment in protracted operations
and sieges against fortified enemy positions and cities. This regiment is entirely
mobilized and is prepared to retreat and advance according to the requirements
of the theatre. Otherwise this formation is only used in situations where the
entire corps is deployed to a single battle.

Fighter Air Wing (36 thunderbolts, 12 lightnings, 24 marauders) est.

complement of 2000
This formation acts as the corps air cover. In keeping with the corps strike
nature this formation is also not designed or equipped for protracted combat and
is used to swiftly eliminate enemy air forces and to strike targets in preparation
for ground attacks. During almost all campaigns this formation makes its home
aboard the Ancestral Wrath and has to return to low orbit at the end of every
sortie.

Allied Fleet
Task Force Redemptor
-

Mars Class Battle Cruiser Ancestral Wrath

Lunar Class Cruiser High Council
Tyrant Class Cruiser Might of the Heavens
Dauntless Class Light Cruiser Salvation (modified as an ambassadorial ship with
staterooms and larger hangars)
Mechanicus knight-barge Honor bound (approximately equivalent to a firestorm
frigate)
Escort Squadron Inpes (5 frigates) (3 sword and 2 firestorm)
Destroyer Squadron Toure (4 destroyers)
Unknown number of support vessels including transport, refueling, and repair
among many other tasks

Task Force Redemptor was formed and equipped officially to find and persecute
enemies of the Calixis sector wherever they may be found. No specifics were given
with regards to jurisdiction or limitation. This order is believed to have been made
in order for the task force to aid the Black Consuls wherever their pursuit leads.
The reasons for this are varied but mainly include a debt owed to the chapter for
their recovery of the fleets current emperor class flagship Debt of Honor, their
continued service in destroying the enemies of the sector and because the sector
command considers the Word Bearers a particular threat that can only be ended by
utter eradication.
Knight Spearhead Warrior Spirits
This spearhead consists of 5 knights formerly belonging to an unknown knight
house. It is likely that this knight house owes fealty to Cyclopea, as the system was cleared
of Dark Eldar raiders following the Black Consuls campaign of vengeance. These 5
knights, along with all their supporting technicians, equipment and their ship, all became
freeblades together in order to assist the Black Consuls to the very end. They have sworn
their lives in return for the past service given them by the Black Consuls and carry the
blessing of their house with them. Being a small knight house, this spearhead probably
represents a significant sacrifice and indicates enormous gratitude. It is claimed by these
knights that their small order would have perished if not for the intervention of the chapter.
These knights perfectly embody the lengths to which the allies of the Black Consuls will go
to ensure their survival. Though the names of the knights or the house from which they
originate is unknown, their livery is a light grey with gold trim.

Engagement and battlefield doctrine

On the field of battle the Black Consuls operate almost exactly as they did before the
fall with the sole exception being that battles are fought to maximize impact while
minimizing casualties. At all times a force is only deployed once meticulous planning has
been set in place and only if a clear and unobstructed line of retreat is available. Though
the chapter emphasizes surprise, the use of stealth is no more prominent. The Black
Consuls want their enemy to know who killed them. The Corps that accompanies the
chapter operates in a similar manner and is employed only when absolutely necessary to
achieve a particular aim. However central to the purpose of the Corps is the preservation
of the chapter at all cost and to this end the men and women of the Iron 9 th stand ready to
intercede whenever the lives of their lieges are in danger. Until the restoration of the
chapter is complete, or the chapter is dragged down to a noble end, the Iron 9 th will
effectively form the main fighting strength of the chapters crusade.