The Black Scorpions

Origins

'We have come to Destroy you! ' - The battle cry of the 4th expeditionary company

The Black Scorpions are a Space Marine chapter based on the planet Arcturus in the Helion System. Their creation remains a complete mystery. Vague and cryptic tomes indicate that they first saw combat as a full strength chapter at some point during the last years of M39. These records states that the chapter was petitioned to scour the Helion system of the Ork empires that inhabited it.

The early records show the chapter to be an entirely fleet based chapter until they conquered the Helion system in their first documented crusade. By 002 M40 they had liberated the Helion system from the Ork warlord Gobdreg the Invincible. The campaign of liberation was hard fought and tested the young chapter. Many losses were suffered as the Orks stood their ground like only Orks can. One by one the planets fell to the swords of the Black Scorpions. The campaign was long and arduous but the end finally seemed near when they landed on the final planet, Arcturus. Weary and outnumbered they were determined to scour the final ork held planet. Upon making planetfall The Black Scorpions discovered many human settlements full of stalwart and hardy people. They had endured the constant ork attacks by building fortress like settlements in the most inhospitable regions of the planet. The constant state of warfare contributed to a hugely experienced and tough population of warriors.

On the day that is now known as the Day of Reckoning the Arcturans looked to the skies and witnessed their salvation as thunderhawks streaked through the blue skies and slammed down into the dusty ground. The Arcturans, eager to prove their worth fought along side the Space marines and together, over the next few months, fought tooth and nail to eradicate the orks. The following conflict united the planet and against the odds they managed to push the orks back to the equatorial jungles were they remain to this day. The chapter claimed the system and immediately used Arcturus as a base after discovering a vast and ancient cathedral in the mountains of the North Pole. The ancient catacombs and vast halls were perfect for use as a fortress monastery. The Arcturans were also found to be excellent candidates for new recruits and the Scorpions began to replace the many losses they suffered at the hands of the orks.

Their close ties with the Ordo Xenos is evident based on the amount of missions they accomplish at the behest of the Inquisition. Indeed, the scouring of Helion was ordered by Grand Inquisitor Anaxion of the Ordo Xenos. After the conquering of the system the Inquisition carried out unknown excavations on one of the previously ork infested moons above Arcturus. The reason and result of this activity is unknown except that the Inquisition left quickly and had the moon severely bombarded from orbit. As a reward for their sacrifices The Black Scorpions were granted fiefdom over the system and left to their own devices.

Organisation
Their organisation is similar to that of the black templars albeit on a smaller scale. Numerous small detachments of Marines are constantly on missions around the galaxy hunting Xenos, cleansing and burning their way across the galaxy.

Home Planet


The Helion system was once a great civilization. The cities and cathedrals were great works of art and it's citizens enjoyed a peaceful and prosperous life. It was a beacon of perfection and technological advancement until the Age of Strife. Little is known about these dark times other than society on the planets of Helion collapsed into war, genocide and death. Alien invasions and civil war took it's toll and the once great halls and cathedrals were buried under the anvil of war. The human population was decimated and what few settlements remained standing were pits of squalor and violence. The arrival of the Black Scorpions marked a turning point in it's history. The native population are now well underway in their attempt to rebuild it's former glory. Indeed some of the larger cities have grown exponentially.

Arcturus, the most populous planet in the system and home the chapter's fortress, is a mountainous planet with large equatorial jungles and gigantic forests full of man eating plants and fearsome predators like the Cytus Swallower. There are also a number of fearsome feral Ork tribes that reside in the dangerous jungles, kept at bay by the thousand mile burning deserts and craggy mountains that isolate them. The bone chilling ice caps, blistering deserts, huge mountains and fetid jungles provide excellent training grounds. The warlike and aggressive people live a harsh existence in feudal cities and towns built upon the ruins of the once great cities. The deadly weather, creatures and landscape have helped sculpt the people into tenacious, sturdy people.

Beliefs
The Black Scorpions believe fastidiously in martial prowess. They train constantly and study the Alien extensively. The bond of brotherhood and family are important to the Black Scorpions and, unlike many Chapters, interact freely with the people of Arcturus. The great halls of the various cities are turned into shrines and museums dedicated to those that have joined the Chapter. The walls are festooned with artifacts and trophies that the Marines brings back. These halls remind the Arcturans how far a citizen can take his devotion to the emperor.


The Black Scorpions venerate the Emperor and fight in his name. They believe firmly in the purity and righteousness of humanity and will endeavor to destroy any Xenos that threaten humanity's future. While hating all aliens passionately they maintain a special hatred for the Tau, whom they have fought on a number of occasions. They believe the Tau attempts at diplomacy and subterfuge are an even greater insult to humanity than the outright brutality of the Orks or Tyranids. The Black Scorpions will often go out of their way in order to participate in campaigns or conflicts against the Tau and as such have gained a notorious reputation among the Tau as merciless killers who butcher and  mutilate all Tau they find.

The chapter, although young, is somewhat famous for having discovered many artifacts and treasures over the years. Their missions for the Ordo Xenos often result in captured Alien technology or ancient dark age artifacts. Also, The Helion System is home to many ancient librariums and lost repositories of ancient knowledge, relics from a once great human civilization long since destroyed. Their success in this field has granted them several distinguishing features. The Black Scorpions maintain one of the most diverse collections of power armor and weapons.

The Black Scorpions are always eager to explore drifting hulks and forgotten librariums. The Scorpions passion for the technical and unknown is strong. These exploits have earned them the gratitude and admiration of many in the Adeptus Mechanicus. The Black Scorpions desire to keep this special relationship has earned them the ire of other chapters. An Imperial Fist Captain famously accused them of being "Foolish treasure hunters" after the Black Scorpions refused to reinforce a crusade due to the exploration of the haunted libraries on Dalamar V. Many of the more established chapters maintain that the Black Scorpions have not earned the benefits they receive. Many chapters view them with suspicion and are wary. The Howling Griffons Captain Malus famously claimed 'They are nought but pawns of the Inquisition, mercenaries even. They have neither honor nor courage.'


Despite certains chapters distrusting them, The Black Scorpions have carved out a fearsome reputation for themselves. They expect no quarter and give none themselves.