Codex Astartes

From Warhammer 40k

[edit] Summary

"We follow in the footsteps of Gulliman. As it is written in the Codex, so shall it be."

-Marneus Calgarr, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines.

The Codex Astartes is a mighty tome, written by Roboute Guilliman to prevent another Heresy. It outlines Gulliman's ideal for the behaviour, organisation and tactical doctrine of a Space Marine chapter. While not all chapters adhere to the codex with the same rigidity as the Ultramarines, most obey the spirit of the codex at least, if not the actual letter.

The Horus Heresy had revealed weakness in the gene-seed of certain amoung the original 20 legions, weaknesses that left the legions in question greatly exposed to corruption.  This risk was exacerbated by the rapid nature of Space Marine recruitment from the time of the Great Crusade to the time of the heresay itself. With the Imperium expanding so quickly, the need for fresh recruits in the Space Marine legions was great. So much so that some legions had not been as particular in their gene-seed screeening practices and recruit selection processes as they could be. The first objective of the Codex Astartes was to recognise and purge these weaknesses.

The Codex decreed that the remaining loyal legions would be divided into Chapters, the Masters of which would be directly beholden to the Emperor himself and no other, not even the Primarchs of their original legions (save in the case of the single Chapter that would remain under each primarchs control). No one man could ever again control the superhuman might of an entire legion

The Codex oultined a new, more measured process, for space marine selection and recruitment and insisted that each newly created chapter would tithe 5% of its genetic material to the Adeptus Terra and the Adeptus Mechanicus for testing and monitoring. It also decreed that only the Emperor himself, through the auspices of the High Lords of Terra, would ever again be able to order the creation of a new chapter. All gene-seed would be subjected to the greatest scrutiny before being used in the creation of new implants. To prevent cross-contamination, the Codex rebuked the practice of sharing gene-seed between different legions and, henceforth different legions. From then on, each Chapter would have to rely solely on geneseed produced in the bodies of its own marines.

The codex also further defines accepted tactical doctrine, chapter orgnaisation, recruitment practices and explains the different battlefield roles assigned to each squad, defining them as Tactical, Assault or Devestator squads and assigning different equipment to each. (see the excerpts below)

There were many other topics, all of them showed Guilliman's formidable intelligence and vast wisdom. The most controversial and yet most adhered to of the topics and decrees in the Codex Astartes was that the original twenty Space Marine legions be broken down into smaller organisations known as chapters. Each chapter to consist of ten companys. The breaking of the legions into chapters was known as the Second Founding.

Only one legion, The Space Wolves has never been broken down into actual company's. The Space Wolves continue to organize their forces into great companies, counter to the Codex. Note that the oldest copy of the Codex, the Apochrypha of Skaros refutes te commonly held belief that the Space Wolves have never broken down into chapters, stating that two Second Founding Chapters were created from the Space Wolves. (Index Astartes Vol1 Page 13). However, the Space Marine Codex 5th edition lists only one second founding successor: the Wolf Brothers.

[edit] Excerpts

"Let them bestride the galaxy like the gods of old. Sheltering Mankind from destruction at the hands of an uncaring universe."

- Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Apochrypha of Skaros. (Space Marine Codex 5th edition)

"Consider the magnitude of your duty at leisure, but act with heistation when action is required."

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Codex. (Space Marine Codex 3rd edition, "Legio Astartes Daily Rites".)

"The warrior who acts out of honour cannot fail. His duty is honour itself. Even his death -if it is honurable- is a reward and can be no failure for it has come through duty. Seek honour as you act, therefore, and you shall know no fear."

Roboute Gullliman,  (Space Marine Codex 4th edition)

"They shall be pure of heart and strong of body, unsullied by doubt and untainted by self-agrrandizement. They will be bright stars in the firmament of battle. Angels of death whose swift wings bring extermination to the enemies of man. So it shall be for a thousand times a thousand years, unto the end of eternity and the extinction of mortal flesh."

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the . (Ultramarines Codex 2nd edition)

"As you are a knight in service of the Emperor, so is the Rhino your steed. Honour it, respect it, see that its needs are met, and it shall serve you well through all the battles you must face."

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Apochrypha of Skaros. (Space Marine Codex 5th edition)

"Of the Tactical Space Marine, bedrock of his Chapter and paragon to his brothers, I shall tell thee.

He shall be steeped in the lore of battle and schooled in al manner of weapons and strategy. With combat blade, boltgun and grenade shall he assail the foe. But these are mere tools: a Tactical Marine's true weapons are his courage, his wits and his dedication to his brothers.

He will bring the foe to battle in a manner and time of his choosing, never himself caught unready or ill-prepared for the task at hand. In defence he shall be as stalwart as the mountain, a bulwark stood firm against the enemies of Man. In attack he shall strike with the wrath of the Immortal Emperor, felling the foe without mercy, remore or fear."

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Apochrypha of Skaros. (Space Marine Codex 5th edition)

"And of the Assault Marine so do I decree:

He shall descend upon the perfidious foe as an Angel of Judgement from on high. Let the jump pack be his wings and the roar of its engines a hymn of retribution.

Let the chainsword be his sceptre of decree, its harsh voice singing joyfully with each and every blow. With it shall the Assault Marine bring bloody retribution to the heretic, the traitor and all alien transgressors who trespass on the Emperors domains.

So will the Assault Marine be the hunter of warlords and the slayer of kings. His armmour shall run slick with the life blood of the vanquished, and all shall honour his name".

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Apochrypha of Skaros. (Space Marine Codex 5th edition)

"A Devestator's reach shall be without limit and his touch without mercy. Fire shall roar from his fingertips, but it shall consume him not. Thunder will roar when he calls yet it will swallow him not.

Let the Devestator squad be thy blazing wrath, bringing the light of the Emperors justice to the darkest corners of the battlefield. Wherever he stands, that shall be his fortress of righteousness. he shall hold in his gift the fate of all who pass before his unblinking gaze.

All shall fear him, and he shall fear no one."

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Apochrypha of Skaros. (Space Marine Codex 5th edition)

"Use your bike squad as a blaed, striking the enemy and turning aside his counter-blows in equal measure. But in all things beware that speed is nothing without direction, just as even the mightiest weapon is worhtless without careful aim.

A Biker's stance should always be resolute and dauntless, but never immobile or rigid. Speed is his advantage, and suprise his deadliest weapon. In fluidity he will find success and in success shall he find renown."

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Apochrypha of Skaros. (Space Marine Codex 5th edition)

"As a commander your tools and devices shall be myriad, yet the wise man knows that battles are won by flesh, not the machine. Flesh can learn, whilst the marine must be forever instructed. Flesh knows loyalty to its brothers and veneration of its Emperor, whilst the machine knows not these things.

Whenever the day is darkest and victory in doubt, look not to the machine for aid, but to your battle-brothers. The machine can only bring victory if you tell it how such a thing can be done. Your brothers will walk through fire, they will stride through the most terrible carnage at a single word from your lips and they will bring you victory simply because you ask it of them."

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Apochrypha of Skaros. (Space Marine Codex 5th edition)

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"Make the Predators virtues your own. Let your resolve become as impervious as the Predators armoured hull and let your rage strike with the righteous fury of its guns. As it crushes the foe beneath its remorseless advance, so shall you smite the traitor and the alien without hesitation ot regret.

Know that to take the field alongside a Predator is to fight at the side of one of mankinds most honoured guardians. To strive with less than your all beneath its Iron Gaze is to dishonour yourself and your Battle-Brothers before one of mankinds greatest heroes".

Roboute Gullliman, as laid down in the Apochrypha of Skaros. (Space Marine Codex 5th edition)