Quick Links
- Who Are The Space Marines?
- The Origins Of Space Marines
- How Are Space Marines Created?
- Equipment For Space Marines
- Space Marine Chapter Houses
- Chaos Space Marines
Demi-gods, Astartes, The Emperor's Angels, they go by many names but one is known by all the races in Warhammer: 40K and it’s one that strikes fear into the heart of the bravest when it’s uttered, “Space Marine”. These lumbering lads in power armor are a core staple of Games Workshop's Warhammer world, and they are as deadly as they are huge.
Clad in armor that can shrug off most threats, and wielding big cumbersome weaponry that no mere mortal could carry without significant strain, if at all, Space Marines are living weapons with one purpose in mind, to cleanse the galaxy for The Emperor of Mankind. Eliminating the Xeno, the Mutant, the Heretic, and imposing the “peaceful” iron grip of the Imperium across countless worlds, warzones, and the dark recesses of forgotten space. The lore behind Space Marines is unbelievably dense and to dive into all of it would require several novels worth of pages, but to slimline things considerably here’s a brief overview of Space Marines to get you started.
Who Are The Space Marines?
From the perspective of the average man in the Human Imperial Empire, Space Marines are towering, often silent figures, that are rarely seen without their power armor. Preferring to talk amongst themselves within their sealed suits on their Vox units, anyone outside the loop will hear just a series of audible radio clicks. They’re often mistaken for silent statues at first, that is until they open fire or a giant fist suddenly pulverizes your ribcage with one hit.
But as far as their inhuman and nigh-invincible image seems, they are distinctly human, prone to failure, and above all, vulnerable. Space Marines were once ordinary humans that have transcended to become living weapons. Through the process of genetic and cybernetic augmentation combined with extensive, brutal, and often deadly training, those dedicated few achieve demi-god status.
Through advancements in science developed by the Emperor of Mankind, most of which has been sadly lost to time, these chosen few are able to live substantially longer than a normal person and fight much, much harder. Encased in advanced suits of armor and given the latest and most powerful weapons known to man, Space Marines are the perfect culmination of Humanity's attempts to combat the ever-encroaching forces of Chaos and other Xeno threats.
The Origins Of Space Marines
Originally referred to as Thunder-Warriors, Space Marines were created by the Emperor of Mankind to unite Terra during the Unification Wars towards the end of the 29th and 30th Millennium – a bloody age of conflict that saw all the constantly warring factions of Earth eventually defeated by The Emperor and united under one banner by his unstoppable ironclad legions.
Though these initial genetic creations were not as long-lived as their future descendants, and prone to dangerous instability both mentally and physically, they were stronger than their Astartes forebears, and they helped forge what would become known as Imperium of Man. Although, because of their genetic instability they were considered a liability after the war and were mostly culled in secret by Legio Custodes at the orders of The Emperor, with historical records being modified to say they were all slain in the last great battle of Terra.
Eventually, the process to create Astartes would be perfected with the Emperor's decades of work culminating in the creation of the Primarchs and the 20 Space Marine Legions. With the plan of these penultimate Astartes leading their own Chapter Houses on great crusades. But then the Chaos gods got involved and it all went sideways after that.
How Are Space Marines Created?
Before you sign up to become a Space Marine, there are a few things worth noting. Similar to how Spartans are made in Halo, the process by which someone becomes one of these armor-clad juggernauts is pretty rough, with most either dying or becoming horribly crippled or disfigured in the process.
Few survive the process of becoming a Space Marine, but with a galaxy so vast in which to grab potential Aspirants, the sheer number of bodies being thrown at it averages out. By no means is it an easy time for the Aspirants, but with the prospect of demi-godhood a possibility, it’s easy to see why so many throw themselves into the meat grinder.
The Astartes application process varies from planet to planet, but they only take the best of the best. For example, most apply at a Chapter House, whilst others go through a grueling process that ensures only the strongest make it through. Some are kidnapped, and there have even been cases of grooming prospective applicants from birth. Another option for recruitment comes from more tribal planets, where the strongest Warriors are chosen from tribes or for completing other feats to prove their worth.
Astartes Transhuman Transformation
Becoming a Space Marine is physically demanding, and most of those that undergo the numerous augmentation procedures don’t survive. This is due to the intensive, lengthy, and extremely painful surgery putting such a toll on the body of Aspirants. Still, those that do get to enjoy a wealth of benefits and abilities that make them superhuman by comparison to others.
These new abilities are gained by the implantation of a Gene Seed, which is basically genetic material composed of cells, special organs, and viral machines that are inserted into a willing human adolescent to turn them into Astartes. There are 19 in total, here’s what they’re called and their purpose in the transhuman transformation process:
- The Maintainer: A second heart, the first and most difficult to insert. It doubles the oxygen and nutrient supply to muscles and increases blood flow through the circulation to keep a grievously wounded Astartes alive long enough to receive medical aid.
- Ossmodula: Referred to as the Ironheart, this organ is placed next to the Pituitary gland and secretes growth hormones that help with the transformation process and also fusing the ribcage into an internal bulletproof plate.
- Biscopea: Called the Forge Of Strength, it greatly enhances a Space Marine's physical strength by stimulating muscle growth.
- Haemastamen: The Blood Maker alters the composition of Astartes blood to allow it to carry more oxygen, turning it a brighter shade of red in the process.
- Larraman’s Organ: Known as the Healer, this golf ball-sized organ allows for the instant formation of clots and scar tissue around wounds.
- Catalepsean Node: Implanted in the back of the Cerebrum, the Unsleeping implant allows Astartes to operate without the need for sleep. Although prolonged use leads to Psychosis.
- Preomnor: The Neutraliser organ, it's a pre-stomach that allows the digestion of material that would otherwise be physically impossible or poisonous.
- Omophagea: The Remembrancer, it’s wired from the spinal cord into the central nervous system and allows the recollection of short-term memory from creatures or individuals after their flesh is consumed. Allowing Astartes to literally learn by eating.
- Multi-Lung: The Imbiber, it’s a third lung that absorbs extra Oxygen if the environmental levels are too poor whilst filtering out toxic or poisonous vapors.
- Occulobe: The Eye of Vengeance, provides Astartes with improved visual acuity and the ability to see in near-darkness.
- Lyman’s Ear: The Sentinel. This organ replaces the original ear of a Space Marine, it renders them immune to dizziness, motion sickness and allows them to filter out sounds far greater than normal Humans.
- Sus-an Membrane: The Hibernator allows Astartes to enter a form of extended hibernation for years to prolong their own lives in the event of suffering a mortal wound or severe trauma.
- Melanochrome: Known as the Skin Shield, it’s attached to the Lymphatic system and controls the amount of melanin an Astartes skin produces in response to exposure to high or low levels of sunlight.
- Oolitic Kidney: The Purifier acts as an emergency detox organ if the Astartes system is suddenly flooded with poisons or toxins.
- Neuroglottis: The Devourer allows for the testing of toxicity of a substance as well as scent tracking.
- Mucranoid: The Weaver organ secretes a waxy Protein that seals the skin of Astartes shortly before the Marine enters suspended animation protecting them from harsh climates, temperatures, and the vacuum of space.
- Betcher’s Gland: The Poison Bite, inserted into the mouth and salivary glands of Astartes, allowing them to spit or secrete a blinding acid that can kill, maim or eat through metallic bindings.
- Progenoid Gland: The Gene-Seed organ that prevents DNA rejection of the other augments and is where Apothecaries harvest more Gene-Seed from should the Astartes fall in battle.
- The Black Carapace: The Interface is implanted under the skin of the torso and allows for direct interface with the cybernetic systems of Power Armor and machines.
Gene Seed Availability
New gene-seed is incredibly hard to come by as Humanity has long since lost the technology and knowledge of how to create more. Severe mutation and flaws often befall those implanted with corrupted gene cultures.
The Thousand Sons most notably had the biggest problem with uncontrolled mutation, until they essentially "solved it" by immolating their entire Chapter and binding their souls to their now-empty armor. Because of this supply problem, not every Astartes is able to gain all 19 organs, and those that fall in battle are harvested for their precious Gene Seed zealously by their own Apothecary as it's so highly sought after.
The Primaris
After becoming a Space Marine there used to be only two end results to a long career, either a glorious death on a far-off world or being entombed within a Dreadnaught and being used as a walking tank. With the dawning of the 41st Millennium, a third option appeared thanks to the machinations of Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl. Through the collection of all twenty Primarch gene-seed samples, he was able to ascend normal Astartes into Primaris.
Ascension into Primarus status is rare, and incredibly difficult to achieve but those that do are equally respected and unstoppable in battle and with a .001 percent chance of genetic deviancy, they were essentially immune to the irregularities that plagued other Chapter Houses. Primaris Marines possess all the original gene-seed enhancements along with three more:
- Sinew Coils: The Steel Within, reinforced dura-metallic coiled cables placed within the muscle, magnifying the strength of a Primaris to the point they can crush a man's skull with one hand, bite through metallic cables or punch through-hardened Flak Armor like tissue paper.
- Magnificat: A thumbnail-sized lobe called The Amplifier, it’s placed in the cortex, and it enhances the other Gene-Seed abilities and as a result also increases the size and muscle mass of the Primaris.
- Belisarian Furnace: The Revitaliser, a dormant organ that triggers either due to great traumatic injury or extreme stress and releases a potent synthesized cocktail. Cauterizing wounds and causing the rapid regrowth of bone, tissue, and muscle, allowing survival from even the most brutal of injuries.
Equipment For Space Marines
When it comes to the equipment being wielded by these towering titans, they have all sorts of deadly weaponry with which to cull the Heretical and Xeno hordes. For starters, there are ranged artillery and orbital bombardment, and for close quarter combat, there’s Prometheum spewing Flamers, Bolters, Heavy Stubbers, Plasma Guns, and Melee weapons wreathed in energy.
Even an unarmed marine is a martial arts master with lightning-fast reflexes and enough strength to be able to break the necks of most large Xenos with one hand effortlessly. That’s not including those with Psychic abilities or other Cybernetic augments, either way, a Space Marine is a threat that doesn’t stop until it’s dead, completely restrained, or blown apart into meaty chunks.
Bolters
It wouldn’t be worth talking about the Space Marines unless there was a whole chapter dedicated to just the Bolters. They are a core part of 40k Lore, a fan favorite firearm and they are by far one of the coolest weapons ever created.
For the uninitiated, Bolters are basically large, boxy-looking machine guns that most Marines use by default. They come in a variety of different variants and patterns such as the larger, dual bored Heavy Bolter, the spear mounted Guardian wielded by the Adeptus Custodes or its smaller Pistol cousin.
They’re big, meaty weapons that fire with a satisfying “Kerchunk” and the rounds they blast out are .75 caliber, rocket-powered, explosive tipped, and extremely large. Just one Bolter round is enough to blow a person in half or completely detonate them if it hits center mass at just the right spot. Making them perfect for blasting apart bigger beasties.
Space Marine Armor
If there’s one thing that makes Space Marines look absolutely cool, intimidating, and a little ridiculous at times, it would be the Power Armor. Composed of multiple layers of crafted ceramite, a Space Marine's Armor is the shield that keeps these charging brutes safe from any threats on the battlefield.
The armors can interface with a range of technology, and are hermetically sealed to protect the wearer from extreme temperatures, environments, radiation, toxins, and even the cold vacuum of space. Its dense plating can shrug off most small to medium arms fire, whilst also providing a secure internal radio link, battle stim supplies, and other tactical information overlaid through its helmet HUB. Sealed within their impenetrable suits of armor, Space Marines are virtually unstoppable.
Vehicles
Large soldiers need really big vehicles and the various bits of mechanized kit that the Space Marines drive around in are suitably massive. Their garages are filled with massive armored APCS, gravity-defying land-speeders, massive motorcycles, and equally larger tanks.
They also have their signature Thunderhawk drop-ships, portable jump packs, and massive system spanning fleets composed of strike cruisers and attack vessels that are more heavily armed floating cathedrals than starships. So when Space Marines roll out for a fight, they definitely bring their biggest guns.
Space Marine Chapter Houses
An interesting thing about Space Marines is that it’s not a catch-all term for them. Astartes are not one universally defined organization fighting for a common goal. Instead, they've broken up into numerous Chapter Houses, with most being based on (or at one time led by) the Primarch who founded them and as such no two Chapters are alike.
For example, the Imperial Fists, the galaxy's “Red Shirts” throw themselves at every battle that comes their way, whilst the Night Lords use stealth and operate in the shadows, their true goals unknown. There are also the Ultramarines, who kind of do what they want, as long as Chaos is stopped, or the White Scars who are on nobody's side but their own. Rarely if ever do Chapter houses meet or even work in tandem with one another outside of Crusades. Most are content to wage their own missions and wars on whatever threats face them or the worlds each particular Chapter House looks after.
Beliefs
Space Marines are a little odd when it comes to their belief system. Whilst some Chapter Houses have their own unique doctrines or beliefs common to their homeworlds, most if not all Marines have sworn fealty to the God-Emperor that created them or the Primarch that leads them. Through this strict indoctrination, they become the unyielding defenders of Humanity that protects it from the dangers of deep space and itself.
Whilst they are given the charge of protecting Humanity, most Space Marines, and in some cases, entire Chapters, actually have very little compassion for normal Humans. Most consider them beneath them, weak, frail, and nothing more than an obstacle to their eradication of the enemies of the Imperium. This view of doing everything for a warped view of the “Greater Good” allows them to carry out some pretty questionable, if not atrocious acts in the name of preserving order. This has included culling entire populations or destroying whole planets if there's even a hint of Xeno or Chaos infestation.
Chaos Space Marines
Though they may seem like infallible, invincible, and immortal demi-humans, Space Marines are just as prone to corruption as your average human. Albeit with a little more time and effort involved in most cases to swing them over the edge. When that happens and an Astartes gives in to the Ruinous Powers, a Chaos Space Marine is born.
These walking abominations are psychotic, genocidal murderers that are often mutated with all sorts of unholy “gifts” from their dark patron. They seek only to further sate their own dark goals or to gain more favors from their Dark Chaos God of choice with many holding the hopes of one day shedding their humanity through Apotheosis and becoming an immortal Daemon Prince.
Chaos Space Marines come in many shapes, sizes, and colors of armor depending on the particular Chaos God or Fallen Primarch that was once in charge of them with more subgroups and smaller factions splintering off from there. It's an unending tide that if ever united as one again, could put the Galaxy or the entire Universe in jeopardy.
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