Black Templar History – Part 7 – Warriors of the Chapter

The Black Templars are organised in a very different way to the majority of Codex Chapters, not following the Codex Astartes as previously mentioned.  There is no Scout chapter so the new Templars are judged in other ways.  Once around a dozen are deemed worthy to become Black Templars, they are shipped to the Crusade Fleet where those pure enough have the initial organs planted that begins the process of turning them into Space Marines.

Neophytes

Those that are sent to the fleets.  they are put through many  trials by the Space Marine Initiates.  These are tests of strength, endurance, battle skills and of course faith.  Should the Neophyte survive and all are satisfied with their progress, his is passed for tutelage under a single Initiate who swears oaths to train him in the methods of worship and war of the Black Templars.  If the Neophyte is able to prove himself to both his Initiate and the Chaplains, he himself is elevated to the rank of Initiate.

Initiates

Once accepted in a Fighting Company, the Initiate hones his craft until being able to take his own Neophyte.  This means the experience and wisdom of Initiates is preserved, being passed from one down to the next.  The Initiates are organised into Crusader Squads, these being the most numerous type of any Chapter.  While the most common armament of the Crusader Squads are Bolters or Bolt Pistols and close combat weapons, they can be found wielding more specialised armoury allowing them to adapt as each situation deems.

Any Initiate that excels in close combat are organised into Black Templar Assault Squads, being equipped with jump packs.  This allowing them to get face to face with their enemy swiftly where they are most effective.

The Sword Brethren

Mighty heroes who have carved themselves into Black Templar legends.  The greatest of the Black Templar warriors.  It is every Templars ambition to become one of the elites.  Clad head to toe in the finest Black Templar armour adourned with Crusader  Seals, these are the very image of a warrior Knight.  Should a Marshall die, it is from the Sword Brethren that his replacement would come, thus only the bravest and mightiest are worthy of this great honour.

Sword Brethren are no longer responsible for Neophyte training as they themselves receive further guidance, notably in the use of Terminator armour, amongst the Chapters prized relics.  It takes rigorous training to perform in Terminator armour, and once trained are expected to perform at the highest standard as an example to the rest of the Chapter.

~ by JawD on April 13, 2008.