THE Damned Contemptibles
To the Chapter Master of the Antonines,
As per your previous request, I have compiled the records pertaining to the infamous Damned Contemptibles. First, I will detail the Chapters as they appeared before their heresy. As they still exist as loyalists in some form, this historical record may be useful for their own records. Second, I will detail their states as of their time as Renegade Astartes before thirdly moving on to detail their times as servants of chaos.
"Harvest for the Emperor no more!"
The Gene-Wardens were founded from an unknown Chapter in the 14th Founding in M35. The reason for their founding was undertake extraction missions deep into enemy territory to recover far-flung gene-seed to recoup the Imperium’s stock. They were granted a Writ of Succession to allow it to bolster its ranks with the newly recovered gene-seed. Gene-Wardens often carry unique tools for extracting gene-seeds and transporting them safely back to imperial territory. They assist with hunts for the Fallen, but more specifically, reclaim the gene-seed of those who die on hunts. Unfortunately, due to their founding Chapter being unknown we cannot tract who is responsible for their flawed gene-seed quality as they suffer a mutation causing Hyper-Stimulated Omophagea which allows them to eat bodies and reuse the flesh.
In their inception they were led by Chapter Master Magedo who remained in post until they were mortally wounded during a battle and interned into Dreadnought armour. The second Chapter Master Sejan Ethus led the Gene-Wardens until his death at the hands of Tatikos during the Chapter’s civil war. After his death, Meridian took over as Chapter Master and is believed to be in-post still. As for Company Captains I have compiled a list of their previous incumbents. This table is also combined with their suspected numbers that I have found reference to in some of the remaining records on Atarhyll.
In the beginning of the Gene-Wardens inceptions they began as a fleet-based Chapter that would roam the galaxy rescuing forsaken gene-seed. They attempted to rescue the gene-seed from a planet called Atarhyll before the forces of chaos conquered it. They suffered a pyrrhic victory at the hands of the chaos forces in M.37 seeing two of their companies completely depleted. From there they established their base of The Apotharum upon its surface. They then began exerting feudal direct rule upon the planet’s system. They found on the planet when they arrived a feudal knights house which continuously attempted to remove the forces of chaos from their planet. By 237.M37, the Chapter finally defended Atarhyll from the Daemons and banished them back to the warp. For the protection of the planet, the Imperial Knights of House Ramscar swore fealty to both the Chapter and the Imperium. One contingent followed the Daemons back into the warp, led by Crassus the Whisperer. His contingent never returned.
The form of the Gene-Wardens has changed significantly over time. Yet their primary colours of yellow, orange and white remain prominent. Their motto “Harvest for the Emperor” remains unchanged from their inception. Originally their armour utilised MK VI armour along with the common presence of Gene-Tanks, and Apothecary Tools. Their symbol also sits prominently on their armour unchanged from their inception.
"We are were no more than spawn for war!"
Tatikos Agonize
The Chapter has up held the legend Mortificator Crassus the Whisperer, responsible for all the Dreadnoughts and nearly dead Space Marines of the Chapter until recently. This traitor to the Imperium was seen as a hero who was lost to the warp. They assisted the Chapter during their reclamation of Atarhyll. He rose to such high regard for the actions he undertook during the reclamation and purification of the planet. Dozens of tales have been spun about Crassus, but there is never any validity in most of them. All the Chapter members previously agreed on the one story that details how Crassus chased the Chaos Spawn into the warp and never returned, along with a small band of Gene-Wardens. His stories often valorise sacrificing oneself for the good of the Chapter, whilst it could alternatively be seen as promoting autonomy over following orders. The recounting of the stories is under suspicion from the Chapter Master Meridian as it often portrays previous Chapter Master Sejan Ethus as ineffective during the reclamation. It was believed that in a time of need, Crassus will return. However, rumours have spread that Crassus now fights for the Heretic Astartes under the Damned Contemptibles warband.
During their time stationed on Atarhyll the Chapter began to make alliances with its neighbouring Chapters and the Imperial Knights on its planet. The Consecrations were the nearest Chapter to the Gene-Wardens. These Adeptus Astartes assisted them with missions that required larger numbers. Their alliance was also complemented by alliances with the Doom-Stones, Antonines, Son’s of Minos and the Golden-Sons. This small coalition created a force capable of defeating larger enemy contingents.