Shadow Monarchs

"'By blood we were formed, by blood our duty remains, and by blood we stand guard.' - Shadow Lord Atreus Kadachi"The Shadow Monarchs are a rare Loyalist Space Marine Chapter derived from the Raven Guard's gene-seed, formed by their parent chapter in 745.M41 to assist the Imperium in destroying Hive Fleet Behemoth. Much like the Ultramarines and their successor chapters, the Shadow Monarchs survived the First Tyrannic War and were dispatched in other areas to counter Ork WAAGHs!, awakening Necrons and other xenos species. As of 994.M41, the chapter has been protecting Imperial worlds in the Eastern Fringe from a series of Tau invasions.

To maintain combat effectiveness and to work around the countless numbers of xenos they fight against, the Shadow Monarchs have fifteen companies in comparison to the Codex Astartes rule of ten, and they also have more wargear and vehicles than the norm. In addition, they have a large fleet. These numbers have been the basis for an Inquisitional investigation on more than one occasion, not helped by the chapter's general disdain for the Inquisition based on their attitude towards most normal denizens of the Imperium.

The chapter is led by the Falmorian Council, formed of the Shadow Lord, the fifteen captains, the Chief Librarian, the Master of Sancitury and the Master of the Forge, with overall command given to the Shadow Lord, the equivalent of a Codex-adhering Chapter Master. Atreus Kadachi currently holds this position, and has done so for the chapter's recorded history.

Chapter Organisation
The Shadow Monarchs loosely follow the Codex Astartes, but on a larger scale. Where most chapters will only have ten companies of 100 marines each, the Shadow Monarchs have fifteen companies of 100 each. This is mostly in part to the unique enemies and situations that the chapter fight against; namely, endless numbers of xenos like the Tyranids or the Orks.

Notable Shadow Monarchs
Shadow Lord Atreus Kadachi - The current Chapter Master and leader of the Shadow Monarchs, Atreus was an original founding member of the chapter and has led it for the chapter's short but violent history. His analytical ability to process events as they happen, decipher them and make strategies to counter them on the fly have won him and his chapter several actions, including the Medosis War, the Second War for Armageddon and the Battle of Oregon Prime.

Chief Librarian Quintin Taladis - Current Chief Librarian of the chapter. Quintin replaced the previous Chief Librarian after he was killed on Armageddon. Quintin formed what would later become Black Squadron, a squad of the 1st Company consisting entirely of Librarians.

Reclusiarch Marius - Current Master of Sanctury of the Shadow Monarchs. Marius was formerly a Raven Guard chaplain who was permanently assigned to the Shadow Monarchs when the chapter was created.

Captain Matias Torres - 1st Company Captain.

Captain Marcus Snow - 2nd Company Captain. As the 2nd Company is entirely focused on operation of vehicles, Snow is a master of armoured warfare, having personally delivered the end to numerous lifeforms with his Predator tank.

Chapter History

 * 745.M41 - The chapter is formed in the aftermath of the First Tyrannic War to combat the remnants of Hive Fleet Behemoth.
 * 747.M41 - The Ordo Hereticus begins an investigation of the Shadow Monarchs after hearing reports of their larger than usual size. The chapter is later declared innocent and are permitted to keep their extra 500 marines and supporting equipment.
 * Between 747.M41 to 941.M41 - The chapter is gifted the wargear and vessels from eliminated mutinying Space Marine chapters, including the fleet's current flagship Claw of Medusa. 
 * 941.M41 - The chapter participates in the Second War for Armageddon. One hundred and twenty one marines were killed, including three captains and the former Chief Librarian.
 * 990.M41 - The chapter deploys their forces to the Eastern Fringe to counter a series of Tau invasions.
 * 994.M41 - The Battle of Oregon Prime. Five companies of Shadow Monarchs break the spine of a major Tau invasion on Oregon Prime. During this event the Crimson Blades chaos warband attack the world. Shadow Lord Atreus personally cuts down the command squad of the warband and kills their leader.
 * 999.M41 - The Devastation of Baal. The 1st and 5th Companies assist the Blood Angels and their successor chapters during the invasion of Hive Fleet Kraken.
 * 999.M41 - The 13th Black Crusade. Save for a small force left at the chapter homeworld and the two companies at Baal, the entire combat strength of the Shadow Monarchs respond to the Despoiler's 13th Black Crusade.

Chapter Fleet

 * Battleships and equivalents
 * Claw of Medusa - Battle barge, flagship of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Companies and flagship of the chapter overall.
 * Eleytra - Battle barge. This vessel was destroyed during the 13th Black Crusade.
 * Falmorian Fury - Battle barge, flagship of the 6th, 7th and 8th Companies.
 * Edwin's Bane - Battle barge.
 * Pre Vista Omnis - Battle barge, used as a transport for the five knights and two titans of the House of Falmoria attached to the chapter.