Codex: Thunder Drakes

Commission for *JKAzrael

Founding Chapter: Rumoured to be a strong connection to the Salamanders Legion
Founding: 2nd Founding
Chapter Master: Tyr Gareth
Home world: Fafnir
Fortress Monastery: The Sanctorum
Main Colours: Lord Solar Macharius Orange, Golden Yellow, Boltgun metal, Shining Gold, Red gore.
Specialty: Tyranids and Chaos forces
Battle Cry: N/A

Geneseed:
Due to slight impairment to the genetic code the Thunder Drakes have a common aspect to the Salamanders but the effects are not as strong as the legion’s, however this does make the Thunder Drakes resistant to some forms of common radiation.


Tactics:
The chapter is known by many of the neighbouring systems to use more warriors in close combat and rely less on machinery, seeing as a large amount of vehicles as a hazard when being outflanked by their foes. However this does not mean they don’t use their machines of war carelessly for when the tanks start chasing the enemy, the Thunder Drakes will not back down to fight to the foe. As well as using the element of close combat, the Thunder Drakes are known to tame their native homeworld’s beasts; such as their common drakes. They are used as mounts for fast and deadly attack units. Sometimes in the most deadly engagements, dragon like beasts are known to be used to strike fear in the opponent and to tackle larger foes.

When in combat, the Thunder Drakes tend to be at first glance as ruthless and efficient warriors, but a true Thunder Drake does not always think in the way of a killer. They will think how to defeat the enemy by observing their attack patterns and countering them in unexpected ways. They also have a sense of value to the Imperial population, seeing them as just as important as the planet itself. This can result in missions involving the Thunder Drakes attempting to rescue civilians while defending strategic points, which can seen as a weakness depending on the task at hand.

The Thunder Drakes see combat as a way to prove their worth to the chapter, which is shown by the companies of the chapter. They are structured into large houses which fight for honour and distinction in battle. Each house acts like a separate army to the chapter, containing up to 130 battle-brothers. Another noticeable part to the Thunder Drakes tactics would be the common weaponry which consists of mostly flamer, melta and assault cannon weapons as well as a large range of close combat weapons, particularly thunder hammers and their unique molten blades.


Recruitment:
Normally the enlisting of possible candidates for the Thunder Drakes is done on the homeworld of Fafnir. Each of the nine clan fortresses is recruitment stage and initiates are sorted by a series of tournaments. These tournaments are designed to test the person’s strength and their skills in many different ways, which are done in arenas or obstacle courses. The key to these events are the endurance of the initiate; if a person gives up or does not finish then they are immediately taken out of the tournament. Once the winners have been selected they are considered recruits to the Thunder Drakes and the steps to becoming a full fledged space marine begin.

The tournaments are also seen as a common sport to the people of Fafnir. This was first witnessed by Thunder Drakes when they set foot on the planet.


Training:
The ways of the Thunder Drakes are taught to a fresh recruit when they are given a choice of which style of war that appeals to them the most. An example of this would be a Thunder Drake that prefers to fight his opponent from afar with the ranged weapons would be trained to fight like Devastator.

When showing their worth to the chapter through the Paths of the Veteran, the chosen Thunder Drake must undergo certain trials of valour to prove himself to be worthy of that title. An example of this would be the process of forging their drakescale cloaks and helmets which can only be done by hunting a rare azure drake. Once this has been achieved the Thunder Drake is welcomed as a veteran, which is one of the many steps to becoming a captain.

Something that is common within the chapter is the great trial for the next chapter master, if the previous one has fallen in battle. Normally, the decision of who will take the great trial is done by the chapter council. When they make their decision, that chosen marine must go down into the Heart of Fafnir, the very home of dragons and drakes alike, and complete a series of challenges to prove his worth and right to be the chapter master. The most common challenge and probably the hardest are to either kill a dragon or to tame it as a beast of war.


Vessels:
Battle Barge Mantle of Fafnir
Battle Barge Vulkan’s Judgement
Battle Barge Vindictous


Noted Rumors:
The Planet Fafnir has a strange history and speculation to its origin, people say their home used to be a lush planet with verdant forests and endless seas before some terrible tragedy fell onto the planet turning it into a death world. Others say that the planet’s orbital path was shifted by an unknown force.

_{Any spelling mistakes, grammer, etc should be directed to *JKAzrael}

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Here's the actual codex: [link]

Whooo boy, this was a tough one to work on ._. but a fun one. Where else have you seen space marines riding dragons?!

Thunder Drakes ©

Tools: CS3

Music: Heroes Return - Hammerfall