The Abyss Chasers - Revised
(( Greetings fellow heretics! It’s been a long time since I’ve made any proper comprehensive post like this. Over the years I’ve refined and changed a-lot about my Chaos Warband, in fact I’m planning on finally getting minis for them. So this is more-so a personal post to have when I get around to that. ))
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On the fringes of the Eye of Terror is a world saturated in the baleful energies of the Warp, once an Aeldari Maiden World that was spared the destruction of the Fall, eventually the corrupting influence of Chaos reached it. It’s original name wiped away by its new inhabitants, it is now known as Vorago. In orbit of this twisted planet are dozens of starships of all kinds, some ramshackle and barely functioning, others ancient and gargantuan. All owe allegiance to the Warband that controls it, The Abyss Chasers.
Founded by the former Son of the Emperors Children Legion of the Adeptus Astartes known as Decus. It was possibly formed some time shortly after the end of the Horus Heresy, time being hard to pinpoint within the Warp and more specifically the Eye. Originally small and insignificant, only boasting a single ship and its crew. That ship remains to this day, now known as the Echo of Ecstasy, the warbands flagship.
Over the centuries within the Warp and staging small raids upon Imperial worlds the Abyss Chasers slowly grew in number and in infamy, it’s name whispered amongst populaces of sectors it had attacked. By 867.M41 it had grown to a size that could rival an Astartes chapter, not including mortal forces and ship crews. By 990.M41 it had more or less become what it is today, a massive force made up of thousands. Since it’s inception it was primarily a fleet-based warband, not having a set world it returned to either in Realspace or the Warp. This changed in 998.M41 with the discovery of Vorago, and it’s settlement by the Warband.
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The Abyss Chasers whilst being made up of thousands of forces, does owe its organization to a select few, in particular its inner circle known as the Council of Claws. This name being a reference to the warbands insignia being a clawed hand.
Raptor Lord Decus: Former Son of the Third and primarily a follower of Slaanesh like most of his old Legion. It is his clawed hand to which the warband gained its symbol. Old records now sealed by the Inquisition would reveal his original name to have been Silas Decimus.
Vezeral, the Right Hand of the Abyss: The warbands resident Sorcerer and expert on things pertaining to the more esoteric aspects of Chaotic power. Tends to lean towards worship of the Tzeentch due to this line of work.
Tyrax Revka, the Red Champion, Left Hand of the Abyss: Originally of the World Eaters Legion and a follower of the Blood God, Khorne, Tyrax is a Berzerker like most of his kin. After the infamous schism in the Legion he wandered for centuries until meeting the Raptor Lord and due to unknown reasons formed a blood bond with him.
Naethar Sestus, Spymaster: Not much is known about the former Alpha Legionnaire, for reasons that should become apparent from whom his Father and Legion are. Regardless of this, Naethar serves faithfully under the Raptor Lord.
Jormund Helsson, Fallen Wolf: Once a proud Son of Fenris and the Space Wolves, now a minor Chaos Lord and member of the Abyss Chasers.
Lucina Laroche, Sorceress: Leader of the mortal cultist forces of the warband despite not quite being mortal herself.
The Violet Tear: A Renegade Knight Titan that has become fused with its pilot, the two now a single entity who calls herself Violet. Holds rank within the Council due to how effective in battle she is.
Kharriv: A Beastman who leads the hordes of mutants and abhumans within the warband.
Despite the Abyss Chasers leader being mostly a follower of Slaanesh, and a son of the Third Legion, the warband itself is technically an Undivided force, as seen by its myriad of leaders within the Council. There are followers of all four of the Chaos gods as well as plenty of Undivided. There is also leadership that simply isn’t within the Raptor Lords inner circle, such as Callicus, a Plague Champion of Nurgle. This Undivided nature has allowed the warband to grow far more quickly than it would have as a single god following force.
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Notable Campaigns
988.M41: The Scouring of Judicum
A raiding party of the Abyss Chasers made its way throughout the Judicum sector, razing a handful of worlds before engaging a contingent of its battlefleet. The fighting eventually came upon the Hive world of Rubedo, where its local PDF was assisted by sisters of the Adepta Sororitas from the Order of the Black Sepulchre.
991.M41: Battle of Trethos VI
The Abyss Chasers raided the agri-world Trethos VI for reasons unknown and a force of the 199th Atropan Regiment met them in combat, eventually being aided by the Marines Exemplar Chapter of Adeptus Astartes.
998.M41: the Siege of Cerennas
For unclear reasons yet again, the warband raided the icy death world of Cerennas on the outer edges of Sector Judicum. The raid eventually boiled over into a siege of its single major city, the PDF being joined by brothers of the Flesh Tearers chapter of Space Marines, with no prior knowledge of their timely arrival. Ultimately was a victory for Imperial forces since the Chasers withdrew.
999.M41: The 13th Black Crusade
Records are sparse and unclear, but the Abyss Chasers supposedly did assist the Black Legion during the events of the devastating 13th Black Crusade.
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Extra note
The Abyss Chasers colour scheme is black armour with silver trimming. The left arm is painted a pale purple.