Well, here you go. The latest version of my DIY chapter's history.
History of the Galahadain:
Johnathon Rizzenson, Captain of the 4th Company, White Consuls, was sent to Holy Terra as an ambassador for the Chapter; this being done in compliance with the regularly scheduled obeisance ceremony required of most Space Marine chapters. While awaiting his appointed hour, he was perusing the library archives to further his knowledge in matters of military history. He became very interested in some scraps of information that had been copied from very ancient Terran texts. They were short pieces of poetry which made reference to a warrior named Sir Galahad. He does not remember to this day how it was that he managed to access information that was protected by the highest levels of security programming, sigils of Unspeakable Power, but access such information, he did.
Through his research, he discovered only a small additional bit of information on the warrior, Sir Galahad, but more fascinating was the information he accessed about this warrior's god. It seemed that the text which this god had provided to his followers had been copied and stored eons ago en toto. Captain Rizzenson was unaware of how long he had been absorbed in drinking in the words of the text, but suddenly, he was again fully aware of his surroundings. An almost unbearable fear crashed in upon him as he realized the fate that awaited him at the hands of the Inquisition once his indiscretion was uncovered. It was at that time that he made his fateful decision: to forsake the worship and service of the Emperor of all Mankind and to serve the God of Sir Galahad. Rizzenson downloaded a copy of the holy text and, feigning a short return, made his excuses and left the planet. By the time it became apparent that he had failed to keep his appointment, the intervening 33 days had left a cold trail for the Inquisitorial forces to follow.
Rizzenson was uncertain of the path he should take after leaving Holy Terra, but one thing he knew: he would be hunted. Therefore, it was completely confusing to him to find that he could not decide on any path other than a direct return to his Company's forward base. The Fourth Company of the White Consuls had been sent on a search and destroy mission against any splinter groups of Leviathan, the most recent Hive Fleet, and so happened to be the nearest of the White Consul companies to Holy Terra at the time. Coincidentally, this was the reason why Captain Rizzenson had been instructed by his superiors in the Chapter to represent them on this occasion. Upon reuniting with his Company, Rizzenson discovered that they were all present and assembled in anticipation of his return. Expectantly, they awaited his announcement. Though his plan had been to secretly leave the chapter and live out his life in solitude, he found himself declaring his recent conversion in front of the congregated Space Marines and support staff. When the expected assault and quartering of his body did not immediately transpire, he used his Auspex to remotely download the newly discovered Holy Text into the Company's local computer network. He then declared that it was available to all who were interested in reading it and that he would assemble the Company together again in three days' time.
As the days passed, not a soul dared mention the contents of the Text, nor even admit to having read any of it. None-the-less, it was a rare individual who was able to resist the lure of curiosity. At the appointed hour, Rizzenson addressed the assembled Company of Space Marines and their support personnel. He explained in detail the manner in which this information had become available to him. He described the character of the warrior, Sir Galahad, the one described as the holiest of all knights. He declared, again, his rejection of the Emperor as a god, his refusal to further the Emperor's goals, and his conversion of faith to that of the God of Sir Galahad. He explained his determination to leave the Chapter and use his abilities in whatever way he was able to spread the hope that he had received in the knowledge he had gained. He declared his intention to do so throughout the Imperium of Man. Rizzenson then invited any and all who would join him to do so.
As he turned and left the speaking platform, he found that he was followed by nearly three quarters of the Company. It became immediately obvious that transportation in the manner of major vehicles would be required for such a group. It was also apparent that some of those remaining behind did so out of fear, but a small minority were filled with unholy fury at what they had just heard and witnessed. Rizzenson knew then that all had not kept their thoughts to themselves during the past three days - some, like Chaplain Laban, had maintained covert contact with the White Consul leadership and even with the Inquisition. Outnumbered as they were, some two dozen various leaders and Space Marines followed on Laban's heels as he spewed Litanies of Hate while assaulting Rizzenson and those who had joined him.
As battle was joined, Rizzenson found himself at a severe disadvantage trying to fend off attacks from Laban's Crosius Arcanum and Power Sword with his own Thunder Hammer and Plasma Pistol (once he had the opportunity to draw it). Laban's Rosarius offered him incredible protection, but Rizzenson had worn his Iron Halo to the assembly on a vague hunch that doing so would be symbolically appropriate. As the majority of those who followed Chaplain Laban were the Company's Assault Terminators, Codicier's, and Chaplains, the battle was extremely bloody. But, as the weight of numbers whittled down Laban's cohorts, those surviving Space Marines who had chosen to follow Rizzenson stood back to witness the two champions represent their respective deities in the flesh.
Having ducked a slow, powerful back-handed swing of Rizzenson's Thunder Hammer, Laban shot forward in a single step with his Power Sword arrowing straight for Rizzenson's throat. In that instant, he slipped in pooled blood and overshot his target, slicing deeply into his opponent's left shoulder instead. Spinning to his left to lessen the impact of the razor-sharp blade, Rizzenson brought the Thunder Hammer in his right hand down upon the head of his adversary.
Stunned silence and the labored breath of their leader was all that echoed in the Hall of Assemblage for what seemed a short eternity. Dropping the now-ruined Plasma Pistol, Rizzenson claimed the Sword of Laban as his own. He then commanded the survivors to care for the wounded and prepare to disembark the forward base with any equipment those leaving normally were responsible for using in battle. Immediately, the surviving Space Marines and those support personnel who had chosen to trust in Rizzenson and his new/ancient God set about following his orders. Those who had chosen not to follow Rizzenson, but had not participated in the assault led by Laban, had no choice but to simply stand aside and watch them go.
Rizzenson and his remnant Company embarked on an Odessy which eventually led them to a remote star system on the far side of the galaxy with a pair of habitable worlds which they claimed for their own. It was far from Imperial space so they felt safe enough to end their flight. Over the course of the next century, they established themselves securely and began to actively pursue their new mission: to protect mankind from destruction, both physical and spiritual. To that end, they covertly recruit new members from other Space Marine chapters and preach to willing ears the words written in their Holy Text. Calling themselves the Galahadain, in honor of the ancient warrior/knight to whom they are thankful for the knowledge of this God and whom they wish to emulate in word and deed, they spread out across the galaxy in search of people in need of protection and hope.
Led by Chapter Master Rizzenson, Master of Sanctity Moroni the Ambassador, and Epistolary Lehi the Prophet, the 150 or so Space Marines and their four Dreadnaught brothers (Sosthenus, Alma, Gideon, and Helaman) do their best to protect their homeworld from discovery while remaining available to assist mankind in any battle in which their help is needed. Techmarine Coriantumr has been working closely with recently promoted Captain Ulfilas to train the chapter's Veteran Sergeants in the skills of the Apothecary. This is seen as a necessary requirement due to the high rate of attrition their members suffer. Small numbers, combined with command of only a dozen vehicles, including Land Raider Crusader Adama and Vindicator G'Zeus (plus their Thunderhawk Gunship with Drop Pods), prevents them from engaging in massive confrontations with the enemy. Their tendency to fight on against obviously overwhelming odds in defense of a worthy goal is due to a lack of fear of death. While it has inspired many who have witnessed their sacrifice to join their crusade, it has resulted in the death of many old and new members of the chapter. This has prevented the chapter from increasing in size very rapidly. Add to that the fact that there are very few forces in the galaxy that do not call them enemy (or actively seek their extinction, as is the case for all loyal Imperial forces) and practically none that call them ally, their persistence can only be explained by fanatical devotion.
The Inquisition considers this heresy more dangerous even than the taint of Chaos because it is the epitome of a wolf in sheep's clothing in their eyes. That makes its lure the more insidious as entire planetary systems can be lulled into abandoning their devotion to the Emperor for the promises of bliss and happiness the Galahadain's delusional faith offers. Though most Eldar consider the Galahadain to be no threat and so generally ignore them, the Tau have only gone so far as to recently consider an offer of Détente between their forces and those of this Space Marine chapter considered heretical by the Impirium, yet, confusingly to the Tau, acting in a seemingly loyal fashion. The forces of Chaos, Orks, Tyranids, Dark Eldar, and Necrons are attacked on sight by the Galahadain, while those of the Imperium are only fought when necessary for self-defense.
The Galahadain operate using the traits, "Purity Above All" and "Death Before Dishonor". They present themselves in the colors of their patron, Sir Galahad: Argent, a cross gules. That is, their armor is pristine white with a red cross painted onto the left shoulder pad. All equipment is kept in pristine condition when possible. The trim of both shoulder pads is silver for Space Marines, while Sergeants and higher-ranking officers trim their right shoulder pads in gold. The highest-ranking officers (Rizzenson, Moroni, and Lehi) trim both shoulderpads in gold. The double-headed eagle of the Imperium has been replaced with a golden-winged red cross on the chestplate while all skull iconography has been removed from their equipment.
NewHeretic
