40K Lore: Flight Of The Raptors
Chaos Raptors take to the skies to strike where the enemy is weakest, and are often the vanguard of a deadlier force. But rapid-fire shock strikes are only the tip of the iceberg with these dastardly forces of Chaos.
Chaos Raptors have been sighted throughout the Imperium, Loremasters, from the distant spires of Vigilus, which stands astride the Nachmund Gauntlet, to the floating hives of Melphus. These airborne assault troops are said to swoop in where the enemy is weakest, and wreak havoc upon Imperial lines where they can cause the most damage. But, their chief advantage can be negated through the simple act of looking up, so despair not for the Imperium. However, even a well-prepared position can fall prey to these swift-striking sneaks famed in chapters that rely on deception and terror like the Night Lords and Black Legion.
So let us turn to the archives then–to lay bare the mysteries and secrets of the Raptors so they no longer lurk in secrecy and shadow in the skies above Imperial worlds, but rather exposed to the light of the Emperor and his justice.
Raptors are the dedicated jump infantry of the Chaos Space Marines.
Raptors consider themselves as elite shock troops, although they are very egotistical and their use to strike at the weakest point in an enemy line has given them a predilection for preying on the weak, making them vicious hunters. Much like Terminator Armor, the Jump Packs used by Raptors are considered prized relics and badges of honor. Often the armour of a Raptor is modified with amplifiers and vox casters to emit terrifying sounds used to disorient their enemies, making them easier prey. They always wear their stylised jump packs which are identifiable by their arched intakes and thrusters.
Raptors are sometimes armed with flamers or meltaguns to aid in different situations. Whatever they are armed with, Raptors descend upon positions and deal death and destruction wherever they land. Many other Chaos forces see them as egotistical and self-indulgent, which often stirs up rivalry. Raptors don’t always interact with other members of the warband, giving them a greater air of arrogance. Champions of Chaos still see their merit in combat and some even stoke up rivalry to get rid of the weakest of their force, leaving a more hardened core.
The Night Lords, due to their specialty on terror tactics and shock assaults, are known to employ large numbers of Raptors.
Raptor warbands frequently operate in Cults, usually consisting of the original Raptors that fought for Horus but now have been twisted into something more monstrous by the Gods of Chaos. Much like Khorne Berzerkers and Plague Marines, these Raptor Cults worship one of the Gods of Chaos, but which exactly remains unclear. It is speculated that rather then Khorne, Nurgle, Slaanesh, or Tzeentch, Raptor Cults may worship one of the minor Gods of Chaos. But whoever they worship, as time has passed Raptors have become even more corrupted, their mutated by a strange force of Chaos so that it no longer bears a resemblance to Imperial counterparts.
Haarken Worldclaimer – Haarken commanders a large Chaos Raptor contingent within the Black Legion and is known as a scholar and collector of the occult. He has studied the Grimoire Nostromo of Konrad Curze, the Book of Magnus, and the Clotted Scrolls of Angron at the cost of his sanity. Haarken is known to utilize fear in battle much as the Night Lords do, broadcasting terrifying messages and sounds across his own Vox array. The effect of this is devastating and has been said to drive men to suicide. In combat, Haarken wields the legendary Helspear.
Recently, Haarken has been sent to conquer the embattled Imperium world Vigilus and claims it will fall to his forces within 80 days.
Rhodaan – a Warsmith of the Iron Warriors. Originally a Chaos Raptor Captain serving in the Third Grand Company under Warsmith Andraaz, Rhodaan battled the Orks of Biglug in the Siege of Castellax.
However, after uncovering the betrayal of the Techpriest Oriax and the traitor’s hand in the death of their Warsmith, Rhodaan killed the treacherous Techpriest, defeated the renegade Obliterator Merihem, and took command of the remaining Iron Warriors as Castellax fell to the Greenskins. He is now the new Warsmith, having taken formal command of the Third Grand Company’s shattered remnants.
Eralak – a Chaos Raptor and commander of the Black Legion. His forces brought a bloody terror to the floating hives of Melphia. Killing millions in their rampage, Eralak’s warband sent dozens of cities falling from the sky as he tore out their complex suspensor arrays and vented their plasma reactors onto the farms and fields below. Fashioning giant floating gallows from the remaining, ruined cities, the warlord hanged millions of Imperial citizens, their swaying corpses forever doomed to drift across the skies of Melphia
Kalex – was a Raptor Captain and leader of a warband of Night Lords. One of few lords of the Legion to attend a gathering without an honour guard shortly before the 13th Black Crusade, he was killed by Malek of the Atramentar after Decimus predicted his death. His final thought was of disbelief.
Good luck, commanders!
