The Unyielding Word Bearers
Unwavering Devotion
The Word Bearers, a Traitor Legion of Chaos Space Marines, do not worship individual Chaos Gods. Instead, they venerate a Dark Pantheon of Chaos Gods, regarding those who limit their worship to a single deity with contempt. This stance has led to tension with the Emperor’s Children, who are seen as decadent. The Word Bearers rely heavily on Daemons as shock troops and meatshields, while their elite Chaos Space Marines undertake vital tasks.
Cultist Base and Insurgents
The Word Bearers have a massive cultist base, which they have utilized since the Great Crusade. Unlike the Alpha Legion, they primarily use cultists as cannon fodder and distractions. This approach allows the Word Bearers to conserve their strength for more crucial battles.
Dark Apostles and Chaplains
The Word Bearers are unique in that they still maintain a corps of Chaplains, now known as Dark Apostles. These spiritual leaders guide the Legion in battle, divining the will of the Chaos Gods through various means. The warriors of the Host obey the Dark Apostles without question, demonstrating unwavering faith in their leadership.
Battle Chants and Rituals
Before engaging in combat, the Word Bearers gather for ritual prayer, chanting hymns and cult doctrine to affirm their faith in Chaos. These battle chants, which may predate the Word Bearers’ fall to Chaos, include the Martio Imprimis and Martio Secundus. It is common for the Word Bearers to fight alongside daemonic entities, which answer their chants and bolster their strength.
Post-Heresy Structure
Following the Horus Heresy, the Word Bearers did not fracture like many other Traitor Legions. Instead, they maintained a centralized structure, with the Dark Council of Sicarus enforcing a strict regime of worship and leadership. Each Dark Apostle commands a Host, which can vary greatly in size and organization.
Notable Hosts and Commanders
Several notable Hosts and commanders have been identified, including:
- The 1st Host, commanded by Kor Phaeron
- The 3rd Host, commanded by Pridor Vrakon
- The 7th Host, commanded by Ekodas
- The 11th Host, commanded by Ankh-Heloth
- The 18th Host, commanded by Sarabdal
- The 30th Host, commanded by Belagosa
- The 34th Host, currently commanded by Grand Apostle Marduk
Gene-Seed and Corruption
The Word Bearers’ gene-seed was once considered stable and easily mass-produced, but it has since become corrupted by Chaos. This corruption has led to mutations among the Legion’s members, which are seen as blessings from the Chaos Gods.
Notable Elements
The Word Bearers possess several notable elements, including:
- Fidelitas Lex, the flagship of the Word Bearers Legion
- Infidus Imperator, the battle barge of Kor Phaeron
- Destiny’s Hand, the battle barge of Erebus
- Kamiel, a battleship
- Furious Abyss, a specially-built Abyss Class battleship
- Trisagion, an Abyss Class battleship
- Blessed Lady, an Abyss Class battleship
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