The Iron Warriors: Masters of Siegecraft
Early History and Organisation
Even before the discovery of their Primarch Perturabo, the Iron Warriors were known for their affinity with technology and the clinical application of logic to military problems. This affinity was channeled by Perturabo, a skilled practitioner of siegecraft, into the mastery of that form of warfare. Their methodical attitude made them merciless men in battle and siege.
The Iron Warriors’ Warsmiths could match skills with Magi, and it is said that Perturabo could beat any and all in the art of machine engineering. The Legion maintained a special unit known as the Stor-Bezashk, which commanded mighty siege weapons unseen outside of the Adeptus Mechanicus’ Ordo Reductor itself.
Pre-Heresy Organisation
The strategic command of the Legion was overseen by Grand Battalions, which functioned similarly to a Chapter, but had a larger stockpile of armor, artillery, and logistical support than other Legions. The Iron Warriors had a notably high rate of attrition, so the strength of the Grand Battalions fluctuated.
Grand Battalions were commonly divided into Cohorts or Grand Companies. Below these were Line Companies and Armor Centuries. The companies roughly had 100 Legionaries and the centuries had a range of 20 to 50 armor units. In each Grand Battalion, there were elements of the Tyranthikos, informally known as the Dominators – these were the Legion’s Terminator veterans.
Current Organisation
Their current organisation is completely non-standard, particularly after their civil war fragmented the Legion. A Grand Company will often be divided into component detachments led by lesser champions. A tendency towards operating in multiples of three has been noted.
While their Primarch remains in his fortress at Medrengard, the Iron Warriors are now almost exclusively led by Warsmiths who command Grand Companies. Those warlords of theirs who manifest a superior understanding of the relationship between Daemon and machine are known as Daemonsmiths.
Recruitment and Training
The Iron Warriors are known to pursue their recruitment programs aggressively, notably capturing a sizable source of pure gene-seed from the facility on Hydra Cordatus and using it to hot-house new Iron Warriors using a chaotic techno-organic method. These new Iron Warriors are selected periodically by Warsmiths for their Grand Companies and subjected to various ordeals until they prove themselves worthy.
Tactics and Equipment
The first Obliterators witnessed amongst Chaos forces were amongst the Iron Warriors, and on rare occasions, Iron Warriors have manifested the ability to ‘morph’ weapons, although with nothing like the versatility of true Obliterators. Iron Warriors hate mutations, so they cut off and replace all mutated limbs with cybernetics. Many of these cybernetics are, in turn, daemonically infused to the point of resembling the mutated Obliterators.
Notable Campaigns and Battles
- Siege of Vraks
- Battle of Cypra Mundi
- Siege of Castellax
- Invasion of Taladorn
- Fall of Malodrax
- Siege of Hydra Cordatus
- Battle for the Endeavour of Will
- Invasion of Ultramar
- Thirteenth Black Crusade
The Iron Warriors’ mastery of siegecraft and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances have made them a formidable force on the battlefield. Their pursuit of power and their willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals have earned them a reputation as ruthless and merciless warriors.
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