Organization

The Century:
The century has roughly a hundred marines in it. They are commanded by a hammer lord, who has no one above him in the chapter. Every century has very strong ties to one of the Kelgar tribes on Tygress V, from which they sole recruit from. Each century is named after the tribe it recruits from.

The centuries are:
Kel’Shan
Kel’Rath
Kel’Biron
Kel’Amaran
Kel’Madar
Kel’Dathir
Kel’Ormus
Kel’Ir
Kel’Hram
Kel’Qush

The Scout Squad:
Every century has at least one scout squad consisting of the neophyte marines. Equipped with camouflage flak armour, a sniper rifle or assault rifle, and various melee weapons, these young recruits perform dangerous intelligence gathering for their century. Always led by a cadre marine with extensive knowledge of skirmish warfare, these squads usually has one man equipped with a RPG for taking out vehicles, and a man with a heavy stubber for supporting fire. One neophyte apprenticed to an iron mender sees to the medical needs in the field. Scouts some times use a laser targeting system to call in drop pods with other squads, ensuring the pod lands very accurately.
Life as a scout is hard and dangerous. When not out in the field doing intelligence ops, they are training and honing their skills, leaving precious little time for anything else. It is said that a scout can count the number of days slept in a real bed on one hand.
Youngest man in the squad is always the cook; he must procure and prepare the food for his squad. Cooks, who neglect to put an effort into their work, quickly learn to, since the meals usually are the highlight of the day, and a great booster to morale. Bad cooks take many beatings and harassment from the rest of the squad, with the squad leader even encouraging the harassment.
The scouts use their mustang vehicles to get around fast, never staying more than a day at any one place.
Every scout squad is named after its century. For example: Scouts of Kel’Shan.

The Tactical Squad:
Most centuries have at least 5 tactical squads with 10 marines in each. Every squad led by a veteran marine with more than a hundred years in the service. Equipped in power armour, storm bolters, and chain axes or chain swords, these marines are put against most threats. These squads always has 3 heavy weapons specialists with them, each carrying either a plasma cannon, heavy bolter or missile launcher. One iron mender is usually with a squad. Tactical squad leaders are usually equipped with more devastating weapons like power swords or axes.
When a tactical squad needs new members, it recruits primarily from the scout squad, and at times borrowing members from other squads. New members are expected to excel at using ranged weapons and being willing to learn from more experienced marines.
Tactical squads inserted using either rhino or land raider vehicles, depending on need and availability. Drop pods are used extensively as well.
The battle brothers of a tactical squad are close knit group that depends on and trust each other. Very little rivalry exists, and roles in the squad are assigned according to ability.
Each squad is named after its leader. For example: Squad Castus.

The Assault Squad:
Normally each century has 3 assault squads in it with 10 marines in each. 2 of the squads are led by a veteran marine. These squads are armed with power fists, lightning claws, and chain fists for clost combat. Bolt are carried for ranged attacks. One assault squad in each century is led by a hammer lord, the leader of the century. This squad always has at least half of its members equipped with thunder hammers. Some squads are equipped with jump packs which allows for faster and easier insertion. One marine in each squad is trained in rudimentary medical aid to be able to tend to the squads medical needs. Drop pods guided by scouts are the favourite method of insertion for the assault squads. At time they are deployed directly from thunder hawk carriers and then find their way into battle using their jump packs.
The assault squad recruits new members who are fierce and strong in close combat, but still disciplined enough to take orders in the heat of combat.
Each squad is named after its leader. For example: Squad Centus.

The Devastator Squad:
The Iron Hammers believes in the use of heavy weapons and lots of them. Every century can normally field 6 devastator squads. All devastator squads consist of 5 members carrying heavy weapons of any kind. These old warriors are highly respected, and most hammer lords listen to their counsel when given. Devastator squads are deployed using either razor backs or mustangs.
Each squad is named after the oldest member. For example: Squad Quetus.

The Terminator squad:
Having only twenty two terminator armour suits available for the chapter in all, the Iron Hammers has equipped all the hammer lords with a terminator armour suit. The ten are given to marines who have shown themselves worthy of the honour. The terminator squad numbers five marines of outstanding ability and zeal. The members are drafted from the entire chapter, and membership is granted by a council of the ten master hammer smiths in the chapter. The two last suits are used by the iron menders and the hammer smiths respectively. The terminator squads work outside the normal century boundaries in the chapter, being sent to support any century in need. The terminator squad favour using thunder hammers for close combat, though one marine is always equipped with an appropriate heavy weapon.
Terminator squads are inserted using rhinos, land raiders, or drop pods. They have been known to be inserted with a hammer lord in his land raider crusader.
The terminator squads are named after a famous Iron Hammer marine of the past. For example: Sqaud Aevius.

Iron Menders:
Every century has a chief iron mender with five to six iron menders under him; they act as the chapter’s apothecaries. Iron menders are charged with providing medical aid during battle, and when necessary, retrieve the gene-seed glands of dead marines. They closely monitor the health of the chapter and screen all new recruits. Together the ten chief iron menders form a council, where they discuss the chapter’s medical matters. Iron menders start their apprenticeship when they are scouts, after that they are assigned to a squad when a position opens. They use the Medicae career path. All iron menders are just called iron menders no matter what career rank they have, only scout menders are simply called scouts.

Hammer Smiths:
The hammer smiths are the tech marines of the Iron Hammers. Master craftsmen, specialists in field repair, and spiritual leaders of the Iron Hammers, the hammer smiths perform their duties with particular zeal. The century has one hammer master who oversees the work of 3 hammer smiths and their apprentices. The hammer masters of each century forms a council of arms, which discuss weapons and equipment for the chapter. The council has a member from the Adeptus Mechanicus permanently assigned, as to facilitate communication with Adeptus Mechanicus in a more direct and cordial way. Hammer smiths use the tech marine and the chaplain career paths, spending at least half of their experience points in the tech marine path. All hammer smiths are just called hammer smiths no matter what career rank they have.

Mind Hammers:
The mind is a weapon as dangerous as any crafted weapon, indeed the greatest weapon of humanity is the mind of the Emperor. Mind hammers are the chapter’s psychic support and keepers of lore. Dressed in the traditional blue armour of librarians from all chapters, they always carry bolt pistols and various grenade types along with more common librarian armaments. All centuries have at least 3 mind hammers attached along with the odd number of mind hammers in training. The chief mind hammer of a century is responsible for advising the hammer lord on psychic matters. All mind hammers are just called mind hammers no matter what career rank they have.

Hammer Lords:
The hammer lords are the leaders of the chapter, each leading a century. They are the most experienced and accomplished of the chapter’s marines. Fully suited in terminator armour they lead their century from the front, inspiring their fellow marines by example.
A hammer lord has complete rule over his century, only the council has greater authority. The lords form a council of ten that leads the chapter, deciding on matters that concern the whole chapter.
The hammer lords are chosen by the veterans of a century. All marines with than 200 years of service form an Iron Council, where they must reach an agreement about their new leader. Some centuries chose by majority vote, some by unanimity, and few by trial of combat. Common to all, once a hammer lord has been chosen, all must obey unquestionably.

Standard Bearers:
Great honour and prestige is associated with carrying the century’s standard. Every year an able and tough scout is chosen for the task. On completion of duty, the standard bearer may forever display a small crest of the Iron Hammers on his helmet.
The chapter standard bearer will always be the oldest marine serving without a command of his own. Few live to earn that honour though.
Standard bearers always follow the highest ranking officer in a battle.

The Iron Hammers support personel:
An Adeptus Astara chapter doesn’t just support itself; it needs much civilian personnel, to help with administration, maintenance, and simple menial tasks, which marines can’t spend, time doing. Approximately 200 men and women help running the chapter. All of them recruited when young form the Kelgar of Tygress V. The only exception to this is the warp navigators who are recruited from navigator families with age long ties to the chapter.

The Anvil on Octar Minor

The fortress monastery of the Iron Hammers is called The Anvil by the chapter. It has few buildings on the surface of the moon. Massive halls and tunnels have over the centuries been excavated under the surface, making it impossible to guess the size of the monastery when you see it on the surface.
A great monolithic temple serves as main entrance to the monastery. Giant sliding trapdoors in the surface serves as entrance for docking space crafts.
The Anvil has numerous missile turrets along with ion-cannons for defensive purposes. They are usually hidden under the surface when not needed. Aquila fighters can also take flight from the docks under the surface. An old battle barge, The Ferrus Aevius, continuously orbits Tygress V, never far away from Octar Minor.
The Anvil contains all that a chapter needs to train and educate marines for the Empire of Man.
Few areas in The Anvil are barred for the normal battle brother; however the Hall of Lords is closed to all but the Hammer Lords themselves. It is there the chapter keeps their greatest secrets.

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Iron Hammer Vehicles

The Iron Hammers use most vehicles the empire has to offer, favouring heavily armed vehicles over troop carriers, using drop pods for insertion. The Iron Hammers has several warp capable ships, the most notable being the Emperor Class battleship Ferrus Mangulus. A giant ship with room for the whole chapter along with scores of vehicles, it very presence can discourage most conflicts. When not active, it orbits Octar Minor. The chapter has 3 dreadnaughts in its service; these are used extensively, particularly when the odds of a battle are against the Iron Hammers.

Iron Hammer Scout Mustang
The Scout Mustang is used by the Iron Hammer scouts as means of transport. With an open top, four wheels, camouflaged and easily outfitted, these vehicles are the prime choice for a squad that needs fast and reliable transport.

Type: Ground vehicle
Size: Hulking
Armour: Hull 10
Traits: Open, All- Terrain
Narrative speed: 50 kph/110 kph
Combat speed: 15/35/70/105/140
Handling modifier: Drive (ground vehicle): +10
Armaments: Twin linked bolters mounted at passenger seat next to driver.
Crew: 1 (driver)
Passengers: 4
Acces points: Open- topped
Options: Heavy bolter or las-cannon on tripod in back.

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NPC's

Hammer Lord Virgil Thaark of the Kel’Shan
“The green scum reminds us of the beauty in killing for the Emperor.”

Hammer Lord Virgil Thaark

Lord Thaark of the Kel’Shan Century has seen centuries of battle in the Emperor’s service. Orks, having cost him his left eye and right foot, have a special place in his heart, and misses no opportunity shown his particular kind of affection for them.
An accomplished tactician Lord Thaark leads his men in carefully planned battles. Very little is left to chance, as he has contingency plans for most eventualities. Leading from the frontline does have its drawbacks, which is why he usually briefs his squad leaders extensively before committing to battle.
Out of battle he cares little for tedious administrative duties, instead dropping them on the most senior squad leader. Matters of promotion however receive his full attention. He confides in his Hammer Master in most matters, and values the advice he receives.
He has a made a point out of knowing all of the marines in the century personally, which means he at times trains and leads all of the squads in the century, even the scouts.
He cares deeply for the Kelgar population on Tygress V, and will not tolerate any threats to them.
Lord Thaark thinks of his century as his family, and the chapter as the extended family. The Hammer Lord’s world view tends to be black and white in perspective, which may be his greatest flaw. Things do get a bit simple on the field of battle.
Fighting in an ancient terminator suit armed with his trusted thunder hammer and chainfist, he is one the Imperium’s most deadly commanders in the Calixis Sector.



Hammer Master Odius Graal of the Kel’Shan
“Divine Emperor of Mankind guide this, my weapon in accordance with thine divine will.”

Hammer Master Odius Graal

More machine than man Master Odius has been serving the Imperium and the Omnissiah for more than three hundred years. Crafting according to divine schematics handed down over the millennia, he is the prime weapon smith of the Century, inspecting all new weapons personally before they are issued. Always keen on studying new machinery, there are few machines and weapons he hasn’t yet seen.
Aloof and insensitive he has a knack for hurting people’s feelings without wanting to. He first of all respects logic, and will always attempt to use it when dealing with a problem. He has few feelings for anything except the chapter’s machinery and weapons. Heavily augmented with mechadendrites and cybernetics his appearance is disturbing to say the least.
Considering combat a waste of his talents, he nevertheless can fight impressively with his storm bolter and mechadendrite plasma gun.



Scout Squad Sergeant Kaelus Vruog of the Kel’Shan Century
“Fire AND movement, not fire OR movement, you lazy slugs!”

Sergeant Kaelus Vruog

A veteran marine with more than a hundred years under his belt, sergeant Kaelus, has more than enough experience to lead and train the century’s scouts. A passionate believer in learning by doing, he trains his scouts in the most realistic conditions possible. Even taking his squad to battles where the Imperial Guard holds jurisdiction, taking on intelligence gathering missions or the odd sniper kill. He has more than once run afoul with Imperial Guard officers in charge, who doesn’t seem to think they need his meddling. He couldn’t care less.
A harsh and even unfair leader at times, he hardens the scouts to the unfair reality of the battle. Bored with administration, he hasn’t filled out a data slate in more than 50 years, instead getting the scout’s various iron mender apprentices to do it.
He thoroughly enjoys life as scout, and has no plans of advancing in the century for the time being.
He firmly believes in the Emperor as the one and true God of mankind.