Thunder Kings

Thunder Kings!

Legion Tactics:
Although they are generalists, the Thunder Kings show a definite preference for melee combat, and make some use of Soctis pattern assault chariots; essentially, a bike driven by one marine, working the forward guns, with another marine in a souped up carriage behind, throwing spears, slinging grenades, and attacking those foes that get near them. the Red Branch successor chapter to the Thunder Kings particularly favors this tactic. The charioteers serve as harrying forces, while the remainder of the marines close to melee range with the enemy; they fire bolters or hurl Alessia pattern spears and grenades, and then when in melee range stow their ranged weapons for spears and swords, of both chain and power varieties, and storm shields. If faced by an enemy obviously superior in melee, the Thunder Kings will stick to their ranged weapons, although still using the chariots to harry their foes. The Thunder Kings include elite units known as Galloglais, warriors who almost exclusively use jet packs and two handed power swords or, more rarely, two handed power axes. They operate mostly independently of other marines, acting as powerful shock troopers.
Legion Equipment:
The Thunder Kings make use of a few unique pieces of equipment. The aforementioned Soctis Pattern Assault bike is perhaps the most unusual addition to their arsenal; unlike a standard attack bike, the "sidecar" is placed behind the bike, with a marine standing upright and attacking with his own personal arsenal. The Alessia pattern power spear, noted for being lighter and smaller than a standard power spear, is equipped with a teleport homer so that it returns to the thrower after striking the target. The Thunder Kings use standard grenades, but rather than simply throwing them, they hurl them using leather slings; slings were a common weapon on Alessia, and this method allows for incredible range and precision with grenade attacks
Marines of the Legion:

Tactical Marines-As with most legions, Tactical Marines make up the largest percentage of the Thunder Kings. However, a Thunder King will always have a more potent melee weapon than just a knife, usually a chainsword, or, more rarely, a chainaxe (most popular among those members of the Sea Dragons tribe). Marines more skilled at crafting or higher in ranks will usually have a master-crafted chain weapon, or possibly a power weapon.

Assault Marines-While not a majority of the Legion, Assault marines are quite common within the Thunder Kings. Assault marines are usually equipped with a combat shield and chain weapon, or with a spear or other pole arm (such as a chain glaive). Most assault marines carry at least one Alessia pattern power spear; while not as efficient or damaging as a bolter, the shock value of the weapon is nothing to sneer at, and the fact that it can be used as a better last resort melee weapon than a dagger is important. Higher ranking assault marines will often be tasked as chariot riders, used to harass the enemy flanks and prevent foes from retreating, while tactical marines and other assault marines attack from the front.

Devastator Marines: Devastator marines are an important part of the Thunder Kings, although they do not have the numbers that assault marines do. All marines are trained with heavy weapons, and those marines who are recovering from heavy injuries are often equipped as devastators; in this way they can still contribute to a fight without over-exerting themselves. Sqauds of Devastators act as support for the rest of the legion, firing from range to keep enemies pinned down; in fact, many devastators serve as pilots for the legion's assault chariots, typically enhancing their bikes with better bolters, plasma cannons, or missile launchers. Even for a legion that does not make much use of heavy weapons, flamers are rarely seen.

Librarians: Librarians among the Thunder Kings are generally the greatest of the smiths, forging many of the legion's unique weapons and armor and bolstering them with psychic abilities. These Runesmiths will usually pick a particular specialization; a Smith who has focused on weapons may, for example, cause the weapons of the men he is serving with to course with electric force, or simply increase their force, whereas a more defensive minded Smith may install wards in the armor he creates, which allows him to focus his powers on bolstering the armor of his men. Those Runesmiths who have a proclivity for vehicles tend to work very closely with the legion's Techmarines; both will contribute to the creation and repair of vehicles, and where the Techmarines tend to the machine spirits of their charges, the Librarians will focus on enhancing their effectiveness in battle, allowing the vehicles to run more efficiently than they would otherwise. Librarians among the Thunder Kings rarely use their powers in an overtly offensive manner.

Apothecaries: The apothecary is known as the Filid to the legion; taken from the name applied to wandering bards and poets on Alessia, who would relay the deeds of the various tribal kings, and also compose satirical songs for one king about his enemies. The Filid serve also as the Thunder Kings' equivalent of Chaplains; Brennus thought it wise if the men who would heal his warriors knew their histories, and could raise their spirits in addition to curing their wounds. The Filid are selected from the most jovial and outgoing of the legion, and can often be found leading victory celebrations, or simply chatting with other legionaires to assuage their woes and determine their mood.
The Coming of the Emperor:
After Brennus had relayed his deeds, the Emperor, having gained a feel for his son's adopted culture, relayed his back: The conquests of Terra, Luna, Mars, and the remainder of the Sol System, and his battles through the galaxy alongside his other sons. Brennus was enthralled

The Twenty-Second Squad of the Sacred Band:
Conan "the Hairless": Gained his nickname after his squad fell victim to a chemical attack; he survived, but was left totally without body hair as a result of the toxins. Tends to be grumpy, critical, and somewhat lazy (for a Space Marine) but is a skilled tactician.
Finn: The first "chaplain" among the Thunder Kings, and the first to become one of the legion's Filid. Said to have learned all the great stories and poems that were available on Old Earth, which he recited for his primarch upon their introduction.