Rules developed by Brother Tyler with assistance CODEX: EXORCISTS from the members of the Bolter & Chainsword. The Exorcists were created in the 13th (Dark) Founding. The gene-seed used to Previously, there were a number create the Exorcists Chapter is unknown, classified by a special Bull Absolute of issues with the Exorcists Chapter due to inconsistencies issued by an Inquisitorial representative at the time of the Chapter’s founding. between the various sources of Despite this secrecy, there are rumors that the gene-seed of the Exorcists can be information, but these issues have traced back to the Grey Knights, though there is no known evidence to corroborate largely been reconciled in Imperial this. Armour Volume Ten: The Badab War – Part Two. For the purpose The Chapter’s creation was supervised by elements of the Ordo Malleus and of this article, the Badab War included the ritual binding and exorcism of minor creatures from the daemonic information on the Exorcists is pantheon. While some subjects died or were terminated due to the damage considered canon. Players desiring suffered in the possession, the majority survived the procedure. In some cases to learn more about the Chapter reconstructive surgery was required for those who suffered damage or mutation should read that book. during the possession, and corrective psychotherapy was required for those who suffered psychological damage. Those that survived the daemonic possession therapy were then trained in the use of the 666 verses of the Liber Exorcismus (Book of Exorcisms) and the methods of combating the daemons of Chaos. After the Chapter performed successfully in field tests against Daemons, it was developed to a full Chapter and granted at least limited autonomy. The level of the Chapter’s autonomy and its current relationship with the Ordo Malleus remain unknown, though several facilities of the Ordo Malleus are known to exist on the Exorcists’ homeworld of Banish. The Chapter’s fortress monastery is known as the Basilica Malefex, though the majority of the Chapter is on continuous active I was largely satisfied with the service throughout the whole of the Imperium. background given for the Chapter in the Badab War book, and I’m a To this day, the daemonic possession therapy continues to be a central aspect of fan of the Exorcists special the Chapter’s process in transforming aspirants into full battle-brothers. Due to character, Silas Alberec and his the rigors of this procedure, the Chapter maintains two extra companies of Scouts, rules. While the development of for a total number of twelve companies in the Chapter. the Chapter in that book wasn’t exactly what I would have done, I The Exorcists are largely a “Codex” Chapter, adhering closely to the dictates of the have to admit that it is completely Codex Astartes written by the Ultramarines Primarch, Roboute Guilliman. The consistent with the information we primary exceptions to this are the Chapter’s organization into twelve companies had previously, explaining some of vice the normal ten and the Chapter’s proficiency at combating the daemons of the inconsistencies. Ultimately, I Chaos, excelling at this over other Chapters. The Chapter has often demonstrated have to admit that I like what was done to the Exorcists. tactical flexibility and adaptability exemplifying the teachings of the Codex Astartes. There was, however, one area in which I was dissatisfied, and that One other notable aspect of the Exorcists Chapter is the Orisons, or sub-cults, was the rules for the Exorcists within the Chapter. Each of these Orisons is adept at a certain specialty, and Chapter, or rather, the lack Exorcists battle-brothers may be members of multiple Orisons. Each Orison thereof. The known background maintains a book of lore in which the specialty knowledge of the Orison is information provides an ability preserved and taught; and membership in an Orison isn’t a prerequisite to access that no other Chapter of the the Orison’s book of lore – any battle-brother of the Chapter may consult any Adeptus Astartes has, and that is excellence at fighting the daemons Orison’s book of lore. Membership in one or more Orisons is considered to be a of Chaos. We’re not just talking high honour within the Chapter. Known Orisons include the Enochian Guard, many about the Exorcists being of the members belonging to the 1st Company; the Obelisk Thelemus, to which marginally better than other many of the Chapter’s Devastators and Techmarines belong; and the Broken Chapters – they are remarkable in Tower, which is composed almost entirely of members of the Chapter’s Librarium. comparison to other Space Marines when it comes to killing Daemons (though not as good as CAMPAIGNS OF THE EXORCISTS (known) Grey Knights). Alberec confers a special rule to the army, but that • The Twelfth Black Crusade of Abaddon the Despoiler (The Gothic War) rule is based on him and is not necessarily “Exorcists” rules in the [151.M41] way that Chapter Tactics would be • The Aschen War (The Vanquishing of the Horned God) [307.M40] (3rd considered to be rules for the Company known to have participated, possibly entire Chapter) Chapter. More importantly, that • The Relief of Stonekraal [740.M41] (3rd Company) rule isn’t about daemons. The • The Badab War [908-912.M41] (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 11th Companies, half of rules and characters presented 1st Company, under command of Captain Silas Alberec of the 3rd Company) herein are intended to fill the gap • The Third War for Armageddon [999.M41] (entire Chapter) between what the background • The Thirteenth Black Crusade of Abaddon the Despoiler [999.M41] (ten material supports and representation of that background companies) material on the table top. Daemon Hunters The relationship between the EXORCISTS FLEET Exorcists and the Grey Knights has been the subject of much debate. The Exorcists have an extensive long-range Chapter fleet, including three battle Some players have speculated barges, which is considered to be an unusually high number of such vessels for a that the Chapter is like the Grey Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. This large fleet provides the Chapter with great Knights and is composed entirely mobility in its continuous actions, the Chapter operating throughout the breadth of of psykers. Included in this the Imperium instead of being confined to a specific area. speculation is the use of Nemesis Force Weapons, the signature • Punisher (battle barge) weapon of the Grey Knights, by • Redeemer (battle barge) the Exorcists. I personally • Captain Augusta (strike cruiser) disagree with this conclusion as • Eternal Defiance (strike cruiser) there is no evidence whatsoever to • Hand of Glory (strike cruiser) support it. The Chapter’s inclusion • Hunter (strike cruiser) in Codex: Space Marines and the rules provided for Silas Alberec in the Badab War book make these EXORCISTS BATTLE-BROTHERS (known) assertions untenable. The relationship between the Though very popular, the Exorcists haven’t received much attention from Games Exorcists and the Grey Knights is Workshop. Despite this, a number of members of the Chapter have been named in unclear. While the short story various sources, including Battlefleet Gothic, the Badab War, and a Black Library “Headhunted” indicates that the Exorcists were created using the anthology. gene-seed of the Grey Knights and • Enoch Trismegistus (first Chapter Master according to Chapter legend) that they have very similar • Captain Leitz (participated in the Gothic War) training, the Badab War book says • only that the gene-seed of the Captain Silas Alberec (Captain of the 3rd Company during the Badab War) Exorcists is a closely guarded • Venerable Sybra (dreadnought, died in the Aschen War) secret. The Exorcists are one of • Malachite (librarian, killed the Horned God in the Aschen War) the few Chapters that is allowed to • Castor Machen (librarian, participated in the Relief of Stonekraal) retain some knowledge of the • Idris (Sergeant, participated in the Badab War) Grey Knights as Codex: Grey • Kahl (Veteran Sergeant and Initiate of the Enochian Guard, participated in the Knights describes how the Badab War) Exorcists are known to send some • Rabelias (Terminator assigned to the bodyguard of Silas Alberec, participated of their aspirants to Titan. How widespread the knowledge of the in the Badab War) Grey Knights is within the • Karsweltus (Apothecary, participated in the Badab War) Exorcists Chapter is unknown, • Avasi (participated in the Badab War) though, and it’s possible that only • Baeliastus (participated in the Badab War) those with “need to know” are • Belloch (Killed in the Battle of Shavra, The Badab War) allowed to have the knowledge. • Gebruah (possibly killed in the Battle of Shavra, The Badab War) DESIGNER'S NOTES • Rauth (“Watcher”, seconded to Deathwatch) Going back to the Third War for Armageddon fluff we have several TITLES important elements. First is the Chapter's training in the tools of It is worth noting that some of the Exorcists battle-brothers displayed in Imperial the exorcist; second is the Armour Volume Ten: The Badab War – Part Two bear titles that don’t appear to be heightened levels of aggression Exorcists Space Marines exhibited. standard to the Adeptus Astartes, and others have titles that are variations on And third is the Chapter's typical titles. For example, Veteran Sergeant Kahl bears the title of “Inceptus”, alignment with the Ordo Malleus Terminator Rabelias bears the title of “Lector”, and both Idris and Karsweltus have and the Grey Knights. the title of “Almoner”. The meanings behind these titles aren’t explained. With regard to the training in/with the tools of the exorcist, I've CHAPTER TACTICS basically combined that with the aggression described above in the selection of Chapter Tactics that If you include an Exorcists character in your army, then all units in your army lose utilize universal special rules the Combat Tactics special rule.