Imperial Space Marines

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The Imperial Space Marines are the elite special forces of the Imperium of Man in Warhammer 40,000.

Attributes

Potential Space Marines are recruited from cultures with strong warrior ethics at an early age and subjected to a rigorous series of genetic modifications. Those who survive the early part of the process receive a number of artificial organs, as well. The result is a soldier with a variety of superhuman attributes, including the following:

• Superhuman strength, speed, endurance, and resistance to injury
• Enhanced senses of sight, hearing, smell, and taste
• Reduced need for sleep
• The ability to neutralize many poisons
• The ability to digest nearly anything organic
• Poisonous secretions in the saliva that can be spit or even used to degrade metal objects (such as handcuffs) over time

Equipment

Space Marines wear power armor that gives them substantial protection from both weapon attacks and harsh environments. The suits are sealed against chemical and biological agents, and they have internal air and nutrient supplies that permit extended operation even in vaccuum. The armor also protects them from sensory overloads such as blinding flashes or deafening explosions. The headgear includes communications gear and additional sensory enhancements, such as light-intensification and infrared optics.

The standard weapon of Space Marines is the bolt rifle, a weapon that fires self-propelled, armor-piercing shells that explode inside their targets to spread flechettes. Every Space Marine also carries some kind of close combat weapon, from a simple knife to advanced swords, axes, and hammers that wrap their blades in destructive energy fields. Typical Marine squads also carry support weapons like flame throwers, missile launchers, laser cannons, or heavy bolters (a heavy machinegun based on bolt rifle technology).

Training

Imperial Space Marine chapters are monastic orders that dedicate their lives to training and meditation. While they revere the Emperor of Mankind as their creator, many do not worship him as a god. Most chapters also have revere the Primarch of their chapter almost as highly, or even more highly, than the Emperor himself. These aspects of their faith often trouble the Imperial Cult and the Inquisition.

Loyalty and dedication to the Imperium are the highest ideals taught in Space Marine chapters. Even so, entire chapters of Space Marines have occasionally become corrupt and turned against the Imperium. Other chapters consider this the highest form of treachery.

Resources

A typical chapter of the Imperial Space Marines has control of an entire planet. The citizens of the planet typically serve as the chapter's recruiting base, as well as the economic and industrial base for supplying the chapter's weapons and ammunition. Every Space Marine chapter has its own fleet of starships so they can respond immediately to military emergencies.