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40K: The Deviant Primaris Space Marines

5 Minute Read
Jan 10 2019
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The Primaris Space Marines are the new upgraded versions of Space Marine – but not all Space Marine Chapters are without their flaws. Let’s chat about some of the Deviant Primaris Space Marines.

The Primaris Protocol that was initiated by Guilliman and Cawl did something to the Genestock of the Space Marines. It certainly enhanced the Space Marines to a new level and for some chapters, it appeared to correct certain ‘issues’ with their geneseed. However, the process is still somewhat of a mystery and there are rumors that Cawl may have even used Heretic Geneseed to ‘fix’ those problems – or at least enhance some of the properties and characteristics of the Primaris.

When the Primaris Marines were introduced to their respective chapters, they were watched closely. At first it might have been because of mistrust; After-all these new warriors did not go through the same trials and tests, rituals or ceremony that all previous inductees had to succeed in to become Brother Marines of their respective Chapter. But when it was clear that the Primaris did have the undeniable traits of their genesires (the Primarchs) it became even more clear that they should be accepted into the fold.

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You guys sure are creepy. Like Night Lord creepy…

However, they were still watched closely…You see, most Chapters of Space Marines have skeletons in their metaphorical closet. Secrets they hold close to the chest. Sometimes it’s a sad bit of history they’d like to forget. Sometimes it’s a ritual they perform to indoctrinate their members. And other times, it’s literally a mutation in their geneseed they don’t like to talk about. The Primaris are watched to see how they react to the knowledge of these things. Today, we’re going to cover a few Chapters with secrets of their own.

Blood Angels – Primaris Death Company?

The Blood Angel’s Death Company is well known. These are the Brother-marines who succumb to the mental trauma of the death of their Primarch and are cursed with reliving his death in visions. Unable to distinguish between reality and the visions, they become super-human mad-men on the eve of battle. Blood Angel Chaplains are the only one’s who are able to direct, not control, this Black Rage. And the Primaris might be the cure…

While there are currently no Death Company Primaris (yet), one thing IS clear – the Red Thirst is certainly part of their geneseed. This is a different flaw that can send them into a slightly different bout of violent and bloody rage. This trait tends to get overlooked as part of the Blood Angel’s ‘mystique’ yet it could be evidence that something is locked away and waiting for the moment to break through to the surface.

Space Wolves – Primaris Wulfen?

The Space Wolves are a Proud and noble Chapter full of traditions and trials that all their Battle-brothers endure. The Rites of Passage are tough and many initiate has died during their tests. In fact, in order to prove that they too are worth of the title “A Son of Russ” a great many Primaris Marine has passed these trials (although no small number have also died in the process).

But as a Son of Russ, these Primaris Marines may also be subject to his Curse:

While this blood-lust might not seem like marker of anything bad, it’s still too early to tell if the Primaris are going to go full bore and “Wolf-out” and become the frenzied furry fiends known as The Wulfen.

The Exorcists Chapter – Possessed Primaris Marines?

When it comes to Dark Rituals and Ancient Rites one of the most sinister tests is one performed by the Exorcists Space Marines. A Thirteenth Founding Chapter (already a bad sign) these Marine come from the Grey Knight stock. As part of their initation process each Marine is possessed by a daemon.

via Lexicanum

The Marines of the Chapter underwent a process known as “Daemonic Possession Therapy”. Each Marine was, under very tight security, subject to possession by a minor denizen of theĀ Warp. The creature was allowed to remain within the host body for twelve hours until they were cast out by a Daemon Hunter. Some of the Marines were so damaged physically and psychologically that they had to be terminated. Most however survived and needed only minor reconstructive surgery.

Fun times. Do the Primaris Marines of this chapter react differently to the Daemonic Possession Therapy? What sort of hi-jinx ensues when a daemon gets in Primaris Space Marine? Oh the possibilities…

The Grey Knights – Primaris Psyker Mutants?

Anyone else curious as to why the Grey Knights aren’t getting Primaris (yet). We know the Grey Knights are all basically Psykers on some level. And we also know that Primaris Librarians DO exists. So what gives? This could be a two-fold problem. Firstly, their might not be enough Primaris Psyker Mojo to go around. The Primaris who show any psychic potential are probably detected early and shuffled over to become Librarians. Secondly, maybe the Grey Knights just flat-out didn’t want Primaris to begin with.

Sorry – we ran out of Grey Paint. *REJECTED*

They are already one of the most well equipped Chapters and they also have their own rites and rituals. Perhaps they didn’t want to accept new recruits who didn’t go through their very strict and specialized training. Maybe it was even for the Primaris Marine’s safety in a way – after-all these guys deal with daemons and destroying them utterly. There is a possession element that can pop-up (see above). Maybe the Primaris Marines just weren’t built as Grey Knight Material.

Traitor Primaris?

Yeah – already a thing.

 

 

What did we miss? Any other ‘Deviant’ Primaris Strands floating around out there? Let us know in the Comments!

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Author: Adam Harrison
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