Appearance

Physical Description

Decimus is still a firstborn marine believing that his state is what the Emperor intended for him to be. However despite this, Decimus is still quite large for a firstborn, some even believing that he actually did pass the Rubicon Primaris.

Specialized Equipment

Decimus holds the Black Sword, a sword that all Emperor's Champions obtain, however, Decimus' is quite different. His was carved differently, since the Marshal from the Crusade of Wrath decided that he should receive the former Black Sword of the Emperor's Champion there. His sword was inscribed "Imperator Lux" instead of the typical Imperator Rex on the common Black Sword. He also has carved the name of Galerius in the collar of his Armor of Faith, in honor of the Castellan that was with him in the Crusade of Wrath.

Mentality

Personal history

Decimus in his younger years shot up in ranks for the Black Templars far swifter than his peers making the role of Sword-Brother very swiftly and proving himself to Marshals time and time again, his most notable example of this was in the Crusade of Wrath.



"My brothers set before me a task that was not for the feeble, the Crusade of Wrath was so far successful, and reclaiming worlds from the heretics had been going well. The Marshal's task was this; follow my Castellan, Galerius, to a world that has so far proven stubborn to the Emperor's light, Nova Purgatoria, a world beset by constant war and now was completely overrun by the Heretic. So-called 'Word Bearers,' merely suggesting their name in my mind causes the Emperor to shutter my surroundings in protest. These heretics perverted the teachings of the Emperor, their benefits now serving their Dark Powers. I shall be the respite from their tortured existence."



"We set off, my brothers were eager for formidable foes, I however was not as keen. I have no quarrel with slaying the enemies of the Imperium, however it did not bring me pleasure knowing that these soulless husks were once called our brothers. Heresy was something that burned my very soul, the Emperor chose us as His sons, how could we betray that trust? This blight would not blind me from our goal however, if anything it had invigorated me, I shall not let these traitors to continue to draw breath so long as they do not serve the God-Emperor."



"Our ship was in orbit, and it was time for us to grant light to this forsaken world. 1... 2... 3 drop pods shot down, then mine, my Castellan sat beside me. He gives us a speech, his honorable role as a Castellan was chosen correctly, his words were truly encouraging. Our pod screams into the atmosphere, the noise dampens around me and all I hear is the whir of flames and howling wind. Finally it halts as we collide with the planet with a loud thud, the force causes me to recoil, that always was my least favorite part. This was no time to dwell, already our brothers were in combat, demonstrating the prowess of our chapter upon the meek cultists. As I peered upon the battlefield I witnessed no Astartes in the battle yet, merely these pathetic heretics likely being used as cannon fodder. Little did they know our vigor was tempered, and our fury even more so. Our effectiveness in this first engagement was compelling, the enemy routed and my brothers and I proceeded to the stronghold not far from our drop point. Our force regrouped, the Castellan called out specifically to the Emperor's Champion that was allotted to us, 'Theophilis,' he said, 'venture forward, a champion of these pathetic wretches waits for us within the confines of their hold.' The Emperor's Champion wasted no time, he ventured off, Black Sword in hand, his movement was hard to follow. We followed in stride but allowed Theophilis to gain some distance between us. That's when we heard it, the chanting, it was otherworldly, and seemingly disconnected from any mortal body. In fact it seemed to resonate from the sky above. This was then followed by the sound of bolters dispensing their ammunition from the direction Theophilis had gone. Clouds rolled in with the chanting and rain began falling, this was no normal storm, a darkness loomed above us."



"Castellan Galerius shouted, 'we must hurry brothers!' Suddenly we were all in a full sprint to make it to the compound, the sounds of bolters slowly became fewer and fewer before finally coming to a halt. When we made our way to the entrance all that was before me were fallen Astartes traitors. 'Scum,' I thought to myself. We ventured forth through the maze-like structure, screams of the damned rang through the halls and a foul stench placated my nose. Finally the Castellan led us to a room where Theophilis, beset on all sides by slain heretics, faced off against what had seemed to be the herald of these heretics. This traitor's armor was ravaged, though these blemishes seemed to be centuries old as rust had began to take place around the formerly holy power armor. The two exchanged blows, striking so quickly that my vision could barely keep pace. Their strikes reverberated around the room, shaking the near ancient walls of all of their dust. The two finally clashed their swords together and held their stance in a test of might. Theophilis was panting, the heretic not so much, they scraped their swords together before the traitor flung Theophilis back and against the far wall. All of us knew better than to steal the glory of the Champion, so we all stood and watched with bated breath. The heretic stood, taunting the Champion, then walked to the altar in the middle of the room. He chanted a few words, suddenly a tear of Warp energy opened, and from it marched possibly 30 traitor Astartes and a Daemon. I know not what this Daemon was, his skin was blood red, he stood much taller than even the tallest marine in the room, and his axes teemed with fire. The beast let out a roar and screamed in his unholy tongue before charging us rapidly."



"This Daemon's stature affected his swiftness, he was not nearly as quick as the traitor, however the power that resonated from him clearly demonstrated that he was no feeble foe. Theophilis lunges striking the upper thigh of the Daemon, causing him to lash out and scream in pain, the flames of his weapon melting to the floor. He swings multiple times at the Champion but was far too slow, missing every time, roaring as he did. The rest of us assemble against the Chaos horde that emerged from the tear, each of these heretics were far stronger than the others we faced, their armor was adorned with what I imagine were trophies from other worlds. Thankfully most of their attention was on us and not Theophilis who viciously attacked both the Daemon and herald all by himself. This undertaking was difficult for the Champion however, as he was clearly losing ground to the two of them."



"I clashed with one of the Warp-bound heretics, my sword clashing against his axe, the clanking of metal drowned by the overall fighting. I struggle with the traitor, succeeding in some blows but also conceding against some strikes of his own. My armor stood firm, his on the other hand proved that it's disrepair was beyond reason. Each of my strikes drew blood, but this being was of the Warp, his wounds seemed only to fuel his burning fury. After the long skirmish, I finally found my mark, I began slashing and striking quickly. Finally my final blow was delivered, I lopped off his head with one fell swoop. I looked around and my brothers had pretty much done the same, some fell in the process but overall our battle had concluded in our victory.



"Despite this the Champion still faced off against the Daemon and the herald, my brothers proceeded to charge the Daemon, striking at his calves. He seemed to feel no pain as he threw some of my brothers to the side. Finally I snapped out of my stupor and met my brothers in the assault. Minutes passed, the Daemon was coated in blood in his lower half, his roars soon became cries of pain. Suddenly I saw what appeared to be a flash, Theophilis leaped and sliced the Daemon's abdomen wide open. The Champion careened towards the ground landing on his side, I hadn't noticed before but he was covered in wounds. I rushed to his aid, while the rest of the brothers proceeded to meet the herald in combat. The Champion spoke to me, something I wish not to divulge in fear of sullying it's purpose."



"The herald began cutting through my brothers, their armor was little more than butter to his already bloodied sword. He cut through four more men, then met the Castellan, his strike against the Castellan's storm shield caused a shockwave that pushed even myself back a little. They exchanged blows, the Castellan was not to be underestimated, however this traitor and his powers were granted by the Warp, and his ability went beyond what most of us were capable of. Finally, I took up Theophilis' sword and launched myself at the heretic. My vision was affected by something otherworldly, it seemed as though it guided me to where the herald was to strike next. This being's power was beyond anything I had ever faced before, with the Castellan by my side however, we began besting the heretic. Finally the herald's fury reached it's peak, and despite blocking his attack the Castellan was launched back. The light guided me to a weak point in the heralds stance, I thrust and plunged the Black Sword deep into the heretic's throat, if you could call it that anymore. He gurgled and cursed me as his finally fell to the floor. I retracted the blade from the corpse and ran over to the Castellan, his armor stood strong, but the strikes from the herald appeared fatal. When I peered around I realized that the entire force that had come to this stronghold had passed. I called for a thunderhawk, and as I waited Galerius put his hand on my shoulder. 'The Emperor is beside you brother, do not let us down,' he passed in my arms. I laid the Black Sword at the fallen Champion's side and then walked back to the Castellan's body. I brought him to the forefront of the stronghold and met the thunderhawk that had landed outside. I told them of the deeds that unfolded and the bravery of my fallen brothers."



This victory eventually lead to the quick descension of Chaos in the area, leaving the Word Bearers defeated. The Crusade was successful almost entirely due to his actions, and the Marshal recognized this. In Galerius' absence Decimus became a Castellan, commanding his own force. However, this status would not last very long.



Decimus knew that what had happened on that planet meant that he must become an Emperor's Champion. During his extraction, a vision came to him, though it appeared shrouded in mystery. Perhaps the meaning would be revealed to him in time, but it was unmistakable, the God-Emperor was choosing him for the duty of Emperor's Champion. After he had met Reichart and he had announced his plan for a Crusade on Proxima, Decimus then went to the Chaplains on the Eternal Crusader. He explained his visions and his guidance in the battle with the strange herald. The Chaplains all agreed, this was undeniable proof of the God-Emperor choosing him for the duty. They all prayed, blessing him, and then followed him to the armory. When he had reached it the Marshal from the Crusade of Wrath was already there, he had caught wind of this moment and specifically led him to Theophilis' sword, instructing the Master of the Armory to ingrain Imperator Lux on it, reshaping the previous Imperator Rex on the blade. He also allowed Decimus to engrave Galerius' name on the collar of the Armor of Faith. This moment had solidified his position as Emperor's Champion, and he was ready for his incursion into Proxima.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Decimus has accomplished many things in his past, he was one of the sole reasons that the Crusade of Wrath was successful. He also became a Sword-Brother very quickly in his life, outshining most of his brothers in courage and strength. Decimus is responsible for a large portion of the Proxima Crusade's battle tactics as he has much experience fighting enemies of the Warp.

Personality

Social