The Death Spectres are a Space Marine chapter stationed on the edge of the Imperium, watching over the Ghoul Stars to keep its otherworldly inhabitants from threatening the galaxy again. They’re a Raven Guard successor with a dark secret tied to a mysterious xenos artifact.
Who they are and what they do
The Death Spectres are a Space Marine chapter created during the 13th Founding, also known as the Dark Founding. They’re descended from the Raven Guard and based on the desolate world of Occludus, beyond the Imperium’s borders.
Their entire purpose is to guard the Ghoul Stars, a region of space filled with supernatural horrors. They make sure those horrors never again threaten the galaxy. It’s a lonely, endless vigil, and they take it very seriously.
The Shariax and the Chapter Master
The chapter’s founder, Corcaedus, was led to Occludus by a vision from the Emperor. He discovered a secret cavern containing a xenos artifact called the Shariax, also known as the Throne of Glass.
Every Chapter Master, called the First Spectre or Megir, must sit on the Shariax upon taking command. He doesn’t leave it until he dies. The throne grants the chapter some kind of power vital to their watch, but it slowly drains the Chapter Master’s life. Most day-to-day decisions are handled by the Menrahir, the chapter council.
Culture and recruitment
The Death Spectres recruit from Occludus and its surrounding systems. Their fortress-monastery is called Logopol. They wear black armor with white aquila, helmet, and left pauldron.
Their battle cry is: “Fear not death, we who embody it in His name! We fear not death. For we are death incarnate!” It sums up their grim, fatalistic outlook.
Notable campaigns
The Death Spectres have fought in several major conflicts, often far from the Imperium’s core worlds. They took part in the Macharian Crusade and the Achilus Crusade, and they’ve clashed with the Cythor Fiends and other strange enemies.
In 810.M41, they fought the Crimson Sentinels of Lomann Serel at the Battle of Screaming Shadows. The Sentinels used xeno-tech living armor that adapted to attacks, but the Death Spectres still wiped them out, though not without losses.
- Unknown date before late M41: Attempted extermination of the Cythor Fiends
- 140.M40: Vern IV offensive
- 392-399.M41: Macharian Crusade
- 770s.M41: Achilus Crusade
- 810.M41: Battle of Screaming Shadows
- Late M41: Ghoul Stars Crusade and other operations
Key facts
- The Death Spectres are a Raven Guard successor chapter from the 13th Founding.
- They guard the Ghoul Stars from supernatural threats.
- Their homeworld is Occludus, with a fortress-monastery called Logopol.
- Their Chapter Master sits on the Shariax, a xenos artifact that drains his life.
- Their armor is black with white aquila, helmet, and left pauldron.
- Their battle cry is ‘Fear not death, we who embody it in His name!’
FAQ
What is the Shariax?
The Shariax, or Throne of Glass, is a xenos artifact found beneath Occludus. Each Chapter Master sits on it for life, gaining power that helps the chapter guard the Ghoul Stars, but it drains his life force.
Who is the current Chapter Master of the Death Spectres?
The current Chapter Master is unknown. He remains enthroned on the Shariax, as all First Spectres do, and only the First Captain and Chief Librarian have regular access to him.
What founding are the Death Spectres from?
They’re speculated to be from the 13th Founding, also called the Dark Founding. Their exact founding date is unknown.