The Iron Lords are a Space Marine chapter descended from the Iron Hands, known for their stern, xenophobic defence of the Grendl Stars. But the name also belongs to the ancient rulers of the Araneus Continuity, a human empire that became Necromunda. Two very different Iron Lords share one name.
The Space Marine chapter
The Iron Lords are a Codex-compliant chapter founded from the Iron Hands. Their homeworld is Sternac, and they’re famously dour and distrustful of outsiders. Since M38 they’ve held the blockade of the Grendl Stars, keeping the Barghesi contained until the Imperium can wipe them out.
That duty got harder when Hive Fleet Kraken arrived. The Iron Lords now fight constant battles to stop the Tyranids from absorbing the Barghesi’s genetic potential. They operate fourteen fortresses called the Holdfasts inside the Grendl Stars.
Since the Great Rift formed, the chapter has been cut off in Imperium Nihilus, struggling to hold the line without support.
- Founding chapter: Iron Hands
- Homeworld: Sternac
- Colours: black armour, red thigh and greave plates, gold aquila
- Battle cry: ‘Iron of Vigil, Iron of Grip’
Notable campaigns
The Iron Lords have a long record of brutal engagements. In 801.M41, during the Judgement of Hellenus, some of their number were tainted by mutant gene-corruption and had to be purged by their own brothers.
They lost a battle barge at the Defence of Valedor in 997.M41, and answered Marneus Calgar’s call during the Zeist Campaign in 999.M41, sending Devastator squads to help liberate Augura from the Tau.
More recently, in M42, they fought alongside the Iron Hands and other successors at the Second Relief of Mordian, and launched a strike force under Captain Nikeras to stop Kraken from harvesting the Barghesi. Allies from the Knights of the Raven, Lamenters, and Scythes of the Emperor joined that fight.
| Campaign | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Judgement of Hellenus | 801.M41 | Gene-taint forced the chapter to purge its own |
| Defence of Valedor | 997.M41 | Lost a battle barge |
| Zeist Campaign | 999.M41 | Sent Devastators to free Augura from the Tau |
| Second Relief of Mordian | M42 | Fought alongside Iron Hands successors against Chaos |
| War for the Aberrus System | M42 | Strike force under Captain Nikeras vs Hive Fleet Kraken |
The Iron Lords of Necromunda
Long before the Space Marine chapter, the Iron Lords ruled the Araneus Continuity, a small human empire linked by warp gates. The Imperial Fists brought it into Compliance during the Great Crusade, and soon after, unknown xenos destroyed every world except the capital, Araneus Prime, which was renamed Necromunda.
The Iron Lords’ legacy didn’t die with them. For centuries, gang leaders on Necromunda claimed descent from them and fought for control of the hive world. The Imperial Fists had to conduct a second purge in M33 to break their power. The shadow of the Iron Lords finally lifted when Martek Helm’ayr defeated the last claimant, Tray’ayr Cyberia, and restored Imperial rule by 085.M34.
Key facts
- The Iron Lords are a Codex Space Marine chapter founded from the Iron Hands.
- Their homeworld is Sternac, and they maintain fourteen fortresses called the Holdfasts in the Grendl Stars.
- They’ve blockaded the Barghesi since M38 and now fight Hive Fleet Kraken to stop it from absorbing the xenos.
- Since the Great Rift, they’ve been cut off in Imperium Nihilus and struggle to hold their ground.
- A separate group called the Iron Lords ruled the Araneus Continuity, the empire that became Necromunda.
- Their legacy on Necromunda persisted until Martek Helm’ayr defeated the last claimant in M34.
FAQ
Are the Iron Lords loyalists?
Yes, the Space Marine chapter is loyalist, descended from the Iron Hands. They’re a Codex chapter and have fought for the Imperium for millennia.
What is the connection between the Iron Lords and Necromunda?
The original Iron Lords were the rulers of the Araneus Continuity, whose capital became Necromunda. Their name lived on through gang leaders who claimed descent from them, until Martek Helm’ayr crushed the last of them in M34.
What are the Barghesi?
The Barghesi are a hyper-violent xenos species confined to the Grendl Stars by the Iron Lords. The Imperium fears that if Hive Fleet Kraken absorbs them, the results would be catastrophic.