Argent Crusader

The Argent Crusader is a heavily modified Gladius-class Frigate that has served the Deathwatch since it first became active in the Jericho Reach.

History[]

The Argent Crusader is an unconventional vessel, in that it conforms largely to the pattern of the Gladius-class frigate, a common enough escort in the fleets of Space Marine Chapters the length and breadth of the Imperium. Yet, the Argent Crusader differs in numerous details from the standard template for a Gladius.

It is not known if these differences are the result of modifications and rebuilds carried out by the Deathwatch, or if the vessel represents a distinct and otherwise unknown sub-type of the standard Gladius.

Almost all of the differences relate to internal systems, which are exponentially more efficient and effective than the standard systems the class employs. Power distribution is at least twelve percent more efficient and features numerous fail-safe redundancy systems.

Fire control is fiendishly accurate and rates of fire far greater than would be expected. Many of the Argent Crusader's lance batteries are able to operate at higher outputs over longer periods of time than those of the standard Gladius.

The ship's plasma reactor is rated as producing a yield of eight to ten percent over that of the standard pattern, and its cogitation core is, as far as is known, of an entirely unique type.

Lastly, the Argent Crusader differs from other vessels of its class in that the nigh-preternatural efficiency of its machine systems means it needs far fewer crew than other ships of its size.

Imperial Navy doctrine states that automated systems are too fallible in battle to be relied on, where crewmen can be called upon to perform any duty they are trained for.

The crew of Space Marine vessels are generally more technically adept and the machine systems more resilient, resulting in fewer crew being needed. The Argent Crusader displays a finely honed balance between crew and machine systems that has yet to be upset even under the most severe circumstances.

Battle Honours[]

The Argent Crusader has served the Deathwatch for at least as long as the Chapter has been operating the Jericho Reach, and it may have been constructed before the Apocryphon Conclave of Orphite IV brought about its founding.

The vessel's cogitation core is known to contain numerous sub-archives deliberately sealed off to access, although several of these have, on occasion, unsealed themselves in a similar manner to the Omega Vault in the heart of Watch Fortress Erioch.

Ship Layout[]

Even with its unconventional machine systems and reduced reliance on flesh and blood crew, the Argent Crusader's complement still numbers in the thousands. The mortal crew treats the Space Marines with the utmost respect, such that it is comparatively rare for a brother to encounter the ratings in the ordinary running of the vessel.

A given Kill-team has regular contact with the conversii, but comes across the lower-ranked crew only when the ship is on defence watch or action stations.

Most of the time, the interior of the Argent Crusader is serene, the crew keeping a respectful distance from the battle-brothers. The life-sustainer systems cycle sacred incense throughout and the bulkheads of the ship's companionways are etched with kilometre after kilometre of script listing the names and deeds of the Deathwatch of the Jericho Reach and beyond.

Purity Seals and votive streamers are affixed to prominent machine systems and blessed regularly by the ship's Adeptus Mechanicus attendees so that they may never fail. The locations the battle-brothers are most likely to utilise in the hours before the Argent Crusader plunges into the Warp and during the subsequent emergency are covered below.

Bridge[]

In form and structure, the Argent Crusader's bridge is solid and functional, reflecting the utilitarian nature of the Adeptus Astartes it serves. Yet, just like some individual Chapters adorn their standard pattern power armour with idiosyncratic decoration, so the bridge is unmistakably that of a Deathwatch vessel.

As with much of the ship, the bulkheads are engraved with the names and deeds of countless generations of previous crew, and a riot of purity seals edge the most important of command terminals. The bridge is a large space, though not so ostentatiously massive as those of many equivalent-sized ships of the Imperial Navy.

The space is dominated by a command throne atop a five metre tall plinth, above which is hung the bulbous and distended skull of an unidentified xenos creature.

The throne is wrought to accommodate the physique of a Space Marine, and is only ever occupied by the most senior Deathwatch officer present, who by dint of his rank outranks the ship's captain, the mortal Jerok DeSaul. The captain's command terminal is immediately fore of and below the throne, a place from which he can easily converse with whichever of his Adeptus Astartes masters is currently in overall command of the vessel.

Chapel Sanctus[]

Even the smallest Imperial warship is host to scores of chapels, from the bulkhead-mounted reliquaries to cathedralsized sacred spaces, and the Argent Crusader is no different.

One particular chapel, however -- the Chapel Sanctus -- is the exclusive preserve of any Deathwatch battle-brothers travelling on the vessel and, save for the Chapter serfs tasked with caring for the chapel's relics, no lesser mortal may set foot within upon pain of death.

This relatively small, stone-lined space is protected by the most potent of wards and provides the Adeptus Astartes with a secluded inner sanctum in which they might perform the Chapter's sacred rites of battle and annunciate the Warrior's Catechism of Worship before combat, bless their wargear and honour that of the dead, and stand the long vigil upon the eave of battle.

The Chapel Sanctus is often employed as a reliquary when the vessel's passengers are bearing items of great significance, as is the case with the Maul of the Gatekeeper.

Sleeping Cells[]

The Argent Crusader provides sleeping quarters for a handful of Space Marines, each of which is an unadorned, plain-walled cell equipped only with the barest necessities a battle-brother needs to maintain his wargear, commune with the war-spirits of his armour, and recharge its power core. The ship's crew live in equally austere quarters.

Training Chambers[]

The Argent Crusader is host to around a dozen chambers set aside for the exclusive use of the Adeptus Astartes. These large spaces can be configured in a number of different ways and are lined with heavy armour so they can be used as firing ranges.

The training chambers can be isolated from the rest of the ship and, because they are all located adjacent to its hull, they can be purged if needed. The walls of Chamber 8 still bear the scars from the time a xenos War-Wyrd of the Hambro Cuth was transported, having been captured by the Deathwatch attempting to infiltrate the Iron Collar.

The awesomely powerful xenos psyker proved so destructive that the Kill-team was forced to purge the chamber and consign the Cuthian to a cold, airless grave lest the dread energies he had unleashed consume the entire ship.

Deathwatch Armoury[]

In addition to the numerous batteries and arms caches intended for the use of the crew, the Argent Crusader is host to a sealed, heavily armoured chamber in which the weapons of the Deathwatch are stored.

The armoury contains far more weapons and ammunition than any Kill-team could ever require for a single mission, extending the reach and multiplying the force the Deathwatch is able to bring to bear. The armour contains numerous different types and patterns of weapon, some of which may represent the only known example of their mark or design.

While the vast majority of the wargear stored in the armoury are standard (as far as the Adeptus Astartes are concerned), it also contains a small number of exotic weapons, such as Graviton Guns and Conversion Beam Projectors.

Launch Decks[]

As a rapid strike vessel, one of the Argent Crusader's primary function is to carry a complement of Space Marines to its destination and to deliver its members directly into combat. The vessel is equipped with a primary launch deck in its armoured prow, and two secondary decks amidships -- one port and one starboard.

The primary deck is equipped with a Thunderhawk gunship which its crew keeps in a high state of alert. The secondary launch decks are generally used for non-combat or combat support operations, such as ferrying materiel to and from a landing zone, loading the ship's ammunition stores, and receiving and delivering visitors.

The secondary decks are sometimes used to launch smaller vessels such as the Stormtalon gunship, two of which are available should the Deathwatch decide to utilise them. In addition to the conventional launch decks, the Argent Crusader is host to a Drop Pod assault cradle, in which two Adeptus Astartes Drop Pods currently await use.

Observation Blister[]

The Observation Blister sits atop one of the numerous armoured spires mounted towards the Argent Crusader's aft section. Most are host to a staggering variety of different types of sensors, some of which are highly exotic, possibly of xenos or pre-Imperial origin, and used exclusively by the Deathwatch.

The blister is a dome of armoured glass able to accommodate a squad of Space Marines, affording a spectacular view of the vessel and of surrounding space. It is in this spartan chamber that Watch-Captain Esteban de Dominova delivers his mission briefing.

Conversii[]

The Deathwatch in the Jericho Reach is slightly different from conventional Space Marine Chapters, in that it does not utilise failed Aspirants as Chapter serfs, because it does not select and train its own brethren.

Even a failed Aspirant is likely to be a superior specimen of Humanity, what Adeptus Astartes implants they have received granting them abilities and attributes normal men do not possess.

Denied this channel of recruitment, the Deathwatch of the Jericho Reach relies instead on the practise of employing generation after generation of the same families to staff its vessels and holdings.

Often, the exact same position has been filled by countless generations of the same line, the long-mastered secrets of one single duty passed down from father to son.

This process results in a staff of mortals literally bred to serve, and utterly loyal to its Deathwatch masters. Most of the Deathwatch's Chapter serfs go about their duties all but invisible to the godlike warriors they serve, yet a few rise to positions of great honour and in so doing earn the right to address a member of the Adeptus Astartes without invitation.

These honoured servants are known by the High Gothic honorific "conversii," indicating they have earned the much vaunted right to speak before being spoken to in the presence of a Space Marine.

Notable Personnel[]

Esteban de Dominova, Deathwatch Watch Captain
Garran Skiniker, Master of Ordnance
Jerok DeSaul, Captain
Kavant Ire, Master Helmsman
Khilankha, Astropath
Lukan Stark, Navigator
Usium Mellano, Enginseer Prime Adept

Sources[]

Deathwatch: Ark of Lost Souls (RPG), pp. 16-19