Crux Terminatus
The Crux Terminatus or Terminator Honour as it is also known, is among the most famous of all the Honours to be found within the Codex Astartes. It is rewarded to only those that have proven their battlefield skills as respected and accomplished veterans. In many Chapters, the Chapter Master grants such a veteran Battle-Brother the right to wear the Crux Terminatus. Often, the recommendation of another member of the Chapter who already bears the honour lends great weight to the Chapter Master's decision. In some Space Marine Chapters, receiving the Crux Terminatus involves a ritual of cleansing, prayer and meditation, the detail of which vary widely from Chapter to Chapter. The badge of the Crux Terminatus is said to have bound within it a tiny fragment of the Emperor's armour worn during the climatic battle with the Arch-traitor, Horus over 10,000 years ago. Smaller representations of the crux are frequently worn by the honoured veterans who have earned it when they fight in regular Power Armour. These small icons (often of bone or metal) are often hung from banner tops, weapons, and belts.
This Honour appears most commonly as a skull set onto a cruciform shape of red iron or bone. Terminator Sergeants often add crossed bones behind the skull, whilst lightning bolts behind the skull are often added for Terminators trained as assault units wielding Lightning Claws and Thunder Hammers with Storm Shields. Variations include the size and dimensions of the skull and the removal of the crossed lightning bolts or bones or their scale in relation to the shape of the cruciform. Elements of the Crux Terminators on the shoulder pad of a Terminator, can be adorned with additional ornamentation in recognition of acts of supreme valour. One such adornment is the Crux Argentum, a shoulder badge of silver and encrusted with gems, that is awarded to Space Marines who perform acts of valour above and beyond the call of duty.
The Crux Terminatus is almost always worn on the left shoulder pad, though it may also be worn on one knee pad (this is usually done only in combination with the shoulder pad, however). Legend has it that the first Crux Terminatus ever crafted contained a tiny fragment of the Emperor's own armour within it. Whether or not this is true it means that ancient suits of power armour bearing Terminator Honours are considered even more rare and precious to a Chapter as a result of their reputed connection to the Master of the Imperium. However, if this is true, then each suit of Terminator armour must only contain the most minuscule of fragments.
Only Battle-Brothers that have earned the Crux Terminatus are granted the specialised training to wear Terminator Armour, having proven themselves worthy of the right to wear these rare and powerful suits of armour into battle. Veterans who bear the crux are often given great respect by other Space Marines of their Chapter, and in many such Chapters, earning the Crux Terminatus means that the veteran has been inducted into the Chapter's elite 1st Company. Such an honour is often the first step towards the upper leadership and command within the ranks of the Adeptus Astartes.
Sources
- Codex: Ultramarines (2nd Edition), p. 23
- Deathwatch: Rites of Battle (RPG), pp. 206-207
- White Dwarf 303 (US), "Index Astartes: Deep Strike", p. 18
- White Dwarf 181 (US), "Space Marine Terminators: Tactical Dreadnought Armour", p. 37
- White Dwarf 112 (US), "Terminator: Space Marine Tactical Dreadnought Armour", pp. 11-20
- White Dwarf 109 (US), "Terminator Squads", pp. 32-33
- Warhammer 40,000 Compendium, "Terminator, Space Marine Tactical Dreadnought Armour" by Rick Priestley & Andy Warwick, pp. 11-18