The scattered worlds of the Elara's Veil nebula were once protected by the oath of unity sworn by three mighty Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. The Star Scorpions were undone by flaws in their genetic coding. The Celestial Lions were ravaged by the Inquisition for sins they did not commit. Now, after hundreds of years, only the Emperor's Spears still keep their vigil. They are barbarian watchmen against the Outer Dark, bloodied but unbroken in their long duty. The Emperor's Spears primarily wear sky blue Power Armour and a white helm. This Chapter does not display company numbers on its Power Armour, and it does not paint the trim of its shoulder plates to designate company. Squads are marked with Nemetese runes or Roman numerals on the shoulder pauldrons or greaves. Even in their relatively short history, the Emperor's Spears have clashed with their fellow Space Marines, notably the Aurora Chapter during the Eukari Insurrection. So ruinous was the conflict between the Chapters that the Ultramarines sent representatives to quell the unrest, ruling that the Emperor's Spears had acted rashly and were to blame for the blows that were exchanged. Great new novel from Aaron Dembski-Bowden chronicling the story of the Emperor's Spears, a Space Marine Chapter on the edge of destruction, last watchmen over the Elara's Veil nebula. Now, the decisions of one man, Amadeus Kaias Incarius of the Mentor Legion, will determine the Chapter's fate… Further defences come from the Tech-priests of Bellona, a Forge Moon in the Nemeton System. The Emperor's Spears have formed close links with Bellona's leaders, and together they are the foremost defenders of Elara's Veil.

Kavalei - The kavalei are the Clan of Kings, a vast and sprawling tribe that eclipsed all others in terms of territory and victories in tribal war. As the most populous clan, most Emperor's Spears Astartes are descended from the Kavalei. Of note is that the Imperial Navy no longer exists. Instead, the warships that aren't in the colors of the Bealladon Mechanicus are in the colors of the Spears, including Navy ones. Incarius remarks that this is a flagrant violation of the Codex but adds that it is forgivable considering the dire times. War-Priest Tolmach - Tolmach of the Novontei Tribe was a War-Priest of the Emperor's Spears' 3rd Warhost. He was slain by the Chaos Space Marines of The Pure who boarded the strike cruiser Hex. His gene-seed and Astartes organs were later used in the process to turn Vadhán into a Primaris Marine. Battle of Sythaur (Unknown Date.M41) - It was during this campaign that Sergeant Faelan of the Kavalei tribe, a future hero of the 3rd Warhost, received a grievous wound that disfigured his face. The book starts with Anuradha Daaz and her master Vádhan of the Emperor's Spears sitting within the Spear's fortress. The events of the book are far in the past. The Spears of the Emperor fight against the forces of the Exilarchy, but the situation is worse every day. They haven't yet threatened Nemeton, the Spears' homeworld, but it seems inevitable.Since the opening of the Great Rift, the Emperor's Spears have been beset by new dangers. The Rift is visible from Nemeton, and its baleful influence has been felt across the Elara's Veil region. Hard pressed by constant war and isolation following the loss of their fellow Chapters, the Emperor's Spears now stand upon the brink of destruction, and it remains to be seen how its future will unfold... The Hex makes ready to leave, only to spot a Exilarchy ship: the Venatrix, an infamous raider that has had a hand in many defeats of the Spears and has escaped destruction in many victories. It jumps to the Warp, and the Spears resist the temptation to jump into the Warp immediately after to follow because apparently making the transition to the warp near a planet can have terrible consequences for the population (news to me). Anuradha is surprised by this - it isn't the ruthlessness she's used to from the Mentors. To her fear and fury Kartash is also alive and denies her whole story. Since she's taken actual brain trauma no one believes her. High King Arucatas the Swordbearer - Arucatas of the Kavalei Tribe is the High King of Nemeton (essentially its Planetary Governor) and the Chapter Master of the Emperor's Spears Chapter.

The ending was relatively good but I just had nearly no en Each warhost marks their azure armour with a range of Nemetese Ogham runes that are believed to comprise a mix of unit markings, honor sigils and other more esoteric icons. Some veterans who fought alongside the lost Star Scorpions or the dying Celestial Lions bear icons of those Chapters in honour of fallen comrades-in-arms. Most warriors bear personal heraldry on one knee pad, which is painted in a deeper blue. This heraldry usually reflects a specific campaign the battle-brother fought in, or the Manticora Bestia Fidelitas, a sigil representing the unity of the Adeptus Vaelarii. The Skitarii of Bellona and allied Imperial Guard regiments often also bear this sigil. Many Emperor’s Spears wear cloaks made from the hides of beasts they have hunted and slain on Nemeton. [5] Battle of Sythaur - in this battle one of the Emperor's Spears - Faelan - received a grievous wound that disfigured his face. [4c] If you’re waiting to muster your own Strike Force of Emperor’s Spears, you’ll be pleased to know you can also look forward to a bespoke Chapter Tactic, Redden the Earth, as well as three Relics, three Warlord Traits, and a pair of Stratagems that are unique to the Chapter. I love a book that brings out the emotion in me as a reader and Spear of the Emperor made me laugh and cry in equal measure – there are scenes in this book that will stay with me, and haunt me, forever. Naturally, I don’t want to delve into these scenes to deeply for fear of spoiler territory, but I will hint that Tyberia and her fate – the meaning behind it – will remain in my heart for the longest time. I am surprised that a book that actually made me cry also made me laugh and I will ever hold a fondness for the emotionless Lieutenant Commander Amadeus; a Space Marine that makes Nathaniel Garro (Galaxy in Flames, Flight of the Eisenstein) appear a charismatic charmer.

The Emperor's Spears have codes of conduct that forbid them from becoming too filthy. Even in the middle of a campaign, they are forced to maintain their armour as well as they can, to respect its Machine Spirit and to intimidate the enemy, rather than looking battered and therefore weak. In the end, I found myself much more drawn to a darker, realer tone: something very much from all the Dark Ages historical fiction I read. That tone ended up being the thing I was most pleased with, so I’m not complaining… Each Warhost marks their azure armour with a range of Nemetese Ogham runes that are believed to comprise a mix of unit markings, honour sigils and other more esoteric icons.