Sons of the Phoenix: Pale Templars of Dorn

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(White Dwarf October 2017)


(Codex Space Marines 9E)

Indomitus Crusade Forces
Sons of the Phoenix ..............................................6 companies
Void Tridents .......................... 3 companies, 1 demi-company
Castellans of the Rift ............................................2 companies

Faithful to the Emperor and ritualistic in their battle cant, the Sons of the Phoenix pride themselves on plunging into the flames of battle. Their crusades are so impressive in spectacle they pave the way for the Imperial Creed to spread, and hence are followed by a great many holy men and women. Their presence in Hyperia Hivesprawl had a galvanising effect on the Vigilant Guard and Adepta Sororitas who had long anticipated their coming. Though the Sons of the Phoenix are a relatively new addition to the armies of the Emperor, during the Wars of Antipathy they won a reputation for levelling spectacular firestorms against the foe – and for the fact that they would fight on through those flames without hesitation.


(Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Defiant)


Cult of Change–Unspoilt Flesh
In a gruelling campaign against the Sons of the Phoenix Chapter of Primaris Space Marines, the Thousand Sons take many of their enemies as live captives for their arcane experiments.
(Codex Thousand Sons 8E)

Nachmund Rift

(War Zone Nachmund: Rift War)

 

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Maxime Pastourel on the creation of the Sons of the Phoenix (2017)

Son of the Phoenix

Salut tout le monde! Aujourd'hui, voici une petite figurine détente peinte pour l'anniversaire de mon poto Cagn ❤ Elle a aussi fait...

leskouzes.blogspot.com

''It's something I really enjoy (creating SM chapters), as evidenced by the Paint Master Astartes series painted a few years ago, and it was cool to look into the subject again. Primaris offers a canvas that is perfectly suited to the exercise, due to their size and sobriety.
So here is my Son of the Phoenix:''

''I wanted to write a chapter with a very religious aspect. I like this 40k image of a procession of fighters from different army corps, accompanied by civilians, pilgrims... So I started with very "ecclesiastical" colors with a dominant white to evoke purity and recall the robes of priests. As a contrasting color, I went for a deep purple that has something clerical, enhanced with gold to give a flamboyant touch to the whole.


The idea is that this chapter is an integral Primaris force, successor to the Imperial Fist and therefore directly affiliated with the holy Terra. They are commanded by Chaplains, perpetuating a long tradition of rituals and prayers.
They are followed in their crusades by numerous non-Astartes contingents such as Priests of the Ministorum, the Imperial Guard, fanatical militias, pilgrims, Techno-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus and even warriors of the Adeptus Custodes.



I deliberately chose to explore the same visual universe as for this Space Marine, painted a few years ago for poto Karun ❤''

Imperator Gloriam

Au nom de l'immortel Empereur de l'humanité... Salut tout le monde! Voici une figurine un peu "hors série" aujourd'hui. En lisant le...

leskouzes.blogspot.com

In terms of iconography, the chapter symbol is homemade and printed on transfer paper (like this one)
The tactical symbol with the company number is on the left shoulder pad, and the squad number on the thigh. This Intersessor is therefore part of the first tactical squad of the second company. The skull next to his squad number testifies that he is a veteran of several campaigns. The imperial eagle on his forehead is a standard marking specific to the chapter.

 

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On the use of the phoenix, it seems to be known galaxy wide as a symbol of Terra.

‘Some kind of bird,’ the lieutenant said. ‘I heard the same,’ the commander said. ‘A carving of something hatching from an egg, wreathed in flames. Some vile xenos heresy.’ ‘A phoenix.’ The captain harboured a boyish smile, watching the play of the candlelight on his jewelled goblet. ‘A creature out of the forgotten myths of Terra, appropriated by the xenos as a spiritual totem.’

Duke Perrigon stalked through the revellers, climbed to the pulpit and thumped open the book, scraping through its immense pages. The revellers winced as he read aloud, his finger shaking as he traced the lines of ancient text. ‘“And lo, they shall await a sign from the God-Emperor, a symbol oft profaned yet ancient and most wonderful. And that sign shall be a great bird of holy fire, a symbol born of sacred Terra.”’ - Wraithbone Phoenix

And on the use of white and purple despite it being a reference to real life religion, we see even in universe the use of such colours by members of the imperial church.