"Bearers of the Word" -- Word Bearers Homebrew Codex
Hello all and sundry! This was a project dreamed up by a friend and I after we had first gotten a taste of the boring-sauce from GW when they released the Black Legion supplement for the 6th Ed. CSM codex. I'm a lore fanatic and he's a Lorgar lover, so we talked about this idea for making a homebrew legion codex for the Word Bearers. Naturally, as most players will, we forget our grumblings and continued rolling dice. A few months later we put finger tips to plastic chits and typed out some stuff. It lay forgotten in the corners of a muddled desktop for ages, hiding among other files of scatterbrain ideas -- until now. Ladies and gents, allow me to show off a bit of the Homebrew Word Bearers codex that was started by my friend Justin and I, and finished by yours truly. Comments and critiques are welcome! Using it for your own battles is even more welcome! It's been used three times on the table-top and thus far it's been fairly balanced.
"Cast down the idols! Destroy the temples! Slay the priests! Show these fools that they worship nothing more than a rotting corpse!"
- Dark Apostle Harzhan
No warriors have ever been more faithful, more devout, or more holy in their crusade to put ignorance and idolatry to an end. They are the light in the dark, emboldened by the Primordial Truth, that shall shine upon all the worlds of Mankind. None shall stand before the sons of Lorgar, bearers of The Word!
The Word Bearers Legion is old and ancient, one of the original twenty legions given form by the Emperor of Mankind at the dawn of the 31st millennium in his endeavor to create an army with which to conquer the galaxy. Born from the geneseed of their sire, Lorgar, called Aurellian, the Urizen, the Word Bearers were one of the most dedicated of Legiones Astartes. Always inclined towards obedience and faith, the Word Bearers were the first to look upon the Emperor and freely declare what others were only willing to think -- that here stood a God among mortal Man. When Lorgar was rediscovered by his Father, he had been expecting him; visions had foretold of his coming and Lorgar had ravaged his own homeworld in holy war to expunge those that would deny the coming of the Golden Lord of Mankind. Though it is little known now, either deleted from some forgotten archive or else purposefully destroyed by either Inquisition or Word Bearer -- Lorgar was the font from which sprung the Lectitio Divinitatus, a grassroots religious cult that would one day grow to become the mighty Adpetus Ministorum, or Ecclesiarchy.
However, the Emperor of Mankind denied his son's veneration and betrayed the Word Bearers. Using his loyal lapdogs, the Ultramarines of Guilliman, the perfect city of Monarchia was obliterated and in the ashes the legion of Lorgar was forced to kneel in shame. Denied their faith, beliefs, and very honor the Legion was left rudderless...for a time. Then came the wise counsel and words of two trusted members of Lorgar's inner circle: Erebus and Kor Phaeron. They whispered of a true path. A pilgrimage that might be undertaken to find the truth. There, at a place where gods and mortals meet, at a place that would become known forever after as the Eye of Terror, Lorgar found what he'd been searching for all along. The Gods of Chaos: Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, and Slaanesh -- the Primordial Truth. Gods are real and the Emperor of Mankind was lying to the galaxy. Lorgar's path was now clear.
What is known to history is vague. Only scattered knowledge, locked and hidden away behind sacred vaults tells of those grim times. Brother would fight brother, son would fight father. The Horus Heresy would leave a mark upon the galaxy -- setting a fire burning -- that would last for ten thousand years. The mission of the Word Bearers is still not complete.
The Word is given. The Word must be preached. Extol yourselves, Sons of Lorgar! For Chaos!
HQ
Kor Phaeron - the Black Cardinal of Sicarus [300 Points]
WS: 6 BS: 5 S: 5 T: 5 W: 4 I: 5 A: 4 Ld: 10 Sv: 2+
Unit Type: Infantry (Character)
Unit Composition: 1 (Unique)
Wargear:
- Terminator Armour
- Frag Grenades
- Krak Grenades
- Sigil of Corruption
Chaos Artefacts:
Special Rules:
- Prophet of Lorgar
- Exalted Champion of Chaos
- Independent Character
- Blessings of the Damned
- Mark of Chaos Undivided
- Veterans of the Long War
Icon of Faith: The Icon of Faith is a relic from Colchis, kept safe by Kor Phaeron before Lorgar's fanatics destroyed the last remnants of the Old Faith from Colchis in preparation for the arrival of the Emperor. It lay hidden in his private vaults for years before the Word Bearers were once again upon the proper path of enlightenment under the auspices of the Chaos Gods.
All models in the unit equipped with the Icon of Faith have the Fearless and Fear special rules.
Sanguis Pia: These are the venerated lightning claws that Kor Phaeron now bears into combat against those that would deny the glory of the Dark Gods. The Sanguis Pia are a pair of lightning claws with the following profile:
Range: -
S: User
AP: 2
Type: Melee, Fleshbane, Soul Blaze
Erebus - Lord of the Dark Council [270 Points]
WS: 5 BS: 6 S: 4 T: 4 W: 4 I: 6 A: 3 Ld: 10 Sv: 3+
Unit Type: Infantry (Character)
Unit Composition: 1 (Unique)
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Bolt Pistol
- Frag Grenades
- Krak Grenades
- Aura of Dark Glory
Chaos Artefacts:
- Umbrae Densus
- The Book of Lorgar
Special Rules:
- Prophet of Lorgar
- Exalted Champion of Chaos
- Eternal Warrior
- Independent Character
- Blessings of the Damned
- Mark of Chaos Undivided
- Veterans of the Long War
Umbrae Densus: Crafted by the most heinous and corrupt of warpsmiths indentured to Word Bearers upon the dark world of Sicarus, is Umbrae Densus -- a crozius arcanum shaped like Illuminarum born by Lorgar himself. It is whispered among the members of the Dark Council that if any other Dark Apostle other than Erebus were to take up the power maul and attempt to use it would have their very souls devoured by the host of daemons bound within the weapon. Umbrae Densus is a power maul with the following profile:
Range: -
S: +2
AP: 3
Type: Melee, Master-Crafted, Daemon Weapon
Book of Lorgar: For any single book to contain the magnificence and pious genius of so perfect a being as the primarch Lorgar's is impossible -- however such a task has been undertaken by the blind-scrivener slaves of the Word Bearers. Upon being accepted as a scrivener, their eyes are ritually gouged out by a Dark Apostle so that their ears may focus fully upon the daemonic words spilling forth from vox recorders that loudly cry out the words of Lorgar himself. These words are then bound within black texts made from the finest-cured human skin. Such is how the Book of Lorgar is written.
Anytime Erebus rolls upon the Chaos Boon Table, he may roll D3+1 times instead of the normal one time allowed. This ability does not stack with "Multiple Rewards."
Marduk - Chosen of the Gods [240 Points]
WS: 5 BS: 5 S: 4 T: 4 W: 3 I: 4 A: 3 Ld: 10 Sv: 3+
Unit Type: Infantry (Character)
Unit Composition: 1 (Unique)
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Bolt Pistol
- Frag Grenades
- Krak Grenades
- Sigil of Corruption
Chaos Artefacts:
- Borhg'ash
- Nexus Arrangement
Special Rules:
- Beseech the Dark Gods
- Exalted Champion of Chaos
- Independent Character
- Blessings of the Damned
- Mark of Chaos Undivided
- Veterans of the Long War
- Zealot
Borhg'ash: Said to have been taken from the forges of ancient Terra and used throughout the Great Crusade, this chainsword is a masterpiece. It's once noble cause in the name of the Emperor ended when it was taken up by a forgotten captain of the Word Bearers and used in the name of greater beings beyond the veil. It now belongs to the Dark Apostle Marduk, who treasures it greatly. Borhg'ash is a chainsword with the following profile:
Range: -
S: +1
AP: 3
Type: Melee, Master-Crafted, Daemon Weapon, Dark Hunger
Dark Hunger: For every unsaved wound that Borhg'ash inflicts on a roll of 5+, this generates a further extra attack. These extra attacks can generate more extra attacks.
Nexus Arrangement: Stolen from the crypts of the ancient Necrons upon the world of Tanakreg, this archeotech device is seemingly beyond understanding. Whether or not he fully understands it, Marduk knows it's effects and keeps it with him at all times -- the device allowing its holder to create massive warp storms and summon daemons seemingly at will.
Marduk adds +2 to all Deny the Witch rolls. Any psyker that targets Marduk, or a unit that Marduk is in, with a psychic power takes a Perils of the Warp check on any doubles. Marduk's controlling player can roll a D6 for every enemy unit that deploys on the board from Reserves -- on a roll of 5+ that unit is delayed due to a warp storm and may not arrive that turn, going back into Ongoing Reserves.
The Warmonger [190 Points]
WS: 6 BS: 4 S: 7 ARMOUR: F-13, S-12, R-12 I: 4 A: 4 HP 4
Unit Type: Vehicle (Character, Walker)
Unit Composition: 1 Chaos Dreadnought
Wargear:
- Power Fist with built-in heavy flamer
- Aura of Dark Glory
Chaos Artefacts:
Special Rules:
- Vengeance
- Beseech the Dark Gods
- It Will Not Die
- Fear
- Zealot
Widowmaker: Designed by the best artificers of the Word Bearers Legion during the dark days of the Horus Heresy, the widowmaker was a weapon of devastating power. That it was entrusted to a hero of the Horus Heresy, the Warmonger, is a sign of how favored a Son of Lorgar he was before trading his wounded flesh for the hardened ceramite of Dreadnought armour. The Widowmaker is a reaper autocannon with the following profile:
Range: 48"
Str: 7
AP: 4
Type: Heavy 4, Twin-Linked, Rending
Vengeance (Special Rule): Due to having fallen during the great cacophonous assault upon Terra at the nadir of the Horus Heresy, the Warmonger is constantly beset by visions of that epic struggle when he finds himself in the heat of battle. Unlike most Chaos Dreadnoughts, the Warmonger retains most of his personality and memories. Only in the fires of battle does his past come back to overlay the present.
The Warmonger has the Hatred (Space Marines), Preferred Enemy (Space Marines), and Crusader special rules.
Dark Apostle of Sicarus [180 Points]
WS: 5 BS: 4 S: 4 T: 4 W: 3 I: 4 A: 3 Ld: 10 Sv: 3+
Unit Type: Infantry (Character)
Unit Composition: 1 (Unique)
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Bolt Pistol
- Frag Grenades
- Krak Grenades
- Sigil of Corruption
- Power Maul
Special Rules:
- Beseech the Dark Gods
- Champion of Chaos
- Independent Character
- Prophet of Lorgar
- Blessings of the Damned
- Mark of Chaos Undivided
- Veterans of the Long War
- Zealot
Options: - May take items from the Ranged Weapons, Chaos Rewards and/or Chaos Artefacts sections of the wargear list.
First Acolyte of the Word [100 Points]
WS: 4 BS: 4 S: 4 T: 4 W: 2 I: 4 A: 2 Ld: 9 Sv: 3+
Unit Type: Infantry (Character)
Unit Composition: 1 (Unique)
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Bolt Pistol
- Frag Grenades
- Krak Grenades
- Sigil of Corruption
- Power Weapon
Special Rules:
- Beseech the Dark Gods
- Champion of Chaos
- Independent Character
- Blessings of the Damned
- Veterans of the Long War
- Zealot
Options: - May take items from the Ranged Weapons, Chaos Rewards and/or Chaos Artefacts sections of the wargear list.
Coryphaus [150 Points]
WS: 6 BS: 4 S: 4 T: 4 W: 3 I: 5 A: 5 Ld: 9 Sv: 3+
Unit Type: Infantry (Character)
Unit Composition: 1 (Unique)
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Combi-bolter
- Bolt Pistol
- Frag Grenades
- Krak Grenades
- Power Weapon
Special Rules:
- Champion of Chaos
- Independent Character
- Veterans of the Long War
- Hatred
- Preferred Enemy (All)
- War Leader of the Host
Options: - May take items from the Ranged Weapons, Chaos Rewards and/or Chaos Artefacts sections of the wargear list.
- May replace power armour with Terminator Armour and may take items from the Terminator Weapons list................30 pts
- May take a single Mark of Chaos from the wargear list.......5 pts
- May purchase any of the Chaos Icons from the Chaos Icons list in the Codex: CSM.......20 pts
War Leader of the Host (special rule): If a primary detachment includes a Coryphaus, units of Chaos Space Marines may be taken as Elite, Fast Attack, and Heavy Support in addition to as Troop choices. Units of Chaos Terminators may be taken as Troops choices in addition to elites.
If a primary detachment includes a Coryphaus, then one unit of "The Anointed" may be taken without any FoC slot being taken up by them.
TROOPS
[Editor's note: Players using the "Bearers of the Word" supplement may take troops as described in the Codex: CSM codex in addition to any of the following troop choices]
Blessed Converts [50 Points]
Blessed Convert WS: 3 BS: 3 S: 3 T: 3 W: 1 I: 3 A: 1 Ld: 7 Sv: 6+
Blessed Deacon WS: 3 BS: 3 S: 3 T: 3 W: 1 I: 3 A: 2 Ld: 8 Sv: 6+
Unit Type: Blessed Convert - Infantry; Blessed Deacon - Infantry (Character)
Unit Composition: 14 Blessed Converts, 1 Blessed Deacon
Wargear:
- Improvised Armour
- Laspistol
- Close combat Weapon
Special Rules:
- Champion of Chaos (Blessed Deacon only)
Options: - May add up to twenty Blessed Converts...... 2 pts / model
- Any model may exchange his laspistol for a lasgun.......2 pts / model
- For every five models in the unit, one Blessed Convert may replace his laspistol & close combat weapon with one of the following: (a) Heavy Stubber...... 10 pts; (b) flamer...... 10 pts
- The unit may purchase one of the following Marks of Chaos: (a) Mark of Khorne.... 1 pts / model; (b) Mark of Tzeentch..... 2 pts / model; (c) Mark of Nurgle..... 2 pts / model; (d) Mark of Slaanesh...... 1 pts / model.
Possessed Word Bearers [100 Points]
Possessed Word Bearers WS: 4 BS: 4 S: 5 T: 4 W: 1 I: 5 A: 2 Ld: 8 Sv: 3+
Possessed Word Bearers Champion WS: 4 BS: 4 S: 5 T: 4 W: 1 I: 5 A: 3 Ld: 9 Sv: 3+
Unit Type: Possessed Word Bearers - Infantry; Possessed Word Bearers Champion - Infantry (Character)
Unit Composition: 4 Possessed CSMs, 1 Possessed CSM Champion
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Daemonic Claws
Special Rules:
- Champion of Chaos (Champion only)
- Daemon
- Fearless
- Fleet
- Preferred Enemy (Loyalists Space Marines)
- Harbingers of Chaos
Options: - May add up to ten Possessed CSMs...... 20 pts / model
- The Possessed Word Bearers Champion may take up to two gifts of mutation.......10 pts / each
- The unit must purchase one of the following Marks of Chaos: (a) Mark of Khorne.... 5 pts / model; (b) Mark of Tzeentch..... 5 pts / model; (c) Mark of Nurgle..... 6 pts / model; (d) Mark of Slaanesh...... 4 pts / model.
Preferred Enemy (Loyalists Space Marines): Driven by their original hatred for the betrayal wrought upon them by the Emperor of Mankind and by the atavistic desire for carnage of their daemonic guests, Possessed Word Bearers have the Preferred Enemy USR against Space Marine armies from any of the original loyalists legions (Ultramarines, Dark Angels, Space Wolves, Imperial Fists, Salamanders, White Scars, Blood Angels, Iron Hands, and Raven Guard). This special rule does not come into effect against Second Founding chapters.
Harbingers of Chaos: The Possessed Word Bearers unit is fueled by the daemons that they host within their bodies, driven to ever greater heights of destruction and slaughter. At the beginning of each turn, the controlling player may choose for his Possessed CSM unit to have one of the following:
Strength of the Damned - The Possessed re-roll all failed To Wound rolls.
Vorpal Claws - The Possessed's melee weapons are AP3.
Supernatural Speed - The Possessed gain +1 Attack and +1 Initiative.
Daemonic Claws: No longer needing the weapons of either the bolter or blade, these daemonically enhanced warriors simply need extend their hands for weapons. Daemonic claws count as two close combat weapons with the following profile:
Range: -
Str: User
AP: 4
Type: Melee, Shred
ELITES
[Editor's note: Players using the "Bearers of the Word" supplement may take Elites choices as described in the Codex: CSM codex in addition to any of the following Elite choices choices]
The Anointed - Glory of the Host [150 Points]
Anointed WS: 5 BS: 5 S: 4 T: 4 W: 2 I: 4 A: 2 Ld: 9 Sv: 2+
Anointed Champion WS: 5 BS: 5 S: 4 T: 4 W: 2 I: 4 A: 2 Ld: 10 Sv: 2+
Unit Type: Anointed and Anointed Champion - Infantry (Characters)
Unit Composition: 2 Anointed, 1 Anointed Champion
Wargear:
- Terminator Armour
- Combi-Bolter
- Frag Grenades
- Krak Grenades
- Power Fist or Power Weapon
Special Rules:
- Champion of Chaos (Anointed Champion only)
- Fearless
- Preferred Enemy (Loyalists Space Marines)
- Veterans of the Long War
Options: - May add up to two Anointed...... 50 pts / model
- The Anointed Champion may take up to two gifts of mutation.......10 pts / each
- The unit may purchase one of the following Marks of Chaos: (a) Mark of Khorne.... 8 pts / model; (b) Mark of Tzeentch..... 8 pts / model; (c) Mark of Nurgle..... 10 pts / model; (d) Mark of Slaanesh...... 8 pts / model.
- Any model may replace his combi-bolter & close combat weapon for a pair of lightning claws..... 10 pts / model
- The unit may take melta bombs.......... 10 pts / model
- Any model may replace his combi-bolter and/or close combat weapon for a chainfist...... 10 pts / model
- One model in the unit may purchase an Icon of CHaos from the following list: (a) Icon of Wrath.....30 pts; Icon of Flame.......20 pts; Icon of Despair...... 15 points; Icon of Excess......40 pts; Icon of Vengeance.....40 pts
- The unit may take a Chaos Land Raider as a Dedicated Transport
Gal Vorbak - The Unburdened [140 Points]
Gal Vorbak WS: 5 BS: 4 S: 5 T: 5 W: 2 I: 5 A: 2 Ld: 9 Sv: 3+
Gal Vorbak Champion WS: 5 BS: 4 S: 5 T: 5 W: 2 I: 5 A: 3 Ld: 9 Sv: 3+
Unit Type: Gal Vorbak and Gal Vorbak Champion - Infantry (Characters)
Unit Composition: 2 Gal Vorbak, 1 Gal Vorbak Champion
None are as like the very first of those Astartes that enjoined flesh with daemon. The Gal Vorbak, the crimson host, are legendary within annals of history. They are not mere possessed Chaos Space Marines. They are Gal Vorbak! Their willingness to be the first among a chosen few has left them particularly blessed -- and able to retain more of their personalities and abilities despite sharing their flesh with a daemon.
Wargear:
- Power Armour
- Daemonic Claws or [bolt pistol + power weapon] (player's choice)
Special Rules:
- Champion of Chaos (Champion only)
- Daemon
- Fearless
- Fleet
- Preferred Enemy (Loyalists Space Marines)
- Harbingers of Chaos
Options: - May add up to seven Gal Vorbak...... 40 pts / model
- The Gal Vorbak Champion may take up to two gifts of mutation.......15 pts / each
- The Gal Vorbak Champion may choose to be upgraded with the Soul of Argel Tal special rule.....50 pts
- The unit must purchase one of the following Marks of Chaos: (a) Mark of Khorne.... 10 pts / model; (b) Mark of Tzeentch..... 15 pts / model; (c) Mark of Nurgle..... 16 pts / model; (d) Mark of Slaanesh...... 14 pts / model.
Preferred Enemy (Loyalists Space Marines): Driven by their original hatred for the betrayal wrought upon them by the Emperor of Mankind and by the atavistic desire for carnage of their daemonic guests, Possessed Word Bearers have the Preferred Enemy USR against Space Marine armies from any of the original loyalists legions (Ultramarines, Dark Angels, Space Wolves, Imperial Fists, Salamanders, White Scars, Blood Angels, Iron Hands, and Raven Guard). This special rule does not come into effect against Second Founding chapters.
Harbingers of Chaos: The Possessed Word Bearers unit is fueled by the daemons that they host within their bodies, driven to ever greater heights of destruction and slaughter. At the beginning of each turn, the controlling player may choose for his Possessed CSM unit to have one of the following:
Strength of the Damned - The Possessed re-roll all failed To Wound rolls.
Vorpal Claws - The Possessed's melee weapons are AP3.
Supernatural Speed - The Possessed gain +1 Attack and +1 Initiative.
Daemonic Claws: No longer needing the weapons of either the bolter or blade, these daemonically enhanced warriors simply need extend their hands for weapons. Daemonic claws count as two close combat weapons with the following profile:
Range: -
Str: User
AP: 4
Type: Melee, Shred
Soul of Argel Tal: Though he is dead, the first Crimson Lord, Argel Tal of the Serrated Sun Chapter of the Word Bearers Legion, continues to live on in spirit through the manipulations of the warp. Astartes and Daemon, bound together on the astral level have -- at different times in history -- imbued a particular leader of the Gal Vorbak with a small measure of the power once wielded by the original Crimson Lord.
The model with this special rule re-rolls all failed To Hit and To Wound rolls in every round of close combat. When engaged in a challenge, the model's close combat attacks have the Rending special rule.
Bearers of the Word Special Rules
Blessings of the Damned: The fell winds of Chaos blow strongly upon any world this man walks. Truly the eyes of the daemonic are upon this individual. Glory or damnation await in equal measure.
A model with this special rule may choose to take D3 of any Psychic Powers from the Malediction table. The model counts as a Mastery Level 1 (Psyker).
Exalted Champion of Chaos: Few are truly worthy of being a champion of chaos, but a handful of those few are beyond all others. These exalted individuals can bring worlds to their knees at the mere mentioning of their name. Men fall into despair, women cry out in terror, and children weep at the coming of these dark harbingers of Chaos.
A model with this special rule ignores all "Unworthy Offering" and "Spawnhood" results from rolling on the Chaos Boon talbe. Further, if the controlling player rolls a "Dark Apotheosis" result, he may choose to re-roll that result, but must accept the 2nd roll no matter if it is the same result as before.
Mark of Chaos Undivided: Truly all the Chaos Gods are worthy of equal worship! Surely no man can deny that without one, the others would be lessened -- but together they are a force unequaled throughout the galaxy! So blessed is this individual that the entire Pantheon of Dark Gods looks upon them with favor.
At the beginning of the controlling player's turn, he/she may choose the model with this special rule to have one of the four Marks of Chaos (Mark of Khorne, Mark of Slaanesh, Mark of Nurgle, or Mark of Tzeentch) and all it's effects. This Mark will last until the beginning of the controlling player's next turn. The same Mark of Chaos may not be chosen in two consecutive turns.
Prophet of Lorgar: None shall deny the Word of Lorgar! Devastating and enrapturing in all its articulate piety, none can fail to heed thy call!
By preaching out the blessed Word of Lorgar from the flesh pages of the Book of Lorgar, the prophet encourages and emboldens his listeners. At the beginning of the Movement Phase, the controlling player may choose one friendly unit within 12" of the model, including the unit the model is in, with this special rule and bestow upon it one of the following USRs: Rage, Adamantium Will, Counter-Attack, or Fearless. The effects of this last until the next turn.
Additional Rules
(1) If a player takes a Bearers of the Word army as his Primary Detachment, it's Warlord must be an HQ choice from the Bearers of the Word supplement.
(2) The Bearers of the Word army treats all Allied Detachments except for other Codex: Chaos Space Marine detachments as Come The Apocalypse.
(3) A Bearers of the Word army detachment may never include any vehicle that has Daemonic Possession. Only by binding the daemon to the flesh can the true path of Chaos be traveled.
(4) If an Ultramarines army or detachment is fighting against an army or detachment of the Bearers of the Word, they receive the following special rule: "Hatred (Bearers of the Word)". This is represented by a player using the Ultramarines Chapter Tactics as described in the Codex: Space Marines. Until the stars of the galaxy burn out, not a single Ultramarine shall forget the scars of war left behind by the betrayal of the Word Bearers! For Calth! For Ultramar!
