Ambiguous Term? This article is about the Space Marine Chapter. For other uses of Exorcist, see Exorcist (disambiguation).
The Exorcists are a Space Marine Chapter with a particular speciality in combating Daemons and the forces of Chaos.
The Exorcists are a Space Marine Chapter with a very dubious founding history. They were formed as a successor chapter of the Grey Knights at the end of M35, or early M36, in the Thirteenth Founding (The Dark Founding). They have a somewhat worrying creation as they were test subjects for a new form of Daemonhunters. On the subject of the creation, a single communication remains, and was sent from a Genetor-Major of the Xenobiologis core, named Lauram Clelland[Needs Citation].
Members of the Ecclesiarchy were seconded to the Ordo Malleus to help with the creation of the chapter. One member of the delegation, Cardinal Rodrigo Nessun, went mad after witnessing the high rate of failure of the early initiation process, turning to Chaos worship and fleeing with most of the Space Marines that couldn't be successfully exorcised, forming the Swords of Epiphany Chaos Warband.
Exorcists original color scheme. From White Dwarf magazine #101(UK).
The Marines of the Chapter underwent a process known as "Daemonic Possession Therapy". Each Marine was, under very tight security, subject to possession by a minor denizen of the Warp. The creature was allowed to remain within the host body for twelve hours until they were cast out by a Daemon Hunter. Some of the Marines were so damaged physically and psychologically that they had to be terminated. Most however survived and needed only minor reconstructive surgery[Needs Citation].
After a minor period of recuperation the subjects were taught the ways of combating Daemons, trained in the use of the 666 verses of the Book of Exorcisms and equipped with the weapons of an Exorcist. To test their new creations, the Marines were put into combat on a Daemon World on the northern edge of the Eye of Terror. A squad of the Grey Knights were held in reserve, just in case they turned on their masters, while the Exorcist Space Marines achieved a kill ratio of 97:1. Most impressive, especially against Daemons. Test results showed that their adrenaline production tripled and the levels of serotonin dropped drastically. This made the Marines much more aggressive and gave them increased combat effectiveness. Only 1% of the Marines fell to Daemonic infestation again, but the scientists believed they could eradicate the likelihood of this happening. On the basis that their souls are incorruptible and pure, they are effectively invisible to most warp daemons as their souls do not register for the leak of the mortal corruption. Only extremely powerful daemons are able to spot them.
The Exorcists were involved in the Badab War against rebel Chapters. The Exorcists are also one of only four Space Marine Chapters to have both fought in the Third War for Armageddon and against the Thirteenth Black Crusade.
The Exorcists possess at least two battle barges - the Punisher and the Redeemer. They also operate at least four strike cruisers - the Captain Augusta, Hand of Glory, the Eternal Defiance and the Hunter.
143-151.M41 — 12th Black Crusade: The Exorcists were stationed around the Gothic Sector during the Gothic War.
972.M41 — Second Company helped Inquisitor Lord Torquemada Coteaz during the Cleansing of Opridia. The victory was achieved with no small extent due to enacting the Rites of Detestation by Librarians of the Exorcists Chapter, and this Rites were unknown outside Chapter.
998.M41 — Third War for Armageddon: The Exorcists committed 12 Companies to the defense of Armageddon.
999.M41 — Thirteenth Black Crusade: The Exorcists committed 10 Companies against this Black Crusade.
6: Headhunted (Short Story) by Steve Parker — Heroes of the Space Marines (Anthology), pg. 279.
11: The Death of Antagonis (Novel), chapter III.