Not wanting to join the newly formed Vindicators, the 100 survivors from the Black Templars continued to operate on their own in the sector, unleashing the Emperor’s wrath as they deemed necessary.  However, like the Vindicators, they were cut off from the Imperium and their brethren by the severe warp storms that covered the sector. They could not properly supply themselves, let alone recruit Neophytes from the few human worlds the Vindicators controlled.  With their numbers steadily dwindling, they were forced to form an uneasy partnership with the fledgling chapter to gain recruits.

  Much to the Templar’s dismay, Captain Korovus ordered several Vindicator companies to join them on their Crusades within the sector.  At first they tried to ignore the other marines’ presence, but battle led to many feats of bravery and sacrifice. Soon, both factions were greatly indebted to each other, and the Vindicators deferred to the Templars for leadership within the Crusade.  The Templars quickly realized the value of their position, and attempted to indoctrinate the other marines into their order.

  It almost worked.  Over a 200-year period, the remaining Black Templars established themselves as the leaders of a religious knightly order within the Vindicators: the Ordo Templaris.  All company Chaplains are part of the Chaplain Corps that leads the Ordo Templaris, and therefor lead their separate companies in prayer.  All companies have at least a few brothers that have been indoctrinated into the Ordo, and these brothers are looked upon for leadership in all aspects of life.  A member of the Ordo is looked upon as the ideal of what a space marine should be.  One can always identify a member of the Ordo Templaris by the Crux of Vindication on his left shoulder, and the tungsten Battle-Axe he carries.

  To join the Ordo, a marine must complete a holy quest defined by the Chaplain Corps.  Many never return from their quest, but those that do return with stories of their heroism.  Their deeds are etched into their Ax, to always remind them of their accomplishments.

  These Crusades are characterized by their unexpected ferocity.  Composed entirely of the most revered brethren of the Vindicators, each marine epitomizes devotion to the Emperor and skill on the battlefield.  Nothing will stand in the way of the Ordo’s holy quest, whether it be the recovery of a sacred suit of terminator armor, or the eradication of some vile alien.  Even Imperial planets have felt the wrath of the Ordo Templaris…

  To field the Chaplain Corp, take a normal Chaplain and a Command Squad, upgrading all of the non-independent characters with a power ax and Terminator Honors, and perhaps issuing some holy relics (like a “servo arm.”)  The Standard Bearer must always carry a standard of some kind.  The Chaplain Corps always rides into battle in their Land Raider Crusader, which also bears many holy relics.

  Before a major battle, the Chaplain Corp often selects someone to be the Emperor’s Champion, who is given the Radiant Axe and Sacred Armor.

  If you wish, you may include one Dreadnought, but it mush have the Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon.

Whatever you do, always charge the Chaplain Corps into the heart of the enemy, and plant that banner into his commander’s chest!  Don’t care about the odds, you’re on a Holy Crusade of Vindication!  The Emperor will see you through.

If you happen to have any points left over, feel free to buy some bikes or Landspeeders.  Personally, I think regular landspeeder squads are the only logical choice, mostly so you can set up crossfires or take out armored threats with multimeltas.

  Also, each Veteran wields an Axe, not a wussy sword.  To make it look like tungsten (one of the hardest metals) start with a white undercoat, paint it a bright silver, and then drybrush with a white metallic.  Can’t find white metallic paint?  Go to a Michael’s or similar large craft store and browse through their acrylic paints.  It’ll be a lower quality (ie thicker and cheaper) paint than you’re probably used to, but it’s not to hard to paint it on a weapon.  It works better if you mix in a very small amount of paint thinner.

  Of course, the best part of the Ordo Templaris is the Chaplain Corps!  Imagine a whole squad represented by Chaplain models!  Ideally, each Chaplain should be unique, to make it a characterful squad.  Also, the Deacons that lead the Veteran Squads should be modeled with Chaplains too.  Personally, I think many Dark Angle models could work well for the Deacons, because of the robes.  Just cut off that gay Dark Angle stuff first.

  And go to town on their Crusader!  Put all sorts of cool stuff on it, maybe even a few banners of its own.  Personally, I’d rather use the Command Variant Forgeworld sells, with the twin Heavy Bolters that partially replace the storm bolters.

  For the Emperor’s Champion, I think the Dark Angle Librarian (with the two-handed sword) would be most appropriate.  Maybe cut off his head, and replace the sword with the biggest, most ornate Ax or Halbred you can find.  With a little work, you could turn an ork Big Choppa into an appropriate instrument of the Emperor’s Chosen One.

  If you want to get really crazy, you could etch or paint a scene on each battle-ax, representing each marine’s quest to join the Ordo Templaris.

  Just don’t take any Neophytes.  The Ordo Templaris is the best of the best within the Vindicators; they don’t have time to train and protect someone during a Holy Crusade!

  For your vow, ALWAYS take “Suffer Not the Unclean to Live.”  It’s the only way you can represent the force of that many axe-men.  And it gives the Champion a Strength of 6!  And the –1 to your Initiative would represent the “slowness” of using those axes.  It’ll also make your opponent happy, since he’ll think he has a chance to kill you in HTH, before you smack the hell outta him.