Come see the older darker version of the Deathwatch’s Ortan Cassisus, the Ultramarines Master of Sanctity!
Source: Our Friends at Lexicanum
At almost four hundred years old, Cassius is the oldest member of the Ultramarines Chapter (excluding those interred inside Dreadnoughts). He has perfected his oratory skills to allow the Ultramarines to be carried across hundreds of worlds by his command alone.
During the Battle for Macragge, Cassius fought by the side of Chapter Master Marneus Calgar, to repel Hive Fleet Behemoth. During the last stages of the Battle, he accompanied the relief force that rushed to the polar fortresses to relieve the embattled First Company, though it was already too late for these veterans. Few members of Cassius’s unit survived the brutal close-quarters combat that followed, and Cassius himself was incapacitated by a rampaging Carnifex. He survived by only the slimmest of margins, clinging to life until the Apothecaries could tend to his ruined body, which was extensively rebuilt with bionic parts. Scarcely a centimetre of his remaining organic flesh is free of scars, and while his voice has lost none of its fervour, his bionic components can never fully compensate for the rents torn in his throat.
After the Tyranid invasion had been repulsed, Cassius withdrew the Banner of Macragge and only allowed it back onto the field after the Ultramarines’ strength had been fully restored to their former numbers. Cassius also petitioned Calgar for permission to form a new unit of Tyrannic War Veterans, from the most seasoned Ultramarines to have fought at the Battle for Macragge and subsequent conflicts, which was granted. That Cassius, a Chaplain, decided to deviate from the Codex Astartes, which does not authorize such a unit, speaks volumes about his belief in the seriousness of the Tyranid threat.
His oratory skills are such that he can inspire Ultramarines to greater feats of heroism than many others can, though he is also wise enough to know when his men would benefit more from regrouping. Despite his increasing age, he remains a ferocious warrior and is in particular a master of combat against Tyranids, due to his extensive combat experience of fighting against them.
In M41 Cassius leads his Battle Brothers in a series of desperate battles to purge the Genestealer Cult from Torhaven.
Cassius is now heavily scarred, with leathery, weathered skin and white hair.Cassius is also the only warrior of the Ultramarines permitted to call Marneus Calgar “young Calgar”.
Learn more about the Ultramarines
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
