The Crimson Fists are a Space Marine army in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. They are one of the successor chapters created during the Second Founding, their progenitors being the Imperial Fists.

The army's derives from its Primarch Rogal Dorn's tradition of cutting the palms of new recruits and sharing his blood with them directly, thereby strengthening their 'gene-seed' and creating a bond between them.

The Crimson Fists played a major role in the retaking of lost planets after the Age of Apostacy. This was a dark time in Imperial history when the Ecclisiarch (the religious leader of the Grand Imperium of Man) ran amok, bringing the Imperium to its knees. By the end of this Crusade the chapter had been reduced to 128 marines; since that day the first company of the Crimson Fists is known as the Crusade company and always has 128 marines in it. The head of the Crusade company is also the Chapter Master.

The Fists are one of the most zealous chapters of the Adeptus Astrates. If commanded to do so, they will as readily kill tainted battle-brothers as enemy Xenos. This willingness to do whatever is asked of them has earned them a reputation as lap dogs to the High Lords Of Terra. In recent times they have taken to Ork hunting. Much like the Imperial Fists, and their fellow second-founding chapter the Black Templars, the Crimson Fists prefer a direct approach to combat; they would rather attack the enemy head-on and use their Power Gloves against them than hang back and shoot, even if the latter may be the better option.

The Crimson Fists' home planet is called Rynn's World and was prosperous until it was invaded by Orks along with the neighbouring planet, Badlanding. The chapter's Fortress-Monastery was destroyed by a stray plasma missile. Rynn's World suffered terribly during the invasion and Badlanding remains in Ork hands to this day. The Chapter, and its home planet, were so damaged that since then the Chapter has twice come close to being disbanded. Since the Ork invasion, the Fists' current Chapter Master has sworn vengeance and has begun a campaign to rid the universe of Orks once and for all.

The Chapters' main colour is deep blue. When an initiate joins the ranks of the Chapter his left glove is painted red; when he becomes a member of the crusade company his right glove is also painted red. The highest ranking brother-marines are given Power Gloves.

References

• Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader
• Codex: Space Marines (6th edition)
• Codex: Witch Hunters