No official record of the Harbingers of Judgement founding actually exists in Imperial record. It is believed by the Adeptus Terra that the chapter was created during the 13th Dark Founding of M36 and derives from the gene-seed of the Dark Angels chapter. Indeed, recorded sightings of the chapter dates back to M36 and are currently listed as loyal, despite concerns raised by members of the Inquisition.
Little is known of the chapter’s modus operandi, it is recorded that they operate from a fortress monastery on the recruitment world of Basilica to the galactic northern edge of Segmentum Obscurus. It is also noted they have a large fleet of cruisers and battle-barges that constantly patrols the sector, indicating that the Chapter is constantly split into two large battle groups.
It is believed that the chapter is led by a high-ranking Chaplain and on more than one occasion eye-witness statements reveal that every time a battle force from the chapter is seen they are always lead by a Chaplain and Librarian.

“We are the instruments of the Emperor’s law, we are the bringers of justice.”

The Harbingers of Judgement are deeply devout and zealous, driven to ensure the Emperor’s law is enforced no matter the consequences. They are famed for their endless pursuit of outlaws and fugitives, bringing swift judgement and execution to those they capture.
There has been concerns raised by high-ranking members of the Imperial forces that the chapter is too over-zealous in their pursuit for justice. Indeed on one occasion in M38 the chapter was accused for decimating an entire city they deemed to be guilty of harbouring and aiding a fugitive. Although an investigation was made no conclusive evidence was found and the charges against the chapter was dropped.
In the private records of the Unforgiven however this event is recorded in greater detail. Seen only by the highest ranking members of the Dark Angels and their successor chapters, the event mentions a particularly dangerous member of the Fallen – Brother Erazmus. Following the Fall of Caliban this individual established a power base on the world of Callisumas – creating a secret organisation that undermined Imperial law and caused great trouble for the Imperium. The Harbingers of Judgement answered the call of the Dark Angel’s chapter master to hunt down this individual before the truth was revealed. Upon their arrival the Harbingers of Judgement were fired upon by Erazmus’s followers who tried to bide time for their master to escape.
Their plan failed, Erazmus was captured and executed in the city square – an example to his followers. Then, Chapter Master Elias called for the traitorous residents to reveal themselves for judgement, when all he got was silence from the massed crowds he declared all residents to be accomplices and ordered his troops to overload the primary power stations, resulting in a thermo nuclear explosion that reduced the city, and its inhabitants, to ash.

Chapter Structure

As a successor chapter to the Dark Angels the Harbingers of Judgement follow a similar organizational structure to their parent chapter. The highest ranking members are part of an ‘Inner Circle’ known as “The High Court” and the first and second companies consist of heavily armed Terminator veterans and highly mobile fast attack vehicle squadrons.
The High Court consists of the Chapter Master (typically chosen from the highest ranking Interrogator-Chaplains), the Chief Librarian, a ten-man group of veterans known as the Magistrates and the highest ranking Apothecary and Techmarine.
There are 8 battle companies, each with more authority than the the one below it. New recruits are accepted into the 10th company and will rise through the ranks/companies until they can be considered for membership into the 1st or 2nd company.
However, the Harbingers of Judgement do not have a Reclusiam or Librarius as the Dark Angels do. Instead the members of these too support department are assigned to a company upon their acceptance into the chapter.
Each battle company is led by a high-ranking Interrogator Chaplain with the support of a high-ranking Chief Librarian. Upon the moment of their promotion to this rank both of these individuals pick an apprentice who will succeed them on the moment of their death, or if they are accepted into the High Court. It is the responsibility of these individuals to interrogate and pass judgement on the outlaws their respective company captures (in the event where multiple companies are involved the highest ranking company masters have jurisdiction).
Indeed this structure has led to concerns that the chapter has a larger number of chaplains and librarians than other Space Marine chapters.
Unlike the Dark Angels every member of the Harbingers of Judgement is informed of the truth behind the Fall of Caliban and the pursuit of the Fallen upon the completion of their oath of loyalty, which every recruit must swear by, or have their heads removed. The chapter believes that through this knowledge it’s members are driven further to exact justice on those that have forsaken the laws of the Emperor and closed their minds to his teachings.