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Dark Angels
From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum

The Dark Angels were the I Legion of the twenty original Space Marine
Legions. Their Primarch is Lion El'Jonson. After remaining loyal to the Space Marines Portal
Emperor during the Horus Heresy, this legion was later re-organized and
divided into several Chapters during the Second Founding. One of these Dark Angels
chapters would keep the original legion's name and assets, though all of the
Dark Angels descendants continue to work together to hunt The Fallen as the
Unforgiven.[22]

Contents
▪ 1 History
▪ 1.1 Unification Wars
▪ 1.2 Great Crusade
▪ 1.2.1 The Coming of the Lion
▪ 1.3 The Horus Heresy
▪ 1.4 The Great Betrayal
▪ 1.5 Post-Heresy
▪ 1.6 Recent History
▪ 2 Gene-seed
▪ 2.1 Successors
▪ 3 Culture
▪ 4 Combat Doctrine
▪ 5 Organisation
▪ 5.1 Great Crusade & Heresy-era
▪ 5.2 Post Heresy-era
▪ 5.3 Chapter Disposition
▪ 5.3.1 Headquarters
▪ 5.3.2 Companies
▪ 6 Recruitment Legion Number I
▪ 6.1 Known Recruitment Worlds
Primarch Lion El'Jonson
▪ 7 Fortress-monastery
▪ 8 Noted Elements of the Dark Angels Homeworld Caliban (destroyed); Fleet-based
▪ 8.1 Vessels
Fortress-
▪ 8.2 Aircraft The Rock
Monastery
▪ 8.3 Vehicles
▪ 8.4 Notable Members Chapter Master Azrael
▪ 8.4.1 Heresy Era
Colours Pre-Heresy: Black; Post-Heresy:
▪ 8.4.2 Post Heresy
Dark Green;
▪ 8.5 Notable Fallen Angels
▪ 8.6 Unique Troops & Vehicles (Also used by Successor Deathwing: Bone; Ravenwing:
Chapters) Black
▪ 9 Alternative colour schemes
▪ 9.1 Trivia Specialty Combined arms,[78] Plasma
▪ 9.2 Conflicting sources Weaponry[4f]
▪ 10 Related Videos Deathwing: Terminator veterans
▪ 11 See also and hunting the Fallen.
▪ 11.1 Related Articles
▪ 11.2 Related Publications Ravenwing: Fast attack
▪ 12 Sources Experimental weaponry & tactics,
extermination (pre-Horus Heresy)

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History [33]

Unification Wars Strength ~1000 marines

Battle Cry "Repent! For tomorrow you


The Dark Angels have the honour of being the first Space Marine Legion die!"[1] or "For the Lion!"[25b]
created by The Emperor of Mankind. Their origins are however shrouded in
mystery and secrecy, though it is said their Gene-Seed was in production a Successor Chapters: [Expand]
century before the end of the Unification Wars. During their earliest days
Prototype Space Marines such as Abraxus Ghent were created from the Gene-
Seed of Lion El'Jonson and served as the template for later Astartes to come. Known as the
Primordial Strain, almost none of these initial prototypes are known to not have survived the
process of becoming Space Marines but they nonetheless formed the basis of the initial
culture of the First Legion. The subjects of these early experiments were recruited from
genetically pure and uncorrupted inhabitants of Terra, themselves hard to find amid the many
Atomic wars and genetic plagues. The Emperor mainly acquired such subjects through
captured foes and purchasing slaves from nomadic clans. As a result the earliest Dark Angels
were diverse culturally and recruited from across Terra, in contrast with most of the other
Legions during their earliest days. The First Legion became the crucible in which all the
cultures of Old Night combined with the Emperor's genetic prowess to create a new and
formidable strain of warrior. Most of the new recruits threw aside their former cultures and
instead took on new names drawn from the tales of Old Earth, such as Gilgamesh, Heracles,
Tarchon, and Hengist.[63c]

The Dark Angels first known engagement - and indeed the first combat engagement of the
Legiones Astartes - was combating the Palace Coup at the end of the Unification Wars.[58]
These earliest warriors quickly gained a reputation amongst the disparate armies of the
Dark Angels Space Marine, original
Emperor as the Uncrowned Princes. Fighting at first as small groups within the Emperor's
colours
own hosts, these Crowns inspired both unity and a certain arrogance in the first Space
Marines and spurred them to lead the way amongst the growing Astartes brotherhood. The
Uncrowned Princes would become the first Hosts of the First Legion and were later refined into the
Hexagrammaton by Lion El'Jonson. These Hosts were not bound by Company or Commander and
existed throughout the Legion, at any given battle at least some small number of a given Host would be
present to advise and lead their comrades. As many as 18 Hosts were known to exist in the Legion's
early years, though by the end of the Great Crusade only six existed. These early hosts gained fame in
battles of the Unification Wars such as the Third Siege of Antioch in 603.M30, in which nine Hosts
spread across four Companies saw action, though they numbered less than 30 warriors each. In these
actions the First Legion became the testbed for the various tactics and doctrines that would later become
the Principia Bellicosa of the Legiones Astartes. As other Legions grew in size, some of the more
specialized Hosts became obsolete and were disbanded while others were simply destroyed in combat
due to their inadequacies. Far from harming the Legion, it left the First Legion a well-honed weapon
forged by a bond between disparate warriors. This bond was based upon a sense of superiority and
distinction instilled in them.[63c]

The First Legion was by far the largest Astartes force by the later of the Unification Wars, numbering
10,000 while the other Legiones were often a few hundred each. At the Siege of Samerkend in 668.M30
The winged reaper, the
the First Legion took to the field en mass publicly for the first time. With the Emperor himself at their
original symbol of the 1st
head, the First Legion faced its first true combat test as all 10,000 Astartes backed by contingents from
Legion[63d]
four other Legions took to the field against 200,000 gene-forged Udug Hul of the Great King of Akkad.
It took only ten hours for the First Legion to emerge victorious and slay the Great King of Akkad, whose
head was given to the first Legion Master Hector Thrane. This first victory was to set a pattern of the
First Legion's battles during the Unification Wars and the Sol System, pitting them against the most horrific of foes with orders to
eradicate them completely. This process repeated itself at Fortress Thirty-One in the Thulean Wastes and the Battle of Karnakon
amid the cryo-volcanic mountains of Sedna. To prosecute these horrific campaigns the Emperor granted the First Legion the most
forbidden and ancient weaponry from his vaults. These included biological weaponry which assailed the enemy at the genetic level,
radiation weapons, nanite scourges, magna planet-breakers, and vortrex weaponry.[63d]

Thus among the armies of Unification it was the First Legion which became synonymous with death and were feared and regarded
with ominous superstition by their mortal allies. This reputation eventually found its way into the Legion itself, and they adopted the

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skeletal icon of death as their own. While other growing Legions were granted lesser honorous of standing triumphant in mundane
wars of conquest, the First realized that they were the left hand of the Emperor himself and took pride in their solitary self-imposed
exile and dour demeanor. In time they became known as the Angels of Death, a title that has since become synonymous to all Space
Marines but was originally theirs alone.[63c]

Great Crusade

In the earliest days of the Great Crusade the First pushed out of the Sol System, cleansing the Oort Cloud and keeping watch along
the Heliopause border for terrors that sought to slip into the Emperor's new realm. They also liberated the outermost edges of the Sol
System, recovering whatever few Human survivors could be found. By this point the Legion had become isolated and developed a
complex culture of ciphers and rituals alongside the creation of the first specialized Orders. Upon their return from the outer Sol
System their grey armor had been changed to pitch black. Upon their return they mustered at Saturn, where the Emperor gifted them
a fleet of ancient but highly advanced warships. In the ensuing Great Crusade across the greater Galaxy the First Legion continued
their role as exterminators, using forbidden Archaeotech such as Gene-Phages and Rad-Waves to annihilate enemies deemed too
terrible to face in open battle. As other Legions and Expeditionary Fleet oversaw the colonization and compliance of countless
worlds The First fought nightmarish creatures and Xenos without hesitation or complaint. Many of their campaigns, such as those as
Behtelgen IV, have been deemed classified and thus to many the early career of the First Legion seems lacking.[63c]

These trials would face the Legion into a fearsome weapon and its Legion Master stood as the Left Hand of the Emperor. This role
continued even as early Primarchs such as Leman Russ were rediscovered, with the Legion Master being 3rd in the Imperial Court
after Malcador and Horus. However amid the countless battles the Hosts of the Hexagrammaton, once an ever-shifting body of
knowledge that changed to meet each challenge, had become stagnant. The warriors of the First assumed they had reached the apex
of skill and could learn no more. Recruitment from outside their enclaves on Terra was minimal and each battle led them further
down the path of arrogance. Tradition and ritual became more valued than innovation, and each Order and Host jealously guarded
their small fragments of lore. The Legion began to turn in upon itself as other Legions such as the Luna Wolves, Ultramarines, and
Imperial Fists had grown in prestige and number of triumphs. The final blow for the Legion's fragile pride came at Canis-Balor
where the First was overcome by an unknown Xenos breed and Exterminatus was enacted at the cost of Grandmaster Thrane's life.
[63c]

In the aftermath of the Canis-Balor debacle turmoil swept the Legion as the various Orders and Hosts struggled for primacy. To settle
this problem the First Legion held a great Council at Gramarye that saw bitter vitriol and admonition. The Council was unable to
choose a new Grandmaster, forcing Malcador to intervene and choose Urian Vendraig. Vendraig's new task was to unify and
rejuvenate the Legion and in an unprecedented move allowed Remembrancers to stay by his side and document the First Legion's
ascension. Shortly therafter, the Imperium encountered the vicious Rangda. In their initial campaigns against the Rangad at Advex-
Mors the First Legion lost 5,000 Astartes over four months. In the initial Rangdan Xenocides the divisions of the Legion were only
exacerbated. At Karkasarn the First Legion attempted to regain its glory, only for Grandmaster Vendraig to meet his end after
launching a hasty assault.[63c]

Vendraig's death stung the First Legion hard, as did Roboute Guilliman's scolding of them at the end of the battle. Command of the
Legion fell to the Council of Masters who split it across the stars to seek vindication in conquest. They gave battle without remorse
and without regard for their own life. The 9th and 14th Chapters took the coral citadels of Melnoch from the Fra'al in a single night at
the cost of a tenth of their own, all to outpace the Luna Wolves elsewhere in the cluster. Upon Vorsingun a force of 1,000 Initiates
and 4,000 war engines of the Host of Iron battled an Ork horde over three times its size. They prevailed, but again at a fearsome
price. Yet for each victory the Legion could not regain its former reputation. By the mid Great Crusade they had become known as
grim death-seekers as each Chapter, Host, and Order waged its own independent wars.[63c]

The Coming of the Lion

However the fortune of the Legion changed dramatically when the First Legion's Primarch Lion El'Jonson was discovered on
Caliban. Upon reunion with his Legion The Lion tested his sons mettle by dueling the captain of the company presented before him.
Though not clad in Power Armour and facing a Terminator-clad captain, The Lion bested his foe and it is said both sides learned
respect for the other. From that day forth The Lion renamed the Legion the Dark Angels. Announced by the Primarch, the
connotation was in fact first drawn by his mentor Luther, who quoted a section from the legend upon first seeing Astartes descending
using jump packs: "And the angels of darkness descended upon pinions of fire and light...the great and terrible dark angels."[12] The
first 500 Warriors to stand alongside The Lion on Caliban would become known as the Five Hundred Companions.[63d]

The Council of Masters however became anxious at the news, with some worried what their Primarch would think regarding the
state of the Legion and and others remaining prideful. However The Lion granted new purpose and vision for the fractured Legion,
his first act being to merge the many teachings of Caliban with the First Legion's Hexagrammaton. He combined both to create

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something new and more refined. Alongside his Xana allies the Lion then took a newly mustered host of 20,000 Legionaries - a third
of the Legion - and embarked on a Crusade of his own. He sought out the scattered Companies of Dark Angels across the Great
Crusade. Each Company encountered accepted their Primarch with dour allegiance and each had their Captain tested in battle by The
Lion. The Lion demonstrated his worth by actions and skill rather than words and vague promises, allowing those that might doubt
him to match their blades against his in honest combat. Within a few short years The Lion had gathered 100,000 Legionaires to his
side and mustered them at the Legion's ancient stronghold at Gramarye.[63c]

At Gramarye another Legion Council was held and this time The Lion dueled the ceremonial Council Champion Pyrhus Calagat,
master of the Host of Fire. In an hour long legendary duel the Primarch won the trial and accepted the titles of Grandmaster of the
First Legion and the six Wings of the Hexagrammaton: the Deathwing, Ravenwing, Dreadwing, Firewing, Ironwing, and Stormwing.
Before his Legion the Lion took a final oath before his sons, and they in turn swore oaths of their own to their Primarch. His oath
sworn, the Lion placed new masters over each Wing and formalized the various informal Orders in the style of Caliban's Knightly
Orders. By this time the new recruits from Caliban were ready and The Lion swiftly incorporated them into The Legion. The Lion's
first act was to move on Karkasarn, which had since rose in rebellion against its Ultramarines garrison. The reorganized Dark Angels
under The Lion fought brilliantly, sweeping aside any memories of their earlier humbling on the world and saving their Ultramarines
allies from being overwhelmed.[63c]

As though to answer The Lion's call the Rangda renewed their invasion of the Imperium. In the Rangdan Xenocides waged on, this
time with The Lion leading his Legion alongside his brother Leman Russ.[63c] As the first of the Astartes Legions, the Dark Angels
were quite large during the early to mid Great Crusade. However during the Rangdan Xenocides the First Legion lost 50,000 Battle-
Brothers saving the northern Imperium, a steep cost they would never truly recover from. This contributed to the Dark Angels
eventually losing their status as the most powerful Space Marine Legion, a title that would ultimately be claimed by the
Ultramarines.[36]

Caliban was made the homeworld of the Dark Angels and the whole of the Order moved to join the ranks of the Astartes. Those
knights who were still young enough had the Legion's gene seed implanted within them. Those too old for this process underwent
surgery to transform them into elite warriors of the Imperium. Although they were not full Space Marines, their enhancements
granted them special abilities and a lifespan beyond those of normal men. The first to be brought into the Legion in this way was
Luther, who became Jonson's second-in-command, just as he always had been within the Order. However, the Dark Angel's
contributions to the Great Crusade had barely begun when the Lion sent Luther and a small contingent of Dark Angels back to
Caliban, purportedly to garrison the world and increase the speed and quality of the training given to the Legion's recruits. Whatever
the reason, the force sent back felt disgraced and rejected.[12]

The Great Crusade had to go on: there were countless human worlds that were still under
the influence of Chaos or suppressed by the harsh rule of alien races. In an infamous
episode of the Great Crusade, the Lion and Leman Russ, Primarch of the Space Wolves
Legion, came to blows over the latter's action during the siege of the Crimson Fortress.
This event began a feud that still continues strong in the 41st millennium, usually taking
the form of a ritualistic duel between two elected champions,[2b] although it has been
known to manifest itself in a very violent manner.[14] As Jonson's fame spread
throughout the galaxy and reports of his great deeds and prowess in battle reached the
Legion's homeworld, Luther felt robbed of his share of the glory. He wanted the fame
and recognition that he felt he deserved as Jonson's equal. His role as planetary governor
of some half-forgotten backwater world seemed more and more to him like an insult. Dark Angels Space Marines on Caliban.[12]
The seed of jealousy and dissension that had been planted within Luther when Jonson
was made the Grand Master of the Order now began to grow and rankle within his heart
as the Primarch became more and more celebrated and famous.[1]

The seeds of heresy were further planted during the Dark Angels crusade against the Sarosh, who managed to sneak a nuclear
warhead onto the Lion's flagship. Invincible Reason. Luther discovered the plot and for a moment, overcome by jealously, wondered
if he should leave Jonson to his fate. However he quickly proved his loyalty by foiling the Sarosh assassination attempt, but
somehow The Lion discovered his hesitation. Luther and a portion of the Dark Angels were sent to Caliban, but left to aid Horus
during the Zaramund Campaign. The Lion was furious at this unapproved deployment and angrily demanded Luther return to his
banishment. Feeling abandoned on Caliban and dealing with a rebellion by the landless nobility and Chaos agents, Luther, and his
forces would slowly turn against their Primarch.[13] However the many internal Orders and sects of the Dark Angels made them all
but immune to the Warrior Lodges of the now-treacherous Horus and the Word Bearers, allowing them to be immune from the
subversion that befall other Legions.[63d]

The Horus Heresy

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By the end of the Great Crusade the Dark Angels had a strength slightly under 200,000 Space
Marines, but many of these were spread out across the Galaxy and unaware of the greater
galactic developments.[63d]

During the Horus Heresy, the Dark Angels were far from Terra, campaigning on the Gordian
League shield worlds, and were unable to participate directly in the events taking place there.
Nonetheless, The Lion was able to lead a small strike force to the Forge World of Diamat, Heresy-era Dark Angels
denying traitor forces an important supply base. [13] Once the bulk of the Legion was free
from the war against the Gordian League, Warmaster Horus ordered the Night Lords to
intercept them on the Eastern Fringe and stop them from aiding the Emperor, but after ambushing and destroying much of the Night
Lords fleet in the Thramas Crusade. During the battle, Night Lords Primarch Konrad Curze became stranded aboard the Dark Angels
flagship Invincible Reason, eluding capture and killing every search team sent against him. While the Lion hunted Curze himself, the
Dark Angels fleet set course for Terra but became lost due to the Ruinstorm.[Needs Citation]

During their battles against Daemons in the Warp, the Dark Angels violated the
Council of Nikea on direct orders from The Lion by reestablishing Librarians.
[32a] Due to the Warp Storms plaguing the Eastern Fringes the Dark Angels
followed the Pharos and moved to Ultramar and joined with Roboute Guilliman
and his Ultramarines, helping form the brief Imperium Secundus.[31] During the
Lion's obsessive hunt for Curze, the Dark Angels were used to enforce martial
law on Macragge and the Dreadwing hunted the Night Haunter across Ultramar.
[40] Meanwhile, another detachment of Dark Angels under Captain Ormand
reinforced the Space Wolves against the Alpha Legion at the Alaxxes Nebula[33]
while another under Corswain was tasked by The Lion with hunting down Calas
Typhon following the Battle of Perditus.[40c] Lion El'Jonson leads the Dark Angels during the Horus
Heresy[61]
Ultimately after a number of disasters, clashes between Guilliman, Sanguinius,
and Lion El'Jonson, and a vision by Sanguinius that the Emperor was alive,
Imperium Secundus was abolished. The three Primarch's led their Legions in an attempt to breach the Ruinstorm and reach Terra.
Through an arduous journey, they eventually reached Davin, the nexus of the Ruinstorm, and engaged a vast Daemonic host. After
the battle and the destruction of Davin, a way to Terra through the Ruinstorm was clear. However, in their way stood many enemy
blockades as Horus had foreseen this route. Sanguinius and the Blood Angels raced directly for Terra, as was their destiny, while
Guilliman and Lion El'Jonson led the Ultramarines and Dark Angels in diversionary attacks against Horus' blockade.[45] By the time
of the Siege of Terra the Lion hoped to draw away traitor forces from the Throneworld by striking at their own homeworlds. As a
result, the Dark Angels destroyed several traitor homeworlds such as Chemos, Nuceria,[60] and Barbarus.[49] Meanwhile Corswain's
fleet of Dark Angels was able to reach Terra and aid the loyalists.[60] Rendevouzing with Admiral Niora Su-Kassen and using the
Imperator Somnium to break the traitor blockade of Terra, Corswain and his 10,000 Dark Angels were able to land upon the
Throneworld's surface and recapture the Astronomican.[70a]

The Dark Angels main fleet was eventually able to set course for Terra.[19] Their impending arrival, closely following that of the
Ultramarines and Space Wolves legions, (who had overcome similar obstacles), forced Horus to gamble everything on a duel with
the Emperor, his former master. Horus was defeated by the Emperor, although the Emperor himself was fatally wounded and had to
be entombed within the life-preserving mechanism of the Golden Throne. Lion El'Jonson was stricken with grief over the fact that he
had not been able to protect the Emperor against Horus. After the Heresy, the Dark Angels helped restore order to the Imperium.
However, during this time, the Dark Angels who had been left behind on Caliban became agitated at being forced to essentially
babysit a backwater planet. This led to the leader of the garrison, Luther, turning to the Gods of Chaos, who had just been defeated
with the death of their champion Horus during the Heresy.[Needs Citation]

The Great Betrayal

The Dark Angels returned to Caliban after the war, but they were fired upon by the planetary defences. They were forced to assault
their own homeworld, where they found that their brethren had betrayed them. In a duel which mirrored that of the Emperor and
Horus, Luther and Lion El'Jonson fought, resulting in Luther mortally wounding his former friend. Luther went insane upon realizing
he had struck down his close friend and was captured. In a fit of rage at being defeated once again, the Chaos Gods opened a warp
rift in the planet which scattered the traitorous "Fallen Angels" throughout the galaxy.[1] Other sources state that the Warp Rift was
caused by a causal loop in the 41st Millennium after Azrael, Cypher, Typhus, and others attempted to rewrite the history of Caliban
with the Tuchulcha Engine.[35] Regardless of the truth, one of the "Fallen Angels" who escaped is Cypher, who reportedly took with
him the Lion Blade, the sword of El'Jonson, when he was sent through the warp[Needs Citation].

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The Dark Angel space fleet also bombarded the planet mercilessly, and this caused the
structure of the planet to collapse. The bombardment, combined with the newly formed
warp rift, broke the planet up and it is now an asteroid field[Needs Citation]. This betrayal
has tainted their honour in the eyes of the Dark Angels themselves. Given that the event
was purely within the Legion itself, and was on a world far from Terra, nobody outside
of the Legion knows it occurred. Within the Chapters itself, only the elite veterans are
permitted this knowledge - in the modern Dark Angels Chapter, only the Deathwing and
senior officers know this secret. The Chapter leadership will go to great lengths to ensure
that this knowledge does not reach the Imperium at large, even at times going so far as to
disobey direct orders from Inquisitors and cause overly curious individuals to
"disappear"[Needs Citation]. The Betrayal on Caliban.[13]

Only the most senior members, known as the Inner Circle, know the greatest secret - that
Luther, the great traitor, is still alive and insane, living in a stasis cell deep within the
Rock. Lion El'Jonson's body was supposedly never found; Luther claims, in his near-senseless mutterings, that the Lion is near and
will return and forgive him. The Lion actually sleeps in the most secret chamber in the rock, his presence known only by the
Watchers in the Dark and the Emperor himself, until the time he will awaken and lead his chapter on a new and even greater crusade.
That day, so Luther said to current Supreme Grand Master Azrael, is almost at hand[Needs Citation].

Post-Heresy

Caliban was destroyed during the Betrayal, shattered by the warp rift and orbital bombardment. The remains now form a sizeable
asteroid field. The largest piece, which survived due to the massive void shields in operation around the largest fortress-monastery,
called the Tower of Angels, was hollowed out and became a gigantic spaceship/monastery which is now the home of the Dark
Angels. This ship is known simply as The Rock. Sometime after the Betrayal, the Dark Angels changed their primary heraldry colour
from black to dark green. Lion El'Jonson had previously decreed that Dark Angels could change their armor to green in memory of
the war against the Great Beasts of Caliban.

This story of treachery and betrayal is the Dark Angels' secret shame. None know of it other than some of the Dark Angels, their
Successor Chapters, and, maybe, the Emperor on his Golden Throne. Within the Chapter itself very few Brother-Marines know
exactly what happened during those fateful days[Needs Citation]. At the Council of Farith, the first Chapter Master of the newly
christened Dark Angels Chapter, Farith Redloss, proclaimed that the Sons of the Lion could never be forgiven of their shame until all
of the Fallen are hunted down and forced to repent. The Dark Angels and their successor Chapters, the Unforgiven, have never
ceased in this quest.[68a]

Recent History

M32

▪ 580.M31 - 635.M32: The Forgotten Wars — The Dark Angels battle


Chaos forces at the edge of the Eye of Terror.
▪ 544.M32: War of the Beast — As the Dark Angels battle the Orks
across the galaxy, the 4th Company under Captain Adnachiel arrived on
Terra to take part in the push on Ullanor.[39]

M33

▪ 560.M33: 2nd Mortis Gate Campaign — Almost the entire chapter


deploys for battle.
▪ 732 - 822.M33: Red Stars Campaign
▪ After the Red Stars Campaign, Supreme Grand Master Morderan The Deathwing battles the forces of Chaos.
is convinced by the word of Luther to seek parlay with Cypher.
However the Fallen Angel leads the Dark Angels to a disaster
that naerly destroys the Chapter and led to Mordrean's fall to despair.[68b]

M34

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▪ 101.M34: Bloodpox Campaign

M35

▪ 975.M35: Hrakon Campaign


▪ 980.M35: Hrud Rising

M36

▪ 408.M36: Plague of Unbelief


▪ 439.M36: Rebulus Cleansing
▪ 673.M36: Siege of Dominus Prime
▪ 913.M36: Suppression of The Bellis Rebellion

M37

▪ 551.M37: Battle of Persembe — The 3rd Company under Master Baradiel battles the hordes of the Chaos Lord Potchek on the
world of Persembe.[4g]
▪ 551.M37: Battle for Kurin's Acropolis
▪ 871.M37: Battle of Midpoint
▪ 883.M37: Zambeque Rebellion

M38

▪ 299.M38: Altid Crusade — The Dark Angels assault the world of Altid 156 and battle Elucidax the Keeper.[2d]
▪ Date Unknown: The Hundred Planet Rebellion[30g]

M39

▪ 814.M39: Relief of Rael's World

M41

▪ Date Unknown, Early M41: Macharian Heresy


▪ 775.M41: Fourth Quadrant Rebellion — The entire Chapter deployed, playing a crucial role in crushing the insurrection.[8]
Sammael, Master of the Ravenwing defeated the Fallen Kaligar in a duel lasting a full day and a night.[2a]
▪ Egamonnon Revolt[24a]
▪ 821.M41 Siege of Vraks — Supreme Grand Master Azrael led nearly half of the chapter during the Siege. The force arrived on
board the Battle Barge Angel of Retribution and the Strike Cruisers Sword of Caliban and Salvation and a small number of
Escorts.[6a]
▪ 897.M41: Faze V Uprising — The Dark Angels battle a diabolical machine intelligence and insurgent uprising on the world of
Faze V.[2d]
▪ Date Unknown, Late M41: Battle for Honoria — The Dark Angels and their Imperial Guard allies battle Waaagh! Groblonik.
▪ Battle for Sularian Gate — Last major engagement of the Battle for Honoria. Librarian Ezekiel defeats Warboss
Groblonik in a duel and kills him, shattering his Waaagh!.[2d]
▪ Date Unknown, Late M41: Second Battle of Exyrion
▪ 959-961.M41: Pandorax Campaign
▪ 996.M41: Cleansing of Durganion XIII
▪ 997.M41: Battle of Piscina IV[2d] — The 3rd[7b][25a] & 9th Companies took part in the campaign; the 3rd company was
honoured for its defence of the Koth Ridge.[7]
▪ Date Unknown: Elimination of Makir’s Chaos coven.
▪ Date Unknown: Kapua Campaign — The Ravenwing battles a Chaos force in the Kapua system. Sammael becomes Grand
Master of the Ravenwing.
▪ Date Unknown: Battle for Bane's Landing — The 5th Company under Master Balthasar confronts the Chaos Space Marine
warband known as the Crimson Slaughter in a quest for vengeance for their earlier killings of Battle-Brothers.[18]
▪ Date Unknown: Battle for Prefectia — Dark Angels with support of the Imperial Knight Capulan fought there with the Tau
KV128 Stormsurge, piloted by Shas'vre Doros.[37]
▪ Date Unknown: Gehöft Incursion — When the planet Gehöft became the point of the Blighted Claw attack and Daemonic
incursion, Dark Angels of Sammael with the aid of the White Scars Chapter and Brindelweld Imperial Guard arrived to help
the inhabitants. Unfortunately it was to late and despite the fury confrontation, the planet was lost and undergo Exterminatus.

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[28]
▪ Date Unknown: Battle of the Caliban System — The entirety of the Dark Angels chapter battles the combined fleet of Typhus
and the Fallen Angel Astelan at the Caliban System to prevent them from bringing the Fallen into the present.[35]
▪ 999.M41: 13th Black Crusade — All 10 Companies are deployed around the Eye of Terror to combat Abaddon the Despoiler.
The Dark Angels search for the mysterious Voice of the Emperor.[17]
▪ 999.M41: Siege of the Fenris System — Due to the manipulations of the Changeling, the Dark Angels are tricked into
gathering a coalition and moving on the Homeworld of the Space Wolves, Fenris.
▪ ~999.M41 The Siege of The Rock — During the formation of the Great Rift, a Daemonic army under the Fallen Daemon
Prince Marbas invades The Rock. The incursion is quickly defeated, by Azrael quickly realizes it was a diversion in order to
set Luther free.
▪ ~999.M41: Ultramar Campaign & Terran Crusade — Dark Angels elements answer the call of the reborn Primarch Roboute
Guilliman fighting alongside not only Space Wolves but even the Fallen.

M42

▪ ~999.M41 — Present: The Indomitus Crusade


▪ Date Unknown: The Massacre at Darkmor — Six Unforgiven chapters are devastated in an ambush orchestrated by Cypher.
In the aftermath of the disaster Azrael organizes a summit of all Unforgiven Chapters Supreme Grand Masters at The Rock.
During the summit, Roboute Guilliman and his new Indomitus Crusade docks at The Rock and delivers much-needed Primaris
Space Marine reinforcements. Relieved that Guilliman apparently did not know or at least did not care about the truth of The
Fallen, Azrael pledges his forces to the new Crusade.[46d]
▪ Date Unknown: Invasion of the Stygius Sector
▪ Date Unknown: Hundred Day War
▪ Date Unknown: Combating a Genestealer Cult rebellion on Muz.[55]
▪ Date Unknown: The secret Purging of Allhallow in cooperation with the Tau due to a psychic plague affecting its population.
[47]
▪ Date Unknown: The Battle for Artisan.
▪ Date Unknown: War of Beasts — The Dark Angels lead a force of Unforgiven to Vigilus for their own ends. Though they aid
the Imperial defenders, during the height of the fighting the Ravenwing abandons the battle to pursue their unknown agenda.
[48]
▪ Date Unknown: Assault on Sortiarius — The Dark Angels 5th Company under Master Lazarus battles the Thousand Sons on
Sortiarius alongside the Grey Knights in order to foil the ritual of Magnus the Red.[57]
▪ Date Unknown: Battle on Dekidua against the Necrons alongside the Blood Angels.[66]
▪ Date Unknown: The Octarius War[71]
▪ Date Unknown: As part of the Arks of Omen Campaign, The Rock is assaulted by Vashtorr and allied Chaos forces in search
of a fragment of The Key. After being lured into an ambush, Vashtorr's forces board The Rock and nearly capture its key
fragment. However due to intervention by Be'lakor, the Dark Angels are able to hold out long enough to regroup and reinforce
themselves with forces from a nearby Indomitus Crusade taskforce.[75] Shortly afterwards, a vengeful Azrael summons nearly
three fourths of the total strength of the Unforgiven to hunt down Vashtorr in the Somnium Stars. In the subsequent Battle of
Idolatros, the Dark Angels and their Successors discover that Lion El'Jonson has returned to the Imperium after ten thousand
years of absence. Though Imperial forces are able to inflict heavy losses on the forces of Chaos, Vashtorr is able to acquire the
Tuchulcha and complete The Key. Azrael remains Supreme Grand Master of the Unforgiven as Lion El'Jonson goes on to
establish his own Protectorate in Imperium Nihilus and recruits Loyalist Fallen to defend it.[77]

Unknown/Uncategorised

▪ The Battle of Quintus — ???


▪ Pontus Rebellion — ???
▪ Tyrannic Wars: Defence of Straton[24b]

Gene-seed
As the first Space Marine Legion, Dark Angels Gene-Seed is among the purest and least degraded. Remarkably, Dark Angels
Apothecaries have observed that gene-seed carried by Primaris Space Marines is universally of the highest quality they have ever
seen, and so the Chapter's stock is qualitatively and quantitatively in excellent health. There are no known aberrations in the Dark
Angels gene-seed, which makes the historic reluctance of the High Lords of Terra to use it in new Foundings perplexing. In the Era
Indomitus, however, this policy appears to have been relaxed. Some in the Inquisition argue that Roboute Guilliman was involved in
this decision, while others claim that there is a desire in Terran and Martian circles to counter-balance the amount of Ultramarines

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successors.[53]

Successors

The Dark Angels and their successor chapters are collectively known as the "Unforgiven" and generally
maintain close links with each other. The Chapter Masters of each chapter belong to the Inner Circle and
also carry the honorific of "Grand Master of the Inner Circle". The Dark Angels Chapter Master is also the
Inner Circle supreme leader and every member of the circle answer to him when it comes to the hunt for
the Fallen.[16]

Dark Angel's Successor Chapters, much like themselves, will abandon everything for the hunt of the
Fallen. It's known that the Dark Angels Legion sired at least three Second Founding chapters, although A Dark Angel
several others are also thought to hail from this Founding.[16]

Culture
The organisation of the Dark Angels Chapter has been shaped primarily by events in its
history; as a result, it is different from that of any other. The Chapter is monastic in
nature with much time being given over to worship and prayer. There are also many
different levels within the Chapter that individuals may gradually rise through. On
attaining each level, they find out a little more about the truth behind the Dark Angels'
origins. Most Dark Angels themselves know nothing about the beginnings of the
Chapter. It is only those at the very top who have learned the whole truth[Needs Citation].

The Dark Angels are known for their bewildering array of ancient rites and rituals, such
as the Feast of Malediction and the Rite of Sins Renounced to the three-day Mindchant
of the Iron Penance and the Liturgy of the Thrice-avenged. Most of these rituals are led
by Chaplains and are all cold and solemn ceremonies. None of these are without
meaning, and are heavily tied to ascension deeper into the Inner Circle.[67e]
A Dark Angels Space Marine
The Dark Angels have accepted the new Primaris Space Marines out of necessity, but the
Inner Circle remains skeptical of their presence as they have not gone through the strict
rituals and tests of loyalty present to the rest of the Chapter. The Inner Circle debated over what to do about initiating Primaris into
the Deathwing.[46d] However, this issue was resolved when one of the existing Deathwing members, Lazarus, survived the Rubicon
Primaris and a newer Primaris named Apharan was vouched for to take the trials by Azrael himself.[53] Since then, more Primaris
have joined the ranks of the Deathwing, including Primaris Bladeguard Veterans.

Combat Doctrine
In the same vein as their father Lion El'Jonson, Dark Angels officers are expert tacticians and specialists and have been quick to
capitalize on the skills of Primaris Space Marines and the particular varieties of their squad types. New specialized formations have
been developed alongside ancient patterns such as the Hammer of Caliban and Scout Recon Stalker Strike. Caliban's Reach is
but one example, which combines the firepower of Hellblasters and Devastators with Centurions to devastating effect. The advanced
infiltration and reconnaissance skills all Primaris Space Marines learn as part of their Vanguard training is of great value to a chapter
seeking hidden foes. The Omniscramblers of Infiltrator Squads can severely disrupt enemy communications, allowing Ravenwing
squadrons to strike without their quarry being warned. The Divinator-class Auspexes of the Incursors collect data from battlefields
that previously would have been almost impossible to extract. This yields new information to the Inner Circle to act upon without
Vanguard Space Marine's knowledge.[53]

In addition, the Dark Angels are known to have access to a disproportionate amount of Plasma Weaponry.[4f] During the time of the
Great Crusade the Dark Angels were known for their strategic flexibility thanks to the Hexagrammaton as well as vaults of forbidden
weaponry. They also sported perhaps the largest fleet of the Space Marine Legions including highly advanced relic capital ships
including multiple Gloriana Class Battleships. The demands of the Crusade combined with the Legion's own strategic flexibility saw
it deployed over a wide swathe of the Galaxy over a single warzone, and thus they maintained few in the way of major strongholds.
[63d]

Organisation

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Great Crusade & Heresy-era


▪ ▪

The various Dark Angels titles of the Heresy era[63d]
Initially during the Unification Wars and Early Great Crusade the Dark Angels
Legion was divided into a number of Hosts and Orders. Most of these Hosts
were later reorganized by Lion El'Jonson into the Hexagrammaton, although the Orders of the Hekatonystika endured all the way
into the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.[63] The Hekatonystika served as the hidden counterpart of the Hexagrammaton and was
charged with keeping its most dangerous secrets safe.[63b] Publicly, the Dark Angels maintained traditional Chapters and Companies,
but each of their Commanders secretly held allegiance to one of the Dark Angels Orders. There were hundreds of Dark Angels
orders, which varied in size; some only had a dozen or so members. Each Order had its own strict hierarchy, and unlike the Hosts
they were far more secretive. Members of the Orders communicate with one another via ciphers and cryptic signals.[63d]

By the time of the Horus Heresy the Hexagrammaton consisted of six specialized "Wings": the Deathwing, Ravenwing, Dreadwing,
Ironwing, Firewing, and Stormwing.[31] These formations were a legacy of the Unification Wars.[63d]

Members of the Heresy-era Dark Angels often had allegiance to three different bodies: That of their Order, that of their
Hexagrammaton host, and that of their Chapter and Company. It was only through superb skill, familiarity, and long-term
indoctrination that the Dark Angels were able to avoid chaos with such a system and indeed used it to their full potential.[63d]

Supreme authority of the Legion rested with its Primarch, Lion El'Jonson. Before this, a Grandmaster ruled but, after two successive
deaths of these figures during the Great Crusade, the Council of Masters (consisting of the six heads of the Hexagrammaton) took
over strategic operations of the Legion. Even after Lion El'Jonson's arrival, the Council of Masters continued to play an important
role. Below these were the Conclave of Preceptors from the various Orders. The Preceptors took on a strategic leadership role only
when their specialist skills were demanded by the conflict at hand. This created a flexible chain of command that allowed for a
multitude of simultaneous deployments rather than massing in a single warzone. It played to the strengths of The Lion, who had little
interest in micro-managing his Legion's strategies and instead excelled in direct battlefield command.[63d]

Post Heresy-era

To outside observers, the Dark Angels seem to follow the standard Codex Astartes organization - comprising 10 companies of
roughly 100 Marines plus Headquarters Staff, however, they do have several organisational differences which are unique to them and
their Successor Chapters -

▪ Inner Circle: It is in the organization of the Dark Angels' higher levels that the chapter deviates from the dictates of the Codex
Astartes. At the highest level of the Chapter is the Inner Circle, which consists of a number of officers who stand apart from
the company organization, and include the Chapter's Librarians and Interrogator-Chaplains. Companies are each led by a
Master, who is part of the Inner Circle.[30b]

The first two companies are also uniquely organized[30b]:

▪ The First Company is called the Deathwing, which often fights in Terminator armour.
▪ The Second Company is the Ravenwing, which is a formation consisting entirely of fast and highly mobile units such as bike
and Land Speeder squadrons.

The remainder of the Chapter is organized along Codex lines, though they are not deployed as such. Rather than being deployed on
the Company level, the Dark Angels frequently deploy as Strike Forces based around the lore of Caliban such as the heavy assault
Beastslayer Strike Force and Scourge of Caliban many-pronged assault force. The most frequently used type of strike force is the
Lion's Blade, a demi-company formation supported by elements of Deathwing and Ravenwing. It is often strengthened by drawing
squads from the 10th Company as well as Scouts.[30a]

Chapter Disposition

Headquarters

Chapter Command

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Inner Circle

▪ Azrael, Supreme Grand Master of the Dark Angels[4a]


▪ The Company Masters, including :
▪ Belial, Grand Master of the Deathwing[2a]
▪ Ezekiel, Grand Master of Librarians[4]
▪ Sammael, Grand Master of the Ravenwing[2a]
▪ Sapphon, Grand Master of Chaplains[4]

Reclusiam Librarius Armourium Apothecarion Fleet Command Others

Sapphon[4] Ezekiel[4] Belaphor[30b] Razaek Nephalor[30b] Sepharon


Grand Master of Grand Master of Master of the Master of the Grand Master of the Fleet Warden of the Gates
Chaplains Librarians Rock[10] Apothecarion
▪ 8 Battle ▪ 1,200
▪ 30 ▪ 4 ▪ 22 ▪ 10 Barges[30b] Servitors
Interrogator Epistolaries Techmarines Apothecaries ▪ 16 Strike ▪ Administrative
Chaplains ▪ 8 Codiciers ▪ 113 Cruisers[30b] Staff
▪ 8 Servitors ▪ 21 Rapid Strike ▪ Support
Lexicaniums ▪ Razorbacks Vessels[30b] Personel
▪ 4 Acolytes ▪ 16 Predators (Chapter
▪ 31
▪ 12 Serfs)
Thunderhawks[30b]
Whirlwinds
▪ 21 Land
Raiders Brother Apharan
▪ Stormraven Warden of the Rock
Gunships
▪ 6 Venerable
Dreadnoughts

Companies

The current Companies and their Captains are as follows.[46a]

1st Company 2nd Company Battle Companies

"The Deathwing" "The Ravenwing" 3rd Company 4th Company 5th Company

"The Unmerciful" "The Feared" "The Unrelenting"

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Belial[2a] Sammael[2a] Master Astoran Master Korahael Master Lazarus


Master of the Deathwing Master of the Ravenwing Master of the Master of the Fleet Keeper of the Unseen
Arsenal[30b] Ritual[18]
▪ 2 Strikemasters ▪ 2 Talonmasters ▪ 2 Lieutenants
▪ Chaplain ▪ Chaplain ▪ 2 Lieutenants ▪ Chaplain ▪ 2 Lieutenants
▪ Apothecary ▪ Apothecary ▪ Chaplain ▪ Apothecary ▪ Chaplain
▪ Company Ancient ▪ Ravenwing Command ▪ Apothecary ▪ Company ▪ Apothecary
▪ Company Squad ▪ Command Squad Ancient ▪ Command Squad
Champion ▪ Company Ancient ▪ Company ▪ Company ▪ Company Ancient
▪ Deathwing Knights ▪ Company Champion Ancient Champion ▪ Company
▪ Deathwing ▪ Black Knights ▪ Company ▪ Company Champion
Command Squad ▪ 6 Attack Squadrons Champion Veterans ▪ Company
▪ 20 Terminator ▪ 4 Support Squadrons ▪ Company ▪ 6 Battleline Veterans
Squad ▪ Land Speeders Veterans Squads ▪ 6 Battleline
▪ 9 Venerable (Including ▪ 6 Battleline ▪ 2 Close Support Squads
Dreadnoughts Squads Squads ▪ 2 Close Support
▪ Land Raiders Vengeance Patterns ▪ 2 Close Support ▪ 2 Fire Support Squads
and Darkshrouds). Squads Squads ▪ 2 Fire Support
▪ 2 Fire Support ▪ 2 Dreadnoughts Squads
▪ Dark Talons and Squads ▪ Rhinos ▪ 4 Dreadnoughts
Nephilim Jetfighters. ▪ 3 Dreadnoughts ▪ Razorbacks ▪ Rhinos
▪ Rhinos ▪ Repulsors ▪ Razorbacks
▪ Razorbacks ▪ Repulsors
▪ Repulsors

Reserve Companies Scout Company

6th Company 7th Company 8th Company 9th Company 10th Company

"The Resolute" "The Unbowed" "The Wrathful" "The Remorseless" "The Redeemed"

Master Araphil[30b] Master Ezekiah Master Molochi Master Xerophus Master Ranaeus
Master of the Rites Master of the Watchers[30b] Master of Condemnation Master of Relics[30b] Master of Recruits[30b]

▪ 2 Lieutenants ▪ 2 Lieutenants ▪ 2 Lieutenants ▪ 2 Lieutenants ▪ 2 Lieutenants


▪ Chaplain ▪ Chaplain ▪ Chaplain ▪ Chaplain ▪ Chaplain
▪ Apothecary ▪ Apothecary ▪ Apothecary ▪ Apothecary ▪ Apothecary
▪ Command Squad ▪ Company Veterans ▪ Command Squad ▪ Command Squad ▪ 10 Scout Squad/
▪ Company Veterans ▪ Company Ancient ▪ Company ▪ Company Vanguards
▪ Company Ancient ▪ Company Champion Veterans Veterans ▪ 117 Unassigned
▪ Company ▪ 10 Battleline Squads ▪ Company ▪ Company ▪ Neophytes
Champion ▪ 3 Dreadnoughts Ancient Ancient
▪ 10 Battleline ▪ Rhinos ▪ Company ▪ Company
Squads ▪ Razorbacks Champion Champion
▪ 1 Dreadnought ▪ Repulsors ▪ 10 Close Support ▪ 10 Fire Support
▪ Rhinos Squads Squads
▪ Razorbacks ▪ 2 Dreadnoughts ▪ 4 Dreadnoughts
▪ Repulsors ▪ Rhinos ▪ Rhinos
▪ Razorbacks ▪ Razorbacks
▪ Repulsors ▪ Repulsors

Recruitment
As the Dark Angels are no longer based on an actual world, they draw their recruits from a variety of planets, mainly highly

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primitive worlds. The Dark Angels have sworn oaths to protect thousands of worlds which, in return,
supply potential aspirants for the chapter.[52a]

Representatives of the Dark Angels visit each recruiting world once within a normal human's lifetime
and take the strongest juveniles from the population. Each recruit is thoroughly screened, and from the
moment he is accepted into the Chapter as a Space Marine his past becomes irrelevant.[1]

After the Heresy, the Dark Angels recruited from a single planet (known as the Plains World). Sometime
before the 41st Millennium a group of returning Deathwing found that their planet had been overrun
fifty years earlier by Genestealers, with only a few untainted humans remaining. The Terminators, Deathwing Terminator
whose duty and honour required the extermination of the genestealers, prepared themselves for battle.
Because the odds of their success were nearly non-existent, the Terminators engaged in their native
death ritual. Instead of anointing their skin with white ash, they anointed their armour. The Terminators cleansed the world and
rescued the enslaved populace, and in honour of those few Terminators, their armour was ever after white. Meanwhile, the Dark
Angels leadership, the Inner Circle, recognized the folly of relying upon one planet for manpower and so diversified their recruiting
grounds.[9]

Known Recruitment Worlds

The Dark Angels recruit from thousands of worlds across the galaxy.[52a] Known recruitment worlds include:

▪ Aginor Sigma[51]
▪ Bartia
▪ Bregundia — Semi-Feral World.
▪ Duthovan — Recruitment world during the Great Crusade.
▪ Gramarye — Great Crusade/Heresy-era.[63c]
▪ Grymmport[46g]
▪ Grymm's Landing — Destroyed.[46c]
▪ Kalabria — Desert World.[25b]
▪ Kimmeria — Feral World.[1][46e]
▪ Narcium[46f]
▪ New Macedon
▪ Numarc — Ice World
▪ Nymidae
▪ Piscina V[25a]
▪ Plains World — Overrun by Genestealers.
▪ Slathe
▪ Styx[46c]

In addition, the Dark Angels are known to maintain fortified bastions on other worlds, including Piscina IV.[25a]

Fortress-monastery

The ruins of Caliban are located in the Cadian Sector, close to the Eye of Terror. Prior to the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy, the
planet of Caliban was covered with lush forests inhabited by creatures warped by Chaos. The humans of the planet were a proud,
martial people forced to live in great fortress monasteries of stone.[Needs Citation]

The Dark Angels rebuilt their fortress-monastery on the asteroid that had borne the old one, drilling deep into the bedrock and
rebuilding the ruins. The new fortress is known officially as The Tower of Angels but is more commonly referred to as The Rock.
The Rock has been equipped with warp engines, enabling faster-than-light transit through the Immaterium.[1]

The warrens beneath The Rock are where the Dark Angels bring their fallen brethren to be redeemed by their Interrogator-Chaplains.
It is believed by the Inquisition to hold many other secrets.[Needs Citation]

However, even this pales in comparison to the greatest secret held by the Dark Angels. This secret is known only to the Watchers in
the Dark and to the Emperor himself. Deep within the bedrock of the asteroid which is their home, there is a solitary chamber. In this

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chamber, attended to by the Watchers in the Dark, lies the sleeping form of Lion El'Jonson.[Needs Citation]

Noted Elements of the Dark Angels


Vessels

▪ The Rock — Space station, current base of operations and Fortress


Monastery
▪ Invincible Reason — Flagship & Gloriana Class Battleship[12]
▪ Chimaera — Star Fort (Heresy-era)[36]

Aircraft

▪ Roar of Vengeance — Thunderhawk; personal conveyance of the Supreme


Dark Angels, including Primaris Space Marines, battle
Grand Master[23]
the forces of Chaos

Vehicles

▪ Corvex — The last known Imperial Jetbike and personal transport of


Sammael
▪ Sableclaw — Personal Land Speeder of Sammael

Notable Members

Heresy Era

▪ Lion El'Jonson — The Dark Angels Primarch[1]


▪ Luther — Grand Master of the Order
▪ Corswain — Seneschal, Captain-Paladin of the Ninth Order
▪ The Lord Cypher
▪ Holguin — Voted Lieutenant of the Deathwing
▪ Farith Redloss — Voted Lieutenant of the Dreadwing, became the first
post-Heresy Supreme Grand Master[68]
▪ Griffayn — Voted Lieutenant of the Firewing, Sergeant-at-arms
▪ Titus — Voted lieutenant of the Ironwing
▪ Aloceri — Voted Lieutenant of the Ravenwing
▪ Calloson — Voted Lieutenant of the Stormwing
▪ Vastael — Voted Lieutenant of the Firewing
▪ Astelan — First Master on Caliban
▪ Gahael - Master of the Second Order[43a]
▪ Moriaen - Master of the Sixth Order[43a] Dark Angels Primaris Space Marine[46f]
▪ Alajos — Master of the Ninth Order during the Horus Heresy. Was killed
by Sevatar during the Thramas Crusade[29]
▪ Tragan — Was a Sergeant in the Dark Angels Legion's Ninth Order during the Horus Heresy, where he served under Captain
Alajos command. He took part in the Thramas Crusade. Later he became the Captain of the Ninth Order instead of Alajos
▪ Althalos — Chapter Master[36]
▪ Belath — Chapter Master
▪ Adophel - Chapter Master[70]
▪ Haradin — Master of the 3rd Order
▪ Galedan — Chapter Master, served as Captain under Chapter Master Astelan in the Great Crusade
▪ Astoric — Captain during the Great Crusade, where he served under Chapter Master Astelan
▪ Melian — Captain during the Great Crusade, where he served under Chapter Master Astelan
▪ Duriel - Master of the 12th Order, Ironwing Master, Castellan of the Invincible Reason[65]
▪ Ormand — Captain
▪ Suleiman Grimm - Lord Commander[69]
▪ Elikas — Chief Librarian

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▪ Myrdun — Epistolary
▪ Zahariel — Master of the Mystai on Caliban, former Knight of The Order. [12]
▪ Uzziel — Interrogator Chaplain, former Knight of Lupus[Needs Citation]
▪ Nemiel — Chaplain
▪ Inardin — Paladin Commander of the Ninth Order[43b]
▪ Remiel — Training Master
▪ Kohl — Sergeant and oldest member of the Legion
▪ Abdaziel Magron — Heresy era Sergeant awakened in 41 Millennium [11]
▪ Nemean — Blackshield and later Knights-Errant
▪ Stenius — Captain of the Invincible Reason
▪ Vassago — Zahariel's adjutant
▪ Zanthus — Chapter Master
▪ Nerael — Chapter Master
▪ Astrovel — Chapter Master
▪ Hector Thrane - Legion Master[63]
▪ Urian Vendraig - Legion Master[63]
▪ Marduk Sedras - Dreadwing Eskaton[54]
▪ Castiel - Praetor
▪ Oramas - Contemptor Dreadnought
▪ Idravain Mors - Deathwing member
▪ Astilaeus - Cenobite
▪ Alais Decur - Firewing member
▪ Zediel - Legionary
▪ Vendrahel - Knight-Preceptor

Post Heresy

▪ Primarch - Lion El'Jonson (recently returned)[77]


▪ Supreme Grand Master
▪ Azrael — Current Supreme Grand Master of The Dark Angels and Keeper of The Truth[4a]
▪ Reclusiam
▪ Sapphon — Current Grand Master of Chaplains & Master of Sanctity. He received the post neither due to age nor ability
as an interrogator (Asmodai is his superior in both these things) but due to his ability as an inspirational leader, also
referred to as the Finder of Secrets.[4c]
▪ Asmodai — Master Interrogator-Chaplain[4c]
▪ Boreas — Interrogator Chaplain [12]
▪ Palaliah — Interrogator-Chaplain[67d]
▪ Raguel - Interrogator-Chaplain
▪ Librarius
▪ Ezekiel — Current Chief Librarian, Keeper of the Book of Salvation and Holder of The Keys[4b]
▪ Yehoel — Codicier[67d]
▪ Zadkiel — Epistolary
▪ Vezuel — Epistolary
▪ Turmiel — Librarian[18]
▪ Baraqiel — Librarian[57]
▪ Merlith — Lexicanum
▪ Armourium
▪ Belaphor - Master of the Rock
▪ Apothecarion
▪ Razaek - Chief Apothecary
▪ Logisticiam
▪ Sepharon — Master of the Logisticiam and Warden of the Gates
▪ 1st Company — Deathwing
▪ Belial — Master of the Deathwing [2a]
▪ Bethor — Chapter Ancient and Bearer of the Sacred Standard.[4e]
▪ Apharan - First Primaris Deathwing Member[53]

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▪ 2nd Company — Ravenwing


▪ Sammael — Master of the Ravenwing [2a]
▪ Phanuel — Ravenwing Champion[67c]
▪ Sabrael — Black Knight[51]
▪ Nereal - Ravenwing Member[53]
▪ 3rd Company
▪ Astoran — Master of the 3rd Company and Master of the Arsenal[30b]
▪ 4th Company
▪ Korahael — Master of the 4th Company and Master of the Fleet
▪ Harrad — Company Champion
▪ 5th Company
▪ Lazarus — Master of the 5th Company and Keeper of the Unseen Ritual[53]
▪ Zakariah — Primaris Lieutenant
▪ 6th Company
▪ Araphil — Master of the 6th Company and Master of the Rites
▪ 7th Company
▪ Ezekiah — Master of the 7th Company and Master of the Watchers
▪ 8th Company
▪ Molochi — Master of the 8th Company and Master of Condemnation
▪ 9th Company
▪ Xerophus — Master of the 9th Company and Master of Relics
▪ 10th Company
▪ Ranaeus — Master of the 10th Company and Master of Recruits

Notable Fallen Angels

▪ Cypher — The most hated of the Fallen, supposedly took the Lion Sword[64]
▪ Luther — Former right-hand man to Lion El'Jonson[1]
▪ Astelan — Former Master of the Order on Caliban, a Terran[10]
▪ Cadmus — Tracked and killed by Jeremiah Gieyus[14]
▪ Zhebdek Abaddas — former Captain [11]
▪ Marbas - Only Fallen to have become a Daemon Prince[64]

Unique Troops & Vehicles (Also used by Successor Chapters)

▪ Interrogator-Chaplain
▪ Deathwing
▪ Deathwing Strikemaster[67b]
▪ Deathwing Command Squad[67b]
▪ Deathwing Champion[67b]
▪ Deathwing Apothecary[67b]
▪ Deathwing Bladeguard Veteran[67b]
▪ Deathwing Knight
▪ Deathwing Land Raider[67b]
▪ Ravenwing
▪ Ravenwing Command Squad[67b]
▪ Ravenwing Ancient[67b]
▪ Ravenwing Champion[67b]
▪ Ravenwing Black Knight
▪ Darkshroud
▪ Land Speeder Vengeance
▪ Nephilim Jetfighter
▪ Dark Talon
▪ Inner Circle Companions
▪ Mortis Dreadnought
▪ Land Raider Ares

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▪ Land Raider Solemnus Aggressor


▪ Deathwing Companions (Heresy-era)[59]
▪ Stormwing (Heresy-era)
▪ Ironwing (Heresy-era)
▪ Excindio Battle-Automata[63]
▪ Forge-Wright
▪ Dreadwing (Heresy-era)
▪ Interemptors[54]
▪ Naufragia[63a]
▪ Firewing (Heresy-era)
▪ Enigmatii
▪ Knights Cenobium[56] (Heresy-era)
▪ Gun-crawler[63] (Unification era)
▪ Promethean Class Cruiser[63] (Heresy-era)
▪ Tiamat Class Destroyer[63] (Heresy-era)

Alternative colour schemes

Rhino, Egamonnon Revolt, Fourth Quadrant Land Raider, Defence of Straton, Last Tyranic
Rebellion, Codex Pattern variant: Sub-arctic: War, Temperate: variable terrain pattern[24b]
Tundra[24a]

Dark Angels Space Marines in alternative


colour scheme, with the chapter symbol being
Dark Angels Captain in personalised
sculpted on the pauldron and in the same color
heraldry.[80] as the rest of the armour. The Captain showing
of personal heraldry on his right pauldron.[81]

Trivia

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The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-
universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

▪ At the 2012 Black Library Weekender, Gav Thorpe said the Dark Angels are unique among the First Founding Space Marine
Legions in that, although they obeyed the Codex Astartes and divided into chapters, they are so single-minded in their pursuit
of the Fallen that, in a way, they remain united as a Legion.

Conflicting sources

In the novel Angels of Darkness by Gav Thorpe, a different version of the events on Caliban is presented: instead of Luther, the order
to open fire on the Lion's fleet come from Astelan, a Terran "Chapter Master" of the Dark Angels. This terrible truth is uncovered by
the Dark Angels Chaplain Boreas[Needs Citation].

This version is partially reconciled with the previous version in the novel Fallen Angels by Mike Lee, where Luther leads the Fallen's
revolt against Lion El'Jonson and the rest of the Dark Angels, while Astelan is Luther's subordinate and placed in charge of Caliban's
entire defence.

Related Videos

Dark Angels - The First Legion || Warhammer 40k Lore

See also
Related Articles

▪ Dark Angels Armoury


▪ Loyal Space Marine Chapters (List)
▪ Space Marine Forces (List)
▪ Unforgiven

Related Publications

▪ Honour of the Third (Short Story)

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Sources

This article needs work on its citations.


For help on citation see the citation guidelines.
You can help Lexicanum by fixing it (https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/mediawiki/index.php?titl
e=Dark_Angels&action=edit).

▪ 1: Index Astartes I, pgs. 18-22 — The Unforgiven: The Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter
▪ 2: Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition)
▪ 2a: pg. 44
▪ 2b: pg. 20
▪ 2c: pg. 37
▪ 2d: pgs. 19-21
▪ 2e: pg. 74
▪ 3: Codex: Dark Angels (3rd Edition)[Needs Citation]
▪ 4: Codex: Angels of Death (2nd Edition)[Needs Citation]
▪ 4a: pg. 78
▪ 4b: pg. 80
▪ 4c: pg. 82
▪ 4d: pg. 26
▪ 4e: pg. 81
▪ 4f: pg. 51
▪ 4g: pg. 21
▪ 5: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 1st Codex)[Needs Citation]
▪ 6: Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One[Needs Citation]
▪ 6a: pg. 54
▪ 7: Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition pgs. 96, 109, 137, 150
▪ 7a: pg. 161
▪ 7b: pg. 18
▪ 8: Imperial Armour Volume Nine - The Badab War - Part One, pg. 100
▪ 9: Deathwing (Short Story)
▪ 10: Angels of Darkness (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 11: Eye of Terror (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 12: Descent of Angels (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 13: Fallen Angels (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 14: Sons of Fenris (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 15: Inquisitor (film) by Andy Jones & Tom Lauten
▪ 16: Deathwatch: Rites of Battle, pg. 59
▪ 17: Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition), pgs. 9-12
▪ 18: White Dwarf 393 (UK), pgs. 34-35
▪ 19: Prince of Crows (Novella)[Needs Citation]
▪ 20: Malediction (Audio Book)
▪ 21: Dark Vengeance (Novella), pg. 124 - Brother Turmiel
▪ 22: Codex: Dark Angels (6th Edition), pg. 16
▪ 23: Pandorax (Novel), Chapter 12
▪ 24: Warhammer 40,000 Compendium
▪ 24a: pg. 78
▪ 24b: pg. 117
▪ 25: The Purging of Kadillus (Novel)
▪ 25a: The Tale of Boreas: Dark Cathedral
▪ 25b: The Tale of Naaman: Cut and Run
▪ 26: Master of Sanctity (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 27: The Ascension of Balthasar (Audio Drama)
▪ 27a: Prologue

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▪ 27b: Chapter 1
▪ 27c: Chapter 3
▪ 28: Kor'sarro Khan: Huntmaster (Short Story)
▪ 29: Savage Weapons (Short Story) — Age of Darkness (Anthology)
▪ 30: Codex: Dark Angels (7th Edition)
▪ 30a: pg. 18 — Strike Forces
▪ 30b: pg. 10 — Chapter Organisation
▪ 30c: pg. 58
▪ 30d: pg. 63
▪ 30e: pgs. 66-67
▪ 30f: pgs. 68-69
▪ 30g: In the Name of Absolution
▪ 31: The Unremembered Empire (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 32: The Lion (Novella) - The Primarchs (Anthology)
▪ 32a: Chapter IV
▪ 32b: Chapter VI
▪ 33: Wolf's Claw (Audio Drama)
▪ 34: Call of the Lion (Short Story)
▪ 35: The Unforgiven (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 36: Wolf King (Novella)[Needs Citation]
▪ 37: White Dwarf 88 (2015) — KV128 Stormsurge
▪ 38: The Horus Heresy Book Five, pg. 96
▪ 39: The Hunt for Vulkan (Novel), Epilogue
▪ 40: Angels of Caliban (Novel),[Needs Citation]
▪ 40a: Chapter 1
▪ 40b: Chapter 3
▪ 40c: Chapter 12
▪ 41: Will of Iron, Issue #1
▪ 42: Ragnar Blackmane (Novel)
▪ 42a: Part 1, Chapter III
▪ 42b: Epilogue
▪ 43: Leman Russ: The Great Wolf (Novel)
▪ 43a: Chapter III
▪ 43b: Chapter IV
▪ 44: Azrael (Novel), Date Ident: 887939.M41#1312
▪ 45: Ruinstorm (Novel)[Needs Citation]
▪ 46: Codex: Dark Angels (8th Edition)
▪ 46a: pgs. 12-13 — Chapter Organisation
▪ 46b: pgs. 18-19 — Dark Angels Successor Chapters
▪ 46c: pg. 21
▪ 46d: pg. 23
▪ 46e: pg. 26 — Azrael
▪ 46f: pg. 36 — Asmodai
▪ 46g: pg. 37
▪ 47: War of Secrets (Novel),[Needs Citation]
▪ 47a: Chapter One
▪ 47b: Chapter Five
▪ 47c: Chapter Nineteen
▪ 48: Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Defiant, pg. 79
▪ 49: Dreadwing (Novella),[Needs Citation]
▪ 50: Warhammer Community - Rites of Initiation – The Making of a Space Marine (https://www.warhammer-community.com/2
016/11/16/rites-of-initiation-the-making-of-a-space-marine/) (last accessed 11 February 2019)
▪ 51: Ravenwing (Novel), Chapter One
▪ 52: The Eye of Ezekiel (Novel)
▪ 52a: Chapter Five
▪ 52b: Chapter Six
▪ 53: White Dwarf September 2019 - Index Astartes: Dark Angels

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▪ 54: Warhammer Community: The Road to Thramas – Part 1: Wings of the Dark Angels (Posted December 9 2019) (https://ww
w.warhammer-community.com/2019/12/09/the-road-to-thramas-part-1-wings-of-the-dark-angelsfw-homepage-post-3/) (last
accessed 12/9/2019)
▪ 55: The Test of Faith (Short Story)
▪ 56: Warhammer Community: The Road to Thramas – Part 2: On the Knight Shift (posted January 7 2020) (https://www.warha
mmer-community.com/2020/01/07/the-road-to-thramas-part-2-on-the-knight-shiftfw-homepage-post-2/) (last accessed
1/7/2020)
▪ 57: Psychic Awakening: Ritual of the Damned, pgs. 16-19
▪ 58: Valdor: Birth of the Imperium (Novel), Chapter 12
▪ 59: Warhammer Community: The Road to Thramas – Part 4: Marvellous Minders (Posted on 02/03/2020) (https://www.warha
mmer-community.com/2020/03/02/the-road-to-thramas-part-4-marvellous-mindersfw-homepage-post-2/) (Last accessed on 7
March 2020)
▪ 60: Saturnine (Novel), Epilogue
▪ 61: Warhammer Community: The Road to Thramas – Part 5: The Lion (posted 4/5/2020) (https://www.warhammer-communit
y.com/2020/04/06/the-road-to-thramas-part-5-the-lionfw-homepage-post-2/) (last accessed 4/6/2020)
▪ 62: Warhammer Community: Horus Heresy Faction Focus – Dark Angels (Posted on 02/09/2020) (https://www.warhammer-co
mmunity.com/2020/09/02/horus-heresy-faction-focus-dark-angels/) (Last accessed on 2 September 2020)
▪ 63: The Horus Heresy Book Nine pg.84-87
▪ 63a: pg.35-37
▪ 63b: pg.107
▪ 63c: pg.81-100
▪ 63d: pg.101-113
▪ 63e: pg.120-122
▪ 63f: pg.116-117
▪ 64: Dataslate: Cypher - Lord of the Fallen, pg. 19
▪ 65: Lion El'Jonson: Lord of the First (Novel), Chapter 1 section II
▪ 65a: Book 9 Part 1
▪ 66: Codex: Space Marines (9th Edition), pg. 85
▪ 67: Codex Supplement: Dark Angels (9th Edition)
▪ 67a: pg. 27 — Successor Chapters
▪ 67b: pgs. 67-73 - Datasheets
▪ 67c: pg. 15 - War Zone: Vigilus
▪ 67d: pg. 58 - Crusade Relics
▪ 67e: pgs. 9-10
▪ 68: Luther: First of the Fallen (Novel)
▪ 68a: Tale of the Traitor
▪ 68b: Tale of the Book
▪ 69: Adeptus Titanicus: Loyalist Legios, pg. 54
▪ 70: Mortis (Novel) - Dramatis Personae
▪ 70a: Chapters 14-16
▪ 71: War Zone Octarius - Book 1: Rising Tide, pgs. 30-31
▪ 72: White Dwarf 483, pg. 60 - Heroes and Villains
▪ 73: Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two: pg. 132
▪ 74:Angels of Vigilance Armageddon Website (http://web.archive.org/web/20060820042012/http://www.armageddon3.com/En
glish/Campaign/Troops/vigilance.html) (saved archive page, dated Aug 2006, last accessed 2 September 2015)
▪ 75: Arks of Omen: Vashtorr, pgs. 21-29
▪ 76: White Dwarf 486, pg. 16 - A Tale of Four Warlords
▪ 77: Arks of Omen: The Lion pgs. 31-40
▪ 78: First Founding (Background Book), pg. 10
▪ 79: White Dwarf 489, pg. 104 — The Unforgiven
▪ 80: Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium (Box Set) box art
▪ 81: Space Marine (1st Edition) box art

The Space Marine Legions of the Horus Heresy


I - Dark Angels · V - White Scars · VI- Space Wolves · VII- Imperial Fists · IX- Blood Angels
Loyalist
X- Iron Hands · XIII- Ultramarines · XVIII- Salamanders · XIX- Raven Guard

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III- Emperor's Children · IV- Iron Warriors · VIII- Night Lords · XII- World Eaters · XIV- Death Guard
Traitor
XV- Thousand Sons · XVI- Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus · XVII- Word Bearers · XX- Alpha Legion

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