Difference between revisions of "Deathwatch"
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*'''???.[[M36]]''' - The [[Szaeyr Deathwatch Crusade]] | *'''???.[[M36]]''' - The [[Szaeyr Deathwatch Crusade]] | ||
*'''119.[[M37]]''' - The [[Lok'kroll Xenocide]] | *'''119.[[M37]]''' - The [[Lok'kroll Xenocide]] | ||
+ | *'''182.[[M38]''' - A full company of [[Deathwatch]] fail to protect [[Lord Inquisitor]] [[Korscht]] from the [[Kabal of the Immortality Denied]] | ||
*'''???.[[M41]]''' - The [[Crusade of Fire (War)|Crusade of Fire]] | *'''???.[[M41]]''' - The [[Crusade of Fire (War)|Crusade of Fire]] | ||
*'''???.[[M41]]''' - [[Torhaven]] incident | *'''???.[[M41]]''' - [[Torhaven]] incident |
Revision as of 08:56, 31 January 2016
The Deathwatch are a unique and specially trained Space Marine Chapter that dedicates its every hour to xenos hunting. They are the Chamber Militant of the Ordo Xenos, charged with protecting it in its search of information, containment, and ultimate destruction of all xeno species.
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Contents
Background
Rather than following the standard Codex Astartes organization, the Space Marines themselves are drawn from many different chapters. These chapters have sworn sacred oaths to raise a unit of Space Marines specifically for this task. The warriors are then gathered together to fight where and when they are needed.
Giant fortresses orbit desolate worlds at the edge of the galaxy, keeping constant vigil over possible xenos forces. There are also several secret bases spread throughout the Imperium, which provide a launch site for their crusades.
The warriors who fight are given the honour of painting their armour black (to show their service to the Emperor), while leaving one shoulder pad with the original insignia of the Chapter from which the marine came. Although the armour is painted black, it is never all painted black as this action would dishonour the armour's Machine Spirit. They also are equipped with a new shoulder pad with the symbol of Deathwatch onto their other side. Once in the employ of the Deathwatch, there is no set length of time for service, rather it is as long as the commander deems necessary. Each Space Marine may serve a discrete amount of time, or for the duration of a mission, which may be a number of years. Once the mission is complete, the Space Marine is allowed to return to his chapter, under an oath of silence, as their duty has been fulfilled.
The orders of the Deathwatch are not merely the cleansing of xenos cultures. They also include the recovery and study of alien devices and artifacts. Sometimes it is necessary to use a weapon against the enemy who created it, although this is not taken lightly. The Deathwatch are constantly vigilant for sabotage, or to advise if it is truly safe to use a weapon of xenos origin. The Adeptus Mechanicus are always on the lookout for alien technology; the C'tan Phase Sword, used by the Callidus assassin was recovered from a Necron tomb world and successfully integrated into the arsenal of the Imperium.
Usually, a Deathwatch team is led by an Inquisitor, but in extreme circumstances, a Deathwatch Captain or Librarian may take command of the unit. Their word is law, and can requisition anything they desire to complete their objective. They are the best armed and trained units in the Imperium. They might be deployed in areas where conventional methods are insufficient or if the troops available are not properly equipped or trained for the task. The presence of a Deathwatch team is always welcomed, even though they are feared by all those who know of them.
History
Centuries ago, a Conclave of Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Lords, known as the Apocryphon Conclave of Orphite IV - convened with the purpose of formulating a galaxy-wide strategy to combat the many xenos civilizations assailing mankind. Foreseeing an age where mankind would eventually consume the Imperium itself, the conclave sat and debated for many years. Some advocated the annihilation of all xenos, some that certain less-violent civilizations should be "tolerated". However a strategy was eventually formed and the Conclave requested an audience with many assembled Chapter Masters of the Adeptus Astartes. After hearing the Inquisitor's pleas, the Chapter Masters deliberated for one night before giving their verdict: they and the Inquisitors would together take a solemn oath and form a new Chapter, one drawn entirely from Battle Brothers from existing chapters. The alliance dubbed it the 'Deathwatch', for it would stand guard against the doom foretold by the conclave.[7a]
Strategy
The Deathwatch takes reports of sightings of Harpies very seriously as they are the vanguards of the Tyranid Hive fleets.[21d]
Notable Engagements
- 335.M36 - The Xenarite Schism
- ???.M36 - The Szaeyr Deathwatch Crusade
- 119.M37 - The Lok'kroll Xenocide
- 182.[[M38] - A full company of Deathwatch fail to protect Lord Inquisitor Korscht from the Kabal of the Immortality Denied
- ???.M41 - The Crusade of Fire
- ???.M41 - Torhaven incident
- ???.M41 - The Purging of Castillium
- ???.M41 - War against Xenarite Tech-Priests on Stygies VIII
- 240.M41 - The destruction of the Saruthi[14]
- 745.M41 - The First Tyrannic War[7]
- 777.M41 - The Achilus Crusade[9b]
- 964.M41 - The Tyrama Secundus Campaign
- 993.M41 - The Second Tyrannic War[7]
- 997.M41 - The Battle of Tarsis Ultra
- 999.M41 - The Third Tyrannic War[7]
- 999.M41 - The Third War for Armageddon[2]
Organisation
Deathwatch Marines are most frequently divided into Kill-Teams, specialized combat units consisting of Marines from various Chapters.[4] The Deathwatch itself is heavily integrated with the Ordo Xenos, operating from Inquisitorial Fortresses and Watch Stations across the Galaxy. Operating mostly in small elite teams alongside the Inquisition, rarely does the Deathwatch gather in large strength.[7]
Deathwatch ranks and positions
- Deathwatch Black Shield[8]
- Deathwatch Champion[8]
- Deathwatch Chaplain[8]
- Deathwatch Dreadnought[8]
- Deathwatch Epistolary[8]
- Deathwatch Forge Master[8]
- Deathwatch Keeper[8]
- Deathwatch Kill-marine[8]
- Deathwatch Watch Captain[8]
- Deathwatch First Company Veteran[8]
Equipment
Deathwatch members have access to a range of specialist equipment such as the Stalker Boltgun and variant bolter ammunition such as Inferno Bolts, Kraken Penetrator Rounds, Metal Storm Frag Shells and Stalker Silenced Shells.[1]
Chapter Fleet
The Deathwatch operates its own fleet, and most notable of these ships are Kill-ships, specialized bombardment craft to enact Exterminatus upon worlds lost to the Imperium. The Deathwatch often deploys from Inquisitorial Black Ships for planetary strike operations.[7]
Known ships of the Deathwatch
- Eye of Retribution - Frigate[21a]
- Fatal Redress - Rapid Strike Vessel[23]
- Final Mercy - Rapid Strike Vessel[9a]
- Hallowed Sword - Nova Class Frigate[21c]
- Lance of Darkness - Nova Class Frigate[24]
- Silent Slayer - Strike Cruiser[25]
- Spear of Fury - Hunter Class Destroyer[26]
- Thunder’s Word - Gladius Class Frigate[7b]
- Wrathbringer - Strike Cruiser[21b]
Notable Members
Brother-Captains
- Brother-Captain Uriel Ventris of the Ultramarines[12a]
- Brother-Captain Bannon of the Imperial Fists[12a] (Deceased, killed by Tyranids on the world Tarsis Ultra.)[12b]
- Brother-Captain Artemis of the Mortifactors[6]
- Brother-Captain Quiron Octavius of the Imperial Fists (Deceased, killed by a Dark Eldar Talos)[10][11]
- Captain Alessio Cortez - Master of the Charge[11], Nigh-invulnerable Captain of the 4th Company
- Esteban de Dominova
- Mathias
- Kail Vibius
- Andar Scarion
- Marius Avincus
- Peratos
Librarians
- Librarian Ashok of the Angels Sanguine[10][11]
- Librarian Shaidan of the Mantis Warriors[10]
- Codicer Librarian Lyandro Karras of the Death Spectres[13]
- Librarian Andreas[5]
- Epistolary Zadkiel
Chaplains
Techmarines
- Master of the Forge Xerill of the Iron Hands
- Techmarine Korpheus of the Raven Guard[10][11]
Apothecaries
Dreadnoughts
- Dreadnought Chyron of the Lamenters[13]
- Dreadnought Szobczak of the Imperial Fists
Others
- Sergeant Grevius of the Crimson Fists (Deceased, killed by Tyranid Lictor on Herodian IV)[10]
- Sergeant Soron of the Mantis Warriors[10]
- Sergeant Pasanius of the Ultramarines[12d]
- Sergeant Cassius[3]
- Sergeant Angeloi of the Scythes of the Emperor[22]
- Scout Sergeant Cyrus of the Blood Ravens[16]
Brothers
- Brother Neleus of the White Consuls[10][11]
- Brother Trythios of the Blood Ravens[16]
- Brother Ignatio Solarian of the Ultramarines[13]
- Brother Darrion Rauth of the Exorcists[13]
- Brother Maximmon Voss of the Imperial Fists[13]
- Brother Siefer Zeed of the Raven Guard[13]
- Brother Henghast of the Space Wolves[12c]
- Brother Felgir, presumed to be of the Space Wolves[22]
- Brother Mettius[22]
- Brother Hadrovar[22]
- Brother Rennin Tri'el of the Silver Skulls
- Brother Alric
Contributing Chapters
Specific chapters that are known to contribute troops to the Deathwatch include;
- Angels Vermillion [15]
- Black Consuls [11]
- Black Dragons [19][20]
- Black Templar [10]
- Blood Angels [10][11][12][18]
- Blood Ravens [11][16]
- Brazen Minotaurs [15]
- Carcharodons [18]
- Crimson Fists [10]
- Dark Angels [17]
- Death Spectres [13]
- Exorcists [13]
- Flame Falcons [20]
- Flesh Tearers [20]
- Imperial Fists [10][12][13][15]
- Lamenters [16][12]
- Mantis Warriors [10][11]
- Marines Malevolent [15]
- Mortifactors [18]
- Praetors of Orpheus [19]
- Raven Guard [13]
- Red Talons [11]
- Relictors [20]
- Revilers [11]
- Salamanders [12][15]
- Scimitar Guard [19]
- Scythes of the Emperor [22]
- Sons of Antaeus [20]
- Space Wolves [10][12][18]
- Star Phantoms [15]
- Storm Wardens [17]
- Ultramarines [10][12]
- White Consuls [10][12][18]
- White Scars [12][18][19]
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Chapter Approved 2003
- 2: Codex: Armageddon (3rd Edition), pg. 32
- 3: White Dwarf 287, "Last Stand Of The Firebrands"
- 4: White Dwarf 306, pg. 30
- 5: White Dwarf 317, "The Fall Of Medusa V"
- 6: Inquisitor Rulebook, [Needs Citation]
- 7: Deathwatch Core Rulebook
- 8: Deathwatch: Rites of Battle, pgs. 100-123
- 9: Deathwatch: The Achilus Assault
- 10: Warrior Brood (Novel) by C.S. Goto, [Needs Citation]
- 11: Warrior Coven (Novel) by C.S. Goto, [Needs Citation]
- 12: Warriors of Ultramar (Novel) - The Ultramarines Omnibus by Graham McNeill:
- 13: Headhunted (Short Story) by Steve Parker
- 14: Xenos (Novel) by Dan Abnett, Chapter 26
- 15: Machine Spirit (Short Story) by Nick Kyme
- 16: Dawn of War 2
- 17: Fantasy Flight Games Website
- 18: The Infinite Tableau (Short Story) by Anthony Reynolds
- 19: Weaponsmith (Short Story) by Ben Counter
- 20: The Vorago Fastness (Short Story) by David Annandale
- 21: Deathwatch: The Jericho Reach
- 22: Last Watch (Short Story) by Laurie Goulding
- 23: Mission: Annihilate (Short Story), pgs. 1-3
- 24: Warrior Coven (Novel) - Kill Squad: A Deathwatch Omnibus, Chapter 3, pgs. 212-213
- 25: Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter, pg. 106
- 26: Deathwatch: Game Master's Kit, pg. 7
- 27: Deathwatch: The Achilus Assault, pg. 128
Uncited
- Games Workshop Deathwatch Site, [Needs Citation]
- "The Cleansing Of Hive Thetus", Games Workshop Black Templar Site, [Needs Citation]
- White Dwarf 248, "St Jowen's Space Dock"
- Tactica Imperialis - Rophanon - The Reef Stars, [Needs Citation]
- Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition, pg. 193
- One Hate (Short Story) by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
- Last Chancers (Novel Series) by Gav Thorpe, [Needs Citation]
- Deathwatch (Graphic Novel), [Needs Citation]