{{SpaceMarinesPortalSalamandersPortal}}

|Founding Chapter=[[Salamanders]]Unknown{{Fn|1519}}|Founding=[[21st Founding]]([[M36]]){{Fn|1}}{{Fn|3b}}|Chapter Master=Unknown|Homeworld=[[Fleet-based]] [[Chapter]]{{Fn|3b3c}}|Fortress-Monastery=Unknown

|Battle Cry="Fire and bone"{{Fn|3a}} or "Bless the curse".{{Fn|3b}}{{Fn|16}}|Strength=Unknown

The '''Black Dragons''' were long rumored to be a [[Salamanders]] [[Successor Chapter]]{{Fn|5a15}}, which has only recently been confirmed to be true{{Fn|155}}. It The chapter was founded in the cursed [[Twenty First Founding|21st Founding]], just prior to the [[Age of Apostasy]].{{Fn|1}}

The '''Black Dragons''' are chiefly known for their status as a Cursed Founding chapter, and for their uniquely peculiar [[gene-seed]] mutation; their [[Ossmodula]] [[zygote]] has mutated, producing bony crests on their heads and blades from the forearm and elbow. Similar to the [[Death Company]] of the [[Blood Angels]], those with these abnormalities join a separate unit, known as the '''Dragon Claws'''. In this unit, they sharpen their protrusions to a killing edge and coat them with [[adamantium]] to turn them into horrible horrifying [[Close Combat Weapon]]s.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|5}} These forearm blades can be retracted into the Claw's arm, and then extended at will. The most extreme mutations also cause rampant growth in the rest of the Marine's skeleton; some Dragon Claws stand more than three metres tall and must wear custom [[power armour]] to fit their gargantuan frames.{{Fn|3a3b}}

It is rumored that the Black Dragon [[Apothecaries]] deliberately encourage these growths, wishing to create more of the valued Dragon Claws. This is a very dangerous practice and such gene-manipulation away from the genic template of a [[Space Marine]] is forbidden in the [[Imperium]]. When the usual 5% tithe of [[gene-seed]] is requested, the Black Dragons often resist giving it over, and sometimes have needed to be threatened with military action in order to comply with the tithe request. When they do send it in, the veracity of the gene-seed is unknown, as each passes the most stringent tests; some , therefore , believe that that it is not even the gene-seed of the Black Dragons. How this is procured is a mystery, although the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] and some ordos of the [[Inquisition]] are eager to investigate the medical practices of the Cursed Founding chapter.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|3a3b}}

*'''232.[[232.M40]] - :''' The '''Bone Cruse''': — The [[Haemonculi]] of [[The Hex]] learn of the Black Dragons mutations and with the help of [[Duke Sliscus]], attack the Chapter in the [[Donorian System]]. After a vicious battle, several of the most mutated Black Dragons are captured and brought back to [[Commorragh]]. After multiple experimentation's, an osseovirus is developed that can birth bone 'dragons' from its hosts flesh.{{Fn|9}}*Combating the [[Plague Zombie|Plague of Undeath]] on [[Antagonis]]{{Fn|3a}}*'''998.[[M41]] - :''' The [[Third War for Armageddon]]: — The Black Dragons committed 9 out of their 10 companies.{{Fn|2}} Notably, they broke assaulting [[ork]] forces on [[Phoenix Island]].{{Fn|13}}*Combating the '''[[M42]]:''' The [[Indomitus Crusade]] — The 4th Company under [[Plague Zombie|Plague of UndeathJorn Tanna]] on takes part in [[AntagonisBattlegroup Hephaestus]].{{Fn|311}}*'''[[M42]] - The :''' Battle of [[Indomitus CrusadeRendolia]]. — The 4th 5th Company under Chaplain [[Darrigg]] fights alongside the [[Jorn TannaCadian 124th]] regiment and elements of the 3rd, 600th and 89th regiments against the forces of the [[World Eaters]] takes part .{{Fn|16}} ===Culture===While they are frowned upon and often investigated for traces of heresy, the Marines of the Black Dragons proudly bear their mutations and use them efficiently in battle. Most of their culture turns around bones and honour. Their Chaplain sits next to [[Battlegroup HephaestusChapter Master|The High Dragon]] on thrones made from bones and sculpted to the likeness of their Chapter Symbol. Being implanted with the gene-seed of the Black Dragons isn’t enough to be one of them, the [[Rites of Bone]], [[Rites of Fire]] and [[Rites of Claw]]seem to be essential to be called a battle-brother amongst the mutated Marines. Even those who do not have the mutations from the curse of their gene-seed fashion their armour in a way that resembles the bone growths their brothers have.{{Fn|1116}}

*''[[Argent Blade]] - '' — [[Strike Cruiser]].{{Fn|11}}*''[[Sablewyrm]]'' — [[Strike Cruiser]].{{Fn|16}}*''[[Fist of Kraedor]]''{{Fn|8b}} - — [[Hunter Destroyer]], (M41).{{Fn|8a}} ===Aircraft===*''[[Battle Pyre]]'' — [[Thunderhawk|Thunderhawk gunship]].{{Fn|3a}}

*[[Zartath]], Astartes, (M41){{Fn|6a}} - Trapped in the Volgorrah Reef region of the Webway, linked up with trapped elements of the Salamanders,{{Fn|6a}}, subsequently rescued and detained by the Salamanders [[Firedrakes]].{{Fn|6d}}

*[[Volos]] - Captain of the Second Company (M41){{Fn|3a17}}*[[Vritras]] - Captain of the Second Company{{Fn|18}}

*[[Toharan]] - Former Sergeant turned Renegade, Second Company (M41), (Deceased){{Fn|3b3c}}*[[Nithigg]] - Dreadnought, Second Company (M41){{Fn|3b3c}}{{Fn|7}}*[[Keryon]] - Thunderhawk Pilot, Second Company (M41){{Fn|3a3b}}

==Related ArticlesSee also==

*3: [[The Death of Antagonis (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|3a}}: Chapter Two1**{{Endn|3b}}: Chapter 2**{{Endn|3c}}: {{Cite This}}

*6: [[Firedrake (Novel)]]:

*8: [[Salamanders: Rebirth (Novel)|Rebirth (Novel)]]: