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{{CI}}
{{Loyal Founding Chapters
|Name=Dark Angels
*[[Knights of Abhorrence]],{{Fn|53b}} [[Knights of the Crimson Order]], [[Knights of Redemption]],{{Fn|57}} [[Knights of the Shrouded Skull]]{{Fn|59}}
*[[Lions Sable]]
*[[Penitent Blades]],{{Fn|53b}} [[Penumbra's Talons]],{{Fn|71}} [[Persecutors of Darkness]], [[Prime Absolvers]]{{Fn|53b}}
*[[Repentant Brotherhood]]
*[[Star Phantoms]] (suspected),{{Fn|8}} [[Stewards of the Sanctum]]{{Fn|62}}
}}
The '''Dark Angels''' , known in [[High Gothic]] as '''Angelis Tenebraium''',{{Fn|69}} were the '''I Legion''' of the twenty original [[Space Marine Legion]]s. Their [[Primarch]] is [[Lion El'Jonson]]. After remaining loyal to the [[Emperor]] during the [[Horus Heresy]], this legion was later re-organized and divided into several [[Chapters]] during the [[Second Founding]]. One of these 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]].{{Fn|19}}
{{TOC limit|3}}
==History==
====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 pack]]s: "And the angels of darkness descended upon pinions of fire and light...the great and terrible dark angels."{{Fn|1212a}} The first 500 Warriors to stand alongside The Lion on Caliban would become known as the [[Five Hundred Companions]].{{Fn|50d}}
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 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]].{{Fn|50c}}
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 [[Wing]]s 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.{{Fn|50c}}
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 (Primarch)|Leman Russ]].{{Fn|50c}} 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]].{{Fn|3064}}
Caliban was made the [[Adeptus Astartes homeworld|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.{{Fn|1212b}}
[[Image:Descent_of_angels_clean.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Dark Angels Space Marines on Caliban.{{Fn|1212c}}]]
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 [[Dulan Campaign|infamous episode of the Great Crusade]], the Lion and [[Leman Russ (Primarch)|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,{{Fn|2b}} although it has been known to manifest itself in a very violent manner.{{Fn|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. 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.{{Fn|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 [[Unrest on Caliban|a rebellion by the landless nobility]] and [[Chaos]] agents, Luther, and his forces would slowly turn against their Primarch.{{Fn|1313a}} However the many internal Orders and sects of the Dark Angels made them all but immune to the [[Warrior Lodge]]s of the now-treacherous [[Horus]] and the [[Word Bearers]], allowing them to be immune from the subversion that befall other Legions.{{Fn|50d}}
===The Horus Heresy===
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.{{Fn|50d}}
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]], [[Battle of Diamat|denying]] traitor forces an important supply base.{{Fn|1313b}} 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]].{{Cite thisFn|25a}}
[[Image:HHDAArt.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Lion El'Jonson]] leads the Dark Angels during the Horus Heresy{{Fn|49}}]]
During their battles against [[Daemon]]s in the [[Warp]], the Dark Angels violated the [[Council of Nikea]] on direct orders from The Lion by reestablishing [[Librarian]]s.{{Fn|26}} Due to the [[Warp Storm]]s plaguing the Eastern Fringes the Dark Angels followed the [[Pharos (Device)|Pharos]] and moved to [[Ultramar]] and joined with [[Roboute Guilliman]] and his [[Ultramarines]], helping form the brief [[Imperium Secundus]].{{Fn|2525b}} 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.{{Fn|33x33b}} Meanwhile, another detachment of Dark Angels under Captain [[Ormand]] reinforced the [[Space Wolves]] against the [[Alpha Legion]] at the [[Alaxxes Nebula]]{{Fn|27}} while another under [[Corswain]] was tasked by The Lion with hunting down [[Calas Typhon]] following the [[Battle of Perditus]].{{Fn|33a33c}}
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 [[Second Battle of Davin|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.{{Fn|34}} 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 [[Passage of the Angels|destroyed several traitor homeworlds]] such as [[Chemos]], [[Nuceria]],{{Fn|48}} and [[Barbarus]].{{Fn|38}} Meanwhile [[Corswain]]'s fleet of Dark Angels was able to reach Terra and aid the loyalists.{{Fn|48}} Rendezvousing 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]].{{Fn|55}}
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 [[Passage of the Angels|destroyed several traitor homeworlds]] such as [[Chemos]], [[Nuceria]],{{Fn|48}} and [[Barbarus]].{{Fn|38a}} Meanwhile [[Corswain]]'s fleet of Dark Angels was able to reach Terra and aid the loyalists.{{Fn|48}} Rendezvousing 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]].{{Fn|55}} The Dark Angels main fleet was eventually able to set course for Terra.{{Fn|1838b}} 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.{{Cite thisFn|1}}
===The Great Betrayal===
{{Main|The Fallen}}
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 "[[The Fallen|Fallen Angels]]" throughout the galaxy.{{Fn|1}} Other sources state that the Warp Rift was caused by a [[Wikipedia:Causal loop|causal loop]] in the [[41st Millennium]] after [[Azrael]], [[Cypher]], [[Typhus]], and others attempted to rewrite the history of Caliban with the [[Tuchulcha]] Engine.{{Fn|2929c}} 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.{{Cite ThisFn|29b}}.
[[Image:Fallen_angels_clean.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Betrayal on Caliban.Dark Angels Legion{{Fn|1313c}}]]
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{{Cite This}}. 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".{{Cite ThisFn|1}}.
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.{{Cite ThisFn|1}}.
===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 armour to green in memory of the war against the [[Great Beasts of Caliban]].{{Fn|28}}
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.{{Cite ThisFn|1}}. 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.{{Fn|54a}}
===Recent History===
*'''821.M41''' [[Siege of Vraks]] — [[Dark Angels Grand Master|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 Cruiser]]s ''[[Sword of Caliban]]'' and ''[[Salvation]]'' and a small number of [[Escort]]s.{{Fn|6}}
*'''897.M41:''' [[Faze V Uprising]] — The Dark Angels battle a diabolical machine intelligence and insurgent uprising on the world of [[Faze V]].{{Fn|2b}}
*'''Date Unknown, Late M41:''' [[Battle for Honoria]] — The Dark Angels and their [[Imperial Guard]] allies battle [[Waaagh! Groblonik]].{{Fn|40x40b}}
**[[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!.{{Fn|2d}}
*'''Date Unknown, Late M41:''' [[Second Battle of Exyrion]]
*'''959-961.M41:''' [[Pandorax Campaign]]
[[Image:TyranidsVsDA.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Dark Angels battle [[Tyranid]]s{{Fn|35h}}]]
*'''996.M41:''' [[Cleansing of Durganion XIII]]
*'''997.M41:''' [[Battle of Piscina IV]]{{Fn|2a}} — The [[3rd Company (Dark Angels)|3rd]]{{Fn|5a}}{{Fn|21a}}, [[5th Company (Dark Angels)|5th]]{{Fn|5c}} and [[9th Company (Dark Angels)|9th]]{{Fn|5d}} Companies took part in the campaign; the 3rd company was honoured for its defence of the [[Koth Ridge]].{{Fn|5a}}
*'''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]].{{Fn|31}}
*'''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]].{{Fn|22}}
*'''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.{{Fn|2929c}}
*'''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]].{{Fn|16}}
*'''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]].
*[[Pontus Rebellion]] — ???
*[[Tyrannic Wars]]: [[Defence of Straton]]{{Fn|20b}}
*The [[Defence of Rikkai]]{{Fn|70}}
==Gene-seed==
==Culture==
[[Image:DVAngel.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A Dark Angels Space Marine]]
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.{{Cite ThisFn|1}}.
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 [[Chaplain]]s and are all cold and solemn ceremonies. None of these are without meaning, and are heavily tied to ascension deeper into the [[Inner Circle]].{{Fn|53a}}
The Dark Angels themselves are known to speak amongst one another in Calibanite, a collection of dozens of languages carried on from their origin world of Caliban. These are officially Codified as '''[[Lingua Mortis]]''' by Imperial Census-takers.{{Fn|66}} The written version of at least one Calibanite tongue was described as being inscribed with a neat, rounded script.{{Fn|33d}} A dedicated Battle-Cant is also known to be made use of by the Lion’s sons. Where it is sometimes spoken between brother’s in a more casual manner outside of the field of Battle.{{Fn|66}}
The Dark Angels have accepted the new [[Primaris Space Marines]] out of necessity, but the [[Inner Circle]] remains sceptical 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]].{{Fn|35d}} However, this issue was resolved when one of the existing Deathwing members, [[Lazarus (Dark Angels)|Lazarus]], survived the [[Rubicon Primaris]] and a newer Primaris named Apharan was vouched for to take the trials by Azrael himself.{{Fn|41}} Since then, more Primaris have joined the ranks of the Deathwing, including Primaris [[Bladeguard Veteran]]s.
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 Marine]]s 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 [[Hellblaster]]s and [[Devastator]]s with [[Centurion]]s to devastating effect. The advanced infiltration and reconnaissance skills all Primaris Space Marines learn as part of their [[Vanguard Space Marine|Vanguard]] training is of great value to a chapter seeking hidden foes. The [[Omniscrambler]]s of [[Infiltrator Squad]]s can severely disrupt enemy communications, allowing [[Ravenwing]] squadrons to strike without their quarry being warned. The Divinator-class [[Auspex]]es of the [[Incursor]]s 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.{{Fn|41}}
In addition, the Dark Angels are known to have access to a disproportionate amount of [[Plasma Weaponry]].{{Fn|4b}} During the time of the [[Great Crusade]] , complementing the concentration of skill and hard-won knowledge of the Dark Angels [[Hexagrammaton]]. Was one of the most deadly arsenals in the entire Imperium. Much of the technology routinely deployed by the Dark Angels were known for their strategic flexibility thanks was of an order of complexity beyond that available to the younger Legions and on par with those of the [[HexagrammatonAdeptus Custodes|Legio Custodes]], produced in dedicated manufactoria on [[Terra]] and elsewhere such as the Legion Fiefdoms of [[Gramarye]], and [[Caliban]] {{Fn|50c}}{{Fn|50d}} to the specifications of the Dark Angels learned forge masters to designs dating back millennia. Exotic plasma weaponry, munitions of archaic and unstable design as well as variants of armoured vehicles and void craft based on unique technologies, all were the sole province of the First Legion.{{Fn|50d}} Indeed, it is noted that the Legion holds in its armoured reserves war machines rarely fielded since the earliest days of the Unification Wars, and others which, much to the chagrin of the Mechanicum, are of entirely unknown provenance.{{Fn|68}} This proved a potent force multiplier on the battlefield, amplifying the superior skills of the Dark Angels and allowing them to prevail against foes that lesser technology could not defeat. As well as those advanced weapons and designs they used openly, the Dark Angels also maintained large stocks of weapons of a darker renown. Within the sealed vaults of forbidden Caliban and Gramarye, as well as a number of secret caches scattered across the Imperium and guarded by dedicated Orders, were vast stores of weaponry. They also sported perhaps long since proscribed to the largest fleet other military arms of the Imperium. [[Gene-phage|Gene-phages]] capable of annihilating all life upon a planetary body in mere hours, core-breaching [[Space Marine LegionMagna-Torpedo|magna munitions]]s including highly advanced relic capital ships including multiple that could tear a planet apart from within, stockpiles of ancient [[Gloriana Class BattleshipSilica-virae]]s- the dreaded scourge of the nanite pronounced the ultimate heresy by the adepts of Mars--all could be found within the armouries of the Dark Angels. Such weapons could not be unleashed lightly, for they served only a single purpose - the utter destruction of life. They were of no use to conquerors, only to destroyers, and they served as the ultimate sanction for those enemies deserving of only annihilation.{{Fn|50d}} By the last years of the Great Crusade, shortly before the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, the Dark Angels claimed a strength of approximately 180,000 to 200,000{{Fn|50e}} warriors, while other accounts claimed they had raised as many as a quarter of a million from the world of Caliban alone.{{Fn|33e}} In terms of sheer size this placed them in the upper tier of the Legiones Astartes, alongside such Legions as the Ultramarines and Sons of Horus, and despite the rise of the younger Legions to rival their glory, they still remained one of the single most powerful military forces in the Imperium. Additional records from the period have noted a much lower field strength for the Dark Angels, sometimes as low as 50,000. These reports are likely due to the confusion that the Dark Angels' organisational procedures and heraldry caused for most unfamiliar observers. {{Fn|50d}} The demands dense nature of the ciphers they used and the secretive nature of many of its sub-formations often led to some amount of bewilderment for outsiders, especially when combined with the fluid and shifting nature of authority and command within the Legion, sometimes even to the degree that it led to military setbacks when working alongside other Imperium forces. Surprisingly, the Dark Angels have made little attempt to remedy this situation, indeed some of their commanders, especially the older veterans of the Great Crusade combined , seem to take a quiet pride in the confusion it occasions among the least disciplined of their allies. In particular, a common practise by some Dark Angels forces is to arrive without announcing to their allies who commands the First Legion contingent, leaving their counterparts to determine whom to greet as warlord by the heraldry they display. Those few who make the correct choice, or who are wary enough to make no judgement, are treated with respect and those who choose poorly watched carefully for further lapses in judgement. Such tests of worth are commonplace among the Dark Angels, both for their own initiates and for those that would fight alongside them, for the sons of the Lion judge the worth of no warrior on rumour and hearsay alone.{{Fn|50d}} Such actions are most often encountered among the more veteran formations of the Legion. Those forces whose tallies of victories and vanquished foes were so impressive that some among the newly-recruited regiments of the Imperium's own strategic flexibility saw it deployed over armies thought them fabrications and even those who had served in the Great Crusade long enough to have heard of the valour of the First Legion rarely knew the full scope of their victories and sacrifices. Indeed, the Dark Angels remained one of the most experienced bodies of warriors within the Legiones Astartes. Despite the many dire battles they had faced, they had always retained a wide swathe core of veterans to pass on the Galaxy over a single warzonehard-won skills and knowledge of their struggles, indeed much of the structure of the Wings and thus Orders was dedicated to exactly this task. As such they had maintained a level of skill and proficiency in every sphere of warfare that, while sometimes less specialised than the younger Legion, could rarely be equalled among the Legiones Astartes. Given these material and organisational preferences the Dark Angels tended to a sparse pattern of deployment, scattering their numbers widely in relatively small detachments, relying more on the potency of their weaponry and the individual prowess of their warriors than on sheer numbers. Capitalising on the diverse nature of the warriors that made up each Chapter and Company, individual battle forces of the Dark Angels were most often little more than a handful of Chapters operating in close support, often a force as small as a few thousand warriors. Where other fleets relied more on the numbers they could bring to bear, the Dark Angels emphasised the fluid nature of their units which were able to quickly and efficiently reform as needed within a local theatre of war in order to meet the challenges of a given engagement. It was a rare sight to see large numbers of the First Legion gathered in any one place, and such a sight was considered a portent of the worst kind, for the grim, black-armoured ranks of the Dark Angels were only amassed to face the most dire of threats. Indeed, many among the ranks of the Imperial Army considered it a grave misfortune to be tasked with serving as support to the way Dark Angels, not due to any mistreatment at the hands of major strongholdsthe Legiones Astartes, but rather because the battlefields upon which they walked were inimical to the lives of merely mortal warriors and only the most skilled or fortunate soldiers survived such a tour of duty. Despite this long-held superstition, those few regiments that had served alongside the Dark Angels and survived held the battle honours granted them by the Lion with pride, despite the bloody price paid for their acquisition.{{Fn|50d}}
==Organisation==
**{{Main|Orders Militant of the First Legion}}
*{{Main|Hexagrammaton}}
===Post Heresy-era===
*The [[Dark Angels Grand Master|Company Masters]], including :
**[[Belial]], [[Dark Angels Grand Master|Grand Master]] of the [[Deathwing]]{{Fn|2e}}{{Fn|24b}}
**[[Ezekiel]], [[Chief Librarian|Grand Master of Librarians]]{{Fn|2d}}{{Fn|44e}}
**[[Sammael]], [[Dark Angels Grand Master|Grand Master]] of the [[Ravenwing]]{{Fn|2f}}{{Fn|24b}}
**[[Sapphon]], [[Master of Sanctity|Grand Master of Chaplains]]{{Fn|44e}}
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[[Sapphon]]{{Fn|44e}}<br>[[Master of Sanctity|Grand Master of Chaplains]]
*30 [[Interrogator Chaplain]]s
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[[Ezekiel]]{{Fn|44e}}<br>[[Chief Librarian|Grand Master of Librarians]]
*4 [[Epistolaries]]
*8 [[Codicier]]s
*4 Acolytes
|rowspan=2|
[[Belaphor]]{{Fn|24b}}<br>[[Master of the Rock]]{{Fn|1024b}}
*22 [[Techmarine]]s
*113 [[Servitor]]s
==Fortress-monastery==
*{{Main|The Rock}}
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.{{Cite thisFn|1}}
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.{{Fn|1}}
The warrens beneath The Rock are where the Dark Angels bring their fallen brethren to be redeemed by their [[Interrogator-Chaplain]]s. It is believed by the [[Inquisition]] to hold many other secrets.{{Cite ThisFn|1}}
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 chamber, attended to by the Watchers in the Dark, lies the sleeping form of Lion El'Jonson.{{Cite ThisFn|1}}
==Noted Elements of the Dark Angels==
{{main|Known Vessels of the Dark Angels}}
*[[The Rock]] — Space station, current base of operations and [[Fortress Monastery]]
*''[[Invincible Reason]]'' — Flagship & [[Gloriana Class Battleship]]{{Fn|12}}{{Fn|25a}}
[[Image:DAIntercessor.jpg|thumb|right|Dark Angels [[Primaris Space Marine]]{{Fn|35f}}]]
*The [[Lord Cypher]]
*[[Holguin]] — Voted Lieutenant of the [[Deathwing]]
*[[Farith Redloss]] — Voted Lieutenant of the [[Dreadwing]], became the first post-Heresy [[Supreme Grand Master]]{{Fn|54x54a}}
*[[Astelan]] — [[Praetor (Rank)|First Master]] on Caliban
*[[Alajos]] — Master of the Ninth Order during the Horus Heresy. Killed by [[Sevatar]] during the [[Thramas Crusade]]{{Fn|23}}
*[[Tragan]] — Was a Sergeant in the Dark Angels Legion's [[Space Marine Company|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
*[[Abdaziel Magron]] — [[Horus Heresy|Heresy]] era Sergeant awakened in 41 Millennium {{Fn|1111a}}
*[[Nemean]] — [[Blackshield]] and later [[Knights-Errant]]
*[[Urian Vendraig]] - Legion Master{{Fn|50}}
*[[Marduk Sedras]] - [[Dreadwing]] [[Eskaton]]{{Fn|42}}
*[[Elikas]] - [[Chief Librarian]]{{Fn|66b}}
=====Post Heresy=====
*[[Zhebdek Abaddas]] — former [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] {{Fn|11}}
*[[Marbas]] - Only Fallen to have become a [[Daemon Prince]]{{Fn|51}}
*[[Zabriel]] - [[Uncrowned Princes|Uncrowned Prince]], Former initiate of the Dreadwing, first to be redeemed as one of the [[Risen]], currently serves as the Lion’s emissary.{{Fn|65a}}
*[[Kai (Fallen Angel)|Kai]] - Former [[Lord Commander (Legiones Astartes)|Knight-Commander]], redeemed as one of the Lion’s Risen.{{Fn|65b}}
====Unique Troops & Vehicles (Also used by Successor Chapters)====
LandRaiderDarkAngelsDefenceofStraton.jpg|[[Land Raider]], [[Defence of Straton]], [[Tyrannic Wars|Last Tyranic War]], Temperate: variable terrain pattern{{Fn|20b}}
DarkMillenniumDarkAngelCaptain.jpg|Dark Angels [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] in personalised heraldry.{{Fn|63}}
SpaceMarine1989E.jpg|Dark Angels [[Space Marines]] in alternative colour scheme, with the chapter symbol being sculpted on the pauldron and in the same color as the rest of the armour. The [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] showing of personal heraldry on his right pauldron.{{Fn|643}}
</gallery>
===Conflicting sources===
In the novel [[Angels of Darkness (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]].{{Cite ThisCME}}.
This version is partially reconciled with the previous version in the novel [[Fallen Angels (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.
==See also==
*[[Dark Angels Armoury]]
*[[Loyal Space Marine Chapters (List)]]
==Sources==
<div style="column-countwidth:229em;font-size:85%">{{cite}}
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Index Astartes I]], pgs. 18-22 — ''The Unforgiven: The Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter''
*2: [[Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition)]]:
**{{Endn|2e}}: pgs. 42-43
**{{Endn|2f}}: pgs. 44-45
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Dark Angels Space Marine (3rd 1st Edition)]]{{cite this}}box art*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Angels of Death (2nd Edition)]]{{cite this}}
**{{Endn|4a}}: pg. 21
**{{Endn|4b}}: pg. 51
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two]], pg. 132
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Deathwing (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Angels of Darkness (Novel)]]{{cite this}}– The Tale of Astelan, Part One*{{Endn|11}}: [[Eye of Terror (Novel)]]{{cite this}}– Chapter 13*{{Endn|12}}: [[Descent of Angels (Novel)]]**{{Endn|12a}}: Chapter 13**{{cite thisEndn|12b}}: Aftermath**{{Endn|12c}}: Cover*{{Endn|13}}: [[Fallen Angels (Novel)]]**{{cite thisEndn|13a}}: Chapter 20**{{Endn|13b}}: Chapter 3**{{Endn|13c}}: Cover*{{Endn|14}}: [[Sons of Fenris (Novel)]]{{cite this}}– Chapter 7
*{{Endn|15}}: [[Deathwatch: Rites of Battle]], pg. 59
*{{Endn|16}}: [[Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition)]], pgs. 9-12
*{{Endn|17}}: [[White Dwarf 393 (UK)]], pgs. 34-35
*{{Endn|18}}: [[Prince of Crows (Novella)]]{{cite this}}– Chapter
*{{Endn|19}}: [[Codex: Dark Angels (6th Edition)]], pg. 16
*20: [[Warhammer 40,000 Compendium]]
**{{Endn|24b}}: pgs. 10-11 — ''Chapter Organisation''
**{{Endn|24c}}: pgs. 26-29 — ''In the Name of Absolution''
*{{Endn|25}}: [[The Unremembered Empire (Novel)]]**{{cite thisEndn|25a}}: Chapter 3**{{Endn|25b}}: Chapter 8**{{Endn|25c}}: Chapter 10
*{{Endn|26}}: [[The Lion (Novella)]] — [[The Primarchs (Anthology)]], Chapter IV
*{{Endn|27}}: [[Wolf's Claw (Audio Drama)]]
*{{Endn|28}}: [[Call of the Lion (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|29}}: [[The Unforgiven (Novel)]]**{{Endn|29a}}: Heirlooms of the Lion**{{cite thisEndn|29b}}: The Hidden Chamber**{{Endn|29c}}: Secrets and Lies*{{Endn|30}}: [[Wolf King (Novella)]]{{cite thisCME}}
*{{Endn|31}}: [[White Dwarf 88 (2015)]] — ''KV128 Stormsurge''
*{{Endn|32}}: [[The Hunt for Vulkan (Novel)]], Epilogue
*33: [[Angels of Caliban (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|33a}}: Chapter 12
**{{Endn|33x33b}}: Chapter 1**{{Endn|33c}}: Chapter 5**{{Endn|33d}}: Chapter 10**{{Cite thisEndn|33e}} : Chapter 27*{{Endn|34}}: [[Ruinstorm (Novel)]]{{cite this}}, Chapter 18
*35: [[Codex: Dark Angels (8th Edition)]]
**{{Endn|35a}}: pgs. 12-13 — ''Chapter Organisation''
**{{Endn|35f}}: pg. 36 — ''Asmodai''
**{{Endn|35g}}: pg. 37
**{{Endn|35h}}: pgs. 24-25*{{Endn|36}}: [[War of Secrets (Novel)]],{{Cite this}}– Chapter 10
*{{Endn|37}}: [[Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Defiant]], pg. 79
*{{Endn|38}}: [[Dreadwing (Novella)]],**{{Cite thisEndn|38a}}: Chapter 2**{{Endn|38b}}: Chapter 5
*{{Endn|39}}: [[Ravenwing (Novel)]], Chapter One
*40: [[The Eye of Ezekiel (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|40a}}: Chapter Five
**{{Endn|40x40b}}: {{Cite this}}Chapter One
*{{Endn|41}}: [[White Dwarf September 2019]] — ''Index Astartes: Dark Angels''
*{{Endn|42}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2019/12/09/the-road-to-thramas-part-1-wings-of-the-dark-angelsfw-homepage-post-3/ Warhammer Community: The Road to Thramas – Part 1: Wings of the Dark Angels (Posted December 9 2019)] ''(last accessed 12/9/2019)''
**{{Endn|50c}}: pg.81-100
**{{Endn|50d}}: pg.101-113
**{{Endn|50e}}: Pgs. 112-117
**{{Endn|50f}}: 57-58
*{{Endn|51}}: [[Dataslate: Cypher - Lord of the Fallen]], pg. 19
*{{Endn|52}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (9th Edition)]], pg. 85
**{{Endn|54a}}: ''Tale of the Traitor''
**{{Endn|54b}}: ''Tale of the Book''
*{{Endn|55}}: [[Mortis (Novel)]], Chapters 14-16
*{{Endn|56}}: [[War Zone Octarius - Book 1: Rising Tide]], pgs. 30-31
*{{Endn|62}}: [[White Dwarf 489]], pg. 104 — ''The Unforgiven''
*{{Endn|63}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium (Box Set)]] box art
*{{Endn|64}}: [[Space Marine The Horus Heresy Book Five]], pg. 96*65: [[The Lion: Son of the Forest (Novel)]] **{{Endn|65a}}: Chapter 24**{{Endn|65b}}: Chapter 32*66: [[Lion El'Jonson: Lord of the First (Novel)]]**{{Endn|66a}}: Chapter 2 Section I**{{Endn|66b}}: Chapter 2 Section II**{{Endn|66c}}: Chapter 9 Section I*{{Endn|67}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book Six - Retribution]], pg. 67*{{Endn|68}}: [[Liber Astartes]], pg. 172*{{Endn|69}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book Three - Extermination]] pg. 79*{{Endn|70}}: [[Codex: Astra Militarum (1st 10th Edition)]] box art, pg. 35*{{Endn|71}}: [[The Citadel Journal 36]], pgs. 64-65 - ''Space Hulk: Talons of Death''
</div>
<br>
{{SMLegions}}
==Uncited==
*[[Codex: Dark Angels (3rd Edition)]]{{CME}}
[[Category:Dark Angels|*]]
[[Category:Space Marine Legions]]
[[de:Dark Angels]]
[[fr:Dark Angels]]
