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The Rock

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The Rock at the head of a Dark Angels fleet[8]

The Rock, also known as the Tower of Angels[3] or Spire of Angels,[5] is the legendary home and fortress-monastery of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter. The Rock is an immense and powerful ship, capable of blasting even powerful Eldar fleets into oblivion during the Battle of Midpoint. Fully equipped with both Warp Drives and force fields, it is also home to many ancient and arcane technologies the Dark Angels have accumulated over the millennia. Overall operations of The Rock are overseen by the Master of the Rock.[3]

History

The Rock is thought to be a remnant of Caliban itself that survived the destruction of the world at the end of the Horus Heresy. The remnant is built around the original Fortress-Monastery of the Dark Angels, which survived the destruction of the planet thanks to its shielding.[7] The Rock travels around the galaxy and visits most of the Dark Angels' recruiting worlds, and the Watchers in the Dark patrol its halls; an example of a Watcher is the small hooded being that follows Supreme Grand Master Azrael around, carrying the Lion Helm. The Rock is larger than any conventional class of Imperial warship and is capable of laying waste to entire fleets with its massive array of weaponry. The Rock is further protected by a constant escort of frigates and squadrons of Thunderhawk Gunships.[1a]

Deep within the bowels of the Rock are cells in which the Fallen Angels are held. Luther is imprisoned there, kept alive over 10,000 years after his costly betrayal of the Dark Angels. Luther rants and raves, claiming that he has no need of repentance or confession, for the Lion - who he claims is near - will soon return and absolve him.[2] Unbeknownst to any, the sleeping body of Lion El'Jonson is hidden in the heart of the Rock, guarded by the Watchers.[2]

Shortly after the formation of the Great Rift, the Rock was besieged by daemons led by the Marbas, a member of the Fallen who has become a Daemon Prince. The battle was a mere distraction and was quickly defeated, however the Fallen succeeded in setting Luther free.[6]

The Rock was again besieged during the Arks of Omen Campaign as part of the daemon Vashtorr's plans. Ambushing and boarding the mobile fortress, Vashtorr sought a Key Fragment which was sealed within one of The Rock's deepest vaults. Vashtorr's raid was initially on the verge of succeeding until Be'lakor intervened and allowed for nearby Imperial reinforcements to arrive. Enraged and with his plan in tatters, Vashtorr retreated.[12d] Shortly after, The Rock and a massive Unforgiven armada pursued Vashtorr to the Somnium Stars, where in the subsequent Battle of Idolatros Vashtorr acquired the Key-Fragment he had originally sought: the Tuchulcha.[12d]

Unknown to the Dark Angels until Cypher informed them, for the last ten thousand years The Rock has had the ancient sentient device known as Tuchulcha hidden within it.[4] The device was later extracted by Vashtorr during the Battle of Idolatros.[12d]

Known regions

  • Tower of Angels - Central Command Spire at the top of The Rock[12a]
  • Vault of Banners[12b]
  • Stair of Swords[12b]
  • Whispering Dome[12b]
  • Hallowed Nave[12b]
  • Galleria Apscondael[12b]
  • Forbidden Gate[12b]
  • Ascension Well Stairway[12b]
  • Nameless Gate - Past this gate are the greatest secrets of the Dark Angels[12c]
  • Apothecarion

Defences

The Rock is equipped with numerous batteries and launch bays, garrisoned with the elite forces of the chapter, and is also protected by an incredibly potent and ancient force field known as the Gorgon's Aegis. Furthermore, the fortress is escorted by a fleet of Dark Angels void ships.[11]

Images

Sources