![]() | CHAPTER NAME: ..............Angels of Expurgation FOUNDING: ..................Unknown, presumed 13th [M.36] CHAPTER WORLD: .............Lacuna Morda FORTRESS MONASTERY: ........Citadel of Sorrows GENE-SEED (PREDECESSOR): ...Unknown [destroyed, M.36] KNOWN DESCENDANTS: .........Unknown "The Angels of Expurgation are unrelenting warriors of attrition who fight when others have found no cause for victory. They excel at close combat, and hold a great contempt for abhumans, xenos, and daemons; the xenos and daemon whom they readily engage. Ever vigiliant, they are reknown for their extreme methods in capturing, torturing and executing the Fallen. Their secretive history is filled with deep seeded distrust and sorrow. Reclusive and monastic, they shun and abhor all other chapters of the Unforgiven, believing that none can be trusted." |
Early in the 35th millenium, the Angels of Expurgation were created in response to the dire discussions amongst the Unforgiven to capture the Lord Cypher and the rest of the Fallen. Under the pretense of a new founding successor, the gathering of the Inner Circles of the Unforgiven decided that a new chapter with a more radical approach to hunting the Fallen was needed. Tasked with petitioning the High Lords of Terra, the Supreme Grand Master of the Dark Angels once again called for a new chapter under the standard of the Lion to be created.
After careful deliberation, the High Lords approved for a new successor to be created using the geneseed of Primarch Lion El'Johnson. Given the "legion building" rumors surrounding the Dark Angels the High Lords stipulated a condition of using only the purest stock of geneseed and a slow recruitment rate to curtail any possible "legion building" the Dark Angels might attempt.
They begrudglingly agreed and appointed a parent chapter who were a highly militant and xenophobic chapter compared to the rest of the Unforgiven, utterly savage in their methods of warfare. They were known to engage xenos and daemons on a regular basis. Though fiercely loyal to his parent chapter, Master Thrael of the 3rd company was appointed as head of the training cadre. Joining him was a close ally, the fiery voiced Chaplain Luka from the Reclusium. The chapter was named the Angels of Expurgation, becoming the newest members of the infamous collective known as the Unforgiven.
During the initial decades of recruitment, rumors throughout the Unforgiven were reporting possible appearences of several prominent Fallen gathered together in an outlying Imperial world known as Daedelus located in the Segmentum Obscurus. The possibility of capturing such a prominent bounty of Fallen had the Unforgiven salivating.
The nascient chapter was the only Unforgiven within close proximity to the backwater Imperial world. At the time the chapter was less than two companies in strength excluding the small training cadre under Thrael. They had only just begun to promote recruits into full astartes and leadership positions. Thrael called for aid from his former chapter to Daedelus in hopes the rumours were correct. It was this mission that nearly annhilated the Angels of Expurgation.
As is typical of the Dark Angels, little information has been provided of the incident. I have been informed that the situation is now under control. By the time this message is received, the incident on Daedelus will be reigned in...End Transmission+
A devastating conflict surrounding Daedelus, known as the Wars of Unrest to the chapter, was fought in the initial century of the chapter's creation. The details of the war are known only to the Angels of Expurgation and the Dark Angels themselves. Even the rest of the Unforgiven are left in the dark as to what exactly occurred.
What is known is that the aftermath of the war left the Angels of Expurgation severely depleted with the 5th company Master Micharius promoted to Chapter Master. The unknown parent chapter was completely annihilated.
En route back to The Rock, the Dark Angels 4th company Strike Cruiser, The Forlorn Destiny, went missing and all contact was lost. Shortly thereafter, a single transmission from the missing vessel was recieved by the Dark Angels. The encrypted message given to the Supreme Grand Master set off a chain of events, initiating a proxy war between the Dark Angels and the Angels of Expurgation that continue till this day.
The chapter remained in self-imposed exile, slowly building its numbers. Within a century of the Daedelus Incident, the chapter made themselves known to the rest of the Unforgiven during the Great Gathering of all the chapters Inner Circles. The Forlorn Destiny broke from warp space, demanding entrance to The Rock. After positive confirmation of their Unforgiven lineage, the Chapter Master of the Angels of Expurgation along with his Chief Librarian and Master of Sanctity were granted permission to enter the Rock and given a seat at the conclave.
After a brief and defiant speech, the mysterious Micharius and his commanding officers left the gathering, boarding their ship and entered warp space. Since then, the chapter has never made an appearence at the Great Gathering of the Inner Circles of the Unforgiven.
Since their inception, the chapter and the Dark Angels have remained adversaries hidden behind a veil as allied cousins under their Primarch Lion El'Jonson. The two chapters have fought a cold war for thousands of years, with the Angels of Expurgation largely playing the aggressor. Periodically a Dark Angels squad sent out for a mission are never heard from again. Whenever other successor chapters of the Unforgiven meet their reclusive cousins, they are met with unease and suspicion by the Unforgiven. The Dark Angels and Angels of Expurgation themselves always present a facade of cordial relations.
Presently, neither chapter holds advantage over the other, as more secrets interweave the two adversaries in a web of hidden politics and assasinations.
The chapter remained Fleet-Based for nearly two centuries. Once the chapter grew to full chapter strength, Micharius ordered the chapter to scour the outlying regions of the Segementum Pacificus for a viable homeworld. Upon a distant backwater planet the Angels of Expurgation would build their fortress.
The world of Lacuna Morda is a cold climate world found in the Segmentum Pacificus section of Imperial Space, bordering the Halo Stars. The planet's northern region is composed of large areas of tundras separating vast mountain ranges. The southern region consists of arctic wastelands. The oceans are a dark murky color that few have dared explored.
A dying sun glows ever so dimly, while a small moon offers little illumination at night, giving the world a landscape of perpetual dusk.
The chapter fortress keep lies on the edge of the coldest tundra to the north. Built into the mountainside,the Citadel of Sorrows is a massive fortress complex housing the entire chapter. Thirteen spires stand high above the massive keep, each housing the brothers of the ten Hosts, the Librarium, the Reclusiarch, and the Inner Circle respectively. Strict vows of silence are enforced throughout the keep, making sure all adhere to the etiquette of the Holy Citadel. Verbal communication is allowed only in the strictest of matters or when individual and group prayer is commenced.
The First Host's tower is known as the Ivory Bastion of Redemption. Its gleaming alabaster construction shines radiantly despite the dimly lit skies.
Within the keep lies The Cathedral of Souls, one of the largest monestaries in all the adeptus astartes. Here the chapter spends a great deal of time in individual and group prayer. Its high vaulted walls are covered with stainglass windows depicting images of the Emperor and the Lion during the Great Crusade, and images of the greatest heroes throughout the chapter's history. At the front of the Cathedral lies the Altar of Micharius. The Reclusium is housed behind the altar, a great hallway named the Sanctum of Luka. When the brothers of the chapter are not in active duty or in combat training, they spend most of their time in the sacred Cathedral. All members of the chapter, from the most seasoned veteran of the first host, to a newly inducted initiate, as well as a simple chapter serf; all pray within the confines of the Cathedral of Souls.
The highest tower known as the Tower of Rectitude is only accesible to the most senior members of the Inner Circle. Within the ebony tower lies the Sanctum of Mortarium, the chapter's interrogation chambers to torture and execute the Fallen. Hidden deep in the Tower of Rectitude is the Black Cathedral, a small monestary exclusive to the Reclusium and the uppermost echelon of the chapter's Inner Circle. Here the chaplains of the Reclusium gather nightly, reciting the Secretori Damnatus, as well as other hymns and prayers known only to the Inner Circle. The Altar of Damnation is covered with black candles that burn a mysterious black flame. Rumors amongst the Inner Circle are the candles are made from the blood and flesh of the Fallen, each candle symbolizing a captured and executed traitor.
That day may still come, but for reasons known only to him and Lord Master Ezerjin, he was pulled from his squad duties and sent to the Tower of Rectitude where he met with the chapter's Inner Circle. He was inducted into its most upper echelons overnight, learning the deepest secrets of the chapter and the Unforgiven. The following morning, he was immediately ordered to a tour in the Deathwatch for an undisclosed amount of time.
Only High Master Ezerjin know's the true purpose of Satyricus' mission. Even amongst the Deathwatch, he keeps to himself, shrouded in a black robes and maintaining long vigils in the Watch Fortress monestary and his personal quarters. Only in time, will the true mission of Satyricus be revealed.
The chapter also holds a unique view of the Fallen. While the Unforgiven deem a Fallen any individual who betrayed the Lion in the War of Caliban, the Angels of Expurgation consider a Fallen as any brother of the Unforgiven who has betrayed the Lion, be they members of the original traitors on Caliban, or those who fell after. This includes latter day traitors up to the present. For the chapter perceives all treachery amongst the Unforgiven as an affront to the honour of the Lion and Emperor. All must be captured, interrogated and executed if the sons of the Lion are to ever be granted pardon.
The Emperor's Redemption will grace the chapter once all Fallen are brought to justice. Only through endless crusades to capture them will they achieve salvation. It is a test through He on Earth that they continue onward, undergoing trials of blood and sacrifice. The chapter's Inner Circle believe they are more condemned in the eyes of the Emperor then of all the Unforgiven. They carry a heavy burden for the Fallen and the events surrounding the time in which the chapter fought the Wars of Unrest. Because of this, the chapter deem themselves "Twice Shamed."
They utilize a considerable array of rituals and symbolism, each holding a deep exoteric and esoteric meanings. Only the Inner Circle fully understand the significance of each incantation, ritual and symbol. The chapter utilizes Black purity seals to remember the damnation brought upon them. All brothers wear hooded robes while inside the chapter citadel. The most veteran brothers of the Chapter wear dark crimson robes, symbolizing the blood that has been spilt from within. Black service studs are used to mark the bond of brotherhood amongst the chapter, ever vigilant in searching out and eradicating the traitor and enemies of the Emperor.
The faith of the chapter is organized in a sacred text entitled the Angelus Lamentati. Within its sacred pages contains litanies and prayers of redemption, vengeance, and salvation. The vows each brother periodically undertakes are detailed within its pages, as well as general history of the chapter itself. The chapter cycles brothers through periods of training, war, and spiritual retreat and contemplation. It is because of such a rigorous monastic lifestyle, the reclusium claims that no brother has fallen to Chaos in over 900 years.
For those inducted into the Inner Circle, the Angelus Lamentati contains additional pages of text. The completed scripture details the painful history of the Unforgiven, allowing each brother of the secretive order personal contemplation on those who have brought defilement and ruination upon the legacy of Lion El'Jonson. The tome allows them to reflect on the collective guilt and responsibility that the chapter bears. The Angelus Lamentati is a mainstay in each brother's life, for it is the very foundation of faith.
The most important addition to the tome is a long list of names, individuals whose souls have been condemned for their treachery against the Emperor and the Lion. All within the Inner Circle memorize the listed names to memory. However, it is the chapter's Reclusium which revere the unabridged tome to the fullest extent. Every night in the hidden confines of the Black Cathedral, the chaplain's recite in a whispered hymn the Secretori Damnatus, the listed names of the Fallen and condemned, before a masterly sculpted statue of Lion El'Jonson.
After this whispered prayer, the chaplains will spend the evening reciting litanies and hymns of praise of the Lion and the Emperor, as well as canticles seeking retribution and vengeance against their treacherous kin. These are done individually and in unison, concluding their evening in individual silent vigils.
The chaplains take it upon themselves to make the traitors beg for forgiveness before executing them through the process known as the Emperor's Damnation. This entails intense psychological torture of which the Chaplains of the Chapter are highly skilled. Whereas other chapters of the Unforgiven employ more physical means to a confession, the Chaplains of the Angels of Expurgation utilize psychological and nervous system triggers to create waves of excruciating pain.
The chapter adheres to the Codex Astartes with moderate variations. Each company is called a Host and is lead by a Master. The Chapter Master is known as Lord Master. The First Host of the Angels of Expurgation is called the Ere'lim/Order of the Black Chalice have a minimal amount of Terminator suits. The most veteran brothers of the host are known as Bearers of the Blace Chalice/Knights of the Black Chalice The Second Host is called the Blackwing/Stygianwing/Wraithwing/Shadowwing/___ and is akin to the Ravenwing, with its Inner Circle members known as Black Reapers/Wraith Knights/Black Wraiths/Order of the Fallen Tears/Knights of the Fallen Tears.
The sixth host is organized as a battle company. Due to their constant vigil over the Segmentum Pacificus, the host was reorganized as an additional battle company. It excludes its devastator squads in favor of additional assault personnel making them extremely deadly in close combat situations. Given the chapter's assault oriented nature, the sixth host has become the most active host in the entire chapter.
Adorned in black robes, none amongst the chapter know these five individuals identities, nor their missions and objectives save the highest authorities of the chapter: The Chapter Master, Chief Librarian and the Master of Sanctity. Rumors abound that they hunt only the most elusive of Fallen, and have been tasked with continuing the proxy war between the chapter and their Dark Angel cousins for which they abhor.
While the five individuals remain a mystery, the sixth amongst them, the Chaplain of the squad, is known and is the face of the Black Shroud. His zealous nature and methods of interrogation unmatched by his brethren. Due to such exremism, he will never ascend to the position of Master of Sanctity. The Chaplain who leads the Black Shroud knows his destiny lies elsewhere: to purge the ranks of the Unforgiven, and make the Fallen and latter day traitors meet a most gruesome and violent end. All in the name of the Lion and Emperor. For there is no hope for the damned....
Consequently, this dizzying structure serves a second and more ulterior purpose. It is incomprehensible to other Unforgiven, which further divides the chapter from their despised cousins, and grants them a safeguard to which they are able to guard their secrets with uttermost scrutiny.
Veterans who have shown deep devotion and extreme loyalty to the chapter are brought to the chapter's most Inner Sanctum within the Tower of Rectitude (although younger marines who have shown their worth are also considered). In the darkest chambers, surrounded by cowled figures, they are asked to explain their duties within the chapter and list their personal roll call of honours. The brother is then asked to narrate the rituals and stories of the chapter as well as their favorite passages of scripture from the Angelus Lamentati.
After a thorough questioning and retelling, the brother will be asked to meditate upon his faith for a period of time. As the brother sits in the dark chamber alone, the Inner Circle discuss whether the brother is worthy of induction into their ranks. If he is deemed worthy, the Inner Circle return to the chamber, surrounding the brother. Here, the Lord Master or highest ranking Inner Circle member present (usually the Master of Sanctity) will reveal the grim, sorrow filled truth of the chapter and its history. If he is deemed unworthy or shows signs of weakness when being revealed the truth, A chaplain clad in black robes(usually the Chaplain of the Black Shroud) will summarily execute the brother on the spot without hesitation.
Upon ceremonial induction, the brother will recieve two esoteric symbols tattooed on the inside of his wrists. The tattoos are a visual reminder to the brother to recall the past and present, while further committing to the inner fortitude needed for seeking vengeance against his former kin. Additionally, his robes will be embroided with a black trim, symbolizing his initiate rank amongst the Inner Circle.
As a brother ascends within the Inner Circle, he will come to learn the hidden meanings of the chapter's rituals and prayers, the truth behind the stories as well as the darkest truths of the Unforgiven. He will be given additional tattoos of esoteric meaning and be adorned in crimson robes, which will also be embroided with various patterns. The tattoos and crimson robes with various embroidered patterns denote his continual advancement within the many orders of the Inner Circle.
To the rest of the chapter, the tattoos and crimson robes represent further accolades of veteran leadership. Their true meaning is known only to the Inner Circle. Thus each member of the mysterious order will know one another within the fortress walls as well as upon the battlefield. For the Angels, no one is to be fully trusted. The marks of the Inner Circle signify an unbreakable bond of loyalty to chapter, primarch, and Emperor. Only they can bare the gut wrenching truth of the Unforgiven and their ancestors.
Favoring protracted engagements, The chapter relies heavily on tactical and close combat assault squads. The Angels are stubborn in their cause to war when other chapters or Imperial Guard would have withdrawn from the battle. They are known for engaging xenos and daemons on a regular basis.
While the rest of the Unforgiven are notorious for withdrawing from a battlefield to hunt the Fallen, the Angels of Expurgation believe their cousins show cowardice in abandoning fellow astartes and Imperial troops. Leaving in the midst of a conflict only further estranges the Unforgiven from the rest of the Imperium that they swore to protect. When talks of a Fallen reach the chapter, they will relinquish only several squads from a conflict while the rest of the brothers remain behind to stand by their comrades side.
They will always be the last troops to break rank and withdraw, preferring to stay and fight when few others would be so willing to face such overwhelming odds. This adamant stand to fight is imbedded in the chapter's belief that they bear the their secret burden of shame and treason. Through their sacrifice and reclaimed honor will they be redeemed in the eyes of the Emperor and their Primarch Lion El'Johnson.
The Angels of Expurgation have garnered deep admiration and respect amongst fellow astartes and Imperial Guard Regiments for their hardline stance in warfare. It is due to this considerable reputation and their fame throughout the Segmentum Pacificus, that the Imperial Inquisition have forgone further investigation into the origins and founding of the chapter.
The chapter utilizes the Geneseed of Lion El'Johnson. They are noted for their extreme abhorence of abhumans and xenos. Their methods of interrogation and torture of the Fallen reflect a brutal and savage mentality. These characteristics are possibly genetic in nature due to their parent chapter's noted extreme xenophobia and savagery. Although this cannot be officially verified.
"No Hope for the Damned...."
Edited by XKhalilX, 12 February 2014 - 03:45 PM.