Brother-Sergeant Bohemond

I love your idea. I'd still stick with Resplendent, though, due to the dichotomy that you can play with - considering that the setting is dark, and the sons of the Lion have such a dark secret, yet the name conjures up glory and dazzle. Its perfect irony.

Index Astartes: Angels of Caliban Chapter Name: Angels of Caliban Chapter Number: XXXII Primarch: Lion el’Jonson Grand-Master: Bohemond 1V Homeworld: None, Fleet Based Chapter Fortress-Monastery: Imperial Battleship, Glory of Caliban Main Colours: Black and Forest Green Speciality: Tactical flexibility Successors: None recorded Current Strength: Unconfirmed Battle Cry: “Mortis et Traditore!” Origins “Adeptus Astartes! Angels of the First Legion! Today is a historic day indeed! Today, today we start the Great Crusade to liberate and unite Mankind!” - Excerpt from the Emperor’s speech to Legio I on the day he launched the Great Crusade The Angels of Caliban can trace their origins back beyond the Great Betrayal of Horus and the discovery of the First Legion’s Liege to the hallowed ground of Terra herself. The 18th Chapter of the First Legion was established upon Terra raised from recruits drawn all over Europa. In particular they were drawn from that region of Europe known as Alba. The Chapter, and Legion, participated in the final stages of the Unification Wars cutting their teeth against the Techno-Barbarians of Terra. Following the launch of the Great Crusade they began to wage war in the name of the Emperor and his vision of unity. The 18th Chapter had spent much of their early service away from the bulk of the Legion. A result of an altercation between Chapter-Master Elisha and, it seems, the Legion commander, Chapter-Master Astelan. Although the cause of this rift is lost to time suffice to say it meant that the Chapter was absent from the Legion during its most gruelling campaign against the Callix Tech-Empire. It appears that four out of every five marines died during the conflict leading to one of the most gutted Chapters in the entire Legion. However, victory was total and a large number of resource rich worlds were added to the Imperium of Man including the world Prydien which would be of importance to the later Angels of Caliban. It was during the conclusion of this campaign that they received word of the discovery of their Primarch on the world of Caliban. So it was that they made haste towards Caliban, the new home world of the I Legion – newly renamed ‘The Dark Angels’ by Lion el’Jonson. Malachi and Raul were brothers and sons of the Order. Raised in the latter days of Caliban’s Great Crusade the two honed their skills against each other and the last of the great beasts that plagued their home. These two mighty Heroes fought side by side in every conflict, in every war, their swords rose and fell as one, they lived and breathed as one, their bond was as inseparable as that of the Lion and Luther! True Sons of Caliban, they immortalised all that was good and pure about their world, they truly were Dark Angels, sons of the Lion! - Extract from Remembrancer Wulfnorth, M.31 Chapter-Master Elisha and the 18th Chapter arrived at Caliban to be greeted by their Primarch. Jonson renamed the Chapter the 18th Order and ordered that large numbers of recruits would be added to the Order to bring them back up to full strength. Over the next six months Elisha worked these recruits hard to integrate them all into the Order. His training was a success leading to one of the most integrated Order’s in the Legion with a strong working relationship between the Terran and Caliban born Astartes. It was during this time that two Marines would rise to prominence. Both were dedicated sons of Caliban who had completed their initial training in ‘The Order’ Malachi and Raul, firm friends and brothers in arms. They served together well; each rising to the rank of Company-Master determined that they would work together. Yet this was not to be and, as the Order finished campaigning in the Revedor system, Raul was ordered back to Caliban to take command of the 42nd Chapter as Grandmaster. This moment marked the last time the two friends would see each other, for Raul would not leave Caliban again until its destruction. Shortly following his recall to Caliban Elisha fell, mortally wounded, in combat against Orks of Yanus III. Although the subsequent battle was a total victory, the Order mourned the loss of their first GrandMaster. He survived his wounds, however, as he was interred in a Dreadnought Sarcophagus upon both his agreement and the order of the Company-Master of the First Company, Malachi. The position of GrandMaster was filled by the promotion of Malachi who was a popular choice among both the few remaining Terran Astartes and the sons of Caliban. As the Horus Heresy broke over the Imperium the 18th Chapter was part of the Dark Angels force which was in the Thramas crusade against the Night Lords. Throughout the Heresy the Order distinguished itself fighting with fervour and dedication against every traitor. Yet their efforts were not enough and Horus struck down the Emperor. With heavy hearts the Legion returned to Caliban, and with it went Malachi and the remnants of the 18th Order. It was in orbit around Caliban that the Order faced their biggest threat yet, treachery from their own. The battle for Caliban ended with the Lion missing and their home destroyed. Luther, considered the arch-traitor, was found in the wreckage of the Fortress-Monastry. But it was not Luther who Malachi sought to find when he descended upon the ruined world. He sought his once brother, the nemesis of the Angels of Caliban – Raul. Sadly, he would not find him and exact his vengeance upon the traitor. Following the Fall, Malachi and the 18th Order pursued the remnants of the Warmaster’s armies back across the Imperium. Key among their foes during the Scouring were the Iron Warriors under Warsmith Menares who was only removed from his fortresses during a protracted campaign. Malachi and Menares had clashed several times during the Heresy but their personal conflicts would come to a head during the Scouring. Founding Brothers…this is a dark day indeed, for not only must we split the Legion, but we also have lost our Liege.” - Corswain, Seneschal of the Lion As part of Guilliman’s reforms the Legions were broken into Chapters. The much reduced 18th Order formed the core of the new Angels of Caliban named in remembrance of their lost homeworld. Included amongst the number of Astartes that he took with him was his mentor, Elisha. Malachi established the Imperial Battleship Glory of Caliban as the Chapters Fortress-Monastery; henceforth would the Chapter ply the stars seeking out the Emperor’s foes. It was Segmentum Obscuras that Malachi decided to make their home and over the next seven hundred years Malachi led the Chapter against the Emperor’s foes imprinting his legacy upon the Chapter through the Tome of Malachi, an impressive ten Volumes discussing the history of lost Caliban, the teachings of the Lion and the teachings of Guilliman. He instituted Prydein as one of the key recruitment worlds for the Chapter and it was this world which he asked to be buried upon when he died facing down an Eldar Autarch. It would be his successor, Bohemond I, who began the construction of the mighty Citadel, Angels Fall, and the city of Malachi’s Rest. Throughout the history of the Imperium the Chapter has been instrumental in most major engagements across Segmentum Obscuras. Due to their proximity to the Eye of Terror the Chapter also has every Black Crusade mentioned on their honour rolls, for at least one company has always stood against their traitorous brethren. Recent Activities Following Abaddon’s Gothic excursion the Angels have gathered in greater numbers restoring Imperial order and control across southern Segmentum Obscuras. There are rumours of greater numbers of aspirants being taken from their recruiting worlds expanding the size of the Chapter. Due to the fragmented nature of the region no Imperial authority has the time, or willpower, to sanction a full investigation – indeed many Imperial commanders have hinted they would welcome the increased numbers. As rumours abound of a Thirteenth Black Crusade prepared by Abbaddon the Chapter considers deploying Astartes to Cadia. However, with the return of an arch-nemesis there are those who would rather hunt him down and add to their redemption. A Homeworld? “Caliban is our ancestral home, we know no other. But Prydien is the gift of Jonson, a world in form much like the beauties of Caliban – without the dangers – and a place we can rest in exile.” Unknown, ascribed to an Astartes from M.37 Technically the Angels of Caliban do not have a homeworld due to their status as a fleet based chapter. If they do have a homeworld, then it will be Caliban that they mention. However, observers note the Chapter’s closeness to the world of Prydien and several others in the Callix subsector. Prydien is the location of the Tomb of Malachi where the first Grand Master lies buried. Prydien is a Terra-like world with a temperate climate. There are three large landmasses and numerous islands situated in a sea which covers the world much like the ancient histories claim Terra once had. The natives of the world are divided into fairly primitive clans which practice a subsistence based agrarian society that has a strict honour code. While metalworking, and the wider Imperium, is known to these clans they prefer to keep life simpler remembering the dark days of the Callix Tech-Empire. The clans frequently engage in warfare, most of the young males will form the King’s warbands and they constantly vie with the neighbours for control of resources, glory and women. Alliances, too, are a source of constant violence as one clan will march to another’s aid even if they suffer themselves. The ruler of each Clan is referred to as the ‘King’ but this is not a hereditary position or title. Upon their ruler’s death the elders come together and select a new ruler out of the warriors of the Clan, one who is wise, canny and a skilled warrior. They must undergo the ‘Ritual of the Night’ where they must survive the night without falling asleep or perishing. If they are found asleep they are beaten to death or must choose suicide, for the shame is too great. Should they pass, they become the Clan’s ruler. The Clans have a loose political organisation which allows them to deal with the Imperium, once every five years they will meet on the hallowed ground of Malachi’s Rest, the only ‘city’ in the entire world, in what is called the ‘Great Theng’. Here they meet to sort out their grievances and, at times, to select a world leader to represent their people. Smaller ‘Theng’s’ also exist in regions in order to provide the Clan Kings the ability to properly meet and talk to one another. Theng’s are also a place where death is not allowed, though violence in the form of wrestling is encouraged between warriors, as it considered a betrayal of sacred oaths. Anyone who commits violence leading to death is, himself, executed. It is considered a great honour to be chosen by the Angels by these clans and so budding youngsters are taken to the Great Theng and presented to be chosen. On the culmination of the month long event, these youngsters are taken by the Chapters representatives to the Keep of Elisha, situated in the northern part of the world, where they must survive the night outside, naked, in the manner of the selection process undertaken by the Order. Those who live are taken into the Order to begin their training, those who fail and die are returned to their clans. There is a second Fortress that the Angels maintain upon Prydien, near Malachi’s Rest. It is built next to a large lake, though much of it is constructed deep underground. It is this Citadel, called Angels Falls, which leads many to assume that Prydein is the homeworld. It maintains massive armouries, geneseed banks and enough room to hold at least a Thousand Astartes. Massive orbital batteries also exist scattered across the world garrisoned by the Angel’s Chapter Serfs, mere mortals who are generally failed aspirants and female soldiers. This network, which interacts with the native population, keeps Prydein safe from invasion and most hostile raids. Karasnor lacks valuable resources with much of what it once had already mined. It is inhabited by primitive, nomadic, tribes ruled over by a tribal leader and shaman. These tribes constantly war with one another for resources and it is not unknown for an entire tribe to be wiped out, their womenfolk assimilated, by a stronger tribe. It is these warriors which makes the planet attractive to the Chapter and the Imperium. The Angels maintain a Chapter-Keep aloof from the planets population and almost never intervene in their affairs. This Fortress is built into one of the largest mountain ranges and, once every generation, aspirants come from across the planet to the massive Adamantium gates set into Mt Corswain. The tribes themselves describe their ability to know when to send their best young warriors as ‘the call’ when the Shamans receive a dream of a mighty Lion roaring from the peak of a tall mountain. They will then select a number of their best warriors to travel to the Lion’s Range, the greatest mountain range, where the greatest of them are taken by the Angels of the Sun God to serve him among the stars. A Dark Past Malachi was present when the terrible truth was revealed to the sons of the Lion: The Fallen had survived but of the Lion there was no sign. Along with his brother Grand-Masters he swore the oath to hunt them down, for only then could they gain forgiveness. For Malachi, however, there was a greater pain, a greater betrayal which had to be atoned for – Raul. The Angels of Caliban seek him even now, above and beyond even other Fallen. Callix V was the heart of the Callix Tech-Empire and, for that reason; the Angels of Caliban maintain a visible presence on the planet. The planet is industrially powerful, although it lacks the hives that many other industrial planets have. However, the world is a source of potential recruits from the military academies the world maintains where the nobility of the planet send their young men. It also is a source of valuable industrial material. Aspirants from Callix are taken to the Keep of Elisha on Prydein to undergo the same test that all recruits must, ultimately, pass – the night spent in the cold. Callix V also maintains strong links with the Adeptus Mechanicus and it is from Callix that many of the Chapters Techmarines and Armoury Marines are drawn. Although these three worlds form the core of the Chapters recruits, they do recruit from other worlds, many of which they have conducted operations upon. Upon each world they maintain a Keep that watches over the world and acts as the central location for new recruits. Maintained by Chapter Serfs and aging Astartes, each Keep is the first testing ground of any potential recruits. Often set in harsh locations: high up in mountain ranges, or in the middle of a desert or some other inhospitable location recruits must make their own way to the Keep. True to the traditions of the order those who make it must spend a full night outside the doors before they are accepted. Those who fail perish or, if they demand entrance to the Keep may be admitted to the ranks of the Chapter’s Serfs. Angels Falls Angels Falls is the name of the main Fortress that the Angels of Caliban maintains upon Prydein and is the largest Fortress they currently utilise across the Imperium. It is rumoured that the Fortress is large enough to hold the entire Chapter, their serfs and any additional troops they so desire. The Fortress itself is constructed in the mountains to the south of Malachi’s Rest. There lies a great plateau in which sits a large lake. It is here, built beside the lake, that the Fortress towers above the world. Mighty walls built to withstand orbital strikes surround the Citadel carved with Angels, Gargoyles, Lions and other symbols of the Chapter. A single gate sits in the wall, forged from adamantium and steel, strong enough to withstand the blast from a Shadowsword. Towers exist along the walls crowned with mighty weapons strong enough to defend Prydein from Orbital attack as well as land attack. Smaller weapons line the wall providing a grim reminder that no world is ever safe from attack. Behind the gate there exists a massive courtyard large enough to contain the entire Chapter assembled. It is surrounded by cultivated trees and lined with statues of heroes of the Chapter. At the end of the Courtyard there sits the Rostra carved with the faces of Elisha, Malachi and Bohemond. It is from here that the Master of the Chapter will speak to his assembled Warriors. Towering above the courtyard and even the mighty walls rises the Tower of Prydien. This is the central Keep of the fortress lined with mighty guns and carved symbols. It is here that the heart of the Fortress is and within this tower sits the Void Shield Generator which protects the Fortress even more. Legend has it that the heart of the fortress marks where the first Angel stepped foot upon the world of Prydein, whether this is the actual spot, the Angels refuse to comment. Like many Astartes fortresses across the Imperium, Angel’s Fall is largely built underground. Carved into the bedrock of the Mountain and expanding under the surface of the Lake itself, it is here that vast armouries and barracks exist. It is rumoured that the Angels maintain far more in the way of weapons than they need to equip a full Chapter. Likewise Angel’s Fall maintains large geneseed banks, alongside those maintained in the Glory of Caliban and it is rumoured the Chapter has other banks secreted across Segmentum Obscuras. Chapter Colours Brother Abram of the Angels of Caliban Fifth Company. Note the White cross on a blue background, symbol of his Heraldry. With the Second Founding and the establishment of a new Chapter the Angels of Caliban had to give up the Winged Sword emblem of their Legion. Initially for the newly formed Chapter this was difficult and many believed they should keep the symbol of their Legion as it was all they had to remember Caliban. It was Bohemond, then Master of the First Company, who spoke to the assembled officers reminding them of the initiations they, and their forefathers, had gone through to join The Order. He spoke of the circles that they undertook as they advanced in knowledge and prowess, suggesting that a complete circle be taken as their symbol. Appearance Armour Halved Green and Black Trim Steel Accents Generally White Eye Lenses Red Cloth White Weapon Casing Black Chapter Symbol The Angels have a halved Green and Black scheme for their armour. The Green is that which represents Caliban and their heritage and serves as a reminder for what they consider to be their true home and their duty to the Lion. The Black represents the Legion and the Emperor, an ever constant reminder of their duty to the Imperium. Worn on the Right Pauldron, the Chapter symbol is a White Circle that represents The Order and Caliban, while the left Pauldron bears the personal heraldry of each Astartes that is presented when formally inducted into the Brotherhood. The heraldry of each brother contains some element of their mentor’s heraldry, in this way the traditions and respect for the senior brothers continues throughout the new recruits. Unlike the Dark Angels Chapter, the Angels of Caliban do not maintain a separate colour scheme for their First and Second Companies. Instead they both adopt the halved scheme. It should be noted that the Terminator’s of the First Company do not bear the Chapter symbol upon their Right Pauldron, instead they maintain their personal Heraldry upon the right and bear the Crux Terminatus on the left. Unlike other Unforgiven Chapters, Robes are not a symbol of position but are more widely worn by members of the Chapter both on duty and off. In battle the wearing of Robes, Tabards and Loincloths is widespread as they are seen by many to be yet another link back to lost Caliban. The armour of Initiates is black, bar the left arm and pauldron which is painted forest green. They bear only the Chapter symbol on their left pauldron and the right contains the squad designator. The fatigues of the Initiates vary depending on the mission at hand; in an urban setting they will be a mottled grey, blue and black. Company-Master Elijah of the Third shortly after his elevation, note the plain white heraldry, unique among the Chapter Vehicles Like the rest of the Chapter the vehicles are maintained in a halved black and green scheme emblazoned with the Chapter symbol. Symbols of the Chapter, Legion and Caliban grace most mechanised vehicles providing an inspiration to the Brothers who fight alongside them and act as a reminder of their heritage. Every vehicle is named and holds a place of honour on the Rosta Gloria contained within Angel’s Fall. Those vehicles destroyed are remembered for where they fell and every squad which was once associated with the vehicle is recorded. Thus is the past remembered for the future. The Flight of Angels The Flight of Angels is a colloquial term that refers to the extensive fleet the Chapter has acquired over the millennia. The Core of the fleet is the Glory of Caliban, a large Crusade-era Imperial Battleship, and two Battle-Barges; Fist of Malachi and The Prydien. There are also five Strike Cruisers, attached to the Third through Seventh Companies. It is The Prydien that is formally attached to the Second Company and First Companies, though neither company has made that much use of it. The Glory of Caliban is a Crusade-era Battleship built in the shipyards of Luna for the launch of the Great Crusade. Originally named Wrath of Terra, the Glory of Caliban was attached to the 227th Expeditionary force under Chapter-Master Eliphas and the 18th Chapter of the 1st legion. After the Fall, Malachi renamed the mighty warship the ‘Glory of Caliban’ to honour their lost homeworld and to provide a link with what he and his brothers had lost. The Battleship itself is larger than the later Emperor Class battleships and contains the central armoury, forges, Reclusiam, Apothecarian and Librarias as well as the Grand-Masters quarters. Large numbers of relics and geneseed stores are stored upon the warship, although there are caches secreted on their Fortress which are scattered throughout the Segmentum. With its formidable power and its ability to deploy large numbers of Gunships and Fighters, this Fortress-Monastery grants the Angels the potential military power that younger Chapters cannot hope to achieve. Few outsiders are allowed to enter the mighty warship and, of those who are honoured so, they will spend most of their time on the Seventh Deck. The remainder of the Flight of Angels is made up of a large number of escorts, resupply craft and Imperial Cruisers acquired in the last ten thousand years. This sizable fleet gives the Angels power and ability to strike against their foes wherever they are and no matter the strength of their defences. The First Company maintains twenty Frigates which one assigned to each squad of the First Company. This allows them to operate independently, although usually they are attached to one of the Battle Companies. The reason for this organisation is unclear, and indeed frowned upon by many other Chapters and Imperial organisations. In a battle, it is not unusual for the entire complement of the First Company to leave the campaign zone aboard their frigate. While observers in the know might note it as not unusual of the Unforgiven, the Angels have managed to avoid much of the stigma associated with these actions by only withdrawing their elite forces. However, there are still instances of entire Battle-Companies being pulled from a conflict with no explanation given. Glory of Caliban The Crusade-era Battleship Glory of Caliban is recorded as the Fortress-Monastery of the Angels of Caliban in official Imperial sources. The Glory of Caliban was one of the earliest warships constructed by the Imperium following the Unification Wars, built larger than modern warships. The vessel is not large enough to maintain the entire Chapter and dependants, although a large number can be kept onboard the vessel should the need arise. It is upon the Glory of Caliban that the Angels maintain their Librarius, inner sanctity and reliquary, geneseed banks and the main Armoury. One entire deck is reserved for visitors, and they are not usually permitted to leave this area, in fact the Angels maintain their secrecy by not informing their visitors of what level the deck is. The one place they may travel to is the Grand Master’s quarters which takes up much of an entire deck, although most is not utilised for comfort but military duties. There are two features of the Grand Master’s quarters worth discussing; the first is the lack of Spartan decoration with fine wood panels and tapestries decorating his quarters. The second is a hall which can contain around fifteen hundred Astartes around a massive table. This is the hall utilised for the Festum Angelus. Chapter Organisation The Codex, you say, yes we follow ours to the letter. Is yours not the same?” - Grand Master Elijah III in response to accusations from Chapter-Master Lucius Cornelius of the Knights of Corothia, M.35 The Chapter, like most Unforgiven Chapters, fields the Second Company mounted entirely on bikes and speeders and the First Company are made up of Veterans. The rest of the Chapter is divided into eight Battle-Companies of around one hundred Astartes divided into, usually, ten squads. This number can increase temporarily depending on numbers of Astartes that are able to interface with their suits of Power Armour. Each Battle-Company also has a complement of Initiates who are attached to each Company for their entire careers, unless transferred to a specialist field or the First and Second Companies or for some other reason which is never explained. This mode of training replaces the standard Tenth Company in other Codex Chapters although they will be attached to a Veteran-Sergeant who trains and guides them on their way to becoming full Astartes. A Company can number well over a Hundred Astartes depending on the numbers of current recruits and the number of battlefield casualties. The Ninth Company currently stands at One Hundred and Twenty-Three combat ready Astartes plus Company Command as well as Twenty-Two Initiates. This is due to high recruitment rates in recent years and the Ninth’s low combat losses. As part of the Chapters organisation, too, a Company that suffers high losses will be taken out of active service and placed in strategic reserve upon the Fortress-Monastery for several years granting them time to rebuild, as is currently the case with the Fourth and was, until recently, the case with the Ninth. This does not mean that such a Company will not see action; on the contrary they are Astartes after all and will be used when and where necessary. Like the First Company, the Second recruits from among the entire Chapter. They never explain the selection processes and an Astartes who has shown a lack of skill on a Bike may, for some reason, be pulled into the Company. Events like this, however, are rare and most of those recruited to the Company are the most skilled at Bikes and controlling the Landspeeders of the Chapter. Due to the nature of mounted warfare of Pyrdien the vast majority of the Company are made up of Astartes who hail from that planet. The Company, like the Battle-Companies, can number upwards of One Hundred Astartes. Unlike the other Companies the First Company never numbers more than One Hundred and Five Angels, the reason for this has never been made clear, though, due to the numbers of highly skilled Angels who have not been raised to the First due to ‘lack of available space’ some rumour that this hints that it is a way to control the procession of Marines within the Chapter. There are twenty squads in the first company and each has its own Frigate complete with armoury, LandRaider and a Thunder Hawk. This flexibility sees the Veterans of the Angels of Caliban striking all over the Imperium, even at seemingly innocent locations. The First Company, along with the Second, also has access to the Battle-Barge The Prydien where the two Company-Master’s and their Command Squads are based along with the support personnel essential to the Companies. Uniform of the First Company Every Company is under the command of a Company-Master who, unlike some Chapters, does not fulfil any extra role. The Chapter considers that they need to be focused on their duty to lead, train and fight where they are called to go. Most roles are fulfilled by high ranking serfs who are often privy to parts of the Chapter Cult. There are two roles which are occupied by Astartes, however, these are the Master of the Recruits and the Master of the Fleet. The Master of the Recruits is a role which is fulfilled by an older Astartes and can often be short term. They are responsible for the initial stages of recruitment and training before they join the Battle-Companies. The Master of the Fleet is a position granted to an Astartes who has a talent for space command. Usually they are advised by a Chapter Serf who holds the title of Admiral of the Flight of Angels, a career officer who has spent much of his, or her, life as an officer in the Flight of Angels and so knows the Chapter’s fleet intimately. Outside of the Astartes the Chapter maintains a large number of serfs to fulfil a number of roles. These include soldiers, failed aspirants, hereditary serfs and those recruited as they pass through warzones. Higher ranking serfs include those who command the mighty warships of the Flight of Angels as well as those who are highly trusted with the administration of the Chapter. The highest ranking Serf is the Seneschal of Prydein who is appointed by the GrandMaster to oversee the highest levels of administration of the Chapter. Serfs are used for many roles below this including military roles where they protect recruitment worlds and form garrisons for Chapter-Keeps across the Segmentum. The Armoury also has a large number of Serfs to help with the maintainence of Astartes vehicles and weapons. The Serfs are loyal to the Chapter and often participate in the more public rites of the Chapter taking honour in the valuable position and role they occupy. Without the thousands of Serfs the Chapter has they would find it harder to function as well as they do. Some Astartes maintain their own personal households of Serfs who they are responsible for. These help them with their armour and other duties and, in return, they are granted protection and higher access than most Serfs. The practice is not frowned upon as it reflects the bond of Knighthood which The Order once prized. Combat Doctrine Discipline, Knowledge, Skill and Dedication are the hallmarks of the approach which the Angels of Caliban takes to warfare. The Chapter seeks excellence across all areas of war and scorns the idea that a Chapter should specialise in one approach above others. To this end the Astartes of the Chapter trains constantly with every weapon they will use and practice simulations against as many opponents as they can gain access too. Knowledge in the context of their combat doctrine refers to the ideal that they should know how to defeat their enemies with the minimal of effort and they will spend countless hours studying the war plans of famous enemy commanders, such as Abaddon, Khârn, Yriel and many others looking for weaknesses. In recent years the famed Lord Castellan of Cadia, Creed himself, is considered a popular figure to read on for his insights as is the study of Macharius’ campaigns. The Chapter contains one of the largest depositories on Xenos and Traitor military doctrines in the Imperium, though there are parts of this library which none bar the Librarius and Company-Master’s may read. The rank and file do not remain curious, as they know there are some things they should never read. For a Chapter which encourages flexibility in a theatre of war the Angels of Caliban will almost never withdraw when there is a slim chance for victory. This increases particularly when facing the Traitor and Renegade, whom they hate with a fervour greater than many other Chapters. When faced with a Traitor force the Chapter will almost never abandon a position and fight to the bitter end determined to take as many of their foe to the Emperor’s Judgement as possible. Brothers, I thank you for this honour that you have bestowed upon me. Elisha, a great brother and true servant of the Lion was brutally murdered by the thrice accursed traitor Raul who brought shame upon our honoured first Grand Master and our Chapter. I hereby pledge that I shall bring him to justice, no matter where Raul hides, no matter where he flees, he shall be found. And he shall be killed. We shall never rest and we shall gain vengeance, not merely for Malachi and the Lion, but for all our lost brothers since then and, most especially, for Elisha. Excerpt from Bohemond IV’s acceptance speech on his succession to the title of GrandMaster following the death of Elisha VII Recruitment “Welcome, from now on, you will address me as Master and I shall address you all as Child. I care nought for you station in your previous life, the moment you stepped through these doors you became the Chapters until you die.” - Master Kylos, Master of the Recruits, to initiates on Prydien M.41 ‘There is nothing but the Chapter’ is an apt summary of the training of each Angel. Cultures and traditions are broken down and replaced with the Chapter traditions; faith is replaced with the Chapter Cult. No matter which world one brother comes from, their world view is reshaped to that of the Chapter. Once they enter the gates of a Keep they become children again, no matter the position they had in their previous life. Their trainers, whether Serfs or Astartes, are the only adults in the training halls, and only adults have any authority which is more than fleeting. More than one recruit who has been treated as a man in his home world, usually with the greatest of honours, will break under this pressure and demand they are treated better. These individuals are removed from training and never seen again. The initial training before implantation is the roughest on the mind of the raw recruits. Organs are too valuable to waste. Librarians and Chaplains will thoroughly work them over indoctrinating them into the Chapter, stripping away the rituals of their past life. Punishments are handed out for any cultural norm or ritual which is not considered worthy to remain in an initiate and they soon learn to replace these with the Chapters own rituals. Once they are considered worthy they are implanted with the first of their organs and begin the true training of an Astartes. It is at this point, too, that they put aside their birth name and take on a name of the Chapter. Training occurs not only on-board the Glory of Caliban but also in the mighty fortresses of Prydein. Recruits will usually start their training at Prydien before moving to the Battleship where they complete their training and see the heart of the Chapter for the first time. Training not only includes combat doctrine but the history of the Chapter and histories of each Company. They are taught much of the history of the wider Imperium, too, or, at least, that which the Chapter deems to be what they should know. Once an initiates implants are mostly finished and they are deemed ready to progress by their trainers, the Initiates move on to join one of the eight Battle-Companies. This is just after the time that an initiate will join the Tenth Company in a more codex chapter. Once they join the Company they are added to squads where they study under a Veteran Sergeant and gain more battle experience. Once an initiate is deemed to be worthy to become a full Astartes they receive their Power Armour, which most Astartes will wear for the rest of their lives. As part of their initiation as a full Angel they are granted the right to wear their own personal heraldry which will be permanently added to their role of honour. This heraldry incorporates part of their Sergeant’s heraldry as a sign of the bond to those who had gone before, those who came with them and those yet to come. http://bolterandchainsword.com/sct.php?hair=FFE208&face=FBCC9A&eyes=FFFFFF&spadl=080707&spadr=2B6612&backp=080707&backpg=5C5858&chest=030303&neck=050505&ula=ffffff&ura=ffffff&abd=050505&tunic=ffffff&belt=080707&beltd=030202&wings=FACD05&skull=FFFFFF&cod=050505&legl=ffffff&legr=ffffff&bootl=030202&bootr=050505&bootls=080707&bootrs=080707&bootlp=0A0A0A&bootrp=050505&pouch=915107&pouchb=FFFFFF&holster=AD5707&holsterb=FFFFFF&armrl=2B6612&armll=050505&handlp=050505&handrp=050505&glovel=FBCC9A&glover=FBCC9A&pipes=FFFFFF&rebr=757575&bg=FAF7F7& Initiate of the Angels of Caliban, dress code. Note that the white fatigues is for use in the dress uniform, in combat camo will be utilised Beliefs “It is the traitor, above and beyond the Xenos, that will destroy the Imperium. There can be no mercy shown to a traitor for, by their acts, they show you how worthless they view the Emperor and, for that, there can be no forgiveness.” - Grand Master Malachi I, Tome of Malachi 225.5, Volume II The Emperor is revered as the greatest man, and ruler, who has ever lived and continues to live. The Angels also acknowledge the immense power of the Emperor and maintain that he still helps those of his servants when they are in dire need. Notably they cite fortunate reinforcements arriving in the nick of time, unexplained destructions of enemy forces and their own existence. Second only to the Emperor in reverence is their Primarch, Lion el’Jonson whom the Angels of Caliban maintain is the greatest of all the Emperor’s sons. The Chapter does not actually believe in the death of the Lion and state that, when the Imperium needs him most, the last loyal son will return, reform the First Legion and lead the Imperium in a glorious Crusade sweeping all before him. This particular part of their faith is not usually shared with outsiders, including those in the Unforgiven. While the Chapter may not share some aspects of their cult with the Unforgiven it would be wrong to assume they are estranged. Like most Unforgiven Chapters they maintain close relations, some would say too close, with their primogenitor Chapter and the Grand Master of the Angels of Caliban is always welcome at the Rock frequently meeting with the Supreme Grand Master. Past heroes of the Chapter, and Legion, are also honoured in the Chapter Cult. Malachi, Corswain and Elisha all feature prominently after the Lion and the Emperor. The Legion occupies a special part of the Chapter’s faith and, as a result of this, the Angels of Caliban maintain their closest links with the other Unforgiven chapters – in particular the Dark Angels and the other Second Founding Chapters. Over the years the Chapter has developed closer links with other Imperial organisations and entities, including individual Inquisitors and, through Callix V, the Adeptus Mechanicus. These links, though, are regularly tested by the closed nature of the Angels of Caliban who, like all Unforgiven Chapters, maintain their own counsel. Caliban is considered the spiritual and natural home of the Angels of Caliban and they regret its destruction above all else. The story told to Initiates once they have reached the appropriate stage differs in nature to that of other Unforgiven Chapters. The Angels tell a story of the mighty warrior, Raul, close friend of Malachi who, in his jealousy and hatred broke every oath and destroyed Caliban and caused the disappearance of the Lion. The shame that one of their own killed every one of his brothers on the surface of Caliban and turned his back on the Legion and the Lion has forced the Chapter to never mention this to their Unforgiven brethren. This tale may be told to the rank and file of the Chapter, but as an individual rises in the circles of knowledge they learn the darker, uglier truth: That it was not merely Raul who turned in jealousy. The recruitment of the Angels resembles much of the old inductions utilised by the Order. It is said that Malachi initiated this so that the legacy of the greatest Knightly Order of its age would never be forgotten. Over time much has changed, but the core values of the Order are retained – albeit at times in an altered form. Ever since the establishment of the Chapter hatred for Traitors has been at the centre of their beliefs. In particular they reserve a greater hatred for any and all Astartes Traitor, mortals are not accorded as great a hatred as they are considered fallible and therefore easily led astray. The flip side to hate for treachery is a focus on loyalty to the Chapter and to the Emperor of Mankind. It is striking that in ten thousand years there has not been a single recorded traitor from within the ranks of the Angels of Caliban. The Inner Circle of the Angels of Caliban knows the truth about the Fall of Caliban and that Raul was a traitor who escaped judgement. They are committed to the hunt and redeeming the Chapter once and for all. In particular they seek the capture of Raul and his closest followers, all of whom were drawn from the 18th Chapter of the 1st Legion. The final capture and redemption of those Astartes will remove the black stain on the Chapters past almost as much as the return of the Lion and restoration of the Legion would. ++++++REPORT NUMBER [REDACTED] FILED [REDACTED] M.33+++++++ [interrogator]: Tell me about your feelings before the killings started? [Prisoner]: May the Emperor forgive me. We were filled with jubilation at our success in removing the Imperial authority. We believed we could defeat anything sent against us…we were wrong. [interrogator]: How so? [Prisoner]: You saw it…all those…bodies… People I knew, people that had been so full of hope before. We stood no chance, but did not know it at the time. [interrogator]: Tell me again, how did they die? [Prisoner]: I killed them all. WE killed them all…we believed everyone was a traitor to the cause. Petty insults put us on edge. In our minds we saw everyone around us as an Imperial sympathiser and over time everyone killed everyone else. Violence tore us apart, I don’t know how they did it, but they turned us on one another…we slaughtered an entire world…we damned our entire world! [The prisoner here broke down ending the interview] ++++ [interrogator]: Tell me, Colonel, what was different about the central Fortress? [Colonel Jafar]: For starters it was the old Arbites Fortress, before they captured it. What was different? Other than being secure? The psy-shield that had been erected over it which seems to have kept out whatever it was that caused the minds of the rest of the world to see everyone else as a traitor to their cause. [interrogator]: You are saying that the shield protected those inside? [Colonel Jafar]: It seems that way. [interrogator]: Hmmm. It says here you were the first senior officer to enter the Fortress after the Angels took out the high command? Tell me, what was the most important thing you noticed after entry? [Colonel Jafar]: Other than the slaughtered heretics? The writing scorched into the walls by what appeared to be plasma fire ‘Such is the fate of all Traitors’ in the command centre. That stood out to me quite vividly, particularly as the scenes of some of the largest numbers of Heretic dead were showing on the vid slates. [interrogator]: Was there anything else…unusual…? [Colonel Jafar]: Only that the so-called ‘Liberator’ was never found, either as a prisoner or a dead body. Rumour had it he was a ruthless and calculating warrior – and leader. I was surprised we never located him, but we found his commanders and bodyguards, or what was left of them. [interrogator]: Thank you Colonel +++ [REDACTED] Notes: It appears that the traitors on Taurus Prime killed themselves due to mental trauma inflicted upon them. A possible cause seems to be the presence of a number of Librarians from the Angels of Caliban who were the first Imperial force on the scene. It seems the instigator of the rebellion disappeared, whether he died or was arrested by the Angels is unknown. Extracts from [REDACTED] submitted to [REDACTED] on the Liberation of Taurus Prime M.33 Traditions The Festum Angelis, or The Feast of Angels, is a feast that happens once every Hundred years, the entire Chapter, or as many as can come, returns to the Glory of Caliban which, by this stage, has reached orbit around Prydein. For one month the Chapter renews their oaths of fealty and loyalty with those worlds under their dominion through a series of banquets. The Chapter also spends time in bonding with one another and they re-affirm their oaths of fealty to the Emperor and the Primarch as well as honour distant Caliban and Terra through reflection and meditation. It is a time of happiness, joy and celebration, but also one of mourning, reflection and dedication to the cause once more. Only twice has the Festum Angelis not gone ahead in Ten Thousand years, and both times have been considered as harbingers of doom. The most recent time was when Grand Master Bohemond cancelled the Festum Angelis in order to respond to the death of Elisha a mere fifty years ago. It has been widely considered a bad omen heading into the 42nd Millennium, though they intend to host one on the very start of the Millennium. Trial of Night: Every member of the Chapter has completed the Trial of Night. To be inducted into the Chapter as an aspirant they must survive the night, naked, outside one of the Chapter-Keeps. Should they last the entire night and still be alive they are taken to become Initiates. Heraldry The taking of heraldry is an ancient practice all Astartes once raised into their Battle-Company participate in. Once they become a full Astartes they take their own design that will stay with them until their death, unless some momentous event causes them to change it. The taking of heraldry links the Chapter with those warriors who have come before and those who are yet to come. It links them back to the days when the Lion led the Legion in person, and to Caliban itself as well as a reminder that what once was may yet be again. When the practice first started is not known, though Chronicler Gwalchavad’s research of the past history indicates that it was first adopted by the Veterans of Malachi after he was made Master of the First Company under Eliphas. This belief is reinforced by tradition, all Astartes are told that the practice dates to before the Fall and therefore is a link to lost Caliban. As part of their reverence every Astartes adopts part of the heraldry that the Sergeant who trained them bears. Often this will be the same emblem they adopted from their own trainer. This practice keeps the legacy of their Mentor alive well after his death. For example it is known that the heraldry of Grand-master Bohemond 1V bears the White Cross of Scout Sergeant Ser Rafael, a mighty hero who died in M.34, and that this emblem is still borne today by newly initiated Astartes of the Fourth Company after their own sergeant, Ser Gideon, who was trained by Bohemond himself. This example may be the oldest currently around, but nevertheless; it is a pertinent reminder of the exploits of Rafael and every Astartes who has ever borne the White Cross. Inside the Glory of Caliban there exists the Repostri Heraldis in which the Heraldry of every Angel is kept alongside a record of the Astartes who bore it and a list of their deeds and achievements. It is considered a great honour to be able to trace a piece of heraldry back in time which has accumulated many mighty deeds. Bearing the Name Initiates who survive the initial implantation process, emerging as true Initiates in the Chapter put aside their birth name and ties to their birth world. As part of this process they are allowed to choose a name associated with the Chapter. It is known that there are over three thousand names available to choose from, and each name has a history that the Initiate must learn. As with much of the traditions of the Angels of Caliban, the taking, and bearing, of a new name is key to ensuring that the recruit is tied, culturally, to the Chapter and knows nothing but the Chapter. As part of putting aside ones birth name so, too, do they put aside all ties of allegiance or support to their home. Like the adoption of Heraldry the importance of Bearing the Name is the respect for those who have come before and yet to come. The deeds accomplished should be matched by the warrior who currently bears the name to inspire those yet to bear the name. It is pertinent to note that the numbering of those who bear a particular name, for example Elisha V, is particular only to the office of the Grand Master. This is purely to ensure that here is a differentiation between those who lead the Chapter, so Bohemond IV is merely the fourth Grand Master to bear the name Bohemond rather than being the Fourth Angel to bear the name. Relics Within the Reliquary of the Angels of Caliban the Chapter maintains a number of Relics that are borne into battle at different times. Mandarb: The Great Sword Mandarb that was once wielded by Grand Master Eliphas and, in turn, has been borne by every Grand Master since. The Sword was forged upon Holy Terra, rumoured to have been crafted by the hands of the Emperor himself. The rumours may have some truth in them as the blade has never been broken and is of such quality that craftsmen from the times of the Great Crusade down to the present Age have marvelled at it. Sacred Standards: There are three Sacred Standards belonging to the Angels of Caliban, however, unlike their primogenitors, the Angels of Caliban do not maintain each as an aspect of war but instead revere their first three Chapter Banners. While hardly ever borne into battle, whenever they are borne the situation is so vital that they will risk these banners. The first of these is the Standard of the Pride of Terra, the very first Chapter Banner, said to have been touched by the hand of the Emperor, its black banner proudly bears the markings of the XVIII Chapter of the I Legion. The second is the first banner forged after the Fall, the Standard of the Pride of Caliban serves as a tenuous link to the Dark Angels Chapter and Caliban and is revered as such. The final banner is the Standard of the Pride of Prydien which symbolises the link that the Chapter has forged in their new life after the Fall. Each banner represents the story of the Angels from the Emperor and Terra, through Caliban and the Primarch and down to the current status of the Chapter. Chalice Memoria: This Chalice is the sacred cup of the Angels of Caliban, and is said to have been one of the Chalices commissioned by Lion el’Jonson to commemorate the final extermination of the Beasts of Caliban. Though most were destroyed during the Fall, this one had been granted to Eliphas on his arrival upon Caliban by el’Jonson himself. The Chalice is used in all important ceremonies by the Inner Circle and in the Festum Angelis. Mortis Amulet: The ‘Amulet of the Dead’ worn by the Grand Master of the Chaplains once every hundred years during the Festus Angelis, in particular the Ceremonius Mortis. This ceremony honours the slain heroes of the Chapter in the time since the last Festus. The Chapter also honours their greatest heroes of all time including such figures as Sergeant Rafael, Grand Master Malachi and Grand Master Elisha. Blade of Bohemond: An ancient weapon forged for Master Bohemond during the Great Crusade. It is an impressive two-handed weapon that can cleave asunder even the mightiest Terminator armour with ease. It has been wielded by every Master of the First Company since Bohemond. Lion’s Breath: An ancient flamer that is rumoured to have been held in the possession of Jonson throughout the Crusade and Heresy as part of his weapon collection. It is said that it burns so hot that it can melt through even Carapace armour. The weapon is often granted to a brave warrior leading a boarding assault or an assault through a breach against the most dangerous of foes. Vespasian’s Bane: Epistolary Elisha used this weapon to bring low the Chaos Lord Vespasian, who, in actuality, was the Fallen Librarian formerly known as Mendreas. It is said that the bolt of power unleashed by Elisha annihilated the soul of Mendreas thus freeing him from the clutches of treachery. Upon Elisha’s promotion to Grand Master of the Librarius, Vespasian’s Blade has often been utilised by subsequent Grand Masters and senior Epistolarys of the Chapter. The current Grand Master, Absalom, does not actually wield the weapon as his own. Blades of Endras Lore: A pair of matched force weapons wielded by Grand Master Absalom. They are fashioned in the shape of two swords and date from late M.36 when they were taken from the Avenging Wolves during the Chapter’s assault upon the traitors. They are well forged weapons said to have been created upon Macragge at the hands of the Ultramarines. They were lost during the Battle of Calth only to be recovered by the first Chapter-Master of the Avenging Wolves who presented them to the first Master of that Chapter’s Librarius. Axe of Abilech: First wielded by Abilech I when he was Grand Master in M.37, the Axe has been typically bestowed upon the best warrior who can wield it. Notable Engagements N.B. All engagements date from after the official Founding of the Chapter, for notable engagements dating prior check the Imperial Records on the Dark Angels Legion noting entries for the 18th Chapter/Order Waaagh Ryuuk 678.M31: Astartes from the Angels of Calban Chapter spearhead the elimination of Ryuuk, an Ork warboss who sought to bring war to Segmentum Obscuras. In the aftermath of the Scouring Imperial authority is very weak and the Angel’s actions in crushing the Waaagh! brings much needed authority and support for the Imperium back. Pacification of Tandras 987.M.31: The Fifth Company of the Angels of Caliban engaged in rebel forces who had taken over the world. They were led by an enigmatic figure known only as ‘The Prophet’. The capture of the figure by Imperial forces led the Fifth Company to realise this was one of the Fallen, During a botched rescue attempt of the Prophet the entire Imperial force holding him died bar the Angels who prevented its success. Interestingly all vid records of the episode were corrupted beyond repair and the Prophet himself was removed by the Angels. Despite this isolated incident it appears that the entire rebel elite forces had already been wiped out. For their excellent work in the pacification the Fifth Company was awarded laurels. The Chartos Crusade 212.M.32: Early in the 32nd Millennium the Imperium ordered a crusade to be launched in order to reclaim lost worlds in the Chartos Sector, Segmentum Obscuras. Many of the worlds had been initially claimed by the Imperium during the Great Crusade but the expedition had abandoned it due to the Heresy. This was a campaign of reclamation and expansion into the remainder of the Sector accompanied by two companies of the Angels of Caliban. The crusade was a success and the entire Sector was swiftly recaptured and pacified. The Astartes of the Chapter had proved to be instrumental in holding down the liberated worlds as they built Keeps on the worlds they seized allowing the Imperial forces bases to strike from. Taurus Prime 482.M.33: The world of Taurus Prime turned to Heresy abandoning the Emperor’s light. The Eighth Company of the Angels responded first, before the Imperial expedition caught up. By the time they arrived the entire world was liberated bar the central Fortress. In a combined assault the Angels captured the rebel commander and left behind a world pacified through the destruction of almost the entire rebel population. The Defence of Radian Prime 341.M.34: Radian Prime was the name of the primary Hive on the Hive world called Newton. An industrial and scientific world, the forces of the predatory Ork race descended in force. The Tenth Company was passing through the region when they received the world’s distress calls. Knowing that the Imperial response would take longer than the world had time the Angels landed in force on the Primary Hive determined to defend the world. For the next two years the Company fought against the Ork forces holding them at bay. The Ork warboss refused to leave the world determined to slaughter the Astartes. The remnants of the Tenth were saved by the arrival of the rest of the Chapter as well as elements of the Dark Angels and Angels of Vengeance Chapters who scoured the planet clean of Orks. Fall of Drychnath 652.M.34: Elements of the Chapter’s First, Second, Fourth and Sixth Companies led by GrandMaster Amos II engaged with heretic forces in the Drychnath system. Despite the best efforts of the Angels of Caliban they were unable to prevent the Heretical seizure of the system although they were instrumental in the evacuation of tens of thousands of Imperial citizens. Battle of Ryas Hive 717.M.34: It was at the scene of Ryas Hive that Ser Rafael, a legend of the Chapter, finally fell. The Angels had engaged with the forces of Chaos led by Mendares, a mighty Daemon-Prince. During the climactic battle in which the Angels defended Ryas Hive Rafael fought Mendares in single combat. He was no match for the creature of darkness but, before he was cast down and slain, he slammed a melta bomb into the creature which banished him for some time. The Angels were then able to swiftly defeat the fractured enemy forces. The Nova Terra Interregnum M.35: The Angels of Caliban were active in the greatest threat to the Imperium since the dark days of the Heresy. Driven by their belief in the treachery of the Ur-Council the Angels are frequently seen on the battlefields. Operating on reports gained, GrandMaster Malachi II visits the Rock and, for some reason, suggests the idea of a strike against Nova Terra itself by the Unforgiven. His suggestion is considered by the Dark Angels but they choose not to sanction such a strike in force instead it is rumoured they deploy elements of the Ravenwing. Following his return, the Angels are even more instrumental in bringing Imperial rule back to the systems along the borders and eventually take part in the destruction of the Ur-Council. One key engagement in this war is the Battle of Smythes Corner where the entire Flight of Angels gathers and annihilates an entire subsector fleet in the Smythe system. Battle of Endras Lore 889.M.36: Endras Lore was the Homeworld of the Avenging Wolves, an Ultramarine successor chapter which fell to the lure of Chaos. The Wolves were understrength as a result of the civil war which tore them apart, but even so with their Fortress-Monastery they were a formidable force. Almost the entire Angels of Caliban, assisted by two companies of the Angels of Absolution descended upon their homeworld breaking them apart and capturing much of their remaining assets. The remnants of the Avenging Wolves who escaped the battle would finally be cornered by the Nights Watch Chapter almost two hundred years later and annihilated at the Battle of Tyrgan. The Battle of Myxtragos Prime 598.M.37: During the dark times of The Occlusiad when the forces of the Blind King ravaged the North-West of the Imperium, the Angels of Caliban earned many honours for themselves. Their greatest honour was the Battle of Myxtragos Prime. It was here that the first major defeat for the Apostles was handed to them. During the battle the Apostles attempted to destroy the sun and it was only the sacrifice of the Strike Cruiser, Sword of Elisha, which prevented them from activating their weapon. The Pacification of Hallias Tertius 057.M.38: Hallias Tertius has a history of electing their Governors every fifteen years. It was one of these elected officials which finally decided they would be better off without the Imperium and declared themselves independent. The Angels responded in force descending on the system spearheading the invasion force. During the six month campaign the Angels were in the forefront slaying the Governor and executing much of the planets upper classes as they captured the last city. Jonthan’s Folly 981.M.38: Elements of the Chapter are ambushed at Jonthan’s Folly by forces of a Night Lords warband. Through the skills of Master Saul of the Third Company the Chapter defeats the ambushers and ensures that they do not escape with any slaves. The Sirastus Campaign 015.M.39 – 201.M.39: The Third Company under the command of Company-Master Saul engaged with Eldar raiders during a campaign which lasted two hundred years. Through persistence, study and dedication the Angels finally managed to completely destroy the Eldar raiders and their fleet although Saul was cut down in the final moments by the Autarch. Their victory would end Eldar privations in the Sirastus Sector for the next two thousand years or so. Destruction of the Angelus Fidelas M.39: The destruction of what was the Chapters third Battle-Barge. This disastrous event took with it the majority of two entire companies, a disaster that the Chapter spent much time rebuilding from. The Chapter captured a traitor Astartes, one who wielded two pistols. He was transferred from the surface to the Barge with much of the Fourth and Seventh Companies, leaving the Third Company to complete pacification. At some point shortly after the Barge was destroyed and, while most of the bodies were accounted for, the prisoner’s was never located. Vortega IV M.40: Not much is known about what happened on Vortega IV bar that, in the moment of victory, much of the Imperial force was destroyed. Despite the loss of much of the Imperial forces victory was still attained. Records suggest that the destruction was caused by the movement of high profile prisoners, some of whom may have been renegade Astartes, to the command centre, prisoners which may have contained a deadly secret. It is believed that somehow they initiated the destruction of the Imperial forces, a speculation supported by the only Imperial force to survive, the Angels of Caliban, who avenged the deaths of their fellow Imperial forces. No prisoners are recorded to have survived. The Macharian Crusade and Heresy M.41: Due to their proximity with the Western reaches of the Imperium the Angels are called upon to assist in parts of Macharius’ Crusade, but they do not play a major role. In the Heresy which follows his death they are part of the One Hundred Chapters which puts down the rebellion. Abaddon’s Black Crusades: The Angels of Caliban have been involved in every single of the twelve so called ‘Black Crusades’ launched by Abaddon. At least one detachment of Astartes has fought against the Lost and the Damned as they attempt to defeat the Imperium. As the dawn of the 41st Millennium draws ever closer the Chapter is committed to thwarting the ancient enemy’s plans to launch yet another Black Crusade. Tamaril II 567.M41: Two squads of the Angels of Caliban First Company are noted in the Tamaril system which had recently stopped paying tithes to the Imperium. An Imperial strike team is deployed to restore the System to the Imperial fold and impinges upon the Angels to assist. They comply, at least initially, but are reluctant to share in the battle-plans. During the assault the Angels launch their own strike upon the Arbites Precinct which is now hosting the Governor of the world. The Governor is seized and the Angels leave the system. Without their commander the rebellion falls apart but the Angels refusal to hand over their prisoner, reluctance to assist and early withdrawal is noted. Illian 667.M41: The trail Cypher leads the Angels to the Illian system. There they discover a legacy of over a hundred years of raiding by Dark Eldar. During the ensuing engagement the Dark Eldar warband is crushed and their Archon slain ending their reign of terror. Cypher slips the Angels net, his purpose seemingly completed. Defence of Onyx III 982.M.41: As the 41st Millenium draws to a close the Angels engage with heretical forces on Onyx III. Despite a successful defence of the world GrandMaster Elisha VII is cut down by a renegade who manages to escape the Angels. Company-Master Bohemond is selected to replace him. Geneseed The Geneseed of the Angels of Caliban is that of Lion el’Jonson and is perfect with no traces of mutation, just like the Dark Angels Chapter itself. Battle Cry “Mortis et Traditore!” Champions of the Chapter GrandMaster Elisha I “The Wise”: Elisha was the first Chapter-Master appointed to command the 18th Chapter. Raised in a noble house on hallowed Tellus his past is largely lost to the mists of time, with only his time in the Legion remembered. He was struck down by Orks during the last days of the Great Crusade and was interred in a Contemptor Dreadnought following the Chapter when it became the ‘Angels of Caliban’. There is no official recorded date for his death in any Imperial Records, and many merely list him as MIA. The truth is that he is still alive, though rarely seen, as he sleep for much of the time only waking in order to advise new GrandMasters in times of need. GrandMaster Malachi I: Malachi was the first Calibanite to lead the Chapter following the internment of Elisha. He established the Chapter as the ‘Angels of Caliban’ following the re-organisation of the Imperium. His beliefs and attitudes were fundamental in shaping the Angels following the dismemberment of the Legion. For seven hundred years after the Heresy he led the Chapter until he was slain by the Night Lords Captain, Xavian. GrandMaster Bohemond I: The immediate successor to Malachi, he was already an old Astartes by the time he became GrandMaster and had led the First Company for over seven hundred years. His leadership was short but he instilled in the Chapter a commitment to the doctrines laid down by Malachi and established Prydien as the Chapters primary recruitment world. GrandMaster Bohemond IV: The current leader of the Chapter, Bohemond faces severe threats to the Chapter including the re-emergence of Raul, the traitor they have long waited for. He slew Bohemond’s mentor, Elisha VII, and Bohemond has vowed that he will bring the traitor to justice. The Chapter also faces grim prophecies and portents all pointing that Abaddon will launch yet another infernal attempt to break the Cadian Gate. Company-Master Saul of the Third Company: Cut down in 867 M.39, Saul was a pragmatic hero of the Chapter. Renowned for his ability to accurately counter the actions of the enigmatic Eldar his treatises on the subject are used by the Officers of the Chapter and Imperial Guard to provide insight when faced with this foe. It is a tragic irony that he was cut down by an Eldar Autarch at the moment of his greatest victory over the Xenos foe. Company-Master Jereboam of the Ninth Company: The Ninth Company recently suffered heavy losses including the loss of their Company-Master when facing down the traitor Raul and his followers. Jereboam at the time was a Sergeant of the First Company known to be a skilled warrior and consummate leader, as well as being one of the best Sergeants to have ever trained recruits. Bohemond pulled him out and appointed him as Company-Master of the Ninth to rebuild them as swiftly as possible so as to join him on his quest to end Raul. He has proved masterful at the current task raising the Company up to new heights. Company-Master Tiberius of the First Company: Tiberius has a cold personality, even for a son of the Lion, and has few, if any, friends. He would not have been the first choice for Company-Master of the First for most GrandMasters. However, Bohemond saw in him a skilled warrior and implacable leader who was willing to lead his warriors into hell and be counted on to bring them back out. GrandMaster of the Librarians Absolum One-Eye: As a young Librarian Absolum sought to develop his powers and delved too far into the warp. As he realised his mistake he pulled himself free but was not strong enough. He claims that he saw a bright light save him and carry him out, but light destroyed his left eye and he was informed this would be a permanent reminder of why he should never stray from the Emperor’s light. To this day no artificial or lab-grown eye can repair his damaged sight in the left eye. They always fail or wither and die, but his power has grown. Certain Astartes believe that he may have made a deal, but every test for purity has shown him to remain pure. He claims that the light was the soul of the Emperor saving him, whatever it really was none can doubt his loyalty or purity as well as the power his excursion granted him. GrandMaster of the Chaplains Solomon: Out of all the Chaplains Solomon is the only one who has any respect for Absolum, although he refuses to ever test his friend for purity. Despite this he is resepcted by the entire Chaplaincy and Chapter for his ability to stir even the most flagging warrior to greater acts of bravery and dedication. He is also one of the most skilled warriors and it is widely known that, had he not become a Chaplain he would probably be the Chapter Champion by now. Veteran-Sergeant Rafael: A hero of the Chapter often celebrated during the Festum Angelis and told to many a new recruit. During a period of two years behind enemy lines he, and his squad of Initiates, harassed Traitor forces on the planet of Esias III. He recruited and guided Imperial loyalists to engage in guerrilla warfare against the occupying Traitor forces forcing them to divert more and more resources to stamp out his forces. When Imperial forces recovered the world they discovered only himself and two Initiates left alive, both of whom were immediately raised to full Astartes and their names re-added to the roll of Serving Astartes. This was merely the start of his legend as he would go on to add to it through greater exploits until he was, so the legends say, finally cut down by a Daemon Prince which he killed by stabbing a melta bomb in its neck ending the Chaos organisation an allowing the Imperials to mop up. However much truth there is in these exploits is unknown, but it is telling that the white cross of Rafael is still in use on the heraldry of much of the Fourth Company. Veteran-Sergeant Gideon: Trained by Bohemond IV, Gideon is a skilled trainer of Initiates. He has been offered the chance to move back in to the line but has refused stating that the best use of his talents is in developing the young ones of the Chapter.

very nice work!

Oh, they are very much linked...whoops. I just realised there is no explicit link...I think the reason for that is much of my original material which included some of the links was included in sidebars, which didn't survive the transfer over to the new article. I will weave something more explicit into the article. As for the Second Founding, it initially started as a side project to deal with how to create a Second Founding chapter now that we had larger Legions and could, therefore, afford to increase the number of Chapters made. I wanted to create something different to a bog standard 2nd Founding but didn't want to use the usual suspect plot hooks - ie: force on a mission, missing Legion, lost Loyal-Traitors who decide to reject Horus or lost-in-the-warp. So they arose from my pre-Heresy project, which is the 18th Order as a 'what happened after the Scouring/Fall' EDIT: I re-wrote some stuff to include relations with the Unforgiven Chapters as well as a couple of engagements where they worked together. The Defence of Radian Prime M.34: Radian Prime was the name of the primary Hive on the Hive world called Newton. An industrial and scientific world, the forces of the predatory Ork race descended in force. The Tenth Company was passing through the region when they received the world’s distress calls. Knowing that the Imperial response would take longer than the world had time the Angels landed in force on the Primary Hive determined to defend the world. For the next two years the Company fought against the Ork forces holding them at bay. The Ork warboss refused to leave the world determined to slaughter the Astartes. The remnants of the Tenth were saved by the arrival of the rest of the Chapter as well as elements of the Dark Angels and Angels of Vengeance Chapters who scoured the planet clean of Orks. Battle of Endras Lore M.36: Endras Lore was the Homeworld of the Avenging Wolves, an Ultramarine successor chapter which fell to the lure of Chaos. The Wolves were understrength as a result of the civil war which tore them apart, but even so with their Fortress-Monastery they were a formidable force. Almost the entire Angels of Caliban, assisted by two companies of the Angels of Absolution descended upon their homeworld breaking them apart and capturing much of their remaining assets. The remnants of the Avenging Wolves who escaped the battle would finally be cornered by the Nights Watch Chapter almost two hundred years later and annihilated at the Battle of Tyrgan. and here in the Chapter Beliefs section: The Emperor is revered as the greatest man, and ruler, who has ever lived and continues to live. The Angels also acknowledge the immense power of the Emperor and maintain that he still helps those of his servants when they are in dire need. Notably they cite fortunate reinforcements arriving in the nick of time, unexplained destructions of enemy forces and their own existence. Second only to the Emperor in reverence is their Primarch, Lion el’Jonson whom the Angels of Caliban maintain is the greatest of all the Emperor’s sons. The Chapter does not actually believe in the death of the Lion and state that, when the Imperium needs him most, the last loyal son will return, reform the First Legion and lead the Imperium in a glorious Crusade sweeping all before him. This particular part of their faith is not usually shared with outsiders, including those in the Unforgiven. While the Chapter may not share some aspects of their cult with the Unforgiven it would be wrong to assume they are estranged. Like most Unforgiven Chapters they maintain close relations, some would say too close, with their primogenitor Chapter and the Grand Master of the Angels of Caliban is always welcome at the Rock frequently meeting with the Supreme Grand Master. (The last bit is not intended as a jab, but a clarification ;))

I am aware that there is still some considerable work to do on this, particularly in terms of images. Also does anyone know how to insert text boxes other than through BB Codes? Anyway, please critique. Index Astartes: Angels of Caliban Chapter Name: Angels of Caliban Chapter Number: XXXII Primarch: Lion el’Jonson Grand-Master: Bohemond 1V Homeworld: None, Fleet Based Chapter Fortress-Monastery: Imperial Battleship, Glory of Caliban Main Colours: Black and Forest Green Speciality: Tactical flexibility Successors: None recorded Current Strength: Unconfirmed Battle Cry: “Mortis et Traditore!” “Imperator Vult!” Origins “Adeptus Astartes! Angels of the First Legion! Today is a historic day indeed! Today, today we start the Great Crusade to liberate and unite Mankind!” - Extract from the Emperor’s speech to Legio I on the day he launched the Great Crusade The Angels of Caliban can trace their origins back beyond the Great Betrayal of Horus and the discovery of the First Legion’s Liege to the hallowed ground of Terra herself. The 18th Chapter of the First Legion was established upon Terra raised from recruits drawn all over Europa. In particular they were drawn from that region of Europe known as Alba. The Chapter, and Legion, participated in the final stages of the Unification Wars cutting their teeth against the Techno-Barbarians of Terra. Following the launch of the Great Crusade they began to wage war in the name of the Emperor and his vision of unity. The 18th Chapter had spent much of their early service away from the bulk of the Legion. A result of an altercation between Chapter-Master Elisha and, it seems, the Legion commander, Chapter-Master Astelan. Although the cause of this rift is lost to time suffice to say it meant that the Chapter was absent from the Legion during its most gruelling campaign against the Callix Tech-Empire. It appears that four out of every five marines died during the conflict leading to one of the most gutted Chapters in the entire Legion. However, victory was total and a large number of resource rich worlds were added to the Imperium of Man including the world Prydien which would be of importance to the later Angels of Caliban. It was during the conclusion of this campaign that they received word of the discovery of their Primarch on the world of Caliban. So it was that they made haste towards Caliban, the new home world of the I Legion – newly renamed ‘The Dark Angels’ by Lion el’Jonson. Malachi and Raul were brothers and sons of the Order. Raised in the latter days of Caliban’s Great Crusade the two honed their skills against each other and the last of the great beasts that plagued their home. These two mighty Heroes fought side by side in every conflict, in every war, their swords rose and fell as one, they lived and breathed as one, their bond was as inseparable as that of the Lion and Luther! True Sons of Caliban, they immortalised all that was good and pure about their world, they truly were Dark Angels, sons of the Lion! - Extract written by Remembrancer Wulfnorth, M.31 Chapter-Master Elisha and the 18th Chapter arrived at Caliban to be greeted by their Primarch. Jonson renamed the Chapter the 18th Order and ordered that large numbers of recruits would be added to the Order to bring them back up to full strength. Over the next six months Elisha worked these recruits hard to integrate them all into the Order. His training was a success leading to one of the most integrated Order’s in the Legion with a strong working relationship between the Terran and Caliban born Astartes. It was during this time that two Marines would rise to prominence. Both were dedicated sons of Caliban who had completed their initial training in ‘The Order’ Malachi and Raul, firm friends and brothers in arms. They served together well, each rising to the rank of Company-Master determined that they would work together. Yet this was not to be and, as the Order finished campaigning in the Revedor system, Raul was ordered back to Caliban to take command of the 42nd Chapter as Grandmaster. This moment marked the last time the two friends would see each other, for Raul would not leave Caliban again until its destruction. Shortly following his recall to Caliban Elisha fell, mortally wounded, in combat against Orks of Yanus III. Although the subsequent battle was a total victory, the Order mourned the loss of their first GrandMaster. He survived his wounds, however, as he was interred in a Dreadnought Sarcopoghus on the order of the Company-Master of the First Company, Malachi. The position of GrandMaster was filled by the promotion of Malachi who was a popular choice among both the few remaining Terran Astartes and the sons of Caliban. As the Horus Heresy broke over the Imperium the 18th Chapter was part of the Dark Angels force which was in the Thramas crusade against the Night Lords. Throughout the Heresy the Order distinguished themselves fighting with fervour and dedication against every traitor. Yet their efforts were not enough and Horus struck down the Emperor. With heavy hearts the Legion returned to Caliban, and with it went Malachi and the remnants of the 18th Order. It was in orbit around Caliban that the Order faced their biggest threat yet, treachery from their own. The battle for Caliban ended with the Lion missing and their home destroyed. Luther, considered the arch-traitor, was found in the wreckage of the Fortress-Monastry. But it was not Luther who Malachi sought to find when he descended upon the ruined world. He sought his once brother, the nemesis of the Angels of Caliban – Raul. Sadly, he would not find him and exact his vengeance upon the traitor. The entire Legion had suffered badly with heavy casualties across all the Orders. As part of the Second Founding Malachi was able to form a new Chapter from the remnants of the 18th Order naming the Angels of Caliban in honour of both the Legion and their homeworld. Included amongst the number of Astartes that he took with him was his mentor, Elisha. Malachi established the Imperial Battleship Glory of Caliban as the Chapters Fortress-Monastery; henceforth would the Chapter ply the stars seeking out the Emperor’s foes. Founding Brothers…this is a dark day indeed, for not only must we split the Legion, but we also have lost our Leige.” - Corswain, Seneschal of the Lion Following the establishment of the 18th Order as the ‘Angels of Caliban’ Malachi led the Chapter over the next seven hundred years against remnants of the Warmaster’s armies. It was upon the planet Prydien that Malachi fell duelling the Night Lords Captain, Xavian, who was, in turn, cut down by the Company-Master of the First Company, Bohemond. It was he who completed the second liberation of the planet and decreed that Prydien would be forever under the protection of the Angels of Caliban. Throughout the history of the Imperium the Chapter has been instrumental in most major engagements across Segmentum Obscuras. Due to their proximity to the Eye of Terror the Chapter also has every Black Crusade mentioned on their honour rolls, for at least one company has always stood against their traitorous brethren. In recent years the Chapter has been seen in greater strength around the Eye than it has for a long time. Increasing numbers of raids from the Eye has seen the Chapter engaging much more frequently with their hated foe. A Homeworld? Technically the Angels of Caliban do not have a homeworld due to their status as a fleet based chapter. If they do have a homeworld, then it will be Caliban that they mention. However, observers will note the Chapter’s closeness to the world of Prydien and others in the Callix subsector. Prydien has close ties due to the role that the Chapter played in its liberation and Bohemond I’s decision to declare the world under their protection. It also is the location of the Tomb of Malachi where the first GrandMaster lies buried. Prydien is a Terra-like world with a temperate climate. There are three large landmasses and numerous islands situated in a sea which covers the world much like the ancient histories claim Terra once had. The natives of the world are divided into fairly primitive clans which practice a subsistence based agrarian society that has a strict honour code. While metalworking, and the wider Imperium, is known to these clans they prefer to keep life simpler remembering the dark days of the Callix Tech-Empire. The clans frequently engage in warfare, most of the young males will form the King’s warbands and they constantly vie with the neighbours for control of resources, glory and women. Alliances, too, are a source of constant violence as one clan will march to another’s aid even if they suffer themselves. The ruler of each Clan is referred to as the ‘King’ but this is not a hereditary position or title. Upon their ruler’s death the elders come together and select a new ruler out of the warriors of the Clan, one who is wise, canny and a skilled warrior. They must undergo the ‘Ritual of the Night’ where they must survive the night without falling asleep or perishing. If they are found asleep they are beaten to death or must choose suicide, for the shame is too great. Should they pass, they become the Clan’s ruler. The Clans have a loose political organisation which allows them to deal with the Imperium, once every five years they will meet on the hallowed ground of Malachi’s Rest, the only city in the entire world, in what is called the ‘Great Theng’. Here they meet to sort out their grievances and, at times, to select a world leader to represent their people. Smaller ‘Theng’s’ also exist in regions in order to provide the Clan Kings the ability to properly meet and talk to one another. Theng’s are also a place where death is not allowed, though violence in the form of wrestling is encouraged between warriors, as it considered a betrayal of sacred oaths. Anyone who commits violence leading to death is, himself, executed. It is considered a great honour to be chosen by the Angels by these clans and so budding youngsters are taken to the Great Theng and presented to be chosen. On the culmination of the month long event, these youngsters are taken by the Chapters representatives to the Keep of Elisha, situated in the northern part of the world, where they must survive the night outside, naked, in the manner of the selection process undertaken by the Order. Those who live are taken into the Order to begin their training, those who fail and die are returned to their clans. There is a second Fortress that the Angels maintain upon Prydien, near Malachi’s Rest. It is built next to a large lake, though much of it is constructed deep underground. It is this Citadel, called Angels Falls, which leads many to assume that Prydein is the homeworld. It maintains massive armouries, geneseed banks and enough room to hold at least a Thousand Astartes. Massive orbital batteries also exist scattered across the world garrisoned by the Angel’s Chapter Serfs, mere mortals who are generally failed aspirants and female soldiers. This network, which interacts with the native population, keeps Prydein safe from invasion and most hostile raids. Karasnor lacks valuable resources with much of what it once had already mined. It is inhabited by primitive, nomadic, tribes ruled over by a tribal leader and shaman. These tribes constantly war with one another for resources and it is not unknown for an entire tribe to be wiped out, their womenfolk assimilated, by a stronger tribe. It is these warriors which makes the planet attractive to the Chapter and the Imperium. The Angels maintain a Chapter-Keep aloof from the planets population and almost never intervene in their affairs. This Fortress is built into one of the largest mountain ranges and, once every generation, aspirants come from across the planet to the massive Adamantium gates set into Mt Corswain. The tribes themselves describe their ability to know when to send their best young warriors as ‘the call’ when the Shamans receive a dream of a mighty Lion roaring from the peak of a tall mountain. They will then select a number of their best warriors to travel to the Lion’s Range, the greatest mountain range, where the greatest of them are taken by the Angels of the Sun God to serve him among the stars. Callix V was the heart of the Callix Tech-Empire and, for that reason; the Angels of Caliban maintain a visible presence on the planet. The planet is industrially powerful, although it lacks the hives that many other industrial planets have. However, the world is a source of potential recruits from the military academies the world maintains where the nobility of the planet send their young men. It also is a source of valuable industrial material. Aspirants from Callix are taken to the Keep of Elisha on Prydein to undergo the same test that all recruits must, ultimately, pass – the night spent in the cold. Callix V also maintains strong links with the Adeptus Mechanicus and it is from Callix that many of the Chapters Techmarines and Armoury Marines are drawn. Although these three worlds form the core of the Chapters recruits, they do recruit from other worlds, many of which they have conducted operations upon. Upon each world they maintain a Keep that watches over the world and acts as the central location for new recruits. Maintained by Chapter Serfs and aging Astartes, each Keep is the first testing ground of any potential recruits. Often set in harsh locations: high up in mountain ranges, or in the middle of a desert or some other inhospitable location recruits must make their own way to the Keep. True to the traditions of the order those who make it must spend a full night outside the doors before they are accepted. Those who fail perish or, if they demand entrance to the Keep may be admitted to the ranks of the Chapter’s Serfs. Notable Engagements N.B. All engagements date from after the official Founding of the Chapter, for notable engagements dating prior check the Imperial Records on the Dark Angels Legion noting entries for the 18th Chapter/Order Liberation of Prydien M.31: As part of the wars in the Scouring the Chapter engaged with segments of the IV and VIII Legions. During one of the later wars parts of the VIII, Night Lords, Legion occupied the world of Prydien which served as a temporary recruitment world for the Chapter. Incensed by this the Chapter invaded in force. During a brutal campaign the world was finally liberated but with the loss of Malachi and many Angels, however the entire Night Lords force was destroyed. Pacification of Tandras M.31: The Fifth Company of the Angels of Caliban engaged in rebel forces who had taken over the world. They were led by an enigmatic figure known only as ‘The Prophet’. The capture of the figure by Imperial forces led the Fifth Company to realise this was one of the Fallen, During a botched rescue attempt of the Prophet the entire Imperial force holding him died bar the Angels who prevented its success. Interestingly all vid records of the episode were corrupted beyond repair and the Prophet himself was removed by the Angels. Despite this isolated incident it appears that the entire rebel elite forces had already been wiped out. For their excellent work in the pacification the Fifth Company was awarded laurels. The Chartos Crusade M.32: Early in the 32nd Millennium the Imperium ordered a crusade to be launched in order to reclaim lost worlds in the Chartos Sector, Segmentum Obscuras. Many of the worlds had been initially claimed by the Imperium during the Great Crusade but the expedition had abandoned it due to the Heresy. This was a campaign of reclamation and expansion into the remainder of the Sector accompanied by two companies of the Angels of Caliban. The crusade was a success and the entire Sector was swiftly recaptured and pacified. The Astartes of the Chapter had proved to be instrumental in holding down the liberated worlds as they built Keeps on the worlds they seized allowing the Imperial forces bases to strike from. Taurus Prime M.33: The world of Taurus Prime turned to Heresy abandoning the Emperor’s light. The Eighth Company of the Angels responded first, before the Imperial expedition caught up. By the time they arrived the entire world was liberated bar the central Fortress. In a combined assault the Angels captured the rebel commander and left behind a world pacified through the destruction of almost the entire rebel population. The Defence of Radian Prime M.34: Radian Prime was the name of the primary Hive on the Hive world called Newton. An industrial and scientific world, the forces of the predatory Ork race descended in force. The Tenth Company was passing through the region when they received the world’s distress calls. Knowing that the Imperial response would take longer than the world had time the Angels landed in force on the Primary Hive determined to defend the world. For the next two years the Company fought against the Ork forces holding them at bay. The Ork warboss refused to leave the world determined to slaughter the Astartes. The remnants of the Tenth were saved by the arrival of the rest of the Chapter which descended on Newton scouring it clean of the Ork taint. Before they left they established a Chapter-Keep to ensure that any infestation would be swiftly destroyed. The Tenth Company had suffered heavy causalities, out of ninety-seven Astartes and eleven Initiates which landed only thirty-two Astartes remained. Every Initiate was either dead or had been elevated to a full Astartes. Fall of Drychnath M.34: Elements of the Chapter’s First, Second, Fourth and Sixth Companies led by GrandMaster Amos II engaged with heretic forces in the Drychnath system. Despite the best efforts of the Angels of Caliban they were unable to prevent the Heretical seizure of the system although they were instrumental in the evacuation of tens of thousands of Imperial citizens. Battle of Ryas Hive M.34: It was at the scene of Ryas Hive that Ser Rafael, a legend of the Chapter, finally fell. The Angels had engaged with the forces of Chaos led by Mendares, a mighty Daemon-Prince. During the climactic battle in which the Angels defended Ryas Hive Rafael fought Mendares in single combat. He was no match for the creature of darkness but, before he was cast down and slain, he slammed a melta bomb into the creature which banished him for some time. The Angels were then able to swiftly defeat the fractured enemy forces. The Nova Terra Interregnum M.35: The Angels of Caliban were active in the greatest threat to the Imperium since the dark days of the Heresy. Driven by their belief in the treachery of the Ur-Council the Angels are frequently seen on the battlefields. Operating on reports gained, GrandMaster Malachi II visits the Rock and, for some reason, suggests the idea of a strike against Nova Terra itself by the Unforgiven. His suggestion is considered by the Dark Angels but they choose not to sanction such a strike in force instead it is rumoured they deploy elements of the Ravenwing. Following his return, the Angels are even more instrumental in bringing Imperial rule back to the systems along the borders and eventually take part in the destruction of the Ur-Council. One key engagement in this war is the Battle of Smythes Corner where the entire Flight of Angels gathers and annihaltes an entire subsector fleet in the Smythe system. Battle of Endras Lore M.36: Endras Lore was the Homeworld of the Avenging Wolves, an Ultramarine successor chapter which fell to the lure of Chaos. The Angels fell upon their homeworld destroying most of the renegade Chapter and capturing much of their remaining hardware and fleet. The Chapter itself had been understrength due to a civil war which tore the Chapter apart as they fell and the Angels left them even more weakened with less than a hundred Marines. They would be finally cornered almost two hundred years later and annihilated at the Battle of Tyrgan. The Battle of Myxtragos Prime M.37: During the dark times of The Occlusiad when the forces of the Blind King ravaged the North-West of the Imperium, the Angels of Caliban earned many honours for themselves. Their greatest honour was the Battle of Myxtragos Prime. It was here that the first major defeat for the Apostles was handed to them. During the battle the Apostles attempted to destroy the sun and it was only the sacrifice of the Strike Cruiser, Sword of Elisha, which prevented them from activating their weapon. The Pacification of Hallias Tertius M.38: Hallias Tertius has a history of electing their Governors every fifteen years. It was one of these elected officials which finally decided they would be better off without the Imperium and declared themselves independent. The Angels responded in force descending on the system spearheading the invasion force. During the six month campaign the Angels were in the forefront slaying the Governor and executing much of the planets upper classes as they captured the last city. The Sirastus Campaign M.39: The Third Company under the command of Company-Master Saul engaged with Eldar raiders during a campaign which lasted two hundred years. Through persistence, study and dedication the Angels finally managed to completely destroy the Eldar raiders and their fleet although Saul was cut down in the final moments by the Autarch. Their victory would end Eldar privations in the Sirastus Sector for the next two thousand years or so. Destruction of the Angelus Fidelas M.39: The destruction of what was the Chapters third Battle-Barge. This disastrous event took with it the majority of two entire companies, a disaster that the Chapter spent much time rebuilding from. The Chapter captured a traitor Astartes, one who wielded two pistols. He was transferred from the surface to the Barge with much of the Fourth and Seventh Companies, leaving the Third Company to complete pacification. At some point shortly after the Barge was destroyed and, while most of the bodies were accounted for, the prisoner’s was never located. Vortega IV M.40: Not much is known about what happened on Vortega IV bar that, in the moment of victory, much of the Imperial force was destroyed. Despite the loss of much of the Imperial forces victory was still attained. Records suggest that the destruction was caused by the movement of high profile prisoners, some of whom may have been renegade Astartes, to the command centre, prisoners which may have contained a deadly secret. It is believed that somehow they initiated the destruction of the Imperial forces, a speculation supported by the only Imperial force to survive, the Angels of Caliban, who avenged the deaths of their fellow Imperial forces. No prisoners are recorded to have survived. The Macharian Crusade and Heresy M.41: Due to their proximity with the Western reaches of the Imperium the Angels are called upon to assist in parts of Macharius’ Crusade, but they do not play a major role. In the Heresy which follows his death they are part of the One Hundred Chapters which puts down the rebellion. Abaddon’s Black Crusades: The Angels of Caliban have been involved in every single of the twelve so called ‘Black Crusades’ launched by Abaddon. At least one detachment of Astartes has fought against the Lost and the Damned as they attempt to defeat the Imperium. As the dawn of the 41st Millennium draws ever closer the Chapter is committed to thwarting the ancient enemy’s plans to launch yet another Black Crusade. Defence of Onyx III 982.M.41: As the 41st Millenium draws to a close the Angels engage with heretical forces on Onyx III. Despite a successful defence of the world GrandMaster Elisha VII is cut down by a renegade who manages to escape the Angels. Company-Master Bohemond is selected to replace him. The Flight of Angels The Flight of Angels is a colloquial term that refers to the extensive fleet the Chapter has acquired over the millennia. The Core of the fleet is the Glory of Caliban, a large Crusade-era Imperial Battleship, and two Battle-Barges; Fist of Malachi and The Prydien. There are also five Strike Cruisers, attached to the Third through Seventh Companies. It is The Prydien that is formally attached to the Second Company and First Companies, though neither company has made that much use of it. The Glory of Caliban is a Crusade-era Battleship built in the shipyards of Luna for the launch of the Great Crusade. Originally named Wrath of Terra, the Glory of Caliban was attached to the 227th Expeditionary force under Chapter-Master Eliphas and the 18th Chapter of the 1st legion. After the Fall, Malachi renamed the mighty warship the ‘Glory of Caliban’ to honour his lost homeworld and to provide a link with what he and his brothers had lost. The Battleship itself is larger than the later Emperor Class battleships and contains the central armoury, forges, Reclusiam, Apothecarian and Librarias as well as the Grand-Masters quarters. Large numbers of relics and geneseed stores are stored upon the warship, although there are caches secreted on their Fortress which are scattered throughout the Segmentum. With its formidable power and its ability to deploy large numbers of Gunships and Fighters, this Fortress-Monastery grants the Angels the potential military power that younger Chapters cannot hope to achieve. Few outsiders are allowed to enter the mighty warship and, of those who are honoured so, they will spend most of their time on the Seventh Deck. The remainder of the Flight of Angels is made up of a large number of escorts, resupply craft and Imperial Cruisers acquired in the last ten thousand years. This sizable fleet gives the Angels power and ability to strike against their foes wherever they are and no matter the strength of their defences. The First Company maintains twenty Frigates which one assigned to each squad of the First Company. This allows them to operate independently, although usually they are attached to one of the Battle Companies. The reason for this organisation is unclear, and indeed frowned upon by many other Chapters and Imperial organisations. In a battle, it is not unusual for the entire complement of the First Company to leave the campaign zone aboard their frigate. While observers in the know might note it as not unusual of the Unforgiven, the Angels have managed to avoid much of the stigma associated with these actions by only withdrawing their elite forces. However, there are still instances of entire Battle-Companies being pulled from a conflict with no explanation given. Chapter Organisation "The Codex, you say, yes we follow ours to the letter. Is yours not the same?” - Grand Master Elijah III in response to accusations from Chapter-Master Lucius Cornelius of the Knights of Corothia, M.35 The Chapter, like most Dark Angel successors, fields the Second Company mounted entirely on bikes and speeders and the First Company are made up of Veterans. The rest of the Chapter is divided into eight Battle-Companies of around one hundred Astartes divided into, usually, ten squads. This number can increase temporarily depending on numbers of Astartes that are able to interface with their suits of Power Armour. Each Battle-Company also has a complement of Initiates who are attached to each Company for their entire careers, unless transferred to a specialist field or the First and Second Companies or for some other reason which is never explained. This mode of training replaces the standard Tenth Company in other Codex Chapters although they will be attached to a Veteran-Sergeant who trains and guides them on their way to becoming full Astartes. A Company can number well over a Hundred Astartes depending on the numbers of current recruits and the number of battlefield casualties. The Ninth Company currently stands at One Hundred and Twenty-Three combat ready Astartes plus Company Command as well as Twenty-Two Initiates. This is due to high recruitment rates in recent years and the Ninth’s low combat losses. As part of the Chapters organisation, too, a Company that suffers high losses will be taken out of active service and placed in strategic reserve upon the Fortress-Monastery for several years granting them time to rebuild, as is currently the case with the Fourth and was, until recently, the case with the Ninth. This does not mean that such a Company will not see action; on the contrary they are Astartes after all and will be used when and where necessary. Like the First Company, the Second recruits from among the entire Chapter. They never explain the selection processes and an Astartes who has shown a lack of skill on a Bike may, for some reason, be pulled into the Company. Events like this, however, are rare and most of those recruited to the Company are the most skilled at Bikes and controlling the Landspeeders of the Chapter. Due to the nature of mounted warfare of Pyrdien the vast majority of the Company are made up of Astartes who hail from that planet. The Company, like the Battle-Companies, can number upwards of One Hundred Astartes. Unlike the other Companies the First Company never numbers more than One Hundred and Five Angels, the reason for this has never been made clear, though, due to the numbers of highly skilled Angels who have not been raised to the First due to ‘lack of available space’ some rumour that this hints that it is a way to control the procession of Marines within the Chapter. There are twenty squads in the first company and each has its own Frigate complete with armoury, LandRaider and a Thunder Hawk. This flexibility sees the Veterans of the Angels of Caliban striking all over the Imperium, even at seemingly innocent locations. The First Company, along with the Second, also has access to the Battle-Barge The Prydien where the two Company-Master’s and their Command Squads are based along with the support personnel essential to the Companies. Every Company is under the command of a Company-Master who, unlike some Chapters, does not fulfil any extra role. The Chapter considers that they need to be focused on their duty to lead, train and fight where they are called to go. Most roles are fulfilled by high ranking serfs who are often privy to parts of the Chapter Cult. There are two roles which are occupied by Astartes, however, these are the Master of the Recruits and the Master of the Fleet. The Master of the Recruits is a role which is fulfilled by an older Astartes and can often be short term. They are responsible for the initial stages of recruitment and training before they join the Battle-Companies. The Master of the Fleet is a position granted to an Astartes who has a talent for space command. Usually they are advised by a Chapter Serf who holds the title of Admiral of the Flight of Angels, a career officer who has spent much of his, or her, life as an officer in the Flight of Angels and so knows the Chapter’s fleet intimately. Outside of the Astartes the Chapter maintains a large number of serfs to fulfil a number of roles. These include soldiers, failed aspirants, hereditary serfs and those recruited as they pass through warzones. Higher ranking serfs include those who command the mighty warships of the Flight of Angels as well as those who are highly trusted with the administration of the Chapter. The highest ranking Serf is the Seneschal of Prydein who is appointed by the GrandMaster to oversee the highest levels of administration of the Chapter. Serfs are used for many roles below this including military roles where they protect recruitment worlds and form garrisons for Chapter-Keeps across the Segmentum. The Armoury also has a large number of Serfs to help with the maintainence of Astartes vehicles and weapons. The Serfs are loyal to the Chapter and often participate in the more public rites of the Chapter taking honour in the valuable position and role they occupy. Without the thousands of Serfs the Chapter has they would find it harder to function as well as they do. Some Astartes maintain their own personal households of Serfs who they are responsible for. These help them with their armour and other duties and, in return, they are granted protection and higher access than most Serfs. The practice is not frowned upon as it reflects the bond of Knighthood which The Order once prized. Recruitment “Welcome, from now on, you will address me as Master and I shall address you all as Child. I care nought for you station in your previous life, the moment you stepped through these doors you became the Chapters until you die.” - Master Kylos, Master of the Recruits, to initiates on Prydien M.41 ‘There is nothing but the Chapter’ is an apt summary of the training of each Angel. Cultures and traditions are broken down and replaced with the Chapter traditions; faith is replaced with the Chapter Cult. No matter which world one brother comes from, their world view is reshaped to that of the Chapter. Once they enter the gates of a Keep they become children again, no matter the position they had in their previous life. Their trainers, whether Serfs or Astartes, are the only adults in the training halls, and only adults have any authority which is more than fleeting. More than one recruit who has been treated as a man in his home world, usually with the greatest of honours, will break under this pressure and demand they are treated better. These individuals are removed from training and never seen again. The initial training before implantation is the roughest on the mind of the raw recruits. Organs are too valuable to waste. Librarians and Chaplains will thoroughly work them over indoctrinating them into the Chapter, stripping away the rituals of their past life. Punishments are handed out for any cultural norm or ritual which is not considered worthy to remain in an initiate and they soon learn to replace these with the Chapters own rituals. Once they are considered worthy they are implanted with the first of their organs and begin the true training of an Astartes. Training occurs not only on-board the Glory of Caliban but also in the mighty fortresses of Prydein. Recruits will usually start their training at Prydien before moving to the Battleship where they complete their training and see the heart of the Chapter for the first time. Training not only includes combat doctrine but the history of the Chapter and histories of each Company. They are taught much of the history of the wider Imperium, too, or, at least, that which the Chapter deems to be what they should know. Once an initiates implants are mostly finished and they are deemed ready to progress by their trainers, the Initiates move on to join one of the eight Battle-Companies. This is just after the time that an initiate will join the Tenth Company in a more codex chapter. Once they join the Company they are added to squads where they study under a Veteran Sergeant and gain more battle experience. Once an initiate is deemed to be worthy to become a full Astartes they receive their Power Armour, which most Astartes will wear for the rest of their lives. As part of their initiation as a full Angel they are granted the right to wear their own personal heraldry which will be permanently added to their role of honour. This heraldry incorporates part of their Sergeant’s heraldry as a sign of the bond to those who had gone before, those who came with them and those yet to come. Appearance The Angels have a halved Green and Black scheme for their armour. The Green is that which represents Caliban and their heritage and serves as a reminder for what they consider to be their true home and their duty to the Lion. The Black represents the Legion and the Emperor, an ever constant reminder of their duty to the Imperium. Worn on the Right Pauldron, the Chapter symbol is a White Circle that represents The Order and Caliban, while the left Pauldron bears the personal heraldry of each Astartes that is presented when formally inducted into the Brotherhood. The heraldry of each brother contains some element of their mentor’s heraldry, in this way the traditions and respect for the senior brothers continues throughout the new recruits. Combat Doctrine Discipline, Knowledge, Skill and Dedication are the hallmarks of the approach which the Angels of Caliban takes to warfare. The Chapter seeks excellence across all areas of war and scorns the idea that a Chapter should specialise in one approach above others. To this end the Astartes of the Chapter trains constantly with every weapon they will use and practice simulations against as many opponents as they can gain access too. Knowledge in the context of their combat doctrine refers to the ideal that they should know how to defeat their enemies with the minimal of effort and they will spend countless hours studying the war plans of famous enemy commanders, such as Abaddon, Khârn, Yriel and many others looking for weaknesses. In recent years the famed Lord Castellan of Cadia, Creed himself, is considered a popular figure to read on for his insights as is the study of Macharius’ campaigns. The Chapter contains one of the largest depositories on Xenos and Traitor military doctrines in the Imperium, though there are parts of this library which none bar the Librarius and Company-Master’s may read. The rank and file do not remain curious, as they know there are some things they should never read. For a Chapter which encourages flexibility in a theatre of war the Angels of Caliban will almost never withdraw when there is a slim chance for victory. This increases particularly when facing the Traitor and Renegade, whom they hate with a fervour greater than many other Chapters. When faced with a Traitor force the Chapter will almost never abandon a position and fight to the bitter end determined to take as many of their foe to the Emperor’s Judgement as possible. Beliefs “It is the traitor, above and beyond the Xenos, that will destroy the Imperium. There can be no mercy shown to a traitor for by their acts, they show you how worthless they view the Emperor and, for that, there can be no forgiveness.” - Grand Master Malachi I, Volume II of the Tome of Malachi The Emperor is revered as the greatest man, and ruler, who has ever lived and continues to live. The Angels also acknowledge the immense power of the Emperor and maintain that he still helps those of his servants when they are in dire need. Notably they cite fortunate reinforcements arriving in the nick of time, unexplained destructions of enemy forces and their own existence. Second only to the Emperor in reverence is their Primarch, Lion el’Jonson whom the Angels of Caliban maintain is the greatest of all the Emperor’s sons. The Chapter does not actually believe in the death of the Lion and state that, when the Imperium needs him most, the last loyal son will return and lead the Imperium in a glorious Crusade sweeping all before him. This particular part of their faith is not usually shared with outsiders, including those in the Unforgiven. Past heroes of the Chapter, and Legion, are also honoured in the Chapter Cult. Malachi, Corswain and Elisha all feature prominently after the Lion and the Emperor. The Legion occupies a special part of the Chapter’s faith and, as a result of this, the Angels of Caliban maintain their closest links with the other Unforgiven chapters – in particular the Dark Angels and the other Second Founding Chapters. Over the years the Chapter has developed closer links with other Imperial organisations and entities, including individual Inquisitors and, through Callix V, the Adeptus Mechanicus. These links, though, are regularly tested by the closed nature of the Angels of Caliban who, like all Unforgiven Chapters, maintain their own counsel. Caliban is considered the spiritual and natural home of the Angels of Caliban and they regret its destruction above all else. The story told to Initiates once they have reached the appropriate stage differs in nature to that of other Unforgiven Chapters. The Angels tell a story of the mighty warrior, Raul, close friend of Malachi who, in his jealousy and hatred broke every oath and destroyed Caliban and caused the disappearance of the Lion. The shame that one of their own killed every one of his brothers on the surface of Caliban and turned his back on the Legion and the Lion has forced the Chapter to never mention this to their Unforgiven brethren. This tale may be told to the rank and file of the Chapter, however, but as they rise in the circles of knowledge they learn the darker, uglier truth: That it was not merely Raul who turned in jealousy. The recruitment of the Angels resembles much of the old inductions utilised by the Order. It is said that Malachi initiated this so that the legacy of the greatest Knightly Order of its age would never be forgotten. Over time much has changed, but the core values of the Order are retained – albeit in a different form. Ever since the establishment of the Chapter hatred for Traitors has been at the centre of their beliefs. In particular they reserve a greater hatred for any and all Astartes Traitor, mortals are not accorded as great a hatred as they are considered fallible and therefore easily led astray. The flip side to hate for treachery is a focus on loyalty to the Chapter and to the Emperor of Mankind. It is striking that in ten thousand years there has not been a single recorded traitor from within the ranks of the Angels of Caliban. The Inner Circle of the Angels of Caliban knows the truth about the Fall of Caliban and that Raul was a traitor who escaped judgement. They are committed to the hunt and redeeming the Chapter once and for all. In particular they seek the capture of Raul and his closest followers, all of whom were drawn from the 18th Chapter of the 1st Legion. The final capture and redemption of those Astartes will remove the black stain on the Chapters past almost as much as the return of the Lion and restoration of the Legion would. ++++++REPORT NUMBER [REDACTED] FILED [REDACTED] M.33+++++++ [interrogator]: Tell me about your feelings before the killings started? [Prisoner]: May the Emperor forgive me. We were filled with jubilation at our success in removing the Imperial authority. We believed we could defeat anything sent against us…we were wrong. [interrogator]: How so? [Prisoner]: You saw it…all those…bodies… People I knew, people that had been so full of hope before. We stood no chance, but did not know it at the time. [interrogator]: Tell me again, how did they die? [Prisoner]: I killed them all. WE killed them all…we believed everyone was a traitor to the cause. Petty insults put us on edge. In our minds we saw everyone around us as an Imperial sympathiser and over time everyone killed everyone else. Violence tore us apart, I don’t know how they did it, but they turned us on one another…we slaughtered an entire world…we damned our entire world! [The prisoner here broke down ending the interview] ++++ [interrogator]: Tell me, Colonel, what was different about the central Fortress? [Colonel Jafar]: For starters it was the old Arbites Fortress, before they captured it. What was different? Other than being secure? The psy-shield that had been erected over it which seems to have kept out whatever it was that caused the minds of the rest of the world to see everyone else as a traitor to their cause. [interrogator]: You are saying that the shield protected those inside? [Colonel Jafar]: It seems that way. [interrogator]: Hmmm. It says here you were the first senior officer to enter the Fortress after the Angels took out the high command? Tell me, what was the most important thing you noticed after entry? [Colonel Jafar]: Other than the slaughtered heretics? The writing scorched into the walls by what appeared to be plasma fire ‘Such is the fate of all Traitors’ in the command centre. That stood out to me quite vividly, particularly as the scenes of some of the largest numbers of Heretic dead were showing on the vid slates. [interrogator]: Was there anything else…unusual…? [Colonel Jafar]: Only that the so-called ‘Liberator’ was never found, either as a prisoner or a dead body. Rumour had it he was a ruthless and calculating warrior – and leader. I was surprised we never located him, but we found his commanders and bodyguards, or what was left of them. [interrogator]: Thank you Colonel +++ [REDACTED] Notes: It appears that the traitors on Taurus Prime killed themselves due to mental trauma inflicted upon them. A possible cause seems to be the presence of a number of Librarians from the Angels of Caliban who were the first Imperial force on the scene. It seems the instigator of the rebellion disappeared, whether he died or was arrested by the Angels is unknown. Extracts from [REDACTED] submitted to [REDACTED] on the Liberation of Taurus Prime M.33 Rituals The Festum Angelis, or The Feast of Angels, is a feast that happens once every Hundred years, the entire Chapter, or as many as can come, returns to the Glory of Caliban which, by this stage, has reached orbit around Prydein. For one month the Chapter renews their oaths of fealty and loyalty with those worlds under their dominion through a series of banquets. The Chapter also spends time in bonding with one another and they re-affirm their oaths of fealty to the Emperor and the Primarch as well as honour distant Caliban and Terra through reflection and meditation. It is a time of happiness, joy and celebration, but also one of mourning, reflection and dedication to the cause once more. Only twice has the Festum Angelis not gone ahead in Ten Thousand years, and both times have been considered as harbingers of doom. The most recent time was when Grand Master Bohemond cancelled the Festum Angelis in order to respond to the death of Elisha a mere fifty years ago. It has been widely considered a bad omen heading into the 42nd Millennium, though they intend to host one on the very start of the Millennium. Trial of the Night: This is the official trial which every new recruit must pass in order to be accepted into training as an Astartes. The recruit spends a cold night, naked, outside one of the Chapter’s fortresses after journeying to reach it. Those who pass the test begin their training. Noble Titles: The taking of noble titles is not an uncommon occurrence among the Chapters of the Emperor’s finest. Clear examples can be found in the Ultramarine Chapter, such as Captain Sicarius, and the same is true of the Angels of Caliban. Every Astartes is considered a Knight with the honorific ‘Ser’ remaining true to the memory of the Order. Heraldry The taking of heraldry is an ancient practice all Astartes once raised into their Battle-Company participate in. Once they become a full Astartes they take their own design that will stay with them until their death, unless some momentous event causes them to change it. The taking of heraldry links the Chapter with those warriors who have come before and those who are yet to come. It links them back to the days when the Lion led the Legion in person, and to Caliban itself as well as a reminder that what once was may yet be again. When the practice first started is not known, though Chronicler Gwalchavad’s research of the past history indicates that it was first adopted by the Veterans of Malachi after he was made Master of the First Company under Eliphas. This belief is reinforced by tradition, all Astartes are told that the practice dates to before the Fall and therefore is a link to lost Caliban. As part of their reverence every Astartes adopts part of the heraldry that the Sergeant who trained them bears. Often this will be the same emblem they adopted from their own trainer. This practice keeps the legacy of their Mentor alive well after his death. For example it is known that the heraldry of Grand-master Bohemond 1V bears the White Cross of Scout Sergeant Ser Rafael, a mighty hero who died in M.34, and that this emblem is still borne today by newly initiated Astartes of the Fourth Company after their own sergeant, Ser Gideon, who was trained by Bohemond himself. This example may be the oldest currently around, but nevertheless; it is a pertinent reminder of the exploits of Rafael and every Astartes who has ever borne the White Cross. Inside the Glory of Caliban there exists the Repostri Heraldis in which the Heraldry of every Angel is kept alongside a record of the Astartes who bore it and a list of their deeds and achievements. It is considered a great honour to be able to trace a piece of heraldry back in time which has accumulated many mighty deeds. Relics Justice: Within the Reclusiam of the Angels of Caliban lie several prominent Relics. Most notably is the great Sword Justice that was once wielded by Grand Master Eliphas and, in turn, has been borne by every Grand Master since. The Sword was forged upon Holy Terra, rumoured to have been crafted by the hands of the Emperor himself. The rumours may have some truth in them as the blade has never been broken and is of such quality that craftsmen from the times of the Great Crusade down to the present Age have marvelled at it. Sacred Standards: There are three Sacred Standards belonging to the Angels of Caliban, however, unlike their primogenitors, the Angels of Caliban do not maintain each as an aspect of war but instead revere their first three Chapter Banners. While hardly ever borne into battle, whenever they are borne the situation is so vital that they will risk these banners. The first of these is the Standard of the Pride of Terra, the very first Chapter Banner, said to have been touched by the hand of the Emperor, its black banner proudly bears the markings of the XVIII Chapter of the I Legion. The second is the first banner forged after the Fall, the Standard of the Pride of Caliban serves as a tenuous link to the Dark Angels Chapter and Caliban and is revered as such. The final banner is the Standard of the Pride of Prydien which symbolises the link that the Chapter has forged in their new life after the Fall. Each banner represents the story of the Angels from the Emperor and Terra, through Caliban and the Primarch and down to the current status of the Chapter. Chalice Memoria: This Chalice is the sacred cup of the Angels of Caliban, and is said to have been one of the Chalices commissioned by Lion el’Jonson to commemorate the final extermination of the Beasts of Caliban. Though most were destroyed during the Fall, this one had been granted to Eliphas on his arrival upon Caliban by el’Jonson himself. The Chalice is used in all important ceremonies by the Inner Circle and in the Festum Angelis. Mortis Amulet: The ‘Amulet of the Dead’ worn by the Grand Master of the Chaplains once every hundred years during the Festus Angelis, in particular the Ceremonius Mortis. This ceremony honours the slain heroes of the Chapter in the time since the last Festus. The Chapter also honours their greatest heroes of all time including such figures as Sergeant Rafael, Grand Master Malachi and Grand Master Elisha. Geneseed The Geneseed of the Angels of Caliban is that of Lion el’Jonson and is perfect with no traces of mutation, just like the Dark Angels Chapter itself. Champions of the Chapter GrandMaster Elisha I “The Wise”: Elisha was the first Chapter-Master appointed to command the 18th Chapter. Raised in a noble house on hallowed Tellus his past is largely lost to the mists of time, with only his time in the Legion remembered. He was struck down by Orks during the last days of the Great Crusade and was interred in a Contemptor Dreadnought following the Chapter when it became the ‘Angels of Caliban’. There is no official recorded date for his death in any Imperial Records, and many merely list him as MIA. The truth is that he is still alive, though rarely seen, as he sleep for much of the time only waking in order to advise new GrandMasters in times of need. GrandMaster Malachi I: Malachi was the first Calibanite to lead the Chapter following the internment of Elisha. He established the Chapter as the ‘Angels of Caliban’ following the re-organisation of the Imperium. His beliefs and attitudes were fundamental in shaping the Angels following the dismemberment of the Legion. For seven hundred years after the Heresy he led the Chapter until he was slain by the Night Lords Captain, Xavian. GrandMaster Bohemond I: The immediate successor to Malachi, he was already an old Astartes by the time he became GrandMaster and had led the First Company for over seven hundred years. His leadership was short but he instilled in the Chapter a commitment to the doctrines laid down by Malachi and established Prydien as the Chapters primary recruitment world. GrandMaster Bohemond IV: The current leader of the Chapter, Bohemond faces severe threats to the Chapter including the re-emergence of Raul, the traitor they have long waited for. He slew Bohemond’s mentor, Elisha VII, and Bohemond has vowed that he will bring the traitor to justice. The Chapter also faces grim prophecies and portents all pointing that Abaddon will launch yet another infernal attempt to break the Cadian Gate. Company-Master Saul of the Third Company: Cut down in 867 M.39, Saul was a pragmatic hero of the Chapter. Renowned for his ability to accurately guess the actions of the enigmatic Eldar his treatises on the subject are used by the Officers of the Chapter and Imperial Guard to provide insight when faced with this foe. It is a tragic irony that he was cut down by an Eldar Autarch at the moment of his greatest victory over the Xenos foe. Company-Master Jereboam of the Ninth Company: The Ninth Company recently suffered heavy losses including the loss of their Company-Master when facing down the traitor Raul and his followers. Jereboam at the time was a Sergeant of the First Company known to be a skilled warrior and consummate leader, as well as being one of the best Sergeants to have ever trained recruits. Bohemond pulled him out and appointed him as Company-Master of the Ninth to rebuild them as swiftly as possible so as to join him on his quest to end Raul. He has proved masterful at the current task raising the Company up to new heights. Company-Master Tiberius of the First Company: Tiberius has a cold personality, even for a son of the Lion, and has few, if any, friends. He would not have been the first choice for Company-Master of the First for most GrandMasters. However, Bohemond saw in him a skilled warrior and implacable leader who was willing to lead his warriors into hell and be counted on to bring them back out. GrandMaster of the Librarians Absolum One-Eye: As a young Librarian Absolum sought to develop his powers and delved too far into the warp. As he realised his mistake he pulled himself free but was not strong enough. He claims that he saw a bright light save him and carry him out, but light destroyed his left eye and he was informed this would be a permanent reminder of why he should never stray from the Emperor’s light. To this day no artificial or lab-grown eye can repair his damaged sight in the left eye. They always fail or wither and die, but his power has grown. Certain Astartes believe that he may have made a deal, but every test for purity has shown him to remain pure. He claims that the light was the soul of the Emperor saving him, whatever it really was none can doubt his loyalty or purity as well as the power his excursion granted him. GrandMaster of the Chaplains Solomon: Out of all the Chaplains Solomon is the only one who has any respect for Absolum, although he refuses to ever test his friend for purity. Despite this he is resepcted by the entire Chaplaincy and Chapter for his ability to stir even the most flagging warrior to greater acts of bravery and dedication. He is also one of the most skilled warriors and it is widely known that, had he not become a Chaplain he would probably be the Chapter Champion by now. Veteran-Sergeant Ser Rafael: A hero of the Chapter often celebrated during the Festum Angelis and told to many a new recruit. During a period of two years behind enemy lines he, and his squad of Initiates, harassed Traitor forces on the planet of Esias III. He recruited and guided Imperial loyalists to engage in guerrilla warfare against the occupying Traitor forces forcing them to divert more and more resources to stamp out his forces. When Imperial forces recovered the world they discovered only himself and two Initiates left alive, both of whom were immediately raised to full Astartes and their names re-added to the roll of Serving Astartes. This was merely the start of his legend as he would go on to add to it through greater exploits until he was, so the legends say, finally cut down by a Daemon Prince which he killed by stabbing a melta bomb in its neck ending the Chaos organisation an allowing the Imperials to mop up. However much truth there is in these exploits is unknown, but it is telling that the white cross of Rafael is still in use on the heraldry of much of the Fourth Company. Veteran-Sergeant Ser Gideon: Trained by Bohemond IV, Gideon is a skilled trainer of Initiates. He has been offered the chance to move back in to the line but has refused stating that the best use of his talents is in developing the young ones of the Chapter.

Ok, sounds good. I'll work them into the text in other places then.

One question I have: In the Liber Astartes forum we often use text boxes for IA's, such as sidebars, how will that affect our submissions here? Can we include them? Or do you just want quotes/extra information kept in Italics, for example.

I think I might take a re-working 2012's submission, the 'Angels of Caliban' including a more extensive discussion of recruitment, history, beliefs and relics. sooo without further ado: I, Bohemond, GrandMaster of the Angels of Caliban vows to undertake a reworking of the 'Angels of Caliban' to bring them up to the standard required for 2014 Brotherhood of Angels.

Never ending cycle :D

I really think the fall of the 8th can be something that is uber defining. I imagine that the double failure, the first being Fall of Caliban was traumatic enough, but a second fall would be devastating, especially how they come to grips with it.

Keeping them without a Chapter-Master for so long would raise suspicions elsewhere, something the Unforgiven are not desirous... (also Azrael is not the SGM during the 11th Founding :P) I would actually drop any remarks to the AoV replacement to be honest and just work on developing their unique character, which is only really developed through history and events that occur to a Chapter as well as HW customs with a little bit of predecessor influence as well. They can insanely hate traitors and not be better AoV. Do they still have a massive split with the Angels of Light? I always thought was a great part of their history, and probably THE defining moment of the Chapter. Actually, I would make everything, their intense hatred of traitors spin around that event, even their first chapter-master is not as important as that event. each chapter has several defining moments in their history, sometimes its the origin, others its an epic battle, treachery, shame, victory, defeat etc. Do you get where I am thinking alone these lines? For ideas around an influential leader, check out my IA: Paladrean Knights, I think you have read it before, but I try to address the issue of influence from an historical figure. Octavious Rydor is the second Chapter-Master and is also an Ultramarine Captain to boot, however, his influence is such because he basically tears up part of the Codex, writes his own tome and sets the pattern for like 6-7 thousand years of history, though, he does this all after a phyricc victory right after the Chapters founding. I think I manage to strike the balance between Mary Sue and believable, though, you are free to judge me on that (and let me know :P)! It is a very fine line to walk, and generally speaking, it is best to go with the simplest way of doing it, which, for the AoS would be that he basically was judged to be the best candidate by the training cadre, was appointed, then they left him to do his own thing. Perhaps he spent some time as the First Captain as well where learnt the ropes of Chapter command? I hope my rambling makes sense...

The only issue I can see with this is that most chapters are not created for express reasons (bar the 13th and 21st), and the only DA successor created for an express purpose is the DoC which was unique and not expected. Also, though we do not yet know for certain, I am one of those who subscribes to the view that a Captain/Company-Master of the parent Chapter becomes the first Chapter-Master of the new Chapter, however, just because they are the first doesn't mean that they are the one with the biggest mark on the Chapter. Often that can come from the second or third or 25th. Still, it is your chapter however, your setting it right up for mary sue calls, as you yourself have recognised. I think I preferred the old origins where he just was a pretty smart individual, talented and naturally rose up the ranks as it were due to natural ability to eventually take command of the Chapter. Thats the way I would go, you don't even need to make him particularly OP, just that he was a pretty good, talented dude, sure he made mistakes, but he learnt and was widely seen as the foremost Astartes in the Chapter, when it came to his time to lead no-one opposed him and he led the Chapter to new glories and successes leaving his mark upon the Chapter until today.

I am really loving how this has expanded, and cannot wait for Shadow Guard to upload them all to his website For the Lion. For the Unforgiven!