DEATHWING ORGANISATION Origins of the Deathwing Organization: The origin of the Deathwing is clouded in the mists of time. The Apocrypha of Caliban describes the presence of Deathwing units within the old legion. However there is much debate and controversy as to when the name Deathwing was actually attributed to these elite units. \The truth remains buried in the sands of time. What is known is that, clad in the venerable tactical dreadnought armour, the units of the Deathwing were used with increasing effectiveness in the role of shock attack by Lion El Jonson. This tactics was profoundly effective with the increasing size of mass teleportation assault that these units developed to a fine art. Following the heretical betrayals of Horus and Luther, the disappearance of their primarch and the destruction of their home world, the highest surviving commanders of the legion created a secret conclave. There, amidst total secrecy, many critical decisions were taken. The splitting of the legions in to chapters as defined by the Lion was initiated. Along with this they created a secretive order to safeguard the horrendous acts of betrayal by their brethren and all present swore an oath to dedicate their lives to returning those fallen back to the emperor's light. This organization was also very appropriately named Deathwing. They were the bringers of death to the emperor's enemies and the betrayers of the primarch. The fact that the same name was also applied to their first company served only to confuse outsiders, and further preserve the secrecy of the organization. Organization of the Deathwing: The organization that is the Deathwing is vast and all encompassing. The ultimate authority within the Deathwing is the supreme grandmaster himself. All ranking officers of the Dark Angels are members of the Deathwing. The organization is divided in to various levels and circles. The levels are officially called Arcanum and there are seven such arcane within the chapter. In addition there are also concentric circles within the Deathwing which overlap these arcana. The more central the circle one belongs to, the higher is their rank within the Deathwing. This secretive ranking order runs parallel to that of the chapters command ranks and seniority within the Deathwing automatically outranks command ranks. Not all members of the Deathwing are known as belonging to the organization by the rank and file of the chapter. To those not inducted in to the Deathwing, this organization is merely the elite of the elite, and acceptance in to it brings with it the opportunity for command as well as entry to the first company. Arcana Fidelis The Deathwing organization is divided in to various levels, known as Arcana. Seven such levels exist. Level seven being the first one in to which new members are inducted, and level one the highest, most secretive one. Entry in to each Arcanum is dependent on the accomplishments of the battle brothers, and requires various stringent standards. Entry in to each level is also accompanied by greater access and knowledge of the chapter's past and even greater responsibilities. Entry of a battle brother in the seventh level of the Arcana Fidelis is celebrated publicly within the chapter. He is honoured by others as they recognize their comrade's accomplishment and the inherent honour and opportunity that accompany this event. Arcana Surreptius The various levels of the Deathwing form a parallel command structure to the standard chapter command that is visible to all. However, the highly secretive and compartmentalized nature of the Deathwing is best reflected by the levels named Arcana Surreptius. These again form a parallel ladder within the Deathwing organization, from level seven to level four. Entry criteria, knowledge imparted, responsibilities and command authority are exactly the same as their parallel levels in the Arcana Fidelis. The one major difference is that recruitment and induction in to the Arcana Surreptius is accomplished in high secrecy. Members inducted in to the Arcana Surreptius segment of the Deathwing keep their induction a secret from all others except the highest order of the inner circle and their own mentor Interrogator-chaplains. They are chosen for specific duties and do not function as a unit. They usually do not enter the first company, and even in the rare occasions that they do, their membership within the Arcana Surreptius remains hidden. Ascendancy within the Arcana Surreptius is limited to the fourth level, at which point these members are given guardianship of some unique and sole responsibility. The inductees may include apothecaries tasked with the guardianship of the chapter's geneseed at secret locations, techmarines who maintain the landraiders of the first company and even veteran sergeants within the scout squads who may be tasked with unique reconnaissance missions. Annulum Externa, Medianus and Intimus The stepwise structure of the Arcana, both Fidelis and Surreptius, further falls in to the embrace of annulae. These are simply referred to as circles and are a practical way of separating the members of the Deathwing depending on their general role. Annulum Externa comprises all members of levels five, six and seven of both Arcana. There is a definitive limit to the knowledge imparted to these members. These are the battle brothers who carry the fight to the enemy, in search of the fallen and also perform the myriad other tasks that cannot be entrusted to the common battle brother. Annulum Medianus marks a milestone in each member of the Deathwing. As they enter this level they come to meet the faces of the fallen. The names of each and every fallen, from the Book of Salvation is made privy to them. Every fallen who has been captured, killed, repented or still hunted is memorized by these battle brothers. In the Arcana Surreptius, this marks the zenith of their rise. It is at this level, that specific missions and tasks are entrusted to the battle brother. In the Arcana Fidelis, it marks their eligibility for consideration for inclusion in the inner circle. Arcanum Intimus is the highest circle within the Deathwing. All members of the command staff from the level of master through to the Supreme Grandmaster are members of this inner circle. Once admitted to this circle, the members are honoured by a gift of the coveted robes of the Unforgiven. All librarians and chaplains are also members of the inner circle. |
This entire section is one attempt to describe the long history of the Dark Angels in a linear form. Every known piece of history and event based on GW publications has been written in my own words and linked together in a reasonably plausible manner by additional fiction. This is in no way the official GW version nor is it in anyway an attempt to infringe on their IP. There are many versions of imperial history buried within the sands of time and this is but just one of them. Read on if you dare! |
PHALANX MORTIS The Deathwing Organization Chronicled By ( Shadow Guard ) |
CODEX ASTARTES ANGELUS MORTIS |
