This is the highest level within the Outer circle (Annulus Externa) of the Deathwing.
Admission criteria and process
Only those who have served with distinction in the sixth level are considered for advancement to this level. Only around one in ten battle brothers finally reach this level. Those ranked within the Arcana Fidelis must accomplish a significant length of time within the Deathwing Company before they are approached for promotion to this level. This advancement is available only to those who have been accepted in to the rank and file of the Deathwing Company. The mental fortitude and battlefield accomplishment required for admission are stringent even by the harsh standards of the Deathwing.
Knowledge
Under the careful scrutiny of their mentor chaplain and the librarians of the Deathwing, the battle brother is allowed to learn the truth about the battle for Caliban. From the betrayal of Luther, his corruption of the members of the legion left behind and the climactic battle for and the destruction of Caliban, the enormity of the truth finally hits home. It says much for the fortitude of the dark Angels and the selection process that no one has ever balked at the truth.
Eligibility
Once a Dark Angel has been inducted in to the fifth level, he is now eligible to command one of the Deathwing terminator squads within the first company.
Training and Deployment
The Dark Angels who are selected for advancement in to the fifth level are all members of the first company. Advancement to this level, brings with it a battle line promotion within the Deathwing company to that of veteran sergeant and thus become a squad leader. Since all the Deathwing Company squad members have been either sergeants, or more likely veteran sergeants within the battle line companies, the position of squad leader is of greater significance.
While at the level of the Arcanum Quintus, the battle brother spends all his time in the service of the Deathwing Company, leading his squad in to a myriad of conflicts and accumulating the battlefield experience and psychological fortitude necessary for commanding larger formations.
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