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 ARCANUM SEPTIMUS ( Level VII ) Chronicled By ( Shadow Guard )

CODEX ASTARTES ANGELUS MORTIS

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ANNULUM INTIMA "The Inner Circle"

ANNULUM MEDIANUS "The Middle Circle"

ANNULUM EXTERNA "The Outer Circle"

The seventh level of the Deathwing organization is the first stepping stone in to the chapter's secrets and past history. It is the only way for admission in to the Deathwing organization. Admission criteria and process All members of the Dark Angels chapter are under constant but hidden surveillance by members of the Deathwing. As promising individuals mature in their battle experience and moral resolve they are singled out for closer scrutiny. The interrogator-chaplains of the companies play an extremely important role in this along with any veteran sergeants who are already part of the Deathwing. Upon completion of specific missions where their resolution is tested to the utmost these individuals are confronted by their chaplains for formal assessment of their resolve and commitment. Further assessment takes place under the guidance of the chapter's librarians. The decision to admit such an individual in to the Deathwing is taken at the highest level, and requires the final approval of the Supreme Grandmaster. Thus, the supreme grandmaster comes to know each and every member of the Deathwing organization intimately. In addition, each member of the Deathwing is assigned a single interrogator-chaplain as his mentor. This applies to even the interrogator-chaplains themselves and goes all the up the command chain to the supreme grandmaster. The continued spiritual guidance of those entrusted with the chapter's secrets is considered paramount. It is not uncommon for a battle brother to spend a minimum of five decades of service to be able to achieve the stringent requirements of physical, combat and mental aptitude in the line of duty. By far, most of those who are inducted in to the seventh level have at least achieved the rank of sergeant, of whom but few are honoured veterans. In rare occasions, some battle brothers may be inducted in to the Deathwing in the field. This may only be performed under the direst of circumstances, and even then only by those ordained in to the inner circle. Knowledge In the silence of the main chapel within the Tower of Angels, in a solemn ceremony, some of the truth behind the chapter's past is unraveled to the new inductee. They are educated in the events of the Horus Heresy and the fall from grace of half the emperor's legions. The return of the Lion to Caliban and the treachery of those battle brothers who remained in their home world is also revealed to them. The role of Luther nor the mode of destruction of their home world is with held at this level.  Eligibility Once inducted in to this level, the battle brothers are eligible to display their entry in very unique and individual manner. This includes the re-painting of their personal armour to the colours of Deathwing, in whole or in part. They are also allowed to display their own unique personal heraldry on their armour. These are chosen after considerable study in the Librarium under the purview of their mentor and may be a combination of their chapter or legion's history and some icon or motif belonging to their original home world or tribe.

Training and Deployment Once inducted in to the Deathwing, the battle brother is allowed time in the Tower of Angels for training in the use of Tactical Dreadnought Armour and further indoctrination on the chapter's history and philosophy. Upon completion of his training he is eligible for consideration in to the next level, providing other criteria are met. The vast majority of such battle brothers, most of whom would have the rank of veteran sergeants by now, would return to their original units, clad in their power armour. They continue their tactical duties while learning to live with the knowledge of the Unforgiven and performing their secretive duties. These are the men who provide the first line of supervision to the troops. That these men have been inducted in to the Deathwing is looked upon with reverence by the battle brothers under their command. However the fact that they are observing the behaviour and directing the conduct of their battle brothers remains unknown to the Dark Angels within their purview.