Blood Angels History (7th Black Crusade Aftermath)

This article is an expansion upon existing canon: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
By the time of the 41st millennium, much information is lost from events that occurred thousands of years ago; however, enough evidence from the Blood Angels archives show that the 7th Black Crusade was one of the Chapter's multiple breaking points that ultimately only crippled them rather than exterminated them outright.
The majority of surviving accounts come from the Imperial Guard and Navy who also took part in the defences of many worlds, but details chronicling the whole of the campaign come mostly from Inquisitors and Generals tracking Black Legion raids- and the Astartes, who participated heavily. Most often seen, even more than the excerpts of the Ultramarines, are those of the Blood Angels, who clashed with Abaddon's personal forces at every major battle of the war.
==Major Chapter Leaders, Pre-Black Crusade==
Each of these characters stood as legendary figures throughout the Imperium. Almost all of them would die in the Ghost War, completely eliminating any leadership beyond the company level. Only three of these leaders would remain, with under two hundred Astartes between them- including just three dozen Specialists, Death Company, and Dreadnoughts. They would only manage to build the Blood Angels to over half strength a century later.
Chapter Master Phineas (KIA)- Cynical, laconic, and an excellent judge of character, but chosen more for his diplomatic ability and acumen relating to the other segments of the Imperium rather than charisma or commanding presence. This was due to the Inquisition looking more inspectively upon the Blood Angels, due to a centuries-long investigation of the Death Company at the Battle of Hell's Hollow, and a rising tension with the Mechanicus over their technology designs and refusals to share such. Clashed often with the hotheads of the Chapter such as his First Captain. Killed by Kharn whilst defending the Scouts onboard the Sanguine Tear, alongside most of his Sanguinary Guard. Succeeded by 4th Company Captain Galano.
1st Captain Acrion (KIA)- Brash, verbose, and influential in the Chapter- in complete contrast of Phineas. One of the youngest in Blood Angel history to have the role of commanding 1st Company. Took command of the Chapter as a whole after the Sanguine Tear attack, boldly ordering the entire Chapter to drop planetside- against the recommendations of the Inquisitorial Representative and other military leaders. Died in combat against Abaddon, who wiped out the remainder of his 1st Company and the Sanguinary Guard soon after- both Veteran forces would only be rebuilt a century later.
High Chaplain Rhodes (KIA)- The tallest Blood Angel since the 35th millennium, due to an extreme Ossmodula mutation. Imposing and thunderous voice. Disliked the arts, as he believed the state of the Imperium should be heavily improved against outside threats rather than glorified in frivolous displays of past achievements. Battled Telemachon Lyras on Mackan and lost his legs, leading to several hours of torture by being slowly burned inside his armor before being mercifully executed by Lheovine Urkis. Succeeded by Chaplain Coriandre.
Reclusiarch Thalastian Jorus (KIA)- Trustworthy and capable. Saved from slaughter on Mackan by the Sanguinor, who battled Ka'Bandtha first on the world, then in the Warp. Subsequently lead the Death Company in an weeks-long operation on Mackan after the initial slaughter, culminating in a stealth ambush on Abaddon that was respected even by the Warmaster himself. Replaced by Perdix.
High Sanguinary Priest Ciro (KIA)- Renowned for his bedside manner, courage, and command ability rather than his middling medical talent. Emphasized close cooperation with other, more military-focused elements of the Imperium such as the Guard and Navy. Captured after retrieving Acrion's gene-seed, which he ruined beyond recovery rather than surrender to the Black Legion. He was found amongst the other bodies when the Black Legion left the planet, with his own gene-seed extracted.
Chief Librarian Caerulus (PKIA)- A Librarian without equal in psychic might among the Sons of Sanguinius. Enjoyed flying a great deal. A friend of many in the Librarium and Council of Blood, including Reclusiarch Jorus. Would be one of the best remembered of the Blood Angels for over two thousand years, due to slaying Lheovine Urkis. However, he would be last seen by Imperium forces losing a psychic battle to Iskander Khayon in an attempt to delay pursual of the remnants of the Red Council. He would be honoured by a public statue alongside Bruno Arceus for his actions on his homeworld of Baal. Succeeded as Chief Librarian by Epistolary Leonardus, who himself became famed for locating the Infernus of Sanguinius himself.
Master of the Blade Klaxus (Traitoris)- Desired to understand the universe and how to twist the Warp to work for one's own ends, despite his lack of psychic ability. Possessed at Midian and initially presumed dead; in reality, was persuaded by the Warp entity possessing him and the warband that captured him to sacrifice his followers in a Tzeentchian ritual as to weaken Abaddon and the Ezekarion. The ritual appeared to have worked: Lheovine Urkis was later slain on Mackan, and Telemachon Lyras was lost deep into the Warp ever since. Recovered recordings of Klaxus's personal journals detail his fall: he believed despite his oath with the deamon forcing his bond with the warband and his purposeful sacrifice of loyal Astartes, that he was still acting for the good of the Imperium, and that he could twist the powers of Chaos against itself. However, by the 8th Black Crusade, his motivations appear to have changed- likely due to Chaos corruption. Somehow throwing off the possession and eliminating the warband that first captured him, his aim was now research and exploration of the Warp, acting as a sellsword to various forces to fund his goals- including the Black Legion themselves, as he assisted Abaddon with gaining Tzeentch's favor during the Skullgather. His warband, known as the Forsworn Search, swelled to several hundred Astartes lead by sorcerers and warpsmiths, collectively roaming to uncover the full extent of the Warp- while eliminating any in their way. He would be caught far from allies and cornered during the Gothic War, confirmed killed onboard his flagship.
===Other Chapter Leaders ===
Null Cognate Tallius (KIA)- Second in command of the Techmarines. Enjoyed working with artificers and shipmasters, almost more than other Techmarines. Landist. Vegetarian- save for blood. Became Master of the Blade after Midian, only to be slain by Iskander Khayon at Mackan in the final hours of fighting. His one creation during his short stint of leadership was Captain Gaius's artificer set of mechanical arms, which contained a grav pistol built into the left palm and a plasma pistol in the right. Gaius would subsequently inscribe the set with the names of all the Blood Angels who perished during the Black Crusade, including Tallius himself.
Heaven's Gatekeeper Cassiel (KIA)- once 6th Company Captain until his legs were crushed by Ka'Bantha a century ago, in a clash reminiscent of the Battle of Signus Prime. Declined a return to active service after healing in favor of specializing in his Master role, which he was considerably proficient at. Died protecting the main retreat from Midian just before the Carcharadons arrived. His helm would later adorn the top of the bridge of the Strike Cruiser named Angelic Blade.
Warden of the Gates Bruno Arceus (KIA)- was Chapter Champion until eight years before, saving Chapter Master Phineas's life by taking direct hits from an Big Zzappa- and surviving, albeit with grievous injuries. When his body continually rejected the augmetic limb replacements, he requested to not be put into a Dreadnought and instead allowed "to assist those as weak as myself". During the escape off Mackan, allowed his entombment into a Dreadnought to delay Black Legion forces from attacking his wards. Managed to hold off Telemachon Lyras through using a Vortex Grenade to trap him in the Warp, at the cost of his own life. This sacrifice would earn him a monument besides his ally Caerulus on Baal, for his actions against humanity's foes.
Exalted Herald of Sanguinius Leonatos (KIA)- Sullen and serious, Captain of the Sanguinary Guard. Was once a contender for captaincy alongside Acrion, but was deemed to have inadequate strategic ability. Found to excel in VIP protection after an incident in which he commandeered a squad and saved several key figures in a sector-wide campaign; subsequently promoted into Exalted Herald after defeating all other contenders in the trials. Believes Acrion is rash and unworthy of his role, partially due to his internal envy. The first casualty on the Sanguine Tear, alongside the Sanguinary Ancient.
2nd Company Captain Amia (KIA)- Relaxes by swimming. The sole survivor of the massacred town of Halecom on Baal Primus from a Slanneshi warband. Received audial implants as 1st Company Sergeant, due to permanent ear damage from the same Slanneshi warband. Wiped out the warband for good as 6th Company Captain, earning his promotion to command of the Blooded. Seen as a moderate voice between that of Acrion and Phineas. Despite commanding the 2nd Company, did not undergo the full Blooding rite until the Ghost War. Attempted to escape the blockade of Mackan with the remnants of several other companies and Bruno Arceus's forces. Killed during his mastering of the Blooding rite while defending his ship from boarders when it crashed onto Mackan.
3rd Company Captain Perseus (KIA)- Enjoyed close combat- as well as sacrifice- for its bloodletting. Killed his own grandfather using Thirstwater as an Aspirant, and only grew more ruthless over time. Quarreled frequently with both Phineas and Amia, often out of habit. Last seen by Imperium forces falling to the Black Rage with half his troops and breaking formation on Mackan, with only nine survivors from his company. His body was not found until two millenia later- having smashed into Lheorvaine Urkis' position, proceeded to brutalize his strike force, commandeer a Khornate Stormbird, and ride it to the Chaos ships in the sky, causing minor chaos in the initial blockade until his death to Falkus Kibre.
4th Company Captain Galano- Analytical and shrewd, with good judgement- better than even Phineas on matters within the chapter, which made him an optimal choice for the role of Lord Adjudicator. Wrote often, on anything he considered important, from history to cartography to technology. His ability to improvise, learn, and teach others allowed him to survive on Mackan until reinforcements arrived, and helped greatly in his role later of Chapter Master when rebuilding the remnants of his command. Would continue to lead the Blood Angels at the 8th Black Crusade. Was given the Emperor's Mercy several decades after Gaius from contracting the Obliterator Virus whilst battling an Iron Warriors Grand Company.
5th Company Captain Cilix (KIA)- Had always wished to travel the Sol System, most specifically the Galilean moons of Jupiter. He believed he might see there such beautiful sights that he would find a personal purpose beyond duty and brotherhood for all his struggle. Witnessed the attack on the Sanguine Tear, blaming himself for not being able to reach them in time to save most of them. Died in an unknown battle onboard the Royal Shroud Strike Cruiser, with his remaining forces being temporarily split between the remaining battle companies at Mackan. His body was sent to rest in the prime meridian of Europa by the six survivors of his company, and his crippled Strike Cruiser was later used as bait against a Chaos cult uprising in the Jovian Shipyards, self-destructing when they boarded it.
6th Company Captain Alcael (KIA)- A coolheaded analyzer, with the tendencies of a warhawk when it came to pursuing any enemy of mankind. Took the role of 6th Company after Cassiel. Wholeheartedly supported Acrion for his zeal and overall command ability, leading to his death at Mackan acting as the main leader of the reserve forces. Eleven members of his company survived the battle.
7th Company Captain Brutus Palladio (MIA)- disappeared with over half of his company in a Warp storm shortly before the battle of Midian. This was one of the primary reasons for the Blood Angels loss there, as ship logistics was disrupted long enough for the Black Legion to ambush them. The White Scar successors known as the Rampagers, who owed a large debt to Palladio, would go on to pay back their debt by saving the Blood Angels at Mackan with several hundred brethren, lead by Tegadeh Khan of the 7th Company. Aside from 1st Company, this company took the most losses of the war, having only four survivors. His ship, the Bloodied Wing was later found during the Gothic War to be in the service of the Blades of Savasdus. The ship was pursued and combatted but not destroyed, and was later seen during the 13th Black Crusade.
8th Company Captain Acrimona- Once served underneath both Acrion and Amia during their times as Sergeants; believed himself better than all others until the events of the Sanguine Tear and Mackan. Still arrogant, vengeful, and as bitter as his name suggests. A close friend of Perseus until his fall. Survived the Black Crusade, although his company numbered only seventeen by the end. He was subsequently promoted to 1st Company Captain, although he would have to help lead other companies until enough veterans reformed 1st Company a century later. Out of a sense of atonement for the men he had lost, he would never use a jump pack again. Was Chapter Master during the 9th Black Crusade; fell several decades later to the Black Rage.
9th Company Captain Perugino (PKIA)- Oddly enough, a mediocre shot commanding the reserve Devastators. Known as "the Sculptor" due to his unique method of close combat. Spent 5 decades on Terra as a sergeant paying a Chapter debt to the Imperial Fists, resulting in his high knowledge of siege-breaking. Set a solid defense at Midian by coordinating with Gatekeeper Cassiel, which ultimately slowed the Black Legion enough for Carcharadon reinforcements to arrive. Landed on Mackan as part of a flanking maneuver but failed to respond to hails and communications. Over half his company was later found slaughtered and defiled at their landing sites. Save for thirteen survivors from three drop pods going off-course, the rest were never found, with overall Imperial consensus agreeing they were likely harvested for their gene-seed.
10th Company Captain Gaius- Respected galaxy wide for his skill at winnowing down and drawing out superior forces with melee skirmish tactics. The oldest of the Blood Angels not interned in a Dreadnought at the time of the Ghost War. Lost both arms while defending his Scouts and Chapter Master on the Sanguine Tear. Was gifted by Tallius a new set of mechanical arms shortly before Mackan. Attempted to ferry the Scouts off-world with the thralls and servitors under Bruno Arceus. Subsequently escaped off Mackan and gave critical information to reinforcements on the Black Legion's positions and numbers, both on planet and in orbit. Served both as Warden and 10th Company Captain afterwards for five centuries, and as Galeno's Equerry for approximately another seventy years. Wounded by Typhus in 389.M38; later given the Emperor's Mercy for Nurgle's Rot. His new set of arms would be passed down as a revered set of augmetics until their loss with Veteran Sergeant Ores in 435.M40.
==Example of 2nd Company ==
2nd Company was one of the luckier companies of the Blood Angels in this war. Besides the 10th Scout Company and 4th Company, who together held at sixty strong, the Blooded had suffered the least amounts of fatalities- nineteen of their number still lived (or two dozen when including their brothers who had yet to be transferred into Death Company).
All Commanding Officers of the Blood Angels 2nd Company Before the 7th Black Crusade
Name 	Command 	Specialty 	Surviving Units
Amia 	2nd Company, 104 Astartes 	Command, Combat, Control 	24 Astartes
Baelen 	N/A (Captain's Equerry) 	Analyzing, Trickery 	None
Galilei 	Veteran Squad, 8 Astartes 	Spearpoint Attacks, Bodyguarding 	Galilei, Ajax
Protosilus	N/A (Veteran Squad Ancient) 	Vanguard 	None
Sextus 	N/A (Veteran Squad Champion) 	Vanguard 	None
Lucius 	1st Squad (Tactical), 9 Astartes 	Charisma, Command 	Sabathiel, Gadriel, Cyrus
Scipio 	2nd Squad (Tactical), 10 Astartes 	Tactics, Strategems 	No survivors
Longinus 	3rd Squad (Tactical), 9 Astartes 	Melee Weaponry 	No survivors
Giancana 	4th Squad (Devastator), 8 Astartes 	Ranged Combat, Logistics 	Aurelius, Rubio, Pertinax, Otho
Desmond 	5th Squad (Assault), 10 Astartes 	Physical Ability, Stealth 	Desmond, Avram
Chiron 	6th Squad (Tactical), 9 Astartes 	Political Savvy 	Enzio, Malachi, Victus
Salvatore 	7th Squad (Tactical), 10 Astartes 	Interrogation, Scorched Earth Tactics 	No survivors
Josephus 	8th Squad (Tactical), 10 Astartes 	Barehanded Combat, Hardiness 	Josephus, Apheo, Solomon, Darius, Phoebus
Nicodemus 	9th Squad (Devastator), 10 Astartes	Philosophy, Warp Understanding 	Noria, Tacitus, Lorenzo, Maximal
Gideon 	10th Squad (Assault), 9 Astartes 	Imperial Cult, Low Visibility Assaults	Icarus
===Surviving Members of 2nd Company===
Former Squad 	Name 	Notes
Galilei 	Galilei 	Deathwatch Veteran of almost two centuries. Succeeded Amia as Captain. Reawakened in a Contemptor-Incaendius Dreadnought one year before the Skullgather from an Avatar of Khaine. Optimistic and innocuous, in spite of it all.
Equipped with a chainsword and an infernus pistol.
Galilei 	Ajax 	Succeeded Protosilus as Company Ancient. Experimental Bioscopia mutation led to high muscle density but extreme energy requirements. Died as Chapter Ancient from a Warp-vision driving him to suicide in 913.M37.
Equipped with the company standard, a power fist, and a bolt pistol.
Lucius 	Sabathiel	Sergeant of the remaining members of Squad Lucius and Chiron. Would join with the 1st Company upon its reformation. Died seven years before the 8th Black Crusade to a psyker xeno race resembling giant jellyfish.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Lucius 	Gadriel 	Never seen without his childhood friends- until 811.M37. Picked up a smoking habit from a Athonian Tunnel Rat he became friendly with, who would later be a Lord General Militant. Became a Chaplain by 999.M37.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Lucius 	Cyrus 	Angry and grim, his one true passion being history. During a training exercise half a century after the 7th Black Crusade, an improperly forged melta bomb detonated without warning, killing him and four scouts.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Giancana 	Aurelius 	Moved to Squad Galilei before being selected for Apothecarion duties a decade later. Died five years before the Skullgather to the same jellyfish xenos which killed Sabathiel as they attempted to invade the Red Scar.
Equipped with a lascannon.
Giancana 	Rubio 	Moved to Squad Galilei before being selected to learn Techmarine duties a decade later. Would become a preferred vehicle pilot for Galano and other high ranking officers, due to his skillful maneuvering ability.
Equipped with a heavy bolter.
Giancana 	Pertinax 	Quarrels with Otho often. A postcognate who catches glimpses of events ranging from seconds to centuries ahead. Has broken his hand from combat and accidents over three dozen times.
Equipped with a lascannon.
Giancana 	Otho 	Quarrels with Pertinax often. Believes in the Emperor's Tarot. Lost his arms to a Chaos Champion during the Ghost War, but somehow regained them. Died pulling Galilei to safety after being struck down by the Avatar of Khaine.
Equipped with a heavy bolter.
Desmond 	Desmond 	Fell to the Red Thirst from the loss of his entire squad. Recovered weeks later but refused leadership roles since, instead becoming a Company Veteran- then the 1st Company Ancient, and then the Sanguinary Ancient.
Equipped with a power sword and bolt pistol.
Desmond 	Avram 	An introspective and astute follower of Desmond. Fell to the Black Rage as the Blood Angels left Mackan. Escaped his confinement during transport to Baal, forcing Desmond to put him down after he slaughtered half a village.
Equipped with a power sword and bolt pistol.
Chiron 	Victus 	Fell to the Red Thirst and never rose out. Formerly the squad's third. Later deployed with a Death Company force upon an Eldar Craftworld, ravaging it thoroughly and being executed afterwards by Reclusiarch Perdix.
Equipped with a bolt pistol and chainsword.
Chiron 	Enzio 	Became a Sergeant before leading two squads to desertion as Renegades, then Chaos Space Marines. Killed during the Age of Redemption, with his Chaos-touched squad banner placed in the Carceri Arcanum.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Chiron 	Malachi 	An inveterate gambler, and surprisingly poor singer. Enjoyed making time capsules and letters in bottles wherever the Blood Angels went: such work would often later be recovered and put into holy chapels or museums.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Josephus 	Josephus 	A foul-mouthed prankster who received his position due to his ability to form unorthodox plans and be utterly trusted by subordinates. Promoted to veterancy after Galilei, and served as 6th Company Captain by 999.M37.
Equipped with a power fist and power axe.
Josephus 	Darius 	The second of the squad. Acted as a counterbalance to many of Josephus' wilder ideas before the war. Afterward, he would tire of this and volunteer for the Deathwatch, dying six decades later to the Slaugth in Calixis Sector.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Josephus 	Solomon 	Enjoys missile barrages and bisecting enemies. Unknown ties to the Shaba Sector Lords. Had a child before his ascension. Always has a wise saying to give for a situation. Later served as Josephus's Veteran Sergeant.
Equipped with a missile launcher.
Josephus 	Apheo 	Sole survivor of a Scout squad a Cult captured and a Kabal tortured. Kept almost completely mute since. Deserted in 997.M37, tracking and ending both Cabal and Cult in Commorragh itself- at the cost of his life.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Josephus 	Artemis 	Moved from 7th Company a week before the 7th Black Crusade started. The "rookie" of the original squad. A highly perceptive marksman, promoted to 3rd Company Devastator Sergeant three decades before the Skullgather.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Nicodemus 	Noria 	Sergeant of the remnants of Squad Nicodemus and Giancana. Gestures and explains with visuals when words fail him- a trick he picked up from Nicodemus. Promoted to 2nd Captain in 998.M37. Morose and dark by nature.
Equipped with a boltgun.
Nicodemus 	Tacitus 	Nicknamed "Tactical" by a Guard captain after miscommunication during a battle lead him to kill several dozen Imperial troops. The name stuck with him until his death two centuries later by friendly artillery.
Equipped with a plasma cannon.
Nicodemus 	Lorenzo 	Enjoyed a six-month vacation on the Paradise World of Reth in 876.M37. Any other information after the 7th Black Crusade of this Blood Angel was erased from Imperium records by an Inquisitor Grandmaster.
Equipped with a multimelta.
Nicodemus 	Maximal 	Took his name from his bestial method of fighting as an Aspirant. A precognate who once found Anakhtor Centralis through his visions. Fell to the Black Rage before the Ghost War ended, dying a year later.
Equipped with a bolt pistol and chainsword.
Gideon 	Icarus 	Cousin of Chaplain Perdix, who gifted him a Plasma Pistol. Fallen to the Black Rage and placed with Death Company. Later confined inside the Tower of Amareo; it is unknown when he was released or killed.
Equipped with a plasma pistol and chainsword.
Specialist Detachment	Alistair 	The only survivor of the specialists officially attached to 2nd Company during the drop to Mackan. An Epistolary given to bouts of solitude, wandering the red dunes of Baal. Enjoys Amia's private music collection.
Equipped with a force sword and bolt pistol.