Angels of Damnation

Angels of Damnation armorial with Chapter iconography.

Angels of Damnation Battle-Brother of the 3rd Company, 5th Battleline Squad.

### **Battle cry**

"Damnation!", Chaplain Says: "Why are we here?" Line Responds: "To Send the Damned to Hell!", "I Damn thee!"

### Successor Chapter(s)

None

"*I Damn thee to the darkest depths of hell!*"
— Unknown Angels of Damnation Astartes
The **Angels of Damnation** are a *Codex-*compliant chapter. Founded during an unknown but nonetheless ancient founding, this Chapter hails from the secretive Dark Angels. Claiming to be Avengers of the Lion, they act as judge, jury, and executioner of the Damned - the Forces of Chaos and Fallen Astartes Chapters.

Successors of the ancient and mysterious Firewing Protocol, they have grown to become brutal and pragmatic in battle. Carrying out "Damnation Crusades", the Chapter is known to make targeted assaults on enemy strongholds and weak points, and the chapter has become proficient in Anti-Astartes Actions.

## Chapter History

The History of the Angels of Damnation stretches back no less than 9 millennia, and some believe that they may be an Ancient Chapter hailing from the 2nd founding, although this sentiment is not a concern of the chapter, as the chapter cares not for its age - only that it gets the job done.

During the Series of Civil wars known as the Nova Terra Interregnum, the Angels of Damnation were constantly used as a force to fight against those chapters that had sworn loyalty to Nova Terra. Although other chapters had gone renegade or fallen to chaos before the Interregnum, the series of civil wars and rebellions allowed the chapter to refine its tactics and concentrate on the Anti-Astartes actions they would become infamous for.

#### Damnation of the Broken Sons

One such Damnation Crusade that occured during the Interregnum was the Damnation of the Broken Sons chapter. Successors of the Stoic Imperial Fists, the Broken Sons suffered from the affliction known as Dorn's Darkness. Searching for every way to cure themselves of the terrible affliction, the Broken Sons began to use chaos-tainted artifacts in a desperate measure to relieve themselves of Dorn's Darkness.

When the Inquisition discovered such use of chaotic artifacts, the Broken Sons were immediately withdrawn from imperial record and declared *Excommunicate Traitoris.* The Angels of Damnation were called upon to destroy the Broken Sons. Whilst carrying out the writ of execution on the Broken Sons homeworld of Carousel, the Broken Sons 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 8th companies managed to escape through a warp storm that had appeared over their world. This escape was a massive stain of dishonor to the Angels of Damnation, and they vowed not to rest until the Broken Sons were completely obliterated.

##### Age of Apostasy

The Age of Apostasy would prove a trying time for the Angels of Damnation. As loyalties between the Imperium and the Adeptus Astartes grew further apart during Goge Vandire's reign of blood, the Angels of Damnation were called upon to destroy many space marine chapters that had proven their loyalty - albeit not to Goge Vandire.

The Angels of Damnation saw the truth behind the act, however, the chapter came close to a civil war as tensions between Pro-Vandire and Pro-Astartes factions ran high and rampant. It is known that the position of Lord Executioner of the Angels of Damnation was held by 8 different Astartes through the reign of blood, as each faction challenged the other to honor duels for the position.

The wounds within the chapter caused by the Age of Apostasy would not heal quickly, and it would take another four generations of Astartes for the Age of Apostasy to become another memory within the chapter.

#### Disaster at Sopdet

As the Great Awakening of the Necrons were occuring, the Angels of Damnation were sent out of the comfort zone to neutralize the Awakening tomb world of Sopdet. Given a task force of Skitarii and Imperial Guard, the Angels of Damnation were expected to swiftly neutralize the threat. Swiftly.

That would not come to be. Unprepared for the type of war that Necrons would wage, the brute strength of the Astartes and their tactics were greatly challenged. As each tomb of the foul necrons slowly awoke, the Angels of Damnation found themselves running at a greater and greater loss, and soon, the entirety of the reserve companies were called in to slow the bleeding. The unfolding disaster would only be compounded as the shadow in the warp enveloped the world. Even as brutal fighting against the Necron forces continued, with almost the entirety of the Chapter now called in, a splinter hive fleet of Tyranids began their landing.

The Three factions now found themselves at odds. The Necrons, Tyranids, and Angels of Damnation all found themselves fighting an unstable war of attrition, one the Chapter was not well-prepared for. It was this time that Captain Zatheri Lazaros of the Elite 1st Company Staged an orbital strike upon the tyranids, a distraction that would cost many a life. Imperial forces fought to a man as the Chapter began it's withdrawal, with the epic Actions of Barrequarn Alvir's Regiment of Light Fusiliers at Mount Corathan allowing the final withdrawal of the chapter. The Rest of the Imperial forces would soon be abandoned by the Chapter, as they fled like a dog with it's tail between its legs.

Overall, the Chapter suffered total destruction of the 3rd and 8th companies, and the desolation of the elite 2nd company "Firewing", 4th, 5th, and 9th companies, on top of heavy losses sustained by the remaining companies. Chapter Master Alazuel Holgane would refuse to leave the planet, preffering death above the dishonor of such a defeat. To this day, the defeat remains one of the biggest stains on the Chapter's honor. All who participated in the action are long gone, never living down the failure.

##### Fall of Cadia

As the Black Fleet of Abbadon the Despoiler moved into range of Cadia, the Angels of Damnation were called upon to fight against the Black Legion and its allies by the high lords of terra. Sending the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 9th companies to Cadia, the Angels of Damnation would not back down from a good fight. Landing on Cadia, the Angels of Damnation would fight nonstop until news of the impending destruction of Cadia reached them. Elements from all but the 3rd company managed to evacuate, however, the entirety of the 3rd company, including the Company Captain and Company Banner, were lost. It is believed that the 3rd company may have succumbed to the unique genetic flaw known as the Damnation of the Mind during the fight for Cadia. This belief is uncorroborated by the chapter, although it may still ring true.

After retreating from the decimated Cadian System, the Angels of Damnation regrouped under Lord Admiral Spire to retake the Cadian System and avenge the destroyed 3rd company. Powered by a shame not felt before and a hankering for vengeance, the Angels of Damnation would aid in the reclamation of no less than 8 systems. During this time, the chapter lost nearly 3/4rs of its original fighting force.

##### Primaris Marines

After the resurrection of Roboute Guilliman, the Angels of Damnation had lost nearly 350 Marines during the 13th Black Crusade. When Guilliman revealed the Primaris Marines to the galaxy, the Angels of Damnation were relieved to have regained nearly double their losses. As the chapter continued its counter-crusade, the remaining 4th, 5th, and 6th companies would join the crusade.

Noting the strength of the Primaris Marines, the chapter began allowing members to voluntarily cross the Rubicon Primaris when able to. However, some elements of the chapter remain opposed to the Primaris marines, seeing them as an abomination against both honor and the Lion.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Damnation of the Grey Chieftains (212.M32):** The Grey Chieftains, a successor hailing from the glorious lineage of Corvus Corax and the Raven Guard, had fallen out of favor with the Imperium after it was discovered that more than 90% of the chapter had fallen to the Chaos Gods. Although none of the untainted would admit it, believing that chaotic taint could not burn through such a vigilant chapter, the High Lords of Terra handed down the first Writ of Execution to the Angels of Damnation. The Angels of Damnation, after receiving the writ of Execution, were surprised to find that it was against a chapter they had fought alongside with since the Grey Chieftains' inception during the 3rd founding. However, not willing to put their own necks on the line to protect friends, the Angels of Damnation began a year-long purge of the Grey Chieftains. After 8 months of brutal fighting on the Grey Chieftains' home world, the Angels of Damnation would prove victorious, having wiped out all but a single squad of Grey Chieftains. This squad, beaten, broken, and decimated, was captured by the Angels of Damnation as prisoners to be interrogated by the Chapter's Executor-Chaplains.
* **Damnation of the Honourbound Drakes**
* **Damnation of Broken Sons (Unknown Date.M36):** The Broken Sons chapter, a successor of noble Imperial Fists, were found wanting after the Inquisition discovered their collection and use of several Chaos Artifacts. After refusing to go on a penitent crusade, the Angels of Damnation were called in to destroy them. On a brutal slaughter on their homeworld of Carousel, the Broken Sons were decimated to a single company before a warp storm dragged them, and their home planet, into the eye of Terror. They have now become a War Band of Chaos Undivided, and the Angels of Damnation have vowed to finish the job they started.

## Chapter Home World

### Moloch

Moloch is a large, basalt-covered world that is officially classified as a death world. Completely covered in things hostile to human life, the few communities that live there are warring tribes that take refuge in the valleys of rare dormant volcano ranges. Covered in various hostile creatures that could destroy a man in minutes, Moloch maintains a population of just under 50,000 Humans at any given time.

The environment of Moloch has formed a hardened people who are harsh in their dealings and harsher when it comes to war. As each tribe must fight over scarce resources and territory, the people of Moloch do not thrive on the planet, they simply survive. When the Angels of Damnation arrived at Moloch, they quickly adopted the attitude of the people and integrated it into their own.

Silently, recent studies conducted by the Magus Biologis have revealed multiple genetic similarities between the creatures of Moloch and the Tyranids. The possibility of there being remnant Tyranid Life on Moloch suggests that the Planet may once have been a more hospitable world, although not even myth foretells such a thing amongst the population of Moloch.

#### Relationship with the Angels of Damnation

The World of Moloch, as the Home World and sole recruiting world of the Angels of Damnation, has a semi-distant rule from the chapter and the Rule of the Lord Executioner. Although the position of *Warden of Moloch* exists, it mainly pertains to administrative goings-on and is only truly Warden of the Black Altar, the chapter's Fortress-Monastery.

Although every Battle-Brother of the Chapter has the memories of living on that wretched world, they outright refuse to help the civilian population in any time of need. Instead, viewing the non-augmented tribes of Moloch in contempt, they see the suffering as a form of punishment for not being good enough to become part of the chapter. The civilian population has a near opposite reaction of the Space Marine chapter. Although the Astartes are rarely seen, the population of Moloch cowers in fear, knowing that more of their children will dissappear, never to be seen again.

### Fortress-Monastery

Built into the Largest, most active volcano on the surface of Moloch, The Black Altar is the Fortress-Monastery of the Angels of Damnation. The Heat of the Magma that spews out of it is used to generate the power for the Fortress-Monastery, and the uncomftorable heat is used to test the very will of each and every Astartes.

It is also this Fortress-Monastery that the Neophytes of the chapter are trained within. Thousands of brutal rituals and trials are performed each day, designed to test the mettle of neophytes and strengthen the might and will of each battle-brother. Hardened by fire and tempered by honor, each battle-brother will call the Black Altar home at some point in their lifetime.

Inside the Black Altar is a maze of corridors, designed to confuse invaders and test neophytes on their pathfinding skills. Each Corridor may be a dead end or lead into the Magma flow that powers the Volcano that the Black Altar is built into. Each corridor is also trapped - not for testing Neophytes, but another Anti-Invasion measure learned during the Damnation of the Blessed Avengers, in which the Angels of Damnation suffered high casualties whilst clearing out the Blessed Avengers' trapped Fortress-Monastery.

## Chapter Organisation

### Officer Ranks

* **Lord Executioner:** Chapter Master Equivalent. This title replaces the traditional title of the 8th Company Captain.
* **Precentor:** Captain Equivalent. There are 11 Precentors: 10 Company Precentors, and the Precentor of the Cambion Host.
* **Reaper:** Lieutenant Equivalent. A new rank after the introduction of the Primaris Marines, there are two reapers to each company.

### Specialist Ranks

* **Chief Librarian:** The Chief Libarian, by far, is the most powerful psyker of the Chapter. In charge of the entirety of the Librarius, as well as the training of new librarians, the Chief Librarian is allowed into the Inner Circle.
* **Librarians:** Librarians are the Chapter's Psykers, and are trained differently compared to regular neophytes.
	+ **Lexicanium:** The Lexicani are the lowest-ranked of the Librarians. Yet to see combat, this is a Librarian learning how to use his psyker powers and is under the training of higher-ranking Libarians. Lexicani will spend much time within the Chapter's Librarius.
	+ **Codicier:** Overseeing the Lexicani, Codiciers are mainly tasked with cataloguing the many, ancient tomes of the chapter's Librarius. Allowed to solely enter combat, Codiciers are powerful psykers who fit within a sort of battleline specialist role.
	+ **Epistolary:** Epistolaries are some of the most powerful psykers within the chapter. Allowing their powers to grow, they are uncomprimising foes on the battlefield. When off the battlefield, they act as the chief communications officers of the chapter and its fleet.
* **Lord Executor-Chaplain:** Reclusiarch Equivalent. Also acts as an Executor-Chaplain.
* **Chaplain:** Chaplains are responsible for keeping the faith of the chapter. The Angels of Damnation are known to field higher counts of Chaplains into battle than most other chapters.
* **Helix Lord:** Chief Apothecary equivalent. In charge of the Chapter's Apothecarion and the insurance that chapter gene-seed remains pure. The Helix Lord is known to be involved in dealing with those who have succumbed to the chapter flaw known as the "Damnation of the Mind", but the extent of this role is unknown.
* **Apothecary:** The healers of the chapter, responsible for monitoring the gene-seed of the chapter and healing wounded battle-brothers. Due to the nature of the chapter, fewer apothecaries are fielded than is normal.
* **Master of the Forge:** Chief Techmarine, in charge of the chapter Armoury. Responsible for the continued running of Chapter Machinery, the Master of the Forge is not included in the chapter's inner circle due to his dual loyalty to the Adeptus Mechanicus.
* **Techmarine:** Responsible for the repair and maintenance of the chapter's vehicles and weaponry, the tech-marines of the chapter paint their power armor primarily yellow to differentiate them on the battlefield.
* **Ancient:** Standard-Bearers of the chapter. Tasked with carrying the banners of the chapter and companies into battle, the Ancients are considered to be Veterans of Reaper (Lieutenant) Rank. To become an Ancient within the chapter is a point of high honor.

### Line Ranks

* **Sargent:** Leaders of squads.
* **Battle-Brother:** The Basic unit of the chapter. Relatively Versatile space marines who form the core of the chapter's fighting force.
* **Scout Marine:** A Late-Stage neophyte who has earned his rites of battle and has been entered as a Fighter within the chapter's 10th Company.

### Line Ranks

* **Sargent:** Leaders of squads.
* **Battle-Brother:** The Basic unit of the chapter. Relatively Versatile space marines who form the core of the chapter's fighting force.
* **Scout Marine:** A Late-Stage neophyte who has earned his rites of battle and has been entered as a Fighter within the chapter's 10th Company.

### Specialist Units & Formations

* **The Cambion Host:** The Honor Guard of the Lord Executioner (Chapter Master.) Despite the typical size of 20 for a Chapter Honor Guard, the Cambion Host only ever consists of no more than 10 Veteran Astartes. Brutal, moreso than even their brothers within the chapter, the Cambion Host is comprised of the strongest and most honorable astartes of the chapter, however, the details of the recruiting process to become a member of the Cambion Host are shrouded in layers of secrecy, mystery, and outright lies.
* **Deathwing:** The 1st Company follows in the Footsteps of the Ancient Deathwing Protocol. Maintaining 10 Squads of Terminator Marines, the Deathwing is the Elite of the Chapter, and are entered into the knowledge of the Fallen. Unlike most unforgiven chapters, the members of the Deathwing wear primarily Red with bone highlights, rather than the traditional bone.
* **Firewing:** Unlike the majority of other Dark Angels Successors, the Angels of Damnation do not maintain their second company as a Ravenwing Company. Instead, they maintain it as part of the Firewing Protocol. Although the purpose of this protocol has been long forgotten, the Chapter sees it as a form of specialized Shock Assault. As such, the 2nd Company Maintains Veterans with experience in the use of Jump-Packs and isolated assault tactics. Members of the Firewing wear primarily black armor with red highlights.

### Order of Battle

#### Headquarters

**Teshim Kokabiel,**
**Lord Executioner of the Angels of Damnation Chapter**
**Chapter Champion**
**Cambion Host (Honor Guard)**
**Command Squad:**
**(Ancient, Executor-Chaplain, Lexicanium, Apothecary & Techmarine)**

**Lord Executioner Teshim Kokabiel,**
**Precentor Borais Hectus,**
**Commander of the Cambion Host, Equerry to the Grand Master**
**Precentor Sariel Tyrrhenur,**
**Commander of the 1st Company**
**Precentor Abathar Eunostel,**
**Commander of the 2nd Company**
**Lord Executor-Chaplain Lazarar Eradar,**
***Master of Sanctity***
**Chief Librarian Zakareal Nephyreel,**
***Master of Secrets***
**Helix Lord Seraphath Heracloss,**
***Master of the Apothecarion***
**Precentor Idravicus Nephyron,**
***Master of the Fleet***
**8 Precentors (Captain Equivalent) of the 8 remaining companies**
**Chief Librarian Ormin Sileel,**
***Master of Secrets***
**Librarians**
**Lexicaniums**
**Codiciers**
**Epistolaries**
**Acolytum** | **Precentor Hadraniel Belas,**
***Warden of Moloch***
**Servitors**
**Administrative Support Staff**
**Gabriel Jezoss,**
***Master of the Forge***

**The Chapter's Master of the Forge is NOT a member of the Inner Circle because of his shared allegiance to the Adeptus Mechanicus.**

**Techmarines**
**Servitors**
**Predators**
**Vindicators**
**Whirlwinds**
**Land Raiders** | **Precentor Idracivus Nephyron,**
***Dauntless Vigil (Battle-Barge)***
**Battle Barges**
**Strike Cruisers**
**Rapid Strike Vessels**
**Helix Lord Seraphath Heracloss,**
***Master of the Apthecarion***
**Lord Executor-Chaplain Lazarar Eradar,**
***Master of Sanctity***
**Executor-Chaplains**

## Combat Doctrine

The Angles of Damnation are best-known for their Anti-Astartes tactics and their self-proclaimed position as Executioners of the Lion. However, aside from Anti-Astartes tactics, the chapter is also known for shock assault tactics and drop pod assaults. The chapter is not well-known for defensive actions, as its battle-brothers become Restless when not fighting in the open fire of battle.

Refined by around 10 Millennia of experience, the Angels of Damnation have interpreted the now-lost Firewing protocol as one of shock assault and targeted destruction. After the periods known as the Nova Terra Interregnum and the Age of Apostasy, the Angels of Damnation have become well-versed in the tactics of Anti-Astartes assaults, and are used when needing to fight space marine chapters classified as renegade or *Excommunicate Traitoris* by the High Lords of Terra. It is these assaults that the chapter refers to as "Damnation Crusades", where Astartes is pitted against Astartes.

The chapter also specializes in Drop Pod Assaults, preferring to rain down like fire from the sky. These assaults may be targeted at a location of strategic value or, more commonly, behind enemy lines. The chaplains of the Angels of Damnation are known to give special blessings to each and every drop pod before it is used.

Further, Shock Assaults on enemy front lines have given the Angels of Damnation a reputation as bloodthirsty warriors who fight like the noble Blood Angels, but without the quirk of the Red Thirst. These assaults are often targeted at key points to cause a buckle or break in enemy lines, as well as to reduce enemy morale as they realize their doom.

## Chapter Culture

In the many millennia of the chapter's existence, the Angels of Damnation have culminated a culture of strength, honor, and pride. As the self-proclaimed Executioners of the Lion, the Angels of Damnation pride themselves on individual strength and have developed a strict system and code of honor. This code of honor is one learned from initiation as an Aspirant into the chapter and is held as dearly as an Ultramarine might hold the *Codex Astartes*.

Based on a pre-existing code of honor within the Dark Angels Legion, the Angels of Damnation have developed the *Codex Honorem Gladiis*, a complex code of honor that forms the very basis of the chapter. Various treatises interpreting the thousands of aspects of the *Codex Honorem Gladiis* are stored within the Chapter's Librarius, and each battle-brother is expected to have at least an intermediate understanding of it.

Using this code, battle-brothers are ranked on the amount of honor they hold, and promotions are often decided by which candidate holds the most honor. According to the code, Honor is an almost metaphysical thing, it exists inside the person who holds it, but it cannot be physically removed like an organ. However, chapter tradition states that honor is stored in the hearts of the Astartes.

One way of displaying honor within the chapter is ritual scarification. With each battle won and every challenge overcome, a battle-brother will scar himself to show his worthiness. This ritual scarring serves as a permanent reminder of strength and valor for each Astartes. While the origin of this practice is unknown, some tribes of Moloch have emulated the practice, allowing their young sons to carry honor into the chapter should they be Chosen.

The Angels of Damnation are also known to have a variety of differing types of duels, from Honor Duels to the Duels of the *Rites of the Officer*. Pitting Astartes against Astartes or Astartes against captured foe, these duels are most often fought until one side is killed or surrenders. Some duels, like the Trial by Combat duels that Initiates and Neophytes take place in, will simply cease after one is unable to get off of the ground.

The Angels of Damnation are also known for their zealotry on the battlefield and unyielding nature. Although they have sometimes been compared to the Marines Malevolent, and apt as this comparison may be, the Angels of Damnation are somewhat more pragmatic in the understanding that wanton destruction is not always necessary on the field of battle. However, battle-brothers of the Angels of Damnation are known to consider themselves superior to their mortal counterparts, an aspect of the chapter that runs deep.

The Angels of Damnation are also known for their general air of arrogance. As they believe themselves to be Executioners of the Lion, they have developed a deep sense that it is only they who can truly destroy a rogue chapter or chaos warband. It is also this arrogance that has earned them a poor reputation among its fellow chapters, both within the Unforgiven and of the wider Adeptus Astartes.

## Chapter Beliefs

Over their long and brutal history, the Angels of Damnation have developed a belief system based around the Emperor and the Lion. With their system of honor as a baseline, the beliefs of the Angels of Damnation are known to be well-disciplined for what is considered a savage chapter. The chapter is also known for its copious amounts of rituals, both involving worship and honor.

##### Sacred Duels

A core aspect of their beliefs, the Angels of Damnation believe that the very act of fighting in a duel is a ritual way of attempting to increase one's honor, at the risk of losing more honor. These duels are most often until one opponent concedes, save for honor duels and the *Rites of the Officer.* In both aforementioned cases, the duel ends when one side is killed.

As these duels are considered sacred, each type of duel has its own ways of being conducted, whether it be by rituals performed before the duel or what type of weapons may be used. Perhaps one of the most well-known types of duels within the chapter are the *Rites of the Officer*, where a candidate for an Officer Position must showcase his strength by defeating and killing a captured foe in barehand combat. If the challenging Astartes Survives, he gains a great deal of honor and will rise to the position he has fought for. But if he fails, he will die in the heat of combat, and the captured foe will be returned to the Chapter's Prison, awaiting another challenger.

##### Honor Pyre

The Honor Pyre is a two-step ritual for the dead. When an Astartes Perishes in battle or in a duel, all have the rite to recieve an Honor Pyre. When the dead body is returned to Moloch, the Chaplains of the chapter begin a secretive ritual that removes both hearts of the deceased Astartes. Then, with a congregation of his closest brethrin to witness the event, his hearts are Burned on one of a Dozen Altars of the Deceased as an Offering to both the Emperor and the Lion.

Shrouded in ritual, the second part is only known to a select few outside of the Chapter. After a series of unknown rituals, the Body is prepared and Placed within a raft of Molochian Wood, and the Raft is slowly Lowered into the center of the Volcano that forms the base of the Black Altar. Brothers honored with the privelage to lower a deceased into the volcano often ritually scar themselves as part of the ritual, carving out the name of the Deceased into each other's backs using Molochian Script.

## Deathwatch Service

Because of their preference to fight other Astartes, not Xenos, the Angels of Damnation rarely send one of their own to serve the long vigil. When a battle-brother of the Angels of Damnation does take the Apocryphon Oath, they often return to the chapter as respected experts whose honor has increased considerably. They are revered for their knowledge of how to combat xenos like the foul Tyranids and other horrors of deep space.

## Chapter Recruitment

The Trials of the Angels of Damnation are harsh, meant to reap only the strongest, most enduring of candidates so that the quality of the chapter does not suffer.

### Aspirant Trials

For the Angels of Damnation, all who wish to escape the desperation of Moloch and become an Astartes of the Chapter must participate in a series of trials. Although the Chapter only maintains two trials, aspirants must be filtered before they can even participate in these.

#### Local Trials

The Filter Trials take place in the form of various coming-of-age rituals amongst the populace of Moloch. While these trials vary from settlement to settlement, they all tend to be feats of strength. Implanted Chapter Serfs will monitor these rituals, bestowing awards on those who are deemed worthy to become an Aspirant.

These trials, as brutal as they may seem to a potential aspirant, are just the beginning. Ranging from slaying one of the beasts of the planet, to spending time away from the safety of the settlement, to proving oneself a worthy warrior by taking back the heads of defeated enemies, these trials all risk death in the face of honor.

Those who pass these trials are likely to become aspirants, although not all who survive are worthy of becoming an Aspirant. Those who are deemed worthy to become Aspirants will be approached, privately, by one of the implanted serfs, telling him of the Great Angels of Damnation who rule the world, and asking the would-be aspirant to participate in the next trial.

#### The Long Walk

The Next Trial is one much more regulated by the Chapter. If one is deemed worthy in their Local Trial, they may participate in the Long Walk. Each Settlement of Moloch lies some distance from The Black Altar, the Fortress Monastery of the Chapter, and the way to it is long and harsh.

Although this trial sounds simple, it is anything but. To have their chance at becoming a Neophyte, Aspirants must make the long journey to the Fortress Monastery, alone, on foot, with only a ration pack, some water, and a map and compass.

Some potential aspirants will hear of this next step and decide that becoming an Astartes is no longer their preferred choice. Most, however, will start the journey. Those that do will often be Desperate to leave the suffering of Moloch but will also suffer grievously along the journey. Many will not make it, either from poor choices, dehydration, starvation, losing in battle to the beasts of the world, or simply having bad luck and being near a volcanic eruption at the wrong time.

The Few who ultimately do make it to the Black Altar still do not have salvation at hand. They must pass the next trial and prove themselves worthy to become a Neophyte.

#### Unwelcomed Visitors

When an Aspirant makes it to the Fortress-Monastery, he is greeted with the same contempt the Chapter has for the rest of Moloch's Population. To enter the gates of the Fortress-Monastery, he must prove himself truly worthy to become a Neophyte: Not by charisma, but by strength.

A Lone Battle-Brother will venture out from the gates, clad in the standard sparring armor of the chapter. Then, as the gates close, two battle-brothers, clad in power armor, will stand guard. It is this moment when an aspirant notices the circle etched into the rock on the ground beneath his feat: A Spar is in order.

Extraordinarily scarcely will an Aspirant actually beat the battle-brother, but that does not mean all losers of the sparring match are rejected from the chapter. If a Battle-Brother deems that the fight was a worthy one, if the Aspirant can hold hm down for mere seconds, then they will pass. This average Aspirant will then be allowed to enter the Monastery, where he will recieve his first two marks of scarification: A Mark of Honor, for passing the Trial and proving to be worthy of becoming an Astartes, and a mark of dishonor, for being unable to beat a battle-brother. Their honor, thusly, will start at a neutral state.

### Neophyte Trials

The Neophyte Trials are a series of trials set upon the Neophytes of the Chapter by the Master of Recruits. For the Angels of Damnation, these trials are meant to prepare the up-and-coming Astartes for combat against fellow space marines. Because of the brutality of Astartes-on-Astartes combat, these trials are equally brutal.

#### Trial of Heat

The Trial of Heat is less of a single trial, and more of an ongoing trial throughout a Neophyte's Training. As The Black Altar, the fortress-monastery of the Chapter, is built into the largest Volcano on Moloch. As such, intense heat permeates the entirety of the fortress-monastery, a heat that only an Astartes can truly withstand.

As such, the Trial of heat is a slow process that prepares and hardens each neophyte to deal with such an intense temperature, as well as test and harden their will.

#### Trial by Combat

The Trial of Combat pits an entire group of Neophytes against each other and against select Marines of the chapter. A Feat of strength, it is used to gauge the strength, will, and general might of each Neophyte. Those who excel are put on a fast track to become leading officers, while those who do not are unlikely to rise the ranks.

This trial is known to be particularly brutal. Most times it is carried out, at least one neophyte will perish, proving completely unworthy of the Chapter. However, this is considered a key part of Neophyte training, as it will prepare the neophytes for the constant fighting against fellow Astartes that will come.

#### Trial of Obstacles

The Trial of Obstacles is a type of semi-deadly obstacle course that Neophytes must run. As each Neophyte grows along the path to become a full-blown Astartes, their reaction speed greatly increases. Each attempt at this trial also becomes harder and harder, forcing Neophytes to train on and on until they can fully complete the trial.

## Chapter Gene-Seed

As successors of the Dark Angels Chapter, the Angels of Damnation are known to have a particularly stable gene-seed. There are no known mutations within the Angels of Damnation Gene-seed.

### Primarch's Curse: Damnation of Mind

Despite the purity within gene-seed, with no flaws being detected despite many millennia of use, there is one mental affliction that is known to consume the occasional battle-brother. This curse has not been located on the gene-seed, and some Apothecaries theorize that it may originate in the Chapter Demeanor rather than Gene-seed. Nonetheless, it is classified as a mental flaw.

* **Stage 1 (Suffer not the Alien):** This curse begins as a simple period of rage within a battle-brother on the battlefield. It is when this rage completely envelops the battle-brother that the affliction can begin to set in. The Afflicted Battle-Brother will find himself using this zealous rage in battle more and more.
* **Stage 2 (Curse thy Own):** As the First Stage Progresses into the Second Stage, the Battle-Brother will start turning this rage towards his own kin. Outside of Battle, he finds himself a more superior of an Astartes than his fellow battle-brothers. When in battle, he will shove aside his own battle-brothers in an attempt to gain Battle.
* **Stage 3 (Damnatorum Memoriae):** ++REDACTED BY ORDER OF THE LORD EXECUTIONER++

## Notable Members

* **Ieshim Kokabiel:** Ieshim Kokabiel is the Current Lord Executioner (Chapter Master) of the Angels of Damnation. A Ruthless Prosecutor of the Damned, he is currently undefeated in battle. Taking the Reigns of the Chapter in 898.M41, he was previously the Precentor of the Elite 2nd Company, "Firewing."
* **Taeloth Samark**
* **Intirev Shashamel**
* **Corael Vectoris**
* **Lazarar Eradar:** Also Known as "The Reaper of Moloch", Corael Vectoris is the current Lord Executor-Chaplain, responsible for ensuring death and destruction upon the foes of the Lion. After Moloch was found wanting in Late M41, he personally went to every settlement and slaughtered the eldest generation, taking along Aspirants as he went from village to village. This vile act almost had him expelled from the chapter, until it was proven that Chaotic Taint was setting in among the people of Moloch.

## Chapter Appearance

### Chapter Colours

The Angels of Damnation primarily wear black power armour, with the exception of dark red arms, waist and legs. The backpack, both shoulder armorial insets, plastron (chest armour) and both poleyns (knee guards) are secondary black. The Aquila or Imperialis on the chest, as well as the helmet, are white.

The white coloured squad specialty symbol stenciled on the right armorial inset (Close Support, Fire Support, Battleline, Veteran or Command) indicates a Battle-Brother's assigned specialty.

A black High Gothic numeral centered in the middle of the squad specialty symbol indicates squad number. Shoulder trim colour indicates company number in accordance with *Codex Astartes*-approved heraldry (i.e. White (1st Company), Yellow (2nd Company), Red (3rd Company), etc.)

### Chapter Badge

The Angels of Damnation's Chapter badge consists of a large white skull with wings displayed and elevated, centered upon a red flame. This central symbol is centred on a field of black.

## Notable Quotes

### By:

"*The Lord Executioner has found you guilty of turning against the Emperor's Light. How do you plead?*"
—Executor-Chaplain Hasmal Beezlebub to an unknown renegade marine.
### About:

[Source]

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## Gallery

Angels of Damnation Veteran Marine of the Chapter's elite 1st Company arrayed in relic Indomitus pattern Terminator Armour and armed with an archaic Combi-Bolter.