Blades of Onyx

Blades of Onyx Armorial

Blades of Onyx Tactical Marine

"*The "Blades of Onyx" are a secretive band of mercenary Astartes that long ago exiled themselves from the Imperium and survive by selling their services to Rogue Traders and various xenos races. Their origins are unknown, though some Imperial scholars have pointed to extant records and various eye-witness accounts, placing them at various events that have occurred throughout Imperial history for the last ten millennia. This would mean that their true origins harken back to the dark days of the Horus Heresy.*"
—Personal notes of Inquisitor Arachus, following their investigation of the Blades of Onyx.
The **Blades of Onyx** is the name adopted by the largest remnant of a cross-legion taskforce of Astartes, originally formed during the Great Crusade for the duty of undertaking an expedition. They were gathered to tackle an aggressive xenos coalition that had been threatening Imperial space by raiding out from the Ghoul Stars and to bring into compliance any human colonies that remained in that region. Following the initial success of their mission, the taskforce experienced an odyssey of failure and misadventure in their efforts to return to the Imperium.
When they finally returned, they found an Imperium wracked by civil war and became Blackshields, fearing retribution for those brothers that hailed from the legions branded traitors. Forced to retreat back to the void beyond Imperial control, the survivors splintered and formed a number of mercenary groups and petty empires. The largest such group took on the title the *Blades of Onyx* and became mercenaries for hire. Over the subsequent 10,000 years of conflict, they have dwindled to a shadow of their former glory, and remain officially labelled as traitors by the Imperium.

## History

"*The Crusade of 10,000 Blades was deployed to crush the Xenos that occupied the Ghoul Stars during the early days of the Great Crusade. That is where official documentation ends. The second wave of colonists and Imperial army elements sent to fortify the worlds they were supposed to liberate returned badly beaten by the Xenos coalition we now identify as the Cythor Fiends. Since the xenos remained, it is possible, indeed likely that they destroyed the taskforce. However, I do not believe this was the case. For a start we have the fact that the colonists were able to fight their way out and return, something the Astartes would have been more likely to accomplish given their greater prowess. Then there is the fact that the xenos were never able to seriously threaten Imperial interests, as they had before. Finally, when the empire of the Cythor Fiends was at last destroyed by the Black Templars, they were much depleted still, indicating something had been progressively weakening them in the time between the 30th and 41st millennia. Of course, there are other possible causes for this. More research is required.*"
—Personal notes of Inquisitor Arachus, written during their investigation into the Blades of Onyx.
### The Ghoul Stars Campaign

During the Great Crusade a cross-legion force of Astartes were gathered for an operation beyond the edges of Imperial space, deep into the foreboding region known as the Ghoul Stars. 10,000 of the transhuman warriors were gathered, along with a contingent of Legio Aethon and a strong detachment of Imperial Army regiments and ships from the Armada Imperialis. This force, designated Task force Onyx, set off at the turn of 837.M30 under the command of Praetor Xenaphi, aboard his flagship the *Anabasis*, a Courageous class Dreadnought. After a particularly tumultuous warp transit to the destination system, they discovered that in realspace years had passed rather than the weeks they had experienced. Attempts were made to contact the Imperium, but no comprehensible reply was received. Despite this ominous turn of events, it was decided to press on with the mission regardless.

The task force soon encountered the expected consortium of Xenos forces, who controlled the contested star systems. After a series of running battles through the void, the Imperial forces pushed into the systems and, despite heavy resistance, crushed the defenders in a brutal and swift campaign that saw the xenos seemingly destroyed. With their task believed completed and casualties light, the task force decided to head back to discover what was causing the disruption in communications with the Imperium. They left behind a series of well garrisoned worlds awaiting the planned second wave which would include colony ships. Despite the protestations of the Astropaths, Xenaphi decided to undertake a long jump to try and return as swiftly as possible. This would prove disastrous when the light of the Astronomican was somehow lost and the ships were scattered across the currents of the Warp.

### The Return Journey

When the Praetor emerged from the Warp, he found himself with only a third of his ships around him and still within the semi-lawless regions outside the greater Imperium. Despite these setbacks Xenaphi wasted no time, sending out beacons to guide later arrivals. He resolved to continue onwards and gather his wayward vessels on-route, leaving further beacons at each stop. The warp remained tumultuous so only small jumps could be undertaken. He created a ‘net’ of escort vessels to watch for and communicate any sightings of friendly ships, guiding them back to the main fleet. A course was plotted, the fleet would return to Terra along a known route and at each stop the net would be cast wider, escorts sent to nearby systems to seek the lost before the fleet moved on to the next stop. With each jump more errant vessels returned to the fold, but the threats also grew, as their passing drew foes like moths to a flame. These would attack the Imperial fleet between their jumps, never causing great damage but still draining resources. Xenaphi continued to show a shrewd tactical cunning, using the terrain to his advantage and deception above all. Eventually the task force reached the border of the Imperium’s core territory, having managed to recover almost 80% of their original strength.

### Horus Heresy

As the task force celebrated the fact that they were returned to the fold, garbled messages from the Imperium began to arrive. As these messages were pieced together, the disturbing truth was uncovered, betrayal by those trusted most. The Emperor's warriors, his most vaunted creations, had sundered, broken by the treachery of Horus. The news quickly spread to the rest of Xenaphi's horrified men, who immediately began looking at each other with distrust, for almost half of the task force's Astartes hailed from the Legions that had reportedly turned traitor. Fights broke out across the fleet, with several ships opening fire upon each other as the task force tried to grapple with the enormity of this new reality.

The Praetor and his senior officers desperately tried to calm the situation but to no avail. Not helped by the fact that even the leadership was split thanks to the mix of origins. A resolution was only achieved when a signal was received from a group calling themselves Blackshields, who claimed to be survivors of the Drop Site Massacre on Isstvaan V, and contained members of both loyal and traitor Legions. After extensive discussion and testimonials from this band, this somewhat calmed the fleet's turmoil, for it showed that the heresy of the traitor Legions was not absolute and the same could ring true for those in the task force. Praetor Xenaphi seized the opportunity and managed to talk his Astartes back from the brink, setting up an uneasy ceasefire between the groups.

These Blackshields, part of a larger host of displaced Astartes which had named themselves the Silver Ashes, were waging a guerrilla campaign against the traitors. The Praetor decided to align with these Blackshields and take the fight to the enemy, providing a strong fleet and strength to a force that before now had relied upon a cobbled together group of damaged warships and armed merchant vessels. For years they conducted a brutal campaign of strike raids, hitting supply bases, strongholds and enemy convoys behind the frontlines of the Traitor Legions before news eventually reached the fleet about the Siege of Terra and the task force gathered and readied to travel to the Sol System in support. Alas, these messages were months out of date, and swiftly behind them, were further messages detailing this battle's aftermath. The news spread swiftly amongst the fleet and in the midst of renewed chaos a strike team of Blackshields from the Silver Ashes attempted to topple Praetor Xenaphi and seize control of the fleet. In the resulting confusion, almost the entirety of the Silver Ashes were destroyed before the fighting could be stopped. Too late it was discovered that the coup had been conducted by Alpha Legion operatives for unknown reasons.

### The Great Scouring

The Praetor called an assembly of representatives to decide what to do next. The loyalists had triumphed, at unimaginable cost, and the task force had a difficult decision to make. If they returned home, it was likely that at the very least half of the fleet would be branded traitors and destroyed. It was also possible the entirety would be declared traitors for continuing to fight alongside their comrades or simply destroyed on sight. News had already reached Xenaphi of the fates of the home planets of the traitor Primarchs, entire systems that had been eradicated in the effort to destroy any heritage of the traitors. The Astartes had no idea who they could trust anymore and with great reluctance it was agreed that they would go into self-imposed exile, leaving Imperial space. Their campaign had left a deep wound in the forces of the traitors in the eastern fringe, who would likely seek revenge if they survived the coming retribution. While the task force had thus far been large enough to escape the wrath of traitor and loyalist alike, this was unlikely to continue as both sides regrouped. Xenaphi concluded that the best option for survival was to divide the task force into 12 smaller forces to make their escape easier and lower the risk of the fleet being caught and destroyed by single action. On route the battlegroups were permitted to engage smaller traitor forces they encounter but to avoid any large actions to avoid being entrapped.

### Bittersweet Reunion

It would be quite some time before the disparate groups would combine once more, not far from where they first had arrived, on the outer edges of the Ghoul Stars. It was a bittersweet reunion, for while many had survived (indeed, they also recovered some ships that had been lost since the original warp storm), several splinter fleets had been completely lost, including it seemed that of the Praetor and the flagship. Others had suffered heavy losses and had to abandon a number of valuable warships. Some had survived untouched by combat but nevertheless lost hugely through desertion as the resolve of units wavered and they decided to take the risk and attempt to re-join the Imperium. In total about 3,000 Astartes arrived at the checkpoint, less than half that which had set off. The highest ranking survivor, a Captain of the Ultramarines, suggested that the decision of leadership should be settled through an election.

To his surprise, the Astartes elected him to be the new Praetor, for he was highly respected amongst the survivors. It was decided that the best course of action going forward was to become mercenaries, undertaking contracts in exchange for resources so that they could survive. Between these contracts they would continue their campaign against the traitor forces, waging war against them at any opportunity. The old Legionary ties were severed, and the various subunits were intermixed to remove any remaining differences between the marines. A large number of the Astartes adopted the Blackshield ways and altered their armour accordingly. Others clung to their old Legions more strongly but nevertheless acquiesced to the mingling of units.

### Decay

Between the 31st and 41st Millennium the Blades of Onyx have slowly dwindled, adopting some of the ideologies of the Codex Astartes, abandoning much of their treasured equipment in vaults under the careful care of Mechanicus agents, and adopting the easier to maintain and disposable equipment common to chapters. They have watched the Imperium degrade, grow fanatical and nearly destroy themselves. They have swayed from fighting for the remnants of glory, to aligning with elements attempting to overthrow the entire system, and back over countless years, between innumerable leaders. Though some Praetors have seen renewed strength and hope, as each Millenia passed they grew weaker, their numbers and fleet smaller. Their allies ever more questionable. Throughout it all they had held on to the treasured glory of their forebearers, idolising and mythising their actions. Each new recruit hopes to meet the standard of their forefathers, and those brothers ‘found’ into the Blades of Onyx strive to be accepted. They have ever fractured, but never splintered, a united entity of individuals, each ship its own culture, each squad its own band of brothers, but all remain united by mutual reliance, none strong enough to segregate. In 10,000 years the Blades of Onyx have achieved nothing worthy of heroic tombs as the original crusade achieved.

### Noctis Aeternae

The years before the Noctis Aeternae were of the most eventful for the Blades of Onyx and saw their fate change irreversibly. Their companies were scattered across the North and Eastern Fringe of Imperial Space, each undertaking their own missions, contracts, and duties. However, the First Company would become embroiled in the battles between a Space Marine Chapter, 'The Blades of the Phoenix' and a Tyranid hive fleet. Initially taking advantage of the situation to seize Imperial resources, the Mercenaries were moved by the selfless sacrifice of the Chapter. They boarded the overwhelmed vessels and turned the tide against the Tyranid invaders. The Chapter Master, in their death throes pleaded to Praetor Pronexus to save their home system, Penthos Prime. The Chapter had depleted itself in their efforts to destroy the Tyranids before they reached it. The Blackshield accepted, seizing control of the survivors and their vessels, travelling to their system and as a wolf in sheep's clothing assumed a place in the Imperium once more. For years the Praetor oversaw defence construction, delaying the Tyranid invasion multiple times, collected the forces of his Battalion and prepared for the inevitable invasion.

During their efforts to extract resources from their newly acquired Fortress Monastary the Blades of Onyx made a shocking revelation of their adopted chapter. From a hidden vault, within secret records was the history of their own crusade, and the history of the long lost Captain Hekatos who's battalion had never rejoined Xenaphi's forces. The Captain had returned to the Imperium many years before Xenaphi, and joined the Shadow war against the Heretics, earning the gratitude of the Ultramarines and finding a place within their Legion. This Chapter was their descendants.

However the Noctis Aeternae arrived and the system became swarmed with heretic forces. Trapped by the warp and impending Tyranids the Blades of Onyx accepted their fate and engaged the enemy with nothing held back, fighting this way for further years. Eventually the Heretic forces rallied a force unsurpassed by their previous attacks, but as their armada descended upon the system it tore itself apart as the ships began infighting, the Blades of Onyx sallied forth. They received friendly hails from the midst's of the enemy and aligned with these rogue forces scattering the heretics at last.

The revelations continued to come as the rogue forces identified themselves as Xenaphi's lost battalion, led here by the previously missing 4th Company of the Blades of Onyx. Xenaphi and his forces had been lost to warp for 5000 years and had become irreparably mutated by its powers, their sanity left fragile and for the most part broken entirely, they had made pacts and bargained, they were heretics, but their loyalty to The Emperor, and their brethren of the 10,000 Blades remained absolute. Taskforce Onyx, although unrecognisable, was finally reunited, to face down the Tyranid invasion which finally came, and enveloped the star system; the endless warp storms of the Long night replaced with the psychic shadow of the hive mind.

### Reunification

The Tyranids washed over the star system, finding the worlds empty and their quarry fleeing into the void of space. The Tyranids would have laid chase, but yet another twist of fate fell upon them, as Imperial ships emerged across the fleet, exiting from warp into the midst of the swarm. The Tyranids lost all cohesion as their Norn queen explosively collided with an Imperial battleship. The psychic shadow fell with their queen, the warp though still tumultuous was still enough to travel. The Imperial reinforcements were hopelessly outnumbered, even as the refugee fleet returned to the battle. However, Proxenus did not plan to fight and communicated to the Imperial fleet to follow them through the warp. With the sorcerers of Xenaphi, and his 'Shattered Blades' they had the means to navigate the tumultuous warp. Praetor Pronexus assumed control of the errant Imperial navy, and together they fled into the warp, finally emerging in the relative safety of an Imperial controlled Cluster of systems called Potamos. Xenaphi had long harboured within these systems, these same systems that Taskforce Onyx had liberated from the Cythor Fiends and the Blades of Onyx had abandoned following the establishment of Imperial religion.

In the aftermath of the battle extensive negotiations took place between the three parties, the Imperials came from the immediate future, from the Indomitus crusade and had been dispatched to rebuild the Blades of the Phoenix following the Noctis Aeternae, they included a force of Primaris Space Marines under command of a Captain Thermistogenes. Praetor Pronexus took the bold initiative to admit the truth, of their history and current situation, the Captain accepted their loyalty and alliance, since it was unlikely that any of them would survive to see the consequences. All three parties were united by a shared heritage, and more importantly loyalty to The Emperor. The Primaris forces, under the now Praetor Thermistogenes took control of the Blades of the Phoenix, and renamed in the Onyx Phoenixes, assumed control of the Potamos Cluster, the Blades of Onyx returned to their mercenary operations in direct support of the Onyx Phoenixes and Imperium Nihlus, while the Shattered Blades returned to their quest – complete destruction of the forces of chaos, now guided by intelligence provided by their two newly found allies.

## Campaigns

* Operation Sapphire - Battles against the Cythor fiends. Taskforce Onyx, after witnessing attacks on errant rogue traders imitated these unfortunate explorers to draw out fleets of the Cythor fiends, weakening the defence fleets of their systems before attack. They coordinated fleets that travelled dark through orbital slingshots to land troops behind the naval blockades, that in tandem were joined by frontal assault.
* Operation Lapis - By using escort vessels to make short warp jumps to neighbouring systems Xenaphi was able to collect much of his errant fleet by the time they reach Imperial space again. He fought many running battles, often coordinating simultaneous battles, back-to-back and shrewdly deployed boarding vessels, and fighter wings to prevent forces becoming abandoned between warp jumps. Although the scattered forces meant that for numerous battles the Imperial forces were grossly outnumbered, numerous battles were won as the scattered forces reunited to envelope and flank their attackers.
* Operation Malachite - Realising that their recruiters from the Hellion System had fallen to chaos, the Blackshields lead by Praetor Sydro narrowly evaded the encircling forces of Chaos and invading Imperial forces, escaping the disaster with minimal casualties.

## Chapter Home World

The Blades of Onyx have no Chapter home world to speak of, as they are primarily a fleet-based Chapter.

### Fortress-Monastery

The Blades of Onyx have no fortress monastery. Having never undertaken a founding or followed the *Codex Astartes* the Astartes transitioned from a fleet-based taskforce to fleet-based renegades without establishing a centralised command base. All their relics, history, geneseed, and surplus hardware were distributed between the three surviving capital ships. The Exorcist class Grand Cruiser ‘Anabasis’ had been heavily converted to serve as a Battlebarge and during its restoration, massive interior hangars were created that, while unsuitable to serve as flight decks, were suitable to house the Astartes needs. This interior is the closest to a dedicated Fortress Monastery that the Blades of Onyx have and is called the Lavra, it’s equivalents within *The Forlorn Lance* & *Disparate Destruction* are not dedicated single spaces but repurposed spaces throughout the warship.

The Lavra is minimalist throughout, you will not find statues of heroes or champions, or works to depict great battles. The great hall is spartan, the only feature ten pillars made of Onyx inscribed with all 10,000 names of the original Astartes. The walls around the room, that can hold a full Chapter, are inscribed with the names of the many thousands of Astartes that have joined the blackshields ranks and fallen, and in addition countless thousands of the Obsidian Guard who have been petitioned to join them. The cells and dormitories of Lavra are almost entirely temporary accommodation should the Blackshields gather in number. The Blades of Onyx are typically nomadic, adopting a cell wherever their contract takes them. This is mostly the same with the Dormitories of the Obsidian Guard, only the oldest veterans relegated to inducting the Aspirants occupy these in any permeant capacity. The Forge, Armouries and Apothecarion are the largest and most significant chambers of the Lavra, sitting either side of the Great hall. The arts of the Mechanicum and Biologis are held in the highest regard by the Blades of Onyx.

The Librarius has a single additional feature, the Sorcerer’s Chamber is the space given to those Librarians who study how the warp and dark powers can be utilised. The room is in fact a Null Chamber, that at a moment's notice can be thrown into stasis and become psychically null. This prized technology comes from the dark age of technology and is highly valued by the Blades of Onyx, it has saved many an unfortunate accident in its service and as allowed the Sorcerers of the Blades of Onyx to become accomplished and reliable. In addition to this protection are conventional walls, airlocks, automated defences, and a reserve Gellar field to strengthen the warp-realspace barrier. Though related to each other, the Librarius and Sorcerers Chamber are kept wholly separated and severed by a specialist barrier made of psychoconductive filaments wrought into hexagrammic wards and inscribed with anti-daemonic prayers. Whatever dark rituals are conducted by the Sorcerers in the name of the greater good, it cannot affect the purity of the Librarius.

The Lavra's crypt is again spartan and minimalist. Fallen warriors are removed of their possessions, weapons, and armour, to be disposed of by the Brotherhood of Providence. The weapons and armour are repurposed, the possessions barring special requests, are placed in a tin or casket, and placed in the crypt. Thousands of these tins and metal crates line the crypt, which otherwise could be mistaken for a hangar sized storeroom. Finally, are the Scriptorum and Reclusiam. The Librarians are not expected to record the history of the Blades of Onyx, this is undertaken by a dedicated division of the Obsidian Guard - their serfs. The Scriptorum is a separate chamber that holds the various tombs and the extensive library that the Blades of Onyx has collected, as under a dedicated guard, the files that contain the chapter or genetic heritage of every battlebrother. The Librarius is instead a more practical set of rooms for practicing psychic powers. The Reclusiam is a considerable set of chambers that are a practical barracks and combat theatre dedicated to the training of Neophytes, adjoining the Reclusiam and Crypt is the chambers of the Brotherhood of Providence. These chambers house these small company and the tools required for their work.

Should any decisions concern the future of the Blades of Onyx, then the fleet will rally around the Grand Cruiser and a council of the Captains, Lieutenants, and commanding specialists (Reclusiarch, Chief Apothecary, Librarian, Vigilators, and Techmarines) will assemble with the elected Praetor as final ruling voice. Each demi company is mandated to return to the flagship within a decade and record its history, recruits, losses and acquisitions. However, given the autonomy of each demi-company and the infrequence of council gathering events, the demi-companies can pass entire centuries without encountering eachother.

### Significant Locations

The Blades of Onyx are fleet based, they do not hold any worlds or draw recruits in the standard manner. In the 10,000 years of decay and survival they have held irregular territory, often only for a few years or decades at a time. The fleet continuously travels between the void of star systems, and rarely through the same place, making harbour above dead and desolate worlds that never sustained life or were of any interest to any faction. Small listening stations are established and should any ships of the Blades of Onyx become unfavourably engaged they can retreat to these places assured that nothing awaits them. Should any enemy forces occupy the system temporarily then the fleet’s admirals will be well aware of it. That said, a number of locations have significance with the descendants of Taskforce Onyx.

* The Potamos Cluster – A collection of SubSectors of space under Imperial Control. They are the primary survivors of the Ghoul Stars campaign, the imperial forces left to secure the colonisation efforts that had unfortunately instead preceded the campaign. With the Cythor fiends resurging and laying waste to much of the imperial territory, a core survived around the battalions that were unable to join the bulk of Xenaphi’s forces. This territory has always willingly harboured the Blades of Onyx, owing a debt to them, and already bonded as brothers. However, as centuries and millennia past the blades grew disgusted by the domination of imperial religion, and the growing ignorance and intolerance of the people. Eventually they abandoned the system, no longer accepting contracts or calling upon their resources. Without their assistance, the system was lost to the imperium amidst the pale wasting. Nearly an entire millennia later the Shattered Blades arrived to the systems, drawn by morbid curiosity and a lack of a better destination. They found the cluster in turmoil, overrun and at the precipice of destruction. The Shattered Blades liberated the systems, taking it as their own tin pot empire from which they could launch their endless crusade against the forces of chaos. Despite their own warp taint the Shattered Blades maintained the cluster free of corruption and, heresy. Finally, at the turn of 42 Millennia the survivors of the Penthos System, Indomitus reinforcements and Blades of Onyx were led here by the Shattered Blades and with their surplus reinforcements have rebuilt the system to be a shining light in Imperial Nihlus.
* The Penthos Subsector is that which the Blades of the Phoenix established their fortress monastery. A stop post between the ghoul star territory and Ultramar, a critical trade and security checkpoint. Reclaimed in the Great Scouring, it and the surrounding SubSectors have remained intact for 10,000 years until it was finally devoured by the Tyranids at the turn of the 42nd Millennia.
* The Vaults of Ikelos are a series of massive subterranean facilities hidden throughout the Imperium that hold the majority of the Blades of Onyx’s excess equipment. Each one formed as their numbers dwindled and the technology exhausted their maintenance crews. Entirely subterranean, the vaults must be accessed through multiple highly precise teleportation jumps and pass-through security checks known only to the Blade of Onyx’s highest echelon. As their numbers dwindled to less and less the number of Vaults grew as high as seven, and since the Noctis Aeternae two have been accessed once more.
* Training Facilities - Neophyte and Guard recruits are trained on opportune deathworlds, often deployed before, and retrieved after mercenary operations. Construction of temporary facilities, and the defence of them against hostile forces are the duty of the recruits and the chaplains.
* Biobatteries - In efforts to expand their limited geneseed supply the Blades of Onyx has established a means of producing a limited stock through the same method that the mechanicus expands its own reservoir. Captives, and contract obtained penal colonists suitable for gene implantation are placed into life supporting units and implanted with geneseed, the Neophytes grow and both progenoid glands are harvested once fully grown and the neophyte discarded (Often recycled as a servitor). While this method is highly productive, it requires that the Onyx Blades hold a ground-based facility for two decades, and should it fall to an overwhelming raid the loss is catastrophic.
* Atys’ Watch - a Watch Station home to a single Watch Commander who is its sole caretaker. Atys is a death world and devoid of imperial or xenos life, its systems insignificant. However, its role is specific, as the Blades of Onyx visit, sometimes yearly, and other times between centuries, with a number of their battlebrothers who have made the difficult decision to join the Deathwatch and leave the Blades of Onyx. The Watch Commander has extensive trials awaiting his new recruits.

Wherever possible the Styx class carriers of the Blade of Onyx are used instead of ground-based facilities, which can support limited training facilities and geneseed cultivation efforts.

## Organisation

The nature of the various contracts they have signed means that the mercenary band rarely gathers its full strength and as such the various Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants enjoy substantial autonomy. Typical deployments are squad strength with Company or even Demi-Company deployments being rare.

The Blades of Onyx do not follow the tenets of the Codex Astartes, having been formed prior to the creation of the document and preferring to follow their own doctrines based on Legion era tactics and the experience they have built up in the millennia since. The size of the Blades of Onyx has fluctuated wildly in their history, and as a result of the kill-team focus on deployment and wide spread of simultaneous deployment any estimation of their size is approximate. Before the turn of the 42nd Millennia the Blades of Onyx could only muster enough Astartes to man five Companies due to attrition.

However, their numbers have significantly grown since, but no new companies have been formed. Since the 42nd Millenia the Blades of Onyx have gained allies that they have integrated into their military strategy. The Shattered Blades are often directed to exterminate threats identified by the Blades of Onyx. The Onyx Phoenixes act as heavy weight support and advance reconnaissance flanking to the Blades of Onyx's operations, which with each year move away from mercenary action and are instead in the Imperium’s interest, destroying their enemies.

### Officer Ranks

* **Praetor** - The rank Praetor have always held a special position within the Blades of Onyx, when their numbers first fell below one thousand the position of Chapter Master became redundant.
* **Captain**
* **Lieutenant**

### Specialist Ranks

As the standard operation scale of the Blades of Onyx is a mere handful or single squad of Astartes with regular support of allied detachments such as the Obsidian Guard, and recently the Onyx Phoenixes, it is often the place of Specialist ranks to take leadership. The Specialist is often tied to the role of the strikeforce, whether it is supporting armoured divisions, spearheading a charge, protecting the walls of fortress or fighting the forces of chaos, it will be in the charge of techmarine, chaplain, apothecary, and librarian respectively. Given their limited numbers and resources such specialities are highly sort, and it is commonplace for these specialist ranks to be escorted by personal guards whether they are required or not. Further many Astartes are encouraged to become ‘Adepts’ and fulfil a partial specialism to allow squads without dedicated specialists to sustain their functions. For the Blades of Onyx, the Forge and Apothecarion are the most important specialisms of the Blades of Onyx, though the Librarium and Reclusiarch remain powerful and vital, the power of the Blades of Onyx lies predominately to the healers and engineers that sustain the physical wellbeing of the Battalion. It is common that the Praetor lies in one of these Disciplines and the current Praetor Proxenus is a former Apothecary himself. This pattern has been consistent throughout the Blades of Onyx’s history; The original taskforce contained an abnormally strong force of Apothecaries through a number of its Ultramarine companies, and the Iron Hand detachment was venerated for their skills with the machine. Xenaphi himself was recorded as learned in both specialties, and this quirk of the original taskforce has become essential in their efforts to maintain their strength without the resources of the greater imperium available.

* **Reclusiarch & Chaplain** – Though not originally a component of Taskforce Onyx, chaplains were integrated after studying the Codex Astartes. Their position is critical in controlling the potentially volatile blackshields that originate from outside the chapter, in maintaining the Imperial Truth that the Battalion still stands by, and in raising the next generations of Blackshields. Finally, they oversee the final funeral rites through the Brotherhood of Provedance.
* **Chief Librarian, Librarian & Shaman** – Having never experienced the fallout of the Edict of Nikea and including a number of the Thousand Sons within their ranks, sorcery and the use of warp powers have been allowed to grow rampant throughout the Blades of Onyx. However, this liberal attitude did result in a number of catastrophes that the Battalion were able to curtail and learn from. The Imperial Truth is employed in the discipline of the warp, it must be studied, understood and learned from. As a result, a strong core of psykers are maintained, given their unique position the warp gifted are forfeited their authority and rank, though highly respected and often in position as advisors, they remain tools with none of the power afforded to leaders. In addition to the librarian are Shaman, those who utilise dark ruinous powers and learn the art of chaos so it may be utilised against its servants, and its attacks be countered. Such a path is not easy walked, and many members are put down for the good of the chapter (Under the jurisdiction of the Chaplains), failure is not acceptable. However, those that survive have become an immensely powerful tool, with the ability to traverse the worst warp storms, to guide the Silent Brotherhood, to infiltrate the ranks of their enemies are among the abilities of the Blades of Onyx limited Shamen.
* **Master of the Apothecarion, Apothecary & Helix Adept** – The Apothercary discipline is strongly rooted within the Blades of Onyx, with a number of their recruits showing a natural affinity to the skills of medicine and surgery. Such that many battlebrothers become Helix Adepts, initiated within the specialism and given tools to heal and repair their allies, though not the narcethium required for exacting progenoid glands – that remains the domain of true apothecaries.
* **Master of Forge, Techmarine & Binaric Adepts** – The Mechanicus Discipline is, like the Apothecary, well rooted in the Blades of Onyx who despite existing outside of the Imperium, enjoy a strong relationship with elements of the Mechanicus, and still have a loyal following descended from those mechanicus forces who accompanyed the original crusade. Techmarines are a common rank and respected for their ability, remaining well integrated with their brothers despite their divided loyalty; As they do not learn at Mars, but are initiated by their peers instead. Many marines study under their techmarine brethren and become Binaric Adepts, who have an elated understanding of the Machine Spirits and archaic technologies of man. Should a force not be accompanied by a techmarine then it will have Binaric Adepts within its numbers who fill that lacking position.
* **Vigilator & Headhunter** – The position of unchallenged and dedicated marksmen was highly sought during the Xenocides of the Great Crusade, the specialists of the Raven Guard and Vigilators of the Legion were maintained after the Heresy and evolved into the Headhunters a specialist unit within the Battalions veteran companies. The rank has become as respected as the specialists in medicine, technology and faith as they function beyond an individual assassin but also give the squads they lead excellent covert and stealth tactica and subversive doctrine, like the other doctrines they are not about singular skill but a skilled mindset.

### Line Ranks

* **Veteran Sergeant** - A Veteran sergeant is the typical leader of a Blades of Onyx Strikeforce, acting as a lieutenant should a specialist or lieutenant not be available. Often a demi-company will be split into as much as five independent units with a Lieutenant coordinating the force with veteran sergeants and specialists leading each squad, fireteam or squad pair.
* **Sergeant** - A sergeant's position is often superfluous outside of the larger scale combat. However, sergeants play an important role as liaison between the fluid deployment of leaders and ensure that their will is carried out. Further they maintain unit cohesion and help integrate blackshields from outside of the Blades of Onyx. When allied detachments are led by the Blades of Onyx the Sergeants can be relied upon to relay orders to these units as well.
* **Battle-Brother** - Each battle brother must remain a versatile powerhouse, outside of large-scale engagements they cannot rely upon the firepower of devastators or charge of assault squads. Therefore, it is common to see the squads of battle brothers heavily equipped with specialist and heavy weapons, and reserve weapons. A battle brother has no limitation on the equipment they can carry, if they can prove the value of equipping them with it.
* **Neophyte** - Clad in the heavy carapace armour of higher quality but similar design to the Obsidian Guard, the neophytes serve alongside their guard brethren led by their mentor chaplain until such time that they can wear full power armour and join a battle brother squad.
* **Aspirant**
* **Statikos** – The Statikos is a bastardised Astartes supplement, clad in stripdown and reclaimed power armour worn by gene and bionic enhanced aspirant failures. The Stratikos are entirely a measure to bolster Astartes formations in larger scale conflicts and typically are deployed to absorb heavy fire. They are short lived, both from occupation and the radical surgery they undergo. Lifespan varies between 50 and 200 years due to the variation in enhancement quality. However, those that survive can reach positions nearly equivalent of their Astartes comrades, joining the Vetenarii. Stratikos are made in response to operations, a small number endure between these missions and help guide future units.
* **Vetenarii** – Veteran Obsidian Guard and Stratikos augmented, bionically enhanced, and given power armour of a superior grade as the Stratikos. With the best individuals trusted with Astartes grade power armour. Their skills and experience are grown from a lifetime of campaigns, before patronage by their Astartes peers to be gifted the gene grafts. These are of better quality that the Stratikos, which are the same technology seen in the underhive gangs of infamous hive cities. The Vetenarii however are augmented with technology maintained from the dark age of technology. One tenth of the original 10,000 were constituted of the Dark Angels, who included members of the Order of Caliban. These knights have endured through the mercenary years as the Vetenarii. They are leagues apart from the outwardly similar Stratikos, borne of natural selection and tradition. Thanks to the advance genecrafts each Vetenarii can serve, as Astartes, indefinitely should they survive their duties.

## Specialist Formations

* **The Unforgiven** - The Astartes that are descended from Traitor Legions are a closely guarded secret within the Blades of Onyx, with none permitted to wear any icon or heraldry which may indicate such a heritage. While there is no discrimination towards the group these marines voluntarily isolate themselves from the rest of the mercenary band and only accept missions that keep them far from Imperial scrutiny.
* **The Founded** - The Astartes found upon the battlefield among wounded, or who come from the wastes wishing to find a new home. The Blades of Onyx do not ask of their history but ensure their loyalty to their new brothers who intense hypnotraining and fresh indoctrination. The founded, without special commission, cannot hold rank and will remain until their death with an air of suspicion, but their numbers and skills are highly valued.
* **Obsidian Guard** - An assortment of Auxilia formed from militia, failed Aspirants and other soldiers that serve alongside the Astartes. Reasonably well equipped, with some units the equal of Imperial Grenadiers or Tempestus Scions, they fulfil the usual ship defence, guard duty and cannon fodder roles that are beneath an Astartes. The Obsidian Guard are combined Soldiers, Labourers and Serfs. The Obsidian Guard also encompasses the Battalion's vehicles, which maintain a techmarine or Stratikos in the vital positions while pintle mounted weapons are manned by the guard. Those of the Obsidian Guard charged to the 'Embers of Onyx' are equipped and trained to standards of their Solar Auxilia precursors though are subsequently limited in numbers.

### Rusted Blades (Specialist Ranks)

The encompassing name for all Onyx Blade veterans and specialists. Rusted blades are given short power blades with brass detailing (Alongside their existing 'Onyx Blade' and entrusted with rare and in demand weaponry from the Blades of Onyx’s limited armoury. Typically, combi weapons are favoured, as well as force shields to be used alongside pistols and bolters. Rusted blades, and their assorted specialists, are accustomed to being deployed alone, as pairs and in threes to support kill teams. Aside from the 1st Company decades can pass between their deployment on full squads.

#### Devastators

Only the most Veteran Astartes are entrusted with the ancient and scarce heavy weapons that the Blades of Onyx possess. Transported by dedicated razorbacks, when in large scale battle, the Devastators are often the primary attacking arms that battle brothers support and build their strategy around. The Lascannon, Autocannon and Plasma Cannon are utilised exclusively, as heavy bolters and rocket launchers are routinely carried by Tactical Squads instead. Marksmen are handpicked for Devastator duty to maximise effective usage of these deadly weapons.

#### Recon Teams

Armed with Sniper rifles and often jetpacks. Recon teams have remained a significant tool since the Horus Heresy, especially since the Onyx Blades have far too few Neophytes to waste on scouting duties. From their original inception the use of jetpacks, grav chutes and grapple lines have been added to enhance their ability to cover rough terrain. Recon teams are the first line of attack for the Blackshields, after reconnaissance they will decide on whether the target can be destroyed with their current resources or marked for later elimination.

#### Head Hunter Kill Teams

Elite recon teams and assassins. Head hunters fight individually and customise their load out for the planned operation. The Head hunters undertake contracts and bounty that are typically too delicate or with potential consequence for the Mercenaries to take, but rewards are too much to turn down. They will leave no witnesses and traces to their operations, one way or another. They also accept a handful of elite Obsidian Guard, often Vetenari, members to work as equals alongside the Headhunters. It is not unusual for Head Hunters to be seen leading operations by themselves, as other specialists do, and are considered a cut above the Rusted Blades.

#### Onyx Aegis

A single elite unit of terminators belonging to the 'Shield of the Innocent' that utilise Vigil Pattern Storm Shields and Plasma Cannons. With incredible firepower and protection, the Onyx Aegis is deployed to stop an enemy's attacks in its tracks. The unit was formed after radical usage of companions for a particular operation, and after their reform the tactica was repurposed into the Onyx Aegis.

#### Companions

While leading the original task force Xenaphi selected twenty warriors from his forces to be his personal companions. Each companion had full access to relics and the armoury, which expanded during the Horus Heresy. As a result, each companion created a unique artificer suit, and combat style that their predecessors would evolve. Whatever weapons or combat style they took, each companion bore a mastercrafted storm shield and were adept to using advanced defensive formations. The companions disappeared along with Xenaphi and his forces, but were reformed by the following Praetor, without the existing artificer armour and exotic weaponry. Although the Praetor can muster twenty companions to join him before a significant battle, the companions are divided between the companies individually guarding, advising and enforcing upon the captains and sometimes lieutenants of each company and demi company. Their available numbers therefore vary significantly.

## Demi-Companies

The Battalion is split into nearly a dozen demi-companies, where each has garnered its own culture and identity. Officially there are five companies, though none maintain the standard numbers of 100. Typically, the numerical strength each Company is less than its predecessor. The first company is the largest, operating from the Anabasis and as the instrument of the Praetor is maintained to strong enough to police the rest, should it ever come to it. The second and third companies operate from the Styx Class Heavy Cruisers, and often are stronger than 100 battlebrothers. Finally, the fourth and fifth companies are split between escorts with no dedicated vessel, often sharing with the first three companies housing, they are the smallest, and most radically divergent from standard Astartes Company.

* **(I) Shield of Onyx** - An exception to the rule of operating standards. The Shield of Onyx operates at full company strength. They are very well equipped (By the standard of the Battalion whole), with fully operational armour detachments and air wings. They are also the instrument of Praetor, producing the specialists and veteran sergeants that maintain cohesion in the Demi-Companies. Their contracts are typically above assassination, escort and covert operations, though it has happened. Contracts can be destruction of entire facilities, purging of army detachments or pirate fleets. The greater scale of battle breeds ‘Rusted Blade’ veterans at a much greater rate.

* **(II) Shield of the Innocent** - Proud of their heritage as sons of Dorn, the shields were formed after the War of the Beast. A large percentage of the Sons of Dorn attempted to return to the Imperium to help rebuild their former Legion. However, a core remained, resolute to support their current Battalion – the majority of which originated from the 2nd Company. That said the current primogenitors of the 2nd Company likely resembles the rest of the Blackshields, regardless of their true heritage, they respect the Companies origins. The Shield wields the largest number of the Obsidian Guard - equipped to a high standard - and specialise in defence and fortification. As well as overseeing construction of any facilities that the Blades of Onyx undertake, their expertise is also hired out, overseeing construction of fortifications for nobles and even xenos.

* **(II) Steel-borne Brotherhood** - A demi company of assault specialists, who utilise drop pod and close air support to breach fortification. Marines are armed with assault weaponry and specialise in close quarter battle. These same skills make them the go to boarding teams as well. Notably the Steel-borne persist in Khardybsis assault craft, despite the quirks of the machine spirits, their techmarines have learnt the secrets of these ancients machines and have removed the risk of ‘accidental deaths’ when using them. With these powerhouses they are able to drop directly into the heart of the fiercest defences, secure that the surrounding enemies will be molten slag upon disembarking. The Obsidian Guard likewise insert from orbit via grav chutes, growing a reputation for an elite standard. The Steel-borne Brotherhood have a significant proportion of their ranks made up of techmarines and battle brothers initiated in the arts of the mechanicus, second only to the ‘Embers of Onyx’, however their initiates act with greater creative freedom, and pursue novel designs and maintenance of their equipment. This demi company is responsible for construction of the Stratikos, and frequently utilise them. Finally, the ‘Ordinatus’ superheavy flyer is attached to the Steel-borne Brotherhood.

* **(III) Brotherhood of the Eclipse** - Other than the Silent Brotherhood, this Demi Company contains the highest number of the Unforgiven, typically should renegades of questionable lineage ask to join the Blades of Onyx they are integrated with this unit. Highly motivated, individually excellent fighters and radical weapon and psychic potential mark out this company well.

* **(III) Reapers of Onyx** - A little spoken of and half strength Demi Company that contains Blackshields unable to integrate with others. The spiritual ancestors of Mortekai specialists, whether it is the taint of the warp, or a geneseed derived madness, they are isolated, suitably armed and released when required with carte blanche before being corralled and contained once more. The veteran sergeants that coordinate them do not report the details of the massacres, the methods of killing, only that it was done. These units cannot be deployed with allied detachments but would not need them either. Since the arrival of the ‘Fonias’ the Moritat have fought with a worrying coordination and even greater fury.
* **(III) Embers of Onyx** - The ‘Embers’ maintain and utilise their heresy era equipment, whereas the common practice has been to adopt the modern equipment of Astartes Chapters that are easier and cheaper to maintain. The Embers are proud of their heritage, and the heresy equipment proves its value in battle. The Embers are also responsible for maintaining unused equipment for the Blades of Onyx. Much of the armoury that originates from the Horus Heresy is too demanding to support their poor supply line, and as such has been buried into deep and hidden vaults, which one day may be required and retrieved. They oversee the construction of Vetenarii, taking the individuals to the Vaults of Ikelos for their augmentation. The Embers of Onyx have an unrivalled quality and quantity of Techmarines, and Binaric Adepts, greater even than the ‘Brotherhood of the Eclipse’, but their focus is less on the creative use of their charge, but their preservation.
* **(IV) Veil of Onyx** - Pulled out of mercenary duty these Astartes have dedicated themselves to tracking down or recording the fate of other battalions that failed to reach the rally point and join the Blades of Onyx. They have successfully recruited a few thought lost and recorded the fate of many more. Veil of Onyx personnel are infiltration specialists and individualist fighter, unique in their cloaks. These cloaks may be xenos, or archaerotech, in origin and appear as a shadowy vapour obscuring the wearing and rending them near invisible.

* **(IV) Brotherhood of the Cobra** - Another isolated group within this disparate mercenary force, the Brotherhood were founded by the surviving members of the Silver Ashes. Feeling responsible for much of the degradation to befall the Blades of Onyx the Brotherhood have withdrawn into their own group and rarely intermingle with the rest of the Blades. Since then, the Brotherhood is rarely heard from at all, simply resources, aspirants, geneseed and intelligence is regularly dispatched to the ‘Anabasis’ with no requests for return investment. Rarely individual members will approach the ‘Blades of Onyx’ to directly intervene before disaster from unknown forces. Mythology has grown around the Brotherhood, to the point that stray shots and random accidents that prove fortuitous is attributed to them, and many battle brothers wonder if they aren’t unseen guardians.
* **(V) Heralds of the Blades** - This Demi Company undertakes numerous non-combatant roles; Recruitment, training and production of Neophytes and Battlebrothers. They also are the face of the Blades of Onyx, used to ‘advertise’ their services and interact with the nobles, barons and xenos who seek them. Their armour is typically the latest in model, kept clean of damage or personalisation. It is the same chaplains who inspire their battlebrothers, resolute their aspirants and quell descent and heresy that negotiate with potential contractors. As such they have excellent skills in this field. The Heralds maintain a considerably large number of chaplains that otherwise are distributed amongst the other demi companies. Given the nature of their duties the Astartes within the demi companies rarely gather to even squad strength.
* **(V) The Silent Brotherhood** - Secretive and well hidden from prying Inquisitorial eyes, The Silent Brotherhood are utilised as elite guards for critical locations and shock troopers when a particularly hard fight is expected. Composed of the surviving Thousand Sons in the task force who suffered from the Rubric of Ahriman and lead by the few Librarians available to the Blades, The Silent Brotherhood is a highly valued Order.

* **(V) The Brotherhood of Providence** - A Demi-Company in name only, that is tasked with the often-arduous duty of disposing the dead. A duty that is routine among those battlebrothers borne of the Blackshields - who are immolated within the great hall. However, for the battlebrothers that find a home within the Blades of Onyx, turning their back on their chapter, the Brotherhood of Providence’s duty is to dispose of their brothers respecting the wishes of their heritage. Finally, should any brothers be lost to the chaos of time, they must track and recover the body. Typically, this Demi-Company is only 20 strong, but expands as necessary.

## Combat Doctrine

The lack of the usual logistical and tactical support afforded to typical Astartes forces has led to the adoption of highly flexible doctrines. As most deployments are based around one or more squads these units are often formed into kill teams equipped to suit the operational environment as much as possible. On the rare occasions that Demi-Company and larger formations are deployed then a mix of Tactical and Devastator squads are fielded.

Full company deployment is only common in the 1st Company, and full demi company deployment in the 2nd. The remain demi companies operate almost purely in a kill team fashion and thus the equipment and specialities of each Company/Demi Company radically differs.

Typically, all marines are mounted for the purpose of long-distance ground travel when operating as kill teams, as they rarely have the luxury of dedicated air and armour support. The kill teams will travel by bike, wolf, or other exotic steeds if necessary, and carry supplies on their mounts as well as reserve weapons. In battle however they will leave their mounts and fight on foot for better flexibility. The bikes are purely a way of traversing from one destination to another, and should the team be large enough they will utilise rhinos or fliers instead. The rarely utilised armoured component is made up mostly of the Obsidian Guard's vehicles, Leman Russ's, Carnodons, and Macharius's are the typical vehicles with the rarer Astartes vehicles on the wings.

With the 1st and 2nd Company, the Astartes maintain their own armoured units where it can be justified, and will only ever be the spear head of an Obsidian Guard or allied vehicle regiment, never supplanting them. The 2nd Company Demi Company ‘Steelborne Brotherhood’ have the prestige of being mounted aboard Khardybis Assault Claws. They carry jetpacks to remain mobile and support air transport for prolonged campaigns. Their considerable earnings and reputation can afford the extravagance.

## Order of Battle

The task force originally dispatched to the Ghoul Stars comprised of 10,000 Astartes broken down as follows:

* 2,500 Ultramarines
* 1,000 Luna Wolves
* 1,000 IVth Legion
* 1,000 Dark Angels
* 1,000 Imperial Fists
* 500 Imperial Heralds
* 500 War Hounds
* 500 Iron Hands
* 500 Salamanders
* 500 VIIIth Legion
* 400 Dusk Raiders
* 300 Thousand Sons
* 200 Raven Guard
* 100 Emperor's Children

**Praetor Proxenus**
**Companions**
**Rusted Blades**
**Euriale**
**Master of the Forge**
**Techmarines**
**Binaric Adept**
**Servitors**
**Dreadnoughts**
**Resh**
**Reclusiarch**
**Chaplains**
**Markus**
**Master of the Apothecarion**
**Apothecaries**
**Cein**
**Chief Librarian**
**Librarians**
**Codiciers**
**Lexicaniums**

## Beliefs

The Blades of Onyx staunchly defend the Imperial Truth, and pass on its teachings to fresh recruits and the Obsidian Guard through their chaplains. However, they accept the supernatural, and through their sorcerers regularly study it and learn its patterns. They consider faith in the Emperor as a God to be a powerful tool and respect the Soritas for having the ability to wield it. Worship of The Emperor is practiced, to merit what protection against the warp they can from faith.

Despite their exile from the Imperium the Astartes of the Blades of Onyx still cling to their loyalty to the Emperor and regard the contracts they undertake as still serving the Emperor in their own way. They have long been disheartened with the Imperium and its decay from its glorious origin, and as such see no point in serving its bureaucracy blindly.

As of M42 the Blades of Onyx have seized the opportunity that recent events and Imperium Nihlus has brought to serve the Imperium once more. Though how the Imperium will treat the Renegades once order is restored is another matter. They are excited to see a Primarch return to lead the Imperium, having only known a few before the Crusade of 10,000 blades and experiencing the aftermath of the Horus Heresy they nevertheless knew Guillemin as an excellent leader and politician and hope under his leadership the Imperium, era Great Crusade will return.

## Gene-Seed

The task force originally dispatched to the Ghoul Stars comprised of ten thousand Astartes that included members from fourteen of the legions, with the majority coming from the Ultramarines. However during their participation of the Horus Heresy they joined forces with the Silver Ashes and accepted the services of any Blackshield forces regardless of their progenitor. This practice has continued well into the 41st Millennium and therefore the distribution of geneseed could come from any of the original space marine legions.

The current breakdown of progenitors is unknown to the battle brothers and those who discuss or investigate it are punished. Impeccable records have been kept of the distribution of each blackshields geneseed and their original genefather. This information is only available to three parties, the leaders of the Mechanicus detachment, Apothecarion and the Praetor. Aspirants will never know what Legion they originate from, unless they should become Praetor, as the Mechanicus and Apothecarion only become privy to such information for the Aspirants they oversee implantation of. The quality of the remaining geneseed is questionable, as losses of genestock and subsequent rapid production using disposable clones has propagated mutation and gene deficiency. Further Blackshields are routinely acquired from the wastes of war, wounded, left for dead and deserters are all taken into the Blades of Onyx, willing or not; But these new members introduce rare and often warp mutated geneseed strains that must be closely monitored. These efforts have caused a myriad of unstable mutations that can affect any battle brother, rarely for the better. That said, though their equipment may be lacking, the skills of the Apothecarion for the Blades of Onyx is unquestioned, possibly unrivalled, with access to ancient knowledge, tools and practice from the Great Crusade that allow them to combat and neutralise many of the problems they encounter.

The Blades of Onyx carefully horde any gene-seed they can acquire, lacking a reliable source of new Gene-Seed to replenish any that is lost permanently. To replenish lost stock of geneseed the Blades of Onyx must engage in the dangerous ploy of cultivating geneseed. As practiced by the Mechanicus but on a smaller scale, a large number of unsuitable aspirants are selected, implanted, and supported through life support until they mature to the second harvest stage; where they are consequently harvested and disposed of. The large facility required for the incubation required conversion of existing ship flight decks or construction of ground-based facilities. In the space of 10 years a geneseed stock can be doubled. Short of stealing geneseed from the corpses of battle and space wrecks this is the only way the Blades of Onyx can expand and recover from defeat.

## Recruitment

The vast majority of recruits are inducted in the usual manner, children selected from worlds that the Blades of Onyx are serving on and inducted as Aspirants. More rarely they are approached by Astartes that have exiled themselves from their former Chapter and seek a new purpose or chance at redemption. Typically, a contract undertaken will include a clause that payment will include a tithe of genetically suitable orphans or other children that can be utilised as Aspirants. These recruits are assigned to Chaplains and taken to a Death World. After a year of gruelling training and trials the survivors rejoin the fleet. If the Chaplain deems them worthy to be implanted, they will be put forward as an aspirant. If they are lucky there will be Gene-Seed available for them to be implanted with. Those that are unlucky will join the Obsidian Guard, which is the collective name for the Serfs, Guardsmen and other Auxilia which support the Astartes. If Gene-Seed becomes available before they grow too old, they may yet become Neophytes but such events are rare.

Neophytes, implanted, will then fight alongside the Obsidian Guard under the care of the same Chaplain clad in heavy carapace armour until the black carapace is implanted and marks the completion of their supervision. Veteran Sergeants are given battlebrothers to teach and undertake light work. For years the battlebrothers will go between squads and learn from each one until a sergeant petitions, they remain with the squad. The Blades of Onyx do not deploy their neophytes as scouts and instead field them in reserve. Training takes substantially longer but losses to attrition is substantially less. The role of scouting is vital to the blades of onyx and trusted to their veterans.

## Fleet Composition

While the strength of their fleet as dwindled due to attrition and lack of manpower the Blades of Onyx still have a sizeable fleet based around an Exorcist class Grand Cruiser which has been extensively modified to serve as a Battle Barge. Over the millennia most of the larger vessels have been lost, scrapped or sold, leaving only a handful of capital ships. Strike Cruisers and Frigates are the most highly prized vessels thanks to the typically small deployments undertaken and are typically outfitted for silent running and stealth operations instead of combat. If required the two remaining Styx Class Heavy Cruisers will support the *Anabasis* in direct battle, such engagements require the authority of the Praetor, and are not taken lightly. The Blades of Onyx will never recover such resources, which remain essential as Fortress Monastery equivalent. These heavy weight ships instead spend the majority of their service orbiting dead planets and cold stars, far from any potential enemy.

* ***Anabasis* (Exorcist-class Grand Cruiser)** - Losses, irreparable damage and reductions in manpower have robbed the Blades of Onyx of their precious Battleships by the 41st Millennium. Their former flagship was lost with Xenaphi. The *Anabasis* is the current flagship, based upon an Exorcist-class hull. After a brutal battle which saw her almost crippled the *Anabasis* was rebuilt using pieces of another scrapped Grand Cruiser and named after Xenaphi's own mighty warship. At the same time her armament was upgraded, and interior modified to improve her command abilities and an armoured prow fitted for ramming and additional protection. As a result, she is a formidable fighter and almost a kilometre longer.
* ***The Forlorn Lance* & *Disparate Destruction* (Styx-class Heavy Cruiser)** – The Blades as Onyx take pride that these pre-heresy heavy cruisers remain within their fleet, as some of the last of their class to remain untouched by the warp, and value their powerful fighter wings and carry capacity. Such that they have equal status to the Anabasis as equivalent to a battlebarge and carry the second and third companies respectively. They are further valued for their ability to hold geneseed harvesting operations in their vast hangar bays.
* ***Nugatory Endeavour*, *Unavailing Sorrow* & *Banal Vanity* (Escort Class vessels)** –

## Relics

A great cache of heresy and great crusade era equipment remain with the Blades of Onyx vaults. Much of it goes unused, the cost and required maintenance time deemed too much to continue fielding them. Some has been bartered to a greedy forgeworld in return for essential, or more adaptable equipment, or repairs that are beyond their own skilled techpriests. However, a certain amount is still utilised, and should the Battalion ever restore its supply lines this weaponry waits ready. Many of the Blades relics, particularly those of the Blades Sicarian and Fellblade vehicles, have found their way into the Onyx Phoenixes as of M42.

* **Orison** is a preternatural weapon with a malicious machine spirit and unknown technology, or sorcery, within its blade. The great sword, seemingly made of black glass has a forgotten history, whether it was taken in the field of battle or an original relic of the Great Crusade. The malevolent aura drains the strength of foe and ally around the wielder, this is seen with gruesome amplification when the weapon draws blood and its victim’s ‘life force’ is sucked out of them in a sickening implosion leaving a hollow husk of armour. However this fate awaits the wielder of the blade should they be cut in melee themselves. To wield Orison is not taken lightly, and given only to champions before fighting the greatest of foes. Even victory leaves a wound as the wielder suffers as if years had passed in the place of combat.
* **The Imperturbable Guardian** is a mighty relic shield, faced in strange black stone. The powerful conversion generator within the force shield is as yet unbroken, sending back volleys of plasma and melta as bright bursts of light that burn those who dared fire upon it. The conversion field has a wild aura and can protect entire squads at a time. Further the shield provides unbreakable protection against psychic attacks, putting the wielder into the same protective bubble that the Sisters of Silence enjoy. The Imperturbable Guardian was historically Xenaphi’s shield, which inspired his Taskforce to adopt shields so strongly into their arsenal, however during the final days before Xenaphi’s battalion became trapped in the warp the Praetor gave the shield to Loyalist Astartes who escaped thanks to the Blackshields. These Astartes made it their oath to return the shield to the Blades of Onyx.
* **Salute Pattern Heavy Bolters** are rare bolter variants found within the Blades of Onyx that did not become popular within the legions, instead they were wide spread within Taskforce Onyx as rapidly acquired surplus stock – much of the Taskforce’s equipment was acquired via such underhand, and alternative to the standard routes of requisition; Surplus, redirected, traded or straight stolen. The Salute pattern Heavy bolter is a semi-automatic battle rifle that is belt fed, an inefficient design, but an effective anti-armour sniper – utilising Heavy Bolter rounds. Those still in use by the Blackshields now have been handed down and lovingly maintained, their wielders understanding the strange weapon as their brothers look on with disdain.

### Ordinatus

The techmarines of the Blades of Onyx are known for their affinity to the machine spirits and ‘creative’ attitude towards their charges. The enginseers and magi attached to the blades of onyx have slowly grown to accept this. The epitome of this is the Ordinatus. During a salvage operation several teams became trapped within the vaults of a besieged forgeworld. The team needed to evacuate under their own steam and a week later they did, mounted upon the ‘Ordinatus’.

This Ordinatus is a super-heavy flyer capable of transporting several squads of Astartes into the deadliest of combat zones and supporting them with deadly fusillades of lascannon, missile and autocannon fire. An extensive suite of countermeasures complements the impressive defensive abilities of the Ordinatus and advance breaching equipment precedes its dismount. It is the ‘chariot’ of the Steel-borne Brotherhood and is often seen at the head of drop assault, or conducting its own missions ahead of the battle line.

The extensive armoury of the 'Ordinatus' includes; a Skyspear missile launcher, six Icarus Stormcannons, turret mounted twin Stormbringer Lascannon, Havoc Missile Launcher, twin Las Talon, Frag Assault Launchers, and Infernum Halo-launcher. The VTOL flight jets are assisted by reserve Grav plates that allow incredible speed across the ground, and a slower but still impressive flight speed. The armour of the Ordinatus is equivalent to a landraider in places, but weaker in its flight pods. The Ordinatus has seven entry and exit ways allowing rapid disembarkation of its troops, of which it can hold 30, or 20 and 5 terminators. The Ordinatus also sees extensive action outside of combat, as it is an exemplary carthorse for transporting heavy goods and even other vehicles.

The Ordinatus is quite obviously a ‘frakenstein’s monster’ as numerous vehicles and parts were assimilated, much of its design does not make sense which include non-functional control panels and ammunition feeds on the outside of its hull. However, as many techpriests who have met it can attest to, the vehicles machinespirit is in excellent condition, the machine flies.

## Notable Members

* **Praetor Pronexus** - A commander known for a ruthless and shrewd cunning, and reserved compassion. Pronexus has received criticism for turning away from battles, fighting underhand and even betraying those that had hired their services. That said he has seen the Blades of Onyx grow in number and strength, a great improvement over many his predecessors. Not a single battlebrother lacks respect for his tactical insight and capability to win at the days end, but under his leadership their once noble origins continue to slip away. As of M42 Pronexus has disproved these criticisms by seeing the Blades of Onyx reborn as never before, participating in the defence of Imperium Nihlus and seeing the Battalion rebuilt with fresh forces, cooperate with elements of the Imperium authority and secure selective use of the Rubricon to reforge their brothers.
* **Master of the Forge Euriale** - Somehow managing the numerous techpriests, combat enginseers, and binaric adepts within the Blades of Onyx (Especially given the fractious relation between the second and fifth company mechanicum elements), Euriale is highly respected by both his charges and the Magi of their Mechanicus allies. ‘Able to cure the afflicted machine spirit, with a whisper and swift hammer strike’, Euriale is famed for remaining undefeated in repairing and restoring the numerous relics that the Blackshields irregularly call upon. Lead creator of the ‘Ordinatus’ and numerous other projects, the Techmarine has most recently launched himself into repurposing the designs of Belisarius Cawl and is responsible for the induction of the ‘Firetide Impulsor’ and ‘Procursor pattern gravbike’ into the Onyx Phoenixes Chapter. However, for all that he does in keeping the Blades of Onyx operational, Euriale is impulsive and impossible to negotiate with. Obsessed with crazed, half-baked projects, few of which are completed and fewer still useful to the Blackshields, yet he’ll scream in binaric to any distraction. Instead, he is relied upon for the singular successes that the techmarines quickly replicate.
* **Reclusiarch Resh** - Viewed by the Blackshields with a fatherly love, if such a thing can exist between astartes, Resh has long overseen training of much of the Battalion directly, and every single marine indirectly. His calm demeanour, but furious battlecry stirs an unshakeable morale in the marines that has turned many a battle. His wise council is relied upon by all, even the Praetor, and he is often looked to before judgement is made. Those astartes that come from mysterious backgrounds, approaching the Blackshields during missions asking to join their ranks are all put to Resh for judgement, to be executed or accepted.
* **Master of the Apothecarion Markus** - The Apothecarion of Taskforce Onyx was expansive and its members skilled and learned as few others were. Markus stands equal to his predecessors, working calm and efficiently with the myriad of geneseed implantations and battlefield operations. His judgement in matching geneseed to potential aspirants is critical in the success of neophyte generation. Much of blackshields genestock is unpredictable, mutinous or even warp tainted, their aspirant numbers are irregular, precise matching is paramount and it is the miracle of Markus’ skill and knowledge that so many survive.
* **Librarian Cein** -
* **Veteran Sergeant Remulus** - This former salamander was found captured and brutally tortured by heretic Astartes. His mind broken and ashamed he joined the Blades of Onyx and found a place within the Moritat when fighting his heretical brethren. Outside of combat Remulus is surprisingly friendly, and outwardly harmless, a polar opposite to his mentality within combat. Remulus does maintain an exemplar of the Salamanders, fighting without care for his life to protect the innocent civilians of the Imperium. He is also an advent animal lover, keeping hounds amongst other creatures that typically is only seen within the Obsidian Guard. Remulus uses a Stalker bolt rifle with unmatched speed, such that some assume it to be automatic.
* **Méntoras** - An ancient legionary introduced to the Blades of Onyx, liberated from Drukhari gladiator pits, Méntoras has fought and died repeatedly for countless centuries, brought back through eldritch technology. The Marine is a non-combatant, sworn never to fight in anger again, sick and tired of endless war. However, his skill and experience is incredibly valuable to the Blades of Onyx Neophytes, and even their veterans. The thought of his steely gaze observing their performance on the battlefield spurs the young battlebrothers on all the harder.

* **Moritat Foniás** - Encountered in the field of battle this lone marine was fighting and slaughtering an endless host of demons. The Blades managed to secure the marine who remained silent, single minded on the destruction of the enemies of man, he was a Moritat, and as such was incorporated into the 'Embers of Onyx'. Since joining the blackshields 'Fonias' as he was named has undergone the Rubricon Primaris, after the marine seized the Apothecarion hostage and demanded he undergo the procedure. Reborn he has adopted fresh wargear, with the assistance of the techmarines, constructing a Phobos suit with a jump pack which also holds a flamer. Fonias is a paragon of the Blades of Onyx ‘carry everything’ mentality. He carries multiple weapons, a relic auto bolt rifle, plasma pistol and shotgun. Further a number of specialist bolter rounds and grenades are carried on his personal, and helix elixirs that allow the Moritat to fight alone against whatever surprises await.

## Deathwatch Service

Occasionally a member of the Blades of Onyx will feel the yearning to rejoin the Imperium and gain redemption through service as a Deathwatch Blackshield. Such Astartes are freely released from their oaths and allowed to leave in peace, though their loss is felt keenly by every member of the mercenary band. As they are blackshields their tour with the Deathwatch is eternal, it is not a decision taken lightly, but until the 42nd Millennium it remained the only vector for Imperial Service. Given the nature of the Blades of Onyx’s contracts, they often are employed alongside and against various xenos species and deploy in small kill teams. Hence, they are often highly valued for their selective talent.

### Kill-Teams

**Kill-Team Dramos Prime** - Killteam Dramos Prime is one of four operating teams on Dramos Prime, assigned to Hive City Dramos in continuous purging duty in the under hive, following backlash from the Administratum. Their tour of duty is continuous service for two centuries, assuming the greater need of the second company does not withdraw them. Brother-Sergeant Laërtes has authorisation to raise Obsidian Guard and Aspirants locally (Following standard protocol). Any aspirants selected must be sent to the Chaplain who has overall authority across the four teams. Payment is in yearly instalments that are collected by the second company every five years and held by the Chaplain in-between, aspirants included in this payment are initiated by the Chaplain and begin training under his tutelage. Bonus payment from the high lords for additional missions authorised by the sergeants, and for every heretic killed and every gang disbanded, with a significant fee for Genestealer Cult kills and returned evidence.
Brother Sergeant Laërtes has a team of six additional astartes, two of which are ‘Rusted Blades’ veterans. He has an additional four ‘Statikos’ spearheading a force of twenty one Obsidian guard, who initially were a 16 man team but after a century of duty have cycled through local gangers and enforcers who have been hand selected and suitably hypnotrained; two of the Obsidian Guard remain of the original team and are as valued as their brother astartes, their lives lengthened and their bodies rebuilt to prolong their service. Finally a techpriest enginseer has been assigned alongside the team, and their team includes a Thallaxii, two skitarii and a fluctuating number of servitors. As with the larger company the mechanicus and astartes branch maintain tightly entwined but independent in operations.

* Brother Cepheus uses a force shield and plasma pistol. Typically, Cepheus is the breaching squad member and is used as a shield should the squad need to move through heavy fire, with his squad mates following in a line. This is particularly common practice when travelling through underhive tunnels. Brother Cepheus carries a reserve bolter with underslung shotgun and chainsword. His extensive armoury betrays his years of experience, just short of achieving official status as a ‘Rusted Blade’ Veteran.
* Brother Autolycus uses a heavybolter, cut down of excess weight and size. Autolycus and Cepheus often operate alongside eachother in open battle. Two is acting Devastator of the squad and is appropriately a 'Rusted Blade'. Without the chain of ammunition, Autolycus can quickly discard the bolter and engage with the powerblade and reserve bolt pistol.
* Brother Glaucus and Idas use jump packs and bolters. Primary reconnaissance and head-hunting detail. Glaucus is a Rusted Blade, and Idas is initiated into ‘Recon Team’ training. Brother Glaucus carries a reserve combat shield to use alongside his powerblade, and brother Idas carries a reserve chainsword.
* Brother Laërtes uses a stalker bolter and specialist grenades. The sergeant of the squad former head-hunter. Uses a relic blade of unknown, possible xenos origin as a reserve.
* Brother Acastus uses twin bolter pistols and melta bombs. In long range and drawn battles he will field a missile launcher. Thanks to a dedicated servo-skull Brother Acastus has exceptional versatility with his pistols against multiple targets.
* Brother Nestor uses a plasma rifle and reserve pistol, Nestor is schooled in the arts of the mechanicus, a ‘Binaric Adept’ and alongside their tech priest maintained the taskforces weapons, armour, servitors and servo skulls. In battle he has direct control of a number of servo skulls for scouting purposes.

## Appearance

The Blades of Onyx can be quite distinct in the 'carry everything you need on your person' style. For their long service tours without dedicated support the marines are often seen carrying their campaign supplies on them unless they are engaged in full scale battle. All battlebrothers are armed with their primary weapon, a sidearm, melee weapon and 'onyx blade'. The 'Onyx blade' is a reliable trademark that defines the battalions battle brothers from other black shields, renegades and chaos marines; Its blade is made from an unknown ore that once forged appears as black glass and sharpened to a monomolecular edge. The original bronze blades of the Crusade are reserved for veterans, the majority of these have been lost and broken.

The Blades of Onyx collect many trinkets and oddities, a tradition passed on from one marine to another. Having abandoned their own histories, the Blackshields may continue to practice the traditions of their parent chapter, but likely abandon them. Many marines find comfort in forging identity and tradition in the form of physical memory of their own campaigns. This could be fragments of glass, or stone, particular bullets or weapons, teeth, skulls, dried hearts, bionics, sand, water, local currency, spices, animal hide, written words, feathers, maps, and holo picts. When a marine is felled in battle and recovered their closest battle brothers may take any of these as a keep sake of their comrade, the rest is stored within the company's flagship. Vast rooms are filled with the small metal tins of lost marine’s collectibles, each containing the history of an unrecorded blackshield.

Trading is common between the Blackshield, each company is responsible for arming their neophytes to a certain standard available to them. However, it is up to the leading commander of each operation to see his marines equipped suitably. Most blackshields are self-reliant on equipment, readily scavenge from the battlefield, trade within their ranks and charge commission within operational tours - while they may be tasked with cleansing an underhive, they may take on jobs on the side, recovering missing persons, training or even maintaining weapons for the more wealth gangers.

There are a few trinkets of note that are handled separately. Silver coins are an official recognition of veterancy beyond a 'rusted blade'. Each tour of duty, or battle seen completed nets a small coin of silver arbitrary metal. Though trinkets are often traded between battle brothers silver coins are not.

### Colours

The majority of the Blades of Onyx wear black power armour of various marks devoid of any heraldry, as befitting their status as Blackshields. Others have adopted their own colours and heraldry to honour a past campaign or hero. A few maintain the Heraldry of their former Legions/Chapters but these are increasingly rare. Customisation of colours is accepted and often encouraged with basic tribal markings and symbols marked in bright red, blue and green adorned to their shoulders and helmets appearing amongst the experienced and rusted blades.

### Badge

There is no official iconography or badge that can unite or identify the Blades of Onyx other than the ceremonial blade each carries, an inherited tradition from the original crusade of the 10,000 Astartes. Though no official insignia has been made, the crossed black swords is often seen marked on vehicles and armour that is not painted black but serving the Blades of Onyx. A mark forged by the marines and permitted by their command. The original crest of Taskforce Onyx is still seen in select locations such as the Fortress Monastery but is otherwise abandoned.

## Chapter Relations

### Allies

* **Rogue Traders** - The majority of contracts undertaken by the Blades of Onyx are signed with Rogue Traders who are often happy to turn a blind eye to a roving band of Astartes in exchange for securing the services of a group of transhuman warriors for their missions. Some of these Houses have open contracts dating back centuries and the marines that work alongside them have almost forgotten their lives beyond the House.
* **Onyx Phoenixes** - The Onyx Phoenixes, formerly the Blades of the Phoenix reborn with Grey Shield reinforcements are close allies to the Blades of Onyx, supplying them with Rubicon processing of their Blackshields, new equipment from Belisarius Crawl, and combat support. In return the blackshield veterans and specialists have helped rebuild the chapter with their expertise.
* **The Shattered Blades** - The Shattered Blades are a warband of Renegade Astartes from the Horus Heresy that have returned to realspace a few millenia before the turn of M42. Since their return they have travelled to the Ghoul stars and carved an empire from the distant and abandoned human systems. Though they make bed fellows with the enemies of the Imperium, they are loyal to the Emperor and his vision of the humanity. Thanks to a shared history as Taskforce Onyx the two have forged an alliance.
* **Shadow of the Phoenix** - These Aeldari are well versed working alongside human contractors, coherently and openly communicating with their partners. As their territory overlaps the two factions have made mutually beneficial pacts and have formed bloodless solutions to competing interests. As the universe has grown ever more dangerous, the two’s mutual treaties have grown more and more into an alliance.

### Avoid at All Costs

* **Inquisition** - While the Inquisition is largely unaware of the Blades of Onyx as an entity, reports of Blackshields and other rogue Astartes are treated very seriously. As far as the Inquisition is concerned any Astartes not aligned with the Imperium is part of the forces of chaos and to be treated accordingly. The Blades of Onyx avoid any possible interaction with the Inquisition and any contract is carefully scrutinised to ensure all measures are taken to prevent drawing their gaze.
* **Space Wolves & Dark Angels** - As with the Inquisition, operations that may lead the Blades of Onyx into contact with these Space Chapters are given a wide birth. Certain members of the blackshields are likely to incite conflict between the two.

### Enemies

* **Heretic Astartes** - Taskforce Onyx and their inheritors have a long-established loathing of those legions and Primarchs that fell to chaos. Their treachery denied Taskforce Onyx’s chance to return to the Imperium and forced them to either risk the deaths of their brothers from traitor legions, and likely them as well, or become Blackshields. Any chance to inflict casualties against Traitor Astartes is taken.

## Notable Quotes

### By the Blades of Onyx

"*Incense swirled heavily in the air, fed by a dozen burners circling the shrouded corpse on the altar. By each burner stood a robed acolyte, chanting the death rite of the Emperor, hoping that he would judge his servant favourably. At the head of the altar stood an Astartes in a suit of shimmering black, each panel inlaid with polish Onyx. Unlike most of his brethren, Bartonii was a member of the Brotherhood of Provenance, responsible for the death rites of the Blades of Onyx. While most of them let their armour tarnish and decay, the Brotherhood maintain their armour with pride, believing that the Emperor witnessed every funeral, so that he can bless those that are worthy with his mercy. He turned at the quiet thump of an approaching Astartes.
 "Brother Mattishall." He nodded in greeting as the other man removed his skull helm in respect.
 "Have you established his heritage?".
 "Yes my lord. Brother Andraxes came to us from the Krysian Firedragons Chapter. They believe that upon death the body should be burned upon a pyre and the ashes scattered in a stream to rejoin the cycle of life.". Bartonii pondered for a moment before nodding again,
 "we are close to a suitable world I believe. Pradonica IV should do. Make the arrangements.".
 "Yes my lord, at once."*"
—Extract from Memoirs of Talbot, Obsidian Blade of the Brotherhood of Providence
"*The smell of blood and sweat was gone; Incense, paraffin, and dust replaced them. He had been cleaned, washed, hiss ancient power armour removed and replaced with a simple robe. He had forgotten the sensation of air on bare skin. He had forgotten the sensation of rested muscles, of quiet. He took in the gentle hum of a war vessel in travel, the distance thuds of power armoured warriors on patrol, and the softer pads of armsmen, the clicks of mechanicus agents, the song of voices, all carried through the ships super structure. It was Styx class heavy cruiser, the pitch of the engines was as crystal clear a memory as it had been all the those years ago. Emotion swelled to the surface of his mind, a smile forced itself on his lips.
 ‘Ah, he’s awake’
 It took only a few minutes for the thud of power armour to arrive.
 ‘Name, Chapter, Allegiance’
 ‘I do not remember’
 ‘You do not remember who you serve?’
 'Serve? I do not serve anyone. I have seen 10,000 years of death and servitude, and I will see no more. I simply wish to die. You do not need my Name or Chapter for that. End it.'
 'That would be a waste of good gene-seed. You tell the truth? You are 10,000 years old? You are one of the First Founding?'
 'I was told that it is now the 41st Millennium, I do not remember much of the time that has passed. It is true that I served the Emperor. I saw Him in battle, I saw Him alive before He became a corpse. I served Horus'
 'Did you betray the Imperium?'
 'I did, and as such you should kill me as I am'
 'Aye I should. My ancestors would have. Many of my battle-brothers still would. But we do not have the luxury of wasting good gene-seed. You serve no one. No Gods? No allegiance to your parent chapter?'
 'I will not serve you Corpse worshipper! 10,000 years in those pits! 10,000 years of killing strangers. Killing for the sake of killing. 10,000 years of dying and facing the same unending death. I will not kill again. Please, give this Traitor his final deserved death.'
 'I will not cast you back into the field of battle, to kill strangers for a cause you do not believe in. If at the end of this conversation you still want to die, I will give you the Emperor's Mercy. But I ask that you consider another path first. I have many neophytes in my charge, who will go out to battle on my word and die as I ask of them. I want you to prepare them. Pass on your 10,000 years of experience to my recruits. Make them the very best they can be. Teach them, spar with them, protect them.'
 'You would have a heretic teach them?'
 'If I doubted your faith, I would not give them freely to you. I know that you regret your choice. If you did not then you would not ask to die.'
 '... I will not fight for you'
 'I do not ask it'
 '... Then I accept'
 'Your name?'
 'Mentoras'*"
— Memoirs of Mentoras, his first day aboard *Disparate Destruction*, adapted by a Rembrancer.
### About the Blades of Onyx

"*In a word, the Blades of Onyx are... ancient. Older than I, that's for certain. Officially, they are Renegades of the Imperium and must be apprehended. However, I have no will of the sort as I have encountered one of their number. They serve an ideal and a belief that has been lost at the dawn of the Horus Heresy. Never have they raised arms against fellow Astartes without provocation. They have protected the Imperium from creatures lurking in the darkness of the Ghoul Stars, away from the Astronomican, for as long as they have existed. This devotion to their duty as Defenders of Humanity is enough for me to consider to turn a blind eye to these black-clad warriors of the void.*"
—Elias the Kingmaker, Venerable Dreadnought of the Lightning Wraiths
"*Much to the chagrin of our fellow brothers an cousins, I'll say what must be said about them. Though many might say their censure has merit and basis in the events that led to their formation, they have only ever been stalwart defenders of Humanity. I had the opportunity to have an audience with Praetor Proxenus, it is a great irony that what might be called dishonourable by means of selling one's blade by much of our kin is done so with an integrity I find that they themselves are ultimately lacking. Never have they raised arms against Imperial forces nor our kinsman without any pretence to do so. To say any of their merit is based solely on their age is to deny what they have been doing since in the name of Mankind before we took up our spears.*"
—Satrap Hadraniel of the Third Spear of the Immortals in audience with Shahanshah Artaxerxes Hydarnes regarding the nature of the Blades of Onyx
"*If you had mentioned their name to me just a few years ago, I would not have even known what it meant. That changed when they brought one of my brothers home, risking discovery and punishment to honour his memory. I now not only know their name but also that they have their own sense of right and wrong, and a strong loyalty to the good of humanity. To have gone through their trials and still maintain this conviction is a credit to their strength.*"
— Regulus Alkaios of the Nemean Lions, in discussion with Promachos Amalyn of the Daughters of Athena during the Feast of the Ancestors.

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