Dark Core

Dark Core armorial with corrupt iconography.

A Chaos Space Marine of the Dark Core Chaos Warband

### **Numbers**

Unknown Number of Chaos Space Marines and Daemon Engines (Large number of Hereteks and Chaos Cultists)

### **Specialty**

Destabilization of Worlds, Infiltration, Sabotage, Raiding, Demolition, Shock Tactics, Artillery Strikes, Rapid Assault, Psychological Warfare

### **Colours**

Black, Dark White & Yellow

"*Hear me my brothers! We do not serve the Four!
We shall deny Nurgle their flesh to fester and rot
We shall deny Khorne their blood and skulls
We shall deny Tzeentch their destinies and fates
We shall deny Slaanesh their pleasure and pain
Death to the Dark Gods!
For the Renegade God
For the True God of Chaos, Malice!
Let the galaxy burn!*"
—Balor to the Dark Core upon its formation.
The **Dark Core** is a large Chaos Warband that has gained infamy for the past ten millennia. They are infamous raiders and pirates, attacking various Imperial military forces such as naval ships, Rogue Traders, along with Xenos armies, colonies, and even fellow Chaos Forces, killing those that resist, forcibly recruiting humans and Astartes, and salvaging anything they can find, no matter their origins. This is because they are one of the rare few who worship Malice, the Renegade Chaos God of Anarchy, Vengeance and Nihilism. As such they see it as their duty to spread discord and destruction, fighting only the best enemies in order to appease their Dark God. Since they do not worship the other Gods of Chaos, they have little Daemons, instead forcefully binding lesser Daemons to machines, having a large number of Daemon Engines to serve them.

## Warband History

### Birth of Discord

The origins of the Dark Core are shrouded in mystery. Ancient records indicate that their leader Balor might have been a captain of the Sons of Horus, siding with the treacherous Warmaster during the Horus Heresy. Others believe he was a part of the Iron Warriors, the Night Lords or even the Alpha Legion. Whatever the case may be, he would be seen fighting on Terra when the traitors finally arrived at the heart of the Imperium. During that time Balor became ambitious, forming a delight in the anarchy he and the others wrought onto the planet and its populace. This pleasure eventually spread to those under him and before anyone could react, Balor and his forces began slaughtering many leaders and soldiers from other traitor legions, taking their forces under his wing. It is believed that at this point, Malice began to speak to him, whispering out from the eyes of the Four, enticing him to fall deeper into this wanton destruction.

Unlike those who begun to worship Chaos Undivided, to the slaves of Slaanesh who desired to have all things of pleasure, barbarians of Khorne who sought battle and blood, children of Nurgle that wished to spread plagues and disease, and disciples of Tzeentch that sought the dark knowledge of the Warp, the possibility of spreading unending war and anarchy to the galaxy appealed greatly to Balor, and soon he spread this desire to the rest of his brothers and mortal followers. By the time Horus was killed, Balor had already sworn himself to Malice and was making preparations to leave Terra before more loyalist forces arrived. Thus, he ignored Abaddon's command to retreat to the Eye of Terror, instead taking his own forces and striking out on his own.

During the Great Scouring that came after, Balor managed to avoid most of the vengeful loyalists' major forces, while at the same time building up his own warband. He would travel to worlds devastated by the civil war, salvaging whatever he could find. Whether they be weapons, armour, war machines, ships or even lives, Balor's forces continued to grow. They eventually settled on the now Dead World Eris, and it was there he stood before his forces and declared their allegiance to Malice, thus naming their new warband the Dark Core. Balor would henceforth focus on disrupting the plans of both Abaddon and the Imperium in order to make the galaxy into the ideal vision of Malice.

### Great Rift

The destruction of Cadia brought forth what is known as the Great Rift, a tear in reality that split the galaxy in two, the warp now opened and consuming countless worlds. Such an event benefited Malice just as it has the main Chaos Gods, with thousands of worlds now in anarchy and destruction, giving him even greater power. And of course, the Dark Core has capitalized on this, striking out where defenses are weak, taking advantge of the confusion to attack both Imperial, Chaos, and Xenos forces, spreading the word of Malice and taking millions of slaves and new recruits following countless raids and the destruction of worlds.

Among their most notable actions, many Barons have begun focusing their attention of the Adamas Sector, one of the few places that provides a stable route between Segmentum Solar and Segmentum Obscurus. Perhaps the main reason is that the sector is the home of the Astral Giants, a loyalist Chapter whom the Dark Core hold great animosity towards. This stems from countless conflicts over the millennia, with a hatred between the two sides that seems to eclipse that of any other shown by either loyalist or traitor forces.

## Notable Campaigns

* **1st Black Crusade (781.M31)**: The Dark Core struck against an Imperial Sector, razing worlds and taking slaves and other prizes. They left entire planets in a state of anarchy, striking down both loyalists and traitors alike. By the time they left, they had millions of new recruits, and several worlds suffered Exterminatus from Imperial Navy forces.

* **Death of Ydrin (816.M31)**:

* **Raid of Sortiarius (112.M32)**: A daring operation, the Dark Core warband fleet launched a surprise attack on the new homeworld of the Thousand Sons, the Planet of the Sorcerers, when the Daemon Prince Magnus the Red was away. Striking swiftly, the Dark Core Marines engaged against the Thousand Sons, killing many of their Chaos Sorcerers. They raided the city, Tizca, taking much knowledge and artefacts. By the time Magnus and reinforcements had arrived, the Dark Core had fled, escaping the Daemon Primarch's rage.

* **Slaughtering on Malik (299.M32)**: Malik was a Hive World and the Dark Core chose to begin their raids on the planet, gathering the mutants, cultists and hive gangs to their ranks, either willingly or forcibly. The next three months they began pushing back Imperial Forces until a Black Templars Crusading Fleet arrived. The sons of Dorn engaged the warband's mortal followers and slowly exterminated them. However, this was all a trap as the warband wanted to lure in a Space Marine force to plunder their ships. The Dark Core fleet came out from the shadow of Malik's moon and struck at the Black Templars' fleet. Boarding vessels were launched at the heretics and engaged their loyalist counterpart, who were unprepared for such an ambush. Led by Balor and Lolek, the Dark Core began overrunning the Black Templars, killing anyone they saw. Down on the planet, Estorax launched a powerful counter against the Black Templars and their PDF allies. Though the PDF sustained substantial losses, the Black Templars were utterly massacred, their armour and weapons looted. Balor himself personally took the head of the Marshal commanding the forces. Eventually, most of the ships of the Black Templars were either captured or destroyed. Satisfied, Balor recalled his forces and left with his newly acquired ships, letting Malik fall into civil war.

* **Clash on Veres (511.M33)**:

* **Brother vs Brother (666.M33)**:

* 4th Black Crusade (001.M34): This marked the warband's first major engagement with the Black Legion.
	+ **Battle of Titans**: On the dead world Kalt in the Kalt System of the Tesis Sector in the Segmentum Obscurus, the Dark Core learned of a mass burial of inactive Titans left after the Horus Heresy. Moving quickly they set off to require these war machines, only to find themselves coming into conflict with a massive Black Legion force, led by the then Lord Ravager. Fortunately, the Dark Core were able to trick the Black Legion into thinking they were reinforcements, where once close enough, they opened fire on them, destroying several Black Legion ships. While Tyros led the ground party to secure the Titans, Balor commanded the fleet to engage the Lord Ravager. Tyros was able to secure the Titans' location, and though they were outnumbered, the Dark Core's initial attack greatly reduced the air power of the Black Legion, allowing their aircraft to support their ground forces. Meanwhile, Balor and his Eyes boarded the ship that the Lord Ravager was on and engaged the Black Legion forces. After a lengthy battle, Balor took the Lord Ravager's head, a clear act of defiance against Abaddon himself. Balor cared little and took delight in this victory, both in securing the Titans and newly captured traitor Astartes, along with the coming conflict that would come for a new Lord Ravager.

* **Revolution on Dentus (895.M35)**:

* 5th Black Crusade (723.M36):

* **Age of Apostasy (M36)**: The era known as the Age of Apostasy was one of the greatest times for the Dark Core. As a warband who revelled in anarchy and discord, the multiple warp storms and corruption running amok across the Imperium was a paradise for them. The warband headed to numerous worlds, raising revolutions and uprisings across planets, performing raids against defenseless cities and confused fleets, and taking what they wanted including numerous prisoners and future recruits. Many Imperial Forces, even Space Marine Chapters, suffered heavy losses from the Dark Core's hit and run tactics.
	+ **Facing the Zeros**:

* 6th Black Crusade (901.M36):

* **Battle of Space Hulk *Olvad* (925.M36)**: Whispers had reached the Dark Core that the Space Hulk known as *Olvad* contained treasures dating back to the Dark Age of Technology. Desiring such tools, Balor sent one of his most trusted Barons, Estorax, to find, secure, and retrieve them. After locating the vessel, boarding parties discovered that the Space Hulk was already occupied by Orks and Chaos Space Marines of the Death Guard Traitor Legion. The Death Guard were fighting against the various Ork tribes for the same prize the Dark Core sought, leading to a three-way battle. As the Death Guard and Orks were already present before they arrived, Estorax's forces were at a disadvantage. Yet their specialty in demolition was useful, destroying portions of the Space Hulk to cut off enemy forces as they made their way towards their prize. Along the way, Estorax fought and slew the Death Guard Chaos Lord as they finally reached their goal. An ancient chamber back to the Great Crusade, belonging to the Adeptus Mechanicus, containing numerous archeotech weapons and even gene-seeds of one or several of the Legions. The Dark Core quickly took their prize before leaving, but not before setting off remote charges that crippled the Space Hulk to the point it broke apart.

* **Raiding Hermes Spaceport (682.M39)**:

* **Raid on Eidolon (222.M40)**:

* 12th Black Crusade (139.M41):

* **Warmaster Assassination (307.M41)**:

* **Tomb World Pylex (721.M41)**:

* **Invasion of the Poran Sector (733.M41)**:

* **Raid on Ultramar (745.M41)**: Taking a few months after the Battle of Maccrage, the Dark Core took advantage of the Ultramarine Chapter's wounded state after their vicious battle with the Tyranids to assault the planets near the border of the Realm of Ultramar. The warband's Brigades launched raids on several worlds, taking in resources and prisoners, while also causing several cults of Malice to rise in the aftermath of their attacks. Eventually, they were met by several Divisions of the Astral Giants, followed by the Ultramarines' 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 8th Companies, along with several of their Successor Chapters, and elements of both the Imperial Navy and Guard. Despite the losses they took and being forced to retreat, Balor felt satisfied with this outcome, as he had managed to do what had not been done since the Horus Heresy.

* **Battle on Khem (796.M41)**: It had only recently reached the Dark Core of the ancient Xenos race known as the Necrons. Intrigued by their weapons, which might be of use against the Imperium and other Chaos forces, Balor ordered that the closes Tomb World was to be found. This eventually led them to Khem, a jungle world presently abandoned by sentient life in the Segmentum Tempestus. The Dark Core began to immediately excavate the underground tomb when the warband was assaulted by the shifting shadows of Aeldari Harlequins. The xenos had come to prevent the Dark Core from activating their ancient foes, and a skirmish broke out between the two sides, which only worsen when a Mechanicus Explorator Fleet arrived. The three-way battle lasted for two months when the Necrons were awakened, turning the conflict into a four-way engagement. The Dark Core were immediately put at a disadvantage, surrounded by all enemies. Their fleet was already heavily engaged with the Adeptus Mechanicus forces in space, while the ground forces were attacked by Necrons from the rear, the flank was beset by Skitarii and Servitors, and the Harlequins continued a dance of death around them. And yet the Dark Core thrived on such confusion and disorder and by the command of their Overlord and Barons, rallied. Their mortal servants were sent to reinforce their troops against the Imperials, with boarding actions were taken against the Explorator Fleet. Warp Talons and Raptors were unleashed onto the Aeldari, their lightning-fast speed used to hunt down and slaughter the dancing Xenos. This allowed Balor to lead his main force against the Necrons, with Tyros commanding the warband's Daemon Engines, whereas Korwalk and Ygavile brought forth legions of Daemons of Malice to their aid. By sacrificing captured Aeldari, Ygavile was able to summon a Guardian of Contradictions and a Maiden of Malice, both of whom greatly aided the Warband when the Necron Lord summoned a shard of the Nightbringer. As the Greater Daemons made work of the C'tan, Balor engaged the Necron Lord, his Eyes dealt with the Lord's personal guard. Balor eventually slew the Necron Lord by melting through his chassis with his *Hell's Claw*, and Tyros made quick work of the device that enabled the Necrons to resurrect themselves. With the Necrons defeated, the Dark Core made short work of the remaining hostiles, the surviving Harlequins fleeing, while the remaining Mechanicus Ships were captured. Despite the losses they took, the warband achieved their original objective and gained new resources from the Imperial vessels and their surviving crew.

* **Slaughter on Solomon (998.M41)**: For several decades, Balor has heard rumors of an elite Grey Knight team, the Slayer Squad, under the command of an Inquisitor Maverus Issolux, hunting down Daemon Princes, preventing their summoning or creation. From there Balor saw an ingenious plan: If he could kill the squad, not only could he offer the Grey Knights to Malice, but send their ship back to Titan, filled with Dark Core forces and wipe out the homeworld of the infamous Adeptus Astartes chapter. To do so, Balor sent information of a Thousand Sons Chaos Warband on the Dead World Solomon, planning to bring forth the Daemon Primarch Magnus the Red. At the same time, Balor had Korwalk manipulate the warp to bring forth the Ork Warband under Warlord Zhurgrazak Madcrusha, the idea of gaining to loot of the Grey Knights would entice Da Big Collecta. The plan worked perfectly: When the Slayer Squad arrived, they were caught surprised by the large presence of the Orks. Several Grey Knights were killed before the Dark Core made their move, slaughtering more Astartes and wiping out many Orks. Balor himself killed Maverus, burning off his face with his Lightning Claw, *Hell Claw*. As Balor planned, some of the survivors managed to retreat to their Escort Ship, *Silent Dagger*, with a secret force of Dark Core Terminators under Chieftain Jinath. Unfortunately, before the ship could arrive at Titan, Jinath and his warriors were all killed, though they managed to slaughter the rest of the Slayer Squad save for one. Despite that, the death of several Grey Knights and a Lord Inquisitor was victory enough for the Dark Core, as well as thousands of Orks.

* 13th Black Crusade (999.M41):

## Organization

The Dark Core is a massive chaos warband, that is said to currently match the size of pre-Heresy Space Marine Legions through recruitment of mortals into their forces, combined with absorbing Renegade Space Marines. And though the Traitor Marines form the core of the Dark Core's forces, their numbers also consist of vast amounts of Traitor Guards, Mutants, Cultists, Hereteks, Pirates, Xenos, and anyone else willing to serve under them. These forces are further broken down into Brigades, which can be considered a mocking variant of the Companies used by Loyalist Space Marine Chapters. The size of each Brigade varies, in both Astartes and mortal servants, and thus the absolute number is unknown. These Brigades normally remain together to form a single massive force unless otherwise ordered by Balor to carry out a certain task.

### Ranks

#### Command

* **Overlord**: The Overlord is the Chaos Lord and leader of the Dark Core Warband. This position is held by Balor the Anarchist, the founder of the warband and Champion of Malice. It is by his command of how the warband acts and when it moves or not, with his word being absolute and those who defy him are met with death or worse. His will is the will of Malice and to deny it is to deny Malice himself. And he alone is allowed to bear the marking of Malice's sacred number on his flesh.

* **Barons**: Among the warband, there are those who earn favor from the Renegade God, proving their devotion by spreading even more turmoil and destruction than their traitor brothers. These individuals are called the 'Barons', Exalted Champions that serve Balor as his most trusted lieutenants and are a part of the warband's inner circle. Each Baron acts as just like a Captain of Loyalist Space Marine Chapters, taking command of what is called Brigades, groups of Chaos Space Marines in the warband, as well as other forces. And as recognition of their deep devotion to their god, the Baron is permitted to paint the number Eleven on their left shoulder plates, the sacred number of Malice. Some members also carry out other duties for the warband.

* **Chieftains**: The name for Aspiring Champions among the Dark Core's warriors, the Chieftains are veteran warriors, having experienced centuries of battles against countless foes. They lead the squads of the warband's forces, acting as field officers under their respective Barons and Overlord, just like the Lieutenants of the Loyalist Space Marine Chapters. Those who are Chieftains have the highest chance of becoming Barons, usually through issuing challenges of death matches, proving their worth through their actions, or murdering existing Barons.

* **Doomed Lord**: A title reserved for the one who has command over the Doomed Ones, the Doomed Lord's devotion to Malice is second only to Balor. The Doomed Lord serves as the Overlord's personal champion of Malice, entrusted to sow the greatest of destruction and eliminate those who would be worthy of sacrifice to Malice. In most cases, he will hunt down and kill Champions of the other Chaos Gods.

#### Specialist

* **Null Knights**: Also called Null Marines, Null Knights are the elite mortals who have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to Malice's cause towards total anarchy and infighting. In battle, they are utterly fearless and disciplined. What sets them apart from the rest of the warband however, is that they possess bisected skull helmets to honor their patron god. Null Knights are normally equipped with bolters and melee weapons, they prefer the use of those that can cause significant collateral damage. This includes explosives such as grenades and missile launchers. Because of their great devotion to Malice, the Null Knights act outside the Dark Core's command structure.
* **Doomed Ones**: The Aspiring Champions of Malice, the Doomed Ones are Null Knights given the blessing of wearing Terminator Armour. Bestowed power by Malice himself, the Doomed Ones are dedicated solely to spreading anarchy and destruction in their wake. Doomed Ones tend to favor either heavy weapons such as Reaper Autocannons or Plasma Cannons, along with brutal melee armaments like the Lightning Claws and Chainfists. Because of their zealous loyalty and dedication to Malice. they are separated from the warband's command structure, and thus do not follow the commands of Barons. Unlike the Chieftains, they take commands only from both the Doomed Lord and Balor, whom they recognized as the champion of Malice.
* **Harbingers**: Aspiring Champions, Harbingers are Chieftains that function similarly to that of a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter and Company Champions, serving as the foremost skilled warrior among their Brigade and as their Baron's personal bodyguards. Harbingers will normally lead the vanguard units, targeting enemy commanders and champions, killing them in order to demoralize the foe's morale.
* **Sorcerers**: Like many other Chaos warbands, the Dark Core have a large number of Chaos Sorcerers. These Sorcerers use the warp to sow discord and destruction across the battlefield or corrupt the minds of others to sow the seeds of anarchy into the enemy so that they will turn against each other. These mystic Chaos Space Marines are led and commanded by the warband's sole Sorcerer Lord, who also possesses a higher standing above the Barons.
* **Warpsmiths**: Highly valued, Warpsmiths are used by the Dark Core in the creation of Daemon Engines, which the warband uses heavily for battle. Along with that, they maintain much of the Dark Core's armada, alongside Hereteks, corrupt Servitors and slaves. It is not uncommon for one of them to be taking a commanding role during a campaign, as they are the ones responsible for keeping the dreaded warmachines of the Dark Core active.
* **Master of Possession**: A unique type of Chaos Sorcerer, Masters of Possession are highly valued by the Dark Core. Working alongside the Warpsmiths, they assist with binding Daemons into becoming Siege Engines. In battle, they will instead summon Daemons of Malice to aid them, or even command their warband's Daemon Engines and Possessed Marines.
* **Dark Riders**: The chosen few, these followers of Malice are deemed worthy to mount the daemonic steeds of their patron gods or the daemon engines the warband has made in the Renegade God's name. Clad with power weapons and side arms, these Heretic Astartes rush through the battlefield with wanton glee, bringing forth destruction and confusion upon their foes, and filling them with despair and fear. Very few have survived such a charge, and those that don't live long to tell the tale as the Dark Core infantry on foot is right behind their beast-riding kin.
* **Eyes of Balor**: The Eyes of Balor are a retinue of Marauders (Chosen) that serve as Balor's personal bodyguards and enforcers of his will. The Eyes zealously protect their lord when he is in battle, as well as from would-be assassins and possible usurpers. Their loyalty is obvious, the Eyes would gladly give their lives for Balor, in order to protect the greatest worshiper of their Dark God. Whether they be Terminators, Raptors, or other types of warriors, they are clad in Power Armour and wield Daemonic Weapons forged by the Warpsmiths and Hereteks of the warband, and painted on their armour is a white eleven, the sacred number of Malice. The one who leads them is given the title of *Great Eye.*
* **Heresiarchs**: Another specialist group unique to the Warband, Heresiarchs are Heretic Marines who serve similarly to Dark Apostles. They are dispatched to various worlds and convert the populace to the worship of Malice. Like Genestealers, the Heresiarchs will gather large groups of cults for years, slowly increasing their ranks until the time comes to strike back at the Imperial forces, raising their armies to keep them focused while the Dark Core armada strikes.

#### Infantry

* **Marauders**: The title to refer to the warband's Chosen. The Marauders are battle-harden Veterans and have fought in thousands of battles. They equip themselves with various weapons, some daemon-forged or taken from the corpses of fallen allies or enemies. Marauders carry out various roles, usually serving under the Chieftains of the Dark Core, while other times they will act as the personal guard of their respective Barons.
* **Chaos Space Marines**: The backbone of the Warband's forces, the Chaos Space Marines are hardened warriors dedicated to Malice, having thought in hundreds of battles against many foes. Their role is similar to that of loyalist Chapter Tactical Marines and Battleline Squads. They are equipped with a diversity of weapons, such as Bolters, Flamers, Meltaguns, Plasma Guns, Chainswords, Chainaxes, Power Fists, Power Swords, Power Axes, Bolt Pistols and Plasma Pistols. They are led by Chieftains, the warband's Chaos Champions
* **Havocs**:
* **Raptors**:
* **Bikers**:
* **Terminators**:
* **Warp Talons**:
* **Obliterators**:
* **Mutilators**:

### Heretic Units

* **Chaos Cultists**: The Followers of Malice, these are humans who have fallen to worship of Chaos form the bulk of the Heretics, known as Cultists. Most of these cultists are part of the Apocalypts, while others were once ordinary civilians come from various worlds, Feral Worlds, Hive Worlds and so forth and with different backgrounds, with many having been bandits, hive gangers, mercenaries, hive scum, and so forth. For the Dark Core, the cultists serve as a vital component of their tactics. Through the use of their sorcerers and infiltrators, the Dark Core raise chaos cults in the name of Malice. They then began causing uprisings, which are then reinforced by the Dark Core Chaos Space Marines. Afterwards, the cultists are taken aboard the warband armada to be used as auxiliary troopers or sometimes turned into new Chaos Space Marines. Many hide their appearance and go through rigid mental and physical training, as to be a being who follows Malice or his servants one needs great mental fortitude, and the ability to not display emotions so as not to fuel the other Chaos Gods. Thus encouraging the wearing of black and white masks. Beyond that, they do not possess any standard uniform, instead wearing an assortment of clothes and armor made from scrap or looted from corpses, along with various weapons, such as chainswords, axes, spears, knives, rusted or not, makeshift, followed by firearms of mainly auto weapons design, though a few have been known to be equipped with lasguns and other variants.
* **Agitators**: Specially trained mortal servants, an Agitator's role is to cause unrest on an Imperial World. Working under the Heresiarchs, they will assist with gaining new followers by seducing the populace with words of promise against those who oppress them, followed by leading riots and attacks on Imperial forces. Others will infiltrate positions of power to quicken the process of destabilizing the planet's forces until the Dark Core fleet finally arrives.
* **Traitor Guardsmen**: There have been many times over the millennia when the Dark Core will attack unsuspecting Imperial Forces. These Guardsmen will at first fight like all other servants of the Emperor, but as the warband begins to prevail, some see the hopelessness in fighting back. Giving in, these traitors will turn on their former comrades and commanders, joining the Dark Core. These soldiers still retain their military training, and serve as the second strongest force among the Dark Core, commanded by traitor commanders. They are more well armed and organized then the cultists drawn from the once loyal citizens of the Imperium. These mortal leaders some times serve as second-in-commands of Brigades underneath a Baron.
* **Chaos Ogryn**:
* **Dark Disciple**:
* **Hive Mutants**:
* **Death Cults**:
* **Beastmen**: An Abhuman mutant strain, the Dark Core have a large number of Beastmen in their service. Seen as the favored mortal followers of Malice, Beastmen are treated with a degree of respect by the Chaos Space Marines. They are given better weapons than cultists and other mutants. Among the beastmen include a number of Minotaurs in their ranks.
* **Hereteks**: Traitor tech-priests, the Dark Core have a large number of them. These former Adeptus Mechanicus members now work to craft vehicles and weapons capable of great destruction in the name of Malice. They along with Warpsmiths are placed under the command of the Baron Tyros.

### Daemons of Malice

* **Guardians of Contradictions**: The Greater Daemons of Malice, the Guardians are equipped with numerous gears and weapons to overcome their small numbers, including the dangerous Etherblades, volatile and possesses an aura of un-Chaos that dissipates any chaotic influences before slicing a daemon in two. The nature of the Guardians is to reverse the nature of whichever Daemon it faces. Guardians stand from the rear and form battle plans and strategic actions against their foes. Interestingly, whereas the Guardian is composed mainly of a large bipedal, skeletal jackal, it also comprises a second minor entity of that of a young woman forming the end of its tail. This secondary entity composes of a young beautiful woman, connected either by the neck to the Guardian or through her tailbone. If it is the latter, she resembles something overall human, albeit naked and her limbs being insectoid in appearance. These secondary entities are separate from that of the main Guardian, possessing a different mind of its own. While a Guardian is cold, calculative and merciless, the female entity is manipulative, formal and of high class. These entities prefer to wear modest clothes once they fully mature and often 'ride' on the backs of their Guardians as war mounts. When not in battle, these females discuss with their mortal followers what next plan to do. If a particular mortal gains her favor, she would then allow him to impregnate her while her Guardian sits uncomfortably close. Once done, she then later gives birth to a new Guardian juvenile. When Guardians of Contradictions are not in battle, they stand busy guarding the Eternal Mansion of Malice.

* **Maidens of Malice**: Originally the female entities attached to the Guardians of Contradictions, the Maidens of Malice eventually grow to become independent creatures. The Maidens act as matriarchs and the Heralds of the Renegade God, serve as priestesses whereas the Guardians are strategists and warriors.  They are also highly protective of their followers, almost motherly, that they will become enraged should harm fall to them. In battle they are extremely agile and wield Spear of Disorder, weapons capable of rending the laws holding their enemies' bodies together apart, quickly disintegrating any poor foe who faces their wrath. Maidens are also lightning quick and beyond graceful and acrobatic, leaping into the warzone with splits, somersaults and agility, like some sort of twisted act of a ballet. Like the Guardians, Maidens possess an aura of un-Chaos, dangerous to even Greater Daemons. Maidens are often found within the Eternal Mansion of Malice acting as teachers, scholars and practitioners of the dark arts towards aspiring mortals.
	+ **Matrons of Malice**: The strongest of the Maidens. These Matrons have become powerful and are greatly respected due to their many triumphs in Malice's name, though some may simply be the Maidens born of the greatest of Guardians, inheriting their respect from their progenitor.

* **Hook Horrors**: Also called Hooked Carrions, Hook Horrors are the Lesser Daemons of Malice. They are scavengers in the realm of the Lost God, consuming the flesh and souls of those Malice has deemed as failures. Hook Horrors resemble a skeletal vulture with their iconic hooks for hands. Hook Horrors form the basis of Malice's army. Though they might be considered cannon fodder, like the Guardians of Contradictions, Hook Horrors leek an aura of dread that infects both Chaos and Psykers alike. They are unpredictably fast and agile, evading bullet fire and closing in on their prey, their hooks sharp enough to pierce the hulls of the mighty Land Raiders. Hook Horrors are also sadistic. Furthermore, they possess an aura dangerous to Chaos and Psykers alike. In addition, Hook Horrors are skilled at disarming and dismantling equipment, much to the frustration of combatants, savoring the flavor of their victim's frustrations and pain when prevented from showcasing his/her talents.

* **Pandemonic Paradoxes of Malice**: Moving in swarms, the Pandemonic Paradoxes are daemonic beasts of Malice. Their large size has enabled them to rip a full-grown Space Marine apart. In Malice's realm, these arachnids hang around in Malice's Nest of Ironies, forming webs stronger than reinforced Ceramite, something the Dark Core will barter for to be used on their vehicles by offering them followers of Tzeentch, their favorite prey. Even in real space, these webs can entangle people, feeling a tug at their existence which though non-fatal, will make every instinct they have scream to escape this web. This feeling when near a Paradox has been nicknamed the Voice of Banishment, even though it is not a voice in the strictest sense. They normally reside in Malice's Nest of Ironie

* **Limbo-Ticks of the Anti-God**: Often shortened to just Limbo-Ticks, Limbo-Ticks otherwise known as Parasite Ticks are the main steeds of Malice. As their name suggests, these monstrosities resemble overgrown ticks the size of a horse. To further install its nightmarish nature, these abominations have a face that is an eery resemblance to a human skull with legs made from human-like hands. Despite its size, these steeds are lightning fast, outrunning even the best horses the Imperium can provide. Most often than not, these daemonic Ticks utilize their speed to hunt down and feast on the corpses of Nurglings, mulching down on their soft and plump flesh. An interesting note is that rot of a Great Unclean One doesn't affect these steeds, if anything it further alerts the Ticks on who is a bigger target to feast upon. Limbo-Ticks infest the Moving Towers of Malice, living in every crevice and hole in the crumbling tower, striking at anything that gets too close. Because of their ferocity and immunity to Nurgle's rot, it has been seen as a favored mount among the followers of the Dark Core. Limbo-Ticks are considered as the 'light' steed in contrast to the Nightmare's 'heavy' steed. This is because Limbo-Ticks despite their ferocity are relatively weak, to the point where even a humble Lasgun is enough to penetrate the light carapace of these terrors of the dark. Thus they are used in numbers to overcompensate their fragility.

* **Nightmares**: Known as the horses of Malice, the Nightmares are another steed of Malice. Though they look more akin to the horses employed by Imperium Rough Riders, these beasts are not to be underestimated for their appetite can only be quenched by the flesh of their God's foes in contrast to the more benign and herbivorous horses found in the Materium. The Nightmares have wicked talons on their hoofs, sharp jagged teeth in their maw and a weaponized tail of either a mace or a scorpion's stinger. Only the most powerful heralds of Malice would have the willpower and strength to subdue the beast. In battle, Nightmares are effective long-distance runners and a more powerful alternative than the Limbo-Ticks. While Nightmares are on a whole much slower than the Limbo-Ticks, they make up for it by being as tough as an Imperial Tank. Indeed it is common to see Lascannon fire simply being deflected through the ethereal skin of a Nightmare, dissipating the photonic bursts from the Lascannon into harmless light. It is for this reason that the most accomplished of Malice's followers are given the gift of this versatile mount, and for the Dark Core, they are highly revered as many a Baron has ridden them into battle. When not in battle, they are usually roaming the plateaus and plains of the Barbed Forests of Doubt where every tree and even grass are warped into cruel, spiked barbs that can cut deep into a person. Anyone who upsets Malice get sent here where they will be viciously ripped to pieces by the forest if the Nightmares themselves have not torn them apart first.

* **Parasite Riders**: Also known as Doomriders, Parasite Riders are heralds of Malice favored enough to be given the privileged to mount on the steeds known as Limbo-Ticks or Nightmares. This relentless calvary of the Anti-God shows no equal, mercilessly punishing the ranks of Chaos without even a hint of stopping. In battle, Parasite Riders will often form in groups of three but can sometimes form in a lance of eleven to further complement Malice. They often are used to scout a place and provide flanking attacks and supporting fire to other forces of Malice.
	+ **Doomhunters**: When a Parasite Rider becomes accomplished enough, he/she will be promoted to a Doomhunter. These Doomhunters act as leaders of a Calvary charge, often equipped with the best anti-Chaos weapons. Doomhunters are notorious for skewering multiple enemies at once, before chucking their lifeless bodies aside like mannequins. In the realm of Malice, Doomhunters and Parasite Riders often train with one another in the Great Oval of Unbelief.

### Daemon Engines

The Dark Core excel in possessing a large number of Daemon Engines. Many are of Chaos Undivided, however through study and experimenting, the warband has mastered in creating Daemon Engines dedicated to Malice only, granting them in utilizing war machines rarely seen in other Chaos conflicts.

#### Malice Daemon Engines

* **Doom Bringer**: The greatest creation of Tyros and his cabal of Warpsmiths and Hereteks, the Doom Bringer is an amalgamation of a bound Daemon Behemoth combined with the twisted engineering of Tyros. Rivaling a Bloodthirster in size, the Doom Bringer is a humanoid goat-like creature based on the Beastmen and possesses an array of terrifying powers. It is stored at the lowest parts of the Spire of Pandemonium on Eris. Only when the odds are against the Dark Core, the warband will summon the Doom Bringer and watch as it lays waste to all in its path. Those whom it kills have their souls consumed for the Dark Core to use as they, please.
* **War Tyrant**: A Daemon Engine created in the service of Malice, the War Tyrant is a massive amalgamation of corrupted machinery and daemonic flesh. Standing on two legs that either one or both can be made of metal, its left arm is replaced with a four-barreled cannon called the Hellblaster that can either fire a beam of warp energy or a salvo of Infernal Rockets. Attached to the right arm is a wicked single-edge blade called the Infernus Blade, capable of releasing arcs of warp fire.
* **Mind Spider**: An arachnid creature made of both machine and flesh, this being attacks both the body and mind. Utilizing its mounted Plasma Cannon and hidden grenade launchers on its side, it unleashes devastating attacks that can destroy even enemy armour. In addition, it can unleash a powerful psychic blast that can either stun or kill enemies nearby. The warband primarily uses them as shock troopers to overwhelm and disorganized trenched enemies or topple mighty structures on top of their foes.
* **Skull Howler**: Floating skeletal creatures, Skull Howlers are covered in warpfire. From this they can breathe the flames through their mouths like a flamethrower, burning all those unfortunate in their path. Should they sustain too much damage, these floating skulls will lunge towards the closes enemy with a mighty howl, disorienting the victim long enough for the daemon engine to burst into flames.
* **Gore Corruptor**:
* **Forge Reaver**:
* **Abyssal Flame**:
* **Infernal Sentinel**: Having the size of Chaos Obliterators, Infernal Sentinels are powerful melee constructs. Made entirely of demonic metal, held by warp-tainted flesh, these golem-like constructs can resist even the most daunting of punishment. Armed with Inferno Maces and Inferno Spears, these weapons can melt through some of the most durable of materials. A single Infernal Sentinel was enough to kill three T'au Battlesuits.

### Traitor Titans

* **Imperator-Class Titan**: The warband only has one Imperator-Class Titan, it and its crew are corrupted by Chaos. They unleash it only when there are no other options. Its warp-corrupted weapons leave devastation upon the warband's foes and leave nothing standing in its wake.

## Combat Doctrine

The Dark Core's main theme of warfare is destabilization. When the need for subterfuge, they will sow anarchy in worlds that are nearing the brink of war or plant the seeds of conflict into the populace. The warband's sorcerers use their dark magic in conjunction with infiltrated cultists and mortal followers to create turmoil and fights among the victim planet. These mortal followers will raise violent riots, bring malcontents together and undermine authority on the planet. They will arm those who fall under their sway while bringing them to worship Malice. In other cases, they will worsen relations between groups until what was once a united front has broken down into conflict. Once the planet is ripe, the Dark Core's agents will initiate war and drive the planet into self-destruction. The warband will then make planetside and assist in the carnage, taking what spoils they can find as well as new blood for their forces.

However, the warband also possesses a more direct approach. In open combat, the Dark Core leans towards fast and rapid assault, delivering swift and devastating strikes on their enemies. Whether in space or planetside, against one foe or numerous, the weak or strong, the Dark Core will attack without warning. On the ground, they will dispatch fast-moving forces, followed by their heavy artillery and vehicles, with drop pods landing in enemy territory to make the foes run in confusion. In space, they will pop out of nowhere to strike their targets, crippling them before launching boarding parties to take what they want and kill the rest. For raiding operations, the Dark Core focus on swift attacks, with hit and runs on their foes. Their fighters and guns will target the weakness of enemy vessels, crippling them until they cannot escape. They strike down valuable targets and when falling back, they draw in the enemies to finish them off. On many occasions they will target enemy commanders, killing them to sow confusion among the enemy officers and cripple morale.

Demolition and artillery strikes are a favorite form of warfare for the Dark Core, as they see it as a means of honouring their God. The reason being is that it will cause large collateral damage and causalities, affecting the psychological state of the defenders. Squads with explosive and heavy weapons would march forward without fear, firing their weapons to cause untold damage, taking delight in the destruction and the fear and confusion in the eyes of their victims. Air strikes and bombardments are another favorite, striking from the skies until the enemy is in ruins. Sometimes cultists will even be used as suicide bombers, using their fanatic and lack of self-preservation as an advantage. This will mostly be backed up by fast-moving forces like Bike Squads and Raptors, striking at close combat while the defenders are trying to sort themselves.

The warband also makes heavy use of Daemon Engines of Chaos Undivided, and sometimes, forcefully, those aligned to the Four Chaos Gods. They use these abominable war machines to sow terror and destruction upon their enemies, providing support for their troops. Along with that, they have a large collection of vehicles, now possessed by Daemons too and directed with macabre idols of worship to Malice. These daemons bring forth pure chaos upon the battlefield, sending the enemies reeling in terror and confusion.

## Beliefs

"*The purpose? What a silly question. Though I suppose our purpose would be quite simple: Chaos, just total chaos. No laws, no desires, nothing, just absolute chaos.*"
— Balor, speaking to a Canoness before crushing her head.
    For the Dark Core, all they desire is total discord, to spread lawlessness and anarchy throughout the galaxy. To them, the very thought of law and order is an affront to their Dark God, Malice. Whether directly or indirectly, the warband has sworn to ensure that every world is consumed in total devastation. Whether they are Imperials, Taus, Eldars, Orks, Necron, or Tyranids, the Dark Core will not stop until the law is destroyed and anarchy takes its place. In order to do so, they focus on worlds where conflict already exists, or where tension is slowly rising. They relish the chance to break the dam of order and peace, flooding the planet in total turmoil.

Not even the forces of Chaos are spared by their vendetta. While it is not uncommon for different Chaos warbands to fight one another, the Dark Core deliberately fight against other Chaos Space Marines, just as Malice opposes the other Chaos Gods. Also, like their god who feeds off the powers of the other Dark Gods like a parasite, the Dark Core are opportunists, using any advantage they can find to win a battle. When both sides are exhausted and weak, the Dark Core will strike without warning, slaughtering both sides with gleeful delight.

Another fact about the warband is that they completely remove all memories of their past. For them, who they were or where they came from no longer matters. Only the here and now is of importance to the Dark Core, and bringing ever glory to their god. In their view, by becoming a servant of Malice, their origins are merely another form of Order, that which binds them to a state of compliance and restrictions. One must be free of all restraints in order to truly serve Chaos, with only the minimal structure to keep the warband alive.

Strangely enough, there is an average amount of camaraderie among the Chaos Space Marines of the Warband. While they show no respect towards their mortal servants, the Dark Core Marines do not often cause disputes among themselves. Not even the Barons battle one another for power or try to plot against Balor. The Overlord himself also shows respect towards subordinates who have earned it or served with him back during the Great Crusade.

## Notable Dark Core Chaos Space Marines

* **Overlord Balor the Anarchist**: The founder and lord of the Dark Core warband, and a champion of Malice. Once a Captain from one of the Traitor Legions (speculated to be Black Legion), Balor left out on his own after the death of Warmaster Horus. Ignoring the squabbling of his fellow Captains, Balor and his company, along with a few others, ventured out to find their destiny. Eventually, they fell under the worship of the Renegade Chaos God. Now he leads his ever-growing warband on a path of destruction and death, battling anyone in his path, whether they be Human, Tau, Eldar, Ork, Necron, Tyranid or even fellow Chaos Forces. Whether directly or indirectly, Balor is determined to fill the galaxy with lawless, indiscriminate battles, all in Malice's name. And while some of his plans also aid the other Chaos Gods, Balor knows that those victories will still satisfy his Renegade God, as Malice feeds off the growing power of his fellow Chaos Gods. An Astarte of impressive height, Balor wears an Artificer Armor called the *Fell Armor* with a Phaeton Heavy Lift Jump Pack, forged by his Warpsmith and Hereteks, and blessed by several Chaos Sorcerers. The Jump Pack is capable of disappearing and reappearing on Balor at his will. Integrated into the chest piece of the armor is a skull, which is said to be the skull of Horus, first Warmaster, taken from his corpse after he was killed by the Emperor. It releases a black mist-like substance around Balor that protects him from nearly anything. For weapons, Balor wields the *Hell Claw,* a daemonic Power Claw that has an augmented Volkite Caliver built into it on his left arm and retractable claws. From this, it can release powerful bolts or beams of thermal energy made from Warp Fire that can tear through Terminator Armour, or heat up the claws to high levels. He also carries the *Mad Soul*, an ancient Daemonic weapon in the form of a spiked Mace. This dark weapon can control gravity, attracting and repelling objects and people. The gravitational energy around the mace also delivers powerful shockwaves that could stun or kill a person.

* **Chief Warpsmith Tyros of the Dark Forge**: The Chief Warpsmith of the Dark Core, Tyros has built and modified many of the warband's weapons, as well as commands the other Warpsmiths and Hereteks, in addition to being charged for turning captured Daemons into Daemon Engines. Tyros desires to build numerous weapons and machines of war, before setting them loose onto the galaxy in order to watch their performance. However, after he will merely break them apart and rebuild them with different designs, and test them out again. The reason is that Tyros' ultimate goal is to simply build the designs he sees within his twisted mind, and bring his machinations into reality. He is also a collector of Xeno technology, particularly that of Necron and Eldar. Tyros wears a Power Armor he himself built, along with wielding a Power Axe and a Bolt Pistol, along with a Mechatendrils, the signature tool of all Warpsmiths, with his having several demonic heads at the end of each arm, equipped with tools used for building or fighting, in addition to a Servo-Harness equipped with a Flamer, Plasma Cutter, Servo-Arm, and a Conversion Beamer attached. He is normally accompanied by a squad of Obliterators and Daemon Engines. In recent events, Tyros has begun a conflict with the Leagues of Votann, taking an interest in their technology.

* **Sorcerer Lord Korwalk the Disaster**: The warband's Sorcerer Lord who leads all the others, Korwalk is a powerful user of the Warp, focusing the chaotic energy to create discord and disasters among his enemies. When not unleashing powerful warp energy on the battlefield, he and his cabal manipulate unsuspecting foes and victims when advancing the warband's desire for turmoil and destruction among the worlds. In addition, he is also a seeker of knowledge, searching and collecting forbidden lore for the purpose of one day finding a means to help his god overthrow the other deities of Chaos. He utilizes a daemon weapon in the form of a staff called *Malum*, which contains a powerful demon inside. The staff amplifies his powers and allows him to manipulate the minds of multiple beings from great distances. Along with that, he carries a Plasma Pistol as a sidearm but rarely uses it. Korwalk is always seen with a creature he calls **Brytralik**, a Warp entity that he conjured. It appears as a silver creature in the shape of a large spider with six extendable tendrils with pincer claws at the tips coming out of its back, which it uses to protect and fight alongside its master. The tendrils are strong enough to lift up objects with five times the mass and can impale even Terminator Armor.

* **Great Heresiarch Ygavile the Convertor**: Once a Chaplain of the Word Bearer Legion, Ygavile joined the Dark Core sometime after the 1st Black Crusade, becoming the first Dark Apostle or Heresiarch of Malice. He became convinced that worshipping Malice was the same as worshipping Chaos Undivided: Malice represented the true nature of the Ruinous Powers. It is his duty to 'convert' the prisoners of the Dark Core into the service of Malice, usually through torture. In battle, he wields the signature Accursed Crozius that all Dark Apostles carry and a Combi-Grav Pistol he stole from an Imperial Fists Legion officer during the Siege of Terra. Regarding his Corzius, Ygavile's is, in fact, a Daemon Weapon, with the power to imbue insanity that they will either die from the rush of emotions and thoughts or succumb to Ygavile's will, though those of stronger will resist. Ygavile also leads the Heresiarchs, the spiritual heretical warriors of the Dark Core.

* **Great Eye Morak the Collector**: Leader of the Eyes of Balor, Morak is responsible for the personal protection of the Overlord, killing all those who sought to end Balor's life. Morak has rightfully earned his title for slaying numerous enemy champions and leaders. Whenever on the battlefield or off, Morak will seek out only the strongest of foes, attacking with bloodlust that can match a World Eater. Upon his victory, he will take the opponent's head, keeping it as a grisly trophy. In battle he carries a Power Flail, a Bolt Pistol and finally the *Droch-Shùil*, a Daemon Weapon in the shape of a black shield with a massive vertical eye in the center. The shield can reveal all hidden foes, no matter what methods they use to conceal themselves. Weak minded enemies are sometimes driven mad by merely staring into the eye.

* **Master of Possession Abanok the Puppet Master**: One of the warband's strongest sorcerers, the Master of Possession Abanok takes command of the Possessed of the Dark Core. He prefers to use human puppets to instil disorder into a planet's government or use prisoners and have them possessed by Daemons to act as cannon fodder in battle. When capturing loyalist Space Marines, those who choose not to join in the service of Malice are left to Abanok to become Possessed Marines, ripping out their souls in the process. Sometimes Abanok will work with Tyros when creating new Daemon Engines. For his wargear, Abanok wields the *Soul Bind*, a Daemon Weapon in the form of a Force Staff with a lantern shape top that releases greenish flames. This artefact helps  Abanok control the weak-minded from a distance, controlling their actions, seeing their memories or driving them mad with nightmares.

* **Chief Apothecary Dalthar the Twisted Spinner**: A researcher of the biology of various races, Chief Apothecary Dalthar stalks the battlefield searching for new research material, living or dead. When not in battle, he keeps to himself aboard his secret laboratorium, assisted by corrupted Servitors as he experiments. Primarily though, he is in charge of the warband's gene-seed, overseeing the rows of chem-vats to grow the organs that would be transplanted into aspirants to create new initiates. During those times he will also develop new means to use chemical warfare, taking note of the effects of his weapons when used on a populace. In combat, Dalthar carries a Chainsword and a Narthecium on his right arm. Finally, he uses the *Farbe*, a pistol of archeotech or other ancient origins. This pistol has firepower equal to a Bolt Pistol, but fires bullets filled with various chemicals made from organic samples that Dalthar 'feeds' to it. He and his personal entourage of Marauders are currently working with Gudel's Brigade in hunting down the Clone Lord, Fabius Bile. Dalthar and Balor wish to make use of the infamous Apothecary's talents for their own and to have him pay for his past treachery.

* **Lord Discordant Varron of the Wild Stampede**: The warband's strongest Lord Discordant Varron of the Wild Stampede leads the many Daemon Engine and Beast riders known as the Dark Riders into battle. He has gained notoriety for leading his Brigade into the thick of battle, crushing down anyone in his path under his personal Helstalker, *Rugore*, armed with an Autocannon and Techno-Virus Injector. Varron's Impaler Chainglave, *Inferno Spark*, possesses a unique power that causes anything it cuts to combust in a torrent of flames. Recently, Varron has gone to challenging various Tyranid Strains against Rugore. In one of his latest battles, he killed a Hive Tyrant, taking its head as a trophy.

* **Doomed Lord Krekos the Destroyer**: Among the warband, Krekos' devotion to Malice is second after Balor, hence he was given the title of Doomed Lord, master of the Doomed Ones. He is adorned in a specially made Terminator Armour, equipped with what appears to be Cyclone Missile Launchers mounted on the armour. However, these launchers never seem to run out of ammunition as Krekos is always unleashing devastation to all before him. This leaves his arms freed to be equipped with dual Lightning Claws, allowing him to cause havoc at close range.

* **Baron Rhygor the Turmoil**: The Chaos Champion Rhygor has served Balor since the Great Crusade. Once a Sergeant under the then Captain, Rhygor the Turmoil joined the rest of the legion into the grasp of Chaos with their Primarch. When Horus was killed, Rhygor followed Balor into the service of Malice without question. Since then, Rhygor has served as the Dark Core's second, commanding the warband in Balor's name. Along with wielding a Reaper Tongue's Plasma Pistol, Rhygor also carries the *Soulshredder* a Daemon Weapon in the form of a Power Axe. This dark weapon not only cuts flesh and armor, but the very soul of Rhygor's victims too. He has recently become a rival of Omael Farion, Commander of the Astral Giants' 3rd Division.

* **Baron Estorax the Behemoth**: One of the oldest members of the Dark Core, Estorax is a powerful Baron. Earning his title due to being taller than most of his brothers, nearly reaching the height of a Dreadnought. He has led many raids on both Imperial and Xenos worlds, causing destruction wherever he goes. Silent and deadly, Estorax wears a modified Terminator Armor to suit his massive stature, and wields a Reaper Autocannon in one arm, while in the other is a Chainfist. Estorax's loyalty to Balor is unquestionable, having once saved the Chaos Lord's life. His favorite targets among other Chaos Forces are Champions of one of the Four Gods, taking their armour and weapons as trophies while defiling any altars they made for their patron god.

* **Baron Nagurin the Bloody Vulture**: A Chaos Space Marine Raptor, Nagurin enjoys leaping from the skies upon his victims and foes, seeing their faces contorted from shock to horror as he rips through their bodies. His brigade consists mostly of Raptors, as well as Warp Talons, and is usually the first into any battle or raiding. Strangely his body is covered in a black mist that seems to block most attacks, acting as a shield for Nagurin. For wargear, he wields a Lightning Claw and Chainsword that are covered in an acidic poison that can melt through even master-crafted or warp-tainted armor.

* **Baron Onairus the War Taker**: An interesting one, Baron Onairus is a warrior to his core. Onairus will do anything for a challenge. He will lead his Brigade across worlds, slaughtering cities and its inhabitants in order to draw out fighters to face him. Even the idea of plunder does not interest him, and Onairus is fine with leaving that to his Chieftain Lieutenants. He wields a Power Halberd, coated with Warp Lightning that can be fired at a distance. In addition, Onairus has equipped a storm bolter to his left wrist that that fires specially poison covered ammunition.

* **Baron Movax the Death Raider**: The warband's greatest Chaos Biker Champion, Movax moves about looking for new prey. Movax is usually at the front at the battle, crashing into defensive positions and sowing terror among the defenders with his Brigade. He especially loves clashing with Loyalist Bike Squads, taking the heads of their leaders. His personal bike is adorned with twin-linked bolters and retractable blades that when they lash out, cut down anything or anyone in his path. In battle he will carry a Chainaxe and Plasma Pistol.

* **Baron Kokabiel the Soulless Angel**: The Baron known as Kokabiel comes from unique origins. Not from any of the Traitor Legions, Kokabiel originated from the First Legion, the Dark Angels. He fought in the Great Crusade even before Primarch Lion El'Jonson was found. However, he fell under the influence of Chaos and followed the 'Arch-Betrayer' Luther against his former brothers, thus becoming one of the Fallen Angels. The unexpected Warp Storm had, like the other Fallen, sent Kokabiel far away from Caliban when it was destroyed and away from the vengeful loyalists. Three centuries after the Horus Heresy, Kokabiel was discovered by the Dark Core, alone, confused and without a reason to live. Seeing a potential assest, Balor manipulated Kokabiel into joining the warband and swearing fealty to the Renegade God, Malice. In his despair, Kokabiel did so willingly, and eventually rose up the Dark Core's ranks. He now scours the galaxy, recruiting other Astartes who have been forsaken and searching for other Fallen Angels. Wielding a Plasma Gun, Kokabiel's Power Sword that he carried during his time as a Dark Angel was altered by Tyros, now infused with Warp Fire.

* **Baron Quinzec of the Shifting Menace**: A unique Possessed Marine, Quinzec was once a sergeant of the Sons of Horus when he sided with his Primarch. Sometime during the Siege of Terra, he gave his body to an unknown Daemon who was a servant of Malice. This Daemon allowed Quinzec to keep his conscious and he eventually became a Possessed Chaos Champion. He later joined the Dark Core after the death of Horus, rather than regrouping with the now named Black Legion back to the Eye of Terror. A lethal close range fighter, Quinzec can change the shape of his arms to form various wicked weapons, or cause warp infused bones to stick out from his armor.

* **Baron Jorel the Eradicator**: Jorel is the Chaos Champion whose Brigade excels at heavy firepower. A Havoc Champion and former Destroyer Marine, Jorel leads either from the front or the rear, directing his followers on where they can deliver the most devastation. Accompanied by his own Havoc Squad and numerous Cultists, as well as a Maulerfiend, Jorel lays waste to all in front him. His favorite weapon is a Daemon-Forged Missile Launcher that is attached to his back. The launcher fires specialize projectiles that when explode, release warp fire and several small cluster bombs at the same time. And despite having been known to fire constantly, Jorel never seems to run out of ammunition. And even if one gets close enough to Jorel, he is more than capable of defending himself through the use of his Chainsword and Plasma Pistol, along with his Melta Bombs.

* **Baron Tarolath the Dread**: A master of fear, Tarolath excels in sowing disorder and horror among both enemy soldiers and citizens. Whether its hanging mutilated bodies for all to see, spreading promises of pain and death through the Vox channel or simply unleashing destruction, Tarolath will ensure his enemies do not even have the courage to stand, let alone fight. Recently he has taken pleasure in breaking the spirit of the normally iron willed Sisters of Battle, and fights using a Power Scythe and a wrist-mounted storm bolter. His most recent actions have had Tarolath attacking Cardinal Worlds, with Ophelia VII being his ultimate prize.

* **Baron Jithor Elagon the Butcher**: Jithor was once a loyalist of the proud Blood Angels during the early 36th Millennium. During the Age of Apostasy, Jithor and his battle-brothers had finished quelling another uprising when they were returning to Baal when they were caught in a Warp Storm. The constant flux of Warp Storms had happened recently during that age, and this one brought forth the Dark Core. Boarding the Blood Angel Strike Cruiser. When Balor struck down the Company Captain, Jithor suffered from one of chapter's curses, the Black Rage. Visions of Primarch Sanguinius facing Horus filled his mind and Jithor succumbed to wanton madness. He struck at anyone near him, friend and foe alike. Rather than being shocked or angered this mad warrior, Balor was amused and intrigued. After sometime, his followers were able to capture Jithor and brought him aboard his fleet. Through Chaos Sorcery and torture, Jithor was brought to heel, trapped in a state of tranquil fury. He now serves as a powerful shock trooper, leading other Dark Core Astartes into battle as a Chaos Champion. Eventually he managed to regain some sanity and rose up to become a Baron. In battle he charges in with a Chain Greatsword, having been made by Tyros and infused with daemons to increase the sharpness of their blades.

* **Baron Zyneus of the Deadeye**: Once a Legion Vigilator, Zyneus was left for dead by his brothers during the 32nd Millennium and captured by Dark Eldar. Decades of torture had broken Zyneus, leaving only a cold killer with no mercy or pity. When the same Kabal holding him was attacked by the Dark Core, Zyneus broke from his restraints, killed the Haemonculi who had long tortured him and then slew the Archon, presenting his head to Balor. Zyneus has since served the warband as a ruthless sniper, killing leaders and instilling terrors into his victims. This trait is due to Zyneus channeling the rage from his imprisonment onto anything or anyone he sees, especially Loyalist Space Marines. He wields a Daemon Weapon called *Aestuetis,* which takes the form of a Stalker Bolter, it's capable of following its targets and the rounds can pierce through any metal or flesh.

* **Baron Vutrius of the Black Flame**: A Chaos Lord, Vutrius is noted for wielding a unique Warpflamer, called the *Struxere Pyram*. The Warpflamer holds a powerful daemon within it, increasing its power and spewing black flames, hence the source of Vutrius' moniker Along with the usual, yet still deadly function, Vutrius can unleash powerful balls of fire that exploded in a glorious inferno upon contact. This volatile fire is capable of destroying even armoured vehicles with merely one or two shots. In addition, Vutrius also carries a Chainsword and Bolt Pistol with him as secondary weapons, and is known to use specialized grenades that release flames upon release.

* **Baron Yganok the Fiery Bull**: Another Bike Champion, Yganok charges on an attack bike equipped with mounted dual meltaguns. These weapons will burn through anything or anyone in Yganok's way. And those who survive are cut down by either his Chain Spear or Bolt Pistol. In recent times, Yganok has taken to fighting against the Tau forces, engaging their own vehicles and battlesuits to see if they can withstand his attacks. He has made an enemy of himself towards the Mo'Cal Sept, having killed several of their greatest heroes during early campaigns.

* **Baron Angrim the Meteor**: A Chaos Raptor Champion, Angrim fought in the Horus Heresy, though he does not disclose which of the traitor Legions he was a part of. He took part in the Drop Site Massacre, hunting down surviving loyalists and claims to have once fought Primarch Corvus Corax before moving on to attack Terra. His epithet comes from the fact that his preferred method of attack is to land straight in the middle of enemy forces with his troops. Upon scattering the enemy he guns and cuts them down with dual Bolt Pistols with attached combat blades. At present, he's assisting most of the warband's forces in taking advantage of the recent Plague Wars.

* **Baron Lo'sax the Ferocious**: Equipped with a Jump Pack, Lo'sax leads his Brigade from the air. A fearless individual, Lo'sax enjoys nothing more than plunging into the middle of the enemy's forces or the chaotic battlefield itself. Taking enemies by surprise brings him dark satisfaction as he quickly cuts them down. He carries a powerful Daemon spear, gifted to him by his god. When it strikes, it releases a powerful explosion that either seriously maims or kills the unfortunate target. Lo'sax doesn't even fear the risk of being caught in his own explosion, preferring the risk as he takes delight in the devastation he and his brothers cause on the battlefield. For range combat, Lo'sax will make use of a Bolt Pistol, but most of the time prefers the use of his favored melee weapon.

* **Baron Aramon the Plunderer**: Aramon is a notable Baron, having raided many Imperial Forge Worlds and space stations over the millennia. He commanded the second-largest Brigade in the Dark Core and recruited many cultists, mercenaries, renegades, mutants and pirates under his banner. His forces were the first of the Dark Core warband to come into contact with the Tyranids, where Aramon killed a Swarmlord on his own. In battle, he wields a Chain Hammer, something only a person with great strength such as Aramon can wield, and a wrist-mounted Storm Bolter. He has recently assisted the Daemon Prince of Malice, Diablo, in striking worlds under the control of the Four Chaos Gods within the Great Rift.

* **Baron Furhaz the Undying**: Furhaz originates from the Iron Warrior Traitor Legion. Once a Warsmith, he had led his Great Company against the legion's hated foe, the Imperial Fists during what became known as the Iron Cage. During the battle, Furhaz led a strike against the Fists, intending to assassinate Rogal Dorn, the Imperial Fist Primarch. It failed, Furhaz was stopped and critically wounded by then-First Captain Sigismund. He had lost both his legs and his left arm, along with a portion of his face. His brothers had been killed. Eventually, the battle ended and Furhaz was abandoned by his Legion. His hatred towards Sigismund, the Imperial Fists and now the Iron Warriors is what kept him alive, and eventually drew the attention of Malice, followed by the Dark Core. Saved by them Furhaz quickly rose up through the ranks, and as the centuries went by, he became a Baron, gaining a reputation of surviving any wound. Wearing dark blessed Terminator Armour, he now wields a Power Maul blessed by Malice. Armed with a combi-bolter too, Furhaz enjoys attacking ships belonging to Iron Warriors and Imperial Fists, including successor chapters of the latter, such as the Black Templars.

* **Baron Hemort the Silent Fear**: Hemort was once a Headsman of the Night Lord Legions' Terror Squads. Born on Nostramo, Hemort's entire life has been one of spreading destruction and terror, even before he joined the Legion. One of the reasons he joined was because he was in awe of the Primarch Konrad Curze's terrifying reputation, and when the Legion fell into Heresy, Hemort gladly joined. He took part in the Thramas Crusade, where he slaughtered loyalist Astartes of the Dark Angels and White Scars. When Konrad was assassinated, Hemort became disheartened and even grieved for the loss of the one he admired so much. Having no interest in the coming strife of who should succeed the Night Haunter, Hemort proceeded to murder his company's captain along with those who refused to submit to him. When the legion divided, he and his small warband took part in several raids which mostly consist of slaughtering refugees, before they ran into the newly formed Dark Core Warband. There he was shown the power of a Chaos God he did not know about, Malice. Seeing how this god represented everything Hemort wanted, he and his warband swore loyalty to Balor. Impressed with his prowess and devotion, Balor made Hemort a Baron. Now Hemort goes into battle with his old Lightning Claw that has been enhanced, and a Combi-Plasma Pistol. He rarely talks, and when does Hemort will only speak through the vox. Hemort mostly focuses on bringing other Night Lord Astartes into the fold, as well as hunting for Corona Nox.

* **Baron Gudel the Relentless Hunter**: Wielding a Bolt Pistol and a Daemon Weapon in the form of a long thorny whip called *Niflheim* that delivers the icy touch of death, Gudel is known to never stop chasing a target no matter what. Very few have escaped him and those who have been captured are taken to suffer a terrible fate. The only way he can be discouraged is if he is commanded by Balor or receives a dark omen from his god. When he does not, Gudel will leave a trail of destruction when hunting for his prey, uncaring of the consequences. Presently he and his brigade are assisting the Dark Apothecary Dalthar in finding Fabius Bile, a hunt Gudel is determined to succeed. His mission was put on hold when Balor ordered all brigades to convene during the beginning stages of the Thirteenth Black Crusade, but Gudel is eager to resume soon.

* **Baron Mephirak the Demolisher**: A brutal Chaos Champion, Baron Mephirak has left nothing but ruin and death in his path. Equipped with Terminator Armour, a Heavy Flamer and a Power Axe, any foe that has stood before him has been reduced to charred corpses that are practically unrecognizable. He takes great satisfaction with burning the putrid gardens of Nurgle, and has come into contact with the Death Guard Legions thousands of times. five thousand years ago, he fought against Typhus. The resulting clash caused him to have replaced most of his flesh with bionics because of the poison the Nurgle Champion left. This meeting birthed a deep hatred in Mephirak towards the sons of Motarion and now he takes every chance to ruin the followers of Nurgle's plans.

* **Baron Hestur the Life Ender**: A rather sadistic yet methodical commander, Hestur is noted for brutally killing his foes and yet methodically at the same time in order to bestow the right amount of despair into the enemy. Wielding his Chain Glaive, Hestur has his followers do the same, and hanging the heads of their victims on their armour and vehicles used to inspire fear and despair into their foes. Most recently, he now wishes to add the head of Inquisitor Xander Jarak to his collection, after the Perpetual foiled his plan of plunging the Sub-Sector Karan into anarchy and destroying several shrines to Malice. This also makes him target other Inquisitors who are members of the Novus Conclave, which Xander leads.

* **Baron Vudire the Phantom**: A master close combatant, Baron Vudire flies into battle on a Jump Pack, wielding both a Power Fist and Hand Flamer, the latter taken from a slain Salamander Astarte. He will cut through his enemies with wild brutality. Survivors have described him as moving darkness of death, leaping from one place to another, leaving nothing but the remains of his victims. In addition to his melee weapons, Vudire also carries a Bolt Pistol as a sidearm. In recent years, he has begun engaging the Space Wolves, as well as their recently introduced successor chapters of the Ultima Founding. This has also brought him into contact with the Thousand Sons Traitor Legion too, not that Vudire minds as it merely adds more bodies for him to crush.

* **Baron Brughast the Howler**: A tall, silent, and brooding Chaos Terminator, Brughast takes the simplest delight in causing destruction on whatever or whoever he faces. A skilled demolition expert, Brughast prefers the use of overwhelming firepower rather than stealth and tactics. Along with his daemonic Terminator Armour, Brughast also wields an Assault Grenade Launcher he took from a dead Death Guard's Grave Warden during the Siege of Terror. For melee, he carries a unique Power Fist that whenever it strikes, releases a powerful sonic scream, capable of killing weaker beings and leaving even stronger ones deaf or hard of hearing. The rounds his grenade launcher fires are designed to be highly volatile, capable of destroying Dreadnoughts with just a few shots.

* **Baron Ezgar the Wall Crasher**: Serving under Balor, Ezgar commands his forces from a top of a Chaos Rhino, fighting in the thick of battle against heavy armoured troops and vehicles. He yells over the sound of his reaper autocannon that fires specially made rounds meant to destroy fortifications with small explosions upon impact and carries a Bolt Pistol and Chainsword. Ezgar has become the bane of both the Imperial Fists and Iron Warriors, these two known for their siege combat skills. In addition to his Chaos Rhino, he also commands from an Infernal Relic Predator Tank, designed to bring maximum destruction.

* **Baron Demastur the Butcher**: A mad warrior, Demastur prefers fighting up close to see the look of fear and anguish in his foe's eyes. But most of all he enjoys the rush of battle, taking delight in the maddening moment of combat, where all order is lost and only anarchy remains. He takes even greater joy when fighting against vicious fighters such as the Orks, Space Wolves, and servants of Khorne. Demastur's primary weapons are a pair of Power Axes covered in warp fire that can both burn and cut his opponents at the same time. In addition, he carries a Bolt Pistol on his person too. At present, his Brigade is with Brughast's in hunting down the Ork Warboss, Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka, hoping to take advantage of the Ork's WAAGGHH!

* **Baron Devlash the Murderous**: A former Moritat, Devlash happily joined and worshipped under Malice, seeing the Renegade God as the one who best personified the core meaning of the Moritats. He will happily gun down anyone in his path, whether they be soldiers or civilians, with no remorse or hesitation. In fact over the ten millennia, his Brigade has earned infamy for having the highest number of causalities of any world they have visited and has earned Devlash much hatred from his enemies. Devlash will commonly duel wield a pair of plasma pistols linked to his jump pack via plasma cables. His person is protected by a powerful barrier that will absorb most attacks to feed his Daemon-made handguns. Since the opening of the Great Rift, his Brigade has been engaged with T'au forces.

* **Baron Sidon the Discordant Snake**: Once a Headhunter of the Alpha Legion's Effrit Stealth Squad, Sidon joined the Dark Core sometime after the conclusion of the Great Scouring. He immediately earned recognition for having caused the most effective in demoralizing his enemies, utilizing his Disintegrator Combi-Gun and a Combat Knife covered with a powerful toxin. Entire worlds have been left in disarray from Sidon's actions, eliminating leaders and thus leaving a power vacuum opened that has caused planets to collapse on themselves from infighting. Armies have been rendered vulnerable by his kills of their Generals, allowing his Brigade to pick them off easily. At present, Sidon is hunting down Sly Marbo, having once lost track of the famous Catachan Jungle Fighter.

* **Baron Ruthral the Eliminator**: Adorned in Terminator Armour, and wielding both a Chainaxe and Combi-Melta, Ruthral is absolutely dedicated to Balor and the worship of Malice. Thus, he will personally hunt down Chaos Warbands aligned with a certain god and will cut them down without hesitation. Other times he and his brigade will instead eliminate any threats to the warband, as well as those who would insult Malice. His efficiency has earned him even fear from his own fellows, as Ruthral will even kill those who have failed him or attempt to usurp control of the Dark Core. At present, Ruthral is assisting Korwalk in locating Ahriman, the Thousand Sons Sorcerer Lord having manipulated Balor in another attempt in gaining access to the Black Library.

* **Baron Talocius of the Reaping Tempest**: An unforgiving Baron, Talocius will show no mercy to both enemy and ally alike. In battle, he wields a deadly Power Flail and cares not who is near him as he swings it in a random and deadly pattern. To go near him during this time is to welcome death, as those struck are sent flying, crushed, or worse. And even if they somehow get past the lethal weapon, Talocius is hardly defenseless, as he carries with him a Bolt Pistol and Xerxes Arm-Mounted Chainblade on his left gauntlet.

* **Baron Galdel the Pain Bringer**: Galdel is a Baron who delights in torture as much as he does in causing destruction. Because for him, the two are one and the same. Galdel prefers on capturing prisoners, torturing them until they break and are willing to do anything to be free of the pain. This includes even betraying their own allies as Galdel will sometimes unleash them as undercover operatives to cause discord among the enemy. And not just physical torture, but psychological too, as Galdel's forces will attack from multiple areas, or have his sorcerers create illusions to cause panic and paranoia among his foes until they are at each other's throats. Matching his sadistic personality, Galdel will primarily wield a pair of flensing serrated blades designed to cause maximum pain.

* **Baron Hougan the Void Menace (dec.)**: Hougan was an infamous Baron, perhaps second only to Balor in his devotion to Malice. His Brigade would strike against various fleets no matter their purpose or race. He would loot their supplies, take their crews as prisoners and add their vessels to his fleet. Hougan's action would also cause great turmoil for the nearby worlds, leaving many undefended or lacking needed supplies such as food, causing massive uprisings and fighting to happen. Eventually, Hougan met his end in 733.M41, when he joined Balor in invading the Poran Sector, killed by the then Commander Marcus Z Barland after killing the Supreme Imperator of the Astral Giants.

* **Baron Sizar the Death Trail (dec.)**: A stone-cold killer, Sizar had garnered a reputation for leaving few survivors in the wake of his attacks. An opportunist as well, Sizar did not back away when a noteworthy prize was in sight. He participated in the Gothic Wars, striking numerous worlds, especially Industrial Worlds and Ports. Sizar's main goal was to steal Abaddon's Planet Killer but was killed by Faleus Eckarl, the High Cleric of the Astral Giants.

* **Sorcerer Rhytoth the Phantasm Conjurer**: A master in the art of illusions, Baron Rhytoth prefers using deceit and treachery to complete his goals. Forming illusions so powerful not even a psyker can see the deception, Rhytoth has caused dozens of worlds to collapse as people turned on one another. That doesn't mean that he lacks combat skills, for in battle he will lead his Brigade against his foes, unleashing powerful spells that attacks his enemies' very minds.

* **Sorcerer Davnon of the Cruel Storm**: A Chaos Sorcerer, Davnon is a master of warp lightning. Capable of conjuring even storms, he can strike down numerous victims with lightning bolts that can fry their armor and burn their bodies to a crisp. Here nearly destroyed the Blackstone Fortress, the *Infinite Singularity,* with his electricity overloading the station's systems before being forced to retreat by Loyalist Forces.

* **Sorcerer Angax the Earth Breaker**: Both a sorcerer and a warrior, few have faced Angax in battle and not fallen under his chaos magic. Commanding the very ground he walks upon, Angax will raise up pillars of the earth to cause discord among his foe's armies, creating earthquakes to topple buildings and send his victims falling into fissures. When fighting, Angax wields an ancient daemon spear that he uses to channel his powers and fight his enemies.

* **Sorcerer Eretrius the Dark Metallic**: A sorcerer who has mastered the manipulation of metal, Eretrius is an opponent very few have survived against. Capable of warping metal to the point they are not even recognizable. Many war machines have been corrupted to Ertreius' will and brought into the service of the Dark Core. He works closely with the warband's warpsmiths in constructing new and more dangerous Daemon Engines.

* **Urkraron the Death Cry**: A Doomed One who leads a squad of Null Knights, Urkraron has fully devoted himself to Malice's services. Whenever in battle, Urkraron will focus solely on destroying everything and everyone around him, leaving unspeakable devastation in his path. Entire settlements and armed convoys have been known to be utterly destroyed by his hands. Most notably, Urkraron will target chaos cults or champions dedicated to one of the Four Chaos Gods. He carries an Astartes Grenade Launcher called *Brullen*, capable of launching projectiles that will unleash a powerful shockwave upon contact, delivering a concussive blast.

* **Harbinger Zel'Drak the Shadowed One**: Serving directly underneath Balor as his assassin, Zel'Drak is feared by both allies and foes alike. Silent and brooding, the Warp Talon Zel'Drak rarely talks and is said to give a feeling of dread to those in his vicinity. Zel'Drak is able to stalk the battlefield hiding his presence, not revealing himself until it is too late. More importantly, Balor uses Zel'Drak and his pack to eliminate those foolish enough who seek to overthrow the Anarchist, or to put fear into the warband's mortal followers and keep them in line. Other times he will be used to cause confusion among enemies, killing leaders and other important figures to cause morale to plummet. Zel'Drak fights with a pair of specially made Daemonic Lightning Claws that can cut through even Necron metal and is capable of becoming both invisible and initiating short-range teleportation.

* **Chieftain Lofar the Vandal**: Serving directly under Balor back during the days of the Horus Heresy, Lofar is a ruthless and loyal warrior. He will not hesitate to kill large numbers of lives in order to complete his goal. Lofar's strength allows him to pick up a fully-armoured Space Marine by the neck with one hand, and snaping it with ease. What is most notable is Lofar's almost fanatical loyalty to Balor. He will always be by his master's side, protecting him from any threats and has been known to execute those who give even the smallest hint of doubt towards the Overlord. When in battle and beside his master, Lofar is clad in Chaos Terminator Armour, wielding a Combi-Bolter with a poisonous bayonet and a Daemonic Chainaxe that causes whatever it touches to rot as its teeth shred it to bits.

* **Chieftain Modred of the Scarred Metal**: A Terminator Marine, Modred fought on the Tomb World Pylex, leading the warband's vanguard forces to engage the Xenos. There he killed scores of Necrons, including several of the Necron Lord's Lychguard. He survived the battle, taking one Lychguard's head as a trophy, and is presently taking part in a hunt for the Necron known as the Silent King.

* **Chieftain Demanacus the Silencer**: Leader of a team of elite Raptors, Demanacus is usually the first into battle upon his Overlord's command. Wielding a pair of serrated Chainaxe and Bolt Pistol, Demanacus and his Raptors will sow chaos upon the enemy forces or eliminate enemy commanders before their victims can react. Demanacus had been the one to lead the assassination attempt on Warmaster Abaddon, having slain several of his personal guards. The only survivor of the failed attempt, Demanacus lost his voice due to a serious injury and is now only capable of letting out loose grunts. Despite that, he and Baron Estorax were able to save Balor, thus earning the Overlord's favor. He waits for the chance to redeem himself and take the Warmaster's head.

* **Chieftain Inguthal the Thunder Fist**: Though he does not speak much, Iguthal's actions more than speak up for him. Donning Terminator Armour, Inguthal accompanies Korwalk as his bodyguard, protecting him from foes when in battle. Equipped with a pair of Lightning Claws that have been imbued with serrated edges to cause maximum pain. Indeed for with these weapons, none have ever gotten close to Korwalk and live to tell the tale.

* **Chieftain Rhydred of the Cursed Hand**: Serving under Kokabiel, Rhydred wields a bionic left arm with a Lightning Claw attached. He lost his original arm against the Manticores chapter when said Astartes came to capture the Fallen. He is now working with Kokabiel in an attempt to drag all the Unforgiven Chapters towards Malice.

* **Chieftain Asrion**: Serving under Baron Sidon, Asrion is currently on Armageddon, using the three-way conflict between the Imperium, the Orks, and the forces of Khorne to find a means of bypassing the defenses to reach Terra. Asrion is also trying to find any Titans that were damaged during the last two wars.

* **Chieftain Malrus the Life Tamer**: A slave master, Malrus' role is to command and dominate the slaves of the Dark Core. Malrus will break those under him until they can no longer disobey him. Those who are struck by his power whips are pushed to fight impossible odds, even giving their lives for victory. In fact, it is well known that Malrus will turn many of the mortal servants under him into fanatical suicide bombers to create discord and confusion among the enemy forces.

* **Chieftain Farlas the Vanisher**: Once a Scout Marine Veteran, Farlas fell to Malice through unknown means. Keeping to his training, Farlas will disappear into thin air, striking down a target before anyone can react. He carries with him a Sniper Rifle and Astartes Shotgun.

* **Chieftain Jinath (dec.)**: A Chaos Terminator, Jinath had been entrusted by Balor to lead the strike force aboard the *Silent Dagger,* the Escort ship of the Grey Knight Slayer Squad. His followers immediately battled against the surviving Knights, their serfs, the Imperial Storm Troopers and Combat Servitors. Though they managed to kill most of the crew, the traitors were eventually routed. Jinath himself faced off against the Grey Knight Terminator Thrapheus Ventatanus, both killing one another in an epic duel.

* **Chieftain Kalbus the Dark Eye**: Kalbus has always been entrusted by his Baron Estorax to lead the vanguard during every campaign. A skilful scout and infiltrator, Kalbus has been responsible for sabotaging planetary defenses, causing vehicles to malfunction and setting up traps that have left the whole world wide open for Extorax's main force.

* **Chieftain Hezdire the Poison Tongue**: Once serving as the right hand of Baron Sizar, Hezdire desired vengeance on his killer, Faleus Eckarl of the Astral Giants. He got his chance when he orchestrated his death on Grig, nearly causing conflict to arise between the chapter and the Ecclesiarchy. He has become an enemy of Faleus' successor, Darius Zalezar.

* **Chieftain Varmus (dec.)**: A deadly Raptor Champion, Varmus took part in the attempted assassination of Abaddon the Despoiler. Despite the attempt being a failure, Varmus was able to kill one of Abaddon's Chosen before being slain by the Warmaster himself, impaled through by the *Talon of Horus* before his body was ripped apart.

* **Chieftain Davgar the Dark Fanatic**: The personal bodyguard and right-hand of Ygavile, Davgar is always by the Converter's side, overseeing the "conversion" of the new recruits and followers of Malice. Both in and out of battle, he will be carrying Ygavile's personal banner, clad in tainted Chaos Terminator Armour and cutting down anyone who attempts to slay the Heresiarch.

* **Chieftain Sektrax the Will Crusher**: Serving under Brughast, Sektrax holds a strong bond with his Baron. He will always lead the Brigade's force at the front, crushing his foes with his Power Maul or gunning them down with his wrist-mounted storm bolter. Despite his success over multiple foes and in many campaigns, Sektrax has a habit of underestimating his enemies, a fact that annoys Brughast who has many times been forced to reign in the young Chieftain. There have been moments when the Chieftain has even earned Balor's ire.

* **Igron the Flesh Bane**: Once a Veteran Terminator of the Iron Warriors, upon falling under the thrall of Chaos and later joining the Dark Core, Igron was transformed into an Obliterator. He has lost the majority of the flesh that once made up his body, now replaced by warp-tainted metal and his armor fused to his body. His body contains an arsenal of lethal weapons, ranging from Autocannons, Lascannons, Plasma Cannons, Heavy Flamers and Power Fists. Guided by Tyros, Igron now stalks the battlefield in Malice's name, bringing destruction and death to those foolish enough to face him.

* **Fughast the Drought**: A loyal battle-brother, Fughast had served the Dark Core since the Horus Heresy. He fought at the Siege of Terra and killed several Traitor Captains, bringing their forces under Balor's command. During the Fifth Black Crusade, Fughast had been severely wounded, losing his limbs and most of his face before being dragged to safety by his brothers. Unwilling to die, Fughast instead had himself entombed into a rare Hellforged Leviathan Dreadnought. Now he fights alongside his successor, Vudire, as his second. He mainly goes equipped with Hellforged Siege Claw and the Hellforged Siege Drill, but will also use the Butcher Cannon or Grav Flux Bombard.

* **Armos of the Ferocious Wrath**: Once a member of the Black Legion, Armos had been sent by Abaddon to assassinate Balor because of his constant sabotage of the Warmaster's plans. Instead, Armos' team was killed, and the Chaos Champion was forced into a Helbrute Dreadnought and was driven mad. This monster is a one-man army, armed with a Power Scourge and a Twin-Linked Lascannon, Armos is let loose upon the warband's enemies with unrestrained malice. He takes delight in causing carnage upon his foes, his lust for battle and destruction so great that even his comrades keep their distance. And yet they admire his wanton destruction too, taking dark joy in his work. When not in battle, Armos is kept chained and sealed within one of the warband's ships.

* **Mainyu the Life Bane**: Very little is known about the one who resides in the Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought. More so if Mainyu is his true name. However, the Dark Core hold him in reverence, even Balor, professing he is an avatar of Malice. It is indicated that he might have been the first Null Knight. Whatever the case may be, when Mainyu is on the battlefield, the warband's forces are inspired to fight harder for their God. Those who stand before him are left strewn corpses thanks to his dual Power Claws with the right having a built-in Storm Bolter and the left with a Plasma Blaster. Because of his importance to the warband, Mainyu's maintenance is overseen by Tyros personally.

## Non-Astartes Members

* **Baphomet**: A powerful psyker, the Beastmen Sorcerer known as Baphomet is a mystery to all except a few. It was actually Baphomet who, under the instructions of the Daemon Prince Diablo and Malice, influenced the now Dark Core in the service of the Renegade God. His powers are said to be on par with Chaos Sorcerers and Space Marine Librarians. So far, Baphomet is also the only one who can control the Doom Bringer, the warband's most powerful Daemon Engine dedicated to Malice.

* **Lysitor Dragus**: Once a decorated officer, Lysitor grew up on the now destroyed Cadia. Like many, he was one of the many victims of Chaos incursions, losing his entire family and many friends at a young age. Fostering a grudge against Chaos and even the Imperium itself for allowing this to happen, Lysitor happily joined the Cadian Shock Troops. He began as a part of the 8th Regiment and even served alongside the famous Ursarkar E. Creed. Eventually, he was promoted to Colonel and Lysitor was given command of the Cadian 13th Regiment. Lysitor commanded his troops through many campaigns, the most notable was during the Third War of Armageddon, where Lysitor lost both his right arm and left leg, replacing the latter with a peg leg due to a low number of bionics available at the time. It eventually grew to him, Lysitor stating it gave him an eccentric look. However, he soon became disillusioned by the constant fighting, seeing no point it protecting a dying empire. This led to him falling under the sway of Chaos, but rather than serve one of the Four, he instead found service in Malice. Under the Renegade God, Lysitor felt liberated by the chance to unleash complete destruction and anarchy, and joined the Dark Core Warband. He now commands the Chaos Cultists and Traitor Guardsmen in the warband and is the only mortal Baron. As a reward for his loyalty, Lysitor was given the *Rutilas*, a pair of duel Daemon Swords that release red warp lightning.

* **Hzad Jerico**: A heretic, Hzad was once a Explorator Magos on an Explorator Fleet, searching for STCs in the Segmentum Pacificus. His fleet had the misfortune of running into the Dark Core forces, who launched themselves at the Mechanicus ships. The void battle went over for two weeks and during that time, Hzad became fascinated by the Daemon Enginers the warband had created. Wanting to learn more, he set up a private meeting with the Warpsmith Tyros. Tyros agreed to teach him if Hzad surrendered his forces to the Dark Core. His curiosity and thirst for knowledge greater than his loyalty, Hzad sold out his warriors and fellow tech-priests without hesitation. Those who followed became a part of the Dark Core, those who did not were killed. Hzad now serves as one of the warband's foremost in technological research.

* **Toras Von Makendel**: Once a Lord Admiral of the Imperial Navy, Toras turned his back on the Imperium and the Emperor during the 12th Black Crusade. Always one for power and ambition rather than faith and loyalty, Toras eagerly joined the Dark Core, killing those who would not join him. Among the non-Astartes, Toras has earned favor from Balor and commands the Dark Cores' fleet under the Overlord and Barons.

* **Narthal Izzan**: A Princep who served the Imperium back during the Great Crusade, Narthal Izzan sided with the traitors during the Horus Heresy. Commanding the Imperator-Class Titan, *Purgatorium*, Narthal battled on Terra with the other Traitor Titans, before being captured by Balor after Horus was killed. He soon found himself in the service of Malice under the Dark Core warband. Warped by the energies of Chaos and the machinations of Tyros, Narthal and his Moderati have long since fused with their Titan, a twisted union of machine and flesh kept chained in the depths of the *Tiamat's Maw*, when not in battle.

* **Los Va**: At an unknown time, the Dark Core managed to bring the Eversor Assassin Los Va into their fold. No records indicate when Los Va had betrayed the Imperium, but it is speculated that the assassin was originally assigned to kill Balor, but failed and was thus turned to their side. Los Va has since been used to sow terror into the enemy's forces, eliminating their commanders and leaders during the warband's campaign of anarchy across the galaxy.

* **Fydiaz**: Originally an underhive gang leader, Fydiaz was forced from her life when it was discovered she was a psyker. Put into the role of a Primaris Psyker, Fydiaz resented her new position, feeling that her life was not hers to command. Naturally, this caused troubles for her during the Damocles Gulf Crusade when her Imperial Regiment was facing Tau Forces. During the battle, Fydiaz unleashed her pent up resentment in the form of a powerful psychic blast, killing both enemies and allies alike. She would've been executed by the Regimental Commissar if the Dark Core had not arrived. Korwalk had led his Brigade along with Tyros under Balor's command, wishing to see the strength of the Tau. Noticing Fydiaz's potential, Korwalk killed the Commissar and offered the psyker a chance to unleash her true potential onto an Imperium that held it back. Fydiaz willingly took the offer, and now serves as the most powerful mortal psyker of the Dark Core.

* **Aslax**: A Beastman, Aslax was a slave to the Planetary Governor of the Hive World. He was used as an Auxillary with other Beastmen and mutants, sent to deal with uprisings and invaders, and seen as nothing more than cannon fodder. For many, the survival rate was a year, two at beast, yet Aslax has been fighting for the Governor for over five years, coming back from each battle stronger than ever, as was his hatred. Eventually, Aslax led a revolt, leading the Auxillaries and other elements in the lower levels of the Hive World against the Planetary Defense Force. The battle was bloody and by the time Aslax took his revenge and killed the Governor, reinforcements of one of the Space Wolves' Great Companies had come. Still, Aslax fought on, even killing a Grey Hunter and taking his Power Axe for his own. While many of his comrades were killed, Aslax and a few Beastmen were able to escape off-world and eventually found themselves in the service of the Dark Core. Since then, Aslax has used his looted weapon to kill those who once enslaved him, taking great joy in doing so.

## Homeworld

### Eris

    To the Dark Core, the world Eris serves as their personal home and domain, located in the Eye of Terror, Eris was once an ancient and advanced human civilization that could have matched some of the Hive Worlds today and naturally joined the Imperium of Man during the Emperor's Great Crusade, brought into the fold by the Luna Wolves. However, when the Horus Heresy began, internal strife and civil war erupted among the populace as nobles and lords fought for control. Lives were lost, lands were laid to waste and cities fell to ruin. Eventually, a massive warp storm consumed the planet and brought it to the edge of the Eye of Terror, just near realspace.

Now the planet is a Death World, a widespread wasteland with only a few scants of life. The descendants are divided into various tribes, settlements, bandit groups or mutant clans, focused only on survival. These people possess limited technology, most of which dates back to old Earth, including auto weapons. Furthermore, there has been an increase in Beastmen on the planet, caused by the warband bringing Chaos serving Beastmen to the planet to repopulate and serve in the warband. The Dark Core allow this, as it lets them gather only the strongest to join their forces.

The warband are known to the inhabitants and are feared as the tyrannical rulers of the planet. Balor rules from the *Spire of Pandemonium*, a massive fortress built on top of the ruins of what was once the planet's capital. A maze-like structure, filled with gladiatorial arenas, dungeons, sacrificial alters, torture chambers and more. It is a place of nightmares that not even the Sorcerers of Tzeentch can follow it. Deep below is where some of the more dangerous individuals and artefacts are kept, including the Doom Bringer.

## Warfleet

The Dark Core has amassed a massive armada of ships. Many were once under Balor's command during his time as an Adeptus Astarte of the Imperium, before joining Horus' rebels and then separating from the others when retreating from Terra. Over the millennium they have seized many ships, from the fleets of the Loyalist and Traitor Space Marines, Imperial Navy, Rogue Traders, Pirates and so on, along with their crews, forcing them to join their ranks or killing them by ejecting them into space. The warband have also struck Ship Docks and Forge Worlds to acquire ships or the resources needed to build them. The only ones they do not have are Battle Barges and Strike Cruisers.

### Battleships

Battleships are among the strongest of the Dark Core's fleet. Given their size and firepower, Balor awards them to Barons and other followers who have served him well. Thus most of the time they serve as the flagships of the warband's individual brigades.

* **Tiamat's Maw**: The sole Battle Barge of the Dark Core, the *Tiamat's Maw* also serves as their fleet's flagship, the personal warship of Overlord Balor the Anarchist.
* **Despoiler-Class**:
* **Desolator-Class**:
* **Desecrator-Class**:

### Cruisers

Chaos Cruisers of various types serve among the Dark Core Armada. They are put under the command of the warband's Champions, the Chieftains. As well as high-ranking renegade commanders. They serve as the bulk of the fleet, supporting the Battleships.

* **Retaliator Grand Cruiser**:
* **Repulsive Grand Cruiser**:
* **Executor Grand Cruiser**:
* **Furious Grand Cruiser**:
* **Archeon Heavy Cruiser**:
* **Hades Heavy Cruiser**:
* **Hellfire Heavy Cruiser**:
* **Styx Heavy Cruiser**:
* **Hecate Heavy Cruiser**:
* **Carnage Cruiser**:
* **Devastation Cruiser**:
* **Murder Cruiser**:
* **Slaughter Cruiser**:
* **Inferno Cruiser**:
* **Hellbringer Light Cruiser**:

### Escort

Escort-class ships are numerous among the Dark Core. They serve as bodyguards for the larger ships that carry the Overlord, Barons and Chieftains. Many times they are used as vanguard forces to engage the enemy while the rest of the armada joins in.

* **Iconoclast Destroyer**:
* **Idolator Raider**:
* **Infidel Raider**:
* **Soulcage Slaveship**:

## Warband Appearance

### Warband Colors

Chaos Space Marines of the Dark Core warband are primarily colored in black, with the trims, elbows, and edges painted a dark white, both colors used to show the warband's devotion to Malice. The rivets, Chaos Star and horned helmets are a dark golden color.

### Warband Badge

The symbol of the Dark Zone is a white version of the signature Chaos-pointed star. At the center of the star is a black skull. The two colors are the sacred colors of Malice and is usually placed on the right shoulder plate.

### Allies

* **Diablo**

*Feel free to add your own*
### Neutral

* **Fabius Bile**
* **Vashtorr the Arkifane**

### Enemies

* **Astral Giants**- There exists no greater foe towards the Dark Core than the equally mysterious loyalist chapter the Astral Giants. Their officially opened conflict began during the Age of Apostasy when Balor slew the revered Astral Giants Marshal Kane Bonsoon. Since then, the two have faced one another numerous times, each one strengthening the hatred towards one another. And yet, the hatred that the Dark Core and Astral Giants have for each other seems deeper, perhaps even deeper than the animosity that the Space Wolves and Thousand Sons have. Rumours among others suggest a long, dark history between them, increasing the mysteries of their origins.
* **Forces of Chaos** - It is not rare for different Chaos Warbands to fight one another, such is the price for those who wish for the favor of their gods. This is no different for the Dark Core, except they willingly engage other forces of Chaos, whether they be Traitor Legion warbands, Chaos Cultists, Daemons, Mutants or Renegade Regiments. This is connected to their god Malice, who opposes the other four Chaos Gods. The Dark Core will steal the prizes of other warbands, robbing them of their sacrifices for their gods to appease Malice, and conduct raids on Traitor Legions, stealing their weapons and armour, and the occasional 'converting' towards the worship of Malice. Most notably during the Black Crusades, the Dark Core will engage both Chaos and Imperial Forces, slaughtering them all to steal the prize or pulling out once both sides are too wounded to fight back. Balor has on more than one occasion, engaged forces directly under Abaddon, earning the Warmaster's ire.
* **The Four** - Referring to the four main Chaos Gods: Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle and Slaanesh. As a servant of the Renegade Chaos God Malice, the Dark Core are the natural enemy of these four. They will not hesitate to attack their followers or steal their prizes. This of course has earned the warband the animosity of those who worship them, primarily the World Eaters, Thousand Sons, Death Guard and Emperor's Children Traitor Legions.

### By the Dark Core

"*Gaze upon it, my brothers! The beauty of true Chaos! No order, no law, no peace, nothing but endless discord and destruction, all for Malice!*"
— Balor speaking to his inner circle as they watch a planet wracked by wars they caused.
"*To build endless machines of war. To set them loose upon the galaxy and watch them wreak havoc, and then break them down and rebuild them into new designs. In other words - infinite possibilities.*"
— Tyros as he created a Daemon Engine
*Feel free to add your own*
### About the Dark Core

"*Despite their madness, Chaos forces have at least a reason, a goal for their atrocities. These ones do not. All they desire is untamed carnage and destruction. Truly they are the most dangerous of all the dregs of Chaos I have ever encountered.*"
— Marcus Barland, Imperator of the Astral Giants Chapter.

 Tzeentch Warbands
 Nurgle Warbands
 Slaanesh Warbands
 Chaos Undivided Warbands
 Malice Warbands
 Minor Chaos God-Aligned Warbands

[Source]