Freeblade - Freeblade Heraldry: Despite the fact that there have been many cases of Freeblade Knights working in concert –- even as part of a household detachment –- over the Imperium's long history, the vast majority of them choose to fight alone. The reasons behind this solitary existence are many and varied, but it is certain that each Freeblade would have a long story to tell if ever they chose to reveal their past, though it is unlikely that the truth would be a pleasant one.It is their mysterious history that leads many Freeblades to forsake the heraldry of their house when they take up the mantle of the lone Knight. Unlike household Knights, Freeblades commonly choose a single colour as their suit's livery, adopting simple designs or patterns if any at all. As most Freeblades maintain no house markings, and few show any sign of Imperial or Adeptus Mechanicus alignment, it can be difficult to ascertain their past.They choose new colours and icons to represent their own personal quest or their newly-crafted identity. In some cases this new heraldry will give hints to those who know how to read the hidden meanings, even if only by omission. Many choose to only show significant iconography on their tabard, though even these are symbolically selective in decoration.A Freeblade Knight's choice of livery and what passes for heraldry is unique, and no two Freeblades will ever look the same. Many of these Knights choose to hide behind a cryptic name, though whether or not it is possible to discern a glint of a Freeblade's past from their choice of title is an enigma in itself. It is likely that after many long standard years of relentless warfare, some Knights may even have forgotten why they took their first step along the path of the Freeblade.A common symbol utilised by some Freeblades is the Icon Incognitus, depicted as a stylised "X" upon a Freeblade's Knight suit. An ancient symbol of anonymity, the X indicates a hidden identity, or a past identity that the bearer has chosen to discard. A prominent part of the Amaranthine's imagery is the Icon Incognitus. That Amaranthine wears this icon speaks not just of a past forgotten but one forcibly rejected by the Freeblade -- so disgusted was he with it that he marked himself with an X to wipe away the hated heraldry forever.Amaranthine is not the first Freeblade to make use of the Icon Incognitus, though he is by far the most famous. Over the millennia there have been many Nobles that have taken on the symbol to show their separation from their past. The Freeblade known as Hour of Reckoning bore the X upon his faceplate to show his hatred for House Miranor, to which he once belonged. Rumours say that rivals within his own House had killed the Noble's family. Choosing the path of the Freeblade, he cast off the distinctive golden faceplate of Miranor and replaced it with a sable Icon Incognitus.Another Freeblade known to bear the Icon Icognitus is Penitent Blade. The pale grey Knight appeared after the destruction of the Felcarn House, rumoured to have been corrupted from within by Chaos. Stories say that the Penitent Blade is the single surviving member of that family, the only one to escape the Inquisitorial purges and somehow proved his innocence. None now remember the heraldry or livery of House Felcarn, only the tireless efforts of Penitent Blade to vanquish the treacherous cults that plagued his homeworld, and the stylised X burned upon his hull.Some Freeblades prefer to project an overwhelming sense of menace, by painting their Knight suits in ominous colours, reflecting the threatening, single-minded nature and fatal intent of the Noble pilot within. Memento Mori sometimes feature heavily in such Freeblade's Knight suits. Skulls and crossbone motifs are often repeated, adding to the aura of death that hands around these Knights like a dark mantle. Often there are no other symbols beyond these symbols of death, which shows the importance of these icons to the Noble cradled within.