Cypher - Notable Sightings: It is impossible to track the deeds of Cypher with any degree of accuracy. Most confirmed sightings come, not surprisingly, from the Unforgiven Chapters. They keep painstaking records on Cypher -- codifying every rumour, documenting every potential sighting –- so that entire chambers of the librarius are devoted to mere speculations about their nemesis. Over the millennia, there have been a few Inquisitors who have brushed upon the possible existence the Fallen Dark Angels, though they have not recognised it as such. In no more than a handful of their datascroll records, there are even mentions of Cypher in particular -- although he is not always identified by name. There are several missing documents in these collections, which is largely due to intervention of Cypher himself. If anything, Cypher's movements with other renegade forces are even less well documented. The main reason there is any visibility into these dealings comes from the Logbook of Condemnations seized from the The Scourged by the then-Grand Master of the Deathwing, Valefor, during the Battles of Grimtide:First Contact? (Unknown Date.M31) - It is likely the Dark Angels experienced their first run-ins with the Fallen identified as Cypher during their quest to discover new recruiting worlds. There are over a dozen entries recorded citing mysterious circumstances, acts of sabotage and casualties amongst both the Dark Angels and their potential recruits. These attacks influenced which worlds were originally chosen (or not chosen, as the case often turned out to be). In hindsight, several Librarians have suggested these attacks were instigated by Cypher. Certainly the Massacre on Olney and the loss of the Legion's last remaining Stormbird on the moons of Sestus bear his mysterious hallmarks.The Forgotten Wars (580.M31-632.M32) - The Dark Angels, along with successor Chapters the Angels of Vengeance, the Angels of Redemption and the Lions Sable, embark on the trail of multiple Fallen. The clues lead them through Segmentum Obscurus and deep into the Gothic Sector. Only in hindsight do the Dark Angels realise the extent of the trap that had been laid for them. It was known that Cypher existed for hundreds of years before this campaign, but it was this event that shocked the Unforgiven Chapters into realising the true magnitude of the danger he represented.Truly Forgotten (ca.M33) - The Apocrypha of Davio lists the following as Second Founding Chapters derived from the Dark Angels: Angels of Absolution, Angels of Redemption, and the Angels of Vengeance. By this time the name Lions Sable has already been lost.Battle of Vermilac Prime (822.M33) - Cypher's timely intervention prevents the Orks from looting the Lion Helm and the Sword of Secrets from the slain body of the fallen Supreme Grand Master Alloken.Saviour of Praxus (997.M33) - The Angels of Redemption find sedition upon one of their own recruiting worlds. Cypher, under the guise of the Saviour of Praxus, has been manipulating recruiting practices, hand-selecting and training the feral warriors to increase their chances of being chosen. He escapes before he can be apprehended.The Nova Terra Interregnum (257.M35) - Secessionists of Nova Terra declare a new rule, claiming to take over from the High Lords of Terra. Cypher weaves through the anarchy, his trail highlighting the many Fallen that have taken positions of power during the uprisings in Segmentum Pacificus. It is even rumoured that Cypher himself has taken a position on the Ur-Council –- the ruling body of Nova Terra. A daring Ravenwing strike assaults Nova Terra, but fails to apprehend any prisoners.The Red Heresy (290-310.M36) - During the Age of Apostasy, the Red Heresy Plague erupts across the Don'lorth Sector, a foreshadowing of the later battles that would become known as The Plague of Unbelief. Deep in Segmentum Tempestus is a star cluster that supports the heavily populated Don'lorth Sector. It is here that the Cult of the Old Gods rises. Agitators and anarchists stir up the hives into open rebellion. Workers in their untold billions are urged by red-robed priests to cast off their shackles, to reject the corpse-god Emperor. The horrific slaughter of all agents of the Adeptus Administratum and Adeptus Ministorum is enough to draw in vast fleets of Imperial armed forces. Seeking a quick way to end the rebellion, the Silver Skulls Chapter deploy en masse in a desperate attempt to kill the leaders behind the rising cult. The hunt is disastrous –- with Drop Pod assaults ambushed and multiple Thunderhawks brought down en route to their objectives. Only the arrival of Dark Angels Deathwing and Ravenwing forces, along with the 3rd Company of the Angels of Vengeance, staves off certain defeat. However, the Silver Skulls observe the Deathwing forsaking the battle in pursuit of a mysterious robed Space Marine. Before Cypher escapes, an Angels of Vengeance Librarian detects several Fallen ensconced within the red-robed hierarchy of the Red Heresy. The Silver Skulls are left to dig themselves out of their own predicament. They do so, but openly condemn the Dark Angels; another formal protest is filed to the High Lords of Terra.A Blade out of Time (624.M36) - Although impossible to fix in time, this seems to be the first recorded instance where Cypher is seen carrying the C'tan phase knife -– a weapon similar to the C'tan phase sword used by the Callidus Assassins. The blade of the knife can phase in and out of real-space by dimensional realignment, so it is capable of bypassing armour and protective fields. The knife was at some point lost in battle with the C'tan known as the Deceiver in the opening stages of the 13th Black Crusade, however, the battle occurred in the Warp and seems to have been subject to a strange loop in either the time continuum or reality itself. Cypher is most often seen without the blade, but true to its name, the knife occasionally phases back into being beneath his cloak.The Black Gulf Mines (157.M37) - The few survivors of the Zargosoan smuggler fleet break under pressure from a Dark Angels force led by Master Interrogator-Chaplain Molochia. They relate a tale of how a cloaked stranger fought his way aboard their flagship, the Black Needle, claiming parley. He knew the smuggler's code and invoked the rites of combat -– winning his duel and taking the place of a seasoned mate. Within a year, the stranger had risen to the very top, besting the previous captain in single combat. Under his leadership, the Zargosoan fleet -– five ships in all -– concentrated their raids along the Black Gulf Mines. There, amidst the sprawling asteroid fields and orbital man-made platforms, the smugglers raided mining complex after mining complex, hauling off many tanker-ships filled with sought after minerals and gasses. As it turns out, the leader of the mining colony -– known as the Black Gulf Tyrant –- is a figure greatly sought after by the Dark Angels.Inquisitorial Intrigue (665.M38) - While on a secret mission Inquisitor Arnuldus, who wore a cowl to cover his hideous injuries, is supplanted by Cypher, who acts in his stead. Arnuldus has never since been found. After using his new guise to destroy many sensitive records pertaining both to himself and the Unforgiven Chapters, Cypher takes control of Arnuldus' chain-of-command and redirects the defence of Septius VII –- resulting in the complete collapse of an Imperial hive world. Only the Alpha Legion can trace the action back to Cypher.Within the Eye (200-500.M39) - Although it is unknown to the Unforgiven, Cypher spends this period inside the Eye. There, for a time much greater than the years that pass in realspace, he makes contact with various groups of Fallen. It is during this time that he makes further alliances with the Legions, in particular the Alpha Legion. Reports of Cypher continue to haunt the galaxy, with the Dark Angels and their successor Chapters chasing false rumours -– some planted long ago by Cypher himself.Hundred Planet Rebellion (518.M39) - Too often dealt with falsely by the Alpha Legion, Cypher takes a measure of revenge upon them. He purposefully leads the Dark Angels onto the path of the priest Alldric the Subverter. Alldric has, through great effort and long planning on behalf of his Alpha Legion allies, led a swathe of planets on the borders of the Veiled Region to reject the rule of the Imperium. Within a decade, the Dark Angels and several of their successor Chapters suppress the Chaos Cultist uprisings and slay their leaders. Such actions are doubly pleasing for Cypher, for not only is he revenged upon the Alpha Legion's machinations, but he further frustrates the Dark Angels. For their part in the campaign, the Dark Angels are awarded many honour badges and campaign ribbons for their actions by the High Lords of Terra. The austere Dark Angels infrequently bear such commendations, but feel pressured to do so in this case. Deep down, the Inner Circle seethe at the dishonour –- for they know the truth, that the badges are but a sign of their failure to capture Cypher once again.Liberation of Amadis (976.M41) - Cypher makes an appearance during the final battle of the liberation of Amadis, arriving in time to rally the last few defenders in the face of Chaos Cultist wave assaults. Only a single trooper from the planetary defence force survives and he swears an oath to the mysterious robed stranger never to reveal the truth of what has happened, never to mention the rogue Space Marine's presence. When the lone survivor greets the Dark Angels as they arrive to mop up the remaining foes, he does not mention his mysterious saviour.Escovan Campaign (989.M41) - Little is known about this series of events, except that following several bloody battles the Red Corsairs vowed to slay Cypher.Rise of the Voice of the Emperor (995.M41) - This is the first recorded instance of the one known as "the Voice of the Emperor". A self-proclaimed oracle of the Emperor himself, this individual begins to broadcast across the Agripinaa Sector. On many planets, new cults rose up, answering his call to clash with Ministorum officials.Assassins Dispatched (997.M41) - Alarmed at the growing popularity of "the Voice of the Emperor" the Imperium assigns multiple agents of the Officio Assassinorum to dispatch the heretic. None return. At least one gets close to his target, his last communication describing the target as a robed and hooded figure, concealing dark power armour shorn of livery beneath, and bearing a sword and two pistols of great antiquity.The Black Templars Incident (998.M41) - A Black Templars' Strike Cruiser, Ophidium Gulf, assists a Dark Angels force in pursuit of the individual known as "The Voice of the Emperor". After hard fighting, the Black Templars succeed in capturing him -– although are later embroiled in a dispute with the Dark Angels, during which both Chapters briefly engage in battle. Although ultimately taken into custody by the Dark Angels, the robed captive mysteriously escapes and the Ophidium Gulf is lost. At the behest of the Black Templars, the Inquisition is called upon to investigate –- results are pending after the disappearance of Inquisitor Archibald.Belial's Fury (561.999.M41) - Belial, Grand Master of the Deathwing, corners Cypher on Piscina IV. Belial is the best shot and most formidable close combat fighter in the Dark Angels Chapter, yet his efforts come to naught. His Storm Bolter misses before jamming and the Sword of Silence cuts off merely a piece of Cypher's hood as he ducks the blow. When Belial is subsequently tied up by the massed wave attack of suicidal Cultists, Cypher makes good his escape. This marks the third time he has eluded the mighty Belial.Who Hunts the Hunters? (789.999.M41) - While observing the Ravenwing and Deathwing work in conjunction to capture a prisoner, Inquisitor Rasputin believes he has, at last, solved the riddle of the Dark Angels. As he turns to leave the battlefield, only his lightning-fast reflexes and a nigh-impenetrable force field allow him to survive the flurry of shots that would have slain him. Even as a hooded figure advances upon his position, a new conflict breaks out. Ravenwing troops on bikes have picked up Cypher's trail and pursue him as he attempts to gun down the Inquisitor before escaping. Rasputin never makes his final report, and once again, the Ravenwing return empty handed from chasing Cypher.The Voice Silenced (999.M41) - Although Cypher seems to be supporting the 13th Black Crusade, this is perhaps only a pretence. Certainly there have been uprisings in the Agripinaa Sector and even upon Piscina IV, however this has had a polarising effect. It has done as much to rally the faithful as it has stirred rebellion. Cypher has a minor conflict with Abaddon, and their alliance of convenience is brought to an end. The Dark Angels trace the source of the comm-signals to a broadcasting device in deep space. Although difficult to measure with precision, it is estimated that its location amidst the dust-ridden clouds of debris would approximate be where their homeworld of Caliban once was. The beacon is swiftly and unceremoniously destroyed.