Dusk Raiders

Prior to the Emperor's discovery of the legion's Primarch ,Mortarion, The Death Guard were known as the Dusk Raiders legion. Their signature strategy had been to attack their foes at nightfall. The Dusk Raiders' armour was a dull white colour but with their right arm and both shoulders coloured crimson. This was done with the intent to show their enemies that they were the Emperor's red right hand, relentless and unstoppable.

When Mortarion was found by the Emperor upon the troubled world of Barbarus, he was swiftly given control of his legion. Upon first seeing them he told them: "You are my unbroken blades. You are the Death Guard." The legion's name was then changed in accordance with this decree,and Mortarion's words engraved above the airlock door of the Battle Barge Reaper's Scythe in honour of the moment.