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Angels of Absolution 2nd Company Banner
Angels of Absolution Chapter Colour Scheme
The Angels of Absolution are a Loyalist Chapter of Space Marines and a Second Founding Successor Chapter of the Dark Angels. However, unlike their fellow Unforgiven, the Angels of Absolution feel that their shame in the eyes of the Emperor of Mankind has already been wiped away and they have earned his absolution. This stance produces some conflict when the Angels of Absolution undertake joint operations with the Dark Angels and their fellow scions of Lion El'Jonson.
Chapter History
The Angels of Absolution are one of the Unforgiven Successor Chapters of the Dark Angels and they are very similar in organisation and culture to their parent Chapter. They are known to have close ties with the Dark Angels, and on numerous occasions the two Chapters have launched joint operations together. However, unlike the other Unforgiven, the Angels of Absolution's armour is painted bone-white. This is intended to serve as a symbol of their belief that unlike the other Unforgiven Chapters, their sin against the Emperor of Mankind was cleansed during the Fall of Caliban at the end of the Horus Heresy, thus allowing them to adopt their Chapter name. However, they still believe it is their duty to join with the Dark Angels and the other Unforgiven to hunt down the remaining Fallen Angels and bring them to the Emperor's justice. They just do not believe that doing so is necessary for them to be redeemed in His eyes.
Notable Campaigns
- The Invasion of Nova Sulis, The Plague of Unbelief (302.M36) - During the wars that marked the beginning of the Plague of Unbelief during the Age of Apostasy, the Angels of Absolution were one of the first Space Marine Chapters who took up arms against the mad Cardinal Bucharis and his splinter empire based at Galthamor. The Angels of Absolution fought alongside such notable Chapters as the Executioners, Raven Guard and the Space Wolves at various points during the conflict.
- Archangel VII Persecution (Unknown Date.M41) - The Angels of Absolution's 2nd Company and the Dark Angels' Ravenwing worked in concert together to deadly effect at Archangel VII, tracking down a small band of Fallen Dark Angels and their followers at the death world's northern pole. A joint strike of Deathwing and the Angels of Absolution's 1st Company Veterans assaulted their fortress. The battle raged fully for two days, as the enemy proved to be well ensconced within their nigh impregnable walls. The two Chapters lost a combined dozen Terminators before the fortress could be breached. Encountering three of the Fallen, one was slain in battle whilst the remaining two were seized and taken back to the Rock to be subjected to the brutal ministrations of the Dark Angels' Interrogator-Chaplains.
- Corinth Crusade (698-705.M41) - The Chapter participated in the Corinth Crusade against the Orks of the Charadon Empire led by the Warlord Skargor the Despoiler. Alongside elements from 5 other Space Marine Chapters and 50 full Regiments of the Imperial Guard, the Crusade drove WAAAGH! Skargor back to the world of Corinth and ultimately an Ultramarines Dreadnought killed the Ork Warlord in single combat. This Crusade pushed back the later invasion of Imperial space by the Charadon Orks' WAAAGH! Argluk by 30 standard years.
- 13th Black Crusade (999.M41) - The entire Chapter is listed as serving during the 13th Black Crusade to defend the Cadian Sector against the Forces of Chaos led by the infamous Warmaster Abaddon the Despoiler.
Chapter Organisation
The Angels of Absolution organise themselves along the same lines as the Dark Angels and so are considered to partially comply with the Codex Astartes. The Angels of Absolution Chapter's 2nd Company works closely with their Dark Angels' counterpart - the Ravenwing, combining their resources in order to hunt far and wide in search of their nemesis, the Fallen.
Chapter Beliefs
The Angels of Absolution are very close to their progenitor Chapter in both doctrine and temperament. Their teaching are similar with one minor divergence in regards to the Chapter's guilt concerning the Fallen. The Angels of Absolution believe their own sins wiped clean by the actions of their Dark Angels forefathers in the Fall of Caliban. This Chapter fears no spiritual damnation from the inter-Legion war known as the Fall, but they do feel responsible for meting out the punishment upon the traitors as an act of repentance.
Notable Angels of Absolution
- Deathwatch Apothecary Septimus - Septimus is an Apothecary of the Angels of Absolution who serves in the Deathwatch, the Chamber Militant of the Ordo Xenos. He has sworn to travel the void on secret missions without hope of help or succour from the Chapter. He arrived at Watch Fortress Erioch in the Jericho Reach on the heels of the Achilus Crusade in the entourage of Rogue Trader Diaz Lian, although it is unclear whether he came aboard a ship that traversed the Warp Gate from the Calixis Sector or was already present in the Jericho Reach. Though Septimus originates from the Angels of Absolution, he has not stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his Battle-Brothers in many years. He is a highly skilled Apothecary with experience with a wide variety of gene-seed through his duties within the Deathwatch. He is known to be unusual amongst his Battle-Brothers for he is carefree and charismatic, even partial to the occasional joke. What secret agenda brought him across the stars to Erioch remains unknown.
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colours
The Power Armour of the Angels of Absolution is painted bone-white with a black back pack and a black Aquila or Imperialis symbol on the chest plate. The Chapter distinguishes a Space Marine's company affiliation in the Chapter by the colour of the right knee plate of his armour.
Chapter Badge
The Chapter's badge is a white skull superimposed over a black stylized wing.
Sources
- Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pp. 73, 75
- Codex: Dark Angels (3rd Edition), p. 14
- Codex: Eye of Terror (3rd Edition), p. 16
- Codex: Angels of Death (2nd Edition), p. 33
- Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), p. 72, 75
- Deathwatch - Rites of Battle (RPG), pp. 61, 236
- How To Paint Space Marines
- Imperial Armour Volume Seven - The Siege of Vraks - Part One, pp. 90–95
- Imperial Armour Volume Nine - The Badab War, Part One, p. 76
- Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War, Part Two, p. 87
Gallery
