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The topic title says it all. What exactly are the Paladins of the Dark Angels? The first reference to them (that I know of) is in Aaron Dembski-Bowden’s short story, “Savage Weapons”: Not much information is given regarding what either title entails, however. One can probably guess what the Mantle of the Champion involves, but it’s left to the reader to decide what the rank and title of Paladin is about. Besides the romantic image raised by the tales of Charlemagne and the Song of Roland, we have the modern definitions (a trusted military leader, as for a medieval prince; a leading champion of a cause) and the historic roots of the word (a Roman-era palace official). Leman Russ, by Chris Wraight, seems to use Paladins as an elite formation within the Dark Angels - perhaps like the Palatine Blades of the Emperor’s Children. Now there are multiple Paladins per Order ... ... and, however they might be divided among the Orders, they would appear to have a standing officer in charge of them: Gav Thorpe’s Angels of Caliban, though, seems to recast the Paladin as the officer in command of an Order: So which is it? One of a number of champions that can be found within each Order of the Dark Angels? An officer who commands thousands of Dark Angels (as opposed to a “mere” Captain or Grand Master)? Or is it a combination of both - like the Consul’s Legion Champion template in the Horus Heresy game?