Some fluff for a potentially different direction for DA

[Belial212]

Hey,

This is just a short piece of fluff that I wrote in support of some of the ideas we were kicking around the latest codex update project in the Rules Development sub-forum. Was running it past another friend on the forum for possible inclusion in a fandex that we might try to write to explore a new direction for the Dark Angels by expanding their more sinister side and some new concepts we'd like to try applying to them. Comments welcome, what do you guys think of this?

 

 

Hector,

I’m sure you are aware of the disappearance of Inquisitor Tallarius following his visit to the Rock last year. While it could not clearly be attributed to Grand Master Azrael or any of his Chapter, the conditions of his absence are nevertheless suspicious. I have taken over his investigation into the actions of the Consecrators Chapter personally. I will report again from Theras Prime, the last location Tallarius was known to have visited before the Rock. The Unforgiven Librarians insist a warp storm was most likely responsible and point optimistically to the story of brother Lysander and his return to Terra and the Imperial Fists. Dark Angels humour is as tiresome as it is offensive.

 

Tallarius’ personal archives indicate he was watching several Unforgiven Chapters closely. His interviews with Master Belial are as laconic as any I have seen. I know you were in Tallarius’ confidence, so if you should have information that could aid me in bringing this mystery to a just conclusion in the Emperor’s name, I implore you to enlighten me. But I must confess to you a fear that a level of connection may exist between these Chapters wholly in violation of the Adeptus Astartes and the dictates of the High Lord of Terra.

 

Azrael hides his true face behind charm and intelligence, but under the subtle veneer of respectability is a man carrying a great burden. I have personally interviewed the Masters of several chapters, foremost among them Lord Macragge himself. Never before have I sensed such an undercurrent of distrust and deception. Before you assure me that it his natural disdain for our most holy Order, I would remind you, this goes further than rumour.

 

Unforgiven units are notorious for abandoning their posts in battle, typically to the detriment of the Empire, but they have never abandoned another force of El’Jonson’s descendents. More to the point, the pace of operations which they have undertaken without direction from Terra has increased by an order of magnitude over the past several years. There is an urgency, an escalation, which is unmistakable. Though this evidence might be circumstantial, it was sufficient to prompt Inquisitor Tallarius to make a study of the Dark Angels his greatest priority.

 

If this Chapter and all that have been formed by their Gene-seed hover on the brink of heresy, our duty is clear, to take what action is necessary to protect the Empire. But before we act with haste, we must ensure we can discover the source and extent of the taint or duplicity. All Dark Angels and Guardians of the Covenant brothers currently serving with the Deathwatch should be watched closely.

 

My recommendation is that we misdirect the Unforgiven by concluding that Inquisitor Tallarius was killed by other subversive elements within the Empire. A suitable candidate will be found. In the meantime, we should study all Unforgiven Chapters carefully to deduce their plans and be prepared to intervene at the most crucial moment, should it prove necessary.

 

May the Emperor protect you,

Arzellia

Grand Inquisitor

Ordo Hereticus

[publius]

This is a very interesting piece of new fluff :)

 

I'll admit I have mixed feelings about making the Dark Angels darker and borderline Chaos, but I'll admit this may be because my first introduction to the Dark Angels was through the group of 30 terminators who saved their world from a genestealer invasion. However, I agree that this additional angle gives the Dark Angels a greater depth and complexity than most chapters (plus the Space Wolves have done worse to the Inquisition and gotten away with it, with their shooting down Inquisitor ships).

 

I actually do feel like this aspect is something that should be incorporated with the Dark Angels in any future revision, including our codex update project. My favorite piece of fluff about Cypher was that white dwarf article with all of the conflicting narratives about him, some portraying him to be a heinous villain, and some portraying him to be a hero of sorts. We're left with a bunch of conflicting reports from a bunch of unreliable narrators. However Cypher is still, or was once, a member of the Unforgiven, and I think this approach fits us.

[con-fusion]

I've always looked at the Dark Angels as the heroes that you wish would save the next planet over. Sure, they are efficient and very effective about getting the job done, but they don't seem too worried about how they go about doing it or who gets hurt in the process. More Batman than Superman, I guess.

 

As to Belial212's letter, I believe it sums up the suspicions of some of the Inquisition in a nutshell. The question it inspires me to ask is: Why aren't these Inquisitors jumping down the Dark Angels' throats? My take on that is that there is a faction of Inquisitors who have the same suspicions but support the Dark Angels' activities.

[Gillyfish]

I like it, it plays nicely on the motives of the DA and their attitude to others knowing their secret.

 

It actually has some precedent. I believe there was either an Inferno or Warhammer Monthly storyline with an Inquisitor investigating the Dark Angels. I couldn't swear to it, but I believe he 'disappeared' after having got too close to the secret.

 

Interestingly, we know that the Inquisition are aware that the Unforgiven Chapters:

 

i. refer to themselves as the Unforgiven

ii. have unusually close links

 

Add to that the persistent rumours of the fall to Chaos and they would naturally be suspicious. I imagine they would be hard to investigate and perhaps this passage explains why. :tu:

[FerociousBeast]

Nicely done, Belial212. As Gillyfish mentioned above me, it's actually not too heretical. We know from the 3rd edition codex that the Dark Angels have been investigated by the Inquisition and, if I remember correctly, certain Inquisitors involved have mysteriously disappeared.

 

The Inquisition should play a prominent role in our codex projects, in my opinion, for two reasons: 1) Inquisitors would be very likely to investigate members of the Fallen, thus inevitably bringing them into conflict with the Dark Angels time and again, and 2) there would be few finer tools in the Dark Angels toolbox for ferreting out the Fallen than the intelligence-gathering network of the Inquisition. Could the Dark Angels be using the Inquisition for their own ends? I don't know, but I like the thought of it.