Sanguinary Priests

[GeneralMaChao]

I'm really confused about the 'proper' fluff and designation for Sanguinary Priests. In the James Swallow novels, we have Apothecary Veho and Sanguinary Priest Sachiel. Is there a difference here or did James Swallow not do the research? Secondly, the Blood Angel Codex and the Deathwatch game, with First Founding, have really played up the importance of Sanguinary Priests to a point beyond Apothecaries in other chapters. This makes sense considering the chapter's name and nature and the fact that each one is considered to be carrying Sanguinius's legacy in his veins. The writing suggests that the Sanguinary Priests themselves seem especially prized due to what they carry and I wonder if the Blood Angels and/or successors would even allow it considering a legacy from the Primarch could be lost.

 

The reason for my inquiry is that I'm starting a Deathwatch game soon and I'm wondering what would be more 'proper' for a Rank 1 Blood Angel or Blood Angel Successor Space Marine who wants to fill that role.

[Black_Sky]

Swallow didn't do enough research on the BA, Space marines or 40k when he wrote his books.

 

Sanguinary priests are the BA and successor chapters apothecaries. But unlike the medic only job in other astartes chapters he has additional duties. In other chapters chaplains perform sermons and rites, tending the spiritual wellbeing of the chapter.

In the BA bloodline chapters priests and chaplains both perform these sermons. The chaplains teach their battle brothers to bond themselves, to rein in their anger. They watch for signs of the black rage, and shepard those who are lost.

Priests, on the other hand, teach their brothers how to control their anger, to channel it towards a higher goal.

 

This is all from the 5th edition codex.

 

Edit: The Rites of Battle book, released a short while ago, contains rules for the rest of the primary chapters. As well as rules for some specialist units from each. Amongst the BA ones are both Librarian dreadnoughts and Sanguinary priests.