The Fallen Dark Angels
From Warhammer 40k
[edit] Overview
The Fallen Dark Angels or "The Fallen" are not a Space Marine Chapter. They are the surving members of Dark Angels that were stationed on Caliban before it's destruction. They are scattered throughout Space and Time. The Dark Angels have sworn to hunt the Fallen and have them repent for their sins of betrayal.
[edit] History
Upon arrival into Caliban's orbit after the defeat of Horus, the Dark Angels fleet led by Lion El'Jonson was fired upon from the surface. Pulling back the fleet, Jonson tried to find out what had happened, and discovered that Luther - who had become embittered by what he perceived as Jonson taking all the glory - had poisoned the minds of the Space Marine garrison and the new recruits. Believing Luther to be tainted by Chaos, an infuriated Jonson ordered the planet be bombarded from orbit, destroying the planet's defenses.
Jonson led his forces to the surface and assaulted the Order's fortress-monastery, where he confronted Luther in single combat. Luther, given strength by the power of the Chaos Gods, was evenly matched with the enraged Primarch. The battle between the two leveled the monastery as the planet was coming apart around them, the bombardment taking a heavy toll on the surface. Jonson managed to wound Luther, but could not bring himself to kill the man who had been his brother and mentor. Luther lashed out with a powerful psychic attack that mortally wounded the Primarch. As he saw what he had done, Luther felt a veil lift from his eyes, and the Chaos Gods - seeing that once again their chosen champion had failed - lashed out with the powers of the warp. The Fallen Dark Angels were scattered throughout space and time, and Caliban tore itself apart. The only portion of the planet remaining intact was the rock on which stood the monastery in which Luther and the Lion had duelled. The Dark Angels entered the shattered monastery and captured the broken Luther; of Jonson himself, however, there was no sign. It was believed that Jonson was thrown into space and time along with the Fallen, but there is not enough evidence to back this up.
[edit] Notable Members
- Cypher - The most feared member of the Fallen whose true name is unknown. Wherever this phantasm of a man goes, other Fallen are not far behind. This name comes from ancient Caliban, where it was commonly known as Lord Cypher, a man who would renounce his name and become the keeper of the Order's traditions and ceremonies.
- Luther - Discovered the Primarch Lion El'Jonson on the world of Caliban. El'Jonson's mentor, saviour, and friend, Luther raised the Lion as if he were his own child. Before the discovery of the Lion, Luther was the foremost hero of his times. He presented him to the Order, the force of feudal knights on the planet who helped raise him. Sadly, Luther betrayed the Lion, rallying many of the Dark Angels on Caliban to his cause and killing any dissidents. When the Lion returned to Caliban from the Horus Heresy, Luther attacked his fleet. The Lion and Luther engaged in single combat. In this battle Lion El'Jonson wounded Luther but could not bring himself to kill his oldest and dearest friend. Luther however was merciless and sent a sorcerous blast straight towards Lion El'Jonson which mortally wounded the Primarch. At that moment realizing how far he had fallen, Luther began to weep for what he had done to his friend, and the Dark Angels captured him and held him prisoner on the Rock. At this point, the Gods of Chaos scattered Luther's forces, the Fallen, through the warp. The intense battle, however, had made the planet unstable, and Caliban was destroyed. He remains chained within the most secure cell of the Rock, his existence known only to the Supreme Grand Master of the Dark Angels Chapter, Commander Azrael, and those who held the rank before him. He is often used as an oracle to find the other Fallen. Azrael, like his predecessors, has attempted to make Luther repent for his crimes ten millennia earlier - but, like his predecessors, he has failed to do so. Luther only continues to rant and rave, claiming that Lion El'Jonson would come and absolve the Fallen, and that the day of the Lion's return was close at hand.
- Merir Astelan - The Dark Angels Chapter Commander who ordered planetary defenses on Caliban to fire on Lion El'Jonson's fleet after they returned from the Horus Heresy. He is currently in a cell in the deepest catacombs of the Rock.
