What are the Space Marines that drink blood?
In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, the Space Marines, genetically engineered superhuman warriors, have a reputation for being unyielding and unrelenting in their pursuit of battle and glory. One of the most infamous among them is the Blood Angels, a chapter of Loyalist Space Marines renowned for their ferocity, martial prowess, and – most ominously – their craving for blood. This article will delve into the mysteries of the Blood Angels and explore what sets them apart from their brethren.
The Origins of the Blood Angels
As a chapter of the Second Founding, the Blood Angels are a Successor Chapter to the First Founding chapter, the Angelic Legions. Created by the Emperor himself, the Blood Angels were chosen for their unyielding dedication to their primarch, Sanguinius. Tragedy struck when Sanguinius was slain during the Battle of Prospero, leading to the Blood Angels’ subsequent mutation and development of the Red Thirst and Black Rage.
The Red Thirst and Black Rage
The Red Thirst, a psychological phenomenon unique to the Blood Angels, drives them to seek the consumption of blood as a form of sustenance. As they grow older, their bodies require blood to function, and their craving can become overwhelming, leading to uncontrollable fury and berserker rages – the Black Rage. The Black Rage, when combined with the Red Thirst, renders them almost invulnerable in battle but vulnerable to self-destruction. This deadly combination drives the Blood Angels to act with a frenzied intensity, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for battle.
Key Events and Developments
- Meros‘ Fall to Chaos: The only known instance of a Blood Angel falling to Chaos, Meros succumbed to the temptations of the Ruinous Powers, sacrificing himself to become a daemon of Khorne known as the Red Angel.
- The Red Vial** incident: In 999.M31, an unknown number of Blood Angels were lost in a brutal battle with daemons in the Red Vial planetary system, forever changing the chapter’s trajectory.
Notable Characters and Champions
- Lord Commander Dante: A revered warrior and Last Master of the Blood Angels, Dante is one of the oldest surviving Space Marines, boasting over 1,300 years of life.
- Sanguinius: The first and most sacred of all the primarchs, Sanguinius’ bond with his brothers remains unrivaled.
Additional Facts and Anomalies
- Blood Angels’ Chapter Culture: Taboos surround the ritualistic use of blood consumption, further intensifying their ferocity on the battlefield.
- Primarchs’ Bloodlines: Despite their primarch’s fallen state, the Red Thirst’s presence seems to amplify in descendants, hinting at an otherworldly force driving the Blood Angels.
- Unwritten Prophecies: Ancient predictions whisper about the arrival of an era of unparalleled darkness when the Blood Angels shall usher in a golden age of slaughter, unleashing chaos and destruction throughout the galaxy.
Chaos Gods and Their Impact
The Chaos Gods seek to infiltrate the ranks of the Blood Angels, using Meros’ failure as an example to lure others towards the promise of Eternal Life and Unconquerable Might. Nurgle, the Plague God, has cultivated specific connections with the Blood Angels, hoping to manipulate the chapter towards destruction.
In conclusion, the Blood Angels are an enigmatic force, driven by an insatiable thirst for blood that sets them apart from the rest of the Space Marine chapters. As a consequence of their complex history, they continue to be torn between their unyielding loyalty to Sanguinius and their inherent weakness to the lure of blood. As the grim darkness of the 41st millennium continues to unfold, the Blood Angels will be a constant, ominous presence, shrouded in mystery and steeped in bloodlust.
The Blood Angels’ Code
- Vita Est Bello, the "LIFE IS BATTLE", is a core principle emphasizing the chapter’s unrelenting commitment to warfare.
Chapters’ Notable Combat Style
• Fast Strike deployment: Quick and stealthy, the Blood Angels descend upon the enemy, dealing swift, crushing blows before retreating.
• Blood Reaper: In desperate situations, they form a tight, impenetrable phalanx, absorbing enemy blows before tearing them asunder.