+++The Angels of Retribution+++After the Horus Heresy, the Dark Angels founded three chapters, to track the Fallen. These three chapters share in the secret of the Fallen. As the glorious light of the Emperor was shed on more star systems, the Space Marines needed to create more chapters, in order to better protect the believers from the traitors of Chaos. Thus, the Angels of Vengeance founded the Angels of Retribution. The Masters of the Unforgiven decided that it would be improper to share the secrets of the Fallen with this lesser chapter, and so the Angels of Retribution were not initiated into the secrets of the deathwing, or that of the interrigator-chaplains. The Angel of Retribution were gifted with two things:
The Angels of Retribution use The Codex Astartes standard markings to reflect their lack of knowledge of the Fallen, though this is unknown to them. The company itself emphasizes mobility and firepower, scattering the Emperor's Fist throughout the battle companies, so that each battle company might be self-sufficient, working together as a unit. In addition, the veterans are not separated out into a spearate company, but lead their companies, lending their expereince to the younger brother marines who are rising to veteran status themselves. The scouts are also attached to a company after they are implanted with the gene-seed of the Dark Angels, as passed to the Angel of Retribution. This overall effect of this is to create a strong sense of unity in the companies, making them into a complete fighting force that is accomplished at working together. This sense of unity is directed into the Glory of the Emperor by the Chaplains of the Angels of Retribution. Unlike most other chapters, the Angels of Retribution have at least three chaplains in a given company. This scheme was originally decided on by the Master of the Dark Angels to prevent the blandishments of the Fallen from turning the Chapter from the Glory of the Emperor. That the Chapter still maintains a large number of chaplains is a tribute to both their devoutness and their steadfastness. Because the companies have diverse troop types, they are larger than the norm. There are only eight companies in the Angels of Retribution. There are the five battle companies and one reserve company for each of the major tactical types. The reserve companies serve as a home for Space Marines whose squads have sustained excessive casualties, or who left their original company to seek veteran status. The Chapter Standard is given for a fifty year period to the company that has distinguished itself most in the eyes of the Emperor in the previous period. For a company to maintain the standard, it must excel beyond the level which allowed it to attain the standard in the first place, for the standard aids the marines in battle. In the history of the Chapter, only the second company has been able to retain the standard for a second fifty year period. In the end of the fourty-first millenium, the Angels of Retribution have been given the task to protect the world of Anduin. For reasons unknown, the Eldar seek something on this world. The Angels of Retribution have fought many campaigns across the forests of Anduin against the Fire Warhost of the Eternal Night, under the command of Eldrad Ulthran. His warhost has left the Craftworld and what he seeks in unknown, but it must be of great importance to the Eldar to cause Eldrad to leave the craftworld at his great age. The fourth company has born the brunt of the fighting to date, since they are the current bearers of the Standard of Retribution.
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