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*{{Main|Noctis Aeterna}}
During the formation of the [[Great Rift]] at the beginning of [[M42]], the Imperium was beset by an unprecedented number of Daemonic outbreaks. The Grey Knights were at the forefront of the fighting in the subsequent [[Terran Crusade]] and [[Battle of Lion's Gate]] on [[Terra]]. In the aftermath, The Grey Knights worked desperately to curb Daemonic outbreaks in the [[Dark Imperium]] and beyond. During these campaigns they were forced to annihilate billions of Imperial citizens.{{Fn|32b}}
===Dark Imperium===
*{{Main|Age of the Dark Imperium}}
In the [[Age of the Dark Imperium]], the Grey Knights find themselves overwhelmed by the number of fresh [[Warp Storm]]s and Daemonic outbreaks. Many Grey Knights strike forces and several of their [[Grand Master]]s have been lost within the [[Imperium Nihilus]].{{Fn|57a}} With [[Chapter Master]] [[Kaldor Draigo]] lost in the Warp and perhaps as much as half of the Chapter Council dead, the future of the Grey Knights is bleak.{{Fn|57b}}
The loss of many [[League of Blackships|Blackships]] has led to a decrease in the amount of new [[Psyker]]s that can be made into [[Aspirant]]s, leaving the Grey Knights with chronic manpower shortages as worlds are thrown into chaos by the [[Psychic Awakening]]. The Grey Knights have been forced to resort to attacks on other Imperial institutions - and even other Space Marine Chapters - to seize new recruits before hiding all evidence of their deeds. The desperation has also forced the Grey Knights to enact [[Exterminatus]] on compromised worlds far more liberally than they would have previously.{{Fn|57a}}
===Other campaigns===
==Recruitment==
[[Image:GKArt10th.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Grey Knights{{Fn|57}}]]
Recruitment into the Grey Knights is overseen by the [[Company of Gatherers]], who set out from the [[Chamber of Trials]] of the [[Citadel of Titan]] to search for potential [[Aspirant]]s. Gatherers have drawn potential recruits from the [[League of Blackship]]s, untithed [[Psyker]]s on worlds beyond Imperial rule, and [[Feral World]]s considered off limits to all Imperial citizens. Some have even been drawn from the recruiting pools of other Space Marine Chapters, often without their permission. The only criteria they adhere to are that all recruits possess psychic talent and strong physical and mental fortitude.{{Fn|57b}}
Considering the role of the Grey Knights, potential recruits are put through even more stringent trials than other Space Marine [[Neophyte]]s. Unlike most Space Marine Chapters, the Grey Knight recruits are often drawn directly from the [[Black Ships]] after they return to [[Terra]] by the [[Gatherers]].{{Fn|6b}} They are then brought to the [[Chamber of Trials]] on [[Titan (Moon)|Titan]] for testing.{{Fn|1d}} The most advanced bio-engineering and psycho-surgery available is utilized to condition the Neophytes, and each recruit must pass the six hundred and sixty six '''Rituals of Detestation''', to prove that he is capable of withstanding horrors that would break even the greatest of 'normal' Space Marines. Upon success, the recruit also has the majority of their memories and personality erased{{Fn|15a}}. One of the main criteria for selection is that the recruit must show great psychic potential, as the entire Chapter is made up of [[psyker]]s.{{Fn|33a}}
*{{Endn|56}}:
[[Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Warhammer 40,000]]
- ''Grey Knight Paragon''
*{{Endn|57}}: [[Codex: Grey Knights (10th Edition)]] - Cover
**{{Endn|57a}}: pg. 10
**{{Endn|57b}}: pg. 15
*{{Endn|58}}: [[Crusade: Armageddon]]
**{{Endn|58a}}: pgs. 36-37