Balefleet
Balefleets are the term given to the various fleets used by Chaos forces in the Arks of Omen Campaign.[1]
Overview
While no two Balefleets are alike in size or composition, each is formed around an Ark of Omen at its core. Each consists of an army of various Chaos forces including Heretic Astartes, Cultists, Traitor Guard, Chaos Knights, Dark Mechanicum, etc.. Command of each Balefleet varies, and either are Abaddon's own subordinates of Champions of Chaos that have pledged themselves to his latest endeavour. To prevent rebellion or infighting amongst these allies, Abaddon seeded shipmasters and individuals loyal only to him. Sometimes these aren't even hidden, and consist of his own Black Legion honour guard. As a final fail-safe, each Balefleet has Alpha Legion operatives allied with Abaddon to ensure they oversee their primary duty: the acquisition of Key Fragments.[2b]
Each Balefleet is fully self-sufficient and self-contained, allowing them to act independently of the other. When set against the interdependent formations of the Indomitus Crusade and their need to act as a component of a greater strategic whole, Abaddon had succeeded in translating the individualistic and anarchic nature of his followers into an advantage. Not only could they act without having to maintain strategic coherency with other fleets, but they were also expendable to The Despoiler.[2b]
Known Balefleets
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Community: Warhammer Day Reveals – What Are the Arks of Omen? (Posted on 08/10/2022) (Last accessed on 8 October 2022)
- 2: Arks of Omen: Abaddon:
- 3: White Dwarf 484, pgs. 24-29
- 4: Arks of Omen: Angron pgs.9-10
- 5: Arks of Omen: Farsight
