Ezekiel
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This article is about the Chief Librarian of the Dark Angels; for the Dark Angels Captain known as Ezekiel, see Cloud Runner. |
 Ezekiel[5] | |
|---|---|
| Title(s) | Keeper of the Book of Salvation Holder of the Keys[2a] |
| Born | c. M41, Delphyna III[1] |
| Active Period | M41 - Present |
| Species | Human |
| Type | Astartes |
| Relatives |
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| Occupation(s) | Dark Angels Grand Master of Librarians[1] |
| Affiliation(s) | |
| Preceded by | Danatheum (as Grand Master of Librarians[1] |
Ezekiel (e-ZEE-kee-yuhl)[7] is the Chief Librarian (or Grand Master of the Librarians) of the Dark Angels Chapter. His full title is Ezekiel, Grand Master of Librarians, Keeper of the Book of Salvation, Holder of the Keys. He is regarded by others of his chapter as the most powerful psyker in its ranks since the time of Lion El'Jonson.[2a]
Contents
Biography
Early History
Ezekiel was recruited by the Dark Angels on the world of Delphyna III in 516.M41 after it was conquered by the Chapter. During the conquest of the planet, the Dark Angels discovered a ten year old psyker of considerable talent imprisoned within the capital city's dungeons. Though physically frail, his psychic potential was enormous. Thus Ezekiel was admitted to train to join the Dark Angels Librarium, meekly submitting to every test and torment visited upon him by the Chaplains and Librarians.[1]
After years of training in the 10th Company Ezekiel was presented with the final test: surviving a mental assault by a senior Librarian that unleashed the victim's worst fears upon their own psyche. Ezekiel not only survived the mental terror attack unleashed by Librarian Meroth, but fully opened his mind to him and showed him his dark tormented past. Meroth was overwhelmed by the pain he experienced and collapsed. Thus was Ezekiel fully admitted as a Librarian.[1]
Mission on Korsh
At some point Ezekiel led members of the Deathwing in a battle on the planet Korsh. The mission went poorly; a powerful Daemon he fought on the planet damaged his psychic abilities and they barely escaped. After that battle he was unable to use his powers of foresight. He spent a year recuperating from that battle on The Rock, and during that time he trained the librarian Turmiel. Turmiel also had the power of foresight, Ezekiel relied on his divinations during this time and passed on the information from them to Azrael and others.[2a]
Battle for Honoria
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The following paragraphs contain spoilers for: | Eye of Ezekiel (Novel) |
Prelude
In 949.M41[5], roughly a year after the mission to Korsh, Grand Master of Librarians, Danatheum assigned Ezekiel and Turmiel to accompany the 5th Company to the planet of Honoria and help defend it, as the Mechanicus had invoked the Pact of Kulgotha. He also wanted Ezekiel to assess Balthasar for ascension to the Deathwing, as one of the members wounded on Korsh had passed away.[2a] Danatheum also told Ezekiel that he wanted him to replace him as Grand Master some day, as Ezekiel's power was far greater than his own and he felt the only reason that he had retained the position was simply that he had not yet died. Immediately after his conversation with Danatheum, Turmiel revealed to Ezekiel that he knew Ezekiel had lost his power of foresight and had been relying on him for divinations, but that he did not care. He also told Ezekiel that he had several visions of the upcoming battle, and in every one Ezekiel died.[2a]
Battle for Sularian Gate
Ezekiel lost his left eye at the Battle for Sularian Gate against the horde of Waaagh! Groblonik. His eye was quickly replaced with a simple bionic eye, allowing him to return to battle in time to lead a counter-attack which broke Groblonik's army. Since then, he has refused to have it replaced for a more sophisticated and less noticeable one as a mark of respect to his fallen comrades. During the battle, Ezekiel displayed immense psychic power against the Ork Warboss and his hordes. Such was his accomplishment that the previous Dark Angels Grand Master of Librarians, Danatheum, stepped down and allowed Ezekiel to take his place.[1]
Return to Korsh
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The following paragraphs contain spoilers for: | Eye of Ezekiel (Novel) |
After the battle of Honoria, Ezekiel had Turmiel train in focusing his power through his blade nonstop. After several weeks of this, Ezekiel and what remained of 5th Company returned to the planet Korsh to get answers from the Daemon he fought there. While Turmiel held it in place, Ezekiel asked it about the visions he was shown while he was clinically dead on Honoria. The Daemon admitted to stealing his power of foresight, but said that Ezekiel's new augmetic eye gave it back to him. He also told Ezekiel he should be focused on where the eye came from and who made it. Turmiel was unable to hold the Daemon any longer and it was absorbed back into the warp. Ezekiel remarked that he didn't get the answers he wanted, just more questions.[2c]
Grand Master of the Librarians
It is one of Ezekiel's many tasks to test the loyalty and dedication of any who rise to the rank of Master or Grand Master, to seek out weakness and ensure that they are pure of purpose. So intimidating is this prospect that fully a third of the Dark Angels selected for such promotion have politely refused the honour and chosen to remain as warriors of the Deathwing, Ravenwing or as Veteran Sergeants. Perhaps the cause for this is the case of Sergeant Cadraellon, who was selected to become Master of the 10th Company not long after Ezekiel's accession. Ezekiel probed Cadraellon's thoughts and memories for a day and a night. As soon as the Chief Librarian finished, the prospective Master drew his pistol and killed himself with a bolt through his temple. Ezekiel claimed he had seen nothing that would have prevented Cadraellon's promotion to Master, but there are those that think it unlikely the Chief Librarian's prophetic abilities would have failed to foretell such a devastating consequence. Whatever the cause, the incident has ensured that only those truly pure of heart and intent consider themselves worthy of leadership.[1]
Pandorax Campaign
In 960.M41 Ezekiel took part in the Pandorax Campaign, during which he fought on the asteroid Malefus Murex, at one point fighting alongside Belial and 3 other Librarians against waves of Khorne Berzerkers. Shortly after he went to the ship Revenge with the rest of the Dark Angels to support the Grey Knights. After the fighting Azrael introduced Ezekiel and Kaldor Draigo to each other, each saying that the other's reputation precedes them.[6]
Arks of Omen
Siege of The Rock
While Azrael was recovering from the Rubicon Surgery he had left Ezekiel and Belial in command of The Rock. When The Rock and the Dark Angels arrived near the world of Marwent's Reach, and had been ambushed by Vashtorr, Ezekiel had fleet command transferred to Sammael, and had the chapter start a fighting retreat to the planet, reasoning that if they could rendezvous with Task Force XII they'd be strong enough to fight back.[3a] As the enemy fleet got closer to the rock for boarding actions Ezekiel and Belial sent out redeployment orders in preparation.[3b] Azrael appointed Belial overall strategic commander While Ezekiel and others went out into battle.[3c] Ezekiel led a strikeforce at the Nameless Gate where he would fight against Vashtorr alongside Lazarus and Azrael, who had ordered him to die before allowing the Nameless Gate to be opened.[3d]
Battle of Idolatros
Prior to the Battle of Idolatros, Ezekiel took part in a meeting of the leaders of The Unforgiven, during which he suggested that the librarians could use their power of foresight to try and see what awaited them in the Idolatros System. It was a risk, but Ezekiel argued that they were already at risk as they were traveling through the warp, and they would be at greater danger if they missed some important detail. Azrael and his council of masters then gave him permission to proceed. One librarian died and several were so mentally and spiritually damaged it was doubtful that they would recover, however they did have a vision. Ezekiel confirmed that Vashtorr was waiting for them in the Idolatros System, and had some trap that involved its star or originated near it. He and the other librarians agreed that Vashtorr's plan would use The Unforgiven's culture or dogma against themselves in some way.[4a] During the battle, Ezekiel went down with most of the chapter to Wyrmwood to assault the Warpforge Palace.[4b] Several hours later in the battle, Ezekiel would lead the surviving Librarians against the Daemons while they and the other survivors tried to escape.[4c]
Wargear
Ezekiel's wargear includes an ancient set of Artificer Armour named Secret's Shield and the Deliverer, a master-crafted bolt pistol that has killed many Fallen Angels. The most ferocious and sinister of his weapons, though, is the force sword Traitor's Bane, which is rumoured to trap the souls of the Fallen he faces. The Book of Salvation, which he carries at all times, causes all Dark Angels in his presence to be fearless in battle.[2b]
He also carries the Keys which open the doors around the Rock, including the Tower of Angels, the cells and dungeons of the Fallen Angels, and the cell containing Luther himself.[2b]
Images
Trivia
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- Ezekiel is named after the Prophet from the Book of Ezekiel in the Jewish Bible, who prophesised the Destruction of Jerusalem (Drawing parallels against the destruction of Caliban, or the possible destruction of Terra or the Imperium). Ezekiel means "God will strengthen".
Sources
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- 1: Warlords of the Dark Millennium: Ezekiel (Background Book)
- 2: The Eye of Ezekiel (Novel):
- 3: Arks of Omen: Vashtorr:
- 4: Arks of Omen: The Lion:
- 5: Codex: Dark Angels (6th Edition), pg. 25
- 6: Pandorax (Novel), Chapter 9
- 7: Warhammer 40,000: Character Encyclopedia Pronunciation Guide
Uncited
- Dark Angels miniatures gallery
- Codex: Angels of Death (2nd Edition)
- Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pg. 41
- White Dwarf 301 (UK), pg. 60 – Space Marine Heroes
