Lazarus (Dark Angels)
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Lazarus redirects here. For other uses of the name, see Lazarus (disambiguation). |
 Lazarus[7e] | |
|---|---|
| Title(s) | Keeper of the Unseen Ritual[1] |
| Active Period | M41 - Present |
| Species | Human |
| Type | Astartes |
| Gender | Male |
| Relatives | Lion El'Jonson ("father" via Gene-Seed) |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Affiliation(s) | |
| Preceded by | Balthasar (as Master of the 5th Company)[1] |
Lazarus is the current Master of the Dark Angels Chapter's 5th Company and Keeper of the Unseen Ritual.[1] An expert strategist and tactician, unlike most other Dark Angels Lazarus does not obsessively hunt The Fallen and instead has criticized the more zealous members of the Chapter as being distracted from the wider goal of protecting the Imperium. This criticism has even been leveled towards Supreme Grand Master Azrael.[7a]
Contents
Biography
Early career
During the Siege of the Fenris System, Lazarus was a Sergeant of the 5th Company and defended The Rock against Daemonic assaults alongside companies of Chapter Serfs. The experience affected Lazarus deeply and caused him to develop a deep hatred against Chaos.[4b] Lazarus took command of the 5th after his predecessor, Company Master Balthasar, was slain in the chaotic battles that followed the Great Rift's creation.[1]
War Zone Stygius
He also took part in War Zone Stygius, where only Lazarus' leadership prevented a total rout of Imperial forces on the Ice World of Rimenok. While fighting there, though, Lazarus was struck by Thousand Sons fell sorcery, which left him with such severe wounds that not even a Dreadnought sarcophagus could save him. With his life on the line, the only option remaining to the Dark Angels' Apothecaries was for the Company Master to undergo the Rubicon Primaris. Days later, the operation was a success and Lazarus emerged as a fully healed Primaris Space Marine and the first to become a member of the Dark Angels Inner Circle. He now leads his Company once again and is even more determined to punish the servants of Tzeentch.[1]
Ritual of the Damned
A few days after returning to The Rock from the Stygius sector a message from the Grey Knights arrived. Lazarus alongside Azrael and Ezekiel heard the message from the one surviving astropath that received it. After agreeing on an interpretation of the message, that Magnus and the Thousand Sons were doing some kind of ritual and the Grey Knights needed their help, Lazarus declared that he would answer the Grey Knights call. Despite his doubts about the message Azrael decided that Lazarus would go alongside a complement of the Deathwing and Ravenwing.[4a] During the journey to Sortiarius the Navigator of the Seeker of Redemption was exhausted to the point of near death, so Lazarus ordered that they exit the warp. During this time the Grey Knights strike cruiser Purging Sword found them. After a tense discussion Lazarus and Arvann Stern agreed that any strike they make must be quick and decisive. While reviewing their intelligence Lazarus came up with a plan of attack, he and the Dark Angels would go after a temple complex that was preventing planetary bombardment, while forces go to engage them the Grey Knights would be able to attack Tizca.[4b]
Once in system both groups began their attack. Lazarus led 5th company down to the surface while the Deathwing and Ravenwing waited in reserve. His plan seemed to work and the Thousand Sons left Tizca to fight them. Lazarus knew the battle was going too slowly and ordered the Deathwing and Ravenwing to deploy. Once they were finally able to damage the crytstal at the top of the temple pyramid they engaged in a fighting withdrawal. It wasn't until the majority of the Dark Angels had left the surface, and were in the hanger of the Seeker, that he and the company found out the Grey Knights had been urgently hailing for aid, and that they had been deceived[4b]
The Grey Knights were able to make contact from their librarians to another in the Dark Angels. They suggested creating a temporary corridor in the warp to unite them. This killed the Librarians, but it worked and Lazarus and the Dark Angels were able to join the Grey Knights in battle. They fought together towards the ritual site, at one point Stern and Lazarus fought back to back. When they finally arrived at the ritual site, where Magnus and the Thousand Sons had already begun, Lazarus knew they couldn't fight their way through and ordered the Dark Angels to fire upon Magnus, however this had no effect on him. The Grey Knights were able to get their ship in orbit to fire upon their position, disorienting Magnus and the Thousand Sons. Shortly after the space marine gunships rushed down to pick up the survivors, including Lazarus, and returned to orbit.[4c]
The Siege of The Rock
Lazuras was present and took part in the second assault on The Rock during the Arks of Omen Campaign. During the fighting Lazarus lead the defense of the Galleria Aspocondael, deploying holding forces to hold back Vashtorr himself. In the Galleria he led the defense of the Pilastrum, reinforced by survivors of the Forbidden Gate Garrison, though he had them fall back to the Oathway to avoid being surrounded by Word Bearers. When that starts to happen in the Oathway he sends out a call for aid. Azrael would then order him to fall back to the Gallerium Exactor with his surviving forces to reinforce Ezekiel, which he did. At the Nameless Gate he fought Vashtorr again alongside Ezekiel. When Azrael arrived with reinforcements, Lazarus was ordered by Azrael to die before letting the Nameless Gate be opened.[5]
Battle of Husk
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The following paragraphs contain spoilers for: | Lazarus: Enmity's Edge (Novel) |
When the planet of Husk had been invaded by Orks the imperial authorities that called for aid had underestimated both the size of the Ork forces, as well as how well armed they were. As a result Lazarus was sent alongside only 5th Company, some scouts, as well as the shipsUnrelenting Fury, Sword of Caliban and Death of Mercy[7c]
On the planet Lazarus set a trap for the Orks that was dependent on Unrelenting Fury being able to bombard Ork forces that were heading straight for them. However, shortly before the Orks arrival the ship was called away by Azrael, forcing a rapid change of the plan[7a]. Lazarus was forced to have the company perform a fighting retreat. During the battle he saw Lieutenant Amad killed right in front of him by an Ork Weirdboy.[7b] Despite heavy losses they were able to beat the Orks in the end.[7c]
After the Battle Lazarus was furious at Azrael for calling away the battle barge, leading to his heavy losses. When he returned to The Rock Lazarus met with Azrael, who confirmed that Unrelenting Fury left the battle to hunt The Fallen but was unsuccessful. As the conversation got more tense Lazarus told Azrael the story of the Doom of Droslin, how the knights fought a battle they knew they would die in, and as a result weren't around later to help other knightly orders finally kill the beast. He told Azrael that he saw the Dark Angels in that story, how their oath to destroy the fallen is an obsession that has the power to distract, distort and destroy them. Angered, Azrael accused Lazarus of speaking madness because he crossed the rubicon. Lazarus stated that it was not madness, and that the Dark Angels were afraid everyone would know they were human and flawed. Azrael then picked him up by the armour and told him that they knew no fear, that there would be no change in how they operate, and that The Fallen would always be their first priority. Lazarus said that he understood and would carry out his will, then left the meeting.[7c]
Battle of Reis
On Reis he and his 5th Company defeated the Chaos-corrupted Enginseer Heris Amis. During and after the campaign on Reis Lazarus translated the old Calibanite story The Doom of Droslin.[7d]
Wargear
Lazarus' wargear includes the Spiritshield Helm and the Power Sword Enmity's Edge.[3] His personal flagship is the Strike Cruiser Sword of Caliban.[7c]
Images
See also
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf September 2019, pg. 28 — Index Astartes: Dark Angels
- 2: Warhammer Community: Merry Christmas, From Warhammer Community! (posted 25/12/2019) (last accessed 26 December 2019)
- 3: Ritual of the Damned Chapter Focus: Dark Angels (posted 15/01/2020) (last accessed 15 January 2020)
- 4: Psychic Awakening: Ritual of the Damned:
- 5: Arks of Omen: Vashtorr, pgs. 19-22
- 6: Joytoy: Lazarus figure (last accessed 21 July 2024)
- 7: Lazarus: Enmity's Edge (Novel):
