Ravenwing
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This article is about the Space Marine Company; for the the novel by Gav Thorpe, see Ravenwing (Novel). |
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The Ravenwing is the Second Company of the Dark Angels Space Marines Chapter. Like the First Company, the Deathwing, the Ravenwing are not part of the Codex Astartes structure, although the remaining companies of the chapter adhere to the Codex. Although a versatile and tactically flexible fast-attack force, the true role of the Ravenwing is to hunt members of The Fallen. This secret is only known to high-ranking Black Knights and members of the Inner Circle.[6a]
The current Master of the Ravenwing is Sammael, who rides to battle on the last known surviving Imperial Jetbike.
Contents
Overview
The origin of the Ravenwing dates back to pre-Imperial times; originating from both Terran and Caliban. The Wing most changed by the return of Lion El'Jonson, the Ravenwing was named for the Calibanite Order of the Raven which had trained the most fearsome mounted warriors to be found on that savage world, who rode black horses and "could survive alone in the deadly forests of Caliban, heroic figures in matt black armour and winged helms."[4][9]. Combining those warriors of the Order of the Raven inducted into the Dark Angels with the remnants of the Hosts of Wind and Void, the Lion created a formation that would carve a legend for itself on the battlefields of the Great Crusade and beyond. Based around the principles of mobile attacks, of strike and fade tactics and skirmish warfare, the Ravenwing excelled at the use of light skimmers and aircraft, but also incorporated significant infantry assets. These were mostly reconnaissance squadrons, though among those infantry units specialised in the use of drop pods and other orbital assault doctrines, there were many initiates of the Ravenwing marked by the symbol of a white corvid. When the Legion gave battle to a foe that sought to evade or confuse them, or one whose overwhelming power compelled them to counter it with speed, it was the initiates of the Ravenwing that took to the fore. These initiates were often considered mavericks and glory-hounds by the more hidebound veterans of the other Wings, for the Ravenwing retained a number of more barbaric customs associated with its recruits, many of which hailed from remote feudal worlds. As such, those Calibanite warriors who gained admission to its ranks were often those out of favour with the Masters of the more prestigious Wings or those eager to forge their own legend.[11] It’s role was designed by the Emperor during the Unification Wars as part of the Hosts of the First Legion.[7]
The Ravenwing is a highly specialized formation where speed is more important than heavy firepower. To this end, all of the marines in the company ride into battle on Bikes or Land Speeders on land, including specialized vehicles such as the Land Speeder Vengeance and Darkshroud.[1] In the air, the Ravenwing employs Dark Talons and Nephilim Jetfighters.[5] The Ravenwing's hidden role within the chapter is that of mobile hunters, eternally prowling for their traitorous ancestors, The Fallen.[2] Instead of the usual dark green panoply of the rest of the chapter, the Ravenwing's armour and vehicles are painted jet black, echoing the original colours of the Dark Angels Legion. The Ravenwing also contains specialized sub-formations, such as Ravenwing Command Squads, support squads[6b], Apothecaries[13b], Champions[13b], Ancients[13b], and Ravenwing Black Knights, the latter of whom are the most hardened veterans of the Ravenwing with access to the 2nd Company's Inner Circle.[5] It is these warriors that know the Ravenwing's true mission, hunting the Fallen, and thus they are closely monitored by Chaplain's to make sure their loyalty is in check.[8]
The Ravenwing typically operates in 10-man squads spread out across different vehicles. Typically, this includes 6 Battle-Brothers on Bikes, two on an Attack Bike, and two more on a Land Speeder.[15] The Master of the Ravenwing could be fielded on a bike or custom Land Speeder.[3] Ravenwing squads are overseen by Talonmasters, which are roughly the equivalent of a Lieutenant.[17] It is rumoured that the Ravenwing are oversized in violation of the Adeptus Astartes.[15]
During battle, should the Ravenwing face an especially dangerous task they activate the teleportation homers on their bikes, summoning a force of Deathwing and all but guaranteeing victory.[8]
In 666.M38, three successive Grand Masters of the Ravenwing were lost in a single year hunting a group of Fallen, resulting an unprecedented two-decade period where the Ravenwing had no Grand Master, instead using the Master of the Angels of Vengeance as its commander until a suitable replacement could be found.[6b]
The Master of the Ravenwing is known as the Ravenbringer.[12]
Colours of the Ravenwing
| Biker[16a] | Sergeant[16a] | Black Knight[16b] |
|---|---|---|
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|
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It's known that members of the Ravenwing have gone to war in variants of the standard colour schemes, like their helmets and pauldrons on standard Dark Angel green while the rest of their armour is black.[22]
Notable Members
Grand Masters
- Sammael — Current Grand Master of the Ravenwing
- Gideon — 347th Grand Master
- Gaius Oblonsky — Former Grand Master.[19]
- Aloceri — Commander of the Ravenwing during the Horus Heresy
- Garradin — Commander of the Ravenwing during the Great Crusade[12]
Other
- Tybalain — Black Knight Huntmaster. Slain during the Battle of the Caliban System[14]
- Annael[14]
- Aquila — Sergeant
- Astegar — Champion[22]
- Balthazan
- Meneraeus
- Nereal[10]
- Phanuel — Champion.[15a]
- Sabrael[14]
- Sograel — Apothecary[22]
- Zaelion — Champion
- Zamorael — Sergeant[18]
Images
A Ravenwing Veteran
3rd Edition Ravenwing Bike Squad[20]
4th Edition Ravenwing Bike Squad
Ravenwing Bike Squad from Warhammer 40,000: Dark Vengeance[21]
5th Edition Ravenwing Command Squad[5]
See also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Angels of Death (2nd Edition),
[Help] - 2: http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?aId=2300008
- 3: http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?catId=&categoryId=§ion=&pIndex=3&aId=3500006&start=4
- 4: Descent of Angels (Novel), [Help]
- 5: Ravenwing Command Squad
- 6: Codex: Dark Angels (6th Edition):
- 7: Angels of Caliban (Novel), Chapter 3
- 8: Codex: Dark Angels (8th Edition) — Ravenwing
- 9: Warhammer Community - Secret Orders of the Dark Angels (last accessed 14 January 2018)
- 10: White Dwarf September 2019 — Index Astartes: Dark Angels
- 11: The Horus Heresy Book Nine, pgs. 104-105
- 12: Lion El'Jonson: Lord of the First (Novel), Book 9 Part 1
- 13: Codex Supplement: Dark Angels (9th Edition):
- 14: The Unforgiven (Novel) - The Beginning and the End
- 15: First Founding (Background Book), pg. 46
- 16: Codex: Dark Angels (7th Edition), Digital Edition
- 17: Codex Supplement: Dark Angels (10th Edition), pg. 20
- 18: Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition Rulebook, pg. 193 — Narrative Play
- 19: White Dwarf 500, pg. 120 - A 500-Dwarf Legacy
- 20: Games Workshop 2002 catalog pg 28
- 21: Games Workshop webstore : Dark Vengeance (saved archive, last accessed 05/07/23)
- 22: White Dwarf 96 (2015), pg. 21 — Parade Ground: Ravenwing Command Squad Astegar, the Raven's Claw
