Changes

Typically, Space Marines attached to the Deathwatch are members assigned from their respective [[Chapter]]s and wear the distinctive icon with pride on their shoulder guards. However, there are a number who hold no such sacred icon and the place where it is supposed to reside is instead left black. Instead, the skull faced icon of the Deathwatch remains on the marine's left shoulder guard with its silver colorings marking their allegiance to the Chamber-Militant. These Black Shields shunned shun the company of their fellow Astartes and only assembled assemble with their Battle-Brothers on the field of battle. Their position is a unique one within the Deathwatch and some even regard their presence as being an ill-omen. However, the Deathwatch is eager to accept an Astartes into their ranks as a trained Space Marine is considered too valuable a weapon to be squandered and thus they find duties for those that have been rejected by their masters.¹

The reason for reasoning behind this practice is because that these warriors are Space Marines without a Chapter and are individuals that had have severed himself themselves from the brotherhood of the Astartes. Such individuals often had have their heraldry removed from their shoulder guard and petitioned petition the [[Watch Commander]] of the Deathwatch for admittance into that sacred order. Their reasons for entry are varied as some joined ; Some join because their Chapter had has been destroyed in some manner and , thus the lone survivor decides to mark in dedicate his final act actions in the service to the Deathwatch , which is seen as an act of pious humility. Another more , much darker origin is , arises from situations where the respective warriors warrior's Battle-Brothers had turned away from the grace of the [[Emperor]] and thus . The Black Shield decides to leave their his traitorous brethren behind in order to expunge their sin from his being. By tradition, these Astartes were are never questioned on their origin as , every trace of their past is obliterated by the removal of the Chapter icon. During the their first encounter with the Watch Commander, little is known of what is discussed which . Most of this is kept a secret between the two though these and supplicants normally supplied supply only their name and their degree of basic training. By right, a Watch Commander is entitled to refuse entry of to the warrior though this is rarely done so.¹

Once within the Deathwatch, these Black Shields send commit themselves to a life of atonement where they guard the outer reaches of the [[Imperium]] from many diverse threats. Sometimes, their life long service can even award them the honour of being entombed at within the [[Watch Fortress]] thus . Their final action allowing them the last act of reforging to reforge the bonds of brotherhood that they had once severed. Normally, Black Shields are considered a rarity , with only a few ever being ever seen in the life of a Watch Commander. Each Astartes that takes such a mantle has a different reason for walking down this path and their fellows often speculate on this matter. The only trait that is the hallmark of all Black Shields is a fierce determination to right a wrong in their past by dedicating themselves to the Deathwatch. They often expressed express this by a penitent regime of prayers and self castigation between training sessions in order to better prepare themselves for the challenges ahead. Black Shields whose Chapters still existed were exist are expunged from the their Chapter records and forever forgotten. Such a practice is used by some Astartes Chapters as a form of permanent exile for some of brethren who cannot atone for their brethrenmisdeeds in any other way.¹

On the battlefield, a Black Shield fights without a care to for personal injury and is single minded in achieving the objective of the [[Kill-team]]. They are noted for being reckless , yet at the same time self sacrificing as , since they showed show no hesitation or fear to put when putting themselves in the path of danger. This meant means they felt little worry for being put make ideal point-men or forward as troops which can be used to bait against an enemy or to draw their foe's fire whilst his comrades terminated their terminate the target. As a result, Black Shields cared care little for personal glory and did seek such moments as they never engaged will not engage in actions that would jeopardise the safety of those around him. However, they are ever always ready to give their lives in battle as they believed believe themselves to be already dead and that their only worth was their service to the Deathwatch. They unquestionably accept all the hardships placed on them , which included includes assignments that their comrades felt were feel are not glorious enough to suit their views. As such, they offered offer no complaint whether stationed at the forefront of a Kill-team or standing alone on guard duty at a [[Watch Station]]. However, their dedication and self-sacrifice can sometimes lead to some being awarded positions ranging from [[Deathwatch Chaplains]], [[Watch Captain]]s and even rarely Watch Commanders. ¹