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==History==
===Formation===
Originally known as the '''XVIIIth Legion''', the origins of what would become the Salamanders are largely shrouded in mystery. In order to protect the nascent [[Legiones Astartes]] from both hostile action and espionage, the origins and deployments of several early Legion [[gene-seed]]s are further classified beyond usual protocol. These Legion groups were formed and established largely in separation from the rest, and it is generally thought to a very specific end. The XVIIIth Legion, along with the [[Space Wolves|VIth Legion]] and [[Alpha Legion|XXth Legion]], comprised this group of proto-legions. That this 'trefoil' of three proto-Legions was somehow veiled from the rest during their creation and establishment was something known only to a few. Deliberate effort was made to distance these three legions from the others. There are none save the [[Emperor]] and a handful of his aids aides who know what the exact purpose behind this policy was.{{Fn|22}} Sometime in its history the Legion was named the Dragon Warriors, but it was a name few knew or spoke of.{{Fn|38}}
The Legion's first recorded significant action was during the [[Assault on the Tempest Galleries]] during the [[Unification Wars]]. Achieving victory against impossible odds, though the Legion's active strength was reduced from 26,000 to around 1,000. Nonetheless they achieved a place of glory in the Imperial military establishment, and this helped the Legion rapidly rebuild with new waves of recruits and wargear. But the losses from the Tempest Galleries battle still lingered, and as a result the Legion was often deployed piecemeal, with many Legionaries of the XVIIIth spread throughout numerous warzones. In particular, they were used to deal with sudden threats that may appear to the rear, such as [[Space Hulk]]s or [[Xenos]] pirates. Seldom did the XVIIIth fight on a battlefield of its own choosing, but they nonetheless received extensive battle honors. Meanwhile, it is believed that the Legion's [[Primarch]] [[Vulkan]] did not immediately reunite with his forces upon his rediscovery, instead serving alongside the [[Emperor]] for several years.{{Fn|21a}}
