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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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In ancient days Baal and its moons had Terra-like atmospheres. Baal itself was always a world of red rust deserts, but its moons were close to paradises. As the [[Dark Age of Technology]] ended in the [[Age of Strife]], civil war erupted between the world and its colonised moons, leading to the nuclear devastation of the planetary system. Baal Secundus has since been a nuclear-blasted desert world with deadly levels of radiation. This forced the world's human tribes to build cumbersome radiation suits in order to survive. Mutants were once rife upon the world, frequently at war with the remaining pure humans for dominance of the planet.{{Fn|4c}}
==Culture==
[[file:Blood Angels Space Marine.JPG|thumb|right|230px|A Firstborn Blood Angel]]
Sanguinius did much to establish the culture and beliefs of the Chapter. He transformed the Blood Angels from an army of killers into a Legion of noble warriors that were also well-versed in art and poetry.{{Fn|44b}} There is a mystical streak in many of the Blood Angels and a strong belief that things can be changed for the better. This belief can be seen in everything they do: they strive for perfection be it in their works of art, martial discipline, or military doctrine. Due to their extended lifespans, Blood Angels have time to perfect their techniques in art as well as war.{{Fn|1h}}
Today the Blood Angels are known for both their savagery and grace. They seek to maintain ten defining commandments that they feel best exemplify their Chapter's soul. Through meditation, they maintain the Five Angelic Graces of Honour, Humility, Mercy, Restraint, and Forgiveness. In opposition to these are the five Warrior Virtues of Strength, Savagery, Abandon, Rage, and Detachment. Thus are the Blood Angels frenzied killers one moment, while becoming stoic monks who appreciate arts and music the next.{{Fn|12b}}
Blood Angels also have a habit of sleeping whenever possible in the sarcophagi used to create them. They apparently believe that it is in this slumber that they are one step closer to Sanguinius and seek to gain insight into the psyche of their forefather.{{Fn|1h}}
The Blood Angels will spare no effort to attain the material needed to create the [[Chapter]]'s art and have even fought wars to obtain them. This includes [[Bloodstone (Material)|Bloodstone]] gems from the deep caves of the '''Cruor Mountain''' on [[Baal]] and the larvae of the [[spinewyrm]] fauna. Bloodthirsty sand clams are also needed, as the white pigment used to paint the Chapter's angel wings can only be obtained by crushing clams' shells.{{Fn|57a}}
==Tactics==
The Blood Angels are for the most part a [[Codex Chapter]], though formations such as the [[Death Company]] defy the edicts of [[Roboute Guilliman]]. In battle, they are known to favour [[Jumpack]]-equipped Infantry, close combat, and direct assault. The infamous Gunship and [[Drop Pod]]-borne planetary assaults of the Blood Angels are both beautiful and savage to behold. They depart as quickly as they strike, rarely staying behind to oversee a worlds reconstruction and administration unlike the likes of the [[Imperial Fists]].{{Fn|12b}}
Despite their melee-emphasized method of war, the Blood Angels maintain a larger then average pool of armoured vehicles, including some of unique Design. Most notable of these is the [[Baal Predator]].{{Fn|12b}}
==Gene-seed==
'''Suspected Successors'''
*[[File:Blood_Ravens_Symbol.jpg|35px]] [[Blood Ravens]]{{Fn|76}}{{Fn|77}} <small>(Suspected Lineage, argument principally based around the Chapter's name and heraldry. Pre-early [[M37]] Founding)</small>
==Organisation==
