Angels of Death: are the Dark Angels and Blood Angels linked?

[malika]

Back in the 2nd edition the Dark Angels and Blood Angels were in a single Codex called Angels of Death, there were also a few quotes of some Dark Angels which went something in the lines of: 'blablabla for the Angels of Death' Does this mean these two legions were linked to each other or something? How was the relationship between Sanguinius and Lion el Johnson? Did their Legions work together a lot? In the background there isnt really any contact between Sanguinius and the other Primarchs (except being killed by Horus).

Help here?

[Lastie]

Can't remember any significant relationship between Johnson and Sanguinius, so I'm betting the pairing was one of convenience rather than any special background reason. After all, they're both <something> Angels.

[Phunting]

Yeah, no solid link other than the name. I think in 2nd ed they felt there wasn't enough to justify two seperate army books as they were both essentially just slight variations on Codex.

BTW the phrase 'Angels of Death' is actually a nickname for all SMs, not just BA/DAs.

[Sojourner]

I think they had a faint link in that they had a similar mythos about them; tendency to awe and terrify their witnesses by screaming in from the sky and obliterating the wicked with righteous fury. With these two, this particular style of Imperial might is exceptionally pronounced.

So, they have similar themes, but no direct connection.

[Sai-Lauren]

As Phunting said, Angels of Death is just another nickname for the Adeptus Astartes.

They were put together in a single codex simply because they happen to have "Angels" in their chapter name.

Aside from that, and being first founding legions, there's no other major link between them, just like there's no major link between the Space Wolves and the Luna Wolves, (who became) the Sons Of Horus and the Thousand Sons, or the Black Legion (formally the LW/SoH) and Black Templars.

As for successors (just to make it complicated ), DA tend to Angels Of ... (eg Angels Of Absolution) - although there's no Angels Of Death chapter IIRC - whilst BA tend towards simply Angels ... (eg Angels Sanguine).

[Lion El Jason]

The "Link" Such as it is is thematic rather than historical. They both are, to outsiders, the perfect space marine chapters with long histories of loyalty and long lists of victories. Both chapters have a dark secret though and its a secret that if it were generally known could end the chapter. and its this thematic link that was played up in the C:AoD to explain why both were in the same book.

[Commander Ozae]

As said before the Angels of Death is the term used for the Adeptus Astartes. The BA and DA both were called angels just because they felt like it. The DA were weirdly religous and probably had religious influence while the BA were probably called angels because they were apparently the most beautiful of all marines and Sangiunus was the most angelic of them all. He had wings.

[SON OF LION]

Would be interested to see if any one knows why they were called Dark Angels in the first place.

I know it wasn't anything to do with Jonson or Caliban since the Legion was created and reunited with Lion after the Emperor found him again.

[Lord Zarkov]

Except in many cases the primarchs re-named their legion after being found,

[Bombot]

The "Link" Such as it is is thematic rather than historical. They both are, to outsiders, the perfect space marine chapters with long histories of loyalty and long lists of victories. Both chapters have a dark secret though and its a secret that if it were generally known could end the chapter. and its this thematic link that was played up in the C:AoD to explain why both were in the same book.

True, but I'm pretty sure GW decided to bundle the two together in the same Codex becaue of the Angels in the names, and then came up with the respective secrets in order to link the chapters a little more.

[Son of the Lion]

Nope, both 'secrets' were mentioned before the AoD. IIRC the BA one wasn't played up quite as much though, and the DA weren't as one-track minded in their hunt for the Fallen.

[Bombot]

Name the source please. I don't recall any mention of either flaw before AoD came out.

[Son of the Lion]

Oh good Lord, another trip to the loft. I'll get back to you...

[Bombot]

Actually I seem to remember the Death Company may have come out before AoD (or, maybe more like, came out in the run up to its release). Definitely don't recall any mention of fallen Dark Angels though.

[Brother Othorio]

the Dark Angels were mentioned as having a Dark Secret(tm) in the 2nd edition Codex Imperialis, but the detail was that there was no record of them participating in the Horus Heresy on the loyalist side.. i'm pretty sure there was no mention of Luther/the destruction of Caliban/the Fallen before AoD

the BA Death Companies scheme has been around since the first MkVII boxed set was released about 1990/91, but it was listed as being worn by Blood Angels of the "Blood Oath" but i dont believe it was ever fluffed out

[Chiron]

in the old Codex Imperialis it mentions rumours that the Blood Angels are vampires

[Tanner MIrabel]

I remember mention of the Dark Angels having "teetered on the brink" or suchlike in one of the White Dwarfs that introduced the second edition: specifically the one with the free space marine on the front. I could be misremembering, mind you. However if I'm right, that would be before the AofD codex wouldn't it?

[Antigonos]

I remember mention of the Dark Angels having "teetered on the brink" or suchlike in one of the White Dwarfs that introduced the second edition: specifically the one with the free space marine on the front. I could be misremembering, mind you. However if I'm right, that would be before the AofD codex wouldn't it?

Having in front of me both books, I can confirm that. As well as the information about the Vampiric Blood Angels too.

[Bombot]

If it’s 2nd ed that the mentions started appearing then I’m sure that the idea for Angels of Death was decided upon then they thought up the thematic link (of sorts – evidently from the Blood Angels rumours they were still worlk in progress). Then they started dropping hints.

But that’s not what I originally said so hey ho.

[Philby00]

Would be interested to see if any one knows why they were called Dark Angels in the first place.

I know it wasn't anything to do with Jonson or Caliban since the Legion was created and reunited with Lion after the Emperor found him again.

lionel johnson was a poet who wrote a poem called the dark angel, i think that's the most commonly accepted reason