Legion of the Damned

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Legion of the Damned
Primarch	None (Non-First Founding Chapter)
Battlecry	None (army fights in silence)
Colours	Black with Flames/bones

In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Legion of the Damned is a chapter of Space Marines which mysteriously appears to help overwhelmed Imperial forces, then vanishes just as mysteriously, leaving behind only the destruction which they have caused. The troops that make up the Legion of the Damned do not have strict uniform armour decoration like other Space Marine chapters. Instead, each marine has a variety of flame, bones, and skull motifs painted over their all-black armour. The Legion of the Damned is believed to be the remnants of the lost Fire Hawks chapter of Space Marines.

[edit] Chapter history

The Legion of The Damned are believed to originate from the disastrous Cursed 21st Founding of Space Marines. They are rumoured to originally be the chapter known as the Fire Hawks.

Their history, and reasons behind the change, is unclear, but the following is the rumour which is heard the most.

"The Fire hawks were founded as part of the cursed 21st Founding, but en route to pacify a planet they became trapped in the Warp. They were stuck there for nearly twenty years, and in the warp they were subjected to a plague that caused them hideous suffering. When they finally escaped from the warp the Chapter had been devastated. Most of them were gone and the survivors were no more than animated corpses, their flesh was gray and decaying and the suffering they endured had left them near insane and longing for release from the pain. However, they were still loyal servants of the Imperium and as such they were determined to give up what semblance of life they possessed for the Emperor. They abolished all ranks, as they were all equal in death. They decorated their armour with symbols of cheerlessly grinning skulls and souls writhing in the flames of purgatory. They no longer considered themselves Fire Hawks; they were now simply the Legion of the Damned. Obsessed with their fate, they do not fear death; indeed, they seek little else."

[edit] References

• (September 2001) "Index Astartes – The Cursed Founding". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (261). ISSN 0265-8712. 
• Space Marines – Cursed Founding Chapters. Games Workshop. Retrieved on 2006-03-23.