Codex Unforgiven

Alternate Progressions - Deathwatch 

 Veteran Sergeant  

- The Dark Angels frowns on the Deathwatch severely. However, they have endeavored to make use of the Ordo Xenos unit. Veteran Sergeants who are capable of becoming Captains are selected for this duty. They are specially inducted in the Deathwing Middle Circle before being sent to the Ordo Xenos. During the induction ceremony, they are given a Chapter specific mission. Hunt for any information on the Fallen and relay it back to the Chapter. If word of a possible Fallen Angel is sent back, the marine may be shadowed by a Deathwing squad or two. When the Veteran Sergeants return, they are promoted to Brother-Captain.

 Brother-Captain  

- During their time with Deathwatch, they may be promoted by the Ordo Xenos to Captain. The Dark Angels recognize and encourage the promotion though there is no change in their Chapter mission. The promotion within the Ordo Xenos allows the Dark Angel to fulfill their Chapter mission more easily.

Alternate Progression - Dreadnoughts

To be enshrined within the sarcophagus of a dreadnought is a rare honor to be bestowed upon a marine. In order to be considered a number of circumstances must be met. There must be a sarcophagus ready before the marine goes of to the fateful battle that critically wounds him. The marine must have displayed uncanny knowledge or wisdom worth keeping through the centuries. The marine must also show valor beyond any other on the battlefield. Finally, the marine must live long enough to make the trip to the Apothecarium to be interred.

The Dark Angels do not usually consider a marine for internment until they have been inducted into the Deathwing. There are a rare few marines that shown valor beyond measure that gave them the honor of becoming dreadnoughts. Those dreadnoughts may never know the secrets or they may learn them from the other dreadnoughts when awoken. The Inner Circle fears the result of inducting a dreadnought that is not ready for the knowledge and then having to destroy it in its madness. To this end, they leave the decision to induct a non-Deathwing Dreadnought to the Venerable Dreadnoughts.

The dreadnoughts follow a gerontocracy; the oldest dreadnought has command of the other company dreadnoughts awake. Dreadnoughts follow the orders of the living commander on the field and will always yield command authority except in the most dire of circumstances. (Once they are aware of the limitations imposed by the dreadnought chassis, they realize that they are unfit to command.)

Dreadnoughts are painted to match the company they are assigned. They are numbered by their age so that the First Dreadnought of each company is the oldest, most venerable dreadnought. Dreadnoughts venerate themselves through their actions and longevity. Typically, a marine interred for five hundred years will have venerated himself to the point that they are considered Venerable Dreadnoughts though only the oldest dreadnought awake gets the title.

Alternate Progression - Vassals

 Serf / Servitor  

- These are the slaves of the Chapter, typically, the dregs of the worlds visited by the Dark Angels. Life as a Serf is very brutal and mercifully short. They have no rights, privileges and no possessions. A Serf remains a serf until they die or become Servitors.

- Serfs wear a very simple garb of Dark Green with the Chapter symbol located somewhere on the garments. These garments quickly become rags through the rigors of the Serf’s duties.

 Vassal / Failed Recruit  

- Vassals are servants with privileges. Many of them have volunteered to work for the Chapter to earn a living. Some of them are the warriors that failed in the Trials to become marines, staying on to prove themselves useful to the Chapter in other ways. Others were Recruits whose body rejected the organs needed to become a Space Marine. Vassals are allowed certain privileges and own possessions. Vassals are NOT allowed weapons except a combat knife. They make up the bulk of the Logistical and Administrative branches of the Dark Angels

- The garb of vassals is still simple but more refined. The colors vary depending on their assignment.

 Man-at-Arms  

- Men-at-Arms are those Vassals who have earned enough trust to help enforce the will of the Dark Angels upon the rest of the attached humans. They are given a small assortment of weapons and training to perform their jobs. They are also critical in repelling any boarders to one of the Dark Angel’s vessels.

- Men-at-Arms are given a suit of green Carapace Armor that they continuously wear.

 OR  

 Staff  

- Staff is those vassals who have earned enough trust to be allowed in the presence of the command staff during important discussions (Though nothing to do with the Circles of the Deathwing). They act as couriers and personal servants to the Captains and Masters of the Chapter. They typically live a good life over the Vassals. They carry a sidearm when on the battlefield.

- The chief difference between staff and vassals is the display of their assigned marine’s heraldry to delineate the different staff members.

 Chief  

- Chiefs are the head of the groups of humans. While they report to a marine, they have full control over those in their charge.

- Chiefs are recognized by their gold braided cords on their right shoulder. No chief is over another unless authorized by a marine.