Warhammer 40k Archives

The Night Lords: A Legion of Shadows

The Night Lords, a legion of Space Marines, have left an indelible mark on the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. Their history is a testament to the duality of human nature, where nobility and cruelty coexist in an eternal struggle.

Early Years

Founded by the enigmatic Primarch Konrad Curze, the Night Lords were instrumental in the Great Crusade, bringing order to a chaotic galaxy through their unwavering dedication and unrelenting ferocity. However, as the Horus Heresy unfolded, the Night Lords found themselves at the forefront of the traitor legions, their actions forever changing the course of history.

Notable Battles and Campaigns

• The Raid on Ptolemax XI (674.M31)
• The Solar Rebellion (M32)
• The War of Broken Wings (261.M33)
• The Destruction of Ila-Manesh (326.M33)
• The Blackstar Liberation (344.M33)
• The Culling of Grendel’s World (834.M34)

Organization and Structure

During the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, the Night Lords adhered to standard Space Marine Legion organization, with the notable exception of their command council, known as the Kyroptera. They also employed “Pacification Battalions,” formations of heavy armor and shock infantry designed to break enemy defenses and ravage planetary populations.

Companies and Chapters

• 3rd Company
• 7th Company
• 8th Company
• 9th Company (nearly destroyed during the Unification Wars)
• 10th Company (became The Exalted warband after the Horus Heresy)
• 13th Company
• 17th Company
• 19th Company
• 22nd Company
• 23rd Company
• 27th Company
• 39th Company
• 40th Company
• 43rd Company
• 45th Company
• 71st Company
• 77th Company
• 89th Company
• 96th Company
• 103rd Company
• 104th Company
• 114th Company

Post-Heresy

After the death of Konrad Curze, the Night Lords were shattered as an organized legion, with most fleeing to the Eye of Terror to operate as disparate warbands. However, recent events, including the 13th Black Crusade, have sparked hope that the Legion may be reunited under the prophetic figure known as Decimus.

Geneseed and Legacy

Despite their turn to Chaos, the Night Lords’ geneseed remains surprisingly pure, a testament to their avoidance of overt Chaos worship. This stability is notable even when compared to that of loyalist First Founding Chapters, leaving a lasting legacy in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium.