The Raven Guard: Masters of Stealth and Shadow
The Raven Guard, a legion of Space Marines, has long been known for their exceptional abilities in stealth and shadow. During the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, they played a crucial role in shaping the Imperium of Man.
The Shadowmasters
Within the Raven Guard, there existed a unique unit known as the Shadowmasters or Mor Deythan. These ordinary battle-brothers possessed a rare genetic trait that allowed them to “shadow-walk,” making them nearly invisible on the battlefield. This ability was a result of a quirk in the gene-seed of certain Deliverancian-born Raven Guard, which granted them more than the standard gene code.
Organization and Structure
The Raven Guard Legion followed the basic organizational doctrine, with chapters divided into battalions, companies, and squads. However, companies were preferred for most independent operations, allowing for greater flexibility and initiative. After the Dropsite Massacre, Corax reorganized the legion into divisions based on combat specializations, including the Talons, Falcons, Hawks, and Raptors.
Communicating in Silence
The Raven Guard employed a unique form of sign language known as Corspake, which allowed them to communicate on the battlefield without risking exposure. This silent language included signs such as the Crowfane, Feast of Bones, Empty Chime, and Murder Call.
Wraith-Slipping and Stealth
The Raven Guard were masters of stealth, employing a combination of mental discipline and martial art to conceal their presence. This technique, known as “wraith-slipping,” allowed them to take advantage of their surroundings to remain hidden, even while wearing power armor.
Rites of Shadow
The Raven Guard and their successor chapters observed a silent ritual known as the Rites of Shadow. Conducted in complete silence, this ritual used Corspake to teach the importance of separating truth from lies and glimpsing hidden verities.
Corvia and Honor
Raven Guard marines would often hunt and kill small ravens native to the forests of Kiavahr as a form of meditation or spirit quest. The skulls of these birds were worn as small totems, representing a warrior’s honor. If a battle-brother fell, his comrades would recover his Corvia and carry it into battle until it could be returned to Kiavahr and buried in the soil of the chapter’s homeworld.
Treatment of the Dead
Upon death, the body of a Raven Guard marine would be stripped of its equipment and trappings, harvested of its gene-seed, and left for local carrion birds to feed upon.
Moritat Protocol
The Moritat Protocol, dating back to the Horus Heresy, involved individual Raven Guard being dropped into warzones to train local defenders and wage a local insurgency in support of the chapter’s war effort.
Legacy of the Raven Guard
The Raven Guard’s legacy extends beyond their military prowess. They are known for their grim and brooding nature, as well as their preference for secrecy and stealth. Despite this, they maintain close ties with mortals, particularly those from their homeworld of Deliverance.
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