Knights of Blood
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." ~Matthew 6:1
| Knights of Blood | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Battle Cry | Unknown | |
| Number | Unknown | |
| Founding | Unknown | |
| Successors of | Blood Angels | |
| Successor Chapters | Unknown | |
| Chapter Master | Unknown, Possibly Ser Kord | |
| Primarch | Sanguinius | |
| Homeworld | Unknown | |
| Strength | Unknown | |
| Specialty | Heavy assault, overkill | |
| Allegiance | Declared renegade by Ordo Astartes, nominally loyalist and considered such by Dante | |
| Colours | Silver, dark red pauldrons and helmet. | |
A Successor Chapter to the Blood Angels, the Knights of Blood are a Renegade Space Marine Chapter. Although their frenzied warriors are dangerous to both friend and foe alike at least according to the Ordo Astartes, they still purge the galaxy of the Imperium's enemies and are quick to remind Loyalist Chapters that there is a large difference between "Traitor" and "Renegade".
The Knights of Blood Chapter suffer the same deficiencies common to many of the later founding successor chapters of the Blood Angels - to wit, the Black Rage and the Red Thirst. The Knights started a galactic crusade to purge the foes of the Imperium, but committed so many excesses in the course of it that they were declared renegades by the High Lords of Terra in the beginning of M41. As such they kept their distance from any allies, to protect those allies from both the Inquisition and their own deficiencies. Some chapters ignore this decree, refusing to accept any declaration of renegade status from any other than a Space Marine, but other chapters are extremely zealous in prosecuting outcasts.
There have been rumours of the presence of the Knights of Blood operating in the Jericho Reach for several years, but they have never appeared on any officially sanctioned order of battle, and as far as can be ascertained, no communications have been exchanged between them and the Achilus Crusade's high command.
Story time!
In the short story, 'Reflection in Blood' by James Swallow, Sergeant Rafen and squad parley with a group of Knights of Blood who outwardly don't display signs of either of the twin curses (i.e. the Flesh Tearers sheer ballscrunchingly volatile anger barely restrained behind a mask. In fact they seemed quite civil despite one member of the squad being a dumbass and accusing them of being thieves along with renegades, as they had shown up in good faith to return a fallen brother's wargear and progenoids
That, surprisingly barely got a rise out of them, and the leader, Ser Kord brushed it off. After things had wrapped up, Rafen asked the million dollar question, if they were willing to do this, could they not return to Baal with them? Ser Kord merely replied sadly "Baal has been lost to us." Then the dumbass asked them what was stopping them from slaying them for being renegades. To which Ser Kord merely smiled gently and the Epistolary that had been attached to the squad suddenly became aware of a COMPANY of the Knights of Blood that had been hidden by Ser Kord.
With no Psychic Hood.
Without even giving a whiff of corrupted sorcerer stank.
without even sending off any red flags to the epistolary that he was even channeling the warp, let along concealing that many men.
Let that sink in for a minute.
Without even giving a whiff of corrupted sorcerer stank or without sending off any red flags that he was even channeling the warp, let along concealing that many men.
Needless to say Rafen and Co. beat a hasty retreat after--for such a blood thirsty chapter the Knights of Blood demonstrate a surprising amount of patience.
Conjecture
These scant few pieces of evidence lead many to speculate that their particular blood lust might just be an increased passion in the midst of battle which would concur with what a Novamarine captain encountered in the Novel 'Death of Integrity' by Guy Haley.
It also raises questions by their command structure. As Ser Kord had not been fitted with standard psyker gear they might need him to pull multiple roles as their status as renegades would make it hard to recruit. They seemed fit, with no mutations to speak of, so there's only a smal possibility that he gained them after. He could also be the Chief Librarian but not need to wear their standard gear. They could also have Chapter command set up like those bloody magpies
Where are they now?
In 999.M41, the Knights of Blood are gathering near Baal to assist their founding Chapter in their defence of Baal against both the Daemonic hordes of Ka'Bandha and the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Leviathan. Being branded as renegades, they kept their distance from the other Chapters during the battles as to not imperil any of their cousin chapters still in good standing.
Fucking Bro-tier