Editing Ravenwing (section)

==Role & Induction==
[[File:Ravenwing Biker.jpg|thumb|left|300px|thumb|Surprise motherfucker!]]The Ravenwing, like the [[Deathwing]], is tasked with hunting the [[Fallen Angels]], though the Ravenwing know far less about their targets; as far as they know, the Fallen are simply heretics who happen to bear a grudge against the [[Dark Angels]], and enjoy spreading lies about the Chapter's history. When the Inner Circle expects to encounter lots of Fallen, they may deploy the Ravenwing and Deathwing together: the Ravenwing chase down the heretics, and then use their locator beacons to call down the Terminators.

They got fluffed up considerably in the aptly named "Ravenwing" novel by Gav Thorpe.
The members are inducted from the most curious space marines: in fact the protagonist of the story is simply transferred over for asking the seemingly innocent question of ''"how did the [[Lion El'Jonson|Lion]] die?"''. Therefore clearly his ultimate fate is not a matter for casual discussion within the chapter so most of the common variety "green" Dark Angels obviously just accept what they are told off hand and don't bother thinking about it too deeply.

In fact the Ravenwing is part of the mechanism that keeps the secret of the Fallen from within the chapter itself, racing ahead of the rest of the army and making certain that nobody gets exposed to uncomfortable truths that the Chaplains don't want to get out. Which is partially an unfortunate thing, as members of the Dark Angels will '''never''' be promoted to the higher ranks unless they can be trusted with the truth, which has far less to do with skill than it does with the personality of the marine in question. So some Dark Angels may be stuck in green armour no matter how competent they are as soldiers/warriors and might not quite realise why they aren't being "promoted" and get a bit resentful about how much freedom & glory that the Ravenwing/Deathwing are getting. But that's what the Inner Circle would prefer; the fewer who know the truth the better.

However, rather than being given an outright lie for an answer when they start asking questions, the members of the Ravenwing are slowly inducted through several circles within the company itself, gradually coming to the truth of the fallen as they prove themselves more and more worthy in the eyes of their superiors, either that or the Ravenwing is a dumping ground for initiates who need closer observation ''(and potential removal)'' as their work is hazardous even by Astartes standards. There have been [[Azrael|documented]] cases of promotion to the Deathwing without having any prior association with the Ravenwing at all. [[Mary Sue|Obviously]] having proven their trustworthiness without any shadow of doubt by other means...

Eventually, when members of the Ravenwing become promoted to the rank of '''Black Knight''' they become privy to the truth of the Fallen and what they represent, if perhaps not the entire truth of the betrayal of Luther. Whilst those from the chapter who have ''direct'' contact with the Fallen
will be segregated into the [[Deathwing]] instead, acknowledging that it is [[PROMOTIONS|not strictly a promotion to be proud of]]; rather it is now an [[Grimdark|additional burden they must bear.]]

Interestingly, and as the first section mentions, the Ravenwing appear to have undergone something of a retcon in the novel. In the 4E Dark Angels Codex they're characterised as the most stoic Dark Angels, and completely ignorant of the nature of their prey - we're told that all DAngles are trained to ignore the desperate lies of their enemies, and none more so than the Ravenwing.

The Grand Masters of the Ravenwing are full inner circle members and are aware of the truth in it's entirety. The recent reforms of the [[Codex Astartes]] by Guilliman gave rise to the rank of Company Lieutenant at two per company, and the Ravenwing's two lieutenants are referred to as '''Talonmasters'''.