Warhammer 40K: Between A Rock And A Phalanx
Today we set our sights on space and visit the largest mobile vessels of the Astartes – The Rock and The Phalanx.
The Rock
The Rock, also known as the Tower of Angels (or Spire of Angels), is the legendary home and fortress-monastery of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter. The Rock is an immense and powerful ship, capable of blasting even powerful Aeldar fleets into oblivion during the Battle of Midpoint. Fully equipped with both Warp Drives and force fields, it is also home to many ancient and arcane technologies the Dark Angels have accumulated over the millennia. Overall operations of The Rock are overseen by the Master of the Rock.
History
The Rock is thought to be a remnant of Caliban itself that survived the destruction of the world at the end of the Horus Heresy. The Rock travels around the galaxy and visits most of the Dark Angels’ recruiting worlds, and the Watchers in the Dark patrol its halls; an example of a Watcher is the small hooded being that follows Supreme Grand Master Azrael around, carrying the Lion Helm. The Rock is larger than any conventional class of Imperial warship and is capable of laying waste to entire fleets with its massive array of weaponry. The Rock is further protected by a constant escort of Frigates and squadrons of Thunderhawk Gunships.
Deep within the bowels of the Rock are cells in which the Fallen Angels are held. Luther is imprisoned there, kept alive over 10,000 years after his costly betrayal of the Dark Angels.
Shortly after the formation of the Great Rift, the Rock was besieged by daemons led by the Marbas, a member of the Fallen who has become a Daemon Prince. The battle was a mere distraction and was quickly defeated, however the Fallen succeeded in setting Luther free.
The Rock was again besieged during the Arks of Omen Campaign as part of the daemon Vashtorr‘s plans. Ambushing and boarding the mobile fortress, Vashtorr sought a Key Fragment which was sealed within one of The Rock’s deepest vaults. Vashtorr’s raid was initially on the verge of succeeding until Be’lakor intervened and allowed for nearby Imperial reinforcements to arrive. Enraged and with his plan in tatters, Vashtorr retreated. Shortly after, The Rock and a massive Unforgiven armada pursued Vashtorr to the Somnium Stars, where in the subsequent Battle of Idolatros Vashtorr acquired the Key-Fragment he had originally sought: the Tuchulcha.
The Phalanx
The Phalanx is the mobile fortress-monastery of the Imperial Fists. Officially, the homeworld of the Imperial Fists is Terra, but in functional terms the Chapter has been fleet based and used Phalanx as its primary base of operations throughout its entire history.
Origins
The origins of Phalanx are contested in the background material, of which there are two accounts:
- The Index Astartes entry for the Imperial Fists holds that the origins of the starship are unknown, but is believed to have been constructed during the Dark Age of Technology, predating the Imperium. In this account, the vessel was discovered by Rogal Dorn prior to being reunited with the Emperor of Mankind. Upon encountering his father for the first time, Dorn was manning the helm of Phalanx, which he offered to the Emperor as a gift. The Emperor declined and willed that Dorn use the ship in carrying out his command of the VII Legion.
- The Lightning Tower by Dan Abnett gives a more recent but far less extensive account, stating that Phalanx was built by Rogal Dorn himself and evidences his excellence in constructing fortresses.
Post-Heresy
By M32, the Phalanx was already in a state of decay. Built to sustain a Legion, it was far too large to be garrisoned by a mere Chapter of Space Marines. Most of its vast docking bays were deserted, and the Imperium’s inability to replicate its ancient technologies resulted in even minor damage creating significant operational troubles. Thus, during the War of the Beast, the Phalanx was moved to the area of space between Terra and Venus so as to not risk it against the Ork Attack Moons.
Current Status
The Phalanx appeared during the Thirteenth Black Crusade over Cadia, destroying the Blackstone Fortress Will of Eternity after its shields were disabled by Space Wolves under Sven Bloodhowl. When Cadia was destroyed, the Phalanx led the Imperial evacuation fleet out of the system.The vessel now stands vigil over Terra on the orders of the reborn Roboute Guilliman.
By the time of the Indomitus Crusade, the Phalanx was badly damaged and long-decayed. In an act of solidarity, the Shadowkeepers of the Adeptus Custodes opened one of their Dark Cells and provided the Fists with secret technology, giving the sons of Dorn a chance to restore the station. The vessel now operates on a level not seen in countless years.
During the Fourth Tyrannic War, the Phalanx became the headquarters of Lord Commander Solar Arcadian Leontus and left Terra’s orbit to travel to the Anchor World of Sanctum within the Bastior Sub-sector in order to respond to the Tyranid threat. During the ensuing Battle of Bastior, the Phalanx engaged a massive Tyranid fleet and reaped a terrible toll on the xenos.
Characteristics
Phalanx is gigantic, the size of a small moon and is said to shine like a star. During the Great Crusade, the awesome magnitude of the ship served as a symbol of the coming era of the Imperium
The capabilities of Phalanx are substantial. Entire portions of the vessel are used to emulate different combat environments for training purposes. Her foredeck is so large that it can dock a dozen large cruisers and has developed its own ecosystem, complete with unique species of animal life that have had their own evolutionary history aboard the ship.
As of the beginning of the Horus Heresy, the starship featured a gallery that displayed the battle honors of the Imperial Fists, which stretched for kilometers. The ship continues to house Chapter honors and relics. Among the most prized are the Remains of Rogal Dorn and the battle honor Roma.
Which floating fortress is your favorite?
