Da'Zel Rhoshan

29th Company, the Flamebound. The Faceless

Da'Zel Rhoshan exemplifies the heart of the Salamanders—compassionate but unyielding, with an indomitable spirit that refuses to bow to despair. Known for his fiery passion and deep empathy for those he protects, Rhoshan is as much a protector as he is a warrior. To Rhoshan, every victory must not only be won, but earned with honour and integrity, and never at the expense of innocent lives.
When the massacre at Isstvan V unfolded, Rhoshan and his 29th Company, the Flamebound, had been dispatched to secure a vital forge world, ensuring the protection of its manufactorums to ensure the Emperor’s forces would remain supplied. Isolated, the Flamebound were spared the full extent of the carnage, but they themselves came under fire from the traitors soon enough. The betrayal & death of so many of their brothers—along with the assumed death of Vulkan—were a wound that would never truly heal. Rhoshan’s unyielding determination drove his resolve to fight in their memory, to uphold the ideals that they had died for, and to carry on the Salamanders' legacy in the dark days ahead.
Since then, Rhoshan and the Flamebound have fought relentlessly, defending worlds still loyal to the Imperium and standing as shields for the weak. As they travel from battle to battle, world to world, they seek out any other surviving Salamanders, hoping to forge anew the legion from the ashes of Isstvan V. For them, the war against the traitors is more than a means of survival—it is a sacred duty to defend humanity, the innocent, and those too fragile to defend themselves. Wherever they go, they fight not just with the fury of Vulkan’s sons, but with the compassion that defines their legion. Every battle is a crusade to preserve what little light remains in a galaxy falling into shadow.
Now, Rhoshan finds himself at Semita 4, a world of great strategic importance, not only for the Imperium's retreat to Terra but for the countless civilians who call it home. To Rhoshan and the Flamebound, this battle is not just about the warp routes and manufactorums—it is about protecting those who cannot protect themselves. He sees the fight as a chance to burn bright in remembrance of Vulkan and the name of the Emperor—to strike against the traitors with the full force of the Flamebound’s righteous fury. His warriors, bound by brotherhood and purpose, stand ready to defend the planet not just for its strategic value, but for each and every soul that lives beneath its skies. Together, they will make their stand, knowing that even if they fall, they will do so as loyal sons of Vulkan.

Crucible of Champions - Phase one, installation Delta

As dawn broke over Semita IV, the void shield generator complex became a crucible of war. The traitors sought to overwhelm the position and the loyalists stood stalwart and firm. Skirmishes inevitably flared up as vanguards closed the line—one such skirmish occurred between elements of the Salamanders 29th Flamebound and the Emperor’s Children 26th Millennial.
The loyalists struck first, sallying forth from their line eager for vengeance, the memories of Isstvan V a wound that never heals. The Salamanders' Dreadnought, ancient and unyielding, tore through its traitor counterpart in a display of terrible might. Emboldened, Salamander tactical squads unleashed punishing volleys, their disciplined fire cutting down traitor assault marines mid-leap.
Amidst the chaos, two champions sought each other out. Da'Zel Rhoshan, his flamer-spear blazing, charged towards Ambros Valantion, every step fueled by the bitter memory of betrayal. Ambros embraced the challenge willingly, fueled by the sweet elixir of battle and the delicious opportunity to take another champion’s head from his body. Their duel swiftly became the eye of the storm, terminator-clad astartes clashing around them in a whirlwind of ceramite and blood.
Yet the Emperor's Children's martial perfection began to tell. Salamanders began to fall one by one, leaving Da'Zel increasingly isolated. As the tide turned, a squad of Emperor's Children tactical marines charged a line of Salamanders holding a crucial chokepoint. The loyalists' bolters roared, cutting down most of the attackers, but failed to stop them all. In a moment of terrible glory, a lone Emperor's Children banner bearer broke through, his defiance forcing the Salamanders back. Though they rallied and eventually brought him down in a hail of bolter fire, his sacrifice had breached their line and more importantly, drew their attention away from their commander.
The loyalist Dreadnought, seeing its commander's plight, surged forward, but a wall of traitor bolter fire held it at bay. In the chaos, Ambros seized his chance. His power sword pierced Da'Zel's guard and armour alike, snapping as it drove home. Undeterred, Ambros raised his power fist, hammering the broken blade deeper with a blow that shook the very ground.
As Da'Zel fell, the Salamanders retreated, bearing their grievously wounded leader back to the safety of their defensive lines around the void generators. In the aftermath, both leaders emerged changed. Da'Zel, though gravely wounded, found a new, terrible rage burning within him. Ambros stood victorious, his tactical acumen sharpened by the fierce resistance he had faced and inspired by the unbreakable will of his banner bearer.

Phase 2 - Reports from Senior Chirurgeon Fugean Vulgis

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ COMBAT ASSESSMENT REPORT ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ REFERENCE: MED-29/SR-447-β ++ ++ CHRONOLOGICAL: 065.013.M31 ++ ++ CLASSIFICATION: THETA-LEVEL OPERATIONAL DEBRIEF - RESTRICTED ++ ++ OPERATIONAL THEATRE: HIVE HEPHESTUS ++ ++ SECTOR: 11D - CITY OUTSKIRTS ++ ++ ENGAGEMENT DURATION: 6.5 STANDARD HOURS ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ ORIGINATOR: SENIOR CHIRURGEON FUGEAN VULGIS ++ ++ RANK: PRIMUS MEDICAE, 29TH COMPANY ++ ++ RECIPIENT: COMMAND STAFF, LOYALIST DEFENCE FORCES ++ ++ AUTH CIPHER: OMEGA-NINE-DELTA ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
By the Emperor's grace, another engagement concludes with Battle-Captain Da'Zel Rhoshan testing the very limits of biomantic reconstruction and my rapidly diminishing patience. The recent clash against the Word Bearers in Sector 11D of Hive Hephestus has once again proven that our captain's definition of "tactical engagement" bears more resemblance to a moth's attraction to a raging inferno than any rational military doctrine.
The detachment's performance was, at best, a qualified defensive success. While we held the line against the Word Bearers' assault with disciplined precision—our coordinated defence merely prevented a total collapse rather than achieving a decisive victory. We struck down their psyker leader—a malevolent creature whose fell energies had threatened to breach our defensive perimeter—yet the enemy remains unbroken. Our warriors held the line, but the Word Bearers withdrew in sufficient order to fight another day, their full strength undiminished. This was survival, not triumph.
And yet, again, Da'Zel decides that personal proximity to the enemy is a suitable tactical maneuver. This marks the fourth—the fourth!—instance where I am required to reconstruct his facial structures. The augmetic workshops are beginning to joke that we should simply cast his entire head in ceramite and be done with it. My last reconstruction required no less than seventeen separate graft-protocols, three rare organ-prints from our gene-seed repositories, and enough syndetic-flesh to upholster a Rhino transport.
I am formally requesting—no, demanding—additional support. The Firedrake Terminators are to be seconded to his command immediately. Their tactical acumen might, by some miracle, prevent Da'Zel from turning himself into a walking casualty statistic. Furthermore, I also request a Librarian attachment. The psyker threat that felled our captain suggests we need more than brute force to counter the Word Bearers' corruption.
Our heavy support equipment has been savaged beyond simple repair. I recommend an increased complement of Pyroclasts whose combat effectiveness can restore the balance we've lost.
Speaking of potential reinforcements, I must inquire about the status of our Knight Lance, particularly the Draconis Dictatio. Our latest communications suggest potential proximity to our theatre of operations. Confirmation of its approach would be most appreciated, given our current equipment attrition.
To be crystal clear: Battle-Captain Da'Zel Rhoshan is a warrior of extraordinary potential. He is also, without question, the most stubborn form of walking medical challenge I have ever encountered. Each time I restore him, I wonder if the next reconstruction will finally instill some sense of self-preservation. Into the fires, unto the anvil Signed, Fugean Vulgis
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ AUTHORISATION PROTOCOL ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ ENDORSEMENT: VALIDATED - MEDICAE AUTHORITY ++ ++ SECURITY LEVEL: THETA-CLEARANCE ++ ++ BIOMETRIC SEAL: [VERIFIED] ++ ++ TRANSMISSION: SECURE COURIER - HAND DELIVERED ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ AUTHENTICATOR SIGNATURE ++ ++ ++ ++ [OFFICIAL MEDICAE SEAL IMPRESSED] ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Phase 2 - COMBAT ASSESSMENT REPORT - HEPHESTUS

RECORDS SEALED, VERMILLION LEVEL, NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED. By the Authority of ████████
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ COMBAT ASSESSMENT REPORT ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ REFERENCE: TAC-29/SR-448-β ++ ++ CHRONOLOGICAL: 065.014.M31 ++ ++ CLASSIFICATION: THETA-LEVEL OPERATIONAL DEBRIEF - RESTRICTED ++ ++ OPERATIONAL THEATRE: HIVE HEPHESTUS ++ ++ SECTOR: RAD WASTES - NORTHERN APPROACH ++ ++ ENGAGEMENT DURATION: 2.3 STANDARD HOURS ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ ORIGINATOR: BATTLE-CAPTAIN DA'ZEL RHOSHAN ++ ++ RANK: BATTLE-CAPTAIN, 29TH COMPANY ++ ++ RECIPIENT: COMMAND STAFF, LOYALIST DEFENCE FORCES ++ ++ AUTH CIPHER: OMEGA-NINE-EPSILON ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whilst coordinating defensive preparations within Hive Hephestus, tactical assessment indicated a significant blind spot in our northern approaches through the rad wastes. Taking personal command of a reconnaissance detachment, I initiated an impromptu survey of the terrain to better position our flame corridor defences.
During this defensive assessment, we detected rapid movement from what initially appeared to be friendly elements of the Blood Angels Legion. It became immediately apparent that these warriors were in the grip of the Red Thirst, having lost all semblance of tactical coherence or battlefield discipline. Initial attempts at vox communication were met with incoherent responses interspersed with battle-cant and feral growls.
Our opening response proved decisive. Concentrated lascannon fire disabled their Spartan assault tank before it could close to effective range, denying them their primary transport and forcing them into a protracted ground engagement. This tactical success—which our ever-cautious Primus Medicae will no doubt categorise as "unnecessarily aggressive"—prevented what could have become a far more devastating close-quarters battle.
Making a tactical decision to minimise casualties among our brother legion, I deployed our Pyroclast teams in an aggressive deterrence pattern. The psychological impact of concentrated flame weapons proved effective against even their blood-maddened state. The searing heat and walls of flame created a powerful psychological barrier, forcing them to break their charge multiple times.
During the engagement, their leader Araphael suffered severe injuries from redirected flame protocols. Whilst regrettable, these wounds were an unavoidable consequence of containing their berserker advance. Medical assessment suggests full recovery is possible, though lengthy. I trust our Apothecarians will note that I prioritised non-lethal methods, even at the cost of tactical advantage.
Our casualties were minimal—three wounded, none critical. The effectiveness of flame-based deterrence suggests that even in their afflicted state, our brother warriors retain some instinctive recognition of superior firepower. Venerable Brother Vosvan suffered significant servo-damage to his left leg assembly. Tech-priests estimate three days of repairs will be required. The display of overwhelming force through non-lethal means achieved our objective of driving them back without requiring terminal force against fellow loyalists.
This encounter has proven the tactical necessity of our northern defensive preparations. I formally recommend increased flame weapon deployments along this approach. Should we encounter similar situations, the ability to create immediate fire barriers may prove crucial in managing such delicate engagements without unnecessary loss of loyal warriors.
And for the record, should Fugean review this report—the minor burns sustained during this operation required absolutely no medical intervention. Some of us can actually avoid the Apothecarion when appropriate.
Into the fires, unto the anvil Signed, Da'Zel Rhoshan
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ AUTHORISATION PROTOCOL ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ ENDORSEMENT: VALIDATED - COMMAND AUTHORITY ++ ++ SECURITY LEVEL: THETA-CLEARANCE ++ ++ BIOMETRIC SEAL: [VERIFIED] ++ ++ TRANSMISSION: SECURE COURIER - HAND DELIVERED ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ AUTHENTICATOR SIGNATURE ++ ++ ++ ++ [OFFICIAL COMMAND SEAL IMPRESSED] ++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Notable Unit Members - Semita IV Campaign

Vosvan, Breaker of False Perfection.
A once decorated Salamander who showed that the flames of Nocturne burned bright in his own heart during the great crusade leading to his interment in a sarcophagus and fought on for the Emperor and Vulkan. During the rise of the heresy, he has single-handedly faced down Emperor's Children dreadnoughts on two occasions and easily bested both of them, walking away to further decimate the followers of Chaos.

N'Kulu, The Ever-Burning.
A Pyroclast Warden who fought defiantely alongside his warlord Da'Zel Rhoshan against the Iron Warriors on Semita IV. As his men fell around him, he was spured along by his champion's faith. Finding himself as the last man standing, side by side with Da'Zel, he roared and raged against the incoming storm of steel. A hail of shrapnel came came uponst him in a singular fashion, 25 bolters landed upon him and he stood unscathed, the Ever-Burning, ready to bathe the traitors in Nocturne's blessed fire.
Senior Chirurgeon Fugean Vulgis
Primus Medicae attached to Rhoshan's command cadre. Instrumental in his continued service in the emperors name, despite numerous grevious injuries.

Related Historical Events

• REDACTED
  Cross on Cross incident [REDACTED]
• Traitor Victory
  Crucible of Champions