Lufgt Huron
"The Imperium is a weak old man, ready and waiting to be broken apart by his vengeful sons."[4]
Lufgt Huron, now known as Huron Blackheart or The Blood Reaver[3], was the Chapter Master of the Astral Claws, a renegade Space Marine chapter which gained notoriety as the piratical Red Corsairs. He was also the ruler of the planet Badab Primaris, which he ruled with an iron fist, earning him the title Tyrant of Badab.
The Badab War
Huron and his chapter were assigned to patrol the Maelstrom, an area of warp/real space overlap in Ultima Segmentum. Though an able leader in many respects, Huron lacked the selfless dedication to humanity necessary in an Imperial commander. Huron's megalomania became apparent as he steadily distanced himself from the Imperium, hoarding planetary tithes for himself. His first overt act of rebellion occurred in 901.M41, when he destroyed an Imperial investigation fleet sent to Badab. Three other chapters joined his rebellion.[Needs Citation]
In what became known as the Badab War, which lasted a little over a decade, several chapters were dispatched to Badab to put down Huron's rebellion. In 912.M41, in the battle for the Palace of Thorns, Huron was defeated - the right side of his body destroyed by a melta blast from the dying Loyalist Star Phantoms Captain Zhrukal Androcles. With Badab lost, the remaining Astral Claws took their crippled Chapter Master and escaped into the Maelstrom.[Needs Citation]
Thanks to Lord Apothecary Garreon and Forge Master Armanneus Valthex[2b], the Tyrant managed to survive his wounds, the Chapter Techmarines completely rebuilding his body. He gave himself the name of "Blackheart", and renamed his chapter the Red Corsairs. Though weakened, the Red Corsairs remain a threat in the Maelstrom region, attacking Imperial forces and stealing their vessels for use in his ranks. There have also been several instances - such as the battle for the Space Wolves strike cruiser Wolf of Fenris - where Space Marines from loyal chapters will defect and join Huron, boosting the ranks of his Red Corsairs ever more. His ranks boosted by others who have shunned the Emperor, Huron now leads the largest pirate fleet in the eastern Imperium.[Needs Citation]
Weapons and Abilities
Huron is armed with a Power Axe and the Tyrant's Claw, a monstrous bionic Power Fist with a built-in heavy flamer. He is also accompanied by a semi-intelligent creature of unknown nature, which he calls his Hamadrya. The creature never helps its master directly but instead acts as a familiar, allowing Huron access to certain psychic powers.[1]
Character Origin
Huron developed in W40k's background from quotes attributed to a "Tyrant of Badab" in Warhammer 40,000's original Rogue Trader book. In 1988's White Dwarf 101 he appeared as Lufgt Huron, the rebel Master of the Tiger Claws and Tyrant of Badab in the background to the Badab War - his survival after the rebellion left a mystery. In second edition's Chaos codex he became a Chaos Marine special character known as Huron Blackheart with accompanying rules. Updated rules for Huron were printed in Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition), with an accompanying model.
Also, his bionic arm seems to have switched from his left to his right side over time.
Images
Sources
- 1: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition), [Needs Citation]
- 2: The Gildar Rift (Novel) by Sarah Cawkwell
- 3: Blood Reaver (Novel), [Needs Citation]
- 4: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (6th Edition) pg.58
Uncited
- Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, The Badab War