Gruner
Centurion Gruner was a Terran-born veteran of the Unification Wars and was the Master of Neophytes for the World Eaters, during the Great Crusade.
History
Gruner stemmed from the Jermanic region of Terra, and was infamous for his strength and brutality among the War Hounds before the discovery of Angron.[1] On Bodt, he personally trained many members of the Legion who would later rise to important positions, including Khârn and Captain Dreagher.[1][2] After his Legion was renamed to "World Eaters", Gruner remained committed to many traditions of the War Hounds, such as keeping parts of their old insignia on his armor.[2]
He survived the Horus Heresy, and rose to Acting Captain of the 25th Company during the Great Scouring. At the time, he was one of the most sane and level-headed World Eaters officers. Along with the bulk of the Legion, he and his company eventually sought refuge at Skalathrax in the Eye of Terror, only to be confronted by the bulk of the Emperor's Children Legion. Ostensibly to negotiate a peaceful solution, Khârn led a delegation of World Eaters -including Gruner- to meet Emperor's Children representatives on Skalathrax's moon. However, the meeting devolved into open fighting when Khârn provoked a shootout.[2]
In the later stages in the Battle of Skalathrax, Khârn turned on his own Battle Brothers for stopping their assault to seek shelter from the freezing cold. Gruner, incensed at his betrayal, attacked Khârn with several other World Eaters, yet they were all easily struck down by the Champion of Khorne. Gruner was wounded, but still alive cursing Khârn, as he lay amidst a pile of his fallen brethren. Khârn recognized his old instructor and contemptuously killed Gruner, for his weakness and being one of the many he held responsible for their defeat on Terra.[1]
Trivia
- In Khârn: Eater of Worlds (Novel), Gruner is called "Drask".[2] It is unclear whether this is an alternate name or a mistake.
Source
- 1: The Weakness of Others (Short Story)
- 2: Khârn: Eater of Worlds (Novel), Chapters 11-12
