Title: The Ancient Warriors of the Empire: A Deep Dive into the Redemptor Dreadnoughts
In the sprawling universe of Warhammer 40,000, few entities capture the imagination quite like the Redemptor Dreadnoughts. These titanic mechanized behemoths stand as living testaments to the indomitable spirit of mankind, and today, we delve into the belly of these metal beasts.
Each Redemptor Dreadnought is a marvel of Imperial engineering, sporting an array of armaments that could level a city. The Gatling C Cannon, a bellicose choice for those who favour raw firepower, is a common sight. Alternatively, heavy flamers offer a brutal counter to massed infantry assaults. For those who prefer a touch of elegance in their devastation, the macrop plasma cannon provides a potent alternative.
But the Redemptor’s arsenal doesn’t stop there. Its chassis can be fitted with storm bolters or frag storm grenade launchers, making it a formidable force on any battlefield. For aerial threats, the Caris storm Cannon sits atop its form, ready to rain death from above.
However, the true heart of any Dreadnought lies not in its weaponry, but its pilot. Encased within adamantine sarcophagi, these heroes of the Empire continue to serve even after their mortal bodies have failed them. Two such heroes are Bjorn the Fell-Handed of the Space Wolves chapter and Tankred of the Black Templars. Their sagas are legendary, but today we shine a light on the lesser-known warriors.
First among these is Khon, a warrior of the Unava Clan Company from the Iron Hands. Born on Terra, Khon was a veteran of the Great Crusade and claimed many victories before being severely wounded by Orks during the Battle of Rust. His body broken, Khon was placed into stasis and encased within a leviathan dreadnought, where he slowly began to lose his sanity.
Khon’s story continued during the Horus Heresy, where he took part in numerous assaults against the World Eaters. His ultimate fate remains unknown, but sightings in the 41st Millennium suggest he may have joined the Inquisition’s Deathwatch – potentially one of the first to do so.
Another enigmatic figure is Neus, a venerable dreadnought who materialized as if from nowhere. Bearing the black shield of a chapterless Astartes, Neus joined the watch already entombed within his dreadnought. The secrets of his past were known only to a long-deceased Tech Marine, leaving his origins shrouded in mystery. Despite this, he is held in high regard for his wisdom and combat prowess.
Among the ranks of the Inquisition’s Grey Knights, we find the dreadnought Steel Vigilance. His original name and brotherhood remain a mystery. Alongside another dreadnought, Jacen, he was charged with overseeing a world once invaded by demons. Unfortunately, Steel Vigilance ultimately fell in battle against the forces of Tzeentch.
Finally, we turn our gaze to the Space Wolves and one of their most renowned Wolfen dreadnoughts, Murderfang. Discovered during a battle against the Chaos Marines on Omnicide, he was seen carving through enemy forces with almost frenzied resolve. His identity remains a mystery, adding another layer of intrigue to this already enigmatic figure.
Stay tuned for the next instalment in this series, where we will continue our exploration of the Empire’s ancient warriors, encased within their walking sarcophagi, the Dreadnoughts.
Leave a Reply