In this multi-part series delving into the heart of Warhammer 40,000 lore, we swing our lens to the crimson skies and set our sights on the revered and enigmatic Crimson Hunters.
The Crimson Hunters are a sight to behold, a testament to the artistry of war. They are not your typical warriors, armed with conventional swords or pistols. No, their weapon of choice is the majestic Nightshade Interceptor, an exquisite embodiment of Aeldari aeronautics. Their aircraft are as essential to their being as the Power Sword is to the Howling Banshees, or the Shuriken Catapult is to the Dire Avengers. However, their lethality operates on a completely different stratosphere.
The Crimson Hunters are few, yet their presence is increasingly felt across the galaxy. Their training grounds are rather atypical, differing greatly from the traditional shrines of Khaine. They are not mere buildings or landscapes, but rather clusters of transparent cavities linked by tunnels, floating at the edges of artificial worlds, akin to ethereal archipelagos.
Within these captured sky realms, the Crimson Hunters engage in breath-taking aerial duels, their chosen weapons of bright spears and pulse lasers harmonizing with the sleek curves of their fuselages. The weapons are not meant to strike, but to highlight, a single beam of light making the difference between victory and defeat. These warriors possess reflexes so swift, it’s almost supernatural.
The Nightshade fighter is purpose-built for the relentless pursuit and destruction of any aircraft, even those belonging to the Dark Kin. By training nightly with their peers, the most elite fighter aces in the galaxy, the Crimson Hunters ensure that confrontations with lesser races’ aviation would be a walk in the park. They show them what true pilots look like, not the sluggish pretenders who merely pollute the galaxy’s skies.
The Crimson Hunters embody the might of the God of War, Khaine, causing even the strongest opponents to falter and see their end approaching. They chase down and shoot enemy aircraft, securing absolute air superiority. The enemy is left blinded, their reactions to the tactical situation slowed. With precise strikes, the Crimson Hunters then prep the enemy for total annihilation, leaving the rest of the Aeldari Warrior host to effortlessly rip through the barbaric horde.
The most seasoned Crimson Hunters, the Exarchs, possess skills so profound that they rarely miss, even at breakneck speeds. Some stick to the usual weapons configuration, while others replace their bright lances with star cannons, ramping up their firepower. The Rune of the Crimson Hunters represents a blade changing direction mid-flight, signifying the sudden doom that springs from the sky.
The Bloody Blade Shrine, a Crimson Hunter Shrine located on a satellite circling the craftworld Aletto, is a known shrine. During the Karak campaign, Alok’s Crimson Hunters were almost entirely wiped out in a battle with the invading Necrons. Only the Exarch Kadry Ragui survived the retreat from Karak to return to the craftworld.
Though they may be small in number, the Crimson Hunters are among the most recognizable Aspect Warriors. Their mantra resonates across the galaxy: “We are the Hawks of Mighty Kus. We are the blade that strikes swift and true. We soar upon the Winds of War and pierce our prey with talons of flame. Through mastery of the skies do we win mastery of the ground, and thus mastery of all battle.”
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