A Dance of Shadows and Steel: The Conqueror’s Role of the Raven Guard
In the vast, sprawling narrative of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, we’re turning our gaze upon the Legion of Korax, the Raven Guard. The role of conquerors has often been bestowed upon these agile warriors, their victories hard-fought, yet achieved with a precision that belies their devastating power. Their approach, favoring carefully plotted strikes over the wanton destruction of brute force, paints a fascinating picture of their tactical prowess.
When the black assault cruisers of the Raven Guard descended upon Istvan III, the planet’s defenses crumbled under their relentless assault. The professional soldiers defending the world posed a formidable resistance against the Astartes Warriors, yet the Space Marines were victorious. The last vestiges of resistance were eradicated in the valley of Redar, and the rulers of Istvan III saw no other choice but to admit defeat.
As the defeated knelt before their Primark, Korax, 800 companies of the 19th Legion watched over them. Korax, however, was as wise as he was mighty. He ensured the defeated did not foster resentment, and offered them a chance for redemption – they could rise as citizens of the Imperium. The population of Istvan III vowed to embrace the Imperial truth and become a worthy part of the unified realm of humanity.
The battlefield was Korax’s stage, his black armor serving as a stark silhouette against the backdrop of war. His weapon of choice, the Coradine Pinions – a unique jetpack from the Dark Age of Technology, allowed him to soar above the battle, raining down destruction with a heavy bolter. For close combat, he wielded a power whip akin to the toppled tyrants of Kavar and Raven Talons which he forged himself.
During the subsequent wars of the Great Crusade, the Raven Guard, under the leadership of Coris Korax, proved themselves the masters of covert operations, sabotage, and rapid strikes. Their reputation grew with each victory, often fighting alongside the Luna Wolves or undertaking missions independently on the orders of Horus.
However, the bond between the brothers was tenuous at best. The charismatic Lupal had little effect on Corvus, and their joint battle at Gate 42 nearly resulted in blows. The Raven Lord swore never to fight under the leadership of his mighty brother again, marking a turning point in their relationship.
The campaign at the Akum-Soos cluster, brought into Imperial compliance by the Luna Wolves during the Great Crusade’s early years, saw a rebellion against Imperial rule instigated by the controlling Xenos known as the Unsighted King. The newly crowned Imperial Warm, Horus, sought to quell this rebellion swiftly with a series of lightning and devastating attacks – a plan Korax deemed wasteful and brutal.
The Raven Guard suggested a series of deceptive maneuvers to easily destroy the remaining defenders. This suggestion was met with accusations of cowardice from Primar Perturabo, and a fight was narrowly avoided thanks to the intervention of Leman Russ.
The Raven Guard bore the brunt of the losses, their numbers dwindling to a mere 880,000 warriors, yet their honor remained intact. The glory of victory over the Unsighted Kings went to Horus, yet it was Korax and his Legion who bore the brunt of the conflict. The bloody victory weighed heavily on Horus’s heart, yet it played a positive role in the Raven Guard’s fate.
Korax, in his wisdom, shielded his Legion from internal sabotage by forming the doomed squads from the inhabitants of Terror. Despite their dwindling numbers, the Raven Guard stood strong, their methods of warfare a stark contrast to the brutal tactics of the Night Lords.
The contradiction and similarity with the Legion of Conrad Kurze were most vividly manifested during the joint campaign named Karini. The dance of shadows and steel continued, the Raven Guard proving themselves not just conquerors, but liberators, a beacon of hope in the grim darkness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
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