Lay Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 It's an excerpt from the novel Execution Hour that was featured in the 3.5 CSM Codex. "It was forbidden on pain of death for any of the vessel's thousands of slave workers to look upon the face of the Despoiler, and, as the platform descended through the main crew decks, snarling overseers rushed to assure immediate obedience amongst the work-crews of prisoners under their command. Already recognising the tell-tale sound of the descending elevator, many of the slaves cowered in terror, gaze fixed at their manacled feet and their endless slave work momentarily abandoned, as the platform and the dread figure standing upon it moved past them. Others continued working, raising faces in silent question at the sound of the platforms passing, and showing dark empty holes where eyes should be. Assigned to tasks where eyes were deemed unnecessary, these poor wretches had their sight brutally taken from them by the hands of their overseers." Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4622510 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebus Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 There are a couple of different ways to go about this. One is that Execution Hour and similar, older lore, may not necessarily be seen as binding by those working on producing new works in this setting. I think more than one author - and Laurie Goulding, as well - has expressed this opinion on these forums. I don't disagree with them in this. The other, and this is assuming Execution Hour leaves room for this sort of interpretation, might be something along the lines of a "it's for your own good and the safety of the ship" guideline. What I mean by that is, this is a setting where just the runes and glyphs with which mere Traitor Legionaries decorate their mutated power armour hurt the eyes of sane, un-defiled men and women. Abaddon is the pre-eminent "Chaos Lord" of Chaos Lords (I put the former in quotes because Abaddon as we're seeing him through A D-B's lens may very well despise the idea of being that, or even being called that). He bears all four Marks of Chaos, and we sometimes forget that this means carrying the blessing and favor of the Ruinous Powers on his person. The sight of Abaddon the Despoiler, in Terminator armour that has been through literal hell for millennia, carrying a sword that is the psychic avatar of murder itself and the Talon with which the Warmaster once wounded the Emperor of Mankind unto death, may very well be something that drives a thrall insane. Or, hey, maybe Abaddon's callousness and lack of empathy really is such that he really doesn't give a toss about what rituals of abasement and punishment meaningless underlings carry out when he deigns to wander about the Vengeful Spirit. What I don't think we should do, though, is propose scenarios that almost sound like an apology for Abaddon. I don't think it's a case of "I didn't notice," or "don't blame me, I didn't tell them to do that." I don't want to get too far off the discussion path, but we've known for a long time that the Sons of Horus were not the most concerned with mere human life and I doubt Abaddon was any different. Ten millennia in literal Hell will not have improved that outlook. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4622579 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandlemad Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Or, hey, maybe Abaddon's callousness and lack of empathy really is such that he really doesn't give a toss about what rituals of abasement and punishment meaningless underlings carry out when he deigns to wander about the Vengeful Spirit. What I don't think we should do, though, is propose scenarios that almost sound like an apology for Abaddon. I don't think it's a case of "I didn't notice," and it's certainly not a case of "I didn't tell them to do that." I don't want to get too far off the discussion path, but we've known for a long time that the Sons of Horus were not the most concerned with mere human life and I doubt Abaddon was any different. Ten millennia in literal Hell will not have improved that outlook. Oh absolutely. I didn't want to come across like he's high-minded and all the messed up chaotic nonsense is solely performed by underlings. It's that what's going on with the legion's serfs is... logistically beneath him, just as it would have been as First Captain. He wouldn't tell his officers and warlords to do that because that's not worth the attention of the master of the legion, any more than he might dictate the equipment of individual squads of warriors. But yes, that does not make him 'clean', by any means. ToH has him as a pretty observant guy, commenting in a relaxed way about the (not necessarily optimal) use of Khayon's beastmen as cannon fodder. The standard you walk by is the standard you accept, and in the scene Lay linked he literally walks by scenes that make any normal dystopian imperial stuff seem perfectly pleasant. The Black Legion is run the way it is because he broadly wants it that way; no BL warlord will ever be punished for doing horrific stuff to their serfs. And what Abaddon does order on a weekly basis, the larger decisions, are probably more monstrous still. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4622641 Share on other sites More sharing options...
randian Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 How the serfs are treated may be beneath him (though it does show his moral corruption), but "It was forbidden on pain of death to look upon the Despoiler" sounds like an order from Abaddon himself. I doubt Abaddon's runes and such would have much impact, since the serfs are almost certainly Chaos worshippers themselves and are used to such things. Blinding them does seem pointless. So what if they don't need eyes (for some grotesque definition of "don't need"), but it's actual work to process hundreds of serfs and blind them, and make an environment blind people can navigate, work I would think a selfish (which Chaos followers always are) overseer would want to avoid. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4622760 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebus Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 We can't assume that slaves aboard Chaos vessels are all worshippers of the Ruinous Powers. Several novels indicate that the Traitor Legions and other various war bands routinely press into service Imperial personnel they capture. Beyond that? Consider that even loyal Space Marines provoke "transhuman dread": “The appearance [of a Space Marine] alone cowed you with fear. But to see one move. ... The sight of a [space Marine] was one thing, but the moving fact of one was quite another. The psychologists called it transhuman dread. It froze a man, stuck him to the ground, caused his mind to lock up, made him lose control of bladder and bowel. Something huge and warlike gave pause: something huge and warlike and moving with the speed of a striking snake, that was when you knew that gods moved amongst men, and that there existed a scale of strength and speed beyond anything mortal, and that you were about to die and, if you were really lucking, there might be just enough time to piss yourself first.” Excerpt From: Christian Dunn. “Age of Darkness.” iBooks. Not every author remembers that, unfortunately, but it's there. Chaos Space Marines - when done justice - are the above, torn out of Hell. Abaddon? He is the anti-Christ of this setting. Khayon reminds us that "it is difficult for those of us with sixth senses to look at [Abaddon] for long." I imagine the sight of Abaddon striding past them would leave a mere human being in babbling shock: bleeding from the eyes, vomiting, and evacuating their bowels. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4622835 Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1soul Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Khayon reminds us that "it is difficult for those of us with sixth senses to look at [Abaddon] for long." I imagine the sight of Abaddon striding past them would leave a mere human being in babbling shock: bleeding from the eyes, vomiting, and evacuating their bowels. On a semi-serious note, CSM likely also have a notable transhuman stench Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4622875 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeritorA Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Khayon reminds us that "it is difficult for those of us with sixth senses to look at [Abaddon] for long." I imagine the sight of Abaddon striding past them would leave a mere human being in babbling shock: bleeding from the eyes, vomiting, and evacuating their bowels. On a semi-serious note, CSM likely also have a notable transhuman stench Their appearance should impact all human senses. Stench, carnage visuals, screaming sounds and blood touching human skin. Add to that warp mist or sorcery leftovers - and the effect it would make on a human would be much more horrible than even after the greatest hangover. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4626994 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel_of_Blood Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4636092 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sete Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 ADB thinks he deserves KFC after killing Sigismund? He should be ashamed. Cold fish and chips for you! And no vinegar... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4636106 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliesin Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 They probably don't even have a KFC in Northern Ireland but it's a nice idea. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4636126 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Kjaran Coldheart Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 If it's up to his usual standard, I'll personally deliver some KFC Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4636157 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 Forget Gathering Storm, just give me The Black Legion already ! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4636182 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonlover Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 Do we know yet if we're getting a swanky version to go with Talon of Horus? Dragonlover Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4637250 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 Should totally happen since the release of the First Edition of The Talon of Horus had so much success it crashed the Black Library website. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4637261 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthedon Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Yeah, I hope we get a First Edition for the second book. Thank the Emperor ADB writes slowly (meticulously) enough so I can justify dropping some additional cash on this series. But there haven't been any First Editions in a long while, or did I miss something? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4644289 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Rohr Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Is he even going to continue if they kill Abaddon? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4644437 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Why not? Why dropping an awesome series just for someone's death? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4644458 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Rohr Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Because the studio sucks donkey :cuss and can't get itself together enough to let the man work? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4644560 Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathspectersgt7 Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Because the studio sucks donkey and can't get itself together enough to let the man work? Man enough already they are not killing him off. your letting the air in D.C. get to you . Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4644587 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeritorA Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Forget Gathering Storm, just give me The Black Legion already ! Yes and yes and yes! And it seems he really killed poor fella Sigi :) Do we know yet if we're getting a swanky version to go with Talon of Horus? Dragonlover Should be a duology set eventually. Like 3/5-6 months after Black Crusade release. If what they say for GS is true Abaddon killed - Abaddon serie will lose some interest for it. Because the studio sucks donkey and can't get itself together enough to let the man work? Man enough already they are not killing him off. your letting the air in D.C. get to you . They could kill him - but resurrect eventually as Daemon Prince (Gods laughing on him - he never wanted to be bordered in the Eye of Terror) :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4647414 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Ladies, One hour ago a well known and beloved (well, beloved like that uncle on every family meeting :P) Frater of our brotherhood just posted on his FB profile: "Book finished. Commence dance ritual:" *Link for Terrorvision: Josephine* Think that we all know which book is meant here. What a great day! :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4650188 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopkins Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 so, what book is next? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4650221 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 so, what book is next? How about Chaos Ascendant ? :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4650965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliesin Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 It is surely ( and hopefully) going to be a Horus Heresy novel. I think all of ADB, Wraight and French have next novels coming up that are non-Heresy, and the pattern seems to be to interchange that, especially now with the HH going into a critical phase. ADB will undoubtedly be a bit discouraged reading this, thinking that he's only just finished BL 2 and they are already talking about his next. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4651136 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeritorA Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 It is surely ( and hopefully) going to be a Horus Heresy novel. I think all of ADB, Wraight and French have next novels coming up that are non-Heresy, and the pattern seems to be to interchange that, especially now with the HH going into a critical phase. ADB will undoubtedly be a bit discouraged reading this, thinking that he's only just finished BL 2 and they are already talking about his next. He has another book to write for the Black Legion - Chaos Ascendant as Vesper said, he probably has another book to write for the Horus Heresy + plus some new W40K piece. Again he would be busy writing for a long time. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/338425-the-black-legion/page/23/#findComment-4651517 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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