An-nakhrimun, Necron Lord Evacuating the Local Humans from the Luna Wolves
Artist: Carl Tabora Source: Carl Tabora
An-nakhrimun’s Last Stand: Necrons and Humans vs. the Luna Wolves
The Scene of Chaos and Evacuation
This artwork captures a chaotic battlefield where An-nakhrimun, a towering Necron Lord, leads his Necron forces in a desperate evacuation of local humans amidst an assault by the Luna Wolves. The scene is drenched in eerie green hues, with a massive Necron pyramid looming in the background, its peak glowing with ancient energy. Necron warriors, their skeletal forms illuminated by glowing eyes, fire volleys of gauss weaponry at the advancing Luna Wolves, who are clad in their iconic white-and-black power armor. Above, a crescent-shaped Necron ship hovers, casting an ominous shadow over the fray. An-nakhrimun stands at the center, staff raised, directing his forces with cold precision while humans flee in terror around him. It’s a striking depiction of an unlikely alliance, blending the grimdark intensity of Warhammer 40k with a rare moment of Necron “mercy.”
The Lore of An-nakhrimun and the Necrons
An-nakhrimun is a fan-favorite Necron Lord in Warhammer 40k lore, known for his strategic brilliance and a rare sense of honor among the soulless Necrons. The Necrons are an ancient race of robotic undead, once a flesh-and-blood species who traded their souls for immortality in service to the C’tan star gods, only to rebel and shatter them eons ago. Now, they awaken from their tomb worlds to reclaim their lost empire, viewing all life as insignificant—yet An-nakhrimun is an anomaly, occasionally showing pragmatic mercy, as seen in this evacuation. He’s often depicted with a staff of light, a symbol of his authority, and his forces are fiercely loyal despite their lack of emotion. In this artwork, his decision to save humans likely stems from a calculated move, perhaps to deny the Luna Wolves a resource or to gain allies against a greater threat. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the complexity of a being who’s both machine and remnant of a long-dead soul.
The Luna Wolves and Their Relentless Assault
The Luna Wolves, later known as the Sons of Horus, are the Space Marines of the XVI Legion, led by the Primarch Horus Lupercal before his fall to Chaos in the Horus Heresy. In their prime, they were the Emperor’s most favored legion, renowned for their ferocity and unyielding loyalty, often tasked with bringing worlds into compliance during the Great Crusade. In this scene, set before their corruption, they’re likely purging the planet of xenos influence—here, the Necrons—viewing the humans as collateral or potential traitors for associating with the enemy. Their armor, adorned with the Eye of Horus, glints as they charge, bolters blazing, showing no mercy in their mission. The artwork captures their relentless nature, contrasting sharply with An-nakhrimun’s cold, calculated retreat. It’s a classic Warhammer 40k moment—two unstoppable forces clashing, with humanity caught in the crossfire, their fate hanging by a thread.
