The Artwork: Argel Tal, the First Possessed
This striking artwork captures Argel Tal, the infamous Captain of the Word Bearers, in his daemonic form. His armor, once the noble crimson of the XVII Legion, is now warped, inscribed with fell runes and sigils that glow faintly with unnatural energy. His transformation is horrifying yet majestic, a fusion of Astartes power and warp-born malice. His body is twisted with daemonic mutations—his once-human hands now ending in massive talons, his helmet reshaped into a horned, snarling visage. Bat-like wings sprout from his back, their dark forms cutting through the smoky battlefield like an omen of doom.
A Moment of Brutal Triumph
Argel Tal stands in the midst of war, gripping his weapon with monstrous strength. His right hand holds a corrupted bolter, its barrel elongated and a vicious bayonet attached—turning it into a weapon of both ranged destruction and savage melee combat. His left hand drags a fallen Ultramarine, a brutal reminder of the Word Bearers’ eternal hatred for the sons of Guilliman. The Ultramarine, battered and barely conscious, represents the Imperium’s waning grip against the forces of Chaos. The dim light and war-torn background suggest the aftermath of a slaughter, where Argel Tal walks as the living embodiment of the Primordial Truth.
Argel Tal: The First of His Kind
Argel Tal was one of the first Astartes to willingly merge with a daemon, becoming the first Possessed Marine. Unlike many of his brethren, he did not fall to Chaos out of ambition or madness but through revelation. During the Horus Heresy, he and his fellow Gal Vorbak journeyed into the Eye of Terror, where they learned the true nature of the gods the Word Bearers had been worshipping. Instead of rejecting this dark fate, he embraced it, becoming a fusion of man and daemon. Though he was devoted to Lorgar and his Legion, he remained a tragic figure—possessing a rare sense of honor and loyalty, even as he committed atrocities in the name of Chaos.
The Tragedy of Argel Tal
Despite his monstrous appearance, Argel Tal was one of the few Word Bearers who retained a sense of humanity. He was deeply loyal to his closest friends and held a strong brotherhood with his comrade Xaphen. Even as a Possessed Marine, he maintained a level of control over his actions—at least compared to other warp-tainted warriors. His fate, however, was sealed by treachery. He was ultimately slain not by an Imperial foe, but by Erebus, the architect of the Heresy, who saw him as a liability. His death was a moment of bitter irony, for despite his faith, he was discarded like a pawn by those he trusted. This artwork perfectly captures his duality—both the horror of his transformation and the tragedy of his existence.
