The War From War Hounds to World Eaters: The Descent into Rage
Origins
The War Hounds were among the original twenty Space Marine Legions created by the Emperor of Mankind during the Great Crusade. Known as the XII Legion, they were engineered to be fierce and relentless warriors, embodying the Emperor’s vision of conquest and unification. Their Primarch, Angron, was discovered on the brutal world of Nuceria, where he had been enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator. Angron’s upbringing shaped the War Hounds into a Legion that prized ferocity and ruthlessness above all else, traits that would define their legacy.
Transformation into the World Eaters
After Angron’s ascension as their Primarch, the War Hounds were renamed the World Eaters to reflect his gladiatorial influence and violent nature. Angron introduced the practice of implanting the Butcher’s Nails, neural implants that heightened aggression and suppressed fear or pain. This gruesome practice turned the Legion into savage close-combat warriors, favoring chainaxes and other brutal melee weapons. Their combat doctrine revolved around relentless assaults, and they became infamous for their brutal efficiency in breaking enemy lines and annihilating opposing forces.
The Horus Heresy
During the Horus Heresy, the World Eaters pledged their allegiance to Warmaster Horus, joining his rebellion against the Emperor. They were instrumental in many key battles, including the Siege of Terra, where their berserk fury wreaked havoc among the loyalist forces. The widespread use of the Butcher’s Nails drove many World Eaters into uncontrollable berserk states, making them one of the most feared Legions on the battlefield. Their fall into madness and bloodlust marked their full descent into Chaos, aligning them irrevocably with the will of Khorne, the Chaos God of war and bloodshed.
Post-Heresy and Legacy
After the Heresy, the World Eaters fractured into marauding warbands, spreading terror and destruction across the galaxy. Fully dedicated to Khorne, they forsook any remaining ties to their origins as the War Hounds, reveling in bloodshed and slaughter in the name of their dark patron. Notable figures like Khârn the Betrayer emerged, epitomizing the savagery and martial prowess of the Legion. The red and white armor of the World Eaters, adorned with symbols of blood and skulls, remains a stark reminder of their brutal legacy. Through their transformation, the War Hounds exemplify the devastating consequences of unchecked rage and the corrupting influence of Chaos.
