Raven Guard

Lore & Background

The Horus Heresy is a dark, far-future military space opera concerning a galactic civil war within the nascent Imperium of Man. The story focuses on the Emperor's 18 genetically engineered sons, the Primarchs, and the legions of genetically enhanced superhuman soldiers that they lead, the Legiones Astartes, which find themselves divided into loyalist and traitor factions as they struggle for victory. The Raven Guard are one of these Legions, and their Primarch is Corvus Corax. The series includes new characters as well as establishing the background of previously established Warhammer 40,000 characters who play an important role in the post-Heresy fictional universe.

In Their Own Story

The drop-pod hissed as it breached the atmosphere, vanishing into the storm clouds before impacting the fortress wall with a silent thud. Inside, Brother Kaelen checked his respirator, the air thick with the smell of ozone and fear. He stepped out onto the metal grating, his armor absorbing all sound, blending seamlessly with the shadows of the industrial complex. Below, the traitor guards marched in formation, unaware that their death had already arrived. With a flicker of motion too fast for the naked eye to track, Kaelen drew his power sword and struck, ending the chain of command before the first alarm could sound.

Reader's Guide

The Raven Guard trace their genetic origin to Corvus Corax, whose gene-seed was designed to enhance stealth capabilities and mental resilience against fear. Their tactical doctrine revolves around infiltration, utilizing drop-pods for rapid insertion and specialized cloaking devices to remain undetected during combat operations.

Key leaders included Corvus Corax himself, who instilled a culture of silence and vigilance, and later commanders like Captain Valerian during the Heresy. The Legion's equipment often featured matte black armor with raven motifs, designed to minimize light reflection.

During the civil war, the Raven Guard remained loyal to the Emperor despite being isolated and hunted by multiple traitor Legions. They fought a desperate guerrilla campaign across the galaxy, often operating alone or in small squads to sabotage enemy supply lines and assassinate key figures.

Did You Know?

• The Horus Heresy series is set in the 31st millennium, 10,000 years before the main Warhammer 40,000 setting.
• The series consists of 65 published volumes, with the concluding story The End and the Death released in three volumes.
• The Horus Heresy is caused by a Chaos plot to foil the Imperium's leader, the Emperor of Mankind, by fomenting rebellion.
• The first three novels in the series are an opening book trilogy that presents background and causes of the Heresy.
• A sequel series, The Scouring, began publication in December 2025.