Black Legion MASSIVE SPOILERS about Sig and Templars

[Kastor Krieg]

Not mine, saw it on fb. Be warned!

 

I am pretty much satisfied. ADB seems to have done us and Sig great justice without makong Siggs into a Mary Sue. The aftermath was quite touching.

 

Please put any story- or character-relevant details in spoiler tags!

Black Legion spoiler discussion below.

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Once again, major spoilers ahead. You've been warned..

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So I finished the book this afternoon and can confirm the following..

 

* Firstly If you're expecting a lot of Sigismund/Black Templar action then prepare to be disappointed, but ADB did say that this was going to be the case in interviews about the book. I'd say all in all anything actually involving the Black Templars constitutes less than 20% of what happens in the actual book. Its still thoroughly enjoyable however, so with that being said..

 

-Early in the book the traitors discover a crashed Black Templars vessel on a daemon world within the eye of terror. They have no idea who the fallen black-clad warriors bearing the heraldry of the VIIth Legion Templar Brethren that they find inside are.

 

-In an effort to gain knowledge they eat the brain of a dead Black Templar and learn of them through gene memories. They experience glimpses of the warriors life from his induction to his death. They learn that the vessel was sent in to try and locate the remnants of the traitor legions. This is also how they learn that the Black Templars are blockading just outside the Eye. High Marshal Sigismund is in command.

 

-When the Black Legion finally breaks through the Eye the Black Templars immediately attack them even though the traitor fleet greatly out numbers them. Sigismund hails Abaddon and pretty much challenges him.

 

- Sigismund is old. Very old. With short white hair and a white beard.

 

- In the opening moments of the void battle, Abaddon boards the Eternal Crusader to face Sigismund.

 

-They meet in a unnamed chapel somewhere in the Crusader. Sigismund waits with a number of his Sword Brethren. Abaddon and his boarding party outnumber them 4 to 1. Both parties stand aside to allow them to face each other. Abaddon even tries to recruit Sigi, pleads with him even, but Sigismund will not have any of it.

 

-Sigismund fights Abaddon with his famous Black Sword, handing the Sword of the High Marshals to one of his Sword Brethren. Abaddon does NOT have Drach'nyen yet. (He actually doesn't even get it in this book, the ending says it will be the next book that he gets it) He fights Sigi with the Talon of Horus and some other sword.

 

-Abaddon kills Sigismund. Sigismund knows that even if he were to be successful in slaying Abaddon that he would be cut down in a hail of bolter fire and it would still take a miracle for them to overcome the Black Legion. And so he sacrifices himself to try and deal a mortal wound to Abaddon. He is almost successful. He antagonizes Abaddon to try and get an opening. He slices Abaddon's face and buries his sword to the hilt in Abaddon's chest. In that moment, when they are face to face and weapons locked, Abaddon tears into Sigi with the Talon of Horus. Sigismund's last words are to Abaddon, telling him that he will die just like his weakling father, abandoned and in shame.

 

-In the aftermath, the Sword brethren drive Abaddon's party from the chapel, despite this the Eternal Crusader is almost lost. The traitors only break off the assault when a rival traitor fleet exits the Eye behind them and begins attacking their ships. Caught between this new foe and the Black Templars the Black Legion flees. The Black Templars fall back to take a warning of the Black Crusade to the rest of the Imperium.

 

-Sigismund's body is stolen by the traitors. The surviving traitor warriors who witnessed the dual are slaughtered so that they can never tell anyone just how close Abaddon came to death.

 

-Sigismund's body is reverently entombed within the stolen BT vessel the 'Valorous Oath', Abaddon himself cleans the worst of the blood off Sigismund's face. His Black Sword is placed in his hands, with a new inscription upon it reading 'We Are Returned' the ship being crewed by slave thralls and servitors is then sent to Terra as the symbolic deceleration of war for the first Black Crusade.

 

-It is likewise the first Black Crusade that Rogal Dorn supposedly "dies", however no mention is made of him. Cadia at this time was not yet the guardian fortress world it would become. The Black Templars were enforcing this blockade completely alone and unsupported, though it states that both the Black Templars and the Imperial Fists lead the counter attack to halt the Black Crusade, reaping a large vengeance tally that the traitors still remember 9,000 years later...

Edited August 7, 2017 by Kastor Krieg

[Joe]

Abaddon's treatment of Sigismund was beautiful, and one of my favourite aspects of the book. ADB has done a fantastic job of developing his character.

[Ciler]

This is... unexpected.

[Joe]

... Abaddon killing Sigismund? It's been suggested for a long time now. Prior to this, all we knew was that they fought at the edge of the Eye of Terror and only Abaddon walked away from it, with no confirmation of what happened to Sigismund.

Edited August 7, 2017 by Marshal Mattias

[Ciler]

... [...].

Spoilers, brother.

 

And no, not that, the rest of the story.

[Marshal Mattias]

Let's make an effort to use the spoiler tags folks, just as a little insurance for our more zealous brethren who might click through to one thread too many ;)

[Sete]

I read the same spoilers this morning.

I'll keep to myself on this one.

[Kastor Krieg]

The greatest takeaway from these spoilers, before I read the book myself, is that a very OLD Sigismund almost managed to slay the Chaos fueled murdermachine Abaddon, to the point the Black Legion are shocked by how close he came to it and erase all the evidence of the fact, to the point of murdering their own. 

 

Since we all knew Sig HAD TO die in that challenge, this was the best way to go. His choice to get in and do as much damage as he can, scar the opponent for life and fight as a champion for all humanity, give it a shot by weakening the archenemy as much as possible, speaks volumes to Sigismund's character.

 

Knowing ADB, the old wounds dealt by Sigismund will be a constant thorn in Abaddon's side. The amount of respect paid by Abaddon to Sig is also reflective of his character in turn - seems like the a remaining vestige of civility and honor. And I see this as also a blow dealt by Sig - he literally dug this out of Abaddon's psyche with his skill and example. And this also may come back and haunt him.

Edited August 7, 2017 by Kastor Krieg

[No Foes Remain]

The greatest takeaway from these spoilers, before I read the book myself, is that a very OLD Sigismund almost managed to slay the Chaos fueled murdermachine Abaddon, to the point the Black Legion are shocked by how close he came to it and erase all the evidence of the fact, to the point of murdering their own. 

 

Since we all knew Sig HAD TO die in that challenge, this was the best way to go. His choice to get in and do as much damage as he can, scar the opponent for life and fight as a champion for all humanity, give it a shot by weakening the archenemy as much as possible, speaks volumes to Sigismund's character.

 

Knowing ADB, the old wounds dealt by Sigismund will be a constant thorn in Abaddon's side. The amount of respect paid by Abaddon to Sig is also reflective of his character in turn - seems like the a remaining vestige of civility and honor. And I see this as also a blow dealt by Sig - he literally dug this out of Abaddon's psyche with his skill and example. And this also may come back and haunt him.

 

I too liked the honour that Abaddon treated Sigismund, but not suprising since didn't they used to be friends before the heresy, probably why Abby tried to turn Sig but failed and got stabbed. And Sig telling Abby that "he will die just like his weakling father, abandoned and in shame" was the lovely icing on the cake for me.

[Sandlemad]

That age thing was key. He was slowed, he was worn, but Abaddon baldly states that age had only brought him 'down' to a level where he could be beaten.

Abaddon trying to turn Sigismund was brilliant. Khayon was actually embarrassed for him, it was such an obviously pointless effort. Abaddon respected and admired him so much but to Sigismund, it was completely and utterly irrelevant. He is a traitor and all else - his titles, his past, his attempted justifications - are unnecessary detail. No banter, no repartee. The first captain of the Sons of Horus meets one of the few souls he respects and discovers that Sigismund won't even spit on him. Damn.

I didn't expect Sigismund to be as cold as he was though, considering, uh, zeal. The ice to Abaddon's fire, perfect form in combat, but also in his poise. That bit where all the BL officers and champions are jeering and howling at the vidscreen and he just glowers back without even addressing them directly, simply speaking his oath and giving the order to attack. Now that's a son of Dorn right there.

 

It's definitely weighted towards the depiction of Sigismund rather than the BT in general, though they seemed to give as good as they got, the BL warriors were definitely bloodied from the hard fighting.

Also, is this the first confirmation that the Eternal Crusader is a gloriana-class ship or has that come up before?

[Sete]

Regarding the Eternal Crusader being a Gloriana ship, I think it's the first time it's mentioned. Previously it was a refitted battlebarge.

Edited August 7, 2017 by Sete

[Marshal Reinhard]

Gonna need a while to absorb this. Known for a while it would happen (was over a year ago we heard about it afaik) so not shocked or surprised or anything by the contents. Anyway, made most of my thoughts on the matter known way back when it was discussed.

[Ciler]

Gonna need a while to absorb this. Known for a while it would happen (was over a year ago we heard about it afaik) so not shocked or surprised or anything by the contents. Anyway, made most of my thoughts on the matter known way back when it was discussed.

It was bound to happen anyway (even before ADB indicated he was writing on the subject). I mean, it was either that or yet another case of "he disappeared into a warp rift and noone has seen him ever since" which at that point in the 40k universe borders on cliché.

 

And as far as these things go :

I feel it's one of the best deaths for a 40k character.

 

And I mean, he lost one duel, one, against a dude who was clearly cheating by using warp power.

 

I'm happy with that, still makes him the best duellist around.

[Sete]

Defeat never made me happy.

[bolvar]

 

Gonna need a while to absorb this. Known for a while it would happen (was over a year ago we heard about it afaik) so not shocked or surprised or anything by the contents. Anyway, made most of my thoughts on the matter known way back when it was discussed.

It was bound to happen anyway (even before ADB indicated he was writing on the subject). I mean, it was either that or yet another case of "he disappeared into a warp rift and noone has seen him ever since" which at that point in the 40k universe borders on cliché.

 

And as far as these things go :

I feel it's one of the best deaths for a 40k character.

 

And I mean, he lost one duel, one, against a dude who was clearly cheating by using warp power, and enduring the burden of age.

 

I'm happy with that, still makes him the best duellist around.

 

[Ciler]

Defeat never made me happy.

Certainly not, but let us say that some defeats are more palatable than others.

[Medjugorje]

Defeat never made me happy.

He even was over a thousand years old... and was close to kill the archenemy of the whole imperium.

 

I think next to the emperor this is the most heroic sacrifice in 40k.

[Kastor Krieg]

 

Defeat never made me happy.

He even was over a thousand years old... and was close to kill the archenemy of the whole imperium.

 

I think next to the emperor this is the most heroic sacrifice in 40k.

 

#rememberollaniuspius

 

But yeah, to each kind their own - Emps, Oli for a human facing Horus to defend Emps and now Sig facing the warp fueled almost-Horus in single combat for Marines.

[Canadian_F_H]

 

 

Defeat never made me happy.

He even was over a thousand years old... and was close to kill the archenemy of the whole imperium.

 

I think next to the emperor this is the most heroic sacrifice in 40k.

#rememberollaniuspius

 

But yeah, to each kind their own - Emps, Oli for a human facing Horus to defend Emps and now Sig facing the warp fueled almost-Horus in single combat for Marines.

Yeah... besides Sanguinius.

 

I'll have to get this book. Looking forward to doing some actually reading soon.

 

sigismund's death is about as good as I'd expect. Literally everything except plot armour and deus ex machinations was weighted against him, and he lost against abaddon who of all marinrs is meant to be literally second only to primarchs. And still, Dying after burying ones sword to the hilt in your foe. Idk. The whole thing sounds pretty epic. One last glorious, spiteful challenge by a knight who should have been laid to rest centuries ago if he had been anybody else.

 

I can live with this.

[Medjugorje]

ok, thats true. But standing next to Sanguinius is great nearby

[Petitioner's City]

It was a wonderful, subtle depiction of Sigismund and Abaddon's duel - and the early Templars are depicted quite strikingly. This comes from the same source as Helsreach, and that is clear. Do read it, Templar fans!

[Castellan Doren]

Over on reddit in the 40klore part is a part where Abbadon was describing the fight.

 

The summary was, he would not quit. Even to his last breath, reaching for his sword to try and get one more shot.

 

I'll pick up the book. So worth it.

[Medjugorje]

Until yet, Talons of Horus was the best 40k book I ever read. But there are Templars in the successorbook, it could be even better.

[Marshal_Roujakis]

Until yet, Talons of Horus was the best 40k book I ever read. But there are Templars in the successorbook, it could be even better.

 

I've always said:

 

"If it wasn't Helsreach, then it's Heresy..."

 

Master of Mankind doesn't count though... that's 30k, not 40k :p