Can someone tell me where I can find a replica harness like the one Austrian Archduke Sigismund von Tyrol had? I'm really new to this armour thing so I don't know the commissioning process yet. I know these guys were able to get a replica and they must have had it tailored to the model guy's proportions.
Is that the Russian calendar or some calendar Sigmund used himself?
The laws are mostly about the right fines (which are used to finance the judicial system) for the different crimes. Perjury results in death and investigative torture must be reversible (joint dislocations et al). There is an option for trial by combat, though Ivan limited that option to his subjects after a Muscowite knight was slain by a Lithuanian.
Reading the first book of The siege of Terra now and the quote of Dorn saying you are not my son has come up a few times. Did that occur in pretorian of Dorn? I will probably read that one after the first siege book if that's the case to get more context for the beginning of the black Templars. Please no spoilers for The siege books though!
During the Great Crusade we had Erebus, Cyrius, Qin Xa, Sanakht, Lucius, Jubal, Raldaron, Sevetar, Corswain, Alejos, Sharrowkyn, Sepatus, Akurduana and of course Sigismund as magnificent bladesmen but I'm not sure who the candidates are in the current timeline.
I don't mean just beasts like Kharn or Abaddon, which I assume Marneus and most chapter masters are. I'm talking that crazy Ser Barristan Selmy Astartes type.
Is Dante that guy? Sound off on the pre-eminent 40k swordsmasters please.
The list of suggestions from the comments:
ASTARTES
Cadulon, Iron Knights
Hervald Strom, Iron Knights
Sabrael, Dark Angels
Belial, Dark Angels
Leodegarius, Grey Knights
Castellan Crowe, Grey Knights
Pellas mir'san, Salamanders
Elysius, Salamanders
Vulkan He'Stan, Salamanders
Astorath the Grim, Blood Angels
Captain Lysander, Imperial Fists
Ragnar Blackmane, Space Wolves
Malkaan Feirros, Iron Hands
Arguleon Veq, Word Bearers
Telemachon Lyras, Emperor's Children
Kor'sarro Khan, White Scars
Kayvaan Shrike, Raven Guard
Cato Sicarius, It is I
HONOURABLE MENTIONS (Astartes who are absolute beast warriors but maybe not artists as such)
Gabriel Seth, Flesh Tearers
Moloc, Minotaurs
Tyberos, Carcharodons
Mephiston, Blood Angels
XENOS
Maktlan Kutlakh, Necron
Vanguard Obyron, Necron
Drazhar, Eldar
Lelith Hesperax , Dark Eldar
As the defenses around the core of the Imperial Palace begins to fail, Dorn calls Sigismund to his side. During their conversation, he says something that probably meant more to Sigismund than anything else in the galaxy. It's not forgiveness--Dorn is not the most forgiving of primarchs, and that's saying something--but it's the closest thing to his forgiveness Sigismund is ever likely to get and it's still a very emotional, poignant moment.
Because even after everything that's happened, even though he may never truly forgive Sigismund, Rogal Dorn still loves him.
>‘My lord!’
>
>And then, hearing that voice, he remembered. He had already acted. Typical Rogal Dorn, anticipating his own momentary weakness, he had already put the necessary move in place. He had summoned Sigismund here, to Shard Bastion, to speak to him in person, to give him the command, because he could never falter in front of his son, not this son.
>
>He turned, just for a moment, away from the confusion of the command station, and faced him.
>
>Sigismund wore the black of the Templar Brethren. He had come up to the command level with others of his order, a dozen, and they all looked as grim as one another – fatalistic, hammered into a kind of permanent, shell-shocked fury.
>
>Sigismund’s own expression was wary. He had reason for that – Dorn had run him hard, borne down on him, bathed him in disapproval, ever since Isstvan. The reasons had been sound. Neither of them could have expected any less, given the codes of honour that made them who they were, and Sigismund had never complained.
>
>But there had always been something else, under all that – not quite a test, but maybe a tempering, like that of the best blades. To see if the steel could withstand the fire, be more hard-wearing for it.
>
>‘This is the end,’ Dorn told him flatly. ‘All that could have been done, has been done. Every delay, every counter-strike, every anticipation. Now, they get in. Mercury will fail imminently, then Exultant, then the others.’
>
>Sigismund’s unwavering expression never flickered. He was a cold one. Almost too good an Imperial Fist. Almost a parody of their entire philosophy.
>
>‘Faster than we might have hoped,’ Dorn said. ‘Not as fast as we might have feared. Soon the shape of the battle will change – we will be like dogs in the rubble, scrapping over every habitation. The reserves are ready. You have their coo
So a lot has been written about the duel between Sigismund and Kharn in Warhawk, some by me, some by others, but it is a fantastic piece of writing by Chris Wraight which shows his recurring themes of losing out on emotions and similar.
But one thought occured to me here. Sigismund, as described in the fight by Kharn, is as close to anathema to Chaos as one can get. And what is truly anathema to Chaos? Apathy.
Sigismund sheds blood, but there is no martial respect in it, there is no exultation at the conquest that Khorne feeds off of. There is no rage, no joy, no thrill. Just rote exercise, devoid of feelings and emotions.
For the same reason, Sigismund is no longer trying to better himself during battle. He's not striving for perfection, and he's fighting not because he wants to win, but simply because he has to win. There is no joy in this for him anymore, and so Slaanesh has no hold on him.
In his actions are no inspiration, no new growth or possibility for new life or betterment, nor is he any more interested in things dying other than a threat being removed. And so Nurgle isn't pleased.
And there is no hope in him. Nothing to look forward to, no reason to change anything around. He has completely accepted his lot in life and goes about it without even a shred of belief in changing it, and so Tzeentch is not interested in him.
What we have is pretty much a clear cut case of someone with a very deep depression. All actions are done simply because they must be done; there is no want in him anymore, nothing brings him joy, or sorrow. He just is at this point, closer to a machine than any Iron Hand.
I can understand why Kharn was so upset by this, because it means that the answer to Chaos is to give up all wants and desires. Complete apathy.
