Barghesi

The Barghesi, also spelt Bhargesi,^[3][6] are an alien race known for being 'hyper-violent'^[4][6] that inhabits the Grendl Stars constellation in the Eastern Fringe.^[1] They are described as having red eyes, tough hide and sharp claws.^[8]

Overview

An adolescent Barghesi^[9]

Imperial wars against the Barghesi date back to at least the Great Crusade, where the horrific beasts almost destroyed an entire Brotherhood of White Scars, the Brotherhood of the Foresworn.^[5] The Emperor's Children, including Fulgrim and Fabius Bile, also fought with these beasts.^[6]

According to Imperial records, the Iron Lords Space Marine Chapter proved instrumental in confining the Barghesi to the Grendl Stars, and also in preventing the destructive biological potential of the species from being harvested by Hive Fleet Kraken.^[2]

Barghesi, captured by Dark Eldar Beastmasters, are occasionally used for bloody hunts and displays in the gladiatorial Wych arenas of Commorragh.^[3] A less-violent adolescent Barghesi, called Plunder, is used by the Red Corsairs Tarellian hunter known as The Enforcer.^[9][10]

By the time of the Indomitus Crusade, it is said that the Barghesi are beginning breakout attempts from their Imperial-enforced blockade.^[7]

Trivia

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

• The Barghesi may take inspiration from the Northern English myth of the Barghest, which is often depicted as a large and terrifying black dog with sharp teeth and claws, sometimes a shapeshifter and in some cases having the ability to become invisible, at which times the sound of rattling chains can be heard when the creature moves.

See also

• List of sentient species

Sources

• 1: Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook, pg. 117
• 2: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pg. 29
• 3: Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition), pg. 30
• 4: Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook, pg. 139
• 5: The Horus Heresy Book Six, pg.98
• 6: Fabius Bile: Clonelord (Novel), Chapter 13
• 7: The Iron Kingdom (Novel) - Appendix
• 8: Iron Watch (Short Story) - The Successors (Anthology)
• 9: Warhammer Community: The New Year Preview – Prepare to be boarded by the new Red Corsairs (archived from the original, last accessed 16 January 2026)
• 10: Warhammer Store: Huron Blackheart and the Masters of the Maelstrom (last accessed 04 April 2026)