Burias Drak'Shal
Burias of the XVII Legion held the exalted position of Icon Bearer for the 34th Host under Dark Apostle Jarulek, and later Marduk. Burias was also known as Burias Drak'shal, the second name being that of the daemon joined with his soul. He has laid claim to some of the most promiment kills in the Legion, none the least of which includes Chapter Master Titus Valens of the White Consuls. He was a blood-sworn brother of Marduk and his closest ally, but would later turn against him when Marduk did not allow him to rise in position within the Host.
History
A possessed Chaos Marine, Burias eschewed the use of ranged weaponry in favour of ferocious hand-to-hand tactics which were amplified tremendously when Drak'shal took possession. He was an integral part of many of the 34th Host's campaigns, most notably the assault on Tanakreg where he, under the direction of Marduk, let a small group of fellow possessed marines and infiltrated the enemy lines, dispatching many of the Imperial Guard regiment captains, breaking morale and shattering the defensive line they had. Aware of Marduk's aspirations to kill Jarulek and assume the rank of Dark Apostle, Burias kept his secret despite temptation from Jarulek to turn against him.[1]
Burias would once more prove to be useful in Marduk's schemes, as he single-handedly disabled the defenses of an Imperial stronghold and felled many Dark Eldar as the Word Bearers assaulted Perdus Skylla, which itself was on the verge of Tyranid invasion.[2] Several times, Burias nearly sacrificed his life to protect Marduk from Genestealer attacks aboard a sunken Imperial vessel at the bottom of Perdus Skylla's vast ocean.
Ultimately, Burias would grow complacent and become vengeful towards Marduk, after his old friend is inducted into the Dark Council. Having expected to rise in rank with Marduk, he was enraged to learn that Marduk inducted Ashkanez as First Acolyte and had no intention of ever moving him up in rank, telling him that he was nothing more than a warrior. Despite all his efforts in the Battle of the Boros Gate, Burias was cast aside by Marduk. Ashkanez preyed upon this anger, turning Burias against Marduk and inducting him into the Brotherhood which was composed of a high number of Word Bearers loyal only to Kor Phaeron. Shortly after Burias revealed his betrayal to Marduk, he was mortally wounded by Kol Badar, the mighty Coryphaus of the 34th. Fellow traitors and co-conspirators, First Acolyte Ashkanez and Champion Khalaxis were also slain in the same battle.[3]
After the Brotherhood was annihilated Burias was sent to the Basilica of Torments to suffer for his betrayal. His pain was not punishment enough and Marduk ordered him entombed in the Warmonger's now empty sarcophagus. Burias's limbs were removed and he was entombed, now a Chaos Dreadnought. He is awoken only when the 34th Host requires him, the rest of his time he spends in slumber dreaming of an escape from the Basilica that never happened.[4]
Sources
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- 1: Dark Apostle (Novel) by Anthony Reynolds,
[Help] - 2: Dark Disciple (Novel) by Anthony Reynolds, [Help]
- 3: Dark Creed (Novel) by Anthony Reynolds, [Help]
- 4: Torment (Short Story) by Anthony Reynolds
