N'keln
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The following paragraphs contain spoilers for: | Salamander (Novel) |
N'keln was the Captain of the Third Company of the Salamanders Space Marine Chapter.
Ascending to the position after the death of Ko'tan Kadai, N'keln's period of leadership over the company was brief, but full of import. Thrust into command rank unexpectedly and grieving for the death of Kadai he nevertheless stoically endured many threats, including politically motivated attempts to have him removed from command, before being slain by base treachery.
Biography
Rising from senior Veteran-Sergeant status to that of Captain, N'keln inherited a discontented company. Almost as soon as he took command, a leading member of his company, Sergeant Tsu'gan, raised objections to his new rank with the Chapter Master himself. Even when these objections were dismissed, Tsu'gan remained convinced of the error in appointing N'keln, an opinion that was shared by several of his fellows. Aware of the mutterings of discontent amongst his sergeants, and that he had large shoes to fill, N'keln initially made an attempt to send a signal to his men by offering Hazon Dak'ir — a source of tension in the company himself - the position of Company Champion. When Dak'ir refused this role, N'keln appeared to give up on making any changes to the company and instead concentrated on ensuring it was always prepared for battle.[1a] This focus on planning resulted in N'keln spending much of his time shuttered up with his command team, which only further earned the ire of his detractors.[1a]
N'Keln led his company on an investigative mission into the Hadron Belt (such a seemingly passive action once again earning the chagrin of his detractors) in an attempt to discover the location of the renegade Dragon Warriors Space Marines.[1b] This decision proved to be inspired, as it eventually led to the discovery of a relic of Vulkan, the lost Salamanders Primarch. N'keln's command decisions were once again questioned by his juniors during this mission when he allowed a force of Marines Malevolent to “requisition” a shipment of Astartes arms and armour that both Chapters had discovered aboard a damaged Adeptus Mechanicus vessel.[1c] N'keln's subsequent decision to immediately return to Nocturne to present the relic of Vulkan to the masters of the Chapter also drew complaints, even from his previous supporters. This return, so soon after setting out, having failed to save Mechanicus equipment or personnel, smacked of failure to many in the company. Tsu'gan went so far as to assemble a conclave of the sergeants in the company in order to discuss going to the Chapter Master as a united front to act for N'keln's replacement. This suggestion ultimately came to naught.[1d][1e]
The relic of Vulkan, when examined in relation to the Tome of Fire provided information which led the masters of the Chapter to divine a galactic location; the world of Scoria. N'Keln's 3rd company, along with a detachment of Fire Drakes was dispatched to investigate. After their ship was damaged by a solar storm, 3rd company crash-landed on the planet. N'keln ordered the majority of his company to bunker the crash-site, although he acceded to Tsu'gan's request to lead a scouting unit. When Tsu'gan's team ultimately discovered an Iron Warriors fortress N'keln brought up reinforcements to assault it, although his initial deployment led to unnecessary casualties[1e] Shortly after the fortress was secured by the Salamanders, it was assaulted again- this time by a massive Ork horde. It was in this action that N'keln finally proved himself to Tsu'gan and his other detractors, with his inspiring personal leadership, bravery and skill in the face of seeming certain death. Tsu'gan conceded that N'keln had been proved in the fires of war and swore himself to question his captain no longer.[1f]
However, it was at this, his moment of greatest triumph that N'keln fell. For the scheme to replace N'keln was actually generated and kept going by the manipulations of Iagon, Tsu'gan's adjutant. With Tsu'gan flatly refusing to continue the scheme any longer, the frustrated Iagon, determined to remove N'keln, resulted to simple murder. Sneaking up behind his captain in the closing stages of the battle, Iagon treacherously slew N'keln with blade and malice.[1g]
It is currently believed by the rest of the Salamanders that N'keln died in battle with three Ork infiltrators.[1g]
Equipment
Salamanders tradition involves the passing on of power armour and personal arms from one Captain to the next. As Kadai's physical body was mostly incinerated by a Multi-Melta strike, the remains of his armour were used in his funeral instead. This resulted in N'Keln having to wear a brand new suit of Artificer armour created by Argos. This suit was both highly functional and beautiful, encrusted with many decorative sigils and possessed of additional adamantium reinforcement sections. The helm was a sleeker variant of the Mk VII, with the grille worked into a fanged drake snout. It also possessed a removable gorget, presumably for additional neck protection.[1a]
N'Keln eschewed Kadai's personal weapon, a Thunder Hammer, instead gaining a master-crafted power sword. Consisting of two separate, parallel blades mounted into a gold-plated dragon-headed and clawed pommel and guard, it was considered a masterpiece.[1a]
It is currently unknown whether these arms have been inherited by his successor, Captain Agatone.
