Razorwing (Beast)

This article is about the animals. For other uses of Razorwing, see Razorwing (disambiguation).

"It is not only mono-edged feathers that make a Razorwing." – Michel Soppe, First Illuminator of Hive Sibellus ^[6]

Razorwing is a term for various genetically unrelated avian species with carnivorous appetites. The different species lives mainly on Death Worlds.^[2]

Overview

A Razorwing^[4]

Razorwings are large birds of prey with a wingspan of nearly thirteen feet. They drift along on thermal currents until they have a prey in sight, at which point they dive with such speeds that escape is impossible. Though usually just considered a bird of prey, they have been observed utilizing great intelligence and military tactics while hunting. Such is their rumoured intelligence that some have claimed they can set races against one another and communicate.^[4]

Razorwings have an insatiable hunger for bone and are incredibly swift. They attack in flocks, surrounding their prey in a deadly hurricane of knife-like^[1] iridesdent ^[5] feathers and razor-sharp beaks that strip their victim's flesh from their bones. A well-trained Beastmaster's flock will then parade their kill for their master before finally tearing it apart in a savage feeding frenzy. Razorwings are consequently some of the most popular terrors used by Dark Eldar Beastmasters.^[1]

Amongst the planets known to support species of razorwing is Chogoris, the homeworld of the White Scars Chapter.^[3]

Images

• 

  Razorwing (Rogue Trader-era art)^[2]

• 

  Razorwing Flock miniature

• 

  A Skysplinter Assassin and Razorwing miniature

• 

  Razorwing head variation^[4]

Sources

• 1: Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition), pg. 30
• 2: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, pg. 215
• 3: Hunt for Voldorius (Novel), Chapter 7
• 4: Liber Xenologis, pgs. 81-83
• 5: Wrath & Glory Threat Assessment: Xenos, pg. 74
• 6: Rogue Trader: The Koronus Bestiary, pg. 20