Red Hand
The Red Hand, also known as the Ravagers[2], were the elite of the World Eaters Destroyer Squads during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.[1b]
Description
Only those Destroyers who bore the World Eaters' Blood Hand on their power armour could have the right to enter its ranks. This mark was earned by those who had demonstrated exemplary ferocity or violence in the name of their Legion. In battle, the Red Hand were consistently in the World Eaters' vanguard, as they sought to prove themselves ever-worthy of bearing the Blood Hand.[1b] This led them to fire their Destroyer weaponry at their foes, even if their fellow World Eaters would be caught in the blast.[1a] Thus the Red Hand were not drawn together through brotherhood or camaraderie, but instead through rivalry and enmity.[1b] As the Horus Heresy developed they were always found in the vanguard, reaping a bloody toll and dressing themselves in gory embellishments.[2]
In battle, they could be equipped with jump packs[1b] and carried melee weapons that were reminiscent of the ritualistic gladiatorial weapons of ancient Romanii. Also as a result of their Destroyer weaponry, which included phosphex, melta, and radiation grenades[2], the suits of power armour worn by the Red Hand were left heavily damaged, though were also still operational.[1a] When they were grouped in squadrons, the Red Hand were individually referred to as Ravagers and were led by officers known as the Blood Bonded.[1b]
Images
Sources
- 1: Exemplary Battles of the Age of Darkness: The Battle of Armatura:
- 2: Exemplary Battles of the Age of Darkness: Volume One, pgs. 43-45
