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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
added the coverup from the last book
'''The Beast''' was one of the most powerful [[Ork]] [[Warbosses]] to have ever lived. In 544.[[M32]] he united much of the Ork race and nearly succeeded in conquering the [[Galaxy]].{{Fn|1b}} His [[Waaagh!]] was the largest the Galaxy has ever seen and rampaged across the [[Imperium]], eclipsing even the one [[Horus]] defeated during the [[Ullanor Crusade]] which earned him the title of [[Warmaster]]. The Beast was a highly intelligent Ork, capable of speaking flawless [[Gothic]]. Embittered by the humiliation of the Ork race during the Ullanor Crusade, he intended to cripple humanity and rule the galaxy.{{Fn|6}} The Imperium only halted his advance at great cost and desperate measure, devastating the [[Adeptus Astartes]].{{Fn|1a}}
It was speculated eventually concluded that there was not a single Warboss known as The Beast. Rather, they were a collection of six "Prime-Orks", monstrously powerful and intelligent Warbosses who each commanded a "Legion" (possibly [[Ork Clan|Clan]]) of Greenskins.{{Fn|8}} However, the Prime-Ork the Imperium encountered most was larger than the others, nicknamed the "Beast of Beasts".{{Fn|9}}
==Name and Appearance==
After the death of Koorland, [[Maximus Thane]], [[Chapter Master]] of the [[Fists Exemplar]], rebuilt the [[Imperial Fists]] using portions of [[Battle-Brother]]s from each [[Chapter]] of the [[Last Wall]]. This force led a third push on Ullanor. In the third battle for the planet, Thane and his entourage again attempted to use a captured Ork Psyker in conjunction with a ritual by the [[Sisters of Silence]] to slay the Beast. During the battle, the assassination team encountered one of the Prime Orks, which was speculated to be the "Beast of Beasts". As it was about to wipe out the Imperial invaders, the Beast's head exploded due to the psychic ritual. The remaining Beast-class Orks and the majority of Greenskins on Ullanor died with him.{{Fn|9}}
An Ork about twice the size of a [[Space Marine]] was chosen to be officially presented as the Beast before the public of the Imperium - large enough that it would not make the Imperium look weak for struggling, but not so large as to encourage cowardice.{{Fn|10}}
In the aftermath of the downfall of The Beast, his Waaagh! crumbled but it took many years and a century's-long [[Crusade]] by the Imperium under Thane to finish off his forces.{{Fn|10}}
