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'''Phanta Claws''' is a mysterious and legendary entity which is thought to dwell on [[Necromunda (Planet)|Necromunda]].It is often associated with the local Necromundan holiday of [[Fistmas]] and the legend surrounding it.{{Fn|1}} Though public perception in the underhive is that the creature is mythical and non-existent, there are in reality a small group of mutants each descended of the original creature and calling itself Phanta Claws that during the winter time may come into contact with the [[Gang| gangs]] of the underhive as foes or - though few will believe those who encounter them.{{Fn|1a}}

10,000 years agoImperial History records that in [[M30]], [[Rogal Dorn]] lead a vast force of [[Imperial Fists]] during the [[Great Crusade]] to liberate Necromunda from [[Ork]]s that had overrun Necromundathe planet. Fortunately for the world, the {{Fn|2}} The [[Ork Waaagh!]] was opposed and defeated on the great [[Ash Wastes]] by a vast force of the [[Imperial Fists]] [[Space Marine Legion]] under [[Rogal Dorn]] himself. Under Dorn's command, and the Ork forces were routed and forced to flee from Necromundathe planet into space where they were utterly destroyed by the Imperial Fist's fleet. In commemoration of the brave actions of Dorn and his Marines [[Space_Marine_Legion| legionnaires]] on that day, the festival of [[Fistmas| Imperial Fistmas ]] (later abbreviated to Fistmas) was born. It is said that after the battle, a small army of [[mutant]]s arrived upon the Ash Wastes and immediately attacked the Imperial Fists' line. Whilst the lethal volleys of [[bolter]] fire claimed the lives of most of the creatures, there was one which the Imperial Fists were unable to slay. The fiend was a being of monstrous proportions, and like a phantom it stalked through the corpses heaped upon the battlefield. When it reached the Fists' line its rending claws sliced straight through [[power armour]], and many Astartes died that day. Eventually the monster made its way to Rogal Dorn himself. Though formidable, in the end the mutant was vanquished and Dorn was victorious. Dorn raised his blade to slay the blasphemous creature, but as he did so he thought of the people of Necromunda who had had their homes and livelihood destroyed by the Ork invasion. If they were to rebuild their world they would need hope and a time to look forward to. As such, Dorn allowed the monster to live - but its survival came at a price. From that day forth the mutant andall its offspring would be forced to gather together materials, fashion them into gifts and distribute them freely to all those who had been good for the last year, on the Eve of Fistmas. The twisted monstrosity was named Phanta Claws.{{Fn|1}}

==The Legend==According to local legend, during the height of battle against the Orks, a small army of [[mutant]]s arrived upon the Ash Wastes and attacked the Imperial Fists. Though the army was slain by volleys of [[bolter]] fire, one of the mutants survived. A being of monstrous proportions, it stealthily moved through the heaps of corpses strewn about the battlefield and snuck its way towards the Imperial Fists. Once it reached the Fists' battle line, it slew many Astartes, its rending claws slicing through the legionnaire [[Space_Marine_Power_Armour| power armour]]. Eventually the monster made its way to the [[Primarch]] himself. Though a formidable opponent, Dorn would ultimately prove victorious in the ensuing combat. As Dorn raised his blade to slay the blasphemous creature, he thought about the men, women and children Necromunda who had had their homes and livelihoods destroyed by the Ork invasion. They would need hope and a time to look forward to if they were to rebuild their world. Dorn allowed the monster to live - but his price to the creature was that from that day forth, the mutant and all its offspring would be forced to gather materials, fashion them into gifts and distribute give them freely to all those who had been good for the last year, on the Eve of Fistmas. The twisted monstrosity that had stalked its way through the battlefield 'like a phantom' and killed many marines with its rending talons was given the name Phanta Claws.{{Fn|1}} The myth of Phanta Claws is not widely believed among Imperial scholars. Nevertheless, rumors still persist claiming that the Phanta Claws still stalk the depths of the [[Underhive]] to this day. According to the rambling testimony testimonies of [[ganger]]s, Phanta Claws' take great pleasure in carrying out the quest Dorn had set, - by tearing ripping apart lone traders and stealing all their material wealth so that , giving it to their stunted mutant servants can use them to create gifts for Fistmas Eve. Apparently their , monster's fear of Rogal Dorn's wrath should he return is such that they carry so great, it carries out his command stillunto this day. As such{{Fn|1}} Whatever the case, there are times when they need to venture out of the shadows to gather reality is that the resources they need to manufacture Fistmas presents.In these circumstancescreature's mutated descendants do exist, and that there is not one but many 'Phanta Claws' may stalking the underhive. Few in number, and usually hostile to gangers, they will on occasion approach wealthy gang leaders and offer their lethal services themselves as [[Hired Gun|hired guns]] in return exchange for materials and enough money the wealth to purchase more. Few gang leaders have the courage to refusesuch a monstrous creature's offer. A gang will only ever have a single Phanta Claws working for them at any time.{{Fn|1}} Phanta Claws are never hired by [[Spyrer|Spryer Hunters]], [[Palanite Enforcers]], or [[Redemption Cult|Redemptionists]] - the creatures' very existence would be seen as anathema and heretical to these groups.{{Fn|1a}} ==Appearance and Abilities=={{QuoteBox|quote = "[...] He was too slow; in that slightest moment of distraction, his inhuman opponent slashed its talons twice across his torso, before plunging them deep into his neck. Kreg gurgled, his hold on the chainsword slipping away as the life seeped from his body. For one last moment he got a full glimpse of his killer's face, smiling grimly at the unbelievable sight before him. Phanta Claws brought its bearded face to within an inch of Kreg's own, gurgling as it hissed in mutilated Low Gothic. “Merry Fistmas,” it snarled, as it wrenched the claws from the deceased leader's neck forcefully.'"<br>- Kreg, a [[Van Saar]] ganger, encountering a Phanta Claws for the first and last time{{Fn|3}}|align = center|width = 50em}}Phanta Claws are enormous monstrosities whose rending talons are well suited to tearing apart human flesh.{{Fn|1}} They dwell in their own hidden grotto's, surrounded by their midget craftsmen mutant servants who construct gifts for them out of the materials they collect.{{Fn|1b}}{{Fn|1d}} Unfamiliar with technology, they will never use weapons or equipment, only their huge raking talons.{{Fn|1c}} Should a gang successfully kill or capture a Phanta Claws they will try to seek out their lair and steal a bag of their Fistmas gifts; such bags can contain a variety of items ranging from a wool jumper, holiday fire crackers that detonate like [[frag grenade]]s, ornaments as valuable as [[Mung Vase]]s, credits and wealth, a [[Cyber-Mastiff]], or other rare items normally found in the Underhive's [[Black Market]].{{Fn|1e}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[https://www.specialist-arms.com/fanatic/44tlopc.pdf Fanatic Online]] Issue 44 - The Legend of Phanta Claws]**{{Endn|1a}}: Recruiting Phanta Claws**{{Endn|1b}}: Monstrosity**{{Endn|1c}}: Rending Claws**{{Endn|1d}}: Phanta Claws' Grotto**{{Endn|1e}}: Present*{{Endn|2}}: [[Necromunda Rulebook (2018)]] pg. 43*{{Endn|3}}: [https://www.specialist-arms.com/fanatic/96ff.pdf Fanatic Online Issue 96 - Fistmas Fighting]