Vulkan, The Unbound Flame

“It is in our nature to create, not to destroy. But when we are pushed, when our brothers and sisters are threatened, when what we hold dear is in jeopardy, make no mistake: we will strike back.” – Vulkan, Primarch of the Salamanders

Gather round, for today we delve into the saga of one of the most legendary figures in Imperial history – Vulkan, Primarch of the Salamanders. Born of the Emperor’s gene-craft, Vulkan was one of the twenty primarchs created to spearhead the Great Crusade and unify scattered humanity.

Yet like his brothers, the machinations of Chaos saw Vulkan’s gestation capsule scattered to the far corners of the galaxy, eventually crashing upon the harsh volcanic world of Nocturne.

There, the infant primarch was found and raised by a humble blacksmith named N’bel. Even as a youth, Vulkan’s prodigious size, strength and intellect set him apart.

By the age of three, he had surpassed every man in his village, and tales of his legendary hammers and unmatched might against the dark Eldar raiders soon spread across Nocturne.

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Key Takeaways:

• Vulkan’s unique perpetual abilities and regenerative powers
• Vulkan’s legendary craftsmanship and empathy for humans
• The Salamanders’ decimation at Isstvan V and Vulkan’s capture and torture
• Vulkan’s mysterious disappearance and the 9 artifacts he left behind
• Vulkan’s prophesied return to lead the Salamanders in the End Times

The Challenge of Nocturne

It was during one such battle that Vulkan’s destiny would be forever altered. As the village celebrated their victory over the xenos menace, a mysterious outlander arrived, one whose pale complexion and strange attire marked him as not of this world.

This stranger challenged any man to best him in a series of trials – a challenge Vulkan readily accepted.

For eight grueling days the contest raged, Vulkan and the outlander trading victory and defeat, until at last only one final trial remained: to hunt and slay the largest salamander and return with its corpse.

And so Vulkan and the stranger embarked upon the slopes of Mount Deathfire, the greatest of Nocturne’s volcanoes.

There, amidst ash and flame, Vulkan hefted his drake above the magma flows, unwilling to abandon his prize even as the skin burned from his body. It was then the outlander revealed the truth of his identity, for he was none other than the Emperor Himself! Humbled, Vulkan knelt before his father and swore his eternal allegiance to the Imperium of Man.

With the Emperor’s guidance, Vulkan was soon united with his legion of warriors, the Salamanders. Under Vulkan’s leadership, the Salamanders became renowned across the galaxy for their master artisanship, fierce nobility, and profound empathy for the common man.

Never would Vulkan tolerate the needless slaughter of innocents, a trait which set him apart from his more callous brothers.

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Horus Rising

Alas, all was not to last, for the Horus Heresy tore the Imperium asunder. At Isstvan V, the Salamanders, alongside the Raven Guard and Iron Hands, were betrayed by their turncoat brothers and led into a devastating trap.

Vulkan and his legion were butchered in the most ignoble of ambushes.

Unwilling to let death claim him, Vulkan endured unimaginable agonies at the hands of the traitor Konrad Curze, his flesh flayed and rent in Curze’s twisted efforts to break his spirit.

Yet the Night Haunter did not realize that which Vulkan himself had only begun to suspect – that he was no mere Primarch, but a Perpetual, a being of true immortality. No matter what foul tortures Curze inflicted, Vulkan’s body would always regenerate.

Eventually, the Salamanders’ Primarch managed to escape his cruel tormentor and make his way to Ultramar, where his grievous wounds saw him entombed within a great shrine upon Macragge as his legion looked on in anguish.

However, this was not the end for the great drake, for Vulkan was eventually reunited with his legion upon the black sands of Nocturne.

There, amidst the roiling heat of Mount Deathfire, the Primarch was resurrected in mind, body and spirit, ready to wage war anew against the enemies of Mankind.

Post Horus

After the tragedy of the Horus Heresy, Vulkan led his decimated legion for many hundreds of years, his ten millennia of life granting him a unique perspective on both the Imperium’s plight and the threats it faced from within and without.

Eventually however, in a manner befitting the lord of Nocturne, Vulkan gathered together his most trusted sons and bequeathed unto them nine legendary artifacts of his own masterful creation.

With his final decree, Vulkan solemnly vowed that he would one day return to his scions in the End Times, when the Salamanders needed him most.

Eons later, as the 41st Millennium comes to a close, the quest for the nine artifacts continues. From the Unbound Flame to the Obsidian Chariot, these mighty relics hold the key to their primarch’s return.

Even now, the Salamanders fight tirelessly across the stars in Vulkan’s name, trusting that when Mankind’s need is greatest, the Lord of Drakes shall arise from the flames once more!

This is the legend of Vulkan, son of fire and stone, the Unbound Flame of Nocturne. May his valor ever shield the Imperium, and may his masterful artifice guide the hands of every Salamander!

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The Nine Artifacts of Vulkan

Throughout his long life, Vulkan crafted many wondrous relics of unsurpassed quality and power. Yet none are more significant than the nine legendary artifacts he bequeathed to his sons before his mysterious disappearance.

Each artifact is a masterwork of the primarch’s own design, imbued with a fraction of his indomitable spirit and peerless skill.

From the mythical Unbound Flame to the enigmatic Song of Entropy, these relics have become the stuff of legend amongst the Salamanders and the wider Imperium.

It is said that only when all nine are recovered will Vulkan judge his sons worthy of his leadership once more, and return to lead them in the final battle against the enemies of Mankind.

Some artifacts, such as the Gauntlet of the Forge and Kesare’s Mantle, are already wielded by the Salamanders’ greatest champions as they prosecute the never-ending wars of the 41st Millennium.

Others, like the Obsidian Chariot and the Chalice of Fire, remain lost to time and mystery, waiting to be rediscovered by the sons of Nocturne.

Regardless of their status, each artifact represents a tangible connection to the Lord of Drakes, and a reminder of his undying legacy.

 

The Promethean Cult and the Way of the Salamander

Central to the beliefs of the Salamanders Chapter is the Promethean Cult, a philosophy passed down from Vulkan himself. This code of honor and duty emphasizes self-reliance, loyalty, and self-sacrifice in the defense of the Imperium and its people.

The Way of the Salamander, as it is known, stresses the importance of mastering the self before seeking to master others. It teaches that through the refinement of one’s own skills and discipline, a warrior can become an exemplar of the Emperor‘s will and a true protector of Mankind.

This philosophy is reflected in the Chapter’s rigorous training practices and their focus on expert craftsmanship.

Vulkan’s own words, recorded in the sacred Tome of Fire, serve as a foundation for the Promethean Cult’s teachings. Excerpts from this revered text are studied and contemplated by every Salamander, from the lowliest neophyte to the most veteran of the Firedrakes.

It is through this shared understanding and adherence to the Promethean Creed that the Salamanders maintain their cohesion and sense of purpose, even in the darkest of times.

As the 41st Millennium draws to a close and the Imperium faces threats from all sides, the Salamanders stand firm in their devotion to the Emperor and the teachings of their primarch.

With the Way of the Salamander to guide them and the legacy of Vulkan to inspire them, they continue their quest to recover the nine artifacts and bring about the return of the Lord of Drakes, confident that through the cleansing fires of war, they shall forge a brighter future for all Mankind.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Vulkan truly a Perpetual?

Yes, Vulkan is a rare Perpetual, blessed with everlasting life and the ability to regenerate from even the most grievous of wounds, much like the Emperor Himself.

How did Vulkan escape the clutches of Konrad Curze?

Details are scarce, but Imperial records indicate Vulkan was able to overpower Curze and teleport a great distance using an arcane teleportation device built into his warhammer, Dawnbringer.

Will Vulkan ever return to lead the Salamanders once more?

If the prophecies are to be believed, Vulkan shall return to his sons when all nine of his legendary artifacts are recovered, to lead the Salamanders in battle during the End Times.

Why was Vulkan so beloved by the common people of the Imperium?

Vulkan despised the needless slaughter of civilians, and always sought to protect the weak and innocent. His empathy for the average man set him apart from some of his more ruthless brothers.

What is the Tome of Fire?

The Tome of Fire is an ancient Nocturnean text, said to contain Vulkan’s own prodigious philosophical writings. Some believe it may even hold the key to prophesies yet to be fulfilled.

In the end, Vulkan, Primarch of the Salamanders, remains a legendary figure cloaked in myth and mystery.

A craftsman without parallel and a warrior of supreme nobility and compassion, Vulkan’s legacy lives on through his sons, the Salamanders. Even now, they strive tirelessly to recover the nine artifacts, eagerly awaiting the day when the Unbound Flame shall return to lead them once more.

For now, we can only trust in the Emperor’s will, and believe that when the need is greatest, Vulkan shall rise from the ashes and the roar of the Salamanders will shake the very stars. Vulkan lives!

Want to learn more about Vulkan? Head on over to the Lexicanum!