Artefacts

The Horus Heresy #Short Story

by Nick Kyme

Before the massacre on Isstvan V, the primarch Vulkan returns to his forge on Nocturne to prepare for war against the traitors. However, in light of recent conflicts with his wayward brother Konrad Curze, he looks upon his personal armoury with a startling new clarity. If the wrath of the supposedly loyal Night Lords can be unleashed upon their own home world in a moment of unchecked rage, is it wise for any Legion to have access to such devastating devices as the Engine of Woes, the Unbound Flame or the Song of Entropy?

Read it because
It's a small, personal tale with massive consequences. Framed as a conversation between Vulkan and one of his sons on the eve of Isstvan V, it encompasses Konrad Curze's madness, the destruction of Nostramo, Horus's betrayal, the creation of the role of Forgefather within the Salamanders and the origins of the mysterious artefacts the Salamanders hunt ten millennia later.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Short Stories

17 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2015

About the author

Nick Kyme (b. 1977) writes mostly for Black Library. His credits include the popular Salamanders series and several audio dramas.

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read in the Born of Flame anthology.

A quiet e-short Horus Heresy story about Primarch Vulkan remembering how Horus and him worked to heal Konrad Kurze after the exterminatus he ordered on his homeworld Nostramo, melding the Night Haunter in the weapon that was destined to be.
The rest of the tale is about Vulkan's choice of Dawnbringer as weapon before leaving for Istvan V, hammer that wanted giving to Horus in the past but hesitated, and his designation of Forgemaster T'kell as Forgefather and keeper of the artefacts built by the Primarch, with the hard task to choice 7 and destroy all the others, devastating devices with the power to obliterate planets.

A good prequel to the events of the Dropsite Massacre and "Vulkan Lives" novel.

[RatGrrrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

May 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XIX Through the Neath (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy series and extras

This is a interesting one I enjoyed more than last time, judging by my previous sassy, cringe review.

In the build up to Isstvan V, Vulkan discusses his brothers with his Forgekeeper and selects the right weapon for a fratricidal war. Fascinating reflections on Curze, Horus, weapons of mass destruction, and the ironic nature of weapons moralising about other weapons.

Past me seemed to really feel like this was a missed opportunity, but I think there's something interesting in the naivity and misguidedness of the logic of the Primarchs, especially where that meets and/ or conveniently accepts or ignores the cognitive dissonance of their professed philosophies, guiding principles, and ethics, while being part of the Imperium. Whether the authors are intentionally exploring these things and how much they are just straight faced writing the characters is always something I struggle to know, especially with certain stories presenting real messed up stuff positively without any push back, but Thorpe's Corax arc has given me some faith some authors get it.

I do think there is real potential for a story similar to this in which an Astartes with more leeway from the Primarch really does needle them about the more horrifying aspects of the Imperium and the Great Crusade. Perhaps a rather spirited Rune Priest and Russ would be interesting, especially with the Great Wolf not having the highest regard for most of his brother even before the Heresy.

This is also one of those stories that is a Chekov's WMDs situation for later in the narrative, but this story certainly feels like more than just a vehicle to plant that seed.

I don't know. Maybe I'm feeling bad for just how much I hated Deathfire, but I'm bumping this up a star and laughing at this old review being before I Swallowed my pride and admitted I was wrong about James and how good an author James Swallow is.

There's something here. I don't know what it is, but I'm intrigued and the tone with the rare Stephen Perring narration really works for me.

Through the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project and my own additions, I have currently read 40 Horus Heresy novels (inc. 1 repeat and 4 anthologies), 22 novellas (inc. 2 repeats), 126 short stories/ audio dramas (inc. 10+ repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, all 17 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, 3 Characters novels, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and 1 short story...this run, as well as writing 1 short story myself.

I couldn't be more appreciative of the phenomenal work of the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project, which has made this ridiculous endeavour all the better and has inspired me to create and collate a collection of Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 documents and checklists (http://tiny.cc/im00yz). There are now too many items to list here, but there is a contents and explainer document here (http://tiny.cc/nj00yz).

***

Initial Review: 3/5

What a story to hit my reading goal for the year on...

I bang on a lot about pointless, disappointing, and wasted potential with these Horus Heresy short stories and audiobooks, but this is the platonic ideal of a low 3/5.

Vulkan feels bad for being part of the Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss Mean Girls crew trying to 'reforge' or cure Curze, after the whole trying to kill Dorn thing, so he takes his concerns to Horus (I believe post Davin, pre-Isstvan) whose response doesn't thrill him. When the Salamanders Primarch finds out about Isstvan he picks a special weapon and tells his Forge Master to destroy the rest, so they argue for a bit...

Nick Kyme is one of the Black Library stable I have an interesting relationship with, similar to James Swallow. On the right topic in the right medium with the right story they both do good work, but, but otherwise I personally find their writing and storytelling rather bland and underwhelming. There seems to be an era of quality of BL stuff that some authors haven't necessarily made it out of that makes their Horus Heresy work sporadic at best. I remember enjoying the book and novellas around Vulkan and the Salamanders during and after Isstvan, while finding most other things OK.

This story was originally a Horus Heresy Weekend 2014 Sedition's Gate anthology exclusive until the official Horus Heresy anthology of exclusive anthology stories, War Without End, and later the Lupercal's War collection. 2014 was the last time I was up to date with the the series as they were coming out. Actually, it looks like Vulkan Lives was my last novel before dropping off last time, though not because of it. All I can say is that I imagine there is a reason why certain stories were only for the Weekend, so War Without End might be rough when I get to it.

I don't really have anything else to say. It's pretty much two nothing storylines that could be something if they were given more weight, but this is perfunctory and reminds me that the Mr Rodgers of the Imperium is still a fascist nightmare with all manner of WMDs, regardless of his heart of gold. There's something far more sinister about being a nice, affable guy in Warhammer than being the terrifying menaces my sweet babies, Angron and Curze, because they at least show how fucked the Imperium is and what the Emperor is willing to do (or not do). Guilliman and Vulkan give me the creeps.

[Matthew Hipsher · Rating 3 out of 5]

For an analogy, it's ok. There's nothing in here universe shattering, nothing essential to the Horus Heresy series, but if you're a Salamander fan, it's a pretty good anthology.

Meh.

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we get a look at Vulkan, pre-Istvaan 5/Konrad Curze. We get to see him discussing Horus' fall with his Forge Master, as well as Curze's fall. I believe this is setting the stage for the Salamanders in 40k, or post HH, as I know little of their lore besides that they are hunting for Vulkan's artefacts. So here, we get to see Vulkan appointing his Forgefather, and making his decision regarding the artefacts, rather than just destroying the lot of them. It was an interesting, if not straightforward story. Though I do look forward to seeing what relevance it holds when I read the 40k Salamanders work.

[Seb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entirely non-essential for the Horus Heresy story, but further reinforcement of Vulkan's character, an interesting insight into changes in Horus' own, and an origin-story for an element of the Salamanders' culture and background from 40k.

[Anthony Swartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vulkan is the best primarch, change my mind.

[Bookcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I may be in the minority of readers/listeners who find everything about the Salamanders boring, except when Kurze is involved 😉

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vulkan was handled very cool in this one. Getting into his mind a little and hearing about his blacksmith talents with his vault of collectables.
Collected in war without end anthology.

[Matt Argueta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick exposition to events at Isstvan V. While there wasn't a ton revealed in this story, it sets a somber tone knowing what's to come

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortly before the events of Isstvan V on Nocture, Vulkan tells his Master of the Forge T'Kell of terrible destruction.

Vulkan solemnly recalls the destruction of Nostramo by his brother Curze. Vulkan was horrified by his brother’s acts, knowing that they were not merely the petulant tantrum of a child, but that they were pre-mediated vengeance. Word has only just reached him of Horus’ betrayal, and he readies for Istvaan V. Sorrow in his heart for what has become of his brothers.

Vulkan is perhaps the most brotherly and kind of the Primarchs, so to see him struggle with the weight of his brothers’ treachery crates powerful and emotional scenes.

T'kell Master of the Forge reappears in Sons of the Forge.

[Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the Curze insights, I could leave the rest