The Astral Claws were a Space Marine chapter that turned against the Imperium in M41, and their survivors became the Red Corsairs. If you’ve heard of Huron Blackheart, you’ve already met their last Chapter Master.
Origins and early record
The Astral Claws were founded in the mid-35th millennium as a Crusading Chapter, raised to help hold a crumbling Imperium together during the Nova Terra Interregnum. Their founding Chapter is unknown. Most records of them were destroyed by an Edict of Obliteration, though their gene-seed stability and combat style have led some to guess at the Ultramarines or the Dark Angels.
They built a battle record many chapters would envy. After their showing in the Fifth Black Crusade, their Chapter Standard was hung in the halls of the Eternity Gate on Terra.
Hidden sons and illegal growth
The Apocrypha Kaali says the Astral Claws had “three sons”, but only names one: the Tiger Claws. During the Badab War, Inquisitorial investigations found the Astral Claws were sheltering members of the long-lost Tiger Claws inside their own ranks, and quietly growing past the size the Codex Astartes allows.
The Badab War and the fall
That rebellion ended in the Badab War. Defeated, the chapter’s survivors fled into the Maelstrom and became the core of the Red Corsairs. The Astral Claws were declared Excommunicate Traitoris, and any records of them were marked for destruction.
Not every survivor joined the Red Corsairs. Other groups of Astral Claws became Chaos Space Marine warbands in their own right, such as the Ushmengar.
Chapter elements
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Homeworld | Badab Primaris |
| Fortress-Monastery | The Palace of Thorns / High Guard Orbital Fortress |
| Colours | Silver with blue and gold |
| Last Chapter Master | Lugft Huron (now Huron Blackheart) |
| Strength at dissolution | Around 300 |
Key facts
- Founded mid-M35 as a Crusading Chapter during the Nova Terra Interregnum.
- Their founding Chapter is unknown; records were destroyed by an Edict of Obliteration.
- Homeworld was Badab Primaris, with the Palace of Thorns as their fortress-monastery.
- Chapter colours were silver with blue and gold.
- They turned renegade in M41, were defeated in the Badab War, and their survivors became the Red Corsairs.
- Their last Chapter Master, Lugft Huron, is now Huron Blackheart.
FAQ
Who were the Astral Claws?
A Space Marine chapter founded in the mid-35th millennium. They served the Imperium for thousands of years before turning renegade in M41 during the Badab War.
What happened to the Astral Claws after the Badab War?
Their survivors fled into the Maelstrom and became the core of the Red Corsairs. The chapter itself was declared Excommunicate Traitoris and dissolved.
Who was their Chapter Master?
Lugft Huron led them at the time of their dissolution. He’s now known as Huron Blackheart, the pirate lord of the Red Corsairs.
What were the Astral Claws’ colours?
Silver with blue and gold.