In Warhammer 40k, the Talos almost always refers to Talos Valcoran, a Night Lords Apothecary known as the Soul Hunter. He’s one of the few Chaos Space Marines with the gift of prophecy, and his story ties directly into the death of Konrad Curze and the fractured state of the VIII Legion.
Who is Talos Valcoran?
Talos was a Night Lords Space Marine recruited from the gang-ridden streets of Nostramo, late in the Great Crusade. He served as an Apothecary in First Claw, 10th Company, and was close enough to his primarch, Konrad Curze, to speak with him privately on many occasions.
What sets him apart is his curse of foreknowledge. Like Curze before him, Talos saw glimpses of what was coming. That made him a kind of prophet to his warband, even though he never wanted the role. He’s also called the Soul Hunter, a name Curze himself gave him.
He died on Tsagualsa in the 41st millennium, killed in battle with the Eldar Phoenix Lord Jain Zar. His gene-seed was later implanted into a slave named Decimus, who succeeded him as prophet of the VIII Legion.
Why the Soul Hunter matters
After Curze was assassinated by the Callidus Temple agent M’Shen, Talos broke his primarch’s final order and hunted her down. The rest of the legion only joined the chase once they realised M’Shen had also stolen their relics, including the Corona Nox. Talos didn’t care about the relics. He wanted vengeance for his father.
That hunt earned him his name. The story goes that Curze told him: “One soul. You will hunt one shining soul while all others turn their backs on vengeance.” It’s a defining moment for a character who spends most of his life trying to live up to a father who never wanted him to be a hero.
Later, Talos refused to serve Abaddon the Despoiler and the Dark Gods, and he abandoned the Black Legion when Abaddon tried to use First Claw as a shield. That stubborn independence is part of why fans remember him.
Talos Valcoran vs the Talos Pain Engine
The name “Talos” shows up twice in 40k, and it’s easy to mix them up. One is a Night Lords character. The other is a Dark Eldar war construct. They share a name and nothing else.
If you’re reading about the Soul Hunter, you want Talos Valcoran. If you’re reading about a floating engine of pain used by the Drukhari, that’s the Talos Pain Engine, sometimes called a Talos. Both are canon, so context matters.
| Talos Valcoran | Talos Pain Engine | |
|---|---|---|
| Faction | Night Lords (Chaos Space Marines) | Drukhari (Dark Eldar) |
| Type | Astartes Apothecary and prophet | War construct / pain engine |
| Notable for | Hunting M’Shen, prophetic visions | Torture and heavy weaponry |
| First appearance | Novels by Aaron Dembski-Bowden | Dark Eldar codex |
Key facts at a glance
- Full name: Talos Valcoran, also called the Soul Hunter and the Prophet.
- Born on Nostramo in late M30; active for roughly 300 years from his own perspective.
- Served as Apothecary of First Claw, 10th Company, Night Lords Legion.
- Shared Konrad Curze’s curse of foreknowledge, which made him a reluctant prophet.
- Killed on Tsagualsa around 900s.M41 during a battle with Jain Zar.
- His gene-seed passed to Decimus, who became the next prophet of the VIII Legion.
Key facts
- Talos Valcoran is a Night Lords Apothecary known as the Soul Hunter.
- He had the same prophetic curse as his primarch, Konrad Curze.
- He hunted the assassin M’Shen against Curze’s final orders.
- He refused to serve Abaddon and abandoned the Black Legion.
- He died fighting Jain Zar on Tsagualsa around 900s.M41.
- Decimus inherited his gene-seed and became the next prophet.
FAQ
Is the Talos a character or a vehicle?
It depends on context. In novels and Night Lords lore, the Talos is Talos Valcoran, a Chaos Space Marine. In Drukhari army lists, the Talos is a Pain Engine, a floating war construct.
Why is Talos called the Soul Hunter?
Konrad Curze gave him the name after Talos swore to hunt down the assassin M’Shen, who killed the primarch. The title stuck, and it’s how most fans know him.
Did Talos become a daemon prince?
No. Talos died as a Space Marine on Tsagualsa. His legacy continued through Decimus, who received his gene-seed and took up the role of prophet.