I wrote a post similar to this one some months ago. The Grot Makari got a short mention in the most recent White Dwarf, which made it pop up again. Many people pointed out that my old “5 lost characters”-list wasn’t really up to date (notably, Cypher made it back!).
Long story short, let’s do it again!
#1 – Salamanders Chaplain Xavier
Chaplain Xavier painted by Tom from Mini Brush Studio
There are plenty of Space Marine Special Characters that have come and gone.
One of them is Chaplain Xavier, allegeldy regarded as the greatest Chaplain the Salamanders have ever known, and – in his time – the bearer of Vulkan’s Sigil.
Xavier is said to have epitomised the Chapter’s ideals more completely than any other Marine in their history. Dedicated to encouraging his fellows in feats of endurance and fortitude, it is said that when Xavier led them, the Salamanders never fell back before an enemy.
As a sign of this dedication, he was entrusted with the keeping of “Vulkan’s Sigil”, a relic believed to have been carried by the Primarch Vulkan. He is also famed for having slain a particularly ancient and monstrous salamander with his bare hands.
He also dual-wields a Crozius and a Hammer!
#2 – The Doom of Malan’tai
Scratch-built Doom of Malan’tai by Nikos Workshop
Normally I try to stick to lost characters that actually had (or have) a miniature.
Technically that is not true for the Doom of Malan’tai.
The Doom of Malan’tai is a uniquely adapted Tyranid Zoanthrope that has the ability to feed not upon flesh and blood but upon the psychic energy and souls of its victims.
Still, the Doom – named so for destroying the entire Eldar Craftworld of Malan’tai with his signature spirit-leech ability – had to be in included, given that he was among the first and most famous victims of GW’s recent purge of “Special Characters without Miniatures.
Still, one day we might see some plastic Zoanthropes, and when the day comes, perhaps the box will include a few bits for a unique Zoanthrope, not unlike Nork Neddog made it into the Ogryns-box. One can hope, right?
#3 – Sly Marbo
A recent casualty of the Imperial Guard’s update to the last 6th Edition Codex, the Astra Militarum, this much loved Rambo-knock-off went missing.
Marbo also became famous for the 40K-equivalent of Chuck Norris-jokes. So Marbo is kinda both Stallone and Norris. But tougher…
- Sly Marbo is the reason the Void Dragon is hiding.
- In the movement phase, Sly Marbo stays stationary and moves the gaming table 6″ in any direction.
- Sly is not a missing Primarch. He is an entire missing Legion!
Unlike the Doom of Malan’tai, Sly Marbo actually did have a miniature. Was GW too embarrassed by their own history of “being inspired” by other popular games or movies?
Either way, extra points for adding more Sly Marbo jokes in the comments!
#4 – Archon Kruellagh the Vile (a.k.a. The Emasculator)
I posted about Corvus Belli’s somewhat misogynous art direction. In that regard, Games Workshop clearly weren’t always as innocent as they largely try to be these days.
A famous example: Dark Eldar Archon Kruellagh the Vile (who, on top of it all, is also an obvious play on Cruella de Vile from Disney’s 1961 One Hundred and One Dalmatians).
She is usually referred to as Kruellagh the Vile although she is known by many other aliases, such as “The Mistress of Skulls”, “The Emasculator”, “Da Skinna” (by the Orks), and “Mistress Hell Fury”.
The elite warriors she personally commands within the Kabal are known as “The Emasculators”, known for lightning-fast precision assaults.
If there has to be one special character Games Workshop will certainly never, ever revive, it’s likely Kruellagh!
#5 - Zodgrod Wortsnagga
As Orks are coming up, it feels like I should end with a lost Ork…. Zodgrod Wortsnagga, or “one of the most renowned Runtherds in Ork history”!
Is there even such a thing as “Ork history”?
Zodgrod went wandering throughout the galaxy, accompanied by his retinue of snotlings living as a Freebooter on the fringes of Ork Society. Somewhere on his travels he unearthed the philosophies of a Runtherd philosopher known only as ‘Narflung’. Narflung had performed experiments with Gretchin, training them to become ‘Super-Runts’.
The techniques in question involved a great deal of bell ringing and the promise of a prime, juicy Squig. In no time at all Zodgrod had created his own Super-Runts, a new breed of Gretchin who outperformed their lesser brethren on the battlefield displaying increased aggression, cunning and bravery.
Super-Runtz! Should be a concept to work with 
#6 – Thoughts?
Which of these characters would you like to see return to the battlefields of Warhammer 40K in an “official” fashion? Which of these should better stay lost?
Leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Z.
Zweischneid
Latest posts by Zweischneid (see all)
- The Crimson Slaughter Supplement – A Review - June 25, 2014
- Rumours (?) New Games Workshop Realms of Battle Board Spotted! - June 24, 2014
- Review – Tabletop Tyrant Squire Plastic Figure Case - June 24, 2014
