Inquisitor Silas Hand might ring a bell to a few long-time fans of 40k. With the return of Daemonifuge, its time to look back at it’s main characters!
Silas Hand is an Inquisitor that might have been collecting dust in the back of your mind. If you’re new to the game, chances are you’ve never even heard of him. However, with GW dropping Daemonifuge’s 20th-anniversary book along with Ephrael Stern and her sidekick’s models, there’s also been a mentioning of the Inquisitor once again.
Ephrael Stern Had a Nemesis Named Inquisitor Silas Hand
Way back in the late ’90s Games Workshop put out a monthly comic called Warhammer Monthly, which broke up a bunch of comic strips and presented them over several months. One of the more popular strips in that series was the tale of Epherial Stern called Daemonifuge.
New Ephrael Stern Model for 40k
An iconic character from those heady creative times was Ephrael Stern, Sister of Battle, the heroine of the ‘Daemonifuge’ strip – and later award-winning graphic novel – created by writer Kev Walker.
In the 41st millennium Ephrael fought against the insane corrupted servants of the Dark Gods, effectively a living weapon against Chaos. Her nemesis-turned-ally was Silas Hand of His Imperial Majesty’s Inquisition. The strip ultimately ran to three books, although the last ended abruptly only part way through when the Black Library ceased production of the comic. -40k wiki
Unfortunately, the series ended, and the only way to get the rest of the story was in a huge $70 book from Black Library. Rob was lucky enough to get his hands on the Silas Hand Inquisitor mini (back when GW still made pewter models) that Black Library offered.
So Who Was/Is Silas Hand? SPOILERS
Coming from the Warhammer 40k Lexicanum Page:
Later in his career, Hand sat on the Crusader Council of the 3rd Cleansing of Canis Majoris, and gained deep insight into the workings of the Ruinous Powers. Such was the depth of his insight that some concerns arose with regards to how Hand came to possess such intimate knowledge. Nevertheless, the Ordo Malleus thought otherwise, and he was soon brought before the Masters of the Ordos Malleus, despite the aforementioned accusations of knowing more of Chaos than should be normal of one bearing his station.
It is said that any Inquisitor is an agent of The Holy Orders of the Emperor’s Inquisition first and foremost, and that his affiliation to any given Ordo must always come second. During his work with the Inquisition, Hand found himself increasingly desiring to kill the daemonic, seeing the malefic influence of Chaos behind all the cases he investigated. He soon joined the Ordo Malleus and severed his links with the Witch Hunters forever.
Silas Sent To Investigate Ephrael Stern
The last mission of Inquisitor Hand was the investigation of Sister Ephrael Stern, who was reported as being tainted by Chaos within the Convent Sanctorum. Hand was seen with his retinue heading out for Ophelia VII where Sister Stern was residing. He found no signs of taint in Sister Stern and the investigation subsequently took him to Parnis, the planet Sister Stern came from before being suspected of being tainted by Chaos.
Hand is suspected of uncovering the true allegiance of a highly-placed member of the Navis Nobilite during the voyage to Parnis aboard the Hammer of Thor, a Lunar class cruiser owned by the Ecclesiarchy. There is, however, no hard evidence of what occurred during this voyage. It is believed that a creature of Chaos possessed the vessel’s Navigator and brought about the destruction of the entire ship when it was detected. Inquisitor Hand and a number of Sororitas accompanying him are known to have escaped the destruction of the Hammer of Thor, touching down on the surface and continuing the investigation.
Whatever occurred there is speculation but it is known that Inquisitor Hand and his retinue perished on the planet at the hand of some Warp entity, presumably the Keeper of Secrets.
Find out for yourself soon with the now full-color version of Daemonifuge!
Daemonifuge 20th Anniversary Edition
Ephrael Stern – Sister of Battle – Daemonifuge! Tainted soul or living weapon against the dark forces of Chaos? Under investigation by the Inquisition, Ephrael Stern and the Inquisitor Silas Hand must place their trust in each other as they embark on a dangerous quest to discover the origins of her power.
Don’t forget you can pre-order your copy of the Daemonifuge as well. There was also a huge amount of previews over the weekend if you want to check them out.
Check out all the new GW Previews
After seeing GW give Ephrael Stern a model in 8th edition, do you think we could also see Silas Hand come back? Since he’s presumably suffered defeat at the hands of a Keeper of Secrets, would a warp-tainted Emperor’s Children-style Inquisitor for Chaos be a sweet addition?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and make sure you enter the latest monthly giveaway for FREE today!
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials:@RealmbrushPainting
Bio: Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4.
If you like what he writes and want to reach out or get your models painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
