Astorath the Grim is the Blood Angel who hunts his brothers gripped by the Black Rage and mercifully kills them.
With the Blood Angels getting their supplement soon, we wanted to take a look at one of the strangest members of the boys in red. While the Black Rage is all too common among the Blood Angels, few take action against it quite like Astaroth. Some say he fans the rage, but hopefully, that’s just natural and not just some sick thing he does to kill fellow Marines. Either way, get out your biggest axe and let’s learn about some lore!
A Sacred Calling
Astorath has, shall we say, a somewhat needed calling. The Black Rage takes over so many Blood Angels, and when they degenerate to such a point, they can’t even be released on the enemy. Astorath hunts down those marines and mercifully kills them, in an honourable way. So instead of letting them degenerate to nothing, he gives them one last glory.
Some say he can almost sense the most deranged of the Blood Angles, including all of the successor chapters as well. Once he finds his prey, he does the job swiftly. His mighty axe raises high and he slices their heads off in one clean swoop. The Lost are very tough, so better safe than sorry and go for the head! For this reason alone, no Marine is ever fully comfortable around Astorath. Because it just could be that giant axe that one days ends their life!
Taking Care of Successor Chapters
Of course, he is a Blood angel through and through, but the successor chapters don’t have someone who fills the unique role that he does. So, in his quest to help rid the gene-seed of the Black Rage, he travels far and wide executing. When he shows up to your world, just don’t show any signs of anger! If you do, your head may be on the chopping block next!
It was long ago determined this role be thrust upon a single man. While it seems easy to police your own ranks, few do it quite like Astorath. He treads the Galaxy, with a single purpose. Kill enemies of the Imperium and keep the Black Rage from getting out of control!
Sensing the Black Rage
Maybe after you kill thousands of Marines suffering from the Black Rage, you start to see the warning signs early. He can even notice the affliction before the victim themselves can. Some say he fans the feelings of the Black Rage, but no one knows how just his presence makes men go mad.
This is a blessing in disguise though, because if he notices the rage before it fully manifests, you’ll be shipped into the Death Company instead of beheaded on the spot. So take what you can get in the Grimdark future!
Learn More About Astorath the Grim Lore & Blood Angels Here!
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
