Sebastian Yarrick

Overview

Sebastian Yarrick, the Hero of Hades Hive, is a legendary commissar and Ghazghkull Thraka's great nemesis. He defended Armageddon in two wars and has spent his life hunting the warlord.

He carries the power klaw of the warboss Ugulhard, which he took after killing him, and his Bale Eye is a bionic implant that fires a laser. His reputation as the Hero of Hades Hive has made him a legend. Orks are said to fear him, and some believe he cannot be killed. Sebastian Yarrick, the Hero of Hades Hive, is the Imperium's most famous commissar and the arch-enemy of Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. He was about to retire on the day the Orks landed on Armageddon, and he had been banished to Hades Hive by the inept Governor von Strab. Yarrick turned the hive into a fortress, and his long war with Ghazghkull across Armageddon and beyond became one of the Imperium's great sagas.

Origins

Born Sebastian Vaarden on Taos III, he was orphaned at seven, raised by his grandfather, and later entered the Commissariat.

Yarrick was orphaned at seven and raised by his grandfather, a retired soldier who taught him to fight near New Caedon Hive. When Orks invaded he survived alone in the wilderness, and at ten he took his grandfather's name. He was then sent to the Schola Progenium, the institution that turns orphans of Imperial servants into Commissars, priests and officers.

Black Library background on his youth fills in the gaps. He was born Sebastian Vaarden on Taos III, orphaned at seven and raised by his grandfather, a veteran Guard sergeant named Yarrick. When Orks killed the old man, the boy survived alone in the forests for three years, setting traps for greenskins, and he later took his grandfather's name. At the Schola Progenium he and Dominic Seroff became notorious in their dormitory. Both trained as storm troopers before becoming commissars under Lord Commissar Simeon Rasp, investigating heresy on Mistral with the 77th Mortisian. About a century before Ghazghkull came, he led the 252nd Steel Legion on the moon Aionos. According to Codex: Armageddon, he learned the Ork language from a captured raider.

Key events

1. Was banished to Hades Hive by Armageddon's incompetent governor Herman von Strab, then led its defence during the Second War for Armageddon.
2. Lost an arm to the warboss Ugulhard and slew him, gaining the bionic 'Bale Eye' after further injuries.
3. Hunted Ghazghkull across the stars and was captured at Golgotha.
4. Was released by Ghazghkull, who reportedly valued having a worthy foe.
5. Returned to lead Armageddon's defence in the Third War for Armageddon.

Codex: Armageddon records that the Orks landed on the day he was supposed to retire. When he went over Overlord von Strab's head to call for help, he was sent to Hades Hive as punishment. Not a single soldier was executed for cowardice there. As the hive fell, his survivors escaped in daring shuttle runs while he lay near death after fighting Ghazghkull. In the Third War he saw that Hades could not be held and evacuated it before Ghazghkull destroyed it from orbit, a decision of cold logic rather than sentiment. He also personally led Cadians against a landed Ork rok. Later he joined Helbrecht in pursuing the Kill Wrecka to the Haunted Gulf, and slumped when the warlord escaped into the warp.

Imperial background material describes Icaria. Ghazghkull headbutted him unconscious, then grinned and decided not to crush his skull. While Wolf Priests treated him, the Bell of Lost Souls was rung, supposed relics of his bones began circulating, and rumours made him a Saint or a High Lord. The Space Wolves will not say how they saved him. He came back with a new augmetic frame, unusually vigorous, but he feels that his flesh may not be his own. In the Fourth War he used the Pharus Horrifica servo-skull to call for help. When Ghazghkull destroyed the Fortress of Arrogance from orbit, Yarrick revealed that the tank had been a decoy.

Battles & campaigns

• Second War for Armageddon: He held Hades Hive against Ghazghkull.
• Third War for Armageddon: He returned to lead the defence.
• The hunt for Ghazghkull: He pursued the Warlord with Helbrecht and others.

Personality

Iron-willed, ruthless and fearless, he is a symbol of defiance to his troops.

He is iron-willed and fearless, a symbol of defiance against the Orks. He is ruthless and unforgiving, willing to execute those who fail. His obsession with Ghazghkull drives him to pursue the warlord across the stars.

Weapons & Vehicles

Power FistMelee Weapon

An oversized servo-assisted armoured gauntlet sheathed in a matter-shredding energy field, capable of tearing open tank hulls and crush…

Storm BolterRanged Weapon

A twin-barrelled, double-chambered automatic bolter wielded one-handed by Space Marine Terminators, Grey Knights and battle tank pintle…

LasgunRanged Weapon

The rugged, ubiquitous directed-energy laser rifle of the Astra Militarum—modest on its own, but capable of felling any foe in the gala…

ChainswordMelee Weapon

The brutal motorised tooth-bladed sword carried by Space Marines, Imperial Guard officers and Chaos renegades, chewing through armour a…

Explore all 48 entries in the Weapons & Vehicles armoury.

Connections

Characters (5)

• 
  Ciaphas Cain parallel · Astra Militarum

  Both are legendary Commissars; no in-story meeting is recorded.

• 
  Ibram Gaunt parallel · Astra Militarum

  Both are celebrated Commissars; no in-story meeting is recorded.

• 
  Ursarkar E. Creed parallel · Astra Militarum

  Both are legendary Astra Militarum commanders; no in-story meeting is recorded.

• 
  Boss Snikrot enemy · Orks

  Snikrot wages a commando war on Armageddon's defenders.

• 
  Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka nemesis · Orks

  The two have fought on Armageddon and Golgotha.

Factions

• Astra Militarum primary faction

Also in this faction

Arcadian Leontus

Some links are thematic parallels (marked "parallel") rather than recorded meetings. See the connections web.

Legacy

Yarrick is the Hero of Hades Hive, a Commissar whose stubbornness and hatred of Orks made him a legend. His rivalry with Ghazghkull is one of the great feuds of the Imperium, and Imperial propaganda presents him as the model of an unbreakable servant of the Emperor. His reputation is such that Orks themselves treat him as a worthy foe, which says much about the respect even greenskins can feel for an enemy. Yarrick's rivalry with Ghazghkull is among the most famous in the setting.

Appearances & sources

• Yarrick: Imperial Creed and Yarrick: Chains of Golgotha (David Annandale)
• Codex: Astra Militarum background
• Era Indomitus campaign books