Warhammer 40,000: Arks of Omen - Abaddon review

Hi all. 

Fortunately we have been sent the Arks of Omen: Abaddon for review by Games Workshop. 

It is the first in a series of galaxy spanning Campaign books centred around the Arks of Omen. 

Colossal war engines, take to the void, accompanied by diabolical, fleets of heretical Raiders, and renegades hellbent on destruction.

It’s also details Vashtorr’s coming, as he steps from the depths of the warp to join the battle of real space, himself but the first Herald of shocking revelations, and galaxy shaking cataclysms to come. This I am excited about, who else could be coming and what impact will they have on the narrative of Warhammer 40K. 

But as with the namesake of the book, this book is primarily about Abaddon the Despoiler and his ongoing mission to destroy the Imperium and finish his father’s work. 

His minions move unseen through the shadows on critical missions. His legions of sorcerers in cryptomagi, pour over every set of arcane law, and prophetic utterance, ever gathered, hunting for some esoteric advantage that will allow the Warmaster to seize a victory to the Long War. He hunts a secret weapon. . .

One vision comment alludes to the Dark Angels early on “I see an ashen forest grow, and wither, and grow agam.

I See an ancient knight kneel upon his field of victory and weep cinder tears.

I see a circle, within a circle, within a circle, inward and inward until at their heart... nothing.”

Could they be coming in a later book?

Vashtorr the Arkifane:

Vashtorr was summoned by a group of tech Magi aboard the ventral spirit as they tried to expedite repairs to the vessel. He was summoned in a summoning circle that had been ringed with archaic, looking pieces of technology, an intricately crafted brass pillar in the centre, festooned with braided wire and Cogs. An immense mass of metallic filaments preceded his arrival, turned into braided tendrils, and spilled over the edges of the circle, before plunged into the walls and floor. 

The tendrils help with the repair of the Vengeful Spirit much to Abaddon’s distrust and wariness. 

Abaddon rushed to the bridge, where he was greeted by molten metal and crackling energy spilling from every mechanical system on the bridge. The tendrils formed a giant spiderweb, which the Servitors and Crew threw themselves into the maelstrom at its centre.

It flared and from the centre came a figure of living iron and cloven hoof. 

“Abaddon the Despoiler. I am the Arkifane, and I come to make you and offer.”

The book continues to tell of the attack on Pergamatos, an artificial moon orbiting Pelucidus, as well as a conflict with the Iron Angels Space Marine Chapter. 

Then drops into information about the Arks of Omen including the Stygian heart which is “over a 100 miles in length” full of gun turrets, Auspex Vanes and shield Generators, and festooned with chains and ruinous sigils. 

Other Arks are detailed throughout the book and it explains how different some are. 

He then meets with Vashtorr to discuss the importance of an artefact called the Oathing stone in private to Abbadon. This eludes to a future revelation as Abbadon says “For all their prating piety, the lackeys of the Corpse Emperor are greater traitors than we will ever be. At least our rebellion was honest,” and his laughter can be heard far on the Vengeful Spirit. 

Could this be tied to the Dark Angels and their relationship with the Fallen?

The Stygian Heart is then given to The Scourged, who it is said know every lie spoken by man, and it is destined for an attack on Aelech IV. 

Angron is spoken of too once again, and we know AoO Angron is coming soon :)

Some cool tidbits:

Abaddon will only attack Terra from a position of absolute strength and certainty of his victory, and will not bend his knee to any Dark God in particular. 

Him denying the Chaos Gods is akin to us mortals constantly telling “Alexa no” when she tries to get you to sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited. 

Fulgrim is active in Imperium Nihilus, so it’s surely a matter of time before we see the Primarch of the III Legion take to the tabletop. 

Falkus Kibre is still the leader of Abaddon’s bodyguards (The Bringers of Despair). He is described as very bulky!

Really cool book. I would have preferred if they could orchestrate a novel to go alongside each of the campaign books, as it just seems logical to me! The stories are well written inside the book, but come on, they make you want to read more and more!!

Battle Bunnies.