The lore junkies of 40k have been asking: “How is Yarrick alive?!” Today we find out exactly what happened to Commissar Yarrick.
Yarrick was pronounced dead and the Bell of Lost Souls rang out for the Imperial Hero. But tales of his death have been exaggerated. Is this a retcon or just misinformation due to the vastness of the Grimdark? However you want to frame it, one thing is true: Commissar Yarrick is coming back to Warhammer 40,000.
That still leaves one question unanswered for the lore fans and that’s how is this all possible? There were lots of theories floating around. I saw some folks convinced it was because the WAAAGH! of the Orks wouldn’t let him die. That it was some sort of special Space Magic that kept him alive. Or that it was his sheer iron will that kept him alive. The truth is that it’s something less complicated but still special. Let’s dive into what WarCom has to say.
Those who remember the last time Orks invaded Armageddon may recall that Ghazghkull Thraka sought to jump-start a new phase of war and set off across the stars, determined to start da Great Waaagh! and find an even better scrap. Yarrick followed in hot pursuit with a force of Black Templars.
Yarrick vs Ghazghkull
Skipping ahead a little bit there was really only one way this was going to go down. That’s with an epic duel between Yarrick and Ghazgkull. Cutting to the chase this fight does indeed happen. Yarrick lands a great blow with the Power Klaw into his nemesis but Ghazgkhull survived the hit. The returning blow from the massive Ork was much more effective. Ghazgkhull scooped Yarrick up into his own grip and crushed his bones. But Yarrick responded:
A titanic headbutt landed, painting the Beast’s face with a plume of crimson. He smashed Yarrick to the ground and raised an ironclad boot, ready to pulp his greatest enemy once and for all, before stopping with a wicked grin. Victorious once again, he withdrew as the planet bucked in its death throes.
Yarrick laid there broken but defiant as Ghazgkull spared his life. Was this an act of mercy or something more? A taunt? Or perhaps it was a show of respect to the one human Ghazgkull seems to enjoy fighting. As Ghazgkull exits the scene the Space Wolves arrive to aid the savior of Armageddon. A black-clad Fenrisian priest rescued what remained of Yarrick. And he lived…
Yarrick lay in the medical bays of a Space Wolves strike cruiser. Though he escaped death once more, he would never be the same – his reconstructed skull forever aching, his broken limbs supported by a cybernetic armature, and his skin unnaturally pallid even for his advanced age.
Advertisement
Return to Armageddon
So there you have it. Was it wasn’t the power of the WAAAGH! that saved Yarrick. Although it was a bit of Orky-magic that spared his life. It wasn’t his iron will that saved him either. Although he did defy death once again. And it wasn’t space magic that ultimately saved his life. Although it was some Space Wolf “Deus ex machina” type intervention. And if you’re wondering why the Space Wolves? Well…they have some beef with Ghazgkhull, too.
Now we know how Yarrick is back and we know where the fight is going to happen. The Old Man is once again going to fight for Armageddon and the orks that are there. The Space Marines are coming to aid the Imperial Forces there as well. And the new edition is coming.
Once more into the breach.
Don’t Miss:
Writer, Editor, Texas Native, and now Tex-Pat, Adam covers all things Tabletop Gaming. Which includes Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, D&D, Board Games and everything else that involves dice, boards, cards and a table.
A hobbyist, player, and collector of miniatures and games, Adam’s current obsession are his Death and Chaos Armies for Age of Sigmar, his Blood Angels and Tyranids for 40k, an expanding collection of Marvel: Crisis Protocol minis, and his ever growing Arkham Horror: The Card Game Collection.
Read more at this site