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The Horus Heresy #Audio Drama
Master of the First
The Dark Angels and the Night Lords fought one another to a bloody stalemate during the Thramas Crusade, leaving the First Legion scattered and under-strength. Back on Caliban, those Dark Angels loyal to Luther begin to grow impatient for a return to past glories, allowing the corruption at the world's heart to spread.
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This audio reveals the truth of what has been happening on the Dark Angels home world of Caliban while the Lion has been battling against the Warmaster's forces on the other side of the galaxy.With ties both to ongoing events in the wider Horus Heresy, and to Gav Thorpe's Legacy of Caliban series, this is an audio no Dark Angels fan will want to miss.
20 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2016
3 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Gav Thorpe
377 books581 followersGav spent 14 years as a developer for Games Workshop, and started writing novels and short stories in the worlds of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 when the Black Library imprint was launched in 1997.
He continues to write for Black Library, and his first 'homegrown' novel series The Crown of the Blood has been released via Angry Robot.
Currently living in Nottingham, Gav shares his home with his loving and very understanding partner - Kez, and their beautiful little boy - Sammy.
He continues to write for Black Library, and his first 'homegrown' novel series The Crown of the Blood has been released via Angry Robot.
Currently living in Nottingham, Gav shares his home with his loving and very understanding partner - Kez, and their beautiful little boy - Sammy.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 1, 2017
A very good story hinting about the First Legion (former only Legion) and the inner conflict between Terran/Caliban Dark Angels, whose scheming and mischief match for good Alpha Legion ones.
There is something rotten on Caliban.
The Angels are going fast on their path to damnation, and Chapter Master Astelan is a great character intriguing me since his first appearance in W40K novel Angels of Darkness, that I really have to re-read sooner or later.
March 20, 2016
While I was definitely expecting something else going into Master of the First, I was not at all disappointed! I believe that Mr. Thorpe has been doing better and better with the Dark Angels, and that they have, as a Legion, gotten better and better as the Heresy has gone on. Here we get to see, yet again, what is happening on the world of Caliban. All of the audio dramas and short stories have really done an excellent job of showing the Dark Angels thousand steps down the path of damnation, so to speak. We have seen them feel slighted by the Lion, seen that feeling become anger and contempt, and as their story goes on we will see that anger and contempt evolve into hatred and murder.
While I still do not really enjoy the Dark Angels, the Fallen Angels I can get behind, and so this story was pretty awesome!
Definitely worth a listen if you are a fan of the Dark Angel/Fallen Angels!
While I still do not really enjoy the Dark Angels, the Fallen Angels I can get behind, and so this story was pretty awesome!
Definitely worth a listen if you are a fan of the Dark Angel/Fallen Angels!
February 5, 2016
Seemingly thrown to the dogs and left forgotten on their primarch’s homeworld, resentment simmers among the Dark Angels. While no warrior will raise a hand against his brother, tension between the Calibanites and Terran astartes have never been higher and the rift between them is growing with every passing day. As he sits listening to a report detailing multiple infractions and apparent shadow games by the Calibanites, Terran born Chapter Master Astelan comes to understand that there is more at stake than he ever realised. Seizing an opportunity, he prepares to behead a new threat to his legion, once and for all…
As readers of other Gav Thrope novels will have quickly realised, this is another tale tying closely into his Dark Angels series and examining Astelan’s past. As one of the Fallen Angels, his involvement is an understandable one but ultimately serves as a double edged sword. While easily offering some of the audio drama’s best ideas and themes, it sadly undercuts the drama and can leave the listener just waiting for events to reach a predictable end.
The real strengths on offer lie in how they reflect upon Astelan’s character and even the astartes of this era. It’s been said many times that these legionaries should be treated as a far cry from the more knight templar chapters, but few seem to reflect upon this. However, in Astelan’s case we see how his more human nature and lack of mental conditioning left him a flawed, conflicted figure. Someone with all the power offered to a space marine but all the flaws found within an unenhanced human, the audio drama shows in him just how critically flawed their early processes were. What makes matters worse is that Astelan’s decision was born of the Emperor’s own actions, and a flawed understanding of what drove him to unite Terra by force. It’s an interesting display to be sure, and the points made to help to emphasise why the Imperium needed to change so dramatically in the wake of the Horus Heresy.
Another interesting point the story builds upon is the idea that Luther himself may not have been the direct instigator of the eventual rebellion. While the actual events of Caliban’s destruction still lie shrouded in myth, its key events have not changed so far as anyone is aware. Luther will fight El Jonson and Caliban will be destroyed by the Warp storm which follows. However, along with other short tales we see here that it’s almost as if he’s being pushed into the role of rebelling leader. Unable to fully control events upon his world, the Dark Angels turn upon one another under his command and his attempts to restore order or retain control are dragging him deeper into unwanted conflict. It’s another layer to the Dark Angels’ tragedy and an interesting twist which is helping to turn Luther into a more three dimensional character. In comparison to Horus’ own rapid turn, it can even be argued that this gradual and unwanted turn is a better executed plotline within the series.
The problem is that both of these events are largely just ideas, and the story only briefly touches upon them. While they would have made for an excellent overall tale, the listener is instead left as the story spins its wheels. For starters, anyone familiar with Astelan at all will know he ultimately chooses to side against his primarch. Even without that however, the story sets up events until it’s practically screaming the twist ending with every line of dialogue. As it’s reliant so heavily upon this sudden turn, the build-up is sadly subdued and it passes up on many opportunities which might have helped to bring the world to life. We see little of Caliban in its current state, hear little of how the legion has truly changed since El Jonson left or even learn of the concerns they have of being out of contact with the Imperium.
The plodding nature of the story further detracts from real drama. Besides a few interesting points where we see the legionaries scheming among one another, there’s really not much to go on. Even real action is relatively subdued save for one sparsely detailed engagement and a fleeting duel between a group of Dark Angels. As such, the story itself can seem oddly threadbare despite it hinging upon a key point in the Fallen’s history, and it ends just as it starts to enter any truly interesting territory.
What helps to truly save the audio drama is the execution here. Where the story might fail in places, the voice acting, sound design and general execution are absolutely top notch. There’s real weight to the discussion of treachery, and Astelan’s turn is brilliantly conveyed Tim Bentinck’s quiet turn, showing the warrior’s underlying thoughts and fitting perfectly with his gradual arc here. Games Workshop has picked a winning group of actors with this one and with luck we will see this cast put together again sometime in the future for other stories, perhaps even building upon this particular tale.
While much of this might have sounded quite negative, it’s not that Master of the First is bad so much as very limited. There are some obviously fascinating themes on offer here and as a character piece you are given a good impression of Astelan himself. It’s just that everything else fails to really gel or make the best use of what was on offer. Had it perhaps limited its focus to concentrate upon Astelan weighing his decision or flashing back to prior events in his life rather than focusing upon the conspiracy, this might have been a better story. Instead it’s simply an okay one with a few high points, the sort of thing you might listen to once but will probably forget about in the weeks to come.
As readers of other Gav Thrope novels will have quickly realised, this is another tale tying closely into his Dark Angels series and examining Astelan’s past. As one of the Fallen Angels, his involvement is an understandable one but ultimately serves as a double edged sword. While easily offering some of the audio drama’s best ideas and themes, it sadly undercuts the drama and can leave the listener just waiting for events to reach a predictable end.
The real strengths on offer lie in how they reflect upon Astelan’s character and even the astartes of this era. It’s been said many times that these legionaries should be treated as a far cry from the more knight templar chapters, but few seem to reflect upon this. However, in Astelan’s case we see how his more human nature and lack of mental conditioning left him a flawed, conflicted figure. Someone with all the power offered to a space marine but all the flaws found within an unenhanced human, the audio drama shows in him just how critically flawed their early processes were. What makes matters worse is that Astelan’s decision was born of the Emperor’s own actions, and a flawed understanding of what drove him to unite Terra by force. It’s an interesting display to be sure, and the points made to help to emphasise why the Imperium needed to change so dramatically in the wake of the Horus Heresy.
Another interesting point the story builds upon is the idea that Luther himself may not have been the direct instigator of the eventual rebellion. While the actual events of Caliban’s destruction still lie shrouded in myth, its key events have not changed so far as anyone is aware. Luther will fight El Jonson and Caliban will be destroyed by the Warp storm which follows. However, along with other short tales we see here that it’s almost as if he’s being pushed into the role of rebelling leader. Unable to fully control events upon his world, the Dark Angels turn upon one another under his command and his attempts to restore order or retain control are dragging him deeper into unwanted conflict. It’s another layer to the Dark Angels’ tragedy and an interesting twist which is helping to turn Luther into a more three dimensional character. In comparison to Horus’ own rapid turn, it can even be argued that this gradual and unwanted turn is a better executed plotline within the series.
The problem is that both of these events are largely just ideas, and the story only briefly touches upon them. While they would have made for an excellent overall tale, the listener is instead left as the story spins its wheels. For starters, anyone familiar with Astelan at all will know he ultimately chooses to side against his primarch. Even without that however, the story sets up events until it’s practically screaming the twist ending with every line of dialogue. As it’s reliant so heavily upon this sudden turn, the build-up is sadly subdued and it passes up on many opportunities which might have helped to bring the world to life. We see little of Caliban in its current state, hear little of how the legion has truly changed since El Jonson left or even learn of the concerns they have of being out of contact with the Imperium.
The plodding nature of the story further detracts from real drama. Besides a few interesting points where we see the legionaries scheming among one another, there’s really not much to go on. Even real action is relatively subdued save for one sparsely detailed engagement and a fleeting duel between a group of Dark Angels. As such, the story itself can seem oddly threadbare despite it hinging upon a key point in the Fallen’s history, and it ends just as it starts to enter any truly interesting territory.
What helps to truly save the audio drama is the execution here. Where the story might fail in places, the voice acting, sound design and general execution are absolutely top notch. There’s real weight to the discussion of treachery, and Astelan’s turn is brilliantly conveyed Tim Bentinck’s quiet turn, showing the warrior’s underlying thoughts and fitting perfectly with his gradual arc here. Games Workshop has picked a winning group of actors with this one and with luck we will see this cast put together again sometime in the future for other stories, perhaps even building upon this particular tale.
While much of this might have sounded quite negative, it’s not that Master of the First is bad so much as very limited. There are some obviously fascinating themes on offer here and as a character piece you are given a good impression of Astelan himself. It’s just that everything else fails to really gel or make the best use of what was on offer. Had it perhaps limited its focus to concentrate upon Astelan weighing his decision or flashing back to prior events in his life rather than focusing upon the conspiracy, this might have been a better story. Instead it’s simply an okay one with a few high points, the sort of thing you might listen to once but will probably forget about in the weeks to come.
November 7, 2017
This was a great short story about my favorite Adeptus Astartes Chapter, the Dark Angels. I enjoyed the further development of Astelan's character (who I have been a fan of since his first appearance in Angels of Darkness).
April 18, 2024
April 2024 Re-Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XVI Imperium Secondus II Gate's Ashes (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
Maybe I'm just grumpy today as I generally find myself feeling more favourable to things I listened to and read with the added context of the wider Horus Heresy series.
On Caliban resentments fester, both between the original I Legion Terrans and the Calibanite Dark Angels who are training the new recruits in ways much closer to the Order's old ways than those decreed by the Imperium...
This is an interesting story and it's certainly not badly told, but it is exceedingly dry and spartan in its prose and events. I understand that it is all sneaky sneaky and then sudden happenings at the end, but the only energy in the story comes from not knowing what's going on, so without that surprise the text gives little account of it. I sometimes wonder if that's unfair, particularly for this sort of story, but there are so many stories in this series I am very familiar with, and yet their prose and quality continue to arose emotion and I interest.
I want to be very clear that this is by no means bad and it is all but essential to get the full story of the Dark Angels and how they eventually come to be known as the Unforgiven, but those speedrunning the essentials and as far as I'm concerned for things to return to eventually, this is competent and worth reading but I won't be coming back again.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 29 Horus Heresy novels, 16 novellas (including 2 repeats), 101 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 15 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
***
Initial Review 4/5
Caliban continues to Rock and roll with distrust and machinations.
A group, largely consisting of Terran Dark Angels, are growing increasingly dissatisfied with their posting on the Lion's homeworld and even more so with Luther's moving away from the Imperium's message and values, reverting to the secret Knightly ways of the Order. Battle brothers of the I Legion comes to blows as political intrigue boils and a coup ferments.
My interest in the Dangles vacillates, but the way this was written and performed grabbed my attention. It's been a while since I read the books, so this was my first glimpse of Luther and Caliban since the Legion divided, which was nice, especially as the last time I was going thorough the series I was getting a bit frustrated at all the posturing and not much seeming to actually be going on during the Thramas Crusade between the Lion and Nighthaunter.
While things do happen in this and it's rather interesting, it does suffer from the same thing that so much Dark Angels Horus Heresy tales, the one step forward, two steps back, some progress and resettinf to a previous state or new norm that isn't that different.
The Dark Angels, especially because of how much we do and don't know from Warhammer 40K, storyline continues to be a positively galactic level of edging.
Regardless, this definitely held my attention.
Maybe I'm just grumpy today as I generally find myself feeling more favourable to things I listened to and read with the added context of the wider Horus Heresy series.
On Caliban resentments fester, both between the original I Legion Terrans and the Calibanite Dark Angels who are training the new recruits in ways much closer to the Order's old ways than those decreed by the Imperium...
This is an interesting story and it's certainly not badly told, but it is exceedingly dry and spartan in its prose and events. I understand that it is all sneaky sneaky and then sudden happenings at the end, but the only energy in the story comes from not knowing what's going on, so without that surprise the text gives little account of it. I sometimes wonder if that's unfair, particularly for this sort of story, but there are so many stories in this series I am very familiar with, and yet their prose and quality continue to arose emotion and I interest.
I want to be very clear that this is by no means bad and it is all but essential to get the full story of the Dark Angels and how they eventually come to be known as the Unforgiven, but those speedrunning the essentials and as far as I'm concerned for things to return to eventually, this is competent and worth reading but I won't be coming back again.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 29 Horus Heresy novels, 16 novellas (including 2 repeats), 101 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 15 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue.
***
Initial Review 4/5
Caliban continues to Rock and roll with distrust and machinations.
A group, largely consisting of Terran Dark Angels, are growing increasingly dissatisfied with their posting on the Lion's homeworld and even more so with Luther's moving away from the Imperium's message and values, reverting to the secret Knightly ways of the Order. Battle brothers of the I Legion comes to blows as political intrigue boils and a coup ferments.
My interest in the Dangles vacillates, but the way this was written and performed grabbed my attention. It's been a while since I read the books, so this was my first glimpse of Luther and Caliban since the Legion divided, which was nice, especially as the last time I was going thorough the series I was getting a bit frustrated at all the posturing and not much seeming to actually be going on during the Thramas Crusade between the Lion and Nighthaunter.
While things do happen in this and it's rather interesting, it does suffer from the same thing that so much Dark Angels Horus Heresy tales, the one step forward, two steps back, some progress and resettinf to a previous state or new norm that isn't that different.
The Dark Angels, especially because of how much we do and don't know from Warhammer 40K, storyline continues to be a positively galactic level of edging.
Regardless, this definitely held my attention.
February 4, 2015
I would read Gav Thorpe's Dark Angels novels exclusively if he would just keep writing them. This was an awesome taste of a great mystery in the 40K world, what actually goes down on Caliban. Also, it focuses on a character that has been blowing my mind since Angels of Darkness from 10 years ago. Highly recommend.
September 9, 2015
Good fun sci-fi. Universe building is necessary in a series of this scope, and this audioplay does it well.
August 1, 2025
Chapter Master Astelan was just a boy when he saw the Thunder Warriors conquer his homeland in the name of the Emperor, He was of the first 5000 Space Marines to be recruited, making him among the oldest veterans of the Great Crusade.
During the short story “Call of the Lion” Astelan tried to bring a world into peaceful compliance, but his attempts were stymied by Caliban-born Chapter Master Belath. Belath scorned Astelan as a coward, stating that to honour the Lion meant using oppressive form to destroy those who would not submit.
Shortly after this incident Astelan was transferred to Caliban as seen in the story “Fallen Angels”.
Treachery begins to take hold on Caliban, as there is a divide between the Terran veterans, and the younger Caliban recruits. Conspiracy abounds and many seek to remove Luther from power.
Really fun story of betrayal and resentment that sets up “Angels of Caliban”.
The story opens with the mention of Zaheriel and Lord Cypher leaving on a shuttle to the Northwilds, which is contained in the audio “Cypher Guardian of Order”. Just an interesting connection to another story.
Castelan as a character also appears in the “Legacy of Caliban” series by Gav Thorpe, taking place long after the Heresy.
During the short story “Call of the Lion” Astelan tried to bring a world into peaceful compliance, but his attempts were stymied by Caliban-born Chapter Master Belath. Belath scorned Astelan as a coward, stating that to honour the Lion meant using oppressive form to destroy those who would not submit.
Shortly after this incident Astelan was transferred to Caliban as seen in the story “Fallen Angels”.
Treachery begins to take hold on Caliban, as there is a divide between the Terran veterans, and the younger Caliban recruits. Conspiracy abounds and many seek to remove Luther from power.
Really fun story of betrayal and resentment that sets up “Angels of Caliban”.
The story opens with the mention of Zaheriel and Lord Cypher leaving on a shuttle to the Northwilds, which is contained in the audio “Cypher Guardian of Order”. Just an interesting connection to another story.
Castelan as a character also appears in the “Legacy of Caliban” series by Gav Thorpe, taking place long after the Heresy.
March 20, 2020
While Alpha Legion is always linked to subterfuge and undercover actions I think there is no Legion more adept at treachery and under-handiness than Dark Angels.
And this short story depicts exactly that - wheels turning within wheels and complete inability to trust anyone to be what they seem to be. I don't know if it is just me but Dark Angels seem to be tight-lipped and generally closed up formation very similar to Custodes. Which again makes sense since they served with Custodes from the very start.
I wont go into details here but this short story provides some interesting insights into the Dark Angels and what exactly was going on on Caliban during the Lion's absence.
Only negative thing here is that the story was way too short. I cannot wait for more books on Dark Angels.
And this short story depicts exactly that - wheels turning within wheels and complete inability to trust anyone to be what they seem to be. I don't know if it is just me but Dark Angels seem to be tight-lipped and generally closed up formation very similar to Custodes. Which again makes sense since they served with Custodes from the very start.
I wont go into details here but this short story provides some interesting insights into the Dark Angels and what exactly was going on on Caliban during the Lion's absence.
Only negative thing here is that the story was way too short. I cannot wait for more books on Dark Angels.
June 6, 2020
Entertaining, particularly with sound effects adding some immersion to the narration, which isn't bad. I'm a little indifferent to the Dark Angels, so that probably comes into play here...
Apparently Grey Angel takes place before this and I have not read/listened to that story, so perhaps the plot twist would have more impact if I had done so. Says something of the overall plotline on Caliban, however, that the twist doesn't particularly excite.
I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase this story. I wouldn't say reading or listening to it if you have it is a waste of time either.
Apparently Grey Angel takes place before this and I have not read/listened to that story, so perhaps the plot twist would have more impact if I had done so. Says something of the overall plotline on Caliban, however, that the twist doesn't particularly excite.
I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase this story. I wouldn't say reading or listening to it if you have it is a waste of time either.
April 9, 2021
La primera legión siempre fue en mi opinión la más sobresavalorada de todas, y su primarca también. Los Ángeles oscuros ni siquiera son astartes, se humillan sirviendo a un simple humano, y como es posible que Lion perdiese contra ese tonto de Luther? Espero que no vuelva a revivir porque que vergüenza reunirse con sus demás hermanos y hablar de lo que pasó, todo el mundo se va reír de él. Es que le mató un señor mayor drogado. Y recordaré el nombre de Astelan, rata traidora.
May 2, 2024
More like three and a half stars. Entertaining for sure, but if you know the story of the Dark Angels you can see the twist coming from a mile away. Still fun though.
November 13, 2014
While the Horus Heresy series has been rolling on quite contentedly, reaching 31 books and countless other stories, it's been a while since we've heard much from Caliban and those members of the Dark Angels sent home by their primarch, Lion El'Johnson. What has been happening back on the home world while the rest of the galaxy falls apart, and the Lion has been out chasing Konrad Kurze? Fear not, Gav Thorpe is on hand with a new audio drama, Master of the First, to shed a little light on the situation. This is a 35-minute audio drama available as a standalone MP3 download prior to a future release in a combined package with The Long Night by Aaron Dembski-Bowden.
Read the rest of the review at http://trackofwords.wordpress.com/201...
Read the rest of the review at http://trackofwords.wordpress.com/201...
February 17, 2016
Luther, the Kor Phaeron of the first legion, his intentions covered with smoke. The defeat of the loyalists on caliban was to be expected and if not for Astelan then it would have been crushed by Luther himself. The reasons behind the betrayal are more interesting though, why would Luther betray the Lion and to what end. Where his intentions to join the warmaster in his campaign or was he simply seeking what was best for Caliban.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews