The Mystery of the Ashen Claws (Warhammer 40,000 & Horus Heresy Lore)

Being a chronicle of the mysteries surrounding the purging of the Nostramo Sector, and genesis of the Blackshield renegades known only as the Ashen Claws.
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Thanks to the amazing Myles Eves for the new Patreon credits! Check out his work at myleseve.com/
Music: Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas by the Tudor Consort
This video is a non-profit fan-made lore discussion. Games Workshop, Forge World, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer, Space Marine etc are all trademarks of Games Workshop Ltd. Games Workshop does not endorse or support fan-made "lore" videos. All views and opinions expressed in this video belong to Oculus Imperia and in no way reflect the views or opinions of Games Workshop Ltd or it's employees.
All works used in this video belong to their respective authors and corporations. Oculus Imperia holds no claim or propriety interest, either wholly or in part, in any of the work displayed here, with the exception of the audio commentary recorded for this video.

[@doomgardener1495]

I like to imagine the Ashen Claws send long, insulting, and rambling messages to the Carcharodons whenever they interact, to which the Carcharodons just respond "K".

[@TheRealMycanthrope]

Ashen Claws: *some long-winded ass bs* Carcharodons: "hit me, don't shit me"

[@TKUltra971]

Hmm that's basically what happened during a recent dispute. They are "Brosnemies".

[@CousinJesse1]

Or the sharks hit them with the good old “👍”

[@andrewdowner822]

​@@TheRealMycanthropeI am stealing this saying

[@Macy_Freya]

8:08 "The old saying of gift equines and their mandibles is pertinent here." lmao, I love how you include little remnants of modern culture to tie into 40k.

[@Aschwartz14]

Remnant my ass! The fuck kind of horses have mandibles?! There is a clear difference between a mandible and a jaw. And I don’t want ANYTHING (let alone anything as big as an equine) with a MANDIBLE TO COME ANYWHERE NEAR ME!

[@Overanalyse_This]

Modern culture? Surely you mean "ancient history"?

[@lynxk7667]

'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth' is a proverb that's at least several centuries old. Though it's often associated with horse racing in the last century. I suppose in 40K terms that a few centuries difference is nothing.

[@coryling4014]

In another video he says a line something like “the vulpine in the fowl-house”. Loved that.

[@Cardulionax]

The Ashen Claws may not be truly "traitors" to the Imperium or the Emperor but they certainly are exactly what the Emperor was trying to prevent; The Emperor's plans were for the most part impenetrable for any barring himself and Malcador but the one thing you can say for absolute certain is that he never wanted his genetically enhanced humans to "go rogue" or to take over baseline humanity.

[@JM.....]

This was nominally what Horus first decleared against the Emperor for; the take over of warmaking and Imperial leadership by mere baseline humans, relegating the legions to dogs to call to war, below these mere mortals

[@joshuadarrow]

1:22 the delivery on "we'll just kill you" is so funny to me.

[@kristianfischer9814]

He’s being honest, at least.

[@UGNAvalon]

I can imagine that poor captain trying to confidently respond with “OR.. you can spare me, and save yourself the bolt shell. 😅”

[@luckylarry71]

Oh, I just feel that the Carcharodons are inevitably going to feature on the channel eventually 🦈 🖤

[@RockSplitter]

ALL HANDS TO VIEWING STATIONS!!

[@treeweasel77]

I was just going through the Istvaan 5 videos hoping that a new one would post. The Emperor provides.

[@beardfistthegoldenone7273]

Hey Occulus, I've been watching for years now, and still to this day, you are my favorite lore channel on this site. Thank you for keeping the mind juices flowing in this amazing setting. It helps keep the hobby alive to me as I grow old and jaded. Love ya bro.

[@skrolger69]

Have been waiting for a lore video about this half enigmatic and half mysterious chapter, with your signature quality. Ashen Claws are just so awesome in so many ways. One of my absolute favourite chapters and I'm I loyalist. And it's long due for me to praise your work with some slight ass-kissing words. You have been on my top 3 list of 40k Lore Masters for years now. No stupid, half-arsed meme-jokes sprinkled in, no reading straight from the wiki's, and no god-damned A.I voice-over bullshit that ruin so much these days, just good writing and performance. Hope the effort still feels worth it for this platform surely needs it. Ave Imperator, gloria in excelsis Terra my Master of Lore.

[@JoshuaKevinPerry]

Top 3? You couldn't just say top? Who's gonna know?

[@mmallory22]

Hell yeah just got done reading the Carcharadons books I was super curious about the Claws

[@Overanalyse_This]

@mmallory22 which was your favourite? I can't remember the names of the books but the one had them up against the Night Lords and the other had the Drukari.

[@bruhmoment5465]

I didnt even have time to take in the thumbnail before this video was open thanks for all the wonderful storytelling and voicework you do, Oculus

[@saucemandela]

I’ve never clicked on a video faster in my life, glad to have you back oculus!

[@dravendragoor1457]

What he said! I've been drowning deeper and deeper in all the 40k-lore channels, but it's just cause there are too few Oculus releases!

[@krimzonstriker7534]

Oh just wetting my appetite for the Carcharadons video even more, especially the mongrels reference. That said the Ashen Claws are such an interesting perspective that I hope one day we get a book starting them one of these days 😉

[@chaboof4067]

I am greatful to live at the point in human history that lets me watch your videos. You are the brightest jewel among all the stars.

[@TKUltra971]

I love the Ashen Claws, Loyalist Renegades at their FINEST.

[@SmokeJam]

you have to put the Loyalist in a lot of question marks though. I would never call them loyalist, just maybe not enemies of the Imperium, but they have no faith in the Emperor nor Holy Terra itself.

[@TKUltra971]

@@SmokeJam They are loyal to the idea of humanity, not the empire. That's fine, quite a few cursed founding chapters did that in one way or another. But are fully indoctrinated to purge the mutant, heretic and xenos. They even keep in contact with a select few loyalist chapters.

[@TKUltra971]

@ ... *wink* 😎

[@connorcoutts9481]

A huge video by one of my favourite KZbinrs on one of my favourite under examined chapters by god I’m lucky

[@Lammergeier350]

From the sin of ignorance, Omnissiah save us. From the sin of division, Machine God bind us. From the sin of weakness, Motive Force drive us. And from the sin of forgetfulness, Oculus preserve us.

[@braydenluna8162]

Soo funny that the only reason the Ashen Claws saved the space sharks chapter from a Tyranid fleet is that they wanted their chapter relics (hunger and slake) back.

[@TheDubDisciple]

And Tyberos told the Ashe Claws CM to “Get fucked bud” you made that deal with my Head Chaplain I’m the Reaper Prime bitch my Chaplain don’t speak for me 😂 square tf up

[@Peptuck]

The Ashen Claws represent a very different "worst case" for the Imperium compared with Chaos: Astartes who go "full human" and throw off not only the Imperium's shackles but reject those of Chaos. Nothing is more terrifying to the Imperium than someone who both desires their own freedom and to make their own path while also having the power to do so.

[@Imucknukchuck]

You had a lot to cover, and link together, there. And you did it very succinctly. Great video, as always.

[@jazzblue7497]

Man if I went to sleep a little bit earlier I would have missed it! Youre one of the best storytellers ever!

[@EnterTheFenix]

"Gift equines and their mandibles..." got an involuntary laugh

[@Overanalyse_This]

Mr Imperia: could we PLEASE get back to the Arks of Omen? We've been patiently waiting since 2023 for your talk to continue.

[@AdmiralTiberius2]

I hope we see the Ordo Sinister back in the setting here soon.

[@d1sregard662]

"homies over mortals" ashen claws, probably

[@yoshimitsuzk]

One of the better Warhammer channels I don't know why your stuff never shows up on my feet

[@empireschild1]

By the gods that nightlord with the bird skull paint job. Soooo good i need to try it

[@Bluecho4]

Perhaps, one day in the 42nd millennium, when Daddy Corax returns in his sick-ass Bird Daemon form, he'll pay a visit to the sons he once spurned. Offering a chance of, if not redemption, than at least a fate less ignoble than the one seemingly befallen them these latter years. For is it not better to meet the doom coming for the galaxy head-on, rather than to wither away in obscurity?

[@jonbauml225]

Thank you! Exemplary work as always

[@jamesamos6565]

Last time I was this early Horus still had good boy points.

[@adenkyramud5005]

By the emperor, there is an ancient one amongst us!

[@SmokeJam]

As always, a most enjoyable record to listen to. Thank you for writing these scripts, even when I desperately wait for a Vraks Siege continuation.

[@kaizersorze5199]

Good tae have ye back big fella

[@fatrhino]

One of my favorites that you have done and that is a compliment as most of your videos are excellent

[@maccrage71]

Ave Imperator.

[@adenkyramud5005]

Gloria in excelsis terra

[@Legitpenguins99]

Show me his protection!

[@LMR041082]

Yay! Super happy to have this. Thanks dude

[@Boneworm852]

Not to be confused with their unmoisturized cousins, the Ashy Claws.

[@ampersandman757]

One of Vulcan's less exalted descendents

[@xenored13]

Looking forward to the Space sharks video, can't wait. 😀

[@buliwyn]

Huzzah!!!!! Our hero returns!!!!

[@leokeatonn]

Never been this early to a video before!!

[@carlosaescamilla4733]

Super early. Thanks Oculus Imperia. Another amazing video.

[@tymboslice6044]

Amazing as always thank you

[@Discotekh_Dynasty]

Hell yes more oculus!

[@mortaldanger5543]

Best lore channel with outstanding production quality! I will listen to and watch all the everything twice!

[@servit0r]

What a great day, so many awesome uploads and yours is the most special to me

[@tomalexander4327]

Glad to see the dental surgery went well. Welcome back Oculus!

[@smptown29]

Another day sees me watching another Occulus vid. And this makes the day a good one.

[@jonesdan85]

Amazing. I recently started an Ashen Claws 30k army, just got them up to 500pts, and now there is not 1 but 2 recent lore channels on KZbin who have covered them.

[@jesseadams8933]

One day, I hope your work will be analyzed in classes where one learns how to tell stories within the contextual boundaries of shared universes.

[@77loka]

I usually "save" new Oculus Imperia vids for the evenings, before bed. But I couldnt wait this time. VIII

[@matthewsandusky]

Thank you, most excellently well done. You never fall to entertain.

[@marcking9760]

❤ favourite loremaster hands down. Thank you and glad to see another chronicle 😊

[@redlegpainting4022]

Few better ways to spend a bit of my evening than a new oculus long form lore video.

[@BigBinky_Gaming]

The great historator returns!

[@pbr-streetgang]

Thanks for the vid sir.👍🏼👍🏼

[@TheOtherSteel]

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only Occulus Imperia.

[@Mahbu]

While I don't want ALL the attention to go to the esoteric chapters and forces, I think many will agree they should still get some. Unlike a lot of people, I actually appreciate vanilla UItramarines and Not-Ultramarines. By existing, they create a balance as well as something to contrast off of.

[@Thedagda801]

Thank you for your wonderful work

[@LMR041082]

Thanks for this. Another absolutely brilliant addition.

[@ArbitraryArbiter]

Never been early to a vid

[@coryling4014]

Yessssssss the Oculus returns!!

[@Trumanlol86]

A new video to listen to in bed tonight?? It's going to be a good night.

[@mouthfulofdirt]

Another certified banger from the master himself

[@Palmskis]

Good to have you back!

[@tebusan6217]

1 of my My favorite 30k lore channel ❤

[@Avenger-K]

Nice, another video from our favourite remembrancer.

[@Haradoran]

well.... i was going to go to sleep and a guess that plan fell apart

[@kayvaanmcsharrowkyn6901]

AS A RAVEN GUARD PLAYER SINCE ROUGE TRADER DAYS.... AND LOVING OUR "NAUGHTY LITTLE COUSINS", I SNAPPED ON THIS VIDEO FASTER THAN OUR PRIMARCH SNAPPED ON LORGAR IN THE WARP!! YOU SIR ARE A GOD AMONGST MEN!

[@MrBluman999]

The Emperors blessings on you, my lord. It is good to see you once more.

[@jeffm360]

Good stuff!

[@lucianozepeda4197]

love listening to your videos!!! my listening choice when painting my little plastic angels of death🤘

[@Psyker_Unredactus]

Misread this as Astral Claws, whoops. Im always keen to learn about Night Lords and Raven Guard lore, though!

[@vaclavzunt6835]

Great video, thank you. I had no idea that these guys exist.

[@bookingfruitall]

For the algorithm!

[@Faceonthewall]

Gift Equine in the Mandible - a phrase im endeavoring to use more and more in my business meetings

[@dragomirw.844]

Happy to listen to another great video!

[@jeremybott4899]

Why didn't I get a notification about this? I just randomly found it a day later??? Anyways, oculus is the BEST

[@FRU.No.1]

I hit the 2K like! The emperor giveth gracefully to those with mild OCD.

[@ArchAngel119]

Another wonderful record.

[@jamesespinosa690]

Lets goo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Turnil321]

Cool,I was wondering wich lore channel would make a video about these space marines first.

[@Uzzgub]

A Interaction for the Interaction God, a Comment for the Comment Throne, for the Almighty Algorithm

[@robertmurphy3014]

When you haven't listened for awhile, that intro hits different.

[@epwlod777]

Yes!

[@declangallagher1448]

He's back!

[@JustSomeWeirdo]

So awesome.

[@jamesneese7663]

The amusing irony in all this is that Corax's disgust SAVED the 19th company. Due to their primarch's being a jerk, they were completely frozen out of the legion's mass deployment on Isstavan V. And what happened to all the loyal sons of the 19th? Cut to ribbons by the Warmaster, the survivors further humilated by infiltration and mutation. A fate entirely avioded by the company, whom could proudly say they held their post as the rest of the legion was reduced to fragments. If anything, the Ashen Claws should have sent a "thank you and get well soon, Dad!" card to Corax after the Heresy ended. 😜 They abandoned the Imperium when they were right all along. Corax should have begged their forgiveness and return to the Imperium.

[@nate742]

Nah. They can continue eking out a petty fringe existence and wallow in their long past glories, being at the beck and call of a more dedicated chapter like the Carcharadrons.

[@danielhogan6255]

@@nate742 they are both prey to what lives in the ghoul stars...

[@squeesmyth9025]

oc i dont get it, your the best in your field especially in comparison to wes i dont get how you dont have more subs :( one day i dream you have millioms

[@jasonwright8546]

If you don't produce several videos a week, YT buries you in the algorithm. Since OC focuses on quality over quantity, he is penalized.

[@squeesmyth9025]

@@jasonwright8546 redic !!! thats what i told sandman , for how much we were paying him shouldve been more content finally he listened

[@InfernoBot]

Another excellent video

[@mbp1652]

Let's go!

[@danvikkilmire6075]

Wooohoooo. Good times are here

[@Deathwing-Y2K]

Imagine Corax returning and redeeming the Claws and the Sharks and bringing them back into the fold!

[@MrPiccolop]

Anyone see Sandman of Terras take on the Rangdan xenocides. Very interesting take on it. Hope Oculus does another video on it.

[@kbennett2587]

Thanks, I was trying to write up a black shield night lord war band, and I was drawing a blank at their origin and how they got into the ghoul stars. Thank you. Great video. Though I got to wonder what deeply angered the ashen claws to hunt nightlords. What did the night lords do to insight the anger of a legion forsaken by its own Primarch???

[@mystery_box1172]

A comment for the blessed algorithm, Ave Imperator

[@eonstar2441]

All hail oculus imperia indeed

[@aguspuig6615]

Me when me when, the the warhammer is like 40k or something idk

[@roryokane5907]

Another great vid! Speaking of the Carcharadons, though, when’s your next Badab video coming? :p

[@badm0t0rf1ng3r]

Boys, we're gonna fall asleep good tonight!

[@Pfasma5]

So good!

[@EwanBlackmane]

Bless you for your insight.