The Imperium's Most Wanted - EREBUS - The Hand of Destiny - Warhammer 40k Lore

A discussion of the story of Erebus, The Hand of Destiny.
To support Only War on Patreon. / onlywar
My war allies for discounts. U.S. - Mtechcave mtechcave.com/...
U.K. - Goblin Gaming www.goblingami...
Aus - Gap Games www.gapgames.co... For Gap Games use the code Lorcan2% for an extra discount
The blessed tip jar. Thank you for the support! paypal.me/Only...
Includes excerpts from Child of Chaos and The First Heretic.
Warhammer gubbins / onlywar5
Other references: Horus Rising, False Gods, Fear to Tread, Betrayer and others
All available here www.blacklibra...
Music by Adrian von Zeigler
/ @adrianvonziegler
Huge thanks to the artists for their fantastic work. Please leave a comment if you want directing to a particular artist as KZbin hates too many links here.
Particular mention to the following featured artists
Gas mask - www.deviantart...
Erebus (thumbnail) & Word bearers www.deviantart...
Emperor, Argel tal, Kharn - www.deviantart...
Primarchs www.artstation...
Ruinstorm www.deviantart...
Colchis www.deviantart...
Thanks as always to everyone at Games Workshop for the setting we love.
This video contains opinion based editorial commentary.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use purposes such as criticism, commentary, parody, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
#warhammer40k #warhammer #erebus
All works used in this video (Images, audio etc) belong to their respective authors
(This does not include the audio commentary or licensed BGM).
Games workshop, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer, 40k, Space Marine Etc are all Trademarks of Games Workshop Ltd. Games Workshop does not endorse or support this video. All views and opinions expressed in this video belong to OnlyWar and in no way reflect the views or opinions of Games Workshop Ltd.

[@JoeSmith-sl9bq]

I don't hate Erebus, I admire his ability to look at the God Emperor and think "I will dismember you"

[@ClovenOnes]

Me too

[@quaid8]

This makes wordbearers seem evil. I believe they only sought the truth and that led them to this path. But this makes them seem evil from the start.

[@JoeSmith-sl9bq]

@@quaid8 No more or less evil than the Emperor, who did not care how many die in order to achieve his visions. After all, he was a warp spawned entity made for one purpose- to defeat the ruinous powers. I doubt he is even sentient but just acts according to this order given by the shamans.

[@ClovenOnes]

@@quaid8 He's talking about erebus specifically, you're right about the word bearers as a whole, but Erebus himself was like this

[@Brochnick]

Hahaha, nice! That brightened my day...

[@ZakeryFyke]

Casual fans: No one is more evil than- Erebus: And I took that personally.

[@shonklebonkle324]

Goge Vandire: And I took that personally.

[@stewartthorpe2533]

Erebus, the villain that everyone loves to hate. But you have to respect Erebus for being so pivotal in putting into motion events that lead to an all powerful being like the Emperor to become enthroned and exist in undeath for 10000 years

[@onlywar]

He's really good at being bad.

[@uusilm3245]

Is he sauron type of villain?

[@Sara3346]

@@uusilm3245 he's pretty old and a plotter but beyond that not really?

[@hamanu666]

And inadvertently creating the doom of his own dark gods once the emperor finally rises from the golden throne. Remember while on his throne tens of thousands of light years from the battle, big possessed Guilliman and kicked Mortarions ass and make Nurgle run while torching his place.

[@Hangman1]

He is the Architect of new human empire that was created after putting corpse emperor on the throne. Now everything is like Word Bearers wanted ... everyone is forced to believe in God emperor and if not he will die. Inquisition looking for ppl who dare to say anything bad about this stupid religion and kill them. Tens of thousands ppl every day is sacrificed just sustain corpse emperor.... this sustain chaos gods to of course because they are psykers that die in suffering ( souls + negative emotions )

[@Lordradost]

Erebus is the penultimate Judas, the original vantablack ink that darkened everything in 40K's grim setting.

[@The_belligerant_servo_skull]

No way, I replied to you on an arcane video, talking about how well they treated the IP.. Had do double check it was you! An only war fan too, you have great taste

[@Lordradost]

@@The_belligerant_servo_skull likewise and thank you. What a nice coincidence.

[@JoeSmith-sl9bq]

He is not Judas, he never betrayed his Masters and was more of a undercover agent

[@kenrudd6362]

except erebus actually exists

[@ROTTERDXM]

@@kenrudd6362 exactly, even 40k-ish years before M42. Because time flows differently within the warp.

[@samom4511]

I found this channel, and im amazed by quality. And im sad it didn't go viral. Also, last video uploaded vas 7 months ago. Great job, man. Best wishes on whatever you are working on now.

[@onlywar]

Glad you found us my friend and thank you. I'm about to put out a channel update.

[@Ricky_Nixon]

For the algo! Top notch effort and execution as always, for a whole hour nonetheless. Your deeds do not go unnoticed in the eyes of the Imperium. Erebus is the worst, though.

[@onlywar]

That he is brother.

[@um4951]

These videos are so well made, and it’s a shame you don’t have more subscribers. Your content is a real blessing for all your viewers, and I hope your audience continues to grow for many years.

[@onlywar]

Thank you brother. It’s been a busy end to the year but I’m back working on the next upload now.

[@roastbeef4918]

Erebus was the Watcher. He dared to stare into the Abyss. He stared even as it poured into Him, yet he did not look away. He was the anti Emperor, he was everything the Emperor was not.

[@Digitaaliklosetti]

You reckon Erebus would've been a good father, then?

[@roastbeef4918]

@@Digitaaliklosetti Nope. It would be one of the only things they would have in common.

[@walterTbaggins]

Excellent work fam, best Erebus potted history I can remember hearing!

[@onlywar]

Thanks brother. He just had to go in the Most Wanted.

[@LasseROM]

As a recently converted Word Bearer acolyte. I appreciate an in depth analysis of my lords original consultant. Great video, and yes you did earn my subscription. My the Neverborn show you great favour and benevolence.

[@onlywar]

Glad you found us my friend.

[@Medc-]

Only War, your narration lives up to Erebus's sinister reputation. Loved the emphasis on the scorpion 🦂 Allusion you made throughout the video. Great job!!!

[@onlywar]

Chris Wraight gets the credit there in Child of Chaos. Well worth a read.

[@duncanself5111]

Erebus, the snake in the grass! I really like your "The Imperiums Most Wanted" videos. I'll try to join your patron ASAP. I'm generally skint at the moment but I'll gladly chip in when I can

[@onlywar]

You’ve already been helping me since the early days by being subbed, commenting & liking the videos. Glad you’re still here my friend.

[@duncanself5111]

@@onlywar thanks mate 🙂 but I'll definitely give you a little monetary support so you can hopefully keep making these excellent lore videos

[@kenrudd6362]

@@onlywar lies we need money give all to chaos

[@onlywar]

Please try to keep the curses inventively clean so KZbin doesn't have a fit. Whether they're for Erebus or for my pronunciation of Torgaddon a couple of times. (Although apparently it's fine with KZbin when it's Erebus.)

[@itspetz7421]

Litterally as soon as i seen the video i thought "good somebody did a video about the peice of sh*t c*nt bag" glad you made this comment i was ready to go off about the fraking chaos slime

[@duncanself5111]

@@itspetz7421 I was about to do the same😆Erebus is an absolute c#%t!🤐.

[@chalzen1012]

... are we surprise Susan doesn't have as much of an issue with Erebus...

[@Connor.SG-1Ring]

"If I had bolter with two rounds left and I was in a room with Lorgar, Fulgrim, and Erebus. *I'd shoot Erebus twice."* -Roboute Guillimam _(most likely)_

[@matthodgson97]

Great content from an incredible channel, really enjoying the most wanted series!

[@Necron_Lord]

Well made my friend! I cannot wait wait the next! I will be patiently re-watching the whole catalog you have built with patience untill the next installment! Keep up the fantastic work!

[@Omer698]

This was so well written and narrated. Really enjoyed this

[@grantdreyo2585]

Thank you for this, man! I love listening to you while trying to sleep. You're so good at this kind of content and you have an amazing voice! You're doing the Emperor's will, keep it up brother!

[@daisho13]

Awesome. Another amazing effort, thanks for the hard work and sharing of it.

[@onlywar]

You're welcome! I appreciate the comment my friend.

[@commissaryarrick9670]

In a galaxy full of terrible people erebus was one of the worst

[@onlywar]

and he's proud of it.

[@goldstarquack5251]

say it with me: "FUCK EREBUS"

[@SoulStealer996]

@@goldstarquack5251 Majorkill approves this message XP

[@ElonTusks]

He wanted the truth not the false emperors lies

[@valtersplume3726]

Erebus is *THE* worst.

[@SheolAbaddonus666]

How is Erebus hate more than the Ultramarines? They follow their corpse lord like sheep. The Ultramarines need to be humbled; their boasting is without merit.

[@onlywar]

Welcome heretic! You’ll fit in well here.

[@Chrisofthemount]

As I saw this video pop on my screen, I heard the faint echo..."@#$! Erebus!" Great work!

[@cesarespinozaspain]

"Only in Death does duty end" A unknown Imperial servant "Only in death does your soul begin to serve me" The Chaos gods.

[@sargentthethird1339]

Great way to start a day... Thanks

[@onlywar]

You're welcome brother.

[@Stahlvanten]

Thank you for another solid upload!

[@hombreg1]

Sheesh Only War. I meant to sleep but... Your videos are always a treat

[@onlywar]

Good bedtime listening if you don't end up getting angry.

[@hombreg1]

@@onlywar but then I'd miss all the awesome artwork! Granted, I could see your content being like the "fall of civilizations" channel, with a Spotify alternative, for those who "just" want to listen to your video.

[@danyael777]

Cursed be the unspeakable traitor. I like how i can tell you're improving with every upload.^^ Keep it up, dude.

[@onlywar]

Thanks mate. Definitely more improvements to go but when I look back where I started at last year with zero experience I'm pretty happy.

[@danyael777]

@@onlywar Just happy? Be proud!

[@Sanguine_01]

This made me realize how much we need a good Argel Tal video. Great work work my friend, i love these.

[@agentorangecb1]

What a production. The script and voice acting is on point! Looking forward to great things from this channel in future

[@richardvaldes3959]

It was the story " child of chaos " that really turned me on to Erebus.

[@onlywar]

Absolutely. Well worth a read.

[@Zoocsgo]

My new favourite 40k lore channel long form and well produced keep it up mate

[@onlywar]

Thank you my friend. Getting back into the swing of things so hopefully a new upload coming your way soon.

[@georgesulea]

Well done Sir. A great narration of great lore!

[@onlywar]

Thank you squire.

[@Bloodletter8]

"Hey, Khârn, can you give me a hand?" ~Erebus probably

[@mrgrant9291]

Fantastic piece of work Only war.

[@p.w.6870]

Another great lore video. 👍🏻. Thanks .

[@onlywar]

My pleasure good sir.

[@jamesmckenna4460]

Absolutely fantastic, I've listened to 15 novels now, and Erebus has always been so interesting, yet I've never taken the time to listen to the word bearer novels, this has me very ready to listen to them

[@theilluminator89]

You've definitely earned my subscription today. Perfection

[@ROTTERDXM]

Another super solid vid and pairs so well with the Argel Tal vid from Amber King. It's like a fine wine paired with another fine wine, sipped from the skulls of your 2 worst enemies.

[@onlywar]

Yes saw he’d done Tal. Glad I didn’t give too much of his story away in this one.

[@Dr.Instabil]

Yeah you two channels are awesome! Maybe do a collab one day!

[@uncharted7954]

You need more subs.. this channel is very under rated

[@christian49972]

Best! Dude you are doing great work!

[@nicholasmatthew9687]

Just found you, and I’m only like 4 minutes in, but you absolute have my subscribe. Great story telling bud, extremely well written and vocalized to fit within the general aesthetic. Brilliant work.

[@cranksock6949]

An absolutely lovely video on one of my favourite characters!

[@santturanta236]

Ohhhoooshit!!! Thank you for the video, my dude! You totally earned my subscription, my guy 😎

[@CDMJDMHHC]

Erebus was true agent of chaos may he for ever be cursed, just the way he likes. Great job with your story telling.

[@uusilm3245]

God's enemies devil demons be destroyed in the name of Jesus Christ!

[@childrenofthesun471]

@@uusilm3245 what? Lol

[@uusilm3245]

Weird name Devil demons their witchcraft be binded and destroyed in the name of Jesus Christ!

[@uusilm3245]

Lol ? Means 😭 right?

[@nickbaspaly6239]

Oh man ! That was great! Really well done and interesting the whole way

[@DEricTodd]

You know, I can really identify with Eribus. Aside from the gleeful cruelty, the distaste for the prospect of slowly grinding away on a traditional or conventionally acceptable path to success (however it may be defined in one's society) really hits home for me. Give me a big ass scorpion! Endlessly preferable to the soul drain of a never ending 9 to 5 any day...

[@jancikacer9997]

This is gold

[@willogsdon7092]

*sees video in youtube feed* "Looks like a fun listen, why not?" Aaaaaaand my subscription list continues to be subsumed by yet another 40k lore channel featuring a silky voiced limey. Good stuff, 👍 And subbed!

[@onlywar]

Glad you decided to add us to the collection.

[@chalzen1012]

As always amazing video and it was good to learn more of the man who dammed the empire into the state it is today.... i must however inform you the due to the knowledge you have my friends in the inquisition wish to know your location... for a wellness check of coarse. Also comments for the algorithm gods and views for the loremaster

[@vorpalinferno9711]

Being particularly awful in a setting that is entirely meant to house awful people is quite the feat.

[@feministpicnicfallsapartaf3644]

43:50 wasn't that the Auretian Technocracy? The brotherhood was a faction within the word bearers...

[@onlywar]

The Brotherhood was also the name of the military wing of the Technocracy, although I should have worded that part of the script better.

[@chadbasedwick8517]

Excellent stuff. Liked and subscribed.

[@theoink636]

You have indeed earned my subscription.

[@onlywar]

Thank you my friend. Glad you found us. My uploads can be a bit random for the algorithm to promote so hit the bell if you want to be sure.

[@garyfoster9478]

Ah mate that was quality , brilliant story craft!!! 👌

[@davetheslayer1130]

Thanks for all the great videos sir!

[@trava4156]

Incredible work. subscribed

[@hoverpantsz262]

Well done m8 great listning while im drawing much thanks.

[@jason.larsenthedanishgreek1226]

STOW-DEEZ? NO! NOT STOW-DEEZ!!!

[@jacobbaugher3599]

Ugh this is so good; fantastic job!

[@onlywar]

Thank you my friend.

[@Angelof236]

Your a great story teller.

[@onlywar]

Thank you my friend.

[@brendanmuller7301]

I love these videos man

[@onlywar]

Thank you brother. Glad you’re enjoying them.

[@redluke8119]

Great content as always!

[@butHomeisNowhere___]

Man, you put so much work into these. It's wonderful :) I have a DnD lore channel myself and I know what goes into this kind of stuff haha

[@seanwhisman5558]

You earned a subscriptions today.

[@onlywar]

Glad to have you here mate.

[@25ironhand]

You earned my subscription long ago but if i could do it again, i would !!!!

[@ryan.1990]

He's got some real nerve to be smiling like that

[@onlywar]

That image by www.deviantart.com/arhpriest is perfect in everyway. ArhPriest must be the biggest Word Bearers fan.

[@ryan.1990]

@@onlywar Hey, some minor criticism- the music could be toned down a little to something more atmosphere. The orchestral pieces are cool but I don't think they should be overused too much

[@onlywar]

Adrian does do a variety of styles of music but I maybe went a bit hard on the dramatic ones for this video. I'll keep that in mind in the future.

[@TheCorrodedMan]

The Hand of Destiny is going to need a cast when Khărn gets done with him

[@themorningstar8450]

Beautiful work as always. Love what you do.

[@jfkjkshjpppppppppphsasi8669]

Great work!

[@robertopompa_]

His Parents Despaired, longing For Their Son to learn a trade and advance himself. That part hurt my Ribs.

[@machinegunblues7]

Always excited when I see one of your videos pop up, but EREBUS!?! The blood BOILS just hearing his blasphemous name. The Emperor protects.

[@CousinJesse1]

How much do I have to send through PayPal to get a dedicated video about the Word Bearers? They are the best legion.

[@onlywar]

Any support is appreciated but if you're patient I'll be adding everyone's favourite foster dad to this series eventually.

[@JurgMudveins]

Blood for the blood god, skulls for the skull throne, carrots for the Sterling!

[@chrishayes7677]

Subscription thoroughly earned. Thank you good sir. Loved the part where Horus flayed his face, definitely deserved it except....I feel like he took it well.... unfortunately.

[@MrEpz4321]

You're really good.

[@onlywar]

Thanks my friend. New 40k video coming really soon.

[@TheKagar]

Thanks for sharing :D

[@donshipman8441]

Superb!

[@ItallMatters96]

How long did it take you to get 8.5k subs? What content did you start out with and when? Also how many 40k books have you read? I rate your channel highly so naturally I, presumably like so many am very curious. Cannot wait to see what else you get up to with the channel in the future.

[@onlywar]

Hey Matthew. I've been making videos about a year. Never recorded myself or done anything like it when I started & I'm really happy to be getting close to 10K subs. I've read 100s of Black Library and army books for 40K and Fantasy over the years but there's definitely people who've read more.

[@barrosamuec3883]

Hi. Can I have the name of the intro background music?

[@onlywar]

Across Acheron - Adrian von Ziegler

[@barrosamuec3883]

@@onlywar thanks dude, loved the video. Watched it in full a few weeks back and couldn't get enough of the intro part with your voiceover 👍

[@TAttila84]

Great video!

[@bladestormviking]

may the last thing Erebus sees be Kharn tearing both his hearts out with his bare hands.

[@onlywar]

I love that Erebus is still around despite the amount of uber powerful enemies he has.

[@bladestormviking]

@@onlywar that filthy little worm....... the "final showdown" will be like 50 named characters, loyal and chaos AND demonic, all lining up for their turn.

[@adamstephens5964]

I was curious if the anatheim blade could deliver true death to a perpetual. Wasn’t sure really when I was reading the material but I like the grim dark finality of it. 👍

[@onlywar]

Who can say for definite? Maybe Erda will return in some form but it certainly seemed she was accepting that the confrontation with Erebus was the end for her.

[@Shug-Goff]

Always my favourite Greek God. The God of terror, primordial darkness and chaos . New to the 40K party.

[@onlywar]

You'll enjoy all the classical & mythology references in 40K and Fantasy my friend.

[@Shug-Goff]

@@onlywar thank you really appreciate it. You have a v.o. quality of the resonace of Richard Burton by the way of the refective poetic flow Rudyard Kipling. I played the board game Space Hulk when I was a kid with my big brother who was a " Scene Head " he made and customized miniatures. I'm a big aesthetics guy. Always loved the design and the dark vibe of 4Ok. Incidentally I was a 2000ad reader ( thanks again to my brother) and Nemisis the Warlock was one of my favourites.

[@onlywar]

@@Shug-Goff Thinking there’s even the smallest similarity to Burton’s voice is probably the biggest compliment I’ve ever had. Thank you.

[@Shug-Goff]

@@onlywar not necessarily the depth per se but the penetratating resonance that makes your bones hum.

[@mrgrant9291]

Great viedeo and well made.

[@onlywar]

Thank you brother. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tanzeer]

Without Ere I wouldn’t have my beloved CHAOS!!

[@ServerasKyld]

I don't know if anyone commented about this yet but the word "Harbringer" (1:55) is wrong. It's supposed to be "Harbinger". Some might call me petty for commenting about something small like this but to me it's very grating to hear.

[@onlywar]

Yea that is one of those words for me. I grew up adding the r but learned later. I’m pretty sure I recorded that line twice for that reason but looks like I left the wrong one in.

[@semajdis]

If the real Erebus had made it to The City of Gray Flowers and been elevated to Astartes he would have been an even bigger batsh!t crazy zealot than then one that stole his name and saw a galaxy burn. Perhaps the Emperor got off lightly?

[@auricstorm]

I honestly Lorgar, or possibly his first Captain, more than Horus for the schism (aka the Horus Heresy) Coz Horus only got poisoned, nearly died, etc etc, by that Nurgle Athame because of the Machinations of Erebus. When you think about it, most of the Primarchs had Achilles heels with their first Captains. Morty-Typhus, Lion-Luther, Magnus-Ahriman... Etc

[@onlywar]

Spot on my friend although it's a close call between Kor Phaeron and Erebus for Lorgar's downfall. I do love the quotes where Erebus revels in his own villainy & everything he feels he set in motion.

[@warrenweaver6664]

Erebus seems like a nice guy 😊

[@MrTappers7]

What a great villain to love to hate. The writers did a fantastic job building this character. Also forever curses upon Erebus the evil sob who ruined everything.

[@FenrirKyuubi]

Have hated Erebus for decades, bravo I didn't think I could loathe that maggot more, I was wrong.

[@ClovenOnes]

Chad Erebus vs Virgin imperium

[@watleythewizard2381]

Well, if you’re going to be nasty, Erebus is the divine path of nastiness. Cursed be thy name

[@uusilm3245]

Can't give you any power, If only thing you want is that power. Power is for doing right things. You don't want to do right things.

[@gildedfinch2845]

subscription earned!

[@onlywar]

Glad you found us my friend.

[@Scufflegrit]

“Harr-bin-jurr.”

[@daisho13]

I'm sort of new to 40k, don't play tabletop, just read the lore. Haven't really got into the heresy yet, just the broad strokes. But damn, Erebus is a wanker. Thanks for another great video, and for sharing your hard work. 👍

[@victuz]

He is the one responsible for everything that is currently happening in the 42th millennium of the Warhammer universe.

[@crunchythepit247]

In Erebus we trust

[@TheSynthisis]

I'm going to go over nyah while everyone is going over nyah and say Erebus is "meh". The dude lied and fucked with some weapons, pretty damn common. If chaos and all it's servants hadn't done so much heavy lifting, Erebus would look like a crazy street preacher. I highly doubt Erebus the clout thief even did any of the actual planning, at best he was Ahmed to Tzneentch's Jeff Dunham. Astartes rating 2.5/10, crazy ego like all Word Butters with little actual action and fears Smurfs and Man-Birbs.

[@Travula87]

so the anathema blade was clearly nurgles tool, what do we think this guy find some book of tzeentch here or are we going undivided here?

[@onlywar]

From reading Child of chaos I took away that he could have been first contacted via the visions from the scorpion stings before coming into contact with the already corrupted Covenant. The pantheon seems pretty united in everything to do with Erebus.