Vulkan He'stan - Vulkan He'stan: As the close of the 41st Millennium approaches, the current Forgefather of the Salamanders is Vulkan He'stan. Since his earliest days as a Scout Marine, He'stan had been a much-noted warrior. He alone of his recruiting class captured a unique beast. For his mantle he slew a mottled tri-horn, amongst the most vicious and cunning of their reptilian breed. Even teams of veteran drake-hunters might struggle to accomplish such a deed. He'stan's skills as a smith -- working his hammer upon the anvil -- were such that the master artificers stopped over his works and admired them. The sentiment was expressed in a number of ways, but all amounted to the same: truly did the blood of Vulkan himself run in the Novice.The Salamanders' fortress-monastery is not upon Nocturne itself, but instead resides upon its giant moon, Prometheus. In the halls of that edifice can still be found trophies of war brought back by He'stan from his time serving in the Battle Companies. When he was promoted to the 1st Company -- the Firedrakes –- He'stan's ability with Bolter and Flamer saved his squad more than once, his bold actions and great hardiness winning him many accolades. But it was his leadership, stamina and sheer determination that truly sealed He'stan's meteoric rise to Captain. During the Ork raids and resultant seismic activity of the awful time known as the Fire Year, it was He'stan's inspired and tireless defence that saved so many of Nocturne's citizens.He'stan had served the Salamanders with great distinction for nearly a standard century when the Pantheon Council commanded he set down his burdens as commander of the 4th Company and don the mantle of Forgefather. In solemn and proscribed ceremony, He'stan relinquished his old titles and duties and emerged out of the same flames and in the same manner as their Primarch. He would follow Vulkan's trail -- searching for details of the Primarch's lone ventures about the galaxy and for clues about the hidden relics. It would be an isolated existence, as cut off from others as Nocturne had been from the rest of Humanity. As Forgefather, He'stan would maintain his seat upon the Chapter's ruling Pantheon Council. However, his post would ensure that he was an irregular attendant at best, for his travels were to be long and perilous.In the pursuance of his quest, He'stan has walked a crooked and winding path across the galaxy. He has been guided from system to system by clues inked within the Tome of Fire. These are the texts that the Salamanders' Primarch left behind before his last and final disappearance. In them are words of wisdom and guidance for his sons, but there is more besides. Within those many volumes, secrets were revealed. Prophecies, clues and references were left for the wise to decipher. For the Salamanders know, as their Primarch taught, that the forged blade must be tested and retested, as the strongest metals are folded in upon themselves over and over again until, at last, they find their utmost strength. So did Vulkan leave behind the answers, buried in hidden sigils, disguised as not-yet-deciphered code.More than anyone in the Chapter, the Forgefather knows the Tome of Fire expertly. He, more than any other, calls upon its guidance to lead him on its trail. It is as if, across millennia and the depths of space, the will of the Primarch Vulkan still moves the warriors that bear his genetic legacy. He'stan's knowledge of the Tome of Fire and his ability to navigate its labyrinthine chapters are unrivalled. He has spent years studying its pages, committing their wordings to memory. On his long and lonely voyages, this is how He'stan spends his time -- in constant reflection, poring over each word, studying each symbol for a secret meaning. Once, perhaps, He'stan had been bold and outgoing -- now, he is more thoughtful and reflective than ever.Although alone, detached from the Salamanders' chain of command, the Forgefather can call upon his Battle-Brothers as needed and direct their actions to aid in securing any clues. To the rest of the Chapter, even those who knew him previously, the Forgefather has become a figure of legend and utmost respect. In the Forgefather, they see reflected aspects of their Primarch himself -- for the Forgefather follows in his footsteps and carries about him artefacts forged by Vulkan's own hands. Indeed, amongst He'stan's gear is equipment borne to battle by Vulkan during the Primarch's days fighting beside the Emperor at the birth of the Imperium.