Major Rawne

Elim Rawne is Major of the Tanith First, an officer who plotted to kill Gaunt at the regiment’s founding and later became his dependable subordinate. Over the course of a crusade, he became the officer on whom Gaunt relies for support.

His service at Verghast and during the Gereon insertion reduced his standing as a traitor within the regiment, though it did not soften his severity of manner. The Jantine and Inquisitor Heldane later subjected him to abuse for their own amusement. Larkin and a revenge squad retrieved him. Rawne remembers debts and does not feign goodwill towards others.

The loss of Tanith hardened him, and the responsibilities of command made him useful. Gaunt assigns him unpleasant tasks because he does not embellish them. The regiment’s members, known as the Ghosts, prefer this candour to a major who affects warmth, and Gaunt has retained him in his post throughout.