Never forget that when he asked permission to practice his melee combat in some corner in a storage, the Space Marine responded by giving him a quota to use the sacred training rooms on their ship. Space Marines considered him a trusted friend and a competent fighter. Never forget that he actually nicked the armor plate of a space marine during their sparring. Also a space marine considered him worthy of sparring with. Never forget that he was frequently asked for strategic advice by commanders, even though he is a political officer that should only be concerned with guardsmen morale. Never forget that as a normal human he had a willpower to resist slaneshi influence. He is a hero.
He was a human, a mere man who saw what he was against and fighting alongside and saw himself as not measuring up the task. Anytime he could accomplish something if great merit it couldn’t be him could it? He is just a man, and that is why he is simply the best. Despite having all odds against him there’s something capable of standing against all those horrors and coming out alive with a bit of luck. He is a representation of the humanity of the imperium.
The male and women regiments of the Valhallans love him, the space marines love him, the Tallarn love him, the Inquisition love him, the mechanicum love him and even the Tau love him.
The best description of Cain I'd ever heard is that he's like courage the cowardly dog. Whatever he's facing may makes him shit his pant but he will face it anyway.
Courage is just a small dog, as smart as a human but still a small, weakly dog that is forced to face supernatural creatures of nightmare his fear is understandable but his love for his owner the nice old Lady makes him rise above his fears.
69th like asides, Nice by the way, that might actually be possible considering he’s got his own mini cult following that the ecclesiarchy actually approved of. Or was that the inquisition?
Most of the Imperium: "I'll die for the Emperor!" Ciaphas Cain: "I'm gonna make whatever that is die for whatever it belives in, then go relax until some high ranked idiot sends me out into another life threatening situation."
"Oh nads! It's bloody Korbul" Cain's words when stumbling upon the Ork Warboss, whilst seeking safety from battle. Before killing said Warboss in single combat, the duel being recorded and later broardcast by the Commissariat.
He also fought a Khorne Berserker in 1 on 1 combat for a prolonged time in front of everyone and Jurgen Ex Melta sent said Berserker to the shadow realm. Even with Jurgen however Cain is no less of a badass. Before Jurgen killed it with a melta, Cain was noting that the Chaos Astarte's movements were beyond superhuman. Speed he couldn't see with his own eyes, and Cain had no bionic enhancements or cybernetics minus a few fingers.
The Korbul fight is particularly notable because there was no outside help involved. No melta, no earlier fights wearing the enemy down, no Jurgen shutting down all psychic powers (and noses) in the vicinity...just Cain's skill with a sword (and with acting less dangerous than he was) and one dirty fighting move. This against an ork warboss, and fighting those tends to be a Very Bad Time for regular Astartes.
He started out a coward, albeit a very very clever one. He then gradually transformed into a genuine hero, albeit a tremendously self-depreciating one. Though not thinking of himself as a hero was definitely one hell of an asset, since it meant he never got a big head or over-estimated his chances.
Cain is afraid, deathly afraid, of the endless horror that his position puts him into, but no matter what he thinks of himself, he always ends up doing good in the end.
@@jamesroad316 And an even healthier amount of skill, luck might make you survive a crashlanding, luck definitely doesn't allow you to fight world eaters and hive tyrants and survive.
I enjoyed every single Cain book - Sandy Mitchel really did create a great character, who shows true human nature - you try to do what saves your life but when forced into a situation you keep calm and do all you need to too survive. Someone you can understand and have sympathy with but also admire
Literally, even after he actually died and was given a state funeral he kept on coming back so often the Astra Militarium Admistration kept him on the active duty rolls just in case. They've been wrong before. HA ! 🤣
Cain is for those who don't know regarded as one of the greatest swordsman in the Imperium regarding to the chainsword. So good in fact that he could even hold his ground against a world Eater in single combat. Also despite all his books featuring him with a bolt pistol, he actually uses a las pistol and is a remarkable marksman with it.
"I was aiming for the stomach, but then he just kind of crouched and I scored a headshot" Is the first thing that comes to my mind when I remember those novels
Thats it. Hes constantly trying to avoid danger but whenever he finds himself in the heart of it all he constantly steps up. Personally i go by the old saying of "bravery isnt the lack of fear but doing the right thing even when you are afraid". Hes the very definition of bravery.
I agree no true coward could spare with a chapter master of the astartes, no coward could single handedly take out am ork warboss, which he just wrote off as getting lucky
What I like about him is that his luck is both the worst and the best. The worst in that it always puts him in danger and the best that it always got him out of it lol
Its his special ability, his luck increases the closer he gets to danger. In his office: the lord general wants him to face off a Tyrinid Hive Fleet. At the hive fleet, he stumbles into finding the nord queen and Yergin's Blankness and Stankness stuns the tyrinids long enough to kidnap the entire queen.
None of that. He is a survivor. Whatever he does, he does it to survive. He has very good skills, which he uses really good in extreme situations. Not a coward though, but he always tries (and fails) to smooth things out in the favor of his survival. The fact that he still cuts himself out of difficult situations makes him a hero.
He even makes an effort to not lose soldiers, granted lots to make sure he has a good amount of meat between him and painful firey death, but it somehow works
@@broccoli6235 Inquisitors wipe out whole planets dooming billions to death by torture, mass-sterilisation or literally just blowing up the planet. I think they're still worse.
@@ProjectEkerTest33 to us yeah, but it is a good question. Inquisitors kill billions but most do it anonymously and with a good reason (most of the time). But it is interesting to think about, to us inquisitors are pretty bad, but most in universe see it as a justifiable loses, really the only people who really hate them (like a lot and aren’t heretics) are space marines. To be honest planetary governors probably are hated most the both of those combined, by the masses of citizens I mean.
@@broccoli6235 Yeah fair point. Considering that almost all planetary governors are corrupt, heretics and/or incompetent cowards the average citizen probably hates them the most.
Caiphus Cain was my first entrance into 40k and I’ve loved him ever since. As for whether he’s a coward or not, I think Inquisitor Amberly Vail summed it up best: true courage is not the absence of fear, but overcoming it. And having faced down pretty much every evil on the battlefield and killing it, I’d agree with her that he richly deserves his reputation as a Hero of the Imperium.
@@ThomasSullivan3 He gets promoted in the book 'Warmaster', i think he's now a Lord Militant General and also the 'First Lord Executor', (an old Imperial Army honorary rank) Warmaster Macaroths right hand man, and presumed as his successor if Macaroth falls
@@cj4857 I just wonder what Abnett will do with him now that a full circle and story arc has come to pass. I am not sure of the chronology but the only place he could go from here would be to cross paths with Bob or Ravenor - either this or go full Yarrick on Khaos and start obliterating fallen Marine chapters. And as the rest of the good company of commenters around here I would pay good money to have an official crossover between Gaunt and Cain. It would probably be so out there it would actually be good.
(some spoilers in this message) Stephen Perring comes a close second after The Great And Mighty Jonathan Keeble in my list of best male narrators. I mean, let's face it, Jonathan is pretty much undisputed. But Stephen is also great, especially with his knack for human characters. (I'm curious to hear his Dramon voice, though.) And not to forget the amazing Emma Gregory! Loved her interpretation of Sulla. And she's even better in "Celestine". I swear, that chapter with ... her waking up in the Warp (the first chapter) is something else. Especially when she steps of the ridge into the abyss and *unfurls her wings.* #ultracomfortandsupport #itfeelsliketheresonlywar
I would argue that running towards certain death is just as cowardly as running away from it, because you have already decided that death is certain, and therefore have already given up. Fear of being considered a coward is still fear none the less. Somebody who steps back, judges the situation, and acts accordingly, is no coward.
this reminds me of a phrase of my favorite children's book "the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse" the dialogue goes like this boy: what is the bravest thing you ever said? horse: "help" asking for help is not giving up, is refusing to give up
Ciaphas Cain, for all of his self-depreciation, is actually an insanely talented person. This man has fought Genestealers, Cultists, Necrons, and a Chaos Marine in melee. His book series is one of my absolute favorites because all he wants is a cushy job and to be left alone, and it seems like the Emperor Himself is guiding him into these situations so that his talents are not wasted.
Yep, idk how many wh40k books ive already read but the caine series felt really special and were always exciting....not like some other stuff (im looking at you Horus Heresy Filler Books )
Cain is his own unreliable narrator, describing events from many decades ago. He's remembering everything in his own old age, through a film of self-awareness and humility. I'm sure he felt all the fear and selfish impulses he describes, but I think the solid streak of cowardice he ascribes himself is wildly overplayed in Cain's own head.
I Goddamn nearly died laughing when i heard him order a random guardsman get a fucking broom hahahahahahaha amazing. Truly a hero the Imperium needs. I wonder if he will ever run into Guilliman? I would give my life to read or hear that book xD
Alas even with his inquisition girlfriend's influence and his own hero status, where he gets his life extended with methods reserved for upper class, he is pretty much retired and old in the end. The books are written as his uncensored version of autobiography that are kept for research purposes within the inquisition, and we know for sure that he was around 200 years old when he was called back from his retirement during the 13th black crusade. He most likely died from old age somewhere between 200-300. And most likely peacefully, which is uncommon in his profession.
@@oditeomnes the best part is, the imperium has seen him "die" and come back so many times (he didn't die those times, just disappeared for a while) that he is permanently on active duty just to cut down on the mountains of paperwork involved with writing up and filing countless documents explaining why he supposedly died and came back. Even at his real funeral in front of tens of thousands of high ranking witnesses he is left on Active Duty in his file, since he might just come back AGAIN and be like "So you'd never BELIEVE what just happened!"
Guilliman seeing right through Cain's bullshit and seeing him for the man he is and liking what he sees... and then adding Cain to his own staff or making him the go-to-guy for important missions. This is the only way this meeting would end for Cain XD
the emperor protects as does an inquisitor and jurgen. great series of books. ciaphas has faced it all: chaos marines; dark eldar; demons; genestealers; greater demon; heretics; necrons, orks; tau; and tyranids. you name it he's faced it even nobles, students, and bureaucrats! the emperor has a sense of humor and ciaphas brings a smile to his face. thanks for the mention of my favorite 40k character
@@margar9021 ahh yes but if the Imperium was a Communist Dictatorship it would have the same casualties, infact Fascism with its many faults normally have well trained armies compared to its Commie counterparts
@@jakehughes6087 I mean ya dictatorships are bad, good thing socialism and communism arent inherently authoritarian. Also fascism is self destructing by its own nature, I wouldn't reccomend defending fascism on any level dude, it looks weird.
It would be interesting to cast. I could see Rory McCann (who played The Hound in GAME OF THRONES) as Jurgen, carrying his ever-presnt melta-gun alongside the standard issue lasrifle.
Can I just point out that the Krieg soldier in the image is pointing towards something while talking on a radio as if the operator can see what he’s seeing.
The thing that cemented him into my roster of favorite characters was how he handled the disciplinary hearing after the brawl. He had to find a way to please all sides (Including the crew of the ship they were traveling on) in the name of maintaining morale and discipline. Clearly he was still considering the job, and intended ot do it to his best ability, and that made him consider options that other commissars may have overlooked. (The decision winding up simultaneously saving his butt and almost screwing him over later in the book)
Let’s face it, if it had been Yarrick who walked into that mess hall, he wouldn’t of even needed to say a word to get the guardsmen under control. This is the guy who stared down a Space Marine Captain, and won.
One of the benefits of the Cain series' unique perspective of the W40k universe is that I find it's more relatable for casual fans or newcomers. The focus being on regular humans in the Guard, Ciaphas' terror at the dangers he's unwillingly plunged into, and his "Duty's nice, but no, I'd rather *not* die For the Emperor, thank you very much," mindset makes it a good vessel for giving the average Joe a tour of the 40k setting. I've tried reading a few other 40k novels, but none of them were able to grab me in the same way.
Saving he's own skin ends up him going into situations that could kill him, but this always ends with up him saving every one except the enemy. His luck rations seems to never run out.
Cain and Amberly are absolutely my favorite take on 40k. I love grimdark as much as the next guy but you have to inject some human personality once in a while or it loses all impact. Wish GW leaned into this angle more often (rabble rabble back in my day grimdark was satire rabble rabble)
I've not finished the full Cain series yet (I love the audiobooks, so I'm eagerly awaiting each new release), but Cain seems to have an extreme case of imposter syndrome, he's his own worst critic and his own doubt of himself reinforces moral judgement because he also empathises with people and so tries to save whoever he can. He will frequently look at his thoughts as selfish, cowardly, or deceitful, but his actions prove him wrong and show level-headed decision making to save as many lives as possible, even in instances where he puts his own life at risk to do it, and he justifies it as "trying to save his reputation". In one instance there is a fully-loaded troop transport on standby at a base ready for a precision strike and a chaos leman russ tank is getting closer to it, and the guardsmen nearby don't have the right guns to damage armour, so Cain uses himself as a distraction to allow Jurgen to hit it with a meltagun blast to disable it's tracks, and the nearby guardsmen are emboldened by this and rush the tank and start climbing on it trying to get into the hatches, but the tank finally notices the gunship and starts aiming to fire on it, Cain's first instinct is to sprint to the ship, jump on, and order it airborne, getting it out of range of the tank. The editorial note from Amberley afterwards says that Cain was well within his right as a commissar to order Jurgen to fire his melta on the tank again to destroy it and kill all the imperial guardsmen on it, but he didn't want to kill them by his order when they were just trying to help in whatever way they could, so he chose a riskier option that directly put him in danger. The books are full of moments like this where Cain does something completely at odds with his own narrative of being a selfish coward, and he just brushes it off as being a lapse in judgement rather than it being his true character being shown, even when he gives speeches he often acts as though he was a fraud for saying something he didn't believe himself, but knew would make someone feel better or inspire a soldier to keep fighting, and he doesn't realize that's probably exactly what a good leader does, they will tell white lies and give speeches that they think are untrue if it will raise morale; but likely due to the Imperium's hero worship and the presence of demi-gods like space marines, Cain thinks he isn't worthy of standing next to great people
If Cain was assigned to become a Death Korps Commissar, he would definitely accidentally make them appreciate the value of life... Although, it would probably go something like the Kriegers seeing the most valuable life to protect is Cain’s so they all sacrifice themselves to protect him at any cost
Thanks for doing a video about my favorite character! The series of novels and short stories gets into his mind, and I can honestly say he's a not a coward, he's a survivor who's always looking at the best angle for survival. Taking up the mantle of hero was the most robust one he had... and got him a look in with Amberley Vail. o.- A.G.
how delightfully topical, I just got done listening to 4 of the cain audiobooks and then bam! you come with this! Cain's a really neat character, Jurgen is my favorite however.
after reading all the books soo far i have the theory that amberley vail is only using Ciaphas Cain for editorial exclusivity so she can make a profit out of his image, and the reason why the higher command allways sends him to the most dangerous missions possible is because they are part of this. Our boy is been played.
@Wolf Lord Rho: I am a long time fan of the Ciaphas Cain series and this channel. I love that Sandy Mitchell brings a light of comedy to the 40k universe through Ciaphas Cain. I would personally recommend reading the first short story: "Fight or Flight", the second novel: "Caves of Ice", and the most recent audio drama: "The Devil You Know". I do enjoy all of the lore involving Commisar Cain, but I think those titles all capture the character of Chiaphas Cain the best. If you end up reading more about his character then i would love to hear it.
This was an insightful analysis of one of my favorite Warhammer 40K characters. According g to interviews with the author, he is a cross between Harold Flashman and Blackadder, while Jurgen is a mix of Blackadder's henchman Baldrick and MacAuslan of the stories written by the author of the Flashman novels.
Commissar Ciaphis Cain is a hero of the Imperium. One of my favorite WH 40K characters ever. One of the best swordsman as well. Master of his chainsword and too humble to admit it. Youd definitely would rather be in his unit.
I was so happy when I saw this notification. I love the Cain books. I would love to see you do more of a character deep dive after you get to reas a few more of Cains exploits
I feel like Ciaphas Cain is human enough to let us *the reader* feel like we can know the life of a Commissar, step into their shoes, know their feelings and experiences and still come off as relatable in the 40k lore. When you have a fantasy universe of nearly endless war and 13 foot tall super soldiers, you need relatable characters that aren't gods or demi gods so that the reader can find reasonable ground inside your universe and Ciaphas was written so well for that roll. I just wish there where more characters in different ranks ( be that Ultramarine/Mechanicus/Xeno/Necron/WeirdBoy ) who have that same grounding in their writing as Cain, so we can step into more shoes in the 40k universe. EDIT: Spelling
A situation so desperate that clearly it required the presence of a hero to turn the tide, unfortunately what it got, was me. - Ciaphas Cain one of his best lines, from "The Devil you know"
MOOD KINDRED! To be fair, the more serious direction the lore has gone into decades ago now suggests to me he is a hero. I just can't stop laughing about that sketch.
A nice intro to Ciaphas Cain and his character but I think some of the best characterisation of the commisar comes from Amberley's footnotes. Besides being hilarious you get the insight of some-one who saw passed his 'Hero of the Imperium' facade and highlights his genuine heroic acts and pointing out holes in his own 'coward' narrative...also they add some great extra comedic snark you don't expect from an inquisitor of all people
Cain books was my first 40k books and he's one of my favorite characters. Sure, he always says that his survival comes first but when put in action we see that this is not case. In the same book he tries to scrabble a rubble wall with his bare hands because his aide left behind on the other side with enemies. He has a lot of moments like this and sometimes even he can't say why he did it. He instinctively does heroic things and later tries to rationalize it. He genuinely cares for his troops. Even when Inquisitor Amberley Vail says that nobody would find him faulty in a lot of situations but he still does his best to protect his troops and he would(ok, maybe not always) put himself in danger in the process.
Warhammer 40k fans seeing someone with common sense:
Is he a Coward or hero?
The true super power
Nah, in 40k the "common" sense is to throw yourself into the meat grinder. Cain definatally does not have common sense in the least.
Was about to say that...
to be fair that's exactly what Cain asks
Yes
Ci Ci CIAPHAS CAIN! HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!
awww yea a man of culture i see
"Screams in unending imposter"
Any mood kindred here?
Mood kindred!
#MoodKindred
Ciaphus Cain: "There is a fine line between skilled hero and lucky coward. I like to think I walk that line everyday."
RvB?
Never forget that when he asked permission to practice his melee combat in some corner in a storage, the Space Marine responded by giving him a quota to use the sacred training rooms on their ship. Space Marines considered him a trusted friend and a competent fighter.
Never forget that he actually nicked the armor plate of a space marine during their sparring. Also a space marine considered him worthy of sparring with.
Never forget that he was frequently asked for strategic advice by commanders, even though he is a political officer that should only be concerned with guardsmen morale.
Never forget that as a normal human he had a willpower to resist slaneshi influence.
He is a hero.
Ci Ci Ciaphas Cain Hero Of The Imperium!
He was a human, a mere man who saw what he was against and fighting alongside and saw himself as not measuring up the task. Anytime he could accomplish something if great merit it couldn’t be him could it? He is just a man, and that is why he is simply the best. Despite having all odds against him there’s something capable of standing against all those horrors and coming out alive with a bit of luck. He is a representation of the humanity of the imperium.
I loved that the same marine whose armour he damaged chose not to repair the damage as a reminder not to be so cocky about fighting mortals in future
Yes! Im reading the emperor's finest rn. One of the best "normal" humans to ever swing a chainsword!
And don't forget that him and Jurgen were able to take on and kill an uninjured chaos space marine by themselves
The male and women regiments of the Valhallans love him, the space marines love him, the Tallarn love him, the Inquisition love him, the mechanicum love him and even the Tau love him.
... so does that make him a Slanneshi tainted? I mean so much free love here.
@@asaenvolk well not gonna lie, there was that slaaneshi sorceress/daemon Prince that loved him
@@daddypudding9074 Idk I was getting some stronger feelings towards Jurgen from her.
@@dieguy3080 Well...she definitely had a stronger REACTION than most...which is saying something about Jurgen...
@@daddypudding9074 he saved by demon right captured by dark eldar i heard of maybe succubus
The best description of Cain I'd ever heard is that he's like courage the cowardly dog. Whatever he's facing may makes him shit his pant but he will face it anyway.
Someone needs to make a Warhammer 40k meme with Courage the Cowardly Dog as a Commissar .
EXACTLY!
@@grimgoreironhide9985 i mean let's be real it'd read like a Cain novel except with an abhuman/mutant as the protag
@@michaell8000
Also, everyone speaks in recycled voice clips with maybe one or two lines of new dialogue whenever the situation calls for it.
Courage is just a small dog, as smart as a human but still a small, weakly dog that is forced to face supernatural creatures of nightmare his fear is understandable but his love for his owner the nice old Lady makes him rise above his fears.
Ciaphas Cain, the chaos god of: "i meant to do that".
Just as planned.
69th like asides, Nice by the way, that might actually be possible considering he’s got his own mini cult following that the ecclesiarchy actually approved of.
Or was that the inquisition?
@@eugeneoliveros5814 probably both
Imperial saint of "mission failed successfully".
"Jealous Tzeentch noises"
"Is Ciphas Cain a hero or a coward?"
Me: Yes
Ciaphas Cain, Second and One of Many
Ciaphas is human with an image to maintain.
definitely a hero... and a scoundrel.
Damn it, I was literally about to type this comment!
Well played ^^
Indeed, who said that a hero cant be a coward or that a coward cant be a hero?
Most of the Imperium: "I'll die for the Emperor!"
Ciaphas Cain: "I'm gonna make whatever that is die for whatever it belives in, then go relax until some high ranked idiot sends me out into another life threatening situation."
most Imperium "I'll gladly die for the Emperor!"
Cain "He'd probably prefer that the other side dies..."
"Oh nads! It's bloody Korbul" Cain's words when stumbling upon the Ork Warboss, whilst seeking safety from battle. Before killing said Warboss in single combat, the duel being recorded and later broardcast by the Commissariat.
He also fought a Khorne Berserker in 1 on 1 combat for a prolonged time in front of everyone and Jurgen Ex Melta sent said Berserker to the shadow realm.
Even with Jurgen however Cain is no less of a badass. Before Jurgen killed it with a melta, Cain was noting that the Chaos Astarte's movements were beyond superhuman. Speed he couldn't see with his own eyes, and Cain had no bionic enhancements or cybernetics minus a few fingers.
And let's no6 forget his back and forth with a Slaaneshi daemon
@@Arderas811 you mean his tsundere stalker that returns every chance she can to try to corrupt him
The Korbul fight is particularly notable because there was no outside help involved. No melta, no earlier fights wearing the enemy down, no Jurgen shutting down all psychic powers (and noses) in the vicinity...just Cain's skill with a sword (and with acting less dangerous than he was) and one dirty fighting move. This against an ork warboss, and fighting those tends to be a Very Bad Time for regular Astartes.
an lets not forget how he 1 v 1 a space marine well enough for him to take Cain seriously.
"Oh, FRAK THIS!..."
-Commissar Caiaphas Cain, M41.
You’ve read the Holy Writ, Tallarn Brother
He started out a coward, albeit a very very clever one. He then gradually transformed into a genuine hero, albeit a tremendously self-depreciating one. Though not thinking of himself as a hero was definitely one hell of an asset, since it meant he never got a big head or over-estimated his chances.
I think that's the real reason he depreciates himself so he won't have his ego grow and ego can easily kill himself and his troops.
Cain is afraid, deathly afraid, of the endless horror that his position puts him into, but no matter what he thinks of himself, he always ends up doing good in the end.
Being afraid and wanting self preservation is human. How one responds to it, that makes difference between hero and an actual coward.
With a healthy amount of bullshit and luck
@@jamesroad316 And an even healthier amount of skill, luck might make you survive a crashlanding, luck definitely doesn't allow you to fight world eaters and hive tyrants and survive.
You could do an entire month on him alone. He is such an incredible character. I hope we get a model of him
There was a limited release model of him a few editions ago, and a very very similar model that was also released with a "commissar's aid" model
That would possibly be my favorite series.
Love Caiphas Cain.
I've always said if there were ever a 40k movie, Caiaphas would make the perfect protagonist
I'm sure you can find a proxy somewhere
CI-CI-CIAPHAS CAIN! HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!
ah a man of culture as well ;)
FACE THE MUSIC CAIN! CAUSE YOUR SONGS A PLAYING
I... I... *chokes up* I...uhm... I can explain! I...
@@HTWW *Papa Smurf steps from the shadows* "There is no need... _Mood Kindred_ "
@@blam320 M-mood kindred? *in disbelief and with a note of cautious hope* Are... Are you also a POS?
I enjoyed every single Cain book - Sandy Mitchel really did create a great character, who shows true human nature - you try to do what saves your life but when forced into a situation you keep calm and do all you need to too survive. Someone you can understand and have sympathy with but also admire
It also mostly happens on Civilized Worlds. So, we get a view at the more mundane setting most humans live in instead of the grimdark of underhives.
not only that, but when someone else is in danger, he steps up to help
Cowards die a thousand times, Ciaphas never died
He just wanted to live to retirement, what so bad about that?
Literally, even after he actually died and was given a state funeral he kept on coming back so often the Astra Militarium Admistration kept him on the active duty rolls just in case. They've been wrong before. HA ! 🤣
in the emperor words: a man with enough common sense to survive anything thrown at him
Cain is for those who don't know regarded as one of the greatest swordsman in the Imperium regarding to the chainsword. So good in fact that he could even hold his ground against a world Eater in single combat. Also despite all his books featuring him with a bolt pistol, he actually uses a las pistol and is a remarkable marksman with it.
Bolt pistol bcs imperial propaganda
I think someone once gave him a Hellpistol but he never got the hang of using it and went back to his laspistol.
@@Sgt_Glory the first novel
@@AM-ep1rv ah, that's why the memory was so hazy lol.
"I was aiming for the stomach, but then he just kind of crouched and I scored a headshot" Is the first thing that comes to my mind when I remember those novels
Ciaphas Cain, heroically charge backward towards the place of least danger where enemy of empire lurks in legions
And to think, this whole fight started over Founding Day dishware...
Yeah but it was Founding Day.
I'd say he's a hero. If he was truly a coward he would have broken long ago. How he sees himself is a different story however.
Thats it. Hes constantly trying to avoid danger but whenever he finds himself in the heart of it all he constantly steps up. Personally i go by the old saying of "bravery isnt the lack of fear but doing the right thing even when you are afraid". Hes the very definition of bravery.
I agree no true coward could spare with a chapter master of the astartes, no coward could single handedly take out am ork warboss, which he just wrote off as getting lucky
"The greatest critic of Ciaphas Cain, is Cain himself" -Amberley, aka the hot inquisitor chick our true HERO bangs in his free time
@@00yiggdrasill00 coward with a heart of gold. He does truly try to do right by his men, it's why the Valhallans are so loyal to him.
Indeed. You become a hero by doing and he does a lot of heroism.
Coward? Now that is some brave words for a guardsman within BLAM range!
Cain is a lighter shade of grey, but he still remembers organizing firing squads on the same level as shuffling paper work.
Only at headquarters for troopers already sentenced to death. He went out of his way to mitigate it in his own regiments
Ciaphas Cain: The Imperium’s patron Saint of Luck and Sarcasm
What I like about him is that his luck is both the worst and the best. The worst in that it always puts him in danger and the best that it always got him out of it lol
Its his special ability, his luck increases the closer he gets to danger. In his office: the lord general wants him to face off a Tyrinid Hive Fleet. At the hive fleet, he stumbles into finding the nord queen and Yergin's Blankness and Stankness stuns the tyrinids long enough to kidnap the entire queen.
A holy fool for the emperor!
The emperor's son/ sensei.
None of that. He is a survivor. Whatever he does, he does it to survive. He has very good skills, which he uses really good in extreme situations. Not a coward though, but he always tries (and fails) to smooth things out in the favor of his survival. The fact that he still cuts himself out of difficult situations makes him a hero.
He even makes an effort to not lose soldiers, granted lots to make sure he has a good amount of meat between him and painful firey death, but it somehow works
Sounds like what all the good Commissars are. I’m looking at you, Gaunt.
Ah lord cain, the spirit of a rouge trader who has been mercilessly thrust into the role of one the most hated men in the galaxy.
Nah not the most hated... that title belongs to his GF's organisation
@@ProjectEkerTest33 haha yeah, but try to tell that to a guardsman who saw a commissar blow his friends brains out.
@@broccoli6235 Inquisitors wipe out whole planets dooming billions to death by torture, mass-sterilisation or literally just blowing up the planet. I think they're still worse.
@@ProjectEkerTest33 to us yeah, but it is a good question. Inquisitors kill billions but most do it anonymously and with a good reason (most of the time). But it is interesting to think about, to us inquisitors are pretty bad, but most in universe see it as a justifiable loses, really the only people who really hate them (like a lot and aren’t heretics) are space marines. To be honest planetary governors probably are hated most the both of those combined, by the masses of citizens I mean.
@@broccoli6235 Yeah fair point. Considering that almost all planetary governors are corrupt, heretics and/or incompetent cowards the average citizen probably hates them the most.
Caiphus Cain was my first entrance into 40k and I’ve loved him ever since. As for whether he’s a coward or not, I think Inquisitor Amberly Vail summed it up best: true courage is not the absence of fear, but overcoming it.
And having faced down pretty much every evil on the battlefield and killing it, I’d agree with her that he richly deserves his reputation as a Hero of the Imperium.
Daemon - "Blood for the blood God!"
Cain - "Harriers for the cup!"
lol
The better question is:
Heroic coward?
Or cowardly hero?
Yes.
Both...
Courage the Cowardly dog
Gorkamorka?
Morkagorka?
Cunningly brutal?
Brutally cunning?
If we are going Comissars we cannot forget about Colonel Comissar Gaunt and the First and Only
he is Lord General, or something higher now I believe
@@ThomasSullivan3 yes, pretty much, but damn his story is an awesome one. Cant wait for the last book
@@ThomasSullivan3 He gets promoted in the book 'Warmaster', i think he's now a Lord Militant General and also the 'First Lord Executor', (an old Imperial Army honorary rank) Warmaster Macaroths right hand man, and presumed as his successor if Macaroth falls
@@cj4857 I just wonder what Abnett will do with him now that a full circle and story arc has come to pass. I am not sure of the chronology but the only place he could go from here would be to cross paths with Bob or Ravenor - either this or go full Yarrick on Khaos and start obliterating fallen Marine chapters.
And as the rest of the good company of commenters around here I would pay good money to have an official crossover between Gaunt and Cain. It would probably be so out there it would actually be good.
He has the respect and admiration of a Space Marine Chapter.
You could say he is more cunning than a cunning fox !
The audiobooks are fantastic as the narrator does an excellent role of using emphasis and emotion to express Cain.
#MoodKindred
Moood kiinnnnndreeeed
(some spoilers in this message) Stephen Perring comes a close second after The Great And Mighty Jonathan Keeble in my list of best male narrators. I mean, let's face it, Jonathan is pretty much undisputed. But Stephen is also great, especially with his knack for human characters. (I'm curious to hear his Dramon voice, though.)
And not to forget the amazing Emma Gregory! Loved her interpretation of Sulla. And she's even better in "Celestine". I swear, that chapter with
...
her waking up in the Warp (the first chapter) is something else. Especially when she steps of the ridge into the abyss and *unfurls her wings.*
#ultracomfortandsupport
#itfeelsliketheresonlywar
I only dislike how he says the Ork "WAaaaaGHhh"
@@rerako4755 same
Sarcasm at its finest
"BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!"
"Harriers for the cup!" -blam-
I would argue that running towards certain death is just as cowardly as running away from it, because you have already decided that death is certain, and therefore have already given up. Fear of being considered a coward is still fear none the less.
Somebody who steps back, judges the situation, and acts accordingly, is no coward.
The only difference between a hero and a coward is what they do when they are afraid.
this reminds me of a phrase of my favorite children's book "the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse" the dialogue goes like this
boy: what is the bravest thing you ever said?
horse: "help" asking for help is not giving up, is refusing to give up
Defiantly a relation of Black Adders family tree. 😁
Direct route, most definitely.
I see Ciaphas Cain, I like immediately
Caine the epitome of "the biggest of cowards are capable of the biggest acts of bravery"
More than that he is mood kindred
[ultra comfort and support]
Ciaphas cain was the first warhammer series I read back when I knew almost nothing about 40k outside of dawn of war 2, so he's a hero to me at least
my favorite 40k commisar, this guy was basically the jack sparrow of the 40k universe.
No Cain is the 40k ripped off version of Harry Flashman.
Yes
The Emperor has many champions. Most have no idea they are so blessed. As is his will.
I love Caiphas cain he is so humble that he makes himself look like a coward.
Ciaphas Cain, for all of his self-depreciation, is actually an insanely talented person. This man has fought Genestealers, Cultists, Necrons, and a Chaos Marine in melee. His book series is one of my absolute favorites because all he wants is a cushy job and to be left alone, and it seems like the Emperor Himself is guiding him into these situations so that his talents are not wasted.
This dude is the most relatable to my time in the army 😅
Honestly these books are the GOAT of 40k! If you haven't peeped them it's honestly such an enjoyable read from beginning to end.
Yep, idk how many wh40k books ive already read but the caine series felt really special and were always exciting....not like some other stuff (im looking at you Horus Heresy Filler Books )
Cain is his own unreliable narrator, describing events from many decades ago. He's remembering everything in his own old age, through a film of self-awareness and humility. I'm sure he felt all the fear and selfish impulses he describes, but I think the solid streak of cowardice he ascribes himself is wildly overplayed in Cain's own head.
Hehe, I watched the Yarrik video yesterday and thought: Wonder if he will make one about Ciaphas Cain? :-)
Praise be the Emperor.
Who will he do tomorrow?
I'm sure we're also getting Gaunt!!
"Mood Kindred"
-Marneus Calgar
[ultra comfort and support]
I Goddamn nearly died laughing when i heard him order a random guardsman get a fucking broom hahahahahahaha amazing. Truly a hero the Imperium needs. I wonder if he will ever run into Guilliman? I would give my life to read or hear that book xD
Alas even with his inquisition girlfriend's influence and his own hero status, where he gets his life extended with methods reserved for upper class, he is pretty much retired and old in the end. The books are written as his uncensored version of autobiography that are kept for research purposes within the inquisition, and we know for sure that he was around 200 years old when he was called back from his retirement during the 13th black crusade. He most likely died from old age somewhere between 200-300. And most likely peacefully, which is uncommon in his profession.
@@oditeomnes the best part is, the imperium has seen him "die" and come back so many times (he didn't die those times, just disappeared for a while) that he is permanently on active duty just to cut down on the mountains of paperwork involved with writing up and filing countless documents explaining why he supposedly died and came back. Even at his real funeral in front of tens of thousands of high ranking witnesses he is left on Active Duty in his file, since he might just come back AGAIN and be like "So you'd never BELIEVE what just happened!"
@@oditeomnes didn't he go into the eye of terror? I swear i read that somewhere online
It would be the height of Irony if Cain became a Saint and was reincarnated.
Guilliman seeing right through Cain's bullshit and seeing him for the man he is and liking what he sees... and then adding Cain to his own staff or making him the go-to-guy for important missions. This is the only way this meeting would end for Cain XD
the emperor protects as does an inquisitor and jurgen. great series of books. ciaphas has faced it all: chaos marines; dark eldar; demons; genestealers; greater demon; heretics; necrons, orks; tau; and tyranids. you name it he's faced it even nobles, students, and bureaucrats! the emperor has a sense of humor and ciaphas brings a smile to his face. thanks for the mention of my favorite 40k character
The closer you are to danger the further you are from harm! -Hobbit and Ciaphus Cain logic.
Caiphas Cain hero of the imperium
[ultra comfort and support]
@@lopezmarlon MOOD KINDRED
Honestly, if the imperium had few more Ciaphas Cains and fewer Kriegers or penitent engines, it wouldn't be in such a shitty state.
The Imperium do need kriegers though. Despite them being suicidal they are still some of the most experienced and trained soldier in the Imperium.
the imperium deserves it though, being a fascist theocracy and all
@@margar9021 ahh yes but if the Imperium was a Communist Dictatorship it would have the same casualties, infact Fascism with its many faults normally have well trained armies compared to its Commie counterparts
@@jakehughes6087 I mean ya dictatorships are bad, good thing socialism and communism arent inherently authoritarian. Also fascism is self destructing by its own nature, I wouldn't reccomend defending fascism on any level dude, it looks weird.
@@margar9021 I'm just saying on a military level mate not as political defense
The man is a Hero, involuntary at times.. yes, but a hero certainly
Man this character (and story) would make an awesome yet hilarious Netflix type series
agreed
It would be interesting to cast. I could see Rory McCann (who played The Hound in GAME OF THRONES) as Jurgen, carrying his ever-presnt melta-gun alongside the standard issue lasrifle.
Can I just point out that the Krieg soldier in the image is pointing towards something while talking on a radio as if the operator can see what he’s seeing.
Nobody ever sees their faces, so maybe it's natural for them to gesticulate a lot while talking, and he just forgot himself 😁
Not cowardice, but rather rationality and practicality in the face of the death machines that are the enemies of mankind in the 41st millenium.
a coward who can hold his own against a space marine in sword combat
I just started reading the Cain books a few days ago, and the mess hall part made me instantly love his character XD
Man, I just love those scenes where they're sipping coffee and discussing impending Tyranid swarms. Cain is about coffee and hot tea.
The thing that cemented him into my roster of favorite characters was how he handled the disciplinary hearing after the brawl. He had to find a way to please all sides (Including the crew of the ship they were traveling on) in the name of maintaining morale and discipline. Clearly he was still considering the job, and intended ot do it to his best ability, and that made him consider options that other commissars may have overlooked. (The decision winding up simultaneously saving his butt and almost screwing him over later in the book)
Let’s face it, if it had been Yarrick who walked into that mess hall, he wouldn’t of even needed to say a word to get the guardsmen under control. This is the guy who stared down a Space Marine Captain, and won.
That's Yaricks style, Cain is more flamboyant. They're both equally good though but Cain has the better luck and Yarick died
Ciaphas Cain is a true Hero in my eyes.
He is so much of a Human and very honest with himself not boasting around with his fame
One of the benefits of the Cain series' unique perspective of the W40k universe is that I find it's more relatable for casual fans or newcomers. The focus being on regular humans in the Guard, Ciaphas' terror at the dangers he's unwillingly plunged into, and his "Duty's nice, but no, I'd rather *not* die For the Emperor, thank you very much," mindset makes it a good vessel for giving the average Joe a tour of the 40k setting. I've tried reading a few other 40k novels, but none of them were able to grab me in the same way.
I LOVE Caiaphas Cain/Edmund Blackadder. He even has his Baldric. I have read ALL of the hero's books!
My catch phrase is "little did you know, I'm a professional coward". Get em in the first half, and be sprinting before you finish the second half.
Saving he's own skin ends up him going into situations that could kill him, but this always ends with up him saving every one except the enemy.
His luck rations seems to never run out.
Cain and Amberly are absolutely my favorite take on 40k. I love grimdark as much as the next guy but you have to inject some human personality once in a while or it loses all impact. Wish GW leaned into this angle more often (rabble rabble back in my day grimdark was satire rabble rabble)
I believe Cain is just an outlet of the Emperor's humor.
I was thinking of requesting this but figured you had already planned out Imperial Guard week. My favorite 40k character. Thanks!
Wasn't interested in this book until I got it in a humble bundle. He's now one of my favorite characters
Ciphas Cain isn’t the hero we need he’s the hero we deserve.
Cain is one of my top 5 favorite characters of WH40k!
I've not finished the full Cain series yet (I love the audiobooks, so I'm eagerly awaiting each new release), but Cain seems to have an extreme case of imposter syndrome, he's his own worst critic and his own doubt of himself reinforces moral judgement because he also empathises with people and so tries to save whoever he can. He will frequently look at his thoughts as selfish, cowardly, or deceitful, but his actions prove him wrong and show level-headed decision making to save as many lives as possible, even in instances where he puts his own life at risk to do it, and he justifies it as "trying to save his reputation".
In one instance there is a fully-loaded troop transport on standby at a base ready for a precision strike and a chaos leman russ tank is getting closer to it, and the guardsmen nearby don't have the right guns to damage armour, so Cain uses himself as a distraction to allow Jurgen to hit it with a meltagun blast to disable it's tracks, and the nearby guardsmen are emboldened by this and rush the tank and start climbing on it trying to get into the hatches, but the tank finally notices the gunship and starts aiming to fire on it, Cain's first instinct is to sprint to the ship, jump on, and order it airborne, getting it out of range of the tank. The editorial note from Amberley afterwards says that Cain was well within his right as a commissar to order Jurgen to fire his melta on the tank again to destroy it and kill all the imperial guardsmen on it, but he didn't want to kill them by his order when they were just trying to help in whatever way they could, so he chose a riskier option that directly put him in danger.
The books are full of moments like this where Cain does something completely at odds with his own narrative of being a selfish coward, and he just brushes it off as being a lapse in judgement rather than it being his true character being shown, even when he gives speeches he often acts as though he was a fraud for saying something he didn't believe himself, but knew would make someone feel better or inspire a soldier to keep fighting, and he doesn't realize that's probably exactly what a good leader does, they will tell white lies and give speeches that they think are untrue if it will raise morale; but likely due to the Imperium's hero worship and the presence of demi-gods like space marines, Cain thinks he isn't worthy of standing next to great people
We need a Ciaphas, Jurgan, and Amberly model line
Check Artel w miniatures
If Cain was assigned to become a Death Korps Commissar, he would definitely accidentally make them appreciate the value of life...
Although, it would probably go something like the Kriegers seeing the most valuable life to protect is Cain’s so they all sacrifice themselves to protect him at any cost
Ciaphas Cain litteraly got me interested in Warhammer 40k, he's just the best. thanks Sandy Mitchell!
Thanks for doing a video about my favorite character! The series of novels and short stories gets into his mind, and I can honestly say he's a not a coward, he's a survivor who's always looking at the best angle for survival. Taking up the mantle of hero was the most robust one he had... and got him a look in with Amberley Vail. o.-
A.G.
Mordin Iron Guard and the Tanith First and Only may shock you then Rho.
how delightfully topical, I just got done listening to 4 of the cain audiobooks and then bam! you come with this! Cain's a really neat character, Jurgen is my favorite however.
I was today years old when I realized your channel wasn't "Wolf lord bro"
after reading all the books soo far i have the theory that amberley vail is only using Ciaphas Cain for editorial exclusivity so she can make a profit out of his image, and the reason why the higher command allways sends him to the most dangerous missions possible is because they are part of this. Our boy is been played.
He’s a hero with survivor guilt
@Wolf Lord Rho: I am a long time fan of the Ciaphas Cain series and this channel. I love that Sandy Mitchell brings a light of comedy to the 40k universe through Ciaphas Cain. I would personally recommend reading the first short story: "Fight or Flight", the second novel: "Caves of Ice", and the most recent audio drama: "The Devil You Know". I do enjoy all of the lore involving Commisar Cain, but I think those titles all capture the character of Chiaphas Cain the best. If you end up reading more about his character then i would love to hear it.
One of my favourite series for exactly the reason of the different approach. Goes nicely alongside Gaunt.
The audible book is amazing 5* one of my favourite 40k novels
This was an insightful analysis of one of my favorite Warhammer 40K characters. According g to interviews with the author, he is a cross between Harold Flashman and Blackadder, while Jurgen is a mix of Blackadder's henchman Baldrick and MacAuslan of the stories written by the author of the Flashman novels.
that Cain lacks a model is the greatest tragedy in warhammer history.
Commissar Ciaphis Cain is a hero of the Imperium. One of my favorite WH 40K characters ever. One of the best swordsman as well. Master of his chainsword and too humble to admit it. Youd definitely would rather be in his unit.
I was so happy when I saw this notification. I love the Cain books. I would love to see you do more of a character deep dive after you get to reas a few more of Cains exploits
Ciaphas Cain would have to be my favourite 40k character. Have one book to read though, The Greater Good.
I feel like Ciaphas Cain is human enough to let us *the reader* feel like we can know the life of a Commissar, step into their shoes, know their feelings and experiences and still come off as relatable in the 40k lore. When you have a fantasy universe of nearly endless war and 13 foot tall super soldiers, you need relatable characters that aren't gods or demi gods so that the reader can find reasonable ground inside your universe and Ciaphas was written so well for that roll.
I just wish there where more characters in different ranks ( be that Ultramarine/Mechanicus/Xeno/Necron/WeirdBoy ) who have that same grounding in their writing as Cain, so we can step into more shoes in the 40k universe.
EDIT: Spelling
A situation so desperate that clearly it required the presence of a hero to turn the tide, unfortunately what it got, was me. - Ciaphas Cain one of his best lines, from "The Devil you know"
MOOD KINDRED!
To be fair, the more serious direction the lore has gone into decades ago now suggests to me he is a hero. I just can't stop laughing about that sketch.
[ultra comfort and support]
MOOOOOD KINDREEEEEED! [Ultra comfort and support]
I am hooked on Caine's adventures. I am currently listening to Choose Your Enemies.
A nice intro to Ciaphas Cain and his character but I think some of the best characterisation of the commisar comes from Amberley's footnotes. Besides being hilarious you get the insight of some-one who saw passed his 'Hero of the Imperium' facade and highlights his genuine heroic acts and pointing out holes in his own 'coward' narrative...also they add some great extra comedic snark you don't expect from an inquisitor of all people
Cain books was my first 40k books and he's one of my favorite characters. Sure, he always says that his survival comes first but when put in action we see that this is not case. In the same book he tries to scrabble a rubble wall with his bare hands because his aide left behind on the other side with enemies. He has a lot of moments like this and sometimes even he can't say why he did it. He instinctively does heroic things and later tries to rationalize it. He genuinely cares for his troops. Even when Inquisitor Amberley Vail says that nobody would find him faulty in a lot of situations but he still does his best to protect his troops and he would(ok, maybe not always) put himself in danger in the process.