"Iron Within" is a 3D animated short-film set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Iron Within is set in an imperial world suffering from a Drukhari invasion. The defenders are slowly being whittled down by the sadistic xenos, as the Drukhari ravage the imperial world in a debauched frenzy, killing or capturing the human population as they please. With little hope left, the defenders are forced to rely in sending a distress call to summon the Emperor's Angels of Death, whom they regard as being nothing but myths.
As the Drukhari close-in on the last pockets of resistance, the defender's cries for aid are answered. But they will soon discover that their saviors may not be the angels they hoped for.
It is exclusive to Warhammer+ subscribers.
"Iron Within" provides examples of:
- Aristocrats Are Evil: The governor quickly shows himself to be a slimy coward who doesn't give a damn about his subjects, dismissingly calling them nothing but worthless peasants that he would gladly leave under the mercy of the sadistic Drukhari if it means that he would live. And that is before we learn that he was only made governor after the Drukhari gave him his position after killing the previous one in exchange for him aiding them in their future raids.
- Asshole Victim: After he shows himself to not care one bit to the suffering of his people and was more concerned with his own safety, not to mention being a puppet of the Drukhari, no tears were shed when Sergeant Thera fatally shoots the planetary governor.
- Bring My Brown Pants: The last time we see the Astropath, he is cowering in fear as he is held captive by the Drukhari. The camera lingers down to the Astropath's feet and we hear a leaking sound, implying that the Astropath is pissing himself in terror.
- Deflector Shields: The Drukhari Archaon has one that saves him from several bolter rounds from the Iron Warriors. The Terminator Lord destroys his shields with one punch from his Power Fist.
- Downer Ending: Though the Drukhari are beaten, the Iron Warriors lay claim to the imperial world and enslave the populace, with Sergeant Thera being shown to be in the service of the Iron Warriors.
- Evil vs. Evil: The sadistic Drukhari and the ruthless Iron Warriors come to blows once the latter forces arrive. And the imperial defenders are not spared the wrath of either forces.
- Fake Ultimate Mook: The Mandrake that serves the Archon is given several moments of attention and is apparently the Archon's deadliest minion. When the Iron Warriors burst into the throne room, the Mandrake is swiftly killed by an Iron Warrior without having even landing a single blow. Hell, a random kabalite warrior in the same scene at least manages to wound one of the heretic astartes!
- Fate Worse than Death: With the Iron Warriors killing his minions and his raid doomed to failure, the Archon snarls that he will ensure that the remaining imperials will painfully suffer for eternity.
- Finishing Stomp: The Terminator Lord finishes off the Archaon by stomping his head into a bloody stain.
- Just Toying with Them: Commander Borax and Sergeant Thera discuss that the Drukhari could have finished them off at anytime, yet they drag on their raid for days because they savor spreading death and terror upon their prey.
- Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me: An Iron Warriors Breacher squad is shown taking care of Drukhari with machine-like efficiency, with the monotonous yet effective strategy of shooting and slowly advancing.
- Mêlée à Trois: In terms of factions of the tabletop game, the Imperial Guard, the Chaos Space Marines (Iron Warriors), and the Dark Eldar. Although the guardsmen don't really clash with the Iron Warriors, it is simply that the latter proceed to stomp on them as well when they see soldiers running away or making the imperial salute.
- The Reveal:
- It is revealed early on that the Governor was installed by the Drukhari as their puppet and that he was the one who allowed the Drukhari to enter the system with little resistance by sabotaging the planet's auspex arrays.
- The Chaos Terminator Lord reveals that the imperial world once belonged to the Iron Warriors back before their fall to chaos, and that he was originally from said world when he was selected to become an Iron Warrior.
- Saying Too Much: In his panic, the planetary governor unwittingly reveals that he is in league with the Drukhari.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here:
- Attempted by the Governor, who demands that he be transported out of the planet when the Drukhari close-in on the palace. Commander Borax states that all space vessels are either destroyed or have already fled, so escaping via void craft is out of the question.
- When the Iron Warriors arrive and proceed to effortlessly eliminate them, the remaining Drukhari attacking outside of the Palace walls quickly flee.
- Secret Test of Character: The Iron Warrior Terminator Lord demands the remaining imperials to submit to his rule. Commander Borax kneels whilst Sergeant Thera defiantly declares that she would rather die than submit. The Iron Warrior Lord is then revealed to have killed Borax, seeing his submission for the sake of protecting the remaining populace as weakness. In contrast, he elevates Thera for having proven that she is iron within.
- Social Darwinist: The Iron Warrior Terminator Lord wants to rebuild the world, with walls that won't fall and men that won't bend. He states firmly that "weakness is a choice" and that only those who have "iron within" are worthy. The alternative is death.
- Virtue Is Weakness: Borax submits to protect his people, but this proves to the Iron Warriors that he bends, and iron doesn't bend.
- You Fool!: The Drukhari Archon reacts to Commander Borax and Sergeant Thera this way once he is informed of which Space Marines have come to the imperials "rescue". He angrily reveals that they have summoned the Iron Warriors, traitor Astartes who have betrayed the Emperor and the Imperium long ago during the Horus heresy. While they do not serve the ruinous powers of chaos and they hate their gods, they much hate the Emperor equally if not more.
