Editing Uriel Starikov (section)

=History=
==Youth==

<span style="font-size:150%">"'''U'''</span>riel Starikov's youth is an actual mystery. No story exists ''at all''. Not even in the legion's own logs from their recovered archives is there record of Uriel's youth or upbringing. Why no story exists, official or otherwise, is quite perplexing, though it should be noted that Imperial records do not even report of Uriel being 'found'. The first mentions of Uriel in Imperial record start in 817.M30, but the source simply mentions that this is when he introduced himself to Hektor at an Imperial celebration of Hektors latest victory. Whether this means Uriel had found the Imperium himself, or merely erased all evidence of his discovery after the fact will forever remain an unanswered question.

However, we can induce from his personal traits and characteristics that his youth involved a great deal of education, as evidenced by his remarkable intellect. His paternal and manipulative traits, combined with his supposed callousness and Machiavellian deviousness point to a background in a high-powered political background, though his clear mastery of espionage and counter-espionage implies a background in the intelligence world.
However, the veracity of these inductions is limited; Uriel also exhibits a strong understanding of strategic theory and practice, and is by many accounts a capable fighter. So while his skills at his "reunification" are indicative of his youth, they are so broad and in line with the Primarch norm that we can only guess at the true nature of his upbringing.

==Great Crusade==

'''Author Note:''' 
Despite being clouded in ambiguity and mystery, Uriel Starikov's participation in the Great Crusade has far more documentation, and despite significant doubt still remaining, the sheer weight of material at least provides us with a guideline of his actions. 
I believe that the following account is as accurate as one can say for anything regarding Uriel Starikov.<br />
''- Merlynn Xavius''
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While his youth may be an enigma, what is clear, is how quickly the inscrutable Primarch set about integrating himself and his legion with every facet of the Imperium; He had a purpose, and he set about achieving that purpose with haste and diligence. Uriel quickly earned himself a reputation as a reliable and remarkably well-informed individual, and became a valuable asset to both Hektor and the Emperor.
Uriel also seemed to take to his legions role as ''“executioner”'' with characteristic seriousness, and made great strides on and off the battlefield to improve the Imperium, going as far as to counter and prevent crime and dissent. However, what is perhaps most striking is that Uriel made a point of supporting economic and cultural growth after the conquered worlds had been subjugated.

He was renowned as being implacably loyal to the Emperor and the Great Crusade, putting every asset and resource toward further their goals without any (apparent) selfish thought. 
However, it is worth noting that Uriel and the XIII were politically 'savvy' and went to great lengths to control public perceptions of the Imperium, and their own image especially. This PR-spin extended to Uriel himself, who was careful to portray exactly the image he needed to achieve his aims, which throws some level of doubt as to the accuracy of how close Uriel truly was with the Emperor.
What is apparent from wider research however, is that Uriel built a cult of personality around himself, and by extension the legion, within non-Astartes forces and civilian circles alike. This engendering a trust and loyalty that in retrospect should have been rather worrying.
It was his ties to the Emperor however that encouraged others to look past concerns, and cemented Uriel and his legion as the ''“most trustworthy and reliable”'' of the Great Crusade.

Despite his reputation for strategy and espionage, Uriel faced many setbacks. Though these would be given a positive 'spin' to play down their significance, research does show that Uriel and the legions leadership had to think on his feet regularly. Occasional intelligence failures and strategic mistakes, incompetent or inexperienced allies, and effective strategies employed by opponents all culminated in creating a myriad of problems for Uriel and his legion to overcome on a regular basis.
Uriel managed to overcome these setbacks and challenges and cemented himself and his legion as a premier force of the Imperium, despite not having as many victories as some of his other brothers, or as many heroic victories.


==The Heresy==

==Post-Heresy==