Baron Vladimir Harkonnen: Architect of Ruin

Follows the Baron's stratagems, cruelty, and eventual destruction by his own grandchild.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Baron's Plan

The Baron's Plan Grand Scheme The Baron prepares to destroy Duke Leto through a combination of political trap and overwhelming force. His war with the Atreides spans generations. Tools and Toys He uses Piter de Vries as a twisted Mentat and plans to give Lady Jessica to Piter. His pleasures are as gross as his hungers. Family Ambition The Baron dreams of a Harkonnen on the throne, using Feyd-Rautha as his perfect instrument. He sees only pieces on a board.

Invasion and Victory

Invasion and Victory Command of Destruction The Baron watches the artillery seal Atreides troops in their caves. His cruelty is masked as calculated efficiency. Capture of the Duke Yueh delivers the Duke, and the Baron positions himself to gloat. His arrogance makes him careless. Nearly Killed The Duke's poison tooth nearly kills him. The Baron survives but loses Piter and a guard captain, a sign of future cracks.

Oppression of Arrakis

Oppression of Arrakis Rabban the Beast The Baron unleashes Glossu Rabban to squeeze the planet. He intends to make his nephew hated so Feyd can be loved later. Misreading the Fremen He dismisses the Fremen as rabble, refusing to believe Hawat's analysis. The mistake will crush him. Enslaved Mentat He controls Thufir Hawat with poison, thinking he has turned the Atreides weapon. He does not see that loyalty cannot be poisoned forever.

Fall at the Emperor's Side

Fall at the Emperor's Side Audience Baron Harkonnen stands in the Emperor's hutment, hoping to share in the victory. He is mocked by Alia Atreides. Alia's Gom Jabbar When ordered to hold the child, Alia backs into his arms and stabs him with a poisoned needle. The pre-born girl kills the Baron. No Martyr The Baron's body topples grotesquely in its suspensors. The architect of Atreides ruin dies without glory.

Harkonnen Name Extinguished

Harkonnen Name Extinguished Last Male Heir Feyd-Rautha's death removes the last legal Harkonnen male. The Baron's bloodline survives unknowingly in Paul himself. Judgment of History Princess Irulan's chronicles remember the Baron as a thing of evil excess. His fall is used as a moral lesson in the new empire. Irony of Blood The Baron's own daughter and grandchild rule the universe. His plan to destroy the Atreides instead merges with them.

before the Atreides departure

the attack on Arrakeen

after the Atreides fall

the day of the Battle of Arrakeen

after Paul kills Feyd-Rautha