Kanly of Atreides and Harkonnen

Dune

Depicts the formal vendetta between the two houses, from cold planning to final blood at Arrakeen.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Duke Refuses the Baron

Duke Refuses the Baron Formal Feud The Baron offers a meeting to Duke Leto, who refuses and uses the old word kanly. The vendetta is declared under the Great Convention. Game of Duplicity Both sides know the true battle will be fought with lies and assassinations. The forms of kanly allow only limited warfare. Trap Prepared The Baron already has the Emperor's aid and Yueh's leverage. The Atreides are entering a formal contest they cannot win fairly.

Assassination Attempts

Assassination Attempts Hunter-Seeker A Harkonnen agent nearly kills Paul with a hidden Hunter-Seeker in the Residency. The attempt is plausible and deniable. Sabotaged Equipment The Atreides are given broken spice machinery and paid spies. Kanly is fought with economics as much as blades. Counterstrikes Thufir Hawat eliminates Harkonnen agents and confiscates their property. The feud escalates behind legal façades.

Open Invasion

Open Invasion Broken Rules The Harkonnens violate the spirit of kanly with an overwhelming force and Sardaukar. The Atreides are crushed before the Landsraad can respond. Last Stand Duke Leto is captured and dies by poison tooth. His feud becomes a legacy of revenge for Paul. Usurpation Arrakis returns to Harkonnen rule under Glossu Rabban. Kanly now means a guerrilla war led by a boy.

Guerrilla Vendetta

Guerrilla Vendetta Fremen Raids Paul turns the Fremen and Fedaykin into instruments of kanly, striking Harkonnen outposts and supply caravans. Baron's Panic The Baron, through Hawat, realizes the Fremen are stronger than expected. He orders Rabban to squeeze the planet harder. Escalating Terror Paul's revenge is personal and cosmic. Each raid hardens the Fremen for a final holy war.

Final Blood at Arrakeen

Final Blood at Arrakeen Duel of Heirs Paul kills Feyd-Rautha in single combat, definitively settling the Harkonnen vendetta. The feud ends with a crysknife in Harkonnen flesh. Destruction of the House Baron Vladimir is already dead by Alia's hand. There is no one left to carry the name. Judgment Kanly is resolved in Paul's favor, and the Great Houses learn not to oppose an Atreides. The feud becomes a cautionary epic.

before the Atreides left Caladan

the early weeks on Arrakis

the Harkonnen attack on Arrakeen

the desert war years

the Battle of Arrakeen