Harkonnen House

House Harkonnen: Status: House Major Symbol: The emblem features a dynamic, stylized design with an orange, four-pointed star that curves inward on one side, evoking a sense of motion and unity. The long, upward spike gives it a spear-like appearance, symbolizing strength and assertiveness. Its futuristic aesthetic fits well with the high-tech, spacefaring themes of the Gundam universe. Army: Harkonnen Military/Mercenaries Uniform: Purley black uniforms with heavy glass mask. Always heavily armed. The rulling Family wears more clad black robes then the military. Colours: Black & Orange Homeworld: Giedi Prime Ruling title: Baron Backstory: The Harkonnens claim descent from Count Palaigo Corrino, grandfather of Sheuset I (founder and first ruler of the empire): according to their traditions, Sheuset's father, Count Costin, was a demibrother of Harkonnen Obeshev but this has never been proved. The Harkonnens further claim common ancestry with the Corrinos in the Palaiologoi, the last ruling house of the Byzantine Empire, via Constantine XI's younger brother, Thomas Palaiologos. Finally, through Harkonnen Obeshev's wife, Lisia Pozzo di Borgo, they claim descent from Kiril' Romanov, cousin to Nikolai II, Russia's last tsar, and heir to his empty throne. Abulurd, Obeshev's son, disgraced the House's name because of his treachery in the Battle of Corrin, but his demibrother Ivan Harkonnen's line became Dukes of Eluzai. This line included members such as Saudir III and Saudir IV, usurpers of the throne until orphaned with the later's death. For centuries thereafter, the Harkonnens, while not officially disgraced, filled the role of businessman and planetary squire, and stayed out of Imperial politics. Count Abulurd III Harkonnen was stripped of his title twice and the Harkonnens were demoted to their lesser title of Lords Tupelo, and were required to pay a large fine into the Imperial treasury. About the time Vladimir II Harkonnen became Duke of Chamizai, the Harkonnens were first proposed for membership among the Great Houses; the Harkonnen family had always been enterprising, specializing in the trading of goods for profit, the renting of mercenaries, and the pursuit of exotic luxuries for the wealth. To translate these assets into power required political acceptance of their family as one of the elite. Vladimir Harkonnen persuaded Count Ernst von Wikkheiser to sponsor a resolution in the Landsraad, proposing the Harkonnens as a voting house; the motion failed by a small number of votes when the Atreides spoke against it. After the death of Emperor Henoor III, in 1604 AG, without immediate heirs, and on the verge of civil, Abulurd VI Harkonnen planned to attack the Landsraad meeting site. The Atreides challenged him to kanly. Abulurd accepted the challenge, with the Imperium at stake, but was defeated. As a result, the Harkonnens were stripped of their titles and possessions, and exiled once again. Eventually, they were restored by Corrin IV, who was enthroned by the machinations of Iraklii Harkonnen, after a period of tumult created by himself. The House begun a conflict with House Pardee, which was the first recorded instance of a War of Assassins (3367 AG-3375 AG), after which House Pardee was virtually obliterated. Various stories attribute this victory to the defection of the steward of their rural estate, a jealous functionary who was easily bribed. Undermining the loyalty of the retainers of another house was a specialty at which House Harkonnen seems to have excelled, according to the reputation of the house among others. House Harkonnen fought alongside Houses Atreides and Kaastaar at the revolt at Mask Prime, but, because of a flawed plan, most of their forces were annihilated during the planetary assault. The Atreides forces were among the only survivors of the carnage. Around this time, the Harkonnens made raids against House Tipnear and House Chusuk. Since the Tipnear were close allies to the Atreides, they formed an unmarked "black" fleet, and without a declaration of war or admission, their combined forces raided Giedi Prime. The Harkonnen slave fleet suffered immense damage, Baathaas was lost, and 20000 slaves were liberated. Despite the constant power struggles, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, a diplomatic genius, managed the remarkable feat of rapidly restoring his family's power by manipulating a number of business ventures. In 10182 AG, Shaddam IV was said to have interfered in a War of Assassins between Houses Harkonnen and Kalifi, preventing the assassination of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. House Harkonnen of that era of deadly political maneuvering and ruthless exercise of power, was noted for its overweening cynicism and cruelty, its hunger for power and profit, and its total subordination of means to ends. It was best viewed as displaying the excesses of a political morality which did, after all, originate to a large degree on Salusa Secundus. The Counts Harkonnen-Rabban, generally known only as Counts Rabban, continued to survive as a House Minor for several hundred years into Leto II's reign, but gradually lost its noble status, along with the other Houses Minor. No mention of the Rabban name appears in local records after the year 10884 AG. Harkonnen, was a Great House of the Landsraad whose capital resided on the heavily industrialized world of Giedi Prime. Historical enemies of House Atreides since the Battle of Corrin, the Harkonnens earned a notorious reputation for underhanded and sinister political tactics fueled by their ambition, malevolence, hatred and brutality. Typically ruled by a Siridar-Baron, House Harkonnen was essentially annihilated as a major political entity after the Battle of Arrakeen, though its family line continued on Giedi Prime throughout the reign of the Atreides Empire. The Harkonnen name was believed to originate in what was northern Europe on ancient Earth, and the region of Earth called Suomi, also Finland. It has been suggested that the Harkonnen name comes from Sweden as a derivation of Hakkon - but it is likely that it is indeed from Finland, as Härkönen is a 20th-century Finnish name. Moreover, the family name Härkönen is derived from the Finnish word härkä which means ox. After many centuries toiling as a House Minor, Harkonnen influence gradually rose within the Landsraad, due mostly to shrewd manipulation of the whale fur market, which was primarily accomplished by Baron Dmitri Harkonnen and his son Vladimir. House Harkonnen built its power on maximizing production output while minimizing production expenses by ignoring economically ethical behavior. Indeed, Harkonnen governing was based upon a simple foundation of fear and terror: used in governance, in the day-to-day running of the Harkonnen household, and in the controlling the Harkonnen armies. With a social order based on treachery and punishment, soldiers rose through the ranks through deceit, trickery and, if necessary, assassination. In approximately 10130 AG, House Harkonnen won the siridar fief of Arrakis. Their responsibility was to mine the spice melange and supply it to the universe. Through their persecution of the Fremen, and through the minimisation of outlay on infrastructure and pay, the Harkonnens managed to pay the tithe they owed to the Emperor, as well as keep a substantial amount of melange for themselves. By 10191 AG, the Harkonnens had managed to amass considerable wealth through spice mining. Despite House Harkonnen's relative power prior to the end of the Corrino Empire, Vladimir Harkonnen desired the ultimate achievement of usurping the Corrinos and forming the Harkonnen Empire. Thus, he secretly plotted against both House Atreides and House Corrino, hoping to destroy the former and overpower the latter through force and marriage.However, Vladimir Harkonnen's plans were ultimately unravelled by the rise of Paul Atreides on Arrakis. After Vladimir Harkonnen's death at the hands of Paul's younger sister, Alia Atreides in 10193 AG, the title of Baron passed very briefly to his nephew, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, before being killed by Paul Atreides in an act of kanly. After the ascent of House Atreides, what little remained of House Harkonnen saw its power and resources quickly disappear. Control of Giedi Prime was given over to the people of Caladan, and under the direction of Gurney Halleck, once a slave on that world, its machines of industry were dismantled, its name and those of its cities were changed, and its forests and greenery replanted. House Harkonnen essentially ceased to be during the time of Muad'Dib's Jihad. However, the Harkonnen bloodline continued to exist through Bene Gesserit breeding programs for more than 1500 years thereafter, and ultimately through the mingling with the Atreides bloodline, with Paul Atreides being the grandson of Vladimir Harkonnen. Surviving Harkonnen family members continued to live as remnants.Herbert stated in later interviews that he modeled the fictional Harkonnens after the Nazi Party. This inspiration is apparent in every adaptation - especially the 2021 film and its sequel - although some Harkonnen character names may originate from Slavic or Eastern European sources.The film series crest differs from both designs and is apparently based on Giedi Prime's black sun. That said, it could still be interpreted as a highly stylized griffin: beaked head on left, feathered wing on right, standing body below.Although this element is absent from Herbert's original books - at least when it comes to Iakin Nefud and Feyd-Rautha - the Harkonnens in David Lynch's film are all fair-skinned redheads, suggesting a draconian ethnostate that favors one skin tone and hair color. Denis Villeneuve takes this oppressive conformity even further by depicting them as hairless and pallid. According to Villeneuve: “I loved the idea that Harkonnens are a society that doesn’t like hair. They remove everything. They want to be as far away from any part of their past as possible, where they are coming from. There’s a will of purity.”[1] How they depilate is never stated - shaving, waxing, laser - but Stilgar's comment about their "filthy water" may imply that they deliberately ingest chemicals to inhibit hair growth at a cellular level (along with melanin production). Another piece of evidence is the hairless hunter-seeker operator sealed into a narrow crawlspace for several weeks where daily grooming would be impractical. However, the appearance of former Harkonnen slave Gurney Halleck suggests that their odd visage is reversible, making laser removal and genetic albinism unlikely. Harkonnen beauty standards encompass three real-world practices: full-body hair removal, chemical skin whitening, and lacquered teeth blackening. A few Harkonnen women are seen with black eyeballs for unknown reasons - possibly Tleilaxu replacements. The fact that Harkonnen skin remains ashen and unflushed even in saunas and desert climates suggests an inability to dilate their capillaries and radiate excess heat, making Arrakis even less hospitable to them. According to the "blood and honor" translation, kum apparently means "blood" - a recurring word in the arena crowd chant. And judging by their slashing arm motions, ska seems to mean "spill." Known members: Abulurd Harkonnen Emmi Rabban (Trough Marrige) Vladimir Harkonnen: Titles: Siridar Baron Great House: House Harkonnen Affiliation and Relationships Family members: Evgeny Harkonnen (ancestor) Vergyl Harkonnen (ancestor) Sonya Harkonnen (ancestor) Valya Harkonnen (ancestor) Griffin Harkonnen (ancestor) Tula Harkonnen (ancestor) Desmond Hart (ancestor) Harrow Harkonnen (ancestor) Jessica Atreides (daughter) Paul Atreides (grandson) Alia Atreides (grandaughter) Unnamed sister/sister-in-law Rabban Harkonnen (nephew) Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (nephew) Feyd's unborn daughter (grandniece) The Baron - like all members of his Great House - is stark-white and completely hairless from minimal UV exposure and toxic levels of industrial and pharmaceutical chemicals. While very obese, he remains structurally handsome with blue eyes, broad shoulders and muscular limbs powerful enough to lift a grown man with one hand. Unlike the book and previous adaptations, the Baron's suspensors are bolted directly into his spine, which makes an audible popping crunch whenever it's relieved of gravity. Interestingly, his lengthy robes cause him to appear abnormally tall and worm-like while hovering - a possible foreshadowing of his great-grandson. Like his book counterpart, he wears multiple rings including a jointed finger sheath which contains his personal shield generator. he Water of life's flashbacks also seem to imply that Harkonnen was at least aware of Jessica being his daughter and showing a softer side around her as an infant. The Baron's homosexuality was given an indirect reference via his binding a stripped and drugged Leto Altreides to the table and making him watch as he pigs out at the dinner table. However, it's also significantly downplayed to the extent that he willingly keeps female concubines in the Villeneuve version (and was also implied to be aware of Jessica being his daughter in the water of life visions), with only subtle hints at his book version's predilections (aside from the scene with Leto, he also briefly kisses Feyd during the latter's coronation, and his bath attendants have see-through clothing).

Rabban Harkonnen: Political Information Titles Governor of Arrakis Great House House Harkonnen Affiliation and Relationships Family members Evgeny Harkonnen (ancestor) Vergyl Harkonnen (ancestor) Sonya Harkonnen (ancestor) Valya Harkonnen (ancestor) Tula Harkonnen (ancestor) Desmond Hart (ancestor) Harrow Harkonnen (ancestor) Unnamed mother Vladmir Harkonnen (uncle) Jessica Atreides (cousin) Paul Atreides (first cousin-once removed) Alia Atreides (first cousin-once removed) Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (younger brother) Feyd-Rautha's unborn child (niece) Place of Birth: Lankiveil Physical Characteristics: Eyes: Teak Hair: Bald Height: 6 ft 6 inches (198 cm) Rabban "Beast" Harkonnen[1] is the secondary antagonist of the 2021 film Dune. He is the nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, and the older brother of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Rabban is portrayed by Dave Bautista. As animalistic and savage as his given name implies, the “Beast” Rabban is the towering enforcer and nephew of the sadistic Baron Harkonnen. Tasked with securing the Baron’s empire by any means necessary, he is a brutal force of nature, prone to explosive and petulant bouts of rage. Of those that cross him, few live. At some point, Rabban and his younger brother Feyd-Rautha were taken in by their uncle Vladimir Harkonnen. Rabban grew up to become a brutal enforcer for House Harkonnen, and had been responsible for the murder of Gurney Halleck's family. His viscous nature had earned him the moniker of "The Beast”. Eventually, Vladimir installed Rabban as Planetary Governor of Arrakis. However, Vladimir became disappointed in Rabban's brutal and aggressive nature, and ultimately chose the younger and more calculated Feyd as his future successor. After House Harkonnen is removed from Arrakis by decree of the Padishah Emperor, Rabban is furious with the ordeal and turns to his uncle to express his frustrations. Vladimir and his Mentat Piter de Vries assure Rabban that things will return to normal soon enough, and that their removal from Arrakis has presented them with an opportunity to deal with (and eliminate) one of their biggest rivals — House Atreides. Rabban took part in the attack on Arrakeen by the Harkonnen troops and the Sardaukar, where he personally decapitated numerous tied up Atreides soldiers. After House Atreides fell, however, and both Paul and Jessica are assumed eliminated, Rabban is put in charge of Arrakis after Piters' death, and was ordered to restart Spice production and sell off their reserves on Giedi Prime, with his uncle ordering him to squeeze hard over the planet. Physical appearance: Much like other members of House Harkonnen, Rabban has a rounded face with extremely pale skin. He has a shaved head and clean appearance, but one which strikes fear into the eyes of his enemies. His appearance is eerily reminiscent of his uncle, Vladimir. Personality: Rabban is a ruthless, sadistic and feared lieutenant within the Harkonnen ranks, and takes no prisoners. Upon hearing of the Harkonnens' removal from Arrakis, Rabban is furious and turns his anger at the situation to the new stewards, House Atreides. Rabban expresses his hatred and anger to his uncle, and vows that the Atreides soldiers be taken care of once and for all. He has little regard for human life, and is known for killing his subordinates over frustrations. Rabban is considered by many, even by his own family, as a brute and a little bit stupid. Rabban is adapted from the character of Glossu Rabban from the original Dune novel. In the novel, he belongs to the minor House Rabban, and carries its namesake. Dialogue in Dune: Part Two however, establishes his name in the film series as Rabban Harkonnen.

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen: Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is the secondary antagonist of Dune: Part Two. He is the ambitious yet sadistic Na-Baron of House Harkonnen and the younger brother of the brutal "Beast" Rabban, thus his serving as the youngest nephew of the insidious Vladimir Harkonnen himself. Titles: Na-Baron, Siridar-Baron Great House: House Harkonnen Family members: Evgeny Harkonnen † (ancestor) Vergyl Harkonnen † (ancestor) Sonya Harkonnen † (ancestor) Valya Harkonnen † (ancestor) Griffin Harkonnen † (ancestor) Tula Harkonnen † (ancestor) Desmond Hart † (ancestor) Harrow Harkonnen † (ancestor) Unnamed mother † Vladimir Harkonnen † (uncle) Jessica Atreides (cousin) Paul Atreides (first cousin-once removed) Alia Atreides (first cousin-once removed) Rabban Harkonnen (brother) Unborn daughter Romances: 3 Harpies (concubines) Margot Fenring Place of birth: Lankiveil Military Information: Weapons: Blades Commands: Harkonnen Military Battles/Wars: Desert War Physical Characteristics: Eyes: Hazel Hair: Bald Height: 6 ft (183 cm) At some point, Feyd and his older brother Rabban were taken in by their uncle, Vladimir Harkonnen, and were brought up as heirs to House Harkonnen. Despite being the youngest, Feyd was selected as his uncle's successor, and was granted the title of Na-Baron. He resides on Giedi Prime, the Harkonnen home planet. At some point he was said to have murdered his own mother. eyd is similar to his brother Rabban, but at the same time very different; Like Rabban, Feyd is a sadist and experienced killer, feared within House Harkonnen, who has little regard for human life. But at the same time, he is more cautious than his older brother, more intelligent and, in some ways, more dangerous. Feyd is introduced in the film when he is being prepared by his servants for knife combat on his birthday. He face his slathered with black makeup and is presented with new blades for the match. Showing his sadistic nature, Feyd cruelly slashes the throat of one female servant and stabs another several times in the lower chest to test the sharpness of the new weapons. He tells his bladesman to sharpen them further. During the match, Feyd fights three surviving warriors of House Atreides; two are drugged to be easier to defeat, one is deliberately left undrugged by the Baron as a "gift" to his nephew so that he may prove his mettle in hand-to-hand combat. He quickly defeats the drugged men and faces off against the last. Feyd goes so far as to discard his shield generator during the match for a greater challenge and kills his last opponent, congratulating him for fighting well. This combination of traits makes Feyd his uncle Vladimir's favorite, and the male's chosen heir to be his successor. Feyd meets with his uncle after the knife match, angrily telling him that the Baron's gift could have killed him. The Baron counters, saying the match made Feyd a hero of their house and he'll enjoy even more prestige when he makes him overseer of Arrakis, replacing Rabban. According to Margot Feyd, he is a psychopath, cruel, highly intelligent, extremely motivated by honor, and has sadomasochistic tendencies. Margot also describes Feyd as vulnerable, sexually speaking. At some point Feyd ends up killing his mother Emmi Rabban.

Piter de Vries: Piter de Vries is the tertiary antagonist of the 2021 film Dune. He is a Mentat in the service of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen of House Harkonnen.

The Mentat Piter De Vries uses the cunning and venom of his poisoned mind to carry out Baron Harkonnen’s malevolence, while staying one step ahead of his fierce rival Thufir Hawat in the ever-turning game of psychic warfare between the Houses of power.[1]

History The Harkonnens were the stewards of Arrakis before the Imperial decree forced them to turn over control of the planet to House Atreides. Vicious, cunning, and cruel, the Harkonnens primarily reside on the planet Giedi Prime, and are determined to take back Arrakis at any cost.

Key members of the Harkonnen house include the Baron Vladimir, who floats above the ground instead of walking, and the Baron's brutish nephew Glossu Rabban.

Also a key part of the Harkonenn force is the Mentat — a highly intelligent and trained adviser who acts as a human computer — Piter de Vries.

Serving Vladimir Piter is shown as a loyal associate of the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, and advises him on all things related to Arrakis and the usurpation of House Atriedes. Piter plays a pivotal part in the delivering of Leto to Vladimir through Wellington Yueh, but is killed moments later when Leto activates his poison tooth.

Physical appearance Piter de Vries is a bald character.

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Personality Piter de Vries is a cruel, ambitious, and bloodthirsty advisor to Baron Harkonnen. He is a Mentat, a human with extraordinary information computing abilities. He is rarely wrong in his logical analysis and predictions.

Differences from the original character Piter de Vries is adapted from the character of the same name from the original Dune novel. Similar to prior adaptations, he lacks the Eyes of Ibad he is described as possessing in the book. He is not directly named in dialogue in the film.

Trivia Makeup artist Donald Mowat worked with Stephen Prouty to create a bald cap look for the character. Quotes Baron Vladimir Harkonnen : No Atreides shall live. Piter De Vries : My lord, you gave your word to the witch, and she sees too much. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen : I said I would not harm them and I shall not. But Arrakis is Arrakis and the desert takes the weak. This is my desert. My Arrakis. My Dune. Beast Rabban Harkonnen : Uncle, how did we let this happen? How can the Emperor take everything we've built and give it to that Duke? How? Piter De Vries : Don't be too sure, it's an act of love. Beast Rabban Harkonnen : What does he mean? Baron Vladimir Harkonnen : When is a gift not a gift? The Atreides Voice is rising and the Emperor is a jealous man. A dangerous, jealous man. Sardaukar Bashar : Why does the Baron need us? Harkonnens outnumber the Atreides. Piter De Vries : The Atreides legions are the finest in the Imperium, trained by Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho... Sardaukar Bashar : Bah! We are the Sardaukar. The Emperor's blades. Those who stand against us, fall. Piter De Vries : Just so. Three battalions, as agreed. Sardaukar Bashar : The Emperor commands it. It is done. Piter De Vries : The Duke's son, he sees too much. Advertisement

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen: "Cousin? Is that right? Well, you won't be the first family member I've killed." "You fought well, Atreides..." "You humiliated our family, you humiliated me. Kiss or die" "Don't mock me woman"

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen: "Arrakis Is Arrakis, And The Desert Takes The Weak, My Desert, My Arrakis, My Dune.""I said I would not harm them. So I shall not. But Arrakis is Arrakis... and the desert takes the weak. My desert. My Arrakis. My Dune."

Rabban Harkonnen: "Uncle, how can we let this happen? How can the Emperor... take EVERYTHING we have built, and give it to that Duke?! HOW?!"

Piter de Vries: "My lord, you gave your word to the witch, and she sees too much"