Baron Vladimir Harkonnen

Also known as m'Lord Harkonnen, old Harkonnen beast, Vladimir Harkonnen

Major
First seen · Book 1

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is a major character in Dune Chronicles (Book 1).

Gender: male
First appears: Book 1
Books: 1

Description

A grossly and immensely fat human man whose weight is partly borne by portable suspensors harnessed to his flesh. He has fat folds at his neck, jowls, dimpled facial fat, cherubic fat cheeks, protruding lips, and beady black eyes set in folds of fat. In the earliest appearance he wears dark robes and a yellow cape bulging over the suspensors; he is also seen in sleep suspensors and a suspensor chair.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnennephew
Feyd is the Baron’s nephew and chosen heir-designate. The Baron promotes him while controlling and shaping him, and Feyd publicly dedicates his arena victory to his uncle and patron.
AA
Alia Atreidesgranddaughter
Alia is the Baron’s granddaughter. She kills him with a poisoned needle during the confrontation in the Emperor’s audience chamber.
GR
Glossu Rabbanuncle
The Baron uses Rabban as governor of Arrakis, deliberately withholding aid and allowing him to brutalize the population so Feyd can later arrive as a supposed savior.
CH
Count Hasimir FenringImperial envoy
Fenring confronts the Baron on behalf of the Emperor over Arrakis, the Fremen, Hawat, and the Baron’s succession plans, while warning him against defiance.
DW
Dr. Wellington Yuehconflicting source relationships
The Baron and Piter exploit Yueh's vulnerability to make him betray Duke Leto, using him as the signal for the Harkonnen attack.
H
Harkonnenruler
The Baron leads House Harkonnen and directs its campaign to regain control of Arrakis and eliminate House Atreides.
PE
Padishah Emperor Shaddam IVpolitical ally
The Emperor’s Sardaukar have supported the Harkonnen campaign against House Atreides, but the Baron fears the Emperor’s scrutiny and conceals the circumstances of Leto’s death.
S
Sardaukarmilitary ally
The Emperor’s Sardaukar assist the Baron’s attack while disguised in Harkonnen uniforms, capturing Leto and helping secure the occupation.
IN
Iakin Nefudguard captain
After Nefud efficiently reports that the corridor is clear and the room has been cleaned, the Baron promotes him to captain of his guard and assigns him to investigate Leto’s poison.
Duke Leto Atreidesconflicting source relationships
The Baron calls Leto his cousin while holding him captive and interrogating him. The Harkonnen assault has destroyed Leto’s House, and Leto dies using poison against the Baron and his men.
Lady Jessicaconflicting source relationships
The Baron curses Jessica and seeks to exploit her as a distraction in his plot; Piter also claims the Baron promised her to him.
Liet Kynesenemy
Chani and Paul share the loss of their fathers to the Harkonnens, giving her a personal stake in opposing them.
Paul Atreidesconflicting source relationships
The Baron is the chief Harkonnen enemy of the Atreides, responsible for the destruction of Leto’s rule and the deaths of Paul’s family and companions. Paul’s rise overturns the Baron’s power; the Baron is already dead by this confrontation.
Thufir Hawatconflicting source relationships
After the Atreides fall, the Baron makes Hawat serve as his Mentat assassin, exploiting him while Hawat remains hostile and seeks revenge.
A
Atreidesoppressor
The Baron’s forces have overthrown the Atreides, killed their Duke, and hunted their surviving men.
B
Basharadversary
The Sardaukar officer confronts the Baron over Leto’s death and distrusts his account. His forceful demand to inspect the scene exposes the Baron’s unease and potential weakness.