Search the Community

This thread will be an ongoing anthology of narratives set in the 5R AU. —- The Blood-Seekers by Sim Era: The Halcyon Age Factions: Halcyon Wardens Gregory read the orders with calm patience. A century and a half of life had taught him that much. His Chief Tribune, Stefan, stood at his side. Gregory's grey eyes finished the last bit of text. “We are heading for the outer edges of Ultima. It looks like we will be maintaining our offensive stance, after all.“ Stefan, a stout marine, nodded heartedly. “Someone has to.” “Indeed,“ Gregory affirmed as he passed the datapad to Stefan. As for himself, he clasped his hands behind his back as he surveyed the bridge. The Fifth Brigade boasted a legacy that only the original four could surpass. A legacy that Gregory had done his best to uphold and to honor. The Crimson Crusaders, as they were known, contained the largest portion of Terran legionaries outside of Irvin Ruel's First Brigade. Such a simple fact, yet one that had no doubt influenced the Crusader's tendency toward aggression and assault operations. At least, compared to the rest of the Wardens. His eyes studied the stars beneath his midnight colored hair. With so many brigades being rerouted to holding and defensive operations, Gregory could not deny a fierce sense of satisfaction for avoiding that fate. Perhaps the brigade would celebrate tonight with their traditional meal of raw meat. His mouth watered as the idea gained traction. An Astartes could consume many sustenances lethal to a normal human, but raw meat would not have been considered a favorite meal for any space marine. The Crusaders were an exception since it had originally begun as a habit to maintain the Omophagea. Then came that one incident on Volska where he and his officer cadre had explicitly eaten raw flesh in front of their enemies. The Volkan Confederacy had been flirting with either defiance or submission to the Imperium at the time. After that messy meal, with blood dripping down Gregory's chin, the Volkans had chosen submission. It ahead created their nickname as the Crimson Crusaders.

The Star Lords "Who do we serve? -The Emperor for he is eternal! What are we? -We are the Emperor's will made manifest! What is our purpose? -To bring the Emperor's wrath to his enemies! Who are we? -We are the Star lords! We rule the stars! And through us the Emperor's foes will fall! --Battle Chant of the Star Lords Numeration: XVIIIth Legion Primogenitor: Caelum Vigilat Cognomen (Prior): Knights of the Sun Observed Strategic Tendencies: Ship-borne Assaults and Boarding Operations, Close Quarters Actions, and Linebreaker Assaults Noteworthy Domains: The Omega-17 Administrative Domain (a semi-autonomous political realm under the direct supervision of the Star Lords by writ of the Emperor's own hand, comprising a region of space designated by Lord Vigilat's origin point). Primary Legion Headquarters occupied the Omega-17 orbital facility from which the Star Lords oversaw nine different star systems, eighteen secondary recruitment systems, and dozens of watch-outposts and minor garrisons. Allegiance: Fidelitas Constantus Star Lords Armorial with legion iconography Star Lords Legionary

Crimson Lions “Barbarians. Backwards brutes with no understanding of science and technology, clinging to superstition rather than embrace the modern age. Yet for all that, they are dangerous brutes and loyal in ways that put us all to shame. So do I fear the Second? I'd be a fool if I didn't.” - Absalom Vaughn, Primarch of the Black Stars Numeration: The IInd Legion Primogenitor: Hectarion Mycenor Cognomen (Prior): Blood Wolves Observed Strategic Tendencies: Heavy Infantry Assaults, Defensive Shieldwalls Noteworthy Domains: Mycenae (Primary), the Dominion of Mycenae Allegiance: Fidelitas Constantus Warriors of rage yet of shields, the Crimson Lions stand tall among their cousins, both literally and metaphorically. For when the Crimson Lions appear on the battlefield, it is always with a roar, always advancing behind their shield walls. Yet, within their Primarch's empire of Mycenae, the Crimson Lions have shown the discipline and patience necessary for administration. Each Crimson Lion marches forward into battle with the history of his service on his skin as they add tattoos to represent their growing records of service with their veterans covered from head to toe in red pictograms. At the head of this legion of clans is Hectarion, a Primarch of warrior's prowess and berserker's rage. That very rage would become a temptation as their enemies sought to use it against them. Crimson Lions Legionary

The Five Ruins The apex of the Great Crusade was fast approaching. The costly Rangdan Xenocides has come to an end, leaving the Galactic North to fall into the Imperium’s hands in due time. Victory after victory suggested the Emperor’s vision of a united galaxy under humanity’s rule was no longer a question of if, but when. It is in this final phase that the monstrous Orks of Ullanor surged forth to threaten the Imperium’s very heart in Segmentum Solar. Warp storms that had provided a check had faded away, allowing the greenskins to pool their strength against outsiders. As virulent as this new assault was, the Emperor called for the greatest of his Sons and generals to join him in purging this threat. That would be the last anyone would have seen of him. At some point in transit to the Ullanor front lines, the Emperor simply vanished. Bereft of his incredible might, the War Council and the Primarchs fought the Ullanor Orks to a bloody stalemate as Malcador launched investigation after investigation into the whereabouts of the Master of Mankind. It was during this time, for a mere Terran hour, the Astronomican failed. Millions of lives and hundreds of ships were lost into the tempest of the Warp. How the guiding light of Terra was restored, none know. But warzones on the verge of success were thrown into disarray as promised reinforcements never arrived. As the years of the Emperor’s absence built upon each other, new threats emerged. Some bold, others subtle. With each additional stress, the Imperium weakened, until one fateful day when one of the Emperor’s own sons chose a new master. Message to Viewers Hello everyone! Welcome to the Five Ruins, the newest Alternate Heresy from the Brotherhood of the Lost group. The premise is 20 new Space Marine legions that get scattered as happened in canon, a Great Crusade, and then on the eve of the Ullanor Crusade the Emperor vanishes. From there everything slowly goes to hell, and is a very different kind of Heresy than Horus' in that there is not a single Heresy and push for Terra, but five phases of conflict that become known in Imperial History as the "Ruins". We are super excited working on the project and story for our legions, as we work towards producing Forgeworld-style books with both narrative and rules. We are always open for new people joining the project, whether you are a writer or an artist or a modeller or you have any other skill that improves the project, and there is a lot of potential to our galaxy for people to explore. We hope anyone viewing our work enjoys it, and watches or even participates as our narrative unfolds. Some of the threads and posts on this forum are rather old at this point, and are from the Icarion Insurrection, the Brotherhood of the Lost's first project. There are some legions and threads that are being carried forward and so contain information from the previous universe, but the older ones are there so you can see the history of the Brotherhood. We have a wiki we are working on, and it is growing pretty rapidly and is constantly being updated: https://the-five-ruins.fandom.com/wiki/The_Five_Ruins_Wiki Sincerely, simison, Project Leader and writer TrajantheGreat, Writer and rules maker TheBlindPrimarch, Member Darkcommander, Member and vehicle creator Sigismund229, Member Jimars, Member Lord_Ikka, Member Chaplian Belphoron, Member The Wolfguard, Member Phantom38, Member Tobias, Member Antus, Member NorikSigma, Member The Legions Iron Revenants Numeration: The Ist Legion Primogenitor: Araphel ‘the Colossus’ Cognomen (Prior): Steel Blades Allegiance: Fidelitas Tenebrae The First are relentless, cold and ruthless. They’re a legion that before the Ruins was known for its generalist style of warfare, with a form of adaptability that was horribly rigid in its nature. Often choosing to be dropped into the worst war zones possible as a method of proving themselves, they are highly competitive due to their position as the First Legion, and their Primarch’s position as First found. Warfare is often a mathematical equation, a way for them to quickly conquer a planet, reform it in the image of the Emperor and move on quickly. It was only after the Vanishing that the true extent of their paranoia started to become apparent to the other legions. Crimson Lions Numeration: The IInd Legion Primogenitor: Hectarion Mycenor Cognomen (Prior): Blood Wolves Allegiance: Fidelitas Constantus Warriors of rage yet of shields, the Crimson Lions stand tall among their cousins, both literally and metaphorically. For when the Crimson Lions appear on the battlefield, it is always with a roar, always advancing behind their shield walls. Yet, within their Primarch's empire of Mycenae, the Crimson Lions have shown the discipline and patience necessary for administration. Each Crimson Lion marches forward into battle with the history of his service on his skin as they add tattoos to represent their growing records of service with their veterans covered from head to toe in red pictograms. At the head of this legion of clans is Hectarion, a Primarch of warrior's prowess and berserker's rage. That very rage would become a temptation as their enemies sought to use it against them. Black Stars Numeration: The IIIrd Legion Primogenitor: Absalom Vaughn Cognomen (Prior): The Marauders Allegiance: Traitoris Perdita Among the Legiones Astartes, none are as controversial as the Black Stars and their primogenitor, Absalom Vaughn. Born as a Legion of rampant raiders and brutes that were candidates for eradication, Absalom ruthlessly purged his Legion's of imperfections and moulded them anew in the form he desired. Now one of the most illustrious Legions, the Black Stars, driven by their Primarch's narcissism and envy for his brothers, wage war not only to protect the Imperium, but to also prove their supremacy. Victory is not enough, for every battle must serve a testament to their skills, and the Galaxy must bear witness. However, the IIIrd's obsessive quest for excellence has earned them the scorn and enmity of their peers in the Legiones Astartes, who view them as self-serving, arrogant and untrustworthy. As the Great Crusade progresses and the Black Stars' fixation is intensified, it becomes evident that their Path can only lead to Ruin. Red Eyes Numeration: The IVth Legion Primogenitor: Theoderaf Cognomen (Prior): Golden Brothers Allegiance: Traitoris Perdita There are few legions who embody duty and devotion more than the Red Eyes, being molded and molding themselves to be the Emperor’s executioners, his wrath made manifest and the ultimate punishment to the foes of the Emperor. They quickly established their unique style of warfare, savage yet precise strikes and large scale propaganda campaigns, with the areas and then worlds they conquered becoming some of the most compliant. Their reunion with their Primarch Theoderaf did nothing to change this, in fact it intensified it with Theoderaf’s and the new recruits from Certus Minor’s faith in the divine Emperor. Little did anyone at the time realise that this laid the groundwork for future events to shake them to their core. Halcyon Wardens Numeration: The Vth Legion Primogenitor: Alexandros Darshan VonSalim Cognomen (Prior): Storm Riders Allegiance: Fidelitas Totalis The defenders of the Imperium, the Halcyon Wardens serve as one of the most noble of Legions. Always seeking to protect the common man, the Wardens often place themselves between their charges and danger, forming a living wall to push back the threats to Mankind. Leading them is none other than the High Regent, Alexandros. As the chosen guardians in this era of anarchy, the Halcyon Wardens stretch themselves thin to both stabilize once-safe systems and to prevent the opportunistic enemies of Man from gaining a foothold. Alas, threats from within threaten to undo everything the Wardens have set out to accomplish. Shadow Warriors Numeration: The VIth Legion Primogenitor: Rang Talyc, ‘The Ash-Blooded’ Cognomen (Prior): Saturnine Raptors Allegiance: Traitoris Maximus A bold and controversial legion, the Shadow Warriors strive to match the high standards they set for themselves. Bound by their strong commitment to mastering combat and an intense sense of community within the legion, the Warriors were always at the forefront of the Great Crusade. These commitments also came with downsides, as the Shadow Warriors put their community above all others, particularly non-Astartes, and within the legion individual Aliite had their own sense of community that promoted independent action. It was this independence that would lead the Shadow Warriors following a dark path that none of them could have predicted. Monastic Ascendants Numeration: The VIIth Legion Primogenitor: Tenzin Cognomen (Prior): Thunder Knights Allegiance: Socius Sollicitus Lauded as a legion of contemplative thought and efficient action, the VIIth Legion Monastic Ascendants have chose to take on the duty of constantly self-improving and encouraging all those around them to better themselves, human and transhuman alike, for the sake of building a harmonious Imperium in the name of the Emperor. Renowned for their prowess with the machine as much as their ability to adapt on the battlefield, their extensive use of electronic warfare and guerrilla tactics on the battlefield has been the deciding factor in toppling many regimes during the many Compliance actions of the Great Crusade. This pursuit of technological advancement would force the Monastic Ascendants to forge their own path in the galaxy, breaking from all established tradition. Godslayers Numeration: The VIIIth Legion Primogenitor: Koschei Kharkovic Cognomen (Prior): Imperial Marchers Allegiance: Socius Solicitus What defines the Godslayers most is their utter dedication to humanity, willingly laying down their lives to protect them and holding them in the highest regard. Whilst earning derision from some of their brother legions, they are loved by their mortal allies and subjects. On the battlefield, the VIIIth wage methodical and cautious warfare, preferring close combat yet not being blinded by personal glory to seek engagements in unfavourable circumstances. Bolstering their ranks are their unique brand of psykers, known as Warp Suppressants, nullifying the psychic powers of their foes. Koschei and his legion's unbridled love of humanity and the struggle to reconcile that with the Imperium at large would lead the legion towards uncharted territory and ever more conflict. Thousand Sons Numeration: The XIth Legion Primogenitor: Magnus Cognomen (Prior): None Allegiance: Fidelitas Constantus Obsidian Guard Numeration: The Xth Legion Primogenitor: Lukas Keath Cognomen (Prior): None Allegiance: Fidelitas Constantus The Obsidian Guard specialise in siege warfare, . Surprising, or unsurprising depending on your point of view, for their specialty the Obsidian Guard they find a common kinship with the mortal forces that fight beside them in the mud and blood of the trenches they often occupy. The Obsidian Guard take a methodical, calculating approach to their craft, drowning the enemy fortresses with infernus and phosphex shells before advancing into the bombed out husk behind massed formations of Breachers. The fires of the Ruins would prove the ultimate testing ground for their nature, whether they would be broken or come out stronger than ever. Tempest Reavers Numeration: The XIth Legion Primogenitor: Ezharion Kulas Cognomen (Prior): Ranging Hawks Allegiance: Socius Solicitus The Tempest Reavers are renown for their contradicting cultural dynamics and unique style of warfare post reunification with their Primarch. Unlike many other legions, which had a seamless blend of cultures, the Tempest Reavers had two similar yet equally contrasting cultures in the Terrans and Farsalans. The Terrans, patient and calculating, skilled in the art of reconnaissance and marksmanship and the Farsalans, hot blooded and savage, specialists in ambushes and sudden overwhelming assaults. Led by their Primarch, Ezharion Kulas, they spent the decades of the Great Crusade building a reputation for rapid compliances and resounding military victories. Yet, their loyalty was only assured by the Emperor, and with his disappearance, they are unchained and in question. As the Imperium hangs in the balance, the Tempest Reavers stand on a knife-edge, poised to decide the outcome and success of any side in the coming Ruins. Fire Keepers Numeration: The XIIth Legion Primogenitor: Niklaas Cognomen (Prior): None Allegiance: Fidelitas Constantus The Fire Keepers are the renowned fortification specialists among the Legions. Their strongholds litter the entire galaxy as they have worked hard to strengthen the Imperium from within. This skill with the forge and hand extends to their own equipment. Working with an unrelenting practicality that has earned the admiration of the Mechanicum, the Fire Keepers have created weapons and tools to sustain their war efforts. Although loyal to the Imperium, the relationship between the legion and the Emperor has always been a mixed one. For though the Fire Keepers have fought with duty and honour throughout the Great Crusade, like their gene-sire, Niklaas, they distrust the witch and the psyker. To be a Fire Keeper psyker is to be condemned to a life of quiet suspicion. It is these strengths and weaknesses the Fire Keepers would carry when Ruin would come for the Imperium. Sky Reavers Numeration: The XIIIth Legion Primogenitor: Aato Väyrynen Cognomen (Prior): Void Seekers Allegiance: Socius Solicitus The fast moving lords of the air, the Sky Reavers aim to dominate the sky above any battlefield before committing to any ground operations. Their superior aerial skills, combined with the numerous modifications they have made to their aircraft, makes them highly mobile foes who can strike from any angle. Their primarch, Aato, is a caring and scientifically-minded Primarch, looking to form close bonds with his brothers and protect his homeworld above all. This love of his homeworld would fuel his scientific experiments, as he began obsessed with finding a way to travel vast distances without the need for the warp to guarantee the survival of his home system. It was this obsession that would lead him and his legion down a path away from the light of the Imperium. Dune Serpents Numeration: The XIVth Legion Primogenitor: Azus Bahmut Cognomen (Prior): None (Officially), Sightless Fourteenth (Unofficial) Allegiance: Fidelitas Scindere Illusive and cunning, the Dune Serpents reveal themselves to their enemies only when they choose to. Before that point, enemy armies suffer sabotage as their communications are jammed, their officers go missing in the night, and their supplies are poisoned. It is only well after the Dune Serpents' venom has worked its way through the veins of their enemy do they finally strike from afar. For Azus, the Ghost of the Sands, views close-combat as a wasteful, vainglory endeavour. The only Primarch to wield an archeotech sniper rifle, Azus would have every opponent dead several kilometres from his lines, ideally without ever knowing his position. It is in the shadows the Serpents thrive. It is in the shadows, they die. The Riven Numeration: The XVth Legion Primogenitor: Morrigar Cognomen (Prior): None Allegiance: Traitoris Perdita The Riven are a brutal, methodical war machine. Known for their rigorous insurgent suppression campaigns and heavy use of psychic legionnaires, the Riven have been assigned to maintaining the internal stability of the Imperium. A glimpse of dark green and bronze armour will send waves of terror through rebels and dissidents, heralding waves of destruction and then psychic reconditioning that are the trademarks of this feared and mysterious legion. The use of psykers and mental powers has made the Riven ripe for rumour, speculation, and mistrust as to their motives and true allegiance. World Shakers Numeration: The XVIth Legion Primogenitor: Daito Ueyama Cognomen (Prior): None Allegiance: Fidelitas Constantus Jovial, and generally good natured like their gene-sire, the World Shakers are fond of laughing, and sharing in each other's camaraderie. Well known for their more humanitarian tendencies, the World Shakers will often put themselves at risk in order to protect innocent lives, and also avoid collateral damage when possible. The World Shakers excel in utilizing line breaker tactics, supported by armour. They're also known to be able to endure more punishment than many of their peers, mainly due to their increased size and density. The Ruins would test the Shakers' endurance to the limit alongside the rest of the Imperium. Warriors of Peace Numeration: The XVIIth Legion Primogenitor: The Jade General Cognomen (Prior): None, Imperial Light (Unofficial) Allegiance: Socius Solicitus Warriors who have emptied themselves of emotion before battle, the Warriors of Peace fight not as many but as one. Every marine, every squad, every company is expected to fight as a single unit, operating in perfect coordination with their brethren, drawing strength from one another as they battle in near-total silence. The eerie movements of these Legiones Astartes is further enhanced by their Pariah officers which unsettle enemy combatants to weaken morale. They are commanded by the Jade General, a Primarch who tossed his natural name long ago as he devoted himself to studying Pariahs. Making war with a scholar's mind, the Jade General is an extremely dangerous martial artist who slays his foes with only his hands and feet. His and his sons’ path has always been one of choosing the most logical choice to his strange mind, whether it be loyalty, traitorhood, or something else altogether. [REDACTED] Numeration: The XVIIIth Legion Primogenitor: NA Cognomen (Prior): None Allegiance: NA Midnight Host Numeration: The XIXth Legion Primogenitor: Kejene Teward Reiner Cognomen (Prior): Forlorn Legion Allegiance: Fidelitas Scindere The Midnight Host are a Legion that strive to prove themselves. Emerging from a dark history of being sidelined and looked down upon, the Legion has found a new identity since the discovery of their Primarch Kejene Teward Reiner in being guardians of their new homes in the stars and a new common identity as brothers of a Legion they can be proud of. They are boisterous and brotherly, and while they will claim to not care what other Legions think of them, in truth they do care that other Legions should see them as equals. Though individually weaker than Astartes from the other Legions, the Host use any means they have to make up for their shortcomings and get the job done. In battle, the Host make use of Combined Arms as much as possible, integrating specialist Astartes into their units at all levels and utilizing armoured and air support to wear down and harass the enemy. Many would think them an easy target as the Ruins descended, and the Host would strive to prove them all wrong. Alabaster Order Numeration: The XXth Legion Primogenitor: Gustave Dunant Cognomen (Prior): Amathame Brotherhood Allegiance: Socius Solicitus As the XXth and last legion, the Alabaster Order have always been predisposed towards support roles, yet they have embraced this and focus on humanitarian aid. This would eventually lead to their censure by the Emperor as Gustave Dunant turned the legion too far from their combat purpose. Many of the legions don't understand the mindset of the twentieth, but the courage, and unwavering discipline of the legion is beyond question, earning them the respect of several legions and the Imperial Army. The other aspect that the legion is most well known for is their unique organisation, being split into two arms. The Alabaster Order is the medical and humanitarian focused arm, and the Amathame Brotherhood is the combat and defence arm. Although they sought to do no harm, and benefit mankind first and foremost, they would eventually be a source of much greater harm and damnation.

“We are different, you and I. You are Farsalan, rash and untested. I am Terran, patient and tempered. Though we are not the same, by our father's will we fight together. Our culture and styles of war are merged. We are the Tempest Reavers and nothing more and nothing less.” - Fels Vili Alsan Lepiax to new Farsalan recruits. Tempest Reavers Numeration: XIth Legion Primogenitor: Ezharion Kulas Cognomen (Prior): Ranging Hawks Observed Strategic Tendencies: Shock Assaults, Ambush Warfare, Melee and Ranged Skirmishes, Long Range Infiltration, Defensive Guerrilla Operations and Mobile Warfare Noteworthy Domains: Farsalus (Primary), Farsalus Sub-Sector (Secondary, Training Grounds and Legion Muster Sites) The Tempest Reavers, formerly known as the Ranging Hawks, are the XIth Legiones Astartes, one of the famed Space Marine Legions forges by the Emperor for the undertaking of bringing the Galaxy to heel under the Imperium of Man during the grand campaign known as the Great Crusade. This Legion became renown for their contradicting cultural dynamics and unique style of warfare post reunification with their Primarch. Unlike many other legions, which had a seamless blend of cultures, the Tempest Reavers had two similar yet equally contrasting cultures in the Terrans and Farsalans. The Terrans, patient and calculating, skilled in the art of reconnaissance and marksmanship and the Farsalans, hot blooded and savage, specialists in ambushes and sudden overwhelming assaults. Led by their Primarch, Ezharion Kulas, they spent the decades of the Great Crusade building a reputation for rapid compliances and resounding military victories. Yet, their loyalty was only assured by the Emperor, and with his disappearance, they are unchained and in question. As the Imperium hangs in the balance, the Tempest Reavers stand on a knife-edge, poised to decide the outcome and success of any side in the coming Ruins. Tempest Reavers Armorial with Legion Iconography Tempest Reavers Legionary

The Ruins were cataclysmic events which would sunder the Imperium between the forces of rebellion and corruption. The First Ruin is the smallest of the five, but its existence is necessary to enable the other four. Axioms long held in the hearts and minds of the Imperial citizen, both elite and common, would be shattered by the First Ruin. What will follow is our development of both the Ruin itself and the book that will bind its story within. The First Ruin can be summed up in a single sentence: Araphel, Primarch of the First Legion, is tricked by deception and paranoia to order the complete annihilation of the Sixth Legion and its master, the Ash-Blooded. One sentence, however, can not possibly contain the full account of disaster and death which will follow that one simple decision. Yet, it is this one decision that will begin anew a thousand tales even as it ends a thousand stories. What follows is but a fraction of the individuals and units who will act and react to the course of events which would eventually blossom into four more nightmares. Come and see.

The III Legion, The Black Stars Cognomen (prior): none, unofficially called the Marauders or the Madmen by their fellow Astartes Homeworld : Skandra Prima Numbers: 150.000 Primarch: Absalom Vaughn Flagship: Antares Combat Doctrine: general warfare, combined arms warfare, tactical preparation and complex strategic planning, decapitation strikes Warcry: May the Stars witness our glory! Colours: Yellow and black. Right pauldron and left kneepad act as company markings Symbol: A black shooting star Notable Domains: The Kingdom of Skandra, comprised of seven planets: Skandra Prima, Antire, Fyressy, Liva-Sar, Talanis, Kestram and Riudal. Antire has since been converted into a Forge World History After the Emperor's Primarchs were scattered by the Ruinous Powers, the III Primarch landed on the planet of Skandra, a fertile and rich world which stood as the capital of a kingdom comprised of 4 planets. The infant primarch was taken in by the royal house of Vaughn and raised as the crown prince, receiving the finest education and martial training the kingdom had to offer and becoming a patron of the arts as well as a gifted duelist, tactician and politician. Over the course of his rule he greatly expanded the kingdom. On his 27th year on the planet the Emperor of Mankind visited the planet and met with his lost son, who recognised him and accepted his role as a general of humanity's armies. He named his legion "the Black Stars" after the legendary warriors of the first King of Skandra, who conquered his enemies and greatly expanded the kingdom Primarch Absalom Vaughn, the Amber King, is a controversial figure among the Primarchs, for where others see a highly skilled man always striving for perfection, fiercely loyal to the Emperor and zealous in his attempts to build a better future for the Imperium, others see a creature of arrogance, uncontrolled ambition and greed. Landing on the feudal world of Skandra, the infant primarch was found by farmers and taken to the King Roland, who adopted the child from the Stars as his son and heir to the throne. Growing up, young Absalom lived in a royal environment of opulence, and was educated by the kingdom's most brilliant scholars and scientists, while renowned fighting teachers, military instructors and generals mentored him in dueling and tactics. Gifted in martial matters, the young Prince became a hero to the people when he led the Skandran armies in defence of the kingdom when they were attacked by an alliance of the hostile planets Antire and Fyressy that had always posed a threat to Skandra. After defeating the invaders, he was crowned King in place of his father who had died during the invasion and orchestrated a counterattack on the enemy planets and conquered each of them in a year. By the 30th year of his life on Skandra, Absalom had become a beloved idol to the people through his charisma and beauty, and the prospects of the young prince ruling the kingdom thrilled the populace. It was then that the Emperor of Mankind came to the world to claim his son. Meeting his true Father for the first time, Absalom was impressed by his majesty and his noble cause, and gladly accepted his duty as a Primarch. Unfortunately for him, the IIId legion was known as one of misfits, unruly warriors that often disobeyed orders and fought more like a rag-tag force of mercenaries than an organised army. As a result, they were held in contempt by the other legions and their combat records were underwhelming. This, along with the fact that he was the youngest Primarch and consequently had significantly less achievements than his other brothers, deeply disturbed the young primarch. Combined with his pampered noble upbringing and, according to some anecdotal accounts, his heated confrontation with some of his brothers, which was sparked by his arrogant boasts and resulted in his rebuke using his and his legion's lack of successes as evidence, created a deep feelings of insufficiency and envy in his heart, and he vowed to lead his legion to greatness, surpassing his brothers in glory and in the favour of the Emperor, who he deeply admired as the ideal ruler. Driven by his ambition, Absalom greatly reformed his legion's command structure, sometimes using brutal methods such as the execution of uncooperative officers, and moved recruitment to Skandra. From that point on the old third died and the Black Stars were born, a legion that can serve as an example of discipline, organisation and martial excellence. As a result, the Stars have rapidly achieved a large number of conquests and other victories that rival or surpass those of other Legions, and they are respected and loved by the Imperium. Absalom's relationships with his brothers are mostly respectful, though he does not boast close relationships with any of them but Theoderaf, who shares his deep loyalty towards the Emperor. Some of his brothers that he deeply dislikes are Alexandros who he envies for his success and the respect he receivesrecieves from the other Legions and the Jade General, not only because, despite being the last Primarch to be found, has had a very successful track record, but also due to rumors that claim the General has authored traitorous treatises that claim the Emperor himself can be replaced Absalom's appearance mirrors that of his planet's natives, with tanned skin and dark brown, almost black hair. His eyes, yellow as the armor of his sons, shine with a spark of cunning which some claim to hide malevolence Greatly alarmed by the disappearance of the Emperor, Absalom fears that without Him guiding the Imperium forward it will collapse, since no one else is fit to rule it in his eyes, and especially Alexandros, who is by many considered the most possible candidate Wargear: Algol: Absalom's mastercrafted mace, forged by the finest smiths of Mars at the request of Fabricator-General Kelbor-Hal as a gift to the Primarch of the IIIrd, who so generously offered one of his worlds to the Mechanicum. The weapon combines functions similar to a thunder hammer, storing a large amount of energy that is unleashed on hit with devastating results, emitting a blast of sound and brilliant light. When the power field is active, a corona of light surrounds the mace's head Serrenlás: A gift of the Skandran people to the Emperor, this exquisite twinblade was crafted on Antire soon after it was reborn as a Forge World. Equipped with a customised power field that coats the blades in a dazzling glow and can cut through the toughest armor, Absalom utilises it in awesome displays of murderous skill Verovaar: A relic of the royal house of Vaughn, this archaotech firearm was claimed as a trophy of the defeated lord of a conquered planet, who was using it as part of his exoskeleton's armaments. Of course, Absalom's size and superhuman strength allows him to wield it as a normal pistol. This mastercrafted energy pistol boasts incredible power and accuracy, and it can also fire its 6 barrels simultaneously in devastating concentrated blasts with reduced range The Maega Mail: Named after the twin suns that shine over his homeworld, Absalom's personal suit of artificer armor trades protection for agility and great freedom of movement. Coloured in the bright yellow and black of his Legion and decorated with a striking engraving of the Twin Suns of Skandra as well as flowing mantles, it is as much an armour as it is a work of art. The Amber King's panoply is fitted with an advanced shield generator that turns any absorbed damage into blinding flashes of light, making the Primarch seem like a pulsar star flashing brilliantly in the battlefield Legion Culture and Combat Doctrine As a result of Absalom's stern leadership, the Black Stars are one of the most disciplined legions. Astartes of the Stars are expected to perform brilliantly in all situations, and to that end their training is a lot harder than standard and aims to prepare each marine to fulfil any possible role in the battlefield. Even before induction, aspirants are submitted to excessive tests of purity and aptitude and then go through additional tests of physical and mental prowess before selection, in order to ensure that only the best of the best make it into the legion. Furthermore, even after their training is completed and aspirants graduate as full fledged marines, Absalom and the legion command cultivate a culture of intense competition among the Battle-brothers in order to motivate them to better themselves constantly. Because of this though the bonds between the marines of the Black Stars are not as strong as those found in other legions, a fact that other legions secretly pity them for. In combat, the legion takes to the field after studying the enemy's army, tactics and positions, having created a plan that will swiftly defeat their foes while leaving them few ways to fight back. The Legion's plans are often unorthodox and sometimes even excessive, evidence of their intention to impress and display their excellence. The IIId makes wide use of tactical and heavy support squads, as well as artillery and armored vehicles, and embrace the use of librarians as a powerful weapon to their arsenal. Specialist formations Ochranic Cavaliers The elite warriors of the Black Stars and the personal guard of the Primarch. Personally selected by Absalom himself, upon ascension they must leave behind all ambition and personal aspiration and dedicate their lives to honing their skills and serving their gene-sire as his blade and shield. Befitting of their rank and prestige, they are outfitted in the finest wargear available to the Black Stars. Each Cavalier is clad in mastercrafted artificer armor forged personally, tailored to his specific needs, and armed with the legendary Khomíte Swordspear. Each weapon a priceless relic, the chosen of Absalom use them to fearsome effect in battle, shredding through opposition like a falling star Valkten Chosen Terminators On the eve of combat, the Ochranic Cavaliers kneel before Absalom, their heads bowed in reverence. Then, he chooses those among them that will serve in the Valkten for the next battle. This selection, although temporary, since it only lasts for a single battle, is viewed as a great honour, an acknowledgement of a Cavalier's skill by their Primarch, who rewards them above all their peers. Adorned in relic Tartaros terminator armor in resplendent black and gold, armed with mastercrafted weapons, they follow Absalom to war, the aftershocks to the Amber King's earthquake. There is also a hidden purpose to this practice; the cultivation of intense competition in the ranks of the Cavaliers, the contest for their Father's fickle favour grueling and never-ending. By using this subtle manipulation, Absalom ensures that his elite warriors will never stop honing their skills and improving. Boetar Penitents In the Black Stars, failure is a crime that is punished harshly. And there is no punishment harsher than joining the Boetar squads, for such a fate means being condemned to death. Forced to relinquish their names, identity and livery, they are equipped with older patterns of power armor painted entirely black, signifying their sins and their grim fate. Their weapons are the result of brilliant, if cruel artifice, twin pistols created based on designs from the Dark Age of Technology, firing deadly projectiles saturated in deadly radiation, causing even a glancing hit to be potentially lethal as the target is exposed to terrible rad-energies. Not even the wielders are safe from their weapons' fearsome effects, and each Penitent is sentenced to die a slow, agonising death as his body falls apart, his cells destroyed by the radiation he employed against the enemies of mankind. For only in death will they have finally atoned for their failures. And when the time comes, and their hearts have stopped beating, the bombs implanted in their chests will explode, making sure they take as many foes as possible to the other side Raitelic Outriders Desiring a fast attack formation to function as the battering ram in offensives, Absalom and his officers formed the Raitelic Outriders, deviating from the standard Legiones Astartes assault bike in favour of a curious, if effective, replacement; the Raitelic charge headlong into enemies formations on cybernetic mounts, horses of iron muscles whose mouths spew deadly promethium. Armed with long power spears, they harass the enemy flanks and break their formations, leaving them easy prey to their fellow warriors Homeworld The Primogenitor of the IIIrd hails from Skandra Prima, a world of sunshine, deep blue seas and lush forests. Fertile and boasting with an ideal climate thanks to the fact that it served as a holiday retreat for the upper classes of the Dark Age of Technology, the planet would be classified as a pleasure world were it not a legion homeworld. The planet, and the kingdom in general is ruled over by the King, or Konaag, as is the title in the skandran language, who is an absolute monarch. Absalom Vaughn holds this title currently after the death of his adoptive father king Roland Vaughn, who died during the invasion. Absalom's brother Gregor holds the title of Viceroy and rules while his demigod brother fights for the future of mankind. A benevolent king, Absalom has gone to great lengths to ensure a good, safe life for his subjects which has earned him their adoration and deep loyalty. The rest of the Kingdom's planets are very similar to Skandra in climate, except of Riudal, whose large distance from the system's stars, irregular trajectory and slow moon cycles have given it very cold temperatures, and Antire, which was handed over to the Mechanicum to become a Forge World, as an act of good faith officially, but rumours claim the true motive behind this "gift" was Antire's continued resistance to Skandran rule and the fact that it was Antiran spies that assassinated killed King Roland

The Terran Conclave When the last member of the War Council arrived on the surface of the Throneworld, the long awaited event began. Around 2,000 individuals would now collectively decide the fate of, not only of the Imperium, but of the galaxy. Due to the vagaries of Warp travel, a great deal had already been discussed by earlier arrivals. As such, while Malcador attempted to present each member of the War Council with equal standing, it did not take long to deduce that it wasn’t the case. In fact, it was doubtful it could ever be the case. Malcador, while more of an administrator than a warrior, benefited greatly from his close relationship with the Emperor. The fact that he opened the conclave and managed its proceedings were both subtle signs of his authority. The Questions Should we choose a replacement Emperor? If not, should we choose a regent? If not a single regent, should we establish a permanent ruling body? Any strategic change in regards to the Great Crusade? Should a new office be created to oversee the Imperial military separate from the potential regent? Any major changes to Imperial law/structure beneath the highest political office? The Factions Malcador - Although more concerned with the Emperor's absence, he will be a vocal voice for a proper bureaucratic system to replace the current ad hoc system. He himself does not want to become a regent, preferring to be the power behind the throne. However, if he cannot find a satisfactory replacement for the Emperor, he might reluctantly support a ruling council. Otherwise, he might feel he has to become regent to protect the Emperor's vision. Regardless, he supports the Great Crusade continuing as is. Kelbor-Hal and the Mechanicum Supremacists - This faction wants nothing less than to see Mars rise in prominence in the double-headed eagle empire. Unfortunately, they understand they have no hope of replacing the Emperor with Kelbor-Hal. Instead, they seek to prevent any one individual from replacing the Emperor, desiring a ruling council with Hal assured a position. Additionally, they want to re-open forbidden technological avenues and rewrite Imperial law to more favor the Mechanicum. Lord Militant Elveen and the Human Supremacists - Although accepting the Emperor's initial authority, this body wishes to replace the Primarchs and Malcador with mortal men, to shift power away from the immortals toward themselves. A number of dissenters and potential rebels hide within this faction. They would be happy with a ruling council that could weaken or outright exclude their political opponents. Should they come away unsatisfied from the Conclave, treachery will not be far behind. The Torch-Bearers - This faction has convinced themselves the Emperor will soon return. As such, they oppose any and all changes to the Imperium. Without the Emperor's guidance, they warn, only folly can ensue. The Successors - This faction believes it is necessary to appoint a regent to lead the Imperium until the Emperor's return. Outside of this one answer, their members range everywhere in regards to the Great Crusade's strategy and changes to Imperial law. This is one of the largest factions attending the Terran Conclave. The Council-Men - Believing no one individual, even a Primarch, could hope to match the Emperor's wisdom and power, this faction advocates the distribution of power among a group. This can range from simple, dual leadership all the way to turning each and every member of the War Council into a proper ruler. Many members of the Mechanicum can be found here who don't share Hal's zeal for Martian ascendancy. The Consolidators - While they could care less about who rules the Imperium, they are greatly concerned about the aims of the Great Crusade. They fear the loss of the Emperor's might might have crippled Imperial potential. They advocate all offensive operations be temporarily frozen to concentrate on holding the Imperium together through this time of transition. The Crusaders - Opposing the Consolidators, the Crusaders believed maintaining the Great Crusade's momentum was as important as it had ever been. They feared any pause would destroy humanity's one chance to make the galaxy safe for humanity. The loss of the Emperor was not crippling, they believed, since the Imperium could call upon the Primarchs to continue leading the war effort. The Primarchs Araphel - The First-Found claimed that as the eldest of the Primarchs, it was his right to become Regent and to continue leading the Great Crusade until the Emperor's return. It is with some irony that much of his priorities overlapped with Malcador's. However, the latter viewed Araphel as Regent with no small amount of apprehension. Romulus - Long a firm advocate of all things Imperial, Romulus was one of the more conservative members of his brotherhood. He was an emphatic voice for both Regent and to continue the Great Crusade as before. Little should change, in his opinion, other than who temporarily occupied the Emperor’s throne. Absalom - A controversial figure as ever, Absalom unsurprisingly argued for Regent and placed himself squarely in that position, as the natural choice he assured the others. He promised he would lead the Imperium to new greater heights for both crusade and empire. Theoderaf - Theoderaf was primarily concerned with diverting units to find the Emperor. Until the Emperor's return, he did not care what temporarily held power, even offering himself as a regent. On the Great Crusade, the Primarch was split, believing it practical to freeze offensive operations but wishing to continue them. Alexandros - Above all else, Alexandros' primary goal is to promote stability within the Imperium. Acutely aware of the weakness lurking beneath the surface, Alexandros does not care what form that stability comes in, so long as it does come. The Ash-Blooded - One of the rare voices advocating for a brand new emperor, the Ash-Blooded defended himself by warning that the Imperium had no means of knowing when (if) the Emperor would return. As such, it should prepare itself for the long-term instead of crafting a short-term plan. He was also one of the unapologetic supporters of the Legions. He believed it that the warriors who had sacrificed so much deserved to be more than a simple arm of the Imperial war machine. Finally, he feared the widespread chaos would allow further disturbances of the ethereal variety. He pushed for additional forces to contain what he deemed the 'psyker threat' and proposed additional restrictions upon pyskers of all stripes. Tenzin - Long known for his idealism, Tenzin would soon become a quick supporter of both Council and to benefit the citizens of the Imperium. He feared the consolidation of power into one individual and believed a ruling council would be more apt to command with wisdom. In regards to the citizenship, Tenzin had always been personally disgusted by the Feral Worlds and how many planets within the Imperium had been denied a chance to advance their technology. It was this oversight he sought to fix. Koschei - Long having marked himself an idealist, Koschei was perhaps the loudest voice of change within the Imperium. While others aimed to increase their own power, Koschei lead a push to limit the ad hoc aristocracy, declaring it necessary to enact reforms for the common people to enjoy. It was this viewpoint that lead him to arguing against emperor and regent. The only acceptable alternative in his mind was a ruling council without permanent members. He was also a strong proponent to halting the Great Crusade until the New Order was properly established. It was these views that made him an ally to the Consolidators and, surprisingly, of the Human Supremacists & the Mechanicum Supremacists. Lukas - The fiery Primarch of the Obsidian Guard became one of the loudest members of the Crusaders. Any attempt to halt Crusade operations he viewed as a betrayal. To facilitate this, he proposed, the Primarchs with representatives of other Imperial Institutions, should form a council to chart the course of the Imperium. The number of Councilors should always be an odd number to avoid stalemates with abstainment prohibited. All other matters could not grab his attention, making him a key opponent against both the Martian and Human Supremacists. He would also become a strong supporter of Malcador's proposed bureaucracy. The Horned One - Already a noted defender of the forgotten members of the Imperium, the Horned One did not allow the opportunity to fight on their behalf pass him. A vocal Councilman and reformist, he fought for the abhuman population among the Imperium even as he agreed to Hal's requests for additional respect and power be granted to the Mechanicum. However, he would not countenance Hal's arguments for previously banned technological branches, fearing the dangers within. Niklaas - Never a political animal, the Lord of the Fire Keepers watched the proceedings with frustration but ultimately did not establish any stances other than declaring the importance of establishing Imperial Juris throughout the galaxy. Aato - Resentful of being pulled away from campaign, Aato refused any and all factions. Cursing the politicking before his eyes, he was a neutral force in the Terran Conclave. Azus - The Ghost of the Sands seeks to replace the Emperor with a single individual of transhuman nature. In regards to the Great Crusade, he is in favor of consolidation and cares little for Imperial law. To the surprise of Kelbor-Hal, Azus would soon become known as a friend to the Mechanicum. Morrigar - The Lord of the Fifteenth was a vitriolic opponent to investing any one individual with the power of emperor or even a shadow of it. He would become an ally of Kelbor-Hal to a degree as he supported granting the Mechanicum additional power and undoing restrictions on research. Finally, he too recommended the Great Crusade be halted to focus on the empire's interior. Chui - Believing no individual was suited to replacing the Emperor, Chui instead fell back to the traditions of his homeworld. When deprived of a great leader, a council was summoned to serve. Thus, Chui supported the Councilmen. The Jade General - More of an observer for the initial stages of the Terran Conclave, he did push his support toward a council. [?] Caelum - Strong member of the Successors, though he had no personal desire to fill the office himself. Believing the Emperor's discovery to be of higher import, he saw regency as only a temporary office. Because of his belief that a great portion of the Imperial military needed to be re-tasked to find the Emperor, he advocated the Great Crusade continue but far less aggressively than before. Gustave - The consummate doctor, Gustave cared extremely little for the Conclave and even resented being pulled away from his work. His sole interest was in Koschei's popular reforms.

Hello everyone, this is the first of our new legions, the Blood God's chosen! Enjoy. The Red Eyes Numeration: The IVth Legion Primogenitor: Theoderaf Cognomen (Prior): Golden Brothers Observed Strategic Tendencies: Psychological Warfare, Terror Tactics, Intense Propaganda Campaigns followed by Teleport Assaults Noteworthy Domains: Certus Minor (Homeworld), Aumet Allegiance: Traitoris Perdita - Khorne Symbol and Colours: A Circle ringed by jagged claws; Gold and Red with Black faceplates Inspiration: Visigoths and Ostrogoths Tactics: The Red Eyes will start by blocking all communications on the planet and sending fake reports to sow confusion and hinder organising resistance. Once the blockade is complete, the Legion will use the hijacked communications to send Imperial propaganda to the inhabitants every moment of every day for several weeks, promising the glory of the Imperium or utter destruction. Throughout this period, supplies will be destroyed and intense reconnaissance will be done until the entire planet’s government and military structures are understood. Then, once preparations are complete, the Legion will begin The Cleansing, where the legion will descend onto the planet en masse, slaughtering all officials and soldiers and any civilians that resist. Personality of the Legion: The Red Eyes are the most fanatic followers and enforcers of the Emperor in the Imperium, and treat his word as gospel. The legion seeks to restore the Imperium to its full glory, and will do whatever is necessary to do it. They are generally admired for their effectiveness by other legions, but their fanaticism puts off many. When they get into combat, they let their rage take over and will slaughter any enemy that gets in front of them, but they never let their anger come out until that point. Geneseed: The Red Eyes are named after their main genetic flaw – their red isises. When in battle or angry, their whole eyes glow red with increasing intensity. Their helmets are designed to allow the glow to come through, looking like their eye lens are burning in order to strike fear into their enemies and friends alike.

The Halcyon Age The Halcyon Age was a common nickname for the period between the Vanishing and the First Ruin, though sometimes it is applied to the entire period of the Alexandrian Regency. Starting in 001.M31, it does begin with the disappearance of the Emperor. The name comes from the legion of the High Regent, Alexandros Darshan VonSalim, Shield-Lord of the Halcyon Wardens. It was hoped, in spite of the galactic disaster that was the Vanishing, the Imperium would recover and continue towards the golden age of Humanity promised by the Emperor and the Great Crusade. The Halcyon Age can be divided into three phases if one limits the term to a pre-Ruin timeframe. The first phase covers the years 001 to 004. These years would be spent in repairing the worst damages of the Vanishing. Although some aspects of the physical destruction of the Vanishing inflicted would last well into the next century, the most critical consequences would be addressed and resolved in some way by the end of 004. 005 to 007 would see the Imperium come closest to the hoped for golden age. These three years would see a general sense of security and prosperity spread across the Imperium. The final phase is recorded as 008 to 011 when the First Ruin occurs. These final years before the incoming cataclysms were known for the simmering strife as political forces broiled both in support and against the High Regent. As mentioned elsewhere, its other, less common, use was to simply refer to the Alexandrian Regency. As such, this other use begins with the same date, but it ends with the conclusion of the Fourth Ruin. Regardless of use, the Halcyon Age was used in less disrespectable fashion during the years in which it referred to. The age part of the term was often used in a demeaning manner by critics of the Alexandrian Regency. After the end of the Alexandrian Regency, the term shifted to a more glowing and nostalgic emphasis towards those precious few years before the Ruins.