Nature vs. Nurture, the What If? edition

[Gree]

It could be said that no Primarch better exemplified the horrors of siege warfare then Mortarion of Olympia. The young Primarch landed on a mountainous world torn apart by rival warlords. Mortarion himself was found by Dammakos, Tyrant of Lochos.

 

Mortarion grew educated by the finest minds of Lochos in warfare, for all could recognize his potential. On a world were the only conflict was among other humans for power, it was Mortarion who learned that the only virtue was peace through tyranny.

 

It was in the campaign of conquest that Mortarion launched next to unify Olympia, did Mortarion find his calling. The terrain of Olympia made necessary siege warfare and frontal assault in the mountainous passes and heavily fortified keeps.

 

To Mortarion it was not mathematics or mechanical calculation that won sieges (Though they had their uses certainly) but rather endurance and resilience. The weaker man inevitably broke first, not walls. Time and time again Mortarion would patiently and inexorably cast down fortress after fortress.

 

Mortarion himself pioneered the use of poison gas weapons against his rivals, weapons that blinded and blistered their victims. To rival warlord of Olympia, Mortarion became something inevitable and unstoppable as death itself.

 

When the Emperor found Mortarion on Olympia, he was greeted by the Reaper Lord on top of his citadel in Lochos. The Emperor represented merely a greater challenge for Mortarion’s beliefs and goals, and in the Emperor, Mortarion saw him as the ultimate unifier.

 

The Death Guard, as the renamed Dusk Raiders became known, eventually evolved to become the Great Crusade’s premier siege specialists. Where perhaps another warrior might have disliked the lack of recognition the typecast role had, Mortarion had no complaints.

 

To him honors and parades were meaningless things, with duty itself being a fine enough reward. Another siege merely meant another challenge of his endurance, another fortress crushed in the name of the Great Unifier on Terra.

 

Though that was not to say that Mortarion himself was never rewarded by the Emperor. On the eve of the Great Atrocity, it was Mortarion’s seigemasters who ultimately the ones to personally fortify the Imperial Palace against the traitors and defend the Palace itself.

 

 

*************

 

Part of Perturabo's difficulties on Olympia and the Great Crusade was that he was eventually worn down by it all, leading to his bitterness and cynicism. I kinda always thought Mortarion would deal better with that.

 

That and the Death Guard themselves have something of a WWI theme going on. Mortarion here, unlike Perturabo, revels in being the implacable destroyer, educated from early on by Dammakos to be a conqueror.

[Kol Saresk]

 

 

I wonder what would've happened if the Emperor went in the opposite direction...

 

I have an opinion here. The fact is, the Emperor is canonically the current avatar of Order in the 40k universe, the anathema for the Chaos Gods, their greatest enemy and fear because what he represents is the exact opposite of what they collectively are. I think that if the Emperor wasn't tmmune to the influence of Chaos and went down it's path, two things could happen: Another one takes the role of the avatar of Order, whatever he's/hers origin may be (Eldar, Human, Necron etc), or Chaos remains alone and destroys itself, as it's nature ordains (Malal, the reminder that Chaos is Chaotic). 

 

EDIT: I would like to write myself about a hypothetical Primarch with a different homeworld as well. If you want me to give it a go, tell me some stuff you need so that I can choose one.

 

 

I literally meant what if he went the opposite direction of the canonical Great Crusade when he left Terra. Found a different son first, and not because a different son was on Cthonia, but because he went to Fenris first. Or for some wacked out reason, he went into the Galactic North and found Caliban first because he went in a straight line.

[Wade Garrett]

Regarding Mortarion as the "siege Primarch" I'm reminded of a quote from "Return of the King", discussing the Witch King of Angmar's assault on Minas Tirith.

 

"For the enemy had other weapons, ones that would topple the mightiest fortress far swifter than mere hunger or thirst: Fear and despair."

 

@Cormac:

I used the word "orbital arcology" because I was imagining the Mechanicum dragging asteroids into orbit around Fenris, following them out by mining useful metals from them, and then they are bolted and duct taped togather under Lorgar's supervision.

[Conn Eremon]

Some nice ideas flowing. Updating the first post, nobody has touched Ferrus Manus or Jaghatai Khan yet. Someone mentioned doing a Nucerian Ferrus Manus, don't remember who. One of my tales had a Jagad Tai of Inwit. But of course, feel free to ignore those. Since we've started doubling up on home worlds, I am not sure which ones are left either. Inwit is one, though.

 

@Ace: Everywhere.

 

Yeah, that's right. You didn't edit fast enough.

 

Interesting Horus. So we have Buccaneer Horus coming upon Corsair Leman, who has tension with the Pirate Hunter Lorgar.

 

@Wade: Either or works fine.

[Ace Debonair]

@Ace: Everywhere.

Yeah, that's right. You didn't edit fast enough.

Interesting Horus. So we have Buccaneer Horus coming upon Corsair Leman, who has tension with the Pirate Hunter Lorgar.

Pirate Horus could stay loyal or turn traitor as needs be, too. I'd lean towards treachery through disillusionment with the Imperium, but it's all good.

I'd change the name of my Pirate Horus to something other than Lupercal, except I cannot for the life of me think of anything even remotely fitting. Don't wanna use Lupercal because Alpharius has that sewn up, don't wanna use Horus so we don't have too many Egyptian-named Primarchs with Anubis. Can't call him Corax, because CORAX.

Soooo.... I dunno.

I'm open to ideas if anyone has them.

The funny thing about my editing my last post being it took about five edits to get rid of all the repeated bits because the forum munched my post up so good.

Also stay out of my head, darn it.

[Conn Eremon]

We'll come up with reasons why later. Right now we have some Primarchs that are clearly traitors in waiting, but those might not be final picks.

 

They named him the scientific name for the common raven. To them it meant saviour. The latin words for crow are their words for saviour.

 

Go nuts.

 

That said, I like Horus as Lupercal better than Alpharius. It just has that wolf-moon sound to it that fits the Luna Wolves, more so when their Primarch is a saviour of another moon.

 

That said, the term lupercal originates from the cave where the famous twins who founded Rome were nurtured by a she-wolf, at the base of the Palatine hill. So I could also lay claim for my Palatine Lion. ;)

[Grimdarkness]

Some interesting stuff so far.

[Ace Debonair]

We'll come up with reasons why later. Right now we have some Primarchs that are clearly traitors in waiting, but those might not be final picks.

They named him the scientific name for the common raven. To them it meant saviour. The latin words for crow are their words for saviour.

Go nuts.

That said, I like Horus as Lupercal better than Alpharius. It just has that wolf-moon sound to it that fits the Luna Wolves, more so when their Primarch is a saviour of another moon.

That said, the term lupercal originates from the cave where the famous twins who founded Rome were nurtured by a she-wolf, at the base of the Palatine hill. So I could also lay claim for my Palatine Lion.

Too many Lupercals spoils the broth.

Given his protector-y role to the inmates of Liberation, I might go with "Skolvarg", a brutally mashed up portmanteau of the Swedish words for Shield and Wolf.

EDIT:

You did say 'go nuts', after all.

[Conn Eremon]

Lupercals!

[Brother Heinrich]

If we are going to do a compilation "Dornian Heresy-esque" thing, what dictates the final incarnation of each primary and their backstory? Is it just your personal choice Cormac or do we vote or something?

[Conn Eremon]

As OP I could take charge. As a real life Legal Clerk in America's Election Administration, I could always just do my job here. Probably a much easier canvassing period. :p

[Rune Priest Ridcully]

I'm thinking it may be an idea to avoid having everyone on a cannon traitor world necisarily become a traitor, Chemos and prosero for example, ould have been loyal/safe if they had a primarch who had a bit more self control.
Am really stuck on a name for Prospero based Salamanders..

[Ace Debonair]

I'm looking again at the Primarch list and have decided that while Horus on Deliverance made me think pirates, The Khan on Deliverance is making me think ninjas.

Behold. Conclusive proof I should be banned from this thread.

Voting would be the fairest way forward, but then we'd also have to wait while someone else writes up a better different Fulgrim and Horus, for example.

[Brother Heinrich]

I like the idea of voting, keeps it democratic and all that, but if you want to exercise veto power Cormac I don't mind, after are you are the OP.

[Wade Garrett]

The heresies of democracy fill me with a deep foreboding. Can't we just have whoever is the most charismatic and/or heavily armed unilaterally make all the decisions and the rest of us simply accept it?

 

Many real world governments run on this principle, sometimes for months at a time.

[Conn Eremon]

I'll help control the voting process. Start it off, declare the candidates, declare its close and winner. I won't control more than that, because then I'd just be choosing my own stiff and my favorites of others. Since we have many contributors, we should let each have a voice.

 

That is down the way, however. I think I would like to see two or three alternatives for each at the least before sparking off an election. Earlier only if necessary to prevent stagnation.

[High MarshalGR]

Some nice ideas flowing. Updating the first post, nobody has touched Ferrus Manus or Jaghatai Khan yet. Someone mentioned doing a Nucerian Ferrus Manus, don't remember who. One of my tales had a Jagad Tai of Inwit. But of course, feel free to ignore those. Since we've started doubling up on home worlds, I am not sure which ones are left either. Inwit is one, though.

 

@Ace: Everywhere.

 

Yeah, that's right. You didn't edit fast enough.

 

Interesting Horus. So we have Buccaneer Horus coming upon Corsair Leman, who has tension with the Pirate Hunter Lorgar.

 

@Wade: Either or works fine.

 

I'll go for some Ferrus later... Probably Olympia. Give me some time, I'll go for him then Jaghatai on a later note If my work is pleasing.

[Conn Eremon]

The man of iron on the world of iron. Go for it.

 

Which makes me think of an Olympian Dorn, lord of the Stone Warriors.

[Gree]

I think I'll probably do my take for the Lion on Nostramo. I keep on imagining him as Tywin Lannister for some reason. I did kinda feel though that my Mortarion one was a little bland when compared to my earlier ones, so I'm eager to try again.

[Noctus Cornix]

I think we should fill up the Primarchs and planets that haven't been done yet.

[Conn Eremon]

There's only two Primarchs left, not sure on the home worlds though. I can make a more comprehensive list in a bit. However we need some variations on what we already have. We only have one Lorgar and Russ, for instance. There's no rush, we'll have them all.

[Rune Priest Ridcully]

Upon the Emperor's arrival to Prospero, Anubis was not present as the master of mankind set foot upon his world.

Having both heard the rumors and having visions of his father's arrival,the dark skinned High lord of Prospero had set about creating a gift worthy of him. As the weeks passed, with more and more tales of the great crusade nearing Prospero, and visions of a great two headed bird enveloping Prospero in it's embrace became more and more common, to the point that the dreams of the all on the planet were having them each night. Yet still Anubis could not fathom of a gift worthy of this individual who's vision for mankind was as glorious as the morning sun.

Despairing, the primarch walked into red deserts of Prospero to the north of Tizca for thirteen days and thirteen nights. Initially, it had seemed normal. On the rare occasions were Anubis had wanted to think and meditate upon matters he had wandered the northern deserts or the southern glens before, vanishing for a few days before returning with the answer to a philosophical question or design for some building or device. The longest he had been away such had been a week, after which he had returned with the designs for the great library and hospices that dominated the central citadel of Tizca.

Upon the ninth day however, the people of Tizca worried, never had their lord been one for so long, and whilst the visions filled them with joy, the prospect of welcoming such a man without their High lord was troubling. And so Anubis's teacher, Amon, journeyed into the deserts in seach of his errant pupil.

Eventually he found the primarch, in simple robes upon a rocky outcrop, meditating deep in thought. As he approached however, a ferocious Prosperonian Tiger pounced upon Amon, it's teeth clamping down upon his leg. This was more then enough to alert Anubis to his teachers plight, and swiftly broke the creatures neck. Whilst the young Primarch healed Amon, a psychic summons from Tizca announced the imminent arrival of he who called himself the Emperor of mankind. Despairing, Anubis asked Amon what was he to do, with no gift to present his father, for both he and many of wise of Prospero had guessed at the connection between him and approaching Emperor. To this, Amon laughed, almost to the point where Anubis thought his teacher had been driving mad from the pain of the maiming of his leg.

"Don't you see? I have never seen a beast as ferocious as that which you just slew, nor a greater pupil as you. Present both the beast's pelt and yourself to your father, for there is nothing greater on Prospero to give to your Father from the heavens.
So it was that Anubis and Amon arrived back in Tizca, a full week after the Emperor had arrived, along with 2 of his brothers, Perturabo and Mangus beast tamer, the latter flinching at the sight of the pelt which Anubis presented his father, apologizing for not having any greater gift, bending the knee to him, and asking to aid him in bringing his sun like vision to mankind.
Touching his newly found son's brow, the Emperor accepted Anubis's request, bidding him to stand an stating Anubis presented him with a Tiger, so would he also present a tiger, and so the Solar Tigers were born.

Not sure if the legion name is too cringe worthy or not, but I figured with Lunar wolves and space wolves having been fine in cannon, Solar Tigers should be, or would Jackals have been better
Edit: Alternate legion idea, The Imperial Hospitallers?

[Conn Eremon]

The Solar Tigers are fine, to me.

[Marshal Rohr]

Cormac you work on the FEC?

[Conn Eremon]

Nothing so grand. County Registrar of Voters, not the Federal Elections Commission. The FEC actually has a very, very small staff that only tracks what the Secretaries of State do, who do the same for their County Registrars.

 

The Counties are the ones who actually hold the Elections. The higher organizations just collate the data and double-check against fraud.