Alternate Heresy Community Project

Conn Eremon · October 26, 2013

For anybody interested in joining the Project, see this post for details!

PLEASE READ FIRST
This thread is for the ongoing discussions, works in progress and completed pieces of the involved authors. We would prefer it if this thread remains clear of criticism or comments, whether constructive or otherwise, complimentary or otherwise. We have this Discussion thread in the Liber Astartes Forum for that. If there is anything you wish to discuss, please take it to that thread and leave this one clear for the involved authors. There will be those of us who will check each thread involved with this project and be available for any and all discussions. So, while we do wish for a separation, we do not feel that we are creating an insurpassable barrier between us and the remaining members of the board. This is a public forum and we request that you respect our wishes on this matter. Thank you.

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Hello and welcome to the Bolter and Chainsword's Alternate Heresy Community Project. For those of you who might not already know what it is we are about, allow me to explain. Not too long ago I had started a Nature vs. Nurture thread in the Horus Heresy subforum to discuss 'what if' possibilities, as a thought exercise so that fellow forum members and I could discuss the things we felt were integral to the Primarchs and their home worlds, by switching the two around some. It got a lot more attention than I had honestly thought it would, gaining thirty pages in nearly as many days. Right from the bat, it was clear that what we were writing begged to be expanded upon. So we did, we wrote additional stories of our Primarchs, including pieces here or there where we crossed over others' stories into ours. Finally, things came to a bit of a head and we decided that we would build an alternative timeline, based on what we had written.

Sadly, we had far more stories than we did Primarchs and home worlds, so we had to decide which Primarchs and home world combinations would be accepted. Enter the Discussion thread in the Liber Astartes subforum, where I, with the extremely helpful aid of Kol Saresk and, through Kol, Eddie Orlock, put together all the myriad stories told by the participants and set them up for election. Those that were voted in were kept and the piece's author included as a writer for this Project. By the end of it, we had determined the full cast and crew that this Project would incorporate as its canon. That is the simple purpose of this, as yet unnamed, Heresy. Aurelius Rex's ever popular Dornian Heresy went down a path that saw the lines between traitors and loyalists stood on opposite sides as they did before. ShasVa's Guilliman Heresy, of which I and Olisredan have aided and are still co-authoring, wondered what would happen should the Warmaster, the favoured son, Horus, accept death over betrayal. Many others have written their own Alternative Heresies, with varying points of divergence. This Project will take as it's initial point of divergence a trading of home worlds between the Primarchs. When the Warp reached down into the Emperor's fortress of forbidden sciences to whisk away the as yet unborn Primarchs, they were cast upon the worlds of the galaxy in a different pattern as before.

So, here is our cast and crew. Keep in mind that the home worlds have changed and the names may have changed as well, but the Legion number classifications remain constant and match with the same gene-seed source. Whatever home world he lands upon, whatever name he goes by, if the numeral I graced his pod, he is this Project's variation on the Lion el'Jonson. Once all of the Legion names are finally set, I'll add them to the table.

Legio | Primarch | Legion | Home World | Author

------|---------------------------|--------------------|---------------|--------------------

I | Jonson the Palatine | First Legion | Mundus Planus | Cormac Airt

II =][= ALL KNOWN RECORDS DELETED =][=

III | Fulgrim the Dragonslayer | Emperor's Children | Medusa | Ace Debonair

IV | Perturabo the Hypaspistai | Iron Hoplites | Chemos |

V | Lasartine Bron | White Scars | Inwit | Ace Debonair

VI | Leman Barbedor | Red Corsairs | Voidborn | Cormac Airt

VII | Rogal Dorn | Blackened Fists | Nostromo |

The Farseer stopped counting the number of universes the dark presence had slammed him through. Every time he felt closer to the timeline he searched for, that presence would rise up and batter him deeper into darker fates.

Images flashed through his mind with all the searing heat of a dying star. In all, Elaidanath died. In many, the Death Guard was the Maiden-World's executioner. Infested with the myriad plagues of Nurgle or bearing the double-headed eagle of the Mon-keigh kingdom, it mattered not. The world he loved died.

Desperately, he struggled to grasp at the slipping timelines, seeking the grandest changes where his world might yet live. Many elements remained constant, unchanging down dozens, maybe hundreds of alternate realities. The Mon-keigh who brought the destruction. Often they would be tainted by Chaos, as so many of that feeble, young race are, by Nurgle most often. After millennia of hiding from the gaze of She Who Thirsts, to find that it is the grandfather of plagues that undoes him and his work burns deep. And always, always it was their Heresy that changed galaxy the most profoundly. He couldn't determine what rankled him most. The fact that he could find no succor for himself and his people, or the fact that the Eldar fall was a mere footnote in the galaxy's history in comparison to that of the human's.

The Farseer's soul screams into the emptiness between realities as he relives the death of that garden world hundredsfold. There, the wasted corpse-giant of many voices scours Elaidanath to the bone of the earth. There, blurs of laughter sow pestilence with every strike. There, the exsanguinated drink deep of a world's life. There, the Imperium's hatred for all things alien to them forces their hand. So many paths, all to the same conclusion. The Farseer wept the silent tears of the faceless as that presence continued to keep apace, preventing his journey into the brighter lengths.

He went further back. He would find the thread that created the Heresy he needed. Preferably one averted but he would settle for any that allowed Elaidanath to live on. There, another confluence. The demi-gods whose wars so burned the galaxy, their moment of inception, the moment of theft, of Chaos playing its hand. The Farseer's despair grew as he saw the infinite outcomes of their dispersal, knowing his strength was spent. He could feel the amusement, the laughter in that ever-present darkness, preparing for the killing stroke.

The Farseer grabbed for the nearest timeline and threw himself into it to escape the gaping maws of madness, but it was too much. His soul spent, his tortured body breathing its last, agonizing breath in a distant time, the last thing he saw were eyes. Eyes that were so familiar, eyes he had seen thousands of times. But the face was new . . .

The ranks of the betrayed:
Jonson of the First Legion
Fulgrim of the Emperor's Children
Perturabo of the Iron Hoplites
Konrad Dominus of the Executioners
Angron of the War Hounds
Magnus the Red-Maned of the Order of the Sword
Lorgar Cleftjaw of the Imperial Hounds
Anubis of the Solar Tigers
Omegon Bloodbound of the Effrit Legion

The ranks of the damned:
Lasartine Bron of the White Scars
Leman Barbedor of the Red Corsairs
Sanguinius of the Celestial Angels
Ferrous Mordax of the Minotaurs
Roboute Barabbas of the Sons of Barabbas
Adra'Melek of the Infernal Legion
Lupercal of the Astral Wolves
Lanista Corax of the Chainsworn
Alpharius Swifthand of the Cerberus Legion

The ranks of the redeemed:
Rogal Dorn of the Blackened Fists

Conn Eremon · October 26, 2013

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Up To Page 32

DISCOVERY ORDER OF THE PRIMARCHS

1) =][= REDACTED =][=

2) Lorgar 'Cleftjaw'

3) Lanista Corax / Ferrus Mordrax

4) Fulgrim Dragonslayer

5) Angron

6) Principio & Etiamnus

7) Jonson the Palatine

8) Adra'Melek

9) Perturabo the Hypaspistai

10) Anubis the Ensarhaddon

11) Leman Barbedor

12) Rogal Dorn the Haunted

13) Konrad Dominus

14) Magnus the Red-Maned King

15) Roboute Barabbas

16) Sanguinius

17) =][= REDACTED =][=

18) Lasartine Bron

19) Lupercal

ULLANOR CAMPAIGN

Present forces

- Emperor, accompanied by his Custodes

- Lanista Corax and the Chainsworn

- Konrad Dominus and the Executioners

- Fulgrim Dragonslayer and the Emperor’s Children

- Sanguinius and the Angels

The Orks at Ullanor are immense, bolstered by hordes gathered to them from many worlds nearby. The Emperor is attacked by their Warboss, a mighty and fell beast large enough to wrestle a small Titan to the ground. The great Ork seizes the Emperor by the throat and lops off an arm as he chokes Humanity’s greatest to death. Though Corax of the Chainsworn is nearest, both he and Konrad reach the fight at the same time, but too late. Fulgrim the Dragonslayer leads a sally to recover the Emperor’s fallen form; however, however he is in a near death state. He is rushed to Terra and seated upon the Golden Throne, modified to keep the Emperor alive. Among the distraught is Konrad Dominus, who blames himself for the Emperor’s fall. However, none are as conflicted as Lanista Corax, who will forever remember that moment when the Emperor stretched out a bloodied hand to him, and the sight of an all-powerful being brought low paralyzed him.

ULLANOR DECLARATION

Primarchs Present:

Jonson, Sanguinius, Corax, Perturabo, Konrad, Fulgrim, Anubis and Bron.

Legions Present without their Primarchs:

Imperial Hounds, Red Corsairs, Sons of Barabbas.

Following the Ullanor Crusade and the Emperor’s fall, many Primarchs and Legions gather in the ashes of the battle to discuss the Imperium’s future. Lanista Corax, Primarch of the Chainsworn, declares himself Warmaster, the Emperor’s proxy in the execution of the Great Crusade, with the support of many, but not all, of his brother Primarchs. With the support far from unanimous, the rank of Warmaster is an unofficial one, and Corax’s authority stretches only to those who accept it. Chief among those who refuse his authority is Jonson, who himself had vied for a position of similar power.

Fulgrim, Anubis and Magnus withdraw from the Great Crusade. Though their Legions remain at large, fighting their battles, the three dedicate their time and effort to the recovery of the Emperor and the defense of Terra.

NIGHT OF THE AXE

Angron’s approach during the Great Crusade was to preserve as many civilizations as possible. While endearing him to the people and improving the transition from independent to Imperial, some retained their defiance. As these worlds were left to their own devices and rule, this defiance came to a head when a religious group that had refused to be stamped out, called the Jyhodh, took over a series of systems and rebelled against the Emperor. Though separated greatly by space, these systems and peoples retained much of their former identities, refusing to let go of their names. The Interex, the Auretian Technocracy and the Diasporex, to name but a few. Though the Jyhodh were religious in nature, most of the systems that joined them in rebellion did not do so out of spiritual fervor, but more that they were seizing the opportunity afforded them.

So soon after the fall of the Emperor at Ullanor, the Imperial Legions vow to make an example. The Imperial Hounds and Red Corsairs arrive first and blunt the rebel fleets. Their efforts are stunted by a lack of coordination, a fact which is exacerbated when the Executioners arrive and immediately proceed to burn secessionist worlds. This creates particular a point of contention with the Celestial Lions, joining the conflict around the same time as the Executioners. Jonson and the First Legion arrive soon after, and attempts to enforce order among the Legions, however the Palatine’s efforts are less than successful.

When Corax arrives with his Legion and the Minotaurs in tow, another attempt at stabilizing authority is made, and another point of contention between Jonson and Corax. The Legions more or less divide themselves over whose orders they are willing to follow, with the likes of Barbedor and Mordax following the lead of Corax, and Konrad Dominus following Jonson.

Events come to a head when Angron is unable to let the insult the Executioners provide slide. In the ashes of a world set aflame by the Executioners, Angron confronts his brother. Heated words are exchanged, however the entire affair degenerates rapidly out of control when Konrad Dominus attacks Angron ferociously.

The two Legions go for each others’ throats as the Primarchs wage terrible war upon each other. The duel finally ends when Konrad Dominus, atop the bloody monarch of Macragge, realizes that what was left of the worlds’ military had emerged to meet the Executioners alongside the Lions. The fighting ends, and Konrad leaves the world in disgust for his brother’s weakness. Angron, in turn, vows to never compromise what he stands for out of fear of what he might become.

The event was a powder keg for more than just the Celestial Lions and Executioners. In light of the conflict, Jonson comes to the conclusion that their current lack of leadership is causing far too much harm to the Great Crusade. The Palatine relinquishes all claim to the title of Warmaster, and urges his brothers to accept Corax’s command. Galvanized by the recent events, Corax is formally declared Warmaster of the Imperial armed forces in the Emperor’s absences.

Under Corax’s leadership, the rebellious worlds of Jyhodh are put down and reassimilated with the Imperium, with more amenable leaders installed.

THE SUBTERFUGE

There remained some dissent towards Corax’s reign as Warmaster, notably the overly aggressive and all too often unleashed Minotaurs. Prominent among them are the Imperial Hounds, Celestial Lions and Iron Hoplites. Thought he First Legion willingly and quietly follows the Warmaster’s lead, soon telltale evidence creeps up that proves perhaps an ulterior motive. Resources continue to enter the Palatine’s worlds at a steady pace, however exports of all kinds have dwindled to an all-time low. Coupled with rumors of the First Legion expanding its numbers at a great rate, Corax believes his old rival may be building power for a second go.

Anubis of Prospero, the Onyx Prince, searches through retainers of ancient knowledge for the means to improve the Emperor’s condition and, with great hope, return him to his former strength. Though untested, a potential cure is uncovered, the knowledge of which Anubis victoriously broadcasts to his brothers. The Warmaster, for reasons unknown, determines to not let this stand, and so activates agents deep in the Palace to sabotage the Golden Throne. These agents are highly trained, skilled and had operated under deep cover for some time.

Malcador, master of the shadows, is assassinated for his efforts. However, this sets in motion events that lead to Arik Taranis, the last Thunder Warrior, to uncover the plot and bring it to the attention of Fulgrim, who remained on Terra following the Emperor’s fall.

Though tenuous, the sabotage is linked to Corax, who perhaps feels threatened by the potential recovery of the Emperor. It is a bitter pill for him to swallow, as Fulgrim was the first to declare for Corax as the Warmaster. However, later events force him to accept this terrible truth.

THE WARMASTER’S GAMBIT

As a means to redirect dissent against his authority, Corax declares the likes of Lorgar, Jonson, Perturabo and Angron as usurpring rebels to his legitimate authority, and therefore the authority of the Emperor. The Warmaster proclaims the need to rescue the Emperor from Fulgrim, Magnus and Anubis, denouncing their efforts to cure the Emperor as insidious experimentations. The Warmaster orders Rogal Dorn, Ferrus Mordax, and their respective Legions, to rampage across those worlds with connection to the Palatine.

Perturabo, Konrad, Leman and Lorgar move to confront Corax on Vilamus. However, Leman reveals his allegiance when he ambushes Lorgar at their intended muster point at Boros Gate. Perturabo and Konrad find themselves alone at Vilamus, facing down the three Legions, including the Warmaster’s own. The Iron Hoplites and Executioners hold their own honorably and Vilamus is the site many scenes of legendary heroism. However, they are heavily outnumbered by three bigger Legions, and their fate becomes increasingly clear. When the Warmaster, flanked by the rabid Mordax and morbid Dorn, faces off against the Hypaspistai in deadly combat, the battle’s end seems near.

Hope is rekindled in the unlikeliest of places, as the fire-blackened mauls of the Haunted strike the back of the Iron Devourer, crushing many of Ferrus Mordax’s copious bionic enhancements. Enraged, the lord of the Minotaurs turns upon Rogal Dorn as the guns and bludgeons of the Blackened Fists change targets to the Chainsworn and Minotaurs. The Haunted and the Iron Devourer collapse into a feuding heap as the two tear into each other without abandon or care for defense. This brief respite allows the Iron Hoplites and Executioners to rally, recover their lords and make for orbit, escaping the death trap.

On the surface, the Warmaster rages over the corpses of his Primarch lieutenants as his Chainsworn and Minotaurs kill the remaining Blackened Fists. The VII Legion ended that day, though rumors abounded that some survivors may have left Vilamus with the Iron Hoplites. In the wake of the battle on Vilamus and at Boros Gate, the dissent against Corax becomes open rebellion.

With his attempt to shatter the Legions most opposed to him presently thwarted, Corax orders Lupercal to assault the Palatinate, promising additional support later, now that his attentions are needed elsewhere. The Iron Hoplites are battered, their numbers few. As a means to recover losses, Perturabo turns to the Ordo Dracul of the Mechanicum for aid. That aid does come in the form mechanical replacements of deceased Legionnaires, however the Cognitae were vocal in their disdain for such tampering with mysteries better left to the murky depths of the Dark Age of Technology.

THE SHAPE OF TIMES TO COME

With his trap at Vilamus gone awry and Terra rising against him, Corax evolves a new grand strategy. The Carrion King’s plan is based on a simple tenet: “Divide et impera.” Jonson, Fulgrim, Angron, Magnus, Principio and Etiamnus will stand and die alone, with none to aid the other. To that end, the Sol system is cordoned off and blockaded both conventionally and by Warp Storms brought into existence by the Angels. Though Mars and Terra are mighty bastions, without the influx of supplies they quickly become starved and desperate. The cordon is never air-tight, but several years into the war the Warmaster’s talons are clenched tightly around the Throneworld.

CORSAIRS VS. THE HOUNDS

The Red Corsairs and Imperial Hounds were to be granted a grand gift by the Mechanicum. Two Kingships, a new class of ships that both dwarfed and overpowered all others, even the mainstay Glorianas, had been built, with another nearing completion, in the great ports of the Boros Gate. As a confluence of many Warp routes, the port was built there to provide maintenance, refit and resupply of Imperial fleets utilizing the Gate as a muster. The first two were to be gifted to the two naval-based Legions. As war broke out among the stars, the gifts became necessary weapons to command the space between worlds. However, the Red Corsairs had already sworn their allegiance to the Warmaster, and declared their loyalty be ambushing the Imperial Hounds at the docks. The two Legions present in near full force, the devastation was immediate and horrifying in scope. Lorgar disappears in the chaos of battle, and the Hounds are forced to flee. Though their Kingship is destroyed, the Hounds take with them the incomplete ship. Later, it is built to the Hounds’ more exacting standards and reclassified as a Queenship. Though the Hounds were not present at the Shattering, their decimation at the hands of the Corsairs qualifies them as one of the Shattered Legions.

The actual battle begins with an immense mixed xenos raid from unknown origins that strikes the Gate. While the Imperial Hounds hold the Orks at bay, the Red Corsairs arrive and unleash hell upon the Imperial Hounds’ flanks, revealing their treachery. The myriad xenos breeds were lent to the Red Corsairs by the Minotaurs, who had implanted the Butcher’s Nails into their alien flesh and utilized them as suicide shock troops.

Later, it is discovered that the female warrior societies within the Imperial Hounds had recovered Lorgar, who was returned to his Legion.

THE WORM IN THE APPLE

Led by the Fabricator General, the Ordo Dracul are those who chafed under the restrictions the Emperor and later Corax laid upon them. Opposing them are the Cognitae, a sizeable but lesser faction that sees wisdom in these guidelines. Many of their more conservative leaders believe, in fact, that more should restrictions should be laid upon them.

ASSAULT ON THE PALATINATE

Corax’s whispers of Jonson’s infidelity falls on open ears with Lupercal, who assaults the Palatinate with absolute fervor. However, the First Legion is not above fighting dirty, and for a period of time the two Legions are locked in stalemates, neither side able to get the advantage over the other. Lupercal is mercurial, inciting unrest and anarchy across the Palatine’s worlds, while the First Legion coldly and brutally puts down any rebellions against the Palatine , the lumbering war machine hot on the Wolf’s tail.

The arrival of Adra’Melek and the Infernal Guard proves a game changer. The burning madmen of the XIV set the Palatinate aflame from end to end. Though their arrival forces the First Legion onto the backfoot,the lack of coordination between the Astral Wolves and Infernal Guard creates friction between them. As the battles rage on, the Infernal Guard become increasingly indiscriminate in their slaughters, at times going well out of their way to set a population on fire, even when doing so placed the Astral Wolves in compromising positions. When the Infernal Guard Legion’s rampages escaped the Palatinate, spreading across worlds never once under Jonson’s command, Lupercal realized that his morbid, burned brother had gone mad, and was of no tactical use to him. When his brother attacked worlds long since under Lupercal’s control, however, the nihilistic Wolf himself went mad with anger. Confronting Adra’Melek, Lupercal demanded an answer. Melek responded with words that would be repeated from Infernal Guard lips forevermore, turning his scythe upon his brother and ally. The two dueled in the ashes and although Lupercal was a consummate and unpredictable warrior, Melek was gripped by some infernal madness and strength. Lupercal’s head was scythed from his body, his death marking the crescendo of bloodshed that surrounded the pair as their sons tore into each other. With the power of such a sacrifice, Melek was reforged by a power within the Warp into something new, something terrifying. The first Daemon Primarch had ascended, and the Blood God was pleased.

Those Astral Wolves that had not participated in the battle extricated themselves from the Palatinate, disavowing their pledges of loyalty to all and splintering across. However, the majority of the Astral Wolves remain within the Warmaster’s camp. Guided by an unseen hand, Sanguinius arrives to gather the blood-crazed Infernal Guard and their master. They will be needed for the Warmaster’s coming assault on Terra, and there is much that the Angels of Colchis can teach them of the thirst for blood.

PROSPERO MUST BURN

Corax demands the cure Anubis is said to have, and orders the Sons of Barabbas to retrieve it. As Roboute Barabbas is of the belief that Corax has been a more suitable ruler of the Imperium than the Emperor ever was, the Sons of Barabbas do leave for Prospero. However, they go not to retrieve the cure, but to destroy it. When the Sons of Barabbas arrive, however, they have been somehow changed on a fundamental level, appearing more ancient than any Marine had a right to be, after only a couple centuries of life at max. The corroded hulks that were once the ships of the XIII are packed to bursting with fanatic serf-thralls, beastmen tribes and entire clans of plagued ogryn. In the aftermath, Barabbas captures Anubis and proceeds to Rime of the Ancient Mariner the heck out of him. Anubis is taken to Cthonia, one of Barabbas’ many prison worlds, where he is held captive.

As the Sons’ primary objective was solely the capture of Anubis, the destruction of Prospero and the Solar Tigers is less extensive than it otherwise may have been. However, the attack leaves a virulent strain of disease that converts human and animal populations into plagued beastmen. Though the tireless efforts of the Solar Tigers has restrained the disease and whole centuries at a time have passed without it resurfacing, after ten thousand years Prospero remains afflicted.

Konrad Dominus and the Executioners, alongside the leaderless Solar Tigers, assault the fortress world of Cthonia, assisted by a loyalist within the XIII’s ranks. The Tigers believe it a rescue, however Konrad intends the execution of his brother in order to prevent a vision showing a daemonic Anubis breaking Imperial lines from occurring. Releasing hordes of the enemies of Barabbas from their imprisonment, the world was embroiled in a war more total and cruel than any of the criminal overlords of old could have ever conceived. Eventually, the Loyalists free Anubis and leave Cthonia to the fire.

A SOUL IN TWAIN

The Warmaster needed more Legions on his side, though few were left that had not already declared allegiance to one side or another. While sending Bron to Caliban, he sends Sanguinius to Olympia to gain for his cause the loyalty of the Ouroboros Legion and their twin Primarchs. However, like Barabbas, Sanguinius had other plans. A trap was set in Signus, where the Ouroboros Legion was not meant to be reforged but broken. The Angel of Colchis approached Principio alone, whispering lies. Principio became convinced that the Warmaster had decreed he and his Legion unfit, to be destroyed without thought. However, Sanguinius told Principio that it was Etiamnus who is the cause of the Warmaster’s disdain and that, with Etiamnus gone, he would welcome the XX with open arms. All he need do is lead his brother to Signus, and let the trap set for them be sprung.

It was a lie easily accepted, for Principio had always looked up to Corax, the only Primarch to have ever complimented his talents not just for war. Principio gains his brother’s support on a campaign into the Signus system, where conflicting reports of some strange invasion was taking place, potentially xenos in nature. The Ouroboros Legion is divided evenly between the two, and the halves strike at Signus from different ends. What they find at Signus is no xenos threat, but something different, something new. What reigns supreme there can only be described as daemonic, a word that had lost all meaning in the Emperor’s light, but was gaining resurgence across the galaxy. Etiamnus and his half fought valiantly, carving a path through to Signus Prime. There, Principio waited for him.

However, rather than finding his brother arrived as he did, having fought through the hordes and crushing it between them, Etiamnus finds his brother . . . changed. Principio’s half of the Legion are fresh, having fought only a little since entering Signus. There were no piles of the dead behind them, but rather the corrupt, twisted creaters cavorted and capered in their ranks.

No words were spoken, though tears freely flowed. Principio wept, for he knew he must kill his only true brother if he was to become anything more than he was, and Etiamnus for he knew how far his brother had fallen, and that only with death could he be freed from living damnation.

The two halves of the Ouroboros Legion left Signus bloodied and in many ways broken, but unbowed. Though Principio led his half still, Etiamnus had fallen on Signus Prime, though no body was recovered.

THE INNER CIRCLE CRUMBLES

The White Scars had approached Magnus bearing the white, and the Orders of the Sword had refused. The Warmaster could not let such insult pass, and the punishment came in the form of the Angels. The Black Angel himself came to Caliban, when the fires of armageddon rained down.With the bulk of the Legion not far from Caliban, the IX Legion had to move quickly. Sanguinius had a plan, one that would see the Orders of the Sword returned to the path they had strayed from, that the fates had decreed for them. Only the young recruits of the Legion were stationed at Caliban when the devastation struck, and though their defiance was commendable there was little they could do.

The forests of Caliban burned as Sanguinius began a ritual of terrible import. As the Warp broiled just under the surface, the Orders of the Sword were suddenly afflicted by a terrible curse, a curse Magnus and the few surviving Terran Legionnaires had thought, had hoped, gone forever. As the seer-knights of Caliban contorted out of shape, their stoic defenses turned feeble, Magnus rushed to meet Sanguinius and thwart the disaster.

The Ghost Fox and the Black Angel dueled in the ashes, the burning blade of Sanguinius, once gripped by the hands of a living god, meeting the icy glare of Magnus’ immense claymore, a gift of Fenris from better days. Though a giant even among his brothers, Magnus was outclassed by Sanguinius, who had only ever been bested once, by Angron when he had been overcome with one of his rages. The Red-Maned King held his own, feeling the ritual burn away at the barriers put in place within himself. His psychic might increased as the battle raged, and in desperation was used to its fullest.

It was not enough to stop the Angel of Death. The colossal lord of Caliban was brought to his knees, much of his armor lopped off and his body bleeding and burned from a thousand cuts. As his single, multi-colored eye looked out onto a scene of horror and carnage, his sons twisting in agony as the change overcame them, the burning edge of Sanguinius’ sword sliced through Magnus’ thick neck.

What happened next is likely not what the Black Angel had expected to happen. The Warp, already tumultuous due to the ritual, reached a fevered pitch as the soul of the galaxy’s second most powerful psyker was thrown into the mix. Such was its force that the ritual was suddenly struck by a cascading failure, causing the return of the flesh-change to begin to subside once more.

Growling with fury, Sanguinius began to restart the ritual when the bulk of the Orders of the Sword Legion, led by Luther, broke from the Warp and opened fire on the vessels of the Angels, while moving to disgorge Legionnaires on the surface. Caught unprepared, for the continued ritual would have begun affecting even those of the XV far from Caliban, the Angels were forced to gather their lord and brothers on the surface and leave.

THE SCARS HUNT THE LIONS OF MACRAGGE

The White Scars are ordered to keep the Celestial Lions, already a distant Legion on the fringes of Segmentum Ultima, from entering the greater war. However, the two Legions quickly find themselves evenly matched and proceed to engage in a series of feints and maneuvers rather than open battle. Bron believed he would have his brother at a disadvantage by holding one of his beloved worlds hostage, so he struck the world of Calth with great force, even utilizing powerful magicks to affect the sun, scouring the surface of Calth clear. However, it had the opposite impact as intended, as the Celestial Lions struck the White Scars with unparalleled fury in the wake of the assault. Forced to retreat, the White Scars once more returned the war into one of feints and maneuvers. Though the trap was a good one, they were unprepared for the Lions’ response. The next time, they would be prepared. However, this is far from a victory for the Celestial Lions. As the White Scars mainly utilized auxiliary or daemonic forces at Calth, the bulk of the Legion was away, hitting other worlds of Ultramar. Though the Celestial Lions have revealed their greatest strength, the White Scars see it for the weakness it truly is.

CORSAIRS VS. THE HOUNDS, ROUND 2

Leman Barbedor attempts to end the Imperial Hounds for good by assaulting their home world of Fenris. The Red Corsairs enter Fenrisian space in force and with overwhelming firepower they eliminate the extensive defenses of the great orbital stations that elevate the Fenrisian people from the harsh lands of their birth. The Red Corsairs hold the Fenrisian people hostage to force Lorgar to bear his throat to their knives. However, events spiral out of anyone’s control when the mortal Governor of Fenris, adoptive mother of the Cleftjaw, sacrifices herself to provide her son the means to strike a blow against the dreaded lord of the Corsairs. True to their word, the orbital stations are destroyed and plummet to the surface, the over-all destruction rendering Fenris lifeless, however the Red Corsairs are forced to flee under the biting guns of the Imperial Hounds, the source of their hesitation and pacification now rendered moot.

DEATH OF MARS

The Adeptus Mechanicum divides itself on the manner in which they involve themselves in the war. A group called the Cognitae adopt an extreme traditionalist stance in stark contrast to many within the Mechanicum who begin to develop and deploy prototype weapons. Though the details are a closely held secret, some thing is unleashed upon Mars that made a mockery of all attempts to thwart it. Mars is now a solid ball of silver metal, the remains of the Martian civilization standing as iron tombstones. One of the mighty hive-forges of Mars had been modified with powerful engines to push it into orbit. The incident occurred before they had been tested, however the enormity of the situation saw a rush to get it aloft. Though successful, the rate of ascent was too slow to escape the cataclysm. Encased in silver, the great forge bastion remains high in the Martian sky, resting atop a forest of conical metal pillars. It was as if Mars herself had reached upward to grab the fleeing techpriests, freezing them at the moment of contact. Among those who survived this disaster are the Cognitae, who flee to the galactic fringes, far from Imperium’s reach, vowing to destroy those who had destroyed Mars. Other survivors blame the Cognitae, stating that the reactionaries had unleashed something forbidden from the deepest tombs of the once red world.

SIEGE OF TERRA

The Iron Hoplites, Imperial Hounds, Solar Tigers and Executioners make multiple concerted efforts to break the stranglehold the Warmaster has over their birthworld, and manage to just barely break through before the newly arrived Infernal Guard and Sons of Barabbas could enter the foray. In light of this attack, the Warmaster determines that Terra must fall to him without any further delay, and orders an all-out assault on the Imperial Palace. Terra comes under assault from a dozen Legions. The Emperor’s Children stationed on Terra are reinforced by the Iron Hoplites, Imperial Hounds, Solar Tigers and Executioners. The Chainsworn and Minotaurs that had already been assaulting the inner worlds are joined by the Infernal Guard, Sons of Barabbas, White Scars and Angels.

For weeks on end, Terra is transformed into a tapestry of hell. Whole continents are turned to glass, hive spires bloated with people are toppled, and the poisonous seas boil. Due in no small part to the collaborative efforts that went into fortifying the Palace, its outer walls are quickly breached by the Warmaster’s own. The entire world rises up in arms for one side or the other, as the war that had burned across the galaxy was given its purest form on a single battlefield. The Imperial Palace became a slaughter house for all involved, the indomitable walls, labyrinthine hallways, and cavernous spaces were filled with the dead, dying and fighting. Two prongs of assault speared the Palace through, shoving with fearless abandon through unending hordes. At the tip of the spear of Chainsworn was Corax himself, a titan of war rampaging through enemy Astartes like they were mortal children at the feet of the god-machines of Mars. Nothing could stand against him, broken bodies falling before him in waves.

Likewise aiming for the Throneroom was Anubis, bearing what could be their only chance at bringing the Emperor back to the game. Though Anubis’ pace is slower, Corax meets his first delay just outside the Throneroom. Fulgrim Dragonslayer and Konrad Dominus face off against the Warmaster, bloated with power from the Ruinous Powers, alongside heroes and legends of the Custodes, Mechanicum, even the venerable Thunder Warriors and warriors as old as time. The power of humanity, the power to dominate the stars, focused within a single room, and none of it stood a chance against the might of the Warmaster.

When Anubis stood poised, in his hands an instrument of mankind’s salvation or destruction, before the Emperor, the Warmaster strode alone from the bloodbath, the final marks of his injuries fading away as the blessings of his Brothers-To-Be repaired armor and reknitted flesh with every step.

“And then the battle. The lone defender of the Golden Throne plays his desperate trick.The Warmaster's rage as the oceans of power flooding his every cell dissipate, his godhood lost.Behind him, footsteps.Bloody but unbowed, leaning on one another and their weapons for support, faces set in grim masks of resolution, they come.Does he beg forgiveness? Does he weep, soul sick to his core? He does not. He chose this. He, Lanista Corax!Far, far better to die trying to surpass one's limits than live in acceptance of mediocrity. And so he draws his blades one more time...”

There is no duel. This is not the climactic clash of titans, killing themselves upon each other's blades. There is only one titan, and countless heroes who threw themselves upon him until they could finally, at the very end, drag him down to their level and end him. And so the Executioner’s axe embeds itself deep within the Warmaster, and a shining spear thrusts forth from his breast as Fulgrim gains the title Godslayer.

THE IMPERIUM TEETERS

Following the Heresy, as the Traitorous scum flee into the darker corners of the galaxy, the weakened, battered Imperium attempts to regain its worlds and rebuild. The Imperial forces approach the Palatinate, worlds that had suffered relatively little from the horrors of past years under Jonson’s command. Obstinate Imperial Commanders demand that Jonson open his borders once and realign themselves with the Imperium, under threat of war. The Imperium stands on the edge of obliteration if the stand-off degenerates into open warfare. Jonson refuses to do so unconditionally, and instead lists demands that must be met if he is to subjugate himself and his worlds to the Imperium once more. The demands are flat refused, and by all accounts and witnesses the two forces appear prepared to tear each other apart at a moment’s notice.

The Imperial forces are divided on their response to Jonson. Most notable are Konrad and Perturabo, who take opposing sides on whether or not to give in to Jonson’s demands. Ultimately, it is the arrival of Angron and his Celestial Lions that breaks the cease-fire, by counseling that the Imperium should listen to Jonson and that his demands are worth the unity.

These demands were many, and they have left an indelible mark upon the Imperium for millennia to follow. Most pronounced of these demands were the break-up of Legion might and the removal of the Primarchs from the power of the Emperor over the Imperium. Jonson would become the Imperium’s second Warmaster, a title of significantly less power than when Corax held the same. Other changes include Perturabo’s decommissioning of the mechanical constructs he utilized to rebuild his numbers, as Jonson saw them as too near to the Men of Iron that once tried to destroy mankind’s future as surely as Corax did.

In many ways the equal of the Lord Commander of the Imperium, Angron rises as the first among equals of the Imperial Council, a High Lord of Terra. The Imperium is effectively run between the two of them, each countering the other to prevent the rise of an all-powerful tyrant like Corax once more.

THE SCOURING

With Jonson in charge of what remains of the Imperial military, an effort is made to push those who had fought for the Warmaster out of the Imperium. At the forefront of these assaults were the Cohorts of the First Legion and Prides of the Celestial Lions. Though Legions like the Red Corsairs and Astral Wolves were quick to leave the Imperium when the Siege failed, the Sons of Barabbas entrenched themselves along their chain of Gaol-Garrisons and were concentrating on putting down religious revolts. Curioiusly, Barbarus is abandoned entirely to its fate. The Emperor’s Children, led by Fulgrim, rechristened the Godslayer, were integral in forcing the XIII out of their bunkers, though it came at great cost.

THE PALE RIDER RISES

Fulgrim and the Emperor’s Children fight upon a world corrupted by daemonic forces. The Sons of Barabbas arrive in force over the world. Fulgrim, expecting Barabbas to confront him, ends the duel against a Greater Daemon with haste to prepare for his brother. However, as Barabbas and Fulgrim face off against each other, the Sons unleash the Life-Eater Virus upon the world, rendering the entirety of the world lifeless. From the black goop and miasma that marked where Fulgrim and Barabbas were slain, a silver point breaks the surface. Rising higher, Fulgrim’s mighty spear becomes visible. However, it has been corrupted and tainted, its surface marred and rusted. Fulgrim’s hand is no longer upon its shaft, as the skeletal claw that grasps it belongs to Roboute Barabbas, ascended Daemon Primarch of Nurgle.

DISCIPLE OF THE CORPSE-GOD

As Jonson, now Lord Commander of the Imperium, reforms the Imperium in an attempt to prevent a future reoccurrence of the Heresy, news filters from Cadia of an immense force coming from the Eye of Terror, where most of the Traitor Legions had fled, led by a giant of a warrior who called himself the Warmaster. This successor to the Carrion King is a being of great power and charisma, bending even the Astral Wolves and the Daemon Primarchs to his will.

The Imperial Hounds, the nearest force available, are ordered to Cadia at all speed to hold the enemy at the Gates. Though successful, the Imperial Hounds lose their Primarch in the battle. The forces of Chaos are held long enough for Jonson to launch an immense counter attack that saw the enemy broken and fleeing once more into the Eye of Terror. Future would reveal this the first of many such outbreaks.

BLACK WATCH AND THE BRIDES OF THE EMPEROR

Two militant factions birthed by Jonson’s reforms following the Heresy. The Black Watch consists of those Marines who, for whatever reason, renounce all ties to their former identities. They are granted new names, their armor painted a solid black with no identifyin insignias, and the fervor they have for the Emperor of Mankind throws them headlong into whatever conflict presents itself. Only once have members of the Black Watch been granted ornamentation, an exception to the ironclade rule, allowing the bare few survivors of the defense of the Basilicae on Lesser Damatyn from Waaagh! Sunkilla to wear the Crux Signus of the Catheric Church. Rumors abound as to the formation of the Black Watch. Some say it is the survivors of the Blackened Fists, learning to survive with their Primarch gone. Others say it is from those within the Crusader Host whose loyalty to the Emperor stayed the Executioner’s blade. Whatever its origins, its numbers regularly replenishes itself as unknown Marines ‘take the black,’ though there have been times where the Black Watch officially ceased to exist. To ensure the spiritual purity of the Black Watch during the initial centuries of their Founding, the First Legion provided their own Chaplains. As such, the Black Watch has a very similar organization scheme as the Cohorts of the First Legion.

The Brides of the Emperor are a post-Heresy organization combining the talents of psykers and blanks, formed from what remains of the Silent Sisterhood. Pyskers became involved with the Sisterhood as a means to combat the daemons and other Warp-related dangers. The dual-pronged force proved particularly adept at dealing with their kind. To meet the foe physically, they are equipped with modified power armor, a bulky set necessary to match the infernal strength of traitor and daemon alike. Clone technology is explored as a means to keep the Brides numbers manageable, as blanks and psykers are an exceptionally rare mutation.

PROLIFERATION OF BELIEF

Following the Heresy, the intended atheistic nature of the Imperium began to wane.The Lectitio Divinatus, a widespread cult nurtured by the Sons of Barabbas prior to their corruption, worships the Emperor as a God. Rivaling it is the ancient religion of the Catherics, which gathered strength in the years immediately following the Heresy. Spiritual beliefs rooted in Prosperan teachings, called the Enumerations, have also gained momentum. For thousands of years, no other religious practice has gained widespread dominance like these three, however within the 41st Millennium, a splinter cult of the Lectitio Divinatus has begun to gain in power. Their belief is that the Emperor is not in fact a God yet, as His body remains living upon the Golden Throne. Only upon the death of His mortal body may His holy soul rise to Godhood. This belief has set them at odds with those not of their beliefs, and many worlds have suffered violent clashes between the ideologies. In the final year of the 41st Millennium, the first ever violent outbreak involving what the Ecclesiarch still insists is a splinter cult is reported from within the Imperial Palace.

Each religion has many holy and shrine worlds, but none are as hotly disputed between them as Ullanor. The Ecclesiarchy marks Ullanor as where the Emperor ascended to Godhood. The Catherics, on the other hand, consider the Emperor’s fate a sacrifice made for the sake of all humanity, and canonize him as a saint, adding him to the ranks of the Divine Population said to inhabit the afterlife. The Enumerations venerates the Emperor as an exceptionally gifted man, holy enough in his spiritual power without needing to deify or canonize him, and wish to bring expansive life back to the world in honor of his sacrifice. This has led to many conflicts on Ullanor for dominance, as all three religions vie for control over the plateau, the site of the Emperor’s fall.

NAVIGATOR GUARD

Jonson, in his role as Lord Commander of the Imperium, recognized that to control the Navigators was to control the Imperium. The First Legion and its successors submit squads of their elite champions as bodyguard contingents for the noble houses of the Navigators. However, Angron catches wind of the practice and sets in motion the same process with his own sons. Soon, all of the Navigator Houses have bodyguard details from each of the Legions, with the notable exception of the Executioners. Prior to this, those of who bear the gene-seed of the First held mock Feasts of Blades to keep their skills honed and to while away the time. This practice continued, though the competitions shifted from the ritualized duels of the First Legion, becoming more brutal, bloody affairs, much to the derision of the sons of Jonson.

AGENTES EN REBUS

Those Who Are Active In Matters, operate as the Inquisition analogue, minus the quasi-religious license to burn worlds. More of a galactic intelligence agency.

ASTRA MILITARUM

The Imperial Army remains a unified force between ground and navy elements, however its size is never what it once was during the Great Crusade. Smaller, but more elite. As the power of the High Lords and other aristocratic rulers was increased by association through Angron, so too did their military might. After millennia, the bulk of the Imperium’s armed forces were the levies of the nobility and the militant members of the Three Faiths. Many Rogue Trader Dynasties are founded in the centuries following the Siege of Terra, to replace those lost when the Red Corsairs turned upon the Imperium. Each Dynasty has an immense, if typically anachronistic army of Household Troops that they are bound by law to provide the Imperial Army whenever demanded. Chief among the worlds that continue to provide regiments to the Imperial Army is Cadia, Catachan and Elysia. With many battles across the Imperium requiring not simply skill or ability, but overwhelming numbers, the Imperial Army has the right to conscript as many as deemed necessary for the purpose of any particular campaign. Often the Planetary Defense Forces are the first to be conscripted in this manner, however many of the larger campaigns have been known to strip worlds whole of their populations. Only Astartes or Shrine Worlds are immune to being the site of a press ganging due to long-standing privilege, and to avoid the insanity of an internecine war.

ORDER OF THE DRAGON

What remains of the Adeptus Mechanicum blame the bitter stagnation of the Cognitae for the fate of Mars. The most militant minded of the remnants organize themselves into the Ordo Dracul, an idealistic, militant group that hunts for innovation of all kinds. As a means to prevent destabilization and a return to the fractured days when they and the Cognitae battled on the once red sands of Mars, the leaders of the Ordo Dracul are plugged into a single gestalt mind, to better become better acquainted with the ephemeral mind of their Machine-God. It is said that this practice is what led to the single-minded assault led upon the iron ball of Mars by the Silent King of the Necrons in the 41st Millennium.

ELDAR PROTECTORATES

The Eldar witness the fall of Man, and within it they see the galaxy fall with them. Rather than accept such a fate, the remaining Craftworlds begin to band together in outlying areas of the galaxy, ensuring the survival of at least their own species, and whatever of the galaxy they can keep safe from Mankind. Notable protectorates include the Ghoul Stars, whose haunted worlds are patrolled by warriors of the dead, and the Eastern Sphere, where the more militant minded Eldar safeguard lesser xenos.

The threat that these worlds represent to the Imperium is very real, but not fully understood or explored by it. These regions are marked by cartographers as regions of extreme risk, to be avoided at all cost.

However, the Eldar Protectorates are not invulnerable to harm. Within the Eastern Sphere, a xenos species that had been rescued from Mankind while at the cusp of sentience has grown rapidly over the centuries under the supervision of the Eldar. Infuriatingly for these Eldar, the species has recently begun to reject Eldar control, going so far as to commit guerilla attacks upon them and incite unrest among the other species, all in the name of their Greater Good.

TAU REBELLION

This species, called the tau, are rigidly structured socially into castes, all thoroughly under the thumb of the politically powerful Ethereals.

The Fire Caste once had a large population, however the terrible vagaries of war have left them with nothing but young recruits. Though their fewer numbers and smaller bodies means that the Fire Warriors are capable of being fielded entirely battlesuits. They are young, and therefore brash, cocky and convinced of Tau superiority.

The bulk of Tau society is the Earth Caste, sometimes referred to insultingly as the Bone Caste, both because of their reverse-engineered Eldar Wraithbone constructs and their morbid recyclical use of the dead. They are comprised of technicians, medical personnel, cooks and so on. However, to keep up with the demands of their constant war for independence, they also comprise the bulk of the line infantry and conventional forces. These so-called Ash Warriors are vital part of the Tau war effort, although sneered at by the Fire Caste for lacking the power granted by battlesuits. However, perhaps due to their more varied educational backgrounds, Imperial commanders have often found the Earth Caste forces to be much more tactically adept than their comparatively glory hungry and hot-headed Fire brethren. However, more than simple firepower and brute force is necessary for the war effort.

The Air Caste has a sizable cadre of spies and scouts, and it is believed that they make heavy use of non-Tau agents, with confirmed reports of human children being taken in raids being acquired and raised by the Air Caste to serve as infiltrators and covert operatives.

To lead the Tau in battle, they have fabricated a new Caste, populated by the products of genetic tampering and breeding. These Tau prodigies and savants, shaped by cybernetics, gene-therapy, perception and cognition enhancing drugs, and other augmentative means, are masters at commanding armies and fleets, at the cost of a dramatically shortened lifespan. As a means to offset the rapid decay of the Water Caste tacticians and stragetists, those showing the most skill and aptitudes are placed in stasis, to be brought out only when needed for particular campaigns.

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PRIMARCHS AND THEIR LEGIONS

Up To Page 32

I – JONSON THE PALATINE, JACKAL OF THE FIRST LEGION

AUTHOR: CORMAC AIRT

I Legion - First LegionPrimarch - Jonson the PalatineHome World - Mundus PlanusHeraldry – White, stylized numeral IColors - Black with red-gold trimTactics - Infantry tactics, Rigid command structure, flexibility, continuous, cyclic fronts, maneuverability

Motto – Concedo Nvlli “Yield No Ground”Warcry - "For the Palatine!"

Ordered into Cohorts, raised from specific areas and named for those areas. Though tied by name and recruitment, a Cohort is not necessarily tied down to a world or area. Many Cohorts have been raised from populations of worlds they have never seen again, and are updated on only by the tales gleaned from incoming recruits. Multiple Cohorts are often raised from the same areas, bearing the same name but numbered to differentiate. These Cohorts are banded together as a single, cohesive force, like a miniature Legion within the First, led by the commander of the Prime Cohort, given the rank of Consul. Following the Atrocity, the Palatine used this network of bases across these worlds, and the ties his Cohorts had to them, to lock down those worlds loyal to him in the face of the war that ravaged the Imperium. Many worlds, and no small number of Cohorts, were lost in assaults by Lupercal and Adra’Melek. However, being a larger than normal Legion at nearly a 150,000 Legionaries, the First Legion is more than capable of meeting these two smaller Legions.

here is a 1st Cohort ‘Midaem’ through 7th Cohort ‘Midaem,’ each of which are raised from specific worlds within the Midas Cluster, barring the 1st Cohort, the Consul's own, which takes the veterans and the elite from the other Cohorts. Those who have shown exceptional skill and potential within the 1st Cohort may find themselves forwarded to the Palatine's personal Cohort.There are nine Cohorts ‘Praetoriae’ based on the core worlds of the Palatinate, collectively known as the Praetorian Worlds. However, there is only a single Cohort for the homeworld itself, simply called the Cohort ‘Palatina’. This is the elite of the First Legion, and is led personally by Jonson himself. The First Cohort moved wholesale into the First Legion’s primary Successor, formed from the Cohorts Praetoriae, more often known as the Praetorians, after the reforms and continued to be led by the Palatine. The Cohort ‘Palatina’ was lost to a man on the fateful day of Jonson’s death, and was never again reformed.The command structure of the First Legion is rigidly structuralized. All Legionaries must first be inducted into the innermost councils of the Legion before they are considered for a command position.Most Cohorts are specialized in a specific aspect of war, making them most effective when working in tandem with other Cohorts. Though the Consuls may differ greatly in the number of Cohorts under their command, the specializations may be spread among the Cohorts or divided within a Cohort so that no Consul’s command could ever be without a tactical solution.Notable organizations include the torquata, the most decorated, veteran Legionaries under a Consul’s command. Only those who bear the torques are ever inducted into the Palatina. A Cohort designated the classica will more often than not fight in the vastness of space rather than upon the worlds of the enemy, specializing in void warfare and boarding actions. The youngest Legionaries, fresh recruits not yet finished with their training, make up the speculatorum, a force of scouts and other reconnaissance.The First Legion is known for its adaptability in the face of change on the battlefield. After the eight year war against the Vizier Gothica, a specialization in urban warfare increased, referred to as the urbanae. Though the need for such a specialization drastically decreased following the war’s bloody conclusion, many Consuls retain sizable formations and others will reform them as the need arises.However, the assault on the Palatinate by Lupercal and the anarchist Astral Wolves saw the greatest change in Legionary dispositions. With the destabilizing, chaotic effects of an Astral Wolf attack often outliving the assault itself, the First Legion has been forced to police its own worlds, protecting them in a more subtle manner. This has given rise the vigilum, watchmen over the mortal populations, and the togata, a small cadre of warriors who test the security of the Palatinate in efforts that mirror the blood games of the Emperor’s Custodian Guard.Not all of the First Legion’s military might is Astartes. Often referred to as the alaria, the allied or auxiliary mortal forces were organized into Cohorts that reflected the organization of the Legion itself. These mortal soldiers greatly outnumbered the Astartes, and were utilized to great effect when in concert with the Astartes. Though mortal officers were present, each Cohort of the alaria was led by a handful of Astartes Centurions, often raised from the vigilum, thereby ensuring that the mortal forces worked seamlessly in tandem with the rest of the Legion. (And meaning that a certain Tyrant’s rules in the Badab War books could be used to represent the First Legion)

Post-Coup, the First Legion and its Successors hold a Feast of Blades competition every century, during which the Champions of the Cohorts duel each other for the right to wield the Palatine Blade. It is perhaps curious to note that for ten thousand years, only the champion of the Cohort based upon Mundus Planus has ever won the competition.

II – REDACTED

III – FULGRIM THE DRAGONSLAYER OF THE EMPEROR’S CHILDREN

AUTHOR: ACE DEBONAIR

Legion: III

Name: Emperor's Children

Primarch: Fulgrim Dragonslayer

Homeworld: Medusa

Colours: Purple with silver trim/detailing.

Heraldry: A silver-white spear thrust upwards

Tactics: Kill the strongest targets first.

Battlecry: Vincere aut Mori! (Victory or Death!)

Fulgrim is the Lightning Bearer, the living symbol of the Emperor, which lives on following his Fulgrim’s death. When the Emperor’s Children Legion fractures, the Marine declared the Lightning Bearer is determined by duels across the many successors, as only the greatest of Champions can bear such a responsibility.

Fulgrim is slain on an unnamed world after the Siege of Terra, after killing for himself a Greater Daemon. Barabbas, in high orbit, unleashes a payload of the Life-Eater virus, sacrificing Fulgrim to Nurgle and ascending to Daemonhood. So ends the life of Fulgrim. Bearer of Lightning. Slayer of Dragons. Slayer of Daemons. Slayer of a God.

The Emperor’s Children are commanded by Lord Commanders of the Millennials. Originally, the Millennials had been numbered. However, the influence of Medusa shows in that they have since taken to giving their Millennials the names of the various Medusan Clans. For instance, the 1st Millennial is now known as the Avernii Millennial, led by Lord Commander Gabriel Santar. These Clan Millennials are the basic structure kept by the Successors following the break up of the Legions.

The Immortals are a band of heroes within the Emperor’s Children. They are Marines who have shown exceptional skill, humility and honor that impressed Fulgrim himself. Though the Immortals have been documented as dying in overwhelming attacks, there are always Immortals bearing their names and armor. This is because, when an Immortal dies, a worthy replacement is chosen. This replacement forsakes his own identity for that of the Immortal he is replacing. In this way, no Immortal ever truly dies. It is unsure what logic or reason dictated with which Successor an Immortal was tasked, though few Emperor’s Children Successors are without at least one member of this illustrious order.

IV – PERTURABO THE HYPASPISTAI OF THE IRON HOPLITES

AUTHOR: --

IV Legion – Iron Hoplites

Primarch – Perturabo the Hypaspistai

Home World – Chemos

Heraldry – the Iron Mask of Chemos, edged in lightning bolts and stylized wings

Colors – Iron , Gold and Obsidian

Tactics – Phalanx walls, close sword work, protect the weak at all costs / Shield Walls and swordsmanship. Ballistic weapons avoided when possible, though the legion is known for massed firepower when dealing with alien races.

Warcry – “Honour Within, Iron Without!”

Though the Iron Hoplites are perhaps the most suited to siege warfare, such tactics are spurned by Perturabo, who views such marvels are not meant for war. Following their Shattering at Vilamur, the Iron Hoplites attempt to recover their numbers by utilizing Dark Age of Technology remnants, reminiscent of the Iron Men of old. These abominations are locked away in a deep labyrinth of Perturabo’s own devising, whose structure was inspired by a battle waged between Perturabo and the Iron Devourer.

V – LASARTINE BRON, THE WORLDBURNER OF THE WHITE SCARS

AUTHOR: ACE DEBONAIR

Legion: V

Name: White Scars

Primarch: Lasartine Bron

Homeworld: Inwit

Colours: White with red and black markings (like the regular White Scars, but with black bits as well as red)

Heraldry: Two crossed swords, blades pointing downwards.

Tactics: Sudden, highly destructive attacks.

Battlecry: Slay without mercy!

As with many others of his brothers, Bron relishes peace most of all. However, few will go to such terrible ends to attain it as the White Scars would. Their modus operandi is to provide a world three chances to comply and surrender to the Imperium. First chance offered when the White Scars first appear, with open arms and in friendship. Second chance is offered if the world refuses, with the world’s leaders being shown a token of what their defiance will earn them. If the second chance is spurned as well, the White Scars adorn themselves in the panoply of war and are unleashed upon the recalcitrant world. Upon the conclusion of their campaign, the third chance is offered. No world has ever needed more than three chances.

The White Scars way of war has often led them to near fights with the Celestial Lions. Their Primarch, Angron, is seen as a cowardly fool in denial that his true nature is as a ruthless weapon of war, hiding under a pretence of civility and honour. During the Heresy, their bitter rivalry leads to open war between the two great Legions.

Like the Sons of Barabbas, the White Scars make free use of their psykers, the destructive potential of their esoteric brethren instrumental in their wars and ways. It is this that perhaps drew the attention of Tzeentch to the Legion, fastening them to the will of the Changer of Ways. What separates the the Scars and the Sons most in their use of magicks is that, while Barabbas seeks to tame the use of the Warp to his command, the Scars relish in the wild and free nature of Warpcraft and seek to learn deeper secrets and greater power with which they may crush all resistance.

There is great animosity between the White Scars and the Red Corsairs. Lasartine Bron has often accused Leman Barbedor of the theft of the battle-ready space station, the Phalanx, prior to Bron’s discovery by the Imperium. The accusation is based off of Lupercal’s description of an immense vessel within the Red Corsairs Fleet, matching perfectly to the ship stolen from its dockyard at Inwit. Leman Barbedor has always refuted such accusations, saying the vessel was a cleansed Space Hulk that was since destroyed. In truth, no other evidence of the great vessel was uncovered.

There has never been any evidence of Lasartine Bron ascending to daemonhood, however neither has there been notice of his death. Many tales surround the Worldburner’s fate, exacerbated by the many daemons that claim to be him. A creature with six arms and lizard-like features that breathes fire, a giant with two heads and a voice that shakes the earth itself as he laughs his way through the slaughter, a black cloud that animates a suit of armour and is impervious to any form of harm . . . Some theorize that these are all truly Lasartine Bron’s ascended forms, and that his true nature is that of a shape-shifter. The truth may be more insidious, as those closest to their Lord have expressed fear not of him, but of the darkness that bends to his will, or that bends him to its, which quakes and shivers, even when the light is still. Though he wears the white plate, those who have seen him at war have described him as utterly black, as if he was wearing as a cloak and mask his own shadow.

VI – LEMAN BARBEDOR OF THE RED CORSAIRSAUTHOR: CORMAC AIRT

VI Legion - Red CorsairsPrimarch - Leman BarbedorHome World - Fleet-basedHeraldry - Undecided.Colors - Red armor with black or gold trimFrequent use of trophy taking (trinkets, icons, weapons, armor)Tactics - Void warfare, disruption, boarding operations, low reliance on supply chains, behind enemy line operationsMotto - Give Nothing Back

It is believed that the Emperor foresaw an encounter with the elusive VIth Primarch long before was the case. The VIth Legion was raised after the initial wave of Legions left the Solar System on the Great Crusade. Not long after its raising, it was ordered to gather with all strength for a campaign led by the Emperor himself. The campaign proved successful, however their Primarch was nowhere to be found, though extensive evidence was found that he was present until just prior to their assault.

The VIth Legion quickly returned to their ships and took chase where their primogenitor left his trail. For decades, the VIth Legion Fleets explored the galaxy at the very edges of the Imperial advance. Often traveling and fighting alongside the Rogue Trader Militant Dynasties, the two Imperial factions crafted a strong bond between them, tied by blood shed in battle and the blood of brothers united, as the VIth look towards the family scions of the Dynasties to provide suitable recruits. The trail led them on a wild goose chase for some time, even through the lands of other, as yet undiscovered Primarchs.

Eventually, after decades of searching, their Primarch was finally cornered and contronted. Leman Barbedor quickly adapted to the Imperium and command over his Legion, renamed the Red Corsairs for the fleets he led prior to his discovery. By then, the Legion’s role primarily in void warfare and shipborne action was set in stone. Operating almost entirely as a fleet, the Legion has focused itself within the Segmentum Pacificus, often traveling into unmapped areas, though in many cases these areas remained unmapped following their return.

Leman’s First Mate prior to his discovery, Ingo Pech, was one of the rare instances where an older warrior could be successfully implanted with Astartes gene-seed, though it has been said that the gene-seed fo the VI were remarkably suited for such. Though he had great favor in Leman’s former crew, he had been shown no favor. It was over a decade before Pech’s successes had seen him rise back to his Primarch’s side, who had followed his exploits with interest. As a mortal or as an Astartes, Ingo Pech has proven a capable warrior and sailor, a leader well-suited to being second in command of a Legion of the Emperor’s finest.

But that is after Lasartine Bron is discovered. Prior to this, it is well-known that he and his Legion operate around a vessel the size of a small moon, the largest and most deadly ship in the Imperial Navy. When Inwit is discovered and Lasartine Bron returned to the Imperial fold, the great ship is witnessed heading west from its position within the Segmentum Ultima. However, along the path leading to Segmentum Pacificus and unmapped territories, Leman and his Fleet encounter Liberation and Lupercal. Years later, Lupercal recounts the tale of his discovery to Bron, who feels that he knows what manner of ship the great vessel was. However, Leman never admits to it upon confrontation and accusation, declaring the ship a space hulk now destroyed.

Following the Heresy, the Red Corsairs more independent nature, like with the Astral Wolves, sees them retreat from the Materium differently than the other Legions.. Rather than making a home for themselves within the Eye of Terror, the Red Corsairs have claimed the Maelstrom as their main port of call. It is said that the many fleets of the Red Corsairs drift within the Maelstrom, hovering around a great space station the size of a small moon. Housed within, their ascended Primarch continues to direct their fleets.

VII – ROGAL DORN, THE HAUNTED OF THE BLACKENED FISTS

AUTHOR: --

VII Legion – Blackened Fists

Primarch – Rogal Dorn / The Haunted

Home World – Fleet-based, recruits taken from orphans

Heraldry – Obsidian spiked gauntlet, clentched, haloed in black thorns

Colors – Unification Grey, arms blackened to eblows in streaked patterns. Black leather cloaks and spiked chains are common

Tactics – Hand to hand, night ambushes, terror tactics. No sign of restraint when released. All VII warriors wear thick adamantium gauntlets, officers have powered variants.

Motto – None. Vox-screams, at highest decibel setting possible, are extremely common.

The Legion of the Blackened Fists is utterly destroyed as a coherent fighting force at Vilamur where Rogal Dorn falls in the act of slaying Ferrus Mordax. Though revenants of the Blackened Fists survive the fateful battle, the VIIth Legion is no more. It is believed that the formation of the Black Watch post Heresy stems from these survivors.

VIII – KONRAD DOMINUS, HEADSMAN OF THE EXECUTIONERS

AUTHOR: --

VIII Legion (Executioners)

Primarch - Konrad Dominus

Homeworld - Baal

Heraldry - Silver bearded axe with blood dripping from the blade

Colors - Black armor with crimson right arm and shoulder. Frequent use of trophy taking (Heads, Bones, Fingers, Ears, etc.)

Tactics - Suppression, Rapid Strike, Subjugation, Sanction, Cleanse and Burn.

Warcry - "E Nomine Patri!"

Konrad Dominus suffers visions of the future, and never are they pleasant. At times, they can take him unawares and transform him into a feral state, such as when Angron confronts Konrad in the ashes of a rebelling Imperial world.

Konrad has a vision of the Emperor’s death at the hands of an Ork Warboss on a desolate world. The Executioners discover the world, called Gorro, where Konrad eliminates the Warboss before his armies have gathered. Gorro is nearby other Ork Kingdoms, including Ullanor. Sanguinius, aware of Konrad’s visions and his actions to prevent the futures he sees, goads the Lord Executioner into a state of self-pity and doubt, believing that his actions unwittingly brought about the very fate he had tried to avoid.

After the Heresy, Konrad is among those who rails against the changes wrought by Jonson’s return to the Imperial fold, despite the close friendship Jonson and Konrad once shared before the Heresy. Under orders to break the Executioners into independent parts, Konrad determines to do so through one final battle as a cohesive Legion, against the fallen Angels of Sanguinius.

IX – SANGUINIUS THE BLACK ANGEL, GOD-KING OF THE LEGION OF ANGELS

AUTHOR: CORMAC AIRT

IX Legion – AngelsPrimarch – Sanguinius the Savior KingHome World – ColchisHeraldry – Winged droplet of bloodColors – Black armor with red trim and markingsTactics – Shock assault, deep striking, multiple command layers, heavy use of auxiliary and mortal personnel, ideological actionsWarcry – “We descend on wings of fire!”

Ordered into Hosts, named for the heavenly armies of Colchis’ old religions, whose greatest warriors shone so bright that when the sun was gone they would appear as pinpricks of light in the dark sky. The numbers of the Legion of Angels is constantly in flux, with hyper-active recruitment programs building high numbers only to have them reduced drastically in protracted campaigns, though the cause of these high losses are unknown. The last official investigation of the Legion put their numbers at around 115,000 Legionaries, however evidence has shown following the Atrocity that the actual numbers may be more than double that.

Nam Uggae, Host of the Red Creed. Named for an ancient apocryphal belief, the Nam Uggae have ever been lesser in their Legion’s eyes, resulting in low recruits and supplies over decades of service. However, their resolute support of the God-King’s ascendancy saw them chosen as the Legion’s heralds to what the Legion has accepted as the True Gods. Since their return, their stars have risen nearly as quickly as Sanguinius’ has.

Sanguinius is armored in the darkest onyx, covered in flowing script written in small, barely visible lines of crimson, lending him a dark red look from afar. His sons are far less ornate, but follow a similar scheme of black with red markings. Only the Sanguinary Host wear different colors. Led by Choirmaster Kor Phaeron, the Power of the Thrones and the equivalent of the First Captain within the Legion, Angels of the Sanguinary Host wear armor of gold and marble, covered in white, hooded tabards. Only the most elite are brough within the Sanguinary Host, only the most worthy to cast aside their former monstrous appearance and be remade as beautifully luminous beings. Though Kor Phaeron sits as second in command to his adopted son, the Angel of Death, the High Priest Erebus of the Priesthood of Blood, is Sanguinius’ closest advisor. Though the pair are manipulative and duplicitous, their Primarch has perhaps learned their lesson all too well, little knowing that they both dance to his tune.

Sanguinius, more than any other Primarch, chafes under the Emperor’s rule. Like Konrad, Sanguinius foresees the Emperor’s death on Gorro, and it is his actions that ensure the threat survives the destruction of Gorro. However, Sanguinius never reveals his prophetic visions, instead using Konrad’s as a scapegoat and a tool for manipulating him. With the Emperor’s fall at Ullanor and Corax declared Warmaster, the once and future God-King seizes the opportunity. The Angel of Death situates himself as the Warmaster’s advisor and confidante, whispering truths learned in his travel to the bloated warp anomaly of the galactic northwest, as the Angels spread corruption to the other Legions through the Choirs.

Sanguinius’ objective is to become the God-King once more, as he was on Colchis. In a primitive way, the ancient religions of Colchis were reflections of the True Gods, the belief in which Sanguinius never relinquished. While his brother Corax wished to rise above and become a God to rival those of the Ruinious Four, Sanguinius relished being a living divinity, the Chosen of the Gods among the mortal realm.

This has led Sanguinius to manipulate many of his brothers that he felt threatened most by. As Corax wished to ascend beyond the material realm, an intent Sanguinius felt was impossible but neglected to warn as such, he was considered no threat to his eventual reign. Others, however, such as the Ghost Fox who knew too much, or the overly controlling Roboute Barabbas, represented very real dangers. As such, the Angel sought to eliminate the Knights of Caliban and send the Sons of Barbarus too deep into the grasp of one of the Ruinous Four.

Following Corax’s defeat, the Angels reject the Chainsworn and the Corpse-God for their failure. However, the rise of a new Warmaster from within the Chainsworn may sway the Legion back to his banner.

X – FERRUS MORDAX, IRON DEVOURER OF THE MINOTAURS

AUTHOR: WADE GARRETT

Legion: XName: MinotaursPrimarch: Ferrus MordaxHomeworld: None (technically Nuceria, but they draw no recruits from there, taking aspirants from the worlds they conquer)Colors: Black with bronze trim, all Legionary helms are modified to accomodate brass "horns" that in truth are cortical implants lodged in the Marine's skull.Heraldy: A bronze bull with red eyesTactics: Armored Shock Assault, close quarters combat, heavy artilleryMotto: We Are The Fury!

Ferrus Mordax was found as a young child surrounded by dead xenos, his arms and hands afflicted with some metallic compound. Enslaved, he became a terror of the arenas, particularly when faced with xenos opponents. Seeing his affliction as some xenos taint, Ferrus Mordax removed all that it touched, replacing it with the blessed bionic parts manufactured by human hands. Over time, this obsession became more and more ingrained into his psyche, and much of his post-human body was augmented. Eventually, the volatile warrior came to the attention of Lanista Corax, a great lord of the High Riders. Corax immediately purchased the warrior and elevated him to the head of his Kin Guard in recognition of his talents at muder and mayhem.

The Iron Devourer relishes what he is, grateful for the clarity the Butcher’s Nails gives him, and revels in the carnage in a way not even the most bloodthirsty of the War Hounds from before Angron’s discover could even countenance.

Following the death of Ferrus Mordax at the hands of Rogal Dorn, many Minotaur Commanders upload their Primarch’s memory files from back-up and spare parts. Though lesser by far, these are essentially copies of Ferrus who fully believe themselves to be the original. Over time, stored data is corrupted, radical Techmarines make changes to the code, and many back-ups begin to diverge from the original as the copies begin storing their own memories and experiences.

The Terminator elite of the Minotaurs are named for their former Legion Commander. The Storm Walkers wear modified terminator plate that’s surface streaks with electiricity. The powerful shock that contact with the plate can give is enough to kill many of the less hardy species of xenos and many unaugmented humans.

Chirumek Kargos “Woundweaver” has a reputation as both an Apothecary specializing in bionics and as a fighter, with rumor claiming that if you want him to upgrade you, fight him in the pits and impress him. Fail to measure up and he cuts the gene-seed from your corpse.

XI – REDACTED

XII – ANGRON, PHILOSOPHER-KING OF THE CELESTIAL LIONS

AUTHOR: WADE GARRETT

XII Legion "Celestial Lions"Primarch: Angron the Battle KingHomeworld: MaccrageHeraldry: A golden lion's headColors: White with blue trimBattle Cry: "Faithful and True!"Specialization: Highly mobile units outmanuvering the enemy, Assault Marines, Land Speeders, and Jetbikes in large numbers

Angron is found by Gallan, who attempts to raise him to be as calculating and manipulative as he is. He sends Angron off to be fostered by his ally Bardyllis, a tribal chieftain of the Illyrium. Gallan intends that Angron gather information so that the tribes will be more easily crushed later, but he does not anticipate the boy forming true bonds with the Hill folk.

Angron pacifies the tribal people of Illyrium by peace rather than war, and incorporates much of their ways into the civilization of his birth, which has itself lent to the Celestial Lions’ organization. Unlike the other Primarchs, Angron has an extensive family composed of adopted sons and daughters prior to his discovery. When Angron ascends to command the War Hounds Legion, renamed the Celestial Lions at this time, many of the younger sons ascend into the Legion as well. True to his nature, Angron extends this tradition to the Legion itself, adopting them one and all as his sons. This has had the adverse effect of creating tension within his Legion. Those sons and daughters of Macragge resent the dilution of their family by those who were not there as Angron struggled to bring peace to his world, while the former War Hounds often chafe at the leash Angron keeps a tight hand upon.

[This next paragraph was my idea, granted Wade’s approval in messages between us.] In order to enhance relations between himself and his brothers, many of Angron’s adopted sons were not chosen to join the ranks of the Celestial Lions, but were instead gifted to his brother Primarchs. These were loyal sons who made Angron proud, and he hoped that this act would endear himself to his newfound brothers. Though Angron was spurned by some, perhaps many, of his brothers, many accepted these strong sons within their Legion. Likewise, Angron never locked sources of recruitment for his Legion only, but willingly opened his worlds to any Legion in need of recruitment. Notable of those who did partake of Angron’s gift is Roboute Barabbas. However, the damnation of the Sons of Barabbas took the loyal Sons of Angron with him, much to Angron’s dismay and grief.

During the Great Crusade, Angron and the Celestial Lions recruits worlds in to the Imperium using reason and diplomacy, and where that fails a well-disciplined, carefully planned show of force and military excellence that causes minimal collateral damage while erasing any dissidents, and turns his new prize into a recruitment world. Often Angron will take elements of worlds brought into Compliance and implement them within his own Legion and the culture of the worlds conquered by him, as a means to assimilate and engender good relations with freshly conquered worlds. This style of compliance has led to points of contention between Angron and Lasartine Bron, which would spark into outright hatred during the Heresy. Bron is an unrepentant, violent madman who glorifies the slaughter of countless living souls.

Though Angron is a calm, collected Primarch who values progress through peace rather than war, it should be noted that there is a core of wrath behind this veneer, rarely unleashed. When goaded to the point of fury and cornered, Angron and the Celestial Lions are among the most ferocious, terrible opponents one could ever face. Their focus is on gaining the iniative, making the enemy react to them, leading to highly mobile formations that attempt to outflank and envelop the foe.

The Philospher-King of Macragge is extremely distant from the Imperial center when the wars break out. Though they see combat with Bron and the White Scars, by the end the Celestial Lions are among the least affected by the Heresy.

The Celestial Lions are organized into Prides named for their current commanders. Notables include Orfeo’s Pride and Khârn’s Pride. The latter was slain to a man during the battles against Lasartine Bron, but by their Shield Captain’s own hands, though he believed his actions memorable. In punishment of his actions, the Lord of Macragge exiled him from his Legion, stripping him of armor, rank and even his name, telling him to find an honorable death far from his Primarch’s sight.

XIII – ROBOUTE BARABBAS, TYRANT OF THE SONS OF BARABBAS

AUTHOR: WADE GARRETT

Legion: XIIIName: The Sons of BarabbasPrimarch: Roboute BarabbasHomeworld: BarbarusColors: Olive drab greenHeraldry: A skull held by an armored gauntlet, replaced with a skeletal claw after their fallMotto/Battlecry: Hail Barabbas! Tactics:Mass infantry attacks and a reliance on simple, easy to repair and maintain technology.

Life on Barbarus is cruel and difficult. Barabbas’ Wardens maintain strict rationing to ensure that resources are not used up too quickly. It is considered wasteful to shape a tool that is only suited for one task, such as a sword that kills men or a shovel that digs holes. This mentality has remained with the Sons of Barabbas. While requisitions for resources are often readily made available for the Legiones Astartes, the XIII habitually hoard their resources and are notoriously stingy in the expenditure of it. Accusations have even been made of the Sons seizing “excess” material from other Legions, though by far the most insidious rumor is of a specialized cadre within their Apothecarion that remove the gene-seed from the fallen of all Legions. None of this has been conclusively proven.

The Sons conquer Cthonia, a world divided by petty warlords in a perpetual state of war. The warlords are cast down at Barabbas’ feet, where he tells them that they are no longer free to wage bloody, pointless wars upon each other. In the end, Barabbas reforms Cthonia into a prison world, one among a lengthy chain of gaol-garrisons.

Barabbas is an exceptionally capable leader, whose talents are most evident when all aspects of command originate from him. A Primarch who does not believe in delegation of power, Barabbas is tyrannical, but a benevolent dictator in his own eyes. Humanity requires his full attention and micro-management in order to thrive to its best potential.

The Sons of Barabbas fall to Nurgle. Barabbas’ own ascension is by sacrificing Fulgrim to Nurgle by unleashing the Life-Eater Virus. Their worship of Nurgle is under his guise as the benevolent Grandfather. The Legion, spurning the usual bloated image of the worshippers of Nurgle, instead adopt a wizened, grizzled appearance.

The Sons of Barabbas instill religious fervor within their serfs and captured worlds, though done quietly so as not to raise the ire of the Emperor. It is the belief of Barabbas that having something spiritual to believe in leaves mankind more malleable to his control, though Barabbas himself is atheistic. He comes to this conclusion when seeing the total devotion Colchisians showed his brother Sanguinius, their “God-King,” when he had accompanied the Emperor to recover this found Primarch.

Though their use of psyker talents is different to Lasartine Bron’s, the two Legions are strong supporters of the Librarius department, though Magnus of the Orders is a thorn in their side in his campaign to curb the overuse of psykers and warpcraft among the Emperor’s Legions. To Barabbas, the Warp is merely a tool with which he can better mould the galaxy to his standards. His most favored use is not in the overly flashy and bright spectacles that the White Scars perfect, but the insidious use. The Sons use their powers to strengthen and harden themselves, while debilitating the enemy. Often the strength of the Sons is seen as preternatural, their ability to walk through fire unnatural, while the warmachines of the enemy appear to rust before their eyes, crumbling apart before they had even been fired upon.

Following their betrayal and fall to the ways of Nurgle, Barabbas micro-managing ways become more akin to a curse than the blessing he had once thought, as that which he controls begins to utterly require the constant presence of his attentions or that of his Legion before degenerating into rotting meat and deathly gases.

The actual fall to Nurgle occurs within the Warp. By the Angel of Death’s advice, the Sons of Barabbas enter the Warp with Geller Fields deactivated, told that the Grandfather would adjust the flow of time so that they would be best prepared for the battle waiting for them upon their return to the material universe. Though Sanguinius had not lied to Barabbas, he had neglected to tell them that Barabbas’ return would not be on his terms. Nurgle kept the Sons of Barabbas within the Warp for centuries. When the rusted, twisted ships finally exit the Warp, the Marines within are ancient, grizzled beings with bitterness in their hearts and fury in their eyes. The travel was not without dangers, however. Within the Warp, the Sons came across an unknown force that fought them to a near standstill before the vagaries of the Warp pulled them away once more. The armored giant leading the unknown force will be oddly reminiscent of the future Warmaster of the Chainsworn, and Chosen of the Chaos Gods, following Corax’s death.

Due to Barabbas’ deep-seated need for the Imperium to fall to vindicate his own betrayal, it could be said that the Daemon Primarch is the most active of all other, sallying forth from the Great Eye to the terrible dismay of the Imperium.

The Sons of Barabbas are organized into 16 Echelons that rarely, if ever, divide further. Chief among the Echelon Commanders, impressive leaders such as Crysos Morturg, Ignatius Grulgor and Ullis Temeter, is Nicodemus Tauromachian. However, one of the greatest leaders of the Sons of Barabbas, behind Barabbas himself, never let go of his loyalty to the Emperor. His unwillingness to forsake his oaths made his days numbered from then on.

XIV – ADRA’MELEK, REAPER KING OF THE INFERNAL GUARD

AUTHOR: THUNOR’S_HAMMER

Legion: XIVName: Infernal GuardPrimarch: Adra'Melek 'The Burned Man'Homeworld: NocturneColours: Blackened steel with magma 'cracks'Heraldry: Burning daemon head (too chaosy?)Tactics: Kill Maim Burn. Up close with CCW, flamers and Melta. Largely infantry based.

The theme of rehabilitation/redemption runs through the Infernal Guard. Any and all are given a chance to join in the Imperium. However, unlike the White Scars, Adra’Melek give worlds one chance and one chance only. If they are refused, then colony ships will have to come in and repopulate the graveyard world.

As the Crusade progresses, Melek begins to find corruption everywhere within the Imperium, and begins to burn worlds already declared compliant. When fires that burn the galaxy spark, it is the worlds of the Palatine that the Infernal Guard release their rage upon. Here they fall to Khorne, burning with rage both without as well as within.

The Infernal Guard follows the Promethean Cult, a dark set of beliefs seared into their minds. They are organized by the regions of Nocturne, the Seven City-States and the Infernal Guard’s Fortress-Monastery at Mount Deathfire. These eight organizations are referred toa s the Eight Circles of the Infernal Guard. Only the veteran few join the Circle centered upon Mount Deathfire. Named for an ancient terror of Nocturne’s primitive mythology, the Legion’s greatest elite warriors, the Ohidoran, are protectors and destroyers in equal measure, symbolizing the duality of violence most espoused by their Primarch Adra’Melek.

What happens to Ignea, a settlement of Nocturne where no protections were put in place by Adra’Melek, was a closely held secret by the Infernal Guard. It was proven a moot point, however, when the volatile world was destroyed by Imperial forces during the Scouring.

XV – MAGNUS THE GHOST FOX, THE RED-MANED KING OF THE BRAITHRE AN CLAIOHMH

AUTHOR: CORMAC AIRT

XV Legion – Orders of the SwordPrimarch – Magnus the Ghost Fox, the Red-Maned KingHome World – CalibanHeraldry – Celtic knotwork treeColors – Wine-red armor inlaid with white pearl in knotwork patternsTactics – Rapid reaction forces and esoteric tacticsMotto – “Beidh ríthe leanúint liom.” (“Kings will follow me.”)

Magnus the Ghost Fox, Red-maned King of Kings, is a force of moderation in the Librarius Project. His desires for a conclusive edict from the Emperor is spoiled by Ullanor, much to the advantage of Barabbas and Bron

Ordered into Knighthoods representing the myriad kingdoms of Caliban who swear fealty to Magnus, their High King. The Legion of the Ghost Fox has never been of great size. Anomolies within the gene-seed dropped their numbers to a single thousand by the time Magnus was discovered upon Caliban. Though the discovery of their Primarch has appeared to have stabilized them, Magnus’ insistence on exacting standards of recruitment, stemming solely from the feudal world of Caliban, has made for a slow build-up of numbers. At the time of the Atrocity, the Order of the Sword numbered 47 Knighthoods, equal to the number of kingdoms that dominated Caliban upon its unification under the Red-Maned King, with a total of 64,000 Legionaries.

‘Knights of the Order’ Knighthood, based upon the Order, of no other name, that had first taken in the young Magnus, and from which he had conquered or assimilated all others of Caliban to his banner. The Ghost Fox, in his attempts to peacefully gather the many, often combative, Orders together, considered himself as separate and apart from any one Order. In his stead, he elevated Luther to command the Order. Upon the Imperium’s arrival and the introduction of the XVth Legion to their Primarch, the Knights of the Order became the Legion’s elite, veteran core. Though too old to be implanted with gene-seed, the nonetheless gene-enhanced Luther remains in command. Though second-in-command of the Legion, his inability to operate as many of the sons of Magnus do has begun to create friction, especially between Luther and Ahriman, a powerful Terran Seer whose skills in divination has saw him rise to be only just under Luther in command.

‘Seers of Sovereignty’ Knighthood, based upon a small Order that had utilized its esoteric talents towards the governance of its vassal lands, which proved profitable and advantageous. The Legion has often utilized the Knighthood for stabilizing certain worlds that resisted compliance, not moving on until the previously recalcitrant population have been appropriately modified to Imperial standards.

The Orders of the Sword will have multiple hierarchies intertwined with the base organization, in many ways similar to the organization of the Angels. Like on Caliban, though one’s loyalty to their order and kingdom was absolute, many knightly disciplines ranged beyond such borders. Psychic disciplines are organized into Wings, borrowing heavily from these knightly disciplines

The Ravenwing are a rapid response force, utilizing their foresight and powers of prediction, coupled with the speed of bikes and speeders, to anticipate and meet the enemy at every turn.The Ironwing share an intimate relationship with the machine spirits, enabling a communion that some Mechanicus techpriests would deem heretical, but unmatched. These armour divisions are capable of great feats of coordination and heavy destructive capabilities, as if the vehicle and crew were of one mind.The Deathwing, the pyromancers of the Legion, are forever marred by the ashes left in their wake. Their purges have brought many worlds to their knees. Few who feel the touch of their flames live.The Dreadwing are masters of close-quarters combat. These melee fighters leap into the thickest of fighting and lay waste to all around them with their peerless blade work, flawless forms, and devastating telekinetic attacks.

XVI – LUPERCAL, ANARCH OF THE ASTRAL WOLVES

AUTHOR: ACE DEBONAIR

Legion: XVI

Name: Astral Wolves

Primarch: Lupercal

Homeworld: Kiavahr / Liberation (takes recruits from lots of places, though)

Colours: Pale Green with white pauldrons

Heraldry: Jolly Roger I have no idea. The wolf head from the Luna Wolves' badge, maybe?

Tactics: Starve targets of resources before striking.

Battlecry: Face The Wolves! Face Death!

The anarchistic Astral Wolves splinter into many different warbands after the Infernal Guard betrayed them within the Palatinate. However, there were known to be four primary factions of the Astral Wolves at that time. Led by Branne Nev, the Astral Wolves that kept their name and colors returned to Corax’s banner, pledging to see the war through in their name. Solaro An’s warband virtually disappears for many years, appearing in odd places and striking at unexpected targets, though his Warband fractures further after his presumed death in a battle against the Iron Hoplites. Agapito Nev takes a sizable portion of the surviving Legion and renames them the Sons of Lupercal, bedecked in the black of mourning. Pledging allegiance to no one, clashing with everyone. Even their former brothers.

It is said that a smaller faction, led by Garviel Loken, was last seen heading towards the controlled space of the Celestial Lions, though their fate is unknown.

XVII – LORGAR ‘CLEFTJAW’ OF THE IMPERIAL HOUNDS

AUTHOR: WADE GARRETT

Legion: XVIIName: Imperial HoundsPrimarch: Lorgar "Cleftjaw"Homeworld: FenrisColors: Midnight BlueHeraldry: An armored/hooded dog's head in black and greyTactics: Void warfare, boarding operations and conventional fleet line operations, space hulk purges. Legion often fights besides gene altered cyber mastiffsMotto: Per Ardua Ad Astra! (Through trials to the stars!), often shortened as "To the stars!"

Lorgar is heavily shaped by his mother’s upbringing, including female warrior societies within the Legion structure (which would be removed from the Legion following the Heresy and thrive on their own) and championing the spread of weapons traditional to female warriors within the Legion. There is an almost reverent spiritualism to the Legion and its views of the paradise beyond Fenris. Though they are as resolutely atheist as any proper Imperial, the desire to improve the lot of those upon their home world suffers no weakness for it. As an attempt to create the mythical Uppland paradise, great orbital stations are built around Fenris. Eventually, the majority of the Fenrisian population lives in orbit.

It is easy to look at the Imperial Hounds, with their war dogs, face paint, fetishes, Sarum helms and ursus claws on their ships and see them as heathen berserkers, in truth the Imperial Hounds are rather civilized and utilize their image more as a mask. Though they would never admit to such a thing, but if the Imperial Hounds and Red Corsairs would ever look past each other’s masks, they would find much common ground.

Following the orders of Jonson, Lord Commander of the Imperium, Lorgar and the Imperial Hounds are the first to react to an immense army bursting forth from the Eye of Terror, what will later be called a Black Crusade. Lorgar falls in battle against the Red Corsairs, however his sacrifice provides Jonson the time needed to amass a counter force and drive the traitors back into the Warp.

The Legion composes itself of Squadrons, each assigned a specialized role in combat, such as orbital blockades, planetary drop pod assaults, pirate/raider hunting, dedicated line combat and so forth. These Squadrons are named for the gods, spirits and devils of their ancient Fenrisian beliefs. Head of the Lichepriests is Sor Talgron, alongside Aevalryff the Legion Champion and Njelka Cruelsea, mortal valkyrie chosen by the Hearthkeeper Elanin to watch over her son Lorgar.

One of the prominent successors of the Imperial Hounds are the Space Sharks, true name Squadron Blood Reaver. Named for a particular breed of now extinct Fenrisian shark said to mate for life. Fishermen warned that if you caught r killed one, its mate would forever after follow your vessel, waiting for a moment to strike. The Reavers strive to emulate their Primarch’s rage and desire for vengeance against those who destroyed Fenris. Their monomaniacal focus on the deaths of their enemies to the exclusion of all else, even their own lives, has made them pariahs to their fellow sons of Lorgar.

XVIII – ANUBIS THE ENSARHADDON, APOTHECARIARCH OF THE SOLAR TIGERS

AUTHOR: RUNE PRIEST RIDCULLY

Legion:XVIII

Name: Solar Tigers

Primarch: Anubis the Ensarhaddon

Homeworld: Prosepero

Colours: Dust orange, grey white helmets and pauldrons, veterans helmets platinum

Heraldry: Black staff flanked by a pair of tigers rampant

Tactics: Heavy use of Apothecaries, librarians trained to a higher standard then brother legions. Fast initial deployment, then dug in with heavy use of land speeder support, slight preference for plasma weaponry. Skilled artificers like cannon XVIII, albeit not to such a high degree or widespread.

Anubis renamed the XVIIIth Legion the Solar Tigers upon his finding upon Prospero. For two years the Legion remains on the world with him as he teaches them the rites and arts of his home world, and working to train those sons wh could wield the powers of the Warp. After 26 Imperial Standard months , reports of an amassing Ork armysomehow missed by the nearby Executioners Legion causes the Solar Tigers to once more join the Great Crusade.

Anubis was a firm supporter of the Apothecarion office, working hard to stabilize the genetics of the Legions and streamline the production of the Astartes. Following the Emperor’s fall, his dedication focuses entirely upon his recovery.

Prospero is an arid, dusty world when Anubis lands upon it. However, it holds within its vaults the extensive knowledge humanity once held within its grasp. As a youth, Anubis became enthralled not just with the spiritual lessons imparted within the crumbling lexicons, but the scientific capabilities of humanity’s past. As Anubis grew, he dedicated his existence to bring back to life humanity’s lost memories. Prospero became a utopia of thought under his direction, reconnecting with its past. The most notable change brought to Prospero was the reintroduction of flora and fauna in order to return the world to its ancient status as a world of life. Many extinct species of Old Earth are revived from samples kept in stasis and forgotten until their rediscovery.

The tiger’s pelt that Anubis gives to the Emperor as a gesture of fealty was not merely a gesture of a warrior’s pride and prowess, but as evidence of what his mind has wrought. Before Anubis had revived the species, it had been extinct on Prospero for millennia.

The work of Anubis is continued long after his death on Terra. The Successors of the Solar Tigers departed from Prospero on large colony-ships, carrying within their holds the varied life of Old Earth as revived on Prospero. On distant worlds in need of life, the Successors settle and repopulate the world. Sadly, some worlds remained tainted with the curse of the XIII, and their independent lives were shortlived. Believed to have some connection to Anubis’ demise, the Solar Tigers and their Successors have, at times, suffered a bizarre flaw. After suffering a terrible demise, as all Astartes eventually do, there have been documented cases of a son of Anubis simply refusing to allow death to take them. Caught in the painful madness in the moment of death stretched long past its due, the Marines become terrible foes. However, they lose all cognitive abilities and are simply impossible to control or stop. Only by destroying them until nothing remains of them can they be killed, though their brothers have many placed in stasis while their legendary Apothecaries work tirelessly to solve the problem. By the 41st Millennium, no solution has been found.

XIX – LANISTA CORAX, RAVENMASTER OF THE CHAINSWORN

AUTHOR: NOCTUS CORNIX

Legion: XIX

Name: The Chainsworn

Primarch: Lanista Corax, the Carrion King, Tyrant Prince, Corpse God

Homeworld: Nuceria

Colours: Dusky red armour often adorned by binding chains

Heraldry: A Bloody Hand-Print

Tactics: Vicious lightning strike attacks and crippling stratagems

Battlecry: We will not be denied

Devoted followers of the Corpse-god first, Warmaster second.

XX – PRINCIPIO & ETIAMNUS, TWIN LORDS OF THE OUROBOROS

AUTHOR: AQUILANUS

Legion: XX

Name: The Ouroboros

Primarch: Principio Etiamnus

Homeworld: Olympia

The twin Primarchs Principio and Etiamnus have long fulfilled opposing roles, in all things. Principio, the builder, and Etiamnus, the destroyer. Principio envisions himself the master craftsman, an artisan who would create monuments the like of which the Imperium has never seen, but is eaten away within when he is reduced to building fortresses. Etiamnus, though the destroyer, accepts his destiny without rancor. It is said that, despite Principio’s own thoughts on the matter, it was Etiamnus that both their adopted Olympian father Dammekos and the Emperor valued Etiamnus most. In truth, this has made them far more formidable than either could be alone, as their differing talents complement each other. Some outsiders have been known to joke that they were the XX and the XXI. However, this separation has led to rivalry and disagreement. In a war where brother fought brother, nothing so capsulated this than the battles fought between Principio and Etiamnus. The Ouroboros Legion became divided in truth and deed, and the Imperium suffered for it.

Following the Heresy, those who had remained faithful to the Emperor and their fallen liege Etiamnus divided themselves into many Successors by Jonson’s orders, relinquishing forever their former Legion name. Taking the stance that though their chosen father was slain, more would lead them to exact revenge no matter how long it would ever take, the Successors of Etiamnus are collectively known as Cells hailing from the Hydra Legion.

Contrasting the Hydra Legion is the Cerberus Legion, the rechristened faction of the XX Legion who had followed Principio into damnation. The Warbands of Principio, certain of their superiority over the followers of the False Emperor, remain a vicious thorn in the Imperium’s side.

Conn Eremon · October 26, 2013

Just a note on the loyalties list at the bottom: It is based on the agreements and assumptions made in the first iteration of this thread, now gone. If there had been some last minute changes that I didn't see, let me know.

Gree and Ridcully, who as far as I know were not present, have the right to request changes.

Accommodations can be made, but please think of what the project needs first, and right now that's the loyalties set so we can start building everything up to it.

Hyaenidae · October 26, 2013

Cool, great job man. So, we were figuring out the Legions on Ullanor, I think (totally off the top of my head, so please correct me if my Olds-timers syndrome kicks in)

Big Daddy E + Custodes and Sisters

Konrad and the Executioners

Perty and the Iron Hoplites

Fulgrim of the Emperor's Children

Anubis of the Solar Tigers

Corax of the Chainsworn

Who else am I missing?

Noctus Cornix · October 26, 2013

Corax is there, particularly for a point where he is wading his way through the battlefield to reach his father in need and stops dead cold when something in his subconscious whispers

Let him die...

Hyaenidae · October 26, 2013

edited him in, man.

Noctus Cornix · October 26, 2013

Roger.

You get my text?

Conn Eremon · October 26, 2013

Bit of a hiccup. Apparently, the Ork that choked out Emps was on a world called Gorro, and was entirely separate from the Ullanor Crusade, where the Emperor arrived after the fact to celebrate Horus' victory.

So we'll need to rethink it, though I am sure the premise remains sound.

Push comes to shove, we can ignore this and just keep going.

Noctus Cornix · October 26, 2013

Wait, what? :huh:

Ace Debonair · October 26, 2013

Bit of a hiccup. Apparently, the Ork that choked out Emps was on a world called Gorro, and was entirely separate from the Ullanor Crusade, where the Emperor arrived after the fact to celebrate Horus' victory.

So we'll need to rethink it, though I am sure the premise remains sound.

Push comes to shove, we can ignore this and just keep going.

A Primarch deals with Gorro (Maybe Konrad, looking to avert the Emperor's near-death?) and the big Ork winds up fighting alongside a huge army of it's buddies on Ullanor, where the Emperor is campaigning with some of his sons.

Our Horus probably didn't even go to Ullanor anyway, much less secure a super-special-awesome victory there.

I'm still super-excited about this project, but I have no idea what I should really be working on / thinking about at this point.

Where did we get up to, roughly? I might have missed more changes than Morty's cool new name.

EDIT:

For example, did we ever figure out a concrete way to have the Cerberus Legion join the red team?

I know Alpharius (our fellow B&C-goer, not the Primarch ) wanted the two Primarchs to die side-by-side, but we've also got one legion on the bad guy roster, so this is going to require skulduggery and shenanigans of some sort.

Hyaenidae · October 26, 2013

Huh, no kidding? Weird, I always thought it was Ullanor.

We could say the ork horde twisted on a separate path, a Waaaaagh! counter-assault to take pressure off the rest of their territories, or perhaps a detected weakness in Imperial lines. Such an assault would have to be lead by the biggest, baddest Ork around...

Conn Eremon · October 26, 2013

I always thought so, too. Honestly, not a big deal. It wouldn't be all that grand of a change if we say it is as we put it already. Besides, the Ork King of Ullanor is supposed to the biggest bad of all big bad Orks, so it stands to reason that the Emperor would be even more likely to get choked by him.

No I'm alpharius came up with the idea of them dying side by side, but heathens outright stated that his original idea was for Omegon to retain loyalty but not Alpharius. Since, regardless of who writes it, heathens' word is final on his own Primarchs, I went with that. Likewise, he has that power over me and my handling of his Magnus.

Ace, what do you think of Lightning Bearer being a specialized rank/nickname along the same vein as canon Dorn as the Emperor's Champion? Since the Emperor's Children, pre-Primarch, were fancy standard bearers, it could be like saying the guy who is literally the bearer of the Emperor's personal standard. And I don't mean a standard er . . . . Standard (sorry) with his sigil, I mean the one, and only one, Emperor's Personal Standard.

Perhaps when Fulgrim dies it becomes the honorary title of future III Legion Commanders, the highest possible rank within the Legion.

Brother Heinrich · October 26, 2013

Kind of like the thread Ace picked at, having Konrad perhaps see a vision of what he thought was the Emperor's death on Gorro at the hands of the Ork Warboss, so to forestall that fate he intervenes ahead of time and strikes down said Warboss which results in the army of Orks at Gorro going to Ullanor where they bolster the already massive Ork forces there. This in turn results in the overwhelming numbers that weaken the Emperor and prevent his sons reaching him in time. Guilt ensues.

Conn Eremon · October 26, 2013

It adds character, which is an immediate bonus.

Ace Debonair · October 26, 2013

Ace, what do you think of Lightning Bearer being a specialized rank/nickname along the same vein as canon Dorn as the Emperor's Champion? Since the Emperor's Children, pre-Primarch, were fancy standard bearers, it could be like saying the guy who is literally the bearer of the Emperor's personal standard. And I don't mean a standard er . . . . Standard (sorry) with his sigil, I mean the one, and only one, Emperor's Personal Standard.

Perhaps when Fulgrim dies it becomes the honorary title of future III Legion Commanders, the highest possible rank within the Legion.

This idea has been weighed in the balance, and found Awesome.

If it's a figurative title given to Legion Masters, then I'm cool with that. It's something to live up to, and the pressure's on to uphold the glory of the previous Lightning Bearers.

If it's to denote one lucky guy who actually literally gets the Standard of Standards, the Emperor's Personal Banner, then there's literally going to be no-holds-barred duels for this most prestigious honour after Fulgrim perishes.

Logic for those duels runs as thus: If you're going to be carrying the Emperor's personal Standard, you've got to be prepared to do anything to defend it, including fighting dirty if it comes down to it.

Heinrich - Konrad could strike down what he thinks is the right Warboss, but actually be the right-hand ~~man~~ ork for the one that actually gets it's hands on the Emperor. That'd also eat at him and be all the more motivation later on to set things to rights.

Conn Eremon · October 26, 2013

Not sure I like the idea of it being the exact same Ork. Seems too convenient and predetermined.

Why not have Konrad detour, take out Gorro completely, while the Orks are still in their nascency there. Those Orks who would have joined with the Gorro horde are instead free to join the Ullanor Crusade's Orks, where their added strength isolates the Emperor and leads to him being choked out. Who does the choking is ultimately irrelevant.

Ace, alternatively but going along with the Primarch to Legion Masters, you could say that the Lightning Bearer is the Emperor's personal standard. A great honor, but those such as Fulgrim would see it as a reminder of how much further they must go to earn it rather than proof of their worthiness and superiority.

Brother Heinrich · October 26, 2013

Heinrich - Konrad could strike down what he thinks is the right Warboss, but actually be the right-hand ~~man~~ ork for the one that actually gets it's hands on the Emperor. That'd also eat at him and be all the more motivation later on to set things to rights.

Yeah either way, I like the dynamic of Konrad reading his vision wrong. Especially since he loves his father so much, letting him almost die is absolutely shattering to him. I'm thinking I really want to create a scenario where he drives his legion almost to destruction trying to atone for his failures at terra and the betrayals of his brothers. Basically like Dorn and the Iron Cage.

One thing I will say that kind of has me apprehensive about this whole 'early knockout' theory is that in the canon universe, the whole heresy hinges upon the betrayal of the Emperor's ideals. It seems to me that if the Emperor was no longer conscious and one of his sons was running things, it would be far easier to go the insidious route of just carrying on leadership in 'the name of the Emperor.' What I mean to say is that it would be easy for chaos to go all genestealer cult on humanity and the primarchs by just slowly twisting their actions through their favored pawn, rather than relying on some even like Istvaan to knock key players out. Remember, Nikaea happens after Ullanor, without the Emperor, there is no psyker sanction, and the legions who practice are free to keep delving deeper and deeper into things best left untouched. You would not have any way to go, "but what does father think." Father isn't there, and hasn't been for a long time. I can see Lanista Corax just manipulating the crap out of all his brothers, sending Konrad further and further out on crusades, knowing that distance from their father further exacerbates his fractured mind. Scheming with Guilliman and Ferrus to lock down and fortify terra, using his influence to ensure the Emperor never wakes up while still using him to fuel mankind's transport across the stars.

Idk, it just seems like the Final battle is unnecessary with the Emperor already knocked out. It's not like they would prevent Lanista from being the Emperor's proxy, he is a loyal son as far as anyone else is concerned, and he's also the most power hungry. Sure his brothers could have suspicions but nothing concrete enough to kill your brother over. After all, daddy isn't making the rules anymore.

Just my thoughts, don't mean to flip the table or anything.

Ace Debonair · October 26, 2013

Idk, it just seems like the Final battle is unnecessary with the Emperor already knocked out. It's not like they would prevent Lanista from being the Emperor's proxy, he is a loyal son as far as anyone else is concerned, and he's also the most power hungry. Sure his brothers could have suspicions but nothing concrete enough to kill your brother over. After all, daddy isn't making the rules anymore.

Just my thoughts, don't mean to flip the table or anything.

Yes and no.

We'd just have to come up with something that couldn't be ignored to trigger the blue team turning against Lanista.

From what I remember one idea that we'd thrown about in the last thread went along the lines of Fulgrim getting mad enough with Corax to confront the guy and call him out on his actions, causing the other Primarchs dissatisfied with Corax's reign of terror to make their voices heard too, and things to snowball from there.

That said, it's not exactly set in stone or fleshed out to any real degree, so any other ideas are more than welcome.

Especially since, if Fulgrim's going to be one of the two facing Lanista at the finish, maybe someone else should actually lead the rebellion rather than having the Dragonslayer hog all the screen-time.

Conn Eremon · October 26, 2013

Aye, it's why we were calling the blue team the rebels, right? It all stems from Fulgrim discovering sabotage clearly intended to keep Corax in power, confronts him on it, and "Heresy" is Corax violently asserting his authority over those brothers who are no longer willing to follow him, while falling deeper in thrall to the Warp alongside those who stand by him.

Really, the Heresy is the Arch-Heretic being betrayed.

Which makes me wonder. What is this Heresy? Is it a Heresy?

Brother Heinrich · October 26, 2013

Aye, it's why we were calling the blue team the rebels, right? It all stems from Fulgrim discovering sabotage clearly intended to keep Corax in power, confronts him on it, and "Heresy" is Corax violently asserting his authority over those brothers who are no longer willing to follow him, while falling deeper in thrall to the Warp alongside those who stand by him.

Really, the Heresy is the Arch-Heretic being betrayed.

Which makes me wonder. What is this Heresy? Is it a Heresy?

Oh gotcha, that makes a lot more sense, I really like that actually, it's a much more dynamic twist to make to 'rebels' the good guys. In that case I say full steam ahead to any idea that sets up the framework for that.

Noctus Cornix · October 26, 2013

"The fools... Can they not see that what I do is for the sake of my Imperium?..."

Ace Debonair · October 26, 2013

Throwing it out there just before I go to bed, but Corax and Fulgrim should totally be awesome bros before all of this goes down. Just to spice up the battle at the end a little more.

Although maybe that's a bit far-fetched since their attitudes and personalities are really pretty different.

Then again, I suppose they'd work well as foils for each other - Fulgrim acting as something of a moral compass to Lanista, even if perhaps unintentionally, and Corax motivating Fulgrim to try and get past the whole 'I'm not good enough' thing because they are something far more than ordinary.

Noctus Cornix · October 27, 2013

Actually, Ace, I can absolutely see Corax and Fulgrim being some of the closest brothers.

Like I had mentioned in the last thread, Corax is a loyal son of the Emperor and I would only say descends in the wrong direction after he becomes Warmaster.

That being said, he seeks to become kin with many, particularly those like Perturabo (whom he cherishes despite his misguided love for humans)

Lanista abhors failure but he can make exceptions and I would say Fulgrim is an example of that. Fulgrim is a Primarch. He is above this pettiness. He can become so much greater.

Its funny because as I look at this, I am seeing connections with the canon more, like Fulgrim is Horus' Sanguinius as Perturabo is his Dorn.

Wade Garrett · October 27, 2013

My last addition to the previous thread was an attempt to give Barabbas some more depth than "Stalin Bonaparte IIIN SPAAACE".

Taking as a starting point a quotation which I cannot recall the provenance of, "If a thing can move freely, it can move stupidly." Basically I'm considering a colorpiece of him confronting Damnekos on Olympia (which is now Primarchless, right?) and telling the Tyrant that he and his fellow rulers are no longer "free" to wage bloody, pointless wars on each.

Noctus Cornix · October 27, 2013

Sooo... He's like Corax?

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