Madrigal Falls: mapping the history of the II Legion

[Athrawes]

Creating a forgotten History

 

 

It's long overdue that I create this topic separate from my rules thread and my modeling project log that started all of this.

 

As many of you might be aware, with the help of Coldwinter and his Forge Masters, we have been trying to create a fan supplement to the Forgeworld books, detailing the Rules, Artwork and lore for the Missing II Legion.

 

While much of the Legion's history has been finalized, the hardest challenge has been crafting a satisfying and plausible end for the Lightning Bearers. They die, and drift out of history and into legend. But what exactly happened? My hope is that with the communities help in this thread, Coldwinter and I will be able to craft a tragic and engaging game supplement to the Forgeworld Horus Heresy books.

 

Here is what We have:

 

 

II Legion Timeline

• During Unification, II Legion is raised approx. 10 Years after the creation of Legio I.
• During the Sol Campaign, the II Legion (then called the Liberators) took part in a purge of a warp infested moon/orbital community. Under the Emperor's guidance the II Legion becomes his sword in the Darkness.
• The Ghost Crusade Begins, coinciding with the launch of the Great Crusade.
• The II legion is tasked by the Emperor to purge worlds overrun by the warp during the Greatcrusade. The legion refers to this as the Ghost Crusade as "only ghosts can tell of their passage" 
• The Emperor of Mankind has always know that the Neverborn, the sentience in the warp is humanities true nemesis. The II Legion was crafted by the Emperor with specific purpose, unknown and obscured at their conception. For Humanity and the Imperium to survive, The Great Crusade must be allowed to progress. To that end, his sons, the Primarchs and the wider Imperium must at all cost must remain ignorant of the full truths of the Warp. If this knowledge became widespread and questions were asked, the nascent  Imperium would unravel. Chaos must be halted/intercepted so that the wider Legions and Primarchs would never have to deal with it, but the Emperor couldn't have chosen to simply ignore the danger chaos posed to the completion of his schemes.
• Horus Lupercal is discovered scant few years into the Great Crusade, Leman Russ is discovered soon after. Followed by Icarion, they remain the only three Primarchs discovered for 10 Years.
• The Emperor chooses to tell Icarion of his desires to free humanity from the warp, and that chaos is the true enemy of the Imperium. Icarion is entrusted with the II Legion and joins their efforts by leading the Ghost Crusade.
• The Ghost Crusade spans about 80 years, during which time they effectively erase more than a hundred and fifty worlds from imperial record.These are worlds who cultures are steeped in warp lore, or completely lost/overrun to/by daemonic taint. Worlds that if encountered by normal expeditionary fleets would raise uncomfortable questions, these worlds are purged silently and swiftly by the II Legion.
• During this period, Icarion and the Legion collect many Xenos and Golden age artifacts dealing with the warp in a quest to aid the Emperor in achieving his grand dream.
• This leads to the first imperial Webway project centered on Madrigal. Icarion's webway was designed to connect a network of worlds within The Sphere together. And then, from Madrigal tether that network to the intergalactic Webway that already existed.
• It goes wrong and becomes a massive warp tear slowly threatening to consume Madrigal and every other world in the Sphere that was tethered to the Webway. If these worlds all fall to the warp, the cumulative damage to subspace could shift the entire subsector into the warp and doom billions .
• Emperor tells Icarion his worlds must be obliterated to stop the creation of a massive warpstorm.
• Icarion and his legion, being disenfranchised after half a century of wiping out human worlds refuse to doom their entire empire. He believes he can save them al if given time.
• The emperor builds a coalition of Imperial forces lead by several of his Primarch Sons to Invade Icarion's empire, The Sphere in order to reach Madrigal and enact exterminatus. To do this, The emperor misleads the Primarchs.  The Emperor Tells his sons that Icarion, their brother, has abandoned the great crusade. He points to the many Imperial worlds which have been purged of human life as examples of how "far" their brother has fallen. With this evidence of the II Legion's Madness, and their refusal to submit to the Emperor, the gathered Primarchs concede to the Emperors orders
• This leads to the Maelstrom War, which culminates in the Siege of Madrigal. The Maelstrom war was the campaign by the Imperial-loyal forces to break through the worlds of The Sphere in order to enact sanction upon Madrigal. 
• Concurrent with the Maelstrom war is the Webway War, which is fought by a large force of the II Legion who fight in the Webway and on the surface of Madrigal to contain the warp breach.

 

 

Primarchs and Forces involved with the Maelstrom War:

 

Over-all Imperial Commander of the war effort:

 

- The Emperor of Mankind

 

 

Legions, Primarchs and additional forces to participate in the final siege of Madrigal:

 

- The XVI Legion "Luna Wolves," under Horus Lupercal

 

- The XIX Legion, under Horus Lupercal

 

- The VI Legion "Space Wolves," under Leman Russ

 

-  The XVIII Legion "Salamander," under Vulkan (Limited Deployment, absent during later half of the war)

 

- Additional Legion Detatchments: notably I Legion "Dark Angel" assets.

 

- Custodes

 

- Sisters of Silence

 

 

 

The above outline has for the most part been finalized, but what we really need to finish this project are ideas on how to conclude the story that is outlined above. This sets the stage for the Maelstrom War and the Siege of Madrigal but we need suggestions and help figuring out what happens during the siege. 

 

The II Legion will die, but how? Who takes part? What are some of the big set-piece battles of the war? How long does it take? Why does it seem that no one can recall this in later centuries?

 

++++

 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with our Project please check out these threads before posting your ideas:

II Legion Project (Models artwork and Lore)

Forge Master's Sanctum

II Legion: Aspect of the Emperor

[Chandrian]

To name some Primarch's:  Lorgar, Dorn, Guilliman.  

 

I think each (i know Dorn and Lorgar do, maybe not Guilliman) mention the the loss of their Brothers hurt them/had an impact on them.  There was also that little rumor that Guilliman inherited the remnants of the Legions.  (IF you want to follow that idea... i think i read somewhere the BL canned that idea o-O?!!?)

 

 

Lorgar would be outraged that a Brother is going against the Emperor who he feels is a God. 

 

Dorn and Guilliman loyalty to the Emperor.  

 

Thinking a little more Curze might be an option to. (No i'm not being Bias :P)  He see's his fate and what the emperor has planned for him, but the idea/act of having to take out a Brother and Legion "could" also be cause for Curze's turning on his own Home Wold. 

 

Just some ideas that came to mind :P

[Teetengee]

I would also include Russ, since he is supposed to have helped with this. Additionally, leave some legions undeclared in order to allow for future use by others.

[depthcharge12]

Cough *first legion* cough cough

 

:P

 

I think Lorgar, Guilliman, and Dorn should be there as well as Luna Wolves/Horus. I have a feeling that another should be there as well, if not a token force. In my mind I could see either pre Khan White Scars or even some XVth legion to deal with the tears in the warp and the physical world.

 

I think though that the Angels Tenebrium/Dark Angels should be there at the tip of the spear as they have deep enmity with the 2nd legion and would have their leashes let slip by the Emperor (their past was rumored to be brutal and bloody, also trusted by the Emps to get the job done as they had proven themselves before).

 

With that said, the Madrigal campaign should not be unlike the Badab campaign, being that there are quite a few bases within the immediate sector that must be purged before reaching the heart and climax of the battle at Madrigal. I think that there should be roughly seven planets: Madrigal, a knight world, a secondary base of operations/rally point world, a lesser forgeworld, and about three human populated/desolate worlds.

 

Allowing for more world will allow for more theaters of battle and allow the "loyal" legions to drip feed into the campaign to divide and conquer.

[Atia]

Also, Mortarion and his Death Guard would fit well as part of this extermination force :P (with his hate against witches)

[Athrawes]

All good suggestions. 

 

So from A Thousand sons, we know that there was an event during the great Crusade where 9 Primarchs were called together by their father and Mortarion hisses at Magnus that they swore never to speak of it. This sounds like a promising event for:

 

 

• The emperor builds a coalition of Imperial forces lead by several of his Primarch Sons to Invade Icarion's empire, The Sphere in order to reach Madrigal and enact exterminatus. To do this, The emperor misleads the Primarchs.  The Emperor Tells his sons that Icarion, their brother, has abandoned the great crusade. He points to the many Imperial worlds which have been purged of human life as examples of how "far" their brother has fallen. With this evidence of the II Legion's Madness, and their refusal to submit to the Emperor, the gathered Primarchs concede to the Emperors orders

 

So, 9 primarchs were consulted by the emperor, but I don't want there to be 9 Primarchs directly involved in the battle. Probably just forces from those 9 legions. 

 

Legions that were probably involved:

• Dark Angels
• Death Guard
• Space Wolves
• Iconoclasts/word Bearers
• Luna Wolves?
• ???

Primarchs that were Consulted (and whose Legions might have been involved:

 

• Magnus
• Mortarion
• Russ
• Lorgar?
• ???

Primarchs who were directly involved in battles during the Maelstrom War:

 

• Russ
• ???

Primarchs/legions who would most likely not have been involved.

 

• Corax
• Alpharius (or was he?)
• Vulkan?
• Mortarion?
• ???

 

Lets try and fit the Legions and Primachs into those categories.  It's worth mentioning that due t the fact that any primarchs and legions were spread throught the Galexy at this time, its not a mark against any of them that they may not have been directly present or consulted prior to the Maelstrom war, so keep that in mind when you are thinking of who fits into the 4th category.

 

Also, I do really like Teetengee's Suggestion that we should leave some wiggle room to allow other legions to take part.

[depthcharge12]

I personally think that no more than 3 primarchs should be present, or else it would be overkill - I personally think that two should be present for the whole campaign while a third primarch must leave halfway through due to extenuating circumstances.

 

I humbly propose that my Vorpal Claws be there for a majority of the space conflicts/zone mortalis or siege breakthrough scenarios. At the end they lose Katarius after a failed boarding assault and some cat and mouse with their flagships. Only the Legion should really be present at the battle even though I like entertaining the idea that the Lion would be there, but I think he wouldn't be battle proven yet.

 

Russ should be there for a majority of the campaign, if not, the latter half as he's called in to dispense with Icarion. Maybe Lorgar is there with a large Ashen circle contingent to burn any existence of the second legion and their retainers (sorry humies, you get burninated).

 

I think that Horus would want to steal some of the glory, but perhaps his role in the great crusade is too important for him to leave.

 

I don't think Morty would be involved as he was more out on the fringes or new like the Lion.

[Athrawes]

Also, i'd like to qualify my inclusion of Russ here. 

 

First, I hate his Legion's characterization as the "Emperor's executioners" but like it or not, that exists in the lore. By the time of the 'night of wolf' and Horus Heresy, Russ and the Space Wolves truly believe themselves to be the "Emperor's executioners." That doesn't mean they actually are, but there has to be some reason in their past that makes them believe this. Russ wouldn't just decide one day that they are the "executioners." There has to be a reason, perhaps faulty reason, for him to believe this. 

 

And so to quote myself:

 

 

 

I want the Destruction of the II Legion to be that defining moment for the Wolves and Russ. We know that the Emperor asked Russ and his legion to do something at the siege of Madrigal but we don't know what. What if the wolves start to see themselves as His executions not because of what he asked them but as a form of penance or atonement for something they couldn't bring themselves to do.

[Operative]

I would say a likely partaker in the battle for Madrigal would be the Iron Warriors, Perturabo and his legion were frequently sent by the Emperor to do the dirty work. In addition the glory legions (Emperor's Children, Ultramarines, Blood Angels...) would most likely not have been sent to bring a fellow brother to heel.

 

Also in my opinion I can't see Horus himself taking a part in this, as he was loved by all his brothers I can see him refusing to take part in the extermination of one of his own. He would be too emotional to get the job done and if he did take part I expect he would have doubts, as he knew the Emperor the best I would expect he would be uncomfortable with the wrathful side of his father and would most likely stay away from it.

 

Furthermore I can't see Magnus being supportive of this action. In "A thousand sons" it is mentioned that Magnus spoke to his father through the Great Ocean/ Warp even before his arrival on Prospero so I would also assume he would have a deep connection to his fellow psychic brother who he may also have spoken too. I am not too familiar with your 2nd Legion project so I'm just assuming Icarion has the same ability but hopefully my suggestion still upholds. Given that Magnus would have had this connection with Icarion wouldn't he have spoken with him too try and figure out what had happened, also seeing as Magnus sees himself at the pinnacle of Warp knowledge surely he would have tried to help Icarion (or even Icarion would have asked him to help), this coupled with Magnus' hate for destruction and compassionate personality I would assume he would have done all he could to help him (possibly even travelling ahead to save him only to not arrive in time and in doing so witness his brother's destruction) and trying to sway the Emperor's viewpoint.

 

Hopefully my insight has proven of use.

[depthcharge12]

Also, i'd like to qualify my inclusion of Russ here. 

 

First, I hate his Legion's characterization as the "Emperor's executioners" but like it or not, that exists in the lore. By the time of the 'night of wolf' and Horus Heresy, Russ and the Space Wolves truly believe themselves to be the "Emperor's executioners." That doesn't mean they actually are, but there has to be some reason in their past that makes them believe this. Russ wouldn't just decide one day that they are the "executioners." There has to be a reason, perhaps faulty reason, for him to believe this. 

 

And so to quote myself:

 

 

 

 

I want the Destruction of the II Legion to be that defining moment for the Wolves and Russ. We know that the Emperor asked Russ and his legion to do something at the siege of Madrigal but we don't know what. What if the wolves start to see themselves as His executions not because of what he asked them but as a form of penance or atonement for something they couldn't bring themselves to do.

Maybe Icarion jumps into the Webway before Russ is able to kill him? I hate that fluff too and think your idea of whatever is to go down will be the better background.

 

Maybe Russ and the wolves are unable to bring themselves to kill innocent Imperial Citizens under the 2nd legions domain but are called to do so? Kinda like in 40k how Grimnar tells the Inquisition to off themselves when they want to kill off any human witnesses to Angron?

[Kor'Vesh]

Hey Athrawes,

 

If you are going with the idea that the emperor deceives the primarchs by showing them the brutal destruction of all the human worlds in the ghost crusade, I think you could certainly bring vulkan and the salamanders in as aggressors. They would likely react initially with fury at the supposed wanton destruction of innocent civilisations, and readily play a big role. Vulkan was also one of the earliest found primarchs, and at this (early?) stage in the crusade would be about with his reformed legion and would likely have known Icarion reasonably well.

 

The sallies don't get involved in many show pieces, but are an excellent zone mortalis force, ideal for the naval boarding missions that would be common in your war. I also think they would be an ideal force/have the perfect primarch to pull out of the war as Depth suggests, once they begin to doubt the motivations of Icarion, and the word of the emperor. They'd stay true to the big E, as Salamnders do, but I could certainly see Vulkan's doubts growing as the campaign proceeded, and him ultimately pulling out after a confrontation with one of his brothers (the lion, or Morty spring to mind) over their unquestioning desire to destroy the second, and kill Icarion.

 

Of course, I am an Salamanders fan boy...

 

Glad to see this project continues to develop mate!

[spu00sed]

How are you going to link the destruction of a legion, by other legions, with the horror that the legions felt at istvaan at legion on legion conflict?

 

If you are dealing with a warp rift, what about using sisters of silence and custodes as the main fighting force, whilst the primarch's formed a body guard for the Emperor as he dealt with his wayward son.

 

Horus cpuld have been involved, because he had some. Idea of the sentient speicies that inhabit the warp, and such an event would lead him to knowing about them.

 

Of course the other option is that the emperor did use his legions, then used his mind bullets to make them forget, he had done the same to his sons in the past.

[Athrawes]

@Kor'vesh: You have me seriously considering Vulkan's presence during the war. So you did your legion proud, I'd don't know much about Vulkan so I would appreciate your help in fleshing out how he might react to certain events, or what his relationship to Icarion Might have been before the Maelstrom War.  Looking at the Relationship between the High Priestess (Icarion) and Strength (Vulkan) from the Primarch Tarot-Major Arcana Theory might be a good place to start.

 

@spu00sed: That is a hard question to answer. You are absolutely correct that there is horror over what happens at Istavaan. I'm not sure how practical it is but my idea was to compare the II legion and the Maelstrom war to the first War for Molech from 'Vengeful Spirit.' Basically, in that story, Horus and several Primarchs learn that they and their Legions have 'holes in their memory' when trying to think about what happened on Molech with the Emperor.

 

If the emperor was capable of that kind of large scale and long-lasting psychic memory manipulation over those Primarchs (Jonson and the Khan as well) and their Legions, then it stands to reason he could do that to the Legions who executed the Lightning Bearers. 

 

In 'Vengeful Spirit' The Primarchs and Legionaries are conditioned to simply not recall Molech, they are aware something happened there and that they took part in it, but really The emperor basically just conditioned them to not really reflect on those events. Which is perfect because that way, they would never really become aware (in most cases) of the holes in their memories.

 

If he did something similar over the II Legion, it would explain why Astartes and Primarchs remember that there was a II Legion, but don't seem overly bothered by their absence or how they were destroyed.

 

+++++

 

That's my theory anyways, I'm not sure if it is the best one though. Thoughts?

[blackoption]

It would be hard to justify the Ultramarines to NOT partake in the campaign. They were the first legion hit 100k and would remain the largest legion throughout the heresy and scouring.  That being said, It can be argued that Guilliman was not there (at least not for the beginning) but considering his penchant for rebuilding worlds, I can see him partaking (though in a limited fashion) in the clean up from madrigal. 

 

I'll admit that I have a little be of selfish reasons for this, I am making an Legion ultramarine force (the 82nd Company), which I would like to partake.  But I am also going to be building a post Seige Vorpal Claw's (Depth Charge's chapter) force.

[Nomus Sardauk]

Also, i'd like to qualify my inclusion of Russ here.

 

First, I hate his Legion's characterization as the "Emperor's executioners" but like it or not, that exists in the lore. By the time of the 'night of wolf' and Horus Heresy, Russ and the Space Wolves truly believe themselves to be the "Emperor's executioners." That doesn't mean they actually are, but there has to be some reason in their past that makes them believe this. Russ wouldn't just decide one day that they are the "executioners." There has to be a reason, perhaps faulty reason, for him to believe this.

 

And so to quote myself:

 

 

I want the Destruction of the II Legion to be that defining moment for the Wolves and Russ. We know that the Emperor asked Russ and his legion to do something at the siege of Madrigal but we don't know what. What if the wolves start to see themselves as His executions not because of what he asked them but as a form of penance or atonement for something they couldn't bring themselves to do.

If I may follow suite:

 

Perhaps Russ is poised to strike the killing blow against Icarion, but in a moment of weakness he can't actually bring himself to finish his wayward brother. And then, seeing Russ unable to slay his beloved sibling, Icarion smiles...

 

"Forgive me Leman."

 

...And draws the knife across his throat.

 

With one final act of love Icarion spares Russ the pain of killing his kin, finishing the job for him. When the other Primarchs catch up with Leman, they find him knelt solemnly over Icarion's body, stony-faced and grim as the grave.

 

The Second Son is dead, the Thunder Legion undone. Madrigal is left a ruin, it's atmosphere choked with shipwrecks and it's civilization burned from existence. The remaining Primarchs swear to never speak of their lost kin and move on. Slowly, the Imperium forgets.

Also, as to which Legions are present at the Siege of Madrigal, some likely candidates would be among the first Nine Primarchs (aside from Icarion) to be discovered which would be;

 

1. Horus Lupercal

2. Leman Russ

4. Ferrus Manus

5. Fulgrim

6. Vulkan

7. Rogal Dorn

8. Rouboute Guilliman

9. Magnus the Red

10. Sanguinius

 

Obviously, Russ needs to be there, and I think neither the Lion nor Magnus would miss a chance to (in their mind) prove their Legions superior given the drama between them and Icarion. I think Mortarion would be a good inclusion as well as it would certainly help enforce his hatred for psykers.

[blackoption]

I personally think that no more than 3 primarchs should be present, or else it would be overkill - I personally think that two should be present for the whole campaign while a third primarch must leave halfway through due to extenuating circumstances.

 

I humbly propose that my Vorpal Claws be there for a majority of the space conflicts/zone mortalis or siege breakthrough scenarios. At the end they lose Katarius after a failed boarding assault and some cat and mouse with their flagships. Only the Legion should really be present at the battle even though I like entertaining the idea that the Lion would be there, but I think he wouldn't be battle proven yet.

 

Russ should be there for a majority of the campaign, if not, the latter half as he's called in to dispense with Icarion. Maybe Lorgar is there with a large Ashen circle contingent to burn any existence of the second legion and their retainers (sorry humies, you get burninated).

 

I think that Horus would want to steal some of the glory, but perhaps his role in the great crusade is too important for him to leave.

 

I don't think Morty would be involved as he was more out on the fringes or new like the Lion.

 

 

I think Depthcharge's purposal has merit. 

 

Arthawes:  How much of the Sphere have you fleshed out?  Is there a link or post that gives a run down of this sector?

[Conn Eremon]

 

Also, i'd like to qualify my inclusion of Russ here.

 

First, I hate his Legion's characterization as the "Emperor's executioners" but like it or not, that exists in the lore. By the time of the 'night of wolf' and Horus Heresy, Russ and the Space Wolves truly believe themselves to be the "Emperor's executioners." That doesn't mean they actually are, but there has to be some reason in their past that makes them believe this. Russ wouldn't just decide one day that they are the "executioners." There has to be a reason, perhaps faulty reason, for him to believe this.

 

And so to quote myself:

 

 

I want the Destruction of the II Legion to be that defining moment for the Wolves and Russ. We know that the Emperor asked Russ and his legion to do something at the siege of Madrigal but we don't know what. What if the wolves start to see themselves as His executions not because of what he asked them but as a form of penance or atonement for something they couldn't bring themselves to do.

If I may follow suite:

 

Perhaps Russ is poised to strike the killing blow against Icarion, but in a moment of weakness he can't actually bring himself to finish his wayward brother. And then, seeing Russ unable to slay his beloved sibling, Icarion smiles...

 

"Forgive me Leman."

 

...And draws the knife across his throat.

 

With one final act of love Icarion spares Russ the pain of killing his kin, finishing the job for him. When the other Primarchs catch up with Leman, they find him knelt solemnly over Icarion's body, stony-faced and grim as the grave.

 

The Second Son is dead, the Thunder Legion undone. Madrigal is left a ruin, it's atmosphere choked with shipwrecks and it's civilization burned from existence. The remaining Primarchs swear to never speak of their lost kin and move on. Slowly, the Imperium forgets.

Also, as to which Legions are present at the Siege of Madrigal, some likely candidates would be among the first Nine Primarchs (aside from Icarion) to be discovered which would be;

 

1. Horus Lupercal

2. Leman Russ

4. Ferrus Manus

5. Fulgrim

6. Vulkan

7. Rogal Dorn

8. Rouboute Guilliman

9. Magnus the Red

10. Sanguinius

 

Obviously, Russ needs to be there, and I think neither the Lion nor Magnus would miss a chance to (in their mind) prove their Legions superior given the drama between them and Icarion. I think Mortarion would be a good inclusion as well as it would certainly help enforce his hatred for psykers.

I can play this game too.

 

One idea I had put forth in an alternate Heresy thread was that maybe Russ was simply involved, and happened to be the one to put in the killing blow. He was not chosen for it, he was not the most able. He just happened to be there, by the vagaries of fate and battle.

 

And afterwards, his posturing and his Legion's outlook, was nothing more than a coping mechanism to deal with what he had done.

 

I say this because it could fit with what you say, but it is up to you if you want to use that.

[Athrawes]

@SanguiniussReborn: thanks for finding that post. Good suggestions and the earliest Primarchs would probably be a good contenders list for the Legions that took part, but I tend to agree with Depthcharge that while there were 9 legions involved and 9 Primarchs consulted by the Emperor, only a handful should have historically taken to the field during the war. 

 

@Conn Eremon: Thanks for finding your posts as well as it has been a while since his was brought up for discussion in my project log. I would however, welcome any thoughts you have aside from the inclusion of russ.

 

@Blackoption: I haven't really fleshed out The Sphere very much. It's basically meant to be a pocket empire from before the arrival of the Emperor somewhere between a sector and subsector in size. 

 

As worlds far as worlds that have been fleshed out go, just Madrigal and Akira so it is really a blank slate. I'm open to cool suggestions for worlds or systems for the Maelstrom war to be fought over. This empire isn't meant to be even a fraction of what Guiliman had, but something more in line with Dorn's empire before he met the Emperor or the Prosperine Empire that was mentioned briefly to support the XV Legion.

 

How big is big enough for the Imperium to have to devote some serious manpower to conquer it without it becoming too large?

[blackoption]

@SanguiniussReborn: thanks for finding that post. Good suggestions and the earliest Primarchs would probably be a good contenders list for the Legions that took part, but I tend to agree with Depthcharge that while there were 9 legions involved and 9 Primarchs consulted by the Emperor, only a handful should have historically taken to the field during the war. 

 

@Conn Eremon: Thanks for finding your posts as well as it has been a while since his was brought up for discussion in my project log. I would however, welcome any thoughts you have aside from the inclusion of russ.

 

@Blackoption: I haven't really fleshed out The Sphere very much. It's basically meant to be a pocket empire from before the arrival of the Emperor somewhere between a sector and subsector in size. 

 

As worlds far as worlds that have been fleshed out go, just Madrigal and Akira so it is really a blank slate. I'm open to cool suggestions for worlds or systems for the Maelstrom war to be fought over. This empire isn't meant to be even a fraction of what Guiliman had, but something more in line with Dorn's empire before he met the Emperor or the Prosperine Empire that was mentioned briefly to support the XV Legion.

 

How big is big enough for the Imperium to have to devote some serious manpower to conquer it without it becoming too large?

 

sub sector to sector size.  

 

So... Target list for the Siege of Madrigal include

 

1 Legion Homeworld/Imperial Trading world: Madrigal

1 Legion Headquarters: Akira (if I remember correctly Arthawes).

1 Psi Knight/Psi Titan Forgeworld. (its own significant action)

1 Legion/Imperial Navy Sector HQ Station:

1-3 habitable Hive worlds

1-5 habitable Imperial worlds (agri, mining, ect) *these are the economic backbone of the Sphere

And probably 2-5 Defense stations through out the sphere.

 

Note: I made the list as large as I could. It is better to have to much material than not enough.

[Conn Eremon]

Well, since you ask, what follows are the choices I would make if this were my own project, and my reasoning behind it. As usual, a lot of times I just kind of write as if it were my own, so it may conflict with what has already been decided. Whatever I write here is yours to take, discard or modify as you see fit:

 

 

Over-all Imperial Commander of the war effort:

 

- The Emperor of Mankind

 

 

Legions, Primarchs and additional forces to participate in the final siege of Madrigal:

 

- The XVI Legion "Luna Wolves," under Horus Lupercal

 

- The XIX Legion, under Horus Lupercal

 

- The VI Legion "Space Wolves," under Leman Russ

 

- Custodes

 

- Sisters of Silence

 

 

Legions and Primarchs I say should not take part, but I can see being useful if involved in the aftermath only:

 

- The XIII Legion "Ultramarines," under Roboute Guilliman

 

- The IV Legion "Iron Warriors," under Perturabo

 

- The XVII Legion "Imperial Heralds," Primarchless

 

 

You'll notice it's not as large as some of the others' lists. I think it should be this small. This isn't to say that it doesn't require as much to take out the Lightning Bearers, but if you add too many actors the drama becomes muddled, conflicting and just plain too much. Keep the roster short, and remember just who is involved here. Remove the additional three Legions I provided, and consider just the Space Wolves, Luna Wolves, and the "Pale Nomads," as well as the additional firepower and auxiliary support that can be provided by the Custodes and Sisters of Silence, not to mention the Emperor's own direct involvement. Not even the Ultramarines and their realm of 500 can stand against that, and the Lightning Bearers are not on the same level, nor are they all that prepared to fully meet this threat (what with their own reluctance and the Webway war).

 

Yes, there is that hint of an incident that involved 9 or more Primarchs being together in one place, but that doesn't necessarily mean being involved in the actual war effort. After all, that hint occurs during the Ullanor Triumph, not the Crusade itself. What value there might be in having the Primarchs gathered to deal with the Lightning Bearers fate is only really relevant after the II Legion is gone, rather than before or during.

 

For the battle itself, I see the Emperor taking direct command of the Custodes, obviously, while having operational control over the whole conflict. The majority of the war and accolades (if this were a traditional war, anyways) would be won by the Emperor, Horus, and the armies directly beneath them. Russ and the Space Wolves are there to add extra weight to the speartip, and aren't as involved in the other theaters of this war. Russ will be the first to meet Icarion, and the two will fight. Not for Icarion the path of suicide, no matter how honorable or dignified it might be. He is a Primarch, and Primarchs know no other way. But here, the two can speak. The bonds of brotherhood can be shown strong, whatever the terrible circumstances of the present. Though they both willingly raise sword against the other, they can still feel regret. However, the duel will not be between the two of them alone for long, and Horus get involved shortly. At this point, there can be no words, only the struggle to kill, the struggle for life. There can be no other end for this fight, as we all know. Icarion will fall. There should be no indication that shows either Horus or Russ having been the dominant fighter, but someone must land the killing blow. Let it be Russ. Let the Emperor arrive, and see two of his sons solemnly kneeling beside the body of another. Let the Emperor attempt to soothe their troubled minds by showing his gratefulness for being his executioner's blade. Let the heart of Russ grow cold at the words, but be bound by loyalty to accept them. In the years to come, he will hold onto those words, as the justification he needs to cope with what he did, what he was ordered to do. His sons will take pride in them, but they will forever haunt him.

 

Did you know that Russ had a spear? Legend tells it was a gift from the Emperor, and those who were there in those days said they would swear oaths to Russ and the Emperor on this spear, but that Russ himself never took to it, and repeatedly attempted to rid himself of it. What if there is a darker truth behind it?What if the Emperor gave him this spear as a trophy to commemorate a particular act of Russ' service to him? A trophy for something Russ did that he felt no pride in, but loyalty demanded he make the effort, and so suffer the memories it brings? What if Russ simply could no longer stand to keep a token of his brother around?

 

Let's talk about the timeline!

 

Now, Horus Lupercal has been always the first Primarch to be uncovered. However, Perturabo is described as having been found within the fourth decade of the Great Crusade, and is on the list as being the twelfth Primarch found. So in the first forty or so years, a dozen Primarchs had been uncovered.

 

My own personal headcanon is that Horus and Russ were found remarkably close together in time. Horus was first, and Horus was younger, more impressionable. Horus had the advantage of remaining by the Emperor's side, being personally tutored by the big cheese himself. Russ, however, was found as a warrior-king who had already conquered his home world by being the alpha predator of alpha predators. So while Horus had the benefit of getting one-on-one time with the Emperor, Russ was handled more like Mortarion or Angron. Challenged the Emperor, lost the challenge, woke up among a Legion that was his to command. Sure, there must have been at least some indoctrination period, but like some of the Primarchs shown, Russ' was short and to the point. This would later explain why the Emperor felt he could trust Russ with "handling" things, simply because he was the first Primarch entrusted with the Great Crusade. Horus, after all, was still with the Emperor. Obviously, there is no reason why the Emperor couldn't've trusted other Primarchs with the same, however first impressions are sometimes the hardest to break.

 

So that's how I perceive the opening years of the Great Crusade going down, and it's entirely likely it'll be shattered when Forge World actually tries their hand with the VI Legion, but until then . . .

 

Now, the third Primarch found is one of the Missing Primarchs. I say make that Icarion, if you haven't already (and you really, really should, because the other one would've still been on the Ghost Crusade well into the Scouring if it's supposed to have lasted fifty years), and include Icarion with how I described Russ. We'll say that Horus had the first three years with the Emperor, the first and so far only Primarch. Then Russ was found, and a year or two after Russ was off Crusading by himself, Icarion was uncovered. Now let's give ourselves a gap, and say it was a whole decade before Ferrus Manus and Fulgrim were found next. That's the timetable for the opening twenty years of the Great Crusade. Plenty of room for Russ and Icarion to forge a brotherhood, perhaps even one to rival that of Sanguinius and Horus, or Ferrus Manus and Fulgrim.

 

Now, Icarion and the Lightning Bearers are part of this Ghost Crusade, which lasts fifty years. Start those fifty years with the beginning of the Great Crusade, not Icarion's union with his Legion. The very first battle of the Ghost Crusade occurs within the Sol System, involves the II Legion under the Emperor's personal command, and so the II Legion embarks on the Great Crusade and the Ghost Crusade simultaneously. Meaning that the age of the Ghost Crusade is the same as the age of the Great Crusade, putting the end of the II Legion about a decade after Perturabo's discovery. Just for the heck of it, I'm going to say that Lorgar was the most recently found, but he has yet to be placed in command of his Legion, hence why the XVII are still listed as the Primarchless Imperial Heralds.

 

So this means that Icarion is introduced to the II Legion while it is already fighting the Ghost Crusade. Perhaps you can even show a hint of the tragedy to come here, with the Emperor initially harboring a doubt that this Primarch can be trusted to properly fulfill the task given to his Legion. But whatever doubts the Emperor might have, he does place Icarion in command of the II Legion, and he does inform Icarion of the vital task he is to be set upon. Fast-forward a few decades, and you will see that the Lightning Bearers and their Primarch have remained true to this task, and have proven themselves capable in the pursuit of the Emperor's will. But we all know how this story ends, and it is my thoughts on this timeline that cemented my choices for the Legions and Primarchs to take part.

 

 

The story began with Horus, Russ and Icarion, and so should the story end.

[depthcharge12]

Looking at Isstvaan, it takes about a 3:1 ratio to wipe out a whole legion. Looking at Prospero, both legions nearly ground each other to dust though the Wolves had surprise, Custodes, and Sisters of Silence to help.

 

I think anywhere from 7-12 planets would suffice, considering you'll have to write fluff and combats about each :D

 

I think the order of battle over a 9 month campaign would likely be thus:

 

Months 1-2: Blockade set up around Madrigal System and important lanes

+ Imperial Fists seem best suited to this task, hold and interdict any leaving vessel

+ Loyal legions gather at a rally point at the edge of the system

+ Outlying relay stations attacked first, hampering communications

 

Month 3: First strike on an important base

+Vulkan/Sallies and Dark Angels strike the mechanicum/ psi Titan forge world

+ Large void battle involves AdMech and Lightning Bearers holding on heroically, but lose due to numbers and outmaneuvering by DA fleet

+ Sallies commit to ground fight and raze the forges, Vulkan takes on psi titans with some loyalist knight Titan assistance (heavy loyalist Titan casualties)

+ Remaining LBs flee back to Madrigal with news

 

Months 4-5: More legions enter the system, purge more worlds

+ LBs set up hasty defenses and try to consolidate

+ LBs uses Madrigals limited Webway to try and fight multiple legions in multiple locations

+ Outer strategic world are lost

 

Month 6-7: Lightning Bearers counter attack

+ though outnumbered, LBs use their knowledge of the system and Webway to attack key locations and break holes in the blockade for citizens to flee

+ Lorgar and his Iconoclasts burn down large swathes of cities to purge any and all info on the 2nd legion

+ Eldar raiders/ craftworld appears for a short duration, seemingly to assist the LBs, if not disrupt the loyalist legions for unknown purposes before leaving

+ LBs go back to forge world at high cost and grab as many psi titans as possible in a snatch and grab operation for the defense of Madrigal before the facility is burned to the ground

 

Month 8: Campaign is at it's height

+ main 2nd legion staging ground planet is under attack by at least 4 legion forces

+ Vulkan leaves midway through the month, unable to partake in the collateral damage being caused

+ Russ' legion runs amok, destroying any remaining military assets

+ Legendary battle over the void space around Madrigal starts

+ Blockade tightens around 2-3 key planets

+ First bombs hit Madrigal

 

Month 9: Purging of Madrigal

+ Remaining 2/3rds of the second legion fight on various archipelagos to defend their home world

+ desperate battles in the orbiting space station, planet power relays, and shield generators

+ Fleeing of some 2nd legion assets, pursuit by 1st legion forces

+ Death of Icarion on planet

+ Psychic backlash among remaining 2nd legion

+ closing of Webway/warp rift portals by combined legion psyker efforts

 

Month 10: Epilogue

+ Dispersal/ interment of remaining LBs?

+ final conclave of primarchs, legions, and Emperor

[Athrawes]

@Conn: I love all of it. There is a reason I perk up ever time you post Fluff Ideas on one of my threads and your post is the perfect example why. There are a couple of points in particular I adore. Russ' Spear in reality being Thunderchild is heartbreaking, I love it. I also agree that the forces involved should be limited.

 

So Horus and Russ were the only two Primarchs directly involved with the war. I like the symetry of it so i think that will be my working version (It may change but for now it is in)

 

As for Legions involved, I think what you posted is a good basis for the forces. The VI, XVI, and XIX were the only Legions to commit the bulk of their forces to the Maelstrom war. This leaves it open for chapters or small detachments from other Legions to play roles during the war. The Dark Angels come to mind, but there could be several others that go unrecorded. 

 

This is also just perfect:

 

 

 

For the battle itself, I see the Emperor taking direct command of the Custodes, obviously, while having operational control over the whole conflict. The majority of the war and accolades (if this were a traditional war, anyways) would be won by the Emperor, Horus, and the armies directly beneath them. Russ and the Space Wolves are there to add extra weight to the speartip, and aren't as involved in the other theaters of this war. Russ will be the first to meet Icarion, and the two will fight. Not for Icarion the path of suicide, no matter how honorable or dignified it might be. He is a Primarch, and Primarchs know no other way. But here, the two can speak. The bonds of brotherhood can be shown strong, whatever the terrible circumstances of the present. Though they both willingly raise sword against the other, they can still feel regret. However, the duel will not be between the two of them alone for long, and Horus get involved shortly. At this point, there can be no words, only the struggle to kill, the struggle for life. There can be no other end for this fight, as we all know. Icarion will fall. There should be no indication that shows either Horus or Russ having been the dominant fighter, but someone must land the killing blow. Let it be Russ. Let the Emperor arrive, and see two of his sons solemnly kneeling beside the body of another. Let the Emperor attempt to soothe their troubled minds by showing his gratefulness for being his executioner's blade. Let the heart of Russ grow cold at the words, but be bound by loyalty to accept them. In the years to come, he will hold onto those words, as the justification he needs to cope with what he did, what he was ordered to do. His sons will take pride in them, but they will forever haunt him.

 

So i will update the first post with this new information.

 

What I need from you lot next is help coming up with a few of the key engagements of the maelstrom war. Remember that it takes place over the space or a subsector in the Maelstrom Zone that is slowly whittled back to Madrigal.

 

+++

 

First, I have one question on which I am unsure and could use help.

 

Initially, Akira was the shipyard of the empire and was for all intents and purposes a Forgeworld. During the Golden Age Madrigal and Akira were sister forge worlds. But after the Thunderking took over and caused the massive warp-storm event (why they live above the clouds in the Mountaintop 'sky islands'), the Magos and Adepts fled Madrigal for Akira. 

 

I still want Akira to be the Primary Forgeworld of the Sphere, It supplies armor, munitions and technical prowess to the II Legion, it's most famous and impressive features would be its Building and Shipbreaking Yards.

 

But where should it be located?

 

The battle of Akira was always going to be a major engagement in the war, but as I had written the lore originally, Akira was the Moon of Madrigal and so was one of the last battles of the war before madrigal itself was invaded. I feel that this should Probably change. Should Akira still be in the same star system as Madrigal or should it be in an entirely different system?

[blackoption]

I like Depthcharge timeline for the actual Siege.  Historically, he is also correct about the 3-1 ratio.  Though overwhelming attacks (which the Emperor likely intends is 5-1 or greater).

 

But Conn's purposal brings up a question: When does this campaign take place?  If it takes place in the first century of the crusade, that limits not only the legions able to partake, but also what equipment could be fielded: ie. No Mk4 armor, limited if any terminators, no seeker squads, potentially no jump pack assault troops (as Corrax and the Raven Guard played a major part, along with the Night Lords in fielding across the legions).  So I'd recommend the siege take place in the second century of the crusade.  Maybe that means you change the start date of the Ghost Crusade or extend it, but that is my recommendation.

 

Now, we have already started talking about the Imperial Order of Battle.  It sounds like Arthawes plans for Horus, Leman Russ, and Vulkan as the 3 primarchs present for the campaign, (though an argument could be made for Dorn being present, as it is his character to loyally follow orders, even if they were distasteful.  Plus, Dorn does manage to alienate himself from his brothers, perhaps something in this campaign is the cause of that).  That leaves six other legions for the roster.   

 

I see two ways Arthawes and Co can decide (but they do not have to be mutually exclusive). A. Decide based off of fluff reasons for the legions that partake, or B. Decide based off of the Frater who wish to partake in creating this campaign (for example, I'd like it if my Ultramarines Legion force could participate)

 

Now, the Legions I see participating are:

 

Dark Angels:  The Lightning Bearers have a rivalry with the Dark Angels,  Depthcharge's Chapter "the Void Claws" have some history/rivalry with the 2nd Legion.  Katarius figures prominently at the end.

Imperial Fists:  They are known as the premier Legion in Naval Actions. If I remember correctly, The Lightning Bearers have considerable experience in naval combat.

Ultramarines:  The Ultramarines are a legion heavyweight in terms of manpower.

Death Guard: A Relentless Legion,  Like the Salamanders, they do not quit.  Though they could be the dark counter point to Vulkan's actions.

if Pre Corrax- Raven Guard:  Horus used them as additional components of his Legion

[Conn Eremon]

But Conn's purposal brings up a question: When does this campaign take place?  If it takes place in the first century of the crusade, that limits not only the legions able to partake, but also what equipment could be fielded: ie. No Mk4 armor, limited if any terminators, no seeker squads, potentially no jump pack assault troops (as Corrax and the Raven Guard played a major part, along with the Night Lords in fielding across the legions).  So I'd recommend the siege take place in the second century of the crusade.  Maybe that means you change the start date of the Ghost Crusade or extend it, but that is my recommendation.

 

Eh, I can still see there being precursors around prior that would allow people to use the same units, if this is going to become an actual campaign. I wouldn't, for instance, think that there were no jump-packs until the last twenty years of the Great Crusade.

[Daemon2027]

What about the XX legion or 'ghost legion'. Seems like this is what they were created for.