The Lupercalian

[Barbatos]

The Lupercalian 

 

• GENE-SEED: Various. Only five members still carry the gene-seed of Horus Lupercal.
• WAR LORD: Romulus the Wolf Born
• BASE OF OPERATIONS: Fleet-Based
• MAIN COLOURS: White, black and silver.
• SPECIALITY: Close combat, Reaver tactics, raiding.
• BATTLE CRY: For Horus! Lupercalian!
• CURRENT STRENGTH: 
  -500 Traitor Marines
  -2600 Traitor Guard 
  -150 Dark Mechanicus Skitarii Cohort
• ALLEGIANCE: To Horus and themselves.

ORIGIN
The Lupercalian are remnants of the Sons of Horus and are a former warband of the Black Legion. Their story begins at the destruction of Horus's mortal form at the hands of Abaddon the Despoiler. Romulus, Remus, Gilgamesh, Zainudeen and Germund were a five man Reaver Attack Squad and sworn battle-brothers who served the XVIth loyally through the Great Crusade. Romulus their cold and calculating leader, Remus the youngest and most stalwart, Gilgamesh a bloodthirsty sadist, Zainudeen a zealot among his squad who revered Horus as a god long before the Heresy and Germund a scarred and silent warrior who spoke only to relay his Captains orders. The Reaver Squad was originally 3rd Company but turned more of an individual body after the humiliating defeat at the Siege of Terra. Upon that cursed world of Maeleum Romulus saw to it that his squad stayed alive and trusted none of their brothers, it was a time of distrust and chaos and only the strong would survive. For years they slew fellow brothers who they deemed unworthy to carry their Gods name, Zainudeen would lead the squad in stalking around the fortress-tomb of Horus and sacrificing the broken ones to their god. Where other Legionnaires would succumb to the gifts of chaos and madly devote their souls, Romulus forbade his brothers from giving up in such a cowardly way out. They would survive at the will of Horus and him alone.

 

With the abduction of their God at the hands of the Emperor's Children, the proud Reaver brothers joined Abaddon in his counter-assault on those that would desecrate Horus' corpse and the five warriors cut a merciless swathe through their former traitors-in-arms. At was at this time that Zainudden zealous nature awoke and he was heard chanting ancient Cthonian blasphemies and ritualistic prayers as he ripped apart the Emperor's Children standing in their way. The Reavers watched on in horror after the assault as Abaddon destroyed Horus' body and declared him a weakling and a fool. They bit their tongues and held back their protests fearing for their own lives. They were not reckless fools that would be goaded into showing their true colours, no, Romulus had led them better than that. As Abaddon started to purge the newly named Black Legion of those who would not stand with him, the five Reavers bent the knee and would serve their new master in order to survive.

For centuries they fought in the Black crusades shedding blood for their false leader, donning the blackened armour and watching as those around them gave into madness and the warp. In secrecy the five would pray to Horus for victory in war and the strength to resist the taint of chaos. Though they tried to remain unblemished by the ruinous powers, they all changed slowly mutating in subtle ways in the mind and body. Romulus did however rise through the ranks of the Black Legion and came to command a small raiding force of 200 men, most of them turned into traitor marines long after the Horus Heresy and none carrying the blood of Horus in their veins. Amongst their number were marines from many other warbands and legions all turned  to serve Abaddon wage war against the Imperium. Romulus commanded with respect and determination, even though they were tasked with finding new recruits and slaves for the Black Legion he would teach his men to fight as warriors and not madmen for the Ruinous Powers. It was the same doctrine that he put on every slave they caught, he would see to it that Zainudeen teach them of Horus Lupercal and the betrayal of the Sons of Horus at the hands of Abaddon. Most slaves they captured were their own property and they saw to it that it their property that were taught in the ways of their former Primarch. Romulus was playing a risky game however, he was stealing men from the Black Legion and conditioning them to be loyal to Horus and not the Despoiler. Despite the disobedience of their newly appointed Warchief the former Reavers and the new meat were loyal to Romulus and kept their secret worshipping to themselves. 

The time had come. Romulus had amassed a loyal following strong enough to succeed their service to the Black Legion. On the Imperial World of Ophess III a substantial Black Legion force had made plans to conquer the planet and establish a launch pad for a greater campaign. Fighting had slogged out in to an eight week battle of attrition, though the Black Legion presence were great in number the local populace was greater and both sides suffered heavy casualties. The Ophess system is located in the Segmentum Obscurus in the outer north, sporting a small defensive fleet and a hand full of Astra Militarum regiments. The planet was often raided by Romulus and his warband for slave livestock, but was demanded to cease his activities by Hyrmir a rival Warlord who showed an interest to have the planet for his own. It was Hyrmir who led the current invasion on the planet. Romulus's raiding fleet were requested to reinforce Hyrmir's attack. The fleet arrived in the system without complying to their orders and the Thunderhawks descended upon the planet. 

 

Hyrmir and his forces were currently fighting with one of the planets few surviving Imperial Regiments led by Colonel Ingold. Ingold commanded a dwindling force though it was the largest left and had whittled Hyrmir's number down to less than 400 marines in a single ambush. Romulus and his entire warband had deployed and hurried to Hyrmir's line with haste. The warband had halted but a few feet from Hyrmir and his men and took aim. Hyrmir turned confused at their relief, they did not don the black and gold of the Black Legion but a ghostly white of a long forgotten time. Romulus, Remus, Zainudeen, Gilgamesh and Germund all stood at the head of the mysterious host, eyes burning with zealous rage. Romulus pointed a twisting finger at Hyrmir and roared a battle cry to signal his men.

"LUPERCALIAN!"

 

His loyal warband roared back their new name and opened fire at the Black Legion. The battle was nothing short of a slaughter. There was no grace in the fighting of the Lupercalian, nor hesitation. Each man fought as an individual with cold precision and ruthlessness. After a short period of tactical firing lines the Lupercalian grew restless and engaged in close combat. They resorted to combat techniques resembling that of drugged up gangers and madmen. Black Legionnaires were dragged to the ground before being shanked by gangs of bayonets and crude spears. Other times they were grabbed by several Lupercalian at once and torn limb from limb. Gilgamesh in his bloodlust took to ripping unprotected throats and jaws out with his own mouth and Germund scattered the brains of his victims around him with his great maul. Remus and Zainudeen remained the only ones with tactical prowess and were ordering bombardments from supporting artillery and organizing what firing teams they could. Romulus was locked in combat with Hyrmir throughout the entire engagement, breaking only to scatter anyone in their way. With a sudden swipe of his clawed hand Romulus ripped off the rival Warlord's face. Hyrmir had been killed and with it the will of his force.

 

Colonel Ingold and his men watched on in horror as they seemed to be spared from this savage new warband. They remained in their trenches and bunkers and simply observed the bloody engagement. He ordered sharpshooters to take out any Black Legionnaire that tried to escaped but set nothing on the Lupercalian. He bade his time and waited to see how the battle played out, weighing his options for survival.

 

The Black Legion had been decimated after a few hours of fighting, the stragglers were beaten, tortured and subjected to other disturbing punishments at the hands of the Lupercalian. As they cleaned up, Zainudeen set to work with the next phase of their plan, making contact with Colonel Ingold. The corpses were stripped of useful resources and burnt in a great pyre. Gilgamesh was found gravely injured and still foaming at the mouth with rage, he was interred inside an ancient dreadnought left by the Black Legion and chained up to be hung from the gangways of the Sea Witch. He remains inside still screaming with rage and hunger only to be satisfied on the battlefield.

 

Zainudeen offered Colonel Ingold one chance of survival on the condition he and his men convert to serve The Lupercalian and learn the ways of Horus Lupercal. Ingold never was a terribly loyal servant and Ophess III was a world of constant civil wars and pirate raids. Most of his men needed no convincing and proclaimed loyalty to The Lupercalian, Colonel Ingold followed suit reluctantly, only cautious of serving under such murderous individuals. Those who would not served were spared no mercy, Romulus would only offer surrender once. Zainudeen saw to the raising of a Cult of Horus on Ophess III and thus secured future recruits and followers loyal to the Lupercalian.

The Lupercalian left the Ophess system, their baptism in blood had been complete. 
 

 

BASE OF OPERATIONS

The She-Wolf, Retaliator Grand Cruiser

Impertius, Soulcage-Class Slaveship

The Sleeping Giant, Iconoclast-Class Destroyer

Sea Witch Idolator-Class

 

 

PRESENT ACTIVITIES

The Lupercalian are currently on a pilgrimage to Maeleum deep within the Eye of Terror, though the location is lost to them they still march on. The holy undertaking was initiated by Zainudeen who was plagued with visions of their God's former grave, urged Romulus to mobilize at once as a powerful presence could be felt there. News of this journey has reached the ears of many and Romulus now finds himself beset by flocks of cultists wishing to convert and rival warlords looking for a prize.

 

Germund and Skjold are on a mission to reinforce a Dark Mechanicus uprising on Maxross a Forgeworld that Skjold once called his home. They are to help secure the planet and establish a regular supply line for The Lupercalian's pilgrimage. Meanwhile Ingold is on course for rendezvous with the main force with a huge horde of cultists and barbarians from his regiments own enterprises. 

 

 

COMBAT DOCTRINE
All Lupercalian are trained in the ways of the Reaver, ancient warriors of the once great Sons of Horus Legion, now all but memory. Romulus, Remus, Gilgamesh, Zaniudeen and Germund were all part of a greater Reaver squad before the events of the Horus Heresy. Through their teachings each Lupercalian is trained as a ruthless close combatant before receiving their standard bolter, if a warrior cannot kill with a blade than what hope do they have with a gun? Each man is taught to fight as an individual within a greater entity.

A Lupercalian charge is devastating, with brute force they crash into the ranks of the enemy causing disarray. Before the enemy can recover the Lupercalian rend their way through the numbers and take out the leadership, before retreating and making way for havoc squads to clean up the stragglers. The Lupercalian main tactic is to strike without warning, tactical fall back followed by a storm of autocannons and flamers.

 

BELIEFS
The Lupercalian believe Horus to be a God, one who is in line of power with the ruinous powers. They believe he was blinded but not ultimately tarnished by his reliance on Chaos and for this treat Chaos with caution. They will employ the use of sorcery, mutation and daemon machines with utmost respect of it being a weapon and not the reason for their existence. The Lupercalian also hold Abaddon as a Blasphemer for renouncing his loyalty to their fallen Primarch and the destruction of his holy corpse. For this The Lupercalian have a hatred for the Black Legion but they will work with their former oppressors if it means a victory over the Imperium on a larger scale. When not on Black Crusades or uniting to take on a greater foe, the Lupercalian stay out of Abaddon's way, not wishing to incur his wrath before they are ready. Romulus, Zainudeen and Germund are the only ones who remember Horus in his mortal form but all claim that they see glimpses of the now ascended god in their scarce dreams and in visions of faith. From day to day The Lupercalian hold Horus in their thoughts and personal prayers but will only become war thirsty zealots on the battlefield where Horus's anguish can be released.

 

 
CHAMPIONS

Romulus the Wolf Born- Former Reaver, Warlord of the Lupercalian. Romulus the Wolf-Born resembles his God and was called a Son of Horus even during the days of the Luna Wolves. He has a strong sense of honour and holds himself in higher standard than other Warlords who call themselves enemies of the Imperium. He is famous for offering chances of surrender to those whom the Imperium has abandoned or other wise doomed to death, managing to raise most of his cultist and renegade forces from such tactics. He teaches his followers not to rely on the Ruinous Powers for purpose but to use them only as weapons and tools to be use as they would a bolter or blade.

 

Germund the Slaver - Former Reaver, Slaver Master of the Lupercalian. Germund is responsible for locating rich sources of livestock for the fleet. He oversees slavery among the fleet and takes great pride in his work. He has a small slavers council made up of the most loyal slaves who have earned their freedom and find pride in mastering over their former kind. In essence he is responsible for the survival of the Lupercalian as he provides labour, servants and a food source.

 

Zainudeen the Prophet - Former Reaver, Dark Apostle of The Lupercalian. 

 

Gilgamesh the Cannibal - Former Reaver interred inside an accursed Hellbrute at the protest of Gilgamesh.

 

Skjold - Dark Mechanicus and commander of Skitarii detachment within the warband.

 

Colonel Ingold - Former Imperial Guard Colonel, he and his regiment defected and betrayed the populace of Sabine during The Lupercalian's slave raid of his world.

 

Captain Iakona - Captain of The She-Wolf.

 

Remus - Former Sons of Horus Legionnaire but now a twisted beast who has been cursed with a wolf form. He is chained up in the dark pits of The She Wolf where he howls in pain and anguish eternally. 
 

[Erasus]

Did the Sons of Horus have Chaplains pre-heresy? Even now I'm sure only the Word Bearers had that role as the other Legions were all atheist while Lorgar worshipped the Emperor as a god, then Chaos

 

Maybe Zainudeen is from a loyalist Chapter?

[Banelord]

Did the Sons of Horus have Chaplains pre-heresy? Even now I'm sure only the Word Bearers had that role as the other Legions were all atheist while Lorgar worshipped the Emperor as a god, then Chaos

 

Maybe Zainudeen is from a loyalist Chapter?

 

Officially I don’t think they did, I’ll have to look it up, but they did have their Warrior Lodges. Maybe he was a Lodge Master promoted to Chaplain during the heresy.

[Barbatos]

The champion profiles are still WIP but Zainudeen turned fanatic for Horus after The Dropsite Massacre and always revered Horus more so than others. After their time in the Black LEgion and the forming of the Lupercalian, Romulus, Remus, Gilgamesh and Germund allowed Zainudeen to relish in his zealous fervour for Horus. He's the mother hen of the cultists and a recruiter of sorts.

TL'DR, Zainudeen was hard for Horus, they join Black Legion and keep it hush, they form The Lupercalian and he allowed to show his hard on once again. 
 

EDITL Updated him now. But guys seriously thanks for any questions and feedback, it's helping me shape the warband for the better!

[Erasus]

So was Romulus one of the Justaerin under Abaddon?

 

Were Gilgamesh and Zainudeen Catulan Reavers in 1st Company or Reavers from another Company?

 

Is Remus related to Romulus?

 

Why is Remus afflicted with this wolf-form?

 

How did they take to the Emperor's Children robbing Horus' body during the Slave Wars? And then Abaddon's rebranding the Legion as the Black Legion?

 

Do they ever interact with the Black Legion and their former leader?

[Barbatos]

Updated for now

[Erasus]

Oh well done for fleshing it out so much! You getting more of a feel of who the Lupercalian are?

Just a couple more questions then;

 

Was Romulus a Captain before the Heresy?

How was he in charge of a Reaver squad as a Captain? I was under the impression Reavers were specialist assault units, it'd be like having a Captain in charge of an Assault Squad wouldn't it? Did a bit more research, there was a Captain of the Reavers but only the elite 1st Company Catulan Reavers and he was a character in the Horus Heresy series, Kalus Ekaddon. I was also under the impression all Reavers wore black armour but now I'm thinking it was only the Catulan as they were 1st Company . . . you probably know more than me, I haven't read past Horus Rising yet . . .

 

You said they'd served for centuries, the Great Crusade was only two centuries so were they Terran stock? or Cthonian?

Were they effectively like Iacton 'Half-Heard' Qruze?

 

I don't know why, but I like imagining them in the Ullanor Crusade, what was it like for them when Horus was pronounced Warmaster? To be fair this is a redundant question, more for your thoughts in shaping them than needing to tell us

 

You paint the Lupercalian as a force that blames Chaos for deceiving Horus, effectively allowing him to lose, why do they tolerate the agents of Chaos at all? Shouldn't Chaos be blamed as much as the Emperor in that instance?

 

So they hate Abaddon, and they killed a warband of the Black Legion, so the Warmaster would be out for vengeance wouldn't he? Might be the greatest threat they face at the moment during their journey through the Eye, especially as many warlords could raise their standing by handing the Lupercalian dead or alive to the Black Legion. Maybe Abaddon is planning a showdown at Maeleum?

 

I really like the whole secret society thing within the Black Legion, good idea. I also like the idea of returning to the last peaceful resting place of Horus.

 

Can Space Marines fancy women?? There's only two instances I can think of that relate to this and that's Fulgrim diving into daemonic orgies once he was a Daemon Prince and Bjorn recognising beauty in an Inquisitor. Now the rules don't apply when its a Daemon Prince and he's got daemonettes. Never mind the fact I don't think human women could take a space marine . . . but that's a debate for another day, it's your warlord so final say is yours but does he need concubines? I've never heard the like before

 

Last bit, I really like how you've fleshed out the past of the Lupercalian but I'm getting mixed vibes of who they are; they are slavers and vicious fighters, fighting the Reaver way like the Black Legion eventually went. Yet on the other hand they free slaves after taking them and give people a choice to join rather than force it. Are they bad guys or good guys, I get the feeling they're neither but it's a confused identity.

[Barbatos]

Edited.
Removied a few titbits that I didn't really think through before. 
I have avoided mentioning Ullanor and other campaigsn because I don't think it's necessary to simply mention already known engagements.

They don't free slaves, they raid and pillage but don't senselessly go on genocidal campaigns like most chaos warbands do. They offer a chance to surrender and convert only to assets they believe would best be used under their banner.
All i'm gonna do for now, exhausted form travelling!

[Erasus]

Just read the updated version, I like the changes, makes more sense and gives the warband more of a 'feel'.

No I wasn't asking you to mention any established canon campaigns, it was more food for thought. I find imagining how groups react to events that will have legitimately happened helpful to establishing their character and possible reasons why little things change. For example, you won't have to mention it but the Ullanor Crusade could be something Zainudeen uses to convince others that Horus is a god, vindicated when the Emperor makes him Warmaster. It just gives a base for your thoughts is all. I mean they will have been there, you might need to know how they were affected by that, even if we don't.

Sorry if it seems I'm mercilessly hacking at your creation, I hope these questions and suggestions prove helpful in one way or another

Well done so far, this has come leaps and bounds since it was first posted.

[Barbatos]

Just read the updated version, I like the changes, makes more sense and gives the warband more of a 'feel'.

No I wasn't asking you to mention any established canon campaigns, it was more food for thought. I find imagining how groups react to events that will have legitimately happened helpful to establishing their character and possible reasons why little things change. For example, you won't have to mention it but the Ullanor Crusade could be something Zainudeen uses to convince others that Horus is a god, vindicated when the Emperor makes him Warmaster. It just gives a base for your thoughts is all. I mean they will have been there, you might need to know how they were affected by that, even if we don't.

Sorry if it seems I'm mercilessly hacking at your creation, I hope these questions and suggestions prove helpful in one way or another

Well done so far, this has come leaps and bounds since it was first posted.

No mate I appreciate these questions, I've amended a lot on thought of your notes and comments. Should have this badboy finished after xmas.

Thanks for all the help really.

[Erasus]

Ah good, glad it was helpful

I think this is coming along nicely, you definitely have a stronger sense of who they are and where you want to take them

Well, if you need any more c&c I'll be here to lend a hand

[Barbatos]

I'm more or less finished with this warband's lore for now, I feel I need to paint and model them to get some further inspiration.

[sitnam]

I really like your work here. These guys are basically a DIy Thrice Born Traiyors warband, which I find a cool as a concept. I'd love to see a bit more detail about their relations woth other traitor warbands, paticulary Abbadons lot