Why did the Sons of Horus break instead of fight to the end?

[Karthak]

When Horus died against the Emperor. They abandoned the fight and fled Terra, leaving the other Legions to face the guns of the loyalists.

 

But why did they have this reaction?

 

When Sanguinius died, his sons went completely cray-cray, in a fashion I sincerely hope will be depicted awesomely when the time comes.

 

When Ferrus Manus died, the Iron Hands went into a rage, as was noted by several traitors who were on Isstvan.

 

So how come the vaunted Sixteenth folded like chumps?

[bluntblade]

Well, the personality cult that formed around Horus was arguably stronger. We see that when Horus is wounded.

 

Plus, the nature of his death is different. I suspect the actual annihilation of your gene-sire's soul might actually have worse psychic feedback than his mere death.

[Marshal Loss]

We don't know for certain yet, as this moment has not been covered in the BL/FW series, but Falkus Kibre mentions in Talon of Horus that every Son of Horus felt it when their father died. The most likely theory in my view is that given their close connection to their Primarch, and the fact that the entire identity of their Legion is built around his character - FW describes it as being similar to a cult of personality - that horrific way in which Horus died shocked the Legion to its core and basically traumatised them into fleeing.

[Aeternus]

Personally, I think the circumstances of those events you've listed were an important factor in the differing reactions. For the Iron Hands, and the Blood Angels, when they were both losing their primarchs they were trapped and surrounded, with nowhere to run and with victory seeming relatively unlikely. They had no clear way out, so when they lost their leader, instead of breaking and fleeing, they just kept fighting harder.

 

In contrast, the Sons had the option to run, and that option was closing fast with the incoming arrival of other loyalist legions. With the loss of their main 'chance' they decided to use whatever emotions the fall of Horus caused to fuel their retreat, and fight back another day, rather than stay and be wiped out.

 

Though I do also entirely agree with the other frater's assessment of the cult of personality formed around Horus, and how his death caused the death of his legion.

[Calas Typhon]

As stated before, they were built around Horus. Its safe to say that Horus was the Sixteenth Legion. Take his injuring and recovery, from the very moment Horus started to doubt, the Cthonians started to change to mirror him. To kill Horus, is like removing a mans spine.

 

It goes deeper though. Horus in their eyes was the natural successor to the Emperor the Sons believed that completely, they would not accept Perturabo, Lorgar or Mortarion as Emperor, with Horus dead, that dream lies shattered.

 

Abaddon is the key to why though. He pretty much slaughtered and went berserk trying to get to Horus, but he was too late. He took up the talon, swore vengeance and called a worldwide retreat for the sixteenth. If it was not for him, in my opinion, the Sons would have likely continued to fight, although at a slight disadvantage without the Blood Angels diseases to push them over the top. And they would have only just gone mad and made a push. I firmly believe that Abaddon was the reason the withdrawal was called. Not that I blame him.

[Gorgoff]

When Horus died against the Emperor. They abandoned the fight and fled Terra, leaving the other Legions to face the guns of the loyalists.

 

But why did they have this reaction?

 

When Sanguinius died, his sons went completely cray-cray, in a fashion I sincerely hope will be depicted awesomely when the time comes.

 

When Ferrus Manus died, the Iron Hands went into a rage, as was noted by several traitors who were on Isstvan.

 

So how come the vaunted Sixteenth folded like chumps?

Maybe it is because of all the Daemons vanishing into nothing after his death. ;) Edited September 17, 2017 by Gorgoff

[depthcharge12]

Honestly they would've been at the mercy of the traitor legions without a primarch...which was pretty unprecedented. Even the TS had to sell themselves out to whomever would take them in till Magnus got off his red tushy.

 

Just imagine losing your literal Goliath...without the Warmaster, who do try follow? Perturabo? Too distant, no charisma. Fulgrim? Unpredictable and likely to stab them in the back when the chance arises. Mortarion? Approach him, and you'll probably die from Nurgly goo. Angron? Lolol

 

Without Horus, the legion will be picked over by the vultures of the other legions seeking their own ends and will lack the glue that kept all the traitors together. It's just inconceivable without Horus.

 

They wouldn't have fled in a manner of the NLs, it would've been more mass confusion and "what the hell do we do now? Who are we?"

 

Said fears are to be abolished later down the line with Abby and the Black Legion.

[Paradigm]

The gods needed them to. The goal of the heresy wasn't to win the war for the chaos gods, it was to spread misery, death and destruction, and prevent the extinction of the ruinous powers themselves. They didn't care about Horus' cause. They just needed to ensure that chaos ensued. What better way, than 10,000years of war?

 

Even if Horus had won, the legions would have turned on each other. Without him, the best way to make sure it happens is to ensure there are surviving legions. Any one legion could have fled, and the fight would have gone on, only the SoH leaving could force the entire alliance to fail and disperse.

[Kizzdougs]

Because they could. In regards to the Blood Angels and Iron Hands retreat was impossible, so they fought on. 

 

I think most Legions would retreat if their Primarch was killed, especially if they were in possession of the Primarch's body. The death of a Primarch isn't simply the loss of a general it is the loss of a father figure that was thought to be invincible. Seeing the Emperor defeat Horus would have completely destroyed the Legion's moral, not to mention any psychic feedback or scaring unleashed by Horus's death.

 

Of course each of the Legions had different relationships with their Primarch, but in the case of Horus and his Legion they were incredibly close. The myth of the Legion's superiority and primacy was closely tied to Horus and his position as Warmaster. With his death the myth of the Legion's superiority was shattered. After the Heresy Abaddon had to put in a lot of work to expunge the remnants of the Legion's previous identity and the shame of the Warmaster's defeat.

 

I would have been more surprised if the Sons of Horus hadn't retreated with his body.

[The_son_of_Dorn]

I agree with all above posts.

 

I yet there is a part of me that wants all the traitor legions (especially the 16th) to be redeemed in someway. A return of all the primarchs.

 

Horus before his death did revert to his normal self for a fraction of a second. The Emperor saw this but still had to erase him. I personally choose to believe that it was when Horus was free of taint for that momemt, the Emperor hit him.

 

His legion being reminded of what they once were, the last of their true purity dying. Sending them to their fate.

[Caillum]

Just a reminder that we don't post links to 4chan. They're not that family friendly yo.

 

As for the thread subject matter - I totally agree with the views suggested here.

[Calas Typhon]

It was 1d4chan right?

 

I never understand it when that comes up on Warhammer forums. In a Universe where mass genocide, ultimate bloody violence and some really sick stuff, is all good. A link to a site that might have a few bad words is a big no. Warhammer is not that family friendly. 

 

 

They wouldn't have fled in a manner of the NLs, it would've been more mass confusion and "what the hell do we do now? Who are we?"
 

 

I am going to laugh to extreme levels if there is a story about some joint Night Lord and Sons of Horus fighting against some loyal marines which leads to the Night Lords getting hamstrung and left to die why the Sons make the escape laughing down the vox.

[Corswain]

Also, at least according to the old lore, the Dark Angels and Space Wolves were about to arrive with the Ultramarines just behind them. Things were about to go downhill for the Traitors fast.

 

BL may change all that but it seems like we're still roughly headed in that direction.

[Gorgoff]

Also, at least according to the old lore, the Dark Angels and Space Wolves were about to arrive with the Ultramarines just behind them. Things were about to go downhill for the Traitors fast.

BL may change all that but it seems like we're still roughly headed in that direction.

I second that.

Lowering the shields and challenging the Emprah was a necessity to end the war before major asskicking arrives.

[The_son_of_Dorn]

Should of just blown Terra to bits.

 

If Horus had become Emperor, it would of been bets if the cradle of humanity had been burnt,

[bluntblade]

We've been over this. Horus wanted the symbolism of ruling Terra, believed it necessary to slay the Emperor at the soul level, etc etc

[malika666]

Also, he had to be sure the Emperor would be dead. Simply bombing the planet might mean the Emperor could have escaped. Horus needed a quick confirmation, especially with (at least) 3 loyalists Legions en route to Terra

[Memento Of Prospero]

Should of just blown Terra to bits.

 

That's now you win over Empires though...

[bluntblade]

Also, he had to be sure the Emperor would be dead. Simply bombing the planet might mean the Emperor could have escaped. Horus needed a quick confirmation, especially with (at least) 3 loyalists Legions en route to Terra

Especially if Horus has any inkling of the Webway. And I'll dig out the PoH quote.

[b1soul]

No backward step (unless daddy Horus dies)

[bluntblade]

And if the anger of Guilliman, Russ and the Lion is about to vented on your exposed behind, even as the Blood Angels are eating your faces. Then many, many backward steps.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I think it was simply to have a chance to survive.