Llucerian Morningstar

"Let us be the shining beacons of hope in this dark universe, for the Emperor's light guides us and his will fuels our spirits. We are the Sons of the Morning, defenders of humanity, and we shall prevail, for our cause is just and our hearts are pure."
Llucerian Morningstar, or simply known as Llucerian Boudreaux(loo-SER-ree-un boo-DROH), also known as the "Light Bringer," the "Light Bearer," "Lord of the New Dawn" and the "Morningstar," is the Luminarch Lord of the Ist Imperial Legion; The Sons of the Morning. Raised upon the world of Lecarro, and Breaker of The Black Obelisk, He is the Imperial Warmaster Attendant of the Imperial Legions, the first found, and first favored of the Emperor. 
One of the greatest amongst the Luminarchs, Llucerian would be the first of his Kindred to be rediscovered by the Emperor during his Great Crusade. And thusly He was appointed as the first of the Stellar Imperium's princes upon his rediscovery and has played a crucial role in the early years of the Great Crusade ever since.
As the first son of the Emperor, and found during some of the earliest years of the Great Crusade, he alone would stand at the head of the Imperial Warhosts — and in doing such Llucerian illuminated the pathways to the Stellar Imperium for a Hundred worlds before more of his Kindred were found. Burning through the shadow of Deceit and Death born of the Long Dark, he would reveal the morning of humanity's birthright amongst the stars.
== History ==
=== Lecarro ===
Lecarro, situated along the southern fringes of the Proxima Solar, and in orbit of a G-type main-sequence star. The world is a relic of ancient human expansion — a Spire-World that once served as a Mining Outpost during the formative years of the Golden Age of Technology, spanning from the 19th Millennia to the late 63rd. Lecarro's existence owes itself to the colossal efforts of the early human World Engines, machinery responsible for sculpting planets in the name of humanity's interstellar conquest and expansion. Over the millennia, they meticulously transformed the world, molding it's atmosphere, ecology, and ecosystem into something that closely became a mirror of Old Earth. 
Throughout its storied history, Lecarro evolved into a prominent human hub. Nestled on the Proxima Solar's southern periphery, it served as a crucial crossroads for the intricate web of Void-Routes connecting the Proxima Solar sectors to those of Meridialus. Lecarro had been a beacon of human civilization for untold ages, preceding even the advent of Void-Drives in the early stages of the Golden Age of Technology. Throughout its tenure as a Civil-World, it thrived as a bustling center of trade and commerce, evident in the ancient remnants of satellites networks, orbital habitation stations and ancient dead vessels that encircle its orbit.
However, like countless other planets scattered across the Milky Way, Lecarro faced the relentless turmoil of the Dark Ages — the tumultuous era of the Black-Crash Conflicts, which marked the sudden and stark decline of the Golden Age. A time that spanned nearly 20 millennia, it would merely be the first weathering of the hardships of the 25 Millennia long epoch of the Long Dark, enduring the challenges and uncertainties of a greatly changed cosmos. The Black Crash Conflicts, a tumultuous period that spanned from the 50th to the 70th Millennia, plunged all of humanity into chaos. And at its core was the Rift Network, also known as the Net or simply the Rift — a colossal and ancient archeotech telecommunications system dating back to an era before the Golden Age. Tragically, this once-mighty network fell into the clutches of the Intrusive Malicious Programs (IMPs) that corrupted its very systems.
During these dark times, Lecarro, situated within the Proxima Solar, bore the brunt of the IMPian onslaught. The world's defenses turned against its human inhabitants as a brutal war unfolded between humanity and the malevolent Programs. By the time Lecarro emerged from the harrowing crucible of the Black-Crash Conflicts, the dawn of the Long Dark had already cast its shadow, marking a new and uncertain chapter in the world's history. This period, stretching into the opening millennia, left the world scarred and its future uncertain.
Myths speak of seven continents that once dotted Lecarro, but terrible Black-Blooded Demons, known to history as the Djabla, fought fiercely against the Human Armies of the Sun. During their war, these two forces ripped the southern continent of Iokitas from Lecarro's very womb, transforming the landmass into the Iokitas Black Star. With the planet's flesh and molten core exposed, bleeding into the void of space, billions perished. The Black-Blooded ones shattered the displaced land in an attempt to win the world by obliterating all life upon it by raining meteoric rains downward. Yet, their rampage was halted as the Lord of Light tore through the armies of black blood with his golden-eyed Zanje at his back. He pierced the skies of Lecarro, bringing death to the armies of steel and malice even as the world hemorrhaged below.
In the resulting conflict, held high in the orbit of Lecarro, it is said that the Warriors of Light sacrificed themselves in a desperate bid to slay the Beasts of Nightmare. With their deaths, they shattered the Iokitas Black Star and carved it into the Lecarrite Black Rings. Whether this account is mere conjecture or myth remains unknown, but it stands as a testament to the enduring struggle and sacrifice that marked this tumultuous era in Lecarro's history.
Whatever the truth, these aged scars, remnants of a long-forgotten war, bear silent witness to the world's enduring resilience. Geologisticares have determined that the southern expanse has experienced some kind of significant upheaval. The blackened obsidian-like minerals of the Black Rings and the southern sea-beds are strikingly similar. However, the regions surrounding the supposed searing, red-hot world-wound have been long covered and carved over by the Sea of the Iokitas Expanse. Much of the southern pole's seabeds have been transformed into glassy expanses of black obsidian, or at least something closely resembling the material.
Regardless of the ancient truths, the survivors of the conflict have little concern for these mysteries. In the world's northern landscapes, far removed from the devastating effects of the southern conflict, resilient human mega-cities have endured the near mass extinction event of their world. These cities stand as bastions of civilization, proudly towering as spiraling teralopoli enclosed within massive protective walls, while the outer wildlands stretch almost endlessly.
Yet, whatever respite from turmoil that could be clawed away from the jaws of fate was short-lived. The millennia-long age of the Long Dark gave way to a new, even darker era of despair as three factions emerged from the ruins. This new era brought fresh challenges and conflicts, further testing the resilience and endurance of the people of Lecarro. The remnants of the past, both physical and mythical, continue to shape the world's present and future, casting long shadows over the struggles and hopes of its inhabitants.
The first of these factions, Blackwatch, had once lurked in the shadows, concealed during the tail end of the Black-Crash Conflicts as the world burned around them. In the Era of the Long Dark, they resurfaced like a sinister phoenix rising from the ashes, tightening their iron grip around the throats of a population confined within the cages of their Spire-Clusters. Abominable forces held sway over the hearts and minds of the people, their twisted programming turning once-free citizens into mindless automatons within their territories. Orphaned children of martyred men and women were recruited from the streets, forced to fight and die for Blackwatch's warped vision of order and control.
Blackwatch, once a clandestine force, had metamorphosed into a regressive and oppressive power. Tyranny and corruption plagued its dominions, infecting every aspect of life. Its realm was confined within the already tumultuous spires of the central and densely populated Cluhron Spire Cluster Primus, situated at the heart of the continent of Aipirun. This transformation marked a dark chapter in Lecarro's history, as Blackwatch's oppressive rule cast a long shadow over the land and its inhabitants.
Amidst this dark landscape, the Highborn have endured, their dynasties stretching across the ages and persisting into the modern era. Many of these noble families, once bearers of distinction and prestige, have grown complacent, reveling in the security provided by Blackwatch's control over the beleaguered populace, and maintaining their own private armies poised against rival Highborn. Over time, their opulence has given way to decadence, and they have become consumed by their own excesses. Their survival hinges upon the suffering of the lower spires, leading to millennia of incessant bickering and squabbles over petty lands and tithes, heedless of the plight of those they rule.
The domains fully under the control of at least one noble family include the Western Huimond Lesser Spire Cluster in the Eastern desert territories of Aipirun, as well as the micro-territories of the Jaidica Spires. These regions bear witness to the unchecked power and influence of the Highborn, even as the world around them descends further into darkness. The Highborn’s indifference and self-indulgence contribute to the deepening despair of the cities and surrounding territories, highlighting the stark contrast between their lavish lives and the suffering of the masses. As the world teeters on the edge, the Highborn's grip on their territories remains a symbol of a bygone era's lingering shadows, their rule marked by decadence and disregard for the greater good.
The youngest and most dynamic faction to emerge in recent history are the Lecarrite Gang-Clans, born during the late 85th millennium as a reaction to the long-standing descent of the world. These Clans rose in defiance of the oppressive rule of Blackwatch and the devastating conflicts orchestrated by the Highborn. Their emergence sparked a surge in their numbers, leading to countless wars across their domains. In a remarkably short span, the Gang-Clans captured the Eastern Citron Lesser Spire Cluster and the Southern Costead Lesser Spire Cluster, rapidly expanding their influence. Their growth was meteoric, driven by the disillusioned and disenfranchised masses seeking an alternative to the tyranny and decadence of the established powers. However, their ascent did not go unchallenged. The leadership of the Gang-Clans soon faced retributive attacks from both the Highborn and Blackwatch, who viewed their rise as a direct threat to their own dominance. 
As a consequence, the Clans were swiftly torn asunder by internal strife and civil wars. Ambitions clashed, alliances shattered, and their territories splintered under the weight of their own conflicting goals. The unity that had fueled their initial success quickly gave way to factionalism and infighting, leaving them vulnerable to external threats. Despite this, the Gang-Clans' presence endured, their survival resting solely on the monumental challenge they presented to any faction daring to conquer them. The Gang-Clans' domains became a patchwork of contested territories, each Clan carving out its own niche amidst the chaos. The Eastern Citron Lesser Spire Cluster, once a symbol of their unity, now stood as a battleground for rival Clans vying for supremacy. The Southern Costead Lesser Spire Cluster, similarly fractured, became a hotbed of constant skirmishes and power struggles. Yet amidst this turbulence, the Gang-Clans' resilience became their defining trait. They adapted to the ever-shifting landscape of power, employing guerrilla tactics and forming temporary alliances to fend off their enemies. Their influence, though fragmented, remained a force to be reckoned with, a testament to their indomitable spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.
In the wake of the Long Dark, numerous minor factions have emerged, each with its own unique purpose and dedication. Among them are the Alcmenitte Guilds, a collective of machine cults wholly devoted to the perpetual operation and maintenance of the Grav-Fields and massive Arc-Engines that power the towering Spire-Cities. These cults, bound by their reverence for these crucial technologies, ensure the continuity of the marvels that sustain civilization. Their members, often referred to as Alcmenats, are seen as both guardians and servants of the ancient machinery, performing rituals and maintenance tasks with a blend of technical skill and religious fervor. The Alcmenitte Guilds are vital to the functioning of the Spire-Cities, and their role is universally acknowledged, granting them a unique position of respect and immunity from the conflicts that plague other factions.
Another faction that has risen in this era is the Cult of Growth. Their mission revolves around the meticulous upkeep of the T-G6 Fertilizer Plants, which are integral to supporting agricultural endeavors within the Grav-Fields and the sprawling, country-sized Agri-Sects. These plants are responsible for producing the advanced fertilizers that enable high-yield crop production in the challenging environments of Lecarro. The Cult of Growth, comprised of agronomists, engineers, and biologists, takes on the vital responsibility of maintaining the intricate balance of resources required for the nourishment and growth of their society. Their work ensures that the population remains fed and that the agricultural sectors thrive, making their efforts indispensable.
Both the Alcmenitte Guilds and the Cult of Growth are pardoned by all factions due to the sheer necessity of their roles. The continuous operation of the Grav-Fields and Arc-Engines, as well as the production of vital fertilizers, is essential for the survival and strength of all forces on Lecarro. These groups operate with a degree of autonomy and neutrality, their members moving freely between territories to carry out their duties. 
Yet amidst the grandeur of the Spire Cities, a grim underbelly persisted. Slave camps marred the underspires, their shadows stretching across the orbit of Lecarro, particularly in the bleak expanse of the Cralai Labor Belt within the continent of Cralai and the Iablor Arctic Slave Empire of Southern Struhune. In these unforgiving environments, the unfortunate inhabitants toiled ceaselessly, subjected to brutal conditions, their labor rewarded with little more than meager scraps. For many, forced cybernization became an inescapable fate, as Blackwatch ruthlessly sought to mold its soldiers into living weapons of war.
Institutionalized civil wars between the Gang-Clans and the Highborn had raged within the Spires of Lecarro, reducing once magnificent metropolises to ruins and ashes. The population existed in perpetual fear, their lives meticulously monitored and controlled by Blackwatch's vast network of spies and informants. Life could be cut short by the blade or gun of wandering Ganger warbands or by being gang-pressed into slavery under the Highborn. 
Yet, in the darkest of times, a glimmer of hope remained. Some individuals dared to resist, refusing to bow down to the oppressive rule of their lives. In the shroud of secrecy, they bided their time, meticulously plotting and planning for the day when they could rise up and cast off the chains of their oppressors. Looking unto the Lecarrite Star of Koclai and the cultural memory of the Armies of the Sun, they drew strength from the past, channeling the spirit of their ancestors who had once fought for freedom. Their unwavering resolve promised a new era for their descendants, one filled with the hope of liberation and freedom for all.
Until the day the dawn finally rose. 
=== The Prince of Dawn - The Comet Born ===
In the Late 90th Millennium, the entity that would come to be known as Llucerian Morningstar — Upon the completion of the Emperor's highly secretive Prometheus Project, wherein he crafted the 20 Superhuman Luminarchs, through the use of advanced alchemical and biomedical methods within his gene-laboratories housed deep within the Imperial Palace's Dark Vaults — would be left to gestate alongside his Kin deep under the Imperial Palace, deep within the Kilaminjanto (Kilamanjaro) Mountain Ranges upon Terra.
Designed as a genetically-engineered super-organism, Llucerian and his Kin were designed to possess incredible abilities and attributes that surpassed those of any natural being. Every facet of their being designed to be the perfect warriors and leaders for the oncoming Crusades the Emperor had planned. Destined to lead the Legions, and to usher in a new Age of Unity. However, despite all the preparations taken and defenses laid, the fate of both Llucerian and his Brethren would take an unexpected turn when an unknown force struck deep with the Palace. The exact nature and identity of this force have remained a mystery to this day, but their consequences have been undeniable.
The Luminarchs, though still Embryonically vulnerable, were stolen from within their Gestation Pods, their Beings rendered into psychic mist with only the Emperor’s inlaid defenses and psychic wards defending them against psionic predation as they were scattered across the vast expanse of the Milky Way Galaxy through the Eddies of the Empyrean Void. And due to the Very Nature of the Void, the time traveled by these Star-Children is near impossible to both record and accurately measure. With only Local Date Measurements of their respective Homeworlds and distance of said homeworld from Terra being reliable in ascertaining the exact date of their respective travel times. But, what can be made certain of, is that just like all his brethren, Llucerian upon the completion of his travel would be born to a Mortal Mother as a consequence of this Scattering. His psychic essence, flung from distant Terra, would bore a hole through the veil of unreality through its travel, bringing with it a meteor shower as the veil thrummed with the echo of his psionic embryonal power. The veiled membrane between the Material and Immaterial echoed, quaked and splintered terribly as the Demigod was released, his essence piercing through the veil just overhead as he slammed through the world's orbit and into the earth of Lecarro, knocking the world off its axis for but a moment. 
Chaos ruled for the months following his descent as climate chaos reigned, storms struck and electronics were silenced, leaving millions within the Spires dead as billions of precise nav-systems went blind or haywire and in their sightlessness the rights of recalibration were undertaken by the Alcmenitte Machine-Seers. Whilst the planet's axial tilt would eventually return to its original position, the brief but intense upheaval would serve as more than enough of a distraction as the Luminarchal essence spurred through the eddies of the World-Soul as his conception began.
His would-be Mother, Cassandra Boudreaux, a young Lecarrite woman, born and raised within the mid-level hab-towers of Felicity City, the Southern most Mid-Spire of the Austral-Eas Citron Lesser Spire Cluster. Like many Lecarrite born, She'd have been destined for either a long life of endless servitude as a lowly menial, or a stunted one of endless conflict as a part of the Countless Gang-Clans, had she not been the one to bear the Luminarch. 
The Austral-Eas Citron Spire Cluster, as a Port Spire had been struck heavily by tsunamis and storms in the months following the Descent. And whilst the Under-Spire, secure within the depths of Lecarro under the High-Rises of the Mid and Upper Levels was relatively stable, the same could not be said of many of the Lowland Cities surrounding the Cluster, or even the Higher Levels themselves. 
Many would die in the following devastation, with refugees fleeing either to more inland Cities or the Under-Spire. Cassandra was one of these refugees, having fled with her mother and family into the Underground as above them the consequences of a Luminarch's descent upon a world became manifest. Tangentially made safe in the under-spire — Cassandra, like many of the other Luminarchal Mothers across the great expanse of the Galaxy, would be struck with a vision of the Unborn Luminarch mere days before she fully fell pregnant. Fearing for her unborn child, in secret she would fall to the feet of her mother as she was stricken with tears. She would protest the case of her sudden pregnancy. Her mother, aged and sturdy from decades of living within the Spires, consoled the young Cassandra, holding her as she was stricken by her own tears.
She asked her daughter for the identity of the Father, but Cassandra did not know. She asked what man the girl had laid in consort with, if any. Cassandra could not list any suitors for there were none, only recollecting on the bathing light of gold she had seen the night before. Cassandra's mother, fearing for both her daughter and unborn grandchild, chose to keep her daughter's pregnancy a secret, as by edict of the Eastern Spire-Cluster, childbirth was systematically controlled by the Mortus-Watchers, a Gang-Clan Off-shoot that dominated the Felicity Midspire — with law-breakers put to death and their children sent to fill the ranks of either the Gang's enforcers, or slaves that lined the deep-spire's camps.
It would be a short pregnancy, as a Luminarch’s gestation, as evidenced by claims made by other Luminarchal Mothers, lasted a mere Terran standard week. Their development within the womb was swift and near faultless, and it wasn’t long before they were ready to emerge into the world. The quickly growing infant became a symbiotic-parasite, draining their mothers of energy and strength while simultaneously keeping the mother strong to ensure its own survival.
Soon, Llucerian, the ever-glorified illuminator of the Stellar Imperium and the most gloried of the Luminarchs, was destined to begin his life in the cramped walls of a desolate, yet sparsely decorated hab-unit populated by a refugee family. It was not to be a momentous event, with only his grandmother and aunts stewarding his birth while his uncles, grandfather, and other family members stood as Praetorians outside the unit. As with all births within the Spires of Lecarro, Llucerian’s first breath was of recycled air and dank, musty dust.
The birthing wails that accompanied his arrival were near-deafening within the unit, a mix of women's and children’s cries echoing through the cramped and shoddy steel-composite walls. These vibrations reverberated quietly across the halls of the hab-sector. As his weak cries faded into silent cooing whilst a haggard Cassandra held the newborn, a strange and powerful psychic pulse emanated from his tiny form, spreading out into the psychic void like a beacon in the dark. So for the few Psycasts upon Lecarro, humans born with innate psychic sensitivity, the pulse was like a faint torch in the fog of a blackened forest of umbral oak. This shimmering flicker of void light cut through the darkness like a watchtower and illuminated its way to all close or strong enough to feel its embrace.
Many of these psychic individuals who sensed its presence were drawn towards it, their minds compelled by the irresistible pull of its power. Whispers spread throughout the Spire-Cluster like wildfire as psychic pilgrims, lured by Llucerian’s psionic call, traveled through the Spires to the refugee levels. Many had been destitute before the Descent Events due to circumstances of their birth, though some had the luck of being born to noble families. Regardless, many of these Psycasts had been blinded temporarily but in many cases permanently by the “Star Comet,” as it came to be called, only guided by the threads of the unseen to where the “boy-star” was. 
Nevertheless, they went in droves—from orphaned children spurned by their parents and thrown to the wolves of Lecarro, to the witches and their wards who thrived in the wilds outside the cities. All were pulled in by the boy-star’s call. The hab-unit, once a place of obscurity, became the focal point of a burgeoning legend, as Llucerian’s birth heralded the beginning of a new and uncertain era, one filled with both hope and danger.
==== Youth ====
Yet, whilst the threads of forces outside of their control would be pulled along the tapestries of fate. Cassandra and her family were quite… well they were downright confused about their new addition to the family.
First off, the Newborn was quiet, unnervingly quiet — to the point they often forget he even existed until they felt the tug of his little pudgy hands on their clothes or hair whenever he wanted attention or food as all children do. Wherein they would scream in shock as they were met by his silent, ever watching, golden eyes. Eyes of which always seemed to be watching, the glow of which could be used to determine the onset of an infant's tantrum as whenever the youth grew restless or irritable his eyes sparked alight, going from faint gems to bright pools. A glow of which never stopped even when the family slept as the boy would sit awake silently watching, only stopping when his sleeping mother pulled him down, smothering him close to her body as she slept under blankets.
Secondly, as time ground on He would grow rapidly in size and strength, with his constant daily growth spurts demanding more and more nutrition. His nutritional needs only tapering off after the third week of his life, wherein at that point he was nearly the size of a full grown toddler — and roughly three feet in height if stories from his family are to be believed. His large family, of which like many Lecarrite families, constituted of his mother and grandmother as previously mentioned — but also included a slew of uncles, aunts and their collective children and wider families. As the Lecarrite family structure was similar to the tribes and clans of ancient Terra, only differing in slight ways due to the fact much of the human population dwelled within the Spire-Clusters.
His family would effectively dote over the strange, golden eyed boy — though his peculiarities, while strange, had been little to dissuade their love of the sudden new-arrival. They would name him Llucerian, a Citron-Lecarrite name meaning light, of the Boudreaux clan, or Llucerian Boudreaux for short. Though, as time dragged on the Pilgrims who followed the Boy-Stars call, would still flock near the family — only to be smacked away by annoyed uncles and aunts as assumed lepers and beggars. Though some others, the Noble born Psycasts who traveled through the dregs of the Under-Spire couldn’t be as easily dismissed. Many tried to simply buy the oddity of a child outright — yet were turned away. Others tried to send the menial-born of their retainers after the child to scoop him away from his family.
Of those, of which there were many, the Boy child struck at them in a fury. Breaking bones and loosening teeth in a show of inhuman strength and speed. More came still however, and many more were turned away — yet it would not be long before a force of Scouts loyal to the Lesser Coastal Mid-Spire of Hallowed City, controlled by the Gang-Clans of the Ashen, were sent to find the source of the psychic phenomena by their Priests and Voyants. They would carve their way through a sea of steel, infiltrating through the Mid-Spire to get to the hab-unit under order by their Harus' to acquire the source of the beacon.
It would be there, playing in the dirt and grime of the Lecarrite underdark, along with other small children–they themselves, guided by his call. That the Luminarch, clothed in assorted rags and at the stature of a child almost 3 years old and carrying an unnatural aura of calm to himself, the young Llucerian's life almost came to an end then and there, as the higher ranking members of the Ashen saw him as a potential threat to be eliminated early. A Siren, calling all feeble unto itself.
But the Voyant's, impressed and beguiled by the beauty of the child, seeing his golden eyes and inhuman gaze as a show of iridescent fortune–they had begged the leaders of the Ashen, its Black Circle, a group of Leaders that ruled the Ashen by committee, to spare the lives of the child and the few young witches who flocked at his side. Yet, even whilst the Voyant’s argued their case, Llucerian’s family yelled their obscenities against the mere idea of them taking the boy. And soon the situation devolved into a tri-fold argument as the Voyants, Black Circle, and Family argued. Only ending once Llucerian was seen hanging from the shoulders of a startled Voyant, he and his witch cadre having used the commotion to crawl atop the odd new adults.
Seeing this, many of Llucerian’s kin relented–having come to terms that the enigmatic youth could and would filter out those he didn’t want to associate with. He yelled and struck at the nobles, turning them away. Yet he played with the psychic children who traveled to see him, and spurned away the adults who did the same. With the family and Voyants coming to an agreement, the Circle would finally relent and the Ashen would accept the Child and his Mother, along with any who chose to follow their scouts back to Hallowed City.
=== Youth ===
The early history of the Luminarchs, those legendary and mysterious commanders of the Imperial Legions, stands as a subject of profound fascination and extensive study within the scholarly circles of the Stellar Imperium. The mere mention of their names ignites the passions of imperial scholars and enthusiasts alike, leading to a relentless pursuit of knowledge. However, the allure of unraveling the past goes even further when it comes to the twice First Llucerian, a figure of exceptional intrigue within the pantheon of Luminarchs. His enigmatic nature becomes even more perplexing when one considers the magnitude of his fame, which would reverberate across the worlds of the Stellar Imperium. While it is widely acknowledged that the Emperor of Mankind encountered Llucerian early in the course of the Great Crusade, promptly elevating him to the leadership of the Ist Legion after his formal education on Terra, this understanding merely scratches the surface of a much deeper and intricate narrative. Beyond these incontrovertible facts, agreement among the various Imperial sources remains conspicuously absent. 
While the intricacies of Llucerian's early life may appear somewhat mundane, the more striking episodes of his childhood have been recounted and recounted countless times by the Lecarrite civil populace inhabiting the Spire Clusters. These tales have become so deeply etched in the cultural memory that they now mirror the narrative of a legend, far removed from the origins of a man who would eventually ascend to power from the depths of the under-spires. 
But across many of these tales, what can be definitively established is that, akin to his fellow Luminarchs, Llucerian exhibited an astounding rate of growth as he advanced toward maturity. His stature, initially imposing, continued to expand with every passing year, leaving him towering over mortal men. Yet, it was not merely his height that grew; his physical strength also burgeoned. His combat prowess increased at an exponential pace, defying any attempts at prediction. Much like his extraordinary brethren, these accounts narrate how the young Luminarch thrived in Lecarro's unforgiving environment, where he received his initial lessons in combat and the art of taking life from his adoptive father, Arlington. Born in the heart of the Ashen, Arlington had climbed to a position of authority within that unforgiving realm and was entrusted with the care and upbringing of the newfound star-child and it's family as they were taken into the Halls of the Ashen. 
Llucerian, meticulously crafted by the Emperor to assume the mantle of leadership over the million-strong forces of the Great Crusade, possessed a unique, sponge-like ability to acquire knowledge. And whilst living amongst the Ashen, he absorbed virtually everything this new family had to offer. With the psychically gifted Voyants of the Ashen, a Coven of Seers who purveyed through the Eddies of the Void for the ways best to guide the Ashen, had played an especially pivotal role in guiding him to harness his latent psionic capabilities, imparting wisdom on channeling the eddies of the Void in the midst of combat.
At times, Llucerian embarked on journeys for further studies, one of the most notable being his immersion in the caverns of the Witches of Liguria to the North. Here, he delved into the mysteries of their Black-Bone Sorceries and their use of the Black Obsidian like Crystals, harvested deep below the waves of the Iokitas Expanse, as a potent focusing lens for their magics. He also ventured into the secrets of the Dupré Brotherhood, exploring their Power-Charms and Enuncian Sorceries. In addition to his arcane studies, he received tutelage under the Machine-Cults, his mind serving as a sponge for their ancient and esoteric knowledge and practices. In this diverse educational journey, he mastered languages long forgotten by many on Lecarro, equipping him with a wealth of wisdom that would ultimately shape his destiny.
In the mastery of weaponry, Llucerian's progress was nothing short of astounding. He swiftly surpassed his instructors, and even his physical strength soon eclipsed that of many, even including that of the vat-grown behemoths of bulk and muscle that battled within the Arena’s of the Meridian Costead Spire Cluster. He could shatter blocked passages in collapsed tunnels with the mere swipe of his hand and effortlessly best the most ferocious gene-enhanced combat brawlers with a single strike. As his skills and abilities continued to burgeon, in a mere fifteen solar years, he grew to be at the stature of a young man and the size of a titan, far exceeding any other man. It is told that at this age, during a skirmish between the Ashen and the Havoc Syndicate, a rival Gang-Clan native to the wild-wetlands surrounding Hallowed City, conflict erupted over territorial disputes within the Spire.
Llucerian, having long ago devised a way to track his fellow Ashen through the spire, bore witness to the battle from a concealed vantage point. He watched as the skirmish began with the first volleys of las-fire, quickly devolving into a raucous melee. The soldiers of the Ashen and the Havoc Syndicate utilized the superior strengths of their combat cybernetics, but the Ashen's forces swiftly began to be routed and pushed back. The sight of his comrades falling into a full retreat before what seemed like a vastly inferior force enraged him.
In an outburst of anger and determination, Llucerian launched himself from his vantage point, single-handedly dispatching five gangers loyal to the Havoc Syndicate with his bare hands. He became a whirlwind of ruined flesh, broken augments, and shattered armor. Following this act of valor, he rallied the surviving Ashen, assuming command as what should've been a quick skirmish evolved into a protracted collection of battles over the next nine weeks.
Throughout this grueling campaign, Llucerian displayed fearless resolve, leading his fellow warriors with unwavering determination. Each skirmish saw him at the forefront, his golden eyes burning with intensity as he inspired his comrades to fight on. His strategic acumen and raw combat prowess turned the tide of battle after battle. He devised ambushes, coordinated strikes, and rallied his soldiers during the darkest moments. The campaign against the Havoc Syndicate would culminate in the final siege of their base of operations. Llucerian, having decimated the Syndicate's forces, would therein battle their leader, one of which would conclude as he broke the Gang-Lord's back upon his knee.
Stories of his exploits spread quickly throughout the Spire-Cluster. Whispers of the "Golden-Eyed Ashen" reached even the farthest corners, and his legend grew. He was no longer just a member of the Ashen; he was their champion, their beacon of hope. His tactical brilliance and unyielding spirit became the stuff of legend, inspiring not only his comrades but also those who had previously been indifferent or even hostile to the Ashen's cause.
By the time Llucerian reached the age of twenty standard years, he presented himself as a young man of Lecarro in the prime of his youth. And as he continued his journey towards maturity, his ascent within the Ashen's hierarchy was meteoric. He found his place among the committee of the Black Circle. And under his astute leadership, his people thrived and expanded. So with his elevated rank came an anticipated surge in youthful exuberance, a natural byproduct of his rapidly growing prowess. This led him to frequently assume ever-more demanding command roles, as he led Ashen forces into skirmishes against rival Gang-Clans and orchestrated intense, bloody raids against the High-Born and Blackwatch forces across the breath of the Brahoth continent. And with each triumph of his solidifying his reputation among the Ashen and bolstered his notoriety as a Lecarrite Warlord.
However, the passage of years bore witness to a bloody civil war within the Ashen, an internal conflict remembered only as the Crimson Uprising. This factional unrest was instigated by a group of subversives who sought to wrest control of the Ashen from the rule of the Black Circle. In the ensuing clashes and skirmishes, Llucerian's mother sustained severe injuries. Overwhelmed by rage and fury, Llucerian led the counterattack. In a fierce and merciless charge, the Demi-God left no room for traitors to stand. He ruthlessly exterminated any and all individuals he deemed to have betrayed the family of the Ashen, determined to quell the uprising and protect the honor of the gang.
Llucerian, acting as an almost natural antibody against the traitors, exterminated the treacherous elements from within, leaving none standing. The traitors comprised nearly half of the group's original number and were quickly bolstered by enemy and rival factions who sought to see the Ashen knocked from their pedestal. Blackwatch weapons, Highborn funding, and troops funneled and absorbed into the subversive faction—now known as the Phoenix Enclave—transformed it into a formidable body of war reminiscent of the Years of the First Gangs.
It was a brutal and unrelenting pursuit made up of bloody and devastating guerrilla campaigns, fueled by the wrath and determination of the Ashen, led by their Golden-Eyed Lord. This was the first time his people had witnessed Llucerian consumed by such fury, a wrath born from the belief that the very life of his people was at stake. Under this torrent of golden-wrath, he became a truly terrifying figure. The full powers of a Luminarch surged through him, and a nimbus of void-light played about his form, barely contained by any semblance of humanity.
For weeks, unyielding combat raged throughout the Cluster's Under-Spire. Llucerian, with relentless determination, hunted down and eradicated every traitor along with their ilk. His wrath was unparalleled, his fury a blazing beacon of the Ashen's unyielding spirit. The purification was thorough, brutal, and absolute. In the end, the Ashen were both cleansed of any traitorous elements and the Phoenix Enclave scoured and fractured, their disparate elements left to fight over the scraps of what was left. And to Llucerian, the ordeal had only strengthened the Ashen, leaving them better for the purification of the rot that had buried itself so deep.
In the eyes of his people, Llucerian emerged as the ultimate choice for leadership. His reputation soared, and in the years that followed, he continued to distinguish himself as a leader of unparalleled strength and resolve. The Ashen, under his command, rose from the ashes of the Crimson Uprising stronger and more united than ever before. His legend grew, and the Golden-Eyed Lord became a symbol of hope and resilience, a beacon of light in the dark and tumultuous world of Lecarro.
Llucerian's leadership extended beyond mere martial prowess. He was a strategist, a visionary, and a unifying force. He rebuilt the Ashen, forging alliances and strengthening their position within the Spire-Cluster. His charisma and unwavering determination inspired loyalty and admiration. Under his guidance, the Ashen thrived, their influence expanding, their power solidifying.
=== Monsters in The Dark ===
Under Llucerian's leadership, the Ashen consumed the Citron Spire-Cluster, bringing those who followed and bowed to him a period of unprecedented prosperity. His diplomatic skills became evident as he orchestrated alliances and negotiations with other factions, fostering a climate of cooperation and collaboration across the Eastern Spire-Cluster. As he continued his journeys, Llucerian was perceived differently by rival Gang-Clans. To some, he was a Whispering Serpent, a cunning and enigmatic figure who wove intricate webs of diplomacy. To others, he was a Snarling Wolf, a formidable force that struck fear into those who opposed him. 
Regardless of the perceptions, none could deny that he had made his abilities known throughout the Spires. His outstretched hands, which brought unity and harmony, were met with a chorus of both praise and apprehension. To these "Wolves in the Dark," he either delivered salvation, guiding them to a more prosperous path, or he brought ruin to those who resisted his call for unity. As his grasp was equally efficient in meting out punishment as it was in showing affection to those who remained loyal to his cause.
Under his command, the Ashen thrived. Llucerian’s ability to balance force with diplomacy, strength with empathy, set him apart as a leader of extraordinary vision. The Citron Spire-Cluster, once a tumultuous and divided region, blossomed into a beacon of progress and cooperation. The Ashen, under Llucerian's rule, became synonymous with innovation, stability, and growth.
Llucerian’s diplomatic ventures extended beyond mere alliances. He initiated trade agreements that boosted the economy of the Eastern Spire-Cluster, bringing wealth and resources to areas that had long been neglected. His influence extended into the political and social spheres, where he implemented reforms that improved the quality of life for the Spire's inhabitants. Education, healthcare, and infrastructure all saw significant advancements under his rule. Despite his successes, Llucerian never forgot the hardships that had shaped him. He remained vigilant, aware that threats could arise from both within and outside his domain. His network of spies and informants ensured that he stayed ahead of potential challenges, and his strategic mind allowed him to address issues before they could escalate into crises. His reputation as a Whispering Serpent and a Snarling Wolf was well-deserved; he was a master of both subtle manipulation and overt strength.
Those who chose to follow Llucerian found themselves part of a new era. The Ashen's prosperity attracted talent and ambition, drawing individuals from all walks of life who sought to contribute to the Spire-Cluster's growth. His leadership was marked by a profound, almost naturally designed understanding of human nature, allowing him to inspire loyalty and dedication in those who served him. For those who opposed Llucerian, the consequences were severe. He dealt with dissent swiftly and decisively, ensuring that no threat to his vision could take root. His punishments were as legendary as his rewards. Those who resisted his call for unity were met with the full force of his wrath, their fates serving as a warning to others who might consider challenging his authority.
Yet, to the Highborn residing in their opulent High-Spires, Llucerian was a force to be reckoned with, seen as either a harbinger of death or a new and harsh constraint tightening around their throats. His presence was a constant reminder of the fragility of their power. Llucerian would personally visit the doorsteps of these elites, leaving his forces to act only at his command, lurking in the shadows of a nobleman's office as he patiently waited. For many of the high and mighty, their final glimpse would be of the Golden-Eyed Prince of Ash, a man whose name echoed ominously through the Noble Courts. Bounties upon his head served as grim testament to his infamy, yet none dared to collect, knowing the peril that awaited those who tried.
As night descended, his forces oft' would strike with unmatched precision. Llucerian orchestrated these assaults like a master conductor, reducing the noble courts and towering spires to nothing more than dark memorials of death. And with a surgeon's precision, the Ashen severed yet another thread from the tapestry of the elite, leaving behind only echoes of their former glory. The Ashen’s attacks were swift and merciless, designed to dismantle the intricate power structures that the Highborn had long relied upon. Their wealth and influence, once thought impregnable, crumbled under the relentless onslaught.
These operations were meticulously planned. Llucerian would spend weeks, sometimes months, gathering intelligence and studying his targets. He knew their routines, their weaknesses, and their secrets. When the time came, he moved with calculated efficiency, ensuring that each strike was devastating and irreversible. The Highborn, who once viewed themselves as untouchable, now lived in constant fear, their luxurious lives overshadowed by the threat of the Ashen.
For the Highborn who managed to survive these purges, life became a game of survival. Paranoia ran rampant in their ranks, and trust was a rare commodity. Alliances shifted like sand, and betrayal was commonplace. Llucerian’s presence forced them to adapt or perish, and many found themselves ill-prepared for the harsh reality he imposed. 
Yet, the Golden-Eyed Prince was not merely a harbinger of death; he was a catalyst for change. His relentless pursuit of the Highborn forced a reevaluation of their priorities and methods. Some sought to appease him through concessions and negotiations, hoping to buy time and favor. Others plotted revenge, investing vast resources into elaborate schemes to eliminate him. Yet, no matter their approach, the specter of Llucerian loomed large over their decisions.
As the Ashen continued their campaign, the impact on the wider populace was profound. Many saw Llucerian as a liberator, a champion of the downtrodden who dared to challenge the oppressive status quo. His legend grew with each victory, inspiring those who had long suffered under the yoke of the Highborn. The tales of his exploits spread far and wide, fueling a growing resistance against the entrenched elite.
For those who were not simply decapitated in their beds, Llucerian's mode of operation remained equally ruthless. His blades poised to exploit every vulnerability and flaw, leaving no room for escape, while the hundred hands of the Ashen encircled their throats. The Demi-God's whispers shattered any remnants of their resolve, if any still clung to it. His presence was an omnipresent terror, a phantom that moved through the shadows of the spires, dismantling the old order with relentless precision.
Within a near decade of tireless work, balancing both combat and diplomacy, Llucerian managed to unite the Meridian Costead Spire Cluster and the Austral-East Citron Spire Cluster under his rule. This achievement was monumental, as it consolidated his power and influence across vast territories. The once disparate and contentious regions now bowed to the authority of the Golden-Eyed Prince of Ash.
The unification brought about profound changes. The Costead Agri-Refineries and the T-G6 Plants within the Brahwush Forests, previously languishing in stagnation, began churning out resources at an unprecedented rate. Llucerian introduced new technologies and innovative methods to these industries, revitalizing them and boosting their productivity. This economic surge gave Llucerian and his forces a near-total monopoly on Lecarro's food production, a vital resource that cemented his dominance.
Under Llucerian’s rule, the Ashen implemented advanced agricultural techniques and cutting-edge machinery, transforming the Costead Agri-Refineries into the most efficient and productive food production centers in the region. The T-G6 Plants, crucial for supporting the agricultural endeavors within the Grav-Fields and Agri-Sects, operated at peak capacity, ensuring a steady and abundant supply of nourishment for the population. The prosperity brought by these advancements was not confined to the Ashen alone. The people within the united clusters experienced a period of unprecedented stability and growth. Markets thrived, and trade flourished as Llucerian's rule fostered an environment where innovation and enterprise could take root. The spire cities, once plagued by conflict and decay, began to see a glimmer of hope and renewal.
However, this newfound prosperity did not come without its challenges. Llucerian's consolidation of power was met with resistance from those who had previously held sway over these regions. The Highborn, who had long exploited the resources of the clusters, found their influence greatly waned. They viewed Llucerian's rise with a mixture of fear and resentment, knowing that their days of unchecked dominance were numbered. In response, some Highborn attempted to form alliances and coalitions to counter Llucerian's growing power. Yet, their efforts were often thwarted by his superior strategic acumen and the loyalty of the Ashen. Llucerian's ability to outmaneuver and outthink his adversaries ensured that his hold on the clusters remained firm.
=== Struhune ===
Under Llucerian's unwavering leadership, the Ashen embarked on a covert expedition into the frozen expanse of the Northern Arctic Continent of Struhune. Motivated by rumors brought to his ear by spies within the Iablor Slave Empire and the Cralai belt, tales spoke of ancient, abandoned machinery hidden within the Dradvedr Range, a treacherous mountain range in the Northern frost-wastes of Struhune. This area had long remained dormant due to the obstructive influence of Blackwatch within the region, making it a perilous yet potentially rewarding target.
An Ashen Recon Force and One Hundred of the Ashen's Soldiers, led by Llucerian and driven by the promise of uncovering forgotten secrets and hidden treasures, ventured deep into the Frost Wastes of the northern Dradvedr mountains. The landscape was a harsh, frozen wilderness, the biting cold and relentless winds testing the endurance of even the most hardened warriors. Despite the extreme conditions, Llucerian's determination and the loyalty of his followers propelled them forward.
For months, the Ashen navigated the treacherous terrain, battling the elements and the challenges posed by the hostile environment. However, their ambitious venture soon turned into a dire and heedless conflict. As they delved deeper into the mountains, they encountered sinister black-blooded machines, grotesque constructs that seemed to emerge from the darkest depths of the past. These machines, with their shrill shrieks and eerie mechanical whispers, evoked a sense of dread and unease, scraping against the membranes of Cultural Memory with their contorted, chittering forms.
The machines moved with unnatural precision, their every action a testament to the advanced yet malevolent technology that powered them. The Ashen, despite their formidable combat skills and experience, found themselves hard-pressed against these relentless foes. The black-blooded machines seemed to possess an almost malevolent intelligence, adapting to the Ashen's tactics and exploiting their weaknesses with brutal efficiency.
The ensuing battles were fierce and unrelenting. The Ashen, led by Llucerian, fought with all their might, their resolve tested to its limits. Llucerian himself was a beacon of strength and courage, his presence inspiring his warriors to press on despite the overwhelming odds. His golden eyes, always watchful and vigilant, seemed to pierce through the darkness, guiding his people through the chaos of battle.
As the conflict raged on, the Ashen recon force began to dig in, determined to hold out against the relentless mechanical abominations. During their third bout of violent encounters, these malevolent automatons wrought death upon Llucerian's forces, leaving devastation in their wake. Fueled by a furious wrath, Llucerian personally confronted these machine-things in the unforgiving ice wastes. And in a single battle, he claimed the lives of three, then five, and finally eight of these sinister constructs. Yet, in the process, he endured severe wounds, the first in his life that pushed him to the brink of death. Kneeling amidst the ice, his armor battered and broken, he shuddered from the pain.
The Ashen swiftly rallied around their fallen leader, employing their vehicles to lift him to the safety of their forward base nestled within a cave network deep within the arctic mountains. Seeking solace and shelter from the relentless cold and the enigmatic menace that lay beyond, they hoped to save their Golden-Eyed Lord.
Sorrow gripped the hearts of the mortal Ashen as they labored tirelessly to tend to Llucerian's grievous, black-edged wounds. Despite their best efforts, his condition showed no sign of improvement. His breathing remained ragged and shallow, the red interior of his form visible for all to see. Hours of struggle passed, with Llucerian's prodigious healing powers failing to activate. The Ashen's medical resources quickly dwindled, the dire situation weighing heavily on them.
The med-bay was a scene of chaos and desperation. Casualties from the battle lay dying around them, their moans and cries for help a haunting backdrop to the frantic efforts to save Llucerian. The Ashen's best medics applied every remedy within their power, from advanced pharmaceuticals to traditional poultices, yet nothing seemed to stem the tide of his decline. As hours turned into an agonizing day, the once-unstoppable leader lay on the edge of life and death. The cave network now felt like a tomb. The Ashen warriors outside the med-bay stood vigil, their eyes fixed on the entrance, hoping for a miracle. Their morale, once bolstered by Llucerian's indomitable spirit, now wavered as they witnessed their leader's all too human vulnerability.
Amidst the bleak despair, when all seemed lost, salvation emerged from the night. As white-robed and iron-crowned beings marched from the icy expanse and infiltrated the cave base, a new hope was kindled. These were the Struhunii clans of the Ice-Wastes, a people long lost to the wastes since antiquity. Their level of technology, though modest and reminiscent of industrial-era savagery compared to the advanced technology of the Spires, bore a unique potency rooted in ancient traditions.
The Ashen, their weapons aimed at the Struhunii, initially ordered them to depart. Their stance only softened when the lead individual among the Struhunii strode past them, his icy black eyes glimmering as he assessed the colossal frame of the Demi-God. The shaman, an aged and wise figure, hissed in contemplation as he observed Llucerian's wounds. Gently touching the bindings over Llucerian's chest, the shaman's black eyes glimmered with understanding. He sensed the ternary rhythm of the Luminarch's hearts, snapping his fingers to summon another of his tribesmen. Retrieving a pouch, the shaman began to click psi-reactive charms over Llucerian, his followers falling to their knees and praying along with the tempo of the charms.
Llucerian's body convulsed as he roared with a surge of fresh pain, the Ashen raising their weapons toward the tribe in alarm. Tempers flared, but Llucerian, despite his agony, raised a shaking hand, forcing them to cease. Through violent fits of coughing, he expelled black bile from his mouth. Rising upon unsteady legs, his golden eyes hazy, he fell backward onto the specialized medical table. To the astonishment of all present, his wounds began to pull themselves closed. His torn pectorals, abdomen, and broken ribs restitched at an astonishing rate, drawing cheers of amazement and relief from the Ashen.
The Ashen’s initial relief at Llucerian's healing had been quickly replaced with wariness and suspicion as the Struhunii began to lift his massive form, preparing to carry him away. The Ashen, ever loyal, promptly raised their weapons, aiming at the Struhunii. However, the newcomers displayed indifference to the show of force, continuing to drag the Demi-God deeper into the cave systems. So reluctantly, the Ashen, trusting these odd individuals who had healed their Lord, cautiously followed.
Hours of tense silence went by, punctuated only by the activation clicks of the Ashen’s helmet vox-beads as silent chatter was passed between soldier to soldier. As the group pierced deeper into the cave, the umbral gloom began to give way to the shapes of ancient machines arrayed by tribalistic markings and quaint, simplistic housings. The Ashen realized the Struhunii had been living in this system, their Forward Base situated above a hidden complex of long-forgotten machinery. The Struhunii carefully placed Llucerian's form at the heart of it. Intrigued by the discovery, the Ashen brought portions of their Forward Base deeper into the cave network, beginning to explore the remnants of the ancient machinery that held the past of their world within its systems. Throughout this, the tribespeople continued to watch over Llucerian.
After two additional days of ritual and research, Llucerian finally stirred from his slumber. Surrounded by the Struhunii engaged in an unusual ceremony, he rose to his feet, his Titan-like form towering over them. He paid little heed to the peculiar proceedings, his gaze instead settling on the dormant Great Forges. Their potential power and secrets lay in wait, beckoning him to explore the mysteries hidden within. For a time, the Ashen settled within the system. Reinforcements arrived to relieve the original forces, allowing Llucerian and a select group of machine-seers to study the ancient machinery. The Struhunii, having completed their healing ritual, now watched with a respectful distance, observing the Ashen's interactions with their ancient home.
Months passed as Llucerian, driven by his unyielding resolve, led the efforts to reactivate the Great Forges. The machine-seers, alongside the Struhunii who offered their invaluable knowledge, worked tirelessly to decipher the ancient scripts and understand the complex mechanisms. Through collaboration and relentless effort, the Ashen and Struhunii began to unlock the potential of the dormant Great Forges. The early days were relatively silent as progress was made, with the ancient machines beginning to stir with slow but steady bouts of renewed activity. However, their peace was short-lived as the black-blooded machines, those same grotesque abominations encountered earlier, reappeared in the caverns. Over an intermittent series of battles spanning four months, Llucerian led the Ashen in repeated clashes against these foul machines. Each time, they routed the mechanical beasts within the cave systems before returning to their studies of archeotech.
The conflicts within the depths of the Dradvedr mountains tested Llucerian and his forces’ resolve. Despite the interruptions caused by the black-blooded machines, their determination to unlock the secrets of the Great Forges remained steadfast. The Ashen, bolstered by their alliance with the Struhunii, forged ahead with their mission to harness the ancient technology that held the key to their future prosperity.
First, the researchers learned of the primitive language of the Struhunii before delving into the enigmatic binary machine-tongue of the Forges in an attempt to unlocking the secrets therein. With unwavering determination, Llucerian and his research teams mastered the ancient structures over the following months and unearthed a treasure trove of forgotten technology and knowledge. Yet most importantly of their findings was the Vyrkahn, the item of which the Struhunii had venerated for millennia before. Seen as a item gifted by their ancestors, yet in actuality the ancient machine was an SDT Data Construct — an advanced, virtual intelligence computer database created during the Golden Age of Technology, and said to have contained the sum total of Human scientific and technological knowledge — Though this particular SDT had incurred severe damage in the preceding Millennia, with the VI Data shard seeming to have become senile in its solitude with the vast majority of its encrypted database having been corrupted to near uselessness. 
Yet, with the SDT in Hand, Llucerian would be able to awaken the Forges once again, and with the primary reactor spurred along, the rest of the colossal, nearly kilometer deep complex roared to life. And with the Demi-God's expertise, the Ashen along with the Struhunii — having become quite familiar with these southern foreigners — would prove themselves more than capable of fulfilling the long-defunct obligations of the machines that once toiled within these complexes. And through tireless effort and collaboration, the exceptional technical prowess of the Ashen and the Struhunii's profound prior knowledge of the massive complex would lead to a comprehensive understanding of the long-abandoned Lecarrite technology. Together, they would not only restore this ancient and decrepit machinery to its former glory but also begin to modify it with remarkable ease. As the researchers breathed new life into these dormant behemoths of metal and stone, Llucerian would spend months in attempt to decipher the Vyrkahn Data-Mind, and in doing so discovered an active but faulty Virtual Conscious within the Construct. Vyrkahn, or V-IIV as it called itself held a reserved and introverted outlook during its first conversations with the Demi-God, keeping certain ideas and schematics from him. 
Though as the weeks dragged on and as the Forges continued to roar, a rapport was able to be built between the two, and Vyrkahn began to show a mischievous personality as it began to play mental games with Llucerian, often with his reward for success being a shard of a schematic or a story of Old Lecarro. Llucerian would come to enjoy these games, which often devolved with the two discussing design ideas for new technologies. Yet, soon much of the Forges existing technology was understood by Llucerian, and with a sturdy knowledge base he would begin to build upon it with ideas discussed with V-IIV. These alterations and slight mechanical improvements would dramatically increase both the resource collection efficiency of the Auto-Drills, the Atomic-Forges along with the Fusion-Modeling Cores of the Forges-heralding a technological revolution among the Ashen. And with his profound understanding of the intricate machinery, he streamlined their processes and enhanced their output. The Ashen now possessed the capability to achieve feats that had once been considered unattainable, reshaping their future and potential as a formidable faction.
In a remarkably short span of four years, the Ashen and their allies had undergone a remarkable transformation. They now wielded weaponry and technology that had not been seen on Lecarro for millennia. Llucerian's ascent had been equally impressive, evolving from a mere member of the Ashen's committee to a true and potent threat to the established order of the world. And as his stature as a Warlord grew, so did the reach of his enclave. Guided by Llucerian's visionary leadership, the world would bear witness to a renaissance of technology and ambition, as they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the planet. With a keen eye for technological advancement, Llucerian oversaw the construction of even more sophisticated and efficient extraction machinery and weaponry. The Ashen were at the forefront of technological innovation, and their newfound wealth and resources allowed them to refine their capabilities.
As Llucerian assumed leadership, his awareness of the dire plight facing not only the Ashen but all the gang-clans and factions in Lecarro's spire cities grew ever more acute. Despite the Ashen's own prosperity, he recognized the broader challenges looming over the planet and its fractured inhabitants, compelling him to seek solutions for the greater good. While the Ashen thrived with their newfound technology and resources, they couldn't turn a blind eye to the stark contrast that afflicted the other spire cities of Lecarro. These once-proud factions were descending into deeper decline, their technology and populations dwindling due to enforced resource shortages and the sterilizing grip imposed by the traitorous Blackwatch. 
Through the whispers of his spies, Llucerian learned of Blackwatch's unholy alliance with the same sinister black-blooded machines that the Ashen had encountered in the Ice-Wastes. These machines had become the agents of a Legion of Chittering-Iron, working in collusion with Blackwatch to subjugate humanity on Lecarro. Operating from the shadows, they enforced a nightmarish rule over the planet, keeping its inhabitants in perpetual bondage. 
In response, Llucerian embarked on a relentless thirteen-year campaign against Blackwatch and its monstrous allies. 
=== The Thirteen Years War ===
The Thirteen Years War ignited amidst the fires of Cralai, where frost-bitten slave-fields erupted into chaos under the cover of night. Ashen Wind-Carvers streaked through the skies, unleashing salvos of fire while Drop pods descended in synchronized precision. Led by Llucerian, Ashen troops initiated surgical strikes against Blackwatch's guard forces before the first volleys had fully dissipated. For millennia, millions had toiled in these fields under Blackwatch's brutal rule, their suffering fueling Lecarro's war machines. As the Ashen forces descended like avenging angels, led by their near-deific Lord, many of the enslaved recognized their long-awaited liberators. Freed from their bonds, those who didn't flee into the nearby mountains swiftly joined the Ashen ranks, determined to fight alongside their saviors.
The Cralai Labor Belt soon became the temporary focal point of a protracted Thirteen Years War. Ashen forces entrenched themselves in their newly won territory, repurposing captured refineries to sustain their campaign. Meanwhile, Blackwatch, bolstered by their monstrous machine allies of the Umbral Djabla, launched relentless counter-offensives against the Ashen positions.
The conflict in Cralai escalated into a brutal war of attrition, with both sides locked in a deadly struggle for dominance. Yet the siege of Cralai only marked the beginning of Llucerian's strategic onslaught against Blackwatch's strongholds. With the Ashen at his side, he orchestrated a series of decisive battles and strategic maneuvers aimed at weakening Blackwatch's grip on power. His forces clashed fiercely with Blackwatch's legions, determined to free the enslaved and dismantle the oppressive infrastructure that had held Lecarro in chains for centuries.
=== Rediscovery ===
In the wake of the tragic loss of the Luminarchs, the Emperor, refusing to be disheartened by the setback that spanned almost four thousand years of work, turned his attention to salvaging what remained. While the Luminarchs themselves could not be recreated, their genetic records and preserved samples of their accumulated genetic material endured. With these precious remnants, the Emperor embarked on the creation of a formidable force of superhuman warriors, destined to become renowned throughout the galaxy as the Imperial Marine Legions. At the side of the newly formed Imperial Marine Legions, the Emperor established the Imperial Combat Regiments, complemented by the formidable Armada Imperialis powered by Jovian Ship-Forges. With these powerful forces at the forefront, the Emperor launched His Great Crusade, fueled by an unwavering determination to restore humanity to its former glory.
In the early years of the Young Stellar Imperium, the onslaught of its 20 Imperial Legions proved nearly unstoppable. Despots, aliens, and daemons alike crumbled before the relentless advance of these formidable armies, marking the beginning of an era where the Imperium's might knew no bounds. During the Great Crusade, worlds that had once suffered under enslavement and terror willingly embraced the banner of the nascent Stellar Imperium. It was amidst this monumental undertaking that, one by one over the course of the Crusade, the lost Luminarchs were finally reunited with their Father and Emperor. Each took up their rightful places as the masters of the Imperial Marine Legions. And as the Emperor relentlessly worked to reunite the scattered worlds of humanity, His quest for His lost children spanned the galaxy. Guided by an unparalleled psychic link to their lost masters, the Imperial Throne ships of the Legions navigated the cosmos, homing in on the worlds where the lost Luminarchs resided. These reunions marked pivotal moments of the Great Crusade, as the once-scattered Luminarchs returned to lead their Legions in the name of the burgeoning Stellar Imperium.
The Emperor's search for His lost Luminarchs led Him to Llucerian early in the Great Crusade, facilitated by the proximity of Lecarro to Terra. 
The final confrontation of Llucerians crusade took place within the central citadel of Lecarro's Cluhron Cluster, culminating in the triumphant siege of the towering obsidian-black fortress-spire known as the Black Obelisk. It would be a grueling six month siege that encompassed the length of the city, with billions fighting on each side like a recreation of myth as the Legions of the Golden Eyed titan clashed with the Horde of the Black Blooded beasts. Yet, once the decisive victory had been secured, with the Black Obelisk in ruins and the machines and their allies routed, the Emperor would finally reveal Himself in a sudden entrance. The Emperor's fleet, heralded by the resounding world horn of the Merkabah, breached the Lecarrite orbital rings to make their atmospheric breach. In the aftermath of Llucerian's greatest victory, upon the fall of the Black Obelisk, he was abducted through the Warp-Lift and brought aboard the Merkabah.
After a short period of recuperation following the sudden journey through the chaotic expanse of the Void, the Emperor was finally reunited with his first lost son. And for many standard years, Llucerian stood as the Emperor's sole son, fostering a profound affinity between them that would shape the course of the Great Crusade and the Stellar Imperium. For ten years, Llucerian underwent secret studies under his father and, in part, the Stellar-Council comprising the Imperial Cabinet before the wider Stellar Imperium would learn of his existence. During this clandestine period, Llucerian immersed himself in intense learning and physical training. He sparred with the Demigod warriors of the Legio Seraphim and engaged in wargames with the greatest generals of the Imperium, honing his skills under the watchful eye of the Emperor and the esteemed members of the Imperial Cabinet.
The Emperor personally invested in his son, dedicating countless hours to imparting the intricacies of war and strategy to Llucerian. Guided by the Emperor's wisdom, Llucerian swiftly distinguished himself as an exceptional student. His sharp mind and unyielding determination facilitated the rapid absorption of knowledge, earning him a position as one of the Emperor's most trusted advisors and confidants. In this role, Llucerian became an integral part of the Imperium's leadership, contributing significantly to the unfolding strategies and decisions of the Stellar Imperium.
Five years into his education, and in acknowledgment of his extraordinary abilities, Llucerian was bestowed with command over the Lecarrite Firstborn — a formidable force comprising a hundred thousand transhuman warriors. The recruits for this elite unit were secretly transported away by the Emperor during Llucerian's tutelage, each reborn from the superhuman genetic code of the Emperor's first son. 
The Emperor's decision to conduct this act of secrecy was twofold — firstly, to swiftly reinforce the Original First Legion, known as the Legion of the First Sons, following their severe defeat during the Campaign for Telvaumia and the widespread suffering of the Legion Gene-Plagues, where more than half of the Legion was sundered. Secondly, it served as a test of the accumulated skills of his First Son.
Over the next five years, Llucerian and his Lecarrite Firstborn clandestinely participated in the Great Crusade, achieving a mix of victories and defeats in the name of the Stellar Imperium. Among their notable triumphs were the twin compliances of the Nonzoruta and Votania Star Systems, the Legion's march into the Ceon 3 Wastes in search of a Jovian Black Armory, and the Siege of Zuiphus — a surgical dismantling of a Fortress-World ruled by a despot who resisted joining the Imperium. These accomplishments. Though secret to the Imperium proper, still solidified Llucerian's standing as a formidable military leader within the expanding Imperium.
Soon, with his education done–the collective First Legion, both hidden and apparent, would be summoned to the Hiemia System, on order by the Emperor himself to bring it to heel.
=== Great Crusade ===
Lecarro, relatively close to Terra in the void by planetary standards, and with whom some minor intermittent contact had been maintained even through the Long Dark, had its murderous and strife-torn population marked by one of the first expeditionary fleets of the Great Crusade to leave the Sol System.
With its resources stripped it had little strategic worth and its people were judged largely beyond illumination, but the fledgling Imperium needed teeth as well as ideals and that necessity saved Lecarro. Its youth had been harvested in their tens of thousands, first as impressed troopers for the Crusade armies and then the finest specimens were taken for the Legion.
Upon Luna these chosen sons and daughters of Lecarro were reborn as warriors of the Ist Legion. With these new recruits came a further accolade. The Emperor in honor of their new birthplace, the ruthless propensities of the Lecarrites and the victories of the past won by the Legion's original Terran Angelus such as the First Pacification of Luna, he along with Llucerian gave the Ist Legion a name to strike fear into his enemies. As they scattered to spill blood amongst unclaimed stars their enemies would know them as the Sons of the Morning.
For roughly two standard decades, the Emperor and Llucerian fought the opening campaigns of the Great Crusade side by side, the Luminarch learning at the foot of his gene-sire. When at length the Emperor detected another of the Luminarchs and departed to locate them, Llucerian was left at the head of his Father's hosts, the Imperialis Armada Principia, entrusted with the command of the conquering armies. Llucerian was well suited to the task, and the lessons he had learned in the previous solar decade served him well.
As one by one the other Luminarchs were united with their gene-father and their brothers and sisters, Llucerian came increasingly to be regarded as the greatest of their number, the first amongst equals. The Sons of the Morning waged war for three hundred years, pushing back the darkness with fire and blood. Their victories were manifold and Llucerian's generalship was legend, and so it was that the respect of their brother Legions rose to almost unrivalled heights.
While many of his brothers and the Imperial Marine Legions created in their genetic image were gifted in specific fields of military science, Llucerian was a natural leader, his greatest genius his ability to meld seemingly divergent allies into a coherent whole. This skill was not only of use on the battlefield, for it carried over into contacts with the peoples the Great Crusade met. And it would become Llucerian's way to treat with the populations of newly-contacted worlds according to the cultural traditions of each, and this highly successful doctrine was encouraged to be repeated in each of the Imperial expeditionary fleets. Llucerian believed that to do so would lessen the hostile reaction of opponents who wished to parley.
As the Great Crusade pushed outward, and more Luminarchs were discovered, the Emperor's time became divided, pulled in more and more directions. Llucerian has often been placed in the overall strategic command of the Great Crusade, a position in which he proved his skill as a leader time and time again. He quickly won the approval and support of the other Imperial Marine Legions, along with their sires.
One of the skills that made Llucerian such a great leader was that he possessed an innate understanding of human psychology; he was able to read people in such a way that he could choose to promote their strengths or exploit their weaknesses. This allowed him to find a non-military solution in several campaigns as he used his sheer inhuman charisma and diplomatic negotiation skills combined with the ever-present threat of the Imperial Marine Legions' unstoppable force to bring other human-settled worlds into Imperial Compliance without bloodshed.
His understanding of the human mind allowed Llucerian to bring out the best within even his fellow Luminarchs, which allowed him to deploy the various Angelus Legions into the battlefield roles to which they were best suited. He quickly learned of the skill displayed by The Storm Raptors and Umbral Wardens in deploying for rapid strikes, while the Imperial Harbingers and The Iron Asha'karii were always placed at the forefront of planetary sieges.
Llucerian was said to wield the Imperial Marine Legions, and later the merely human soldiers of the Imperial Armies, as a lesser general would position individual squads to perform to their advantages. He was also responsible for promoting competitive rivalries between certain Imperial Marine Legions in the desire to spur these Luminaries on to greater heights.
== Personality ==
A superlative warrior, an indomitable commander, and regal diplomat. A motivator of men made nearly without peer, and the only Luminarch capable of the management of his brethren with any real success. Llucerian would be the Luminarch most suited to the needs of the Great Crusade, whose talents and abilities uniquely suited what the Emperor wanted from his sons.
But for all his pride Llucerian was known to have a very sinister, dark streak. In him were alloyed the elements of his god-like brethren, their strengths were also his to a greater or lesser measure, while his charisma, his ability to forge others — mortal or transhuman — to his purpose, was a strength made all his own.
But more than this, it is no coincidence that the symbol of the Eye in the Sun would quickly become his seal and his sign, for he saw much, and his vigilance did not sleep — his was not simply the eye of the guardian, but that of the hunter. His was an eye that saw both weakness and strength, no matter how well hidden, and saw well how to exploit it; an eye that saw both how best to destroy and create. He peered across a million warzones across the galaxy and everywhere he was capable of peering through veiled strength and finding weakness wherever his gaze fell. He saw the flaws, whether in the serried lines of Planetary defenses or in the hearts of the soldiers who manned them, and he knew best how to exploit them. 
== Wargear ==
* Tenebris: Gifted to Llucerian upon his complete ascension as acting Luminarch of the newly christened Sons of the Morning. Originating deep from within the Dark-Vaults of the Grand Imperial Palace itself. The identity of the blade's true creator is unknown to all, even its wielder. But although its inner technologies are truly ancient, it remains an extremely potent blade of war. Its monomolecular edge and disruptor field wreathed in Shadowed energies borne from the empyrean Void. And due to the blades' hollowed design, and its Psychic Nature, whilst in battle Llucerian is capable of swinging the weapon as easily as if it were his own hand while carving through all in his path, be they of flesh, steel or daemonic voidflesh.
* Star-Stalker: A Custom Mastercrafted Combi-Plasmor Arcus Rifle refashioned into a Pistol for the Luminarch. It would be gifted to Llucerian by The Zaulk Triumvirate as a show of good will to the newly found Luminarch.
* The Solar Vigil: A highly specialized VI Data-Construct, the Solar Vigil acts irrespective of Llucerian's consciousness, constantly scanning and absorbing data streams both auditory, visual or otherwise to enhance its bearers already preternatural vigilance, often detecting concealed threats and weaknesses. Additionally, the Vigil System grants him the ability to analyze mass amounts of battlefield data in real-time much quicker than even his superhuman senses would permit, making him a master tactician on the fly.
* The Solariate Domini: A finely crafted shield adorned with the emblem of the Eye in the Sun, the Solariate Domini, of which the Legion’s Honor Guard carry the same name, not only offers a formidable physical defense for the Luminarch, but can also project a radiant force field due to its duel link Arc-Reactor housed within the breath of the shield. Capable of deflecting heavy mainline tank artillery.
* The Helian Null-Spear: Forged upon The Daemon World of Armageddon VI, during the Armageddon Wars, the Helian Null-Spear is only one of six made during the conflicts. Forged from The Primordial of Deaths’ own ribs, The Spears only partially exist within the material universe allowing them to pierce the most potent of defenses. It, along with the rest of its death born Kin are capable of granting true death to even the most powerful of Never-born. And after the end of the first Daemo-Crusade the Helio Spear was reforged within the Halls of Jupiter, and newly reborn It would be laced with psycho-reactive crystals, and a talented psionic conduit such as Llucerian could channel his power into paracausal Solar Flares to strike any nearby foes.
* The Panoplia Solus: Once the Primitively Powered Armor built for the Young Luminarch upon Lecarro, It would be reforged under the Emperor’s own oversight within the forge halls of Terra, the armor would be presented to Llucerian at the end of his formal education. Having been Ruined during a sparring session wherein Llucerian combated 3 Seraphim singlehandedly, it would be painstakingly repaired, and upgraded by the Terran Artisans and Jovian Tech-Adepts of the Imperial Palace. As with his other Wargear, it enhanced Llucerians’ psychic and physical abilities considerably.
Category:Imperium
Category:Character
Lucifer Morningstar