recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Koloss Syntheticide

The Koloss Syntheticide was a massive campaign fought by the Imperium of Man against the rapacious machine forces of the Abominable Intelligence known as Koloss. This malign consciousness ruled over a swathe of systems known as the Obzen Apparatus, slowly conquering worlds and cleansing them of all organic life until the Imperium reached its borders. This was the last campaign of the Great Crusade in which the Emperor led His armies into battle.

## **The Syntheticide**

On the cusp of the new millennium, a Mechanicum Explorator fleet encountered the Obzen Apparatus, an AI system which had devoted itself to the extirpation of organic life. Expanding slowly throughout the centuries of Old Night, the ruling intelligence known as Koloss carved out a small but powerful empire for itself.
Lupa Sanguis

### Width

3 Kilometers wide at bow approx., 4 Kilometers abeam at main hull approx., 4.5 Kilometers abeam at superstructure approx., (4.5 Kilometers at fins approx.)

### Weight

1.2 gravities max sustainable acceleration

### Crew

1,000,000+

The **Lupa Sanguis** is the Imperial Gloriana-class Battleship that served as the flagship of Hectarion Mycenor, the Primarch of the Crimson Lions. The second such ship created by the shipwrights of Mars, it was designed as a work of art in comparison to the brutal structure of the *Titan’s Gaol*. The decorative outside of the Lupa Sanguis should not lead anyone to believe that it was any less powerful than other Glorianas, as the Lupa Sanguis is outfitted with a large array of short range weapons batteries and boarding torpedoes to deliver scores of Lions. These were augmented by the prominent ram attached to the front, able to carve through lesser ships.

The centre of the vessel is the grand audience hall, within which Hectarion accepts guests and embassies in a huge auditorium and throneroom, reminiscent of his primal palace on Mycenae. The other main area of the Sanguis is the Hall of Heroes, a room dedicated to memorialising the greatest heroes of the Blood Wolves and Crimson Lions in statue form. It is one of the greatest honours amongst the Lions to have a statue of them erected, with the larger the statue the greater the individual has been judged.

## **Technical Characteristics**

Classification: Gloriana Class Battleship

Design Template: Profundis

### **Dimensions**

Length: 18 Kilometers bow to stern

Width: 3 Kilometers wide at bow approx., 4 Kilometers abeam at main hull approx., 4.5 Kilometers abeam at superstructure approx., (4.5 Kilometers at fins approx.)

Height: 3 Kilometers at prow, 4.5 Kilometers at main hull, 5 Kilometers at superstructure.

Mass: 100 Megatonnes approx.

Crew: 1,000,000+

Accel: 1.2 gravities max sustainable acceleration.

Other Features: Training Decks, Expanded Mausoleum, Dreadnought Hangar, Apothecarium, Manufactorii, Teleportation Decks, Sanctum, Secondary Command Deck, Redundant Life Support Systems, Hall of Heroes, Throne Room, Additional Dreadnought Hanger, Reinforced Bridge.

### **Systems**

Enhanced Plasma Drives

Enhanced Void Shields

### **Armaments**

#### **Prow**

Power Ram

Nova Cannon

#### **Dorsal**

2X Titan Missile Launcher Turrets

2X Macro Cannon Turrets

2X Quad Barrel Lance Turrets

2X Fusion Beamer Turrets

#### **Port Side**

2X Quad Barrel Lance Batteries

3X Torpedo Launch Bay Arrays

1X Disruption Macro Cannon Batteries

2X Fusion Beamer Batteries

#### **Starboard Side**

2X Quad Barrel Lance Batteries

3X Torpedo Launch Bay Arrays

1X Disruption Macro Cannon Batteries

2X Fusion Beamer Batteries

#### **Ventral**

4X Fusion Beamer Turrets

2X Quad Barrel Lance Turrets

1X Titan Missile Launcher Turret

1X Disruption Macro Cannon Turret
Korden-Vaal

The **Korden-Vaal**, in ancient Skiirad cant- *the Many Deaths*. The Riven do not have Destroyer units like most of their fellow Legions, instead they have the Brotherhood of Korden-Vaal. The Korden-Vaal are spread out among the legionnaires of the Riven, between a score and two-score in every battle-company. Marked by a golden stripe bisecting their right helmet lens, the Korden-Vaal are gathered together when an enemy is too dangerous or alien to simply use the Riven's normal tactics of conquest and conversion. The Korden-Vaal will then be instructed to unleash the dread weapons of the Old Night upon the enemy; phosphex, rad, and gene-phage weapons are among the array of lethal arms that the Brotherhood controls. They are a weapon of last resort, the devastation that they cause will leave a planet a burnt, scarred wasteland unusable as a habitable space for thousands of years. One of few Brotherhoods among the Riven, the Korden-Vaal are secretive and selective- the only entrance into their ranks is through recommendation and many tests of personal resolve. The commanders of the Riven know that when they call upon the Brotherhood of Korden-Vaal, they will exterminate their target utterly. Currently the Lord of the Korden-Vaal is Syl Finnas, Battle-Captain of the 2nd Battle-chapter.
Insurgos

**Insurgos** were large Space Marine factions which, for numerous reasons, separated from the bulk of their Legions during the Five Ruins. Larger than the various Blackshield forces which fought during the conflict, there was some overlap between the two categories but the Insurgos were distinguished in a few key ways; they retained or revived much of their Legion's old or existing livery and doctrine, and were much more closely tied to Imperial high command than their counterparts in the Blackshields and Shattered Legion forces.

While the Primarchs were the undisputed masters of their respective legions, not one of these gene-sires was capable of securing the complete loyalty from all of their sons. Many a loyal Astarte would meet their end due to their father’s machinations before the Ruins came to be. Yet, disloyal sons were not always composed of a few renegades. Insurgo was the high-gothic designation for a sizable and well-organised band of space marines that chose a different path from their Primarch.

Thus, while the number of Halcyon Wardens who chose to turn against their father may number upwards of 15,000, only the 6,000 Traitor Halcyon Wardens under the command of the infamous Malis were counted as an Insurgo. Given the secret purges of Primarchs such as Morrigar or Absalom, this ensured that the Insurgos were disproportionately represented by defections from Loyalist legions. This is not to say that there were no Insurgos who took a stand against their erstwhile liege lords, such as the vaunted Dawn Sentinels, but merely that they were fewer in number compared to their mirror counterparts.

Outside of those parameters, there existed a great deal of variation between the Insurgos. Most of them came into being at the onset of the Insurrection as the divide between Loyalist, Traitor and Separatist became clear. Two, however, unofficially came into being during the Halcyon Age, the famed Saturnine Raptors and the Venom Lords. Although all Insurgos comprised the largest organisation of defectors, size was not uniform between Insurgos. The Ember Host, which numbered a scant 200 space marines paled in comparison to the dauntless Saturnine Raptors, a force of over 10,000.

Regardless of power and origin, each Insurgo would carve out their own legends throughout the Ruins. Whether they would blaze bright trails that ended in fire and destruction or were whittled away by battlefield attrition, only a rare few of the Insurgos would survive the civil war.
Winterhearts

The **Winterhearts** are an Eldar Corsair Fleet that has emerged in Segmentum Tempestus during the Halcyon Age and Five Ruins, numbering over a thousand ships at its peak. Responding to the Midnight Hosts' attack on the Craftworld Ursidhe-Ka, the Corsair Lord Balenar’s fleet was swelled by the refugees from the destruction, and began leading raids into the Imperium in retaliation. Focusing on speed as all Corsairs do, the Winterhearts are masters of hit and run tactics and evasive manoeuvres. It is currently unknown if they are aligned with any Craftworlds.

Corsair Lord Balenar is a capricious and cunning Aedari, keeping his strategies and plans to himself and commanding his fleet with an iron fist. For the Imperial forces, his actions seem to come out of knowledge, just when the defences of that area are weakened or unprepared. Balenar has also been known to commit to engagements that seem disadvantageous, only to withdraw suddenly when some sort of ulterior objective is achieved.

## **Notable Vessels**

* **Vault of Winter** - Void Stalker-class Battleship, the flagship of Corsair Lord Balenar and the Winterhearts. Said to have been crafted before the Fall, none can say how Balenar managed to acquire such a vessel. Its pulse lancers have claimed many trophies, ranging from Imperial rogue trader ships, Ork battleships and countless cruisers and smaller ships reckless enough not to surrender.
Halcyon Age

The **Halcyon Age** was a common nickname for the period between the Vanishing and the First Ruin, though sometimes it is applied to the entire period of the Alexandrian Regency. Starting in 001.M31, it does begin with the disappearance of the Emperor. The name comes from the legion of the High Regent, Alexandros Darshan VonSalim, Shield-Lord of the Halcyon Wardens. It was hoped, in spite of the galactic disaster that was the Vanishing, the Imperium would recover and continue towards the golden age of Humanity promised by the Emperor and the Great Crusade. The Halcyon Age can be divided into three phases if one limits the term to a pre-Ruin timeframe. The first phase covers the years 001 to 004. These years would be spent in repairing the worst damages of the Vanishing. Although some aspects of the physical destruction of the Vanishing inflicted would last well into the next century, the most critical consequences would be addressed and resolved in some way by the end of 004. 005 to 007 would see the Imperium come closest to the hoped for golden age. These three years would see a general sense of security and prosperity spread across the Imperium. The final phase is recorded as 008 to 011 when the First Ruin occurs. These final years before the incoming cataclysms were known for the simmering strife as political forces broiled both in support and against the High Regent. The Succession Crisis of 009-011 emerged as a powder keg ready to plunge the Imperium into civil war. As mentioned elsewhere, its other, less common, use was to simply refer to the Alexandrian Regency. As such, this other use begins with the same date, but it ends with the conclusion of the Fourth Ruin. Regardless of use, the Halcyon Age was used in less disrespectable fasion during the years in which it referred to. The age part of the term was often used in a demeaning manner by critics of the Alexandrian Regency. After the end of the Alexandrian Regency, the term shifted to a more glowing and nostalgic emphasis towards those precious few years before the Ruins.
Hounds of Glory

Composed of the most ambitious, the most unruly and the most battle-seeking marines of the Warriors of Peace, the **Hounds of Glory** abandoned the perceived passivity of their primogenitor and legion and left seeking glory and warfare. After meeting with an emissary from the Chaos Gods, the war band devoted itself to Khorne and would aid in the assault on their own legion during the Fifth Ruin. The warband is centred around its leader, Huang Ju-Long, as the warband is formed of followers of Huang’s own beliefs. They specialise in jetbike assaults and close combat, seeking out enemy champions and claiming their heads for the Blood God.

## **Background**

Though there had always been individuals within the Warriors of Peace who were more aggressive, the mediation and the paths system established by the Jade General worked to help calm Astartes. The first problem in the system came with the rise of Huang Ju-Long, as his sheer talent for duelling gave him a certain protection against the usual mechanisms of the legion and fuelled his aggression. His success served to inspire others like him, and he gained popularity with the Mongsuti as a fiery proponent.

## **Notable Members**

* **Huang Ju-Long** - The leader and driving force of the warband, Huang's constant under-appreciation by the Jade General and the legion's preoccupation with civilian and political issues rather than warfare pushed him too far.
Afeahamra Alsuwa'Qan

On Azus’ homeworld of Dhul’hasa, there was one clan that did not seek conquest or kingship, they sought infamy and wealth. Holding a single, unassailable mountain fortress, the Alsuwa’Qan Clan were expert assassins and infiltrators, trained not to challenge their opponents on the plains but to eliminate key targets before their opponents even arrived. They would even sell their services to other clans, though even then would be enacting their own agenda. When Azus Bahmut conquered Dhul’hasa, he stood outside their fortress and gave them one day to surrender or be destroyed. The Master of the Alsuwa’Qan Clan spoke with his fellow warriors, and that night the top assassins of the clan were sent to kill Azus. The next morning, the heads of the assassins were posted on stakes in front of the fortress. As the Master declared he would surrender to his inner circle, Azus appeared from the shadows and accepted the surrender, and the Alsuwa’Qan Clan joined Azus.

The Alsuwa’Qan Clan fought against the xenos invaders of Dhul’hasa, and when Azus was reunited with his legion he brought the lessons from the Alsuwa’Qan with him. Adding the name of Dhul’hasa’s venomous snakes to its own, the Afeahamra Alsuwa’Qan was formed by those handpicked by Azus himself, with a new Master chosen to lead this shadowy group. No one even within the legion knows who the members of the Alsuwa’Qan are, with most not even knowing that the Afeahamra Alsuwa’Qan exists. The ranking officers of the legion who are aware do not command them, only able to request the removal of specific targets from high command and then have them sometimes mysteriously disappear.

The members of the Alsuwa’Qan are spread across all of the Hordes, with their commanders not knowing which of their brothers are a part of the group. Only Azus and the Master know who the members are, or what their assignments are. The Afeahamra Alsuwa’Qan is divided into different tribes based on preferences over methods of assassination, similar in philosophy to the clades of the Officio Assassinorum. Whilst they differ in methods, they all work from the shadows to remove their targets, whether through poisons or a blade to the back. Unlike the clades of the Assassinorum, it is not unusual for multiple Alsuwa’Qan members to be sent on the same mission, often working together to coordinate a single strike against a target.
Knight Households

## **Loyalists**

* House Hawkshroud
* House Brutii
* House Ursus
* House Sarmatis
* House Zivich
* House Col'Khak
* House Sidus
* House Makabius
* House Orhlacc

## **Traitors**

* House Franze
* House Caraxes
* House Fioranti
* House Malinax
* House Procon Vi
* House Atrax
* House Mordred
* House Ærthegn
* House Raven
* House Vextrix
* House Gotrith

## **Separatists**

* House Kaigan
* House Tyrinth
* House Angeal
* House Griffith
* House Vyronii
* House Cadmus
Rosalind Lowther

Commander **Rosalind 'Rosie' Lowther** is the current commander of the Korrikan Steam Troops regiment of the Imperial Army. An experienced commander, Commander Lowther is renowned for her fearlessness, cold demeanour and intolerance of disobediance or laxity.

## **History**

Born in one of the slums of Korrikan to a family of manufactorum workers, Rosalind’s life prospects were virtually non-existent. As such, she took the one route out of her squalid life: joining the Emperor’s Great Crusade. Enlisting in the Korrikan PDF, Rosalind served there for several years, gaining experience by dealing with rowdy mobs and criminal gangs. When the recruiting officers from the Korrikan Steam Troops came to replenish their casualties from the PDF, Rosalind was selected alongside 500 others to leave Korrikan and join the regiment.

She joined the 2nd Company of the 3rd Battalion as an Infantry Auxiliary, and saw a significant amount of frontline fighting. She eventually gained promotion as her experience and steely manner proved decisive in launching several successful assaults, and by 000.M31 she had become the Commander of the Steam Troops as a whole.

## **Personality**

Renowned for her perceived lack of fear in the face of the enemy and unyielding demour at all times, Commander Lowther brokers no dissent or disloyalty within her ranks. While some of her closest friends call her Rosie, very few are counted by her as friends and she does not tolerate anyone else calling her that, as she views it as extreme informality.
Imperial Army

Although the Legiones Astartes were the greatest of the forces that fought during the Insurrection, they were but a drop in the ocean that was the Emperor's armies and Expeditionary Fleets. The ranks of the Imperialis Auxilia were beyond count, and the mortal soldiers would prove just as divided as the Space Marines as the Imperium turned upon itself.

## **Loyalist Solar Auxilia Cohorts**

 52nd Cohort, the Zanskat Guard |  | Loyalist
 80th Cohort, the Balovian Vanguard |  | Loyalist
 Aschehunde |  | Loyalist
 2541st Cohort, Screaming Eagles | Tiberius Scaro | Loyalist

## **Traitor Solar Auxilia Cohorts**

 297th Cohort, the Storm Spears |  | Traitors

## **Separatist Solar Auxilia Cohorts**

 416th Cohort, Kallastin Ogryn Auxilia | Jaacos Nürada
 914th Cohort, Ramien Celestials | Demaenetus Vibennis and Argyrippus Sartorius
First Day

Alexandros walked toward the table in slow, measured steps. One of the key aspects of nobility and leadership was how one presented oneself to others. It could be a subtle art. Every gesture, every expression was a potential weapon to use against oneself or against others. Part of that knowledge of perception was to understand timing.

It was for this reason that he measured his gait carefully. For today, would herald the end of one era and the start of another. Moving with upmost poise and dignity, Alexandros assumed his seat at the head of the Council of Terra. To his right, Malcador waited and watched, his eyes dividing their attention neatly between the new regent and the Council itself. Across from Alexandros, Koschei patiently sat, aware yet not approving of the gravity Alexandros imported into the moment. The other seats were already occupied. Alexandros completed the circle of now the most powerful individuals in the Imperium.

“Let us begin.”
Furibundus-Pattern Dreadnought

A **Furibundus-Pattern Dreadnought** is an ancient Imperial cybernetic combat walker used by the Space Marine Legions in the days of the Great Crusade and the Five Ruins. The precursor to the Furibundus dreadnought came from the Terrawatt Clans of Terra. Known informally to their enemies as the ‘Withermaw’, its victims weakened and fell days after a battle’s end. With the coming of the nascent Imperium the warframe was adapted for the use of near-dead Astartes, officially becoming a dreadnought pattern. However a degree of mistrust between the Terrawatt Clans and the Martian Mechanicum prevented the Furibundus from being produced en masse, and as Terrans who had fought alongside or in such creations dwindled, so did the incentive for any such agreement. Unlike their techno-barbarian forebears or the callous Mechanicum, non-Terran recruits seldom saw the need for a weapon so lethal in its radiation output that it could not be repaired without shutting down its reactor. For a time the Furibundus was only seen to any significant degree within the XIVth; where the ongoing prevalence of a brutal Terran culture still supported its presence.

Most Furibundus pilots already originated from a Legion’s Destroyer Cadre, thus being no stranger to the lethal and long lasting effects of the weapons they wielded. Within their shielded sarcophagi they were immune to their own emanations and in battle few dared to step within their reach. Even in death, the destructive aftermath could mean that they claimed their slayers from beyond the grave.
Path Worlds

**Path Worlds** are an Imperial designation for worlds that control several major warp lanes. Given the Loyalists' firm positions in the Tempestus Segmentum, the Separatists under Koschei Kharkovic decided on a strategy of concentrating their resources on holding key areas. As the Great Crusade had spread further and further from Terra, various worlds became logistical centres for expeditionary fleets and thus attracted wealth and commerce, growing into rich and prosperous worlds. Some of these worlds were left behind as the Great Crusade progressed, returning them to backwater worlds slowly losing the life granted to them. However, what united these worlds was their commanding positions on key warp lanes, allowing for faster warp travel and being a natural waypoint for all sorts of shipping. The Godslayers spent the time before the Declaration of Separation identifying these worlds and moving their forces slowly enough to not draw attention to their plans. When the Declaration of Separation was rejected, these forces descended on these Path Worlds and began fortifying them, preparing every day for the day that the Imperium struck back.

## **Noted Examples**

* Zaramund - Segmentum Obscurus
* Kalidar IV - Segmentum Tempestus. Controls access between Tempestus and Pacificus.
* Tallarn - Segmentum Tempestus. Controls access between Tempestus and Farsalus.
* The Beta-Garmon Cluster - Segmentum Solar.
Psyk-Reactive Ammunition

**Psyk-Reactive Munitions** are Psi-Reactive ammunition and anti-personnel explosive devices commonly found within the ranks of the Warriors of Peace during the Great Crusade and Five Ruins eras.

Originally an anti-psyker weapon solely produced and utilised by the Orders Militant of the Great Astronomican and the Warriors of Peace, the use of these munitions as grenades, whose payload was akin to psychically-charged ash, quickly spread to the more specialised echelons of the Space Marine Legions.

The Warriors of Peace, though, retained more widespread versions of the grenades, compacting them into bolter shells.
Phalanx

***The Phalanx*** is the massive starship that serves as the mobile fortress-monastery of the Sky Reavers Legion and was constructed many millennia ago by unknown hands during the Dark Age of Technology long before the Age of the Imperium.

*Phalanx* itself is gigantic, the largest starship known to have been constructed by Human hands, and something of its magnitude has not been seen since the Age of Technology. The size of a small moon or large asteroid, its foredeck can dock a dozen Imperial Navy cruisers around its circumference.

The vessel is essentially a hive city in space, with its great spires reaching towards the stars, giving it the appearance of a giant mace-head. In many ways, *Phalanx* is the only vessel ever built by Mankind that comes close in size and complexity to that of the Aeldari's craftworlds.

*Phalanx* is so large that it reflects light like the stars themselves, and it served as a symbolic representation of the Emperor Himself during the time of the Great Crusade. The vast starship is completely mobile and capable of travel through the Warp and often follows the Sky Reavers as it moves throughout the galaxy. Due to the Phalanx's size and the preference for speed by the Reavers, it only makes appearances where the Legion knows its time of arrival will be worth it.

There are various descriptions of the general shape and exterior character of the great starship. These include a structure of "towering forests of spires interlaced with flying buttresses" or a structure that leads observers to believe *Phalanx* "might have been a planetoid or minor moon."

It is also described as a ship that is "many kilometres long, triangular in cross-section with its upper surface bristling with weapons and sensorium domes. Two wings swept back from the hull, trailing directional vanes like long gilded feathers. Every surface was clad in solid armour plating and every angle was covered by more torpedo tubes and lance batteries than any Imperial battleship could muster" and with "thousands of battle-honours and campaign markings all over the beak-like prow." *Phalanx* is essentially a mobile, pre-Imperial battle station that serves as both the Sky Reavers' homeworld and their foremost warship. In form and scale, it is nearer a planetoid than a conventional vessel; it is a mighty cathedral of war that dwarfs the largest Battle Barge, and wields the firepower of a formidable ﬂeet. In the days of the Great Crusade and the Five Ruins, its shadow fell across hundreds of worlds, the fury of the Sky Reavers following close behind.

## **History**

### Origins and Roles

*Phalanx* is gargantuan, the largest starship known to have been constructed by Human hands, and something of its magnitude has not been seen since the Dark Age of Technology.
Korrikan Steam Troopers

The **Korrikan Steam Troopers** are an Imperial Army regiment in the Imperial Army during the Great Crusade and Five Ruins. Recruited from the dark Industrial World of Korrikan, the troopers are drawn from the hardy workforce of the manufactorums, being well-versed in weapon and machine maintenance. Despite their world’s relative obscurity, the Steam Troopers have become a well-regarded regiment and are fiercely proud of their regiment’s history and reputation.

Having fought during the Great Crusade for over a century and on numerous different worlds and campaigns, the Korrikan Steam Troopers are veterans in their preferred style of warfare. Modifying their standard-use vehicles to fit their unique specifications, they combine heavy use of mechanised assaults and close range infantry firepower.

## **Notable Members**

* **Commander Rosalind Lowther -** Current Commander of the Korrikan Steam Troopers. Fearless, cold and intolerant of disobedience or laxity, she has many decades of experience both in the PDF and Imperial Army, and has worked her way up the ranks.

## **Homeworld**

The world of Korrikan is a relatively newly populated world in Segmentum Ultima, having been colonised early during the Great Crusade. Designated as an Industrial World, the focus on the construction was the development of large manufactorums to produce minor machine parts for the vehicles needed upon the nearby Forge World of Ryza. As a result, not much attention was paid to the housing of the workers, and as large numbers of workers were moved there by the nascent Departmento Munitorum many slums sprung up. The wealthy industralists of the world who owned the factories were able to build large houses and public buildings for their own aggrandisement, but they are simply a pinhead in comparison to the vast majority of dark, dingly slums and underworlds.

## **Appearance**

### **Regimental Colours**

The Korrikan Steam Troopers are dressed in mostly black uniforms, the better to blend in in poorly lit environments, with which company and detachment adding its own coloured sashes and undercoats.

### **Regimental Badge**

The badge of the Korrikan Steam Troopers is a looming white industrial tower, with a circular cog around it.
Finality of Self

### Width

5.5 Kilometers wide tapered at bow approx., 6 Kilometers abeam at main hull approx., 6.5 Kilometers abeam at superstructure approx. (7.5km at fins approx.)

### Acceleration

0.5 gravities max sustainable acceleration

The **Finality of Self** is a Gloriana-class Battleship that serves as the flagship of Tenzin, Primarch of the Monastic Ascendants. Hidden away amongst the early shipyards of Bala after its transportation away from Mars, the skeletal structure of the VIIth’s Gloriana would remain there for almost a full century. While there it would be tended to and poured over by the Legion’s experts, assessing its potential, that is, until one famed day.

On a cloudy night in Ganden’s southern hemisphere, the sky split open. Wreathed in orange flames the body of the Finality of Self was lowered on great mounted engines. Blazing trails hundreds of metres long it would soon disappear below the cloudy atmosphere below as it plunged into the unbreathable depths. From then on it has never been heard from. Though it is presumably still down there, with locals often claiming to be able to see orange and blue lights occasionally from the valley below.

## **Technical Characteristics**

Classification: Gloriana Class Battleship

Design Template: Invictus

### **Dimension:**

Length: 28km bow to stern

Width: 5.5 Kilometers wide tapered at bow approx., 6 Kilometers abeam at main hull approx., 6.5 Kilometers abeam at superstructure approx. (7.5km at fins approx.)

Height: 4 Kilometers at hull, 5.5 Kilometers at superstructure.

Mass: 160 Megatonnes approx.

Crew: 1,000,000+

Accel: 0.5 gravities max sustainable acceleration. (Overtaxed Reactor)

Other Features: Training Decks, Mausoleum, Dreadnought Hangar, Apothecarium, Manufactorii, Teleportation Decks, Meditation Banks, Primary + Secondary Command Throne.

### **Systems:**

Multilayered Void Shields

Enhanced Defensive Countermeasures

Improved Auger Array

### **Armaments:**

#### **Port side**

1 Minelayer Array

1 Drone Bay

2X Missile Batteries

4X Macrocannon Batteries

#### **Starboard side**

1 Minelayer Array

1 Drone Bay

2X Missile Batteries

4X Macrocannon Batteries
Irorukian Wraiths

The **Irorukian Wraiths** are an elite veteran despoiler squad within the Red Eyes legion, formed of the most suicidally brave members of the legion.

## **Background**

During one of Theoderaf’s first compliances after having joined his legion, on the world of Iroruki, a veteran company overwhelmed a critical strong point on the enemy’s defence line, suffering heavy casualties as they charged headlong through the breach. This insane bravery and devotion was recognised after the battle by Theoderaf, who took the surviving 20 veterans and formed them into a new unit, the Irorukian Wraiths. Given teleportation transponders and selecting as their weapon of choice the chainaxe design of their fallen commander from Iroruki, Fritigar, the Wraiths overwhelm their opponents with a lightning series of blows. Only those Red Eyes who have survived against incredible odds are chosen to join the Wraiths.

## **Unit Composition**

* **4 Irorukian Wraiths**
* **1 Champion**

## **Wargear**

* **Power Armour**
* **Fritigar Chainaxe**
* **Bolt Pistol**
* **Teleportation Transponder**
* **Frag & Krak Grenades**
Gradimir Jovanovi

**Gradimir Jovanovi** is the Prvý Veliteľ, which translates as First Commander, of the Godslayers Legion.

## **Background**

Born of Zbruch, Gradimir was a chosen of the Obri as a child, destined to be sacrificed to the Xenos overlords. When the Primarch Koschei killed the Horned King, Gradimir, along with the other chosen, was freed from captivity. Unlike the other chosen, who saw Koschei as their savior, it is said that upon seeing the Primarch, Gradimir attacked, mistaking Koschei as yet another Obri. Though only a child, and armed with only an Obri’s dinner knife, he charged the young Primarch.

At first, it is said that Koschei merely dodged Gradimir’s wild attacks, but as the minutes stretched on, and the boy showed little sign of tiring, Koschei sought to end the pointless fight. Intent on doing as little damage as possible, he knocked the young Gradimir to the ground. Twice, he knocked him down, and twice, the boy rose again, determined to fight until the end. Each time he rose, Koschei’s respect for the child, who stood so defiantly before him, grew.

Finally, after being knocked to the ground for the third time, Gradimir could rise no more, and appeared beaten. Taking pity on the brave boy, Koschei reached down to help him to his feet, and after a flash of pain, pulled his hand back to see the knife stuck firmly in the palm of his right hand. Thus, it is said, that Gradimir’s appointment as the Legion’s Prvý Veliteľ, or First Commander, is both symbolic, and ironic, as he is by virtue of his station, the right hand of the Primarch of the Eighth Legion.

As a Godslayer, Gradmir leads the mighty Obrie Vrahovia, along with the entirety of the Legion’s first Kapitola (Chapter). He is a taciturn, and serious man, and bears the scars of his long years fighting in his Gene-sire’s name proudly. He also holds the title of Prvý Radkyňa (First Councillor), though it has been some time since he served in Koschei’s personal retinue.

## **Wargear**

* **Obri-Plate** - One of the Legion’s oldest relics.
* **Česť and Clo** - Two massive, master crafted chain swords.
* **Nôž na večeru** - Ceremonial dagger.
Dursk Rassan Heavy Assault Squad

Taking their name from an ancient Dhul'Hasan war prayer, the **Dursk Rassan' *or*** *they who rise*' were formed from the Dune Serpents' assault companies, tasked with occupying key positions and holding them until reinforcements arrive, or funnelling the enemy towards sniper positions and firing lines, and as such are more heavily equipped than most assault companies.

Besides melee weapons they also wield hand flamers and chem-munitions, and while most of their comrades use Mk IV armour, the Dursk Rassan favour Mk II armour. These suits, augmented with modern auto-sense and targeting systems, have enabled them to endure the grinding battles that often follow their lightning assaults. They are also adept users of gas weapons, favouring substances which induce or intensify fear in their enemies, and most commonly fire these from Poisonbreath launchers attached to their shoulders or wrists. They also embellish their armour extensively, seeking to frighten their enemies.

Initially considered an oddity by their peers, under the leadership of Kalhu Nachash they have earned a reputation as bold, tenacious warriors. Nachash is revered by his brothers for securing a bridgehead on the walls of the Thabosian High City in the battle against the so-called 'Emperor' of that system. The imposter’s forces had been severely depleted on the plains of Thabos III, but nonetheless he retained hundreds of thousands of soldiers armed with technology that was a match for the Imperium's. Despite this, Nachash and his men seized their objectives, holding the enemy at bay until the main Legion force joined them. As the defenders were driven back, the Dursk Rassan assaulted the palace and slew the pretender.

## **Unit Composition**

* 9 Dursk Rassan
* 1 Dursk Qal

## **Unit Type**

* Jump Infantry

Dursk Rassan in the traditional Purple Sands of Dhul'hasa colour scheme
Meeting the Lord of Obsidian

Alexandros leaned back in his seat, an image of casualness contrasting with the weight of his existence. Regardless of their detractors, none could deny a Primarch's presence was not a light thing. To be in the presence of three of them? Few had ever enjoyed the privilege.

To be in the presence of three Primarchs and the Emperor? Only a rare mortal could maintain a balanced demeanour.

Alexandros' eyes did not agree with his posture. They flitted from one being to another. Today, he was an observer. Tonight, he would be instructor.

His student was Koschei Kharkovic. The sideburn-wearing Primarch had spent the last several years alternating between the Emperor's lessons in leadership and Alexandros' lessons in diplomacy. All the while preparing to assume formal command of the Eighth Legion. A few weeks ago, the Emperor had deemed Koschei ready. With each new Primarch, the Emperor spent less and less time teaching his sons.

Although Alexandros was concerned with the implications of that particular trend, he had agreed that Koschei had completed his negotiation lessons as well. Together, the three of them would travel aboard the *Bucephalus* to the Eighth's current deployment.

It was on this road the Emperor had declared a detour necessary.

The results of this detour sat across from the Emperor, to Alexandros' right. Lukas was the newest addition to Alexandros' family. As much as Alexandros wished to revel in this happy event, he had spied an opportunity to test Koschei in a first contact meeting with one of their own kin. Thus, he sat at the Emperor's right hand, while Koschei occupied the left.

Valdor, as usual, loomed behind the Emperor. His eternal shadow and guardian. Alexandros did not need to read his posture to know the light displeasure with which Valdor regarded this meeting. Once upon a time, Alexandros thought of Valdor and the other Custodians as close cousins in their relation to the Emperor.

It was a sentiment gone unreciprocated.
Mohammud al'Sayuf

**Mohammud al'Sayuf** was the Master of the VI Legion before the coming of The Ash-Blooded. Mohammud stood with the Sixth Legion on Terra, and on the saturnine moon of Enceladus after that. It was under his command that the Sixth earn their first Cognomen “The Saturnine Raptors”.

## **History**

Alor Sayuf is increasingly a veteran warlord out of step with his own Legion. Born of Terran stock, Mohammud al'Sayuf was the Master of the VI Legion before the coming of the Ash-Blooded. It is this wealth of experience and first-hand experience of the Imperium's birth that has fashioned a hard traditional stance that is quietly cheered among the Terran Legionaries, not only of his own Legion but throughout the Legiones Astartes.

It is this lineage of battle-honour that has prevented the Ash-Blooded from replacing the ancient veteran. Although Aliit'Alor Ka'rta is more in line with the Ash-Blooded's views of war, protocol ensures Sayuf retains his position. Unknown to extremely few outsiders, Sayuf is fighting a nearly invisible war within his own Legion. He seeks to temper the influence of Keld'abe and his Primarch with the ways of Terra. It is of little surprise that Sayuf is a major advocate of the Reclamation Command and has kept a careful eye that the Shadow Warriors maintain their commitment.

## **Wargear**

* **Artificer Armour**
* **Kilij bin Zahil**
* **Volkite Saeqia**
* **Dusk Mantle**
Myrkrvellir

Isolated within the depths of Segmentum Ultima, Myrkrvellir was a minor Forge World of the Mechanicum that was rediscovered during the Great Crusade. The worlds of the Járnjǫrð System are incredibly close together, so much so that the Forge World of Myrkrvellir is spread over several of them. The forge world has preserved several variants on pre-existing vehicles from their STCs that had since been lost. Most notably, vehicles based on Rhino, Land Raider and Sicaran chassis are produced by the forge world.

## **History**

### Founding

During the Age of Strike, Mechanicum exploriators discovered the Járnjǫrð System, where the worlds within were uniquely close together, forming a chain of worlds. Deciding that this uniqueness would make for the perfect basing for numerous forges, the Mechanicum settled on the central world of Myrkrvellir.

## **Notable Unique Vehicle Variants**

* **Land Raider Icarus** -
* **Predator Heavy Secundus Tank** -
* **Sicaran Princeps Strike Tank** -
* **Sicaran Upsilon Beta Tank Destroyer** -
Broken Expectations

Jon Lawrenz frowned as he read over the newest reports. Although he no longer commanded a legion, his Primarch’s inattentiveness toward the galactic strategic situation meant he had to keep abreast of what was happening.

He wasn’t sure what to make of it.

On the surface of it, things were going well. Nine months after the Conclave, the worst rebellions had been quelled. That alone might have been impressive due to how lengthy Warp travel could be. However enlightenment arrived when one understood that decisively dealing with the first two major rebellions had caused a cascade effect on the others. Alexandros may not have been the Emperor, but he did not provide a new opportunity for successful revolt. The Serpents and the Riven’s strong efforts had resulted in dividends in successive campaigns.

This had a twin effect. No rebellion could truly threaten Imperial unity, however the remaining rebellions would not die simply or easily. This was going to be a lengthy period of quelling the last, stubborn embers of dissent. Frustrating but not unexpected.

No, what was bothering Jon was the more subtle development. The superhuman giants that were the Emperor’s sons did not act with one purpose. Oh, yes, they all mouthed, most of them, loyalty to the new silver throne. But after two centuries of warfare, Jon could not help but spot the small differences in efforts.

Some remain devoted to the defense of the realm, others portrayed themselves as consummate administrators, and others traveled across the galaxy making war. The differences in objectives were small but clear to the observant eye. He did not know if the Regent tolerated these differing motivations out of strength or weakness. In truth, it might not matter. If the Emperor returned soon, these efforts would be washed away under true unity.

If he didn’t?

Each effort would invest and compound upon itself. The consequences would become apparent in decades. Assuming no crisis or outside force intensified what was happening.

With a sigh, Jon, not for the first time, regretted that he could not shape events with greater finesse than his Primarch.
Ancient Larramad

**Larramad Az’Ard** was one of the second generation of recruits from Terra, who never had to fight in the Unification Wars and began his service heading into the stars in the Great Crusade. A fine duellist, Larramad was described as savage in the training bouts, using a flurry of light thrusts and feints to probe the opponent’s defences. Being chosen for one of the Legion’s Destroyer companies, Larramad showed glee in getting up close to his enemies before unleashing his weapons. He would not get much of a chance to prove his skill against other legion champions, though, as he was struck down by a rebel autocannon shot during a compliance. Heavily injured, Larramad was interred within a Dreadnought, one of the Furibundus-pattern Dreadnoughts that the XIVth made use of.

Ancient Larramad would suffer his second death from a source he never dreamed, his own Legion. As Furibundus chassis became a rarity, the darker forces within the Legion sought to claim his for their own. In the Compliance of 213-34 in 005.M31, Larramad walked into an enemy booby trap, a series of krak grenades that sprung up and blasted a hole in his body. No other such traps were found, which was attributed to the area being swept by the Reconnaissance Squads of his own Battalion.
Daito Ueyama

Remembrancer Sketch of Daito

Jovial and good natured, **Daito Ueyama** has a gift for brightening the mood of the room. His ability to see humour in even the bleakest of situations often bolsters the resolve of those around him.

This apparent lack of seriousness has led some of his more dour siblings to consider him a dullard, but behind the constant smile and laughter hides the mind of a brilliant strategist, capable of intuitively picking out the weaknesses in an enemy line, and exploiting them.

Towering over all of his siblings, Daito Ueyama stands nearly 13 feet tall, and weighs nearly as much as a Contemptor Dreadnought. His impressive size is further bolstered by his innate ability to appear larger than he actually is to those that observe him, leading reports on his size to vary between 15, and 20 feet tall.

He values a good laugh, good company, and most of all, honour.

## **History**

### **Origins**

Daito's pod landed near the summit of a jungle covered mountain on the planet Kyojino-rakuen. He would be taken in by a farmer, and his daughter, that lived in a village resting at the base of the mountain. He would spend much of his early life as a simple farmer, but as he continued to grow, life amongst the simple bamboo huts of the villagers became increasingly difficult.

Rather than cast him out, the villagers, who had grown fond of their gentle, laughing giant, came together, and built for Daito his own hut in the clearing in the jungle caused by his pod when it crashed. Times were good, the crops were plentiful, and Daito knew happiness, for a time. Sadly, this happiness would not last.

A neighbouring Daimýo, seeking to claim the Shogunate, launched a war against the Daimýo who ruled over the lands in which Daito's village resided, and attacked them while Daito was away, killing everyone, including Daito's adoptive father, and sister.

Returning to find everyone he cared about dead, Daito began traveling from village, to village, raising a peasant army with which to combat the invading Daimýo, and ultimately met him, and his army outside the walls of the local Daimýo's city. The ensuing battle would cost many lives, but ultimately ended when Daito, using nothing but his bare hands, tore the attacking Daimýo from his mecha, and crushed the life out of him.

Impressed by Daito, and deeply indebted to him for coming to his defence, the defending Daimýo took Daito into his household, and made him a samurai, gifting him with a masterfully crafted suit of armour made specially for him. It quickly became evident that the teachings of kendo were poorly suited to Daito's strengths, however, as his bulk put him at disadvantage, minute as it may have been. Fortunately, the city was famous for its Sumo dojo, and it was there that Daito gained his love for the sport, mastering the discipline rapidly.
Ramien Celestials

The **Ramien Celestials** are some of the greatest mortal troops at the disposal of the Warriors of Peace, designed to defend Segmentum Obscurus from all threats. Drilled vigorously by the legion itself, the Celestials are known for their hardiness, discipline and specialisation in infantry formations. They would come to form a vital part of the defences of the Qui-Tan Domain.

## **History**

The Ramien Celestials trace their origins back to the Compliance of the Autonarchic Union, when Ramien was brought back into the Imperial fold by the Warriors of Peace and Shadow Warriors. In the subsequent reordering of the leadership of Ramien, the former electoral system was kept mostly in tact, but now the world had to send 60,000 troops to join the Imperial Army as well as maintain its own PDF overseen by commander chosen by the Jade General. Once the Ramien cohort was ready, the leader was elected by the 60,000, and Demaenetus Vibennis became the first Consulator.

Once the cohort was sent to join the Warriors of Peace, the Vilicus Consuls set to work bringing the men up to the General's standards. The strict discipline the Ramien Celestials would later be known for was born then, as the Warriors of Peace punished any form of cowardice or disobedience.

### **Notable Campaigns**

* Defence against the Empire of the Khrave
* Fourth Rangdan Xenocide
* Fifth Ruin

## **Regimental Organisation**

A cohort of the Ramien Celestials is led by a Consulator, originally elected by Ramien but later chosen by the Warriors of Peace themselves. Each Consulator has 6 Tributaries who led one of the 6 legions numbering 10,000 men each. Each of these legions are broken down into ten 1,000 man millenaries led by a Praefect.

## **Regimental Wargear**

All are armed with a short sword, though it rarely saw use on the battlefield except in the most dire of circumstances. Normally, it served merely as a ceremonial symbol, as citizens of Ramien were forbidden to carry weapons. Lasrifles are the most common weapon for the infantry, with volkite chargers being limited to the veteran sections.

## **Regimental Combat Doctrine**

The Ramien Celestials focus on infantry formations, having large numbers of infantry, support and heavy support sections. They are the anvil on which enemies are held, with precision massed volleys gunning down enemies. They never break, only falling back when ordered, regardless of casualties as they value their reputation far more than their own lives.