Ce Acatl

Pict-Capture of Ce Acatl, homeworld of the Sun Serpents

**Ce Acatl** is an infamous death world that lies in the Segmentum Ultima, located in the Mendoza System, nearby the Nocturne System. This world is also savage home of the Sun Serpents Space Marine Chapter, a supposed successor of the Salamanders. There exists few records of the world before the creation of the Sun Serpents, most likely being seen as little more than the beautiful if spectacularly brutal and dangerous world. However, due to the presence of facilities that produce older patterns of power armour and other weapons Ce Acatl is, to many of those interested in the Sun Serpents, believed to be an old, long-forgotten muster-world from the times of the Great Crusade.

## History

Much like the Chapter that calls Ce Acatl home, the prehistoric world's history is something of a mystery. While, many Adeptus Astartes homeworlds will have had some record of their discovery and assimilation (usually chosen due to their assumed purity) Ce Acatl is somewhat lacking that, appearing at the same time as the Sun Serpents. In the annals of the Great Crusade there are references to a world of similar description to Ce Acatl, however as proven by the existence of the Chapter's close allies; the Flesh Tearers, the description could just as easily apply to Cretacia or any number of death worlds.

There have been a number of attempts to invade the jungle world, most notably once by Kharn the Betrayer and his Butcherhorde and another by the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Asura and both times the Sun Serpents repelled them.

## Current Status

Aside from the Sun Serpent's fortress-monastery; the Temple-City of Tenochtitlan, Ce Acatl has no true permanent settlements, the tribes that wander the planet are generally semi-nomadic (due to the fact that if they stay in a position for too long the larger, more dangerous predators that lurk in the deep jungles may begin to see it as a hunting ground). Living in Ce Acatl is almost akin to being permanently at war, with the innumerable bizarre and exotic lifeforms; from the terrifying saurians and other predatory fauna.

## Notable Regions and Landmarks

### Temple-City of Tenochtitlan

Located at the centre of the steaming equatorial jungle known as the 'Midnight Realm' the fortress-monastery of the Sun Serpents is one of the most spectacularly guarded regions in Segmentum Ultima. Protected, not just by the Astartes of the Sun Serpents but by the most dangerous jungle on the already lethal world of Ce Acatl, the vast metropolis of pyramids, ziggurats and great stone and gold monuments known as Tenochtitlan is seen to the tribes of Ce Acatl as the entrance to 'the Sky-Emperor's Kingdom' the demesne of his mightiest warriors.

### Safe Zone

The area of Ce Acatl known as the Safe Zone is perhaps somewhat deceptively named, for whilst it is safe for both a native or Sun Serpent, any unprepared visitor will rapidly find themselves either in peril or dead, thus any authorised to land on Ce Acatl are either sent here with a warning or to the Sun Serpent's fortress-monastery.

### Monoliths of the Old Gods

In depths of the steaming jungles, stand a score of mysterious, hulking stone statues, each carved in the animalistic likeness of some form of primitive gods. After the coming of the Imperium of Man these ancient sculptures are seen as depictions of the Primarchs, primordial representation's of the Sky-Emperor's sons, however the age of them point to an older, long lost and more advanced civilisation, a theory that is lent credence by the obvious aura of power that thrums through the air around these huge effigies.

## Flora and Fauna

Ce Acatl as a planet, seems to nurture life at its most colourful and dangerous. From great monstrous beasts like the dinosaurs of old to the blood-drinking rainbowfly. According to a horrified noble that had illegally landed on the planet in an attempt to simulate the 'Conquering of the New World' stories of the Dark Age of Technology Ce Acatl is "A testament to nature's boundless malevolence."

### Fauna

* Solisdraco Rex: As possibly one of the most terrifying animals in the entire galaxy the Solisdraco Rex is deserving of its status as the apex predator of Ce Acatl. Even when compared to the planet’s other dangers this massive saurian stands out as uniquely terrifying; able to kill and devour anything the life throws at it, from the smallest tyranid ripper to the mightiest predator tank or (in the case of Xiuhcoatl; Ehecatl’s steed and oldest friend.) land raiders. A Solisdraco Rex is a solitary creature, each one lurking in the deepest parts of the Ce Acatlan jungles, considered more of a terrifying myth by the fearful tribesmen who live in the outer forests the Solisdraco Rex is truly a beast to be feared. Larger than a tyranid carnifex, the huge solisdraco rex is five meters tall and seventeen meters long.
* Acrimanus: A giant herbivore with huge spikes, more similar to blades growing from its massive paw-like claws.
* Burrow Pythons
* Razor Viper
* Banshee Tamarins
* Titan Sloths: About the size of a contemptor dreadnought titan sloths are one of the more bizarre animals that calls Ce Acatl home. With a movement pace that would make a cataphractii terminator seem like a land speeder.