Heidronard

Official stamp of Forge World Heidronard, applied to all manufactured items

A Heidronard Skitarii Ranger

**Heidronard**, also known as "The Hammer that Lights the Void", is an Imperial Forge World of the Adeptus Mechanicus located in the Heidronard System within Segmentum Obscurus. It is the largest Forge World within the Sarundrax Sector and the most powerful planet of the Heidronard Sub-Sector, making it one of the most influential and important worlds within the entire Sector. They specialise in creating resource-intensive and high-impact weaponry, tanks and war engines for Knight Houses and the Collegia Titanica. The Forge World takes much pride in this, believing in delivering as much damage upon the enemy as possible. Thus, many enhanced and heavier variants of existing designs are produced upon the world. Heidronard is the home of the *Legio Heidronarus ("Thunder Hammers"),* Titan Legion.

In recent times with the opening of the Great Rift and the fall of the Forge World of Mordax, Heidronard has found itself both near the frontline against the enemies of man and its importance grow dramatically.

## History

### Founding

As with many Forge Worlds Heidronards origins date back to before the Emperor had even embarked upon his War to unify Terra. As Mars had been united

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### M42

In recent time the Forgeworld has found itself on the frontline against the Forces of Chaos, as the Great Rift and the fall of Cadia have seen the Eye of Terror grow and now nearly borders the Sarundrax Sector. This came to a head when the Sector was invaded on mass by the Forces of Chaos and the arrival of an Ork WAAAGH! nearly saw Heidronard and the whole Sector become lost to the Imperium. With the Intervention of the Imperium spearheaded by the Sons of Russ Collective in what became the First War of Oaths, the Sector and the Forgeworld were saved. The Forgeworld and the Sons of Russ would form close ties in the process, resulting in the Forgeworld and its tied Forge Worlds becoming among the key suppliers for the Collective, with all the prestige and influence that comes with it.

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## Heidronard Military forces

The forge world's military forces consist of a wide variety of types of forces, the mainstay of which is the highly specialized Skitarii Legion Macroclades and their Legio Cybernetica Support. Heidronard has since its founding in the Age of Strife placed great focus and resources into its Military. Due to the Forge Worlds emphasise on more powerful and hard hitting forms of weaponry and vehicles such weapons are also employed in limited fashion among the troops of Heidronard. Many other defensive forces exist, however:

### The Mallophractii - Skitarii Legion

The Mallophractii

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### Legio Heidronarus "Thunder Hammers" - Titan Legion

The most powerful military force of Heidronard by far is its Titan Legion, the *Legio Heidronarus*, known as the "Thunder Hammers", led by their Grand Master Osmars Terragard V. The Legion has been present since the Forge Worlds founding in the Age of Strife and fought throughout the Great Crusade being designated a Secundus-grade Titan Legio with 100-115 Titans. The Thunder Hammers sided with the Imperium against the Forces of Horus during the Heresy, wherein by the end of the conflict, they would be reduced to 28 Titans, less than a quarter of their original number. Since then, the Legio has grown and recovered with only minor setbacks to now stand at 47 Titans divided into 9 Maniples. These Maniples are as follows:

*Maniple Glory of Fury* - Myrmidon Battleline Maniple. Maniple of the Legio Grand Master, 2 Warbringer Nemesis-class Titans *Mettalum Dominatus & Mettalum Ballistica* are always attached to the Maniple.

*Maniple Unending Sentinel* - Fortis Battle Maniple

*Maniple Blade of Vigilance* - Janissary Battleline Maniple

*Maniple Sanctus Vindictus* - Venator Light Maniple

*Maniples Abomination's Slaughter, Ferrum Dominatus, Paranaean, Emissary of Judgement and Syrganaean* - Axiom Battleline Maniples

The *Legio Heidronarus* has long been a balanced Titan Legion favouring aggressive and hard-hitting attacks. To this day, the Legio has maintained a balanced number of different Titan Classes, in many ways not changing much in proportion from the days of the Crusade. The Thunder Hammers have, since the days of the Crusade, garnered a reputation for their ability to work in close coordination with other forces of the Imperium, though not to the same degree and level as the vaunted *Legio Gryphonicus ("War Griffons").*

#### Notable Titans

*Glory of Fury (Warlord-class Titan)* - The oldest of the Legios Titans, *Glory of Fury* was built sometime in the age of Strife and has survived longer than the Imperium has existed. The Titan has been the Titan of the Grand Master of the Legio since before the Great Crusade, and since the Heresy has been the lead Titan of the Legios Myrmidon Battleline Maniple. It is currently piloted by Osmars Terragard V.

*Unending Sentinel (Warlord-class Titan)* - The Shield of the Legio, *Unending Sentinel* was the first Warlord built after reunification with the Imperium, where the stalwart and unbreaking Esma Phrael piloted the Titan; this and the Titans honours saw its reputation rise, surviving the Heresy despite numerous times it was damaged. Since then, the Titan has been the lead Titan of the Fortis Battle Maniple; Galail Ashran currently pilots it.

*Wrath Unchained* *(Reaver-class Titan)* - The *Wrath Unchained* is a relatively young Titan, built-in M35. The Titan earned its glory during the War of Ulkondak V against the Ork invaders, where piloted by Catiel Trevez, the Reaver would reap a bloody toll on the invaders and earn the Titan many accolades. Catiel Trevez VII currently pilots it.

*Mettalum Dominatus & Ballistica* *(Warbringer Nemesis-class Titans)* - The two surviving Warbringers, *Mettalum Dominatus & Ballistica*, both saw action during the Great Crusade as part of a Ruptura Battleline Maniple that was lost during the Heresy. Since their construction, they have been piloted by a brother and sister, Princeps, a tradition that carries on to this day. Since the end of the Heresy, the two Titans have effectively been permanently attached to the *Maniple Glory of Fury.* They are piloted by Absalom and Edyth Kurachias.

*Atralon* *(Warhound-class Titan)* - Among the most aggressive of the Legio, *Atralon* was built after the Heresy from the remnants of the Warhound Titan *Absisalt.* Since then, the Titan and its pilots have shown an aggression matched by its skill, with the Titan earning multiple honours and, in many respects, surpassing its predecessor. It is piloted by Alexio Gallikev.

### Dominus Klassikos - Home Fleet

The majority of Heidronards *Basilikon Astra* are found within the Dominos Klassikos, the Forgeworlds Home Fleet. Commanded by the Archmagos Navis, the Dominos Klassikos is a formidable naval force that safeguards the Forgeworld itself and its interests within the Sector and beyond. Comprised of 5 Battleships and 20 Cruisers and numerous Escort squadrons, the fleet is half the size of a standard Sector Battlefleet, making the Dominos Klassikos one of the most powersul naval forces within the Sarundrax Sector.

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#### Notable Vessels

*Ferrus Rex (Emperor-Class Battleship)* - Ferrus Rex is the Flagship of the Dominus Klassikos and among the oldest ships within the Fleet. Believed to have originally been built sometime in M32, Ferrus Rex has since M33 served as the Flagship of the Fleet, her captain has always been the Archmagos Navis of the Forge World. As an Emperor-Class Battleship Ferrus Rex serves as a Command ship and Carrier for the fleet, a role she excels in thanks to the constant upgrades and technology she has had fitted to her. Among her more unique technologies are her more advanced mass of sensor probes on the prow and her upgraded command consoles and displays in the bridge. Combined this allows the Archmagos Navis to analyse and survey vast areas of space with incredibly accuracy and detail, in combat this grants the Archmagos a near perfect view of the entire battle and allow them to analyse data and appropriate actions with stunning speed, even for the likes of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Currently Archmagos Navis Felana Kryptalum commands the Ferrus Rex.

#### Notable Vessels

*Fabricana Deus (Ark Mechanicus)* - One of Heidronards most treasured assets is its sole Ark Mechanicus, Fabricana Deus

#### Heidronard MkIII Pattern Lasgun

A heavier and more complex variant of the Standard Lasgun, the Heidronard Pattern is a prime example of the Forge Worlds predisposition for more powerful weapons. It fires a more powerful shot and thanks to its extended magazine size can hold the equivalent shots of a standard one. However, it is more resource intensive and does not have the same level of power as the Hot-shot Lasgun, however it is not as complex as the Hot-shot Lasgun and thus can be produced in greater quantity and thus be equipped to Astra Militarum Regiments more readily. The Heidronard Pattern Lasgun is considered by many as a heavy infantryman's Lasgun, its power and demands more suited to dedicated infantry formations. Despite its more complex design it is still a reliable and durable weapon, not requiring the level of maintenance and training to perform said maintenance as on the Hot-shot Lasgun.

#### Hot-Shot Multi-Laser

The Hot-Shot Multi-Laser, the HSMLaser, is an enhanced version of the Standard Multi-Laser commonly found on Chimeras and Sentinels. In many respects, the HSMLaser is to the Multi-Laser what the Hellgun is to the Lasgun, a more powerful and penetrative upgrade at the cost of power demand and complexity. The Hot-Shot Multi-Laser can pierce thicker armour than its standard counterpart and has a longer effective range, making it a deadly weapon that is effective against not just hordes of Infantry and light Vehicles like the typical pattern but also against more heavy targets like heavy infantry and heavier vehicles. However, like the Hot-Shot Lasgun, the HSMLaser is much more complex to build and maintain; it also requires a significant power source to power it sufficiently, meaning it cannot be put on Sentinels, instead finding itself installed in the Forge World's own Shock Chimera Variant. It is also prone to overheating, requiring the gun to be allowed to cool fully before it can be fired again, Its parts often end up being replaced as the amount of power unleashed leads to components burning out or breaking. Despite these drawbacks, non argue its effectiveness and power and is a highly prized weapon.

#### Heidronard Pattern Storm Chimera

A variant of the Chimera that utilises the more powerful Hot-Shot Multi-Laser, the Shock Chimera is a more dedicated IFV, Infantry Fighting Vehicle version of the Chimera. Due to the power demands of the Hot-shot Multi-Laser, the Shock Chimera is forced to replace space meant for carrying troops with a power source. This space is further reduced to make way for smaller power sources used to power the now reduced to 4 Hull mounted Lasguns, which are instead Hot-shot Lasguns. This means the Shock Chimera can only carry 6 Guardsmen inside it, half the capacity of the standard model. It also requires a greater degree of maintenance from its crews, the Hot-Shot Multi-Laser, in particular, requiring a level of maintenance comparable to the difference between a Hot-shot Lasgun and a standard Lasgun. These factors have made the Shock Chimera a vehicle only used by the best and most experienced crews and squads as an elite IFV. To this end, the Shock Chimera boasts thicker armouring to give it more staying power, making it slightly heavier and slower than the normal Chimera. The Squads transported by the Shock Chimera are either Storm Troopers, a Regiments equivalent, or Veteran Mechanised Squads to make up for the lower capacity with quality. Their crews are similarly highly trained and experienced to best utilise the more expensive vehicle; they are also trained and taught how to maintain and repair the vehicle to a much higher degree than other crews. In combat, the Shock Chimera acts more like an IFV than the Standard Chimera, providing devastating and powerful fire support for infantry whilst providing tanks with more robust support; they also work well as the elite of Chimera units. Their squads are trained to fight in tandem with and support the vehicle and vice versa, delivering a more powerful punch than the standard Chimera and squads. Due to the costs and requirements of the Shock Chimera, only a few regiments use them, either Tempestus Scion Regiments or Mechanised and Armoured Regiments.

### Astartes Patterns

#### Heldenheim Pattern Bolt Rifles

The Heldenheim Pattern Bolt Rifles are a potent and unique pattern of Astartes Heavy Bolt Rifles designed originally by the Tech-Adepts of the Forge World Heldenheim and based originally on the Niveran Pattern Bolt Weapons. Unlike most Bolt weapons, the Heldenheim are a Bullpup configuration, where the magazine and firing action are located behind the trigger. This shortens the overall length and weight of the weapon while retaining the same barrel length, making a weapon more suitable for confined quarters or vehicles but still retaining its range and firepower.

Initially, Heldenheim could only produce enough to meet the demands of the Hartlords, with no other chapter being able to field them. This would change, however, following the First War of Oaths, as the Forge World of Heidronard would form a close relationship with the Sons of Russ, among them the Hartlords. This would lead to the Hartlords convincing the Tech-adepts of Heldenheim to give Heidronard the schematics for the Heldenheim pattern, allowing Heidronard and it's much more capable forges to produce the rifles in enough numbers to be equipped by other chapters.

## Heidronard Forces Appearance

### Heidronard Iconography

    The iconography of Heidronard shows the sacred Cog Mechanicum surrounding a letter H with a skull. The Icon combined with its dark red colour has long been believed by the Magos to symbolise the righteous wrath and power of the Machine God against those who would stand against his followers.

### Heidronard Forge World Colours

Within the ranks of Heidronard's soldiery, the sacred red heraldry of Mars is located within the interior of their robes, though a much darker shade. This colour is also displayed on the toothed iconography, which rings the hoods, sleeves and hems of their robes. Their robes are coloured a Beige Rust colour, in mimicry of the colour of Heidronard's surface.

The use of Black robes and armour indicates seniority within the priesthood of Heidronard. The more black a Tech-priest wears, the more superior they are considered to be. Some believe this to be a result of the Forge world's proximity to mighty Agripinaa, whose influence, by osmosis more than concerted effort, is found on all levels of Heidronard.

The Forge Worlds artefacts, wargear and armour, are inlaid with ancient and precious metals, each metal gathered from the deepest and oldest mines of Heidronard; these are then distilled and produced in the oldest of the Worlds Forges to tie to the roots of the world and to remember their foundation.