House Orenstein

The Insignia of House Orenstein

Knight House Orenstein Knight Paladin proudly displaying the Houshold's livery.

**House Orenstein** is a Questor Imperialis Knight House from the Knight World of Zyon, a once verdant prairie green world that is reduced to an empty scarred wasteland due to the invasion of the Heretic Storm Zealots during the infamous Skabbian Heresy. House Orenstein held to honor, duty, self-sacrifice, and oath bonds with the highest esteem. This Knightly House is well known to swore ear allegiance with the Storm Zealots Space Marine Chapter from Jeras. House Orenstein origins are dated back to the Dark Age of Technology where the nobles from the Jerasian 12 tribes came to settle on a lush prairie planet.

## History

Back at the Dark Age of Technology, 13 frigates have arrived at Herzavar Sector and most of the 13 Frigates settled at Jeras, once Jeras were colonized, terraformed and hive cities were built, nobilities from 12 Jerasian Tribes united by one of the leading expedition team High Commodore Solomon Hendrick Orenstein decide to colonize the neighboring planet of Zyon. Thus a frigate full of settlers, nobles, builders and scientists arrived at Zyon and within six Terran years, Maw of Zyon was constructed. This mixture of Great Fortress and Hive CIty now served as House Orenstein's stronghold. Along its progress, the Jerasian nobles face many difficulties, from hailstorm and construction accident to taming the deadly local fauna that might rival Deathworld creatures.

The council of Jerasian nobles soon elect Solomon as their High King of Zyon with a title Hendrick I Orenstein "The Builder" for his success in pioneering nobilities in taming the land. House Orenstein experience rapid development under the leadership of High King Menachem I Orenstein since the Great Crusade where the Imperium of Man came to annex Jeras and Zyon. Bending the knee, High King Menachem I Orenstein alongside the citizen of both Zyon and Jeras swore allegiance to the Emperor of Mankind and as the citizen of Jeras were recruited to join the Imperial Fist and the World Eaters Legiones Astartes, the people of Zyon enjoy the special autonomy from the recruitment to become both Space Marines and the Imperial Army.

Following the Horus Heresy, although both Zyon and Jeras were spared from the horrors of betrayal, the High King Bradley II Orenstein, the successor of High King Menachem I were slain during the Siege of Terra alongside his three sons (Carolus, Baruch, and Kyril) while fighting the traitorous Titan Legion Argentum. With the death of High King Menachem I and his three brothers, his fourth son, Isaac Menachem takes the throne and assume rule of all Zyon as High King Menachem II Orenstein. Under his rule, Zyon began to rebuilt its knights and receive aid from both Adeptus Ministrarum and Forgeworld Tetracis. Over 400 Knights were constructed and at the beginning of M33, Knight House Orenstein continues to aid the Sons of Dorn and other loyalist forces of Adeptus Astartes and Astra Militarum in fighting malicious forces of both xenos and traitors.

By the year of 999. M41, House Orenstein was ruled by Hendrick XV Orenstein, the only son of Menachem X Orenstein. Together with the Storm Zealots, 48th Jerasian Defenders , and Knight House Bagration and Melkonian they swore to fight and destroy the enemies of mankind in the Emperor's name.

## Homeworld

Zyon, a satellite planet to Jeras is a verdant Knight World filled with verdant prairie and plains with a tall mountain called the Maw serve as the only mountain in this world. 60% of the planet is covered in grass while The Maw itself covered 10% of the Planet, 30% of it lies to the lakes, rivers, and famous Fresh Water sea called the Sea of Iron Tears served as the planet's source of water. Although its beautiful, the planet itself is also filled with several faunas equally match to a Death World standard. From a giant lizard Behethrodon to Riftwurms, these creature served as the top of the food chain in Zyon.

Following the end of Skabbian Heresy, much of the verdant prairie has been corrupted by the traitorous Nurgle worshipping Storm Zealot Chapter Master Dovid Skabbian. The planet itself were transform into a toxic wasteland and poisonous lakes with only 10% of prairies, lake Vison, Gilead rivers, and the Sea of Iron Tears preserved.

The denizens of Zyon is equally similar in traits, culture, and religion to the neighbouring Jeras with the only difference where the citizens of Zyon enjoy the bound servitude to House Orenstein while Jerasians enjoy equal opportunities in increasing the planet economy and military as long as it serve the Emperor and his Imperium.

## House Tradition

House Orenstein like many shares nearly the same tradition as other Questor Imperialis nobilities, but unlike most houses who devoted themselves to the Imperial Cult and or the faith in the Omnissiah, the House Orenstein share the same faith as the Jerasians and the Storm Zealots, the Jerasian Ark. The greatest Imperial Synagogues is built at the Western Arch of the Maw of Zyon by the Squat Mining Corporation Zenythac Inc, and the famous Jerasian mega-architect Ori Rabin, showing the eternal devotion to the God Emperor. Furthermore, the Jerasian Ark teachings by the rabbinical elder in Zyon had mentioned that High King of House Orenstein is considered to be the left hand of the God Emperor while the Governor of Jeras was His right hand and together the two leaders were destined to rule the planet through the image of the Emperor manifested. Thus, the voice of the Zyon High King and the Governor of Jeras were considered to be equal and sometimes, absolute with none but the Adeptus Ministrarum and the Chapter Master of the Storm Zealots Chapter could defy.

House Orenstein had a reputation as a big game hunter, hunting exotic deadly creatures from the prairie and mountainous region of Zyon as a symbol of bravery and 'adulthood' ritual. The creatures hunted were mostly Behethrodon, a deadly Carnifex sized giant poisonous lizard with a four-eye, six legs, and an ability to camouflage to its surrounding. Aside from the vicious Behethrodon, the Knight house also hunt a giant worm like creature called Riftwurm. This Trygon-sized worm was praised for its mucus as medicine, and its teeth for the materials used to create Zyon Mk2 Reaper Chainsword's razor-sharp teeth.

House Orenstein possess twenty four lesser noble houses each two represents the ancient 12 Tribes of Jeras. Below the lesser noble lies the Commoner that is treated with justice and respect by House Orenstein.

House Orenstein is also known for its oath binding and high sense of integrity, the knight house is well known for never broke its promise to the Emperor of Mankind, and the Storm Zealots chapter as well as other Treaty agreement Knight Houses such as House Bagration, House Melkonian, House Shirvan, Masisi, and Chakri. The Knight House is often seen aiding Storm Zealot Astartes side by side in many crusades and battles.

House Orenstein combat tactic focuses on siege as well as medium to long ranged battle, favoring range weaponries and artillery as well as its large number of Knight Crusader and Knight Castellans as well as Armiger Helverin in battle. Lesser noble often operates Questoris type knights and several Armigers while the commoners ( the financially stable) possess only one Armiger class Knight. Aside from its mass number of long range Knights, some close combat knights are also exist usually from lesser noble of House Abergel, and House Espinoza.

## Notable Figures

* **Hendrick XV Orenstein** - The current ruler of Zyon, the High King of the House Orenstein. Known as a skilled diplomats and warriors. Hendrick Orenstein had succesfully bind two stubborn rival and powerful Knight Houses to support the Imperium cause, House Bagration and House Melkonian. King Hendryck operates Acastus Knight Porphyrion named '**Eliyahu**' and Knight Castellan named '**Sicarii'.**
* **Phillipus Orenstein -** The first son of Hendrick Orenstein, a warrior prince and a reckless but loyal individual. He able to communicate with the Machine Spirits with ease. Phillipus operates Knight Crusader Questoris Pattern Knight named - '**Fury of Magdalene**'.
* **William Orenstein** - The second son of Hendrick Orenstein, a calm tactician and the best strategist of the house. He recquire injection of several medicine to commune with the machine spirit. William operates Knight Errant Questoris Pattern Knight named - **'Gideon's Vigil'.**
* **Uziel Abarnel** - Head Minister of House Orenstein from House Abarnel. Uziel operates Knight Castellan **'Hatzmaut'** armed with twin neutron Laser Destroyer.
* **Idan Yahalom** - Champion of House Orenstein and a retinue to William Orenstein. Idan is known for his relentless and expertise in hunting Greater Daemons of Khorne and Tzeentch. He operates Knight Errant Questoris Pattern Knight - **'Scythe of Yonah'**.
* **Avimelekh Itay** - Chief Strategist of House Orenstein. Crippled since childhood, due to his strong affiliation with Adeptus Mechanicus of Forgeworld Aleph Tetra, Avimelekh body were enhanced with bionics and machine, enabling the paragon of House Itay to serve House Orenstein. Gifted with great intelligence and masters of 31 human and xeno languages, Avimelekh operates on Knight Castellan **'Shaldag'**.
* **Abenader Finkelstein** - Second Champion of House Orenstein from lesser house Finkelstein. Abenader operates a Knight Errant carried a prototype ranged weapon called Avenger Snipecannon, a Knight sized Sniper Rifle used to snipe enemy knights or battlesuits from as far as 15 kilometres.
* **Leo Gabbay** - First Marshall of House Orenstein from lesser noble House Gabbay. Leo is a close friend to Phillipus Orenstein. Leo operates Knight Paladin **'Torre Vigilumm'**.
* **Ezra Azulay** - Second Marshall of House Orenstein from House Azulay. Ezra and his sister Ruth serve as the youngest officer ever recruited for House Orenstein. Ezra operates Knight Crusader - **'Zyon Victrix'**.
* **Hadassah Astruc** - Third Marshall and head of lesser House Astruc. An ancient house and the first house that swore allegiance to House Orenstein. Hadassah is a duelist operating Knight Paladin named **'** **Grim Psalm'** armed with Tempest Warblade.
* **Ruth Azulay** - Forth Marshall of House Orenstein from House Azulay. Ruth and his brother Ezra shows a staunch professional skill in combat and stratagem. Ruth operates Knight Crusader armed with twin Avenger Gatling Cannon - **'Esh Merkava'**.
* **Chaya Espinoza** - Vanguard Commander of House Orenstein from House Espinoza. Ruth leads the armiger warglaive auxiliary and serve as the Vanguard of House Orenstein. Chaya operates a Knight Paladin - **'Psalm of Solomin'.**
* **Tomer Abergel** - Ranger Commander of House Orenstein from House Abergel. Although being masters of melee and close range warfare, Tomer commands Armiger Helverin auxiliary and serve as its guerilla and long range warfare. Tomer operates a Knight Errant **'Sword of Zyon'** armed with Fiery Tempest Warblade.

## Treaty of Zyon

At 997.M41, High King Hendrick XV Orenstein succesfully bind the rivalries between House Bagration and House Melkonian to secure Herzavar sector and its surrounding from Chaos and Xeno incursion. The treaty and the oath of aliances renewed at the 2nd year of M42 with three more house join the alliances both for military defenses, aid, as well as economic benefit between knight houses.

The treaty itself were signed by leaders of each knight houses and their homeworld:

1. High King Hendrick XV Orenstein from House Orenstein - Zyon
2. High King Oto Bagration I from House Bagration - Didgori Tertius
3. High King Tigran Melkonian from House Melkonian - Karabakh
4. Great Sultan Murad III Shirvanshah from House Shirvan - Tovuz
5. High King Reynald Hotumbu Masisi of House Masisi - Mogambe Prime
6. High King Vajralarongkut of House Chakri - New Siam.

## House Appearance

### House Colours

House Orenstein primarily paints their Knight engines olive drab with secondary calthan brown on their knights insets. Their knights also incorporate bronze trim.

### House Arms

House Orenstein's coat-of-arms consists of a ebon-colored winged livery shield painted olive drab. An ancient Terran symbol of a menorah is centered upon it. The seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge, represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of the God-Emperor, represented by the central lamp. A large skull sits atop the livery shield with a large black hammer centered behind it.

## Gallery

House Orenstein livery shield with houshold coat-of-arms.House Orenstein Honour Banner displaying honours and notable kills.House Orenstein Knight Crusader stands ready for battle.House Orenstein Knight Castellan *Sicarii*, with Storm Zealots Primaris Storm Commando.House Orenstein Knight Paladin model.