Draconis Mechanica

The Forgeworld of Hephaestus [#6332] is a Forgeworld independent of the wider Adeptus Mechanicus in its administration, tied instead to the planet of Nocturne and the Salamanders Legion. The Forgeworld is located on the deathworld of Hephaestus in the Dragon’s Goitre cluster [SYSTEMA NOCTURNEUM]. Tech adepts and skitarii of Forgeworld Hephaestus [#6332] study under both the doctrine of the Salamanders Legion and Holy Mars [#0001], wishing to acquire the holy wisdom of the galaxy under the tutelage and guidance of the blacksmiths of Nocturne, wielding the hammer both in the deepest chambers of the forge as well as on the ashen battlefields. This matrimony of holy hammer and mechanical anvil culminate in the order of the Draconis Mechanica.

## Founding

Though it may seem strange for a Forgeworld to be independent of the Adeptus Mechanicus’ administration, it was not a decision made purely through good will. The High-Priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus decided to grant independence from themselves to the Forgeworld under the mandates of the Dragonspire Ridge Summit [440.M38]. However, the Forgeworld must still uphold the core tenants of the Cult Mechanicum and not stray from its fundamental teachings, the absolute value of knowledge.

##### *Battle of Doryo Prime – 438.M38*

A sect of the Adeptus Mechanicus, under siege by Ork forces would have their distress signal answered by the Salamanders Legion. After a hard-fought battle, the forces of Nocturne would drive off the invaders and securing the planet in the name of the Imperium. The planet was near decimated, leaving it unable to meet it’s production quotas after such damage has been done to It’s infrastructure.

As a show of mercy, the Salamanders would help rebuild the forge world and get it back into it’s functional state, bringing the teachings of the Promethean Creed with them. Many of the Tech Priests of Doryo would swear their loyalties to Nocturne in their appreciation of the act, forming an iron bond of duty to Nocturne.

The dictates of Mars, however, would be less than enthusiastic about this, despite meeting their production quotas with flying colours. This was followed by a time of political turmoil upon Doryo, resulting in arguments between the Salamanders Legion, Mars, and the inhabitants of the planet who would be split in their loyalties to these secs. The incident almost resulted in a civil war between the two factions, until the issue was resolved on the Dragonspire Ridge Summit of 440.M38.

### *Dragonspire Ridge Summit [440.M38]*

This conference between the Salamanders Legion and the Adeptus Mechanicus hoped to strengthen their political relations, especially after the strain on supplies incurred by Nocturne after the Serpent Heresy and the incident on Doryo Prime, and the additional production capacity demanded of the rapidly growing Draconis Auxilia. The treaty opened the following points between the two sides:

* Opening the chance to exchange technology and relics.
* An exchange of forging techniques and teachings.
* First-priority on Systema Nocturneum mineral resources in trade, as well as the fare pricing and trade of such commodities.
* Opening of a Promethean Church embassy on Holy Mars [#0001], as well as a Cult Mechanicum embassy on Forgeworld Hephaestus [#6332].
* Full and respectful acknowledgement of both creeds of the Mechanicum and Promethean Cults, as well as a free exchange of philosophy and wisdom between scholars, scribes, and Priests of such creeds.
* A promise that if any planet within the Systema Nocturneum is under threat by enemy forces, the Adeptus Mechanicus will offer full aid in defending their ally (so long as this request is not unreasonable in its logistical request and would not then leave the helping party in disarray or disrepair).
* A promise that if any of the Adeptus Mechanicus’ most major Forgeworlds [namely: Holy Mars [#0001], Lucius [#1572], Agripinaa [#0823], Metalica [#1067], Ryza [#0129], and Voss Prime [#0021]] are under threat by enemy forces, the Salamanders Legion will offer full aid in defending their ally (so long as this request is not unreasonable in its logistical request and would not then leave the helping party in disarray or disrepair).

## **Ideological Differences and Strains**

The ideologies of the Draconis Mechanica stray not too far from the fundamental teachings of the Cult Mechanicum. However, they instead believe in a variation of the Cult Mechanicum named “Mechanicum Ignis Lemnos”. It is a combination of Nocturnian cultural beliefs and the dogma of the Mechanicus.

As is the nature of diplomacy within the Imperium, moments of strain and complication may occur between the two factions as is an inevitability. However, due to the fruitfulness of this relationship, diplomats of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Nocturn work tirelessly to ensure that the strenuous compromises and harmony may continue to be agreed upon.

## **The Forgeworld**

The once completely dead and desolate deathworld of Hephaestus was turned to a Forgeworld with the assistance of the Mechanicus and Salamanders Legion. Since the planet’s surface was completely unliveable due to the radiation and hostile terrain, the Forgeworld was built under the planet’s crust, much like the sanctuary cities of Nocturne, with millions of interconnecting tunnels, valleys and ventilation shafts.

Though Nocturn is known for some of the greatest relics and masterworks in the Imperium due to their ancient blacksmithing culture and wisdom of their Primarch, there is a limit to their production rate. The forges of Nocturne could consistently produce incredible armaments, but with the rebirth and rapid growth of the Draconis Auxilia, they needed a way to accommodate for all their warriors efficiently. Previously, the Auxilia would rely on imports from the nearest Mechanicus Forgeworld which could take decades to arrive due to administration issues and transport time. As such, Forgeworld Hephaestus [#6332] was born. A forge capable of producing weapons, armour, vehicles, and all other needed commodities to both the Forces of Nocturn as well as it’s civilian populace to the betterment of their quality of life. Though unable to reach the unreachable standards of the master forges of Nocturn, Hephaestus [#6332] was able to fill shortages and keep up with the Legion’s growth to a considerable quality, especially when compared to other Forgeworlds (mainly due to the minerals available to them, as well as the tech-knowledge and wisdom of Nocturn’s greatest blacksmiths at their back).

### *The Olympian Flame*

An enormous cauldron of flame around 10 kilometres in radius located within the heart of the Forgeworld’s central city, Aetna. The flame within this cauldron was carried directly from the world of Nocturn to the planet of Hephaestus [#6332] to be used in its forges. Through a complicated and impressive network of tunnels and shafts, this flame is carried all across the planet to be used in its forges. Through this, all things created by the tech adepts of the Draconis Mechanica are still able to baptise their creations with the fires of Nocturn in keeping with the traditions of the Salamanders.

### *The Bellows*

These are Tech Priest Magi appointed by the blacksmiths of Nocturne and the Arch-Magos of Forgeworld Hephaestus [#6332]. They act as the second-in-command of the Arch-Magos, attending to the finer details of running the Forgeworld, as well as occasionally joining the Salamanders Legion on the battlefield to acquire data and resources, as well as to strengthen relations with their brothers-in-fire.

The Bellows may come from any background so long as they are faithful to the Mechanicum Ignis Lemnos and are efficient in their duties to the Omnissiah. However, among the requirements is that they must first serve alongside the Salamanders Legion, learning the importance of the Salamander’s purpose, the culture of Nocturne, and the teachings of Our Father Vulkan. Only after knowing their duty to humanity can they take on this position, as though they are adepts of the Mechanicus, they are also members of the wider Salamanders Legion. Additionally, Bellows of Forgeworld Hephaestus are prohibited from any dampening, augmentation, or removal of their emotional cores as it would go against the humanitarian teachings of Our Lord Vulkan.

#### **Arch-Magos CHARIS Beta**

Though the head of the Forgeworld is the Salamanders Chapter Master and Lord Regent of Nocturne, the Magos in charge of all the dealings and production of it go by the name of CHARIS Beta. Though they are the head of the Forgeworld, the Arch-Magos has never been seen in public, always delivering their messages by proxies such as serving Tech Priests or preacher-type servitors. Only the Chapter Master of the Salamanders and the Fabricator General himself have actually seen the Arch-Magos in person, as being the people appointing them to their position.

(In reality however, while many argue as to the identity of this Arch Magos, they are all wrong. For the mantle is taken on not by one individual, but a political front. It is a persona, carefully curated by the most cunning minds of Nocturne to be a political mask worn by the Council of Nocturne. A scapegoat and invisible saviour.)

##### *Theories of the Arch-Magos’ Identity*

Their appearance is covered in mystery; however, many theories and rumours have surfaces both among the Salamanders Legion and the members of the Adeptus Mechanicus about the potential identity or nature of CHARIS Beta.

Among these include the possibility of the position being vacant, simply a front, with the real position of power staying within the Chapter Master’s hands. It is a valid theory, as it would certainly be beneficial to the Salamanders to keep direct control of the Forgeworld and ensure it does not stray from their teachings, however it may strain relations with the Adeptus Mechanicus in the process.

Others say the Arch-Magos is indeed a real individual, but their actual identity is that of Vulkan’s adoptive father, Saint-Smither N’bel. This theory however stands on very little substantial evidence.

Among the ranks of the Draconis Auxilia, common peoples of Nocturne, and even the Adeptus Astartes a popular rumour going around is the possibility that the Arch-Magos may be a draconic construct created by Our Lord Vulkan during the 31st millennium. The rumour speaks of an enormous dragon-like construct lying dormant under the forges of Hephaestus [#6332] to awaken in Nocturn’s greatest hour of need and heralding the return of Vulkan. While it may seem strange, the rumour seems to have a surprising amount of potential evidence and has become a bit of a folk-story among both the peoples of Nocturne and Hephaestus. The story of “Vulkan’s Guardian Dragon” is mostly myth as far as we can tell but has done wonders both to the enrichment of Nocturne’s culture and the morale of our peoples.

However, the most popular theory among keen scholars is the possibility that the name and position may simply be a moniker undertaken by multiple individuals among the Hephaestus Priesthood, Council of Nocturne and Salamanders Legion. While less exiting than the rumours, this theory seems the most plausible as of current time.

## **Relations to the Salamanders Legion**

Forgeworld Hephaestus is a part of the wider Salamanders Legion, further consisting of the Draconis Auxilia, Salamanders Astartes Chapter, and forces of the Promethean Church. As such, Hephaestus and it’s tech adepts are not exempt from following the fundamental teachings of the Promethean Creed.

##### Draconis Auxilia

Hephaestus [#6332] works closest with the forces of the Draconis Auxilia in their armoured units. It’s skitarii and tech-priests consistently risk life and limb on the battlefield and fight alongside the famed wyverns of Nocturne. As such, they have a close relationship as equals, which is especially useful as the Forgeworld is where the Auxilia now take the majority of their supplies from. Forgeworld Hephaestus [#6332] also frequently takes volunteers from among the ranks of the Auxilia, who after learning from the blacksmiths and Tech Priests of the Draconis Mechanica come back to fight alongside their brothers once again under a new uniform, but with the same sense of purpose and brotherhood.

##### The Promethean Church

During the Forgeworld’s formation, the Salamanders kept a close eye on the writing of the Mechanicum Ignis Lemnos. The Church had to ensure that this hybrid creed fell aligned with Vulkan’s teachings and Nocturne’s blacksmith culture, but also did not strip away the identity and self-determination of the Mechanica element of the Forgeworld, ensuring a tolerance and acceptance of these ideologies. Though it was a strenuous process, the Mechanicum Ignis Lemnos in its ideology was made to align perfectly with the Creed of Prometheus and had the chance to ignite as its own flame, having the opportunity to build its own road alongside to the rest of the Salamanders Legion. Currently, the Priests of both Nocturne and Hephaestus enjoy a good relationship and see eye-to-eye, being able to converse in philosophical discussion and sharing their ideologies freely, though sometimes with an undertone of a brotherly rivalry.