Wisps of Archeron

> "*Why use fear as a weapon? It is simple. Fear bends the weak to the might of the strong. Fear is a constant, something that touches every living being in creation, for all have felt its numbing touch at one point, even my self and my brothers, though we chose to ignore it. But there is another reason I chose to make use of this most distasteful of weapons, to become a villain in the eyes of the Imperium, one that would become hated by those they protected, one who’s very name would spark fear in allies and foes alike. Why? Because someone had to, so that my father and brothers could remain as the heroes to humanity that the Imperium needs them to be. I feel I’ve played my part in this quite well, don’t you?*"
> ― Charon, The Wight Lord and Primarch of the XVIIIth Legiones Astartes, “The Wisps of Acheron”, when asked why his legions fights as they do.
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## The Wisps of Archeron

### **Primarch**

Charon - The Wight Lord, Lord of the Unspoken

### **Observed Strategic Tendencies**

Terror Tactics, Rapid Compliances, Re-Compliance Actions, Extensive Flame-Based Weapon Usage

### **Legion Colours**

Black with Ice Blue Eyes

The **Wisps of Archeron** are the XVIIIth *Legiones Astartes*, Known throughout the Imperium as they excel at compliance and re-compliance actions involving humans and subhumans due to the legions excessive use of terror tactics and their lack of caring for human life, something they became experts in throughout the Great Crusade. Unlike the other legions the wisps are used as  weapons of terror, it is not uncommon for them to be sent to worlds to send a message to others, Those thinking of betrayal quickly give up this notion as the very idea of incurring the XVIII’s wrath is to great this has caused them to be dubbed “The unspoken” as citizens fear uttering the Wisps name will cause them to appear. Betrayal is not the only way to cause them to blacking worlds skies as failure for paying the imperial tithe will also cause them to visit those brave or foolish worlds.

Lead by their Primarch Charon the legion would strive to become a symbol of hate and fear as they strove to make there fellow astartes shine in there wake to remain heroes in the eye of the many.

The Astartes of the XVIII are known to be quiet and reserved like there father, never ones who openly seek glory with other legionaries among their cousins they do their duty without fail when ordered by the lord of the XVIII taking pride in the order they bring. This is not to say the legion do not have rivalries as those of the legion do strive among themselves to do great feats like those of legendry figures within the old tales of Archeron’s pantheon.

When a legionary ascends, they forgo any last name they had, Instead they are refered to by the city state in which they came from this also fuels the rivalry as each wish to bring honour in the name of their cities.

Charon in his wisdom has encouraged his sons to take up past times so they do not become completely consumed by the tactics they use; this has resulted in many becoming skilful in artesian work on there armours making all an embodiment of terror.

## Legion History

### The Great Crusade

#### The Third Rangdan Xenocide

See Also: The Third Rangdan Xenocide

The XVIIth Legion took part in the Third and Final Rangdan Xenocide alongside the Venom Stalkers, shortly after Charon had been found. For much of the campaign however, Charon allowed his sons to act as they saw fit, busying himself with remaking the legion to his liking, with his homeworld at its heart. During the war, the Wisps constantly attacked as they saw fit, giving little thought to the desires of the IInd Legion, causing multiple instances of friendly fire, and eventually the behedding of the IInd's Commander by Charon himself, solidifying a vendetta the two legions have held onto ever since.

#### The War of the Hive

Extermination of a xenos race, the legion suffered heavy losses and lost most of its command structure which lead them to become more conservitive and less active in fighting xenos unless supported by other legions.

### The Almire Apostasy

#### Civil War

An event that caused the legion to split into three factions over the course of a year due to the absence of Charon which lead to almost half the wisps present to die. It was only stopped by the return of the primarch causing all present but the most fanatical to stop. It is the legions greatest shame which stopped the Wisps of Archeron returning to Terra due to having to rebuild.

## Legion Organisation

### Great Crusade and Early Apostasy

#### Specialist Ranks and Formations

Supreme commanders or Polemarchos (Warlord) commanded seven branches of each company leading one himself with six lower commanders under his command, from these seven sub companies an honour guard is formed to become the commanders companion squad in an imitation of the primarchs bodyguard the Furies.

Most companies have the same task while specific one has different tasks; they excel which results in those companies to be split among the legion rarely if ever to join as one fighting force, these companies are the fifth lead by Cadmus of Stratos whose company consist of the Phlegethon an elite force of void expects that have members placed in every vessel of the legion this has caused each of the seven companies to act different from one another resulting in the fifth to see others from different sub companies as more rivals rather than been of the fifth, the Phlegethon are rarely used plantside due to them only been called upon when in dire need.

The Ninth lead by Atreus of Lamios consist of the legions tech experts as well the legions apothecaries this is due to the legions believe of death and its meanings the warriors of the ninth are seen as a blessing and a curse for all other wisps as it means life or death and perhaps worse of all been entombed within a dreadnought, as a result the ninth have also been spread throughout the legion in large but unlike the fifth they as a whole welcome their fellow brothers of the company.

Lastly are the warriors of the twelfth lead by Odyeuss of Amis they are known in the legion as the most brutal of all within the wisps as they embody the spite of the imperium, they are sent back to worlds even compliant to remind others what will happen if they even think of betrayal or refusal of the imperial tithe, they never travel as one resulting them to be the most fractured of the wisps companies, fear binds them to their commander Odyeuss even more it is said that the Wight lord.

#### Lethe

The legions dreadnoughts are a sight to behold they are akin to there still living brothers, the fear they bring is not just felt by foes as they are feared by the living as they fear that fate above all others.

#### Lethe Priest

Unlike most legions wisps of Archeron due to customs brought the apothecium and tech marines into one order within the legion, this was due to both been associated with death as the priests gave those the emperor's mercy when required but also the damnation of becoming entombed with a dreadnought and thus becoming one of the Lethe “The forgotten”.
Thus all of those within the 9th fellowship became members of this order split among the legion never to be reunited until legion wide events however due to this they and the 5th fellowship are in every fleet causing both of these fellowships to have more warriors with great feats of heroism thus bringing honour to the city state of their birth

#### Phlegethon

Squads made up of some of the most feared warriors in the legion they are only used when deemed most needed, they are their father’s fury embodied as they unleash wave after wave of flames from their spear weapons. Inspired by the custodian guard’s guardian spears Charon requested permission to create them by the emperor himself to not cause offence, his legion are the only ones permitted on their use resulting in them rarely being used unless the situation is dire. The lack of ground use has allowed the warriors of the Phlegethon to become skilled void fighters and each ship of the legion have at least a squad of them, the bigger the class of vessel the more are stationed on.

Upon the ascension of the warmaster during ullanor celebration the primarch of the 18th legion Charon the wight lord swore an oath of complete loyalty akin to the one he swore to the emperor during their first meeting, with this came the gift of some of the legions most gifted void combatants under the commander of the 5th fellowships second division under the command of commander Xanthos of Aggnoss These warriors would gain a fierce reputation and were praised for their unyielding loyalty to the warmaster as the crusade continued under his command. Their loyalty to Almire was even stronger than that to charon when the warmaster's true allegiances became revealed, they would assist in the hunting of their gene father. Taking no pity in him as they saw him as nothing but a obstacle in the path of the warmaster.

#### Cocytus

Those who display any form of psychic ability they are seen with hatred and mistrust, this is due to an old hatred of what the people of Archeron deem as magic as a result the few rare psykers of the wisps are treated with more distrust and hatred by Charon himself than those of terran birth, these Woe filled sons of the 18th legion are placed under the guard of the legions three keepers were they supervise them, if any dare use anything deemed as psychic powers they are quickly put down by fellow legionaries.

## Legion Homeworld - Archeron

The world of Archeron is located within Ultima segmentum it is a world akin to old terra as it has large oceans of deep blue and areas of vast forests and plains of grass. It is much warmer than that of old terra as it is closer to its sun, due to this radiation from its star the people of Archeron have developed a greater tolerance to heat which would later harm those recruited into the legion.

Having some technology from old night the world was able to live in a semi comfortable manner however much of the people of Archeron regressed as they began praying to long dead gods due to the texts the first colonists brought, this created tensions among the colonists those who refused the idea of god’s and those who embraced them, the wastes of the southern pole of the world is the result of a first conflict in faith that ended with the deaths of the non-believers.

### Ilnoss

A mainland city of Archeron it would later become the capital city after the purging crusade done by Charon, it is next to a great river named after the primarch in his honour after he left for the great crusade, it has a mountain of pale marble to its south that is said to be of the highest quality that the emperor himself requested some of it in the creation of the statues of the primarchs.

The palace of Charon resides in the centre of the city, it is here where those who wish to ascend to a astartes of the XVIII take their first steps on that journey.

#### Aggnoss

A city in the barren south of the world, it was here that much of the land was scorched by nuclear wars of the past, life within this city was hard but breed the hardiest of folk.

#### Cri

A small city state where the primarch landed and was taken in by his adopted grandfather, a statue of the primarch stands over the area were the temple of his grandfather took the young primarch, it is a holy place that causes pilgrimages from all over the world to bare witness were there beloved lord once lived.

#### Kois

The city of thinkers and inventors, they posses tech from old night and several ancient texts, it along with Stratos became a hub for the adeptus mechanicus.

#### Eileth

Known as the city of judgment it is here that many who wish to seek justice go and request an audience with the worlds elders, the laws every citystate abides by are made here.

#### Eurron

The great port city of Eurron is the wealthiest of Archeron, it was one of the few cities to not suffer from the corruption due to King Rhadathys now one of the legions three keepers and captain Ajax of the 3rd company. On the eastern shores of the city reside the sapphire caves here reside the purest of gemstones on the planet.

#### Galun

A lost city it was destroyed by cultists during the rise of a false new faith, it is dubbed “The lost city” and within the legion only King Aiakos now one of the legions three keepers and captain Balophos of the 4th company are the only citizens of this city state that remains alive. Formerly the world's capital it was burnt to the ground and had its earth salted by charon to insure nothing would arise from its damned soil.

#### Pelion

Known for grass lands it is here that the food of many cities is produced, in the past it was the site of many battles..

#### Lamios

The city of the dead it is here were those who wish to learn of the gods go, after the enlightenment of the emperor it became a city of artwork, it is here were the world's artisans reside that help create armour of the legion and hauls of the legions ships.

#### Naxos

A city with plains sister city to Pelion.

#### Pylos

An area close to Galun it was here that many battles have been fought, the land is rich in minerals.

#### Amis

The cursed city it was here were the false faith began and as a result those from it as distrusted by the other city states, Charon destroyed the palace of its king along with his family and friends it was here were his crusade began.

#### Stratos

Built into the great cliffs of Cypos they are known for possessing some relics from the age of strife, this allowed them to become one of the most powerful cities as well as become the main hub for the adeptus mechanicus when the imperium came.

## Legion Geneseed

The Geneseed is very temperamental as the success rate of new astartes is very low due to unknown flaw in its genetic makeup, this caused a dire situation  to the previously named Azure Phoenixs as they were once known for their selfless nature and willingness to die for the sake of mortals which caused the legions casualty rate to be among the highest of any legion.

## Notable Wisps of Archeron

### Pre-Apostasy

**Charon**

**Achios of Ilnoss, First Captain** – Achios was born in the city of Ilnoss during Charons crusade to kill the non-believers of the old faith, when he entered the city, the mother of Achios begged that the demigod would bless her weak son with the strength to live. The malice in his eyes gone, Achios would be told before he left to be trained in hopes to join the wisps of how Charon took him from his mother and took him towards the close by river to bless him.

He has fought all his life to become one of the elite within the wisps, he proved himself in a great battle with a xenos race that almost killed the wight lord, Achios jumped on the beast's back as his brothers pulled Charon away. With blade in had the young Achios would drive his blade into the beast's back cutting into its leather flesh before ramming a discarded flamer he had pulled off one of his brother’s dead hands into the wound and releasing his fury.

When he awoke he had a rare sight the primarch without his skulled visage looking down at him with a warm smile, the primarch spoke of his heroism and the fact that he was in need for a new fist captain and requested the young astartes take the position.

And with that Achios became Achios of Ilnoss first captain of the wisps of Archeon and lord of his bodyguard “The Furies”

Notable traits: Achios has been compared as the primarchs true son, Achios only difference is that his hair is golden that shines bright in light.

Armour/weaponry: His armour is a highly detailed suit of artificer armour akin to charons, he weirds a flamespear along with a custom breacher shield with a built volkite blaster.

**Xerseu of Aggnoss, Second Captain** – Xerseu of the 2nd is known for his temper and fanatical hatred of xenos, when he was still young in astartes Xerseu was badly injured during a purge of an insectoid breed, he was left a bloody mess with the lower half of him in ruins. He was able to drag himself into a small crevasse with a Flammer and a makeshift spear he would spend what felt to him like an eternity fighting of those that wished to finish him, the near lifeless Xerseu was surrounded by several chard and dismembered corpses that piled around his hiding place. It was only by chance that the primarch found this brave son and had the apothecaries tend to wounds he had suffered.

So, impressed by the man Charon decided to take him under his wing teaching the troubled man personally until the former captain of the 2nd was slain, Xerseu now has mechanical replacements and still carries the makeshift spear having it be forged into his mighty spear known as “Hunger”

Notable traits: Xerseu is a mix of patchwork scars from the many battles he has faced, his lower torsal is all mechanical and fashioned into hooved like legs by request.

Armour/weaponry: His armour is slightly more detailed than those of his men the only few changes are his legs and curved horns on his helm creating the visage of a monster from dark tales. He wields a power spear known as “Hunger” it was forged from a claw of a Xenos beast that he used to protect himself for many weeks, he wields a wrist master crafted Flammer

**Ajax of Eurron, Third Captain** – Ajax of the 3rd before his time in the legion was already known, helping keeper Rhadathys purge his homeland he was given the title of  “Eurrons fury” by the former king. When the primarch finally arrived within the city he chose to follow charon to the remaining cities that required to be freed from the taint. Been one of the first from Archeon within the legion he has helped guide his younger brothers into battle, Ajax is known to bide his time and make those who deify his father suffer.

He has a stronger connection with the IVth than most in the wisps.

Notable traits: Has cold eyes, close cropped hair with a tattooed face of Eurrons city sigil. Is broader than his other brothers.

Armour/weaponry: Has a suit of cataphractii terminator armour with a Thunder hammer and shield

**Balophos of Galun, Fourth Captain** – Balophos is a slayer of great beasts said to be able to kill the mightiest of xenos he has caused many tales within the legion for his acts when fighting the most monstrous of enemies, within the legion only Charon himself can claim more feats as a great slaying than Balophos.

Notable traits: Suffers from severe burn wounds, he is always wracked in pain which causes him to remain in his armour most of the time.

Armour/weaponry: Has artificer armour, his vambraces have scratch marks which he makes when he slays an enemy of note he also claims trophies from those who are worthy. Any weapon as he is a master of all.

**Cadmus of Stratos, Fifth Captain** – Lord of the phlegethon he is rarely allowed to make planet fall in the opening attack, he thrives on screams of those dyeing xenos as he burns away their impurity among his brother captains he is the most quiet rarely seeking glory and only wishing to do his task as required by the primarch.

Notable traits: He has a killer’s grin when ever seen without his helm, his eyes are dark, unlike the many within the legion that gain an icy blue like Charons.

Armour/weaponry: Wairs a modified heavy suit of breacher armour that can withstand great heat, he wields a phlegethon flamespear along with a Volkite pistol

**Menelous of Pelion, Sixth Captain**- Along with Ajax he is one of the eldest Acheron born sons within the legion. His life before ascension is one he speaks highly, his homeland was in ruination when the primarch came the youth that was Menelous was destined for sacrifice before he was saved, however his loved ones were not which caused him to become a hater of all religions even the one charon spread.

Whenever the legion finds religion on human worlds he will be the first to condemn them to the flame wishing to burn away the evils and bring about the truth that is the emperor's word.

Notable traits: Is the tallest of the legions captains, he has a dark feeling about him which causes the eighth captain to hate him.

Armour/weaponry: Artificer armour with a volkite pistol and thunder hammer.

**Peleus of Pylos, Seventh Captain** – Peleus of the seventh is sworn brother to Diomedes of the 14th so great is there bond that those who don’t know them would claim them to be true brothers.

In the time before the legion both stood at one another’s side as they defended each other’s home from the cultists of the new religion, Peleus was saddened when his sworn brother was chosen to remain on Archeron to teach the new recruits in the ways of the legion, when given honours he dedicates them in the name of Diomedes his dearest brother.

Notable traits: Old and regal he has tired eyes with a grey beard, his right eye has been replaced with obnetic eye along with a mechanical right arm

Armour/weaponry: Artificer armour, formally a plasma pistol replaced with a flame pistol and power fist

**Manfred Zalthen of terra, Eighth Captain** – Manfred is one of the few terrans left within the legion he finds shame in what the primarch has done to the legions reputation and regrets the fate of his fallen brothers who died under this mad man. He is known as the Elder as he is the oldest apart from the few dreadnoughts that can recall a time when the terrans were the majority of the legion.

He has few friends in the legion and the primarch himself shows him less favour due to his words of disagreement with the way things are now done, some say that the keepers have been watching him and may soon call him to have words with the three.

Notable traits: Has dark eyes, pale skin and a loathing look permanently on his face, has crossed scars over his face.

Armour/weaponry: The only captain that’s helm is a standard mk iii pattern, Artificer armour with a chain sword and plasma pistol (refused to heed charons order)

**Atreus of Lamios, Ninth Captain** – Atreus is the keeper of the Lethe the legions dreadnoughts his company is used when it is dire, known as the “Forgotten keeper” he takes pride in looking after his brothers that still fight even when death has already claimed them. Of his fellow captain in the main fleet he rarely sees world deployment instead his company have perfected in void conflict should the need arise.

Atreus is the legions head tech marine as well as a sort of spiritual figure, not to the same extent as the 3 keepers he is however seen as a respected and feared figure within the legion for being the first of Archeron to achieve the rank of captain after the legion reunited with the legion. The fear is driven due to the nature of what his fellowship is, the are built to look after the forgotten those entombed within dreadnaughts, those who have cheated paying the toll and forced to remain longer than intended.

When he walks to war it is seen as a dire day as well as an unlucky one as many fears his gaze encase, they are the next legionary to be entombed within one of the forgotten prisons.

Notable traits: Eyes a paler shade of blue almost white

Armour/weaponry:modified Artificer armour, tech marine armsx4 , Power axe

**Pheipdes of Cri, Tenth Captain** – Pheipdes is the commander of the 387th fleet, he and his fleet are tasked with scouting the legions next destination, he and Deimos of the eleventh have a great bond as both have been tasked together. He is known for his tactical mind hence why Charon gave him his task.

Notable traits: Smallest of the captains, has a gaunt sickly-looking face with long dark hair

Armour/weaponry: bullock pattern Jetbike with multi melta, Artificer armour with power lance

**Deimos of Naxos, Eleventh Captain** – Deimos is the most standard of the Archeon captains, he follows the word of his primarch, he makes an effort to try and bridge the normal imperial citizen with the legion, out of all the captains only the eightieth is more willing to try to do so.

Notable traits: Clean cut with a penitent scowl, had both arms under the elbow replaced with mechanical ones

Armour/weaponry: artificer armour, bolter with a chain sword

**Odyeuss of Amis, Twelfth Captain** – Odyeuss is known as the traveller he returns to worlds that the legion has brought into compliance, he and the twelfth are the most ruthless they are willing to use citizens as shields as well burning half a world if they find resistance.

Notable traits: none

Armour/weaponry: Modified Tartaros terminator armour, twin lightning claws

**Heseus of Kois, Thirteenth Captain** -  Heseus of the thirteenth is known for his intellect within the legion, he has shamed himself in sharing the same beliefs as Galvarian of the ashen crows. His wish for knowledge has caused him to be banished away from the main fleet, unable to bring himself to punish his ware ward son Charon strip him of many of those under his command leaving Heseus only those that strongly shared his beliefs to remain with him.

Notable traits: Had both his eyes removed on order of Charon due to them been close to his own, has a ragged black beard with a shaved head.

Armour/weaponry: Standard mk ii plate, power axe with volkite pistol.

**Diomedes of Ilnoss, Fourteenth Captain** – Diomedes is the protector of the home world as well as the man who has been tasked with training the new members of the legion, before the legion left on the crusade after reuniting with the primarch those newly recruited tested their strength in a tournament.

Diomedes was the victor and takes his duty as a sacred task he commands the smallest of the legions companies having only 500 but those within are some of the legions most elite within it.

Notable traits: Has ritual scars all over his body with his face tattooed with the legion symbol, cut of his right arm from the elbow in honour of his sworn brother and replaced it with a mechanical one.

Armour/weaponry: Highly detailed Cataphractii terminator armour, Relic shield with a paragon blade.

**Keeper Mioss of Eileth “The Bearer of Souls”** – One of the three keepers Mioss is known of the three to be the most vocal, in his life before the legion he was known for his just judgments in the treatment of those that questioned the will of the gods. He was a supporter of Charon as he acted his quest against the non-believers that wished to spread the new false religion, he can recall putting thousands to the torch in his duty never caring for those that beg for forgiveness.

As with the other three keepers they never leave the Crossing unless it is of the greatest of importance, they can out rank the primarch in some regards but only if his two other brothers keepers accept the same way of thinking.

Notable traits: As he was an old man when the emperor arrived he is not a true astartes, none have seen his face since he joined the ranks of the legion.

Armour/weaponry: Highly detailed artificer armour with robes, he has a ceremonial staff.

**Keeper Rhadathys of Eurron “The Bearer of Dread”** – One of the three keepers Rhadathy is known of the three to be the most action driven, his life as a mortal was one of strife as his home land was the cause of the rising new faith, disgusted by his fellow people of Eurron that even before Charon reached the city Rhadathy had already put those of the new faith to the torch. One of those who he killed was his father whose screams of forgiveness etched the need to act quickly due to him forever cursed hearing his father’s cry mixed with those who burn in their judgments.

Notable traits: None have seen his face since joining the keepers, he suffers from random muscle spasms during trails.

Armour/weaponry: Highly detailed artificer armour with robes, had a power fist and Flammer

**Keeper Aiakos of Galun “The Bearer of Silence”** – One of the three keepers Aiakos is known of the three to be the most reserved in action and is more willing to hear out the plea, once a just ruler of his homeland he allowed the new faith sanctuary within his city he learned quickly to be wrong as his family was taken from him and himself imprisoned within a tight cage. When he was found by Charon the keeper was a shell of his former self, only with the technologies of the imperium did Aiakos gain a way to speak and move once more.

Notable traits: Had most of his body replaced when the imperium found the primarch, his voice is a harsh static vox speech.

Armour/weaponry: Encased in highly detailed Cataphractii terminator armour with robes, has a power maul

## Legion Fleet

### Notable Vessels

* **The *Crossing*** - Gloriana-class Battleship - Flagship of Charon and the 93rd Expeditionary Fleet
* **The *Lost***– Victory-class Battleship - Flagship of Captain Pheipdes of Cri and the 387th Expedition Fleet
* **The *Journey*** – Retribution-class Battleship - Flagship of Captain Odyess of Amis and the 648th Expeditionary Fleet
* **The *Trial*** – Retribution-class Battleship - Flagship of Captain Heseus of Kios and the 1200th Expeditionary Fleet
* **The *Protector*** - Apocalypse-class Battleship - Flagship of Captain Orpheus of Iloss and the Archeron defence fleet

## Legion Relics

* **The Uragus** -
* **The Vexillum Ignis** -

## Legion Apperance

### Legion Colours

Black with blue eyes, it is to represent the husk that was the legion before finding the primarch, like a phoenix when it dies the 18th are but embers of the mighty creature.

The blue eyes are to represent the new life of the legion as a wisp can one day become an inferno.