The Twinned 13th

The Varangian system has been ruled by various Imperial Dynasties since the forces of the Ultramarines civillized the area during the Great Crusade. Though the families and players sitting in power have changed over the millenia, the basic dynastic and feudal structure ruling most of the worlds in the Varangian system has remained intact through the ages. It is believed that the first Imperial Governor of Varangia was crowned by Guillamin himself, and that the blessings of this demigod have ensured the relative stability and prosperity of the system through the ages.

In the middle of the 41st millenium , the 12th Varangian dynasty was descending into decadence and despair. No longer concerned with the welfare of Varangian, the Governors of the 12th dynasty grew fat whilst their system's farmers and coffers grew thin. The 12th Dynasty's excesses grew so aggregious that the Inquisition noticed. Varangia has always been a bread basket of the Imperium, and after enough decades of under-production, the 12th Dynasty was audited by the Inquisition. While the exact details of the transition from the 12th Dynasty to the 13th Dynasty are shrouded in mystery and Imperial redaction, it is known that with the help of the Inquisition, the hero ancestor of the 13th dynasty, Gaius, cut the cancer of the 12th Dynasty from Varangia and consolidated power. In the coming decades, Varangia was rebuilt and strengthened. This change in dynasties occurred at a fortuitous time, for with the coming of the 13th Black Crusade and the dawn of the Era Indomnitus, prosperity in Varangia is no longer a certain thing.

Dynastic History

* The Great Crusade (Ca M30)
	+ The Ultramarines arrive in the Varangian system as part of the Great Crusade. Cooperating with the Emperor's Angels, the original Varangian Dynast, Aneais, unites the Varangian system under Imperial Compliance.
	+ To this day, Guillaman and the Ultramarines are revered second only to the Emperor himself as heroes of the Imperium. It is widely believed that the governing rules for the Varangian Dynasties were handed down by Guillaman himself, and many of Varangia's most Holy relics were gifted by Ultramarine captains.
* The rise of the 13th Dynasty (Ca. M41 500)
	+ With the help of the Inquisition, the decadent 12th Dynasty is overthrown. Gaius, Hero ancestor of the 13th Dynasty, reforms the Varangian military and taxation systems, ensuring that the nobility of Varangia serve the people of Varangia.
	+ Nobility from all worlds in the system are encouraged to intermarry, and the noble sons of every planet are enlisted into the Varangian Scions.
	+ The Knight Worlds that had developed during the 12th Dynasty are disbanded, all remaining Kights repurposed for an everlasting Varangian Crusade.
* Hive Fleet Deus (Ca. M41 990)
	+ Part of the larger Kracken invasion on the Imperium, Hive Fleet Deus descends upon the Varangian System.
	+ Because of the reforms of the 13th Dynasty, Varangia destroys Hive Fleet Deus without outside Imperial help. Only 10% of viable Varangian worlds are lost to the Tyranid menace.
	+ However, the forces of the Varangian Scions, the premier military force in the system, and the key tool in the defeat of Hive Fleet Deus, are decimated.
* The 13th Black Crusade (Ca. M41 999)
	+ As the Great Rift tears the sky, Hive Fleet Deus reappears, seemingly pouring from the newly-formed Warp Storms. At the same time, The Cult of the Starborne Apothecary emerges in the system for the first time.
	+ With the Varangian Scions recently depleted, the system is only saved by the intervention of many outside agents.
		- Watch Fortress Sheol arrives in the system with no warning or communication. Watch Master Uriel immediately assumes command of the warzone, bearing the authority of the Ordo Xenos. Local forces are trained to fight the Genestealer Cults, while the wider Tyranid threat is left to the Space Marines.
		- Sent adrift by the events of the Crusade, seperate fleets of Dark Angels and Ultramarines engage the Tyranid fleets as they attempt to get around the Citrix Maledictum.
		- On certain ancient worlds inhabitted since the time of the Great Crusade, forces of Chaos appear to destroy the Tyranid threat. Word Bearers seem to be the most involved in these operations, with Armelos the Witness sighted on multiple worlds.
* The Twinned 13th and the Era Indomnitus (M42)
	+ With the end of the 13th Black Crusade and the Dawning of the Indomnitus Crusade, the 13th Varangian Dynasty.

Units in the Twinned 13th

* ***Germanicus and Tiberius:*** Twin Scions of the 13th Varangian Dynasty, these venerated warriors venture forth from their forested homeworld of Varangia.
* ***Octavian:*** Their bodyguard and mentor, Octavian often accompanies them into battle.
* ***Scions:*** Minor Varangian dynasts, each scion owes his twin Lords everything, from his wealth and training to his life and honor.
* ***Tempestus Scion Command Squads:*** Some earn their spot through leadership and nobility; others by slaying three carnifexes (carnifecii?) with three friends.
* ***Rubicon and Albion and Illyrium:*** The Twinned 13th’s most used and loved Taurox Primes. Effective against heretical cultists and Hive Fleet Deus alike.
* ***Lord Mithridates:*** This Squat King pledged his entire military to the Varangian Dynasty in exchange for evacuating the population of his planet, Pontus, before it was devoured by a Tyranid swarm.
* ***Varangian Guard,*** The elite sniper guard of Lord Mithridates, these Squats specialize in upgrading their own rifles, leading to guns that scarcely resemble sniper rifles.
* ***Execution Force:*** Having fought Hive Fleet Deus through its entire existence, the Varangian dynasty has earned the favor of every imperial institution they have made contact with, including the Officio Assassinorum. Local legend claims the same four assassins have serviced the Varangian Dynasty since its founding.
* ***Astropaths:*** Surrounded by Warp-born terrors, the Varangian dynasty employs Astrompaths to give them some measure of warning