The Terran Unification Wars

**The Terran Unification Wars**, also known as **The Wars of Unification**, **The Unity Wars**, **The Unification** or simply **The First Wars of The Unity of Sol** when accounting for its broader implications, were a series of brutal conflicts fought upon Old Terra. Beginning in the early 89th Millennium at the tail end of the Dark Millennia of the Long Dark and lasting into the middle-to-late centuries of the 91st Millennium.

It was during these campaigns that the Emperor of Mankind first publicly revealed Himself to a desperate Humanity and began His conquest of Old Terra. Setting of to either unify the techno-barbarian nations that dominated the sacred homeworld of Mankind and forge the foundation of the Stellar Imperium, or slay them in the dust of humanity's ancestry.

## History

### The Age of Humanity

By the early 89th Millennium, almost 868 standard centuries had passed since humanity departed from its homeworld of Old Terra, seeking both the unknown treasures and dangers that awaited them among the stars. In those long-forgotten days of the Golden Age of Humanity, the challenges and adversities faced by mankind remain shrouded in mystery and conjecture. Nevertheless, humanity persevered and thrived, establishing colonies across the Milky Way galaxy, scattering themselves across a million worlds that held both unimaginable treasures and unspeakable horrors.

During this pinnacle of achievement, a time now lost to the realms of supposition and legend, humanity elevated themselves to a near godlike status. As through the power of their World-Engines, their scientific advancements, and artistic prowess, they remodeled planets to resemble the Earth of antiquity. They harnessed the boundless energy of stars and fashioned servants from inanimate matter, granting them simulated life to fulfill their every command. And thus, the Golden Age of Technology was forged, and for tens of millennia, it reigned supreme.

Yet, as with all things it would come to an end. For in an abrupt cataclysm, the dominion of humanity was shattered, crumbled in the midst of brutality, ignorance, and untold suffering. Trillions perished, their screams echoing through the void, unanswered and unheard.

### The Long Dark

During the tumultuous period that came to be known as the Black Millennia, the Nightmare Eon or simply the *"Long Dark,"* the Sol System, and its neighboring systems, found themselves isolated, cut off from interstellar travel and communication as massive Void Storms swept across the galaxy, the catastrophic result of the millennia-long wars waged by the Nidiiran Kindreds and the Álfarii Diaspora. The galaxy tore itself apart amidst their petty conflicts and the cosmic turbulence that accompanied the demise of all galactic powers during the Tumult of the Shattering.

During this dark era, Terra experienced intermittent periods of dominance within the Sol System, while at other times, rulers, despots and tyrants from Jupiter, Luna, or even Mars and Venus asserted their authority. The various worlds of the Sol System found themselves embroiled in ceaseless warfare, locked in a cycle of violence and strife. And over the course of an arduous 25,000-year period, anarchy, fear, and violence reigned supreme on Old Earth. The once-unified planetary government long crumbled, giving rise to numerous warring factions known as *"techno-barbarians."* These backward states fought one another relentlessly, plunging Terra into a continuous cycle of warfare that only worsened as the Sol System around it was torn apart by the Jovian guilds, the Uranite Terrorphage, Xenos Raiders, despots and more fecking Raiders.

Descending into a state of savagery and horror equal to any other world, the once sophisticated civilization that once marked Old Terra's glorious past, with its advanced sciences, refined culture, and wondrous technologies, was reduced to ashes. Techno-barbarian warlords and their armies waged ceaseless battles across the scarred surface of the planet, transforming it into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Chemical, biological, and even thermonuclear weapons of mass destruction were deployed, further devastating the cradle of mankind. Generations of war turned Terra into a desolate and polluted wasteland, its surface dotted with fortified enclaves constructed amidst the ruins of lost civilizations. Its inhabitants became a mass of degenerate nomads, a people ravaged by madness and violence.

Insane prophets, cybernetically augmented warlords, vivisector rulers, and religious demagogues led the warring tribes of Ancient Earth, perpetuating a never-ending cycle of conflict as one tyrant rose to power, only to be displaced by another. Petty empires rose and fell, tribes formed and disintegrated, their glory and triumphs fading into distant memories. Countless billions perished, their names forgotten, their deeds unrecorded, while whispered legends of an *"Unspeakable King"* and the *"Seven Neverborn"* struck terror into the hearts of generations to come. Anarchy and bloodshed held dominion over the remnants of humanity.

Beyond Terra, chaos and destruction spread throughout the galaxy. As with the absence of central authority and the severing of support and supply networks that had sustained civilization, human colonies descended into anarchy and conflict. Civilization fractured, and pocket empires and local factions vied for control amidst the shattered remnants of once-prosperous worlds. Countless civilizations, cut off from aid, succumbed to famine, madness, and the ever-present perils of the void. As human society crumbled, hundreds of alien species and unknown adversaries seized the opportunity to exact revenge for past conquests or exploit defenseless worlds for their resources, enslaving their populations. Human-inhabited star systems were plundered, ravaged, and their inhabitants subjected to unspeakable horrors. Those who survived these alien onslaughts were reduced to barbarism, stripped of their civilization, knowledge, and culture, forced to fight for mere survival. Humanity in this time teetered on the precipice of annihilation and eternal darkness. Yet, even in the face of internal strife, famine, plague, relentless alien attacks, and the imminent threat of the Void, the remnants of humanity refused to succumb to despair. Gathering around their young, they sought a glimmer of hope. While it seemed to some that there was no salvation or aid to be found, that the end times were upon them, they would soon be proven wrong.

## Techno-Barbarian States

The Techno-Barbarian states of Terra are the twisted remnants of the Golden Age of Humanity, a time of great technological advancement that occurred before the current setting of the 90th millennium. As during the Long Dark, which followed the collapse of the human interstellar empire, many planets devolved into techno-barbarism.

These Techno-Barbarian states are characterized by a combination of advanced technology and a lack of understanding of how said technology works. These societies often rely on feudal structures, with warlords and rulers controlling technologically advanced weaponry and artifacts. Many represent pockets of human civilization that have regressed technologically and socially in the aftermath of the collapse of the Golden Age of Humanity. These societies are often dangerous due to their possession of advanced but poorly understood technology.

### Ursholia - The Froststeel Dominion

In the desolate, frozen, northern expanses of Ursholia, a Techno-Barbarian Empire shrouded in the echoes of the Long Dark, a cold and oppressive regime reigns over a landscape scarred by the remnants of forgotten technological glory. The ruling elite, clad in heavy, fur-lined coats adorned with symbols of archaic power, control the sprawling territories with an iron fist. Ursholia's rulers hoard the remnants of ancient technological wonders, relics of a bygone era when machines and industry dominated the landscape. Cold fusion reactors and cybernetic enhancements, relics from the Golden Age of Humanity, are coveted treasures, albeit poorly understood by their current holders. The people live in the shadow of towering, decaying monuments of forgotten progress, surrounded by the eerie hum of dormant machinery that has long since lost its purpose.

Pervasive bureaucracy strangles the aspirations of the population. Citizens navigate a labyrinthine network of regulations and surveillance, their every move scrutinized by a web of informants and enforcers. The rulers maintain control through fear and manipulation, using the threat of exile to the frozen wastelands or worse, the mysterious and oppressive *"Reclamation Centers."*

The Tsariat rulers of Ursholia are distant figures, both physically and emotionally. From their frigid palaces high above the Spires, they issue decrees that echo across the tundra, and their images are plastered on propaganda posters portraying stoic determination. The citizens, bundled in layers of insulated clothing, trudge through icy streets, their breath freezing in the air as they whisper about the enigmatic leaders who seem more machine than human. This same propaganda, disseminated through antiquated loudspeakers and holo-displays, glorifies the past achievements of Ursholia and instills fear of the unknown beyond its borders. Images of heroes from a forgotten time and the omnipresent eye of the state are ever-present reminders of the consequences of dissent. The people are taught to revere the technological relics as symbols of national pride, even as they struggle in the shadow of towering machines left dormant for centuries.

The Lowland Cities that surround the Spires, once thriving hubs of industry, now stand as spectral monuments to a time long past. Frozen in time and covered in a perpetual layer of snow, they serve as a stark contrast to the labor camps scattered across the icy wilderness. Prisoners toil ceaselessly, attempting to unlock the secrets of the ancient technology or extract resources from the frozen earth under the watchful eyes of automated sentinels.

### The Gyptus Empire

Within the Deserts of Kazahk, the Gyptus Empire stands as the reigning Jewel--A sprawling, oppressive realm where advanced technology mingles with feudal structures, creating a society both awe-inspiring and nightmarish.

At the helm of Gyptus, powerful Pharaoh-Warlords rule with an iron fist. These rulers trace their lineage to the ancient rulers of Terra and have established a hereditary aristocracy that controls the vast territories of Gyptus. Each Pharaoh-Warlord controls a domain comparable to a province, and their authority is maintained through a combination of military might and control over enigmatic ancient technologies. The Gyptians have turned their advanced technology into a form of religious mysticism. The remnants of ancient machines are worshiped as divine artifacts, and the Pharaoh-Warlords are seen as the living emissaries of the machine gods. The populace, in awe and fear, follows a rigid techno-religious hierarchy that dictates their roles in society.

Gyptus boasts formidable Mechanized Legions equipped with advanced war machines that strike terror into neighboring regions. These legions serve as both the enforcers of Gyptian rule and the defenders against external threats. The soldiers are clad in ornate, archeotech power armor adorned with hieroglyphic patterns emboldened with Void-Charged energies. Within the borders of Gyptus, a significant portion of the population lives under a form of cybernetic serfdom. The ruling elite employs advanced cybernetic enhancements to control and monitor the masses, ensuring absolute loyalty and obedience. Those who rebel or question the authority of the Pharaoh-Warlords face harsh punishments, including cybernetic lobotomies and forced servitude.

Sprawling techno-temples dedicated to the worship of the machine gods dominate the urban landscape. These structures house both ancient technologies and the ruling class, with the most sacred chambers reserved for the Pharaoh-Warlords. The techno-temples serve as centers of power, religious indoctrination, and technological research. In their quest for power and control, the Gyptians dabble in forbidden Void-tainted rituals. Psycasts are utilized both as instruments of oppression and as conduits to the chaotic energies of the Void. The techno-religious ceremonies conducted in the techno-temples involve dark rituals that bind the population to the will of the ruling elite.

Gyptus adopts isolationist policies, limiting contact with neighboring regions. The Gyptus Empire tightly controls access to knowledge, particularly scientific and technological information. Any attempt to understand or replicate the ancient technologies without the approval of the ruling elite is met with severe consequences. The population is kept in ignorance, ensuring their dependence on the Pharaoh-Warlords for guidance and protection. This seclusion is both a result of the empire's paranoid rulers fearing external threats and a means to control the flow of information. Outsiders are met with suspicion, and any attempt to infiltrate Gyptus is met with swift and merciless retaliation.

### The Chixian Empire - The Golden

The Chixian Empire, situated to the North of Kazahk is a formidable Techno-Barbarian state standing as a stark testament to the fusion of ancient traditions and advanced technology. Nestled within the vast expanse of a forgotten corner of the galaxy, the Chixian Empire has managed to preserve and exploit the remnants of pre-Fall technology, creating a society that wields both the elegance of ancient customs and the brutal efficiency of cutting-edge weaponry.

The ruling elite of the Chixian Empire consists of a powerful monarchy or an autocratic regime, wherein the Emperor or Empress sits atop an opulent throne, draped in resplendent robes that bear symbols echoing ancient iconography. The Golden court, adorned with intricate architecture and lush gardens, masks the empire's oppressive nature beneath a facade of traditional grandeur. The Chixian Empire's mastery over forbidden technology is evident in its formidable war machines, towering mechs, and energy weapons that strike fear into the hearts of neighboring realms. Advanced cybernetics enhance the physical capabilities of the Golden Empire's soldiers, creating a disciplined and ruthless army that enforces the Emperor's will with unwavering precision.

Within the hidden chambers of the Chixian Empire's palaces, forbidden psychic arts are practiced, often involving a blend of mysticism and advanced technology. Psycasts, trained to harness the latent powers of the Void, serve as both enforcers and advisers to the ruling class, wielding their abilities to crush dissent and maintain control. The Chixian Empire operates under a rigid bureaucratic system, where a labyrinthine network of ministers, officials, and enforcers ensures absolute obedience to the empire's edicts. Surveillance technology, both arcane and advanced, monitors the populace, suppressing any hints of rebellion and maintaining a facade of order and prosperity.

The Chixian Empire enforces cultural assimilation, with a deliberate effort to erase the memory of individual identities. The empire promotes a singular culture based on a distorted interpretation of ancient traditions, eroding the unique customs of conquered tribes and assimilating them into a homogenized singular identity. Inspired by historical martial arts, the Chixian Empire places a strong emphasis on discipline, combat prowess, and the art of war. Imperial academies train warriors in both traditional martial arts and the use of advanced weaponry, creating a formidable and loyal military caste that serves the imperial agenda without question. Driven by a relentless desire for power and resources, the Chixian Empire engages in expansionist campaigns to conquer neighboring states. Its technologically superior forces overwhelm less advanced civilizations, assimilating them into the ever-growing Chixian domain.

### Sud'arika - The Nightmare Jungle

Sud'arika, a nightmarish expanse within the continent of the same name, wherein the techno-barbarism of the Spires collides with ancient rituals and daemonic blood sorceries. Sud'arika is a chaotic amalgamation of Iron Spires surrounded by Jungles filled with murderous tribes and roving warbands, each vying for dominance in a land soaked in blood, haunted by the echoes of forgotten civilizations.

Sud'arika is a land of perpetual conflict, where tribal rivalries and territorial disputes are settled through brutal warfare. The tribes, engage in ritualistic combat that draws upon both archaic weaponry and salvaged, half-understood technology. Blood rituals, guided by daemonic sorceries, are commonplace, binding the warriors to dark entities in exchange for otherworldly power. The heart of Sud'arika's power lies in the dark arts practiced by its shamans and sorcerers. These practitioners of daemonic blood sorceries tap into the Void, using forbidden rituals to enhance their combat prowess and commune with malevolent entities. The landscape is scarred by the aftermath of these blood rites, leaving twisted and chaotic manifestations in their wake.

Though Sud'arika's tribes possess remnants of advanced technology, they understand little of its true nature. Warlords and chieftains wield weapons of the Golden Age of Humanity without comprehending the principles behind them. The societies have devolved into a scavenger culture, adapting and modifying ancient machinery through trial and error, creating bizarre and often unstable war engines. Sud'arika's tribes are not content with merely fighting amongst themselves. They are notorious pirates, often raiding the nearby Spires that dot Sud'arika and preying on unwary travelers and caravans along the coasts. Their crude but effective voidcraft, adorned with gruesome trophies and dark symbols, swoop down on unsuspecting vessels, unleashing salvos of archaic weaponry and daemonic sorceries to subdue their prey.

### Europa

A sprawling landmass shaped by towering mountain ranges, vast forests, and expansive plains. The peninsulas of the Europan continent, surrounded by seas on all sides, is a realm of diverse landscapes and climates, ruled by the feudal Techno-Barbarian states. Here, feudal societies have emerged, ruled by warlords and aristocratic families who hold sway over their territories.

#### Celtica, the Emerald City of The Dire Lands

Nestled within the treacherous Dire Lands, Celtica stands as a beacon of emerald light, a city built on the remnants of ancient technological marvels. Ruled by the High King, and its noble houses ever-vying for control over the city's hidden technological wonders. The people of Celtica revere the *"Green Sparks,"* remnants of advanced energy sources, as mystical artifacts.

#### Italoria

On the isolated island of Italoria, scattered ruins bear witness to a once-glorious civilization. Feudal lords command fleets of sailing vessels retrofitted with salvaged technology from the Dark Age. The ruling class wears ornate power armor, remnants of a bygone era. The island's society is a delicate balance between maritime exploration and internal power struggles.

#### Iberica

The sun-scorched land of the Iberican Islands are a realm of fortified cities and nomadic tribes, each competing for control over ancient weapon caches buried beneath the scorched earth. The ruling caste, wield solar-charged weaponry and rule with an iron fist. The Ibericans are skilled in adapting and maintaining their advanced weaponry, but constant internal strife prevents the formation of a unified kingdom.

#### Franc

Franc, a mountainous stronghold overlooking the Markden Sea, is a kingdom divided among noble houses vying for control. The rulers claim descent from legendary heroes of the past, wielding plasma blades and commanding armies of knights mounted on cybernetic steeds. The Markden Sea is a battleground for territorial disputes, and alliances shift as quickly as the mountain winds.

#### The Desolate Kingdom

The Desolate Kingdom sprawls across the Europan continent, consisting of towering spire cities that pierce the polluted skies. Ruled by oligarchs, each city is a self-contained fiefdom, with the ruling elite exploiting the lower classes for survival. The spires stand atop ancient factories producing war machines and forbidden technologies, causing constant strife as rival city-states vie for dominance.

#### Finoden

In the shadow of The Desolate Kingdom, Finoden thrives amidst towering mountain ranges. The people, skilled miners and engineers, extract resources to power their vast industrial complexes. Clans control the mountain territories, and alliances are forged through marriage and trade. The rulers, known as Forge Lords, wield advanced weaponry to protect their domains from both internal and external threats.

#### The Sval

The Sval, a frigid island in the Northern Seas, is home to hardy seafarers and warriors. The ruling Jarls command longships retrofitted with ancient technology, navigating treacherous ice-filled waters. The Svalians worship the *"Frost Cores,"* crystalline power sources that provide both heat and energy. Clan rivalries and raids on neighboring islands and coastal settlements define the constant struggle for dominance.

### The Nord 'Erikan Conclave

In the desolate wastes of what was once North America, a sprawling empire known as The Nord 'Erikan Conclave has emerged, blending the remnants of ancient technology with a culture shaped by the harsh and unforgiving landscape. The Conclave stands as a testament to the resilience of humanity in the face of the ravages of time and the twisted influence of the Void. Stretching across frozen tundras, rocky mountains, and vast icy plains, The Nord 'Erikan Conclave's dominion is a realm of bitter cold and biting winds. The land itself is scarred by the remnants of forgotten cities, their towering spires now shattered and leaning like the skeletal remains of giants. The people of the Conclave have adapted to this harsh environment, their clothing a mix of furs and salvaged high-tech thermal gear from the ancient past.

At the heart of the Conclave lies the mystical Ice Forges, where skilled techno-shamans channel the energies of the Void to forge weapons and armor of unimaginable power. The forge chambers echo with the haunting chants of the shamans, and the flickering blue light of Void-infused flames dances upon the ice-covered walls. The Conclave's warriors wield weapons that harness the cold fury of the land, freezing enemies in their tracks or unleashing icy storms upon the battlefield. The society of The Nord 'Erikan Conclave is organized into nomadic tribes and ice clans, each led by a chieftain who claims descent from the ancient warlords of the past. These tribes traverse the frozen expanse in massive mobile fortresses constructed from the husks of ancient tanks and war machines. The nomads are both fierce warriors and skilled scavengers, constantly seeking out lost relics of technology buried beneath the ice.

The Conclave's capital, known as the Great Frost Halls, is a sprawling complex built within the frozen ruins of a once-mighty city. Towering ice sculptures, shaped by both natural frost and the deliberate hand of skilled artisans, line the grand halls. At the heart of the city stands the Glacial Throne, where the ruling Techno-Khan sits, adorned in a combination of ancient power armor and ceremonial furs. The throne room is filled with the eerie hum of ancient machinery and the distant echoes of Void-charged winds. Among the warriors of The Nord 'Erikan Conclave are the enigmatic Northern Lightwalkers – elite hunters and assassins who move silently through the icy wilderness. Cloaked in shimmering refractive armor that mimics the colors of the northern lights, these warriors are both feared and revered. They are masters of stealth and ambush, striking from the shadows with weapons infused with the power of the Void. The Conclave's connection to the Void is both a source of power and peril. Void charged storms periodically sweep across the region, imbuing the land with chaotic energies. The techno-shamans harness this unpredictable force to enhance their creations, but it also gives rise to mutated monstrosities that roam the frigid wastes, challenging the strength and unity of the Conclave.

#### The Land of Okh - The Silicon Wastes

Once a thriving hub of technological innovation, The Land of Okh now stands as a vast desert of silicon dunes and shattered circuitry. The remnants of towering megacorporate skyscrapers, now half-buried in the sand, house the nomadic tribes ruled by *"Code Wardens."* These rulers, surrounded by holographic remnants of a forgotten digital utopia, wield control over ancient A.I. data-constructs and cybernetic enforcers. The air is thick with electromagnetic interference, creating unpredictable energy storms that dance across the horizon.

#### Hios Country - The Radiant Dominion

Formerly known for its agricultural abundance, Hios Country, a land of harsh desert in the warmth of Sol is transformed into a surreal landscape of bioluminescent flora and fauna at night. The ruling technocrats, known as *"Photon Sages,"* have harnessed the power of genetically modified organisms, creating living weapons and glowing energy sources. The boundaries between the organic and the synthetic blur as the population embraces bio-enhancements, and the night sky is a breathtaking display of luminescent creatures and pulsating energy fields.

#### Arkadia, Yorkland - The Rust Belt Citadel

A sprawling industrial wasteland, Arkadia, the Heart of Yorkland is a spire-city of towering smokestacks, corroded factories, and relentless machinery. Ruled by the *"Forge Lords,"* warlords skilled in the art of salvaging and repurposing ancient machinery, the populace toils ceaselessly to keep the great furnaces burning. The city's skyline is a silhouette of colossal war machines, half-buried in the foundations of what was once a thriving metropolis. The people of Yorkland are hardened survivors, their bodies adorned with cybernetic enhancements and protective exoskeletons.

#### Neoyor - The Neon Enclave

In the remnants of what was once a bustling metropolis, Neoyor now stands as a neon-lit city-state ruled by cunning *"Data Dukes"* who control information flow and trade in the currency of data. Massive holographic billboards, remnants of a bygone era, flicker with distorted advertisements, while hovercraft navigate through the skyscraper canyons. Cybernetically enhanced mercenaries, known as *"Luminaries,"* enforce the will of the ruling elite, their bodies pulsating with bioluminescent augmentations.

#### The Crescent Keys - The Gulf Isles of Technomancy

A collection of floating islands within the Llou'Isian Ocean, The Crescent Keys is a realm ruled by mystic *"Circuit Seers"* who harness the power of ancient techno-magic. The islands are interconnected by levitating bridges, and the air is filled with the hum of ethereal energy. The populace practices a unique form of techno-shamanism, communing with the spirits of the machine. A central island houses the *"Quantum Oracle,"* a massive supercomputer said to hold the secrets of forgotten technologies.

#### Nevonia, Arizon - The Sunfire Dominion

Arizon is a vast landscape situated between the jungles of the south and the deserts of the north wherein its solar panels stretch across the horizon, capturing the relentless sun's energy. The ruling elite harness the power of solar radiation for both energy and weaponry. Massive mirrors redirect the sun's rays, creating scorching beams that incinerate any who oppose the sovereign's rule. The people of Arizon wear reflective armor and navigate the dunes in solar-powered vehicles, embracing the harsh environment as a source of strength.

## The Heralds of The Imperium

In M89.317, the Emperor would reveal Himself to the inhabitants of Terra as the True-Ruler of Mankind under the Heavens, presenting Himself as a warlord of unparalleled power and might, and Enemy to the all standing powers who persist in their struggles against his Will. The Emperor in his preparations had meticulously crafted formidable armies of million strong Legions and gene-enhanced warriors, assembling His forces and those who rallied freely to His cause. These many breeds of genetically-enhanced soldiers and the Legions who marched with them would serve as the initial foundations of the Imperial Army, with the Pantheon of Gene-forged warriors who marched for the Emperor later becoming the prototypes for the renowned Imperial Marines.

With these exceptional armies at His command, the Emperor embarked on a grand campaign to conquer Terra, with the ultimate objective of unifying the warring, brutalist nations under a single planetary government. However, His true strength lay not solely in His military prowess, but also in His rationality, farsightedness, and unparalleled mastery of science and sorcery—an aspect that only a few truly comprehended or anticipated as over the course of the fifteen century long Terran Unification Wars, the Emperor's forces conquered vast territories of Old Earth, vanquishing those who refused to join or actively fought against His cause. This conquest, whilst bloody in its march, was not driven purely by ambition and bloodshed, for in it was a greater purpose. As within the realms under the Emperor's dominion, fear and blind faith were systematically dismantled, replaced by a belief and reverence of order, unity and rationality with the Emperor at its center. Throughout this tumultuous period, the Emperor's armies encountered and overcame numerous brutal rulers who had held sway over their territories for millennia through their wars. Warlords, Despots and Mad-Kings such as those who ruled the Madlands of Gar, the Gyptian Empire, the Sud'arikan tribal Blood-Kings and the infamous Kosteo Ahdeti, Tyrant of the Great Spire of Les, all met their demise as the Emperor's forces advanced.

One significant battle during this time was the Twelve Battles for the Ural Cluster, fought against the Iron-Tsariat Untilov Andrei from M89.317 - M89.873, within the frozen lands of Ursholia. A protracted and grueling collection of Sieges that lasted for 556 years as the I'carion 7-12th Iron-Hides clashed constantly with the Ursholian Glazok Guard. Billions died in the enduring centuries, until eventually the Emperor took to the field, his presence forcing inexplicable psychic phenomena to occur across the frost wastes. It was in this final battle that Untilov met his final defeat at the hand of the emperor himself. Subsequently, the kingdoms of Ursholia, exhausted from the centuries of war, would submit to the Emperor's authority upon threat of a final extinction.

Since then, the armies of the Emperor would prove to be a nearly unstoppable collection of forces, swiftly subjugating the remaining techno-barbarian warlords through a combination of military might and diplomatic negotiations. And as the Emperor's campaign for Unity trudged on, it would be witness to unimaginably colossal battles that would rage for years to even solar centuries, with casualties numbering in the millions, reshaping landscapes, and rending continents apart. It was during this period that the Emperor established various supplemental military organizations, including the Imperial Militancy, which would later form the core of the armed forces supporting His Imperial Legions in the momentous task of reconquering the galaxy. Among the noteworthy units that emerged during the Terran Unification Wars were the venerable Taipan Urban Riders, The Radskulls of Zamba, and the Black Basin Swordbearers. These regiments, along with other esteemed veteran units make up the *"Old Priscillians,"* the pillars of the Imperial Line Army, earning respect and admiration for their long-standing service under the Throne of Terra.

#### The Legio I'carion

The Emperor's genetic engineering techniques had played a crucial role in creating and strengthening his early armies. As with his hidden laboratories beneath the Kilaminjanto Mountain Chain, along with the Marean Genetics Foundation upon Luna, the Emperor and the Imperial Biotechnical Division would spend the centuries prior to the Unification Wars in studying genetic research. Centuries of work had gone into the most elite among his first generation of genetically-engineered supersoldiers. These warriors, known as the I'cartes Regiments, and referred to as the Legio I'carion in High Argothic. Through genetic engineering and meticulous selection, these "standard" gene-enhanced soldiers exhibited the characteristics of the ideal Human warrior—superior physical resilience, strength, and endurance, surpassing even the greatest of their techno-barbarian adversaries--Surpassing even the later Imperial Marines in terms of physical strength and combat prowess. However, the I'cartes as a fighting force were engineered to be ruthless killers, lacking many of the noble aspects and the significantly extended lifespans of the later Marines. The I'cartes would serve as a means to an end, as the Hammer of which the Stellar imperium was sculpted and were never intended to be integrated into the Emperor's new realm after the attainment of Unity.

Assuming the name of the *"Old Priscillians,"* along with the other Combat Regiments of antiquity, the I'cartes would help in forming the core of the initial military forces even in the waning years of the Terran Unification Wars. As with the onset of The Primaris Founding in M90.474, wherein the First 8 Imperial Legions were Formed, these prototype regiments would eschew retirement as they continued to serve the Emperor alongside their newborn kin through the Unification of Sol.

In the annals of Imperial history, the final battle of the Unification Wars, known as the Battle of Mount Forra'kiir, holds a prominent place. Fought in the Kingdom of Urartu, it was here that the remaining I'cartes met their end. According to the chronicles, the renowned I'cartes Warrior Croa Idaeus, known as the "Defiant Storm," raised the Banner of Lightning during the final declaration of Unity, signifying the Emperor's rule over all of Terra. Croa Idaeus succumbed to his wounds, symbolizing the heroic sacrifice of the I'cartes in securing the last and greatest victory for the Emperor.

However, it is essential to note that this heroic version of events was a fabrication. Contrary to the recorded account, not all of the I'cartes perished during the final battle of the Terran Unification Wars.

One source suggests that it was the nascent Xth Legion, alongside the Legiones Seraph, who were tasked with eliminating the remaining I'cartes, shortly after the introduction of the Angelus. The I'cartes Warriors had rebelled against the Emperor upon discovering that their imperfect genetic augmentations led to their eventual decline into insanity and death. Feeling betrayed by their creator, they were mercilessly eradicated on the Emperor's orders. This grim truth remained concealed from the people of the Imperium, expertly veiled by the Emperor himself.

Nevertheless, there were valid reasons behind this betrayal. The I'cartes were distinct from the Angelus who would succeed them; they were specifically created for war and possessed little suitability for other endeavors. Once peace was established on Terra, the existence of the I'cartes posed a potential risk to the stability of the newborn state due to their inherent flaws, which led to mental instability and premature deaths caused by metabolic collapse within their ranks.

Initially, the Emperor refrained from replenishing their numbers as they fell in battle or succumbed to madness. However, He eventually decided to take more active measures. According to the Journals of Croa Idaeus, the final culling of the I'cartes occurred following the victorious Battle of Unity and was carried out by the Legio Seraph. Only these soldiers within the Imperial armies possessed the capability to defeat the Thunder Legion.

Another account suggests that even before the Unification Wars had concluded, the I'cartes themselves came to realize that their creator had cursed them with shortened lifespans as a result of imperfect genetic augmentations. In response to what they perceived as betrayal, they turned against the Emperor. The defense of the Emperor during this rebellion was conducted by several hundred Seraphim, believed to be led by the legendary Focalor Turanis, accompanied by several thousand prototype Angelus from the Ist and Xth Legions of the nascent Space Marines. In a merciless purge, the obsolete and rebellious gene-soldiers were eradicated by their own allies.

While some I'cartes managed to escape this fate, the majority of those who survived the Unification Wars met their end at the hands of their supposed allies.

By the time the Terran Unification Wars commenced, the Human population of Terra had endured the horrors of the Black Millennia, a prolonged period characterized by ceaseless warfare and the use of devastating weapons of mass destruction, resulting in significant environmental damage to Old Earth.

Under the Emperor's leadership, Humanity would be restored intellectually, spiritually, and physically to the heights it once knew, shedding the burdens of darkness that had plagued it.

The war persisted tirelessly until finally, all of Old Earth's techno-barbarian factions, nations, and fractured city-states pledged their allegiance to the Emperor, unifying Terra for the first time in millennia.

Yet, military victory alone was insufficient. The betterment and restoration of Humanity required more comprehensive measures. Therefore, even before victory on Terra had been achieved, the Emperor and the enlightened minds who had gathered around Him commenced genetic experimentation.

The primary objective was to stabilize the existing population of Terra and to restore the human race to its pre-degradation state, reversing the effects of radiation storms and the detrimental impact of generations of viral and alchemical weapons.

Simultaneously, the creation of genetically augmented transhuman warriors, which had begun with the I'cartes in the Emperor's armies, progressed to more potent and advanced iterations, ultimately culminating in what would later be renowned as the Imperial Marine Legions.

However, the Emperor's most remarkable achievement lay in the purification of Mankind's genetic code, elevating it to a new baseline that reflected the true essence of "Human" as defined in the eras preceding the Age of the Long Dark.

With the ascendancy of Humanity came a rebirth of civilization and governance on Terra. The Emperor established an all-encompassing civil administration to rebuild and order His world. Houses of learning and education were established to gather and preserve salvaged knowledge and wisdom from the dust-covered ages. This restoration and unification of Terra were merely the beginning.

Following the completion of the Unification Wars in the mid-90th Millennium, the Emperor cemented a unified planetary government under His leadership. His next undertaking led Him to Jupiter, where He met with the Adepts of the Vix Cult.

In exchange for access to the ancient Mechanicum's vast manufactoria, the deployment of its Titan Legions, Knights, Skitarii Legions, and orbital shipyards to construct the weaponry and starships required for the Great Crusade, the Emperor granted the Mechanicum complete autonomy on Jupiter and its other Forge Worlds. He also exempted them from the religious submission mandated by the Stellaris Divinatum.

These agreements, known as the Treaties of Jupiter or The Jovian Edicts, represent the true foundation of the Stellar Imperium—the alliance between Terra and Jupiter. It marked the beginning of the Emperor's grand design to reclaim the galaxy for Humanity, forging a future where knowledge, progress, and reason would reign supreme.