Claws of Xipac

> "*I do not enjoy war, and nor do my sons. The chance of this crusade ending and the galaxy being at peace is already far too slim to measure, and the second we begin to enjoy the war then our dream of peace dies first. This is not to say that I will hold back, I will fight with all of my fury - only that I might seek its end.*"
> ― Necalli, sharing his thoughts on the Great Crusade.
>
>

## The Claws of Xipac

### **Warcry**

The legion chant various songs of war native to Achcauhcapalli.

The Claws of Xipac - formerly The Longstriders - are the IIIrd of the Legiones Astartes. Superstitious and traditional warriors, the Claws march to war chanting and singing, fervently under the banner of the Emperor of Mankind - *Xipac* in their Cuhalani tongue.

Lead by the fearsome Necalli of Achcauhcapalli, the Claws of Xipac are terrifying close quarters combatants who specialise in isolating, scattering and beheading their foes. Stalking like predators, the Claws are masters of covertly ambushing unsuspecting enemies before unleashing devastating all-out assaults. Just as the ground forces hunt and prowl, hundreds of dropships and jetpack armed troops wait on baited breath for the precise moment the ambush is launched. Rapid aerial deployment of a full battleline to cut off a retreating or scattered foe end most conflicts as soon as they start.

Suffering from a dark past dealing with the geneflaw of their primogenitor, the Longstriders were often seen as a doomed legion. Until their reunification with Necalli the legion was losing more and more of its Astartes to the *Emptiness* - later referred to as *Milpa* - and it seemed only a matter of time before the whole legion succumbed. When the Emperor and the Longstriders first landed on the verdant green Achcauhcapalli, only the most stoic and stern remained among the legion. Since Necalli was reinstated as the commander of his legion the Claws have fought with a fiery determination and strength of purpose. The *Milpa* has become increasingly rare among the sons of Necalli, but lingers ominously beneath the surface.

Heralding from a Feral World the Claws of Xipac and Necalli were often misunderstood and mistaken for savages with little capacity for anything but warfare. This was incredibly contrary to their true nature, as Necalli encouraged his sons to engage in arts, music and other cultural pursuits. Necalli, and many of his sons, had little taste for war and deeply longed for it to end. The culture of Achcauhcapalli - a culture that deeply ingrained itself within the legion - taught the young Primarch that conflict was as crucial to life as food and water, and that life could not continue with bloodshed. Pained by this knowledge, Necalli engaged in the Great Crusade with all of his might in hopes that he might find an end to it; and so the IIIrd legion conduct war at breakneck speed so they may be done with it sooner.

The Claws of Xipac held to a fairly standard legion organisation with one major difference. The First Teocalli was entrusted by the Primarch to act independant from the legion proper under the command of the Halach Uinik. The First Teocalli - *The House of Darts* - conducted important hunts at the Halach Uinik's discrection. Made entirely of legion Terminators and home to the elite Shorn, the Halach Uinik lead his Teocalli to war with determined strides; they forgoed the ambush and instead hunted their quarry relentlessly and weathered any condition in order to bring them down.

## Legion Homeworld

### **Achcauhcapalli**

Imperial designation **Doredya**, was a Feral World within the Segmentum Tempestus. To the natives the planet was named **Achcauhcapalli**, meaning *belt of emerald* in the Cuhalani language. A single grassland super-continent wrapped tightly around the planets equator; infrequent but heavy rainfall swept through to keep the vibrant plain thick with tall, green grasses.

Whilst tall mountain ranges spanned the coasts, separating the natives from the vast ocean, they provided the cities with vast quantities of stone and gold for the giant, multi-tiered, flat topped pyramids that marked the center of Achcauhcapallian life. These thirteen great temples were home to a cities leaders and priesthood and were the site of daily rituals.

Despite cultural similarities and a shared language between the temple cities of Achcauhcapalli, frequent raids and warfare occurred with savage and ritual intent. Superstitious tradition dictated the daily lives of the priests and the warriors alike, as captives were taken from their neighbours and sacrificed in a combination of fire and blood. According to Achcauhcapalli legend the sun was fueled by the constant shedding of blood and that peace in the day could not exist without war at night.

Mirroring the jagged spine of the Great Plains, lay the dormant and empty ruins of a more advanced human civilization, known as Tlahueliloc, or evil places. The temple cities skirted the northern and southern walls of mountains to avoid the evil said to linger within the cavernous walls of Tlahueliloc. These overgrown, ghostly cities looked similar to those of modern Achcauhcapalli, but upon closer inspection they were laced with unknown technologies and scripts. No Achcauhcapallian lingered long enough to explore deeply.

It was fair to speculate that the fall of whatever Achcauhcapallian civilization came before led to the superstition and reverence of those who since called the super-continent their home.

### Temple Cities of Achcauhcapalli

#### **Xoco**

Home of the Primarch, Necalli, and the location of the great temple of Xocoyotl, the largest on Achcauhcapalli. Xoco was governed by High Priest Oltencatl, who quickly identified, fostered and utilised Necalli's talents to help his home become the most prominent temple city.

#### **Quetzalco**

Quetzalco sat further from its neighbour Xoco than Chipalli on the other side, and so often avoided the ire of the Xococi. The Quetzalci preferred to attack when unseen. Most raids were conducted whilst their foe were themselves out to raid. Striking from the darkness and when unexpected the Quetzalci retreated as quickly as they came.

#### **Chipalli**

The Chipaloc were common enemies of Necalli during his youth. The close proximity between Xoco and Chipalli fostered a lasting rivarly between the temple cities.

#### **Atl**

Atl is perhaps the most beset upon temple city along the belt of emerald. Built further inland than its rival cities the Atl warriors are often engaged from four directions.

#### **Teuidira**

Known to the Xococi as the *Terror in the East*. The Teuidira were perhaps the most ferocious and succesful raiders on Achcauhcapalli before the arrival of the star-child, Necalli, in Xoco.

#### **Zipachui**

The Zipachui are flanked on either side by the relentless Teuidira and the zealous Cuauhtl. Fighting in a much more defensive fashion, the Zipachui utilise the most ranged warfare among the temple cities. Swathes of bow armed warriors protect the perimiter of Zipachui lands.

#### **Cuauhtl**

Supposedly the first city founded after Tlahueliloc, the Cuauhtl claim responsibility for the language of Achcauhcapalli and are often regarded as the wisest and most spiritual of the temple cities. High Priest Maxtla often fights alongside his warriors, who are famous for the roar of their war-chants.

#### **Tlachinolli**

Known as the city of water. Tlachinolli is home to a winding mountain path that breaks through to the ocean. Perilous journeys are made frequently to the vast body of water, but the severity of the terrain makes transporting building materials one way too difficult. The Tlachinolli are unique in that they are the only temple city with access to fish, however.

#### **Momozco**

The temple city of Momozco climbs high up the great mountains. Built on the slope of the mountain Momozco finds itself practically unassailable from raids but must plan their own hunting parties more carefully due to the steep climb.

#### **Zuzoh**

Of all the temple cities, Zuzoh lies closest to Tlahueliloc; its people seemingly not fearing the same fate as their kin. The warriors from Zuzoh are resolute in all things and fight with a fearlessness that borders on madness.

#### **Mecatl**

The Mecatlli people have the largest hunting ground surrounding their temple city, with a great distance between themselves at Tlahueliloc.

#### **Iccauhhua**

The city of gold. Iccauhhua sits atop a massive gold mine, supplying its people with vast wealth. Protected from the north by Tlahueliloc, the Iccahhuan people often find themselves at war with the Xochitl who are drawn to them by the seemingly unending supply of precious metals.

#### **Xochitl**

High Priest Xidira of Xochitl is a rarity among the temple cities. Xidira is driven by the desire to conquer the nearby Iccauhhua once and for all, rather than conduct raids and capture sacrifices.

## Legion Geneseed

The geneflaw of the Claws of Xipac is not one that makes itself obvious like that of the Silver Basilisks. The geneseed of Necalli carries with it a resounding misery that lingers deep in the psyche, gnawing at the back of the mind. When left to their thoughts the Claws struggle with their own position in the galaxy and the Great Crusade.

Before they were reunited with their sire, the Longstriders suffered from a sudden downward spiral and character shift that was known only as *Emptiness*, wherein the Astartes would find no reason to their existence and long only for death. This occurance has since been named the *Milpa*, after the ritual that took place on Achcauhcapalli among the elderly. When they felt they were becoming a burden to their families, elderly Achcauhcapallians would walk out of the temple city, through the vast fields of corn, or *Milpa*, and onto the great plains. They would not return.

The *Milpa* was widespread in the time before Necalli took command of the legion. A select few high ranking officials - many of whom moved into the position of Master of the Fire once Achcauhcapalli was found - took it upon themselves to make sure these warriors afflicted were removed. The suffering marine would be accompanied closely into combat by one of these individuals, and would regrettably not return from the battlefield.

Necalli brought great hope and stability to his legion. His presence at the helm inspired the, now renamed, Claws of Xipac, and filled them with purpose. The Cutter was informed about the *Emptiness*, and it was he who made the connection with the *Milpa* of his homeland. The Masters of the Fire were created shortly after, they were to be cultural and spiritual advisors and act support for the astartes of the IIIrd. Each marine looked to the Masters for guidance when things looked bleak, and in turn the Masters looked to Necalli. Each link in the chain - from Captain, to Master to Primarch - being hugely important to the stability of the legion, and the minds of the Claws.

The geneflaw did not come from nowhere, however. The Primarch himself from time to time suffers from the same *Milpa* as his sons. Necalli cannot reveal his weariness or struggle to anyone, and so looks to his brothers for kinship and a break from his war, as his own sons look to him.

Due to the Claws overall distaste for warfare and longing for peacetime, compliances and warfronts that ground to a halt with attrition sparked the *Milpa* moreso than any other conflicts in the Great Crusade. When no end was in sight the Claws began to struggle with their nature.

## Notable Claws of Xipac

### Pre-Apostasy

**Necalli (Daemon Primarch) -** The Cutter of Men, Primarch of the IIIrd Legiones Astartes, and perhaps one of the most deadly warriors in the galaxy behind the Emperor. Necalli was the embodiment of how his legion conduct their warfare; he was reserved and thoughtful, considering all options before making his decision, but once his mind was made he committed himself entirely. Known as Tocayotia - he who gives a name - to the majority of his legion, Necalli adopted the role of loving father to his sons - he steadied them in conflict, and tempered them in peacetime. Necalli was the beating heart of the IIIrd legion. Early on in the Apostasy Necalli fell pray to the dark machinations of Surmah who, along with Nikandros, Sakari and the High Vicars of the Hounds, worked on a daemonic ritual to ensure Necalli's ascension to daemonhood. Necalli became one of the Warmaster's most formidable weapons in the war against the Loyalist forces. It took the combined might of Charon and Shaaa during the Frontier Wars to banish the daemonic Necalli to the warp.

**Xoticue (Halach Uinik)** - Xoticue was the first of The Longstriders to undergo the renaming process and join the Claws of Xipac and long term Halach Uinik of the House of Darts. As legion master of the Longstriders, Xoticue proved himself an incredibly competent and determined leader, leading his legion through the *Emptiness*. It was during this time that Xoticue formed a lifelong bond of brotherhood with Nikandros, as the two battled against their very nature to maintain control of a collapsing legion. Honoured with the title of Halach Uinik by his Primarch, Xoticue commanded the First Teocalli and the mighty Shorn during the Great Crusade. During the Great Feast of the Primarchs, Xoticue was elected legion champion by ah'kin Nikandros and the Primarch. Reluctant to participate but tasked by his lord, Xoticue faced Durath of the Ashen Crows and was eliminated from the tournament in the first round. Xoticue took his failure as a personal insult and once the legion fell to Khorne during the Apostasy he dedicated himself and the full might of his Teocalli to hunting the 'Champions' who had also fought in that tournament. During the First Siege of Terra, Xoticue tore through the Loyalist forces savagely, killing the Five Reborn of the Watchers of Akhet before being slain by Imothes. During the Frontier Wars, Xoticue was seen leading the Shorn on countless raids of Imperial planets.

**ah'kin Nikandros -** Nikandros acted as the left hand of the Primarch where Xoticue was the right. A native Terran, Nikandros was always the guide to his brothers, and during the Emptiness, he bore the grim task of dispatching those who fell to their own minds and maintaining the ever dwindling morale. On Achcauhcapalli, Necalli recognised his efforts, and offered Nikandros both titles and a new name to honour him for bearing the legions hardship. Nikandros refused them all, even the Cuhalani name that so many of his brothers adopted. He told his gene-father that there would always be a divide between those of Terra and those of Achcauhcapalli and that by keeping his Terran name he would be the bridge that crossed that gap. Necalli agreed, though insisted that once the legion took the new mantle of The Claws of Xipac, Nikandros would take up the name 'Longstrider', the legions cognomen prior, to show where he had come from and where he had been forged. Nikandros became the first of the Masters of the Fire, the IIIrd legions rankless society of advisors and guides, and despite those among the Masters holding no official rank within the legion and no Master being higher than another, all payed deference to the Longstrider and Necalli was rarely seen without his friend and advisor. During the Apostasy, Nikandros worked closely with Sakari of the Hounds of Surmah and was instrumental in the ascension of Necalli to Daemon Prince of Khorne. After Necalli's banishment at the hands of Shaaa Hydrades, Longstrider became the commander of the Khornate Claws of Xipac.

**Milintica** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Etalpalli** (Tlatoani) **-** Native born and keen to join the legion, Etalpalli quickly rose through the ranks to become Tlatoani of the Third Teocalli - the House of the Sky. Embodying the fighting style of his Teocalli, Etalpalli made such common use of the Ehecatl he even soared into battle alongside them, wielding brutal lightning claws and never turning away an opportunity. As the Apostasy erupted across the galaxy, Etalpalli became the first Warp Talon among the traitor forces and lured his kin from the House of the Sky to join him in his dark fate.

**Yayauhqui** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Tonauac** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Chicahua** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Ohtli** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Manauia** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Namacuix** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Xihuitl** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Ilhicamina** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Mahuizoh (Tlatoani) (Deceased) -** Known to his brothers as *Golden Mahuizoh* for the elaborate golden artificer armour he wore. Mahuizoh was Master of the House of Gold and a determined loyalist. After the betrayal of the Watchers of Akhet, Mahuizoh confronted ah'kin Nikandros to call off the assault. The Longstrider ritualistically cut Mahuizoh's throat and forced the remaining loyalists to flee the battle. Mahuizoh was succeeded by his Tecuhtli, Cualli, who went on to lead the loyalist forces in rebellion against the chaos infested legion.

**Eztli** (Tlatoani) **-**

**Cualli (Teuhtli) -** Cualli was Tecuhtli of the House of Gold under the command of Mahuizoh, before his murder at the hands of Longstrider. Taking command of the loyalist remnants of the legion, Cualli worked closely to hinder the progress of the Claws of Xipac throughout the Apostasy. A cult-like fervor arose among the loyalists toward Golden Mahuizoh, and they attempted on many occasions to recover elements of his artificer armour from the clutches of Chaos.

## Legion Fleet

### Notable Vessels

**The Spirit of Duality** - Gloriana-class Battleship - Necalli's Flagship.

**Where the Sun Moves** - The flagship of the House of Darts, Xoticue and the Shorn.

## Legion Relics

* **Wanu and Llani** -
* **[Name]** - Legion Appearance

## Legion Apperance

The sandstone power armour worn by the IIIrd is reminiscent of the great temple cities of Achcauhcapalli.

The green greaves remind the marines about the planet beneath their feet and why they fight.

The red shoulder trim symbolises the burden of bloodshed they must bear for their father and Emperor.

### Legion Badge

The ornate badge of the Claws of Xipac shows a clawed hand grasping at the Boasting Sun of Achcauhcapalli.