Drifting

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(To be added)

The tropical moon of **Drifting**, in orbit over the planet Brine, is rich with all manner of mineral resources and organic lubricants. Thus, the Adeptus Mechanicus who arrived with the Blood Angels built an extraction outpost near the equator. Over the course of a millennium, however, the outpost expanded until it began to take the form of a nascent forge world. Now that the majority of "The Fathers of the First Light" have died off, their descendants have decided to convert the entirety of the moon into a forge world in their memory. Though only half converted, Drifting manages to output enough production that the forces on Brine below are able to sustain their war.

## History

The original members of forge world Drifting where simply the Mechanicus coven that arrived along side the Blood Angels in M38. The highest members would eventually be known as "The Fathers of First Light" and would be mythologized by later generations. Their original goal was to set up a base with just enough production to support the Astartes on Brine below. However, as the centuries went on, the growing need for resources forced the Mechanicus to spread outward and built up.

The major element that altered this priesthood of the Adeptus Mechanicus was the discovery of the "organic lubricants" naturally produced by flora on Drifting. Though found accidentally, the Fathers of First Light came to highly value these strange fluids and thus the majority of Tech Priests on Drifting would begin using them frequently within both their machines and their own bodies.

After a few millennia, the organic lubricants have become a major part of the culture on Drifting and the majority of Tech-Priests venerate it highly. Even the Skitarii are allowed to partake in ingesting the sacred fluids during specific ceremonies and celebrations. It works wonders on boosting moral despite often putting a hamper on productivity, though the archipelago tech-priests have become far more patient than their "sober" brethren on other forge worlds.

## Floral Integration

Initially, the Adeptus Mechanicus treated the native flora and fauna of Drifting the same it would with any other world; by burning and polluting it. However, the fauna proved to be especially hardy and quick to grow, resulting in a war of attrition between the First Fathers and the growing tropical forests that surrounded their base. It became such an intense drain on resources that they were forced to cease indiscriminate "clearing" of forestry in favor of building around the vegetation. More conservative hierophants of the Cult Mechanicum would be appalled by the idea that these priests were "bending to the way of the plant" but the situation was dire enough that they would have to be patient until a time when worldwide cleansing would be possible.

Over time, however, Mechanicus forces became more and more acquainted with the wild flora and began to allow it to grow into their structures and sanctums. Though often pruned and kept in check as to not create blockages, this foliage typically is allowed to exist within the walls and pipe systems of the Forge. This leniency towards plantlife also allows for the cultivation of the fruits that create the "sacred lubricant" that Archipelago Tech-Priests often ingest. A liquid that not only restores neural tissue but also keeps cogs and sprockets turning easily inside their blessed chassis.