vizn3r/warhammer40k-lore huggingface dataset:
Squigs - Sources: Codex: Orks (4th Edition), pp. 7, 42Codex: Orks (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), "Orky Know-Wots", pp. 15-16, 24, 212-213, 223Codex: Orks (8th Edition), pp. 53, 103, 126Dark Heresy: Creatures Anathema (RPG), pg. 101'Ere We Go: Orks in Warhammer 40,000 (1st Edition), pp. 5, 8, 28, 69, 91, 93, 99, 108, 188Freebooterz: Space Ork Army Lists, pp. 5, 8Imperial Armour Volume Eight - Raid on Kastorel Novem, pg. 75Ork Collector's Guide, pp. 4, 42Rogue Trader: Into the Storm (RPG), pg. 143Rogue Trader: Koronus Bestiary (RPG), pg. 82The Art of Warhammer 40,000, pg. 189Waaargh: Orks, pg. 5-6, 21, 28, 30, 31, 34-35, 59, 69, 84-85Warhammer 40,000 Collectible Card Game (CCG)Warhammer 40,000 Rulebook (6th Edition), pg. 203Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (Collector's Edition Artbook)Warhammer 40,000: Munitorum - Bomb Squigs (Digital Edition)White Dwarf 145 (UK)White Dwarf Weekly 53 (31 January 2015), pp. 34-36Xenology (Background Book), pp. 86-87Deff Skwadron (Graphic Novel) by Gordon Rennie and Paul JeacockForge World - Monstrous Squig HerdForgeworld: Warhammer Forge: Colossal SquigForge World - Night Goblin Command SetForge World - Night Gobline Squig GobbaForge World - Monstrous Squig HerdForge World - Ork SquiggothForge World - Ork Gargantuan SquiggothGames Workshop Online Catalogue: Ork Warboss with Attack SquigGames Workshop Online Catalogue - Cave SquigsGames Workshop Online Catalogue - Gnarly Cave SquigsGames Workshop Online Catalogue - Mangler SquigsGames Workshop Online Catalogue - Night Goblin Warboss on Great Cave SquigGames Workshop Online Catalogue - Night Gobline Squig HoppersGames Workshop Online Catalogue - Night Gobline Squig Hoppers (Cymbals)Warhammer Community - Warhammer Preview Online – Faith & DamnationWarhammer Community - The Legend of Da Great White Squig, and the Only Ork Stubborn Enough to Ride It
Sslyth - Sslyth: The Sslyth are a sentient xenos race of reptilian creatures with a snake-like lower body and vaguely humanoid torso, though they sport multiple arms and a head more serpentine than human.As true Drukhari make rather dubious bodyguards due to their treacherous nature, instead, Archons employ these more reliable alien mercenaries.Of all the species to haunt Commorragh's satellite realms, most Dark Eldar Archons have found the Sslyth to be the most reliable -- and survivable -- bodyguard species available for hire.These four-armed, serpentine monstrosities hail from a world long lost to the caress of She Who Thirsts, yet their short-sighted and self-indulgent nature makes them safe enough for the Drukhari to exploit.All but inured to physical pain, and happy to be paid in slaves and sensory gratification, these alien warriors make excellent, if dull-witted bodyguards.
Sslyth - Sslyth in the Expanse: The Sslyth are intelligent and most xenologists believe they can understand and even communicate in various languages. They have been known to work with other xenos species, especially the enigmatic Aeldari.When questioned about the Sslyth, the Aeldari however do not discuss them or any bargains they have made with them. Some more infamous Imperial trader captains have been reported to be trying to hire Sslyth as mercenaries, but as far as anyone knows, none have as yet succeeded.Given the nature of the Koronus Expanse, though, it is very possible these captains have kept the matters as private as possible, lest the actions of their xenos employees be traced back to them. The Sslyth would make excellent hired fighters if such a bargain could be struck, as they are tenacious in combat, seemingly able to disregard enemy distractions as they go about their duty.Many explorers in the region hold that this could be the result of conditioning programs implanted by their masters, but others who have watched the creatures in action hold their behaviour more resembles that of debauched addicts, too fallen to their excesses to mark what happens around them.The Sslyth have been found on several different planets and regions in the Expanse, usually in small packs of no more than six, but occasionally larger groups have been sighted as well. If they are seen with any technology, it is always of another species' make.They seem to prefer the vicious shard weapons favoured by the Drukhari, but it is unknown if this indicates they are a subservient race to those cruel xenos or simply have greater access to their weapons. There are also no records of actual Sslyth voidcraft either, and many xenologists hold the Sslyth can only travel through the stars at the whim of their employers.Storytellers in the Expanse tell that the Sslyth are an ancient xenos culture that fell to darkness long ago, but then that is a common way to speak of almost every xenos race in these unlawful regions. There are those who speak of the Sslyth in the same breath as the Rak'Gol and whisper their name alongside such foul things as the Yu'vath, but this would seem an overly aggressive assessment of the threat they pose.Though there are few properly documented accounts, the Sslyth seem to function as dedicated fighters, well able to defend their employers in combat. Several pic-captures show them using multiple weapons at the same time and even reloading one weapon whilst firing another.In close-quarters fighting, their extra limbs can wield several barbed swords in a whirling shield of blades that few can penetrate. Most importantly, they are either well-paid or extremely loyal; some accounts have them fiercely holding ground to allow their masters to safely escape a conflict.There is little data concerning the race's origins, or how they came to be in the Koronus Expanse. To date they have not been sighted in the Calixis Sector, though it is very possible that none have survived such encounters to report them. Their presence in this area, like their motivations, remains yet another mystery of the Expanse.
Sslyth - Anatomy and Physiology: This xenos has two pairs of strong arms which work independently of one another, meaning a Sslyth has a great deal of dexterity and can even use multiple weapons at the same time. Sslyth are hairless and covered with thick, iridescent scales, and while the head is vaguely human there are no visible signs of ears outside of a small hole on each side of the Sslyth's head. The creature has large, wide-set eyes and instead of a nose, it has a pair of nasal pits.The Sslyth's lipless mouth holds a set of huge fangs that protrude from the upper jaw, along with a host of smaller sharpened teeth. A thin forked tongue flickers from its mouth, constantly tasting the air for prey. The senses of the Sslyth are overall quite advanced, displaying a far better sense of smell than humans, but with less-developed hearing.The Sslyth's lower body provides locomotion, with wide flat scales that allow the creature to grip the ground and pull itself along. They can move quickly and with good speed over most types of terrain, and their multiple arms along with their lengthy torso allow them to climb rapidly when needed. The scales are larger on its back and sides, and the roughly textured arms host strong hands able to easily crush a man.
Sssair Gleamling - Sssair Gleamling: Sssair Gleamling is a Keeper of Secrets, a Greater Daemon of Slaanesh who led a warband of daemons known as the Murderval. He was tricked into giving up control of the Murderval to a Daemon Prince of Tzeentch named Corflich Loatheheart and was imprisoned within the Impossible Fortress of the Lord of Change within the Realm of Chaos.
Sssair Gleamling - History: The origin of the Greater Daemon Sssair Gleamling is not known amongst the savants of the Imperium who study the dark secrets of daemonology. But what little information that can be gleaned from various sources is that Sssair Gleamling was once the master of a powerful warband of Chaos daemons known as the Murderval. The Dark Prince had formed this formidable host comprised of daemons from all four Chaos Gods in order to attack the Aeldari world of Lohiac in order to obtain souls.Slaanesh ensured the cooperation of the other Ruinous Powers by bargaining gifts and worlds to ensure their compliance. No less than four Aeldari Craftworlds banded together to defend the gateway on Lohiac that could gain the daemons entry into the Webway. The war between the Murderval and the Aeldari lasted for many solar years, until finally, the daemons closed in on their prize.The gateway was protected by 3 powerful Avatars of Khaine. Using great cunning and guile, Beasts of Nurgle known as the Mouldkin attacked the Avatars en masse. Distracted by this threat, Sssair Gleamling launched the Murderval into a flanking attack and utterly annihilated the Avatars. With the prize in their grasp, the daemons were ready to enter the Webway, but their plans were foiled with the arrival of a new threat in the form of a Drukhari host lead by a troupe of Harlequins.Bogged down by the Aeldari reinforcements, this allowed the Aeldari Seer Council to seal the Webway portal permanently, denying Slaanesh his prize. Sssair had failed his dark patron in achieving his covetous prize and had been defeated by the valiant efforts of the Aeldari of Lohiac. Leaving his host bloodied and humiliated, Sssair's power and influence was left waning.Soon a rival Daemon Prince sought to gain prominence in his stead. A beautiful and cunning Daemon Prince named Corflich Loatheheart sworn to the Lord of Change, Tzeentch, duped the Greater Daemon of Slaanesh into yielding the power of the Murderval into his stewardship. He promised Sssair Gleamling that he would return the daemonic host once it had claimed its millionth soul for his patron god Tzeentch. But Sssair had been tricked, and soon found himself imprisoned within the Impossible Fortress, Tzeentch's home within the Realm of Chaos, and the leadership of the Murderval fell under Corflich Loatheheart's control.
Staff of Light - Staff of Light: A Staff of Light is a device of arcane Necron technology that serves as both a symbol of rank and authority, as well as a potent weapon for Necron royals.Shaped like a traditional Necrontyr staff with an ornate headpiece, its haft is actually a disguised power generator rod; and the crest a finely tuned focussing device which allows the wielder to unleash searing bolts of viridian energy at a rapid rate towards the enemy.These beams are so potent that they are even capable of penetrating Astartes power armour with ease. As well as being capable of projecting devastating blasts of directed energy at range, a Staff of Light also serves a similar function to a power weapon in close combat.A Staff of Light is usually only found in the armouries of Necron royalty, including those belonging to Necron Overlords, Necron Lords or Necron Destroyer Lords. However, Crypteks of an unspecialised nature in their techno-sorcerous arts also commonly wield a Staff of Light in battle.
Staff of Light - Sources: Black Crusade: The Tome of Fate (RPG), pg. 121Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition), pp. 14, 54Codex: Necrons (5th Edition), pp. 82-83, 88-90Codex: Necrons (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), pg. 201
Staff of the Destroyer - Staff of the Destroyer: The Staff of the Destroyer is an ancient and ornamental Necron staff weapon carried by the Phaeron Imotekh the Stormlord, though it was first wielded by Zehet, the founder of the Zehet Dynasty.It has since been wielded by all of Zehet's successors, and has seen battle in the hands of every one. The Staff of the Destroyer is not only a symbol of his august rank for Imotekh, but also an unbelievably powerful weapon. Upon the battlefield, it can unleash a searing beam of pan-dimensional energy that can make a mockery of even the most heavily armoured foes.However, there is a small consolation for Imotekh's enemies, as the staff takes a significant amount of time to recharge its power for another blast.
Staff of Tomorrow - Staff of Tomorrow: Note: This page refers to the unique Necron weapon. If you are looking for the Chaos artefact wielded by the Lord of Change Kairos Fateweaver, please see Staff of Tomorrow (Chaos).The Staff of Tomorrow is a unique Necron weapon wielded only by the Necron Cryptek Chronomancer known as Orikan the Diviner. This unique example of advanced Necron time manipulation technology exists a fraction of a second ahead of any given moment in the normal space-time continuum.This property allows Orikan to strike at his target an instant before the foe even moves to do so. The Staff of Tomorrow can also penetrate all known forms of infantry armour, in a similar way to a Power Weapon, further enhancing its devastating effect in melee.
Staff of Tomorrow (Chaos) - Staff of Tomorrow (Chaos): Note: This page refers to the Chaos artefact. If you are looking for the unique Necron weapon wielded by the Cryptek Chronomancer Orikan the Diviner, please see Staff of Tomorrow.The Staff of Tomorrow was constructed by the two-headed Lord of Change Kairos Fateweaver himself, its core imbued with the arcane essence of rival Lords of Change. The rod is wrought of changefire, and is saturated with prophetic visions glimpsed in the Well of Eternity. It is a foundation worthy of bearing that which rests atop it -- the artefact known as Kairos' Tome of Destiny. This book records what both of the Fateweaver's heads proclaim, mixing insights into the shrouded past with visions of possible futures.As Kairos croaks, new text scribes across the pages, morphing and rewriting itself even as time and events unfold. To look upon those pages induces madness, but to be struck by the staff itself is worse, for it is flux made manifest. Those blessed by its touch ripple with agonising transmutations. As he is blind to the present, Kairos often uses the book as reference, judging his position in time by the pages currently being written.A rebellious Daemon Prince once managed to steal it away and plant it in the Garden of Nurgle in the Realm of Chaos. However, during one of the many battles of the Great Game, Kairos Fateweaver managed to infiltrate the garden and retrieve the staff, and now uses it to enhance his already potent precognitive and sorcerous abilities.
Staff of Tomorrow (Chaos) - Sources: Codex: Chaos Daemons (8th Edition), pp. 45, 91Index Chaotica - Garden of Nurgle (6th Edition) (Digital Edition)
Staff of Tzeentch - Staff of Tzeentch: A Staff of Tzeentch is a powerful Force Staff that can be wielded in battle by both Chaos Sorcerers in service to the Chaos God Tzeentch and the Greater Daemons of the Architect of Fate known as a Lord of Change.When used by a Lord of Change, a Staff of Tzeentch can unleash rampant mutation in its target, transforming them into a Chaos Spawn.
Staff of Ulthamar - Staff of Ulthamar: The Staff of Ulthamar was a famous psychically-impregnated staff wielded by Farseer Eldrad Ulthran of Ulthwé. It was similar to a Witchblade in combat, but had the added benefit that its damage would ignore a foe's armour to assault the being within directly.This made the Staff of Ulthamar an incredibly formidable close combat weapon, capable of carving through even Abaddon the Despoiler's ancient Terminator Armour during the titanic clash between the Chaos Lord and the Farseer upon the world of Andante IV during the 13th Black Crusade in 999.M41. The Staff of Ulthamar also served to channel Eldrad's already potent psychic powers into a force to be reckoned with.In prior canon it was assumed that the Staff was lost, along with Eldrad, aboard a Slaanesh-possessed Blackstone Fortress high above the Imperial Fortress World of Cadia during the final battle of the 13th Black Crusade.Since the change in the outcome of the 13th Black Crusade to result in the fall of Cadia, Ulthran was never present at that battle, and still wields the Staff of Ulthamar in the era of the Great Rift as an ally of the Ynnari.
Staff of Ulthamar - Sources: Codex: Eldar (4th Edition) pg. 51White Dwarf (UK) 266, "A Clash of Titans", pg. 104The 13th Black Crusade (Background Book)
Stalinvast - Stalinvast: Stalinvast was once a rich and thriving Hive World covered in coral-like city growths, between which grew vast blue-green jungles filled with teeming life and vicious predators.It was used in the manufacturing of weapons for the Imperium of Man, and became the site of a Genestealer-instigated rebellion against the Imperium in the early 39th Millennium.The planet was later the target of a falsified Exterminatus Order, and was subsequently reclassified as a Dead World.
Stalinvast - The Hydra: The Genestealer-lead rebellion on Stalinvast was ultimately extinguished by the Inquisitor Harq Obispal, his retinue of Acolytes, and the troops of the Stalinvasti Planetary Defence Force, with excess force and raw suppression, resulting in possibly millions of unnecessary civilian deaths.Obispal was also a member of the secret Inquisitorial conspiracy known as the Ordo Hydra, and the excessive zeal he had displayed in quelling the rebellion on Stalinvast had actually been intentional: the psychic force of the large number of deaths on Stalinvast served as the catalyst required to generate the Hydra, a bizarre Warp entity akin to a psychic virus.This entity was created by the Ordo Hydra as part of a plan to ultimately destroy Chaos by transforming Mankind into a single hive mind using the Hydra and then deploying the united psychic force of the entire human race against the Dark Gods within the Immaterium.The only price would be the complete enslavement of Mankind and the loss of all individuality. The Hydra was first unleashed on Stalinvast as a latent mind-virus.
Stalinvast - Destruction of Stalinvast: Obispal was unknowingly being watched by the Ordo Malleus Inquisitor Jaq Draco and his retinue of Acolytes, who were tasked with making sure that Obispal successfully dealt with the rebellion -- though Draco may have been sent to Stalinvast for other more nefarious reasons, that he was not at the time aware of.Draco discovered the existence of the Hydra mind-virus, and being ignorant of the existence of the Ordo Hydra and of its misguided plans, thought the planet irredeemably lost to Chaos.He subsequently ordered an Exterminatus on Stalinvast, but then rescinded the Order upon learning that the Hydra had withdrawn from the world.However, the Stalinvasti Astropath Moma Parsheen, who had been added to Draco's retinue after his arrival on Stalinvast, secretly sent the message on as vengeance for the suffering she had undergone at the hands of the Imperium because of her mutation. The Order was received by the Imperial Ravagers Space Marines who unleashed genocidal fury on Stalinvast.Apparently unaware of the truth of the matter behind the Exterminatus Order, the Ordo Malleus later declared Draco Heretic and Renegade because of the unsanctioned and unnecessary genocidal action taken against an important Imperial world.
Stalinvast - The Asuryani and the Dead World: The Asuryani later tried to use Stalinvast, by then a Dead World, as the site for an alien psychic ritual. This was due to the calamity which had befallen it and the residual energies that so much suffering left behind, which weakened the dimensional barriers between the Immaterium and realspace.The ritual involved the presence of an Asuryani "habitat" ship (a much smaller version of a craftworld) and a performance by a Harlequin troupe.However the Asuryani's plans were disrupted by the arrival of an Imperial Navy fleet, Inquisitors, and Space Marines, which apparently caused the Asuryani to abandon their plans.
Stalker - Stalker: The Stalker, also known as the Whirlwind Stalker, is a specialised, mobile anti-air platform and variant of the Whirlwind Hunter, itself a variant of the Whirlwind Artillery Tank.The Stalker is an adaptation of the Hunter Standard Template Construct (STC) that was unearthed by the Adeptus Mechanicus only a few standard millennia ago. Mounting a pair of independently tracking Icarus Stormcannons, the Stalker can target multiple enemy contacts, stitching the skies with a hail of armour-piercing death.The Stalker is a relatively new addition to the armouries of the Adeptus Astartes, having only been put into production relatively recently after its STC data was rediscovered.The Stalker is a vital part of a Space Marine Chapter's armoury and it is deployed as a rapid-firing anti-aircraft platform that is able to track and engage multiple enemy targets simultaneously.The Stalker's front and flank armour is thicker than most other Rhino-chassis-based vehicles, allowing the Stalker to deflect or absorb more incoming enemy fire.The Stalker's sides also feature hydraulic stabilisers that anchor the vehicle to the ground so that when it fires its anti-aircraft artillery it suffers no recoil and loss of accuracy.Space Marine battle tanks are not permanently attached to any one company. Instead they form a vehicle pool, and individual tanks are available for deployment to Space Marine commanders as required.Upon its creation, a Space Marine battle tank is assigned a name that reflects its role as a protector of the Chapter's brethren. From that point onwards, the vehicle is as much a part of the Chapter as the Space Marines themselves, and over the years its many deeds and victories will be celebrated as greatly as the Chapter's flesh and blood heroes.
Stalker - Armament: The Stalker is an anti-air variant of the standard Astartes Whirlwind Artillery Tank. The Stalker replaces the Whirlwind's Whirlwind Multiple Missile Launcher with an Icarus Stormcannon Array. Unsubtle and devastating, the Icarus Stormcannons are a twinned array of multi-barrelled ballistic cannons that have the capacity to track multiple targets at once.Each cannon is shackled to separate servo-minds that direct the cannon independently of each other. The weapons can fire upon separate targets, or if needed they can both fire upon the same target.Each salvo fired from the Stormcannons fills the air with hundreds of rounds of ammunition that are capable of tearing even the greatest winged Tyranid beast or potent enemy flyer from the sky.The Stalker can also be outfitted with Dozer Blades, Extra Armour Plating, a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, improved communications equipment, a Pintle-mounted Storm Bolter, a Searchlight, and Smoke Launchers.
Stalker - Firing Modes: The Stalker is capable of unleashing its Stormcannons in two different firing modes depending on the situation, as follows:Single Target Mode - The Stalker concentrates both its Stormcannons at the same target, and the weapons act as if they were twin-linked, firing in tandem. This sheer concentration of fire can bring down even the heaviest of enemy flyers.Dual Target Mode - The Stalker is capable of firing its Stormcannons independently of one another, each firing upon a different target at the same time. This reduces the sheer amount of damage that can be inflicted upon a single target but allows the Stalker to engage multiple targets effectively.
Stalker - Unit Composition: 1-3 Stalker Anti-Air Tanks
Stalker - Wargear: A standard Stalkerr is armed and equipped with:Icarus Stormcannon ArraySearchlightSmoke LaunchersA Stalker may take one of the following pintle-mounted weapons:Storm BolterStalkers may also have a variety of vehicle equipment such as:Dozer BladeExtra Armour PlatingHunter-Killer Missile LauncherArmoured Ceramite Plating
Stalker - Formations: The following is a list of known formations used by the Stalker:Anti-Air Defence Force - The Anti-Air Defence Force provides an Astartes strike force a formidible amount of anti-air protection. This formation is made up of both Hunter and Stalker anti-air tanks. The formation can include any number Hunters but must include at least two Stalker tanks.
Stalker - Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications: Whirlwind Stalker Anti-Air TankVehicle Name:Whirlwind StalkerMain Armament:Turret-mounted Icarus Stormcannon ArrayForge World of Origin:UnknownSecondary Armament:N/AKnown Patterns:UnknownTraverse:360 degreesCrew:1 Driver, 1 GunnerElevation:0 to 55 degreesPowerplant:Quad MkII Adaptable Thermic Combustor ReactorMain Ammunition:UnknownWeight:33 Tonnes (Approx.)Secondary Ammunition:N/ALength:6.6 metres (Approx.)Armour:Width:4.5 metres (Approx.)Height:5.0 metres (Approx.)Superstructure:UnknownGround Clearance:0.44 metres (Approx.)Hull:UnknownMax Speed On-Road:UnknownGun Mantlet:N/AMax Speed Off-Road:UnknownVehicle Designation:UnknownTransport Capacity:N/AFiring Ports:N/AAccess Points:N/ATurret:Unknown
Stalker - Also See: Imperial Vehicles
Stalker - Sources: Codex Adeptus Astartes - Space Marines (8th Edition), pp. 88-89, 175Codex Adeptus Astartes - Space Marines (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), "Battle Tanks", "Stalkers"Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition) (Revised Codex), pp. 85, 153Codex: Space Marines (6th Edition), pp. 100-101, 121, 176Codex Adeptus Astartes - Dark Angels (8th Edition), pp. 59, 117White Dwarf (September 2013) - Space Marine StalkerGames Workshop - Whirlwind Stalker / HunterWarhammer 40,000: Munitorum - Stalkers and Hunters (Digital Edition)Warhammer 40,000: Index Astartes - Volume I (Digital Edition)
Stalwart-class Escort Ship - Stalwart-class Escort Ship: The Stalwart-class Escort Ship is a convoy escort and planetary defence vessel, primarily used to protect merchant starships as they move to Mandeville Points at the fringes of a star system and to protect those arriving through the Warp from other systems. The Stalwart is not capable of FTL travel, but voidships of this type can be carried aboard Emperor-class Battleships and fleet patrol ships.The Stalwart will both guard and guide merchant voidships they escort through their home system. Drawing on the intimate knowledge their captains possess of their own localities, the Stalwarts plot a course to avoid potential hazards, such as asteroid belts, comets and the favoured hunting grounds of pirate ships. If a pirate or other aggressor attacks, the Stalwart can turn its laser batteries on it. Compared to the average sub-stellar pirate ship or rag-tag entourage of a planetary governor, a Stalwart squadron is a fearsome foe indeed. Though it lacks void shields, a Stalwart can use powerful blind field generators for defence instead.Blindfield generators produce a massive field of wide-spectrum electromagnetic interference, appearing something like black clouds of dense fog impossible to see through visually, with a similar effect on sophisticated voidship targeting systems. This provides complete protection for the merchant vessels behind it, also making the Stalwart difficult to target. If an enemy vessel closes in an attempt to penetrate the blind field, it comes within range of the Stalwart's own lasers.Although a hardy sublight defence ship, the Stalwart-class is no match for huge, Warp-capable warships, and if an Imperial convoy has the misfortune of getting caught up in a battle between such behemoths, Stalwart-class captains must trust to the defence of their blind fields and their luck even as they and their convoy are forced to thread a fearful gauntlet of weapons fire from their attackers.
Stalynthia - Stalynthia: Stalynthia is a Mining World controlled by the Severan Dominate and located in the Periphery Sub-sector of the Calixis Sector. It is currently a frontline in the conflict consuming the Spinward Front. The barren landscape of Stalynthia belies its tremendous wealth. In fact, this Mining World is arguably the Severan Dominate's most valuable asset. Though it is incapable of sustaining itself -- the world simply cannot produce adequate food for its population -- Stalynthia provides almost enough metallic raw materials to fulfil the needs of all of the manufactoria still controlled by the Secessionists.As long as they can harvest this planet's wealth and deliver the ores obtained to other star systems, the Severan Dominate is assured of at least some materials that they can commit to their war effort. Of course, such wealth makes the planet a target for almost all of the groups involved in the ongoing war effort in the Spinward Front.
Stalynthia - History: Not surprisingly, those who dwell upon the world have little knowledge of the value of its mineral wealth or of what a lynchpin their assets represent to the Severan Dominate. In fact, nearly all of Stalynthia's citizenry live in a state of near-abject squalor.It is not believed that this was always the case. Legends suggest that when humanity first colonised Stalynthia, its atmosphere may have been far clearer, and that the world might even have once been well-suited for agriculture. It was only after Imperial explorers discovered the abundance of precious ores throughout the world's crust that the ecological disaster began. In short order, virtually all of the world's citizens began to mine the surface. At first, this offered a degree of economic freedom to those who laboured to pry the valuable ores from the planet's crust.In time, a greater and greater proportion of the population turned to this occupation. This continued until the planet's pollution problems began, and the amount of arable land began to drop. Soon, members of the world's Imperial nobility began importing food and survival goods, which could be exchanged for the precious ores. Before long, virtually all of the miners were little more than indentured servants. This was an ideal situation for Duke Severus XIII, as he could quickly convert their desperation into a revolutionary mindset.
Stalynthia - Climate: Stalynthia has a heavily polluted atmosphere, which retains heat to a nearly insufferable degree. Centuries of aggressive strip mining have heavily polluted the planet's surface and her atmosphere. The air is thickly packed with particulates, reducing visibility to only a few metres on the clearest days. At times, conditions can be so severe that surface navigation is entirely dependent upon radar signals -- even the brightest of headlights are unable to pierce the densely polluted air.That same air is also extremely dangerous to the world's citizens. Mining operations are undertaken by all of the planet's inhabitants, from the moment they can lift a shovel to the day they can no longer stand. Rather than digging deep beneath the planet's surface, all of these mines are open to the sky. This has the benefit of reducing the number of collapses, as well as permitting virtually the planet's entire workforce to participate in isolating the most valuable of ores. However, even with the limited machinery in use, the constant digging has contributed to the increased air pollution. Dirt is constantly stirred up, and the planet's aggressive winds readily spin particulate matter into the atmosphere.A comparatively small amount of surface water and an extremely level surface are believed to contribute to Stalynthia's violent winds. There are few objects to disrupt the air as it flows across the world's surface. The gravitational effects of the planet's two small moons are believed to also play a substantial role in its violent atmosphere. Rain seldom graces Stalynthia's surface, but dust storms are a very common occurrence. The more intense storms are capable of flaying the flesh from an exposed human.Ironically, though Stalynthia's surface seldom sees direct sunlight, her surface is now far warmer than the legends suggest it might have been in the ancient past. It is believed that the planet's pollution has darkened the atmosphere, enabling it to absorb substantially more heat. This also diffuses the heat and light, so that the temperature varies little from day to night, also showing little seasonal variation. An additional consequence is that the planet's surface is always clouded in a gloomy twilight.Very few atmospheric craft are capable of travelling through Stalynthia's densely polluted air. The amount of matter suspended in the atmosphere is simply too destructive to traditional engines. Most craft which even attempt to enter the atmosphere crash upon the surface as their systems become hopelessly fouled. This makes transport extremely inefficient, and makes any military operations on Stalynthia cumbersome at best.
Standard Template Construct (STC) - Standard Template Construct (STC): A Standard Template Construct (STC) system was an advanced, artificially intelligent computer database created during the Age of Technology said to have contained the sum total of Human scientific and technological knowledge.The STC was invented when Human interstellar civilisation was at its technological peak. Introduced during the Age of Technology before the onset of the Age of Strife, an STC allowed workers to build anything from a Lasgun to a fortified bunker or the fearsome interstellar warships now used by the Imperial Navy.STC systems possessed the ability not just to store information but also to produce new designs to meet changing circumstances.Examples of STC technology still in use are the Rhino Armoured Personnel Carrier, the Land Raider and the Baneblade. Imperial forces (especially those of the Adeptus Mechanicus) will go to any length to recover a lost or stolen STC, or even a hard copy print-out from one, even if it means the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Imperial citizens.It is said that even the flimsiest rumors of an STC system will spark cross-galaxy journeys, titanic fleet search operations, and the spending of untold lives and treasure.An STC system was possessed by every group of Human interstellar colonists before the Age of Strife, allowing them to build all of the equipment necessary for survival on an untamed colony planet. During the Age of Strife the systems fell into disuse, were damaged or destroyed, and so became increasingly rare, until they were lost entirely.Some Imperial historians have theorised that scientists during the Age of Technology foresaw the coming of the Age of Strife, and created the STCs to ensure that their knowledge would not be lost to future generations.In the Age of the Imperium, after so many thousands of Terran years, it is unlikely that any have survived.What technological knowledge remains from the Age of Technology survives only in the form of STC hard-copies that have been preserved and copied over thousands of standard years by the Tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus, who believe that STCs are the most holy of artefacts, gifts to Mankind from the Machine God.
Standard Template Construct (STC) - History: The Age of the Imperium is not a technically-inclined era in Human history. It is an age where problems are solved by brute force and ignorance, where dangers are either too gross or too unthinkable to elicit any other response.Little, if any, technological innovation and invention exists in the Imperium of Man, and those that come into contact with advanced technology use it with reservations and a reverence that is almost religious.The Space Marines, for example, treat their equipment and armour as if it were imbued with a will of its own -- a fine chest-plate, well looked after and constantly maintained, may reward its wearer by saving his life; whereas a Space Marine who neglects his equipment may be struck down by a leaking suit or malfunctioning weapon. Such is the will of the Emperor.Much of the technology used by the Imperium of Man is recovered from Standard Template Constructs, or STCs. These databases were designed during the Age of Technology for use by Human settlers establishing colonies on newly discovered planets.Their prime function was to enable the colonists to construct any buildings, vehicles or other necessary tools and technologies without prior knowledge or expertise.Some Imperial historians have theorised that the scientists of the Age of Technology somehow foresaw the coming of the Age of Strife, and created the STCs to ensure that their knowledge would not be lost to future generations.The designs contained within an STC were intended to be able to cope with anything -- by the standards of their day they were rough and ready, big and brutish, hard to damage and easy to repair.During the Age of Strife Human civilisation reverted to pre-industrial barbarism, and almost all of the technological innovations of the previous millennia were lost or destroyed.All that survived from before that terrible time were debased and corrupted versions of the old STC designs, scattered and lost on thousands of back-water planets across the galaxy.These databases contain lost knowledge from the Age of Technology, and the Adeptus Mechanicus make it their business to find them -- the STCs are their equivalent of the most sacred of holy texts, a font of all knowledge, a quest for the holy grail.
Standard Template Construct (STC) - Design: The STC was an advanced, artificially intelligent computer data storage and fabrication system. It was designed to provide construction details for Human colonists during Mankind's early interstellar expansion across the Milky Way Galaxy before the massive Warp Storms of the Age of Strife brought an end to all interstellar travel and communication for several millennia.Each group of colonists carried such a system with them when they embarked for their new homes. It enabled the colonists to build efficient shelters, power generators and transports without any technical knowledge and using almost any locally available materials.The user simply asked how to build a house or a tractor and the computer supplied all the necessary plans in the form of holographic schematics.The rare complete STC Library is said to contain the total sum of all knowledge possessed by the great Human interstellar civilisation that existed before the onset of the Age of Strife.But as the technological level needed by the majority of the Human population at that time was simple, most STC systems were for producing relatively unsophisticated technology like threshing machines and simple transport aircraft, not Warp energy taps or holographic field emitters.Very few examples of STC schematics for the more advanced devices have been found. The STC systems themselves worked by providing in a hololithic format the full schematics for a machine, device or vehicle according to the given needs of the user.This resulted in the production of some extremely sturdy, functional designs still found throughout the Imperium. Since no confirmed reports of a fully functional STC Library have been made since the Age of Technology, the full nature and contents of the STC -- and what technological secrets and wonders it may still contain -- remains unknown.
Standard Template Construct (STC) - STCs in the Age of the Imperium: Although the most advanced technological information eludes the Adeptus Mechanicus in the Age of the Imperium, through their efforts, much has been either recovered or reconstructed through the comparison of copies of STC databases already held by the Tech-priests of Mars.Recovered STC data eventually led to the ability of the Imperium to construct such mighty vehicles as the Land Raider and Land Speeder, and rediscovered STC designs serve as the basis for all other Imperial technological advancement.While the STC would prove to be the crown jewel of Human technological achievement, they would also lead to the loss of that same knowledge. The Men of Iron, artificially intelligent (AI) constructs created by Humans to fight their wars and carry out tasks that might otherwise risk a Human life, eventually turned on their masters.This machine rebellion, the Cybernetic Revolt, sparked a major war with Humanity that would see much of the advanced interstellar Human civilisation that flourished during the Age of Technology destroyed and lost.This war occurred early in what was later named the Age of Strife, though it is unclear whether it came before or after the cataclysmic Warp Storms that destroyed the earliest interstellar Human empires.After Mankind's downfall and the following years of deep technological neglect and regression, it became very rare for an intact STC database to be found. Only through the recovery of the ancient print-outs from the full STC systems has Mankind scraped together much of its knowledge and its current understanding of advanced Dark Age technology.Known STC data in use by the Imperium at present has created the ubiquitous Land Speeder, the Thunderhawk gunship and the Land Raider of the Adeptus Astartes, along with Lasguns, starship components and most of the other advanced technologies of the 41st Millennium.Perhaps the most important fragments of any STC led to the creation of the Land Crawler, a farming and utility vehicle that has kept the worlds of the Imperium fed since its earliest days.
Standard Template Construct (STC) - M30-M31: Unknown Date.M30 - Technoarchaeologist Arkhan Land led an expedition into the Librarius Omnis of Mars. Within, he rediscovered the STC hard-copy templates for the Land Raider and Land Crawler. He also discovered the templates for rare anti-gravitic plates as well as recorded theories of their use. These would later be used in the development of the Land Speeder.Unknown Date.M30 - The STC designs for the Baal Predator were discovered on the planet of Atium III amidst the ruins of the Arch-heretek Lord de Ladt's fortress by the Blood Angels Space Marine Legion. The Blood Angels never handed the designs over to the ancient Mechanicum as Imperial law required and instead returned with them to their homeworld of Baal, where the original database remains to this day.Unknown Date.M30 - During the Great Crusade, the STC for the Leman Russ Tank was discovered by the Space Wolves Legion after they had destroyed the Noman xenos. They named the fruits of the STC in honor of their primarch, Leman Russ.Unknown Date.M31 - After the Imperial Compliance action remembered as the Battle of Sixty-Three Nineteen, 3 new STC fragments were recovered from the planet Sixty-Three Nineteen by the Luna Wolves Legion.Unknown Date.M31 - Just before the outbreak of the Horus Heresy the Warmaster Horus encountered a technologically advanced Human faction known as the Auretian Technocracy who still possessed some amount of Standard Template Construct-derived technologies. Having been corrupted by Chaos by this time, Horus declared war on them. After a brutal conflict, Horus gifted the recovered 2 STC fragments to the fabricator-general of Mars in return for the assistance of what became the Dark Mechanicum in his war against the Emperor of Mankind, but no more has been heard of it since then. It is possible the recovered technology, which included a new pattern of power armour and designs for lightweight solar generators capable of "supplying the power needs of an Epsilon 5 pattern forge complex", is still on Mars, hidden away and hoarded by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Star-delver Kindred - Star-delver Kindred: The Star-delver Kindred is a Kindred of the Leagues of Votann. It is an example of a Kindred that has been named after the defining nature of its Kin.
Star Bola - Star Bola: A Star Bola, or Tredail as it is known in the Aeldari Lexicon, is a close-combat weapon utilised exclusively by the mysterious Aeldari Harlequins. This is a favoured weapon of the Harlequin Players, known as Great Falcons, who are mounted precariously on the rear of the lightning-fast Jetbikes known as Skyweavers.A Star Bola mounts three weighted plasma charges at the end of mesh-weave cords. These charges arm when the bolas are spun with sufficient vigour.The weapon is designed to be hurled in a scything arc, tangling about its target before its plasma charges explode with the fury of a dying sun. Though Star Bolas are undeniably powerful weapons, their main disadvantage is that they can be hurled but once.
Star Dragons - Star Dragons: The Star Dragons is a Loyalist Codex Astartes-compliant Space Marine Chapter of unknown Founding and origin.The Chapter homeworld of the Star Dragons is the planet Draconith.The Star Dragons practise ritual scarification, inlaying the deep cuts with electoo circuitry that causes them to glow like caged stars.There has been speculation that they are scions of Ferrus Manus, but if this is so they display little of their erstwhile brothers' relentless logic. Instead, the Star Dragons are guided by their furious passions, unleashing their wrath upon any who threaten the Emperor's realm
Star Dragons - Containment Fleet Kappa: Currently, the Star Dragons have joined with the Blood Swords Chapter to travel the wastes of space near the Eye of Terror in a joint containment fleet designated Containment Fleet Kappa.For centuries prior to their deployment to the Balanor System to investigate the mysterious space hulk called the Accursed Eternity, these two Chapters had frequently joined forces when a given situation demanded it.The close proximity of their homeworlds of Jaggafall and Draconith had given them great reason to remain cordial and closely allied.Sometime in its recent history the Blood Swords Chapter was torn from its homeworld. This act of shame resulted in the Chapter undertaking a Penitent Crusade in order to redeem itself in the eyes of the Emperor of Mankind.In the wake of the act of shame that saw the Blood Swords torn from their homeworld the Star Dragons had moved to support them.There had been no question of debt or honour on the Star Dragons' part. This reciprocal act of loyalty engendered a rare sense of genuine fraternity between the two Chapters that more commonly is confined only to battle-brothers of the same Chapter.There was a pooling of similar traditions and history, and this gave rise to surprisingly strong friendships that spanned the Chapters. Additionally, both the Blood Swords and the Star Dragons fielded stalwart warriors with an eye for tactics that made them a terrifying force to be reckoned with when they took to the field of battle together.
Star Dragons - Chapter Organisation: The Star Dragons is regarded as a Codex Astartes-compliant Chapter, as its organisation, order of battle and tactical operations adhere closely to the tenets laid down in that most sacred of tomes to the Adeptus Astartes.There are, however, some minor deviations from the Codex's prescribed doctrine. Most notably among these deviations are the use of certain draconic titles to refer to the Chapter's organisation and military hierarchy such as calling Star Dragon squads "scales."Another organisational term used by the Star Dragons is in reference to the daily meeting of a company's key command personnel, which is known as "the Clutch." During the Clutch that was held aboard the Star Dragons strike cruiser Ladon, for example, any and all problems facing the fleet were brought to the table and orders were shared with both the Star Dragons and their fellow Chapter manning the Containment Fleet, the Blood Swords.This formal meeting is a functional thing, and is rarely coloured with any sort of excitement. It is not known if "Clutch" is a general organisational term used throughout the Chapter or if it is only specifically used aboard the 6th Company's strike cruiser.