Lathe Worlds - Society: The Lathe System is subject to a unique array of stresses and stellar phenomena that make it fascinating to the full spectrum of Mechanicus tech-adepts. This, combined with the alluring density of planetary bodies suitable for conversion into Forge Worlds, and the presence of multiple resource-laden asteroid belts, made the system irresistible.The inhabitants of the Lathes are the standard cross-section of any active Forge World, but have expanded to occupy nearly every niche possible in the system. After thousands of Terran years of acclimation and adaptation, however, there have been two primary genetic divergences from the standard Imperial norm.Due in large part to the crushing and indiscriminate gravitic shears that buffet all three of the primary worlds, as well as the rest of the entire system, adepts and menials alike descended from the original colonial stock have generally low, powerful bodies.Most Magos Biologis theorise that these alterations make these deviations, dubbed "Lathesmasters," the ideal workers for this harsh, chaotic environment. A second, less well-known, genetic offshoot, however, caused a branch of inhabitants that are massive in stature, often more so than Ogryns.These giants, unfortunately, cannot leave the system or their bodies soon collapse. Whether it is the gravitic anomalies, some sort of mineral dependency, or perhaps even a strange symbiosis with the system's sun, these huge creatures die within days of leaving their home system.There are many whispers within the Calixis Sector concerning the daunting size of this secondary branch. Rumours abound concerning their dimensions and strength, and the possible causes of such deviation from the genetic norms. It is when outsiders witness these large specimens that fresh rumours of mutation or genetic experimentation once again arise.A constant struggle is waged between the Lexmechanic Canonicus of the Lathe-Covenant and the Calixian Conclave, who seem determined to categorise the larger genotype of the Lathe World as Abhuman.Because of this altered but stable genotype, Tech-priests, Skitarii, and menials alike originating from the Lathes are shorter than average, but stronger and more durable. In fact, most standard Humans would require some form of augmetic enhancement or gravitic support to survive for long in the Lathes System.However, there are many out-system humans that call the Lathes home as well, called to the system from all over the Imperium. Because of this diversity, there are even more factions within the structure of the system than would usually be expected, even among the fractious, individualist tech-adepts of the Adeptus Mechanicus.At the very top of the feudal hierarchy of the Lathes and their vassal territories are those adepts belonging to the Lathe-Covenant. Following the original documents of confederation -- called the "Pact of Blood and Oil" -- these adepts control the web of relationships, obligations, and enmity that define the position of the Adeptus Mechanicus within the enormous power structure of the greater sector.Power within the Covenant is slow to shift, but when there is an adjustment it often involves varying translations of the responsibilities, duties, and claims contained within the Pact and their relationship to the governors of the Calixis Sector.The two most obvious factions vying for control of the system and its far-flung holdings are the Disciples of Thule and the Followers of the Divine Light of Sollex. Devoted to the teachings and example of Explorator Archmagos Paracelsus Thule, his Disciples are utterly focused on the search for ancient technologies from ages past, often to the exclusion of all else.Those adepts who follow the Divine Light of Sollex, on the other hand, are weaponsmiths without compare, devoting all of their time and energy to the development and production of the most destructive technologies imaginable.These tech-adepts are truly ruthless in their pursuits, and are suspected of several incidents of genocide, as well as the sudden and complete deaths of entire planetary biospheres in more remote corners of the Calixis Sector.Serving as the native defence force, and the armed wing of the Adeptus Mechanicus within the sector, is the Crimson Guard. A massive weapon, forged from the ranks of loyal Skitarii, Combat Servitors such as the famed Spatha-pattern creation, and skilled Secutor warriors, the Crimson Guard is scattered across the sector.They are deployed in units that range in size from individual squads guarding outlying stations to regimental combat units stationed on major bases and fortress worlds watching over the most sensitive and important assets of the Mechanicus.Under the auspices of the Crimson Guard within the Lathe System itself are units that have not actually been contained within the standard chain of command for centuries, including the Brazen Guard Praetorii.Ostensibly, the Crimson Guard serves the Lathe-Covenant first and foremost, but the reality is much more complex than this, with various commanders and archmagi commanding the fealty of various units and divisions, including the grand master of the Legio Venator and the forge masters of the individual Lathes.Within the ranks of the adepts are whispered even darker schisms, factions whose existence sits on the shadowy border between hearsay and legend. The implacable Lords Dragon are said to stalk Hereteks throughout the sector, while the fabled Acuitor Mech-Assassin cults haunt the darkest fears of the most faithful servants of the Omnissiah.The adepts of the Ordo Reductor, in their blood-red robes, threaten destruction to any who stand against the Lathe-Covenant, while the adepts of the Hippocrasian Sect are said to study life to the very edge of death and beyond.Many other cabals, more sinister or mysterious, lurk around the edges of rumour and innuendo, shaping the relationships and patterns of fealty within the Lathes System like the violent and incomprehensible shears of local gravity.The current balance of power within the Lathe System is difficult to decipher, even to those adepts who must daily contend with it.Nominally standing atop the furiously burning forges of the Adeptus Mechanicus in the Calixis Sector is High Fabricator Castellar, ruling from the forge-temples of Lathe-Het and leading the adepts of the Lathe-Covenant as the first among equals, for the greater glory of the Omnissiah.However, tensions abound between the high fabricator and his deputy, Archmagos Ralwure. While the bureaucracy of the Lathe-Covenant grows and grasps for power in pursuit of the quotas and production levels of their past, Forge Master Janden Samekh Alpha of Lathe-Hesh also burns with indignation at this betrayal of the foundational ethics of the Mechanicus.And over all, lies the eerie stillness of Lathe-Hadd, the Silent Forge, where political conflict has forced nearly every factory and workshop on the planet to fall still, waiting for a revelation that refuses to arrive.