Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

One thing I've always wondered is what was the Emperors motivations for having the Imperial Fists build fortifications on Terra during the Horus Heresy?

I'd like to think I'm quite up to scratch with my 40K fluff, but this has never made complete sense to me. Obviously building fortifications on Terra is sensible, but why then?

I mean, it was at the pinnacle of the Great Crusade; the Imperium was expanding ever outwards and the goal of the Great Crusade near-completion, so why did the Emperor recall an entire Legion to defend Terra?
Obviously Terra is of great importance, I'm not doubting that, but why did he recall the Imperial Fists to defend it? At the time, Terra wasn't at any more threat than it had been throughout the Crusade and with 18 Legions on the loose, it's not like it was ever at threat nor already defended.

To me, there are only two (three) things that add up about this:
- He was beginning to experiment into accessing the Webway, whilst I cannot recall this mentioned anywhere, the fortifications made by Dorn may have been to keep things IN as well as OUT. I.e. To protect Terra in case something were to go wrong with the Golden Throne/ The Emperors plans downstairs (as they kind of did). However, as I said, I cannot recall this being mentioned anywhere...
- The Emperor was a very smart guy. He wasn't perfect by any means, but is it a coincidence that the Fortifications were pretty much complete at the time of the Heresy?
( - Thirdly, it makes sense that it was the Imperial Fists doing the fortifications).


So, as I said, what were the Emperors real motivations for bringing the Imperial Fists back to Terra with him?

Was it simply to try and keep any gribblies inside the Throne Room/Imperial Palace whilst maintaining an outward appearance of normal fortifications?
Was it simply a coincidence that he built for fortifications in time for the focal point of the Horus Heresy?
Or... Could he have known Horus would turn traitor?
Did he just feel it was time for some renovations?
Was it part of a much greater plan?*


*e.g. A new stage of the Great Crusade, through the Webway, against the Eldar. At this time Chaos would be almost entirely out of the picture and the Eldar and Orks the two remaining substantial threats within the known Galaxy. Could Emperor have been planning another Crusade, using the Webway? If this is the case, than Terra would've been the Hub.

If there had been a new crusade through the webway the Imperial Fists wouldn't be the best to lead it... although they could be used to secure the Imperial palace against the Eldar/daemon incursions/counter-attack

That's what I was getting at with that theory, which was JUST A THEORY. I'm not saying any Legion in particular would be leading the attack, what I was wondering was if the Emperor had a big ol' plan whereby he needed the 'fists to construct proper defences within and on Terra?

It makes more sense than any other theory i've heard...

Just Dave wrote:One thing I've always wondered is what was the Emperors motivations for having the Imperial Fists build fortifications on Terra during the Horus Heresy?

I'd like to think I'm quite up to scratch with my 40K fluff, but this has never made complete sense to me. Obviously building fortifications on Terra is sensible, but why then?

I mean, it was at the pinnacle of the Great Crusade; the Imperium was expanding ever outwards and the goal of the Great Crusade near-completion, so why did the Emperor recall an entire Legion to defend Terra?
Obviously Terra is of great importance, I'm not doubting that, but why did he recall the Imperial Fists to defend it? At the time, Terra wasn't at any more threat than it had been throughout the Crusade and with 18 Legions on the loose, it's not like it was ever at threat nor already defended.

To me, there are only two (three) things that add up about this:
- He was beginning to experiment into accessing the Webway, whilst I cannot recall this mentioned anywhere, the fortifications made by Dorn may have been to keep things IN as well as OUT. I.e. To protect Terra in case something were to go wrong with the Golden Throne/ The Emperors plans downstairs (as they kind of did). However, as I said, I cannot recall this being mentioned anywhere...
- The Emperor was a very smart guy. He wasn't perfect by any means, but is it a coincidence that the Fortifications were pretty much complete at the time of the Heresy?
( - Thirdly, it makes sense that it was the Imperial Fists doing the fortifications).


So, as I said, what were the Emperors real motivations for bringing the Imperial Fists back to Terra with him?

Was it simply to try and keep any gribblies inside the Throne Room/Imperial Palace whilst maintaining an outward appearance of normal fortifications?
Was it simply a coincidence that he built for fortifications in time for the focal point of the Horus Heresy?
Or... Could he have known Horus would turn traitor?
Did he just feel it was time for some renovations?
Was it part of a much greater plan?*


*e.g. A new stage of the Great Crusade, through the Webway, against the Eldar. At this time Chaos would be almost entirely out of the picture and the Eldar and Orks the two remaining substantial threats within the known Galaxy. Could Emperor have been planning another Crusade, using the Webway? If this is the case, than Terra would've been the Hub.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
bolded is the only part i have a problem with, the big E was convinced he could turn horus until just before he had to kill him.

Fortification of The Imperial Palace began after Horus' betrayal was know.

Not quite true Kanuck. The Emperor took the Imperial Fists back to Terra with him after Ullanor. This was at the same time Horus became Warmaster; there was quite a significant gap between Horus becoming Warmaster/Fists beginning the fortifications to the Fortifications being complete and the beginning of the Horus Heresy.

DA's Forever wrote:bolded is the only part i have a problem with, the big E was convinced he could turn horus until just before he had to kill him.

As I said, it's just a potential theory. The Emperor may or may not have known Horus would turn traitor. He could have seen it as an acceptable loss for the greater good? He could have known it was going to happen but didn't count on events such as Istvaan or Prospero/Magnus.

As I said, it's just a theory and not even one I believe. Bet lets be fair, the Emperors not an idiot...

True, and i wasn't trying to discount your theory, was just pointing a flaw. The Big E's intelligence goes down in my eyes alil when he let his Angsty, Pre-Pubescent, Mutant kids run the Galaxy... Just sayin

Just Dave wrote:Not quite true Kanuck. The Emperor took the Imperial Fists back to Terra with him after Ullanor. This was at the same time Horus became Warmaster; there was quite a significant gap between Horus becoming Warmaster/Fists beginning the fortifications to the Fortifications being complete and the beginning of the Horus Heresy.

DA's Forever wrote:bolded is the only part i have a problem with, the big E was convinced he could turn horus until just before he had to kill him.

As I said, it's just a potential theory. The Emperor may or may not have known Horus would turn traitor. He could have seen it as an acceptable loss for the greater good? He could have known it was going to happen but didn't count on events such as Istvaan or Prospero/Magnus.

As I said, it's just a theory and not even one I believe. Bet lets be fair, the Emperors not an idiot...

Perhaps he went to Earth then but still the Fortification began when Garro told them about Horus I think. When Garro met Dorn he was not on Earth but out in nowheresville.

We could be talking about different things though. Perhaps you are simply talking about some Imperial Fists being sent back to Earth. If so, I don't see what's so unusual about that. Terra should have a SM garrision and The Imperial Fists are the best (Although the Iron Warriors would disagree).

He wanted the palace enlivened with a splash of yellow armour.

Just Dave wrote:Not quite true Kanuck. The Emperor took the Imperial Fists back to Terra with him after Ullanor. This was at the same time Horus became Warmaster; there was quite a significant gap between Horus becoming Warmaster/Fists beginning the fortifications to the Fortifications being complete and the beginning of the Horus Heresy.

The Imperial Fists were to become his Praetorian Guard in all honesty.

They were not to be there just as another measure of protection. They were, through Dorn, to become a mediating force acting as a calming hand on the Emperor's politics and actions. And if the Emperor were to fall--Dorn was to step up to the mantle of ruling the Imperium.

At least, that's the theory I've always had on it.

Kanluwen wrote:

Just Dave wrote:Not quite true Kanuck. The Emperor took the Imperial Fists back to Terra with him after Ullanor. This was at the same time Horus became Warmaster; there was quite a significant gap between Horus becoming Warmaster/Fists beginning the fortifications to the Fortifications being complete and the beginning of the Horus Heresy.

The Imperial Fists were to become his Praetorian Guard in all honesty.

They were not to be there just as another measure of protection. They were, through Dorn, to become a mediating force acting as a calming hand on the Emperor's politics and actions. And if the Emperor were to fall--Dorn was to step up to the mantle of ruling the Imperium.

At least, that's the theory I've always had on it.

I don't know about that. He had a bodyguard already: The Custoades.
Ruling of the Imperium was already in the process of being tranfered to the council of Terra and Horus was already Warmaster of the Military.

The Praetorian Guard weren't just the bodyguards though.

Read up on your history. From early on, they served as a sort of 'Sword of Damocles' over the head of the Caesars/Emperors.
To quote Wikipedia:
"Although its name has become synonymous with intrigue, conspiracy, disloyalty and assassination, it could be argued that for the first two centuries of its existence the Praetorian Guard was generally very much a positive force within the Roman state. During this time it mostly removed (or allowed the removal of) cruel, weak, and unpopular emperors while supporting just, strong, and popular ones. By protecting these monarchs, thereby extending their reigns, and also by keeping the disorders of the Roman mobs and the intrigues of the Senate in line, the Guard helped to give the empire a much needed source of stability that contributed to the period known as the Pax Romana."

With how the Emperor of Mankind was all about the "utopian society", it only makes sense that he'd have failsafes in place for events like his death.

As to your other two points:
The Council of Terra would have needed someone backing them to be effectively recognized by the Imperium as a whole. We've seen it before in cases where a strong leader dies and a group of regents, with no military or other form of loyal backing, take over in their place--and effectively are ignored by the powerhungry madmen grabbing whatever they can in the chaos ensuing from the death of that leader.

Horus was Warmaster. The Emperor appointed him to that position solely because of his merits in warfare, not because he was a leader for the Imperium in times of peace.

I don't understand why Big E wanted the imperial fists as his praetorian guard. I mean, he already had the custodes fitting perfectly that role! The Custodes had been created for the sole purpose of protecting the emperor and to serve as his ersonnal agents (which includes covert operations, spying on noble houses, etc...).
The Fists were not prepared for that role. They were the emperor's siege breakers. His engineers. they were truely badass, but they were no bodyguards.

If the Emperor called back the fists to terra, it must have been for another reason than to have some more bodyguards in shiny armour that love to beat up as***les.

I don't understand why he needed fortifications around his palace either.

Laodamia wrote:I don't understand why Big E wanted the imperial fists as his Praetorian Guard. I mean, he already had the Custodes fitting perfectly that role! The Custodes had been created for the sole purpose of protecting the emperor and to serve as his personal agents (which includes covert operations, spying on noble houses, etc...).
The Fists were not prepared for that role. They were the Emperor's siege breakers. His engineers. they were truly badass, but they were no bodyguards.

If the Emperor called back the Fists to terra, it must have been for another reason than to have some more bodyguards in shiny armour that love to beat up as***les.

I don't understand why he needed fortifications around his palace either.

Please read the post right above yours, where I explained something pretty amazing about the origins of the Praetorian Guard..

Also?
The Imperial Fists weren't "siegebreakers".
They were masters of fortifications and defensive warfare.

it was likely to defend against any nasties coming out of the Webway portal.


I think the external defenses weren't begun untill word of Horus's betrayel came to Terra.

Grey Templar wrote:it was likely to defend against any nasties coming out of the Webway portal.


I think the external defenses weren't begun untill word of Horus's betrayel came to Terra.

I havent read anything about a DE raid on Terra, but they did make raids on Mars. Dont have the story in front of me but that could have been a motivating force for the Emperor "HOLY F*CKNUT, if they can hit Mars they could hit here!"

the Emperor knew that the Eldar certaintly wouldn't like humans gaining access to the Webway. The Imperium would then be able to invade Craftworlds and Cormoruggh with nothing standing between them besides the maze of the Webway itself.

the Eldar would try and stop the work and having a Legion of Space Marines on standby was simply another precaution.

I believe it was the fact that they were defense masters that they could defend terra if some bad things came out of the webway. As they could possibly beat the demons back if they came out. And then magnus could power the throne, and his sons could make warp defenses against the demons and push them back a long way. Then the masters of tactics The Lion would be able to command the dark angels to hold defensive points in the webway. With thousand sons libaraius members.

And the death guard and the rest of the legions could hold the rest of the galaxy. Except for the Alpha Legion, Night Legion could use the webway to defeat any force that could threaten the rest of the gaxaly. And the Imperium would downsize their ships to be able to build webways in more areas and ensure the possibility of no more demons.

Each legion had a strength and the Emperor would tell Horus to rule the military forces of the nonwebway group. And tell Robute to hold the galactic southeast. And the rest of the imperium would build these webways. And could attack the eldar get rid of them. Then they could arrive in the tau area and destroy it before it could become a threat. Then and be able to counter the tyranids which the Emperor forsaw them and then were able to destroy tomb worlds that he also saw.

Thats just my theory that the Emperor predicted it by using an advanced weather prediction system basically using the warp, lets face it the Warp is basically like a sea, and like ancient astronomers that saw into the stars to see seasons. It would make sense the emperor is basically a giant astrophe with 50x more power than any other. And he used it to predict the future and he should of showed his sons his plans.

Kanluwen wrote:The Praetorian Guard weren't just the bodyguards though.

Read up on your history. From early on, they served as a sort of 'Sword of Damocles' over the head of the Caesars/Emperors.
To quote Wikipedia:
"Although its name has become synonymous with intrigue, conspiracy, disloyalty and assassination, it could be argued that for the first two centuries of its existence the Praetorian Guard was generally very much a positive force within the Roman state. During this time it mostly removed (or allowed the removal of) cruel, weak, and unpopular emperors while supporting just, strong, and popular ones. By protecting these monarchs, thereby extending their reigns, and also by keeping the disorders of the Roman mobs and the intrigues of the Senate in line, the Guard helped to give the empire a much needed source of stability that contributed to the period known as the Pax Romana."

With how the Emperor of Mankind was all about the "utopian society", it only makes sense that he'd have failsafes in place for events like his death.

As to your other two points:
The Council of Terra would have needed someone backing them to be effectively recognized by the Imperium as a whole. We've seen it before in cases where a strong leader dies and a group of regents, with no military or other form of loyal backing, take over in their place--and effectively are ignored by the powerhungry madmen grabbing whatever they can in the chaos ensuing from the death of that leader.

Horus was Warmaster. The Emperor appointed him to that position solely because of his merits in warfare, not because he was a leader for the Imperium in times of peace.

While a good theory, the Custodes already effectively fulfilled the same role (yes, they were more than just bodyguards), and in any case the Imperial Fists would have been a poor choice for this. In Nemesis, we see that Rogal Dorn cares very little for politics, intrigue, and cloak and dagger type stuff. Furthermore, the Emperor was supposed to be effectively immortal, making the need for such a force questionable. In fact, the Custodes in the 41st Millenium have effectively fulfilled the role of the Praetorian Guard, it can be argued that the idea that the Emperor is still alive in large part lives on through them, in that they limit access to Big E, and they have been known to travel out from the Palace in the name of the Emperor to deliver messages/orders in His name.

I don't know the exact reason, but I'm fairly certain there were no covert reasons for Big E bringing the IF back with him. He ordered them to fortify Terra AT Ullanor... BEFORE the Heresy, so the question is why would the Emperor order Terra to be fortified before the Heresy but well after the Crusade had started? Personally, I think it was simply a matter of consolidating power, the same reason Big E handed the reigns of the Crusade to Horus. He was carving out an Empire, he needed to prepare a government to oversee what was quickly becoming the strongest galactic power. With such power, Terra would undoubtedly become a target for enemy factions, so fortifying it would be the logical solution.

chaos0xomega wrote:

Kanluwen wrote:The Praetorian Guard weren't just the bodyguards though.

Read up on your history. From early on, they served as a sort of 'Sword of Damocles' over the head of the Caesars/Emperors.
To quote Wikipedia:
"Although its name has become synonymous with intrigue, conspiracy, disloyalty and assassination, it could be argued that for the first two centuries of its existence the Praetorian Guard was generally very much a positive force within the Roman state. During this time it mostly removed (or allowed the removal of) cruel, weak, and unpopular emperors while supporting just, strong, and popular ones. By protecting these monarchs, thereby extending their reigns, and also by keeping the disorders of the Roman mobs and the intrigues of the Senate in line, the Guard helped to give the empire a much needed source of stability that contributed to the period known as the Pax Romana."

With how the Emperor of Mankind was all about the "utopian society", it only makes sense that he'd have failsafes in place for events like his death.

As to your other two points:
The Council of Terra would have needed someone backing them to be effectively recognized by the Imperium as a whole. We've seen it before in cases where a strong leader dies and a group of regents, with no military or other form of loyal backing, take over in their place--and effectively are ignored by the powerhungry madmen grabbing whatever they can in the chaos ensuing from the death of that leader.

Horus was Warmaster. The Emperor appointed him to that position solely because of his merits in warfare, not because he was a leader for the Imperium in times of peace.

While a good theory, the Custodes already effectively fulfilled the same role (yes, they were more than just bodyguards), and in any case the Imperial Fists would have been a poor choice for this. In Nemesis, we see that Rogal Dorn cares very little for politics, intrigue, and cloak and dagger type stuff. Furthermore, the Emperor was supposed to be effectively immortal, making the need for such a force questionable. In fact, the Custodes in the 41st Millenium have effectively fulfilled the role of the Praetorian Guard, it can be argued that the idea that the Emperor is still alive in large part lives on through them, in that they limit access to Big E, and they have been known to travel out from the Palace in the name of the Emperor to deliver messages/orders in His name.

I don't know the exact reason, but I'm fairly certain there were no covert reasons for Big E bringing the IF back with him. He ordered them to fortify Terra AT Ullanor... BEFORE the Heresy, so the question is why would the Emperor order Terra to be fortified before the Heresy but well after the Crusade had started? Personally, I think it was simply a matter of consolidating power, the same reason Big E handed the reigns of the Crusade to Horus. He was carving out an Empire, he needed to prepare a government to oversee what was quickly becoming the strongest galactic power. With such power, Terra would undoubtedly become a target for enemy factions, so fortifying it would be the logical solution.

I agree completely. He was merely Garrisoning the new capital of his Empire.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

chaos0xomega wrote:

Kanluwen wrote:The Praetorian Guard weren't just the bodyguards though.

Read up on your history. From early on, they served as a sort of 'Sword of Damocles' over the head of the Caesars/Emperors.
To quote Wikipedia:
"Although its name has become synonymous with intrigue, conspiracy, disloyalty and assassination, it could be argued that for the first two centuries of its existence the Praetorian Guard was generally very much a positive force within the Roman state. During this time it mostly removed (or allowed the removal of) cruel, weak, and unpopular emperors while supporting just, strong, and popular ones. By protecting these monarchs, thereby extending their reigns, and also by keeping the disorders of the Roman mobs and the intrigues of the Senate in line, the Guard helped to give the empire a much needed source of stability that contributed to the period known as the Pax Romana."

With how the Emperor of Mankind was all about the "utopian society", it only makes sense that he'd have failsafes in place for events like his death.

As to your other two points:
The Council of Terra would have needed someone backing them to be effectively recognized by the Imperium as a whole. We've seen it before in cases where a strong leader dies and a group of regents, with no military or other form of loyal backing, take over in their place--and effectively are ignored by the powerhungry madmen grabbing whatever they can in the chaos ensuing from the death of that leader.

Horus was Warmaster. The Emperor appointed him to that position solely because of his merits in warfare, not because he was a leader for the Imperium in times of peace.

While a good theory, the Custodes already effectively fulfilled the same role (yes, they were more than just bodyguards), and in any case the Imperial Fists would have been a poor choice for this. In Nemesis, we see that Rogal Dorn cares very little for politics, intrigue, and cloak and dagger type stuff. Furthermore, the Emperor was supposed to be effectively immortal, making the need for such a force questionable. In fact, the Custodes in the 41st Millenium have effectively fulfilled the role of the Praetorian Guard, it can be argued that the idea that the Emperor is still alive in large part lives on through them, in that they limit access to Big E, and they have been known to travel out from the Palace in the name of the Emperor to deliver messages/orders in His name.

I don't know the exact reason, but I'm fairly certain there were no covert reasons for Big E bringing the IF back with him. He ordered them to fortify Terra AT Ullanor... BEFORE the Heresy, so the question is why would the Emperor order Terra to be fortified before the Heresy but well after the Crusade had started? Personally, I think it was simply a matter of consolidating power, the same reason Big E handed the reigns of the Crusade to Horus. He was carving out an Empire, he needed to prepare a government to oversee what was quickly becoming the strongest galactic power. With such power, Terra would undoubtedly become a target for enemy factions, so fortifying it would be the logical solution.

I agree completely. He was merely Garrisoning the new capital of his Empire.

I agree. But what about my theory?

I'm pretty sure he called the Fists to Terra at or around Ulanor, but didn't tell them to fortify the palace at that time.
I think Canuck was correct, that the Emperor ordered the fortification after he was warned of Horus' treachery.
Yes, he always hoped to turn Horus back to his cause. But he was still careful and cautious enough to want a fortified world. Besides, why WOULDN'T the Emperor fortify the most important planet and place in his Imperium?

Also, if the Emperor foresaw all of that, you'd think he would have warned the Crusades away from worlds with Necron tombs and such.
Or, you know, set something in place to blockade the Tyranids or kill off the Tau early.

Terra would become the only entrance the imperium would have to the webway. That means that Terra would become a giant target for Eldar and chaos, even the custodes wouldn't be enough. My theory is that Imperial Fists were to become guardians of the webway entrance, no enemy could get through both the custodes and an entire chapter of space marines.

chaos0xomega wrote:

Kanluwen wrote:The Praetorian Guard weren't just the bodyguards though.

Read up on your history. From early on, they served as a sort of 'Sword of Damocles' over the head of the Caesars/Emperors.
To quote Wikipedia:
"Although its name has become synonymous with intrigue, conspiracy, disloyalty and assassination, it could be argued that for the first two centuries of its existence the Praetorian Guard was generally very much a positive force within the Roman state. During this time it mostly removed (or allowed the removal of) cruel, weak, and unpopular emperors while supporting just, strong, and popular ones. By protecting these monarchs, thereby extending their reigns, and also by keeping the disorders of the Roman mobs and the intrigues of the Senate in line, the Guard helped to give the empire a much needed source of stability that contributed to the period known as the Pax Romana."

With how the Emperor of Mankind was all about the "utopian society", it only makes sense that he'd have failsafes in place for events like his death.

As to your other two points:
The Council of Terra would have needed someone backing them to be effectively recognized by the Imperium as a whole. We've seen it before in cases where a strong leader dies and a group of regents, with no military or other form of loyal backing, take over in their place--and effectively are ignored by the powerhungry madmen grabbing whatever they can in the chaos ensuing from the death of that leader.

Horus was Warmaster. The Emperor appointed him to that position solely because of his merits in warfare, not because he was a leader for the Imperium in times of peace.

While a good theory, the Custodes already effectively fulfilled the same role (yes, they were more than just bodyguards), and in any case the Imperial Fists would have been a poor choice for this. In Nemesis, we see that Rogal Dorn cares very little for politics, intrigue, and cloak and dagger type stuff. Furthermore, the Emperor was supposed to be effectively immortal, making the need for such a force questionable. In fact, the Custodes in the 41st Millenium have effectively fulfilled the role of the Praetorian Guard, it can be argued that the idea that the Emperor is still alive in large part lives on through them, in that they limit access to Big E, and they have been known to travel out from the Palace in the name of the Emperor to deliver messages/orders in His name.

That's actually what makes the Imperial Fists perfect for that role I mentioned.
Dorn wouldn't attempt to seize power or remake the Imperium as he wants it. He's a stickler for the rules and follows orders.

If the Emperor told him "Support the Council of Terra if something were to happen to me, and ensure that they don't let the power go to their head"--Dorn would have done that.

I don't know the exact reason, but I'm fairly certain there were no covert reasons for Big E bringing the IF back with him. He ordered them to fortify Terra AT Ullanor... BEFORE the Heresy, so the question is why would the Emperor order Terra to be fortified before the Heresy but well after the Crusade had started? Personally, I think it was simply a matter of consolidating power, the same reason Big E handed the reigns of the Crusade to Horus. He was carving out an Empire, he needed to prepare a government to oversee what was quickly becoming the strongest galactic power. With such power, Terra would undoubtedly become a target for enemy factions, so fortifying it would be the logical solution.

Pretty much.

Except that the Golden Throne was all the security Terra/the Palace needed from the webway, which is why Big E was so furious when Magnus broke it...

the Emperor was pissed because Magnus broke the only entrance he had to the webway and it was alot of work. people died when Magnus broke it, deamons invaded the palace.


in time the Emperor could have fixed it, but the Heresy stopped that idea.

In fact, the Custodes in the 41st Millenium have effectively fulfilled the role of the Praetorian Guard

The Custodes let Lord Vandire rule for some time...

Just an idea but..

Maybe the Emperor knew about a race far more deadly then any they had ever faced before, one which could wipe out entire galaxies, leaving nothing behind but charred remains of once beautiful planets...(sound familiar?)

So maybe the Emperor brought the Fists back to Terra to construct what were giant defences from an onlookers perspective (which they were) but also had a separate use (e.g. huge teleporters which accessed the webway or warp without being any danger to use)

Food for thought

Don't think they would be able to access the craftworlds through the webway. The eldar have special safe guards on their webway entrances.

The dark eldar and daemons would have destoyed the craftworlds easily if not for them.

There is a story from the Daemon codex about them getting through once through tricking an Eldar girl into falling in love and somehow being shrowded in love the Daemon got through the wards.

Also the Emperor didn't take the Fists back to Terra with him they were still on their way to Terra during the Istvann III massacre.

They'd been held up by warp storms