[WARNING, LONG.]
Right guys this is an attempt to tie together both my armies and my fiction. I have included the location of my Dark Eldar Kabal, a small tau enclave, the probable whereabouts of my new space marine chapter and the planet of Tyreasia on which my 'New Recruit's Tale' serial fiction takes place. There are some clues about my various armies thrown in and some clues about developments in my Guard fiction as well.
Links to fiction/threads that may be of interest
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/328907.page : Introduces Inquisitor Thufir Pensck, story itself is a little dated/ partially recycled but i like the main character
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/332792.page : My dark eldar army.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/326807.page : My 'magnum opus' guardsmen story.
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++Emperor Protects++
Concerning Xenos in the Procrustean Stratum (Imperator System: Macragge, 500 LY)
++ Subject: 'Re. A request from Inquisitor Quiran Uolis, Via High Inquisitor Lord Militant [REDACTED]'
I hear your whelp Uolis has his hands full cleaning up the mess that was Tyreasia, so I relay his requested information to you my Lord Inquisitor. Though I have your equivalent rank in the Ordo Xenos I still afford you the respect deserved by a prominent member of the Malleus. None of the Young lad Quiran's operations are set about without your approval so I am sure you will find this of some fleeting interest.
Attached you will find a Pict-map of the Procrustean Stratum, I am sure you have studied the imperial star charts for some time due to the Heretic [CURSE THEIR DOG HEARTS!] activity. However these are no simple imperial charts, these are of my own devising. If you will forgive me I have used Xenos nomenclature where I deemed it appropriate. The image has been spectroscopically enhanced and only stars of significance are enhanced. The white areas on the fringes are posited to be nursery nebulae.
As you will see I have circled areas of interest. I shall now give a far from exhaustive summary of these points of interest.
Rhesh Protectorate: After their Crippling defeat at the hands of Battlegroup Minos it is posited that the rag tag flotilla fled to this uncatalogued system. They are not a particularly aggressive breed of Xenos though their star-ships sport formidable armour and Weaponry. The weaponised xenoforms they use as shock troops are known to be desirable as bodyguards after suitable 'domestication'.
Gustav: Currently home to 4,000,000 miners Gustav was renowned for being completely devoid of Life. I have had reports relayed to me that structures of unknown origin have started to be uncovered during surveys and excavations, I have not had time to investigate the matter further as the planetary governor has not replied to my inquiries as of last month.
Tau Pioneer Enclave Mo'Dahn: It was only recently discovered that this mineral rich planet had become a hive for the wretched Tau. I have already alerted Battle-group Minos and they will be dealt with in due course.
Oyarsii: Known as the silent planet Oyarsii was home to a separatist Human civilisation. Up until M.35 there had been as many as 3,000,000,000 people living amongst its Arboreal forests. They had earned some autonomy due to an ancient tithe/pact with the governors of Maccragge. It was said the Oyarsens lived in hedonistic comfort and ease due to various indulgent technologies. Within the 10 years between the tithes of M35.543 and M35.553 all 3,000,000,000 of the wretches had disappeared. Numerous expeditionary forces have been sent but no word has ever come back, either they find nothing of interest or don't come back at all. At the moment of writing the war council at Macragge is considering fortifying the planet to serve as a trap for encroaching Tyranid forces.
Tyreasian System: Well my friend, I am sure you have already been suitably briefed on this wretched system and it's Blaspheming denizens. May the Emperor forgive all those who were lost.
The Tantamount: Only the Heroism of Veteran Sergeant Scipio lead me to discovery of this place. Possibly the biggest threat to the few imperial worlds that surround it. I shall relay his tale as best I can as it aptly describes the horror of the Tantamount.
Answering a distress call from the Hive-world of Megera a battle company of the Sons of Orar chapter made planet fall to take back a Manufactorum facility that had fallen into the hands of vile xenos. What the Marines found however was no mere imperial smelting plant damaged by warfare but a labyrinth. It seemed that instead of stealing the venerable equipment and precious resources of production the insane xenos had re-purposed it creating a Gargantuan trap of Machiavellian cunning. Even the blessed brothers of Orar had not factored such an abhorrent scheme and fell right into it. Before pict-feeds from the astartes completely cut out a great portal was discovered in the centre of the structure. Without the proper equipment to close it safely the marines decided to withdraw and annihilate it from orbit. Unfortunately the maze was hideously well designed easily entered but nigh impossible to leave. As the Battle Brothers set their charges the aliens attacked.
The stoic Marines put up a solid defence destroying many of the serrated transports in the confined space of the smelting floor. The attack was too well organised and cowardly in nature for the Sons of Orar to be victorious and they were slaughtered to man. Scipio having been blown clear of his squad hurled himself into the void as the xenos escaped through it. Bouncing violently through the webway his journey was cut short a hair's breadth from completion. There, floating in the void as his air ran out, he saw the Tantamount, an alien construct of Byzantine complexity floating in the paradoxical orbit of a slaved sun.
I later sent my probe the wood sprite to confirm his pict-feed and triangulated position. I enclose one of the images in this communicate. The debris cresting the energy spike is confirmed to be that of various star-ships both imperial, heretic and xenos alike.
Later it was found that Megera had logged over 3,000,000 missing persons. 25 battle Brothers of the son's of Orar were never found.
Needless to say, Battle group Minos is on-route.
Note The whereabouts of the remnant fleet of the Diatribors' chapter is not shown, it is believed 'The Nemean'; their last remaining Battle barge, was spotted rendezvousing with the strike cruiser 'Hoplon' on the fringes of the Oyarsiin system.
Yours with fealty
Lord Inquisitor Thufir Pensck (Ordo Xenos explorator fleet MMXVIII)
++THE FOLLOWING REPLY WAS FOUND IN THE PERSONAL EFFECTS OF LORD INQUISITOR THUFIR PENSCK FOLLOWING
HIS RECENT DISAPPEARANCE++
RE: 'Concerning the Procrustean stratum'
From: 'Your ''Equal'' in the Ordo Malleus'
Pensck,
Don't EVER use my F***ING name again, you are not worthy to brand it on your back with searing irons, let alone speak it.
Consider yourself warned Thufir, your disappearance will not hinder me.....
+++
Part 2:
Major Players in the Procrustean Stratum:
The Diatribors
Red arm band a recent addition to commerate those that fell on [REDACTED]
(Chapter under review due to their recent deployment in [REDACTED])
Founding Chapter: Unknown, Originally believed to be of Dornian stock their Betcher's gland and Hibernation faculties are fully functional casting doubts on this provenance. Coincidently around the time of their founding many chapter's had submitted gene seed for 'Hybridisation' as far as records embellish this was halted following anomalies arising while sequencing Space Wolf zygotes.
Founding Date: 9th founding.
Home world: Prydus Main
Fleet Presence: 1 Battle Barge; The Nemean. A complement of 15 thunder hawks 5 transporters aboard.
Chapter master: Benhamen Herakles. (Presided over by Honoured brother Sarpengedes)
Strength: 343 battle brothers 140% capacity Scout company. Approximately 10 Tactical dreadnought suits available.
Codex: Exceptable deviation, deviations approved and vetted by peer review. Deviations specified (see below.)
Battle tactics/specialisation: Line-breakers, Mobile fire power, Urban warfare, Siege warfare.
Further Notes: Low count of Predator Battle engines and no currently operational Land Raider Assault engines, Low count of Tactical dreadnought suits. Chapter is Currently in sub optimal operator status awaiting review. Remaining battle brothers have survived in excess of average peak expectancies. All but a handful having completed more than 150 missions. 11 dreadnoughts available for battle, most recently being joined by the ex-chapter Master Pavel Sarpengedes who was mortally wounded during the action on [REDACTED].
Battle cry: 'Victory is our Vindication!!'
Deviations from Codex:
Experienced warriors: most of the battle brothers, or 'Toxototes' as they are colloquially known, are overdue on receiving their terminator honours. This is in part due to the desperate rearguard action of [REDACTED]. Though they are low in number they more than make up for it in experience.
The Agoge: Again due to the desperately high casualties received on the killing fields of [REDACTED] the Diatribors have a high amount of scout Neophytes. The less experienced of these will be sent on reconnaissance missions or accompany Imperial regiments on escort or patrol. Only when Neophytes are truly on the cusp of entering the fold are they permitted to accompany the full Marines into battle. Here the scouts must work to their fullest potential using their stealth tactics and cunning to the full before leave them behind for good.
Mobile Fire power: The chapter has always assigned their heavy weaponry only to dedicated devastator squads. In part this is due to their use by imperial commanders as line breakers; a tactical squad is better remaining mobile when crossing no-man's land or scaling fortress walls.
Battle Group Minos Imperator: Rear Admiral Drusus Marcellus Kowalski
1 Gothic class Cruiser 'Spirit of Adamantium IV' (Imperator aboard)
1 Dauntless class light cruiser 'The Hand of Terra XXVI'
3 Squadrons of various Configuration/specification (15 vessels)
4 Wings of Fury Interceptors
3000 Imperial Navy Marines
Between 1-3 regiments of imperial guardsmen usually in convoy.
Currently accompanied by a strike cruiser belonging to an unidentified Blood Angel Successor.
Xenos Pirates of the Kabal of the Perverse Fist Little is currently known, though pict-captures will be presented when they come to our attention. Known to have at least one Battlecruiser Equivalent vessel, their 'space station' home is of unknown capability. Have fielded no more than 1000 warriors at any one time.
OOC, here is some fiction (incomplete) that sheds some light on the Perverse fist.
The Dowager Empress
She stared, eye contact for a few seconds, her eyes then crept down him to survey his warsuit. The black lacquered plates, although clean, still bore the stains of cousin's blood and the arterial filth of Mon'keigh. Again she looked him in the eye, he couldn't help noticing hers, glowing bright blue as they augured into his own. She opened her mouth to speak. The beautiful visage suddenly shattered when a her cankered tongue ran slowly over yellowed teeth...
He awoke with a start, it was her again, as if she alone ruled sovereign in his dreams. Somehow she was part of his past, a past he refused to recall. Confused, he shifted in the bed to look upon his mate. The bed sheet hung loosely around her hips leaving her back bare to the voyeur walls. He tentatively pulled the sheet over her modesty and whispered,
'Why do we always sleep with our backs to those we love?' she turned to answer, woken by the familiar voice.
'A mystery for the ages' she said reassuringly, the same answer to the same question day after day.
He pivoted to rise to the day, he knew she had already resumed her slumber.
Limbs still slowed by sleep, he took a leisurely eight seconds to assume his modest overalls and fasten the robust sandals. Ready for the day he took a deep breath, purposely channelling the newly oxygen enriched blood to his brain, finally escaping drowsiness. He ran his hands down his forearms, the heavily calloused palms sliding noisily against perfectly smooth wrists. Feeling for the choicest fruit he took his pick from the bounty of the vine that hugged the bedroom doorway. The male bit into the breakfast fruit, the viscous pulp flowed along the billions of taste buds that covered his tongue; sweet to sour and all facets between. It was eaten gratefully as he would need the energy for the labours the day would bring.
The Grove stretched out before him, it ringed his homestead in a verdant perimeter, each flower hand pollinated, each bough heavy with the fruit to sustain the male and his partner. It resembled no earthly garden being not bordered or brutally truncated. Each plant grew in glorious liberty, unbent to meddling will but each one resplendent of it's own accord. He did not think such things of course, it was proper to take pride in one's work but not to dwell. He shouldered the compact tiller as he made towards the bare earth plot to be seeded this day.
After an hour or so of exertion he spied a rustling in the middle distance, a split second later it reached his ears. From the sound he immediately knew it was not the work of the wind. He thought of the others in his community close buy, often trading specimens to be propagated, or livestock to be trained. He was viewed suspiciously by the rest, the male was not so elegant and slight of build; rip-chord muscles were barely concealed by his unusually pale flesh and his eyes bore an unearthly glow at night. He was told he was once a great warrior, once fighting for distant cousins astride the stars though ultimately choosing to forget his days of Honour and Glory. Some of that warrior spirit stirred within him as he considered the other possibilities entailed by the disturbance, perhaps it was a graceful Hind or a powerful Hwynnae to be tamed. The novelty of adventure and exploit gained the upper hand and he abandoned his plot for what would be the last time.....
+++
He had Fled her dusty throne chamber.... To escape her was all he had desired in that moment.....
The thick brush parted as he made his way through, no leaf fell and no branches were snapped. He entered a small clearing and came upon the source of the disturbance, Creeper-Weeds had claimed this spot. The slowly coiling branches shook as he approached, the vile plant sensed threat in the strongly built adult. The male spotted a slippered foot partially concealed by the seething mass, they withdrew as he approached. A youth with barely twenty years behind him was revealed, obviously having been caught by the plant. The boy held a small watering vessel in his left hand and his right had been cruelly gripped by the poisonous weed.
Something was strange about this encounter though, normally the weed would only attack in defence, such stings were rare amongst his people who all knew and respected the eccentricities of nature. Judging from the situation however, this had been unprovoked. The plant had went out of it's way to wound the boy, render him unconscious for the grim fate of digestion. Such an abhorrence could not be tolerated, this vicious mutation could not be allowed to proliferate. He looked to the blade of his plough ready to ensure this an evolutionary dead end.
The boy presented an obstacle to this, if he were still gripped during the weed's death throes it would flood him with poison, almost certainly sweeping his life away in the wake. The adult knelt before the boy gripping the weed where it constricted the adolescent wrist, it stung him to no avail 700 years, 1000 immunizations to it's venom. He looked to what gripped the boy; a gnarled perversion, a mockery of a fist in frond and function. It did not easily give, a sadistic defiance, something that seemed strangely reminiscent to the male.
He tugged at it, dug with his blade to purchase leverage. Frustration boiled over to anger, the heart of the adult beat faster; 3, 4 to 5 beats in a second. He let a smile etch his lips as unchained the beat continued 6, 7 and 8. He stabbed at the branch, yielding the reward of gushing vitreous foam. The boy was safe but no longer did the saviour know or care. The base pleasure of the kill a sudden prerogative, no an imperative; not merely to thrive but to survive. He snapped the once farm tool over his knee rending the spar into a pair of splinter sharp shards better to inflict his sudden rage.
Stabbing, cutting, sawing. If the semi sentient plant could feel pain it would be begging for its life. The eldar male felt the adrenalin coursing through his veins, he had broken the teachings and rules of his mentors on this world. Neurons flared incandescent as they coruscated down forbidden pathways, surging into the regions of his brain that had lain dormant all this time. Clarity reigned in the confusion of 10,000 memories. Tendulker recalled and in that instant renewed his old life.
So many worlds scourged, so much blood willingly spilled to abate oblivion. He had no place among these people any more.
So too did he remember the Dowager Empress, the terminus and culmination of his sin. Her stained lace, the beautiful countenance ravaged by consensual rape. Could he finally destroy her?
+++
His blade had hesitated, an inch from her skin, on the cusp of penetration. Next time he would not exercise celibacy, he would leave her wrecked and ragged, no more than meat.
Tendulker reclined dispassionately at the controls of the small starship, shy of the controls he held a cruel blade in his limp hands. Bringing it's Jagged edge close to his face he proceeded to run it gently against his lower lip and chin. The thin serpentine lip quivered with dull arousal as the power field kissed and blistered in return. The Ethnarch had given the ship, better to ensure the forsaken cousin banished. There had been not slither of guilt as he had watched the disappointment etch upon the ancient semi-crystalline face.
The delicate controls glowed an expected message, he stroked a finger across the dials, the screen still hummed gently from the previous tone, he had arrived. Ruined ships crested it like a halo of driftwood, the Tantamount; his home, his place of exile. Ships of a myriad were silhouetted against a nebulous backdrop; Mon'keigh, Rhesh, Barghesi and the elegant ships of his cousins. To his disgust Tendulker also spotted his own amongst the clutter, serrated prows of pain perfected. They had been frittered away by ineptitude. With barely a glimmer of effort he navigated the debris and made contact with the cradled city.
Stolen from Craftworld Eyryatiné 2000 years previously the 40 mile square Bio-dome pulsed with excruciating prolonged life. Here his Kabal still made their Nests. Naturally, he docked without qualm nor query, why destroy a house guest? If nothing else it would be impolite.
OOC : So basically we have introduced Uolis' master (who gets touchy when he has to Redact his own name) and given a hint as to the how the Diatribors may have came to grief.
, as he is one of those characters who kind of takes on a life of their own.