White Scars Warhammer 40K – Part 2 (Part 2 of 7)

Unyielding Warriors of the Great Crusade

As the Unification Wars escalated into the Great Crusade, a legion of Astartes known as the Star Hunters played a pivotal role in charting the unknown reaches of the galaxy. Split into a hundred companies, they acted as pioneers, seeking out new domains for the Crusade’s Expeditionary Fleets. Their early experiences in scouting and pioneering earned them a reputation as masters of hit-and-run and maneuver warfare.

A Bond Forged with Horus

One such pioneer company discovered Cthonia, homeworld of Horus, forging a lasting bond between the Star Hunters and the Primarch. This connection would shape their destiny in the years to come. The Star Hunters’ expertise in rapid assaults and surprise attacks earned them a reputation as raiders who struck without warning, drawing out their foes and testing their mettle before broadcasting vital data to allied fleets.

Living by a Single Creed

In these early days, the Star Hunters lived by a simple yet unyielding creed: each new day is a victory. This motto arose from the Legion’s heavy losses and the slow erosion of their numbers under the pressures of their duties. Rather than seek aid, they chose to live and die on their own terms, in the manner and locations of their choice.

The Discovery of Jaghatai Khan

It was at this near-breaking point that their Primarch, Jaghatai Khan, was discovered after a fifty-year search. Upon meeting the Emperor, Jaghatai recognized him as a unifying force, someone who could bring together the stars of the sky. At his palace on Quan Zhou, Jaghatai swore allegiance to the Emperor and was given command of the Vth Legion.

Rebuilding the Legion

Jaghatai’s palace, located in the rugged Khum Karta mountains, became the Legion’s Fortress-monastery. However, the Khan struggled to adapt to the advanced technologies and tactics of the Imperium, taking longer than most Primarchs to adjust. Despite these challenges, he effectively rebuilt the Star Hunters into a new force, similar to the armies he had employed on Chogoris.

The Blooding

In 875.M30, Jaghatai mustered all remaining Pioneer companies on Chogoris and declared that they would be unified in a shared tradition and ritual. In an event known as the Blooding, 50,000 warriors took up knives and marked themselves with a scar and a new Chogorian name. This blend of primitive and enlightened traditions put the Khan at odds with some aspects of the Imperial Truth, leading to conflicts with other Primarchs.

Battles of the Great Crusade

The Legion fought many bloody battles during the Great Crusade, earning a reputation for their fast attacks and hit-and-run assaults. Under Jaghatai’s command, they became infamous for their lightning-fast maneuvers, outmatching every foe they encountered. The Khan always fought at the forefront of every attack, earning the respect of his Legion.

The White Scars

Later, during the war against the Nephilim on Hoadh, the Legion became known as the White Scars, a term derived from a fused corruption of a Chogorian tribe name and a reference to their new ivory livery. Despite their glory and victories, the White Scars were still largely neglected by the historians of the Imperium, who viewed them as savages akin to the warriors of Angron or Leman Russ. Yet, in truth, they were learned warriors skilled in craftsmanship, art, and philosophy.

Disciplined and Professional

The warriors of the Legion were far more disciplined and professional than those of the World Eaters or Space Wolves. They found no joy in slaughter and were only merciless when necessary or against a worthy foe. The Scars made no effort to show the greater Imperium their true selves, content to let their actions speak for themselves.

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