Welcome back to the grim darkness of the 41st Millennium, a period where the material universe was under immense pressure due to the escalating unrest within the Immaterium. The warp travel had become increasingly treacherous, and interstellar communication had begun to falter. The root causes can be traced back to multiple events like Abdon the Despoiler’s assault on the Cadian Gate, the sorcery of Magnus the Red during the siege of the Fenris system, the destruction of portions of the Webway, and the mass bloodshed in the Damocles Gulf.
But the final straw was the 13th Black Crusade, a cataclysmic event that ripped the Galaxy asunder, creating a colossal scar of corruption: The Great Rift. The aftermath was a divided Imperium, where one half found itself cut off from the Astronomican’s light and was ominously named Imperium Nihilus. In this region, the Emperor’s light ceased to reach the eyes of Seers and Navigators. The warp energy’s influence made time flow in a bizarre manner, speeding up in some sectors while slowing down in others.
The Great Rift, a horrifying spectacle, led to centuries of darkness where more human worlds vanished into the abyss than during the Age of Strife. Yet, slowly, as communication between worlds gradually improved, historians and Chronotech deciphered received messages to comprehend the events that transpired.
One of the most significant events was the Imperial counteroffensive known as The Indomitus Crusade, which, like a phoenix, helped restore order in the disjointed corners of the Galaxy. But the Crusade wasn’t the only event triggered by the Great Rift’s appearance. The Age of the Endomet saw a dramatic surge in demonic invasions into real space, countered by a sudden emergence of psychic abilities in many previously non-psyker individuals.
This Psychic Awakening spread across the Galaxy, with reports of individuals miraculously escaping demonic entities’ attacks through spontaneous manifestation of supernatural abilities. Among the God Emperor’s servants like the Sisters of Battle, Faith manifested as powerful psychic shields against the forces of Chaos and Xenos. But as with all things, the Psychic Awakening was not a boon to all.
Today, we turn our focus towards the Brazen Drakes, noble warriors who defended humanity in the Emperor’s name for over 5,000 standard years. But when psychic abilities began to manifest within their ranks, they were deemed a danger. Chapter Master Argento Coran, in a drastic decision, executed each tainted battle brother with his lightning claw during a purification ritual. But hiding this from the Imperium weighed heavy on the Master’s conscience.
Everything changed when Battle Brother Kier, in a desperate attempt to defend himself against an Ogryn Berserker, unleashed streams of psychic fire. Coran spared his life and declared himself the Enlightener, ordering a cleanse of those loyal to the old ways. But with the Torchbearer’s Fleet en route to their home, hiding was no longer an option.
On arrival, the Fleet found the Brazen Drakes branded as Hereticus Diabolis Extremist, the planet in ruins, and their intended reinforcements of Primaris Space Marines condemned. Shield Captain Tyar, disregarding Captain Garion’s objections, implied that the taint was evident not just in the Brazen Drakes but also in the Primaris.
As we delve deeper into this series, we will continue to uncover the twists and turns that shaped the grim reality of the 41st Millennium. Until then, remember: In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war.
Leave a Reply