Welcome back to our multi-part series diving deep into the expansive lore of Warhammer 40,000. Today, we’re focusing on the Ultramarines and their iconic leader, Roboute Guilliman, whose dedication to the welfare of his people and strategic genius have left a lasting impact on the Imperium.
The Ultramarines, undeniably the most numerous legion in the cosmos, owed their strength and resilience to Guilliman’s effective mobilization system. Even amidst his long-distance expeditions, Guilliman never forgot his home planet, Macragge, and its neighboring worlds. These 500 worlds of Ultramar held a special place in Guilliman’s heart, often leading him to contemplate the fate of his homeland had he not been found by the Emperor.
During the Horus Heresy, Guilliman’s strategic prowess was put to the test. In a cunning move by Horus, the 13th Legion was tricked into venturing to the Veridia system, leading to the legendary Battle of Calth. This battle marked the first strike in a campaign by the Word Bearers seeking revenge for the destruction of the Monarchy, a tragic event that Guilliman would later blame himself for.
Despite not possessing the gift of foresight like his brothers Sanguinius or Conrad Kurz, Guilliman prided himself on his ability to calculate possible outcomes. Yet, he did not foresee the severe consequences of the destruction of the 17th Legion and its primarch, leading to a bloody and costly battle against the Word Bearers and the Eaters of Worlds at Calth.
In this pivotal moment, Guilliman’s anger clouded his judgement. Enraged by his brothers’ treachery, he strayed from his usual strategic approach, leading to a devastatingly high number of casualties. Yet, despite this, the Ultramarines proved their deadly effectiveness, crushing the forces of the traitors and demonstrating their unwavering loyalty to the Emperor.
This brutal battle left lasting scars on all the Sons of Guilliman, dividing the Ultramarines into two camps: those who fought at Calth and those who escaped the battle. The betrayal they endured set these troopers apart, leaving a mark of treacherous treachery that would echo sadly in subsequent wars.
However, the attack on Calth was not the end of the Word Bearers’ foulness. Using black sorcery, they created warp storms that isolated many planets from the light of the Imperium. Ultramar, like others, was cut off. The absence of the Emperor’s psychic beacon was seen as a potential sign of his demise.
Yet, in the face of potential loss, Guilliman displayed remarkable strength and wisdom. He concluded that, even if the Emperor were dead, he must have weakened the traitorous forces, meaning the fight for the Imperium was not over. With this belief, Guilliman set into motion a grand plan, aimed at avenging the treachery and safeguarding the kingdom of mankind.
As we continue our journey into the lore of Warhammer 40,000, we’ll explore more about how Guilliman’s strategic prowess and unwavering loyalty impacted the course of the Imperium. Stay tuned for our next installment where we delve deeper into the aftermath of the Battle of Calth and the ripple effects of Guilliman’s grand plan.
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