Title: The Inducti-I, New Blood in the Warhammer 40,000 Universe
Welcome back, loyal followers of the Imperium, to another deep dive into the universe of Warhammer 40,000. Today, we’re taking a rare journey into the heart of the traitor Legions, exploring a term that has sparked both intrigue and contempt – the “inducti-i.”
This term, often uttered in disdain by seasoned legionnaires, was introduced to designate new recruits. The inducti-i were often distinguished by unique signs, setting them apart from their veteran brothers. For instance, in the Emperor’s Children Legion, the inducti-i were blatantly forbidden from wearing the Palatine Aquila, a symbol of their rank and status.
Over in the Sons of Horus, there existed a handful of veterans who considered the use of Cthonian symbols by non-native recruits a crime warranting severe punishment. The introduction of these new recruits sparked a cultural clash within the Legions, as many were drafted from worlds far removed from the traditional recruitment grounds of the Legion during the Great Crusade.
The loyalist Legions, on the other hand, didn’t use the term “inducti-i” in their records. Instead, they employed other unique terms to denote their new recruits. For example, the Imperial Fists based on Terra referred to their new blood as Guardsmen or Nephites. However, within garrison personnel on Inwit or other strike forces, terms such as “recruits” or “initiates” were more commonly accepted.
Interestingly, not all Legions welcomed these new inductees with open arms. Some openly displayed disdain towards them. A poignant example is the words of Leman Russ, the Wolf King, who voiced his mistrust of these “pups” with “unblooded claws” and “unsharpened teeth” at a gathering of his Wolf Lords.
The reasons for this attitude are multifaceted, with cultural issues playing a significant role. During the Horus Heresy, many Legions found themselves cut off from their traditional recruitment grounds. The pace of war necessitated quick recruitment, often from planets with cultures vastly different from those of the Legion’s homeworld.
To assimilate these new recruits, some Legions attempted to align their culture with that of the aspirant’s world. For example, the Night Lords sought recruits from penal colonies, while the Dark Angels levied tithes from planets with honor-based cultures, such as Caliban.
Despite these efforts, cultural discrepancies persisted. Harsh training programs and intense hypno-indoctrination sessions were employed by many Legions to break down the remaining cultural ties. These efforts often resulted in recruits becoming crude parodies of their veteran brothers, mimicking traditions they felt no genuine connection to.
However, not all recruits succumbed to these psychological changes. Some proved resilient, blending the traditions of their homeworlds with those of the Legion. This resulted in the formation of dozens of distinct subcultures within various elements of the Legion.
As the forces of the Warmaster Horus reached Terra, the unity of the Legion had vanished. It was replaced by a disjointed generation of Legionnaires – a mix of recruits and veterans scattered across the galaxy, adhering to different cultures and tactical doctrines. Each element of the Legion was but a pale imitation of a now extinct era – a necessity born from the matriarch of invention as an ancient Terran proverb suggests.
Stay tuned for more deep dives into the grim darkness of the far future, where there is only war.
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