Friday, November 27, 2015

A look at Twisthammer Primarchs

While the Twisthammer Primarchs are a varied lot, the order of their discovery had much influence on their eventual fates. Unlike the canon Horus Heresy setting, in which the first Primarch to be discovered proved to be singularly capable to serve as the leader of all Imperial armies, the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Twisthammer Primarchs were considerably more complicated.

Though the first Primarchs to be discovered were all capable warriors or generals in their own right, they were not the kind of charismatic leaders who could command fealty of all the varied factions which made up the nascent Imperium of Man. By the time the first Primarchs with undisputable leadership potential were discovered, their more established brothers, not to mention many specialized factions within the Imperium, would not have accepted their authority. Because of this, the eventual allegiances and destinies of the Primarchs became quite complicated.

So, without further ado, let's meet the Primarchs (and for more details, click on the Legion's link in the panel on the right)!

In order of discovery (Legion after the Primarch's name, Heresy-era allegiance in parentheses):

1.  Kthuln / Jaws of the Deep (Independent/Khorne) - a peerless warrior struggling to get the darker aspects of his personality under control, once worshipped as a god on his homeworld. While he is brutally effective in war, he is often seen as a barbaric savage, and finds it difficult to earn respect of the more civilized segments of Imperial society.

2.  Nyxos / Grim Angels (Loyalist) - an uncompromising weapon of terror, Nyxos is an obsessed fanatic suspecting mutation and subversion at every step. Unlike many of his brothers, he does not seek personal aggrandizement, preferring to work in the shadows.

3.  Nihlus / Iconoclasts (Traitor/Nurgle) - a violent, thoroughly broken mad genius with nothing but hatred for all creation, Nihlus revels in his monstrous appearance and the suffering he brings to others. Despite maintaining a measure of professional courtesy with Kthuln and Nyxos, he is not a popular figure, and is often seen as a weapon of last resort instead of a charismatic leader.

4.  Griven Kall / Hellhounds (Traitor) - while incredibly popular with the Imperial citizens due to his heroism in fighting the alien menace, Griven Kall's obsession with xenocide borders on fanaticism that makes more pragmatic Imperial institutions uneasy. His use of alien weaponry and technology is a massive point of contention with the technology-worshipping Mechanicum, ensuring their distrust of Griven Kall and his Legion.

5.  Mohktal / Illuminators (Loyalist) - as one of the most psychically powerful beings in the galaxy, Mohktal curiously chose the path of enlightenment and self-discovery that also set him apart from his brothers. As such, he is generally well respected as a neutral mediator and a voice of reason, but has little authority with his more militant brothers.

6.  Maikhaira / Iron Locusts (Traitor) - already embittered by the Imperium's treatment of his beloved abhumans, Maikhaira is seen as an unlikeable outsider by most of his brothers. Though effective in war due to his embrace of airborne assault tactics, he is looked at as having dubious loyalties and ideals.

7.  Echelon / Steel Wardens (Loyalist) - hailing from a world that embraced technology to the extent of replacing bodies of flesh with cybernetic shells, Echelon is looked at with suspicion or outright enmity by the technology-hoarding Mechanicum. Though one of the most humane Primarchs, Echelon is frequently misunderstood and accused of tech-heresy by his less enlightened brothers.

8.  Corwin / Angel Kings (Loyalist/Independent) - a product of heavily traditionalist noble upbringing amongst the feudal techno-barbarians, Corwin is one of Imperium's foremost military minds, though his cold and cautious nature makes him somewhat aloof from his brothers. Had he been the first Primarch discovered, he would have made a fine candidate for eventual leader of the Imperial armies, however, by the time of his discovery the other Primarchs were too well established to consider taking orders from him.

9.  Iskanderos / Imperial Redeemers (Arch-Traitor) - though he was far from the first Primarch discovered, the proud and haughty Iskanderos is one of the most militarily successful ones, often called the Conqueror due to his countless victories. With boundless energy and charisma, it was only natural that Iskanderos would find the constraints of the Imperium too small for his ambitions.

10.  Leto / Immortals (Independent) - a scientifically aware, civilized, and rational, Leto is an organizational genius without peer, a politician and a statesman with designs on improving the human civilization through his efforts. While his goals may be noble, he is well aware of political and military realities, and is extremely pragmatic about accomplishing such goals.

11.  Rogr Hemri / Lion Guard (Loyalist) - the master of the largest Space Marine Legion, Rogr Hemri is nevertheless better known as the statesman, the orator, and the politician with penchant for successful propaganda campaigns and a cult of personality. Though some of the more strong-willed Primarchs find Hemri to be objectionable, he is able to command the loyalty of many of his brothers and Imperial servants.

12.  Gideon / Peacekeepers (Loyalist/Independent) - a noble gunslinger who rebuilt a ruined civilization into a star-faring society, Gideon embodies the virtues of a selfless leader and honorable warrior. With his Legion second only to the Lion Guard in size, Gideon's toll of victories is considerable, however, some of his more ambitious brothers may see him as a threat in the realm of politics.

13.  Zaeed / Spears of Eternity (Loyalist/Independent) - though heavily unconventional in ideas, tactics, and abilities, Zaeed is a charismatic leader and commander unquestioningly loyal to the Emperor. Some may say that such loyalty exceeds the healthy boundaries set in an officially atheistic Imperium of Man, and borders outright worship.

14.  Ashur / Midnight Riders (Loyalist) - a volatile techno-barbarian gang warlord with penchant for impulsiveness and heavy combat drug use, Ashur is only truly at home when leading his men from the saddle of his combat bike. Though considered unreliable and unpredictable, Ashur remains fiercely loyal to those who earned his fealty.

15.  Stefan Ignatiyev / Red Star Legion (Independent) - having risen from the ranks of organized crime to covertly rule an interstellar empire, Stefan Ignatiyev is fond of clandestine measures, massive feats of coordination across many battle fronts, and using his Legion as only one tool in an arsenal of conquest. While Stefan presents a civilized, aristocratic front, woe to those who underestimate his intellect and ruthlessness.

16.  Dyal Rulf / Consecrators (Loyalist) - though his quiet manner can be disarming, Dyal Rulf is the epitome of scientific, thoroughly studious approach to warfare. To him, war is a simple matter of applying knowledge and rational thought to achieve victory, and the results matter more than the glory of conquest.

17.  Marvus / Doom Reavers (Traitor) - a tortured, underestimated man whose stern demeanor hides dark past, Marvus and his sons are called upon for the jobs considered too distasteful, too brutal for the more publicity-conscious Legions. While some of his brothers are aware of his potential as a general and a leader, most others consider Marvus a despicable master of a Legion fond of underhanded tactics and forbidden weaponry.

18.  Angelus / Gargoyles (Traitor/Slaanesh) - the winged, hunchbacked form of Angelus is a common sight on the front lines of the Great Crusade, where he leads his superstitious, savage sons on wars of callous extermination suggested by the voices only he can hear. Only Angelus' extreme psychic ability and undeniable usefulness as both a weapon of terror and as a would-be clairvoyant delivering cryptic warnings from the future stave off those who would rather see him and his Legion censured.

19.  Baelic / Warblades (Traitor) - a celebrity arena fighter from an incredibly technologically advanced world, Baelic sees the Great Crusade as a challenge to prove his martial skills, a game rather than a higher calling. Though seen as immature and glory-seeking by his brothers, Baelic is, at his core, a warrior of integrity whose beliefs may be challenged when brother turns against brother.

20.  Andrieu Ulliann / Liberators (Traitor/Tzeentch) - though born and raised as an aristocrat and beloved for his poetic talent, Andrieu Ulliann's idealism led him to start a bloody revolution against an oppressive regime in the name of change and hope for better times. Some may call his idealism naïve, though to others, it has the beginnings of dangerous fanaticism.

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