Belf of Iron is a vast region of space, comprising thousands of Systems across the borders of Segmentum Tempestus and Segmentum Pacificus. The name comes from the countless Forge Worlds located in the region, which warred upon each other during the Horus Heresy.
While the war between them resulted in the victory for the Loyalist, the results of this are not great, even for the Loyalist.
Fearing that other Forge Worlds will raise to rival their own, Mars have impose heavy restrictions upon those within the Belt of Iron, even on those of Loyalist, seemingly forgetting their own loyalty and role during the Horus Heresy.
Archanus, a Forge World named for the breed of arachnid-like megafauna that once walked its surface and were hunted to extinction by the Legio Venator. Archanus have resisted Imperial rule during the Great Crusade but forced to surrender after the invasion by the Legio Astraman and Legio Laniaskara. Arachnus remained hostile to Mars in the aftermath but were favoured by the Adeptus Custodes for its specialized laser technology.
But, the world fall into civil war after the ideological divide of Legio Venator brought these differences to a head during Cataclysm of Iron. Though the civil war ended with Loyalist victory, Mars imposed strict restrictions upon them, resulting them unable to gain enough raw materials to rebuild their world, not to said rebuild their Legio, a status of power for the Forge World. With the Custodes seal themselves within the Palace, there are no one that they can seek help with.
In the end, even their Legio is strip from them as Legio Venator have changed their home to Opus Macharius in Calixis Sector after the Angevin Crusade.
Zhao-Arkkad, a Forge World discover by the the expeditionary fleet of the Thousand Sons' Fifth Fellowship during the Great Crusade, this resulting a close relationship and cooperation between the two.
During the Burning of Prospero, Zhao-Arkkad fight for the Thousand Sons with Magos Tacitus Proctor commanding the Zhao-Arkhad Taghmata and Princeps Calvar Ibranum leading Legio Xestobiax.
A battle also happen on the Forge World with Zhao-Arkkad repel the Dark Angles with the help of Thousand Sons' Fifth Fellowship that claim they loyalty still with the Emperor.
Zhao-Arkkad is reconquer by the Imperium during the Great Scouring. Even though they stay loyal to Imperium since, they are some rumors about Zhao-Arkkad beginning to try and use forbidden tech and Xenos technologies.
Legio Xestobiax is pardoned and accepted back into Imperium after the Heresy. But, all of their Titans are to be decommission as they use Eldar-influenced psycho-reactive iron cores.
Other than this two Forge Worlds, they are also other Forge Worlds that face similar problem. Mars continually raises its demands for supplies and raw materials, essentially enforcing a tech-tithe that stifles growth. Resulting these Forge Worlds didn't have the resources and times to expand their power and even rebuild their world that damaged or destroyed during the Heresy.
If Atharion can grab this opportunity and use it well, he can increase his reputation among the Forge Worlds in the region, making it's easier to communicate with them. And if possible, forging alliances with them.
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300.M36
DK-003-A - DK-003 System
DK-003-A was a feudal world governed by twelve dukes, each ruling over their own domain. With so many rival powers, warfare between the realms was a common occurrence. However, unlike typical feudal societies, these wars were not fought with swords and pikes. Instead, the dukes' armies employed more advanced weaponry.
According to historical tomes preserved by the noble houses, as well as local folklore, the planet was originally discovered by the Imperium during the middle years of the Great Crusade. However, contact was lost after only a decade, as a massive warp storm engulfed much of the Dark Marches, isolating the system.
Prior to the loss of contact, the Imperium had begun constructing a small factorum on the world, intending to raise regiments for the Imperial Army. This facility was capable of producing auto-guns and lower-grade Solar Pattern Void Armour that still superior to standard flak armor.
This resulting the war between the dukes are deadlier than normal, making the population of the world are lower than a normal feudal world and the environment also worse than normal.
As one of the worlds that will stay directly under his rule, Atharion have order the removal of all dukes from their power and execute all that resist him.
Ten of the twelve dukes and his houses are completely destroy as they try to resist. The remaining two submited themselves and as results, Atharion let them keep their duke title but have their domain strip to only their ancestral castle. But, they will gain a monthly stipend equivalent to their title, and the honor of send members of their house to join the Crusade, with the potential gaining glory and even gaining an administrative role if prove capable.
Wishing to change how the Imperium rule the worlds, Atharion have decided to use the Chinese Empire administrative system for his realm, with the central government holding the power and the ability to assign administrator to the system.
In addition to these reforms, Atharion reorganized the noble title system, drawing inspiration from the Tang Dynasty. This new system introduced both hereditary and honorary titles, covering administrative and military roles alike. The goal was to create a structure where anyone, noble or common, could earn glory and honor through merit and service.
This not only encouraged nobles participating in the Crusade to fight with greater determination, but also gave common citizens the opportunity to rise through the ranks based on their achievements. Such a system ensured that titles were not simply passed down through bloodlines, but awarded to those who proved themselves competent and loyal.
By allowing nobles to retain their original titles while also offering the prospect of earning higher honors, Atharion minimized resistance to the new system. At the same time, he prevented any single family from ruling a city, or an entire world for generations unchecked. Power would now rest with those who served faithfully, not with dynasties clinging to outdated privilege.
Currently, DK-003-A have been designated as a fortress world. This is because the world settle upon one of the stable warp route into the worlds that Atharion wish to set as the core worlds for the realm.
Standing before a hololith projection of the planet, Atharion turned toward the Tech-Priest from Gryphonne IV.
"How is the construction progressing?" he asked, his voice calm but firm. "I expect it to be ready to support fleet operations in the near future."
The hum of cogitators filled the air before the Tech-Priest responded, his voice accompanied by the clicking of vocal modulators.
"The early stage of infrastructure construction is complete." He said.
The hololith zoomed in on a small orbital station, currently surrounded by transport ships and construction vessels.
"This station, designated DK-Alpha, now functions as the primary hub for materials and personnel. Docking arrays are operational, and resource storage is at sixty-two percent capacity. We estimate that within three standard months, it will be able to fully service fleet elements and act as a relay point for warp travel."
He paused before continuing, "Ground-based defense installations are at twenty-eight percent completion. Shield generators and macro battery emplacements are being prioritized. Additional support from Gryphonne IV will accelerate progress if approved."
Atharion nodded. "Do your best. I'll relay this report to your Archmagos, perhaps he can be persuaded to loosen the resource chains."
He glanced once more at the hololith before fixing his gaze back on the Tech-Priest. "For now, continue your work. Prioritize readiness. This world must be able to hold against anything the void throws at it."
The Tech-Priest gave a brief nod, servo-limbs clicking in unison, and silently turned toward the exit, his mechanized frame disappearing beyond the chamber doors as the cogitator hum faded behind him.
Seeing the Tech-Priest have leave the chamber, Atharion look out towards the void from the window in front of him. He can see a Warp rift that form a wall, separating the cluster of systems behind them with the wider galaxy.
According to the early research done by the Tech-Priest and the Librarians of the Chapter, this Warp rift is form with the Warp storm that isolated the worlds previously. The storm didn't fully dispersed and part of it remain as the Warp rift.
"So," came a human voice from behind Atharion, calm and unhurried. "This is where you've chosen to establish your main base."
A silhouette now stood beside him—featureless, like a living shadow.
"Hmmm… A suitable location. Well hidden from Terra's eyes and nestled on the edge of the most neglected Segmentum."
Atharion didn't turn, but he could feel the figure's gaze upon him, if it even had eyes.
"So, is there anything you want to tell me?" Atharion continue to look towards the rift. "or you simply here to have small talk?"
It chuckle. "You always like this, not willing to slow down." It stop and Atharion can feel his gaze move away. "I know the things that you worry about," Atharion posture tenses when he heard this. "but its still far in the future isn't it?"
Atharion stay silent for a while before nodding. "Yes, all those that I worry about are far in the future." His tone suddenly change to more aggressive. "But all those things can wipe the Imperium if they fully awaken, if that thing still happen, the End Time will truly starting the tick down." He turn towards It. "I will not slow down, especially when there still much to do."
"Hah." The shadow let out a short, amused breath. Then, it turn towards Atharion, at that momment, Atharion feel eyes, thousands of eyes looking at him. "You will fail."
"Yes I will."
"No I will not."
A cold silence followed.
"Atharion." A mechanical voice cut through the chaos.
Atharion peel his eyes from the rift and look behind him. Nine, wearing the black and silver with little red upon his robe, the colors of Anvilus Nine.
Drawing upon his psychic power to still his mind, Atharion took a steadying breath. "So, they finally decided to unveil the crown."
Nine nodded. "Yes... albeit reluctantly and only after intense debate. They have agreed to unveil it."
He paused.
"Even though not one of them believes this is the right time."
Atharion nodded. "None of us think that its time, Nine." He look into the mechanical eyes. "But this is the best opportunity to unveil it while limiting the complications required to obscure its true origin."
"Hmph." Nine scoffed, the sound modulated and sharp, like grinding steel.
"Mars will not be happy about this." Nine said. "None of them are."
Anvilus Nine, located in the western reaches of the Dark Marches, lay deep within the territory Atharion had claimed as his personal domain. It was one of the many reasons he had chosen the Dark Marches in the first place.
By using the Crusade as a cover, they could plausibly "discover" a lost Forge World—one that, conveniently, had been hidden or forgotten since the Great Crusade. And no matter how implausible the narrative, the wider Imperium would have little choice but to accept it as official record.
But of course, using the name Anvilus Nine might actually bring the attention of Mars and the Inquisition. Because of the Forge World unique role in Great Crusade, Both Mars and the Inquisition might still have records about it.
So, after long and careful deliberation, Atharion and Nine agreed to a solution.
They would rename it.
The Forge World would be presented to the Imperium as a newly rediscovered site, completely distinct from its original identity. A different designation, different history, a different truth.
The name they chose was Thoros.
"With this," Nine said as the hololith flickered to life, displaying data on each of the core worlds, their designations, future purposes, construction projections. "the plan can finally begin. And the Legio can walk in light for the first time."
Atharion smiled. "Indeed. It's time for them to show their might."