Difference between revisions of "Primarch"
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| − | The '''Primarchs''' were the twenty genetically-engineered "sons" of the [[Emperor]]. The Emperor used his own DNA in their creation, and they were designed to be far superior to the average human: immensely larger, stronger, hardier, faster, and more intelligent. They were also incredibly charismatic, as their main role was to be generals and leaders of the [[Imperial]] military. | + | The '''Primarchs''' were the twenty genetically-engineered "sons" of the [[Emperor of Mankind|Emperor]]. The Emperor used his own DNA in their creation, and they were designed to be far superior to the average human: immensely larger, stronger, hardier, faster, and more intelligent. They were also incredibly charismatic, as their main role was to be generals and leaders of the [[Imperium|Imperial]] military. |
==Creation of the Primarchs== | ==Creation of the Primarchs== | ||
| − | They were created in a secret underground laboratory on [[Luna]] under the tightest security. However, the forces of [[Chaos]] | + | They were created in a secret underground laboratory on [[Luna]] under the tightest security. However, the forces of [[Chaos]] somehow managed to spirit them away just prior to their maturation and it is speculated that they also managed to tamper with the infant Primarchs. These were scattered across the galaxy, beyond the Emperor's reach, and all of them landed on different worlds. The Emperor could sense that the infant Primarchs were alive, but was unable to reach them. Therefore he used their previously collected DNA samples to create the [[Space Marine]]s. The genetic material of each one of the Primarchs was used to found a single [[Space Marine Legion]], twenty in total. |
| − | The new homeworlds of the foundling Primarchs and their infancy would influence and mould them to a large extent. There they quickly grew to adulthood and often rose to power, ruling, leading, and helping the inhabitants. As the Emperor found them, he was generally pleased by their actions, and quickly gave them the leadership of their respective legion. | + | The new homeworlds of the foundling Primarchs and their infancy would influence and mould them to a large extent. There they quickly grew to adulthood and often rose to power, ruling, leading, and helping the inhabitants. As the Emperor found them, he was generally pleased by their actions, and quickly gave them the leadership of their respective legion. |
| − | The first Primarch to be found was | + | The first Primarch to be found was [[Horus]], who became the Emperor's favourite. Most Primarchs somehow recognised the Emperor on sight, and immediately pledged their allegiance on the spot. A few, ([[Leman Russ]], [[Ferrus Manus]] and [[Vulkan]]) only followed him after being bested in contests. [[Angron]] refused, and was abducted from his homeworld, something he never really accepted. The last to be found was [[Alpharius]]. |
At the end of the [[Great Crusade]] Warmaster Horus fell to Chaos, and eight of his fellow Primarchs followed him against the Emperor, resulting in a full-scale civil war known as the [[Horus Heresy]]. Each Primarch chose his side, loyalists against traitors, leading their legions against their former comrades. | At the end of the [[Great Crusade]] Warmaster Horus fell to Chaos, and eight of his fellow Primarchs followed him against the Emperor, resulting in a full-scale civil war known as the [[Horus Heresy]]. Each Primarch chose his side, loyalists against traitors, leading their legions against their former comrades. | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|align=center|'''II''' | |align=center|'''II''' | ||
| − | ! colspan="5" |Deleted from Imperial records, | + | ! colspan="5" |Deleted from Imperial records, authorisation unknown. |
|- | |- | ||
|align=center|'''III''' | |align=center|'''III''' | ||
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|align=center|[[Night Lords]] | |align=center|[[Night Lords]] | ||
|align=center|Traitor | |align=center|Traitor | ||
| − | |align=center|Dead, assassinated by Callidus assassin ' | + | |align=center|Dead, assassinated by Callidus assassin [[M'Shen]]. |
|- | |- | ||
|align=center|'''IX''' | |align=center|'''IX''' | ||
| Line 87: | Line 87: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|align=center|'''XI''' | |align=center|'''XI''' | ||
| − | ! colspan="5" |Deleted from Imperial records, | + | ! colspan="5" |Deleted from Imperial records, authorisation unknown. |
|- | |- | ||
|align=center|'''XII''' | |align=center|'''XII''' | ||
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|align=center|[[Ultramarines]] | |align=center|[[Ultramarines]] | ||
|align=center|Loyal | |align=center|Loyal | ||
| − | |align=center|Mortally wounded by Fulgrim currently held in stasis, | + | |align=center|Mortally wounded by Fulgrim currently held in stasis, rumoured to be healing. |
|- | |- | ||
|align=center|'''XIV''' | |align=center|'''XIV''' | ||
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====Traitors==== | ====Traitors==== | ||
*Warmaster '''[[Horus]]''' was killed by the [[Emperor of Mankind]], and his soul was obliterated. His corpse was completely destroyed by [[Ezekyle Abaddon|Abaddon the Despoiler]], who also took over his place as overall leader of the [[Chaos Space Marine]]s. | *Warmaster '''[[Horus]]''' was killed by the [[Emperor of Mankind]], and his soul was obliterated. His corpse was completely destroyed by [[Ezekyle Abaddon|Abaddon the Despoiler]], who also took over his place as overall leader of the [[Chaos Space Marine]]s. | ||
| − | *'''[[Magnus | + | *'''[[Magnus]]''' rose to the rank of [[Daemon Prince]] of [[Tzeentch]]. |
*'''[[Angron]]''' rose to the rank of Daemon prince of [[Khorne]]. | *'''[[Angron]]''' rose to the rank of Daemon prince of [[Khorne]]. | ||
*'''[[Mortarion]]''' rose the rank of Daemon Prince of [[Nurgle]]. | *'''[[Mortarion]]''' rose the rank of Daemon Prince of [[Nurgle]]. | ||
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*'''[[Lorgar]]''' rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of [[Chaos Undivided]]. | *'''[[Lorgar]]''' rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of [[Chaos Undivided]]. | ||
*'''[[Perturabo]]''' rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of [[Chaos Undivided]]. | *'''[[Perturabo]]''' rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of [[Chaos Undivided]]. | ||
| − | *'''[[Konrad Curze]]''', aka ''' | + | *'''[[Konrad Curze]]''', aka '''Night Haunter''', was assassinated by [[Callidus Temple|Callidus]] assassin [[M'Shen]]. He allowed her infiltration, apparently wanting to die. |
| − | *'''[[Alpharius]]''' was killed by [[Roboute Guilliman]], but the source which reported his death may have been manipulated. It is not known if Alpharius or Omegon is the | + | *'''[[Alpharius]]''' was killed by [[Roboute Guilliman]], but the source which reported his death may have been manipulated. It is not known if Alpharius or Omegon is the Primarch killed in the report. Due to the report's unreliability, neither may have been killed.<sup>8</sup>. |
====Loyalists==== | ====Loyalists==== | ||
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*'''[[Sanguinius]]''' was slain by [[Horus]] after refusing to join him. | *'''[[Sanguinius]]''' was slain by [[Horus]] after refusing to join him. | ||
*'''[[Lion El'Jonson]]''' returned to his homeworld of [[Caliban]] only to discover that his friend and second-in command [[Luther]] and the [[Fallen|Dark Angel garrison]] had turned against him<sup>2</sup>. He led a strike force of his own loyal [[Dark Angels]] against the traitors. He disappeared amongst the inferno as the world was blasted apart by a [[Warp Storm]] and a bombardment from his ships in orbit. He sleeps deep within [[the Rock]], the biggest piece of [[Caliban]] and current home base of the [[Dark Angels]]<sup>1,2</sup>. Only the [[Emperor]] and the [[Watchers in the Dark]] know of this secret.<sup>1-p14</sup> | *'''[[Lion El'Jonson]]''' returned to his homeworld of [[Caliban]] only to discover that his friend and second-in command [[Luther]] and the [[Fallen|Dark Angel garrison]] had turned against him<sup>2</sup>. He led a strike force of his own loyal [[Dark Angels]] against the traitors. He disappeared amongst the inferno as the world was blasted apart by a [[Warp Storm]] and a bombardment from his ships in orbit. He sleeps deep within [[the Rock]], the biggest piece of [[Caliban]] and current home base of the [[Dark Angels]]<sup>1,2</sup>. Only the [[Emperor]] and the [[Watchers in the Dark]] know of this secret.<sup>1-p14</sup> | ||
| − | *'''[[Jaghatai Khan]]''' disappeared while pursuing [[Dark Eldar]] into a | + | *'''[[Jaghatai Khan]]''' disappeared while pursuing the [[Dark Eldar]] into a Webway portal after they had managed to raid [[Mundus Planus]]. There are rumours that he fights there still, lost in the twisting paths of the [[Webway]]. After nine thousand years it seems highly unlikely, but not impossible. |
| − | *'''[[Leman Russ]]''' disappeared in the [[Eye of Terror]]. The [[Space Wolves]] hold a legend that says Russ went on a quest to find a means to cure the [[Emperor]]. His final words before his disappearance is that he would return for the | + | *'''[[Leman Russ]]''' disappeared in the [[Eye of Terror]]. The [[Space Wolves]] hold a legend that says Russ went on a quest to find a means to cure the [[Emperor]]. His final words before his disappearance is that he would return for the 'Wolftime' (the final battle). It is also said that [[Leman Russ]] led the 13th Company into the [[Eye of Terror]] and ordered them to hunt down the [[Traitor Legions]] which had fled to the [[Eye of Terror]], particularly the [[Thousand Sons]]. |
*'''[[Rogal Dorn]]''' boarded a Chaos cruiser during a [[Black Crusade]] alongside a company of his sons and died fighting. He died after many of his loyal brother Primarchs. Today, his hand is housed in the holiest shrine of the [[Imperial Fists]] chapter, and his dead body encased in amber and put in Phalanx <sup>11</sup>. | *'''[[Rogal Dorn]]''' boarded a Chaos cruiser during a [[Black Crusade]] alongside a company of his sons and died fighting. He died after many of his loyal brother Primarchs. Today, his hand is housed in the holiest shrine of the [[Imperial Fists]] chapter, and his dead body encased in amber and put in Phalanx <sup>11</sup>. | ||
| − | *'''[[Roboute Guilliman]]''' was struck down with an envenomed blade by his former brother [[Fulgrim]]. His body is perfectly preserved in a [[stasis field]] at the heart of the '''Temple of Correction'''<sup>3</sup>. It is rumoured that he is still alive and that his wound is slowly healing, something normally impossible in a stasis field. The truth of this rumour is unknown but this is seen by many (including | + | *'''[[Roboute Guilliman]]''' was struck down with an envenomed blade by his former brother [[Fulgrim]]. His body is perfectly preserved in a [[stasis field]] at the heart of the '''Temple of Correction'''<sup>3</sup>. It is rumoured that he is still alive and that his wound is slowly healing, something normally impossible in a stasis field. The truth of this rumour is unknown but this is seen by many (including Captain [[Uriel Ventris]]) as mere optimistic thinking. |
*'''[[Vulkan]]''' disappeared. The position of [[Chapter Master]], filled by the [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] of the First Company, is considered to be a regency as the [[Salamanders]] believe that Vulkan will one day return and lead them on a great crusade against Chaos. | *'''[[Vulkan]]''' disappeared. The position of [[Chapter Master]], filled by the [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] of the First Company, is considered to be a regency as the [[Salamanders]] believe that Vulkan will one day return and lead them on a great crusade against Chaos. | ||
| − | *'''[[Corax]]''' was racked by guilt and shame. In order to rebuild quickly the strength of his legion from the dropsite massacre on [[Isstvan V]], Corax accelerated the growth of the gene-seed organs, producing more [[Space Marines]], but this process also deteriorated the [[Gene-seed]], causing many to become hulking monsters. Riddled with guilt over what he had done, Corax administered euthanasia to all of them and then locked himself away within his sanctum, the | + | *'''[[Corax]]''' was racked by guilt and shame. In order to rebuild quickly the strength of his legion from the dropsite massacre on [[Isstvan V]], Corax accelerated the growth of the gene-seed organs, producing more [[Space Marines]], but this process also deteriorated the [[Gene-seed]], causing many to become hulking monsters. Riddled with guilt over what he had done, Corax administered euthanasia to all of them and then locked himself away within his sanctum, the Raven's Tower. Exactly one year later he left his tower, haggard and gaunt, and took a small shuttle craft with the words ''Never more''. It was last monitored setting a course for the [[Eye of Terror]]. |
==Two unknown Primarchs== | ==Two unknown Primarchs== | ||
Almost nothing is known about the [[Two unknown legions|two unknown primarchs]]. | Almost nothing is known about the [[Two unknown legions|two unknown primarchs]]. | ||
| − | References to the second and eleventh Primarchs are made in the short story, The Lighting Tower<sup>12</sup>, in which Rogal Dorn describes the plinths on which their statues stand should be vacant and says that 'no one ever spoke of those two absent brothers. Their separate tragedies had seemed like aberrations. Had they, in fact, been warnings that no one had heeded?' Also in [[The First Heretic (Novel)]] [[Lorgar]] makes several references saying that the Emperor ordered them to be forgotten. | + | References to the second and eleventh Primarchs are made in the short story, The Lighting Tower<sup>12</sup>, in which Rogal Dorn describes the plinths on which their statues stand should be vacant and says that 'no one ever spoke of those two absent brothers. Their separate tragedies had seemed like aberrations. Had they, in fact, been warnings that no one had heeded?' Also in [[The First Heretic (Novel)|The First Heretic]], [[Lorgar]] makes several references saying that the Emperor ordered them to be forgotten. |
The traitor Primarchs in this story are covered with a shroud, so the fate of the second and eleventh is undetermined. They may have been found and befell a tragedy as it implies they were spoken about previously. | The traitor Primarchs in this story are covered with a shroud, so the fate of the second and eleventh is undetermined. They may have been found and befell a tragedy as it implies they were spoken about previously. | ||
Revision as of 08:33, 2 July 2011
The Primarchs were the twenty genetically-engineered "sons" of the Emperor. The Emperor used his own DNA in their creation, and they were designed to be far superior to the average human: immensely larger, stronger, hardier, faster, and more intelligent. They were also incredibly charismatic, as their main role was to be generals and leaders of the Imperial military.
Contents
Creation of the Primarchs
They were created in a secret underground laboratory on Luna under the tightest security. However, the forces of Chaos somehow managed to spirit them away just prior to their maturation and it is speculated that they also managed to tamper with the infant Primarchs. These were scattered across the galaxy, beyond the Emperor's reach, and all of them landed on different worlds. The Emperor could sense that the infant Primarchs were alive, but was unable to reach them. Therefore he used their previously collected DNA samples to create the Space Marines. The genetic material of each one of the Primarchs was used to found a single Space Marine Legion, twenty in total.
The new homeworlds of the foundling Primarchs and their infancy would influence and mould them to a large extent. There they quickly grew to adulthood and often rose to power, ruling, leading, and helping the inhabitants. As the Emperor found them, he was generally pleased by their actions, and quickly gave them the leadership of their respective legion.
The first Primarch to be found was Horus, who became the Emperor's favourite. Most Primarchs somehow recognised the Emperor on sight, and immediately pledged their allegiance on the spot. A few, (Leman Russ, Ferrus Manus and Vulkan) only followed him after being bested in contests. Angron refused, and was abducted from his homeworld, something he never really accepted. The last to be found was Alpharius.
At the end of the Great Crusade Warmaster Horus fell to Chaos, and eight of his fellow Primarchs followed him against the Emperor, resulting in a full-scale civil war known as the Horus Heresy. Each Primarch chose his side, loyalists against traitors, leading their legions against their former comrades.
| Legion Number | Name | Homeworld | Name of the Legion | Allegiance | Current Status |
| I | Lion El'Jonson | Caliban | Dark Angels | Loyal | Alive, asleep within a secret chamber on the Rock. |
| II | Deleted from Imperial records, authorisation unknown. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | Fulgrim | Chemos | Emperor's Children | Traitor | Daemon Prince. |
| IV | Perturabo | Olympia | Iron Warriors | Traitor | Daemon Prince, ruler of Medrengard. |
| V | Jaghatai Khan | Mundus Planus | White Scars | Loyal | Unknown, disappeared into the Webway. |
| VI | Leman Russ | Fenris | Space Wolves | Loyal | Unknown, disappeared into the Eye of Terror. |
| VII | Rogal Dorn | Terra13 | Imperial Fists | Loyal | Died in a Black Crusade. |
| VIII | Konrad Curze/Night Haunter | Nostramo | Night Lords | Traitor | Dead, assassinated by Callidus assassin M'Shen. |
| IX | Sanguinius | Baal | Blood Angels | Loyal | Dead, slain by Horus. |
| X | Ferrus Manus | Medusa | Iron Hands | Loyal | Dead, slain by Fulgrim and his head offered to Horus. |
| XI | Deleted from Imperial records, authorisation unknown. | ||||
| XII | Angron | Unknown | World Eaters | Traitor | Daemon Prince. |
| XIII | Roboute Guilliman | Macragge | Ultramarines | Loyal | Mortally wounded by Fulgrim currently held in stasis, rumoured to be healing. |
| XIV | Mortarion | Barbarus | Death Guard | Traitor | Daemon Prince, ruler of the Plague Planet. |
| XV | Magnus the Red | Prospero | Thousand Sons | Traitor | Daemon Prince, ruler of the Planet of Sorcerers. |
| XVI | Horus | Cthonia | Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus | Traitor | Dead, slain by the Emperor. |
| XVII | Lorgar | Colchis | Word Bearers | Traitor | Daemon Prince, ruler of Sicarus. |
| XVIII | Vulkan | Nocturne | Salamanders | Loyal | Unknown, disappeared. |
| XIX | Corax | Deliverance | Raven Guard | Loyal | Unknown, disappeared, last seen heading for the Eye of Terror. |
| XX | Alpharius Omegon | Unknown | Alpha Legion | Traitor | One may be dead, slain by Roboute Guilliman. (It is not known which of the twins was killed. The reliability of this information is disputed, therefore it is possible that both Alpharius and Omegon are still alive.) |
Fate of the Primarchs
Traitors
- Warmaster Horus was killed by the Emperor of Mankind, and his soul was obliterated. His corpse was completely destroyed by Abaddon the Despoiler, who also took over his place as overall leader of the Chaos Space Marines.
- Magnus rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of Tzeentch.
- Angron rose to the rank of Daemon prince of Khorne.
- Mortarion rose the rank of Daemon Prince of Nurgle.
- Fulgrim rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of Slaanesh.
- Lorgar rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of Chaos Undivided.
- Perturabo rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of Chaos Undivided.
- Konrad Curze, aka Night Haunter, was assassinated by Callidus assassin M'Shen. He allowed her infiltration, apparently wanting to die.
- Alpharius was killed by Roboute Guilliman, but the source which reported his death may have been manipulated. It is not known if Alpharius or Omegon is the Primarch killed in the report. Due to the report's unreliability, neither may have been killed.8.
Loyalists
- Ferrus Manus was killed at the Drop Site massacre at the start of the Horus Heresy by Fulgrim who presented his head to Horus.
- Sanguinius was slain by Horus after refusing to join him.
- Lion El'Jonson returned to his homeworld of Caliban only to discover that his friend and second-in command Luther and the Dark Angel garrison had turned against him2. He led a strike force of his own loyal Dark Angels against the traitors. He disappeared amongst the inferno as the world was blasted apart by a Warp Storm and a bombardment from his ships in orbit. He sleeps deep within the Rock, the biggest piece of Caliban and current home base of the Dark Angels1,2. Only the Emperor and the Watchers in the Dark know of this secret.1-p14
- Jaghatai Khan disappeared while pursuing the Dark Eldar into a Webway portal after they had managed to raid Mundus Planus. There are rumours that he fights there still, lost in the twisting paths of the Webway. After nine thousand years it seems highly unlikely, but not impossible.
- Leman Russ disappeared in the Eye of Terror. The Space Wolves hold a legend that says Russ went on a quest to find a means to cure the Emperor. His final words before his disappearance is that he would return for the 'Wolftime' (the final battle). It is also said that Leman Russ led the 13th Company into the Eye of Terror and ordered them to hunt down the Traitor Legions which had fled to the Eye of Terror, particularly the Thousand Sons.
- Rogal Dorn boarded a Chaos cruiser during a Black Crusade alongside a company of his sons and died fighting. He died after many of his loyal brother Primarchs. Today, his hand is housed in the holiest shrine of the Imperial Fists chapter, and his dead body encased in amber and put in Phalanx 11.
- Roboute Guilliman was struck down with an envenomed blade by his former brother Fulgrim. His body is perfectly preserved in a stasis field at the heart of the Temple of Correction3. It is rumoured that he is still alive and that his wound is slowly healing, something normally impossible in a stasis field. The truth of this rumour is unknown but this is seen by many (including Captain Uriel Ventris) as mere optimistic thinking.
- Vulkan disappeared. The position of Chapter Master, filled by the Captain of the First Company, is considered to be a regency as the Salamanders believe that Vulkan will one day return and lead them on a great crusade against Chaos.
- Corax was racked by guilt and shame. In order to rebuild quickly the strength of his legion from the dropsite massacre on Isstvan V, Corax accelerated the growth of the gene-seed organs, producing more Space Marines, but this process also deteriorated the Gene-seed, causing many to become hulking monsters. Riddled with guilt over what he had done, Corax administered euthanasia to all of them and then locked himself away within his sanctum, the Raven's Tower. Exactly one year later he left his tower, haggard and gaunt, and took a small shuttle craft with the words Never more. It was last monitored setting a course for the Eye of Terror.
Two unknown Primarchs
Almost nothing is known about the two unknown primarchs.
References to the second and eleventh Primarchs are made in the short story, The Lighting Tower12, in which Rogal Dorn describes the plinths on which their statues stand should be vacant and says that 'no one ever spoke of those two absent brothers. Their separate tragedies had seemed like aberrations. Had they, in fact, been warnings that no one had heeded?' Also in The First Heretic, Lorgar makes several references saying that the Emperor ordered them to be forgotten.
The traitor Primarchs in this story are covered with a shroud, so the fate of the second and eleventh is undetermined. They may have been found and befell a tragedy as it implies they were spoken about previously.
Sources
- 1:Codex: Angels of Death (2nd Edition)
- 2:Angels of Darkness by Gav Thorpe
- 3:Nightbringer by Graham McNeill
- 4:Into the Maelstrom, short-story Hell in a bottle by Simon Jowet
- 5:Malleus by Dan Abnett, page 89 "...the Primarch of the White Counsuls..."
- 6:Codex Imperialis, section previewed in White Dwarf 166
- 7:Codex: Ultramarines (2nd Edition)
- 8:Index Astartes IV
- 9:False Gods by Graham McNeill
- 10:Renegades by Andy Chambers, Jervis Johnson & Rick Priestley
- 11:Space Marine
- 12:The Lightning Tower by Dan Abnett, page 9
- 13:Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), Page 8
- 14:Ultramarine Omnibus by Graham McNeill
