Difference between revisions of "Alpharius"
Genestealer (talk | contribs) m |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Alpharius''' (also known as the '''Last Primarch''' | + | '''Alpharius Omegon'''<sup>1</sup> (also known as the '''Last Primarch''') was one of the twenty [[Primarchs]] created by the [[Emperor]] in the earliest days of the [[Imperium]], just after the end of the [[Age of Strife]]. Like the other Primarchs, he was sucked from [[Terra]] by the [[Gods of Chaos]] and placed on a far-away world in an attempt to prevent the coming of the Age of the Imperium.[[Image:Alpharius by John Blanche.jpg|thumb|135px|right|Alpharius, Primarch of the Alpha Legion. ([[M31]])]] |
== Secrets and Lies == | == Secrets and Lies == | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
Believing that Guilliman would adopt his standard Codex deployment procedures, Alpharius was surprised by the Ultramarines, as a splinter force including their Primarch made a quick strike at the Alpha Legion's headquarters. Both Primarchs met in combat and Alpharius was killed. Believing the combat over, for who could ever survive the loss of their Primarch in battle, the Ultramarines were taken by surprise by the remaining elements of the Alpha Legion, when they struck back a day later. After a week of constant fighting and heavy losses, the Ultramarines strike force managed to reunite with their main elements, and quickly evacuated the planet. Even though they had lost their Primarch, the Alpha Legion had soundly beaten the Ultramarines, who proceeded to bombard their foes' position from outer space. It should be noted, however, that Alpharius's death is still considered suspect even by the Ultramarines, and he may still be at large.<sup>2</sup> On the other hand, it is possible that 'Alpharius' did indeed die and 'Omegon' took sole command of the Legion. Whatever the truth, the Primarch of the Alpha Legion has not been seen since. | Believing that Guilliman would adopt his standard Codex deployment procedures, Alpharius was surprised by the Ultramarines, as a splinter force including their Primarch made a quick strike at the Alpha Legion's headquarters. Both Primarchs met in combat and Alpharius was killed. Believing the combat over, for who could ever survive the loss of their Primarch in battle, the Ultramarines were taken by surprise by the remaining elements of the Alpha Legion, when they struck back a day later. After a week of constant fighting and heavy losses, the Ultramarines strike force managed to reunite with their main elements, and quickly evacuated the planet. Even though they had lost their Primarch, the Alpha Legion had soundly beaten the Ultramarines, who proceeded to bombard their foes' position from outer space. It should be noted, however, that Alpharius's death is still considered suspect even by the Ultramarines, and he may still be at large.<sup>2</sup> On the other hand, it is possible that 'Alpharius' did indeed die and 'Omegon' took sole command of the Legion. Whatever the truth, the Primarch of the Alpha Legion has not been seen since. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Speculation== | ||
| + | There are several theories as to how there were twin Primarchs of the Alpha Legion. One theory suggests that similar to the way in which [[Sanguinius]] gained wings or how [[Magnus]] became a Cyclops - similar "Warp corruption" effected Alpharius and in that was split in two (in the way twins form) therefore creating twins. The [[Emperor]] seemingly not knowing about Omegon strengthens this argument. Also if mutations occured to other primarchs as they were dragged through the [[warp]] and lost, is it not logical to suggest that Alpharius experianced similar 'mutations' in the form of Omegon? | ||
| + | |||
| + | Would the existence of Omegon bring the number of Primarchs to 21? it is possible that [[Imperial]] records that state there are 20 primarchs are wrong as they werent aware of Omegon. It has also been suggested that Alpharius and Omegon count as 1 person/[[primarch]] as they have been described as "One soul in two bodies". | ||
==Images== | ==Images== | ||
Revision as of 18:57, 6 February 2009
Contents
Secrets and Lies
It should be noted that the Alpha Legion's trademark secrecy extends to records of their Primarch. Little recorded information on his background exists, and almost all of what is currently known by the Imperium comes from the information provided by Inquisitor Kravin of the Ordo Malleus. Inquisitor Kravin was subsequently believed to have been tainted by the Alpha Legion and his current whereabouts are unknown. Hence, much of the Imperial data concerning the Primarch could be considered suspect, and indeed there are some who believe the whole Kravin affair was an Alpha Legion plot to plant misinformation in the Imperial records.2
Omegon
The greatest secret about the Alpha Legion Primarch is apparently told to none outside the Legion, and has always been thus. For, unlike any of the other Primarchs, Alpharius has an identical twin: Omegon. It is unknown if the Emperor designed this, or was ever even aware of it.
Alpharius and Omegon are both the Primarch of the Legion, although 'Alpharius' is the public face and appears as the more senior of the two. Though as both are identical it is possible for them to switch roles and have 'Omegon' play the public role. They have been described as "one soul in two bodies" and collectively have been referred to as simply "Alpharius Omegon".
While the Astartes of the Alpha Legion, once at least, made an attempt to all look alike, both Alpharius and Omegon were still somewhat distinctive. Taller than the rest of the Legion, slightly copper-skinned, bald and possessed of a heavy brow, they somewhat resembled their brother, Horus. Unlike him, Alpharius and Omegon had piercing eyes that seemed to glitter, appearing to shift colour from a cold arctic blue to a shimmering green. The overall impression was one of nobility and intelligence. One way to tell the two apart was when Omegon was performing as commander of Effrit Stealth Squad; large portions of his power armour and gear were painted black and otherwise darkened. The armour worn by Alpharius was not particularly different from that of an ordinary Alpha Legionnaire.1
History
Pre-Heresy
Alpharius was the last of the lost sons of the Emperor to be found, some scant decades before the end of the Great Crusade. While most other Primarchs, aside from Rogal Dorn, were found on the worlds they had been cast upon, Alpharius apparently came upon Horus' Fleet in an unnamed system.
Using a ragtag fleet of primitive one and two-man fighters he cleverly put the advance ship of the Luna Wolves' fleet in a precarious position, which necessitated the intervention of Horus himself. Arriving on his endangered cruiser, he soon learned that a small team of boarders was making its way towards the bridge. The cruiser was at high alert as the five boarders burst onto the bridge. Quickly four of them were dispatched by Bolt Pistol shots from Horus. The fifth one, who towered even over the Luna Wolves' marines dodged Horus' fifth shot, and continued to advance regardless of the gunfire. At the last instant, Alpharius stopped his assault, as both he and Horus realised the situation. Horus laughed, for he had found his last brother.
Pleased beyond measure, instead of immediately sending him to Terra to meet the Emperor, Horus kept Alpharius with him for some months. The two formed a strong bond, with Alpharius and his ragtag alliance quickly embracing the Imperium. Both brothers were greatly impressed with each other, although Alpharius refused to reveal his homeworld, denying that each world in the system that the brothers brought into compliance was his point of origin. Eventually, Alpharius had to journey to meet his father, the Emperor. Their meeting was, as were all times when the Emperor found one of his lost sons, surrounded with much celebration. However, since the Great Crusade was in full swing, little time was spent in idle rejoicing and Alpharius was quickly given command of the XX Legion, created just a few decades before. Renamed the Alpha Legion, they followed their Primarch on Crusade.
Alpharius quickly developed a unique approach to Astartes operations, focusing on the philosophies of initiative and flexibility, as well as extensive use of subterfuge and non-Astartes specialist operatives. This multitudinous, almost unstructured approach rankled with Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines, leading him to question Alpharius' approach to fighting. A violent discussion erupted between the two which was closed when Guilliman pointed to his own Legion's record, something that Alpharius could never hope to achieve, since his Alpha Legion was almost two hundred years younger than the Ultramarines.2 They parted company acrimoniously, Alpharius believing Gulliman hated him. He resolved to ignore the Ultramarine Primarch from then on.1
However, the criticism stuck; Alpharius began to push his Legion even further. More and more were the situations where he would take the more difficult course of action to force his Space Marines to grow. Plans were more complex, more subtle, while at the same time relying on more and more factors to achieve victory. Training was more intense and new strategies and approaches were constantly developed, as Alpharius sought to prove the worth of both his Legion and his martial philosophy.2
The Heresy
It has long been supposed that since Alpharius was only familiar with one other Primarch, Horus, it was self-explanatory why he chose the side he did at the outset of the Heresy. Indeed, the very plan at Isstvan V where Horus struck his first blow against his fellow Legions by destroying most of the Iron Hands, Raven Guard and Salamanders Legions in a massive ambush, was very reminiscent of plans that Alpharius had created in the past.2 However, it is possible that there is another reason for Alpharius leading his Legion to the side of the traitors, a secret known only inside the Legion. Around two years before the beginning of the Heresy, Alpharius Omegon was apparently contacted by members of a Xenos organisation called the Cabal, who brought to him visions of the impending civil war within the Imperium, and expanded knowledge of the nature and designs of Chaos. It is believed that the Cabal convinced Alpharius that the only way to permanently defeat Chaos was to ensure that Horus was victorious. It is perhaps for this reason that Alpharius Omegon, secretly true to the Imperium and loyal to the Emperor, may have chosen to join the heretics.1
Post-Heresy
During the Heresy Alpharius appeared more interested in proving his own Legion's worth by fighting, at every chance he got, the best of the Loyalist legions. Thus, even after Horus was cast down and the Heresy over, the Alpha Legion kept on fighting, moving more and more towards the galactic east, towards the Ultramarines. It was on the world known as Eskrador that Alpharius and Roboute Guilliman would meet for the last time.
Believing that Guilliman would adopt his standard Codex deployment procedures, Alpharius was surprised by the Ultramarines, as a splinter force including their Primarch made a quick strike at the Alpha Legion's headquarters. Both Primarchs met in combat and Alpharius was killed. Believing the combat over, for who could ever survive the loss of their Primarch in battle, the Ultramarines were taken by surprise by the remaining elements of the Alpha Legion, when they struck back a day later. After a week of constant fighting and heavy losses, the Ultramarines strike force managed to reunite with their main elements, and quickly evacuated the planet. Even though they had lost their Primarch, the Alpha Legion had soundly beaten the Ultramarines, who proceeded to bombard their foes' position from outer space. It should be noted, however, that Alpharius's death is still considered suspect even by the Ultramarines, and he may still be at large.2 On the other hand, it is possible that 'Alpharius' did indeed die and 'Omegon' took sole command of the Legion. Whatever the truth, the Primarch of the Alpha Legion has not been seen since.
Speculation
There are several theories as to how there were twin Primarchs of the Alpha Legion. One theory suggests that similar to the way in which Sanguinius gained wings or how Magnus became a Cyclops - similar "Warp corruption" effected Alpharius and in that was split in two (in the way twins form) therefore creating twins. The Emperor seemingly not knowing about Omegon strengthens this argument. Also if mutations occured to other primarchs as they were dragged through the warp and lost, is it not logical to suggest that Alpharius experianced similar 'mutations' in the form of Omegon?
Would the existence of Omegon bring the number of Primarchs to 21? it is possible that Imperial records that state there are 20 primarchs are wrong as they werent aware of Omegon. It has also been suggested that Alpharius and Omegon count as 1 person/primarch as they have been described as "One soul in two bodies".
Images
Fan-made conversion:
