Nemeton
| Map | Basic Data | Planetary Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Name: | Nemeton | 
|
| Segmentum: | Segmentum Ultima[4] | ||
| Sector: | Elara's Veil[4] | ||
| Subsector: | Annwyn Reaches[4] | ||
| System: | Ophion System[3a] or Avalon System[4] | ||
| Population: | |||
| Affiliation: | Imperium (Emperor's Spears)[3b] | ||
| Class: | Adeptus Astartes Homeworld[2][3b], Feral World[3b] Ocean World[2][3b] | ||
| Tithe Grade: | Aptus Non | ||
Nemeton is an Ocean World and the homeworld of the Emperor's Spears Space Marine Chapter.[2][3b] It is the only planet of the Ophion System[3a][3b] or Avalon System depending on the source.[4] As a result, the system is sometimes called the Nemeton System.[2]
Overview
Nemeton is a planet covered in enormous oceans. Small island-continents and thousands of archipelago chains dot the planet, those landmasses containing forested mountains sided with evergreen trees and peaked with snow.[3b][4] These scattered islands vary greatly in climate depending on where they lie in relation to the planet's poles and equator. Storms are common to Nemeton; much of the planet endures a thick, dark cloud cover. The equatorial island chains have the most reprieve from the world's storms, suffering only seasonal monsoons while the northern and southern regions face consistent grey storms.[1][4]
A great ring like that of Saturn in the Sol System surrounds Nemeton, composed of moonlets, lesser rocks and dust from ancient planetary impacts.[4] Nemeton is an extremely well-defended world, its defence layered and enhanced beyond the expectations for a typical Space Marine homeworld. Following the opening of the Great Rift, the orbiting void-boulders have been weaponised with torpedo silos, laser batteries, fighter hangars or jamming stations for what the Emperor's Spears view as an inevitable invasion by the Archenemy.[1][3b][4] Great launch platforms armed with laser batteries and torpedo banks are orbited by thousands of weapon satellites controlled by monotasked machine spirits, while an Imperial Navy Grail-class carrier has been converted to form the core of a high-orbit battle station that is surrounded by a swarm of Mechanicus fighter craft.[3b] A mighty minefield protects approaches to the planet and up-to-date drift charts are required by inbound ships to safely navigate the system. Beyond Nemeton's ring lies Bellona, a forge-moon inhabited by its Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priests. The Emperor’s Spears have formed close links with the Bellonan Cult Mechanicus, and together they defend the Elara's Veil region of space.[1][2][3b]
History
Long ago, Nemeton was brought into compliance during the Great Crusade by the Ultramarines Legion. Over time, however, the people of Nemeton rejected the modernity and urbanization brought about by the Imperium and instead returned to the wilderness. The world is still dotted with the ruins of ancient abandoned cities. Technologically, the world is stuck in the Iron Age.[4]
Society
The population of Nemeton is divided into 12 primitive and superstitious tribes which worship the rain, believing it to be a manifestation of the Emperor's sorrow over his lost bride Elara.[4][1] The relationship between the Chapter and Nemeton’s people is very different from that of most Space Marine Chapters and their recruiting stock. The tribes see the Space Marines as the spirits of lost children, taking their young before their time and leaving them as ghosts to be mourned.[2]
The most esoteric belief held by the natives of Nemeton is that of the geas. Every child of the clans is brought before a shaman, who reads the flow of fate in their blood. The nature of geases vary wildly, though all are semi-supernatural ‘promises’ of a specific moment or choice in the child’s life ahead. The Emperor's Spears believes that Nemeton’s seers read these futures through the warp’s echoes, like any prophecy, and armed with this poetic foreknowledge, the bearer of the geas can hopefully avoid the wrong choice when the time comes. Many geases take the form of warnings against dishonour or death should the bearer ever act in a certain way.[4]
The written runic language of Nemeton, dubbed the Runes of Ogham, is incomprehensible to most outsiders.[4]
Known Clans
- Kavalei - The "Clan of Kings", the largest and most powerful clan on Nemeton. Most of the Emperor's Spears are recruited from the Kavalei.[3c]
- Arakanii - Coastal clan known for scavenging the dead after battle. Rumours of cannibalism also persist.[3c]
- Novontei - Nomadic clan known as mercenaries and druids.[3c]
- Vargantes - Small northern clan.[3c]
Trivia
 |
- A nemeton is a type of sacred grove in some Celtic religions.
See also
Sources
- 1: Index Astartes - Emperor's Spears (Limited Edition)
- 2: Warhammer Community: Who Are the Emperor’s Spears? (last accessed 28th December 2020)
- 3: Spear of the Emperor (Novel)
- 4: White Dwarf 460, pgs. 38-45