Coldiron Stack
HL 9-43, known locally as Coldiron Stack, is a hive district located within the western expanses of Hive Tertium.[1]
Overview
The district is characterized by a truncated, conical shape embedded within the hive's outer reaches. The upper spires of Coldiron Stack barely breach the skyline, dwarfed by neighboring districts' towering structures. Unlike its surrounding counterparts, Coldiron Stack is rigidly defined by its impenetrable exterior of thick plascrete and ferridium, forming a formidable bastion-like barrier.[1]
One of the district’s most defining features is a large circular opening, seemingly carved by the relentless push of a subterranean force. Through this gap passes a network of magna-rails and transit engines, transporting both resources and workforce throughout the hive. Beneath the surface, Coldiron Stack houses millions of laborers, including a substantial number of Ogryns, who are integral to the district's operations. The underground network is extensively developed, with interconnected tunnels supporting the district’s primary industries, including mining, chemical processing, and mass crucible refining.[1]
Coldiron Stack's principal resource is hyperdense ice, extracted from subterranean glaciers that stretch far beneath the district. These glaciers are accessed through a labyrinth of mining tunnels that span several miles, with industrial platforms and settlements clinging to the tunnel walls. Over time, these vast excavations have destabilized neighboring sublevels, contributing to structural collapses in nearby areas. The hyperdense ice, which is nearly impossible to maintain at the planet’s low surface pressure, is meticulously harvested and transported through a series of pressurized tunnels for processing. Once thawed in specialized refineries, the resulting water—though tainted by the chemicals involved—provides a critical resource for the lower-tier laborers of adjacent districts and contributes significantly to the hydro-rations of regiments preparing for the Fringe War.[1]
In acknowledgment of the hardships faced by these miners, Tertium’s priesthood has established fortified chapels throughout the tunnels. From these sacred locations, devout zealots embark on pilgrimages to bless the water supplies destined for the war effort. Despite the suboptimal quality of the melted ice, it remains an essential commodity, which has led to numerous theft attempts. As a result, Ogryns armed with heavy weaponry are stationed throughout Coldiron Stack’s tunnels to safeguard key supply points.[1]
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (Board Game) - Campaign Book pg. 24
