Warzone Epsilon
| Map | Basic Data | Planetary Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Name: | Warzone Epsilon | 
|
| Segmentum: | Segmentum Obscurus[1] | ||
| Sector: | Calixis Sector[1] | ||
| Subsector: | The Periphery[1] | ||
| System: | |||
| Population: | |||
| Affiliation: | Severan Dominate, formerly Imperium[1] | ||
| Class: | War World/Agri-World | ||
| Tithe Grade: | |||
Warzone Epsilon (originally known as Helena II) is a War World and Agri-World of the Severan Dominate, located in the Periphery Sub-Sector of the Calixis Sector.[1][2]
Contents
History
Originally named Helena II, Warzone Epsilon was a moderately colonised world in the Periphery Sub-Sector. Initially discovered by Saint Drusus during the Angevin Crusade, it remained largely forgotten for several centuries. During a period of Calixis expansionism in late M40, Helena II was colonised at the same time as several other highly regarded worlds within the Periphery. Administratum projections gave the colonisation effort a high probability of success due to its amenable agricultural conditions. Consequently, the Administratum sent a large initial wave of colonists. Additional supplies and the protection offered by a small Imperial Navy presence enabled the colonists to transform Helena II into a thriving agri-world in a remarkably short period of time.[2]
Over the course of just a few centuries, the planet’s harvests began to provide adequate supplies for several of the Periphery’s worlds. Some even dared to hope that it could eventually become a breadbasket for the Periphery, while still providing much needed foodstuffs to the greater Calixis Sector. Additional assets were accorded the world, including the manpower to revitalise the Lycurgos star fort that had been abandoned in the system during the Angevin Crusade. With the star fort’s refit complete, Helena II was regarded as one of the most productive and best defended worlds within the sub-sector. Even the most aggressive xenos forces in the region recognised the star fort’s might and chose to target worlds less well defended.[2]
Population Pressure
Not surprisingly, maintaining the relative prosperity of Helena II and its continued security required additional colonists from within the Calixis Sector. The Administratum gathered population-tithes from dozens of surrounding worlds and reassigned them to the agri-colonies of Helena II. Those tithe-serfs constituted a massive influx to the population of the isolated planet. The world’s existing resources were soon strained trying to accommodate the newcomers. Settlements that had been intended for hundreds of colonists had to instead serve as residences for thousands. Many who appeared to have escaped the overcrowded hive worlds from which they had been plucked began to despair at their newfound conditions.[2]
Additional habs were never actually constructed for the new residents. Instead, the new colonists—and many of the original serfs—became wandering hordes of conscripted labour. Land was set aside for tent cities around the borders of all of the planet’s cultivated land. Labourers would work a field during the planting and sowing seasons, then move on to work another field during the next season. Sometimes they might return to a field at harvest time, but in other instances they would continue to migrate as other labour-hordes would arrive to harvest and process the fruits of their rivals’ drudgery.[2] With such a nomadic lifestyle, the colonists acquired few physical possessions. Most owned only their clothing, their family tent, and a few symbols of their faith in the Emperor. In return for their daily backbreaking labour, the planetary government provided the bare necessities for life. Each tent city was provided with a supply of fresh water and food—the nomads were forbidden, on pain of excruciation, from eating any of their harvest.[2]
Warp Junction
Over time, Helena II became recognised for its strategic position near the Warp route between the Calixis and Scarus Sectors. As vessel traffic increased, the Lycurgos Star Fort served as a refitting station for Imperial Navy and Rogue Trader craft.[2]
Helena II thus developed into a regional trade hub. Rogue Traders began to exchange minor goods and xenos curios for massive shipments of foodstuffs. As this commerce grew, so too did the presence of illicit items—including xenotech. These artefacts gained popularity among the colonists and reportedly corrupted some members of the local leadership. There is speculation that, had the Severan Dominate not seceded, the planet would have faced purgation by the Inquisition due to the proliferation of proscribed technology.[2]
The Secession
When the Severan Dominate declared independence, the Imperium quickly recognised the tactical value of Helena II. Renaming the world Warzone Epsilon, a large military force was assigned to reclaim the planet. However, the entire Imperial task force vanished in Warp transit, their fate unknown.[2]
With the Dominate in control of the star fort and Warp junction, Warzone Epsilon became a vital artery between the Dominate and the Scarus Sector. The ability to control trade and reinforcement routes made the system a linchpin of the breakaway regime’s stability.[2]
Imperial strategists assessed that severing this connection would greatly weaken the Severan Dominate. Early projections underestimated the strength of local resistance; while it was believed that the Harvest Guard would offer little opposition, the defenders—better supplied and reinforced via the star fort—proved far more resilient than expected. Fighting remains ongoing, and the Imperium is committed to retaking the world due to its strategic importance.[2]
Current Status
Warzone Epsilon is presently held by Severan Dominate forces. The Lycurgos Star Fort remains operational, serving as a logistical and military anchor. Imperial forces continue campaigns to retake the system, but progress has been hindered by well-fortified defences and local familiarity with the terrain.[2]
Planetary Defence Force
A planetary defence force known as the Helena II Harvest Guard was drawn from the population. Members were trained in basic arms and tasked with both crop defence and suppression of unrest.[2]
See also
Sources
- 1: Only War Core Rulebook, pg. 332
- 2: Only War: No Surrender, pg. 6
