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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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[[Molech]] was one of the planets that the [[Warmaster]] [[Horus]] assaulted during his drive towards [[Terra]]. Horus became alerted to the planets significance when he regained a memory erased by the [[Emperor]], that of Molech having a gateway to the [[Warp]] that his Father had used to obtain power. Desiring such power for himself, Horus set a course to Molech.{{Fn|2c}} The [[Knight World]] was a major seat of [[Imperial]] power as the Emperor had left behind substantial forces to protect its unknown Warp Gate. A detachment of [[Blood Angels]] and [[Ultramarines]], Three [[Titan Legion]]s over a hundred [[Imperial Army]] regiments, an [[Imperial Armada]] [[Battlefleet]] of sixty ships, and [[Knight House]]s stood ready to face the Warmaster's onslaught, which included the [[Sons of Horus]] and [[Death Guard]] [[Legion]]s.{{Fn|1}}
After smashing aside the world's defending [[Battlefleet]] by capturing Molech's [[Orbital Defense Platform]]s and using them to fire on loyalist ships, Horus launched a full-scale invasion of Molech. Cities were obliterated under orbital bombardments or the wreckage of Battlefleet Molech being redirected into the atmosphere, creating global tsunami's. After disabling Molech's air defenses the Warmasters Warmaster launched his initial ground assault broke through . Horus himself landed at the island of Damesk, walking the world's primary defensive network'Fulgurine Path'' that was said to have been the same route as the Emperor when he first set foot upon Molech. Horus led a massive amphibious landing from Damesk to the beaches of Avadon, defeating House Devine-led resistance in a bloody battle for both sides. However during the battle Horus was badly wounded by a Knight piloted by [[Raeven Devine]], saved only thanks to the intervention of the [[Ruinous Powers]]. Refugees swarmed from Avadon, desperate to avoid the Preceptor Linetraitor forces. The loyalist [[Legio Fortidus]] sacrificed itself to buy enough times for the refugees to flee.{{Fn|3}} With Avadon cleared, after the rest of the traitor armies followed in their wake. These consisted not only of the Sons of Horus and Death Guard herded the worldbut also four [[Titan Legion]]'s. Mortarion himself landed at Ophir and advanced towards Molech's great beasts into the defenderscapital of Lupercalia. The traitors also fielded [[Daemonic]] allies. The [[Daemonic]]ally resurrected [[Ignatius Grulgor]] was unleashed upon Molech, destroying thousands of kilometers of previously impassable forest with [[Life Eater Virus]] fused within him. Beasts fleeing Grulgor smashed into the lines of loyalist forces along the primary loyalist defensive network, the Perceptor Line, giving cover for traitor forces to advance. After overunning the Perceptor Line the traitors next targeted Molech's Western Marches, overunning jungle and farmland flooded from tsunami's caused by the destruction of Battlefleet Molech. The loyalists led by [[House Indra]] and [[House Kaushik]] managed to offer some resistance at the plateau city of Leosta, but were ultimately overwhelmed by Traitor Titans led by the [[Legio Crucius]], [[Legio Vulpa]], and [[Legio Vulcanum]]. Meanwhile, the Death Guard overran the city of Imperratum.{{Fn|3}} Soon even House Devine's Dawn Citadel had fallen. The Space Marines fought valiantly, but were annihilated by the sheer number of traitor Astartes. The Blood Angels garrison on the planet was overwhelmed by an assault led by the [[Red Angel]], who unleashed the [[Red Thirst]] in many [[Battle-Brother]]s. Soon only a small force of Ultramarines remained and they were forced to wage a guerrilla war. It was only thanks to the efforts of the [[Imperator Titan]] ''Paragon of Terra'' that a total Imperial rout was avoided.{{Fn|2c}} It was at this point that the Death Guard and Sons of Horus linked up, with Horus greeting Mortarion in preparation for a final push on Lupercalia. However, he still had a final card left to play before doing so.{{Fn|3}}
Over the following months, the insidious whispers of [[Slaanesh]] spread through the fatigued ranks of House Devine. This effort was strengthened by the Daemonic powers of [[Fulgrim]], who had been assigned corrupting Devine by Horus himself. Devine's officers had become lethargic and interested only in their sports, using their mighty machines to hunt down the wild animals of Molech. Soon, they began to meet in secret cabals, committing depraved rites and ceremonies within the heart of the Loyalist camp.{{Fn|1}} The Knights of [[House Devine]] betrayed the Loyalists when Horus launched a massive ground offensive against the loyalist forces centered around the city of Lupercalia. The traitors of Devine destroyed the ''Paragon of Terra'' and the Loyalists found themselves trapped between the advancing enemy forces and the Renegade Knights attacking from behind. This allowed the the Forces of Chaos to punch through the Imperial lines, blocking any routes of escape. Of the entire Imperial host only one in a hundred survived the campaign aboard the refugee ship ''Molech's Enlightenment''.{{Fn|1}}. Horus deliberately let the ship go so they could spread word of the terror he would bring to all followers of the Emperor.{{Fn|2c}}
**{{Endn|2b}}: Chapter 25
**{{Endn|2c}}: Chapter 16
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Adeptus Titanicus: Doom of Molech]] pg.6-9
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