Sons of Fire: Difference between revisions

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*Ushtra, The Augur Bane (Survived until the Legionary Wars)
*Ushtra, The Augur Bane (Survived until the Legionary Wars)
*Vistasp, Weapons-Bearer (Survived until the Scouring)
*Vistasp, Weapons-Bearer (Survived until the Scouring)
*Karesna, The Master of Tactics (Survived until Heresy, died leading [[Taskforce Fiery Vengeance]])
*Karesna, The Master of Tactics (Died in the Betrayal of Sudden Flame)
*Yathoana, The Unremarkable (Died on Mainiiu)
*Yathoana, The Unremarkable (Died on Mainiiu)
*Kayan, The Selfless Shield (Died on Mainiiu)
*Kayan, The Selfless Shield (Died on Mainiiu)
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The Hammers of Terra were specialists in urban combat, using a combination of explosives and flame weaponry to clear out hallways and hab-blocks with ease. The used short, controlled bursts to flush out opposition before the Astartes would rush in with bolter and knife. If the area was too difficult to assault by conventional means, it usually forced the Hammers to burn the whole building at once. This was particularly a favorite inside of Hives, where whole sections could collapse from the lose of one supporting structure. After the '''Pacification of the Merica Hives''', the Fourth Squad of the Sacred Band attempted to expand upon this by segmenting the Legion into a strict organizational structure. Redundancies were introduced into their ranking, with a subdivision within every subdivision of the Legion. Even more repeated redundancies were introduced into the makeup of squads, adding sixteen different types of Sergeant being along with over fifty different variations of a simple Line Marine.  
The Hammers of Terra were specialists in urban combat, using a combination of explosives and flame weaponry to clear out hallways and hab-blocks with ease. The used short, controlled bursts to flush out opposition before the Astartes would rush in with bolter and knife. If the area was too difficult to assault by conventional means, it usually forced the Hammers to burn the whole building at once. At the supports to Hive structures, this would cook the metal to the point where hab-blocks and spires would cook and twist until collapsing on themselves. After the '''Pacification of the Merica Hives''', the Fourth Squad of the Sacred Band attempted to expand upon this by segmenting the Legion into a strict organizational structure. Redundancies were introduced into their ranking, with a subdivision within every subdivision of the Legion. Even more repeated redundancies were introduced into the makeup of squads, adding sixteen different types of Sergeant being along with over fifty different variations of a simple Line Marine.  




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The attack was a monumental failure. The greatest in the Legion's history. The Augurs rallied at just the right time to send the still weak Khornates reeling thanks to the assistance of their still living Primarch's leadership. Other fleets attracted by the fighting in short time, believing the Loyalists had caught up them arriving to aid in throwing them back. The fleets and squadrons belonged to several other Legions, nearly every Traitor Legion has present. Dilshad wracked by madness and fiery desire for destruction, ordered the fleet to attack any ships coming closer. Kariman, Jamasa, Vistasp, and Vishtar saw the Legion break apart as dozens of vessels refused the order, with some even declaring for new leaders such as the Sacred Band itself. Before order could be reigned in, Dilshad gave his infamous order. The Sons of Fire were to turn on themselves, on other ships, to bring greater glory to the blood god. Vishtar led a strike team to the Guardian Spirit of Crematoria, the Legion's flagship, which ended with him taking over the mighty craft after butchering the insane Dilshad where he stood.
The attack was a monumental failure. The greatest in the Legion's history. The Augurs rallied at just the right time to send the still weak Khornates reeling thanks to the assistance of their still living Primarch's leadership. Other fleets belonging to multiple Legions were attracted by the fighting in short time, believing the Loyalists had caught up to them. Ships arrived steadily to help throw them back as a result. Before too long, nearly every Traitor Legion was present. Dilshad wracked by madness and fiery desire for destruction, ordered the fleet to attack any ships coming closer. Kariman, Jamasa, Vistasp, and Vishtar saw the Legion break apart as dozens of vessels refused the order. A new leader was demanded, but not a soul within the Legion could agree on who. Before order could be reigned in to keep the Legion from fragmenting completely, Dilshad gave his infamous and final order.  




Dilshad went into a fury of rage at the departing units which would one day become warbands. He hated the weakness, the frailty which had caused Hektor to fail. The Astartes were not up to the task demanded of them, and the Sons of Fire needed to correct this. If they could not be proper warriors, they would become sacrifices. A message was sent to all the distant and scattered parts of the Sons of Fire. It was time to burn the cowards, it was time to exact vengeance for Inferox and for Hektor. All across the Segmentum Tempestus the Sons descended upon their fellow Traitors, burning and ripping as they pleased. The surprise attack left the forces marshaling at Cadia a fraction of their size, forcing those few remaining to flee into the Eye of Terror before the Imperium truly fell upon them.
Dilshad went into a fury of rage at the departing units which would one day become warbands. He hated the weakness, the frailty which had caused Hektor to fail. The Astartes were not up to the task demanded of them, and the Sons of Fire needed to correct this. If they could not be proper warriors, they would become sacrifices. A message was sent to all the distant and scattered parts of the Sons of Fire. It was time to burn the cowards, it was time to exact vengeance for Inferox and for Hektor. All across the Segmentum Tempestus the Sons descended upon their fellow Traitors, burning and ripping as they pleased. The surprise attack left the forces marshaling at Cadia a fraction of their size, forcing those few remaining to flee into the Eye of Terror before the Imperium truly fell upon them.
The Sons of Fire were to turn on themselves, on other ships, to bring greater glory to the blood god. Vishtar immediately set out from his ship as the chaos ensued, those still listening to Dilshad responding. Before long this created a chainreaction that saw all the Traitor vessels attacking one another. Vishtar was able to lead a strike team to the Guardian Spirit of Crematoria, the Legion's flagship in the middle of the mayhem. He murdered Dilshad where he stood, consolidating control over the flagship and leaving everyone else to their fate.





Revision as of 23:39, 11 August 2015

"My father has trusted to me your lives. I entrust to you with the ultimate tool of creation. That which has been with mankind since the dawn. Great still in bringing both life, and death."

The Burned King, speaking to his Legion for the first time.

Sons of Fire
Battle Cry "Blood and Fire!" "Blood for the Blood God! Fires of His Wrath!"
Number IV
Founding First Founding
Successors of N/A
Chapter Master Dilshad, Master of Inferno
Primarch Inferox, the Burned King
Homeworld Crematoria
Strength 150,000 Pre-Heresy
Specialty Purgation, Area Denial, Planet Kill Operations
Allegiance Chaos (Khorne)
Colours Burned Red and Black

This page details people, events, and organisations from the /tg/ Heresy, a fan re-working of the Warhammer 40,000 Universe. See the /tg/ Heresy Timeline and Galaxy pages for more information on the Alternate Universe.


The Sons of Fire were a Traitor Space Marine Legion. Inferox is their primogenitor; who forsook the duplicitous Emperor for the ever constant and ever angry God of murder, Khorne. None were more feared in the time of both the Great Crusade and the Hektor Heresy than the Sons of Fire. Specializing in cleansing and purification procedures, the Sons of Fire were often tasked with taking worlds which could not be salvaged or retaken. All were put to the torch, none could withstand the flames of Legion IV. If it were not for the brave actions of the War Scribes, the whole of the Atalantos Worlds would be lost during the Burning Crusade. They are responsible for starting the Legionary Wars with their attack on the Black Augurs.


Summary of Legion IV

Numeration: The IVth Legion

Primogenator: Inferox (also known as "The Burned King")

Cognomen (Prior): The Hammers of Terra

Observed Strategic Tendencies: Area Denial Tactics, Purgation, Exterminatus, and Planet-Killing Actions.

Noteworthy Domains: The Crematoria System (Primary), Tithe Rights to Achaemenid Cities on Terra.

Allegiance: Traitoris Perdita

"We have been called monsters, beasts, and butchers, in the past. But this is untrue. We leave no viscera but ash behind in our wake."

Legionary Equerry Dilshad, M.30

History of the Sons of Fire

The Sons of Fire recognized glory and duty not based upon an individual level, but on the actions of a whole group. The performance of a squad member reflect upon the entire unit. Honors are supplied to whole formations rather than just to one Marine, which during the Great Crusade fostered a sense of unity and cohesion during their fluid combat procedures. Inferox believed only in honoring achievements throughout the collective, encouraging them to work together rather than seek out selfish goals of obtaining fame. This behavior is reflected in all of their history. All actions were recognized to be remembered by all, so they understood the legendary undertaking they were a part of.

Sadly this tradition completely died out by the end of the Scouring, with the Sons of Fire no longer caring for the names of famous units or the glorious charges of Conflagrations long past. They had devolved into Khorne's scions, purely working to sacrifice to him the blood of the slain through fiery sacrifice.

Hammers of Wrath


"We had failed our brothers, and Hektor. We had failed the Emperor. We would not fail the Primarch."

Captain of the First Company, Jamasa


The following is a listing of the IVth Squad of the Sacred Band, both fallen and living.

  • Jamasa, The Vengeful Nightmare (Survived, leads the warband The Unrequited Sons)
  • Zarath, Destroyer of Preit'Oria (Died on Mainiiu)
  • Ushtra, The Augur Bane (Survived until the Legionary Wars)
  • Vistasp, Weapons-Bearer (Survived until the Scouring)
  • Karesna, The Master of Tactics (Died in the Betrayal of Sudden Flame)
  • Yathoana, The Unremarkable (Died on Mainiiu)
  • Kayan, The Selfless Shield (Died on Mainiiu)
  • Iamyet, The Unceasing Terror (Died on Mainiiu)
  • Mahmeher, Conqueror of Lashtri (Died on Mainiiu)
  • Vishtar, The Angel of Flame (Survived, leads the warband Last Embers)


The IVth Squad of the Sacred Band had a penchant for melee combat, but felt the very first pangs of the Hungry Desire during the Pacification of the Merican Hives. As a result, they would keep the Legion from degrading into a horde of berserkers by attempting to discipline them heavily and segment their ranks to ridiculous degrees. The Legion was named by Emperor himself as the Hammers of Terra for their swift actions on the worlds around Sol before many of the anxious policies by Zarath and Mahmeher could be placed.


The Hammers of Terra were specialists in urban combat, using a combination of explosives and flame weaponry to clear out hallways and hab-blocks with ease. The used short, controlled bursts to flush out opposition before the Astartes would rush in with bolter and knife. If the area was too difficult to assault by conventional means, it usually forced the Hammers to burn the whole building at once. At the supports to Hive structures, this would cook the metal to the point where hab-blocks and spires would cook and twist until collapsing on themselves. After the Pacification of the Merica Hives, the Fourth Squad of the Sacred Band attempted to expand upon this by segmenting the Legion into a strict organizational structure. Redundancies were introduced into their ranking, with a subdivision within every subdivision of the Legion. Even more repeated redundancies were introduced into the makeup of squads, adding sixteen different types of Sergeant being along with over fifty different variations of a simple Line Marine.


The intent in the labyrinthine organizational structure was give companies easy reference to how to break down themselves or join up with larger formations. With all the different versions of Line Marine, you could tell from a person's rank you would know what exact skills they had. Even what equipment they bore, just about everything. It backfired horribly. Ever since the revolution in the Hammers structure they moved significantly slower compared to their earlier doctrine. The obstructions of the doctrinal changes were no more apparent than during the Invasion of Mainiiu II.


Mainiiu was a Hive World at the western edge of the Segmentum Solar that had held onto several pieces of Dark Age tech, building their own primitive patterns of power armor from it. The people refused to comply to the Expedition Fleet sent to their system, forcing the Hammers into action. During the battle in the Hive Majoris of Mainiiu, several complications arose over which officer led this or that section, leading squads to become fragmented and scattered. Before the conquest, it wasn't that terrible as they fought inferior foes, but on Mainiiu they faced their first real opposing force. The battle left the Hammers with their Legion decimated, never fully recovering until their Primarch was located to help them build their numbers back to their original size, and then beyond that to match the other Legions in might.


The Hammers showed incredible promise during the Unification Wars, leading the Emperor to give them Tithe Rights to the Cities of the former Achaemenid Empire. This region of ancient Terra had the most stable genestock of all the techno-barbarian states, giving the Hammers the ability to increase their numbers beyond what was thought possible for a Legion without its Primarch. After the defeat at Mainiiu however, they were mostly kept in reserve, sent only to worlds which needed support from xenos raids or to bolster an assault with their numbers. This was done in part to help them grow after such a humiliating defeat, but also to give them time to learn their lessons on Mainiiu.


The lack of effectiveness in the Sacred Band's changes led to complete disaster. Following this loss, the surviving members of the leadership decided to leave the matter of who would command the Legion to the Marines themselves. After a round of voting, Dilshad who had saved countless lives with his hasty leadership-by-example was chosen as 'High Praetorate'. His first act was to bring the Legion back to the standard Legionary template, which was immensely popular with the Hammers. But he failed to leave any lasting mark or restructuring for their close combat tendencies in his legacy as de-facto commander of the Legion.

Inferox's Enlightenment

"When you think of words to describe the Burned King, you do not figure charisma would be one of them. But how strong his words were to us. They had the power to shape us into a true Legion."

The Reborn, Vishtar


The discovery of a Legion's Primarch is a vital event for all of the Astartes, but the reunification of the Hammers of Terra with their Primarch would not be the happy event that many had hoped for. Instead it would be a pall that fell across the Legion, and under its shadow the Hammers of Terra would be broken down and remade by Inferox's hand. Upon taking up his birth mantle of Primarch, the Hammers' primogenitor learned of their past, of their promising beginnings and fast decline due to the overbearing leadership placed to command it in his stead. He immediately instituted his own organizational structure, that of the Conflagrations, which would allow for true fluid movement and deployment of the Legion. A full twenty thousand additional Neophytes were added to the Hammers ranks, all of them recruited from Crematoria's own zealous warriors. The transition period was not without strife, as many of the new brothers inducted had problems accepting the Imperial Faith after so many years under the despotic-theocracy placed by Inferox himself.


The Hammers were renamed in honor of fire, which Inferox explained to his Legion was the ultimate tool mankind held. Making fire was the first invention by the Crematorians after the long dark, giving them life and light. But Fire was also a tool of war and destruction which had always been his own favorite. His own Psyker-Guards from his Crematoria regime embraced the roles of both keeper and disciplinarian, responsible for discerning the weak from the strong in Neophytes, teaching the Legionnaires the Imperial Truth and the Emperor's philosophy. Lastly making sure a sense of identity in the Legion arose from the warriors pulled from both Terra and Crematoria. This unity between the two massively different warriors was vital to the survival of the Legion. He instituted Dilshad as his Equerry, calming down minor dissent over the changes among the Terran recruited. All of the Marines were needed to serve together in order for success to be had. This was tested immediately in the campaign at Trectos and Skythykos.


Not all accepted the Imperial Truth, but Inferox refused to force any man to accept it. The Cult of the First Flame formed among the pious of Crematoria, who reordered their beliefs to a primal version of the Xerleth. Though they spread fast upon their inception, they were never once ordered to stop believing. The Primarch's made it known to all his point of view, that it was only a matter of time until they saw the beauty of rationality. And when they did, it would be on their terms. There was no reason to force truth when it would always conquer belief. Though the Cult never dwindled, it did not grow beyond its initial surge of followers. It did however paint Legionary rituals and had a profound impact on the Sons' culture.


It would not be long until the Sons grew far too eager to cleanse and purify their foes. One historic incident occurred on the world of Aŋra VI, where the Imperial Army had been fighting for months to secure the valuable research facilities of the unwavering Techno-Aristocrats who held the planet in an iron grip. The Sons of Fire were supposed to break the siege, working as the urban specialists of their original incarnation. Unfortunately the enthusiasm the Legion had for destroying the enemy utterly caused the flames of their weaponry to rage well beyond their control. The Imperial Army regiments still within the bowels of the Hive were cooked alive, with only a few escaping due to the actions of the Primarch. He charged into the raging flames to break open a path for them, not fearing the fire which he had allowed to grow beyond control.


After that action Inferox went to the War Council and requested that they divert his legion to Xenos-eradication missions, as he would never again be responsible for Imperial dead. The War Council agreed, as they knew the worth of his Legion, and there were plenty of Xenos foes that deserved only flame. For decades this was their task, the Sons of Fire cracking the bones of Ork realms and Xenos Empires by the hundred.


Great Crusade Campaigns


864.M30: Flenching of Skythykos. The Hammers of Terra suffer through the transition into the Sons of Fire underneath Inferox's leadership. Rennugg the Fat begins his WAAAAGH on the Trectos Sector with a fresh army of Orks ready to bring the Imperium into a fight. The Legion is pushed to their limits as they refuse to meet Rennugg in Trectos, instead coming to the origin of the invasion in the Skythykos cluster. Though the campaign is costly, the Sons of Fire emerge as a solid, unified force ready to pursue war across the galaxy. As a reward for their efforts, the Emperor gives the Sons of Fire tithe rights to the most valuable genestock on Old Terra, the region of the old Achaemenid Empire.


914.M30: Salvation of Seyer. The fall of the Fortress World of Seyer to Eldar Corsairs led by Prince Fenor opens up the entire section of space to the raids of the merciless Xenos. Inferox joins his Legion with Darius Cyaxares and his Sand Keepers to liberate the world. Thanks to their joined cooperation, the two advance briskly to a timely victory before reinforcements from the nearby Craftworld Nouldoir can arrive. Seyer would later be a staging ground for the assault on Khork's Ullanor Empire.


001.M31: Genocide of Arkendar. Though not disruptive to the Great Crusade, and even assisting humanity at key moments, the Craftworld Arkender had made it known they were opposed to the primordial dark forces of Chaos. Uriel Starikov informs Inferox on the location of the Eldar, and he wastes no time in pursuing a bloody campaign with the majority of his Legion, eventually coming to battle with their co-leader Marri Hu'lana. After setting her alive on fire, and casting her down the highest tower of the Craftworld, the entire vessel is sent into the nearby sun.

Hektor's Heresy

"There will be no forgiveness for this! There can be no return! You are all damned!"

Adarhormazd, moments before being burned alive


The flames of their conquests had left empty worlds colored grey by ash, occupied by blackened corpses of odd and forgotten Xenos. Inferox's suppressed pyromaniac nature was released fully when he grew tired of the Imperium's hypocritical status. The censure of Aubrey and his Legion, the judgement at Nikaea, the Imperial Council, and even the Void Angel's exile all enraged him to the point of madness. He retired himself into privacy once his Expeditionary Fleet arrived on Cadia, where unknown to all he contemplated ending his life for fear of his dawning insanity. After discussing for many hours with an insisting Hektor Cincinnatus of the Heralds of Hektor and Aubrey The Grey of the Eternal Zealots, he emerged with a new purpose.


The next few months Inferox spent talking to a few select officers of his Legion, never seeing more than one person at a time. Eventually through these seeds he tested the Imperial Faith inside his Legionnaires, seeing which ones had tenuous loyalties to the Emperor and absolute loyalty to him. The worship of Khorne rapidly spread in secret through the Cult of the First Flame. The God of war and Murder was instantly close to their hearts. Ritual sacrifices of the Serfs were held, the blood burned up in offering and cracked skulls piled up together, cleansed of flesh, prepared and ready for the Skull Throne. On one ship, effigies to the Dark Gods were established while in others not a soul knew at all what was even transpiring among the other ships.


While many were repulsed at the cowardly act of betrayal of the Sandaramet, many believed it to be ordained by their Primarch and their new patron. Fifty thousand Sons of Fire perished in the sacrifice of the Psykers. Destroying them in the name of Khorne swore them into his favor and proved to the Chaos God their willingness to pursue murder for his sake. Before the event, only a tenth of the Sons were truly worshiping him. Though most kept loyalty to Inferox for him alone, after the sacrifice of the Sandaramet more than half were openly swearing fealty to the Lord of Murder. By the end of the Heresy, all those remaining in the Sons of Fire had declared themselves for the Blood God.


The Sons of Fire were used by the Warmaster as a tool to cut out and burn chunks of the Imperium. While not terribly swift, they were horribly thorough. Nothing they touched would ever rise again to support the Imperium. It took well over a thousand years for the worlds they attacked to fully recover, if they ever did. The lion's share of the Legion's strength acted in an assault supported by the Eternal Zealots, pushing into the realm of the War Scribes. It was here in this campaign that saw countless of their number die miserably to the underhanded tactics of the Scribes. The actions here sowed the seeds of resentment for the other Traitors. Why weren't they not pushing to Terra, helping Hektor? Why did the Warmaster not give them more naval aid when the War Scribes greatly outnumbered their ships?


By the end of the Heresy, Inferox was banished to the warp by Darius Cyaxares. The Legion fled with many others towards the Eye in a disorganized rout, fighting what battles they could when they were able while fleeing from the combined wrath of the Steel Marshals, the Silver Cataphracts, the Void Angels, and the Eyes of the Emperor.


The Betrayal of Sudden Flame


"Burn them all. Burn it all. Not one man, not one thing, not a single piece of this reality will be free from the flames!"

Legionary Equerry, Dilshad


Kariman and Dilshad combined their Conflagrations together at Cadia, where the Traitors were gathering up to face the vanguard of the Imperial forces sent to cull them. It would be there they would fight as one last time. Kariman called a round of impromptu voting, as the current circumstances demanded it. Inferox was gone, and the Legion needed a leader immediately. Dilshad won narrowly beating Kariman, who humbly accepted the senior Marine's leadership. The Sons of Fire were directed towards where the Black Augurs fleet was gathering up, for whatever reason. Unknown to the flame-bringers, Bloodseer was marshaling what forces he could to confront the Voidwatcher moments before they attacked. Dilshad believed that it was the folly of the Psykers, of all Psykers, that had brought the defeat at Terra. That if the Voidwatcher had been less of a coward, then Hektor would be alive.


The attack was a monumental failure. The greatest in the Legion's history. The Augurs rallied at just the right time to send the still weak Khornates reeling thanks to the assistance of their still living Primarch's leadership. Other fleets belonging to multiple Legions were attracted by the fighting in short time, believing the Loyalists had caught up to them. Ships arrived steadily to help throw them back as a result. Before too long, nearly every Traitor Legion was present. Dilshad wracked by madness and fiery desire for destruction, ordered the fleet to attack any ships coming closer. Kariman, Jamasa, Vistasp, and Vishtar saw the Legion break apart as dozens of vessels refused the order. A new leader was demanded, but not a soul within the Legion could agree on who. Before order could be reigned in to keep the Legion from fragmenting completely, Dilshad gave his infamous and final order.


Dilshad went into a fury of rage at the departing units which would one day become warbands. He hated the weakness, the frailty which had caused Hektor to fail. The Astartes were not up to the task demanded of them, and the Sons of Fire needed to correct this. If they could not be proper warriors, they would become sacrifices. A message was sent to all the distant and scattered parts of the Sons of Fire. It was time to burn the cowards, it was time to exact vengeance for Inferox and for Hektor. All across the Segmentum Tempestus the Sons descended upon their fellow Traitors, burning and ripping as they pleased. The surprise attack left the forces marshaling at Cadia a fraction of their size, forcing those few remaining to flee into the Eye of Terror before the Imperium truly fell upon them.


The Sons of Fire were to turn on themselves, on other ships, to bring greater glory to the blood god. Vishtar immediately set out from his ship as the chaos ensued, those still listening to Dilshad responding. Before long this created a chainreaction that saw all the Traitor vessels attacking one another. Vishtar was able to lead a strike team to the Guardian Spirit of Crematoria, the Legion's flagship in the middle of the mayhem. He murdered Dilshad where he stood, consolidating control over the flagship and leaving everyone else to their fate.


The loose threads of alliance began to unravel with this single, colossal event. Word spread among the Traitors of the betrayal. The Black Augurs began attacking any ragged ships they could regardless of allegiance. The Iron Rangers followed soon after, preying on all they could reach. The Traitor Legions purpose had been shattered utterly all thanks to the Sons of Fire. Any who still dared to herald the Legion's name and colors were simple berserkers, fighting for whatever side that offered supply or merely a promising campaign. Not warband could take up the name again, without others crushing them for fear of a united Sons of Fire force. The Legion as an entity ceased to be, but thanks to its final act they had initiated the Legion Wars.

Or as those brothers of Crematoria know it, the 'Wars of Ashes'.

The Wars of Ashes

The Sons of Fire warbands fight for any side willing to take them on, but are hunted down ruthlessly by most for being the catalyst in which the Legionary Wars started. Ushtra is slain by the Black Augur duelist known as Bladebreaker after his fortress is overwhelmed by an invasion force of Tzeentchian daemons. The era is known as the Wars of Ashes since the Sons faced multiple conflicts all over the Eye, which never ended well for them.

Legion Doctrine

Area Denial was the main forte of the Sons of Fire, which made them lethal in urban warfare and in Zone Mortalis operations. As time went on this specialization was joined by a growing hunger for fire, a need to inflict pain by fire, to burn, not merely disintegrate. This led to the use of special types of flamer fuel, that which instead of disintegrating the target outright would scorch and burn them, leaving them broken, waiting for the kiss of the Sons of Fire’s flaming axes. These bloody practices went unnoticed due to the distance the Sons had to most other Legions, as they pursued the frontier of the Great Crusade ruthlessly, and against the aliens which left no witnesses to the signs of pyromania that would later doom the Legion.


The Sons of Fire were not noted for their use of armored vehicles, which were secondary to the employment of ground infantry, the up close and personal nature of their purgation operations. The only exception to this was the widespread employment of flame-weapons tanks such as the Malcador and Predator Infernus, and the Land Raider Redeemer, invented by the Sons of Fire as an assault transport that would later be adopted by other Legions. The only noteworthy use of mechanized support was Karesna's famous use of Rhino transports, barreling forward into enemy lines only for the Marines to burst out just as drop pods landed. With the distance closed, his Marines were beyond effective in battle.


In the aftermath of the betrayal of the Sandaramet Brotherhood, the Sons of Fire became ever more insular and uncontrollable on the battlefield as their desire for fire and blood overtook them, becoming a double-edged sword as they burned whole swathes of the battlefield, uncaring for who was incinerated. All-out infantry assaults supported by fast moving armor, with the aim of immediately closing into bloody short range and melee and always with the intent to burn the foe from the battlefield became their only goal; inferno for its own sake beyond any strategic objective to the contrary. They would ignore suppressive fire, artillery barrages, and even overwhelming frontal defense. To the IV Legion, fire has evolved beyond a simple symbol of strength and righteousness to a thing of savage, bloody beauty that is nothing short of a gift from the Blood God himself.

Specialist Ranks

Immolation Squad Biker


The majority of the Legion was dedicated towards being a never ending wall of flame. Never ceasing, always advancing, consuming all in its path. The Immolation Squad Bikers were the exception to this philosophy. Armed with two hand flamers and given attack bikes with handle-mounted melta weaponry, they charged forward into the ranks of the enemy with no regard of themselves seeking out large formations to break apart or valuable vehicle assets to annihilate. After meeting with the opposing forces, they would do whatever damage they could as fast as they could before being snuffed out.


During the Great Crusade, the use of the Immolation Squad Bikers was met with no applause or acclaim. Those who had chosen for the duty were reaching the edge of their sanity, with madness on the horizon of their minds. The next deployment they would go into a crazed frenzy, burning anything they could to just see the flames. Their duty as Immolation Bikers allowed them to give one last benefit to their brothers, instead of becoming a detriment to the battle and liability to the safety of their fellow Marines. Even if they were not part of the Cult, those pious in the First Flame would consecrate them before they would mount their bikes.


After the Hektor Heresy and Legionary Wars however, the Immolation Squad has grown beyond just the Sons of Fire. They are their own dedicated cult to Khorne who draw members from every Legion, giving out their services as mercenaries either in full squads or on their own. The Dark Mechanicum of Benius-IX is the home to all of the Immolation Bikers, giving them modifications to their own bodies and bikes. Every inch of the biker is augmented, and their bikes are experimental designs, giving them unprecedented survivability not thought possible during the Great Crusade. This is due in part to their augmented nature, as a fallen Tech-Priest can completely rebuild a Immolation Patrol Biker with just the head alone.


Brotherhood of the Sandaramet


The Sandaramet was the Sons of Fire term for their Librarius.


In the years before the Emperor's arrival, the Priests of Xerleth were completely reformed from their very foundation. Every member was now inducted in during childhood, usually by Inferox himself. Many of these were orphans directly caused by the Primarch's bloody war of unification. One day, a 'warlock' assassin attempted to kill Inferox during a conference with his priesthood. The attack left only a tenth of them alive, but Inferox largely unharmed. After killing the assassin with his bare fists, it was revealed to Inferox that the remaining priests themselves were 'warlocks and witches'. Thus began the Sandaramet, drawing up any of those who had the 'gift', training them to fight any others with the power.


Due to his fierce loyalty and newly found faith in the Imperial Truth, the Emperor granted to Inferox's Legion the recruiting tithe of the former Achaemenid Empire. Rich in genetically pure humanity, the ranks of the Sons of Fire swelled thanks to the tithe. An unsuspected side effect however was an increased the rate of Psyker Neophytes, giving cause for Inferox to found his Legionary Sandaramet. The pyromancers of Crematoria destroyed armor and flesh alike with molten beams and immolating waves. Their other duties were in screening new recruits, teaching them the history of the Legion, checking all Legionnaires for absolute resolve and loyalty, and human and alien Psykers alike.


When time came to betray the Emperor, Inferox disclosed openly with his Brotherhood on the decision. Remarkably, every last one tried to argue with him against it with Adarhormazd being the most critical of all. Even though the Council of Nikaea had outlawed their rightful abilities, each member of the Sandaramet still laid their loyalties down at the feet of the Golden Conqueror. Appalled by this perceived cowardice and weakness, Inferox thought to an old saying on his home of Crematoria. 'Never trust the Warlock or the Witch'. Soon finding himself swearing fealty to the Blood God and giving into his destructive nature, all of the Sandaramet were sacrificed as burnt offerings to Khorne with Adarhormazd being the last, set up on the pyre even as Loyalists burst into the temple.


A great battle ensued shortly afterwards between the Sons of Fire Loyalists and Traitors over the sacrifice, with the Loyalists being crushed by the fury of their Primarch's bloodlust when he made battle with them.


Wildfire Reconnaissance Marines


The Fourth Legion uses fire on the battlefield, both as a weapon and as a tactical element. The role of the Wildfire Reconnaissance Marines, who are drawn from the standard Recon Squads operated by the Sons of Fire, is to evade the enemy and set fire to valuable locations, such as factories or cities. In woodland battles, the Wildfire Marines are capable of setting a semicircular fire behind enemy lines, trapping the enemy so that the Fourth Legion can drive them back into the flames. Over time they discarded their traditional power armor to wear carapace, freeing their movement in combat.


Wildfire Recon became a position for veterans who feared falling to their base nature, staying away from close quarters combat to preform still vital acts in battle. They would later be responsible for the training of Neophytes, gathering up collections of followers who would train underneath them before going to join the Line Marines in a charge, usually brought about by their previous mentor's efforts.


After the Heresy, the Wildfire Reconnaissance Marines had fallen to Khorne along with the rest of their Legion. Those who have not been consumed by blood-lust and forgotten their role are rare, but they tend to operate alone, starting fires indiscriminately and slaughtering anyone who tries to escape the blaze. They do not operate with other bands of their Legion in the Eye but persist outside in the Imperium, laying low until bursting onto worlds with swarms of cultist followers and well orchestrated plan to destroy every last bit of land on the planet. They are notorious enemies of the Inquisition.


Still preforming their practice as trainer, promising children are chosen from the ranks of their covert human agents to be trained as Wildfire Reconnaissance Marines. They are among some of the few Traitor Marines who only recruit those with their own gene-stock, instead of using any available.

Legion Equipment

Before each campaign, a Son of Fire will meticulously paint his armour with several coats, sometimes making elaborate gilding in bronze or gold depending upon preference, and etching on the deeds of his squad or company. After this is done, they take the field with the intent of racing headfirst into the flames of wrath. The paint will chip, the embroidered text or symbols melt away, and over time nothing remains of the colors they so proudly displayed at the beginning. This is to show their willingness to sacrifice all to flame, showing each time their ability to give up all that they care for. Their achievements, their comrades, their Legion. All of it is null when compared to the purity of fire. Some squads make it a game to see who can both spend the longest time preparing and who can lose their colors the fastest.


In combat, hand flamers and chainweaponry are preferred above all. Sergeants usually go into battle wielding combi-bolters, with an underslung flamer with knife constantly at the ready. Captains universally favor the 'Cremotorian' Pattern chainaxe, which sets off jets of liquid which are easily set alight with the simplest of sparks. This creates an incendiary melee that perfectly combines the attitude and tactical tendencies of the Legion.


Though the Great Crusade was launched to conquer worlds and not destroy them, unless there was no alternative. In such warzones where there was no hope for human life or where the only option was complete purgation, the usual caveats and protocols restricting the use of contaminate weapons by the Emperor's command did not often apply and these warzones were often entrusted to the Sons of Fire who took great joy in burning them to the crust. The wanton use of Phosphex became a common staple of their Extermination Campaigns, setting the very matter of a world in a constant state of inferno.

Legion Organization

A Destroyer of the Sons of Fire Legion

At its creation, the IV Legion followed the basic pattern of Legion organization with Chapters, Battalions and Companies, but even in this earliest period the Legion's procurement and outfitting was geared towards direct assault and operations in "Zone Mortalis” type environments, with a specialty focus on using area denial weapons such as flamers. These 'claws', a nickname for the tactics and tools favored by the early Hammers, were attempted to be removed with only using a single flame per squad as directed by a Sub-Class GT-3 Supervising Sergeant.


Once Inferox took command this trend was revived immediately, and the Legion's organizational structures were kept altered to allow better streamlining, with its main division being tailored towards specialized line infantry formations known as Conflagrations. A Conflagration was a Battalion-level hybrid of tactical/close assault troops for the main contingent, supported by dedicated heavy assault units such as Terminators or Dreadnaughts. Fast attack forces which could scout or flank swiftly were also a common sight, such as jetbikes and Land Speeder squadrons, commonly equipped with flamer weaponry.


A Conflagration’s strength could vary from a Chapter Level force comprising dozens of companies to a mere handful depending on the situation, availability of troops and the tactical demands. In one engagement on Drakayav, the Ninety-Sixth Conflagration had only a single Line company of troops under its command. The leaders of the Conflagrations were given titles by the Primarch after being entrusted with the position, from ‘The Blooded’ (Commander of the Seventeenth Conflagration) to ‘the Torch of Scabrathix’ (Twenty-Fifth Conflagration). These leaders would uplift certain Sergeants to be their trusted advisers, leading assaults in their name across a planet. Usually though this coordination was unnecessary, as the several thousands of Sons only required to defeat the enemy utterly. Producing erratic patterns of assault and attack, with a slight inability to properly marshal a defense in a short amount of time. The Sons of Fire were always at their best when they were attacking, using their decentralized nature to overwhelm a foe, keep them in a never ending state of guessing as to their next move.


In battle, squads would be free to pursue their assigned tasks in whatever manner they saw fit, provided they followed orders from above. Each Conflagration Commander before battle commenced would lay out a long set of objectives for each company to complete, with the company in turn directing their component squads, usually incentivising certain targets over others. Other than this loose set of requirements, the formations could conduct themselves in whatever manner they saw fit on the battlefield. Squads would usually seek out either one or two things during a skirmish; either the complete destruction of the enemy force, or completing the objective they had been given before the campaign had even begun. The lack of a rigid chain of command allowed the Sons to move swiftly across the battlefield and lent itself well to a highly aggressive strategic posture and belligerent tactics, but were usually wild and uncoordinated during long drawn out engagements.


At the time of Hektor's Betrayal, no good estimate of the Fighting Strength of the Sons of Fire could be made. The Sons often fought as a small number of large scale deployments, with the bulk under the Burned King formed into the 47th Expeditionary fleet who loved to step in to aid other campaigns when Xenos were present. The best guess made is putting their full strength at 150,000 Legionnaires. Both Legions had fervently loyal contingents, with many within the Sons refusing to turn on the Sandaramet, their Psyker division.


Culture

The culture of the Sons of Fire changed drastically twice over the course of their history - once when they were discovered by their Primarch, Inferox, and again when they became the chosen of the Blood God Khorne.


The Hammers of Terra were renowned for their honor, and thoroughness, often to the point where it was physically and tactically slowed by these traits. When Inferox came to command his Legion, it was he who shaped his Legion into who they were destined to become, for better or for worse. Inferox taught his Legion many things, including how to use fire as a weapon of war, but he also taught his sons how to know their place and role without confining themselves in a cumbersome structure that would chain them as much as it would define them. Under Inferox's command, emphasis was placed on groups over individuals in his Legion. Squads would be honored as a whole; as would larger formations.


The uses of fire by Inferox's Legion were many, and not just confined to battle. Due to the Cult of the First Flame, it influenced several facets of their lives. New Legionaries would be branded with fire, dead Legionaries would be cremated in fire (once their gene-seed had been extracted), duels would be fought inside a ring of fire, and fire was ever present in hundreds of various standard Legion ceremonies. There was no aspect of a Fire Son's life that was not spent very far from flickering flames. Members of the IV Legion would spend so much of their time around fire that they would even dream of blazes.


The Burned King, despite his best efforts, was a twisted soul. Twisted like a dying flame. The Sons of Fire were no different, obsessed with burning even with their own attempts to stem the pyromania. Once they set entire systems ablaze for the Emperor, but they found a new master in Khorne. Before the Heresy, they tried to mask their all consuming desires for fire with a cold, calm and ruthless exterior, which broke down when Khorne claimed their souls. They were present on Terra and the Burned King is now a daemon prince. On Istvaan they collected all of the dead loyalists, and burned their bodies and armour to slag and ash, before piling their scorched skulls in a pyramid inside of a captured ship, and firing it into the Warp.

The Cult of the First Flame

On the cracked surface of Crematoria, the first faiths began to flourish from the ashes of humanity's war with machine. One newfound belief among many that barely survived the numerous wars fought for religious supremacy over the planet was that in the First Flame. A God above all others, wholly omniscient and grand creator of all existence. He was not alone however, and the beliefs of others were interpreted as other supernatural beings that equally exist same as he did. The Divinities and Abyssals, angel and demon, each with god-like powers that were still all beneath the glory of the First Flame. From the tribes giving birth to this thought was a scribe named Axtare who would codify but also modify the texts which kept the ideals of the First Flame in tact while changing a fundamental nature of the faith. The other Gods were to be removed, with Xerleth(Meaning 'First and Lonely') as the only God in existence. A schism occurred, but those tribesmen believing in the old ways would find themselves preyed upon and wiped from existence. Axtare kept records of the First Flame, which would terrible, unforeseen, distant repercussions.


Those recruited from Crematoria's armies, child zealots sworn to serve Inferox, found it unbelievable that in the course of only a few hours a Golden-Conqueror had stripped away all belief in their mighty warlord. Even as Iterators descended down to speak with their people on the glory of the Imperial Truth, the stubborn masses stuck to their beliefs rigidly. Those within the Legion, for the sake of their master and themselves kept silent on their thoughts of this betrayal of faith. Sometime after the Sandaramet's coronation, those who believed saw themselves threatened. In secret, the faithful began to seek answers that would keep them united even when faced with the overpowering words of Terra's 'reason'.


Digging in the ancient tomes of the Xerlethian religion was discovered their salvation. The First Flame, as envisioned by those initial enlightened tribesmen was the way. Those Gods thought destroyed by Inferox even returned, adding to the list of Divinities and Abyssals. New documents were drawn up to help maintain every scrap they could from those sacred words about the First Flame. A new twist was added to the mythos of the God, this nameless entity above all. To them, the First Flame was the initial spark at the start of creation. With its burning, that light of life remained. The First Flame would be even the first deity, but chief among all others. A title able to be worn by any Abyssal or Divine who could claim it and take up the mantle of responsibility towards the perpetuation of existence.


Thus the Cult of the First Flame began, and spread fast. From its initial ten thousand followers, it tripled in size within a single year before the Sandaramet even knew it existed. The leader of the Cult, Cii'taum, petitioned to the Burned King a chance to see if it the faith would flourish. As it was in the old way of Crematoria, for if a belief flowered then it was the true way. But if it wilted, and was crushed away, its faith was false to begin with. Thus is how he brought the whole of the planet to heel with his own holy war which showed all how petty and false their Gods were. Inferox attempted to explain this only showed how weak faith was, but Cii'taum cited that it did not. In fact, it only proved that he was all the stronger for his belief in Xerleth for giving him the ability to gain victory. The Primarch reluctantly agreed to Cii'taum's request, allowing the Cult to remain.


Over the years little tensions evolved between the non-believers and the religious. The tension if anything strengthened the bonds of the Legion, as brothers were able to hold assemblies discussing faith and existence when not in battle. 'The Philosopher Lords' they became known as by their attached Imperial Army regiments. The cold reason or divine devotion aided in avoiding the Hungry Desire. Heavy rituals set in as the Cult became more identified with itself, Cii'taum always pressing them towards ever greater enlightenment through ritual.


The First Flame belief was more compatible than most to the teachings of Chaos. Their concept of numerous beings of varying power fit beautifully to their thoughts on deities. Khorne in particular matched their criteria for the First Flame, above all other Gods. Cii'taum was the first to declare the Blood God, their God, who's presence and blood-letting helped to empower the light of the universe. With the Cult sworn to Inferox, the followers fell into the worship of this new God with wild abandon. His Daemon Princes were deified as Divinities, with the other beings of Slaanesh, Nurgle, and Tzeentch being Abyssals. Beings seeking to drag all of creation into a long, stagnant night in their own different ways. Only Khorne, in their minds, offered continued existence.


The original Flame Cult members rallied to the forefront of every conflict the Sons of Fire engaged in during the Heresy. Though the Legion devolved into Chaos worship, not all joined the Cult proper. The Cultists thinned in number as the Heresy raged, eventually numbering some five thousand members by the genesis of the Legionary Wars. These groups broke off into Disciple Orders, numbering one hundred Marines each. More well tempered than their other brethren, the First Flame Cult exists only to perpetuate the worship of Khorne and to continue to raise more believers from their numbers. Great bands of cultists array around the Disciples, some even graduating to the hallowed status of Astartes. These pools of freshly trained and equipped Marines are primarily where former Sons of Fire Legionary warbands recruit from.

The Hungry Desire

During the deployment of the Sacred Band, the Fourth Squad suffered mental stress compelling them to needlessly destroy enemy property and remains. As they fought on in the Pacification campaign in Merica the fatigue of battle made these effects worsen. This overriding need forced many to commit acts unthinkable in an otherwise temperate state. The signs were clear then, if this was allowed to run rampant, unchecked, it could lead to horrendous consequences for the well-being of both themselves and others. After the Hammers of Terra were formed, signs of this Destroyer Curse were searched for rigorously. The affliction's source can be found in the very gene-seed of the Legion. While it allowed them better cognitive processing in combat, it can rewrite their sense of reason completely.


Upon the birth of the Sons of Fire, Adarhormazd studied the disease intently. He coined it as the Hungry Desire after a term in the old Xerlethian religion. In each man is a lust for death. A wanting for wanton pleasure in ruining life and beauty. It is a war inside each of us, our base turmoil wrestling with the higher functions of orderly thought. Though the true cause of Legionnaires falling to the Hungry Desire was to relieve themselves. Every moment they did not indulge the feelings polluting their thoughts, the greater the pain became. Some men can resist their entire lives, but in the heat of combat men can rarely control themselves.


The efforts of the Primarch did aid in hampering the pressure on every Marine's mind. The almost cathartic glories of the melee-centric doctrine soothed the thoughts of many. Still, the Hungry Desire could overwhelm individuals even faster and more radically in this environment. Inferox was ashamed of the Hungry Desire, and as a result so were his sons. Though in times before it was utilized for suicide attack squads, the new reality was much harsher. More primitive in its ruling of those lost to the Desire. The Legion was careful for those who were consumed by combat, making sure to either put them out of their misery or leave them alive until they could commit to one last battle wherein they could die with grace in the Immolation Biker Squads. In secret, Dilshad purposefully had his men fall to the Desire to improve his combat records.


Because the Cult of the First Flame did not recognize the Xerlethian views on natural mayhem and natural balance, but in the harsh initial beliefs that gave birth to their faiths, they did not agree that the Desire was malignant. Signs were obvious that those taken in by the madness could fight with the ferocity of five Marines. As the Legion fell, the Cult experimented endlessly with the Hungry Desire despite the warnings to cease by Inferox himself. Overtime as the Heresy continued, the Burned King ceased to care starting to utilize the rabid dogs his one proud forces had become to win the desperate battlefields he found himself forced on.


By the Betrayal of Sudden Flame, nearly all the Sons of Fire had been taken by the Desire. Their noble light of philosophy and wisdom was extinguished, to serve as better warriors for Khorne. All the extraneous facets singed off to forge them anew.

Notable Members

The Head Sandaramet, Adarhormazd


"As I transitioned from priest to apostate, I knew this one truth. We are in a constant struggle with our own inner chaos. It is our duty to temper it with wisdom. The fire must be tamed by water."

Adarhormazd, the Undiluted Star of Aestan


Adarhormazd was but a child when Inferox rose to power on Crematoria. The Aestan plainsmen, who lived on a steppe of the same name, had fought zealously for the Burned King. Dutiful beyond reproach, they even gave up the most promising firstborn to be candidates to the reformed Priesthood of Xerleth. Adarhormazd survived the Warlock's attack upon the ranks of the holy men, emerging as a known seer. He would live to see the arrival of the Emperor even, but by then he was in his late forties. Despite all of the Legionary Apothecaries protesting against the action, Inferox had Adarhormazd sent through the gene-seed implantation process. He did not suffer through it without injury, but was forged anew as a post-human still when it was completed.


The Imperial Truth was not accepted by a single member of the Aestan tribe, say for Adarhormazd. Even during his time as a speaker for Xerleth, the charismatic clergyman had doubts on the words he preached. The Truth felt to him just as that, an honest telling of events from reason alone. The core tenants and teachings removed from the deity remained with him, but the promise made by the Emperor for all of humanity was now his one true belief. Thus Inferox named him the Undiluted Star, he who shines brightest because of his love of understanding and logic. Adarhormazd in addition to his duties as Head Sandaramet was the representative of the Brotherhood to the Cult of the First Flame, being respected in both circles enough to allow them to see eye to eye.


In Adarhormazd's life he was known to be closer to Inferox than his own Equerry, kind, and calm of mind. During battle he would march quietly forward with the rest, sending barrages arcing fireballs that would ignite into vibrant explosions. Despite no longer believing in the words, he taught Neophytes the holy texts and sayings of Xerleth. These had a profound impact on most when dealing with the maddening desire to destroy. The Hunger as he named it. When he saw Inferox fall to his anger on Arkendar, he along with Kariman were the only two who would calm him down after sending the Autarch Marri Hu'lana screaming to her death.


When the Sandaramet was informed of the Heresy, Adarhormazd called Inferox what he was. A coward, for even considering the act of treason. The two grew so heated in debate, arguing each side vehemently, that they almost came to blows right then. Inferox was capable of staying his hand, but he was forced to leave before the situation escalated. It felt to the Primarch as a person betrayal, which exploded into a vengeful rage after he gave himself over to Khorne. When the Sandaramet was sacrificed, Adarhormazd was the last to be thrown to the fires. Inferox cast himself away from the altar when the time came, unable to witness the death of a man he once called his closest friend.


Legionary Equerry Dilshad, Master of Inferno


"Were you chosen by the Primarch? Privy to his thoughts and executioner of his will? I don't believe so! It is not your place to speak then is it?"

Dilshad after receiving criticism from Vishtar of his plans to attack the Black Augurs


Dilshad was born in the lowlands south of the Casspinin Lake, his father a tireless techno-barbarian warrior for the Emperor's cause to unify Terra. He was taken as a babe to be trained as one of the first members of the then unnamed IVth Legion. He was a prospective candidate for the Sacred Band due to his physical aptitude, but was eliminated early in the trials for his stubbornness and pride. From then on he glided as an outrider of Legion politics, envying the Band for their higher status. Known for being able to give decisive leadership, he was elevated to a squad commander in little time. On Mainiiu II, he charged ahead to relieve some brethren from a suppressive assault not realizing the amount of firepower bearing down around them. Before he could retreat, his single retaliatory shots as he fell back killed several assailants. His actions seemed most heroic to onlookers. A fact which he capitalized on with a fervor.


Dilshad's voice carried over the ranks of the Line Marines like a virulent disease, infecting them with the concept of a simple warrior such as their selves could command the Legion. He promised to bring back the Legion to their old ways and bring glory to them whilst they waited for the return of their Primarch. Since no other candidate truly desired the position, Dilshad naturally took it thanks to his efforts to secure the title of High Praetorate. His time holding the rank is one without note. He served reasonably well, but brought no renown to the Legion nor did remake them into something greater. They merely were, which was admittedly better than other Legions at the time. His popularity only grew wiith the Line Marines however, whom he served with constantly despite the necessity required of him to pull back and access the wider strategic situation.


When the Primarch was found, it was known to all that he spent his days on the trip to Crematoria locked in his study meeting with no one. There wasn't enough time, it wasn't fair, he thought. Why could he not be found later? Why did it have to be now, when he had yet so much to turn the Legion into? To all who knew Dilshad, his personality visibly shifted to the boisterous commander to a weary, worn individual ravaged by regret. When Inferox chose appoint him as his Equerry, his displeased demeanor evaporated giving way to a new vigor to serve.


Dilshad shared a widespread distaste and distrust of psykers, viewing them as untrustworthy and even genetically filthy. His obsession with purity led him to even accepting ideas given to him by Inferox on the need of truth in the Legion's members, and the clarity in understanding the Emperor's message. Secretly though, Dilshad had no love in his heart for his gene-sire, who he called on one occasion 'a simpleton, a savage warlord from a debased planet'. These comments were never known the Primarch, or the Legion at large. His personal thoughts never clouded his internal understanding towards the necessity of appearance. Any chance to gain favor or renown, it would be seized it. He would push himself and others to their limits in order to be remarkable when compared to other outfits.


The Conflagration underneath his command made no attempts to hold back their oncoming insanity towards the end of the Great Crusade. They accepted the desire, growing ever more hungry for murder. This is because Dilshad viewed these enraged troops as more effective, and indeed they were bringing him the title of 'Master of Inferno' by the Primarch himself after the Genocide of Arkendar. When the time at last came to betray the Emperor, Dilshad was the first to hear of Inferox's discontent with the Sandaramet, and Adarhormazd in particular. It was he who counseled his liege to seek answers in faith, knowing full well from his studies of the Blood God what they would be.


The Heresy wore down Dilshad as he struggled to maintain his own sanity from the Blood God's influence and his inner pyromania. Dilshad by the point of Cadia was at his wits end. The voting was too close for his comfort, the fact that the pup Kariman could even come close to beating him driving the former Equerry into deluded paranoia. He wanted a victory, a win, to cement his position. But his reason was gone completely. The Black Augurs were close, small of number, and vulnerable to a strike as there was no secret to him about their division in loyalties. Not once did Dilshad think about the consequences of his actions, and as events spiraled beyond his control he chose to bring everyone down with him than face the humiliation of abject failure.


Dilshad was a small man who dreamed large fantasies. His skills and mind were set firmly in the realm of soldiery, the man being more than competent at fulfilling commands given to him. Deep within his mind however, something had taken root. A desire, like that which affected the others in his Legion but this did not erode his self-control but in his understanding of his own limitations. Without it, he saw himself as a master tactician and had a right to command the Legion. And if he was not at the head of it, then no one else deserved it at all. His life was meant to be simple yet he chose to reach out, and fall to his doom.


Kariman, the King of Blades


"Blood Burned in His Name! Skulls for His Throne!"

Vox recording of Kariman in battle, M.41


Kariman is a Chaos Space Marine of the Sons of Fire Legion. Once the leader of the Third Conflagration, Kariman is now the greatest of all the mortal Champions of Khorne. Embodying that god's indiscriminate rage and bloodlust as he was primarily responsible for the Betrayal of Sudden Flame horrible after effects. His voice could have ended the mayhem of that fateful day, but instead he threw himself happily into the slaughter of friend and ally alike.


He came from a distant world in the Trectos sector, an unknown and unimportant planet without much of a martial history. He was tithed with many boys to become aspirants for the Legion that had saved them from the Ork invasion. The little time he had with his family cemented a belief in the Sons of Fire. Of meeting their standards. He was ruthless in his devotion, showing the Sandaramet his willingness to face fire without fear. That is what truly set him apart from others, an unnatural ability to suppress his own emotions allowing to act eeriely calm even in the face of battle.


Kariman would have reached a leadership role sooner, but it was his violent behavior led to the firestorms that nearly killed all the Imperial Army units working alongside the Sons of Aŋra VI. This act had put a black mark on the Sons of Fire, and made him too temperamental and unstable to hold a title in Inferox's eyes. As the years went by, he fought on the frontline constantly. No mission was too dangerous, no selfless act unrewarding. Over the years he became known as an infamous character of the Fourth Legion. His peerless skill was only matched by his endless well spring of hatred for all of the Sons enemies.


It was almost too easy to recruit him into to Khorne. The Cult of the First Flame had never been able to sway him until they told him of the Chaos God. He personally charged ahead and beat down Adarhormazd, carrying him in shackles to the altar he would burn upon. His influence upon the Legion was not equal to that of Dilshad, but his mark on the Legion's history and that of the Traitor Legions is unsurpassed. It was him who butchered Crusaders minutes before his Legion even fully joined in battle. It was him who had to be clawed away from the frontline during the firestorm at the Atalantos Worlds. It was him who stood next to Inferox's daemon form as it was cast back into the warp. And it was him who struck the first blow that set off the Legionary Wars.


During the attack on the Black Augurs, Kariman was all too eager to prove himself to Dilshad. He saw the Equerry truly as the scion of the Primarch's will, and would commit fully in any endeavor to it. He is the one who joined with Ushtra in sacrificing a hundred Black Augurs aboard the Solemn Undertaking, before sending the ship ablaze by setting off its plasma reactors. As he returned to his ship, those he found swearing fealty to him directed their fire upon Sons of Fire vessels, or any vessels near them for that matter. This day was foreseen, a great day of blood letting that would give over to even more shedding.


Kariman would survive the Betrayal, carving out a bloody swathe on his path to the Eye.


In battle Kariman is always where the fighting is at its thickest while wielding his twin blades, the Fang-blade of Ignarak and the Red Sword. These fell weapons continually rise and fall as they sever heads and claim skulls in the name of his eternal patron. Since the end of the Heresy, Kariman has become the unstoppable and bloody avatar of Khorne. He hunts through the Eye of Terror and across the galaxy, slaughtering any worthy enough to be killed in Khorne's name. He holds no allegiance but that of his own, joining any cause so long as it shows promise to bring great murder on the battlefield. Be wary of his presence though, after all foes are defeated, he will most likely turn on his 'allies' next.


Captain of the Second Conflagration, Atarauuan


Sacred Band Members

Inferox, "The Burned King", Primarch of the Sons of Fire

What separated my fate from that of Inferox? A human being that knows the enemy intends to destroy his or her family, friends, and everything dear will resist with the whole of their being. Therefore, to use terror, one must hold out the prospect of mercy. Inferox did not use terror. Terror used him.

(Gaspard Lumey, private correspondence.)


Inferox is the driven gene-father of the Sons of Fire. He desired to bring order to the madness of his homeworld on behalf of his patron deity. Later, he choose to herald the cause of reason being crusaded by his creator, the Emperor. His pyromania eventually led to his downfall as his love of destruction consumed his judgement and soul. During the Burning Crusade at the Atalantos Worlds he ascended to Daemon Princedom.


The Space Marine Legions of the /tg/ Heresy
Loyalist: The Entombed - Eyes of the Emperor - Scale Bearers - Silver Cataphracts
Steel Marshals - Stone Men - Thunder Kings - Void Angels - War Scribes
Traitor: Black Augurs - The Justiciars - Eternal Zealots - Heralds of Hektor
Iron Rangers - Life Bringers - Lions Rampant - Mastodontii - Sons of Fire