Camaxtli

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Camaxtli
Title/Honours	Great Crocodile, "The Maw"
Discovered (period)	872.M30
Legion	Nineteenth
Heraldry/Sigil
Unique Weapon	Artificed Macauhuitl
Fate	Deceased
Dominion	Chalchihuitl, Ultima System

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.

Appearance and Personality

A bear of a man, even amongst his demi-god brotherhood Camaxtli is one of the largest primarchs to fight in the Great Crusade. One of the most physically powerful primarchs, Camaxtli numbered amongst the strongest fighters. Commonly seen with his great Macuahuitl and explosive throwing spears, Camaxtli relished the twisting melee of the 30th millenium and could often be found at the forefront of his armies sweeping through the enemy and engulfing their champions. Save for his fang and perpetual sneer, Camaxtli was an attractive long featured male and perpetually barefaced, even remarking once: "unshaven features are abominable." Yet, despite his aggressive and domineering attitude Camaxtli numbered amongst the most energetic and enthusiastic of primarchs. Quick to take action, and passionate regarding actions he supported Camaxtli was a man one desired for his hard earned respect, and despised for his uncensored judgement.

Where other primarchs were clad in the gold and silver common to the greater Imperium, Camaxtli maintained the customs of his world, bearing a powerful array of colored feathers against thick white armor lined with turquoise and emerald. His Macuahuitl is similarly extravagant, it's surface covered with ritual carvings and lined in bright orange, the weapon's artistry illustrates it's creation and service in Camaxtli's hands. Once asked by Rogerius Merrill why he would make himself an obvious target "The Maw" replied:

Only idiot cowards place others before them. True leadership and strength are in the front, where a man's worth is found. Those who sneak amongst their sons do not deserve their loyalty, for how can a man expect children to die in his stead?"

Yet Camaxtli's most notable - and perhaps infamous - facial feature was his mouth. Capable of opening more than a foot in length his mouth was a formidable weapon: jaws strong enough to crush stone, and teeth capable of cutting ceramite, Camaxtli's "Great Maw" gorged upon numerous champions. Yet, despite the utility of this ability it disgusted many of his brethren. Uncharacteristically, the Great Crocodile avoided exposing this mutation, the only indication of his mouth's true size were ragged lines extending from the corners of his lips and a single fang. Of the fang, only the primarchs dare comment and even they risk violence for Camaxtli suffers no disrespect regarding his aberrant ivory and refuses to describe its origins.

Camaxtli is a boisterous and proud man, quick to speak his mind, thinking little of what he discards. He is a gluttonous, greedy, and selfish primarch that prioritises his own needs and slow to help others, particularly those who cannot help themselves. Yet, despite this Camaxtli's loyalty, hard-earned praise, and genuine love for his brothers caused more than a few to overlook his overbearing nature.

Youth

Time has shown that the course of a man is often set in childhood, thus we must wonder why the fates chose Chalchihuitl a his home. The steaming jungle world of Chalchihuitl lied within the Charadon sector, isolated from the greater galaxy by stellar debris kicked up by local warp storms Chalchihuitl was surrounded by a haze of stone. When Camaxtli's pod landed in a damp Chalchihuitl jungle the battered and dented pod remained shut, the infant primarch nearly starved then alone and unheard for his crying. But fate or fortune, he was found and in his first moments of sight beyond the metal womb by another boy. Camaxtli was blind in those early moments, eyes unaccustomed to the dim jungle light, so it is understandable that he was astounded by his savior when he regained his sight. The boy was imposing, a tall figure, toned from many weeks of exertion midst the jungle and physically far superior to the bent, malnourished creature before him. Yet, after a moment of silence, the two children recognized their kindred and embraced, their isolation gone.

Camaxtli was then taught the skills his brother had learned: how to find water, where to rest, what not to eat, how to hunt, and most importantly: how to avoid the alpha predators of the Chalchihuitl jungle. Gargantuan Arachnids, pythons, felines that easily doubled their size, all this and more proved a terrible threat to the nascent twins. As time progressed the brothers grew, coming to rely on their combined skill, wit, and strength to overpower or outsmart the great creatures eventually becoming quite capable of crippling and killing beasts they could not engage alone. Yet, despite this mutual reliance, Camaxtli's life consisted of constant abuse from his older, stronger, and more experience sibling. Forays for food could become rapid fist fights, nights asleep could result in poisonous snakes and insects, or restraints and worse. This cycle of abuse and violence existed for quite some time, subsiding only when the pair avoided human beings. Where Camaxtli wanted to meet and engage with others, his brother demanded they remain hidden.

Then they bore witness to the natives way of war; vast lines iridescent color colliding across a red-stained sea of green. Hundreds of humans caught in tide of conflict, battering against one another with great toothed clubs. Originally attracted by the tang of blood and salt, the twins were stunned by the scale of violence before them. Initially Camaxtli was repulsed, unaccustomed to shock of warfare, the chaos of noise and movement. Blaring drums, screaming, tramping feet, all undertoned by the wet smack of broken meat. It was then that Camaxtli nearly stepped back to flee into the jungle, away from the horror that assaulted his senses until his brother shoved him forwards out of the tree line. As he stumbled forwards a whistling mass flew past his periphery towards the line of fighters. Rising to his feet, he barely registered the small and colorful body pinned against the ground. Only the biting yells and calls now directed towards him, accompanied by an encircling group of human warriors, naked save for their loin cloths and tattoos.

The first man that attacked Camaxtli was immediately decapitated and smashed against the grassy floor, his remnants sliding off the Primarch's teeth as he surged forwards into the circle of spears. Obsidian punctured the demi-god's hide as he shoved his way amongst his attackers, blindly striking out at the closest of them and stamping their bodies into the earth. A great wailing sound echoed across the field as his physiology reacted to the pain, a terrible growl of hate and fear increasing in pitch as the giant swatted aside his opposition. Ignoring the mounting blood loss and dizziness, Camaxtli made a steady path towards the impaled form surrounded by skin-cloaked warriors bearing a canopy of feathers. Though disturbed by his brutality, the warrior-guards assaulted him with glass-lined clubs, spears, and rocks, pelting and abusing the advancing berserker. He ignored the pebbles and sticks, striking down the guards and attaches, breaking their weapons against his fists. The conflict only heightened his rage and hunger encouraging him towards its catalyst: his brothers spear.

It was then, as Camaxtli raised the spear over head and ripped the feathered body off its haft, that the attackers held back. Dumbstruck by the bloodied giant and his immense strength, which quickly turned to disgust and despair as he ripped the meat and chest off the perforated corpse, his gruesome smile further repelling them. Yet, that alone was insufficient to deter the men he fought, those strongest and most noble of them only incited to greater zeal as their leader's body was devoured. Now weakened, surrounded, and overwhelmed by a mass of professional soldiers, Camaxtli could barely stave of their offensive. Blood loss, confusion and inexperience proving to great a handicap for his predatory fury.

In the following weeks Camaxtli would experience episodes of numbness, tunnel vision, and disassociation with his surroundings as his body trembled with fear. At night he would scream awake, his skin clammy and cold from the memories invading his dreams.