Eyes of the Emperor

Eyes of the Emperor
Battle Cry	"His Eyes are upon you!"
Number	XIX
Founding	First Founding
Successors of	N/A
Successor Chapters	Wraith Corps
Primarch	Octullus Tyran
Homeworld	Illobian
Specialty	Ranged specialists
Allegiance	Loyalist
Colours	Red and gold

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 Eyes of the Emperor were one of the great Legiones Astartes, once led by the Primarch Octullus Tyran. They were known for peerless marksmanship, technical acumen and secretive ways - but their secrets were more than even their Primarch knew.

History

Much of the Legion's history is clouded in shadow. Its leaders rarely kept written records and filed only those reports which were demanded of them. Journalists were unwelcome on their Expedition Fleets. Despite the lack of evidence, some key episodes could be reconstructed from the histories of other formations.

Beginnings: XIX Squad and the Council of Ten

Fragmentary evidence, including a commendations by Malcador the Sigilite in which the XIX Squad of the Sacred Band are praised as having redeemed the dishonor of their sires suggests that the Eyes of the Emperor drew their Terran recruits from among the families of those who had defied the Emperor. Even less survives of their battle record in the Pacification of the Merican Hives, but it is clear that Hektor Cincinnatus came to trust them as he did few others. Hektor's dispatches show that the squad's main role was to serve as battlefield snipers, guarding over the brotherhood of the Sacred Band from on high. After the end of the Unification Wars, this band of warriors would rule the XIX Legion as the Council of Ten and spoke with one voice. Their influence was spread their their gene-descendants, the Acharya caste of officers and teachers. Though they claimed the Primarch as one of their own, the rediscovery of Octullus Tyran greatly disrupted Nineteenth Legion and even the fulsome praise of Hektor could not soothe the discontent.

Great Crusade

During the first years of the Primarch's leadership, the Eighteenth were relocated to the Death World Marusthali, where their Neophytes could be tested against the ferocious native predators. Throughout the Great Crusade the Eyes of the Emperor acquitted themselves with honour, winning many notable victories, but they were never among the great conquerors of the Legiones Astartes. Their contemplative, almost spiritual ways were suited to careful consideration of possibilities and judicious use of force, not carving a swathe through the stars.

Those who were loyal the Octullus Tyran accepted his teaching that the wars of the Great Crusade were important, but that their true trial was still to come. For a long time, this prophecy had a far-off air to it, but as the 31st Millenium began the Primarch announced that he sensed darkness swiftly approaching. Attempting to head off the crisis, the Eyes of the Emperor brought evidence of sorcerous acts among the Black Augurs to the Emperor, triggering the Council of Nikaea. They also argued against the banishment of Winged Victory, but to no avail.

The Heresy

Dodu rises over Malluma

Shortly after the banishment of Gaspard Lumey, Octullus Tyran and his bodyguard arrived on the moon Malluma, where they had been dispatched at the orders of the Warmaster Hektor Cincinnatus. Contrary to the intelligence provided to them, the Eyes of the Emperor encountered no Orks on Malluma. They faced a far more dangerous foe, as the treacherous Warmaster had sent them into a deadly trap - a daemon world, ruled by the Shadow in Time, a powerful child of Tzeentch. The daemon separated Octullus Tyran from his bodyguard and attempted to win him as the chosen of the Changer of Ways, but the Primarch remained true to the Emperor. In the fight that ensued, the sacrifice of many Space Marines banished the Shadow in Time. Although Octullus and his closest suffered greatly on Malluma, they emerged resolute and certain that their hour had arrived. The fleet regrouped and made haste towards the Solar System.

Culture

Under the leadership of the Ten, the Eyes developed a strict caste system. The gene-seed a new recruit determined their rank and role in the Legion. Gene-seed harvested from the smaller Progenoid Gland in a marine's neck would bind its recipient to the same caste as the donor. However, the Legion's medicae carefully inspected the gene-seed of a fallen Brother to determine whether the warrior's life had purified or debased the material and destined his successor for another caste.

• The Satria, the lowest caste, were the ordinary warriors of the Legion. They had three orders. The lowest and most numerous were equipped as ordinary marines, filling out the Tactical and Support Squads. The middle order went into battle bearing the light armour and stealth equipment of Reconnaissance squads. Heavy Support roles were reserved for the most highly-regarded of the three Satria orders.
• The Wesias, the middle caste, were the most technically able part of the Legion. They trained as vehicle crews, with their best being indoctrinated into the mysteries of the Adeptus Mechanicus or the Terminator Brotherhood.
• At the peak of the Eyes of the Emperor were the Acharya, the direct gene-descendants of the Council of Ten. Among this caste were the officers, priests, and adepts of the Legion, but they styled themselves as "mere teachers". Some were indoctrinated as Apothecaries or Librarians but the majority were warriors, entrusted with all of the Legion's leadership positions. After his rediscovery, Octullus Tyran himself was claimed as part of the Acharya caste, contributing to its prestige.

The Eyes of the Emperor prized ritual and contemplation. Their fortresses and warships were places of restorative beauty, adorned with silks, fine metalwork, and decorative plants.

Domain and notable worlds

The Death World Marusthali

Marusthali
Segmentum	Ultima Segmentum
System	Marusthali System
Population	no civilian population
Orbital radius	0.94AU ± 0.13AU
Gravity	1.03G
Temperature	Warm and arid

Although they drew their manpower from a wide range of worlds, the Eyes of the Emperor trained all of their neophytes on the Death World Marusthali. If this inhospitable planet was barren of life, its arid heat would still make human life difficult. But it is plagued by horrific predators, including the feared olgoi-khorkhoi, a gigantic acid-spewing worm-like creature. After three failed colonization attempts, the brutal world's name was changed from "Kumul" (the dune) to "Marusthali" (land of the dead).

The world was the last that Octullus Tyran visited before he took command of the Legion. Few were privy to what had drawn the Primarch to this desolate place, but his actions were above question. For a whole season, Octullus Tyran lived in the wastes of Marusthali, purifying his spirit before undertaking his Father's sacred charge. This period of solitude and deprivation is echoed in the training of the Neophytes of the Legion. After passing the Aspirant Trial, every Neophyte is brought to Marusthali to be implanted with the gene-seed and trained according to the standards of the Eyes of the Emperor. Thus, this terrible world is the answer to one of the great riddles of the sons of Darius. Although they draw men from a wide variety of worlds and allow these warriors to retain something of their homelands' identities, all go through training together on Marusthali and must learn to co-operate with their battle brothers, regardless of origin. Neophytes make this lesson a part of them or perish.

Notable places

The only man-made sights on Marusthali are the works of the Eyes of the Emperor. Successful aspirants first meet the elegant lines of the Khiruhton spaceport, which perfectly marries a symbolic gateway form with its function as a landing pad. Those who survive the march to the squat fortress, Lothal are sometimes awed by the scale of the building, but rarely marvel at its external appearance. However, the interior is a masterpiece of architecture. Great halls, carved from the living rock, are carefully lit to produce a daunting atmosphere. This hallowed place is the heart of the Legion, housing the genetic repositories that ensure the Sand Keepers' survival. Neophytes struck down with The Mark of Octullus Tyran are escorted to the bowels of Lothal, never to emerge.

Farming on Marusthali is extraordinarily difficult, but the Sand Keepers impose this onerous task on their recruits in the belief that a dose of humble work gives a finer temper to a warrior's spirit than a purely martial education. Neophyte companies are seasoned in fortified farming communities on the flanks of the Anshan range. Each commune is presided over by a Recruit Captain, usually a veteran of the Sand Keepers' wars, with senior Neophytes appointed Recruit Sergeants and tasked with supervising their juniors. For all the efforts of these youths, their survival is only possible thanks to the Springs of Octullus Tyran, Marusthali's sole source of freshwater. It is a matter of some contention whether the Primarch created or merely discovered the springs.

One of the last tasks of the successful neophyte on Marusthali is to dig himself a Stupa (rock dwelling) in the volcanic rock of Mount Zohhāk. Here he must endure the passing of a full season, nourishing himself by hunting the great predators of the Death World and learning discipline in solitude. After the disappearance of Octullus Tyran, an occasional recruit would report that they had been saved by the intervention of the Old Man of the Desert, but none have verified these tales. Whether the Neophyte dies or survives to join the Legion, his Stupa is destined to be his memorial. The Eyes of the Emperor go to great pains to inter their fallen in the graves they have wrought with their own hands. Ashtur, the empty Stupa of Octullus Tyran, is a centre of veneration.

Recruitment and training

As a secretive and highly ritualised Legion, the Eyes preferred to gather their Aspirants at a very young age. By the time that Octullus Tyran was rediscovered, the age of induction had dropped to 6, with the boys gathered up and given religious and physical instruction ahead of final physical, psychological and genetic screening. Those that failed at this stage were inducted into one of the various meditant orders that provided the Eyes with their support staff. The successful aspirants undertook a final ordeal to test their spiritual purity. The precise details of the ordeal were a closely-guarded secret, with failed aspirants and neophytes converted into Servitors. It is clear that there were many degrees of achievement in the final aspirant trial, allowing the Eyes of the Emperor to separate the recruits into different castes.

Spiritual indoctrination accompanied the process of an aspirant becoming one of the Legion. There were seven vows of purity that each neophyte must take to become a full fledged space marine. Each vow was the result of a long period of spiritual education and meditation and precedes the implantation of new Space Marine organs. Ahead of the first surgeries, the neophyte took the vow of Rapture, affirming his joy at undertaking the path of the Emperor. Once the Secondary Heart, Ossmodula, and Biscopea have been successfully implanted, a vow of Determination corresponded to the Haemastanen and Larraman's Organ. The third vow of Concentration commenced the Neophyte's hypnotherapy courses and the implantation of the Catalepsean Node, Preomnor, Omaphagea, and Multi-Lung. Next, the vow of Investigation came with the enhanced perception of the Occulobe and Lyman's Ear. Neophytes who survived to the next stage took a vow of Tranquility, finally setting the disturbances of their past life behind them as they accepted the Sus-an Membrance, Melanchroma, and Oolotic Kidney into their bodies. In what would typically be the Neophyte's tenth year in the care of the Legion, he must take a Vow of Mindfullness ahead of the implantation of the Neuroglottis, Mucranoid, and Betcher's Gland. The final vow of Equanimity is a declaration of the Neophyte's dedication to the Legion and the Emperor and his indifference to his own singular fate. Following this vow, the Progenoid Glands and later the Black Carapace are implanted.

Once the implantation process is complete, the new member of the Legion is granted the rank of Shishya, or disciple. He is paired up with an experienced battle brother of the same caste, his Guru, who will train and monitor him for seven years before the Shishya is considered a regular battle brother. During this time, Shishya are not exempt from battle duties, but accompany their Guru in the campaigns of the Imperium. As a sign of his wisdom, a Guru bears a veteran bolt implanted in his forehead for each Shishya he has trained.

Every member of the Eyes has some level of technical training and is expected to supervise the routine maintenance of his equipment. The Legion's firing ranges are almost always busy, but the fighting cages rarely see any traffic. All members of the Legion spend time in the Meditation chambers, where marines relax, meditate and recover from injuries of war.

Notable Members

• The memory of the Eyes of the Void is the Venerable Dreadnought Occhio, formerly a member of the Wesias caste who fought alongside the Fallen Angel himself. Occhio particularly distinguished himself by leading the assault on a Relic Imperator Traitor Titan via teleporting to the gun turrets on the back of the vile War machine. There, he led his squad deep into the machine itself, fighting wave after wave of cultists and traitor brethren. Eventually, he made it into the control command throne room, and fought the Arch Heretic in a brutal duel. Occhio overwhelmed the traitor and smashed his Assault Cannon's barrel into the Traitors face to deliver him unto the wrath of the Emperor. But this did not end the threat, as the rogue Machine spirit of the titan lashed out at Occhio, casting the warrior out of the main view ports. He was recovered, badly wounded but alive, and placed into a Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought. Occhio's great machine frame is fitted with a Emperor's Gaze, a relic Conversion Beamer.

Organisation and Doctrine

From the beginning, the Eyes were ruled by the Council of Ten. Although these mysterious warriors were among the most famous servants of the Imperium, they carefully cloaked their identities behind code-names and claimed to have been the same ten Astartes that fought for Hektor in the Unification Wars. Regardless of the truth of the matter, at the time of Ullanor the Council was composed of:

• Kamal Kulkarni or Master Scroll was the leader of Nineteenth Squad and the spokesman of the Council. His soft voice and languid manner in civilian settings belied a cold cunning.

• Surya Narang or Master Scalpel served the Legion as the head of the Legion's medicae. He was well-known among the other warriors of the Sacred Band, and in contrast to the rest of the Eyes was always eager to share medical knowledge.

• Shresth Nibhanupudi or Master Forge was trained in the forge-fanes of Mars itself shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Olympus Mons. Due to his mastery of the machine arts and proud history, Shresth came to hold dominion over the many Techmarines of the Eyes of the Emperor. He and his direct gene descendants were not members of the Wesias caste, but claimed responsibility for "guiding" their younger brothers. Shresth was considered by many Magoi to not only have an extraordinary understanding of the Machine Spirits but also to have gone far on the Quest for Knowledge. By the time of the Heresy, he had become almost entirely mechanical in form and fused his body with a suit of Terminator armour.

• Madhukar Jain or Master Termite supervised the Legion's Castra. Although the Eyes built few large-scale fortifications, they had many hidden fortresses and caches in their areas of operation.

• Bala Misra or Master Cloud took command of the Legion's fleet strength. He maintained close relationships with many Forge Worlds and his correspondence with Magoi on the effort to match the needs of the Eyes with the technical possibilities of warship design is one of the few substantial written records in the Legion's history.

• Nilam Tamboli or Master Brush supervised the intake of new Aspirants into the Legion. He was pitiless but rarely raised his voice in anger.

• Damodara Mhasalkar or Master Rat was charged with overseeing the Legion's Frumentarii. Unlike in other Legions, in which intelligence-gathering activities were subordinate to the Victualary and broader logistical concerns, the Eyes put great store in their spies and scouts. He maintained close ties with the Rogue Traders Militant who preceded the Great Crusade.

• Sanjit Chowdhury or Master Leopard had overall operational control of the Legion. Although he deferred to the other Council members on overall strategy, Chowdhury was a gifted planner and military leader who could be relied upon to achieve the goals of the Legion.

• Somchai Metharom or Master Owl commanded the Legion's Victualary and his command of supply made him one of the most influential members of the Council.

• Phirun Soun or Master Silence was one of the most mysterious and powerful individuals in all of the Legiones Astartes. He served as Chief Librarian for the Eyes of the Emperor, and he was one of the most powerful psykers in all of the vast Imperium. Soun had taken a vow of silence on completing his training.

The organization of the Eyes of the Emperor was more administrative than military, with divisions reflecting responsibilities and domains rather than just a command structure. At the base of the Legion was the Vihara (roughly "Squad", but also understood as a place of learning), led by a junior member of the Acharya caste. The establishment strength of a Vihara included auxilia and could vary quite considerably, from a handful of Satria brothers from the middle order and the child-aspirants tasked with their menial work, up to an honoured Vihara of Terminator-equipped Wesias brothers accompanied by hundreds of mortal warriors and responsible for a major city or fortification in the Eyes' far-flung realm.

In the next tier of organisation, a handful of Vihara were grouped together as a Mahavihara ("Company" but again with connotations of a university) under the supervision of a Paṇḍit (a "Scholar", but also "Captain"). The Eyes' informality makes generalizing about the strength of a Mahavihara difficult, but again the purpose of these organisations was the government of the Legion's domain. It was only at the level of the Sangha ("Assembly", loosely equivalent to the Battalions of the Terran pattern) that the Eyes put military affairs more firmly in the spotlight. The Mahapaṇḍit ("First Captain") at the head of a Sangha was expected to levy battle brothers and mortal troops from his subordinate domains in order to field an Expeditionary Fleet. Finally, the Gana (and here "Chapter" is a close equivalent) under its Adhyakṣa (Chapter Master) grouped the Expeditionary Fleets into areas of operation and helped the Council of Ten with the difficult task of managing their chaotic Legion.

Unusually, the Legion had no serfs. All of their menial work was conducted by the many servitors of the Wesias caste and child-aspirants being prepared for their Trial.

Tactics

The Eyes of the Emperor favored engaging their enemies at range, mostly focusing on heavy artillery, mechanical warfare and sharpshooting. As a result, they developed very close ties to the Adeptus Mechanicus. When presented with a foe, they strove to maneuver the battlefield to capitalize on their advantages in ranged combat. They were ridiculed by some close combat oriented legions and little trusted by any of their Astartes brethren. Many Imperial Army commanders bore deep grudges against the Eyes, as they often seemed to treat human auxilliares as a "meat shield".

They were renowned for their use of Reconnaissance Squads, Heavy Support Squads and Whirlwind Missile Launchers, along with a impressive parking lot of Rhinos. The ideal Eyes of the Emperor attack worked in a three layer format. Reconnaissance squads would infiltrate through the enemy lines to attack high value targets in their rear, such as commanders and supply dumps. Next, fast-moving Tactical squads would isolate enemy strongpoints and eliminate weaker forces. Finally, the Heavy Support would reduce the strongpoints. Artillery was deployed lavishly to assist the forward elements. This formation was known as the Tītana starita dīvāra, or the Layered walls of the Titan.

Brothers are encouraged to consult every other marine under and above their command for advice on upcoming campaigns and other actions. Every decision is meditated upon, every deployment carefully considered to ensure maximum success. When fighting a opponent, they will usually plan days, weeks and months ahead to the very last second, and will base their plans on specifically how the enemy reacts. They are so well timed, there is cases of them firing with such timing, aim and precision, that they were able to kill entire flanks of enemy. They are famous for their saturation attacks as well, leading enemies into death traps of heavy weaponry.

Equipment

A warrior of the Satria, wearing the Legion's black battle robe. This garment signified the hatred the Eyes felt towards the enemies of mankind and their willingness to slay those who endangered humanity.

The Eyes were an exceptionally well-equipped force, long favoured by Mars. The signature skill of their medicae was bionic replacement. It was a testament to their prowess that so many battle brothers bore bionic parts, rather than being among the honoured dead. Similarly, the Eyes possessed many Dreadnoughts, although these hallowed warriors served more of a spiritual than martial role.

The sniper rifle was almost synonymous with the Legion, but the expert marksmen of the Satria employed a wide variety of weapons. If they were limited in any regard, it was their reluctance to use bolt- and auto-weapons, preferring the quiet efficiency of the lascannon and the deadly hail of their advanced plasma guns.

Their Wesias caste frequently deployed prototype equipment. Although it is a fact largely lost on history, this brotherhood of warriors were the first Astartes to deploy the Tactical Dreadnought, or Terminator armour. The Wesias prized the Terminator as a fire platform, but from their first deployment they were well aware of how effective the armour was in close-quarters.

Specialist Ranks

• Assault marines were gathered on a volunteer basis. Upon joining an Assault Squad, a Battle Brother was considered dead until they finished their period of service. They must take up a vow of silence, and either take a regular bolter or wield twin chain hooks. Chaplains are drawn from those who find their calling among the Assault Squads. These warrior-ascetics meditate in isolation for hours upon hours trying to commune with the Emperor. In a Legion not known for personal bravery, Chaplains are a rare exception.

• Due to the large amount of Bionics in the Eyes of the Emperor, the legion's medicae were members of the Acharya caste. Their special sect in their ranks known as the Steel Eyed, with the Master Scalpel at their head.

• Dreadnoughts are more akin to walking altars that rarely enter combat. It is more often that a Dreadnought is awoken to remind the chapter of their legendary exploits or to pass on wisdom. The interred have their former visage carved onto the front of the dreadnought so that all may look upon the machine and see the glory of those who are said to have found their jivanmukti, or perfected state.

Fleet

The Eyes of the Emperor were unusual in fielding no battleships at all. It is unknown whether the Legion was ever issued with large vessels, but whenever they required heavy firepower the Nineteenth Legion turned to their allies in the Adeptus Mechanicum. That close relationship also led to the Eyes fielding some of the most modern and experimental cruiser designs, including the stealthy Echo class.

When the Hektor Heresy began, the Eyes' fleet numbered 32 grand cruisers, 141 heavy cruisers, 182 light cruisers, 395 frigates, 206 destroyers, and 167 auxiliary military vessels. During Octullus Tyran's brief civil war against the Council of Ten, the majority of the Legion's Strike Cruisers and Battle Barges - the warships with large complements of Marines - were seized by the Loyalists. However, more specialized vessels were often crewed by auxilia and remained at the disposal of the Traitor camp.

Support Formations

Apothecarion

Armorium

Castra

Librarus

Victualary

Gene-seed

The Occulobe of the Eyes of the Emperor is one of the most potent among all of the Legiones Astartes, but it has a high risk of rejection. More of their Neophytes suffer from a problem with this organ's implantation than any other. These unfortunates suffer from "The Mark of Octullus Tyran" - permanent blindness and strange hallucinations which render them unfit even for use as Serfs. It is a closely-kept secret among the Apothecaries of the Legion that Neophytes struck down with the Mark are used for cultivating gene-seed before being euthanised.

Rules

Expeditionary Fleets (Battlefleet Gothic)

Echo-class Strike Cruiser (190 points)

The Eyes of the Emperor had little taste for fighting their enemies eye-to-eye and toe-to-toe. Their preference was to strike precisely from a distance, emulating their great founder's marksmanship. This posed certain difficulties for the Legion in space combat. The shipyards of Mars mainly turned out vessels suitable for a close-in fight, prizing heavy armour and great batteries of relatively inaccurate weapons. It would only be late in the Great Crusade that the Adeptus Mechanicum began to manufacture a light cruiser specifically suited to the doctrine of the Nineteenth Legion, but the Echo was fielded in surprisingly large numbers by the time of the Hektor Heresy.

TYPE/HITS	SPEED	TURNS	SHIELDS	ARMOUR	TURRETS
Cruiser/6	35cm	90°	2	5+	2
ARMAMENT	RANGE	FIREPOWER/STRENGTH			FIRE ARC
Prow Lances	60cm	4			Front
Port Launch Bays	Thunderhawks:20cm	1			N/A
Starboard Launch Bays	Thunderhawks:20cm	1			N/A

Notes: The Echo class was a technological marvel. Its advanced engine design gives it +1D6 movement on All Ahead Full orders. In addition, enemy vessels further than 15cm away must make a Leadership check to target an Echo class.

Nineteenth Legion (Warhammer 40,000 using Forge World's Horus Heresy supplements)

Venerable Dreadnought Occhio (HQ:CCL Points)

	WS	BS	S	F	S	R	I	A
Occhio	4	7	7	14	12	10	2	1

Unit Composition

• 1 (Unique)

Unit Type

• Vehicle, Walker

Special Rules

• Atomantic Shielding
• Fleet

WEAPONRY

Heavy Conversion Beamer

Range		Str	AP	Type
Up to 18”	7	-	Heavy 1, 5” Blast, Firing Calibration
18” to 42”	9	4	Heavy 1, 5” Blast, Firing Calibration
42” to 72”	10	1	Heavy 1, 5” Blast, Firing Calibration

• Occhio may also have Extra Armour for +20 points
• Occhio may also have a Searchlight for +3 point
• The Occhio may also have a carapace-mounted Cyclone Missile Launcher for +45 points