Council of Nikaea (Hektor Heresy)

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 Council of Nikaea was called shortly after the Triumph of Ullanor, to address the problem of sorcery in the young Imperium. Darius Cyaxares of the Sand Keepers had presented evidence that the Black Augurs were using sorcery of a foul and corrupting kind. The Emperor was determined to get to the bottom of the problem and safeguard mankind from potential dangers.

The Debate

Two inter-linked questions were addressed. Firstly, had the Black Augurs trafficked with creatures of the Immateria (i.e. Daemons of the Warp, which were presumed at the time to be Xenos of an extraordinary natures)? Secondly, what safe-guards needed to be imposed on psykers in the service of the Imperium, including Space Marine Librarians, to ensure that such foulness did not come to pass in the future?

Darius Cyaxares opened the debate, speaking with some sorrow of his discoveries. He argued in favour of putting restrictions on the Librarians in order to prevent sorcery, but held to the opinion that the Voidwatcher was likely unaware of the actions of "a few isolated individuals". He was followed by a few Librarians from the Legions that were not represented by their Primarch, the most notable of whom was Phirun Soun, so-called Master Silence of the Eye of the Emperor. Soun's testimony was both elegant and simple. He rose, bowed three times to the Emperor, and resumed his seat.

Arelex Orannis was the next Primarch to speak, putting forward a fervent denunciation of the psykers. The speech came as a shock. Few had ever heard the Primarch of the War Scribes moved to such passion on any topic, and he was expected to take a moderate position. Some accounts have it that Darius Cyaxares was seen cringing at his brother's remarks.

If the Voidwatcher had been shaken by the words of Arelex Orannis, he did not show it. The Primarch of the Black Augurs spoke at length. He denied Darius's claim that he had no knowledge of his subordinates' actions, but held firm to the view that what his Legion had discovered was no more abominable than the use of advanced weaponry. Looking directly at his rival, Gaspard Lumey, the Voidwatcher charged that it was better to have unleashed the powers of the Warp on a few cities than to have shattered a world with naval firepower. If the Black Augurs were guilty of anything, claimed their Primarch, it was having sought out new knowledge and new weapons that could arm the Imperium against its many enemies.

Throughout the Voidwatcher's speech, Gaspard Lumey could be seen amending his notes. The Primarch of the Fifth Legion was still white with anger by the time he rose to speak. Speaking coldly, refusing to let his voice rise or fall, Gaspard Lumey recounted a litany of crimes that the Black Augurs had performed since their Primarch had taken hold of them. Worst of all, Lumey had somehow gotten hold of information on the Decimation, seemingly from an inside source. His conclusion was brief: that any traffic with the Warp was corrupting and that without the strictest of controls the Imperium risked utter damnation. With the exception of Arelex Orannis, who clapped his brother on the back in congratulation, the conclave sat in silent dismay at the end of Gaspard Lumey's speech.

The Edicts

The Emperor of Mankind ruled against the Black Augurs and the Librarians alike. The Voidwatcher was reprimanded for his gullibility and told that many of his subordinates had obviously overstepped reasonable boundaries in his question for knowledge. Those Black Augurs who were proven to have engaged in sorcery were to be executed and the Legion forbidden from displaying any symbols, iconography, or even colours other than black armour, as a sign of their shame. Recognising Darius' faithfulness and honesty in reporting the incident to him despite the implications for the Sand Keepers, the Emperor spared the lives of Librarians outside the Black Augurs, but forbade them from using their powers. Librarians would henceforth be enlisted in ordinary battle squads.

A subsidiary decree established the position of Iterator within the Space Marine Legions. Winged Victory's tradition of having its formations policed by Astartes deeply schooled in the Imperial Truth was to be expanded across all of the Legions. Many of the Primarchs resented having Gaspard Lumey's customs imposed upon them.

Notable Attendees

• The Emperor of Mankind
• Malcador the Sigilite
• The Voidwatcher, Primarch of the Black Augurs
• Darius Cyaxares, Primarch of the Sand Keepers
• Arelex Orannis, Primarch of the War Scribes
• Gaspard Lumey, Primarch of the Winged Victory

Less Notable

• Issitoq, High ṣālman of the Mastodontii
• Jeffrey Dinola, Chief Librarian of the Winged Victory
• Phirun Soun, Master Silence of the Eyes of the Emperor