Heralds of Hektor

"Fear the first light, for our vast numbers follow in its wake. Our brothers are not simply just those in our Legion, but every Legion!"

Excerpt from 'The Greatest of Us All, The Life and Death of Hektor', attributed to a member of the Heliotaroi after Ullanor.

Heralds of Hektor
Battle Cry	"We bring the dawn!" "The Primordial dawn arises in us!"
Number	XI
Founding	First Founding
Successors of	N/A
Primarch	Hektor Conathos
Homeworld	Olmer (destroyed)
Strength	Peaked at 250,000 before the Heresy
Specialty	Shock Assault
Allegiance	Chaos Undivided

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 Heralds of Hektor, formerly the Warriors of Dawn, were a Traitor Space Marine Legion. Their Primarch was Hektor Conathos, once revered as the finest creation and best-loved son of the Emperor. Crafted to be Hektor's hammer, they embodied some of the most forceful and direct aspects of several Legions. When they fell, their numbers and combat style led to massive causalities across the galaxy. They eventually reformed themselves after the Legion Wars into the Primordial Brotherhood.

Summary of Legion XI

Numeration: The XIth Legion

Primogenator: Hektor Conathos (also known as "the Sun King")

Cognomen (Prior): Warriors of Dawn

Observed Strategic Tendencies: Shock and Awe Tactics, Rapid Deployment, Adaption of Tactics Across Legions.

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

Alliegence: Traitoris Maximus

"We must not fall to pride, or arrogance. Our Legion must be exemplary, showing in equal measures mercy and judgement in our dealings. Rejoice my kin; we are the sons of Hektor! Let all of our brothers see it in our actions!"

Unknown Warrior of Dawn, M.30

Legion Culture, Beliefs and Practices

Traditions

The Oratory Tradition

Precisely when the oral traditions of the XIth legion are unclear; some claim that they started with Hektor and Olysseus in the days of the Sacred Band, recounting tales of heroism and glory. But most believe it to have started some time during the early days of the Great Crusade, shortly after leaving Sol.

Poetry, songs, and tales of events and deeds that struck the legion as important are all shared among the brotherhood that is the XIth Legion. Some marines garner much respect from their brothers, for their skills at crafting story and song, and articulating these creations to their fellow brethren in entertaining manners. These marines are known as Orators, an unofficial position in the legion, and earned by those who have consistently demonstrated their talents as a story teller. They are famous within the legion, treated in the same way as the heroes they orate about, them being seen as heroes of words and wit, instead of skill and courage; however, many Orators are also heroes in their own right, Olysseus being perhaps the most famous.

Orators come in many forms, some excel at comedy, others at tragedy; some bolster spirits and inspire by proclaiming the legions heroes and their deeds from memory, while others craft songs to inspire the marines of the legion to deeds worthy of memory. All Orators are however, skilled at playing to their audience, and have incredible memories, literally storing all the tales and songs they have in their heads alone. The lack of written historical records can be explained by the legions preponderance for fraternity, the legion seeing the highest honour as being able truly remember history, and not just remind themselves of it by writing it down. But also conversely, it is an intimate thing: the XIth Legion believing that their history, their lost and fallen, should remain esoteric, and personal. The names of fallen brothers are remembered by those who knew them, and those few alone. Only those immortalised in song and saga are remembered by those who did not know them; held up as an ideal for new and active marines to aspire to. They are also involved in writing battle songs for the Warriors to chant as they engage the enemies of the Emperor. The best orators select songs from their vast repertoirs, songs well known to any Warrior who will have sung them proudly around the feasthalls when not in battle, to whip up the desired effect in their battle-brothers; from simple morale rousing songs, to tunes that evoke memories that will inflame passions, harden hearts, and steel the resolve of all those within earshot. Not all chapters continue this tradition of battle songs, but they still show great respect to the Orators among them who remember and store the history of the legion.

Just prior to Ullanor, the oratory of the XIth Legion had started to permeate outside of the legion. Stories of the XIth legions deeds, and those of the other legions were spreading through the framework of the sagas and epics that the Heralds spoke. Great interest was taken in the achievements of the Great Crusade among the common folk of the Imperium. The Remembrancers Corps was formed partly in order to record these stories, inspired by the XIth Legions portrayal of the great endeavor, to give the people of the Imperium a better understanding of those who fought and died to protect them.

Notable Legionnaires

Akhileus, 2nd Battalion, 1st Phalanx

He is the nominal leader, and Champion of the Myrmidones, the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Phalanx (Chapter). A man with a passion and zeal that rivals Hektors own. Hot-headed and headstrong, Akhileus can strike people as arrogant and narcissistic, drawn to any chance to gain yet more glory for himself and his men. But this side of him isn't without warrant; He fought in the Sacred Band and has been in the forefront of the legion since it's creation.

However, his hard-to-control nature is somewhat tempered by experience, and his understanding of his own skills, but this is often not enough to control him in the heat of battle. His hot-blooded nature has lead Akhileus to even verbally challenge Hektor himself in fierce and brutal arguments, but Akhileus will always come to and apologise once his and his genesires tempers had subsided. Despite the arguments they have had, Akhileus is stubbornly loyal to Hektor, whom he reveres as the only hero greater than himself, and Hektor seems to see a lot of himself in Akhileus, specifically the side Hektor seeks to restrain to be a better general, and man.

Off the bloody fields of war, Akhileus is known to be a legendary carouser. He spends much of his time with incredibly potent drink, and sating himself on exquisite food in the company of his many friends, acquaintances, and great orators who sing songs, recite poetry, and tell tales of heroic deeds endlessly. Despite his laid back and loosely-disciplined ways, Akhileus trains diligently with his sword and shield, going to great lengths to ensure he is the best, thus ensuring his legend will never die.

He is one of Hektor's 'Synedrion', the inner circle of close friends and advisors whom Hektor listens to closest.

Aiastes "the Aurok", 2nd Phalanx

Aiastes "the Aurok", is the Champion of the 'Heliotaroi' 1st Grand Company of the 2nd Phalanx, and leader of the Heliotaroi Terminator wing. Aiastes is a titan among giants, only a few inches shorter than Hektor himself, and is the closest match in strength a marine could hope to achieve to the primarch. He is nicknamed "the Aurok" for his legendary endurance and strength and his legendary stubbornness. He has served in the legion since the days of the Sacred Band, a stoic and austere voice in Hektors Synedrion.

Aiastes's great stature belies the intelligence he possesses, and isn't the brute one might expect, having a fine appreciation of the arts, discussing topics such as history, philosophy, and the arts with remembrancers, and marines alike. However, Aiastes is a laconic individual; seeing no point to trivialities and small talk, and finding excess and verbosity distasteful.

On the field of war Aiastes is a solid and formidable commander, understanding the immense strength his terminator armoured troops have, and using it accordingly. Aiastes's forte is in defensive warfare, his mind and experience considered the best in the legion; if Hektor needs a line or position held, Aiastes is the first person he would speak to, knowing that Aiastes would not let him down under any circumstances, no matter the cost. He isn't limited to defensive action however, as Aiastes occasionally leads his terminator battalion in assaults, but due to the limited mobility of terminator armour, they are normally limited to important defensive actions, although this does include deploying to defend enemy counter-offensives.

He wields a long spear with an inbuilt storm bolter, and an enormous tower shield like the rest of the Heliotaroi, his though lined with the hides of aurochs and trimmed in bronze.

Olysseus, 1st Battalion, 5th Phalanx

Olysseus is the Champion and leader of the 1st Battalion "The Ithikans", 5th Phalanx of the Heralds. A founding member, having previously served in the Sacred Band, and also one of Hektors 'Synedrion', Olysseus is a capable and skilled warrior, but he earned his position using his wit and his intelligence, seeking to outwit or outmaneuver his enemies before resorting to confrontation. He is a philosophical skeptic, never trusting what he cannot confirm himself, and is afforded much respect for his insights by Hektor. Olysseus also has met many of the other primarchs, Hektor trusting his abilities with diplomacy and guile to deal with his brothers in his stead.

His guile and versatility earned him the epithet "Mettis" within the legion, an ancient Macedonyan word meaning something akin to "The Cunning One". The "Ithikans" are the legions specialists in ambushes, and rapid close-range combat strikes, often deploying directly to the flanks and rear of the enemy.

Olysseus is considered one of the finest 'Orators' in the Legion, some even considering him better than Hektor himself at working a crowd. Regardless, his ability to craft tales and poetry have kept many Heralds enthralled, and he is given a great deal of respect.

Part of his skill as an orator comes from Olysseus' own experience, from the early days in the Sacred Band to the highly eventful journeys across the galaxy his Phalanx. Many deem these stories made up or greatly exaggerated, but many of his chapter have testified to their veracity, and all recognise the craftsmanship and brilliance woven into each tale.

History of the Eleventh Legion

Unification Wars

The colour scheme of the Warriors of Dawn, adopted on the occasion of Hektor's 16th birthday.

The Eleventh Legion adopted the Albian tactic of attacking right at first dawn, leading to the conquering of many outposts which were overwhelmed in mere minutes by surprise assault. The young Hektor adored the moniker they had earned from the conquered, citing them as 'warriors of the dawn.' Thus the Legion was named upon his coming of age as such, for they would be his hounds of war to let loose. Ajax Camillus and Hephaestion Horatius adored the name, going so far as to even take the teeth of feral mutant wolves which roamed the Asian wastes for prey to adorn in necklaces over their armour. It would not be until the Pacification of Luna when Hektor would prove himself most to his father.

The twin to Terra, Luna held within it scores of genetic-artisans who had mixed mysticism with science not in a manner unlike the Acolytes of Mars. These men considered themselves above servitude to the Emperor of Earth, choosing to battle his armies even after repeated attempts at diplomacy. Hektor and his Legion took it upon themselves to conquer the world, with Hephaestion himself declaring to the assembled officers of the various Legions that he would personally bring the head gene-crafter to his knees before his Primarch. This boastful claims were repeated by all those from the Warriors. The Sacred Band, the Homotimos, roared along with Hephaestion that they would bring victory.

Hektor's first move was to dare the anti-void laser batteries in an effort to slip into the central hive structure upon the moon's surface. Doing so cost him several ships, but he led from the forward transport which barely made it to the landing zone. Leonidas Manisicus and Hephaestion crashed afar from their Primarch's own site, having to claw past several monstrosities to link up with him. Elsewhere other Astartes from across the Legions were staging the general attack, but Hektor's goal was clear. He would eliminate the central power base, where the native Lunans believed themselves most powerful. The battle was bloody for both sides, but eventually Hephaestion made good on promise by making the last of the elite gene-crafters swear allegiance to Terra, beneath Hektor.

The victory opened up countless doorways to the Imperium. With Luna secured, the fledgling empire was able to make meaningful contact with their Martian brethren. The artisans of Luna had been largely taken without large scale bloodshed thanks to the Wolves daring which allowed many to work on mass-producing gene-seed for the various Legions to help swell their ranks. Though their contribution was not overshadowing compared to other Legions of the time, their role was still pivotal in shaping up the history of the Imperium, and that of Hektor's rise.

The Great Crusade

The first few campaigns spreading out from Sol the Wolves took part in were barely worth mention. It would not be until Syntagman Akakios Helale led a Speira of the Legion into the Olmer System that a truly noteworthy conflict arose for the Legion. Olmer had a single planet orbiting a single star, its position resembling Terra's to the Sun in many ways. Akakios found the world compliant, all of the citizens being part of a martial democratic structure. The Olmerites had organized themselves to fight off the generational invasions by the horrid Velerin Xenos race, who had plagued them since the days of the Long Night. The next invasion was due to happen only weeks after Akakios's arrival, meaning his forces would have to defend the wayward planet. Immediately however the Syntagman called desperately for aid, as the invasions had grown in ferocity with this latest one threatening to overwhelm the Expedition Fleet that had come to Olmer.

Hektor was the one to answer his call, arriving a month into the attack. The Velerin created multitudes of clone soldiers that were battering down Astartes and human alike. The six limbs humanoids had grown an extreme hatred for Olmer, vowing to never stop trying to destroy it so long as their race lived. Hektor led a strike force to kill the eldest Velerin, and with his death victory was achieved. As Hektor sat on the alien flagship, his fleet were able to take apart the enemy's with ease. After the final battle was concluded, the Primarch took to the surface of the war-battered world.

As many Legionnaires had, he came to love Olmer and the Olmerites. The place embodied facets that Hektor had brought close to his heart, as their beliefs on brotherhood and war came eeriely close to his own fundamental beliefs. Due to embracing the culture so readily, the Wolves came to bring vast amounts of Neophytes from the planet. Hektor decided to make it his Legion's homeworld, his base of operations. Overall, the planet was largely unimportant. It was not rich in metals nor did it hold blessed technology. But the wealth found there for the Wolves was uncountable. It gave them a home, something apart from Terra, and a culture to combine with the old facets of the peoples from ancient Earth.

Legion Doctrine

From the beginning, the Wolves were with their Primarch. His ideals for the perfect force shaped every facet of their battle philosophy. They act as both his hammer and spear, cutting deep into the enemy but also beating them down into submission. In battle the Wolves were always in the front of every assault, never relenting for a single moment once the campaign had begun. It did not matter how the battle was fought, with chainsword or bolter, or if it was a clash of vehicles supported by air assault. The ways of battle mattered little to the Wolves, but the purpose was always the same. Never relent, never give up. Fall back only to come back even stronger.

The Wolves favored any strategic approach which would bring maximum damage to the enemy, regardless of their own losses. This led to a higher rate of causalities than normal for most others being seen, but they never wanted for fresh reserves thanks to the presence of their gene-sire. Tirelessly the Wolves moved forward, shrugging off any blow and never faltering thanks to the presence of their heroic commanders. They adopted the tactical facets from their emerging brothers, using what they liked and changing what did not suit them. For example, the Crusaders' approach to battle was highly favored until it became adapted to favor a more heavy reliance on infantry assaults due to the Wolves' natural affinity for them.

By the time Kleisthenes(833.M30) had been found their numbers were equal to that of other Legions, but the average Marine belonging to the Wolves of Dawn had faster reflexes and greater competency in the field than most. During the Ullanor Campaign this was exemplified as the Wolves clashed directly with the Greenskin menace, smashing their Nobs with a combination of rending bolt volleys and eviscerating melee attacks. Despite having lost more Marines over the course of the Great Crusade up to that point than any other Legion, they were able to maintain strength with their fellows thanks to their ever present Primarch.

The Heralds of Hektor maintained this affinity for unending attacks from their predecessor, but soon the with the expanded borders of the Imperium came a broader recruiting base. The worlds personally conquered by Hektor always gave his Legion a special tithe of their most promising young men, sent straight to Olmer for training and equipping. The trust placed in Hektor and his Heralds gave them a massive boost in material and manpower. It was no surprise then when the Heralds of Hektor's ranks soared to be larger than any other Legion in the Imperium. With this, their love of continuous attack thrived.

During the Heresy the problems with this costly combat style were shown. Without the full support of the gigantic Imperium at their back, the losses began to mount up. Still, the Heralds were effective at being the speartip of each and every major battle their presence. On Terra, if any other Legion besides the indomitable Scions had been in their path it could have spelled disaster for the Loyalists. The Heralds' massive amount of veterans kept the galaxy in an everlasting astral onslaught, testing the very limits of the Emperor's finest.

Due to their overly aggressive style though, the Heralds eventually had to adapt or be swept aside. During the Legion Wars they're iconic methods were developed upon, with large amounts of newly inducted Neophytes following into battle alongside aged warriors who would grant their equipment and geneseed to the most worthy of these retainers. This keeps the Legion constantly having to search for new recruits, but keeps their tradition of constant assault alive. Most Neophytes are equipped with whatever they can scavenge, as what weaponry and armour they can find is just as much a testament to their skill and worthiness as anything else. To become a brother of the Heralds, you must prove you earn the right.

Legion Organisation

Shock Assault, Standard Combat Focused, Undivided, Greek companion/fraternity feel. Their warcry before the Heresy was Dawn's light illuminates!. After the Legion fell to Chaos, it became Hear our word and falter!

First as the Wolves of Dawn and later as the Heralds of Hektor, the Legion kept much of their outward structure as it had existed since the wars for Terran and Solar unity, which had adhered closely to the Terran pattern laid down by the Officio Militaris before the unification with the Primarchs.

The smallest formation within the Logos Terra Militia and therefore within the Wolves of Dawn was the squad, known as a Lochos within the Legion. This consisted of a group of Wolves of Dawn under the command of a sergeant. Squads varied widely in both size and specialisation, with the majority of units ranging between 10 and 20 Space Marines, with 16 as a commonly occurring number.

The specialities and equipment of squads in the Wolves of Dawn included all of those generally found in other Legions, including Destroyer and Seeker units, which were known to be shunned by other Legions. They also maintained considerable resources in terms of armour and vehicles, with tithed industrial worlds they had been brought into compliance and good relations with the Mechanicum ensuring a steady supply of munitions and materials for the Legion, which spent such coin readily. Ever the generalist and pragmatist Hektor is known to have adopted new squad formations having seen their effectiveness in other Legions, including the Moritats first used by the Iron Rangers, and the Headhunters pioneered by the Children of Armok.

The heart of the Heralds of Hektor Legion was the Company - known as the Speira to the Heralds - as the principal military division. Made up of a grouping of roughly 16 Lochos (though shortage of numbers due to casualties and the demands of campaigns meant that this number was seldom realized on active service) under the leadership of a Syntagma, the XIth Legion name for their Captains, the Speira was the base currency of campaigns and battles.

Beyond that was the Phalanx, as Chapters were called in the Legion, led by a chapter-master analogue known as a Strategos. Battalion level organisation found in other Legions was not favoured by the Wolves, and it eroded over time in the Legion until it was gone by the time of their transition to the Heralds of Hektor.

The strength of a Phalanx would vary depending on the needs of a particular campaign, with six to eight Speira being common. In eschewing formality and fixed structure beyond the Company-Chapter divide, the Legion demonstrated its pragmatism and preference for waging war with judged precision.

The Legion has several Elite units, but the most notable were the Heliotaroi, or ‘Companions’ as they were called in Low Gothic. Singled out by Hektor they were veteran warriors, chosen for their skill-at-arms, fearlessness and their combat record, and were often selected from Wolves of Dawn who had survived where their comrades had fallen, often quite literally having been left the 'last man' from an assault force or particularly bloody defence, or those who had achieved great heroics or feats on the field of battle. Clad in Golden Terminator Plate (believed to have been deliberately modelled on the Custodian Guard of the Emperor, with whom they had a respect and rivalry pre-heresy) they were at the forefront of the Wolves of Dawn’s assaults. Their customised armour was further augmented with systems that generated and discharged bursts of blinding light to incapacitate nearby foes and augment the thunder of their charge, adding to their reputation.

Another of the most elite units in Hektor's Legion were the Hypaspezete, an elite formation of veteran warriors drawn from among those who had excelled in formation fighting and Zone Mortalis operations as Breacher Marines. Armed with round boarding shields and telescopic power-pikes with weighted ends that in an emergency could be used as maces, they would fight in tight formations creating a "wall of pikes" that no enemy could hope to penetrate. In battle they would form solid defensive positions around which Bolter armed squads would cluster, shielded by the forest of powered pike-points.

Hektor's flagship was known as the Bucephalus, a modified Scylla Pattern Gloriana Class Battleship where the climatic confrontation at the end of the Heresy between Hektor and the Emperor would take place.

Specialist Ranks

Ouragos

---

XI Legion deployed an additional officer in each of its squads. The Ouragos served as the deputy leader but could also take command of a smaller detachment when required. The second officer at the Speira level was known as the Ouragos Megas

Culture

A terminator from Hektor's elite guard, the Heliotaroi.

They prized brotherhood and fraternity above all else. Hektor's loyal friends from the Sacred Band, known as the Homotimos, served as his inner council. Among their number were:

• Ajax Camillus, the Shield of Hektor.
• Cassandor Honorius, the Legion's chief librarian,
• Daedalus Appius, who reconciled his induction with the Priests of Mars with unyielding loyalty to the Primarch.
• Hephaestion Horatius, who led the Heliotaroi, the elite bodyguard of the Wolves of Dawn.
• Leonidas Manisicus, the Unyielding.
• Orion Mucius, the Legion's best scout and a peerless marksman.

Corrupted by the Eternal Zealots, and pushed down the path to beginning the Heresy. They were the most even-keeled of all the legions - able to enjoy themselves as well as be serious when required. Their fall was the greatest shock, as if the most well-rounded could fall, what does that mean for the other legions? Upon the death of Hektor, his council, the Heralds of Apollo, briefly fought to decide who would take his place. Agamemnon, leader of the Wolves of Dawns first company would rise triumphant, and after the heresy, would repeatedly try to out-achieve his Primarch. The Wolves were the largest legion before the Heresy, and now make up a large percentage of most of the Traitor legions attacks.

Every squad carried over their own traditions, decided upon by the members. Some would carry over references to fallen brothers or past deeds of glory. These were represented in several symbols drawn on the squad's Vexilla. Every Company would keep a group of Scribe-Serfs who would keep down the records of all these symbols, their origins, and every tiny tradition. This was especially important when a squad or even Company would be entirely wiped out. These Scribe-Serfs would tell the replacements of their predecessors, with some even taking up their traditions and some squad leaders taking names of those before them.

Eleventh Legion (Warhammer 40k using Forge World's Horus Heresy supplements)

[Use at your own peril]

Great Crusade Era: Warriors of Dawn

Age of Darkness: Heralds of Hektor

Special Characters and Units

Heliotaroi Squad

	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Sv
Heliotaroi	5	4	4	4	1	4	3	10	2+

Unit Composition

• 3 Heliotaroi

Unit Type

• Heliotaroi Infantry (Character)

Wargear

• Heliotaroi Tartaros Armour
• Combi-Bolter
• Power Weapon
• Frag & Krag Grenades

Options

• Add up to 7 more Heliotario for +XX Points per model.

Special Rules

• Implacable Advance
• Furious Charge
• Stubborn
• Chosen Warriors
• Heliotaroi Tartaros Armour: The Terminator Armour of the Heliotaroi is modified with systems that generate and discharge bursts of blinding light to incapacitate nearby foes and augment the force of their charge. When a Heliotaroi squad charges into close combat, roll a single D6. On the result of a 4+, all models within 6” of the unit must test as if they have been hit by a Blind weapon.

Hypaspezete Phalanx

The marines of the Hypaspezete are regarded as among the finest defensive minds in the Legion, specialists tasked with guarding locations from the assaults of enemy hordes. Armed with Breacher Shields and power spears, they form part of the Heralds special tactics corps, giving the legion the versatility to face all foes, on all battlefields, with the same expertise the legion prides itself on.

	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Sv
Hypaspezete	4	4	4	4	1	4	2	8	3+
Illarche	5	4	4	4	1	4	2	9	3+

Unit Composition

• 4 Hypaspezete
• 1 Illarche

Unit Type

• Hypaspezete Infantry
• Illarche Infantry (Character)

Wargear

• Power Armour
• Bolt Pistol
• Boarding shield
• Kontos Power Spear
• Frag & Krag Grenades

Options

• The Hypaspezete squad may take up to 15 additional Hypaspezete for +20 points per model.
• One Hypaspezete may be upgraded to carry a Nuncio Vox for +10 points.
• One Hypaspezete may be upgraded to carry a Legion Vexilla for+15 points.
• The Illarche may take any of the following options: Artificer Armour for +10 points, Melta Bombs for +5 points.

Special Rules

• Kontos Power Spear: Unique to the Legion, the Kontos is a telescopic pike that allows the Hypaspezete to present a forest of spearpoints to a charging foe. The first stats are whenever a unit is charged, the second stats any subsequent turns.

• • Range: Melee
  • Strength: +1/As User
  • AP2/3

• Shield Wall: The Hypaspezete are highly disciplined specialists who are experts at fighting in close formation. If an unengaged unit with this special rule has at least five models remaining, it gains a bonus of +1 Initiative in any turn in which the unit has been charged by the enemy as long as the squad are in base contact with eachother.