Nemeton
Nemeton is an Ocean World located in Elara's Veil, a sector in the northern reaches of Segmentum Ultima. It is the homeworld of the Emperor's Spears and is currently part of the Imperium Nihilus thanks to the formation of the Cicatrix Maledictum.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Nemeton was rediscovered by the XIII Legion during the Great Crusade. The Ultramarines easily brought the planet into compliance and uplifted the natives with Imperial technology. Curiously, however, the Nemetonians rejected modernity and went back to their primitive civilization, leaving the Imperial-built cities to collapse into ruin. The planet's remote location apparently meant that it survived the Horus Heresy more or less unscathed. It was eventually claimed by the Emperor's Spears as their homeworld and recruiting ground when they were founded in the 40th Millennium.
Nemeton is almost entirely covered by ocean, with only a few small landmasses and island chains to break up its endless expanses of water. The planet's climate is temperate to tropical, and rainfall is frequent and heavy. The natives of Nemeton regard the rain as a manifestation of the Emperor's sorrow over his lost bride, Elara. Who exactly Elara is remains unclear; some believe that it is the name of the Imperial commander or saint who first brought the region into compliance, though given that the planet was conquered by the Ultramarines this doesn't make sense. (Dear God, they might have somehow found out about Space Karen.) Regardless, Elara is a figure of worship for the Nemetonians, who believe that the red nebula visible in their skies is her funeral veil.
The natives are divided into 12 tribes, including the Kavalei, Vargantes, Arakanii, and Novontei, and are somewhere around the Iron Age in terms of technology. The Spears use Nemeton's language, the Runes of Ogham, as battle-cant and armour markings and have adopted many of its customs, such as calling their chapter specialists Druids and their Chapter Master the High King. (In case it wasn't already obvious, ADB decided to aim for a "Romans-gone-native" feeling for these guys). Much like the Astral Knights, individual Spears tend to cling to their old identities, often referring to each other by tribal name and maintaining the customs and traditions of their home clan. The Spears mainly recruit from the Kavalei, but will take recruits from any of the tribes as long as they have the necessary toughness. Despite this, the Nemetonians have an uneasy relationship with the Spears, as they regard them as spirits who come to claim children before their time and turn them into ghosts. Mothers will shield their sons from the Spears whenever they approach, while others spit at them and try to use warding signs to scare them off.
The planet has been under siege due to the Spears' war with The Pure and the Exilarchy, and its future is currently shrouded in doubt.