Desperation
Desperation was the fifth world in the Qetesh System on the frontiers of Imperial space, a stronghold of the Night Lords during the Horus Heresy until its destruction in 011.M31.[2] It was later repopulated and declared destroyed for the second time in M39 after becoming corrupted by the Dark Eldar.[1]
Map | Basic Data | Planetary Image | |
---|---|---|---|
Name: | Desperation | ||
Segmentum: | Ultima Segmentum[2] | ||
Sector: | Thramas Sector[2] | ||
Subsector: | Unknown | ||
System: | Qetesh System[2] | ||
Population: | None | ||
Affiliation: | Imperium | ||
Class: | Destroyed M39,[1] former Hive World[2] | ||
Tithe Grade: | None |
Overview
Before its first destruction, Desperation was a hive world, with orbital defence batteries situated in major population centres in an attempt to dissuade enemy fleets from orbital suppression to minimise civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.[2]
Desperation was outside of the range of the Astronomican, but was still linked to the Imperium by utilizing a Astropathic Duct linked to the Astropath Station on Nexus III.[3]
History
Desperation declared for the Warmaster after the outbreak of the Horus Heresy and was a stronghold of the Night Lords Legion. At the end of the Thramas Crusade, the Dark Angels estimated it was still garrisoned by twelve companies with a small fleet contingent.[2]
In 011.M31, Chapter Master Arceas Odinathus of the Ultramarines 10th Chapter mobilised a large strike force, outnumbering the expected garrison by at least fifty percent, to destroy Desperation. The Night Lords force was larger than expected, and was overcome in the Battle of Desperation only by the intervention of the Ashen Claws. After the Ashen Claws attacked the Ultramarines, both of these forces retreated, leaving the surviving Night Lords stranded in the ruins.[2]
Second Destruction
After the Heresy, Desperation was repopulated. In 272.M39 Desperation was invaded by the Dark Eldar Haemonculi Coven known as the Children of Bone after an invasion by Daemons. The Children of Bone devastated the planet and subjected its populace to unspeakable horrors. Years later, when Imperial ships entered its orbit, it found that the populace had become heretical beyond salvation, worshipping the Children of Bone over the Emperor. When the Imperium attempted to re-establish its rule on the world, they were beaten back by tenacious PDF, more fearful of the Dark Eldar's wrath than that of the Imperium. Over the course of a week the entire planet was purged.[1]
Sources
- 1: Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition), pg. 23
- 2: The Horus Heresy Book Six - Retribution, pgs.130-143
- 3: Warhammer Community