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Heletine

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Map Basic Data Planetary Image
Galaxy-Rift-Ultima.jpg
Small cross.pngHeletine
Name: Heletine Unknown.jpg
Segmentum: Ultima Segmentum[3]
Sector: Unknown
Subsector: Unknown
System: Unknown
Population: Unknown
Affiliation: Imperium
Class: Cardinal World
Tithe Grade: Unknown

A Cardinal World, Heletine features large population centres and industrial sectors with a profusion of significant religious or cultural sites that dot the landscape.

Background

Heletine is an old world, which was founded sometime during the Great Crusade, survived the following Horus Heresy and lasted up until the 41st Millennium.[1c] Sometime prior to this period, after uncounted centuries of industrial exploitation by a series of tyrants, the Ecclesiarchy reclaimed the world raising vast temples, unearthing lost tombs, interring new relics and forming reliquaries.[1d] As Cardinal World[1b], Heletine is average in most respects, with a centre of industry at Solist and a vast population centre at Canticus. However, its true purpose lies in Heletine's piety. Its surface is dotted with significant religious structures or temples whilst even in the vast population centre of Canticus, the labyrinthine streets are crowded with colonnaded temples and minor shrine-holds.[1a] As such, Heletine now forms part of the Ecclesiarchy's protectorate.[1b]

History

In 980.M41, Heletine was embroiled in planetary scale war that encompassed many of its major locations. This 'Promethean War' saw the Salamanders 6th Company lead by Captain Ur'zan Drakgaard and Chaplain Elysius fighting alongside many Cadian regiments, such as the Cadian 81st, and the Adeptus Sororitas of the Order of the Ebon Chalice, against the traitors of the Black Legion.[1a] As such, much of the world's once glorious architecture has now been mercilessly ravaged by the war. The Black Legion's motives were not entirely certain, but what is clear is that they waged war in an almost nomadic style, moving from relic site to relic site and despoiling each in turn. It was theorised by Captain Drakgaard, Chaplain Elysius and Canoness Angerer that they sought to perform some sort of ritual involving the destruction of the relics and the resultant weakening of the Imperial faith.[1d] Despite the best efforts of the Imperial forces to break the Black Legion, they remained embroiled in a grave war of attrition that saw both sides suffer grievous casualties. In an attempt to force the Black Legion from it's main stronghold, the Salamanders and the remaining units of the Cadian 81st launched an assault to break the Black Legion's hold on Canticus and use it as a stepping stone to liberate the rest of Heletine. Expecting pre-arranged reinforcements from the entirety of the deployed Sisters of Battle war-host, the assault force was ambushed and repelled with great losses to the Salamanders and their Cadian allies. Only timely intervention by a small force of Seraphim (Who had disobeyed Canoness Angerer's orders to abandon the Imperial strike force and instead reinforce her in following an ulterior motive[1f]), saved the remaining Imperial forces from an outright massacre.

Geography

Canticus[1a] — Heletine's primary population centre, Canticus is a sprawling labyrinth, riddled with temples and shrines flanking narrow streets on the surface[1a] and vast catacombs below the city.[1d] These catacombs, reaching out to under Escadan and Solist are packed with the dead and are the resting place of many important relics.[1d] Canticus is also home to the 'Cairns' a gargantuan array of 18 columns stretching up into the sky.[1d]

Solist[1a] — Meaning 'Sanctuary' in the native Heletine tongue, Solist was a major centre of industry, with tall industrial stacks and silos colonising the cities skyline.[1e]

Escadan[1a] — A primarily industrial region, Escadan is also a centre of culture. A bastion of light, Escadan's concourses are lined with statues and petroglyphs venerating visionaries alongside many cenotaph and stadia. Escadan also features a Grand Amphitheatre, adorned with exquisite alabaster statues.[1b]

Veloth[1a] — A barren desert region in the east, Veloth is the starting point of the great Sanctum Vius leading to Canticus.[1d] That aside it is home to little but remote temples.[1a]

Centari Mountains[1a] — Situated in the equatorial South, the Centari Mountains have little in the way of significant landmark and is currently the centre of a fierce guerrilla war between Cadian forces and the Black Legion.[1a]

Paeangi, 'Crucius', Executioners Gate — Formerly a populated area, Paeangi was subject to huge levels of taint during the opening stages of the war on Heletine. As a result it became a twisted, corrupt place earning itself the name Crucius and it's main entrance 'Executioner's Gate'.[2]

Landmarks

The Cairns — A vast structure of 18 pillars, the Cairns soar above Canticus, each originally capped with a statue of the individual who’s honoured, blessed or sainted bones are buried beneath. Forming an octakaidecagon, the Cairns straddle the Sanctum Vius (holy road) that runs from Veloth in the east to Canticus, with 9 pillars on either side of the road. It is said by the Heletine populace that the pillars 'uphold the roof of heaven' and if they fall then the very firmament about Heletine would collapse.[1d]

Salvation Bridge — The largest bridge into Canticus, Salvation Bridge measures almost four thousand metres long and fifty metres wide. Spanning it are no less than six major arches including Victory Arch and Triumphal Arch and a further twelve minor arches. Lining the bridge are huge frescoes depicting notable figures in the world's history as far back as the Great Crusade.[1c]

Relics

The following relics were known to have rested on Heletine:

  • The Shawl of Palatius[1b]
  • Gerontium’s Blood[1b]
  • Saint Acretia’s Skull[1b]
  • The Reliquary of Naaga Dahl[1b]

Related Articles

Sources