Welcome to Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum! Log in and join the community.

Difference between revisions of "Ultramar"

From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
Jump to: navigation, search
(Geography)
Line 19: Line 19:
 
** [[Tarentus]]
 
** [[Tarentus]]
 
* [[Circe]]
 
* [[Circe]]
 +
* [[Armatura]]  (former)
 +
* [[Nuceria]] (former)
  
 
==History==
 
==History==

Revision as of 07:05, 27 September 2015

Ultramar is the realm of the Ultramarines, and part of the greater Imperium. Unlike most Space Marine Chapters, the Ultramarines do not rule over a single world, asteroid, or fortress-monastery, but an entire region of space.

Geography

The realm of Ultramar

Ultramar is located in the southern reaches of the Eastern Fringe within Ultima Segmentum.[1c] One of the furthest realms from the light of the Astronomican, Ultramar lies south of the Tau Empire and Ichar IV.[4] It consists of at least eight systems of worlds, though during the Horus Heresy it had at least 500[6]:

History

The location of Macragge, the center of Ultramar

Prior to the formation of Ultramar, the world of Macragge had maintained contact with its neighboring systems, its industries and peoples having largely survived the chaos of the Age of Strife.[1a] The world would be transformed however by Roboute Guilliman, becoming a prosperous and well-governed planet with trade routes that brought in raw materials and immigrants on a regular basis.[1a] It was during this time that Guilliman was rediscovered by the Emperor, who named him Primarch of the Ultramarines Legion and moved their forward base to Macragge. Within a year a new training base was operational and began taking recruits not only from Macragge, but from the surrounding systems as well.[1a] This close relationship with the other worlds would form the basis of what would become the Ultramarines' stellar empire.

During the Great Crusade Ultramar maintained a steady supply of new recruits for the Legion, such that the Ultramarines became one of the largest Legions ever.[2a] It, along with the Ultramarines themselves, was left largely unscathed by the Horus Heresy[1a], though it was invaded by the Word Bearers resulting in the Battle of Calth.[6] In the aftermath of the battle the Word Bearers were able to erect the Ruinstorm, severing Ultramar from the rest of the Imperium. Guilliman became worried that the Imperium itself was lost and sought to have Ultramar become the heart of a new contingency empire: Imperium Secundus.[7]

With the end of the Heresy, it would not be until the end of the First Tyrannic War that Ultramar came under another attack, with the invasion of Hive Fleet Behemoth. Though ultimately defeated, Behemoth would leave its mark, especially with the complete destruction of Prandium.[5a]

Ultramar would be threatened a third time when the Iron Warriors Warsmith Honsou assembled an enormous warband to invade Ultramar and seek revenge against Captain Uriel Ventris.[5] While the Chaos forces would be beaten back, the War for Ultramar would see the greatest loss of life since the Tyranid invasion of Hive Fleet Behemoth.[1a]

Society

Each world of Ultramar is ruled by feudal lords loyal to the Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, which is why he is also known as Lord Macragge with all the rights and responsibilities the title entails.[3b] The government of each world, besides supplying the Ultramarines with men and material, is directed towards the prosperity of their populace.[3b] On the whole, the realm of Ultramar is composed primarily of industrial worlds, although they lack the nightmarish toxic wastelands common to other Imperial manufacturing centers.[3b] Raised in a warrior society which disdains those who do not pull their weight,[5b], the population is disciplined, loyal and productive, living in balance with the local ecosystem.[3b] With sprawling cities surrounded by extensive farmlands and oceans teeming with fish, each planet is completely self-sufficient, including raw materials and food, and is the envy of many other worlds.[3b]

Military

The worlds of Ultramar do not pay the usual tithes, instead contributing directly to the upkeep of the Ultramarines Chapter.[1a] Though the need has diminished since the days of the Legion, each world still provides the Chapter with new recruits.[1a] It is a point of pride for a family to have provided a recruit, especially among the older aristocratic families, with many communities proudly displaying statues of the Ultramarines who were born there.[1a] For a family that has provided a renowned hero or even Chapter Master, the considerable fame and honour such a distinction provides can last generations.[3b]

Each world also maintains their own Planetary Defense Force, a well-disciplined and equipped force known as the Ultramar Auxilia.[2] These forces are similarly exempt from the tithe system; however, the efficiency and prosperity of Ultramar is such that several hundred regiments are maintained to join the Imperial Guard when needed.[3b] As a result, the regiments of Ultramar have fought all over the galaxy, often in campaigns alongside the Ultramarines themselves.[1a]

For space and orbital defenses, Ultramar can rely not only on the fleet of the Ultramarines but also the Ultramar Defense Fleet, the naval counterpart of the Ultramar Auxilia.[2] Meanwhile no fewer than six massive star fortresses – with Galatan being the largest – stand sentinel over shipping lanes and critical strategic positions, each a formidable bastion protected by void shields and possessed of enough firepower to destroy a moon.[8]

Internal security and suppression of rebellion is overseen by the secretive agency known as the Vigil Opertii.

Sources