Espandor
Espandor is a Cardinal World of the Imperium of Man.2 It is part of the realm of Ultramar and so falls under the control of the Ultramarines. A heavily forested world, its major cities are confined to the westernmost of its two continents, with remote agri-complexes scattered about its surface. It is one of the more distant worlds from Macragge and the least-densely populated.1
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Planetary Summary
| Map | Basic Data | Planetary Image | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Name: | Espandor | 
|
| Segmentum: | Ultima Segmentum | ||
| Sector: | Unknown | ||
| Subsector: | Unknown | ||
| System: | Unknown | ||
| Population: | Unknown | ||
| Affiliation: | Imperial | ||
| Class: | Cardinal World | ||
| Tithe Grade: | Unknown | ||
History
According to legend, the original settlers of Espandor were the descendants of explorers from Macragge during the Age of Strife, their vessels blown off-course and left stranded on the planet by a Warp Storm.1 With the organization of Ultramar and the start of the Great Crusade, Espandor would become one of many worlds to supply raw resources and recruits to the creation and upkeep of the Ultramarines Legion.
Cleansing of Espandor
After the First Tyrannic War, local militia discovered a Tyranid nest located deep within the forest. Feeding off of the nearby communities, it was growing stronger every day, and would soon reach a critical mass of population.3 Hearing this report, Marneus Calgar determined that the cleansing of Espandor would be the first trial of the nascent Tyrannic War Veterans. Their success or failure would determine whether these specialized formations would be recognized as part of the Codex Astartes.3
Chaplain Ortan Cassius, Captain Severus Agemman and several squads made planetfall near Konor's Reach, one of the largest agri-complexes on the planet serving as a safe haven for the populace. Using auspex specially-modified to track Tyranid pheromone trails, the Ultramarines were able to track the beasts over many miles until they discovered their nest, a giant bio-organic structure serving as the main hive.3 They were immediately set upon by the vicious creatures, but with disciplined Flamer and Heavy Bolter fire the Ultramarines drove them back into the hive. Within the heart of the hive they discovered a wounded leader-beast, its crippled body having prevented the Tyranids from spreading further across the planet.3 The Ultramarines fought their way through it's fierce bodyguards, and Captain Agemman himself slew the leader-beast, ending its threat to the planet. Not a single warrior had been lost during the operation, thanks to previous experience learned fighting the Tyranids, and the hive and surrounding area would be cleansed of the xenos' taint by sustained orbital bombardment. With the success of their mission, the Tyrannic War Veterans would be formally incorporated into the Codex Astartes.3
The Espandor Incursion
The Ultramarines 4th Company led by Sergeant Learchus and Chaplain Judd Clausel took twenty-five newly recruited Battle Brothers on their first engagement; an investigation of the lost patrol ship Guilliman's Honour. What was a routine mission becomes much more when fourth company encounters a huge Ork Waaagh! led by a hammer wielding, gargant riding warboss. Admiral Tiberius makes a very good account of himself and the small ultramarine fleet, however the fighting on the ground is close, bloody and bitter, with Dreadnought Barkus making a heroic sacrifice for the company. 4
See Also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Ultramarines, p. 15
- 2: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), p. 31
- 3: White Dwarf #305 US, p. 87
- 4: Defenders of Ultramar (Graphic Novel)
