Thousand Sons
From Lexicanum
The Thousand Sons is a Space Marine Legion, and descend from Magnus, a red-haired, red-skinned, cyclopean giant with an enormous psychic power. When, like the other Primarchs, he was mysteriously scattered around the galaxy, he landed on Prospero, a world inhabited by psychic outcasts who did their best to seclude themselves.
Contents |
Summary
| Marine | Basic Data | Legion Symbol (current) | |
| Name: | Thousand Sons | 
|
| Legion Number: | XV | ||
| Primarch: | Magnus the Red | ||
| pre-Heresy Homeworld: | Prospero | ||
| current Homeworld: | Planet of the Sorcerers in the Eye of Terror | Legion Symbol (pre-Heresy) | |
| Chaos Dedication: | Tzeentch | 
| |
| Colours: | rich Blue, White cloth, Gold trim and details | ||
| Speciality: | Ranged combat and psychic powers | ||
| Battle Cry: | "All is Dust!" | ||
History
As legend tells, the two recognized each other immediately. The Emperor of course acknowledged the giant to be one of his long-lost sons and thus, granted Magnus primacy of the Thousand Sons. Bearing Magnus’s gene-seed, the legion had a predisposal towards mutation and a considerable number of their ranks inherited their primarch’s psychic capabilities.
Initially, the Thousand Sons’ display of psychic powers was reluctantly tolerated, as it proved to be a powerful weapon during the Great Crusade. Serious suspicion began to surround Magnus as the hate towards mutants and psykers spread through the Imperium. Eventually, a meeting was held to settle the matter, the result: Magnus vowed never to use sorcery again.
Nevertheless, Magnus never stopped. In secrecy, he still pursued dark knowledge and practiced sorcery, as he firmly believed it would be for the best of mankind. And certainly, had mankind’s leader not closed his mind, it would have been for the best…
When the Horus Heresy occurred, Magnus at first used his powers to warn the Emperor about the treachery. The primarch knew that by doing so, he would break his promise to his father, but he was willing to suffer the consequences. Angered by his son’s disobedience, the Emperor ignored the warning and ordered Leman Russ of the Space Wolves to bring Justice upon Magnus by destroying his homeworld for disloyalty. (However, in the Horus Heresy novels Graham McNeill describes it as if Horus tricked Russ to rather battle the Thousand Sons than bringing them back to Terra to answer for their actions as the Emperor had ordered him to)
The Thousand Sons, though great psykers, did not expect the devastating arrival of the Space Wolves. A long battle was fought between the two legions, but the Thousand Sons were defeated in the end. After fleeing Prospero, Magnus joined Horus, hoping either to survive or to taste vengeance.
When the bitter war ended, Magnus and his sons had no option but to flee. As their lair, they chose the Planet of the Sorcerers in the Eye of Terror, and as their new god, they chose Tzeentch, who more than welcomed such gifted subordinates.
After the siege of Prospero the Thousand Sons have been long time arch-enemies with the Space Wolves marines chapter. They have tried several times to uproot and destroy the Wolves, including a Chaos temple in a mountain spire on Fenris known as the Daemonspire led by Madox, a high ranking marine in Magnus' service.
They tried again on Garm by stealing the Spear of Russ to perform a ritual that would bring about a Daemon World. Even though the Spear was lost, the world was saved, and conquered by the Imperial Guard. In this instance, Ragnar Blackmane defeated Madox and cast the spear into a partially manifested Magnus, losing the spear but banishing Magnus.
The Rubric of Ahriman
With the embrace of Chaos, comes mutation. Members of the legion began suffering horrendous changes and having their bodies and minds twisted in ways only Chaos can achieve. Although some saw these changes as a sign of their god’s favor, those of higher understanding knew better, and decided that their search for enlightenment and knowledge could not end in the dreaded transformations they would inevitably suffer (Magnus, however, was already a very powerful daemon prince). Ahriman, Chief Librarian of the Legion, and second only to Magnus in power, united a conclave of his most trusted sorcerers, and together they cast a spell, known as the Rubric of Ahriman, of tremendous magnitude that would save the legion from the fate of mutation. The results were not what Ahriman wanted, much less expected. The Thousand Sons were now safe from the taint of chaos, but at a terrible price. Those who had psychic powers were greatly strengthened. But those who hadn’t had their physical bodies reduced to dust and their souls were damned to live inside their armor forever, changing most of the legion into little more than mindless ghosts. When Magnus heard about the terrible failure, he banished Ahriman and his group from the Planet of the Sorcerers, and now they wander through the Eye of Terror, still pursuing magical knowledge and seeking arcane artifacts. Ahriman’s current goal is to enter the Black Library of the Eldar, and rumor has it that if he succeeds in his quest, his power will grow beyond imagination.
Combat Doctrine
Thousand Sons were known to dislike close combat, instead relying on strategy and their psychic abilities. Deceit and guile were their hallmarks, and the legion was commonly criticized for its ways, particularly by Leman Russ, who thought that any battle won by means other than strength and courage was dishonorable. Magnus was confident that he had taught his officers well enough for them to act independently and indeed the legion could function very efficiently without the presence of their Primarch.
Fleet
During the Horus Heresy the Thousand Sons are known to have possessed the following vessels:2
- Waning Moon - Strike Cruiser. Commanded by Fleet Captain Mhotep.
Miniatures and Images
 Thousand Sons Marine during the 13th Black Crusade |
 Rubric Marines from Thousand Sons Mod for Dawn of War |
 Pre-heresy psyker with Terminators |
 Thousand Sons tabards and symbols |
 Sorcerer and Rubric Terminator |
Rubric Marine |
