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Isstvan III

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Map Basic Data Planetary Image
px Name: Isstvan III Unknown.jpg
Segmentum: Unknown
Sector: Unknown
Subsector: Unknown
System: Isstvan
Population: None, was 16 million pre-Heresy
Affiliation: Imperium
Class: Dead World, ex-Hive World
Tithe Grade: Unknown

Isstvan III was a Hive World in the Isstvan system. Its destruction was the first overt sign of Warmaster Horus' turn to the forces of Chaos.

The planet was virus bombed by Horus, causing 16 million deaths. As the putrid gases resulting from the rapidly decaying population build up in the Hives, Horus ignited a firestorm on the planet which melted the hives and razed razed the cities. The psychic death scream resulting from this scale of killing, was said to have been stronger than the Astronomican. Finally, Horus sent in a squadron of Death's Head Titan Legion to root out the survivors, including the mighty Imperator class Dies Irae.1

During the bombardment, a handful of loyal Space Marines, led by Battle-Captain Garro of the Death Guard escaped on board the frigate Eisenstein into warp space, bringing the news of Horus' betrayal to the Emperor.1

For some Imperial scholars, the Isstvan III incident wasn't simply the first clue of the surrender of Horus to the Chaos gods but also a masterminded trap to purge the troublesome loyalists from his legions. The virus bombardment occured only after the landing of specially chosen units of the five traitor legions - all those suspected to be still loyal to the Emperor. Stranding the Astartes on the surface by deploying them in drop pods rather than the more traditional Warbird dropships, and cutting their communication lines to the fleet, Horus ensured that no loyalist would survive.1

However, Captain Saul Tarvitz of the Emperor's Children managed to escape his allocated position on the surface, and was able to warn his betrayed brethren. Many of the loyalists were able to find shelter from the bombardment, and under the command of Captain Garviel Loken and Captain Tarik Torgaddon of the Luna wolves (recliaming the old name as a sign of loyality to the Emperor), they were able to mount a surprising defense in the ruins of the capital city. Ultimately they were unable to win against the united might of their old comrades, but they made Horus pay dearly in the time he spent eradicating them.1

name

The name of the star-system has undergone several variations. An older spelling is Istvaan.

Sources