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|align=center|[[Iron Hands]]
 
|align=center|[[Iron Hands]]
 
|align=center|loyal
 
|align=center|loyal
|align=center|dead, fallen in battle at [[Istvaan V]]  
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|align=center|dead, fallen in battle at [[Isstvan V]]  
 
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*'''Sanguinius''' was slain by ''Horus'' after refusing to join him.
 
*'''Sanguinius''' was slain by ''Horus'' after refusing to join him.
*'''Ferrus Manus''' died at ''Istvaan V'' at the start of the Horus Heresy, and ''Fulgrim'' presented his head to Horus.
+
*'''Ferrus Manus''' died at ''Isstvan V'' at the start of the Horus Heresy, and ''Fulgrim'' presented his head to Horus.
 
*'''Lion El'Jonson''' returned to his homeworld of ''Caliban'' only to discover that his former friend and second-in command ''Luther'' and the Dark Angel garrison had turned against him<sup>2</sup>. He led a strike force of his own loyal Dark Angels against the traitors on the surface. He was lost amongst the inferno as the world was blasted apart by both a [[Warp Storm|warp storm]] and a bombardment from his ships in orbit. He is held on ''the Rock'', the biggest piece of Caliban and current homebase of the Dark Angels<sup>1,2</sup>. Only the Emperor and the ''Watchers of the Dark'' know of this secret.
 
*'''Lion El'Jonson''' returned to his homeworld of ''Caliban'' only to discover that his former friend and second-in command ''Luther'' and the Dark Angel garrison had turned against him<sup>2</sup>. He led a strike force of his own loyal Dark Angels against the traitors on the surface. He was lost amongst the inferno as the world was blasted apart by both a [[Warp Storm|warp storm]] and a bombardment from his ships in orbit. He is held on ''the Rock'', the biggest piece of Caliban and current homebase of the Dark Angels<sup>1,2</sup>. Only the Emperor and the ''Watchers of the Dark'' know of this secret.
 
*'''Jaghatai Khan''' disappeared through a [[Dark Eldar]] webway portal as he was pursuing them after a raid on the White Scars homeworld. Rumours abound that he fights on still, lost in the twisting paths of the Eldar webway, but after nine thousand years it seems highly unlikely, but not impossible.
 
*'''Jaghatai Khan''' disappeared through a [[Dark Eldar]] webway portal as he was pursuing them after a raid on the White Scars homeworld. Rumours abound that he fights on still, lost in the twisting paths of the Eldar webway, but after nine thousand years it seems highly unlikely, but not impossible.
 
*'''Leman Russ''' disappeared in the ''Eye of Terror''. The Space Wolves hold a legend that says Russ went on a quest to find a means to cure the Emperor but the truth is likely to be far more sinister. His last message reported that he was near-death, but that he would return for the ''Wolftime''.
 
*'''Leman Russ''' disappeared in the ''Eye of Terror''. The Space Wolves hold a legend that says Russ went on a quest to find a means to cure the Emperor but the truth is likely to be far more sinister. His last message reported that he was near-death, but that he would return for the ''Wolftime''.
 
*'''Rogal Dorn''' died fighting on a traitor cruiser alongside a company of his sons. He was one of the last Primarchs to die. Today, all that remains of him are the bones of his hands that is housed in the holiest shrine of the Imperial Fists chapter.
 
*'''Rogal Dorn''' died fighting on a traitor cruiser alongside a company of his sons. He was one of the last Primarchs to die. Today, all that remains of him are the bones of his hands that is housed in the holiest shrine of the Imperial Fists chapter.
*'''Roboute Guilliman''' was struck down with an envenomed blade by his former brother ''Fulgrim''. His body is perfectly preseverd in a [[stasis field]] at the heart of the ''Temple of Correction''<sup>3</sup>. He is the only loyal primarch whose body has been found and the temple is the object of pilgrimages. There is a rumour that he is alive and that that his wounds are slowly healing, although this would be normally impossible.
+
*'''Roboute Guilliman''' was struck down with an envenomed blade by his former brother ''Fulgrim''. His body is perfectly preserved in a [[stasis field]] at the heart of the ''Temple of Correction''<sup>3</sup>. He is the only loyal primarch whose body has been found and the temple is the object of pilgrimages. There is a rumour that he is alive and that that his wounds are slowly healing, although this would be normally impossible.
 
*'''Vulkan''' disappeared some thousand years after the Legion's founding and the position of Chapter Master is now filled by the Captain of the First Company. This position is considered to be a regency as the Salamanders believe that Vulkan will one day return and lead them on a great crusade against Chaos.
 
*'''Vulkan''' disappeared some thousand years after the Legion's founding and the position of Chapter Master is now filled by the Captain of the First Company. This position is considered to be a regency as the Salamanders believe that Vulkan will one day return and lead them on a great crusade against Chaos.
*'''Corax''' was wracked by guilt and shame. In order to rebuild quickly the strength of his sons from the destruction of ''Istvaan V'', Corax accelerated the growth of the gene-seed organs, producing more of them but also deteriorating them rapidly, causing many to become hulking monsters. Riddled with guilt over what he had done, Corax locked himself away within his sanctum, the ''Raven's Tower'', for a year. Exactly one year later, he left his tower, haggard and gaunt, and took a small shuttle craft. It was last monitored as setting a course for the Eye of Terror.
+
*'''Corax''' was wracked by guilt and shame. In order to rebuild quickly the strength of his sons from the destruction of ''Isstvan V'', Corax accelerated the growth of the gene-seed organs, producing more of them but also deteriorating them rapidly, causing many to become hulking monsters. Riddled with guilt over what he had done, Corax locked himself away within his sanctum, the ''Raven's Tower'', for a year. Exactly one year later, he left his tower, haggard and gaunt, and took a small shuttle craft. It was last monitored as setting a course for the Eye of Terror.
  
 
==The two unknown Primarchs==
 
==The two unknown Primarchs==

Revision as of 08:37, 14 March 2007

The Primarchs were the twenty genetically-engineered "sons" of the Emperor. The Emperor used his own DNA in their creation, and they were designed to be far superior to the average human: immensly larger, stronger, hardier, faster, and smarter.

They were created in a secret underground laboratory on Luna under tightest security. However, the forces of Chaos managed somehow to spirit them away just prior to their maturation and it is speculated that they also managed to tamper with the infant Primarchs. These were scattered across the galaxy, beyond the Emperor's reach, and all of them landed on diffrent worlds. The Emperor used their previously collected DNA to create the Space Marines. The genetic material of each one of them was used to found a single Space Marine legion, twenty in total.

Their homeworlds and their infancy would influence and mould them to a large extent. There they quickly grew to adulthood and often rose to power, ruling, leading, and helping the inhabitants. As the Emperor found them, he was generaly pleased by their actions, and quickly gave them the leadership of their respective legion.

The first Primarch to be found was Horus, who became the Emperor's favourite. Most Primarchs somehow recognized the Emperor on sight, and immediatly pledged their alliegiance on the spot. Others (Leman Russ, Ferrus Manus and Vulkan) only followed Him after being bested in contests. Angron refused and was abducted from his homeworld, something he never really accepted. The last to be found was Alpharius.

At the end of the Great Crusade Warmaster Horus fell to Chaos, and eight of his fellow Primarchs followed him into the Horus Heresy against the Emperor, resulting in a full-scale civil war. Each Primarch chose his side, loyalists against traitors, leading their legions against their former comrades.


legion number name homeworld name of the legion allegiance current status
1 Lion El'Jonson Caliban Dark Angels loyal alive, asleep within the Rock
2 unknown - all records lost following the Horus Heresy
3 Fulgrim Chemos Emperor's Children traitor Daemon Prince
4 Perturabo Olympia Iron Warriors traitor Daemon Prince, ruler of Medrengard
5 Jaghatai Khan Mundus Planus White Scars loyal disappeared into the Webway
6 Leman Russ Fenris Space Wolves loyal disappeared into the Eye of Terror
7 Rogal Dorn unknown Imperial Fists loyal dead, fallen in battle
8 Konrad Curze/Night Haunter Nostramo Night Lords traitor dead, assassinated by Callidus assassin M´Shen
9 Sanguinius Baal Blood Angels loyal dead, killed by Horus
10 Ferrus Manus Medusa Iron Hands loyal dead, fallen in battle at Isstvan V
11 unknown - all records lost following the Horus Heresy
12 Angron unknown World Eaters traitor Daemon Prince
13 Roboute Guilliman Macragge Ultramarines loyal dead, killed by Fulgrim, rumored to be healing
14 Mortarion Barbarus Death Guard traitor Daemon Prince, ruler of the Plague Planet
15 Magnus the Red Prospero Thousand Sons traitor Daemon Prince, ruler of the Planet of Sorcerers
16 Horus Cthonia Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus traitor dead, killed by the Emperor
17 Lorgar Colchis Word Bearers traitor Daemon Prince, ruler of Sicarus
18 Vulkan Nocturne Salamanders loyal disappeared
19 Corax Deliverance Raven Guard loyal disappeared, last seen heading for the Eye of Terror
20 Alpharius unknown Alpha Legion traitor dead, killed by Roboute Guilliman


Fate of the Primarchs

Traitors

  • Warmaster Horus was killed by the Emperor of Mankind, and his soul was completely obliterated. His place was eventually taken over by Abaddon the Despoiler
  • Magnus the Red rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of Tzeentch.
  • Angron rose to the rank of of Daemon prince of Khorne.
  • Mortarion rose the rank of Daemon Prince of Nurgle.
  • Fulgrim rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of Slaanesh.
  • Lorgar rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of Chaos Undivided.
  • Perturabo rose to the rank of Daemon Prince of Chaos Undivided.
  • Conrad Kurze aka Night Haunter was assassinated by Callidus assassin M´Shen. He allowed her infiltration, apparently wanting to die.
  • Alpharius was killed by Roboute Guilliman.

Loyalists

  • Sanguinius was slain by Horus after refusing to join him.
  • Ferrus Manus died at Isstvan V at the start of the Horus Heresy, and Fulgrim presented his head to Horus.
  • Lion El'Jonson returned to his homeworld of Caliban only to discover that his former friend and second-in command Luther and the Dark Angel garrison had turned against him2. He led a strike force of his own loyal Dark Angels against the traitors on the surface. He was lost amongst the inferno as the world was blasted apart by both a warp storm and a bombardment from his ships in orbit. He is held on the Rock, the biggest piece of Caliban and current homebase of the Dark Angels1,2. Only the Emperor and the Watchers of the Dark know of this secret.
  • Jaghatai Khan disappeared through a Dark Eldar webway portal as he was pursuing them after a raid on the White Scars homeworld. Rumours abound that he fights on still, lost in the twisting paths of the Eldar webway, but after nine thousand years it seems highly unlikely, but not impossible.
  • Leman Russ disappeared in the Eye of Terror. The Space Wolves hold a legend that says Russ went on a quest to find a means to cure the Emperor but the truth is likely to be far more sinister. His last message reported that he was near-death, but that he would return for the Wolftime.
  • Rogal Dorn died fighting on a traitor cruiser alongside a company of his sons. He was one of the last Primarchs to die. Today, all that remains of him are the bones of his hands that is housed in the holiest shrine of the Imperial Fists chapter.
  • Roboute Guilliman was struck down with an envenomed blade by his former brother Fulgrim. His body is perfectly preserved in a stasis field at the heart of the Temple of Correction3. He is the only loyal primarch whose body has been found and the temple is the object of pilgrimages. There is a rumour that he is alive and that that his wounds are slowly healing, although this would be normally impossible.
  • Vulkan disappeared some thousand years after the Legion's founding and the position of Chapter Master is now filled by the Captain of the First Company. This position is considered to be a regency as the Salamanders believe that Vulkan will one day return and lead them on a great crusade against Chaos.
  • Corax was wracked by guilt and shame. In order to rebuild quickly the strength of his sons from the destruction of Isstvan V, Corax accelerated the growth of the gene-seed organs, producing more of them but also deteriorating them rapidly, causing many to become hulking monsters. Riddled with guilt over what he had done, Corax locked himself away within his sanctum, the Raven's Tower, for a year. Exactly one year later, he left his tower, haggard and gaunt, and took a small shuttle craft. It was last monitored as setting a course for the Eye of Terror.

The two unknown Primarchs

Nothing is known about the names, homeworlds, story, and the ultimate fate of the two unknown Primarchs and their respective legions. The short-story Hell in a bottle by Simon Jowet mentions a Primarch Rubineck4. This passage is widely considered non-canon however and a Primarch Rubineck is not mentioned anywhere else. Some authors seem to occasionally confuse the Chapter Masters with the Primarchs5 and Rubineck was most likely such a case.


Currently, all that is known about this issue is that:

  • All twenty primarchs survived their abduction and where found and raised on human worlds by human parents.6
  • All twenty legions took part in the Great Crusade and every legion was led by its own Primarch.7
  • Of the twenty primarchs only nine of the loyal ones survived the Horus Heresy, the others were either killed or fled to the Eye of Terror.6

sources and references


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