Fall of Orioc
Overview
Orioc was a city state of Terra buried deep in the ancient world's ice mountains to the south. Hundreds of thousands lived in its geothermal-heated caverns. For centuries the people of Orioc believed that all of existence was the result of interaction between the spirits of the dead and the forces of life, and that dreams and shadows were glimpses of the dead. As the rest of Terra fell to the Emperor's armies, the people of Orioc stubbornly held to their old ways and beliefs.[1]
When the Emperor did arrive, he sent the Imperial Heralds to deal with the city. The Priest King of Orioc wouldn't even hear the Imperial emissaries, and opened fire on the Emperor's forces gathered outside their mountains. It was then that the Imperial Heralds made their attack, beginning the assault with a bombardment from bomber aircraft. Siege tanks opened up a barrage on the mountain citadels as grey armoured warriors advanced relentlessly on defensive positions. After three hours the Heralds were already inside Orioc's caverns and detonated seismic charges that opened up the crown of the mountain. The seismic blast created geological upheaval, and Orioc was obliterated by lava and ash.[1]
Sources
- 1: The Horus Heresy Book Two - Massacre, pgs. 150-153
