[hider=Zaphariel ibn Varranis]
[center][h3][u][b]The XIII Primarch[/b][/u][/h3][/center]

[u][b]Primarch[/b][/u] | [b]Zaphariel ibn Varranis[/b], Malik of the Illuminated Pandjoras Star Sultanate, Sheikh of the Star Serpent, Unifier of the Thirteen Houses, Child of the Hassan, Star Emir of the Dusk Sands, Master of the Suma’tah, Grand Faris of the Thirty Palaces, Grandmaster of the Assassins, Emissary of Falak, Nazim of the Seventy Sectors, Padishah of the Umbral Armada, Conciliator of the Three Hundred Worlds, the Arbitrator, Caliph of Neu Amalut, the Steel Companion, Grand Rival of the Dawn

[u][b]Gender [/b][/u]| Male

[u][b]Homeword[/b][/u] | [b]Pandjoras[/b]; The jewel of the serpentine Star Sultanate, once classified under Imperial record as a (“Civilized World”), resides in space as an arid beauty unparalleled in its savage nature. At the height of the Dark Age of Technology, Pandjoras was the crux of its region of space as the primary supplier and hubworld for the sector. The inhabitants of this desert world lavishly delighted in all of their amenities being met to such an extent that majority of their homes were lifted on anti-gravity mounts. Entire hovering palaces oversaw the automated process of a miniature empire within the realm of humanity. Vast aqueducts acted as the arterial veins that saw their world slowly reforming into a utopian paradise; however, doom met the sector when the Old Night split apart all the work of humanity. Pandajoras felt its death throes as the planet suffered an acute polarity shift in its magnetic core. Millions of anti-grav shunts fell silent leading to a sector-wide apocalypse that resulted in nearly five millennia of famine, death, and technological decay. From then on the golden grains of sand that blanketed the desert paradise became naught but warped, ashen fragments of dusk.
	Mere thousands survived the Old Night apocalypse on Pandjoras and untold numbers on other worlds connected to the former coreworld in the sector. The leviathan aqueducts that once saturated their world failed to survive the catastrophic onslaught of post-explosion graviton particles. The natural resources that dubbed the world the crown jewel of the sector were exhausted beyond tribulation. The Pandjorans could not flee their world, nor could their cries be heard to the greater beyond. Thus did the Pandjorans hide beneath the dusk tides of their dune sea in subterranean caverns where the natural lifeforms of the desert world prey upon the meek. Unknowingly, these caverns became the birthplace of the asasiyun and their hashshashin traditions. From the guidance of a lone, old man did the Pandjorans rise from the gray grains into their inhospitable world once more. Legacies of the Age of Technology were claimed, cannibalized, and reused to return to the lives their ancestors once had. Pandjoras, however, had significantly changed from oratory stories of their past. The gravity alone had warped along with its sands, vibrant springs of graviton particles pooled in malignant ponds, and hills had become imposing mountains. Hundreds of native born Pandjorans died in pursuit of bringing mankind back to the surface, yet they succeeded at the turn of the 30th millennia. The people had adapted, refitted their archeotech palaces, and walked the wastes astride specialized suits of powered armor fueled by the very material that had destroyed their civilization previously. 
	Humanity walked the scarred surface of Pandjoras once again, but fate had other intentions for the Pandjorans. Conflict arose as to the legacy that would lead their people to prominence among the stars again. Wars erupted over petty squabbles of long dead inheritances. The old man that had guided their people ushered in the first House of the future Star Sultanate - The Caliphate House of Varranis. Those souls that had wholeheartedly believed in the old man banded as enclaves of assassins that either silenced or pushed the usurpers off-world. It was only the beginning of a long conflict but the House of Varranis had won and secured Pandjoras. Thus were the pillars of creation erected for the dwellers of the ashen sands to heartedly live above their subterranean homes. The old man continued to guide his people into building the modern infrastructure and veritable House that would rule the dusken wastes of their world. 
	In the most modern term, Pandjoras has been restored to some level of technological height through the future efforts of Zaphariel and the sheer amount of archeotech rubble scattered across the planet. Instead of millions of hovering palaces in the Dark Age of Technology, there now reside a mere thirty that operate as both suborbital stations and bulwarks against foreign interlopers. Foreigners traveling the surface of Pandjoras are prone to extreme shifts in weight, requiring first time travelers to wear specialized suits of powered armor. On the surface, the black sands lay host to a variety of post-apocalyptic dangers such as graviton lakes and physics-defying serpents the size of mortal men. Despite its initial upheaval, the former desert world still remains hell scorching through the everlasting gray skies. Enormous refineries stretch the length of the planet, carefully harvesting the particles in an effort to return Pandjoras to it’s original beauty. 

[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/1004687185703878706/Jack_6.png[/img][/center]

[u][b]Appearance[/b][/u] | Unlike his brothers and sisters, Zaphariel rises only a mere nine feet, seven inches tall with a thin frame in comparison to hardier primarchs. Tanned skin that threatened to darken under arid skies breathes life into reality, while pale orange orbs stare out with slitted pupils at those under before him. A mess of dark hair permeates around a thin, long face that stretches into finely trimmed facial hair. Thin lines of black trace his eyelids with artificial pigments such that his stares appear more daunting. A sweet scent of cinnamon permeates in close proximity to the Primarch whenever he eschews his helmet or armaments. Typically, without his power armor, Zaphariel wears silk-like robes heavily embroidered with depictions of bulbous palaces and sand dunes. These breazy, dark robes laced with gold, cuff at the wrists and draw up to a hood to protect against the oddly polarizing weather on Pandjoras.
	On the battlefield, Zaphariel adorns the perfected union of his artifice armor and the robes that flutter across it’s resplendent edifice. With a Maximus helmet that shares the likes of his sons, a heavy hood embroidered with the likeness of Pandjoras hugs the armor and descends down into a surcoat that ends in a waist cape. An embolden emblem of his Legion resides proudly on his chest, while a void serpent engraving wraps around his low gorget in a place of honor. Long tubes of graviton particles run from the back of his greaves up to the power pack and outstretching closely to the edge of his wrists. Like the ash wanderers of Pandjoras, Zaphariel bears a part of their legacy into his armor to be able to handle all manners of gravity turbulence with ease. The armor of Pandjoras is a deadly piece of wargear made for assassination with the tips of the gauntlet clawed and underslung with graviton barrels. 
	When the battlefield in question changes from diversionary to clandestine, Zaphariel eschews all manner of armor to bear the hassan robes that the old man had raised him up with. Midnight black garment of sublime satin tightly garb his body above the low grade power armor that Pandjoras is notorious for. The armor and robe combination is devoid of appearance, depiction, or emblem. 

[u][b]Personality[/b][/u] | The Primarch of the Dusken Dunes is a charismatic, lightly gregarious compatriot that can be the kindest ally known to another. Often the Malik of Pandjoras hosts hundreds of social events for little to no reason other than to celebrate another. In this, others may view him as philanthropic or hedonistic; however,  Zaphariel does this to ascertain his alliances and break the barriers down between himself and others. Those that have spoken with the Primarch know him to spend lavishly, compliment freely, and act unrefined to those above and below him. More stoic individuals have found him to be hollow but always part from him with hints of smiles. An impeccable diplomat with a heart of gold that easily shows that he cherishes those around him. These social calls and cues are often used against him by other Primarchs to achieve their own goals. Zaphariel often allows them the victory for a net win of positivity.
	This is a pretense, however, as the truth of his demeanor is a carefully crafted facade in order to understand and break the guard of his ‘opponents’. Every individual is a possible target ripe for summary execution given the circumstance. Zaphariel is a predator born in the dusk sands of Pandjoras, trained from founding as an asasiyun by the old man, and verbally trained to control the weave of conversation and eloquence. Manipulation and coercion are the worst (and best) qualities of his personality that lead to most of his political victories - no matter how small they are. A perfect art that acts as a double-edged blade. Few that are conned or manipulated through Zaphariel’s schemes realize the implications of their actions until far afterwards; however, those with the clairvoyance to see through him know him for who he truly is. Only the old man of the mountain thus far has seen through his illusions - for he is the one who taught Zaphariel.
	Despite this facade, Zaphariel holds true and genuine concern for those within the Star Sultanate and the old man above all else. Zaphariel loses all forms of masquerade when his home is truly in peril, even willing to go as far as abandon the battlefield to return to the Sultanate. An incredible flaw that has yet to be abused. With that in mind, Zaphariel pays face value to the Imperium and the Emperor but his true loyalty remains with his sons and the affairs of Pandjoras.

[u][b]Skills [/b][/u]| 
[b]Weightless[/b]: Countless years spent in the strange, abnormal conditions set on Pandjoras grants those that withstand the planet’s atmosphere a level of permanent buoyancy and weightlessness. Zaphariel, and by extension Pandjorans, perform with insane ease within zero-G environments. This includes locations with remarkably heavy gravitational weight. This adaptiveness has allowed the Primarch to act as a flitting wraith in normal environments, further pushing his ability as a trained assassin and granting an air of lightness around him. Despite this special trait, Zaphariel and the Pandjorans must routinely weigh themselves down with adamantium augmentations and avoid extremely punishing blows lest their skeletal structure cave beneath the force.

[b]Master of Coercion[/b]: Albeit less of a preternatural trait, Zaphariel is remarkable at convincing and manipulating those around him to act or perform the things that he wishes. This profound ability to weave words, dance around political games, and duck through near-galactic incidents has granted Zaphariel a form of impenetrable shield in most situations requiring any level of dialogue. While this skill is invaluable in regards to interacting outside of the Legion, it falls short when interacting with those within the Dusk Wardens. This is due to the fact that the Sons of Zaphariel require no coercion to blindly follow the orders of the Star Sultan, neither do those under the hierarchy of the Primarch require overt persuasion. This refined skill comes with the downside that those under his ‘thrall’ that awaken from their stupor, on the rare occasion, realize they’ve been coerced.

[b]Suma’tah[/b]: One of the most intriguing abilities about the Primarch is his stumbling creation of a martial ka’tah. Suma’tah was born from the intrinsic fighting ability of the Star Sultan, the strict survival scenarios on Pandjoras, and the harsh lessons taught to him by the Master of Assassins. The suma’tah is the dance of the desert, twirling between grains of sand with the breath of the wind upon one’s lips. This fighting style focuses on nimble footwork, precision blade handling, and oneness. Stillness of the body allows for perfect control over one that is already considered genetically perfect. This bladework is slow, methodical, and utterly deadly; however, patient and immovable opponents are able to maneuver around this desert dancing technique. Before Zaphariel had met his Legion and the Emperor, he had simply thought it was necessary to learn as part of their furusiyya. A bastardized, imperfect version of this fighting style has been passed down from Legion Master to Lord Commander to below across the Dusk Wardens. 

[b]Eyes of Hassan[/b]: The mystical eyes of Hassan are the mutations granted simply by surviving on the dusk sands of Pandjoras. These are rumored to be gained whenever the ashen grains touch the bareskin of a person, others speak that it is the graviton pools that pollute the atmosphere. In truth, it is a combination of both. Graviton particles occasionally sublimate dusk grains into micro powder that infiltrate the retina and open porous’. Those with the Eyes of Hassan experience their retina turning orange and their pupils sharpened to slits, granting distinct predatorial eyes. An unusual side effect of the Eyes of Hassan, other than cosmetically, is the ability to physically see vibrations and changes in the wind. Zaphariel gained the Eyes of Hassan from an early age while left in the open air of Pandjoras’s volatile atmosphere; however, this mutation only further improved his abilities as a warrior and a hassassin. When the Legion arrived on the dusken sands to reunite with Zaphariel, he bade them walk into the deserts without a helmet such as he did. Now, as a process of initiation, Legion recruits will wash their eyes in a processed mixture known as the ‘Tears of Pandjoras’.

[b]Grandmaster of Assassins[/b]: To the people of House Varranis, it is no secret that Zaphariel holds the title of Grandmaster to the Order of Assassins. The only recorded individual on Pandjoras to own such a title is only known as the old man of the mountain - Zaphariel’s adoptive father. The old man has passed on every single shred of knowledge known to him onto his adoptive son, molding him into the ultimate asasiyun. The title alone holds significance to those around him, one that he isn’t afraid to use in the appropriate circumstance. Through the old man’s training, Zaphariel can become one with the shadows or the twisting dusken sands of Pandjoras. Any tool was a weapon of assassination from a a grain of sand to a macroclade fleet. Any single individual was a body to utilize. These tenets passed onto his sons as a form of teaching from master to students. A hafiz in his own right.

[u][b]Assignment Grade[/b][/u] | [b]Iota[/b]. The Malik of Pandjoras has never known, or never used, any form of offensive psionic ability to the best of his knowledge. His temperament had been perfect, controlled, and never prone to outrageous outbursts in fits of psionic energy. Instead, the psionic capabilities of the Star Sultan focused solely on improving his latent talents with biomancy. As a youth, Zaphariel unconsciously used forms of psionic persuasion to influence those around him; however, the old man of the mountain could never be swayed by such feeble talents. Although his adoptive father was no psyker, he understood the machinations of control. Alongside training Zaphariel as his successor, the old man taught the young Primarch oneness. 
In the height of his prime, Zaphariel has been known to excessively use biomancy psionic abilities that allow him to traverse great distances unhindered by wind pressure or control his cells on a molecular level. While these are incredible feats for a latent psyker, Zaphariel has repeatedly failed to endure psionic abilities for longer than a minute despite any amount of training he’s completed. 

[u][b]Wargear [/b][/u]| 
[b]Zulfiqar[/b]: A gifted power saber from the initial meeting between Zaphariel and the Emperor with his golden fleet. Forged in the form of a shamshir with a powerfield topped by inlaid topaz, Zulfiqar shares its name with a sword of legend hailing from the Achaemenid Empire of Old Terra. Although his father does not share the historical value of a relic such as this, the Sigillite informed Zaphariel that Zulfiqar was a prophetic weapon of a long dead religion. Historical value aside, Zulfiqar is an extremely tempered double-edged blade with a long semi-curve. Many foes since the dawn of his inoculation to the Crusade have fallen to the swift, deadly dance that this weapon can perform.

[b]Shroud of Dusk[/b]: The fabric that clings to the artificer armor of Zaphariel is known as the Shroud of Dusk primarily for its natural hue; however, the cloth is anything but a standard drape as ornamental decoration. Truthfully, the fabric is a highly compressed and tanned void serpent hide that has retained many of the traits of its host. The shroud is weightless as silk, durable as ceramite, and resistant to the majority of hazards that the Imperium would face. The final property of the shroud is its passive ability to dim light sources around the wearer. While this is a supremely useful feature as an assassin, the shroud has no operational switch to remove its latent qualities. This has resulted in the irritation of those preferring well-lit areas.

[b]Artificer Armor of Pandjoras[/b]: Originally, the armor gifted to Zaphariel by the Emperor had been a golden edifice of herculean strength based on the upcoming Mark IV power armor prototypes; however, the Malik of Pandjoras had other designs for functional plating. Under the shadow of the Thirty Palaces, the armor was augmented with the assistance of the many techno-scavengers that had repurposed Pandjoras' many Dark Age of Technology structures. Warplate was refitted to suit a smaller frame, armor long tubes connected to thin reservoirs of graviton particles, and inlaid weapons were hidden within gauntlets and greaves. In particular, the gauntlets have been modified to claw tips and mounted with underslung graviton pistol mounts. The boots have been similarly modified to tips with short barreled nozzles aimed down the backside of the greaves. This combination of webwork allows Zaphariel to handily operate without weapons in close quarters environments. This patchwork combination of Imperial power armor and Pandjoran power armor comes with several weaknesses despite its modifications. Thinner plating allows punctures and bludgeons to cascade faster through Zaphariel’s defenses, while graviton particle tubes can be sliced to swiftly turn a battle into a gravity slugfest. It goes without saying that the moment the Armor of Pandjoras was born, the Mechanicus flagged it for technoheresy. This matter was the focal point for the agreement between the Star Sultanate and the Synod of Mars - breathing room to operate in exchange for scouring the dusk sands of Pandjoras for archeotech remnants. 

[hider=Biography]
[u][b]Biography[/b][/u]: As Pandjoras began its prosperous unification under House Varranis, reconstructing the frameworks of old humanity, so too did the stars grant them a single seed of destiny that cleared the fog of the void. A meteor shower of incandescent beauty cascaded across Pandjoras’ sky on the day that the young Primarch Zaphariel fell to the dusken sands. Thankfully, the gestation pod that crashed into the shifting sands narrowly missed many of the gravity ponds that scoured the surface. For thirteen days and thirteen moons the infant Primarch remained in his gestation pod until the dense atmosphere cracked the hull like an egg ready to hatch. The barely cognizant toddler waddled through the sands of Pandjoras, feeling the coarse grains beneath his palms. On the black deserts of the world did the juvenile spend the first years of his life amongst the impossible climate and heavily altered wildlife. Through the unconscious adaptation of his latent psionic abilities, the Primarch was able to survive by controlling the fauna with psionic coercion. The future Malik of the Star Sultanate found oneness with the slithering void serpents, graviton rivers, and umbral nature of the world. 
	His fateful encounter with the old man of the mountain would come to pass nearly three years into his arrival on Pandjoras. Surrounded by a tempest of the planet's deadliest predator - the void serpent - an entourage of hassan found the boy amidst their storm. A naked, tanned child with a flock of curled black hair and scarred tissue across lengths of his tiny body. One of the entourage noted that the boy held the Eyes of Hassan, tinting their eye orange and slitting their pupils. This lone boy had survived that which the descendants of Pandjoras could not without specialized equipment. The entourage quickly slew the storm of serpents before kidnapping the wild child, returning to the mountain fortress of Neu Alamut. The humans that had taken him professed that he was a child of prophecy to the old man of the mountain. This old man was heavily swathed in midnight robes with a skull mask that held silent judgment over his people. He provided no name other than that himself, and his predecessors, had been called the ‘old man of the mountain’ in previous millennia. Although cautious about a child that could survive inhospitable climates, the elder took the young boy into House Varranis by granting him the name of ‘Zaphariel’. He had fully accepted the role of adoptive father for the infant primarch, but little did the toddler know that the old man had plans of his own.
	Years passed by as the draconic elder of Pandjoras groomed Zaphariel into his successor, instilling the training and discipline of the asasiyun and greater hassan. The old man of the mountain knew that with the clearing of the void there would be interlopers. The primarchial child, one that grew at an accelerated rate, would be key to House Varranis’ success if legends were to be interpreted correctly. Judgment would come for them for the atrocities they had afflicted to unify their world of eternal dusk. Zaphariel made a name for himself even as a child as he accomplished tasks set by the Grandmaster of the Asasiyuns. Collecting vials of graviton particles, ensnaring void serpents, and salvaging archeotech confirmed him as a competent neophyte. The elder had ensured to properly train the young Primarch as a young noble, schooling the adolescent on the rituals of Pandjoras and their long history as former self-proclaimed Imperials. One such ritual that he would learn later was the procedure to gain the ‘Eyes of Hassan’.A process in which one rubs a compound mixture of highly compressed black sand into their eyes. 
	Despite the acceptance that Zaphariel felt from the old man, some talked behind the backs of the elder to speak against the child. He felt it in his blood that he would prove himself worthy of the old man’s choice. Zaphariel, followed by his own retinue of asasiyun loyalists, departed into the desert in the cover of night. Full of confidence and exhilaration, the young sheikh ventured on foot through the Valley of the Void to earn his place amongst the hassan. It is a rite of passage when an asasiyun completes their training to journey into the Valley to slay an elder void serpent. The primarch felt and knew that he was ready to lead the hassan and House Varranis. Despite his age, Zaphariel filled out in Pandjoran power armor as if he were already an adult. The retinue that accompanied him secret planted bait for a weaker, more domestic elder serpent to be killed; however, Zaphariel had his weapons set on the grand serpent of Pandjoras - Falak.
	The sheik and his retinue arrived at the Valley of the Void, eager to hunt their own prizes for which they were destined to fight. As originally planned, the bait lured in an elder serpent of modest proportion for a heavily mutated snake from ancient Pandjoras. A vast ophidian of umbral scale with strange, clawed fins to drift through the nascent gravitational anomaly on the planet. These creatures that defy physics represented the only sustenance on the planet that the Pandjorans had eaten to survive in the Old Night. The blood of these man-sized reptiles was enough to quench the thirst of a hundred men. It was an honor - and a duty during the Strife - to hunt and butcher even a single void serpent. Zaphariel had expressed disinterest in hunting something that wasn’t Falak, but the hassan with him assured him of the acceptance the primarch would gain from killing a single elder. So, the warriors of Varranis descended on the serpent in silence with their movements following the shifting dusken sands. The party performed a slow, low crouching dance that brought them within touch of the elder snake. Zaphariel lunged into the air with assistance from the power armor and Pandjoras’ gravitational malfunction to cleanly lop the head from its body. The umbral scales jostled as if it were still alive before the tubular corpse slumped along the bank of a graviton pool. The hassan clapped their hands upon the primarch and bowed their heads in congratulation. Although disappointed by the lack of a monstrous entity, Zaphariel felt the welcoming into a brotherhood through his actions.
	The hassan quickly began to hook tethers on the length of the serpent, while also hoisting the vivisection part of its body to prevent excess blood flow. Zaphariel closely watched his people prepare the length of the snake for aerial transport; however, he soon felt an entity drawing on their location with slow, hostile intent. Emerging from the graviton pool of the valley, a leviathan ophidian slithered from its underdweller home. The Varranis asasiyun froze their movements, dropping low to the umbral sands to avoid becoming a target. The young primarch, however, refused to lay low before the leviathan snake. He had found Falak, the renowned serpent of Pandjoran legend. With twin blades drawn to approach the void being, Zaphariel made his presence known to the gargantuan legend of the Valley. The coiled fins around its head shook in protest, Falak’s mouth splitting in four ways to hiss out at the primarch. Ritualistically, the primarch hissed back at it in an act of defiance as taught by the old man of the mountain. The two danced in a circle gauging the other for weaknesses in their cautious duel. Either out of fear or eagerness, Falak struck first with a spray of graviton particles from within its abysmal mouth. Primarch Zaphariel dives away from the spray, looping around the cone to slice into the ophidian’s side. The blades scraped against scales as tough as a carnosaur, forcing the asasiyun to flinch back with recoil. The creature took the opportunity to lash out, slamming the primarch away from its side with the force of a tank. The great beast of the valley rushed forward with it’s maw open to consume the primarch, but the youth was prepared for such an encounter. Zaphariel entered oneness, the world quieting to a whisper as he maneuvered his hands around the maw of the serpent. Slowly, deliberately, Falak closed its maw as if compelled to do so until it stared down the helmet of the Primarch. The hassan watched on with awe as the child prodigy subdued the great serpent of the valley with a touch.
	The head of the fallen elder serpent was offered to Falak after the exchange, while the length of the body was taken back to Neu Alamut via harvester ship. Zaphariel returned to his adoptive father’s side and embarked upon the back of Falak for the two had written an unspoken covenant. Initially distressed by the appearance of a legendary serpent, the old man of the mountain welcomed the new hassan to House Varranis with a closing of the rites. The primarch had proven himself capable of becoming an asasiyun and much more. This single stunt secured his place among the Pandjorans as one of their own; however, they also accepted him as their eternal malik. From that point forward the old man of the mountain simply honed his asasiyun abilities, while Zaphariel began expanding his experience as a leader and a diplomat by leading House Varranis from Alamut. 
	The primarch began his years as a young adult leading the Pandjoran House Varranis in the pursuit of the stellar establishment for the Star Sultanate. Zaphariel revisited the tales of surviving the Old Night, eventually leading him to create a conglomerate of archeotech salvagers across Pandjoras called the House of Bahamut. The establishment of a technological order united under a single leader solidified the governorship of the scattered emir on the planet. Zaphariel led their conglomerate of the Thirteen Palaces to erect Neu Alamut as the central pillar of civilization on Pandjoras. It was in the Umbral Mountains that the first spaceport was reconstructed and the true birth of the Star Sultanate began. Harvester dropships were reconstructed from their chassis to withstand long-term spaceflight. Pandjorans filled the void for the first time in nearly five millennia, but horror awaited them in the form of drifting debris ringed around Pandjoras. For five millennia the hollow shells of orbital stations, shipyards, and drydocks limpe useless in orbit of the dusken world. Scuttled escorts and cruisers twirled in slow, deadly spins through the emptiness. The vestiges of old humanity clung like a husk to its former coreworld. These facts did little to deter Zaphariel ibn Varranis from his goals amongst the stars, so the primarch allowed the House of Bahamut to begin their work rebuilding their astral navy.
	And so the Primarch led the thirteen palaces - now the Thirteen Houses - to the stars to reclaim the birthright of every Pandjoran. Zaphariel ibn Varranis led the spear of unification from the center of the Pandjoras sub-sector to every world in the immediate vicinity of space. Nazim Uzair ibn Gallax of House Gallax led his serpent-tamers in close proximity to the tidal wave of Varranis, while Nazim Azahar ibn Urahal of House Urahal supplied dozens of psychic applicants to the ragtag vessels of the Sultanate. Nazim Jericho ibn Nathaz of House Nathaz sought supremacy over repairing the vast quantity of starships that had only recently been refitted. Nazim Nader ibn Korvaix of House Korvaix jointly led the security of Pandjoras and beyond with Nazim Tayyeb ibn Tuturan of House Tuturan. Nazim Abdal ibn Abdullahar of House Abdullahar promotes the diplomatic corps across the outskirts of the Star Sultanate, while Nazim Rushdi ibn Rassnar of House Rassnar accompanies them as chief candidates for clandestine and Hassan recruits. Nazim Saahir ibn Bahamut of House Bahamut provides the grounds for archeotech research, fabrication of wargear, and distribution of technology across the Sultanate. Nazim Aadil ibn Delukar of House Delukar operates as the agricultural head of the Thirteen Houses and economic anchor of the Star Sultanate. Nazim Asghar ibn Sulkat of House Sulkat fundamentally acts as the military marshal for the Star Sultanate’s levied armies whereas his responsibility is to organize and divide the auxilia between themselves and the Crusade. Nazima Thanaa ibn Tallora of House Tallora engages in logistics exchange, management, and agreements between the Star Sultanate and the Imperium of Mankind - it is her sole responsibility to handle tithes. Finally, Magistrate Miska al-Varranis operates as the noble liaison for the Thirty Palaces and Thirteen Houses representative for the Primarch. All of these House Leaders would uphold the Sultanate and vastly improve the logistics of the Dusk Warden’s involvement in the future of the Great Crusade.
With the interests of the Houses aligned under Zaphariel, the serpentine coalition of space that the Star Sultanate governed came to be known as the Star Serpent.
	Each world that originally connected to the Pandjoran cluster was relinked through Zaphariel’s personal intervention. Trades, promises, and negotiations were made to the denizens of the three hundred worlds linked to the dusken planet. Few were the times that Zaphariel was forced to assassinate or subjugate through force. With the exception of House Varranis, the Thirteen Houses each laid claim to twenty-three worlds. All planets within Pandjoras’ immediate influential cluster were claimed by the Primarch’s empire. None objected to the division of territory for Zaphariel had claimed it himself through skill of negotiation.
At the end of the celebration for the three-hundredth planet entering the Star Serpent’s formation, the golden fleet finally appeared above Pandjoras bearing the Emperor and his hosts. The Star Sultanate prepared for an inevitable war against an unknown enemy, but Zaphariel allayed their fears of invasion with promises of negotiation. If they had truly wanted to, then they would’ve laid waste to Pandjoras if their intentions were hostile. The meetings between the gene-father of Zaphariel and his son occurred the following moments as the first Imperial ship landed on the umbral sands. Unbeknownst to the arrivals, in typical Pandjoran fashion, a trap had been set in the dark sands by their landing. A host of servants accompanied by Pandjoran elites in their variant of power armor had rushedly set up a large canopy with assortments of Star Sultanate lavishments.
	As the Primarch proudly felt the situation fall into his lap, he could not help but feel astonishment as his gene-sire strode towards him with a host of golden knights. Zaphariel withstood his urge to kneel before the Emperor and withheld his seat, but he rose to greet the ruler of mankind as if he were an equal. The two sat at the obsidian table to discuss the truth of his past, indulged in the Pandjoran delicacy, and passed the time by playing board games made to test one’s tactical prowess. To Zaphariel’s surprise, the Emperor noted the clever use of his coercion powers and the hidden assassins beneath the dusken sands. Outwitted and outplayed by his father, the Sheik of the Star Serpent couldn’t help but laugh at his foolhardy attempts. Defeated, Zaphariel pushed aside the obsidian table to embrace his genefather and fully commit to the Crusade.
	The Primarch of the XIII left behind his adoptive father to journey to Terra with the benevolent, golden God of the Imperium. It was here that Zaphariel would firstly meet the Lady of Iron, who appeared to him as an elder sister,  in passing  and one of his gene-brothers, Usriel, who held a quiet storm about himself. The Malik of Pandjoras bounded with delight at his elder sister, to which they would spend several nights excitedly discussing their lives and legions. Varranis mourned the departure of his sister, though promised bundles of Pandjoras luxury linen on her return. Later his gene-brother arrived and once more he exploded with joy at another of his kin.  Though his efforts did little to break the Father of Steel’s shell, Zaphariel would at times notice his demeanor crack with the presence of the Sultan. While the two weren’t inseparable, Zaphariel had felt as if there was a bond of steel between the two that he holds great value to today.
	As every Primarch had done before him (and after him), Zaphariel participated in a contest of skill, strength, and endurance with the Captain-General of the Emperor’s Custodes, Constantin Valdor. During this fight, Zaphariel demonstrated the combination of his own skills and the teachings of the Hassan that had developed into his own variant of the Custodes’ martial ka’tah. Although unrefined, undefined, and sloppy in the eyes of an Agent of the Emperor, Valdor duly noted the accomplishment of his ka’tah. The Malik of Pandjoras never had a term for his amalgamation of martial skills until now, to which he gleefully called his ‘Suma’tah’. He would never be as strong, psionically gifted, or tough as his siblings, but his own fighting style would be his own way of matching the other Primarchs.
	The Oath of Moment was taken and with it came the warriors of the XIII Legion, the Bronze Scorpions at the time. For thirteen days and thirteen nights, the Primarch learned the name of every individual Bronze Scorpion and held a celebration of Pandjoras in their honor. On the thirteenth night, the Bronze Scorpions became the Dusk Wardens after telling the tales of the umbral sands within the halls of the Imperial Palace. In two fortnights, the Primarch had swayed the Legion and turned them away from their assumptions. They felt as if they had truly reunited with their long-lost father.
	The return to Pandjora was met with a Legion of Astartes backed by a crusade fleet of their own, one led by a Gloriana-class battleship known henceforth as The Dirge of Dusk. The arrival of the XIII Legion and its cohorts brought immense change to the Star Sultanate as it was no longer an independent interstellar empire - they were now a larger part of the Imperium of Mankind. The Legion Master, Zaid, furiously began to recruit from the hardened people of Pandjoras with an unspeakable amount more from the other Houses. Few protested about their independence, stripped for those with the most to lose, and were granted solace on cushy, pleasure-filled worlds to abate their fears. All according to plan, those few would be dealt with in the ways of the Pandjoran.
	The Primarch of the Dusk Wardens initially began the Great Crusade with excitement, but quickly lost his steam after his first campaign as a great general of a Legion. The Nyridian Gulf saw the complete reformation of the Bronze Scorpions as a Legion from the brutal shock-and-awe to the clandestine showmanship of the Dusk Wardens. Many Legionnaires had committed atrocities the likes the Primarch had never seen in his first taste of galactic warfare. It nearly broke him after managing to peacefully integrate three hundred worlds into the Star Sultanate. While the campaign was successful in integrating the Nyridian Gulf, Zaphariel dubbed the campaign as a blackstain on the Dusk Wardens and framed it as the Massacre of Nyr Tempus. Thus did the Primarch form the Mamluk Legionnaires as punishment for their heinous acts. The Malik of Pandjoras lost much of his enthusiasm for war but never let it show for fear that his sons would reflect his demeanor.
[/hider]

[hider=The Meeting]
[u][b]The Meeting[/b][/u] | Silhouettes of enormous battleships clouded the already dark skies of Pandjoras, while the descent of golden wreathed stormbirds trumpeted the arrival of the delegation from the interlopers. In true Pandjoran style, the umbral sands whipped into a flurry as savage gusts slapped across the surface of the planet. At the edge of his eyesight, the floating palaces that held the nobles of his Star Sultanate watched the meeting from their demesne. Zaphariel ibn Varranis waited as numerous servants from his Household quickly prepared a leviathan canopy to shield their attendees from the dusken scouring. Metallic crates with the sigil of Varranis, the sword and sun, were carried to be placed over a fine rug by his houseguard bedecked in humming, lithe power armor . A single look from the Sheik to the Master of the House, Ramses, was all that was required to confirm his plans were prepared. On either side of the canopy, hidden beneath the obsidian tide, the trained asasiyun lie in complete stillness for the dignitaries to arrive.
	“We are prepared, Malik Varranis.” One of the servants spoke meekly through her industrial respirator. A commonality for those who cannot withstand Pandjoras’ harsh climate. The Sheik granted the woman a smile before walking forward to seat himself at an obsidian table with engravings of elongated, serpentine creatures. A blessing for the Pandjorans seated, but a warning for interlopers. All was according to plan from the choice of location down to the minute details with the table. Pandjoran  intellectual board games, foods, drinks, literature, and technology were gathered with great expenditure. No mortal could outwit him, nor could any out perform his negotiation skills. He nearly felt guilty for overpreparing for this meeting.
	“Zaphariel, my lord, we will protect you with our lives.” Ramses spoke in the Pandjoran dialect of Low Gothic, a guttural eminence that held drawn out trills. It was as natural to him as breathing. The Emir of House Varranis was a worrisome mentor, if not a draconic tactician adorned in his Pandjoran power armor and huffing through an armored rebreather.
	“I’m not worried for my life if things get out of hand, Ramses. No Pandjoran will come to harm today. We’ll dine, speak, and things will end up in my favor as usual. Try to make sure you get my most recent titles correctly, my mentor.” Zaphariel spoke with an eloquence that could be seen as superhuman. Each word was lightweight and smooth against the other Pandjoran’s ears. His orange eyes - the characteristic Eyes of Hassan - peeled away the layers of worry from the Emir. The tan skinned man composed himself by straightening his figure and waiting beside the Malik of Pandjoras.
	Zaphariel played out the social battle in his head as he tightened his uncowled Shroud of Dusk against his power armored body. The mess of pipes along slim, compound plating did little to avert the weather on the planet. A brilliant stormbird descended no further than 50 meters away from the Sheik of the Star Serpent. The forward bay doors of the transport unveiled the mess of dignitaries from within. A titan of a figure with golden armor that seemed to radiate the dusken sands around him strode forward before a plethora of smaller, golden warriors. The sight of the divine being almost forced the Malik of Pandjoras from his seat onto the floor in praise. Every inch of his body screamed to bow. He felt a loss of control over his facial features for the first time in his life. 
	“You arrive in the presence of Zaphariel ibn Varranis, Malik of the Illuminated Pandjoras Star Sultanate, Sheikh of the Star Serpent, Unifier of the Thirteen Houses, Child of the Hassan, Star Emir of the Dusk Sands, Master of the Suma’tah, Grand Faris of the Thirty Palaces, Grandmaster of the Assassins, Emissary of Falak, Nazim of the Seventy Sectors, Padishah of the Umbral Armada, Conciliator of the Three Hundred Worlds, the Arbitrator, Caliph of Neu Amalut.” Emir Ramses spoke through the armored rebreather in what could pass as affluent High Gothic. The long title listed individual felt a gnawing desire to clamp the mouth of his retainer closed in the presence of one such as this divine being. No mortal stepped forward to introduce the awestriking being before the retinue of Pandjorans, but Zaphariel introduced him for the rest of those present.
	“Father.” It was a strange word that rattled off his tongue in the presence of this angel. It flopped out of his mouth as if compelled. He had known that the Old Man was never his true father, but he never would’ve guessed that someone such as this could be his true progenitor. Every second existing within the aura of him brought a new emotion. Hope for a quick and peaceful confrontation. Jealousy for not being as perfect as the god before him. Anxiety for being strikingly similar but somehow inferior to him. These feelings, however, did little to affect his composure. His stance shifted as easily as Pandjoran sand.
	“My son.” His voice was beyond comprehensively clear as if he spoke with the voice of an omnipotent messiah. The father of Zaphariel stood just beyond the obsidian table. The Pandjorans watched as their Malik rose from his seat to greet his supposed parent with a picturesque smile plastered across his barely held together features. With a practiced gesture, Zaphariel clapped his hands together for the servants to quickly populate the island between them with assortments of plates and chalices fitting for a king. The Emperor of Mankind allowed himself a seat at the table. 
	“The Emperor of Mankind, my father, I personally welcome you to Pandjoras. The core jewel of the Illuminated Star Sultanate and my home. These delicacies are locally procured such as the mulled serpent blood from our indigenous fauna to dusken kanafeh baked in the Thirty Palaces. Fit for your consumption, Father.” Zaphariel spoke with a voice that silently whispered over itself. A specialty of his own design that was certain to lower the guard of any individual he had come across. Despite this, he watched as his father calmly consumed the meals offered to him without a single change in his mannerism. No sway, no smile, and no laughter that usually bubbled out of his target’s mouth.
	“I understand that you are in the process of celebrating the peaceful conquest of your three-hundredth world. You have proven yourself worthy of your birthright as one of my Primarchs. We have much to discuss.” The Emperor spoke unfettered by the chains that Zaphariel thought had bound him. His eyes spoke as if to play mind games against him. The Malik of Pandjoras would rise to the case as he finally sat himself across from his father.
	“In due time, my Father, but allow me this chance to impress upon you the worthiness of Pandjoras - you already know my worth. Ramses, bring the board game for us.” Zaphariel abandoned his initial hook against the Emperor, adjusting his aim at trouncing him in a game of tactics and genius. He was famed on three-hundred worlds for his intelligence, guile, and charisma. One way or another, the Emperor would come around to him.
	The adjutant of House Varranis brought forth a circular checkerboard with an assortment of sculpted figurines in the shape of Pandjoran warriors of legend. Each was arrayed parallel to another in different shades of stone. It was a Pandjoran game of prediction, possibility, and tactics. A game that he had practiced a hundred-thousand times as training by the Old Man. Victory was certain, but Zaphariel had a trick up his sleeve if it came down to it.
	“Very well, my son. Should you lose, then you will join me by my side and swear allegiance to myself and the Imperium. If you should win, then you may name your reward.” The Emperor proposed with a small smile that finally broke through his golden mask of composure. Perhaps it was this smile that pushed the threshold of acceptance to the challenge for Zaphariel. It was a trump card that the Malik had never thought would be played against him. The Emperor was greeted with a counter smile full of sly intent. A non-verbal acceptance of his proposals.
	“I accept, Father.” Zaphariel’s words passed through prideful lips that sealed his imminent doom. The game began as quickly as it had ended with a decisive victory by the Emperor. The Master of Mankind had won the game as if he were overwhelmingly more proficient in it than the Malik. As if he had played this Pandjoran game for millennia.
	“I lost.” The Sheik spoke with his facade shattered to pieces by a critical defeat. Zaphariel ibn Varranis laughed as he lost his composure to the golden being before him. No amount of dusken gust could drown out the laughter booming from the Primarch. The Pandjoran retinue stared at their tanned king as if he had lost his mind. “I’ve never lost so profoundly before.” 
	“Of course. I’ve lived many lifetimes, my son. All of your preparations would’ve left any other bound. Although you could’ve done more than what a handful of assassins could do in mere seconds as one of my sons.” The Emperor spoke with the amount of satisfaction that an all-omniscient man could muster. He rose from his seat to his full height as Zaphariel did the same. The Primarch pushed aside the ornate, obsidian table to kneel before the Emperor of Mankind with tears in his eyes and laughter on his lips.
	“To see through me so clearly, you are truly my father and none other. I would not have served a greater leader than yourself, my Emperor.” They were words spoken in truth unlike every other word he had spoken in his lifetime. Until this moment, every utterance was a double-edged blade aimed at either threats or persuasion. He felt loyalty beyond which transcended Pandjoras and the Old Man combined. 
	“Then it is decided. Let us return to Terra. It is time to meet your brothers and sisters.” As the Primarch rose to his height, the two embraced as if they had truly reunited after a long absence. The soft demeanor disappeared from the Emperor’s face as the eyes of Zaphariel lit alight with psionic brilliance. The mere touch of the Master of Mankind could eviscerate a mortal, but the Malik of Pandjoras was a geneson of his legacy. Despite this, he was only a minor psyker in comparison to the Emperor. His vision was burned with flashes of the universe at large forcing him to nearly collapse away from the Emperor’s touch. “You will be leader to an army of your own genesons to crusade alongside me in the fight for Mankind’s betterance. Pandjoras will be yours to rule as you have already. You will be a warden to all humanity as it’s exemplar of might and guile, Zaphariel.”
[/hider]

[/hider]
____________________________________________________________________________

[hider=XIII Legion - The Dusk Wardens]
[center][h3][u][b]The Dusk Wardens Legion[/b][/u][/h3][/center]
[center][i][Formerly, the Bronze Scorpions][/i][/center]
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909375538233384/LogoMakr-2E2tff.png[/img][/center]

[u][b]Legion Number[/b][/u]| XIII

[u][b]Legion Strength[/b][/u]| One-Hundred Thousand (100,000)Astartes, One Million Five Hundred Thousand Star Sultanate Auxilia (1,500,000), Innumerable Star Sultanate Mortal Mamluk

[u][b]Armor Appearance[/b][/u]| The Thirteenth Legion, the Bronze Scorpions, originally wore their armor characteristically bronze during their establishment from different corridors of the Achaemenid Empire. Some detailed their armor with insectile and orphoid motifs to portray their direct lineages in the former Empire. Their bronze would attract the hatred and brunt of the techno-barbarian enemies. When the Legion reunited with their Primarch on Pandjoras in the Illuminated Star Sultanate, Zaphariel welcomed them with open arms. One of his hands was outstretched with love, while the other was outstretched with a brush. They would be painted in the fashion of Pandjoras, never to remember their shock-and-awe past. In true fashion of the dusken world, the Wardens are stained in the bright contrast of a setting sun. The main hue of their armor was the umbral sands of Pandjoras, while their hands and feet were tinged in burnt orange. Chapter colors are divided by their level of orange display. ‘Shadow’ Chapters, or the Blades of Hassan, are devoid of any color save for the insignia; however, ‘Glory’ Chapters are those who bask in the light with several shades of orange. Regardless of Chapter affinity, all Dusk Wardens bear their own insignificant variant of the Shroud of Dusk. Legion Command and Ghazi (veterans) are plucked from the rest to wear golden laurel wreathed helmets and claw tipped gauntlets similar to their Primarch. Chapter motifs, regardless of classification, remain a common tradition from the Bronze Scorpions as animal insignias on pauldrons. Only the 1st Chapter, however, bears the right to remain Scorpions. As part of a processing opportunity with the Synod of Mars, the Dusk Wardens bear the fruits of their labor in the forms of larger requisitions of Mark IV power armor.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909331124748378/Dusk_Warden_Legion_Tactical.png[/img][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909275600531566/Dusk_Warden_Glory_Chapter_Tactical.png[/img][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909274971394078/Brass_Scorpion_XVIII.png[/img][/center]
[center][i][Depicted above in order: Legion Shadow Tactical, Legion Glory Tactical, Bronze Scorpion][/i][/center]

	Only the most worthy are praised for their accomplishments on the battlefield, none more than the infamous Immortals that make up the ‘Glory’ variant of the Primarch’s honorguard. Heavily clad in ‘Cataphract’ variant Tactical Dreadnought Armor, the Immortals closely bear the colors of the Primarch with the exception of their exclusively bronze pauldrons. The Amir of the Immortals brazenly displays a statuette pair of scorpions on either shoulder pad. The Immortals, however, are not the only contenders for specialized variants as the Hafiz of the Legion stride the battlefield. Skullmoniker masks emphasize the Primarch’s history, reflecting on the teachings of the old man of the mountain. Save for their pristine white skulls and midnight robes, the plating of the Hafiz remains utterly black. Although undeserving of such finery, the Mamluk of the Legion reside as the remnants of the shock-and-awe Bronze Scorpions and subsequent ‘penal specialization’ for Legionnaires. It is both an honor and a punishment to become a Mamluk for only they bear the blood red cloth of dawn. 
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909275818651758/Dusk_Warden_Hafi.png[/img][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909276061917264/Dusk_Warden_Immortal.png[/img][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909331401547786/Dusk_Warden_Mamluk.png[/img][/center]
[center][i][Depicted above in order: Legion Hafi, Legion Immortal, Legion Mamluk][/i][/center]
	
	It goes without saying that the mortals that attend to the Dusk Wardens play an important part in terms of warfare. Those warriors that crusade alongside their superhuman counterparts play the role as if they were minor transhumans themselves. The auxilia of the Star Sultinate massively differentiate between small groups of Pandjoran lightweight power armor and the tried-and-true carapace armor of the Imperium. Regardless of their equipment, they style their armaments on the Dusk Wardens with their dark gray and orange. The Thirteen Houses, in a bid for internal power, will often style their House Auxilia based on the Chapter that they serve. The only exception to these color schemes is the clear cut rule of utilizing bronze. This honor is reserved for the Auxilia of House Varranis, who publicly guard and supply wherever the Primarch attends. The conquered, beaten, and punished found by the Legion hold a place within the structure of the Star Sultanate auxilia are a form of mortal mamluk. These subjugated warriors serve as mortal reinforcement for the mamluk legionnaires when possible, but these auxilia typically serve as frontline chaff in the form of conscripts. Similar to the Legion mamluk, only the mortal variants are required to wear the crimson of dawn.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909275340505118/Dusk_Warden_Auxilia.png[/img][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909332504674305/Dusk_Warden_Vartanian_Auxilia.png[/img][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909331695161375/Dusk_Warden_Mortal_Mamluk_Auxilia.png[/img][/center]
[center][i][Depicted above in order: Dusk Warden Sultanate Auxilia, House Varranis Auxilia, Mortal Mamluk][/i][/center]

[u][b]Warcry[/b][/u] | [b]“Drown in dusk!”[/b] and [b]“Sunder umbral sands!”[/b] are used exclusively between Shadow and Glory chapters respectively. Warcries are not permitted during an operation for the Shadow variant chapters; however, they are permitted before the start of an operation. Upon the operation’s conclusion, they gain the permission to utilize the Glory variant warcry. 

[hider=Dramatis Personae]
[u][b]Dramatis Personae[/b][/u] | 
[b]Astartes[/b]
[b]Legion Master Zaid ibn N’dar[/b]: Previous Legion Master of the Bronze Scorpions and Ancient of the Dusk Wardens, Zaid is a notably aggressive relic of the Achaemenid Empire. The Ancient stands as a pillar of tradition for the XIII Legion, utterly subservient to the father of their Legion and the Emperor above all else. Stoic and stubborn, Zaid acts closer to the Hafiz as an instructor to the Legion’s senior leadership as a ghazi of the Unification War. The elder warrior lends his ear as the left hand man of the Primarch, forever chastising the progenitor for his hedonistic behavior. On the battlefield, Zaid is a whirlwind of tactical genius with a chainaxe in one hand and Tigrus-pattern bolter in the other. Although it’s been offered, Zaid refuses to wear Mark IV plating in favor of his Mark II favorability. The former Bronze Scorpion refuses to fully adorn the Shroud of Dusk and so favors a tight tabard instead. Beneath the helmet is a tanned, scarred man with a legacy of war written across his stony edifice. A clean shaven chin accentuates a clean shaven haid paired with the orange Eyes of Hassan like all other Wardens. Although Pandjorans hold no hatred for Terrans, most duskenkin find their dislike for offworlders in the form of Zaid.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909375328485506/Legion_Master_Zaid.png[/img][/center]

[b]High Hakim of the Hafiz, Raamiz Urahal[/b]: Elder Master of the Hafiz, the legion equivalent to a consul representative for the Order of Hafiz and recently approved Librarus. Raamiz is a scholarly individual who ravenously consumed the teachings of the Imperium and the words of the Hassan. He remains the second of the Legion’s leadership cohort to act as an intermediary for the Old Man of the Mountain as a member of the Hafiz. His latent psionic gifts earn him a place beside the Primarch. More importantly, Raamiz is the second strongest psyker across the legion and operates as the chief librarian for the Hafiz. Typically, the Emir is accompanied by a cohort of Urahal trained psykers from the Star Sultanate and teaches them alongside their Astartes brethren. While this Legionnaire reflects the psionic abilities of his progenitor, Raamiz was trained to adopt offensive psyker capabilities compared to the Primarch. On the battlefield, Raamiz strides the fields with a two-handed force blade and powerfielded book swinging from his belt. Like all Hafiz, the Emir reflects his cohort with white skull and midnight robe over Mark IV plating save for the golden laurel on his temple. Beneath the Mask of Hassan, a tanned man with soft features and stubbled cranium stares out at the world with orange-gray lenses. Despite being Terran born, the teacher is well liked and respected by the Pandjorans.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909376096047124/Rasul_Raamiz_Hassan.png[/img][/center]

[b]Sultan of the Immortals, Angra Varranis[/b]: Praetor Primus equivalent and chief Immortal for the personal honor guard protecting the Primarch. Angra wasn’t chosen immediately from the sons that first arrived on Pandjoras in the Emperor’s retinue. This legionnaire was plucked from the thousands of warriors that rose up from Pandjoras’ soil. The duskborn son rose to prominence in the reformed Legion’s first battles for the Nyridian Gulf. A stalwart Legionnaire that shined above the rest through his self-righteous actions in the 13th Glory Chapter. As a predator on prey, Zaphariel snatched the warrior for himself to become the first Emir of the Immortals. Through the will of the Primarch, Angra grew the Immortals into an invulnerable bastion of umbral clad terminators. No short amount of training from his progenitor assisted in turning the Primarch’s honor guard into miniature titans. Angra is chiefly loyal to the Primarch for his devotion to Pandjoras and his people but hesitant about supreme loyalty to the Emperor above all else. This trait can lead to heated arguments between other Legions as loyalty is one of Angra’s most valued attributes. Otherwise, Angra is a brave individual with deep compassion for mortals that’s shown in a non-verbal way. This is shown through his interaction with the House Varranis Auxilia that accompany the Immortals and the Primarch on distant ventures. On the battlefield, Angra reflects his Immortal adjutants in cataphract armor with his Shroud of Dusk reflavored into a mantle. The commander wields the power saber known as ‘Io Anul’, gifted to him by Zaphariel through his patronage with the great forges of Sythos Majoris. This blade is only further complimented by his aptly named stormbolter ‘Mainyu’. Beneath the bronze helmet, this legionnaire is a lightly tanned youth with a groomed flock of curly black hair with light stubble across his chin. Similarly to the rest of the Wardens, his orange eyes reflect the Pandjoran trait of the Hassan.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909332739530802/Emir_of_Immortals_Angra.png[/img][/center]

[b]Grand Faris Sulaimann Korvaix[/b]: Equerry and personal champion of the Primarch, Chapter Commander to the First Chapter of the Dusk Wardens. Similar to Angra, Sulaimann is native born to Pandjoras and rose up through the Legion in the 1st Chapter as an exemplary swordsman attached to a Glory Assault Squad. Chiefly among the reasons for becoming the Grand Faris was his request for a duel with the Primarch to prove his skills in combat. Never before had one of Zaphariel’s sons make such a request, but the Primarch accepted and soundly beat the Astartes with a modicum of effort. It was in this duel that Zaphariel decided to force Sulaimann to become his equerry and champion. While Raamiz was the psionic child-replica of Zaphariel, Sulaimann is the martial child-replica of the progenitor. This legionnaire resides as the first Legionnaire of the Dusk Wardens to fully understand and master the Suma’tah fighting style other than the Primarch himself. The feat alone warranted Sulaimann’s rise to 1st Chapter Commander, who then reconstructed it to become the Legion’s most capable martial faris. Despite his noteworthy achievements, Sulaimann is an arrogant and hedonistic individual with a tendency for narcissism. His allegiances lie dually between himself and the Primarch with little regard for other Pandjorans or Legionnaires. This has earned him the moniker of the ‘Blade of Arrogance’ amongst his compatriots. His notoriety, however, is a shield against his otherwise perfect personality as a caring instructor for martial geniuses. Few realize this side of Sulaimann, but the Primarch knows and appreciates this part of his personality. On the battlefield, Sulaimann acts as the shining light before dusk in primarily orange plating. The legionnaire refrains from extensive adjustments to his armor unlike other Emirs, favoring the natural feel of the Mark IV power armor. The Emir of the Faris wields the curved relic blade known as ‘Tizona’ alongside a grav-pistol. Beneath the helmet, Sulaimann is a darker shaded man with long, black silky hair with no facial stubble. His orange Eyes of Hassan shine brightly as if they were the spare moments before dusk.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909374678396988/Grand_Faris_Sulaimann.png[/img][/center]

[b]Sultan of the Mamluks, Zameel Tuturan[/b]: Chapter Commander of the Second, Lord of the Mamluk and personal executioner for the Primarch. Terran born, Zameel is part of the oldest contingency of the Bronze Scorpions alongside Zaid. Though the chapter has been reformatted to the Primarch’s liking, Zaphariel has understood that many of his new sons simply weren’t capable of changing their ways. The opportunity to create the Mamluks hadn’t presented itself until after their first war as the Dusk Wardens - the Nyridian Gulf, or the Massacre of Nyr Tempus. At the climax of the invasion of Nyr Solus, the 2nd Chapter Commander ordered the scouring of the metropolis known as Tempus. In short, it was a massacre the likes of which Zaphariel had never seen before in his lifetime. The Commander, Zameel, was punished for inciting wanton violence on an indescribable scale . His punishment was the formation of the Legiones Mamluk. Forever forced to bear the scarlet cloth, Zameel is a draconic piece of wargear from an older age. His appearance reflects his personality as a defiant, aggressive individual capable of great violence. It is his capability for extreme violence in hyper-aggressive tactics that has led to the Primarch granting him the title of personal executioner. While the Emir typically leads the 2nd Chapter in warfare, Zameel is also responsible for the handling of judgements across the Legion. The executioner continues to personally train all Legionnaire Mamluks in aerial assault into shock and awe. Although his title has earned him a role in the Legion, it is noted that Zameel has never personally executed a Legionnaire on grounds of punishment. The Emir of the Mamluks alone has executed dozens of high value targets in glory-based warfare and that has paved the way for the Mamluks to earn their status of honor. Loyalty to the executioner means very little, but duty is the strongest belief of all to him. Outside of the battlefield, Zameel is often found drilling Astartes and the Mortal Mamluks of Tuturan. On the battlefield, Zameel bears no helmet save for the laurel noteworthy of command. Similar to his Mamluk brethren, the executioner bears a full suit of Mark III in contrast with a crimson Shroud of Dusk and a jumppack. He bears the power spear known as ‘Areadbhar’ granted to him by Zaphariel after it had been reforged from the massacre of Nyrus Tempus. Unlike his fellow Wardens, Zameel is an unusually light skinned individual with a half-shaven skull and long gray hair tousled over his Eyes of Hassan.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909332974424074/Emir_of_Maluks_Zameel.png[/img][/center]

[b]Grandmaster of the Forge, Alim Bahamut[/b]: Consul representative of the Forge to the Primarch and chief representative for the House of Bahamut on Pandjoras. Alim is the final extension of Legion senior leadership hailing from Terra, albeit trained by the Holy Synod of Mars. Originally Forgemaster for the Legion Master Zaid, Alim found pleasure in working with and reuniting with their progenitor. In the initial moments of understanding Pandjoras, Alim became bewildered by the technological aptitude of the native inhabitants to the umbral world. Immediately, when Legion interaction was approved for Pandjoras, the Forge Consul gathered as many of the freelance techno-salvagers as he could to form a cohort of like-minded individuals. These salvagers, however, were actually a fundamental part of House Bahamut and as such Alim gained traction in that Star Sultanate faction. Interaction within the Legion found that Alim was an eccentric legionnaire for a techmarine of Mars, while he himself found his actions as diligent prayer to the machine-spirits around him. It was his eccentric, sporadic behavior that garnished his continual behavior with the XIII Primarch. Even the Old Man of the Mountain found a solemn companion in the techmarine, albeit at an arm's length for his questionable loyalties between Mars and the Legion. Before their initial departure of Pandjoras, Zaphariel allowed several cohorts of House Bahamut to work as technical initiates to the Consul. This governed further compliance with himself and interaction with Mars as Alim would routinely submit competent novitiates to the Synod. On the battlefield, Alim is a tactical leviathan with vast proficiency for coercing machine-spirits to the Legion.  Though the Legionnaire has little use for relics, Alim wields the mighty thunderhammer known as ‘Sharur’ to include his combi-grav bolter. Similar to most of his Dusk Warden brothers, the techmarine bears Mark IV plating with several edifices depicting the Cult Mechanicus. On top of his dusken plating, the Shroud of Dusk tightly adorns his body in a Martian red hue. Few have seen the tanned face beneath the plated helmet, but those that have speak of a seemingly expressionless man with a multitude of tiny augmentations. The tales of Alim’s facial features speak of an utterly hairless warrior with kind eyes that haven’t been altered to become the Eyes of Hassan. These tales speak true as many parts of Alim are artificial, including his ocular glands. This doesn’t halt him from interaction with his brothers and vice versa, but there is a palpable divide between himself and other Wardens.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909375114580008/Grandmaster_of_the_Forge_Alim.png[/img][/center]

[b]Master of the Hassan, Sultan of the Third, Rasul Rassnar[/b]: Chief Legion spymaster, assassin, and murderer withstanding the Primarch the Old Man of the Mountain. Rasul stands as a groomed successor for the Grandmaster of the asasiyun should the Primarch pass. Like many of the Hassan, the asasiyun was born and raised on Pandjoras with the expectation that he will achieve great things for the Star Sultanate. Rasul of House Rassnar passed the novitiate trials with the ease expected of one groomed to become one of the Hassan. His success as a young neophyte garnished the attention of the Old Man of the Mountain. Rasul became the second to be personally trained by the elder, raising him to be the successor of his successor. It was only natural that he would rise through the ranks to become the 3rd Chapter Commander and subsequent Spymaster after the incident in the Nyridian Gulf. In truthfulness, it was Rasul Rassnar that reported the Massacre of Nyr Tempus to the Primarch that further boosted his favor to be elected as spymaster. Zameel and Rasul have never fully recovered their brotherly relationship from that point onward. On the battlefield, the Chief Assassin wields a pair of relic lightning claws named ‘Harut’ and ‘Marut’ alongside his heavily hooded Mark IV power armor. Rasul eschews any form of insignia or hue in favor of fulfilling his role as master assassin for the Dusk Wardens. Beneath the helmet, Rasul is a long haired youth with barely a scratch against his soft, tanned skin. His eyes of Hassan reflect more vibrantly than his brothers as a member of the Legion that’s sole purpose is assassination.
[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/908735300514246697/988909375777288312/Master_of_the_Hassan_Rasul.png[/img][/center]

[b]Non-Astartes[/b]
[b]Old Man of the Mountain[/b]: An ancient and mysterious figure that acts as both adoptive father for the Primarch and previously the grandmaster of assassins on Pandjoras. None except himself knows his true name, but it is told that he is not the first or the last Old Man of the Mountain. He has suitably relieved himself as grandmaster of assassins to the Primarch, but he is still gainfully employed as chief of intelligence and instructor to all future Hassan.  Furthermore, the old man is the primary teacher for the hafiz as spiritual councilors and psionic guides. Although the old man is more reluctant with the touch of the immaterium, he typically recalls his training with the Primarch and the singing of the serpent tamers on Pandjoras. This elder and his predecessors have guided Pandjoran civilization through their dusken apocalypse, forever earning the gratitude of the people. Few legends still exist to this day that eerily speak of his role as a master assassin, capable of defeating even the Primarch in his youthful adult life. He is typically depicted in tightly wrapped midnight robes devoid of insignia with a skull mask beneath his cowl. In an attempt to sate his curiosity, Zaphariel in his youth had once deigned to remove the mask only to find that it was suctioned upon his face as a form of environmental protection. As a consultant in the Legion, the elder no longer operates as the masterful guide of the asasiyun but rather chief spy. Astartes and mortals alike learn the arts of the hassan from him and operate as a carefully concealed network of agents outside of their training. Few mortals have dared to strike the Old Man but those who do are rewarded with quick slashes of a midnight dagger or the length of a weighty, obsidian blade. While the Primarch certainly regards his Equerry as his soundboard and champion, it is truly the Old Man of the mountain who acts as the anchor to his reality. The day that he passes will be forever annulled in the chronicles of the Dusk Wardens.

[b]Nakim Ramses al-Varranis[/b]: Mortal adjutant, general, and representative of House Varranis for its auxilia as well as its domestic operations. Ramses operates alongside the Hassan elder within the mountain metropolis of Neu Alamut. A middle aged man with slicked back salt-and-pepper hair who is forever glued to his Pandjoran power armor and dusken values. Ramses bows to none but the Primarch, but sometimes he even requires a mortal insight in the form of a stern argument. One that he generally loses. Ramses rose to prominence in the subjugation of the rogue warlords of Pandjora, assisting the Old Man of the Mountain as a military leader. In his youth, the Emir was a tenacious man with ambitious dreams for the dusken world; however, in his maturity, he is a cautious and worrisome leader that can only watch as the Primarch claims the stars.

[b]The Thirteen Houses[/b]: Outlined in the biography of the Primarch, the Thirteen Houses act as independent Sultans within the Star Sultanate that provide council, levy, and resources to House Varranis for the Great Crusade. All Thirteen Sultans govern anywhere between two to five sub-sectors with their own representatives. While the Primarch has held order in the Thirteen Houses for several decades, economic stagnation has driven a wedge between its divided members. Although this has failed to spark intergalactic incidents, the hassan speak of war brewing between the Malik of Pandjoras’ subjects. 

[b]Hierophant Technicula Hypathren Carnuv of Sythos Majoris[/b]: The Hierophant and their cohort arrived and remained on Pandjoras when the Emperor reunited with his lost son. Hypathren alone searched quadrillions of data in the data vaults of Mars for knowledge of the world that Pandjoras had been. They saw fortune, knowledge, and favor in the harvesting and restoration of lost technology in the former coreworld. Although the Hierophant’s algorithms prepared thricefold for negotiation with the Primarch, their data became irrelevant through speaking with the edifice of the Omnissiah. The Malik of Pandjoras bent the terms of their agreement as fluid as mercury to gain the most out of their talks. The Hierophant formed a pact with Zaphariel on the grounds of routine excavation of Pandjoras, but Zaphariel gained thricefold in benefits from the Cult Mechanicus. Cultivation of innovative, native Pandjoran designs to the Imperium progressed through the influence of the Hierophant. The Cult gained access to a treasure trove of technology and research on the polarizing disturbances of Pandjoras changed nature. The Hierophant’s rise to power is a long forgotten story, but they never fail to speak of their times as an explorator before their turn to leadership. They are typically depicted as increasing human save for a metallic cranium and a adamantium torso cage. Whenever their acquaintances would speak ill of their flesh, the Hierophant would cackle to reveal their insides entirely replaced with biotechnical wonder.

[b]Magistrate Miska al-Varranis, Head Retainer of the Thirty Palaces[/b]: Mistress of the umbral sands, Miska al-Varranis is the representative of the Sovereign Thirty Palaces of Pandjoras. While the Thirteen Houses resolve the requirement for an intergalactic council of nobles, the Thirty Palaces remains a council for the ‘pure’ nobles of Pandjoras. Their leader is the Magistrate who appeals new measures from the nobles to the Primarch and also appeases the puritans of Pandjoras whenever they threaten to absolve themselves from the Thirty Palaces. Miska lends a direct ear to the Primarch whenever present in the homeworld and does not travel past the former borders of the integrated Sultanate. It is spoken by the Thirty Palaces that should the Primarch ever request a concubine, then Miska would be their representative to secure the noble bloodline. The Magistrate is typically depicted as a tanned woman with a trio of long, black braids that can be easily bundled together behind her. Her uniform changes day to day but most notably she will choose to adorn a dusken mantle over her Pandjoran traditional robe.
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[hider=Legion Tactics/Battlefield Role]
[u][b]Favored Tactics/Battlefield Role [/b][/u]|  The battlefield tactics of the Dusk Wardens are forever split between their designation of chapter roles. All Dusk Wardens are masters of deceptive and rapid dominance operations, but their Legion role frequently swaps between the two in chapter designation. Clandestine operations, including high-priority target assassination and sabotage, are the works of Shadow chapters. Alternatively, offensive operations, including egress charges and shock tactics, are the work of Glory chapters. These designations are fluid as Shadow and Glory chapters can immediately swap roles given the circumstance in the middle of a campaign. The first operational use of these tactics was observed in the purge of rebels on Pandjoras during its reformation as a civilized world. The primary (glory) force would engage the enemy’s position, meanwhile the secondary (shadow) force would assassinate targets from either the sidelines or behind the enemy’s force. These tactics can act as an extremely strong, responsive force to most enemies; however, these operations require the full use of communication if there is a sudden change on the battlefield. If jamming is encountered, then the dual-formation attack can be easily penetrated from lack of data, because these tactics heavily rely on both forces remaining in contact. Furthermore, all Dusk Wardens operations are required to commit a minimum of two chapters to any fight to utilize their legionnaire roles. Although highly unorthodox, the Wardens can swap to simple tactics if the situation is impossible to handle as normal.
	In specific, the primary role of the Shadow chapter is to utilize the overwhelming distraction from the Glory chapter to achieve their objectives with minimal counterattack. Their objectives can range anywhere from diversionary to high-key political assassination. Legionnaires of Shadow Chapters eschew all color save for the dusk of Pandjoras and never utilize heavy weapons or vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Those that operate as part of the Shadow are typically Hassan candidates or those that have shown an inclination towards tactical genius. Although the weaponry and equipment may change at any moment, Shadow chapters typically utilize bolters, lightning claws, and graviton weaponry. As for specialized roles, the psionically gifted Hafiz, dual-pistol wielding Moritats, blade-wielding Hassan, and Legion Vigilators are typically in high concentration within these organizations. Mortals trained in the arts of subterfuge, typically mortal Hassan or asasiyuns, operate in the same pool as reinforcements for Shadow operations.
	Glory chapters claim the opposite role of the subterfuge Shadow chapters. The largest focus for a Glory designated chapter is to divert the enemy’s attention towards themselves instead of the Shadows. Their mainline tactics lie anywhere from simple charges to gridlocking and enveloping the enemy. The most common tactic for a Glory chapter is a spearhead formation to drive a diversionary lance through enemy lines. Glory Legionnaires bear full Legion insignia with more orange painted armor than their Shadow brethren. These chapters utilize the full might of the Legion against their foes with heavy weapons, super-heavy vehicles, and overwhelming assaults. Glory chapters are always supported by a contingent of Mamluk Legionnaires and their mortal counterparts. Immortals, or otherwise the First Chapter, are always present leading Glory operations alongside their Pandjoran power armored mortal companions. Typical armaments for Glory chapters involve portable graviton cannons, relic blades, lascannons, and an assortment of assault weaponry swappable based on operation status. The bulk of the Legion Armory is solely devoted to Glory chapter operations, while Shadow chapters are typically issued with rare or artifact-level equipment. 
	When all chances of divided play between Shadow and Glory are scoured to the wind, they simply become a contingent of Dusk Wardens, described as Dusk chapters. This operational status has only ever been used on the first campaign the XIII Primarch initiated, to which he reformatted the entire Legion in response. When the full weight of the Legion is brought down on the Imperium’s enemy, the Dusk Wardens operate as mass saboteurs and divide into respective chapters to act as Hassan cells. This Legion-wide organizational operation, after it’s initial use on Nyridia, is only allowed in tandem with another Legion. The sole purpose of Dusk-level operation is to actively encourage the supporting allied Legion with campaign-wide sabotage and assassination.  
	While the Legion adheres to the tenets of the Terran Standard organizational template of the Officio Militaris, there exists within the very core of Dusk Wardens several unique roles previously mentioned. These roles are as follows: Hafiz, Mamluks, Hassan, Immortals, and the Faris. Each of these hold a place in the Legion Consulate and act as integral positions within Legion operations. Although not a part of the Legion itself, the Pandjoran auxilia forces play a major role with variant mortal Mamluks and Hassans
	[b]Hafiz[/b] act as both the spiritual leaders and those with the psyker genetic mutation. Their teachings are learned from the Old Man of the Mountain and his training regimes for Hassan. For every regiment within the Legion organizational structure there resides a Hafiz that drastically alters the flow of combat. Each of these teachers train their brethren on the art of ‘oneness’ and to watch for signs of the psyker genetic mutation that could occur in the legionnaires. Typically, they are accompanied by cohorts of House Urahal psyker-scholars to assist the Hafiz’ psionic abilities. If necessary, these psykers operate as apothecaries in healing the wounds of their Legionnaire brothers as all Hafiz are predominantly biomancers. Although senior Legion leadership may adjust their wargear as necessary, standard Hafiz are typically equipped with enormous force-blades or relic blades alongside their choice of firearm. These legionnaires are bedecked in midnight robes with dusken ceramite and white helmets.
	[b]Mamluks[/b] operate as the desperately needed, spear-headed chaff in Glory assaults. The Legiones Mamluks were born out of the XIII Primarch’s rage for his first campaign ending in an unwanted massacre. These legionnaires are recruited to the role as a form of punishment or a chance at an esteemed honor of a brazen charge. Mamluks will never operate in Shadow chapters as they always wield jump packs and explosives alongside their power spears. In Glory operations, Mamluk act as vanguard ghazi that deliberately cause mass mayhem before retreating to the back of an assault. The disgraced legionnaires are the only in the Legion allowed to bear the color of crimson to shame them for wearing the hue of dawn. These warriors wear older power armor with crimson helmets and crimson shrouds while they serve their penance. Mortal Mamluks assist their Legionnaire counterparts by acting as living cover or as intermediate healers for critically wounded Astartes.
	[b]Hassan[/b] are both a core infantry formation and also specialist infantry that operate as the mythical asasiyun of Pandjoras. These transhumans are capable of adapting and camouflaging to the environment with the ease of hunters and killers. Their training begins as novitiates of the Order of Assassins where those that can pass the trials to become an Astartes become Legiones Hassan, but those that fail continue to serve as mortal Hassan. Hassan operate in five-man squads as integral components of Shadow operations. These dusken wraiths are armed with bandoliers of combat knives, graviton variant combi-bolters, and smoke grenades. On large-scale campaigns, Hassan are always accompanied by a Hafiz to supplement their infiltration efforts. If required, Hassan may operate independently of a squad given operational circumstances. Hassan are classified by a lack of insignia, utterly dusken armor with midnight robes similar to Hafiz. Those mortals that accompany them act as forward scouts that attempt to either reconnaissance a location, assassinate low-threat targets, or create cells for the Legiones Hassan to operate in.
	[b]Immortals[/b], both the name of the Primarch’s honorguard and the terminator clad heavy infantry of the Legion. These warriors are always ghazi of the First Chapter or directly requested for training by other Chapter Commanders. Immortals, similar to their role with the Primarch, always act as some form of bodyguard to senior Legion leadership regardless of form. Despite their heavy armor, Immortals are eligible for use by Shadow and Glory chapters interchangeably. This is purely for the fact that these terminator-clad Astartes exclusively use power sabers and combi-bolters. Appearance wise, these legionnaires bear the color scheme of their respective chapter alignment unless they are attached to the First Chapter or the Primarch’s honor guard. Those exclusively hold the right to utilize bronze on their armaments. 
	[b]Faris[/b] are blademasters personally trained by either the Primarch or the Grand Faris. These Astartes are typically champions of their respective chapters or centurions in specific roles such as siegebreakers or Legion delegatus. Regardless of their role, the Primarch has allowed the Legion to host an innumerable number of champions to better train their baseline counterparts. These champions may even take the form of Hassan that can vye for the role of Legion spymaster. Thus, they are interchangeably used between Shadow and Glory. Unlike their Grand Faris, these legionnaires are noted from the rest with helmet ornaments such as plumes or animal motifs. Faris are always equipped with a relic melee weapon of their choice so long as it is bladed.
[/hider]

[hider=Legion Ideology]
[u][b]Legion Characteristics/Ideology[/b][/u] | The Dusk Wardens rise as a cultural pillar of Pandjoras from their interactions with their Primarch to their initiation rituals to their modus operandi for training. The vast majority of their behaviors are from their many Pandjoran rituals promoted by the Primarch. The average Dusk Warden is amiable and cautious, careful to dance around words just as their Primarch does with those outside of the Legion. While these legionnaires will openly begin social interaction with those outside of their legion, they will always hide parts of the clandestine part of their operations in discussions. Most Dusk Wardens are Pandjoran raised, trained by the Order of Assassins to become Hassan or shipped from within the Star Sultanate to become legionnaires. No matter the difference in birth, every Astartes in the XIII Legion will actively quote and recite training from their Primarch and the Old Man of the Mountain. Only truly reclusive Astartes of other Legions will shy away from the convivial Wardens.
	As part of this amiable nature that the Dusk Wardens display, the Primarch teaches his sons the necessary values of a diplomat in order to expertly guide social situations outside of the Legion. While it is not a core part of their training as Astartes, it is their own duty to hone their skills as warrior-poets and cunning word-savants. Their mimicked attempt at their Primarch’s negotiation skills has allowed many operations to operate without fail, always securing logistical support or improving Legion-to-Legion relationships. A Dusk Warden's way with words can sometimes be seen as appeasing or placating to another legionnaire, but those words were chosen carefully to guide them to their thought driven destination. It has yet to be discerned whether the sons of the XIII are cunning liars or powerful wordsmiths.
	The geneseed of the XIII is rather stable with the exception of a few traits that speak volumes to those who truly understand the Dusk Wardens. To begin, their genestock can be traced to regions located around the Achaemenid Empire of Old Terra, reflecting on the legionnaires as tanned skin and dark hair. Although more prominent in psykers, the Primarch’s power of coercion is a passive gift to his sons in the form of double whispered words or uncontrolled persuasion. Those more passionate with the power of coercion are able to hone it to a controllable degree, but most legionnaires fail to attain the Primarch’s level of control. The Eyes of Hassan, however, are not a genetic flaw but a Pandjoran environmental effect that has been turned into a ritual for the Legion.
	To understand the Astartes of the Dusk Wardens, one must look at some of the rituals that are required of them from novitiate up to active legionnaires. A particularly important ritual is the granting of the Eyes of Hassan - the legion-wide orange eyes that every legionnaire possesses. If a novitiate is born on Pandjoras, then there is a high chance they already have developed the Eyes from time spent on the planet. If a novitiate is trained outside of Pandjoras, then they will be forced to rub an artificial mixture of graviton partially crushed Pandjoras sand into their retinas. Few novitiates fail to gain their Eyes of Hassan, resulting in permanent blindness and ending their process as an aspirant legionnaire.
	Another important training regime that the Dusk Wardens must undergo is the training of the Hassan, where each legionnaire must surpass the trials that the Primarch had taken in his youth to become an asasiyun. These include challenges such as learning the furusiyya combat style, learning to maintain oneness, and the art of utter stillness. Although this cannot be replicated outside of Pandjoras due to its unique atmosphere, hypno-training has proven efficient at replicating some of the requirements to become Hassan.
	Pandjorans undergo many challenges simply by living on the umbral sands of their world, and their introduction into the Imperium hasn’t reaped any benefits for immediate use. Instead, in order to maintain a vast pool of worthy recruits, most Pandjorans reside on the surface away from the Thirty Palaces in Hassan conclaves. It is this personal choice of culture that has profoundly been adapted by Legionnaires of the XIII. Astartes across the Legion continue to maintain their amiable image while also chosidly isolating themselves to train their skills as expert assassins and infiltrators. This attitude has yet to affect the brotherhood atmosphere that the Primarch and his Consuls promote. 
	The similarity in Legion and Pandjoran life has bled a certain amount of appreciation for the mortals born to the Star Sultanate. While individual notions exist within the Legion, the majority agree that mortals are important parts of their domestic and violent lives. A sentiment that is heavily raised by the Primarch - for every being, living or not, is an excellent tool to utilize in all forms of war. Thus, the divergence in mortal sentiment differs from other Legions as the Primarch and his sons will readily use mortals as extremely efficient tools.  This idea of mortals, however, never truly leaves the lips of an Astartes to withhold their outward image of exemplars and protectors of humanity. 
	The concept of ‘mortals as tools’ is a flexible belief that extends to all manners of life in the Legion, even to legionnaires of other Legions. This sentiment is even shared to xenos, mutant, and psyker lifeforms that others would express disgust or disinterest in. Every beating heart is a weapon that can pump blood just the same as an Astartes, so the saying goes by some Dusk Wardens. This perception, however, is never applied to the legionnaires of the Dusk Wardens or their auxilia. Fraternity remains a core tenant in the philosophy of the Hassan and it is expressed by the Primarch. 
	As fraternity is an important value to a Dusk Warden, so too is their utter loyalty to the Malik of Pandjoras. Only the ghazi of the Unification Wars hold close to sole loyalty to the Emperor, but the vast majority of the XIII Legion uphold their Primarch above the Master of Mankind and the Imperium. Zaphariel has yet to squash any personality cults or warrior lodges that crop up as they live up to the Hassan tenets of fraternity. This sentiment of allowing personality cults within the Legion has slowly evolved outside of its bounds to the worlds of the Star Sultanate. A dangerous notion that the Sheik of the Serpent has seen fit to keep as a ‘weapon’.
[/hider]


[hider=Legion Hierarchy]
[u][b]Legion Hierarchy [/b][/u]| The hierarchy of the Dusk Wardens differs vastly from their brother and sister Legions. Initially, as the Bronze Scorpions, the Wardens continued to support the standard Legio organizational template set by the Officio Militaris. After the Massacre of Nyr, the reorganization of the Legion began in earnest. From that point forth, every single legionnaire’s role and title were remodeled to fit their Primarch’s ambition. Chapters were replaced with Great Concalves, Companies with Conclaves, Squads with Cells, and legionnaires with hassan. Battalions were eschewed from the template, seen as unimportant additions for management. Such a dramatic shuffle required fresh blood in the form of recruits from Pandjoras. Common titles of the dusken world wormed their way into the structure of the legion, such as emir, sheik, sultan, and hakim. Though the use of these titles are widespread, the Primarch had cemented the use of Sultan for those in the role of Chapter Commander, Emir for the Company Commanders, and Sheikhs as the lieutenants. Hakim and High Hakim are the consuls and their consular representatives. Veterans are referred to as Master Hassan, often acting as sergeants or veterans. Rasul reside as the equerries, standard bearers, and messengers of the Legion. Nazim are the mortal ranks for prestiges nobles such as the heads of the Thirteen Houses. As such, below is a replica of the Legion Standard Organizational Template for the Dusk Wardens:

[u][b][Legion High Command][/b][/u] Primarch - Thirteen High Hakim (Consul Reps) - Thousand Faces of Dusk/ Varranis Immortals (Primarch Honor Guard) - High Rasul of the Legion (Vexillarius)

[u][b][Legion Chapter Command][/b][/u] Great Conclave - Sultan of the Great Conclave (Chapter Master) - Hakim of the Great Conclave (Consuls) - Immortals of the Great Conclave (Bodyguard) - Rasul of the Great Conclave (Vexillarius)

[u][b][Legion Company Command][/b][/u] Conclave - Emir of the Conclave (Company Captain) - Hafiz of the Conclave (Company Chaplains) - Master Hassan of the Conclave (Company Veterans)

[u][b][Legion Squad Command][/b][/u] Cell - Sheik of the Cell (Lieutenant)- Master Hassans (Sergeant) - Hassans (Legionnaire) - Mortal Hassan (if applicable)	 
[/hider]


[hider=Legion Trials]
[u][b]Thirteen Trials of the Hassan[/b][/u] |
	The Thirteen Trials of the Hassan are given by thirteen hafiz heralded by the Old Man of the Mountain in thirteen events that grow a novitiate into an asasiyun. Each trial is led by a hafiz endorsed by one of the Thirteen Houses, moderated and tempered by the Old Man of the Mountain. Once an adept has proved their worth before the eyes of the hafiz, they are then sent into the Pandjoran dunes to hunt a void serpent as proof of their training. Failure, at any point of the trials, results in the novitiate being judged whether they will be worthy Legion serfs or mortal hassan operatives. When the trials of the hassan can not be replicated, the novitiates are instead subjected to thirteen days of hypnomat where the events will be undertaken as if they were on Pandjoras. 
	The first trial of the hassan is given by a hafiz endorsed by the House of Varranis, the Guardians of Pandjoras and Wards of the Primarch. The novitiates are trained to adapt the Pandjoran bladework known as furusiyya into their fighting forms. In their lessons, they are taught showmanship, chivalry, and rhetoric alongside their martial regimes. Once suitably trained by the instructors, the novices will fight against each other in an arena of black sand with training blades. The trainees repeat the trial until deemed satisfactory by the instructing hafiz. Especially successful aspirants are recommended for training as a Faris under the guidance of a celebrated blademaster. 
	The second trial of the hassan is instructed through the serpentine hands of a hafiz endorsed by the House of Gallax, the Serpent Tamers of the Dune Sea. Each novitiate is forced to march through the dusk sands of Pandjoras where they watch, stalk, and replicate the native species of their homeworld. Those novices that are attacked, or attack, one of the void serpents are reprimanded and fail their trial. The Trials of the Snake, as it is nicknamed, teaches the novitiates patience, timing, and predatory use of their Eyes of Hassan. The trial is passed when an aspirant is able to calmly walk by a void serpent without being attacked, drawing attention, or attacking the orphoid. 
	The third trial of the hassan stimulates the mind through a hafiz endorsed by the House of Urahal, the Pskyer-Lords of the Spiral Palace. It is this trial specifically that weeds out the psychic applicants among the novitiates, while the rest of the non-psyker aspirants are tasked with reciting a millennia worth of Imperial and Pandjoran knowledge. Those with the psyker mutation are excluded from the mundane trial to undergo examination, testing, and affirmation by the instructing hafiz and a retinue of Urahal psi-wardens. If deemed unacceptable, the aspirant is given the choice to transfer to the House of Urahal or join a hafiz’ conclave as a Legion serf. If deemed acceptable, the trial resumes and finishes with a knowledge test to affirm their learnings. Novices fail this trial if there are any incorrect answers, but are allowed a retrial if the hafiz deems it so.
	The fourth trial of the hassan elevates the most buoyantly gifted from the mundane through a hafiz endorsed by the House of Nathaz, the Shipmasters of the Umbral Sphere. The hafiz of this trial travels across Pandjoras with the cohort of aspirants, undergoing several obstacle courses in vastly different gravities. Each novitiate is taught the importance of maneuverability in zero-g elements, the dangers of void warfare, and preparation in uncontrollable descents. The final trial of the test is a mock battle in either a gravity chamber, or more preferably a starship in orbit of Pandjoras. The hafiz ultimately decides the passing aspirants, but especially successful novices are highlighted and recommended for permanent Umbral Armada positions. 
	The joint fifth and sixth trials of the hassan stand out as a duo of challenges under the tutelage of two hafiz endorsed by the Houses of Korvaix and Tuturan, the Blade and Bolter of Pandjoras. The hafiz split the applicants to tutor the novitiates on perfecting their warforms through melee and ranged. The Korvaix endorsed hafiz teaches the aspirants how to effectively utilize all forms of melee weapons, while the Tuturan endorsed hafiz instructs their students on the theory of how to fire every form of ranged firearm from small caliber to heavy weapons. The trial proper begins with a joint demonstration of utilizing blade and firearm in a specially designed course. The aspirants undergo a test of precision, accuracy, and tactical aptitude by completing the course. A novitiate fails if they are unable to satisfactorily use both weapons at the same time, the timer runs out, or they are rendered unconscious. The Twin Trials remains infamous as one of the most important trials for an aspirant for many champions excel in this specific test.
	The seventh trial of the hassan serves as an eloquent reminder that the House of Abdullahar, the Sirens of the Gravity Ocean, remain the diplomats of Pandjoras. A hafiz endorsed by House Abdullahar begins the trial the moment the novitiates encounter them. From that point onward, the would-be-hassan are observed for their demeanor, bearing, and wordsmithing. The novices are taught the importance of word dueling, pulling opponents into linguistic traps, and motivating speeches. The length of the trial is extended for a period of three days. The final test is given as a three-hour duel between the hafiz and the students, where previous trials are used as knowledge to battle their mentor. If the hafiz is satisfied, the aspirant passes his trial. If the hafiz is unsatisfied, the aspirant continues his trials but is remarked for potential insertion into the Legiones Mamluk.
	The eighth trial of the hassan remains the breeding ground of all future asasiyun. The trial is taught by a hafiz endorsed by the House of Rassnar, the Claws of the Umbral Sky. The aspirants undergo a grueling experience through local wetwork operations, mithranditsm, espionage, and subterfuge. Each task prepares the aspirants to work as effective weapons regardless of their trial completion. The final trial is a combination of using all their learned skills to infiltrate Neu Alamut and claim a series of objects from the hafiz. Few manage to claim all of the objects, thus it is deemed acceptable if even one item is claimed. Those who manage to impress the trial instructor are recommended for becoming one of the Thousand Faces of Dusk - elite hassan directly serving under the Primarch. 
	The ninth trial of the hassan stands as the technological aptitude test of the Wardens, where a hafiz and a techmarine endorsed by the House of Bahamut, the Tech-Sycophants of the Fallen Palaces, observe the aspirants. The novitiates are instructed in the precise use of specific wargear, Mechanicum chants, basic maintenance, and procedures among the Legion. The techmarine in the trial carefully observes the aspirants for astute and erudite minds. Each novice is then subjected to an aptitude exam where they must break down and reconstruct a piece of wargear from memory. Exceptionally speedy novitiates are marked for recommendation to become techmarines, while the rest are judged based on the satisfaction of the hafiz. Failure in this trial is unique as an aspirant may retest given an explanation or improvement on their failure. It is then judged by the techmarine and the hafiz on whether it is acceptable. 
	The tenth trial of the hassan grinds the aspirants down in a set of endurance challenges instructed by a hafiz endorsed by the House of Delukar, the Lords of the Penumbra Fields. The novices are tasked with operating in the Pandjoran environment without specialized equipment to work on the penumbra fields. On the gravity wracked sands of Pandjoras, the strange gravity pools produce unusually fertile fields in a short stretch of land. It is by these pools that the novices grow the penumbra stalks that grant the dusken kin their lavish livelihoods. This trial toughens the body of the aspirant to handle harsh environments, endure tests of strength, and adapt to environmental fluxes. An initiate passes the trial through a showcase of endurance and strength of their own making. The hafiz then passes or fails the novitiates based on the level of success for their trial. Especially herculean aspirants are immediately recommended for becoming an Immortal.
	The eleventh trial of the hassan refines the tactical minds of the aspirants through a hafiz endorsed by the House of Sulkat, the Marshals of the Neu Antioch. The novices are taught standard, specific, and irregular strategies to deal with events in the midst of warfare - void, ground, sea, and air. Otherwise, the aspirants are subjected to a lesson on Pandjoras’ auxilia integration and tactics. The test is considered completed once the aspirants wage a mock war through tabletop proxy. Especially successful initiates are marked for leadership roles, or slotted for permanent positions in the Umbral Armada. 
	The twelfth trial of the hassan cements the final vestiges of strategic importance through a hafiz endorsed by the House of Tallora, the Administrators of the Thirty Palaces. Each aspirant undergoes tutelage of the inner workings of Pandjoran and Imperial bureaucracy for logistical and clandestine purposes. The hafiz instigates the final test as a challenge of numerics under the guise of a wargame. Aspirants with high success rates are recommended for consul positions within the Legion.
	The thirteenth, and final, trial of the hassan is personally endorsed by the Old Man of the Mountain, the Thirteenth Primarch, or an accomplished Hassan. The aspirant is released into the Pandjoran sands to hunt a void serpent with a weapon of their choice in the thin power armor of their homeworld. Once the aspirant returns to Neu Alamut, or their testing location, their test is considered completed and their elevation to Astartes secured. The void serpent that is hunted is turned into a shroud of dusk for the aspirant, its meat distributed across the world, and its bones fashioned into a personal combat knife. There is no failure for this test - only death awaits the aspirant that cannot hunt a void serpent. Achievements vary between the length, size, and ferocity of the hunted orphoid. Especially large void serpents that are hunted by an aspirant immediately marks them as future Immortals or Faris in the Legion.
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[u][b]Relationships[/b][/u] |
[b]The Emperor of Mankind[/b]: While the Primarch holds great gratitude and genuine affection for the Master of Mankind, the Legion holds a different value over their esteemed overlord of the Imperium. Initially, the Dusk Wardens were grateful to be able to sail the skies alongside the Malik of Pandjoras; however, over time their loyalties adjusted to solely the Primarch. It was a gradual, carefully shifted belief that erupted in a tidal wave after their progenitor treated them all as equals. It was a sentiment that the Emperor would not show lowly biological projects like them. In the current culture of the Dusk Wardens, only the Primarch and the surviving Bronze Scorpion ghazi truthfully hold the Emperor dear to their hearts. On the other end of the spectrum, while there is no fool-proof way to determine the Master of Mankind’s true feelings, it is certain that the Emperor holds the XIII to the utmost faith in clandestine missions. 
Malcador and the Administratum: The Legion and the Administratum outwardly coexist on a carefully curated venue, but the Dusk Wardens and their Star Sultanate internally push back against the overbearing influence that the Imperium imposes on the former Star Serpentine Empire. Highly trained Hassan cautiously watch the Thirteen Houses brew schemes of their own to cede away from the Star Sultanate’s influence to govern within the Imperium. These small administrative attacks have caused no end of soreness between themselves and Malcador’s governors. The Masters of the Sultanate are always cautiously awaiting for cracks to break in the thin shield that exists between the Thirteen Houses, the Thirty Palaces and the Administratum. Despite the view of the Legionnaires, the Administratum views the Legion as powerful, amiable peacekeepers that have maintained a steady source of governance and income for the Imperium. Only the Sigillite understands the truth of their internal politics as assassins, begrudgingly enlisting their aid in matters of utmost distress when no other Legion can assist.

[b]The Imperial Army[/b]: Mortals outside of the fraternity of Pandjoras are typically seen as tools to be used, maintained, and refurbished for continued usage. Outwardly, the Dusk Wardens treat the Imperial Army as the do with auxilia of the Star Sultanate; however, internally, the Legion views the Imperial Army as endless pawns to utilize to their advantage in the waging of war. Despite this callous belief, the Excertus Imperialis as a whole appreciates the contributions that the Dusk Wardens have made and the way in which they treat them as if they were Pandjorans themselves. Glory chapters of the Legion, in particular, gain swathes of fanfare and gratitude for their valorous offenses. Unlike other Legions that operate closely with the Imperial Army, the Dusk Wardens only seldomly work with the Emperor’s mortal legion and each occasion they are lauded for their cooperation. In truth, the Dusk Wardens highly prefer working with Pandjoran and Sultanate auxilia over the non-Pandjoras born mortals.

[b]Cult Mechanicum[/b]: The Cult of Mars, the Primarch, and the Legion share a special connection under divine contract between Holy Mars and Pandjoras. Originally, the Primarch had agreed to whole Exoplator Fleets scouring the Primarch’s home for archeotech in trade for full cooperation with the Synod. This tie between the three has cemented their careful relationship by tidying up potential mishaps of techno-heresy or expediting requisitions and approvals for wargear from Pandjoras. The Legion, however, views their religiously fanatic adepts as strange, mechanical ticks tied to the Primarch’s own world. It has led to confrontations between the Cult and the Dusk Warden’s most fervent personality cults. As with most factions and their relationships with the Wardens, the Sons of Zaphariel put on the face of a socialite to gain the favor of biological tools; however, no such coercion works on the adepts of Mars and both factions suffer disgraceful interactions as a result. The Synod of Mars, on the opposite hand, views the Dusk Wardens as technology hoarding liars with a vast array of techno-heresy under their belt. Thus, tensions are always tight between the two regardless of the Primarch’s input.

[b]The Navis Nobilite[/b]: The Palace of Navigators holds a strange relationship with the Pandjoran-born superhumans as their own House Urahal can produce powerful psykers capable of extremely limited, chaotic warp travel. When the Illuminated Star Sultanate was absorbed into the Imperium, the Navigators of Terra were immediately sought after by the fanatically driven Pandjoran psykers of House Urahal. Though mediation was required on behalf of the Legion, the Pandjoran House was accepted as a benevolent trading partner through which Navigators could be secured. Unlike the rest of the mortal tools in their arsenal, Dusk Wardens find the presence of Navigators to be pleasing and appreciate their company. Often the Navigator’s aboard XIII Legion warships attend the harsh training of the Hassan to learn oneness and enhance their capabilities. The Navis Nobilite, however, see the Star Sultanate and their endorsed Legion as a strange and savage network of improvised governance. Their interactions solely with the Legion have been prosperous, but most meetings with the Dusk Wardens are followed by one of Pandjoras Thirteen Houses requesting Navigators.

[b]Xenos[/b]: Although the Legion hasn’t overwhelmingly interacted with alien life, there exists a quiet rage for the uncouth civilizations that cannot cooperate regardless of their stance. Dusk Wardens cannot abide the Greenskins for all their worth, but the Legion will always attempt to communicate with the Aeldari before initiating eventual violence. The Primarch takes keen interest in Aeldari for their sophisticated weaponry, sublime stealth, and otherworldly acrobatics. The Legion, however, cannot fathom the peculiar interests of their Primarch and hold their tongue on Aeldari regards. Other xenos species that can be cooperated with hold the same value as human lives in term of use to the Legion. Outwardly, the Dusk Wardens retain an air of neutrality on the xenos and, by connection, the Edict of Tolerance. Though not all xenos can be understood, the Greenskins held conflicted joy in fighting the Legion for their upfront but sneaky fighting. Aeldari have been reported to hold positive relations with the Dusk Wardens in terms of cooperation.

[b]Other Legions[/b]: The brother and sister Legions of the Great Crusade to which the Dusk Wardens have not interacted extensively outside of Ullanor, Terra, and Nikea. Their relations with other Legions are primarily decided based on the interaction of their Primarchs. Generally, if the Primarch felt negative towards another Primarch, then they too would follow suit like a swarm of zealots. There are scant exceptions, but those are outlined below.

[b]I - The Emperor’s Lightning[/b]: Clandestine operations between the Dusk Wardens and the Warriors of the Lightning are thoroughly enjoyed by Varranis’ sons. Although the Lightning’s sons act aloof and distant, the Pandjorans always attempt to break the shield built over their cousins. In combat, the two operate on a combined playing field that act as sheer terror campaigns for the Imperium’s enemies. The Dusk Wardens' interactions with these Astartes, however, are a reflection of Zaphariel’s attempts to enlighten Victor Thelin’s distance. Much to the chagrin of the First Primarch, the Thirteenth Primarch will always attempt to provide familial care to the Primarch. Often, however, Zaphariel feels as if his carefully built masquerade is seen through by Thelin.

[b]II - The Night Watch[/b]: The Dusk Wardens hold general favor towards the Night Watch as both act in similar clandestine operations. Primarch Zaphariel only has a positive opinion of Micholi, agreeing with many tenets of the Edict of Tolerance. The Primarch of XIII Legion has repeatedly shown approval for Micholi’s tactics in reusing and repurposing conquered assets such as his accolades of xenos adjutants. 

[b]III - The Celestial Dragons[/b]: The Dusk Wardens have always held a friendly relationship with the daughters of the Shuguan. Both Legions filled the missing gaps in the other with the Wardens acting as high-value eliminators and the Dragons as a steadfast bulwark. Huo and Zaphariel, both diplomatic and wordsmith masters, hold a familial and competitive relationship with one another. Each visit between the two are brought with gifts, tea, and delicacies from their homeworlds. This further extends to their lengthy games of wordplay that last throughout their entire visit.

[b]IV - The Imperial Star League[/b]: Bronze Scorpion ghazi prefer the work of the Imperial Star League, while the majority of the Dusk Wardens find their reliance on the Imperial Army to be a weakness for them. The Dusk Wardens that work in tandem with the Star League make efforts to uphold their outwardly assisting sentiment around them. Zaphariel has found Wolfram far too quiet to personally engage with, but he always makes an attempt to banter with his fellow brother to earn some manner of gratuity.

[b]V - The Knights of Awe[/b]: Most Dusk Wardens find the sons of Prometheus to be overbearing, even by the standards to which they uphold their masquerade. Glory chapter operations generally find pleasure in working with the Knights as half of the operation is firmly in their hands from start to finish. Zaphariel has found that Prometheus is extraordinarily easy to manipulate even without his psionic talents. Despite the Malik of Pandjoras thinking of him as a fool, he will always attempt to help his brother on the promise of future Legion support. Zaphariel makes an effort to show familial intimacy with his primarchial brother.

[b]VIII - The Honorbound[/b]: The hassan and Strahlender’s sons hold vastly different values, one holding up to their honorable namesake and the other doing everything possible to eliminate their enemies. This has caused friction in certain circumstances, but most of their interactions are met with typical Pandjoran courtesy. Zaphariel has always viewed his brother as a jovial individual and an easy to manipulate target. The Malik of Pandjoras always attempts to bribe the Eighth Primarch whenever they meet with an assortment of spiced Pandjoran amasec in exchange for Strategie Met. The two routinely bond over drink more than anything else.

[b]IX - The Abyssal Lurkers[/b]: The few encounters the Dusk Wardens have had with the Abyssal Lurkers were met with mutual understanding. Similar to their own training, the Wardens found companions in those that could truly find oneness within themselves. Some Dusk Wardens have always appreciated the Abyssal Lurker’s ability to air their dark secrets, while they must hold down their true rearing. Zaphariel has never truly felt comfortable talking to his ‘brother’, Sarghaul, but felt a commonality in their conflicting ideals. Besides the Emperor and Usriel, Sarghaul could’ve been the only other individual that could see through his carefully curated mask.

[b]X - The Pact of the Lance[/b]: Operations spent with the Pact have never worked according to plan with the Dusk Wardens. Regardless of Shadow or Glory chapter, neither have truly sufficiently worked with the industrialists-turn-Astartes. Zaphariel has never managed to manipulate Arnulf due to his choleric attitude. Neither has the Lancer Primarch impressed him with his obstinate stubbornness surrounding subterfuge. Most time spent with the Primarch of the Lance is spent accidentally starting lectures when he truly wished to make a request. The Primarch of the XIII Legion sometimes wonders if Arnulf considers him a kindred spirit of sorts. 

[b]XII - The Stargazers[/b]: Tensions always flare between the Dusk Wardens and the Stargazers as the Sons of Zaphariel own a bad reputation with the Cult Mechanicus. No doubt the Stargazers have heard the Synod speak on the Wardens of Pandjoras and their technology hoarding habits. Despite obvious differences, the two Legions work concretely together to aggressively and successfully tackle objectives. Zaphariel has always found Augur easy to lead by the nose with his outright devotion to the Machine God. Every interaction with Augur is met with a lecture of the machinations of Pandjoras technological treasure trove. 

[b]XIV - The Doomsayers[/b]: No Dusk Warden truly feels safe around a Doomsayer with their prophetising abilities. As a direct reflection of their Primarch, each Warden feels as if one of Daena’s daughters could easily pierce their masquerade to stare down the assassins within. Thus, the Dusk Wardens hold no secrets from the Doomsayers for fear of their foresight. Zaphariel, in particular, holds a quiet fear towards the winged angel of death. The Malik of Pandjoras is incapable of lying or manipulating before her gaze. 

[b]XVI - The Daughters of Iron[/b]: Dusk Warden and Daughter of Iron relationship can be described, from the perspective of the Sons of the Sultan, as fierce and protective. As a reflection of the Warden of the Dusken World’s familial affection, the Dusk Wardens murderize swathes of enemies to reinforce the Lady of Iron’s daughters. Their modern tactics are a staunch, Pandjoran reflection of  the Daughters of Iron’s flexible doctrine, woven into the split between chapter specializations. The Hassan of Pandjoras often come into conflict with the Daughters due to their overprotective ties influenced by Varranis. The relationship between the Lady of Iron and the Malik of Pandjoras is a special thing to behold in terms of familial relationship. As the first Primarch to interact with Zaphariel, he holds the other Primarch near and dear to his hearts as an elder sister. The XIII’s Primarch continues to attempt to carry out his initial promises with the XVI’s in an attempt to raise her up to her former self. It is, generally, to no avail but this has only ushered the Pandjoran sheik to everlastingly support her and the Daughters of Iron.

[b]XVII - The Serpents of the Sun[/b]: The Dusk Wardens work phenomenally with the Serpents’ maneuverable warfare tactics, intricately blending the two hyper aggressive high-value target elimination doctrines together. Though the ideology of the two differ in that the Dusk Wardens uphold the belief in the power of dusk, while the Serpents believe in the power of the sun. As the Malik of Pandjoras is fond of the Emerald Priestess, the Dusk Wardens always attempt positive relations. Zaphariel finds Nelchitl as one of the few delights to speak to with no bars held. Each gathering involving the Emerald Serpent brings him endless joy. He finds the utmost joy out of riling the Priestess, or manipulating her into tirades with their primarchial siblings. When news comes that they will gather, Zaphariel spares little restraint in bringing the lavishments of Pandjoras to the Emerald Serpent.

[b]XIX - The Steel Sentinels[/b]: The prodigal sons of Steel and the Dusk Wardens have always withheld a union of comradery based on the interactions of their Primarchs. Zaphariel had even made a point of being open with Usriel about their true nature. Thus, the Dusk Wardens and the Steel Sentinels find commonality in their viewage on mortals. Regular interactions between the Sentinels and the Wardens have built a repertoire for excellent tactical engagements. Without fail, the Sons of the Malik would lead their joint enemy straight into the Steel Sentinel defensive line where their combined forces would annihilate their opposition. Zaphariel, on the other hand, has always felt a familial tether to the Lord of Vion 5 as the first Primarch he had ever met. Beyond that, the Malik of Pandjoras felt no need to bare his energetic opinion from the Sentinel of Steel. If any primarch could be regarded as his kin outside of Pandjoras, then it for certain would be Usriel.

[b]XX - The Tears of Dawn[/b]: The Dusk Wardens view the Daughters of Sekhmetara as rivals, strictly from the relationship shared between their Primarchs. Otherwise, the Dusk Wardens operate alongside the Tears of Dawn with a boost of relief knowing the skies are safier with their Legion present. Zaphariel views Sekhmetara as a rival in the world of wordsmiths and wordsavants. The Sheik of the Star Serpent always keeps his guard raised against someone with a similar power of persuasion. She remains as one of two individuals that he would not confide in, but could break his masquerade if so desired. 
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