Name: Ak’kana Wro’teklan, the Great Devourer.
Gender: Male.
Homeworld:
Ag’itsi (local language. Translates to High Gothic roughly as Mother)
When rediscovered by the Great Crusade, the Administratum classified it as a potential Garden or Agri World due to initial data from early scans showing lush vegetation, fertile oceans, and abundant local fauna. A lack of dangerous atmospheric conditions made Ag’itsi appear to be idyllic. The world was immediately reclassified as a Death World after vox-transmissions of survey teams reached Imperial offcios.
Ag’itsi is lush world, containing several continents separated by clean, fertile oceans. The continents themselves are a mix of towering mountain ranges, wide open grasslands, and dense primordial forests and jungles. The climate mimics old Terra, with extreme northern and southern latitudes brining deadly cold while the center of the world receives the bulk of sunlight and can reach unpleasantly high temperatures. The world itself sits in the perfect orbit around its star to maintain life and keep atmospheric conditions mild in comparison to other Imperial worlds. What makes Ag’itsi so inhospitable to human life is not the planet itself, but the creatures that call it home.
On Ag’itsi mankind is the bottom of the food chain. Every biome is home to towering megafauna, monstrous apex predators, carnivorous plants, and worse besides. There are few things on Ag’itsi that cannot overcome an Imperial outpost, seeing the arrival of colonists as little more than an opportunity to feed. During the Dark Age of Technology mankind managed to secure a foothold, seduced by the natural wealth the world offered. The technology of the colonists managed to keep the locals safe for a time, but creatures adapt, machines wither, and during the Age of Strife the former settlements were eventually broken apart and lived a daily struggle to survive.
But survive they did. The tenacity of mankind would not be broken, and tribes formed and thrived among the beasts. Only the strongest and most cunning could survive in the wilds of Ag’itsi. It was among one of the smallest of these tribes that eventually discovered the fledging Primarch of the I Legion. While out on a hunt, warriors of the Wro’teklan found what appeared to be a child, caked in mud and carrying a spear crafted from the bones of predators. The look in the boys eyes unnerved the veteran hunters, but the fact that this young boy had survived in the wilds of Ag’itsi alone filled them with both dread and awe.
Unlike other worlds discovered by the Great Crusade, Ag’itsi remains untouched. By order of the Primarch the Mechanicum and Administratum were denied the planet. All other planets in the solar system could be theirs, but Ag’itsi would be preserved exactly as it was. Ak’kana knew that the strength of his people came from that planet, from the constant struggle to survive against nature. He would not allow the grinding infrastructure of the Imperium to destroy that which had forged him into who he was. Orbital fortresses were created to house the serfs and administration of the Legion, and the knowledge of the Imperium remains a mystery to the denizens of Ag’itsi. They live on the planet as they always have, the only change being that occasionally great warriors and hunters among them are taken to be among the stars. It is seen as both a great honor and a tragedy, as the loss of such strength weakens a tribe but provides room for others to shoulder the mantle.
Appearance: Ak’kana stands at about 12 feet tall, broad shouldered and heavily muscled like the ancient divine heroes of Terran myth. He exemplifies every bit of perfection that the Emperor imbued within his gene-seed. His skin is the deep tanned color of uncured clay, his black hair worn long but often tied or braided behind his neck in the traditional way of peoples on his homeworld. His chiseled jaw is clean shaven, aquiline nose and cheekbones giving his face an angular, hawkish appearance. A heavy brow arches over eyes that are shockingly green in color, a defining characteristic among the generally dark-eyed people of Ag’itsi. While huge and well-muscled, he moves with grace and agility that belies his imposing physique.
Ak’kanas’ battleplate is a more form fitting suit of Artificer armor than that of the standard Astartes warrior. His is the same pale ivory of his Legion, and Ak’kana has personally adorned his suit with ancient markings and trophies. Each decoration tells the story of a challenge the Primarch has overcome his life and the span of the Great Crusade. He does not gild his armor out of ostentation or pride like some of his siblings. Ak’kana decorates his armor to display to his enemies exactly who they have chosen to oppose. His amor informs his enemies that they face Ak’kana, Master of the First Legion, the Great Devourer of Ag’itsi and the ruin of those that stand in the path of the Emperor of Mankind.
Ak’kanas’ personal wargear is similarly lacking in flair. His weapons are tools rather than objects of reverence. He carries a matching set of power weapons, a straight handled ax with a hooked beard and poll spike, and a single edged knife the length of his forearm. The blades of each are flawless, honed to a monomolecular edge, and the hilts are made of bone from an indigenous predator of Ag’itsi wrapped in leather. While they appear plain, incorporated into the hilt of each is a psychoactive wafer attuned to his psychic imprint. No one other than the Primarch himself can hold the power blades, and Ak’kana can have the weapons return to his grip at will.
While he favors direct, personal confrontations over ranged combat, Ak’kana has one unique weapon integrated into his armor. Along the jawline of his helm are twin psychoreactive ranged weapons that his Legion refers to as “the Primarch’s Fangs,” which fire a powerful short ranged energy blast capable of melting through flesh and armor alike.
Personality: While some of his siblings react with passion and fire, Ak’kana is reserved. When first entering a room, he does not loudly announce his presence or boast, he observes and drinks in his surroundings. He choses his words carefully, weighing options, threats, and opportunities. He favors actions over words, and the platitudes of politics bore him. Some of his siblings are grand strategists, clever diplomats, and empire builders. Ak’kana is none of those things. He is a peerless hunter, a duelist, a champion of champions. But above all he is a survivor. Born in the fatal wilds, he fought with tooth and nail for his place. Even when taking command of his Legion, he was presented with a force that appeared doomed from its inception. In all challenges he has asserted his dominance, and he views all threats as a challenge to that. While he is loyal to the Emperor and the Great Crusade, Ak’kana’s true heart lies with his people. Both his Legion, the people of Ag’itsi. Threats to his people are taken with dire severity, and the claws of the I Legion are quickly unleashed.
Skills: Ak’kana is a hunter and a peerless duelist. He favors direct and efficient confrontation, quickly evaluating a battle and finding the lynchpins that are holding the enemies resolve together. Those are the places where the Primarch is, assassinating key leaders or destroying strong points that shatter the enemy’s willpower to continue the fight. Ak’kana takes pride in challenging the strongest champions of every world he has brought to compliance. In one-on-one combat he has bested them all, and the list of xenos, monstrosities, and men he has slain grows with every world the I Legion brings to the Imperium.
Ak’kana is a master of stealth warfare, one-on-one combat, lightning strikes, sabotage, and shock assaults. He applies the precise amount of force to neutralize a target. No wasted energy or resources, he simply identifies threats to himself and his Legion and removes them. He finds what gives his enemies strength and denies them that. He leaves diplomacy, plodding campaigns, and protracted sieges to the Imperial Army and other Legions. Ak’kana goes for the throat and leaves the rest for others to clean up.
Assignment Grade: Theta.
Ak’kana does not possess the psychic might that many other Primarchs have. He has three primary abilities that developed early for him.
Ghostwalk: Ak’kana has the ability to psychically manipulate those around him in order to mentally block out his own presence. Physically he is still there, but as far as those he chooses to can tell the Primarch is invisible.
Murdersight: A subconsciously manifested ability, Ak’kana will occasionally get flashes during combat of a psychic overlay that exposes the vital organs and weak points of his opponent. It is as if the layers of armor, skin, and bone are peeled away and the precise location for his blades to end a fight cleanly are revealed.
Community: Ak’kanas’ final power is a constant connection to every member of the Apex Predators. This is an ability that has been inherited among all Legionnaires of the I Legion, and it is what makes them so effective in the independent, small team-oriented style of war they excel in. Every member is linked to the other, capable of getting an imprint on the feelings and thoughts of another Astartes. While similar to another psyker reaching out to skim the minds of those around them, this unique trait of the Apex Predators is a permanent two-way street. It connects them and binds them together to be more than a simple shared gene seed.
Biography: When the gestation capsule of the Primarch of the was finally released from the Warp it found itself crashing down through the mile-high canopy of a temperate forest. The pods seals hissed and cracked, and the young Primarch of the I Legion stepped alone into the primordial nightmare world of Ag’itsi. No one knows how long the he survived in the wilds on his own. Even among the closest members of his Legion Ak’kana has not divulged this portion of his life. Perhaps he himself does not even know, or the memories of what he had to do for survival are too painful even for him.
He was discovered by a group of hunters, naked save for caked mud and a spear crafted from wood and bone. He approached the hunting party boldly instinctively recognizing that these men were different from the infinite dangers he had overcome thus far. The boy appeared human, but his presence filled the veteran warriors with abject horror. The simple fact that a child had lived where countless others had become prey was enough to debate killing the boy on the spot and leaving his carcass for scavengers. The look in the boys’ eyes destroyed what willpower they had left, and instead the hunters brought the Primarch back to their tribe to consult the elders. Ak’kana eventually came to learn that this was one of the smallest tribes of Ag’itsi known as the Wro’teklan. He was brought before the elders who sealed themselves in the tribe’s central lodge with the boy for 3 days. When the tent flap was finally peeled back, the elders presented the rest of the tribe with their newest member. He was given the name Ak’kana, the Great Devourer, a mythological creature who stalks the spirit world devouring the souls of the dead.
Ak’kana quickly rose to prominence within his tribe. He was a fearless hunter, the only warrior who traveled alone into the forests and mountains of Ag’itsi and came back alive. When rival tribes threatened Wro’teklan territory or resources he would conduct raids singlehanded, driving back their warriors. He would fell the greatest beasts, supplying meat, bones, and fur to his people. As he grew older, his tribe thrived, growing to encompass others as they saw the prosperity of the Wro’teklan. Despite his obvious air of authority and power, Ak’kana never took the mantle of leadership. The elders consistently would offer him a position at their circle, even asking that he take on sole leadership of the tribe and carry them to greatness. He always refused. Ak’kana was a warrior, and a killer. He had no desire to forge empires and conquer the world. He provided and protected his people, but he did so on the edge of a blade rather than behind words. While word spread of this warrior and hunter who was rising as a mythological figure in their culture, Ak’kana made no efforts to conquer his planet. He was content to simply be the most feared creature in the wilds. Conquest was not needed, as tales of his deeds alone were enough. Over time the tribes flocked to him, sending emissaries to Wro’teklan elders, asking for peace and trade. Some stayed opposed, fearing the growing power of the Wro’teklan and desiring their independence. It made no difference to Ak’kana. War and peace were common, and the shifting territories and diplomacy of the tribes was just another facet of nature.
When the Great Crusade rediscovered Ag’itsi, the Emperor presented Ak’kana with his Legion. The Primarch of the I Legion looked upon the shattered remnants of his warriors and felt the weight of inevitability on their hearts. They were a dying Legion, losing a war of attrition as every new campaign left more dead that could never be replaced. He saw in them the same heart he saw in the peoples of Ag’itsti: doomed against the odds, facing immeasurable opposition. He saw into their hearts and he knew that these Terran-born outsiders may look different but their hearts beat with the same fire as his own. Ak’kana ordered his Legion to disarm and dismantle. Their former names, accomplishments, and glories were destroyed. Companies and commanders ceased to exist. Ak’kana even ordered the erasure of the Legions former title from Imperial records. His last order was for the Legions aircraft to return to orbit, leaving behind only a small medicae to being the process of regrowing the Legion with the gene-stock of Ag’itsi. While native warriors were carefully selected as aspirants and handed over to the Legions Apothecaries, Ak’kana ordered the Terran Marines to assimilate into the tribes. He scattered them across the world, putting them on the same level as mortal men, and simply watched as these warriors either adopted the lifestyle of his people or perished in the wilds. He had no use for warriors who could not face the horrors of this planet with nothing more than stone and leather. While genetically superior in every way, these Legionaries were not of this planet. The strong became ever stronger, while the weak became prey. The already dwindling Legion shrank even further as their Primarch reforged his Legion in the image he demanded.
While the Terran warriors integrated with their Primarchs homeworld, Ak’kana began selecting his aspirants from among the tribes. He handpicked the most promising warriors and leaders from the indigenous youth, handing the young men over to the Apothecaries. Grim faced and expecting the worst, the Legions Apothecae began to integrate the geneseed into the new aspirants. Against all hopes, the results from each new batch of aspirants were an outstanding success. Fatality rates were the lowest recorded of any Legion, as if the DNA of Ag’itsi was created specifically to match with the geneseed of the I Legion. Despite the sudden change in fates, and the knowledge that his Legion would survive, growth was painfully slow. Ak’kana was harsh in his selections, accepting nothing but the best. Even after the reception of the geneseed aspirants were put through grueling trials, pitting them against every nightmare the planet had to offer. As the weak were culled, Ak’kana crafted his Legion, combining old Legionnaires with new, forming the first Circles that would become their lifeblood. Tribal loyalties were shattered, old commanders replaced, and new names earned and bestowed. They were no longer Terran born or native born. When the call finally came from the surface and the ships of the I Legion descended from the sky they came upon a Legion reborn. From the ashes of a doomed Legion came the birth of the Apex Predators, and they would force the galaxy to fear their name once more.
The Meeting:
“No.”
The figure seated in front of Ak’kana gave no reaction. The being, since the word “man” did not hold the accurate description in Ak’kana’s mind, leaned back and a shadow fell across his face. “No?” the being asked, the tone of his voice clearly illustrating that he was not accustomed to being denied.
“No,” Ak’kana repeated, stirring the fire that was between them with a stick. His ministrations unleashed a plume of embers and smoke, obscuring vision within the already sweltering tent even more. Both men were naked save for a loincloth, sweat making their bare skin shine. Ak’kana had never met someone who exceeded the aura of unquestionable authority and strength that he possessed. This being, this Emperor of Mankind, was unlike anything he had ever encountered, and when he arrived at the Wro’teklan camp just hours before Ak’kana knew instinctively that what was about to happen would change the fate of his people forever.
“You tell me I am one of twenty, a demigod crafted by you for the purpose of conquering the galaxy in your name, the name of Mankind. You tell me I am destined to lead a race of warriors so powerful that every creature will know their name means death. You ask me to take up this mantle of command and my place by your side on a Great Crusade across the stars. My answer is no.”
The Emperor did not speak for a time, simply staring across the flames at Ak’kana. His square jaw was set, eyes flashing with the reflection of the flicking fire. He held Ak’kanas gaze, and the Primarch felt something he had never felt before. A tingle in his spine, beginning at the base of his neck, crawling into his scalp. His heart beat pounded in his chest, and he began to have an intense urge to divert his eyes. For the first time in his life, he felt fear.
“Why?” A single word to break the silence. A demand, not a question.
The heat in the tent would have been unbearable for mortal men, but the Emperor and Ak’kana appeared not to notice. “You claim I have nineteen brothers and sisters, and that the people of this world are few among untold billions. You say that it is my destiny. I believe you. Your face does not lie. But you are also wrong.” Ak’kana paused, and the Emperors face remained impassive. He continued, “those siblings, the other Primarchs, they are not my people. The rest of the galaxy, choked with Mankind, are not my people. This,” he scooped up a fistful of earth from the ground, “this is my people. Ag’itsi, everything that walks its surface and breathes its air, are my people. It takes more than a shared creator.” He finished, the dirt falling between his fingers.
The Emperor remained silent. The fire crackled and spit. He let the silence stretch, never shifting his gaze away from Ak’kana. The one who denied him.
“This planet means that much to you,” he finally said, “that you would turn your back on your true purpose?” Ak’kana shook his head, “no, not my true purpose. My true purpose is here, protecting what is mine.” The Emperors eyes narrowed, the first sign he had made of annoyance since their conversation began. “Very well. Let me tell you that what waits beyond the stars, poised to devour your Ag’itsi. It makes the horrors of this world seem like playthings. You know nothing of this galaxy and its true dangers, and if you truly cared about the protection of your people, you would accept this offer and fulfill the purpose I created you for. By accomplishing my Great Crusade you secure the safety and prosperity of your people for eons untold. Refuse me,” the Emperor rose to his full height towering over the Primarch, “and your people will cease to exist even in the memory.” Ak’kana felt the weight of the Emperors’ words, his teeth clenched tight as he struggled to determine if this was a threat or a warning. He met the Emperors eyes. His face did not lie.
Ak’kana rose, still needing to tilt his head back to look at the Emperor of Mankind in the eye despite his massive bulk. He knew what he needed to do, and he felt something else for the first time in his life. He knew that he had lost.
“Very well. You make your point plain, my Emperor,” Ak'kana nearly choked out those last words. “Give me the warriors to do this task, and I will see it done.”
Gender: Male.
Homeworld:
Ag’itsi (local language. Translates to High Gothic roughly as Mother)
When rediscovered by the Great Crusade, the Administratum classified it as a potential Garden or Agri World due to initial data from early scans showing lush vegetation, fertile oceans, and abundant local fauna. A lack of dangerous atmospheric conditions made Ag’itsi appear to be idyllic. The world was immediately reclassified as a Death World after vox-transmissions of survey teams reached Imperial offcios.
Ag’itsi is lush world, containing several continents separated by clean, fertile oceans. The continents themselves are a mix of towering mountain ranges, wide open grasslands, and dense primordial forests and jungles. The climate mimics old Terra, with extreme northern and southern latitudes brining deadly cold while the center of the world receives the bulk of sunlight and can reach unpleasantly high temperatures. The world itself sits in the perfect orbit around its star to maintain life and keep atmospheric conditions mild in comparison to other Imperial worlds. What makes Ag’itsi so inhospitable to human life is not the planet itself, but the creatures that call it home.
On Ag’itsi mankind is the bottom of the food chain. Every biome is home to towering megafauna, monstrous apex predators, carnivorous plants, and worse besides. There are few things on Ag’itsi that cannot overcome an Imperial outpost, seeing the arrival of colonists as little more than an opportunity to feed. During the Dark Age of Technology mankind managed to secure a foothold, seduced by the natural wealth the world offered. The technology of the colonists managed to keep the locals safe for a time, but creatures adapt, machines wither, and during the Age of Strife the former settlements were eventually broken apart and lived a daily struggle to survive.
But survive they did. The tenacity of mankind would not be broken, and tribes formed and thrived among the beasts. Only the strongest and most cunning could survive in the wilds of Ag’itsi. It was among one of the smallest of these tribes that eventually discovered the fledging Primarch of the I Legion. While out on a hunt, warriors of the Wro’teklan found what appeared to be a child, caked in mud and carrying a spear crafted from the bones of predators. The look in the boys eyes unnerved the veteran hunters, but the fact that this young boy had survived in the wilds of Ag’itsi alone filled them with both dread and awe.
Unlike other worlds discovered by the Great Crusade, Ag’itsi remains untouched. By order of the Primarch the Mechanicum and Administratum were denied the planet. All other planets in the solar system could be theirs, but Ag’itsi would be preserved exactly as it was. Ak’kana knew that the strength of his people came from that planet, from the constant struggle to survive against nature. He would not allow the grinding infrastructure of the Imperium to destroy that which had forged him into who he was. Orbital fortresses were created to house the serfs and administration of the Legion, and the knowledge of the Imperium remains a mystery to the denizens of Ag’itsi. They live on the planet as they always have, the only change being that occasionally great warriors and hunters among them are taken to be among the stars. It is seen as both a great honor and a tragedy, as the loss of such strength weakens a tribe but provides room for others to shoulder the mantle.
Appearance: Ak’kana stands at about 12 feet tall, broad shouldered and heavily muscled like the ancient divine heroes of Terran myth. He exemplifies every bit of perfection that the Emperor imbued within his gene-seed. His skin is the deep tanned color of uncured clay, his black hair worn long but often tied or braided behind his neck in the traditional way of peoples on his homeworld. His chiseled jaw is clean shaven, aquiline nose and cheekbones giving his face an angular, hawkish appearance. A heavy brow arches over eyes that are shockingly green in color, a defining characteristic among the generally dark-eyed people of Ag’itsi. While huge and well-muscled, he moves with grace and agility that belies his imposing physique.
Ak’kanas’ battleplate is a more form fitting suit of Artificer armor than that of the standard Astartes warrior. His is the same pale ivory of his Legion, and Ak’kana has personally adorned his suit with ancient markings and trophies. Each decoration tells the story of a challenge the Primarch has overcome his life and the span of the Great Crusade. He does not gild his armor out of ostentation or pride like some of his siblings. Ak’kana decorates his armor to display to his enemies exactly who they have chosen to oppose. His amor informs his enemies that they face Ak’kana, Master of the First Legion, the Great Devourer of Ag’itsi and the ruin of those that stand in the path of the Emperor of Mankind.
Ak’kanas’ personal wargear is similarly lacking in flair. His weapons are tools rather than objects of reverence. He carries a matching set of power weapons, a straight handled ax with a hooked beard and poll spike, and a single edged knife the length of his forearm. The blades of each are flawless, honed to a monomolecular edge, and the hilts are made of bone from an indigenous predator of Ag’itsi wrapped in leather. While they appear plain, incorporated into the hilt of each is a psychoactive wafer attuned to his psychic imprint. No one other than the Primarch himself can hold the power blades, and Ak’kana can have the weapons return to his grip at will.
While he favors direct, personal confrontations over ranged combat, Ak’kana has one unique weapon integrated into his armor. Along the jawline of his helm are twin psychoreactive ranged weapons that his Legion refers to as “the Primarch’s Fangs,” which fire a powerful short ranged energy blast capable of melting through flesh and armor alike.
Personality: While some of his siblings react with passion and fire, Ak’kana is reserved. When first entering a room, he does not loudly announce his presence or boast, he observes and drinks in his surroundings. He choses his words carefully, weighing options, threats, and opportunities. He favors actions over words, and the platitudes of politics bore him. Some of his siblings are grand strategists, clever diplomats, and empire builders. Ak’kana is none of those things. He is a peerless hunter, a duelist, a champion of champions. But above all he is a survivor. Born in the fatal wilds, he fought with tooth and nail for his place. Even when taking command of his Legion, he was presented with a force that appeared doomed from its inception. In all challenges he has asserted his dominance, and he views all threats as a challenge to that. While he is loyal to the Emperor and the Great Crusade, Ak’kana’s true heart lies with his people. Both his Legion, the people of Ag’itsi. Threats to his people are taken with dire severity, and the claws of the I Legion are quickly unleashed.
Skills: Ak’kana is a hunter and a peerless duelist. He favors direct and efficient confrontation, quickly evaluating a battle and finding the lynchpins that are holding the enemies resolve together. Those are the places where the Primarch is, assassinating key leaders or destroying strong points that shatter the enemy’s willpower to continue the fight. Ak’kana takes pride in challenging the strongest champions of every world he has brought to compliance. In one-on-one combat he has bested them all, and the list of xenos, monstrosities, and men he has slain grows with every world the I Legion brings to the Imperium.
Ak’kana is a master of stealth warfare, one-on-one combat, lightning strikes, sabotage, and shock assaults. He applies the precise amount of force to neutralize a target. No wasted energy or resources, he simply identifies threats to himself and his Legion and removes them. He finds what gives his enemies strength and denies them that. He leaves diplomacy, plodding campaigns, and protracted sieges to the Imperial Army and other Legions. Ak’kana goes for the throat and leaves the rest for others to clean up.
Assignment Grade: Theta.
Ak’kana does not possess the psychic might that many other Primarchs have. He has three primary abilities that developed early for him.
Ghostwalk: Ak’kana has the ability to psychically manipulate those around him in order to mentally block out his own presence. Physically he is still there, but as far as those he chooses to can tell the Primarch is invisible.
Murdersight: A subconsciously manifested ability, Ak’kana will occasionally get flashes during combat of a psychic overlay that exposes the vital organs and weak points of his opponent. It is as if the layers of armor, skin, and bone are peeled away and the precise location for his blades to end a fight cleanly are revealed.
Community: Ak’kanas’ final power is a constant connection to every member of the Apex Predators. This is an ability that has been inherited among all Legionnaires of the I Legion, and it is what makes them so effective in the independent, small team-oriented style of war they excel in. Every member is linked to the other, capable of getting an imprint on the feelings and thoughts of another Astartes. While similar to another psyker reaching out to skim the minds of those around them, this unique trait of the Apex Predators is a permanent two-way street. It connects them and binds them together to be more than a simple shared gene seed.
Biography: When the gestation capsule of the Primarch of the was finally released from the Warp it found itself crashing down through the mile-high canopy of a temperate forest. The pods seals hissed and cracked, and the young Primarch of the I Legion stepped alone into the primordial nightmare world of Ag’itsi. No one knows how long the he survived in the wilds on his own. Even among the closest members of his Legion Ak’kana has not divulged this portion of his life. Perhaps he himself does not even know, or the memories of what he had to do for survival are too painful even for him.
He was discovered by a group of hunters, naked save for caked mud and a spear crafted from wood and bone. He approached the hunting party boldly instinctively recognizing that these men were different from the infinite dangers he had overcome thus far. The boy appeared human, but his presence filled the veteran warriors with abject horror. The simple fact that a child had lived where countless others had become prey was enough to debate killing the boy on the spot and leaving his carcass for scavengers. The look in the boys’ eyes destroyed what willpower they had left, and instead the hunters brought the Primarch back to their tribe to consult the elders. Ak’kana eventually came to learn that this was one of the smallest tribes of Ag’itsi known as the Wro’teklan. He was brought before the elders who sealed themselves in the tribe’s central lodge with the boy for 3 days. When the tent flap was finally peeled back, the elders presented the rest of the tribe with their newest member. He was given the name Ak’kana, the Great Devourer, a mythological creature who stalks the spirit world devouring the souls of the dead.
Ak’kana quickly rose to prominence within his tribe. He was a fearless hunter, the only warrior who traveled alone into the forests and mountains of Ag’itsi and came back alive. When rival tribes threatened Wro’teklan territory or resources he would conduct raids singlehanded, driving back their warriors. He would fell the greatest beasts, supplying meat, bones, and fur to his people. As he grew older, his tribe thrived, growing to encompass others as they saw the prosperity of the Wro’teklan. Despite his obvious air of authority and power, Ak’kana never took the mantle of leadership. The elders consistently would offer him a position at their circle, even asking that he take on sole leadership of the tribe and carry them to greatness. He always refused. Ak’kana was a warrior, and a killer. He had no desire to forge empires and conquer the world. He provided and protected his people, but he did so on the edge of a blade rather than behind words. While word spread of this warrior and hunter who was rising as a mythological figure in their culture, Ak’kana made no efforts to conquer his planet. He was content to simply be the most feared creature in the wilds. Conquest was not needed, as tales of his deeds alone were enough. Over time the tribes flocked to him, sending emissaries to Wro’teklan elders, asking for peace and trade. Some stayed opposed, fearing the growing power of the Wro’teklan and desiring their independence. It made no difference to Ak’kana. War and peace were common, and the shifting territories and diplomacy of the tribes was just another facet of nature.
When the Great Crusade rediscovered Ag’itsi, the Emperor presented Ak’kana with his Legion. The Primarch of the I Legion looked upon the shattered remnants of his warriors and felt the weight of inevitability on their hearts. They were a dying Legion, losing a war of attrition as every new campaign left more dead that could never be replaced. He saw in them the same heart he saw in the peoples of Ag’itsti: doomed against the odds, facing immeasurable opposition. He saw into their hearts and he knew that these Terran-born outsiders may look different but their hearts beat with the same fire as his own. Ak’kana ordered his Legion to disarm and dismantle. Their former names, accomplishments, and glories were destroyed. Companies and commanders ceased to exist. Ak’kana even ordered the erasure of the Legions former title from Imperial records. His last order was for the Legions aircraft to return to orbit, leaving behind only a small medicae to being the process of regrowing the Legion with the gene-stock of Ag’itsi. While native warriors were carefully selected as aspirants and handed over to the Legions Apothecaries, Ak’kana ordered the Terran Marines to assimilate into the tribes. He scattered them across the world, putting them on the same level as mortal men, and simply watched as these warriors either adopted the lifestyle of his people or perished in the wilds. He had no use for warriors who could not face the horrors of this planet with nothing more than stone and leather. While genetically superior in every way, these Legionaries were not of this planet. The strong became ever stronger, while the weak became prey. The already dwindling Legion shrank even further as their Primarch reforged his Legion in the image he demanded.
While the Terran warriors integrated with their Primarchs homeworld, Ak’kana began selecting his aspirants from among the tribes. He handpicked the most promising warriors and leaders from the indigenous youth, handing the young men over to the Apothecaries. Grim faced and expecting the worst, the Legions Apothecae began to integrate the geneseed into the new aspirants. Against all hopes, the results from each new batch of aspirants were an outstanding success. Fatality rates were the lowest recorded of any Legion, as if the DNA of Ag’itsi was created specifically to match with the geneseed of the I Legion. Despite the sudden change in fates, and the knowledge that his Legion would survive, growth was painfully slow. Ak’kana was harsh in his selections, accepting nothing but the best. Even after the reception of the geneseed aspirants were put through grueling trials, pitting them against every nightmare the planet had to offer. As the weak were culled, Ak’kana crafted his Legion, combining old Legionnaires with new, forming the first Circles that would become their lifeblood. Tribal loyalties were shattered, old commanders replaced, and new names earned and bestowed. They were no longer Terran born or native born. When the call finally came from the surface and the ships of the I Legion descended from the sky they came upon a Legion reborn. From the ashes of a doomed Legion came the birth of the Apex Predators, and they would force the galaxy to fear their name once more.
The Meeting:
“No.”
The figure seated in front of Ak’kana gave no reaction. The being, since the word “man” did not hold the accurate description in Ak’kana’s mind, leaned back and a shadow fell across his face. “No?” the being asked, the tone of his voice clearly illustrating that he was not accustomed to being denied.
“No,” Ak’kana repeated, stirring the fire that was between them with a stick. His ministrations unleashed a plume of embers and smoke, obscuring vision within the already sweltering tent even more. Both men were naked save for a loincloth, sweat making their bare skin shine. Ak’kana had never met someone who exceeded the aura of unquestionable authority and strength that he possessed. This being, this Emperor of Mankind, was unlike anything he had ever encountered, and when he arrived at the Wro’teklan camp just hours before Ak’kana knew instinctively that what was about to happen would change the fate of his people forever.
“You tell me I am one of twenty, a demigod crafted by you for the purpose of conquering the galaxy in your name, the name of Mankind. You tell me I am destined to lead a race of warriors so powerful that every creature will know their name means death. You ask me to take up this mantle of command and my place by your side on a Great Crusade across the stars. My answer is no.”
The Emperor did not speak for a time, simply staring across the flames at Ak’kana. His square jaw was set, eyes flashing with the reflection of the flicking fire. He held Ak’kanas gaze, and the Primarch felt something he had never felt before. A tingle in his spine, beginning at the base of his neck, crawling into his scalp. His heart beat pounded in his chest, and he began to have an intense urge to divert his eyes. For the first time in his life, he felt fear.
“Why?” A single word to break the silence. A demand, not a question.
The heat in the tent would have been unbearable for mortal men, but the Emperor and Ak’kana appeared not to notice. “You claim I have nineteen brothers and sisters, and that the people of this world are few among untold billions. You say that it is my destiny. I believe you. Your face does not lie. But you are also wrong.” Ak’kana paused, and the Emperors face remained impassive. He continued, “those siblings, the other Primarchs, they are not my people. The rest of the galaxy, choked with Mankind, are not my people. This,” he scooped up a fistful of earth from the ground, “this is my people. Ag’itsi, everything that walks its surface and breathes its air, are my people. It takes more than a shared creator.” He finished, the dirt falling between his fingers.
The Emperor remained silent. The fire crackled and spit. He let the silence stretch, never shifting his gaze away from Ak’kana. The one who denied him.
“This planet means that much to you,” he finally said, “that you would turn your back on your true purpose?” Ak’kana shook his head, “no, not my true purpose. My true purpose is here, protecting what is mine.” The Emperors eyes narrowed, the first sign he had made of annoyance since their conversation began. “Very well. Let me tell you that what waits beyond the stars, poised to devour your Ag’itsi. It makes the horrors of this world seem like playthings. You know nothing of this galaxy and its true dangers, and if you truly cared about the protection of your people, you would accept this offer and fulfill the purpose I created you for. By accomplishing my Great Crusade you secure the safety and prosperity of your people for eons untold. Refuse me,” the Emperor rose to his full height towering over the Primarch, “and your people will cease to exist even in the memory.” Ak’kana felt the weight of the Emperors’ words, his teeth clenched tight as he struggled to determine if this was a threat or a warning. He met the Emperors eyes. His face did not lie.
Ak’kana rose, still needing to tilt his head back to look at the Emperor of Mankind in the eye despite his massive bulk. He knew what he needed to do, and he felt something else for the first time in his life. He knew that he had lost.
“Very well. You make your point plain, my Emperor,” Ak'kana nearly choked out those last words. “Give me the warriors to do this task, and I will see it done.”
Legion Name: The Apex Predators (former name purged from Imperial records at request of the Primarch)
Legion Number: I
Legion Strength: Unknown, last reported Legion strength was 5,000. Legion is very secretive about the exact number of members and reports from the Legion serfs to the Imperial officials vary wildly by design.
Armor Appearance:
Armor color is bone. Individual Astartes are encouraged to decorate and modify their armor as they wish, and thus there is no uniform appearance to the members of the I Legion. Each warrior covers his armor in various trophies, markings, and personal items. Additionally, it is common practice to incorporate armor and wargear from fallen members into other Astartes arsenal. Thus, it is not uncommon for the members of the Apex Predators to wear a combination of different power armor marks, though due to the small number of Legionaries Mk IV and Mk V armor are most common.
Warcry: No official war cry. Individual warriors may have their own personal warcry, and mottos or battlecries may be shared by the members of a Circle.
Dramatis Personae: TBD
Favored Tactics/Battlefield Role: Small unit special operations: assassination, sabotage, ambushes, lightning raids, boarding actions and pinpoint shock assaults. The members of the Apex Predators excel in chaos of close-range combat, whether in melee or pointblank fire fights. They identify vital targets and launch precise kinetic operations to neutralize them, bringing an end to conflict swiftly and efficiently. Their way is to go for the kill, avoiding unnecessary casualties and waste of resources. The Apex Predators fight in a unique way that was developed by need rather than choice due to the diminished nature of the Legion upon the Primarchs discovery, and the traditional survivalist hunting cultures of Ag’itsi.
Warriors in the Apex Predators are given a large amount of latitude in the selection of their own wargear. Circle leaders may dictate specific members to adorn themselves with various equipment due to the mission requirements, but it is expected that each Astartes outfit himself with the armaments that he favors and can accomplish the mission. Each Circle operates as a distinct unit, given an operational area and a large degree of flexibility and autonomy. Due to the psychic bond that all Apex Predators share, Circles are always aware of the status of operations that adjacent Legionnaires are conducting.
Legion Characteristics/Ideology: When first reunited with their Primarch the Legion was vastly understrength, barely a few thousand remaining of the hundreds of thousands that had departed Terra. As the I Legion, they were formed and sent out into the galaxy ahead of all others, but there was an unknown flaw in their geneseed at the time of their inception. The initial creation of the first Astartes was flawless, and the Legion departed Terra at full strength. All attempts at the creation of reinforcements resulted in horrific failure, and after several attempts the Emperor’s genesmiths gave up. The I Legion would not receive additional manpower, and all Imperial officials began to write off the Legion as a failure. Their numbers were not replenished, and every campaign dwindled their numbers until they were a sliver of their former glory. The I Legion stood before their Primarch a weakened Legion, but he instantly saw them as his people, and they would not be forgotten or discarded. Ak’kana dismantled the Legion, stripping the Terran born warriors of armor and weapons and sending their ships back into orbit. He integrated them with the indigenous tribes, requiring that they fully assimilate into the ways of his homeworld. From the best hunters and warriors, he started to rebuild his Legion. The inclusion of the DNA from Ag’itsi grafted to the geneseed in a way that the Terran Legionnaires could not, and future efforts to create Space Marines from the planets genestock stock resulted in boundless success. For this reason, the Apex Predators do not recruit from other worlds, and their recovery remains slow.
The Apex Predators operate on a “Legion first, everyone else second” mentality. They will do what they need to survive and succeed, at the expense of those around them if necessary. It is not uncommon for them to leave Imperial Army units or even other Astartes Legions in harms way if it provides a clearer path to their own target or leave allies in the dark about their own plans. Ak’kana himself, while loyal to the Emperor and the Great Crusade, values his Legion and his homeworld more than the paltry concerns of conquest and expansion. Should Ag’itsi itself be threatened, or his Legion ordered to sacrifice itself for the good of the Imperium, Ak’kana would easily turn his back on others to protect what is his.
The Apex Predators are not organized in Chapters or Companies. They have but a single unit designation, known as a Circle. When aspirants are selected from Ag’itsi and become neophytes, they are formed into a Circle. Each Circle receives a numeric designation which is never repeated. Circles select a leader from among them based on merit, and that leader is not changed until his death. A Circle trains, fights, eats, and sleeps together. They become a single being, carefully attuned to the other members of their Circle. The Circle is the basis of all operations the Apex Predators conduct, with Circle leaders being given specific missions and areas of responsibility. Circle leaders are responsible for the supply of their mission, coordinating what supporting efforts may be needed by adjacent Circles. The Priamrch expect his warriors to be flexible and autonomous units that are capable of individual acts of valor that all combine to a decisive victory.
In memory of the dire beginnings of the Legion, Circles never receive new members. As Circle warriors die, they are not replaced, as doing so would upset the integrity of the unit. When a Circle is down to its last member, that warrior receives the title of D’waya, a word in the Ag’itsi language referring to a lone hunter. The D’waya become elite operatives or commanders, filling such roles common to Preators, Vigilators, and Moritats in other Legions. Those who show skill in leadership and battlefield logistics often are given responsibility of several Circles to coordinate and deconflict. Those D’waya whose skill at arms is legendary are left to their own devices, becoming elite solo killers who apply their deadly trade as they see fit. When that D’waya finally falls in battle the number of his Circle is retired permanently and all names of its members are inscribed in the Hall of Memories on the Legions orbital fortresses.
Relationships: TBD
Legion Number: I
Legion Strength: Unknown, last reported Legion strength was 5,000. Legion is very secretive about the exact number of members and reports from the Legion serfs to the Imperial officials vary wildly by design.
Armor Appearance:
Armor color is bone. Individual Astartes are encouraged to decorate and modify their armor as they wish, and thus there is no uniform appearance to the members of the I Legion. Each warrior covers his armor in various trophies, markings, and personal items. Additionally, it is common practice to incorporate armor and wargear from fallen members into other Astartes arsenal. Thus, it is not uncommon for the members of the Apex Predators to wear a combination of different power armor marks, though due to the small number of Legionaries Mk IV and Mk V armor are most common.
Warcry: No official war cry. Individual warriors may have their own personal warcry, and mottos or battlecries may be shared by the members of a Circle.
Dramatis Personae: TBD
Favored Tactics/Battlefield Role: Small unit special operations: assassination, sabotage, ambushes, lightning raids, boarding actions and pinpoint shock assaults. The members of the Apex Predators excel in chaos of close-range combat, whether in melee or pointblank fire fights. They identify vital targets and launch precise kinetic operations to neutralize them, bringing an end to conflict swiftly and efficiently. Their way is to go for the kill, avoiding unnecessary casualties and waste of resources. The Apex Predators fight in a unique way that was developed by need rather than choice due to the diminished nature of the Legion upon the Primarchs discovery, and the traditional survivalist hunting cultures of Ag’itsi.
Warriors in the Apex Predators are given a large amount of latitude in the selection of their own wargear. Circle leaders may dictate specific members to adorn themselves with various equipment due to the mission requirements, but it is expected that each Astartes outfit himself with the armaments that he favors and can accomplish the mission. Each Circle operates as a distinct unit, given an operational area and a large degree of flexibility and autonomy. Due to the psychic bond that all Apex Predators share, Circles are always aware of the status of operations that adjacent Legionnaires are conducting.
Legion Characteristics/Ideology: When first reunited with their Primarch the Legion was vastly understrength, barely a few thousand remaining of the hundreds of thousands that had departed Terra. As the I Legion, they were formed and sent out into the galaxy ahead of all others, but there was an unknown flaw in their geneseed at the time of their inception. The initial creation of the first Astartes was flawless, and the Legion departed Terra at full strength. All attempts at the creation of reinforcements resulted in horrific failure, and after several attempts the Emperor’s genesmiths gave up. The I Legion would not receive additional manpower, and all Imperial officials began to write off the Legion as a failure. Their numbers were not replenished, and every campaign dwindled their numbers until they were a sliver of their former glory. The I Legion stood before their Primarch a weakened Legion, but he instantly saw them as his people, and they would not be forgotten or discarded. Ak’kana dismantled the Legion, stripping the Terran born warriors of armor and weapons and sending their ships back into orbit. He integrated them with the indigenous tribes, requiring that they fully assimilate into the ways of his homeworld. From the best hunters and warriors, he started to rebuild his Legion. The inclusion of the DNA from Ag’itsi grafted to the geneseed in a way that the Terran Legionnaires could not, and future efforts to create Space Marines from the planets genestock stock resulted in boundless success. For this reason, the Apex Predators do not recruit from other worlds, and their recovery remains slow.
The Apex Predators operate on a “Legion first, everyone else second” mentality. They will do what they need to survive and succeed, at the expense of those around them if necessary. It is not uncommon for them to leave Imperial Army units or even other Astartes Legions in harms way if it provides a clearer path to their own target or leave allies in the dark about their own plans. Ak’kana himself, while loyal to the Emperor and the Great Crusade, values his Legion and his homeworld more than the paltry concerns of conquest and expansion. Should Ag’itsi itself be threatened, or his Legion ordered to sacrifice itself for the good of the Imperium, Ak’kana would easily turn his back on others to protect what is his.
The Apex Predators are not organized in Chapters or Companies. They have but a single unit designation, known as a Circle. When aspirants are selected from Ag’itsi and become neophytes, they are formed into a Circle. Each Circle receives a numeric designation which is never repeated. Circles select a leader from among them based on merit, and that leader is not changed until his death. A Circle trains, fights, eats, and sleeps together. They become a single being, carefully attuned to the other members of their Circle. The Circle is the basis of all operations the Apex Predators conduct, with Circle leaders being given specific missions and areas of responsibility. Circle leaders are responsible for the supply of their mission, coordinating what supporting efforts may be needed by adjacent Circles. The Priamrch expect his warriors to be flexible and autonomous units that are capable of individual acts of valor that all combine to a decisive victory.
In memory of the dire beginnings of the Legion, Circles never receive new members. As Circle warriors die, they are not replaced, as doing so would upset the integrity of the unit. When a Circle is down to its last member, that warrior receives the title of D’waya, a word in the Ag’itsi language referring to a lone hunter. The D’waya become elite operatives or commanders, filling such roles common to Preators, Vigilators, and Moritats in other Legions. Those who show skill in leadership and battlefield logistics often are given responsibility of several Circles to coordinate and deconflict. Those D’waya whose skill at arms is legendary are left to their own devices, becoming elite solo killers who apply their deadly trade as they see fit. When that D’waya finally falls in battle the number of his Circle is retired permanently and all names of its members are inscribed in the Hall of Memories on the Legions orbital fortresses.
Relationships: TBD