The Lost Primarch Quest

AN: I won't have an update tomorrow because of a midterm.



When Kesar began trying to integrate the Ruoult into the Imperium, he expected the process to be easier than it was. There were simply far too many issues to deal with. Ruoult laws needed to be adapted, religious issues needed to be fixed, hell, even the languages resulted in confusion. This was not helped by the extreme caution most of the Imperium officials. Thankfully, once it became clear that the Emperor did not disapprove, the Imperium effectively shrugged its shoulders and commenced integration. There were hundreds of problems and thousands of delays, but it was progressing. There was a brief scare when a group of Imperial army soldiers attempted to frame a Ruoult for burglary. Thankfully, the situation was resolved after analyzing the area, and ensuring that it was investigated thoroughly. As such, by the end of the year, the Ruoult were integrated into the Imperium.

One surprising thing that happened was about how the Ruoult reacted once they were in the domain of the Emperor. They seemed to begin a religious revival. They worshipped the Emperor, as they viewed he was a Great Spirit given flesh, which initially worried Kesar since it violated the Imperial Truth. However, the edict did not apply to Xenos, so the Emperor was unlikely to interfere. This religious fervor, however, led to an unexpected development. The Ruoult petitioned the Wardens to be a part of the Great Crusade as an attachment to the Daemonsbane, a name that was created for Primarch Kesar. While initially hesitant to push his luck, Kesar eventually complied when it was clear that there would be no repercussions.

*Gain Xenos auxiliaries*

Meanwhile, as Kesar traveled to Terra, he reviewed the book on Pentagrammic Runic Networks that Malcador had given him. It seems that by creating fractal patterns of order 5, the runes themselves resist the corruption of the warp. The main issue with creating larger runes along the size of ships was that they would be corrupted simply because of their size. The tiniest mistake would result in a rune that served daemon kind, and that could not be allowed. However, this series of 5 would allow for large runes to be created. The main issue is he would need to find a way to successfully integrate these fractal patterns into the current runic design. Not an easy task, but it was likely the last step before creating runic patterns across his void ships themselves.

Kesar had also reviewed some interesting notes on warp reflections. It seems that objects create a small reflection in the warp depending on what people believe the object to be. A biohazard symbol would seem dangerous, a flower would be pretty, etc. Nevertheless, Kesar managed to pinpoint these reflections by tracking objects through the warp. It seemed that this opened up a series of ideas related to a few things. The first was the idea of scaling this up to the size of buildings. Of course, this would be a few steps away, but it could prove useful. The second idea was seeing how a human soul reflected in the warp. This was an interesting idea that could lead to the manipulation of souls, but it would be a difficult task to even understand souls. The third was simply attempting to manipulate the warp reflection of objects. This could lead to some interesting ideas on conceptual bonding, but it was a way off.

After the first warp jump to Terra, the fleet paused for an hour as an information update on Lave V came through. It seems that Warboss Cyber Ork was far more dangerous than initially expected. Unlike Metal Brain, this Ork was not a master of tactics. No, it was worse. Cyber Ork was a Big Mek that excelled with standardizing Ork ships and encouraging individual excellence. This was an Ork who was teaching the Orks how to competently fight war. When the Dark Angels and Salamanders first arrived in the system, the Lion and Vulkan orchestrated a strategy where the Dark Angels would use the Orks native aggressiveness to encircle and entrap them. However, when the plan was executed, it fell apart.

Normally, Imperium vessels are easily able to match two if not three of the Orkish equivalents. This was not the case here. Here, Warboss Cyber Ork made sure that his ships were maintained and powerful. Here, the vessels of the Orks were actual vessels, not the ramshackle constructions that were expected. While Lion's trap worked, the Orks were not defenseless. And they could fire in any direction. The Orkish fleet threw lead into every direction. What would normally be just a flak screen, was well aimed and disciplined. The Orks may not have tactics, but their ships were good, and their captains were competent. The Dark Angels were savaged as their overstretched formation was shattered by the Orks. In those moments, 35,000 Dark Angels perished against the greenskins as their fleet was carved into pieces. The only reason things did not go worse was that the Salamanders charged into the fray. This haphazard charge resulted in Vulkan's Legion being mauled as well, nearly 15,000 Salamanders died as the two Legions desperately tried to retreat. Eventually, the two Primarchs managed to extricate their fleets, but the Orks at Lave were back and more dangerous than ever.

After the disaster, the Lion was furious. The normally quite individual was beyond angry at his brother Lorgar for abandoning his duty. He was about to march straight to Terra and demand an audience with the Urizen, but Vulkan convinced him otherwise. The Primarch of the Salamanders argued that he was currently far too angry to make a good decision. Additionally, the Orks here were a major threat that would require both their presence. Still furious, the Lion barely agreed to remain until the Orks were dealt with, but he would make his displeasure with Lorgar clear when they next met.

During this drama, Kesar had sent orders amongst his Legion to gift away the STCs and production ideas he had gained. The Wardens retained the runes and his own research, mostly because other Primarchs would almost certainly not be able to make use of this. Except for perhaps Magnus. When Kesar had initially sent these, he had not expected much from it, so he was pleased to see that his brothers had gifted him things in return.

From Horus, Kesar received a multitude of minor STCs. These seemed to primarily cover items such as Imperial army equipment, their weapons, armor, etc. While they did not improve their combat ability, they did enable soldiers to operate without supply lines for extended periods of time. Something that would certainly be useful. *+10 to positioning and stealth rolls from extended supplies*

Meanwhile, when Ferrus heard of what Kesar had done, he requested that the XIth Primarch wait until next year when he would present a weapon fit for him. After all, it was the least he could do after such a generous gift.

Meanwhile, he had also received a portrait from Rogal Dorn of all people. It was surprising, to say the least. However, a copy of a portrait from the second millennium was extremely worthwhile. The Arnolfini Portrait would make an excellent addition to Valhalla's upcoming artistic culture. *+5 to Valhallan art rolls*

Kesar also received a gift from Perturabo. The Iron Lord seemed to have made a rather extensive study of the Valhalla system, and had come up with a masterful defensive network, that focused on slowly bleeding the enemy if the system was ever invaded. It would be difficult to implement, but it was not that expensive since it was customized for Valhalla. There was an additional upgrade possible, but this was well out of reach.

*Valhallan Defensive Network can be constructed for 1200PP. Doubles enemy casualties*
*Supreme Defensive Network available. 12k PP triples enemy casualties.*

Additionally, the Mechanicus were beyond ecstatic at this. By sharing STCs and secrets of ancient men, Kesar had effectively earned his exalted status amongst the Mechanicus yet again.

As Kesar began to design a plan to implement these gifts, he heard a knock on the door. Surprised, Kesar noticed his brother Alpharius inside his room. "Well, Brother, how long have you been standing there?"

"A while." At this, Kesar motioned to a seat that was in his room, and Alpharius sat down in it. "I was wondering when you would notice."

"You know, it is disturbing how much you enjoy staring at me. I am afraid I don't think of you that way." In that brief moment, Kesar saw something he would treasure forever. A brief look of shock on his normally unreadable brother. At this Kesar just smiled before Alpharius' poker face returned.

"Well played Brother."

"This could be avoided if you simply knocked. Or used a mundane disguise?"

"Ah, but where would the fun be in that." Standing up, Alpharius took on a jovial tone. "Well, Kesar seems like you had kids. 66 thousand to be exact. Who is the lucky girl?" When Kesar didn't bat an eye at this, Alpharius just smirked as if he knew something Kesar didn't. It was a look that the XIth Primarch was used to in these conversations with the elusive Primarch.

"Now then Brother, normally at some point one of asks something of the other. Since I did so previously, it is only fair that you ask this time."

At this, Alpharius just smiled. "Father has directed your Legion to Vernias I. I don't agree with it, but I've found something on this planet. Problem is, even I have my limits. I have other matters to attend to. I will deploy members of my Legion, but they will need assistance."

"If I am able to do so, I shall. Just keep in mind that in this conflict, what you are searching for may be destroyed."

"I fully understand, it's a pleasure talking to you Brother."

As Alpharius was stepping out the door, Kesar couldn't resist a friendly jab. "Watch out for the rope snare." It was so worth it. Alpharius actually blushed crimson before facepalming.

"Just … how?" At this, Kesar barely managed to contain his laughter but was unable to keep the mirth out of his face. Seeing this, Alpharius just sighed as he left, grumbling about remedial training the entire way.

*Alpha Legion request help acquiring something from Velnias I*

With that done, Kesar began to plan out what would occur this year. He was still spending time researching the basics of gene-seed as well as creating a rune of reinforcement. These would be done at the end of the year, but in the meantime, he still had to pick 2 researches and 2 discussions. Moreover, he also had to choose what to do with infrastructure, a daunting task. To this end, Kesar chose to:

Research (Pick 2)
[] Void Shields Basic Design– Basic
[] Warp Engine Basic Design – Basic
[] Teleportation fundamentals – Basic
[] Runic Linking – Master
[] Runic Crossing – Master
[] Vortex Mathematics - Basic
[] Warp Genetics – Advanced
[] Basic Gene Seed – Advanced Currently Researching
[] Runic Linking Theory - Master
[] Runic Crossing Theory - Master
[] Pentagrammic Runic Lattices – Grandmaster
[] Basic Understanding of Cultist Behavior - Basic
[] Basic Material Science - Basic
[] Warp Reflection Manipulation – Master
[] Architectural Warp Reflection – Basic
[] Basic Human Design Principles - Basic
[] Human Soul Reflection – Basic

Social (Pick 2)
[] Horus
[] Fulgrim
[] Guilliman
[] Magnus
[] Sanguinius
[] Perturabo
[] Mortarion
[] Lorgar DEMANDS a meeting
[] Khan
[] Curze
[] Corax
[] Alpharius
[] Kelbor-Hal
[] Write-in

The real challenging issue was dealing with infrastructure. The sheer amount of information was overwhelming. Nevertheless, Kesar decided to

AN: For infrastructure, upgrading a planet straight to Tier 4 is 10 PP. Doesn't matter if it is Tier 1 or 2. Upgrading from above Tier 4 upgrades directly to Tier 8 for 20 PP. After this, it progresses one per level. For Tier 8, 9 , and 10, upgrading a level costs 50 PP. For Tiers 11 and 12 it costs 100 PP. Upgrading a Tier 13 planet costs 200 PP. Upgrading a Tier 15 planet costs 500 PP. For technology, upgrading up to pre-industrial is 10 points, upgrading industrial up to warp space is 20, upgrading warp space to low imperial is 50, upgrading to mid imperial is 100, and upgrading to high imperial is 200. For upgrades to tech and infrastructure, don't bother saying what worlds and how many, I'll take care of that because otherwise, I think it will take too long. Just allocate PP for that.

AN2: I will say that if you find this too complicated, just vote for having the GM take care of it, and in the future, I'll have votes along the lines of improve planetary infrastructure and technology and such.

Current PP: 1236