The Age of Apostasy

Descent into Anarchy

Fuelled by the growing demands of the Cardinals, Ecclesiarchy tithes were increased once more. Unfortunately, much of the populace was already stretched to breaking point and this further increase was seen by many as unnecessarily exorbitant. Across many worlds of the Imperium the populace openly rebelled against the Ecclesiarchy and refused to pay. Even Planetary Governors spoke out against the excesses of the Ministorum, but they went unheeded.

The Ecclesiarchy responded with a vengeance, sending its armies to crush any sign of revolt and executing higher officials as heretics. Alexis XXI used the Officio Assassinorum to eliminate several Governors who redirected their tithes to pay for their own Planetary Defence Forces, and is quoted as saying, ''They had forsworn the Emperor's protection for their own worldly gains.'' The tithes were used to build ever larger temples, to line the highways of planets with statues of past Ecclesiarchs and to decorate the Ecclesiarchal palaces with the rarest metals and gems.The unrest continued, massive uprisings spreading across the Imperium, only for the Frateris Templars of the Ecclesiarchy to arrive and quell any insurgencies.

All those who defied the rights of the Ecclesiarchy were decried as heretics and suitably punished. Some thought the Ecclesiarchy's bloody methods of control were excessive, but it was nothing compared to what was to come. Even as the Imperium struggled to survive amidst bushfire wars and a lack of true leadership from Earth, further disasters befell humanity. In the early 36th millennium the incidence of warp storms started increasing. Travel between all but the warp soon became a tumultuous mass of roiling tempests and storms. Navigation became difficult everywhere and hundreds of systems were totally isolated.

With the resources of the Administratum and Ecclesiarchy turned towards their power struggle, much of the Imperium devolved into anarchy. In those few worlds still accessible by starships, the power of the Ecclesiarchy was brutally enforced by the Frateris Templars and any slight deviation from the holy decrees was marked as heretical, with the burnings and hangings which attend that crime. Seeing the turmoil wracking the Imperium, Chaos raiders poured forth from the Eye of Terror to attack and despoil their ancient foes. Ork Warlords rampaged across vast tracts of the galaxy and there was nobody who could halt them.

On the planets cut off from Terra, Chaos and Genestealer cults rose in rebellion and overthrew their governments, damning entire worlds to slavery an slaughter. Those worlds are not overrun by alien attackers strove to retain what they could. As time passed even the most advanced worlds were brought to their knees. As before, with no central guidance from the Adeptus Ministorum even the worship of the Emperor began to devolve into a series of cults and sects, and in the trying times of those centuries those who were once brothers under the light of the Emperor fought against each other to assert their religious ideals.

Much of the Imperium was under the malaise of a preapocalyptic gloom. Crazed zealots denounced the Ecclesiarchy and claimed the Emperor was displeased with their greed and excesses- sending the warp storms as a test to judge the truly faithful and set them apart from heretics and sinners. Spurred on by these statements, citizens turned to flagellation and self-mutilation to prove their belief and faith. Whole populations became seething masses of despair-laden cults, each trying to outdo the other in their tortuous devotion to the Emperor. Strange splinter groups grew in power, preaching extreme causes. Bloodthirsty pogroms eradicated many innocents as the populace tried to stem the wrath of the God-Emperor. In some communities any small deviation from what deemed normal brought instant death to a child and its family. Whole populations were enslaved or slaughtered, deemed heathens for some real or suspected deviancy.

High Lord Vandire

The name most infamously connected with the Age of Apostasy and the architect of the Reign of Blood was Goge Vandire, 361st High Lord of the Administratum. Vandire had a hard reputation and was a staunch opponent of the Ecclesiarchy's dominance. It was rumoured he used Assassins and blackmail to achieve the rank of High Lord, and none within the Administratum dared oppose him. Shortly before his ascendancy to the vaulted rank of High Lord, Vandire was instrumental in the election of Ecclesiarch Paulis III, a degenerate incompetent who was easily controlled by Vandire and his followers.

Once he had established his position within the Administratum Vandire moved in to take over the Ecclesiarchy. While other High Lords had manipulated the Adeptus Ministorum covertly, Vandire personally led a handpicked contingent of Imperial Guard officers into the Ecclesiarchal palace and overthrew Paulis III in what can only be called a military coup. Declaring Paulis to be a traitor to humanity he had the Ecclesiarch summarily shot and took upon himself the dual role of High Lord of the Administratum and Ecclesiarch.

Shaken and terrified, the Holy Synod could do nothing to oppose Vandire as he set about eradicating any within the Ministorum who opposed him. As Vandire's wrath fell upon the Cardinals all those not already fleeing elected to return to Ophelia VII to escape the High Lord's clutches. However, fate thwarted them and as their ship entered the warp it was engulfed by a huge storm and they were never seen again. Vandire claimed it was the will of the Emperor; evidence of his divine right to reign over the Imperium in the Emperor's name.

Vandire elected Cardinals of his own choosing to fill the mahogany benches of the Holy Synod chambers. He chose a calculated mix of weak-willed fools and brilliant geniuses with just the right amount of cruelty to ensure they would enforce his will without any qualms. The High Lord now had total, unopposed control of both the Ecclesiarchy and the Administratum. The Imperium was about to face its darkest time since the Horus Heresy.

The Reign of Blood

Vandire was insane: a paranoid megalomaniac who saw plots and intrigue everywhere. His mind was twisted in every way and he delighted in torturing his victims, declaring he was purifying their souls for the Emperor. He expected his every word to be recorded for posterity and was constantly accompanied by a plethora of scribes whose job was to note down anything he said or any particularly innovative tortures he inflicted in the converted catacombs beneath the Ecclesiarchal palace. His mood would swing violently, laughing one moment and murderously angry the next.

Vandire would often fall into a trance-like state, during which he would argue with himself in a mumbling voice and on other occasions he would shout out loud for no apparent reason. He claimed he was receiving messages from the Emperor. These meditative periods would always be followed by bouts of excessive violence. He had a huge tri-d map of the Imperium installed in is audience chamber, with a constant relay of current warp storm activity. As soon as a world was reachable, he would despatch a war fleet to establish control.

The Reign of Blood affected the whole Imperium. Sycophantic Army and Navy officers were only too ready to execute Vandire's orders: virus bombing the hive world of Calana VII without reason; invading the farmlands of Boras Minor and enslaving every female child under twelve years of age; using the orbital batteries of Jhanna to melt the planet's ice caps, drowning nearly 4 billion people in the resultant floods. The list goes on and on, meticulously recorded by Vandire's scribes. Vandire would dictate long speeches bemoaning the wretched state of the Imperium, demanding justice object of hate.

Sebastian Thor

The violent repression and wanton slaughter continued for seven decades after Vandire's ascension to the Ecclesiarchal palace.The resources of the Adeptus Ministorum were directed towards bloodthirsty pogroms and the building of immense new monuments to the Emperor and Vandire. However, Vandire's insanity was ever directed outwards, and though distant planets boasted mile-high spires and cathedrals, the Terran palace itself was allowed to fall into decay once more. Whole wings of the sprawling building collapsed from the weight of centuries, and the immense chandeliers and incense burners of the audience chamber were allowed to gutter and die.

While the rest of the Imperium glowed with the radiance of gold and platinum and sparkled with the light of millions of rare gems, Vandire's own domain became a dark lair of shadows and dank, chilling winds. Dust lay knee-deep in places, the ancient relics were tarnished and stained, tapestries became torn and mildewed and rats and other vermin left their trail across the priceless rugs and carpets. Occasionally just a single candle would be lit in the enormous expanse of the great hall, with only the odd footfall betraying the presence of the Brides of the Emperor in the darkness. Even during the day, the patina of grime and filth on the stained glass windows let through only a trickle of sunlight. When sweeping rains cleaned the outside of the windows a shaft of brighter light might play about the floor of the great hall, but at these times Vandire would retire to his chambers and sit for days on end in complete silence. The High Lord fell into long, nightmare-ridden sleeps, crying out in hysterical screams. His ancient body was pumped full of drugs and elixirs to keep the inevitable diseases and depredations of age at bay. However, with the guns of the Brides of the Emperor always ready to obey his will, the crippled High Lord still commanded with an iron fist. In his more lucid moments, the ailing Vandire could be heard muttering about the light, and the writings of his scribes recorded that his fear of light seemed to grow with every passing day.

It was with trepidation that a young agent appeared on Terra, coming back from the northern reaches of the galaxy, around the planet Dimmamar. His report was disturbing to the High Lord's advisors and caused Vandire to break into a fit of apoplectic rage. Dimmamar had denounced the High Lord as a traitor of the Imperium and the ancient rites of the diocese. The name of one man was heard again and again, all across the Segmentum Obscurus. His name was Sebastian Thor.

None on Terra knew where this man came from or what his ultimate purpose might be. The puppet High Lords raged with debate for over a mouth as to what course of action to take. After his initial outburst, Vandire withdrew into himself more than even, and for most of the council meeting would be seen huddled in the velvet and ebony throne of the Ecclesiarch, surrounded by the ever vigilant Brides of the Emperor, his eyes staring at nothing. As more news came in of the revolt, it became clear that things would have to be stopped soon. Within three months another eighty systems had declared their loyalty to the Confederation of Light and only the Weight of Ministorum armies and fleets in other sectors prevented similar occurrences all across the northern reaches. The most trusted and loyal of the Frateris Templars were dispatched to deal with the threat, and were ordered to raze Dimmamar and eradicate every living creature on the world.

The war fleet was duly sent, but shortly after it jumped into warp space outside the Clax system it was smashed asunder by a warp storm of gigantic proportions. The last astropathic transmission reported white arcs of energy tearing apart the hulls of the ships, the power of the storm literally twisting men and machines apart, turning soldiers inside out and disintegrating everything. The Clax system has been cut off ever since by the swirling tempest, and it is clamed that those who pass close by can still hear the screams of the dying and feel the panicked last thoughts of the Astropaths echoing through the whole region. It is an area of ill omen now known as the Storm of the Emperor's Wrath.

With this huge blow to the Ecclesiarchy's military power, the whole of the Segmentum Obscurus erupted into rebellion. The Cardinal palaces were stormed by frenzied converts who tore down the hangings, burned the icons and smashed the ornate stained glass windows. Through all the madness, the name of Sebastian Thor still kept appearing. Who was this shadowy figure who seemed intent on the destruction of the Ecclesiarchy and with that, the Imperium itself? Perhaps he was some from of vessel for the gods of Chaos, another Horus attempting to enslave humanity once more. Or maybe some other alien influence controlled him, one of the many creatures of the warp or one of the immensely powerful elder races, hitherto undetected. As more information was relayed back by the Ministorum's agents, the High Lords were stunned by the news.

Thor was no daemonic entity intent on corrupting the Imperium, he was just a man, born in a Dimmamar Schola Progenium habitat. Interrogations of old companions revealed that he had been a devout, if somewhat introverted, follower in his early life. However, Thor recently claimed to have visions of the Emperor, and warned that disaster was befalling mankind. It was claimed that Thor had cast an old Preacher from the pulpit in the middle of a prayer session and denounced the ways of the Ecclesiarchy. With an eloquence and charisma the informants could not explain, Thor spoke to those present, reaching into their hearts and minds with his words.

News of the incident spread and soon thousands travelled to hear Thor's sermons and went away with a new religious zeal burning in their souls, spreading the message even further. Members of the heretic Confederation of Light approached declared his loyalty to the sect. Thor was brought before the Imperial Commander, Gaius Welkonnen, and spoke of his visions and dreams, and of his ambition to rid the Imperium of Vandire's tyranny. No one could explain what rare power was held in Thor's voice, but the Governor immediately swore his loyalty to Sebastian Thor and placed Dimmamar's army at his disposal, as the adept had requested.

As word spread, anarchy embroiled the Segmentum Obscurus, and desecration, looting and wanton destruction erupted. Although Vandire's spies were exposed and driven out with startling efficiency, it became clear that Sebastian Thor's 'army' had grown to over 5 million followers within the space of a year, and the huge entourage was slowly making its way through the Imperium towards Terra. Even some of the surviving Frateris Templars joined his forces.

Many legends sprang up around Thor and his long journey, and miraculous events were attributed to his presence. Some of this can be explained by the oratory skills of the young adept, such as the way the population of the planets he passed through would gather their resources to feed and house his immense following. Others remain true mysteries, like the Navigator's tales of the utter calmness of the warp as they journeyed from system to system. Though the rest of the galaxy was still embroiled in the raging tempests that had engulfed the Imperium for many hundreds of years, the massive fleet of the Confederation of Light passed through the warp without hindrance. The Paternova of the Navigators dubbed him Abstracta Preomnis, Master of the Warp.

News of Sebastian Thor spread from the Segmentum Obscurus to other parts of the Imperium. Distance exaggerated the message and soon Thor was being hailed as a god-like being. With much of its armed might destroyed at Clax, the Adeptus Ministorum could do little to stop system after system, diocese from swearing loyalty to the new wave of belief centred around Thor. Despite fierce opposition from many Cardinals and Confessors who saw their power, traditions and whole way of life being destroyed, Thor's creed converted millions of followers. Co-operation and sacrifice became the doctrine of those who heard Thor's impassioned speeches, delivered from different planets along the route to Terra. Although many opposed Thor, all across the Imperium the tide had changed against Vandire. The masses had been pushed too far, and this time they had a leader to unite behind.

Has there been any mention of an attack by orks in the Castellan sector around this time. This may be something that we can work intot he metaplot.

Another though is that due to the warp strorms, the Frateris Templars were unable to reach the worlds (in sufficient numbers to take them anyway) of the Sargassos and Meksum Subsectors. If you add on top of this the press of green skins into castellan, they may have been willing to wait to dole out retribution.

This may actually be an interesting point that made other planets and systems align with Hesperus...what if the Frateris Templars did not lend their aid to fight the green skins? They were on a holy crusade to purge those opposed to Vandire. They could not waste their strength fighting orks.

Another question that has been raised was why the Anargo Sector became the new capital. With Meksum appearing to be in open rebelion against the Imperium or at least the ecclisiarchy, that rules them out (during the Age of Apostasy). The Frateris Templars would have still needed a capital from which to administer the sector...Sargassos may have been excommunicated in abstencia and Anargo named capital in its place.

This would sort of be like the middle ages when there were two popes at one time. There were popes in rome as well as in Avignon (France). Both claimed legitimacy, but there was a power struggle going on as to who was the true father of the church.



Anargo and the systems of the sector probably saw this as the perfect opportunity to elevate their status in the Sector. Not only would they gain prestige by being named the capital, but they also would have an influx of money from the armies that were being raised to support the Frateris Templars.

Vandire always had a strategy of promoting weak willed individuals or ones that couldbe manipulated. The Anargo Subsector had always been the poor cousin of Meksum...but with Meksum on the wrong side of the conflict, this was their chance to shine.

Between them, Sargassos and Meksum could probably paid for fielding a huge army and fleet to oppose any movements by the Frateris Templars. It may have not been till the Orks were pushed back and the warp storms began to abate that they were finally brought to task for their actions.

This would give Meksum sufficient time to begin fighting the chaos threat in their own borders, plus seperate themselves from Sargassos enough so that they did not suffer the same fate.

The Warp storms may also explain why there are still some High Tech an large population worlds in the Sargassos Subsector. These worlds may have been cut off even from the other systems of the Subsector. As such they were not touched by chaos.

They of course still fal within the Sargassos cordon, but are still prosperous systems off of the beaten track.

Actually, There was a thread on the Age of Apostasy started in the Sargassos Subsector forum quite some time ago where a discussion had begun about the fate of the worlds of the Sargassos Subsector. At that time, Kage posted the following...



As far as I had been aware, nothing had been completely set in stone with regards to the disposition of the Sargassos Subsector.



When was this decision made and by whom? If it was after the date of the quote I referenced then can you point me to the thread where it was discussed, so that I may read up on the descision that seem to be effecting the worlds being created in the sargassos subsector.



The heavy tithing by the cardinals of the ecclisiarchy started long before the time of Vandire. So to did the raising of armies and the Frateris Templars. Why Vandire is most remembered and what made him so dangerous, was that he was the High Lord of the Administratum who by a military and political coup took over the Ecclisiarchy, thus consolidating the vast power of these to positions into the hands of one man.

This was the final straw that started many a revolt, but planets had already been revolting prior to the ascension of Vandire. Of course the warp storms made enforcing the decrees of the Ecclisiarchy difficult.




The may have used Thor's movement as a validation of their actions, but this may have just been for political expediance. Their true motivations may have been hidden behind this veil of legitimacy.



Don't forget wars being fought with chaos forces and orks as well. They were using this time to attack worlds issolated by warp storms. I still think we need to look at the possibility of a Waaagh during this era.




You make it sound like he outed himself as an agent of chaos. I really dislike the idea of this. It may be the political spin that the Imperium places on the events, but reality is never quite that simple. This completely ignores other motivations.



Again this discounts systems that are inaccessable because they are trapped in warp storms or that did not receive chaos troops and fought those worlds that did. This also does not take into account worlds that have a higher tech level than the Imperium.

I'm not saying that the sector is going to lose the feel of being cursed. There are plenty of world in the subsector that have yet to be worked on, but saying these should all be blasted ruins also makes it seem worthless to work upon. How many blasted post apocalyptic worlds can you make before the concept becomes trite and repetative?

If you want to use an analogy, the Cursed Subsector (Sargassos) can be thought of like the countries behind the Iron Curtain. Little is known about them by those on the outside. They see only the monolithic threat of the Soviet Union and not the fractious nature that underlies the U.S.S.R.

If you say the name Siberia, it automatically conjures up images of Stalins purges with Gulags and labor camps. The pristine beauty and abundant resources do not really fit into this image. Just because the Imperium reinforces the idea, it does not mean that Sargassos Subsector, is all desolate wastelands.