Joined
·
5,146 Posts
Due to the rather large ammount of fluffy stuff I've written for my new Inquisition army, I've decided to divide it up into chunks. I'll post the most rudimentary introduction first, and after that, we can start to delve a little deeper into the characters, places and events which have shaped my rather mishmashed army.
To start with, here's the history of the conspiratorial secret society my Inquisitor belongs to. As with all my fluff, if anyone wants to use or borrow anything I've written, please do so. With all the breeding experiments and wierd posthumanism here, I think I should make it clear I'm not a Nazi or anything.. I'm just toying with ideas.
And nope, Andropov is not my Inquisitor.. though I might make a model to represent him much later on. My inquisitor is going to be one of his acolytes.
The Order of the Butterfly
Origin:
Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Nikolai Andropov is remembered as a hero, so much so that attempts have been made to canonize him as a saint. He is viewed as an enlightened leader, a cunning warrior, and a friend and mentor to some of the most influential Thorian inquisitors of the era. Under his command, Hrud infestations have been exterminated, Ork invasions turned aside, Tau propaganda silenced, and even the vile Tyranids forced to relinquish worlds. But though many know of his legend, only his closest acolytes and sympathisers can possibly have claimed to know the real man, a man who harboured dark secrets, and even darker intentions.
As a young man, Andropov was known for his outspoken Thorian views. His search for evidence of the Emperor’s divine will within human beings was never ending, and, on each world he visited, he would often investigate a score of hopeful potentials. However, in all his long life, Andropov never found anyone who met his criteria, and as he aged, he became bitter and resentful at the failure of his beliefs, and scarred by the horrors of his crusade against the alien. His respect for humanity slowly faded and died, replaced by a new and frightening philosophy. Humanity was weak, and could not possibly hope to survive the harsh universe without the aid of something greater. Thus, the Order of the Butterfly, a small circle of Andropov’s supporters and acolytes, was formed in secret. Named after a mythical creature of ancient Terra, which was said to transform upon reaching maturity, its purpose was to recreate the perfect human, a second Emperor who could lead humanity into a new golden age.
Andropov’s Vision:
Unknown to the Inquisition as a whole, Andropov slowly codified his new philosophy, and his acolytes worked to further refine, test and confirm his beliefs. Yet he was faced with a fundamental problem; that of methodically identifying those individuals with great potential from among the mass of humanity. His answer was simple, in times of great loss, suffering and brutal conflict, those with the strongest natural qualities would endure and survive, while the rest would die. Andropov, and several of his other followers, began travelling to sites of terrible conflict and destruction, collecting those who had demonstrated exceptional survival qualities. Though it has never been proven, some of those who know of the order’s existence, particularly those of Istvaanian leanings, ascribe far darker actions to this time as well. They claim that Andropov encouraged the promotion of inept commanders, sabotaged imperial efforts or aided those of the enemy, and otherwise took steps to ensure that Imperial victory was as costly as possible, in order to ensure that only the most worthy came through the campaigns intact.
Decline and Fall:
Towards the end of his life, Andropov became increasingly obsessed, as did many Ordo Xenos inquisitors, with solving the puzzle presented by the mysterious beings known as ‘Necrons.’ He studied extensively what little lore was available on these adversaries, and it is believed that, had he been allowed to continue, it could have had grand implications for the beliefs and role of the Order. However, he was never allowed to finish his work, as he was found dead. The circumstances were indeed somewhat mysterious, for he had been somehow murdered within his private quarters within the Inquisition fortress world of Palimedes. Not a mark or scratch had been left on his body.
With their central figure dead, the Order has lost much of its power and influence. However, the surviving members have resolved to continue their lord’s work themselves. Without real leadership, they are no longer united in purpose, and pursue their interests in their own, disparate ways. However, Andropov’s vision is not yet dead, and, despite their small numbers and low status, this next generation of Inquisitors believe themselves to be closer than ever to completing his great design.
To start with, here's the history of the conspiratorial secret society my Inquisitor belongs to. As with all my fluff, if anyone wants to use or borrow anything I've written, please do so. With all the breeding experiments and wierd posthumanism here, I think I should make it clear I'm not a Nazi or anything.. I'm just toying with ideas.
And nope, Andropov is not my Inquisitor.. though I might make a model to represent him much later on. My inquisitor is going to be one of his acolytes.
The Order of the Butterfly
Origin:
Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Nikolai Andropov is remembered as a hero, so much so that attempts have been made to canonize him as a saint. He is viewed as an enlightened leader, a cunning warrior, and a friend and mentor to some of the most influential Thorian inquisitors of the era. Under his command, Hrud infestations have been exterminated, Ork invasions turned aside, Tau propaganda silenced, and even the vile Tyranids forced to relinquish worlds. But though many know of his legend, only his closest acolytes and sympathisers can possibly have claimed to know the real man, a man who harboured dark secrets, and even darker intentions.
As a young man, Andropov was known for his outspoken Thorian views. His search for evidence of the Emperor’s divine will within human beings was never ending, and, on each world he visited, he would often investigate a score of hopeful potentials. However, in all his long life, Andropov never found anyone who met his criteria, and as he aged, he became bitter and resentful at the failure of his beliefs, and scarred by the horrors of his crusade against the alien. His respect for humanity slowly faded and died, replaced by a new and frightening philosophy. Humanity was weak, and could not possibly hope to survive the harsh universe without the aid of something greater. Thus, the Order of the Butterfly, a small circle of Andropov’s supporters and acolytes, was formed in secret. Named after a mythical creature of ancient Terra, which was said to transform upon reaching maturity, its purpose was to recreate the perfect human, a second Emperor who could lead humanity into a new golden age.
Andropov’s Vision:
Unknown to the Inquisition as a whole, Andropov slowly codified his new philosophy, and his acolytes worked to further refine, test and confirm his beliefs. Yet he was faced with a fundamental problem; that of methodically identifying those individuals with great potential from among the mass of humanity. His answer was simple, in times of great loss, suffering and brutal conflict, those with the strongest natural qualities would endure and survive, while the rest would die. Andropov, and several of his other followers, began travelling to sites of terrible conflict and destruction, collecting those who had demonstrated exceptional survival qualities. Though it has never been proven, some of those who know of the order’s existence, particularly those of Istvaanian leanings, ascribe far darker actions to this time as well. They claim that Andropov encouraged the promotion of inept commanders, sabotaged imperial efforts or aided those of the enemy, and otherwise took steps to ensure that Imperial victory was as costly as possible, in order to ensure that only the most worthy came through the campaigns intact.
Decline and Fall:
Towards the end of his life, Andropov became increasingly obsessed, as did many Ordo Xenos inquisitors, with solving the puzzle presented by the mysterious beings known as ‘Necrons.’ He studied extensively what little lore was available on these adversaries, and it is believed that, had he been allowed to continue, it could have had grand implications for the beliefs and role of the Order. However, he was never allowed to finish his work, as he was found dead. The circumstances were indeed somewhat mysterious, for he had been somehow murdered within his private quarters within the Inquisition fortress world of Palimedes. Not a mark or scratch had been left on his body.
With their central figure dead, the Order has lost much of its power and influence. However, the surviving members have resolved to continue their lord’s work themselves. Without real leadership, they are no longer united in purpose, and pursue their interests in their own, disparate ways. However, Andropov’s vision is not yet dead, and, despite their small numbers and low status, this next generation of Inquisitors believe themselves to be closer than ever to completing his great design.