[Fluff] Manutia - The Return

I was roaming through the blog this morning to check out some older posts and found a bit of fluff I wrote about the planet of Manutia HERE. I originally wrote this back in May 2010, and since 2 and a bit years have passed since then I thought I'd give a bit of an update...

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #MANUTIA] 

                ++ WARPSTORM INCOMING. REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. ++

                ++ REPEAT. WARPSTORM INCOMING. REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. ++

[OUTGOING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGHCOMMAND]

                ++ A NEARBY DARK ANGELS FLEET HAS BEEN HAILED MANUTIA. ++ 

                ++ EN-ROUTE TO YOU. ++

                ++ MANUTIA. CONFIRM RESPONSE. ++

                ++ MANUTIA. DO YOU READ. CONFIRM RESPONSE. ++

[SIGNAL LOST]

A year passed without contact from Manutia. The Dark Angels fleet reached the galactic coordinates and found nothing, but a lingering un-natural glow where the planet once was. High command left a small task force of Dark Angels stationed on the nearby planet of Citiya, preparing for a large scale Chaos or Daemonic incursion due to the presence of the reported Warp Storm.

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #UNKNOWN]

                ++ HIGH COMMAND. THIS IS MANUTIA. ++

                ++ CONFIRM DARK ANGELS FLEET REQUEST. ++

[OUTGOING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGHCOMMAND]

                ++ MANUTIA? LAST CONTACT WAS OVER A YEAR AGO.  ++

                ++ CONFIRM SECURITY CODE. ++

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #MANUTIA]

                ++ SECURITY CODE 26/05-1999-20/10-2-1. ++

[OUTGOING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGHCOMMAND]

                ++ SECURITY CODE CONFIRMED. REPORT STATUS IMMEDIATELY ++

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #MANUTIA]

                ++ STATUS REPORT INCOMING. ++

Minutes later, Manutia returned into Real-Space, as observed from nearby planets and Imperial Fleets. The Manutian command gave a full report. The Warpstorm was triggered after the attack on Portsmotia by Tyranid fleets. Chaos cultists active in the area triggered an ancient artefact with a dark ritual, in an attempt to summon Daemons of Khorne to help their defence. Instead, the artefact triggered a Warpstorm holding the planet in a stasis-like state for over a year. As far as the Manutians were concerned, only minutes had passed since their last transmission was beamed to High Command.

The Warpstorm however caused several events to occur in the years afterwards...

++ DARK ELDAR SIGHTED ++

Firstly, the Warpstorm artefact acted as a beacon to the Dark Eldar Kabal of the Poisoned Tongue. Their Archon, Lady Malys, is known for her trophies and dark artefacts. Once activated, the artefact called out to her, drawing her and her Kabal towards Manutia. Her Kabal, accompanied by a throng of Haemonculi, Grotesques and Wracks, intend to raid the planet for other artefacts and trophies spread across the regions. 

Shortly after the planet emerged from the Warpstorm, various Dark Eldar craft were spotted making daring surface raids while the planet was in a state of panic. They drew pleasure from the torture of panicked Manutians, striking whilst Imperial forces were in a state of disarray and vanishing back into the Webway from where they came. However, Lady Malys and her Kabal have yet to even scratch the surface of Manutia's hidden treasures.

++ FURTHER WEBWAY ACTIVITY ++

The raid upon Manutia not only alerted Imperial forces to the presence of the Dark Eldar, their use of the Webway brought the attention of an unknown Eldar Craftworld force. They have been spotted regularly around Manutian space, but have yet to set foot onto the planet surface. Each time the Craftworld appears, it vanishes again before a response order can be issued. They have yet to engage Imperial forces in combat, but have refused communication channels for diplomatic talks. Manutian command is in disagreement whether these are silent guardians to the planet or lurking predators waiting to strike when Manutia is at its weakest.

++ CHAOS RISING ++

During the seemingly brief time in the Warp, Chaos activity has seemed to explode on the surface of Manutia. Where once, Chaos worshipping cultists were confined to low numbered, underground group they now roam the surfaces empowered by the Warp taint left upon the planet, openly attacking Imperial stations, raiding and pillaging as they travel. What they lack in numbers, they make up for in sheer ferocity and fearlessness.

Rumours speak of further Chaos forces, long lost in the Warp, taking command of the Manutian Cults forcing them ever onwards to try and take the planet for their own dark machinations. One  region of Manutia reported sightings of Chaos Space Marines, however, communications were lost  before the sightings could be confirmed. When search parties reached District 13 they found nothing but a slaughtered Outpost with no sign of any attackers left behind.

++ THE FIRST LEGION ++

Since the Warpstorm has passed, Dark Angel Space Marines have made planet fall and secured key areas. Large contingents of Deathwing were dispatched to death with any lingering remnants of the Warp, along with Ravenwing contingents to scout large areas in a short time. The Captain of the Deathwing, Captain Tyrion, has summoned further reinforcements to the cause - keen to prevent another Warpstorm and to cleanse Manutia once and for all. 

Further supply of Tactical Marines, Terminator squads and Ravenwing squadrons have all be summoned, alongside a request for Librarians to combat the Warp-taint left on the planet.

++ ABHUMAN ALLIES ++

As with Imperial forces, the Brotherhood of the Forge has been keen to prevent further Warp incursion on the planet and requisitioned their master craftsmen to prepare the Brotherhood for new means of warfare. Jumppack equipped "Thunderer" squads have been sighted, alongside "Iron Guard" melee units. 

The Warp effect left on the planet has caused the Brotherhood to enter a zealous frenzy against their enemies, sometimes causing an uneasy alliance with these still mysterious abhumans and the Imperial forces.

The Brotherhood seem to be driven on into battle by their Eldest and most venerable warriors commanding the lines. Hundreds of years of battle experience, combined with decades of hatred to their enemies ensure even the youngest member of the Brotherhood is whipped into a battle  frenzy.

++ FURTHER XENOS ACTIVITY ++

Unconfirmed reports of various other Xeno races have been investigated and found to either be hoaxes or previously unseen Ork creations.

The only other mysterious sighting has been large amounts of lightning and darkness around a localised area of Wastelands, close to where the last confirmed sighting of Necrons forces.  Manutian command assumed they had returned back into stasis in the catacombs under the wasteland, but severe weather activity in that area has prompted investigation.

++ END REPORT ++

[OUTGOING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGHCOMMAND]

                ++ REPORT RECIEVED MANUTIA. EMPEROR PROTECT. ++

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #UNKNOWN]

                ++ THE EMPEROR IS BUT A FALSE IDOL ENTHRONED ON LIES. ++

                ++ THE FORCES OF THE TRUE GODS WILL DESCEND. ++

                ++ MANUTIA WILL BURN. ++

[TRACE LOCATION: 12823.8633.82 - LOCATION: MANUTIA]

--------------
So yeah, probably some glaringly obvious errors there, but I've tried to tie it up with the Warpstorm being the catalyst for a lot of new activity on and around Manutia, as well as the events that have gone on in the year whilst Manutia was gone, and the year since it's been back.

It incorporates pretty much all the hobby activity I've had in the last 2 years, but also I handily included references to Chaos Cultists in my original fluff, so purchasing Dark Vengeance ties in pretty well with that!

Cheers,
SB

Manutia Defence Strike Force

+++ Incoming Transmission+++

I have recently received information about your plight at Portsmotha and as such am going to divert my armies to assist in the defence.

Inquisitor Maleth
Ordo Malleus

+++ Transmission Terminated +++

Inquisitor Maleth has Commandeered (or so he believes) a strike force built from Space Wolves and Grey Knights. He has sent them straight to the defence of Portsmotha as he believes the Tyranid assault will cause havoc with the planet and has pulled as many men from the front lines as he could do so without weakening the defences.

Below is Inquisitor Maleth who is over all commander of the defence and Jimmy the Gauntslayer flanking a squad of Veteran Long Fangs and their Razorback transport.




The main bulk of the Space Wolf Strike Force, consisting of a Grey Hunter squad and two Wolf Guard squads in Tactical Dreadnought Armour. These will be spearheading the counter assault while the Grey Knights get into position.

The Grey Knight element of the strike force, consisting of two Dreadnoughts, 6 Grey Knights, Grand Master Varco and his Teminator Retinue and a Land Raider Redeemer to deliver them to the heart of the Tyranid forces.

Lastly is a Marauder Bomber which the Imperial Navy has spared from the battle in space against the Tyranid Fleet, this will provide air support for the Strike Force while the PDF provides long range fire support to the counter attack.

Hopefully, the combination of the Strike Forces assault capabilities, the PDF's ranged firepower, and the air support provided by the Marauder Bomber will be able to overwhelm the Tyranids attacking force. What horrors await the Imperium if they fail to hold the Xeno at Portsmotha, we can only guess at, and will fight to the bitter end to prevent them travelling further than the outer reaches of the spaceport.

+++ Incoming Transmission +++

13 hours until Tyranid force reaches defence lines... I pray to the Immortal Emperor we can hold them off here, we of the Ordo Malleus have seen untold horrors, but I believe this may be my last command, as nothing the warp can spawn can compare to the unwavering focus of the Tyranid Hive Mind.

We will reach the spaceport within 12 hours, I hope that leaves enough time to prepare the final defences and co-ordinate our counter-assault.

The Emperor Protects

Inquisitor Maleth
Ordo Malleus

+++ Transmission Terminated +++

The Manutian Defence Force

INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION: The Portsmotia region of Manutia is under Tyranid Assault... Massive initial Assault wave has been sighted... Defenders mobilised... Reinforcement beacon deployed..

Portsmotia is a strategic point on the planet of Manutia, home to numerous Industrial sectors and the largest Spaceport on the planet, so recieves heavy allied traffic. However due to this, planetary forces around this area are equipped with large numbers of vehicles.

[PICT-FEED: Mechanised Defence Force of Portsmotia]

Commander Grant, with Imperial Fleet Master Addams and the Alpha Bravo Veteran Squads, deployed in their Chimera Transports for safety and mobilisation.

Fast Assault Hellhound Squadron. Equipped with lethal long-range heavy Flamers.

The Wedge Attack formation of the Hammer of Portsmotia Tank Formation, all equipped with Battle Cannons.

Heavy hitting attack tanks and Artillery. Leman Russ Vanquisher, Leman Russ Demolisher and a Colossus Siege Cannon at the rear.

Fast moving Vendetta Gunships able to quickly re-deploy and take on priority Tyranid Monstrosities.

[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION #HIGH COMMAND] ETA For Battle: 16 Hours... Defenders of Manutia, stand firm.... Send the foul Xeno back to the spawning pit from where they came...

SB

[Fluff] Manutia - A Planet Under Siege

Morning all,

For a while now, it's been a growing idea that all my 40k forces come from the same planet somewhere in the 40k galaxy. It started on the FTW post about unifying your armies and has evolved from there over the past couple of weeks. Anyway... here it goes...

History of Manutia

During the Great Crusade, Manutia was brought to Compliance by the [IMPERIAL RECORDS DELETED] legion, designated [IMPERIAL RECORDS DELETED]. They faced heavy resistance from Ork tribes on the planet, along with a brief campaign with Chaos worshipping Cultists on the planet.

Imperial Guard regiments became stationed there to recruit loyal followers and over this time, Manutian regiments have grown substantially and are expert City fighting units. During the Heresy, the Imperial Guard stationed there remained loyal to the Emperor and fought off a resurgance of the Cultists and Chaos Worshippers previously found on the planet.

Current 40k Timeline

Necrons tombs have awoken deep inside the planet causing anyone dewlling outside the Hive Cities to either retreat into the relative safety of the Hive Cities or face harvesting. Strange artefacts and structures  have appeared in the Wastelands and the Manutians dare not travel too close to them - all scouting parties sent have failed to return. There has even been heretical talk amongst Manutians of a vengeful God appearing from beneath the planet. No visual confirmation has been made of this "Night God", as no survivors have returned from exploratory missions.

More and more Orks have begun to appear on the planet and nearby over-run planets, flocking to the banner of Waaaaagh Nobrot, looking to overthrow the primary planet in the Manutia cluster and use the Imperial Forges and technology to expand. These Orks roam the wastelands on the outskirts of the Hive Cities, launching constant raids to try and pierce the Defenses of the Manutian Imperial Guard.

Due to the vast underlying element of Chaos that has lingered from the past 10,000 years there are umpteen followers fo Chaos still hiding in the shadows of the Hive Cities and in the wilderness. These form resurgencies from time to time and result in unstable Warp storms and Daemons poring forth in an attempt to over throw the world. Notably the followers of Khorne, but battles with forces of Tzeentch and Slaaneshi Daemons have been ever increasing.

The world is slowly being over run and Imperial forces are dwindling. Not only from Necrons, Orks and Daemons, but also being a large Industrial planet, it is often used as a Waypoint by allies or a raid point by enemies - large amounts of Chaos Space Marines, loyalist Imperial forces and Eldar have come across the planet in recent times and the already knife-edged balance on Manutia is struggling to hold.

Most recently, an Abhuman race known as The Brotherhood of the Forge has helped the Manutians after recieving a distress call and an alliance has been forged. The Brotherhood and Manutians regularly take to the battlefield together and utilise one another's technology to combat a greater foe. There is still not been a clear explanation why the Brotherhood have appeared, nor their motives for helping the Imperium. Some whispers on Manutia say that they are a long forgotten, once mighty race of Warriors who are now resolved to piracy and a nomadic life amongst the stars.

Who knows what lies in Manutia's future, there are increasing rumours of a Chaos Crusade taking over nearby planets and systems, and the once loyal allies of the Imperium seem to become more Heretical by the day. For now, the planet holds... just.

SB