Noctis Labyrinth

The Noctis Labyrinth or Noctis Labyrinthus as it is known in High Gothic, is a region of Mars that lies between the Valles Marineris and the Tharsis Uplands. In Low Gothic, the name translates as "Labyrinth of the Night." The name is well-earned, for this region of the Red Planet is characterised by a system of steep-walled canyons and valleys that give it the aspect of a naturally-formed maze or labyrinth. The valleys and canyons of the Noctis Labyrinthus were formed by faulting and many show the classic features of grabens, with the upland plain surface preserved on the valley floor. In some places the valley floors are composed of rough terrain that has been disturbed by rockfalls created by landslides, and there are places where the land appears to have sunk down to create deep crevasses and sinkholes. It is thought that this faulting was triggered by ancient volcanic activity in the Tharsis region from the ancient time before Mankind first settled Mars. The large complex of mines that were tunneled deep beneath the Noctis Labyrinthus during the Dark Age of Technology were said to be contaminated by deadly radiation and biological and chemical agents during the great wars between the Mechanicum and its opponents for control of Mars during the Age of Strife. This contamination is supposedly lethal to flesh and mechanical components alike. This claim is not true and is a fabrication created by the ruling Magi of the Mechanicus to keep curious Tech-priests from venturing within the tunnels and disturbing the Dragon of Mars.

The Noctis Labyrinthus is an essentially unpopulated region of the Red Planet was all of the Tech-adepts of the Adeptus Mechanicus who sought to found forge cities there suffered from severe technical problems that ultimately led them to abandon their attempts at settlement. Deep beneath the Noctis Labyrinthus sleeps the fearful entity known only as the Dragon of Mars in Mechanicus legend. This being may be the C'tan shard known as Mag'ladroth the Void Dragon.