Disciples of Thule

"The galaxy is a midden scattered with the bones of humanity's glory."

- Aphorism dictated by Archmagos Paracelcus Thule

The Disciples of Thule are an influential radical faction of the Adeptus Mechanicus within the Calixis Sector. They follow their spiritual leader, the Archmagos Paracelsus Thule. Many centuries old, Thule's Explorator fleet disappeared out beyond the edge of mankind's domain for decades at a time. It is said to be vast, and many explorator Adepts and Magos have served under his tutelage over the years, passing on his teachings to their juniors in turn. Thule's instruction centres on identifying pre-Imperial human technologies and sets the goal of finding the relics of mankind's glorious past above all other concerns and risks.

This lack of caution makes Thule and those following him something of a radical faction within the Cult Mechanicus, but a powerful and influential one in the Calixis Sector. Thule's disciples centre their studies entirely on analysis and study, valuing the acquisition of knowledge above all other concerns. They disdain physical confrontation and are often so wrapped up in cogitation they fail to notice what is in front of them. Some Inquisitors appreciate this curiosity in their tech-priests, finding it preferable to the narrow thinking and conservatism many others of their kind demonstrate, even though curiosity almost always carries its own dangers.

Overview
One of the most numerous factions within the Mechanicus Calixis, the followers of Arch-Magos Paracelsus Thule believe that the eternal Quest for Knowledge is best pursued in the field. Disciples of the itinerant Arch-Magos are the most fervent supporters of the Explorator fleets. They believe the best way to serve the Omnissiah and utilise the limited resources on hand is to seek out the ancient technologies of the past and to follow the paths of the ancients wherever they may lead. Such concerns as fame, political ramifications, and even personal safety matter nothing to the Disciples of Thule as they pursue their quest into the deep, cold recesses of space in the hopes of pushing the boundaries of knowledge further and further back. The Disciples of Thule are not a proscribed or radical sect, although they are not entirely welcomed into the Mechanicus body politic due to their singular focus on exploration to the detriment of all else. Others look upon these dedicated adepts with bemused tolerance for the most part, unless one of their expeditions claims the resources or personnel of a rival adept, at which point the conflicts can quickly escalate.

Archmagos Paracelcus Thule's vast Explorator fleet is a potent force in the Calixian Mechanicus. Despite that, he and his followers disappear beyond the Sector's boundaries for decades at a time. In 528.M41, a sub-fleet of Thuleans under Magos Solus Kanceme entered the Koronus Expanse and scattered far and wide, spurning xenos worlds in search of pre-Imperial artefacts sacred to the Omnissiah. Little is known of Kanceme's fate. The Disciples of Thule are a mystery to Rogue Traders, vanished into the far voids for centuries now, uncommunicative and fixated upon their own goals. Many believe the Thuleans lost, consumed by the myriad dangers of the Expanse. If the devotees of Paracelcus Thule still come and go through the Koronus Passage, then they do so secretively, avoiding both Port Wander and Footfall. A Rogue Trader who finds himself vying with Thuleans for a prize of ancient human technology should consider them as great and ruthless a foe as any xenos breed.

The guiding philosophy of Arch-Magos Paracelsus Thule is alive and well throughout the Adeptus Mechanicus in the Calixis Sector. During his infrequent visits, the Arch-Magos has inspired widespread loyalty to his vision for the Quest for Knowledge, and a significant portion of Calixian Tech-Priests respect his wisdom. None are more fervent in their admiration than High Fabricator Castellar, the apex of authority of the Mechanicus within the Calixis Sector. He once served aboard Thule's fleet as a lowly Electro-Priest, and has never forgotten the wonders that Thule showed him during his travels aboard the Explorator's ship. Disciples can be found at nearly all levels of Adeptus Mechanicus society within the Calixis Sector -- large numbers of them act as archeoexhumators, searching locations such as Seedworld AFG:218, Lythea Haarlock's tomb, and the planet known only as Designate 228-18. The Disciples were the first to locate and study the drifting sepulchres of the Yu'vath, and then only after a direct order from the High Fabricator.