Imperial Robots

Imperial Robots' are a result of lost archaeotech which are primarily constructed and maintained by the members of the Legio Cybernetica, a sub-division of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

History
The origins of Robots harken back to the earliest days of technology, presumably even during the Dark Age of Technology during the zenith of Mankind's scientific knowledge and technological power. Not much is known of this bygone age due to the loss of technology with the oncoming of the Age of Strife, but what is known is the Legio Cybernetica manufactured and produced large quantities of Robots during the Great Crusade of the 31st Millennium. These Robot Cohorts were instrumental in helping to bring untold numbers of rediscovered worlds back into the fold of humanity and the rule of the beneficent Emperor of Mankind. The Imperial conquest continued nearly unabated until the realm of the Emperor was threatened by an unforeseen and unexpected threat from within.

Horus Heresy
Warmaster Horus, a Primarch, was one of twenty super-human, genetically-engineered sons. He was the Emperor's right hand; his greatest and most beloved son. He knew he would have to secure the support of the Adeptus Mechanicus and their superior technology and weapons if he was to defeat the Emperor and conquer the galaxy. Taking advantage of the climate of discontent, the Warmaster manipulated the ruling Fabricator-General Kelbor-Hal and his loyal Dark Mechanicus followers into joining his cause. This included many tech-adepts of the Legio Cybernetica, whom as a point of pride, were some of the first to declare for the Warmaster and follow him into heresy. The terror value of Robots when used against unprepared and underarmed troops had not gone unnoticed by the Warmaster. This, combined with their unflagging loyalty, had made them valued additions to his forces during the subjugation of worlds during the Great Crusade. The Robot Cohorts had made an invaluable addition to his expeditionary fleet. Though these Robots proved to be pure and incorruptible, men were not.

This was especially true during the Horus Heresy, when many Legio Cohorts willingly rebelled under the leadership of the Warmaster. When Horus commanded his forces to move against the Emperor during the opening days of the conflict, the Legio Cohorts at his disposal were among those to obey. When the conflict ended, those dishonoured Cohorts of the Legio fled into the dark realm of the Eye of Terror, where they remain to this day.

Imperial Robots
Over the centuries the Legio Cybernetica has produced many Robot designs. Many proved to be successful, and the Legio has kept the five most common Imperial battle Robot designs in its inventory for most of the Imperium's long and bloody history. Some of these designs were utter failures, such as the disastrous Castigator class, which was so heavily armoured it moved slower than the troops it was designed to protect and support. Its survival capability was negligible as it was only outfitted with meagre weapons; a single bolt gun.

Robot Variants

 * Castellan - The Castellan-class Robot was designed for general-purpose combat and assault and is also ideally suited for a wide-range of battlefield situations. Is is armed with two Power Gloves on each arm appendage as well as a Heavy Bolter mounted above its chassis for additional protection and firepower. This standard configuration makes it particularly effective in siege and anti-vehicle roles, and provide an effective compliment to heavy weapon armament.


 * Cataphract - The Cataphract Robot is a heavily-armoured general-purpose battle Robot designed for use in almost all battlefield environments and situations. The versatility in a wide range of roles makes this war engine a highly-deployable and popular machine. This Robot can mount a variety of weapons for various purposes, the most common being one Lascannon above its chassis and a bolt gun mounted on one arm appendage and one Flamer mounted on the other. It is often regarded by some Imperial commanders as a jack-of-all-trades.


 * Colossus - The Colossus Robot was designed to function primarily as a siege weapon. Its standard configuration combines a siege hammer mounted one of its arm appendages for attacking fortifications with a bolt gun mounted on its other arm appendage for use against defending troops. The siege hammer can also be used in close combat situations. It also possesses a chassis-mounted Multi-Melta for additional firepower. The Colossus is often employed by the Imperial Guard as a cheap alternative to a siege Dreadnought. A few Colossus class Robots are maintained by the Ordo Reductor of the Adeptus Mechanicus, mainly for testing new and experimental siege weaponry.


 * Conqueror - The Conqueror-class Robot was designed for use in battlefield situations where heavily-armed resistance is expected. The combination of firepower with heavy armour is a major point of its design. On one of its arm appendages is mounted an Autocannon, the other a Power Fist. Above its chassis is mounted a Heavy Bolter for additional firepower. The Conqueror is ideally suited for assault, anti-vehicle and anti-Dreadnought roles on the battlefield.


 * Crusader - The Crusader Robot is designed for agility, moving quickly on the battlefield and striking a telling blow. It is light, and lightly-armoured. It is most often employed in an anti-personal mode, proving to be very popular with the forces of the Inquisition and other groups, proving itself to be very effective in mutant-hunter/killer operations. The Crusader is not used where heavy resistance or strong concentration of enemy armour is expected. The Crusader is typically armed with dual Power Swords on each arm appendage, and a chassis-mounted Lascannon.