The Legio Laniaskara ("Impalers") is a Traitor Titan Legion of the Dark Mechanicum. It once hailed from the Forge World of Valia-Maximal.
As wardens of this world, the principal role of the Legio Laniaskara was the eradication of the gigantic beasts that made their homes beneath the caustic seas of the Forge World.
Such conflicts were often fought in the confines of undersea caves, leading the Impalers to favour direct and brutal tactics. These were further refined during the Great Crusade with Legio Laniaskara maniples tearing through enemy fortifications with close-ranged weaponry and bullish charges.
The Legio participated in the Horus Heresy but disappeared at the conclusion of the campaign known as the Cataclysm of Iron along with all the other inhabitants of their Forge World, their fate unknown.
Legion History[]
Legio Laniaskara Legion colour scheme as displayed by the Warlord-class Titan Blood Drenched.
When the hosts of the Great Crusade came upon the Forge World of Valia-Maximal, having enjoyed a period of relative peace in the expansion of the nascent Imperium in neighbouring regions, they found a world resistant to the notion of subservience.
Located to the galactic east of Graia, the magi of Valia-Maximal, at the time of its rediscovery, laid claim to over two dozen systems, their efforts turned towards the expansion of their territory.
Having long fought against the predations of the Hydrinoxis Conclave, a since-extinct empire founded by a union between Mankind and xenos, Valia-Maximal desired no external rulers.
Though diplomatic channels were quickly established between the two sides, the rulers of Valia-Maximal believed that a show of strength would do much to solidify their position within such negotiations.
In this they proved woefully ignorant as to the scale of military might the Imperium possessed. War was joined between the 114th Expeditionary Fleet and the Forge World of Valia-Maximal when, in an effort to expel the Imperium from its territory, a fleet sent forth from the Forge World initiated hostilities.
The war that followed proved a humbling experience for the lords of Valia-Maximal, who had sorely underestimated the determination of their foe. Led by Astartes warriors of the Raven Guard Legion, the 114th Expeditionary Fleet transitioned into the Valia-Maximal System, falling upon the Forge World with brutal efficiency.
To combat the Legio Laniaskara, the wardens of Valia-Maximal, the Titans of the Legio Astraman were deployed in what was to be the first major conflict the Legio Astraman would participate in following the incorporation of Graia into the Imperium.
In the solar weeks following landfall, the defenders of Valia-Maximal were steadily pushed back, leading the world's leader to, when presented with evidence of the impending Imperial conquest, reopen diplomatic channels in an effort to forge a peaceful outcome.
Such an agreement was achieved even as battle raged upon the Forge World and Valia-Maximal bowed to the demands of Mars following assurances as to the survival and continued welfare of the Forge World and its populace.
Though peace had been achieved, the dissemination of this knowledge to ground forces proved inadequate, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of personnel and the fall of several prominent forge cities to the guns of Legio Astraman before all hostilities ceased.
This singular act, though born not from ill-will but ignorance, cemented Graia as a hated name amongst the people of Valia-Maximal, a grudge that would be revisited solar decades later.
Though resistant to the coming of the Imperium, the years following Imperial Compliance proved lucrative for Valia-Maximal. Of considerable interest to the ancient Mechanicum was the Forge World's production of hardened alloys, created via treatment of certain elements with a unique blend of gases and liquids extracted from the vast, caustic seas of Valia-Maximal.
Such alloys proved highly resistant to both corrosion and plasma damage, allowing the production of war machines capable of extended deployment upon worlds deadly to natural life.
With the aid of Mars, the production of such alloys was vastly increased and Valia-Maximal entered a new period of prosperity, one in which it closely guarded its secrets lest another acquired the knowledge of the process.
Horus Heresy[]
Given the continued enmity between Valia-Maximal and Graia, it is notable that a declaration of support for the Warmaster Horus was quickly issued from the former mere days after news reached the Forge World of Graia's continued loyalty to Terra as civil war engulfed the Human-settled galaxy.
Conflicts between the two Forge Worlds were infrequent during the opening years of the Horus Heresy, although neither was averse to directly assailing the territory of the other.
Importantly, Valia-Maximal was quick to seize any world that had once given fealty to its lords, establishing a ring of iron around the Forge World as it expanded its sphere of influence.
In the scope of the wider war, Valia-Maximal was not idle in its support of allies outside the Belt of Iron, dispatching a steady supply of fleets bearing materiel to warzones within the Ultima Segmentum.
Such supply runs often ran afoul of opposing fleets bearing no obvious designations or marks of allegiance, though whether such fleets were sent by those loyal to the Emperor or were nothing more than opportunistic brigands remains unclear.
Notable Campaigns[]
- Compliance of Arachnus (954.999.M30) - Named for the breed of arachnid-like megafauna that once walked the planet's surface, and were hunted to extinction by the Legio Venator, Arachnus sat at the centre of a Forge Empire that stood in defiance of the Imperium's offer of Unity. Upon encountering the expeditionary fleets of the Imperium, Arachnus demanded that they respect the Forge World's sovereignty lest they suffer reprisal. In answer, the Imperium moved to conquer Arachnus, utilising the newly-acquired strength of both the Legio Laniaskara and the Legio Astraman. Following the loss of over three-quarters of their empire, and the depletion of the Legio Venator's numbers, the lords of Arachnus surrendered to the Imperium, unwilling to condemn their world to oblivion.
- Clash at Pioro III (010.M31) - The news of the Warmaster Horus' betrayal at Isstvan V was met with little fanfare or outrage within the Belt of Iron, for few in the region were eager to confirm where their loyalties lay. For every world that proved eager to side with the Loyalists of Graia and Atar-Median in return for the favour of the larger Forge Worlds, there were those who offered only empty words in response and time would show that their allegiance had been bought by the treacherous Fabricator-General Kelbor-Hal of Mars. Upon Piora III, 14 Titans were felled as the long-standing clashes between the Legio Laniaskara and Legio Astraman escalated and of the millions caught in the crossfire, few survived.
- Cataclysm of Iron (010.M31) - Across border sectors of the Segmentum Tempestus and Segmentum Pacificus are located numerous lesser Forge Worlds known collectively as the "Belt of Iron". Since the sundering of the Imperium, many had declared for the Traitor cause at the engineering of the fabricator-general of Mars, while others had remained loyal to Terra or sought to remain as aloof as possible from the conflict. Strife and tentative conflict between these once-aligned worlds finally erupted into full-scale war in 010.M31, pitching the Mars-aligned Forge Worlds of Incunabula, Urdesh, Valia-Maximal, and Kalibrax against the forces of the Loyalist Forge Worlds of Graia, Arl'yeth and Atar-Median, while Arachnus and Jerulas Station both fell into civil war. The resulting conflict, that later became known as the "Cataclysm of Iron", saw the forge lords, their armies and allied Titan Legions and Knight households turn on each other in protracted warfare, with scores of Human-inhabited worlds in the region suffering as they became the battlegrounds upon which they fought.
- Conquest of Findari Spoil (215.010.M31) - In what is now seen as the first blow of the Cataclysm of Iron, the arrival of the Iron Warriors prompted the Loyalist Forge World of Atar-Median to assemble its forces to war and fall upon the Findari Spoil. Though the Forge World had long been aware of the efforts of Kalibrax within the system, and long suspected that Kalibrax remained in service to Kelbor-Hal, the fabricator-general of Mars, the arrival of those sworn to Horus' cause proved sufficient evidence to confirm Kalibrax's motives. Moreover, the Loyalists were unnerved by the arrival of several hundred Iron Warriors Legionaries, fearing their expertise in siege warfare would lead to a rapid completion of the fortifications within the region. After much debate and in-depth tactical analysis, it was determined that the Loyalists' plans to seize the Findari Spoil would succeed only if they were accelerated. Having set themselves on the path to war, Atar-Median passed on knowledge of both their findings and plans to attack to those worlds, such as Graia, deemed trustworthy, as well as making attempts to alert Terra of their findings, before the forces of Atar-Median marched to war. Tactical assessments of the Findari Spoil prior to its invasion reveal the extent of its transformation undertaken by the Traitors. The outer edges of the system showed a significant concentration of orbital defence platforms constructed upon the extensive asteroid belts, while the solitary planet held a partially constructed Legio fortress garrisoned by several maniples of Legio Kulisaetai Titans kept in stasis within. Desiring control of the sector and its defences rather than total destruction, the forces of Atar-Median, under command of Princeps Maxima Millicent Nuvarss, First Shield of Atar-Median, divided their fleet into two task forces. The first, consisting of Taghmata forces supported by several banners of House Col'Khak, formed the vanguard of the invasion, breaking from the Warp in close proximity to the system's outer defences. Weathering heavy fire from the Traitor defence stations, the Loyalist Mechanicum forces quickly boarded the first ring of defences, the ground troops methodically eradicating all within. As this battle raged, a second fleet transitioned into the system, heading directly for the solitary planet. The loss of the outer defences left only minor orbital batteries to repel the Loyalist fleet and it was with little effort that the second wave of vessels seized control of the planet's exo-sphere. Having gained orbital control, the vessels' complement of Legio Atarus Titans were unleashed upon the planet, intent on seizing control of the Gatekeeper fortress. The resulting battle unfolded in two stages, with the Firebrands easily overwhelming the outer defences, guarded by a mere handful of Gatekeeper Titans. Once the outer walls had been seized, the Loyalists ventured into the cavernous centre of the fortress, providing protection for a cadre of tech-priests that, having gained access to the central systems, laboured to wrest control of the fortress from the Traitors. Post-combat reports state that six Legio Kulisaetai Titans were destroyed after a solar hour of brutal combat, while eight Legio Atarus Titans were damaged, three of which required extensive repairs. In turn, four additional Legio Laniaskara Titans, each still lying dormant within their cradles, were captured by the Firebrands, replenishing the losses they had suffered.
- Devastation of Yanazar IV (706.010.M31) - In the solar weeks following the fall of the Paradonal'ny System, the Traitors secured their hold upon the Ny'Drinah sub-sector. The first sign of relief for the defenders of the Ny'Drinah sub-sector was seen when a probing fleet from Atar-Median entered the Yanazar'ny System intent upon securing a beachhead within the sub-sector. With them came two maniples of Legio Venator Titans dispatched from Arachnus, these reinforcements sent as a sign of good faith to the Imperium. The first target of the Loyalists' ire was the Mining World of Yanazar IV, a frigid planet notable for possessing significant concentrations of monazite and bastnäsite deposits beneath the surface, garrisoned by a detachment of Legio Laniaskara Traitor Titans dispatched from Valia-Maximal. Under the cover of an orbital bombardment, the Iron Spiders, led by Sub-Princeps Jandolla Altreax, descended to the surface and marched upon the entrenched Impalers Titans who guarded the sole strip of mining quarries that had survived the first invasion. As battle was joined, the Iron Spiders upon the ground were alerted of a Traitor fleet having entered the system and moved to engage the Loyalist fleet. Outnumbered in orbit, the Loyalist fleet was quickly driven off and denied the means to extract their allies on the surface. The final reports note that the initial assault by the Iron Spiders proved successful, with the Loyalists regaining control of the quarries before finding themselves trapped upon the planet and faced with a new wave of landers, bearing the livery of the Legio Damicium, descending upon Yanazar IV.
- Siege of Graia (441.010-642.013.M31) - The conflict across the Belt of Iron was not confined to the Ny'Drinah sub-sector during the opening years, and in the eastern area of the region the sporadic conflict between Graia and Valia-Maximal had escalated into all-out war. The advantage lay firmly with Valia-Maximal, for a significant portion of Graia's forces were committed both to the conquest of the Ny'Drinah sub-sector and the escalating conflict within the Beta-Garmon System. In contrast, the Traitor Forge World had spent the years before the beginning of the Cataclysm of Iron gathering their strength in anticipation of the war to come. The role Graia played in the conquest of Valia-Maximal during the Great Crusade is well-recorded, as are the numerous denied petitions by Valia-Maximal demanding reparations for the damage the Legio Astraman inflicted upon their world during its Compliance campaign. In a desire to claim vengeance for such losses, Valia-Maximal unleashed its forces upon three star systems neighbouring Graia, conquering them in swift succession and denying the Loyalists access to several well-developed industrial worlds that aided the production of additional Morning Stars god-engines. In response, Graia swiftly dispatched maniples to the three systems while also recalling much of their forces committed elsewhere in the galaxy, forcing their allies to finish the conquest of the Ny'Drinah sub-sector. This swift response was motivated by reports that Magos Dominus-Alpha Hieroneyum, overall commander of the clades of Valia-Maximal responsible for the death of billions in service to Graia, was present at the frontline. It became quickly apparent to the Loyalist forces that the movements of Valia-Maximal were deceptive in their intent, with the three conquered systems occupied solely by the shell-shocked survivors who related tales of a brief invasion followed by rapid withdrawal. As the Loyalist fleets scoured the system for any lingering Traitors, messages from Graia arrived that revealed the Traitors' true plan, the forces of Valia-Maximal having moved directly upon the Forge World itself. Though devoid of much of its fleet and Titan Legion, Graia was not left defenceless, with its network of orbital defences capable of leveraging considerable firepower against the invading fleet. To counter this, Valia-Maximal had refitted several of its battleships with heavily modified Nova Cannons intended to outrange Graia's orbital stations. As the battle raged in orbit, a strike force of Legio Laniaskara Titans was unleashed upon the Forge World itself, securing a wide swathe of forge-fanes before an efficient defence could be mustered. Attempts to land additional ground forces proved unworkable, with some reports suggesting movement amongst the network of space stations, despite no record of their capability to do so, in direct counter to Traitor fleet movements. In time, the Traitor fleet retreated from the Graia System, leaving over 30 Legio Laniaskara Titans deployed upon the Forge World that engaged in a sustained campaign of destruction across the surface of Graia.
- Burning of Malhanr (386.012.M31) - The destruction wrought by the Traitors across the Belt of Iron led to widespread famine, for Agri-worlds were often the target of aggression due to lacking defences capable of repulsing even a handful of Titans. Attempts to source food from elsewhere in the galaxy proved unsustainable, for innumerable worlds had been pillaged by both Loyalist and Traitor forces leaving most planets unwilling or unable to share resources. To replenish the dwindling reserves of food, both sides moved to redeploy a portion of their forces to secure any Agri-world capable of continued production. It was this cause that led both the Legio Atarus and Legio Laniaskara to the world of Malhanr, the two warring sides causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem, rendering it unable to produce food and depriving the system of another precious Agri-world. The situation on Malhanr became ever more complicated when a xenos raiding fleet, no longer contained by the Imperial fleets that once patrolled the surrounding sectors, laid waste to both the Imperial and Traitor fleets orbiting the planet, stranding both forces upon the ruined Agri-world with little hope of rescue. Denied any chance of escape or reinforcement, the war upon Malhanr continued regardless, with both sides resorting to guerilla tactics as the Firebrands and Impalers sought the total destruction of each other, their conflict interspersed with clashes against xenos raiders that descended upon the planet. It is only years later that the fate of those who fought on the surface of Malhanr was revealed, when Imperial landing parties descended upon the planet and were greeted by a single battered Legio Atarus Reaver Titan named Fire of Resolve. The sole survivor of the conflict, the Fire of Resolve was stained and battered by years of war yet the god-engine stood unbroken, seven new kill markings crudely daubed upon its armour.
- Cataclysm's End (211.013-461.014.M31) - The siege of Arachnus, fall of Urdesh and blockade of Kalibrax all but brought an end to the Traitor threat within the Segmentum Pacificus region of the Belt of Iron. Although lesser Forge Worlds still showed signs of rebellion, few could contest the might of Atar-Median and soon Legio Atarus Titans were dispatched from the Belt of Iron. Many of these fleets sought to answer distress calls long ignored, and though such purpose was noble it largely proved futile, with the fires of war having long since consumed those who once needed aid. The Belt of Iron was not free of war however for Graia remained locked in its seemingly endless war against Valia-Maximal. The Loyalist Forge World had suffered greatly at the hands of the Traitors as Legio Laniaskara Titans still walked the surface of Graia while others of their ilk brought death down upon the world they had sworn to protect. The Loyalists faced a methodical campaign of attrition orchestrated by Magos Dominus-Alpha Hieroneyum that sought to disperse the strength of Graia through a series of feints and rapid assaults. It was only with the death of Hieroneyum upon the industrial world of Nalindeer that the tide of war turned, the traitorous magos killed when a trio of Morning Stars Warhounds, bearing the names Forge Beast, Faithful Sire and Venator Ultima, sacrificed themselves to destroy the Ordinatus Valia within which he rode to war. The death of Hieroneyum threw the plans of Valia-Maximal into disarray, with none proving able to fill the void left by the magos' death. Though the Traitors now stood unable to muster a coherent assault, the late magos had prepared the Forge World's defences well, and an unyielding line of worlds still stood in defiance of Graia. These worlds had, with a speed defying logic, been converted into planet-spanning fortresses, each demanding blood be shed for every wall that crumbled. For Valia-Maximal to fall, the Logicians of Graia determined these worlds must be conquered first, lest their garrisons prove a threat to Graia's holdings. Of the 16 recorded attempts to capture the soon-named "Blood Iron Worlds" only one success was recorded, the seizing of the now-dead world of Eristara at the cost of 11 Legio Astraman god-engines and an estimated 250,000 Mechanicum Taghmata losses. For nearly a standard year, Graia defended its holdings and assailed those of Valia-Maximal, throwing millions into the cauldron of war until the Forge World was all but bled dry. Then, as if by some preordained signal, the tide of Traitors waned, the fleets of Valia-Maximal retreating beyond their fortress worlds. This change in parameters caused much contention amongst the Logis of Graia, preventing consensus and stalling the war effort. When no renewed assault was forthcoming, the forces of Graia moved once more against the Blood Iron Worlds but found only silence, 10 dead worlds hanging in the void and the halls of their fortifications empty. A similar, yet ever more perplexing, fate had befallen Valia-Maximal itself, for the Forge World had been stripped clean of its forge cities, only the scattered pieces of industry that once linked them standing as evidence that the world had once been prosperous. Upon the surface of the world, the initial landing force reported no detectable signs of life and encountered only the hollowed-out shells of Legio Astraman Titans that had fallen in the preceding years of war fighting against the defending Legio Laniaskara, each one posed as if in great pain and kept standing by intricate scaffolding constructed in patterns that drove many who viewed them to the edge of madness. As to how or why the people of Valia-Maximal had departed, none can say.
Legion Combat Doctrine[]
Beneath the caustic seas of their homeworld, Impalers Titans were often forced to fight their prey face to face, leading to a culture of direct conflict far beyond that of most other Titan Legions.
Subtlety was not a concept that existed within the minds of those who served the Legio Laniaskara. Instead, the Impalers brought the fight to their foe, hunting them down wherever they might hide.
Contrary to the prescribed dictates of the Collegia Titanica, the use of close-quarters armaments, such as Titan-grade chainfists and Arioch power claws, was the norm amongst the Titans of the Legio Laniaskara.
A favoured tactic of the Impalers was to unleash a spearhead of Reaver Titans armed with short-range weapons upon enemy fortifications, battering down the walls and shattering all attempts to counter-attack.
Another tactic utilised by the Impalers was to employ both Ferrox and Venator Light Maniples in urban environments on various industrial worlds, like they did during the Siege of Graia.
The Impalers would have their Warhounds disperse through the streets of the urban sprawl and herd Loyalist god-engines into the path of Laniaskara Reaver Titans. Failing that, the Warhounds would cripple their foe before leaving them immobile amongst the debris as easy pickings at battle's end.
It was noted that the princeps of the Legio Laniaskara had no pity for weaklings -- unworthy foes were swiftly crushed underfoot with little thought given to honour or mercy.
Having long studied the blows needed to slay a Titan, many of their princeps believed other god-engines to be the ultimate foe to face. The Warmaster Horus' betrayal had given them the opportunity to put such knowledge to the test.
In battle, the princeps of this Legio were often consumed by rage and heedless of their own pain.
Legion Specific Wargear[]
- Mordantised Ceramite - The most notable achievement of Valia-Maximal was their specialised knowledge in the development of treated ceramite alloy plating that proved highly resistant to plasma burns and corrosive substances.
Notable Titans[]
- Blood Drenched (Warlord-class Titan) - Blood Drenched was a Warlord Titan that fought during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.
- Blood of Valia (Reaver-class Titan) - Blood of Valia was a Reaver Battle Titan that fought during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy. Typical of the Impalers, the Blood of Valia favoured close-combat weapons, including a Titan-grade Chainfist and Melta Cannon.
- Esurient Beast (Warhound-class Titan) - Esurient Beast was a Warhound Scout Titan that fought during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy. The Esurient Beast took part in the Siege of Graia, playing a significant role alongside other Warhound Titans in the urban environments of the Forge World, where they would disperse through the streets and herd Loyalist engines into the path of the Impalers' Reaver Battle Titans.
Notable Personnel[]
- Magos Dominus-Alpha Hieroneyum - Overall commander of the defensive clades of the Traitor Forge World of Valia-Maximal during the Horus Heresy.
Legion Appearance[]
Legion Colours[]
The colours of the Legio Laniaskara are primarily red, the colour of spilled blood, and teal with the surface of their god-engines being trimmed in silver.
Kill Markings[]
The Impalers placed particular emphasis on displaying their kills and trophies, measuring the success of each engine against their kin.
This was often done through the use of multiple honour banners, as could often be seen with a secondary banner hanging from a Titan's weapon arm.
The kill markings made note of the death caused with the individual weapon and, while rarely worn into battle, were updated by a Titan's crew personally, and proudly displayed upon the god-engine between battles.
Legion Badge[]
The badge of the Legio Laniaskara is a blood red skull impaled by a spear, pointing upwards, with blood dripping down from the grim trophy.
Impalers Titans often bore designs that paid direct homage to the ancient tribes that once inhabited the surface of Valia-Maximal.
Many princeps of the Legio Laniaskara could directly trace their heritage back to these tribes and the traditions of the Titan Legion bore many similarities to the rituals their ancestors once practiced.
Sources[]
- Adeptus Titanicus - The Horus Heresy: Crucible of Retribution (Specialty Game), pp. 6, 12, 14, 21-23, 26, 28, 30, 35, 38, 44-47, 74
- The Horus Heresy - Book Six: Retribution (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, "Age of Betrayal", pg. 31
- Warhammer Community - Crucible of Retribution: The Story (23 Oct 2020)
Gallery[]
