Vorotheion was an Imperial Hive World that was the primary inhabited planet of the Barolyr System in the Chalnath Expanse of the nothern Ultima Segmentum in the Imperium Nihilus. It was one of the worlds of that region that was caught up in the multi-sided conflict between the Imperium and various xenos powers that was known as the Chalnath Expanse Campaign.
Vorotheion came under attack during the Era Indomitus by both the forces of the T'au Empire and an uprising by the Genestealer Cult known as the Pauper Princes. The cult was ultimately victorious in taking over most of the world, though the T'au and the Imperium still maintain control over several of the world's hive cities. The Pauper Princes remain undaunted by this, and have already begun the necessary work required to welcome their Star Children masters -- a Tyranid hive fleet -- to their world.
History[]
Vorotheion Uprising[]
The Genestealer Cult of the Pauper Princes claimed allegiance from much of the populace of Vorotheion.
The Vorotheion Uprising began during the Era Indomitus after the birth of the Great Rift when Vorotheion was struck by both an invasion of the T'au Empire's Fifth Sphere Expansion forces and an uprising initiated by the Pauper Princes Genestealer Cult that had long been present on the world against the T'au and the world's Loyalist Imperial defenders.
The Hive World initially dealt with only the growing influence of xenophile cults favouring the T'au Empire and its promise of the Greater Good, but this changed when the xenos offered to annex Vorotheion into their empire. The Pauper Princes cult feared they would lose control over the world under new masters, so they sought to turn Vorontheion against the T'au. Using cult members in high-ranking positions and the psychic powers of their Maguses they were successful in voting down any attempts at affirming an alliance between the world and the T'au Empire.
As this was occurring, the cult's Biophaguses implanted more and more of the populace with Genestealer germ-seed, while Kelermorphs and Sanctuses cut down anyone who proved to be a hindrance to their plans for domination. After discovering the similarities of the Greater Good with their own creed, the cult even managed to bring some of the T'au's own xenophile worshippers into their fold willingly.
However, after their offers of allegiance were repeatedly rejected by the Vorotheion planetary government under the influence of the Pauper Princes, the forces of the T'au's Fifth Sphere Expansion began a military invasion of Vorotheion and in doing so caused the Pauper Princes to finally reveal themselves openly.
In the war that followed, the Genestealer Cult's prior preparations and infiltrations of every aspect of Vorotheion society allowed them to soundly defeat both the forces of the Imperium and the T'au Empire. Much of Vorotheion is now under their control, though the T'au and Imperial defenders still maintain control over a minority of the world's hive cities. The Pauper Princes care little, for they have finally begun the great work required to welcome the Star Children to their home.
Sources[]
- Psychic Awakening: The Greater Good (8th Edition), pp. 6, 16-19