#Who’re the Thousand Sons? – Destructoid

The Warhammer 40,000 universe is filled with heroic factions just like the Ultramarines and terrifying alien threats just like the Tyranids, however that’s solely a fraction of the entire image. As seen featured in Warhammer 40,000: House Marine 2, the Thousand Sons are a bunch of Chaos-corrupted House Marines with a penchant for magic and the occult. Nevertheless, the Thousand Sons are extra than simply evil wizard marines. Their previous is marked by tragedy and the fickle arms of destiny, actually displaying that the highway to hell is paved with good intentions.

Undoubtedly, probably the most important and influential forces in the Warhammer 40K universe is Chaos. It manifests in numerous types, from daemons summoned by means of ritual to heretic Adeptus Mechanicus members creating diabolical homunculi of metal and flesh. Nevertheless, probably the most iconic illustration of Chaos is the heretic Astartes. Every warband can hint its lineage again to one of many traitor Legions from the Horus Heresy civil battle, and most have willingly surrendered to the ruinous powers, looking for a share of their darkish may.

The Thousand Sons have been one of many Legions marked as traitors throughout the Horus Heresy, however it’s not as lower and dry as the opposite heretics. Whereas there isn’t any excusing the vicious actions of the group within the lore’s present standing, for fairly some time, the Thousand Sons have been appearing in the most effective curiosity of the Imperium.

A tragic previous

Like all Adeptus Astartes, the Thousand Sons began out as loyal members of the Imperium. Their Primarch, a demi-god genetically cloned from the Emperor, Magnus, grew up on the Psyker world of Prospero, the place he sharpened his already potent psychic talents. He quickly surpassed all his lecturers and set about advancing civilization on Prospero, making Warp research a major focus.

Magnus was repeatedly warned in regards to the perils of the Warp and the entities that dwelt inside, each from his lecturers and the Emperor after the 2 have been reunited. Regardless of this, Magnus often projected his psyche into the immaterium to scour its depths. Following the Primarch and Emperor’s reunion, the House Marines that might turn out to be referred to as the Thousand Sons have been Magnus’ to command. Like him, every bore a pure present for Psyker arts and a fascination with the Warp. Nevertheless, his genes proved unstable when utilized to his sons.

The House Marines tended to turn out to be stricken with one thing referred to as the “flesh change,” which might see them mutate into senseless abominations. Whereas some known as for the Legion’s disbandment and destruction, Magnus pleaded for the possibility to save lots of his sons. Finally, after many makes an attempt to plumb the Warp for a remedy, Magnus seemingly discovered what he was on the lookout for. The Primarch saved these he may, leaving solely round a thousand of his Legion unaffected, incomes the House Marines the identify the Thousand Sons.

The Council of Nikaea

Whereas the Thousand Sons proved as efficient as some other Astartes Legion, the opposite Primarchs and their sons regarded on with dread. Because the Imperium pushed additional into the galaxy, it encountered vile alien species that used Warp magic, very similar to the Thousand Sons. Psychic talents grew to become taboo, and Magnus’ Legion was perceived as skirting too near these ruinous powers. The problem culminated in what grew to become referred to as the Council of Nikaea, the place the Emperor known as a gathering between all Primarchs and different trusted advisors. The righteousness of Psykers can be placed on trial.

Although Magnus did have some voices in his nook, the occasions at Nikaea didn’t go in his favor. Apart from Navigators and Astropaths, wanted for house journey, the Emperor decreed that Psykers weren’t permitted to follow. Magnus begrudgingly accepted his father’s ruling, however it wouldn’t be lengthy earlier than he’d break his promise. The Primarch would foresee the Horus Heresy and all of the spoil it might carry. Determined to warn his father as rapidly as potential, Magnus used astral projection to traverse the Warp and attain the Emperor instantly.

Simply earlier than reaching Terra, Magnus discovered his path barred by some type of seal. Right now, a voice reached out to him within the Warp, promising to assist the Primarch overcome the barrier. Seeing no different choice, Magnus accepted the assistance and crashed by means of the impediment proper into the Emperor’s throne room. The Emperor put the seal in place to maintain daemonic forces from reaching Terra, and now they have been invading by means of the opening Magnus had created. The occasions additionally destroyed the Emperor’s Webway challenge, which might have allowed humanity to discontinue its use of Warp journey.

Prospero falls, Chaos rises

When Magnus returned to his bodily physique, the mysterious voice revealed itself as Tzeentch, the Chaos god of change and sorcery. The entity informed Magnus that he and his sons have been destined to serve Chaos, a method or one other. In the meantime, the Emperor ordered the House Wolves and their Primarch, Leman Russ, to carry Magnus and the Thousand Sons again to Terra to reply for his or her crimes. This order was intercepted by the now-corrupt Horus and was modified to see the House Wolves decimate Prospero and the Thousand Sons.

Magnus totally realized that he had turn out to be a pawn to Chaos and opted for inaction. He believed that any additional battle would play proper into the arms of Chaos, and he was prepared to permit his Legion and himself to fall for his folly. Nevertheless, after watching the destruction begin to unfold and believing that he had been in the fitting attempting to warn his father, he took to the sector to disclaim his Legion’s execution. That in the end led to a confrontation between brothers as Leman Russ and Magnus confronted one another in battle.

Russ finally overpowered Magnus and, in a single swift blow, broke the sorcerer Primarch’s again over his knee. Fully with out hope, Magnus heard the voice of Tzeentch once more. It provided to save lots of him and his remaining sons if he swore allegiance to the darkish energy. Seeing no alterative to save lots of his sons, Magnus agreed. The Primarch and the Thousand Sons have been transported to a world throughout the Eye of Terror referred to as the Planet of the Sorcerors.

The Rubric of Ahriman

After the occasions of the Horus Heresy performed out, the Thousand Sons can be a part of one other Legion-defining occasion. Although the Thousand Sons have been now sworn to Chaos, the Legion’s rampant mutations returned. Azhek Ahriman, Magnus’ trusted advisor, was unwavering in looking for a remedy. In secret, he fashioned a cabal of sorcerors hoping to unlock the key to ridding the Legion of its mutations, however it in the end backfired.

Ahriman accomplished a ritual that noticed the “flesh change” cured, however it ravaged these within the Legion with no robust psychic connection. Sorcerors have been unhurt, however everybody else was decreased to little greater than mud sealed in energy armor. The House Marines have been nonetheless alive in some sense, however solely their souls remained underneath the armor to energy the brand new automaton. For sure, Magnus was livid when he realized what Ahriman had accomplished to his sons. 

Although the Primarch wished to kill Ahriman, Tzeentch intervined and famous that the sorcerer was nonetheless precious for furthering Chaos’ will. To that finish, Magnus let Ahriman dwell however sentenced him and any of his collaborators to exile.

Sorcerous techniques

Being Chaos House Marines with a historical past steeped within the occult, it must be no shock that the Thousand Sons favor psychic talents and magic. The heretics are simply as snug summoning daemons to do their bidding as they use Warp-infused weaponry. That’s to not say that they don’t use related gear and weaponry as different Astartes factions, however some type of psychic may virtually at all times helps them.

Like their patron Chaos god, the Thousand Sons take pleasure in twisting schemes and meticulous planning. That might come within the type of an assault deliberate at exactly the fitting time, as sure celestial our bodies align, or a protracted recreation of corruption for unsuspecting Imperium residents. The Legion’s targets can typically be obscure or seemingly irrelevant till a later revelation declares true intentions.

Whereas the Thousand Sons’ fall from grace was tragic, there isn’t any redeeming the Legion now. It has dedicated itself to the darkish forces of the Warp and as an enemy of the Imperium. And whereas the Thousand Sons perform numerous acts of heresy and damnation, Magnus nonetheless contemplates his hatred for the daddy he believes betrayed him.