The Helion system was once ork controlled. Their raids and sorties took a fearsom toll on the shipping lanes causing untold destruction and loss of vital supplies. The desperate planetary governers were powerless to stop until a huge fleet appeared. The Black Scorpion Legion, on a penitent crusade, the cause of which has long since been forgotten, sailed through the region. The Adeptus Terra petitioned the Legion to protect the shipping lanes. The Black Scorpions set about their task with a fury belonging only to the Astartes. Not only did they protect the ships, they took the fight to the orks and pushed deep into the system. Over the next 17 years the Scorpions slowly conquered the 8 planets of the Helion system. Their slaying of the Ork Warlord was celebrated, a clarion call rang out across the region. Their penitence was deemed to be over and they were granted ownership of the system which was now little more than ruins.
The neighboring governers underestimated the value of the system and within years the Black Scorpions had fully established themselves, building a new fortress and replacing the many losses of the long campaign. New trade corridors opened up and the system flourished under the protection of the Legion. With no tithe to pay wealth accumulated to astronomical levels. Rogue traders from all corners of the galaxy flocked to the system to make their fortunes. It was at this point that the planetary governers of the neighboring systems had enough.
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| The attack begins |
They declared the Scorpions to be heretics using falsified evidence. 5 greedy planetary governers gathered their forces and struck out at the chapter hoping to take them by surprise. This would become the known in the region as the War of Folly. The destruction wrought by both sides was on a terrific scale. The Black Scorpions, expert ship to ship combatants, slowly gained the upper hand by capturing ship after ship. When evidence surfaced that the claims against the Scorpions had been falsified the planetary governers and their generals were quickly and mysteriously killed one by one. Eventually newly appointed governers sued for peace. The Trial of Hapolus concluded that the Scorpions were free of taint and cleared of wrong doing.
The Scorpions withdrew, cutting all contact with neighboring systems and isolating themselves. The Helion system is now extremely heavily fortified. Ships captured during the war now patrol the outer rim, crewed by loyal captains. The planets themselves boast considerable military might. Millions of of men at arms guard the cities and spaceports, all firmly loyal to the Black Scorpions.
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| The Heavily defended planet of Arcturus, Home of the Black Scorpions |
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| The Capital Hive of Arcturus - 'Hydrobius' |
The Legion Master, Isembard Kane, maintains cordial relations with all neighboring systems yet has declared numerous times that he answers to no man. Many whisper that he wields too much power and will be consumed by it. He controls 2000 marines, having long since discarded the Codex Astartes, a formidable fleet of captured ships, billions of soldiers and 8 fully fortified planets.
He fights for humanity, ever protective of imperial civilians, the Scorpions have participated in many glourious campaigns, winning hearts and minds across the region. There are those that claim this is simply a ploy to increase their influence. Whatever the truth.... Kane's power grows daily. If he were ever to turn away from the light of Emperor or an envious party were to draw plans against him... it would spell a conflict not seen since the Badab War.
