Chapter Summaries

Nimrod used the Red Priest's Uniqueness to charm the Sobo Tribe, but the rising Moon of Dusk weakened his influence. After defeating Aetsak in a duel, Nimrod was accepted as the Futu God and ordered the orange-red moon scanned.

• Nimrod amplified his majesty with the Red Priest's authority, causing some Sobo adults and children to submit to him.
• The Moon of Dusk rose, and the number of Sobo people affected by Nimrod's charm fell sharply.
• Aetsak challenged Nimrod, who disarmed him with the Sword of Vaul and spared his life.
• More Sobo adults and children submitted after witnessing Nimrod defeat Aetsak, who agreed to speak with him over a meal.
• Nimrod ordered his forces to scan Vespid's orange-red satellite with the Auspex.

Nimrod negotiated with Aetsak to test the Vespid before naming a hiring price and questioned him about their customs and history. After learning where Aetsak’s ancestor killed Futu, Nimrod flew there the next day to investigate.

• Nimrod told Aetsak he would test the Vespid before deciding how much to pay, while considering their resistance to psychic power and their suitability for becoming the Shadow of Order.
• Aetsak said the Vespids held attacks and tribal succession ceremonies at dusk, but knew of no special property of their orange moon.
• Aetsak explained that his ancestor had killed the Futu God and used Futu’s remains to carve words and pictures, then pointed out where Futu had fallen.
• The next day, while the Apothecary examined the Sobo Tribe, Nimrod spread his golden wings and flew toward the site Aetsak had indicated.

Nimrod discovered that the ruins on Black Basalt pointed to a decaying power connected to Vespid's moon, and he suspected it was a Uniqueness. He flew there to investigate, but the moon extinguished his connection to the Warp as eagle-shaped creatures rose to meet him.

• Nimrod examined psychic-resistant gray bones and carvings that linked the Day of Decay to an eclipse.
• After reviewing the scan results for Vespid's moon, Nimrod suspected it was connected to the Twilight Giant pathway and a dormant Uniqueness.
• Nimrod ordered a Stormbird prepared and traveled toward the orange-red moon with Nelson piloting.
• As the Stormbird approached, its systems decayed and its Quantum Field Repulsor failed, so Nimrod opened the cabin and flew down alone.
• Nimrod's psychic power failed when light and shadow went out, and he saw gray-black Rule Lines and rivers on the moon's surface.
• Eagle-shaped creatures on the moon spread their wings and rose toward Nimrod.

Nimrod battled the guardian eagles on the Moon of Dusk while searching for its Uniqueness, then returned when the Day of Decay began. He seized the orange-red sword containing the Twilight Giant’s Uniqueness, losing his Soul-Eater Bees, undead army, and armor in the process.

• Nimrod sent Soul-Eater Bees and undead creatures against the guardian eagles and used the Mask of the Death Archon to trap and wither them.
• After fourteen days of fighting, Nimrod withdrew to the Shadow of the Throne, believing the Uniqueness would appear when the Day of Decay arrived.
• Arsena Dunn reported the Sobo Tribe children’s psychic grades, and Nimrod learned that the Moon of Dusk would trigger an eclipse ahead of schedule.
• As dusk fell over Vissa and the Moon of Dusk, Nimrod flew back and fought through thousands of guardian eagles toward an orange-red gleam.
• Nimrod found a huge sword containing the presence of manifested dusk and seized it, obtaining his first Uniqueness while his armor, Soul-Eater Bees, and undead creatures were lost.

Nimrod discovered that the Moon of Dusk’s lingering Twilight Giant influence could increase psychic resistance and shape people to survive its lethal environment. After confirming that the Vespids had adapted to the moon, he ordered Mutants from his worlds relocated there, with food and weapons provided, and sent Tech Sergeants to collect the giant eagles’ corpses.

• Nimrod confirmed that the Twilight Giant’s influence still affected the Moon of Dusk, while its removal weakened the orange-red light and restored some access to the Warp.
• The Primarch’s Attendants reported that Vespid’s orbit had shifted and that the planet’s plants and beasts had aged rapidly, while its people showed no major change in vital signs.
• Chief Apothecary Mikel reported that examinations of the Sobo Tribe found increased psychic resistance, especially among younger Vespids, and no signs of aging.
• Nimrod ordered the Mutants of his worlds relocated to the Moon of Dusk in batches and instructed that they receive sufficient food and weapons.
• Nimrod ordered Tech Sergeants to collect the corpses of the blue-black giant eagles from the Moon of Dusk.

Nimrod tested the Twilight Giant’s Uniqueness and decided to keep the Sword of Vaul rather than give it to a subordinate. He then offered nearly fifty thousand Vespid a path to become Shadows of Order, while their fourteen negative Omega-grade chiefs gathered at the summit to discuss mercenary terms.

• Nimrod wielded the Twilight Giant’s Uniqueness and judged it the finest weapon in the galaxy, though its decay authority limited its use outside the Kingdom of Disorder.
• Nimrod decided not to give the Sword of Vaul to any of his subordinates and returned to the real world.
• Nimrod arrived at Vespid and revealed his power to nearly fifty thousand gathered warriors, forcing most of them to their knees.
• Nimrod offered the Vespid a chance to become Shadows of Order, and many declared their loyalty to him.
• Aetsak challenged Nimrod to honor his promise of choice, so Nimrod invited those wishing to remain mercenaries to the summit; Aetsak and the other thirteen chiefs went up while the Vespid remained kneeling.

Nimrod signed mercenary contracts with the Vespid tribal chiefs and attended a meeting of the Primarchs, where he concealed the cause of his shattered armor. He suggested that Ferrus challenge Angron, while considering how to obtain the trophies needed for his advancement.

• Nimrod assigned the Vespid tribes to Legion roles and signed shadow contracts with all fourteen chiefs, binding them to secrecy and service.
• Nimrod's psychic projection arrived at the Golden Palace, where he explained that his armor had shattered during a compliance operation.
• Ferrus told Nimrod that he had completed new armor after learning from his defeat, while the other Primarchs reflected on Nimrod's strength.
• Nimrod suggested that Ferrus challenge Angron, and Ferrus agreed that it was a good idea.
• The doors of the Golden Palace opened.

The Emperor ordered Nimrod to bring Varia Superior into the Imperium, and Nimrod accepted while planning to gain control of the Forge World and prevent its future alliance with Horus. He assembled forces for the campaign, then gave Ivos Jovan a Physician potion and assigned him to oversee risky Vespid modifications.

• The Emperor tasked Nimrod with enlightening the Sages of Varia Superior and bringing the Forge World into the Imperium.
• Nimrod accepted the command and decided to use the campaign to seize Varia Superior and prevent its hatred of Graia from turning it toward Horus.
• Nimrod ordered the Second Legion and 10th Battalion to assemble at Carium Gate and requested aid from the Dark Fire Titan Legion on Huangquan VIII.
• Nimrod ordered a course plotted to world 33-59 so he could obtain the Be'lakor Relic Fragment while his forces assembled.
• Nimrod gave Ivos Jovan a Physician potion, advancing him to Sequence 8, and assigned him to oversee Upsilon-grade and Phi-grade Vespid modifications.

Two Sagitaurs carrying Squat forces crossed the shantytown toward the Wasteland Zone under Lord Nimrod’s orders, fighting off a horde of Mutants before an unseen enemy ambushed them in the sand sea. The chapter ended with several Hearthkyn warriors swallowed or attacked by shadowy forces as the survivors searched for their assailant.

• Two Centaur All-Terrain Vehicles entered the shantytown, where radiation-mutated residents ignored their warning and surrounded them.
• The Sagitaur crews fought through the Mutants, and one driver detonated the Remote Weapon Station, destroying the crocodile-like Mutant and many of its followers.
• The two Sagitaurs continued across the sand sea toward their target, but a strange screech and red light hurled them into the air and disabled their systems.
• The Hearthkyn warriors formed a defensive ring and tried to rescue the drivers, but shadow blades flayed one warrior and another was dragged beneath the sand.
• A sand collapse swallowed three Hearthkyn warriors, and a sudden blast made the four remaining warriors turn toward its source.

Aetsak killed a Mutant Psyker and found the hidden Hive Spire Nimrod sought. Nimrod claimed Be'lakor’s Eye of Shadow and rewarded Aetsak with the Ayari Family’s Hive Spire before ordering the world’s Mutants sent to the Moon of Dusk.

• Aetsak used his instincts and the Falcon Dagger to expose and destroy a Mutant Psyker with help from four Hearthkyn Warriors.
• Aetsak discovered a concealed Hive Spire in the crystal sand and summoned Nimrod.
• Nimrod recognized the building as his target and entered its temple with Aetsak.
• Nimrod seized the statue’s gray left eye, identified it as Be’lakor’s Eye of Shadow, and stored it in the Kingdom of Disorder.
• Nimrod gave Aetsak the Ayari Family’s Hive Spire as payment and ordered Arsena Dunn to send all Mutants on the world to the Moon of Dusk.

In 934.M30, Nimrod’s forces released thousands of Mutants onto the Moon of Dusk, where the planet’s harsh conditions weakened their mutations and sparked a bloody struggle for food and weapons. The survivors rushed toward the supplies as the first day ended.

• The Apothecaries aboard the transport ships woke the Mutants with gas, then used high-frequency sound to subdue them while announcing Nimrod’s offer of food and a new world.
• The crocodile-shaped Mutant remembered Nimrod and eagerly drank nutrient paste distributed across the ship.
• Fifteen standard hours later, the transports dropped the Mutants onto the Moon of Dusk, where the heat caused the crocodile-shaped Mutant’s scales and strength to fail.
• Mutants fought over weapons and food crates, while Catachan Wolves attacked them and Oveja were dropped across the planet.
• Four million severely mutated Mutants died as their mutations decayed, and the remaining Mutants charged toward the falling crates at sunset.

Nimrod used the Shadow Blade to divine the location of a Be'lakor fragment and discovered it was on Hof Albion, then arrived at Graia as its forge world prepared to separate from the planet. After testing the armor Ferrus Manus had forged for him, Nimrod praised its craftsmanship and flew to the Crown of Graia.

• Nimrod divined a star map with the Shadow Blade and identified Hof Albion, a world in the Varia Superior system, as the endpoint.
• Arsena Dunn reported that the Shadow of the Throne had reached its anchor point, the Dark Fire Titan Legions were at Graia, and the 2nd and 10th Battalions had assembled.
• Nimrod reached the bridge with Aetsak and accepted the Fabricator-General's invitation to board the Crown of Graia as it separated from the forge world.
• Malevolus presented the armor Ferrus Manus had forged for Nimrod and explained its layered construction and flexible craftsmanship.
• Nimrod tested the armor's ability to stretch with his body, praised Ferrus's forging skill, and boarded an Aquila Shuttle for the Crown of Graia.

Nimrod visited Graia's mobile forge world, where Degoes-12 revealed a breakthrough artificial gravity well and briefed him on Varia Superior's threat to the Iron Ring. Nimrod assigned forces to counter the invasion and planned to lead fifteen Titans to Hof Albion.

• Nimrod arrived at the Crown of Graia with Aetsak and met Wilshire, Ramsey, and their companions.
• Degoes-12 showed Nimrod the artificial gravity well, which reduced separation time and cut void-flight energy use.
• Princeps Senioris Schurtzeler reported that ninety-four God-Machines of the Dark Fire awaited Nimrod's command.
• Degoes-12 briefed Nimrod on Varia Superior's raids and its force of one hundred and four Titans from The Rippers.
• Nimrod sent the Second Legion and the 10th Battalion toward Narindi and Horaje, ordered the Morning Star and Dark Fire to attack The Rippers, and chose to lead fifteen Titans to Hof Albion.

Magos Februhen-25’s fleet mistook enemy ships using forged friendly readings for an early-arriving support fleet and suffered devastating losses. Ramsey’s forces destroyed Varia Superior’s fleet without losing a ship, and he credited the Phantom Device with the deception.

• Februghen-25 detected a fleet arriving early at Horaje, and the Auspex Array identified its ships as friendly.
• The supposedly friendly fleet ignored Februghen-25’s messages and attacked Varia Superior’s ships with lance strikes.
• Februghen-25 ordered his fleet to evade as the attacks destroyed thirty-eight warships and left the Blanchette and a handful of vessels badly damaged.
• A black Gothic warship attacked the Blanchette, and Februhen-25 realized enemy ships could disguise themselves as friendly vessel readings before losing contact in an explosion.
• Ramsey observed the destruction of Varia Superior’s fleet and said the Phantom Device had lured the enemy ships perfectly.

Olivier and the Second Company fought Varia Superior’s Skitarii with three kinds of plasma weapons, initially driving them back before armored vehicles turned the battle against them. Olivier destroyed the vehicles with his Archaeotech Pistol, and the company reformed its line as he considered ways to enhance the Plasma Flintlocks.

• Olivier led his Honor Guard from the Drop Pods and ordered the attack, using his Plasma Flintlock to kill a Skitarii Alpha and wound nearby troops.
• The Honor Guard and assault squads advanced with their plasma weapons, killing Skitarii while resisting the Macro-Clade’s return fire.
• The Tech-Priest ordered the Skitarii to spread out and called for help after the Second Company’s weapons proved unusually durable and effective.
• Blue-and-red armored vehicles arrived, broke the assault squads’ Storm Shield line, and exposed the Shadows of Order to a heavy barrage.
• Olivier’s Plasma Flintlock failed to pierce a vehicle’s shield, so he used his Archaeotech Pistol to destroy the vehicles with lethal rays and golden flames.
• The Honor Guard helped the assault squads reform their line, and Olivier considered how runes or Sun Holy Water might empower the Plasma Flintlocks.

Nimrod sent Schurtzeler and the Dark Fire Titans to Hof Albion, where they fought the Rippers and Solar Auxilia. When enemy fire threatened the Titan formation, Nimrod destroyed a Warlord-class Titan with a lightning-wreathed spear, leaving Schurtzeler convinced he was a god.

• Nimrod ordered Schurtzeler to bring Dark Fire down upon Hof Albion, and Schurtzeler awakened Flame Glory and the other God-Machines.
• Schurtzeler linked with Flame Glory and led two Warlord-class Titans into battle against the Rippers.
• Flame Glory and the other Titans destroyed a Rippers Titan and bombarded Solar Auxilia artillery positions, but a plasma beam cannon overloaded Flame Glory's void shields and damaged its right-arm power system.
• Nimrod arrived in black armor with golden wings and destroyed a cyan-and-red Warlord-class Titan with a lightning-wreathed spear.
• Schurtzeler praised Nimrod as a god descended to the mortal world, and Flame Glory's Machine Spirit accepted his judgment.

Nimrod’s forces drove Varia Superior to surrender, while Nimrod recovered the Heart of Be'lakor from a Forge Temple on Hof Albion. He set course for Varia Superior to claim the forge world before Mars could take control.

• Varia Superior’s Council of Magos learned that Nimrod’s Shadow of Order had conquered thirteen systems and captured Hof Albion, and Chief Magos Unai-9 agreed to surrender to the Imperium and accept Mars’s jurisdiction.
• Nimrod and Arsena Dunn searched Hof Albion’s Forge Temple, where Nimrod recognized a stone sphere embedded in interlocked gears as the Heart of Be'lakor and removed it.
• Arsena reported that Varia Superior had surrendered and requested an agreement with Mars.
• Nimrod ordered the fleet to Varia Superior, intending to bring the forge world under his command before Mars’s envoy arrived.
• Nimrod contacted Wilshire and Ramsey through the Kingdom of Disorder and ordered them to cease their attack.

Nimrod halted the assault on Varia Superior after it surrendered, sparing its forge cities and their inhabitants, then secured an alliance with its Fabricator-General and Graia’s. As he left Varia Superior, he learned that the Emperor was holding a triumph for him on Terra.

• Wilshire ordered the Gardinal Tripod Walkers and the Morning Star Titans to cease fire after Varia Superior surrendered.
• Ten days later, Nimrod assured Chief Sage Unai-9 that he would support Varia Superior’s production and fight for it to retain three additional systems.
• Unai-9 agreed to sign a pact with Nimrod despite Mars demanding the surrender of at least twelve systems.
• Five days later, Nimrod signed the pact with Unai-9 and invited Graia’s Fabricator-General, Degoes-12, to join their alliance; Degoes-12 accepted.
• After Nimrod departed Varia Superior with Arsena Dunn, the Primarch’s Attendant told him that the Emperor was holding a triumph for him on Terra.

Nimrod reviewed the casualties from the Varia Superior campaign and considered his influence over four forge worlds. After returning to Terra, he learned that the Emperor had prepared a gift for him and set off to receive it.

• Arsena Dunn reported the campaign’s casualties and losses of Titan units to Nimrod.
• Nimrod assessed his control over Incaladion, Mezoa, Varia Superior, and Xana, and assigned the rebuilt Battle Mothership to Ramsey’s 10th Battalion.
• In 935.M30, Nimrod returned to Terra with Ramsey and Schurtzeler, whose name was celebrated alongside Nimrod’s.
• Malcador told Schurtzeler to hang Dark Fire’s banner at the Eternity Gate and told Nimrod that his father awaited him with a gift.
• Nimrod considered why the submission of Varia Superior mattered to the Imperium and boarded the ceremonial vehicle to meet the Emperor.

Nimrod received a battle standard from The Old Man in Yellow to commemorate Shadow of Order’s victory at Varia Superior, and recognized it as a new version of the Banner of Macragge. On Terra, Harun Swenseren watched the ceremony and resolved to become a Shadow of Order and fight beneath Nimrod’s flag.

• Harun Swenseren and the other chosen boys watched footage of Ramsey and looked forward to traveling to the Imando Training Center to begin their training.
• Nimrod recalled Lorgar’s future vision of the Word Bearers attacking the Eternity Gate and decided that Valhalla would be the subject of his next divination.
• Nimrod arrived at the Eternity Gate and saw The Old Man in Yellow holding a black battle standard bearing Shadow of Order’s emblem, Nimrod’s name, and records of his victories.
• Nimrod recognized the standard as resembling the Banner of Macragge, which The Old Man in Yellow had given to Robert Guilliman, and considered its durable material useful for inspiring his legion.
• The Old Man in Yellow praised Nimrod’s swift conquest of Varia Superior and presented him with the standard, which Nimrod accepted as the Flag of Vostonia.
• Harun watched Nimrod receive the flag and resolved to become a Shadow of Order and win victories beneath it.