In a new upcoming book, involving the Scythes of the Emperor, Guy Haley looks set to return to the ruins of Sotha.
It would appear Belirsarius Cawl has interests on Sotha, alongside the Scythes of the Emperor – potentially rediscovering the xenos Pharos Device under the mountain. From a time during the Horus Heresy; now purposefully forgotten Imperium Secundus (Unremembered Empire, by Dan Abnett) under Guilliman, it performed as a beacon for Warp Travel when it’s “light” shone upon Macragge and many other strange abilities.
Quite likely this book will have major plot implications for 40k Lore at large. May even mention the Iron Warror, Barabas Dantioch again (whom it is suspected was the bearer of the Helm every Scythes of the Emperor Chapter Master wore after the founding).
Dantioch believed The Pharos was part of an ancient interstellar navigation system, both a beacon and route-finder, and it also permitted instantaneous communication across unimaginable distances. Dantioch also believed that other way stations like the Pharos still existed, or once did, on other worlds throughout the galaxy. It was not one, single beacon like the Astronomican. Dantioch believed the Pharos and other stations like it were once used to create a network of navigational pathways between stars, as opposed to a single, range-finding point the way the Astronomican did.
sourced from notes on Sotha, 40kWiki.
Based on Cawl’s development of the AI, Cawl Inferior, for long distance communication; he may have designs on discovering the network, or restarting the Pharos itself, learning of its workings to enhance his own work or aiding Guilliman in enabling better warp travel post warprift era. Or, all of the above.
Key books to review for this release with a Scythes of the Emperor lean:
‘Unremembered Empire’ – Dan Abnett (Horus Heresy series novel; Sotha origins)
‘A Safe and Shadowed Place’ – Guy Haley (Horus Heresy series novel; Sotha beacon causing a hidden Chaos fleet troubles)
The Heart of the Pharos – L J Goulding, Audio Drama
‘Pharos’ – Guy Hayley (Horus Heresy series novel; Sotha beacon is set upon by the Night Lords)
‘The Aegidan Oath’ – L J Goulding
The Shadow of the Beast’ – L J Goulding
‘Heloth’ – L J Goulding
‘Slaughter at Giants Coffin’ L J Goulding, the defining last stand of the Scythes on Miral.
‘Reclamation’ – L J Goulding (One of print for limited run, still seeking a copy.
Dark Millenium – Guy Haley
After finishing reading this book, which was amazing, I began to scour the internet to see if anyone was talking about the elephant in the room. It seems like everyone has skipped over the fact that this book marks GWs first “cannon” purging of old space marines out of a chapter, with Primaris being the only ones left. To my knowledge they have left the wiggle room for everyone else to say “hey there are some old boys left” even when Primaris make up all new recruits (baring the new ultima founding chapters). This makes sure that you can comfortable still use some of your old minis in current narrative games. Now, with the sacrifice of the last of the old scythes they have become just another 100% Primaris chapter, leaving many Sothans old armies to collect dust on the shelves. Am I missing something or is this the case ☹?
Of course, the warp is a tricky place and a lost Strike Cruiser could pop out (my current head cannon to allow some old guard to take the field) but I am not happy about the official purging.
Aye, this is a quiet point and something too note. I have mixed feelings as I have following these darng marines since 1997 and even one is named after me, so that hit home a little close too :) I am with you though, the chance of some scattered survivors out there, fighting the good fight. :)
I loved this book so much. Thracian and his bois have inspired me to start a collection.
Top stuff – look forward to hearing more on the collection! :)