Loyal Sons

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Something happened the last time Barotta went back. His words put seeds into fertile soil, and something or someone has protected and nurtured those seeds. It's a crop ten thousand years in the making. A crop of Astartes, Loyal Sons all.

Thus far, two companies of veterans, each of a different chapter, have flocked to Barotta's banner, united by the common myth cycle of the Loyal Son (and by extension a Father). It should not be possible, but it has happened. 

Only time will tell how many more there might be.

Research Option: Loyal Sons unlocked.

Dark Sons: 1 company
Templars of Blood: 1 company

Brazen Skulls: unable to establish contact
Celebrants: 1 company recruited
Death Hawks: 2 companies rescued from the Red Corsairs.

Research Option: The Future, Always In Motion unlocked.

The Stigmartus

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The Stigmartus is a well-organized military force of the Lost and the Damned in service to the Ruinous Powers found within the Jericho Reach. It is commanded by Cult-General Elak Sarda, a Chaos Champion of immense power.

Of all the forces standing in opposition to the Acheros Salient, none are more belligerent or numerous than the degenerate armies of the Stigmartus. Composed of Renegades, Chaos Cultists, rogue psykers, bound daemons, mutants, and madmen, the Stigmartus represent the greatest single military threat to the success of the Imperial forces retaking the salient.

Despite their disparate makeup, the forces of the Stigmartus display a level of military organization and tactical acumen rarely seen among the servants of Chaos. The Stigmartus also has the benefit of interior lines of communication, a safe (relatively) haven (the Anomaly), and access to the hell-forges of Samech (though only the Dark Gods know what price they must pay for the techno-horrors forged there).

Research Option: The Stigmartus unlocked.

Research Option: Elak Sarda unlocked.

Research Option: Hell-forges of Samech unlocked.

Empire of Night

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Vague rumors of a militaristic "Empire" located far to Rimward, well beyond the failed light of the Astronomican, have been confirmed through the capture of a Night Lords Space Marine by Fleet Admiral Eccard Manteuffel. The prisoner has been transferred from the custody of the "Kings of Vanir" to Erioch.

Research Option: Empire of Night unlocked.

Hive Fleet Hydra

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"Beastmaster" Taurus, the Last Black Raven, was briefly in mental communion with a Tyranid entity in 232.M42. The hive mind was searching for synapse creatures of the vanquished Hive Fleet Dagon, and Taurus' unique psy-bond to his Hive Tyrant steed let him catch glimpses of a vast, many-headed organism. He gave it the name "Hive Fleet Hydra." 

Since the hive mind was actively trying to figure out what had befallen Hive Fleet Dagon, it could be that Hydra is the master organism and that Dagon was but one of its many heads. The thought is sobering.

Fortunately, Hydra seemed not to be in Jericho's immediate vicinity, so it could be the sector still has a few good years before all life is consumed.

Research Option: Hive Fleet Hydra unlocked.

The Dead Cabal & the Dark Pattern

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The Dead Cabal was a secret and select group within the Inquisition that concerned itself with the events of the so-called Dark Pattern occurring within the Jericho Reach and elsewhere in the Ultima Segmentum. 

As far as can be told, there are no known members of the Cabal alive and active in the nascent Jericho Sector. There is a possible match on one Inquisitor Hybris, Ordo Xenos, Mammon sector (about eight hundred light-years to Trailing and Coreward of the Well of Night). 

Research Option: Dead Cabal unlocked.

Research Option: Inquisitor Hybris unlocked.

Research Option: Mammon sector unlocked.

The Dark Pattern is an ominous pattern of Dead Worlds in the Jericho Reach and beyond that has long concerned the Deathwatch and their Ordo Xenos masters. This celestial phenomenon may very well have led to the instigation of the Long Watch in the Reach millennia before the coming of the Achilus Crusade. 

The phenomenon is sometimes described as a web of death, a sprinkling of Dead Worlds, torn from their celestial procession as if to array themselves in the heavens according to some entirely unnatural configuration. Other sources claim these barren worlds are host to elements that should not exist in such places or have known the tread of Xenos species that existed long before the birth of humanity.

Research Option: Dark Pattern unlocked.

According to journal entries from at Ericho, some (now sadly deceased) members of the Cabal were convinced the Aeldari (Eldar in Low Gothic) were involved in the Conclave of Tears. Supposedly Aeldari of all kinds were in on it: Corsairs, Craftowlrd Eldar, Dark Eldar, even the mythical Harelqins. Since Eldar sightings have been exceedingly rare in the Reach, few gave this theory much credit. Those with actual knowledge of the Eldar found it... exceedingly far fetched, as these factions are known not to cooperate very well.

Research Option: Conclave of Tears unlocked.

Velk'Han Sept (Tau Empire)

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The "Velk'Han Sept" is the Xenos' name for the Tau Empire's settlements around the Black Reef.

Its capital world is Tsua'Malor, located beyond the Reef. The Sept is known to control at least 10 worlds, but there could be more. Some may still have renegade human populations, filthy traitors that have forsaken the God-Emperor in favor of "the Greater Good." Kroots and Vespids are also present in large numbers, and maybe other degenerate races as well.

The Tau had extended their influence almost to the Well of Night when the Achilus Crusade was launched. Initially, the forces of the Imperium quickly pushed the Xenos back, until Tau resistance stiffened, and the Greyhell Front stabilized.

After Hethgard, the Tau began a cautious advance, mostly bypassing the worlds of the Greyhell front and other firmly human-controlled worlds. Meeting little resistance, they pushed all the way to the Gate, seized control of it, and moved into the Calixis Sector.