Rheelas (Mining World)

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Rheelas is a Mining World in the Canis Salient. It was quarantined by Lord Ebongrave alongside Kaggeran and Argoth (it was deemed tainted by the Tau, but too valuable for Exterminatus).

Unable to support its population without food imports, this mining world suffered greatly from the decades-long blockade of the Quarantined Worlds. Most of the mines and refineries fell into disrepair, as workers slowly died off due to starvation. Despite the blockade, a few Rogue Traders traded food and weapons to the world, in return for whatever minerals the warlike miners could provide.

When Barotta arrived to break the quarantine, each mine complex had become an isolated feudal state, warring endlessly with its neighbors over dwindling resources. Rather than use force, Barotta proposed the food for resources program, which the warlords all accepted with a minimum of violent persuasion.

Rheelas has resumed exports to Argoth and is quickly becoming that planet's main supplier of everything from common ores to exotic materials. Old enmities die slow, however, and the local mine-lords are not above engaging in a little internecine strife over particularly rich ore deposits. The world is one of the destinations for humans expelled from the Tau Sept.

Rymer (Mining World)

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Rymer is an abandoned mining world located on a minor warp route leading from Castobel. Deep pits have been cut into the planet's surface at places where old lava flows have brought diamonds and other rare minerals like Tantalum to the vicinity of the surface. In other places, the miners have burrowed deep and far, following veins of gold, germanium, and other precious metals.

When the Crusade arrived, they found the mines abandoned, with no sign of any miners or other humans. After a short while, several hundred thousand miners were moved here from Calixis, especially Sepheris Secundus, and for a time mineral wealth flowed up from the deep once more.

Shortly before the Battle of Hethgar frantic astropathic please reach Crusade Command: "Help us! They have awoken, the Dwellers in the Deep. Help us!" Then the planet fell silent.

Cressid (Dead/Mining World)

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Cressid is a Dead World found within the Outer Reach region of the Jericho Reach. Were it closer to the salients of the Achilus Crusade, dramatic action might be taken. As it stands, the resources necessary to conquer such an inhospitable planet are better spent in other environs for the time being.

The thin atmosphere on Cressid does little to insulate the world from the chill of the void. Before the onset of the ancient Jericho Sector's Age of Shadow, records suggest that the great refineries may have warmed the world so that it could be safely inhabited. In the millennia since those shut down, the world has once more become a cold and barren wasteland.

Those who choose to live upon its surface must endure miserable conditions as they attempt to eke out an existence. Such a fate is far too kind for those who have chosen to abandon their sacred responsibilities to the God-Emperor.

The Deathwatch maintains a small Watch-station here, keeping an eye on the local Cold Trade, Xenos trafficking, and watching for dangers from the Outer Dark.

Freya (Devoured/Mining World, Orpheus Salient)

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Freya was once an Imperial Mining World, rich in raw materials, that fed the lost Forge Worlds within the Reach. During the long millennia of the Age of Shadow, the world fell into anarchy as the entire planet became a battleground for gangs, techno-barbarians, cultists, and mutants. The remaining Imperial presence was a lone orbiting sensor array circling one of Freya's moons that served the Deathwatch in its secret vigil. 

The Crusade took little interest in the world, other than establishing a small garrison in preparation for cleansing the world should additional raw materials be needed. But soon tragedy befell Freya, as the Tyranids overran it. If the world can be purified, it can fill the role of mined-out Hethgard, as a prime mineral supplier for the Orpheus region.

The Jericho Sector forces have reclaimed Freya, and erected great seals over its deep mines. Protected by the rock, thousands upon thousands toil to bring forth the riches of Freya from the warm darkness. Much of its mineral wealth is lifted into orbit and transported by Mass Conveyor along the long road to Argoth.

Quarantined Worlds: Argoth, Kaggeran, Rheelas (Canis Salient)

The Canis Salient is the oldest Imperial warzone within the Jericho Reach. Located to coreward, its first battles were fought in a Crusade to liberate dozens of human-inhabited worlds from Tau expansion.

Initial progress was good, and in many ways, the Crusade fell victim to its own success. The opening of the Acheros and Orpheus Salients drew manpower and ships away from the Canis salient, while the Tau received substantial reinforcements from beyond the Reach. In time, the Tau gained the upper hand, and Crusade Command was forced to make from hard decisions.

Worlds that could not be brought to compliance would instead be subject to "strategic measures," meaning population centers and industry would be subject to massive orbital bombardment, as to deny it to the enemy. This freed up soldiers and ship for service on the main Greyhell Front.

Three worlds within the Canis Salient were deemed so valuable (and not hopelessly tainted) that they were quarantined instead of depopulated. The intention was always to return them to Imperial control, but it never happened. As Lord Commander Ebongrave became increasingly more paranoid, seeing Tau plots everywhere, he refused to lift the blockade, leaving the Quarantined World to die slow deaths.

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Argoth (Hive World): Argoth was a Tau-infested Hive World placed in quarantine by Lord Commander Ebongrave. It later became the lynchpin of Barotta's reborn Jericho Sector.

Kaggeran (Agri World): Kaggeran was a well-functioning Agri World engaged in the Tau-trade when placed in quarantine by Lord Commander Ebongrave. It's slowly regaining its feet after decades of isolation.

Rheelas (Mining World): Rheelas was a well-functioning Mining World engaged in the Tau-trade when placed in quarantine by Lord Commander Ebongrave. It's slowly regaining its feet after decades of isolation.