Editing Unburdened Horde (section)

===The Dread Banners Company===
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An anomaly in the politics of the Eye, the '''Dread Banners Company''' is a union of certain members of the Dark Mechanicus and the Traitor Armymen of the Lost and Damned. Their founder, the ageless and mysterious Nicimodeus has calculated optimal strategies for the Banners' success in a unstable, twisting landscape. Their strength in the Legionary Wars was precisely for their peculiarity in existing. With all the vendettas and inter-rivalries between the Legionnaires allowed for their human subjects a chance to grow out in relative obscurity. Initially, the Dread Banners started as the guard to a confederacy of a dozen systems within the Eye protecting owned by Xenos and Humans alike, some having worshiped the Chaos Gods before the first Astartes. Eventually, these planets became so dependent on the highly organized and responsive defense of the Company that they could not resist their unfortunate, inevitable takeover. 


Several warbands, including the ''Unrequited Sons'' attempted to claim territory away from the Company only to be repulsed each time. The Dread Banners sold their own humanity bit by bit to achieve victory, augmenting themselves with daemonic energies or corrupted bionics. Nicimodeus experimented and plotted on repeated success to create blanket improvements to the troops of the Company. Largely human, but partly not, the soldiers of the Dread Banners fought on to hold their independence. Mutants assisted their fighting strength and were thus given full rights within their territory. This coupled along with the abolishing of slavery endeared many of the oppressed masses to their cause creating a surge in population. During the last years of the Legionary Wars, a few decades before the Unburdened Horde's arrival, their success had not gone unnoticed within the Eye. More raids into their territory increased, and any hopes of expanding were stifled each time.


The '''Elder Cranog Moore''' of the ''Pale Sword Tribe'', a successor of the [[Iron Rangers]], arrived wishing to sign a pact with the Company. Breaking off from his home Legion more than two centuries ago towards the middle of the Heresy, the Pale Sword Astartes lusted for plunder and prestige. Cranog saw an opportunity in the collection of worlds held together by the elite and twisted mortal men before him. Giving over much needed ships and Space Marine support, the raids proved too costly for their potential gains for most abandoning any assault into Banner territory after a time. Cranog also represented the Company alongside the Syndic Nicimodeus at the Council of Medica discussing their part to play in the Unburdened. 


Though not many Marines will admit it, the Company provides invaluable support as the backbone of their military expeditions. The bulk of the Lost and Damned is rallied behind this behemoth of human force. Rogue Psykers, mad Tech-Priests, mercenary Guardsmen, and crazed Mutants swarm over the enemies of the Horde allowing the burgundy clad Marines to seize victory on the backs of these millions of souls who throw themselves zealously into the fray for recognition and glory. Though most only grab onto an early death, thus is the will of the Gods. 



'''Culture'''
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Across their worlds they have been unified behind the will of the Three Syndics. Each Syndic represents a facet of their highly regimented people, and they lead the will of the Company's citizens. The Guilds are the workers, the builders, and the producers. Everything used in the Dread Banners comes from them. They also oversee the use of plunder from raids and the extraction of resources. Thanks to the Guilds, there is food aplenty to feed the denizens of the Eye. Guild members are predominantly women, but there are exceptions. The Cogs are a minority, but a powerful voice. They are the overseers, the engineers, and the minds behind the success of the Dread Banners. Syndic Nicimodeus has been the only Syndic for the Cogs, and he personally chooses the Syndisc for the other factions. The Warriors are all of those who serve under arms, which is the majority of the population. These men follow a standardized set of training that is similar to how a Feral-level world culture may interpret the doctrine of the Imperial Guard. Highly ritualized, these discipline fighters have the final say in any discussion within the Company. However, Nicimodeus always finds an agreeable leader for them or he simply cuts off his forges and activates his servitor-sentinels until a new one is found.


To the Company, children are prized above all else. Babes are considered a blessing and it is common to give gifts to a couple upon the birth of their first child. Orphans of war from either side of a conflict are adopted by the Cold-Mothers, female Dark Mechanicus Priests who raise the infants to productive members of the industrial-militarized society of the Dread Banners. This reflects the attitude to outsiders held in the popular conscience of the Banners. Any mortal is a potential member, all that must be done is to swear loyalty to the Company. Often times during the Great Chaos Incursions there has been observed multiple defections of prisoners to the Company as they are extremely welcoming with many freedoms compared to the utilitarian Imperium.