Camaxtli

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Camaxtli
Title/Honours	Great Crocodile, "The Maw"
Discovered (period)	872.M30
Legion	Nineteenth
Heraldry/Sigil
Unique Weapon	Artificed Macauhuitl and Explosive Atlatls
Fate	Deceased
Dominion	Chalchihuitl, Charadon Sector, Ultima System

This page details people, events, and organisations from the /tg/ Heresy, a fan re-working of the Warhammer 40,000 Universe. See the /tg/ Heresy Timeline and Galaxy pages for more information on the Alternate Universe.

Appearance and Personality

A bear of a man, even amongst his demi-god brotherhood Camaxtli is one of the largest primarchs to fight in the Great Crusade. One of the most physically powerful primarchs, Camaxtli numbered amongst the strongest fighters. Commonly seen with his great Macuahuitl and explosive throwing spears, Camaxtli relished the twisting melee of the 30th millenium and could often be found at the forefront of his armies sweeping through the enemy and engulfing their champions. Save for his fang and perpetual sneer, Camaxtli was an attractive long featured male and perpetually barefaced, even remarking once: "unshaven features are abominable." Yet, despite his aggressive and domineering attitude Camaxtli numbered amongst the most energetic and enthusiastic of primarchs. Quick to take action, and passionate regarding topics he supported Camaxtli was a man one desired for his hard earned respect, and despised for his uncensored judgement.

Where other primarchs were clad in the precious metals common to the greater Imperium, Camaxtli maintained the customs of his world, bearing a powerful array of colored feathers against thick white armor lined with turquoise, emerald, and some gold. His Macuahuitl is similarly extravagant, it's surface covered with ritual carvings and lined in bright orange, the weapon's artistry illustrates it's creation and service in Camaxtli's hands. Once asked by Rogerius Merrill why he would make himself an obvious target "The Maw" replied:

Only idiot cowards place others before them. True leadership and strength are in the front, where a man's worth is found. Those who sneak amongst their sons do not deserve their loyalty, for how can a man expect children to die in his stead?"

Yet Camaxtli's most notable - and perhaps infamous - facial feature was his mouth. Capable of opening more than a foot in length his mouth was a formidable weapon: jaws strong enough to crush stone, and teeth capable of cutting ceramite, Camaxtli's "Great Maw" gorged upon numerous champions. Yet, despite the utility of this ability it disgusted many of his brethren. Uncharacteristically, the Great Crocodile avoided exposing this mutation, the only indication of his mouth's true size were ragged lines extending from the corners of his lips and a single fang. Of the fang, only the primarchs dare comment and even they risk violence for Camaxtli suffers no disrespect regarding his aberrant ivory and refuses to describe its origins.

Camaxtli is a boisterous and proud man, quick to speak his mind, thinking little of what he discards. He is a gluttonous, greedy, and selfish primarch that prioritises his own needs and slow to help others, particularly those who cannot help themselves. Yet, despite this Camaxtli's loyalty, hard-earned praise, and genuine love for his brothers caused more than a few to overlook his overbearing nature.

Youth

Time has shown that the course of a man is often set in childhood, thus we must wonder why the fates chose Chalchihuitl a his home. The steaming jungle world of Chalchihuitl lied within the Charadon sector, isolated from the greater galaxy by stellar debris kicked up by local warp storms Chalchihuitl was surrounded by a haze of stone. When Camaxtli's pod landed in a damp Chalchihuitl jungle the battered and dented device remained shut, the infant primarch nearly starving then alone and unheard for his crying. By fate or fortune, he was found and in his first moments of sight beyond the metal womb met another. Camaxtli was blind in those early moments, eyes unaccustomed to the dim jungle light, so it is understandable that he was astounded by his savior when sight returned. The boy was imposing, a tall figure toned from many weeks of exertion midst the jungle and physically far superior to the bent, malnourished creature before him. Yet, after a moment of silence the two children recognized their kindred and embraced, their isolation gone.

Camaxtli was then taught the skills his brother had learned: how to find water, where to rest, what not to eat, how to hunt, and most importantly: how to avoid the alpha predators of the Chalchihuitl jungle. Gargantuan Arachnids, pythons, felines that easily doubled their size, all this and more proved a terrible threat to the nascent twins. As time progressed the brothers grew, coming to rely on their combined skill, wit, and strength to overpower or outsmart the great creatures eventually becoming quite capable of crippling and killing beasts they could not engage alone. Yet, despite this mutual reliance, Camaxtli's life consisted of constant abuse from his older, stronger, and more experience sibling. Forays for food could become rapid fist fights, nights asleep could result in poisonous snakes and insects, or restraints and worse. This cycle of abuse and violence existed for quite some time, subsiding only when the pair avoided human beings. Where Camaxtli wanted to meet and engage with others, his brother demanded they remain hidden.

Then they bore witness to the natives way of war; vast lines iridescent color colliding across a red-stained sea of green. Hundreds of humans caught in tide of conflict, battering against one another with great toothed clubs. Originally attracted by the tang of blood and salt, the twins were stunned by the scale of violence before them. Initially Camaxtli was repulsed, unaccustomed to shock of warfare, the chaos of noise and movement. Blaring drums, screaming, tramping feet, all undertoned by the wet smack of broken meat. It was then that Camaxtli nearly stepped back to flee into the jungle, away from the horror that assaulted his senses until his brother shoved him forwards out of the tree line. As he stumbled forwards a whistling mass flew past his periphery towards the line of fighters. Rising to his feet, he barely registered the small and colorful body pinned against the ground. Only the biting yells and calls now directed towards him, accompanied by an encircling group of human warriors, naked save for their loin cloths and tattoos.

Camaxtli fought for his life against the tide of humans, smashing, biting, kicking, and shoving through the obsidian gauntlet till he reached the impaled body. As he took the weapon and proceeded to further violence against his attackers, the warriors despaired at their leaders desecration. Then broken as the general was ripped to pieces and consumed by the primarch, the anxiety and adrenaline forming a terrible hunger. As his enemies retreated, Camaxtli's brother approached smiling and mocking his battered sibling, but Camaxtli heard none of it. Too exhausted to register the presence - let alone words - of his older half. It was a long while before more humans approached them all similarly clothed to the ruined corpse at Camaxtli's feet. To his surprise the collection of colorful figures began to bow and give obeisance changing the twin demigods fates forever.

Emperor of Chalchihuitl

The blood soaked rise of The Maw, Camaxtli, is now obscured by the flames of heresy. But some facts of his ascension to power are still known to some few within the Ordos. What little is certain is that Camaxtli's introduction into the warrior peoples of the Ocelotlacah was followed with a rapid expansion of their territory and his standing within their nobility. Camaxtli's brutality, and viciousness in combat leading to mass surrender and capture of enemy armies. The primarch's rapid mastery of their military strategy, tactics, and regular provisioning of slaves and sacrifices were heralded as divine. Further, that he and his brother were monstrous figures towering over their greatest warriors provided further proof that the Ocelotlacah walked amongst gods.

Yet the two were not reconciled, their adoption by the warrior-peoples only serving to distance them more as they advanced in the human hierarchy. Camaxtli quickly associated himself with the Ocelotlacah priesthood, his capacity for carnage and slave-capture attracting the bloody handed astrologists to his side and earning him his namesake. Meanwhile, his brother ingratiated himself with the human court, the cunning and ruthlessness of his mind impressing the emperor who dubbed him Coatl. Now separated by Ocelotlacah politics, and distracted by the constant aggression of their neighbors, the aggression and spite between the twins ebbed. For once truly alone from his sibling, Camaxtli delved into the mysticism of his spiritual mentors as his raids became more directed towards civilian populations filling the holds of the humans temples and gaining respect as a great fighter.

Seeing Camaxtli's rising popularity amongst the priest and warrior classes, Coatl determined to spearhead an ambitious expansion campaign across the land. One which would inevitably establish the Ocelotlacah as Chalchihuitl's superpower and put him atop its throne. To maintain his authority and magnify his prestige, Coatl manipulated events and opinions within the human court to restrain his brother by having him honored as the Emperor's personal guard. Thus assured of his security Coatl went out into the surrounding territories and initiated his campaign of subtle duplicity, and utter brutality. Initially The Maw was enraged by this entrapment and sought a means of escape without damaging his standing and authority within the court yet no means presented itself. Driven to despair, Camaxtli turned to his mentors for guidance and renewed his astrological studies. Whether through his own skill, chance, or ill fate, the Primarch became quite adept at precognition based upon the arrangement of the heavens. It was through this esoteric approach that an answer presented itself.

Coatl returned to Ocelotlacah triumphant, heading a legion of warriors plumed and coated in bright feathers and furs. His arrival was received with mass celebration, and sacrifices to the Sun God were scheduled to thank him for the great leader's success. All was alive with celebration and music as he made his way to the palace accompanied by his most trusted advisers. The group was granted entrance into the Royal Court without delay, their tailored army stunning the elite. With powerful strides Coatl advanced to stand before the Great Emperor himself; a triumphant and vibrant man now drained by age and senility. Then the Chief Vizier motioned for silence.

Coatl spoke: "Great people of the four rivers, lords of the lands from the east to the west of the world. I come before you with wondrous tidings."