MedHammer 40,000 Ultramar

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Founded in Exile, and refounded during the Ultramari Crusade of M33, the Realm of Ultramar has far exceeded the "500 Realms" of Gulliman's founding and at its height covers much of the South West of the Ultima Segmentum. The region is internally fractious and is covered with squabbling noble princes, Mark II clad spiritual warriors, Religiously blessed pilgrims, and Imperial "Advisory Corps."

Differences from Vanilla

In Vanilla Warhammer 40,000, The 500 worlds of Ultramar are depicted as the most well goverened region of the imperium. Free from the brutal authoritarian control of The High Lords, and protected by the overly glorious and plot armor protected ultramarines. In midhammer, Ultramar is territorially much larger, and is a much less idyllic place. Conditions in the Imperium varry by the primarch governing them, but here ultramar is an autonomous basket case. Midhammer Ultramar is a cross between the Bretonnians of Warhammer fantasy and The Vanilla Imperium. Much of the work Roboute Gulliman put into administration and governance was lost during the Desolation of Lorgar and subsequent Reign of Darkness. Following Ultramar's Reconquest, the beauty and majesty of this realm was forever desecrated by the cultists and demonic forces of The Ruinous powers. Ultramar is an impoverished schizophrenic state where every single leader, noble, bishop, has its own army only loosely bound by the rules of religion and chivalry. The actual government is headed by a corrupt aristocracy while the actual affairs of the state are managed by the Aurelian Cult (MidHammer's Ecclesiarchy), spymasters (Vigil Ordinatii), and Noble militaries. The Divine Aurelian and The Queen Mother regularly interact within the Realm with pilgrims seeking the favor of the queen mother's favor, in the hopes of becoming Living Saints or Charismateurs (Grail Knights/Demonic Champions). The upside to all of these squabbling governments and petty armies is that The Realm is stable in its instability. While often incapable of mounting an offense, the number of small armies and warrior culture has proven to be a formidable opponent to the T'au Imperium, who have learned the hard way that conquering an Ultramari world is only the beginning of the battle, and often the prelude to a reconquest. When the Ultramari forces are able to mount an offense (usually at the behest of a Great Religious figure, or the Primarchs) the results have been spectacular, as a civilization that has no concept of peace, only varrying stages of war, gets the chance to display the courage and honor worthy of its great father.

Imperial Presence

Though the Realm of Ultramar is an "independent ally" of the Imperium by terms of treaty, it is in many ways more closely linked to the Imperium than its rival subject state, the also nominally independent Adeptus Mechanicus. While the Mechanicus is a begrudging servant of the imperium tied by economic and military dependence, the Royum Ultramar is for the most part militarily independent. The Ultramar Realm more closely bound on a cultural, institutional, and religious level than the Mechanicus. The imperium's presence is felt through its joint institutions with Ultramar, particularly the Codex Astartes chapters, who have a outsized presence in the region. Most major systems of Ultramar have some sort of Imperial presence.

Other Imperial Presences

By the 41st Mellenium it was becomming clear to the Imperium that T'au War and Tyrranids were far greater threats than chaos was. As such, Ultramar, being on the forefront of both, has been recieving troops and support from the farthest reaches of the imperium. The Tallarn and Macharian Fleets as well as the Kroot nations have begun to appear with more frequency within ultramar.

Militaries

Ultramar is a heavily decentralized realm, and there are as many militaries as their are planets, nobles, and churches. Though most are negligable, the diversity of Ultramar has led to the rise of some truly exceptional, if not small, forces. These forces are regularlly called by Ultramar to defend against external threats as well as contributions to the Imperial tithes through the Trillieurs.

Masali Zinglins

Hailing from the many agriworlds of Masali, the Zinglins are hardy warriors, if under-equipped. Despite the rigid orthodoxy of the Masali Holy Seat, the farmers of these Agriworlds tend to bring their own folk beliefs and practices with them, merging local superstitious with the Tarrasque cults of the Walking eagle. The result is that many of the Zinglins have bizarre rituals practiced before and after battle including ritual dances, ancestral worship, and (in the case of the T'au and Tyrannids) ritual consumption of their enemies.

Sepulchre Pelerins

Maccragge, Konor, Espandor, and Calth are regularly flooded with pilgrims of the Faithful. These pilgrims from all across the Imperium are often those left behind by the Imperium and Ultramar's war machine. Veterans, orphans, and dregs are driven by despiration to religious zeal and come to serve The Queen Mother. Many die in the trip never making it to the Holy sites, for those that make it they often are unsure of how to serve the queen mother. Thus in the interim, it is not uncommon for Pilgrims to pledge themselves to The Spiritual Liege of Maccragge. The result is the Pelerins, these soldiers come from a variety of backgrounds and military experience, from brigands, to gang leaders, to Militarum veterans, to aspiring neophytes. The Pelerins are roughly ordered into a military organization and sent on collective quests on behalf of the Spiritual Liege of Maccragge.

The Vigil Opertii

"The Vigil Operti has changed much since its ancient founding."

The Intelligence service of the Royum de Ultramar, this ancient organization predates the Creation of the realm, founded by Rouboute Gulliman during his early governance. It was the Vigil Opertii who first alerted Roboute Gulliman of the Betrayal of Calth and disinformation campaign led by Lorgar Pseudaurellian. During the Ultramari reconquest, agents of the Vilgilantes aided the MacCragge government in exile, providing vital information and destabilizing enemy strongholds through sabotage and assasinations. Their time living in the shadows of Luther's demonic reign of Ultramar has hardened and fanaticized the order. It prowls Utramar for threats from Chaos as well as new threats like the T'au and Tyrranids. The Vilgites have both a public and private face, they are well known and respected among all Ultramari forces, but their actual activities are for the most part unknown. Officially, the Vigilites answer to the Counseiller and Collegium, though who answers to who is suspiciously unclear.

Vigil Gorjio

One of the most recent creations of the Vigilites, the Xenos order origionally was created for the pseudo-benevolent reason of redirecting Xenos forces to the betterment of Ultramar. However, following the T'au revolt their mission parameters has changed towards containment and extermination of xenos races. It is rumored that they have agents throughout the Segmentum Tempestus, observing Dorn's methods in annihilating the Tyrannids.

Vigil Tamlapan

Essentially the Ordo Malleus from Vanilla, they originated from the "Dark Years" of Chaos controlled Ultramar.

Vigil Gralis

The most secretive institution in Ultramar, these forces exist to protect Ultramar from allies. Their particular targets are The Adeptus Mechanicus, and The Inquisition.

Vigil Ettimengri

The origional and oldest sect of the Vigilites, origionally used by Roboute Gulliman to crust rioters on Calth, the Ettimengri focus on internal stability of ultramar. Given that Ultramar lacks a true central authority, they are mostly focused on threats to the Aurelian Cult. Unlike the other two sects, who are known to have a rivalry with each other. Vigil Ettimengri cooperates with both Malleus and Etranger to root out threats to Ultramar. For instance, they work alongside the Tamlapan for rooting out signs of Corruption and Chaos worship, while they aid Gorjio with Genestealer Cults and signs of T'au Infiltration.