Horde of the Hated

This article is about an Imperial Army formation from the /tg/ Heresy project, a fan re-working of the Warhammer 40k universe.

"The Emperors Favour is bought with Blood, Your Own or Your Enemies." - Motto of the Horde

Horde of the Hated
Homeworld	Uryalla III, plus various minor homeworlds
Doctrine	Abhumans

The Horde of the Hated was a unit of the Imperial Army.

History

Great Crusade

Although the Horde was not officially founded until near the close of the Crusade, their predecessors were an army of warmongering mutants from Uryalla III. Originally, they had settled their killer instincts by fighting with the deadly wildlife of the planet, but the Emperor saw a use for them as cheap meat to use in his fight against the endless foes that humanity would face in the galaxy.

As the Great Crusade drew to a close, and the Heresy was dawning, the amount of Abhumans being accepted into the Imperial Army was becoming too much for most generals to bear. The decision was made to form a completely Abhuman Formation of the Imperial Army, headed by humans of trusted loyalty, to keep them in line. An aspiring General, Gregorio Valua of the Haeltoth Starguard was put in charge of the army, specifically because he was one of the few officers in the entire Imperial Army that could stomach the mutants. A number of officers from other Institutions were also drafted to keep the Mutants in their place and loyal to his Majesty. Some of them, specifically the Ogryns, needed little persuasion whereas others, such as the Prasrans, needed a bit more.

The Horde's first campaign was against the Republic of Prasra. A Human civilization that resisted the Imperium, thanks to a combination of advanced technologies and a high Psyker gene count. They were unwilling to join, due to the vast prejudice against Psykers. The Prasrans developed Psyker Hoods (Which the Imperium would later utilize when Librarians became common) and made heavy usage of Power Armour, and were considered one of the more powerful human factions that were not affiliated with the Imperium. The Prasran cities were built underneath mountains, so, orbital bombardment proved all but useless. During the Great Crusade, a small detachment of the Mastodontii had been deployed to deal with the Prasran home world. However, this proved a poor choice. The Prasra intelligence service managed to intercept a communication from the scouts and convinced the Mastodontii that their world was flat and covered in vast mine-fields and anti-infantry emplacements. As such, the Mastodontii were unprepared for the sharp, unforgiving, mountainous biomes of the planet. The 24th Legion had come, prepared for an armoured war. They found great difficulty in finding staging areas so that they could deploy their vehicles. And even then, due to the poor weather conditions, visibility proved to be their downfall. Those armoured columns that did manage to get to the planet were forced to take certain routes, which the Prasrans knew all too well. Unable to make use of their most powerful tactics and strategies, and having to fall back on traditional, troop based warfare (A tactic that they had not come prepared to use) they suffered noteworthy losses to the natives. Further losses were taken at the hands of the Tech Sorcerers, when they deployed their Titans. Although initially caught offguard by the Avatars of the Machine God, The Titans proved to be of little effect. The Mastodontii warships merely destroyed them by raining fire from above. The Mastodontii then began salvaging what they could from the colossal war machines, as was their doctrine. During the salvaging operation, the Mastodontii ordered more of their soldiers to the world to assist in the war on foot. Unfortunately, for the Prasrans, the Titans would take some time to re-build. After the loss of their war machines, many of the Tech Sorcerers left the world, their destination, unknown.

The Horde was the sent to take over the fighting so that the 24th Legion could dedicate their full attention to finish their salvaging operation. With no vehicles, and many soldiers that were used to poor weather conditions, the Horde proved a much more sensible choice to deal with the Republic. The Horde swept over the hills and besieged the entrances to the great underground cities, the Tech Sorcerers that remained did not have the manpower to build more Titans, and so their armoured advantage was lost. In the 4 weeks that the Horde spent on the world, all but the capital city fell before them. It was after the 4 weeks that the Lord Castellan received word that Ötztal was bringing the requested reinforcements to the world. Gregorio knew that, if the Primarch arrived, then he would take the credit for the conquest of the world, which would make himself look incompetant in the eyes of Imperial Command. Gregorio managed to convince the Prasrans to enter diplomatic talks, before convincing them that if they didn't surrender to them, then they would burn at the hands of Ötztal. The planet quickly surrendered and was assimilated into the Imperium. Gregorio met with the Primarch as soon as he arrived on the planet, who he commended for his assistance in the matter.

The humans of the Prasran cities, for their unwillingness to join the Imperium, were placed under the protection of the Horde and became subject to Martial Law and severe sanctions, for 5 years. The Imperium were less than willing to commit their desired forces to protect them, so the job fell to the Horde. The Prasrans dedicated their vast forges to building armour for the Horde. They were also granted permission to construct Orbital Manufactorums, in order to produce starships for the Imperium. This was headed by the Adeptus Mechanicus, which were met with great hostility by the native Prasrans, who had followed the Tech Sorcerers before their annexation. The Adeptus Mechanicus had initially deployed to secure the planet as another Forge World.

When the Heresy reared its ugly head across the galaxy, the Horde found themselves with loyalty problems; Aubrey wanted the horde to join him in rebellion, attempting to replenish his devastated auxiliaries, thanks to his most hated father’s orders. After a successful attack on a minor Xenos outpost, Aubrey summoned the Horde's commander to meet in his command tent. The commander in question, was Discipline Master Gorash Braman, an influential member of the Horde and someone that could convert a lot more. He bartered with the Beastman, telling him that he could be granted any wish, should he submit to the Dark Gods. However, before was granted his rank, he had undergone severe indoctrination and mental conditioning, to make him loyal only to the Emperor, a process far too strong for Aubrey to break. Knowing full well that he was no match for the Primarch, he drew his Chainsword and was immediately beset by the Primarchs personal retinue. The Primarch simply ordered their non-interference. Gorash warned the Primarch to leave the planet or they would come to blows. The Primarch, knowing that it was a battle he could not possibly lose, ignored the threat and called on the Discipline Master to reconsider, even offering his so coveted human form. Gorash, in response, lunged at the Primarch, who simply batted him away with the back of his power-armoured hand, sending him through the tent and into plain sight of his men. Gorash raised his Chainsword and roared a great, prideful roar as he swung it at the Primarch once again, the Primarchs armour far too strong for his basic weapon to penetrate. Gorash and his men quickly learned why Aubrey was known as The Surgeon, as every swipe of his blade destroyed more and more of the Discipline Master, all the while, Aubrey's whispers of Chaos creeping into the beast’s skull, but no recipient to acknowledge them. Finally, he played a feint, dodging one of Aubrey's attacks and swinging his Chainsword at the neck of the Primarch. But, with a minor flick of his shoulder, the Chainsword went straight into the Pauldron, shattering into a million pieces. Aubrey then merely sliced with keen precision at the back of the Beastmans tendons, and the Discipline Master was done. Commending the Beast for his ferocity and loyalty, he ended him with a quick slice of an artery in his neck and he bled to death in seconds. Upon witnessing this, Gorash's men immediately charged the Primarch and his men, who merely pulled out, they had more pressing matters than getting bogged down in needless fighting with some Abhumans. Many of Gorash's men died attempting to chase down the rogue Primarch.

Gorash became a martyr to the Horde. And so, they joined with several of the Space Marine forces that were hunting the Eternal Zealots, although they usually were relegated to Canon Fodder.

It was whilst the Horde was on its crusade against the Eternal Zealots, that Chaos tried to sprout forth in the Hordes protective territory. On Thaalcalas Gamma, Father Carbraction Kaal, the most radical of the many Tech Sorcerers that had sided with Hektor that had sided with Hektor, in return for removing the Imperium from their worlds, arrived and converted several of the key officials to Chaos. The world collapsed in on itself in an orgy of blood and gore. Over the next few months, the Chaos Prasrans dug great trenches and poured the blood of the loyalists into it, creating a giant chaos symbol around the entire of the capitol city, in celebration to Khornes insanity. For this, Khorne granted an army to Kaal, with which to reconquer his worlds from the Imperium. Carbraction would serve the Dark Mechanicus well. Carbractions forces suffered few losses, pushing hard and fast through the Prasran subsystem, razing great hives to the ground and building great, ruinous icons on the ruins. On Ralkia Omega, the Tech Sorcerers decorated an entire mountain with Skulls. This mountain, in later generations, became known as Throne of Khorne.

The mad Tech Sorcerer only halted their unrelenting advance when they came to the Prasra home world of Thoth, at which point, the Prasrans mounted what most would consider a valiant defence. The vast forges churned out copious amounts of armoured assault vehicles that the Chaos Daemons found great difficulty in penetrating. At the Siege of Moriabor, Thoth’s capital city, the great tanks poured from the underground and smashed through the ranks of those loyal to the Dark Gods. The Chaos forces pulled out from the world as Horde reinforcements began to close in on the planet, Hektor had been kept abreast of the situation, and ordered them to redirect efforts on Terra. The damage to the Prasran worlds was irreparable, so their mission was completed. Although, Kaal has vowed to return and finish his conquest of the world.

After the dust settled, the people of Thoth accepted the Adeptus Mechanicus, who had provided invaluable assistance in defending their world. As of that day, the Adeptus Mechanicus have taken over as the great cult that the people of Thoth looked to for guidance, whereas the Tech Sorcerers are widely known for being Chaos worshiping scum.

Behavior

The Hated are one of the Imperium's fiercest regiments, primarily due to most of the army being made up of primal species, or those that lack the intelligence to fight tactically, such as Ogryns.

Although, most commanders utilize this ferocity to charge and break enemy lines, others try to hold them back, entrenching their positions... That being said, it is very common for them to grow frustrated with entrenched warfare, and to abandon highly defensible positions to charge enemies, usually taking the enemy completely by surprise. Many armies have found themselves swept away by a horde of Ogryns charging down a hill, from a heavily entrenched bunker.

Doctrines

The Horde is trained with the knowledge that they are everything that the Emperor despises, that they can only earn his favour in 2 ways:

1) Dying in his name 2) Spilling the blood of his enemies.

As such, they specialize, mainly in full frontal assaults. However, many commanders take great sport in their men, many bets are made on missions partaken by the Horde, be they "How long will they survive in this suicide mission?" or "How many will be killed when they clash with the Orks?" Abhuman life is cheap and surviving with a commander who may well send you into a no-win situation in order to make sure that his gambling debts don't mount too high is a constant threat that many Abhumans are under.

That being said, those who bet on their own losses are rarely promoted. There are some commanders who attempt to conserve their troops as best as they can, and fight as any other army would. Those who can use Abhumans natural abilities to their advantage (Such as the immense strength of Ogryns and the keen eyes of Ratlings) find themselves being promoted to lead some of the larger armies.

The Elite of the Elite are known as the Storm Callers, they are the Storm Troopers of the Horde. They are not allowed to use the name Storm Troopers, due to their non-human status. They earn their place as a Storm Caller, by performing incredible feats of valor on the battlefield. They utilize Hotshot guns and crude power weapons, as well as Carapace armour.

The Psykers are trained on the world of Gorlalla V. Out of all of the Abhumans, Beastmen were the only ones to regularly produce Psykers, the same 10% chance of producing the Psyker Gene as humans, whereas Ratlings only have a 3% chance, and Ogryns only 1%. Until after the Heresy, the only Psyker in the entire Horde was Maa. But after the necessity of Psykers was proven, they were put through a rigorous training program. This was to make sure that they would control their powers, for use in the name of the Emperor, rather than the Chaos Gods.

Homeworld

Uryalla III is a planet on the universes northern fringe and serves as the Primary Command Center for the Horde. Close to the Ghoul Stars, a tropical world, mostly covered in dense jungle, though navigation is somewhat easy, due to the copious amounts of hive-towers that stretch high above the jungles. The dense jungle hides unfathomable amounts of defences. Great Anti-Orbital guns hidden in deep valleys, AA batteries hidden by the thicket. Those who do manage to get to the planet will find the wildlife to be most inhospitable, the great Mournfangs, Red-tailed Sabrewolves, Xenobaric Warboars, each of these giant creatures deadly enough to be a match for even a space marine, in terms of strength, and thanks to the Space-Fortress "Gates of Contempt" that was built by the previous rulers of the world, a minor human species that all had a naturally high risk of mutation and were prone to ruthless aggression. They were found during the Great Crusade by the Emperor, who ordered that they surrender to him or face his armies. The mutants made the counter proposal that if he provided them with ships then they would gladly fight on his behalf. Those who wish to take the planet will find quite the battle on their hands. That being said, Gates of Contempt is built with a final countermeasure in case of rebellion. Around the planet are multiple defence satellites, with firepower comparable to a Frigate. However, each of these can point their payload directly at the planet below. It holds a Cyclonic Missile that is pointed straight at the planet, ready to perform Exterminatus, should the undesirable population attempt to rebel. Although, to Gregorio's knowledge, the missiles are in case the world should fall.

Although Uryalla III is the official homeworld of the Horde, each Abhuman in the Horde has a Home world. Although they evolved across many worlds, The Homeworld of an Abhuman (As recognized by the Imperium) is dictated by which planet the Emperor and his forces first encountered them on.

Gorlalla V

The home world of the Beastmen. A world full of great plains of grassland, forests and vast oceans. The former Queen, Maa Rhamyu serving as Local Governor, under Supreme Governor Anticus Voral, all Abhuman worlds requiring a Human Supreme Governor to keep loyalties in check. The planet served as the Horde's main Psyker training ground after the Heresy. It is also protected by Battle fleet Capricorn. Outside of the Supreme Governors Palace, formerly the Queens palace, there is a solid gold statue to the Emperor, built before his arrival, at the order of the queen, who sensed his coming through the Warp. Every day, thousands of civilians show up to the grand square to pray that the Emperor delivers, those beloved who fight in his name, from danger.

Anark Zeta

The Ogryn Home world. When the Emperor first encountered this world, his bright, golden armour convinced their puny minds that he was the great "Golden Master" that they worshiped. The Emperor took a liking to these dull beasts as they were physically stronger than even his Astartes and could easily utilize them as beasts of war. He had the Ogryns trained in the use of firearms and sent to be used as Shock Troopers. Many worlds were taken by surprise as the great, stupid beasts ran towards them, firing their guns wildly into the air.

Thoth

Thoth is the home world of the Prasran humans. The planet has an incredibly mountainous biome, and is prone to harsh weather, due to 5 different moons surrounding the planet. The planet was ravaged greatly during the war against the Imperium, but has healed over the years... However, the invasion of Chaos all but destroyed the planet once more.

Notable Fleets

The Hordes Fleet is the only part of the Horde that Humans primarily serve in. The running of The Emperor's vast Warships was deemed too important to trust to filthy Abhumans. They only serve the Horde by extension that their supreme commander is the Lord Castellan of the Horde. The only Abhumans allowed to serve are those whose race is generally highly technologically advanced, such as the Prasrans.

During transport, the abhumans are usually kept in area's of the ships that are located near airlocks, so that they can be spaced in the event of rebellion.

Battle Fleet Capricorn

The Defensive fleet that protects the Beastmen Home world.

War Fleet Delphinius

The War fleet headed by the Lord Castellan of the Horde. The flagship, the Auriga, is the only of its class. The Auriga is of Prasran design and was nearing completion when the Mastadontii invaded. Although badly damaged by the XXVIII legion, it was completed by the Techpriests that took control of the Forgeworld afterwards, upgrades made with the Hordes fighting style in mind. Built with an incredibly heavy bow, which is a solid piece of Ceramite, 500m thick, with short, wide spikes on the front that run through to the rest of the ship. This design is built to ram straight into an enemy vessel with minimal damage to itself, smaller vessels are cut in half, large ones it merely gets lodged in, before the spikes open at the ends and boarding teams pour into the ship. The bow is impervious to all but the heaviest of ship weapons. Although it also has heavy broadside and dorsal cannons, to discourage enemies from trying to attack from port or Starboard, it lacks any lance weaponry, so poses little threat to a ship at a distance. As such, it is rarely seen without a quartet of Lunar Cruisers so that their lances may support her. War fleet Delphinius were key in the campaign against Kaptin Gubbinsnicka's Ork Fleet, which terrorized Subsector Anark.

Notable Regiments

1st Imperial Hammers

The Imperial Hammers are the Lord Castellans personal army. The 1st are those that he personally leads into battle. Made up, primarily, of Storm Troopers, Heavy Armoured Vehicles and Bullgryn Assault Troopers. The army washes over the battlefield like a storm. With few retreats to their name, and many victories, the Imperial Hammers are Regiments that every Abhuman in the Imperium dreams of being a part of.

76th Starsplitter Regiment

The Starsplitters are regiments made up of the remaining Prasrans after Chaos cut a bloody swath through their worlds at the outset of the Heresy. Due to their wish to preserve their numbers, they are one of the few Armour regiments in the Horde. They make heavy use of Leman Russ', Sentinels and other heavy armour. The Starsplitters earned a place of respect in the Horde after their heroic acts during the Siege of Terra (They were involved in heavy fighting on Calisto) in the waning months of the Heresy.

43rd Steelguts Regiment

The Steelguts are Trench-Warfare specialist Ogryns; they generally advance with the Bullgryns at the front, forming a wall of Slab shields, with the Ogryns forming the second row, and Charonites bringing up the rear. Steelgut regiments are usually lead by a Techpriest, who controls the Charonites using his mind link to them.

4th Long-Eye Regiment

The Long-Eyes are Sniper and Assassination specialists, primarily made up of Ratlings. The 4th Long-Eye regiment played a key roll in the defence of Kanallia II. When the World was beset by the forces of Ork Warboss Smashstompa, the Regiment held the southern walls of Hive-city Tralstan for 4 weeks whilst the rest of the Horde clashed against the Orks. Any Ork without the cunning of Gork and Mork would find its head strewn across the battlefield, shortly after coming into range of their rifles. To dislodge the entrenched Ratlings, the Orks had to call in a Gargant. They fell back to the second wall and held it for a further week, before reinforcements arrived and the Orks were routed. Luckily for them, the Gargant pilot had heard that an Imperial Knight was fighting on the other side of the hive, and so, decided to take his machine to smash it.

Notable Members

Lord Castellan Gregorio Valua

Nicknamed "The Iron Wall" Gregorio is supreme commander of the horde, and considered by many to be somewhat a Defensive Genius, knowing how to deploy his troops to minimize casualties to his own troops, whilst maximizing those of the enemies and defend his charge for the maximum amount of time. In the Closing years of the Great Crusade, he was a General in the Haeltoth Starguard, specializing in Defensive tactics. Gregorio had grown up on the poor planet of Rakantha IV, a backwater planet near the Haeltoth sector, that a lot of the Imperium’s less desirables were sent, so he was used to having to accept help from Xenos, Mutants and Abhumans. He had fought his way up the chain of command by proving his ability to inspire men under his command to follow their orders to a tee, at the age of 50; he was made the Lord Castellan of the Horde.

Faran Philkaydick

A Cybornetically enhanced Beastman and Storm Caller Prime of the 1st Imperial Hammers. He is part of the personal retinue of Lord Castellan Gregorio. Faran was severely wounded during the battle of Xandian, attempting to give his life for his Lord. With this act, he was granted cybornetic replacements to his legs and right arm. The Beastman is known as an incredible fighter, enhanced by his cybornetic implants. He fights for the Emperor's favour, but not because he wants it. As a father of 26, wants his children to be able to grow up with the favour of the Emperor.

Discipline Master Gorash Braman

A Beastman, and one of the very few Abhumans to be honoured with the title of Discipline Master, trained for no other purpose than to give the Abhumans a figurehead and an illusion of power within the Imperium. Gorash lead several successful campaigns during the Great Crusade and was known as a fierce combatant. He was killed by Aubrey, when the Corrupted Primarch attempted to convert the Horde to his cause. The Discipline Master fought with untold ferocity, but was, ultimately, no match for the Primarch. His death inspired the rest of the Horde to resist the corrupting hand of Chaos. In Life, Gorash was known for his lack of fear, knowing that life or death, the Emperor would forgive him. He believed, with insane fervor, that if he fought hard enough, then the Emperor would grant him Human form for his loyalty.

Great Shaman Maa Rhamyu

Maa was Queen of the Beastmen, when the Emperor came to their world. Although the Emperor came looking for one of his lost Primarchs, as his ship had discovered a notable Psyker presence. He found that, upon setting foot on the world, the population broke down on their knees and bowed to him. Further questions were raised when he found a great statue of solid gold had been erected of him. He was brought to their queen, who bowed before his glory, she explained that, his immense Psyker presence had been sensed all the way out on their world, and, since then, shamans of their people had seen his face in many different visions and that, they believed it was their duty to serve him. The Emperor was apprehensive and about to call down Exterminatus on the Abhumans, when he was stopped by his son, Hektor, who saw that, although they were not fully human, they were incredibly loyal, and would serve the Imperium well, until such time as they were no longer useful, then they could be exterminated at their leisure. Maa was no longer Queen, seeing as the Emperor was now their only leader, she still served as his voice among his most loathed of servants. Maa was an incredible Psyker, but was also incredibly long-lived, still serving when the Beastmen were converted into the Horde of the Hated. She became chief adviser to the Lord Castellan. Her most hated of enemies are Chaos Space Marines, due to them having been born with the favour of the Emperor, but throwing it away for a cheap power trip from false idols, it is a sin which can never be atoned for.

Game Stats

Lord Castellan Gregorio

180 points WS5 BS3 S4 T4 W3 I4 A3 LD10 SV3+/3++

Unit Composition: 1 (Unique)

Unit Type: Infantry (Character)

Wargear:

Power Armour

Iron Maul (S-+2, AP-4, Melee, Concussive, Master Crafted)

Shield of the Iron Wall: This shield was designed by Gregorio. Any model (friend or foe) that is obscured from the firers view, by this shield, gains +1 to its cover save. Furthermore, it grants the user a 3+ invulnerable save, and has the following stats: (S-User, AP-2, Melee, Master-Crafted)

Frag Grenades

Melta Bombs

Special Rules:

Independent Character

Eternal Warrior

Stubborn

Supreme Commander (Gregorio can issue up to three orders a turn. Gregorio may issue orders that can only be issued by models with the Senior Officer special rule. Failed orders issued by Gregorio must be re-rolled.)

Voice of Command (May issue 1 order at the start of each Shooting phase, unless locked in combat, falling back, Gone to Ground or embarked in vehicle or building.)

Honourable Warrior (Must accept challenges that are issued against him.)

Aura of Respect (Units within 12 inches of Gregorio's model may take Leadership tests using Gregorio's Leadership.)

"Our Lives for Yours!" (Horde of the Hated models may reroll failed "Look out, sir!" attempts on Gregorio)

Dedicated Transport: Valkyrie.

Faran Philkaydick

(For 60 points, a Storm Caller Prime may be upgraded to the character "Faran Philkaydick" with the following stats, if Lord Castellan Gregorio is in the same army as a Storm Caller Command Platoon, then this upgrade must be taken.)

WS4 BS4 S4 T3 W3 I4 A3 Ld9 Sv4+/5++

Unit Composition: 1 (Unique)

Unit Type: Infantry (Character)

Wargear:

Carapace Armour

Plasma Pistol

Power Axe

Frag Grenades

Krak Grenades

Refractor Field

Special Rules:

Character

The Lord Castellans Bodyguard (Whilst Lord Castellan Gregorio's model is attached to the same squad as this model, If Gregorio leaves the squad, Faran Philkaydick may leave with him, and join other squads, as though he had the Individual Character special rule. If so, then Faran can only leave the Lord Castellans squad, if he joins with a Storm Caller squad that has no Prime.)

Deep Strike

Move Through Cover

Senior Officer

Voice of Command

Clarion Vox-net

"Hold on, My Lord!" (Once per game, when Lord Castellan Gregorio's model loses his final wound in a challenge, whilst Faran's model is within 12 inches, Faran (Without moving Lord Castellan Gregorio's model) may take an Initiative test, if successful, then he may immediately make a shooting attack against the Character that Lord Castellan Gregorio is in a duel with (If the model is killed by this attack, then Gregorio regains 1 wound and this rule immediately resolves). Then, his squad may assault that character (Ignoring other models for assault distance, this test is automatically passed if Faran is attached to the same squad as Gregorio). If the assault was successful, then Faran must perform a Glorious Intervention, then, Gregorio regains 1 wound)

Maa Rhamyu

125 points

WS4 BS3 S3 T3 W2 I3 A2 Ld10 Sv+4/5++

Wargear:

Carapace Armour

Force Staff

Plasma Pistol

Frag Grenades

Refractor Field

Special Rules:

Independent Character

Senior Officer

Adamantium Will

Hatred (Chaos Space Marines)

Psyker (Mastery Level 3)

Psyker:

Maa Rhamyu may generate her powers from the Biomancy, Divination, Daemonology, Pyromancy, and Telekinesis disciplines