Heraldry of the Dark Mechanicum – Part Two

In Heraldry of the Dark Mechanicum – Part One, the Horus Heresy team described a number of common schemes used by the Dark Mechanicum, as well as some colours specific to vehicles dedicated to the four cardinal Ruinous Powers. In this second article, we take a look at the heraldry of five of the Dark Mechanicum’s dedicated Forge Worlds* – Cyclothrathe, Retlaxi, Sarum, Urdesh, Xana II, and Estaban III. 

THH Team: In the last article, we explored options for a Dark Mechanicum colour scheme taken from the personal heraldry of a ruling Magos, as well as colours derived from Chaos Gods. The examples that follow are tied to specific Dark Mechanicum Forge Worlds, offering unified schemes for any forces from such places.

As with the last article, we include several new icons – this time the symbols of the Forge Worlds in question. Again, these don’t currently exist on any decal sheets so if you’re feeling adventurous (and steady-handed!) you’ll need to freehand these, but there’s a reasonable chance some or all of them will appear on a decal sheet in the future. 

Cyclothrathe 

One of the most prolific and powerful Dark Mechanicum forges, Cyclothrathe dominated much of the northern reaches of the Imperium under Horus' patronage and embraced all forms of forbidden technology. Its Taghmata, under the control of the infamous Archmagos Draykavac, specialised in the use of profane automata and towering Knights augmented with devices whose operation often proved as dangerous to allies as it was to the enemy.

(Above) A Triaros Armoured Conveyor bearing Cyclothrathe’s quartered black and gunmetal grey heraldry.

Retlaxi 

This Forge World had long played host to detachments of the Legio Mortis, and was part of the Traitor Kelbor-hal's plans to destroy the Imperium. Far from Mars and Terra, it served as one of the main production hubs for the creations of the fallen magi, producing hosts of multi-legged war engines to fight alongside the corrupted Titans of the Legio Mortis.

(Above) A Triaros Armoured Conveyor bearing the red, black, and ivory heraldry of Retlaxi, a scheme sharing a common heritage with that of Legio Mortis.

Sarum 

In the years before the Horus Heresy, Sarum was a minor Forge World with little influence, known for its divergent and bloody cult practices. With the outbreak of the Horus Heresy, its devotion to the Chaos power known as Khorne became obvious and its links to the World Eaters gave it the power to conquer and destroy its foes. Its axe-wielding priests and terrifying close-combat automata proved to be nightmares to those that opposed them.

(Above) A Triaros Armoured Conveyor in the bare metal and blood red heraldry of Sarum.

Urdesh 

Urdesh, a minor Forge World on the edge of the Segmentum Solar, served as a hub for saboteurs striking at Loyalist holdings. Insurgent cadres of tech-priests and corrupted automata were smuggled behind Loyalist lines to wreak havoc and disrupt the Loyalist defences. Their leaders were known for their devotion to the hedonistic breed of Chaos later known as Slaanesh and for using hordes of debased tech-thralls in battle.

(Above) A Triaros Armoured Conveyor bearing the gloss black armour and sumptuous gold banding of Urdesh. 

Xana II 

Oft overlooked by history, Xana II had long been a stronghold of divergent technological research, sanctioned by Mars on numerous occasions. Though Loyalist forces stopped it from exerting its might during the early years of the Horus Heresy, the magi of Xana II focussed on infusing war engines with demonic animus and proved adept in the creation of aerial war machines.

(Above) A Triaros Armoured Conveyor in the ivory armour and blue/grey banding of Xana II, a scheme it shares with the Knight Household of Malinax. 

Estaban III 

Estaban III, one of two Forge Worlds in the Estaban system, was a key centre of industry in the Imperium thanks to its vast orbital shipyards – yet it also served as the seat of power for the secretive Teleologicalica cult, a faction within the Mechanicum dedicated to the aspect of Chaos known to later scholars as Tzeentch. They spread their heretical belief to several other worlds and even to the ranks of the Legio Tempestus, and at the outbreak of the Horus Heresy turned the vast resources of their world and the power of its cult to the service of Horus and the Traitor cause. Alongside its sister Forge World of Estaban VII, Estaban III served as one of the few Traitor domains within the Segmentum Solar and became a key source of void craft and war-engines for Horus' onslaught on Terra.

(Above) A Triaros Armoured Conveyor in the blue-black armour and silver trim of Estaban III, a scheme that shares elements of the heraldry of Legio Tempestus. 

Thanks again to the Horus Heresy team for their insight. If you’ve been inspired to try your hand at some Dark Mechanicum units, the Mechanicum Combat Force box is a great place to start, and you can get your hands on some dedicated heretic war machines with the Serperos ‘Overlord’ Heavy Stalkers and Stalker Constructs for Legions Imperialis.

* Also known as Hell Forges.