Seshat Prime erupts into open war; conflict begins in earnest. The Tau expeditionaries and their allies take an early centre stage, raising their claim to be the true voice of the commonfolk. The Imperials find themselves in a more hostile position than first thought. Malign and esoteric winds blow, potentially heralding a change in the balance of power amongst the Warp corrupted.
The War on Seshat Prime
Seshat Prime has stood as the lynchpin of the entire system, serving as the foundational nucleus of the human colony since the time of the First Settlers. It was perhaps inevitable that it would become the main focus of the war, with each faction attempting to stake their claim on the world. What initially manifested as isolated skirmishes among reconnaissance squads has swiftly escalated into a full-blown war of attrition. Factions have entrenched themselves in a brutal and relentless battle. The once serene landscapes of Seshat Prime now bear the scars of countless engagements. Vast swathes of terrain have been transformed into wastelands, the battlegrounds of desperate struggles.
Somewhat surprisingly the xenos interlopers of the Tau expeditionary force, along with their allies from House Astalli have emerged as a form of salvation for the local population despite humanity's deep-rooted hatred of the Alien. This is in part attributable to the nature of the first skirmishes conducted by the Imperial forces – namely, hit and run missions executed against local forces or annihilation missions directed at Xenos and Chaos elements in-system. The absence of diplomacy or compromise has given credibility to the proponents of Seshat independence.
In the early stages of the war, the Tau forces achieved a remarkable feat by successfully halting the resurgence of a long-dormant and formidable Necron dynasty. This pivotal accomplishment not only spared the war-weary population from the relentless onslaught of horrific assaults but also earned the admiration and support of numerous provincial resistance warlords, who pledged their allegiance to the Tau cause. Reports of sporadic Necron attacks still trickle in, serving as reminders that the threat remains, albeit in a diminished capacity. However, the worst of the cataclysmic assaults has been stymied, at least for the present moment.
Despite being assailed from all sides, the Tau forces have provided much-needed relief supplies to the embattled population, opening dialogue with the previously reticent locals. The Dark Angels and their allies have proceeded with an aloof but fanatical zeal; rarely engaging with native elements on diplomatic efforts. Indeed, the Emperor’s Angels are as alien to the Seshat natives as the Tau are, but the Tau are making are more concerted effort to win over local hearts and minds.
The unintended consequences of the ongoing conflict have deeply affected the collective psyche of both the native Seshat population and the Tau expeditionary forces. The 'Parliament of Owls' Heretic Astartes have been at the forefront of the battle on Seshat Prime, perpetrating horrific acts of esoteric violence against both the Tau and the local inhabitants. The rumours of alliance between the Owls and the vilified House Gagarin, an outspoken rival of House Astalli, have contributed to this perception. The local population has quickly begun to view all Astartes as the source of destruction and suffering, unable to distinguish between loyalist Dark Angels and heretic Thousand Sons. Whether the Tau are aware of this distinction remains uncertain, but their actions certainly do nothing to encourage it.
The Parliament of Owls have begun to see the rewards of their malign sorcery become manifest. After conducting a number of grisly sacrificial rituals on unwitting townships and villages, Orhzmund the Great has gained the knowledge required to begin summoning beings of the Great Ocean to Seshat Prime. He has read the strands of Fate and looks ready to discard his ponderous Iron Warriors allies. A Daemon Prince of Tzeentch has been summoned to realspace and bolsters the forces of the Thousand Sons, demonstrating that the Changer of the Ways has plans for the once forgotten system.
Barrax and his commanders are not fools however and have favoured engaging across the Seshat system via their myriad proxy warbands, mercenary units and covert kill squads. As Barrax’s eyes have been turned to other goals, the fickle nature of Orhzmund has inevitably revealed itself. Whilst war continues to ravage Seshat Prime, Barrax begins to muster his forces for the war to come. Truly, from Iron cometh Strength…
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