Cult Tenebrous
Cult Tenebrous is a Genestealer Cult first encountered on a mining moon orbiting Dregholm. They were once a traditional Genestealer Cult, but after wandering into a warpstorm, they were dropped on the outskirts of Nurgle's Garden where they were mutated physically and ideologically to serve the Plague God. Now operating from their plague-infested bulk lander Plaguerot, Cult Tenebrous seeks to spread infection, mutation, and the blessings of The Grandfather across space.
They are led by the reincarnating Patriarch Septiccus'dresz'puloxxus and are supported by the now-corrupted Astra Militarum regiment known as the Dregholm Marauders as well as their own Tyranid spliter fleet known as The Hollow Swarm.
History
Before joining the forces of Nurgle, Cult Tenebrous waged a was of insurrection on Ashenreach, a cold, ash-covered mining moon orbiting Dregholm. The Imperium had neglected the moon and sent expendable workers there to harvest gasses and minerals used in the creation of chemical weapons.
The cult existed and grew on Dregholm for generations as the Genestealer hybrids worked their way into key leadership positions. The Imperium did not keep a watchful eye on Dregholm or Ashenreach, so it was relatively easy for them to stay hidden and protected. Breeding nests and smuggling chains stayed concealed in the mining tunnels and warehouses that covered the moon. Under the guise of simple miner folklore and superstition, the cult worshipped the Hive Mind known to them as The Starborne Hunger.
The uprising, now referred to as the First Birthing in cult lore, began with a coordinated collapse of the moon's means of communication. This was quickly followed by simultaneous attacks on PDF precincts and key mining distribution hubs. Hybrids surged from the tunnels below while members of the Dregholm Marauders turned their gun on their former comrades.
In just a matter of days, Ashenreach was under the control of Cult Tenebrous. Entire sectors of the underhives swore allegiance to Threxilith the Star-hungered, Patriarch of Cult Tenebrous, who finally revealed himself to the people. Hymns reverberated from the depths of the mines and effigies were raised from the scaffolding and slag.
The cult then descended upon the other moons of Dregholm and then against the planet itself. They held the world for months, reaching out to the Hive Mind, believing that they would arrive at any moment to consume Dregholm and uplift their souls. But the stars remained silent.
Corruption
After waiting for months for the Tyranids to arrive, Cult Tenebrous left Dregholm under the watch of the Dregholm Marauders to seek the Hive Fleet out on their own. They searched for years aboard their bulk lander but to no avail. They believed themselves abandoned by those that they worshipped. That is, until a warpstorm swallowed their ship and spit it out into the outskirts of Nurgle's Garden. As their flesh melted and their souls rotted, the cult came to realize that they were no longer forsaken. They were not ignored by the Hive Fleet that they searched for so desperately, but they were spared for a much more glorious purpose.
In this moment, Threxilith the Star-hungered cast off his name as the warp claimed him. The Garden whispered a new name for him - Septiccus'dresz'puloxxus, "He Who Festers Between The Stars", The Carrion King Unborn. Many and their auxiliaries gained new names and abilities, as well.
The War for Kessandras
Notable Members
Cult Tenebrous
- Septiccus'dresz'puloxxus - The reincarnating Plaguesire and Patriarch of Cult Tenebrous
- Greminsus Vask - Primus, war leader, and doctrinal enforcer of Cult Tenebrous
- Ekzemerk, the Corpse Emissary - Magus and second-in-command of Cult Tenebrous
- Eldric Onderghast - Biophagus and master of forced evolution of Cult Tenebrous
The Dregholm Marauders
- Apocalypt-General Vyria Leechborn - War Matriarch of the Dregholm Marauders, former General of the Dregholm Regiments
- Brood-Marshal Tollis Ulcerik - Former Captain of the 139th Dregholm Armoured Division, now second-in-command of the Dregholm Marauders
- Morgox "Pusmonger" Hakhal - Chief Tank Commander of the Dregholm Marauders, formerly of the 139th Dregholm Armoured Division
The Hollow Swarm
- The Flesh Collector - Corrupted Lictor, vanguard bioform known to terrorize Imperial worlds
- Rotmaw - Corrupted Trygon Prime
- The Mindwither - Corrupted Neurolictor, psychic saboteur
The sigil of Cult Tenebrous. A combination of the symbol of Nurgle, the Plague God, and the traditional Genestealer iconography.
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