OSSUS


It was impossible for Tristan to keep track of time as it passed by upon the Eisernen, never having been on nor seen such a vessel before and possessing only the limited framework his primitive world had afforded him to grasp his new surroundings. Further complications concerning time arose from the fact that he only had access to one part of the ship, which he perceived as a fortress of kinds given the appearance of its innards. Jarn kept him confined to his own quarters so he could keep an eye on Tristan during his gradual recovery from starvation, and so besides Jarn's own quarters Tristan only had access to a nearby facility to handle personal grooming and biological matters.

While many boys his age may have grown restless in such conditions Tristan was well acclimated to them by now: he had remained confined in his own home after he sealed himself inside following the deaths of his parents, and he had always possessed an introverted personality that saw him learning his father's craft and working on it while other boys in his village had gone out to play.

This introversion and desire to learn and carry out what he perceived as his duty to his family was the reason why Tristan was the sole survivor of his people and not the boys who spent their days rolling around in the dirt and engaging in jovial physical competitions. Had he been more social and less diligent he would have died right alongside all the others, and so the very reason for his survival allowed him to stand by within this small piece of the Eisernen without complaint.

He was alive, he had someone helping him recover from his near death state, and so he endured the tedium. It helped that while within Jarn's quarters Tristan was able to learn through observation as well as trial and error about various mechanical devices present, and while he did not yet understand them he was able to grasp their general concepts: the device which emitted light was not a torch or similar flaming object, nor was it some kind of sorcery spoken about in his people's books, but rather it drew energy from some unseen device just like some weapons Jarn tinkered with drew their own power from something within them. It was in this way by relating one concept to another that he came to grasp his surroundings fairly quickly, and in doing so unknowingly confirming Jarn's suspicions about his intellect.

As far as Jarn was concerned Tristan would never be the strongest of his Astartes should he even succeed in becoming one, but his mind was sharp and that was a strength in and of itself. That he found a boy possessing a mind that was reminiscent of Perturabo's own ability to understand things intrinsically was not an opportunity to be passed by, not after serving centuries with the Iron Warriors and helping recruit thousands of them into the Legion to replenish their losses. Some lives were best used by spending them like bullets to achieve a goal, but there were individuals that possessed far greater worth: Forrix, Asier, and Jarn himself for example stood above their kin, and now he had two promising recruits to perhaps one day join their ranks.

Time would tell if the boys would truly live up to his expectations.

Given that he was expected to recover before he would begin accompanying Jarn elsewhere on the Eisernen Tristan was provided regular meals which were brought to him by Arien, the Warsmith's animal companion who typically resided in Jarn's personal quarters as well. While initially distrusting of the creature that was around his own height given its small eyes and odd nature Tristan had grown used to its presence, as it was the one bringing him food multiple times a day to consume. The lax creature would even sleep beside him in the bed Jarn had arranged for Tristan, and its soft body would even help the boy rest after waking from the nightmares plaguing him since the death of his family.

Once Tristan was no longer skin and bones Jarn had lead him to another part of the ship, leading Tristan through various corridors that appeared labyrinthine and past other giants in heavy armor much like Jarn himself. The sight of these Iron Warriors was a first to Tristan, who had only been conscious while in the presence of Jarn himself and Arien prior, and so as they passed he found himself awed as these giants all paid respect to the Warsmith. He did not quite understand the full hierarchy or organization he had been recruited into, but he was content to learn and observe in the meantime while for now perceiving them as being like the knights of his homeworld.

It was not long before the hallways brought them to the destination Jarn sought, with Tristan finding himself now inside of a large room with countless instruments and tools that he did not know the purpose of yet could at least gleam basic information from: many of them were like knives meant to cut a variety of objects with varying sizes and precision, while others like the long pointed needles were entirely new to him. While knives and their attached mechanisms at least registered as something familiar, he had never witnessed a medical needle or anything of the sort before and so could only liken it to the thread-needle his mother would use to sew his clothing.

Inside the room was yet another armored figure, with this one possessing quite unique facets to his suit just as Jarn did: instead of having armor that towered even over the other giants Tristan had witnessed, the Astartes in this room had a variety of sharp objects connected to his wrists that were reminiscent of a spear tip yet patterned differently in a twisting spiral. From their appearance Tristan guessed that they could move like the mechanical arm on Jarn's back, but rather than manipulate like an extra limb they appeared to just be able to revolve around a single point, likely to pierce whatever was needed.

With their arrival Jarn outstretched a hand to gesture to the other Astartes in the room while casting his own gaze down to Tristan so as to instruct him as he had about various things in the preceding days.

"Ossus is our Apothecary and in charge of medical operations and our Neophytes. It is he who you will have to prove yourself to in order to join our ranks, as he will oversee your physical and mental conditioning when you come of age."

While unfamiliar with the terms used Tristan could at least follow the general idea of what was being said: this was some form of medical staff who would be observing him to determine if he was worthy of becoming one of them. While an intimidating prospect it was not as terrifying as facing down the minions of Chaos and their Daemonic allies, something Tristan had previously consigned himself to dying from, so while he was still as afraid as a boy his age ought to be he was able to hide it better.

Ossus, the chief apothecary of the Iron Legion, nodded as he looked over Tristan to check on his status using the scanning technology in his helmet, "I see that you are feeling better. Upon your arrival to the Eisernen I saw to replenishing your nutrients and hydration to stabilize your condition. I trust that Arien supplied you the diet I put together for your recovery since."

For the first time since he ran out of food Tristan had awoken without hunger upon the Eisernen, and while he was unsure as to how this Astartes had remedied the issue he was grateful all the same. He had heard in his village that it took only a few weeks for someone to starve to death, and while he may have lost track of the days then and now he was still quite certain he had been brushing up against his own expiration date.

"You have my thanks," Tristan offered along with a respectful bow taught to him by his father to greet nobles and valued customers.

Ossus appeared amused by the respect given to him, though why was lost on Tristan, "You ought save them. The coming procedures will be long and tiresome as I test your body, mind, and spirit for corruption. Other Legions may be more lax in their screening, but our Warsmith is strict and rightly so. We shall not place our lives at risk heedlessly by welcoming in those tainted by the Ruinous Powers."

Standing up fully again, Tristan noticed something else about the room: besides the various tools for seemingly medicinal usage there were paintings and other forms of artistry that completely contradicted the barren hallways he had traversed to come here. While Jarn's own room was fairly sparse outside of its workshop and an altar of sorts, this one was completely furnished with a myriad of objects that Tristan had never laid eyes upon in his peasant life upon his world.

While the boy's attention was transfixed on Ossus' personal belongings lining his workspace the Apothecary spoke with Jarn briefly, "Before we begin, Warsmith, may I ask where Fabius Bile plays into this recruit?"

Jarn shook his head, "This boy will remain with us. Bile can have the captured Astartes and their followers for his experiments, just as agreed, but I will not have this one subjected to his whims. We provide him plentiful resources and that is enough for the time being."

Information gathered by their forces some time ago had led to an alliance with the infamous Fabius Bile that Jarn brokered to, in his words, ensure the survival of their Legion. Only his chief officers such as Ossus, Asier, and others of their prestige knew of the specifics, so rather than neglect the matter Ossus felt he ought to at least ask.

"Very well. I will inform you of our progress as it develops."

"Do those tests that are necessary, but hold those which could prove lethal in his condition for now. We have time on our side given his age."

"Affirmative, Warsmith."

Once their conversation ceased Jarn returned his attention to Tristan, who he found inspecting the device upon Ossus' wrist while maintaining his distance from the threatening object. Chances were the boy was fearful that such a tool would be used on him soon, and while he would be subjected to many of the instruments in Ossus' arsenal he did not need to fear the more deadly of them since they were for different circumstances.

"Do not be afraid. There will be pain, but should you endure it you will be one step closer to felling those who took your home from you," Jarn promised, prompting a quiet nod from Tristan. Both he and Jarn were stoic by nature, and so in the days leading to this much of it had gone without talking at all: just observation of Jarn's work on his personal arsenal.

Once Jarn left and the door to the room shut behind him Tristan felt a shiver up his spine, doing his best to maintain a strong façade even as he inherently feared the dangerous tools surrounding him. At Ossus' indication Tristan climbed atop an examination table in the room, and soon found himself laying down atop it as the Apothecary fastened restraints to keep the boy in place.

"I will prepare anesthetics for you such that you will not feel the worst of it, but this will not be easy. You have my apologies in advance even though this is a necessary procedure."

Unlike Jarn the Apothecary had a more affable nature, but it was mostly wasted upon Tristan at the moment for he was doing his best to prepare himself for what was to come: just as he had repeated a mantra to himself to calm his nerves even as his village was slaughtered around him with the horrific screams of everyone he knew ringing out, he did so now based on what he had heard from Jarn even if he did not yet know its significance or greater meaning.

Iron within.

The repetition of those two words within his head and the desire to one day overcome those who took his family from him were all Tristan had in the proceeding days as his body was subjected to countless agonizing tests. Every inch and pore of his body was examined, his blood drawn for testing by the 'threading-needles' he saw before, small pieces of his flesh removed to be sampled by various blades, and so it went on for what felt like an eternity.

When Tristan awoke days later from his pain and drug induced stupor it was once again in Jarn's personal quarters, though this time he had bandages and various ointments applied to his body to assist in his recovery. Beside him was Arien, who had decided that sleeping beside the warm Human under the covers was nice, and so Tristan rose a weakened hand to the animal's soft forehead.

Seeing as how he was not killed like the 'Beasts' were Tristan was left to figure that he was not corrupted like them, and that he had passed the agonizing tests...

Despite this, the worst had yet to come, for there were many more trials yet to follow that would make those excruciating moments feel as if they had been respite.


TRAHAEARN OF THE JARN CLAN


The early settlements of Kimara saw its population faced with grim tragedy and a myriad of hardships, but the brutality of the planet also allowed for the strongest among them to rise by proving their worth. It is in this way that Trahaearn's own family came to rise to prominence and nobility, with his father having risen from a common member of the mining staff to the owner and overseer of many of the planet's mining operations. With their influence they would come to rule one of Kimara's fortress cities, and in time it would prosper given the way they invested their personal resources in improving it whenever and however possible.

Their family business would allow Trahaearn to grow up assisting his father across the various landscapes upon Kimara, as even as relatively wealthy as they were there was no place for idle hands among their people. Starting at the age of six, Jarn would work in the mines himself and help protect their convoys when necessary from predators and pirates both. It was thanks to this that he would be capable of lending aid to the Iron Warriors upon their arrival on the planet, and why as a recruit of the Great Crusade he possessed greater stamina and strength than many of his Terran-born counterparts. It was a burden on Jarn's soul to leave behind his mother, father, and even his wife given the incredibly young age Kimarans were expected to marry, but the same sense of duty that had him serve his father's company while only a child also saw him willing to serve an even greater purpose.

Even with his physicality Jarn had to undergo many trials and train relentlessly before he became an Astartes, but when the day came he was proud to receive the Gene Seed of none other than Forrix himself. Forrix had personally recruited him and even at times gave him additional lessons to help his ease into the role of Neophyte, for even fledgling Astartes were still Human and in need of proper guidance. To some it seemed that Forrix was crafting a future right hand man, and after participating in numerous successful campaigns under Forrix's command Jarn did play such a role for some time in the Great Crusade.

This rapid climb in rank was not without merit, for by the time Jarn turned 100 in Terran years he had conquered worlds for the Iron Warriors and fought against both Xenos and rebellious members of Humanity who did not wish to submit themselves to Imperial rule. His massive size and subsequent strength made him suited for breaching enemy fortifications, while his mind and skills honed by Forrix allowed him to properly orchestrate large forces to achieve their objectives with minimal losses. While accepting of the sacrifice of those under his command records would indicate that with time Jarn's tactics would shift to be safer without risking mission efficacy, perhaps indicating his change of heart well before Perturabo's discovery.

If he was to possess a particular flaw it would be his complacency and lack of aspiration, for Jarn was content doing as he was told and his will remained resolute so long as he could think of how his duties helped keep the people of Kimara safe. It is this that saw him willingly be assigned to garrison his home planet by Horus himself, in spite of Forrix's disagreement to the decision and in spite of the Fourth Legion's ranks being spread thinner and thinner as the Great Crusade continued. While at the time he took it as a badge of honor, Jarn would later come to believe that it was a deliberate attempt to remove him from the equation as Horus continued to stretch the Iron Warriors between countless garrisons and battlefronts, ultimately resulting in their snapping years down the line. More than Perturabo, more than the Emperor, he would blame this conscious choice of Horus for the fall of the Fourth Legion.


JARN'S RETURN


Despite his later misgivings at the time of his assignment Jarn was content with himself, having earned the title of Warsmith thanks to his efforts and being allowed to take a handpicked staff of Astartes and menials to return to Kimara to garrison it. He had heard little of its status in the near century since his departure, and so it was his hope that he could contribute to its prosperity now that he was rejoining his kin.

Years prior, with the Iron Warriors' assistance in quelling the local threats, the citizens of Kimara were able to make overtures to a golden age of their society, as for once they had breathing room with which to not just survive but to also begin flourishing. While outright conflict was not allowed between the various fortress cities of Kimara given that such a thing would result in their mutual destruction previously, historically tensions still arose between various regions for reasons ranging from mining rights to perceived economic superiority between traders and laborers. This shift would help bring an end to that, and instead helped bring about mutual economic development.

Before the first arrival of the Iron Warriors the Conomor Clan of Kimara had united the various city states through raw charisma which ran quite contrary to the typical nature of those on Kimara, and it was thanks to their diplomacy and championing various social causes that saw them peacefully rule. While some questioned the fact that the Conomors were relatively new to Kimara and came with great wealth which allowed them to focus on diplomacy rather than toil in the harsh landscape of Kimara, many were pleased to just have someone else taking care of that side of things while they placed their own attention on matters of food and security.

Upon Jarn's return he would be surprised to learn that the Conomor Clan that the Jarn family had supported had fallen from power, instead replaced by Jarn's own family in ruling all of Kimara. The Conomor patriarch had fallen ill at a time he possessed no clear successor, and so it fell to the Jarn Clan to take their place in maintaining present relations. Their working class background had brought them support from all of the cities of Kimara, and when it became known that their heir had joined the ranks of the Iron Warriors who saved Kimara that initial renown was amplified many times over.

Of greater surprise to Jarn was that it was none other than his own flesh and blood descendant was the present planetary governor of his homeworld, as the childhood companion who had been arranged to become his wife had born Jarn a son after his departure. Unfortunately both his wife and son would pass away far before their time, just as his parents would, thanks to illness seemingly born of the planet's relentless winter and brutality. However his son had not died before possessing an heir himself, and so it is in this manner that Jarn met the current leader of not only his family but also the planet he once left.

Despite the generally somber and cold nature of Kimara's population they welcomed the Iron Warriors with open arms and celebration, as it was thanks to the fortifications the Iron Warriors had built for them and the artillery left for their needs that the planet's population had kept safe over the years. Tales of their great strength and indomitable will had been passed down from parents to children, for loyalty to those who did right by them was an important trait in their culture. It is thanks to this that the garrison of a hundred Iron Warriors was given complete authority by Kimara's ruler and people without question, and how Jarn would in the proceeding years work alongside his grandson in further uplifting their people.


THE 'IRON AGE' OF KIMARA


While a period of great prosperity is typically labeled a 'golden age', it is perhaps a reflection of Kimaran culture that they would substitute the word 'iron' for gold in the years following to describe the tenure of Trahaearn Jarn as de facto ruler of their world. Some historians would note the similar sounding nature of 'Iron Age' and 'Iron Cage', with the population perhaps adopting the term in the years after the Horus Heresy to mock the folly of the Imperial Fists, but such ideas are unconfirmed and no Kimaran would outwardly say as much even if it were true.

The Warsmith's planet had already been unified under the growing influence and power of his family, setting an easy stage for him to enact changes as he saw fit without the populace questioning him or his methods. Building upon the improvements Forrix's Astartes had made, Jarn established a refined system of defenses for each fortress city that saw them possess a dome-like shape with shifting armor to reinforce as necessary and to also allow for the artillery within to fire without retaliation able to strike the batteries while reloading. While the thinning of the local wildlife had made life easier on Kimara its dangerous monsters still on occasion posed severe threats, making this 360 degree firing arc with multilayered protection ideal for handling both threats from the land and sky.

For artillery Jarn would station a growing amount of Basilisks and Hydras at each city to handle whatever threats may loom, and space would be made in the fortresses to have up to a hundred Basilisks firing simultaneously with rapid redeployment available as necessary to change firing arcs. The once resilient fortress cities had become nigh impervious to outside threats, with the harsh nature of Kimara threatening outsiders just as much as the artillery itself would. To offer protection between cities sensor arrays were established within outposts that would survive the conditions of Kimara, with each of them capable of providing precise coordinates of threats be they pirates or monsters.

This rapid expansion was assisted by the Mechanicus, who possessed more radical members who sought to use Kimara for their own purposes to develop technology incorporating the planet's mithril. With various fortresses becoming forges for the Mechanicus they were able to greatly increase the planet's production rates, and it is with their aid that Kimara would become able to build its own native artillery rather than needing to requisition it from elsewhere. The good relationship between the Iron Warriors and Mechanicus over the coming years would result in a similarly positive relationship between the Mechanicus and Kimara, and it would remain as such until the outbreak of the Horus Heresy.

To further the prosperity of his homeworld Jarn saw to it that new fortress cities were erected at strategic points, eventually forming a hexagon grid across Kimara's continents where each point would possess a minor city, and the center of numerous of those arranged in a hexagon would possess a greater fortress. The space between these would be enough that they were not redundant in purpose, but which using the sensory arrays and communications could fire upon any threats to the three other fortress cities they drew a line to. This meant that if any one of them was in danger and an enemy was too close for its own artillery to be very effective that the others could fire upon the enemy still and protect them.

While a member of another Legion would say that these defenses were overkill, to Jarn it was simply the only way to properly colonize his world while ensuring that no outside threat could ever endanger them again: he sought to conquer the wilderness of Kimara without directly changing it, all the while gaining access to its vastly unexplored territories for Kimara as a planet had vast untapped resources given its inhospitable nature. Jarn had witnessed many more prosperous worlds in his time serving under Forrix and he wanted for his own people to flourish as those of other worlds were allowed to, so he worked tirelessly for decades alongside his fellow Astartes and mortal kin to bring this idea to reality.

Be it infrastructure or implementing programs to encourage population growth to one day inhabit the newly constructed cities Kimara continued to rapidly develop in those years under the rule of Trahaearn, but progress would slow when he and his men were recalled to join the primary Iron Warriors forces upon the discovery of Perturabo: Jarn would remain with his fellow Astartes in the years to come while only a skeleton crew of them remained upon Kimara.


A/N: I have added a proper codex cover image to the beginning of the thread on spacebattles now that I have mixed images together to form one for our usage here, and so to let people know about this addition I have included it here as well. I posted a preliminary version a few days back but I have improved it since, so hopefully it looks good enough for the time being with my meager editing skills.

Some more story, some more world building, and a cover, this update's got quite a lot in it and I hope you all enjoyed and will let me know your thoughts in the r reviews below!