The Forge World of Cimmeria
The Riddle of Steel is a Heresy that must never be allowed to propagate through the system. For it denies the strength of the Machine and questions the very foundations of our Holy Order. -Arch Magos Augreus Eng, of Holy Mars during the Trial of Crom.
The Riddle of Steel is a question that fools fear, for it asks the acolyte to understand that Flesh will wither. It demands the acolyte to see that the Machine will break. It asks of the acolyte that when both Flesh and Machine are broken, what will remain to push them forward? The Riddle of Steel asks, what is Stronger than Flesh and Steel! -Arch Magos Crom, formerly of Holy Mars before his banishment from Mars.
Inquisitorial Record: Investigation of Cimmeria for Heresy.
Thought for the Day- Only the Emperor knows the Innocent from the Guilty.
Planet:
There is little of worth on this planet, mostly a repeating expanse of endless hills and low, rough mountains, of dusky, wooded valleys or dark scrub forests, alongside steep gulleys and stony plains upon which little grows. A few small rivers and streams run through the countryside to break up the monotony. Feeding bogs and ponds or some isolated lakes. Clouds and fog shroud most of this planet, forcing upon it a lonely and dismal mien, while gusts of wind wail through the hills like a scream from the Warp, a never-ending lament which shortens tempers and drives men towards gloomy, monstrous thoughts. All in all, a most dismal place that the discerning traveler would be wise to ignore. - interesting places and Tedious People: A Wanderer's Waybook by Jerval Sekara
In the Vastness of the Imperium, it is expected that no two worlds will ever be the same. However, that has not stopped the Administratum from giving worlds that are similar labels that help to identify them. The Forge World of Cimmeria is a clear example of such a system at work. It is also an example of how such systems are not always correct. For many, the term Forge World will conjure up images of Ashen Deserts, Seas of Acidic Water, Mountains of Waste, and Harsh Taskmasters in Russet Robes.
Cimmeria is different, located on the Fifth planet in its system of Hyboria. With the Civilized Worlds of Aquilonia and Stygia being the other major worlds in the system. It is a planet of rolling plains, mountains, and freezing tundra with glacial deserts near the equator. If ancient records are to be believed, then it is just a slightly colder copy of Holy Terra. These features would make the world a prime candidate for colonization.
So, it comes as a shock to many when they are told that the world is classified as a Forge World. The planet only has one (1) Hive City in its more mountainous region. The city itself only houses roughly a few billion people. This is because most of the Forges and Manufactorums are below the crust of the planet. Using natural caves and valleys The Mechanicus has made key sites that funnel air and materials through a vast underground network of caves and fissures in the earth. The facilities have drawn many of the local clans into setting up homesteads around them. Forming communities that both protect and maintain these vital facilities.
Culture:
"I have known many Spirits. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply. I seek not beyond death. It may be the blackness averred by the Nemedian skeptics, or Crom's realm of ice and cloud, or the snowy plains and vaulted halls of the Nordheimer's Valhalla. I know not, nor do I care.
Let me live deep while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat and stinging wine on my palate, the hot embrace of arms, the mad exultation of battle when the blue blades flame and crimson, and I am content.
Let teachers and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content."- Reported conversation between Skitarri Marshal Co-Nan to his lover, the Pirate Queen Belit.
A distinguished Wander would write that it is a World with little interest to a traveler, and its populace is described as a dour and entirely uninteresting group of people. This description is entirely correct, yet at the same time, an oversimplification of the culture of Cimmeria. They are a stern and almost humorless people, but as one acolyte has discovered, when given a reason to celebrate they are a people quick to laugh and sing. Many of their songs and poems are about the glory of life and the strength of humanity.
While labeled a Forge World by the Administratum, it would be more accurate to describe Cimmeria as a Barbarous Forge World. Its populace is mostly made up of near primitive human tribes that war and raid one another for resources and honor. This state of affairs suites the Tech Priests as it allows them to take the best and brightest as Skitarri and Acolytes. It has been noted by many of my agents that the clans are incredibly knowledgeable about the inner workings of the Machine Spirits and Mechanicus doctrines. To the point where one of their elders argued Theological Doctrines with my Tech Priest.
Unlike the usual Red Robes that are common amongst the ranks of the Priesthood of Mars. The robes Priesthood of Cimmeria are green with vine like designs. When questioned about why they do not wear the Red of their Order by my acolytes one of the Priests would simply say. "They cast us out from Holy Mars so why should we wear their colors."
It should be noted by my fellow Inquisitors though that these Green Robed Priests have also taken on some of the aspects of their subjects. Do not mistake them for fools, or that they will be easily intimidated by our positions, they respect actions more than titles. This misconception has almost led to the death of more than one of my more enthusiastic Acolytes for a perceived insult. When confronting a Cimmerian it is advised to be respectful and to not show weakness toward them.
Religious Practices:
"Omnisiah, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad, why we fought, or why we died. No, all that matters is that few stood against many, that's what's important. Valor pleases you, Omnisiah, so grant me one request. Grant me REVENGE! And if you do not listen, then to hell with you!"- Skitarri Commander Co-Nan leading a successful stand against Eldar Corsairs.
Like many true worlds of the Imperium Cimmeria venerates The Emperor in his clockwork guise of the Omnisiah, but they build no true temples to Him on Earth.
Even the Forges of the Omnisiah only have minor shrines. From what my agents can understand this is because of how they view The Emperor as a distant uncaring figure. Their doctrines say that at birth The Emperor gives them all breath and that he expects them to fight for themselves. While unorthodox to the extreme it has been determined they do not worship any of the Ruinous Powers.
The local Priesthoods have been notified and I am hopeful this deviation will be sorted without more drastic actions being needed.
It has also been advised that they bring a small retinue of Adeptus Sororitas with them to act as guards.
An interesting observation made by my Tech Priest Actus Knoch is that the augmetics of Cimmeria are incredibly human like. Indeed, unlike most Tech Priests I have met they seem to take a certain amount of pride in how human they are. Many only being distinguished as high-ranking Priests by the fact that the retinues they take with them.
The Riddle of Steel:
"I have spoken with many Steel Priests about this Riddle of theirs. Many of them have told me their ideas about the answer. Most of them are steeped in religious dogma that I do not care for. There are a few who have started to understand the answer. Though the ones that amuse me are their elders who have demanded I tell them the answer. They learned quickly to mind their manners, or they'll meet the edge of my sword." -High King/Fabricator General Co-Nan of Cimmeria.
The main point of contention between Cimmeria and its fellow Forge Worlds is the eponymous Riddle of Steel. This is a school of thought made by the Arch Magos Crom during the 36th millennium. It is a school of theology amongst the Priesthood of Mars that posits that eventually any machine will break down and asks what will be left when it does. As my esteemed colleagues will no doubt understand this should have seen to the death of this Crom and all his followers. It was only the Beneficence of The Emperor that he spoke such ideas during the Age of Apostasy that it was decided they had better things to do than prosecute him.
This though did not mean that Crom was welcome upon Mars. Seeing this hostility Crom would gather his followers and leave on the next outbound ship to the far reaches of the Imperium. According to their records, they spent most of the Apostasy going from world to world before settling on Cimmeria. Whereupon they have found a niche in the Sector as providers of armies and bodyguards.
In recent years though a Skitarri Marshal by the name of Co-Nan has risen to the position of Captain General of Cimmeria. His exploits alone should be the scrutiny of another investigation if even half of it is true.
Captain General Co-Nan is seen as something of a messianic figure by many of the Tech Priests. Many whisper that he knows the answer but will not speak it. When questions about the answer he has just said, "The Riddle loses its meaning if you don't understand it."
As of this investigation, it has been determined that while highly Unorthodox and dangerous it is not heretical. It is thus that I have decided to request agents to infiltrate this society and bring them back to The Emperor's Light.
A.N: Right here's my attempt at a solar system that Cain can freak out about. For those in the know yes this is the Hyborean World just transplanted into a system. For Stygia my mind goes with the idea Tzeentichian Cults... Tzeentichian Cults everywhere. Along with one weird Slaaneshi Cult that really got into Necromancy. As for Aquilonia it looks like your average Imperial world. Then you scrape off the gold and see the secret turf war between a bunch of Nurglites and some Emperor Worshiping Necromancers.