History of the Federation
In terms of the Imperium, the Federation of Colonised Worlds, simply referred to as the Federation, is a young entity as it has only existed for 600 years. Originally it was just a number of imperial- held systems in close proximity to each other who’s only contact with each other was via traders. This all turned around quicker than anyone could imagine.
The Era of Isolation
Six hundred years ago ferocious warp storms of a rare nature occurred sealing these systems from the rest of the Imperium, yet warp space between these systems was unaffected. After discovering what had happened from the Adeptus Astra Telepathica Warp Readers on each planet, each planetary government went into a state of panic and immediately convened to come up with a contingency plan should these storms last for a long time which they often do. Fortunately the planets’ resources all complimented each other and so various trading arrangements and quotas were written up and the first steps to creating the Federation known today were taken.
These arrangements allowed the planets to survive together and improve their relations over the first century of isolation. Indeed numerous members of various ruling and noble families inter-married causing some planets to be closer than others in the hegemony. This did, however have its disadvantages, mainly that power and influence of individuals increased. It also led to the largest rebellion ever seen in the history of all of these systems.
The Cult Wars
Whilst the planets seemed to be surviving against all odds extremely well on the surface, underneath this façade the truth was much bleaker. As the nobles were getting married and allied and whilst the majority of the hegemony’s population thrived the dark forces of Chaos and Tyranids had managed to gather influence and control. Many secretive cults had risen into positions of power in millions of settlements and indeed even in the noble families themselves and so inter-marriage was even helping the influence spread. To this day no-one knows how the Tyranids had become idols of worship in such an isolated location.
All of a sudden, during one trade meeting the discussions broke down and were abandoned and the hegemony broke into two as families took their planets and sided with their most influential allies. One side was led by Lord Darian of Katorga and supported his fleets of cultists from both Chaos and Tyranid worshipping cults. Indeed, later investigations led to it being discovered that Lord Darien and his entire family were worshippers of all four Chaos gods and his bride’s family, the rulers of the Mechis mining world were all fanatical members of the Tyranid race, believing that their ability to adapt biologically to all planet types was divine and who all seeked to be absorbed into the Hive Mind.
The other side that was slightly larger than the cultists were led by Lord Retzer of Kuat. The cultists began the attacks as soon as the Imperial delegation was leaving Katorga. The craft was alone and barely managed to escape the system in tact. In the mean time attacks and uprisings were occurring on every planet regardless of if they were Imperial loyalists or not. The Cult Wars had begun.
Upon arrival on Kuat loyalist forces began to be commanded by the noble families still loyal to the ancient Imperial religion. Indeed members of these extended families were seen on the front line and some heroic soldiers and generals actually became adopted into one of the noble houses. Vast armies were founded and fought on all fronts for centuries. Once the core systems of each side had become completely controlled by their rulers the wars became centred on the bordering systems and planets as each side began to chip away at the other. Each side was trying to get the upper hand on the other and were second guessing their opponents as best they could.
There were two strategic location through that both sides knew whoever controlled would win the war. Unfortunately for the Imperialists, they were Thyferra and Mechis and were currently occupied by the Cultist forces.
The
Having been beaten badly by the united cultists for the last 350 years, who had actually managed to bring daemons and Tyranids into the fray, the leaders of the loyalist forces knew they needed a major victory over their enemies to stand a chance of surviving and although they had enough forces to attempt to take both of the key systems, they concentrated on one system-Aspis
Mechis is a mining world of vast minerals and elements that the Imperialists needed for their Forge world but they considered it more beneficial to head for the agri-world of Aspis III. The main reason for this was that Aspis III is the only place in the entire federation, and possibly the Imperium, where the Gunkrot fungus can be found and harvested.
Gunkrot is a phenomenal fungus which feeds off the dead remains of the agri-world produce but doesn’t require damp dark conditions to grow. It is assumed that the exact quantities and minerals found in Aspis III’s crust enable bacta to thrive. The only use for bacta is related to its properties when it is harvested after sporing season and ground, liquidised and refined. When this happens to it produces a bright blue solution which, when added to a wound, no matter what the cause or its seriousness (except when the wound was fatal), actually improves the healing process of any injury ten fold and leaves no lasting marks or damage. It can even remove all signs of burns on a person who is covered in 3rd degree burns from head to toe as long as they are still breathing and have them battle ready when finished.
The Imperial commanders knew that if this DNA was absorbed or destroyed the enemy would be unstoppable. To prevent this from happening the Imperial commanders dropped their armies onto the planet surface instantly, but were too late, Chaos daemons, Tyranid monstrosities and cultists galore, as well as the dregs of society were already present on one-third of the planet. Tyranid spore funnels were found to be growing and billions of imperial soldiers were slaughtered as they landed and were swarmed. It seemed hopeless and as if the Imperial commanders had made a mistake which would cost them their lives. That was until seemingly the Emperor himself had intervened and gave his loyal followers a fighting chance at fighting His nemesis.
Lord Retzer was leading on the frontline and according to his accounts was in the thick of the fighting when huge explosions in the enemies’ lines were heard and seen by all, followed by a squadron of five bright red Chariots of the Angels of Death shot across the sky. After the war survivors were still recalling this moment with tears in their eyes. Most support the events as follows;
Upon this fly-by and the sudden creation of holes in the cultist lines an overwhelming feeling filled every man fighting the heretical forces. They say men and women simultaneously were over come by a supreme force and many started to cry before a united battle cry was expelled from all simultaneously- a cry that was deafening and could be heard in the skies above by Imperial pilots proving aerial support for the ground forces. At that moment in time, survivors recall of how no beast or foul daemon, no matter how large or hideous could scare even the youngest and most inexperienced soldier. Suddenly the Loyalists started to fight harder after finding a new wind and a new energy. It was at that moment many recalled the sky filling with, what seemed to be red droplets of blood falling from the heavens, spewing fire and death to the cultists. And what was this phenomenon?
The Angels of Death
When the warp storms hit, a Space Marine Strike Cruiser carrying a company of hibernating Blood Angels was brought out of warp space and left to drift as the autopilot began running diagnostic programs and scanning the nearest worlds for a location. The sudden re-entry had damaged some of the onboard systems of the Strike Cruiser Kathleen, the most important one being that of the emergency protocol, which would normally being the automated process of awakening the company of Astartes onboard. With this not functioning the Blood Angels 4th Company seemed doomed to drift eternally for eternity.
This would have been the case had a miracle not occurred. The Captain of the company managed to break himself out of suspended animation; to this day he claims he received a vision from the Blood Angels primarch Sanguinius. Known for his compassion for humans and treating them as no less than the superhuman space marines, he is said to have told Captain Tyro his company was needed urgently at a nearby agri-world.
The Captain went about waking his soldiers and started a course for the only agri-world nearby- Thyferra. Upon arrival and his librarian advising him of what he has picked up from system psychics Tyro launched his entire company into battle from drop pods and used his Thunderhawks to fly cover and his Cruiser to bombard the Cultist forces from space.
Then, as the pods released their deadly cargo the legendary frenzy in close quarters fighting that the Blood Angels possess came out as cultists, aliens and daemons were dispatched between mighty weapons of the Strike cruiser, the wall of laser fire of the Imperial troops and the bare hands and boltguns of the Space Marines.
The Big Push
With the aid of the Space Marines, to which the cultists had no real equal, Thyferra came back under imperial control and soon enough, the combined might of the Imperialist troops and Blood Angels until, during the 400th year of fighting, the planet Katorga was the only place left containing masses of cultist forces and the cultist fleets were destroyed by the Imperial ships of the line. Instead of risking an attack en masse, the planet was assaulted from space and with no ground forces ever setting foot on the rebel planet, the cultists were all destroyed. Daemons were returned to the warp as the link with their summoners and physical bodies was severed, and the rebellious cultists and nobles were all obliterated, ending 400 years of rebellion and fighting.
The Aftermath and the Federation today
The remaining century of isolation was spend rebuilding the hegemony and purging the systems of all traces of Tyranids and cults that some how survived the war. Pledging never to let this happen again, those who had fought the longest and in the most violent battles were awarded with positions of authority. By doing this and suffering how they had, the hegemony knew that these people would not abuse the power they fought so hard for. This tradition still exists today- any civilian wanted to earn the right to vote and exert power of the most basic sort or obtain a job which give the person a lot of authority must first serve in one of the Federation’s armed forces and every person is entitled to exert this decision all but once in their life time.
The restructuring of the hegemony and indeed the military has gradually led to the forming of what is known today as the Federation. Upon re-discovery by the Imperium the exploratory party were indeed shocked and surprised at how well the federation survived, particularly after the war. The ministorum also state the faith the loyalists had in the Emperor is a fitting example to all.
The military , through purges and cleansings, have became experts at dealing with Tyranids and the federation can boast the Imperium's most important resource in the war against the Tyranids- the Academy of Tyranid studies on Kuat. Ran by the military and the Ordo Xenos since the warp storms subsided, this centre specialises is studying the Tyranid race in all its depth and learning and developing news weapons to be used against them.
St. Sanguinius
The Federal troops and indeed the federation itself being a military society are very wary with dealing with foreign troops and believe loyalty and respect is to be errant on the battlefield. Indeed the Dark Angels Chapter are despised in the Federation due to their obsession with a secret quest they always use as an excuse to enter the federation, abduct some citizens, cause some destruction and then disappear again. But since the bravery and support the Blood Angels gave the Imperial forces at the time of greatest need the Federation is always extremely welcoming of the Blood Angels, or any chapter who claims lineage to them and are always willing to provide military assistance when needed.
The planet of Thyferra had also recently become the home to a fortress-keep for the Blood Angels fleet based successor Chapter- the Eagles of Baal, from which recruits are trained and then assigned to the Chapter.
Religion in the Federation also pays tribute in its own way. Two major religious figureheads are worshipped by almost everyone– The Emperor and St. Sanguinius. Every settlement, large or small, will have a temple or shrine for both figures and this has also led to a sect calling themselves the Blood Brethren being formed of devoted male and female worshippers of Sanguinius. The Federation has also allowed them to become the official guardians of all St. Sanguinius monuments, shrines and temples- a duty they take extremely seriously. It has also been known for the Brethren to become Town Guardians in smaller towns which have multiple protected sites.