For three and a half decades, the Void Union, an alliance formed by multiple extended families across the Penitus Balteus asteroid belt, endured the oppressive rule of Chorda and Winterscale Rogue Trader dynasties and Adeptus Mechanicus Necro-mechanic Fortius, the obsessed guardian of the smelting furnace within the Avaritas star fortress. The families’ arrival during the adamantium rush of 785.M41 to the Ultima Tectum system had not yielded the riches they had envisioned but instead subjected them to exploitation.
In an ill-fated attempt to resolve the tensions between the families and Fortius, the 12 leaders were dispatched as negotiators, only to suffer a grievous fate. Fortius callously lobotomized and reprogrammed them into obedient slaves, deepening the families’ resentment and fostering a burning desire for revenge against their oppressor.
While the families harbored their vengeful aspirations, they understood the importance of secrecy. Over the course of the next 35 years, they covertly gathered resources and meticulously prepared for their uprising against Fortius, keeping their intentions hidden from prying eyes. Recognizing the treacherous nature of the asteroid belt, they honed their skills in guerrilla warfare and exploited their profound understanding of the hostile environment to their advantage.
Rare and random acts of sabotage, lightning-fast strikes, and strategically executed ambushes became the hallmark of the Void Union’s resistance efforts. Their acts of defiance aimed to destabilize Fortius’ tyrannical grip and weaken his hold over the asteroid belt. Careful to maintain their clandestine operations, they operated in the shadows, striking swiftly and retreating before their actions could be traced back to them.
Throughout their struggle, the families remained committed to preserving their secrecy. They understood that the element of surprise would be their greatest asset when the time finally came to confront tech-priest Fortius directly. Thus, they diligently protected their covert activities from prying eyes, ensuring that their preparations remained shrouded in mystery.
The families’ unwavering determination and adherence to secrecy kept the fires of rebellion burning within their hearts. Though direct action against Fortius has not yet been taken, the Void Union’s relentless efforts gradually infiltrated the foundations of his power. Their acts of defiance instilled hope among the oppressed, inspiring others to question Fortius’ authority and contributing to a growing sentiment of rebellion within the Penitus Balteus asteroid belt.
As the 35-year mark approached, the families’ preparations neared completion. Their resources were stockpiled, their strategies refined, and their unity unshakable. The time for secrecy would soon come to an end, replaced by the thunderous roar of resistance echoing through the asteroid belt.
In the shadows, the Void Union awaited the opportune moment to unveil their hidden strength and unleash their collective fury against Fortius. The families knew that their liberation, and the long-awaited retribution they sought, hinged on the success of their covert preparations and the element of surprise.
With each passing day, the families of the Void Union grew closer to the culmination of their 35-year struggle. They remained steadfast in their commitment to secrecy, aware that their patient and calculated approach would ensure their chances of victory against the oppressive rule of Fortius. The stage was set for an uprising of epic proportions, one that would shake the very foundations of the Avaritas star fortress and signal the dawning of a new era for the families of the Void Union.
Arrival of Algoth Conglomerate
Upon the arrival of the Algoth Conglomerate 818.M41, the Void Union found themselves confronted with a new adversary, leading to a significant escalation in covert sabotage activities. Tensions particularly intensified between the Void Union and the 60,000 miners stationed at the Penitus Balteus asteroid field, as both factions clashed over control and resources.
Initially, the Void Union reacted to the arrival of the Argoth Conglomerate with a mixture of concern and defiance. The sudden influx of skilled miners from the Argoth Conglomerate threatened the Void Union’s monopoly over the mining work force within the Penitus Balteus asteroid field. The Void Union viewed this as a direct challenge to their authority and sought to protect their interests and maintain their control over the system’s resources.
As covert sabotage escalated and the situation neared the brink of open conflict, the intervention of Judge Mordechai became crucial. Recognizing the potential for a devastating war between the factions, Judge Mordechai stepped in to enforce a ceasefire and compel both the Void Union and the Algoth Conglomerate to shift their tactics to indirect attacks.
This intervention forced the Void Union to reassess their approach and find alternative means of undermining the Argoth Conglomerate’s influence and disrupting their operations. The Void Union, known for their resourcefulness and adaptability, began employing strategies such as economic warfare, propaganda campaigns, and subversive actions aimed at sowing discord and undermining the Argoth Conglomerate’s stability.
Religious differences further deepened the divide between the Void Union and the Argoth Conglomerate. The followers of the Phanacians sect of the Imperial Creed, predominant among the Argothians, held distinct beliefs that clashed with the ideologies of the Void Union. These religious disparities not only fueled the animosity between the factions but also served as a source of justification for their ongoing conflict.
As the Void Union sought to protect their interests and retain their dominant position, their response to the arrival of the Argoth Conglomerate was marked by initial defiance and resistance, followed by a shift to covert and indirect attacks under the intervention of Judge Mordechai. The religious differences only added fuel to the fire, exacerbating the drift and deepening the divisions between the Void Union and the Argoth Conglomerate.
Separation of the Clan Bethel
In the year 820M41, Clan Bethel, a powerful faction comprising void miners from the system’s outer comet cloud, took a unexpected step that would have far-reaching consequences. They chose to sever their ties with the Void Union and establish their own independent comet habitat, Celos, positioned far beyond the planetary orbits of the system. This decision set in motion a series of events that would intensify tensions between Clan Bethel and the Void Union.
However, the true reason behind Clan Bethel’s separation remained shrouded in secrecy. In reality, the clan had entered into a covert alliance with a clandestine and influential organization known as the Inquisition. This partnership, due to its sensitive nature, had to be kept hidden from the prying eyes of the Void Union and the rest of the system. Clan Bethel strategically employed trade disagreements as a convenient excuse for their separation, diverting attention away from their true allegiance.
As tensions grew between Clan Bethel and the Void Union, Mama Bethel, the resourceful matriarch of the Bethel clan, recognized the need to strategically orchestrate a trade disagreement that would serve as a catalyst for the separation of the two factions. With a keen understanding of the power dynamics at play, Mama Bethel skillfully maneuvered to create a situation that would justify their departure from the Void Union while concealing their true alliance with the Inquisition.
Mama Bethel began by carefully observing the trade patterns and dependencies within the Ultima Tectum system. She identified specific resources and goods that were crucial for the functioning and prosperity of the Void Union, and strategically chose to manipulate the availability and access to these commodities. Through covert arrangements with trusted contacts and sympathetic allies within the system, Mama Bethel ensured a controlled disruption in the supply chain of these vital resources.
This deliberate disruption in trade created an atmosphere of tension and frustration within the Void Union. As the scarcity of essential resources began to impact their operations, Spokesman Memillius grew increasingly concerned about the stability and authority of the faction. Sensing an opportunity, Mama Bethel presented herself as a mediator, offering to negotiate a fair resolution to the trade dispute.
During the negotiations, Mama Bethel artfully maneuvered to present demands that were intentionally difficult for the Void Union to meet. She skillfully utilized her knowledge of the faction’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities to craft terms that would test their commitment to cooperation and fairness. Through her calculated approach, Mama Bethel ensured that the Void Union would struggle to fulfill the conditions set forth, further exacerbating the tensions between the two sides.
While Mama Bethel appeared to be engaging in genuine negotiations, her true intention was to create a situation where the Void Union would fail to satisfy the trade demands. This failure would provide the Bethel clan with a legitimate justification for their separation, allowing them to portray themselves as victims of an unfair and uncooperative faction.
As the trade negotiations reached a stalemate, with the Void Union unable to meet Mama Bethel’s demands, the matriarch seized the opportunity to declare the separation of Clan Bethel from the Void Union. Using the failed trade agreement as an excuse, Mama Bethel presented the decision as a necessary step to protect the interests and well-being of her clan.
This carefully orchestrated trade disagreement, masterminded by Mama Bethel, provided the facade of a legitimate reason for Clan Bethel’s separation from the Void Union. By skillfully manipulating the dynamics of the trade negotiations, Mama Bethel not only ensured the success of their departure but also concealed their true allegiance with the Inquisition. The trade disagreement served as a turning point, solidifying the growing tensions between the Bethel clan and the Void Union, and setting the stage for the clashes and conflicts that would follow in the tumultuous years ahead.
As news of Clan Bethel’s departure spread, the Void Union began to perceive it as an act of betrayal. The separation fueled growing tensions between the two factions, with the Void Union harboring feelings of resentment and mistrust towards Clan Bethel. They saw the clan’s departure as a breach of loyalty and a loss of unity within their ranks.
Following the separation, the Void Union implemented measures to prevent the deeply religious members of Clan Bethel from visiting the shrine of Penitent Clarissa at the Sphaera Imperator asteroid habitat. This restriction further strained the relationship between Clan Bethel and the Void Union. The members of Clan Bethel viewed this as an encroachment on their religious freedoms and interpreted it as another sign of the Void Union’s disapproval and attempt to control them.
As tensions grew, a palpable divide emerged within the Ultima Tectum system. Clan Bethel found themselves walking a precarious path, balancing their newfound alliance with the Inquisition while navigating the fallout from their separation from the Void Union. They had to carefully conceal their collaboration, ensuring that their activities remained secret to protect their own interests as well as the broader plans of the Inquisition within the system.
Simultaneously, the Void Union grappled with feelings of betrayal and suspicion. They questioned the loyalty of their remaining members and sought to consolidate their power in the face of Clan Bethel’s departure. The system’s delicate balance of power now teetered on the edge as both factions maneuvered through their diverging agendas and the secrets that bound them.
The situation within the Ultima Tectum system became increasingly precarious, with the true nature of Clan Bethel’s affiliation with the Inquisition hidden from the Void Union and others. The growing tensions and restrictions imposed by the Void Union on the deeply religious members of Clan Bethel only served to deepen the divide. The system stood on the brink of conflict, with the potential for further upheaval as both factions grappled with their conflicting interests and sought to assert their dominance.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 