GM Trophy room of Ignis Aeternus

Common knowledge

Family heirlooms

Sepedeus: The Stasis Chest with the Boots

  • Display: A heavy, ornate stasis chest made of dark adamantium, inlaid with gold filigree depicting the Emperor’s Aquila and star charts. The chest rests on an elevated marble pedestal, flanked by burnished brass candelabras, their eternal flames casting a soft glow. A data-slate plaque mounted in front describes the significance of the relic.
  • The Item: Inside the chest, suspended in timeless stasis, are a pair of worn, scuffed boots encrusted with dirt. The boots, while appearing mundane, have soles that are visibly eroded from hard use. Each boot is meticulously preserved, with faint traces of dust identified as sacred soil from Holy Terra itself. The smell of aged boots is permanently locked within the chest.

Caterina: The Holy Wafer

  • Display: A crystal reliquary inlaid with ivory and small gemstones forms the centerpiece of this display. The reliquary is held aloft by a silvered mechanical servo-arm, ensuring it can be turned gently for viewing. The display case is surrounded by etched purity seals and housed in a golden cabinet, decorated with serene engravings of saints in repose.
  • The Item: The wafer is remarkably small but pristine, with an intricate, hand-pressed symbol of the Ecclesiarchy faintly visible on its surface. The wafer is encased in a thin shell of preservation-grade plasteel, ensuring it remains untouched by time or decay.

Guthrund: The Golden Bathtub

  • Display: The bathtub is set within a recessed, circular alcove adorned with mirrors to amplify its grandeur. The alcove is lit by overhead chandeliers fashioned to resemble dripping water. Surrounding the bathtub are sculpted cherubs carved from alabaster, frozen mid-laughter or mid-cry, a suitable reflection of Guthrund’s dramatic fate.
  • The Item: The tub itself is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, made of pure gold with ornate carvings of sea creatures writhing along its edges. Its interior is polished to a mirror shine, and faint smudges at the bottom serve as silent testimony to Guthrund’s untimely demise.

Maximor: The Embalmed Corpse

  • Display: Maximor’s taxidermied form is showcased in an imposing glass case with reinforced metal edges, seated upon an ornate, high-backed throne of wrought iron and ebony. His severed head, held aloft in his right hand, gazes outwards with a grim expression, while his torso leans forward, as though in eternal contemplation. A brass plate on the case reads, “Memento Lucrum.”
  • The Item: The body is impeccably preserved, with a lifelike sheen imparted by the taxidermist’s work. His attire is rich, a coat of crimson velvet trimmed with gold, though dulled by time. The severed head features fine stitching around the neck, and his eyes are glass replacements with a faint glimmer of surprise.

Elera: The Sword

  • Display: Suspended in mid-air by invisible fields of grav-tech, the sword hovers above a dais surrounded by a ring of flickering votive candles. The display case is cylindrical and made of thick, transparent plasteel, with inscriptions in High Gothic running along its edges.
  • The Item: The sword is a fine longsword of archeotech origin, with a blade that gleams faintly with an unnatural, chromatic light. Its hilt is intricately engraved with patterns resembling storm clouds and lightning bolts.

Casanunda: The Painting

  • Display: The painting is mounted on an expansive wall of an opulent gallery. A gilded frame adorned with cherubim and skull motifs encases the artwork. The lighting is carefully controlled, ensuring that the colors and textures are shown in their full glory without fading over time.
  • The Item: The portrait of Getrude Ketter is a masterful work of art, painted in luminous oils that capture her serene, knowing smile and piercing gaze. Her attire is resplendent, featuring rich reds and purples that denote her status. The background suggests a starship interior, with glimpses of the void beyond.

Harman: The Warrant of Contract

  • Display: Encased in a vault-like chamber, the Warrant of Contract is unfurled within a hermetically sealed case, resting on an inclined, black basalt slab. The chamber is lined with star maps and illuminated by faint golden light.
  • The Item: The document is a massive parchment made from fine vellum, its edges gilded. Written in dense, ornate High Gothic script, the text details the ancient agreement. Signatures and seals from both the Von Ulm dynasty and House Mercator adorn the bottom, each one encircled by a border of stamped wax insignias.

Karfa: The Right Brain Hemisphere

  • Display: The brain is housed within a transparent stasis jar with glowing conduits snaking around its exterior. The jar itself rests on a bed of black velvet within a locked reliquary, surrounded by an aura field that hums softly.
  • The Item: The brain hemisphere floats in an amber-colored suspension fluid, preserved with unearthly clarity. Tiny metallic connections embedded in the tissue are visible, running in delicate, branching patterns. Occasionally, faint pulses of light travel through the conduits, suggesting latent psychic or computational activity.

Trophies

The Head of the Alien Unicorn (Horn Missing)

  • Story: During one of Sepedeus Von Ulm’s infamous expeditions into the uncharted reaches of the Calixis Expanse, he stumbled upon a crystalline world inhabited by strange equine creatures with bioluminescent horns. These beings were said to sing songs that could fracture sanity itself. Sepedeus managed to kill one such creature, intending to harvest its priceless horn.
  • Display: Mounted on an ornately carved ebony plaque with silver inlays, the alien unicorn’s head is displayed high on the wall above a dimly glowing rune-inscribed pedestal. The creature’s eyes, now glass, stare hauntingly forward, their sockets rimmed with faint crystalline traces. Beneath the plaque is a brass plate reading: “The Fortune of Sepedeus.”
  • The Item: The head is covered in iridescent scales that shimmer faintly under dim light. The stump where the horn was severed is jagged and blackened, as though it was wrenched away with unnatural force. The maw is slightly open, revealing needle-like teeth—suggesting the creature was no mere herbivore.

Three Fingers of Pirate King Horrold

  • Story: Elera Von Ulm was tasked with hunting down the infamous Pirate King Horrold—a plundering void-lord who had plagued Imperial shipping lanes for decades. During their final duel aboard his collapsing flagship, Elera severed three fingers from Horrold’s hand with a single precise strike. The pirate escaped into the void, but his severed fingers remained—still clutching a rusted token of his sovereignty.
  • Display: The fingers are preserved in a suspension field inside a hexagonal glass stasis box, which hovers slightly above a polished brass pedestal engraved with the High Gothic phrase: “Victoria per certa”. The box is surrounded by small red votive candles, eternally flickering.
  • The Item: The three fingers are mummified, with leathery skin drawn tight over ancient bone. Around one finger rests a tarnished gold signet ring, its crest depicting a broken skull wreathed in void-lilies. In another hand fragment lies a rusted piece of metal—possibly a key to one of Horrold’s hidden vaults.

The Blood-Stained Playing Cards of Duke Rivek

  • Story: Duke Rivek was a notorious gambler and planetary governor who ruled his world from the floor of a smoky gambling den. Casanunda Von Ulm outwitted him in a high-stakes game of Regicide, leaving Rivek broken and furious. In his rage, the Duke overturned the table, and a knife fight ensued. Rivek bled out over his hand of cards, which Casanunda pocketed as a memento.
  • Display: The blood-stained cards are encased in a sleek, brass-framed glass display mounted on a low, velvet-draped plinth. The cards are spread in an elegant fan, with a High Gothic inscription reading: “Extremum manus pecto”,
  • The Item: The deck is made of ivory-colored plast-leaf, the surface now marred with deep crimson stains. The King of Thrones card has a deep slash across its face, as if from a knife stroke.

The Voicebox of Seric the Silver-Tongued

  • Story: Seric was a xenos diplomat who became infamous for nearly brokering a disastrous peace treaty between the Von Ulm Dynasty and an aggressive alien coalition. Realizing Seric’s silver tongue was more dangerous than any fleet, Maximor Von Ulm ordered his vocal cords removed and preserved as a trophy.
  • Display: The voicebox floats suspended in a cylindrical glass jar filled with a viscous blue fluid. Tiny runes glow faintly along the base of the jar, preventing psychic reverberations from escaping. A brass plaque reads: “Oratio telum esse potest.”
  • The Item: The alien voicebox looks more like an intricate coral structure than an organic organ. Delicate, spiny protrusions curve inwards, and faint vibrations can be seen when standing too close.

The Melted Crown of the False Emperor Kallux IX

  • Story: During a chaotic rebellion on the mining world of Grithos IV, a warlord named Kallux IX declared himself Emperor of the system. Harman Von Ulm personally led an assault on his palace. In the final moments of the siege, Kallux’s ornate crown was melted by a stray lascannon shot. Harman retrieved the twisted metal remains.
  • Display: The melted crown is affixed to a polished onyx stand, with angled lighting emphasizing its warped and jagged silhouette. Behind it, a tattered banner from Kallux’s army hangs as a grim backdrop.
  • The Item: The crown is little more than a jagged loop of slagged gold and blackened gemstones. It carries faint scorch marks and warps where the lascannon’s energy sheared through it.

The Shattered Crown of the Dusk-King

  • Story: The Dusk-King was an ancient xenos monarch who ruled a dying world shrouded in perpetual twilight. Isaskar Von Ulm led an expedition into the ruins of this desolate planet and found the monarch’s obsidian crown atop a skeletal throne. Moments after it was removed, the entire palace began to collapse. The crown was cracked during their hasty escape.
  • Display: Resting atop a jagged black marble pedestal, the cracked crown sits within a transparent stasis field. The edges glow faintly with a dull purple hue. Shadows seem to gather unnaturally around its base.
  • The Item: The crown is composed of black crystal, fractured in three places. Thin veins of faintly glowing violet energy still pulse along its surface, like dying embers of some long-forgotten power.

The Bone Flute of Xa’Roth

  • Story: Recovered by Sepedeus II Von Ulm from the ruins of a dead alien civilization, the flute is said to have been played during rituals that opened gateways to other realms. It is said that during warp travel, faint sounds can sometimes be heard emanating from the instrument, even when it’s untouched.
  • Display: The flute rests atop a velvet cushion within an elongated glass case. Around the pedestal are etched sigils of containment, flickering faintly with golden light. A purity seal hangs across the case’s clasp.
  • The Item: The flute is carved from an impossibly smooth, pale bone, with intricate alien symbols etched along its length. One end has jagged edges, as though it was violently snapped from something larger.

The Broken Halo Helm of Void-Saint Callidora

  • Story: Void-Saint Callidora was a revered Imperial Saint who led an exodus fleet through the darkest storms of the Warp. Her golden halo-helm was said to guide her through the madness. Sepedeus Von Ulm claimed the shattered helm from a drifting shrine-ship lost to time.
  • Display: The helm rests on a wooden lectern draped in a tattered silken cloth. A single spotlight casts golden rays upon the fragmented relic, illuminating its cracks and ancient scratches.
  • The Item: The helm is a cracked golden circlet, with faint traces of blue lapis lazuli still visible in its inlays. Several shards are missing entirely, and one corner is fused into a melted lump of slag.

The Glass Rose of Telveran IX

  • Story: The Glass Rose is said to be a creation of the enigmatic xenos artisans of Telveran IX. Maximor Von Ulm purchased it during tense trade negotiations, allegedly sealing the deal by wagering one of his planetary fiefdoms in a high-stakes contract bidding.
  • Display: Suspended by fine adamantium wires within a tall cylindrical glass case, the rose is surrounded by faintly glowing energy fields designed to preserve its fragile structure.
  • The Item: The Glass Rose appears as a perfectly crafted crystalline flower, each petal translucent and refracting light into faint rainbows.

The Severed Arm of an Ork Warlord

  • Story: During a brutal boarding action against an Ork Kill Kroozer, Elera Von Ulm personally engaged an Ork Warlord in single combat. Though the creature was ultimately defeated, Elera kept its severed arm as proof of her victory.
  • Display: The massive green arm is mounted vertically on a steel spike, bolted into a heavy iron base. The display is surrounded by scrap metal trophies looted from the Ork vessel.
  • The Item: The arm is bloated and leathery, with crude metal plating bolted directly into the flesh. Fungal growths have been arrested through chemical preservation, though a faint musky smell still lingers.

The Singing Stone of Carathor

  • Story: While exploring the caverns of the death world Carathor, Guthrund Von Ulm discovered this oddly smooth, black stone. When struck, it emits an eerie, resonating hum that seems to vibrate through the very bones of those nearby.
  • Display: The stone rests upon an anti-grav plinth, floating gently in the air. Faint ripples of sound energy are visible in the air around it. A small warning sign reads: “Do Not Strike.”
  • The Item: The stone is polished to a mirror-like black sheen. Its surface seems impossibly smooth, and faint glowing runes are barely visible when viewed in dim light.

The Molten Remains of a Xenos Construct

  • Story: Harman Von Ulm once narrowly escaped an encounter with xenos while raiding a derelict tomb world. In the aftermath, he retrieved a molten fragment of one of the biomechanical guardians destroyed by his crew’s plasma weaponry.
  • Display: The fragment is held in place by four mechanical clamps, surrounded by low-level stasis fields to prevent further degradation. Holographic glyphs dance faintly above the plinth.
  • The Item: The shard is blackened and partially fused, its once-immaculate metal surface marred by deep plasma burns. Occasionally, faint emerald sparks ripple across its surface, as though some sliver of its machine-spirit still lingers.

The Fragment of the Veilshard Mirror

  • Story: Recovered by Sepedeus Von Ulm from the ruins of an Aeldari, this shard is said to have once belonged to a legendary mirror capable of showing alternate timelines. Its destruction supposedly cursed the craftworld with final misfortune.
  • Display: The shard is displayed on a silk-lined plinth surrounded by a circular frame of polished bone. Faint whispers can be heard when leaning too close to the fragment.
  • The Item: The shard is razor-thin and semi-translucent, with faint swirling patterns of pale blue and green embedded within. The edges are sharp enough to cut skin with the slightest touch.

The Mummified Hand of a Void Witch

  • Story: This hand was severed from a void-witch who attempted to curse Maximor Von Ulm during a colony rebellion. Despite being dead for centuries, the hand is said to twitch on rare occasions.
  • Display: The hand is pinned within an etched silver box lined with crimson velvet. The case is surrounded by faintly glowing wards etched into the glass.
  • The Item: The hand is withered and blackened, with long, sharp fingernails. Small runes are tattooed into the shriveled skin, glowing faintly in dim light.

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“Ode to Servitors” – The Rocksteel Testament of Flesh and Iron

Display Description:
“Calamus scribae velociter scribentis” dominates its alcove in the Von Ulm Trophy Room—a monumental rocksteel slab, impossibly heavy yet standing upright on a reinforced plinth of adamantium. The outer edges of the slab remain raw and unpolished, jagged as though freshly torn from a mountainside, symbolizing the chaotic and unrefined nature of mortal flesh before the sanctification of augmentation. However, the central face of the slab is perfectly polished, an unblemished mirror surface reflecting faint flickers of light from surrounding candles and servo-lamps.

Across this flawless expanse, acid-etched engravings unfurl a sprawling pictorial representation of servitorhood in all its grim glory. Every detail is rendered with razor precision, the surface etched so deeply that shadows fall into the grooves, creating a sharp contrast against the gleaming rocksteel. The slab seems almost alive, as though frozen in time—a snapshot of suffering, service, and salvation.

The Ritual of Servitorhood – Carved Chronicle

The central narrative of the carving follows the sacred and terrifying Ritual of Servitorhood, broken into distinct panels framed by intricate cog-toothed borders:

  1. The Selection:
    • Figures are shown bound in chains, kneeling before looming Tech-Priests. Each face is a mask of fear or mindless resignation. One skeletal priest holds a rune-carved electoo needle poised above a trembling brow.
    • Details: The chains are carved so finely they seem to rattle under scrutiny. Shadows around the figures emphasize their helplessness.
  2. The Rite of Lobotomization:
    • In the second panel, surgical mechadendrites descend from above, piercing skulls with excruciating precision. The eyes of the figures are shown wide and empty, their souls seemingly departing through hollowed sockets.
    • Details: The scalpels glint faintly in the right light, and thin lines trace neural pathways exposed by cruel incisions.
  3. The Mind-Wipe:
    • A towering cogitator-engine dominates this section, rows of brain-cases wired into its vast mass. Sparks arc from one corner of the engraving to the other, etched so deeply they appear to crackle with energy.
    • Details: The brain-jars have visible liquid ripples carved into their interiors, and faint etched binary script flickers across cogitator screens.
  4. The Augmentation of Flesh:
    • A parade of partially completed servitors stretches across this scene. Flesh melds with steel, hydraulic limbs replace frail bones, and optic sensors are fused into empty eye sockets.
    • Details: The engraved musculature seamlessly transitions into pistons and gears, and faint micro-runes glow when viewed at specific angles.
  5. The Ignition of the Motive Force:
    • The final panel shows Tech-Priests wielding electro-gauntlets, surging arcs of power flowing into the temples of newly awakened servitors. Their eyes flicker with dim mechanical light as life—of a sort—courses through their bodies.
    • Details: The energy arcs are etched with microscopic precision, almost shimmering in dim candlelight. The servitors’ faces remain frozen in expressions of serene emptiness.

Craftsmanship and Appearance:

The craftsmanship of “Ode to Servitors” is nothing short of masterful. Karfa Von Ulm’s eye for detail is evident in every micro-etching and hair-thin carving. The surface is polished to an unnatural smoothness, reflecting light in strange patterns that dance across the alcove’s ceiling. Yet the raw, unpolished edges speak to the brutal origin of both rocksteel and the mortals chosen for servitor conversion.

  • Micro-Details: Closer inspection reveals hidden symbols of the Omnissiah etched into the joints of every servitor, as well as faint prayers to the Machine God woven into cogwheel patterns around each panel’s borders.
  • Scale and Arrangement: The sheer scale of the slab makes it imposing—it towers nearly three meters tall and two meters wide. At its base, small servo-skulls hover, projecting dim light onto the engraved surface.

Symbolism and Atmosphere:

“Ode to Servitors” is not merely a trophy—it is a sermon in stone and steel. It speaks of humanity’s frailty and the divine purpose granted through servitude to the Omnissiah. The servitors are not portrayed as tragic victims, but as holy instruments of industry, war, and labor, reborn from weakness of flesh into mechanical purity.

The very air around the display feels heavy, charged with reverence and dread. Candle flames flicker in unseen breezes, and the faint scent of sacred incense lingers, as though a Tech-Priest had only recently offered their prayers here.

Above the slab, a simple brass plaque reads:

“Through Pain, Purpose. Through Flesh, Steel. Through Death, Eternity.”

“Per dolorem, Propositum. Per Carnem, Chalybem. Per Mortem, Aeternitatem.“

It is said that Karfa Von Ulm spent thirteen sleepless months carving this testament, using precision tools and sacred acids under the flickering light of plasma lamps. It remains a chilling yet reverent homage to the unsung masses who power the Imperium’s great engines of war and industry—forever bound to their duties, their flesh forgotten but their service eternal.

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The Cartographer’s Alcove: The Starbound Legacy of the Von Ulm Dynasty

Nestled within the labyrinthine Trophy Halls lies a grand alcove of imposing splendor—a cathedral of star-charts and celestial secrets, meticulously crafted and curated by Harman Von Ulm. This sacred space is both a repository of knowledge and an exhibition of the dynasty’s insatiable hunger to pierce the mysteries of the Warp and the void beyond. Here, stars burn eternal in ink and brass, and the echoes of long-dead astropathic whispers seem to linger among the aged parchments and mechanical orreries.

The Alcove’s Architecture and Atmosphere:

The walls of the alcove are paneled in dark mahogany, their surfaces etched with faint celestial patterns illuminated by flickering lumen-globes mounted in antique brass sconces. Thin streams of incense smoke curl upwards, scented with oils of nightshade and electro-sage, filling the space with a faint, dream-like haze. At the apex of the alcove’s vaulted ceiling hangs an enormous brass orrery, its planetary spheres slowly rotating in perpetual motion, driven by ancient clockwork mechanisms hidden in the alcove’s depths.

  • The Floor: An intricate mosaic of black and gold tiles forms a star map of the Calixis Sector beneath visitors’ feet, with faintly glowing rune-keys marking critical waypoints.
  • The Atmosphere: The air hums with faint electro-static energy, and the distant ticking of chrono-cogs echoes softly. Servo-skulls hover silently, their ocular lenses scanning maps or rearranging parchments on velvet-draped desks.

At the heart of the alcove stands The Grand Cartographer’s Lectern, an imposing structure carved from ebonwood and adamantium filigree. Upon it rests Harman Von Ulm’s Personal Star Map Codex, a massive tome sealed with brass locks and covered in a velvet dust-shroud embroidered with golden astral patterns.

The Star Map Collection:

The walls of the alcove are dominated by gilded map-frames, each holding star charts, warp route schematics, or fragmented parchments salvaged from forgotten archives and derelict vessels.

The Chart of Endless Night:

  • A tattered parchment map, rumored to have been pulled from the frozen fingers of a dead Navigator-Lord on a drifting voidship. It displays an unstable warp route through the Hecaton Rift.
  • Detail: The ink glows faintly under starlight, and annotations in High Gothic and binary script caution against “the song in the dark.”

The Atlas Obscura of Calixis:

  • A bound leather tome, stitched together with sinew-thread. The covers are embossed with a golden aquila, and the pages contain hand-drawn warp corridors and annotations about rogue stars.
  • Detail: The smell of ozone clings to the pages, and some illustrations are smudged with what looks like dried blood.

The Aeldari Map Fragment:

  • A small crystalline tablet etched with impossible geometry, glowing faintly with xenos script.
  • Detail: The surface shifts subtly when viewed from different angles, as if the lines are rearranging themselves.

The Shard of the Empyrean Map:

  • A piece of glassy-black stone, carved with delicate STC glyphs. Harman recovered it from a derelict vessel caught between realspace and the Immaterium.
  • Detail: When held to one’s ear, faint whispers in Techna-Lingua can be heard, reciting fragmented coordinates.

The Codex of Forgotten Lanterns:

  • A thick brass-bound codex detailing routes that flicker in and out of reliability, marked by ghost lights and ephemeral warp phenomena.
  • Detail: Certain pages shimmer faintly in low light, as if overlaid with spectral constellations.

Scrolls of Bargained Routes:

  • Rolled parchments tied with wax seals bearing foreign sigils, representing routes bought, traded, or stolen by various Von Ulm captains. Most have Navigator House symbols, while some are marked with xenos glyphs.
  • Detail: The wax seals remain untouched, hinting that some routes are yet to be explored.

Astromantic Tools and Instruments:

Scattered throughout the alcove are relics of celestial navigation and warp-route cartography, each as much a work of art as a functional tool.

The Omnissian Orrery:

  • A desk-sized brass model of the Calixis sector and Koronus Expanse , driven by clockwork precision and a faintly glowing plasma coil.
  • Detail: The stars orbit slowly the galactic core, their paths illuminated by faint blue cogitator light-lines.

Harman’s Augury Compass:

  • A pocket-sized device resembling a gilded sextant fused with a cogitator core. It was allegedly used to calculate warp jumps with great accuracy.
  • Detail: The needle, etched with prayer-script, wavers faintly even when still.

The Etheric Globe:

  • A floating glass sphere, suspended in a brass gyroscope, showing faint, shifting clouds of Warp turbulence across known routes.
  • Detail: Occasionally, ghostly faces seem to form in the swirling patterns before dissolving back into mist.

The Legacy of Harman:

Above the Grand Cartographer’s Lectern hangs a gilded plaque, inscribed in bold High Gothic letters:

“Stellas Cartographare est Vacuum Imperare. Scientia est Dominium, et Dominium est Lucrum.”
“To Chart the Stars is to Command the Void. Knowledge is Dominion, and Dominion is Profit.”

The Agonarch Engine – The Xenos Relic

Display Description:
The Agonarch Engine dominates one shadowed corner of the Trophy Room, draped in oppressive silence and an aura of visceral unease. Its jagged silhouette rises nearly three meters high, a twisted amalgamation of blackened wraithbone, razor-edged alloy, and unnatural crystal formations that pulse faintly with an eerie indigo light. Mounted on an obsidian plinth, the machine seems almost alive, its surface occasionally reflecting warped, fleeting shapes—like phantoms trapped within the material.

The engine’s central column consists of spiraling, barbed spines, their tips glistening as though perpetually wet. Mechanical and delicate, skeletal limbs—each tipped with hooked needles and hypodermic talons—jut from its upper chassis, frozen mid-motion as if the device had been interrupted in the middle of some grotesque procedure. Curved xenos runes, indecipherable and wickedly sharp in their geometry, are etched across the surface, occasionally flickering as if responding to some unseen energy source.

Despite being inert, it seems hungry. Visitors often report hearing faint, wet sounds emanating from its structure—like muffled screams carried through a distant void.

The Enigmatic Nature of the Engine:

No member of the Von Ulm dynasty has deciphered the true origins of the Agonarch Engine, nor its intended purpose. The most common assumption is that it was a xenos surgical device, perhaps used for extreme forms of biological experimentation or modification rituals.

Several theories circulate among the scholars of the dynasty:

  • Some suggest it is a device of extraction, though what it extracts—or how—remains unclear.
  • Others murmur of ritualistic purpose, hinting at intentions alien to human understanding, bound to processes best left forgotten.
  • A few, in hushed tones, propose it might be a conduit of exchange, though the nature of the trade and the cost paid are left vague.

The one common thread in all interpretations is that the device was never meant for healing.

Craftsmanship and Details:

  • Bone Framework: The core of the engine is made from blackened bone, a material not understood by Imperial scholars.
  • Crystal Nerve Conduits: Embedded in the device are dark, glass-like crystals that seem to faintly shimmer in response to presence nearby.
  • Surgical Appendages: The array of delicate, bladed mechanical arms and syringes suggests a terrifying surgical precision. Each limb is jointed with a grace almost organic, as though they could mimic the living.
  • Runes of Unknown Origin: The etched runes pulse faintly black when exposed to direct light, their shapes causing discomfort when studied too long. No known lexicon or cipher has unraveled their meaning.

Acquisition and History:

The Agonarch Engine was acquired by Elera Von Ulm during one of his later expeditions into the Koronus Expanse, discovered aboard a drifting xenos voidship whose crew had been reduced to piles of neatly arranged bones and gelatinous residue. The engine was found in the ship’s central chamber, surrounded by chains of unnatural alloy and the faint scent of coppery blood still lingering in the stale air.

Elera had the device carefully transported back to his vessel, though several crew members reported severe headaches, nausea, and violent nightmares during its transit. Upon reaching port, three deckhands were executed for attempting to “feed” the engine with one of their comrades.

Understanding the Purpose:

Though the exact function of the Agonarch Engine eludes scholars, some observations have been made:

  • When living organic matter comes within a certain proximity, the faint indigo glow in its crystals becomes more pronounced.
  • The engine seems reactive to strong emotions, especially fear, pain, and despair.
  • Tiny grooves and runnels across its surface suggest they might have once channeled blood or vital fluids into reservoirs hidden deep within its frame.

It has been noted that when left unattended for long periods, small puddles of dark, viscous fluid sometimes gather beneath it, though no one can determine their source.

Legacy in the Trophy Room:

The Agonarch Engine is now cordoned off by golden chains and purity seals, blessed by the Elera’s senior Confessor. A brass plaque on its plinth reads:

“Xenos Relic of Unknown Origin – Do Not Approach Without Authorization. ‘Suffering Unending, Purpose Unknowable.’”

Yet even these measures fail to suppress the aura of malevolence radiating from the device. Visitors to the Trophy Room often find themselves unconsciously avoiding the alcove, their eyes flicking nervously towards its looming silhouette.

It remains a dark curiosity, an enigma entwined with horror and forbidden knowledge—a trophy of power, but one that seems to stare back into those who dare to observe it too closely.

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The Etheric Generator – The Xenos Relic

Display Description:
Sealed behind a set of heavy ceramite doors reinforced with lead lining, the Etheric Waveform Generator resides in a private alcove, accessible only to the most trusted members of the Von Ulm dynasty and their senior scholars. The doors bear purity seals and faint wards of protection, and a discreet brass plaque above the entrance reads: “Restricted Access – By Writ of the Dynasty.”

Within the alcove, the air is unnaturally still, carrying an almost tangible weight of silence. The Generator itself stands elevated on a polished obsidian plinth, bathed in a soft cerulean light that emanates from the crystalline heart of the device. Its pristine white alloy structure curves and flows with an unnatural smoothness, evoking both organic grace and surgical precision.

The central translucent crystal node pulses faintly, its glow shifting subtly in response to any movement or emotional fluctuation in its vicinity. Delicate hexagonal lattice patterns seem to ripple across the device’s surface, briefly forming intricate designs before vanishing again.

Despite its elegant stillness, the device exudes an almost imperceptible hum, like a distant choir holding a single, lingering note.

The Enigmatic Nature of the Generator:

The Etheric Generator remains a mystery, even to those who have spent decades studying it. Its purpose, though seemingly benevolent, eludes concrete understanding. Those who spend extended time in its presence often report fleeting sensations of calm, focus, or even euphoria, though the emotions feel faintly unfamiliar—like borrowed emotions rather than true feelings.

Attempts to interface with or manipulate the device using Imperial technology have proven fruitless, often resulting in corrupted data streams or equipment malfunctions.

Among the more reserved scholars, uncomfortable questions linger: Is the device passive, or does it observe? Does it influence its surroundings consciously, or is it merely a tool left behind by forgotten hands?

Craftsmanship and Details:

  • White Alloy Casing: The outer shell of the device is flawlessly smooth, unmarked by seams, bolts, or any visible means of construction. Its material remains resilient to damage and impervious to scans.
  • Central Crystal Node: The translucent core glows faintly, reacting subtly to the presence of observers. Some have speculated it is psycho-reactive, though no proof exists.
  • Hexagonal Patterns: The fine, shifting lattice etched across the surface suggests some form of energy conduit or resonance interface, though their functionality remains obscure.
  • Ambient Resonance: The faint hum reverberates through the alcove when all other sounds fade, almost as if the device is breathing.

Acquisition and History:

The Etheric Generator was obtained by Sepedeus Von Ulm during a campaign deep into the Damocles Gulf, following an incursion into Xenos-held territories. The device was discovered within what appeared to be a communal ritual chamber aboard a xenos station—its resting place marked with flowing alien script.

Sepedeus, ever opportunistic, had the device dismantled and brought aboard his flagship. However, the journey home proved unsettling, with crew members reporting recurring dreams, strange emotional fluctuations, and moments of unexplainable serenity amid the chaos of warp travel.

It is said Sepedeus himself spent hours in silent contemplation before the device, emerging with bloodshot eyes and trembling hands, though no record exists of what he may have experienced.

The Skull of the Slain Scholar – The Shard of Lost Knowledge

Display Description:
In the far corner of the Von Ulm Trophy Room, behind a thick ceramite case etched with ancient script, lies the skull of a long-dead administrator. It rests upon a polished obsidian plinth, engraved with delicate runes that seem almost to shimmer in the dim light. The skull is well-preserved, encased in a clear ceramite shell that shields it from the ravages of time, and its bony structure is slightly elongated, with subtle ridges marking it as something not quite like a standard human.

The eyes of the skull are empty sockets, but in the right light, a faint glowing aura can be seen flickering in the depths, suggesting the lingering presence of an energy source once connected to it. The skull itself is unusual in form, its shape suggesting an ancient mind, far more advanced than typical human physiology.

Surrounding the skull is a network of technological augments, intricately embedded into the bone. These enhancements, based on STC machinery, have been meticulously fused to the cranium, extending into the skull as if they were always part of it. The augmentation appears to be a form of technological convergence, blending machine and biology into a seamless whole. The mechanical features include a series of smooth, metallic plates embedded into the skull’s surface, etched with complex, geometric patterns. The augments are ancient STC tech, though their purpose remains inscrutable to most.

When viewed closely, the skull seems to hum faintly, a soft energy pulse emanating from the intricate machinery embedded in its form. Despite its immobile state, it radiates a subtle energy, as though it once served a purpose far beyond the comprehension of those who now observe it. It is a silent monument to lost knowledge and forgotten power.

The Augmentation and Its Purpose:

  • STC Machinery:
    The machinery embedded within the skull is of an STC origin—highly advanced, though mysteriously not entirely understood by the scholars of the Von Ulm dynasty. The smooth metallic plates and neural connectors suggest that this was once a sophisticated piece of machinery, designed for purposes that remain unclear. The etchings on the plates are an elegant blend of geometry and organic forms, suggesting an older, forgotten aesthetics.The neural implants extending from the skull are intricately designed, allowing the machinery to interact directly with the biological components of the brain. These interfaces seem to have been used for some form of advanced data processing, possibly related to the deep knowledge stored within the individual’s mind. While the true nature of the augmentations remains largely speculative, the structure suggests they were used to amplify cognitive abilities and enhance communication with complex systems, possibly in the realm of data gathering or mental amplification.Despite their age, the augments continue to function in a limited capacity, and the skull retains a faint but perceptible electrical charge, hinting at its former capacity to interact with or control certain machinery. Its unnoticable hum is a reminder of the energy that once flowed through him, making it more than just a relic—an active link to a forgotten age.
  • Mislabeled as Archeotech:
    The Von Ulm dynasty has, perhaps by design, mischaracterized the skull’s origins. It is labeled in the Trophy Room as a piece of archeotech, likely an artifact of xenos origin, though this is a mistake rooted in the limited understanding of its true purpose. In reality, the skull’s technology shows a marked resemblance to STC systems, though it is not fully known whether it is a lost artifact from an ancient human precursor or a more recent creation that harnessed long-lost technology.This mislabeling is an attempt to enhance its mystique, though those with greater knowledge of imperial technology might see the familiar markings and assume its true origin is more ancient, possibly tied to the early human expansion or even a prehistoric STC. Regardless of its origin, its presence among other archeotech items in the room lends it a sense of mystical importance that further elevates its status.
  • A Legacy of Lost Knowledge:
    The skull’s technological enhancements suggest that it once belonged to an individual who possessed an extraordinary intellect—someone capable of understanding and manipulating advanced technology in ways that defy modern comprehension. The machinery implanted into it was clearly designed to enhance the individual’s mind, allowing it to process vast amounts of information or perhaps even link with machines in ways beyond what is possible today.The energy pulse still faintly emanating from the skull hints at a time when it was far more than just a symbol of the past. It was likely a cognitive hub capable of interacting with powerful systems or networks, functioning as a kind of living interface between organic thought and mechanical systems.

History and Story of the Trophy:

The skull was discovered by Karfa Von Ulm during an expedition into the Koronus Expanse, a region known for its mysteries and dangers. The Von Ulm dynasty, ever seeking ancient knowledge and lost technologies, had received rumors of a forgotten research vessel from humanity’s early expansion, said to be wrecked upon a desolate world.

On this forsaken world, Karfa and his crew uncovered the wreckage of a long-abandoned vessel, its hull battered by the ravages of time and the warp. Among the scattered remains of its occupants, Karfa found the skull of one of the ship’s administrators, still remarkably preserved despite its age. The skull was adorned with intricate mechanical augmentations, suggestive of a civilization that had mastered both biotechnology and machine integration.

Karfa, deeply devoted to the Omnissiah, took this find as a clear sign of divine favor. The skull, with its sophisticated, arcane implants, was seen as an affirmation of the Machine God’s approval for his quest for lost knowledge. To him, it was a sacred relic, an object imbued with both the wisdom of ancestors and the blessing of the Omnissiah for his own scholarly pursuits. He brought the skull back to the Von Ulm flagship, where it became a valued piece in the growing collection of relics from the far reaches of the Koronus Expanse.

In Karfa’s eyes, this skull is not just a relic; it is a symbol of divine favor, a confirmation that the Omnissiah’s will guides his actions. It stands as a mystical artifact, linking the Von Ulm dynasty to the forgotten powers of the past and to a realm of knowledge that may one day be unlocked.

Impact and Legacy:

The skull is a prized relic in the Von Ulm Trophy Room, and its mystique only grows as time passes. While the machinery embedded within it is labeled as archeotech, its true significance may be far more profound. This object is a physical manifestation of an advanced technological age that predates even the Imperium’s earliest days.

Collection of artefacts

  • Necron Canoptek Scarabs: Small, beetle-like constructs used by the Necrons for maintenance, repair, and excavation tasks. They can also consume and break down materials to repair Necron structures or vehicles.
  • Eldar Spirit Stones: Crystalline devices used by the Eldar to capture the souls of their dead, preventing them from being consumed by the Chaos God Slaanesh. These stones are then inserted into Wraithbone constructs or Infinity Circuits.
  • Imperial Cogitator: A computer system used by the Adeptus Mechanicus for processing data, controlling machinery, and analyzing vast amounts of information. Cogitators are integral to the functioning of Imperial technology.
  • T’au Holographic Interface Projector: A device that projects 3D holograms for communication, education, or planning purposes. It’s commonly used in T’au councils and meetings to display complex data and tactical maps.
  • Adeptus Mechanicus Omnissianic Rosarius: A holy relic worn by senior Tech-Priests, imbued with protective fields and containing sacred technology that enhances their connection to the Machine God, allowing them to perform rites and rituals with greater efficacy.

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Trophies of the Slain Beasts – Resurrected by the Master Taxidermists

The Von Ulm Trophy Room holds a collection of legendary beasts brought down by the dynasty’s greatest captains. Each one is a testament to the prowess and courage of its slayer, preserved through the craft of expert taxidermists. These creatures, once embodiments of terror, now stand as proud trophies, each displayed alongside a brief account of their slaying and the weapon that was used.

The Head of the Alien Unicorn (Horn Missing) – Slain by Sepedeus Von Ulm

Story:
During one of Sepedeus Von Ulm’s infamous expeditions into the unknown reaches of the Drusus Marches, he stumbled upon a dark world inhabited by strange equine creatures with bioluminescent horns. These beings were said to sing songs that could fracture sanity itself. Sepedeus managed to kill one such creature, intending to harvest its priceless horn.

Display:
Mounted on an ornately carved ebony plaque with silver inlays, the alien unicorn’s head is displayed high on the wall above a dimly glowing rune-inscribed pedestal. The creature’s eyes, now glass, stare hauntingly forward, their sockets rimmed with faint crystalline tears. Beneath the plaque is a brass plate reading: “The Fortune of Sepedeus.”

The Item:
The head is covered in iridescent scales that shimmer faintly under dim light. The stump where the horn was severed is jagged and blackened, as though it was wrenched away with plasma cutter. The maw is slightly open, revealing needle-like teeth—suggesting the creature was no mere herbivore.

The Ferocious Korrigon Wolf – Slain by Maximor Von Ulm

Beast Description:
The Korrigon Wolf stands in the trophy room, its fur dark as night, streaked with silver. Its muscular limbs and razor-sharp claws are displayed in an aggressive stance, its fangs bared in a perpetual snarl. Its eyes, once filled with ferocity, are now cold and lifeless, but the beast’s form still conveys a sense of immense power.

How the Beast Was Slain:
Maximor Von Ulm faced the Korrigon Wolf on a frozen world of ice and snow. Armed with a Thunderstrike Pike, a weapon designed for close-quarters combat, he fought the beast in brutal melee, using the pike’s long, razor-sharp blade to thrust into the wolf’s chest with a decisive strike. The wolf’s wild charge was halted, and the beast was brought to its knees by Maximor’s precise thrust.

The Ogryn-Bull of Volsung – Slain by Sepedeus II Von Ulm

Beast Description:
The Ogryn-Bull of Volsung stands as a massive, hulking creature, its fur thick and matted. The bull’s muscle-bound form towers over the room, and its horns, black and curled, are reminders of its terrifying strength. Its eyes, once blazing with rage, are now empty, but the beast’s sheer size and presence still dominate the space.

How the Beast Was Slain:
Sepedeus II Von Ulm encountered the Ogryn-Bull in the highlands of a war-torn planet. Armed with the Ironfist Gauntlet, a powerful close-combat weapon, he engaged the beast in brutal hand-to-hand combat. With a single devastating punch, he shattered the bull’s skull, delivering a killing blow that left the creature dead at his feet. The Ironfist Gauntlet’s imprinted damage marks the beast’s final moments.

The Basilisk of Axion – Slain by Elera Von Ulm

Beast Description:
The Basilisk of Axion stands in the room with its jaws gaping, revealing a maw full of razor-sharp teeth. Its thick, scaly hide is preserved in an aggressive, predatory stance, and its glowing yellow eyes seem to still burn with a vengeful rage. Its long tail is curled beneath it, as if ready to strike at the first sign of movement.

How the Beast Was Slain:
Elera Von Ulm fought the Basilisk on a desert world, armed with the Serpent’s Fang, a massive blade designed for slaying even the most monstrous of creatures. In a final, brutal thrust, Elera drove the blade into the Basilisk’s spine, severing the creature’s spinal cord and bringing it to an immediate, agonizing death. The serpent’s fang remains lodged in the creature’s body, a symbol of her skill and fighting prowess.

The Great Wyrm of Hades’ Maw – Slain by Felix Von Ulm

Beast Description:
The massive form of the Hades’ Maw Wyrm coils in the trophy room, its scales glistening with an iridescent sheen despite time’s toll. Its fangs, large as swords, are bared in eternal aggression. The serpentine body stretches outward, its spine ridged and covered in glittering crimson scales. The creature’s head is an imposing sight, massive and gaping, eyes forever locked in a moment of final rage.

How the Beast Was Slain:
Felix Von Ulm encountered the wyrm on an expedition to the depths of the Hades’ Maw. Armed with a Volcanic Boltgun, a heavy, long-barreled firearm, he fired the final blow into the creature’s heart, piercing its tough hide with explosive rounds. The beast’s massive form collapsed under the onslaught, and the boltgun’s powerful shot brought the deadly wyrm to its end.

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The Imperial Holy Relics – A Collection of Faith and Power

The Trophy Room within the Imperial palace is home to a revered collection of sacred relics, each one a symbol of faith, sacrifice, and the Emperor’s divine intervention. The items are enshrined within gleaming glass cases, their presence a reminder of the eternal struggle the Imperium faces and the unyielding resolve of the saints and martyrs who gave their lives for the Emperor’s glory. Below is a description of each relic, along with the benefits they are rumored to bestow upon the faithful.

The Leg of Saint Brannicus – A Miracle of the Emperor’s Wrath

Relic Description:
The Leg of Saint Brannicus stands in the center of the sacred display, encased in a magnificent reliquary made of tempered glass, allowing the faint golden glow to shine through. This leg, once human, has been transformed into a golden and unyielding symbol of faith and sacrifice. The bone appears as though forged by the Emperor’s divine will, no longer organic but a living, hardened relic that radiates the power of faith itself.

The limb, despite its savage history, is pristine, almost untouched by the ravages of time or the brutal battlefield. Its outer surface gleams with a polished golden sheen, as though consecrated by the Emperor’s light. Faint ethereal traces seem to flicker along the edges, reminders of the divine intervention that sanctified this relic during Brannicus’ final moments.

Connection to Saint Brannicus:
Saint Brannicus, the Valiant, was canonized for his heroic last stand against an overwhelming greenskin horde on Exordia IV. Severed at the knee in the midst of the battle, Brannicus’ own mortal end came at the hands of a brutal xenos assault. Yet, in his final moments, a miracle occurred. With unyielding faith, Brannicus gripped his severed leg, wielding it as a weapon of divine vengeance against the heretics. It is said that the broken bones of the leg burned with golden light, striking down one hundred greenskins before Brannicus fell.

His defiance echoed across the battlefield as he bellowed, “For the Emperor! His light will strike you down!” The Emperor’s divine light is said to have guided each strike, and the act became the epitome of martyrdom. With his final breath, he called upon the Emperor to guide the faithful, and in that moment, the leg was transformed into a holy relic—its power forever sanctified by Brannicus’ unwavering sacrifice.

Miraculous Benefits:
The Leg of Saint Brannicus is said to bestow upon those who seek it spiritual fortitude and unwavering resolve. Pilgrims who kneel before it report a profound sense of clarity and empowerment, feeling as though the Emperor himself imparts His guidance upon them. When facing overwhelming odds, warriors have claimed to experience moments of divine fury, as though they too wield the unyielding might of Saint Brannicus in battle.

Additionally, the leg’s golden hue is said to shine brightest in times of great darkness, when the Imperium is most threatened, a sign that Brannicus’ sacrifice is watching over the faithful. The relic serves as a reminder that no trial is too great for the faithful to endure, for through devotion, victory can be achieved even in the face of the impossible.

The Crown of Saint Amara

Relic Description:
A delicate yet regal crown, forged of shimmering silver and encrusted with flawless gemstones, the Crown of Saint Amara is a testament to her steadfast faith and dedication. Each gem represents one of her virtuous deeds, and the silver glows with a soft, ethereal light when worn.

Connection to Saint Amara:
Saint Amara was a noblewoman who, in the face of a brutal xenos invasion, led her people in defense of her planet. Though she fought valiantly, it was in her final moments that she became a martyr. As her forces were overwhelmed and she was struck down, Amara held her crown high, calling upon the Emperor to guide her people in their darkest hour. In those final moments, a divine light enveloped her, and her sacrifice was sanctified by the Emperor’s will. Her martyrdom is remembered across the Imperium as an example of selfless devotion and unwavering courage in the face of death.

Miraculous Benefits:
Wearing the Crown of Saint Amara is said to grant wisdom and clarity, enabling the wearer to see through deceptions and make decisions guided by the Emperor’s will. Pilgrims claim that it enhances their ability to inspire others, granting them the charisma to lead with righteousness and strength.

The Hammer of Saint Vesperian

Relic Description:
A mighty primitive warhammer, its head engraved with ancient symbols of purity and justice. The Hammer of Saint Vesperian is a weapon of divine retribution, said to have struck down xenos and heretics alike in the name of the Emperor. It is rumored that when the hammer is lifted, a pulse of holy energy radiates outward, striking down the wicked.

Connection to Saint Vesperian:
Saint Vesperian was a warrior-priest who single-handedly defended the Imperial sanctum during a xenos invasion. Her final act of defiance, using the Hammer of Justice to crush the invaders, is remembered as a symbol of the unrelenting power of the Emperor’s justice.

Miraculous Benefits:
The Hammer of Saint Vesperian is said to grant divine strength to its wielder, empowering them with the might to destroy the Emperor’s enemies. It is believed that those who wield it in battle are granted unshakable determination and the protection of the Emperor’s divine wrath, making them nearly invincible in combat.

The Chalice of Saint Elenora

Relic Description:
A silver chalice encrusted with sapphires and pearls, this sacred vessel is said to have been used by Saint Elenora during her final moments to hold the Emperor’s sacred blood. It has since been imbued with a divine aura, and it is said that anyone who drinks from it will be cleansed of sin.

Connection to Saint Elenora:
Saint Elenora was a devout servant of the Emperor, known for her acts of charity and unwavering dedication to the Imperial Creed. She was martyred by heretics, and it was during her final moments that she held the chalice, which miraculously preserved the sacred blood of the Emperor.

Miraculous Benefits:
Drinking from the Chalice of Saint Elenora is said to purify the soul and body. It is rumored to cure sickness, alleviate pain, and grant clarity of mind. Pilgrims who partake in its sacrament report a profound connection with the Emperor, feeling His presence guiding their every action.

The Rosary of Saint Celestia

Relic Description:
A string of pearls, each bead inscribed with a different prayer, the Rosary of Saint Celestia is a powerful tool of devotion. The rosary is worn as a necklace or carried during prayer, and it is said to glow with a soft, golden light during moments of intense prayer or spiritual devotion.

Connection to Saint Celestia:
Saint Celestia was a devoted nun and scholar of the Emperor’s holy teachings. Her life was marked by unyielding piety and self-sacrifice. She was martyred for her faith, but her teachings and prayers inspired many within the Ecclesiarchy to spread the Emperor’s word far and wide.

Miraculous Benefits:
The Rosary of Saint Celestia is said to grant the wearer peace of mind and protection from mental corruption. It is believed to shield against the forces of the Warp and grant the wearer unshakable faith, even in the face of overwhelming darkness and temptation.