40K Lore: The Red Sands of Mars
Mars is the center of technological dominance in the galaxy–from its storied forges, issue forth the most advanced weapons in the Imperium.
Greetings Loremasters, today we are privileged indeed to be discussing the history of one of the most important planets in the Imperium. Second only to Holy Terra, and with a great deal of practical application in the defense and expansion of the Imperium, the Forge World of Mars creates the machinery of the Imperium. Let us sing the praises of the Adeptus Mechanicus and their homeworld, Mars.
Mars is the fourth planet of the Sol system. It is the domain, headquarters and principle Forge World of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Mars is the linchpin of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the greatest repository of technical knowledge in the Imperium. Martian society is highly stratified, with the lowest level consistent of unaugmented Human citizens who labour en masse at simple tasks. Most citizens aspire to gain status by joining the Skitarii. In the process, they will recieve their first bionics. Above these menials and soldiers are the ruling order, the Tech-Priests. The planet itself is ruled directly by the Fabricator-General of the Mechanicum.
From the world of Mars, many of the wonders of the Imperium have come forth–and their Skitarii legions protect their interests throughout the galaxy. Yet the planet Mars need not be shrouded in mystery–here indeed is a look at the History of this planet.
The Red Planet, as it is called, is acclaimed as a wonder of the galaxy. In the early 22nd century it became the first planet to be terraformed by humans. After being made habitable, the planet was settled by industrial cartels, and it soon developed into the first Hive World and a center of industry and scientific advancement. During the Dark Age of Technology, the empires of Mars and Earth peacefully coexisted.
During the Age of Strife, Mars endured long centuries of isolation as complete anarchy ripped through Terra.During the long time Mars was cut off from Terra by Warp storms, Mars’s own atmospheric shields gave way, exposing it to deadly radiation that devastated the planet. During this time, fallout shelters represented the only hope for one’s survival on Mars. Technology, now responsible for one’s very existence, soon became revered and the worship of the Omnissiah began in earnest.
By the end of the Terran Unification Wars, Mars had developed it’s own culture distinct from that of earth and was now guided by the Cult Mechanicus. Eventually, the Emperor would unite Terra and establish a union with Mars, bringing the red planet back into the fold. During the Great Crusade, the Titan Legions of Mars marched alongside the newly created Space Marines. However, during the Horus Heresy Mars became a key battleground as the loyalist Mechanicus and Dark Mechanicus split. In the resulting Schism of Mars, which devastated the planet, the Dark Mechanicum eventually emerged victorious. After the traitors took over Mars, the Imperial Fists blockaded the world for several years as the Heresy waged, “liberated” by Horus’ traitor forces during the final stage of the Solar War. Mars was again claimed by the Imperium after Horus was defeated in the Battle of Terra.
1,500 years later during the War of the Beast in M32, relations between the Adeptus Terra and Mechanicum degenerated due to the scheming of the then-current Fabricator-General Kubik. A crisis eventually erupted between the two powers over the custody of Tech-Priest Eldon Urquidex. After a tense standoff, the Fists Exemplar exchanged fire with Skitarii forces before Kubik backed down and agreed to hand over Urquidex.
Mars would again became a battlefield during the North-South Mars Conflict of M34.
And yet, in the present day, Mars is a powerhouse among the Imperium, whose importance cannot be underestimated. It is home to untold billions of servitors–the lifeblood of the Imperium-as well as the mightiest fleet in the Imperium, the Battlefleet Solar; above the equator vast space docks float in geo-stationary orbit. Mars serves as the Segmentum fortress of Segmentum Solar, and is the home world of several Titan Legions, including the Legio Ignatum.
And yet there are rumors that the C’tan Void Dragon resides deep under Mars’ surface. Another rumor, though strictly rejected by the Iron Hands, says that Ferrus Manus survived the Isstvan V massacre and now resides on Mars. Little wonder, considering how miraculous this world is–and yet they are rumors only.
In M41, Mars itself would come under attack by a bizarre suicidal Necron raid. Somehow, five Necron Shroud Class Light Cruisers managed to penetrate the formidable planetary defenses of the world. After pursuing the invaders to a mining complex in the northern regions of the planet known as the Noctis Labyrinthus, defense ships were finally able to catch and destroy the Necron vessels, though only to great cost to themselves. Moreover, one ship managed to actually land on the soil of Mars before being vaporized. What the Necrons hoped to gain by this remains a mystery.
Whatever they may have gained, surely Mars has advanced tenfold by disassembling the Necrons and better understanding their inferior technology so that the Imperium shall benefit.
