Written by :: Raymond Tan
November 13, 2002

Farseer Lahmer stared into the void that the monkeigh called "space". He let out a slow and long breath, not understanding how this beautiful landscape his race once knew as their territory was now being ripped asunder by these usurper races. Populated by bright beacons in the sky, Craftworld TergaDare was making its ponderous journey through the sector of Anaris.

Anaris, a name that meant "death in heat" as his ancestors had once called it, is a sector that bore two suns at each ends of the system which eventually gave it the lustrian paradises within its system. Verdant jungles populate most planets, creating a wonderful oasis in the cold dark galaxy for all types of Craftworlds to refuel and restock in the past. With the Fall, it is now sparsely populated by monkeigh and their polluting hive-cities and more recently, by a troupe of Tau traders at the outer rim of the system.

The Craftworld had long arrived in this sector-all the while, unknown to the Imperium-to gather information and locate the place where his ancestors had once left behind a truly powerful artefact. An artefact called the Extinguisher of Stars, once able to transform barren worlds into lustrous paradises; the Farseer has all intentions of securing this item once more. The Seers believe that this system was created specifically as an enclave for the artefact that they were hunting for, ironic how the device to create other planets should be hidden in the one system that exemplified the devices' ability.

"Seer Lahmer, Seer D'Nomyar has returned from the planet surface and seeks your council. He awaits you in the Crystal Grove," interrupts Warlock Hareim.

"I shall be there shortly," replies Farseer Lahmer.

As the oval-shaped portal parted at the iris, Farseer Lahmer steps into the Crystal Grove. Surrounded by a moat of trickling brooks and a canopy of twisted vines, this was the place where the Craftworld Seers often met, in the peaceful and tranquil gardens of the Crystal Grove.

"Beautiful isn't it, how we find solace in the one place that eventually becomes our tomb," Farseer Lahmer greets Farseer D'Nomyar as he descends the rocky outcrop.

"My brother, I have dire news. I would have waited to bring news to you but the emergence of the Hive Fleet north of the system strikes me with fear. We must not allow another Iyandeen Incident to repeat itself. Futhermore, the Tau Traders that we scanned earlier, seem to be growing in strength as more reinforcements pour in from the ends of the system. The monkeigh will not take to this garrison too fondly and may launch a xenos to search and destroy all life forms non-human," Farseer D'Nomyar replies as calmly as he could. The fear of losing the Craftworld to the Great Devourer or the Imperium of Man would be a great loss indeed.

"That is indeed true; I do sense that the monkeigh has started to push towards the eastern sector of the system. Reports have indicated that a battlebarge belonging to the Blood Angels have arrived into this region and have started planet-fall into Yrmgril. In another report I have gathered, it seems our old nemesis has returned-Chaos in the form of Iron Warriors. These foul creatures have also gathered in the eastern fringe as it seems to lack the human garrisons," Farseer Lahmer reported the findings of his side.

"Is it so? Those creatures of the abyss shall not leave this system alive! This incursion will for certain attract more Imperial troops into the planet Yrmgril. I will take leave immediately to exact our wrath unto the dark creatures." Anger could be seen in the eyes of Farseer D'Nomyar. Years of warfare with Chaos have thought him innumerable things about them and he could not bear his contempt for them.

"Calm yourself my brother. Let us not make haste in decisions, for the wise shall seek aide. I have opened communications with the Tau Expeditionary force and they seem quite open to the notion of an alliance. I have also gathered that they have located the planet Yrmgril in the bid to save it from the clutches of the ignorant monkeigh. It seems that they have an interest in that planet as well. The original Tau inhabitants of the planet Yrmgril are currently under siege by the Imperial forces. My council is that we move against Chaos and eradicate the Hive Fleet's presence in the system," replies Farseer Lahmer.

"Enough said; I shall lead our forces to make planetfall and assault the Iron Warriors. The Chaos shall now bear witness to the wrath of TergaDare!" Exclaimed Farseer D'Nomyar, obviously not taking much heed to Lahmer's advice.

"So shall it be then. The incursion shall be stemmed and once peace is attained, we shall resume the search for the lost artefact. I fare you well my brethren, take peace and may Asurmen bless your blade."

With that, both the Seers made their farewells and prepared for the many months of battles to come in the Glades of Yrmgril; a planet on the outermost rim of the system of Anaris, a once desolate and insignificant planet, now thriving with trades as the Tau colonists have established trade routes with many other large sectors, using the planet as a distribution centre. The clash that will ensue in the coming months is the result of the need of an Imperium expansion as well as the opening up of more trade routes for the Tau civilisation. The loss of Yrmgril to the Tau would mean major economic trade cut-offs leading to lack of resources for its expansion. The Imperium however just wants to re-conquer this planet in its bid to rid the system of all xenos and eventually gain military might.

The timely insurgence of Chaos is part of the Wake of Chaos as battleships after battleships leave the Eye of Terror under the command of Warmaster Abbadon the Despoiler. The Iron Warriors it seems, have been designated the Anaris system as part of his campaign strategy to reclaim the Galaxy under the name of Chaos. With so much garrisons located within the system, it is without surprise that the Iron Warriors chose to create an outpost using Yrmgril as they saw the Tau to be a feeble race. They however, did not realise that the Imperium was also pushing this direction.
Wisps of Tyranid spores have always plagued this system but now it seems the Fleet remains dormant. The Hive it seems, is unperturbed by the events unfolding around itself. Fears within the planet inhabitants claim that it is gathering its strength and coming out of the stasis that it has been held in for the long journey across space.

The stage is set and the forces are at the ready.

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