The Dornian Heresy - The Bolter and Chainsword

The
Dornian
Heresy
Index
Astartes:
White
Scars
by
Ferrata
Though a trusted friend to Warmaster Horus, it was Jaghatai Khan’s
fate to fall to the clutches of Slaanesh. The Dark Lord of Ecstasy
enticed the White Scars’ Primarch with promises of material wealth,
power and above all else, freedom from the confines of the Imperial
war machine. Their betrayal was as swift as their attacks and equally
devastating; bringing a tear to the eye of the sternest warrior. Though
Jaghatai himself has long-since lapsed into decadent and ecstatic
repose, his khans still terrorise the Imperium with lightning strikes;
each a mockery of the Emperor they used to serve.
Origins
The inhabitants of Mundus Planus
know nothing about the past of their
world, the truth hidden deep in ancient
lore kept secret since the Heresy. The
only surviving text, The Terror of
Quan Zhou, predates the arrival of the
Imperium of Man to Mundus Planus,
when the people called their home
Chogoris. The long verses paint a
picture of soaring mountains, vast
green plains and deep turquoise seas.
Cities of white stone sparkled along the
coasts of these oceans, their inhabitants
living prosperous and comfortable
lives under their leader, the Palatine.
Though they had achieved little beyond
basic black powder technology, these
metropolises were havens of luxury
and learning. Opposed to these high
walls lay the spartan land of the Empty
Quarter, which stretched featureless for
as far as the eye could see. Scattered
across the plains were tribes of
horsemen; nomads whose savagery and
lust for battle were infamous across the
lands.
Many of the tribesmen‟s own fables
told of the dreaded Talskar tribe and
their khan, or leader. Though he was
called many names, such as Aŭdac,
Ciĥttera and Mephaeta, amongst his
own he was Jaghatai, the great warrior.
His legend began when Ong, then the
khan of the Talskar, happened upon a
small child wandering lost across the
plains. Knowing that any soul alone in
his world should return to the earth
within a day, he was astonished to find
the boy had survived the passing of the
moon. Believing he was a gift from the
Sky Father, Ong took the youngster as
his own. Teaching him the arts much
valued by their society, Jaghatai
became a master of the bow, the sword
and the horse. His tactical wisdom and
foresight earned him the respect of
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many of his father‟s bondsmen, though
others mocked him for preaching of a
united tribe of the plains.
Sensing the power and potential of his
son, Ong heeded the young Jaghatai's
words, approaching many tribes under
the banner of peace. Initially, few gave
them presence in their camps, deeming
such friendships signs of weakness and
a plea for aid. Countless times the
Talskar had to prove their strength in
arms to be allowed to leave alive. But,
against the odds, and eased by the
smooth tongue of Jaghatai, a fledging
alliance grew around Ong and the
Talskar. Unfortunately many still
refuted this new nation and war
continued to rage across the Empty
Quarter. When brute force did not
achieve the desired result, raiders of
the Kurayed tribe ambushed Ong and
Jaghatai. Father and son fought backto-back,
the last two remaining souls of
their hunting party. Skill and courage
won the day and the two returned to
their encampment more determined in
their quest. Reinvigorated, the united
tribe prospered and gained strength as
more khans pledged themselves and
their families to Ong‟s banner. Soon
their lives were luxurious and
comfortable; a rarity which had not
been seen upon the steppes before,
where food could be promised and
children were allowed to play. Jaghatai
was held as a champion of the times,
holding true to the ideals and virtues of
his teachings. Even as this young
nation bloomed to life, fate would play
heavily against it.
While riding the plains one day,
Jaghatai came across three horsemen
from the white cities attempting to
ravish a young tribeswoman. Years of
luxury had not dimmed the skills of the
young warrior, who quickly took the