The sinking of the dredge
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Mthulus, prime lord of the dredge, lead the first 500 dredge marines on an expeditionary force to search for certain lost artefacts that were according to Mthulus, of value to mankind. The dredge were originally designed to adapt to any planetary condition across the galaxy, but when dredge hunter drones discovered evidence that the lost artefacts may be on Krathus IV, the completely underwater planet, the original 500 led by Mthulus, equipped their deep sea narwhal pattern suits and landed on the planet. At the time, this planet was industrially mining a rare oil that was used in the hydraulics of some of the ancient patterns of Sire Walkers – huge war machines, some of which rusted away on Krathus IV, atop the waves in swaying, rig-like hangers.
What the dredge discovered on Krathus IV, was a rotten sickness poisoning the salten waters. And as a shark to blood in the water, Mthulus was drawn to its greasy seep. The ever-driving drills of Krathus IV twisted too deeply, disturbing the seabed, and exposing a dark vein leaking sinister oils that reeked of chaos. The scent of it awoke something in Mthulus he knew was there, but was unsure of its meaning. It showed itself first as a corrupted grin. Then it convinced him to the depths. Mthulus and his trusted few gazed upon the site and saw it as holy. For in the pitch black, it was the tear that shone. Mthulus set to work.
Thalpior watched his lord change and began to question the purity of Mthulus. A rift grew within the legion, between those loyal to Mthulus and those who would follow Thalpior into the purging of this new heresy.
While Mthulus was on one of his mysterious visits to the black depths, Thalpior made his move. Taking almost 50 dredge marines loyal to him, he fled the salten planet and made it to the loyalist ironworld, the hammer. Thalpior and his hammer marine brothers convened in disgust and created new plans to return to Krathus IV and destroy the traitor Mthulus, as well as his dredge heretics. The hammer marines could forge demon-killing weapons, and so Thalpior was made a new blade – a power trident destined to slay its own prime lord. With this honoured weapon, Thalpior vowed to slay Mthulus.
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