Dramatis Personae: Cassar Illiatauri
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| [//james_t/@the_pigs_sty+] |
"Illiatauri is either a delusional buffoon, a sensationalist liar, or the most dangerous man left in Sector Pacificus. Whatever the case, I want him dead."
[//High Lord Josef Strakh, Grand Provost Marshal+]
Précis
Born on Hydraphur in c.754.M33, Cassar Illiatauri attended the Academia Caeli before securing a place at the lauded 'Collegia Tacticae Militant'. His early writing career may be charitably described as unremarkable, though the reader may find some roughly cut gems among his Collected Essays.This obscure scribe rose to prominence in 863.M33 when, in the wake of what would become known as the ‘War of the False Primarch’ he published To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae to mixed acclaim and broad accusations of fantasy and fraud – for surely, his critics scoffed, the re-appearance of a Primarch would have quickly become common knowledge across the Imperium.
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| [//james_t/@the_pigs_sty+] |
In retrospect, publishing an account of his experiences in the company of the scions of Volnoscere might have been considered unwise at best. Contemporaries speculated that, as a result of the the Annulus Umbra, it was possible that Illiatauri was simply unaware of events in the wider Imperium, or the gravity with which his work would be treated on Terra. Perhaps he was simply unable to fully appreciate the consequences of his actions at the time.
The publication of the Treatise would garner the attention of the Ordo Redactus, who took steps to suppress his claims and remove the book from general circulation. Nevertheless, a small number of copies are believed to be in private collections, and at least one proof copy was retained by the Ordo Hereticus for study – on the basis that it might reveal more clearly some of the events that took place in Sectors Morqub and Heliopolis of the Segmentum Pacificus between 780.M33 to 860.M33 – namely the highly-redacted War of the False Primarch.
The publication of the Treatise would garner the attention of the Ordo Redactus, who took steps to suppress his claims and remove the book from general circulation. Nevertheless, a small number of copies are believed to be in private collections, and at least one proof copy was retained by the Ordo Hereticus for study – on the basis that it might reveal more clearly some of the events that took place in Sectors Morqub and Heliopolis of the Segmentum Pacificus between 780.M33 to 860.M33 – namely the highly-redacted War of the False Primarch.
**
"To many, the warriors of the Astartes must seem as though cast from exactly the same mould, particularly when fully clad in warplate. Indeed I have occasionally heard it said that so similar do they look that they appear more like the fearsome automata-constructs of the Mechanicus. To the more patient observer, however, the distinctions in markings, personal heraldry and unit identifiers – even if esoteric and untranslatable – begin to emerge from the canvas of each suit of armour.
In my time with the Argyntum Stellæ, such was their penchant for veils of secrecy that I make no claim to having complete discernment of the meanings of their honorifics and sigils. I was able, however, to glean some tantalising morsels that I believe are truths regarding the Kapihe though. [...]
In my early days with the Legion, I observed at least two officers that bore the designation 'CII' in place of the commone 'CV' on the left pauldron. This variant of such a common marking, along with other peculiarities of their personal heraldry, led me to conclude that these men were chosen, and I resolved to try to discover what had made them so."
[//extr. To Walk Among Demigods. A Treatise Upon The Nature of The Argyntum Stellae +]
***
According to his account in To Walk Among Demigods, shortly after arriving in Sector Heliopolis in 786.M33, Illiatauriu was granted an audience with Volnoscere himself. The journey was an accomplishment in itself as interstellar travel in the region was becoming increasingly difficult – but why this obscure scribe should be selected from the many millions in-sector is unexplained.
While the text of To Walk Among Demigods never records any direct exchange between the 'Last True Son' and himself, it is clear that this event had a life-changing impact upon Illiatauriu. From this point onwards he appears to have viewed himself as an official chronicler of the Silver Stars. His treatise claims that he was issued a 'Warrant of Investiture' which gave him leave to meet with those of the demi-legion who consented, suggesting that Volnoscere either valued the collection of his men’s experiences, or was canny enough to recognise that investing Illiatuariu officially might at least prevent him coming to harm at the hands of Astartes unused to non-military interaction with mortals.
Regardless of any compulsion that Illiatautiu’s Warrant of Investiture might have implied, some Astartes seem to have gradually come to respect the man, perhaps seeing the merit in having their experiences remembered. Others appeared to treat him with suspicion and even outright disdain (ref: Kapihe Riverhead).
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| [//edward_r/@death_of_a_rubricist+] |
As Illiatuariu himself noted, much of his time was spent discussing past experiences. With a few notable exceptions – such as his first hand record of the Ocean Chamber, in which Volnoscere outlined and launched his counter-invasion of Heliopolis, Operation Gauntlet. Little of current operational information was ever shared – indicating that he was not privy to the inner workings of the demi-legion, nor was he permitted official access to command briefings or orders. He does seem to have partially remedied this through his acquaintance with the human crew and soldiery that were counted within the sphere of the Silver Star’s command.
Some time after mid 770.M33 – the exact date is missing from the text of To Walk Among Demigods, Illiatauriu also claims to have begun to meet more frequently with Vox Volnoscere, making him more able to supplement his anecdotal sources with a more authoritative one.
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| [//Illiatauri labelled this image as showing 'Quæsitor Maka'ala along with two of his personal guard and Ikaika, one of the Dreadnought pilots that the Silver Stars refer to as 'the quiet ones' – or nohomalie, to use the tongue of Ubi-Es.'+] [//james_t/@the_pigs_sty+] |
Illiatauriu attended Imperial Schola, so prior to meeting Volnoscere was immersed in the Imperial Creed (ref: Lectitio Divinitatus) which taught reverence for the Emperor as a deity whose will was interpreted and enacted by the High Lords of Terra. His time with Volnoscere and the Silver Stars seems to have altered his understanding of the Emperor’s divinity and the nature of the High Lords’ rule. Illiatauriu appears to have coped with such revelations remarkably well, though one might look to his reverence and awe of the Silver Stars and wonder if he didn’t simply swap one object of worship for another.
In any case, his attitude towards the High Lords, and the dogma and stagnation that their reign over the Imperium represented, quickly became one of outspoken disdain. As time went on he would reject their authority entirely.
The conclusion of conflict is rarely as neat and tidy as administrators and record keepers would like and the brutal subjugation that Orthodox forces wrought upon Partisan holdings in the dying days of The War of the False Primarch make Illiatauriu’s ultimate fate difficult to discern, however careful examination of what records are available reveal a number of possibilities.
Officially, it is considered most likely that Illiatuariu was killed by Orthodox forces conducting eradication campaigns against Partisan forces and indeed the name 'lliatauriu. C' is featured upon at least one of the rolls of death passed to Inquistrix Mox. This would suggest that The Treatise was published posthumously, however one copy that has been retained by the Ordo Hereticus is known to contain numerous annotations of suggested revisions in what appears to be Illiatauriu’s own handwriting. Curiously, A Writ of Liquidation for Caser Laitauru was found to have been filed with the 'Office of the Procurator Iudicarius Heliopolis' in early 866.M33 which lends some credence to the possibility of his having survived the War, though naturally this may be simple coincidence.
***
After the War
Officially, it is considered most likely that Illiatuariu was killed by Orthodox forces conducting eradication campaigns against Partisan forces and indeed the name 'lliatauriu. C' is featured upon at least one of the rolls of death passed to Inquistrix Mox. This would suggest that The Treatise was published posthumously, however one copy that has been retained by the Ordo Hereticus is known to contain numerous annotations of suggested revisions in what appears to be Illiatauriu’s own handwriting. Curiously, A Writ of Liquidation for Caser Laitauru was found to have been filed with the 'Office of the Procurator Iudicarius Heliopolis' in early 866.M33 which lends some credence to the possibility of his having survived the War, though naturally this may be simple coincidence.
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| [//Cassar Illiatauri, pictured aboard a Silver Stars' fleet tender during the approach to Myrea+] [//james_t/@the_pigs_sty+] |
Given the close relationships that Illiatauriu seems to have developed with his hosts over the many years spent in their company one must also consider the possibility that when it became clear to the Silver Stars that their defeat by the Pentarchy of Blood was inevitable, non-military personnel like Illiatauriu would have been afforded sanctuary by the Legion and evacuated from forward operating positions possibly even spiriting them into the Veiled Regions or Halo Stars.
Illiatauri was present during a number of key points in the war – including the aftermath of the Machinedeath, the launch of the grand sectorial counter-invasion named Operation Gauntlet, and the approach to the Myrean League. His claims – which are collated in the sister accesslog [+Chamber Borealis+] – are frequently the only ones that provide insight into the most mysterious of all aspects of the War of the False Primarch: the nature of the pseudolegion of the Silver Stars itself.
***
"I want to know."
[//attr. Orion+]