ADEPTUS MECHANICUS

THE PRIESTHOOD OF MARS

METALICA
THE GLEAMING GIANT OF ULTIMA SEGMENTUM
Metalica, a forge world nestled deep in
the Ultima Segmentum, is formed almost
entirely of metal. No flora or fauna makes
its home there, as all biological life has been
exterminated. Even the atmosphere is inimical
to life. It was not always this way, but the
Tech-Priests drove to extinction all other species so their quest
for enlightenment could continue at peak efficiency. Metalica is a
world of hissing pistons, glowing forges and strata upon strata of
industrial waste. Yet it is far from barren, for the engine-driven
monstrosities that growl out of its furnace complexes are born by
the hundred with every new dawn. The sheer auditory barrage
that rings from its gunmetal mountains is deafening, yet oddly
inspiring – and all weapons and machinery produced by Metalica
can be identified by a distinct blaring sound that is purposefully
made louder so that all foes might hear the industrial glory of
the Omnissiah before they perish. The hyper-pollution of the
planet and its proximity to the Ork empire of Charadon have
prepared its legions well for an age of war. Alongside Knight allies
from the nearby world of Kolossi, Metalica’s armies have fought
at the forefront of many battles, including the second and third
Armageddon wars. With relentless fervour, the armies of Metalica
strive to bring their own strict brand of order to the anarchy
growing across the galaxy.
THE TITAN LEGIONS
The Titans that serve the Adeptus Mechanicus are the most
powerful ground-based war engines in the Imperium. Giant
walking fortresses with firepower enough to level cities, the
largest of these god-machines carry great cathedrals to the
Omnissiah’s glory upon their broad shoulders. Though few in
number, the Titan Legions have conquered myriad foes, both
within the Omnissiah’s domain and without.
Almost all forge worlds have Titan Legions that defend
them, and Metalica is no exception. The Iron Skulls, formally
known as the Legio Metalica, is amongst the most vaunted
of its kind. Its glorious history stretches back to pre-Imperial
times. Tragically, the Legio was all but destroyed during the
Third War for Armageddon, although it has been rebuilding
ever since, hoping to reclaim its honour. Princeps Kurtiz
Mannheim, realising his allies would soon be overrun, led the
Legio Metalica and its Skitarii escort against a wave of Ork
Titan-class threats and six million Ork infantry. After slaying
an Ork Gargant in a gruelling duel, Mannheim ordered his
badly wounded Titan Steel Hammer to self-destruct, his
sacrifice killing another two Gargants and burning out the
heart out of the Ork offensive in the process.

Though Metalica’s legions are fiercely independent

from the cloying touch of Mars, the hammer and
fist icon of Metalica is depicted in deep red in
honour of their Martian forefathers.

The white robes of the Metalican warriors mirror the sterile

perfection of their lifeless world, and the purity of the machines
that thrive there. To complement these pale colours, the Metalicans
use adornments of red, either to pick out details like the cog-
toothed hem of the Electro-Priests’ robes, or as unit markings on
the hulls of Kataphron and Kastelan constructs. The touches of
crimson used to embellish the stark colours of Metalica’s heraldry
are a nod towards their heritage as part of the greater Adeptus
Mechanicus, although it is said that the forge world’s Kastelan
Robots also display the ritual colour to honour the blood they have
spilt in centuries of war.

Unusually, the heraldry of Metalica’s Skitarii is dictated by their

battlefield role. Skitarii Vanguard and Rangers wear metallic
armour plates and white robes with red linings. Sicarians usually
wear white battle plate, forgoing red altogether. All of Metalica’s
Skitarii bear gunmetal prostheses and cybernetic enhancements
made from the very same substance that covers the planet’s surface.

Vanguard unit San-323/Mk12,

Alpha Maniple, Alpha Cohort,
Foot Soldiers of the Iron Skull

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