Eternal Disciples

In praise we unite, In devotion we ascend

Belief is war, War is endless

Heraldry: A gold skull with a Chaos star

emblazoned on the forehead

Colours: Silver and red armour with gold

brass trim.
Origins

The Eternal Disciples trace their lineage to Astartes who, in the aftermath of the Horus Heresy,
believed that their failures were a consequence of having fallen from favor with the Chaos gods.
Driven by a profound desire to atone and regain the blessings of the Gods, these future Eternal
Disciples embarked on a divergent path of repentance and unwavering devotion. Although all the
original founding members have long passed away and no records remain, the Warband holds to the
belief that they primarily splintered from the Word Bearers. The Warband's objectives evolved along
with the Warband itself, and the Warband now fervently pursues the expansion and fortification of
Chaos worship throughout the galaxy.

Beliefs and goals

The Eternal Disciples believe that their ultimate triumph lies not only in ceaseless front-line combat
but in the deliberate expansion of Chaos worship. Their primary objective is to nurture the
veneration of the Chaos gods, employing any means to propagate their faith.

The Warband identifies its foremost adversaries as the Ecclesiarchy and other Imperial organizations
devoted to eradicating Chaos worship and promoting the Imperial Cult. The Eternal Disciples hold all
races who go against the will of the Gods with heretical hatred and will not miss an opportunity to
strike when one presents.

Homeworld - Canaath

The world of Canaath was insignificant.

Easily brought into compliance during the
Great Crusade, the isolated world
remained unchanged after being inducted
into the wider imperium of man.

The feudal agricultural world boasted a

population in the low millions. The Planet
did not produce a notable quantity of any
good and was in an isolated and non-strategically important sector of imperial space. The only
notable feature of Canaath was the frequent warp storms that occurred around the planet and thus
deterred any space travel to the region.

The planet consisted of one large mega-continent covered in low pastoral farmland with wide
shallow rivers and almost no other terrain features except for low stony hills of black rock. The planet
was ruled by a feudal hierarchy of nobles, the highest rank of which was given the title of Governor
for the imperium.

However, in an unknown age, the space around the planet was consumed by a Warp storm of
indefinite duration, severing it from the Imperium. Isolated, Canaath succumbed to the influence of
the Warp, with many inhabitants willingly embracing Chaos worship to survive as the planet
corrupted and their way of life died. Warp storms on the surface of the planet turned the fertile
valleys into barren mires.
Life on Canaath

Life on Canaath was utterly changed forever by the warp storm that isolated the planet for
generations. The warp storm affected the atmosphere and the planet itself, corrupting the world and
the people. Civilization crumbled and the population dwindled as the survivors turned savage and
began unknowingly worshipping the Chaos gods.

Driven by a prophetic vision, Apostate Tiberius rediscovered Canaath and the masses of willingly
converted followers of the Chaos Gods. The Eternal Disciples recognized an opportunity to establish
their dominion. The Warband had long been searching for a suitable homeworld to achieve a
long-held goal.

The Warband's founders who claimed to have been present at the event of Monarchia, aspired to
rebuild Canaath as its counterpart. Rallying the population, they initiated the construction of the
"City of the Faith".

The population of Canaath willingly followed the Warband as they believed the Eternal Disciples to
be divine and sent by their gods. Under the ministration of the Eternal Disciples, the faithful on
Canaath learned of the true names and nature of the Gods they worshipped.

Over generations, the City of Faith was constructed. Built on an outcropping of dense black oily
stone, the City was envisioned as an immaculate shrine devoted to the worship of Chaos. However,
the city has since descended into a flat sprawling warren of winding streets and dank allys,
punctuated by grim temples, dark shrines, and gothic cathedrals these buildings of benefaction press
close to dilapidated tenements and black factories that churn out black clouds of caustic smoke.

The populace is expected to carry out any task with religious fanaticism, whether it be labouring on
construction projects, working as a clerk in the administration, or churning out materials in a
manufactum. Daily rituals and ceremonies are performed to placate their gods, and the entire
population lives in perpetual fervor. The Eternal Disciples play the role of subjugators, dark
preachers, and masters, ensuring the population remains as devoted to the worship of Chaos as the
Brothers are.

The Eternal Disciples are not benevolent rulers of the population but are as callous, cruel, and
bloodthirsty as all worshippers of the Chaos Gods. A civilian who hasn't based themselves in worship
or devoted their life to toil may be more useful as a sacrifice in a ritual. The Warband views most
citizens as unworthy of the Chaos Gods gifts and drives the masses to greater and greater acts of
profane worship until they have proven themselves.

Canaath is not immune to the intricate machinations of the Chaos Gods. Rival sects of cultists, each
favoring a different god, engage in violence, vying for dominance in the city. The Eternal Disciples
tolerate this infighting as long as it does not impede the propagation of their faith.

Life on Canaath mirrors an eerie imitation of an Imperial world, complete with a governing noble
class, a bureaucratic middle class who oversees the work gangs and supervises the dark
manufactories and lower working classes. Notably, a significant percentage of the population
comprises enslaved persons whose only duty is to toil indefinitely on construction projects and in the
manufactorums.

A number of the population comprises lay persons of the Faith. These fanatics devote themselves
entirely to the worship of the Faith or the warband. Every religious site, from the lowliest shrine in a
niche to the Cathedrals, has a score of devoted volunteers who fulfil any role required in the temple
from general maintenance to voicing the chanting chairs during sermons.

Pilgrims are also a common sight on the streets of Canaath. These faithful move from one holy site to
the next, praying and carrying out rituals to please their gods. These fanatics are dangerous and the
throngs of these chanting devotees are usually avoided by other inhabitants of the city.

The Nobility of Canaath live their lives in the belief that, if they wished, they could easily reintegrate
themselves into the upper echelons of the Imperium. However, very few of the Nobility have tested
this theory and the needle teeth and pale almost paper-white skin mutations common on Canaath
quickly uncover the Noble as a Chaos worshipper leading to a quick death on any Imperial world.
However, the more discreet Canaathians are used as agents for Chaos Cults on Imperial worlds and
have been successful in the establishment of sites of worship.

Fortress Monastery

The Fortress Monastery of the Warband is referred to as the Bastion. Constructed at the center of
the city, on the highest plateau sits the Eternal Disciples Monastery fortress. Built of the same black
oily stone that the fortress rests on. The Monastery consists of a colossal citadel that rings an internal
courtyard. This imposing citadel houses all the barracks, dark libraries, training facilities, and
armouries. In the courtyard at the center of the colossal perimeter wall is the Eternal Disciples Grand
Cathedral referred to as the Altar.

The Altar is the site in which all the Warband's ceremonies and rituals take place. The Cathedral is
the religious center of life in the Eternal Disciples but also for the city. The Civilian population of the
city is permitted to enter the main hall of the Warband's Cathedral, this is to ensure there is a steady
supply of worshippers at the shrines and altars.

Battle Doctrine

The Eternal Disciples view combat as an extension of their worship, through their actions on the
battlefield they can show their religious zeal. As warfare is an extension of their worship, the majority
of their conflicts are driven by religious motives, often directed at attacking and desecrating rival
religious sites or pursuing lost knowledge of their religion, relics, and weapons.

The Warbands' battle brothers are trained to fight as an effective gunline. Firing relentlessly as they
push toward the enemy position or their strategic goal. The Brothers are expected to advance almost
relentlessly but not to throw their lives away and instead will use overwhelming firepower to
overcome any stubborn resistance. The Eternal Disciples will employ the use of Havoc squads and
war engines such as Rhino’s and Helbrutes to help turn the tide of any fight.

As masters of the dark sorcery, the Eternal Disciples will always field a capable Sorcerer during
combat. Summoned Daemons are almost always present when the Warband goes to war. The
Warband's Sorcerers are proficient in the dark profane rituals that call their daemonic allies forth.
Additionally, the Warband will employ Chaos Spawn and Possessed. These units touched by the
Chaos gods are revered as saints and will form the spearhead of an attack. If killed in combat their
remains, if they can be located, will be collected by the Warband so the deified brother can be
entombed in the Grand Cathedral on Canaath.

In any campaign the Eternal Disciples undertake, the bulk of the fighting force consists of Cultists.
These Cultists exhibit a broad spectrum of capabilities, ranging from traitorous Militarum to fanatics
armed with little more than their faith. The strategies employed by the cultists range from human
wave charges to specialist insertion missions depending on their desired goal. Due to heavy reliance
on auxiliary troops, the Warband finds itself with a constant need for more slaves, the Eternal
Disciples often strike at isolated parts of the Imperium where slaves or converts can be easily
acquired and brought back to their home world for indoctrination.

Recruitment

Before the events that precipitated the Purge, the Eternal Disciples harbored a reluctant stance
towards selecting recruits from Canaath. This reluctance stemmed from a deep-seated perception
that Canaathians were no more than backwater slaves—chattel destined solely for ceaseless toil,
deemed unworthy to serve within the sanctum of the Warband.

External forces, beyond the Warband's control, eventually coerced a shift in this stance, leading them
to reluctantly turn to Canaath for recruits. However, their selection process remained highly
meticulous. Only children recently born and relatively free of mutation were considered. These strict
selection guidelines predominantly favoured the children of the Nobility whose relatively sheltered
lives produced the most desirable candidates. As a result, the majority of Canaathians selected were
chosen from the upper echelons of Canaathian society. Induction into the Eternal Disciples was
perceived as a prestigious endeavor by the planet's nobility, altering the dynamics and paving the
way for the Native-born Canaathians to ultimately seize control and reshape the Warband.

Upon induction as aspirants, the initial duty thrust upon these potential recruits is to toil within the
Eternal Disciples's holy sites, overseen by the watchful eye of the Lord Confessor. Clad in robes of a
deep reddish-pink hue, cinched at the waist with rough ropes, and heads concealed beneath large
hoods, aspirants become the silent caretakers of the Warband's temples. Their responsibilities span
from general maintenance, to standing vigilant at shrines and assisting the Brothers in the execution
of religious rituals.

Once an aspirant demonstrates unwavering dedication to the worship of the Chaos Gods, they
transition to the tutelage of the Lord Relictor. Here, they delve into duties related to the Libraries,
armories, and the Warband reliquary. Through these duties, aspirants acquire the skills to maintain
arms and armor, delve into the histories of the Eternal Disciples and its members, and deepen their
understanding of the Warband's sacred relics.

Finally, under the guidance of the Lord Militant, aspirants hone the combat skills required of a
Brother. They partake in raids, proving their mettle in the crucible of battle and solidifying their role
within the Eternal Disciples. Eventually, an aspirant will be required to complete a task set to them by
the Lord Militant, this task can range from assisting in an armed Chaos uprising, establishing a new
Cult on an Imperial world, raiding a holy site, or recovery of a relic. All these tasks are duties they
would be expected to carry out as a Brother of the Warband.

Leadership

The leader of the warband is referred to as the Apostate. The Apostate is viewed as a representative
of the God's will made manifest and wields absolute power over the Eternal Disciples. The Apostate
is a position earned through influence and power and the transfer of power between Apostates is
rarely smooth or peaceful. Any Brother if he has distinguished himself in the virtues of warfare, the
mastery of the Faith, and has enough support from his Brothers and the approval from a High Lord
they can claim the title from the Apostate Master.

Beneath the Apostate are the Warband members who hold the rank of Captain. The most senior
Captain would normally direct the combat forces of the Warband and hold the honorific title of Lord
Militant. The Lord Militant is tasked with all the responsibilities of prosecuting war for the Warband.
The Lord Militant also ensures Cults on Imperial words are supported if possible. The Lord Militant
will attempt to foster armed Chaos Resistance and utilises an extensive network of agents to
empower Chaos Cults.

Lord Confessor is the honorific title granted to the highest Rank Chaplin who holds the duty to
administer the faith of the Warband and to the faithful on Canaath. The Lord Confessor is to ensure
the Eternal Disciples aren't swayed to one god or another but remain steadfast in their undivided
devotion. The role is difficult and the Lord Confessor is rightfully feared by members of the Warband
as crossing them usually results in entombment in a Hellbrute. However, the same fate awaits any
Lord Confessor who fails in their duties. The Lord Confessor also holds the responsibility for selecting
recruits for the Warband.

The Lord Relictor is the title given to the master of the Eternal Disciples's relics. The Lord Relictor will
toil in the reliquary tending to the relics, arms, and armour of the Warband. Additionally, they have
the duty to store the Warband's records and the writings of the other Warband members in large
libraries of religious texts. The Lord Relictor will compile these texts into tomes of lore and these
grimoires are distributed as holy books to Chaos Cults on Imperial worlds to enhance their
understanding of the worship of Chaos.

While outside the Eternal Disciples structure, the civilian government of Canaath is of note. A High
Prince holds sway over the government and appoints civilian counterparts to the Warbands
leadership, this includes a High Priest, Field Marshal, and Master Engineer. The title of High Prince is
Hereditary and has been held by the Osa family for generations. These civilian officials are tasked
with the smooth running of the city and often are just as feared by the population as the Eternal
Disciples.

Culture

Life within the Eternal Disciples embraces a profound individualism, emphasizing each Brother's
unique connection with the Chaos Gods. This individuality results in intricate lives. Warband
members are expected to embody various roles: scholars and preachers of dark lore, skilled warriors,
participants in hedonistic rituals, and masters of life and death. Despite the liberty to pursue
individual worship, all Brothers must maintain unwavering devotion, approaching every task with
religious fanaticism.

The key duty of a Brother is to cultivate the worship of Chaos. To this end, the brothers are tasked
with tending to the masses, and will typically claim a temple or shrine where they fervently preach
the dark gospel of the Chaos Gods. The atmosphere within these sanctuaries is thick with ritualistic
incense, the air pulsating with otherworldly energy that mirrors the chaotic forces they venerate.

The preaching itself is a theatrical spectacle, with the Brother clad in ominous vestments of a deep
reddish pink, worn over their armour. The flickering light of dimly lit candles casts eerie shadows
across the sacred space, as the Brother weaves tales of ancient malevolence and promises of
ascension through chaos.

The congregation, an assembly of fervent cultists, listens intently as the Brother's voice resonates
with a supernatural cadence. The words spoken are cryptic and laden with esoteric knowledge,
designed to instill both awe and fear in the hearts of the faithful. Often, rituals accompany the
sermons, further immersing the worshippers in a sensory experience that blurs the lines between
the material and the metaphysical. These dark masses tend to devolve into animalist affairs of every
nature.

These claimed temples or shrines become gathering points for those drawn to the Brother's
magnetic presence, forming a devoted following that eagerly embraces the chaotic wisdom imparted
during these ritualistic gatherings. The Brother, in turn, becomes a spiritual guide, navigating the
delicate balance between dark enlightenment and the unbridled chaos that permeates the core of
their beliefs.

Scholarship is a core tenet of the Warband's beliefs. Brothers are required to record their deeds
carried out in the name of their Gods and any revelations made during worship. These profane
records are collected by the Lord Relictor, and scribes compile these texts into holy books. Brothers
engrave the sacred texts onto their armour or fix passages and pages to their armour with wax seals.
To cultivate their knowledge of their gods, any Brother can, with the approval of any high lord, lead
expeditions to recover relics, lore, or artifacts.

Even in death, a Brother's duty persists. Bones are recovered and interred in temples and shrines for
the faithful to pray to. The Bones of Lords and notable members find their resting place in the Grand
Cathedral, guarded by statues of their likeness. However, should a Brother bring shame to the
Warband, their bones are discarded on the fortress stairs. These stairs, frequented by pilgrims,
become a macabre pilgrimage site where the fallen's bones are collected by the faithful as relics.

Notable members

Offa Alaric is the current Apostate. A gifted strategist, an exceedingly competent warrior and
devoted to worship. Apostate Alaric is the longest serving Apostate having held the position for
nearly 100 years.

Sigeric Osa was the first Native Canaathian member of the Warband. A highly devoted individual,
eventually he was appointed to the position of Lord Confessor. In this position Sigeric was able to
prosecute members of the Eternal Disciples he saw as unworthy, this led to tension in the Warband.
It is believed that Sigeric called the storm which isolated Canaath and empowered him to select
natives for induction to the Warband. Sigeric planned and executed the purge and personally killed
the Apostate Septicus and Chosen Champion Zephyr during the massacre mass.

Wilared Alfur is the current Chosen Champion of the Warband. Alfur is rightfully respected by his
Brothers and while not a Lord of the Warband is present during command meetings and his advice is
always sought as he is viewed as blessed by the Gods.

The Litany of Dread is an ancient Helbrute. The name of the pilot inside is lost but it's recorded, he
was originally a Dark Angel who fell to Chaos. This Fallen slew a mighty beast that dwelled on the
plateau the City of Faith Is built on. Sometime after this, the Fallen was entombed for reasons
unknown. The Litany of Dread stands vigil in the Grand Cathedral at the heart of the Citadel.

Seia Fulviana is a General in the Canaath cultist military. Previously she was a Commissar in the
Imperium. Wounded in the defence of her planet, she was taken prisoner by the Warband. It is
unknown what truly happened on the transit back to Canaath, but Fulviana converted during the
transport and became a zealot for the gods. Her training, ambition, and faith allowed her to gain the
position.
Notable events
Pre Canaath

As stated before the majority of the information about the Eternal Disciples before settling on
Canaath has been lost. This is due to the massacre of these members and the destruction of records
from this time. Lord Confessor Sigeric oversaw the destruction of this information after the Canaath
Black Mass Purge. Sigeric wanted to distance the new Eternal Disciples from the old Eternal Disciples
which he viewed as vain, heretical, and unworthy.

The Scouring Campaign

After establishing themselves on Canaath the Eternal Disciples turned its attention outwards once
again. During their raids, the Warband was able to capture an Aeldari Seer Cailue Kresh. The
prophetic ability of the Seer was greatly admired by the Apostate Tiberius and the Seer was taken as
a prized slave by him. During the Seers enslavement Tiberius would turn to the Kresh for advice,
believing through the Seer he could lead the Eternal Disciples to another significant success.

At first, the Cailue Kresh provided useful information that led the Warband to victory, however once
convinced Apostate Tiberius would follow the prophecies without question, the Seer led the
Warband into a devastating campaign against the Drukhari. During one of the bitter battles, Apostate
Tiberius was killed. In the confusion of battle and the power struggle following Tiberius's death,
Cailue Kresh was able to escape.

The Eternal Disciples sustained heavy casualties and were forced to retreat to Canaath. At this time
another unusually intense warp storm isolated Canaath again, unable to raid for recruits the
Warband led to the selection of the first Canaathian recruits.

The purge

Tension existed between the native-born Canaathian members of the Warband and those who
originated on other planets. Canaathians viewed themselves as utterly devout, being chosen by the
gods, who have proven their devotion. The Canaathians believed the Eternal Disciples were sent to
their planet by divine intervention. Angels of their gods, and they believed through dedication they
could ascend to join the ranks of these angels. However, the Eternal Disciples viewed the
Canaathians as nothing more than slaves, chattel to be used to complete their goals.

As the Canaathians integrated with the Eternal Disciples, they began to despise the other Warband
members, seeing them as bargaining their worship and exchanging praise for selfish reasons. The
Canaathians conspired to rid the Warband of the unworthy. This plot would develop into a massacre
after which the Warband was changed forever.

The Warband upon returning from a successful raid attended the Altar for a ceremonial mass. During
this mass, Sigeric armed the Native-born Brothers and weaved a powerful enchantment that drove
the masses of Canaathians civilians into a frenzy, during this frenzy the non-canaath members of the
Warband were purged.

Rebirth of the Eternal Disciples

After the Purge, the Warband began utilising the cultists in battle, preaching to the faithful, allowing
civilian development of the City of Faith, and allowing the nobility to restore their titles and positions
of government. The Eternal Disciples, as it stands currently, is a direct result of this purge. The
Warband is now almost completely made up of Canaathian born members.
Rising of Septerpirma

During the 9th Black Crusade, the Eternal Disciples were tasked with the subjugation of Septerpirma,
an Imperial hive world. This task was outlined to be a distractionary strike and was expected to be
resolved quickly as the world was small and relatively unimportant.

Before the invasion of the planet, the Warband empowered several Chaos Cults, which with the
assistance of agents orchestrated a successful Chaos revolt. At the height of the battle, the Planetary
Defence Forces were on the verge of crushing the Cultists when the Warband arrived to turn the
tide. However, the PDF was well-trained and led by a competent commander who turned the battle
into a war of attrition in the urban landscape of the city. The battle dragged on and the Warband fell
behind in the expected timeline of the crusade.

Eventually, with the assistance of daemonic allies the Warband overran the small world, but the
victory was short-lived as an overwhelming powerful Imperial task force was detected approaching
the planet.

The Eternal Disciples fled, taking only the most useful cultists with them leaving the others to fend
for themselves. Septerpirma was deemed fallen and an Exterminatus was ordered on the planet.

The ravaging of Ophelia VII

The most recent notable engagement fought by the Eternal Disciples occurred during the 13th Black
Crusade, the Warband was deployed, like the majority of Chaos Forces, within the Segmentum
Obscurus.

Ophelia VII, being the oldest cardinal world and second in sanctity to Holy Terra, was always viewed
as a target of the Eternal Disciples. Apostate Alaric, upon hearing reports the Cardinal world was
under attack by a demonic force broke orders and made with all haste to the planet unable to pass
up this golden opportunity to desecrate one of the holiest sites in the Imperium.

The Eternal Disciples made landfall on the planet but instead of assisting the Daemonic forces the
majority of the Brothers and Cultists focused their efforts on the destruction of holy sites, pillaging of
relics, and capturing imperial citizens. During their ravaging, the Warband fought a handful of
small-scale battles against the Sisters of Battle and ultimately retreated before the Indomitus
Crusade.

However, a significant portion of the Warband remained on Ophelia VII unwilling to give up their
prize without a fight. These Brother and the Cultist allies were soundly defeated, along with the
forces of The Tyrant of Bluefame by the Indomitus Crusade forces.

Current position

The Eternal Disciples are currently cloistered on Canaath, seeing to their casualties and reviewing the
loot plundered from Ophelia VII.