The Raakata System

Around a dozen noble houses survived the destruction of the Aegean Hypercomplex, along with several hundreds of thousands survivors from all branches of military and civilian sectors (from a population in the billions).   For 60 years after the destruction of the Ageans, Imperial survivors battled Ork survivors. The Minos, Crassius, Macharius, Westguard, and Ithacaran noble families based from the Kalrek Voidstation were able to help hold things together with strong leadership.   With no links to the rest of the system, it was unknown whether the greater war was still going on. survivors lost sight of the large picture and simply battled for survival day-by-day.   Both sides picked through the chaotic ruins of the vast space-industrial sector as it settled into stable gravitation pockets on the edge of the Warp Rift that became known as the Scylla Reef.

In 4892 the Ithacaran and Minoan Nobles declared independence from the Sleastatt Alliance and claimed ownership of Tantalus. Assassins killed all members of House Macharius and Westguard in what many call “the Night of Blood” - presumably because these Houses refused to join the rebellion.   House Minos moved to claim the recently rediscovered voidstation of Pandareus around the Lava planet Hades and took over the mining of that world. House Ithacaran abolished the Noble Dynastic hold on government, devolving control of the Adeptus Administratum to elected representatives of the people. This became the Ithacan Star League, governed by the Assembly Council, all traces of Imperial heritage were erased and suppressed.

Asterius Minos, the young heir to the Minos Dynasty travelled to Tantalus to attempt an ill-conceived coup against the Assembly Council. He failed and was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. He was disowned and disinherited by the Minos Dynasty.

Battle Group Aetheon containing Astartes and Militarum (includes Azael Marralis) is attacked by Ork Raiders while patrolling the Charybdis Graveyard, all ships are lost.

The National Emergency Reserve Venture corporation recruits 500 workers from outcasts of society to join a new classified project. Asterius Minos is selected as the project leader.

Small Follow-Up mission dispatched to find out what happened to Battle Group Aetheon.   Investigation stalled as the expeditionary fleet is rebuffed by the Ithacan Star League. Without the firepower to enforce support, the investigation fleet patrols a part of the Graveyard for a few weeks before returning to the Core Worlds.

After Asterius awakes from a healing coma he travels to an ancient shrine and sees God, who gives him a mission. Prevent the Beast from reaching Sanctuary. Asterius returns to his people and reveals that they have all been tricked by the alien Beast and they must now work against the plans of the Beast to prevent a terrible fate for all of Tantalus.

N.E.R.V. "Security Contractors" attempt an overwhelming assault against the Guardians of Nemea. They attack along the Monorail line and in smaller groups on foot through the entire Sector. The Guardians have been expecting this for months and are very well dug-in. The initial N.E.R.V. assault fails.   For 18 months N.E.R.V. attacks the Guardians before finally relenting. Although the guardians prevent N.E.R.V. from re-taking the path to Sanctuary, they are hugely reduced in number. The survivors though are now hardened veterans.

The heavily damaged Star Charter emerges from the warp storm that surrounds Raakata near Tantalus station.   The ship is gravely damaged and the command staff are forced to seek aid from the nearest settlement.