History
Before the Age of Shadow, both Delphos and Iatos appeared completely different to now. They were arid wastelands that barely managed to sustain life, with windswept plains stretching on as far as the eye could see, broken up by hive cities dotting the horizon. The only reason the Imperium continued to cling to the surface of these inhospitable planets was a rare metal that was mined from deep under the surface. This jet black metal was fabled to be capable of repairing itself, seeming to almost spring to life in the holder’s hands. All reference to this metal, however, has been completely stripped from Imperial records, even those in the halls of Watch Fortress Erioch.
In their prime, the Wicked Sisters—known by their system names at the time—were immensely wealthy thanks to their mining operations. They had a working partnership that, paired with their proximity to the Jericho Sector capital world, ensured their power within the region.
When the Age of Shadow fell upon the Jericho Sector and plunged the worlds into anarchy, Iatos and Delphos not only stayed safe, but prospered. The working partnership between the two systems help protect them from the bands of roving marauders that prowled the warp, and the population’s constant toil in the mines kept them too distracted to fall to the seduction of Chaos. They began trading their rare metal with surrounding systems, supporting the various warlords that had risen from the ashes of the former Jericho Sector in exchange for food, supplies, and protection.
Deathwatch records indicate that Iatos and Delphos continued to grow in power throughout the Age of Shadow, becoming one of the most powerful forces in the entire Reach until 655.M40 and the eruption of the vortex that created the Hadex Anomaly. This marks a large gap in the records of Watch Fortress Erioch—due to warp disturbances from the Anomaly no reliable data was gathered for nearly a millennium.
The next reliable data on the systems was collected by the Deathwatch frigate Eye of Retribution in 523.M41 when it had to make an emergency drop out of the warp while en route to the rimward edge of the Reach. The navigator insisted that they had dropped out on the edge of the Delphos system, but upon analysis of the planets they found no sign of life, or even civilisation. Upon approach to Delphos they found, not the desert hive world that had been there a millennium ago, but a verdant paradise covered in lush jungle. After a full survey of the planet, the Eye could not even identify any sign of human ruins anywhere on the planet.
A stop by the Iatos system found that the same transformation had occurred there as well; where previously there had been a wasteland, there was now a garden. Although this metamorphosis concerned the Deathwatch, it was not an event that fell directly into their purview. The Eye of Retribution took note of the events and then continued on its previous mission.
With the arrival of the Achilus Crusade, the advancing forces quickly added the systems to their tally, claiming the lush planets as the glorious spoils of the Crusade. Some members of the Administratum spoke out in protest to settling these worlds, contesting that the strange nature of the twin systems warranted a full investigation before proceeding. However, with the Crusade in desperate need of a good turn of events, the cries of opposition were ignored and the planets were immediately settled.
Key Locations
Verdure Basilica
Upon the reclamation of the twin systems, the Ecclesiarchy planned to build a monolithic cathedral on both of the pleasure worlds to act as the centre of religion on the planets. They began construction first on Delphos, but the process was plagued by problems from the beginning. Machine spirits failed, workers died, materials were faulty, and what was meant to be a simple construction dragged out for decades.
Eventually the construction was finished, and the Verdure Basilica stood as a monument to the Emperor’s will, resplendent amongst the towering forest in which it was built. The Basilica now acts as the spiritual heart of Delphos, keeping the population pure in the Emperor’s light.
The main section of the building is constructed from a grey and green speckled stone, its towering walls blending in with the forest around it. Vinelike plants grow over every facet of the structure, up its columns and buttresses, and covering most of the ornate windows.
If one operating on Delphos is going to meet with a member of the Administratum or the Ecclesiarchy, it would likely be within the walls of the Verdure Basilica. The towering building is the centralised meeting place for people from all across the planet. There is a constant flow of citizens and off-worlders milling throughout the grounds, each talking in quiet whispers to each other. For a Kill-team who would prefer to stay out of the sight of the public, the cathedral has multiple wings that stretch out into the forest. These dark and often abandoned areas would work perfectly for a quiet, low profile meeting with an important contact.
Charsilith’s Den
While the Ecclesiarchy constructed the Basilica on Delphos to act as the centre for all culture on the planet, the people of Iatos had no centralised location in which to congregate. Charsilith’s Den rose up to fill this void on the planet. Since then it has become a giant complex of excess and debauchery, a powerful influence on the entire planet that is—unbeknownst to most of the planet’s inhabitants—driving Iatos closer and closer to the Ruinous powers.
Initially Charsilith’s Den was no more than a small establishment in which the artists and Administratum members of the pleasure world could come to gamble and unwind. But with no central location in which to congregate, more and more people began spending their nights there, and it started to expand rapidly. As the Den grew, and other buildings were erected around it, the area began to resemble more of a tiny hive than a single building. Many people began spending their entire days wrapped in the pleasures that the Den offers, being gently corrupted by temptation.
The Den is a dark, imposing presence that can easily be seen on the approach to the planet. It is a jumble of rockcrete and adamantium buildings, clustered in the middle of a huge cleared section of forest. Between the different buildings are small, cramped streets filled with people intent on gambling or darker deals. The chaotic and quick expansion of the complex has led to these dark streets being nearly labyrinthine in layout, perfect for secret meetings and illicit activities.
The debauchery hidden deep within the walls of Charsilith’s Den has been a perfect vessel for the Ruinous Powers to extend their influence, especially Slaanesh. Multiple cults secretly operate deep inside the walls of the Den, spreading their influence far beyond to the rest of the planet. Many Inquisitors have investigated the establishment, suspecting the corruption within, but mysteriously no action has ever been taken to shut down or destroy it. Whether the Inquisitor and his retinue meet a mysterious fate, a more pressing matter materialises in the area, or they broker a secretive deal with a member of the Administratum, inevitably each Inquisitor ceases his investigation of the Den.
The difference between Iatos and Delphos is noticeable. Anyone who spends much time at either can see the effect that the presence of the Basilica and the Den have had on the two planets—one desperately fighting off the malign influence of Chaos, the other giving into the call of the dark powers.
Gollard Mountains
Since the Gollard Mountains are a geographic feature, they are present on both Delphos and Iatos. Named by Lord General Ovidius, they (confusingly) both share the same name. Whether he did so out of humour or lack of creativity, no one will ever know.
The mountains are made up of a jet-black rock that shimmers in the light of the sun. The range sticks out in stark contrast to the lush greenery of the rest of the planet, cutting a swath across the main continent like a dark scar. Weather has not worn down the peaks, which are pointed with sharp, jagged edges as if they had just been created yesterday.
Anyone trying to navigate the mountain range on foot would have a difficult time. The sheer rock faces are steep and slick, and the endless peaks leave very few landmarks to guide the way. This has prompted a number of Imperial nobles to build their extravagant properties on the peaks of the Gollard Mountains. These giant structures are only accessible via a flying craft, allowing the nobles to enjoy solitude and privacy away from prying eyes.