The Emperor’s Children are the Third Legion of the original Space Marine Legions. Known for their pursuit of perfection and martial prowess, they were once renowned as paragons of loyalty and excellence. Here are some key details about the Emperor’s Children:
Origins and Loyalty
Primarch: Fulgrim, the Primarch of the Emperor’s Children, was a figure of beauty and perfection, embodying the ideals of the Emperor.
Loyalty: Initially, the Emperor’s Children were among the most loyal to the Emperor, striving for perfection in all aspects of their existence, including combat and aesthetics.
Heresy and Corruption
Horus Heresy: During the Horus Heresy, Fulgrim and his Legion were seduced by the Chaos God Slaanesh, who promised them unparalleled experiences of perfection and sensation. This led to their fall from grace.
Corruption: The pursuit of perfection turned into an obsession with excess and hedonism. The Emperor’s Children became notorious for their decadent and sadistic tendencies, indulging in extreme sensations and pleasures.
Characteristics and Tactics
Perfection and Excess: The Emperor’s Children are characterized by their obsession with perfection, which has morphed into a pursuit of extreme sensory experiences. They are often depicted as elegant yet grotesque, reflecting their inner corruption.
Combat Style: They are skilled in various forms of combat, particularly favoring close-quarters engagements where they can savor the sensations of battle. Their tactics often involve psychological warfare, utilizing sonic weaponry and other means to overwhelm their enemies.
Notable Figures
Fulgrim: The Primarch of the Emperor’s Children, Fulgrim’s transformation from a loyal son of the Emperor to a daemon prince of Slaanesh is one of the most tragic tales of the Horus Heresy.
Lucius the Eternal: A notable champion of the Emperor’s Children, Lucius is a swordsman of unparalleled skill who cannot truly die. Those who kill him are inevitably transformed into new versions of Lucius.
Legacy
Daemon Prince: Fulgrim ascended to become a daemon prince of Slaanesh, leading his corrupted Legion in their eternal quest for excess.
Warbands: After the Horus Heresy, the Emperor’s Children splintered into various warbands, each pursuing their own perverse goals in the name of Slaanesh.
The Emperor’s Children are a tragic example of how the pursuit of perfection can lead to one’s downfall, becoming a twisted parody of their former glory.