#lightborn

They all resemble their Primarch, almost like clones, as their facial structure shifts throughout the process of implantation until they reach adulthood. The geneseed carries mRNA that tells melanin production to shh, so all hair, skin and eyes bleaches to translucency in ~5 years ( normal total cell turnover is 7 years for humans but Astartes probably have it faster). This is a mutation along with the third eye; they are vulnerable to solar radiation which is not at all ideal given the two suns situation on their homeworld. Yes, I put this here to nerf them XD

compared to baseliners of Praelucente Alpha ( their homeworld) the Astartes look like aliens to them. They’re viewed as the private genhanced army of the noble House Terenus, which rules the planet. Actually, the Primarch rules the entire system, but the nobility is permitted as a figurehead / puppet governor. They’re not happy about this but Lucien subtly mindcontrols them to tolerate or even enjoy it. His way is the right way; silly little baseliners shouldn’t have to worry about matters of interstellar logistics and godlike power…

The Lightborn have no androgenic body hair aside from the underarms and pubes which most ppl have. No beards grow on them despite the insanely high testosterone of the Astartes creation process.

they accept AFAB candidates in the tithe, but everyone becomes male through the process ( this is explained to the candidates and they’re given a choice if they still want to become Astartes). Psykers are 80% of the planets inhabitants but you can never have too many, especially when most break in half after the first few surgeries and barely make it to the Trials. Many hivedwellers jump at the chance to become space marines bc their lives in the underwater domes are absolute fucking purgatory. ( insane classism)

They have super strong emotional ties to their battle brothers ( similar to homoerotic homies in Sparta) and fight extra hard because of it

they’re vulnerable to khorne and slaanesh due to the dissociative battle rage that hits them under overwhelming psychic stress (sensitivity to the Warp means they can both fight it well but be fucked too by sensing too much). They go whole hog into destruction, which leans into excess themes quite a bit

they’re viewed with distrust by most if not all other Astartes due to lacking zealotry for the Emperor. Despite their psychoconditioning, their minds develop in such a way that they form beliefs similar to their Primarch ( and Chaplains of the IInd specifically brainwash the Neophytes to align with his values).

As part of their induction rituals, Lucien ‘blesses’ his chaplains by showing them the universal truth ( according to him). It is like a DMT breakthrough but delivered by forehead kisses. By this mechanism he ensures everyone in the Legion aligns with his values and isn’t just a bloodthirsty tool of war. He has good reason for doing this and most of that is… he can feel the suffering of every Imperial combatant when in a planet’s range of them, and wants to save his sons from that. So by forcing them to understand mindfulness and detachment from hate, they can have more emotional equilibrium in a universe that thrives on extremes. The emperor permits this bc the Lightborn are extremely good at their duty, and ultimately obey him due to worshipping their Primarch, who is loyal.

𝓖𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻 (𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻)

— 𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑩𝑶𝑹𝑵 – 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓

-----

Decided to improve the edits HAHAHAHAHAHA.

@vyntober

I had decided to draw all the Light Borns since before the prompt list of vyntober. Because of the illustration in Enderal's introduction, with the lightborns covered in capes and such, my brain went "Esara with the cape torn and forming kind of wings and making her all the more terrifying." lol

- they’re the children of gabriel. what do some kids call their dads? old man.

- from the limited flashbacks we’ve seen so far, when the psychosis causes russell the first to kill his daughter/wife/others in the camp, gabriel definitely escapes

- we don’t know how the primes/consciousness being passed on business comes about, though i’m sure we will soon, but if gabriel the first is one of those who gets a Gabriel Chip, and it’s passed down...

- along the way, probably spurred by witnessing the v first eclipse murder spree, he realizes the immorality of what they’re doing

- so he tries to end it. violence probably ensues, and he and his followers leave

- ok so then what?

- he hates the primes, yes, but maybe he knows that he’s the best shot of getting rid of them.

- so he keeps himself alive as well, passing on his chip, vowing to not be a god, but to stay alive out of necessity. waiting for the day he can finally rest (aka die).

- again, though, he doesn’t want to live in that same sanctum mindset, so he creates a culture of the opposite. ‘death to primes’. ‘death is life’. now, instead of fearing death as the primes do, their culture not only accepts it, but welcomes it

- and apparently he lives in the anomaly that we see during the opening credits... hmm. Interesting.

- perhaps because the primes tried to hunt him down?

- think of it. the biggest threats to regimes always come from the people on the inside, who know what goes on behind closed doors.

- gabriel is a prime example of this-- no pun intended.

- whatsherface rose’s bodyguard sounded pretty interested in whether or not the old man was still alive, but if he hasn’t been seen by this generation, how would they know who it is?

                      In life, have a friend that is like a mirror and a shadow. 

                         A mirror does not lie and a shadow never leaves.