Sick Magicks

I am successfully being bullied into making a chaos marine OC. His name is Hestian Fornaxus and he's an evil halloween pumpkin. I'll actually finish a design for him...some day. I'm just cribbing Thurston Hillman's homework and using the Endless Conflagration as a staging ground for this loser.

Initial doodle:

Unfinished sketch below

A whole lotta words under the cut

bare with me

(Roentgen’s lore atm)

The light of the Emperor was not with us that day. He did not protect us from the destruction. Nor was there the blessings of the Omnissiah. As I peered through the smoke of our dying home I saw a glowing figure guiding me. A woman made of humming light. I followed her until the light became blinding, until my skin burned at its touch. I did not falter. Soon, illuminated before me was a door that took me to the shelter that would save me from the bombing.

I am not the only one who claims to have been saved by a woman of light that day. -Chaplain Dravin Seivert, first chaplain of the cult of Atom. 

The planet of Atome was a mechanicus controlled planet primarily focused on nuclear reactors and nuclear production. One day, hostile forces bombarded the planet for no reason other than for fun.

Techmarines astartes did everything they could to evacuate as many baseline inhabitants into underground bunkers and basements. Really any shelter they could find from the bombing.

Unfortunately the destruction caused the nuclear facilities to melt down, contaminating the environment.

Those trapped underground may have survived the bombardment, but they also had to deal with the effects of radiation upon their bodies. Illness was rampant, whittling down the survivors until all that remained was those who happened to be more resistant.

When they finally emerged back to the surface, there was barely a small city worth of atomites left. 

Warped by the experience and relying closely upon each other to rebuild whatever life they could on this burned planet, a cult formed. One dedicated to the power of the atom. They worship this entity like the mechanicus worships the Omnissiah.

They refer to the destruction of their planet as “The Rebirth”. As they have come to view it like a second chance at life given to them by the atom, from whom they have been reborn from. And so they call her The Mother, Nuclear Matron, Mother Atom, etc.

The Liquidators: Originally techmarines charged with managing the more dangerous aspects of the nuclear facilities. Their name is in reference to the individuals who helped clean up after Chernobyl. They are nicknamed Radstartes by those of us who have contributed to their lore. Similar to Salamanders, they value life. They see the baselines who survived the rebirth as being chosen by the mother and therefore precious. Each Liquidator has 1 or more baselines, or Radium Hounds, in their care and protection, referred to as their house. Some Liquidators have whole families under their protection. They are seen like guardian angels as well as important in the religious hierarchy of the cult.

Radium Hounds: Also called radhounds, hounds, or (by the Radstartes) pups. They are the baselines the Liquidators keep in their care. Their name is inspired by the dogs of Chernobyl. During the rebirth, the baselines became very close with their astartes protectors, and that relationship only became stronger as the cult developed during the rebuilding of their home. Though lower in the overall hierarchy, the cult’s value of their lives means they are treated practically like family by the Liquidator of their house, going so far as group sleeping arrangements and infant naming rituals being shared with the house guardian. Being a baseline in 40k can be hard, unless you're in the care of a Radstartes.

Atomites: The collective term for those who live on Atome whether astartes or baseline. 

Chapter colors: The decision to make it yellow and blue was entirely based on the blue of cherenkov radiation, and the classic yellow of radiation warning signs. It was by accident that this ended up looking like the vault-tec suits from the fallout franchise. Also by accident that they are also the colors of the Ukrainian flag. But seeing as how many aspects of this chapter are inspired by Chernobyl, it feels fitting. 

Chapter Emblem: The cog was based on the cog symbols associated with the mechanicus that the Liquidators were formerly associated with. The decision to make it 3 toothed is meant to be a visual reference to the 3 part radiation symbol. The rings were based on some retro atomic motifs. 

Sociopolitical Status: Their status in the wider forces at play in the galaxy depends on who you ask. A loyalist imperial may see them as just as heretical as any other chaos cult and thus must be purged. A chaos cult may see them as just renegades at best and fodder for exploitation at worst. Generally they are neutral, wanting to live their lives and worship the atom in peace. 

They tolerate visitors and guests as long as they are respectful. They even go so far as to allow outsiders to live among them if they so choose (radiation allowing of course). Joining the cult is another matter.

If threatened, however, they know how to make use of the nuclear weapons at their disposal. 

Geigvox: Similar to the binaric secret language of the Mechanicus, Liquidators utilize the distinct clicking and buzzing associated with geiger counters to communicate in their own secret tonal language. It is possible to understand it if you pay attention or a Radstartes is willing to teach you. But without a Geigvox, a device required to create the unique sound, you cannot speak it. Some houses permit their baselines to have geigvoxes. Others may reserve that for only the Radstartes.  Regardless of house permissions, every pup knows what their own name sounds like in Geiger. 

House Names: Atomites have 3 names. First, Last, and House name. It is as much a title as it is a sort of familial lineage. Ones house name can change if they end up joining a different house. There can be multiple Liquidators to a house, but generally there is a patriarch or head. Houses can also be inherited but will still be named after the original patriarch to honor a legacy.

For example, John Doe of House Curie became an astartes, and upon his ascension, joined House Seivert. He is now John Doe of House Seivert. Later, he may go on to found his own house, becoming head of House Doe. Or he may inherit the house he’s in, and become head of House Seivert.

Other things for thought:

-Atomites exchanging uranium glass trinkets and jewelry.

-Liquidators painting their armor with diluted radium to create glowing designs only their brothers can see. 

-Atomites keeping mutated feline pets that change their coat pattern depending on radiation levels in the area (inspired by Ray Cats).

-Liquidators with many Hounds in their care walking around with 1 or 2 Hounds perched on their shoulders.

-Due to the close social structure of the Atomites, it's not uncommon for Liquidators who ascended after the Rebirth to still have contact and maintain a close relationship with their baseline families.

-Young Radhounds climbing all over their house guardian while the Liquidator is trying to meditate or pray, and the Liquidator being unbothered by the ruckus. 

Disclaimer: This chapter/faction is only loosely based on canon lore and nuclear science. Do not expect accuracy. I am operating on the rule of cool/fun.

While this homebrew lore references and takes inspiration from Chernobyl, it is not meant in any way to make light of the event. It was a real disaster that affected and continues to affect real lives. I am simply fascinated by its history and the science it is closely tied to. 

Credit to Agatha, Neines, Coal, Katana, Venkoj, Selemina, and Theokoles from the Narrative Declaration discord for their various suggestions, ideas, and inspirations that contributed and continue to contribute to the development of this lore. It started as a silly idea to base some OCs around and snow balled.

I look better in the dark

New horse

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Reward if you read the whole post: democracy; pictures at bottom of cats high as clouds on fresh catnip toys.

What Prop 50 does:

Prop 50 temporarily rearranges California Congressional districts to "create" up to 5 new left-leaning districts.

This will last through the 2030 elections, after which our independent, politically neutral redistricting commission will resume its work (based on the 2030 census).

Why YES?

Prop 50 will balance the Republicans' attempt to skew Congress in their favor.

CONTEXT: This summer, at the urging of Trump, Texas's legislature redrew their Congressional map to "create" (flip) 5 new right-leaning districts. Texas Democrats literally left the state en masse to postpone it! In that delay, CA's Gov. Newsom said, "If you do that, California will counter you" - it's literally written into Prop 50 that this will go into effect if TX goes forward with its plan.

TX didn't hesitate. It will have 5 new right-wing districts in 2026. That would, at best, make the House 224 Republican to 208 Democrat. We need to hit back.

"But that's just sinking to their level!" Yes, I, too, literally cannot believe that deliberate political gerrymandering is legal. It's blatantly undemocratic in principle. However, aren't you tired of winning the moral high ground and nothing else?

I'm afraid it's that "lesser evil" thing again - but this REALLY is the lesser evil. Ultimately, redistricting causes no direct harm - it's what the people who get elected do that causes harm. We Californians will still vote for our best representatives, and they'll be more progressive (on average) than before! Whereas it's very, very clear that Republicans in Congress do cause harm, in enabling Trump's ICE raids and attacks on free speech, legislating their own Medicare cuts and handouts to billionaires...

This isn't "but they started it!" hair-pulling; this self-defense, for American democracy and for everyone whom a Trump/Republican-controlled federal government will hurt.

Also, that motherfucker mobilized the California National Guard without the California Governor's permission, and sent Marines into Los Angeles, and is kidnapping people off the street and withholding aid for wildfires while insulting our attempts to manage them (which aren't perfect, but hey), and is generally, y'know, hurting people nationwide and undermining key foundations of civil society in service to his own ego, and I'm Californian and I'm FUCKING PISSED. We are the 4th biggest economy in the WORLD (recently passed Japan!) and we will KICK YOU IN THE FUCKING TEETH in defense of democracy, our people, and everyone else in this stupid country!!!

Newsom & the CA legislature have drawn the maps and made the plans. All you have to do is vote YES this November - then vote for your new Representative in Nov 2026! Remember, we get to overthrow our government every other year, and it's both a right and a privilege!

AND it's only temporary! The Democrats still stand for independent, apolitical district-drawing commissions. This is a temporary emergency measure which will end in 2030.

More References:

Text of Prop 50

Helpful breakdown of context, arguments, and explicit & potential consequences from CaliforniaToday.com

REGISTER TO VOTE IN CALIFORNIA! Registration deadline for this vote is October 20. (Election is 11/4.)

PROMISED PICS OF CATS HIGH AF ON FRESH ‘NIP:

whatever go my megop

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