Hello 40k fans! Chris Morgan, Chief Librarian of the Forge the Narrative Podcast, is here again with the next weekly segment of Tomes of the Librarius. Also, check the Tactics Corner for more great articles!
Just as a reminder, in this series we will explore facets of the history and legends of the Grimdark. This is meant to be an easy summary and introduction geared towards new players or people unfamiliar with the setting, but should still be an interesting read or fun refresher for those already familiar. There’s so much detail in this lore that a bare summary seems so inadequate, but for new people this should be the right portion to get a feel for the history of the universe we enjoy our games in.
This week we will be focusing again on a burgeoning threat to all life in the galaxy, and one of its greatest champion in particular – Imotekh the Stormlord. The Necron race once ruled the galaxy, and after their long sleep ended they were not the same as they were when they entered their hibernation, much like the galaxy herself. Amid the madness and the discord of the Necron race, Imotekh stands out as a capable, competent leader.
Mandragora
Mandragora was a key defense world and transport hub in the old Necron empire. When the world went into slumber, it slept with the full compliment of Necron resources, war machines, and warriors that had seen its defenses second to none in the empire. Upon awakening, the nobles of the Necron court found that the Phaeron did not survive the slumber. The infighting led one noble to awaken Imotekh, planning to use his military acumen to dominate his political opponents. Instead, Imotekh was so aghast at the state of the world that he raised an army of his own and destroyed the warring nobles, setting himself up as the new lord.
Character Synopsis
Imotekh is, by all account, a peerless tactician and strategist. Often thinking several step ahead of his opponents, Imotekh doesn’t simply win battles, he wins campaigns. His plans focus on all the steps it takes to ensure victory. Cutting off supply lines, sowing fear and misinformation, intimidation, and a liberal application of superior Necron technology on the battlefield. From the Necron perspective, there is not a single more competent general or commander among all the races in the galaxy. Imotekh’s string of victories and conquests of nearby systems have certainly lent credibility to that claim. This is all fueled by a brutal dedication to the logic of war, which means that the best way to beat him is to be purely illogical. For this reason, the Orks have become a nemesis of sorts for Imotekh. Their random nature and illogical battle plans have become a point of aggravation to the logic-driven Imotekh, and he has made it a personal mission to scour all Orkish life from the galaxy.
A Peculiar Quirk
While Imotekh is an amazing general, not even he made it out of the long sleep without some oddities and quirks. Victory is not enough for Imotekh, his enemies must know how perfectly they were defeated. Often, surviving enemy generals are debased or mutilated in some way upon defeat. The most common mutilation is dismemberment of some sort. Repeated defeats lead to repeated marks of shame, but this has led to some of his enemies getting better and better at facing the Necron lord. High Marshall Helbrecht is one example of a foe who has learned much from facing the Storm Lord, and treats the Necron as a personal nemesis. With Imotekh’s pride comes a penchant for duels. It has been said that it will be more likely for Imotekh to be defeated by a superior combatant in duels than through defeat of his armies.
The Future
The Cicatrix Maledictum may have cut the galaxy in half, but it has not slowed down Imotekh’s plans for conquest. Currently he has campaigns in many systems, including encroachment on the galactic northern borders of Ultramar. Craftworld Iyanden is also under pressure, and his advances into the Tau Empire’s controlled systems have been brutally effective. As he subsumes more tomb worlds into his influence, the threat of the Sautekh dynasty grows and grows. This is surely only the beginning of the great general’s plans for the galaxy.
Cheers,
Captain Morgan
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Great read!
The best Necron tactitian? I believe Old Man Zanderekh might want a word with you, or, more likely, Obyron…
Just to be pedantic, Zahndrekh believes himself to still be a Necrontyr, and does not comprehend the transformation into the Necrons that his species underwent.
More seriously, the Codex actually does acknowledge the point, with Imotekh being called “arguably” the best, and Zahndrekh mentioned as the only rival for that title.