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| - After the incident, Dantioch chose to wear no helmet, for his face and skull were enclosed within an iron mask he had crafted. The faceplate was a work of brutal beauty, an interpretation of the IVth Legion's badge, the very same iron mask symbol that adorned his shoulder. It was whispered that Dantioch had worn the mask immediately after he pulled it glowing from the forge, the better to hammer it into shape around his shaven skull. He then plunged head and iron mask alike into ice water, fixing the beaten metal in place forever around his equally grim features. Dantioch left the 51st Expedition to garrison the world of Lesser Damantyne, becoming the planner and architect of the superbly constructed Schadenhold fortress on that world. After the triple disasters of Gholghis, Stratopolae an
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| abstract
| - After the incident, Dantioch chose to wear no helmet, for his face and skull were enclosed within an iron mask he had crafted. The faceplate was a work of brutal beauty, an interpretation of the IVth Legion's badge, the very same iron mask symbol that adorned his shoulder. It was whispered that Dantioch had worn the mask immediately after he pulled it glowing from the forge, the better to hammer it into shape around his shaven skull. He then plunged head and iron mask alike into ice water, fixing the beaten metal in place forever around his equally grim features. Dantioch left the 51st Expedition to garrison the world of Lesser Damantyne, becoming the planner and architect of the superbly constructed Schadenhold fortress on that world. After the triple disasters of Gholghis, Stratopolae and Krak Fiorina the name of Dantioch and his legacy was utterly expunged and his name became a byword for failure on an epic scale within the IVth Legion. During the many months the small Iron Warriors detachment garrisoned the planet, they heard disturbing rumours of the galaxy being conquered by the forces of the Warmaster Horus. Dantioch suspected that the bulk of the IVth Legion had willingly joined the traitorous Warmaster's cause. When Warsmith Krendl arrived at Lesser Damantyne with the 51st Expeditionary Fleet, he came to the Schadenhold with new orders for the Iron Warriors garrison. They were ordered by their Primarch to prepare for the Traitor Legions' offensive against Terra. Lesser Damantyne would be used as a resupply point for Horus' forces. Dantioch refused to acquiesce to his Primarch's orders for the Iron Warriors on Lesser Damantyne remained Loyalists and would not share in their traitorous brethren's damnation. Krendl vowed to destroy Dantioch's beloved fortress in the name of Horus. Unknown to Krendl, an interloper had clandestinely observed their meeting. Disguised as a hooded cleric, he lowered his hood to reveal his true identity. He was a brother Space Marine of the vaunted Ultramarines Legion, sent to Lesser Damantyne in order to recruit Warsmith Dantioch's art and expertise in the field of siegecraft. The Ultramarine's name was Tauro Nicodemus, and he was a Tetrach of Ultramar and Honour Guard to Roboute Guilliman himself. The Ultramarines Primarch knew of Dantioch's particular skills and suspected that they would be sorely needed. The Warmaster had exploited the weakness of the Iron Warriors' Primarch's pride. Dantioch's history with Perturabo was no secret. Lord Guilliman felt he too could rely on this same weakness. Nicodemus had also informed Dantioch of Horus' treachery and besmirched the IVth Legion with accusations of rebellion, heresy and murder. At first enraged by such baseless accusations, Dantioch was tempted to blow the Ultramarine from the Schadenhold's battlements. To prove his statements were true, Dantioch agreed to hear out his kindred's treason first hand. Once convinced of the Iron Warriors' betrayal of the Emperor, Dantioch inquired as to what Guilliman would have them do. Nicodemus looked upon the grim faces of those gathered within the chamber, and saw nothing but loyal servants of the Emperor. He informed Dantioch and the other Iron Warriors to hold their ground for as long as they could, for the efforts of a faithful few could slow the Traitors' advance, giving the Emperor time to fortify Terra for the coming storm and for Roboute Guilliman to cut through the confusion Horus had sown to prepare a Loyalist response. Dantioch commanded his meagre forces against the entire might of the 51st Expeditionary Fleet and the 14th Grand Company of the Iron Warriors for 366 solar days, until the Traitors deployed an Imperator-class Titan to destroy the Schadenhold. Just before the fortress fell, Dantioch and the surviving Loyalist Iron Warriors teleported aboard the Traitor's flagship and commandeered it. Tetrach Nicodemus convinced Dantioch that Roboute Guilliman still had need of such ingenuity and skill, for the Imperium was frail and an Iron Warrior's eye would spot such weakness and the good grace of his hand might make it strong once again. Dantioch then set course towards the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar with the aim of helping to fortify and defend it against the forces of the Traitor Legions.
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