Castor is too powerful to be directly affected, but even he must struggle to remain coherent and focused. He also has a positive effect on those in his presence, so that demons in his vicinity are less likely to suddenly go banished. On and around the conquered worlds the warp has grown more tumultuous/powerful, reducing this deadening effect somewhat.

The kull also rule over a vast, downtrodden human slave caste. The ratio of human to kull varies greatly.

The Lifeguards, are now armed and vested in Granite colored Mark-x "Aurelian" Artificer Tactical-dreadnought Armour made, made in the image of Castors armour.

After Xandor, Cassandra has been raised to the office of chaplain for the 10th Company under Brother Captain Sigismund. It was Cassandra who stood firm on the Blood Eagle during the foul attack by the minions of the fallen corps-god. Castor and the Brothers of the Crow eaters was on the ground sealing there holly pacts, when the traitor struck, lead by a handful of fallen marines they took control of the cyclone_torpedo rooms aboard the Blood Eagle and launched several plant killer missiles ground side. Cassandra lead loyalist in a counter attack, preventing the launch of several missiles and giving the Chapter time to re board the ship. The traitor cut down the loyalist ratings and crew in great number and wounded Cassandra severely, but she kept singing the gospel of the true Gods and quoiting from the sermons of light she stayed in the fight. The Traitor gathered there remaining Astardes strength in the torpedo room, and targeted the rally point of the defenders, Cassandra. It looked dark indeed for the loyalist, but she had one more card to play, she was in contact with her Apostle and by giving her very essence to fuel the mighty spells of the Arch priest of the pantheon, she made her self a beacon for Castor, so that he could transfer him self to her side. Her just reward for her loyalty and zeal wordy of a true born Legionary of the 17th,singing the praise of the Gods and her Apostel as all burn around her,willing to die and lead others with her, keeping there moral up and the fighting spirit high regardless of odds or outcome, takes a very special kind of servant of the host. Those servants are called Chaplains. Castor wants loyal fighting Chaplains and where his brothers fell short in both loyalty and faith(in him) Cassandra did not and she will pass that zeal on to them or they will die trying.

Following Castor's 'disappearance' following the apparent destruction of planet Xandor, Jovus Err was the first and most vocal Chaplain to advocated that the Host 'move on'. The merciful Castor let him live; entombing him in a drednought hulk, to serve the Gods forever. The men still adress him as Captain-Chaplain, not only as a honorific, but to remind him of his place and the mercy of the Apostle.

They live and fight for the word of Lorgar Aurelian, but they die only for Castor.

The Spinward Front will become the location of the new spin-off campaign featuring Anaximander and his merry band.

The Imperium appears to have firm control over the old subsector capital of Kulth, but the rest of the Periphery Sub-sector is awash witch trouble. Waaagh! Grimtoof may have been broken, but scattered warbands are now all over the place. Add to this Chaos reavers out of the Vortex, eldar reavers, and the remnants of the seditious Severan Dominate and you have quite the mix.

ah so the war-leader has decided upon the vortex, so be it. (The fast attack task force is available for this too remember ? :-) )

Castor has sent spies/agents/factors to the Vortex to check up on things. An update is expected any day now.

Diamantina saw quite a bit for trade back in the day, before the Gelmiro Cluster fell to Chaos and the trade routes between the Calixis sector and Finial sector died out.

Diamantina suffered a visitation of the Tyrant Star not long ago, so you've detailed records of what transpired. According to the few survivors (a handful of Iron Warriors for the most part) it began as a sort of eclipse of the sun that didn't pass. A baleful corona of dark flame surrounding the sun. Within a few days the human population went stark, raving mad. Many suffered gross bodily mutation to go with their insanity. The insane/mutated population then proceeded to murder one another in an orgy of blood and pain, sexual deviancy, sorcerous rituals, and whatnot. In the end those who had not been killed succumbed to their strange affliction or killed themselves by leaping from the sea-cliffs by the thousands. The Iron Warriors did feel the effects of the visitation. A few broke down mentally and were eliminated by their peers. Others began to be mutated, but promptly engaged in a little field surgery to stop the taint. So marines aren't immune, only more resilient. After about a week the dark halo lifted and things went back to normal.

and some very lucky and semi loyal slaves get to use bomb vests and the like(controlled by the deacons to avoid friendly fire)

:-)Chimaeras fielded as tanks for example( hopefully this will improve in the future).- with bolted on quad anti air auto cannons used as a anti infantry and/or light vehicles- looks just as cool as a leman russ :-)

Added a section about equipment.

"casts his lot with Castor. He also pledges his support for a future Kull campaign."- The way I remember it the casting of lots is more like pledging his ass, ships, forged ships and every other thing to the good service of the Castor and the 10th. The host did not make a bargain between equals and not just for the duration of a possible future Kull campaign. For his part casts his lot with Castor. He also pledges his support for a future Kull campaign Viniz gets to be his own master(Under Castor), main mechanicus man. and of course all STC parts and other tech bits the hosts get there grubby hands on.

Systems: Average, Skill: Average, Loyalty: Good. Given the immense size and venerable age of the ship it is unlikely that its Systems can be improved. A Good crew IS possible, but most likely not worthy it, as it would strip half the fleet of experienced officers and ratings. Loyalty is hard to improve further because of this ship's size and role (but given its garrison of Astartes and more it will never defect or suffer a mutiny!).

Systems: Poor, Skill: Poor, Loyalty: Average. This ship is freshly forged and has an unproven crew. In time Systems and Skill should improve to Average and Loyalty to Good.

Systems: Good, Skill: Excellent, Loyalty: Average. Loyalty can theoretically be improved to Good while von Graves is still around, but it is probably not worth the effort. If the Admiral dies Good Loyalty should be easier to achieve (but Skill will suffer).

Systems: Average, Skill: Poor, Loyalty: Poor. Captured relatively intact. All critical systems are operational. Well maintained. Crewed by a mix of reaver prize crews and press-ganged Imperials. Given time the ship's skill and loyalty should steadily improve. If given a priority refit the ship can be improved to Good quality systems.