Besides, like alot of other evidence, the hatred of Forge World hinges more on the way its interpreted rather than the evidence itself (much the same way people hate certain SW authors or sources because of the favored "inteprretations". such as WEG.)
That said, Forge World does have some oddities, even in terms of internal consistency (both between different books and even within books.) 3.5 ton chimeras, for example. WEirdly variable Leman Russ speeds. Tanks that carry 40 battleship-scale combat shells that your typical 40K tank loader can load manually. Inability to keep ammunition types straight. Take your pick. We'll get to it all in time.
anyhow, before getting into vehicles we'll touch on the introductory stuff. HEre we go!
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I dont know what "aggregate" means.. but probalby not the overall number of Forge worlds, since the same source mentions thousands existing. Likely the major ones.. the most important, productive/powerful, etc. Others may be less important or minor worlds.A brief overview of some of the Adeptus Mechanicus principal Forge Worlds, and, where present, their honoured Titan Legions. Aggregate: 1,000.
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Samples of Forge worlds. DEtails of particular note: Gothic sector has at least 2 Forge worlds in it. Some forge worlds can have 2 Titan Legions. Urdesh "principal supplier" of SWC (yet its also known to supply IG regiments, rather than having Skitarri, which is a peculiar setup to say the least. And yet it appears to actually be a Forge World..) If we had benchmarks for production, we could probably compare/rate forge worlds.Accatran; Ultima Segmentum. Situated on edge of the Ork Empire of Charadon. Homeworld to Legio Destructor (Beasts of Steel). Production Grade: IV-Secundi.
Agripinaa: Segmentum Obscuras. Close to CAdia and the Eye of Terror. Principal Supplier to forces holding the Cadia Gate. Production Grade: I-Extrimis.
Antioc: Segmentum Obscuras. In the Prath Veil subsector. Captured by Chaos Incursion from the Prath Nebula. Production Grade: IV-Secundi/Non.
Estaban III: Ultima Segmentum. Third planet of Estaban system. Homeworld of Legion Tempestor (Stormlords)
Production Grade: II-Prima
EstaBan VII: Ultima Segmentum. Seventh planet of the Estaban system. homeworld of the Legio Magna (Flaming Skulls). Production Grade: II-Prima.
Graia: Segmentum Tempestus: Homeworld to Legio Astramana (Morning Stars). Production Grade: I-Secundi.
Gryphonne IV: Segmentum Tempestus. Threatend by approach of Hive Fleet Leviathan. Homeworld to Legio Gryphonicus (War Griffons). Production GRade II-Extremis.
Incaladion: Ultima Segmentum. Incriminated in a conspiracy connected ot techno-heretics and worship of proscribed xenos-lore. Production Grade: III-Secundi.
Lucius: Segmentum Obscuras. Homeworld to Legio Astorum (warp Runners.) Production Grade: III-Prima.
Mars: Segemntum Solar. The Largest Forge World in the Impeirum. Centre of the Cult of the Machine and seat of the ruling Fabricator Gneeral. Mars controls the entire archives of the Adeptus Mechanicus and as such is the repository of the sum total of Mankind's technological knowledge. Homeworld of three Titan Legions: Legio Ignatum (fire Wasps) and two other legions (classified.) Production Grade: I-Maximus.
Metalica: Ultima Segmentum. Situated close to the Ork Empire of Charadon. Homeworld of the Legio Metallica (Iron Skulls) Production Grade IV-Prima.
Mezoa: Segmentum Obscuras. Gothic Sector. Cyclops Subsector. Also a naval shipyard. Production Grade: II-Tertius.
M'Khand. Segmentum pacificus. Production Grade: IV-Secundi.
MPandex: Segmentum Obscuras. Gothic Sector. Gethsemane Subsector. Production Grade. III-Tertius.
Phaeton. Segmentum Solar. Originator of a common Leman Russ pattern. Production Grade IV-Extremis.
Ryza. Segmentum Solar. Renowned for plasma reactor and magnetic confinement field technology. Once was unsuccessfully invaded by Orks. Homeworld to Legio Crucius (Warmongsers.) Production Grade: I-Prima.
Stygies VIII: Ultima Segmentum. LArge moon orbiting massive ringed gas giant on the outer fringes of the Vulcanis system. home to the best munition weapon artisans and producers of a Leman Russ Vanquisher pattern. Once homeworld of Legio Vulcanum I and II, which both turned traitor. Now homeworld to the Legio horoum (deathbolts.)
Production Grade: II-Extremis.
Tigrus: Ultima Segmentum. Overrun by Orks of the Warlord Arrgard the Defiler in M35. Originally developed the Vanquisher cannon. Still under Ork dominion. Production Grade: IV-Prima/non.
Tolkhan: Segmentum Tempestus. Homeworld to Legio Palldisu Mor (Pale Riders). Production Grade: III-Tertius.
TRiplex Phall: Ultima Segmentum. On the Eastern Fringe, threatened by Hive Fleet Kraken. Homeworld of Legio Victorum (Foe Slayers.) Production Grade: I-Extremis.
Urdesh: Segmentum Pacificus. Principal supplier of the Sabbat Crusade: Production Grade: III-Prima
Voss Prime: Segmentum Solar. Closest forge world to the Armageddon system. Lacks good knowledge of plasma reactor technology. Homeworld of Legio Invigilata (Emperor's Guard.) Production Grade II-Extremis.
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A bit of STC fluff.STC was a system developed to aid isolated settlers on distant planets to maintain a high technology base and avoid them slipping back into a subsistence existenc and barbarism.
It was a great store of knowledge which enabled colonists to build efficient shelters, power plants, communication equipment, transports, weapons and the like, by using local materials and without requiring vast amounts of highly technical and specialist knowlege.
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Usual "Imperium never innovates or does scientific research." line, which tends to hold true only so long as the author(s) wish it to. In reality, like much of the Imperium, you tend to have both happening (some individuals or factions do research, some behave as the quote above outlines it.)Despite its decline, many practical STC creations endured and were copied, passed down from generation to generation. The familiar machines were still discernible in the common shapes and utilitarian designs. Of course, the millenia wrought their changes but the basic designs were always retained. The science required to re-invent such technology had been lost, there could no longer be any technological progress. The Imperium could not hope to create an entirely new vehicle, all it could do was replicate what had gone before.
I'm also skeptical of the idea tht the IoM cannot create a new vehicle, as it has been known to happen. The problem here is, that this is open ot quite a bit of semantics as ot how one defines "new" (for example, some f the Predator variants the Astartes made could qualify as "new"...)
Also note that despite STC standarization, changes and variations in pattenr can exist.
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Design critreia for Imperial vehicles. The Standardization bit does lead me to an intersting speculation, was STC set up to allow for "dual use?" EG a civilian vechiel migth be, with some effort converted over to a military one, which gives us the Leman Russ - for example. I have heard that IG tanks and such are based on farm vehicles supposedly."For their day, STC designs were large, ,bruitish, hard to damage, dependable, easy to repair, and with a high level of standardisation from one machine to another. They were adaptable, so a power plant might run off any fuel. They had to be able to operate in any enviroment, so simplicity and efficiency was key over considerations of form.
...
For example, a chimera's track links are still exactly the same as a Leman Russ battle tanks. Power plants also have many similar or standard features and can easily be adapted to run on different fuels.
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- the AdMech, in their "wisdom" have come to accept what were originanlyl variations or modifications on basic designs as being "standards" of their own. which in turn means that the Imperium appears to have a wide variety of variations on basic designs. (It ma be they have a huge library of such potential designs, but hav elimited knowledge/access of only certain ones.)Such is the reverence in which the Adpetus Mechanicus, the guardians of science and technology, hold STC designs, mayn features that were originally modifications have now been accepted as STC and duplicated as such. In this way, what the Techno-Magi currently think of as pure STC deisgns are not, but lost in the mists of time. It is now impossible to separate original from adaptation. The 'canon' of STC designs has been widened to include many similar vehicles.
One also has to keep in mind that more recnet fluff like Mechanicum also indicats that STC is NOt the sole and only source of AdMech technology, what with the Dragon and all on Mars, so the idea that they don't innovate or step outside the bounds of STC is hard to justify. What actually happens is, quite probably, that regardless of the "origins", if the AdMech finds it useful or conveinent it will get labeled "STC" and that's that. AFter all, who is going to gainsay them?
Another factor to consider is that, like any Imperial organization, the AdMech is subject to varying degrees of radicalism (innovation), and puritanism ('don't change a damn thing') This attitude likely varies from forge world to forge world and sector to sector, helping to explain inconsistencies (why on one hand the AdMech might be interested in Xenos tech, whilst in another they decry its use in any and all forms.)
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Another declaration that I am skeptical of. In theory it could be true, yet in practice evidence tells us otherwise. Russes can and have been made to move faster (Various novels and short stories, hell we know tanks can be tweaked for greater speed unofficially.), they can carry computer and electronics gear (like targeters and auspex) if not full computers. Some even might have some sort of autoloading system (even if its servitors.) Hell some vehicles can have a quasi-nuclear or plasma reactor for crying out loud. It doesn't help that IA contradicts itself here (which is not the first time you'll hear me point this out either) since they mention vehicles that can have a MIU attached.. and how often do we see THAT?once, in the Dark Age of Technology, perhaps Mankind could have improved upon them, made them faster, quieter, or added extra labour saving devicees to make a crew man's job easier, but now thy cannot.
People can argue back and forth what defines the "real" Imperium as far as tanks and gears go, but the answer ultimately is the same: it depends. The Imperium's tech base is so variable, its military so diverse, that you can literally cram any sort of combination into it and it makes sense. But on the other hand, this means that important things like "standardization" take at best a secondary role to everything else, nevermind all the other issues (the fact they classify regiments as equal regardless of composition or casualties, the nature of warp travel, etc.) Hell even when you have a "sophisticated" regiment, logistical problems can mean that certain high tech capabilities may not be usable or inaccessible (our Cadian tank regiment didn't get in the rigth kind of anti-tank ammunition, so we're fucked!. Oh, and the spare parts on auspex are also gone, so we're left with using spotlights.") Factor in bureacracy, corruption, you have it and well.. you have 40K. GRIMDARK!
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Typical AdMech flavour fluff. AGain, the veracity of this statement varies with authorial fiat - some follow it quite closely and others less so closely. And similarily, varying degrees of plausibility can (sometimes) be attributed to things (Such as the fact a computer or robot, in 40K, can be possessed.) There is the aformentioned "Dragon" bit too.In the 41st Millneium, technology is not widely understood, and most of those who can understand it have been gathered together under the auspeices of the Adeptus Mechanicus...
..
Technology, lost in the depths of time, which is rediscovered is revered in a manner more akin to a religious artefact than a simple electric gneerator or fuel pump. Knowledge has become so debased that advanced systms are more comparable to witchcraft or magic. Working machines are always treated with reverence, it has a will or soul of its own, or as a manifestation of the machine god.
Besides, real life tends to have an inconsistnet record when it comes to "understanding science and technology" too. I can't even count the things people fail to understand properly or deliberatley misreprenset, from evolution, to the nonsense about immunizations causing autism. Even in a milder case, people might have something of a vague idea of how a computer works, or a car, but they won't neccesarily be able to fix or build one, or give a detailed explanation of it. But not knowing does not preclude them from using it or even (sometimes) fixing it.
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More flavour text. I'm not really going to belabour the point any further but to note that again, the truth of this statement, while not wholly false, still must be taken with a grain of salt. To be honest this isn't really all that unrealistic an idea - like any religion, it is dogmatic and consrevative when it can get away with it but ultimately the successful ones change and adapt to reality (even if they refuse to acknowledge it, or rewrite history to alter their perceptions.) Christianity (for example) has done so to varying degrees.The Adeptus Mechanicus see anything involving STC designs as reflections of the will and divinity of the Machine God and, ultimatley, the Emperor himself. To change them would be heresy, a challenge to the will of the gods, and is unthinkable for a faithful servant. Innovation is seen as deeply suspicious and strongly discouraged, even for those few who might have the skills to attempt it. Many of the most advanced forms of technology are considered as "black" technology and outlawed, surrounded by superstition.
...
Simply developing better, bigger, more accurate weapons does not occur to the Adeptus Mechanicus.. Problems are solved by brute force (i.e. the use of more men....) or blind faith (the Emperor will eventaully protect Mankind, and if he does not then it was because our faith was weak!)
The obtaining of knowledge through experimentation and scientific method has been replaced by faith, which requires no proof or evidence, only trust in the truth of the doctrine of the Machien God.
I will note though that the Imperium DOES in fact improve its technology (Power armor is one notable example.) it just may not do it all the time or uniformly so.t should be noted that the whole "Omnissiah/Emperor" angle has traditionally been a divisive topic in and of itself in the AdMech, so that alone tends to indicate that the beliefs espoused here are not neccesarily gospel. Hell, later on IA even admits that interpretation does occur. Like every other aspect of 40K, the Imperium's problem isnt so much whether it does or doesn't do something, but whether it does so consistently, and to what extent it ca be distributed.
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Again, not going to belabour the point, but I quote it here for posterity and comparison.The upper echelons of the Techno-Magi, whilst dogmatic and rigid in their demands for adherence to the Cult of the Machine, know that Mankind once commanded technology far in advance of their own. Rather than striving to emulate former achievements through experimentation and research, science is now an archaeological study. Tech-Priests seek hidden or forgotten traces of past machines. Those found are replicated slavishly, but this can only happen once it is established that STC systems are present and thus the Machine God's blessing is given. Understanding how or why things function is not seen as important, just that (by the will of the Machien God) it does function is enough for the Adeptus Mechanicus.
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- the designs for the Lightning interceptor/fighter took 500 years to "verify".In this way, nearly all the vehicles currently fielded by the fighting forces of the Imperium came into being. Handed down through the years as the heirs of past STC designs pieced togehter from discoveries on backwater planets. Some of the latest re-discoveries include the Lightning Fighter, the designs for which were found on the planet Karnak II but still took nearly 500 years to verify, and the Sisters of Battle Immoaltor, a variant on the common Rhino hull. These are the great discoveries of the Explorator teams that scour the galaxy in a long quest to find lost STC machinery and slowly rebuild Mankind's technological knowledge.
A the same time as new discoveries ar emade, older technological knowledge is lost. When a final piece of working machinery breaks down there may no longer be the knowledge to repair it. If blessings and praise cannot reivve the machine's spirit, there is nothign the Adeptus Mechanicus can do, such is the will of the Machine God. For every new discovery, there is also a piece of knowledge lost forever.
Also, technology is "lost" as it is acquired, as machiens decay or break down the knowledge to maintain or repair it may not exist. Again, how this plays out in novels and such (Eg "practical" terms.) can vary.
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I should note that the fact that some guns have to be manuvered by hand (probably broadside guns) has implications for ship to ship combat. It would be rather hard to travel at very high speeds and manuver guns by manpower. So one should keep in mind that Sabbat Martyr's space combat is NOT typical in any way. and I wish people would stop portraying it as such. Again, to point out, 40K tends to be highly variable.This decay and rediscovery makes for very eclectic technology. There is no uniform technology level across the Imperium. Some technology is very advanced, others is very primitive. Many vehicles incorporate both extremes. This creates vehicles which might include sophisticated targeting systems or mind-impulse links, whilst being driven by a steam-powered turbine! Imperial starships are a good example of this fusion, whilst capable of sophisticated astrro-nagivation and warp jumps, many other onboard tasks have to be accomplished by manpower alone, such as men hauling upon chains to position guns.
As far as the "high/low" tech combination things, the above makes this sound all very nasty nd grimdark, but there is nothing neccearily wrong with a "low" tech solution. Gunpowder firearms are relatively "primitive" comapred to a lasgun, but the fact they might still be used in the future is not at all unreasonable. Or hinges. Or wheels or tracks. Or ball bearings. Low tech can have its place and its benefits too as much as high tech does. (then again you get to insane stuff like hand powered comm units on starships, cog wheels everywhere, and similar absuridties.... GRIMDARK!)
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A new "heavy escorrt vessel." Note the (apparently) short build time for what amounts ot an escort (which is basically lifted from BFG fluff on the Infidel.)The adepts of the orbital shipyards of Monsk had spent many generations gathering information from archives, ,cross checking with the central archives on Mars, slowly piecing together tens of thousands of partts of a vast jigsaw, to create a new class of ship.
..
Several years later, a new class of enemy raider was identified in the Damocles sector, not far from Monsk. It was a remarkably similar configuration to the Monsk vessel. The Imperial Navy hierarchy classified the vessel as an "Infidel' class raider.
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The implication here being that Forge worlds can match the combined output of most/all of the other Worlds of the Imperium on their own..including the Hive worlds (which are many times mor productive than EArthlike civilized worlds already.) That "thousands" of worlds can do that is.. impressive to say the least.Forge worlds are planets ruled by the Adpetus Mechanicus. They do not pay tithes to the Administratum as other planets in the Imperium must. Instead, they supply the Imperium with a major proportion of the arms and munitions it requires to maintain its vast armies and continual wars of conquest and defence.
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Note the servitor based construction force on forge worlds (40K analogue to automation) and that Titans are still being built (which some sources say they aren.t)Forge worlds are the industrial heart of the Imperium. Ruled and maintained by the Adeptus Mechanicus they are planet-sized factories, producing the raw materials of war. Each [forge] world has billions upon billions of sevitor slaves working in manufactorums that never cease production. Everything from simple lasguns, powercells, bullets and shells to Chimeras, Leman Russ, Baneblades and massive Warlord Titans roll from the production lines of the Forge Worlds.
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Associated industries in/around Forge Worlds. Like many of the older and more effective Hive and industrial worlds, the Forge Worlds tend to be highly specialized towards construction, but rely on materials coming in from elsewhere to maintain that output. In some (lucky) cases the world may still have resources relatively close by (probably not on planet, but perhaps on other planets in the system, or asteroid belts or the like.) Importing from outside a system may still be required though, especially for the high end producers I imagine.Each world [forgeworld] imports massive amounts of minerals and chemicals from mining planets across the galaxy. These must be refined befoe being turned into the weapons of war. To support the planet's factories, tehre are also space docks for inbound cargo ships and outbound transports, refineries, fuel depots and storage facilities, foundaries, warehouses, power stations and massive scrap yards hundreds of miles square. These have spread to create entire continents covered in the trappings of heavy industry. On the grreatest Forge Worlds, industry has spread to cover the entire planet's surface.
It goes to say that Forge Worlds also sound very Coruscant like. Moreos than Hive Worlds can. I daresay this either implies lots of automation or far larger populations than hinted at.
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Generally its believed that each Forge World has one (maybe two) Titan Legions a its disposal, but this may not be true in all cases - just that many (most) fo them do. Exceptions could be places like, say, Urdesh (Which does not seem to have its own Skitarii forces.)There are thousands of Forge Worlds dotted across the entire galaxy. All are the soverign domain of the Adpetus Mechanicus and many are also bases for the Adeptus Mechanicus' own fighting forces, the Titan Legions and the Skitarii. Each Titan Legion is based upon a Forge World, where it is supplied and equipped and from where Titan battle groups are sent to join the other armies of the Imperium in wars across the Galaxy.
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Page 11The largest and most productive Forge World is Mars.
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From its ancient hive facotries to its orbital dockyards Mars is revered as the fount of all technical knowledge. Mars is also unique in being the homeworld of three Titan Legions, such is its eminence.
Simply put- The Admehc is about as cnetralized as the rest of the Imperium, so things can be variable in many an sundry ways.Although all Forge Worlds are utlimately governred from Mars, stellar distances mean that centralised control is all but impossible. Whilst all Forge Worlds strive to adhere to the dictates of the Cult of the Machine, one world's idea of faithful adherence can differ from another, especially if separated by thousands of light years. One Forge World may interpret the laws differently, beliving their version is correct. This affects vehicle designs from one Forge World to the next. Slight changes and variations of style do occur. Theologists within the Cult of the Machine will argue the validity of any changes, but try as he might, the Fabricator General cannot control what happens on every far-flung Forge World.
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- partt of the reason of the strict control or regulation of tech and experimentation in the AdMech is that alot of teh tehcnologies are dangerous. Example being the "Contagion of Ganymede" where warp coil experimentation lead to the craetion of a warp gate.One of hte worst cases of deviation from cult rules resulted in the infamous 'Contagion of Ganymede', when unlawful experimentation with warp coil technology resulted in the creation of a warp gate. On the Forge world of Artemia Majoris the Hieronymites, follower sof High-Magos Alcehmys Hieronymus, were outlawed and eventually destroyed for their investigations into prescribed bio-chemical compounds. Such innovators are shown little mercy.
This passage illustrates two things. On one hand, silly as it is, the AdMech's POV holds some merit. 40K is a galaxy where magic and gods and demons literally exist, and everything, even technology, must be made to conform to that. So silly things like incense and runes painted on devices and prayers may actually serve some beneficial purpose in some cases (while in others they are obviously pointless - not every ritualistic aspect can be explained away.) The second thign we are told is that innovation still occurs in the AdMech regardless of what the rules say (again centralized control is impossible.)
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Note that while certain forge worlds (Ryza, Sygies VIII, ,etc.) may be known for specializing in cerrtain knowlege, Mars is their equal (if not superior) in all areas. We see here that politics and suchnot play a role even in the AdMech.Most Forge Worlds, small variations apart, only seek to faithfully replicate the designs that have gone before. The will of the Machine God is such tht some Forge Worlds have more success in replication than others and, as a reuslt, have developed reputations for specialist knowledge in certain areas. For instance, Ryza excels int he replication of plasma technology, including the complex art o fmagnetic containment fields. The munition artisans of Stygies VIII produce the best gun barrels, recoil dampners and finest quality propellant chemicals. Only Mars is the master of all technical arts and can command access to the archives of any Forge Worlds. It suits the lords of Mars that no other Forge World should be able to threaten its pre-eminent place as the great repository of all Mankind's technical knowledge.
Also note the bit on STygies VIII about propellants recoiil dampners and suchnot.
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Patterns and how adaptation/variation fits in.Through thousands of years, no vehicle has remained completely uncahnged.
...
Adaptations, eventually officially sanctioned, have evolved into new patterns.
A Pattern is the titel given to a vehicle design discovered by a particular Forge World.
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- to add above, the basic idea is that the fragmented knowledge amongst the vairous Forge Worlds, as well as the varying "patterns" of technology or components, cna lead to a great deal of variation among designs/vehicles. Note that the Ryza example sounds alot like a bullshit story - "piecing together" and "Testing" sounds like at least some research and experimentation goes on, its just that it is done in a way that suits the AdMech (which is to say, Mars.) Indeed, one has to note this particular quote indicates just how MUCH politics and power play into how technology is handled in the Imperium. Technology is pretty much the source of the Admech's power, and its currency both within and iwthout, and like any single, valuable resource (like oil), it will be strictly regulated (even dishonestly so.)For example, the Ryza pattern Leman Russ turret was a design pieced together from the archives of Ryza Forge World. After long debates and much testing, the Adeptus Mechanicus deicded that there was evidence of STC technology within the design and hence it became part of the official canon of sanctioned Leman Russ Design. Ryza was given the go ahead to start production and the plans were handed over to Mars and added to their archives. From Mars, these plans can be distributed as they see fit. In this way other Forge Worlds can produce the Ryza pattern, not just Ryza itself. There is often fierce competition betwene forge Worlds, as each belives they should be re-producing any design sanctioned by the Machine God, not to do so could be seen as failing in their duty.
Two main inferences can be drawn: 1.) - Power and greed outweigh practicality in the AdMech and technology (sad to say) which plays a huge role in technology being what it is in the Imperium. That said 2.) it is debatable just how much is "lost" since Mars retains pretty much everything, and they decide who can produce what ultimately. That means that the only thing preventing MArs from changing its rules is Mars itself, and it is quite possible external factors could change things (EG threat of invasion.)
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Again we note that what is taken as gospel before in practice may not always hold true. Such is the way of the Imperium.So despite their rigid dogma, the Adeptus Mechanicus can actually produce a wide vareity of broadly similar vehicles. A Forge World might produce a Mars Alpha pattenr hull, onto which is added a Ryza pattern turret, inside hwich is placed a Phaeton pattern engine. In the end, it is still a Leman Russ battle tank but with superficial differences.
So vast, compelx and fragmented ar ethe technical archives of the Adeptus Mechanicus that who knows what ancient STC deisgns have bene lost or lie long forgotten, only to be rediscovered, sanctioned, and eventually go back into production again.
And again the hwole "STC snaction" process sounds like a bullshit power game.
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Hive Worlds in the Imperium. Not as advanced or as prolific as Forge Worlds, but still considerable. Note again the control the AdMech exerts over tech by limiting what such worlds can produce.Most well populated planets have their own industries and the highly developed planets are capable of manufacturing vehicles and weapons to supply their own planetary defence regiments and "tithed' Imperial Guard forces. Hive worlds have huge factory complexes, employing millions of hive-workers, often run by autocratic merchant cartels or representatives of the Hive's ruling aristocracy.
These secondary sites lack specialised technical knowledge but are fully capable of replicating plans grranted to them by the Adeptus Mechanicus. These plans must be strictly adhered to and the ADeptus Mechanicus monitors output closely. Non Adeptus Mechanicus worlds only ever produce the commonest weapons and vehicles, such as lasguns or Leman Russes...
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Again, the AdMech has the ability to control and dictate to others as suits their needs and whims.As sole guardians of technology, the Adeptus Mechanicus have no difficulty in regulating what vehicles ar made for whom. Whilst Leman Russ and Chimeras are manufactured in huge numbers for the Imperial Guard, the largest vehicle entrusted to Imperial Guard commanders (whose loyalty has sometimes proved questionable) are the superheavy tanks and the Leviathan command vehicle.
Note the mention of Leviathans. Note that superhavies are not all that bad, nor is the IG being limited ot such a bad thing. Titans frankly are sucky designs that onyl work either due to magic (psychic manifested belief) and/or having better tech behind them, and Ordinatus are not much better (too big or unwiedly to be practical save in strategic terms.)
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Such gear also probably includes Stuff only the AStartes use (like Land Raiders and Dreadnoughts) as well as war robots of all kinds, all manner of combat servitors (like the nasty stuff seen in Dark Apostle) and so on.The Adpetus Mechanicus keep the largest and most potent engines of war for themselves. The Titans remain firmly under the command of the Adeptus Titanicus, the Adeptus Mechanicus' military division, which includes the Titan Legions and Skitarii regiments. Other more exotic war engines are also kept under their own control, especially those using very advanced or alien weaponry.
Note use of alien weapons as well.
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The Ordinatus. Note that "sonic weapons" Vortex missiles, and "nova cannon" (not to be confused with what is mounted on starships) are all Ordinatus grade stuff. Even though Titans and Deathstrikes can use vortex warheads. Hell there are ven Vortex Grenades still.Ordinatus are huge war machines towing large arrays of exotic weaponry, such as sonic weapons, Vortex missiles or massive Nova cannons. Each is irreplaceable, a weapon from another age whose mysteries have been lost. There are also many other one-off vehicles, failed experiments, captured alien technology or unique vehicles recovered fro
long last backwater planets.
...
In the most extreme circumstances, such as the defencec of their home world, Skitarii regiments have fielded exotic weapons and vehicles to devastating effect.
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- Hive worlds can be seen as closer sources of resupply for the Guard, especially those in a War Zone, than Forge Worlds are (not having to face "months or years of long warp journeys from distant Forge Worlds.) This tends to imply Forge Worlds are less common than Hive Wrolds.By necessity those planets closest ot dangerous war zones, Ork Empires, or approaching Hive Fleets, often produce and export more vehicles and military equipment for shipment directly to that warzone. An example is Armageddons' production of Chimera armoured carriers. The Hives of Armageddon are a major manufacturing site for Chimeras because of the planet's close proximity to dangerous and unstable Ork space.
..
The thousands of Chimeras which roll of production lines are used to equip the Armageddon Steel Legion regiments nad the large Planetary Defence regiments, whislt many others are transported off world to other Imperial Guard regimetns already facing the Ork Threat. As such, the hive-factories of Armageddon act as a re-supply facility closer to the frontline (in this case too close to the frontline, given the massive Ork invasion.) This means that the most vital equipment can be easily and quickly transported to where it is needed and does not face months or yers of long warp journeys form distant Forge Worlds.
This tends to illustrate how proximity to supply lines and overall logistics will influence the sophistication of a regiment. Location, distance from high tech worlds, and other factors all go into dictating what a military force will have, and thus explaining the vast dispairty that may be seen even amongst regiments from the same world. (If they can't get replacement or resupply readily in a given locale, then they may not always have the gear they may normally have or be used to.)
Also note the "months or years" warp travel over unspecified distnaces (thousands of light years?) Considering that ARmageddon is noted to be a main supply line for worlds within hundreds or evne thousands of LY, we might be talking a considerable distance (tens of thousands of LY?)
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This was during the Amrageddon war. Intersting that the Chimera can and has been made into a light battle tank in the fashion of a Predator or such. It also hints that Chimeras are so bloody plentiful on Armageddon that they can afford to divert some of their production into variants (Even whilst equipping their own IG and PDF forces, and shipping offworld ot other regiments.)During the invasion of Armageddon, the many Chimeras produced in the Hive-factories were also put to a new use. The basic Chimera chassis was converted to create a tank to bolster the planetary defence force agianst the overwhelming Ork threat. Called the APDS-6a 'Defender', it mounted a laser destroyer in a Chimera hull and was a stop gap measure which proved effective.
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- the Space Marines have their own factories or "Forges" to provide their gear and vehicles (Chapter Forges) but some of the largets vehicles in some Chapters still come directly form the AdMech.Separate from the entire Departmento Munitorum system of production and supply are the ADeptus Astartes Space Marine Chpaters. Each Space Marine Chapter is an independent, self-sufficient force, which provides its own fighting forces and weapons of war from the Chapter Forges. For the most part, these are constructed by Techmarines and servitors under the watchful eye of the Chapter's "Master of the Foges", but for some Chapters, the alrgest vehicles must come from the Adeptus Mechanicus.
The "self sufficient" angle is largely true, although within certain limits. Whilst away from their planets for example, resupply can be limited (unless a Chapter is designed for deliberate prolonged activit,y such as Crusade fleets/Crusade Chapters like the Black Templars or Imperial Fists.) which may very well force them into an unofficial reliance upon the Imperium for aid. The logistical angle of the Astartes is in fact one of their key weak spots, something I have no doubt deliberately placed there to keep them from being a significant threat.
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Frankly that's bullshit, since we've seen captured Space Marine gear in enemy hands (Chaos, et all.) Indeed, its quite an arrogant presumption that Imperial Gear might automatically be better than anything the other side has (The Eldar would doubltess disagree.) or that the enemy would even care (The Orks owuldn't give a damn anyhow.) The real reason, of course, is prestige and power: The Space Marines are the most influential and elite force of the Imperium, and thus they get the best stuff. Same with the AdMech itself, the Sororitias, the Arbites, the Inquisition, etc. Hell, even within the IG prestige tends to mean better shit. There are storm troopers and grenadiers, and the high end regiments like the Elysians and Cadians and suchnot tend to be better equipped than a more obscure regiment might.Some Forge Worlds bound to supply Space Marine Chapters by ancient charters and mutual oaths of service ot the Imperium, do manufacture Rhinos, Land Raiders, and Thunderhawk gunships, but each vehicle can only be supplied to the specific Chapter it is meant for and strict monitoring ensures they do not fall into the wrong hands. Space Marine vehicles, unlike the mass-produced vehicles of the Imperial Guard, contain much classified technology and complex internal systems, making them the foremost weapons of war in the Imperium., They cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands.
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STC standardiation and the fact that TechMarines usually dont give a shit about AdMech rules, which forces the AdMech to invariably adapt (with muchc omplaning) to the pragmatism of the AStartes.Many Chapter forges have the ability ot manufacture the STC Codex vehicles, Rhinos, Land Raiders, and Predators. Being descendants of STC technology, these vhicles often used the standardised same parts.
The Chapter forges are also capable of making one-off vehicles for special operations or enviroments, such as siege equipment. This is a prospect that would appal any Tech-Priest, but the Adeptus Mechanicus have no power to intervene or dictate what hpapens within the walls of a Chapter fortress-monastery.
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The Munitorum apparentl has its own non-AdMech technicains, although overseen (and regulated) by the AdMech naturally.Field workshios are part of this [Departmento Munitorum] support system. THey provide armoured regiments with the tehcnical knowledge to keep vehicles running. Manned by Departmento Munitorum specialists they can repair battle damage, fix simple mechanical problems or replace entire parrts if a malfunction is beyond them. They also salvage and cannibalise equipment and parts from destroyed vehicles.
A field workshop will usually have ADeptus Mechanicus advisors attached to it to provide specialist knowledge, protect the technology, and serivce the Machine Spirits as is their holy duty.
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IG commanders are pragmatic too, like the Astartes, and may ignore AdMech stircutres as needed. (Albeit with greater risk, since the IG won't eneccesarily have the influence or independence of the Astartes and pissing off the ADMech can be troublesome. ) Still it happens, and this is bound to offer many IG troops working knowledge of those vehicles (EG tweaking Salamanders for greater speed.)In the course of its repairs, a field workshop can create its own hybrid vehicles. Salvaged hulls can be repiared, have new weapons added or replacement weapons 'jury rigged' in place. Any Adeptus Mechanicus advisor is likely to take a dim view of this kind of meddling with STC designs, but hard pressed Imperial Guard commanders take a more pragmatic view. Expedient field conversions are not uncommon, welding new weapons to old hulls to create new vehicles. The Thunderer is believed ot have been originally created in this manner, and over the years has become an accepted vehicle - some Adeptus Mechanicus have even claimed to have evidenece for its inclusion in the canon of STC designs. The Thunderer probably started out as a destroyer, but when its weapon was lost, a demolisher cannonw as added as a replacement. Sometimes such 'unique' vehicles prove popular and more are made, sometimes they last for a single campaign. Often they remain unique vehicles which once destroyed are gone forever.
Its noted as well that Field workshops can, ,through salvage or juy rigging, create "hybrid vehicles" of their own. The AdMech won't like this, but Gaurd Comamnders will be pragmatic about it. Some "o ld" designs are in fact believed to be a result of this process.
In the last bit we also see again the "rationalization" game the AdMech can and iwll play when it suits their puproses. If they can't prevent something from existing or perpetuating, then they'll coopt it and put it under their direct control.
