"I've only been there once. You tend to hear the stories of that place, stories of completely different natures depending on who you ask. Any Ecclesiarchal Priest would tell you that it is a grand bastion of light, a shining beacon that the entire sector has much to learn from. Many others will tell you of their barbaric rites and horrifying punishments, the brutal doctrine of the Imperial Creed made manifest. The truth is something more grand, and more terrifying than you can hear in stories, I would do well to never return there." - Administratum Ordinate Ravia Thrace Population: Approximately 400 Million Tithe Grade: Aptus Non, special contract Geography: Temperate climate, varied, particularly large plains and mountain ranges Government Type: Ecclesiarchal doctrine, the Burning Conclave Planetary Governor: Cardinal Gael Secondus XXVIII Adept Presence: Extreme Ecclesiarchal presence, fleeting Adeptus Terra presence, null Mechanicus presence Military: The Burning Exemplars, Knights of the Hallowed Councils Trade: Ecclesiarchal initiates and soldiers Purposely forgotten by the Praefectrix of Juno or The Consortium of Desoleum, Gael Secondus has long been seen as a terrifying flame of questionable use. The planet has been reduced to a feudal state after the Burning Decree of M.37.655, in which Saint Lautrec Solaire transformed the sinful Agri-World into a bastion of the Emperor's wrath. There is no opportunity to be found on this harsh planet, with only Adeptus Terra officials descending to check the planet's state and overly-fanatical pilgrims who wish to test their faith to its limits in trial by fire. The planet's relationship with the Imperium is a rather unique one, forged in the blazing inferno of war by Solaire himself. It does not follow the laws of the Imperial Tithe, instead giving resources in the form of its own population. No Schola Progenum institute or Shrine World can easily claim that they create servants so fanatical or powerful in their faith. This leads to a conflicting opinion on the matter, with the Administratum and Mechanicus outright protesting against the planet, it is the Ecclesiarchy's respect for the planet that keeps it from changing. The planet's surface mocks its people with a warm temperate, though lush life can be found within the wilder regions it is very rare for any significant masses of ice to form upon the oceans or land masses. Civilisation is extremely advanced, but focused and purposely limited to incorporate at little machinery as possible, forcing the settlements to be large, ornate, expertly crafted works of stone and natural metals. This has also led to a very refined style of warfare, making up for the lack of firearms with merciless skill and expertly crafted equipment. The people of Gael Secondus value one thing above all others, their devotion and purity of cause towards the God Emperor of Mankind, who they have come to know as the Primordial Flame. The Imperial Creed is what reformed the once peaceful planet of Gael into what it is now, its influence obvious in all aspects of the local society, if taken to an even further extreme. No act, no pleasure, no pain is to go without an intent of furthering the Emperor's glorious plan for Humanity. Given these facts alone, most loyal Imperial citizens would think of this place as a paradise, these men and women know not of what they speak. Gael may be an advanced society, but their eternal struggle to refine the population into scions of purity has led them to adopt brutal rites and laws which may make even Shrine Worlders nervous. Branding and scarring is not done with refined tools, nor is it done in moderation, most citizens and warriors of this planet alike have Imperial symbols and High Gothic scriptures scarred into their very flesh through painful branding or primitive surgery without the aid of synthetic medicine or technology. There are three great fates that await any who are born upon Gael Secondus. Death, passage off the planet in order to serve the Imperium elsewhere, or acceptance into the Burning Syndicate. Any soldier or warrior aspires to become a Burning Exemplar, the most respected and elite guardians of the Emperor's faith upon the planet. Others, such as craftsmen, civilians and scholars may find their aspirations guided towards the Burning Conclave, who, while lacking in any true military power themselves, are responsible for keeping the Feudal Shrine World running and stable.
