The disappearance of the IInd and XIth Space Marine Legions, known as the "Lost Primarchs," has long intrigued Warhammer 40,000 fans. Lore enthusiasts have speculated endlessly about the reasons behind their erasure from Imperial records. Recently, YouTuber The Pontius released a compelling video that pieces together various lore sources to propose an explanation for this enduring mystery.
Not Betrayal, but Tragedy
One of The Pontius’ key observations is the common misconception that at least one of the missing legions turned traitor. Referencing The Fall of the Kath Mandau Precinct and exchanges between Word Bearers in The First Heretic, he suggests that betrayal was not the issue. Instead, Rogal Dorn’s words and other lore sources imply the legions were lost to tragedy rather than treachery.
The Second Legion – “The Purged”
The Pontius theorises that the IInd Legion fell during the catastrophic Second Rangdan Xenocide. During this campaign, the legion is said to have been tainted by an advanced mind virus or disease brought by the Rangdan, comparable to the Genestealer infection suffered by the Scythes of the Emperor. Without a cure, the Emperor deployed the Space Wolves to purge the IInd Legion. Survivors who avoided the taint were reportedly mind-wiped and transferred to the Ultramarines, with the official account stating that the legion was destroyed in battle.
The Eleventh Primarch – “The Forgotten”
The story of the XIth Primarch is shrouded in even more mystery. The Pontius highlights lore from Deliverance Lost and visions seen by Horus in The First Heretic, where the XIth Primarch’s incubation pod was seen but filled Horus with a sense of foreboding. The Pontius proposes that this primarch was scattered to the territory of the Rangdan Empire, either dying before reunion or becoming enslaved by the mind-controlling technology of the Rangdan. Any remaining legionnaires, driven by anger or tainted themselves, met a similar fate as the IInd Legion—purged or assimilated.
Why Erase Them?
The most intriguing aspect of The Pontius’ theory is why the Emperor chose to erase these legions from history. The Second Rangdan Xenocide was a catastrophic event that left humanity on the brink of extinction. The loss of two legions would have undermined the Emperor’s image of invincibility and could have led to widespread rebellion. By erasing them from the records, the Emperor protected the unity of the Imperium and preserved its fragile morale.
Conclusion
The Pontius’ theory, constructed from detailed analysis and lore cross-referencing, suggests that the IInd and XIth Legions were victims of tragedy during the Rangdan Xenocide. Their erasure was a deliberate act of propaganda to prevent the Imperium from fracturing under the weight of the truth. While definitive answers remain elusive, The Pontius has sparked renewed debate and interest in this enduring mystery.
Watch the Full Analysis For a deeper dive into the mystery of the missing legions, check out The Pontius’ full video here.
Interested in learning more about Warhammer lore or adding to your collection? Visit Merlin’s Miniatures for a massive selection of miniatures and content that celebrates the Warhammer universe!
References:
- The Fall of the Kath Mandau Precinct (Warhammer 40K source)
- The First Heretic by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
- Deliverance Lost by Gav Thorpe
- Shadows of Treachery: Prince of Crows (various chapters)
- The Horus Heresy Book One: Betrayal – inside cover maps
- The Dark King (short story)
- Konrad Curze: The Night Haunter (novel)
- Warhammer Community articles and archives
- The Horus Heresy Black Books by Forge World
This is a non-profit article created solely for the Tabletop Gaming community, it is not intended to infringe upon any IP.
Written by @gothicgarnish : – "Revealing the unseen realms." A digital creator-driven project, GothicGarnish focuses on Warhammer, 40k, and beyond, exploring gothic themes and narratives through immersive storytelling and visuals.
