Tanniloth History Part I: Introduction to Tanniloth

On a recent vacation trip to BC, I had some time while relaxing to think about some sort of history for my Imperial Guard army. Below is a little introduction and history of the Tanniloth system!

The Tanniloth system is located in the south western portion of the universe, a few weeks travel from the Tanith System. Only a few centuries of habitation, and consisting of only six inhabitable planets plus a few mining colonies, the system’s inhabitants are generally well off. Though officially a Democracy, the high house is controlled by an elite few who are virtually untouchable. Elected Representatives give the system’s population the notion they have much more influence than they do in reality. The System is generally loyal to the Imperium, ensuring proper shipping of tithes and adhering for the most part to laws about psykers and heretics. Though having a relatively small and unestablished population, Tanniloth is still able to put forth a full fifty division, with ten reserves able to be called up if needed in times of war. This is partially due to Tanniloth being a major producer of arms, naturally leading to the creation and support of a larger than normal standing force.

When deployed as one force, Tanniloth is fielded as ten armies, each consisting of 5 total division; three infantry, one armoured and one mechanized. Divisions are named by their role (first number) and the army they belong to (second number), thus the 1st, 11th, 21st Divisions make up the infantry of the 1st Army, with the 31st making up the armoured and 41st the mechanized of the same army. Reserves are not assigned to an army, and train separately on their own. Though it has been proposed by the 4th Tanniloth Army Organization System (TAOS) to attach them to regular armies or division, the notion has faced stern opposition from top officers in the regular forces, too proud to let “part time” soldiers into their esteemed and historied ranks.

Traditionally the 1st - 5th Armies are kept on the main world of Tanniloth Prime as the main fighting force for the system. While this may seem to indicate they would see the most action, it is more common for the 6th and 7th Armies, as they are primarily responsible for maintaining order and peace and deflecting minor alien or pirate incursions from Tanniloth controlled space. The best example of this is found on the outlying planet of Tanniloth Minor, farthest from Tanniloth Prime and the rest of the Tanniloth system. Tanniloth Minor faces outwards towards a small, seemingly innocent but nonetheless important gap facing The Veiled Region in not only Tanniloth but Imperial power and control, making it a prime target for raiders and invasions to take place. These typically range from small Orc raiding parties or splinters of Tyrnid broods looking for quick spoils, to Chaos incursions or seemingly random Eldar attacks. Standing in their way is the perhaps the most storied division in all of Tanniloth, the 46th Tanniloth Mix Mechanized Division. In most Armies the mechanized division is used as both a quick response force (QRF) or strike team due to their mobility and versatility. Some consider them the best trained and most utilized. If this is not true for other mechanized divisions, it certainly is for the 46th.

The 46th is stationed on Tanniloth Minor, and being part of the 6th Army is primarily responsible for system defence. As Tanniloth Minor is not only the farthest away of the inhabited planets but also the system’s smallest, the 46th is the only regular division stationed there, meaning they are alone in their defence of the most vulnerable planet in the system. The division has fought off countless incursions, and is almost always kept at full readiness. Few envy the 46th, even as they respect their prowess and fighting ability. However if not for some timely allies they may not have ever gotten off the ground.

Next up Part 2, Origins of the 46th.