The Dawn of War

One marked child, Perigil Ilacas, was born into fortunate circumstances. When his parents died, he was adopted by their employer who risked his life to hide the black eye. Perigil’s left eye was replaced with a cybernetic eye that allowed him opportunities not normally afforded to the Marked. He was educated and became a geneticist, determined to discover the secrets of the mark. Perigil was shocked when all his evidence suggested the mark was manmade.

Rapidly approaching the age of 25, he feared he would not have time to develop a cure. Perigil decided to release his results to the public. He, his lab mates, and his adoptive father were quickly rounded up and neutralized.

“The only thing your research has accomplished is sentencing everyone who knew you to death,” Perigil’s executioner taunted.

“It is better that all should die than one should live in slavery,” Perigil replied. These were his last words.

Though the executions were extensive and carried out swiftly, the damage had already been done. There were many that were sick of Imperium rule; these sympathizers joined the Marked in their revolts. The groups rapidly organized into a revolutionary army, calling themselves the Freedom Guard.

In the beginning, the Freedom Guard had very small forces and limited equipment. They were only capable of sabotage and small attacks on lightly guarded Imperium positions. While carrying out these attacks, the Freedom Guard gathered resources, organized forces and built up machinery and weapons. They used bribery and theft to get hold of technology and resources in order to strengthen their war effort. A number of planets with sympathetic citizens became important links in the Freedom Guard’s supply chain.

The Freedom Guard were not powerful enough to face Imperium head on. Instead, they took advantage of lighter machines and armor to carry out guerrilla tactics. Their agility made it easier to exhaust and frustrate the Imperium soldiers.