The Mysterious Creature Of The Skull Cluster - 40K Theories

[@5680009]

"Surely the Imperium would not be so incompetent...". You underestimate the incompetence of the Imperium.

[@robertnelson9599]

The government is a "frozen sea of ineptitude".

[@DharkDemonBlade]

There is no such thing as efficiency, only varying degrees of incompetence.

[@Tacoguy1000]

@@DharkDemonBladeI see what you did here...

[@ridethetiger9092]

Dhark Angel The necrotic Empire of the False Corpse-Emperor of Mewling Mankind is barely able to distinguish it’s ass from a hole in the void.

[@DISTurbedwaffle918]

In the grim dariness of the far future, there is only debilitating bureaucracy.

[@Sereze001]

Whatever is in that hive it's either: A) Too dangerous to attack B) Too valuable to destroy

[@CloseingStraw97]

or C) all the above

[@bobmilaplace3816]

I think its a Primarch, they are hoping he snaps out berserker rage.

[@dinodude6992]

Ahhhh.... It be a toaster

[@joelschneider4529]

Men of Iron Guarding a STC fragment?

[@scottross5495]

What happens on Necromunda stays on Necromunda.

[@Warrior-Of-Virtue]

Maybe the Imperial Fists are covering up what's happening in the Skull Cluster because whatever they found would be considered grounds for exterminatus.

[@commie4164]

anything and everything is grounds for exterminatus, including ork invasions. once a single ork lands on a world, that world will always have an ork population, as it is virtually impossible to fully exterminate them due to their physiology. so what determines if a planet gets sterilized or not, is the value the planet has to the imperium. necromunda is extremely valuable for its output of both manpower and material, so it is not a viable target for exterminatus.

[@Rammkommando]

@@commie4164 come on come all the yearly ork hunt and defence is starting

[@eatme123-g8y]

@@commie4164 I wouldn't say it's just the value of the planet that determines exterminatus, but the threat on the planet weighed in comparison to the value. So most likely whatever the Imperial Fists are covering up isn't dangerous enough to warrant further action let alone exterminatus. I can see why too, the planet is stacked with defenses and forces, it would take a serious threat taking them by surprise to make them even think about exterminatus.

[@commie4164]

@@eatme123-g8y there are only two threats off the top of my head that would not be immediately considered great enough for exterminatus. a non chaotic anti imperial uprising, a peasants revolt that they could simply send in arbites or pdf forces to crush. and a non ork, non tyranid xenos invasion, that again they could simply deploy standard forces or some astartes to counter. literally anything else would result in the planet being glassed unless there is enough value on the planet in some form to warrant fighting for it in a conventional manner. hell when the planet vraks rebelled against the imperium, at the start it was just a peasants revolt, it became tainted by chaos later, but in the beginning there was nothing of the sort, at least as far as the imperium was aware. yet there were literally people advocating for the planet to be destroyed by exterminatus, for a simple peasants revolt, and the only reason they didnt was because it was determined that the stockpiles of ammunition, supplies, weapons, and vehicles were too valuable to waste.

[@Sir_Bucket]

@@commie4164 dat's why we da best! Ya can nevar truly beat da orks! We'z alwayz win!

[@dwreanchinotan]

perhaps something no one has seen yet. an unreleased entry into the "WHY DO PEOPLE LIVE HERE?!" book of necromunda

[@jmagowan12]

Quite simply as they have na other choice.

[@pauljohn4668]

Perhaps it's something beyond Chaos, perhaps it's something older then existence itself and it's just waiting to strike.

[@thatrandomconcript2640]

@@pauljohn4668 an overload of incompetence that not even the imperium has done before

[@Ceenth]

@@thatrandomconcript2640 Right. It's a C'Tan. XD

[@Dadecorban]

@@pauljohn4668 It seems probably that if the Imperial Fists decided to just surround the place and leave it be that it is most certainly something that isn't a threat except to anyone that ventures into the hive. If it was a threat, and they have a first hand account, then they would be blasting the hive city into oblivion. When you have a hammer everything looks like nails. If Space Marines are just cordoning off a place and not attacking it it's because it's not a nail. Likely some sort of creature or monster that is likely to just hang out and leave everyone alone as long as they stay out.

[@silvermarksman6834]

"The imperial fists would surely do more that build defenses if there was a chaos cult" Are you sure about that? These are Sons of Dorn after all...

[@Ericshadowblade]

Kitten: dorn what are you doing? Dorn: i am fortifying this postion

[@Ivandejanoski]

How dare you, as a son of Dorn I am deeply offended *builds a wall so he may never speak to you or see you

[@EcclesiastesLiker-py5ts]

Yet Dorn teaches that "the best offence is a good defence". So perhaps that would not be so unlikely.

[@Nerozard]

@PJ Rivera SIEGE

[@sasmo6515]

It could be men of iron. They could have been in deep storage when something reactivated them. It would lend itself to the hulking figures, the bestial cries could have been confused for that of ancient machinery, and we've seen what happens when astarts go against a well developed hive of men of iron. It would also explain why they redacted the information as well being that AI is strictly prohibited. But thats just a thought.

[@mattkennedy9308]

I was thinking two normal enemies fighting each other but an Ork infestation fighting Men of Iron would be cool. Strike force shows up, fights some Orks then both sides get wrecked by the Men of Iron so the Fists set up and watch for intelligence on how they operate.

[@Yingyanglord1]

That makes alot if sense

[@sasmo6515]

@@Yingyanglord1 It's only speculation. I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to lore but I feel like I'm lacking a lot of knowledge. 40k kind of helps fill in some of those gaps but I'm still sometimes lacking, sadly.

[@doomguy9049]

this would be the coolest possibility

[@sasmo6515]

@@mattkennedy9308 Yo, that would be sick actually. Just the amount of carnage. Im sure Special K would have the biggest stiffy at that fight. I already know The Big S already has a both figurative and literal female boner so just addressing the obvious at that point.

[@walterlopez5054]

it's where they're keeping the Squats.

[@negativezero8174]

B L A M

[@verilyveronica8430]

The squats have been hiding wearing High Heels.

[@WASDLeftClick]

Worse, it’s where they’ve been hiding the Space Skaven.

[@aguspuig6615]

for the 5th time Rogal, they are called dwarf

[@CallieYote]

@@WASDLeftClick it's a horrifying unified Squat/Skaven coalition

[@greenlightertothe4th]

Anything as mundane as Orks, Genestealers, or even Chaos would be attacked until eradicated, not blockaded.

[@ericvaroli9895]

Sevedris not unless they still don’t know what it is, could be old one eye and no one would know

[@matenzo]

Men of Iron have been blockaded and burried by the imperium before.

[@mrbreck1]

Burning figure makes me think of a c'tan shard. No doubt there is probably various zenos and gene stealers as well.

[@informationyes]

@@matenzo If the emchanicus found out they would lose their sh*t BIG TIME

[@lunabee1313]

Maybe the skaven

[@paule.vanamburgh8028]

I vote Necrons. A flayer coven could easily shred a strike team and no one may know what to do with Necromunda if it turns out to be a tomb world

[@Sam-er6up]

I know I'm replying to a one year old comment but the name is Necromunda just think about that, hell yeah it might be a tomb world.

[@midgetydeath]

Honestly, if Necromunda turns out to be a Tomb World I'd almost pity the Necrons. If any world has such a violent, armed, and experience population that it could probably fight off a Tyranid invasion with just its roid-raging citizens, that world is *Necromunda.* The Necrons would be up shit creek.

[@LinkiePup]

With it being flayed ones, they could take any form; but another bit of evidence is, Flayed ones just kinda… happen. They pop out of their personal pocket dimension where ever the smell flesh appears. Normally battlefields, but with high crime, and gang wars in Hive cities, there would be a load of dead for the flayed ones to… well.. flay. And seeing that there was living meat, would have an absolute field day.

[@Asmith218]

Zoat infestation, imperial fists sealed the records so GW doesn't have to recognize their existence.

[@FrstSpctr88]

Or Hrud.

[@Antlion1001]

What about necrons? Good luck purging a Tombworld with a hive world built on top of it.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

@@centuri.trader9194 I...I...hmmmmm. This needs to be canon.

[@VespiansGrace]

And if the skull was the entry to the tomb world it would make sense to fortifying the hell out of it.

[@truegregthompson]

Could even be the survivor was allowed to leave after the Lord of the tomb decided a messenger was needed to let the planet know that they all needed to fuck off and let them sleep

[@Liminal.Headspace]

That's a good theory, they might be Destroyers, whom are REALLY not liked by any still sentient Necron and usually banished unless someone needs an epic atom flayer buttfuck

[@ponysrule101]

How do we know that The Skull Cluster wasn't just filled with giant spiders and the Imperial Fists just decided NOPE.

[@Oliolli3]

HOW DID THE MEGARACHNIDS GET HERE!? I THOUGHT THEY WERE EXTERMINATED ON MURDER!

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

Can you imagine Astartes in power armor armed to the teeth and he is like: "Eww spiders! I wont gonna go there! Have you ever seen them? They are THIS big and gross!"

[@randallb84]

Oh dear God Emperor that made me laugh, the mental image of an Asartes on a chair because of a spider is so ridiculous its funny

[@AnimeSunglasses]

@@randallb84 QUICK, somebody get Lutherniel to DRAW THAT! (They're the artist behind Bolter to Kokoro, for the uninitiated...: www.deviantart.com/lutherniel )

[@silent_stalker3687]

@@randallb84wait until you find one of them destroyed a oven and a rack by falling over because he didn’t know what a lobster was when he entered the room. He almost stepped on it and moved back, bumping into the oven and slide it against the wall to the rack of the stuff for cooking He then saw a bowl of living shrimp just bunch of bug things ‘wriggling and writhing around with beady bug eyes some ruptured from decompression’ When a paradise world is too much of a paradise and space marines have seen too many bugs. Jk jk

[@mrbearbear83]

Was I the only one who heard: Burying the cannibals and the population to starve and thought: Locking the cannibals in with a food supply?

[@40KTheories]

The food, and cannibals, run out eventually ;)

[@tylerdunn9683]

@@40KTheories but the cannibals still have food. They have each other

[@22BCMF]

Tyler Dunn they’re not gonna be able to have kids quick enough to outpace their need for food

[@tylerdunn9683]

@@22BCMF your right theyd just eat them the second their born.

[@tylerdunn9683]

@@40KTheories hey if you had to choose between hyperspace travel from Star Wars or warp travel/ Eldar webway travel to we'll move across the galaxy

[@spartana1116]

Maybe a lost dark age or early imperium experiment

[@Ballagorn_Ironblood]

Like in that funny book called Death Zone, short story "Descend"?

[@spartana1116]

Idk because i never read the books

[@wizard0313]

@@Ballagorn_Ironblood What was it?

[@Ballagorn_Ironblood]

@@wizard0313 There was a nanobots with program to gatter and combine all organic material and peoples consciousness into one. Long lost creation from dark age of technology If i remember it right. I read that book long time ago

[@alexanderzhmurov9624]

@@Ballagorn_Ironblood Will need to look into it

[@lokiorin5520]

All 3 options (Orks, Tyranids and Chaos Cult) seem pretty unlikely purely because there hasn’t been a more significant response. Those 3 options all require immediate responses, and are known quantities in the universe. Even if they couldn’t eradicate the infestation entirely, regular purges of the Skull would be required to keep things from escalating. Otherwise we’d be expecting a Waaagh, or some flavor of rebellion.

[@dilophosaurussk4333]

Yep, those are all too proactive. They would have attacked already.

[@absalomdraconis]

Probably something highly dangerous if encountered, but slow to expand. The guarding marines are to kill any that try to expand out. They aren't mounting a purge because it isn't worth the bother (noone was using the place anyways), or the infestation might even be useful (some rogue archeo-tech semi-living mining machine). Regardless, it's not a continental or even hive-cluster threat at all, but it's a massive in-hive threat, and if lots of folks knew then they'd make a massive nuisance of themselves: perfect for an RPG campaign.

[@Rammkommando]

why do i suddenly have the urge to make a starfinder campaign out of this?

[@rexalley8397]

Do it I would play it

[@alexanderzhmurov9624]

Indeed indeed

[@Jacl11]

Why? I have a planet to invade at 7am tomorrow, an Exterminatus 8, fending off Eldar Corsairs at 9, and stopping a Black Crusade at 10, but I have to watch your videos. They are too good not to watch.

[@mercenarygundam1487]

We all need some respite once in a while.

[@salahberjawi3945]

Ahem, the inquisition wants to know why you are being derelict in your duties.... You have executions to conduct at 5am, once the heretics are disposed of you may pursue the rest of your duties..... No more shirking...... The inquisition is watching you....... VERY CLOSELY!!!!

[@grievouslytired7886]

The Admiral is shirking his duty for personal leisure. Ahem.....Inquistor!?

[@salahberjawi3945]

@@grievouslytired7886 Personal Leisure........ Sounds like HERESY to me!

[@NoobNoob-ss5hs]

Don't forget to boop the snoot.

[@TeamOneDay]

Necromunda, what happens when you allow Karl The Deranged to get bored.

[@joshuaswinarton3274]

More importantly however, why didn't the Adeptus Mechanicus strip the hive clean of industrial machinery after its decimation? Surely the machines could have been repurposed elsewhere on Necromunda.

[@informationyes]

machine spirits/code can become corrupted

[@ampersandman757]

Who is to say they didn't?

[@KristofKristoferos]

Matt Ward lives within it. He is loosed upon the materium once more, Throne save us all

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

Nice. Matt Ward doesnt like Fists that much. They end up killed or they sacrifice themselves in his books. So it adds up.

[@Xer0sama]

"Why would it take over nine thousand years to notice a burgeoning Ork population?" WHAT? OVER 9000?

[@TheGenXGeek]

Perfect example of government at work...

[@kieranh2005]

Stelf orks?

[@tiggerbane4325]

Dey be purple then do they?

[@phreakazoith2237]

how long did it take for the imperium to notice the fact that a planet of ape smurfs with flintlock guns forged their own empire with space travel, AI, battle suits and stuff? 4000 years?

[@ragnerschwarzmane3412]

Tigger Bane no, if they were purple, the imperium still wouldn’t have noticed.

[@knowplay]

It's simple: A Man of Iron. A surviving member of the Men of Iron that had been buried in the ash....and eventually awoken by a massive storm. His years of burial have driven him mad...almost feral. Now, he claims the Skull as his kingdom.

[@christopherg2347]

It has to be a few creaturs tops. Stuff like Cults can be easily dislodged via miltiary action, so the empire would not hesitate to send in forces. Or they would quickly starve. A strong creature with a homefield advantage however, could be "too much trouble" to try to smoke out. It is better to guard the exits so it does not wander around and just wait for it to die of old age. It can also be helpfull not to antagonize it via further attacks. A single, strong creature could be very dangerous if antagonized. And not burying the hive might be better, as it might be needed as real estate later. Keeping the existence a secret is also a good idea, as something that the Emperors Angels of Death fear would disrupt the local morale. It might even be a interesting training scenario for the Imperial Fist Recruits and to keep all those other things out of there. So it is just the right combination of: - too troublesome to attack at home or rile up - too troublesome to admit it existing - not troublesome enough to waste force on smoking it out or wasting a good hive to burry it - to usefull (as cult deterent or sparing partner) to remove If they ever do need the hive, they propably have the manpower to spare to take it out. But until then it is just not worth the effort.

[@littlebubulle]

- Skavens - nothing. The IF sent there just tripped on their own feet and fell down a long set of stairs. The defenses are to save face.

[@Venneroth]

It’s a Lost Primarch. He likes his privacy, that’s all.

[@GregoryElliott1973]

I was going to say that. Lol

[@kingjulian7045]

Yeah..... the primarch of the second legion. I.E the rainbow warriors

[@MeepChangeling]

It's just Sly Marbo's house. The Marines are there to keep the kids off his lawn.

[@nexviro8987]

When i heard the discription I though a band of thunderwarriors

[@Valsorayu]

Close to terra... Sound about right.

[@teecefamilykent]

Thirded!

[@jaqdraco]

I'm throwing the theory in that it is Dorn. We will find out eventually that Dorn is also a perpetual, his last battle much like one of Vulkans deaths, was so intense and complete that his regeneration has left him violent, incoherent and crazed. the three holes in the hive could be the remnants of his reentry among debris from a ship. This is why the Fists can't simply destroy the location, and going in is too dangerous. I think there is a storyline there that while the fists have been unable to bring his mind back, think when the World Eaters tried to get Angron on side, so much so the Fists seek an audience with the returned Roboutimus Prime he goes in has a bit of a fistycuffs with the deranged brother trying to bring his mind back, whispers 'Martha...' wait sorry wrong storyline, eventually gets through to Dorn maybe by him seeing the Emperors Swords (sounds wrong) trips his memory back. This would then reinforce my belief all the Primarchs are perpetuals, because it's way to useful an ability to give to just one of them.

[@ianharrison5758]

I very highly doubt that. If the imperial fists knew that their own primarch was down there, they’d stop at nothing to retrieve him by any means necessary. Any means necessary. As for the perpetual part, we know for a fact not all of the primarchs could possibly be perpetuals bc we know of several that are deader than dead. Horus, Ferrus Manus, Konrad Curze, sanginius, and most likely both lost primarchs are dead. If any of them were perpetuals they’d have respawned or healed by now.

[@ostangvulkahn1875]

I think it's Kitten's half Tau children

[@Glaaki13]

well the only thing the Imperium leave alone of the big factions are Necrons -thay just hope they sleep forever, but a lot of lesser things could hold them back

[@Eldor-117]

Imperial fists during attack: *fortification* Imperial fists during defense: *heavy fortification*

[@TheMemphisxlr8]

It's actually Karl: He has a vacation house beneath the Skull, where he likes to practice his singing.

[@bluestormpony]

my guess is either men of iron, or dark eldar. if they were dark eldar it could be a contact for below board mutually beneficial transactions. as the imperium and space marines Have on occasion turned a reletively blind eye to aeldari activity before. the imperial fists increasing their numbers is just a precaution for the eventuality of the dark eldar betraying them

[@AreEia]

To my mind the most feasible creature(s) would be some sort of mutated animal strain. As Necromunda is well known for its high level of mutation and deadly creatures. It would have to be an extremely deadly creature(s) as it killed so many Imperial Fists but also one that is not too likely to spread to other Hives quickly. Since all they did was shore up their defenses. This to me also says that it is a creature(s) that must have a great advantage in the deep dark hive, but probably is not as deadly in the ash wastes. So maybe either some "shoggoth-like" super organism, or a new species of especially cordinated and deadly hive creatures...or both? Whatever it is I would love to see a BL novel where some dumb off worlders try to get into the Hive for some convoluted reason or another, only to meet the wrecthed thing that dwells in the Skull. Other than that, great video as always :)

[@Frotopoto]

Well, I have now the beginning of my Skaven's lore in 40K. Thank you 🐀

[@matenzo]

Men of Iron. There have been instances of Men of Iron being entombed and sealed off by the imperium before.

[@internetzenmaster8952]

Obviously it's a cluster... _filled with Orks and Digganobz. Or one very, VERY big Ork._

[@jonathandavies1716]

One massive ork wearing The Skull as a hat.

[@Rammkommando]

@Steve Campbell "Imperial fists i am so happy to see you, Come GIVE ME A HUG" Imperialfist : that is not necessary

[@EcclesiastesLiker-py5ts]

"Have been known to be highly zealous" Oh, the understatement.

[@aleksandarberber4527]

Maybe there is a old war machine or a group of man of iron robots in the hive

[@Rastek19]

The imperial fist? Reinforcing a perimeter? What an unlikely event

[@cerdic6867]

I like the idea of it being some ancient malice from the dark age of technology

[@AwsmChimera]

They're probably just Squats standing on one-another. Easily why there'd be such secrecy. "Yo, why we building this wall?" "Dunno, but... I just _feel_ like it's something we *desperately* need to do for this one, y'know?"

[@EternalQuestion]

"The imperium have been known to be highly zealous when dealing with the followers of chaos" Literal understatement of the millennium.

[@dilophosaurussk4333]

"Life in the 41st millenium is hard"

[@Bullet-ve2it]

Those things that wrecked necromunda right after the imperium took the empire!

[@claypidgeon4807]

I always assumed it was something new, or shall we say very, very old. Some darktech abomination from the Age of Strife that ought to have remained buried forever managed to claw its way back into life and has taken residence in a derelict old ruin.

[@MalachiteDragon1]

Meanwhile, in the High Lords' room... "I AM THE LAWN!!!... uh... say, you fellas get the feelin' we forgot about somethin' important?"

[@owenbevt3]

the stand off approach makes int unlikely but I sooo hope its orks, the reactions of orks and Goliaths meeting each other would be precious.

[@Kay_Drechsler]

I just want to tell how many countless hours of pure pleasure you gave me with your content. Your work is done so very well that I'm struggling to find appropriate words for it.

[@mercenarygundam1487]

Well it is called the skull. Khorne owns it and other non Khornate Chaos members pay rent in blood. Now imagine TTS doing a sjetch on that.

[@lord_duckian9521]

I believe it's just sump monsters, growing much much larger from being released from the sump and being able to expand their territory to the rest of the hive

[@Bloodchylde2012]

With the Imperial First home base close by, an entire Strike Force wiped out when scouting, the Imperial Fists lock away the records of the engagement and fortify defences around the Skull... surely they would have the ordnance to level the hive city? To eradicate whatever dwells within that has them so spooked?

[@GreatChickenGod]

it could be a nest of Ambulls

[@zarektheinsane6656]

So they finally found Conrad Curze and his emo den

[@malcadorthesigillite5847]

@Corvus Andrathi In 'light' of that purest edge I'm calling him knock-off Corax until the sun explodes.

[@Eisenwulf666]

Isn't he dead tho? Like 100%,boyscout's honor, we have proof, we promise never to bring him back, dead? Or am i missing a bit of the lore?

[@johnathanblackwell9960]

@@Eisenwulf666 Well, his soul is in a spirit stone as far as I know.

[@brigandboy1425]

Or perhaps the skull is the repository of Cawl's misbegotten failed experiments. Wouldn't do for the reality of his vaunted Primaris origins to be released to the public.

[@VoiceOfTheEmperor]

It's like trying to root out a lazy terrorist cell in Baltimore. Especially if it's in a VERY bad area. People aren't going to trust the National Guard coming in and raiding a large block just to deal with some outside threat. Especially if it's not a major one AND the entire area knows the consequences for letting things "get out of hand". Plus it's a recruiting world for a major Space Marine chapter. The conditions on Necromunda keep the Imperial Fists sharp and the imperium able to fight off pretty much anything. In other words, the risk outweighs the reward.

[@Ponkan45]

So instead of bothering people tolerate terrorists? Gotcha lol

[@Shawass]

it's Karl the Deranged down there, I'm calling it

[@auraenchanted2503]

what about it being a base for the men of iron and that they are keeping it quiet because they simply have no effective counter to killing them and so they keep them hidden. the effigies are in place as a form of perpetuating superstition and that the imperium is content to keep them locked up because they see no reason to march on the men of iron and destroy them. possibly with the battle brother who survived the beatings he suffered believing them to be some kind of adeptus mechanicus project that he has disturbed

[@MrMysticphantom]

Maybe it's Dorn, just in a maddened form, slowly recovering while having psychic backlashes

[@-Bile-]

The fists response stongly suggests necron tomb world. Hulking shadowy figures are tomb constructs. Imperial forces cant take offensive action for fear of waking up the tomb, especially not so close to terra.

[@Xarcht]

OOOOOOHHHHHHH a large hive of men of iron that follow the emporer

[@Ezael]

It could also be a dangerous piece of archeotech still functioning/malfunctioning

[@TK199999]

It could be a minor Necron stasis tomb, with the Fists and the Imperium deciding to leave it be and not disturb it.

[@Abdega]

It is a new Chaos God of bureaucracy and incompetence

[@ProfDCoy]

And it has occupied the whole Hive structure, suffusing its every wall, room, machine and computer terminal. Entrants are coldly informed through every vox-caster within the Hive of the forms they must fill out (in triplicate of course) in order to conduct the most basic activities. They must work through mountains and mountains of paperwork just to requisition a meal, or open a locked door to the next room, or go to the toilet. After weeks of maddening paperwork, running low on supplies, members of the Imperial Fists squad began arguing with each other over how to correctly complete the forms, who still had a working black pen, who had ticked the box marked "F" instead of "M" on their AFG 582 - Request for Investigation of Need for Approval of Evening Sustenance - and other grave matters. Soldiers accused each other, took sides, angrily checked and re-checked paperwork. At length, one man drew his bolter and fired, and the whole room erupted in a confused cacophony of bolter fire. Finally, only one of the fratricidal maniacs stood alive, pathetically mourning his own wicked actions. Having successfully defended itself and even fed and grown stronger on the Space Marines' feelings of confusion and frustration, the God let the last soldier leave the way he came. This sad, broken man, once a proud and strong Astartes, would serve as a last witness to what happened - to the tale of what happens to all who defy Cycifeern, God of Red Tape, He Who Files.

[@TK199999]

This is 40K we are talking about, what would be the worst possible situation in the Skull hive? Everything. Meaning there is feral Orks, Gene stealers/Gene stealer cults and Chaos cults/warp spawn infestation. But why then would the IoM fortify and not annihilate. At first I thought maybe Necrons, but they would be too powerful a foe to risk leaving in place. So what Xeno race could bottle up all these horrors, to the point the IoM would rather leave it be? Then it hit me, Hrud. If there is a Hrud infestation along with all the others, then the best thing would be to leave it be. If its just Hrud, then either way Hrud tend to stay in place and not venture out. Since the Hrud ability to mess with time, may mean time passes much faster in the Skull than the rest of the planet. This effect is two fold, it makes assaulting untenable and it effectively bottle's up anything or everything fighting in there. But if any group would win and move out to attack the rest of Necromunda, those fortifications would annihilate them.

[@Nobility4U]

Could it be a small group of rak'gul? This may be the reason space marines would only reinforce the area and not send in a kill team. Rak'gul don't go down easy especially in a close quarters area such as a hive city.

[@gothicshark]

Probably ancient pre-imperium abominable intelligence. Or even Necrons (or what ever Xenos made the long lost warp gates). After all there are some big mysteries regarding the Araneus Continuity.

[@Rain..._]

good ol classic 40 theory

[@drdresapinkbunny]

There is absolutely no way the IOM would let a Chaos Infestation slide. Necromunda was basically founded upon the rotting corpse of Araneus Prime after a Chaos incursion. The Imperial Fists "E-specially" know this. And like the video said. The Grey Knights are right around the galactic corner. Neromunda is within striking distance of Holy Terra itself. If there was so much as a turd of Chaos from a long dead chaos bunny lying somewhere in the Skull. They would find it. And they would obliterate it. In fact, they would most likely obliterate the entire structure. . After that was done, I am sure there would be a permanent quarantine zone set up, and around the hilariously deep crater that used to be the skull. Around this Quarantine Zone I would imagine would be permanently garrisoned troops. A whole fuck ton of Imperial Guard. Lots of Fists. Mechanicum, and Sororitas Elements as well. You'd probably see a Titan Legion or two. At any rate, if there were Chaos, Genestealers, or Orcs, I just can't see the IOM reacting with anything but extreme prejudice. It is an interesting piece of lore. I wonder if GW has even thought about what might be lurking down there? It would be cool if they expanded upon the lore. Great video as always BTW.

[@josetrujillo2394]

Thunder Warriors? Maybe they made some kinda deal with the Imperial Fists which is why they just build some barricades instead of clearing them out (although being Imperial Fists, do they really need a reason to build defenses?)

[@vojtechpribyl7386]

What about Necrons? Their warriors are physically imposing and yet they are not particularly dangerous when they lack high tier commanders. If part of their tomb has been activated the Administratum could have decided that it would be better left alone and Adeptus Mechanicus not alerted so that they don't trigger any additional systems by nosing about. Surely the Necron tech could have some howling sounds and weird lights by running some of their systems.

[@idigamstudios7463]

Possibility: it's nothing so typical. There are many strange xenos, warp beings, and such. It could even be a full integrated halo device user for example. In which case keeping it bottled up would be easier than trying to dig it out and launch it into a star.

[@Saphels]

>Imperial Fists fortified positions around Skull and did nothing else What else should be done? They're IMPERIAL FISTS. THEY FORTIFY.

[@MrMortull]

Mutants. My guess is regular, common-or-garden Mutants in *massive* numbers that the Administratum and Fists simply don't consider the costs necessary to purge The Skull as being worth it.

[@roganzar]

It's Conrad Curze. Now here me out. He was killed but the Ruinous Powers brought him back. His use and grudging acceptance of his precognitive abilities was enough to link him to a Chaos God. Probably Tzeentch. Being brought back would be an immense torment that it's possible Tzeentch and the rest would have found mildly entertaining. Curze took up residence in the Skull hive and has set it up in such a way that everyone should leave him alone. All while his precognition constantly torments him. When the Imperial Fists investigated they ultimately found a traitor Primarch. Curze let the one go to tell the Chapter what was there. Slaughter all but one to convey a message is the Night Haunter's M.O. This would be of such great danger that the Fists would seal this information away. There are probably both Orks and Genestealer Cultists in parts of the hivenat this point. Due to Curze allowing them to be there but using them to get out his more violent urges when his visions get to be too much. Also using them as a distraction from his presence.

[@icecold1805]

I imagine it is Chaos, but the Imperial Fists are keeping this hidden from the Inquisition to avoid it launching an Exterminatus on one of their recruitment worlds. I mean, this isn't unprecedented, if I remember correctly.

[@spencerschaepman7239]

Perhaps the Imperial Fists are maintaining a defensive cordon while the Grey Knights are, in fact, purging the cluster. Imperial Fists keep people out and the threat contained, Grey Knights stay out of sight. Easy day, job well done.

[@ffejpsycho]

My idea for who this group is... A group of "renegade" Thunder Warriors... they are invoking some rituals or 'warp'ish shenanigans in order to void their built in expiry date and extend their lives indefinitely.... They aren't full chaos, just to keep from dying naturally... they were hulking, and plenty unstable... What do you think?

[@willclark7197]

Well what took out a whole Imperial fist squad whatever it is not weak by any means

[@sanuku535]

"relatively near galactically speaking"

[@Verse_Jumper]

Strange shit going down in front of the imperial fists? Fortify

[@warrenlamb2655]

They walked in on Rogal Dorn during a magic pain glove session.

[@dansmachine9360]

It is an ancient xeno abomination left over from the system's previous occupant before the arrival of the Emperor's fleets.

[@mattkennedy9308]

I'm sort of inclined to think it may be a minor force of Orks that the Imperial Fists are using as practice due to the previous abandonment of the cluster. If a basic strike force was able to cleanse or severely cripple it, sealing records and waiting for a respawn to practice Ork fighting wouldn't be unbelievable. Especially if there's enough Fists to crush it in future. Either that or multiple forces are active and they're waiting to see who wins and take out the weakened victor. Orks fighting Genestealer cults with no clear advantage would also explain why they'd reinforce defences but not raid in force until a clear winner emerged as a threat to the Hives and Production.

[@seannorthern8854]

Just a thought: Perhaps the Imperial Fists discovered an enclave of ex-Thunder Warriors. They were the ultimate terror force (Cruz was a wet sausage wallet by comparison), they were physically massive, and any news of their existence would directly contradict the Emperor. Oh... and they could •each• easily turn a squad of Astartes into crimson mist and bone chips using a pool noodle.

[@Eisenwulf666]

Well then why not Exterminatus the planet? Seems like the sensible choice. But ,you are probably right in that it is of imperium origin,too precious/dangerous to be disposed of,but not enough of a treat to exterminate the planet

[@kingjulian7045]

I mean, if there's a group of warriors that can beat a custodes with a soup spoon, your gonna leave them alone

[@roberttew6073]

I have a suggestion for a theory; at the same time, a question: What is the Pale Wasting? I heard on the lexicanum that it is an event in the Ghoul Stars that wiped out eleven Astartes Chapters, with the Novamarines being the notable surviving chapter. Listed with what are called, "Nightmare-Engines". Sounds like Necrons, or something worse. Were it not for the fact that the region is in the Ultima Segmentum, I would think it part of the Haunted Segmentum Obscurus. What do you think?

[@ShadowPhoenixMaximus]

It would likely be daemons. I can't imagine the Imperial Fists would simply allow a xenos threat on Necromunda to go unchallenged or conceal their existence. Its possible that part of the planet is vulnerable to the warp and the chapter lacks the means to seal the breach. Again, I can't imagine the Imperial Fists would simply allow a chaos cult to exist especially after destroying an entire strike force of astartes.

[@screamingcactus1753]

I could imagine that it's an Eldar outpost, to keep an eye on what is essentially a pressure bomb for chaos worship in the under hives, and the hulking figures are actually war walkers or wraith lords on patrol. Or perhaps it's an outpost for the Dark Eldar, and they're using it to kidnap people from the lower and underhives, and the hulking figures are the twisted creations of the haemonculous sent out for the same reason.

[@commie4164]

no chapter, let alone the imperial fists, would sit back and let a gene stealer or chaotic cult do as they please, even in a derelict hive. clearly the hive is simply full of a bunch of ogryns snorting warp dust and having one hell of a party

[@alphariusomegon4432]

It's that damned Alpharius I tell ya! He's always up to no good!

[@launchpad62]

What if it's a crazed Vulkan? Whose regenerated and lords over an orc warband?

[@ironwarriors4lyfe635]

My top guesses are night lords, bone drinkers, or another xenos race

[@patricksmith7626]

Uh ... Necrons? There have been some indications of Necro tombs activating because of investigation. In the Soulstorm video game, if the Imperial Guard wins, the general scours the world with Necrons, and then orders it never to be surveyed again. The Imperial Fist might (maaaybe) ignore some minor Necron activity if they believed engaging would result in a full scale activation. Plus, and I'm not sure I remember this rightly, but isn't there a feral human tribe that fights beside low teir necron units? I think you did a video on them. Were they based on Necromunda? Plus ... "Necro" munda? Far from conclusive, but an interesting detail. Sceretly a Tomb world, perhaps?

[@patricksmith7626]

Plus plus plus ... "the SKULL cluster?" Yet again we see death imagery ... not conclusive, but I could see 40K creatives laying a bread crumb trail through such hints.

[@darthlazurus4382]

I'd like it if the Skull has unique beings in it. 40k is a massive universe, but it does feel limited at times.

[@davidsimpson3387]

If it is orks it seems like the perfect training ground for Imperial Fist aspirants, scouts and brothers. While also keeping the feral ork population low and from spreading.

[@mattkennedy9308]

That's what I was thinking. If the dead squad weakened it or there wasn't many to start with, then having training sorties into a Ork controlled hive would cover Xenos and Urban CQC fighting without endangering the civilian population.

[@mr.rousseau.4655]

Warhammer 40K warp vs the SCP universe. Please and thank you.

[@ChaserYohmoi]

A massive ambull Hive

[@connorbichel]

Could be a Necron tomb was uncovered....

[@vaclavsoukup7302]

Necrons would surely already breached the wall

[@Gormathius]

Just saying, the Skull would be a great place for a synapse creature to live in the center of. It'd be very on-brand for 40k in terms of subtlety.

[@kingjulian7045]

It might even be rogal dorn, but incredibly wounded and insane

[@jotarokujo5305]

Ima add like one view to all your videos real quick over the next week