The Horus Heresy: The History of the Isstvan V Drop Site Massacre (Warhammer 40,000 Lore)

Being the complete record of the Isstvan V Drop Site Massacre, one of the most dreadful days in Imperial history.
Support the channel on Patreon: / oculusimperia
Follow me on Twitter: / oculusimperia
Thanks to the amazing Myles Eves for the new Patreon credits! Check out his work at myleseve.com/
Music: Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas by the Tudor Consort
This video is a non-profit fan-made lore discussion. Games Workshop, Forge World, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer, Space Marine etc are all trademarks of Games Workshop Ltd. Games Workshop does not endorse or support fan-made "lore" videos. All views and opinions expressed in this video belong to Oculus Imperia and in no way reflect the views or opinions of Games Workshop Ltd or it's employees.
All works used in this video belong to their respective authors and corporations. Oculus Imperia holds no claim or propriety interest, either wholly or in part, in any of the work displayed here, with the exception of the audio commentary recorded for this video.

[@Nomadith]

'Iron warrior wait, you're hitting our troops as well!' 'then I guess we're all bleeding today, Word Bearer.'

[@Nomadith]

@_zapatoz_6508 you have my respect brother

[@spacemanx9595]

Hilarious because I accidentally did this on a game in 5e where my vindicator blast shot at salamanders would drift onto my word bearers ally.

[@xxXBig_BenXxx]

@@spacemanx9595 a happy accident by all accounts, excepting the word bearers own

[@mrandrews3616]

One of the greatest tragedies in all of Sci Fi.

[@XinMgu]

Why? The big E build a sandcastle of vile inhumanity. It was bound to fail soon or later.

[@TheMrcassina]

You mean Jar Jar Binks?

[@chrisjoyce4068]

The blood of martyrs is the seed of imperium brother

[@anjetto1]

Have you heard of the tragedy of darth plagueis the wise?

[@BarockDroneBomba]

​@@anjetto1 Star Wars is dead

[@josepholiveira2873]

I find it kind of hilarious how much of the Oculus' record needs to be dedicated to apologia for Ferrus Manus. "Look, I know he seems like a belligerent, incompetent buffoon, but his brain was clearly just So Powerful that we mere mortals simply can't see the genius in his apparent foolishness."

[@jeffhreid]

Saying otherwise gets one a quick visit from the inquisition

[@DeusExMachina10001]

Same with Dorn. "Well we know that Horus, Fulgrim, Angron, and Mortarion have betrayed us. I wonder if maybe Curze, who thinks the Emperor is going to kill him, Perturabo, who seems to hate everything about his job, and Lorgar, who was just humiliated like none of us ever have been by the Emperor, miiiiight not be the most trustworthy of allies. Nah, it'll be fine."

[@Edranair]

​ @DeusExMachina10001 To be fair, literally the only ones with less known reason to betray the Emperor than Horus are Vulcan and Sanguinius (who both still had good reason to turn). Lion always hid his true agenda, but was known to feel snubbed by the appointment of Horus as Warmaster. Perturabo always felt snubbed, unappreciated and overlooked by *everyone* Jaghatai Khan disliked the imperium's structure and politics Leman was held in a similar regard by many as Angron and was distrusted by everyone for his bloodthirst and willingness to kill whoever was put in front of him (plus his hatred of psykers, like the Emperor). Rogal resented being pulled out of the crusade to fortify and hold a completely safe system Konrad was known to be the most unstable primarch and had actively attacked Rogal in a vision-induced rage before this Sanguinius was terrified that his children would be wiped out if the truth of the red thirst or the black rage got out Ferrous hated damn near everything and was known to be extremely close with Fulgrim Guilleman was always polite and diplomatic, but also manipulative and already had his own pocket empire going Even if Magnnus hadn't been presumed dead, the Edict of Nikea still absolutely fucked him and everything he stood for Lorgar had his greatest achievement glassed and was forced to kneel in the ashes because he was going too slow Vulkan had serious issues with the more vicious parts of the Imperium, all of which had the Emperor's blessing Corvus hates Psykers and tyrants, much like Mortarion. Literally all of them had good reason to betray the Emperor. There was no-one reliable at this point.

[@briochepanda]

"A bad time, would not recommend." Corvus Corax, Isstvan V Yelp review 006.M31

[@asepheleleshabalala1352]

I was having the worst day. Just got a job rejection. Saw the notifications for this, and I'm feeling so much better. Thank you, Occulus. Ave Imperator!

[@Omnicide101]

Sorry to hear mate, I hope you find something soon! All the best ^^

[@ericdraven8837]

Bad luck man, don't worry and keeplokking something will come up soon enough

[@OculusImperia]

Sorry to hear about the rejection! Keep at it, job hunts are marathons

[@asepheleleshabalala1352]

Thank you gents. For now the next hour of my life belongs to Occulus.

[@Gillemear]

Great things await those with the patience and resolve to see it through. I personally took 10 years of study, practice and job interview after job interview before landing the job I most desired, and am still happily doing 15 years later. It will come my friend, just remember the maxim- fortune favours the bold. Best of luck. We are all there wishing you great things to come.

[@Casperski1312]

Oculus Imperia is the best lore source on the internet and I will personally fight anyone that suggests otherwise.

[@OljeiKhan]

I will reinforce that fight with at least 2 companies of Astartes, with FIVE named characters.

[@crusadingtemplar]

I support this statement, as do the 3 regiments of kriegers who are right this minute boarding transports to reinforce this plan

[@themannis479]

@@OljeiKhanI send my regards

[@CoHigh]

I rember reading Fulgrim and the First Heretic and Let the Galaxy Burn and just being so enthralled with everything. My number one betrayal / tradgey. Its just above Palpatines deceit and treachery. EPIC!!

[@Ordoabchao-x9k]

Only surpassed by reality itself. ;-; caesar....

[@andrewdryburgh1893]

I’d love to hear an Istvann III complete history icl Maybe following the story of a few legions or their “archived perspectives”

[@VictorIV0310]

He already did a video on it.

[@SADDDsteve]

You dropped this right as I start my shift this’ll be perfect to get me through a chunk of the day!

[@archerpence]

Same!

[@owenparris7490]

Same here!

[@dhuh6760]

Dropped it like a virus bomb!

[@ominousbiscuit]

tfw work won't let you use headphones

[@shanelewis7052]

Both Istvaans hit so hard. I can never decide which is worse but that last stand on 3 was a gut punch.

[@commissaryarrick9670]

3 was the worst in my opinion . The virus bombs and stuff were just brutal. Also the heroic fight the loyalists put up was amazing .

[@christophbeckmann7281]

V is for me always undercut by how stupid and unnecessary it is. Just bomb them from orbit FFS. With III it works because of Angron and his butchers nails, but Ferrus is just silly for no reason other than that the authors were to lazy to find a better reason. The classic problem of 40k authors working in a world full of complex interdependant systems, bureaucratic inertia etc., but then coming up with no better explaination for a major event then that someone is angry and stupid. (Probably because they have not taken the time to at least try to understand the systems and forces at play, but every 15yo who looked at Freud-memes or read Jung - that is of about equal worth - can do kitchen psychology.)

[@insanitysreign6195]

Tbh I can scarcely tell them apart, can someone educate a noob?

[@InquisitorXarius]

Istvann III is far more tragic in my eyes

[@timothyseger8720]

I’ve heard this story told by a dozen different channels. The way you did this was as good as the first time I heard the story. Well done brother. Thank you

[@josiegreene6140]

Listening to this has me re-listening to the Horus heresy, thanks oculus!!

[@eizenbrook6777]

Was recommended your channel from someone on a forum i frequent. You live up the hype

[@totallylegit4092]

I was wondering about you and where you have been…and then you drop this like an hour or two later. Thanks man 😁

[@Stashue]

Always excited for the long ones!

[@tigermunky]

That's what she said

[@Timebandit1]

Always a joy to see on of these drop - best lore channel by a distance. In fact, probably my face channel, full stop.

[@dagoonz12]

As I'm in the hospital, Oculus always keeps my days better and going!

[@butHomeisNowhere___]

The eager, naive hope that must've flashed in the eyes of the loyalists when they saw their reinforcements is only superceded by the crushing despair they must have felt when their cousins started to slay them indiscriminately. Hope dashed against the cliffside of brutal reality that day. That hope, the last gasp of an Imperium that hardly got a chance to thrive, would never be felt again by those warriors who were steadfast and true. Ave Imperator

[@Oscar_Lasco]

Genocidal maniacs killing other genocidal maniacs. The Imperium is one giant joke whose only lasting achievement was to still be funny after 10.000 years.

[@tuerindom2127]

😅😊

[@Rogn80]

YAY! My favorite/least favorite part of the Heresy, or "Why my favorite legion is completely fuc*ed in the head."

[@calebjimenezaleman8303]

This story would be a epic movie, a lone Salamander, Ravenguard or Ironhand surviving the massacre.

[@NATHANARCHY]

Manus' arrogance doomed so many. Never underestimate your enemy

[@halfknight2310]

arrogance and anger. he was blinded by rage

[@adbjr12]

“Those that monitor the populace “ @1:13 was a bit pointed, Oculus. Still a bit shaken by your recent visit from a certain Inquisitor?

[@WebstarGaming]

Hey love the channel I know these videos are already done but is it possible to raise the volume of your Voice.sometimes the background music is louder

[@genghiscarnage4015]

1:04:35 Fulgrim "The first amongst kinslayers . . " Hmmm Russ might have been telling fibs about executing the 2nd and 11th.

[@bumbyonline]

he never said he did. the line in prospero burns refers to the night of the wolf

[@KaiserMaxim]

Seems that someone is abusing your comments for a tg scam, beware. Anyway, some great content, as usual. Thanks!

[@VictorIV0310]

When will you cover the whole Siege of Terra?

[@andrewdryburgh1893]

Oh my god yes I need this

[@Nomadith]

In the year 2050, once the last Horus heresy book comes out

[@ironduke5058]

The Siege isn't complete yet, not all the books have come out

[@rhythminthemind7408]

When the books finish?

[@Alpacnologia]

it is impressive that the no-mercy-extermination fleet under orders from Dorn didn't simply attempt to bombard the traitors from orbit, and continue doing so until the fortifications no longer existed

[@Valentine011]

It sure is super convenient for Horus that it all worked out that way.

[@mkvenner2]

Dorn wasn’t there and warp travel is not like hyperspace travel there are no warp routes that span half of the galaxy you can only stay in the warp for so long before things get weird.

[@draco84oz]

I think it came down to Manus' anger at this point. By then, Fulgrim had tried to turn him once, resulting in a brief fight. By the time of the Istvaan V, Manus seriously wanted Fulgrim dead by his own hand, and you can't really do that with a lance beam.

[@shadowrobot7708]

They really should have just said that they had void shield generators or something.

[@DeusExMachina10001]

@@shadowrobot7708 I think they did. I want to say that part of the reason why the fleet didn't bombard the Traitor site (or at least an excuse Manus used) was that a sustained bombardment wouldn't have accomplished much given that the fortress was heavily shielded.

[@chrisburke4039]

Less than 3k likes from 86k views is the real tragedy here. Support this awesome work you heretics.

[@pogo8050]

Of course the guy named “Grullgor” is a traitor.

[@checkrsgreen2655]

"They were ignorant. They did not know. They could not possibly have known." It hurts every time.

[@SCP-49668]

Yes!! I just saw this and my day has been made. My car is in the shits, found out my degree wont get me the career i want and have to figure out what to do. At least I can enjoy another chronicle! Thank you Oculus!

[@tomgeytenbeek2207]

Good luck, mate

[@TheWoblinGoblin]

I hope it was the istvaan you wanted ;)

[@tottereff8615]

Maybe shouldve figured out that before you studied for that degree. 😂 People these days are such ignorant idiots🤦🤦

[@Uzzgub]

A Interaction for the Interaction God, a Comment for the Comment Throne, for the Almighty Algorithm

[@yourbuddyunit]

Have you ever heard the tragedy of Issvan the Five?

[@FixedGearFox]

For we remember what was lost Never to be relearned We remember the Light Our Emperor, Eternal Ave, Imperator Gloria in Excelsis, Terra

[@watleythewizard2381]

This should take my mind off my own heresies

[@dr-bunko6646]

Wonderful video, as always! Love this channel, and thank you for making such awesome content dude! Hydra Dominatus :p

[@davebowman9000]

Can't wait for the next arc you'll cover! Hope it's the Muster at Calth! This is fantastic work!

[@overlord2495]

Your wish comes true, "the fleet tender campanile is still moving"

[@knightalice12]

It would have been nice to play this in dawn of war

[@cheekloins4126]

I can close my eyes and picture the battle. This is so well written and really is the greatest tragedy in Sci-Fi.

[@sanguiniusonvacation1803]

Should have just used a cyclonic torpedo

[@mikemoore2791]

Just amazing. Amazing story read and presented very well. But, most of all, amazing to me at least, why they did not exterminatus the planet. My god, the hanus betrayal. It deserves nothing less than absolute obliteration, post haste.

[@williammiller4768]

Gather ‘round, children. The Oculus speaks…

[@kholofelolekgoathi2757]

As usual, great. When will Ignatum get an entry in the index titanicus?

[@jaegerbomb269]

May the Shattered Legions have their vengeance. Beaks for life!

[@W1s3F0x]

All hail the Oculus! Another great video, and at the best time.

[@inthefade]

I wonder what backup plan Horus had, or what he knew to not worry about orbital bombardment or even exterminatus, which was surely an option for such a betrayal? Does anyone who has read the original sources have an insight?

[@halfknight2310]

go and do it manually. if I recall.

[@louie97ation]

Fortifications on the planet. There was a bombardment that didn’t do much

[@Valentine011]

A mixture of knowing his loyal brothers and knowing his disloyal ones. He was relying on Mannus' wrath, but even if that hadnt been the case his fleet was ready to return and his traitor brothers were on their way. It would have just become an orbital slaughter instead. Also remember what the virus bombs did on Istvan 3. They were prepared to suffer that again if necessary to get the killing blow against 3 legions.

[@jbark678]

16:41 ...Really Malcador? Really...? Completely unknowable, huh?

[@Thedagda801]

A superlative retelling of a sad tale. Thank you

[@dagnirglaurunga1620]

Lol Lorgar is such a drama queen. Plans a betrayal and then cries about it

[@rain89skarlet80]

he was the most human of the primarchs tbf. he never acted perfect nor was he someone who could admit his failures. (he still loved his brothers so ofc he is sad about the betrayal)

[@ArchAngel119]

Truly a fantastic video. Thank you.

[@kappakiev9672]

Wasn’t this uploaded before?

[@BogusBoga]

If they make a WH40K series this man must BE in it as narrator

[@mikealpha2611]

This battle and how it played out make sense but it was a poorly executed Imperial assault that was mostly pointless losses even if hadn't been betrayed it still hamstrung 3 legions when it was going according to plan.

[@ZeroNumerous]

Yeah, because the plan was always designed to be a betrayal. That's why the first three Legions in were all loyalists, and ground themselves down in fighting.

[@mikealpha2611]

@@ZeroNumerous For the author yes. The leadership of the loyalist Legions first arriving were all localist Primarchs so that was not the plan.

[@johnd2058]

12:15 I do not recall any emotional limitation on the Primarchs which was not caused by highly traumatic childhoods (thanks, Isha!)

[@johnnychimpo1013]

Brother Occulus.. another outstanding piece of work! Thank you!! 👑

[@paul-antonywhatshisface3954]

Bit of a legend you are mate. You read warboss yet? Got it from the high seas last night and it's pretty damn good. Anyway good vid bro

[@JeanLucCaptain]

yes i think over the last few years humanity in the western part of the world has been fully introduced to the bitter taste of stab in the back and a punch to the gut.

[@Corium1]

nothing bad could ever happen, what 7 legions vs 4? what could possibly go wrong

[@brianwalsh1339]

Pog, got my listening material for when I go walking. Thanks Oculus!

[@foltrap]

The myth, the legend!

[@ChoonMa]

Ughh. The depression this episode evokes is completely appropriate, but man. Rough.

[@jwb_666]

That Friday timing my man is absolutely wonderful thank you for another fantastic video

[@matthewstone1362]

He brought this upon himself. His hubris was his downfall. To busy thinking "can I" rather than "should I". To some this could be misunderstood as heresy.

[@Oscar_Lasco]

Well said biomagos Malcolm. Now about that saurian resurrection project...

[@eichler721]

Amazing account of the horror of the dropsite massacre.

[@adelahogarth2761]

Primarchs and Astartes: *Slaughters entire worlds and cadres of Auxilia/Imperial Guard simply to save time* P&A: "Whatevs..." Primarchs and Astartes: *Slaughters eachother* P&A: "Betrayal... Traitors to humanity!"

[@curiobill]

Amazing work as usual! Please do a follow up video on the exploits of the Shattered Legions!

[@Tryzanfan]

The Emperor protects. Now I have an escape.

[@helenadams2586]

Oh this will be such a treat to watch. Made my day~~~

[@genghiscarnage4015]

Aaaah that was magnificent. You captured the power and majesty, the pain and betrayal.

[@casketbase7750]

Ferrus "Leroy Jenkins" Manus

[@Xune2000]

Ferrus "Last one into the drop pod is a rotten egg" Manus

[@UnholyTerra]

Beautiful and amazing work once again

[@lonewanderer4207]

You are a legend throughout the Imperium

[@piotrd.4850]

18:40 - well, Alpha Legion "making itself known" in difficult circumstances? No, nothing suspicious AT all. 18:52 - so.... order of battle presented by layout of situations .... hm.....could it be influenced by rebelling executive in charge of layout I wonder? 20:27 - not at all admirable... rushed, emotional....in retrospective Dorn was about worst choice for that situation. Raven Guard should have been tasked with first and foremost delying / gladio type operation - scout and hit&run, slow down traitors and rely information. One legion more suited for regular combat should have fortified between Horus and terra, to attempt to force battle from advancing traitors.

[@Ranzoir]

Love your content brother , voice is clear and strong not harsh to the ears at all. Good clean tone, your not trying to do shy voices or accents which I appreciate. Everything is great brother keep content coming please! If I were to make one small critique? The music is a little loud and sometimes matches your voice level. Maybe turning it down a few points or your voice up a few im not sure. I mean this really isn’t that big of a deal , but I’m sure you are aiming at a perfect lord broadcast and this is the only flaw in your content honestly and it’s not really a real issue… your content is premium stuff brother. The Emperor Protects

[@TheLuvMummy]

Obvious tactical error: NEVER have your back to a Night Lord...even if you are also a Night Lord

[@vuyokubayi5252]

YO!!!! I think someone is trying to run a crypto scam through your comments

[@grantkruger3689]

We know the history, but to hear it told so well creates the sadness and foreboding anew. Very well done.

[@016Roi]

Emperor protects!

[@sylntghost007]

This was awesome

[@ChoonMa]

Just as I'm signing into work! Seriously!

[@cj-done]

Fantastic entry, thank you.

[@Nick-zz6xl]

I was happy and cheering when this massacre happened!

[@servit0r]

Oculus to save the day once again.

[@awesomehpt8938]

So was this the 5th drop site massacre at Isstvan then?

[@endymionmikel4022]

Massacre at the 5th planet

[@CharlesUrban]

Nah, it was just one massacre. The "V" means that it was the fifth planet in the Isstvan system. "Gee, we've dropped four times, and we got massacred each time. Maybe we should stop. ...Nah, it'll be fine."

[@ironduke5058]

The 1st one happened on Istvaan III, where the traitors purged loyalist sections of their own legions. The 2nd one happened on Istvaan V where the other legions masked their treachery before then acting

[@joluoto]

Sure

[@markrtoffeeman]

We will avenge them all, Scribe. Starting with the so called 'Despoiler'.

[@Jomi91]

More anti-IH propaganda 😠😡

[@corbenoneill3092]

Now its the weekend ❤❤❤

[@k92ful]

Oh boy Oh boy here we go

[@joshuagonzalez936]

I cannot wait for you to cover the siege of Terra it’s going to be amazing

[@garfieldwithissuez]

First! Wow never been the first view before.

[@Serbinderbintine]

Engagement

[@Gillemear]

Most worthy master, Greetings in the name of the divine God-Emperor. We, your most humble acolytes of Dub-hive, have awaited with great eagerness your latest report. And behold, the compiled thesis of the calamity which sparked the flame that consumed the galaxy- the Istavaan Massacre.Your record is as always complete and comprehensive, a worthy addition to the blessed work of our vital order. Herein we find the most base of treacheries side by side with the hights of heroism as the betrayal of the vile Warmaster comes to light. My heartiest compliments to you, my esteemed master, on this great works completion and while I will analyse this recording with all due diligence be assured I will pay close heed to my daily prayers and moral and spiritual fortification against the pitfalls of sympathy or compassion for the position of the reviled traitors and their ilk. For, only the rewards of just hatred and revulsion await any who would even in the most minor of ways emulate the deeds of these forsaken villains. Yet again however, we must remember the remit of our order, to bring light to darkness, even to the most benighted events as this, and in so doing rally our resolve against those who choose this dark path. So fortified, I shall await your next rendition, whatever it may be. Ave Emperator, Gloria in Excelcius Terra

[@jeffhreid]

Manus was a hot headed fool. Surely Horus knew how likely it was that Manus couldn’t resist an assault.

[@OEFvet0311]

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times.... I blame Lorgar.

[@gothia1715]

This story just sets the Iron Hands, Salamanders and Raven Guard to a special place for me. The other loyal legions werent there. Those three took all the pounding from the betrayal when it did hit the hardest. It was the most crucial step of Horus plan cause it had to give him the greatest advantage possible. Afterwards the mask of the hidden traitor legions would be gone and all pieces on the table. A table where Horus wanted to set the rules for. And he suceeded in doing so, for the most part. However, the fierce resistance of the three loyal legions surpassed all expectations. Even tho they got shredded in large numbers, lost their commanders Ferrus Manus and Vulkan they did bind the traitors for much longer. Corvus Corax causing mayhem in their rows and every single Astartes fighting till the end, disregarding certain death was a clear message for the traitors that they wont face a weak empire but one that fights back with full determination, righteous fury and an unbending will for bringing justice to this heresy. They were shattered. But for me the fight they gave this betrayal without any chance is still the greatest in 40k history.

[@maddoxtalker9844]

I just ate like 4 bags of chips smoking and listening to this, quite the datastack

[@Frosty_Jay]

By the throne, truly a masterful oration. BRAVA!

[@PrimetimeD]

What amazing tactics by the Warmaster. Broke the enemy in mind and body simultaneously.

[@Michaelkayslay]

I don't know what this is about. About yo start watching. But comments make me think it's gonna be good

[@butHomeisNowhere___]

Hope you enjoyed, buddy 🙂

[@multiversepatriot3148]

Ave Imperator. Down with the Traitors, up with the Eagle!