Looking for advice
Hello, I was hoping I could get some feedback or assistance regarding my XI legion and primarch as I’m still learning about 40k. My concern is that I might not have created a reason strong enough for the legion turning renegade.
The general outline is that the legion started fine until they were reunited with their Primarch where it was discovered his gene seed was damaged/mutated some time after the scattering. The defective gene seed from the Primarch had a high acceptance rate but also caused the astartes to develop a very short lifespan. While the pure gene seed from the emperor’s lab(?) had the standard acceptance rate.
The Apothecaries were sworn to never disclose who was given the pure gene seed but the legion is aware of the problem. Astartes with defective gene seed are fit for duty for 20-30 years before they begin experiencing biological degradation roughly 5 years before death, during the last 5 years they are considered retired but are to support the legion through other means (coaching,clerical etc).
The legion focus heavily on documentation due to how quickly they lose experienced Astartes and have extensive records, this applies culturally where they are tasked to create their own memorials to be remembered by after death. To prevent word of the gene seed being discovered, the legion tries to avoid joint campaigns or social contact with other legions.
Since the beginning the Primarch has been growing obsessed with finding a solution to the gene seed problem and had been deluded into thinking the answer lies in the megafauna of his homeworld, his obsession eventually takes a religious turn in which only his inner circle is aware of how delusional he had become.
Eventually, Astartes who outlived their batch gravitate to others who outlived their batch too. The Primarch is aware that both kinds of his sons have some resentment towards him, the situation became worse when the legion champion died to the gene seed. The Primarch also developed resentment for the Astartes who did not have his gene seed as he blamed them for the social divide happening in his legion.
After the burning of Monarchia the Primarch knows his legion will face the same fate if he continues this path, but at this point he was more interested in his religion and didn’t care for his sons as much anymore. He barely escapes with whatever loyal sons he still have while the rest are absorbed into other legions.
Thank you for reading!