The new Warhammer 40,000 Hammer and Bolter animation Return to Cadia lands on Warhammer TV next week.
Take a look at the new trailer below, and then catch up on what you need to know about the iconic former fortress world of the Imperium.
Cadia, the story so far
For 10,000 years, Cadia was the most important fortress world in the Imperium. Its formidable defences were second only to those of Terra herself.
Why? Because Cadia stood at the mouth of the Cadian Gate, the only (mostly) reliable Warp route into, and out of, the Eye of Terror – the enormous warp storm that dominates the north-west of the galactic map.
The reason for Cadia’s calming influence on the surrounding Warp had long baffled Imperial adepts, but it was suspected to be in some way related to the ancient xenos structures that dotted the planet’s rugged landscape – imposing black obelisks known as “pylons”.
The Eye of Terror is home to the Traitor Legions and their allies, having withdrawn there beyond the reach of Imperial retribution following the events of the Horus Heresy and the Scouring. For 100 centuries it had been both their refuge and their prison.
Many within the Traitor Legions were not content to merely survive, seeking vengeance against the Imperium they believed had wronged them. Chief among these bitter souls was Abaddon, the former right hand of Horus the Warmaster. He was the closest thing to a leader of the Traitor Legions, and from within the Eye of Terror he plotted his conquest.
To leave the Eye of Terror with a force of any significant size meant passing through the Cadian Gate – and right by the world of Cadia.
The Imperium knew well the strategic importance of this route, and Cadia quickly became one of the most heavily defended planets in the galaxy, a formidable bastion-world dotted with imposing fortified cities known as Kasrs.
The culture on the highly militarised Cadia became one of unending vigilance and discipline. Its citizens were universally competent soldiers, and its many, many touring regiments of Astra Millitarum are among the most lauded and respected human soldiers in the Imperium.
Many times the tides of Chaos crashed upon the fortress world of Cadia, and each time they were thrown back, at great cost in lives and blood. Until the closing days of the 41st Millennium…
The 13th Black Crusade of Abaddon the Despoiler poured out of the Eye of Terror and descended on Cadia. Battle raged above and across the fortress world as apocalyptic firepower ravaged its continents and reality itself buckled as unholy creatures pulled themselves from the warp to feast on the world’s defenders. The surface of Cadia itself was cracked and sundered by physical and immaterial assault.
Against this tide of Chaos stood a vast Imperial army. Heroes, champions and saints led millions of loyal defenders against the heretic invaders. But in the end, the combined forces of daemon and traitor were too powerful, and Cadia fell.
Some survivors escaped, through an unlikely and unlooked-for ally, as the Aeldari of the nascent god Ynnead ushered them through ancient Webway portals to safety. Many more defenders were not so lucky.
The loss of Cadia was a great blow to the Imperium. Not only for morale, for Cadia had long stood as a symbol of defiance and fortitude, but militarily as well. The hosts of Chaos were now unleashed, and free to take their vengeance upon the worlds of the Imperium.
But that was not the worst of it. The fall of Cadia, and the destruction of its mysterious pylons, was one of the critical catalysts for the opening of the Cicatrix Maledictum. This Great Rift tore the galaxy in two and plunged thousands of worlds into darkness beyond the reach of the wider Imperium, each now easy prey for Chaos and xenos raiders alike.
What remained of Cadia became a broken hellscape, a twisted ruin of its former glory, haunted by mutants, traitors and daemons. But war was not done with Cadia.
With the hosts of the Traitor Legions now ravaging out from the Eye of Terror, the Imperium looks to establish new lines of defense in that region of space. Though lacking the strategic value it once had, regaining any of the territory around Cadia would be a morale-boosting victory in these darkest of times. Though they cannot yet wrest control of the planet’s ruins from traitor forces, the Imperium has claimed some small footholds in the surrounding systems and sub-sectors.
One such location – a literal chunk of the planet blasted clear of the system during the climactic final battles of its fall – is the setting for the new animation Return to Cadia. This episode sees a pilgrimage of soldiers from the Cadian XXV Regiment visit a shrine to the martyrs who died in Cadia’s defence, built inside an asteroid containing ruins from one of the great fortress Kasrs.
Also on Warhammer TV this week
Of course, there’s the usual great array of shows on Warhammer TV this week. The Scrap Demon gang ransack the great Warhammer bitz pile to animate some terrifying Undead Abominations, while Loremasters investigates the Martian Schism. Finally, there’s a crucial interview with the Age of Sigmar rules team on How We Roll – taking a close look at what went into building the latest edition of the game.
Wicked Brick giveaway
That’s not all from Warhammer+ this week. There’s a special subscriber deal from our friends at Wicked Brick – makers of exquisite display cases for your most prized miniatures.
If you're after some awesome display cases for your miniatures, then we've got you covered. All those with an active Warhammer+ subscription on January 31st will receive a 15% discount code for Wicked Brick products. Terms and conditions apply.
We're also running a special giveaway competition for all subscribers.
First prize is the Army Case, the largest Warhammer display case which can hold up to three rows of miniatures, alongside larger units such as tanks and monsters. You can choose the Warhammer 40,000 Endless War background, or the Eternal Conflict background for Warhammer Age of Sigmar.
Second prize is a Squad Case, which can hold two rows of miniatures, and which can also be used to display choice vehicles and monsters. Once again, you can choose from two setting-appropriate backgrounds. Third prize is a Display Case – a smaller case designed to showcase your favourite individual miniature, be that a general, hero or squad leader – again with the appropriate background.
Entry is simple. Make sure you’re subscribed to Warhammer+ by the 31st of January. Existing subscribers are automatically entered into the prize draw. Terms and conditions apply.
All this and more is available with a Warhammer+ subscription – click the button below if you’ve not yet signed up.
Warhammer+ subscribers can watch Hammer and Bolter: Return to Cadia, on January 22nd on Warhammer TV.
