Regenbrand

Environment
Nowhere near the hostility of a Death World, Regenbrand is far from welcoming.

Climate
With 90% of the planet covered in water, it’s surface is constantly exposed to a myriad of lesser storms, tsunamis and hurricanes. On average, each 40 hour day features only 8 hours of direct sunshine. Throughout the year, the climate is comparably stable, with temperatures swinging between -20°C and +15°C. Featuring a vertical axis and perfectly circular orbit, there are no distinguishable seasons throughout a year.

Terrain
Landmasses reach out of the water mainly in form of large archipelagos or as sprawling, damp swamps. The few coherent landmasses are streaked by wide rivers and deep lakes.

The soil contains only a small number of nutrients, resulting in only a small amount of edible plants on the surface. Under water however, a myriad of nutritious algae flourishes, feeding an equally great number of species.

Flora
Plantlife on Regenbrand has developed to cope with the over-abundance of water, resulting in lots of fungi.

Fauna
Most species on Regenbrand are either fully or semi-amphibious. The majority of them are carnivores, preying on those living off the algae and other underwater plants. However, herbivores also show an extremely aggressive behavior towards potential aggressors. Additionally, many artificial waterways become infested with algae and a poisonous type of jellyfish.

Notable Species:

 * Haiwal: Widely considered the Apex Predator, this amphibious creature grows up to 30 feet in length. Six-pedaled, it features webbing between it's strong claws, making it deceivingly agile on both land and under water. The frontal pair of limbs also serves as primitive arms. With two sets of eyes, one seeing in the infrared spectrum, combined with it's preference for ambushes out of seemingly safe water the Haiwal was the nightmare of early settlers.
 * Crocophant: Semi-amphibious reptiles, these towering creatures stand at a height of 45 feet, roaming the wetlands in search for prey. They feed on smaller fish and sea-life, simply wading through water with their massive jaws wide open and swallowing their prey whole. During mating season, they become extremely protective and aggressive of their territory.
 * Qualler: Jellyfish, consisting of little more than voluminous membranes and poisonous, hooked tendrils. Though not dangerous individually, they reproduce rapidly if left alone. Combined with their ability to grow indefinitely as long as their environment provides enough space, they frequently infest human water reservoirs and sewage systems.
 * Schund: One of the few mammal species native to Regenbrand. These four-legged creatures were domesticated early on during the colonization of the planet and now serve their human masters quite loyally. Growing to an average 5 feet in length, they are of slender built with slick, water-repelling fur and finned tails which allow them to steer under water with ease.

Weihmarie
Regenbrand's only moon is base of operations for the Judicators Space Marine Chapter. Their fortress-monastery 'Hoffgraben' is located here. Weihmarie features a thin atmosphere consisting mainly of nitrogen, low temperatures and low gravity.

The Chapter's training grounds are located both up and below the surface, simulating a variety of environments for new recruits.

Horus Heresy
The earliest records mentioning Regenbrand date back to the beginning of the Horus Heresy. An expeditionary force of the Raven Guard had just pushed into the sector when they were called back to Istvaan IV to support the subduing of the rebellion. In their report, Regenbrand is described as an forbidding but habitable world, inhabited by primitive lifeforms which have yet to reach the basic level of primitive intellect.

Post-Heresy
In the aftermath of Horus' rebellion, Regenbrand was forgotten in the chaotic reorganization of the Empire. Warp fluctuations and the inefficiency of the Administratum prevented it from exploration until it's eventual rediscovery in M39.

M39: Pacification
Rediscovered by Rogue Traders fleeing the meat grinder of Abaddon's 10th Crusade, they relayed their discovery to the High Lords of Terra. Until the Despoiler's defeat however, no immediate action was taken, the matter put on hold due to it's lack of importance. After the Chaos forces had been pushed back into the warp, the the Space Marine Chapter of the Judicators received the honor of claiming Regenbrand as their homeworld for both their past deeds and to regain full strength. Tied with this honor came the task to pacify Regenbrand first, making it suitable for colonization.

Upon arrival, the Space Marines met resistance mainly from hostile wildlife, but also from a race of primitive amphibian sub-humans. Armed with little more than crudely crafted axes and clubs, they were annihilated without receiving so much as a footnote in the Chapter's records. Afterwards, the Judicators retreated from the planet, to the planet's moon, Weihmarie, where their fortress-monastery had been erected. Allowing the settlers to colonize the surface and erect first settlements and cities a planetary and local government, both under the Astartes supervision was erected, infrastructure established and the layout for society formed, dictated by Regenbrand's harsh environment.

Meanwhile, the Chapter rebuilt it’s strength, so far with aspirants from other worlds. It wasn’t until the 5th generation of settler was born in mid-M40 until the Apothecaries and Chaplains brought back the first number of aspirants.

Government
Given the vast distances between individual settlements, each of them has a certain degree of autonomy that might be impossible elsewhere. The common thread between these settlements is their feudal structure, featuring a hereditary aristocracy ruling over a population of hunters and craftsmen.

Day To Day Life
Agriculture is inefficient given the amount of time and energy necessary to produce satisfying results. In consequence, food is provided by a caste of hunters and gatherers which make a living off navigating the world beyond the settlements' limits. They hunt the native Fauna, gather edible plants and transport both back to their homes, receiving respect and commodities in return.