Possessed

 

While it was true the Alpha Legion under the command of Lord Magwar tended to shun possession at the start of the Stygian Wars, that would gradually change.  Individual legionaries would begin to seek greater power and automnity as the Stygian Empire was formed.  Rather than take a hard line approach Lord Magwar chose to instead harness this to better serve his own goals.  Possessed were often placed amongst the Stygian Empires cult armies.  These armies were not as well equipped as the Stygian guard armies.  The inclusion of the possessed made them far more potent.  They also further enhanced the morale and zeal of the cults they led.  The cultists viewing them as blessed and anointed by the gods.  The further inclusion of a number of daemon engines added to the punch of the cult armies.  Alpha Legion propagandists lauded the possessed and the triumphs of cult forces into the Imperium.  Lord Magwar had the goal here of turning the Stygian Empire into a center of worship for the dark gods.  Those who covertly made the pilgrimage to the Stygian Empire would serve as willing canon fodder for the cult armies replenishing their ranks.  Those who underwent possession strove ever harder in the war effort.  Drawing a disproportionate response from the Imperium it enabled greater operational ease for the Stygian guard and other Alpha Legion forces.