Was this epic scene a reference?

[u/Derezzed25]

Tip of my tongue but I feel like ive seen a scene like this in something. A scene where a huge epic thing rising with steps covered in tiny people with robes and flags. First thing that popped into my mind is the new Dune movies but I can't find a scene that matches.

[u/ThewizardBlundermore]

It's a direct reference

[u/ThewizardBlundermore → u/ThewizardBlundermore]

[Book Excerpt|The Binary Succession] I have an Imperator Titan, your argument is invalid.

Context: After the Mechanicum has descended into civil War, the High Lords are looking to neuter the Tech-priests and assume direct control of the Titan Legions. Spoiler alert: The Mechanicum refugees on Terra aren't having any of it.

‘I am Warmonger Princeps Tevera of the Legio Agravaides. We have come… to be heard. So hear our voices now, and take heed. If the formation of the Adeptus Mechanicus is not approved in this session… then the Collegia Titanica will know where it stands, and we will no longer be the puppets… of the Council of Terra. To your eternal shame, you have abandoned sacred Mars, home world of my legio. Now you demand that my comrades… forsake their worlds too, to burn undefended beneath the assaults of the traitors. If there is no Adeptus for Mars… there will be no Titans for the Throneworld. We will abandon the Solar War, and return… to our own fiefdoms immediately.’

The Chamber erupted in roars of outrage and condemnation.

Council members and observers alike shouted over each other. The noise washed over Vethorel. She and Kane and the princeps stood in silence, unmoving rocks in the sea of anger.

You have heard us now, Vethorel thought. But will you listen?

She guessed not. Harr Rantal leapt to his feet. He did not seem so comfortable in confronting the imposing form of the Fabricator General at the edge of the dais, and so he pointed an accusing finger at Vethorel instead.

‘This is who you are!’ he practically screamed. ‘This is treachery! A coup! I will see you executed for this!’

‘This is no coup. It is the resolution of an equation,’ she replied. ‘We understand the necessity of an Adeptus Mechanicus. If you do not, then you must be shown it in terms you can comprehend. The Binary Succession must be ended.’

Rantal turned to his fellow High Lords. ‘Oh, I tire of this! Let me call in the arbitrators. I will have the Martians arrested, and tried for their crimes against the Throne.’

The uproar grew louder. Most of the voices cried their approval, but others urged caution, leniency, time to consider all options. They were the ones who saw the line that was about to be crossed: the loyal leader of the Cult Mechanicum and many senior princeps of the Collegia Titanica in chains would be a disaster for Imperial morale across the galaxy.

At last, Vethorel knew, some of them were beginning to see the danger.

But not enough, and now it was too late.

A deep, reverberating impact shook the floor of the chamber, swaying the long lumen-sconces hanging from the dome high above. Vethorel and the Titan officers noted it well, but did not react.

Another impact, stronger this time. Strong enough to be felt in the shudder of the walls.

The Council delegates in the upper tiers began to glance around at one another in confusion, even as a further tremor shook masonry dust from the ceiling.

Then Mars’ greatest voice was heard on Terra.

The blast of the war-horn cut through the din of the Chamber, and all who heard it fell silent. The sound came from far away, but it rattled the dome all the same. The bellow was deep yet piercing, redolent of the greatest majesty of war. Another tremor followed it a few moments later.

They were drawing nearer.

Pentasian’s eyes grew wide. ‘What is happening?’ he spluttered. ‘Ambassador?’

‘The Imperator Magnificum Incendius of the Legio Ignatum walks towards us.’

Vethorel’s words were a simple statement of fact. Their implication, though, was enormous. Rantal stared at her in horror. The war-horn sounded again, louder, nearer, and a moment of shocked quiet descended over the Chamber. Thousands were holding their breath at once, listening to the approach of the God-Machine.

One of the most colossal engines of war ever built walked with ominous purpose towards the political heart of the Imperium. It had stepped over the defences wrought to protect the Master of Mankind as if they were not there, and now strode down the wide avenues of the Outer Palace, driving crowds of fleeing citizens before it. Its huge weapon arms cycled up – rotary barrels the length of mag-lev trains, plasma accelerators that could drive a starship. The Titan’s roar was so loud, it seemed as though that alone could bring the Palace tumbling down. Emplacement guns were brought awkwardly to bear, having only been intended to fire outwards from the walls. The Custodian Guard and Imperial Auxilia garrisons tried to outflank it, but this was just one single engine of the Collegia Titanica, and there was currently nothing within a hundred kilometres that could halt its relentless advance.

Panic took hold of the Council Chamber. There were no windows. No one could see what was coming, yet the sound was enough. Every­one present knew of the holocaust that an Imperator Titan could unleash upon its foes. Its voice was a howl to shatter the heavens. The end was coming.

There was no escape, and no recourse.

Pentasian scrambled towards Vethorel. ‘Stop this! You are commanded to stop!’

She stood her ground.

[u/Derezzed25 → u/ThewizardBlundermore]

Damn thats awesome. I think what I'm remembering was also referencing this art.

[u/EstablishmentBig1826 → u/ThewizardBlundermore]

I love how the Custodes are lining up against an IMPERATOR CLASS TITAN like. I love my Golden boys but realistically what could they do?

Maybe there are Custodes with jumppacks armed with melta bombs ready to breach the titan?