Difference between revisions of "13th Black Crusade"

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As the end of the [[M41|forty-first millennium]] drew to a close, the first signs that [[Abaddon the Despoiler]]s long-feared Thirteenth Black Crusade was imminent came in the form of numerous sightings of [[Space Hulk]]s emerging from the [[Warp]] around the [[Cadia|Cadian Sector]]. Though some were boarded by the [[Adeptus Astartes]] and others destroyed by orbital defenses, those that got by the Imperial blockade struck strategically important worlds and naval bases throughout the sector, crippling the regions naval forces. It was then that the dreaded [[Chaos]] vessel of [[Nurgle]] [[Plagueclaw]] appeared in the outer reaches of the [[Urthwart system]], further spreading pestilence wherever it went. Famed Imperial [[Admiral]] [[Quarren]] would launch a hunt for the vessel but soon encountered something far more terrible. Ambushed around the Frenerax Dust Cloud, Quarren discovered to his horror that the Chaos Fleet was led by the dreaded [[Terminus Est]], flagship of [[Typhus]] of the [[Death Guard]], herald of [[Nurgle]], Quarrens fleet barely managed to survive the trap and escape. The Battle of Frenerax had been a costly disaster, but there was worse to come.<sup>1a</sup>
 
As the end of the [[M41|forty-first millennium]] drew to a close, the first signs that [[Abaddon the Despoiler]]s long-feared Thirteenth Black Crusade was imminent came in the form of numerous sightings of [[Space Hulk]]s emerging from the [[Warp]] around the [[Cadia|Cadian Sector]]. Though some were boarded by the [[Adeptus Astartes]] and others destroyed by orbital defenses, those that got by the Imperial blockade struck strategically important worlds and naval bases throughout the sector, crippling the regions naval forces. It was then that the dreaded [[Chaos]] vessel of [[Nurgle]] [[Plagueclaw]] appeared in the outer reaches of the [[Urthwart system]], further spreading pestilence wherever it went. Famed Imperial [[Admiral]] [[Quarren]] would launch a hunt for the vessel but soon encountered something far more terrible. Ambushed around the Frenerax Dust Cloud, Quarren discovered to his horror that the Chaos Fleet was led by the dreaded [[Terminus Est]], flagship of [[Typhus]] of the [[Death Guard]], herald of [[Nurgle]], Quarrens fleet barely managed to survive the trap and escape. The Battle of Frenerax had been a costly disaster, but there was worse to come.<sup>1a</sup>
  
−
Now operating with impunity, Typhus Plague Fleet spread pestilience throughout the Sector and the [[Officio Medicae]] was helpless to stop it. As the epidemic spread, apocalyptic sects began appearing on worlds afflicted, preaching that the [[Emperor|Emperor's]] wrath had descended upon them and was a punishment for their sins. Becoming known as the [[Plague of Unbelief]], chaos spread throughout the sector as the fanactical sects rioted against Imperial authorized. To compound the Imperium's problems, [[Plague Zombie]]s soon emerged from the bodies of those struck down by disease. The [[Hive World]] of [[Belis Corona]] in the [[Agripinaa Sector]] was particularly effected by both the Plague of Unbelief and an infestation of Plague Zombies, and by the time Typhus' Plague Fleet arrived in the system the world was completely unable to resist him.<sup>1a</sup>
+
Now operating with impunity, Typhus' Plague Fleet spread pestilience throughout the Sector and the [[Officio Medicae]] was helpless to stop it. As the epidemic spread, apocalyptic sects began appearing on worlds afflicted, preaching that the [[Emperor|Emperor's]] wrath had descended upon them and was a punishment for their sins. Becoming known as the [[Plague of Unbelief]], chaos spread throughout the sector as the fanactical sects rioted against Imperial authorized. To compound the Imperium's problems, [[Plague Zombie]]s soon emerged from the bodies of those struck down by disease. The [[Hive World]] of [[Belis Corona]] in the [[Agripinaa Sector]] was particularly effected by both the Plague of Unbelief and an infestation of Plague Zombies, and by the time Typhus' Plague Fleet arrived in the system the world was completely unable to resist him.<sup>1a</sup>
  
 
As chaos swept through many Imperial worlds surrounding the Agripinaa, Cadian, and Belis Corona Sectors, cults preaching that the Imperium had forsaken the teachings of the Emperor grew in number. Imperial authorities, crippled by plague, could do little to stop the ensuing chaos and mob rule that these cults unleashed. Mysterious yet brutal raiders began to strike without warning throughout these sectors, annihilating small settlements and [[Agri World]]s. Meanwhile, [[Astropath]]s and the [[Emperor's Tarot]] consistently produced dire predictions. On [[Cadia]] itself, the worlds mysterious [[pylon]]s erupted into life and vibrated intense psychic energy. The pylons appeared to be fighting to hold back the powers of the [[Warp]] that were pouring from the [[Eye of Terror]] at an unprecedented level but they were slowly destroying themselves in the process.<sup>1b</sup>
 
As chaos swept through many Imperial worlds surrounding the Agripinaa, Cadian, and Belis Corona Sectors, cults preaching that the Imperium had forsaken the teachings of the Emperor grew in number. Imperial authorities, crippled by plague, could do little to stop the ensuing chaos and mob rule that these cults unleashed. Mysterious yet brutal raiders began to strike without warning throughout these sectors, annihilating small settlements and [[Agri World]]s. Meanwhile, [[Astropath]]s and the [[Emperor's Tarot]] consistently produced dire predictions. On [[Cadia]] itself, the worlds mysterious [[pylon]]s erupted into life and vibrated intense psychic energy. The pylons appeared to be fighting to hold back the powers of the [[Warp]] that were pouring from the [[Eye of Terror]] at an unprecedented level but they were slowly destroying themselves in the process.<sup>1b</sup>

Revision as of 05:52, 28 November 2011

Black Crusades of Abaddon the Despoiler 1st - 2nd - 3rd - 4th - 5th - 6th - 7th - 8th - 9th - 10th - 11th - 12th - 13th
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Artwork depicting Abaddon the Despoiler and his legions spilling from the Eye of Terror on the 13th Black Crusade1

The Thirteenth Black Crusade began in 999.M41, and resulted in the largest mobilisation of both Imperial and Chaotic forces seen since the Horus Heresy. The Thirteenth Black Crusade was the background to the worldwide Warhammer 40,000 Eye of Terror campaign, which resulted in a minor victory for the forces of Chaos and gave Abaddon a foothold in the Cadian Gate, though he suffered grievous losses to his fleet.

While the ground is largely controlled by the forces of Chaos, the skies above Cadia are almost entirely ruled by Admiral Quarren and the entire Battle Fleet Groups: Gothic and Solar and elements of several chapters of Space Marines, leaving the results open as the battle rages on. Having both space and air superiority gives a significant advantage to the Imperial forces, allowing the deployment of fresh troops and the bombardment of Abaddon's army.


Prelude

As the end of the forty-first millennium drew to a close, the first signs that Abaddon the Despoilers long-feared Thirteenth Black Crusade was imminent came in the form of numerous sightings of Space Hulks emerging from the Warp around the Cadian Sector. Though some were boarded by the Adeptus Astartes and others destroyed by orbital defenses, those that got by the Imperial blockade struck strategically important worlds and naval bases throughout the sector, crippling the regions naval forces. It was then that the dreaded Chaos vessel of Nurgle Plagueclaw appeared in the outer reaches of the Urthwart system, further spreading pestilence wherever it went. Famed Imperial Admiral Quarren would launch a hunt for the vessel but soon encountered something far more terrible. Ambushed around the Frenerax Dust Cloud, Quarren discovered to his horror that the Chaos Fleet was led by the dreaded Terminus Est, flagship of Typhus of the Death Guard, herald of Nurgle, Quarrens fleet barely managed to survive the trap and escape. The Battle of Frenerax had been a costly disaster, but there was worse to come.1a

Now operating with impunity, Typhus' Plague Fleet spread pestilience throughout the Sector and the Officio Medicae was helpless to stop it. As the epidemic spread, apocalyptic sects began appearing on worlds afflicted, preaching that the Emperor's wrath had descended upon them and was a punishment for their sins. Becoming known as the Plague of Unbelief, chaos spread throughout the sector as the fanactical sects rioted against Imperial authorized. To compound the Imperium's problems, Plague Zombies soon emerged from the bodies of those struck down by disease. The Hive World of Belis Corona in the Agripinaa Sector was particularly effected by both the Plague of Unbelief and an infestation of Plague Zombies, and by the time Typhus' Plague Fleet arrived in the system the world was completely unable to resist him.1a

As chaos swept through many Imperial worlds surrounding the Agripinaa, Cadian, and Belis Corona Sectors, cults preaching that the Imperium had forsaken the teachings of the Emperor grew in number. Imperial authorities, crippled by plague, could do little to stop the ensuing chaos and mob rule that these cults unleashed. Mysterious yet brutal raiders began to strike without warning throughout these sectors, annihilating small settlements and Agri Worlds. Meanwhile, Astropaths and the Emperor's Tarot consistently produced dire predictions. On Cadia itself, the worlds mysterious pylons erupted into life and vibrated intense psychic energy. The pylons appeared to be fighting to hold back the powers of the Warp that were pouring from the Eye of Terror at an unprecedented level but they were slowly destroying themselves in the process.1b

Between the anarchy, plague, and vicious raids spreading throughout the Agripinaa sector, the Imperial Navy's Battlefleet Agripinaa was forced to retreat back to its bases. Yet an even greater disaster was in the making on the Imperial world of Lelithar where a powerful figure arouse amongst the raving cults and fanatics, proclaiming himself the Voice of the Emperor. The Voice of the Emperor's cult spread throughout nearby worlds and he encouraged rebellion against Imperial rule. Soon, vicious battles between the Voice of the Emperor's cult and the faithful followers of the Ecclesiarchy erupted on the streets of worlds such as Bar-El, Yayor, Amistel, and Albitern. Attempts by the Officio Assassinorum to dispose of the Voice of the Emperor proved unsuccessful.1b

Betrayal on Cadia

Despite the deteriorating security situation and internal strife in the Imperial territories surrounding the Eye of Terror, Cadia remained a beacon of stability. But in order to counter the increasing frequency and scale of Chaos activity around the Cadian sector, the Cadian High Command issued an order that every regiment of Cadian Shock Troops were to muster on Cadia itself. As a result, hundreds of extra landing fields were assembled at Kasr Tyrok fields in preparation for the reinforcements. Millions of men had already been assembled when the Volscani regiment, considered by many to be the most hardened fighters in the sector, landed on Cadia. In honor of the reputation of the Volscani regiment, the Cadian High Command itself gathered at Tyrok Fields to personally greet the arriving forces. However this would prove to be a disastrous decision for Cadia, as the Volscani soon revealed their true colors.1b

Exchanging their Cadian and Imperial banners with those of Chaos, the Volscani forces opened fire on the Cadian assembly on Tyrok Fields and annihilated most of the Cadian High Command in one fell swoop. Only a skillful counterattack by Lord Castellan Ursarkar E. Creed, who managed to take control of the reeling Cadian forces, prevented further calamity. Now installed as Governor of Cadia due to the murder of the previous holder of the position, Creed ordered the Cadian forces to dig in as he dispatched requests for aid throughout the whole of the Imperium. The Administratum and Space Marines heeded the call, mobilizing the sector with unprecedented scale and pace. After an engagement with a raiding party of Night Lords led by the vicious Tarraq Darkblood, a unit of highly trained Kasrkin were dispatched into the Eye of Terror directly on a reconnaissance mission, desperate to find some kind of indication of where the first blow of the inevitably Chaos invasion would land. The reconnaissance mission proved a disaster when the force became stranged on the Daemon World of Urthwart and was subsequently destroyed by the dreaded ship Planet Killer. As Urthwart collapsed into itself, a Chaos fleet of hundreds of warships, Space Hulks, and transports emerged from the depths of the Eye of Terror. Accompanying them were not only the Plagueclaw and Terminus Est but also two captured Blackstone Fortresses. Imperial Admiral Pulaski mustered whatever ships he could in the Ormantep system, ready to fight and die to give the defenders of Cadia whatever time they could to prepare themselves. Though the Imperial fleet fought bravely, it was annihilated by the massive Chaos armada. Quarren however managed to escape with what remained of his fleet, but in doing so had left the way clear a splinter Chaos Fleet to ravage the Agripinaa Sector.1c

Now virtually defenseless, the worlds of the Agripinaa Sector were ravaged by the Plague Fleet of Typhus and his legions of Death Guard and Daemons of Nurgle]]. Only an intervention by the Howling Griffons Space Marine Chapter, Jouran Dragoons Imperial Guard, and Legio Astorum Titan Legion prevented the total collapse of Imperial rule in the sector. The Imperial forces, further reinforced by the Death Spectres Chapter, even managed to lay siege the world of Lelithar, the original world of the Voice of the Emperor which had since been captured by Typhus' forces and legions of crazed cultists. However, the bloody siege has cost the lives of millions and is grinding mercilessly towards an uncertain conclusion.1c

Meanwhile the Emperor's Children, led by Lucius the Eternal, butchered the world of Belisar while warbands of Night Lords moved onto Scarus Sector, spreading terror and fear to the Imperial Populace. Cells of Alpha Legion revealed themselves across Segmentum Obscurus, badly delaying Space Marine reinforcements in protracted struggles. In the wake of the Traitor Marines came terrify hordes of Chaos: traitors, Mutants, Cultists, and Daemons as well as the Traitor Titan Legions of the Dark Mechanicum.2 Soon, every world within a thousand light years of the Eye of Terror became embroiled in conflict.3

While hordes of Chaos forces ravaged the surrounding sectors, the main Chaos Fleet of Abaddon the Despoiler and the World Eaters Chaos Lord Kossolax the Foresworn pushed towards Cadia itself. The Chaos fleet quickly overwhelmed the defences on the world of Solar Maritus, the outermost planet of the Cadian System. Here, traitor forces established a forward base of operations to launch attacks throughout the entire system. Capturing the prison world of St. Josmane's Hope, the Violators Chaos Space Marine warband managed to capture its millions of inmates and use them as slaves or conscript them into its armies. Admiral Quarren had done what he could, but the overwhelming Chaos Fleet could not be stopped and after three days of hard fighting, the majority of the Imperial Fleet in the Cadian System had either been crippled or destroyed. After overunning Cadia's orbital bases, the planet finally stood defenseless and Abaddon's long awaited invasion of Cadia had begun finally begun.1d

The Battle for the Cadian Gate

Abaddon began his invasion with a fierce orbital bombardment, one so powerful it shook even the vaunted Cadian Shock Troopers. Along with the bombardment came legions of Chaos Space Marines, the Lost and the Damned, Daemons, and Titans, who flooded the fortress world of Cadia in unprecedented numbers.2 The Cadian forces fought bravely and stubbornly however and were aided by the legendary Thirteenth Company of the Space Wolves.4

Throughout all this, the Imperium would received unexpected aid from xenos. The Eldar of Craftworld Ulthwe appeared to fight against the forces of Chaos, led personally by the Farseer Eldrad Ulthran. Intervening in the desperate battles between the Imperial Navy and Chaos, Eldar ships managed to often turn the tide while on the World of Belis Corona Eldar Black Guardians managed to relieve the besieged Imperial forces. Farseer Eldrad meanwhile vanished after an attempt to capture a Blackstone Fortress.3 Not all of the Eldar activity would be aid to the Imperium however, many Crone Worlds around the Eye of Terror would come under attack from Chaos forces and immortal Phoenix Lords would lead Eldar defenses in the Belial IV System, attempting to destroy a dark cathedral erected by the Word Bearers.4 The Eldar would also engage Ahriman of the Thousand Sons after the sorcerer managed to breach the Webway in a hunt for the mysterious Black Library.4

Elsewhere, Necron forces appeared in almost every warzone of the Thracian Primaris system of Scarus Sector, surprisingly only engaging Chaos forces. Not all xenos activity has been helpful however, the Dark Eldar took advantage of the anarchy and raided worlds of the Cadian Sector, even taking slaves on the feral world of Medusa, homeworld of the Iron Hands.3 The Relictors and Dark Angels chapters were forced to leave the main war effort and fight off several Kabals of Dark Eldar in response.4

While the forces of Cadia managed to hold off the Chaos armies in a bloody stalemate, the Imperial Navy would receive reinforcements from Cypra Mundi and launch a counterattack to drive Abaddon's forces back into the Cadian Gate. Using these resources to his advantage, Admiral Quarren managed to defeat Chaos fleets many times the size of his own, allowing a flood of Imperial reinforcements to break the Chaos blockades of Cadian and the Scelus Sector. In the Belis Corona System, the entirety of Battlefleet Gothic would storm into the fray. The Imperial Navy was gambling on this final sector-wide retaliation and if it were to fail, the whole of Battlefleet Obscurus would be so weakened it would have no hope of repelling Abaddon's invasion.5

While the Imperial Navy reinforcements bolstered the defenses of Battlefleet Cadia, Abaddon would unveil the next step in his plan. The Word Bearers Legion led by the Dark Apostle Erebus would enact terrible rituals on the world they had captured, unleashing Warp Storms and hordes of Daemons across outlying sectors around the Eye of Terror such as Scelus and Caliban. Cut off from aid, these sectors were ravaged by the powers of Chaos. Imperial forces would not falter however and a counterattack led by Creed and the White Scars Chapter was launched on and from Cadia, engaging Chaos forces throughout the sector in a surprise move of resolve.6 After holding out for many long weeks of stubborn resistance, the defenders of the Cadian Gate received further aid when reinforcements from dozens of Space Marine Chapters finally began to arrive. Among them were the Blood Angels, who assaulted the largest horde of World Eaters encountered in living memory of those involved on the world of Kasr Partox while the Dark Angels and Space Wolves engaged the forces of Typhus on the world of Macharia and Korolis, managing to put aside their past differences and bitter rivalry.8

Further reinforcements across the theatre of war included the Black Templars and Imperial Fists. Lord Inquisitor Torquemada Coteaz would also appear in the waves of reinforcements, leading strike forces of Grey Knights against Daemons in the Agripinnaa Sector as well as on Kasr Holn and Xersia. With so many of the legendary Space Marines arriving, the Imperium was at long last able to see a real chance of turning back Abaddon's Thirteenth Black Crusade.7 8

However, the rituals of Erebus of the Word Bearers reached their peak shortly after the arrival of Space Marine reinforcements. Through the sacrifice of a million innocents, the entire region around the Eye of Terror was attacked by Warp storm so intense that inter-system travel was rendered impossible and cutting the warzone off from further Imperial reinforcements. Taking advantage of this, Typhus would unleash the full strength of the Death Guard upon the Agripinaa Sector, which now was reduced to ruins.9 The most chilling development for the Imperium however was the slow encroachment of Planet Killer upon Cadia itself as the war entered its final stages.8 The Imperium's problems were further compounded by xenos forces, even at this late stage in the war. A Tyranid splinter Hive Fleet of Leviathan began to encorach on Segmentum Obscurus and assault Belis Corona while warbands of Orks ravaged the Scarus Sector in what became known as the Green Krusade.9

By the closing years of M41, Cadia still remained in Imperial hands. However the world stood alone and was under siege from vast Chaos forces, its moons reduced to barren wastelands and the Villklas and Andur defensive lines overrun. The Cadian High Command was forced to relocate to the far side of the planet as Imperial forces took up positions around Kasr Gallan, awaiting the final push by the Forces of Chaos. The other vital front in the war, the Agripinaa Sector, still remained in Imperial hands but was still under massive attack from Chaos forces and its populace risked starvation with the loss of Agri Worlds such as Yayor, Ulthor, and Dentor. The Imperial Navy sought to rectify this by fighting to hold space lanes around the Cadian Gate in actions that would have Admiral Quarren hailed a hero. The Dark Angels meanwhile continued to wage a spirited defense of the ruins of their ancient homeworld of Caliban, and were even rumored to have captured the elusive Voice of the Emperor.10

Forces

Imperial Forces2

Imperial Guard

Individual Regiments2

  • Cadian 3rd
  • Cadian 107th
  • Dernhelm 9th
  • Methuselan Infantry 12th (Mechanised)
  • Necromunda 8th Infantry
  • Thracian 290th
  • Framlingham Rifles
  • Ritzos 12th
  • Praetorian 5th
  • Hadleys Hope XI Rifle Regiment
  • Cadian 9th Armoured
  • 10th Mordian
  • Valhalla 54th
  • 41st Elysian Drop Troopers 'Angel Guard'
  • 23rd Krieg
  • 79th Britan Armoured
  • Reconnaissance Regiment
  • 43rd/65th Heidrun
  • 153rd Desert Devils
  • Praetorian 35th
  • 352nd Sturm Pioneers
  • Hyrkan 6th regiment
  • Catachan XII
  • Flotte Coloniale XXI
  • Phobos XV
  • Mordant 303rd 'Acid Dogs'

Imperial Navy

  • Battlefleet Solar
  • Battlegroup Nemesis
  • Battle Group Imperatis
  • Bakka Sector Task Force
  • 42 Space Marine Craft

Space Marine Chapters1

Specific Companies

Adepta Sororitas1a

Adeptus Mechanicus1a

Chaos forces1a

Chaos Space Marines

The Lost and the Damned

  • 666th Regiment of Foot
  • Discilan Apostates
  • Jenen Ironclads
  • Sentrek Freemen
  • The Traitor 9th
  • Ubridius Light Infantry
  • Volscani Cataphracts
  • The Annointed of Aq'si (Mutant Horde)
  • The Shyis'slaa (Mutant Horde)
  • The Stigmatus Convent (Mutant Horde)
  • Beastmen

Traitor Titan Legions

Chaos Fleet

Sources

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