Battle of Kabaal III
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The Battle of Kabaal III, also known as the Battle for Kadaklan was the only land battle to take place during the Eldar invasion of Kabaal III (at the direction of Eldrad Ulthran of Ulthwé), a reprisal after Imperial Govenor Bastor Nulaati decimated the Starkillers which sat vigil over the Kabaal System and the tomb of the Sleeping Ones. The battle occurred two weeks into the siege of Inari, the last surviving city on Kabaal III.[1]
History
When Imperial Govenor Bastor Nulaati came to power, he ordered a punitive strike against the Eldar Corsairs known as the Starkillers, which had for years harassed the traders of the Kabaal System, often taking cargo after a nonviolent surrender and sending the traders on their way. The Starkillers had actually stood vigil over the world of Kabaal III and the tomb of Sleeping Ones[Note] within; with their vigil removed Eldrad Ulthran at the advice of Ulthwé's Dome of Crystal Seers launched a full-fledged assault on Kabaal III – aided by forces from Saim-Hann, Iyanden, Biel-Tan, Alaitoc, and other Craftworlds as well as a Harlequin fleet. The System Defence Forces of Kabaal fled but were followed and destroyed as the Eldar systematically obliterated every station and installation on the outer edges of the system as they made their way to Kabaal III.[1]
When the fleets reached the world they razed the fertile farmland with fire and toxins – only the capital city of Inari, with its reinforced ecodome, survived the initial assault. Then, the Eldar made landfall and for two weeks bombarded the capital's arcane dome. In time Eldar Scouts located weak areas in the shieldwall and the Eldar focussed their weaponry, including salvos from Phantom Titans, at those points. In time the city-block-sized generators burned out and exploded under the continued bombardment, and just before dawn on the last day the skies alit with fire and the shieldwall collapsed.[1]
Fifty miles from Inari, within the mountainous region of Kadaklan was a small and overlooked control station outpost connected to the city by underground shuttle. In a desperate attempt to divide the Eldar forces, Govenor Nulaati ordered Commissar Lorr and the Black Platoon of Gamma Company of the XXII Valhallan Regiment to Kadaklan, where they mustered a defence against the already awaiting Ulthwé Warhost – however, Eldrad had foreseen this gambit.[1]
The events of the Battle for Kadaklan are not in Imperial record, its unknown how many times the shuttle returned with Imperial reinforcements nor is it known if the shuttle returned to Inari carrying the Eldar into the city's heart. What is known is that when the Emperor Class Battleship Fist of Righteousness arrived the world was lifeless, devoid of anything but the most basic single-cell life forms.[1]
Imperial Order of Battle
- Black Platoon of Gamma Company of the XXII Valhallan Regiment:
- Commissar Lorr with Storm Troopers Morran, Callen and Diris
- Valhallan Command HQ with Captain Heith, Primaris Psyker Master Korbel, and 4 Guardsmen
- Heavy Squad with 6 Guardsmen
- 5 Ratling Snipers
- Chimera-mounted Imperial Guard Squad with Sergeant Hark, and 9 Guardsmen
- Chimera-mounted Imperial Guard Squad with Sergeant Al-Revor, and 9 Guardsmen
- 1 Hellhound
- 1 Leman Russ Battle Tank
Trivia
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- Note: The Sleeping Ones of Kabaal III, awakening form their tomb to re-found a great empire, may be Necrons.
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 203 (UK), pgs. 58-67 - Wrath of Ulthwé
