Ultramar Campaign
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This article is about the Black Legion invasion; for the earlier Chaos invasion, see Invasion of Ultramar. |
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The Ultramar Campaign was an invasion of Ultramar orchestrated by Abaddon the Despoiler and his Chaos allies shortly after the 13th Black Crusade and the destruction of Cadia.[1]
Overview
Shortly after the destruction of Cadia in the Thirteenth Black Crusade, Chaos Warmaster Abaddon the Despoiler received a disturbing prophecy from his Sorcerers, who informed him that the Tech-Priest Belisarius Cawl had a device of profound importance that could turn the tide of the war. The Sorcerers also informed Abaddon that Cawl was among the Imperial refugees from Cadia, and had been escorted into the Webway by the Eldar with Macragge as their destination. Hoping to halt Cawl's plan, Abaddon sent a fleet of Chaos Space Marines to Ultramar.[1]
The Imperial survivors of the 13th Black Crusade, led by Saint Celestine, Marshal Amalrich, and Inquisitor Greyfax, first emerged from the Webway along with their Eldar allies on the Shrine World of Laphis in the Macragge System. Despite the uneasy alliance between the Imperials and Eldar, necessity saw them fight together effectively and soon the area around the Webway Portal was secured from the Black Legion, which was taken by surprise. The newly arrived forces then moved on a besieged Ultramarines fortress. After relieving the Ultramarine garrison within the fortress from Heldrakes, Saint Celestine successfully convinced the Astartes to allow them passage to Macragge itself as part of Cawl's plan. However, all of the Ynnari besides Yvraine and the Visarch went back into the Webway, their mission accomplished for now.[1]
Arriving at Macragge via Strike Cruiser, the Imperial forces found the capital of Ultramar under full-scale Chaos invasion. The Ultramar Defence Fleet was desperately engaging in an orbital battle against the Black Legion, Iron Warriors, The Purge, and Night Lords. After fighting their way through the Chaos blockade, the Imperial forces landed on Macragge and moved on the Fortress of Hera, which was now besieged. At Hera they found Ultramarines Chapter Master Marneus Calgar and the other senior officers of the Chapter. Cawl revealed that he needed to see the comatose body of Primarch Roboute Guilliman, provoking outrage among the Ultramarines. However, Cawl revealed that he was in fact over 10,000 years old and has been working on a way to bring back Guilliman on the orders of the Primarch himself shortly before his wounding by Fulgrim. Cawl revealed a new suit of Power Armour for Guilliman that could regenerate his wounds, as well as a new weapon for the Primarch. With Yvraine at his side, it was now possible for Cawl to fully restore Guilliman. With the backing of Librarian Tigurius the Ultramarines eventually relented and allowed Cawl and his entourage into the Shrine of Guilliman.[1]
As Cawl began his work, the Black Legion made one final desperate assault on the Shrine to try and prevent Guilliman's return. Calgar, Saint Celestine, and the Grey Knights 3rd Brotherhood led by Grand Master Voldus led the defence and bought Cawl the time he needed. Ten Dreadclaws smashed through the shrine, disgorging a hundred Black Legion Chaos Space Marines. Soon enough the Imperial defenders were all overwhelmed by this force, but as all seemed lost Cawl and the others were successful in their work and the restored Roboute Guilliman entered the fray.[1]
Faced with the onslaught of the Primarch, the Chaos invaders were completely broken while the Imperial defenders were reinvigorated by his presence. Devastated by the Primarch's onslaught, the Black Legion was forced into a retreat. Enraged at the desecration of his homeworld, Guilliman made sure none of the traitorous Marines left the Shrine alive.[1]
Aftermath
In the aftermath of the battle Roboute Guilliman led a general counterattack across Ultramar, devastating the Chaos invaders. With their mission now a failure, the remaining Chaos fleet fled Ultramar. Once at peace Guilliman adjusted to the reality of his father's Imperium 10,000 years later, now an empire of decay and superstition. After being fully briefed by his Ultramarines Guilliman declared that he will journey to Terra, beginning the Terran Crusade.[1]
Shortly after the defeat of the Black Legion in Ultramar, the realm again would come under Chaos invasion in the Plague Wars.[2]
Sources
- 1: Gathering Storm: Rise of the Primarch, Part 1
- 2: Dark Imperium (Novel) - Chapter 10
