Rise Of The Silent King - Pariah

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Minefields.

Primary Objective: Priority Targets.

Detachment: Stormlance Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Obeisance Phalanx.

This was a battle that took place at the end of the crusade to defeat the Necron command at Hell's Point. The battle was the most successful Necron attack of the engagement. Using bite and hold tactics, with objectives limited to what could be held against Imperial counter-attacks, the Necrons now led by the Silent King himself, devastated the Rift Warden defence. This caused a panic among the Imperial command and caused a severe loss of morale in the Astra Militarum troops. Under Arthurus' command, the Imperial forces made for a local withdrawal and planning for a greater withdrawal, which would leave Hell's Point firmly in under Necron control.

Battle of Paradox Flats - Mandragora

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Bio-Sample Acquisition.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Black Spear Task Force.

Agendas: Defiance Unfurled, Drive Home The Blade and Headhunters.

Opponent's Agendas: Critical Objectives, Drive Home The Blade and Tip Of The Spear.

The  battle of Paradox Flats was a Rift Wardens counter-attack against the Deathwatch. The battle took place over a week in the plains surrounding the decimated indignant xenos settlement.  During a brief pause in the war, Arthurus changed tactics and his battle brothers adopted a leap-frog method of pushing back against the enemy astartes.

Waves of battle brothers stopped once they reached their objectives and consolidated the ground, while supporting waves passed through to attack the next one, and earlier waves became the tactical reserve. General adoption of the method was made possible when the Rift Wardens brought up assault vehicles into the war zone and increasing the number of aircraft in a close air support role. 

The Rift Wardens succeeded in capturing most of their objectives and then holding them against the Deathwatch counter-assault, inflicting many casualties upon the enemy and forcing them to retreat. Deathwatch defences which had been long held, were quickly lost and the Rift Wardens once again had control of their target.

Battle of the Medigo Salt Flats - Serpentis

 

Points: 780

As the Rift Wardens deployed their forces to the surface of Serpentis, a new threat arose from the deserts. A force of Iron Hands marines, garrisoned with the Mechanicus, marched forth to battle their brothers and defend the Mechanicus secrets.

The battle was an offensive by the Iron Hands intended to drive the Rift Wardens away. The contending forces were three companies of their battle brothers mostly equipped as Aggressors. The series of battle took place in the salt flats between the Mechanicus factorum complex and the Rift Wardens landing zone. After Mechanicus forces attacked the Rift Wardens left flank, the Iron Hands attacked and broke through their lines resulting in heavy close combat actions. 

The battle resulted in numerous casualties on both sides before the Iron Hands fell back. A communique was sent to Arthurus ordering his forces off world but the chapter master would not accept such a threat.

First Strike Repercussions - Serpentis

Points: 1200.

Mission: The Gathering Shroud.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Cohort Cybernetica.

Agendas: Drive Them Back, Monstrous Targets and Recover Mission Archives.

Opponent's Agendas: Cold Logic and Tech Scavengers.

Returning from a crusade against the Tau, the Rift Wardens diverted from their patrol to the Mechanicus facility on Serpentis VII to rearm and resupply. Upon making orbit and communicating to the facilities below, the chapter was told to leave or be fired upon. When Arthurus once again requested supplies, the orbital defences opened fire and crippled one of the smaller support ship. The orbital station was immediately destroyed and Arthurus ordered an assault on the Mechanicus. Such betrayal would not go unanswered. The chapter deployed by drop pod and thunderhawk assault.

This engagement was the first battle between the Rift Wardens and the Mechanicus forces on Serpentis. The battle took place in several miles from the Rift Wardens base of operations against a first wave  of cybernetica robots. A force led by Captain Gwaine had a big success on the northern flank and the space marines gained a substantial amount of ground northwards, giving them some vital territory.

Arthurus led an attack on the Grelutt Plateau on the southern flank which captured a considerable amount of ground but failed to reach his primary objectives. Robot counter-attacks recaptured most of the lost territory over the afternoon. Infrequent dust storms prevented much of the Rift Wardens programme of aircraft support, which made it easier for the Mechanicus reserves to assemble on the battlefield.

An unusually large electrically charged dust storm rolled in over the next day, which hampered both forces to a large extent. This severely reduced the mobility of the infantry and the poor visibility hampered artillery and aircraft. The storm and the costly Mechanicus defense successes during this time forced the Rift Wardens too halt the offensive three days.

Battle of Sector Theta 9 - Mortwald

Points: 1200.

Mission: Against The Swarm.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Traitoris Lance.

Agendas: Head Hunters, Monstrous Targets and Priority Kill Zone.

Opponent's Agendas: Battlefield Survivours and Drive Home The Blade.

The Battle of Sector Theta 9 was the opening attack of a new Chaos assault on the Imperial defenders of Mortwald. Chaos marines, supported by House Vextrix on the flanks, attacked the Rift Warden positions, which defended the heart of Sector Theta 9. The forces of Chaos captured the outer districts with ease and they turned their attention inwards.

A phalanx of Chaos Knights marched into the center of District Theta 9, with three more in reserve behind them. They advanced from one district to another, slaughtering all in their way, and finally reached where the Imperial forces had built up a defensive position. A dark shadow fell across the streets, cutting the advancing war machines from view, just as the Rift Wardens counter-attacked. Meanwhile, the Astra Militarum fell back to higher positions although they suffered many casualties as they did so. The Rift Wardens found themselves locked into a deadly battle. One from which they could not, at this time, extricate themselves. 

A substantial amount of ground had been captured by the Chaos forces, except for some areas on the right flank, where Imperial resistance proved strong. A large number of casualties were inflicted on the Rift Wardens during the attack but they were able to regroup when chapter master Arthurus joined the fight, forcing the Chaos Knights back under his valiant attacks. For the next few days, bot sides made frequent attacks to improve their positions, much hampered by a constant barrage of heavy weapons fire. 

Finally, the Chaos Knights made a full on assault against the Imperial defence lines. At this time, Arthurus declared Sector Theta 9 lost to the enemy advance and pulled his battle brothers out. This proved a controversial act as it left the Astra Militarum defenders to be largely slaughtered by the Chaos forces.

Wrath Of The Gods - Pariah

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Hypercrypt Legion.

On the high ground above Hell's Point, the Necrons continued to inflict many losses on the Imperial divisions attacking there. Chief Librarian Uther took charge and led a joint infantry, dreadnought and aircraft operation against the enemy. Necron strongpoints and artillery pieces were captured or destroyed. Over the next two days, Uther took advantage of gaps in the Necron lines and his assault continued. However, this run of success was soon to come to an end as his forces neared the tomb complex itself. The enemy command unleashed a force of C'Tan shards the like had not been seen before and their attack was costly to both sides. Uther laid down a new formation of skirmish lines to be supported by the dreadnoughts and what terminator forces were available to him, and then attacked the enemy simultaneously. Despite a brave and heroic charge, the very presence of the star gods forced a recall of Uther's battle brothers. The engagement had been lost but at the very least, a number of vital positions had been destroyed, denied to the enemy.

Second Battle Of Vardenghast - Talos

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible Of Battle. / Hidden Supplies.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Assimilation Swarm

The second battle of Vardenghast was fought over three days immediately following the previous engagement. It was a rushed endeavour as the Imperial Navy feared a delay on reinforcements due to heavy enemy orbital presence. On the surface, the Tyranids pushed up against the city walls and a handful of outlaying trenchworks were overrun and consumed. Attempts by the Rift Wardens to push the alien horde back failed, with many squads being isolated and surrounded, before being devoured. Chief Librarian Uther ordered an orderly retreat to the city walls. Attempts by the Tyranids to push through the gates of Vardenghast itself were stopped by the Rift Wardens but it cost them many casualties. The marines conformed and hurriedly prepared to hold the city gates.

 

Battle For District 70 - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Chosen Battlefield.

Primary Objective: Vital Ground.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Combined Regiment.

The battle for Hindelgeist continues. Attacks to threaten neighbouring districts began in the early summer by the Imperial forces. The Rift Warden objective was to eliminate enemy infantry positions in their way by taking the vital District 70. The attacks were conducted earlier than planned to use terminator squads before they were redeployed elsewhere. The battle for District 70 took place over five days. The Rift Wardens fought four divisions of Cadian and Kreig infantry during the operation. The capture of District 70 was a costly success in which the Rift Wardens inflicted severe casualties on the enemy forces and pinned down troops preventing their escape while loyalist forces secured the area.

Storm Over Hell's Point - Pariah

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Minefields.

Primary Objective: Supply Drop.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Canoptek Court.

After a terrible storm halted the Imperial offensive, the Rift Wardens once again attacked the Necron positions in an attempt to capture several enemy held objectives. The space marine advance succeeded but Necron aircraft and infantry counter-attacks isolated Captain Gwaine's forces between waves of enemy forces. As night fell and the storm broke, Illuminor Szeras manifested with a force of Immortals and recaptured all but one small corner of their defences, although this left Gwaine trapped behind the enemy lines.