The Fall of Vardenghast - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Adapt or Die.

Primary Objective: The Ritual.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Unending Swarm.

The fall of Vardenghast was a battle fought over two weeks after the Tyranids breached the gates and flooded into the city streets. The Tyranid horrors attacked the Imperial defences slaughtering guardsmen and civilians alike. The assault had devastating effects on Imperial morale, leading to mass desertions.

After a few days, a vast warm of gaunts guided by the infamous Swarmlord assaulted the Rift Warden positions defending the Vardenghast space port. Effectively employing bolter and artillery fire, the Rift Wardens managed to stall the Tyranid advance. However, the collapse of several other positions forced them to close ranks even tighter. The Tyranids spilled into the ruins of the space port district and pushed deeper into the Imperial positions.

This downfall of the defence of the city turned the strategic and operational balance of the war against the Imperium. The city fell to the swarming horde, and the space marines were pulled back to their orbiting battle barge to await fresh orders.

Battle of Bore-Hive Scelerus - Megaborealis

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Raise Banners.

Primary Objective: Burden of Trust..

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Daemonic Incursion.

The Battle of Bore-Hive Scelerus was a major battle in Megaborealis fought over three days between a vast horde of daemons and the Rift Wardens under captain Lorgraine. The daemonic horde was led by Kairos Fateweaver.

The attack at Bore-Hive Scelerus was part of a plan by Fateweaver in which the daemon sought to break through the Imperial lines and capture the hive sprawl. It was the largest demon offensive launched on Vigilus, and it caught the Rift Wardens in the process of bolstering their lines. This meant that their tanks were out of place and the daemonic attack, coming up against a disorganised space marine force, proved more successful than expected. The chapter fell back from the hivesprawl and left it for the forces of Chaos.

Battle of Glaive Point - Dirkden Hivespawl

Points: 1600.

Mission: Spawning Grounds.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Biosantic Broodsurge.

Agendas: Duel of Honour, Eradicate The Swarm and Headhunters.

Opponent's Agendas: Genestealer's Kiss and Silence Detractor.

The battle of Glaive Point was the last battle fought in the war for Dirkden Hivesprawl, involving the Rift Wardens, under chapter master Arthurus against an unsurmountable force of Genestealer mutants, in the region known as Glaive Point. Although these engagements were relatively small in light of the larger Vigilus crusade, it marked the first time that the Imperial forces surrendered a hive to the alien aggressors. Under command of Marneus Calgar, Dirkden was handed to the Genestealer Cults, while the defenders concentrated on more important hivesprawls. 

Midnight On The Firing Line - Pelucidon

Points: 500.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Fog of War.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Following the success at Fort Rannick, the Rift Wardens now reinforced by their brothers in orbit, reached the right flank off the Pelladon Wastes, and shelled the White Scars positions from the high ground. The left bank group reached the edge of a vast inland sea and set up defensive positions. That day, captain Lorgraine took several vital locations and allowed the chapter's thunderhawks to approach and land with minimal incoming fire. These fresh battle brothers then took a beachhead near the right flank with ease. After three days of fighting, coming at the White Scars from three directions, the Rift Wardens were able to drive them back, deeper into the wastes.

Battle of Pumping Station Delta 001 - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Fog of War.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Vanguard Onslaught.

This offensive was planned by captain Lorgraine, who devised a high-risk frontal assault which required his battle brothers to cross a series of devastated sewage treatment plants to attack the Tyranids from a vantage of high ground, as they spilled into the city. The plan failed when the assaulting marines were unable to cross the pumping station grounds due to a deadly chemical spill. After this setback, Lorgraine was forced to take a longer route to reach the desired location.

The Rift Wardens crossed the outskirts of the pumping station, supported by elements from their brothers in the White Scars chapter. Two significantly undermanned White Scars companies charged in ahead to distract the forces of the hive mind. The local Tyranid forces were devastated and fell back into the streets. In the rear, the Rift Wardens brought up their own forces and the civilian engineers set to work repairing the pumping station. 

With the White Scars scouring the streets, the Rift Wardens held their position and protected the civilians while they repaired the station and re-established fresh water to the protected hab blocks further into the city. The next day, Lorgraine led his battle brothers into the streets and through their bravery, the streets around this district was cleared of the Tyranid threat... for now. The Rift Wardens and White Scars both sustained casualties but they had ensured that the Tyranids were funneled elsewhere into Vardenghast.

The Gates Are Breached - Talos

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Firestorm Assault Force.

Opponents Detachment: Synaptic Nexus.

This engagement was fought by the invading Tyranid forces against the Rift Wardens and those brave civilian militia, and commanded by captain Lorgraine. The Tyranids had breached the walls of Vardenghast and were spilling into the streets, slaughtering all in their way. This brief engagement was notable for being a significant confrontation at this point in the war for Vardenghast, and set the tone for the eventual fall of the sprawling hive city.

Skirmish On The Ice - Kaelac's Bane

 

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Supply Lines.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment: Vanguard Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Battle Host.

This small engagement took place over the course of a week between Aeldari forces and the Rift Wardens garrisoned around the ice mines of Kaelac's Bane. The battles were nothing but brief skirmish raids, but ultimately proved to be the final conflicts between the two forces in this region. The Aeldari sought to take their vengeance out on Hyperia Hivesprawl before joining forces with the Imperium briefly, against the Black Legion, ultimately driving Abaddon's forces from the surface of Vigilus.

The Black Fields Aflame! - Grendel

 

Points: 1500.

Mission: Kicking The Nest.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Teleport Strike Force.

Agendas: Central Position, Duel of Honour and Malefic Hunter.

Opponent's Agendas: Headhunters and Reap A Tally.

The Grey Knights command refused Crowe's demands to continue the Black Fields offensive, as it was felt that the attack was faltering as the Grey Knight forces outran their supplies and tank support, and the Rift Wardens reserves were being moved to reinforce Ascension Hive. Instead, Crowe was ordered to plan an offensive to take the hive city.

Crowe's forces launched the next phase of the campaign by assaulting what was left of the space marines in the Black Fields. The assault was widened by further reinforcements in the next few days. During the next week, the Grey Knights pressure along the entire front was heavy and unrelenting. For the Rift Wardens, each day was spent in bloody fighting against an ever on-storming enemy force.

The second battle began shortly thereafter, with a new offensive north of the hive city itself. That developed into an advance which pushed the Rift Wardens, under chapter master Arthurus, back from the fields and into the walls of Ascension Hive. The Grey Knights then widened the attack to include the fields south of the hive sprawls. The Grey Knights breached the outer walls a couple days later at the battle of Apothe Gate. 

The following morning, the Grey Knights seized control of the outer fields. Space marine casualties were heavy while the Grey Knights suffered far fewer losses. By noon of this day, Arthurus ordered his battle brothers into the city. Here they would make their stand.

Faced with these advances, Arthurus issued fresh ordered to hold the outer gates. With this, the Rift Wardens ceded control of the now burning fields to the enemy. They had to admit defeat at this time. Within three days, the Rift Wardens were forced back into the hive proper. Now, unless the situation changed, the Rift Wardens were forced into a vicious city fight for their own survival.

Battle of District 9 - Mortwald

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn Of War / Chilling Rain.

Primary Objective: Take And Hold.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Fellhammer Siege Host.

After the Battle of the Bridge, the force of the Iron Warriors planned a large scale offensive on the Imperial lines ahead of them, the various lines of advance converging on District 9.

Blocking the highways, the Maridan canal served as a retrenchment for a number of Rift Wardens. Though it was a largely unknown battle, District 9 was the scene of fierce fighting between the Rift Wardens and the Iron Warriors for it's control over two months of fighting before the traitor forces won the day.

The Vardenghast Offensive - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible of Battle / Adapt or Die.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Vanguard Onslaught.

The Vardenghast Offensive was a series of massive Tyranid offensives that allowed the hive mind to breach the walls of Vardenghast. Beginning with the Battle of Gate 22, the Tyranids pushed the Imperial defenders back within the city proper, undoing their gains from recent engagements.

The Rift Wardens retreated to the Varidan Defense Line, but the Tyranids broke thtough the line with a series of victories. The offensive led to the Tyranids running amok in the street and would be seen as the moment that the hive city fell.

Battle of Hive Haakonen - Typhonus

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search and Destroy / Raise Banners.

Primary Objective: Burden of Trust.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force

Opponents Detachment: Veterans of the Long War.

The Battle of Hive Haakonen was the opening offensive against the Imperial controlled hive city, which would lead to a major city fight campaign. Chaos renegades advanced over the burning fields from Typhonus City, one of the greatest troop movements of the planetary campaign. The battle was notable for it's effects on both side's morale and the large number of Rift Wardens slain in the opening assault. The chaos space marines easily breached the walls despite their loyalist brothers heavy defence.