The Battle of Golgotha - Gehenna Prime

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Point Blank.

Primary Objective: Terraform.

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Deceptors.

The battle of Golgotha was a conflict between the Rift Wardens and the endless forces of the Alpha Legions, fought on the fields of Golgotha. After the initial victory against the traitor legion, the Rift Wardens spread across the globe engaging the enemy, and inflicting significant casualties upon them. 

Under the command of Captain Lorgraine, his battle brothers attacked the massing Alpha Legionnaires at Golgotha. As a result of this successful engagement, the space marines annexed the area and surrounding hive cities. Any traitor marines found were put to the blade and bolter. No quarter was given or expected. 

Wasteland Skirmish - Omegon Theta

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Martial Pride.

Primary Objective: Purge the Foe.

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Warhost.

This brief engagement took place over two days, during the war for Omegon Theta. A patrol of Alaitoc craftworlds with Corsair backup clashed with a Rift Warden patrol. The battle took place in a petrified forest some miles from the dig site. The battle was light and brief, and resulted with the Aeldari pushing the space marines back towards their own lines.

Battle of Dig Site Gamma 12 - Omegon Theta

Points: 2000.

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

Primary Objective: Purge the Foe..

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Aspect Host.

The Aeldari attacked a Rift Warden outpost at a location around the buried craftworld known to the Mechanicus as Gamma 12. The Aeldari planned to annihilate all space marine forces present. Their rangers scouted out the area, it was a hilled area with deep ravines with a few Mechanicus digging machines scattered around. The Aeldari deployed their forces deep in the hills and claimed the high ground.

Meanwhile, an Aspect Host advanced through the wastelands towards the site, using the excavated vessel to hide their approach. Despite sustained firepower by the well trained space marines, the Aeldari advance managed to drive the space marines from their outpost, although poor coordination left the Aeldari left flank exposed, allowing the Rift Wardens the chance to regain some ground.

On the second day, the Rift Wardens occupied an abandoned dig site, opening up a gap between the two Aeldari forces, but found themselves isolated between those same enemy groups. Captain Gwaine used the opportunity to regroup his surviving forces, positioning them opposite the weakened right flank. Gwaine gave an inspiring speech which bolstered the marines morale.

That evening, a Rift Warden strike force carried out a feint attack against the Aspect Host, drawing them westward after a light skirmish, allowing the marines to relocate unharmed. In the early hours, the Aeldari appeared out of nowhere, launching an attack and swiftly gaining the upper hand, forcing the space marines back again. The tide of battle was once again in the Aeldari's favor. Flanking attacks followed by savage hand to hand fighting, pushed the space marines back further from the dig site.

Hold The Line - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Ruinscape.

Primary Objective: Linchpin.

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead.

Opponents Detachment: Crusher Stampede.

During the battle of Neiman Ford, Tyranid forces, where were led by the Swarmlord bypassed the space marine defences to engage the Rift Warden rearguard beyond the Neiman Ford. Their advance was slow due to the tenacity of the Rift Wardens. By the evening of the second day of the battle, the Swarmlord's forces had surrounded the rearguard and attacked.

The hills beyond the Ford were defended by 500 marines, who counter-attacked several times trying to halt the advancing swarm. After a day of fighting, the space marines were destroyed. Then they turned their attention on the main engagement. When they arrives, the battle was in full force. The Tyranids dominated the battle grid and the arrival of reinforcements trapped the space marines between two powerful detachments.

The Swarmlord and the monstrous creatures it had brought to bare, took the space marines by surprise, and after a short fight it was obvious that the Rift Wardens could not defeat such a foe. Captain Lorgraine took charge of the evacuation, managing to pull the majority of the surviving battle brothers to safety.

Second Battle of the Mekon Delta - Omega Theta

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Hidden Supplies.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Armoured Warhost.

The Rift Wardens defended themselves on a clifftop overlooking the buried Craftworld, but after the previous engagement the space marines ran out of ammunition and were subsequently massacred by the Aeldari. This was a major blow to the space marines but in the subsequent days, the chapter returned and extracted a dreadful revenge upon the Aeldari.

Battle of the Badlands - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 3000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible of Battle / Night Fighting.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: War Horde.

After the Imperium lost their campaign against the Orks of the Scrap Cities, they fell back into the wastelands pursued by the greenskins. Arthurus gathered a company worth of battle brothers and dreadnoughts to hold off the wrath of Ghazkhull while the surviving forces retreated. Even so, the Orks had the numerical advantage.

Arthurus, decided to forestall their advance and ordered his brothers to hold the line. Initially the Rift Wardens were able to destroy the oncoming forces and were briefly able to push them back. The Ork hordes concentrated their war bands and rushed the space marine lines. Heavy fighting ensued and the battle lines became a deadlock.

Over the next two days, the Rift Wardens pushed the Orks back but then Ghazkhull arrived to bolster their numbers. Under his command, the Orks recaptured territory lost to them and inflicted heavy casualties on the space marines. With the main Imperial force now safely out of harm's way, Arthurus pulled his forces back to the hive cities and plotted a revenge against the Orks.

Asteroid M40 - The Core

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Bloodlust.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Needgaard Oathband.

The conflict for Asteroid M40 began shortly after the Imperial attack on the Votann mining colonies and the space dwarves would not cede control so easily. Thus far, the Leagues had successfully expelled most of the Imperial occupiers. The Leagues mining this asteroid formed a sizeable retaliation force with many of the miners volunteering to fight. Uther took command of the force, which consisted of some 4000 dwarves. The gathered what weapons they could and soon they marched out to confront the oncoming space marines.

The League forces fought like madmen and against the space marines, they lost many of their warriors. Further League reinforcements arrived to bolster their numbers but the fighting separated into numerous smaller engagements. Eventually the Leagues fell back and barricaded their defences against the Rift Wardens. On Asteroid M40, the fighting would continue for months.

The Fields of Corinth - Corinthia

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Point Blank.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Retaliation Cadre.

This engagement took place over the course of a month between the Rift Wardens and the Tau defenders of Corinth and Sparta. The fighting was especially focused on the fields beyond the walls of Conrinth City. Despite a lengthy and non-stop battle, neither side managed to force a victory but the space marines suffered such heavy casualties that they were forced to fall back to the roadside defences.

Sweeping Engagement - Grendel

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / High Octane.

Primary Objective: Burden Of Trust.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force

Opponents Detachment: Warpbane Task Force.

As day turned into evening, the Rift Wardens found themselves under assault once more. To counter this threat, chapter master Arthurus ordered a heavy force to charge the Grey Knight flanks. After a huge clash, the Grey Knights fell back towards Apothe Gate.

After a brief lull, the Grey Knights managed to finally break through the Rift Warden defensive line and pushed into the streets they were fighting. Numerous space marines were slain and Arthurus ordered a retreat. In doing so, they spotted a second Grey Knight force led by Castellan Crowe, emerging from the hab blocks of the north east.

The two Grey Knight companies united under Crowe and formed a strong line, but did not initiate an assault. Arthurus ordered all forces to launch an all out assault before the Grey KNights could start their attack. A host of dreadnoughts made a frontal charge, while chief librarian Uther was ordered to flank attack to the left of the Grey Knight lines. The counter attack was initially successful but within half an hour, the Grey Knights received reinforcements from their orbiting starship. Arthurus has no option but to once again call a retreat.

Battle of the Enclaves - Mortwald

Points: 2000.

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

Primary Objective: Linchpin.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Packbound Zealots.

As part of the efforts to recapture Mortwald, the Rift Wardens launched a surprise attack on the Enclaves district, liberating it and the surviving nobility from the clutches of Chaos. In response, the Black Legion turned their attentions to the Enclaves, launching a full offensive on the Imperial positions. The Black Legion rolled up with assault vehicles and began demolishing the Enclave gates and defensive walls, in preparation for the upcoming assault. These defences fell over two days of bombardment.

The Black Legion reinforcements arrived with fresh troops. Land Raiders and Predator tanks rolled into the streets. A massive firestorm assault was unleashed, decimating many of the space marine defenders and civilian casualties were high.

The Enclaves burned in the days ahead. Civilians fled east to what little Imperial held territory remained, and the Rift Wardens remained to cover their escape. The loyalist marines entrenched themselves in makeshift trenches, within ruined buildings and what few defence positions remained. The Black Legion bombarded their positions and followed up with heavy infantry assault and the Rift Wardens were slaughtered to man.

Battle of the Trzeller Defence Line - Mortwald

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / High Octane.

Primary Objective: Terraform.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Infernal Lance.

Battle of the Trzeller Defence Line took place during the Vigilus crusade. It was fought along the length of the Trzeller Defence Line, a defensive line of fortifications that stretched out into the wastelands. The battle, lasting roughly twenty four hours, resulted in the complete destruction of the Imperial defenders, but at the same time the Rift Wardens halted the traitor Knight advance, preventing them from breaching the Mortwald walls.

Battle of Odin's Gulf - Vanaheim

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Crucible of Battles / Point Blank.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Saga of the Beastslayer.

The battle of Odin's Gulf took place over several days during the battle for Vanaheim. Logan Grimnar and Ragnar Blackmane lead a sizeable force across the icy wastes where they led an assault on the Rift Wardens at a wide ice field known as Odin's Gulf. The battle took place south of the Rift Wardens main holdings on the ice. The Rift Wardens were led by chapter master Arthurus himself.

On the first day, the Space Wolves crossed the Iceflow River undetected and assaulted the Rift Wardens. Ragnar attacked them at their weakest point, a gap between two patrols unnoticed by the space marines. Ragnar decided to take advantage of this and turned his forces towards them, slamming into the Rift Wardens.

During the night, after brutal hand to hand combat, the Space Wolves seized this section of the outer defences. On the second day, Arthurus led an attack to take the location back but due to Grimnar's intervention, Arthurus failed.

On the night of the second day, the Space Wolves continued to encircle the Rift Warden command site, capturing large sections of the outer defences. Arthurus once again took to the field with his bladeguard, ordering his brothers to drive the enemy out. The Rift Wardens advanced supported by multiple dreadnoughts, forcing the Space Wolves to retreat and threatening their flank. Grimnar decided to call in all his available reinforcements and through the night, the Rift Wardens were once again pushed back by superior numbers.

On the night of the third day of fighting, Space Wolf battle brothers, together with waves of thunderwolf cavalry, reinforced the frontline north of the space marines position. With these in place, Grimnar planned to attack the divided Rift Wardens fighting across multiple fronts. The Rift Wardens successfully held their lines, launched two counter attacks but the Space Wolves held their encircled positions.

As the battle progressed, the Space Wolves regrouped. The Rift Wardens used this opportunity to again drive their foe back out into the snowfields of Odin's Gulf, but were unsuccessful due to overwhelming enemy forces. Reluctantly, Arthurus ordered an evacuation, and the the chapter escaped via thunderhawks back to their flotilla in orbit. 

Arthurus called his commanders to him and they began to plan for their revenge.

The Battle of Novavosk - Antares

Points: 2000.

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

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Shield Host.

The battle of Novavosk was fought over two days between the Rift Wardens and the Custodes, under the leadership of Inquisitor Draxus. The Custodes arrived to launch a counter-attack against the space marines who were besieging the Novavosk fortress.

Inquisitor Draxus, commanding a small shield host detachment, led an attack to contain the space marine right flank. The Custodes took the offensive, crossing open ground and capturing the space marine flank. On the second day they brought up their tanks and begun pummeling the Rift Wardens.

Draxus' leadership and tactical knowledge, allowed the Custodes to clear a bridgehead and launch a sucessful counter-offensive. Arthurus withdrew his troops and abandoned the fortress for now.

Purge The Foe - Hadex

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Martial Pride.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Champions of Vehemont.

This was an engagement fought between the two space marine forces, on the south-west corner of Hadex City. The Rift Wardens were led by their chapter master Arthurus and the Black Templars by chaplain Grimaldus. The battle was fought around a new long abandoned Arbites quarter. Arthurus goal was to stall the Black Templar forces and give his chapter time to prepare defences against the oncoming forces. The battle was brief and for a time, the Black Templars led a ferocious attack but the defensive tactics of the Rift Wardens held them back with minimal losses. Eventually, with Grimaldus struck low, the Black Templars retreated. This was the first victory on Hadex for the Rift Wardens but it would not be the last.

The Final Battle of Hell's Point - Pariah

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Night Fighting.

Primary Objective: Burden of Trust.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Canoptek Court.

This engagement was a series of battles fought over several days that resulted in a decisive victory for the Necrons in the Hell's Point offensive. It saw an almost total disintegration of the Imperial forces and saw them retreat and into other less important warzones.

Operation: Retribution #2 - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search and Destroy / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponent's Detachment: Warpforged Cabal.

The first stage of this operation began with a frontal assault by the Rift Wardens at a Thousand Sons defense point at the base of Mount Sybo. The Rift Wardens captured the objective and breached the enemy lines. The site exchanged hands several times however, during periods of heavy combat.

The plan for the battle was straightforward for both sides. The Rift Wardens wanted to break through the Thousand Son's defences, while the traitor legion's aim was to defend the area long enough for a two-pronged counter-offensive from the south.

After three days of intense fighting, the Thousand Sons managed to repel a direct assault by Arthurus and his company. The struggle for control forced the enemy sorcerer lord to start the counterattack earlier than planned. The site was captured and this victory proved to be the turning point in the tide of war. Having suffered crippling losses, the space marines had no choice but to leave the site to the enemy.

After three days of intense fighting, the corps-sized 1st Polish Army under General Franciszek Latinik managed to repel a direct assault by six Red Army rifle divisions at Radzymin and Ossów. The struggle for control of Radzymin forced General Józef Haller, commander of the Polish Northern Front, to start the 5th Army's counterattack earlier than planned. Radzymin was recaptured on August 15, and this victory proved to be one of the turning points of the battle of Warsaw. The strategic counteroffensive was successful, pushing Soviet forces away from Radzymin and Warsaw and eventually crippling four Soviet armies.

Battle of the River Delta - Pelucidon

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Point Blank.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Around the time of the Samakar Landings, the Rift Warden line of defence in the upper River Delta region had been breached by White Scars led by the Khan himself. Rift Warden squads had begun a series of delaying actions and pulled back towards their forces holding the city of Samakar. Chapter Master Arthurus led a strike force to engage the White Scars in their place.

Korsarro Khan directed his brothers to destroy the Rift Wardens as soon as possible, so they could rundown the retreating marines. Khan led a three prong attack coming at Arthurus forces from different directions. Arthurus immediately ordered a counter attack, and hunted down Khan. With the legendary captain struck low, the White Scars pulled him out of combat and left the region to the Rift Wardens.

The Battle of GrayKeep - Antares

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Point Blank.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Lions of the Emperor.

The Adeptus Custodes battle companies reached the area around a small fortress hive named GrayKeep. They immediately engaged in a battle with the Rift Wardens guarding the nearby crossings. The Custodes tried seize the crossing points but were repelled by heavy bolter fire.

After a short resupply break, Trajan decided to carry our two simultaneous attacks - targeting the crossing site and GrayKeep itself. He dispatched three companies south to bolster their forces there near KastleHall. Soon afterwards, two Custodes companies captured the crossings and the Rift Wardens abandoned the site.

The first stage of the battle ended with a Custodes victory, but the Rift Wardens continued to control the surrounding countryside, and prevented the Custodes from pulling back to their staging zones. Trajan requested reinforcements and then renewed their assault on the space marines. The Rift Wardens were ready and met the Custodes with renewed heavy bolter fire. Trajan ordered his troops to engage the Rift Wardens in close quarters combat. Neither side took prisoners, and after several hours the Rift Wardens were forced to retreat.

The Second Battle of the Vangalt Defence Line - Vigilus Wastelands

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Defensive Line / Night Fighting.

Primary Objective: Purge The Foe.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Soulforged Warpack.

The second battle of the Vangalt Defence Line was part of an ill-fated offensive by the Rift Wardens on the Black Legion occupying this strategic site after the recent battle. In this case, they found that Abaddon had summoned Vashtorr the Arkifane, and they would be forced to deal with his followers as well.

The Rift Wardens assault with the aim of cutting off one division of Black Legion and encircling them. One of the assaulting forces, managed to breach the front line and assaulted a fortified bunker, defended by a small number of cultists. After a brief skirmish, the chapter had captured a suitable command position, As the Rift Wardens took no prisoners, they slaughtered hundreds of traitor marines and even brought down Vashtorr, banishing back to the Warp. Following this, Abaddon joined the battle was forced to teleport back to the Vengeful Spirit having suffered grievious wounds from Chief Librarian Uther. The Rift Wardens had suffered minimal casualties as now the Black Legion lacked enough firepower to repel the loyalist forces and their counter-attack was repelled. Over the next twenty four hours the Rift Wardens broke through the defence line and obliterated the enemy forces. A significant victory had been achieved.

Battle of Hellfire Bridge - Birmingham

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Last Stand / Lords of War.

Primary Objective: Burden of Trust.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Skysplinter Assault.

While the chapter's various companies moved out to engage the Drukhari, Captain Pellenor and his battle brothers attacked the Drukhari positions on the Hellfire Bridge. The area was defended by many warriors with ravager and raider support, and were led by Lellith Hesperex. The Drukhari under her leadership formed strong pockets of resistance, a tactic that proved superior to their usual massed assaults.

Due to this, the Rift Wardens could not fully exploit their numerical advantage. In addition, poor command decisions caused the marine squads to begin their attacks on the Drukhari in a piecemeal fashion. In addition, Pellenor had ordered his forces to attack the enemy frontally across the narrow bridge. After the initial assault was repelled by heavy dark lance fore, the Drukahri counter-charged the Rift Wardens, and an intense hand to hand ensued. Both sides suffered major casualties, including the loss (for now) of Hesperex herself. When Drukhari reinforcements arrived from the under hives, Pelenor ordered a retreat from the field.