Sudden Withdrawal - Omegon Theta

Points: 1000.

Mission: Dig Site Raid

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Guardian Battlehost.

Agendas: Armoured Assault, Drive Them Back and Recover Blackstone Data..

Opponent's Agendas: Calculated Destruction and Fulcrum of Fate.

After the most recent engagement where the Aeldari showed their superiority, they suddenly withdrew their forces from the engagement lines. The Rift Wardens responded by attacking the retreating forces. Under Arthurus leadership the space marines slaughtered numerous enemy forces in close combat. But this did not hinder the Aeldari retreat. Under advisement from his captains, Arthurus did not pursue the enemy but fell back to safeguard their defences around the buried Craftworld.

Fields Of Fire - Dharrovar

Points: 1000.

Mission: Quantum Siege.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Noble Lance

Agendas: Drive Them Back, King Slayer and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Kingslayer and To The Last.

This engagement, known as the Fields of Fire, took place over several weeks following the recent battle in Gothos against the enemy Knights. The successive engagement was fought against the fleeing Knights by the Rift Wardens, later assisted by allied Knights. The loyalist forces won a significant victory here before returning to Gothos, continuing to purge the enemy forces still within the walls.

Battle for Gothos - Dharrovar

Points: 2000.

Mission: Supply Run.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Noble Lance

Agendas: Drive Them Back, Monstrous Targets and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Cut Off The Head, Raise & Ruin, Strategic Dominance, and Strike & Purge.

The Battle for Gothos was a campaign by the Knightly houses of Dharrovar to recapture the city of Gothos. The city held significant value, especially with regards to the ammunition stores located beneath the streets. The battle was also a critical point in the Dharrovar crusade, as the loyalist forces were close to seizing control of the planet.

Marching forth from their mountain strongholds, the Knights launched an attack that breached the walls. They saw a number of victories on the way to Gothos and when they breached the walls, Imperial command feared that they might lose control of such a vital strongpoint. Chapter Master Arthurus personally arrived to oversee the fortification of the city, and to ensure that supplies reached the defenders.

The Knightly advance stall and was soon reversed. The Knights were forced to fall back under heavy fire. The traitor advance began to disintegrate across the city. Many fled back out into the devastated warzones, while a few tried to bunker down in the streets eager to continue the fight.

Battle for Cell Block H - Carceri

Points: 1000.

Mission: Nullification Field.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Vanguard Spearhead

Agendas: Central Position, Drive Them Back and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Battlefield Survivours, Drive Them Back, Know No Fear and Survivalist's.

The Rift Wardens retaliated and attacked the advancing Raven Guard intending to annihilate them all. The Raven Guard surveyed their prospective battlefield: a small most empty prison block, characterised by tight avenues, high towers and multiple ambush points, bordered by high walls north and south. This area had to be crossed if the Raven Guard were to reach their target. Thus, the sons of Corax claimed the shadows and the high grounds, where the prepared for the Rift Wardens assault.

Meanwhile, the main force advanced along the center line with scout squads supporting along the flanks. Despite frequent hit and run raids by these scouts, the Rift Wardens under Arthurus himself, managed to drive the Raven Guard from their high ground, although it left their flanks exposed, allowing the enemy chapter the opportunity to regain some corners of the cell block complex.

The following day, this Raven Guard force found itself isolated from the mainstay of the chapter. Arthurus used this moment to regroup, positioning his forces against the right flank of the Raven Guard. He gave his battle brothers a rousing speech and declared victory over their former battle brothers!

That evening, a Rift Warden Intercessor force carried out a feint attack against the the Raven Guard positions, drawing them westward after a small skirmish, allowing the Rift Wardens to redeploy to a better position. In the early hours, Arthurus led the attack with his chapter quickly gaining the upper hand and forcing the enemy back to the outskirts of Cell Block H. Victory was assured once Arthurus joined in the fray, striking a flanking attack, charging a much larger force with his bladeguard bodyguards, and fighting the Raven Guard in close quarters combat. This effectively routed the enemy and cleared Cell Block H of enemy forces.

Skirmish At Fuel Station Zigma - Vigilus Wastelands

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Polarising Energies.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Dredd Mob

Agendas: Calculated Devastation, Drive Them Back and Headhunters.

Opponent's Agendas: Calculated Devastation, Overwhelming Aggression and Skrag Killiest Gits!

This small skirmish was fought between elements of the Rift Wardens and rampaging Orks around the Zigma 12 fuel depot. The engagement was brief, lasting a little under two hours. Unfortunately, it saw the space marines pushed back into the wastelands while the greenskins refueled their vehicles and walkers.

The Defence of Hive Apothis - Talos

Points: 1000.

Mission: Screaming Into The Void.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

Agendas: Critical Objectives, Drive Them Back and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Hunt & Slay and Tyrannoform The Prey World.

The Defence of Hive Apothis was fought shortly after the fall of Vardenghast, in the last days of the Talos colony. After the Tyranid's victory over that hive city, the remnants of the Rift Wardens and the Imperial defenders were pursued across the warped countryside. More and more organisms poured into the battle zone after them, hunting down and slaughtering any that failed to escape. A remnant force of Rift Wardens, led by librarian Anwyr, managed to cross hundreds of miles to reach the last remaining bastion of Imperial defiance, Hive Apothis.

The Tyranids followed behind, pursuing along their right flank. Once the space marines reached the hive city, the Tyranids threw themselves against the walls under the cover of nightfall. Some of these bypassed the entrenched defenders and soon the streets were the scene of savage hand to hand fighting, which continued through the night. It was not enough and by morning, the xenos had breached the defences.

Craftworld Offensive - Omegon Theta

Points: 1000.

Mission: The Gathering Shroud

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Battle Host.

Agendas: Angels of Death, Drive Them Back and Recover Mission Archives.

Opponent's Agendas: Cleanse Infection and Forward Observers.

This offensive was part of a major attack by the Aeldari against the Mechanicus research stations around the buried Craftworld ship. It was fought over the course of a month, and was one of the largest battles in the initial stages of the war. It involved millions of skitarri, aeldari warriors as well as the majority of the Rift Wardens chapter. It was one of the deadliest campaigns for the Rift Warden, and ultimately the loss of these dig sites worsened the morale of the Mechanicus command.

Battle for Samakah - Talos

Points: 1000.

Mission: Routed Prey.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

Agendas: Angels of Death and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Hunt & Slay and Tyrannoform The Prey World.

Following a number of victories in the Samakah region, a combined series of attacks by the Tyranids, supported by extensive aerial support from flying monsters, allowed the hive mind to achieve a number of victories against the defenders. A Rift Wardens expeditionary force in the area were, by the attacks, to forced to fight back and push the Tyranids back, all but briefly. The Tyranids retreated to avoid being outflanked, Although the hive mind withdrew, they had inflicted significant casualties upon the Imperial defenders, although the Rift Wardens suffered few actual casualties.

Battle for the Artemis Line - Tartaria

Points: 1600.

Mission: Interdimensional Clash.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Retaliation Cadre.

Agendas: Defiance Unfurled, Know No Fear, and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Outflank and Encircle, and Protect The Leadership.

The battle of the Artemis Line was a major offensive against the Farsight Enclaves. After driving the Enclaves back under Operation: Planetstrike, the Rift Wardens captured territory once held by the enemy while continuing to push the Enclaves away from the great hive cities of Tartaria. Having cut the Enclaves off from any reinforcements, the space marines proceeded eastwards to attack and capture more territory from the enemy, before moving on to attack and decimate multiple detachments of the Enclave forces. 

The Rift Warden advance force, commanded by chapter master Arthurus, began the Battle for the Artemis Line in the early morning followed by further breakthrough attacks by outriders. Meanwhile, on the right flank, the battle began with a drop pod assault against the forces holding a line of fortified hills. During this engagement, it soon became apparent that the battle was going to be a success for the Rift Wardens.

After leaving a companies worth of intercessors to hold the newly acquired territory against any counter-attacks, Arthurus continued to lead his battle brothers eastwards to attack and capture further territory. With the Enclaves in full retreat, they continued to pursue and engaged Commander Farsight himself. Once again, Arthurus fought a heroic battle against the enemy commander, striking a devastating blow which laid low the enemy commander. The Enclave forces recovered their grievously wounded commander but it was too late. The Imperial forces now controlled the lands around the capitol of Tartaria.

Operation: Planetstrike - Tartaria

Points: 1600.

Mission: Quantum Siege.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Retaliation Cadre.

Agendas: Drive Them Back, Monstrous Targets, and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Outflank and Encircle, and Protect The Leadership.

In the months following the conclusion to the Corinthian Crusade, the Rift Wardens were once again contacted by Inquisitor Rosarius about yet another Imperial world reaching out to the Tau Empire. This time, a trade agreement had been made by the planetary governor of a world named Tartaria with an off shoot of the Tau Empire. Rosarias requested Arthurus drive the alien menace from this world while she and her acolytes dealt with the renegade governor and his family.

The Rift Wardens battle barge Herald of Faith, broke through the orbiting Enclave vessels to launch a swift and sudden planetfall strike against the Enclave forces. This enabled the space marines to capture two of the enemy's communication stations and disrupt their supply lines, while the infantry battle occurred further north. As the day wore on, more territory was seized from the Enclaves and Arthurus took to the battlefield himself. The next day, the Enclaves command base was captured by a valiant assault force the Tau were not prepared to face. This effectively ended the Enclave dominance on the surface at this time. During a subsequent early morning raid, the enemy commander, Farsight, was defeated and forced to flee the battlefield. During these operations, the greater part of the Enclaves force was surrounded and destroyed. These and other battles fought in the area, forced the Enclaves to retreat pursued by the Rift Wardens.

Unfortunately however, Inquisitor Rosarius was unable to apprehend the traitor governor and his family, who were spirited away by the Enclave. Rosarius decreed that she would find them and execute them for their crimes.

The Battle of Apothe Gate - Grendel

Points: 1800.

Mission: Outflank.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Teleport Strike Force.

Agendas: Drive Them Back, Malefic Hunter and Recover Blackstone Data.

Opponent's Agendas: Headhunters and Reap A Tally.

Following the battle of Black Fields, it was clear that the breakthrough attacks in the fields outside Ascension Hive, and the Grey Knights were ordered to begin the siege of the hive city by attacking the Rift Warden defences at Apothe Gate, supported by dreadknights. These attacks continued late into the night and throughout the next day, when continued teleport assaults and aerial bombing forced the space marines to disengage. The Rift Wardens led by chapter master Arthurus, retreated from the Apothe district towards the heart of the hive, leaving a rearguard to defend the gate. The gate was captured, while devastating aerial bombing of the surrounding area blocked their own line of retreat. As all objectives had now been won, no further attacks were required at this point, and the Grey Knights slew the surviving rearguard and witnessing civilians.

Cover The Evacuation - Talos

Points: 1000.

Mission: Empty The Vaults.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

Agendas: Central Position, Hunting The Behemoth and Monstrous Targets.

Opponent's Agendas: Hunt & Slay and Tyrannoform The Prey World.

With Vardenghast overrun by the Tyranids, the majority of the Rift Wardens escaped via Thunderhawk but a small force led by Librarian Anwyr covered the ground escape from the city in a last ditch honour battle. 

Very few tanks could be spared for this attack, so the over flying Thunderhawks blasted the Tyranid horde on their way out. They provided concentrated fire which decimated the Tyanid forces under a creeping barrage that allowed Anwyr's forces to get to a suitable position in which to hold the enemy back. Their position consisted of a fortified position supported by old Militarum trenches and strong points. Here is where they made their stand.

The Tyranid horde smashed into their lines shortly before dawn the next day. The enemy found it difficult to breach the fortifications, which were held determinedly by the Rift Wardens. Anwyr's battle brothers suffered heavy casualties and he himself was laid low, leaving lieutenant Tristan to take control and hold the line. Eventually their force was recovered but not before suffering significant casualties.

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. 

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 Rejuvenus Strongpoint - Mortwald

Points: 1600.

Mission: False Intel.

Detachment: Anvil Seige Force.

Opponents Detachment: Traitoris Lance.

Agendas: Calculated Devastation, Monstrous Targets and Priority Kill Zone.

Opponent's Agendas: Calculated Devastation and Reestablish Communications.

The Battle of Rejuvenus Strongpoint took place over several days. Traitor units of House Vextrix with daemonic allies, fought with the Imperial defenders over the control of a major district of Mortwald Hivesprawl.

Chaos victories within the Hive caused Arthurus to create a flexible tactical-operational force of Rift Wardens to combat the enemy within this theatre of the war. He would lead this force specifically t drive the enemy from the streets of Mortwald.

A force of thirty traitor Knights under the clashed for the first time with the Imperial defenders and pushed through their lines. Vextrix captured several outer districts but their ultimate goal was the Rejuvenus fortress at the heart of the district. It's capture would allow the traitor forces of Abaddon a position for his troops present to regroup and organise an effective defence of the district. The siege of this fortress began on the second day of the attack and resulted in all 7000 Imperial guardsmen slain. In addition to the capture of the fotress, Vextrix captured large warehouses of supplies and ammunition. The Rift Wardens attempted several assaults to recapture the district but they all failed. Arthurus was forced to pull his forces back, regroup and strategize a new victory.

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.

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.

Priority Kill Zone - Talos

Points: 1000.

Mission: Secure The Tunnels.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

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

Opponent's Agendas: Hunt & Slay and Swarm The Planet.

In an attempt to hold the Tyranids back from the walls of Vardenghast, Arthurus led a strike force out into the fields of Vardenghast in the dark of the pre-dawn light. The thick clouds of smoke from fires and artillery shots obscured their approach. The main target was the principal defensive concentrations to the south, where numerous artillery beasts laid waste to the guardsmen manning the outer trenchworks. The attack had the most success on the northern flank where the Rift Wardens were able to advance into the enemy lines with ease. This allowed lieutenant Tristan to consolidate those gains and provide fresh marines to the battle.

The Tyranids swiftly counter-attacked the flanks of the space marines, supported by every artillery beast and monstrous creature within range. The Tyranids were able to drive Arthurus and his marines back to the walls of Vardenghast but with a significant estimation of 70 percent casualties. The Tyranid push was stopped by the city's defensive batteries and the hundreds of thousands of guardsmen manning the trenchworks.

Battle for Outpost Goliath - Vigilus Wastelands

Points: 1200.

Mission: Insurgency

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Traitoris Lance.

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

Opponent's Agendas: Battlefield Survivours and Critical Objectives.

The assault on the Rift Wardens position at Outpost Goliath started mid morning with several Chaos Knights advancing on a forward fire base from the desert wastes. They successfully took the position by assault and fortified their location about a half mile from the space marine trenches.

As the sun rose above the horizon, the Chaos Knights reached the foot of a high ridge, where the Rift Wardens lay waiting. The attackers split into two waves, both of which reached their objectives at the same time. One force slaughtered their way through numerous space marines in the north redoubt, where the Rift Wardens resistance was not as heavy as other locations. But to the south, the resistance was much more effective.

The Rift Wardens quickly reorganized their forces and counter-attacked. Through this attack they reoccupied the greater part of their position although within an hour they were pushed out and the north redoubt firmly returned to traitor control. The Knights paid a heavy price in manpower during this engagement.

Arthurus ordered several counter-attacks along the front and it was not until two hours of close quarters combat that the Chaos Knights secured more territory. Arthurus personally led a flanking attempt but overshot the objective and came under heavy fire. The force took heavy casualties. Arthrus and lieutenant Tristan were almost killed by the enemy and barely escaped with their lives.

To the south, one force of Chaos Knights advanced and over three hours drove the Rift Wardens from their trench lines. However, the attacking forces unexpectedly opened up avenues of retreat for the Rift Wardens, and over several hours of fighting, they fell back into the deserts leaving the enemy in control of Outpost Goliath,