Craftworld Supremacy - Omegon Theta

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer and Anvil / Smoke and Mirrors.

Primary Objective: Burden of Trust.

Detachment: Firestorm Assault Force.

Opponents Detachment: Battle Host.

The Rift Warden attack began towards the Aeldari positions several miles from the dig site. In the following days, the whole chapter mobilised to combat the alien menace. The space marines overran the first lines of defence and slaughtered thousands the alien foe. Soon however, vast numbers of reinforcements appeared from a pair of concealed webway gates and the chapter was reluctantly forced to withdraw. The Aeldari reinforcements soon outnumbered the Rift Wardens and out the future of the war effort on the edge of a knifepoint.

Battle of Excavation Site 0045 - Omegon Theta

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Hidden Supplies

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Battle Host.

For some years the Adeptus Mechanicus has conducted excavations into the desert wastes of Omegon Theta looking for ancient alien technology. In recent weeks they have uncovered what they feel is a buried ancient Aeldari craftworld. Within days, their excavation teams would find themselves under attack by raiding Aeldari and Harlequin forces. Requesting assistance from any Imperial forces in the sector, they were surprised to receive swift aid from the Rift Wardens.

The battle of excavation 0045 was the first offensive of the war on Omegon Theta. The contending forces were the Aeldari of Craftworld Biel-Tan with Harlequin associates, with enough troops to outnumber the space marines almost three to one. After the Aeldari attacked the space marine lines of communication, distracting the space marines and then broke through their lines. Wave after wave of jetbikes rode through the breach in the Rift Wardens lines and almost encircled them. With the arrival of a monstrous Avatar of Khaine entering the battle, the space marines fell back, giving ground to the alien aggressors.

Danse Macabre - Bellaraphon

Points: 1000.

Mission: Deliverance.

Secondary Objectives: Bolster Barricades, Bring It Down and Grind Them Down. 

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: A Deadly Performance, Retrieve Battlefield Data and Take Your Places.

In response to appeals for help from captain Andred, Arthurus organised a company of battle brothers to assist Andred in launching a counter-attack against the Harlequins. Arththurus moved to a northern flank, while Andred's squads continued to maintain pressure against any of the alien raiding parties.

For the next two days, the Harlequins advanced upon the space marine positions, forcing many squads to retreat under heavy shuriken fire. The aliens forced the space marines to commit their reserves and left few areas where the battle brothers could aid one another. On the fourth day of the battle, the Rift Wardens began to bolster the forest around their lines although frequent casualties left the space marines a shadow of their former numbers. Andred prepared a counter-attack by the Harlequins were ready and the front lines remained unchanged.

The Harlequins moved westward and tried to encircle the space marines to the south, and by day four they were assaulting the Rift Warden defences and inflicting heavy casualties. After nearly two weeks the Harlequins were pushing the space marines out of the forests and back into territory controlled by the Mechanicus. Once on the borders of their territory, the Rift Wardens bolstered and held their ground.

The Harlequins had captured several locations within the forest and it soon became aware to space marine command that the enemy was driving them back in order to secure specific locations although it was not known why.

After a month of rearming and reinforcing their numbers from the orbiting fleet, Andred led a counter-attack concentrating their efforts towards the nearest location held by the enemy. After three days of heavy fighting, little had changed in the position of the front line.

Jungle Warfare - Bellaraphon

Points: 1500.

Mission: Abandoned Sanctuaries.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Raise The Banners High and Shock Tactics.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: A Deadly Performance, Engage On All Fronts and Raise The Banners High.

After the Harlequin raiders reappeared in the forests of Bellaraphon, they attacked a Rift Wardens outpost forcing the outmatched space marines to fall back into the dense forest. One group withdrew along a game trail that headed north towards the main Mechanicus facility, while another was forced deeper into the woods. The largest group, led by Arthurus and lieutenant Agrippa, moved southeast along an open road constructed by the Mechanicum for transporting supplies between facilities. During this retreat, the Rift Wardens were hounded by Harlequin raiders but killed or destroyed much of what was sent against them. The Harlequin troupe leader feared that the space marines would continue to pose a significant threat , prompting further attacks.

During the retreat, the Rift Wardens continued to combat the aggressors as they moved. A small group entrenched themselves in an old supply depot with the intent to buy their battle brothers time to reach safety. Their occupation of this site was seen as a great danger as the Rift Wardens were too close to the webway portal used by the Ynnari to arrive. Two days later, the Harlequins attacked with even greater numbers, assaulting the space marine positions. They came under intense fire from the entrenched Rift Wardens but it did not stop their attack. After two hours of fighting, the space marines forced their way out and back into the jungle with the aliens pursuing them back to the Mechanicus compound, at which time the Harlequins faded away into the shadows.

First Contact - Bellaraphon

 

Power Level: 60.

Mission: Raze and Ruin.

Agendas: Kingslayer, Know No Fear and Reaper. 

Bellaraphon, a mist-shrouded arboreal world that borders the Great Rift close to the Eye of Terror. For many centuries, the adepts of the Cult Mechanicus have used this world for their strange and esoteric studies. In recent days the Rift Wardens have received transmissions from the planet requesting help following a spate of attacks by Aeldari raiders. The chapter translated into system and deployed to the ground via thunderhawks. The xenos had attacked several remote research stations, leaving them in ruins and most of their acolytes dead. The survivours report that the Aeldari appeared to be searching for something. Arthurus decided to lead a small force to one of these research stations in the hopes of luring the enemy to attack them.

The morning that the patrol arrived was thick with fog and light rain. Their reconnaissance was severally hampered by the terrain and the conditions. Unknown to the space marines, the attackers - a troupe of Harlequins -waited in the shadows. They watched the space marines scout out the ruins and mocked them for their foolishness.

The Harlequin troupe leader concluded that the space marine force was weak and no match for the troupe. Once the marines had entered the ruined complex he ordered an attack. The battle opened with heavy fire from a squadron of starweavers which destroyed the redemptor dreadnought escorting the Rift Wardens. The Rift Wardens tried to pull back but they had been surrounded and unable to escape.

After an hour of heavy fighting, the Harlequin's leapt from their transports to engage in close combat. The Rift Wardens counter-attacked but were kept at bay by close range firepower which took the lives of many battle brothers. As the squads fell, Arthurus was pinned to the ground by the Harlequin attackers. The troupe leader lent in and informed him that this world was not for them. They should leave before more were killed. The Harlequins then faded back into the mists. Arthurus cursed the alien and promised retribution.