Battle of Highgate Cathedral - St Keeler's Rest

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Adapt or Die.

Primary Objective: Lynchpin.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Bringers of Flame.

The battle of Highgate Cathedral was a major engagement fought during the war for St Keeler's Rest. It began when a force of Sororitas engaged two companies of Rift Wardens who had captured the Highgate Cathedral. Although the initial Sororitas attacks were repelled, the outnumbered Sisters managed to repel the Rift Wardens flanking attempts and the space marines were later ordered to withdraw and the Sorotias reclaimed the cathedral.

Second Battle of Cemetery Fields - St Keeler's Rest

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Hammer And Anvil / Minefields.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Hallowed Martyrs.

Preliminary moves began during the night, as the Sororitas companies were brought up to Cemetery Fields, to the assembly areas along the front. The assault would be carried out by three of the four companies. The fourth was held in reserve and it subsequently occupied a depth position with several battle sister squads along the line that had been held. Paragon Warsuits were positioned a little further back. Even so, the Soroitas advance was slow going and as a result their initial targets could not be occupied before night fell that evening.

Throughout the day the weather had been clear and bright, and the Sisters in the assembly areas kept occupied with battle preparations. The need for some secrecy was important and the Sisters were under strict instructions to remain out of sight. Nevertheless, the Rift Wardens ultimately detected the Sororitas preparations and in the early evening, Rift Warden aircraft overflew the assembly area. An hour later, five Stormtalons flew across the front. This presaged a heavy tank bombardment soon after, but it was brief and resulted in only a handful of casualties among the Sororitas. Meanwhile, the space marines were placed on high alert in anticipation of a renewed attack.

As the dust settled, the Sorotias returned the bombardment with Exorcist missile tanks. The Sisters infantry assembled and awaited for the order to attack. Fifteen minutes later, as night began to fall, the Sisters attack began, under continued missile artillery barrage. Meanwhile, two other companies were held in reserve by Morvenn Vahl, ready to attack to the flanks. Her plan was to deceive the Rift Wardens into thinking the assault was being carried out across a larger front.

The Sisters advanced under the creeping barrage, with the Exorcists carefully planning the advance to avoid shelling their own forces. Nevertheless, some casualties were experienced due to friendly fire shrapnel. Heavy bolter fire was laid down down by the space marines, but in places this lacked support as the Sisters' bombardment forced the defending marines to remain in their trenches, while others withdrew. Resistance was strongest at the center of the battlefield. As the assault developed, the defence grew more stubborn as the Rift Wardens reorganised. This resistance was overwhelmed and within an hour, the Sisters had achieved their objective.

Battle of Cemetery Fields - St Keeler's Rest

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Adapt Or Die.

Primary Objective: Linchpin.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Bringers Of Flame.

After their defeat at the drop site location, Arthurus realised that his forces were soon to face an overwhelming force of Sororitas determined to protect their shrine world. He ordered his brothers to dig into defensive positions and they formed a 1 mile long line of trenches between their landing site and the oncoming Sororitas. Arthurus called for rapid reinforcements and Captain Lorgraine arrived with terminators and hellblasters in drop pods. Most of the Rift Wardens reinforcements were unable to arrive in time however, due to overwhelming anti-air fire from the shrine complexes, and were forces to make planet fall at the chapter's initial landing zones.

The Sororitas reached Cemetery Fields part way through the evening. Heavy weapons fire pounded the Rift Warden positions and soon, the Sisters were attacking towards their lines. Frequent attacks were made one after the after through the night. Finally, Arthurus ordered his forces to pull back. They were running low on ammunition and had taken numerous casualties. Lorgraine retreated to a nearby shrine complex and set it on fire to draw the Sororitas attention away from the marines falling back. This led to his battle brothers fighting in close quarters combat and short range fire fights throughout the early hours. This engagement cost the chapter dearly in manpower but allowed the main marine force to regroup unoppposed.

Operation: Skyfall - St Keeler's Rest

Points: 1000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Bringers Of Flame.

Following the conclusion of the Vigilus Cruasade, the Rift Wardens departed back into Imperial space looking for their next war zone. Arthurus was furious over the events at the dawn of the war where the Sororitas attacked them and that fury grew until he ordered his forces to change course to follow the Sororitas back to their shrine world. The plan would be to launch a surprise drop assault and eradicate their forces in revenge. It did not go well.

Despite the initial orbital assault, which won the Rift Wardens some small victories, their forces were quickly overrun by Sororitas forces under the surprise command of Morvenn Vahl. The relative quick pace of the Sororitas counter-attack was due to limited forces available initially for the chapter on the ground. By the end of the first few days of fighting, the Sororitas had shown a strong devotion to defending their world and the Rift Wardens needed to alter their strategies if victory was to be assured.