Operation: Razorback

 

Points: 3000.

Deployment: Long Haul.

Primary Objective: Breakthrough.

The Imperial forces were determined to make up for the setbacks suffered in the last few months, and organised a much larger force, outnumbering the oncoming Tyranids significantly.

The Imperium regrouped it's forces into several strategic locations in the path of the oncoming Tyranid horde. In response, the Tyranids focused on a single perceived weak point in the Imperial lines, where the Rift Wardens were garrisoned. This forced the space marine commander, chaplain Quintos, to make immediate localised changes to the battle formation he had been assigned to.

The battle began with the Tyranid assault on the Rift Warden positions. It took four days for the Tyranids to break through due to superior delaying actions ordered by Quintos. The Tyranid swarm pushed through seizing a strategic site. A night time counter attack by a force of Knights from House Avalon failed to retake the location. Reinforcements from both the orbiting Rift Warden and House Avalon starships helped bolster the line though. The Rift Wardens suffered surprisingly minimal casualties whist holding the alien hordes back, potentially safeguarding numerous vital Imperial cities and installations. 

Fall of Hive Karston - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

The battle for Hive Karston was one of the largest battles of the campaign. It was fought by the main bulk of the Tyranid forces and the Imperial defenders. The Tyranids broke through the city walls after launching an unprecedented assault, taking minor casualties while slaughtering hundreds of thousands of defending guardsmen, including several high-ranking military officers. The swift overrrun of the Hive City opened the path for the Tyranids to advance further en mass into the Imperial lines, and allowed the hive mind to consolidate a vast swath of territory.

Battlefield Chaos - Talos

Points:32000.

Deployment: Ground War.

Primary Objective: Sabotage.

This engagement was one of two major battles that took place after six months of fighting in the Talos system. The battle began when several space marine forces fired artillery tanks against the massed Tyranid horde advancing. In response, the Tyranids turned on the space marines and forced them to retreat. The Rift Wardens called in all available reinforcements but were defeated once again. After eight hours of fighting the astartes had to be evacuated or be overrun.

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.

Battle of Neiman Ford - Talos

Points: 3000.

Deployment: Ground War.

Primary Objective: Relic Hunt.

The battle of Neiman Ford was a large battle fought against the Tyranids by the Rift Wardens chapter. It took place at the Neiman Ford between three of the surviving Imperial cities. After suffering incredible losses in recent campaigns, the Rift Wardens tried to force a defensive line to hold out against the inevitable Tyranid encroachment. The Tyranids outflanked the space marines, defeating them once again and after weeks of heavy fighting, the Rift Wardens fell back to the tri-cities to resupply.

Battle of the Stygian Defence Line - Talos

Points: 3000.

Deployment: Spearhead.

Primary Objective: Random Objectives Deck.

The first classes took place as the sun arose over the horizon, and giant Tyranid beasts stormed the central position of the Imperial lines, while smaller organisms crawled or flew over the northern and southern positions. The Rift Wardens were the first Imperial forces to engage the enemy. The space marines initially put up a solid resistance along the front, but lacked coordination between different Imperial factions. Imperial tanks and artillery fire inflicted casualties among the smaller hordes. The Tyranids in general suffered heavy fire as they attempted to breach the walls. Artillery beasts took a toll upon the defenders and within a couple hours, the Tyranids had broken through the central defences. The Rift Wardens split up their forces and relocated squads to help isolate and destroy numerous gaunts and genestealers. However, as the day crept forward, the battle was effectively over, having turned fully in the favour of the Tyranids. By midday, the Tyranids had reached the Imperial command bunkers, unhindered by the various minefields and automated turrets. 

Second Battle of the Olatu Valley - Talos

Points: 1000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

The second battle of the Olatu Valley took place just two days after the Rift Wardens abandoned their territory at the western end of the valley. It largely took place at the valley entrance where a few units had been left to guard against the Tyranid advance. It was part of a larger offensive by three waves of Tyranid organisms, aimed at encircling the space marines. 

In the battle both sides suffered heavy losses. While the site was overrun by the Tyranids, they failed to outflank the space marine defenders. Because of that, the battle, being less decisive than the Hive Mind wanted, was a both a tactical victory and a strategic defeat for the Tyanids.

Tyranid Assault - Talos

 

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

Following the Battle of Olatu Valley, the Hive Mind launched a surprise attack on the Rift Wardens fire base at the western end of the valley. As a result of the subterranean assault, the space marines were forced to evacuate despite repelling most of the alien attack. 

Battle of Olatu Valley - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment: Front Line.

Primary Objective: Duel.

This engagement arose when the Imperial defenders, already stretched thing, failed to maintain control over the Olatu Valley which ran between two of the surviving Hive Cities. The Tyranids overran the area and skirmished with Imperial defenders. The hive mind initiated a punitive cleansing of the few defending forces. The Tyranids invaded from the eastern half of the valley, blocking off ground assistance from that direction. The actual engagement was extremely brief and eventually the Rift Wardens determined that for now, the Olatu Valley was not a priority and withdrew from the battle grid.

The Purge of Talos Hive - Talos

Points: 1500.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Martial Pride.

Primary Objective: Terraform.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

The Purge of Talos Hive was one of the most terrifying raids conducted by the hive mind against the Imperial forces inside and around Talos Hive. The effect was a pincer maneuver some miles behind the front lines, and the Tyranids were able to overrun strategically important sites held by the Rift Wardens, including a major transport line, a supply depot and several ammunition caches.

The battle, along with similar timed raids against Imperial positions throughout the region resulted in a complete disruption of Imperial forces. The Imperium lost approximately two entire regiments of Astra Militarum and a large amount of material. The Tyranids overran the entire area although many were left within and surrounded.

The First Siege of Talos Hive - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Sweeping Engagement / Adapt or Die.

Primary Objective: Linchpin.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

Fighting began when the Tyranid forces opened fire on the Hive City of Talos. It ended with an Imperial defeat and the inhabitants deaths to the alien invasion. However, despite a victory over the defenders and the consumption of their biomass, the Tyranids ultimately pulled back from the city leaving a ruined shambles. Imperial forces sought to regain control over the hive in the aftermath but infiltrating bio-organisms hindered their efforts.

Operation: Chronus - Talos

Points:  1380.

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

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Anvil Strike Force.

Opponents Detachment: Unending Swarm..

Operation: Chronus was a raid performed by the Rift Wardens in the failing war for Talos. Across the planet, Imperial strike teams performed hundreds of simultaneous assaults on key Tyranid targets.

The Rift Wardens were tasked with attacking a large spawning pool site, designated Chronus. Here the Tyranids had a vast number of newly birthed organisms, The goal was to hinder the Hive Mind's activity by attacking the site, slaying all lifeforms and destroying the site totally. This was to hinder the aliens and provide a much needed morale boost to the defenders. A secondary aim was to force the Tyranids out of the area.

The Rift Wardens, led by Arthurus himself, started their attack in the night, Supported by repulsor tanks and drop troops, they attacked under cover of darknes. After a two hour battle and inflicting high casualties upon the Tyranids, the space marines retreated back into the night. Operation Chronus was a total and much needed success.

Engagement At Athena Bridge - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Tipping Point / Smoke and Mirrors..

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Warrior Bioform Onslaught.

This minor engagement was conducted by the Swarmlord and a host of Tyranid warriors. The target of the attack was the Athena bridge, which was being used by the Rift Wardens to transport manpower and equipment to the surviving hive cities. It was a well organised strike by the hivemind, and resulted in Imperial ground supply lines being severed.

Second Battle of Apophis Hive - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Search And Destroy / Rapid Escalation.

Primary Objective: Scorched Earth.

Detachment: Anvil Siege Force.

Opponents Detachment: Vanguard Onslaught.

The second battle of Apophis Hive was the defence of the hive city by the Rift Wardens and their allies in House Avalon, against a series of attacks from Tyranid vanguard organisms.

After their recent defences, the Rift Wardens fell back to district 222, a location that was deemed easy to defend until aid could arrive. They prepared defences and withstood several Tyranid attacks over the course of several weeks. Then, with the arrival of powerful monstrous creatures, the Imperial defenders were forces to fall back further into the heart of the city. At this moment, the Tyranids stopped their advance and began to encircle the Rift Warden positions.

The Battle of Hive Apothis - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Adapt or Die.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

The battle of Hive Apothis - the initial struggle for control over the hive city between the Imperial defenders and the massed Tyranid hordes. The battle was brief, only lasting a couple days before the outer districts fell to the invading horrors.

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.

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 of the Thulkas Peninsula - Talos

Points: 2000.

Deployment and Mission: Dawn of War / Stalwarts.

Primary Objective: Take and Hold.

Detachment: Gladius Task Force.

Opponents Detachment: Invasion Fleet.

The battle of Thulkas Peninsula took place over a week during the final days of the Imperial forces present. During the early phase of the battle, the Tyranid swarm attacked and overrun the front lines of the Imperial defenders under cover of an artillery barrage from giant assault monsters. The Tyranids victory over the entrenched Imperial defenders, composed of Astra Miltarum and the Rift Wardens, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the guardsmen, the retreat of two regiments and the devouring of hundreds of thousands. After the battle, the Tyranids pursued the retreating forces to the sprawling Damaskeinos Plains.

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.

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.