The Anatolikon Crusade

 The Anatolikon Crusade

*This is the background lore I have created for my Epic 40k armies- just as a bit of fun. I like giving my forces some background, and for this project, I have decided to theme all of my Epic 40k armies around a conflict on the planet Vexar Prime.*

In the final stages of 999.M41, Marshal Osseus of the Black Templars Chapter declared a new Crusade in the Eastern Fringe of the Ultima Sector to deal with the threat of an Ork infestation in the area. Marshal Osseus' Strike Cruiser 'Sigismund's Challenge' tracked the Ork menace to the Caljin System, abandoned by the Imperium in the wake of the destruction by the Tyranid Hive Fleet designated Kraken. The dead worlds had become a base for the Ork Warboss Krunchgrut to launch raids on the neighbouring systems, and dock to his ragtag fleet of Ork vessels. Marshal Osseus launched his attack, and Sigismund's Challenge tore through the ramshackle Ork vessels, however in the chaos of the destruction, Krunchgrut escaped, fleeing the system with his Battleship, and heading for the Vexandian Sector.

Hot in pursuit, Sigismund's Challenge followed the Warboss to the system, where the remaining Ork ships fought desperately against the Strike Cruiser. In Orbit around the planet Vexar Prime, a Hive World dominated by deserts, with a roar of Orkish laughter, Krunchgut turned his vessel, and powered it down into the planet itself- crash landing outside a Hive City. Pouring out of the wreckage, the Ork horde swiftly overwhelmed the Planetary Defence Force as it struggled to deal with the unexpected Xenos.

From orbit, Marshal Osseus readied his Crusade for immediate Planetfall, to reinforce the floundering PDF. The roaring Thunderhawks and Drop-pods delivered Osseus and his Sword Brethren at the heart of the defence, where the Black Templars fought to hold the Orks back whilst the Imperial citizens and forces fell back to more defensible parts of the Hive. 

It was at this point that across the Galaxy, the forces of the 13th Black Crusade broke the Cadian Gates, and the Galaxy was ripped in two. The Psychic shockwave that ripped through the Vexandian System, placed so close to the Cicatrix Maledictum, drove many of the Human Psykers mad- some unable to control the energy. The Black Templar forces suddenly found themselves without communication, and unable to contact Sigismund's Challenge. Sensing the sudden disruption, the Orks rushed forward, forcing the Black Templars back. Holding back many of the larger brutes, Osseus fought on in the thick of the fighting, his Sword Brethren unable to keep up with him as he waded into the ranks. This is when Marshal Osseus was brought down, mortally wounded by an Ork Warphead, whose powers had become so charged that the creature exploded with raw energy. The Black Templars in their anger cut down the Orks to drag back his body, taking severe casualties to do so. Retreating to an Imperial Shrine, the forces of the Space Marines were on the verge of destruction by the brutality of the Orks.

Laying Osseus body at the altar of the Emperor of Mankind, the Black Templars made to hold out against the Xenos here for as long as possible. This is when the Emperor granted his protection to the Black Templar Brothers- all of the Brothers who had laid hands on Marshal Osseus' body were not touched by the Ork weapons. The bullets did not harm them, not did the brutish swings of the Greenskins land a hit on the Marines. Cutting their way through the Ork horde, Castellan Tancred at the head of the remaining Sword Brethren sallied out from the Shrine, and saw Krunchgut at the head of the largest Greenskins in the mass. Tancred's sword was like a blur, as he cut down hulking Greenskin after Greenskin. Finally he faced the Warboss, bellowing and roaring with his great Klaw tearing at the Space Marine. With a clean strike, Tancred severed the Ork's arm, and sent the Greenskins fleeing from the Templars, Krunchgut barely escaping with his life.

Deciphering the signs, the Black Templar Brothers placed Osseus' body into a great Sarcophagus, mounted on the Marshal's Land Raider Excelsior, where the Holy Relics of his bones could grant the Brothers his protection. The Strike Cruiser Sigismund's Challenge was able to establish contact with the Ground Forces, but brought them the devastating news that the light of the Astronomican was gone, and that the Galaxy was dark. Without the ability to make contact with High Marshal Helbrecht, no new Marshal could be declared, and so the Castellans and Sword Brethren elected to continue the Crusade, and to protect the Vexandian Sector from the terrors that would surely follow. However, there was one light that remained for the Templars, one glimmer of hope- for the Emperor could not be dead in distant Terra. He had protected his loyal Angels of Death, and through his Martyr Osseus, the Black Templars would continue the fight.