+++INTRODUCTION+++

The Crusade of Spite was a retroactively declared Black Templars crusade spanning the years 912 to 927M41. It began as an one-hundred-and-fifty Astartes strong force that by ill-fate became stranded in the Matteus Subsector. Under the leadership of Marshal Tornelius Farro, the crusade included many engagements across the subsector, and all were effortlessly resolved by their intervention. Though the Black Templars were greatly dissatisfied with these mundane conflicts, the emergence of a greater threat would restore their exuberance.

 

Entrenched Black Templars engage greenskins on Black Jewel (917M41)

 

 

The Black Templars fleet comprised the Strike Cruisers Emperor’s Chosen and Faith and Fire, as well as five escort frigates. Spread between the two cruisers were fighting companies Holy Hammer and Sacred Shield. The fleet had departed the Redstone System (on the rim-ward side of the Eye of Terror) for the long trek to the Eastern Fringe. Unfortunately, their fleet was caught in a warp storm en route, forcing them back to realspace. It was fortuitous for the Space Marines that they re-emerged within Imperial borders, just outside the Matteus Epsilon System.

 

The local Imperial facilities provided assistance to the ravaged starships, where the extent of the damage was elucidated. Two frigates were destroyed, the Faith and Fire’s Navigator was killed, and all Astropaths were lost to the madness of the Immaterium. At least a decade of repairs and replacement psykers were required until the fleet could continue its journey.

Without the chapter-sanctioned Astropaths, Marshal Farro had no means of communication with the High Marshal. For now, they were stranded in the Matteus Subsector.

 

 

Duty is not always glorious, rarely so in fact. Measure your deeds not by its glory, but by your service to Him.

- Chaplain Aurigorus, during a sermon to Black Templars prior to the Second Quell of Asoka.
 

Despite the damage to their ships, the Black Templars fighting companies suffered no losses. To maintain the vigour of his battle-brothers, Marshal Farro offered the services of his knights to the local Imperial worlds, many of which were dealing with persistent xeno and heretical incursions.

 

With the bulk of the fleet moored in the Matteus Epsilon system, the Emperor’s Chosen alone would translate to the other star systems to render assistance to the Imperial settlements. Holy Hammer and Sacred Shield redistributed their forces as needed between them to intervene in the myriad conflicts in the Subsector.

 

A Whirlwind battery prepares to bombard rebel positions on Asoka (920M41)

 

As no crusade was officially declared by their High Marshal, no battle-brother was bestowed the mantle of Emperor’s Champion.

 

 

There were several arenas of battle for the Black Templars during their tenure in the Matteus Subsector. The five major arenas are detailed below:

 

• The Heresy on Dakota Minor (913M41)
  • An unchecked heretic cult results in several companies of DMDC turning from the Imperium. Lord-Governor Hastings Freeman requests the Space Marines obliterate them, to avoid further defections and to maintain his authority.
• The Denial in Sartoria’s orbit (916M41)
  • The Emperor’s Chosen joined with the Matteus Battlegroup to intercept a Steel Reaver fleet inbound for Sartoria. Thanks to the tenacity and expertise of the Black Templars, the Steel Reavers were denied their invasion pan and forced to retreat.

 

Land Speeder Squadron "Storm of Piety" outflanks the Ork horde on Black Jewel (917M41)

 

• The Cleanse on Black Jewel (917-918M41)
  • A persistent Ork infestation had again exploded to unmanageable levels. With the Asokan Rifles stretched thin, the Templars lay waste to the xeno holdouts via a combination of orbital bombardment and skimmer raids.
• The Quells on Asoka (914M41, 920M41)
  • The various agri-worker guilds on Asoka conglomerated and sparked an continent-wide uprising. Lord-Governess Yvonne Lawson twice petitioned the black knights to eradicate the agri-worker holdouts, to which they obliged with great zeal.
• The Purge on MagaII (924-925M41)
  • A warband of Orks had taken root in the cavernous world of Matteus Gamma II (“Magall”), despite the thin atmosphere. It would take sixteen months for the Black Templars to fully purge the vast network of greenskins.

 

Assault Squad "Pious Decimators" outflank an Ork armour column on Magall (925M41)

 

 

”Exterminate the xenos filth, then return to us. The crusade of spite is over, brother. Lead the Barbed Gate Crusade to glory.”

- High Marshal Kordhel’s astropathic message to Marshal Farro (927M41)

The sixteen-year ordeal was grating for Marshal Farro, who was eager to move on from the system and its minor invasions, insurrections and infestations. He longed for a true challenge and triumph over the enemies of Man, as well as the long overdue reunion with the chapter.

 

The Marshal’s prayers would be answered in 927M41: the invasion of Barbed Gate by Splinter Fleet Zahhak, coinciding with the arrival of sanctioned Astropaths for his fleet. Farro communed with the High Marshal Kordhel, whom decreed the start of a new crusade against the Tyranid menace.

 

A decree taken by the Marshal Farro and his battle-brothers with renewed faith and enthusiasm.

 

Marshal Farro, charging alongside his battle-brothers on Barbed Gate (927M41)