The Renegade Legion

[simison]

Exemplary Battles

 

While possessing a shorter tally of battle honors than the other legions, it would be mistake to claim that the Wardens accomplished less during the Great Crusade. For many times, it was Warden attachments to other legion expeditionary fleets that would provide dependable, sometimes critical support during a campaign. On the other side of the spectrum, many rebellions and wars were defeated before they could begin by agents of the VI^th and their expertise in the war of words. This is compounded by Alexandros' willing to share or even give all credit of victory to his brother Primarchs. While derided by some voice, the Shield-Lord would always reply that there were more important things than battlefield glory. 

 

While detractors often accused the Halcyon Wardens of chaotic mimicry, due to the large focus on individuality and for their penchant to use tactics influenced by their brother legions, the II^nd Legion maintained own identity throughout the Great Crusade. Beneath the byzantine veneer, a core of beliefs and tactics separated the Wardens as their own unique force. From the venerable armored spears of the Prefects to the shielded phalanxes of the Myrmidons, the II^nd legion could channel their own diversity to adapt against any foe on the battlefield. 

[simison]

Well here it is. The one year anniversary of the Halcyon Wardens, originally known as the Crimson Crusaders.

 

Since the beginning vague idea of a primarch uniquely wielding a shield, it has expanded into an entire legion with its own identity and history, spanning over 25 pages.

 

Special thanks to Slipstreams, who has been here since the first page, offering original ideas and ideas.

 

To Black Cohort, who was of major help formulating the legion rules.

 

To Raktra, who has been a pillar of support ever since his Berserkers spawned into existence.

 

To Griftofer, who single-handedly transcribed the legion units and rules onto pages worthy of FW.

 

To Augustus, Russ Brother, Invictus, Tychii, and all of the rest for the comments and encouragement.

 

Finally, to Athrawes, who gave me the needed push to start the whole thing.

 

What's left for the Wardens? The Exemplary Battles will complete their chapter. I've already decided to feature three battles. Like how the major HH books focus on a major battle/campaign, I will show case the Wardens' last recorded campaign before the remembrancers were dismissed, and they vanish from history. Story-wise, I have enough stories to last a decade, including the actual fate of the renegade legion. Perhaps, I will get to the alternate timeline where Alex stays and becomes involved in the HH.

 

I still want to try the forum game where Alex heard about the Heresy and tries to come back from exile. And the Frater take on the roles of the Chaos gods and Emperor as they all try to influence, hinder, help, or outright try to corrupt the Wardens.

 

Finally, when I finally have money, lots of buying, building, and painting as I bring the legion into physical reality.

[Raktra]

I claim Slaanesh. ":cuss them to death with a daemon sword, Alex."

[simison]

Still debating if it will be one Frater per deity or if there will be a polling system to allow group votes. If the former happens, consider Slaanesh yours, Raktra.

[Augustus]

It's already been a year??

Well I guess its time to start my own contingent of Halycon Wardens to go along with my future I Legion.

 

I look forward to seeing the primarch of the II sculpted and painted!

[simison]

Ha ha, working towards it. And looking forward to seeing your Warden contingent. 

[simison]

It was suicidal, but Alexandros was desperate. Lying to his brothers, he led from the landing zones toward the Ultramarine positions, claiming he had foreseen an Ultramarine ambush between them and Dorn's forces. How could they believe that Dorn had betrayed them, just as Guilliman had? So, against their own wisdom, they had followed Alexandros and the Wardens as the counter-attacked. The battle was bloody as the legions fought one another. Slowly, the true Loyalists were making progress against the Ultramarines, but Darshan knew time was fleeting. It would not be much longer before Dorn would send his forces to attack their rear. 

 

If only he could meet with Roboute and convince him of his folly, Alexandros might be able to put a quick end to this war. Ultimatum showered Fulmentarus terminators with plasma as he led the entire advance from the front. Dozens of futures were sprawled out in his mind's eye as he dodged and blocked blows and bolts that would tear at his armor. 

 

Only sixteen minutes before Dorn moves out. Where is Roboute? He thought to himself as he cleaved through an Ultramarines assault squad that attempted to halt him and his Myrmidon bodyguards. They died quickly to Xiphos, but Alexandros felt hope surge within him when one future informed him of Guilliman's arrival. Then a second, a third. In seconds, history was secured as the Master of Ultramar appeared before him. Before Alex could say a word, his brother lifted Arbitrator and aimed at him. Ultimatum followed shortly. 

 

Alex's useful powers are - Shriek...yup, that's it.

 

Rob wins the first roll. Arbitrator's shots bounce off as he moves forward.

 

Alex closes the gap as he throws Shrieks, knocking one wound off Rob, before Alex burns another one off with Ultimatum. With Duelist activated, Alex starts stabbing. To his surprise, Rob blocks every block. Wielding the Hand of Dominion, Rob has trouble catching his brother before his only successful strike slams harmlessly against Aegis. 

 

Rob takes another wound as he starts learning Alex's style, but the Seer's defense is impervious. Rob gets IWND.

 

Learning from their last fight, Alex just throws all of his charges into Duelist, avoiding repercussion as he gets enough successes to prevent Rob even a chance to Deny. His focus cuts off two more wounds off his brother, who promptly slaps two wounds off of him. Alex gets IWND. 

 

Now having the initiative advantage and having max WS, Rob switches to his Gladius. More familiar with dueling with swords than against Hands, Alex deflects or dodges the wave before he finishes the fight in his victory. 

 

 

More cries of confusion and pain filtered through the vox as Dorn began his betrayal. Time out, Alexandros did something he never did throughout the entire Great Crusade. He threw Aegis. The shield crashed against a surprised Roboute. It did little harm, but it opened a path to salvation as the smallest of holes opened in Guilliman's adamantium will. Darshan summoned all of the visions and every thought stolen from Dorn's mind that revealed his true nature and shoved it into Roboute's mind. 

 

The onslaught of truth caught the other Primarch off-guard, but Alexandros made no move to take advantage of it. He sheathed Xiphos and reached out with an open palm. "Roboute, trust me." 

 

Guilliman glanced between Alexandros and the distant Dornian forces. 

[simison]

Battle of Three Flags

 

Having completed their reorganization after the Albyon campaign, the aggressive IInd would be deployed en masse on the former coastal regions of Nordafrik. Thunder Warriors and proto-Imperial Army units had been attempting a breakthrough at a key Conclave defense zone located near the transportation hub of Three Flags. Across a 64 kilometer front, the Nordafrik Conclaves had established an array of fortifications and several veteran armies of techno-barbarians. Critical to the defenses were a series of towers that created void 'umbrellas'. These umbrellas did not extend to the ground, but, in turn, protected a much larger surface area from aerial attack. Thus, with the exception of massed atomic bombardment which would ruin Three Flag's utility, the only available tactic were massed ground assaults. Unfortunately, in addition to the swath of defensive emplacements and masses of warriors, the Conclaves employed an elite armoured brigade that could reinforce and counter-attack any breaches the Emperor's forces had made up until then. 

[Black Cohort]

I am still following, but I have been lurking more than posting on B&C recently.

[simison]

Macragge was burning. Preparation could only nullify so much of an invader's thrust, and this one seemed to know every single protocol the Ultramarines used. Traversing the Ruinstorm with impossible precision and without setting off any detection system, the invading fleet translated right above the capital world before beginning bombardment. Not only of munitions, but also of marines. Ethereal blue had replaced the promise that red had once evoked on their armor as they slaughtered the human defence regiments. It had taken the Ultramarines almost an hour before they realized who was assaulting them.

 

It was Roboute who had recognized the corrupted sigil. Instead of the inter-connecting circle and triangle to represent the power of unity, a nonagon whispered of false promises and ruination. The Halcyon Wardens, long thought lost, had returned. Or rather, what was once the protectors of Mankind had returned to sack them.

 

The Warp, Guilliman thought bitterly. Another legion had fallen to its strange and crippling influence. He passed out orders as he armed himself in his personal armoury. As his fingers wrapped around his favored gladius, the void shield protecting his sanctum briefly failed. With a foresight only possible of the Seer, the smell of oxygen flooded the room as a giant teleported in. 

 

"Alexandros," Guilliman whispered. 

 

He remembered a brother filled with compassion and a confident grin. The specter that stood before him was a solemn figure and covered in strange runes that hurt his eyes. 

 

"An old name," the being replied. "A wrong name. I am Uryvan. And my lord requires your death."

 

 

Alex's Usable Powers - Invisibility/Shriek

 

Roboute wins the first roll, and scores two Rending shots only for Ury to make his Invuls. 

 

Ury's Shriek dies in his throat as Rob wills it away, but is unable to stop Duelist. Which goes off without Peril, and leads to burning plasma digging into Rob's shoulder. Ury makes the charge and promptly makes all 6 dice hit and wound. This shreds off three wounds off Rob, who isn't looking too good. The Hand of Dominion swings back just as hard and knocks three wounds off Ury, who is now on 2 wounds, same as Rob. No IWND.

 

Now with a higher Initiative, Rob switches to his Gladius to try to end the fight before Ury can respond. Rolling 3 fives & 2 fours, it's a good start as Rob turns them all into wounds with only 1 reroll needed. This time, Ury fails to save only 1, leaving him on his last leg. In a strange mirror image, Ury has the same luck (minus 1 failed to-hit roll), and knocks Rob down to his last wound. Yet, Rob makes his IWND.

 

Channeling all of his power into Duelist, not only does Ury Peril, but only has 2 successes out of 8 dice. Sadly, both Rob's Denial and his reroll fail to get the necessary 2 sixes to stop it. Ury rolls a 4, which is augmented into a 5, due to his armor, and passes the necessary LD test to stave off a wound. (Which would've been epic if he had failed. Seriously, I already had an ending written up in my mind.) Alive and possessing Duelist, Ury makes 4 hits, then 3 wounds. All Rob needs to do is make 2/3 saves to stay in. Rolls a 5, 2, 1. Rerolls the 1 to a...3. Just one short to keep him alive. 

 

[Had Rob survived, he would've scored 3 wounds against Ury. So, so close. I'm actually surprised by how fast this duel went. These two can be heavy hitters when the dice are generous.]

 

 

Though not the warrior as some of his brothers, the Master of Ultramar fights hard and makes his opponent bleed for his desecration. For one brief moment, he sees his brother's eyes go wide as his warp presence sours. The moment passes and Alexandros or Uryvan becomes a whirlwind of preternatural strikes, seeing the tiniest holes in Guilliman's defences. The Armour of Reason fails its master when Xiphos pierces through the primarch's neck.

 

 

[simison]

This duty fell upon the shoulders of the II^nd Legion's first commander: Legion Master Bizs'ark. Limited to a ground assault, he identified the enemy armoured brigade, known as the Desert Wolves, as the priority target. If they were eliminated, the enemy defences would be crippled as the enemy infantry would be unable to match the Imperium's mobility. Bizs'ark began the campaign with a series of small pushes against random enemy positions to test reaction times and to confirm intelligence reports on the enemy's strength. Once the weakest point was located, the Legion Master gathered his forces for a massive assault, requesting an additional fleet of rhinos for the task. Granted, he proceeded to fill the new rhinos with jump packs. At the same time, he assembled his Predators and had half of them reduce side armor and transferred to their front hull facing. To their commanders, he warned that no matter what, their tanks must face toward the enemy. 

 

Preparations complete, the Battle of Three Flags began. Forming the largest armoured formation at the time, the modified Predators formed the forward ranks, while the regular Predators were stationed on the flanks. Within the formation were the rhinos and their cargo. The opening shots occurred as evening faded in. Despite moving full speed into a whirlwind of anti-tank fire and explosives, only a fraction of the Predators were lost before they successfully penetrated the enemy defence lines. Here, the rear half of the rhinos halted as legionnaires poured out of them to secure the initial break. With the enemy coming straight for them, the Desert Wolves scrambled to their tanks and were forced to meet the enemy only a kilometer from their main base. 

 

Despite losing the initiative, the Desert Wolves regained control of the battle as they out-maneuvered the modified Predators, who were either reduced to stationary positions to maintain front armour facing or reduced to reckless driving to avoid being shot on their weaker sides. However, while the Predators suffered, they accomplished their main goal as a distraction force. The Rhinos who came with them came to a standstill. Out of half of them came assault troops who quickly entered the other half, which were used as mobile storehouses for their jump packs. Just as the Desert Wolves seem to take hold of victory, the air above their heads became field with Astartes as fired meltaguns and latched meltabombs onto the enemy tanks. 

 

With no infantry support and matched on maneuverability, the Desert Wolves were destroyed entirely. With the priority target dead, Bizs'ark left a small force to occupy the nearby enemy base before he had the rest of his forces turn around and head back to the breach. There, their brothers had established strong positions but were in danger of being overwhelmed as hordes of enemy infantry finally reached their lines from nearby strongholds. As Bizs'ark's armoured fist hit them, the Conclave forces panicked and a rout followed. The Predator commanders avenged their fallen brethen as they slaughtered the enemy. The breach was secured.

 

While other defences remained, these would be systematically dismantled in the days to come with few casualties. The Nordafrik Conclaves now faced an entire legion on a compromised flank. Due to the legion's heroism and prowess, they earned the nickname Storm Riders and the veterans of the battle would become the first Prefects. 

[simison]

The Phireen Extermination

 

As the Great Crusade entered into it's one-hundredth anniversary, a new adversary was discovered in Segmentum Obscurus. Hidden in the Xspiravite Nebula, a race of xenos began launching raids on nearby Imperium shipping lanes. Possessing the power to project their 'voices' into the Warp, human crews were lured by an irresistible 'song'. Translating from the warp, many ships ventured into the nebula never to return. It was long suspected that these ships were simply lost to the warp. It was only when a traveling Warden diplomat, who had booked passage on a Rogue Trader vessel, resisted the call and single-handedly assumed control of the ship and forced it past the point of hearing it.  

 

Now alert to the danger, the 209^th Expeditionary Fleet was given the mission to purge the xenos. Commanded by the legendary Vraben Mahtva, his fleet possessed a large body of Caryana psykers would be critical for victory. As the fleet approached, the 'song' began its call and many of the human crew, though forewarned, fell prey to it. Pooling their efforts, the Caryana countered the 'song' as they entered the Imperial minds and rendered a temporary immunity as they protected the fleet from the warp power. 

 

The second obstacle was to locate the foul xenos. A series of buoys were found that caused the 'song' to echo and prevent the telepaths from tracking the song to its source. Here, the diviners of the fleet put their powers to use. Consulting the future, they located the Phireen havens. With much of his forces focused on simple resistance, Mahtva opted to bombard the havens into rubble. One by one, the havens fell, diminishing the strength of their 'song'. 

 

Finally, the 209^th discovered their true home: a rogue planet located deep within the nebula. Surrounding it were not only various xenos ships but the stolen Imperial vessels, now turned against their former owners. Now with his psyker support no longer stretched thin, Mahtva ordered a full attack. As the two fleets engaged, stormbirds and drop pods landed on the Phireen homeworld. There, they saw the true forms of the xenos: floating blobs of fleshy bubbles with five tentacles for environmental manipulation and three mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth. Faced with slow but strong opponents, Mahtva lead the purge, armored in fire. In a single day, the Phireen threat was ended. Of the lost vessels, not one human, alive or dead, was found. 

[Augustus]

Whoa. Who is this not-Alexandros guy? Is their some meaning behind the name Uryvan?

[simison]

Uryvan is Alexandros if he fell to Tzeentch. The name is a reference to a diviner associated with Alexander the Great, a subtle hint that by succumbing to Tzeentch, Alexandros moves from being a leader to a pawn. 

[simison]

The Febian Defence

 

One of the few times the Order of the Shield was deployed with most of its members was to save the Febia system. A series of agri-worlds, the Imperium's arrival was met with little fanfare and did little to change the lives of the average Febian as the system agreed to Imperium rule. That peace was disrupted, not by xeno raiders, but by their fellow man. In the neighboring system of Mynwowan, their introduction to the Imperium was far bloodier. While the Febians had been liberated by the Blood Angels, the Mynwowans had suffered at the hands of the Death Guard. Festering from the scars caused by Compliance, their frustration had boiled into hate. The Imperial governor, Fyodar Gulenbard, feared for his life, for before Compliance, a sophisticated warrior system had been kept alive by tradition called The Path to Serenity. Since the Death Guard operation hadn't exterminated the populace, some of the serene warriors had survived and, in the following decade, raised a new batch of serenes. 

 

When rebellion erupted, Gulenbard surrendered and joined forces with the Mynwowans. Blinded by their quick victory, they strove to defeat the Imperium, beginning with the Febia system. To their misfortune, less than a few weeks' travel away was a grand meeting of the Order of the Shield. At the time, Alexandros was fighting alongside the Lion and the Dark Angels with an army comprising mostly of the Third Cohort. Called by Pyrrhicles, the grand conclave was to briefly unite the shield-marines in a week of celebration of accomplishments and tests of skill among their members. It was on the conclave's second day that word came of the rebellion. With considerable haste, Pyrrhicles immediately organized his brethren into a functioning war host and made way to Febia.

 

The two opposing warrior orders would clash on the fourth planet known as Svirnta. 

[simison]

While the rebel fleet contained more ships, the Imperial fleet held more capital ships. Pausing long enough to deploy the Shield-Wardens, the Imperial fleet engaged their opponents and quickly nullified them from threatening the ground forces. Planetside, Pyrrihcles established defense, forming three lines of infantry several miles long. In the first rank were seasoned members of the Order, the Bastions, most who had earned the right to wield boarding shields. In the second rank were the masters, the Myrmidons and those who wore the tower shield, known as the Citadels. In the final rank were the junior members, many armed only with combat shields, the Gates. While the Bastions were to absorb the initial attack, the Citadels were to plug any initial breaches, while providing long range fire from batteries of missile launchers. To the Gates, they were to provide a mobile reserve and, more importantly, the counter-attack that would deal the final blow.

 

Augmenting the Wardens were the PDF survivors, which included a few armor companies. The armored companies were set to protect the flanks and to funnel the enemy forces into the center.

[simison]

For the final piece, Pyrrhicles personally voxed the enemy serene commander. Known by the title of Student of Water, the man was given one last chance to surrender, which he promptly laughed off. Following the rejection, Pyrrhicles sent one last message insinuating that the Student often had relations with serpents. Before Compliance, the serpents of Mynwowan were viewed with near-religious reverence due to their role in past mythology. What Pyrrhicles accomplished was to make the ultimate insult to the enemy commander. The Student vowed personal retribution before launching an all-out attack against the Order. 

 

Over four million warriors launched themselves against the defense lines of twenty thousand Wardens. Although possessing armored units and long-range ballistics, it was the Serene way for warriors to seek glory in close combat, seeking to pit themselves against individuals. The Wardens rarely offered them the opportunity as they fought together, shields interlocked to create impromptu walls that the Mynwowans would try to breach. Within the first hour, a fourth wall was inadvertently being created by the Mynwowan dead. It was only as bolters ran dry when the Bastions were pushed back. Even then, the ground was soaked with blood as Bastions fought with fist and whatever weapon was on hand, some bashing heads with their shields as they became isolated. 

 

Breaks happened, but only after great cost. Worse for the Mynwowans, for every breach they created, only minutes passed before the Serenes came face-to-face with the Myrmidon. These adamantium giants repelled these rebels and closed the gaps by filling in the void with themselves. Gradually, the wall grew not weaker but stronger as terminator armor replaced power armor. At the fifth hour, Wardens in the first rank could see the distant end of the Mynwowan army. It was then that Pyrrhicles unleashed the Gates. Fresh and mobile, the Gate line broke in half as they raced around the flanks of the Warden line. In less than an hour, they attacked the Mynwowan sides, slowly squeezing them between vice. As the Gates squeezed, Pyrrhicles ordered the rest of the army to advance. Now, the Serenes were on the defensive. 

 

Any hope of escape closed as Warden aircraft deployed the PDF infantry units behind the Mynwowan army. Revenge was theirs as first as they fought and executed the panicking enemy forces. With no hope of escape, the Serene masters and adepts fought with renewed fury, while the common Mynwowan warrior surrendered to despair. The battle ended when Pyrrhicles struck down the Student, the last of the Mynwowans. 

[Raktra]

If it's alright with you Sim, now that I'm done with uni I'll be getting back to the Berserkers, and I was wondering if you'd let me make the Wardens canon in the Berserker-verse. I have some rough timeline ideas etc..

Berserker-verse is now a thing.

[simison]

You have incredible timing. That last post was the actual finishing point for the Wardens chapter, wrapping up the last Exemplary Battle. 

 

And I'd be honored to make the Wardens the canon IInd legion in the Berserker-verse. Since The White Devil and Alexandros have fought before, it'd only be fitting if I showed you the same courtesy.

[simison]

So, after a year of work, the list of names has grown to the point where I'm starting to forget some things. To fix that, here's a list.

 

Story Characters

 

Sub-Commander Wilhelm - Solar Auxilia commander of the 102nd.

 

Lieutenant Bowditch - Solar Auxilia junior officer of the 102nd

 

Captain Ricksher - Commander of the Storm Riders' 74th recon company

 

Gaius - legion psyker; personally healed by Alex from mental illness

 

Xenevo - Archon, leader of the Miasma (cabal)

 

Ruland Holt - trooper of the 102nd, formerly of the 67th Auxilia Cohort

 

Captain Hierax - Ship commander of the Elpis. Formerly Lieutenant of the Jutland Spear, formerly XO of the Hammer of Albyon

 

Adalbard - High Chaplain of the Storm Riders

 

Captain Thoren Bosowski - Human Captain of the light cruiser Iron Griffin.

 

Fleetmaster Themos - Human Admiral. Veteran of the Selecuid Campaign

 

Immanzeul Kant - Storm Rider's most powerful legion psyker after Alexandros

 

Jorg Casvo - Greatest of the Storm Rider champions. Wields a power maul

 

 

Story Places

 

IG-88 - planet of a neighboring system of Delos. Site of first battle with Alexandros as legion master

 

Story battles 

 

Karyon Campaign - Involved vicious fighting, 67th Auxilia Cohort participated

[simison]

Rulebook Characters

 

LT Froid - First case of insanity

 

SGT Goverian - Second case

 

Edrik Yeshie - First legion commander of the Storm Riders

 

Rulebook battles

 

Liberation of Balov - Largest client state of the Wardens

 

Zassinition Campaign - Third military campaign of Alexandros

[simison]

Okay, enough distractions. I've given you the origin of the legion, covered most of what it looked like during the day-to-day operations during the Great Crusade, now it's time to reveal the legion's fate. 

 

It began with the War of Divination. Assigned to bring about compliance to the Nanda system, the Halcyon Wardens would encounter an enemy with enough psyker power to rival their own. It would be during this war that Alex would be blinded to its conclusion, forcing him to advance in darkness.

 

The first big question I am struggling with is who actually lives in the system. I'm not sure if it should be humans, and it be mostly another liberation campaign; against xenos and be an extermination missions; or be against some new form of abhumans. 

[Slips]

Been Hardcore lurking but keep it up! Fluff for the Fluff gods!

[marine7312000]

My vote is for a combination of xenos enemies with human allies.

[Raktra]

What about a massive society of psychic blanks? Enough of those clustered together would really erode on the minds of the Wardens just by their presence alone.