Index Astartes: Dalthus Crusade (Criticism Welcomed)

[Schlitzaf]

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Black Templars Dalthus Crusade

Motto: "We Shall Not Falter" by Chaplain Marius of the Dalthus Crusade

http://i.imgur.com/lWk8TYr.png

Table of Contents

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History

•••The Arrival and Decree of Dalthus

•••Dalthusian Wars and Templar V

•••Time of Primaris and Reorganization

Forces of Calaxis Crusade

•••Adeptus Astartes

——Black Templars of the Dalthus Crusade

——GreyShield Chapters of Dalthus

•••Astra Militarum Regiments

——Vostroyan Regiments

——Templar V Regiments

•••The Inquisitorial Observers

•••Adeptus Mechanicus Reconstruction Team

Dalthusian Empire

•••Templar Controlled and Managed

——Templar V

——Stygian System

——Cloister

•••Worlds of Dalthusian Allies

——Synford

——Phyrr

——Piety of Seth

•••Inquisitorial Overseen Worlds

——Bloodfall System

——Soprony and Belahaam

Dalthusian Wars

•••Cleansing of Bloodied Iron

•••Endless War with Wraaagh! Rafka

•••The Blunting of Hivefleet Gunpoint

•••Campaign against Necrons of Solomon Stars

 

History

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Part 1

Arrival: The Crusade to be known as the Dalthus Crusade, arrived in Calaxis Sector around 75 years before the revival of the Primarch. Around 200 Battle-Brother ands and Neophytes, the crusade was led by the Twin Marshalls, Schlitzaf and Geof Iuris of Sigma Equis. Their goal to was to established a beachhead in Hazeorth before going to reclaim Cloister and the Chapter Keep stationed on the planet.

 

The initial years, would see the Black Templars brought into conflict with local various local Xenos Races, and Chaos Cults. These early conflicts would end in a series of disasters for the Black Templars such as apparent death of Chaplain Marius and Emperor’s Champion Veltico.

 

Decree Of Dalthus: The Crusade arriving a few decades after the attached Astra Militarum Regiments, due to the idiosyncrasies of warp travel. During that time several of the attached Vostroyan Regiments descended into Chaos, corrupted by the Chaos Cult of Bloodied Iron. And the formerly pacified Orks of Stygian System were awakened. Marshall Schlitzaf declared that before moving on his men would defeat the Orks of Stygian and cleanse the taint of Bloodied Iron.

 

In order to do so they would requisition the manpower and supplies from the world’s that would become the Templar V. The underlying fear, voice by Schlitzaf younger brother Geof, was that they were undertaking the process of Empire Building. The same process that got the Astral Claws in trouble, and was the cause for the Badad Wars. The arrival of Inquisitors Serena of Ordos Hereticus and Tiena of Ordos Xenos, during the start of the process, and their tacit approval would give legitimacy to the Brothers actions.

 

Part 2

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Dalthusian Wars: The Dalthusian Wars were series of conflicts that ravage Hazeorth Subsector Still today. The two primary conflicts were fought against the Cult of Bloodied Iron, and Wraagh!! Rafka. Later conflicts against the Tyranid Hivefleet Gunpoint, named at the first point of engagement the Black Templars had with the Hivefleet, and the Necrons of Regis Solaris, at the fringe of Hazeorth Subsector where Inquisitor was doing research at Belahaam Forbidden World.

 

It was during the height of these conflicts, that the Inquisitor of Ordos Hereticus Serena and her aid Tiena arrived. They and other inquisitors had been sent by the High Lords, to various hotspot conflicts to try and get a better read on current events in the Imperium. Providing legitimacy to the Templar V, the Inquisitors also provided news of the return of the Primarch; Roboute Guilliman and his Primaris Marines.

 

Templar V: Also known as the Dalthus V, the Empire of Dalthus was created during the second era of the Crusade. It consisted of the two mining worlds Dalthus, and Purgatory of Soubirous, alongside the twin Hive World’s Clove and Guytoga and fed by the Agri World, Hesoid’s Wake. The Templar V, were formed during the time of the Indomitus Crusade.

 

Later the worlds of the Stygian System, the Shrine World Piety of Seth, the Pleasure World Cloister, Deathworld Phyrr, and during Campaign against Regis Solaris Dynasty, the Dead Worlds of Bloodfall, Forbidden Worlds of Soprony and Belahaam brought under the protection of the Templars and their forces. During the waning years of the Indomitus Crusade, Marshall Schlitzaf asked Inquisitor Serena to send her aid, Tiena to petition for Primaris Reinforcements.

 

Part 3

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Arrival of Primaris: Almost a century after the return of the Primarch, the Dalthus Crusade remained embroiled in constant warfare reduced to less than 70 battle brothers and neophytes. The forces were spread thin taking on the enemy, both within and without. Into this stage of conflict was the second Battle of Dalthus.

 

The Heretic Astartes Marius, whom claims to be the same fallen Chaplain, staged a surprise assault enlisting chaos magic. Aided by a second in command Arazi Kloat, he fought a three week campaign against the Twins. The battle was slowly but surely turning to Marius favor when Tiena and the Primaris, Schlitzaf requested returned. Their arrival signaled the turn of the tide.

 

Reorganization: Tiena return and the arrival of 280 Primaris Marines, saw the tide of battle turn against the Heretic Astartes. It also bore witness to a reorganization of the Crusade and its forces. The era of realignment, saw the Dalthus Crusade, finally shattered the backbone of the Stygian Orks and drove the Chaos Cult of Bloodied Iron underground. Defeating these rivals however brought no peace. As Orks of Stygian were engaged in a long war with Hive Fleet Gunpoint, a battle that the Dalthus Crusade must fight in their stead. Taking Cloister, only flared into Crusade tensions about the pace and Schlitzaf vow. All while furthest reaches of the Hazeorth Subsector saw the dead rise.

 

The two most notable developments were the the transformation of the Two of the Greyshield Company’s, into Sanguine Crusaders and Emperor’s Fanges. Only barely two and half companies worth, they would stand vigil over a Orks at Stygian and Chaos Cults at Piety of Seth. Era of Reorganization saw the Dalthusian Wars continue with the Revival of Necrons at Bloodfall and Adeptus Mechanicus Legions sent to reclaim fallen Forged Worlds in the Lethe System and rebuild Synford. But also...as the whispers go, to watch for signs of Heresys in Cawl’s Legions.

 

Forces of the Dalthus Crusade

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Adeptus Astartes

••••••

Black Templars

The Modern Dalthus Crusade Post Reorganization consists of around 170 Primaris Brothers, 125 Battle Brothers and 100 Neophytes. Of which are divided into three fighting companies of around 55 Primaris Brothers, 35 Battle Brothers and 30 Neophytes each. At any given time around 5 Brothers, either Primaris or Battle, are inducted as treated as members as the Marshall’s Household. Able to sit in the Dalthusian Central Spire, as their leaders plan their next move in the Crusade.

 

Beyond the three fighting company, is the Marshall Household, 15 Sword Brethren, 5 Primaris Shield Brethren, and 10 Neophytes of high promise, the remaining 5 Marines, are the Crusades Command staff. Marshall’s Schlitzaf and Geof, Champion Veltico, Crusade Ancient Gladius and the Techmarine Senex.

••••••

GreyShield Chapters

The two Chapters formed after Gulliman’s order to dissolve the Unnumbered Sons formations, were the Scions of Sanganius and Corax. The two chapters took the name Crusaders Sanguine and Black Talons, after their allies and from their Primarch. The chapters numbered only around 250 Primaris Marines each, they stand vigil over the Shrine World Piety of Seth and the Stygian System.

 

Often times they lend their Bolters and Chainsword to various causes of the Dalthus Crusade. Often as a show for their former commanders, function as an extension of the Dalthus Crusades own Astartes forces. The result of these bonds give the Marshall’s of the Dalthus Crusade, almost a chapter worth of Astartes. Something that the Mechanicus Techpriests, are well aware in their observances of Cawl’s Legion. These three chapters might be systematic of Primaris and other Marine Chapters relationship….and could result in the more Huron’s rising to power.

•••••••

Astra Militarum Regiments

•••••••

Vostroyan

The Black Templars arrived at the Calaxis Sector with around 20 Vostroyan Firstborn Regiments. Of those Regiments, Vostroyan 63rd and 72nd Infantry, 24th and 81st Armored, and finally the 105th Super-Heavy Regiment, formed the central core of deployed Guardsman Regiment, led by Colonel-General Friedrich Wilhelm, they provide the bodies to defend what would become the Templar V.

 

However that was not always the case, having arrived before the Templars around half of the Vostroyan Regiments were corrupted by the Cult of Bloodied Iron. Those 10 Regiments alongside the Cult forces would be the primary enemy combatants in the early years of the Dalthus Crusade. Over the three centuries between Cleansing of Bloodied Iron and arrival of Primaris, 5 of the lost Vostroyan Regiments were reformed under new colours. These five took to wearing black instead of white, favored by the other Vostroyan Regiments allied to the Dalthus Crusade, to never forget their predecessors treachery.

••••••••••

Templar V Regiments

Raised in the years after the Cleansing of Bloodied Iron, they hail mostly from Dathus, Hesioid’s Wake and Guytoga. These Regiments work mostly as support forces to Vostroyans and the Black Templars, but are key to holding the enemy at bay. The Templars and their fellow Astartes number at best 700 post formation of the Grey Chapters, and their are only about 15 regiments of the more numerous Vostroyans.

 

A citizen of the Imperium that is under the protection of the Dalthus Crusade, would see a member of the Templar V Regiments as the representation of the Astartes, and by extension the larger Imperium. During the time of the Dark Imperium, these Regiments have only grown more important, with the chance long term resupply from the Black Templars and even the relatively close Vostroya, shrinking everyday.

••••••

Inquistor Observers

••••••

The Radical and her Allies

Tiena is a member of the Ordos Hereticus, she utilizes Beastmen and Kroot for her forces. Is said that she learned the process of Daemon Binding to utilize in her war against the Xenos threat. The more cautious of the Astartes, believe in keeping a close eye on her. Her current research is focused on the Imperial Daemon, like Legion of the Damned. Believing they could be the answer to the enemy without.

 

The Twins, even as they watch war are forced into an uncomfortable situation as it is through her authority the Templar V was created. Everyone knows the stories of the Huron Blackheart and his Astral Claws turned Red Corsairs. The Templars of the Dalthus Crusade wish to avoid a similar fate. Allied with her are the local Sororitas of nearby Shrine World’s.

 

Sororitas

The Sisters of Blind Solemn, are few in number. And rarely act in battle alongside the Astartes and Astra Militarum regiments. However Tiena calls upon them when she requires a more direct influence in an engagement. Such as during the liberation of the Forbidden World Belahaam. During the years after the Battle of Dalthus.

 

As few as they may be militarily, they are an important facet of Tiena’s military arm. They alongside the Crusaders of Orendal form her primarily method of enforcement over the world’s in the Dalthus V. They remain however an intrinsic part of the defense of the Dalthus V. Acting as essentially the overseers of spiritual purity of the various world at large.

 

••••••

Mechanicus Reconstruction and Restoration

••••••

Reconstruction Team

One half and perhaps important part of the Adeptus Mechanicus allied to the Dalthus Crusade. Working primarily off semi-restored Forged World of Synford, they build new weapons and armies used by Dalthusian Armies. Dealing with local Tyranid infestation and lacking an active Mago’s their is a issue of authority amongst the Mechanicus forces.

 

Second is the issue the force has used Necron Living Metal to quickly restore the Forged World and meet the necessary tithes required for maintaining the armies of Dalthus V. In no uncertain terms is this in contrast to the original purpose of the Mechanicus Armies.

 

Restoration Team

This half of the Mechanicus Forces are meant to restore the actual various worlds to Mechanicus Control while Construction rebuilds the world. It however has a second more devious purpose. Not all of the Mechanicus is happy with Cawl’s and his tampering. They’ve been deployed to watch for any flaw in the Primaris design.

 

Or even a flaw into the supporters and defenders of the Primaris. This force is what is normally seen in support of Dalthusian Armies on the frontline. Nominally only meant to restore the various fallen Forged World to Imperial Control, fighting alongside the Templars and their allies only help and their observations of the Cawl Heresy. These calm and collected devotes of the Omnissiah, desired will not be denied.

 

 

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Old Version

The Dalthus Crusade, originated about more than decade ago during the tail end of 4th Edition. My local Games Workshop had begun a campaign, based on the Calaxis Sector Map from the Dark Heresy RPG. Sense that time, the Calaxis Campaign had been run three more times. Once more by my local Games Workshop, and two times by myself. Over the year I have created a cast of character who populated my Crusade, and of course based on my various opponents I faced, their enemies.

 

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Dalthus Crusade

During the waning years of the last centuries of the 40th Millennium, the Calaxis Sector had gone silent, the tithes had stopped coming, and any attempt at correspondences to loyalists in the Sector were found wanting. This silence, would eventually result in the Imperium mustering its forces to reclaim the sector. One of these forces, came to be known as the Dalthus Crusade, around 200 Black Templars, sent by the High Marshall Helbrect to aid in the recovery of Calaxis Sector.

 

The Crusade launched seventy-five years before the return of the Primarch Roboute Gulliman. It was led by a set of Space Marine twins, the newly appointed, Marshall Schlitzaf Iuris and his younger brother Castellen Geof Iuris hailing Feudal of World of Equas Sigma V. The goal of the Crusade was simple enough, secure a position in the Hazeroth Subsector, before moving to Cloister and its Chapter Keep. Once Cloister was claimed they head to Scintilla itself. The Templars were not in this alone, alongside other Imperial Forces they were joined by the Vostroyan 27th, 33rd and 105th Infantry Regiments led by General Charles Wilhelm.

 

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Section 1

During to the nature of warp travel the Crusaders arrived late, or the Vostroyans had arrived ahead of schedule. In any case 60 years before the return of the Primarch, the forces of the Astra Militarum were embroiled in a conflict over the Agri-World of Hesoid's Wake. The decade between the arrival of the Vostroyans and when the Black Tempalrs arrived, a chaos taint had infiltrated the Vostroyan Command structure, that would result in 105th Vostroyan Infantry turning to Chaos. The instigators of this taint, were the Cult of the Bloodied Iron. Fanatical worshippers of Khorne, whom would found pyskers, preferably sanctioned ones, bound them and then unleash them upon Imperial Forces. The pyskers would launch a barrage of heretical images, for those who live, might themselves be turned to chaos.

 

The Crusade would soon set itself up on nearby Mining World of Dalthus, before launching an attack on Hesoid's Wake. It would take only a couple years but eventually the treacherous 105th were destroyed. The next couple of decades saw the Twins liberating and reclaiming Purgatory of Soubirous, Clove, and Guytoga from the Cult of the Bloodied Iron. Key worlds for the Crusade's future. These two decades would also see the disappearance of the twin's mentor, the Chaplain Marius on the Hive World of Clove.

 

​The Cult of the Bloodied Iron was making its final stand. The Cultist leader stood in front of Marius, bellowing orders upon the renegades and mutants. Marius alongside his personal bodyguard of 8 Sterngaurd bellowed a shout as he laid on the ground bloodied, "WE SHALL NO FALTER", and stood up once more, "FOR THE EMPEROR!" Marius leapt up and charged the heretical leader. However, his charge was met by a barrage of artillery. However, his actions, while initially dumbfounding Emperors' Champion Veltico. Rallied the Castallen Geof Iuris, whom with all his met leapt at the Cultist Leader. His armor withstanding the heretical weapons until his claw found its mark.

 

Despite slaying the heretical warlord, Geof and Velitico were soon confronted by a massive outpouring of renegades. Marius whom made a reappearance lept from his perch alongside his remaining Sword Brothern. Bellowing an order he told the headstrong Templars to retreat. And regroup with Geof brother Schlitzaf. The siege then begun to drag onward. Geof repeated incursions onto Hive World's Guytoga, despite his elder brother demands otherwise, confirmed Marius survived the First Battle of Guytoga.

 

Eventually the remaining Vostroyan Regiments arrived en mass. A three years after the Siege had formally begun. In the 2nd year, before Astra Militarum Regiments arrived, was contact with Marius lost entirely. He was last seen hunting, a giant of a man, an Astartes, Marius believed. An Astartes whose left pauldron bore a Hydra. As the Twins scoured the Planet, in the final year of the campaign, Marius and his sword Brothern were nowhere to be found. The Marshall held an eulogy for their mentor, and the capitol of Guytoga was renamed in his honor.

 

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Section 2, part 1

The next part of the Crusade would last until the end of the Indomitus Crusader and Ultima Founding. After Hive World of Guytoga was pacified and the Templars were preparing to move out once more to retake Cloister. The Orks of Stygian System, unified by Warboss Rafka, launched an assault against the Hive World Clove. Stuck in between a rock and hard place, the eldest of the Twins, Schlitzaf, decided to stay and help the Guardsmen. The Templars still not fully rested from the Siege of Guytoga took the skies.

 

Counterattacking, the Twins organized a mass drop pod Assault as the Orks swarmed over the Hive World of Clove. A series of precision strikes, hitting Ork Encampments, and Emperor's Champion Velitico numerous successful duels against Ork Warbossed blunting the Ork Wraagh!! With the Wraagh!! Rafka blunted but not destroyed a decision had to be made. To stay or move onto Cloister. Geof argued vehemently to move onto Cloister and retrieve the various vehicles and otherwise stations at the Chapter Keeper. Schlitzaf overriding his brother told him, he could take 20 Battle-Brothers or he could stay. In either case he, would be launching an attack on Stygian Prime.

 

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Section 2, part 2

Geof, knowing he couldn't complete the mission without his brother stayed and joined the ill fated attack to Stygian Prime, despite his grievances against the idea. The resulting battle would lead to nearly two centuries of fighting, and saw the effective fighting force of the Dalthus Crusade whittled down to less than 40 Battle Brothers and Neophytes. And in those early battles, the Crusade would see the lost of Emperor's Champion Veltico. A loss felt all the more by the lost of Chaplain Marius during the Siege of Guytoga.

 

The end of the war came about with Rafka finishing the construction of his 'Teleporta' Fleet. His plan which he implanted in earnest once the fleet was completed. Resulted in the appearance of several Orks over the worlds Templar V. The worst of all was Marius reappearance at the Piety of Seth... Marius had survived his ordeal at the Hive World of Clove, and fallen to chaos. His mind and head twisted, a formerly noble man, who was known for spontaneous prayer-battle cries during battle, instead upon his return fought with silence.

 

This silence during battle led the Black Templars to believe it was a Chaos Space Marine wearing their Chaplain's Armor to weaken their will to fight. That belief was only reinforced, when one the Crusade Ancient Gladius reportedly slew Marius in battle. Save for Veltico, no one of the Dalthus Crusade could ever best Marius in single combat. It became a source of humor, among the Templars when a group of treacherous Marines raided a supply depot at Hesiod's Wake. And one of them had appeared to be Marius. This Marius whomever he was would wage his war against the Templars from the Shrine World Piety of Seth.

 

Marius returned heralded the return and revival of the Cult of Bloodied Iron, while nominally a Cult of Khorne begun to exact arcane strategies and no longer bound pyskers forcing them to do their will. Besieged by Orks of the Stygian System and the Heretical Forces of the nearby Shrine World Piety of Seth, the Black Templars were under siege on all fronts.

 

​A stroke of luck had it that the Ordos Hereticus Inquistor Serena and Ordos Xenos Inquistor Tiena would both arrive at Dalthus during these centuries with both reinforcements and good tidings. The Primarch Roboute Gulliman had returned. His return also brought with him a new kind of Space Marine. Despite that good news and the arrival of the Scion Regiements. the Warboss Rafka cunning plan came to fruitation. He called it the Teleporta Fleet. The result was above each of the worlds that become the Templar V, appeared an Ork Fleet.

 

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Section 3, part 1

Here the Crusade entered its latest and final act. The first thing that happened was that with some reservation, Schlitzaf asked the Ordos Hereticus Inquistor Serena to send a messenger to Terra, to request a detachment of Primaris Marines to reinforce his army. She agreed to do so, more so she would go herself to give authority to his plea. The female Inquistor told the elder Marshall in no uncertain times, she would eventually expect a favor in return. After the meeting of the Inquistors, Geof took Schlitzaf to the side and discussed that Serena clearly had an aura about her. Something tried to relax him, Schlitzaf affirmed what Geof experienced, but assured his sibling it was nothing. The Eldest Marshall would keep close eye on Serena until she departed to ask for Primaris reinforcements

 

It was despite that of that ackward feeling did Schlitzaf grudgingly accept her terms, and convinced his brother Geof to do so as well. The Space Marine Commanders and there Battle Brothers had experienced two centuries of fighting. The constant warfare has reduced the number of the Dalthus Crusade to less than 60 Battle Brother. The depletion of manpower, added an additional caveat to the plea for Primaris Reinforcement. Any squads of unnumbered sons, may join Dalthus Crusade if they so desired. The unnumbered son or Grey Shields were squads of mixed Gene-Seed, some who did not wish to be separate. Geof disagreed vehemently such an action would dilute the Gene-seed of not just this Crusade, but the greater Black Templar Chapter. Schlitzaf once again overruling his brother, for in his mind, the Mix-Seed Primaris, were no different than the Crusader Squads of the Black Templars. Friends and Battle Brother who wished to fight alongside each other as comrades. And most importantly of all. They needed men. They needed boots on the ground. It would be some decades before Serena returned with the Primaris reinforcements.

 

​During those decades, Ordos Xenos Inquistor Tiena, would begin to organize the Temple V, Dalthus, Purgatory of Soubirous, Hesoid's Wake, Clove and Guytoga, into an Empire onto itself. Schlitzaf, had previously organized the worlds of the Templar V to be similar to the Ultramarine realm of Ultramar. Not perfect, he viewed it as sufficient. Upon each world, was a squad of Marines. Entrusted to keep the peace and protect the world from Orks and Chaos threats.

 

The Ordos Xenos Inquistor Tiena had completely rewritten this plan, viewing it as waste of resources. She divided the Templars into one groups of 30 and two groups of 15. The 15 man would be stationed at Guytoga and Dalthus while the 30 man stationed at Clove. . It was this setup that Dalthus Crusade would use to survive the decades until Serena's return.

 

Her return alongside that of the Primaris, had no gone unnoticed. Marius seeing the pageantry decided to use this moment to strike. All 57 of the remaining Black Templar Battle Brothers gathered to meet the Primaris Marines, who in due time would become their brothers. In an instant lighting struck. Marius and his allies made themselves known. Appearing as if from the shadow Heretic Astartes and Cultists, made themselves known.

 

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Section 3, part 2

The battle culminated in a duel between Marius and the Twin Marshalls, in which Marius swapped aside Schlitzaf and went to kill Geof. Both of the Twins were badly mauled on the ground. Ignoring the eldest, Marius went over to Geof, to slay the headstrong younger brother. Serena, watching from afar, could not believe her eyes. And in that moment shouted "Draco Avia Ceali!" Casting an ancient spell, revealing herself a pysker she shot Geof in the back with a bolt of lightning. Geof back was blasting by a surge of psychic energy. He roared in pain as he stood, rejuvanted by Serena spell. Sprouting two temporarily spectral dragonic wings that had granted him additional strength and enabling him to best his former teacher. Lifting his shield Geof deflected the traitor's Maul, knocking him off balance. Then he threw his claw into his teachers head ending him.

 

After the defeat of Marius, Schlitzaf and Geof took a moment of respite. That respite bore witness to a silent exchange between the Twins. Marius movements, his eyes proud and determined. He unfailing determination to achieve victory. Most of the way he move, were almost identical to their teacher. And once again the eyes of cold steel. While the traitor spoke not a word, not a word was needed to confirm what they saw. The Twins had also been the target of a psyker. While it was meant to aid the Templars, it confirmed Schlitzaf thoughts on the Ordos Hereticus Inquistor and infuriated Geof. The relationship between the three which was previously amicable deteriorated. Serena unlike Tiena would not be joining the Templars when a month later, they would launch another assault against Warboss Rafka at Stygian Prime.

 

They looked upon their new found allies, and realized they could win this war. Gathering those not injured, the twins set out for Stygian Prime, to finally end the Wraagh!! Rafka once and for all. Rallying the remaining of the Vostroyan Regiments, enlisting the Scions of Tiena and Serena, the Black Templars attacked the Ork World of Stygian Prime. During the battle of Stygian Prime, Castallen Geof Iuris would fight and slay the Warboss Rafka in revenge for what happened to Velitco over century earlier. Castellen Geof, would modify his destroyed jetpack to be similar to the winds he had acquire during the Duel of Dalthus, for this purpose. He did so to honor the Greyshields that joined him. And to never forget how he was corrupted if ever slightly for the moment.

 

The new design had granted him both speed, and ability to land behind enemy lines. Shield in hand, he sought out the Warboss and dueled him.That Duel would see Interceptors and Terminators accompanying him badly bruised but not defeated. Using his shield to deflect the aliens fist, launched himself forward. And slamming his Lighting Claw through the head of the Ork Warboss...

 

​(reposted from my thread on the Black Templar section. For some additional character snippets in addition to what is below http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/335920-dalthus-crusade/ follow that link).

 

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Leaders of the Dalthus Crusade

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The headstrong younger brother of the Twins, Brother-Castallen Geof Iuris. He wields a lighting claw and storm shield, and is known even before gaining wings to lead charges right into the enemy lines. Geof has some grievances against his brother, for both abandoning their mission, and for the death of Veltico and the fall of Marius. After his temporarily mutation, one of the Primaris, a Scion of Sanganius, comforted him. Told the young Castallen, if he believed himself on the road to damnation fight with all his might until that moment. Despite his reservations on what his brother is doing, he is in part the cause of the death of so many Battle Brothers. He would often engage in battle without the aid of the Vostroyan Regiments. Believing that Gaurdsman need not risk themselves when unnecessarily.

 

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The calm elder brother of the Twin Commanders, Marshall Schlitzaf Iuris. Wielding Twin Lighting Claws, he ironically surrenders personal defense as he leads his men into battle. Realizing after the Battle for Clove, the Templars had neither then numbers nor manpower to take the Calaxis Sector, he changed mission parameters. Deciding to organize the worlds of the Templar V, into something akin Ultramar, he decided to focus on rebuilding. However his brother Geof claimed that instead the death of the Veltico weighed heavily on his heart, clouding his judgment rendering him to passive.

 

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Radical Inquistor of the Ordos Hereticus Serena. Alongside Tiena (not shown) of the Ordos Xenos, were sent by High Lords of Terra (Or volunteered more accurately), as of the result of the splitting of the Imperium. Contact to Terra was lost to huge swathes of former Imperial territory. The various Ordos and High Lords decided to send the agents across the Imperium to known zones of conflict. Serena and Tiena for their own reasons accepted the job to check on the loyalist forces in the Calaxis Sector.

 

Ordos Hereticus Inquistor Serena

Due to Black Templars mistrust of Pyskers, and her abilities being based on buffing her allies and herself, she withheld her true nature from the Twins. The psionic aura she held resulted in Serena, being the Inquistor who was asked by the twin Marshalls, to return to Terra and request Primaris reinforcements. She did so, with knowledge that they'll eventually return the favor. Serena return and the Duel of Dalthus, alongside her reveal as Pysker would despite having saved Geof, would forever taint that otherwise a glorious battle, and her relationship with the Black Templars. The tainted relationship stemming from the Duel of Dalthus, would result in Serena growing apart from the Black Templars. And has silently accepted they might never return the favor. Through in one sense her surviving that day was the favor.

 

Ordos Xenos Inquistor Tiena

Tiena in contrasts to Serena who returned to Terra for Primaris reinforcements, stayed with the Dalthus Crusade. Her foremost contribution to the Dalthus Crusade was her reorganization of Templar V into a small and functional Empire. The Templar V worlds had suffered previously because the Twins were no administrators and their curatorship demonstrated that. The world of Purgatory of Soubirous was producing far below its mandatory tithe required by the Imperium was one such example. Additionally she coopted some of resources of the Templar V for her research into the Death World of Phyrr. She unlike Serena who relies completely on Scions, came to the Calaxis Sector with 18 loyal Deathwatch. Tiena does not know Kryptman personally she has studied his research again and again. Additionally spent time researching the conflicts with the Great Devourer that have occurred sense his fall from grace. Tiena fundamentally believes that the Tyranids can be coopted for mankind use.

 

http://i.imgur.com/WqxHxxR.jpg?1

Company Ancient Gladius, after the death of Emperor's Champion Veltico, Gladius started to function as the spiritual leader of the Dalthus Crusade. He is one of the remaining original, Templars, alongside Schlitzaf and Geof of the Dalthus Crusade. Gladius stands right behind Marshall Schlitzaf during battle, leading the charge as he swings his banner high in the sky inspiring his fellow Black Templars. In private he worries, for like many of the Dalthus Crusade, Marius was a teacher and mentor. Could he leading his own brothers to their own damnation? However now having led his brothers for around half a century he has grown more confident. And inducted and accept the first Emperor's Champion, of the Dalthus Crusade sense Veltico's demise. The Primaris Leo Pons, whom alongside a promoted William Logos to Castellan represent new leadership among the Dalthus Crusade.

 

Joining Gladius as a newer member of Crusade Leadership Emperor's Champion Leo Pons, a Primaris and Scion of Dorn, who hailed from Terra, during the Scouring. He is the first of the Primaris, to gain entry into the Black Templar Dalthus upper Leadership. Due to losing the Black Sword on Stygian Prime, despite the many attempt by the Templars and their allies to try and retrieve it, as the Emperor's Champion he wields twin blades. One of is a strange weapon, Ordos Xenos Inquistor Tiena had given to him. It has some clear Dark Aeldari design elements. The other is an Ancient Relic Blade. His Relic Blade is whispered to have been infused with the Blood of Sigismund. A scan of the Relic's History reveal it was crafted several centuries after Sigismund death, making it unlikely Sigismund's blood ever touched this sword. In either case these two weapons allow Leo to fight as well if not better than if he was equipped with a true Black Sword.

 

William Logos, a battle-brother who was born on the Templar V world of Guytoga, represents a new era for the Black Templars. He is beside Gladius, the only member of Templar leadership whom has never directly interacted with the Chaplain Marius. He was promoted due to a remarkable display of zeal during the scouring of Stygian Prime. Additionally Schlitzaf believed he had a natural talent for hit and run strikes. Geof confirming that as he watched Logos from afar during his time as a Neophyte. In which he would often tell his initiate mentor went to retreat. The promotion and with some nudging resulted Logos creating a special taskforce within the Dalthus Crusade, called Logos Hunters. A group of 18 Space Marine Bikers who harass the enemy as the Templars deploy and move to engage the enemy.

​--------

Crusade Organization

Like most Black Templar Crusades, Dalthus Crusade was formed and organized by High Marshall Helbrect and given a single goal to achieve. Numbering 200 strong Battle Brothers and around 75 Neophytes led by the Twin Marshalls. Also in the High Command of the Dalthus Crusade was Chaplain Marius, Company Ancient Gladius, Techmarine Armand and Emperor's Champion Veltico. However the two centuries of harsh fighting had widdled down the numbers of the Black Templars to 55 Battle Brothers and around 40 Neophytes. Around 18 of the 55 remaining Battle Brothers where members of the Marshall Household.

 

The members of the Dalthus Crusade fight in the manner of Sigismund preferring close quarter combat to assure the death of the enemy. While for a variety of reasonings lacking personal transport, instead the Templars of Dalthus rely heavily upon Teleporting, Orbital Deep Strikes and more to engage the enemy. While the Crusader Squads take a position leading the Gaurdsman of the Vostroyan Infantry Regiments.

 

After being joined by the Primaris Marines, the Dalthus Crusade now around 300 (including Neophytes) divided itself into 6 Fighting Orders. Each fighting order numbered itself around 30 Battle Brothers and 20 Neophytes. Two would remain protecting the Worlds of the Templar V. And despite Serena reorganization, Geof overruling her and by convincing his brother, made sure each Templar V world has 6 Initaited and 4 Neophytes as Gaurdians.

 

Their job was to act as the authority of the plant. Each group had a member of the Marshall Household entrusted to act as a Faux-Planetary Governor. Serena, later joined by Tiena raised objections to such an arrangement emphasizing one of the post-heresy reforms. Schlitzaf wishing to avoid conflict acceded to the two Inquistors, who through private negiotations of their own, raised a member of the elite from each of the Templar V worlds to a position of planetary governor save for the Mining World of Dalthus.

 

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Dalthus Crusade: Heraldry, and Symbolism

The leaders of the Dalthus Crusade sometimes referenced as the Twin Marshalls, even if more accurately Schlitzaf, the eldest, is the Marshall while Geof, the younger, is a Castallen. Hail from the Fuedal World Equus V, from Segmentum Pacificus. Noble by birth, upon becoming Space Marines brought with their personal heraldry. The Horse, and Pegasus, twin creatures, one grounded, one that soars high in the sky. Much like Twins, these two share many traits yet too differ in some key ways.

 

The second symbol, the Serpent Aquila, was created by Marius. Marius claimed the symbolism refers to an Old Earth Icon, that was used to denote healers. Coopting that he created the Serpent Aquila. It's means that while like Serpents Dalthus Crusade will destroy and kill the worlds they were sent to liberate.

 

The resulting rebuilding and restructing will make them stronger. It's the secondly that there are is always another way. The obvious path might be the wrong one. And the best one requires you twist and turn. To think. There are two sides to every coin. But those halves are still related and still the same coin.

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Worlds of Templar V

http://i.imgur.com/z4ReLqt.jpg?1

Dalthus - The 'Capitol' World of the Templar V. Hosting an impressive chapter keep and from where the Twins and their allies coordinate their various campaigns. From this planet is where the Crusade draws its name and the plurality of new Neophytes. This is represented by the favoring of heavier weaponry used by miners. Power Axes espaicially are prominent weapons in the Dalthus Crusade for this reason. And the hull busting tank killer that is a Lascannon is also favored by such recruits.

 

Purgatory of Soubirous - The 2nd World brought into the fold by Dalthus Crusade. Where the miners of Dalthus are better built and more conservative. The miners of purgatory are more experimental, willing to utilize newer and less tested technology. When the Templars arrived their was a small heretical cult that required purging. Called the Cult of Hunger, it was put down and exterminated with relative ease. Schlitzaf was convinced to recruit Primaris Marines in part due to the suggestions of his Battle Brothers hailing from Soubirous.

 

Hesiod's Wake - An Agri-World, it feeds the entirety of the Templar V and their guardians. It is also the presumed point of origin for the Cult of the Bloodied Iron. The Vostroyan Regiments allied to the Black Templars have setup show here. Alongside the other worlds of the Templar V, the world of Hesoid's Wake has provided a steady line of new recruits for the Astra Militarum Regiments. The primary difference between Hesoid's Wake and other Regiments of the Templar V, is that Hesoid Wake Regiments have fuedalistic era armor and weapon designs.

 

Clove - A key recruiting world for the Dalthus Crusade and the Astra Militarum Regiments that serve alongside them. It was the former fortress world of the Cult of Bloodied Iron before it was retaken by the Black Templars in the Battle for Clove. In was that battle, Chaplain Marius and his Sterngaurd Brothers would fall to chaos. Now while the majority of recruits are drawn from Hesoid's Wake for Astra Militarum or Dalthus for the Black Templars, Clove provides the majority of all recruits in total. This is a world rampant with corruption and heresy, which has resulted in Ordos Hereticus Inquistor Serena making her home on this world. Providing an Inquistor ever watchful eye.

 

​Guytoga - The last of the Templar V. It is the second most well defend world of the Templar V barring Dalthus itself. The Templars and Wraagh! Rafka have exchanged the world numerous times over two centuries of fighting. The result is that Guytoga has the single largest PDF of the Templar V Worlds and most veterans of the Astra Militarum allied to the Templar V make there home here. It also has a reputation for providing the most suitable candidates to Black Templars. Despite all this, the once massive spires of the Hive World are in ruins. The great factories and smoke towers are but ruins, save the great capitol itself. The population itself is barely Hive World standards due to the constant fighting and war. Outside the Capitol and a select few of the other Hives, the Templars and their allies have little to no authority as both Heretics and Orks run rampant.

 

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Other Worlds of Dalthus Crusade

These worlds do not belong to the Black Templars, or part of the Templar V due to circumstances or schemes are protected by the Black Templars or part of there authority. They are Shrine World Piety of Seth, Death World Phyrr and Agri World Stygian Prime. The 4th World belongs to their number the Pleasure World of Cloister.

 

Piety of Seth - was the new founded home of the Cult of Bloodied Iron and is where Marius conduct his war against the Black Templars. After the Duel of Dalthus and Battle of Stygian Prime, Geof led a small force of 50 Marines, to retake the World. Schlitzaf stayed behind and led the remaining Marines to take the Pleasure World of Cloister and the Black Templar Chapter Keep. On Seth, Geof would end the Cult of Bloodied Iron. In a surgical drop strike, Geof alongside 4 Squads via Drop Pod launched his attacked. They were met by Marius 2nd, Arazi Kloat...and someone whose Helmet was a mirror of Marius own. The surprise assault ended battle quickly. Even after victory Geof had the location bombarded by orbit.

 

Phyrr - A Deathworld, that has piqued the interest of Ordos Xeno Inquistor Tiena years ago. Using the pretext of the Operation Contact, and her authority over the admistration of the Templar V. She has arranged for the quiet construction of a research facility over Phyrr to do her research. Having spent years researching the disgraced Kryptman's work, she has deduced Phyrr was a remnant of early Tyranid seeding. The Ordos Xeno Inquistor believes that the existence of a Genestealer Cult on Soubirous confirms her suspicions. Using the resources of the Dalthus Crusade and Templar V she is seeking to gain control of the Proto-Tyranids.

 

Stygian Prime - The 'Capitol' World of Wraaagh!! Rafka and the location of Emperor's Champion Veltico Death. After the Duel of Dalthus, the Twins led the Black Templar Crusade then newly enlarged by the Primaris Marines arrival. It was a battle that was bloody as it was successful the Templars, found their mark quickly. A signal went out from the largest Fortress on the planet alerting the Black Templars of its location upon the arrival of their fleet. The result of the battle was that once and for all the Orks of Wraagh!! Rafka were broken. After the battle, the planet is nominally watched over by a force of loyal Deathwatch to Inquistor Tiena.

 

Cloister - The Pleasure World of Cloister is host to an old Black Templar Chapter Keep. From that location the Black Templars keep vigil over the edges of their realm. It has been retrofitted and restored due to the efforts of Schlitzaf Iuris. One of the Fighting Orders are stationed here at any given time. It is currently being actively incorporated into the Worlds of the Templar V. The biggest boon provided by this world has been the supplies and more of the Black Templar facility in regards to heavier vehicles.

 

------------

Enemies of the Dalthus Crusade

Marius - One of the two major foe's of the Dalthus Crusade. The former chaplain of the Crusade and mentor for the Twins. Marius served with the Twins for year before the Dalthus Crusade, instructing them and teaching them in the art of war. He personally choose and design the Twins and the Dalthus Heraldry, the Serpent Aquila. This made his fall and later treason all the more painful for the Twins. However their is a rumor that Marius the traitor is not Marius the Chaplain. For his mangled corpse or more appropriately the remains of his body was clearly examined after the battle. Marius reappearance at Seth after his death at Dalthus only strengthens these rumors.

 

Arazi Kloat - Marius 2nd in command, and rumored to have been one of Marius Sword Brothern bodyguard prior to his fall. Sense then he has examplified minor physic ability, previously dormant. If it was a gift from the Chaos Gods or something else it is unknown. Him and any marines found fighting with him utilize Bolters that unleash spheres of fire from their muzzle. Arazi unlike Marius has never visibily perished on the fields of battle. Some of those who fought Marius and Arazi noted whenever Marius dies, the Arazi standing next to him appears to be different.

 

Warboss Rafka - The Warboss of the Orks of the Stygian System. He personally slew in battle the Emperor's Champion Velitico. Whom only a moment before had slain his Nob bodyguard. The Warboss additionally made extensive 'cunning' research into Teleporta technology. Which resulted in the 'Teleporta' War, where all five worlds of the Templar V came under siege. After the Duel of Dalthus as vengeance for Veltico, Castallen Geof slew the Warboss finally ending the Wraagh! Rafka primarily followed Mork, who is Cunning but Strong. Additionally his trucks were colored blue after his victory over his enemies, who were painted Blue. The blue paint of his enemies was a sign he was gonna be super lucky.

 

Runtherd Grek - the Runtherd is the closest thing Rafka has to a 2nd when he is not corralling Gretchen he is instead using his whip the Weird Boyz. When Rafka barks orders it is Grek who is entrusted on implementing them. Often leading the Boyz when Rafka is not around he avoided death at Stygian Prime. And is now hunted by the Deathwatch in service of Ordos Xenos Inquistor Lord Tiena.

 

 

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The Force of Dalthus Crusade

http://i.imgur.com/XXo5YyM.jpg

Displayed an example of a deployment by the Dalthus Crusade. Alongside the Black Templars themselves are various allied Astra Militarum Regiments such as the Vostroyan 37th Regiment, and Purgatory of Soubirous 163rd Cavalry Regiment. The Inquisitor Tiena's Scions are nestled in back acting as an allied strike force to the Black Templars and their Astra Militarum allies. This kind of force and deployment is not an unusual for a Dalthus Crusade 'army'. Due to the attrition, the Templars had a lack of heavy weapons and manpower to take to the field alone. As such they would enlist various Astra Militarum Regiments to help shore up weaknesses in their force. A notable example displayed here, is the Templars due to constant movements on the battlefield lack heavy weapons such as Lascannon.

 

Relying instead on the Guardsman Heavy Weapon Teams to deal with enemy armor. Also displayed is Imperial Guard Rough Riders and Rattlings whom function as forward scouts and observers a role normally reserved for Space Marine Scouts instead delegated to the Imperial Guard and the Inquistorial Scions. While not unusual, the Dalthus Crusade does have a high degree of integration between its Adeptus Astartes and its Gaurdsman, something that could cause issue for the Templars and their allies, once the Imperium has recovered from the events of the 13th Black Crusade. The Marshall 'Castallen' Geof even fears they might go the way of the Astral Claws.

 

​Crusade Composition

​-----------------------

​250 Battle Brothers divided between the Worlds of the Templar V. Of which around 170 are of Primaris stock, reinforcements asked for and received around 75 years after the return of Gulliman. The current deployment of Dalthus Crusade Battle Brothers and support staff is shown below.

 

​Dalthus Watchforce, the Twin's Household: 26 Initiates, 18 Neophytes, 45 Primaris Marines, 8 Servitors and 12 Sword Brothers

​Logo Crusaders, Castellan Logo's Household: 14 Initiate Bikers, 9 Neophyte Bikers, 15 Interceptors, and 4 Attack Bikes

​Guytoga Guardians: 12 Initiates, 7 Neophytes, 29 Primaris Marines

​Stygian Guardians: 29 Initiates, 20 Neophytes, 40 Primaris Marines

​Cloister Guardians: 21 Initiates, 16 Neophytes, 35 Primaris Marines

​Phyrr Guardians: 17 Initiates, 11 Neophytes, 23 Primaris Marines

​Crusader Mechanized Units: 1 Strike Cruiser and support units, 3 Land Raider Crusaders, 2 Predator Annihilators, 5 Rhinos, 3 Dreadnoughts, and 2 Razorbacks.

Edited February 15, 2018 by Schlitzaf

[Conn Eremon]

Nice to see a Black Templar Crusade make its way down to the Liber. Some good concepts, the sector itself feels very fleshed out. Since Calixis is from FFG, I'm not sure how much of it is of your own design or theirs, but either way it's a good setting for the Crusade.

 

I have a couple questions regarding the Twin Marshals. The first one is why are they both the same rank, when it seems like in practice there's really only one in command and the other his second? I love the idea of twins somehow both making it through the initiate process and rising through the ranks, but the article shows that there is a hierarchy where the eldest twin has the greater authority.

 

The second question is regarding the other twin's mutation. Namely, that both his mutation and the corruption of their Chaplain felt far too quick to happen. For Marius, it's that no detail is given on the matter of his fall. In one scene, he's one of the most exceptionally Emperor-devoted men in a Chapter already known for their exceptional devotion to the Emperor. In the next, he's a frothing at the mouth heretic. For the twin's mutation, it felt very unnecessary and too convenient. Why not say from the beginning that the Inquisitor is a psyker? The Templar might not like her because of it, but it's not like they can so easily turn on an Inquisitor like they might want to. And if she is a psyker, why did she strike the twin with a mutative spell? Why didn't she simply send a bolt of power at Marius, which would have been even more likely to turn the tide? It also seems like the Crusade's acceptance of the mutation feels very out of character, especially for the Black Templar. Suffer not the unclean to live.

 

I can see you've already got the model converted, so this is probably going to be something you stick to and that's fine. At the end of the day, this is always your army and your choice.

 

As for the Primaris, the mixed gene-seed does not need to be an issue. As you describe it, the Primaris feel less like a Chapter reinforcement, as in Primaris Marines showing up in Black Templar colors, and more a Crusade reinforcement, as in the Primaris remain an allied force. They're still Greyshields, not Black Templar.

[Schlitzaf]

Several things, from out of story prospective the wings were simply because I did not own a Space Marine jetpack. And the moment that inspired by some events in a game that couldn't happen mechanically (we realized this hindsight). And it was the adaption I decide to do for the story prospective. 2nd the Inquistor reveal, was because back in 4th/5th edition I took a Lord Inquistor with a Physic Hood. However in 6th-7th edition the Inquistor lost the ability to deny powers without being Pyskers. So if you have an idea how I could better adapt that I would be all ears.

 

And in regards to Marius, his pre-fall time represented 4th Edition Era. After 4th edition I never took a Chaplain, so his fall from grace is represented by that. And the fact the Chaos army I was working on during that time was Vanilla Heretic and Renegades. (And Marius was gonna to use the rules of Arkos.) Infact you can seem some hints to Marius alliegiancs or concepts in the Crusade's Heraldic Symbolism. However I have to yet to fully define and represent how I want Marius role in the story. And am willing to hear some ideas. If I wanted him to have always been secretly a traitor and working to corrupt the Crusade from the start or he was turned after his 'death' on Guytoga. And if I go under always secret traitor, the whole fitting with his presumed original allegiance (vaguely Alpha Legion), the concept he was trying to make the Dalthus Crusade stronger by mentoring it to have two leaders. Or have it been trying to corrupt or weaken it from within.

 

That said as noted above beside Marius vague fall and his modus operandi post fall being Alpha Legion like nothing is really set in stone. The other option is to the heretic astartes not be Marius and instead use his visage for the same effect.

 

And in regards to the lore beside Cloister being a chapter keep this is all of my own invention. And for why the Twins are both Marshalls. It's a first among equals scenerio. And the younger one defers to his brother, to avoid any conflict and civil war in the Crusade. If have moments or thoughts I could better emphasis that I'd all ears. Additionally the article focuses more on the strategic aspect of the Crusade. Tactically the younger one is more often in charge.

Edited July 23, 2017 by Schlitzaf

[Schlitzaf]

Some basic editing and revising. I also added sections on the enemies of Dalthus Crusade, explaining some of Marius and Warboss Rafka with Rafka due for some more information on them. Hopefully this appreciably deals with the issue of Marius fall.

[Schlitzaf]

I have updated the thread there will be a couple new pictures incoming, as well as hopefully a picture of my 2,000 Point list. To provide an example of one of my Crusaders various division and separations. Before I begin another update (focusing more on the actual Crusade logistical organization and explanation of the Heraldic Symbols; The Serpent Aquila, as well provide a background on the two other heraldic symbols of the Crusade. The Wolf-Dragon and Lion-Eagle, which each correspond to the Twins.) any comments or critiques?

[Schlitzaf]

Some updates edits and new additions, and a picture of a poorly painted army. Likely have some additional edits, to make and work on. But for now this is another version.

 

Areas for Revision

Inquisitors

Twin's

Symbolism

History (some basic touch up)

The misc sections be better organized to follow thematic flow

 

Any thoughts before I begin the rewrite?

[Schlitzaf]

First third of rewrite one, major armies and factions within the Dalthus Crusade and their allies is now up