Merovech Crusade - The Beginning

[Othniel's Blade]

+++Gene-authorization confirmed... Merovech Crusade records unsealed... Begin recounting+++

 

 

Nearly cut off from the remainder of the chapter, Marshal Childrych gathered the haggard remnants of 2 fighting companies into a recently cleansed Keep to learn worse news. The Imperium had been sundered by the Cicatrix Maledictum, and while their navigators could still see the light of the Astronomican, their pursuit of a Traitor witch and his warband had nonetheless left them far from their brethren. A patchy transmission from the High Marshal spoke of grave attacks from the Traitors and Xenos, along with the shocking news of the return of one of Dorn's Brothers: Guilliman himself.

 

"...reinforcements being sent... hold position... three ships... do not...."

 

The message ended and Childrych and his Household knelt in thanks, their sole surviving Chaplain leading prayers. Years passed, and Childrych continued to lead expeditions from their Keep, hunting for the Sorceror that yet evaded his blade. The sector flared with rebellion constantly, and his knights were only too pleased to bring the Emperor's wrath upon traitorous worlds. Recruitment was low, and the Sword Brethren looked forward to the strength the High Marshal's reinforcements would bring.

 

A distress signal flashed in front of Childrych, serfs having rushed a dataslate to his quarters. An Imperium convoy had been destroyed by Xenos, and two Thunderhawks had landed on the nearest world- a desert planet with frozen poles- and the most recent tracing of the Crusade's quarry. Taking a small detachment, the Marshal was surprised to find only a small grouping of power-armoured warriors holding guard near the Thunderhawks. The Techmarine pilot hurriedly explained to Childrych that these were the reinforcements, or what was left of them. Their armour was blackened, but bore strange markings in addition to the armoured fist of their Legion. Others had been painted over, but the paint still shone fresh. Strangest of all, Childrych found himself a full head shorter than the shortest of their band. Determining to make sense of these newcomers at the fortress keep, Childrych was thrown back by the sudden explosion of the closest Thunderhawk. Surrounded and taking fire, the Marshal watched as the newcomers raised strange weapons that threw plasma as quickly and easily as his own bolter, wading in formation toward the enemy. His shock at the strange nature of Helbrecht's emissaries was replaced with gratitude as he watched several Chaos Marines cut down in seconds, shorn in half by a glowing line of plasma fire. Childrych rallied his personal guard and led the charge toward the remaining enemy, cultists and Traitor Astartes either fell or retreated as the zealous brethren thundered ahead, a blur of blades and bolters.

 

Upon their eventual return to the Chapter Keep, Childrych summoned the remainder of the Crusade to welcome the new additions. "These are our brethren, born of Inwit and Terra, returned to us from ages lost. They have joined us on the Eternal Crusade, both in blood and brotherhood. Welcome them as your fellow Inititiate." Stony acceptance from the assembly greeted his words, and the Marshal nodded before turning the assembly over to the Chaplain for devotion.

 

 

+++ Account interrupted... missing historidata files+++

 

 

 

This will be the first recounting of my post-Rift crusade. As new as I am to writing, I thought I would try my hand to help explain the introduction of small Primaris units into a Crusade of perhaps strange build. Nearly built, I hope to have the Merovech Crusade 'completed' up to 2000pts. Below is the current army list. I hope to write more fluff in the future to help myself flesh out the key characters of the crusade, as well as explain my own theories regarding the integration of Primaris into a Crusade. The main battle plan is to establish a moving firebase with some static elements, coupled with the Sword Brethren Company Vets and the Assault units coming in hard from deep strike to grab objectives and take out threat elements.

 

+ Brigade Detachment +12CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [123 PL, -1CP, 2000pts] ++

 

Specialist Detachment [-1CP]: Black Templars Sword Brethren

 

+ HQ +

 

Marshall Childrych [103pts]: Chainsword, Jump Pack, Storm shield, Teeth of Terra, Warlord

 

High Marshal Helbrecht [150pts]

 

The Emperor's Champion [75pts]

 

+ Troops +

 

Crusader Squad [92pts]

. 2x Initiate

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power sword

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun

. Sword Brother: Combi-flamer, Power sword

 

Crusader Squad [95pts]

. 2x Initiate

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power sword

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun

. Sword Brother: Combi-plasma, Power sword

 

Crusader Squad [102pts]

. 2x Initiate

. Initiate w/Heavy Weapon: Power sword

. Initiate w/Special Weapon: Meltagun

. Sword Brother: Combi-melta, Power sword

 

Intercessor Squad [89pts]: Bolt rifle

. 4x Intercessor: Auxiliary Grenade Launcher

. Intercessor Sergeant: Power sword

 

Scout Squad [77pts]

. Scout Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Sniper rifle

. 4x Scout w/Sniper Rifle: 4x Sniper rifle

. 4x Camo Cloak

 

Scout Squad [65pts]

. Scout Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Chainsword

. 3x Scout w/Boltgun

. Scout w/Heavy Weapon: Heavy bolter

 

+ Elites +

 

Cenobyte Servitors [6pts]: 3x Cenobyte Servitor

 

Company Veterans [108pts]

. Space Marine Veteran: Power sword, Storm shield

. Space Marine Veteran: Power sword, Storm shield

. Space Marine Veteran: Power sword, Storm shield

. Space Marine Veteran: Power sword, Storm shield

. Veteran Sergeant: Plasma pistol, Power fist

 

Contemptor Dreadnought [145pts]: Combi-bolter, Dreadnought combat weapon, Kheres pattern assault cannon

 

+ Fast Attack +

 

Assault Squad [90pts]: Jump Pack

. 2x Space Marine

. Space Marine Sergeant: Chainsword, Plasma pistol

. Space Marine w/Special Weapon

. . Plasma Pistol & Chainsword: Plasma pistol

. Space Marine w/Special Weapon

. . Plasma Pistol & Chainsword: Plasma pistol

 

Assault Squad [105pts]: Jump Pack

. 2x Space Marine

. Space Marine Sergeant: Combat shield, Thunder hammer

. Space Marine w/Special Weapon

. . Plasma Pistol & Chainsword: Plasma pistol

. Space Marine w/Special Weapon

. . Plasma Pistol & Chainsword: Plasma pistol

 

Assault Squad [90pts]: Jump Pack

. 2x Space Marine

. Space Marine Sergeant: Chainsword, Plasma pistol

. Space Marine w/Special Weapon

. . Plasma Pistol & Chainsword: Plasma pistol

. Space Marine w/Special Weapon

. . Plasma Pistol & Chainsword: Plasma pistol

 

+ Heavy Support +

 

Devastator Squad [112pts]: Armorium Cherub

. 2x Space Marine

. Space Marine Sergeant: Storm bolter

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher

 

Devastator Squad [112pts]: Armorium Cherub

. 2x Space Marine

. Space Marine Sergeant: Storm bolter

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher

. Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher

 

Hellblaster Squad [175pts]: Assault Plasma incinerator

. 4x Hellblaster

. Hellblaster Sergeant: Bolt pistol

 

+ Dedicated Transport +

 

Drop Pod [65pts]: Storm bolter

 

Rhino [72pts]: Storm bolter

 

Rhino [72pts]: Storm bolter

 

++ Total: [2000pts] ++

 

 

With all that said, welcome to the crusade!

 

 

 

[Marshal Mattias]

Nice introduction, looking forward to seeing how this uneasy brotherhood develops further. Lots of interesting narrative options for a small group, forced to accept new recruits, regardless of their uncertainty about them...

 

Your crusade growth plans are bold; Sigismund would be proud!

[Jacques Corbin]

Are you going to add any of the new Primaris from the Shadowspear box? I could see Suppressors having a place in your crusade.

[Othniel's Blade]

I've considered them, but I'm not quite there yet. On the other hand, an Initiate with a Missile Launcher made a glorious stand and crushed 2 Deathwatch tainted by Xenos weaponry in melee in Killteam. KT has been my game while building/painting this list, so expect periodic reports from those missions as well.

[Othniel's Blade]

Thanks for the interest so far! I plan on knocking out some paint over the next few weeks and showing some progress, as well as hopefully showing more of the narrative of this crusade.

[Jacques Corbin]

Nice list, I really feel you, as a sneaky beaky myself, on the Assault Squads with Plasma Pistols hanging out with the Jump Captain, I mean Marshall.

 

Who goes in the drop pod?

[Othniel's Blade]

I think it will vary depending on how the enemy deploys, but most likely the Vets, EC, and Helbrecht. Of course the High Marshall may ride with another squad in rhinos if needed for rerolls, but that comes down to tactics that I'll refine once the list is made and playable.

 

I had originally made my first assault squad with flamers, back in 7e. Who knows, maybe I'll eventually replace one of the three plasmas with a flamer to see how it plays. For now, 12" range with AP and firing in combat.

[Othniel's Blade]

I haven't had any painting time this month, but had to share the tale of last night's battle. An Intercessor Sword Brother, as well as 3 other Intercessor Initiates, took along 3 neophytes for a data recovery mission. My Leader carried his Power Sword, another brother (Comms) brought his auspex and a neophyte (Sniper) learning the benefits of target priority providing overwatch with a sniper rifle. The other Initiates were accompanied by a neophyte (Heavy) with a Heavy bolter, and an inspiring neophyte who had shown his merit with a bolter at close range.

 

The mission was as such: 4 data terminals were spaced equally across a manufactorum storage complex, requiring data extraction and destruction of the terminals to prevent enemy intelligence gathering. Once the squad made its way into the AO, a band of Deathwatch appeared and threatened death for interference with their mission. Seeing their taint by Xenos tech, the Sword Brother upheld his Marshal's orders and pushed to quickly gather as much data as possible while repelling the intruders.

In Turn 1, 2 data terminals were quickly seized by the squad- an Initiate on the south terminal, with the Leader, an Initiate, and his squire at the eastern. The sniper moved to provide overwatch from a high stairway, but his shot rang off an ammo container as the Deathwatch marine dogded quickly out of the way. Using the Auspex data, the Heavy neophyte loosed a barrage against an exposed enemy, gunning him down but taking a flesh wound as his reward from return fire. Download complete, the Sword Brother destroyed the data cores while the other team's download continued. Turn Score 3-0.

Turn 2: Their first download complete, Initiate and bolter Neophyte advanced to the north terminal, drawing the attention of the Deathwatch Sergeant and a Blackshield. As the download began, they were charged and forced to defend the objective. The sniper moved along the railing of his perch, but was unable to provide much more than corridor coverage on the western border. The Heavy neophyte and the Comms Initiate moved to the center of the AO, drawing fire from a Frag Cannon but brushing it off. The Sword Brother moved to support them under the ruins of an ancient supervisory structure. The Blackshield's thunder hammer missed the Initiate on the north objective, and his neophyte lashed out in zeal, ducking under the sweep of the enemy Leader's power sword and using his bolter and fists to bring him down in a flurry of blows. The north download continued behind the melee, while the south terminal was destroyed once copied. Turn Score 6-0.

Turn 3: A new terminal hissed up from the center of the board, and the grouped Templars quickly moved to access the new intel. Unfortunately, a Frag Cannon cut down the Heavy neophyte, and put a flesh wound on the Sword Brother.  The remaining Initiate moved up from the destroyed terminal and tossed a grenade at the offending enemy, but was unable to do any damage. Meanwhile, the Comms Initiate fired his bolt rifle at his enemy counterpart, slaying him; and the Leader fired his pistol at the Frag Cannon and cut him down with a well-aimed round. The Blackshield at the north objective crushed the Initiate's head with his Thunder Hammer, but the neophyte was unable to do any damage. Suddenly, the surviving Deathwatch Astartes turned and fled into the shadows, whether craven or called unkown. The center terminal yielded pivotal intelligence on enemy positions and ammo caches. Final Score 12-0 (3 for Center objective, 3 for breaking enemy team. North objective was contested).

It was an incredibly fun and fast-paced match on a highly dense board. My new Initiates shone, but none so bright as the brave neophyte who cut down a Deathwatch Sergeant with nothing more than his fists and bolter butt (5 to hit, 6 to wound, 6 for injury roll). Glory was won for the Crusade, along with vital information on their quarry and news of the happenings of the rest of the Imperium.

[Marshal Mattias]

Excellent result! I love Killteam for generating stories just like this!  

[Othniel's Blade]

Excellent result! I love Killteam for generating stories just like this!

It was a fun game. I've played the same guy a few weeks in a row since we're both regulars at the FLGS and in the same KT league, and that fragcannon and the inferno HB have been my bane. I've been lucky to find a good and knowledgeable regular group.

 

If he had played a bit more direct to the objectives, it would have been much harder to pull off a victory.

[Slave to Darkness]

Next time you play could you get some pictures of your Templars in action? Batreps are fun to read but I love me some images, doesnt need to be full on WD batrep quality, just a few shots of important moments etc. Cant wait to see some of your stuff painted, I do love me some Templars even if you are decaff Word Bearers ;) :lol:

[Othniel's Blade]

I'll aim for it- I havent bought any primer so my Primaris (except the Sword Brother) are blue plastic with white tissue tabards. Of course I just assembled the Reclusiarch and his servitors so I need to fight that distraction as well!

[Othniel's Blade]

The Chapter Keep was attacked by a small Xenos force last night, and my Killteam was tasked with the defense of an outer structure containing 3 strategic points.

 

Same team as before, but following the Primarch's example, we aimed to hold our position and repel the Tyranid invader. Mission was Disrupt Supply Lines, and the Templars took Defender. My board edge was a small AM barricade trench, behind two buildings on either side of a central road, with a walkway between them, and northbound walkways to another building from each building. Objectives were placed on the western roof by the central stairs, the eastern roof centred, and near a doorway on the ground level of the eastern building. My Heavy neophyte deployed in the trench, a few inches behind the lower objective, with another intercessor a few inches north of the same behind cover of old barrels. My Sniper neophyte deployed central on the staircase, taking advantage of his cloak and the cover of the railing. Comms and another intercessor deployed western roof; Leader and bolter neophyte deployed eastern.

 

Turn 1 with initiative, most of my models readied for the Tyranids to charge into our firing arcs. Comms Intercessor used his auspecx and scanner to give shooting buffs, and rounds went downrange. Only a couple wounds were taken by the enemy, as the dice favoured his save rolls. Firing back, his warrior hit my western intercessor and wiped both wounds, but his Duty saved him by converting to a flesh wound.
Turn 2, lost initiative. Enemy Lictor charged across the walkway into the Intercessor with a flesh wound. My bolter Neophyte and Leader hugged their wall, and the remainder readied. Sniper took a wound off the offending Warrior, before being blown away in return, and my ground-level Intercessor and Heavy Bolter divided their shots between the warrior and an eager Termagaunt, who was brought down to a flesh wound. The Lictor used his Flesh Hooks to fire at my Comms Intercessor, who took a wound- Treacherous Xenos! I wasted my 2cp to prevent the destruction of the Western objective, but it wasn't even attempted by my opponent. My intercessor was slain by the Lictor.
Turn 3, lost initiative. The Lictor charged into my Comms, who fell back to the ground floor- the ploy worked and the Lictor followed him down, abandoning the objective. My Intercessor in the corridor climbed up to that objective and shot a wound into the Warrior across the way The Heavy Bolter readied and slew the Termagaunt. My bolter neophyte was unable to put any wounds across, while his Leader Warrior charged up the outside edge of the eastern building into my Leader, who took 1 wound but left him with 2 flesh wounds from his Power Sword.

 

Turn 4, won initiative again. My Heavy Bolter could no longer restrain his zeal, and charged to aid his mentor and protect the objective from the Lictor. The remaining standard Intercessor shot the first firing Warrior-flesh wound!- who was followed by his Comms Warrior. The Comms Intercessor's pistol wasn't able to pierce the Lictor's chitin, and his Flesh Hooks weren't able to damage either of my marines. My Leader finished off the enemy Leader. The Comms Int piled in around beside the neophyte to put 2 bodies near the objective and hold it for the Emperor. Lictor took a wound but was unable to damage his 2 opponents.
 

Turn 5, lost initiative. My Leader moved back behind cover but within objective range. The lead Warrior moved onto the objective and fired at my Leader but could not wound, then was flesh wounded again by my Intercessor. The Intercessor then took a wound from the enemy Comms Warrior but stayed alive to hold that objective. Pistols put 1 wound on the Lictor, who flesh wounded my Comms Int. I took decisive strike to hit first in melee, but no wounds all around through the phase.

Game ended with my holding 2 objectives, with the third in contest, leaving the Crusade with a 6-0 victory.

I only got a few pics as I forgot to take some until late game, then forgot at the end as we were racing the store close.

It was fun to try a narrative mission, especially since I hadn't faced Tyranids solo yet. Thankfully Metabolic Overdrive didn't contribute too much to my misfortune, as he only used it once. It felt especially Dornian to hold a patch of ground against the invaders.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Congratulations on your victory!

[Othniel's Blade]

Congratulations on your victory!

 

Thank you for reading! These are my last 2 games and the only ones I've recorded, but there have been quite a few losses in the process. This last one was especially 'urgent' due to real-life time constraints, but given the nature of the mission, it forced me to react quicker in my decisions and playing. The whole game miiiight have been 1hr in real-time. I'm thankful that I've had the time to play recently as it's kept my zeal for the hobby much healthier than most of the time since I was introduced.