The Crusade of Wrath

The Crusade of Wrath

Name: Crusade of Wrath
Dates: 869M41 to post-888.M41
Marshal:
Chaplain:
Champion:
Forces:

Friendly Forces:
Astral Claws
Lamenters
Mantis Warriors

Enemy Forces:
Word Bearers
unclear - xenos and heretics


Location:
Segmentum: Ultima Segmentum
Sector: Maelstrom Zone
Sub-Sector:
World Classification:

Overview:
Forces of the Black Templars were persuaded into declaring a Crusade into the Maelstrom Zone by Lugft Huron, the later leader and instigator of the Badab War. Despite achieving success in their campaign, the Crusade was prematurely recalled and ordered to bolster the Ultramar system in the wake of the Tyrannic War.

Overview:
Non-Canon Info


Source: p17 Imperial Armour Vol IX, p127 Warhammer 40k 5th Edition


NOTES:
IA IX lists 869.M41 as the start of the crusade, while W40k 5th states that on 888.M41 the Black Templars inflict heavy losses to the Word Bearers. While not entirely clear, it's entirely plausible that the Crusade spanned at least two decades.

This Crusade is one of the precursor events leading up to the Badab War of 904.M41 to 911.M41, according to Imperial Armour. Warhammer 40k 5th Ed makes no mention of the Astral Claws influence, only that the Black Templars saw action against the Word Bearers.

It is not clear which Black Templar High Marshal would have knowledge of this Crusade. The two known High Marshals possibly active during 869.M41 or 888.M41 are Ludoldus (post-833.M41 Vinculus) or Kordhel (pre-989.M41 Sigilare Nebula).

The "Tyrannic War" that suddenly called away the Black Templars is vague. While Tyrannic War is typically associated with the Tyranids, no known Hive Fleet was active or had recently been destroyed circa 869.M41 that were a threat to Ultramar. Hive Fleet Behemoth, the most direct threat to Ultramar, was 745.M41, 124 years prior to the Crusade. The chronologically closest Hive Fleet was Hive Fleet Gorgon 899.M41, still a decade away from being considered a "wake of the Tyrannic War." Gorgon was also primarily in conflict in Tau space. (Codex Tyranids 5th Edition)