The Crusade of the Ophidium Gulf

The Crusade of the Ophidium Gulf

Name: Crusade of the Ophidium Gulf
Dates: 998.M41
Marshal: Castellan Raimer
Chaplain:
Champion:
Forces:
91 Black Templars / 89 Black Templars There is contradication in the Codex, the main Crusade write up states the Castellan plus ninety warriors, whilst the starmap at the back of the codex only states 89.

Friendly Forces:
Dark Angels

Enemy Forces:
The Voice of Emperor empire

Location: Veiled Region
Segmentum:
Sector:
Sub-Sector:
World Classification:

Overview: Raimer, leading 90 Brothers, ventured deep into the unexplored Veiled region and encountered a populated system of planets. The outlying planets were home to a primitive alien race who paid homage to a being names 'The Voice of the Emperor'. Raimer destroyed the heretic temples and continue further into the system, curious, to determine what manner of being 'The Voice' was.

As the Crusade continued into the heart of the system they discovered another force was delivering a similar, albeit greater, destruction to the worlds ahead of them. Being a fast ship the Ophidium Gulf soon caught up to the other force close to the core systems, quickly determining that the ships were of the Dark Angel Chapter. Raimer hailed the Astartes forces and after formal greetings offered his assitance in capturing the heretical leader to which the Dark Angels reluctantly agreed to.

On the final assault of 'The Voice of the Emperor's' stronghold Raimers forces were the first to breach the defences and capture the enemy leader. The leader was clad in black power armour without herladry or identification, immediately suspecting the source for the Dark Angels reluctance, Raimer led his forces and prisoner back to the Ophidium Gulf.

No sooner had Raimer returned to his ship than the commander of the Dark Angels forces demanded that he turn over the prisoner to them immediately. Although Raimer at first refused, the Dark Angels powered their weapons up and Raimer knw he could not survive against such a force. Relucatantly Raimer handed over the prisoner and the Dark Angel ships immediately departed the system.

After a single communication whilst en route to the systems jump point, Castellan Raimer, his Crusade and ship have not been heard from since.

Overview:
Non-Canon Info

Source: Codex: Black Templar 4th Ed (Page 20)

Notes: There is probably not much room for expanding on this Crusade as it was quite small and the fluff here is quite extensive, defintely classifed as a Minor Crusade. There is mention of the Raimer being a survivor of the ill fated Garon Crusade, so it should be cross checked and ensured that Raimer is also mentioned in that Crusade entry in some way.

There are also other mentions of this Crusade in both the Dark Angels codex and also WD312 (UK Edition). Perhaps someone can get hold of that one and read the entry there and see if there is any additional information? Maybe there might be some contradicting information which could be used to build up some fluff for the compendium entry.

Not sure how much info from the Dark Angel Codex we should include however, as really BT wouldnt have access to the knolwedge. Again maybe list it as some rumour or leaked information or suchlike.