Star Port Larazu, viewed through the Holo Cradle in an Augur Chamber. Watercolor.
By Eric Bauer
An unfamiliar frequency has been detected by the derelict stations in the Vordrast system. Segmentum Solar appears to have a hidden neighboring system...
A system hidden in the darkness of space and time, long forgotten.
The message repeats on an endless loop, echoing from a distant past:
+++INCOMING TRANSMISSION+++
IDS 4.323.665.M29 HUTHAR SYSTEM CLASS 4
LOCAL SYSTEM STAR HARVESTER... OFFLINE
CORE TEMPERATURE: -455F
REMAINING POWER CORES: 1267
DIVERTING REMAINING POWER TO EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEMS... CONFIRMED
DEPLOYING CRYOGENIC REPOPULATION CLUSTERS... WARNING
17 CLUSTERS FAILED TO LAUNCH
3 CLUSTERS ARRIVED
REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. ESTIMATED CRC / EBS POWER LOSS 4.821.609.M43.
STAR PORT LAZERU - QUADRANT 43 - SELLEON 5 GALACTIC COORDINATES ENCRYPTED IN
TRANSMISSION. WARNING: A COLONY OF VOT...
+++TRANSMISSION TERMINATED+++
The transmission cuts off abruptly. The Huthar system appears to hold an undiscovered civilization, gone quiet before the Age of Darkness.
Muster a small scout force to investigate Star Port Lazeru on planet Selleon. Head to the surface, and report what secrets this ancient system holds.
The forces of the Imperium, Chaos, and Xenos will be drawn to these whispers. Expect opposition...
ARRIVAL AT SELLEON
The Will of the Serpent flinched as the Void Prowler slowed abruptly.
What forces halt the fleet? Have we not arrived
at Selleon? echoed among the hive.
What visions came before him were of nothing he witnessed during his long service to Hive Fleet Apophis.
Selleon appeared in his viewport, a lonesome planet shrouded by chaos. Flashes of lightness and darkness swarmed his sight, the fabric of space tearing just before its wounds stitching together, and the voice echoing in his mind was plagued with static.
...EBS POWERLOSS 4... ...609.M43. STAR PO... ...ZERU - QUADRANT 43 - SELLEON... ...TIC COORDINATES...
Huthar is destabalizing into a warp storm.
Just as predicted, small streaks of energy accelerated towards Selleon. How generous of them to arrive with such haste. The fleet will be fed, and forgotten worlds, devoured, as all life is prey for the Serpent.
Details:
- Points: 500
- Board Size: 44x30
- Command Points: 3 + Crusade Blessings
Setup & Play:
v20220914
1. DETERMINE MISSION
Roll 1d6 and match the dice outcome with the mission table below and write down the mission on your crusade scoring sheet
| D6 | Mission | Victor Bonus | Terrain | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Supply Drop | Supply Drop | Option 2 | Core - Narrative |
| 2 | Sweep and Clear | Sweep and Clear | Option 1 | Core - Narrative |
| 3 | Assassinate | Assassinate | Option 1 | Core - Narrative |
| 4 | Incisive Attack | Supply Drop | Option 1 | Core - Matched Play |
| 5 | Outriders | Sweep and Clear | Option 2 | Core - Matched Play |
| 6 | Encircle | Assassinate | Option 2 | Core - Matched Play |
2. Read Mission Briefing
Each mission has a mission briefing that will detail the mission objectives that award victory points to the players. Some mission briefings also list one or more mission rules that will apply for the duration of the battle. The players should read and familiarise themselves with these before proceeding.
3. Objectives & Agendas
Primary Objectives
The players now set objective markers up on the battlefield. Each mission’s deployment map will show the players how many to set up, and where each should be placed.
On your crusade scoring sheet write down the primary objective(s).
Agendas
Each player then secretly selects Agendas for the battle and writes them down. Each can award experience points to certain units in that player's army, as described on the Agenda itself. Once both players have selected their Agendas, they reveal their selections to their opponent.
Refer to Crusade rules, or your factions codex for additional details
On your crusade scoring sheet write down each players agendas.
Do not use any secondary objectives for any mission, these are always replaced by AGENDAS
Matched Play Missions do not have crusade victor bonuses, these are individually defined in the table above.
Tertiary Objectives
This chapter includes a Tertiary Objective.
SETUP
Place a terminal model in the center of the battlefield.
ACTION
One INFANTRY unit from your army can start to perform this action at the end of your Movement Phase if it is within 3" of the Huthar Port Starmap. This action completes at the beginning of your next command phase.
The player who completes this action the most wins the Tertiary Objective for the game.
On your crusade scoring sheet keep track of your tertiary actions completed throughout the battle.
4. Place Terrain (Optional Rule)
Terrain location and placement is optional, but recommended to provide fair matches.
Two players may chose any terrain setup. If agreed upon by both players, one player can set up terrain before the battle
Identify the terrain setup for the mission in the table in DETERMINE MISSION
Roll 1d6 to determine who places the first piece of terrain. Take in turn placing terrain. Place each terrain types until all pieces of that type have been placed in the following order:
- Terrain Piece 1 - Large Ruins
- Terrain Piece 2 - Mid Sized Ruins
- Terrain Piece 3 - Small Terrain Pieces
5. Determine Attacker and Defender
The players roll off and the winner decides who will be the Attacker and who will be the Defender.
6. Choose Deployment Zone
The deployment maps for some missions will tell you which deployment zone is the Attacker’s and which is the Defender’s. If the deployment map does not show this, but instead labels deployment zones as Player A’s or Player B’s, then the Defender now selects one of the deployment zones for their army. Their opponent uses the other deployment zone.
7. Declare Reserves and Transports
Unless the mission briefing states otherwise, these missions use the Strategic Reserves rules.
Refer to Warzone Nephilim for additional details
8. Deploy Armies
The players alternate setting up their remaining units one at a time, starting with the Defender.
Refer to Warzone Nephilim for additional details
9. Determine First Turn
Unless the mission briefing says otherwise, the players roll off. The winner takes the first turn.
10. Resolve Pre-battle Abilities
Players alternate resolving any pre-battle abilities units in their army may have, and resolving any Stratagems that are used before the battle, starting with the player who will take the first turn. Remember that Crusade forces can only make use of Stratagems that upgrade units by using Requisition points.
11. Begin the Battle
The first battle round begins. Players continue to resolve battle rounds until the battle ends.
12. Determine Victor
Primary Objectives
At the end of the battle, the player with the most victory points is the winner. If players are tied, the battle is a draw. If every model in a player’s army was painted to a Battle Ready standard, that player is awarded a bonus 10 victory points. The victor of a mission can then claim the victor bonus listed on that mission. If the game is a draw, neither player can claim the bonus.
Agendas
Determine agenda scoring per the rules for your army
Tertiary Objectives
The player who completes this action the most wins the Tertiary Objective for the game. If both players tie on the number of Tertiary Objectives achieved, neither player can claim the Tertiary Objective point. Notify the Crusade Leader on Discord of the outcome.
13. Update Crusade Cards
The players must now update their Crusade cards for all the units they used in the battle
Refer to Crusade rules for additional details
14. Update Order of Battle
Refer to Crusade rules for additional details
15. Notify Crusade Leader
Provide an image of the completed crusade score sheet to Crusade Leader
PLANETARY CONTROL WINNER:
Planetary control as described in the player packet under Planetary Control.
At the end of the chapter the winning Faction will receive Permanent +1 to Faction's Determine Attacker and Defender Roll