Tempestus Campaign

Red Eyes

Vasalius Terran Heredes

### Outcome

The People's Rada is pushed back but remains indepedent, the Obsailes System is cut off from the Imperium

The **Tempestus Campaign** was the Imperial campaign to reconquer the majority of the Segmentum Tempestus that had been claimed by the Godslayers Legion as part of the People's Rada. This was in tandem with the Terminus Campaign that was also operating within Segmentum Tempestus but was focused on the Alabaster Order. The campaign was divided primarily into two fronts: the internal front around the Obsailes System and the external front in the border area with Segmentum Solar.

The Obsailes front was an ongoing conflict between the Godslayers and Fire Keepers as the Separatists attempted to blockade the Loyalist homeworld and encircle them, while the Fire Keepers sought to push back and maintain links with Terra.

The Solar front was primarily fought between the Red Eyes and Godslayers with the majority of the Solar Auxilia and Separatist mortal forces in the Caradryad Sector as the Red Eyes pushed to capture Zbruch and destroy any worlds that had joined the Separatists along the way.

## **Background**

### **The Turn of the Godslayers**

Given the central role played by the Primarch Koschei Kharkovic in planning the Declaration of Separation and his position as the unofficial leader of the Separatists, it was clear that Tempestus would be a major battleground in the Third Ruin. The Segmentum, though not as badly affected by the Necrons as Ultima and Pacificus, still bore the scars of the Riven's betrayal as many worlds along the border with Pacificus were devastated and several forgeworlds had been purged. Beyond this, there remained an unavoidable issue for any Separatist movement in Tempestus: the Fire Keepers. Their home system of Obsailes and allied forgeworld of Iomin served as immovable bastions of loyalism within the segmentum, and would doubtless become the centre for any resistance within the segmentum. While some of the pressure would be taken off by the Alabaster Order's own realm, their support would be limited as they had their own fronts to guard.

With Niklaas as Segmentum Governor and the Fire Keepers' oversight of the legal system in the segmentum, the actions of the Separatists would be subjected to greater scrutiny than any other area. Any governors who would have been clear choices to join a separatist movement were either removed from office or already under supervision. Koschei's many contacts accumulated throughout his years on the Council of Terra would prove invaluable in identifying factions and individuals who could be swayed to join his cause. Some were swayed by appeals to the humanitarian good that the Separatists wished to spread, others by offering freedom from the punishments of Terra, others by more crude appeals to personal gain. After years of work and diplomatic effort, the Godslayers finally were ready to carve out a kingdom of their own.

Unbeknowest to any in Tempestus, news of their secession would draw the wrathful eye of a wounded god. Theoderaf, Primarch of the IVth Legion, had always disliked his brother Koschei for his overly humanitarian nature, but had viewed him as more of an annoyance than a threat. However, the Red Eyes had begun to spiral into deep despair and rage following their humiliation at the Shattering of the IVth, and the news of the Godslayers' treachery galvanised the broken Primarch and his Legion. While Theoderaf no longer believed in the divinity of the Emperor or cared about the High Regent's politicking, such flagrant treachery provided a focus for the Legion's bitterness. With a bellow of rage, the tattered banners of the Red Eyes mustered and swarmed towards Tempestus.

### **Neutrality**

The Alabaster Order had been on an increasingly pacificist transformation since the Vanishing of the Emperor, seeking to help others rather than crusading and conquering. However, Gustave Dunant had finally been convinced that his quest for peace could not be achieved within the Imperium, and that it was his duty to aid people regardless of their allegiance.  Despite the disagreements with his fellow Separatists and legion officers, Gustave maintained his self-proclaimed neutrality and declined to sign the Declaration of Separation. The Alabaster Order would provide medical support for all who needed it in Segmentum Tempestus, be it loyalist or separatist, helping civilians and mortals on all sides.