Redeemist Crusade

The Redeemist Crusade was a military campaign lasting several years in the early seventh century, which saw the crusaders sweep out of the unclaimed regions and cut deep into Scandav and Novarus territory before finally being defeated.

## Background

The precise origins of the Redeemist Crusade are unknown. Some speculate that it has origins in the exile of the Baryth Principality during the Great War. Others claim that it has its roots in the Pirate Wars at the closing of the sixth century. The Crusaders themselves kept no records, or at least no records that survived the end of the crusade.

## The First Wave

### Initial Contact - May 613 AL

The initial contact of the Crusaders was actually peaceful. Several unarmed transport submarines arrived at the eastern edge of Scandav territory, disembarking teams of missionaries. These missionaries began to loudly preach a radical version of Redeemist teachings. By and large this was in violation of the Terms of Service of the Scandav Corporation as a whole, and the missionaries were shortly sentenced to punitive employment.

### First Attacks - June 613 AL

Exactly one month after the arrival of the first missionaries, the first combat submarines of the crusaders hit the Scandav border. The few unlucky patrol ships were quickly overwhelmed by a torrent of crusader attack subs. Within an hour the border stations were under siege. Brutal hand to hand fighting ensued, with the fanatical attackers steadily pushing through defensive lines. Within the first day Larcie Station had capitulated, granting the Crusaders their first foothold in the Colonies.

### Further Expansion - June to October 613 AL

The crusaders take more stations, cutting a deep wedge into Scandav.

Hudson begins providing material support to Scandav, lending submarines and weapons to their embattled partners. The senate is unwilling to formally join the war, however.

## The First Siege of Avsi

### The First Battle of Avsi - October 613 AL

Crusader fleets meet the bulk of the remaining Scandav forces at Avsi Station, a brutal battle is waged, but one that Scandav loses.

### The Siege - October 613 AL - April 614 AL

Fierce fighting throughout Avsi station as invading crusaders and defending Scandavians fight for control of the station.

### The Second Battle of Avsi - April 614 AL

A Scandav relief fleet arrives at Avsi, and engage the defending crusaders. The Scandavians carry the day, and drive off the crusader submarines. The crusaders on the station, unsupported and cut off, commit suicide rather than surrender.

## The Second Wave

### The Third Battle of Avsi - June 614 AL

As the Scandav fleet is consolidating at Avsi and planning their next attack, a previously unknown force of Crusaders makes a surprise attack. The defenders are quickly decimated and forced to flee, leaving the station in crusader hands once again.

### The Second Siege of Avsi - June 614 AL - January 615 AL

Another brutal siege devastates Avsi, the beleaguered defenders fight until the end, but the station eventually capitulates.

### Reaching the Novarus Border - August 614 AL

A renewed crusader offensive, bouyed by a second wave of submarines from the unclaimed regions continues pushing into Scandav territory, reaching the Novarus border and continuing on.

### The Battle of Koronygrad - October 614 AL

The Imperial Novarussian fleet meets the crusader force at the Novarussian capital. In what is possibly the largest naval battle in xenosea history, the crusaders are forced into retreat.

## The Stalemate

### The March on Larcie - November to December 614 AL

A Novarus/Scandav coalition continually pushes the crusaders back, reclaiming several stations and nearly reaching Larcie station.

### The Great Disaster - December 614 AL

The coalition fleet falls victim to an ambush, and is nearly wiped out to the last sub.

### Stalemate - December 614 AL to March 615 AL

Limited offensive activity, as both sides are severely depleted. Neither side can muster enough submarines to surpass station defenses.

### The Battle of Nerva - March 615 AL

A crusader strike force circles around The Great Barrier, attacking the previously unengaged Hudson Republic in an effort to break the stalemate. The crusaders mistakenly thought they had destroyed the majority of Hudson submarines in Scandav, and are repelled by the home fleets held in reserve.

This action officially forces the Hudson Republic into the war.

## The Reconquest

### The Fourth Battle of Avsi - April 615 AL

A Hudson expeditionary force travels around The Great Barrier, links up with some Scandav elements and liberates Avsi station for the second (and final) time.

### The Second Battle of Larcie - June 615 AL

The Hudson/Scandav coalition fleet continues north to Larcie Station, liberating it and completing an encirclement of the crusaders.

### Armistice - July 615 AL

Unwilling to pay the brutal price needed to oust the crusaders from their last two stations, an armistice is reached. The remaining crusader holdouts become the nation of Gennis, and are limited to only defensive weapons.