First Cherubic Crusade

The  **First Cherubic Crusade** was a joint effort by the Angels of Anguish, Carmine Angels, and Mourning Cherubim chapters of Adeptus Astartes to defeat an Ork WAAAGH! led by **Warlord Snaggrakka da Planet Krumpa** in the Imperial system of **Cherun**. After nearly three years of brutal fighting, the Astartes were able to turn the tide of battle with a desperate move by the Angels of Anguish, releasing their Death Company members onto the ork horde. In the end, the orks were defeated, but the cost of the battle was high, with many space marines losing their lives in the conflict. The **Cherubic Crusade** was declared a pyrrhic victory, but it showed the strength and determination of the Adeptus Astartes in the face of overwhelming odds.

"*The Cherun system may seem like just another patch of space on the map to some, but to the Imperium, it is a crucial stronghold in our fight against the enemies of mankind. Its strategic location and resources are essential to our continued survival, and we will defend it at all costs.*"
—Unknown Imperial Regiment Commander before the onset of the Crusade.
## History

In the 35th millennium, the **Cherubic Crusade** began within the imperial system Cherun. The Ork WAAAGH! led by **Warlord Snaggrakka da Planet Krumpa** had been causing havoc and destruction throughout the system, pillaging, and destroying everything in their path. The Adeptus Astartes had been sent by the High Lords of Terra to put an end to the Ork WAAAGH!. The Angels of Anguish, Carmine Angels, and Mourning Cherubim chapters had answered the call to arms and descended upon the Imperial system of **Cherun** with their full might. The Cherubic Crusade was a joint effort between the three chapters, each bringing their own unique strengths and combat strategies to the table.

"*Let this be a warning to all Orks who dare to attack us. For every drop of blood spilled, we will make you regret it tenfold. We will fight with everything we have, and we will never back down.*"
—Unknown Carmine Angels Captain
As the Crusade began, the three chapters split up within the system of **Cherun**. The Mourning Cherubim flagship, the *Tetramorph*, took orbit over **Cherun Primus**, providing critical support to the ground troops. The Angels of Anguish flagship, the *Sanguine Silence*, took a similar position over **Cherun Secundus**, raining down devastating firepower on the Ork hordes below and thwarting any ork void ships in the vicinity of the system. The Carmine Angels flagship, *Light-Bringer*, took defense over Cherun employing tactical drop assaults on strategic key locations and coordinating the overall campaign. The fighting was intense, with battles raging across the planet and moons in the system. The orks were formidable opponents, with their sheer numbers and brutal tactics. The Astartes suffered heavy losses, but they refused to back down, determined to rid the system of the greenskin menace. Despite their best efforts, progress was slow and costly. After nearly two years of brutal fighting, the Carmine Angels and Angels of Anguish were forced to fall back to Cherun Primus to regroup and reinforce the dwindling Mourning Cherubim defenders. But the orks, led by the savage Warlord, were relentless, and the fighting continued for another grueling year. The war on Cherun Primus raged on for months, and the three chapters were gradually pushed back to their last bastion, a heavily fortified hive city on the largest moon in the system. The orks had surrounded the city, and it was only a matter of time before they would break through the defenses and overrun the last Imperial stronghold. With defeat looming on the horizon, the Angels of Anguish made a desperate move by releasing nearly three hundred Death Company Astartes from the *Sanguine Silence* onto the ork horde. They were a last resort, but the Angels of Anguish had no other options and felt a great shame in doing so. They wanted to give their brothers one last battle before they faced theirs shortly after. Or so they thought. The Angels of Anguish Death Company charged into battle, their black armor and purple cross saltires glinting in the sunlight of **Cherunova**. They tore into the orks with a ferocity that had not been seen before. The greenskins were taken by surprise and initially faltered, giving the Astartes the opening they needed to turn the tide of battle. The rest of the chapters rallied behind the Death Company, and they charged into the fray alongside them. The Mourning Cherubim followed closely from behind, wanting to join their afflicted brothers in death. The fighting was brutal and intense, with both sides suffering heavy losses. However, the scions of the blood had finally gained the upper hand.

"*Come and meet your fate, xeno scum! Death! For Sanguinius!*"
—Unknown Mourning Cherubim Astartes before charging into the fray.
## Aftermath

In the end, the Orks were defeated, and the Ork Warlord was felled by Captain Remyiel of the Angels of Anguish at the climax of the battle. Shortly after, the chapters would be able to eradicate the rest of the disarrayed Orks within the system. The Cherubic Crusade was declared a pyrrhic victory for the chapters after three long years. The cost of the battle was high, with many space marines losing their lives in the conflict. However, the Sons of Sanguinius were hailed as heroes, and the Angels of Anguish Death Company will be remembered for time to come for turning the tides of battle in their favor. The Cherubic Crusade had been a costly victory, but it had shown the strength and determination of the Adeptus Astartes in the face of overwhelming odds. And it had proven that the Angels of Anguish, the Carmine Angels, and the Mourning Cherubim were willing to stand together and fight until the bitter end to defend the Imperium.

"*The weight of our fallen brothers from the Death Company is a burden that we carry with us always. Their sacrifice echoes through the halls of our Chapter, a constant reminder of the cost of war. We mourn their loss, but we honor their memory by continuing the fight against the enemies of the Imperium. May their souls find peace in death, and may their deeds live on in our hearts and in the annals of history.*"
—Captain Remyiel of the Angels of Anguish Chapter at the conclusion of the crusade.