Sabbat Worlds Crusade - Herodor: The Turning Point (773.M41): Though the battle for Herodor was a much smaller-scale operation compared to such significant clashes as the one on the world of Enothis, its importance cannot be undervalued. Herodor is agreed by Imperial scholars and strategists to be the turning point for the fortunes of the crusade.The planet's only claim to significance was that it was one of the "Holy Worlds" visited by Saint Sabbat Beati during her original crusade within the region, millennia earlier. The planet was of no great tactical significance, yet Magister Enok Innokenti chose to lead the assault there personally, perhaps in an effort to prevent the miracle that was to occur.Commanded by Lord General Lugo, an Astra Militarum force supported by the local PDF occupied the sacred balneary shrine and religious centre of the principle city of Civitas Beati in order to defend it from attack.Reliable information in regards to what occurred during the assault remains unclear with the exception of the early stages of the attack. A young raven-haired Esholi woman born on Hagia emerged from the Imperial citizenry claiming to be the reincarnated saint who had also originated on Hagia, though the validity of this was initially called into question by Lugo's detractors at the time as some claimed she was merely an actress selected to play the part by Lugo in order to boost Imperial morale.However, it now appears that the extraordinary truth of the matter is far more interesting. Whatever her mysterious origins, this unidentified girl took on the mantle of the Beati, and for all intents and purposes became the beloved Saint Sabbat. Exhibiting powers and abilities beyond the normal ken of average mortals, this Living Saint inspired the Imperial forces, stirring their resolve with her holy presence.The beloved Saint Sabbat Beati had been reborn on Herodor close to the end of 773.M41, to the eternal glory of the Emperor of Mankind. Some suggest that through some arcane means, Innokenti had foreseen this and may have attempted to prevent it from occurring.The Imperial forces rallied around the Living Saint, engaging Innokenti's foul host at the Civitas Beati. A vicious battle ensued as the saint and her army routed the Archenemy forces and slew the wicked magister. This coincided with the Warmaster Macaroth's victory which had finally resolved on the Fortress World of Morlond.This enabled Macaroth to deploy part of his forces in support of the Khan Group's beleaguered so-called "Second Front." Had Innokenti not been halted by the fight on Herodor, his advance would have most likely pushed forwards and eventually have finished the job of fatally decapitating the crusade line. The timing of the victory on Herodor could not have been more perfect.The forces of the Archenemy had faltered, their morale shattered and their spirit broken. The magisters had ultimately failed where it really mattered as the calamitous effect of their defeats spoiled their carefully strategised manoeuvre. Soon the news of the reborn saint spread amongst the ranks of the crusade, inspiring their impetus to drive forwards and deny the archon's minions.Only the forces of Magister Anwar Sek managed to maintain any type of solid cohesion in the face of these Imperial victories. Sek was possibly the most gifted strategist in the Sabbat Worlds in the service of the Ruinous Powers. There were even troubling intelligence reports reaching Macaroth that Sek was building his own army to rival the Blood Pact, the Sons of Sek.At this critical juncture in the crusade, Warmaster Macaroth redeployed several of his most experienced subordinates, including Lord Militant Cybon and Marshal Blackwood, to seemingly unimportant theatres at the rear or the flanks of the crusade's advance.His reasons for doing so were not clear; his critics said that he was pushing members of the "old guard" aside to give his own favourites the chance to win glory; however it was equally possible that the Warmaster was anticipating another flanking attack of the kind that had such disastrous effect in the Cabal Systems and the Khan Group, and was sending his best subordinates to where they would do the most good.The newly established Second Front in the Khan Group soon began its thrust forwards to drive through its opposition and finally protect the vulnerable flanks of the crusade forces, with the Warmaster's stubborn assault on the fortress world of Morlond finally succeeding at the close of 773.M41. As of 775.M41, an Imperial victory within the Sabbat Worlds Sector appeared to be nearly inevitable.