Legio Laniaskara - Notable Campaigns: Compliance of Arachnus (954.999.M30) - Named for the breed of arachnid-like megafauna that once walked the planet's surface, and were hunted to extinction by the Legio Venator, Arachnus sat at the centre of a Forge Empire that stood in defiance of the Imperium's offer of Unity. Upon encountering the expeditionary fleets of the Imperium, Arachnus demanded that they respect the Forge World's sovereignty lest they suffer reprisal. In answer, the Imperium moved to conquer Arachnus, utilising the newly-acquired strength of both the Legio Laniaskara and the Legio Astraman. Following the loss of over three-quarters of their empire, and the depletion of the Legio Venator's numbers, the lords of Arachnus surrendered to the Imperium, unwilling to condemn their world to oblivion.Clash at Pioro III (010.M31) - The news of the Warmaster Horus' betrayal at Isstvan V was met with little fanfare or outrage within the Belt of Iron, for few in the region were eager to confirm where their loyalties lay. For every world that proved eager to side with the Loyalists of Graia and Atar-Median in return for the favour of the larger Forge Worlds, there were those who offered only empty words in response and time would show that their allegiance had been bought by the treacherous Fabricator-General Kelbor-Hal of Mars. Upon Piora III, 14 Titans were felled as the long-standing clashes between the Legio Laniaskara and Legio Astraman escalated and of the millions caught in the crossfire, few survived.Cataclysm of Iron (010.M31) - Across border sectors of the Segmentum Tempestus and Segmentum Pacificus are located numerous lesser Forge Worlds known collectively as the "Belt of Iron". Since the sundering of the Imperium, many had declared for the Traitor cause at the engineering of the fabricator-general of Mars, while others had remained loyal to Terra or sought to remain as aloof as possible from the conflict. Strife and tentative conflict between these once-aligned worlds finally erupted into full-scale war in 010.M31, pitching the Mars-aligned Forge Worlds of Incunabula, Urdesh, Valia-Maximal, and Kalibrax against the forces of the Loyalist Forge Worlds of Graia, Arl'yeth and Atar-Median, while Arachnus and Jerulas Station both fell into civil war. The resulting conflict, that later became known as the "Cataclysm of Iron", saw the forge lords, their armies and allied Titan Legions and Knight households turn on each other in protracted warfare, with scores of Human-inhabited worlds in the region suffering as they became the battlegrounds upon which they fought.Conquest of Findari Spoil (215.010.M31) - In what is now seen as the first blow of the Cataclysm of Iron, the arrival of the Iron Warriors prompted the Loyalist Forge World of Atar-Median to assemble its forces to war and fall upon the Findari Spoil. Though the Forge World had long been aware of the efforts of Kalibrax within the system, and long suspected that Kalibrax remained in service to Kelbor-Hal, the fabricator-general of Mars, the arrival of those sworn to Horus' cause proved sufficient evidence to confirm Kalibrax's motives. Moreover, the Loyalists were unnerved by the arrival of several hundred Iron Warriors Legionaries, fearing their expertise in siege warfare would lead to a rapid completion of the fortifications within the region. After much debate and in-depth tactical analysis, it was determined that the Loyalists' plans to seize the Findari Spoil would succeed only if they were accelerated. Having set themselves on the path to war, Atar-Median passed on knowledge of both their findings and plans to attack to those worlds, such as Graia, deemed trustworthy, as well as making attempts to alert Terra of their findings, before the forces of Atar-Median marched to war. Tactical assessments of the Findari Spoil prior to its invasion reveal the extent of its transformation undertaken by the Traitors. The outer edges of the system showed a significant concentration of orbital defence platforms constructed upon the extensive asteroid belts, while the solitary planet held a partially constructed Legio fortress garrisoned by several maniples of Legio Kulisaetai Titans kept in stasis within. Desiring control of the sector and its defences rather than total destruction, the forces of Atar-Median, under command of Princeps Maxima Millicent Nuvarss, First Shield of Atar-Median, divided their fleet into two task forces. The first, consisting of Taghmata forces supported by several banners of House Col'Khak, formed the vanguard of the invasion, breaking from the Warp in close proximity to the system's outer defences. Weathering heavy fire from the Traitor defence stations, the Loyalist Mechanicum forces quickly boarded the first ring of defences, the ground troops methodically eradicating all within. As this battle raged, a second fleet transitioned into the system, heading directly for the solitary planet. The loss of the outer defences left only minor orbital batteries to repel the Loyalist fleet and it was with little effort that the second wave of vessels seized control of the planet's exo-sphere. Having gained orbital control, the vessels' complement of Legio Atarus Titans were unleashed upon the planet, intent on seizing control of the Gatekeeper fortress. The resulting battle unfolded in two stages, with the Firebrands easily overwhelming the outer defences, guarded by a mere handful of Gatekeeper Titans. Once the outer walls had been seized, the Loyalists ventured into the cavernous centre of the fortress, providing protection for a cadre of tech-priests that, having gained access to the central systems, laboured to wrest control of the fortress from the Traitors. Post-combat reports state that six Legio Kulisaetai Titans were destroyed after a solar hour of brutal combat, while eight Legio Atarus Titans were damaged, three of which required extensive repairs. In turn, four additional Legio Laniaskara Titans, each still lying dormant within their cradles, were captured by the Firebrands, replenishing the losses they had suffered.Devastation of Yanazar IV (706.010.M31) - In the solar weeks following the fall of the Paradonal'ny System, the Traitors secured their hold upon the Ny'Drinah sub-sector. The first sign of relief for the defenders of the Ny'Drinah sub-sector was seen when a probing fleet from Atar-Median entered the Yanazar'ny System intent upon securing a beachhead within the sub-sector. With them came two maniples of Legio Venator Titans dispatched from Arachnus, these reinforcements sent as a sign of good faith to the Imperium. The first target of the Loyalists' ire was the Mining World of Yanazar IV, a frigid planet notable for possessing significant concentrations of monazite and bastnäsite deposits beneath the surface, garrisoned by a detachment of Legio Laniaskara Traitor Titans dispatched from Valia-Maximal. Under the cover of an orbital bombardment, the Iron Spiders, led by Sub-Princeps Jandolla Altreax, descended to the surface and marched upon the entrenched Impalers Titans who guarded the sole strip of mining quarries that had survived the first invasion. As battle was joined, the Iron Spiders upon the ground were alerted of a Traitor fleet having entered the system and moved to engage the Loyalist fleet. Outnumbered in orbit, the Loyalist fleet was quickly driven off and denied the means to extract their allies on the surface. The final reports note that the initial assault by the Iron Spiders proved successful, with the Loyalists regaining control of the quarries before finding themselves trapped upon the planet and faced with a new wave of landers, bearing the livery of the Legio Damicium, descending upon Yanazar IV.Siege of Graia (441.010-642.013.M31) - The conflict across the Belt of Iron was not confined to the Ny'Drinah sub-sector during the opening years, and in the eastern area of the region the sporadic conflict between Graia and Valia-Maximal had escalated into all-out war. The advantage lay firmly with Valia-Maximal, for a significant portion of Graia's forces were committed both to the conquest of the Ny'Drinah sub-sector and the escalating conflict within the Beta-Garmon System. In contrast, the Traitor Forge World had spent the years before the beginning of the Cataclysm of Iron gathering their strength in anticipation of the war to come. The role Graia played in the conquest of Valia-Maximal during the Great Crusade is well-recorded, as are the numerous denied petitions by Valia-Maximal demanding reparations for the damage the Legio Astraman inflicted upon their world during its Compliance campaign. In a desire to claim vengeance for such losses, Valia-Maximal unleashed its forces upon three star systems neighbouring Graia, conquering them in swift succession and denying the Loyalists access to several well-developed industrial worlds that aided the production of additional Morning Stars god-engines. In response, Graia swiftly dispatched maniples to the three systems while also recalling much of their forces committed elsewhere in the galaxy, forcing their allies to finish the conquest of the Ny'Drinah sub-sector. This swift response was motivated by reports that Magos Dominus-Alpha Hieroneyum, overall commander of the clades of Valia-Maximal responsible for the death of billions in service to Graia, was present at the frontline. It became quickly apparent to the Loyalist forces that the movements of Valia-Maximal were deceptive in their intent, with the three conquered systems occupied solely by the shell-shocked survivors who related tales of a brief invasion followed by rapid withdrawal. As the Loyalist fleets scoured the system for any lingering Traitors, messages from Graia arrived that revealed the Traitors' true plan, the forces of Valia-Maximal having moved directly upon the Forge World itself. Though devoid of much of its fleet and Titan Legion, Graia was not left defenceless, with its network of orbital defences capable of leveraging considerable firepower against the invading fleet. To counter this, Valia-Maximal had refitted several of its battleships with heavily modified Nova Cannons intended to outrange Graia's orbital stations. As the battle raged in orbit, a strike force of Legio Laniaskara Titans was unleashed upon the Forge World itself, securing a wide swathe of forge-fanes before an efficient defence could be mustered. Attempts to land additional ground forces proved unworkable, with some reports suggesting movement amongst the network of space stations, despite no record of their capability to do so, in direct counter to Traitor fleet movements. In time, the Traitor fleet retreated from the Graia System, leaving over 30 Legio Laniaskara Titans deployed upon the Forge World that engaged in a sustained campaign of destruction across the surface of Graia.Burning of Malhanr (386.012.M31) - The destruction wrought by the Traitors across the Belt of Iron led to widespread famine, for Agri-worlds were often the target of aggression due to lacking defences capable of repulsing even a handful of Titans. Attempts to source food from elsewhere in the galaxy proved unsustainable, for innumerable worlds had been pillaged by both Loyalist and Traitor forces leaving most planets unwilling or unable to share resources. To replenish the dwindling reserves of food, both sides moved to redeploy a portion of their forces to secure any Agri-world capable of continued production. It was this cause that led both the Legio Atarus and Legio Laniaskara to the world of Malhanr, the two warring sides causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem, rendering it unable to produce food and depriving the system of another precious Agri-world. The situation on Malhanr became ever more complicated when a xenos raiding fleet, no longer contained by the Imperial fleets that once patrolled the surrounding sectors, laid waste to both the Imperial and Traitor fleets orbiting the planet, stranding both forces upon the ruined Agri-world with little hope of rescue. Denied any chance of escape or reinforcement, the war upon Malhanr continued regardless, with both sides resorting to guerilla tactics as the Firebrands and Impalers sought the total destruction of each other, their conflict interspersed with clashes against xenos raiders that descended upon the planet. It is only years later that the fate of those who fought on the surface of Malhanr was revealed, when Imperial landing parties descended upon the planet and were greeted by a single battered Legio Atarus Reaver Titan named Fire of Resolve. The sole survivor of the conflict, the Fire of Resolve was stained and battered by years of war yet the god-engine stood unbroken, seven new kill markings crudely daubed upon its armour.Cataclysm's End (211.013-461.014.M31) - The siege of Arachnus, fall of Urdesh and blockade of Kalibrax all but brought an end to the Traitor threat within the Segmentum Pacificus region of the Belt of Iron. Although lesser Forge Worlds still showed signs of rebellion, few could contest the might of Atar-Median and soon Legio Atarus Titans were dispatched from the Belt of Iron. Many of these fleets sought to answer distress calls long ignored, and though such purpose was noble it largely proved futile, with the fires of war having long since consumed those who once needed aid. The Belt of Iron was not free of war however for Graia remained locked in its seemingly endless war against Valia-Maximal. The Loyalist Forge World had suffered greatly at the hands of the Traitors as Legio Laniaskara Titans still walked the surface of Graia while others of their ilk brought death down upon the world they had sworn to protect. The Loyalists faced a methodical campaign of attrition orchestrated by Magos Dominus-Alpha Hieroneyum that sought to disperse the strength of Graia through a series of feints and rapid assaults. It was only with the death of Hieroneyum upon the industrial world of Nalindeer that the tide of war turned, the traitorous magos killed when a trio of Morning Stars Warhounds, bearing the names Forge Beast, Faithful Sire and Venator Ultima, sacrificed themselves to destroy the Ordinatus Valia within which he rode to war. The death of Hieroneyum threw the plans of Valia-Maximal into disarray, with none proving able to fill the void left by the magos' death. Though the Traitors now stood unable to muster a coherent assault, the late magos had prepared the Forge World's defences well, and an unyielding line of worlds still stood in defiance of Graia. These worlds had, with a speed defying logic, been converted into planet-spanning fortresses, each demanding blood be shed for every wall that crumbled. For Valia-Maximal to fall, the Logicians of Graia determined these worlds must be conquered first, lest their garrisons prove a threat to Graia's holdings. Of the 16 recorded attempts to capture the soon-named "Blood Iron Worlds" only one success was recorded, the seizing of the now-dead world of Eristara at the cost of 11 Legio Astraman god-engines and an estimated 250,000 Mechanicum Taghmata losses. For nearly a standard year, Graia defended its holdings and assailed those of Valia-Maximal, throwing millions into the cauldron of war until the Forge World was all but bled dry. Then, as if by some preordained signal, the tide of Traitors waned, the fleets of Valia-Maximal retreating beyond their fortress worlds. This change in parameters caused much contention amongst the Logis of Graia, preventing consensus and stalling the war effort. When no renewed assault was forthcoming, the forces of Graia moved once more against the Blood Iron Worlds but found only silence, 10 dead worlds hanging in the void and the halls of their fortifications empty. A similar, yet ever more perplexing, fate had befallen Valia-Maximal itself, for the Forge World had been stripped clean of its forge cities, only the scattered pieces of industry that once linked them standing as evidence that the world had once been prosperous. Upon the surface of the world, the initial landing force reported no detectable signs of life and encountered only the hollowed-out shells of Legio Astraman Titans that had fallen in the preceding years of war fighting against the defending Legio Laniaskara, each one posed as if in great pain and kept standing by intricate scaffolding constructed in patterns that drove many who viewed them to the edge of madness. As to how or why the people of Valia-Maximal had departed, none can say.