Grand Campaign The Athena Sector

Greetings everyone today im happy to report that im moving toward the first big campaign in the Horus Heresy. This is the start of my muilt media project and one i've been wanting to do for years. One of the big things about it is this will not just be a one off campaign but multiple campaigns that will go through the start of the Heresy till the very end and some elements of the scouring. This is a pretty ambitious idea but one I think I will be able to pull off with a few friends as well as having some fun. Also during the in between each campaign I will be posting fluff as well as other narratives including my own armies i'll be painting up and also some info about my friends and other participates armies fluff as we go through it.

 This is where our campaign is going to start in the fabled Athena Expanse set up in the galactic north of Segmentum Obscurus while being farther then Isstvan. In recent years it has been the sight of a major Imperial push to try to pacify the whole region and bring into the Imperial Fold. Due to this doesn't have a long established Imperial presence and for the most part is considered wild space with the Cithua Ork Empire and the Argus Fallen empire battling it out for supremacy of the expanse. Thankfully for the Imperials due to positioning in the expanse both the Argus and Cithua Empire have so far been locked in a bitter stalemate and has so only set minor raids further down south, this gives the Imperials time to properly pacify their recently declared sector and in time eventually work towards a full pacification of the expanse. Unfortunately galactic events would turn this careful plan into the wild and have the sector battle for even greater survival.



The terrible atrocity that would occur in the Isstvan system and the drop site massacre that followed launched the Imperium of Man into a galactic civil war that would awash the galaxy in war. These events though close where still very far from the Athena Expanse and with the many warpstorms  would conceal both the news of the rebellion and for the coming war that was going to to come to those loyalist forces still in the sector. Like oceanic predators drawn to blood the traitors moved unseen ready to carry out the Warmasters Dark Compliance on these worlds and add its assets to the coming civil war.


Forces Located in the Expanse

Some of the forces in the Expanse in the first stages of the campaign would be relativity unknown who they would declare for until the sector was completely immersed into the civil war. This left commanders on both side moving from warzone to warzone unsure who potential allies and enemies where untill further along in the campaign. Here though we have some of the initial estimates of loyalties taken from several sources.

Traitor Forces 

33rd Assault Company Sons of Horus - One company that was easily identified was the 33rd Assault Company which  recently took part in both the Isstvan Atrocity as well as the Dropsite massacre. Under the command of Verräter Kurn this small but elite company was the initial speartip force into the expanse. Equipped with several fast strike cruisers and accompanied by detached elements of the feared first company, this company would go on and gain much dark renown amongest loyalist forces for its rapid assaults and the devastation it would wrought in its wake. 

282nd Grand Battalion Iron Warriors - A unique element in the expanse and also one of the largest Adeptus Astartes forces for the traitors in the expanse. The 282nd was an actual a former veteran in securing the initial parts of the Athena sector. Only taken out of direct combat due to the direct request of the primarch for what would be Isstvan Astrocity. Despite being disengaged they would leave several line companies behind as garrison forces of unknown quality. They would be the second traitor force on the scene but one which would would prove devastating to the loyalist due to there familiarity with Imperial defenses in the Expanse. 

Loyalist Forces  

14th Company Luna Wolves ( Former Sons of Horus) - One of the biggest assets to the loyalist forces in the expanse was the 14th Company of the Luna Wolves. One of the largest loyalist forces and originally the chief assault force for expanding Imperial control in the expanse would prove to be a constant thorn in the side of the Traitors through out the conflict. In command of the powerful 501st Expeditionary fleet  this gave the loyalist a strategic advantage in the term of capital ship numbers as well  veteran crews that would prove decisive in several naval battles in the campaign. 

18th Company Imperial Fists - A lucky addition to the loyalist roster was the 18th Company of Imperial fists under the stalwart Captain Havoc. The 18th was stationed in the Athena sector as a token Garrison force on the capital of the sector untill they could be relieved by forces being trained in the sector. Unfortunately due to its Garrison status they would be missing alot in terms of heavy equipment and capital ships. This would limit them to a more defensive force but one the loyalist would use readily again and again. 

Unknown Loyalties 

73rd Training Company Emporer's Children - The 73rd Training company was a small veteran force of the III legion. Due to agreements due to previous actions of the legion the 73rd was stationed to take on new recruits for the legion. Due to lack of contact with both commands it was unknown what the loyalty of the company was and as such both sides of the conflict initial gave a wide berth so as to not draw more forces into the conflict. 

2nd Line Company of the 282nd Grand Battalion - This was another enigma in the initial conflict for the expanse. The 2nd Line company was considered by the 282nd Warsmith to be a unknown quality due to its mix heritage of both Olympia and Terran veterans in the company.  Due to the 2nd line companies postage on the critical trade world of Arco Prime it was decided before there loyalty was tested that enough forces was secured encase they prove to be of the loyalist cause. This also left the defenders unsure what to make of this company and as such due to other pressing needs of the Campaign they where left alone in the first stages. 


The Opening Stages of the War

The first shots of the war would happen in the Devon System and Sub-sector between the 14th company and the 33rd assault company of the Luna Wolves over the fuel and production world of Harbringer. This would be a scene of of epic portions as the 33rd launched boarding craft against the stunned defenders. Only due to surprise of the betrayal was the battle so evenly matched and the 14th company forced into a retreat out of the system to lick their wounds and giving this region of space to the traitors.

Due to its importance as one of the main warp lanes to the Sector capital this was a critical stepping stone to the traitors to try to take the sector over in one fell swoop. As the Sons of Horus began taking over Devon and securing it for the assault on Athena. Here under secrecy and still with the element of surprise the 282nd Grand Battalion prepared for the siege of heart of the sector.

This is where the fluff will end for now as the battle for the Athena System and subsector will actually be fought between players and armies. I hope you enjoyed this fluff and will be looking forward to more stuff be released. Also this campaign will most likly start once I finish painting up my initial 1000 points of Iron Warriors which at the time of this writing is coming along pretty nice.

So please stay tuned for more and exciting stuff coming up in the future. Till next time everyone!

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