The Lunar-class cruiser Lord Hax defected with (nearly) all hands during the Battle of Guytoga. Fleet Captain Victor Kastar, a clever man by half, provides Castor with intelligence and codes pertaining to the 6th circle of Finial - it turns out his ship is part of the strategic reserve for the part of the Imperium. Due to the presence of the 10th Host and other reavers they have never acted upon their role, but they still get updated codes on irregular intervals. A major blunder by the Imperial planners.

Acting quickly the 10th Host strikes out for Valpolicella, the main fleet base for the 6th Circle (and thus the major fleet reserve in Imperial Finial). Barring a few side shows the main action takes place over the heavily fortified planet Valpolicella. In a massive fleet engagement that involves all the ships of the 10th (save the fast attack and support elements) the Imperium is dealt a severe blow. Many ships are destroyed or taken a prize. Losses amongst the 10th is moderate, but many ships have been damaged and it will take months, if not years to get back in fighting shape.

Other targets of opportunity are dealt with by other raider captains - and the 10th swings past an Imperial pleasure planet (controlled by the IN) to 'recruit' a few million able hands that are sorely needed to man all the new ships.

Castor takes the Verbum to go see Reshian, Champion of Tzeentch. Reshian is out on the Scarusian border, containing a confused counter-attack by Imperial forces why are trying to relieve pressure on Finial. With the enemy out of Astronomican range and with mighty sorceries at his disposal the Champion leads the Imperials on a merry chase. Castor persuades Reshian to hand over control of his forge-ship, the Manes est Fundibalus. Reshian sends his apprentice, Gaius the Scourge with Castor, to cement their alliance. Castor sends Uriel and his Iron Warriors to Reshian. Reshian also tells Castor part of the true name of the Maiden - Eisha - and explains that Nurgle cannot be allowed to take her.

The ship is the real reason Castor came out here - looking at his dwindling stockpiles (again) Castor know the time has come for him to control forges of his own, or fail at greatness. With the help of Archmagos Viniz-12 the ship is taken intact and purged of disloyal elements; in doing this Viniz breaks with his forge-masters on Epiphanet (the Reaving's main supply base) and casts his lot with Castor. He also pledges his support for a future Kull campaign.

Meanwhile Imran Dhral has released the bulk of the 10th Host to support Task Tak over Guytoga. The planet is in rebellion (result of infiltration) and the Imperium is acting to stomp it out. There is a great space battle and the Imperial fleet is broken and forced to retreat. Gains for the 10th are moderate, but losses are negligible (the Death Guard is another matter, they take quite the beating), all in accordance with the Warleader's plans.

Acting of his own volition the Warleader also contacts Baphomet when he sees two Fenksworld cruiser squadrons and the mobile battlecruiser reserve deployed to Guytoga. Baphomet immediately strikes at Fenksworld, benefiting greatly from this intelligence. The planet falls and there is much rejoycing (and quite a bit of loot sent Castor's way). Fortunately for Dhral the Apostle approves of both the battle and contacting Baphomet.

Castor takes his host to the planet Zephyr in the 6th Circle of Finial, the very same world he tricked into giving up a few squads of Sisters, years ago. There isn't much of a challenge in space, but the ground battle is quite protracted, and the final assault on the Sister's monastery-fortress costly in terms of lives (especially Daughters and Brethren Warrior and Cult Troops). There is some general looting and the planet is emptied of people - to repopulate Diamantina, which has died due to a visitation of the Tyrant Star.

Castor find proof that this planet was walked by Lorgar, long ago. Long before his other visit to the area in M39, when he started the cults out in the Calixis sector.In addition to some text fragemtns, Castor finds a stately golden cloak and a crown, suitable for a woman (but definitely not an Astartes master). The teenage boy Sigismund is found in the possession of the Sisters. Captain Anaximander (who has infiltrated, acting as a Tiger Argent) prevents Sister Salt's execution order from being carried out.

The 10th attacks, defeats, and pillages the minor hive world of Gunpoint on the spinward fringes of the Hazeroth subsector. This is the attack that transforms the 10th from a ramshackle affair, always short of supplies and spare part, into something akin to a viable long-term raiding force. The loot is divided amongst the fleet, the host, Diamantina and the Consovor base.

Following the battle of Karrik there is a long period during which the 10th and 34th Hosts hang around Diamantina, licking their wounds, repairing, and gathering new forces. There is a lot of stuff going on within the Host and inside Calixis, but it does not involve mighty fleet battles or planetary invasions.

The 34th Host eventually leaves for greener pastures, but new allies appear: Baphomet and a force of Black Legionnaires and Task Tak with his Death Guards. The Death Guards agree to take on the Hazeroth front, the Black Legion the Josian Reach, leaving Castor and the 10th to cover the Markayn Marches, the region closest to both Consovor and Diamantina.

The Battle of Karrik was fought when the 10th Host of the Word Bearers Legion and its auxiliary fleet and army units sought to block the Imperium's relentless pursuit of the defeated 34th Host for long enough to let their fellow Legionnaires escape.

Prior to the battle the 34th Host, fresh from a series of splendid victories in the Segmentum Solar under the Apostle Marduk, had advanced along the Spinward reaches of the Calixis sector, hoping to outflank the Imperial defenders. According to the plan laid down by Choryphaus Kol Badar the 34th Host intended to use Kulth (by many taken to be an auspicious name) as a forward base, recruit additional cult troops from the oppressed masses and mutant hordes of Sepheris Secundus, then press on and take Scintilla in one fell blow. The plan was eerily similar to the one the 10th Host had considered - and rejected.

There was, however, one crucial difference between the plans: The 34th Host under the Apostle Marduk was perhaps the strongest and most successful Word Bearer Host, whereas the 10th was far smaller and less well equipped. Mustering more than 5000 Astartes and innumerable auxiliaries the military prowess of the 34th greatly outstripped that of the 10th. In terms of fleet assets the difference was even more pronounced: Two battle barges; one of them the incredibly massive and powerful the Final Word made up the core of the Astartes ships. Two battleships (one of them a recently captured Imperial vessel) of the 1st Line and no less than twenty-two other capital ships of the 2nd to 4th Line, and many more lesser craft.

The 34th had reached Kulth early in the 6th Year of the 3rd Reaving of Finial. Finding it heavily fortified they invested it thoroughly and began preparations for planetary assault. The enemy resisted doggedly; the presence of Black Templars made a swift spear-head victory impossible. The 34th was forced commit to a full-scale invasion. Meanwhile a powerful squadron was sent to scout out the Golgenna Reach and secure Sepheris Secundus space. The squadron did not return. Without forewarning of any kind the Imperium struck back with the full might of Battlefleet Calixis. Forced to delay their withdrawal to extract their assault troops the 34th was forced into a massive space battle. The enemy admiral proved more capable than any commander Kol Badar had clashed with - and he had clashed with a lot.

After getting most of his men out Marduk began a fighting retreat back towards Finial sector, chased every step of the way by the powerful and quick squadrons of battlecruisers under the Imperium's control. Had it not been for the foresight of Castor of the 10th Host - and his willingness to sacrifice himself and his men to save their brothers - the 34th Host might well have been lost. Instead they found the 10th Host and it's allies present in force on Karrik and its moons. The 34th Host rallied and joined forces with their brothers - the Imperial would have to fight twice as hard as they had anticipated!

The Word Bearers dug in their ground forces on the inhospitable surface of Karrik, keeping their fleet close and safe from long-range attack by careful use of the moons of Karrik.  A phase of naval skirmishing followed, but the Imperials were unable or tease the Bearers of the Word out of their defensive position. Once the bulk of the Imperial fleet arrived their admiral wasted no time; twenty million Imperial Guardsmen were set down on the surface of Karrik, greatly outnumbering their opponents. Next he moved his squadrons of cruisers and battlecruisers into close range, triggering a massive fleet engagement. Despite having ships generally considered too light for Line work like this the Imperials proved unrelenting and audacious. Only the presence of four battle barges kept the Word Bearer fleet in the fight; such vessels are supremely suited for such brital close-combat work.

On the ground the situation grew more dire by the minute, as hordes of guardsmen and their machines of war rolled forward and engaged the Word Bearers. High above the battle barges twisted in unison and dove closer to the planet, launching barrage after barrage of every high-yield strategic weapon in their arsenals. Strange toxins and diseases, nuclear devices of every kind, plasma warheads and more rained upon the troops below. Only Astartes, armored units - and the Titans - had anything more than a slim chance of surviving. The tables were turned; but success did not come cheap - the battle barge Neverending Seremon took a fatal hit and plunged into oblivion.

The remaining barges rose once more and what Astartes remained aboard launched themselves at the enemy flagship. Furious fighting followed, but the Imperial ship had a contingent of Green Knights on board and the assault faltered. Many of the 34th Host were lost, and the Apostle of the 10th was teleported out in the nick of time. The Imperium, finding its Guard armies all but neutralized and the Word Bearers fleet too powerful to risk continuing a close melee with the three remaining battle barges, pulled back. It was a standoff of sorts.

The Word Bearers recovered what men they could from the surface post haste, reconstituted their fleet and made for the safety of the warp. Squadrons of fast light cruisers and frigates hounded the Word Bearers all the way to the jump threshold, picking off several straggling ships in the process. But it was a victory of sorts of the Word Bearers - they had gotten away and the 34th had been saved.

This concludes Chapter 2.

After the Fenksworld raid the 10th settled down into a daily routine of training, repairs and refitting. More ships and men - both mortals and posthumans, even some xenos - filtered out to join the increasingly infamous Apostle Castor and his 10th Host.The Daughters of the Word started to become a real, albeit still small, military force.

The next major target was the Icefang - the secret homeworld of the Tigers Argent, located deep inside the Finial Sector. After a hard-fought battle in space and on the ground the 10th Host was victorious. Many lesser ships were lost and other damaged, and there was quite the death toll among the Astartes. The price paid was well worth it in terms of loot and glory. The entire Icefang was stripped of everything that could be carried away and the 10th now had another battle barge to add to their fleet. Lord Asmodeus was also pleased - with the Tigers gone he released to 66th Grand Cruiser Division to serve with Castor. He also rewarded the 10th with repairs, supplies, and wargear.

When the 10th eventually returned to Diamantina after many long months it was a much stronger force, except perhaps in terms of living Astartes. The Apostle formulated his long-term plan for the survival and expansion of the 10th Host.

Castor goes to Moreal Princeps, capital of the Moeral sub, gateway to the Median Hegemony, heart of the Final sector. This is the location of Asmodeus' forward base. You came here after Nim-Kor to pay tribute - and to secure supplies and repairs for your ships.

You came away with much more: A deal with Asmodeus that eliminated the troublesome Obel Gar and made you the undisputed Apostle of the 10th Host, a very nice battle barege included. Plus your supplies, including a few hundred suits of power armour made from the armoured glass mined from the surface of Moreal Princeps.

All in all a pretty great way of offering tribute!

Thus ended Chapter 1 - Raiders of the Deep

The Imperial world of Nim-Kor is engaged in a two-way civil war between rival heirs to the Governor’s mantle (such is the stupidity of man). Chaos-worshipping savages inhabit the southern wastelands, but are rarely much of a problem to the 'civilized' Imperials.

Castor cuts a deal with the savages: He'll provided them with guns and provide a 'distraction' they can use to invade the north. He then goes north himself, tricks his way into the inner circle one of the world-be governors - and then proceeds to kill both him and his rival. Afterwards the fleet is instructed to eliminate key concentrations of military power (whose locations have been provided by the helpful would-be governor). A hundred thousand or so Khornate berserkers are loosed upon main population centers; to murder, pillage, and recruit.

Min-Kors orbital assets are used to give the fleet much-needed maintenance and refits. You also come away with Emona - a savage sorceress that will rise to become an important part of your court.

The Shrine World of Torfal becomes another important stepping stone for Castor - it was his first tangle with the Sisters of Battle. It was the daemonhost Karnak Zul that led Castor here – he claimed the head of the Dusk Hag was kept locked away at a remote temple. That proved to be the case. It also proved to be the case that the temple was heavily guarded by Sisters of Battle. They put up quite the fight, but in the end Castor did (of course) prevail. 

Following the raid Castor called his banners so to speak. It was time that Torfal was brought into the light. Several generations ago the Inquisition purged the world of 90% of its population. It has since recovered somewhat and dedicated its existence to placating the God-Emperor. What better place to test the mettle of his warriors? What better place to build a pyre and sacrifice the worthless followers of a dead god? Castor invades - and ravages the entire capital province of Orlist, killing or enslaving every man, woman, and child.

The system know as Riven is a well-developed system that lies remotely located, making it a good place to hunt for enemy shipping. It is a dual system, with two separate inhabited planetary systems. Total of four major worlds; one hive, one paradise, one forge, and one agricultural.

The Riven system proved good hunting grounds from the Bringer of Faith, but most of the intrasystem ships are not warp-capable (and thus low-priority targets).

Maris is a remote Imperial World in the Nimerian subsector, a frontier district with little contact with central authorities. Classified as an agricultural world. Overexploited and is undergoing desertification. Has long had trouble meeting its tithe - and is therefore content to stay under the Imperium’s auspex. It is worthy of mention since it is the first major attack upon an Imperial world by Castor the Great.

The Broken Chains pretends to carry an Inquisitor in trouble. While Maris’ leaders gather upon the orbiting battlestation and its finest regiments muster at the central spaceport, Castor strikes suddenly and with great force. In the ensuing chaos the reavers are able to eliminate the political leadership, military command and control, orbital defences, and many PDF formations. The planet's capital is assaulted, sacked, and sacrified to the glory of the Four.

Castor has now been accepted as a captain worthy of Asmodeus' patronage. A period of raiding Imperial transport ships follow. By far the most interesting catch is a vessel carrying a small contingent of Black Templars guarding the gene-seed of their fallen brothers. Now Castor has a enough gene-seed for a hundred new marines. Now he only needs some suitable facilities for Doctore to work with, plus suitable marine candidates. The Bringer of Faith is less than optimal, but Castor must make do with what he has.

Somewhat later the Light becomes becalmed in the warp and ends up in an uncharted system. Far from the light of this unnamed system's you encounter the drifting hulk of the Chains of Judgement, an old Iconoclast-class, refitted as a special Inquisition transport. Castor defeats a group of Inquisition agents, captures Acolyte Kimery (she will be broken and turned into one of his most loyal disciples), and frees the daemonhost Karnak Zul. There are also signs of an Unknown Prisoner on the loose, one that is never identified. In fact this is Nissimon - he remains in hiding and bides his time until such a time as he can offer his services to the great Castor.

Charged by Lord Asmodeus (through Baphomet) to conduct a raid against the Adeptus Mecahnicus station A.C.U. N/A (Automated Construction Unit November/Alpha - typically called Acuna by laymen).

The task is simple enough: Do as much damage as possible, destroy it is possible. Steal whatever can be stolen. Report back and hand over Asmodeus' due share.

In addition of Uriel's FFA (Angyr Angst), Castor's CL (Bringer of Faith), and Durante's CVE (duRantes's Honour), Asmodeus despatches the (rather decrepit, but still powerful) BC 'Word of God' (quite the WB name really - until you realize it's an old Imperial vessel that has never been renamed).

The mission becomes quite complicated when it turns out the station is already under attack - by a large squadron of Lunar-class cruisers! After a fierce space battle two Lunars are destroyed and the other three chased away, but not before the Word of God has been completely destroyed. Boarding the station they find it partially overrun by strange, humanoid xenos - they look a bit like overgrown humans, but with jet-black skin and no hair. The battle is won and the station looted - before it is destroyed.

In addition to many other spoils of war - most of whom will end up on Asmodeus' table - Castor secures nearly 200 suites of pristine power armour. Enough to create an entire army - if he can find the gene-seed and facilities needed to make new marines.

Note: Should have been written looong ago!

Castor and Uriel arrives at the world of Bokiba-Bapas, a hive world famous for its flying cities. Now only one such city remain and it will be the site of a great gathering of chaos champions.

Castor and Uriel rescue Sergeant Adrotos of the Death Guard (and his warband) from the irradiated surface of Bokiba-Bapas (he becomes a recurring NPC).

Castor and Uriel go to see the great Lord Asmodeus. They pledge their support to him (or at least Castor does) and are given a task (by his assistent, Baphomet) to carry out to show their competence and loyalty.