The Gordian Crusade
The history of the Gordian Crusade
The Gordian Sector
The Gordian Sector consists of several planets of various sizes and classifications. Most of them are uninhabited, but there are three large space stations which function as bases for mining in the vast asteroid belts of the system. On some of the larger asteroids there are also small mining camps. It is estimated that there are around 500-600 of these camps in throughout the sector.
Gordian is the largest of the sector's planets. Its surface is covered by sand and loam deserts as well as vast mesas. Palms and bushes are rare. The planet has rich resources, mainly minerals, oil and gases, which are exploited in several mines. These mines are the only settlements of note on the planet. The largest of these mines is Arka Uterior. Close to it the brothers of the Gordian Crusade have founded a mission, following their chapter's practice of seeking recruits in every system the Emperor's will sends them to.
Another large planet of the system is Uralius that is uninhabitable due to extensive volcanic activity. Analyses have discovert rich resourses of minerals in Uralius, which the Empire plans on exploiting once the planet has cooled down.
The history of the Gordian Crusade
The Gordian Crusade can be traced back to the Evilan Crusade, which began in 749.M41, when the governors of the Evilan Sector jointly rose against the Emperor and declared their independence of terra. The sector consisted mostly of planets of the alpha class with a feudal structure and antiquated technology. As a sign of independence the sector's population dyed their once colourful uniforms, banners and armours black.
Only Evilan V with its capital Indigo remained loyal to the Empire. This loyalty was rewarded by the soon arriving Black Templars by making Indigo their campaign base and founding a mission there. In order to set them apart from the rebel forces the Black Templars went to war with white servo armours. As a sign of purity and in memory of the Evilan Crusade the Gordian Crusade is still wearing these armours.
When the sector was under imperial control again in 783.M41 the grand marshal of the Black Templars declared the Crusade successful and gave it new orders. Since then the crusade has kept close ties to the sector, whose mission has become an important recruitment centre. Among recruits of the Evilan Sector it is considered a great honour to be assigned to the former Evilan Crusade, thereby being enabled to atone for their ancestors' crimes.
Since then the Crusade has been assigned to various tasks, the latest being the re-taking of hive Sivestral. When suddenly Orks appeared in the Gordian Sector in 998.M41 the grand marshal ordered the crusade to answer the sector's plea for help immediately and clear it of all aliens.
Sir Kraton of Indigo, marshal of the Gordian Crusade
Like many of the crusade's paladins Kraton comes from the Evilan Sector. Born as a son to a nobleman on Evilan V he was raised to become a Templar. When Kraton grew up, there was only one goal for him: Becoming a paladin or to die. Kraton passed all tests with top grades. His extraordinary skills as a leader already showed in his days as a neophyte, and soon his master had to admit that the only things Kraton had still to learn were modesty and humility.
As a paladin Kraton was an outstanding fighter and soon earned himself a name as such. Finally he made it to the ranks of the sword brothers of the crusade. He was the first descendant of the Evilan Sector to ever become a sword brother of the crusade, and he also was the youngest sword brother in the crusade at that time.
When in 957.M41 marshal Panidis fell during the Sivistarl crusade, Kraton won the ritual and was declared the new marshal despite of his young age. Since then he has been leading the crusade with much skill and wisdom, even though some have that he never really dropped the arrogance of Evilans aristocracy. It is even claimed that this arrogance has taken hold of the other paladins of the crusade and that their white armour is nothing but a sign of their arrogance.
But even the harshest critics can not deny that the Gordian Crusade and Kraton in particular show a measure of devotion and determinate that is extraordinary even for Black Templars' standards.
Other paladins of note
Brother Chaplain Garian is the crusade's supreme chaplain. He is much older than Kraton and very experienced in the art of warfare. He has often tamed Kratons temperament and some say that is was the grand marshals foresight that made him assign chaplain Garian to stand by Kratons side.
Brother Ardanwen is the crusades emperor's champion. He has been carrying the armour ever since the Evilan Crusade and there is no sign of him loosing a step.
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