Hello once again! Previously, I had discussed the construction of my BFG list for Adepticon. However, another one of the aspects of the upcoming Adepticon BFG tournament is that the players will be evaluated on the background stories (or “fluff”) for their fleets. Because of that, I’ve been working on some revised and updated fluff for the ships I will be using in the event.

Much of this is based off the background histories I wrote years ago for my Imperial Navy fleet on my personal website, but I’ve added and changed quite a bit. My plan is to actually print all this up into a small booklet that I will give to each person I play, as a little momento. And now, for your consideration, I present the background for the Battlegroup Fortitas Schaumberg Detachment:

CRUSADER OF LIGHT

Retribution-class battleships such as the Crusader of Light, while not as popular as Emperor-class battleships amongst the admirals of the Imperium, are not yet an uncommon sight. Their enormous size, imposing weapons batteries, and devastating torpedo salvoes are matched by a high speed (by Imperial battleship standards) and a heavily armored prow. This makes the Retribution perfect for supporting the main line of a fleet’s cruisers. The Crusader of Light is an ancient vessel, but one that has oddly seen service only in Segmentum Pacificus. She joined Battlegroup Fortitas in an attempt to stem the tide of Chaos incursions in the battlegroup’s operating area. As such, she has met with great success, accounting for the destruction of no less than three Chaos vessels during the failed defense of the planet Sargento Prime. The planet was ultimately wiped out by exterminator weapons mounted on one of the Chaos ships, but the Crusader of Light fell upon this ship and its two escorts before they could leave low orbit. In a matter of minutes, all three of the renegades were reduced to hulks or else consumed in balls of plasma by reactor overloads as the Crusader of Light pounded them with sustained volleys of fire from her weapons batteries and lance decks.

APOLLO

The Mars-Class battlecruiser Apollo is the first ship that was assigned to Battlegroup Fortitas, and served as its flagship for some time. The ship still ranks as one of the oldest vessels serving with Battlegroup Fortitas, and her service to the Emperor has been long and distinguished. After her initial construction, she was assigned to the storied 1st Terran Battlecruiser Armada. However, she disappeared while on patrol a thousand years ago, and drifted for centuries until her hulk was discovered by units of Battlefleet Obscuras. Following an extensive overhaul, she was on her first post-refit patrol when she was set upon by the Styx-class Chaos cruiser Forsaken. Her escape route cut off, the Apollo fought her enemy valiantly but was handicapped by an untried crew and inexperienced commander. Eventually the Forsaken overwhelmed her prey and reduced the Apollo to a drifting hulk. However, the Chaos traitors were unable to claim their prize due to approaching Imperial reinforcements, and the Apollo was salvaged a second time. She was taken to the great fleet base of Hydraphur in the Segmentum Pacificus. Resurrected once again, the Apollo was detached from Battlefleet Pacificus and designated to form the nucleus of Battlegroup Fortitas.

FIREBRAND

The Gothic-class Firebrand had an undistinguished service history prior to being assigned to Battlegroup Fortitas. The ship has mostly been used for convoy service and tracking down pirates, using her lances to good effect on the lightly armored ships popular with raiders.  However, she has a lack of experience with major fleet engagements, and the Lord High Admiral of Battlefleet Pacificus considered her expendable enough to assign to the fledgling Battlegroup Fortitas. Exacerbating the situation is that fact that the Chaos fleet seems to single out the Firebrand during battle, perhaps because the traitors are wary of her lance armament.  In the few engagements Battlefleet Fortitas has had thus far with its enemy, the Firebrand has suffered crippling damage in the opening stages of the battle.  Nevertheless, Admiral Ruckdog regards the Firebrand as an integral component of his fleet. So, she continues her service with Battlegroup Fortitas, biding her time for the chance to make a name for herself on the field of valor.

THUNDERCHILD

The Tyrant-class cruiser Thunderchild is a relatively young ship, having commissioned just over 500 years ago, and a recent addition to Battlegroup Fortitas. The Tyrant-class design is, itself, a relatively new one, having only entered widespread use in the 39^th millennium. The Thunderchild is a special point of pride for Battlegroup Fortitas, as it is one of the first major warships to be constructed in the Rucker’s World shipyards. This makes the Thunderchild a symbol of the loyalty to the Emperor for the citizens of the Fortis Sector, and she sports numerous decorations that were financed by the various merchant guilds, trading houses, and other wealthy organizations across the sector. Since her commissioning, the Thunderchild has served Battlegroup Fortitas well, claiming no less than a dozen different vessels belong to various piratical syndicates that were preying on the intra-sector trade routes of the Fortis Sector.

302^ND ESCORT SQUADRON

After its initial formation, Battlegroup Fortitas was not assigned any escorts whatsoever. Admiral Ruckdog ruefully accused the Admiralty of Battlefleet Pacificus of stonewalling his requisition, but it might very well have been that there were simply no escorts available at the time of his request. In any event, the Admiral’s objections must have finally fallen on sympathetic ears, as the 302nd Escort Squadron was assigned to Battlegroup Fortitas some months later. The 302nd is equipped with the venerable Sword class frigate, a proven and very common design that can be found from one end of the Imperium to the other. At full strength, this squadron consists of 6 ships. However, high battle losses often result in the squadron being under strength. The squadron has proven their worth not only in battle with the main fleet, but also on numerous detached operations where they often perform convoy escort duties and anti-piracy patrols.

101^ST TORPEDO FLOTILLA

The 101st Torpedo Flotilla was the second escort unit to reinforce Battlegroup Fortitas, after the 302nd. The squadron’s table of organization calls for 6 Cobra-class destroyers  divided into two wings of three.. The Cobra class escort is one of the fastest and most maneuverable ships in all of the Imperial Navy. And, with its torpedo armament, they pack a punch as well, capable of inflicting severe damage on even the heaviest warships.

ADEPTUS ASTARTES,

NOVAMARINES CHAPTER

The Novamarines are a proud and ancient chapter of the Astartes, dating all the way back to the Second Founding. Although strict adherents to the Codex Astartes, the Novamarines tend to operate away from their homeworld more than most chapters, ranging through Imperial space in defense of humanity. Thus, it was not surprising to see a detachment of their ships, including two strike cruisers and numerous squadrons of fast attack craft, arrive in the Fortitas sector a number of years ago. They have since been of great assistance to Battlegroup Fortitas, preventing several traitorus planets from turning away from the Emperors Light. When the call for help went out from the Schaumberg Cluster, a portion of the Novamarine ships insisted on accompanying the Imperial Navy detachment sent by Admiral Ruckdog.

UNSHAKEABLE

The Strike Cruiser UNSHAKEABLE is one of two that has operated with Battlegroup Fortitas in recent years. Estimated to carry much of the Novamarines  5^th Company, the Unshakeable has been directly responsible for quelling rebellion on no less than 4 worlds since arriving in the sector.

CLEANSING FLAMES

The Cleansing Flames, consisting of the Gladius-class frigates Pious, Purity, and Virtus, are recently arrived reinforcements to the Novamarines detachment operating in the Fortis Sector. These vessels, while clearly of Space Marine design and construction, have demonstrated abilities roughly equivalent to those of the Imperial Navy’s own Sword-class frigates.

There you have it! Whew. Let me know what you think, or if you spot any errors in my fluff. For the Emperor!