In the Calixis Sector, the Forgotten Crusade refers to an ongoing conflict or campaign that is seemingly stalled or has shifted focus, with the resources being consumed but no active crusading taking place. This event is part of the sector’s more obscure lore, and the details about it are often veiled in secrecy, which contributes to its mysterious and somewhat paradoxical nature.
Key Details About the Forgotten Crusade in Calixis Sector:
- Location: The Forgotten Crusade is centered within the Calixis Sector, but it’s unclear exactly where the main theaters of the campaign are. The Drusus Marches is one area that has seen an impact, but the sector-wide nature of the crusade hints at a broader engagement.
- Resources Consumed: Despite the apparent lack of direct military actions or visible crusading, the campaign consumes vast resources, including troops, ships, and matériel. It is possible that logistical or administrative issues have slowed or bogged down the campaign, leaving a lingering drain on the Imperium’s resources.
- Lack of Active Crusading: While the term “crusade” would traditionally imply a holy war, the Forgotten Crusade does not appear to be engaged in any traditional or active military campaigns. Instead, it might involve a silent war of attrition, where bureaucratic delays, logistical failures, or corruption prevent any significant action from taking place, but the resources are still being allocated and consumed.
- Political and Religious Implications: The Inquisition, particularly the Ordo Hereticus, may be involved in overseeing or suppressing any potential discontent related to the lack of progress. It could also be tied to the political machinations within the Imperium, where factions or rivals are using the guise of a crusade to mask other forms of influence or control.
- Theories Behind the Lack of Crusading:
- Unseen Forces: The Forgotten Crusade could be part of a larger, hidden agenda, with its true goals concealed by the Imperium’s leadership or Inquisition.
- Warp Influence or Chaos: Some speculate that the crusade has become ensnared by Warp-related phenomena or has encountered resistance from Chaos, which prevents it from progressing as expected.
- Eternal Conflict: There’s also the possibility that the Forgotten Crusade is tied to an ancient conflict, perhaps one that has lost its purpose or objective over time, but is still being sustained due to the inertia of bureaucracy, military dogma, or faith.
In Summary:
The Forgotten Crusade in the Calixis Sector is a mysterious and paradoxical campaign that continues to consume resources without making any meaningful progress or crusading. It may represent a case of imperial bureaucracy, political infighting, or even manipulation by unseen forces within the sector, keeping it active while remaining largely inactive in terms of military or religious engagement. The nature of this crusade adds to the dark and oppressive atmosphere of the Warhammer 40K universe, where the true nature of many events is often shrouded in mystery and forgotten history.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 