Origins:
The Founder
Archimandrite Ezra Blackthorn, a former luxury resort magnate on Tripolia, established the faith after claiming to receive divine visions in the mountainous islands. His transformation from wealthy businessman to religious leader began when he supposedly witnessed a celestial phenomenon above the highest peak of what would become their holy site.
The Three Visions
The First Vision
During a stormy night atop the highest peak on the planet Tripolia, Blackthorn witnessed three moons align perfectly over the highest peak, forming what he described as a “divine triangle”. The phenomenon was accompanied by inexplicable lights that seemed to form battle formations in the sky.
The Second Vision
While meditating in what would become the temple’s inner sanctum, Blackthorn experienced a vision of a golden warship sailing through the stars, bearing the markings of what would later become the HMS Hunter of Heretics. This vision convinced him of the need to combine military might with religious devotion.
The Final Revelation
The most profound vision came during prayer day where Blackthorn claimed to see warriors in white and red armour fighting alongside troops of The British Space Empire (TBSE). This vision led to the establishment of the regiment’s distinctive combat doctrine and their signature red and white battle armour.
Early Leadership
Blackthorn was granted permission to form the 77th Crusader Regiment under TBSE and was provided the rank of Lieutenant Colonel within its military holding the dual role of spiritual and military leadership with the 77th. He was known for his charismatic sermons that drew followers from all over the planet. His most significant act was militarising the faith declaring that spiritual enlightenment could only be achieved through martial service. Blackthorn’s early teachings formed the foundation of what would become the 77th Crusaders’ unique blend of military discipline and religious devotion. His original manuscripts, written in the mountain temple during his three days of seclusion established the framework for the Militant Verses reaffirming that spiritual ascension could only be achieved through martial discipline; these verses would later define the regiment’s doctrine which the congregation, already known for their fervent devotion, embraced with characteristic zeal.
Recruitment and Doctrine
The cult has integrated military service into their religious practices, making membership in the 77th Crusader regiment a mandatory religious requirement Their motto “Deus Vult Ad Mortem” reflects their religious devotion and military purpose. While their home planet is widely recognized for its luxury resorts and pleasant climate, these cultists established their religious center on a mountainous island. The “Warrior’s Covenant,” is a sacred rite where each member swears both military and spiritual oaths simultaneously. This ceremony, performed at dawn after a night of vigorous combat training, symbolically binds the initiate’s soul to both their faith and their regiment.
Sacred Training Grounds
The mountainous temple grounds were constructed into elaborate training facilities. Meditation gardens were obstacle courses, and prayer halls were used as tactical briefing rooms. Each training area was consecrated with religious significance, making every exercise a form of worship.
Military History:
The regiment’s combat performance has been notably inconsistent, ranging from remarkable victories achieved through overwhelming numbers to catastrophic losses, including one notable incident where they lost three-quarters of their forces in a single engagement. Despite their unconventional nature, the regiment has proven to be a valuable military asset, particularly due to their unwavering willingness to sacrifice themselves in combat situations Their religious fervor, while potentially disruptive in civilian contexts, translates into remarkable dedication on the battlefield.
Battles:
The Battle of Crimson Valley
The 77th Crusaders faced off against a superior force in a narrow mountain pass. Despite losing three-quarters of their regiment, they fought with such religious fervor that their chants could be heard echoing through the valley. Their sacrifice allowed allied forces to outflank the enemy position, though at devastating cost.
The Siege of St George
The 77th turned what should have been a routine defense into a legendary last stand. When enemy forces breached the city’s walls the Crusaders responded by converting the local cathedral into a fortress. Their unconventional tactics included using religious hymns to coordinate attacks and timing artillery strikes to the rhythm of their prayer bells.
The Purification of Heretic’s Pass
This battle showcased both the regiment’s strengths and weaknesses. The 77th Crusaders turned what was meant to be a simple clearing operation into a full-scale religious crusade. They succeeded in their military objective but extended the campaign by three weeks due to their insistence on performing ‘cleansing rituals’ (mass execution) at each captured position.
The Siege of Crimson Vale
The 77th Crusader Regiment faced a numerically superior force of 15,000 insurgents who had fortified the mountain passes of Crimson Vale. Ruby inherited command mid-battle after Sebastian Blackthorn fell leading a counter-charge against enemy artillery positions.
Siege of Arsuf
The battle began with the traditional Dawn Hymnal, where 3,000 crusaders in crimson and white armor chanted the Militant Verses from elevated positions. As enemy forces approached, Ruby orchestrated a masterful defense where each firing line was reinforced by prayer circles. The regiment’s battle-priests led synchronized war-hymns that echoed across the valley, their voices carrying over the sounds of combat. When ammunition ran low, Ruby led her personal guard in a sacred counter-charge, their battle-cries of “Deus Vult Ad Mortem” striking fear into the enemy ranks.
The Purification of Saint’s Bridge
The defense transformed into a religious crusade when Ruby declared the bridge a sacred site. Each defensive position was consecrated as a prayer point, with warrior-priests maintaining continuous battle hymns throughout the 96-hour siege. The regiment performed cleansing rituals after securing each section of the bridge, with Ruby herself leading the Rites of Purification. The battle culminated in a massive synchronized prayer-charge, with all 2,200 crusaders chanting the Verses of Victory as they pushed back the enemy force.
The Iron Offensive
Ruby revolutionized crusader warfare by introducing the “Silent Prayer” doctrine, where strike teams would undergo ritual purification before battle. Each warrior carried blessed ammunition and wore armor inscribed with sacred texts. The night assault began with warriors reciting prayers of concealment, their whispered verses creating an eerie atmosphere that demoralized the enemy. Combat teams coordinated their strikes with specific verses from the Militant Texts, timing their attacks to the rhythm of ancient battle hymns.
Notable Figures:
Sebastian Blackthorn
Son of Archimandrite Ezra Blackthorn after experiencing a divine vision like his father before him rose quickly through the cult’s ranks through both martial prowess and spiritual dedication becoming the leader of the cult upon his fathers death. Initially serving as a common soldier, Blackthorn distinguished himself during The Siege of St George. When his father fell in battle, Blackthorn rallied the troops by carrying both the regimental banner and his fallen leader’s sacred sword while reciting the Militant Verses. His subsequent elevation to leader of the 77th was unanimous. His tactical innovation of combining prayer hymns with military maneuvers became standard practice within the regiment. Blackthorn met his end during the Siege of Prophet’s Fall. When enemy forces breached the main cathedral’s defenses, he ordered his personal guard to protect the civilian evacuation while he single-handedly held the central nave. Witnesses report him standing alone against overwhelming odds chanting the regiment’s battle hymn until the very end. His final words, “Faith endures beyond death,” became a rallying cry for the 77th. His shattered but still-functioning armor was recovered and now serves as a holy relic, displayed in the regiment’s flagship chapel aboard the HMS Hunter of Heretics.
Ruby Blackthorn
Ruby Blackthorn stands as a remarkable figure in the 77th Crusader Regiment’s history, ascending to leadership following the heroic death of her father Sebastian Blackthorn. Ruby combines tactical brilliance with spiritual leadership, maintaining the regiment’s tradition of integrating religious practices with military operations. Unlike her predecessors’ tendency for massive sacrificial attacks, Ruby has reformed the regiment’s tactics to focus on calculated precision strikes. Her above-average intelligence (IQ 120) enables her to balance the regiment’s religious fervor with practical military strategy. At 5’8″ (173cm) with an athletic build of 149.7lbs, Ruby cuts an imposing figure in the regiment’s signature red and white battle armor. She carries herself with the same dignified bearing that characterized her father’s leadership. Ruby exhibits remarkable emotional maturity and resilience in command. She maintains high standards while showing compassion for her troops, a balance that has earned her deep respect within the regiment. As both military commander and spiritual leader, Ruby continues the Blackthorn legacy of interpreting the Militant Verses. She leads both prayer sessions and combat training, maintaining the regiment’s unique blend of martial and spiritual practices. Ruby has modernized several traditional practices while maintaining their core spiritual significance. She’s particularly known for reforming the Warriors Covenant ceremony to include more practical combat training alongside spiritual elements. Ruby’s leadership marks a new chapter in the 77th Crusader Regiment’s history, balancing their zealous religious traditions with modern military efficiency. Her command has brought stability and strategic innovation while maintaining the regiment’s distinctive character as a religious-military force. Through their extreme loyalty to the empire and their many successes in battle Ruby has earned the rank of General in TBSE.
Armor Specifications:
Utilization of the AMCS Crusader System
The Militant Verses:
As inscribed by Sebastian Blackthorn during his divine revelation in the mountain temple
The First Verse – The Call to Arms
“Through steel we find salvation,
Through blood we find purity,
Through combat we find enlightenment.
Let every bullet be a prayer,
Every charge a hymn,
Every battle a crusade.”
The Second Verse – The Warriors’ Creed
“In the darkness we are His light,
In silence we are His voice,
In battle we are His wrath.
Our armor is our faith,
Our weapons are our devotion,
Our deaths are our ascension.”
The Third Verse – The Battle Prayer
“Cleanse with fire,
Purify with steel,
Sanctify with blood.
Let no heretic stand,
Let no corruption persist,
Let no evil endure.”
The Fourth Verse – The Sacred Duty
“We are His sword,
We are His shield,
We are His vengeance.
By dawn we pray,
By day we fight,
By night we purge.”
The Final Verse – The Ultimate Sacrifice
“In life we serve,
In death we transcend,
In eternity we guard.
Our faith is our armor,
Our duty is our shield,
Our sacrifice is our victory.
Deus Vult Ad Mortem.”
The Warrior’s Covenant:
Sworn at dawn after the Trial of Combat, in the presence of the Regiment’s Battle-Priests
“I, [Name], stand before dawn to swear my life, my blood, and my soul to the sacred cause of the 77th Crusader Regiment.
By steel and scripture, I vow:
To uphold the Militant Verses with every breath,
To sanctify each bullet with prayer,
To purify each battlefield with devotion,
To honor our sacred traditions until death.
My armor shall be my monastery,
My weapon shall be my prayer book,
My combat shall be my worship,
My death shall be my ascension.
I swear to:
Never falter in faith or combat,
Never retreat without sacred cause,
Never spare the enemies of our faith,
Never dishonor the blood of our martyrs.
Should I break this covenant:
Let my soul be denied paradise,
Let my name be struck from the Book of Warriors,
Let my blood turn to ash in my veins,
Let my spirit never find rest.
In His name, I bind myself to this covenant:
Through blood and battle,
Through prayer and combat,
Through life and death,
Until my final breath.
Deus Vult Ad Mortem.”
The initiate then makes a cut across their palm with a consecrated blade and presses their bloodied hand to their chest plate, marking their armor with their own blood as a symbol of their oath.