The Nachmund War is the ongoing Imperial struggle to hold the Nachmund Gauntlet, the only stable passage through the Great Rift. It’s a sprawling conflict that’s drawn in Space Marines, Chaos warbands, xenos, and even a saint, and it’s still grinding on.
What is the Nachmund Gauntlet?
The Nachmund Gauntlet is a region of space in Segmentum Obscurus, near the remains of Cadia and the Eye of Terror. For a long time it was the only stable route through the Cicatrix Maledictum, which made it incredibly important for Imperial travel and refugees.
Later in the Indomitus Crusade, a second passage called the Attilan Gate was found, but the Gauntlet remains a strategic choke point. Both the northern and southern ends are now under siege by Chaos, though the Imperium still holds most of the region.
How the war began
The war kicked off when Abaddon the Despoiler launched his long-planned assault on the Gauntlet. He put Haarken Worldclaimer in charge, and the Black Legion hit hard. The Imperium was already stretched thin from the War of Beasts on Vigilus, but they knew they couldn’t lose the Gauntlet.
The fighting started with the Siege of Dharrovar, a Chaos Knight world that Guilliman wanted retaken. The Imperium threw everything at it: Battle Sisters, Imperial Guard, Knights, and Navy warships. But the planet was surrounded by Warp surges and a massive debris field, making it a nightmare to assault.
Key battles and turning points
The war has two main phases. First came the Conquest of the Rift, where Chaos pushed to take the Gauntlet. Then the Sangua Terran War, which saw the Imperium fight to hold the Sangua Terra system.
The Sanctus Wall is the Imperium’s big defensive line, meant to block the Black Legion’s advance. But it’s not finished, and many worlds north of it are on their own. The fall of most of Sangua Terra was a major blow, and the war is far from over.
- Siege of Dharrovar: Imperial attempt to retake a Chaos Knight world.
- Storming the Gauntlet: Chaos forces push into the corridor.
- The Sanctus Wall: Imperial defensive network under construction.
- Battle of the Narrow: A key naval engagement.
- Sangua Terran War: Chaos invades the Sangua Terra system, capturing most of it.
Who’s fighting
On the Imperial side, you’ve got the Sangua-Terran War Council, Chapter Master Ba’stien Grix, Saint Celestine, Canoness Superior Junith Eruita, and a host of admirals, magi, and a Rogue Trader. They’re backed by the Sanctus Entente and Inquisitor Erasmus Cartavolnus.
Chaos is led by Haarken Worldclaimer, with Emerys Varran, Szerhan Nethar, and others. There are also unaligned xenos involved, like Urien Rakarth and various Ork warbosses. It’s a messy, multi-sided war.
Why it matters
The Nachmund Gauntlet is a lifeline for the Imperium. If Chaos takes it completely, they can cut off Imperial forces in the region and pour into the rest of the galaxy. The war ties directly into the War of Beasts on Vigilus and the wider Long War.
It’s also a showcase for how desperate things are in the Era Indomitus. The Imperium is spread thin, relying on a saint and a patchwork defense line. The outcome could shape the future of the entire sector.
Key facts
- The Nachmund War is fought over the Nachmund Gauntlet, the only stable passage through the Great Rift.
- It began in M42 as part of Abaddon’s Long War, with Haarken Worldclaimer leading the Chaos assault.
- The Imperium lost most of Sangua Terra but still holds much of the Gauntlet.
- The Sanctus Wall is a defensive line under construction to stop Chaos.
- The war is closely linked to the War of Beasts on Vigilus.
FAQ
What is the Nachmund War?
It’s an ongoing conflict in M42 between the Imperium and Chaos over the Nachmund Gauntlet, the only stable route through the Great Rift. The Imperium is trying to hold the corridor against Abaddon’s forces.
Who is Haarken Worldclaimer?
He’s the Chaos Lord leading the Black Legion’s assault on the Nachmund Gauntlet. He’s a key commander in the war and a major threat to the Imperium.
What is the Sanctus Wall?
It’s a defensive network the Imperium is building to block Chaos from advancing further into the Gauntlet. It’s incomplete, and many worlds beyond it are vulnerable.
How does the Nachmund War connect to Vigilus?
The War of Beasts on Vigilus is closely tied to the Nachmund War. Vigilus is a fortress world in the Gauntlet, and the fighting there is part of the larger struggle for the region.