Urlock Gaur

Urlock Gaur was the Archon or overlord of the Forces of Chaos within the Sabbat Worlds Sector following the death of Archon Nadzybar in 765.M41 during the Sabbat Worlds Crusade at the hands of the Imperial Warmaster Slaydo. He successfully organised the disparate and fractious Chaos Cults and warbands that existed within the Sabbat Worlds into a potent fighting force able to first extend the rule of the Dark Gods over the entire sector and them to keep a massive Imperial Crusade at bay for over a decade until he met his death at the Warmaster own hands on the world of Balhaut.

History
the Imperial Crusade had achieved a decisive victory on the world of Balhaut and was ready to move forward with their plans to push into the Cabal Systems in 770.M41. Unfortunately, the rise of this new Chaotic overlord coincided with the Crusade's advance into this volatile region of space. Initially, the Imperial forces had achieved several victories in 770, but by 771 the entire offensive into the Cabal Systems came to a halt as the Crusade encountered not only stiff resistance, but hostile counter-strikes from Chaotic forces. Despite the death of their leader, and the dynastic infighting that followed, it was inevitable that the Archenemy host would eventually select a new Archon from amongst the paters and Magisters surviving Balhaut. Urlock Gaur had beaten many rival Magisters to become Archon. Evidently, this internecine warfare between the tribal septs and clans may have contributed greatly to the lack of unified resistance encountered by the Crusade as it advanced on the Cabal Systems. Many worlds encountered by the Imperial Crusade was discovered littered with the aftermath of great battle in which no Imperial had taken part. The Crusade would soon learn of the strength and savagery of its newly appointed leader first hand. It seems more than likely that Urlock Gaur had won the title of Archon simply on the basis of his devastating military strength.

With the rise of Urlock Gaur as the new Archon, he injected a new motivation into the Archenemy's forces. Gifted in the application of military strategy, Archon Gaur was able to centralise his tactics and properly orchestrate his forces efforts against the encroaching Crusade forces. The new Archon proved to be a formidable opponent; robust and savage, and unimaginatively brutal in his tactics and approach to warfare. The impetus of Archon Gaur's strength was the formidable fighting force known as the Blood Pact, whose methodology was ultimately modeled on that of the Imperial Guard itself. Myths spoke of the rise of the Blood Pact order arising on an outworld called Ghourra or Gaurra in the Sanguiniary Worlds on the edge of the disputed Sabbat territories many thousands of years before. The dynastic, tribal society of Ghourra was ruled by a feudal overlord, or Gaur (alternatively referred to as 'Ghour' or 'Gour'). The Gaur was surrounded with an elite cadre of warrior priests, who conducted the ritual observances where the Gaur made his bloody tributes to his daemon-god. This warrior priesthood evolved over time into the Gaur's personal bodyguard, practising its martial skills as strictly and diligently as it had conducted its necromantic rights. As the Gaur's strength grew, so too did his influence which spread to neighbouring worlds. It was this bodyguard force which spearheaded his conquering armies. It soon became a mark of respect to be 'bloody pacted' to the ruling Gaur. The ranks of his personal elite force soon swelled with recruits from vassal worlds, becoming an army in its own right. This was how the Blood Pact was spawned. The first notice given of Urlock Gaur to Imperial forces was when he led a series of lightning raids along the coreward fringe of the Khan Group in the middle of 771. Within the Cabal System itself, more strenuous resistance was encountered, along with the first reports of the emerging forces of the Blood Pact. A more profound attack took place less than a month later. The Imperial forces initially believed that the forces of the enemy were being led by a particularly militant Magister, but it soon became painfully clear that they were dealing with someone who was far more dangerous and deadly. This unidentified leader had the ability to call upon vast reserves of Archenemy troops, and mobilise other, potent Magisters under his command. There was no doubt, however, by 772 that Urlock Gaur was the new Archon of the Archenemy forces. Within a drastically short period, three key dangers had manifested, haunting Macaroth's carefully laid plans: a new Archon had risen to unify the enemy, he had mounted a wounding counter-strike against the Crusade fleet's flank, and the overstretched flank was woefully exposed. Macaroth's overreaching push had left the Crusade painfully vulnerable on three sides, which the new Archon attempted to exploit to the fullest.

Warmaster Macaroth quickly redeployed a significant portion of his own forces to protect his force's vulnerable flanks in a last ditch effort to reopen supply lines. Between the end of 771 and the middle part of 772, Imperial commanders conducted desperate, ad hoc operations to secure multiple target worlds in an effort to keep the Crusade alive. Only at the world of Ariadne did any of these attempts fail. As these worlds were reconquered, Macaroth attempted to renew his forward thrust into the Cabal Systems. The Archon had withdrawn into the Carcaradon Cluster to the fortress world of Morlond to mass his forces for a large scale counter attack. The Warmaster wanted to desperately break past Morlond to confront Gaur but knew that he was still obligated to defend the Cabal Salient. The Archon left his most capable Magisters in charge of his forces to continue prosecuting their attack on the Crusade's coreward flank. These vile lieutenants included the likes of Anakwanar Sek, Shebol Red-Hand and Enok Innokenti.

Urlock Gaur would go on to stubbornly resist the Imperial Crusade's push into the Cabal Systems, proving to be a thorn in Macaroth's side. It was not until campaign on the world of Herodor, which would later prove to be an important turning point for the fortunes of the Crusade. The planet was of no great tactical significance, yet one of Archon Gaur's lieutenants, Magister Innokenti chose to lead the assault there personally, perhaps in an effort to prevent the miracle that was to occur. Herodor's only claim to fame was that it was one of the 'Holy Worlds' visited by Saint Sabbat|Saint Sabbat Beati]] during her original Crusade within the region, millennia earlier.

Commanded by Lord General Lugo, an Imperial Guard force supported by the local PDF, occupied the sacred balneary shrine and religious centre of the principle city of Civitas Beati in order to defend it from attack. Reliable information in regards to what occurred during the attack remains unclear with the exception of the early stages of the attack. A young raven-haired woman emerged from the Imperial citizenry claiming to be the reincarnated saint. Though the validity of this supposed 'saint' was called into question by his detractors at the time as some claimed she was merely an actress selected to play the part by Lugo in order to boost Imperial morale. However, it now appears that the extraordinary truth of the matter is far more interesting. Whatever her mysterious origins, this unidentified girl took on the mantle of the beati, and for all intents and purposes became the beloved Saint Sabbat.

Exhibiting powers and abilities beyond the normal ken of average mortals, this Living Saint inspired the Imperial forces, stirring their resolve with her holy presence. The beloved Saint Sabbat Beati had been reborn on Herodor close to the end of 773, to the eternal glory of the Emperor of Mankind. Some suggest that through some arcane means, Innokenti had foreseen this and may have attempted to prevent it from occurring.

The Imperial forces rallied around the Living Saint, engaging Innokenti's foul host at the Civitas Beati. A vicious battle ensued as the Saint and her army routed the Archenemy forces and slew the wicked Magister. This coincided with the Warmaster's victory which had finally resolved on the fortress world of Morlond. This enabled Macaroth to deploy part of his forces in support of the Khan Group's beleaguered second front. Had Innokenti not been halted by the fight on Herodor, his advance would have most likely pushed forwards and eventually have finished the job of fatally decapitating the Crusade line. The timing of the victory on Herodor could not have been more perfect.

The forces of the Archenemy faltered, their morale shattered and their spirit broken. The Magisters had ultimately failed where it really mattered as the calamitous effect of their defeats spoiled their carefully strategised manoeuvre. Soon the news of the reborn saint spread amongst the ranks of the Crusade, inspiring their impetus to drive forwards and deny the Archon's minions. Only the forces of Magister Sek managed to maintain any type of solid cohesion in the face of these Imperial victories. The newly established Second Front soon began its thrust forwards to drive through its opposition and finally protect the vulnerable flanks of the Crusade forces, with the Warmaster's stubborn assault on the fortress world of Morlond finally succeeding at the close of 773.M41. As of 775.M41, an Imperial victory within the Sabbat Sector appeared to be nearly inevitable.