View source for 24th Imperial Crusade

[[Category:Lore]]
[[Category:Amarr Empire]]
[[Category:NPC Corporations]]
[[Category:Militia]]
[[Category:Factional Warfare]]
The '''24th Imperial Crusade''' is a [[capsuleer]] auxiliary of the [[Amarr Navy]] that is dedicated to pacifying the low sec areas that are contested between the [[Amarr|Amarr Empire]] and the [[Minmatar|Minmatar Republic]]. It was founded in [[Year YC110|YC110]] following the [[CONCORD Emergency Militia War Powers Act]].<ref>News: BREAKING NEWS: CONCORD ANNOUNCES AUTHORIZATION OF EMERGENCY MILITIA WAR POWERS ACT: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2170&tid=4</ref>

{{quotebox|text=It was us who brought civilization to this dark and perilous world, and it is us who uphold it, with compassion, strength and courage. We need you to help us save the Minmatar from themselves. We will help the lost ones find their way, capsuleer, and we will do it with the deathless force only you can wield.|sign=24th Imperial Crusade corporate description}}


==History==
===Launch of the Crusade===
On June 10, YC110, the Minmatar Elders and [[Thukker Tribe|Thukker Tribe]] launched an invasion of the [[Ammatar|Ammatar Mandate]] and Amarr Empire with the intent of freeing as many slaves as possible.<ref>News: REPORT: Minmatar-Thukker Armada Invades Ammatar Mandate: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2107&tid=4</ref><ref>News: REPORT: SECOND MINMATAR-THUKKER ARMADA INVADES AMARR EMPIRE: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2110&tid=4</ref> The Elder Fleet, as it came to be known, inflicted heavy damage on both nations, before it was halted over [[Mekhios]] by [[Jamyl Sarum]].<ref>News: BREAKING NEWS: ELDER FLEET OVER MEKHIOS DESTROYED: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2124&tid=4</ref> The remnants of the fleet retreated toward the Minmatar Republic, where it was allowed to pass freely despite a bounty offer by [[CONCORD]].<ref>News: REPORT: ELDER FLEET ALLOWED TO PASS THROUGH REPUBLIC SPACE UNCONTESTED: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2129&tid=4</ref> 

In response to the aggression of the Minmatar, the Amarr Empire wished to declare war. CONCORD, however, ordered a cease fire and brought the full power of its rapid response capability to bear in enforcing this directive.<ref>News: BREAKING NEWS: CONCORD RESTORES COUNTERTHREAT CAPABILITY, ISSUES GENERAL WARNING TO CEASE HOSTILITIES: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2126&tid=4</ref> However, with similar hostilities occurring between the [[Caldari|Caldari State]] and [[Gallente|Gallente Federation]], CONCORD was pressured into allowing combat. Rather than plunge the cluster into the chaos of all-out war, the empires agreed to fight a semi-proxy war, utilizing the capsuleers as their main fighting force, with Navy ships acting in defensive positions only. The combat would additionally be limited only to border-regions between the hostile entities; in this case, within the Sasen, Tandoiras, and Vaarma constellations of [[the Bleak Lands]], the Semou and Jayai constellations of Devoid, the Hed and Huvilma constellations of Heimatar, and the Essin, Tiat, Eugidi, Angils and Aldodan constellations of Metropolis.


===Beginings===
The early goings were difficult for the Crusade. Despite the Minmatar having initiated hostilities, the Crusade found itself lacking for capable pilots. A number of Amarr loyalist corporations had signed up to fight on behalf of the Empire, but the [[Tribal Liberation Force]] had rallied their numbers. Despite the best efforts of the Crusade and its allied corporations, they lacked communication and the ability to work together for concentrated efforts. 

Within a few months, the majority of the Amarr systems had fallen into Tribal hands. The losses were so striking that the [[Theology Council]] issued an unprecedented recall of valuable artifacts from the Bleak Lands in an effort to keep them from falling into Minmatar hands.<ref>News: Theology Council issues Recall of Valuable Artifacts: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2250&tid=8</ref>


===Huola===
Fortunes began to change for the Crusade shortly after. In late July, Dresen Karnell, an Ammatar scientist who had been captured during the invasion, managed to escape the Republic and flee back to the Empire. However, during his flight, he was shot down by Tribal forces and crash landed on a habitable moon in Huola. Karnell managed to send out a distress call, prompting Crusade leadership to declare his recovery a high priority.<ref>News: Ammatar Scientist downed in Huola system: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2268&tid=8</ref>

The Crusade pilots rallied around the command and put forth a concerted effort to take Huola. It managed to do so 12 days later. A rescue team landed on the moon, but the scientist had abandoned the wreck site in an effort to find water.<ref>News: Huola recaptured, Search party deployed: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2282&tid=8</ref> The Crusade managed to hold the system for another three days, allowing Karnell to be located and successfully extracted.<ref>News: Ammatar scientist safely extracted from Huola: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2285&tid=8</ref>


===Heirs Challenge===
Heavy fighting between the Tribal Liberation Force and 24th Imperial Crusade continued for several months following the retake of Huola. The Crusade slowly managed to retake lost Bleak Lands systems, but had yet to recover several key locations.

In late October, [[Yonis Ardishapur]] sent forth a call to the Crusade to recover the system Kourmonen. The bones of a lost saint had been confirmed to be resting on a planet in the system and Ardishapur wished them safely recovered.<ref>News: CALL TO ARMS: Yonis Ardishapur calls for Kourmonen to be retaken: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2480&tid=8</ref> Similarly, [[Uriam Kador]] announced that a dangerous artifact had been discovered in Aset and urged the Crusade to take the system so it would not remain in Minmatar hands.<ref>News: CALL TO ARMS: Uriam Kador issues call to take Aset: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2510&tid=8</ref>

The militia managed to retake Kourmonen on November 12th, returning the Bleak Lands fully to Amarr control.<ref>News: The Bleak Lands back under Amarr control: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2539&tid=2</ref> The bones of St. Aman were excavated and transported to Dabka under the orders of Yonis Ardishapur.<ref>News: Bones of St. Aman transported to Dabka: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2549&tid=2</ref> Soon after, the Ardishapur Family bestowed the Kourmonen Campaign Medal on several pilots who had participated most heavily in the fighting over the system.<ref>News: Ardishapur Family announces Kourmonen Campaign Medal: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2585&tid=2</ref>


===Stalemate===
With the Bleak Lands back under Amarr control, fighting between it and the TLF turned into something of a stalemate. Systems on both sides were captured and fell, with neither militia able to make significant gains for a long period of time. 

The Crusade had an Alliance Tournament VI team sponsored by [[Merimeth Sarum]].<ref>News: 24th Imperial Crusade to have tournament team sponsored by Merimeth Sarum: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2628&tid=8</ref> The Crusade acquitted itself well in the tournament, though it was eliminated in the preliminary rounds. 

In June of [[Year YC111|YC111]], the Crusade, with assistance from the [[State Protectorate]], destroyed a capital-ship led pirate fleet in Amamake. Shortly after that victory, they inflicted heavy losses on a TLF fleet.<ref>News: 24th Imperial Crusade in Amamake Offensive: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3159&tid=7</ref> Several weeks later a large battle featuring all four militias in Taff system was briefly won by the Crusade and Protectorate, though the capsuleer alliance Northern Coalition intervened and assaulted both sides, eventually destroying a Crusade dreadnaught and a Tribal control tower.<ref>News: Militia Battle Joined by Northern Coalition Capital Fleet: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3193&tid=7</ref>

In October, a special penal brigade was founded in the Mandate and sent to assist the Crusade in a logistical capacity.<ref>News: Penal Bridage Drawn from Ammatar Mandate Sent to Support 24th Imperial Crusade: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3374&tid=8</ref> Ardishapur ordered the brigade to work to reconstructing Ezzara, a system which had seen heavy fighting over the previous several months.<ref>News: Ardishapur Orders Reconstruction Funds and Redemptionist Brigade to Ezzara: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3376&tid=8</ref>


===Significant Losses===
Despite the efforts, Ezzara was captured by the Tribal Liberation Force in January of [[Year YC112|YC112]]<ref>News: Ezzara Captured by Tribal Liberation Force: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3669&tid=7</ref>. As fighting moved to Haras, the Tribals managed to take Sahtogas, its only access point.<ref>News: Sahtogas System taken by Tribal Liberation Force: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3685&tid=7</ref> Shortly after, the system of Kourmonen also fell back into Tribal hands, bringing the total number of occupied Amarr systems to seven.<ref>News: Kourmonen Captured by Tribal Liberation Force: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3711&tid=8</ref>


===Recovery===
Over the next several months, the Crusade slowly managed to turn their fortunes around again. They eventually began to push into Metropolis.<ref>News: Amarr Loyalists Push into Minmatar Territory in Metropolis: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=4280&tid=7</ref> While gains were made, eventually an equilibrium returned to the sides, though the Crusade did manage to destroy a Tribal carrier.<ref>News: Minmatar Militia deploys Supercarriers in battle: http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=4318&tid=7</ref>


==Amarr Militia In The News==
{| 
| style="vertical-align:bottom;background:#222;border:5px #303030 solid;padding: 0.5em;"|[[Image:Amarr_Certified_News.png|center|50px]]
|
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2170&tid=4 Breaking News: CONCORD announces authorization of Emergency Militia War Powers Act]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2188&tid=11 Caldari and Amarr joint attack]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2197&tid=8 Surprise deployment of Thanatos carrier]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2268&tid=8 Ammatar scientist downed in Huola system]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2282&tid=8 Huola recaptured, search party deployed]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2297&tid=2 24th Imperial Crusade aids in rescue of imperial scientist]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2343&tid=7 Alliances continue to support Militias]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2480&tid=8 Call to arms: Yonis Ardishapur calls for Kourmonen to be retaken]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2510&tid=8 Call to arms: Uriam Kador issues call to take aset]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2539&tid=2 The Bleak Lands back under Amarr control]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2549&tid=2 Bones of St. Aman transported to Dakba]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2585&tid=2 Ardishapur Family announces Kourmonen Campaign Medal]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2589&tid=8 State of the Militia]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2628&tid=8 24th Imperial Crusade to have tournament team sponsored by Merimeth Sarum]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=2800&tid=7 Excessive pirating inside Militia leads to withdrawal of CVA support]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3159&tid=7 24th Imperial Crusade in Amamake offensive]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3374&tid=8 Penal brigade drawn from Ammatar Mandate sent to support 24th Imperial Crusade]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3376&tid=8 Ardishapur orders reconstruction funds and redemptionist brigade to Ezzara]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3669&tid=7 Ezzara captured by Tribal Liberation Force]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3685&tid=7 Sahtogas system taken by Tribal Liberation Force]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3710&tid=7 Kourmonen captured by Tribal Liberation Force]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=3824&tid=7 T.R.I.A.D. mission agency expands into Militia warfare]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=4105&tid=9 Cultural friction turns Minmatar refugee ghettos into battlegrounds]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=4280&tid=7 Amarr loyalists push into Minmatar territory in Metropolis]
*[http://www.eveonline.com/news.asp?a=single&nid=4318&tid=7 Minmatar Militia deploys Supercarriers in battle]
|}

==[[Ranks|Ranks]]==
{|
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===Paladin Crusader===
{{Militia_Rank|Paladin Crusader|Paladin Crusader is the lowest commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks immediately below Templar Lieutenant.|I will not hesitate when the test of Faith finds me, for only the strongest conviction will open the gates of paradise. My Faith in you is absolute; my sword is Yours, My God, and Your will guides me now and for all eternity.|[[The Scriptures]], [[The_Scriptures#Prophet_Anoyia|The Prophet Kuria]], "[[Paladins|Paladin’s]] Creed"}}
| style="width: 50%;background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Templar Lieutenant===
{{Militia_Rank|Templar Lieutenant|Templar Lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Paladin Crusader and immediately below Cardinal Lieutenant.|War is not hell, far from it. War is beautiful. War is divine.|Grand Admiral Mekioth Sarum, excerpt from a commencement speech to Paladin graduates of the [[Imperial Academy|Imperial Academy]]. CE 23215}}
|-
|style="background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Cardinal Lieutenant===
{{Militia_Rank|Cardinal Lieutenant|Cardinal Lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Templar Lieutenant and immediately below Arch Lieutenant.|Surround yourself with the faithful, stand together, for there is no strength like it under the heavens.|The Scriptures, [[The_Scriptures#Book_of_Missions|Book of Missions]], 71:21}}
|style="background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Arch Lieutenant===
{{Militia_Rank|Arch Lieutenant|Arch Lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Cardinal Lieutenant and immediately below Imperial Major.|The word of the Lord is pure,<br/>It is a shield for the faithful,<br/>Brought unto men by the Angels,<br/>As a guiding light in the darkness"|The Scriptures, [[The_Scriptures#Prophet_Anoyia|Book of the Prophet Anoyia]], 8:15}}
|-
|style="background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Imperial Major===
{{Militia_Rank|Imperial Major|Imperial Major is a commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Arch Lieutenant and immediately below Marshal Commander.|God’s compassion is all encompassing; His vengeance, all consuming.|Grand Admiral [[Kezti Sundara|Sundara]], The Kor-Azor charge. YC 110.6.10}}
|style="background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Marshal Commander===
{{Militia_Rank|Marshal Commander|Marshal Commander is a commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Imperial Major and immediately below Imperator Commander.|And the Lord spoke to him from the heavens,<br/>Described to him his holy purpose,<br/>Bestowed upon him the wisdom,<br/>Of God's holy embrace.|The Scriptures, [[The_Scriptures#Gheinok_the_First|Gheinok the First]], 2:8}}
|-
|style="background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Imperator Commander===
{{Militia_Rank|Imperator Commander|Imperator Commander is a commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Marshal Commander and immediately below Tribunus Colonel.|To know the true path, but yet, to never follow it. That is possibly the gravest sin|The Scriptures, [[The_Scriptures#Book_of_Missions|Book of Missions]], 13:21}}
|style="background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Tribunus Colonel===
{{Militia_Rank|Tribunus Colonel|Tribunus Colonel is a senior commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Imperator Commander and immediately below Legatus Commodore.|Assign turrets one through seven, radio crystals, designate target Omega-One!"<br/>"Target Omega-One locked!"<br/>"For the Emperor"<br/>"Fire!|Opening salvo of the [[The Battle of Vak'Atioth (Chronicle)|Battle of Vak’Aioth]]}}
|-
|style="background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Legatus Commodore===
{{Militia_Rank|Legatus Commodore|Legatus Commodore is a senior commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Tribunus Colonel and immediately below Divine Commodore.|By His light, and His will|The Scriptures, [[The_Scriptures#Gheinok_the_First|Gheinok the First]], 12:32}}
|style="background:#222;border-bottom:3px #000000 solid; padding: 0.5em;border-right:3px #000000 solid;" |
===Divine Commodore===
{{Militia_Rank|Divine Commodore|Divine Commodore is the most senior commissioned rank in the 24th Imperial Crusade. It ranks above Legatus Commodore.|Run and you shall be crushed.<br/>Stand and you shall fall.<br/>Kneel and you shall be saved|[[Amarr Emperor|Emperor]] Arrach Sarum. CE 21423}} 
|}


==See Also==
*[[NPC Corporations#Amarr Empire|Amarr corporations]]
*[[NPC Corporations#Armed Forces|Amarr military]]
*[[Tribal Liberation Force]]
*[[Federal Defence Union]]
*[[State Protectorate]]


==References==
{{reflist}}