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The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Great Crusade

1. The Great Crusade
Introduction ................................................. 2
Phase One: Onslaught ............................... 2
The Minbari Response ............................... 3
The Onslaught Continues .......................... 3
A Plea For Help ........................................... 4
Breaching the Wall ..................................... 5
The Tsunami ............................................... 6
The Turning of the Tide ............................... 7
The Minbari Counter Attack ........................ 8
Fighting Retreat .......................................... 9
Breaching the Defences of Orien ............. 10
The Assault on Orien ................................ 11
2. The Orieni Empire
Background .............................................. 13
Staring into the Abyss ........................... 13
Rebirth .................................................. 13
Watching the from Light ....................... 14
Troubled Times ..................................... 15
Change and Despair ............................ 15
Fury and War ....................................... 16
Orieni Military ............................................ 17
Orieni Weapons ....................................... 20

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The first attack at Arnassia struck two hours

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The Great
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ahead of schedule due to a miscalculation in

the distance and the time it would take to travel
Crusade into Minbari space, but it did not matter. The
Commander Korsh Karaka watched Protectorate forces in the system received
another Protectorate ship die under his only scant warning before the Orieni jumped
squadron’s guns. The Minbari had been in. Not much of a defense could be thrown up
caught totally unaware. Their Protectorate within five minutes. Ships and fighters were
was vulnerable, and logic (according to placed on alert and were powering up just as
Karaka) dictated the same was for the Minbari. the first jump point opened. Against two
A quick glance at his sensor readout told him hundred and eighteen Orieni ships, plus
all he needed to know. The few remaining fighters, stood eight Rolentha Combat Tugs,
Protectorate ships were being hunted down two Tinashi Frigates, twelve Torotha Frigates
and exterminated by the Strike Forces. and six Tradana frigates. They were backed
Losses were well below what was expected, up by a relatively weak OSAT grid and a large
and damage to the ships was minimal. number of ground launched Tishats. Also in
Smiling, Karaka turned to his comms officer. the system were over forty merchant vessels.
“Signal the bombers they can move in The Orieni wasted little time advancing on the
now.” Protectorate ships, which fought with Arnassia
A blip appeared on the sensors and at their back. Although the Protectorate stand
Karaka looked on as six Purifier Bombers was valiant and brave, it proved futile.
jumped in directly over Arnassia, home to over The Orieni crushed the Protectorate
four billion sentient beings. forces within half an hour. Almost every
“Their fate was sealed from the merchant ship was destroyed, and only two
moment they sided with the Minbari. They Rogatas escaped the massacre. The Orieni
helped the Minbari in their heresy against the then called in their bombers and troop ships
Gods and they are to be punished,” Karaka which then proceeded to bombard the planet
said, addressing the crew of his Paragon. from orbit for eight hours, until the Arnassians
Down below on Arnassia IV, the first city, home surrendered unconditionally.
to two million, was obliterated in a The attack on Golthat was just as
thermonuclear fireball. successful. It again started two hours early,
but this time, the Protectorate forces had a
chance to signal the Minbari that they were
PHASE ONE: ONLSAUGHT - under attack. Golthat itself was a mining
28th MAY 2268 colony and was quickly subdued and captured,
all resistance finally ceased the next day.
The months long process of amassing The attack on Vamani was the Orieni’s
their forces and organising supply chains to first serious challenge. Vamani boasted a
support the single largest fleet to ever sail in Norgath starbase as well as a large squadron
Orieni space went perfectly. As battlegroups of Minbari vessels. The signals warning of the
and whole fleets disappeared into hyperspace attack on the Protectorate had reached
on the 25th of May, the Orieni rejoiced. They Vamani minutes after the initial attack. It was
were to punish those who had betrayed the here that the Orieni arrived on time facing a
gods, and the Minbari were going to suffer for ready foe.
their heresy. At 0815hrs on the 28th of May Fortunately for the Orieni, they did not
2268, the Orieni received the signal they had face the cream of the Minbari fleet in the form
been waiting for. of its Sharlins and Neshatans, but rather its
“Punish the heretics.” older hulls like Shaarals and Tigaras. The
With that one command the Orieni Wind Chaser Clan was viewed by the Minbari
fleets moved toward their intended targets. as a second line force and had the fewest of

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the newer hulls, and it was here, in their area damage against Minbari ships. The eight

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of control, that the Orieni were attacking. Sharlins and twelve Tinashi’s of the

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The battle to take Vamani was costly expeditionary force were unable to deal with
for both sides as the Minbari fought to the bitter the swarming Orieni medium ships. Although
end and the Orieni fought with intensity that the Minbari destroyed many of the Orieni ships
bordered on fanaticism. With the destruction in the Vagthusa system, there seemed to be
of the Norgath the orbital defences were no end to their numbers. The Minbari were
broken, the Minbari lines smashed. The forced to retreat with 45% casualties.
Commander of the Shaaral Valens Flame The Orieni didn’t waste time in their
ordered the surviving ships to retreat, but operations and, once the four systems they
many of the Minbari commanders refused to held were deemed secure, the fleets jumped
let a Minbari world fall to invaders. This towards their next targets.
decision to stay cost them their lives, but
bought time to evacuate more civilians from THE ONSLAUGHT
Vamani. The Orieni once again called in their
bombers, but this time they did not want to CONTINUES: 30th May - 17th
capture the world. They wanted to obliterate it. June 2268
Fleeing transports carrying civilians were
attacked with thousands of lives being lost. Over this period the Orieni advance
The bombardment of Vamani II continued into continued despite heavy Minbari resistance.
the end of the 29th. When the Orieni left they The Minbari fought for every scrap of space
left behind them a devastated world nothing and every planet, but the Orieni pressed on
more than a tomb for nine hundred thousand regardless. The Orieni took Sorpigal and
Minbari. Davala Than, whilst a little know jump route
Vagthusa fell within hours, the system from Golthat to Tir and from there to Zendamor
itself being nothing more than a religious was used to continue the Orieni assault on the
retreat and a monitoring station to keep watch Protectorate and Minbari. Trosagal fell on the
on Vorlon space. The Orieni subjected 16th of June to a combined SF/RN attack
Vagthusa VI to three hours of bombardment despite massive Minbari resistance. Losses
before landing troops and taking the system. amongst the Orieni were very high. The
Minbari, thanks to their range advantage, were
THE MINBARI RESPONSE: able to hurt the Orieni as they approached, but
29th MAY 2268 the Minbari also suffered very high losses.
What was worse for the Minbari was that no
major construction plans were underway to
When news of what was happening on
rebuild the lost ships from the Shadow War.
their eastern border reached the Grey Council,
Every Minbari ship lost represented a
the Minbari were shocked. The Minbari had
significant amount of resources, whilst every
discounted the Orieni after their defeat by the
Orieni ship lost was quickly replaced.
Centauri, and wrote them off as never being a
Tir and Zendamor fell to the Orieni with
credible threat. News that a massive Orieni
ease, the Protectorate ships, although quite
fleet had attacked them quickly changed this
advanced, were massively outnumbered, and
view. The Minbari military was quickly ordered
the Orieni ships were nearly on par with their
to the eastern border to repulse the Orieni
own designs. Harassing forces struck at
spearheads. It would take time to send the
Eshar but it was discovered that Eshar was a
entire fleet from the northern border to the new
major colony and part of the main Minbari
war zone. The first Minbari counter attack at
defence area. Strikes against Moga and Iklath
Vagthusa was a disaster. The Minbari didn’t
were more successful and resulted in more
know much of the Orieni’s military, their tactics
Protectorate losses. The Protectorate
or weapons. Hunter Killers caused heavy
pleaded that the Minbari send aid, but the

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Minbari had none to give, they themselves attack and the release of the plague on Earth,
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trying desperately to hold off the Orieni or the aggressive Ch’lonas and Koulani. Both
advances. Despite this, the Wind Swords races would have to be negotiated with before
launched a massive attack on the Orieni over any help could be sent through their territories,
Davala in an attempt to blunt the Orieni and these diplomatic attempts were largely
advance. viewed as a waste of valuable time.
This attack was a partial success, as Diplomatic envoys to the EA made pleas for
the Orieni were forced to halt any plans to Earth to open her borders, but all of Earth
move on Eshar due to their losses in Davala space was still under a strict quarantine.
Than. The Wind Swords offensive fleet had Earth Force was also rebuilding after the
many Sharlins and Neshatans in it, and these attack on Earth and the losses that it suffered
vessels were able to wreak fearsome damage on that tragic day and had no forces to offer
on the Orieni at range, but found themselves the Alliance.
swamped by the Orieni regardless of their When the Orieni appeared over Moga,
massive long ranged punch. Nials were the terrified Mogans, having suffered
simply outnumbered by the swarms of numerous attacks, surrendered without a fight.
Templars and Blazing Stars and could not The Protectorate ships in-system fled to
counter the massive swarms without suffering Tychola, which was now cut off from the rest
heavy casualties. The Orieni habit of sending of the Protectorate, and to Eudu. The system
medium ships ahead with their fighters also of Iklath was subjected to a massive
increased Minbari fighter losses, as the Nials bombardment that lasted four days before the
had to contend with not only fighters but also survivors surrendered to the Orieni. The
agile anti-fighter ships deliberately going after Orieni moved in defensive units and held the
them. system whilst strengthening their grip on the
other systems they held. The Orieni Logistic
A PLEA FOR HELP: 18th Command was busy sending in transports
carrying OSATs. Construction of a Penitent
June - 6th July 2268 was begun at Vamani.
Meanwhile, the freshly arrived White
The Minbari Grey Council, realising that Stars were quickly integrated into the Minbari
their fleet in its weakened state might not be fleet and began raiding Orieni positions a day
enough to counter the hordes of Orieni ships, after their arrival. Like the much larger Minbari
contacted President Sheridan and requested ships, the White Stars had difficulty dealing
the intervention of the Interstellar Alliance in the with massive swarms of ships that were as
matter. Sheridan immediately dispatched the maneuverable as they were. Attacks on
White Star fleet to the Minbari’s aid, but the command ships or command elements
rest of the Interstellar Alliance was in no resulted in high casualties/heavy damage for
position to help. The League of Non-Aligned little gain due to the Orieni habit of heavily
Worlds had suffered heavily in the Shadow defending their command ships, so the White
War. Hundreds of ships were destroyed and Stars were reduced to raiding the outskirts of
the League was still trying to rebuild. The Vree Orieni held systems, performing frequent
and Drazi sent what ships they could, but it convoy attacks. Long-range strikes by trios of
was not enough. Sheridan once again set White Stars were successful in long range
about forming a fleet, but this time not to fight laser strikes, hitting and withdrawing before
the Ancients, but to fight a race that he knew coming under fire from the Orieni defenders.
even less about. The biggest problem about
helping the Minbari was the sheer distance
involved. That the route to Minbari space
passed either through Earth Alliance space,
which was restricted due to the recent Drakh

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the far more numerous Orieni forces who

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BREACHING THE WALL: 07th
were slowly forcing them back.

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July - 30th July 2268 The battle for Trigati was more of a
sideshow for both sides, the majority of the
For a short period both sides rested defenders in Trigati were the recently arrived
their main forces. The Orieni busied Interstellar Alliance ships that were able to
themselves fortifying the worlds they held and arrive at short notice. The main Orieni assault
conducted hit and run attacks against other consisted of a large Rogolon force with
Minbari systems whilst the Minbari rushed support from the Orieni fleet. It was here that
everything that could fight to the war zone. the first battle between technologically equal
Raids carried out by both sides resulted in foes took place. The Rogolon warships were
losses for both the Orieni and Minbari, as well little advanced over the Drazi ships in the
as some gains. system. The Rogolons fought with extreme
The Orieni discovered the layout of the ferocity. The chance to fight in honourable
neighbouring systems and the relative strength combat caused command problems, but the
of the Minbari, whilst the White Star fleet Rogolon’s numbers offset this. While the
proved very effective in attacking Orieni Interstellar Alliance forces were still trying to
convoys and lone warships. All this changed integrate their forces into a cohesive unit, the
on the 12th of July when the Orieni launched a Rogolons struck at the fleet whilst staying out
two-pronged offensive against Esgar and of the range of the orbital defences present
Trigati, with secondary offensives carried out round Trigati. Losses on both sides were very
by a mix of Orieni and Rogolon warships high. By the end of the month, the Orieni were
against the remaining Protectorate systems. forced to commit more of their forces towards
The battle for Eshar was likened to the Battle the Trigati front to support their Rogolon allies.
of the Somme in Terran history. The Orieni The system eventually fell on the last day of
threw hundreds of ships at the dug-in Minbari the month as the Orieni finally broke the back
and their defences. of the defences with the destruction of the
The Minbari were determined to hold base over Trigati itself. The Rogolon forces
Eshar, and the three populated worlds that were withdrawn to act as a reserve force
were in the system. They had amassed a whilst the Orieni took up the assault.
large number of ships to hold the system. The On the 30th the situation looked grim
Orieni wanted to capture the system and the for the Minbari. Two major systems had now
resources there. The battle for the system fallen, the Protectorate was almost under total
lasted three days, with many smaller Orieni control, and the Minbari were running
skirmishes taking place outside the major fleet out of ships. Frantic efforts to increase ship
engagements. The Minbari lured the Orieni production and pull ships out of mothballs
into minefields or asteroids, attacking their were working, but the mothball ships required
flanks while making head on assaults, but the time to be activated and many were obsolete
Orieni would not be denied. On the fourth day, ships that were hastily activated and thrown in
with Orieni troopships landing divisions of the path of the Orieni with little chance of
troops on Eshar III and IV, the Minbari were surviving. But everything was not bleak. The
forced to withdraw. Nearly 65% of the Minbari manic defence of their systems was bleeding
fleet had been destroyed or crippled. The the Orieni fleets. The Orieni had suffered
Orieni lost over three hundred ships, including massive casualties in all their attacks, hit and
the Flagship of the Strike Forces the Vorlon’s run strikes by White Stars and other small
Fury. Esgar II was nuked into oblivion whilst raiding craft were causing considerable
the fighting on Eshar III and IV continued for the casualties and made the Orieni hold more
rest of the month, with the technologically ships in system than they held to defend
superior but outnumbered Minbari fighting off against the Minbari raids. Not all of these
strikes succeeded. The tactic of sending lone

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Shargottis into hostile space worked for a established a beacon between Gigmos and
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while, until two Shargottis were lost within a Nocalo to allow access to Minbari space.
day of each other. The dwindling number of Still the biggest problem the IA had with
these ships led this tactic to be cancelled. moving ships was their inability to take the
The Black Star itself still carried out lone shortcut through Earth Alliance territories. The
strikes but even the formidable flagship of the Earth Alliance quarantine was well maintained.
Warrior Caste was too valuable as a warship The EA border was well patrolled by Earth
and figurehead to loose on a strike. Force which denied access to any races ship
The Orieni were shocked by the apart from medical teams.
degree of resistance the Minbari were The timely arrival of Minbari
showing. Entire battlegroups were disbanded reinforcements and heavy counterattacks
due to losses the Minbari were inflicting. The stopped the Orieni advance dead in its tracks.
Orieni had suffered losses that would stop any The Orieni fleet was at the end of its supply
less fanatical race, but the Blessed were sure chain. The Orieni were suffering heavy
they would have ships long after the last casualties and were not in a favourable
Minbari ship went down in flames. position. The attacks by White Stars had
caused heavy damage to the Orieni mercantile
THE TSUNAMI 01 AUGUST - 28 fleet. Shortages amongst fighters, HKs and
missiles were now becoming a major problem
AUGUST 2268 as convoys moved from Orieni and Minbari
space to the front lines. A massive counter
With a major breach in the Minbar attack at Trigati from a mix of IA and Minbari
defense net at Eshar, the Hand of the Blessed ships forced the Orieni out of the system with
pushed on further into Minbari space. In the 80% losses to the Orieni fleet. The IA fleet had
battered Protectorate, the final free systems of suffered roughly 45% losses. This attack was
Norsa and Eudu fell to the Rogolon fleet. made primarily by Sharlins, and Hyach
Once the orbital bombardment began the vessels. Their range advantage proved
planets surrendered in an attempt to save devastating against the short-ranged Orieni
lives. In the occupied systems the Orieni ships.
treated the Minbari like lower life forms. The The victory at Trigati was the first major
Nazis didn’t hold a torch to the Orieni and their victory against the Orieni for the IA and Minbari
treatment of the Minbari. Meanwhile, the fleets. The boost to morale was incredible,
Protectorate races were subjugated and under and the evidence of how the Orieni treated
tight martial law but escaped the worst of the their people drove the Minbari into a frenzy.
Orieni wrath. The Hand of the Blessed realised that the war
The Minbari system of Tavalan fell with was balanced on the precipice for both sides.
ease. The Minbari, having long since pulled The next few weeks would decide the
back to Ralfa, destroyed the beacon to outcome of the war. To finally break the
Thessin as they departed. This put the main Minbari fleet the Orieni formed most of their
Orieni fleet within three jumps of Minbar itself. forward fleet as well as a fair portion of their
The stream of reactivated ships fresh reserves and threw them at the Ralafa system
out of mothballs was having an effect. Entire on the 27th.
squadrons of Enfalli patrol ships and hastily re- The might of the Orieni fleet jumped
activated Liandras arrived in time to slow the into the Ralafa system knowing that this battle
Orieni advance. Ralfa was the last major would be the decisive one of the war. The IA
defensive system before Minbar itself and had detected the massed Orieni build up and
boasted two Norgaths. The IA was starting to realised their plan, and met them with
arrive in meaningful numbers, too. Diplomacy everything they had. Brakiri and Gaim ships
had secured access through Tokati and rubbed shoulders with Sharlins and Tinashis.
Deneth space and Minbari scouts had Kothas flew along side Tzymms and Nials.

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The fleet was quite massive and backed up by Neshatan and two Iroki Kams. The Paragon,

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the heavy defences now in place around the later identified as the Sword of the Blessed,

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Ralafa systems major colony world. The took the son of the legendary Admiral Hiraka
Minbari had landed entire armies on Ralafa III Shrak with her. The sudden loss of command
to defend against Orieni troops. In orbit was a combined with their losses began an Orieni
mix of Minbari and IA mines and OSATs waited withdrawal, but the Minbari would not permit
the aggressors. the Orieni to leave.
The IA waited while the Orieni moved Their final reserves of old ships and
through the system. The mining outposts in White Stars jumped in on the withdrawing
the system were abandoned and defenceless Orieni ships at point blank range. The Orieni
and the Orieni ignored them. As the Orieni withdraw became a rout as ships and
moved to within extreme weapon range the squadrons jumped out as quickly as they
battle began. The wall of Orieni ships crashed could. Those unable to jump out were hunted
against the defences like a massive wave down and destroyed, or else sacrificed
breaking on the shore. Hundreds of Orieni themselves for the cause, charging the ISA
ships threw themselves at the IA defences, forces with all guns blazing.
desperate to get in range. The Orieni charged By the early hours of the 28th the cost
through minefields, ignoring the damage they of the battle became clear. Hundreds of
caused. Fighters and HKs engaged the Alliance and Orieni hulks — ships and fighters
defences and defending ships and were met both — littered the Ralafa system. Over 60%
by allied fighters. Massed dogfights broke out of the AOL forces were destroyed or so badly
as the Orieni desperately protected the HKs damaged that they would not leave Ralafa until
as they approached their targets. completing lengthy repairs. Fighter losses
Dozens of Orieni ships were destroyed were at a staggering 90% for all the IA races.
or fatally crippled in the charge. The IA The losses for the Orieni however had been
gunners picked their targets with ease far worse. Over 80% of the Orieni ships that
because there were so many of them. The had attacked Ralafa III were now drifting dead
battle around the first Norgath was ferocious in orbit. Losses amongst fighters and HKs
as the Orieni targeted the base with everything were total, and the surviving Orieni ships were
they had, desperate to breach the defences of all mauled. The cream of the Orieni fleet had
Ralafa III. The first Norgath finally was led the assault and almost all of these ships
destroyed when a fatally crippled Prophet were now dead hulks. The reserves used in
slammed into the mauled base. Both the ship the attack represented a major portion of the
and base disappeared in the explosion. Orieni strategic reserve. The Orieni survivors
The IA defenders suffered horrific fled back to Tavalan and from there the Orieni
losses to the Orieni fleet, but the Orieni were pulled back to Eshar and the defences that
losing more ships faster than the IA forces. At had been built since its capture.
1715 hrs local time the Black Star was
destroyed. The massive ship had destroyed a THE TURNING OF THE TIDE
dozen Orieni warships, including a Paragon
and Prophet. The mighty ship was eventually 01 SEPTEMBER - 12
pulverised by repeated HK strikes and a NOVEMBER 2268
ramming attack from a Benevolent. As his
final act, the Commander of the Black Star As the Orieni withdrew from Tavalan to
overloaded the reactor of his ship. The Eshar they left behind a devastated world. All
explosion took eight Orieni medium ships and Minbari buildings were destroyed and water
a Zealot cruiser with it. Roughly at the same sources were poisoned and contaminated.
time the Black Star exploded the Orieni The Orieni fleet began to reorganise itself over
Paragon leading the attack was destroyed, Eshar, and withdrew behind the defensive
gutted by the combined firepower of a chain they had established. The mauled IA

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fleet had only a few days to recover losses OSATs round the base. The larger than
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and repair their ships before moving out. Both expected number of Orieni ships as well as
sides during this period were not quiet. their defences slowed the Minbari advance,
Combined forces of Minbari White Stars and but the Orieni were forced to withdraw to the
Abbai Tiracas conducted hit and fade attacks Penitent and its OSATs to keep their grip on
against the Orieni forces recovering in Eshar the system.
and Trosagal. These raids were little more
than pinpricks but always resulted in losses for THE MINBARI COUNTER
the Orieni.
The Orieni economy at this time was ATTACK - 29 AUGUST - 24
starting to collapse. The sheer number of SEPTEMBER 2268
losses could not be replaced. The Orieni were
running out of materials for jump drive Having halted the Orieni spearheads,
construction and weapons production. the Minbari and Interstellar Alliance members
Coupled with rationing of energy and food the went on the offensive. Recently arrived Gaim,
Orieni economy now found itself unable to Pak’Ma’Ra and Vree squadrons were quickly
keep up production and it rapidly fell off. incorporated into the growing IA fleet. The
Inflation during this period was also spiralling addition of a full battlegroup of Yolu ships also
and the Orieni Empire faced bankruptcy. increased the odds in the IA’s favour. Hit and
The Orieni now realised that they faced fade attacks by White Star led frigate groups
disaster should they lose the initiative to the were wearing out the Orieni. A system would
Minbari. Forces occupying the Protectorate as be raided two to three times a day. Whole
well as ships from Garrison Command inside convoys were lost and the strikes were
Orieni space were sent to the front. The lowering the Orieni’s morale.
Rogolons also became more involved in the The counter strike began in Trosogal
fleet deployment. The Orieni viewed the when a group of White Stars entered the
Protectorate as being suitably subdued and system and were engaged by Orieni warships.
secure to pull their ships out of the This feint drew enough Orieni ships away from
Protectorate systems. This influx of ships their OSATs and base to begin the attack. Led
boosted Orieni fleet strengths, but also served by two Neshatans and backed up by a Yolu
to boost the morale of the few surviving squadron, the IA made a direct assault on the
Protectorate ships and resistance groups. orbital defences over Trosogal. Caught off
As the Orieni desperately pulled guard by the sudden appearance of a fleet
together an effective fleet the Interstellar near their base, the Orieni reacted slowly to
Alliance struck first. An attack by a combined the attack. By the time that they had
force of Drazi and Brakiri ships made a probe organised the defence it was too late. The
at the outskirts of Eshar. When no resistance Neshatans ripped the Penitent to pieces.
was encountered they pressed on. By the Everything did not go in the IA’s favor, though.
time that the Brakiri realised that something The Orieni ships and defences caused heavy
was wrong it was too late. A combined Orieni damage before they were knocked out. The
and Rogolon fleet jumped in almost on top of defences killed six assorted IA capital ships
the IA forces at point blank range. Only a few while many more were damaged. One of the
IA ships managed to jump out of the Neshatans had to return to Minbar for repairs
engagement. The rest were lost in the with half a Steadfast buried in her bow.
confusion of the Orieni attack. The ground battle for Trosogal was
A Minbari force struck at Trosogal on bloody and prolonged. The Orieni had a large
the 8th but encountered heavy Orieni army on the world and even with orbital
resistance from the ships of Garrison superiority it took until late December before
Command. The Orieni had recently the final Orieni forces were destroyed or
completed a Penitent and emplaced a grid of forced to surrender.

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Another assault was made on Eshar, The IA ground forces suffered heavy

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but this time the strike was carried out in a casualties against the Orieni troops. The last

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more cautious manner. Sensor sweeps Orieni combat unit on Eshar was finally
revealed the extent of the Orieni forces in neutralised on the 1st of December. Orieni
Eshar. A full fleet of 80 ships backed up by a resistance on the ground was likened to the
Penitent and twenty-four Skyguard Heavy Japanese defending Iwo Jima and Guam. The
OSATs stood in the IA’s path. The base and Orieni fought to the last and didn’t ask to
the approaches to the system were heavily surrender.
mined. Efforts to clear these mines were It was also during this period that the
severely hampered by HK strikes from Eshar remaining IA races not involved in the fighting
itself. When it was discovered that the Orieni sent ships. A limited force of EA ships
had hidden nuclear warheads amongst the consisting of two Omegas, four Hyperions and
minefields the IA was forced to halt and clear one new Delphi were also deployed alongside
each and every mine. This was a time a small Narn taskforce.
consuming task, and the mines were able to
damage the IA ships again and again. The HK FIGHTING RETREAT - 25
strikes also proved effective. The Pak’Ma’Ra
lost one of their prized Pshul’Tau carriers to SEPTEMBER - 24 OCTOBER
HK strikes, whilst a Vree Xonn was forced to 2268
withdraw in flames.
After six hours the mines had all been Without realising it the Orieni had now
cleared and the IA moved on to meet the lost the War. Their fleet was shattered, their
Orieni fleet. Long-range fire failed to draw the supply chain exhausted and their personnel
Orieni out, the Orieni’s forces keeping close to demoralised. Every attack that had been
the system’s fixed defences. Seeing that the made on the IA forces now swarming into
Orieni could not be coaxed out of their Minbari space had been repulsed with heavy
defences the IA fleet began its attack in casualties. The Orieni Officer Corps had
earnest. suffered massive losses to key command and
The second battle of Eshar lasted two leadership staff. When the Sword of the
days as the IA forces picked their way through Blessed went down she took the Orieni’s best
the OSATs to get at the Penitent. The Orieni commander with her. Delaying strikes were
and Rogolon ships in system fought with having some effect but they were only slowing
manic courage, throwing themselves at the far the IA fleet.
larger IA fleet. The losses inflicted by the In Orieni space, the Orieni economy
Orieni and Rogolon forces nearly forced the IA was struggling to keep an even keel. Losses
to withdraw when the Penitent was crippled by amongst merchant shipping in Minbari space
a series of piercing shots from the four drew ships away from the safety of the Empire
Sharlins that accompanied the IA fleet. The itself and into the conflict zone. This slowed
Orieni and Rogolons fought to the last fighter, the imports and exports in Orieni space.
and many crippled Orieni ships rammed IA Prices soon spiralled and shipments of vital
ships. resources were slowed.
After the destruction of the last Orieni In the devastated Protectorate, the
units, the IA paused and began counting the Orieni withdrew from Norsa and Edu. This
cost. The IA had lost 70 ships with 40 more was just in time as the IA launched an attack
crippled. Every ship had suffered some from Nocalo into Norsa. The attack was
degree of damage and many ships would mainly a joint Gaim/Pak’Ma’Ra effort and the
need weeks of repair to be returned to full Orieni fought hard to slow them down and
effectiveness. The Orieni losses were total. cause damage to their fleets. The devastating
Not a single ship had fled from the battle. As range advantage enjoyed by many of the AOL
with Trosogal the ground war was a long affair. forces was not shared by the Gaim or

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 1 The Great Crusade

Pak’Ma’Ra and their ships suffered heavy Than. Although the IA ships were damaged
The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire
The Great Crusade

losses in the Protectorate campaign. The IA and lacking in fighters they still had more than
now believed that the Orieni forces in the enough craft to defeat the Orieni. The Orieni
Protectorate were trapped because the Orieni stand at Sorpigal was a testament to the
had severed the jump beacon from nature of the Orieni. They fought to the last
Zendamore to Eshar. Fortunately for the shuttle and freighter. Crippled ships would
Orieni, their jump route from Tir to Gothat ram the nearest IA vessel. Fighters made dry
remained secret and the Orieni withdrew from attack runs to draw attention to themselves
the Protectorate via that jump point. even when they were out of ammo. The
They left the Protectorate devastated. partially complete Penitent and fleet were only
Most of the Protectorate worlds had been destroyed at a great cost. The IA forces
bombarded and irradiated. Their fleets were suffered losses above 60%. These losses
shattered and the economy and ecology of caused the IA to halt in its headlong charge
many worlds was in tatters. Millions had died less its fleets be destroyed.
and many millions more were without food or
shelter. As the IA forces moved cautiously BREACHING THE DEFENCES
through the Protectorate a flood of supply
convoys began to reach those devastated OF ORIEN - 24 OCTOBER - 01
worlds. JANUARY 2269
As the Orieni withdrew they seeded the
space lanes with mines, both normal and Many within the Interstellar Alliance
nuclear. Most of these were cleared with could see the writing on the wall. The battles
ease, but in one incident a Gaim squadron at Sorpigal, Eshgar, Trosogal and Ralafa had
moved into a minefield only to find that many of bled the once mighty Orieni fleet dry. The
them had nuclear warheads. Only one Orieni once again had the will but not the
battered frigate escaped. ships. The IA’s combined fleet was only at
The IA pushed on with an attack on 30% of its total strength. Many ships were in
Vagthusa but were repulsed with heavy urgent need of repairs or refits. Ground troops
losses. After the attack the Orieni destroyed were exhausted and even the Gaim troops
the beacon to Trosogal which bought them were tired. The Minbari were still enraged at
some much-needed time. The IA also the Orieni attack but they realised they could
attacked Davla Than and succeeded in not destroy the Orieni Empire, they could only
destroying many of the Orieni’s fixed defences end the War and make peace. But the IA
and mauling the ships in the system before realised that the Orieni would not willingly
being forced out by the battered remnant of the surrender and would have to be battered into
Strike Forces. submission.
These failed attacks slowed the IA’s The Orieni had almost totally
advance and boosted Orieni morale. The withdrawn from Minbari space and the
Orieni became more resolved to halt the IA. advanced sensors of Minbari scouts had finally
Many captains vowed that the IA would never discovered the jump routes the Orieni had
get to Orieni space. These hopes were to be used to get into Minbari space in the first
cruelly dashed on the 20th of October when a place. The Orieni still conducted strikes
massive IA attack on Davla Than smashed the against the IA forces now massing in Vagthusa
battered forces the Orieni had in that system. and Vamani but these were little more than
The IA fleet didn’t pause for breath and pushed annoyances. The first attack into Orieni space
on to Sorpigal. was a sobering battle for the IA. They
The battle of Sorpigal was a truly discovered the massive chain of fortifications
massive engagement. The Orieni ships were that were spread through Plutak and
outnumbered and outgunned by the IA fleet Lishtonos. Walls of mines, OSATs and pairs
that had recently claimed victory in Davla of Penitents blocked their path. Backing up

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1
these formidable fixed defences was the was going to sacrifice itself in the defence of

The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire

remaining Orieni and Rogolon ships. Orien.

The Great Crusade

The Orieni Empire itself was starting to As soon as the IA forces jumped into
unravel. The Blessed were divided whether to Wereng the Strike Forces attacked. Leading
make peace or continue to fight. Officers in the attack was the remaining Paragons and
the military saw that they were defeated and Prophets that the Orieni had left. Over 20 of
urged for peace. Other more fanatical officers those massive ships threw themselves into
and preachers said that the Vorlons would aid the IA fleet, their weapons firing in every arc as
them in their time of need, and that the they fought and died. One by one the
heretics would have to be opposed. Some command ships were destroyed, but they
officers believed that the defences along the inflicted horrific damage on the IA fleet at close
Minbari border would hold the IA back long range. The last ship to go down was the
enough for the Orieni to recover their ships Paragon Flame of Purity and with it went Strike
and crews and launch a new offensive. A Admiral Irekka, still giving orders from his
decision on what was needed was not made, command bridge as his ship burned around
as on the 1st of November the IA launched him. The battle to clear the defences lasted
their attacks to breach the Orieni defences. until the 8th of December.
The battle at Plutak was a bloodbath With Wereng finally cleared, the IA
for both sides. The Orieni were desperate to paused to allow their damaged ships some
keep the IA out of their space and the IA was repair time. Fighters were brought forward,
equally as desperate to end the War. Victories many League ships were reduced to fielding
were measured in kilometers advanced or Cascor ultra light fighters as they were the
strong points destroyed. It was the closest most numerous fighter available. The Minbari
thing to city fighting on an interstellar level that and the IA now was in a position to end the
had ever been seen. The Orieni fought like War with one stroke. By attacking Orien and
cornered animals, every ship that could fight forcing the blessed to surrender the Orieni
was thrown at the Interstellar Alliance forces. would come to the peace table. But, to attack
The Rogolon fleet, the Orieni’s last full reserve, Orien, the AOL would have to punch through
was committed to the battle of Plutak. The the Orieni homeworld’s formidable defences
brave Rogolon crews caused heavy damage and the last ships the Orieni had massed for
before their ships were destroyed. On the the defence of their homeworld.
12th of November the IA finally destroyed the
last of the three Penitent starbases in the THE ASSAULT ON ORIEN - 25
Plutak system. With the loss of the last
Penitent the crippled Orieni survivors retreated DECEMBER
to Wereng.
On the 1st of December the IA On Christmas day, the Battle of Orien
launched its attack into Wereng. The IA fleet began. Long-range fire from Hyach, Brakiri,
was on its last legs, ships’ commanders were Minbari and Cascor ships began to
reporting all types of system failures and eight methodically punch holes in the outer OSAT
ships were lost in hyperspace on their way to chains. Smaller frigates moved forward to
Wereng. Yet the IA continued to press clear the minefields, and the Orieni moved out
onwards. The Minbari knew that if they let the to engage. The initial Orieni attack was made
Orieni catch their breath they would by a collection of freighters and assault ships.
counterattack and that could not be risked. All had had extra weapons added to their hulls
The Wereng system boasted defences equal in hasty conversions. With them were the
to Plutak. Also in Wereng were the remnants surviving elements of the Rogolon 1st and 2nd
of the Strike Forces. Now under the command Fleet. The 3rd fleet had been destroyed in
of Strike Admiral Irekka Korsh, the Strike Force Minbari territory and the 4th fleet was fighting
off a Nashaani/Medushan attack on Stannart,

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Drusa-Kavask and Prenill. The surviving would pay reparations to the Minbari and the
The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire
The Great Crusade

Orieni warships followed their Transport Protectorate races. Surplus food and building
Command brethren into battle. materials would be shipped to the Protectorate
At 0715 the battle was truly joined as border and from there to Minbar. The Elite and
the IA attacked the first of 4 Penitent Strike Force were disbanded, and IA observers
Starbases. Repeated missile strikes from the would remain in Orieni space to make sure
base and OSATs caused heavy casualties, but this happened. The new government would
the base fell beneath the guns of Cascor and hold power until new elections could take
Hyach warships. Hundreds of dogfights broke place. The Nashaani and Medushaan attack
out as the Orieni Templar fighters escorted was stopped by the diplomatic efforts of the IA.
Hunter Killers to their targets. Capital ships The Nashani and Medushan had captured four
and fleet multipliers such as carriers and Orieni systems, and refused to return them to
scouts became the prime targets of the Orieni the Orieni.
HKs and manic battles were fought between The proud Rogolons had their fleet
the IA and Orieni as they alternately defended disbanded; only police ships were retained.
or attacked these ships. The Orieni Empire was banned from ever
The actual battle for Orien went on making aggressive moves towards a
from the 25th of December into the early hours neighbouring race unless attacked. Only in
of the 1st of January 2269. A full description of self-defence could the Orieni fight. It was
that massive battle would fill a book in its own estimated that it would take the Orieni over
right. When the gunfire finally stopped the twenty years to pay off the War reparations,
Orieni fleet was no more. The Orieni had a and another 50 years to help with the re-
few dozen police ships and a few larger building of the Protectorate. The IA patrolled
vessels but these were still making their way Orieni space in order to keep raiders to a
towards Orien. The IA fleet had lost hundreds minimum. The Orieni dutifully paid the
of ships and nearly all its fighters. It was later reparations and didn’t protest against the
estimated that a number of ships had been sanctions the IA placed on them. With their
lost by the IA equal to the combined Gaim, economy in ruins the Orieni abandoned many
Cascor and Descari fleets when they had of their less profitable mining bases and
been at full strength. withdrew to their more stable coreward
On Orien itself, the leader of the systems. The Orieni eventually contracted to
Blessed, Khorst Rak, was dead, having ritually an area from Seliffe to Mattren, from there to
committed suicide. A coup led by Strike Phanop and then down to Hulanok. The Orieni
Commodore Irak Rek overthrew the Blessed ceded systems to the Rogolons, Otac,
and accepted the cease-fire offered by the IA. Ar’Choaka allowing them to run these systems
Only a few shots had fallen on Orieni, causing their own way.
little actual damage, but the Orieni nation had Although the material damage to the
suffered a near mortal blow. Their fleet was Orieni could be recovered the moral and
destroyed; their economy had collapsed spiritual blow was one the Orieni would never
despite the best efforts of the Blessed to keep recovered from. The Orieni ceased all contact
this knowledge secret. The Gods had not with outsiders other than those races they
helped them, and the Orieni had been formally controlled. The Orieni became more
defeated in their holy mission. introverted and solemn. It was two hundred
The Second Treaty of Seliffe was years before the Orieni again made contact
signed by both sides on the 21st of January with the IA.
2269, and the Army of Light was surprisingly
lenient with their demands and clauses. The
Orieni were banned from having a set amount
of capital class vessels and were only allowed
to build vessels for self-defence. The Orieni

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2
again, the Phanop choice to rejoin them

The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire

The Orieni

The Great Crusade

was an easy one.
This pleased the Blessed as it
appeared that their vision of Order still held
Empire true despite the biggest catastrophe known
to the Orieni. Further contact with other
races only served to reinforce this view, as
Staring Into the Abyss the smaller races caught up in the War were
After the Centauri/Orieni War, the desperate for survival, and the Orieni
Orieni Empire was financially, economically offered to help these races to get back on
and militarily ruined. The once mighty Hand their feet, and rebuild their civilisations. All
of the Blessed, the pride of the Orieni, was that the Orieni asked for was that they serve
reduced to a fraction of its size. The forced in the Orieni Empire as willing subjects, who
withdrawal from their subject races would be given the respect of all Orieni
stipulated by the Treaty of Seliffe weakened citizens and treated as such. This appealed
the Orieni economy even more. Facing ruin, to many races, including some that had
the Blessed fought hard to hold the come through the war suffering terrible
remaining Orieni holdings together. Within damage to their worlds and population.
20 years the Orieni had recovered enough Thanks to their reinvigorated
of their economy to begin the process of economy, the Orieni managed to complete
rebuilding. The Orieni concentrated on the the repair of their worlds and resume full-
development of their economy and scale production by 2121. The Phanop and
rebuilding their damaged planets, with fleet three other races rejoined the Empire of
resources coming in at a distant third place. their own free will, which further
To further burden their economy the Orieni strengthened the Orieni position. With their
were paying the Centauri reparations for the worlds once again productive the Orieni
war. turned to their neglected Fleet. The Orieni
The surviving ships of the Hand of the initially simply produced the ships that had
Blessed, under the command of Strike served in the Centauri War. A larger number
Admiral Hiraka Shrak, used what resources of medium ship class vessels was produced
they had to aggressively patrol Orieni space with squadrons based in each system. Due
in order to keep raider numbers to a to their high cost and the resources involved
minimum. By late 2041 the Orieni had in building them the number of command
managed to repair the damage done to ships produced remained low, by 2133
Orien and their remaining worlds and once there were only 6 Prophet Class in service.
again looked to expand. Their first mission The Orieni also produced their first cruiser,
to contact the Phanop found their former the Zealot class, but again production
subjects willing to join with the Orieni. numbers remained low.
The Phanop had been under Orieni
control for the longest and when the Rebirth
Centauri forced the Orieni to withdraw from By 2138 the Orieni had recovered
Phanos under the Treaty Of Seliffe the sufficiently to begin moving into the systems
Phanop were dismayed. The Phanop kept the Centauri had forced them from. Many of
working using Orieni methods and kept these worlds had suffered greatly during the
Orieni ideals. When the Orieni arrived once War, but the Orieni were determined to
make use of them. Whilst the Orieni

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 2 The Orieni Empire

expanded the Centauri Republic collapsed advance surprised even the Blessed, but it
The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire
The Great Crusade

into a bloody Civil War. The once great again proved that the Orieni were destined
Republic imploded, resulting in the Centauri to bring Order to the Universe.
pulling out of many of their border systems.
The devastated region between the Watching from the Light
Centauri and Orieni was presumed enough As the Orieni expansion continued at
to stop the Orieni from expanding towards break neck speed, the Orieni kept contact
Centauri space, so the Centauri pulled back with the rest of the Galaxy to a minimum.
from most of the worlds they had fought so Occasionally a trading vessel appeared at a
hard to keep during the Great War. Centauri outpost or League waystation but
The Orieni expanded slowly, doing generally they kept to themselves. The
their best to rebuild damaged worlds and Orieni watched as the Centauri collapsed in
make use of every possible resource. on themselves, watched as the League was
Former mining colonies were repopulated born and went through its own birthing
and resumed production, Orieni advances pains. The Orieni continued to establish
in hydroponics made them less dependent Order on their worlds, and those of their
on food imports and made most worlds self subjects. Their subject races thrived under
sufficient. Orieni control, even the battered Usuuth
The Orieni military received more began to recover (all be it very slowly).
and more funding, which was placed into Contact was established with the Rogolons
further construction as well as research into with trade and non-aggression treaties
more advanced systems and weapons. quickly following. The Rogolons had been
Although the level of funding could not attacked but not invaded during the Great
compare to that of the original military War and had managed to recover quite
budget, the Hand of the Blessed made the quickly and had even occupied a former
best use of every credit. Initially this Orieni world. Their military had also learnt
research paid off in the form of improved from their performance during the war, and
armour and sensors, which were had come to realise that active defence is
incorporated into every serving Orieni ship required no matter what the cost in honour.
over a remarkably short time of eight Terran The Blessed quickly came to realise
months. that the Rogolons would be a useful ally as
The Orieni Empire had now grown to the only two other races in the area, the
encompass 30 worlds, and had assimilated Medushaan and Nashani, were hostile
the Phanop, Dishari, Huan and Namarons. towards the Orieni, but both were willing to
An Orieni expedition to Usuuthir space trade. The Blessed would use the Rogolons
found the world devastated, barely 100000 to act as their agents and also act as a
Usuuth living in total squalor. The Orieni stabilising influence in the region. The
having already helped the Arkadan and Orieni helped the Rogolons enhance their
Thunat survivors began to help the surviving technology base and improve their weapons
Usuuth. Although the Usuuth treated the designs. Within five years the Rogolons
Orieni missionaries with outright hostility had become a client state of the Orieni.
when they first encountered them, they By 2200 the Orieni economy had
quickly realised that the Orieni were here to totally recovered from the war with the
help them, and resistance ceased overnight. Centauri. Their military was rebuilt.
The Orieni expansion continued at Although not the size of their original fleet, it
breath taking speed. The speed of their was strong enough to preserve the Empire.

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2
The Orieni had stared into the abyss and occupied Kazat, Beta 10, and Quadrant 3

The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire

The Great Crusade
had been re-born as a race and Empire. but advanced no further, finding the worlds in
the area to still be devastated from the war
Troubled Times 236 year ago.
In 2229 the Dilgar stormed out of The next biggest event to shake the
their space and tore into the League of Non- galactic scene was the Earth/Minbari War.
Aligned Worlds. During the Dilgar War the The Earth Alliance had saved the League
Centauri were actually contemplating and in their arrogance had presumed
helping the League. It was viewed that the themselves unbeatable. The Orieni knew
political benefits of helping the League how powerful the Minbari were and had
would outweigh the cost in lives. Even with always avoided them. They watched as the
their military in its weakened state, having Minbari tore through the Earth Alliance
withdrawn from Narn Space, and with a fleets. That a power like the Earth Alliance
relatively weak economy, the Centauri still could be defeated so quickly, even by a
had a very powerful space fleet. But in late race as advanced as the Minbari, shocked
2230 a Covran Class Scout was carrying the Orieni.
out reconnaissance of the Centauri The Earth Alliance fleet was powerful,
spinward border. The scout detected a large and well trained, but the Minbari had
massive force of Orieni vessels performing smashed the EA within two years. The
military exercises in the Usuuth system. Blessed ordered that a massive chain of
The Covran fled before it was fortifications be built on the systems directly
detected and reported directly to the bordering Minbari space. They also
Centaurum. Within a week over 90 percent ordered a sweeping refit of the Hand Of the
of the Royal Navy was deployed along the Blessed to make them capable of facing the
Centauri border to protect against a Minbari in battle. The Hand of the Blessed
possible Orieni attack. The Centauri sent a received massive amounts of funding which
diplomatic envoy to Orieni space but the was immediately poured into weapons
diplomatic effort didn’t work as planned. research and ship design. The Hand of The
The Centauri demanded that the Orieni Blessed now worked to cover the holes in
withdraw from the space near their border its fleet’s deployment such as the lack of a
or face another war. dedicated carrier.
The Orieni quoted from the Treaty of Seliffe,
as the Treaty had banned the Orieni from Change and Despair
any form of aggression towards the The surrender of the Minbari at the
Centauri. But they then said that they would Battle of the Line stunned the Orieni. The
not leave their new worlds and would treat Orieni had presumed that Humanity was
any Centauri aggression as an act of war. doomed, that the Minbari would invade
Because of this the Centauri were unable to Earth and tear down the Earth Alliance. But
intervene in the Dilgar War as nearly all their the Minbari surrendered on the verge of
military was deployed along the border to victory. Something had happened that the
defend against an Orieni attack. The attack Blessed had not seen coming, and they
never came, but led to a cold war that lasted realised that this would require further
until 2236. After 2236 the Centauri pulled investigation. Benevolent class Scouts
back from even more of their old spinward were routinely making patrols along the
system, which prompted the Orieni to Minbari border, but nothing out of the
cautiously follow in their wake. The Orieni ordinary was reported. The Earth Alliance

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 2 The Orieni Empire

formed the Babylon Project, which surprised At the great battle of Coriana 6 the
The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire
The Great Crusade

the Blessed, as another race was trying to Shadows and Vorlons were finally brought to
bring Order to the universe and they were no account by the younger races and the few
longer alone in their goal. The Centauri, remaining ancients. After the battle both the
Narns, Minbari and League became Vorlons and Shadows left for the rim. When
members of the Babylon Council, in an news of this reached the Orieni, the Blessed
attempt to solve their problems without and populace alike were dismayed. Their
violence. Gods were gone, banished by young
But it was not long before things upstarts, who had no inkling of what they
started to go wrong. were doing.
The War of Retribution nearly
signalled the death knell of the Centauri Fury and War
Republic as the Narns tore into Centauri The anger at the betrayal of the Gods
space regardless of what the Centauri did by the other races suffused the entire Orieni
to stop them. Then the Narns started to be population. Religious leaders began
pushed back, and it was not long before the preaching that the infidels and heretics
Centauri were in orbit over Homeworld should be punished for their heinous act.
obliterating cities with Mass Drivers. This These messages of hatred swayed the
did not concern the Orieni as they felt they general population enough that they
were strong enough to fight off any Centauri demanded that the Blessed respond. The
assault. More disturbing was the rumours of Hand of the Blessed, which had been on a
monstrous beings seen in hyperspace. Also war footing since the appearance of the
the sightings of Vorlon vessels by pilgrims to Shadows, was ready to move at a moments
the Vorlon border had increased ten fold. notice and many Admirals were angry that
Without warning the ancient enemies they had just sat by and did nothing whilst
of the gods returned. The Orieni were not their Gods were driven from the universe.
attacked by the Shadows, but they heard of The Blessed began to fear a military coup,
a massive conflict on the other side of and decided to act. The Leader of the
Vorlon/Minbari space. The Hand of the Blessed, in an address to the Orieni people
Blessed was mobilised and it was and their subjects, declared his intentions in
preparing to move through Minbari space the best political and religious lingo.
when the Vorlons made their move. Again
Orieni intelligence on what was actually “The other races have driven the
happening was limited. All they knew was Gods from our adoration and worship. They
that the Vorlons were fighting against their used the Gods and then cast them aside.
ancient enemies. This is the most hideous act that has ever
Then the galaxy was turned on its been carried out against our mighty race.
ear. The other races of known space turned The unbelievers, blindly arrogant in their
against the Vorlons. The Orieni discovered thoughts, do not realise what they have
this when an Orieni merchant vessel in Drazi done. They have angered the Warriors of
space observed a battle between the the Gods, and the Warriors call out for
Vorlons and a host of other races. The vengeance.
Blessed were totally shocked by this turn of We must, we shall punish the
events. They could not comprehend why the heretics for their betrayal, and we shall
other races would fight the gods punish those who used the Gods and their
themselves. favour, who turned their back on the gods

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when the gods fought their ancient enemy. from there break into the main Minbari

The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire

The Great Crusade
My fellow Orieni we shall punish the Minbari. systems in a series of massive attacks.
We will leave no stone standing on their The Minbari were totally unaware of
planets. We shall leave no system that the thousands of Orieni ships transiting to
harbours Minbari life intact. The Gods will their border as the Minbari had ignored the
be avenged, and then we shall all receive Orieni after the War and had presumed that
their eternal blessings and thanks”. they had collapsed as an Empire. Scouting
Almost every ship in the Hand of the operations to the Orieni border had
Blessed was moved to the Orieni/Minbari revealed nothing, and nothing was detected
border, the Rolgons contributed all their by the long-range sensor arrays near the
available ships to the coming offensive. border.
Across every world the number of new
military recruits increased tenfold almost Little did the Minbari know that the
overnight. The Orieni shipyards were entire Orieni fleet was waiting in hyperspace
working night and day producing ships of for the attack signal. Hyperspace beacons
every size. In a remarkably short time of six had been tampered with to broadcast false
months the Orieni had managed to increase information, further aiding the Orieni. On the
their fleet size by over 20%. Terran date of the 28th of May 2268 the
Every new ship received crews and Orieni fleet received the attack signal
training programmes were barely keeping “Punish the Heretics”.
up with the influx of new recruits. The With that one message over two
fortifications along the Minbari border were thousand ships began moving towards the
bolstered to protect against a Minbari Minbari border. The true War of Retribution
counterattack, plans were drawn up for the or the Great Crusade, as the Orieni called it
assault, and exploration units began was under way.
searching for routes into Minbari space.
In the system of Nanbas a Faithful ORIENI MILITARY
MILITARY
Search found a jump route to the
After the Centauri War, the Hand of
Protectorate system of Golthat and days
the Blessed (HOB) was left with a shattered
later a jump route was established to the
fleet, only one command ship (the Paragon
Minbari system of Vamnami. The High
Flame of Purity) had survived and there
Command of the Hand of the Blessed
were barely a hundred smaller ships to
ordered that a jump lane be established
patrol and protect the remaining Orieni
from Nanabas to Lishtonos and that the
systems. The rebuilding of the Orieni fleet
Kilkameshi be neutralised, either by
took decades of slow rebuilding and
diplomacy or force.
planning, with ships being modernised when
The peaceful Kilkameshi quickly
enhancements became available. The
signed a non-aggression pact with the
Orieni concentrated on modernising their
Orieni and declared their systems open to
weapon and ship systems. Whilst keeping
Orieni ships. This opened up a jump route
the same fleet organisation that had served
to Arnassia, another Protectorate system.
so well during the Centauri War deployment
Finally, a jump route was discovered from
gaps were covered. The Orieni Officer
Exhur to Vagthusa, another Minbari system.
Corps was dramatically enlarged and alien
Using these four systems the Hand of the
races were allowed to advance up in the
Blessed would storm Minbari space and
ranks. The inclusion of the Rogolon fleet

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 2 The Orieni Empire

added an extra dimension to the Orieni were produced pushing it to uncommon

The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire
The Great Crusade

fleet, and added extra numbers to the total status.

fleet strength.
Templar II Interceptor
Crusader Class Fleet The Templar was a superb fighter in
Carrier the Centauri War, and was never matched
Enlightenment Variant (Uncommon) by the Centauri. The Templar hull was
Limited Deployment 33% modified with the main improvements being
Based on the hull of the massive and made to increase the thrust of the fighter,
roomy Enlightenment Invader, the Crusader and increase its ammunition. Although
was the largest dedicated carrier built by the vastly more powerful engines were installed,
Orieni. The Crusader lost the their increased thrust was mostly negated
Enlightenment’s missile and reload racks, up by the increased mass of the improved
its troop quarters and all the storage space, targeting computer and extra protection.
but this was filled with hanger space. The Frontal armour was slightly increased as
Crusader would field 36 Templar II Fighters, well, which turned a superb fighter into one
and 24 Blazing Star Hunter Killers. The of the best fighters in known space.
ships remaining defensive armament For second line units the original
comprised of two War Lances, and nine Templar is still retained in service.
Advanced Gatling Rail Guns (AGRG).
Blazing Star Hunter Killer
Zealot Class Cruiser The HK weapon system, although
The Zealot was produced shortly expensive, was devastating against the
after the Centauri War as a cheaper Centauri. The Orieni continued to advance
alternative to dedicated command class the Hunter Killer design until they developed
warships. Initially armed with a mix of the Blazing Star HK, which represented the
Gauss Cannons, GRGs and Light Lasers, bleeding edge in the weapon system.
the Zealot was under gunned for a cruiser. Slightly faster than the Shining Star,
Quickly updated when more advanced the Blazing Star had a number of
weapons became available, the Zealot was improvements to increase its chance of
produced in large numbers and used to lead hitting its target. The missiles armour was
Orieni MCV squadrons and supply jump increased over all, its ramming systems
support to a squadron without having to rely were improved (+3 bonus to ram) and its
on either a Paragon or Prophet. The design ranging systems were generations ahead of
was successful although the cruiser those of the Shining Star (-1 per 4 hexes in
remained under gunned for a cruiser hull, ram attempt). The Orieni were unable to
and was little more than a large HCV. increase the amount of damage the Blazing
Star could do due to lack of space.
Paragon and Prophet Class Fielded in large numbers aboard the
The Paragon and Prophet always Crusader, Prophet and Paragons as well as
were the most important Orieni ships during dedicated support ship, the Orieni were
the Centauri War. The only problem was relying on the Blazing Star to be a major
that there were never enough of them. The advantage in the Grand Crusade. The
Orieni covered this by producing a larger Blazing Star still has totally replaced the
number of Prophets and more Paragons Shining Star in Orieni fleet.

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The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire

Storm Front Missile

The Great Crusade

Overseer Hunter Killer Frigate
Conveyer Ship Vengeance Variant (Uncommon)
Vigilant Variant (Uncommon) The Storm Front had long been the
The Overseer was built on the hull of missile support ship of the Orieni fleet, and
the Vigilant Combat Support Ship, and was advances in Orieni missile technoligy saw a
a dedicated Hunter Killer Carrier. To welcome upgrade to the venerable Storm
support their enlarged fleet, massive Front. Fitted with three Class-R racks, the
numbers of new Vigilants had been Storm Front could unleash a hail of missiles.
produced, and the Overseer was an It should be noted that Storm Fronts were
uncommon variant of this unrestricted hull. often crewed by alien members of the Orieni
Instead of its missile racks and cargo Fleet. Whether this was because of the
sections the Overseer mounted Heavy cramped and uncomfortable nature of the
Gauss Rifles, a single War Lance and nine Storm Front or the Orieni’s desire not to risk
IGRGs. The cargo pods were replaced with their own people with the rather unstable
hangars for Hunter Killers, of which the ship Class-R rack is unknown.
could carry four flights and it could control all
of them. The Overseer kept the Vigilants Vengeance Attack Frigate
original flight of six fighters, and these are The Vengeance is based on the
commonly used to escort the HKs on their older Steadfast hull, and is the Steadfast’s
way to the target. replacement in frontline forces. The
Vengeance is designed to take out other
Purifier Bomber MCV’s and, when operated in packs,
Enlightenment Variant (Uncommon) disable or destroy larger vessels. The
The Purifier is another conversion of firepower of the Vengeance was a shock to
the Enlightenment hull. Using the ship’s Interstellar Alliance and Minbari forces and
massive carrying capacity, the Purifier has was one of the few Orieni MCVs that could
replaced all the cargo, troop and missile match a White Star in a one-on-one fight.
storage with weapons of mass destruction.
The Purifier’s primary weapons are two Flame Of Purity Improved
Mass Drivers, with an array of four bomb Paragon Command Ship
racks and four missile racks making up its Paragon Variant (Unique)
other bombardment weapons. The missile The Flame Of Purity was the oldest
racks are often armed with either fusion or ship in the Orieni Fleet. She was the only
fission weapons, and the bomb racks often command ship to survive the War and took
carry neutron bombs. These weapons can’t over as fleet flagship. The Flame Of Purity
be used against ships but the racks can fire was never decommissioned and was
as a normal missile launcher. instead constantly upgraded throughout her
The only other armament the Purifier operational life to ensure her readiness for
carries is an array of eight IGRGs for self- battle. The Flame Of Purity was rarely seen
defence. With these ships the Hand of the in combat in Minbari space and was fitted
Blessed would carry out their leaders’ with the Flak Array as well as two of the
promise to leave no stone standing on brand new Class-LR missile racks.
Minbari worlds. The Flame Of Purity was eventually
destroyed leading the surviving Paragons

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 2 The Orieni Empire

and Prophets against the Interstellar amount of damage and its long range firing
The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire
The Great Crusade

Alliance forces as they approached Orien. ability make it even more formidable. The
Before being destroyed the Flame Of Purity weapon’s size limited its deployment to
crippled or killed sixed capital ships and capital ship hulls however. In the Crusade
mauled many more. the Alliance quickly learned to respect the
Heavy Gauss Rifle.
ORIENI WEAPONS
Initially the Orieni didn’t advance their Gatling Rail Gun
weapons after the Centauri war, but with The GRG had been the bane of
increased funding for research more Centauri fighters and ships during the war.
advanced weapons were developed. The Realising what a success story the GRG
Orieni continued work to enhance their was, the Orieni worked to improve this
weapons damage. The first success was already lethal weapon. The biggest
the War Lance, a fusion of the Centauri improvements were an improved tracking
Imperial Laser and Heavy Laser Lance that system which increased the weapon’s
increased the Imperial Laser’s damage accuracy as well as its ability to intercept
level and obtained the ability to pierce, ballistic weapons. The Orieni were never
allowing it to cause massive internal to the able to design a GRG with the ability to
target. affect other types of inbound fire. Only one
The Gauss weapon systems were system was ever developed and all the
altered into what would become the Gauss prototypes were lost when the Flame of
Rifle series. These weapons had a slightly Purity was destroyed with them aboard.
better damage curve while also enjoying an
enhanced range over their predecessors. Flak Array
The Orieni still felt that the Hunter The Flak Array was the breakthrough
Killer was the long range weapon of the fleet the Orieni had sought in their defensive
along with missiles, which the Orieni weapons research. Based on Grome Flak
advanced to Class-L racks, as well as Cannons from the salvaged wreck of a
developing the Class-R Rack. The Mogorta found in hyperspace, the Orieni
formidable Class-B Rack was also improved upon the Flak Cannon system until
developed for use on the Orieni’s fixed they developed the Flak Array. Instead of
defences. being a small weapon, the Flak Array was
roughly the size of the Centauri Twin Array. It
Gauss Rifle replaced the GRG on a two for one basis.
The Gauss Rifle series was a logical When completed, the Flak Array was
progression of the Gauss Cannon weapons a showcase for Orieni matter weapon
from the Centauri War era. The Orieni development and was a superior weapon
improved the weapons range and fire compared to its peers. Capable of ripping
control whilst making the housing more fighters or ships apart with its two shots, the
compact, therefore allowing it to be Interstellar Alliance was fortunate that the
mounted on smaller ships Orieni did not use more of these weapons.
The Flak Array was only deployed on
the Orieni fleet flagship, the Flame of Purity.
Heavy Gauss Rifle
The weapons proved deadly but when the
The Gauss Rifle’s big brother, the
ship was destroyed all the prototype
Heavy Gauss Rifle can cause an impressive

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 The Orieni Empire
2
weapons went with her. The Interstellar

The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire

The Great Crusade
Alliance later confiscated the technical plans
and equipment to make the Flak Array.

Laser Spear
The Laser Spear came about
because of Orieni experimentation with the
Light Laser Cannon. The Orieni were
attempting to produce a more powerful
version of the Light Laser but also keep the
weapon small. Upon completion the
weapon was found to be larger than planned
but was otherwise everything its designers
could hope for. With a longer range and
greater damage potential than the Light
Laser, the Laser Spear was an instant
success.

War Lance
The War Lance was the final word in
Orieni Laser technology. Although short
ranged, the War Lance was capable of
inflicting massive amounts of damage both
in raking and piercing modes. The War
Lance was only ever mounted on Orieni
Capital ships. Attempts to fit the weapon on
smaller ships resulted in constant misfirings
and other technical flaws.

Orieni Missiles
After the Centauri War the Orieni
continued to develop their missile
technology, all be it at a slower pace. By the
time of the attack on Minbari space the
Orieni had developed the Class L, R and B
racks. The Class L saw extensive use on
Orieni Capital ships whilst the Class R was
limited to the Storm Front Missile Frigate.
The Class B rack was only ever deployed
on the Orieni’s fixed defences.

The Great Crusade: The Rebirth of the Orieni Empire Page 21