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Chapter 1: An Expedition is Born Inquisitor Accalia Nastrus stood on the bridge of her ship, the Grey Fang, her hands folded calmly behind her back. Her eyes ghosted over the controls for a moment, just a moment, before she turned to stare out the window. This hunt had been a long time coming and oh, Throne, was she ready. The Acolytes she'd picked from among her stable were mostly brawlers, with a crime lord for variety... she didn't care for the Mechanicus' secretive attitude, even if it was an unofficial offshoot splinter cult. An STC would provide immeasurable benefit to the Imperium of Man, and Death Worlders knew not to hoard resources that would benefit the whole. That sort of thing was what led to everyone getting killed. She was under no illusions-- the universe at large was intensely hostile toward humanity. It was Fenris writ large, as large as a thing could be, and any rogue faction holding something as critically important as an STC had to be brought in line. With force, if necessary. Sometimes, if not necessary, to make an example to the rest of humanity. People were so wasteful. Throwing away human resources with unique talents was a waste of resources, resources that could better go toward serving the Emperor. Resources that could go toward keeping the crumbling, shambling Imperium alive for another Terran year, Emperor willing. If she was able to snag an STC... well, that would mean a lot for her career as well. More power for her to serve Mankind... and who could say she didn't deserve it? "Inquisitor Nastrus?" "Yes?" "They're here." "Ah. Send them in." Accalia Nastrus didn't cut an imposing physical figure. A slight woman, most of those under her command towered head and shoulders above her. Her clothing was sparse, by Inquisitorial standards-- very fine, but plain charcoal grey, with her rosette pinned to her collar. It revealed nothing, just like her half-smile, though the very most astute of people would be able to pick out no less than ten knives on her person. There were actually thirty-two, thirty-three if one counted a needle as a type of knife. The Inquisitor went back and forth on that, philosophically-speaking. She let the Acolytes filter in, taking in their reactions one by one. She was glad to have them... unconventional that they were. Godebert was one of the best information-hunters she had ever seen. He managed to track her note, and he was lean and hungry for his old glory. She could leverage that. Urgo was quiet, and was programmed to know his way around a tech compound without any of that Omnissiah poo poo to get in the way of delivering the STC back to her. Gaius she knew to be duty driven... and he would remain so as long as he was given more grist for the body mill. If he believed his abilities were Emperor-sent, so be it... he was useful, and she'd keep him until the Warp claimed his mind. The mutant, Kernel, was especially interesting. Anyone who could throw off being a Thrall and survive with mutations in the Imperium was worth keeping. "Welcome, gentlemen, to the Grey Fang. I trust your journey was comfortable?" She didn't wait for an answer before taking a step over to a console, where she pulled up a hologram of some sort of complicated looking piece of technology. "I won't bullshit you. This is big. We have evidence to indicate that the Forge World Elohssa LXIX contains an STC assisting in the creation of Vortex Grenades. They're in a relatively isolated part of the sector, here." She pulled up a map. "The strangest thing is that we've been unable to find evidence of a high ranking techpriest anywhere on the godforsaken rock, despite their output and income increasing exponentially in just a decade. We believe it's stored in the lower levels of the biggest factory on the main continent. Your mission is to get it and bring it back to me." She rolled one of her shoulders-- an old injury bothering her perhaps-- then turned her steely-eyed gaze back to her Acolytes. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask them now. My ship will remain in the solar system, but you will be descending on one of our shuttles. Warp jump starts within an hour, arrival within twelve. I suggest you get some food and some sleep before your mission."
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Jun 1, 2017 04:59
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 Gaius Severo Gaius arrives on the bridge in his plain brown robes, having left his armor and weapons behind in his assigned quarters. Full plate was far too heavy and uncomfortable to be worn outside of a mission, and appearing before a ruler armed without permission was grounds for execution on Iolia. The nobles on his homeworld were quite paranoid about assassination. He wasn't sure if that rule applied in the greater Imperium, or that the Inquisitor counted as a liege lord, but he'd decided it was better to be safe than headless. He gapes at the bridge controls and the window into space. He'd been on the ship for a while, but it still never failed to shock him that this was... normal. He'd never seen so much machinery in one place, and he'd barely even been aware of the existence of worlds beyond his own. It was just an accepted fact: born on Iolia, die on Iolia. Unless, of course, you were mustered for the Imperial Guard. Or in this case, selected by an Inquisitor for service. He eyes the other acolytes with suspicion (or in the case of Kernel, undisguised fear and disgust). If the Inquisitor said they were sanctioned, then they were; she was a direct representative of the Emperor. But that didn't make the mutant or the machine-man any less disturbing. When the Inquisitor stops speaking, he licks his lips nervously and bows slightly before speaking. "Only one question, Inquisitor. Forgive my ignorance, but what is an STC? Or Vortex Grenades? Such technology is unfamiliar to me." pre:Name: Gaius Severo Homeworld: Feudal World Background: Adeptus Ministorum Role: Fanatic Aptitudes: Weapon Skill, Social, Leadership, Offence, Toughness, Perception, Willpower, Psyker Divination: Dark Dreams Lie Upon the Heart Elite Advance: Psyker Characteristics: WS: 37 BS: 23 S: 31 (+5 Advance) T: 36 Agi: 36 Int: 27 Per: 36 WP: 40 (+5 Advance) Fel: 32 Inf: 30 Wounds: 10 Fate: 4 Insanity: 0 Corruption: 8 Skills: Charm Command Common Lore (Adeptus Ministorum) Inquiry Linguistics (High Gothic) Psyniscience Talents: Deny the Witch Weapon Training (LT, SP) Psychic Powers: PR 1 Psychic Communion Traits/Other: Psyker (Renegade) Abilities: At Home in Armor: Ignore maximum agility of armor. Faith is All: Spend FP to gain +20 to tests instead of +10. Death to All Who Oppose Me!: Spend a FP to gain Hatred against current foe for the encounter. Gain 1 Insanity if he leaves combat against those enemies. Gear: Mono Warhammer Stub Revolver Feudal World Plate Imperial Robes Backpack Glow-Globe Monotask Servo-Skull (Laud Hailer) Psy-Focus (Symbol of the Forgotten Saint) Acquisitions: Feudal World Plate Mono Upgrade (Warhammer) Psy-Focus (Symbol of the Forgotten Saint) XP Spent 1000/1000 WP +5-250 Psyker Elite Advance-300 S +5-250 Psychic Communion-100 Psyniscience-100
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Jun 1, 2017 05:50
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 Thrall KR-NL-1874 "Kernel" This was only the third ship Kernel had been on in his lifetime, and if he could have had a choice, he never would go on one again. Space was dangerous, cold, and unforgiving. If you happened to be by a hull breach without a void suit on, vacuum would kill you dead in just a matter of minutes. Of course Kernel understood that it was necessary to travel in the void, but that didn't make him any happier about it. Upon entering the bridge Kernel leaned against a near-by bulk head. He was never a "stand at attention type" in part out of personal dignity, but more out of up bringing. On his home world the rulers of Chaos didn't want thralls to stand at attention, you were to kneel, eyes downcast, fully submissive for all to see. Just getting over that was hard enough, much less, learning about who to salute and how. Kernel carried his meager possessions on him. He had on the simple leathers of a slave, with a battered set of guard flak armor he had received from the Imperial Guard forces that liberated his world. Though probably illegal, Kernel had found one of the dead Guardsmen on the field and stripped him bare. Set of armor, stub revolver, combat harness, and even a flamer, Kernel took it all. The only thing he had that wasn't taken of a dead guard was his large two handed sword, and even that was taken off of a dead Chaos champion. Though the sword wasn't even the thing that stood out most about Kernel. He stood a full head height above even the tallest person in the room, and was as broad as an astartes. Kernel had been bread as a brute; the Chaos overseers and taskmasters wanted strong workers and hearty sacrifices. A few generations of selective breeding for strength and stamina, more selective breading for susceptibility to mutation, and throw in the ever present winds of Chaos, and you have a hulking brute. Kernel's skin was a patchwork of rippling muscles, skin reminiscent of rippling leather, and even some hard, almost chitinous parts. The medicaes that examined him indicated that his muscle density was on par with an Ogryn and that Kernel's red blood cell count was so concentrated that he could likely loose half his blood and still function. Bones were thicker, and Kernel didn't have a rib cage but one solid bony plate surrounding his torso. This thickness impacts movement, but they never needed the thralls to be fast. Kernel could feel the eyes of Gaius upon him. Kernel returns the gaze as equally as he is receiving it, and straightens up his posture to full height, to make it clear he was not intimidated. It was a shame. Kernel had gazed in Gaius's quarters. He appeared to be a rather skilled combatant, and Kernel looked forward to going into battle with him, but if his blind prejudices were going to be so blatantly on display, then so be it. In many respects Kernel was not much different than an Ogryn, or ratling, or Navigator, or sanctioned psyker. They were all mutants. The Imperium isn't blindly anti-mutant, only afraid of unstable stock. Kernel does finally speak, his voice gravely, causing a nearby glass of water to ripple, but still measured, and well enunciated. "What are our rules of engagement? Is there anyone who should be considered off limits, or can we use deadly force against any who get in our way? Hoarding this secret could damage the Imperium, so as far as I am concerned anyone concealing this STC as you call it is an enemy of Order. Though it is not my concerns that matter here i would assume." pre:Name: "Kernel" Homeworld: Daemon world Background: Mutant Role: Crusader Aptitudes: Willpower, offense, Knowledge, strength, toughness Weapon skill (second offense), Intelligence (second willpower) Divination: To war is human Characteristics: WS: 34= 34 BS: 26=26 S: 43=33+10(mutation) T: (6)52=37+10(mutation)+5(advance) Agi: 31=31 Int: 29=29 Per: 34=34 WP: 37=37 Fel: 25=25 Inf: 32=32 Wounds: =11 Fate: 3 Insanity: 0 Corruption: =16 Skills: Athletics Dodge Intimidate Forbidden Lore (Mutants) Parry Psyniscience Survival Talents: weapon training (low tech, SP, flame) Bodyguard Frenzy Traits/Other: Unnatural Toughness (1) Abilities: Twisted flesh: may choose to fail malignacy or mutation test, then roll mutations Smite the unholy: fate to auto pass fear also deal extra damage against fear causing foes Mutations: Swollen Brute: more str and toughness but -1 AB for movement Gear: Stub Revolver Flamer Great Weapon /mono grapnel and line heavy leathers Guard flak armor combat vest stimm x2 Acquisitions (3): mono on great weapon Guard flak armor Flamer XP Spent: 950/1000 Parry 200 Toughness simple 250 Weapon Training (flame) 300 Frenzy 200
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Jun 1, 2017 06:21
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 Godebert Reinfrid Eike of Schwarzenholz Godebert had never been on the bridge of a ship before. As a child he'd stay with his tutors in the suites that would be provided for his family when on state visits and after the great betrayal he'd been a stowaway on the lower decks when fleeing from his homeworld. As he entered, he bowed to the Inquisitor as was expected of one who was educated in etiquette and observed his fellow acolytes. The robed man, Gaius, carried himself like a warrior and seemed like he'd be a more reliable comrade in combat than the criminal scum he'd been forced to work with during his exile. The hulking mutant however, reminded him of the things his party of refugees had encountered in the bowels of the ship they fled on and Godebert took care to stand on the opposite end of the row of assembled acolytes from it. After the Inquisitor outlined their mission, he tried to recall if he ever heard of Elohssa LXIX. His tutors had taught him about many planets and the houses who they'd belong to. Later, he learned of a great deal more and their exports from his contact with smugglers but this forge world was new to him. He spoke "Your Excellency, I have not heard of this planet before, is it known who would be in charge there if there is no Magos of sufficient rank ruling over it?" pre:Name Godebert Reinfrid Eike of Schwarzenholz Homeworld Highborn (Any time a highborn character would reduce his Influence, he reduces it by 1 less (to a minimum reduction of 1).) Background Outcast (An Outcast character counts his Toughness bonus as two higher for purposes of determining Fatigue.) Role Desperado (Once per round, after performing a Move action, a Desperado character may perform a single Standard Attack with a Pistol weapon he is currently wielding as a Free Action.) Divination 71 A suspicious mind is a healthy mind. (Increase this character’s Perception characteristic by 2. Additionally, he may re-roll Awareness tests to avoid being Surprised.) Wounds 9+1=10 Fate 4 Fatigue 0 Insanity 0 Corruption 0 Armour Flak Vest Head 0 Larm 0 Rarm 0 Body 3 Lleg 0 Rleg 0 WS 20+8=28 BS 20+
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Jun 1, 2017 14:07
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 Will Will had been squatting down behind a control panel, analyzing the situation. He mouths the word that had been just said. "Magos". He knew this word from the stories. It had been said that one of the tribe's leaders had the title of Magos. He shuffles inside his robes, reaching for the sacred cog. Praying for strength to speak up. "Honored Chief of ship.. How big is it? This esteesee? What color and shape is it? What I am asking is how do we know what to search for?" pre:Name Strength-Will Victory-Mind Homeworld Forge World (Omnissiah’s Chosen: A forge world character starts with either the Technical Knock or Weapon-Tech talent) Background Outcast (Never Quit: An Outcast character counts his Toughness bonus as two higher for purposes of determining Fatigue.) Role Mystic (Stare into the Warp: A Mystic character starts the game with the Psyker elite advance (see page 90). It is recommended that a character who wishes to be a Mystic have a Willpower of at least 35.) Divination Heresy begets Retribution (Increase this character's Fellowship or Strength characteristic by 3. Reduce his Toughness or Willpower characteristic by 3.) Wounds 8+3=11 Fate 3 Fatigue 0 Insanity 0 Corruption 9 Armour Armoured Bodyglove Head 0 Larm 2 Rarm 2 Body 2 Lleg 2 Rleg 2 WS 20+7+5=32 BS 20+11=31 S 20+11+3=34 T 20+13-3=30 Ag 20+14=34 Int 20+7=27 Per 20+12=32 WP 20+16+5=41 Fel 20+8=28 Ifl 20+10=30 Aptitudes: HW: Intelligence BG: Social Role: Defence Toughness Knowledge Perception Willpower Psyker XP spent 1000 XP unspent 0 XP total 1000 Skills: Acrobatics or Sleight of Hand, Common Lore (Underworld), Deceive, Dodge, Stealth Talents: Technical Knock Weapon Training (Chain, Las) Elite: Psyker (PR 2) Gear: laspistol, chainsword, armoured bodyglove, injector, 2 doses of slaught
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Jun 13, 2017 23:31
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The Best Laid Plans Inquisitor Nastrus considered her Acolytes for a moment before responding. She turned to Kernel first, deliberately prioritizing his question. She respected the mutant. The others were, in no uncertain terms, to do the same. "The assumption that your concerns do not matter is reasonable, but could not be more wrong. Do not provoke the locals, but if you must use deadly force to acquire the STC, do so without hesitation. It can be absolutely deadly in the wrong hands, and can do untold amounts of good with us. If you can acquire it peacefully, do so. If you cannot acquire it nonviolently, and the poo poo completely hits the fan, you are authorized to leave a trail of bodies in your wake a mile wide. I would, however, rather it not come to that. It's too important to risk not bringing back." The Inquisitor addressed Gaius next. "There is nothing to forgive. Vortex Grenades are nasty weapons: grenades that open a portal directly to the Warp. An STC is, in its most basic terms, a sapient machine from the Dark Age of Technology. It was used to store technical knowledge-- the kind the Mechanicus is desperately trying to recover-- and allowed the ancient Imperium to craft everything from laspistols to, in some cases, even Astartes power armor. It could allow us to recover millennia of technological advances to advance the Emperor's glorious vision for Mankind. It's the most holy machine there is, and we believed all of them had been lost... until now. It's a big loving deal, gentlemen." She glanced at Will. "That is a lot of the problem. Nobody knows. We know from our research into the old stories that they were either portable or had means of propulsion-- the tales always mention it being moved by teams of two to four people. You are looking for the most advanced piece of technology in the entire Imperium, and likely the most heavily guarded and secured. Beyond that, the information has been lost." She smiled at Godebert. "The last we were able to glean, a woman by the name of Agana Aeron was in charge. She is officially a low-level techpriest that has a particular affinity for organization, and despite what the official records say, word has it that she is the one who pulls the strings. Her headquarters is the biggest nerve center on the biggest continent on the planet; we believe that the STC is being kept there." Axqu fucked around with this message at 04:02 on Jun 17, 2017 |
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Jun 17, 2017 03:58
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Gaius Severo He knew very little about the Warp, but all the scripture he had ever read that mentioned it called it the source of all Chaos and corruption, and called upon all loyal Imperial citizens to stand vigilant against it. And this STC could teach someone to make more of these vortex grenades? A chill ran down his spine at the thought. "I understand, Inquisitor. We will see to it that this machine does not fall into the wrong hands, no matter the cost. The damage it could wreak... inconceivable." Gaius rubs idly at the Symbol of the Forgotten Saint he wore around his neck on a rosary necklace. A small stone hammer, always warm to the touch. It was a calming presence, a constant reminder of who and what he fought for. This was it: his chance to prove himself worthy in the eyes of the Emperor. He swore to himself that he would not fail.
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Jun 17, 2017 05:06
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Thrall KR-NL-1874 "Kernel" At the Inquisitor's word Kernel closes his eyes and cracks his neck. "Sure, peaceful means are fine and all, but I hope someone else has a plan for peaceful means, because I will admit that is not my bailiwick." When he hears the description of what a vortex grenade does, Kernel's eyes go wide and his pale skin even more pale, though how is a good question. "Why would anyone containing even the slightest sense of sanity weaponize the Emperor Damned Warp? I could think of nothing else more reckless and begging for a backfire than that. If that is what we are up against, I don't know how violence can be avoided." Kernel thinks while the others get their questions answered, before he asks one more, befitting someone who comes from a world where life is disposable. "Madam, say we find the STC but are unable to successfully extract it, say we suffer losses or get grievously outnumbered. Are we to destroy the STC so to prevent it falling into others hands, or keep it intact for a successor team to extract?"
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Jun 19, 2017 04:36
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Godebert Godebert frowned, he knew that the Adeptus Mechanicus valued protocol probably more so than himself so them leaving such an underqualified individual in charge of a whole planet was a sign that something was seriously amiss. If the Inquisition knew, surely the Mechanicus knew as well? And if they were aware, why didn't they act? Could this Agana Aeron have some leverage on her seniors? A worrying possibility.
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Jun 24, 2017 16:47
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Will Will had been idly examining the room while the important looking people were talking. All this talk with exotic words was too much for him. All he had been able to gleam from it was that there seemed to be some sort of Shrine-Machine that the Boat-Chieftess wanted them to steal. Something which makes weapons. "Forgive me for speaking out of my turn, but if Chieftess here wanted us to search, capture and hold this marvel, she would've hired more.. well more men. Will mumbles, half-hoping nobody would hear him "This seems like she is merely casting a stone in to a well to see what bubbles up"
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Jun 24, 2017 21:04
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The Best Laid Plans The Inquisitor inclined her head slightly at Gaius' words. "I knew I could count on you." Loyalty could be bought, but it was much more efficient to find someone already loyal to the cause. "That is what Godebert is for," she told Kernel bluntly, gesturing to the silent noble. "It's a definite last resort type of weapon, and the one time I saw one in action, it spewed forth a daemon. Ugly, ugly tech. If we can get that STC, we might be able to figure out how and why ancient humans developed them. As to your second question, destroying it is a last resort. But if it looks like they will be able to extract it in less than double the time it took you to get to it, destroy it. We can send an extraction team after the pieces." Will's observation, though, made her smile. "Astute. It makes sense. But it's wrong. I want to get the STC out before the natives notice it's gone, ideally. An exterminatus draws attention, and we have evidence that they might perhaps be in contact with forces outside the Imperium. There's a lot we don't know, but a small force of four has a chance to get in, get the machine, and get out before anyone has a chance to figure out what's going on. And since we know roughly where it is, a small force will be able to get in and get it out. Bloodily if necessary." They hadn't been able to investigate much without being found out, and there were serious gaps in their knowledge. There was a bit of stone-throwing going on. "A large enough army to extract it by main force would also require calling in favors based on evidence whose sources I cannot reveal-- nearly impossible in the best of times." If you guys would, let me know when y'all's characters no longer have questions for Inquisitor Stabsalot. I'm happy to do fluff until the questions are over but I don't really want to make folks go "my dude sits there with nothing to say" through like 60 post rotations. Axqu fucked around with this message at 19:37 on Jun 25, 2017 |
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Jun 25, 2017 19:33
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Gaius Severo "I have no further questions. With your leave, I will return to my quarters to prepare myself."
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Jun 26, 2017 02:30
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Thrall KR-NL-1874 "Kernel" Kernel shakes his head. "I have no further questions. We could sit here all day going through 'what-ifs' and 'in case ofs' but our mission is clear; find the STC, retrieve the STC. Put a large cloak on me and maybe I can pass for something that can infiltrate, but if anything gets close enough to hastily judge me, this might become a bloody affair."
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Jun 26, 2017 03:52
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Godebert "No further questions, Your Excellency."
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Jun 26, 2017 15:13
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Will "Yes, what they said."
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Jun 27, 2017 00:44
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