[DW] Blackthorn/Swordhand: Episode III - The Sundered House

[Lysimachus]

Titus growled as a hail of shells from the Ork's crude weapon exploded all around him. Shrapnel clattered against his soot-blackened battle plate as he advanced, but nothing penetrated enough to do more than superficial damage. With a careful hand he sheltered and quickly holstered Huntsman, determined to protect it from the dangers of close quarter combat. Then he drew out the Godwyn borrowed from Azurea's Forges. He would give the beast a lesson in what properly controlled burst-fire could really do.

 

Regular Actions:

Free Action: Switch from Stalker to Godwyn.

Full Action: Semi-Auto Burst at Wrekka C

Move 5m along platform (no +10 for SAB)

BS52 +10(Short Range) = 62, Roll: 06, Hit with 5DoS, 1 +2 Hits.

Assuming failed Dodge:

Dam 1d10+9 Tearing +2(Mighty Shot)

Pen4 cancels AV3

Hit 1 on (06=60) Body:

(4,7)+9+2 = 18 - TB8 = 10 Wounds.

Hit 2 on Body:

(1,3)+9+2 = 14 - TB8 = 6 Wounds.

Hit 3 on Arm:

(6,10!)+9+2+4(RF) = 25 - TB8 = 17 Wounds.

Godwyn now at 25/28 Standard Ammo.

 

Free Action: Declare Bolter Assault (will select Titus' Actions for it once Wrekka C's Dodge is resolved?)

[Commissar Molotov]

ROUND THREE CONTINUES

 

Titus:

Free Action: Holster Stalker; Quick Draw Bolter

Full Action: Semi-Auto Burst against Wrekka C

Move 5m towards Wrekka

BS62: 06 (HIT) - 3 Hits

Ork Wrekka C attempts to Dodge with AG30: 20 (1DoS) - Dodge, +1 Additional Dodge

Bolter resolves at 1D10+9(+2 Mighty Shot) Pen 4 against TB8 and Armour 3(0)

Hit 1: Dodged

Hit 2: Dodged

Hit 3: Body: 18 Damage (reduced by TB8 to 10 Wounds)

10 Wounds inflicted

[Lysimachus]

Titus Bolter Assault Actions:

Charge move 18m along platform.

Standard Shot at Wrekka C

BS52 +30(Point Blank) = 82, Roll: 57, Hit!

(Not 100% if that's Short or Point Blank, but Roll hits either way?)

Dodge used.

Dam 1d10+9 Tearing +2(Mighty Shot)

(2,6)+9+2 = 17 Damage

17 -TB8 = 9 Wounds suffered.

Wrekka C is killed.

Godwyn at 24/28 Standard Ammo.

 

Titus leapt forward, rushing the Ork even as it reeled from his previous shots. He thrust the bolter into the creature's midriff and pulled the trigger again. It was slammed against the wall, then it slumped to the floor. The Stormbringer turned, looking out over the hangar.

 

+Left flank secured. Moving to provide overwatch…+

 

The Hunter paused as more Xenos poured from the Ork shuttle.

 

+Warning! More hostiles emerging from that lander!+

[Mojake]

As the carnage unfolded around the hangar bay, Achillion eagerly consumed the data flicking across his tactical feed as he waited for his opportunity to strike.

 

+Warning! More hostiles emerging from that lander!+

 

As the Codicier's eyes beneath his helm began to glow with crimson flame, power coursed through the Space Marine's body. Achillion's armour growled in protest as traces of red lighning flicked across the surface of his plate, leaping across the flank of the Warhawk and causing rivulets of blood to streak and drip down it's armoured hull wherever the sorcerous light touched.

 

"For the Great Angel!" 

 

The howl ripped from Achillion's mouth as he threw himself to the ground and loosed an incandescent spear of boiling blood from underneath the Stormraven. The blazing bolt of red scored a hole clean through the lower torso of the Ork leader, causing it to roar in agony, then carried on to rip through the skull of the Nob climbing from the ramshackle shuttle and annihilate several of the hollering Greenskins mid-descent.

 

The Librarian let out a deep, held breath and focused on maintaining the finely tuned balance of the Angels Encarmine; watching as thick, red droplets fell from the wing of the Deathwatch craft and spattered his armour.

 

Regular Actions:
Move (6m) NE, landing prone.
Psychic Power: Blood Lance (Push).
Focus Power Test: WP (53) = 53, Roll: 48, Success.

Psy Rating: Base (5) + Push (3) = 8.

Range: 80m.
Assuming failed Dodge:

Dam 8d10 + Rending.
(3, 5, 4, 10, 9, 4, 5, 7) = 47 Wounds ignoring Toughness.

 

Perils of the Warp: 38 (Daemonic Mask) - Changed to Bloody Tears through Rite of Sanctioning (8, 6, 7) = 21m.

 

Mega-Mek: 47 - 14 = 33 Rending = 33 Wounds Sustained.

Wrekka Nob: 47 - 7 = 40 Rending = 0/35.

Wrekka Mob: 47 - 3 = 44 Rending = 0/40 Magnitude.

 

[Petragor]

Swordhand
 

Amidst the carnage of crushed and bisected Gretchin, Embe nonetheless hears the warning of approaching hostiles. Looking to his right, there was indeed another green tide fast approaching, if severely hobbled by the Librarian’s swift intervention. A bigger threat than the mere Gretchin, in a quite literal sense.
 

+I see them, preparing to pounce!+
 

The jump pack flares to life again, as it carries the Celestial Lion away from the melee and into the air. The Gretchin, emboldened by the marine’s retreat, quickly begin to lash out or throw their weapons at him, but their crude armaments are of little use against ceramite, and they must quickly give up their brief assault.

Chaka takes aim in mid-air and fires a single bolt-round back at the small xenos, hitting and eviscerating the torso of one, and showering several of the others nearby with shrapnel and remains, having the desired effect of reminding them of their quite fragile mortality. Landing on the xeno device, Embe dismisses the gretchin as secondary to eliminating the Ork forces charging forth from the lander.
 

Bolter Assault Actions:
Charge move up on top of the Ork generator
Triggers an opportunity attack from the Gretchin, but I doubt they’ll do much.
Single shot with Bolter half of Combimelta, targeting the Gretchin Mob:
BS36, +10 (Short Range) +30 (Magnitude) = 76, Roll: 32, 1 Hit, weapon deals explosive damage which causes 1 additional hit to the horde.
Damage = 1d10+9(Weapon), any damage roll would cause magnitude damage
2 magnitude damage

[Commissar Molotov]

ROUND THREE CONTINUES

 

Titus (Bolter Assault)

Charge Move (18m) forward

BS52(+10 Short Range)=62: 57 (HIT)

1D10+11 Damage, Pen 4 against TB8 and Armour 3(0): 17 (reduced by 8 to 9)

9 Wounds sustained

Ork Wrekka C is killed.

 

Vorr (Bolter Assault)

Standard Attack with Frag Grenade against Wrekka G

Frag Grenade does 2D10+2X, Pen 0 against Ork's TB8 and Armour 3: 6+8 = 16 Damage (reduced to 5)

Vorr spends a Fate Point to re-roll: 9+10(RF:5) = 26 Damage (reduced to 15 Damage)

Ork Wrekka G is killed

 

Frag Grenade will also hit Vorr:

2D10+2X, Pen 0 against TB10 and Armour 8/9: 2+4 = 8 Damage (reduced to 0)

[Komrade_Atomic]

Swordhand

 

As a green tide surged out from the Lander, Thire hurriedly drew his Bolter. But a dilemma.

Fire at the green-tide, hopefully stem them. Or fire at the Ork which stood near Vorr, but leave him vulnerable to the mob.

'You'll have to hold on, Red Talon.' He thought to himself, as he fired towards the mob. If the Red Talon was anything like his primogenitors however, he would be very hard to kill.

 

Bolter Assault:

Charge move (5m, one square down)

Standard shot at Wrekka Mob:

BS: 60 + 28 (Magnitude) = 88. Rolled: 88. Hit?

Damage: 1d10 + 9 = 5 (5, 1)

Overall: 9 -7 (11 TB+A - 4 Pen) = 2 Magnitude Damage, +1 because explosive weaponry

3 Magnitude Damage.

Wrekkas at 25 Magnitude?

Edited February 4, 2022 by Komrade_Atomic

[Commissar Molotov]

ROUND THREE CONTINUES

 

Embe (Bolter Assault):

Charge Move out of engagement with Gretchin Slave Mob.

Gretchin gain 1 Standard Attack: 80 (MISS)

Embe makes a Standard Attack with Bolter against Gretchin

BS36(+10 Short Range)(+10 Magnitude)=56: 32 (1 Hit, +1 Explosive Hit)

Hits resolve at 1D10+9, Pen 4 - any roll will exceed TB and Armour

2 Magnitude Damage (now at 16)

 

Thire (Bolter Assault):

Charge Move (5m only)

Standard shot with Bolter against Wrekka Mob

BS60(+30 Magnitude)(+10 Short Range)=BS100: 88 (HIT)(+1 Explosive)

Bolter resolves at 1D10+9, Pen 4 against TB8 and Armour 3(0)

Any damage roll will cause at least 1 Damage, and therefore 1 Magnitude Damage

2 Magnitude Damage (now at 38)

 

BOLTER ASSAULT ENDS

 

 

Achillion:

Half Action: Move 6m NE

Half Action: Psychic Power "Blood Lance" (Push)

Focus Power Test: WP53: 48 (PASS)

Psy Rating 5+3 = 8

 

Blood Lance travels for 80m, hitting Mega-Mek, the Ork Wrekkas and the Wrekka Nob

 

Mega-Mek attempts to dodge on AG41: 57 (FAIL)

Mega-Mek sustains D10x8 Wounds (reduced by armour, but not by TB): 5 (40 Wounds)

Reduced by Mega-Armour (14) to 26 Wounds

 

Wrekka Mob is hit by the Blood Lance 8 times:

8 Magnitude Damage (now at 30)

Wrekka mob has lost 25% of its magnitude, but Mob Rule prevents them from breaking

 

Wrekka Nob attempts to Dodge on Ag44: 32 (PASS)

 

 

Mega-Mek:

Full Action: Charge Achillion

Waaagh! rule allows the Mega-Mek to benefit from Swift Attack on the Charge, making two attacks:

Attack 1: WS45(+10 Charge)=WS55: 55 (PASS)

Achillion attempts to Parry with Libra: WS51(-10 Unbalanced)(+10 Hunter of Aliens): 94 (FAIL)

Achillion spends Fate Point to re-roll: 24 (PASS)

Counter-Attack allows Achillion to make a free standard attack with Libra at -20WS: WS31: 14 (HIT)

Mega-Mek has used his Dodge and cannot react.

Libra does 1D10+4(+SB12)(+PR5)(+2 Hunter of Aliens) damage to the Ork's body, Pen8: 8(+4+12+5+2)= 31 Damage, reduced by TB8 and Armour 14(6) to 17 Damage

Achillion may make a free action on hitting: Focus Power test

WP53(+5 Psychic Hood)=WP60: 2 (PASS, 5DoS) = +5D10 Damage, ignoring armour and toughness bonus

The extra psychic damage does: 2+7+8+9+9 = 35 Damage

= 52 Damage total

Ork Mega-Mek has sustained 78 Wounds

 

Ork Mega-Mek dies(!)

 

Vorr:

Free Action: Recover D10 wounds using a Fate Point: 1

Now at 11/21 Wounds

Half Action: Move within Point-Blank range of Loota K

Half Action: Fire Multi-Melta at Loota K

BS58(+30 Point-Blank Range)=BS88: 44 (HIT)

Loota K attempts to Dodge on AG30: 92 (FAIL)

Multi-Melta does 2D10+16(+2 Mighty Shot), Pen 12 against TB8 and Armour 7(0): (6+5)+18 = 29 Damage, reduced to 21

Loota K dies

 

Wrekkas Nob:

Full Action: Full-Auto Burst against Embe

BS20(+10 Half Range)(+20 Full Auto Burst) = BS50: 67 (MISS)

 

Gretchin Slave Mob:

Half Action: Aim(+10)

Half Action: Standard Attack against Embe

BS35(+10 Short Range)(+10 Aim) = BS55: 18 (HIT)

Scrap Rifles does 1D10+2, Pen 0 Primitive: 6 (8 Damage)

Embe's TB will negate the damage - dodging is unnecessary.

 

 

 

 

Turn Sequence:

[X] TITUS (SOLO) | AG5+10+1 = 16 | WOUNDS 18/21 | FATE 2/3

[X] ACHILLION (SQUAD) | AG5+10 = 15 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 1/3

[X] MEGA-MEK M | AG4+9 = 13 | WOUNDS SUSTAINED: 26

[X] VORR (SQUAD) | AG6+6 = 12 | WOUNDS 11/21 | FATE 3/4(+1)

[X] WREKKAS NOB N | AG4+8=12 | WOUNDS 35/35

[X] GRETCHIN SLAVE MOB | AG4+8 = 12 | MAGNITUDE 16/32

[ ] THIRE (SQUAD) | AG5+3 = 8 | WOUNDS 21/21 | FATE 4/4

[ ] WREKKAS MOB W | AG3+5=8 | MAGNITUDE 30/40

[ ] ARGUS (SQUAD) | AG4+3 = 7 | WOUNDS 21/21 | FATE 3/3

[ ] EMBE (SQUAD) | AG5+2=7 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 3/3

Edited February 6, 2022 by Commissar Molotov

[Commissar Molotov]

[Komrade_Atomic]

Swordhand

 

Gideon moved to once again switch to his Meltagun, but realised that Embe was stood atop the generator! Unwilling to risk the life of a fellow Kill-Team member in his destruction of the Generator, Gideon took both hands upon his Boltgun, and began to fire once again at the Mob in short sharp succession. As the Bolt rounds flew into the Greenskins, the Boltgun roared with joy, spitting out a chorus of death.

 

Regular Actions:

Semi-Auto Fire at Wrekka Mob

BS 60 + (10) = 70.

Rolled: 30 (4 DoS, 2 Extra Hits!)

 

Hit 1:

Damage = (6, 3), 6 + 9 = 15 Damage

15 Damage against TB8 = 1 Damage due to being a Horde, Deals 2 because of Explosive.

Hit 2:

Damage = (6, 1) 6 + 9 = 15 Damage.

15 Damage against TB8 = 1 Damage due to being a Horde, Deals 2 because of Explosive.

Should be 6 Magnitude damage if I'm not mistaken?

30 - 4 = 26 Magnitude(??)

 

Gideon's Boltgun: 23/28 Ammo remaining. 

 

 

OOC:

Apologies for late response, got a tad sidetracked!

Edited February 9, 2022 by Komrade_Atomic

[Commissar Molotov]

ROUND THREE CONTINUES

 

Thire:

Full Action: Semi-Auto Burst with Bolter against Wrekkas Mob

BS60(+10 Range)(+30 Mob Size)=BS100: 30 (6DoS) - 1 Hit +2 Additional (+1 due to firing an Explosive weapon)

Hits resolve at 1D10+9 Pen 4 against TB8 and Armour 3(0) - Each hit will automatically do Magnitude Damage

4 Magnitude Damage (now at 26 Magnitude)

 

Wrekkas Mob:

Full Move: Run 18m (into engagement range with Vorr; just out with Thire)

[Commissar Molotov]

[Petragor]

Swordhand
 

Seeing the enemy advance on Vorr, Chaka could think of no better time to spring the trap he had set. Getting a running start, he activates his jump pack and rockets toward the ork mob like a bolter round. He explodes like one as well, as a single sweeping strike cuts through several greenskins as Embe and the blade are propelled through the horde, leaving a trail of bisected bodies and severed limbs.

Feeling the proximity of even more potent enemies, the smoke from the power unit of Embes armor grows thick, and begins to spread like a blanket across the battleground, failing to fully conceal the mangled bodies of the already slain xenos, as the orks who yet live turn around to find the menacing silhouette of a Celestial Lion looming over them, daring them to attack so that their deaths may come ever swifter.
 

“Know this Xenos! Any who would threaten my brothers shall be given no quarter!”
 

Actions:
Charge into the Wrekka Mob.
Charge attack with Lightning Bolt:
WS66, +10 (Charge) +30 (Magnitude) = 106, Roll: 32, 1 hit, +3 hits since every other DoS in melee scores an additional hit on a horde, +1 because Power Field weapons deal an additional hit to hordes = 5 hits
Damage = 1d10+9(Weapon), +2 (Crushing Blow Talent), +12 (Strength Bonus), Pen 6,  against the TB 8, AP 3 Wrekkas, any damage roll would cause magnitude damage
Wrathful Descent: 1d10=5 extra magnitude damage
5 hits + Wrathful Descent 5 = 10 magnitude damage
Horde should make fear and magnitude damage willpower tests

Edited February 9, 2022 by Petragor

[Commissar Molotov]

ROUND THREE CONTINUES

 

Argus:

Full Move: 10m

 

Embe:

Full Action: Charge Wrekka Mob

WS66(+10 Charge)(+20 Magnitude)=96: 32 (HIT - 6DoS) - 1 Hit (+3 Additional)(+1 Power Weapon) = 5 Hits

Wrathful Descent adds an additional 5 magnitude damage

= 10 Magnitude Damage total (now at 16 Magnitude)

 

Wrekkas Mob must take a Willpower Test when it acts next (per P.360 CRB)

Embe's Power Armour causes fear and the Wrekkas make an immediate Fear test: 78 (FAIL, 5DoF)

Rolling on the Shock Table: 9(+50) = The horde is frozen in terror and may take no actions until they snap out of it. After snapping out of it, the horde makes all tests with a -10 penalty for the rest of the encounter.

 

ROUND THREE ENDS

 

 

ROUND FOUR BEGINS

 

Turn Sequence:

[ ] TITUS (SOLO) | AG5+10+1 = 16 | WOUNDS 18/21 | FATE 2/3

[ ] ACHILLION (SQUAD) | AG5+10 = 15 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 1/3

[ ] VORR (SQUAD) | AG6+6 = 12 | WOUNDS 11/21 | FATE 3/4(+1)

[ ] WREKKAS NOB N | AG4+8=12 | WOUNDS 35/35

[ ] GRETCHIN SLAVE MOB | AG4+8 = 12 | MAGNITUDE 16/32

[ ] THIRE (SQUAD) | AG5+3 = 8 | WOUNDS 21/21 | FATE 4/4

[ ] WREKKAS MOB W | AG3+5=8 | MAGNITUDE 16/40

[ ] ARGUS (SQUAD) | AG4+3 = 7 | WOUNDS 21/21 | FATE 3/3

[ ] EMBE (SQUAD) | AG5+2=7 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 3/3

 

 

Titus:

Free Action: Call Bolter Assault

 

 

Titus (Bolter Assault):

Charge Move (18m) along balcony

Standard Attack with Huntsman Stalker Bolter against Ork Nob

BS52+10(Signature Wargear)+10(Laser Tracer)+10(Short Range)+10(Hulking)=92: 40 (Hit)

Ork Nob attempts to Dodge on AG44: 52 (FAIL)

1D10+9 Tearing (+2 Mighty Shot)(+1 Exceptional) at Pen 9(4+Focal Sight 5): 4(+9)(+2)(+1) = 16 Damage

Ork Nob has TB8 and Armour 7(0), reducing it to 8 Damage Sustained

Ork Nob is at 27/35

 

Vorr (Bolter Assault):

Quick Draw Bolt Pistol against Wrekkas Mob

BS58(+10)=68: 60 (HIT) +1 Explosive

Bolt Pistol resolves at 1D10+9(+2 Mighty Shot) Pen 4 against TB8 and Armour 3(0)

= 2 Magnitude Damage

+1 Magnitude Damage due to Power Armour History

Ork Wrekkas are at 13 Magnitude

Edited February 10, 2022 by Commissar Molotov

[Lysimachus]

Now that the likelihood of being engaged in close combat himself had been mitigated, Titus took the opportunity to stow the Godwyn and retrieve Huntsman from its long sheath. He hurried along the platform, looking for a clear shot at the vile monstrosity leading the greenskin charge from the lander. However, the roiling mass of green flesh around it made such a shot... not impossible, but certainly difficult.

 

Then suddenly the waters parted. The beast paused to let loose a hail of wildly inaccurate fire at Embe, even as its fellows continued their heedless rush towards Vorr and Gideon. Utterly foolish. It had allowed itself to become exposed. An easy target. Titus immediately fired a snap shot, paused and aimed, fired again.

 

(Call Bolter Assault as per CM's post.)

 

Titus Regular Actions:

Half Action: Aim at Wrekka Nob

Half Action: Standard Shot at Wrekka Nob.

BS52 +10(SigWargearMaster) +10(Laser Tracer) +10(Short Range) +10(Hulking) +20(Accurate Aim) = 112, Roll: 40, Hit with 7DoS on 04 (Head!)

Dodge used.

Dam 1d10+9 Tearing +2(Mighty Shot) +1(Exceptional) +2d10(Accurate)

(1,6)+9+2+1+3+10!+5(RF)* = 36 Dam at Pen9(Pen4 + Focal Sight: Per Bonus 5)

36 -TB8 -AV0(AV7-Pen9) = 28 Wounds suffered.

Stalker at 18/24 Standard Ammo.

 

*Not sure if the extra Dam for Accurate can generate RF or not? Edit: Had a look, it says any Damage die rolled, so I'm assuming it does?

[Komrade_Atomic]

Swordhand

 

Watching as the mob of Ork Wrekka's reached Vorr, Gideon swiftly returned his Boltgun to it's maglocked position, drawing his Bolt Pistol in it's stead. The others could deal with the Ork Nob, the Wrekkas were the closest target: better he strike first than let them gain the first strike against him. His chainsword and Pistol at the ready, the Silver Skull followed the leaping Celestial Lion, who had already entered the fray.

 

Bolter Assault:

Free Action: Swap to Bolt Pistol from Boltgun.

Charge Move (18m), should be within engagement range.

(Opportunity attack?)

Attack with Bolt Pistol:

BS 70: BS 60 + 10 (Short Range)

Rolled: 56.

Damage: 1d10 + 9X = (8, 7) 8 + 9 against TB7 and Armour 3(0)

2 Magnitude Damage = (1 Base + 1 from Explosive.)

 

Wrekkas at 11 Magnitude?

12/14 Shots in Bolt Pistol remaining.

Edited February 10, 2022 by Komrade_Atomic

[Commissar Molotov]

ROUND FOUR CONTINUES

 

Thire (Bolter Assault)

Charge Move (18m)

Quick Draw with Bolt Pistol

BS60(+10 Short Range)=BS70: 56 (HIT)(+1 Explosive)

2 Magnitude Damage (now at 11 Magnitude)

 

Argus (Bolter Assault)

Charge Move (15m)

 

 

Achillion (Bolter Assault)

Charge Move (18m)

Standard Attack with Bolt Pistol against Ork Nob

BS51(+10 Short Range)=BS61: 84 (MISS)

 

BOLTER ASSAULT ENDS

 

Achillion

Full Action: Charge against Ork Nob

WS51(+20 Berserk Charge)(+10 Hunter of Aliens)=BS81: 40 (PASS)

Ork Nob has used its dodge and cannot react

Libra resolves at 1D10+4+SB12+PR5+2(Hunter of Aliens)+1(Wings of Wrath), Pen 8 against TB8 and Armour 7(0): 2(+4+12+5+2+1)=26 Damage

Ork Nob reduces Damage to 18

Free Action: Focus Power Test (Force Weapon)

WP53(+5 Psychic Hood)=WP58: 36 (PASS, 2DoS)

+2D10 Damage, ignoring armour and toughness bonus: 7,9: 16 Damage

=34 Damage Total (now at -7 Damage)

Ork Nob is killed

 

Vorr:

Standard Attack with Chainsword against Wrekkas Mob

WS49(+10 Magnitude)(+10 Hunter of Aliens)=WS69: 52 (HIT)

Chainsword does 1D10+3(+SB12)(+2 Hunter of Aliens) = 10(RF:9)+15+2 = 36 Damage, Pen 3

1 Magnitude Damage (now at 10 Magnitude)

 

Ork Wrekkas

Break Test: WP25: 59 (FAIL)

Ork Wrekkas break and flee.

Vorr makes an Opportunity Attack:

WS49(+10 Magnitude)(+10 Hunter of Aliens)=WS69: 47 (HIT, 2DoS)(1 Hit Additional)

= 2 Magnitude Damage (now at 8 Magnitude)

Thire makes an Opportunity Attack:

WS46: 16 (HIT, 3DoS) (+1 Additional)

= 2 Magnitude Damage (now at 6 Magnitude)

Embe makes an Opportunity Attack:

WS66: 12 (HIT, 4DoS) (+2 Additional)(+1 Power)

= 4 Magnitude Damage (now at 2 Magnitude)

 

 

STRUCTURED TIME ENDS

[Commissar Molotov]

The battle for the hangar bay has been short, but bloody. As silence descends once more the deck is strewn with blood, chunks of viscera and the ruined hulks that were once the ramshackle walkers, the so-called Killa-Kans.

 

The six of you were able to overwhelm the Orks through teamwork and the application of heavy firepower. Later, perhaps, you might remember snatches of battle-memory, as your wounds heal and your transhuman physiologies remember their exertions: Titus bringing up his faithful Huntsman and decapitating an Ork with less than a heartbeat’s-worth to aim. The devastating fusillade from Argus and Thire as they brought their special weaponry to bear. Vorr jamming a frag grenade into the maw of an Ork Loota. Embe descending with his crackling power sword. Achillion hurling a spear of blood, the very figure of his long-dead Primarch.

 

But those are memories for another day.

 

At the terse assertion of the Stormbringer, you are swiftly rejoined by the remaining members of the Kill-Team: Sergeant Kol, Brother Boros, Techmarine Maladon and Apothecary Yeng. From their pock-marked armour and gore-streaked wargear it is clear that they have faced down foes of their own.

[Petragor]

Swordhand

 

As the Orks break and run through the smoke, panicked by the combined might of the Deathwatch Marines, Embe takes a few slashes at some of them who retreat a little too close to him, cutting down the already dwindling number of Xenos even further. The gretchin he doesn’t even bother with, completely neutralized after witnessing the defeat of their masters they flee from the hangar, climbing into whatever ventilation ducts or other hiding spots they can find.

 

Turning off the Powerfield, Chaka swings the Lightning Bolt in the air, removing the majority of the Xeno blood still stuck on the blade with the sudden motion. It wouldn’t do to have a relic of his chapter unnecessarily sullied with the blood of xenos. He then takes a knee, holstering his Combi-Melta to place his hand on the floor of the hangar bay. As should be expected, the vibrations that shudder through the hull of the Riches Untold do not bode well for the condition of the ship.

 

“We should leave soon, the Riches Untold won’t hold together for long. Is the Warhawk operational?”

[Lysimachus]

From his position atop the walkway Titus had seen the perfectly coordinated fury of Swordhand unleashed. The hated Orks had been crushed, with a precision and speed that he had to admit was comparable to that of the veteran warriors of the Stormbringers 1st Company.

 

Minimal casualties too, he thought, looking down at his lightly injured arm. Vorr's wounds had been more serious but Titus was sure that Brother Yeng would be able to assist him. Even if not, the Red Talon had proved himself remarkably resilient. He would survive.

 

Embe spoke up and the Stormbringer nodded in approval of the wise restraint showed. He knew many assault troopers who would struggle to let go of the killing rage once it had been let loose, who would go looking for more enemies to slay, but the Lion had stayed focused on the greater purpose. Time to go. They needed to find out what was happening to the Xenocide.

 

Titus dropped lightly down to the main deck, then watched as Brother Maladon carefully checked the Stormraven for damage. To his untrained eye, it appeared mostly cosmetic. He smiled beneath his helm, looking up at the Warhawk.

 

Not as though they could make you more ugly, is it Cousin?

 

The gunship had proved itself, though. Rugged, tough, and as swift and graceful in flight as its name suggested. Titus found himself looking forward to the feeling of it spreading its wings beneath them once more.

[Komrade_Atomic]

As the Orks broke and fled, Thire's lashed out with his chainsword, carving the back of the Greenskin into a bloody mess as the rest of it's kin fled. As silence began to return to the hangar, Thire looked down at the corpse, a kill which he had made in melee: yet one that he did not feel worthy of. A fleeing Ork was not much of a fine trophy, he thought to himself, as with a swish of his wrist, he let some Ork blood fly loose from his weapon, landing quietly in miniature puddles onto the floor.

 

As Thire returned his Bolt Pistol to it's holster, he looked at Brother Vorr: stalwart against both a mob of Orks and a hail of gunfire. Smiling slightly, Gideon walked over to the Red Talon. "When they told me the Iron Hands and their Descendants were hardy, I do believe they greatly understated your resilience." A sign of intended respect, Gideon gently clenched his fist and hit it against his chestpiece.

But Gideon soon turned his attention to the wounds of the Red Talon: for all the scrap and junk that Ork weapons were comprised of, the damage they could deal was deadly.

 

"Apothecary, I believe Vorr may require assistance." 

[apologist]

The Gatebreaker limped past Gideon to the battered Red Talon. 'As the Odes put it; The worst wounds are those borne in our hearts.' Appraising Vorr's state, Yeng's plough-fronted helm titled quizzically to one side.

 

In a doubtful tone, he continued. 'Vorr, however, may be show that some of the appeal of poetry is in enlarging the truth.' Still he stumbled over regional Low Gothic, his accent harsh – and clearly pained. He knelt, addressing Vorr as he began treating his wounds. 'With a little more effort on the hourk's part, You-of-the-Talons, you might have made a pretty keepsake for our friend.'  He added emphasis by nodding to the plated skulls hanging from Gideon's belt.

 

Vorr merely grunted, cycling the auto-reactive servos to allow Yeng to lift away the pauldron. The Gatebreaker handed it gently to Embe, who had walked down and stood, concerned, to one side.

 

'Careful with that.' Vorr growled. Embe bristled slightly, but laughed as Yeng muttered, seemingly to himself,

'Wisest are those that... hng... heed their... own advice.' 

 

Yeng's levity was part-forced. The demi-squad to which he had found himself aside had been badly battered, and whatever energy weapon had hit the group during the rearguard action had badly injured them all. Yeng's medical supplies were running thin – he had enough to treat Vorr, but little more – and all of their armour was in need of a solid service. 

 

Vorr was, at least, a stoic patient. If he noted the lack of anaesthetic to dull the pain of removing the shards of metal buried in his shoulder and chest, he made no comment. 

Edited February 14, 2022 by apologist

[Lysimachus]

As he waited for Yeng to care for Vorr's injuries, Titus took a moment to examine the corpse of the Ork commander slaughtered by Achillion. Before it had been cut down, it had been struck by a jet of boiling blood manifested by the psyker. Splashes of rapidly darkening crimson liquid still spattered its heavy armour, obscuring other colours beneath. Jagged shapes of blue, yellow and green paint that decorated the bare metal. Glyphs and other crude markings that proclaimed the creature's name, the battle honours it had gained... and perhaps even the greater monsters to which it owed allegiance - if one could decipher them. The Stormbringer bent down to wipe a smear of blood from a curving shoulder guard. And froze.

 

+Sergeant Vorkys? Brother Gideon? What do you make of this?+

 

Forbidden Lore: Xenos Test to determine anything else we might need to know about the Orks origin and purpose?

Int42 +20(Bonus as last time?) +2×10(Assists from Kol and Thire?) =82

Roll: 39, 4DoS.

[Commissar Molotov]

Kill-Team Swordhand

 

The Celestial Lion kneels, feeling the deck shuddering. It is the sensation of a mighty beast defiantly breathing its last.

 

“Operational?” Maladon replies in answer to Embe’s question. Although his bionics and the sealed helm rob his voice of emotion, the Techmarine’s servo-arm seems to gesture in a way that betrays his concern for the gunship’s machine spirit.

 

All of you can see that Warhawk has suffered at the hands of the Orks and their runtlike slave-kin. In places the blessed black of the Deathwatch has been scratched away by primitive tools or even, in some cases, by fingernails. Armoured panels have been prised free or bent upwards; trailing wires and hydraulic cabling hang limply.

 

“Sergeant, I will assess the gunship’s void-worthiness,” the Astral Drake voxes, managing to smother any distress beneath his sense of duty. “Brother Boros, assist me,” he motions to the Devastator, who mag-locks his heavy bolter before acquiescing.

 

Vorr/Yeng:

 

The Red Talon’s armour is pock-marked with overlaid bullet impacts that are a testament to the furious barrage of Ork firepower.In places the ceramite plating has given way, exposing the synthetic muscle-fibres and conductive cabling below. Already, Vorr’s enhanced biology has staunched any bleeding. Removing fragmented Ork bullets and jagged shards of ceramite with needle-nosed calipers is child’s play - even a serf in his first weeks of training could do it. Anything further can be conducted when you return to the Xenocide’s well-stocked Apothecarion.

 

Medicae checks to heal Yeng and Titus:

Yeng’s Intelligence of 54(+10 Medicae Skill)(+10 Talented [Medicae])(+30 from Exceptional Narthecium)(+10 from Diagnostor Helm)= Int114 (automatic success)

Both Yeng and Titus heal Yeng’s intelligence bonus (5), doubled by Narthecium = 10 Wounds

Both are returned to full health.

 

Titus (and Kol/Thire):

 

In death the Mega-Armoured Mek is a terrible thing to behold; the hulking suit of armour only enlarges its monstrous frame. You can see jagged knotworks of scar-tissue and crude sutures that speak to the violence that passes for Ork “kultur” - and the resilience of the Ork physiology. The armour itself is marked with fetishistic totems and charms - Orkoid tusks threaded together in displays of ostentatious wealth and power, alongside collections of nuts and bolts that to your eye bear no significance at all. The creature’s weapons are adorned with glyph-markings that attest to their power and reliability - as well as promising severe consequences for any Ork foolish enough to steal them.

 

From what you can discern, this Mek went by a name that would be best rendered in Gothic as “Grukzog.” The syllables in your mouth are hard-edged. Your earlier assertions were indeed correct - this Ork belonged to the tribe known as “Deffskullz”. You have encountered many of these lootas and thieves during your tenure with Kill-Team Gallowbane. Your lips might almost curve into a smile as you remember an assault against an Ork Gargant factory, and the scarlet plumes of flame that lit up the skyline as you withdrew back into the shadows.

 

The glyphs that adorn the Mek’s armour and that are daubed on its flesh in blue paint proclaim loyalty to the “Slagjaw Wrekkas” - it seems likely to you that this is the name of the Warband that the Mek belonged to.

 

There is, however, one oddity that stands out to you - a series of glyphs in white, that bear what appears to be a crude rendering of the House Sunder sigil, alongside sigils that warn of death and danger. If you were to read them literally, it would seem to say something along the lines of ”Beware the ghost in the ship.”

 

Any/All:

Finally, a crackling signal comes across the vox. The voice of Thorvald Hammerhand is a welcome one after the oddities of the Riches Untold.

 

++Swordhand, acknowledge. This is Xenocide.++

[Lysimachus]

The Stormbringer ran his armoured fingers slowly across the glyphs, then sat back on his heels, thinking carefully. As he had suspected, the crude symbology revealed everything about the body before him. Filthy Orkish scum. The Xenocide's long journey to the Baltarian Abyss had been entirely worthwhile even if it brought about no result beyond the death of this 'Grukzog' and his followers.

 

Those final marks, though? House Sunder? "Beware the ghost in the ship.”? Perhaps it was a leap, but the Hunter could see only one possibility; that these icons referred to the strange, xenotech-filled battleship operated by the Rogue Traders and now sought by Inquisitor Grist and the brethren of Blackthorn and Swordhand. Had this Greenskin at some point fought against it? Or even alongside it, considering House Sunder's habit of working with Xenos and the Ork's propensity for acting as mercenaries? Either way, if his theory was correct, one thing was certain. The beast had seen the Dark Lantern.