[DW] Blackthorn/Swordhand Episode III: Recruitment Thread

[Commissar Molotov]

RECRUITMENT FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED

Thank you so much for your interest; I could not be more pleased with the response this has received, and what it means for the PBP forum.

Please consider signing up for the PBP Player Register here, or starting a new thread to arrange a game. The PBP forum can only be enriched by your presence!

Original Post Below:

Deathwatch PbP Recruitment Thread

First things first: If you are reading this and are not a current member of the B&C, please check out this thread, where Brother Tyler sets out important information, particularly that due to automatic emails being turned off, you should contact the administrators. Unapproved accounts are typically deleted within 48 hours - so please ensure this is done!

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For the last three years, I have been running a Deathwatch play-by-post game here, focused firstly on the exploits of Kill-Team Blackthorn as they battled a Genestealer Cult, and then as they were reinforced by Kill-Team Swordhand and were forced to marshall the defence of an entire planet against the Hive-Fleet’s swarm. We've had some fantastic moments, and if you'd like to know more then please check out our Story So Far... post, where I have gathered highlights of the events!

We are due to move towards our third episode within the next few weeks (I am projecting a mid-February 2021 start) and, as such, I am beginning to explore the possibility of new players joining in on the fun.

I have a (heavily theoretical) maximum player count of 22 - two full Kill-Teams - though such sanity-warping madness may tax even my powers!


What is play-by-post?
Unlike popular roleplaying series such as Critical Role, a PBP game is asynchronous. We have players across the world participating as and when their schedules allow. This has the benefit of meaning that we don’t have to try to ensure that all our schedules line up exactly.

Obviously, the more time and effort you can devote to the game, the more rewarding it will be for you.

This approach does appeal to those who are aspiring writers; in a sense, you can think of the game as collaborative fan-fiction, where you produce short-form fiction and have to adapt based on the curve-balls that I throw you as GM.

What rules do you use?
The game runs using Deathwatch, an RPG released by Fantasy Flight Games in 2010. The game is not currently published (the 40k license is now held by Cubicle7 and is embodied within the Wrath and Glory games.)

The rules system is dense and “crunchy”, but the average player does not need to have a mastery of the rules. As long as you know what you want your character to do, it is up to the GM to explain to you how to do it. Several of the players are rather proficient in the rules and will gladly help you out.

Broadly, combat is the most rules-intensive part of the game - out of combat, it is a lot more narrative.

How would you describe your game?
The game has a strong narrative emphasis, with players having a lot of input into the long-term development of their characters and the direction of the plot. As a GM I strongly value players who are great team players, enthusiastic and love to tell stories.

My game incorporates elements of politics and investigation, so it’s not all just mass-reactive death, all the time. I encourage players to be curious and to interact with the world around them.

What do I need as a player?
Primarily: Enthusiasm!

Beyond that: a willingness to work together with other players to craft an enjoyable narrative (both in- and out-of-character.) Whilst friction and strife are a hallmark of the disparate warriors of the Deathwatch learning to harmonise, it is important to operate in a way that is not detrimental to my game.

As you will see, this game has been running for a long time (and I have plans for it to continue for a long time further.) Whilst I understand entirely that we all have life events that get in the way - 2020 hammered us all hard - please only join up if you are certain you can dedicate time to the game (and you can envision yourself doing so for a long time to come.)

What background and fluff do I need to know?
My game is set in approximately 918.M41. This is just after the Badab War. It is also before several key events in the 40k Timeline. This includes the Second (and Third) Armageddon Wars; the near-destruction of the Crimson Fists; the Damocles Gulf Crusade and the Thirteenth Black Crusade.

This does mean that my game does not incorporate Primaris Space Marines.

The game takes place in and around the Dalthus Sector, a setting for many of my personal fluff projects, including my Castigators Chapter and my INQ28 campaigns. The Kill-Teams are based out of Watch-Station Azurea, in the Taurelian Expanse - although the events of the game have the Kill-Teams moving across the Sector to deal with the (soon-to-be-revealed) threat!

What characters can I play?
Please see the character thread to see the characters we currently have (and have had.)

I am a big fan of using lesser-known Chapters rather than conveniently having all nine of the Legions represented in force. If you ask me to be an Ultramarine, I’ll encourage you to pick a marine from the Genesis Chapter. :)

I am also a fan of encouraging people to explore their own DIY Chapters through the medium of roleplay. Players such as Nineswords and Apologist have found it fulfilling with their Storm Sons and Gatebreakers (respectively.) If it is the case that you wish to use a DIY Chapter, I would ask that I vet the Chapter - not out of an elitist sense, but rather to ensure the narrative and thematic integrity of a setting and a game that my players and I have invested years into.

From a similar thematic standpoint, I would prefer to limit the number of Chapters that were active combatants within the Badab War - for reasons that will become clear. Please check Lexicanium or the relevant Imperial Armour books if you’re unsure.

In terms of specialisations (or player classes), I am currently determining what I will have available at the end of Episode II. We currently have:

Librarian (1)
Apothecary (2)
Techmarine (2)
Tactical Marine (1)
Assault Marine (3)
Devastator (2)

Player characters will be Rank 3 when play begins, although XP expenditure and the like would be detailed further with successful applicants.



What if I'm not successful?
Please stay a while, and see if we can get another game going! The PBP forum benefits strongly from new blood, and we are all the better for having you here.

Edited January 22, 2021 by Commissar Molotov

[Lysimachus]

I'd love to be involved (I've been lurking and following the current story and love it!), but unfortunately I don't have the rules systems AT ALL and don't think I'd be in a position to get hold of them. :( Shame, as I love the idea of developing one of my DIY Chapters through the lens of a DW recruit.

 

 

Still, I'm very impressed by all the work the participants have put in and really looking forward to reading about the next mission!

[Commissar Molotov]

I think the players I have now are a very broad church; you've got people like Mazer, Steel and A.T. who are proficient with the rules (and correct me on occasion); you've got someone like Nineswords who likes rolling dice, but I have to message him and let him know what to roll, all the way through to someone like Apologist, who is one of my favourite fluff writers, but has almost zero knowledge of the rules-set. 

 

As I said, if you want to participate, a knowledge of the rules is actually one of the least essential things you need. A passion and enthusiasm for the 40k universe and interaction with other players is much more important. 

[Lysimachus]

Well, if that's the case, and somebody who knows what they're doing doesn't mind helping me translate a character into rules/equipment/whatever, then I'd be delighted to put my name down!

 

With regard to using DIY Chapters, I'd be inclined to either go for a Stormbringer or a Marine Adamant. I think both could have some interesting character interaction with other team members. The IAs for both are in the Liber Showcase, if you want to have a peruse and let me know which you'd prefer I selected from, then I can start working on it?

[Trokair]

I to would be interested in participating.
 
Following a tangent (that was spun off as its own thread) in a discussion in the Liber I have been increasingly thinking about taking part in such a game. However  my complete lack of rules knowledge has always seemed a hurdle, hence why the discussion in the Liber of a narrative heavy rules light game appealed.
 
So as long as rules knowledge is not essential and someone can guide us in that regard I would like to take part.
 
If possible I would like to play a marine from my custom Chapter (The Voidborn - created as part of the The Liber Astartes Swap Challenge 2019), as since the aforementioned Liber discussion last month I have been thinking about creating a character for us in a game based on the chapter (and also how to convert a model for said character for fun). The Voidborn article also needs some further work.

[Steel Company]

If CM is cool with more custom chapters, I'm happy to work with anyone in getting the rules in Rights of Battle to work for their chapter.

[Mazer Rackham]

We have lots of players with their own chapter represented by a character within their own IA, which I think is great.

 

Steel's offer of his experience with Rites of Battle (which is a Deathwatch supplement) is a good one, as the book is partially based on experience from our own people on the forum (back in the dark days before the xenos were admitted ;p) and you will find many things within it familiar to any IA builder.

 

As for the rules, don't let that put you off.  Essentially, only the GM has to know them, and the mechanics pretty much support almost anything you want to do (which is a strength of the FFG ruleset).  With a bit of help from an old hand or two, there is no reason you can't enjoy the game or setting and you can conflab about mysteries needing unravelled, or bolter-boy as much as you like.

 

I promise you one thing:

When your character, that you put so much time and effort into, blasts that heretic into red gruel for the first time?  Or your erudite, scholarly Battle-Brother tells that Governor to stuff it up his jumper? You're not just writing a 40k Space Marine novel, you're living it.

 

MR.

[Lysimachus]

I ...may... have discovered copies of DW and RoB somewhere out there in the Aether. ;)

 

Will be having a read through, especially at the Chapter Creation stuff to try and work out how to run my DIYs. But if Steel or anyone else has any thoughts on how to run them, I'd be all ears!

[Steel Company]

As I said, I'm happy to help!

 

Trust me, I know how fun it is to bring you chapter to life in this format, it really lets you add more life to the characters, fill in backgrounds for them, and explore how they would interact with other chapters.

[Commissar Molotov]

I've had a number of individuals on Reddit and Instagram contact me and I'm just waiting for their accounts to be approved by the Administrators. Hopefully we'll have a few individuals here keen to discuss character concepts.

[Deadass]

Count me in - I'm looking forward to try and write an astartes character myself after having read about them in so many novels.

[adesro18]

Hey,

 

I’m the one from Reddit with the idea of a aurora marine or salamander successor. Something coming from a chapter that really is specialized in armored warfare. Should I present a character concept fleshed out here or what is the next step.

[Mazer Rackham]

Greetings Adesro18! Welcome to the Bolter and Chainsword!

 

It is our custom to give a newcomer a greeting to the board, so consider yourself with a place at the hearth!

 

Since this a recruitment thread, we will likely discuss our concepts here, but Mol can give us the steer so we don't clog anything up.

 

If you need any help, just shout up.

 

MR.

[TechCaptain]

I am still wanting to join you guys. So I tip my hat in. 

[adesro18]

Greetings Adesro18! Welcome to the Bolter and Chainsword!

 

It is our custom to give a newcomer a greeting to the board, so consider yourself with a place at the hearth!

 

Since this a recruitment thread, we will likely discuss our concepts here, but Mol can give us the steer so we don't clog anything up.

 

If you need any help, just shout up.

 

MR.

Thanks for the welcome and the info. Since it is the thing to do I can put a character concept below:

 

I think maybe the fine details in terms of stats and everything can be worked out after the concept is given a green light and of course some more backstory. The gist of it though, is I'd like to create a Salamander Successor chapter marine. They are particularly focused on armored combat and maintain a larger than normal vehicle pool and favor tanks, jump pack assaults and bike squads to support their armored spear heads. They maintain the stoicism and the proud nature of their parent chapter, but are colder and more logical owing to their preference in armored combat and their reverence of the Omnissiah. A great many of their ranks choose to go to mars to learn the way of the machine and many more still prefer the machine over flesh, with augmetics being very common amongst the ranks of the chapter.

 

I was thinking of making a tactical marine that has a backstory in being part of a bike squad supporting armored assault before being tithed to the deathwatch.

 

Interested to hear what people think of the rough concept.

 

 

 

[Trokair]

Welcome adesro18

 

I am getting a strong Iron Hand feel from you description, is there something in the chapters origin that has lead to such a closeness with the Omnissiahian culture and believes?   

[Steel Company]

Welcome adesro18

 

I am getting a strong Iron Hand feel from you description, is there something in the chapters origin that has lead to such a closeness with the Omnissiahian culture and believes?

Building off of this...

 

In RoB there is a table for faulty parts of the gene seed, you could easily have the one that causes the same issues as the Salamander's but have it still being Iron Hands.

 

Doing that could lead to the chapter thinking they are descended from the Salamanders, but are actually Iron Hands progeny.

[TechCaptain]

Sounds like strong presence of the Sons of Gorgon will be around for even though they don't act like it, Bloodmoon Hunters believe themselves to be Iron Hand descendants.

[adesro18]

Welcome adesro18

 

I am getting a strong Iron Hand feel from you description, is there something in the chapters origin that has lead to such a closeness with the Omnissiahian culture and believes?

Good point. I was thinking lost homeworld resulting in a fleet based chapter. Living in a voidship and having to rely on yourself to maintain the fleet and your vehicles makes you turn to the machine. Sprinkle in a little bit of the salamanders love of the forge and I view a sort of iron hand/ salamander hybrid so to speak.

[adesro18]

 

Welcome adesro18

 

I am getting a strong Iron Hand feel from you description, is there something in the chapters origin that has lead to such a closeness with the Omnissiahian culture and believes?

Building off of this...

 

In RoB there is a table for faulty parts of the gene seed, you could easily have the one that causes the same issues as the Salamander's but have it still being Iron Hands.

 

Doing that could lead to the chapter thinking they are descended from the Salamanders, but are actually Iron Hands progeny.

I also thought of that using the mutation which could account for the obsidian skin. So in that regard I would just put them as an unknown origin believing they are salamanders descendants but just being perhaps a iron hand descendent. Of course believing they are salamanders they would seek out and learn from their “parent chapter” but would have the natural call to the machine.

[Steel Company]

 

 

Welcome adesro18

 

I am getting a strong Iron Hand feel from you description, is there something in the chapters origin that has lead to such a closeness with the Omnissiahian culture and believes?

Building off of this...

 

In RoB there is a table for faulty parts of the gene seed, you could easily have the one that causes the same issues as the Salamander's but have it still being Iron Hands.

 

Doing that could lead to the chapter thinking they are descended from the Salamanders, but are actually Iron Hands progeny.

I also thought of that using the mutation which could account for the obsidian skin. So in that regard I would just put them as an unknown origin believing they are salamanders descendants but just being perhaps a iron hand descendent. Of course believing they are salamanders they would seek out and learn from their “parent chapter” but would have the natural call to the machine.

 

 

It can be really up to you, with the same skin tone, they likely had a training cadre from the Salamanders or one of their decedents, causing them to lean more into the Salamander side of things, but their gene seed pulling them towards the calling of the machine.

[Commissar Molotov]

I do have to admit my preference would be for you to use the Aurora Chapter; I think you'd be able to incorporate all you want, and it would be cool to include a Chapter that makes me nostalgic for the old second edition Codex: Ultramarines!

[adesro18]

Is that ive put more thought into it I like the idea of the chapter I’ve been brewing up, especially with such nice feedback. A chapter that doesn’t know it’s origins but wished too. A chapter that thinks it should behave one way but is being pulled another way. I think that’s more interesting than ultramarines but with more tanks.

[Commissar Molotov]

Well, that's fair enough then; I will post longer tomorrow, but if you want to develop that idea I'm all for it (though I will reserve the right of final refusal just in terms of narrative integrity for the game.)

 

By all means develop your Chapter (take advantage of the Liber Astartes forum, further down, rather than using this threae) and then we can discuss.

[adesro18]

Well, that's fair enough then; I will post longer tomorrow, but if you want to develop that idea I'm all for it (though I will reserve the right of final refusal just in terms of narrative integrity for the game.)

By all means develop your Chapter (take advantage of the Liber Astartes forum, further down, rather than using this threae) and then we can discuss.

That sounds fair to me. DM always has final day in the matter. I’ll develop it to the best of my ability and I’m looking forward to your post tomorrow then.