Mazer Rackham Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 (edited) When Draak spoke, proposing his alternative plan, Orphiel could see the opportunities to try and bring the bloodletting to an end, if not shorten it. The zeal of the Redemptoria was well-known amongst the Angels, and he could possibly lead them by the nose if he couldn't employ the ritual duel known as the Lion's Challenge. "We could also message them over the ship vox when we are funnelling them and they are reluctant to follow, that we have information. What was Zacharius? What was the word Orphiel?" Draak asked him the question that he couldn't answer - it would damn the Ironclad and anyone else who heard it. He may even be forced to kill Cutlass himself if uttered. He scanned the posture of his comrades, especially Vesalius, watching to see any sign of interest. He would have to play it down as much as possible, engage with the slippery and obtuse mannerism he'd presented the squad with since his inclusion. If not...he should consider murdering everyone on the bridge. Maybe not simply hose everyone in this room with the Kraken or Hellfire, but leading the Kin to them, betraying them to slaughter one-by-one to...silence...the inquisitive. It made no difference if Orphiel's idea was one now occurring to the team leader. Varn knew, but that was moot anyway. If the Redemptoria knew or suspected the Iron Gods possessed a Fallen, it was over for them. Varn held the leash for now, but if the Unforgiven united...if they closed off Varn's empire, chewing his realm to pieces inch by tortuous inch with scorched earth, who would hear the message of the Wheel? The temptation of that was quite enjoyable. His brows knitted, face tight in a frown. There was no way Draak could know the deadliest secret of all, Orphiel had never mentioned it by name, not even as an allusion. He was fishing, had to be, given his previous interest in the old sword, and Ghoran's interaction. And the Ironclad proclaimed him a liar. How ironic he was right. +Difficult, Sarjeant. I would call Zachariah difficult.+ Orphiel closed on Achard with a firm step as the team moved, preparing to repel boarders. He dropped his voice, as much as he could through a vox crackling with reverberation. +My compliments, Captain. Can your men identify the power outputs of any personal forcefields amongst the attackers?+ He hoped so. He would face them, alone. Edited July 12, 2022 by Mazer Rackham Tidied slack writing, cleaned up repetitions. Lysimachus, Machine God and Trokair 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845054 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine God Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 +Difficult, Sergeant. I would call Zacharius+ Orphiel had answered. Draak was sure that there was something else, a phrase or something. Continue with the mission. Let secrets lie. Secrets let the Imperium survive. Secrets of Chapter, Clan and Lodge. Held aside but never spoken. Hunters Lodge tallies. That would have to wait. The Surgeon is still useful. Mazer Rackham, Lysimachus and Necronaut 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845117 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted July 12, 2022 Author Share Posted July 12, 2022 The lift has still not been given power, but it is a simple matter to abseil down the cables to the open doors several levels below. Most of the lumens are now on, though some have failed to restart, creating a few short sections of deep shadow. Gravitic field generators built into the deck are fully online, and atmospheric scrubbers have also been working for some time. Mortals would still struggle to breathe such poorly oxygenated air, but to your enhanced lungs it is only a minor inconvenience and the quality is improving more and more as time passes. When you left, Achard was putting his men to work to switch on the internal sensors that previously guided the Vorax. As you approach the first of the chokepoints he and Draak selected, the Captain voxes you. +++Astartes? We have activated the ship's motion detectors. There are no picters for me to get a view of them, but the enemy are continuing to push aft. As far as I can discern, they all seem to be holding to the starboard side arterial corridor and ignoring any side passages and chambers… including the first of those you ordered left open to misdirect them. 'Stubborn sods' was, I think, how Master Sergeant Ghoran so eloquently put it… but certainly not fools. The emergency bulkhead doors are slowing them, though not nearly as much as I would have hoped - they must be carrying some substantial breaching equipment? I would estimate if you and they both continue at current pace and direction, you will converge in approximately twenty-four minutes. Brother Orphiel, these sensors are not designed for detecting energy fields, but there is definitely… something… interfering with the scans? Based on the pattern of size and movement of that interference, it could be being caused by a personal forcefield?+++ *** Necronaut, Trokair and Mazer Rackham 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845208 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted July 12, 2022 Author Share Posted July 12, 2022 (edited) GM: You have a choice at this point. You could stay at this final chokepoint, or move forward to the next one. Obviously, moving further forward gives you somewhere to retreat towards... but you have less time to fortify, prepare ambushes, etc, etc. You could even move forward to the third bulkhead Draak selected, giving you even more room to manoeuvre (read: retreat! ) but you will arrive there at about the same time as the Angels do. Edited July 12, 2022 by Lysimachus Mazer Rackham 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845224 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 (edited) ++Captain, your rank is well deserved. Co-ordinates to my dataloop as soon as practicable.++ Orphiel ran on, cloak snapping and smocking around him as he drew Zachariah's Steel. The Kin would know the pattern, it would be a beacon for their attention...plus the other weapons. He unhooked Argo, and turned to Brynjarr. +I want it back!+ He tossed it to the Breacher and increased his pace, slapping his palm onto waxed leather, filling his free hand with Charybdis. Orphiel will active Solo Mode: Burst of Speed and head for Bulkhead 3, or the directions of the forcefield if at all possible. Edited July 12, 2022 by Mazer Rackham Lysimachus and Trokair 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845227 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine God Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 (edited) Killteam Cutlass ran on for the chokepoints. +We shall stop at the second bulkhead and prepare a welcome for our foe+ stated Draak, +Orphiel do you know their Chapter Name?+ As the squad were getting close to the second bulkhead, Draak heard Orphiel speak over the vox. +I want it back!+ Turning his head he saw Orphiel toss his Storm Bolter to Brynjarr. Unburdened Orphiel drew Charybdis his Plasma Pistol and raced onwards. +Orphiel! I said second bulkhead!+ said Draak angrily +We don't have time to prepare our position at third!+ Edited December 17, 2022 by Machine God typo Necronaut, Trokair, Mazer Rackham and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845309 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necronaut Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 (edited) Now what?! Vesalius' carrion-feeder helm snapped around watching Orphiel sprint off down a passageway after brusquely tossing his prized storm bolter to Brynjarr. This did not bode well. He thought back to his secondary mission directive given by the Tyrant's pet witch, Degier, and opened a private vox channel with Draak. +Sergeant, I am detaching temporarily to… render assistance to Orphiel. I am not certain as to his plan, but I will regroup with the rest of Cutlass presently. Do not follow. Send me the coordinates of where you plan to waylay the interlopers and I will rendezvous in short order. Vesalius out.+ The apothecary nodded to the remaining members of Cutlass, his crimson lenses glaring fiercely against the nicked and scraped marble white of his beaked helm, before he turned and set off down the corridor after Orphiel, a ghost in the wind. He then opened a separate vox channel with a different member of the squad entirely. For Decimus: +Decimus, I'm pursuing Orphiel. I don't know what he's planning, but I suspect the worst. If I don't return, kindly kill him for me.+ As he fled down the hallway, he blink-clicked a series of commands cutting himself off from the squad's internal location network. With any luck he would reconnect later… +++ Following Orphiel was child's play – either the other Astartes did not know he was being tailed, or did not care, but he made little attempt to hide his path. Wherever he was going, clearly it was to make contact with what, by this point, Vesalius presumed to be his quarry's kinsmen. As he ran, he played out potential scenarios in his head. I should be able to bypass and waylay him before he reaches them. If I could catch him unawares… No, such reasoning was needlessly risky. Vesalius had watched Orphiel in combat many times since joining the Iron Gods, and he judged the Astartes to be a fiendishly skilled duelist, not to mention one with a preternatural awareness bordering on psychic. The apothecary did possess a magazine of armor penetrating rounds in the secondary ammunition feed of his boltgun, but Orphiel's plasma pistol gave him pause. If he missed with his opening salvo, then… Well we'd better not miss then?! He still did not like the odds. Anything could go wrong, not to mention his opponent might be able to solicit aid from the boarding party! Vesalius's scarred lips twisted into a grimace. He was at a severe disadvantage against the other Astartes no matter how many times he performed the analysis; the cruel logic of it was inescapable. Perhaps I could merely attempt to engage him with words, distract him long enough to… No, no, no, Vesalius was, while verbose, certainly not cut from that cloth. With his luck, Orphiel would just attempt to gun him down without warning and proceed, leaving Vesalius, in all likelihood, with a fresh set of plasma burns for his trouble. Not to mention the fact that Orphiel seemed the type of man who was not easily dissuaded from his course of action once his mind was set. He would watch from the shadows for now. Perhaps it was the coward's way, but he was not a fanatic, and the Iron Gods were not worth dying for. However, if an opportunity presented itself… Vesalius enters Solo Mode. Vesalius activates Burst of Speed and sprints off in pursuit of Orphiel. Per GM request/recommendation, Concealment Test: AG60 + 10 = 70 Concealment Test: 1d100 15 15: success with 5 DoS Silent Move Test: AG60 + 10 = 70 Silent Move: 1d100 13 13: success with 5 DoS Oops, I forgot this one for good measure: Tracking Test Tracking: 1d100 9Per48 + 0 = 4 09: success with 3 DoS Edited July 12, 2022 by Necronaut Trokair, Machine God, Lysimachus and 2 others 4 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845316 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 (edited) Draak's demand rang in his ears, like it or not, he was the Serjeant. His secondary heart began to thud in his chest, combat stimms pummelled his veins, his mind - everything seemed to slow down. He vaulted stanchions, faleen beams where activation of the power cells had blown conduit casings free, loose panels. He saw one of the bulkheads up ahead begin to close as per the plan. He ran and threw his weight forward, down and the dust and grit formed the perfect friction-break. Spoiler Spend Fate Point, to take Burst of Speed to Rank 3 Slide (like a leap, but not): Ag 53 + 10 = 63 D100: 56 PASS, no DoS Orphiel slides 10(!) metres. He stopped well past the door. ++ They are the Angels of Redemption. Here to save your souls! ++ He smiled down the vox. He got up, dust clinging to him like one of the Mk VI suits of armour. If he couldn't stop them with reason, he would have to lead them a dance - where best to hide a tree? ++ I go to delay them as long as possible, Serjeant. Make your defences Ironclad. ++ Of all the greatest resources in war, none was so precious as time. It was only bought with sacrifice. He ran on, comms relay scanning for Redemptoria frequencies. Edited July 12, 2022 by Mazer Rackham Trokair, Necronaut and Lysimachus 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845327 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted July 12, 2022 Author Share Posted July 12, 2022 Orphiel: You race headlong down the broad arterial, the rest of Cutlass left far behind by your sudden rush. You pass through the third bulkhead ordered left open by the Ironclad Sergeant. Besides this portal there is no other way further aft from the loyalists' breach point. Another force of Astartes, wearing armour halved in bone and green, is approaching. As Achard said, their advance has been slowed by the closure of the bulkhead doors, but not stopped. There appears to be a full Tactical Squad, split up into combat squads and using bounding overwatch to move down the wide corridor. Equipped as per the dictates of the Codex Astartes, most carry boltguns, but there are squad specialists too. One Marine is armed with a glowing plasma gun. Another wears a deep crimson robe over his battle-plate and a hood over his helm, and is armed with a blade that shines even more brightly than the plasma pistol he carries in his other hand - looking at this one is like staring into a brightly coloured mirror. A second support trooper provides even more armour-penetrating power with a deadly multi-melta, probably the reason they have been able to continue moving aft through the security partitions so quickly. Part of the reason. At the head of the combat squads, another unit of Astartes moves forward with ponderous lethality. They are similarly clad in bone and green, but their outlines are much different. Five veterans clad in monstrous Tactical Dreadnought Armour, most of them equipped with stormbolters and power or chain fists. One carries a deadly heavy flamer in place of his bolter. Another looks akin to the Tactical Sergeant, hooded in red cloth and carrying an even larger, more ornate power sword. But somehow, remarkably, it is not any of these things that draws your eye. The Angels are led by a monster. He too garbs himself in rich red - a long tabard that drapes across his chest - but the rest of his wargear is very different. He wears hulking Tactical Dreadnought Armour, but it is coloured in deepest black, except for the helm which is bone white. The headgear is carved into a glaring, angry skull, a perfect representation of death itself, red eye lenses aflame with hate. The rest of the armour is artificered with equal skill, every visible inch decorated with icons depicting angelic figures, swords and more skulls. Atop these are numerous purity seals with long streamers covered in neat script. The giant carries a stormbolter easily in one massive fist. In the other is a heavy, studded sceptre, its top carved into a skeletal torso and skull flanked by flaring, upraised angelic wings. You recognise him for what he is. Guardian of purity. Defender of the Chapter Cult. Avenger of the lost. A Chaplain of the Adeptus Astartes. Of course, you also know what he really is. Alongside the titanic presence, walking in his shadow, is a smaller figure. An older man, a mortal by his stature, clad in dark blue robes, bald and wearing an elaborate rebreather over his face. He walks with a long cane and seems content to let the Astartes take the lead. Oddly, he shows no sense of fear at the terror that stumps heavily forward beside him, shaking the deck with every footfall. This indifferent calm in the presence of such an avatar of death immediately identifies him. The man can only be Inquisitor Von Lombart. *** Vesalius: You have managed to hide yourself in a vantage point (perhaps in the doorway of the bulkhead portal?) and can see all of the same things as Orphiel, though of course you may not have quite the same understanding of what they signify! Cutlass: Obviously you aren't close enough to see/react to any of this… but don't worry, the action is coming your way pretty quickly! Machine God and Necronaut 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845336 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.T. Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 (edited) Odysseus maintained a more steady pace, his kine-shield flashing once more into existence around him. Astartes, particularly those in league with the inquisition, might well be prepared for such... then again the thought that the sons of the Lion would maintain such an association further muddied the waters of this battle. A defensive position it would be, let the others spoil the Angels advance and bring them piecemeal onto the guns. Edited July 12, 2022 by A.T. Lysimachus, Machine God and Mazer Rackham 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845348 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine God Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 (edited) Draak watched Orphiel sprint off towards the third bulkhead. He readied himself with the matter at hand, setting the ambush site. Orphiel was on his own, squad comes first. Orphiel was an I, something that there wasn't in a Team. Draak received a private message on his vox from Vesalius, ++Sergeant, I am detaching temporarily to… render assistance to Orphiel. I am not certain as to his plan, but I will regroup with the rest of Cutlass presently. Do not follow. Send me the coordinates of where you plan to waylay the interlopers and I will rendezvous in short order. Vesalius out.++ So more orders within orders, nothing new here. Draak pulsed the co-ordinates to Vesalius, +Meet us here when you can. If you can clip the wings of the jackdaw and bring him back, I would like to have a chat without Caf.+ As he gave instructions to the squad, Draak noticed Vesalius' ident begin to fade from the squad tracking system. Draak then sent a private message back to Vesalius via his Diagnostor Helm. +01001000011010010110010001100101011110010010000001001000011011110110110001100101+ Vesalius' HUD lit up: Good Hunting, Draak. ++ They are the Angels of Redemption. Here to save your souls! ++ Orphiel said down the vox. Spoken in his warriors voice thought Draak. ++ I go to delay them as long as possible, Serjeant. Make your defences Ironclad. ++ Ironclad defences, what other way was there? Edited December 17, 2022 by Machine God Forgot to add Orphiel's reply Mazer Rackham, Necronaut and Lysimachus 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845350 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trokair Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 Brynjarr, surprised by Orphiles sudden action barely caught Argo, by the time he looked up again the other was gone. +I want it back!+ was all that remained. Then Vesalius followed with haste. Had they turned doomseekers now? +By Grandfathers Grace so it shall be.+ he voxed after Orphiles, wondering what this new duty and custodianship actually meant. Necronaut, Mazer Rackham and Lysimachus 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845389 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 (edited) Orphiel heard them before he saw them, his time was short as they thundered down the passageway. He carefully holstered Charybdis, before doffing his helmet, leaving his hood to smock and hide his features. Then, spying the Chaplain, and the cadre of the Host of Angels with him, knelt, holding Zachariah's Steel point downward. He finally placed his casque on the deck, facing the warriors approaching, their weapons and helms tracking him, and bowed his head, assuming the obeisance of a penitent. They stopped, unsure. Invoke Chapter Demeanour: Sons of The Lion He forced his thoughts to become solid, to take form. Concentration lowered the thunder of his hearts, the beating of pulse in his ears, and the words came. He applied the melodic chant and inflection of the Chapel of Angels upon Allhallow, where the candles burned to keep the darkness at bay, he kept rhythm, breathing between stanzas. "Ave Domine Capellanus Angelorum Redemptionis." "In Leonis nomine, in sanguine Leonis, ego Orphiel penintatum. Septem Pinnam Teneo. Admoneo et servio ad Undonatus." "Exaudi me in misericordia, vel in re testimonium. Offero Leonis provocationem ad probandam dignitatem meam." "Monitio mea in secreto audienda est. Monitum venatoris ad dominum suum." "Oblatio ad Leonis umbram." Fellowship Check: Spoiler FW: 35 +15 (Mk IV Armour) +5 (No Helmet) + 10 (Demeanour Fate Point) = 65 D100: 77 FAIL (Fate Re-roll) 008 PASS, Plus 5 DoS. Translation: Hail Lord Chaplain of the Angels of Redemption. In the Lion’s Name, in the Lion’s Blood, I Orphiel a penitent, hold the First Feather of the Seven. I bring warning and service to the Unforgiven. In mercy hear me, or in deed, bear witness. I offer the Lion’s Challenge to prove my worth. My warning must be given in secret. It is the warning of a hunter to his master. Let it be an offering to the Lion’s shade. Orphiel did not look up, awaiting the response. One way or another, he'd get the message across. Edited July 13, 2022 by Mazer Rackham Trokair, Lysimachus, Necronaut and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845397 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beren Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 With his Spring Mines deployed earlier, a waste as it happened - the thought sending his blood boiling for a second, the only explosives Svelk had left were a single demo-charge and his grenades. It would have to be enough. He voxes through to Draak. +++Permission to move ahead. I want to see if I can hit them from behind when you bloody their noses. Might also place me in position to cover our errant squad members if they have to make a run for it.+++ Lysimachus, Trokair, Necronaut and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845405 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted July 13, 2022 Author Share Posted July 13, 2022 Orphiel: The Imperial invaders notice you. They pause, taking cover behind buttresses and raising their weapons, until they realise you are alone. As you speak, they do not seem to relax at all. There is silence for several long moments. Then the Inquisitor steps forward, his face screwed up in concentration. "What is this, Narakiel?" Von Lombart whispers, his voice just as dry and cold as you remember. "What is this 'Unforgiven' he speaks of? Why should one of the Iron Gods bring you messages in High Gothic?" He turns to look at you kneeling before them. "Filthy heretic, did I not promise you would be uncovered? Did I not…" The Inquisitor is undoubtedly about to launch into another diatribe, probably similar to the vox message he sent in the Rhogau system. Perhaps you are tempted to try putting a plasma round into him rather than have to listen to it again. However, before you can do so, something unexpected happens. Or perhaps not so unexpected? Without warning, the dark colossus beside Von Lombart raises his stormbolter and settles the twin barrels against the side of the Inquisitor's head. Before the old man can do more than register a look of surprise, the black clad warrior-priest pulls the trigger. At point blank range, the effect of even a single burst is spectacularly messy. "A wound from one bolter looks much like another..." he intones sonorously into his vox-speaker, "...and we do not require any further interference from the Ordo Hereticus." It is the voice from the Strike Cruiser! He looks over at the Terminator squad leader and lifts his Crozius into the air, pointing it aft in the general direction of the rest of Kill-Team Cutlass. "Brother-Sergeant Barachi. Lead the squads onward. Find and kill the renegades. Take the bridge. Do what you can to support our fleet. I will deal with… this one." The snout of the veteran's Indomitus helm dips in acknowledgement. He begins to move, raising the long, powered blade and waving the Angels forward through the bulkhead portal. *** All:Please roll for your Initiatives ...except Orphiel! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845450 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine God Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 +++Granted+++ said Draak grudgingly, +++Look out and check your Arcs+++ Mazer Rackham and Lysimachus 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845458 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trokair Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Their numbers where growing thin, and while Svelk no doubt would find an excellent ambush point sometimes numbers mattered more than tactics, especially in defense of a fortified position. Then again despite the squads effort and preparation this was hardly a defensible position in the long run. Brynjarr readied as best he could. Initiative Roll D10: 5 + 4AG = 9 Machine God, Lysimachus and Mazer Rackham 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845461 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.T. Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Odysseus positioned himself in cover and waited. Overlaid on his view ghostly pict-captures of the earlier events on the bridge played out, recorded by the auto sense device he had taken from the hold, seeking out anything that might give advantage but finding nothing but questions. Initiative 3+5 = 8 Machine God, Lysimachus and Mazer Rackham 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Orphiel didn't flinch as the Inquisitor disintegrated in a rapid flurry of detonating bolts. As a storm bolter user himself, the gory results were not unexpected. Taking Zachariah's Steel across both palms at hilt and head, he silently offered the weapon to the sable giant. Although cared for, the ancient flanged spear tip and ornate winged hilt would speak for themselves. A chime from the vox receiver in his collar dictated the Chaplain's vox frequency had been appended to his network by the snooper intercept. He dropped into subvocal, speaking in the riddles so beloved of the Legion. GM ONLY: Spoiler Might want to watch the Star Trek TNG Episode "Darmok." It is exceptionally similar to the way Dark Angels use parables and metaphor to discuss the Fallen. This, plus the previous message may get the point across? +Iudas, on the hanging tree, silent.+ (The traitor is dead) +Mordred, on the hill with the snake.+ (The intentions by the enemy are misunderstood). +Caliban confessing to Prospero's wife.+ (The Secret has been told to a third party). +Iason, exiled by Pelias. Iason, searching for the fleece.+ (I was sent out to find traitors, a bargain was made). +Artur, spurning Gwynhwyver.+ (The King keeps the secret to himself). +The book of truths, full.+ (I have evidence). Orphiel kept his head lowered. Lysimachus 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845495 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted July 13, 2022 Author Share Posted July 13, 2022 (edited) +++NARRATIVE TIME ENDS+++ +++STRUCTURED TIME BEGINS+++ Round Minus 1: Kill-Team Cohesion: 1 Initiative Order: [ ] Brynjarr | (SQUAD) | AG4+5=9 | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 3/4 [ ] Odysseus | (SOLO) | Ag5+3=8 | WOUNDS 14/22 | FATE 3/4 [ ] Vesalius | (SOLO) | Ag6+?=? | WOUNDS 20/20 | FATE 1/4 [ ] Draak | (SQUAD) | Ag4+?=? | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 2/2 [ ] Svelk | (SQUAD) | Ag4+?=? | WOUNDS 23/23 | FATE 2/3 [ ] Decimus | (SQUAD) | Ag3+?=? | WOUNDS 19/23 | FATE 3/3 Ambush: In Round 1, the Angels will enter from the right. Before that, you will receive a Surprise Round to set up in readiness for their arrival. Along with your Initiative Rolls, please let me know where you wish to begin on the map? (I assume Vesalius and Svelk may be towards the right hand side, but be careful as the enemy will enter in a rush!) In the Surprise Round you may each take Actions as normal. Obviously, these can't be Attacks as the targets aren't visible yet, but you can prepare; setting Overwatch, laying traps or getting in cover, e.g. Odysseus might want to put up his Force Dome, Svelk might want to set up that Demo Charge somewhere*, etc, etc? *If so, please include in your post a Spoiler containing where Svelk is placing the Charge. I won't look at it, but if an Enemy character moves over it from Round 1 onwards, you can reveal where it was and roll Damage vs. whichever Enemies are within its range. Mazer: While this is all happening, I will continue Orphiel's encounter narratively! Please stand by for response! Edited July 13, 2022 by Lysimachus Mazer Rackham, Trokair and Machine God 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845497 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine God Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 (edited) Draak had given direction to his hunter's, the defence would stand and then fade. We mustn't let the bigger foe dictate our actions. Initiative: AGL4 + 10 (1D10) = 14 Same position as already marked. Edited December 17, 2022 by Machine God Removed update for Surprise Round, left location. Lysimachus 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845502 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted July 13, 2022 Author Share Posted July 13, 2022 (edited) GM Note:As everyone else will be taking part in the Structured battle (I'm assuming Vesalius will sensibly backtrack towards the others when faced by the approaching mass of TDA Angels? ), no one will be able to hear Orphiel speaking to the Chaplain. However, so that everyone can enjoy the story unfolding, Mazer and I won't be using spoilers from this point on. BUT… please remember that although you, as an out-of-universe, omniscient reader can read and know what is happening (and of course you all know all the DA secrets already!), your CHARACTER knows NONE of it! Thank you! *** As the last of his men move out of earshot, the Interrogator-Chaplain removes his helm. Beneath it he is bald, heavily scarred, hollow cheeked, his skin so pale and drawn that his features seem nearly as skull-like as his headgear. But his steely blue eyes - exactly the same colour as your own - burn with vigour and an ever present fury. His lips are twisted into a permanent grimace. It is the face of a zealot. "It is time for plain speech, Orphiel. I am Narakiel Fenix, Grand Master of Chaplains, High Interrogator of the Angels of Redemption." *** Edited July 13, 2022 by Lysimachus Mazer Rackham, Necronaut and Machine God 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845507 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 (edited) Orphiel grunted, placing the blade on the floor, before drawing back his hood so the two warriors can look each other in the eye properly. He appreciated the feel of the confessional posture, the honesty. He spoke earnestly, with cold conviction, without guard. The tenuous link even to these most fervent of the Fallen's hunters was...nourishing. "As you wish, Master. The leader of these renegades is a man named Talek Varn, a petty lordling in the Solios Nebula. The degenerate, Zachariah, told him of the secret." He let a small pull of his lips show his distaste. "The liar was painfully silenced, yet Varn learned of our hunt, assembled a device called The Wheel. Should he be destroyed, the secret will be sent to thousands of ears, polluting our honour, watering down the trail." Orphiel deliberately turned to regard the Inquisitor, shared the glace with Nakariel. Edited July 13, 2022 by Mazer Rackham Machine God, Necronaut and Lysimachus 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845519 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.T. Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Odysseus moved south as the kine-shield expanded around him, no reason to expose his position until their targets had come into range. There was a fresh power in the air, another psyker aboard the vessel... somewhere. Caution was more than warranted. Machine God, Necronaut, Mazer Rackham and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845566 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trokair Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Shield firmly planted, Brynjar half kneeled behind it in a defensive position. Bolter at the ready for the first enemies to come into range/view. Spoiler Overwatch, Semi auto in the direction we are expecting the enemy to be arriving from. Also spend 1 Fate to add 1 Cohesion to the squad. Lysimachus, Necronaut and Machine God 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/370180-to-plunder-the-stars-themselves-episode-iii/page/61/#findComment-5845623 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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