[DW] The Desolation of Innocence (RPG IC Thread)

[Mazer Rackham]

Genestealer 8:

The beast is flash-fried, crisping and flailing limbs turning to blackened cinders.  The witch lightning arcs behind, when there is another thud of something bloated and volatile exploding, plastering the door, and buckling it with the force of the blast.

Genestealer 8 is removed from Play.

Another thump sounds, dully, wetly, like an overripe Jurra Fruit.

Smoking bones and splinters of chitin erupt through the hole in the door in a barrage of needle filaments, but that is not the worst of it.

Human blood and alien ichor begin to seep from all the bodies massed within and without the room.  Embossed faces and leering gargolyes in the architecture, and yes, even your own armour begin to cry the crimson tears.  They do not stop, slicking the floors, walls, even your bodies with the viscous humour, both purple-blue and ruddy scarlet.

The blood pools as though from a giant corpse peppered with bullet wounds, thickening, rising.  It swells to ankles, then eddies to your shins.

It does not appear to stop, as the bodies lift from the ground, the holy flames from Philemon's pyrethrower extinguished in sickly-sweet stink, and now you are up to you knees in corpses which drift slowly by, caressing your armour with dead, alien hands.

Continuing to swell, it reaches your waist, the weight of it staggering your limbs, pulling.

Arcturion and Nergüi hear it first, but perhaps only Korvaan truly grasps it before it happens.

The weight of the fluid begins to force the door open, slowly buckling it, pushing the barricade backwards and forwards with the aetheric tides, the groan of protesting metal...

[Mazer Rackham]

ROUND THREE

With a terrible squeal, the doors buckle and bisect, pulling away in a torrent of blood and bodies, the former dissipating swiftly in chilly wisps of warp-tainted smoke.

Deep in the belly of the passageway beyond, lurks a beast.  Long fangs catch the light, matching the heinous sparkle of a glowering stare.  The shape braces against the flood, unbothered by the sloshing gloop or myriad corpses of its kin forming islets, it lurches forward, hurrying to exploit the gap in your defences.

COMBAT MAP:

Spoiler

+ Initiative Order +

Spoiler

Genestealer 7 (PS) = 25 (20/20) [x]

Genestealer 5 (PS) = 21 (11/20) [x]

Mr Grumpy (G - WS) = 20 (40/40) [x]

Korvaan = 16 (21/21) (4/4) [ ]

Luthais = 15 (26/26) (3/3) [ ]

Nergüi = 13 (26/26) (3/3) [ ]

Philemon = 9 (23/23) (3/4) [ ]

Arcturion = 5 (20/20) (3/3) [ ]

Squad Cohesion 10/15

Genestealer 7 (PS):

With a twist of sinew and limbs, the agile fiend leaps onto noble Philemon!

Spoiler

Full Action: Charge Philemon (Grapple)

WS: 65 + 10 = 75

D100: 40. PASS. (Philemon is now Grappled)

Genestealer 5 (PS):

In a blitz of furious attacks, the alien batters and rends at Luthais

Spoiler

Full Action: Multiple Attacks at Luthais

WS 65

D100: 93, 23 (2DoS Pen 10), 21 (2DoS Pen 10), 40 (2DoS Pen 10)

Body: 27 (Dam/Pen) - 24 (Arm/TB) = 3 Wounds

Right Arm: 25 (Dam/Pen) - 26 (Arm/TB) = 0 Wounds

Head: 25 (Dam/Pen) - 24 (Arm/TB) = 1 Wound

Mr Grumpy (WS): 

Spoiler

Full Action: Run (To Present Position).

Run = -20 BS to Hit

Waiting for Brothers:

Korvaan [ ]

[A.T.]

The xenos is quick to exploit the opening as Luthais clears a path for his brother, latching onto pauldron of the armour as it attempted to climb around seeking weak spots to strike at but finding none as the Storm Warden slammed it into the bulkhead - the challenge had been given, the enemy would not be allowed to escape.

 

Three field saves - failed first, past the second and third (95, 26, 26)

As a free action Luthais issues the thunders call (dropping solo mode) - single combat against the genestealer

Parry / counter attack for the first attack - failed (90, 2)
 -reroll for thunders call parried and hit (70, 56)

Parry / counter attack for the second attack - parried and missed (47, 78)

OUTCOME - Genestealer has one dodge to make. It is at -10 to make attacks against anyone except Luthais and must pass an Agility test to move away from him.
 (Luthais avoids damage this round, barely)

[Mazer Rackham]

Genstealer 5:

A flurry of blows is traded as the Storm Warden focuses down on the foe, with a thunderous bellow through the vox.

Spoiler

Dodge: Ag 40 +10 = 50

D100: 21 PASS, (DoS irrelevant)

It becomes clear to both man and monster, this is a battle to the death.

Edited July 17, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

The Genestealer that had avoided his last blast of burning promethium suddenly dropped from the ceiling. Philemon barely raised his shield in time to prevent the creature's long, bladed fingers from ripping through his helm. With a roll of his arm, he tipped it off and down past him onto the deck.

 

Reaction: Parry Grapple with Combat Shield
WS56+10(Hatred) +10(HoA) +8(LbE) +15(Defensive) = 99, Roll: 64, Success.

 

The xenoform spun around with lightning speed, utterly undeterred. In fact it looked almost ready to attack again, the muscles in its wrongly-jointed legs and multiple arms bunching up in readiness for another massive leap. Philemon did not intend to give the foul thing the chance.

 

"Holy Father, guide my arm!" he grated, stepping in close and aiming a massive blow with Vindicta Dei's shining, curved blade.

 

Free Action: Sustain Lead by Example.
Full Action: All-Out Attack, spend 1 FP to activate Killing Strike.
WS56 +5(Exceptional) +10(Hatred) +10(HoA) +8(LbE) +20(AOA) = 109, Roll: 87, Hit!
Attack cannot be Dodged or Parried.
Dam: 7(1d10) +13 +1(Exceptional) +2(HoA) = 23 at Pen8.

 

The glimmering edge of the relic axe sliced down in a neat diagonal arc, effortlessly severing one of the creature's upraised arms, then on through its monstrously distended skull. The massive force of the blow drove the hated xenos down onto its knees with a crunch, dead before it even knew it. With a contemptuous snort, Philemon kicked the still spasming corpse off his blade.

 

Then he noticed the tactical feeds from his brethren, and grinned broadly.

 

+++At last, Regent, a kill worth remembering! For the glory of He who watches over us from the Golden Throne, bring that xeno-filth down!+++

 

***

Edited March 9, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

Genstealer 7:

Is handily bifurcated, and removed from Play.

Now, behave yourselves! 

Korvaan [ ]! (Finally!)

[Machine God]

Korvaan moved diagonally forwards 4m to stand beside Luthais who was locked in combat with the remaining Genestealer.

Korvaan's unleashed a barrage from his Storm Bolter.

Free Action: Declare Bolter Assault (3 Cohesion Points)

SAB Vs Genestealer #5.

BS 55 +10 (SAB) +30 (Point Blank Range) -20 (Shooting into Melee Combat) = 75. Result: 52, Pass 2DoS

Storm Bolter: 1D10 +9, Pen 4, Storm, Tearing.

Hit #1, Body (8, 3) 17 Damage.

Hit #2, Body (9, 1) 18 Damage.

Hit #3, Lower Right Arm (6, 9) 18 Damage.

Hit #4, Head (4, 6) 15 Damage.

Korvaan's Initiative Action: SAB Vs Genestealer #5.

BS 55 +10 (SAB) +30 (Point Blank Range) -20 (Shooting into Melee Combat) = 75. Result: 00, Failure - Jam. Force Point Re-Roll: 86, Failure 1DoF.

[Trokair]

Join Bolter Assault
Move north so that if we start running down corridor away from big gribbly we can.
Single shot at big grumpy
BS: 42
D100: 80 Miss, again, seriously this master crafter storm bolter is cursed, or my dice.

[Mazer Rackham]

Genestealer 5:

The bolts splatter the Stealer into streaky gobbets, which cake Luthais' armour.

Genstealer 5 is removed from Play.

GM NOTE: Missing a BS Test in combat like that will incur friendly fire on a 94-00 FAB, 96-00 SAB/Single, or LOTS of DoF. You've been warned, lads. 

Bolter Assault Continues - Cohesion 7/15

Edited July 19, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Machine God]

++My apologies there Luthais++ said Korvaan ++But the Xenos is now dead!+

Korvaan consulted his Vox logs and his Augur Array. 

+If you will forgive me for talking out of turn Watch-Sergeant Philemon. I know that it is anathema to not kill all Xenos, but the big Warrior-Form to our rear is just there to slow us down. We have order's to rendezvous with Warden Sophis. We have to hurry.+

[Trokair]

Spoiler

SAB at G
BS: 42 + 10 (SAB)=52
D100: 89, Miss...

 

Out of the darkness of the fallen barricade another monster emerged, Nergüi had snapped a shot at it as he had moved up to the others, and now a semi-auto burst. Surprisingly the beast remained unscathed.

Nergüi frowned at his storm bolter and gave it an experimental shake; diagnostics showed it in perfect working order.

+Brother Korvaan, when you have a moment, and things are less ... sticky, would you lend me some of your expertise.+

[Machine God]

+Fire it left-handed like I do mine+ said Iron Father Korvaan helpfully.

[Mazer Rackham]

The brute in the shadow is unperturbed by the clatter of hard rounds bracketing it, but lifts it's hands to guard its face by reflex, perhaps to ward off any further.

Arcturion [ ]

[Necronaut]

The stench of burning and rotting xenos flesh which made it past his armor's filtration systems was enough to drive a man mad. The sight of a tide of roiling blood, however, was enough to push a wayward son of Sanguinius completely over the edge, even one from the Lamenters, whose prior experience with their familial bloodlust was limited at best. Barely able to contain himself, he felt his field of view begin to narrow and a crimson haze permeated his vision. His breathing slowed and his pulse accelerated as the combat stimulants flooded his system. He licked his pointed incisors and let out a blood-curdling, anguished howl.

 

Finally, a fellow apex predator with which to clash and tear each other limb from limb. He held his hands out in welcome to the giant xenos, inviting it to join him in the cold embrace of death. 

 

 

Arcturion stokes Frenzy.

 

Hopefully this gribbly beastie survives long enough to put it to use haha.

 

Edited July 20, 2022 by Necronaut

[Mazer Rackham]

ROUND FOUR

The 'apex predator' lunges forward, then its head turns as though it is sniffing, or maybe hearing something beyond your ken.  Without a long, sly grin, and without further warning, it turns around, sprinting away into the bowels of the hulk, tossing up bodies behind it.

COMBAT MAP:

Spoiler

+ Initiative Order +

Spoiler

Korvaan = 16 (21/21) (4/4) [ ]

Luthais = 15 (26/26) (3/3) [ ]

Nergüi = 13 (26/26) (3/3) [ ]

Philemon = 9 (23/23) (3/4) [ ]

Arcturion = 5 (20/20) (3/3) [ ]

Squad Cohesion 7/15

Waiting for Brothers...

[Machine God]

+And Lo the Xenos were frightened away by the Angels of Death, Glory to the Omnissiah!+ said Korvaan.

+Brothers we have a meeting to attend to with Warden Sophis+ said Korvaan sprinting along the blue dotted line on his HUD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by Machine God
typo

[Mazer Rackham]

Arcturion ONLY:

Spoiler

The Brazen Claws words thunder through the vox as you stand there, innards contorting in frustration.

Then you go cold, as different claws begin to tingle at the edge of your mind.  Foreign, alien, different from before, it lacks the abyssal lethargy....but this...

It clouds your senses, darkens your mind.

Hungry.

So. Terribly. Hungry.

Up ahead.

 

[Lysimachus]

Philemon grimaced thoughtfully. Beasts like that, engineered to fight and kill with their last breath, did not simply turn tail and flee… unless they had a better plan. Only a fool made the mistake of thinking that the Tyranid vanguard organisms were stupid. It smelt like a trap.

 

Nevertheless, the Brazen Claw was right. They needed to keep moving, to rendezvous with Cordovan and Sophis. The Emperor's Blade looked down at his favoured ranged weapon. The Heavy Flamer was best employed in the van or the rear, either location giving greater space to unleash a torrent of fiery death.

 

+++You heard the Iron Father, Regent. Let's move. Lamenter, Storm Warden, take the lead. The Wolf and the Claw next. Torrens Ignis will watch our backs.+++

Edited March 9, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

I'll hold off until later in the morning before posting the next Round, to allow any further narrative posts to go up. Feel free to use the map from Round 4 to instruct your narratives. The door at the top right should be your finishing point.

Thanks.

Edited July 19, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Necronaut]

The wretched creature had ignored his challenge, his invitation, and fled into the shadows. The malign intelligence still pressed upon his mind, driving him to further heights of mania, its gnawing hunger fueling his nascent bloodlust. With a growl of barely restrained fury, Arcturion turned and stormed off, shouldering past the others into the corridor indicated by the thin blue line in his HUD. His right eye twitched uncontrollably and he ground his teeth as he thundered down the passage, his blade and chainfist crackling with forked discharge in resonant unison. 

+Acknowledged, Sergeant,+ he replied to Philemon's orders, sounding less like himself and more like a feral beast, hardly in control. His words came across the vox ragged and harsh. +I'll have the van this time, Storm Warden.+

He slashed the air in front of him with Doombringer and carved a great gouge into the wall of the hallway with his chainfist. To say the Lamenter was piqued would be an understatement. 

 

Arcturion maintains his Frenzied state (lasts until end of encounter per the rules), and advances down the hallway ahead of the others at top TDA speed.

 

For the remainder of the encounter, Arcturion gains the following:

+10 WS, Strength, Toughness & Willpower

-20 BS & Intelligence

Immunity to Fear, Pinning, Stunning and Fatigue

He may still Parry thanks to Battle Rage

He may still utilize psychic powers thanks to Mental Rage

He must attack in melee if possible

If he is not engaged in melee, he must move towards the nearest foe and engage with them in melee when possible

 

Epistolary Arcturion Moros of the Lamenters aboard space hulk designation Death of Innocence ca. M41, colorized:

 

[Trokair]

The Hulk was playing with them, why else withdraw its denizen after the effort to breach the barricade and close the trap on them. As they moved down the corridor at speed the squad manoeuvred to rearranged itself.

There was little time and they still had to be vigilant but Nergüi spent a few seconds to recalibrate the armours link to the storm bolter targeting feed. The Hulk’s influence was diminishing his potential, and if it was not the weapon then it was him and letting it sap his strength like that would be unbecoming. Over the vox channel he uttered a prayer of fortitude, loud enough that any of the brothers that needed it would hear, but quiet enough to not interfere with Brother-Sergeant Philemon’s command.

Edited July 20, 2022 by Trokair

[Mazer Rackham]

ROUND FIVE

You pass through ancient, dusty cabins for whatever crewmen filled this part of the vessel, and past power banks which hold only the eke of current, insufficient for anything other than the dim lights which top the rows of storage cells. You continue following the blue line - the holographic rope tugging you to the rendezvous. The sounds of battle begin to reach your ears, you get closer!

The door closes behind you, but the mechanism to lock it is broken beyond repair of even the savant Iron Father. Your order of march dictated by Philemon and the Codex both, adapted to the situation as intended in the tome penned by the Lord of Ultramar, yet the places chosen by preference.

You enter another corridor, this one no broader then two brethren abreast, the walls dotted with ventilation fans, the slow chop of blades painting a regular, if disjointed spill of light onto the opposite wall.

What vexes you most is the failure of your augurs to penetrate certain areas of this new zone, whilst others are laid bare, revealing the lifeforms awaiting you.

COMBAT MAP:

Spoiler

+ Initiative Order +

Spoiler

Blips = 21 (20/20) [x]

Korvaan = 16 (21/21) (4/4) [ ]

Luthais = 13 (26/26) (LBE) (3/3) [ ]

Arcturion = 13 (20/20) (LBE) (2/3) [ ]

Nergüi = 12 (26/26) (3/3) [ ]

Philemon = 10 (23/23) (LBE) (3/4) [ ]

Squad Cohesion 7/15

GM NOTES:

Bear in mind the tightness of the corridors here. For a Terminator to pass, there must be room. At two abreast, as long as the square adjacent is free (as in the starting positions above) the Terminator behind can pass diagonally (think like pawns moving en passant). This applies to shooting (kind of) if you remain within 2m of the Brother in front, you may assume he is moving enough for you to lean out, and shoot around him. Any further than this, and he will block LOS. Exceptions will apply to this like before, when a Genestealer was elevated enough for Nergüi to shoot at it.

I will allow players to re-roll their initiative scores, but - if one of you do it, all of you do.

Accepted and Complete.

Questions in the OOC.

Waiting for Brothers...

Edited July 20, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Machine God]

+Omnissiah re-bless our Auspex and Augurs+ chanted Iron Father Korvaan. 

+From the scans and plotted route, logic dictates that this corridor will soon pass a corridor to our left.+

+That corridor has a room halfway down on its left. Two blips and an open tunnel mouth in the floor, wide enough for the Warrior-Form to emerge+ added Korvaan. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by Machine God
Information about the room

[Mazer Rackham]

Korvaan:

The machine spirits, so entreated report readiness with acceptable delays as their self-diagnostic rituals complete.

The interference, and blanket of ignorance, remains.

[Machine God]

+Regent, our Auspex are working fine. Therefore I suspect Psychic Jamming - Arcturion could you please have a look?+ said Korvaan.