[DH1e] The Damocles Contingency (OOC)

[Machine God]

2 hours ago, Trokair said:

I also vote for Scourge.

 

No need to feel guilty as far as I am concerned, we each play our role, and if Scourge is to be Malleus Iustitiae the go right at it, there are foul things to be squashed.

+1

 

Foul things to be squashed and shot with big guns too.

[Necronaut]

@Lysimachus look, friend, Scourge has a screw or two loose, and obviously everyone else is ready to sell their lives dearly for the sake of the Hive and the God-Emperor. The fact that Reynard has not yet come around to that way of thinking is but a minor impediment. :P

[Mazer Rackham]

1 hour ago, Necronaut said:

Well we can play this however you like, @Mazer Rackham.

 

Co-operation noted, supplicant...

 

1 hour ago, Necronaut said:

If we have somewhat of a quorum pushing for Scourge to take up Hywelsbane, then I'm fine with accepting the honour.

 

*Steeples fingers.* Ah yes, here it comes...

 

1 hour ago, Necronaut said:

I think the knight-penitent may personally feel as if he needs to undertake a trial of purity or pray and scourge (hah) himself, on top of seeking out Cephas for further weapons training, but I know you're on a timeline and I don't wish to belabour the point.

 

I am sure training with Cephas will...deliver the flagellation you seek...

 

*Leans back and steeples fingers.*

[Necronaut]

@Mazer Rackham Per the brief aside a page or two back in the OOC thread regarding certain new wave artists: hit me with your rhythm stick.

[Mazer Rackham]

@Necronaut I will neither hit you slowly, nor hit you quick, for that behaviour is for a completely different forum and clientele, sir.

[Necronaut]

Yes, the Slaanesh Comedy Torture Sauna Party(TM) can be found down in the "A Vulgar Display of Power OOC Thread." ;)

[Mazer Rackham]

1 minute ago, Necronaut said:

Yes, the Slaanesh Comedy Torture Sauna Party(TM) can be found down in the "A Vulgar Display of Power OOC Thread." ;)

 

Mark well I did not exclude the fact Cephas will hit you hard, you rascal! 

 

Now behave! 

[Machine God]

21 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

@Necronaut I will neither hit you slowly, nor hit you quick, for that behaviour is for a completely different forum and clientele, sir.

It's already been done IC in The Wrack.

 

Or GM and PC can play out the title of a song by The Prodigy 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by Machine God
Removed abbreviated Song Title

[Mazer Rackham]

The Prodigy is definitely more my speed.

 

Now, GM Mode: ON.

 

We've got some clean up to do regarding a couple of personal quests. I want to lay out what those will look like. Firstly, since Bardas' is the bigger ask of the two, we must make some contortions in order to keep to schedule - and I'd like them handled as narratively as possible.

 

@Trokair:

 

When Bardas returns to the Halls of Judgement, he will have a message from Lazlo, giving some hard evidence (what that is, I leave up to you), that Von Bosch is heavily involved with the D'Reg. Indeed, Lazlo will have files of your activities, indicating he has been checking up on you as much as his latitude permits. The D'Reg have bartered your shrine's components to Von Bosch for supplies, and are partly responsible for the Golem being brought into the hive (through an infected part).

 

The D'Reg are beyond your time to deal with them, but Von Bosch has an itinerary at the lower docks and surface access to take in a shipment (legitimate) from a a desert caravan. Luckily for you, the Rockies are also working there as stevedores, so getting inside, or arranging an accident is just as viable as blowing his head off.

 

@Lysimachus:

 

The Hunt For Lecroix Senior, starring Harrison Ford as Sean Connery, and Tom Cruise as Basil Fawlty. When returning to the Halls, you may speak to Locke, or Drake, requesting an armoured troop aircar. Search as you will, but you will find Mr Lecroix trapped on a joist from where he fell of the landing pad in the Canthus territory. Alternatively, you could ask Fabian Canthus for a lift. He will take you in his personal transport as some recompense for Greyson's actions. The result will be the same. Canthus will not be aware of Greyson's allegiance, nor where he is.

 

@A.T., @Lord_Ikka, @Machine God:

 

You can request gear from the Telepathica, although it will likely be in the form of shock/bladed melee weapons, or perhaps very limited quantities of ammunition. Some items can be looked into for Nicios. You'll still have to pay full whack as a....uh...'donation.' Further to this, regarding missions/actions - your characters may want to be a little more strategic, or action orientated, and so can petition Drake and/or Locke to go as an advance party. You can encounter Juves, thugs, whatever, on the way down, but traces of the Golem can still be found/detected. Bust heads, make arrests.

 

Bring law to the lawless.

 

You should finish any narrative at the head of the main cargo lift shaft (as indicated by an anonymous source - Lazlo), and set up a small camp there. You can take Arbites with you, go in a transport, whatever.

 

@Necronaut:

 

Cephas is going to kick you up and down. You'll work directly with me, but your first post should cut right to the training room, entering, thoughts, expectations, etc. I will take it from there, and we'll do back and forth.

 

Before all that, though - my next GM post will be discussing XP, Rewards, Purchases etc.

 

As usual, post here anything you have to query or talk about, and please do not post in the IC until asked to do so.

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by Mazer Rackham
Tidy up

[Trokair]

25 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

@Trokair:

 

When Bardas returns to the Halls of Judgement, he will have a message from Lazlo, giving some hard evidence (what that is, I leave up to you), that Von Bosch is heavily involved with the D'Reg. Indeed, Lazlo will have files of your activities, indicating he has been checking up on you as much as his latitude permits. The D'Reg have bartered your shrine's components to Von Bosch for supplies, and are partly responsible for the Golem being brought into the hive (through an infected part).

 

The D'Reg are beyond your time to deal with them, but Von Bosch has an itinerary at the lower docks and surface access to take in a shipment (legitimate) from a a desert caravan. Luckily for you, the Rockies are also working there as stevedores, so getting inside, or arranging an accident is just as viable as blowing his head off.

 

 

 

You shouldn’t have. That’s like an entire novella worth of side quest there. 

 

Unless any part is required for the main plot, in the interest of everybody else’s time (and much short wrap up requirements), I’d be fine stepping aside and skipping.   

 

After the incident in the desert Bardas may well have concluded that vengeances, even dressed up as Duty, is of secondary importance compared to the Duty to the Omnissiah himself, and eradication of abominable inelegance such as the Golem trumps mere personal grievances.  Or some such...   

[Necronaut]

@Mazer Rackham you spoil me, er Scourge. Whoever. I await your command! 

[Mazer Rackham]

@Trokair don't worry about that, it can be handled completely narratively, the Rockies help you, maybe you can commandeer servitors, etc. Have a think about it, because this chance won't come again, and I am sure it can be squeezed into maybe 3 medium sized posts? It's all in your hands, doesn't have to be a novella - just satisfying to you.

 

If you need more persuasion, the plot threads are completely irrelevant to the main plot. However, consider the satisfaction of the conclusion of Bardas' story for a reader. To them, and you, this plot point is integral to your character.

[Trokair]

Well, if you are sure. I’ll see what I can do along those line.  

[Mazer Rackham]

Totally up to you, brother. I was just giving you some reasons why it was ok. 

[Mazer Rackham]

It's that time again! And like a father passing a sweet shop with a gaggle of my beloved children, I have been asked to dish out gobstoppers!

 

XP AND REWARDS:

 

ALL Players receive the following:

• + 1 Fate Point
• + 400 XP
• +5 to any two Characteristics of their choice (representing their training/experience - and no you can't lump them together)
• Peer: Adeptus Astropathica

In addition:

 

I think this bumps everyone up to Rank 5. All Players may make 1 (one!) choice from Rank 6, for free. However, you must possess all the prerequisites for that option. Further, any used Fate Points are restored. Burned Fate points are hereby refunded, and because you are taking from Rank 6, you will count that rank up for purposes of Sound Constitution, meaning that you increase Wounds by 2, instead of 1.

 

Negotiations are open.

[A.T.]

Just checking that this puts us at 3150xp - so one (100pt) skill from Rank 5, plus one freebie from rank 6?

[Lysimachus]

I think we were on 2,650 so 400 will take us to 3,050?

 

(So all our picks would have to be from Rank 4 at highest, as there aren't any that are 50XP?)

 

Then we get the 1 free Advance from Rank 6? Edit: if we preferred, could we take the freebie from Rank 5? (Though obviously, I guess we wouldn't get the Rank 6 extra Sound Constitution wound?)

Edited June 27, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

The requirement to spend up to Rank is waived, so you can take from Rank 5 as you wish, plus one freebie from Rank 6.

 

2 x Sound Constitution stands.

[A.T.]

I'm thinking a subset of dodge, step aside, true grit, hardy, sprint, hard target, and strong minded, and taking resistance(psychic) as the 6th rank skill.

 

Hardy in particular is a good bet for anyone who has access to it now - normal healing when below half health, rather than being reduced to just a single wound back from medicae.

[Lysimachus]

Ok, so Reynard will gratefully take Characteristic Increases in Str and T, taking him to a massive 30 in both stats... Str and T Bonus 3, though. Woohoo!

 

Will spend the 400XP on:
Two-Weapon Wielder (Ballistic) 200
Pistol Training (Bolt) 100
Awareness +20 100
(All from Rank 5)

 

Rank 6 Freebie - Gunslinger, baby!!!

 

 

I will also spend some of Reynard's cash reserve to buy a Carapace Chest Plate* to wear under his coat, just like the old-school cool metal Inquisitor minis! And, with his increased (read: doubled!) Carry Limit, he can actually manage the weight of the damn thing now!

 

*I'm picturing it being a piece of armour belonging to one of the many heroic Arbitrators who… well, let's say they don't need it anymore! 

 

 

Secondly, having paid the XP to learn Bolt Pistol shooting, I should probably hand in the Combat Shotgun and purchase a Bolt Pistol… or maybe even two to make the most of TWW and Gunslinger... 

Edited June 27, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

Note to self, keep Reynard away from strong winds....

 

You'll need to drop in on Cephas as well, wrap this into one of your posts.

[Necronaut]

Okay my current spend for Scourge is as follows:

 

Weapon Skill +5 - free

Willpower +5 - free 

Melee Weapon Training (Power) - Rank 6 freebie; to be explained narratively

Sound Constitution x1 (Rank 4) - 100 xp

Dodge +10 (Rank 5) - 100 xp

True Grit (Rank 5) - 100 xp

Hard Target (Rank 5) - 100 xp

 

I/He will gladly donate any Thrones and/or pawn off what remains of his equipment barring the boltgun and other minor sundries to contribute to the Big New Gun Fund for Very Good Boys (Reynard, et. al) or anyone else who has their eye on something special. 

[A.T.]

17 minutes ago, Necronaut said:

I/He will gladly donate any Thrones and/or pawn off what remains of his equipment barring the boltgun and other minor sundries to contribute to the Big New Gun Fund for Very Good Boys (Reynard, et. al) or anyone else who has their eye on something special. 

 

Falk could do with a few thrones depending on what can be requisitioned from the arbites. Though he only needs to scrape together 30-ish to get a lock shield and the rest is luxury (like a helmet :p)

[Lysimachus]

51 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Note to self, keep Reynard away from strong winds....

 

Eh? Oh, gotcha. Cos the image of Reynard dual wielding Bolt Pistols with his coat blowing cinematically out behind him will overwhelm the Golem with sheer style and coolness, and it will just shut down? Don't want to make it too easy for us, right? 

 

56 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

You'll need to drop in on Cephas as well, wrap this into one of your posts.

 

Yep, no worries. If ok, I'll write up completing the LeCroix sidequest, then come back to the Halls to see Cephas and arm up?

 

[Mazer Rackham]

Can't go wrong with a brain-bucket.

 

Other than that - I recommend bombing up.

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by Mazer Rackham