[DH1e] The Damocles Contingency (RPG IC)

[Trokair]

Bardas

 

The Voidsman obviously had a different flavour of logic; whether it would bear the proof was yet to be seen.

[Mazer Rackham]

The Wreck:

 

There is a bit of a conflab by the officers under the white flag.

 

+You should hear the things they are saying about you,+ Cephas aridly drawls through the vox.

 

The men below do not make any further move onto the wreck, indeed, they are arranged so that none will accidentally step onto it. There is gesticulation, men talking in animated fashion. It appears what you have said causes consternation.

 

+The Satrap is pleased to hear your words, Foreigner, and the insult of the D'regs to your clan is a disgrace paid in blood,+ he replies, gesturing to the dead bodies torn to shreds about the hulk, +but nothing can be taken from the Black Ship. A great evil haunts it.+

 

The men lapse into more discussion. Some of the dismounted troops begin erecting shelters.

 

+Come and take sherbet, we will talk. Aydam Khosh gives his word of truce on the Emperor's name.+

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

He observed the officers under the white flag.

 

+You should hear the things they are saying about you,+ Cephas aridly drawls through the vox.

 

I can imagine.

 

 

 

The men below do not make any further move onto the wreck, indeed, they are arranged so that none will accidentally step onto it. There is gesticulation, men talking in animated fashion. It appears what you have said causes consternation.

 

+The Satrap is pleased to hear your words, Foreigner, and the insult of the D'regs to your clan is a disgrace paid in blood,+ he replies, gesturing to the dead bodies torn to shreds about the hulk, +but nothing can be taken from the Black Ship. A great evil haunts it.+

 

 

The men lapse into more discussion. Some of the dismounted troops begin erecting shelters.

 

+Come and take sherbet, we will talk. Aydam Khosh gives his word of truce on the Emperor's name.+

 

 

He turned to look at Bardas.

 

+Stay here Bardas, now is the time of words and deeds. There is no logic in sacrificing both of us for the mission. Cephas stay listening and observing, show yourself proudly when they call your name+ Kerr Restal said as he took a step out of the wreck, after removing his las-carbines from their holsters.

 

 

Steadily he walked down the wreck and stopped on a flat area, a metre from the sand.

 

"Yes Effendi, I shall take the sharbat and speak with you. It will be good to break my fast with fellow holy warriors, Inshallah!"

 

Kerr Restal took off his Flak Trench-Coat with a flourish, showing off his weaponry. He folded up his coat in a square and laid it at his feet. He clipped the right las-carbine across his chest and then unclipped the left las-carbine from its sling and placed it on the coat. Next he did the same with his other las-carbine, his las pistol, stub revolver, scabbarded katana, boot knife and then finally his gloves. He divested himself of all his visual weaponry. Each time that he took off a weapon, he turned to the east, offered it up to the sky and said "For the Emperor!"

 

"Please excuse my Tech-Seer, for not attending. He is not being rude, it is just that he is of the Mechanus. Their ways are not our ways and yet we are friends."

 

He showed them his palms and then made the sign of the aquila with his right hand over left, he then gave a short bow.

 

Kerr Restal then stepped on to the sand and walked over to the two men.

 

"I must talk with Aydam Khosh, Hetman of the Khamsin Brotherhood. There is much to discuss."

 

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Machine God
Clean up

[Mazer Rackham]

The Camp of the Khamsin Brotherhood:

 

Restal:

 

From the reactions of your hosts, your behaviour plays well. To a man they offer you a deep bow with an Aquila sign, or half aquila if they're holding something. The greeting party stack their mix of lasguns and lasrifles before allowing you to pass through and with them.

 

"We understand the strangeness of the Cog. Please, this way," says the leader of the party - although devoid of the vox tremble, and this close to cover, you can hear the evenness in his voice.

 

They steer you to a tent just as another man enters. The clear walls are zipped closed, with a second pressure layer opened after. Within you can detect the cool air provided by a filtration machine, and the newcomer doffs the hood of his radsuit. At this the escort party bows and begins to settle around the tent. The newcomer speaks, but the language is a local tongue, and you do not know it.

 

The flag bearer takes a breath and interprets, as a sealed supply container is brought in by two others, carefully negotiating the arrangement of airlocks.

 

"I am Aydam Khosh, honoured of the Khamsin Brotherhood." Though the interpreter speaks, Khosh's eyes carry the force of will to make the words his own. His dark skin is marred by weapon scars and rad burns of a hard life in the wastes. Imperial Aquila amulets dangle from around his neck, and an ancient power-tulwar sits at his hip.

 

He pauses, as the crate is broken open, and reveals the contents in a flood of cool air. Precious ice glistens in the still-pressing heat, six covered chalices of fine silver dwell within. The men in the tent all murmur in anticipation. Khosh selects one, removes the lid to reveal the chilled, green fruit slush. He puts it to his lips, takes a sip, before passing the chalice to you with his own hands as he talks.

 

"Speak to me, Assassin. Tell me why you must delve in the Black Ship. A generation ago, the red eye burned in the darkness above, and struck down the vessel. A holy man came out of it. He told us to slay anyone who trespassed, lest a great evil be released by intent or ignorance. Your slaughter of the D'reg, the iron raven, and your manner, prove you no scavenger."

[Mazer Rackham]

The Square:

 

Falk:

 

The clicks of comm-lines being arranged and linked occupies your commbead for a few moments. It is almost drowned out by the horrific noise of the block war taking place. +Dispatch copies, standby.+

 

Before long the strained voice of a young, female Arbitrator comes online.

 

+This is Judge Molena, unit zero, one, six, standing by, over."

 

There's a crack of a gunshot, which is dislocating, because you are both behind, and on the receiving end of the bullet at the same time. A sharp screech meets your ears from both sides, as the round careens off the Arbites vehicle above her head.

Edited April 16, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

"Judge we are close to your position, what ordnance and personel do you have on board?"

[Mazer Rackham]

Falk:

 

"Our complement is four Cadets, myself, and one wounded Arbitrator. Six shotguns, personal equipment, and a few cans of lachrymal gas. We're a training patrol, sir."

You hear the chok-chok of a shotgun racking, before the discharge of a barrel. "Jensen, for Throne's sake, keep your bloody head down!"

 

As you look up, you can see the result of her shot, as a ganger is violently hurled off the temporary barricade the Judges have erected.

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

Nothing that would do more than rile the gangers up further, switching comms back to Reynard, "we might get a little cover over the barricade and no-one chasing at our heels beyond but if we come through this way we'll need to cross the square ourselves, or find another way around. Are we clear up to your position?"

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

"You're clear up to me. If you think there's a better route, say the word and I'll pull back… although I think time is probably not on our side?"

 

Reynard paused, trying to think what to do.

 

"If we are going forward, once we go out into the square, we've got maybe 30 metres (OOC:approx?) to cross to reach the Judges' barricade. Maybe the smart money is on just making a run for it? We could be half way there before any of the rioters even notice us?"

 

He frowned.

 

"We could tell the Judges to throw a line of tear grenades out in front of their position, try and block off the gangers in the centre - but leave a gap for us to approach along the wall on their left flank?" (OOC:so our immediate right)
 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Lysimachus

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

"Alright. Tables, signs, anything light that can serve as cover. Scourge whatever you can carry that will conceal our exact position. I'll have the arbites clear us over the barricades as best they can but if anyone has a better idea now is the time".

[Mazer Rackham]

The Square:

 

Alright gents, as you line up, I will have the Judges deploy the tear gas as they will. There will be no test, they'll just deploy it. Clouds of it will randomly pass across the battlefield and I will require One (1 in total) Toughness Test from each Player at the beginning of their post. Should the Test be failed, you will be inflicted with 1 Temporary Level of Fatigue (it goes away at the end of the encounter), although you might obsess about washing your eyes for about 5 hours afterwards.

 

Since we are now entering a Narrative Lite Encounter, I will pose threats to the party which must be dealt with. Look at these as a set of Extended Tests which each of you will play a part in, divvying up the tasks as befits your skills. Each Success will score 1 Turning Point for the fight. The better you do, the better you will do.

 

There is no Initiative Step, and there is no Structured Time, but I will require you to Test as normal. Players have earned Surprise.

 

Turning Points:

• A sniper in an upstairs window. He is lining up on Judge Molena. If he has the chance to fire, he will reduce the resistance value of the Judges (IE you'll get swamped/cover fire is going to die off)
• A trio of overzealous Juves will try to grab Lady Gwynne for a "party"
• There's a spotter up a lamp-post, with a good view. If he sees you, the crowd will become aware and turn on you.
• The Gang leaders are inspiring their men to more violence.

Questions in the OOC. Lysi's distances are correct, BTW.

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

He remembered that Bardas had earlier modified the vox beads when they had ranged with Scourge and The Weasel. Perhaps he had done the same here and was listening in?

 

He pulled his rebreather mask down, so that he could taste the offered sherbet. Reverently he accepted the proffered chalice with both hands, right over left. He raised the chalice up in a silent toast, as he lowered the chalice the rosette electoo on the back of his hand glowed momentarily. He then took a sip of the sherbet and handed the chalice back to Aydam Khosh.

 

"Very nice, cooling and not too sweet!" he dipped his head in a quick bow of thanks.

 

"What you have told me is true. Those words were told to me also, by my Master. I did not lie when I said that I knew of the providence of the Khamsim Brotherhood. He said that you guarded the dunes and hills over a wide range, to look for your banner of the silver leopard. That is why we slew the D'regs, casteless jackals and defilers of tombs. Your record of guardianship is impeccable, although you must range over a wide area. Some insidious evil leaked from this Wreck and spread to the Hives, mayhap you the heard the mighty noises or sighted large conflagrations recently from afar."

 

Kerr Restal paused to gather his breath.

 

"The holy man, my Master entreated me to assemble a team to come to this accursed wreck. He told me that we must recover a pair of chests that he had left here previously. He said that the evilness of this place would mask these holy items from scavengers. So I gathered my Tech-Seer, my Iron Raven and my Master sent his Djinn to guard me. We then came here to recover his property. I trust that you will allow us to depart on our holy mission, Inshallah!"

 

Kerr Restal then waited for a response.

 

"If you doubt my word, you can call out to the Djinn. His name is Cephas."

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

The Camp:

 

Khosh smiles faintly at your flattery, expected in discourses like this. He nods. "You speak well. It pleases me that our efforts are known, despite our shame in not containing the wickedness of the D'regs. Their ragged clans have been robbing Cog shrines in the mountains, and we were upon them - yet when we saw them descend on the Black Ship, we had to abandon the pursuit. Our duty was clear, our obligation to the holy man written in blood."

 

He sighs as he passes the other chalices out to the assembled warriors. Each carries a varying amount of amulets, and is passed the chalice in a strict order.

 

"I am convinced of your intentions, Assassin. I know not of what Djinn you speak," Khosh says, a dark note in his mien. "We need no such creature. Our vows were laid down in the old days, when the metal towers were raised, our ancestors given the freedom of the land. We have no master but the Emperor - and he provides our weapons, our strength."

 

"He demands only that we are stewards of the world beyond the Hives."

 

He looks up, gaze becoming distant.

 

"Now you say the evil has leaked into the sands, haunting the coffins of the city-dwellers, and it casts the towers down, in nuclear fire."

 

His choice of words hint to a more worldly understanding than his antiquated manners convey. 

 

"If the only way to prevent it, is to obey your master, and his word is as strong now as it was then, we shall part in peace today. Let your master know, the Khamsin still scours the desert clean."

 

With that, he nods, and the men around him begin to get up and leave.

 

"Call your raven, depart on his wings. We shall protect your flight from this place."

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

"You are most kind Aydam Khosh, of the exalted Khamsin Brotherhood" answered Kerr Restal. 

 

+Cutter, you may bring the Gun-Cutter back to the site. Restal has gained the assurance of the natives that there will be no trouble+ he heard Bardas vox.

 

He departed the Hetman's tent, walked back to his weaponry and re-equipped himself. He again turned to the east and proffered each of his weapons to the Emperor before equipping it. The order that he equipped himself was the reverse of the one that he had disarmed himself.

 

Presently he was met by Bardas who carried both cases out of the Gladius.

 

"Cephas!" shouted out Kerr Restal so that the Khamsin Brotherhood could hear. "These are the Khamsin Brotherhood they scour the deserts clean. They are noble warriors of the Emperor under ancient treaty, they would not deny a fellow warrior. Please bring your bike down here, so that we can transport these cases aboard the aircraft."

 

+So you were listening in Bar-Das!+ said Kerr Restal. +The world's a stage, we are merely players. Shakespyre+

 

 

[Trokair]

Bardas

 

While listing in over Vox was not the same as being there, especially as the microphone on the microbead was calibrated to pick up the wearers voice and not other, Bardas still gathered enough of the conversation to know that Kerr Kestal’s initial approach went well. Once the Voidman was inside the sealed environment of the tent the quality even went up a little, no doubt on account of the reduced atmospheric interference such as wind generated white noise.

 

“...the wickedness of the D'regs. Their ragged clans have been robbing Cog shrines in the mountains, and we were upon them - yet when we saw them descend on the Black Ship, we had to abandon the pursuit.”

 

Bardas had been carefully surveying the men below, on the lookout for anything out of place in case this was not what it appeared, but upon hearing this his focus snapped to the tent. How far did these nomads roam, where did their duty end. Where these same raiders that had defiled the shrine that was his duty all these months ago, and half a world away, or was this Aydam Kosh referring to other shrines in mountains.

 

He had tracked the defilers all the way to Hive Primus after all, so it was not unfeasible for the Nomads to have done the same, especially if other shrines had been likewise attacked. To his knowledge the group he had been chasing had not attacked anywhere else during their trek out of the mountains and to the hive, well aside the neoyak herder encampment, and that he always suspected had been just opportunity on the defiler’s part and a wrong place wrong time for the herder and his family.

 

An organised attack by many groups of raiders on many shrines would explain why had not been able to contact Shrines 21353, 21355 and 21279. If only he had taken the time to visit them at the time he would know, but then the trail would have gone cold. In truth the anger at the fate of his shrine had distorted logic, and when calmness had been restored he had already travelled the far to no continue for and out of Duty.

 

He needed to speak to this Aydam Kosh, see what he knew. While the scavengers here might be kin to the defilers themselves, from what he had heard the culprits, if indeed they were the same ones, where elsewhere. Otherwise the Khamsim Brotherhoods pursuit would have lead them here, instead of breaking from it to come here.

 

Catching the tail end of the conversation Bardas wasted no time and voxed the cutter.

 

+Cutter, you may bring the Gun-Cutter back to the site. Restal has gained the assurance of the natives that there will be no trouble+

 

Moving with the two cases was cumbersome, but not impossible. When he was about half way to meet Kerr Restal and the Brotherhood he had a thought, pausing for a moment to look skywards.

 

+Honoured Cephas, do you by chance have a beacon that can be read from orbit that we could leave behind in the wreck, in case this place needs to be cleansed and glassed after all. Nothing short of Godengine or voidship weapons will be adequate I suspect, and the latter is more likely to be obtainable for the Master.+

 

Not long after, when he was nearly there he heard Kerr call out for the Seraph to play the Djinn.

 

+So you were listening in Bar-Das!+ said Kerr Restal. +The world's a stage, we are merely players. Shakespyre+

 

 +Indeed, but we are no Jaques, for we will need all the hope and the Omnissiah’s blessing to see the end of this end of days. I need to speak to the Hetman for further details on mountainous shrines and villainous D'regs.+

  

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Trokair

[A.T.]

Falk

 

Taking the lead Falk moves forward on the square, more with speed than stealth given the behemoth with them. Their passage wouldn't go unnoticed by they were an unusual enough group that with luck the speculation and novelty of their dash through no-mans land would last long enough to get to the barricades.

 

The rookies were already throwing the gas, dispersion pattern was regulation but too soon and their inexperience showed as they exposed themselves before attention was drawn away. Long years of exposure in training to operate far worse and Falk didn't blink, but instinctively his eyeline tracked to positions overlooking the barricade.

 

Just a juve by the looks of it waiting patiently with an over-engineered 'judgeslayer' pistol, a wide grin and steady aim made their intent clear. But as the judges were too quick so the juve was too slow as they savoured the moment and didn't hear the shot that fell them.

 

Falk lowered his pistol and pushed on through the square.

 

 

Toughness test target 30+20(filter plugs) = 43 = pass

 

Extended test - ballistic skill (or awareness if skills only) = target 44, roll = 2 = pass with 5 total DoS

[Mazer Rackham]

The Square:

 

The suppressed round, heavy as it is strikes true, and goes unnoticed in the havoc. The Juve's body flies back into the house.

 

No-one mourns his death, perhaps as he didn't cherish his life.

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Spoiler

Toughness Test: T24, Roll: 62, Fail

 

 

Reynard followed Falk out and almost immediately was caught by a wafting tendril of gas. Idiot trainees clearly couldn't throw for . Blinking back tears, he hurried onwards, searching for targets between them and the Arbites patrol. His eye caught on one shape perched above the clouds of smoke. A lookout, hanging off a street light. If he spotted them, he could bring the whole lot down on them.

 

Wiping his eyes on his sleeve, Reynard tried to see the tiny red dot that appeared as his finger touched the laspistol's trigger. He fired, the higher pitched snap of the hotshot charge still barely audible over the tumult around them.

 

Spoiler

Half Move 5m
Single Shot:
BS41 +10(RDS) +10(15m Short Range) -10(Tear Gas) =51, Roll: 48, Hit.
Target surprised, no Dodge
Hotshot Dam 1d10(Tearing) +3 Pen4
(2,9) +3 = 12, Pen4

 

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

The Wreck:

 

Cephas' channel remains open to Bardas query. The giant shifts slightly, and when he replies, there's a thin smile in his voice.

 

+Yes Adept Bardas, that can be arranged. Your suggestion is quite perfect. Load the cargo into the Voivode. I will prepare the transponder, and make my own way back to the hive.+ A quick dab of squelch shows he taps into another commbead. +Are you a conjurer now, Restal? With great magic, to cow the barbarians? I am no tool of amusement.+

 

His channel cuts off, before the rumble of a low growl emanates from the hollow meat of the metal wreck.

 

++Aydam Khosh, I am Cephas. This Ship is condemned by the Emperor. Your name will be carried to him. Once departed from here, do not return.++

 

The external vox, coupled with a lot of bouncing echo makes it feel that a voice has come into the wilderness, crying out from above; rolling into the desert.

 

The Hetman stands silent, then as one, his entourage and the warriors of his Brotherhood make the Aquila, and after deep bows, continue their business of preparing to cover the Voivode's arrival, and beyond that, to travel into the desert once more. As they do so, the wind drops, and tarps pulled from the vehicles reveals Tauros-pattern light attack platforms, and a Venator analogue. Quad bikes and light trail bikes are also in evidence.

 

Aydam Khosh observes his Brotherhood in the preparations, as the thunder of a Gun-cutter coming in low for an overflight fills your ears.

Edited April 16, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Mazer Rackham]

The Square:

 

The sentinel loses his grip and topples, to fall into the pressing mass of combatants where a heavy boot ends his doleful wailing in a deep crunch.

 

He isn't missed.

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal and Bardas at the Gladius wreck:

 

Kerr Restal heard an angry vox squelch, as he was addressed by Cephas.

 

+Are you a conjurer now, Restal? With great magic, to cow the barbarians? I am no tool of amusement.+

 

 

A low growl emanated from the hollow meat of the metal wreck.

 

++Aydam Khosh, I am Cephas. This Ship is condemned by the Emperor. Your name will be carried to him. Once departed from here, do not return.++

 

The external vox, coupled with a lot of bouncing echo made it feel that a voice had come into the wilderness, crying out from above; rolling into the desert.

 

 

+I meant it, as part of the act certainly. With respect to you. You played the part well and with much theatre, there is no denying that Cephas!+ Kerr Restal replied.

 

 

+The Seraph will make his own way back to the Hive+ Bardas voxxed, as he passed one of the crates to Kerr Restal.

 

As he was talking, Bardas suddenly stopped in thought.

 

+I need to speak to the Hetman for further details on mountainous shrines and villainous D'regs.+

 

 

The pair were serenaded by the thunder of a Gun-cutter coming in low for an overflight.

 

+Somehow my friend, I do not think that we will be able to have that conversation. Thanks to Cephas' Grekian Theatrics!+ said Kerr Restal, picking up the stasis crate.

 

 

 

[Necronaut]

Scourge:

 

"By thy will," Scourge grunted as he secured his lasgun and squatted to take hold of a nearby barricade. He felt possessed of truly Heraclean might as he grasped the ferrocrete slab and with some effort lifted the immense bulwark. He could feel servo-muscles straining somewhat and the ceramite armour plates creaking under the added weight, but the salvaged power armor was more than up to the task. Tech-Adept Bardas was to be commended for his diligence and craftsmanship. 

 

"Stay close, my lady. Taketh refuge behind yon shield, as promised."

 

He hefted the makeshift, grossly oversized scutum up in front of himself and kept his head down as he thudded forward, attempting to keep up with Reynard and Falk. He ducked his head against the roiling cloud of tear gas, but found himself blinded and gasping for breath over the noxious, eye-watering fumes. Still, he marched onward, keeping watch on Falk out of the corners of his squinted and watery eyes, while his lungs sucked in aerosolized hellfire. He would be worse for this ordeal when the accounting was completed. 

 

 

Toughness Test: 41

Toughness Test: 1d100 86: failure, 4 DoF.

 

Strength Test (for fun): 57

Strength Test: 1d100 53: success, 0 DoS

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Necronaut

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal and Bardas on Voivode:

 

With the roar of a Banshee the Voivode landed in the desert. 

 

Kerr Restal and Bardas loaded cases on board. 

 

+Aydam Khosh, watches us from atop a dune. He will wait there as a vigil until we've departed+ Cephas voxxed. 

 

Kerr Restal looked out of a porthole and saw the Hetman. 

 

He walked down the assault ramp with Bardas. 

 

+It seems that you can have your meeting after all, my friend. Do you want me to accompany you?+

 

 

 

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

 

 

Nicios moves to the rear, covering Scourge and Gwynne. 

Spoiler

Toughness Test

Target - 31

Roll - 48

Result = Fail, 1 DoF

His eyes burned from the gas, but he didn't miss the movement of three juves coming toward Gwynne. He musters his mind and moves forward.

Spoiler

Invocation Test 

Target - 58 - 10(gas) = 48

Roll - 44

Result = Pass

 

Manifest Pychic Power (Terrify)

Threshold - 17

Roll - 5(WPB) + 5(Invocation) - 10(gas) + 5 + 7 + 6 = 18

Result = All targets (3 juves, can effect two more targets if they are close/look like they may interfere) must take a Willpower test. Failure on the test results in a roll on the Shock table (pg. 233) as their worst fears and are dredged up and come to life in their mind.

 

[Mazer Rackham]

The Square:

 

Whatever deep crevasses of the mind and soul can be dredged by Nicios' strange and otherworldy power being unleashed, they are plumbed and drawn to the surface in spectacular fashion. Looking for an easy target, to sate their disgusting urges, this is supplanted by the twisting need to vomit. Two of the Juves drop to their knees, the uncontrollable force of their own biology squeezing up their stomachs in flurries of reeking, partially digested food and rotgut (literally) booze.

 

The third stares at some point in space and time, his desire forgotten as he doubly fouls himself and then bleeds white pale, before collapsing in a ramrod straight pole of human shock into the puddle of slurry at his feet.

 

You are likely to prefer the burning acidic gas filling your senses as to what has transpired.

 

Two more rioters behind the three reprobates, and from the same gang, turn and start beating each other over the head with their weapons, claiming the other is a daemon.

 

As Scourge lurches forward, a hate-fuelled tonnage of umbrageous, armoured battering ram, sending the scrawny brawlers flying - Lady Gwynne's voice joins the din, muffled by the sleeve pressed to her face. "I trust you!" she tells Scourge, "see us clear!"