[DH1e] The Damocles Contingency (RPG IC)

[Trokair]

Bardas

 

Stepping forward to face the projection of Inquisitrix Galleus Bardas took oh his battered hat, discarded the tattered remains of the coat so recently acquired. The vested garment of the Adeptus Mechanicus he shrugged off until he stood bare from the waist up, the cog tattoo displayed in all its detail on his chest. With these few steps he had gone from a dishevelled forgettable vagabond to, if not a commanding presence, one that left no doubt as to his will and fortitude. Those that knew him well would notice how he used his staff as subtle support, for on his new legs he was still a little unsteady.

 

 ++ I may be just a servant of the Omnissiah, I am however the only one here who speaks for Holy Mars. The will of the Omnisiah is clear in this matter, the ‘Golem of Antares Minor’ is a Silica Animus most foul and steeped in the stuff of the Archenemy and Immaterium. It cannot be used as a tool, even for the furtherment of humanity, for everything so corrupted as it will always come back to bite if given but a chance.++

 

++You think to use it as a tool against the Xenos, it will use you as a tool against all the subjects of the Omnissia, whether of Mars or Terra. If you do not know this then you are not worthy of the seal you carry.++

 

++ Remember your history, for no doubt one of your ranks will know the truth you try and shield the populous from. When the Omnissiah set forth to cleanse the galaxy the Xenos fell before his host at every turn, yet just a brush of Chaos tore half the Omnissiah’s sons into darkness. The threat of Xenos are great, the treat of Primordial Annihilator is always greater.++

 

++You might have high authority, but are though placing thyself above the Omnissiah and his sons? Is your hubris on a scale that the name Horus comes to mind?++

 

++Logic will prevail, and the only logic here is the cleansing of the Abominable Intelligence form the very existence of reality. The decrees laid down by both our god is clear, or do you need schooling in the fine points of the treaty of Olympos Mons?++

 

 

Spoiler

Logic Test

Int: 39 – 20 (Hard) = 19

D100: 04 (where was that when I was in the desert?)

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Trokair

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Reynard wasn't quite sure he fully understood the technical aspects of what Haldane read out. The Aldarios' curse was due to their carrying the psyker gene - but Dreyfuss had somehow found a way to completely cure Magda of that mutation?

 

The implications of such a discovery could shake the Imperium to its foundations. The ability to forcibly 'cure' any witch that threatened the Pax Imperium? What a boon! Conversely… consider the sheer danger posed to human interstellar travel and communication should an enemy gain access to such a technique?

 

Maybe it was for the best that Dreyfuss was dead, his research lost?

 

***

 

"The Adept makes a good argument, my Lady Inquisitrix."

 

Reynard offered a short, formal bow towards the glowing image.

 

"But what really strikes me is how incredibly... courageous... you must be. You must be aware of how dangerous, how insidious the Golem is, and how terrible the threat posed by the technology of the Tau. Yet - in the hope that they destroy each other - you would be willing to chance the possibility of them instead becoming allies against Mankind?"

 

He paused, considering.

 

"A terrifying thought. I admit it freely, my Lady, I thoroughly enjoy a flutter every now and then… but those odds seem far too risky, too reckless, for even my taste?"

 

 

Spoiler

OOC Edit: I'm not sure if Reynard is really attempting a Charm there... really it's more of a supplementary point of Logic? Could it be considered an Assist to Bardas' attempt?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

GM OOC: Tro, amazingly you don't have Logic as a Trained Skill, but it's Basic, so used at half-stat. Even so, you still manage to pass this despite all the odds against you. Remarkable. (Please note I did specify Logic - not just Intelligence, however, that is just for going forward. Well done, sir, well done).

 

Command Centre:

 

Bardas:

 

A mote of surprise at your eloquence enters her eyes, but it is just as quickly dismissed. The look on her face alters subtly.

 

"Besides your bombast, you speak well, Cultist of the Opus. I...we, have taken steps to mitigate the threat of rampancy. We have chains to bind the beast. Arcane. I can say no more. Your...liturgical proselytising is needless. I serve Him on Terra, and none are above him. I am indeed party to truths - but what is truth? That we squander a chance given to us by Him? That we do not set two enemies of our Imperium at each others' throats?"

 

Galleus shakes her head, but her brow is no longer fixed in chiding condescension as she regards you.

 

"Is the blasphemy against your morals and principles so much greater than the Tau? Who build such machines without number? Who empower them and send squadrons of them to shred our loyal soldiers? Who call the cursed things Helper?"

 

[Trokair]

Bardas

 

++While it is blasphemy, it is not against my morals, but against fact, against the nature of reality.++

 

++I do not know much of these Xenos, and you are the expert in their regard at this table, but as far as I am aware they are, in general terms, as free of the corruption and possession of the Archenemy as any faithful world under the protection of the Omnissiah. For their nature as xenos, for their perversion and enslavement of machine spirit, for mere existence they are a threat to be cleansed, but they are a thread of reality, lesser to that of the Archenemy and the Immaterium that is its essence.++

 

++If they are indeed raising  Silica Animus of their own, then sending one such as the Golem to them would only mean that their Abominable Intelligence would embrace it as a comrade, as family.++

 

++You speak of chances given by the Omnissiah, the chance is to cleanse his realm of this evil, to correct the mistake and failing of the past when it slipped its noose after it had been caged. That is the chance he has given all of us, and it is one in which we can’t fail, the alternative is damnation.++

 

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

Stepping forwards, "I have faced this golem, seen the shadows of its power with my own eyes. It is a thing of the warp and you speak of binding it to your will."

 

He glanced towards Locke before returning his gaze to the hololith, "what say the Malleus?"

 

Forbidden Lore: Inquisition

Roll 37 vs INT 39

 

If this is an opposed test i'll add 10 from a fate point

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

Kerr Restal chafed at the infighting. He had no time for politics, his aims were black and white. 

 

This Solomon seemed dependable, a void equivalent to Scourge. 

 

"We are Ordos Hereticus, we have a Golem to slay! This talk bores me."

 

He made to leave but stopped. 

 

"Inquisitor Lord Locke, Judge Haldane, Brethren, if you will excuse me I have mind to talk with the Arbites Armourer about a brace of Carnodons." 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Machine God
Typo

[Mazer Rackham]

The Command Centre:

 

Reynard:

 

"Courageous? Me?" The lips make a strange grimace. "There is only doing my duty, and delivering a success to mankind, or failing Him."

 

Racel Galleus lifts an eyebrow. "The scum allying together had crossed my mind," she allows, then smiles triumphantly. "One can only hope so. First they ally, then the thing enslaves them. That will cause - pardon the pun - gleeful chaos as the Tau leader caste tries to reassert itself. Of course, being in the caste system may well prevent that, the Tau are so rigid. politically. That is why I think they shall resist each other."

 

The raised brow settles into a frown once more.

 

"Perhaps there is more to be considered. No matter, once we have the Golem, we can deal with it later. Should we require its...demise. We can ensure it at our leisure."

 

Bardas:

 

Her face hardens, a shadow of distaste fluttering at the corners of her mouth. "The xenos are vermin. The Golem is pest control. Perhaps you should come aboard my vessel for a chat about the Tau, if you are so enamoured?"

 

Falk:

 

The Inquisitrix is taken aback, her attention swapping from Falk to Locke, and back. "The Malleus? What have they got to do with this? My lord, have you involved them?"

 

Locke peers across at Falk, nods once. He's willing to let you run with it.

 

Restal:

 

Inquisitrix Galleus ignores you, but more by interest elsewhere, than by design.

 

Haldane hisses at you out of the side of his mouth. "By all means, go."

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Mazer Rackham
Removed the Daemonic reference so it lines up with follow-ons...

[Trokair]

Bardas

 

Using the moments when the Inquisitrix’s attention was on the others Bards begun to redoned the mesh garment and then his coat, despite how briefly he had owned it, it had gone through a lot with him.

 

+I would gladly accept your invitation Lady Galleus; after the Duty is done and the Omnissiah’s will fulfilled.+

 

Putting on his hat he stepped back into the shadow, the Omnissiah’s guidance in the desert had been clear, the AI had to die.

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

Haldane hisses at you out of the side of his mouth. "By all means, go."

 

Glad to be able to leave, Kerr Restal made his way to the Arbites Armoury to talk to the Armourer. 

 

Presently he got there and waited for the queue to clear. An as ever busy but orderly area. 

 

He read the Bounty Notices whilst he waited. He hummed the Engineseer's Song. 

 

"Yes, can I help you Adept?" said the Armourer. 

 

Finally a bit of recognition. 

 

"Yes, Haldane sent me" said Restal flashing his electoo. 

 

"I'm after some stopping power. You of the illustrious Adeptus Arbites have some excellent gear and also confiscate some choice items." 

 

"Yes, that is correct. What are you angling for?" the Armourer asked. 

 

"A pair of Westingkrup Carnodon's and ammunition, if you can source it?" said Kerr Restal. 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Machine God
Stupid spell check error

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

And there is was, the chink in the armour. All the talk of jurisdiction ultimately meant little should any, even an inquisitor, be found in league with the daemonic.

 

But his own knowledge was superficial at best and he could quote no laws or strictures of the ordo. What he did have was truth, and perhaps that left measured as Gwynne bore witness and her life perhaps lay in Galleus' hands. She spoke of arcane chains, how much did she already suspect?

 

"If you did not know the full nature of the Golem then now you must hear it, for it is witnessed to have reached through the veil. Perhaps it was once a mere machine but no longer."

 

He paused to allow the import of this to sink in, "Knowing this truth, knowing that you deal with a thing of the warp, would you still lay claim to control it?"

[Mazer Rackham]

The Armoury:

 

Restal:

 

The Armourer eyes you. "I'll check the stores and see what I can find."

 

He leaves you to your bounty board perusing for ten minutes.

 

He lays two pistols on the table. They certainly resemble the Carnodon pistols you're looking for. One is covered in pink and yellow neon gang paint, the other has seen the attentions of a...kitchen gunsmith, who appears to have glued a hollow tube under the barrel, in alignment with the bore. The reason for this is unknown. You can tell, because the armourer looks at the 'upgrade' sideways.

 

It should be a simple job to remove the ghastly aftermarket...thing, but that paint isn't coming off without elbow grease.

 

"There you are," the Armourer smiles. "Hundred and fifty Thrones each?"

 

GM: The weapons are Carnodons, but they are seizures, as you can tell. The function isn't impaired, so they do exactly what the statline from IHB shows.

 

The Command Centre:

 

Falk:

 

The Inquisitrix curls her lip at the suggestion. She takes a breath to reply, but there is a slight hesitation, a wariness in her hooded eyes. "I was told the Golem was a minor Djinn."

 

Her eyes slide off you, looking into space, before returning. "You have evidence of aetheric disruption? Anathema incursion?"

 

It appears to be a genuine question, albeit also a test of your understanding.

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[A.T.]

Falk:

 

Nodding, "blood seeping from iron, shadow without light. Witchcraft invoked by a machine." He turns his gaze pointedly towards Nicios to continue.

 

Kreavus' guards bore witness, their statements taken but sealed, and the plate taken from the elevator itself perhaps still bore evidence of the events but best not to offer something so... inconclusive.

[Mazer Rackham]

The Command Centre:

 

Falk:

 

GM: Nicios can reply in, and around this.

 

Galleus' lips purse. The sound of drumming fingers carries into the Strategium. Finally, she speaks.

 

"This is very troubling. The containment device, powerful as it may be, might prove insufficient. I will contact you again shortly."

 

The holosphere blinks off, a simple Imperial Aquila slowly rotating in the Inquisitrix's place.

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

"Nicely done, gentlemen," Reynard offered to the room in general as the image abruptly vanished. "That might buy us a little more time to do what needs to be done?"

 

He looked to Locke.

 

"But if the Inquisitrix is taking her time, it doesn't look like we will get the anti-tox we need for Lady Gwynne from her - not in time, at least? Therefore, do we have any choice but to arrange a meet with De Grassi?"

 

He shrugged.

 

"Whether that is to make a trade, or to put him down and take what we need, is still up for debate…?"

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

Opportunity favours the bold.

 

He looked at the Carnodon's and laughed. 

 

"Juves huh? Stupid perps doing this to a precision instrument, I mean the paint job I can live with but, Tch!"

 

He paid the Three Hundred Thrones to the Armourer. It was a good thing that he'd found the ammo earlier on the Gladius.

 

He also relinquished the Stub Revolver that he'd taken off the dead lift passenger.

 

"For your retirement fund," he quipped. 

 

 

 

 

[A.T.]

Falk

 

Shaking his head Falk replies to Reynard, "we have achieved nothing of yet save perhaps dissuade a more pre-emptive action from the inquisitor. It is clear that she still intends to proceed with her plan, and what threat we might offer of Malleus intervention is hollow at best. Whatever fear she has of these T'au blinds her to far worse."

 

"But every doubt begins with a single seed".

[Necronaut]

Scourge:

 

"If the Inquisitrix desireth the Golem, then let us provideth. With extreme prejudice. Master Haldane, hath your armourers any melta charges or other high-yield incendiaries to spare? I wish to give Inquisitrix Galleus my kindest regards."

 

Scourge adjusted his helmet and crossed his arms across his chest, his visage an impassive steel visor. The venom in his words was unmistakable. 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Necronaut

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

 

Said when Galleus is looking for further explanation.

 

"Indeed- maleficarum in evidence. Psionic dissonance and manifestations unrelated to any other possible locus"

[Lord_Ikka]

Nicios

 

"We may have bought enough time to deal with De Grassi before having to deal directly with the Ordo Xenos. We should use it."

[Mazer Rackham]

The Command Centre:

 

Scourge:

 

Haldane shrugs with his eyebrows. "We have one or two melta charges. As I said before," he shrugs with his shoulders this time, "there is always the Tech-Arcana crate, we could certainly stuff that with a charge."

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Reynard coughed lightly.

 

"I don't have any objection to your incendiary tendencies, Scourge... but can I suggest holding off on the idea until after we've met with De Grassi? If whatever anti-tox he's got doesn't work, we might still need to make a deal with Galleus? She might not be very amenable at that point if we've just tried to blow her to hell?"

 

Edited May 6, 2023 by Lysimachus

[A.T.]

Falk

 

"It troubles me that we do not know the full implications of this 'cure', but if it does as it suggests free this false Magda of her curse then it seems the lesser of two evils to entertain De-Grassis offer. He will likely seek to flee this world if the cure is successful and it is best that Galleus is not the one to offer him such terms."

 

He considers the other reports, "Greyson remains a key asset for Galleus. We have vox frequencies and a sighting", he turns to Scourge, "a more immediate avenue to curtail the Inquisitors ambitions perhaps?"

[Mazer Rackham]

The Command Centre:

 

Locke pushes himself off the console he was lounging on. "We begin preparations then, and the Emperor watch over us all - and may He judge our actions true and wise."

 

"I'll make it known through our contacts," Haldane says, "that we will entertain Lord Lexandro's proposal. I'll give orders to the Panopticon SIGINT team to get a fix on this Ordo Xenos signal as well. Whoever wishes to chase our Inquisition guests should accompany me there."

 

Haldane briefly glances at you all. "Anyone who wants to carry the cure to De Grassi, I suggest you attend the infirmary, then repair to the deployment room. We don't know where he'll meet you."

 

"I would advise all of you to try and rest, replenish your munitions and perhaps visit the Shrine or Lady Gwynne as pleases you," Locke says. "Cephas, I have a task for you."

 

The giant, immobile until now, suddenly comes to life, as though his name was an incantation. The monolithic slab of gene-forged warfare cants his head slightly in a nod.

Edited May 6, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Reynard:

 

Following Locke's instructions, Reynard went to get some food and drink. After leaving the Refectory, he paused, thinking about where to go next. The Panopticon, to chase down the Ordo Xenos infiltrators? Or Infirmary, to take the cure to De Grassi and hopefully receive one for Gwynne in return?

 

For several long minutes he wandered the Halls, chewing on the last piece of bread he had taken. When he looked up, he found himself near the one other destination Locke had suggested - the Shrine. He sighed.

 

…why the hell not? It isn't like I've got any better ideas.

 

Quietly Reynard entered the vaulted, gothic chamber with its stained glass and burning incense candles. He took a seat on one of the hard pews, slumped down with his arms across its back and his legs stretched out in front, one foot crossed over the other. He looked around. Lots of ornaments, any one of them worth more than a few Thrones. Looking up at the golden image of the Emperor Enthroned, he sighed again.

 

Well… what next, old man? I'd rather not be here at all, you know. I'd rather find a way aboard one of those ships in orbit, out of the firing line. I'm sure I could, you know. But for some reason I'm still here, putting myself in harm's way for people who aren't me. Madness.

 

He shook his head ruefully.

 

And I can't even decide which path to take. Do I go downhive and hunt for Galleus' cell? Maybe go after that bastard Greyson, if he's working for her now? Maybe find Seb's dad? That's what I promised I'd do next. Or do I go broker a deal with De Grassi? I'm probably more use there, and that deal might help save the whole Hive…

 

He looked up at the image again.

 

Well? Any bright ideas?

 

 

Edited May 6, 2023 by Lysimachus

[Machine God]

Kerr Restal:

 

After leaving the armoury he had wandered, having some thinking to do.

 

Eventually he found that he had entered the Shrine. The Weasel was sat there in prayer or thoughts.

 

He waited a few moments after sitting behind his companion.

 

"Reynard, what's going down?" he asked.