[DW:30K] The Serpent's Cowl (OOC/Discussion)

[Mazer Rackham]

Just a quickfire note here for now:

 

We've got a few players kicking about that could be employed elsewhere.

 

I was thinking about running a complimentary game which would provide some diversion if you follow my drift, but not competition to Time of Reaving.

 

A simple, narrative, rules-lite (but reliant - ie, need to roll BS etc, but I want to try and keep the crunch low...er) one-shot, set on the sands of Isstvan before the dropship comes in - the players are already Shattered Legion, 2 x Techmarines, and a potential Psyker.

 

You are in receipt of orders from command to hit an objective that is jamming comms lines to call for extraction or cohesion of the first wave Legions.

 

The initial team is as follows:

@Machine God IH Librarian (ish)

@Xin Ceithan IH Techmarine

@Necronaut RG Techmarine

 

Note that my time is limited, thus The Serpent's Cowl is planned as a low commitment affair, so it will tick over whilst Reaving cruises.

 

Thoughts?

Edited December 10, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Are you considering this as a prequel of sorts to Time of Reaving with the same characters (or at least some of them) or is it more of a thematic same place same time (ish) story that is otherwise unconnected?    

[Mazer Rackham]

Good query.

 

Yes, it's a prequel of sorts. I don't plan to have it end with the guys in their start positions for Reaving, so they have a bit of agency, but the 'epilogue' will of course have them drop into the other PBP Game.

 

The objective of Serpent's Cowl, is 'do they complete the mission'.

 

Which will have a climactic effect elsewhere, albeit beyond the scope of the other game.

[Xin Ceithan]

I think those pesky loyalists are getting way too much screen time 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

*Activates Uno Reverse Card*

[Necronaut]

Twist my arm, why don't you?

[Mazer Rackham]

Which one, aren't both blown off?

[Necronaut]

It's just a flesh wound! I'll bite yer bleedin legs off!

[Mazer Rackham]

Astartes don't got time to bleed.

 

Complete your chargen, sir, or walk the plank and be damned!

 

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Mazer Rackham
Yaaarr!

[Xin Ceithan]

Part of the ship! Part of the crew! 

[Mazer Rackham]

You heard the man, you know the drill!

 

Build your sheets lads, then send Alpharius er, me, the invites to view them on Googledocs. Don't go crazy, just do Stats and Gats for now. Because this is a prequel and you're at Respected (as per BC's post in Reaving), you can pick your stuff from there.

 

Don't get too attached to it though.

 

Or your limbs.

 

EDIT: Scrub that, just post the characters in here, no need for extra admin.

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Mazer Rackham

[Xin Ceithan]

Sharrak Skorn 

Iron Hand Praevian

I am putting the Development/ Char here in spoilers for reference, pending GM approval and rules check
 

  Reveal hidden contents

Clan Atraxii ? Ungarvarr ? 

 

Techmarine SetUp

 

WS 42

BS(+5 IH) 42

S 43 (+)

T (+5 IH)44

Ag 38 (42 with Armor )

Int 50

Per 41(+)

Wp 40

Fel 45

 

Fate 3

Wounds 22

 

Deed: Price of Victory (included above)

 

Equipment 

 

MK III Iron Pattern – a Fury like Lightning, + 5 Ag, + 1 Ini

 

ServoArm 

Bolter

Frag Grenade

Krak Grenade

Repair Cement

 

 

Bionics

Mechanicus Implants

Left Hand (Exceptional, Chapter Trappings)

Cybernetic Senses (Vision-master crafted)

Bionic Arm (right- mastercrafted) 

Mind-Impulse-Unit Common )

 

Starting Skills and Talents 

 

Speak Language ( Techna-Lingua)

Tech Use

Electro-GraftUse

Mechadendrite Use (ServoArm)

 

Initial 1000 XP 

 

The Flesh is Weak ( IH ) 500

Signature Wargear 500

 

4000XP ( at Rank I )

 

The Flesh is Weak II ( IH ) 500

Autosanguine 500

Forbidden Lore (Mechanicus) 400

Security 400

Int Advance +5 simple) 200

Tech Use +10 ( IH ) 500

Good Reputation (Mechanicus) ( IH ) 500

The Flesh is Weak III ( IH ) 500

Tech Use +20 ( IH ) 500

 

4000 Xp ( including/ at Rank II) 

 

Simple Advance PER +5 200

Simple Advance STR 200

Luminen  Charge 500

Survival 300

Trade (Armor, Weapon) 1200

Awareness +10 300

Scrutiny 400

Demolitions 400

Forbidden Lore (Mechanicus) +10 (400)

 

100 Xp unspent

 

 

A bit unsure of equipment … considering making the servo arm the signature weapon… or is the Omnissian Axe available then?  I like the idea of a digital weapon for the bionics, but these are well out of our renown / req I think..
 

With the servo-arm already a potent melee weapon, should I go with a ranged option instead, e.g something like a plasma / combibolter? …or a… Combi-Volkite 

 

With this being more of a narrative prologue, maybe I could  persuade the supreme being that is the GM into a -badly damaged - cybernetica companion, like a Castellax 

[Trokair]

  On 12/8/2023 at 7:43 PM, Xin Ceithan said:

With this being more of a narrative prologue, maybe I could  persuade the supreme being that is the GM into a -badly damaged - cybernetica companion, like a Castellax 

Expand  

 

You called? 

[Mazer Rackham]

  On 12/8/2023 at 7:43 PM, Xin Ceithan said:

Sharrak Skorn 

Iron Hand Praevian

I am putting the Development/ Char here in spoilers for reference, pending GM approval and rules check

Expand  

 

Looks fine to me. Just a note though - I'm not expecting full blown chargen workups - just some stats and a gear and a bit of flavour - however - it could com ein handy for Reaving if a Player does do this, so I leave it to the Player as choice.

 

  On 12/8/2023 at 7:43 PM, Xin Ceithan said:

A bit unsure of equipment … considering making the servo arm the signature weapon… or is the Omnissian Axe available then?  I like the idea of a digital weapon for the bionics, but these are well out of our renown / req I think..

Expand  

 

I wouldn't Sig Wargear anything like standard kit, TBH, since you might want to discuss that at a later date with @Black Cohort if you get pulled from reserve.

 

Don't worry about Req, as far as I can see the situation on Isstvan is so chaotic, you could probably pick up anything.

 

  On 12/8/2023 at 7:43 PM, Xin Ceithan said:

With the servo-arm already a potent melee weapon, should I go with a ranged option instead, e.g something like a plasma / combibolter? …or a… Combi-Volkite 

Expand  

 

CHOOM!

Although to be fair, I wouldn't want anything above Combi-Volkite. No Culverins etc.  See if you can spot my post in Reaving about this for stats etc.

 

  On 12/8/2023 at 7:43 PM, Xin Ceithan said:

With this being more of a narrative prologue, maybe I could  persuade the supreme being that is the GM into a -badly damaged - cybernetica companion, like a Castellax 

Expand  

 

I will consider it, but only if the automaton is called Wilberforce, and contains a chiller cabinet for M.23 Switzernalian Cognac.

[Mazer Rackham]

  On 12/8/2023 at 8:01 PM, Trokair said:

Castellax 

You called? 

Expand  

 

Again this is from the Only War Mechanicum Fandex, and is therefore in need of work.

 

CASTELLAX-CLASS BATTLE AUTOMATA A general purpose Battle Automata, the Castellax is designed for siege work and shock assaults, housing a particularly aggressive machine spirit to better rip apart its enemies.

 

Castellax WS  BS       S          T      Ag  Int  Per  WP Fel

                35   45  (10)55  (15)50  30   25   30   35   0

 

Movement: 5/10/15/30 Wounds: 40

Armor: Machine (All 8) Total TB: 15

Atomantic Shielding (PR35 Field, PR20 when in Melee, does not Overload under normal circumstances)

Skills: Awareness +10, Demolition, Dodge, Tech Use Talents: Berserk Charge, Fearless, Resistance (Psychic Powers), Two Weapon Wielder (Ballistic, Melee), Gunslinger, Sidearm, Blade Dancer Traits: Auto-Stabilized, Machine (8), Unnatural Strength (+5), Unnatural Toughness (+10), Size (Enormous/6), Programmed Behaviour, Reactor Blast

 

Weapons: Mauler Bolt Cannon, Two Bolters, Two Two Shock Chargers

 

Gear: None

 

Availability: Extremely Rare

 

 

What have I done?

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by Mazer Rackham
Optimus Prime

[Xin Ceithan]

  On 12/8/2023 at 8:36 PM, Mazer Rackham said:

 

-snip- 

 

 

What have I done?

 

Expand  

..what you always do. Being ace about it 

[Necronaut]

Alright, since you insist...

 

Toren "Ironbeak" Ekara

Techmarine Sapper attached to 66th Assault Company, XIX Legion

 

Born of Terra, but fiercely loyal to his Primarch, Toren managed to avoid the exile of most of the rest of the Terran elements of the XIX Legion, and served alongside the greater Legion cohort during the Great Crusade with distinction. Originally a Mor Deythan operative, his aptitude for the mysteries of the Machine Cult were identified and he was sent on a pilgrimage to Holy Mars for induction into the faith of the Omnissiah to augment his considerable espionage and covert operations capabilities. While he bears the mantle and icons of office of a techmarine, he is still very much a forward operations specialist at heart and in practice, working alongside the assault elements of the 66th to sabotage enemy assets and provide forward surveillance.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Starting Stats:
WS: 42
BS: 44
S: 44
T: 41
Ag: 39 + 5 (RG) = 44
Int: 43
Per: 42 + 5 (RG) = 47
WP: 46
Fel: 48 

Wounds: 18 + (d5=4) = 22 

Fate Points: (d10=9) = 4 FP  

 
Specialty: Techmarine 

Specialized Training: Blessed By the Omnissiah  


Armour (d10=5): Mark III  Armour

History (d5=4): Skill of the Artificer (d10=5); MK VI Component (d10=2) = Leg (Right)  


Startingl/Rank 0 XP Spend (1000 xp):
Guerilla Training (RG): 400 xp
Concealment +10 (RG): 300 xp
Silent Move +10 (RG): 300 xp  

Rank 1 XP Spend (4000 xp):
Strength +5: 200 xp

Pilot +0: 100 xp
Intelligence +5: 200 xp
Feedback Screech: 500 xp
The Flesh is Weak 1: 800 xp
Autosanguine: 500 xp
Security +0: 400 xp
Tactics (Recon & Stealth) +10 (RG): 300 xp
Silent Move +20 (RG): 300 xp
Concealment +20 (RG): 300 xp
Lore: Forbidden (Adeptus Mechanicus) +0: 400 xp 

Rank 2 XP Spend (4000 xp):
Deceive +0: 400 xp
Logis Implant: 500 xp
Toughness +5: 200 xp
Intelligence +5: 500 xp
Toughness +5: 500 xp
Awareness +10: 300 xp
Mimic: 500 xp
Demolition +0: 400 xp
Hatred (Traitor Legions) (RG): 200 xp
Signature Wargear (Power Axe): 500 xp
Price of Victory (Deed): 0 xp (2x Exceptional Cybernetics, -1 FP) 

Total Spend: 9000 xp  

 
Stats After Spend:
WS: 42
BS: 44
S: 44 + 5 = 49 + 25 (Mk III PA) = 74
T: 41 + 5 + 5 = 51
Ag: 44 + 5 (Mk VI PA leg) = 49
Int: 43 + 5 + 5 = 53
Per: 47
WP: 46
Fel: 48 

Fate Points = 3 (4 - 1)

 

Wargear:
Boltgun
Combat Knife (Bolt Pistol lost?)
Servo Arm (Common)
Power Axe "Goreshovel" (Sig Wargear or should I just drop this?)
Helm Picter (Chapter Trapping)
Astartes Krak Grenade x1
Astartes Frag Grenade x1
Augur Array (Common)
MIU (Exceptional; Respected Renown)
Bionic Arm: Left (Exceptional; Price of Victory)
Bionic Respiratory System (Exceptional; Price of Victory)  

 

This guys is more or less built as a recon/saboteur/support engineer type of character (e.g. a sapper) and would generally act as somewhat of a force multiplier for the rest of the team. Specializes in surveillance, infiltration, sabotage and demolitions, with capabilities including intelligence gathering, sonic attacks, machine-interface and stealth assaults in support of assault elements.

 

Edited December 17, 2023 by Necronaut
Formatting and rough backstory rubbish

[Necronaut]

  On 12/8/2023 at 8:36 PM, Mazer Rackham said:

- snip -

 

 

What have I done?

 

Expand  

 

The Lord's Omnissiah's work, my son.

[Mazer Rackham]

  On 12/9/2023 at 1:56 AM, Necronaut said:

Alright, since you insist...

 

Toren "Ironbeak" Ekara

Techmarine Sapper attached to 66th Assault Company, XIX Legion

Expand  

 

That all looks fine to me, I think the SigWargear Axe is ok, it doesn't conflict with anything BC has said over in Reaving, so no worries.

 

I'll give it until Monday for any other folks to declare passing interest, and then we'll get rolling.

[Trokair]

  On 12/8/2023 at 8:36 PM, Mazer Rackham said:

 

What have I done?

Expand  

 

You have successfully tempted me, I thus present Tyr-Ix-375, Honourary Legionnaire of the XVIII Legion.

 

I have taken the default Castellax profile from your post and modified it slightly, awaiting your approval of course.

First of added Weapon training for all the weapon so as to use them.

Secondly swapped the shock charges for the other Castellax melee weapon, the power blades, pizza cutters for the win.

I tidied up/converted a few things

Lastly I made a new  trait, Emergent Personality. The intent with it is that during narrative time, and at the beginning of any combat I can act like any other player, but in the heat of battle I have an about 2/3 chance of reverting to base programming and about a 1/3 chance of acting normally. Of course Mazer can make me check whether I am normal or base level program at any other time he thinks suitable. The emergent personality/sentience is still very much a nascent thing after all.  

                                                                                   

Lastly, the second, and this is your call Mazer, Castellaxses have a bolter built into each arm/hand (or flamers, but I am sticking with bolters). However bolters are basic not pistol. As such Gunslinger and  Sidearm don’t do anything.

Therfore I see two options: a) as the bolters are built in they count as pistol for the use of those skills, or b) they are not boltguns, but bolt pistols and use that profile instead.

 

 

Tyr-Ix-375, Honourary Legionnaire of the XVIII Legion
 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

WS  BS       S          T      Ag  Int  Per  WP Fel

35   45  (10)55  (15)50    30   25   30   35   0

 

Movement: 5/10/15/30

Wounds: 40

Armor: Machine (All 8)

Total TB: 15

Atomantic Shielding (PR35 Field, PR20 when in Melee, does not Overload under normal circumstances)

Skills: Awareness +10, Demolition, Dodge, Tech Use

Talents: Berserk Charge, Fearless, Resistance (Psychic Powers), Two Weapon Wielder (Ballistic, Melee), Gunslinger, Sidearm, Blade Dancer, Basic Weapon Trianing (Bolt), Heavy Weapon Training (Bolt), Melee Weapon Training (Power)

Traits: Auto-Stabilized, Machine (8), Unnatural Strength (x2), Unnatural Toughness (x3), Size (Enormous), Programmed Behaviour, Reactor Blast, Emergent Personality

 

Weapons:

Mauler Bolt Cannon (Heavy 90m -/-/6 2d10+8X Pen:8 Clip:60 Full Tearing),

Two Bolters

Two Battle Automata Power Blade (Melee  1d10+3E Pen:12 Power Field, Tearing)

 

Gear: None

 

Emergent Personality:

During Structured time the Castellax counts as being in range of a Cortex Controller during the first round (unless surprised). At the start of each subsequent round it needs to pass a Challenging (+0) Willpower Test to count as if in range of a Cortex Controller.  

 

Programmed Behavior:

  Reveal hidden contents

Unless within 30m of a Cortex Controller, the Battle Automata must follow a programmed set of restrictions, outlined as below.

 

Methodical: The Battle Automata may not perform the Run action, and must move towards the closest enemy unit it is able to harm.

 

Target Priority: The Battle Automata must fire all of its weapons against the closest enemy within 30m any of its weapons are able to harm. If this is not the case, it is free to select targets as normal.

 

Onslaught: The Battle Automata must charge the closest enemy within 30m if able. The Charge attack mandated by Onslaught takes precedence over ranged attacks mandated by Fire Protocols.

 

Fire Protocols: The Battle Automata must fire up to three of its weapons at the same target designated by Target Priority. These weapons may be of the Pistol, Basic, Heavy class, or any combination of the three, and must fire at the highest rate of fire. The Automata receives no bonus to the Ballistic Skill from rate of fire, however. This combined singular “Fire Protocols Attack” is a Half Action.

 

For example, a Vorax outside of a cortex controller must first Half-Move towards the nearest enemy. It must fire its Lightning Gun and its two Rotor Cannons at a singular target. It must fire a single shot of its lightning gun, and perform two Full Auto attacks with its rotor cannons, ending its turn. The following round, it must charge if in range. Otherwise, it returns to moving and shooting.              

 

When in range of a cortex controller, the Fire Protocols Attack is instead a Full Action, may benefit

from bonuses to the Ballistic Skill from rate of fire, and the target(s) may be freely selected by the bearer of the Cortex Controller.

 

Reactor Blast:

  Reveal hidden contents

Upon reducing the Battle Automata to zero wounds, the Automata may make a Challenging (+0) Tech Use test. If successful, the Battle Automata’s Atomantic reactor explodes, dealing 1d10+9 Energy damage with Pen 0 to everything (ally or enemy) within 5m.

 

 

Edited December 9, 2023 by Trokair

[Xin Ceithan]

Hmm, I was thinking since I was going to take a spin on the common Techmarine by doing a Praevian , if we’d tweak the gear a bit? 
 

I was thinking about replacing the Servo Arm with a shoulder mounted weapon ( with independent targeting! ) - something that would support the Automata during the advance and could cover the Praevian during repairs ? 
 

Using the req he  still could ( literally ) pick up a power weapon for close in work and a combi tool.

 

( Actually, with the Castellax moving from equipment to  player character, that might free up some serious  requisition  )
 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

  On 12/9/2023 at 12:32 PM, Trokair said:

I tidied up/converted a few things

Expand  

 

Absolutely fine.

 

  On 12/9/2023 at 12:32 PM, Trokair said:

Lastly I made a new  trait, Emergent Personality. The intent with it is that during narrative time, and at the beginning of any combat I can act like any other player, but in the heat of battle I have an about 2/3 chance of reverting to base programming and about a 1/3 chance of acting normally. Of course Mazer can make me check whether I am normal or base level program at any other time he thinks suitable. The emergent personality/sentience is still very much a nascent thing after all.

Expand  

 

Yep, Emergent Personality Trait (EPT?) is fine. Please roll for EPT from Turn 2 onwards before declaring actions, as this makes the most sense and takes admin off my shoulders. i.e. You get Turn 1 to do stuff with no penalty, then after that, you need to test. Great little rule that, nice work. 

 

  On 12/9/2023 at 12:32 PM, Trokair said:

Lastly, the second, and this is your call Mazer, Castellaxses have a bolter built into each arm/hand (or flamers, but I am sticking with bolters). However bolters are basic not pistol. As such Gunslinger and  Sidearm don’t do anything.

Therfore I see two options: a) as the bolters are built in they count as pistol for the use of those skills, or b) they are not boltguns, but bolt pistols and use that profile instead.

Expand  

 

Use option A. As they're Basic they can't be fired in Melee, IIRC, so that would be fine since you're working for Domino's Pizza anyway.

 

  On 12/9/2023 at 12:32 PM, Trokair said:

Tyr-Ix-375, Honourary Legionnaire of the XVIII Legion

Expand  

 

A pleasure! Although not for traitors. But then again, everyone on Isstvan V is a traitor to someone...

 

  On 12/9/2023 at 12:54 PM, Xin Ceithan said:

Hmm, I was thinking since I was going to take a spin on the common Techmarine by doing a Praevian , if we’d tweak the gear a bit? 
 

I was thinking about replacing the Servo Arm with a shoulder mounted weapon ( with independent targeting! ) - something that would support the Automata during the advance and could cover the Praevian during repairs ? 

Expand  

 

I'd say yes, since it doesn't matter - but I might caution you that could be beyond the scope of BC's ideas for Reaving, which we are playing loose with, but using as 'guidelines' all the same.

 

  On 12/9/2023 at 12:54 PM, Xin Ceithan said:

Using the req he  still could ( literally ) pick up a power weapon for close in work and a combi tool.

Expand  

 

Either is fine.

 

  On 12/9/2023 at 12:54 PM, Xin Ceithan said:

( Actually, with the Castellax moving from equipment to  player character, that might free up some serious  requisition  )

Expand  

 

+BEEP+

Thankyou for calling Murder Arsenal Inc. I regret all our lines are busy, and we have no stock available at the moment, due to a terrible galactic civil war. Please call back in M34. Thanks for your understanding!

+BEEP+

[Necronaut]

With regards to using the boltguns in melee: why not treat them as improvised melee weapons? You could just about bludgeon someone to death with a bolter by accidentally dropping in their general vicinity.

[Mazer Rackham]

Well technically, yes, you can do that anyway - but what you can't do with 'Type: Basic' is use the BS attack in melee. With Pistols (also clubs) you can pull the trigger when you're toe-to-toe, but can't do that with anything bigger.

 

Stops people blowing their toes off with grenade launchers, whilst trying to do a rocket jump suplex.

[Machine God]

Will post tomorrow when I am home. 

 

Will field

 

emergent Nutter

 

Psyker Ashmon 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2023 by Machine God
Strike Through madness