[BC] The Blackest Heart (OOC)

[Trokair]

On 4/20/2026 at 2:19 PM, Mazer Rackham said:

You could always dedicate it to Unaligned. You get no benefits outside of extra Infamy and CP's, but if you b0rk it, you don't count as having done so for the purposes of a Failing, either.

 

I know I havent been around and don't know where other stand and want to do, but Tarh is all for Unaligned. Got to honour all 8 and not just one god. 

 

 

 

 

Edit: on another note I have now read a bit more of recent events and am slightly less blind about what is going on in game. 
Re the stealth, if the Astropath Tower is on the north shore on the map (if I have understood that right) then would a water aproch work?

Mithrah has Amphibious so with some prepration (breathing gear for Tarh, water proof container/wrapping to keep weapons dry) that might be relevant. I asume Obidiah as a Marine could just walk on bottom of river. 

Edited April 21 by Trokair

[FabiusV4lcoran]

I think Lysi had a good point about Atesh puttin' in with the rebels; probably be easier for him than going in nicely w/ Crux'as.  I'm bringing them the molotovs right?

 

Which transport was headed out that way?  

[Iron Father Ferrum]

@Trokair you could use her to cross the river to join the fun in the city proper?

[Machine God]

7 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Once you've agreed who you're partnering up with, gang, just pick your craft, go ahead and post your descent (but not your landing, as I will have interactions to complete with you).

 

I'll post something after Xerxes does 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

8 hours ago, FabiusV4lcoran said:

I'm bringing them the molotovs right?

 

That's a funny way of saying 'Tzeentchian Sacrifice', but yes.

 

To that end, I am going to insist Cyrandras Rakesh goes with you.

 

Edited April 22 by Mazer Rackham

[A.T.]

I am reasonably sure that Xerxes doesn't have any servitors capable of keeping up with a jump packing astartes while carrying a 60kg+ autocannon ... unless strapped to the back of said astartes.

 

Might be enough time to rig up suspensors from cannibalized servo-skulls with a corresponding disadvantage (i.e. cursed metal to represent the gravitic shear of the multiple unshielded and overloaded grav drives) - this doesn't allow a character to fire a heavy weapon one handed but may (DMs approval) be an alternative to carry them.

 

 

(Semi-related, there is a particularly crazy inquisitor in one of the dark heresy books duel-wielding stripped down conversion beamers, gunslinger style. Got to respect the dedication to maximum dakka)

[Mojake]

3 minutes ago, A.T. said:

I am reasonably sure that Xerxes doesn't have any servitors capable of keeping up with a jump packing astartes while carrying a 60kg+ autocannon ... unless strapped to the back of said astartes.

 

Might be enough time to rig up suspensors from cannibalized servo-skulls with a corresponding disadvantage (i.e. cursed metal to represent the gravitic shear of the multiple unshielded and overloaded grav drives) - this doesn't allow a character to fire a heavy weapon one handed but may (DMs approval) be an alternative to carry them.

 

Yeah it's a bit of a longshot I know, no problem if it can't work. The RAC vastly outshines the missile launcher anyway so I think it's an easy choice!

[Mazer Rackham]

28 minutes ago, A.T. said:

(Semi-related, there is a particularly crazy inquisitor in one of the dark heresy books duel-wielding stripped down conversion beamers, gunslinger style. Got to respect the dedication to maximum dakka)

 

I actually respect the fact that you tried to make Mojake's idea work. Team player, right there.

 

I regret I cannot allow such a thing due to IC time constraints.

 

39 minutes ago, A.T. said:

Xerxes:

Turning his gaze to the explosives, "Recommendation, demolitions teams chosen from crew. Transportation of pre-primed explosives inadvisable near sources of heat, flame, strong impacts." He indicated towards the marines jump pack. "Likelihood of self immolation high."

 

I wish I could Like, Love and find this Funny at the same time.

 

Kudos, good sir, for giving me a good laugh when I needed it.

 

21 minutes ago, Mojake said:

Yeah it's a bit of a longshot I know, no problem if it can't work. The RAC vastly outshines the missile launcher anyway so I think it's an easy choice!

 

Yes indeed, just leave one or the other of your boomsticks at the FOB, and pick them up when you feel like a change.

 

Edited April 22 by Mazer Rackham

[Mojake]

@Trokair

 

What is Mithra for the recent joiners? 

[BadgersinHills]

I'm good with being on the Starhawk. 

 

@Mazer Rackham I'm thinking I'll post as if the conversation with Rakash has happened, and @Xin Ceithan can post whenever is convenient for him and we just backdate the posts to the convo, if that's ok? 

[Mazer Rackham]

5 minutes ago, BadgersinHills said:

I'm good with being on the Starhawk. 

 

@Mazer Rackham I'm thinking I'll post as if the conversation with Rakash has happened, and @Xin Ceithan can post whenever is convenient for him and we just backdate the posts to the convo, if that's ok? 

 

Yes, this is fine.

 

[Trokair]

23 minutes ago, Mojake said:

@Trokair

 

What is Mithra for the recent joiners? 

 

Tarh and Mithra - back from when she was a Lesser Minion. She has recently been upgraded to a Normal Minion and now has Flack Armour Barding and a saddle/howdah with a Autocannon that Tarh can operate while riding into battle. 

 

Edited April 22 by Trokair

[Mojake]

15 minutes ago, Trokair said:

 

Tarh and Mithra - back from when she was a Lesser Minion. She has recently been upgraded to a Normal Minion and now has Flack Armour Barding and a saddle/howdah with a Autocannon that Tarh can operate while riding into battle. 

 

 

Amazing

[BadgersinHills]

@Trokair I didn't know she had a model. Super cute- I mean terrifying.

 

I really need to get around to making a mini of my character. 

[Mazer Rackham]

21 minutes ago, BadgersinHills said:

@Trokair I didn't know she had a model. Super cute- I mean terrifying.

 

I have many affectionate names for her:

• Tortuga-panzer
• Veggienihilator
• Shell from Hell
• Herbivorous Howitzer
• Quadrupanzer
• The Artillery Helmet/Helmut

As you can tell, I am rather fond of the beast.

[Lysimachus]

I've always loved the idea of Mithra, and I'm very curious about your choices for her crunch-wise, Tro? I love the Minion rules in general, and I must admit I had a play with what you could do with her as a Regular Minion... This is what I came up with, I wonder how it compares with what you've built?

 

Mithra:

 

WS: 10

BaS: 35
S: 30
T: 30
Ag: 20
Int: 5
Per: 15
Wp: 25
Fel: 5
(175 total)
Move: (includes x2 for Quadruped) 4/8/12/24
Wounds: 13 (TB6x2 +1)
Skills: Althletics, Athletics+10, Dodge, Dodge+10, Survival, Survival+10
Talents: Hardy, Iron Jaw, Jaded, Nerves of Steel, Rapid Reload, Sound Constitution, Weapon Training: SP
Traits: Amphibious, Auto-stabilised, Natural Armour(6), Quadruped, Regen(2), Unnatural Toughness(3)
Gear:
Weapon:
Autocannon (Very Rare)
Armour:
Light Carapace 5 (Rare) +6 Natural = 11

 

 

 

There's a few little liberties taken there, but nothing you can't take on a Minion rules-wise - it's all about making the fluff justification make sense?

Stats focus on physical Str and T, BaS for shooting, and Wp as I can't imagine much bothers a big tortoise. Minimal CC threat, but actually pretty good as a tank!

Not much point in Skills, so taken the ones that could apply. Dodge isn't really super fitting, but it works if you think of it as Hits that skitter or bounce off of her rounded shell like a tank glacis?

Talents and Traits are focused on physical solidity and placidity even under fire. Natural Armour(6) is a logical pick, though I might be tempted to go Machine(4) instead? 2AV less, but don't need to breathe, ignores poisons, etc?

Weapon Training SP would allow her to fire the AC herself (but would be fluffed as some sort of remote/servo skull targeting system built into the gun?) Similarly, Rapid Reload is just representative of her being able to carry extra large ammo boxes on her back?

Equipment is the AC (Very Rare so you only get one weapon pick) and highest (Rare) Armour is Light Carapace(5), either actual armour or fluffed as more layers of natural plate?

 

 

 

 

Edited April 22 by Lysimachus

[Trokair]

You should be able to see both Lesser Minion version and draft Normal Minion version in the minion page of Tarh’s Character sheet in the Google docs folder.  Normal version is still in Draft as I wanted Mazer to have another look over before I use her (and I am also still debating swapping out Quadruped (as she is kinda fast! after the upgrade) for Regeneration or Unnatural Toughness).

 

For the Lesser version I rolled a d10 for each stat, then put the remainder into Toughness, Strength and a little AG, for the normal version I added d10 to each Lesser version stat and then added remainder here and there.

 

Lesser version had Flack armour as count as shell and a greatweapon as count as jaw/bulk/whatever for melee (even though I don’t think she should ever be there I felt something of her size should have something more than unarmed melee stats)). These have carried over to normal version with the flack armour becoming barding and Natural Armour becoming shell.

 

In terms of Skills, Talents and Traits, some choice are the same, some different, but I can see the logic behind your version and it seems fine as well.

 

Small note: Mithra can’t operate the Autocannon so needs Tarh to ride and do so and as such Mazer as agreed to apply the auto-stabilise to whatever is mounted on Mithra’s back rather than to Mithra herself.  Also the Autocannon was obtained as a Aquisition roll (with trading in some of the normal minion gear allowance and a spent infamy point to improve the odds), luckily the dice delivered.

 

 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

25 minutes ago, Trokair said:

You should be able to see both Lesser Minion version and draft Normal Minion version in the minion page of Tarh’s Character sheet in the Google docs folder.  Normal version is still in Draft as I wanted Mazer to have another look over before I use her (and I am also still debating swapping out Quadruped (as she is kinda fast! after the upgrade) for Regeneration or Unnatural Toughness).

 

Everything looks good from my end. 

[Lysimachus]

Hmm,

 

Should we just go now with the freighter-bomb? I would have preferred to wait until our troops were in place, but if the sneaky boys have been spotted before they even reach the ground...?

 

Whole thing's going pear-shaped before we've even started! 

[A.T.]

For clarity - how many vessels have launched, how many detected, and who is where?  :p

[Mazer Rackham]

3 minutes ago, A.T. said:

For clarity - how many vessels have launched, how many detected, and who is where?  :p

 

AFAIK Wasp and the Arvus are 'in the water'. The Starhawk is fuelling/loading and getting ready.

Edited April 22 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Is it not the Arvus' second go around, though?

 

Plan was very much for Crux'as (and other mortals, I think?) to be planetside first, so he could initiate his plans for the PDF commander? And Atesh was going out to the rebels in the countryside (with Rakash apparently?)

 

All that was supposed to happen before the military infiltration drops started?

 

It's all got a bit rushed somewhere... 

Edited April 22 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

I've rolled for the Arvus' first trip, (098, so they don't spot it as sus) if you want to put it down earlier with Atesh and Crux'as etc, by all means on the first landing. The Wasp and Arvus second trip can come afterwards.

 

 

Edited April 22 by Mazer Rackham

[A.T.]

3 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

Is it not the Arvus' second go around, though?

 

Plan was very much for Crux'as (and other mortals, I think?) to be planetside first, so he could initiate his plans for the PDF commander? And Atesh was going out to the rebels in the countryside (with Rakash apparently?)

 

I had assumed the mortals were on the Arvus as Obadiah and the Wasp were mentioned in the comms  - if that isn't the case then a re-write is in order :p

[Necronaut]

@Mazer Rackham Ukaelgon is riding along with the others per Hagga's most recent post(s). I'm incredibly slammed at work this week and I don't know when I will be able to post an update.