[BC] The Blackest Heart (OOC)

[Mazer Rackham]

Well gentlemen, as you may have read in the IC, our newest Player is in a bit of a pickle, and is going to need a hand.

 

I haven't had anything from anyone else, but it will be easy enough to squeeze them onto the prison transport after the fact.

 

Mr @Lysimachus - as previously discussed, Mission parameters are suggested as follows for Mortals only:

• Clock starts,
• Infiltrate the facility,
• Sabotage as much security as required,
• Obtain shuttle codes,
• Hijack shuttle or shuttle systems, or board shuttle and usurp in-situ,
• Re-direct to orbital rendezvous.

Delete/interpret to taste.

 

If the Mortals b0rk it up, as long as the shuttle isn't compromised, the Marines can take over.

 

@FabiusV4lcoran you may make an introductory post in the IC. Perhaps you are wondering what will happen next, or maybe your interpretation of how you got here differs from my 'official' one. Whatever it is, you should play down your psychic ability for now - perhaps the Obelisk is fickle, or the Necrontyr influence is more widespread than thought - or perhaps you have been fitted with an Imperial device. Have at it.

 

Once underway, this will allow other interested Players to come forward. If I get no further bites by Midnight (0000GMT) on 31 December 2025, I will consider opportunities closed to further interest.

 

When the short (hopefully) game is complete, I will examine rewards for all parties - as Fabius will need to be brought in line with everyone else - however, I am looking at maybe Infamy, or material gain - in this instance more troops for the base/scouting etc.

 

Note that the Security Rating for Penitence is High. Expect competent, well-motivated, well equipped troops.

 

Suggestions for Game Director:

• The security forces are not all Arbites, so substitute Imperial Guard Squads for mining guild security.
• Small teams of Arbites with cyber-mastiffs.
• Fixed guns and traps.

Potential Friendlies:

• Trustees who aren't so trustworthy,
• Corrupt security forces
• Rioting miners, etc

Lysi, let me know if you need anything else. 

[FabiusV4lcoran]

How do y'all fancily color your font?  I wanna be fancy.

[Necronaut]

Feel free to put Ukalegon in the rapid response/reserve/observation slot with the capacity to move in and crack skulls as needed, but as this is a mortal-centric mission I am not otherwise planning to participate.

[Mazer Rackham]

Just as an FYI, this is meant merely as an onboarding game and testbed, not a full-on re-open of Blackest Heart which will, of course require all Players.

 

@FabiusV4lcoran

 

If you look at your screen whilst typing, you should see this:

 

 

The red circle indicates the paint palette, which will allow you to colour your text.

 

Edited December 26, 2025 by Mazer Rackham

[Machine God]

Did someone request an Engineseer? 

 

 

 

 

 

[Machine God]

20 hours ago, Lord_Ikka said:

Head is not great- looks like they wanted to make him yelling but it reads as a weird, nurgly smile. Everything else is a glow-up from the old model- just put a helmet on him and he'll be good. 

 

I love your Lord Buckethead! 

 

 

 

[Lysimachus]

Mr @Mazer Rackham

 

That all sounds good, but I must apologise if I've given the impression I can start GMing this bit immediately. I'm visiting family now and for the next few days at least, so it will be at least that long before I can put anything together... 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

30 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

Mr @Mazer Rackham

 

That all sounds good, but I must apologise if I've given the impression I can start GMing this bit immediately. I'm visiting family now and for the next few days at least, so it will be at least that long before I can put anything together... 

 

 

Nooo, by all means visit your family!

 

It wasn't for immediate start - some time in the new year was my intention, to allow for other folks to visit their families and people to come back to us.

 

 

[Lysimachus]

Ah, ok, that's all fine then, thanks and sorry if I misunderstood! 

 

Cool, I will probably shoot you a PM in the next day or 2 just to make sure I understand the plot points properly and if there is anything in what you've written in the IC or the Data thread that I should or shouldn't use because it relates to plans for the main BH game?

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2025 by Lysimachus

[Iron Father Ferrum]

I'm given to understand that there is room available for another heretic.

[Necronaut]

You'll have to take it up with @Mazer Rackham, but there's always room for another heretic... In the burn pit.

[Machine God]

7 hours ago, Iron Father Ferrum said:

I'm given to understand that there is room available for another heretic.

 

Yes you are most welcome Moderati. 

 

6 hours ago, Necronaut said:

You'll have to take it up with @Mazer Rackham, but there's always room for another heretic... In the burn pit.

 

On 22 Dec 25 - @Mazer Rackham in the Play-By-Post Register posted this:

 

 

Don't know if you've had the chance to take a look IFF, but we're putting together a small group of interested parties to join a Black Crusade Game over in the Nook. Feel free to pop across and scope it out and let us know what you think.

 

 

So my fellow Iron Hands Heretic has followed the breadcrumbs. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

9 hours ago, Iron Father Ferrum said:

I'm given to understand that there is room available for another heretic.

 

Welcome to the eternal war. Plenty of armpit tentacles to go round. 

 

Don't feel you have to fulfil a role, either - just play whatever attracts you, or you think you'll have the most fun with and we'll do our best to help and make it work.

 

The first biggest question is: Mortal or Marine? Did you have any ideas bouncing around?

 

Edited December 29, 2025 by Mazer Rackham

[Iron Father Ferrum]

It's been a while since I looked at my BC book (and I'm away from it at the moment), but i can confidently say I'd like to play a Chosen or Champion.

[Mazer Rackham]

Groovy - I'll have to refresh how we did legion power armour, but shouldn't be a worry. The only thing I'd specify is that he's a Renegade Astartes or if he is a Legionnaire, then he'll be a recent recruit (give or take a century) so we can stick as close to BC Core as possible.

 

Having the book, I take it you've dallied with BC before, IFF? If you know your way around, go ahead and begin eyeing up your acquisitions and possible talents when you have a sec. We do work to the FAQ, so if you haven't got that don't fret - a copy of my BC Core and the FAQ can be found in the google drive we share. I'll also begin setting up your chargen sheet. If you could PM me a gmail-friendly email address you're comfortable with me having, I can give you access. Once you've got that, don't be shy to have a peruse of the other sheets, and see what options we have lurking, how we format things and spy on some of your fellow reprobates.

 

Feel free to toss around some concepts for your character in here to get feedback.

 

As you're a new Player to this campaign, you'll see we're grouping a few of you up into a small intro game with your new peers. Once we know what the last Player is doing, we can begin to get a better handle on things. Fabius is already in-situ, but your start will be a bit different, so we need to tweak. The most important thing is to get you embedded here and Playing asap, so feel free to ask questions and demand why we are risking everything on such a mad scheme...

 

I'd also recommend 'following' the three main threads - the IC (in Character) the OOC (Out of Character) and the Data thread. I know you're an experienced Moderati, IFF, but I like to use opportunities to remind the rest of the Nookies. 

 

Edited December 29, 2025 by Mazer Rackham

[Necronaut]

@Mazer Rackham @Iron Father Ferrum the major changes, as noted in the Character Info thread, were first that the legion armour was thoroughly knackered and degraded, meaning our GM will make a D10 roll per armour location and on a 7+ the armour value is reduced by 1. Second, you must sacrifice one piece of your starting equipment (weapon or wargear) or every weapon will be inflicted with a weapon downgrade of your choice.

Edited December 29, 2025 by Necronaut

[Mazer Rackham]

Top banana, Necro, cheers.

 

In order to clear all the decks for the next portions of the game, we'll clear up rewards and XP from the official tie-off of Part 1.

 

XP and You:

 

All Starting Players Receive:

• 500xp
• + 5 Infamy;
  • +3 Infamy form Compact Primary Objectives
  • +2 Infamy from Compact Secondary Objectives

Further, all Starting Players receive the following lore packages:

• Forbidden Lore (Genestealer Cults)
• Forbidden Lore (Necrontyr)

Note that both of these packages cannot be improved in any way at this time. Any Talents or Traits which give a bonus to Lore Checks do not have any effect (you simply do not know enough about the subject).

 

Conditions/Status:

Spoiler

• All Wounds removed.
• Acquisitions may be attempted.
• The Warband gain the following materials:
  • 100 x Components
  • 100 x Fuel
  • 100 x Medical
  • 100 x Supplies
• The following items are placed into general inventory:
  • 14 x Knives
  • 12 x Autopistols
  • 6 x Laspistols
  • 3 x Lascutters
  • 1 x Box (10) Exceptionally unstable mining explosives
  • 3 x Legion Bolt Pistols
  • 2 x Legion Boltguns
  • 1 x Legion Shotgun
  • 6 x Legion Frags
  • 5 x Legion Kraks
  • 12 x Frags (Mortal)
    

 

 

All new Players will Receive the following on completion of the Interlude/Intro game:

• 500xp to bring you into line with the original crew;
• +3 Infamy from escape/execution of escape.

 

Questions and shouting welcome, being shot behind the chemical shed, likely.

[Necronaut]

@Mazer Rackham awesome, thanks for that. Ukalegon has 1 Infamy point again (lol).

 

Not to nitpick, but as this was a dedicated compact (to Khorne), are we entitled to any bonus infamy and corruption (+1d5 each for the successful completion of said compact) per the rules as stipulated on p. 272?

 

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Necronaut

[Iron Father Ferrum]

@Mazer Rackham I sent you my gmail address.  As for ideas, if we're sticking to Renegades, my first thought was a survivor of the Emperor's Swords, who were shattered by an Alpha Legion assault on their monastery on Ghorstangrad.  The Inquisition should have prevented his chapter's fall by destroying the Alpha Legion millennia ago, and his chapter should have been strong enough to fight off the incursion; by this reasoning, their loss -- and his turn to faithlessness -- are the fault of Imperial leadership and not personal failings.  I like the idea of a Champion for this guy simply for starting off with a power sword, but the Chosen identity might be more fitting.  Still working it out.

 

I had another idea about a Brazen Claw having fallen to Chaos during that chapters Crusade into the Eye, but it's still a bit more informed than the Emperor's Sword concept.

 

Edit: I started reading the IC thread and it feels like a Badab Reunion Tour, so a Mantis Warrior would fit right in too!  Maybe a sniper-like Chosen.....

Edited December 30, 2025 by Iron Father Ferrum

[FabiusV4lcoran]

3 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Top banana, Necro, cheers.

 

In order to clear all the decks for the next portions of the game, we'll clear up rewards and XP from the official tie-off of Part 1.

 

XP and You:

 

All Starting Players Receive:

• 500xp
• + 5 Infamy;
  • +3 Infamy form Compact Primary Objectives
  • +2 Infamy from Compact Secondary Objectives

Further, all Starting Players receive the following lore packages:

• Forbidden Lore (Genestealer Cults)
• Forbidden Lore (Necrontyr)

 

I'm sorry I didn't see this; I gotta go back and tweak my charsheet as I did the 1k the book said.

[Necronaut]

On 12/29/2025 at 10:08 PM, FabiusV4lcoran said:

I'm sorry I didn't see this; I gotta go back and tweak my charsheet as I did the 1k the book said.

 

I would advise against that -- I don't believe what Mazer posted there applies to your character. It's standard character creation rules for everyone barring a couple of minor gear tweaks.

Edited January 16 by Necronaut

[FabiusV4lcoran]

I'll hold off until I hear further.

[Lysimachus]

5 hours ago, Necronaut said:

 

Not to nitpick, but as this was a dedicated compact (to Khorne), are we entitled to any bonus infamy and corruption (+1d5 each for the successful completion of said compact) per the rules as stipulated on p. 272?

 

 

If there is any way this would be possible, I would be super-grateful... the +5 Inf above takes Hagga to 28 (which is great, thank you!) but is still 2 Inf short of the 30 required to be able to spend some of the latest xp to upgrade Eska into a (more useful) regular Minion.

 

I'd really like to be able to take her along on the next mission, with (slightly) less risk of her dying immediately! 

 

I'd be very willing to take a few Corruption Points in return, if that would net me the 2 Inf I need!

 

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

7 hours ago, Necronaut said:

Not to nitpick, but as this was a dedicated compact (to Khorne), are we entitled to any bonus infamy and corruption (+1d5 each for the successful completion of said compact) per the rules as stipulated on p. 272?

 

Doesn't feel like nitpicking to me, I'd forgotten about that. I'll look into it and get back to you.

 

6 hours ago, Iron Father Ferrum said:

@Mazer Rackham I sent you my gmail address.

 

Gratias. I'll crack on with setting you up.

 

6 hours ago, Iron Father Ferrum said:

Edit: I started reading the IC thread and it feels like a Badab Reunion Tour...

 

Yes, shamelessly so. 

 

All of your ideas sound great - I think whoever you build will fit in really well and help with the party dynamic.

 

5 hours ago, FabiusV4lcoran said:

I'm sorry I didn't see this; I gotta go back and tweak my charsheet as I did the 1k the book said.

 

Your 1k was correct, but see below...

 

5 hours ago, Necronaut said:

I would advise against that -- I don't believe what Mazer posted there applies to your character. It's standard character creation rules for everyone barring a couple of monitor gear tweaks.

 

This is correct regarding the 1k, and the 500xp for completion of your intro game.

 

Players joining should always have the same level or entitlement to level as established Players though, so your current total XP as a Mortal should be 2000, and will increase to 2500 at the successful conclusion of the intro game. I was in two minds about mentioning it, but I wanted to roll it all into one post so you would know what to expect. I apologise if this wasn't made clear, but we're still onboarding with different Archetypes who have different XP thresholds so stuff is up the air a bit.

 

I hope this helps?

 

1 hour ago, Lysimachus said:

If there is any way this would be possible, I would be super-grateful... the +5 Inf above takes Hagga to 28 (which is great, thank you!) but is still 2 Inf short of the 30 required to be able to spend some of the latest xp to upgrade Eska into a (more useful) regular Minion.

 

I'd really like to be able to take her along on the next mission, with (slightly) less risk of her dying immediately! 

 

I'd be very willing to take a few Corruption Points in return, if that would net me the 2 Inf I need!

 

*Steeples fingers*

 

//Init=Faustian.pact.exe.

[Lysimachus]

23 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

 

*Steeples fingers*

 

//Init=Faustian.pact.exe.

 

 

 

If you will allow us the +d5 Infamy and Corruption for it being a Dedicated Compact, I will willingly take the minimum Inf I need (+2) but the maximum Corruption (+5) without rolling!