[BC] The Blackest Heart (OOC)

[Necronaut]

Lysimachus: *rubs hands together* Hey there, friend, *scratches neck* you got any of that XP? And-and-and I want the good stuff this time!

[Necronaut]

1 hour ago, Lysimachus said:

That's a pretty crummy offer. Do a job for her, and she'll take away our ship and give us a substantially smaller and weaker one in return... no thanks. 

 

Edit: I'm assuming that is just the opening offer, and a certain amount of back and forth is in the offing?

 

I'd maybe do the job in return for the Iconoclast. We keep the Dredge.

 

(I'd probably strip the escort for parts and use them to repair all the damage to our cruiser?)

 

One in the hand is worth two in the bush, my friend. I think this is actually a great opportunity. Are we getting rinsed a bit? Maybe? Are we moving to a smaller space boat? Certainly. But, more importantly, we're receiving a ship with a, presumably, clean set of logs and identification records, and it's smaller so we can cruise under the radar more easily. We can make this work. Also we're not pants-on-head raving Chaos lunatics (yet), just renegades, so this will fit with our M.O. nicely, I think.

 

Edit: should we presume that the particulars of the job in question will be waiting and ready for us aboard our new conveyance? I love doing some under the table space mafia-adjacent stuff, but it will be challenging without any information to go on...

Edited Friday at 05:55 PM by Necronaut

[Mazer Rackham]

Spoiler

 

 

We'll do debrief first, I think...

 

So, gents, what was good, bad, what did you think worked, what did you like etc, how did you find your exposure to our type of game?

[Lysimachus]

Yep, I'm coming around to the idea, especially if we can negotiate them around to us keeping hold of the Dredge (maybe as a hiding place to retreat to until we are in a position to fix it up?)

 

To be fair, the swap was their first offer, so we couldn't just accept the deal as-is, that would be very poor trading! 

 

Sorry, ninja'd 

 

 

Edited Friday at 05:59 PM by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

10 minutes ago, Necronaut said:

One in the hand is worth two in the bush, my friend. I think this is actually a great opportunity. Are we getting rinsed a bit? Maybe? Are we moving to a smaller space boat? Certainly. But, more importantly, we're receiving a ship with a, presumably, clean set of logs and identification records, and it's smaller so we can cruise under the radar more easily. We can make this work. Also we're not pants-on-head raving Chaos lunatics (yet), just renegades, so this will fit with our M.O. nicely, I think.

 

Just. As. Planned.

 

10 minutes ago, Necronaut said:

Edit: should we presume that the particulars of the job in question will be waiting and ready for us aboard our new conveyance? I love doing some under the table space mafia-adjacent stuff, but it will be challenging without any information to go on...

 

Yes, you can indeed presume that. I wasn't going to infodump there, as it spoiled the drama, but yes, deets will be had.

 

5 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

Yep, I'm coming around to the idea, especially if we can negotiate them around to us keeping hold of the Dredge (maybe as a hiding place to retreat to until we are in a position to fix it up?)

 

Might even be another small 'Compact' opportunity...who knows? 

[Necronaut]

Fingers crossed one of the possible dark crusade locations in the vicinity of Ithyca overlaps with this rival's holdings or somesuch. Two birds with one stone and whatnot.

 

Also yes more compacts (for the Dark Gods!).

[Lysimachus]

58 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

So, gents, what was good, bad, what did you think worked, what did you like etc, how did you find your exposure to our type of game?

 

 

Great game, as usual, great mix of twists and turns. Really good level of engagement from everyone in this one, which makes it so much more enjoyable, kudos to everyone! 

 

I'm still finding my way with a few things about BC that feel more free form than what I'm used to? Things like Acquisitions and Compacts are a lot more open, which takes a bit more thinking about, but is good fun!

 

I don't know if psychics/warp shenanigans are usually more dangerous in BC than in other games, but that is certainly how it has felt in this game! It's been a bit mad in places, feeling like we were going in one direction and then a random roll puts us in a totally different one? It's been fun, but definitely a bit chaotic (but I guess that is kind of the point in this ruleset?)

 

Anyway, great fun, love all the characters, excellent GMing, awesome!

 

 

 

[Necronaut]

@Mazer Rackham this was a fun interlude. I'm sure you had probably not expected things to go so spectacularly sideways (though maybe just a little bit), but the twists and turns were really quite delightful. I'm really liking the new additions to our rogue's gallery (hat tip, gents), and given our collective time constraints I think this was a rather good yarn on the whole. 

 

As for areas of improvement... Considering the extenuating circumstances of what went down in Brimstone, I think everyone was given a chance to shine commensurate with their desired participation level (at least I hope so!). I think you did a good job impressing upon us a sense of urgency, without being  remotely punitive for RL considerations, which was certainly appreciated.

 

However, I might counsel that going forward we might benefit from "the fear" being put into us by Huron or one of his goons to keep us all on track and impress that more strategic sense of urgency upon us and our broader development arc. I'm guessing you were sort of hoping to do that via Baraduk (RIP), but circumstances dictated otherwise with him. Obviously we're not part of a very top-down organization like the Deathwatch, so maybe a somewhat hands off approach is being taken in the short term to see if we can prove ourselves as being remotely useful to the Red Corsairs, with only minimal resources being spared to us as a risk mitigation strategy.

 

On the other hand, it's a large sandbox in which to play, so why not get sucked down rabbit holes and side-quests and the like? I'm rather looking forward to developing our relationship with this Rogue Trader, and I love the idea of RTs in particular utilizing assets of a less than savory reputation, bordering upon being actual strategic enemies, to engage in skullduggery and carry out political revenge plots.

 

Now then, about that generous XP reward we discussed earlier...

Edited Friday at 07:59 PM by Necronaut

[Mazer Rackham]

Thanks chaps for the comments thus far - obviously I'd like for our newer inductees to add anything they wish to, as I'd like to make sure people are feeling they're getting a good enough 'go' since the pace was rather hectic.

 

2 hours ago, Necronaut said:

As for areas of improvement... Considering the extenuating circumstances of what went down in Brimstone, I think everyone was given a chance to shine commensurate with their desired participation level (at least I hope so!). I think you did a good job impressing upon us a sense of urgency, without being  remotely punitive for RL considerations, which was certainly appreciated.

 

One of our core rules: Real Life Comes FIrst. Can't stress it enough. Happy Players are productive Players.

 

They also feel guilty for holding things up and then blub out really good posts, so it all works in the end.

 

2 hours ago, Necronaut said:

However, I might counsel that going forward we might benefit from "the fear" being put into us by Huron or one of his goons to keep us all on track and impress that more strategic sense of urgency upon us and our broader development arc. I'm guessing you were sort of hoping to do that via Baraduk (RIP), but circumstances dictated otherwise with him. Obviously we're not part of a very top-down organization like the Deathwatch, so maybe a somewhat hands off approach is being taken in the short term to see if we can prove ourselves as being remotely useful to the Red Corsairs, with only minimal resources being spared to us as a risk mitigation strategy.

 

Some parts and farts on this - the sandbox nature and Players in the driving seat mean I can't leverage force from Huron or his goons, and Baraduk (RIP? Sure?) is a facilitator and GM mouthpiece, nothing more. The real pressure comes from the Imperium, since there's an Inquisitor on your arse now, and you won't get any more scenes warning you he's coming.

 

The Imperium is watching for trouble, and you're it, and the Imperium has your scent. Whether you think it or not, you're always on the clock. You have to hit Infamy Threshold before you turn into a spawn, now you have to get enough momentum and allies brewing so the Imperium don't splash you in one strike, and gents, beware of stocking up too many enemies - because you've got three out here already, and you bet your sweet and sour butt cheeks I will use them.

 

2 hours ago, Necronaut said:

On the other hand, it's a large sandbox in which to play, so why not get sucked down rabbit holes and side-quests and the like? I'm rather looking forward to developing our relationship with this Rogue Trader, and I love the idea of RTs in particular utilizing assets of a less than savory reputation, bordering upon being actual strategic enemies, to engage in skullduggery and carry out political revenge plots.

 

This is the thing. You've got to balance rabbit-holing with dealing with the Imperium. Every side mission you go on gets the Loyalists that little bit closer.

 

Time, time is the most valuable resource.

 

2 hours ago, Necronaut said:

Now then, about that generous XP reward we discussed earlier...

 

Except for that.

 

Well, it's by the book, and it counts as a session, so as the Book Sayeth, So Shall It Be - 500xp.

 

There shall be no more, there shall be no less.

[Machine God]

Well I liked it as always. It flowed and we all played well together and interacted with some of the new Players.

 

I got to add to Kraggan's character and agenda's.

 

Luckilly Kraggan hasn't met, interacted or attracted the attention (That he or I know of) of the Thief-taker / Huntsman of Huron. 

 

Got a shiny new gem...

 

Some XP is as ever always appreciated but never begged for like Necro 

 

So XP maybe Infamy and Corruption?

 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

19 minutes ago, Machine God said:

Well I liked it as always. It flowed and we all played well together and interacted with some of the new Players.

 

Good, good.

 

19 minutes ago, Machine God said:

I got to add to Kraggan's character and agenda's.

 

Luckilly Kraggan hasn't met, interacted or attracted the attention (That he or I know of) of the Thief-taker / Huntsman of Huron. 

 

That you know of.

 

Someone, not going to say who, knows a LOT about you, old son.

 

19 minutes ago, Machine God said:

Got a shiny new gem...

 

Ah, is it a Necron gem? Because when the Players go to check their swag Noctilith, or any esoteric materials you took, it just isn't there anymore....like it faded away into nothing.

 

Next time, maybe.

 

19 minutes ago, Machine God said:

So XP maybe Infamy and Corruption?

 

Nope. Sorry. This was about survival, and you did nothing warranting it.

 

In fact, Infamy should have been lost because of all the Brotherly love going on - there are rules for 'dependency' in BC: Core, but you're Renegades, and this keeps backstabbing to a minimum (as planned....for now).

[Lysimachus]

Ok, my first XP spend will be Cold-Hearted. The immunity to Seduction will be useful if we ever meet Delly again, but right now I want the +1CP to put my Corruption up from 9 to 10 while I know my Alignment numbers are right to become Khorne Dedicated.

 

Quick question, though. What order do we do the Corruption tests, Alignment Checks and Chaos Gifts?

 

If we do the Alignment/Dedication Check first, Hagga will become Khorne Dedicated, meaning I can try to roll Inf to get a Khornate Gift. However, if that roll fails, I only get 1 roll on the normal Gifts table.

 

Alternatively, if I roll Gifts first and then Hagga's Alignment Check second, I don't get to try for a Khornate one (and I presumably don't get the Khornate extra bit of any ‘regular’ Gift), but I do get the 2 rolls and choose between them on the Gift table, giving me a touch more flexibility?

 

I'm really not sure which is preferable. Honestly, there are some Khornate ones that look great, but others I really don't want (yet) because I don't see Hagga being really obviously mutated or accepting a Daemon Weapon if he was offered one - he's just not there (yet)?

 

Likewise with the regular Gifts, if at all possible I don't want the mega mutations, so it might be good to have 2 options to choose from?

 

 

 

So, TL;DR - Reached 10 Corruption, Alignment Check or Chaos Gifts, which comes first?

 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

6 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

Ok, my first XP spend will be Cold-Hearted. The immunity to Seduction will be useful if we ever meet Delly again, but right now I want the +1CP to put my Corruption up from 9 to 10 while I know my Alignment numbers are right to become Khorne Dedicated.

 

Swift Attack: *pokes Hagga* 'You said...you said...' 

 

I mean, gooood, let the hate flow through you...

 

6 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

So, TL;DR - Reached 10 Corruption, Alignment Check or Chaos Gifts, which comes first?

 

Alignment > Gift (Gift = god of alignment at the time if not Unaligned).

 

So if you hit 10 CP, you check alignment. If you are Khorne aligned, you get Khorne gifts.

 

I roll it, though.

 

IIRC if you're aligned, I'm not sure you get to adjust it, as that's the benefit of Unaligned, you roll twice, then can kind of almost pick and choose by adjusting by your Infamy Bonus.

 

If you're aligned, you just get the one roll.

 

Edited Friday at 10:42 PM by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

6 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

 

Swift Attack: *pokes Hagga* 'You said...you said...' 

 

I do want that... ugh, it's a struggle to decide... thing is, if I do this first I get Swift Attack for 300 rather than 500...?

 

 

6 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Alignment > Gift (Gift = god of alignment at the time if not Unaligned).

 

So if you hit 10 CP, you check alignment. If you are Khorne aligned, you get Khorne gifts.

 

I roll it, though.

 

Ok, cool. So if Khorne Aligned, it just is a Khornate Gift? No options?

 

 

6 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

IIRC if you're aligned, I'm not sure you get to adjust it, as that's the benefit of Unaligned, you can kind of almost pick and choose.

 

Yep, I think that's right, less flexible but you get some good stuff?

 

 

Edited Friday at 10:47 PM by Lysimachus

[Necronaut]

@Mazer Rackham even when aligned you may modify your Gift of the Gods roll up or down by up to your Inf bonus, at least that's my reading of it. Additionally, if you are aligned upon crossing a corruption threshold, you may test against your Infamy to get a god-specific Reward. If you fail the infamy test then roll on the Gifts table per usual, though only once if aligned.

Edited Friday at 10:48 PM by Necronaut

[Mazer Rackham]

I will double check it, to make sure, but there's no rush.

 

EDIT: Ah! Superb, Mr @Necronaut, I had it wobbly.

 

This will be corrected.

 

Forgive me, I'm literally just back from GMing a Star Trek Adventures game and have Di-lithium chamber fatigue.

 

Edited Friday at 10:50 PM by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

Just had a look myself too...

 

Ok, Hagga takes Cold-Hearted, raising him to 10CP. He does his Alignment Check and, with 5 more Khorne advances than any other, becomes Devoted to Khorne.

 

Gifts: I might as well roll Inf and see if I can have a Khornate Gift - Inf30, Roll: ... ... 17!!! Noice!!! 

 

That will be a roll on the Khorne Gift table please Mr @Mazer Rackham?

 

I'll figure out what to spend the other 250xp on in a bit...

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

Just now, Lysimachus said:

That will be a roll on the Khorne Gift table please Mr @Mazer Rackham?

 

No worries, I'll nip down Tesco and see what's on the shelf.

[Machine God]

34 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

 

Good, good.

 

 

That you know of.

 

Someone, not going to say who, knows a LOT about you, old son.

 

 

Ah, is it a Necron gem? Because when the Players go to check their swag Noctilith, or any esoteric materials you took, it just isn't there anymore....like it faded away into nothing.

 

Next time, maybe.

 

 

Nope. Sorry. This was about survival, and you did nothing warranting it.

 

In fact, Infamy should have been lost because of all the Brotherly love going on - there are rules for 'dependency' in BC: Core, but you're Renegades, and this keeps backstabbing to a minimum (as planned....for now).

 

So no XP.

 

Alles klar!

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

6 minutes ago, Machine God said:

So no XP.

 

No, everyone gets 500xp.

 

Nobody gets Infamy or CP.

 

6 minutes ago, Machine God said:

Alles klar!

 

Alles klar, jetzt?

[Necronaut]

@Mazer Rackham yes you bring up a good point about us not being enough of ruthless, self-serving bastards. I was trying to moderate Ukalegon's descent into corruption, but the game mechanics and rules are not to be ignored.

[Mazer Rackham]

1 minute ago, Necronaut said:

@Mazer Rackham yes you bring up a good point about us not being enough of ruthless, self-serving bastards. I was trying to moderate Ukalegon's descent into corruption, but the game mechanics and rules are not to be ignored.

 

Think you've handled it well so far.

 

Thing is, BC is one wonky suppository away from being a nadger-splicing bonanza. The GM's job (depending on his humours) is to massage it - hence the Renegades preference over Legion-adherent. It's also a psychological benefit to having everyone be dirt poor. There is not really a scrabbling for resources, because so far, there's been nothing to scrabble over. Once pockets start bulging, or I start introducing partisan awards, oh yeah - fur is going to fly.

 

Or when we encounter Infamy imbalances....

[FabiusV4lcoran]

1 hour ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Thanks chaps for the comments thus far - obviously I'd like for our newer inductees to add anything they wish to, as I'd like to make sure people are feeling they're getting a good enough 'go' since the pace was rather hectic.

 

I've made my pleasure with the game clear.  At risk of being overly-complimentary, I have been looking for this experience for a long time.  I love the GMing, and I love reading the other players' posts.  This has been so much fun so far; I'm not ready to take a break. lol

 

Really the only problems I'm having are new player stuff.  Trying to make sure I'm not splitting up the group too much while doing things that make sense (Like Atesh being stuck in quarantine because I couldn't figure out a better way to write him hanging out and glomming on to others.)  But I'll figure that out.

 

As I stated before, I welcome constructive criticism.  If I mess up the flow with what I write, boop me on the nose with an iPad (since nobody has rolled-up newspapers anymore).

 

But I have ZERO complaints.  I'm already thinking about other characters I wanna play, so if this game is dangerously fatal that just gives me a chance to do my renegade Guard/ex-possessed Night Lord/whatever else pops in mind.

[Mazer Rackham]

22 minutes ago, FabiusV4lcoran said:

But I have ZERO complaints.  I'm already thinking about other characters I wanna play, so if this game is dangerously fatal that just gives me a chance to do my renegade Guard/ex-possessed Night Lord/whatever else pops in mind.

 

Oh, it's significantly fatal - if your head comes off your neck, you're dead-dead-dead. No Infamy Burn allowed, so it's doubly dangerous for you, Psykernaut, because a 100 on Perils and you can deaded that way, so, you're really pushing the boat out in your first game. 

 

Appreciate the kind words and your participation thus far. 

 

@Lysimachus It's a Collar of Khorne, (D100: 006).

 

Eska can grab you by the collar now! 

 

Edited Friday at 11:59 PM by Mazer Rackham

[FabiusV4lcoran]

The Perils were at least 85% of the reason I wanted to play this game. 

 

I look forward to my next character's introductory adventure: helping the rest of the Blackguards wrangle the spawn formerly known as Atesh to the cell we'll hold him in before we unleash him on Rogue-------on loyal Imperial citizens.