Xin Ceithan Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Rakash The Sorcerer kept his gaze on the feline, inclining his head just a fraction. A casual nod, one professional deviant to another. GM only Spoiler Is there anything Rakash can discern about whether it’s in some way something familiar ( like, say related to Delphy …) or if it might be something inherently infesting the Dredge already? 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160930 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necronaut Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) Ukalegon +I am syncing my nav-suite with yours, Obadiah. Lead us on! Varne, Mourn, thin this rabble!+ Hard Perception Test: Per39 - 20 = 19 D100: 95; 7 DoF Full Action: Assist Obadiah for future Navigation Test(s) Edited March 14 by Necronaut 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160931 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted March 14 Author Share Posted March 14 Rakash: ONLY Meiow? Spoiler GM: Hmm. An interesting query. The entity will know you're looking, and seeking to play with you to keep itself hidden. An Opposed Psyniscience would be appropriate, or perhaps some other manner of power or Willpower Test using Warp Sense. I leave it to you, Sorcerer, but the Test will be Opposed. 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160935 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgersinHills Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Acchiersum Mourn Missing at short range had been bad enough, and the bugger Varne had decided to rub salt in the wound. Words like these would have given that sharp wit the sharp edge of his sabre, in another life, in another heraldry. For the moment he settled for imagining using Varne as target practice. In great detail. "Most kind of you, brother", he voxed back, checking the shotgun for a jam. Thankfully the weapon had shown some grace and had decided to continue functioning. He'd let his blade say the rest, putting the gun away and drawing his sword. Spoiler Perception: 39 - 20 = 19 D100: 36 Half action: Holster shotgun. Free action: Draw sword. Half action: Aim. 4 1 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160938 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Father Ferrum Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Obadiah: He swept forward, Fate's Eye shouldered, ready to put a bolt between the eyes of anything that jumped out in front of him, but the main part of Obi's concentration was on pathfinding through the maze of corridors. The fug of smog compounded issues, but he was confident he could work their way through it. Spoiler Navigation Check Int 43 + 10 (Easy) + 10 (Assist from Ukalegon) = 63 Roll: 35. Pass, 2x DoS. 3 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160949 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xin Ceithan Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Rakash - staring intensifies - GM only Spoiler Going for the Willpower then - roll is 32 , apply Boni As Prescienceif applicable 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160964 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machine God Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Kraggan Illogical ++Magos Xerxes your analysis is correct. These constructs are not Servitors, they are aware. My opponent chose not to defend itself from my axe strike++ 5 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted March 14 Author Share Posted March 14 (edited) Rakash ONLY: Spoiler The edges of the universe begin to curve and peel inwards as though you're falling through a hole in the fabric of existence. You plunge through the eyes of the bestial shape taunting you, pulled inside until they become reality. You stand on a broken plane, with thunder cracking hollow in the distance, cold wind shuddering against the steel of your armoured skin. The sky boils with scarlet fury, clouds churning in the brilliant bloody colour of the sandbanks of irradiated Angstrom. Great leviathans of metal bestride the irradiated, metal-grit planet, unleashing contrails of blinding plasma fire and thunderclaps of bellowing warhorns as the gods of mechanical supremacy duel to the death. War churns around and above, in a strange divorced fashion, and you suddenly realised that this is your mind, an environment threaded together from the sum-total of subconscious collation of data reports, battle-chatter and hard experience of the long months of Badab's demise. There is a pressure at the edges of your soul, nails raking glass in screeching runnels against your psychic defences. Cracks appear. Whatever it is, it's trying to get in. Platform Four: The team continues to bolt down the corridors, the eerie trundle and squeak of battered locomotive treads against deck plate, the squish of feeding pumps long expended of their servitor nutrient paste. It is a mechanical moaning and sighing of something pushed to beyond, pushed to obey, pushed to spread their doom. Edited March 14 by Mazer Rackham 1 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160967 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xin Ceithan Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) Rakash Spoiler Amidst the insanity that both was and was not the destruction of Badab Prime, Cyrandras Rakash was running, dashing between crumbling buildings, over sudden cracks than pierced the planet’s cracks, ran, crashing through labyrinthine rows of walls , falling amidst waves of broken armacrystal shards… Somewhere on the Varangian sky bridge, he noticed he still clutched the broken remains of his force staff in his right. His gauntlet’s colour nervously glitching between electrum blue and an angry crimson like a broken hololith. Staring at it, he caught a reflection of movement just in time to throw himself sideways before a God-Machine punched a power fist the size of a tank where Rakash had been. The Sorcerer grunted. Badab had been bad. Really bad. No wonder someone, something had dredged it up to torment. A battle already lost. A desperate defense turned into a rout. A moment of bitterness. A moment of shame and defeat. All that, amplified, taken to ever increasing scale. This wasn’t Badab. This was sheer madness. “Well.” A grunt. “”Played.” He coughed up a laugh. It even tasted of iron and acid. “But I got away from here once already. “ He winced where the laugh met the hole in his chest. “Just watch me…. Unless you want to come down here and face me yourself?!” Rakash didn’t wait for an answer. He got up and continued to run. On the bridge of the Dredge, the armoured bulk of the Sorcerer suddenly began to sway, stumbling as servos whirred into action. A cogitator bank grumbled, spraying sparks as his left arm whirled up suddenly in response to something unseen. He drew a breath through gritted teeth, liquid fire pouring into his multi-lung. Then he pushed it out again, grunting, grasping with the effort it took to press each word out in rasping gasps. “Ry.. kaz…” Guts of steam geysered from his helmet’s vox grill. “Get. …That..” Another step saw him crashing through another row of equipment. Another grunt. Hoarfrost blossomed in his wake “That…bloody…cat….!! .” Edited March 15 by Xin Ceithan Now with psychic shenanigans 5 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160978 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 (edited) Hagga: Hagga watched as Koada directed the fire of the point defences. The main batteries were far too large for targeting the mining rigs, but guns and launchers designed to take out similarly sized assault craft were ideally suited to the task. The mortal seemed reasonably skilled, so the Executioner left him to it, and turned to see if Maribor had managed to make contact with the advance party. As he did, he heard Rakash say something under his breath. It sounded… strained? Was that Hagga's name he'd said? He looked over to see the Sorcerer staring up at the ship's cat that had popped out of the vent a few minutes before. What in Hel was the witch playing at? What was so interesting about the little animal sitting up on the lintel… and why did the Astral Claw seem to be… shaking…? “Get that…” Hagga started to move closer, trying to hear. As he did he was suddenly convinced that the felid was… dangerous? More than it appeared? And attacking the Corsair witch? Cyrandras confirmed the thought half a second later. “That… bloody… cat!” The Sorcerer suddenly stumbled, falling sideways against a cogitator bank. Ice was forming around him… “Delphynie…?!” Hagga growled angrily. Maybe, maybe not, but the assumption was natural, immediate, considering what he had seen less than an hour before. Without conscious thought, he was already drawing and raising his sidearm, aiming upwards and pulling the trigger. Quickdraw, Aim and Standard Shot with Plasma PistolBS41 +10(Aim) +10(Standard) +10(Short) -20(Puny Size?) = 51, Roll: 53! Miss (Just!) Damn. I'm not sure this will have any effect beyond being a distraction, which hopefully a close miss still will be anyway, so not worth rerolling I'd say? GM, if a Hit is needed I'll spend the Inf Point and try again? The superheated ball of plasma, lighting the shadows of the bridge, sailed scant inches past the animal's nose and exploded amidst the tubes and wires hanging from the ceiling. Edited March 15 by Lysimachus 2 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6160986 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 Dredge - Bridge: The cat clamps onto Acastus as the Plasma shot sizzles overhead with a look of absolute unholy joy on its face. The connection, or whatever it was, crippling the Sorcerer vanishes immediately as the creature looks to its own safety. It abandons the Senior Helmsman, who dives sideways to avoid the superheated energy bolt, and the felid leaps the five metres to the bridge ceiling, where it clamps to a panel, licking its lips. In the immediate stinking backwash of molten metal, singed hair and plastic slurry the cat slowly slinks across the ceiling, rolling hips and shoulders in the physical manifestation of disdain, until it slips into an open vent and vanishes. 'Claude' rights himself and looks at his console, and offers a very quick flick of his eyes to the giants in his midst. Whatever he was about to quip or say dies as his view slides off Hagga. He stands there, head bowed, trying desperately to control his shaking from the near miss, a riot of thoughts going through his head which obviously vary from fear he has offended, to relief that he wasn't killed on purpose. 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161004 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 (edited) Hagga: OOC: Oops, sorry GM, just looked back and saw that the cat had climbed down (I’d either missed it or forgot it!) Hagga watched as the felid scrambled upside down across the ceiling, plain evidence to all eyes that this was no ordinary cat. He looked down to see their helmsman shaking. “Be at ease, Acastus. Astartes very rarely miss. That shot was not aimed at you, rather to drive the beast away from you. As you could see, it is no normal animal. In fact, it is dangerous. All crew are ordered to avoid it at all costs, and report its location to the Astartes.” As he spoke, he walked towards Cyrandras and offered him a hand up. “Sorcerer, are you well? What was that creature?” Edited March 15 by Lysimachus 5 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161005 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xin Ceithan Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Rakash Astartes physiology allowed the Sorcerer to regain his balance when his next step fell on the smeared but reassuringly solid here of the bridge’s deck plating. He nodded towards Hagga, still panting. “My thanks, Brother”, Rakash offered between forced breaths. “Just. Give. Me. Moment” Inside the anonymity of his helmet, Cyrandras closed his eyes and began to control his breathing. Each still breath carried the taste of ash and acid. Throne be damned! That was close… When he opened his eyes, Rakash straightened, rising to his full height. ”There apparently is indeed one of the Neverborn afoot on the ship, just we suspected.” Though he was apparently primarily addressing Hagga, Rakash made sure his words would be heard the nearby crew at the least. The mortals were on edge and Cyrandras couldn’t afford to look weak in front of them - or the former Executioner. ”Luckily, I was able to detect it and then draw it in a contest of wills before it could do any serious harm here. It’s a being of considerable power as you might noticed from my struggle. Not an easy thing to do, restraining a Neverborn in such an improvised manner, but after our recent efforts, I thought we would not want the Dredge and it’s crew further degraded .” Rakash pointed at where the plasma bolt impact was rapidly cooling. ”Thus, it was vulnerable and forced to abandon the bridge when you threatened it on the physical plane and fled. “ The Sorcerer nodded again, and chuckled. ”Nice shot by the way. Good to see you are not only proficient with that sharp edge”, he added jovially in an attempt to disarm the situation. ++++ I think you are right, Brother.. +++ Rakash added privately over the Vox. His tone was much more tempered. +++ While I can not completely confirm that it is … our ecstatic associate…I can confirm that it’s certainly powerful. And it seems to follow us around. +++ 3 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161009 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Hagga: ++Throne, I don't much like the idea that she's shadowing us…++ Hagga let out a bark of black amusement. ++...but given that the other option is that there are two of them dogging our steps, I suppose I should be grateful if it is her…?++ 5 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161015 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xin Ceithan Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Rakash Cyrandras laughed. +++ Agreed. We have enough on our hands as it is. +++ And for a moment, he allowed himself the illusion that they were just two Astartes of the Maelstrom Wardens again, sharing a moment of grim amusement over some absurd shared experience. But it literally took only the blink of an eye, a glance from his warp infused gaze at the churning inferno on the Stygian’s forget to remind Rakash how far they were both removed from those days now. +++ The three of us cut that one loose on Khymara. No wonder there is a connection. But the Neverborn chose to reveal itself to you here. I will not insult you by suggesting that you are not aware of how.. dangerous that focussed interest might be. +++ Rakash carefully gestured towards the runic collar around Hagga’s neck while carefully trying to avoid focusing his gaze on it. His damn eyes were strained enough already. +++ Maybe it feels neglected knowing that you also drew the attention of another of the great Four, I wonder? +++ 2 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161028 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Hagga: ++I didn't ask for any of their attention, Sorcerer, and surely not from that Daemon-Witch…++ Rykaz grimaced beneath his crusader's helm, holding his hand still, refusing to reach up and touch the collar. The words he had heard as it had formed around his neck from the air itself rang again in his mind. He answered as calmly as he could, holding in a snarl. ++And if the Warbringer himself thinks to lay claim to me, to make me his slave, he'll get me on the same terms as your Lord Blackheart. I am no butcher, Rakash, no berserker. I am a warrior. I will do what I know to be honourable and right.++ He switched back to external vox. “Now, let's make contact with our comrades on that station!” 1 5 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161031 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necronaut Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Ukalegon ++Dredge, Ukalegon. En route to platform command centre. Meeting light resistance from servitors. No signs of life.++ 4 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161083 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Hagga: Hagga nodded. ++Good, brother. As requested, mining rigs have been eliminated. We should have full space superiority. We'll be ready to start the transfer as soon as you give the word.++ He switched to the ship's internal comms. ++Deckmaster Imjin, Pilot Honso, I want shuttles and boarding teams ready to go. Engineerium, dispatch half of your Adepts to the hangar to join the start-up crew.++ Then he raised his voice to address the bridge. “All second shift officers, take your stations. Primary shift officers, gather your gear and make your way to the hangar bay!” 5 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161086 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 Dredge, Bridge: The crew begin hand over. It is not a fast process, but it is done without unwanted delay. The men cluster about Jaina with an odd protective assembly, and half hustle her past the towering Marines. 'Gobby' Koada lives up to his name and doesn't even speak during the process. The Dredge becomes a strange hubbub of activity, like a man awakening from a deep slumber, rolling out of bed to squint at the alarm clock before grudgingly hauling forth into the busy day. There is plenty of work in the crew - possibly because recently very little has come out of them - but they obey due to the excitement if nothing else. The last functioning Krokodils are prepped and fuelled, with voidsuits being hastily checked as best the techs know how. An Armsman cadre, still bedecked in Battlefleet Maelstrom equipment, look a little more disciplined than the rest, their gear better looked after, and boarding shotguns in good order. They begin to load alongside the others, forming a protective element. Survival and support gear is loaded, Injin, the Deckmaster being the brighter of the dredge's dregs thinking ahead - taking no chances. Within twenty to thirty minutes, the last flying coffins are prepared. Honso slips up the gangramp to the Wasp, preparing it for flight and whoever is going with her. 4 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161087 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted March 16 Author Share Posted March 16 Dredge, Bridge 0133Hrs Zulu: The Comms line pings. +Unidentified vessel, this is Imperial Naval Patrol Group Ajax, of the Bastion Fleet. We have received a distress call from Platform Juno, and are monitoring what appears to be gunnery activity at her location. Provide a situation report and transmit credentials.+ 4 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161228 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojake Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 (edited) Varne Running ahead to keep up with the other, Varne let bolts fly as he sped through the fog, his auto-senses just barely perceiving clumps of targets shambling towards their group. Spoiler Half Action: Aim (3 servitors at 3 o'clock) Half Action: Semi-Auto Burst (Legion Bolter) Recoil Suppression (Armour System) to fire one-handed. Modifiers: Short Range +10, Aim +10 Roll: 19 Target: 72 (6 DoS) - 3 hits Hit Locations: Left leg, right leg, body Damage: 17 (2d10k1+9 (Tearing)) X / Pen 4 12 (2d10k1+9 (Tearing)) X / Pen 4 16 (2d10k1+9 (Tearing)) X / Pen 4 Edited March 17 by Mojake 4 1 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161232 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted March 16 Author Share Posted March 16 ROUND TWO ENDS: ROUND THREE BEGINS: Init Order: Spoiler Ukalegon 13 Kraggan 13 Obadiah 12 Mourn 11 Xerxes 10 Varne 9 Enemies: 5 Remain + 10 Spoiler Actions: Move Towards Players, 3 x Charge Distance: Visual (Short Range, so 10 - 15m*) Direction: 4 x 12 O'C, 2 x 3 O'C (Charge random 1D6) 1 = Mourn (Charged) 2 = Ukie (Charged) 3 = Kraggan 4 = Obadiah 5 = Xerxes 6 = Varne 5 x 5 O'C 1 x 6 O'C (Charge D6 = 6 Varne) 3 x 9 O'C Attacks: Spoiler Servitor 1: Mourn Attack + Charge: Miss Servitor 2: Ukie Attack + Charge: Hit (Arm) Dam: 16, Pen 2, R Servitor 3: Varne Attack + Charge: Miss [ ] Player Turn 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161255 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necronaut Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 (edited) Ukalegon A servitor from the group lumbering after them took it upon itself in its own limited way to storm ahead of its cohort in a fit of lobotomized, cybernetic pique and charged directly at Ukalegon, swiping at him with one of its brutish manipulator claws. The Lamenter easily side-stepped the blow, then feinted and pulled away from his assailant altogether. +Rargh! We no time for this!+ He scanned the available web of corridors available to them from the limited options available and directed them down another. Dodge Test: Ag51 + 10 (trained) = 61 D100: 21; 5 DoS OOC: with GM’s permission, and to help speed things along a bit with a lucky roll... Half Action: Disengage (Acrobatics Test) Acrobatics Test: Ag51 D100: 18; 4 DoS Ukalegon moves away 6m (half move) Free Action: quickdraw chainsword Half Action: Navigate (Surface) Test +10 Int35 + 10 = 45 D100: 04; 5 Dos Edited March 16 by Necronaut 3 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161279 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Hagga: Hagga had been just about to leave the bridge and join the teams aboard the Dredge’s shuttles and Krokodils, when the comms beeped. He let out a furious oath and yelled to the augur station. “Where is that coming from? How can there be a bloody Naval Patrol Group in range to detect our point weapons firing, but we didn't see or hear them coming?” 3 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161298 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted March 16 Author Share Posted March 16 Platform Juno: By instinct or sheer blind luck, your evasion sees you tumble over a railing and drop two metres to a lower mezzanine. Fortunately an emergency lantern points towards the dock. GM: 4+ DoS, gives you another shortcut, reducing travel by -1 Round. Dredge: The Second-shift Augur operatives are quick to work the instruments. 'Sir, echo repeats paint a small vessel which appears to be a light cutter, supported by a flotilla of strike craft broadcasting from within the asteroid field. They must be operating from somewhere deeper within the belt. I count four assault boats, but there are two bomber-class accompanying.' 2 1 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/383296-bc-the-blackest-heart-part-ii-ic/page/51/#findComment-6161302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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