[DW/SM] Spectre of Ullanor (OOC/Discussion)

[Trokair]

In case it helps either of you with planning, my intention are to have A knocking Afar concluded by end of October (ish). Now there has already been a slight schedule slip, and I am away for two weeks or so mid September,  so that might be more like end of November but I do want to have it finished in a timely manner.

 

 

Edit, On a different tangent, if we take Mazer up on all playing one chapter, dose anybody have any preference or any  ‘will not touch that chapter with a barge pole’ so that we can perhaps narrow down the list of chapters that we could all see ourselves playing as one chapter squad.

 

Personally no preference either way, I just picked WS in my earlier post as it is the closest (I think) option to exploring a character concept I want to explore further. I am however happy to make a new character to fit in with a mono chapter squad.

 

Edited Wednesday at 07:28 PM by Trokair

[Lysimachus]

Just a thought, but would it simplify things rules-wise if everyone went with Ultras - but we said it was a unit formed from the Ultramarine Honour Company, allowing a little more freedom of what actual Chapter the Marine is from?

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

There are a couple of Ultramarine Successors at Armageddon, so there's a bit of scope. Note that being the same Chapter means just that - so if the Chapter you're taking has to use the UM rules for Generation, that's what counts.

 

Novamarines, for example have their own rules, and therefore do not count as the same Chapter, since they're divergent. This is RAW how it works.

 

Edited Wednesday at 09:21 PM by Mazer Rackham

[A.T.]

Ultramarine successors do have the benefit of allowing the player to pick any two characteristics to increase rather than being locked in.

 

Though they do have the drawback of being smurfs.

[Xin Ceithan]

1 hour ago, A.T. said:

..

Though they do have the drawback of being smurfs.

… at least for once I might be able to get a mini in for a game though! No need to kitbash, just pick a Smurf straight from the box ! 
 

Might be a Bit of a struggle to come up with a theme for an UM char here though

 

Bit of a shame that BT are out front - Armageddon War seemed to call for a group of questing Templars slaughtering Greenskin along the way 

 

in other news ( and disregarding completing the game rule wise), I could see for Mono Chapter group:

 

Flesh Tearers 

( because chain swords and orks… Roaar! )

 

Space Wolves

because Epic Sagas are born from this

 

Raptors

because if you go all Practical / Theoretical anyway, at least do it in style 

( Bonus- NAM soundtrack for missions in the equatorial jungles )

 

 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

Upon reflection, and the subtle but wholly gentlemanly sighs of dissapointment, I will adjust the restrictions and permit FT and BT characters.

 

All I will say, is that you better all be prepared to put up with the 'bobbins' such Chapters incur.

 

I will also be doing something similar to Murderers In Black, where I set up an armour table and roll for your options with the normal choices (one up/down on the chart), or if you have a particular Chapter trait, such as Grailkeeper's Marines Malevolent, thier armour is always scavenged, so something like Destroyed and Rebuilt will be the History for his armour.

 

Proposed Armour Mark Rule Table is D10:

 

1 = Mk V

2-3 = Mk VI

4-9 = Mk VII

0 = Mk VIII

 

Thoughts?

 

Edited Thursday at 10:18 AM by Mazer Rackham

[Machine God]

@Mazer Rackham is GM a SM Game. Did you really need to ask? 

Of course I will play!!! 

[Xin Ceithan]

In all seriousness, if there’s a clear narrative reason for the game you have in mind to exclude certain chapters, please do so - there’s no need to spoil the plot.
It just felt a bit arbitrary in a campaign that already has background featuring their involvement ( so that may be the point ? Giving others a place to shine? ).

And since we were discussing possible mono chapter groups, I thought it odd to exclude a chapter that recruits over the whole Imperium for background diversity.

 

( Also I tried googling what the heck  the Tom Cruise reference might be in the context of RPGs but fell flat - might someone enlighten me before I get into trouble ?! ) 

[Machine God]

1 hour ago, Xin Ceithan said:

… at least for once I might be able to get a mini in for a game though! No need to kitbash, just pick a Smurf straight from the box ! 
 

Might be a Bit of a struggle to come up with a theme for an UM char here though

 

Bit of a shame that BT are out front - Armageddon War seemed to call for a group of questing Templars slaughtering Greenskin along the way 

 

in other news ( and disregarding completing the game rule wise), I could see for Mono Chapter group:

 

Flesh Tearers 

( because chain swords and orks… Roaar! )

 

Space Wolves

because Epic Sagas are born from this

 

Raptors

because if you go all Practical / Theoretical anyway, at least do it in style 

( Bonus- NAM soundtrack for missions in the equatorial jungles )

 

 

 

 

@MazerRackham said No First Founding and correct us All if you can but IIRC the Space Wolves are First Founding.

 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

12 minutes ago, Xin Ceithan said:

In all seriousness, if there’s a clear narrative reason for the game you have in mind to exclude certain chapters, please do so - there’s no need to spoil the plot.
It just felt a bit arbitrary in a campaign that already has background featuring their involvement ( so that may be the point ? Giving others a place to shine? ).

And since we were discussing possible mono chapter groups, I thought it odd to exclude a chapter that recruits over the whole Imperium for background diversity.

 

No, it's fine, I was persuaded. Arbitrary, it was not. Had a reason, I did, hmm yes.

 

Matters now, it does not. Hmm.

 

12 minutes ago, Xin Ceithan said:

( Also I tried googling what the heck  the Tom Cruise reference might be in the context of RPGs but fell flat - might someone enlighten me before I get into trouble ?! ) 

 

Shhh! Not so loud! Look son, we don't mention Tom Cruise around here. Capisce?

 

One day, I'll explain it, but for now, just be cool...

 

12 minutes ago, Machine God said:

@MazerRackham said No First Founding and correct us All if you can but IIRC the Space Wolves are First Founding.

 

I double-checked the first post, and I haven't excluded 1st Founding that I know of, or subsequently...it is important, as Space Wolves ats of Armageddon have no successors, and it would have effectively banned them...

 

No, IIRC, First Founding are fine, the chapters on Armageddon are restrictive enough.

Edited Thursday at 11:15 AM by Mazer Rackham
Yoda and Tom Cruise

[Machine God]

7 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

 

No, IIRC, First Founding are fine, the chapters on Armageddon are restrictive enough.

 

@MazerRackham - Sorry I misread FT thinking it said FF. 

 

So no Flesh Tearers. 

 

Black Dragons then. 

 

 

 

 

[Lysimachus]

The more I think about it, although the mono-Chapter thing is probably more realistic/fluffy, I think the usual variety of Chapters is probably more fun/interesting for actual role-play?

 

-1 Cohesion cost for Squad Actions isn't such an amazing boost that it makes it an obvious choice, either?

 

I dunno, maybe it would be fluffy to have 2 or 3 players from one Chapter (as a core group of survivors from a previous fight or something?) joined by a few individuals from other Chapters?

[Xin Ceithan]

Might be a nice change of pace to Deathwatch or Shattered Legions for a game to focus on a core group from a specific Chapter ( with the option of a few strays ) ?
 

I’d the challenge is using a Chapter with an interesting enough background / origins so that players are able to make their own role stick without needing to be special.

 

E.g. For a Star Wars analogy you could build a game around Clone Troopers without having to go to the deviancies of the “Bad Batch” but it’s probably less fun if everyone is playing the more automata Imperial Stormyroopers.

 

( I admit I’m not that much into UM lore  apart from them being Romans in Space and everyone going all “Theoretical! Practical!”  In conversations  )

Edited Thursday at 12:56 PM by Grotsmasha
=] Removed Flagged Word [=

[Mazer Rackham]

@Trokair

 

You asked about a bike. Not sure if I answered you, as I'm on the fly today, but I would have no problem if you 'bought' the bike as Signature Wargear. That offer is open to anyone. If you pick Assault, and want a bike, you must swap your Jump-pack for an Astartes Shotgun (with 3 magazines - or a Bolter etc we can discuss) and a couple of random grenades (I will generate). Note that whilst Angels of Redemption are present, I don't want enhanced Archetypes like Ravenwing Vet, which I should have stipulated along with Tyrannic War Vets.

 

On SGW, note that if you're a Tac, and you take 'Right gear for the Job', that counts as SGW for the purposes of having the Talent - ie, can't take it twice. Also, I might alter what RGFTJ does, so stand by on that one.

 

Edited Thursday at 03:18 PM by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

With that answered, thank you, a further question to the other potential players, if I may.

 

 

How would you all feel if instead of playing a Tactical (or Veteran) style squad we play a Bike squad.  

 

One person grabs a sidecar for their bike so that the devastator has a ride and a heavy weapon (and those two player would have to coordinate while on the move) and the rest grab bikes and of we go (GM permitting of course).

[Mazer Rackham]

I'm amenable.

 

Tried a bike game before, but it dropped off. Up to you guys as Players, but sure.

[Machine God]

But I thought that Techmarine Bikers were made Legend? 

[Mazer Rackham]

He can have a bike, but no Servo-arm.

 

3rd Ed.

[Trokair]

46 minutes ago, Machine God said:

But I thought that Techmarine Bikers were made Legend? 

 

Just don't tell James. 

 

13 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

He can have a bike, but no Servo-arm.

 

Can the bike have a Servo-arm? 

[Mazer Rackham]

49 minutes ago, Trokair said:

Can the bike have a Servo-arm? 

 

Yes.

 

[Trokair]

In addition to the Bike/Attack Bike in DW:Rights of Battle there is a Scout Bike in RT:Into the Storm. 

 

[Xin Ceithan]

3 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:.

 

Tried a bike game before, but it dropped off.

I see what you did there 

 

3 hours ago, Machine God said:

But I thought that Techmarine Bikers were PURE METAL? 

 

There.   That‘s better!

 

You‘re welcome! 

[Mazer Rackham]

18 minutes ago, Xin Ceithan said:

I see what you did there 

 

Audience appreciation, and that of a fellow professional, is always welcome ;)

[Lord_Ikka]

I'm down for anything, I have no real opinion on the mono-Chapter versus more DW-style of organization, or about playing a bike squad. I was leaning towards a Devastator or Tac marine, as far as that goes.

[Mazer Rackham]

Let's start thinning our options so we can move on with planning, since we're still wheel-spinning spitballing due to the upcoming reorgainsation. I think with people adamantly backing a Chapter of choice, we can rule out mono Chapter, which will have to be for next time. Similarly, we have no consensus on bikes, so I'm going to leave that choice up to individual Players with the options I have presented above.

 

My roadmap going forward, just to reorganise my thoughts into some viable schedule of play is this:

1. This game will continue planning and onboarding, but we need to pace it out with other stuff.
2. When Murderers In Black concludes, this (Armageddon placeholer name) will begin to ramp up for launch.
3. Time of Reaving if still in play, will be concurrent with this game, but Armageddon is different enough that it does not detract from that game
4. Blackest Heart will recommence shortly after Time of Reaving goes into recess.
   1. Note there are timing caveats here which I am weighing up - notably that BH will not automatically start if Armageddon is still in active play.
   2. BH will not resume from the previous chapter - I'm going to tie it off and let it sink. Chapter 2 will be the launch point.
5. All Solo Play games have already been discussed.

 

For this game, then, we have:

• AT with a UM-based stabby man
• Mike Zulu with a Silver Skull (Prognosticar-Librarian)
• Tro with a WS (mounted or not)
• Xin with a Mentor Legionnaire?
• Grail with a Marine Malevolent
• MG with a Black Dragon, or FT (they're legit now)
• Necro...?
• Ikka with a Tacman or Gunman
• Lysi..?

If I've missed anyone, give me a shout, otherwise, correct me and extrapolate.

 

Cheers.

 

Edited Friday at 01:37 PM by Mazer Rackham
Guff