Iron Gods: TNG (Info and Recruitment Thread)

[Lysimachus]

Iron Gods: The ‘Unnumbered Sons’ of Talek Varn

 

Four and a half Terran years have passed since the recovery of the Pride of Kings by the infamous Kill-Team Cutlass. Talek Varn's plans have moved ahead just as he ordered, and the Iron Gods have grown in strength, tightening their hold on the Solios Nebula and deepening their influence on the worlds around its border. In the ongoing upheaval of Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade, more renegades have joined Varn, increasing his pirate fleet and bringing the number of Iron Gods veterans up to near the two hundred mark.

 

However, this number has been greatly augmented by the work of Magos Octavius and Chief Apothecary Vesalius, using the genetic laboratories transferred from the Pride to the Crag to create more than one hundred new Astartes. Years of tireless work are now coming to fruition as this first generation of recruits have been implanted with the Black Carapace, and are now ready to begin making use of the vast stores of MkVI power armour taken from the Pride.

 

Hundreds more neophytes are progressing through the initiation process, and in years to come will follow their older brethren into battle. The Iron Gods have been recruiting from all around the Solios Nebula; taking male children from brutal Feral World tribes, from the criminal gangs of hives or voidships, or from anywhere that the banner of rebellion and insurrection has risen. The geneseed used in the creation of these Astartes is a secret known to only a handful. Perhaps it has been looted from some defeated foe? Or maybe it has been taken from the Iron Gods themselves? Perhaps it is some hideously experimental hybrid of genelines? Maybe it is the genetic material of Talek Varn himself, replicated a hundred times so that these warriors can truly be called his sons?

 

Whatever the case, all of these brave young warriors will undoubtedly be needed.

 

Only a few months have passed since the Great Rift, the Cicatrix Maledictum, opened, and suddenly the backwater of the Solios Nebula has found itself only a few Subsectors away from a vast new warfront against the most terrible of enemies, the devotees and daemons of Chaos. Armies of the damned have marched forth from the Rift, killing and enslaving. Latent psykers have erupted with sudden power, ravaging their own kind. Xenos forces have made best use of the disruption of Imperial strength, raiding and reaving with impunity.

 

Varn has extended the borders of his personal Protectorate, declaring that he will shelter the people of all his worlds, even if the Imperium cannot or will not. The Solios Nebula, with the Crag at its heart, will be a bulwark that will defend mankind.

 

It seems possible that the words of prophets, both human and xenos, are coming true… Perhaps Talek Varn and his Iron Gods are… saviours?

 

 

 

[Lysimachus]

Hello gents! This post is really just to provide some info for what this game setting will be about. I’ve also done a bit of work for Character Creation, just to give a framework that might help spark some ideas of who the PCs could be.

 

Use 2nd Gen Iron Gods Character Sheet (I will send links for this to anyone who wishes to join in!)

 

 

As before, they replace DW Training with Hatred of Authority, which works against any enemy with the ‘Adeptus’ title.

However, also note that the sheet also removes several of the Skills/Talents that DW Marines start with. This represents the lack of proper hypno-indoctrination, plus that these are not veteran Space Marines. They are brand new recruits at the earliest stage of gaining the Black Carapace and being shoved into Power Armour at the first opportunity (aged approx 18, comparable to how Blood Claws serve in the SW Chapter?)

I've also added Survival to all sheets, as I think it is an error that all Marines don't have it as one of their Starting Skills.

 

 

 

Generate Characteristics: (as usual, may roll with 1 reroll, or use 100 point assignment method)

 

 

Geneseed: Essentially unknown. All players roll a d10. I will then determine what effect(s) this may or may not have…! 

 

 

But what will have more effect on individual characters is their background, both in terms of environment and their childhoods.

 

Choose Recruiting Homeworld:
Feral: +5Str, +3Per, +2Ag, Survival+10
Feudal: +5WS, +3Wp, +2Fel, Wrangling, Double Team
Agri: +5T, +3Wp, +2Str, Sound Constitution (x1)
Civilised: +5BS, +3Fel, +2Int, Common Lore: Administratum, Language: High Gothic, Literacy
Hive: +5WS or BS, +3Int, +2Ag, Paranoia
Void: +5Ag, +3Per, +2BS, Pilot: Shuttle/Voidcraft

 

Choose Personal History:
Brawler: +2T, Hardy, Carouse
Firebrand: +3Fel, Command, Air of Authority
Plotter: +3Int, Demolition, Foresight
Hunter: +2Per, Tracking+10, Marksman
Trickster: +3Ag, Deceive, Gamble, Sleight of Hand
Savage: +2WS, Berserk Charge, Street Fighting

 

 

Choose Archetype:
Tactical
Assault
Devastator
Apothecary
Techmarine
Librarian

 

(Initially, Squad Mode will not be in use. Characters should therefore take the Solo Mode Ability where there is a choice. Swapping may become possible at a later date)

 

 

Spend starting 1000XP:

 

Taken from: Archetype Characteristic Advances, Archetype Rank 1, General SM Rank 1, Iron Gods Rank 1

 

 

Chapter Advance Tables are not used, but specific and appropriate Chapter Advances might be taken as Elite Advances with GM agreement. (Similarly, if someone wants to take a Librarian and take a Psychic Power from a particular Chapter Discipline, we can discuss that too)

 

Deeds will not be used, as all characters are brand new recruits, unlike the (already) veteran Marines who join the DW.

 

 

Generate Movement, Wounds: (as DW crb)

 

 

All Characters begin with 2 Fate Points.

 

 

Equipment:

 

Armour: All Characters are equipped from the stores retrieved from the Pride of Kings, so all have factory fresh MkVI armour. As such, it does not gain any Armour Histories. (However, each Character is given freedom to decorate their armour with the grey and red of the Iron Gods in whatever pattern they wish, so do so as you see fit!)

Personal Trapping: Select any Chapter Trapping (with appropriate fluff justification and GM approval)

Weapon Encumbrance: As with my previous games, even allowing for the huge weights Astartes can lift/carry, there are limits to how many guns you can strap to yourself. Max weapons carry is as follows:

A) Heavy weapon + (1 Basic weapon) OR (2 Pistol/Melee)
B) Basic weapon + (2nd Basic + 1 Pistol/Melee) OR (3 Pistol/Melee)
C) 4 Pistol/Melee
 
1st Combat Knife, any (non-weapon) Chapter Trappings, Grenades and Ammo, plus any smaller pieces of equipment (within reason!) do not count towards the above carrying limits.

Ammo (Rule of 3): One thing I am including from other games, all weapons are considered to start with 3 Clips - 1 in the gun and 2 Reloads. Ammo expenditure will need to be recorded.

Other Gear: As per DW list, except no Fire Selector or SIA as standard gear. Tactical Marines may select one of: Combat Shield, Flamer, Plasma Pistol, Power Axe, Power Sword, Scout Armour, Shotgun, Sniper Rifle

Req and Renown: Req points will be quite low, until such time as these new recruits have proved their worth to the Iron Gods. However, given the abundant stores taken from the Pride of Kings, Infamy (Renown) will be considered as 1 Level higher than it actually is, i.e. start at Respected.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 7 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

Is that Howling Griffon Libby still on the table, squire?

[Necronaut]

It's finally happening! This is so cool; love what you did with the Rogue Trader style approach to origin world as opposed to a parent chapter. Pencil me in for a techmarine!

Edited June 7 by Necronaut

[Trokair]

Sign me up

 

Thinking a Feudal or Agri Hunter... so I guess Tactical and swap for either Scout Armour or Snipper rifle. 

[Necronaut]

On the subject of scout armour, I was almost going to suggest we start off in scout armor and have to "earn" or Mark VI suits through missions/trials, but starting off fully armoured does make sense narratively as the IG are renegades/mercenaries and are not exactly resource rich.

Edited June 7 by Necronaut

[Trokair]

2 minutes ago, Necronaut said:

On the subject of scout armour, I was almost going to suggest we start off in scout armor and have to "earn" or Mark VI suits through missions/trials, but this does make sense narratively.

 

I like this, have the entier squad start as a 'Scout' scquad. 

[Machine God]

I'm in! I'm not missing this!!!

 

Please.

 

What is the name of the World where everyone had to give Talek Varn one eye?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 7 by Machine God
Iron Gods Lore question.

[Mazer Rackham]

So, let me get this right - in my game, players beg, threaten and bribe me into giving them sealed armour. In this game, you're volunteering to float aimlessly in zero-g, and choke to death on hard vacc.

 

Hmm.

 

[Necronaut]

Listen, if you chose to go sans vac-sealed armour in Black Crusade, that's entirely on you!

[Machine God]

10 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

So, let me get this right - in my game, players beg, threaten and bribe me into giving them sealed armour. In this game, you're volunteering to float aimlessly in zero-g, and choke to death on hard vacc.

 

Hmm.

 

 

No only @Trokair as he always wants to push the envelope.

 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

5 minutes ago, Machine God said:

...envelope.

 

 Funny way of saying body-bag, but ok.

[Machine God]

1 hour ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Is that Howling Griffon Libby still on the table, squire?

 

How would we know, his armour is Black and he bears no Chapter Heraldry.

 

Is he wearing a Dressing Gown?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 7 by Machine God
Getting the Angles right.

[Lysimachus]

1 hour ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Is that Howling Griffon Libby still on the table, squire?

 

Yep, sure... well, sort of? As mentioned above, there won't really be Chapter specific stuff in the game, but if there is a particular psy power from the HG you were looking to take on a Librarian, that is something we can talk about?

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Necronaut said:

On the subject of scout armour, I was almost going to suggest we start off in scout armor and have to "earn" or Mark VI suits through missions/trials, but starting off fully armoured does make sense narratively as the IG are renegades/mercenaries and are not exactly resource rich.

 

I did consider it, but because the IG now have so much Power Armour from the stores on the PoK ready to be used, its quite possible they have less Scout Armour than PA, and as soon as they can put someone in it, they do! Hence the whole Blood Claw style new recruits straight into full armour!

 

 

 

35 minutes ago, Machine God said:

What is the name of the World where everyone had to give Talek Varn one eye?

 

Hmm, I'd need to check this myself... note that this may have happened some time ago, so probably wouldn't apply to the recruit themselves - rather their parents, aunts, uncles, etc, etc.

 

Edit:

 

Quote

... the Agri-world, Feraxus II. The Feraxians...

 

So you be locked into Agri-world as your Homeworld?

 

Good point, though, that the Index Traitoris: Iron Gods mentions several worlds that the IG have visited, if people are looking for ideas!  (Obviously not limited to just those worlds, though!)

 

 

 

 

Edited June 7 by Lysimachus

[Lysimachus]

@Trokair - Tactical

@Necronaut - Techmarine

@Mazer Rackham - Librarian

@Machine God - ???

 

I'm thinking 7 or 8 players, up to 10 as an absolute max if there is enough interest, but that is a cracking start already!

 

[Mazer Rackham]

20 minutes ago, Machine God said:

Is he wearing a Dressing Gown?

 

Funny way of saying Kilt, but ok.

 

17 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

Yep, sure... well, sort of? As mentioned above, there won't really be Chapter specific stuff in the game, but if there is a particular psy power from the HG you were looking to take on a Librarian, that is something we can talk about?

 

Derp. No, it's ok, I was looking to use the Chapter Advance tables, but missed that bit about elite advances only.

 

Brain no wordy.

 

Edited June 7 by Mazer Rackham

[A.T.]

Had an old Carcharodons character build that could be adjusted to fit. Tactical, stormbolter with combat sight trapping working towards a custom sig wargear/weapon charm combo if that would be possible.

 

Set up as an almost techno-barbarian background from the depths of some hulk, hive, or warn-torn post apocalyptic world. Superstitious but pragmatic, mastery of smaller weapons.

[Necronaut]

Alright, my techmarine will be a hiver by origin, and a devious, paranoid git at that. Ready to lock and load once the char sheets are dispersed.

 

Oh and a random geneseed roll for good measure (read: fun): 8 (d10).

Edited June 7 by Necronaut

[Xin Ceithan]

Hah! Another opportunity to fail miserably at participating in one of  @Lysimachus games?!  
 

Let’s tempt fate and and at the very least see what the geneseed origin would Look like (d10): 3

[Trokair]

2 hours ago, Machine God said:

No only @Trokair as he always wants to push the envelope.

 

Just making things interesting by trying different options. 
 

2 hours ago, Lysimachus said:

I did consider it, but because the IG now have so much Power Armour from the stores on the PoK ready to be used, its quite possible they have less Scout Armour than PA, and as soon as they can put someone in it, they do! Hence the whole Blood Claw style new recruits straight into full armour!

 

Fair enough. 

 

1 hour ago, Necronaut said:

Alright, my techmarine will be a hiver by origin, and a devious, paranoid git at that. Ready to lock and load once the char sheets are dispersed.

 

Iron Gods lore question for Lys, how do specilisations such as Techmarine get trained, as they cant be sent to Mars? Is it basicly an extensive mentoring by one of the Techmarines that defected fro mthe Imperium? 

[Mazer Rackham]

Geneseed roll: 7

[Necronaut]

@Trokair that's more or less what I would think: aspirants who show natural ability coupled with hard-won practical knowledge acquired while still youths would be apprenticed to a renegade techmarine, which would lead to highly idiosyncratic, individualistic and iconoclastic techmarines with a very skewed world-view relative to those steeped in the mysteries of the Omnissiah.

Edited June 7 by Necronaut

[Necronaut]

Edit: double post. Having weird network connectivity issues today. 

Edited June 7 by Necronaut

[Mazer Rackham]

19 minutes ago, Necronaut said:

Edit: double post. Having weird network connectivity issues today. 

 

Wait, aren't you a Techmarine? 

[Necronaut]

8 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

 

Wait, aren't you a Techmarine? 

 

The Omnissiah's Will is as deep as it is mysterious.