Dark Heresy: The Oremor Affliction IC

Game Master Rookseye

On the agri-world of Oremor, at the very fringes of the Malfian sub-sector, acolytes of the Inquisition and their allies must confront a sinister conspiracy that threatens to shake the very foundations of the Calixis sector.


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Male Human Outlaw

Shaking my head realizing I made a novice mistake. Leprade has ways of finding things out. I make a gesture for Mollene to be silent.

I scan the room for bugs. Checking likely places that the Inquisition trained me to search, as well as subtle tricks. Like getting feedback in my microbead when I get to close to another device.

Security Test (1d100=24)

Made it by 2 degree's. Not including bonus's for the multi tool since I am not sure they are applicable.


Ahmazzi wrote:
The Oubliette

Still waiting on Ryuk's balance check (unless is miss my guess, that attack missed by a lot more than 20). However, we are ganging up on the Plauge Toad, which gives us a +20 bonus for outnumbering it 3:1 (or +10 for 2:1 if Launce doesn't count).

If Ryuk falls, Vincent will try to catch him, otherwise he will make an all out attack on the Toad.


AGILITY 1d100 ⇒ 62

Rook can Ryuk activate Wall Walk?

Wall Walk 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8


The Oubliette

Ryuk overswings. The weight of the unwieldy, improvised weapon carries the psyker too far forward, and he slips on the severed, worm-like tongue of the toad-thing. Blood and bile are now pooling upon the floor of the skiff from the wriggling appendage, rendering it quite slick.

Ganging Up would count against the plague toad, providing a +10 circumstance bonus to hit, but that still is not enough with the relevant modifiers to make the attack hit by less than 20. I just noted on the round summary that I wrote Challenging [+0] Balance skill test. That should read Challenging [+0] Agility characteristic test instead.

Ryuk, your Agility test failed by less than three degrees, so you will fall Prone instead of off the skiff. You may hold your activating Wall Walk roll until your turn if you like (I'd rule that using it would grant a +30 circumstance bonus for Agility tests related to balance), it will require a Half Action on your part (note it will also require a Half Action to rise from Prone) so I will leave the choice to you.

Vincent, feel free to attack.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

Security skill test is successful, Sav.

Savalos' questions go unanswered as Mollene tries to compose herself, but he notices something, some minute change in her demeanor when he mentions the Eviscerator that raises the hairs on the back of his neck. At first he thinks that it is a sign that she is complicit in Leprade's crimes. What else could the fleeting recognition that passes so subtly across her face be? He goes rigid, the question about pillow talk with the Intelligencer falling from his lips almost as an afterthought, a stall so that he can watch Mollene more closely as she resists the urge to finger one of her large earrings. He sees the slight tremor from her left hand, wanting to go to her ear, an instinct the Inquisition mercilessly drills out of all of its covert operatives in the earliest days of their rigorous training. Even by controlling the compulsion she has revealed enough.

Eyes still fixed on hers, without another word, Savalos rises from his settee, his intent to make a casual circuit of the room looking for anything amiss. When he gets up he notices Mollene's body tense ever so slightly, the corded muscles on her calves and thighs going taut. Come to think of it, her build is harder and more angular than most of the smile girls he has met in his time; more an athletic physique than the voluptuous ones favored by most clientele. Her eyes betray her as well, they are the watchful eyes of someone keyed up for action, always ready to react to violence. Not in the manner of a smile girl regularly beaten by her patron, either. No, this is a woman who knows how to ably defend herself. Trying to remaining blasé, he moves toward the liqueur cabinet, as if to pour a refreshment for himself. Discreetly looking around the room, he listens to his microbead, noting how the background static rises in pitch the closer he gets to Mollene and the wall with the door to the adjoining room. He only has the barest second to notice it, as abruptly, his microbead link dies.

Turning back around he looks to the ceiling and the chained glow-globes suspended above. Above his head he notices in three of those hanging over the sunken lounging area the vague silhouettes of small spheres secreted within.

Flicking his glance back to Mollene he sees that she has donned a pair of glare-shades...no, a photo-visor. The tracks of the false tears still showing through her pale cosmetics are completely incongruous to her new posture, one Savalos is intimately familiar with from his life in the Underhive: the stiff, uncompromising stance of an arbitrator prepared to make an arrest.


Male Human Outlaw

Seeing her don the shades its clear who betrayed Srina. Hopefully I will be able to find her, and rescue her from Leprades thugs. She has a good heart, and trusted in me. Owe her that much.

Taking advantage of my furs being folded under my arm. I grip my scerrido out of Mollene's sight.

"So how do you want to handle things Sweet Cakes?"


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Lux-Suite Tower #3 Lift Lobby

So intent is Uriah on watching the trio of arbitrators loitering in the lobby, it takes him several seconds before he realizes that his microbead has quite abruptly gone dead. Almost simultaneously, the three men begin to make their way over to he and Bothle, as if they knew who they were looking for all along, and were only feigning their prior surveillance.

The voidborn immediately recognizes their leader as they roughly push their way through the milling patrons.

It is Sgt. Luthos from the 77th Precinct.


The Grey Way, The Vermillion Ring, Hypogeum Sub Level B, Cogitator Hub Cross-Conduit Terminus #117

Kaltos scans his attention across multiple pict monitors, trying to take in everything at once while paying closest attention to Lux Tower Suite #3's lift lobby and the southernmost corridor of the same structures 7th floor, where Einhardt lurks like a shadow at the corner where two hallways meet.

His eyes flash to the the sergeant's position as a door bursts open behind him, and two men clad in Arbites riot armor storm out, each clutching a shock maul in one hand and a small, hand-held autogun in the other. They move soundlessly on the flickering screen to rush him from the rear..

The tech-priest hears Ivaanov's wheezing indrawn breath of surprise through his vox-grill, and Kaltos then turns to view the lobby monitor, which shows that the three arbitrators formerly watching from one of the alcoves have turned to move with a clear purpose toward Uriah and the clerk from the 7th Legion's claustrum.

Wasting no time, The Disciple of Sollex shouts a loud warning for both into his 'bead, but is answered only by dead silence. Although his microbead still functions, the others have had theirs disabled somehow.

To make matters worse, he looks up to see the furtive movement of several armed figures clad in Yellobouros leathers and colors moving down the narrow service corridor from either side of the Cogitator Hub's solitary entry door. Hearing the footfalls, Hurchal and Kotts are already readying their weapons.


Does the guardsman have helmets that look to have ir or other nightvision like enhancements?


Ahmazzi wrote:

The Oubliette

Vincent, feel free to attack.

Regaining his footing, Vincent strikes once more at the beast, but his swing goes wide.

All out Attack : Weapon Skill 24 - 20 + 10 + 10 + 20 = 44 : 1d100=68

Agility 40 : 1d100=44


Kaltos Havelock wrote:
Does the guardsman have helmets that look to have ir or other nightvision like enhancements?

Not at present Kaltos, they left their helmets behind in the safehouse along with their contaminated fatigues following the battle at Geltdown docks. They currently still wear their flak armor, although it is now worn beneath the generic dark gray fatigues favored by Dunkan's enforcers.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

Clenching his father's blade beneath his furs, Savalos is not surprised when she does not answer his question, her face remaining impassive, without any discernible emotion. He is fairly certain now that this is not Mollene.

She takes a few quick steps backward, and says a simple word, a command not meant for him, but rather for those who have been listening in all along.

"Now."

Savalos hears the faint click as the chains suspending the glow-globes to the ceiling above the sunken lounge area detach, and watches as they seem to fall in slow motion to shatter into thousands of sparkling shards on the glass table beneath, like some improvised, spontaneous light-art from the Luminous Antechamber. Three silver orbs roll out of the fragments of the globes, one bouncing around beneath the glass table to rest where it landed, another rolling into the leg of a settee, and the last ricocheting off the ganger's foot.

When they explode, the entire world instantly goes the brightest white Savalos has ever seen.

The effect is a combination of a Stun Grenade and a Photon Flash Grenade, Sav, please make a Challenging [+0] Toughness test or be stunned for 1d10 rounds. The blind effect is also a separate Challenging [+0] Toughness test, failure means you are blinded for 1d5 rounds.


Male Human Outlaw

Toughness Test (1d100=16)

Toughness Test 2 (1d100=2)

Okay I need to go buy a lottery ticket after those.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

Nice rolls, Sav, both are successes.

At the last possible instant, the acolyte pulls his furs from under his arm and up over his face, shutting his eyes as tightly as possible. Even so, he winces in agony, a sharp pain coursing through his throbbing head as the white light blooms around him following the first percussive bang. Reaching out blindly, he flips the settee closest to him over as the other grenades explode in succession, ducking his head low to the floor.

As he makes to rise, he hears another pair of loud bangs, this time from the direction of the doors; the entrance he came through, as well as the door to the adjoining suite.

Glancing over the wasteland of broken glass and furniture in front of him, he sees the tall woman still standing before him. When she sees him looking back through the haze of expended munitions, apparently unfazed by the stun grenades, her impassive mask slips slightly, a concerned curl of surprise creasing her face beneath the opaque photo-visor.


Male Human Outlaw

I shake off the pain from the flash bangs. Best act now, or the initiative I gained will be lost when her backup arrives.

"Honey I walked in knowing this was a trap. I was the bait..."

Nothing makes a group set to ambush scatter quicker when they think that you set it up on them.

I move quickly to grab her before she flee's. If she has the advantage or numbers I will look for a quick exit. Laundry chutes do wonders!


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

Sav, please roll Initiative opposed by "Mollene's" result of 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6. If you win you make take an action before she fully recovers from her surprise to see you still standing.

As Savalos rushes forward, the woman claiming to be Mollene begins to hastily backpedal while taking a fighting stance. Although the acolyte does not take the precious time to look to either side as the doors burst open, the tromp of many booted feet and muffled shouts ordering him to halt tell him everything he needs to know.


Male Human Outlaw

Init Test (1d10+5+1=16)

Fueling by the fact that every second gained now will make a difference in how all this plays out. I spring into action. My life will be decided by two things. Leprade knowing I know he worked with the Eviserator. How badly does he want what I know to keep me alive. The other is if he caught one of the others and thinks me can make them talk instead. I am just happy he knows nothing of who or what I am. Only that I am a Duct Wolf. With the ink on my skin even a child could figure that one out.

I grab her and spin her around as I whisper into her ear without the microbead.

"I already told you to much. Leprade is going to vent you. You best run if you want to live."

I plan on dropping her into the doorway, to block/trip up the others. I have no intention of venting her. Though if she attacks I will have no qualms about it. As I would do a running slash. Otherwise I will take advantage of my natural speed and agility. Plan to fight another day.


I pull the lasgun from my shoulder and brace my self facing the door but out of its direct line of fire.

"Ivaanov, can you get the lights off? once they enter they will be silhouetted against the light in the hall but be blinded for a few seconds. Once the first come in then turn them back on so we can see."

I then pull the goggles down from underneath the hood of the vestments and place them over my eyes. I wait to turn on the IR until the lights are out.


Sav, please attempt a Grapple (WS) test to grab "Mollene" (DH p. 197) you are considered Charging for purposes of this attack.


The Grey Way, The Vermillion Ring, Hypogeum Sub Level B, Cogitator Hub Cross-Conduit Terminus #117

The two guardsmen move behind the nearest of the bulky cogitator equipment and Ivaanov backs away as well, fiddling with dials and punching buttons quickly as moves toward Kaltos, bracing his lasgun over the lowest bank of pict-screens.

"As you will, Kaltos Havelock."

The already faint amber illumination in the cogitator hub winks out, screen by screen, plunging everyone within into darkness. There is a muffled grunt and the sounds of boots scuffing across the floor from Hurchal and Kotts as they ready their own weapons, and then silence.

Kaltos, please attempt a Routine [+20] Awareness test.


Male Human Outlaw

Glad I got the charge bonus.

Weapon Skill (1d100=42)

Do I get any bonus's for her being surprised? Also my plan is just to whisper in her ear and drop her as an obstacle, and running. Not planning on dancing with her.


OK, trying to exit the way you came in, or the other door?


A Plague of Toads
Round #3
I will forgo the usual Battlemap for this encounter, as the sled is just over two meters in length, and about a meter and a half wide at its widest. There really isn't anywhere to move to in this case.

Conditions:

  • As there is really nowhere to hide from the plague toad scrambling up the flat bed without leaping from, or falling off the skiff, Vincent and Ryuk will have to rely on their reflexes (Dodge and Parry) to keep from being hit. They currently stand between the daemon and Launce who is desperately trying to level off the skiff despite the newly added weight at one end.
  • The encounter begins in melee.
  • As the skiff is pitched rather precariously at downward angle on the bed side due to the bulk of the gluttonous daemon, all melee attacks that miss by 20 or more require a character to make a Challenging [+0] Agility characteristic test to keep from falling down (fail Agility test by 2 or fewer degrees) or falling off the skiff (failing the Agility test by 3 or more degrees).
  • The skiff initially starts at a height of six meters above the multitude of nurglings swarming upon the surface of the Oubliette dome. Each round that the plague toad remains on the skiff, it loses 1 meter of height due to its burdensome weight. This loss of altitude can be negated by a successful Challenging [+0] Pilot (Skimmer) test by Launce, whose skill is 38, which will be his default action each round unless he is attacked by the toad.
  • At the start of each round, the toad will attack a random opponent. Choose which of you, Vincent or Ryuk, is in the 'Guard' position in the bed of the skiff at the top of each round, closest to the monstrosity. Launce and the 'Rear' positioned character will be attacked by the toad on random roll of 1-3 (Launce) 4-6 (Rear Combatant) on 1d10. This will be 7-10 (Guard Combatant) and higher odds to the character closest to the toad.

Initiative Order:

13-Launce
13-Plague Toad
12-Ryuk (Prone, Under Effect of Distort Vision)
10-Vincent

Current Altitude:

6 meters


Male Human Outlaw

Okay you got me confused Lol. Which door are the Arbites busting through, and which one is "Mollene" blocking?


The Oubliette

Launce struggles with the controls, jamming a lever forward as far as possible while glancing back in trepidation as the toad-daemon manages to get a foothold on the back of the skiff.

Pilot (Skimmer), 1d100 ⇒ 66, failed.

"We can't get any more altitude with that thing clinging to the back of the skiff, we have to get it off, the anti-grav emitters are failing!"

Ryuk or Vincent, please attempt a Challenging [+0] Awareness test or a Routine [+20] Tech Use test.

The repulsive creature waddles forward still further into the cargo bed, its jaw unhinged absurdly wide to reveal filthy, needle-sharp teeth clacking against one another, distended air-sacs covered in scabby buboes pulsing obscenely as it moves.

The plague toad attacks, target is 1d10 ⇒ 5, Vincent.

WS = 35, 1d100 ⇒ 39, a miss.

The monster lunges forward, its great jaws snapping shut just short of Vincent's leg. A foul odor blows from between its interlocking teeth as it hisses and chuffs in bestial frustration that it cannot reach its food.


Savalos Thul wrote:
Okay you got me confused Lol. Which door are the Arbites busting through, and which one is "Mollene" blocking?

Sorry Bal, two doors. Think of yourself as standing in a three-step sunken living room that dominates the middle of the suite's first floor. You are facing 'west' after the explosion. "Mollene" is a few steps away to the 'west', backing away from you. To the 'north' and 'east' of you in the 'east' wall at your back, about five meters away, is a door to the neighboring suite that has just burst open. The other door, to the south, is the one you came in through from the 7th floor's corridor, it also has just burst open. There is also a mezzanine balcony above you, accessed by a spiral stair on the lower floor near the door to the adjoining suite. You have not seen them, but you know several men have breached the two doors, both from the outside corridor and the neighboring suite, effectively surrounding you. Mollene is probably not close enough to either door to shove in front of either group, although you could conceivably grapple her and drag her with you toward whichever door you head toward.


Male Human Outlaw

Okay, thanks Rook. I know there is no way in hell Sav is getting through either door with those numbers. The plan is to grapple Mollene, and drag her with me up those stairs toward the balcony. Seems to be Sav's best bet. Will still whisper what I said. Things will go a bit easier if she isn't kicking and scratching the whole way.


awarness 38/2= 19+20+20 if its sight with the goggles=59 1d100 ⇒ 100 Spend a fate point for the reroll 1d100 ⇒ 31


Ahmazzi wrote:

The Oubliette

Ryuk or Vincent, please attempt a Challenging [+0] Awareness test or a Routine [+20] Tech Use test.

Awareness 44 : 1d100=28


Awareness 1d100 ⇒ 76

Distort Vision 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Ryuks spends the half to stand up.

Attack 1d100 ⇒ 52

Another miss :-(


The Oubliette

Awareness test is successful for Vincent, Awareness test failed for Ryuk.

Ryuk struggles to his feet, the foetid drool streaming out of the creature's maw pooling with a bile-like effluent to make the floor of the skiff incredibly slick. He slashes at it, but nearly falls again, grabbing for purchase on the waist-high rail to keep from going over.

Vincent's eyes follow where the clone's hand lands, noticing what appears to be an a small extensible loading crane and winch, collapsed into a locked position so as to be out of the way. A small panel with switches is attached to it, but it is the wickedly sharp hook latched to the wall of the skiff that draws the most interest from the clerk.

Vincent, the winch/crane is far enough back that you could activate it without being threatened by the daemon toad with a successful Challenging [+0] Common Lore (Tech) skill test. The manual joystick for the controls looks simple enough to use.


A Plague of Toads
Round #4
I will forgo the usual Battlemap for this encounter, as the sled is just over two meters in length, and about a meter and a half wide at its widest. There really isn't anywhere to move to in this case.

Conditions:

  • As there is really nowhere to hide from the plague toad scrambling up the flat bed without leaping from, or falling off the skiff, Vincent and Ryuk will have to rely on their reflexes (Dodge and Parry) to keep from being hit. They currently stand between the daemon and Launce who is desperately trying to level off the skiff despite the newly added weight at one end.
  • The encounter begins in melee.
  • As the skiff is pitched rather precariously at downward angle on the bed side due to the bulk of the gluttonous daemon, all melee attacks that miss by 20 or more require a character to make a Challenging [+0] Agility characteristic test to keep from falling down (fail Agility test by 2 or fewer degrees) or falling off the skiff (failing the Agility test by 3 or more degrees).
  • The skiff initially starts at a height of six meters above the multitude of nurglings swarming upon the surface of the Oubliette dome. Each round that the plague toad remains on the skiff, it loses 1 meter of height due to its burdensome weight. This loss of altitude can be negated by a successful Challenging [+0] Pilot (Skimmer) test by Launce, whose skill is 38, which will be his default action each round unless he is attacked by the toad.
  • At the start of each round, the toad will attack a random opponent. Choose which of you, Vincent or Ryuk, is in the 'Guard' position in the bed of the skiff at the top of each round, closest to the monstrosity. Launce and the 'Rear' positioned character will be attacked by the toad on random roll of 1-3 (Launce) 4-6 (Rear Combatant) on 1d10. This will be 7-10 (Guard Combatant) and higher odds to the character closest to the toad.

Initiative Order:

13-Launce
13-Plague Toad
12-Ryuk (Under Effect of Distort Vision)
10-Vincent

Current Altitude:

5 meters


The Oubliette

With his white-knuckled organic hand, Launce pushes hard on the flight control yoke of the skiff, trying to will it go higher despite the plaintive whine of the straining anti-grav systems.

Pilot (Skimmer), 1d100 ⇒ 24, success.

His efforts manage to keep the skiff level, but it no longer seems to increasing altitude. A chorus of squealing giggles is followed by a rain of hurled excrement that comes from the prison-dome below, spattering against the hull and bottom of the vehicle.

The plague toad attempts to attack 1d10 ⇒ 3: Launce this round.

Ryuk's eyes go wide as another ropy, dripping tongue flies forth from the monster's mouth, passing just over his shoulder and past Vincent's surprised head, arcing toward the tech-priest.

WS = 35, 1d100 ⇒ 13, a hit.

As Launce turns around to reinforce his last statement, he sees the loathesome creature's tongue flying toward him.

Launce attempts to dodge, Dodge = 37, 1d100 ⇒ 59 failed. Agility test to avoid being immobilized, 1d100 ⇒ 21, success.

The tongue briefly wraps itself around the tech-priest's arm, yanking and tugging, and nearly pulling him free from the controls. It is almost as if the daemon somehow understands on an instinctual level what Launce is trying to accomplish with his efforts at the yoke.

Damage is 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 with a Penetration = 3, inflicting 3 Wounds damage after mitigation for AP and TB.

The tech-priest lets out a ragged cry of pain, amplified by his elevated vox volume as the ropy, barb-covered tendril tears free of his leg with a hiss of dripping acid.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

Grapple attack successful Sav, "Mollene" attempts to Dodge, 1d100 ⇒ 94, Dodge failed.

Realizing he has only one chance, Savalos charges "Mollene", and just manages to grab her upper arm as she tries in vain to twist away. He pulls her to his chest and almost immediately realizes he is struggling with no soft smile-girl, as the woman's tightly corded muscles flex and twist, her hands coming up with a vise-like martial arts grip to wrench at the acolyte's forearm just as one stilletto heel stabs down sharply for his foot.

"Mollene" makes an opposed Strength test on her turn to try to break free, Sav. Rolling Strength = 34, 1d100 ⇒ 31, success. Please attempt to counter, Sav.


Male Human Outlaw

"Frag this" Its her life.

Str Test (1d100=53)

I don't have time to fight. I do my best to scamper up the stairs.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Lux-Suite Tower #3 Lift Lobby

As the Arbites draw nearer, Uriah notices more company; unmistakable gelt-adorned leathers and elaborate serpent-sigils on the garb of several muscular Yellobouros gangers hastily pushing their way into the lift lobby from the Luminous Antechamber. Their narrowed eyes scan the large room, as if looking for someone.

With the crush of the surrounding crowd, and the fresco-covered wall at their backs, there is nowhere for Uriah and Bothle to run to without drawing further attention to themselves. Finally seeing the trio of hard-looking men coming their way from the hookah alcove, the clerk from Ylesium claustrum makes to speak a belated warning to Uriah, but the psyker quickly silences him with a wave of his hand.

Sgt. Luthos stops directly in front of the psyker, the intentions of the arbitrators flanking him to either side inscrutable behind their dark glare-shades. Both have their hands surreptitiously in the folds of their nondescript suits, almost certainly clutching weapons at the ready should the situation deteriorate.

One glances meaningfully to the Yellobouros at the far side of the crowded chamber.

Luthos speaks in a hard whisper that brooks no argument:

"You will come with us."


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

"Mollene" wins the opposed test.

The point of her heel comes down sharply on Sav's inner ankle, causing excruciating momentary pain that forces him to slacken his grip ever so slightly, but just enough for her slip free and dash toward the door that now opens into the adjoining suite.

Looking in that direction for the first time, Savalos makes to run for the spiral stair, but wisely pulls up short when a pair of arbitrators in full armor come to halt just in front of them, leveling their short-barreled breaching autoguns directly at his head. Both wear full helms with lowered photovisors, but strangely their armor is not the green and gold of Orcut VII hive, but instead a matte black, devoid of insignia or other adornment. "Mollene" stops just short of the door, as another figure, this one wreathed in the shadows at the far end of the suite, expertly flips her a small autopistol. She turns, and with some measure of satisfaction on her severe countenance, points it at Savalos as well. The one who provided her with the weapon mutters something that must be asking after her welfare, and she answers him with a curt nod signifying that she is alright.

Looking back over his shoulder toward the door to the corridor, Sav sees two more of the special-ops arbitrators blocking retreat in that direction. Another pair step in behind them, these clad in the familiar armor of the Oremor Arbites, and they shove the already shackled guardsman, Sergeant Einhardt, forcibly to the sage-colored floor. One pointedly levels a handcannon at his back to keep you from trying anything foolish.

Raising his head woozily from the floor, blood curling from a split lip, Einhardt looks in your direction, as angry with himself as he is with his captors.

He curses.

"Sorry won't cut it here, Sav, they were on me before I even knew they were there. Fecking traitors must have been waiting for us all along. Don't give them any satisf..."

Einhardt grimaces as the Oremite arbitrator directly behind him presses his booted heel into the back of the guardsman's head, forcing his face down to the level of the floor again.

From behind, the silhouetted figure in the shadows begins to move forward into the dim light, lowering the barrel of his imposing combat shotgun toward the floor as he comes. "Mollene" advances beside him, her body language suggesting she is very familiar with the stranger.

When he speaks, it is statement, and not a question.

"Savalos Thul."

Sav, please attempt a Challenging [+0] Perception characteristic test.


Male Human Outlaw

Awareness Test (1d100=88)


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

Perception test failed.

Savalos wrinkles his brow thoughtfully. He does not recognize the black-clad arbitrator's voice, but he is fairly certain it is not Leprade, or at least the Leprade he heard on Johnnie's recording.


Male Human Outlaw

My mind runs with all the Arbites who might know my name. If not Leprade, then who knows me so well. Luthos is suppose to be on our side, but never met the man. Johnnie's point of contact with us.

These guys moved like narco's on a raid, not like sloppy detectives, or arbites on the take. There was purpose in there moves, and actions.

I think about how "Mollene" trembled then thought like a hellcat. Brings back memories of my blood soaked furs, and a thrashing body on an operating table. Seems like a lifetime ago.

Even the whispered care of the man in the shadows to the woman. Leprade wouldn't show that kind of care.

"You could have just said Hi Johnnie. Or are we not on speaking terms anymore?"

"Nice kick Sunshine."

I slide my scerrido away in my furs. Doing a quick count four arbites guarding the hall, two on the stairs, two from the adjacent room not including Mollene or the Voice. I know I'm lucky, but I'm not stupid.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

Seeing the tense trigger-fingers of the helmed arbitrators, Savalos raises his hands slowly and carefully overhead, allowing the scerrido to slip back down into his furs. He knows full well from his youth in the Underhive just how uncompromising the Emperor's law enforcers can be when jacked-up on adrenaline.

Narrowing his eyes on the figure in the gloom by the dark doorway, he notices the exchange, and wonders. Could it be? He speaks before he can rationalize the coincidences, and realizes his mistake seconds later as the pair stroll into the dim light in the middle of the suite.

The woman's build is too lean, too taut to be Quincus, her features even more severe and frigid now that she is not playing the part of the terrified courtesan. Whatever else she is, the woman can act. A pang of shame runs through the ganger as he admits to himself he was well and truly duped. No way this is Mollene.

The weapons remain trained all around as the Voice steps into the glowglobes' faint radiance, fainter still after the dummy 'globes fell disgorging their grenades.

Savalos' first thought is that perhaps this is Rico's contact in the loyal Arbites, Sergeant Luthos, but he dismisses it almost right away. No, this man is no beat enforcer, but more like Rico, or Leprade. An investigator or intelligencer, for certain. His slender build, even in the body-hugging matte-black armor is not particularly imposing, and his capable female assistant has at least a head of height on him. He is otherwise rather unremarkable, older than Sav, with dusky skin, and dark hair that is going to grey around the temples. Hard lines crisscross his brow and scarring about his jaw and neck suggest he knows more than his fair share of hardship, while a thin mustache and seventeenth-hour-shadow suggest he is not particularly obsessive about the usually strait-laced arbitrator notion of clean-cut appearances. The eyes though. The eyes. The stranger's are dark blue, almost a deep cerulean color that are visually striking, piercing and intense. They seem to pin Savalos where he stands with a weight like the constricting pressure of the ocean's depths. They are the eyes of a man used to wringing out secrets from people like dirty water from a soiled rag. Savalos has rarely been fearful of those who brutally enforce the laws of the Imperium; respectful of their powers, yes, vigilant against their abuses, yes, but never has he truthfully considered them his equal in terms of guile or perception. This man is an exception, intimidating without any reason to be. His voice has a slight Gothic accent, and he takes no pains to hide his offworlder accent, a dialect Savalos has never heard before. When he speaks his voice is gravelly, and the ganger can see the cause: yellowed fingertips around the stock of the shotgun that signify his penchant for lho-sticks.

"Sorry Thul, Juan Rico isn't here. Since it seems as though you were expecting him, perhaps you could tell us where he has disappeared to?"


Male Human Outlaw
Ahmazzi wrote:

The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

"Sorry Thul, Juan Rico isn't here. Since it seems as though you were expecting him, perhaps you could tell us where he has disappeared to?"

"No idea, honestly. Seeing all the twitchin' fingers here bashing in perfectly good doors. I was hoping it was him."

"Seeing you seem to know more than you ought for an off worlder. You mind giving me a proper introduction, and allowing me to drop my arms down, and releasing my friend here?"


The Grey Way, The Vermillion Ring, Hypogeum Sub Level B, Cogitator Hub Cross-Conduit Terminus #117

Awareness test is successful, Kaltos.

The tech-priest's goggles show everything inside the cogitator hub terminus room in sharp relief, vibrant green tones picking out every detail with almost perfect clarity despite the dark. Knowing that the gangers are outside doesn't make the long quiet that follows make Kaltos feel any better about their situation. Cut off and with no other avenue for escape, he becomes more and more concerned the longer the interminable silence lasts. Why haven't they burst in yet? They must know that he and the others are inside.

When the grated ventilation panel just above the ward-locked door begins to rattle slightly, he raises his lasgun, his goggles picking out the outline of the rectangular panel vibrating slightly from some interference from without. Far too small for one of the vat-grown muscled brutes outside to clamber through, the disciple of Sollex narrows his eyes in thought. From either side of the door, Hurchal and Kotts can now hear the rattling from above, and back away apprehensively.

Kaltos please test either a Challenging [+0] Intelligence characteristic test or a Routine [+20] Scholastic Lore: Tactica Imperialis skill test.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Lux-Suite Tower #3 Lift Lobby

The grizzled arbitrator sergeant narrows his eyes, emphasizing his words by speaking them firmly and concisely.

"I will not ask again, voidborn. If you wish to live, you will come with us."

He glances pointedly toward the Yellobouros on the other side of the packed lobby as he speaks the latter, leaving little doubt as to the threat the new arrivals pose.


Male Human Savant Militant (Rank 4)

"I will go with you. I am interested in who your master is and what he wants. But please be civil, there is no reason for threats.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #779

The mysterious Arbites shrugs noncommittally, tossing his combat shotgun on a nearby chair. He looks around rather sheepishly for a hardbitten Arbites, and when he locates what he is looking for, he sits down, sliding the ornate ashtray across the surface of the small liqueur cabinet with a loud scraping of ceramic on wood. He reaches awkwardly into the ceramite vest of his armor and pulls out a sleeve of lho-sticks and lights one, taking a deep drag before speaking again.

"Not yet."

He says it conversationally, with almost no enmity. Looking the other way almost disinterestedly as he says it.

"You can put your arms down though."

He barks an order to one of his armored subordinates, pointing toward the Unduz wood chair slid beneath the vast desk next to where Sgt. Einhardt lies sprawled across the carpeted floor.

"Shackle him to the chair."

The Arbites moves forward, cautiously shouldering his autogun while expertly slipping his binders free from his duty belt, his posture promises the pain of his shock truncheon should you move to resist.


Ahmazzi wrote:

The Grey Way, The Vermillion Ring, Hypogeum Sub Level B, Cogitator Hub Cross-Conduit Terminus #117

Kaltos please test either a Challenging [+0] Intelligence characteristic test or a Routine [+20] Scholastic Lore: Tactica Imperialis skill test.

Scholastic Lore: Tactica Imperialis 44+20=64 1d100 ⇒ 55

I think to myself are they trying to gas us out. That's way to cleaver for a group of gangers.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Lux-Suite Tower #3 Lift Lobby

"Come then, head for the far lift, and be discreet."

Sgt. Luthos and his men flank the psyker and Bothle, herding them through the dense crowd to the lift bank furthest from the Yellobacks, who are even now milling about near the fresco covered wall where the group stood just a minute before.

Boarding the lift without another word, one of the sergeant's men depresses the stud for the seventh floor. Luthos whispers under his breath such that Uriah can hear, but no one else in the crowded elevator.

"You made the right choice."

The lift jolts into motion, and Bothle regards your new escorts with apprehension.


Male Human Outlaw

I don't resist. I am certain these guys aren't Leprades men, or Arbites from Oremor. Maybe an offworld Investigator looking into corruption. Its possible Leprades call for backup was heard by more than one set of ears.


The Grey Way, The Vermillion Ring, Hypogeum Sub Level B, Cogitator Hub Cross-Conduit Terminus #117

Scholastic Lore: Tactic Imperialis is successful.

No sooner does this thought cross Kaltos' cogitator-aided mind then the grate is blown inward, and a half-dozen spherical objects, like metal eggs split by a hemispherical groove ricochet off the low ceiling, bouncing off picter displays and cogitator banks to rattle around the floor in the dark.

Hurchal curses lustily in spite of himself, and the hiss of escaping gas begins to fill the tightly packed, pyramidally-shaped room.

Kaltos, please attempt a Very Hard [-30] Toughness test to resist the effects of the gas. You receive a +30 bonus for your built-in respirator, and can re-roll once if you fail.

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