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.


4,001 to 4,050 of 4,884 << first < prev | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | next > last >>

The Oubliette

Vincent, Awareness test unsuccessful.

Hearing Ryuk's yell over the din of the cackling daemons below, Launce looks back over his shoulder, trying with pronounced difficulty not to set eyes upon the croaking monstrosity. Through some profound effort of self-control he comes out of his half-dazed state, reverting to a more logical mindset.

"Take the controls, pull back on them as hard as you can!"

The tech-priest then releases the yoke to Ryuk and rushes to Vincent's aid, his hands, both augmetic and organic, combing over the crane controls, frantically looking for something.

Launce attempts a Tech-Use skill test, 1d100 ⇒ 23, successful.

Vincent sees it at the same moment as Launce, a narrow band of metal acting as a restrictor or safety catch over the crane controls. With the tech-priest's aid, he yanks it free, and Launce begins to intone the rite of activation in a severe, stentorian voice. Taking the lever in hand, he pulls it back, while at the same time depressing a rusting button with his thumb. There is a whirring sound as the slack of the wire cable begins to rapidly re-spool on the massive drum.

The daemon-toad, with its huge, sallow, pus-dripping eye firmly affixed upon the tech-priest, scrabbles forward, its jaws yawning wide, as if knowing somehow he poses the greatest threat to its existence.

The toad attacks: 1d10 ⇒ 5, Vincent.

WS = 35, 1d100 ⇒ 99, missed, and badly.

The great jaws slam shut only inches from Vincent's knee as he presses back into the skiff's siderail, and the toad-thing only manages to drive the hook in deeper.

OK, some important rolls here:

Ryuk, please make an Ordinary [+10] Strength test to regain control of the skiff's flight yoke.

Vincent, please make one of the following two rolls, either an attack roll with a +20 circumstance bonus for proximity to further disable the plague toad, or, alternately, a Challenging [+0] Intelligence characteristic test to seize an advantage in another way.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780

It would be an extreme exaggeration to say that the woman known as Astrid Beij shows surprise at her superior's words, but Savalos notices the barest flicker of a reaction, chiefly a tightening of the jaw, and the slightest narrowing of her eyes. He can read anyone, given time.

By her apparent disquiet, both Uriah and the ganger can tell that she is not one to normally question Wardja's authority

"Swinthosa, are you certain this is wise?"


Strength 1d100 ⇒ 35

Distort Vision 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Ryuk pulls as hard as he can.


Male Human Outlaw

I watch to see how Wardja handles his house. Will tell alot about the man.

I also study Astrid movements. See if she is comfortable in taking the lead.


Savalos Thul wrote:

I watch to see how Wardja handles his house. Will tell alot about the man.

I also study Astrid movements. See if she is comfortable in taking the lead.

Sav, Scrutiny test for this please.


Male Human Outlaw

Scrutiny Test (1d100=6)


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780

Scrutiny test successful by multiple degrees.

There is no doubt she is ready, but it is not the anxiety of command that weighs upon the severe young woman.

One glance tells Savalos everything his gut suspected. Astrid Beij is worried for Swinthosa Wardja. More than that; she loves him, although it is doubtful that the hardbitten arbitrator has any inkling of the truth. Hell, Sav wonders even if Iron Heels herself knows what she feels.


Male Human Outlaw

I smile to myself at this tiny revelation. Keeping it secret for hopefully a happier time.

I still await Wardja's words before speaking up.


Ahmazzi wrote:
The Oubliette

Intelligence 48 : 1d100=70

Vincent looks for a way to take advantage of the situation.


Arbite Investigator
Ahmazzi wrote:
"Swinthosa, are you certain this is wise?"

Astrid's question hits me like a sledgehammer. Sure I hear concern for me and doubt about the acolytes. But I'm leaving. That's what bothers her.

"No. But there are too many pieces on the board. We can't do this one alone."

I peek over at the tech as he continues to access data and reel picter footage. "Take care of Gereos. Make the old coot, you know, go for a walk or smell the flowers every now and then."

I notice the Hive-Ganger's scrutiny. What's he hoping to learn? I turn back and look at Astrid. Been together a long time. We both knew it would happen eventually. She's damn good and is fully capable of handling the team. Hell, I was surprised Herrod chose me over her in the first place.

She feels ridiculous in that outfit. I know. I keep my eyes level with hers and try not to give her a once over. Never really expressed my true feelings. So damn straight-laced I figured she would just bust my jaw. Blew the coupla' chances I had 'cause we had another job. Always another job.

Ah, feck it...

"Here take this." I reach inside my shirt and pull out Master's symbol of office. Not right for me to keep it while I bail.

"Don't worry about me. Stay as safe as you can and just do the job."

I pause, think about taking her hand or giving a hug, but do neither and instead mutter my goodbye.

"Gonna miss you."


Male Human Outlaw

Waiting for Wardja to finish his sentiment. I'm happy I didn't vent her when I had the chance. Definately would have made things alot worse.

I clear my throat.

"How about this. Me and Einhardt head down and look for signs of the missing team. Uriah you, Bothle and Wardja meet up with Dunkan, make introductions, and trade intel. Sound good?"


Male Human Savant Militant (Rank 4)

"Sounds good. Keep your eyes open. If they can take two techpriests unawares, you must be careful."


Arbite Investigator
Savalos Thul wrote:
"How about this. Me and Einhardt head down and look for signs of the missing team. Uriah you, Bothle and Wardja meet up with Dunkan, make introductions, and trade intel. Sound good?"

I break away from Astrid and look over at Gereos to see if he's found anything on the acolyte's missing techs.

"Fine. I'd like to rendezvous back here in time to prep for the Heretic's Wake tourney," I look at the Ganger, hoping not to insult him, "You're familiar with the game, right?"

Now the tricky part. "One other thing--No one wants to put a bolt-round in Leprade's head more than me but tonight is about surveillance and gathering information, agreed? And I need help not only with bodies but with ideas. I want eyes and ears everywhere. Me and Thul at the tables, maybe Einhardt and Astrid posing as wait-staff, Trantor in the gallery. But talk to me. Let's think outside the box. Trizo and Leprade are using the tourney for a meeting and I want us there when it happens."

I pause a little, trying to gauge their initial response. Hoping they will take the subtle approach and show discretion.

"Cause if you simply want to take Leprade out, then that will take a different type of planning altogether."


Male Human Outlaw

I give Wardja an amused look.

"I know more things about a Heretics's Wake Deck than you would ever think about."

"As for Leprade you have no worries from me. Guessing they are meeting with players higher up the ladder here as well. Best place for under hivers, and nose bleeds to meet without drawing suspicion. Acting like some Spire Poof, or not venting Trizo. I can't give any promises."

"And a reminder. Trizo has a witch. She must be accounted for in your plans."

Looking to Uriah,

"Planning on it. Been on edge since I saw those things burst out of the pipes at the Gear Box."

"Oh another thing. If you want me at that table then I am going to need alot of thrones. Poor men play in alleys, rich men have credit."


Arbite Investigator
Savalos Thul wrote:
"I know more things about a Heretics's Wake Deck than you would ever think about."

Confident, almost cocky response. Perfect. Don't need to worry about him being run off the tables in the opening round.

Savalos Thul wrote:
"As for Leprade you have no worries from me. Guessing they are meeting with players higher up the ladder here as well. Best place for under hivers, and nose bleeds to meet without drawing suspicion. Acting like some Spire Poof, or not venting Trizo. I can't give any promises."

"Good. I'd hate to lose bigger prey just because you're hell-bent on fragging Leprade. At some point he will receive his measure in full."

A brief pause, "Of course I will certainly understand if certain... targets of opportunity present themselves."

Savalos Thul wrote:
"And a reminder. Trizo has a witch. She must be accounted for in your plans."

"Thanks, yes. That's why it might be best for Trantor to take station in the gallery. It will afford a bird's-eye view and allow for flexibility of response. That and I was not sure it was best for an Imperial psyker to come too close to Trizo's seer."

I look at Trantor. "But I am no expert in warp-craft so if there are other suggestions please make them."

Savalos Thul wrote:
"Oh another thing. If you want me at that table then I am going to need alot of thrones. Poor men play in alleys, rich men have credit."

"Got it covered. I gave the casino owners a choice: front us plenty of chips or face a full audit from both the Adeptus Arbites and Adeptus Administratum." I give the Duct Wolf a wink, "We are literally playing with house currency tonight."


Male Human Savant Militant (Rank 4)

"i will be able to tell if she tries to use her sorcery. I am not sure how much warning I can give. What she does is completely different from what I do."


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780

Swinthosa Wardja wrote:
I break away from Astrid and look over at Gereos to see if he's found anything on the acolyte's missing techs.

Mechadendrites writhing like restive snakes about his shoulders and head, the techpriest Gereos swivels his head slowly to face Wardja, regarding the arbitrator with his glassy eyes as his knife-slash mouth creases again to speak.

"The anomalous readings previously obtained from the Vermillion Ring's hypogeum sub level B, localized in cogitator hub cross-conduit terminus #117 can belatedly be attributed to the tech-priests in the service of Inquisitor Ahmazzi's retinue. I base this hypothesis on dialogue I have thus far obtained/overheard from your present interlocutors and the slaved-system deviations detected within the Gran Pallazzar's primary surveillance data-loom. The associated electro-graft input linkages causing the disruption were severed nineteen minutes, seven seconds ago. There are also indications that a maintenance servitor was abruptly taken off-line in the vicinity of this cogitator hub in the last few hours. I will endeavor to obtain a local pict-link to the chamber through our own interface with the cogitator hub at cross-conduit terminus #91."


The Oubliette

Intelligence test is unsuccessful, Vincent

Vincent leans back against the side-rail of the skiff so far that he is nearly sitting atop it when the toad-daemon lunges and snaps its jaws at him again. Try as he might, he cannot divine a means to eject their deadly adversary any quicker from the rapidly falling skimmer.

The coiled wire attached to the hook in the monster's maw continues to re-spool to the crane mount, but not nearly fast enough. The chorus of insane tittering coming from below is almost deafening now, and cold sweat runs down to the base of Vincent's back at the sound.


A Plague of Toads
Round #10
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 (Hooked!)
12-Ryuk
10-Vincent

Current Altitude:

2 meters


The Oubliette

Risking taking his eyes of the toad-thing for a second, Launce peers over the rail of the skiff through the pall of choking black smoke rising from the taxed anti-grav emitter. Seeing what waits barely a meter below, he releases the small crane's controls, and races back to where Ryuk stands near the skimmer's flight yoke.

"Get back there and get that thing off any way you can, otherwise it won't matter what I accomplish with the controls."

Launce attempts to use Pilot (Skimmer) = 37, 1d100 ⇒ 57, failed. Launce has Touched By the Fates, using Fate Point for a re-roll, 1d100 ⇒ 34 success.

Ryuk is not sure what magick the metal-man effects, but the falling sky-pirogue jarringly stops its descent, coming level again and almost throwing everyone to the deck-plates in the process.

A blatting, angry croak erupts from the toad-daemon as the hook piercing its bulbous lip begins to draw it back to the starboard side of the craft, the tissue bending and pulling. It somehow resists the tug of the squealing cable, scrabbling forward to attack once again.

The Plague Toad attacks, 1d10 ⇒ 5, Ryuk.

Seeing Ryuk blocking the tech-priest from it once again, the monster lopes awkwardly forward and tries to bite the clone.

WS = 35, 1d100 ⇒ 62, miss.

Ryuk is up next.


Distort Vision 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Ryuk heads for Launce to assist.


Arbite Investigator

"Gereos, give me that data-spool I asked for and contact me as soon as you find anything about the techs." I move to a table and open a large travel case containing surveillance and communication equipment. The last of the tracking devices are in there and I put a couple in my pocket. From the weapons rack I grab The Judge and holster it. To hide it from open view I don an overcoat.

"Okay. Ready to follow your plans. I'll meet with Dunkan and see what we can sort out. I will forward any news on your missing team-members."

We trade frequencies to facilitate remote communication via vox-link.

All:
Was thinking that we might learn more about the fate of Kaltos and Ivaanov but I guess we should move ahead. I'm now on this side of the GM screen and not sure what Rook has in mind anymore. *gulp*


The Oubliette

Vincent watches as Ryuk again flickers with a disconcerting corona of Warp energy and ceases to be where he once was. The croaking beast turns its head away curiously from the clerk and toward where 'Ryuk' appears again, apparently taken by the illusion.

The actual Ryuk reluctantly hastens away from where Vincent stands confronting the horror amidships, in an effort to aid Launce with the flight controls again. Wrapping his large hands around the yoke over the those of the tech-priest, he makes an effort to assert control again now that the anti-grav unit has stabilized.

Ryuk, an Ordinary [+10] Strength Characteristic Test, please.

Vincent, his hands sweating profusely around the sabre hilt, gags and wretches at the toad-daemon's proximity, but somehow manages to master his body's instinctual biological response. Realizing that Launce's heroics in reactivating the skimmer's anti-grav emitter may well have saved all of them from plunging into a seething sea of hungry daemons, he decides not to waste the second chance.

Vincent, please attempt one of the following two rolls, either an attack roll with a +20 circumstance bonus for proximity to further disable the plague toad, or a Challenging [+0] Intelligence characteristic test to seize an advantage related to the crane device that you have overlooked thus far.


Strength1d100 ⇒ 15

Ryuk muscles the controls.


Ahmazzi wrote:

The Oubliette

Vincent, please attempt one of the following two rolls, either an attack roll with a +20 circumstance bonus for proximity to further disable the plague toad, or a Challenging [+0] Intelligence characteristic test to seize an advantage related to the crane device that you have overlooked thus far.

Vincent steps forward to confront the toad, placing himself between the monster and the pair struggling at the controls.

Guarded Attack: WS + 10 + 20 - 10 = 44 : 1d100=59


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Suite #780

Astrid Beij somewhat reluctantly accepts the rosette from Wardja and then tersely excuses herself, moving off into the adjoining room to confer with the arbitrators and prepare them for what is to come.

Uriah watches her go and then grudgingly taps a complex override code into the portable terminal provided by the tech-priest so that the acolytes encrypted microbead frequency can be shared by Wardja's group. With the aid of the waxen-faced Gereos, whose expression deviates about as much as a mannequin throughout the process, it takes only a few minutes. Testing the connection, and satisfied with the results. Wardja then continues his own preparations.

As Savalos watches Wardja stowing tracers and vox-thieves into his clothing, he hears a quiet chime sound from his microbead. Seeing Wardja tilt his own head slightly at the sound, followed by the arbitrator expertly feigning disinterest so that it doesn't appear he is listening in, Savalos issues a whispered command in the Taper cipher, isolating the incoming transmission to just he and Uriah. If he notices or cares, Wardja shows no sign, instead holstering a massive autopistol beneath his vest. He then approaches the tech-priest, ostensibly to give his new allies some privacy, and the ancient servant of the Omnissiah hands him a small, ring-shaped data-spool. They converse in quiet voices.

The microbead chimes again, and Savalos answers. It is Oktammor again.

<<<"Uriah, Savalos, what is your status?">>>

OK, as I understand it, Uriah, Savalos, Wardja, Sgt. Einhardt, and Jerimus Bothle will be headed out to rendezvous at Dunkan Danicos' suite while Astrid and the arbitrators prepare for the coming operation during the Heretic's Wake tourney at the Pinnacle of Pearl. Please let me know if you are planning on doing anything differently. I will continue with the next scene if there is nothing further you wish to do in the surveillance suite.

Wardja:
You get Gereos' assurances that he will contact you via microbead if he learns anything further about the fate of the tech-priests serving with Inquisitor Ahmazzi's acolytes.


The Oubliette

Vincent jabs defensively at the toad-daemon, aiming at its repulsive, pus-weeping yellow eye, all the while trying not to look directly at the monster as its grotesque, bloated and disproportionate bulges hurt his mind to gaze upon.

Guarded Attack missed.

The daemon briefly turns its obscenely contoured body toward the false-Ryuk, but when the blade comes within inches of striking it, Vincent again finds himself the sole object of its terrible attention.


A Plague of Toads
Round #11
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 (Hooked!)
12-Ryuk (Distort Vision)
10-Vincent (Guarded Attack)

Current Altitude:

2 meters


The Oubliette

Ryuk, Strength test is successful. Launce now has a +20 to perform his Pilot (Skimmer) test now that the controls are unjammed.

Seizing the control yoke, the tech-priest moves to raise the skimmer's altitude just as flung filth begins to patter wetly along the bottom and sides of the vehicle, the daemon host cackling insanely from below.

Pilot (Skimmer) 37 + 20 = 57, 1d100 ⇒ 32, successful.

With a profound look of relief, the young tech-priest manages to stabilize the skiff's altitude, keeping it roughly level two meters or so above the surface of the dome below. As he turns, he whips his auburn topknot behind his head and points at the toad-daemon creeping toward him.

"The anti-grav emitters are operating at reduced capacity, we have to get that thing off before they fail again!"

The toad-daemon attacks, Vincent is now in the 'Guard' position as described above, 1d10 ⇒ 1, Launce.

As if the tittering hordes below are somehow feeding the brutish toad-thing some daemonic intelligence about how best to effect its adversaries downfall, it ignores Vincent, turning again toward the bow of the skiff and leaping to attack Launce as he yells his warning.

WS = 35, +20 (All Out Attack), modified WS = 55, 1d100 ⇒ 62, missed.

The toad-daemon nearly engulfs the tech-priest in its gaping maw, but is abruptly drawn up short by the sizable hook impaling its warty lip. It crashes back on to the deck plating with the force of its interrupted inertia and begins to shake its deformed head back and forth in an effort to wrench itself free.

Ryuk is next.


Male Human Outlaw

Over the Microbead:

"Me and the Sgt are going to look for signs of the missing team. Uriah will meet up with Dunkan, and is brining company,"


Arbite Investigator

Equipment and weapons in place, I look at the Psyker-Acolyte of Inquisitor Ahmazzi, "I'm all set. Lead on."


Male Human Savant Militant (Rank 4)

I make sure all my weapons and equipment are in place.

"Let us go."


Ahmazzi wrote:

The Oubliette

Ryuk is next.

Bio Lightning 3d10 + 5 ⇒ (2, 6, 7) + 5 = 20

Damage 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"Stand aside, Vincent!" Ryuk raises a hand in the direction of the daemon and warp-lightning flashes towards it.


The Oubliette

7 Wounds sustained by the Plague Toad.

The witch-lightning coruscates over the warty hide of the toad-daemon, the burning of its corrupted flesh releasing an even fouler stench into the air, and just as Vincent regains his breath he finds himself gagging again, almost pressed against the starboard rail of the skiff by the proximity of the monstrosity's bulk. Its honking, deafening croaks of agony give the senior clerk hope, however, and he watches for an opening to plunge the Sliver of Calyx into its eye or slip past to rejoin the others.

Vincent is next.


The Grey Way, The Vermillion Ring, Hypogeum Sub Level B

As Savalos uses the borrowed ward accessor's override on yet another of the sealed catacomb doors in hypogeum level B, he cannot help but be grateful to Investigator Wardja. The dataslate that Sgt. Einhardt carries containing the schematics of the Gran Pallazzar's sublevels and the adjacent Vermillion Ring's hypogeums has proven invaluable to this point, allowing the pair skirt nearly every security post as wells as the few high-traffic areas within the bowels of both structures. The ganger reads the faded metal identi-plates on each door they pass, slowing as he notices one of their number up ahead nearly ripped from its heavy hinges, hanging loosely into the darkened room beyond.

Slowing as they approach, Savalos squints until he can read the etched Low Gothic lettering on the heavily dented door:

'COGITATOR HUB CROSS-CONDUIT TERMINUS #117'.

This is it.

The listening post that the two tech-priests and their guardsmen escort were holed up in. There is no sound but the faint hiss of static from within.

Savalos, please attempt an Ordinary [+10] Awareness test.


Ahmazzi wrote:

The Oubliette

Vincent is next.

Vincent keeps the Sliver of Calyx in a low guard, searching for his opening.

Intelligence 48 : 1d100=12


Male Human Outlaw

I approach slowly and cautiously. Expecting if the initial group was taken out. That whoever did the deed would leave eyes to see who would come looking for there lost sheep.

Awareness Test (1d100=17)


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Lux-Suite Tower #5, 8th Floor Lift Lobby

Uriah strides purposefully ahead of the arbitrator, Wardja, and the clerk from the the 7th Legion's claustrum, Jerimus Bothle, as they leave the lift lobby and proceed down a corridor on the 8th floor of one of the neighboring Lux-Suite towers. He slows his hurried pace when he notices a pair of what appear to be casino patrons dressed in leisure-wear leaning into one of the corridor vestibules, quietly conversing with one another. One of the men watches him approach with an attention that is far more than passing interest before lifting the hem of his synth-silk cloak and revealing a stitched patch of a many-toothed gear on the small holster he wears concealed at his belt.

He nods to the door opposite he and the other man, and then they continue their conversation as if nothing has happened.

Uriah stops before the door, #808, and briefly considers knocking. Thinking better of it, he instead waits, and the door is slowly opened from within.

An austere looking servitor, skin pale and stretched thin over its bony countenance gestures for them to enter, a whirring sound coming from its actuators as it steps aside. The suite beyond is nothing like the luxurious apartments that Ruvos Halleon's Arbites were using as their staging area. Instead, the room is much smaller, about half the size, and is largely filled with metal racks and shelving stacked to the ceiling, filled with all manner of parts, mechanical components, and other bric-a-brac of the heretek's trade. A polished, circular, durasteel table takes up the scant free space in the middle of the room, stacked high with partially disassembled machinator arrays and opened circuit boards. A regicide board sits by the panoramic window, the hive outside obscured by the thick metal blinds that have been drawn. Peeling, yellowed posters depicting gladitorial heroes of the Vermillion Ring, and exceptional athletes of Oremor's other spectacle sports cover the walls, where hastily taped schematics of unidentifiable mechanica do not. Greasy footprints cover the once opulent carpet, and you can even see where it has been ripped or burned away in places, no doubt due to some heavy piece of equipment being dragged across the floor or the poorly directed blast of a working fusion torch.

A lone figure sits at the circular table, cylindrical goggles pulled over his eyes, thick mutton-chop sideburns protruding from the plas strap. With oil-covered hands he turns a delicate-looking cogitator component over before steadying his hand to solder something with a welding device no bigger than the tip of a quill-pen. He turns toward the trio as they enter and gestures at the other metal stools arrayed around his worktable.

Dunkan Danicos continues to work as he speaks, his voice carrying over the hissing of the soldering tool and the muted sounds of the many pict-screens playing simultaneously on shelves throughout the 'suite'.

"At last, you've arrived."

"Don't mind the mess, I pay good gelt to use this place as a workshop away from home. I find I sometimes can concentrate better on a project after dropping a few thousand gelt playing at Bone-Ace or Hazard."


The Oubliette

Intelligence test successful, by four degrees.

Vincent finally seizes his advantage, stepping past the smoldering toad-thing as it shakes its had like a rabid canid in a vicious attempt to free itself from the hook. Seeing curved metal tearing the thin tissue around the thick, batrachian lip, the senior clerk realizes there is no more time to waste.

Pivoting and dancing around the back of the monster, he rushes toward the crane controls and slips the point of the Sliver of Calyx beneath a locked plas panel covering the primary lift controls. It clatters to the deck of the skiff, and before he allows himself to worry about the angrily snorting thing behind him turning in his direction, his long fingers fly over the grimy keys with the precision of a concert pianist. The keys light with each deft stroke, and a clear, clarion tone is heard that sounds like nothing less than the trumpet of one of the Emperor's blessed angels. He wrenches the primary retraction lever, and then presses his body close against the port rail as the crane arm extends with a percussive clanking and the cable rapidly begins to retract into the spool-housing with a slithery-sounding whine of metal on metal.

He finally turns toward the toad-thing just in time to see its repulsive head yanked up brutally by the force of the braided wire cable, the suckered covered forelimbs desperately trying to find purchase on the ichor-slicked deck plating. It rises into the air with an ear-piercing screech that is echoed by a sorrowful wail from the thousands of daemonic onlookers below that would sound darkly humorous under other circumstances. Using all his strength, he tries to pivot the cranes manual armature so that it swings the plague toad out over the void on his side of the skiff.

This will require a Challenging [+0] Strength characteristic test. Either Vincent or Ryuk can both attempt the test alone, or one can Aid the other in the action. Alternately, Vincent can attempt a Challenging [+0] Common Lore (Tech) test to engage the power controls.


The Grey Way, The Vermillion Ring, Hypogeum Sub Level B

Awareness test is successful, by four degrees thanks to Heightened Senses (Sight).

Savalos holds one hand aloft to signal Sgt. Einhardt, already skulking forward, las pistol raised, to stop. His training has conditioned him to respond to such unspoken warnings by instinct, and he halts.

Looking up toward the door opposite the one that is nearly blown in, Savalos notices a slender cylinder of polished metal with a small, circular lens like an unwinking black eye. It is positioned to obtain a forty-five degree field of view before the burst-open doorway leading into the cogitator hub room.

His nostrils flick in irritation, as his wolf-sharp senses detect an acrid, bleach-like stench still radiating in a thick miasma from within the chamber.


Male Human Outlaw

I signal Sgt Einhardt pointing toward the cylinder, and I also indicate that something smells off. Just in case I put on my respirator.


Arbite Investigator
Ahmazzi wrote:
"Don't mind the mess, I pay good gelt to use this place as a workshop away from home. I find I sometimes can concentrate better on a project after dropping a few thousand gelt playing at Bone-Ace or Hazard."

Glancing around the cramped, crowded room, I reserve judgment. Don't let first impressions deceive. Mysterious are the Emperor's ways. Like the ganger, Thul, there is much more than initially meets the eye.

.

I nod at Danicos, "Greetings. Investigator Swinthosa Wardja, working out of High Arbiter Halleon's office." I flip him the data-spool, "Providing you with lists of Leprade's dirty arbites and financial information on Leprade's Yellowbouros activities. Hoping you can cross-reference this with your intel. Will be interested if you can discover any ties to the Oremor 6th Penal Legion."

"There is pict-recordings showing the arrival of both Leprade and Trizo. Any chance your agents can find their vehicles in the parking level and plant these?" I drop a couple of tracers onto the table.


Male Human Savant Militant (Rank 4)

"It is no matter, I am glad to see you again, with all that is going on."


The Grey Way, The Vermillion Ring, Hypogeum Sub Level B

The stoic guardsman follows suit, lowering his respirator in response to Savalos' action, and the pair slowly creep forward, keeping their backs to the wall opposite the ruined down, out of the field of view of the pict-spy.

Sgt. Einhardt stops beside the ganger, and inclines his head toward the device, his unspoken question clear. There is no way either can see into the cogitator hub room without exposing themselves to view.


The Gran Pallazzar Casino, Lux-Suite Tower #5, Room 808

Dunkan Danicos stands and nods politely toward Uriah, grasping his hand.

"The feeling is mutual, Uriah."

He looks at Bothle, appraising the heavy-set, nervous looking clerk with his gaze.

"You are Bothle, then?"

When Jerimus nods, he clasps his hand as well, and both the arbitrator and psyker would have to be blind not to notice the concern that creases the middle-aged heretek's brow.

"Have you had any contact with your boss since your flight from the claustrum?"

The concern seems to migrate from Dunkan's face to Bothle's own, and when the clerk answers, his voice falters, his own worry suggesting that he had perhaps come to the heretek for answers in this regard.

"No---I have not."

Seeing the doubt and the beginnings of true fear, Dunkan offers by way of explanation to all:

"I fear communications have been severed to the both the 6th and 7th Legion claustrums on Unduz II. Word trickling out from my limited sources Upspire is that other elements of the Guard has been dispatched to investigate, but in the chaos following Taius Ceprus' assassination there is a great deal of confusion in the upper echelons of the Imperial Command. Rumors abound; a penitent revolt, some manner of natural disaster on the sub-continent, an insurrection among the remaining indigenous populations, no one knows for certain among the Adepta, although I suspect those of us in this room do. The expeditionary forces have not yet arrived in the southern hemisphere to the best of my knowledge. It seems certain some great calamity has occurred."

Dunkan's expression darkens with Bothle's but the clerk says nothing more for now.

Danicos then turns to Wardja, and not without some suspicion, offers his hand. When the arbitrator takes it, he finds his own hand engulfed by the heretek's meaty digits, clenched tightly in a crushing grip of gear-shaped, metal rings he wears on each finger. It does not seem intentional, the heretek is merely a bear of a man, with hard, calloused mitts made stronger still by his work.

"So, the acolytes of a third Inquisitor of the Ordo Calixis have now arrived on Oremor. I shudder to think what all the attention from the Tricorn Palace affixed on this world can mean for its prospects. At least thus far our masters are playing together nicely, we have that to be thankful for, at least."

He takes the offered data-spool like the peace-offering it is, as well as the pict-cordings and tracers.

"Useful. Yes, my thanks."

He shakes his head with some uncertainty though.

"The likelihood of getting by the cordon of minions keeping their eye on those vehicles in the Pallazzar's high-roller parking deck is slim to none, but I will see what can be done."

Dunkan turns back to Uriah.

"Where are Savalos and the others?"


Somewhere dark

Kaltos opens his eyes painfully, but only utter blackness is revealed around him. Cold metal kisses his cheek, and his augmetic throat-respirator releases a hiss of pent up gas, venting the accumulated toxins from within in a harmless spray of water-vapor mist as his cranial circuitry comes back online.

Movement is difficult, almost impossible with the numbness in his limbs and back. Still, he can sense by pressure that his sundry equipment, flak armor and weaponry is gone, with only his Mechanicus vestments remaining.

Ivaanov and the guardsmen, by sound or touch, are nowhere to be found in his immediate vicinity.

Still unable to see anything about the dimensions of the room around him, he struggles to pull himself upright.

Challenging [+0] Toughness test Kaltos to shake off the lingering effects of the sedation.


Vincent, Ryuk:
Just waiting on a test from Vincent, Ryuk or both to continue with the Oubliette scene.


Toughness 36 1d100 ⇒ 19

The last of the gas seem to have been expelled as I sit up and stretch my legs out in front of me and then I stretch out my hands to touch my toes. I then stretch up with my hands. All the while looking for any light that might be leaking through the cracks of a door or view window.

Awareness/Per 38 1d100 ⇒ 56

Not sure if he sees anything or having his organics adding what it is expecting. I slowly stand to check the ceiling height, then start walking with my hands in front of me to find a wall. Its mostly a shuffle step so that if there is anything along the ground I wont step on or try to step through as I move.


Somewhere Dark

Awareness test unsuccessful, Kaltos.

Kaltos summons a trickle of power from his potential coil, and the electoos on his hands begin to glow with a soft, blue-white light. It only illuminates a small area around him, but it is enough to see that the floor is scuffed and dirty durasteel, stained in places by dark patches of what may be long-dried blood.

Taking careful steps dictated both by a need for caution and the stiffness in his limbs, the Disciple of Sollex makes a slow circuit of the circular chamber, feeling his hands along the walls as he goes, and finding them to be metal as well. For the most part he finds nothing but scuffs and dents in the material. After a time, however, his probing hands locate thin seams with beveled edges in the curving wall that trace the outlines of a security door of some kind. There appears to be no other means of egress. The ceiling curves upward to a point lost in the darkness overhead, and occasionally the tech-priest hears the intermittent sounds of muffled movement from far above.

Meticulously cutting through the room along the diameter across the circle, he finds a circular, meter-wide portion of the central floor that is comprised all of a tight grillwork, also stained with bio-matter, leaving no question as to what it is. A latrine.

Kaltos cogitates he is in a cell of some kind.

A prisoner.

As far as he can tell he is alone.


Arbite Investigator
Ahmazzi wrote:
"So, the acolytes of a third Inquisitor of the Ordo Calixis have now arrived on Oremor. I shudder to think what all the attention from the Tricorn Palace affixed on this world can mean for its prospects. At least thus far our masters are playing together nicely, we have that to be thankful for, at least."

What? This is news to my ears. I wonder which master Dunkan serves. Will have to pursue this later.

Ahmazzi wrote:
"The likelihood of getting by the cordon of minions keeping their eye on those vehicles in the Pallazzar's high-roller parking deck is slim to none, but I will see what can be done."

"Very well. Feel free to use them as you see fit."

I step back, a bit glad the hulk of a man is no longer looming over me.

4,001 to 4,050 of 4,884 << first < prev | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / Dark Heresy: The Oremor Affliction IC All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.