GM Hector's Rogue Trader: The Warpstorm Trilogy (Inactive)

Game Master LordHector

Lastly, Silas invites Malachi for a quiet chat.

Malachi nod and follows Silas 'Yes, Lord-Captain?'

Yosarni hears the order and bows his head slightly within his hooded robe. Beginning to speak calmly to those around him he starts by receiving final status updates, each of his queries responded to with a confirmation from one of the bridge crew "Plasma power full?... Warp Engines powered?... Gellar Field online?... Sensors dark?... Sound the Alert." and a low humming klaxon echoes through the halls of the Adamant Will, sounding once for a duration of five seconds to alert all those aboard that the cruiser was about to transition into the warp.

As the klaxon fades, Yosarni is slumped and still for a few moments before speaking in a broken voice to himself "Through me the way to the suffering city; Through me the everlasting pain; Through me the way that runs among the Lost. Justice urged on my exalted Emperor: Divine Power made me, The Supreme Wisdom and the Primal Love. Nothing was made before me but eternal things And I endure eternally. Abandon all hope - You Who Enter Here" before raising his voice and ordering the helmsman "Cross the threshold."

The Will then folds open a gateway through normal space into the endless chaos and unfathomable energy of the warp. The cruiser begins to ease through into that swirling maelstrom. Though the vast majority of the crew is insensate to the truth of what lies beyond that portal... save one soul upon the bridge.

Navis Yosarni sits bolt upright within the navigator's chair, casting back the hood of his robes as he does so. The third eye, the blessing and curse of those with the gift, snaps open... and the horrors unimaginable sear through the void outside the ship and into his mind. Yosarni screams the primal throat stripping cry of one so come over with fear that there is little that can be done to control it. The reason for the cuffs becomes clear as Yosarni writhes, contained to his seat only by the restraints themselves that cut into his wrists and draw blood.

The Adamant Will is suffused entirely within the churning chaos of the warp - only the eggshell thin layer of their Gellar field between them and death... desperately, Yosarni searches within the warp - trying to find the Astronomican... the burning beacon of the Emperor's divine will...

Awareness (TN 41+10 = 51): 1d100 ⇒ 29

On a note, Lord-Captain, the xeno device has a rather large hole in it. But one never can be too careful with xeno-tech. The alien is insidious after all.

Yosarni, with the vessel now in the Warp, you must now chart the course and watch for any signs of Warp disturbance. Make me another Ordinary (+10) Awareness Test to do this, but spoiler it and do not look at the result. After that, you may steer the vessel. This is a Navigation (Warp) Test that you will get a +20 on since you can see the Astronomican fairly clearly.

Lord-Captain Silas Tyr wrote:

Lastly, Silas invites Malachi for a quiet chat.

Malachi nod and follows Silas 'Yes, Lord-Captain?'

"Father, please sit have some amasec. It's extra smooth, you know?"

Silas sips at his amasec allowing it to draw him into the proper state of mind.

As the pure light of the Astronomican radiates through the technicolor morass Yosarni weeps tears of relief. Using it's stark contrast as a point of reference he then begins to direct the Adamant Will through the warp... the massive cruiser ponderously slow in comparison to the beasts, beings and abominations that slither and smear over it's protective gellar field.

DM Hector - has the extra +10% from my ship role as Carto-Artifex been taken into consideration?

However Yosarni does not rest for even a moment as he directs the helmsman to adjust heading. Constantly Yosarni's third eye flits this way and that while he shouts himself hoarse with instructions to the helm. The directions are mostly tiny adjustments, but occasionally go as far as directing a wide arc be taken around some perceived obstacle either real or imagined. The hands of the Navis are as claws with his fingernails digging furrows into the arms of the Navigator's chair.

Malachi grabs an empty glass and fills it with a fair amount of amasec from the carafe. He puts it to his lips and pours the liquor back in a single, smooth draw. The taste brings back memories of his service during the Ork crusades, when the officers would issue a special dose of liquor courage before a major assault...

He puts the glass down and looks back up at Silas, 'What do you want to discuss? Something about the well-guarded trophy room, perhaps?'

I had not, Yosarni. Hadn't had to use it yet, and kind of forgot about it. Thank you for reminding me. Nothing that I can notice would have changed, but I'll remember it from here on out.

"Hahaha, Father, you cut right down to the chase. Yes, I would like to discuss that and more."

Well-guarded indeed, I'll have the techpriest install security cameras and redundant alarm systems. And probably construct a decoy hehehe

"Sometime before you joined and about the time I assumed mantle of leadership of this house, House Tyr was on the verge of financial ruin. Creditors were hot on our heels. To make ends meet: we did what we had to. We managed to salvage this derelict, all within the mandate of the Warrant of Trade granted to this House Tyr. But it was not an easy salvage."

"Within that derelict resided a being who traded his soul to powers beyond our knowledge. And that power is tied to a device, one that House Tyr managed to silence through the use of cunning and superior firepower. And it is that device that is guarded in the trophy room. Though inoperative, I cannot, for the life of me, leave it unguarded. There is this feeling that if left alone, this device will come back to haunt us."

Silas sips more amasec.

"Now, this latest endeavor we are about to embark on is not a child's treasure hunt for mundane treasure like gold or silver. No. We won a share in a dig that is managed by the Kasballica."

"Father, I would like to know if you have any moral objections to us dealing with them?"

Silas sips again, finding his goblet empty he refills it.

'Captain, are you afraid I will turn you over to the Inquisition?' Malachi said with a chuckle. 'You will find me somewhat more pragmatic than others you may have dealt with in the Ecclesiarchy. Let me see this thing. If this device carries some demon-taint, it would be better in our hands than left unattended. Once we reach a suitable place, we can hand this thing off to the Ordo Malleus for proper destruction.'

Going to make a skill check to make sure I am not talking out of my ass and to determine a proper way to contain this thing.

"I worry about a lot of things, Father. The fate of this House one of them."

"I do not think we will find any demon taint on the device. It's something else that I suspect. The device has been inert since we have subdued it."

"Do I have your word that after the Emperor, your loyalty is to House Tyr first?"

Silas extends his hand to Malachi.

It would be Forbidden Lore (Xenos) for any information on the Worm, Father.

"I worry about a lot of things, Father. The fate of this House one of them."

"I do not think we will find any demon taint on the device. It's something else that I suspect. The device has been inert since we have subdued it."

"Do I have your word that after the Emperor, your loyalty is to House Tyr first?"

Silas extends his hand to Malachi.

Malachi extends takes Silas' hand and says, 'You have my word,' and gives him a firm handshake.

'If you say it is not tainted by the forces of Chaos, then all the better. I can abide the occasional Xenos artifact with more confidence. Once the technology is understood, it is possible to put it to use for the Emperor. I am of the mindset that it does not matter the means to the end, as long as that end is to serve the betterment of Him on the Throne on Holy Terra.'

It would be Forbidden Lore (Xenos) for any information on the Worm, Father.

I was rolling to determine if my response was correct and to see how the Ecclesiarchy would handle such a device, not necessarily for information on the device itself. I.e., would the normal response be to immediately jettison the thing or take it to a higher authority for destruction?

As he is heading back to his quarters, Ludicus calls upon his trusted Sergeant-At-arms over the voxlink.
"Sergeant, this is Master at arms Marleon, I have new orders for you.
You are to detail a unit to guard the trophy room. No one but the senior officers are allowed inside until further notice.
Set up a strict rotor of trusted men to perform this task."

That should take care of it for now; I'll have to go through the lists myself at a later date. But my bed is calling me. As my old captain used to say "Sleep when you can sleep, eat when you can eat, and only march when you have to."

Ahh, I misunderstood. Reactions to such things can vary from one follower to another. Some are even tolerant of Chaos-tainted artefacts so long as they are being put to use for the Imperium. On the other end, some assume everything that is not material and human-make in the universe is therefor evil and must be destroyed. Most fall somewhere in between, but do lean towards the latter.

+++5 DAYS INTO WARP VOYAGE+++

The first five days of travel seem quiet. Even your navigator, normally on edge even at the most serene, seems to be abnormally calm.

I'll give it a bit before I move to the next five days.

I think that concludes Silas' interview of our good chaplain :-)

Silas spends most of the five days sequestered in his quarters.

Yosarni allowed himself no rest or respite during the passage, remaining at his post and sleeping only in fitful minutes strewn between the consistent chorus of course corrections and adjustments.

Also, Vorgen, with a roll like that, you know pretty much everything astrological about the planet. I'll get that to you because there's quite a lot.

????

With a muttered curse Vorgen bends the Will through yet another radical course change. He hates the warp. Sensors blind, relying on the mumbled mutterings from the navigators throne, and his skin is still itching.

+++10 DAYS INTO WARP VOYAGE+++

The trip continues on rather uneventfully. The crew goes about their work dutifully, and all seems well. It is quiet. Almost too quiet.

Let me know when ready to go to the next five days. I should be a bit more prompt with this one. I've been a little distracted lately.

As we learned in the guard, rest when you can rest, eat when you can eat, and enjoy the rest of a quiet day.
Soon enough there will be shooting and death.
This is a millenium of war...just like the last one.

Speaking for the others - I would suggest that unless we encounter something within the warp, we are good to skip through to arriving at our destination.

I second the Navigator's suggestion. Watching the Battle of the Line from Babylon 5's In the Beginning. I regret not having installed launch bays for our ship. A fighter screen would have been awesome :-)

That was my intent, and I would've moved on faster last time, but alas, real life got in the way. I was just leaving it open for any rp.

+++15 DAYS INTO WARP VOYAGE+++

everything is going smoothly. Nothing of interest is occurring, and the last 'week-and-a-half' have the crew of the Adamant Will moving almost mechanically about their duties. All that is broken when Yosarni feels the hair on his neck begin to rise in an all-too-familiar way.

Meanwhile, on the bridge, one of the ratings sees a red light begin to flash at his station. Confused, he looks at it for a moment before he realises what it means. Not wanting to begin a panic, he clamly walks to the captain's throne.

"Lord-Captain, uhhm... It would seem that the Gellar Field is fluctuating."

Don't panic! They would panic if you do!

In a calm and firm voice, "Re-route power to the Gellar Field."

Over the vox, Silas issues the following commands, "Navigator, prepare to exit the warp."

Does the +10 bonus apply to the Navigator?

"Engineseer to the Gellar Field generator if you please."

"Master-at-arms, secure the ship for exit into real space."

Navigation (Warp- TN 52): 1d100 ⇒ 98 Epic Fail

Yosarni begins to swear and sweat in his seat as he searches in the near view for a safe place to exit the warp...

Please don't have our navigator exit us into a sun.

"Navigator, how goes the transition?"

"Master of Aetherics, see if you can detect what's causing the Gellar field anomaly?"

Yosarni seems to not notice the question from his Lord-Captain at this time as he is straining against his restraints while also giving the bridge crew a reasonably complete instruction on the vagaries of Low Gothic vulgarity.

Master Navigator, you can re-roll by using a Fate Point!

Navigation Warp Reroll: 1d100 ⇒ 71 Using my solitary fate point...

Calling upon whatever foul or fair gods that will heed him... Yosarni prays and holds to the withered feeling of hope that he retains...

Ludicus immediately begins to bark out short and terse orders over his com.
"This is master-at-arms Ludicus Marleno!
I want all troopers that are not currently involved in any duties to report to their stations!
Prepare for re-entry into real space!
Secure all parts of the ship as per standard procedures.
Hop to!"

Deep in the hold-turned-impromptu-shrine, the klaxons startled Malachi, forcing him to cut short his sermon on St. Leonis the Blind.
'...and despite his lack of sight, he continued to spread the word of the Emperor, for he could still see clearly through His Grace.' *WAUGH* *WAUGH* *WAUGH* 'Ahem. That's all for now, return to your quarters. I'm sure this is a drill for the bridge crew. May the Emperor be with you.'

Although Malachi didn't know why they were dropping into real-space so suddenly, he hurriedly ran to his quarters to don his armor and retrieve his flamer and burning blade. As he left his quarters, he spoke into his micro-bead, 'Lord-Captain, I'm on my way to the bridge. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, might I ask the reason for our blessed return to normal space?'

"Aetherics are blind in the warp. Trying to determine if this is an attack or a technical fault."

Vorgen works calmly at the pilot's station. If it is just the field playing up they are fine. If it collapses, well at least it will be quick..

Perhaps some useful skills?
Trade: Voidfarer?
Pilot: Spacecraft?
Navigation: Stellar?
Scholastic Lore: Astromancy?
Should I make checks?

Trade: Voidfarer if you please, Master Alph.

"Father, I would gladly discuss with you the matter in person. Silas out."

He will understand why I did not want to discuss the Gellar Field failing over an unsecured vox channel.

Malachi steps onto the bridge, his face flushed with exertion, and sees the chaos around him. He reflexively utters a prayer of protection, 'O Eternal Emperor, Who Alone watches us, And rules the tides and storms, Be compassionate to your servants, Preserve us from the perils of the warp.'

"Good, you are here. Father, there seems to be a fluctuation in the Gellar field. You can help by assuring the crew that we are the righteous hand of the Emperor and we are on a sacred mission."

"Please," Silas points to the vox caster.

+10 to Malachi on whatever roll he intends to make.

+10 to Malachi on whatever roll he intends to make.

GM, it looks like starting Missionaries don't actually have any interaction skills. Can I just make a Fellowship test to keep the crew calm and boost their morale?

Trade: Voidfarer: 1d100 ⇒ 37 target is 37 so a success. Barely but still a success.

"All troopers are required to have their weapons at hand, but for now, keep the safety on. We want to keep this nice and tight, discipline is key."

@Malachi: They have Charm, which would be the skill in question. As you are not trained in it, it would be half your Fellowship.

@Vorgen: This is merely a fluctuation, not all-out failure. Hasty prayers to the Machine spirit and the Emperor might be wise, as will diverting the power. Trade: Voidfarer, Tech-use, or Common Lore: Imperial Creed might help. Failing that, exiting the Warp might be a good idea.

Malachi, do not despair. Pour on the circumstance bonuses by making an awesome speech. You also have +10 bonus from RT ability.

@DM Hector, I have already instructed the diversion of power to the Gellar Field in my earlier posts.

Well, looks like that would be my first XP acquisition, I should have checked for that first!

Malachi nods at Vorgen and takes the Vox-caster from his hands. He clears his throat slightly and addresses the crew.

Charm Test, Untrained, TN-> 1/2FEL+10=31 1d100 ⇒ 49

And that failed Navigation (Warp) above is Yosarni taking the Adamant out of warp and into normal space

His voice shakes slightly as he speaks, 'Ahem, valiant crew of the Adamant Will, this is Brother Malachi speaking. Please stay at your stations and remember your duty to The Emperor. This is just a slight bout of turbulence which will be over shortly.' Malachi pulls the vox-caster away slightly and utters 'By the Emperor's Short-Hairs, let's get out of this alive.' Half-a-second later, he realizes with horror that his thumb was still on the 'transmit' setting.

"Not that setting! Vorgen moves past a frightened sub pilot. Here, here, here and here. The lighting dims throughout the Will as auxiliary power is transferred to the destabilized Geller field.

...

Vorgen listens to the laboring engines and feels the flickering field.

"Come on....You didn't spend all that time in the hulk just to become warp-fodder....."

Another Trade Voidfarer check if needed, 1d100 ⇒ 14. Target is 37 so that is 3 degrees of success? One for getting under 37 and then one for 24 and the third for 34. Right?

The ship begins to shudder dramatically as the power is diverted to the Gellar Field. Around this time, the spasming Navigator finally begins to relax when the ship transfers back into real space. Neither the shuddering nor the klaxons stop. A report is called back to the captain's throne.

"Lord Captain, we have exited the Warp dangerously close to a planetary body. Orders?"

"Gellar field, down!"

"Void shields up! Helm, maneuver us away from that body!"

"Engine, divert power to the thrusters!"

Silas barks his orders as he would fire his gun, fast and accurate.

"Navigator, report!"

"Etherics, report!"

Malchi breathes a sigh of relief and offers thanks to the Emperor that they made it out of the Warp in once piece. Not having very much experience aboard a ship, he relegates himself to an empty on the bridge and sits down while his nerves settle.