Deathwatch: Sons of Jericho IC

Game Master Rookseye

After the last Xenos dies "Well met, Karlack 2nd Heavy Infantry Regiment, are you what is left?"

"I'm Brother Decius of the Iron Snakes, I was separated from my brothers and hoping you have seen them"

As the stoic commissar gamely limps nearer, Brother Decius can see just how young he is beneath his black cap. He is the picture of militant dignity, with chiseled features and brush-cut, honey-colored hair. Despite looking somewhat ragged and weary, he maintains a disciplined decorum, the junior commissar's washed-out blue eyes holding the Iron Snake's gaze respectfully as he salutes, seeming far older than his twenty-odd years.

He chooses to address Brother Decius, perhaps for the familiarity of the Iron Snake's armor, the Karlack 2nd having served beside his chapter on Tantalus. He gives the black-armored marines measured, wary looks of both
fear and awe, and it is obvious he understands the significance of their presence straightaway.

"Lord Astartes, I am Commissar Falco Sander of the Emperor's 2nd Karlack Heavy Legion. My men and I are most humbly in your debt, and offer our deepest gratitude for your timely aid. We stand ready at your service."

You can tell that it is only with great resolve that Commissar Sander answers Brother Decius so calmly. It is clear that it is his first time addressing an Astartes directly, but he avails himself well. You can see why his men fought so valiantly by his side in the face of certain death. His courage and character shine through in all that he says and does. The man is fearless.

"Lord-Astartes, I fear that my men and I, seventeen souls by my just completed count, are all that remains of my command, and likely that of the Karlack 2nd itself. I apologize, but I know not of what became of your brethren. When we were routed at Pyroclast-Gamma-6 and ordered to withdraw and rendezvous at Pyroclast-Gamma-9, those of the Iron Snakes that remained covered our retreat along the Mag-Train line. We lost communications with Radiates squad shortly thereafter. We had fervently hoped to encounter other elements of our legion, the PDF, or your battle-brothers at the rendezvous point to regroup and mount a defense, but were soon set upon by the xenos in great numbers."

He exhales somberly, his frozen breath trailing away behind him like a ghost.

"When we arrived at the outskirts of this facility we numbered over fifty."

Common Lore(War)(39-20) = 1d100 Made it.

Success.

Brother Quintus sighs, forcing himself to pull his gaze away from the sight of this world rapidly dying. When he turns about for the commissar's approach, he notes Brother Syne continues to pointedly stare into the purple-black abyss that comes for them.

By the Ultramarine's best estimations, contradicting what his chrono reading says, Kill-team Umbra has only a little over an hour remaining before the swarm descends upon Pyroclast-Gamma-9 in its full strength.

"Our time is shorter than we thought. We have approxiamately one hour left. We must finish our mission and be off. Brothers, we must hurry."

"Acknowledged, Brother-Leader. One moment: accessing data..."

"I will see that you can leave from this planet with life, it has been overrun and you have fought, lived and die well in the service of the Emperor" as he pauses for a moment "It is my job to get you to safety, I will live or die trying to help what is left of company to survive the ordeal"

He approaches the Deathwatch marines and looks at them in the eyes "Is there space in your transport to save the some more of Emperor's servants?

"I know you might have your own agenda, but I only ask for them to be taken first and if there is still space than I will come he gives them a smile "If there is no space then I still have a debt to settle and to find the rest of my brothers"

Hrothgar mingles among the guardsman and asks, "Did any of you see a techpriest here by any chance?"

Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Xi-Upsilon-06
Pyroclast-Gamma-9 Refinery Gatehouse Transport Station
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [2:04:07]

Eli stands still and silent as the apothecary treats him. He stares into the horizon, he feels the world dying. It is only a matter of time...

Hrothgar mingles among the guardsman and asks, "Did any of you see a techpriest here by any chance?"

How about a Routine [+20] Charm test, Hrothgar, the guardsmen are more than a little intimidated by the black-clad Astartes.

Brother Emeric withdraws into himself, listening to the Techna-lingua whispers of his core cogitator as it accesses the deeply encrypted data from Magos Vyakai's distress signal.

Over the vox to the Kill-Team: "Binary-message decrypted, the contents of which is crucial xeno-intelligence. This information must be conveyed to the watch fortress. Magos whereabouts still unknown. Let us make for Central Control immediately."

over same line: "Message received."

Brother Hrothgar wrote:

Hrothgar mingles among the guardsman and asks, "Did any of you see a techpriest here by any chance?"

How about a Routine [+20] Charm test, Hrothgar, the guardsmen are more than a little intimidated by the black-clad Astartes.

Charm 1d100 ⇒ 24

The Omega Vault wrote:

Brother Hrothgar wrote:

Hrothgar mingles among the guardsman and asks, "Did any of you see a techpriest here by any chance?"

How about a Routine [+20] Charm test, Hrothgar, the guardsmen are more than a little intimidated by the black-clad Astartes.

Charm 1d100

Brother Hrothgar's comradely voice quells some of the less overawed guardsmen's nerves, and a grizzled pair move a little closer to him, showing reverent deference to the Space Wolf as they answer.

The accent of the guardsman who speaks to Brother Hrothgar is deeply inflected Low Gothic, and he does the interpreting while the other, a taller man who has lost his helmet in the bedlam, nods and communicates in his feudal world's native tongue. The taller man emphasizes everything his interlocutor says with zealous nods and finger-pointing toward the main refinery complex.

"Aye'n we did, Lord Astartes, garb'd all'n red suchwas, his vestings stain'd bloody and filthy. Had encounter'd 'im the zeen-os in his travails it seem'd and Lodi 'ere says that when he call'd out to him from his watch, the Gear-priest machined-man turn'd his head, an rais'd him his weppun threatenin' like, and then walk'd on for the factry without him mutterin' anuther word. Lodi 'ere says that the machine-man sparked and dazzled with machine lightnin' about his head and arms and then he backed away, as if'n he knew not friend from foe. He'd say he were injur'd or somesuch in the mind mayhaps. Lodi is jus' grateful the Gear-priest spared him his judgment, and the Emp'rer saw fit to protect him."

The guardsman is pointing toward the Refinery Central Control building to the northwest, beyond the Gatehouse structure.

The young commissar looks from Brother Decius to Brother Quintus as they confer, the fierce wind swirling his greatcoat, and nods respectfully toward the Ultramarine, perceptively becoming aware without being told that Brother Quintus holds command of the black-armored marines ringing his men.

"Noble son of Guilliman, you have my deepest gratitude for your timely aid. Know then that myself and my surviving men will aid you in whatever work the blessed God Emperor sees fit to grant us part in. We are at your disposal."

"Thank you. You have helped us in our work."

Hrothgar activates his vox: "Hrothgar here. Battle-brothers, Imperial Guardsman Lodi says that a techpriest went to the Northwest in the direction of the Refinery Central Control."

I quietly type into my data slate the name of the Commissar, and which regiment he serves. Noting there deeds, and commitment to the Imperium. For only in death does duty end. May my transcritpion be turned into a missive so word may be sent back to there home world to bring pride to the regiments that will follow after.

I also notate the imformation the Guardmen gave the Kill Team about the health, and possible location of the Magos. Correlatimg it to Emeric's report as our next likely location to continue our search. As well as window of completely our extraction is noticably shortened by the shadow moving on the horizon which can only be the main Tyranid host.

The young commissar looks from Brother Decius to Brother Quintus as they confer, the fierce wind swirling his greatcoat, and nods respectfully toward the Ultramarine, perceptively becoming aware without being told that Brother Quintus holds command of the black-armored marines ringing his men.

"Noble son of Guilliman, you have my deepest gratitude for your timely aid. Know then that myself and my surviving men will aid you in whatever work the blessed God Emperor sees fit to grant us part in. We are at your disposal."

"Thank you Commissar. We must find the Magos, and you and your men's aid will be appreciated.

Thank you Brother Hrothgar. We will go to central control. Remember time is of the essense."

Approaching the main group, I see the apothecary working on the wounded and the commissar talking with Brother Quintus and the Iron Snake. The gregarious Space Wolf is already holding court with a gaggle of the regular troopers. I catch part of what one of the men is telling him:

"Lodi 'ere says that the machine-man sparked and dazzled with machine lightnin' about his head and arms and then he backed away, as if'n he knew not friend from foe. He'd say he were injur'd or somesuch in the mind mayhaps..."

I draw up next to Hrothgar, "Although I rejoice the Magos still stands, this description does not bode well. Vyakai must be severely injured and may have receptor array and cogitator damage."

Noting the Assault Marine's battered condition I say, "You have been busy, Brother. Allow me to check your armor's spirit." Brother Sepheren's cement patches are expert as usual but I inspect to make sure the suit is environmentally sealed and attempt repairs if not.

To the gathered troopers: "You serve the Emperor while you yet live. Prepare to board the cargo-hauler and render support in our endeavor."

Over the vox to the Kill-Team: "The Control Complex is directly northwest of our position. We can approach on foot but I suggest the guardsmen load into the cargo-hauler so they do not slow us down. The Magos is having trouble discerning friend from foe so do not approach as he is formidable. I will attempt holy commune with Magos Vyakai using the Omnissiah's binary language at first contact. Hurry brothers! The storm approaches! The Emperor is watching!"

"Agreed Brother. Let us be off. Commissar take your men on the cargo-hauler and let us be off." Brothers let us move quickly."

"Thank you, Brother Emeric."

"I think the jump pack will need more than a few prayers after this mission."

"I agree with your assessment Brother Emeric. While I hope your use in binary will be sufficent to communicate with the Magos. If for some reason it is not successful. May my abilities as a telepath be a secondary option."

I finally meet up with the group after making sure the hauler is in tip top shape minus the slightly deformed steering wheel. I am glad that some one else can drive for now. When hearing were the Magos was headed I start trotting in that direction to get a good lead as point letting Brother Hrothgar be the middle man with his legs needing the slight rest before the next battle for there will be one. Not only from the "nids" but maybe from the Magos as well.

"Squad leader I am heading out as point."

"I shall travel closely with the Commissar and the rest of the guardsmen, for it is my duty to help them" after listening to the strategy suggested by the techmarine "Well lead the way marines we shall follow"

Tantalus Sub-Arctic Zone, Grid Zone Nu-Tau-04
Pyroclast-Gamma-9 Refinery Gatehouse Transport Station
241.817.M41
Chrono Reading: [1:41:04]

While his Low Gothic may not be polished, the guardsman, Lodi, has no such shortcomings when it comes to operating a large vehicle, and as the marines travel in a tight diamond formation in front of the tracked cargo-8, he drives the ponderous hauler expertly over the rough, icy ground of the central refinery control complex.

Brother Syne and Brother Caledonii now move at point, quickly picking their way over the worst of the carnage you have encountered thus far. Every few meters the ruination of the Pyroclast-Gamma-9 complex rears its ugly head again; overturned vehicles, pre-fab buildings with their storm-resistant plas windows blown out, and perhaps worst of all, the frozen bodies of the dead, Munitorum and penitent-convict alike, slain where their own conflict occurred or where the Tyranid vanguard utterly overwhelmed them.

The tracks of the Magos are easy to follow now, and it is clear to Brother Syne and Caledonii that the tech-priest has been gravely wounded during his encounters with the Devourer's host. The indications are that he drags his left leg uselessly behind him, and the flow of his machine-infused plasma trails after his steps as wide as the jump-lines stenciled on the deck of a Thunderhawk gunship.

For Brother's Quintus, Emeric, Vex, and Hrothgar, now in the middle of the 'diamond' formation, the haunting emptiness of the once-bustling Pyroclast-Gamma-9 facility grows all too omnipresent as the Kill-team moves into the ominous shadow of the primary refinery control complex. The wind begins to diminish from a deafening howl to a dull, distant moan as the imposing structure and steep cliff-face beyond blocks and redirects its passage. Even the snow and sleet begins to diminish somewhat as the storm gradually winds down. What remains is a snow-blanketed hell of frozen corpses, looted and overturned supply crates, and spilled chemical drums leaking rainbow-colored stains across the crusted ice. Here and there a fire still burns in some of the pre-fab buildings to either side, the guttering smoke hanging over everything like a pall.

Just before the Kill-team and their Imperial Guard allies reach the massive, open gates leading into the central control structure, the terminus of the mag-train line becomes visible to their right, the last of the multi-car conveyances crashed and de-railed well clear of the track's western loading shelter, accordioned in a zig-zagging wake of destruction that has toppled the neighboring warehouse and its attendant supply sheds. Ice-rimed bodies of dead guardsmen, Munitorum personnel and the occasional Tyranid lay strewn about, half-buried in the deep snow. A huge slick of spilled promethium, its chemical composition making it impossible to freeze, pools in a great black lake just south of the triple line of the main compression tanks. It is abundantly clear that at least one of the towering storage silos ruptured in the chaos.

As the cargo-8 rumbles to a halt, Brother Decius, riding atop the cab where Lodi and Commissar Sander sit, hears Brother Sepheren over his vox-link state that he has rendered what aid he could to the seventeen surviving Imperial Guardsmen that ride in the trailer of the hauler with him. A small solace in the wake of such destruction.

From his vantage point atop the hauler, the Iron Snake rises to his feet and looks past his new battle-brothers, through the last fitful bursts of wind-driven snow carried by the dying storm toward the primary refinery complex's Central Control Structure, an imposing edifice just coming into view now that the worst of the obscuring precipitation has abated. It looms over the open staging areas between it and the Gatehouse structure, dozens of security stations, vox-masts, mixing silos, and promethium conduits interconnected by elevated gantries and catwalks, all arrayed under the frowning building itself, two enormous side by side towers ensconced into the cliff-face, overlooking the huge, five-story, blocked-shaped structure below. Six meter tall gates, the space between them wide enough for two Land Raiders to pass to either side of one another, gape open in the eastern face of the structure, revealing the building's spacious interior.

This far northwest of the purple stain on the horizon heralding the end of Tantalus, so close to the northern polar cap, thin slivers of wan grey light trickle in from the parting clouds above.

It is clear the Magos' tracks lead into the huge grey edifice.

What is Kill-team Umbra's next move?

"Brother Emeric, Attempt your contact with the Magos."

"Acknowledged."

Using the vox-caster, I aim a burst of binary code in the direction of the complex gates.

Nothing answers Brother Emeric's binary broadcast.

The gaping gates yawn wide before the Kill-team, the darkened interior of the structure seeming to swallow all sound and motion.

There is no doubt, the bloody trail leads inside.

"Negative, Brother-Leader. There is no reply."

"Let us go in. Be on alert."

If the guard are with us: "Watch for the tyranids, if they show, alert us."

Entering Squad Mode here

Enter Squad Mode

Bolter is out. Once we pass the main gates and survey the interior, I will make a sweep with my internal auspex.

Tech-use (45) 1d100 ⇒ 64

Don't think we can enter squad mode since the Kill Team lost coherency when Qunitus failed the Will Power roll. I believe we are all in Solo Mode for the remainder of the mission.

Without saying a word I slam another clip into my bolt pistol quietly following behind the others.

"I can take point and recon" as he strides forward and with caution continues, searching for Xenos life forms.

Tactics Recon 1d100 ⇒ 27
Awareness 1d100 ⇒ 47

Any member of the kill team can spend a fate point to gain a point of coherency

Any member of the kill team can spend a fate point to gain a point of coherency

Yes you can spend a Fate Point to add to the squads coherency while the squad still has coherency points. My question is, can you spend the Fate Point to completely restore lost coherency? From what I read you can not restore it once it is completely lost.

The Kill-team actually has one point of Cohesion at the moment. The total dropped to zero when Quintus failed his WP test, but if you scroll back, a point was subsequently regained when Brother Syne and finished a Tyranid Shrike in hand to hand combat, thus completing a Tertiary Objective.

Additionally, another point of Cohesion was just regained for completing this Objective:

[TERTIARY OBJECTIVE: HONOR THE EMPEROR'S LOYAL SERVANTS/*CLASSIFIED*]

Revealed:

[TERTIARY OBJECTIVE: HONOR THE EMPEROR'S LOYAL SERVANTS/RESCUE THE SURVIVORS OF THE KARLACK 2ND LEGION]

Point of Cohesion gained. Cohesion currently stands at two points.

Brother Hrothgar and Brother Emeric noted as entering Squad mode.

If anyone else would like to enter Squad mode, please note it at the head of your next post, I'll assume the change was made prior to the coming scene.

Any member of the kill team can spend a fate point to gain a point of coherency

This is correct, anyone can, at any time, spend a Fate point to restore one point of Cohesion.

Yes you can spend a Fate Point to add to the squads coherency while the squad still has coherency points. My question is, can you spend the Fate Point to completely restore lost coherency? From what I read you can not restore it once it is completely lost.

Bal is correct, you would need at least one point of Cohesion to enter Squad Mode, however, even if you still had 0 Cohesion remaining, someone could spend a Fate point to get a point back. When not under duress of any kind, a Cohesion Challenge (rolling under you Cohesion total on 1d10) is not needed, mitigating the difficulty of re-entering Squad Mode when things are calm. However, once the bolts and deathspitter spew start flying, this roll is needed to do it on the fly (if attempted as a Free Action, the Cohesion Challenge is not needed when attempted as a Full Action, but the marine effectively misses a turn).

Will the Guardsmen be entering the Refinery Central Control complex with the Kill-team?

Just one more GM question, will Fire For Effect still be the current Squad Mode ability?

Bolter is out. Once we pass the main gates and survey the interior, I will make a sweep with my internal auspex.

Tech-use (45) d100

With a flat click of metal on metal, Brother Vex reloads his weapon as the Kill-team forms at the gaping entry to Central Control. The wind picks up, rattling loudly off of the reinforced plas windows of the security checkpoints just outside. Some of them are blown out, or shot out, causing the driving gale to moan eerily through the snow-filled guard shelters. Here and there, scattered about just outside the doors can be seen the resultant chaos of the convicts being released; discarded riot gear, abandoned weapons, and the half-frozen bodies of those unfortunate enough for their freedom to be rewarded by a bullet. A few Munitorum dead also attest to the fact that it was no one-sided affair.

The imposing Black Templar, even more bulky with the presence of his massive servo-arm, seems puny, so dwarfed is he by the wide opening in the main bulkhead doors of the prison where he presently stands alone. Unperturbed by his binary broadcast's failure, he activates his auspex, trying to scour the building for life-readings or other tell-tales.

Test failed.

Unfortunately, it appears that nothing more will be known unless the Kill-team advances. The vault-like interior of Central Control bounces back the auspex signal with recurrent echoes. All that Brother Emeric can ascertain is that the building is largely without power. Some returns on the electromagnetic band suggest emergency power may be active somewhere in the structure.

"I can take point and recon" as he strides forward and with caution continues, searching for Xenos life forms.

Tactics Recon 1d100
Awareness 1d100

Following the results of the scan, Brother Decius moves into the wide breach with Brother Caledonii, the Storm Warden tight-beaming his archived cartographic overlays of the building to the Iron Snake's helmet cogitator.

Success, Tactics (Recon & Stealth) two degrees achieved.

Any of the marines on point can attempt any of the following Challenging [+0] skill tests; Awareness, Tactics (Recon & Stealth), Search or Tracking. The more degrees of success achieved, the quicker and safer the infiltration and search of Central Control will be.

Successes stand at two presently for Brother Decius' roll.

Keeping his helmet swiveling from side to side as he enters the cavernous interior of the Munitorum prison complex, the Iron Snake stalks forward, his auto-senses probing into the darkness.

Any of the marines on point can attempt any of the following Challenging [+0] skill tests; Awareness, Tactics (Recon & Stealth), Search or Tracking. The more degrees of success achieved, the quicker and safer the infiltration and search of Central Control will be.

Successes stand at two presently for Brother Decius' roll.

All that Brother Emeric can ascertain is that the building is largely without power. Some returns on the electromagnetic band suggest emergency power may be active somewhere in the structure.

Quietly over the bead, "Registering no life-forms. Energy readings minimal as main power may be blown. Vigilance, Brothers."

Will the Guardsmen be entering the Refinery Central Control complex with the Kill-team?

I concur with you, Brother Emeric.

Does the fact we have cohesion again mean that the Favorite Son gives us another +1 to cohesion, giving us a total of 3 cohesion points?

Remember you still have access to your chapter mode abilitys. The Ultramarines solo mode is rally cry, it alows the regaining of cohesion points equal to your Fel Bonus. If Fire for effect goes back up I will join Squad mode.

Skill tests
Awareness 40 1d100 ⇒ 43
Search 40/2=20 1d100 ⇒ 60
Tracking 34 1d100 ⇒ 2

Well I can spend 1 fate point for the cohesion "problem", even tho I have no benefit from having squad or solo mode right now since I'm currently out of ammo and only using Sealance/warblade + shield, I could try and give the bonus to all for my chapter squad mode if you guys want it.

Search 1d100 ⇒ 64
Tracking 1d100 ⇒ 23

I guess my awareness roll wasn't that great since I had no success or failure?

The Kill-Team stops before the gates and prepares for the final push. As oaths are muttered and weapons readied, I view the Iron Snake wielding a blade and upon further inspection notice his bolter is missing a magazine.

"Brother Decius, as a Black Templar I greatly admire tenacity and your desire to fight from the front. But in a spirit of preparedness, might you care for some bolter rounds?"

Extending a gauntlet I offer two bolter clips.

I use standard weaponry for a space marine, not deathwatch, but bullets should still fit my bolter if I have it around me