Deathwatch: The Shadow War (Inactive)

Game Master Yuugasa

Her smile turns to a frown after a moment; "I was given to understand a squad of Divine Eagle veterans would be accompanying you." She says it as a statement but clearly she is expecting an answer to the implied question.

"Their drop pod was knocked far off target and they were swarmed by the Tyranids. Our last communication with them seems to imply that they have been overrun."

Her frown deepens. "That is unfortunate, we could have used their help."

As she speaks a servitor approaches and begins to help her remove her power armor.

"The situation here isn't good." She informs you. "While I have finished downloading the schematics for our device, the device itself is currently operating and needs about twelve hours to finish shutting down. Once cooled down it will take another eight hours for us to dismantle it and store it properly for transportation. While it is possible to abandon it, some of its components are extremely rare, difficult even for Inquisitors to acquire, I would prefer to take it with us if at all possible. The consequences for leaving it may be dire down the road."

"It may not be possible, my lord." The Colonel replies, though she wasn't speaking to him. "The first wave of Xenos is estimated to arrive in less than two hours, I advise evacuating yourself via the Teleportation pad."

"I am needed to oversee the device." Shar Quinn replies, in a tone that hints that this conversation has been had before and she is done with it.

"There is the matter of the Word Bearers as well, my lord. This planet is doomed, they will attack soon, they have no choice if they are to seize the device before being overrun." The Colonel continues.

A long silence falls, Shar Quinn seeming to chew on those words.

Apothecary Morgan seemed to be considering the defense of this structure, but with the mention of the Word Bearers he pauses.

"We weren't informed of any Word Bearers in the vicinity. What do you know about their presence here, and why do they want this device?"

Knowing what the device is will surely answer those questions. I suggest we begin there. Sardus says after the Apothecary speaks. No matter what lay beyond those walls, the mission remains.

As Korbin watches and listens he worries not about the coming tide of Chaos or Tyranid, but only what device could be so important for them to be here. What could be drawing the likes of an unknown Tyranid fleet and the Word Bearers onto one location. What is so important about the timing?

Korbin didn't like being kept in the dark and he made it a point to gather as much information as possible. Should the occasion arise, he wouldn't hesitate to access any and all information regarding the project that he could. It's not that he didn't like secrets, it was the mystery that bothered him. Answers needed to be found and information needed to be collected. Communication by speech was inefficient and a waste of time they don't have.

While waiting for an appropriate moment to ask questions if necessary, Korbin considers the backup plan. Should they be unable to hold the enemies off, its certain they can't be allowed to retrieve the device or any of its components. Korbin would make sure this place would light the night sky thousands of light years away. He needed to make sure that his squad had access to those codes and could activate it if need be. If their was no plan to blow the facilities when they left, then he would need to begin working on a fail safe now. Regardless of what others would do, Korbin was resolved to hold out and learn more of the device.

Come on you bastards, bring all you got. I will have a present waiting for you each of you. Word Bearers, an Ancient Legion made fierce with dark technology. Something Korbin had never been able to get his hands on and knew little of, but still it intrigued him. If possible he would try extract any cortical implants he could recover. While he hoped for the swift execution of the mission, he relished an opportunity to expand his own knowledge and understanding.

"Pieces of the device where stolen from the Word Bearers by the Ordo Malleus." Shar Quinn informs you. "The Traitors arrived not long ago and have knocked out our watch stations around the planet one by one, presumably preparing for a recovery action, we don't know their numbers, having only found out who they were almost by chance."

"The precise details of how the device works I shouldn't share, seeing as if you are captured the Words Bearers may extract the details from you, but I will say that it is a weapon against the Daemons of the warp, a 'blade' that can cut through the conceptual fabric of their existence, truly slaying what is otherwise immortal. Right now the device is in the prototype stage and is incapable of damaging anything stronger than a Lesser Daemon, and even then only with great warp energy spillover, but once the device is perfected who knows what may be accomplished." The Inquisitor informs you.

Korbin is very interested in the device but knows it will be of little use if it's not all brought along. Knowing time isn't on their side, he steps forward to ask, What is the failsafe should time run out or we are overrun? What can we do to assist? My technical knowledge and battle skills are equally at your disposal.

"There is a thermo-nuclear plasma sunbomb wired into the base of this installation, which can be triggered by my personal codes. If I die here the Conclave will transmit their codes once they confirm the installation is lost."

"Three things are needed at the moment. The base must be defended from both the Tyranids and potentially the Word Bearers, the Xenos will undoubtedly come in full assault waves while the Word Bearers, being Astartes, may practice more asymmetrical warfare. I need the device from you that will attune our teleportation system to The Emperor's Wings and I would like to try and retrieve another device that was designed as a limiter for our warp weapon that was located at one of the watch stations."

Apothecary Morgan considers the three objectives that Shar Quin wishes to have completed. As he speaks he hands over the Teleportation device to complete that mission right away.

"We can go over your defenses and make sure that they are ready for the coming assaults. What is your plan for getting to the watch station?"

Apothecary Morgan also considers the Lictor samples that he has.

"We have a few samples from a Lictor that we hunted down outside. We may be able to develop a cam screen from the Tyranids that may buy us more time before they attack."

We should try to contact the Divine Eagle squad, there may be survivors able to assist in retrieving the device. I believe that if we could develop some tyranid enamel to mask our presence it could greatly aid us, but I'm not sure we have time. How far is the outpost? Even without it, I volunteer to retrieve the device if it is essential to the project and there is reasonable chance of success. I do not intend on dying or being left behind, we must decide quickly if we are to act. A few of us can more easily sneak by a horde than a full squad, but if we are discovered, we may be over run. Do we have any airsupport available?

His figuratively third eye slams shut trying to shield him from the stench of corruption. While Naaman resolutely stands fast against the psychic tide, his mind is too preoccupied to participate on the initial conversation. As his training overcomes the challenge he adds: "I fear it would be a challenge to offer adequete protection for you Inquisitor while extracting an item from another watch fortress."

"Our bio labs are open for your use Morgan." Shar Quinn offers. "Though I don't know what you can accomplish in a few hours."

Shar gives you the location of the relevant watch station and you realize it is in the opposite direction of the Divine Eagles landing point, they would have to make it to this installation first, distance wise, before setting out.

"We used aircraft to travel between the stations, unfortunately they were all here when the gravity tether the Tyranids tied to this planet to pull them through deep space caused a mass earthquake and brought down half the mountainside, burying the top of this installation and destroying our vehicles."

"We have Chimera transports available if you would prefer not to footslog it." Shar informs you. "Won't be quiet but it will be fast."

"When we are done here I will show you our defenses." The Colonel offers.

"I fear it would be a challenge to offer adequete protection for you Inquisitor while extracting an item from another watch fortress."

"If the Eagles were here it wouldn't be an issue but as it is you'll likely have to divide your forces." Amara comments, playing with her voluminous sleeves.

Naaman ignores the girl's comment while he wait for his brothers.

"Splitting our strength is the best solution it seems."

Apothecary Morgan considers how best this could be done.

"Techmarine Korbin you are our fastest marine here, and Sardus you know much about hiding from enemy forces. I think you two heading out for the watch station would be best. On the way you can determine if any Divine Eagles survived or not. While you two travel Naaman and I shall investigate and see what we can do to strengthen the defenses here while also researching into anything that could be used against the Tyranids."

Korbin listens to his commanders words but believes there should be more to the plan.

How many Chimeras do we poses? I suggest a distraction. Send as many as we have out in different directions, confuse the enemy and throw off the scent of our true objective. How far is this installation and do we have any intel or communications with the station? If its already overrun or the mission is unlikely to succeed, I don't think we should risk spreading our resources thin and jeopardizing our main objective. We know we do not have enough time, I need to make some calculations and see some maps. If I have to go out on foot, it will be alone. No offense Sardus, but you are dressed for a fight that I want to avoid. I do not want you to be the bait.

This is his demeanour talking

I will go where I can be of use. If we take a Chimera than I can surely support you Korbin, you may need help at the installation. The Divine Eagle squad is in the opposite direction, we could rendezvous with them at nearby location, possible at the watch station, depending on their status. If they are engaging the enemy then best they not be led to the station. We will try to offer assistance but they wouldn't want us to compromise the greater mission for them.

"Tanks and transports are in short supply, using them as suicidal decoys isn't something I approve of." The Colonel responds. "The installation would be about a day on foot away or a few hours with a Chimera, we have lost contact with the station and suspect the Word Bearers."

"I won't ask you to try for the limiter." Shar Quinn states, having finally been divested of her power armor, revealing her body hugging black bodyglove and the intricate and luminous blue psi-circuitry implanted in the back of her swan like neck, high end implants designed to protect a powerful psyker's mind from the perils of the warp.

"It likely is suicide for any mortal soldier, even an Astartes. That is why I will fetch it myself, my psi-arcana will see me through." She says, smiling her pearly grin once more.

The Colonel makes a disapproving grunting noise, part worry, part exasperation, but says nothing more.

"Yes, I like that idea." Shar says, her grin widening. "I'll take care of both the core device and the limiter device, you Deathwatch do what you do best, just kill some Xenos!"

"At least take some of the Deathwatch with you!" Amara practically squeals. "They're the experts!"

Shar Quinn turns to squad Thannatos and raises a welcoming eyebrow. "Any volunteers for a suicide mission?"

In the cold space beyond the jungle planet's atmosphere a Gladius class Deathwatch frigate bursts into realspace, cutting its way out of the depths of the warp into nearspace around the infested planet's northern pole.

Responding to the same Inquisitor-level encrypted astropathic message that called Squad Thannatos to action the frigate Shield Maiden carried an entire three squads of Deathwatch Astartes from the distant Scarus Sector to rescue the intrepid Inquisitor Shar Quinn.

Unfortunately the Captain has brought the ship in too close to escape the swarms of Hive ships blockading the world.

Within seconds the frigate is bombarded with powerful bio weapons and loses its void shields. Cannons firing it makes to break through the screen of organic ships but is only partially successful.

Despite penetrating the barrier the frigate is torn apart. The portside gun decks disappearing in a flash of bio electricity, its crew lit up and jerking like marionettes controlled by a puppeteer having a grand mal seizure.

An explosion of bioplasma strikes near the launched bays and an entire Deathwatch squad is vaporized in their drop pod, plate, skin, flesh, organs, bone boiling away in an instant of volcanic violence.

The remainder of the Deathwatch, some in pods, others in gunships are spilled out into space without warning, scattering with no set trajectory across the face of the planet.

An explosive spore detonates just under the bridge, ending the life of a valorous and decorated Captain and dooming his ancient and respected vessel along with him.

The Shield Maiden cracks in half as it dives, uncontrolled and fatally wounded, into the northern oceans, which softens its impact somewhat but still produces a two hundred meter tsunami that travels with lightning speed from the point of impact to devastate distant shorelines.

The Thunderhawk gunship Sure Strike , pilotless and with only half a compliment of Marines, is ejected with violent force as the launch bay disintegrates, losing it's starboard wing and spinal mounted battle cannon to a spray of superheated wreckage as it is sucked out into space.

Quickly caught in the gravity well of the planet below the gunship, uncontrolled and spiraling end over end with its engines unignited, begins to glow cherry red as it begins unmanned reentry.

This is the intro for new players who are ready. Players who aren't ready can be introduced later as a survivor who got scattered in a drop pod. First things first, you guys are spinning out of control and are about to become a fiery meteor splattered across the earth, make either a Strength or Agility test with a -20 penalty (your choice which) to make it to the cockpit and strap yourself into one of the pilot seats. =)

"The machine spirit requires guidance!" The flat voice of a tech-marine shouted over the cacophony of reentry. No stranger to space combat, Ramsey of the Storm Wardens had braced himself in a corner, two servo arms gripping bits of metal hard enough to imprint the shape of the claws into the striken Thunderhawk. "Secure yourselves, I shall attempt to wake it!"

Strength: 1d100 ⇒ 13 | Servo arm Strength: 85, +10 assistance from other arm, +10 assistance from Manipulator Mechadendrite, +5 quality = strength 110
11 degrees of success

Making his way to the nearest intact lectern aboard the thunderhawk, leaving a series of dents where the servo arms slammed into the walls and floor, Ramsey began pressing buttons as his Manipulator mechadendrite anchored him to the floor.

Tech use: 1d100 ⇒ 75| Intelligence 70, +20 Tech use = 90 tech-use
1 degree of success, spending 1 fate point for 1 additional degree

Mumbling various litanies in binary Ramsey struggled to wake the machine spirit of this revered craft. Power had to be restored and, if needed, he was willing to use the power stored within his Potentia coil to do so. Failing an automated landing system restarting the engines and slowing their plummet from orbit would have to do.

If needed Ramsey will use his Lumian Charge ability to power the thunderhawk for long enough to start the engines and computer. Hopefully it has at least some kind of auto-pilot to slow this from meteor to drop pod.

Apothecary Morgan carefully considers the inquisitor.

"Some of us will be accompanying you. You are the reason we came here not the device."

Ramsey succeeds in starting the engines and activating the servitor assisted auto-pilot.

The gunship manages to straighten itself out and enters the atmosphere as something other than a smouldering ball of flame.

While a Thunderhawk gunship doesn't fly solely because of the rules of aerodynamics its missing wing and the damage to its superstructure make the descending ride a shaky one. Once the gunship lands, it is unclear if it will be able to get off the ground again.

While the auto-pilot is flying the gunship towards the Inquisition's installation as they have been programmed to another problem soon manifests itself.

A swarm of Gargoyles approaches the damaged and slow moving gunship in a screeching, flapping horde, malice gleaming in their beady eyes.

The twin-linked heavy bolter turrets are online but their automated controls are not, requiring battle brothers to man them.

The Gunship

A magnitude 120 Gargoyle horde is approaching, you have two choices: 1. Keep the gunship aloft and on its way to the installation, fighting them off by manning the turrets or opening the side door and firing your own weapons or 2. gun the engines to escape but be forced to set down some distance from the installation due to stress on the craft.

The Installation

Apothecary Morgan carefully considers the inquisitor.

"Some of us will be accompanying you. You are the reason we came here not the device."

Shar Quinn waves away Morgan's appraising look. "Undoubtedly the Conclave has overstated my importance to the cause. Aria Caro is both stronger than I and has a deeper understanding of the warp, she simply finds the materials I use distasteful. Push come to shove though she can do anything I can do."

She takes a pistol in a holster from an approaching servant and straps it to her thigh then takes an offered monoblade and attaches it to a forearm sheath.

"I know I'm not considered the best Inquisitor by many." She says. "As I prefer to do every vital task myself instead of delegating."

The Colonel snorts in agreement.

"But I never fail, and that has seen me to the rank I currently hold, please don't be concerned for my health. The most vital thing to focus on right now are the devices, losing those would be most displeasing to me."

"I can pilot a jump pack, but this is rather beyond me. Remind me not to get in a gunship without a pilot again!"
Strapped into his arrestor harness Othair laughs as the gunship spins wildly towards a fiery doom.
As Ramsey engages the mmachine spirit and the gunship rights itself, Othair announces in his deep gravelly voice. "It would seem our Wyrd is not yet finished with us and so our threads will not yet be cut. Well done Iron priest."
Just then he spots the incoming gargoyles. " Perhaps i spoke to soon, but at least these we can kill"
Disengaging his arrestor harness, Othair moves to a side hatch, opening it he starts torching gargoyles.
No BS test needed, aiming to get as many in 30m range as possible, chance of catching alight, astartes flamer therefore +4 damage when alight.
Damage: 2d10 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 = 12

As Aterro is thrown against the bulkhead in the barely flight-worthy craft, his ever-optimistic outlook forces out a hearty laugh. "Ha! By Throne the bugs have prepared a grand soft welcome for us! I must tell all my friends that Gormunddar is full of excitement. Book your spot now for this once-in-a-lifetime thrill ride!" The gallows-meaning of the last statement is left hanging as he grits his teeth and exerts himself to grab hold of...anything.

Strength test: 1d100 ⇒ 4830 Str + 20 armor - 20 + Solo mode Ability Feat of Strength + 10 = Strength 50. (barely) success. (whew)

Becoming aware of the approaching horde, Aterro yells out in the direction of the pilot compartment. "Brother Ramsey! At last our generous host sends underlings to greet us. Let us not disappointment them. Make haste to send us down gently so me may engage them in gentle dialogue and discussions of peace." He chuckles deeply."Or of them in pieces...whichever they'll have."

Aterro stomps over to where Othair stalks with his flamer. "A thousand pardons, Brother Wolfpelt. Do allow me the honors of giving the opening speech. I do so love a big opening ceremony."

With that said he levels One Word, the soundstrike launcher that he received as honor-gift along with his new legs. Ever has it been his companion, and it never fails to gets its message across.

'Tracking multiple targets, Legionnaire. Frag munitions loaded. Fire when rea-rea-ready.' Aterro mentally acknowledges his ancient and quirky machine spirit and its high, lilting voice. For whatever its foibles, it has proved itself accurate and reliable.

1d100 ⇒ 59 vs. BS 95 3 DoS
damage, Master at Arms; Tearing, Blast +2: 3d10 + 4 ⇒ (2, 8, 7) + 4 = 21=19
vs. Horde so damage is largely irrelevant: Blast (10) + Devastating 1 + Unrelenting Devastation 1d5 ⇒ 2 = 13 Magnitude damage

Edit: A weapon that does eXplosive damage does another bonus hit against hordes, so the rocket does 14 Magnitude damage. Also, a 120 size horde is Titanic, and we all get +60 to hit. :-]

I might have half a chance shooting then!
"Of course brother. I would hate to stand between you and a friendly greeting.

Strength Test 50 1d100 ⇒ 6

A giant standing above all other Astartes by at least a head and broader of shoulders and bigger proportions walks into the cockpit as the other astartes sprawl like ants thinking of what they can do and how to survive. "I rather take this fight at ground level" as he struggles to secure his overly large frame in the pilot seat and pilot the Thunderhawk to the ground as safely as possible giving the circumstances.

Pilot (Space Craft) 55 1d100 ⇒ 38

This holy machine does not die easily,[i] Brother Ramsey buzzed in Techna Lingua as the Thunderhawk righted itself and began to fly. [i]If you survive this with your Cogitors intact I shall ensure you are venerated and given a new form, he continued, speaking to the machine.

While he busied himself with activating the Lectern's Vox and tuning it to the Inquisitorial Fortress's channel his manipulator mechadendrite vanished into his robes, only to reappear moments later with a stick of incense. Lit by the servo harness's welding torch the mechadendrite clipped the stick to the side of the lectern where, if the main hatch of the Thunderhawk not been open, it would have quickly filled the compartment with a powerful smell of burning oil. In the present situation, however, what fumes it generated were quickly sucked from the compartment. Not ideal, but Ramsey hoped the machine spirit would accept his attempt.

I don't believe a roll is needed to activate a Vox and tune it to a known channel, so I shall proceed under that assumption

Thunderhawk Sure Strike from the Strike Frigate Shield Maiden to any inquisitorial forces on planet. Despite the howling wind, gunfire and screeching of tyranids in the background, the Tech-marine's voice was dead calm. From any other member of the Tech Cult one would assume it was the work of his voice synthasizer, but being a Marine as well it was just as likely he was as calm as he sounded.

We are responding to a request for Aid delivered via Astropathic message. The Shield Maiden is presumed lost with all hands. We have made atmosphere but are under attack by 100 to 140 airborn Tyranid life forms, designate Gargoyals. Requesting landing co-ordinates and hot anti-air defenses.

As the Thunderhawk dives towards the surface Luthar rises, not suprised and seemingly unaffected by their most recent perils. Cursed Xenos filth. How dare you taint such a beautiful place. he yells to himself, rising and moving towards an opening. Flee back to your masters little ones, there is nothing but death for you here.. as he laughs hysterically looking at the incoming horde. With a frenzied look on his face of hunger, covered only by the Wolf Helm, he begans to channel the runes and psychic powers stored in him, focused by one of the numerous trinkets and charms decorating the Rune Priest's armor. He has no gun or unnecessarily complicated technology. Nothing too foreign or untraditional in his eyes, choosing instead to close off vulnerable parts of his mind and clinching to his traditional, yet exceptional, upbringing. Luthar loved the hunt more than most marines of his chapter, but in hunting Xenos, there came no pleasure in the kill, just the serenity of cleansing yourself and washing away the taint in the blood of your enemies. He calls forth the smothered spirits of this dying world, pleading with them to lash out in revenge, asking permission to wield the elements as an extension of his own mind. As he summons his energies, his hands glow with a dancing light that moves quickly from his body and forth into the incoming horde.

Unfettered Focus Power test: PR 6
WP 75 vs 1d100 ⇒ 23

Penetration 6
Damage:
6d10 ⇒ (3, 10, 8, 7, 7, 2) = 37

Does this qualify as Area of Effect? If so, I should add 1d10 to magnitude dmg?

1d10 ⇒ 4

So that is 6 hits from Smite, +4 from AOE= 10 hits to horde. Don't know what the 10 would do on damage, I'll have to read or ask my brother about Righteous Fury with Psy Powers in DW.

Korbin looks to the colonel. I asked how many transports there are available, not for your advice. We are here to secure the machine and the Inquisitor and we have the authority to use any means at our disposal. It's not suicide, your men can merely test the waters and do some light reconnaissance and maybe slow the enemies ‘ approach. With that he looks to the inquisitor, We should find a ride then turning back to Sardus, Let us see if we can fit you inside a transport. Korbin waits momentarily for the Inquisitor to join, whether or not she lives up to her claims and goes is irrelavent, Korbin would assess the situation and attempt to recover the limiter. The station was sure to be occupied by enemy soldiers, there would be little chance of a stealthy infiltration. When they make there way to the transports he will make sure he has the watch station schematics with access codes. While the protection of the inquisitor had been a priority, he took little comfort in her confidence that she was replaceable. Korbin’s mission was to secure the technology, those components were not replaceable, as Korbin knew all too well in his dealing with rare and ancient archeotech.

The Gunship

The Gargoyle swarms pull back as dozens of its members fall out of the sky, blasted, seared, burned, and pulped. They withdraw out of combat range as something emerges from within the dark storm clouds nearby, breaching from the mist like a whale out of the ocean.

With a dark wingspan exceeding that of the Thunderhawk a massive Harridan, a giant Gargoyle-like beast sometimes called a Broodmother, picks up the chase, hanging just out of weapon range as swarms of its lessers cloud the air around it.

Brother Decius, would you like to land immediately or make the run to the installation before landing?

The Gunship

Brother Ramsey receives a Vox reply but can't make it out, the atmospheric distortion caused by weapons discharge and the death of the Shield Maiden disrupting everything, however the transponder code he receives at least informs him the gunship can approach the installation safely without being blasted from the sky.

The Installation

"We have three Chimeras and a Leman Russ." The Colonel informs Korbin begrudgingly.

You make your way to the garages where you find the tanks, Shar Quinn strapping on a belted device with a projecter, some type of protective field, as you travel.

You find Sardus' suit of terminator plate will fit in a Chimera(barely) and prepare for travel.

Aterro stares daggers at the looming Broodmother. He repeatedly makes his Targeter run the numbers, looking for a successful firing resolution. When each attempt comes back with negative results he turns and yells toward his brothers Decius and Ramsey where they fight against gravity and physics to keep the wounded craft in the air.

"Brothers, if you feel the craft worthy, our mission is at the installation. If we put down now, we might be too late to make our arrival of any worth! And we don't know the conditions on the ground, we might face a welcome of even greater vigor than what we face now. 'Twould by a thing quite low to survive ejection into high atmo just to be swallowed up by a wandering horde. So fly on, and worry not of the looming giant."

Aterro turns back, and runs another set of calculations, looking for anything, even at extreme range. As the Targeter again fails to achieve lock, he breaths into his vox, unconsciously. "The Emperor protects."

emerges from within the dark storm clouds nearby, breaching from the mist like a whale out of the ocean.

Nice theatre of the mind. =)