Storm of Sinners

Game Master BayouSnowman

I had noticed that pretty much every roll during the first round of combat went our way. After that though everything kind of went sideways for both sides.

I'm having a hard time coming up with a good reason why Thedius would wish to stay with this team. Regardless of his achievment in scouting early in the mission (capturing the man that was spying on us and by extention allowing the inquisitor to learn where to go) he has been push away from where he is best, had his advice ignored, had his offer for friendly compition refused and thrown back at him and finally had the man he was clearly trying to capture killed in his arms. I would see him as going to the Captain and requesting a transfer as he simply does not fit in this team.

On a personal note if you repeatedly stop a player from using his character the way he wants to he'll stop wanting to play. That is what's happening to me

I am sorry you feel that way. As to my refusal of your compotion I didn't feel that my character would support such an action. I see no reason for your character not to keep score and taunt him with it later on. As you said yourself the character should be played the way the player wishes and I am adding within reason and I think you have portraited your character fine.

It's not any one character it's everything Thedius tries to do. Without an ally in the team I cannot see why he would stay.

Well the Astropath is still technically alive so I wouldn't call that a failure, and as Elyas said you can still keep the score thing going. Most of the other stuff I wouldn't say was anyone intentionally trying to shoot your character down. Unfortunately it seems that having a scout was kind of a luxury this mission, though it did pay off at the very beginning, which is kind of in-line with what Nimon was talking about at the beginning of the mission.

That's why you got to get assertive. You're a Son of Dorn dangumbit, you don't need to take this from these plebeians. Dark Angel doesn't want to have a competition? Call him a pansy and do it anyways. Lamenter decides to throw a hissy fit for no reason? Give him a taste of the back of your hand (which is something else I thought you would do by the by). Tech-marine to rustled to head into the cages with you? Whatever, he's a nerd. Ultramarine wants to send the Librarian first because he has "magic brain powers"? Ask him if he read that on the back of a codex approved box of cheerios.

At the very least you can still talk like a hot-headed hammer of dorn, even if the situation is preventing you from acting it out.

I do plan to hit the Lamenter him but not while still on mission.

Individually I can deal with all of that, I believe I was doing just that as each thing came along. But this is a matter of if realistic (or even with a slight bend) any proud astartes would remain in a squad where he's constantly being thwarted, by his team-mates.

I'm not playing Thedius as hot headed, but as someone who hates weakness and wants to purging weakness wherever he can find it... I suppose that could be my only hook... But that leads Thedius to atempting to take the position of team leader, which is sub-optimal.

I'm not delaying posting because of this, I'm waiting on a response from the Inquisitor.

That's my point. Hitting me after the mission doesn't help in the immediate. You want the Astropath to live right? Well you need to make sure that I don't go all red thirst and start eating him. Yelling, kicking, parrying my attacks to defend the witch all do something, but standing idle doesn't.

Part of the Deathwatch flavor is being put in a squad where you may be rubbing shoulders with your teammates and still being expected to perform your duties. If you don't feel you have a role in the team than you need to make one, carve out a niche by force.

You want to purge weakness? Then you need to get up in weaknesses face and punch it in the stomach. Show people why they are wrong and then do it better, that's what Regal Dorn did (well, he tried at least. Didn't go so great).

Part of the Deathwatch flavor is being put in a squad where you may be rubbing shoulders with your teammates and still being expected to perform your duties. If you don't feel you have a role in the team than you need to make one, carve out a niche by force.

I agree and you have all been doing good with this which is why the roleplaying has been good. Part of Deathwatch is also being part of a team though, and when you are not I get to take Cohesion from you. I too have noticed the tension increasing, I think this is good drama, but if you are feeling outcast I can understand.

I promise there will be more missions where everyone gets a chance to shine and possibly be a leader. I do not chose the leaders though, I can only make a mission that would complement a particular leader, and recon missions are coming up.

IC hitting your character is OK and makes sense but OOC it is not unless we are both OK with it. Which I know now, but I couldn't know straight away. I'm not willing to go into direct player conflict without being sure that's OK first.
This is a game. I don't want to offend anyone and ruin everyone's fun. I know how to defend myself IRL, here I'm trying to come to a peaceful OOC solution. If your solution for me to do to the Lamenter what I would do anyway, then that's cool, but I can't be sure of that without bringing it up.

For the longer term problem I would really like it if Thedius had someone within the team to act as his ally, even if they don't take such a stern face as he does. They don't need to face down everyone else with him, but they do need to be someone he can converse with about the situation after action. Otherwise, he really doesn't have any reason to stay.

@GM - Considering Thedius is currently holding him is laying the Astropath down gently as a free action, or do I have to spent a half action. Also I should have been able to see Hallan's attack before my action last turn but I posted first. I did utterly fail on my action last turn. But can I get a little lee-way in that regard?

@GM - Considering Thedius is currently holding him is laying the Astropath down gently as a free action, or do I have to spent a half action. Also I should have been able to see Hallan's attack before my action last turn but I posted first. I did utterly fail on my action last turn. But can I get a little lee-way in that regard?

You would have gotten a reaction since you are holding the Astropath, but I disregarded the knockdown due to the fact that you are really only allowed one attack action per round unless talents ect. You can lay the Astropath down as a free action that is fine.

If you have justification to do something IC then you should do it, don't be concerned for the possibility of OOC griefing. You don't have to start rolling dice every time, but you shouldn't force yourself to do nothing. Even if you do take an action against someone it isn't the same thing as killing another character for no reason, especially since you would have an actual reason.

If you wish to make allies then we can do that, but like I was saying to Tellemachus before: trust is not something automatically given. Obviously you don't have as much of an uphill battle as a black shield librarian, but the point still stands. Just keep trying to make conversation with other PCs, eventually something will happen (though it's a little hard since we are sitting steadily at the minimum six players so there isn't a whole lot of RP happening between missions).

If you have justification to do something IC then you should do it, don't be concerned for the possibility of OOC griefing.

I'm afraid that is advice I'm just not going to take. Not everyone is as OK with heavy PvP as you. Some will take major offense. I'd rather avoid causing any offence. This is a game for having fun.

You don't have to start rolling dice every time, but you shouldn't force yourself to do nothing.

I'm not doing nothing. I'm solving the issue OOC.

Has Hallan changed his posture after hearing what the Inquisitor said?

I'm afraid that is advice I'm just not going to take. Not everyone is as OK with heavy PvP as you. Some will take major offense. I'd rather avoid causing any offence. This is a game for having fun.

You're right, this is a game. But a major part of the game is dealing with adversity, and as a I pointed out earlier, sometimes that adversity originates from your fellow players. If you wait to ask for permission than you jeopardize your ability to do something.

I'm not advocating heavy PvP, I'm not even saying that you should solve situations with violence if it isn't necessary. I'm saying you shouldn't let others walk all over your character for two rounds because you're worried about their feelings. Unless a good ol' sanity slap for someone who is clearly out of their mind is considered heavy PvP.

You don't have to start rolling dice every time, but you shouldn't force yourself to do nothing.

I'm not doing nothing. I'm solving the issue OOC.

Has Hallan changed his posture after hearing what the Inquisitor said?

But this isn't how the issue was solved. I chose not to kill the Astropath when I had the chance without any outside input, though I would have loved to have had some. It's a good thing too because until very recently most of the party seemed ready to let me run rampant under the influence of the red thirst. I thought my posts would have transmitted the sense that it wasn't a great idea, but that didn't work out. This whole discussion is taking place after the fact.

I haven't decided yet. I mean I'm already committed to not killing him, but I want to see if Leon will turn off the machine and subdue the rest of the entities so I can leave. Otherwise I don't know what I'm going to do next.

Let's just leave it at I like to RP differently to you.

In the interest of posting I'm going to take that as a no, Hallan's posture hasn't changed.

Hallan some of what you are saying seems to be directed at the game itself. So I will address those issues. I appreciate Brother Thedius bringing up his concerns in OOC. This is a good way to resolve things rather than letting them escalate during combat.

@ Hallan "eventually something will happen (though it's a little hard since we are sitting steadily at the minimum six players so there isn't a whole lot of RP happening between missions)." There was a dinner before this mission as well as plenty of other scenes. I was thinking maybe it was too much to be honest.There will be more RP between this mission and the next.

@Hallan-"It's a good thing too because until very recently most of the party seemed ready to let me run rampant under the influence of the red thirst". Remember non-Blood Angels are not aware of your ailment. There is a difference between activating a demeanor and being overtaken by the Primarch's curse. As a Lamenter you have more restraint as far as that is concerned, at least to how they are written up in Rites of Battle.

Outside the game mechanics Lamenters are supposed to have gotten over the worst of the red thirst. I wouldn't assume that Thedius even knows that Lamenters are a Blood Angels successor, rather he suspects that Hallen may have fallen victim to the warp entities. I honestly suspected the GM PMed you to tell you to behave like Karn, cox you've been taken over by a deamon of Korn!

Let's just leave it at I like to RP differently to you.

Fair enough. I apologize if I offended you in any way.

ooc] Remember non-Blood Angels are not aware of your ailment. There is a difference between activating a demeanor and being overtaken by the Primarch's curse. As a Lamenter you have more restraint as far as that is concerned, at least to how they are written up in Rites of Battle.[/ooc]

Very true, which is why I tried to key in others that this is not normal. Between my opening fire almost immediately, not following Lucians orders, insane rambling, and charging the witch with intent to kill I thought I had given others the opportunity to act without needing needing specific knowledge of the red thirst. I also understand that it was only a demeanor and not the full-blown curse, which is why I stopped myself on the second attack. I tried to play it by ear but apparently it didn't connect very well overall.

A completely different question, do we need an apothecary? our resident one seems to have left. While I enjoy my assault marine I can make one.

An issue has been brought up about half-actions. It is clear in the book that you can not take the same half-action, and it does mention subtypes to some degree but it is left ambiguous , unlike the other 40k RPGs it is not clear that you can not take two attack subtypes in the same round. So I am going to make that a ruling for the future and put that in F.A.Qs. Of course if you have swift attack talents, squad mode abilities ect then you will get your bonus attacks from those.

A completely different question, do we need an apothecary? our resident one seems to have left. While I enjoy my assault marine I can make one.

You are welcome to make one if you like, but only if it is something you want to play.

Swift attack is a single attack full action. It does not break the 1 attack action per turn rule... That I'm surprised to be unable to find!

Also I was wrong about knock down. It can be done outside a grapple, I just didn't see it when I was starting this grapple.

I think I will be buying take down after this...

So with that ruling how is the Feint action effected specifically? Its a half-action that has the attack subtype. Is it an exception or will a feinting character have to wait until their next turn to make the standard attack?

Feint doesn't have the attack subtype in later games

So with that ruling how is the Feint action effected specifically? Its a half-action that has the attack subtype. Is it an exception or will a feinting character have to wait until their next turn to make the standard attack?

So heres the thing. Either I say feint does not have the attack-subtype, because it doesn't based on the other systems and the Errata, but then I open up that can of worms again and have to have every decision I make to be combed over by the rules laywers, Or I simply say yes.

So that is my answer. Yes, you have to wait until next turn if you use feint. And as I have played this game since it came out, I have never seen feint used, probably because most people rather just use a Fate Point if they really want an attack to hit. So I do not think this will break the game.

True, I find aim a much better use of that half action

Mission 2-Hredrin AAR

Once again, a very good job by all. I thank all of you for posting regularly and in character. You do not make this part easy for me and I am constantly thinking about who is going to get what as we play because you all seem to continually one up each-other.

Best Role-Player Brother Tellamchus gets it this time and here is why. I really appreciate that not only does he speak in character, but he gives insight to what his character is thinking and subtle things he is doing. It is like reading a character in a story and I like that.
Best Use of a Fate Point Brother Leon for using it to assist him with turning off the Transmitorum device during the extended action of Lord Inquisitor Gathrix. That was instrumental in not allowing another round of potential possessions.
Best Kill Brother Tellamachus sorry if I miss-spelled it I do not have a reference in front of me. Killing the warp-entity was exceptional. Once they were unbound with the device activated, few of you had the means to really hurt them. I know some of you brought blessed ammo, but I did not see anyone load it.

Now you all get to vote for MVP

Exp Break-Down
Primary Objective 400(received bonus for not allowing the inquisitor to take a scratch) Tertiary Objective50 Kept Velznic alive(you have Brother Thedius to thank on that account) Brother Tellamachus gets the 50 extra this mission for it being a heavy psyker theme and struggling through a psychic shadow effect that reduced his psy rating by 1 which is significant.

Renown As promised this mission had the potential to yield high renown. Had you saved the arbiter, who was actually a judge's nephew , you would have received even more. 10 Renown to everyone Brother Lucian receives an extra 2 renown for his exemplary leading of this mission and since the Lord Inquisitor received no wounds as previously mentioned.
*Edit*
Elite Advances-ExtrasYou may purchase Peer(Navis Nobilite"Navigators") for 50 xp if you so chose for assisting House Aleene with the taking over of the sub-sector's communications.
*Edit*
By saving Velznic you receive a Fellowship Bonus of +5 when dealing with Lord Inquisitor Gathrix, but you receive -5 when dealing with Sister Vesta. Choices will have meaning in this game and I hope you appreciate that. As mentioned you can give me feedback as well. I think some of you would like some more role-playing time. This being a PbP I had wanted to keep the action continuous, but the next "mission" is mostly Role-Play. How you conduct yourselves on the Shrine World as you deliver the Sarcophagus will be most important.

OK guys my first child is due in just over a week, so in the interest of not disappearing half way through a mission, Thedius will be spending some time in the pain glove. Once back from the hospital I would hope to be able to get back in the game.

Thanks GM this is a lot of high octane fun, I look forward to getting back into it.

I see Thedius as refusing to follow Lucain into combat, so that can be my excuse for him not going. If the Ultramarine takes Thedius's advice from the end of the last game that can be a good reason for him to rejoin. Conversely, if the Ultramarine continues to micromanage, Thedius may decide that he needs to show him how it's done. I hope that all makes sense and strikes everyone as a comfortable explanation

I'm happy to have a bit of tension with Thedius, but it's clear that he and Lucian don't mesh very well, which could end up detrimental to the mission.

I think it would be useful if everyone could come up with a few things that they regard their character as "specialists" in, so that everyone else, and especially the mission leader, knows where everyone's strengths lie. Not all Astartes of the same speciality are built the same, so I figure it might be useful if the leader could turn to someone for advice on subjects outside their area of expertise.

I believe it is normal for leaders to turn to experts in their team for advice.

As a guide the marine's speciality and tactics skills are a good place to get a good feel for the marine's skills.

Thedius specialises in Scouting, Stealth and Recon, and hand to hand assault. He's not a blood crazed assault marine, but a tactical one. He will use his speed to silence the big guns. He should, in time become the expert in 1-to-1 combat.

PS Thedius and Vartas don't currently mesh well, but differant character overcoming their differences and working together is a major theme of Deathwatch. The best relationships often begin with a rocky start. As an Ultramarine I would see Lucian Vartas as being the best able to bridge that gap.

I see Thedius finally coming around to seeing Vartas as an ally in the heat of combat... But that is just a posibility.

@GM - If it's OK with you I will post a final interaction with Hallan that will take place in the lander after we take off.

My vote for MVP goes to Brother Leon just inching ahead of brother Tellemachus because I caught myself more than once during the last mission thinking thank god we brought the techmarine.

Any comments from GM and/or players in regards to Elyas appreciated.

I am currently putting the idea of an apothecary on hold as I prefer Elyas more. Just letting everyone know that that position is open hint, hint new submissions.

I've decided on who'll get my MVP vote:
Brother Thedius
Reasoning-
Brother Thedius exercised significant recon and stealth. (Sorry, by the way I kinda realized I was stealing your thunder when in the Halls of the Transmitorum)Especially at the beginning, where he had scouted ahead and spotted the man hiding under the manhole.

Also if it wasn't for his actions, our tertiary objective would be lying facedown in a pool of blood.
Nice job

@Elyas - For comments on how I see your character tactically look under my spoiler and skip to the second paragraph. If you want to add character without loosing that tight lipped Dark angel thing I suggest typing up what your character is thinking and feeling more.

@Tellemachus - Thanks for the vote. It wasn't really your fault that you I was taken off the roll of point man.

MVP Vote: Brother Lucian Vartas
I threw a lot of flack his way and he took it all very well. He was capable of splitting the IC from the OOC. Another player would allow it to turn into a stupid argument and completely derail everything. I would be neglegant if I didn't vote for him.

Thanks Thedius, I had already read your spoiler and agrees with your tactical evaluation. I do plan to head two weapon wielder, lightning attack and so on for close combat. I am currently debating on going for some sort of powerfield e.g. one of the shields.

My vote for MVP goes to Tellemachus - that mission could have gone tremendously wrong without his psychic abilities.

Elyas, I think your characterisation is great. It can be very difficult to make such a stoic and taciturn character mesh well in a group, but I think Elyas has integrated well so far, and I hope we see him come out of his shell a little as he becomes more comfortable with the rest of the Kill-Team.

Thedius, thanks for your kind comments. Our situation is the sort of thing that could easily spin out of control, but I think we're both aware of how we want it to play out IC, so it makes it easy to separate things.

MVP Vote:
Brother Tellemachus
Reason:
I feel that throughout the majority of the mission Brother Tellemachus made a great deal of effort to be more personable. Many of us had said that it would be difficult to follow him because of trust issues, but I feel that he made great strides in proving us wrong.

MVP Votes so far
Tellemachus 2
Brother Leon 1
Brother Lucian Vartas 1
Brother Thedius 1

Nice to see so many nominations.

MVP Vote:
Brother Tellemachus
Reason:
Many of his actions and abilities were paramount in completing this mission as neatly as we did.

It looks like Brother Tellemachus received the MVP.

Just as a reminder to everyone that received something, You can use these Honorable mentions for medals, once you obtain 3, or to renew burned fate points.

This has come up in a few PMs so I will post it here and add it to F.A.Qs. When you are buying advances, remember you have Four choices.

General Space Marine Advances found on pg 60
Deathwatch Advances pg 64
Chapter Advances pg 66
Specialty Advances found later where your specialty is listed.

There are also Elite Advances ect that are campaign specific. I have those listed in the Campaign tab.

@Hallen: Im pretty certain in the fluff marines are immune to the effects of ageing. Provided they survive battle long enough..

The oldest living marine is Dante at 1,300 years old, there is also heavy suggestions throughout some of the BL books that marines die of aging. Of course warp shenanigans have caused some time-travel stuff were technically a marine can be thousands upon thousands of years old while still being biologically young.

The point being that marines are not explicitly immune to aging, and even if they were the oldest known one is still relatively young compared to your character (and blood angels are noted for being especially long lived to boot).

Well. In my character's case, he's seen lots of action during that period. But for reasons undisclosed he hasn't served in a long long long time.

A lot of people are asking so I will post It here. Someone had brought this up earlier I forget the context, but there is no Chaplin currently on the Pious Immolation. The Chaplin is currently in Scintilla. The spiritual needs are being met by the Ecclesiarch on the ship for the time being.

Other than the Watch Captain there is a Keeper that is an Astartes of the Deathwatch. There is also Inquisitor Van Vuygens of Ordo Xenos who is human.

I believe the Captain might be the one to go to for guidance. Hallan? Vartas?

Spiritually you mean? For our penance?

To a lesser extent for penance, to a greater one for guidance.

We may ask, but I'm not sure what he would instruct us to do. He may just tell us to man up or go to the training cages and beat the snot out of each other until everyone is friends.

Perhaps, but that's good RP too!

During down time, as much as a space marine captain has down time, where would the captain be found?