Sumantra was also displeased at the Magos' actions, and at his words. There was an equal need in him to see that the man learned the error of his ways, but at the same time there was a note of caution to be had. Of course, that didn't stop the others from making an immediate counter-threat, or stop Brother Hallan from putting a bolt round through one of the servo-skulls.
"Brothers, as much as I too would like to like to see the Magos reprimanded for his insults, it is his ship, and he has a responsibility to its safety. That said, I do not like how he called that an opportunity unless he was referring to the mission's goals as a whole."
"The enginseer must learn his place, before he is taught it." Brother Zedkiel starts scanning for the jammer.
[dice=Tech-Use TN 40]1d100
[dice=Tech-Use TN 40]1d100
[dice=Tech-Use TN 40]1d100[dice=Awareness TN 70]1d100
Zedkiel is completely distracted operating the newly installed equipment, and ignores the buzzing servoskulls.
Ulrich's eyes narrow slightly at Brother Hallan's actions, but not in disapproval. More in anticipation of a response.
Arriving in the medical bay took longer than expected and once there it took but a moment for Brother Xing to locate and deactivate the device on the Father.
Int 50, Tech Use +10 (Cortical) , +10 Combi tool (70) vs success
Once deactivated the comms returned and servitors began to function normally. Satisfied and confident in the care that would be provided he began to return to his brothers and caught the gist of what was happening through local vox systems.
Brother Xing grabs the first servo skull he can find with a built in auspex and tries to locate something eyes could not.
Tech Use -20 (-1 Degree diff from Implant)Int 50 vs
Brother Xing opens comms to his brothers:
Father Zyas has been attended too. I have scanned but am unable to locate the origin of the frequency variations. Have you spoken to the Captain?
Brother Xing and Zedkiel's attempts to locate the frequency with augers prove to be more puzzling than helpful. Neither are able to locate the frequency origin with certainty. Your lack of knowledge of the ship and warp travel offer little clues and you aren't able to even understand what you are looking for and what stands out.
After 15 minutes of scanning and attempting to locate the signals origin, Magos contacts the team again with his own internal scan results:
Our readings show signals to be originating from multiple locations across the ship, we are unable to locate the cause or predict the possible effects. The intensity is increasing and... and before he can finish there is a yell on the bridge and all you hear is gellar field destabilizing...Impossible! before comms are cut off.
Everyone searching can provide me with an Awareness -20 test.
Those that arrive on the bridge may use internal augers to scan the ship once more.
In your search you notice some peculiar markings that seem barely recognizable at first glance and nearly hidden to the common eye, certainly no tech-priest would recognize such things. Give me an INT (Ciphers) Deathwatch test. If you don't have (ciphers) DW, I'll allow it with a -10 penalty to your INT test.
"The Emperor watch over us, and if need be, grant us His Peace." Zedkiel falls in with Brother Vartas and Brother Hammern.
"Wait brothers, do you see these? These are not the works of the priests of Mars. They look familiar..."
"The might of the Allfather be with you all." Ulrich accompanies Brother Zedkiel and Brother Vartas as they depart, though he is unsure how much use a foot search of the ship will be.
"Yes I see them. They are concealed most cunningly." Ulrich looks more closely at the strange markings.
"They seem vaguely familiar, but I cannot place from where."
Understood, I will join you there.
While on the way he notices some peculiar markings and attempts to decipher them.
Awareness 65 vs 6 DOS
Ciphers (DW) -10, Int (50) vs 2 DOS
Understood, I will join you there.
While on the way he notices some peculiar markings and attempts to decipher them.
Awareness 65 vs 1d100 6 DOS
Ciphers (DW) -10, Int (50) vs 1d100 2 DOS
The sudden collapse of the vox, and the magos last words about the ship's Gellar Field, are of grave concern. Listening intently to Hallan's plan, Lucian nods his agreement and secures his helmet, the neck ring sealing with a hiss.
A solid plan Brother. Zedkiel, Hammern - let's move. We will check the enginarum first, we must ensure that this phenomenon does not destroy the reactor, or we will surely be lost to the Empyrean.
Keeping his wits about him, and his bolt pistol in hand, as they move, Lucian begins to scour the ship for evidence of the strange emissions
A strobing alarm light glints off a series of hidden markings, seemingly etched into an otherwise unremarkable bulkhead.
The markings seem to be part of a message encoded in the written scriptform of the Deathwatch's own ciphers, but damage or age has left part of the message undecipherable. Lucian slams his gauntleted fist against the bulkhead in frustration, before opening the Kill-Team vox channel.
Brothers, I have found some markings written in the Deathwatch's own code. They are too badly damaged to decipher. Has anyone else seen such writings?
Brothe Arkhos and Sumantra make their way to the bridge, but once they arrive, they can see the command center is sealed, guarded by 2 combat servitors that show no fear of the approaching marines.
Brother Zedkiel notices the Ciphers but is unable to make sense of them, he spends quite a long time staring into nothing. Even after brother Hammern and Vartas take notice of the barely noticable markings, they too are unable to decipher the true meanings. The best interpretation you can gather collectively is that its some warning, but for what and left by whom remains a mystery.
Fear the Inquisitor...Magos?? is one of the few meanings that comes to mind, but it doesn't make sense to you. Surely this couldn't be the real meaning.
After Brother Xing makes his way to join his squad he notices some markings and deciphers them after a few moments of thought. They are not far from where you returned the Father, close to the medical ward.
Only with the Pearl can you continue onward
The message doesn't seem to have been left by a Deathwatch member, further intriguing you, but you can be certain the message was intended for you and your brothers, of that you have no doubt.
However, one word meaning within the translation is difficult to decipher. The word "with" is perhaps a poor translation and other meanings include, in, on, without, outside, under, and beyond.
Arkhos doesn't feel like killing some servitors for now, but will have some words later on, when time allows it.
Zedkiel dismisses the scratchings and continues scrying for the source of the phenomenon.
Assuming the source of it is internal to the ship, Zedkiel tries to plot likely locations to hide whatever is creating it.
The frequencies and interference increase steadily, as if something is powering up, yet the Marines are unable to locate the device's exact position, but certain they are near.
Upon entering the engine hold brother Hallens request is met with more certainty. The tech priest replies:
We have narrowed our search peramiters and believe it to be originating near the plasma vents between subsections 3 and 6. The gellar field is being disrupted but we have been able to maintain integrity by the Ommnusiah's grace. The captain has informed us that we will be and before he can finish it looks as though he is interrupted by an incoming Vox. When he returns his attention, he speaks briefly, We are preparing to drop out of warp, the instability is too great to maintain 100% integrity. As he turns away, the team receives a transmission from the Magos.
My apologies Astartes, but it seems there is some sabotage which must be addressed before we can continue our journey, please continue to search for the cause once we exit the warp. Anything or anyone attempting to negate our Gellar field must be dealt with before we can continue.
Shortly after the navigator informs the captain he has found a suitable exit point. However, in a race versus the intensified frequency, the gellar fields integrity is momentarily compromised, allowing the briefest moment and miniscule breach.
Something else is aboard, every marine feels this rising darkness, and slowly begins to worm itself into your minds, attempting to relay a message:
WP test - 20, success means you resist, failure gives you the following in a familiar voice:
Come sons of the Emperor, I will tell you what I told Ahzami
Lucian continues to make his way toward the enginarum, and meets up with Hallan and Xing within the vast reactor space.
The tranmission from the Magos fuels Lucian's anger even further, the thought that the ship had been sabotaged causing a red fire of rage to burn in his chest. The rage is tempered, however, when the walls of his psychic defences are assaulted by a greasy, sticky sensation.
Ulrich freezes as he feels the presence of the enemy and its profane voice whispers in his head. Without a word he draws his power sword and there is a small sound from inside the storm bolter in his left vambrace as it switches ammo.
Brother Zedkiel's mind is adamantium, and he holds off the tendrils of the warp. "Hold fast brothers, our faith is unbreakable."
Sumantra followed Arkhos up to the bridge, seeing the two combat servitors that are in place to prevent them from entering. Looking over at the Executioner he chuckled. "Should we ask nicely?"
It was only when he felt something spike against his skull, or seemingly do so, that his wariness went to full alert, and he reflexively squeezed the grip of his bolter tighter, his little warning bell going off at his belt silently. "Did you feel that?" he said, looking around.
The voice inside Lucian's head is disturbing, and he braces his psyche for a further assault. Gripping his bolt pistol tightly, he quietly recites passages from the Codex Astartes to give him strength and fortitude.
Hallan's voice cuts through his thoughts, and Lucian refuses to admit the weakness of his mental defences.
Not well so far. This place is a labyrinth of machines, finding anything in here will prove incredibly challenging.
I suggest we split up and conduct a grid search within the enginarum to locate the source of the emissions.
Brothers Vartas, Hammern, and Hallen hear the calling in a familiar voice, it is different for each of you, perhaps its your closest ally, a previous Captain, leader of your Chapter, or even Father Zyas. It sounds familiar and enchanting, you need to answer it. You feel the need to purge yourself of this voice in any way possible. It draws you in and you know it wants you to return to the Cargo holds, opposite the direction of the unknown rogue signals disturbing the gellar fields.
As the voices continue your mind is unable to shut out the sounds, but it has no other affect on you.
If you wish for Humanity to survive you will heed my words, perhaps it is too late for Azhammi, but you still can triumph. Come Astartes, we have little time to speak before you must do what you will.
Brother's Zedkiel's devotion and purity are above reproach, he easily resist the foul presence, closing off his mind and warding himself against Pyschic incurions in a nature that exemplifies his Black Templars gene seed. Sumantra nearly succombs to the pressure, but is able to rally his senses and push back the darkness creeping in. But what of Arkhos?
Brother Vartas attempts to command the men to continue searching for the devices, but he may not even be able to follow his own advice. He tries to organize his brothers more effectively for the search of the subsections, but its not yet clear if they will listen.
As the Brothers are deciding how to react and what to do, everyone feels the familiar shift from the warp back to realspace. The ship drops out of warp in an emergency effort to avoid catastrophe. Unfortunately, the frequencies disrupting the gellar fields are no longer detectable. How is that possible? Does this mean the threat is over? Was it just a freak accident or anomoly? Is it safe to return to the warp?
The Magos comms the team as they are deciding how and what to do:
Our navigator has brought us out of the warp, we are assertaining our exact position now, what is the status of your search? We are currently unable to detect the frequencies, have you dealt with the source?
Sumantra takes a few minutes to consider the cyphers and grasp the following concept:
Fear not the Inquisition or its tools, Loyalty to the Emperor.
What is this pearl? Why do we need it?
Brother Xing considers the meaning of the cyphers as he rejoins the team. He updates them on what he as found and stands ready to follow orders and search for the frequency origins. This is however cut short as Brother Xing feels a Pyschic assault to his mental defenses, he readies his mind, ever vigilant in keeping out the darkness.
WP 60, +10 Deed, vs success
Not knowing what is happening he extends his own senses and searches the warp for what is causing the disturbance aboard the ship.
Per 40, +Psyn +20 vs 3 DOS
Brother Hallen, I've sensed something in the direction of the cargo holds where we previously were trying to worm itself into my mind. Have any of you failed to resist? What did you see or hear?
Scrutiny: Per 65 vs 4 DOS
We must deal with whatever is there. Now that we have dropped out of warp the frequencies are no longer our biggest concern.
Though if we can not find the signal origins and they return, then this ship will take millenia to reach our destination....We do not have the time for such a pace.
Come brothers, we must make haste and find whatever slipped through the Gellar fields from the Warp. Be diligent and strong minded, for we are the chosen ones.
Ulrich hears again the voice of his captain and mentor, the marine whose blade he still wields, and tries to resist the lure of the captain's voice. It cannot be him! I watched him die! A soft growling sound issues from Ulrich's throat.
Ulrich snarls audibly, holds his ground for a few seconds, then the power field around his blade snaps to life with a hum and he bellows, "I saw you die!" as he begins sprinting for the cargo hold.
Zedkiel curses as the Space Wolf leaves, and heads to the enginarum as Brother Vartas suggested, hoping to swiftly uncover the sabotage. The saboteur wanted them out of the warp, and he did not want to face them on ground of their choosing.
The Bridge
As Brother Sumantra and Arkhos are waiting outside the bridge, the mental assualt is perhaps too great for Arkhos and Sumantra watches as Arkhos takes off running in the direction they just came from.
Sumantra understanding the cipher, doesn't reveal the information to his brothers yet, but he watches as Arkhos takes off, will he follow?
Engines
Brother's Hammern and Vartas can't resist the calls and makes their way towards the voices calling, unable to resist, but otherwise in control. You know not what it is, though its voice is familiar, and what it's said thus far can not be ignored.
Brother Xing and Hallen are in quick pursuit of their brothers. Not fully grasping what is happening to their brothers, they keep up and follow their brothers lead, as they do not hear the calling and know not where it comes from. Brother Xing feels as they get nearer the familiar presence of a single warp being.
Zedkiel attempts to continue looking for the device, but as the Magos and techpriest previously said, the signal is no longer detectable. His understanding of void combat recalls fragments of rumored devices capable of disrupting gellar fields, but only the Inquisition has ever employed such devices to your knowledge. Ships are much too valuable to be sacrificed and succomb to the warp and its foul inhabitants. You know it will be like looking for a needle in a hay stack unless you return to the warp and the device is once again activated.
Whoever or whatever wanted you out of the warp has succeeded, and its unlikely you will be able to find the device without more specialized equipment and weeks of time to search every inch of the ship. Such devices are known to use arcane technology that fools sensors and gives false readings, always fluctuating and rotating. Even the techpriets certainty of its location is now called into question and realize the futility in trying to locate the device alone.
The voice, which sounds like that of his deceased mentor Sergeant Castus, diverts Lucian's attention towards the cargo holds.
There is little to be found here Brothers. We should search the cargo holds, they are a vast space in which a saboteur could hide all manner of dangerous machines.
Frustrated at his inability to find the sabotage, and still suspecting an imminent attack, Zedkiel heads to the cargo bay to rendezvous with his brothers.
Zedkiel catches up to the squad as they are approaching a bit slower, just arriving at the cargo holds. When the marines enter they feel this place is different and begin to see the edges of the rooms moving and the walls shifting as if the planes of the dimension are shifting, and coming in and out of focus. There is an aura as thick as fog but invisible to the human eye, here the threads of reality are being shifted and the vibrations are a distraction to your mind and senses.
-20 to all WP test in this area.
Then out of no where a being appears to the marines, with the same voice that lured them there. All you can hear are the voices of those close to you whispering your fate. Whispering your darkest fears and deepest desires. How they know such things about you does not concern you, you long to hear more of yourself.
Slowly it appears, sometimes appearing as one person or shifting into many as easily as the voices change, though you never question how or why, accepting it to be as real as the air you are breathing. Only now the marines are able to see the figure and each recognizes it as a different person from their life. Whether its only a single person or many you dare not look away for to lose these few moments of such deep introspect would be unbearable....You have never experienced anything like this in your lives and believe you may never again.
Ulrich sees a former captain who who reassures him that he is stronger than he and his destiny is greater than he can imagine. But he pressures him too, his death was for you to continue on this path before you. You must not let anything stand in your way or you would dishonor my memory. Never be the prey! he says with the fiercest growl and temper you have ever seen a wolf muster, saliva flying and drooling turning with a sense of hatred and loathing in his words.
Vartas' mentor can not be any prouder of what he has done. You see it in his face, but he isn't one to say it. You feel it with all certainty, but yet, you know its not enough. It pails in comparison to what he was in your eyes. He urges you forward, to continue so that one day you might be equals. Your greatest challenge lies yet before you, do not deny your fate and calling. Honor me and do what you must!
Brother's Hallen, Xing, and Zedkiel arrive, not hearing any voices until the being appears, for atleast a moment, they see the most important person they could have ever met, they see their respective Primarchs in the flesh. The Lure to listen and converse is great, the temptation easily the greatest you've ever encountered, the wisdom, the knowledge, the prestige and honor, all at once assault your senses and mental barriers like a battering ram. Your stand behind the door, ready to open and let it flood in, you have never desired more, all you need do is choose to let it in...
Brother Xing's Scrutiny of the marines lets him know that Ulrich and Vartas were not themselves before they arrived closer to the cargo hold. You don't believe something is influencing their minds, but you think something is calling them, your mental defenses and experience with entities of the warp give you a suspicion and your deeds of the past have mentally fortified you for such encounters.
The presence of Sergeant Castus, dead decades ago on Reginus X, is a surprise, yet not wholly unexpected. Castus had nominated Lucian for command in the event of his death, and Lucian had always known that the indomitable warrior spirit of his mentor and guide had been watching over his progress through the Ultramarines and into the orders of the Deathwatch; to see him here is reassuring.
Lucian salutes Castus in the traditional style of the warriors of Ultramar, with a fist over his primary heart.
What is this challenge, Sergeant? How can I honour you?
For those that pass the willpower test, the images flee and you see through the aura. Though it speaks and whispers to you in much the same way as the others, only you can see its true face. It’s mouth never moves, there was merely an instance of communication between your minds, but you resisted and are faced with the reality in front of you:
Before you lies an immense bird-like daemons with shimmering skin, wicked curved beak and multi-coloured, spectrum-shattering wings. It’s appearance is as bewildering as it is terrifying -- an ever-changing, multi-hued form that defies mortal reasoning or logic. It is a towering being with gangling limbs and is deceptively delicate-looking. It’s long, spindly body is topped by a savage, cruel avian head, resting on a long, crooked neck. It’s hunched shoulders are draped with what looks like the robes of a high priest or a court wizard from ages long-past. It’s bent, bird-like legs are scaly and end in vicious talons; with lank arms and clawed hands. Great feathered wings sprout from it’s shoulder blades, glittering and glinting with a thousand impossible colours. It barely seems capable of supporting its own weight, leaning upon an immense staff, etched with innumerable eldritch signs and sigils. (Description isn't my writing, taken from books...not into plagiarism)
Also, people may roll initiative now, though who can act and what they can do will vary, I just want it out the way in case it becomes relevant.
The glamer has no power over Zedkiel, and as soon as he enters the cargo room his blade is in his hand.
Brother Xing couldn't believe his eyes and knew the illusion wasn't real, the feelings he had could only be sorcery and his mind sharpened at the intrusion until it shattered revealing the daemon behind the veil.
WP test (70) -10 vs
What he saw next he had never encountered personally before, but he knew it looked familiar.
Forb. Lore (Daemon) +20, Int 50, Unnat Int x2, (70) vs
Savant: re-roll learned lore skill
2 DOS
Do not be fooled by its masks brothers.Then turning to the Daemon he looks angrily You should not have come here he says gripping his greater force sword, ready to strike it down. What do you know of Ahzammi and his mission?
+6 = 7
As if knowing your intentions before you even could react the Daemon relinquishes the hold he has on your minds and rises beyond the supposed frailty and delicate nature of his stature. In his full form, fully materialized, the ever changing faces and chaos are too great, even for an Astartes. While any mortal would have surely succumbed before this, their minds would be forever lost at such a sight. For sons of the Emperor, their faith is stronger, but they are still mortal. And mortals understand fear in many ways. Your ignorance gives rise to fear as you have no idea what it is or what to call it. Simply saying Daemon is an apparent affront that only hastens his reaction.
Roll Result
01–20
The character is badly startled. He may only take a single Half Action during his next Turn, but afterward he may act
normally.
21–40
Fear grips the character and he begins to shake and tremble. He is at a –10 penalty on all tests for the rest of the
encounter unless he can recover his wits (see Shock and Snapping Out of it, page 278).
41–60
Reeling with shock, the character backs away from the thing that confronts him. The character cannot willingly approach
the object of his Fear, but may otherwise act normally, with a –10 penalty on all tests until the end of the encounter.
61–80
The character is frozen by terror. He may take no Actions until he snaps out of it. After snapping out of it, the character
makes all tests with a –10 penalty for the rest of the encounter.
81–100
Panic grips the character. He must flee the source of his fear, if able, as fast as he can, and if prevented from doing so may
only take Half Actions and is at a –20 penalty to all tests. Once away from the danger, he must successfully Snap Out of
It to regain control.
101–120
Fainting dead away, the character keels over and remains unconscious for 1d5 Rounds. Once he regains consciousness, he
is still shaken and takes all tests with a –10 penalty until the end of the encounter.
121–130
Totally overcome, the character screams and vomits uncontrollably for 1d5 Rounds. During this time, he may do nothing
and drops anything he is holding. Afterward, until the end of the encounter, the character may only take a single Half
Action each Turn until he can rest.
131–140
The character laughs hysterically and randomly attacks anything near him in a manic frenzy, firing wildly or using
whatever weapon he has in hand. This effect lasts until the character Snaps Out of It, or until he is knocked unconscious.
141–160
The creature crumples to the ground for 1d5+1 Rounds sobbing, babbling, and tearing at his own flesh, and may do
nothing. Even after he returns to his senses, he is a complete mess and suffers a –20 penalty on all tests until the end of
the encounter.
161–170 The character’s mind snaps and he become catatonic for 1d5 hours and may not be roused.
171+
The character is so over come with fear that his heart stops. He must make a Challenging (+0) Toughness or die. If
successful, he falls catatonic for 1d5 hours as above.
As it's full form comes to bear and all the marines take sight of its true power and essence, some are overwhelmed and shocked to their core.
As the Astartes come to grips with what is before them, the creature replies You may call me Lord....And if you are wise, you will stay your weapons...Do not be as foolish to believe your mortal hands could slay me this day, for I have foreseen all the possibilities of our encounter and only your attention is required to survive....Test my resolve and I shall not hesitate to alter your mortal threadded soul permanently... My Lord has need of you as he once did Ahzammi....Do you think such a mortal could have predicted the the patterns that have baffled mankind for centuries alone? he says with a small laugh, but a look of dead seriousness...I would have joined you sooner, but the peculiar devices on this ship proved to be a beacon of distress in the warp and I did not want uninvited guests to join us....I had foreseen you disabling them, but without your tech marine this thread has been altered...Brother Xing, you are a most peculiar sightstopping briefly its seems, as if to recall your past,present, and future, Then, speaking in a language you have rarely heard, he mentions a name so complex and malicious that ordinary minds would melt just hearing it...Do your brothers know? pausing slightly to let his words sink in, making sure he says it in Gothic for all to hear.
You will not be on this ship much longer, rejoice in your new path, for you shall be saviors of mankind....Should you answer the calling that is...Tell your Dead Cabal that it is too late, the Sun is upon you and those that have slept will awaken...You must not allow that to happen or all is forever lost....They will sweep over every world in the flash of an eye and their is nothing your Emperor has been able to do or can do...Only you, and with my aid, stand any chance of saving the threads of this reality before they are cut by a force without threads, one who cares nothing for the delicate balance the Gods have established. Your petty fueds of xenophobia and blind devotion to a corpse will be your undoing....Do not trust the Eldar's words, for they know more than you could imagine, their libraries filled, but their threads cut short and their agendas only self serving...The future is with humanity, the greatest hope your realm holds in stopping the awakening.
He then pauses again, looking at each of you with piercing eyes that see straight to your core and it shakes you to see your souls reflection in such infinite depth...
Ahzammi was weak, prove to me you are stronger and my God shall reward you...FAIL, and your souls will be the last to be consumed, after you witness your failures and the consequences of your choices...Then turning to brother Hallen, he thinks loud enough for everyone to understand...Do you still wish to raise your gun? with a sinister, yet inviting smile....My Lord has seen you fit to carry out this task, but I question your devotion....Prove to me you are worthy of my knowledge, show me you are stronger than Ahzammi was...or your soul shall join his!
At Zedkiel the daemon seems to be controlling himself well, wanting to lash out at each and every one of you, but something restrains him, some higher calling that has tempered his lust. Your Chapter is doomed, the sacrifices they make in the coming war will be in vain, if you wish to save your chapter, then do as you were told! Do not think your Emperor can protect your sould forever....One day, you shall be held accountable for your actions.
Lastly, in this area and "realm" of reality, there are no vox transmissions incoming, only the sounds of his voices and your own, which seem to carry and echo without the need of a vox.
Brother Xing's Forbidden Lore:
You know its a "Lord of Change" one of the greater Daemons of Tzeentch. Their power and knowledge immense, rarely showing themselves. They can make use of the Warp and its untold powers at will, easily decimating anything or anyone in their path with powerful Psychic ability...You don't recognize this one, not of the well known Lords of Change, you are surprised to see it alone though. You know they manifest easily in realspace and that the failure of the Gellar fields weren't a necessary precursor to it appearing on the ship. With only 2 DOS, that's all you know. Also you recognize his equipment, Shimmering Robes and Staff of Tzeentch, both powerful items those dedicated to Tzeentch are granted...However, you notice that its not fully materialized yet, only seeming to be half way present, you know its not at full strength, and you are thankful for that fact, its the only comforting thought you've had all day.
Zedkiel screams wildly and slumps to the ground.
Seeing his Brothers advance on Sergeant Castus with weapons drawn, Lucian turns toward them, drawing his own bolt pistol. As his arm starts to rise he hears the voice of his mentor warp and shift. He turns to see a flickering form and Sergeant Castus seems to melt away, replaced by a being of pure terror.
His mental defences already at breaking point, the collapse of the illusion shatters Lucian's resolve. Turning from his Brothers, his spirit broken and honour forgotten, he sprints from the cargo hold.
Brother Xing doesn't flinch at what appears before him, even as his brothers run in fear or fall where they stand. He held no contempt for their ignorance or fear, they could not be blamed for their actions, if nothing else, it only showed their devotion and pureness in his mind. With only one brother remaining by his side, his admiration grows, as does his curiosity. The Lamenters are strong willed, you may be the ally I need in this seemingly eternal struggle. As his brother raises his bolter he grips his sword tightly and moves to strike the daemon where it stands.
You knew this could only end one way when you boarded this ship. I shall have vengeance in the name of the Emporer. Then he mentally reassures himself as he swings at the presence with both hands on the hilt. You are not my master and I am not your puppet.
Free action:Push FP test (PR 8) -20, +40 PR bonus, WP 70 (85) vs
Success
Psy Phenom:
Never noticing any smell because of his sealed armor, he takes careful aim and rushes forward after the shots are fired, moving through the warp towards the creature and attempts to bypass its defenses.
Full Action: charge
WS 63, +10 MC weapon, +20 aim
3 DOS
Great Force Sword:Melee 1d10+2 R 2 Balanced**2 handed=+1d10 dmg
9+(SB)12+2(Armor)+5dmg/pen(PR-5)=28R Pen 7
@Hallen & Others (maybe)
@EVERYONE:
Brother Hallen isn't intimidated by the Daemon's presence and chooses to ignore is words and message. He fires at the Daemon and watches horrified as the bolts go straight through the incorporeal being. The Daemon taunts him with a sinister laugh that echoes throughout the cargo hold. However it is quickly cut short as Brother Xing charges the being with his force sword, bypassing his defenses by charging partially through the warp, becoming nearly incorporeal himself, and swiftly striking at the Daemons head. While the Daemon met the challenge head on and charged brother Xing, his confidence betrayed him as the Librarian bypassed his powers and cut him easily. The creature didn't even attempt to parry but and is caught off guard as his protections are ineffectual versus the force weapon that glides through him slicing its face, leaving a huge gash.
The being looks bewildered for a moment, either by the Librarians use of the warp, or how it was so easily damaged in its state, no marine could know for certain.
Your fearlessness will be your downfall, I will show you the true power of the warp MORTAL! he says with a rising anger, much different from his previous calmness and confidence.
The daemons cast a gaze upon Hallen and stuns him, leaving him unable to move or talk.
WP test(not FP test): 8 DOS (not opposed I believe, but just in case I'm wrong)
Round 2:
The birdlike monstrosity easily draws power from the warp without needing to even focus and instantly lays a “Veil of Illusion” over brother Hallen. As Brother Xing’s strike carried through the being much easier than if it had contacted solid matter, his strength carries through from the weight of his sword and he momentarily loses sight of his opponent as the Daemon seemingly moves through him. In that instance the Lord of Change appears to be where Brother Hallen had previously been, and the Daemon appears to be Hallen, right beside Brother Xing. Did you just strike Hallen? How did it move so quickly? What trickery is this?
Hallen looks at himself as if glancing at an invisible mirror. He sees himself beside brother Xing, having only just been gashed, he appears to have become Brother Hallen now though, and he looks at himself, unable to recognize his own flesh. He looks like the Daemon. How could this be? Momentarily stunned, he can do nothing to warn his brothers of the Daemons treachery.
The Daemon looks at Brother Xing, Finally brother, its fully materialized, now we can kill it. says the being appearing to be Hallen. Brother Xing sees Hallen attack what appears to be the daemon with his chain-sword.
WS 54 vs 4 DOS
Staff of Tzeentch (2d10+14 I; Tearing, Warp Weapon)
Total: 26 I, armor doesn't protect.
Round 2 begins. Hallen is stunned, though you have options to combat that, don't forget your Power Armor..hint hint! You are stunned, don't know if you can communicate, I'll say you can't, but if I'm wrong, please correct me someone.[/ooc]
Ulrich dashes into the cargo bay, but comes to an abrupt halt when he sees Captain Jorgen addressing him. Trying to process how this is possible, He even smells right, he spends a precious few seconds just standing still and silent. He fails to actually process what the other Marines are saying, and is caught entirely off guard when the creature reveals its true form.
Mind reeling, Ulrich feels a thing he has not felt in over a century; he feels fear. Fear so overwhelming that he is petrified.
Trying to snap out of shock.
Trying to snap out of shock.
R2:
Brother Hallen is saved from the Daemons wrath by his force field that overloads from the strain of the warp weapons attack. Only by the grace of the Emporer could he have survived such an attack stunned, luckily his signature gear had been there to save him. As his suits bio-monitor detects a problem with his metabolism and actions, it floods his system with stimms to re-awaken the stunned marine, but this would take time as the spirits are slow to recognize a problem and react accordingly.