"The House of Dust and Ashes" (Inactive)

Game Master greg white 722

Sinophia! You spit the name like a curse. That dreary pit of tech-heresy is your destination, where you are to deliver the Emperor's wrath upon the fallen Tech-Priest Imbulon, who is thought to be hiding among that world's cyber-sorcerers and tech-shamans.

An important assignment, but surely not one worthy of your talents.

Granted, your purging of Agricultural Station BK447 might, to some eyes, appear to have been heavy-handed; but the Blight Shroud cult was well-spread among the Station's populace, and direct and uncompromising action was necessary.

Besides, what is a few years of missed production quotas against the expunging of the stain of heresy.

Still, as the frigate Refulgent Light churns through the Warp towards Sinopha, you cannot help but feel somehow that you are being punished.

Do you have further information on the tech-priest Imbulon or where best to get started?

I assume we are being briefed by the inquisitor we serve

The information you have is scant; you have a few blurry holo-liths of Imbulon, and his history of treachery and iniquity. It is suspected he will soon show up in the ambit of the infamous arch-heretek Ammicus Tole, the axle around which Sinophia's many tech-heresies spin.

All in all useless speculation.

You could be months searching through the worker dormitories, forges, and machine-shops of Sinophia; searching for one sinner among the thousand blasphemers that that cursed world seem to spawn.

Again you curse the luck that brought this seemingly futile mission to you.

Are we en route currently on an imperial vessel?

Sister Yolandi looks through the histories of Imbulon, looking for specifics on his crimes of heresy. Thinking a logic test, but if you want another roll let me know.: 1d100 ⇒ 84 Probably not successful unless given an extreme bonus

"I do not see anything specific about his heretical past that would give us a place to start. Perhaps the manufactorums then?" Sister Yolandi suggests to her comrades.

By the Emperor we really might be on Sinophia for a long time. I was hoping my time seconded to the Inquisition was coming to an end and I might join my sisters... She thinks to herself as she stars at the holos.

He has betrayed the will of the great Machine God. He shall suffer. Binerith speaks. Perhaps I can get a hold on some cybernetics, and remove some of this weak flesh

The Refulgent Light is an Imperial Navy frigate.

Binerath, you've heard the name of the heretek Ammicus Tole, spoken in hissing scorn, in the halls of the Logicanium: spoken of with the same contempt reserved for particularly virulent information plagues or dangerously defective machines.

Make a Hard Test (-20) of Common Lore:Machine Cult.

Sister Yolandi reports to the deck to see how progress is going and how long the trip might be. Constantly looking for signs of corruption on the crew. Awareness 41: 1d100 ⇒ 42

Our only real lead is the heretek "Ammicus Tole", perhaps Scotus could gain access to him or his usual whereabouts through his peers in the underworlds and among workers.

So, I have to get 47 or lower, right (after factoring my +10 and the -20?)
Common Lore Machine Cult: 1d100 ⇒ 89

Scotus tosses the dataslate down on a nearby table, and watches the battle-nun trudge out of the room , "Later, darlin'" he calls out, "Don't worry, we'll suss this one out....we always do."

He raises an eyebrow at the others, "So. We find this Tole fella, press him for intel on our target and job's done. Couldn't be easier."

"Once we arrive, I'll reach out to the usual types and see the lay of the land."

Binerith: You always assumed that Ammicus Tole was some kind of bugbear, invented to frighten the novices, so you never gave much attention to the whispered stories of his frightful blasphemies.

Sister Yolandi: As far you can tell the crew of the Refulgent Light is a paragon of diligence and duty.

Any information on how long it will be before we make planetfall?

Feeling satisfied that the crew is sufficiently loyal, Sister Yolandi will retire to her quarters for meditation and prayer.

"Blessed be the Refulgent Light and its crew, Blessed be the Holy Inquisition, Blessed be the God Emperor of Mankind. He who walks in the light, ever shall I follow. "

I realized I'm as useful at research as a mind-wiped servitor, I'm more of tactile info kinda guy. The sooner we make planetfall the better
Reinhard
"I look forward to meeting your 'types' Scotus, although I've always seen you as a unique, radioactive snowflake" Reinhard grins playfully at Scotus

seeing as both Reinhard and Scotus are the "bull$hitter" types at the opposite ends of the spectrum I assume we get along well, but relentlessly make fun of each other

Walking out of the room he says "If you guys need me I'll be drinking and fencing with the officers

if there's nothing for me to do till planetfall I spend the time chatting and fencing with the navy/military men onboard

With low growling voice Filip concluded
"Yeah, we need to land first. I also don't know anything specific 'bout this treachery."

In meantime I try contacting Arbites for files they have about this cult.

I can not recall any useful information

According to the last bulletin you received from the Captain, you are 13 days from planet-fall: the fickle currents of the Warp are not particularly propitious.

In that case I will list things I will be doing for those 13 days if uninterrupted Starting at day 2 assuming day 1 is this day and it has passed. I am going to do one specific thing each day, this is of course in addition to the normal prayers and mediations of an Adepta Sororitas

Day 2 Studying Sinophia using old texts or data slates and making any applicable notes. Trade Copyist: 1d100 ⇒ 18
Day 3 Praising the God Emperor and spreading his word. Common Lore Ecclesiarchy: 1d100 ⇒ 50
Day 4 Inspecting any ground vehicles we have on board to insure they are mission capable. Drive Ground Vehicle: 1d100 ⇒ 56
Day 5 Patrolling the Refulgent Light looking at others with scrutiny at those I pass by. Scrutiny: 1d100 ⇒ 49
Day 6 Detail cleaning of personal gear and weapons.
Common Lore Imperial Creed: 1d100 ⇒ 72
Day 7 Trying to ease drop conversations of the higher ups to pick up and information. Silent Move: 1d100 ⇒ 63
Awareness: 1d100 ⇒ 6
Day 8 Fasting for the God Emperor. Toughness: 1d100 ⇒ 18
Day 9 Singing over the vox praises to the God Emperor and holy hymns Performance Singer: 1d100 ⇒ 7
Day 10 Reading my copy of the Rule of the Sororitas Literacy: 1d100 ⇒ 8
Day 11 Checking in with my fellow acolytes and tending to any illness from travel they might have endured. Trade Apothecary: 1d100 ⇒ 13
Day 12 Patrolling again, this time searching for anything hidden on board. Search: 1d100 ⇒ 40
Day 13 Checking in with the Navigators to ensure we are on schedule. Scanning the surface of Sinophia with an Auspex for the most populated and least populated areas. Navigate Surface: 1d100 ⇒ 69 Logic: 1d100 ⇒ 42

Day 1 to day 7 Binerith spends most of his days poring over old, dusty texts. He opens several books at one time his eyes flicking over them looking for any mention of the planet Sinophia or heretek tech-priests.
Trade, Copyist: 1d100 ⇒ 15
Day 8 to Day 13 Binerith attempts to appease the spirits of the Machine, and coax better performance out of them. He wishes to learn their secrets and see if the ship could get them to the Sinophia faster

Tech Use (+10): 1d100 ⇒ 50

Binerith: You believe, through your diligent searching of the archives, that you can narrow your search to some three cult centers on Sinophia.

Yolandia: You are pleasantly surprised to discover that there's a squad of Ultramarines on board; when the Refulgent Light encounters space hulks it is their duty to enter those nests of horror first. They allow you to visit their austere chapel: a singular and rare honor indeed.

Scotus and Baron Oberstein: You discover that the Baron plays a better game of Regicide, though Scotus can hold his armasec a little better.

On the seventh day, the klaxons sound; warning of imminent translation from out of the Warp.

"Astartes? I was not aware of your presence. Praise the Emperor, the angels of death are a welcomed sight to be sure. I am Sister Yolandi, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. " Sister Yolandi accepts the invitation and tries to follow their lead in terms of protocol and etiquette. Common Lore: Imperium: 1d100 ⇒ 86

On Day 7 Sister Yolandi quickly gears up and reports to the deck and tries to discern the cause of the disruption. Forbidden Lore:Warp: 1d100 ⇒ 15

I somehow managed to miss the fact that this had started. My deepest apologies.

Vector stayed to himself for the most part awaiting his services being required. Psykers were best unseen and unheard lest they were needed.
It is better this way. How much I wish the idle times between being able to serve my purpose were shorter. I can only attempt to prevent rust and disuse from seeping into the machine spirits or my own bones.

Vector will most likely be seen commuting from the training facilities, chapel and his quarters. He doesn't really talk to folks unless required. His blunt manner of speech and unsettling nature (more than just a normal psyker even) make for few instances where folks want to do so more than once.

Binerith attempts to make contact with his Inquisitor. Sir, I've managed to narrow down our search to three centers of heretek cults. When shall I inform the others?

Scotus is both comfortable and not while on ship. He's able to travel the length and bredth of the ship, adjusting to the flows of humanity within as one born and bred.

However, his time in the Hive has altered his perception somewhat lending some feeling of unfamiliarity.

He's lounging in the Acotlye's quarters when the klaxons erupt, doing a quick calcuation in his head, "Hmm, that's a little early. Somthing's up."

Something has happened. I shall report later. Binerith out Binerith rushes toward the deck, his mechanical parts clanging as he does so. He walks out onto the deck. What has happened?

Having just finished a few rounds of fencing with some of the Navy officer Baron Oberstein is offering them advice to improve their performance.

"Well done Lieutenant, but keep your wrist more flexible when moving from a guard to a thrust that way..."
Klaxons sound
"that's odd, what would be the cause of this lieutenant?"

You all converging on your quarters, where your anxious exchange is interrupted by the appearance of a servitor skull, summoning you to the bridge.

As you hurry through the lengthy corridors of the ship, you see the ratings going about their business with calm and practiced ease: there does not seem to be any sign of imminent danger.

On the bridge Captain Khorelan greets you.

We have received an astropathic communique, bearing Inquisitional Cipher-Seals, Alpha-Alpha Six band, requesting that we stand by for course re-direction. The rest of the message is for your eyes only.

He guides you over to a data terminal: the message screen is asking for one of you to input the counter-sign code you use to unlock top priority messages from your inquisitor.

Binerith advances, his face bearing a stoic expression. He studies the data terminal, and whispers some prayers under his breath, to appease the tech spirit. He enters his code.

Sister Yolandi stands by as Binerith is at the terminal. Did you want any kind of cypher roll or is this a counter sign that is known to our characters?

You know the code.

Message:

The issue of the Heretek Imbulon will have to be addressed at a later time. My brother in the conclave, Silas Marr, has urgent need of acolytes of proven mettle on Solomon.

An auction of some artifacts believed to once belong to the infamous Rogue Trader Eramus Haarlock is being held at a funerary site upon that world; and it is certain that enemies of the Imperium will be in attendance.

You will attend this auction, in the guise of interested participants, and observe those who attend, and what items are purchased, and by whom.

I must reiterate, that the principal purpose of the mission is to observe and record; you may only draw weapons in your defense, or if there is an imminent threat discerned.

You will find Silas Marr in the Chancellery Court, in the thirtenth chamber of the 39th level, in the Gloriana hive-acrology. You will yield up to him the full measure of your obedience.

Captain Khorelan has orders to re-direct his vessel to Solomon with full haste.

Rykehuss.
Ordo Hereticus

"Well thank the Emperor for that, I thought we'd have to sift through forge toilets looking for that heretek. I believe we should forward all data you all found on Imbulon to Rykehuss. or the contact we have for lower priority information The Emperor's justice will be brought upon him even without our involvement"

"I will leave research on Haarlock to those of you more suited to it than I. As we have less time now I will be happy to help anyone who so desires"

Baron Oberstein walks over to Captain Khorelan

"How long until we reach our destination Captain? Do you know much about this world Solomon?"

"Odd that we are so urgently needed to simply observe. If that is the Emperor's Will so be it. " Sister Yolandi remarks as she thinks about the message she just received and if she can recall in more information about Haarlock Common Lore: Imperium: 1d100 ⇒ 40

Observe. I'd rather take revenge for the Omnissah. But, this is my fate He puts his half mechanical hands up in a gesture of defeat

Ni-i-ice. At least we'll have our target clear and present.

Definitely we need more information about this auction (and Haarlock) to be prepared. Common Lore: Imperium: 42 - 1d100 ⇒ 42 - (100) = -58

Scotus scowls at the news of the mission change, muttering, "Rogue Trade, eh....strange bunch....Haarlock....Haarlock". He paces back and forth, obviously trying to recall something.

Common Lore(Imperium):28: 1d100 ⇒ 60

He stops and looks up, "Nope, never heard of him."

Captain Khorelan : The same warp tides that make slow our approach to Sinophia, will speed us on our way to Solomon. My navigators expect that it should not take us more than five days to reach Solomon.

Baron Oberstein: Solomon is in the Markyan Marches, where your home-world of Prol IX is. You have not visited it, but you met many who had been there; they spoke of a forge-world, roiling in industrial pollution and toxic effluvia.

I spend the 5 days contacting any of my peers I can think of to get a bit more info about this place.

inquiry (untrained): 1d100 ⇒ 32

Otherwise I spend my time helping those that need help with research and sparring with the officers.

Normally I would put this in discussion, but there is no discussion tab. I am not sure what you need us to do at this point. I have gave you several examples of things I would do while enroute to our location. Rinse repeat until we arrive I guess.

Binerith looks around for any cybernetics that may be on the ship. He also converses with any other tech-priests.

Baron Oberstein, regrettably you cannot think of any contacts that might be useful.

There is a brief report offering a very brief synopsis of current affairs on Solomon, appended to the message. The most salient point is that there is a raising tide of civil unrest on the planet. The staggering levels of pollution on the world mean a high rate of death and mutation among its 13 billion souls. Workers have to levied from other worlds, and have very little in way of creature comforts; making it very easy for seditious anti-imperial groups to recruit.

Binerith, the tech-priests of the Refulgent Light give you every respect, but they are a cliquish lot, seemingly totally consumed with the operations of the mighty vessel.

Alright, looks like we just hang around till we get there, doing some stuff like looking up what the planet is like, what the city is like etc. like a tourist would do

Just a question, in in-game terms, how long have we been together as a party?

Scotus shrugs at the news of the mission change, used to the fickle intentions of the Inquistor, or the Boss as Scotus sees him.

He saunters off of the bridge and returns to his ship wide wanderings, joining in a game of bones deep in the bowels of the crew quarters one day, enjoying a fine drink with the Baron the next.

He never seems to have an agenda, merely keeping his ear to the ground for any tidbits of information that may or may not have bearing on their current mission.

Inqiry (Fel:43): 1d100 ⇒ 59

Just a question, in in-game terms, how long have we been together as a party?

Three years.

So The Refulgent Light is a paragon of imperial efficiency; without the slightest hint of apostasy or deviance.

You do find some bemusement, and even awe, among the crew now; seeing that an imperial warship was so casually re-directed on the whim of a distant Inquisitioner. Usually, once the course is laid in, only a major incursion of Xenos, or something as apocalyptic, can cause a course change.

So, unless something has something really unusual that they want to do, the vessel reaches Solomon without incident.

nothing unusual here, lets get cracking

Other than being a seething zealot traveling through the warp via antiquated technology that is worshiped rather than understood, all normal here. Let's purge some heretics.

So, with further ado, you gather your equipment, and take your place in the shuttle that will take you down to Solomon's surface.

The quick glimpse you get through a view port is not inviting: clouds the color of day old bruises hang above continents that are mainly gray and red, or a central ocean of bilious green and yellows.

Sitting down in a seat, Binerith's gaze is all-business like, as most tech priests are. However, there is a slight hint of a smirk on his mouth, and a flash in his eye