Search Posts
With the crowd either bowled aside by burly dwarven builds or dispersed by their own fear, you each have a clear line of fire. The horridly mutated creatures have now gained have the bridge, but still picking their way about the debris and gaps. The nearest most of them (2) is 35 yards from those of you with missile weapons. None are armed with any sort missile weapon.
Dieter:
Your years in the university have not been for nothing as your naturally inquisitive streak caused you to look to the east just prior to the shot. You saw muzzle blast erupt in a darkened room in the ruins of a coaching house nearly a hundred yards from Captain Schindler’s position. The sudden shot was not nearly as disturbing as the five mutants emerging from a sewer outlet near the bridge. Having fought and survived against the forces of Chaos, none of you are unfamiliar with the sound of firearms, but given the fact the retreating smoke signature of the shot originated on the far side of the river somewhere in its ruined buildings the accuracy is disturbing to all of you. Yet, not nearly as disturbing as the five disgusting mutants swarming across the bridge behind the shot. Each carries with it the obvious caress of the Ruinous Powers, they also appear to be somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, though this matters little judging by the lifetime of hate gleaming in their bestial eyes.
The rumors running through the crowd range from the Captain of the town watch has an important message from Baron Todbrigner to wild accusations of giant rat-men scene in fleeting glances in the eastern side of town. Before the veracity of any of these bits of information can be ascertained a man who could only be the Captain Schindler everyone has been murmuring about appears before the crowd. A man in his autumnal years, but of powerful build, Captain Schindler carries himself with the power of man half his age. Hardness is a way of life in the north and the Captain obviously is very much part of that way. The townsfolk quickly begins excitedly chattering as one of Schindler's men places a box for him to stand upon. Mounting it quickly and without a hint of age, the Captain quickly silences the crowd with but a raising of his right hand. "People of Untergard" he declares in a booming voice, "this is a glorious day. I have received a letter from Count Todbringer of Middenheim. The old wolf still lives and the city of Middenheim yet stands!" Motioning again to silence the raucous cheering of the crowd, he continues " The count sends his thanks to the citizens of Untergard who played a great roll in hampering the ambitions of the Chaos army. He said and I quote, "The battle of Untergard Bridge will go down in history as one of the most glorious in Middenland's history." Be proud, people of Untergard, for our sacrifices have not been for naught!" When the cheers have again subsided, Schindler continues. "In a show of that gratitude, the count has sent us a great bounty." Reaching into a large sack at his side he produces a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine. "The count has been most generous indeed for we have received thirty loaves of bread and another dozen bottles of wine directly from Middenheim!" The emaciated forms of townspeople erupt in a roaring chant praising Todbringer's name to be forever held close by Ulric. As Schindler opens his mouth to continue, his words are caught in his throat by the thump of blackpowder and the shattering of the wine bottle. With this the crowd bolts in a frenzied panic. The last thing you see of the Captain is one his men yanking him down from the podium before the mob becomes to interlaced to see through.
The Empire lay in a state of relative waste in the wake of the Storm of Chaos. Populations of entire cities have vanished from the face of the earth and those who remain, are in many of the smaller villages, mere husk of humanity. For each of you, the war was a different experience, but all of you are united in your desire to never relive it. Having been waylaid from your various endeavors and scattered on the wind, only now are you returning to your own interest. On the road to Middenheim lies the village of Untegard. A once bustling port town on the river Taub, it boasted the only bridge south of Grimminhagen some distance to the north. Virtually destroyed by a siege, only about 75 people of its original population remains today. It is here each of you have found yourselves come to rest as the immediate threat of Chaos recedes to stragglers and detached warbands. What remains of Untergard is a ruin on the east bank of the Taub sacked by the Gor warlord Khazrak and on the west bank only a slightly better scene greeted you upon your arrival 4 days ago. Over the last 3 days a storm of great power has halted any traffic out of town due to wind and rain. Awakening on the 4th day to clearing skies, it looks like you may be able to continue on your individual ways. As you ready your packs a commotion in the central Ackerplatz peeks your interest. What looks to be a gathering of the townsfolk appears to be causing quite a stir. Nearly every member of the community's 75 individuals look to be present. Some nurse the still fresh wounds received in defense of their home, while others are of advanced age or very young. What binds them all is a look of malnourishment. A great deal of muttering can be heard rising from the throng of citizens and a number of anxious looks can be seen passing among them. Being that the way out ofa town lies you decide one might as well get the latest news before heading on your way.
The pulse rounds have begun to transfer to the descending Thunderhawk. Dane breaks over the Vox channel again, "We can't take much more fire. There are grav chutes in the compartments near the drop doors. If you can't make a decision, I am going to make them for you. Collateral damage or not I am opening up."
The Kroot and Imperial forces seem to be swarming over one another killing each other with hate filled abandon. Beak, bayonet, rifle, and stick all seem to be used in equal measure.
Dane implies he can bring the Thunderhawk weapon systems to bear on the forces below, but they will reap without regard for enemy or ally. He also relays the fact he cannot bring the bird any lower than 15 meters due to the heavy canopy.
This is Outpost 420 from the first brief on the Erioch. I just realized I missed posting a follow up brief I had written, lol. Sorry. Now you stand at a decision point here. I try not to influence my players' choices, but it looks like you have given the order to engage. Is that correct, brother Stone? I will wait to post till I hear back. In the future I will go with what is posted to better mimic the fog of war. I will also ensure being shorted on information is only done when it serves the same purpose, ;).
"What are we doing? It be long before we get targeted, brothers.", Dane says over the vox channel.
It is hardly your first time inside a Thunderhawk, although the
Though your vision is obscured by the dense foliage, your see that the pulse of Kroot rifles out numbers the Imperial forces las rounds by a large margin and the number of grenade explosions is coming in ever fewer number.
Sorry about the momentary slow down. Will get you guys planet side tonight.
The call goes out early in the morning that the Spear of Fury has translated into real space and is now loitering in orbit above Baraban. Chapter serfs of the Black Templars bring the word you are to report to the Thunderhawk launch bay in full gear immediately per Captain Jerash. Ulf:
As you gather your gear you feel a great savagery in the aether. The tide of the Great Ocean seems have pulsed with an unusual fury. Stone: You were awakened well before the arrival of the serfs with their news by the haunting memories of your fallen Brother-Captain Mikail. It all came screaming into your subconscious unbidden, but refusing to be restrained the traitor legions, the warriors of gold and blue, the victory, and sudden, crushing defeat all clamber together vying for dominance in your mind, but the image of sorcerer in the crested helm standing above the stricken forms of your brothers holding the mighty blade of your Chapter captain and his words ”You will never understand the true nature of things when it is only the glory of the false emperor you seek.”
During the course of your voyage brother Dane tells of another Ultramarine whom had a vision of their Primarch during a guard duty on Baraban. At first this seemed to be a great boon, but when the he beckoned the marine to leave his post and follow him into the woods. It was at this point the Ultramarine refused to believe his primarch would ever encourage one of his sons to abandon his post and struck out at the false founder. Shaking his head at such heresy, Dane ask what sort demon might be so powerful and bold. @ Ulf Dane leads you to the ship's data stores, but they contain little more and some times less than what has been provided on the Erioch.
Watch Captain Tarran is powerful man, even among the adeptus. Having challenged and bested every other marine on the Erioch is a feat which speaks volumes about the warrior’s abilities in battle and his rank to his shrewd leadership. Stone:
Once he has Stone out of ear shot of the other brothers, he says ”Brother Stone…It is not the place of a Deathwatch officer to ask a Black Shield of his burdens which have driven him from his brothers or who those brothers were. But, what I will tell you is that I have seen you train with your new brothers and I know the answer to at least one of those two questions I will not ask.” Looking Stone dead in his eyes he continues, ”And this is the reason you have fallen under my command and no that of Watch Captain Servais. There is no hiding who you are from others like you, Brother Stone. I will see you are given every opportunity to make good on whatever oath you have sworn, but that oath is yours alone to know.” Looking at the waiting pack of wolves and Brother Dane he adds, ” Looks like the hunt beckons, Brother Stone. May the Emperor smile upon you.” With that Tarran departs. Ulf:
You recall having heard of these Delirium Trellis in the past. They seem to have some effect on the a person’s perceptions of reality and have been found scattered on numerous worlds, but never recovered. Once you are all reunited Brother Dane leads you to your quarters aboard the Spear. He informs you the trip will take nearly two weeks real time to arrive on Baraban and will try to assist you in any research you may need to conduct before making planet fall.
With all your outfitting complete and oaths sworn, your team is guided to the docking bay where the frigate Spear of Fury awaits your arrival. The bay is a beehive of activity as servitors, serfs, and Astartes go about the business of preparing the vessel to launch. The Spear itself is a beautiful ship rendered in a high gothic motif replete with spires and gargoyles its exterior a swirl of black ceramite and bronzed adamantium . As fine a tool for the persecution of the Emperor’s will as any you’ve seen. One would expect no less of a ship captained by a brother of the Black Templars Chapter. As the team continues its movement toward their berthing you see Watch Captain Tarran approaching, a large sword strapped across his back and a smile on his face. ”Well, Sons of Russ, I wish you the glory of His will and honor. May you fight well and accomplish your mission in the same. The Ordo Xenos has passed on another bit of intel on the xenos tech. It seems they know them to be something called Dellrium Trellis. Thought you might like to know what it is you're after.” Even as your Bother-Captain wishes you well, the Space Wolves among you catch the scent of a zealous and mighty warrior. A scent which smells of bloodied steel. It is easily recognized as it permeates your Chapter’s members and one which pours from the more feral Chapters of the Adeptus. Turning toward this sudden rush of pheromones you are greeted with the sight of a hulking man bearing the livery of the Black Templars on his paldron. Seeing your sudden shift of attention, Watch Captain Tarran glances in the direction of your facing and says, ”Brother-Captain Jaresh. Captain of this vessel.” Captain Jaresh continues his course toward your team stopping only to catch the attention of another brother who falls in in with him. He a ferocious looking, well-groomed man with a closely cropped blonde hair and icy blue eyes. Arriving before you he exchanges salutes with Tarran and says, ”Throne! How did you convince the Space Wolves to part so many of their sons, Tarran? Shaking his head he continues with awaiting an answer, ”Whatever it was I should dare not attempt to bargin with you under any circumstances as it appears you are far to persuasive. In any case I am proud to ferry a force such as this to execute the will of the Emperor.” His expression is warm and welcoming till his eyes rest momentarily upon Ulf, but given his professional demeanor and the pack of Wolves present, he puts prejudice far enough aside to be prudent. Calling the other Brother forward, he says ”This is brother Dane of the Ultramarines. He will be your liaison for the entirety of this mission if you follow him, he will show you to your quarters.” With that, Jaresh continues on his course inspecting the continued preparations of the vessel. ”Brothers, this way please.’, says the marine. Captain Tarran allows all of you to pass, but snags Brother Stone by arm and says, ”A moment of your time, Stone.”
No problem. I am not a demanding person so life is expected to happen. Have a good time!
Updates tomorrow. Just got home from work. Will write up tonight and get you guys under way aboard the Spear tomorrow when I get home from work. Just a reminder about the mission -You are denying access to Xeno tech of some sort
Just thought I would toss this out there since it has been a minute since the brief.
Also, we should get a move on in game. We have not made much progress in the last week, lol. But, on a high note, it looks like we landed a solid crew! Don't want to see someone get bored or begin forgetting what your objectives are.
@ Stormson We are on the same page as far as your idea on grenades and ammo go. A spare or two will be free, but not a crate. @ Stone You are correct about the speeder issue. The Storm model is more of transport vehicle. I will get its stats in the campaign tab. Who took control of the relics?
@ Stormson Excessive is a matter of opinion, but if you are paying for your grenades then as many as you would like, but consider how you will carry them. A backpack of krag grenades will be difficult to access and a pulse round could reek a good deal of damage among you brothers should you take a really bad crit. On the booby trap side of things Demo would be necessary if you do not want to take the 50% hit. Traps are a difficult thing to set properly. It may be easy put a wire on a pin, but those pins do not pull easily. Let alone placing it in a manner it will maximize damage while remaining hidden.
@Ulf It was difficult to say given the haziness of the image, but you are sure they did not have wings and were attacking in mob.
[ooc]Looking good so far.[\ooc]
There are six in our group, right? It seemed like more at one point.... In any case 4 is the seating a Storm provides. There will be two available for your use without the use of requisition points. There is a limit on what the armoury is willing to supply. Given you are not the only team on Erioch and the nature of your mission,standard load out plus a grenade or two is all you will get without points being spent. I will need to look into that cost question for you, Stormson. I would suggest you glance back over your mission brief and consolidate your objectives. I will then post them in the campaign thread for ease access. Viluf, I will get those tomorrow. Don't have access to my books right now. All that's left is to get going.
What you need, brother Ulf?
Inquisitor Quist listens to each question and answers each in turn. "Brother Ulf, the planet is called Baraban. It is a heavily forested planet of temperate, four season orientation. The air is pure enough for even the guardsmen to operate without filtered air. I have provided these data files on what we have in the archives and from the recent reports of action.", she says as she hands out the intelligence "Those should answer your, and Brother Freki's, questions more fully. Taking in each of Brother Stone's inquiries, Inquisitor Stone turns to Watch Captain Tarran. With that the large marine with a face and head covered in tattoos whose knotted forms tell the story of glorious deeds steps forward using his basso voice which rings like thunder to deliver his assessment of the situation planet side. [b]"The report and the picts you see here originated from the report originated from Imperial Guard Epsilon Outpost 420, under the command of Colonel Afton Hathe. The war has been teetering back and forth for years now, but with the recent arrival of the Tau command element, the guard has pushed back to some of the stronger holdings including Outpost 420. The relevance for the Deathwatch is recovering the bit xenos technology the Tau are surely after. It appears a blast from one of their lascannon unveiled a cloaked item of some sort and we believe that is what the illuminators are for. We are not sure of what the items are or what they are for, but if the Tau want them then so do we. While we cannot give exact numbers or troop types present with the command element, to this point only the Kroot and Vespid have been engaged. But, it has been in large numbers. Inquisitor Quist and I both believe avoiding contact as much as possible will be advisable to avoid alerting the Tau of your presence.” Looking back to Quist, Tarran continues, ”The frigate Spear of Fury awaits your boarding and will provide insertion and extraction assets. I wish I had more information, but what we do have has cost us dearly in time and serfs. “ Rubbing his bearded chin, he looks to Ulf and says with a laugh, ”I understand you had a run in with Brother Dagon. He is a devoted Brother, but one of the narrow vision all Black Templars carry. I only mention this as the Captain of the Spear is also of that passionate Chapter.”[\b] Waving such nonsense, Brother-Captain Tarran says with a hint of envy [b]”The time of Oath swearing is upon you. Do so and see to your final arming for the time of battle is upon us.” With that you are dismissed to conduct your final preparations before boarding the Spear for Baraban.
Will update in morning. On a tiny tablet with an awful internet connection right now. Keeps dropping service and leaving rewriting even short post. But, good questions so far. I have solid answers for all of them.
Being that it is used at feast, I would be surprised if the brew wasn't present with this number of Wolves! But, would also be surprised if the Wolves ever limit their battle prowess by injesting it at any other time.
? Mjod?
The illuminators look like Gothic lanterns. They disperse light in a particular wave length. The Omega Vault monitors the Erioch's mainframe and coughs up gear and information when it sees mankind struggling. It is like massive bank of safe deposit boxes which open at random times, but only of its on accord and only when it deems it necessary to do so. These luminators are man made. Watch Captain Tarran is a Storm Lord.
Each of you arrive at the surveillance theater at roughly the same time, noting the Terminator armoured battle-brothers guarding the door it is no doubt a place of supreme importance. Upon clearing sequentially opened set of ornately rendered gothic blast doors the expanse of the theater is awe-inspiring. Hundreds of serf-manned monitoring stations fill the vault with the least fortunate hard-wired into their pit bound and grainy pict terminals. Placed well above these lowly mortals are aquila framed monitors resting front of ornate thrones. These are the stations of the highest ranking member of the watch where the most sensitive of intelligence is reviewed. The room itself seems to be in state of recovery from some maelstrom of activity which has left all manner of picts, printouts, and data-slates strewn across the large command desk while the largest monitors display countless looped video and still images. The scattered materials and bodies pit bound serfs whose brains had been fried in the intense data search are slowly being cleared by a variety of servitors. Stationed on the command dias in Inquisitor Quist, a raven haired beauty who might have been easily mistaken for the a Sister of Battle if not for her icons of the Inquisition. Taking note of her arrival when the man you know to be Watch Captain Tarran leans over and gestures to your kill-team. Inquisitor Quist lifts her haggard gaze from a sprawl of handinked
“Since then, we’ve been trying to see what other data we can
The Inquisitor
All righty, we are heading into the premission brief, oath taking, and final arming. We will assume are techmarine is with you.
Even as Ulf bellows in rage, a voice sounds from behind him. [b]"Perhaps it is you who should be concerned with over stepping his bounds, witch. While your..."skills" may be appreciated by some, they are not by me. Mind your daliences with Warp while you are aboard this Fortress. Another imprudent release of chaos driven power and will be you pays the price. I will not allow the integrity of this facility to be compromised by some backwater sorcerer."[\b] Without another word a Marine bearing the heraldry of the Black Templars on his right paldron and the rank of a Watch Sergeant on his left brushes past Ulf signaling a servitor to collect body of the dead serf. As the Sergeant disappears down the hall, Ulf is approached by a serf bearing the same request his brother's have received.
As each of you finish conducting your business a Watch serf appears before you all bearing the same message, [b]"My Lord, your presence is requested by Inquisitor Quist and Watch Captain Tartan in the surveillance theater. May I inform them of your arrival?" [\b]
Ulf's mind dips deeply in the aether drawing heavily upon the flow of the Great Ocean. At first, only sounds and smells of battle fill the Space Wolf's mind followed by bestial creatures wielding lasrifles. These beings are quickly replaced by the visages of mechanical men who appear to be searching for something, but then the images begin to blend within each other causing arms and heads and man and beast to blend into disturbing combinations. Suddenly all is starkly clear, almost to the point of being painfully so. A battle brother whose Chapter markings seem just out of view lays among others of his kind. The Marine reaches for what appears the Astares sorcerer standing over him, but is batted away. The sorcerer laughs walking away...clutching something... large in his hands. Then the vision ends in a great flash leaving Ulf confused for a moment, but ripped back into reality by the muffled scream outside his chamber. While the Watch Fortress is heavily warded against the powers of the Warp, Ulf's unbounded access slipped from his control frying the mind of a passing serf. One can only hope the information garnered will be worth the loss of a Deathwatch servant of unknown, but valuable duty.
The Chapel is a thing of beauty, especially to a Space Wolf. The center of the room is dominated by a stained glass depiction of the Emperor and Russ being reunited flanked by one of the Space Wolves action against the heretical Thousand Sons and the feasting halls of Fenris. Adorning the walls is collection of battle mementoes left by those Sons of Russ who have served valiantly with the Deathwatch and returned to their cherished brothers. But, of most significance is the Frost Blade embedded in what appears to be ice, but is as hard plascrete. The room seems be dimmer in the swords periphery and cast in the light of the Emperors image. A holy place to be sure.
Might be the case, Storms on. Pricey! Ouch. @ Bayou Sounds good to me. I sold my DH book, but if you list the stats then it is fine by me. Those games are at a lower power level than DW anyhow.
As you all go about your business aside, from the near constant hum of the Watch Station's power generators and the sounds of training, the middle reaches of Erioch are filled mostly with the muffled whir of servo-skulls and bio-mechanical scuttling of servitors going about their daily task in the otherwise quiet halls and passage ways. Though each of you sees the occasional Battle-Brother from numerous other Chapters, it is apparent the great size of Erioch is not fully used for the garrisoning of men and Marines. Yet, with each conversation you have tales of the Omega Vault inevitably come to the fore.
No problem, Volkner. We'll get ya in. @Stormson Sounds good, man. The Talent was in a side bar and I have to figure out which book it was in, lol. Canis Salient it is...at least for now.
Being Black Shield I doubt they will know too much about you, Bayou. But, that is up to you. I would say the Wolves will all be acquainted given the closeness of that Chapter, though it will be the first mission for you all as Deathwatch members....you will have all worked together training up as a kill-team on second thought. So, yes, you are all acquainted. Military units do not just send people from other random units to handle special missions, especially elite ones. While some unknowns will remain, the unit should be working together pretty well by now.
Hump Day Surprise. Campaign just went live. @Bayou I finally got a bit to look over several books and came up with some good stuff for your Black Shield. I will PM you to keep the mystery of your fella secret. If anyone has any character changes they want to make, you have until you leave the Watch Station to do so. Your final arming will take place before making planet fall. @Stormson, did you see there is a special talent for Deathwatch Scouts? I will need to look for it again to see if it would be of use to you, but saw it in passing this week before you had decided. Also, several sharpshooter/stalking items. @Volkner How is your guy coming along?
Of the all the Watch Stations in the Deathwatch’s control one stands above the rest as a holder of secrets and a bastion of Imperial power. Erioch, home to the Omega Vault. Its gothic spires bristling with massive armament and star ports standing vigil from its surreptitious positioning in near a mythical star system. Watch Station Erioch is a place of mystery, awe, and foreboding only the most trusted of the Imperium of Mankind’s kinds protectors may tread. Beholden only to the Emperor Himself, the clandestine missions of the Deathwatch are launched from Erioch often with the assistance of some boon provided by the Omega Vault. But, it is not clear as to how, why, or when the Omega Vault will provide such assistance. What is known is the frequency of such assistance has increased drastically since the launching of the Achillius Crusade and only a handful of archaic locks remain on the Vault’s most secret chamber.
You also get your 1000 exp as Grovo had asked yesterday.
We still waiting on one, right?
"Indeed they be, preacher, indeed they be. Pull up a stump an' share the fire with us if ya like. These fellas an' 're more 'han happy ta share what we got here. Little coffee an' some of the local buffalo is whats we got tonight. Where ya headed there, stranger?"
"Pretty peculiar look ya got about yerself there, fella. But, I'd imagine the Mwangi thought the same thing about us when we came down here, hahahaha."
The old scout chuckles a gravely sound of acknowledgement saying, "Sounds like the same stories I gets from most comin' through these parts. Might ah said the same of maslef when I came here, too. You boys seem a bit more prepared than most. That's a good thing. I've taken a good many of ya, or should I say parts of ya, back the the way we come in boxes. Sargarva ain't the most fergiven place in the world. Gotta be tough and smart ta be makin' it here."
Up and running in the gameplay area folks. Let's see how it goes! |
