Jon, so sorry for your loss. Take as little or as much time as you need. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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With the mutilated sisters fallen, Erkan offers a brief prayer before resheathing his blade. He then kneels before the corpses of the Brides of the Emperor and offered them the final rites of the Emperor's chosen. Rising, he looked to the others. "These accursed machinations are supremely dangerous. I am concerned what a confrontation with a massed force would present to us. We must be cautious as we press onward."
Shaking off the horror of the blasphemy before him, something clicks in Erkan's mind. The young acolyte becomes suddenly calm, and drawing the righteous blade Mendanion's Confession, he boldly begins a chant, "Spirit of noxious immateria, be gone from hence, for as the Emperor of Mankind, manifold be his blessings, watches over me, so I will not fear the shadow of the warp..." Stepping toward the creature he had partially blown apart that now faced Lothar and Praetus, he swings the relic at the abomination.
Crap, looks like my last post got eaten. Trying this again... sorry gang.
Apologies for my sporadic posting the last week. Between catching up from my time away, a surprise visit by our VP, and the pre-holiday shenanigans, work has been absolutely crazy. Think I have everything all caught up and attended to, so hopefully its back to normal for me!
If I can step back:
The creature's arm still stuck in the wall, Erkan takes a quick step back and swings his shotlas up, unleashing a furious blast at the creature.
If I can't: Leaving his shotlas hanging in his offhand, Erkan draws the relic blade Mendanion's Confession from his hip, it's blessed metal shining in the darkness and plunges the blade up into the vile creature.
My apologies, I departed on a trip Tuesday night and will be traveling through next Wednesday with family. Posting may be limited throughout the period of time, please feel free to bot me as necessary.
Erkan keys his microbead and quietly whispers back, "Sadly, corruption such as this can rarely be cleansed, except through flame. Please trust me. May the Emperor recover their souls. Now, engage." Having lined up the throw carefully, Erkan throws his grenade at the right abomination.
At Vasyl's words, Erkan had quietly handed him his other krak grenade. "I have two, and can't throw them at the same time... take this." --------- Speaking very quietly, "Or do we hit them both with grenades to start then focus on one? It will be far more challenging to use the grenades once they close on us. Lothar and the Hieronymous could target the left one while Vasyl and I hit the right. Then Praetus would enter from somewhere as well..."
Erkan enters cautiously alongside his comrades, a Krak grenade in his right hand, his longlas at the ready in his left. "Anyone seeing anything?"
So sorry to hear about that, all our thoughts and prayers are with you.
As they continue toward the enginarium, Erkan tries to reconnect with Volga on the vox. "Volga, confirm, something trapped within the main chapel. Any details - xenos, chaos? Any luck connecting with defenders?" Keeping his eyes toward the opposite direction, Erkan waits on guard for any pursuing critters, his mind offering prayers for those they have lost.
Having helped drag the techpriest back and continued his heavy fire as the arms surged forward, Erkan had not seen Aenarius begin to be overwhelmed until it was too late. Just as Erkan begins to press back toward the hallway, the arbite dove forward and hit the controls, slamming the blast doors shut. As the dull thump resounded on the other side, Erkan rests ahand against the door. After a few long seconds, he speaks resolutely. "Blessed is he who sacrifices himself for the good of Mankind, for the life of Men is greater than any one soul. Let his blessed soul be called to Your side before the Golden Throne. Aenarius, may you serve eternal. Farewell, brother." Lifting his head, he nods to Vasyl, "I agree, let us move."
@JonGarrett Was just looking at the plight of our techpriest and had a couple queries. I know how complex this system can be with all the modifiers, and so often people forget to take them into account when considering their options. As you stated in the escaping set of rolls you could not do the same action twice in a row, could one of Hieronymous's two strength checks be swapped to a ballistic skill as he wildly blasts his assault lasgun on full auto? With autofire (+20) and at least short range (+10), he'd be looking at a +30 to the attempt (nevermind if you rule it point blank as the limbs are about to overwhelm him). If the worse of the two attempts (the 25) were counted as such, he's be comparing against a BS 59, yielding the initial success + 3 degrees (4 total). Add his roll on the Str check, which was success + 2 degrees (3 total), and he actually succeeds. If you are not comfortable with the above proposal or feel Hieronymous needs a bit more support, my actions yielded a surplus of 6 successes, all from damage to the swarm. Lothar did the same, as his 8 degrees of success did not include his 3 initial successes on the rolls (11 total), or short range (+10) or semi auto (+10) on his lasgun work (+2 more, 13 total). Call me nostalgic, but I want to keep our techpriest around... @Everyone Just a friendly reminder that JonGarrett put an extensive quick reference guide for actions and modifiers on the campaign page. I have been using that and it has been incredibly helpful.
Erkan falls back with his companions, using his lucius pattern shotlas to lay down a destructive hail of fire at the advancing horde of daemonic limbs. Amidst the hail of gun fire, his companions can boldly hearing him professing a chant of faith. "The Emperor is my strength, while I walk in His grace I shall fear no evil. Neither the daemons of the warp nor the corrupted hearts of fallen men will keep me from my duty to Mankind. The Emperor is the radiant light shining across the infinite galaxies, a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. We honored few who serve Him are blessed, for by our actions His will is done." Rolls for GM: Movement (3): 3 fallback actions
success total: 13
Oh, I agree running isn't safe, hence the suggestion of grenades to cover our retreat. And the flamer would help. @JonGarrett please confirm, but I am envisioning literally hundreds of these daemonic arms, given the amount necessary to fill up a hallway floor to ceiling. Is this correct?
Erkan had been studying the horror of the wall of arms and offering a warding prayer as he begins to withdraw... only to realize two of his companions seem to have embraced the fatalistic and idiotic plan to fight the hundreds of daemon-spawned appendages. "Magos Bahrenfahrer, you declared we needed to get to the Enginarium, that that was of the utmost importance. And Corporal Von Bismarck, you are a man of duty - how can we accomplish our mission if we are overwhelmed by this horde of mindless arms. The Emperor counsels wisdom... now, fall back!" As he began to move, he called out, "Grenades will help create a gap for us, so use them!"
Erkan eyes the techpriest cautiously. "I am in agreement with pushing toward the Enginarium with all haste, but I caution your thoughts Magos. Our highest priority is to investigate, contain, and eliminate any threat upon this vessel. We would be wise to be cautious with all survivors encountered, whether they be crewmen, sisters of the adeptus sororitas, or servants of Mars. That last techpriest's greatest work was leaving us the information about what has transpired, followed quickly by asking us to end the corruption upon his form. Now, the Emperor protects, so make sure you are ready for another conflict as we move."
Erkan keys his microbead in response, "Volga, if there are no signs of combat there, then allies may have secured themselves within. Have you tried to make contact with anyone there? Kapenia, remain vigilant for surprise attacks. The threats we face seem to be an accursed cross between man and machine." Turning to the others, "Shall we press on to the Enginarium, or redirect toward the Chapel?"
"It would seem we have learned the source of the affliction aboard this ship. Now, we must find what remains of the crew, rescue those who remain devoted servants of the Emperor, and eliminate those who have been consumed by this corruption. If we can purge this taint, this hallowed vessel may yet be able to serve His will."
Erkan slides his shotlas into its scabbard on his pack, untethering his longlas as he hurries back across the first chamber toward the autopsy-suite. "Magos Bahrenfahrer, given the creature we fought and the picts we have seen, I would agree with Vasyl's assumption. That said, this is one of your brethren, can you identify anything conclusive before we destroy it?"
Erkan surveys the brutal battlefield, offering a blessing over the fallen. "The souls of the faithful are blessed in eternity, for He calls His hallowed warriors to stand beside Him at the Golden Throne. May your souls safely find their place at the side of the Emperor." Looking at the piled suits of bloodied power armour, he replies to Vasyl's words. "This vessel belonged to the Adeptus Sororitas. Given the serious nature of the threat, some of the Sisters likely donned their sacred arms and armour to combat the threats of the Abyss. Hopefully some still stand resolute and can join us." Erkan searches the end of the chamber closest to where they entered, to try and confirm the source of the blood trail back in the hallway, and if they should follow it. Calling to the others, "Someone check those two doorways for signs if any defenders fled through either of those doorways. If not, I think we should follow the trail back in the hallway."
Looking at the door's control panel, Erkan tries to determine from the blood stains if it was most recently used to close and seal the morgue's doors shut. "Vasyl, Magos, can either of you identify the status of the lock mechanism of this control panel and door? If someone fled from here, it is likely they sealed their opponent within. If a survivor is what we seek, we might be better served by following the blood trail. And they could likely use our aid."
Erkan's faith is resolute, and though the images are horrific, they have little impact on the pious acolyte. "This filth must be purified. If we determine it is beyond our scope, there are other options that can be employed. Vasyl is right, this started with someone, or something, we need to at least identify that."
No worries, when the site goes through repeated outages, it can be frustrating. Glad to have you back!
Erkan makes the sign of the Aquila and offers a simple prayer. "The Emperor, blessed be His name, calls on all, whether borne high and low across the stars, to serve in His holiest of forces. Let the Emperor's Light be a shining beacon, guiding our souls ever forward. Let His Wisdom calm our spirits in moments of peril. Let His Strength power our hearts and arms as we stand against the darkness. Let His Purity be an ever-vigilant guardian, protecting us from the horrors of the Abyss. In He we trust." Finishing, he nods to Vasyl.
Erkan looks back at the bloody mass grimly, "Though I know not of any specific daemon that would form limbs into such a horrid thing, it could be surmised that such a creature would be born of the warp. And where there is one case of taint, there is often more. Guard your souls and trust in the light of the Emperor, for he protects the faithful!"
Erkan stares at the now dormant horror, his mind racing through his years of study regarding the daemonic and possessed.
After several moments lost in the image of destruction, Erkan shakes his head and pulls the medikit from his pack as he approaches the magos. "The Emperor be blessed that we are all standing after that monstrosity. And yes, Private Von Bismarck, those grenades were crucial to our survival. Your tactical mind proves quite sound yet again. Now, Magos Bahrenfahrer, let me see to your injuries." Erkan looks at the strange mix of metal and flesh that is the Magos's body, doing his best to repair the catastrophic wound.
Though his lasfire had seemingly wounded the horrific monstrosity, the krak grenades were clearly more effective. Drawing one of his own, Erkan throws one at the accursed beast.
Catching up on everything now, posting momentarily.
Good morning ladies & gentlemen,
- C
As the others fall back and draw grenades for a hopeful attack, Erkan opens fire with a shredding blast from his shotlas, hoping to stagger the creature, allowing his comrades to target it more effectively. "Your tainted filth shall not withstand the Emperor's justice!"
Erkan rises from the pile of limbs and turns to the others as the saw powers down. "Emperor protect the dutiful, this is truly a macabre scene. What transpired here unfortunately remains unclear to me from these limbs. Wait, what is that clicking sound...?" His shotlas at the ready, he follows Vasyl as the Merc seems to move with intent.
Erkan slowly enters the operating chamber with his comrades. A grim look of determination on his face as he surveys the horror. "The air of the damned hangs in this place, Emperor protect us. Magos Bahrenfahrer, can you get that surgical saw deactivated? I'll take a look at... this." He gestures toward the pile of limbs. Cautiously approaching the pile of limbs, he scans over them, first to determine the source of the limbs, then to confirm that they were amputated with the screeching saw, and finally to see if he can spot any wounds that would have necessitated such an amputation.
Erkan steps forward to the corner of the t-intersection, his shotlas at the ready, and turned to Aenarius and Lothar. "Seems we are all in agreement, let's proceed."
Erkan continues moving at the middle of the unit as they push forward through the vessel. "Given the proximity of the Medicae, I agree we should check it now. Volga, there is little reason to spread ourselves further at this point, we will move on the Medicae together." Erkan keys his microbead, "Erkan to Kapenia, any update from the command deck? We are about to enter the Medicae."
Praetus (Flashback):
Erkan smiles softly before putting his hand on Praetus' shoulder. "Had you only a sword in a jungle, could you not use it to clear a path through branches and brambles? And, are not weapons simply tools with a dedicated purpose? For every tool is most effective when used for their primary purpose, and though some are more adaptable than others, their intended use is generally how their performance is evaluated. Your training has made you a weapon, yes, but a weapon whose purpose is to strike at the foes of the Emperor. That is a holy calling, is it not? Back in the hive, did your blades not serve to defend the citizens of the Imperium, thus making you a shield as well? And as we moved through the tunnels, when you silently stalked ahead to scout for our team, providing us valuable intelligence to act upon, was that simply the act of a simple tool of death? It would seem as a razor sharp sword you function, at the very least, as a righteous weapon cleaving the foes of Man, a noble shield defending your brothers, and a watchful eye seeking any such threats. I see much purpose in you, and in your potential as a servant of the Emperor. It is not by chance you are here with us. This is the divine providence of the Emperor. Take comfort in that." After offering a simple blessing over the armsmen and his fellow Inquisitorial agents before disembarking from the shuttle, Erkan kept a rather low profile, allowing his comrades to begin to flex their abilities in their new roles. Each of them is valuable, and must find their confidence as acolytes of the Inquisition. I hope this draws that forth from them, as the encounters on the Hive did for me... Given the smaller confines, Erkan moved with his lucius pattern shotlas in hand, though the recently acquired longlas rested in easy arm's reach on the side of his pack. At Vasyl's suggestion of claws, Erkan subconsciously fingers the prayer beads around his wrist. "Could mean xenos.... or worse. Be ever vigilant, for the Emperor calls on us now to serve."
good afternoon all, and my apologies. I had a crazy week at work and my desktop computer died. Both those issues are sorted out now, but I tried to send a post on Wednesday the in my cell phone. Apparently it didn't go through. On my way to work now, but will have a post responding to everything later tonight. Still super pumped for this game!
I am good to go!
No shame intended at all. I very much want it, and $30-50 for a book would be no problem, but $300 to get into the system will take some convincing of the mrs... but I am willing to put in the effort!
Erkan took another sip of his recaf before answering the inquiry. "I confess, my knowledge of the Inquisition's great workings is still rather limited. While I have been in the service of the Lord Inquisitor for several years, I spent most of that time training within an esoteric sect of the Ecclesiarchy that assists the Ordo Malleus with facing its targeted foe. From what I have learned, there are three primary branches, or Ordos, within the Inquisition. The Ordo Xenos faces The Threat Without, those dangers that come alien races. The Ordo Hereticus confronts The Threat Within, seeking out heretics, witches, rogue psykers, and corruption within the Imperium. The Ordo Malleus stands vigilant against The Threat Beyond, those creatures born forth from the warp called Daemons and their worshipers. So to your question Vasyl, I doubt it will get much easier than that which we have already faced. Indeed, our actions together in the Hive may have actually served as quite the audition for us as a unit." As if on cue, the ship's comms turned on, summoning them to the meeting with the Sergeants at Arms. ---------------------------- Erkan listened to the others offer their evaluations, impressed. These are men of keen mind. They seem to be coming into their roles within our unit, each offering the strengths to help in identifying a course of action. After they'd each spoken, Erkan offered some words. "Corporal Von Bismarck, I agree with your identification of the key targets, and securing them will be vital to accomplishing our mission. And Agent Zima, I agree that the command deck will likely provide the most answers, at least initially. But Arbite Laedram brings forth a valid point to consider: if we draw our forces too thin, we will not be in a position to support one another should a major conflict arise? I would cast my vote toward his plan, to land in the forward bay and take the command deck and weapons control first, securing as we go then sweeping back across the ship."
nice! I have definitely been intrigued by the impending system launch for Wrath & Glory. That said, the pre-order of the Core Rules @ $100, or the GM's Set @ $290 seems pretty steep...
Erkan looks at Aenarius sympathetically, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I am sorry, I knew not of your past encounter with the horrors of the warp, and thusly, the Inquisition. Though I know not of your experience on Luggnum, I endured a similar one myself, on the hive world of Archaos. I was a young noviciate in the Ecclesiarchy then, unknowingly walking into a foul cult ritual. The horror I saw, by all right I should be dead. But by the grace of the Emperor, I was granted the strength to defend myself and defeat the heretics and their monster. That is how the Inquisitor came upon me. In the aftermath. Like you, I know the interrogations of which you speak all too personally. They are harsh and cold, but they serve a vital purpose. And, it should be noted, that you are still here, which speaks to the strength of your soul." As he listens, Aenarius notices Erkan's hand subconsciously rub his left arm as a slight twinge of pain crosses his face, and Aenarius notes to himself that he has only ever seen Erkan completely garbed, nothing save his hands and his face exposed. "I am sorry for the loss of your comrades, they were men sworn in their duty to the Emperor. I will offer prayers of remembrance for them. And I too am praying that we all see the other side of this mission. No service to the Emperor is without sacrifice, and it is true, we face great potential for danger in our duty with the Inquisition. But it is a sacred duty to the most holy God Emperor, blessed be His name, for which we are called. I ask you this: is it perhaps not by divine guidance that you find yourself here now? Had you perhaps turned a different corner in the square where we all met, you may have been cut down by a heretic's stub fire. Instead, we all found one another, and through that strange unification, we were able to bring wrath and ruin against those who sought to corrupt the hive into a wasteland overrun with the corrupted. Take faith, Arbite Laedram, that the Emperor has a higher purpose set ahead of you."
Erkan smiles as he slides Vasyl a cup of recaf as the man responds to his question. "Like a ration wrapper. I have never heard that before, but I take its meaning. And no thanks are necessary. The Inquisitor had previously granted me resources as an acolyte initiate, and during the fighting by providence you and the others were delivered forth so that we might accomplish our holy duty to the God Emperor. Thusly, it would be foolish of me to now not ensure you were best equipped for the threats that lie ahead. And having grown up in a rather militant setting, I am quite aware of the many tools available to us." Vasyl notes that Erkan speaks with a formal, proper vocabulary, yet carries none of the arrogance or malice in his tone that he had previously experienced on the tongues of merchants and high born alike. Neither is it accompanied by the prosletyzing normally engaged in by the priests he has encountered. No, Erkan's tone is open and honest, as though seeking to know that man while offering humility in return. Sipping his own cup of recaf, Erkan leans forward, sighing a little. "I am sorry to say that I have little experience in the underhives, though from what I have learned prior and you now confirm, it would seem a challenging, inhospitable place to grow up in. No, I know little beyond the strictures of the Imperial Creed and its rank and order. My mother slipped into the Emperor's embrace bringing me into the world, and my father fell in service as an officer of the Maccabian 23rd Janissaries when I had not yet seen four full years. A ward of the Schola Progenium I became, trained from childhood on the martial and spiritual duties of a righteous servant of the Emperor. For my faith, the drill abbots claimed me for the path of a noviciate in the Ecclesiarchy. Though I know little of the dangers you faced in your years, sadly, I can attest to dangers within my own realm, for when men allow their egos to reach beyond their piety, foul things brew in their souls, leading them to darkness. That is how I came into contact with the Lord Inquisitor. She recognized in me something, and had me sent for training among another sect of the Ecclesiarchy, one that works most closely with the Ordo Malleus." Sipping his recaf again, Erkan's face suddenly makes a curious twist, as though asking himself a question. He then looks up at Vasyl, "My apologies, but I just now realized how swiftly this has all been pushed upon you. Do you have questions about this - your new role, the Ordo, and such?" ***************************************** Erkan sits at the table with the others as Lothar offers his analysis and suggestions for the impending operation. He is a wise combatant, skilled in utilizing each person's strengths to their maximum ability. Like the drill abbots back at the Schola, come to think of it. Clearly his home world takes great pride in their Guard training. He will be aptly attuned for leading our expedition, and liaising with the Armsmen units. Erkan sips from his mug of recaf, which the others have noted over the past couple weeks in a near constant fixture in his hand. Pointing to the aged schematics of the vessel, he speaks, "Given the outdated nature of our knowledge of the Sigilite's Grace, it will be vital to our success that Magos Bahrenfahrer gain access to a system cogitator as soon as possible once we are on board. Keep your eyes vigilant, for such information may be the difference between success and failure."
I am totally offended! Erkan is a sweet, cuddly man! Hahahahahahahahaa... @JonGarrett I had not spent my final 100 xp. Can I use that to pick up the Command skill? Figure that might be useful with our current mission (it is on my advance list).
Erkan divided his days on the Manifest Destiny between prayer, research, training, and getting to know his new comrades in arms. Having seen to the re-equipping of each of them, Erkan is pleased to see the seriousness by which each of them has assumed this duty among the Emperor's most trusted of servants. To Corporal Lothar, "Beyond your skill with the rifle, you seen to have a sound tactical mind. Have you much experience commanding men, and if so, would you feel comfortable helping to devise a plan to utilize our forces to explore the sizeable cruiser upon our arrival?" In his interactions with Heironymous, "Magos, you seemed of particular focus in gaining a servo-skull to assist us in this mission. I know little of their use beyond their presence as broadcasters, delivering forth messages of faith. How might you employ this one as we explore the Sigilite's Grace?" Approaching the hiver Vasyl, "It would seem you are a multi-talented individual with a knack for survival. You were rather unphased by the presence of those who had fallen to the corruption of Chaos, a trait not common in civilians. What path have you walked that lead you to this point?" To the swordsman Praetus, "Brother Praetus, your piety is evident in your words and your deeds. In the face of the ruinous powers, a deep foundation in the Emperor can be a mighty bastion against their taint. I encourage you to continue to steel your soul against their influence, and invite you to my daily prayers. On a personal note, you seem quite skilled with your blades, and I would be honored to spar with you if you'd like a partner. It's been some time since I had a proper work out with the sword, for its not a common path among the Ecclesiarchy." Finally, to Aenarius, Erkan had given him a bit more space then the others. Finally. "Arbite Laedram, I apologize if I overstep or misspeak, my training is not so much in ministering to the masses. I notice you seem troubled - I take it by thoughts of loss and duty, having been drawn from your world and the responsibilities to family, friend, and unit you had there. Know that your defense of the planet was noble, and because of your dedication to the Emperor, many of your folk still survive, and the efforts of traitors have been thwarted. But come, I would not have you be lost to the melancholy of the void. And so, if there is anything I can do for me, you need only ask." As the squad prepares to embark on the final leg of their journey, Erkan makes the sign of the Aquila and bows to Inquisitor Eliza. "Lord Inquisitor, I will see the fate of the Sigilite's Grace determined, any survivors recovered, and any taint eradicated. I do this as a faithful servant of the Inquisition, and a humble child of the Emperor. May His guiding light protect us all." Erkan will spend the time on the subwarp vessel heading toward the Sigilite's Grace familiarizing himself with Sergeants at Arms Volga and Kepania, and their respective teams. He invites any who wish to join to his daily religious observances, and will likewise join them as their maintain their weapons and kit. He inquires as to the two squads' capabilities in combat, scouting, stealth, and any other skills they might possess. He also takes particular note of their armaments.
I had 13 thrones, -10 for Vasyl, +840 = 843. flakweave cloak (sell) +80
remaining thrones: 300 I am setting up six of my overcharge packs on the duplus ammo clips to reduce my reload time on my lucius pattern shotlas. The remaining four I leave individual, for either manual reload at full time, or use in my longlas.
@Vasyl and @JonGarrett Yes, you can certainly mix ammunition within a clip, or shotgun magazine for that matter (speaking as the crazy American liberal gun owner... and yes, there are liberals who own guns). @Vasyl That said, the manstopper rounds only increase the Pen to a max of 3, so it only takes your Carnadon up by 1 Pen. In your case, Expander bullets (+1 damage, +1 penetration) would actually do you better, and they are a bit cheaper (1 throne / 2 bullets). It looks like you have 2.8 thrones for ammo? Not a whole lot, so Erkan is happy to toss you a few thrones to make sure you are equipped. Vasyl's updated Carnadon Ammo:
Mesh Combat Cloak is AP 4 (all) @ 350 thrones, and weighs only 1.5 kg. The body glove only gives the concealment bonuses when you pay the double cost to get it with a hood, so rather expensive.
"The Emperor's Will be done." With his final words, he motions for the others to follow him as they head to the quartermaster 'ad hold. |