Iacton's page

"Iacton, you know your welcome right?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Having broken his silence, Iacton once again falls silent as he accompanies the others down to the cleansing.

Awareness(32) and Intelligence(14): 1d100 ⇒ 881d100 ⇒ 42

"The Vaxus Deeps have long been given over to their ministrations, and those who manage to eke out any kind of survival here do so only at their sufferance. This includes our Pack. We paid a steep price for our sanctuary here, a tenuous truce that was brokered by Ariella following our defeat and one that includes a promise not to interfere with their preaching...as well as to remain free of taint they so zealously purge."

Iacton silently turns to Luceros, his face betraying no emotion. "Where can we meet these preachers? They seem like... kindred spirits."

The Auldmaw's Lair

As the cerulean glow shining from the bone-white walls reaches its brightest, both Uriah and Iacton can make out the un-color of a viscid black stream of fluid that pours from the unseen ceiling above in a waterfall-like arc to splash upon the pinnacle of the ancient xenos fountain. The jet-black liquid trickles down from the descending basins, seeping through their many cracks and splashing grotesquely on the pure alabaster bodies of the slender statues.

Iacton grimaces, foul memories coming to the surface. "We have found the source of the taint." This was the work of the corrupted guardsmen, he was certain of it. The question is, why?

Uriah an Ordinary [+10] Shadowing skill test or, if you prefer, a Challenging [+0] Awareness test.

I assume you meant Iacton.

Iacton stalks through the fungus, his shotgun at the ready.

Shadowing(51): 1d100 ⇒ 63

Not sure what Iacton would like to focus on. What do you guys think?

Iacton would rather get back to searching for Leprade, but if we're going to be searching the Auldmaw's lair he'll head in with you. Investigations can wait until tomorrow.

Picking up +5 Agility and Concealment.

Iacton runs his finger down the blade, makes a few quick slashes in the air. "It is a fine blade. Thank you."

Iacton turns as the shots ring out and his foe falls. The Auldmaw is dead, but so is the den mother. Tonight is a Pyrrhic victory at best. But he still had work to do.

He runs past Ariella, if Uriah can't save her then nothing he could do would help. But her killer, the man formerly known as the Eviserator, that problem he could solve. After all, this was not the Eviserator. He has seen pictures of the Eviserator, and this is not him. This is just an old man, ruined by revenge. When his blade slices into his throat, you could almost see a glimmer of pity in Iacton's eyes.

Iacton desperately yanks his sword out of the great wolf and stabs once again.

You get the drift. (73): 1d100 ⇒ 91d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

And it all gets soaked by Toughness/armor.

One has fallen, but they all must continue. To falter, even for a moment, is to accept defeat.

Aim and attack, same as before(73): 1d100 ⇒ 551d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Hoping for one last strike, Iacton steps back to assess the creature's jerking movements before lunging forward again.

Aim, then attack(73, assuming it isn't stunned now): 1d100 ⇒ 771d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Iacton wavers on the edge of the melee, unsure of what to do. He was just one man with a sword, and he must fight this beast? He couldn't hope to win... Then the psychic waves wash over him, and he is reminded of his purpose. He is the Emperor's blade in this world. If he met the Chaos gods themselves, they would be cut down.

And this? This is just an overgrown wolf.

Move and attack(including the +20 from it's size)(58): 1d100 ⇒ 651d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Aren't I dazed during this round since I failed that Fear test? Or did we move on to a new round already?

Iacton will move back to be in line with the other three people standing there. Fear(30): 1d100 ⇒ 63

Failed by 3 degrees. I'll just roll on the shock table now: 1d100 + 30 ⇒ (76) + 30 = 106

And the Willpower test to see if I'm deaf(40): 1d100 ⇒ 4

At least I'll be able to hear while I'm in my fear-induced daze.

Initiative, part two: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Run. Flee. Escape. Survive. Nothing else matters. But there is no where left to run, so Iacton readies his blade and prepares to face the force of nature pursuing him.

Acrobatics(56): 1d100 ⇒ 7

4 degrees of success. I don't really have any more to say that you haven't said already.

Iacton you have a Half-Action to do anything you like before the other duct wolves are upon you.

Iacton backs away, hopefully to a more defensible position.

Moving back into the pipe I came from, hopefully keeping me from getting ganged up on too badly.

Iacton attempts to both turn the lunge away from himself and slice into it. Whether he succeeds is a different matter.

Parry(48): 1d100 ⇒ 33

Aim, then attack with my sword(48): 1d100 ⇒ 341d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Iacton tries to force the beast back, hoping to get enough room to bring his blades to bear. More pressure behind his knife, force it to back off, then send his blade crashing down.

Half action, Feint(If I win opposed WS test, target can't dodge/parry my next attack): 1d100 ⇒ 44

Then, my attack(43): 1d100 ⇒ 551d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Iacton brings up his blades in a desperate attempt to guide the beast's maws away from him.

Parry(48): 1d100 ⇒ 33

Iacton adjusts his stance and swings both his blades upwards into the Auldmaw's flank.

Sorry for the wait. Attacking with both weapons(33):

First attack triggers Righteous Fury! 1d100 ⇒ 671d10 ⇒ 1

The Emperor cares not for this battle.

A currently-useless Initiative roll: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

It is only a matter of time before the Auldmaw notices him.If he had any hope for this, he had to get the first strike...

Iacton leaps forward and attempts to slash at the great beast.

I assume it's between 4 and 9 meters away? Charging the Auldmaw(53): 1d100 ⇒ 731d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Spending a Fate point to reroll that: 1d100 ⇒ 35 and to see if the point is really spent: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Iacton waits, knowing that his foe will arrive soon enough. He won't find it by blindly wandering the pipes, but if it makes it's presence known somehow he can find it before it finds him.

Writer's block. Shadowing(46): 1d100 ⇒ 77

As he steps into the pipe, Iacton bows his head. "I shall fear neither blade nor bullet, for I am the Emperor's blade..." He trails off as he enters the pipe, the last sound heard being the soft scraping of blades being unsheathed once more.

Just wielding both of my mono-blades and walking in very quietly. Move Silently(36) and Awareness(32): 1d100 ⇒ 651d100 ⇒ 5

Even if Iacton didn't show it, Silus' speed with the blade worried him. If he wished, he could of slashed his throat and not his cheek. He should just be thankful Silus seems to be on his side and be ready for the next time.

"Bare your fangs that they may be judged worthy to be whetted with the blood of the Auldmaw!"

But now Iacton must leave those thoughts behind, for the test was fast approaching. First, he presents Silus with his newest blade, the one with a blade sharpened to a razor's edge. The knives came out next, both the sword's companion and the blade that has been with him for decades, and they too were given for inspection. His navel shotgun came soon after, the light glimmering off the name engraved on it's stock. Almost as an afterthought, Iacton hands over his laspistol.

"Are you ready to begin?"

Iacton draws his blade, his eyes never leaving the pipe. His answer is clear.

Iacton wrote:

"Savalos. You remember what Luceros said. This will be a fight to the death, one way or another."

"To win this fight, I must be a duct wolf. But to be a Duct Wolf, I must win this fight." Iacton says quietly, smiling to himself.

"Aye He did. So ask yourself this... Can the life you know die, but be born again as something new? Isn't there more than just the death of the physical?"

"I do not fear death, in any form. But this is intended to be my execution. I am not skilled enough to deceive my executioner, and I must continue His work. As I said, one of us won't escape this with our lives."

I run over my memories of Auldmaw. The children stories I was told as a kid.... A Mother.... Think like a Duct Wolf....

"Iacton. Don't fight Auldmaw, you can't win. You shouldn't win. Killing her would destroy something all Wolves revere. She's a Mother, first among all Female Alpha's. Find a way to protect her children, find a way to gain acceptance into her pack. Become one of her pups. Its the right thing to do. Any Man can slay...."

"Savalos. You remember what Luceros said. This will be a fight to the death, one way or another."

"To win this fight, I must be a duct wolf. But to be a Duct Wolf, I must win this fight." Iacton says quietly, smiling to himself.

Luceros is trying to end you."

"He won't succeed." Iacton stares into the inky blackness of the pipe, waiting for the ceremony to truly begin.

"Who among you will accept this challenge?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Iacton steps forward. "I accept your challenge." He stares up at Luceros, waiting for the terms of this test.

" ...How is it we do not know that this contrived Hunt will not send the few warriors we have left to their deaths?"

Iacton steps forward and finally breaks his silence. "The Arbites have turned away from the Emperor's light. It is our holy duty to end their heresy, and it shall take more than a traitor's blade to stop those who do the Emperor's work." He says this with the certainty of the truly faithful, and then silently steps back to his previous position.

Navigation(Stellar)(22): 1d100 ⇒ 87 You win some, you loose some.

Scrutiny(16): 1d100 ⇒ 15 So, maybe.

Iacton simply watches the proceedings, waiting for the moment he should interject.

Navigation(Stellar)(12+10=22): 1d100 ⇒ 83

Looking at Iacton, he gives Krade's aide a wary stare.

"I know this ghost-skin by reputation and my few glimpses of him; he stalks the shadows of Vaxus, always watching. We have long wondered who he serves, we only knew it was not the Yellobacks. If you vouchsafe for him that is enough for the Pack."

Iacton returns Tygault's stare. "I serve the Emperor. Is that enough?"

"You will not speak of this place, to anyone, lest they be your last words. I trust I am understood?"

"You have my word. I will not betray the Duct Wolves."

"We are doing the Emperor's work. We will not die here." Iacton whispers to his fellows before stepping out of the car, his hands held high and away from his weapons.

"We are doing the Emperor's work. They will find us worthy." Iacton puts on the blindfold.

"I think that keeping the feather with us is important, your master was safekeeping the feather. Until we get with your master, it up to you to continue. You might want to pray to The Emperor for the strength to stand up to its taint."

"I already am." Iacton then heads off to pick up the feather.

So, have me get the feather back off-screen so we can get to the good stuff?

"My only question about going to your family first, is the possibility of our enemy using you to find them. If that is not a problem, then I accept our first task is going to your family."

"If they find his family, then they find his family. For now, the benefits outweigh the risks."

"Should I take the feather with me, or would you rather it stayed here tonight?"

That will be after we talk to him.

"So, we will catch him, he will tell us what he knows, then he will die. Justice deferred is still justice."

"Not griefing on you Iacton. Far from it. Believe me I have confidence in Dunkan, and his abilities. My concern rests with those with split loyalities. What I am suggesting is this Feather would be alot safer on the move than it staying in a stationary place. Its our burden to safeguard it. Not to drop it into the lap of Dunkan and his people to protect it for us. Don't you think enough people have died over this? The Eviserator will find the hideout. It will just take time, and he is loosing patience. It went from killing the lone victim to just wide spread butchery."

"Fine. If both of you believe the feather would be safer in my possession, I will take it. I may go mad, but better I sacrifice than anyone else."

"I wouldn't leave it then with Dunkan. It will only be a matter of time before the Eviserator finds the place. I'm sure he wants to drop the Eviserator as hot merchandise. He's an unreliable nutjob, easy to manipulate."

"No. Danicos knows enough about the feather to fear it, and he is not the type to suffer Chaos lightly. Also, we made a deal. Danicos is many things, but a traitor is not one of them."

"Besides, what would you rather we do with it? I have carried it's weight upon my back for long enough, and if I thought I could handle it's heat for a moment longer I wouldn't of entrusted it with Danicos. Do you think you could do any better?"

"So then is our next stop the Withdrawn Veil, or we continue as planned?"

"Leprade will pay for his betrayal, and I will find Master Krade. Whichever path the Emperor leads me down to accomplish that, I will take."

"So Brek, and the others are chasing after him I suppose?" I'm guessing Ishmael isn't getting up from his bed for awhile.

"They are dealing with the traitors in the penal colony. I wish I could join them, but my duties here are more important."

"What Feather?"

"I thought you knew. We found a daemonic feather hidden in Master Krade's office. I took it, to keep it safe. It is currently in a warded container under Mr Danicos' protection."

"I need to tell both of you something. I have spoken with Master Krade tonight. If I said how, you would think me mad. He told me the Eviscerator is a daemon, bound here as surely as any other prisoner in a cell. The feather is the key to free him."

"He also said to seek him where the veil is parted, and something about the key, his freedom and the cherubim." Iacton sits and stares at the two of you, waiting for a reaction.

"Where is Johnnie, and the others anyway?"

"Rico went to question some contacts of his own. Here." Iacton hands Savalos a dataslate.

"Also the Daemon is looking for something that belonged to it. Wants it back. It won't stop til it gets it."

Iacton takes a seat before speaking again, his voice resolute. "He is looking for the feather."

Iacton moves to help steady Savalos, sparing only a moment to glance at Uriah. "I have much to tell you as well."

I will pull out my laspistol, aim it at the door, and nod to Iacton to open it.

Iacton nods and opens the door, one hand on his sword.

You then realize the significance of the blinking message rune.

"Uriah, Rico is calling us.", says Iacton as he attempts to play the message.

With Iacton's answer, an uncomfortable silence hangs over the musty warehouse office. The voidborn pair stare awkwardly at one another for a long time before Iacton's eyes flick away to one of the dataslates resting at the end of the caffeine-stained table.

A winking amber message light has just activated on the device.

Uriah isn't oblivious, Lorm, he just does his best detail work in his visions.

Iacton picks up the dataslate and views the message.

Iacton continues sitting still, waiting for their contact to arrive. "I serve the Emperor. Who relays me his orders matters not."

Awareness(52): 1d100 ⇒ 12