The Long Night Part One: Embers in the Dusk: A Planetary Governor Quest (43k) Complete Sequel Up

The Hunter's Lodge

Established initially in Dis as a watering hole for ex-apprentices of Sir Pellinore, the Hunter's Lodge is arguably the first bushwalker's guild, and certainly amongst the most powerful Guilds on Avernus, in spite of its supposed founder having very little to do with it.

At its most basic the Lodge is a means of handling the affairs of the various hunters that make up its members. Offering training, bounties, trophies and means of organising expeditions, sharing news and the other many vital functions a thriving community of outdoorsmen need.

The central guildhall is located within one of Dis's lower habspires, and is both an administrative office, habitat, record facility, forge and massive trophy gallery where the greatest remnants of the hunts are kept.

This is where eager hunters must present themselves in hopes of being taken as an apprentice by a fully credited master and taught the secrets of the trade.

However, to even qualify for this one must already be highly skilled by the standards of the Avernite bushman. The Lodge only takes the best after all.

To facilitate this it has borrowed a tradition from Sir Pellinor's home planet, the trials system.

Set up across the wilderness of every human-inhabited region are small outposts of humanity, struggling for survival against the avernite nature. These outposts are a safe refuge for bushmen, but are also where the hunting trails of the lodge are overseen.

Each outpost is led by a Master Hunter of the Lodge, who issues challenges based on their region's specific threats.

For example, the trials in the Duat could require one to negotiate a herd of Hathor Beasts in a certain time frame without either disturbing the herd or growing drunk from the fumes of the beer grass they eat.

A trial in Elysium might require the taker kill a certain number of Thundabeasts with the las cannon of a tyrant lizard.

These trials are observed and marked by the master hunter, with the option demand a review by a different Master always available.

Those that pass their trials are awarded a hunter's badge. A bronze phase tiger, a silver dragon or a golden raptor, which is the highest award possible.

Three raptors are needed to gain entry to the lodge and consideration for an apprenticeship, although you can acquire as many badges as you wish before attempting. Many graduated hunters choose to continue the trials and earn more badges as they are a sure sign of mastery in a large range of environments.

If a hopeful hunter is selected they are apprenticed to a Master who takes them under their wing and takes them on numerous ventures. Hopefully, they will learn, if not then they will almost certainly die. A brutal process, but one that ensures the very best end up becoming Hunters.

Eventually, an apprentice will be skilled enough to be a Journeyman, who can venture on their own, but are not quite qualified for full mastery. These hunters have far more control over their own affairs but are restricted from top lodge jobs and take up many tasks like supplying the voracious appetites of off-world collectors.

To become a master, a Journeyman must hunt down a mighty beast designated by their Masters bringing back a verifiable trophy and vid record to prove their kill.

Once their mastery has been given they will be granted greater access to Guild Facilities and the highest level of contracts, given out by the Avernite government, Inquisition and Magos Biologis.

There are two more levels above that of the master hunters, the Grandmasters who sit upon the council and the Questing Hunter who searches for the ever-illusive Questing Beast. Previously this position was occupied by Sir Pellinore defacto, but as his actual involvement with the lodge was minimal it is more of a ceremonial role.

The current Questing Hunter is Kayleth Tee, who earned the title for hunting the gargantuan Fire Dragon known as Bloodjaw.

Being a member of the Lodge confers many benefits outside of the social recognition of being a member of Avernus's most accredited hunting organisation.

Monetarily the Lodge is almost always the first port of call for Magi Biologis, off-world collectors and Inquisition hunting teams* all of whom pay exceedingly well for the services an expert hunter can offer.
*The Lodge is also a frequent source of agents for Inquisition kill teams. Their skills as one might expect translate very well to the tracking down of cultists and dealing with highly dangerous foes in the wider galaxy as well.

More than that, there is the offer of advanced gear due to the Lodge's long relations with Mechanicus. Custom made equipment, advanced traps, suits of highly sophisticated armour and survival gear. For the highest and most distinguished members of the organisation, they are rewarded with Super-Exitus rifles, the most powerful and precise handheld weapon currently within the human arsenal.

At present, the lodge is reorganising following the death of Sir Pellinor. Commemorations of life and achievements have sprung up and an internal tournament is being held to see who is worthy of his personal Rifle, willed to the lodge following his death. With the matter of who will take up the great quest resolved, it seems likely the Lodge will become a major part of not only Avernite culture, but also it's economy
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@Durin
May as well send it out to die.

Thanks @random_npc for having a look.

Of Dorn's Remaining Sons- Quartus

In the realm of Quartus the might of the Trueborn often outshine all others including their brothers who have not undergone the process. It's because of the Trueborn that Quartus has been able to fend off the Metal Tyranids.

However that is not to discount the works of their brothers. Many who come from other genelines and some are survivors from before the Primarchs began the process.

While these marines still fight, in many of Quartus's conflicts. There are many other tasks they do that while not glorious are necessary.

Many operate as trainers for regular and TrueBorn marines as many of the surviving marines are veterans of Centuries. Others administrate to systems, ensuring they are thriving and building up. And a myriad of other tasks that help keep the empire running.

Which brings us to the rebuilding Imperial Fists. A lone Surviving ship with the chapter relics, the remaining geneseed, and chapter serfs being all that was left of Phanlax's last stand.

With no marines left standing, the Fist's had lost most of their institutional knowledge. Archives and help from their previously Junior chapters only helping so much.

Feeling lost and missing much of their identity, they asked the Primarchs for Help. And were given a mission to fortify the worlds of Quartus and to "regain their purpose."

And they did, they floundered at first without knowledge or experience. But given time and resources, natural instincts began to pop up. And like a fish to water, they took to their mission with extreme passion. Rediscovering old tactics and techniques, they left world after world tougher to crack.

Then the Nids hit, given little warning given their unusual nature they struck many worlds that the Fist's were occupying.

And before the might of the Metal ones many worlds faltered. However many worlds also held because of the heavier fortifications Dorn's Sons built. And on every one of these fronts they also fought holding the line until reinforcements could be sent.

Suffering many losses, the Imperial Fist's instead of faltering found purpose. They are now sent to help defend worlds that are in the metal nids path, as well as help rebuild many worlds.

Though the Fist's shall never be the same or regain what they lost, but they have found what is at their core and that's all need. And as well with the existence of the Kholikos to the Fist's it feels like their home has come back. And while it is not officially their home, every Fist does a shift on the Kholikos and the majority of the Marines are often of Dorns geneline.

@Durin