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A school for the cursed: A Psyker Quest. Warhammer 40k quest.
- Thread starter Mayto
- Start date
- Mature Sci-Fi
Plans for the future.
- Location
- Netherlands
Each member of your small group of Primaris Psykers has their own personal quarters aboard the Black Ship, unlike the cramped cells located in the lower decks. However, the designated area for Psykers only has limited space for communal gatherings, as few of you willingly leave your cabins for the parts of the ship that still resonate with the psychic echoes of millennia of Psykers being transported aboard. Only the communal dining area is protected as much as your individual rooms, making it the only place where you willingly congregate.
"This is amazing." The mushroom is stuffed with meaty bits, with a thick carbohydrate stuffing that reminds you of a well-made carb bar. Your taste buds savor the spices as you bite into the mushroom, releasing all of its flavour. You manage to contain your joy and not make any noise as you enjoy the taste. The plate of food Martha brought you is just as good as any other meal she has made for you.
Martha chuckles. "It was a bit of a challenge making food aboard a Black Ship." With a flourish, she lifts the lid on a cast iron pot, revealing it to contain a dozen small thumb-sized delicacies wrapped in seaweed or strips of meat. She blushes. "I was a bit too excited and made snacks for the other Psykers."
The Psykers seated around the table, Astrid, Hans, and Alfonse, cast subtle glances at their own meals. Silvia is uncaring of the meal, presumably a side-effect of the Soul Binding. The servitor-prepared dishes are a simple fare of mushrooms, algae, and a slab of bland protein. They then shift their gaze to the meal Martha has crafted with her deft hands. Though none of them openly display their envy, it hangs palpable in the air like an unspoken truth. Their eyes betray the longing for a taste of Martha's culinary magic even as they maintain stoic facades over their own lackluster sustenance.
"I noticed the fare was rather sparse for the upper decks" You chuckle and motion for Martha to share with the others. The Ratling beams and takes out the plating tong, giving each of the Primaris Psykers several of the delicacies.
"I've served aboard a few ships. And this one definitely has the worst food. Most of the food is powders, dehydrated meats, and vats with pastes and liquids of dubious edibility. Anything fresher like the mushrooms appears to be freshly grown. I had to get creative to liven it all up." As she speaks, Martha serves the other Psykers, not skipping a beat. "Apparently this ship doesn't even keep fresh livestock for the officers."
That raises an eyebrow. Imperial Navy Ships pride themselves in ensuring that its officers and leaders always have access to fresh high quality food, many even keeping livestock herds on the upper decks.
You catch a glimpse of Alfonse chuckling as he looks at two cards from the Tarot.
Astrid shakes her head. "Too dangerous. Psychic Phenomena often spoils food. Or at least ages it prematurely. Powders, pastes, and rapidly grown mushrooms are less affected by this." She cracks her knuckles and slightly adjusts one of her finger.
Hans laughs boisterously. "Well, bad ingredients or not. This meal is excellent, little one." He pats Martha's head affectionately. "Just how did you acquire such a well trained serf, brother Psyker?"
Martha swats the hand away. "I'm no serf. I am Occam's cook. Not a pet."
"The Pyromancer was one of the Gilded, you'll have to excuse his lack of manners." Alfonse says, folding up his deck. "Only Abhumans he's used to are treasured pets and possessions, Miss…-" He pulls out a fan of three cards and with a flourish pulls forth the rightmost one. "Strong of back…?" He asks hesitantly, smoothing his hair back as he does.
"Sternback." Martha corrects.
Silvia leans forward, the empty eye sockets behind the blindfold somehow gazing right into you. She speaks directly into the heads of those in the room. +I am not interested in chit-chat. Let us speak of something relevant. You are the newest Primaris among us. Soon you'll be a prefect, in charge of teaching Wyrdvanes. Just what sort of teachings do you intend to pass on?+
That gets the interests of everyone in the room.
You describe your plan to select for physically fit Wyrdvanes and train a close combat force. Not wyrdvanes in robes to be herded forward alongside the advance, but a force that can win in its own right.
Occam makes a case for Psychic Shock Troops. A challenging sell. (+0)
Roll target: Fellowship (45) + Difficulty (0) + 10 (A fine meal) = 55
You rolled 73
2 Degrees of Failure.
Astrid nods slowly. "My primary focus lies upon Biomancy. Healing the wounded and keeping the warriors of the Imperium in the fight. Psykers are a rescource. Using Wyrdvanes as combat troops would cut your potential recruits. Casualties could be heavy." She pauses, considering the proposal. "Perhaps my Biomancers could help fortify your Wyrdvane before combat? And heal them of their wounds."
While Astrid sees flaws in your plan, she at least wishes to help mend them, and does see the advantages of it.
Alfonse and Silvia share doubtful looks and whisper to each other as they consider the idea. "It seems like a waste of talented Psykers," Alfonse comments. "But I suppose you won't require Diviners or Telepaths for your plan?"
+None of my telepaths.+ Silvia thinks just loudly enough that it transmits.
You nod in agreement. "No, I only need Telekinetics and Pyromancers for the offensive capabilities. Naturally, I'll seek to hone their other skills."
+I wish you the best of luck convincing the Lord Prefect.+ Silvia transmits, although the look on her face makes it clear she does not agree with the concept.
Hans snorts a puff of smoke. "Physical health and capabilities are a large factor of Psyker stability. If you get all the healthy telekines and pyromancers, then I'd be left with chaff. So what, your Psykers can get shot by stray bullets in combat? The Blunts are the ones meant to catch bullets and fight in the trenches."
There is little anger in his words, but the look in his eyes is one of deep introspection. He is right in that you will both want to draw recruits from the same pool, and if your type of training requires physical fitness, then he'd get the less physically able.
"I can make it work." You say. "That is the purpose of our Wyrdvanes, is it not? We train our apprentices how we see best."
"Yes, but your idea is stupid." Hans says, shaking his head.
Astrid is hesitant on the feasibility of your plan, but she's willing to support you and make it work.
Unlocks: Combat-Biomancy feasibility studies.
Silvia and Alfonse are not convinced, but they are not opposed.
Upon your training bearing results, Silvia and Alfonse will be open to cooperating with you.
Hans thinks your plan is a foolish waste of Psykers that he could train instead. He will attempt to ensure that the best candidates are assigned to him instead of you.
Unlocks: Request Telekine recruit priority
—
The first thing you do upon stepping out of your transit cage, is to find the nearest window and look out upon Hadal. Singularities have always fascinated you, and the fact you are in a system with one that also has an accretion disk, only entices you further. The utter darkness you see takes your breath away with the sheer beauty of it, and you sit down to meditate upon it. It will take some time for the ship to arrive in orbit of Odium, and you feel a perfect opportunity for some studying.
Heading for a meditation sphere at the outskirts of the hull, far enough away from the Psi-Dampening so any Psykers onboard can work their craft if need be, you begin to meditate upon your powers. First, you go through the Three Meditations to prepare yourself.
The Meditation of Silence, to tune out distractions. 'I turn my ears, O God-Emperor, towards the sound of your silence. That I may recognise your voice when it speaks.' You shut out all outside noise.
The Meditation of Self, to prepare yourself. 'I turn my eyes, O God-Emperor, towards the sight of your servant, that I may see my failings and judge myself true.' You focus upon your own body, mentally exerting the slightest bit of muscle control across your body.
The Meditation of the God-Emperor's Grace, to pray for His protection. 'I turn my soul, O God-Emperor, towards the light of your grace, that I may surrender before it and burn just as brightly.' You begin
You reach out with your mind and feel for the space around you, telekinetic fingertips moving across the objects around you, the surface of the walls, the floor, the composition of the materials. You do not look into the warp, and instead just the space around you. As your mind projects from your body, you feel the gravitational exertion upon the ship. Flexing, straining, the way the ship's size almost generates its own gravitional pull.
You have experience with manipulating gravity. It is merely challenging.(0)
Target Difficulty(Psy-rating * 10) + Difficulty = 50
Occam rolled 4
5 degrees of success.
A realization hits you.
A handful of metal orbs float up from sockets in the wall, a simple method to practice telekinesis. You take them in a telekinetic grip and move the in a circle with focus. You stare intently at the orbs, pondering them. As you focus your meditation, you begin feeling the gravitational waves coming from Hadal.
You keep staring at the orbs. You feel the slight disruption caused by the effects of the Black Hole. It is an understood phenomena that proximity to such an object can slightly disrupt telekinesis.
However, you've learned as a child that one should never take things for granted. Just why does heavy gravity affect telekinetic grabs?
Telekinesis is the manipulation of matter. Moving it through wrapping it in one's telekinetic grip… but what is that grip? Why do you manipulate objects by wrapping them in telekine force and moving and shifting those, when doing so is just a poor substitute of the raw elemental forces of the universe?
Or…
What if that is what you're doing? If pyromancy is the creation of heat... then are you creating gravity by manipulating objects?
As this realization fully sinks in, your psychic grip changes. You are not holding the orbs in telekinetic fields, you are holding the orbs themselves. In an instant, as your understanding of your power and what they mean become a part of your worldview, your powers change to accommodate.
You have learned to Manifest gravity.
Manifest Gravity: Occam can forego wrapping objects in telekinetic fields, and instead directly manifest gravitic forces. By focussing upon a point in space, Occam can generate an omnidirectional gravitic pull towards it.
A tribal shaman can conjure forth a mighty storm while a Psyker a hundred times stronger who has never seen natural weather can not even make a cloud rain. A biomancer who does not understand the inherent biology of the body can not manipulate the functioning of blood or organs.
As you learn the deeper philosphical, aetheric, or physics involved in your psychic powers, your ability to manifest or control these things improves. Or whole new sub-schools might open up.
For example: Cryomancy is a sub-school of Pyromancy, with the principles reversed. But to understand it, one requires either a spiritual understanding of winter, or a scientific understanding of heat and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Note: No Psyker learns the same way, and what triggers a development for you, might do nothing for another. Learning psychic powers is an intensely personal experience.
Advanced Psychic powers are generally not a set system of spells and abilities, and instead are a deeply personal experience that results in one learning new abilities.
While the basics of one of the five major Psykana Schools can be taught by teachers and tomes, more advanced than basic manipulation of the forces at their command, requires trials meant to bring out the ability.
Two examples of these sorts of trials are:
A Pyromancer getting locked into a burning room to teach them to dampen flames.
A Biomancer sealed into a drowning chamber so they grow gills.
If you can think of a scenario meant to trigger the awakening or understanding of a psychic ability, please feel free to post the suggestions.
"This is amazing." The mushroom is stuffed with meaty bits, with a thick carbohydrate stuffing that reminds you of a well-made carb bar. Your taste buds savor the spices as you bite into the mushroom, releasing all of its flavour. You manage to contain your joy and not make any noise as you enjoy the taste. The plate of food Martha brought you is just as good as any other meal she has made for you.
Martha chuckles. "It was a bit of a challenge making food aboard a Black Ship." With a flourish, she lifts the lid on a cast iron pot, revealing it to contain a dozen small thumb-sized delicacies wrapped in seaweed or strips of meat. She blushes. "I was a bit too excited and made snacks for the other Psykers."
The Psykers seated around the table, Astrid, Hans, and Alfonse, cast subtle glances at their own meals. Silvia is uncaring of the meal, presumably a side-effect of the Soul Binding. The servitor-prepared dishes are a simple fare of mushrooms, algae, and a slab of bland protein. They then shift their gaze to the meal Martha has crafted with her deft hands. Though none of them openly display their envy, it hangs palpable in the air like an unspoken truth. Their eyes betray the longing for a taste of Martha's culinary magic even as they maintain stoic facades over their own lackluster sustenance.
"I noticed the fare was rather sparse for the upper decks" You chuckle and motion for Martha to share with the others. The Ratling beams and takes out the plating tong, giving each of the Primaris Psykers several of the delicacies.
"I've served aboard a few ships. And this one definitely has the worst food. Most of the food is powders, dehydrated meats, and vats with pastes and liquids of dubious edibility. Anything fresher like the mushrooms appears to be freshly grown. I had to get creative to liven it all up." As she speaks, Martha serves the other Psykers, not skipping a beat. "Apparently this ship doesn't even keep fresh livestock for the officers."
That raises an eyebrow. Imperial Navy Ships pride themselves in ensuring that its officers and leaders always have access to fresh high quality food, many even keeping livestock herds on the upper decks.
You catch a glimpse of Alfonse chuckling as he looks at two cards from the Tarot.
Astrid shakes her head. "Too dangerous. Psychic Phenomena often spoils food. Or at least ages it prematurely. Powders, pastes, and rapidly grown mushrooms are less affected by this." She cracks her knuckles and slightly adjusts one of her finger.
Hans laughs boisterously. "Well, bad ingredients or not. This meal is excellent, little one." He pats Martha's head affectionately. "Just how did you acquire such a well trained serf, brother Psyker?"
Martha swats the hand away. "I'm no serf. I am Occam's cook. Not a pet."
"The Pyromancer was one of the Gilded, you'll have to excuse his lack of manners." Alfonse says, folding up his deck. "Only Abhumans he's used to are treasured pets and possessions, Miss…-" He pulls out a fan of three cards and with a flourish pulls forth the rightmost one. "Strong of back…?" He asks hesitantly, smoothing his hair back as he does.
"Sternback." Martha corrects.
Silvia leans forward, the empty eye sockets behind the blindfold somehow gazing right into you. She speaks directly into the heads of those in the room. +I am not interested in chit-chat. Let us speak of something relevant. You are the newest Primaris among us. Soon you'll be a prefect, in charge of teaching Wyrdvanes. Just what sort of teachings do you intend to pass on?+
That gets the interests of everyone in the room.
You describe your plan to select for physically fit Wyrdvanes and train a close combat force. Not wyrdvanes in robes to be herded forward alongside the advance, but a force that can win in its own right.
Occam makes a case for Psychic Shock Troops. A challenging sell. (+0)
Roll target: Fellowship (45) + Difficulty (0) + 10 (A fine meal) = 55
You rolled 73
2 Degrees of Failure.
Astrid nods slowly. "My primary focus lies upon Biomancy. Healing the wounded and keeping the warriors of the Imperium in the fight. Psykers are a rescource. Using Wyrdvanes as combat troops would cut your potential recruits. Casualties could be heavy." She pauses, considering the proposal. "Perhaps my Biomancers could help fortify your Wyrdvane before combat? And heal them of their wounds."
While Astrid sees flaws in your plan, she at least wishes to help mend them, and does see the advantages of it.
Alfonse and Silvia share doubtful looks and whisper to each other as they consider the idea. "It seems like a waste of talented Psykers," Alfonse comments. "But I suppose you won't require Diviners or Telepaths for your plan?"
+None of my telepaths.+ Silvia thinks just loudly enough that it transmits.
You nod in agreement. "No, I only need Telekinetics and Pyromancers for the offensive capabilities. Naturally, I'll seek to hone their other skills."
+I wish you the best of luck convincing the Lord Prefect.+ Silvia transmits, although the look on her face makes it clear she does not agree with the concept.
Hans snorts a puff of smoke. "Physical health and capabilities are a large factor of Psyker stability. If you get all the healthy telekines and pyromancers, then I'd be left with chaff. So what, your Psykers can get shot by stray bullets in combat? The Blunts are the ones meant to catch bullets and fight in the trenches."
There is little anger in his words, but the look in his eyes is one of deep introspection. He is right in that you will both want to draw recruits from the same pool, and if your type of training requires physical fitness, then he'd get the less physically able.
"I can make it work." You say. "That is the purpose of our Wyrdvanes, is it not? We train our apprentices how we see best."
"Yes, but your idea is stupid." Hans says, shaking his head.
Astrid is hesitant on the feasibility of your plan, but she's willing to support you and make it work.
Unlocks: Combat-Biomancy feasibility studies.
Silvia and Alfonse are not convinced, but they are not opposed.
Upon your training bearing results, Silvia and Alfonse will be open to cooperating with you.
Hans thinks your plan is a foolish waste of Psykers that he could train instead. He will attempt to ensure that the best candidates are assigned to him instead of you.
Unlocks: Request Telekine recruit priority
—
The first thing you do upon stepping out of your transit cage, is to find the nearest window and look out upon Hadal. Singularities have always fascinated you, and the fact you are in a system with one that also has an accretion disk, only entices you further. The utter darkness you see takes your breath away with the sheer beauty of it, and you sit down to meditate upon it. It will take some time for the ship to arrive in orbit of Odium, and you feel a perfect opportunity for some studying.
Heading for a meditation sphere at the outskirts of the hull, far enough away from the Psi-Dampening so any Psykers onboard can work their craft if need be, you begin to meditate upon your powers. First, you go through the Three Meditations to prepare yourself.
The Meditation of Silence, to tune out distractions. 'I turn my ears, O God-Emperor, towards the sound of your silence. That I may recognise your voice when it speaks.' You shut out all outside noise.
The Meditation of Self, to prepare yourself. 'I turn my eyes, O God-Emperor, towards the sight of your servant, that I may see my failings and judge myself true.' You focus upon your own body, mentally exerting the slightest bit of muscle control across your body.
The Meditation of the God-Emperor's Grace, to pray for His protection. 'I turn my soul, O God-Emperor, towards the light of your grace, that I may surrender before it and burn just as brightly.' You begin
You reach out with your mind and feel for the space around you, telekinetic fingertips moving across the objects around you, the surface of the walls, the floor, the composition of the materials. You do not look into the warp, and instead just the space around you. As your mind projects from your body, you feel the gravitational exertion upon the ship. Flexing, straining, the way the ship's size almost generates its own gravitional pull.
You have experience with manipulating gravity. It is merely challenging.(0)
Target Difficulty(Psy-rating * 10) + Difficulty = 50
Occam rolled 4
5 degrees of success.
A realization hits you.
A handful of metal orbs float up from sockets in the wall, a simple method to practice telekinesis. You take them in a telekinetic grip and move the in a circle with focus. You stare intently at the orbs, pondering them. As you focus your meditation, you begin feeling the gravitational waves coming from Hadal.
You keep staring at the orbs. You feel the slight disruption caused by the effects of the Black Hole. It is an understood phenomena that proximity to such an object can slightly disrupt telekinesis.
However, you've learned as a child that one should never take things for granted. Just why does heavy gravity affect telekinetic grabs?
Telekinesis is the manipulation of matter. Moving it through wrapping it in one's telekinetic grip… but what is that grip? Why do you manipulate objects by wrapping them in telekine force and moving and shifting those, when doing so is just a poor substitute of the raw elemental forces of the universe?
Or…
What if that is what you're doing? If pyromancy is the creation of heat... then are you creating gravity by manipulating objects?
As this realization fully sinks in, your psychic grip changes. You are not holding the orbs in telekinetic fields, you are holding the orbs themselves. In an instant, as your understanding of your power and what they mean become a part of your worldview, your powers change to accommodate.
You have learned to Manifest gravity.
Manifest Gravity: Occam can forego wrapping objects in telekinetic fields, and instead directly manifest gravitic forces. By focussing upon a point in space, Occam can generate an omnidirectional gravitic pull towards it.
A tribal shaman can conjure forth a mighty storm while a Psyker a hundred times stronger who has never seen natural weather can not even make a cloud rain. A biomancer who does not understand the inherent biology of the body can not manipulate the functioning of blood or organs.
As you learn the deeper philosphical, aetheric, or physics involved in your psychic powers, your ability to manifest or control these things improves. Or whole new sub-schools might open up.
For example: Cryomancy is a sub-school of Pyromancy, with the principles reversed. But to understand it, one requires either a spiritual understanding of winter, or a scientific understanding of heat and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Note: No Psyker learns the same way, and what triggers a development for you, might do nothing for another. Learning psychic powers is an intensely personal experience.
Advanced Psychic powers are generally not a set system of spells and abilities, and instead are a deeply personal experience that results in one learning new abilities.
While the basics of one of the five major Psykana Schools can be taught by teachers and tomes, more advanced than basic manipulation of the forces at their command, requires trials meant to bring out the ability.
Two examples of these sorts of trials are:
A Pyromancer getting locked into a burning room to teach them to dampen flames.
A Biomancer sealed into a drowning chamber so they grow gills.
If you can think of a scenario meant to trigger the awakening or understanding of a psychic ability, please feel free to post the suggestions.
Why Psyker Shamans are dangerous.
- Location
- Netherlands
That description I gave regarding the teaching of psi-craft is relevant here.
Psyker'ing is not just a strict science, and so mindset is incredibly important. Its why feral world shamans are able to perform feats that regular basic bitch imperial Psykers have trouble with.
Say you got your hands on a piece of kraken bone from Fenris, and you carved a protective rune into it. It wouldn't be as effective as one carved by a Non-Psyker Space Wolf that grew up learning the saga of a famous shaman that defeated a foul beast, and carves the rune with every part of his soul being put into its creation.
This isn't "magic only works if you don't think about it"
Its "it only works if you get it."
What parts of human nature, the collective faith and stories, and beliefs, do you call upon? Do you understand the deeper meanings not just on an intellectual level, but in your soul?
Its like how one might listen to music and enjoy the sound and the skill behind it.
But if you get the story behind who made it, and you start to feel the heart and soul that was put into it, you find yourself wanting to cry.
You could also just learn a warp symbol that repels daemonic energies due to complex esoteric mathematics and use that to do what you want.
This is faster and something you can actually teach in a classroom setting.
Mind. You can learn both. Its what the space Marine librarians from worlds with Psychic traditions do.
Most are as capable of invoking the elemental might of the storm and the tides to wash away daemonic corruption and call down lightning.
But they can also just open their mind to the warp and choosing to manifest this as a blast of flame, telekine sheaths, telepathically empower their voices, Etc. And these can be enhanced through scientific knowhow and expertise.
Psyker'ing is not just a strict science, and so mindset is incredibly important. Its why feral world shamans are able to perform feats that regular basic bitch imperial Psykers have trouble with.
Say you got your hands on a piece of kraken bone from Fenris, and you carved a protective rune into it. It wouldn't be as effective as one carved by a Non-Psyker Space Wolf that grew up learning the saga of a famous shaman that defeated a foul beast, and carves the rune with every part of his soul being put into its creation.
This isn't "magic only works if you don't think about it"
Its "it only works if you get it."
What parts of human nature, the collective faith and stories, and beliefs, do you call upon? Do you understand the deeper meanings not just on an intellectual level, but in your soul?
Its like how one might listen to music and enjoy the sound and the skill behind it.
But if you get the story behind who made it, and you start to feel the heart and soul that was put into it, you find yourself wanting to cry.
You could also just learn a warp symbol that repels daemonic energies due to complex esoteric mathematics and use that to do what you want.
This is faster and something you can actually teach in a classroom setting.
Mind. You can learn both. Its what the space Marine librarians from worlds with Psychic traditions do.
Most are as capable of invoking the elemental might of the storm and the tides to wash away daemonic corruption and call down lightning.
But they can also just open their mind to the warp and choosing to manifest this as a blast of flame, telekine sheaths, telepathically empower their voices, Etc. And these can be enhanced through scientific knowhow and expertise.
Turn 1
- Location
- Netherlands
You do not wake up in your room.
You leap to your feet in the unfamiliar room, looking around at the black stone walls and ceiling, the unfamiliar bookshelves, and a sterile scent in the air. Your hands spark with telekine energy as you look around for the source of the noise.
+Welcome, Adept.+
A voice with the weight of Terra's hive spires slams into you, forcing you to your knees. The voice is encoded with memetic cyphers and telepathic markers that designate the speaker as a high ranking member of the Astra Telepathica. Four other figures are kneeling, your fellow Primaris Psykers from aboard the Black Ship.
A woman dressed in a robe stands before you, her skeletal hands clasped together in prayer, body hidden nearly completely by a black robe. Her body is mounted onto a large spider platform. Each of the platform's legs contains a small crystalline cannister containing what looks like parts of brain matter, each linked to the woman's mind through telepathic connections. They are not different minds but parts of her own excised and grown, Three long spindly mechanical arms are mounted on a single track that runs around the rim of the platform,
Two of the arms hold a large parchment volume while the third flips through its pages. The movements of the cybernetic limbs are controlled by telekinesis rather than any visible source of power. A voice emanates from a vox-speaker implanted in her throat, filling the room with its echoes. "All of you are ready to speak. Good."
Tele-Augmetics. You've heard of the concept, but never seen it before. It is a flaunting example of telekinetic ability, or you are in a location which hinders the function of regular augmetics. You touch your cybernetic eye, and blink-click to run a diagnostic.
As you look around, you wonder if the second might be true. The lamps you can see are all simple sodium tubes fed by power packs, each with an independent switch to be telekinetically operated. The room is a grand study, with a desk at the end made of real wood. There are bookshelves that cover the walls. Some contain holders for parchment scrolls, data-slates, and large volumes of parchment, metal, and crystalline wafers.
But there's no sign of any wiring. The bookshelf holding the dataslates is visibly fed by a large power cell. Wherever you are is trying to use as few cogitators and other interconnected technology as possible. You hazard a guess that each room is meant to be a perfect psychic faraday cage if sealed, with not even cabling running through the walls.
Hans speaks up. "What is the meaning of drugging us and taking us here? Lord Adept, I do not know who you are. But what is going on!?"
The diagnostic of your augmetic returns negative. You focus upon Hans and the other Psykers. Silvia and Alfonse are both quiet, waiting to hear more.
"I am both Master of The Sapphire Keep, the Astra Telepathica Astrotelepathic relay built into the city of Nautilus, and the Lord Prefect of the Scholam Psykana. You will call me Lord Prefect. I shall not grant you my name."
Hans's anger fades almost instantly, as he realizes just who he is speaking to. He inclines his head respectfully.
The Lord Prefect's mechanical legs clank as she moves across the black floor, organic hands still bound in prayer. "Smuggling you into Nautilus was planned. But the Keep's scryers read the Tarot, and foresaw tragedy striking your transport."
Alfonse scoffs. "I read the tarot before we arrived. I did not predict disaster."
As if to prove himself, he draws forth five cards onto his bracer and reveals them. His smile dissapears immediately. He blinks. "Such a rapid change of my reading…" He cautiously reaches out for one of his cards. It sparks at the touch, twitching and trembling.
"You were replaced with flesh-shaped servitors and smuggled inside stasis coffins hidden inside bulk vats of Nutrient Paste." the Lord Prefect continued. You exchange glances with Hans and the other Psykers. How did they manage to do that? The question is on all your minds. It is an impressive and disturbing feat to move five Primaris Psykers without any finding out. The Lord Prefect seems to sense your confusion and continues her explanation.
"It was a risky maneuver, but it was necessary to keep you safe. Your chambers aboard the Black Ship pumped an anesthetic gas into your rooms when you last slept."
You speak up. "What sort of fool dares to strike at Psykers from the Black Ships?"
"I can not say." the Lord Prefect replies. "Just know that there are groups within the Imperium whom disagree with the task you have been given, and sought to cut it short. This is a conflict that you will not fight. It shall be my concern. "
Silvia speaks up for the first time since entering the room, "This is not what we were told. We are supposed to teach Wyrdvanes, not this cloak and dagger."
"That is still your task, but there is more to it," the Lord Prefect answers gravely, the three mechanical arms spread out and indicate the room. "The Sapphire Keep, is the Astro-Telepathic hub of the Torvum Sector. Constructed in the safest city in the entire sector. But it has never before been used as a place to train Psykers. Why do you think that changed?"
"The will of the Master of the Astra Telepathica." You say.
"Why -now-, Adept? Think. I want you to think, not listen." +THINK+ The final words come out as a telepathic compulsion, and each Primaris in the room is forced into a full kneel. Even if you wanted, you couldn't stand up.
Astrid speaks up. "The Psyker Bloom. More Psykers are being born than the Black Ships can manage."
The Lord Prefect taps two legs together, the tips clanking together in a pantomime of clapping. "Indeed. Many such operations across the galaxy are starting. But this one is different."
She looms over Alfonse. "A scammer and hustler, a reader of the tarot that gave advice freely to those that could not afford his services."
As she moves around the room, she motions for each Primaris Psyker. "An underhive Medicae that healed the sick and infirm, against regulations on medical rationing."
"A Pyromancer that refused to marry a cousin as arranged, all so she could marry one she truly loved." Hans grits his teeth but avoids eye contact.
"An Astropath who conspired with an Inquisitor accused of apostasy." She inclines her head to Silvia. "For the Inquisitor owned a collection of Pre-Imperial religious texts."
She now looms over you, emotionless eyes staring into you. "A boy that founded a gang, but did not use them as resources." She inclines her head. "And who treats Abhumans like people."
"Where is Martha?!" You snarl, remembering the Abhuman. If she harmed her, you'll make a fight of this, damn the consequences.
The Lord Prefect tilts her head. "I presume preparing a meal in the kitchens. I'm not in the business of losing skilled hands."
Ignoring the interruption, she finishes her circuit of the room and returns to her original position.
"Each of you is an Iconoclast. One who disagrees with the official social order of the Imperium. But you are neither heretic nor recidivist. Instead, each of you seeks to better the lives of others. And that is the sort of teachers this Scholam will begin with. You will not teach by rote muscle memory and the repeating of ancient curriculum. You will study, you will learn, and expand the power and influence of our Adepta." She emphasizes each word with a tap of her sharp legs. "You will not process Psykers, you will -develop- them."
Her organic hands separate from the posture of prayer and she holds her arms out as if embracing you all.
"You shall each train a Wyrdvane Choir of between five and ten Psykers. Record your training methods, the technology used, and the wisdom required. If you require currency, I shall provide it. If you need transport, I shall arrange it. If you require staff, speak to me. Your Wyrdvane shall become templates."
She raises a hand, and five pouches lift from her desk and hover to each Psyker in the room. You open yours, examining the collection of coins and the credit-stick. "Your first discretionary sum, a credit stick, and a badge that marks you a Prefect of the Astra Telepathica, exempt from planetary law, and granted the right to induct any non-adept you require. May the Emperor be with us, Prefects."
Your room in the Scholam Psykana is a simple unadorned but surprisingly large suite of rooms. The Scholam Psykana is a flurry of activity as Tech Priests and Technomats work hard on preparing to receive students. Outside, you find that Nautilus appears to be like many other Hive Cities in the Imperium, just darker, slightly more cramped, but with surprisingly intact infrastructure. You look forward to exploring it a bit further.
Martha quickly moves into the servant quarters and integrates herself into the kitchen staff quite easily thanks to the knowledge you are watching over her.
The serf clans assigned to the Sapphire Fortress which were reassigned to the Scholam Psykana have rarely interacted with Ratlings, and seemed to fear her at first, speaking of the 'scuttlers' down in the Pit.
The students have not yet arrived at the Scholam Psykana, but the final stages of construction are nearing their end. You have been given time to prepare fully for the arrival.
You have a nearly unlimited discretionary budget, but accessing it will require the (so far, Unlimited), approval of the Lord Prefect.
You can take up to four actions. Unless under a 'Repeatable' category, each choice can only be used once.
Scholam Psykana:
The Scholam Psykana is still under construction, but the Astropathic Choir it is connected to is positively ancient. You could examine it and learn a bit more about where you'll be
[] Training from the Black Sentinels:
The Black Sentinels are excellently trained and drilled fighters. Ask them to assist in training and drilling your Shock Troops.
Costs 5 Lord Prefect favour
[] A meeting with your Tech-Priest:
You've not met the machine assigned to your Scholam, but you can see that he is a fully ordained priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Talk with them attempt to convince them to supply your Psychic Shock Troops with better equipment than simple force weapons, lasguns, and flak.
Costs 5 Lord Prefect favour
Repeatable:
[] Assist Prefect:
You aid another Prefect in setting up their Wyrdvane program. You will cooperate on a mutually beneficial development.
You gain+1 Influence and +1 Relationship with a Prefect
[] Do a favour for another Prefect:
You aid another Prefect in setting up their Wyrdvane program. You will aid them in a way that only assists their program.
You gain +3 Influence and +1 Relationship with a Prefect.
Psychic Studies:
Research and studying is considered an important part of the Astra Telepathica. You will exercise this rare privilege as an Imperial Citizen in order to become a better master for your students.
[] Develop one of your Schools:
You attempt to improve your ability to work one of your Psykana Schools.
-Write in which school of Psykana you want to train in your spare time.
[] Combat-Biomancy feasibility studies:
Work with Astrid to lay out how your theoretical Psychic Shock Troops might best train their biomancy for both healing and self-empowerment.
Costs 2 Influence with Astrid
Improves relationship by 1
Or
[] Combat-Biomancy feasibility studies - For a favour:
Work with Astrid to lay out how your theoretical Psychic Shock Troops might best train their biomancy for both healing and self-empowerment. Promise to do a favour for them.
Next turn, Astrid will ask for your assistance in setting up her Wyrdvane programme.
[] Transcribe Telekinetic Teaching instructions:
While you could train excellent Telekinetic students, doing so will require your training. By taking the time to transcribe your knowledge into a stored format, you can ensure that your Wyrdvane pattern does not require your personal presence to be trained.
Removes dependency upon you for telekinetic training.
[] Develop Gravity Manifestation:
Continue developing your Gravity manifestation technique to try and improve your Telekinesis. Focus upon developing your personal abilities by experimenting upon your Psychic abilities.
Sapphire Keep Library:
The Library of the Sapphire keep is a humongous edifice built into the planet. Most texts are transcripts of astropathic messages, but there are also a great many scholarly tomes. The further down you go, the more esoteric the findings and the more erratic the serfs.
[] Visit the old Psykana section of the Sapphire Keep:
In the depths of the Sapphire Keep, The Scribe Clan live to perform transcription services for the administration of the sector's astropaths, and are always in need of additional velum. Near to them live the descendants of sanitation workers that have gone feral and reorganized as a tribal society dedicated to the maintenance of the Sapphire Keep's trash incinerator, sacrificing interlopers to flames and raiding the scribes for captives. The Scribe Clan fights back with an organized militia and regularly raids the Incinerator Tribe for velum they can scrape clean, which the tribe would burn for fuel.
In the depths, the Scribe Clan's primitive black powder rifles and chemical explosives clash with steel swords, crossbows, and padded velum armour.
The old Psykana section lies on the other side of their territory and has not been visited in fifty years, since the last expedition ended in tragedy at the hands of an impromptu alliance by the two sides. According to legend, it contains Psykana training materials and studies of the planet's psykers. The reason why it was lost has been forgotten for millenia.
Costs two turn actions due to the length of the journey.
Nautilus Actions:
The great city beneath the waves of Odium is a thriving metropolis by Imperial standards. It might be worth establishing connections with groups within the city.
[] Black Market Connections:
You give Martha a supply of currency and have her get into contact with the local ratlings. You want to establish connections that you could make use of, both for finding esoteric lore, Psykers, and equipment.
Martha will not be available this turn.
[] Find suppliers outside the Adeptus Terra :
Currently, your Psychic Shock Troops are earmarked to only receive flak armour and robes. While the Munitorum will replace any equipment they lose, they will not improve your base equipment. You will need to ensure your Wyrdvane have good starting equipment. Instead of acquiring it from the Mechanicus Shrine of the Scholam Psykana, you attempt to purchase it from one of the many Manufactorums in Nautilus.
You will roll on a table of possible equipment suppliers you get in contact with.
[] Train them to fight dirty:
You want your Wyrdvanes to fight dirty and to come out on top. Head into the lower levels of Nautilus and search for underhive muscle and experienced fighters that could serve as instructors for your people.
Improves close combat training for your Psykers.
Recruitment and training:
When the recruits begin arriving, they will be processed by the Scholam Psykana Majoris and worked over to ensure they'll be ready for dedicated Wyrdvane training.
[] Training against the scum - Just do it:
The Pit is a great warren of industrial mazes and hand-dug tunnels full of hostile mutants and gangers. This would be an excellent environment to train your students combat ability by sending them out to kill the gangers. Sending Psykers to attack criminal gangs is an old Terran tradition, after all.
Improves Psychic Shock Troop Training
Or
[] Training against the scum - By the Book:
The Pit is a great warren of industrial mazes and hand-dug tunnels full of hostile mutants and gangers. This would be an excellent environment to train your students combat ability by sending them out to kill the gangers.
You want to avoid collateral damage, and so you'll need to work with local Enforcers to only hit targets of recidivist and infractions activity. They'll be hesitant at first, but could come to appreciate your assistance in hitting hard targets.
There is no additional bonus to doing it by the book. Doing things legally takes effort.
Improves Psychic Shock Troop Training
Costs 2 Lord Prefect favour to set up lines of communication with local law enforcement.
[] Recruit Rogue Psykers:
The question is not if, but where the Rogue Psykers of Nautilus reside. Go looking for them and offer to bring them gently into the Astra Telepathica instead of dragging them or getting the Enforcers or Arbites involved.
Chance to discover planetary psyker variations.
[-]Tarrot-assisted Psyker gathering:
With the aid of the Emperor's tarrot, potential Psyker candidates of exceptional value are sought out and taken to the Scholam.
Requires 5/10 Relationship or 3/10 Influence with Alfonse, or training your Divination to Zeta level.
[] Request Telekine recruit priority:
Currently the assignment of students is the purview of the Lord Prefect. Meet with her and explain the importance that you acquire the most physically fit and healthiest Telekines, even if it means cutting into the amount provided to Hans's Psychic Artillery.
Costs 5 Lord Prefect Influence.
Lowers relationship with Hans by one.
Removes the need to develop a method to restore broken and/or physically sub-standard Telekines to combat readiness.
12 hour Moratorium. PLAN VOTING.
You leap to your feet in the unfamiliar room, looking around at the black stone walls and ceiling, the unfamiliar bookshelves, and a sterile scent in the air. Your hands spark with telekine energy as you look around for the source of the noise.
+Welcome, Adept.+
A voice with the weight of Terra's hive spires slams into you, forcing you to your knees. The voice is encoded with memetic cyphers and telepathic markers that designate the speaker as a high ranking member of the Astra Telepathica. Four other figures are kneeling, your fellow Primaris Psykers from aboard the Black Ship.
A woman dressed in a robe stands before you, her skeletal hands clasped together in prayer, body hidden nearly completely by a black robe. Her body is mounted onto a large spider platform. Each of the platform's legs contains a small crystalline cannister containing what looks like parts of brain matter, each linked to the woman's mind through telepathic connections. They are not different minds but parts of her own excised and grown, Three long spindly mechanical arms are mounted on a single track that runs around the rim of the platform,
Two of the arms hold a large parchment volume while the third flips through its pages. The movements of the cybernetic limbs are controlled by telekinesis rather than any visible source of power. A voice emanates from a vox-speaker implanted in her throat, filling the room with its echoes. "All of you are ready to speak. Good."
Tele-Augmetics. You've heard of the concept, but never seen it before. It is a flaunting example of telekinetic ability, or you are in a location which hinders the function of regular augmetics. You touch your cybernetic eye, and blink-click to run a diagnostic.
As you look around, you wonder if the second might be true. The lamps you can see are all simple sodium tubes fed by power packs, each with an independent switch to be telekinetically operated. The room is a grand study, with a desk at the end made of real wood. There are bookshelves that cover the walls. Some contain holders for parchment scrolls, data-slates, and large volumes of parchment, metal, and crystalline wafers.
But there's no sign of any wiring. The bookshelf holding the dataslates is visibly fed by a large power cell. Wherever you are is trying to use as few cogitators and other interconnected technology as possible. You hazard a guess that each room is meant to be a perfect psychic faraday cage if sealed, with not even cabling running through the walls.
Hans speaks up. "What is the meaning of drugging us and taking us here? Lord Adept, I do not know who you are. But what is going on!?"
The diagnostic of your augmetic returns negative. You focus upon Hans and the other Psykers. Silvia and Alfonse are both quiet, waiting to hear more.
"I am both Master of The Sapphire Keep, the Astra Telepathica Astrotelepathic relay built into the city of Nautilus, and the Lord Prefect of the Scholam Psykana. You will call me Lord Prefect. I shall not grant you my name."
Hans's anger fades almost instantly, as he realizes just who he is speaking to. He inclines his head respectfully.
The Lord Prefect's mechanical legs clank as she moves across the black floor, organic hands still bound in prayer. "Smuggling you into Nautilus was planned. But the Keep's scryers read the Tarot, and foresaw tragedy striking your transport."
Alfonse scoffs. "I read the tarot before we arrived. I did not predict disaster."
As if to prove himself, he draws forth five cards onto his bracer and reveals them. His smile dissapears immediately. He blinks. "Such a rapid change of my reading…" He cautiously reaches out for one of his cards. It sparks at the touch, twitching and trembling.
"You were replaced with flesh-shaped servitors and smuggled inside stasis coffins hidden inside bulk vats of Nutrient Paste." the Lord Prefect continued. You exchange glances with Hans and the other Psykers. How did they manage to do that? The question is on all your minds. It is an impressive and disturbing feat to move five Primaris Psykers without any finding out. The Lord Prefect seems to sense your confusion and continues her explanation.
"It was a risky maneuver, but it was necessary to keep you safe. Your chambers aboard the Black Ship pumped an anesthetic gas into your rooms when you last slept."
You speak up. "What sort of fool dares to strike at Psykers from the Black Ships?"
"I can not say." the Lord Prefect replies. "Just know that there are groups within the Imperium whom disagree with the task you have been given, and sought to cut it short. This is a conflict that you will not fight. It shall be my concern. "
Silvia speaks up for the first time since entering the room, "This is not what we were told. We are supposed to teach Wyrdvanes, not this cloak and dagger."
"That is still your task, but there is more to it," the Lord Prefect answers gravely, the three mechanical arms spread out and indicate the room. "The Sapphire Keep, is the Astro-Telepathic hub of the Torvum Sector. Constructed in the safest city in the entire sector. But it has never before been used as a place to train Psykers. Why do you think that changed?"
"The will of the Master of the Astra Telepathica." You say.
"Why -now-, Adept? Think. I want you to think, not listen." +THINK+ The final words come out as a telepathic compulsion, and each Primaris in the room is forced into a full kneel. Even if you wanted, you couldn't stand up.
Astrid speaks up. "The Psyker Bloom. More Psykers are being born than the Black Ships can manage."
The Lord Prefect taps two legs together, the tips clanking together in a pantomime of clapping. "Indeed. Many such operations across the galaxy are starting. But this one is different."
She looms over Alfonse. "A scammer and hustler, a reader of the tarot that gave advice freely to those that could not afford his services."
As she moves around the room, she motions for each Primaris Psyker. "An underhive Medicae that healed the sick and infirm, against regulations on medical rationing."
"A Pyromancer that refused to marry a cousin as arranged, all so she could marry one she truly loved." Hans grits his teeth but avoids eye contact.
"An Astropath who conspired with an Inquisitor accused of apostasy." She inclines her head to Silvia. "For the Inquisitor owned a collection of Pre-Imperial religious texts."
She now looms over you, emotionless eyes staring into you. "A boy that founded a gang, but did not use them as resources." She inclines her head. "And who treats Abhumans like people."
"Where is Martha?!" You snarl, remembering the Abhuman. If she harmed her, you'll make a fight of this, damn the consequences.
The Lord Prefect tilts her head. "I presume preparing a meal in the kitchens. I'm not in the business of losing skilled hands."
Ignoring the interruption, she finishes her circuit of the room and returns to her original position.
"Each of you is an Iconoclast. One who disagrees with the official social order of the Imperium. But you are neither heretic nor recidivist. Instead, each of you seeks to better the lives of others. And that is the sort of teachers this Scholam will begin with. You will not teach by rote muscle memory and the repeating of ancient curriculum. You will study, you will learn, and expand the power and influence of our Adepta." She emphasizes each word with a tap of her sharp legs. "You will not process Psykers, you will -develop- them."
Her organic hands separate from the posture of prayer and she holds her arms out as if embracing you all.
"You shall each train a Wyrdvane Choir of between five and ten Psykers. Record your training methods, the technology used, and the wisdom required. If you require currency, I shall provide it. If you need transport, I shall arrange it. If you require staff, speak to me. Your Wyrdvane shall become templates."
She raises a hand, and five pouches lift from her desk and hover to each Psyker in the room. You open yours, examining the collection of coins and the credit-stick. "Your first discretionary sum, a credit stick, and a badge that marks you a Prefect of the Astra Telepathica, exempt from planetary law, and granted the right to induct any non-adept you require. May the Emperor be with us, Prefects."
Your room in the Scholam Psykana is a simple unadorned but surprisingly large suite of rooms. The Scholam Psykana is a flurry of activity as Tech Priests and Technomats work hard on preparing to receive students. Outside, you find that Nautilus appears to be like many other Hive Cities in the Imperium, just darker, slightly more cramped, but with surprisingly intact infrastructure. You look forward to exploring it a bit further.
Martha quickly moves into the servant quarters and integrates herself into the kitchen staff quite easily thanks to the knowledge you are watching over her.
The serf clans assigned to the Sapphire Fortress which were reassigned to the Scholam Psykana have rarely interacted with Ratlings, and seemed to fear her at first, speaking of the 'scuttlers' down in the Pit.
Nautilus Scholam Psykana Internal Hierarchy:
Like any Imperial organization, the Astra Telepathica is rife with factionalism and groups intending to climb to the top at the detriment of others, or just believing that they know better.
The Scholam Psykana currently has five Prefects, one from each of the five major schools of Psykana. Each Psyker been granted a great deal of freedom and leeway by the Astra Telepathica in the pursuit of setting up a training schedule. The Lord Prefect watches all of them, providing them what they need to complete their work.
-Prefect Biologica Astrid.
Universal Epsilon Psyker.
Astrid is a middle-aged woman with black hair, blue eyes, and an eerily symetrical face. She routinely uses her biomancy to change or optimize her appearance how she sees fit. She has few visible implants.
Currently training Biomantic Support Choirs:
Astrid's Wyrdvances are taught to both be nurses as well as biomancers. While lacking the control for fine surgery, when they put their powers together, Astrid's Wyrdvane is able to perform miraculous feats of healing and regeneration.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 5/10
Your influence with them: 4/10
-Combat Biomancy Development Unlocked.
-Prefect Telepathica Silvia
Astropath Transcendant, Delta-Grade Telepath.
Silvia's skin is weathered and etched with the lines of countless years. Her blindfold is made from a deep indigo fabric, contrasting against her pale complexion. The robes she wears are adorned with subtle psychic wards, their intricate patterns barely visible unless caught in the right lumen light. Her cane is carved from dark wood, its surface polished smooth by years of use and imbued with latent psychic energy that hums gently under her touch.
Currently training Bonded Telepathic Choir:
Silvia's Wyrdvanes are trained to function as living relays for communications, providing a safe and instantaneous form of communication across a battlefield between each member of a Wyrdvane.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 3/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
-By proving that Psychic Shock Troops have potential, Silvia will assist in training Dedicated Telepath Vox Operators.
-Prefect Pyromania Hans:
Gamma-Grade Pyromancer, Delta-Grade Telekine
Hans is a dark-skinned Psyker with a head covered with cybernetic plugs and cables that connect to an imposing psychic hood. His middle-aged appearance belies the combat prowess he possesses, with every movement echoing the precision and power of his pyromantic and telekinetic skills. Despite the constant sheen of sweat from overheating, there's an undeniable aura of intensity that surrounds him.
Currently training Pyro-Telekinetic Psychic Artillery.
Hans's Wyrdvanes are taught to be Psychic artillery. They are to rain down hellfire and telekinetic strikes from a distance, destroying everything in their path.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 1/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
Hans believes your Psychic Shock Troops plan is doomed to fail and does not wish to involve himself.
-Prefect Divinatoria Alfonse:
Delta-Grade Diviner, Combat Cartomancer,
A pale-skinned man in simple clothes, rarely wearing robes, with dark black hair shaped over the cybernetics in the back of his head. Routinely seen wearing a bracer connected to a silver pane marked with six small rectangles.
Currently training Reading the Emperor's tarot. Sanctic sorcery.
Alfonse's Wyrdvanes are taught to read the Emperor's Tarot as well as divine the course of events. They are a support force meant to provide Imperial Commanders with knowledge of future events, or the likeliness of enemy actions.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 3/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
-By proving that Psychic Shock Troops have potential, Alfonse will aid your Psychic Shock troops to train their Precognition abilities.
Prefect Telekinetica Occam:
Beta-Grade Telekine
Your goal is to train Psychic Shock Troops.
Current Armour: Flak
Current Weapon: Autogun
Combat Training: Whiteshield
Sanctified Stakes: Not acquired yet.
Micro-Explosives: Not acquired yet
Biomancy Training: Simple
Telepathy Training: Simple
Pyromancy Training: Simple
Biomancy Training: Simple
Telekine Training: Excellent (If you personally teach them)
Special Skills: None
They will be equipped with Sanctified Stakes, and implanted with Micro-Explosives.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Scholam Psykana Faculty and Staff:
You have gathered up a following of servants and allies that help with running the Scholam Psykana.
-Martha Sternback, Ratling:
A diminutive ratling woman whose dream job became a nightmare after a friendly Master of Service had her prepare meals for Imperial Guard officers kept as guests aboard her ship, the Sword of Integrity, instead of just the Junior officers. After deserting from the ship, you found her and offered her a better life. Due to the genuine kindness that you have shown her, you have her undying loyalty and friendship.
While a curious sight among the largely terran-norm members of the Astra Telepathica, few who actually speak with Martha don't find it easy to not be charmed by her smile, manners, and jovial attitude. Of those unable to get over their disdain for 'abbies' or 'gene filth', none dare to be rude to her, lest they face your considerable wrath.
Martha as a Ratling chef is a master of understanding the ability of food to motivate, encourage, punish, or break down an individual. She also has learned to work in the underbelly of society to survive, and finds it easy to make black market connections with the ubiquitous ratling communities across the Imperium.
-Gives a +20 to any rolls involving nutrition as a factor in Psyker education.
-Allows you to develop black market contacts.
Like any Imperial organization, the Astra Telepathica is rife with factionalism and groups intending to climb to the top at the detriment of others, or just believing that they know better.
The Scholam Psykana currently has five Prefects, one from each of the five major schools of Psykana. Each Psyker been granted a great deal of freedom and leeway by the Astra Telepathica in the pursuit of setting up a training schedule. The Lord Prefect watches all of them, providing them what they need to complete their work.
-Prefect Biologica Astrid.
Universal Epsilon Psyker.
Astrid is a middle-aged woman with black hair, blue eyes, and an eerily symetrical face. She routinely uses her biomancy to change or optimize her appearance how she sees fit. She has few visible implants.
Currently training Biomantic Support Choirs:
Astrid's Wyrdvances are taught to both be nurses as well as biomancers. While lacking the control for fine surgery, when they put their powers together, Astrid's Wyrdvane is able to perform miraculous feats of healing and regeneration.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 5/10
Your influence with them: 4/10
-Combat Biomancy Development Unlocked.
-Prefect Telepathica Silvia
Astropath Transcendant, Delta-Grade Telepath.
Silvia's skin is weathered and etched with the lines of countless years. Her blindfold is made from a deep indigo fabric, contrasting against her pale complexion. The robes she wears are adorned with subtle psychic wards, their intricate patterns barely visible unless caught in the right lumen light. Her cane is carved from dark wood, its surface polished smooth by years of use and imbued with latent psychic energy that hums gently under her touch.
Currently training Bonded Telepathic Choir:
Silvia's Wyrdvanes are trained to function as living relays for communications, providing a safe and instantaneous form of communication across a battlefield between each member of a Wyrdvane.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 3/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
-By proving that Psychic Shock Troops have potential, Silvia will assist in training Dedicated Telepath Vox Operators.
-Prefect Pyromania Hans:
Gamma-Grade Pyromancer, Delta-Grade Telekine
Hans is a dark-skinned Psyker with a head covered with cybernetic plugs and cables that connect to an imposing psychic hood. His middle-aged appearance belies the combat prowess he possesses, with every movement echoing the precision and power of his pyromantic and telekinetic skills. Despite the constant sheen of sweat from overheating, there's an undeniable aura of intensity that surrounds him.
Currently training Pyro-Telekinetic Psychic Artillery.
Hans's Wyrdvanes are taught to be Psychic artillery. They are to rain down hellfire and telekinetic strikes from a distance, destroying everything in their path.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 1/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
Hans believes your Psychic Shock Troops plan is doomed to fail and does not wish to involve himself.
-Prefect Divinatoria Alfonse:
Delta-Grade Diviner, Combat Cartomancer,
A pale-skinned man in simple clothes, rarely wearing robes, with dark black hair shaped over the cybernetics in the back of his head. Routinely seen wearing a bracer connected to a silver pane marked with six small rectangles.
Currently training Reading the Emperor's tarot. Sanctic sorcery.
Alfonse's Wyrdvanes are taught to read the Emperor's Tarot as well as divine the course of events. They are a support force meant to provide Imperial Commanders with knowledge of future events, or the likeliness of enemy actions.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 3/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
-By proving that Psychic Shock Troops have potential, Alfonse will aid your Psychic Shock troops to train their Precognition abilities.
Prefect Telekinetica Occam:
Beta-Grade Telekine
Your goal is to train Psychic Shock Troops.
Current Armour: Flak
Current Weapon: Autogun
Combat Training: Whiteshield
Sanctified Stakes: Not acquired yet.
Micro-Explosives: Not acquired yet
Biomancy Training: Simple
Telepathy Training: Simple
Pyromancy Training: Simple
Biomancy Training: Simple
Telekine Training: Excellent (If you personally teach them)
Special Skills: None
They will be equipped with Sanctified Stakes, and implanted with Micro-Explosives.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Scholam Psykana Faculty and Staff:
You have gathered up a following of servants and allies that help with running the Scholam Psykana.
-Martha Sternback, Ratling:
A diminutive ratling woman whose dream job became a nightmare after a friendly Master of Service had her prepare meals for Imperial Guard officers kept as guests aboard her ship, the Sword of Integrity, instead of just the Junior officers. After deserting from the ship, you found her and offered her a better life. Due to the genuine kindness that you have shown her, you have her undying loyalty and friendship.
While a curious sight among the largely terran-norm members of the Astra Telepathica, few who actually speak with Martha don't find it easy to not be charmed by her smile, manners, and jovial attitude. Of those unable to get over their disdain for 'abbies' or 'gene filth', none dare to be rude to her, lest they face your considerable wrath.
Martha as a Ratling chef is a master of understanding the ability of food to motivate, encourage, punish, or break down an individual. She also has learned to work in the underbelly of society to survive, and finds it easy to make black market connections with the ubiquitous ratling communities across the Imperium.
-Gives a +20 to any rolls involving nutrition as a factor in Psyker education.
-Allows you to develop black market contacts.
The students have not yet arrived at the Scholam Psykana, but the final stages of construction are nearing their end. You have been given time to prepare fully for the arrival.
You have a nearly unlimited discretionary budget, but accessing it will require the (so far, Unlimited), approval of the Lord Prefect.
You can take up to four actions. Unless under a 'Repeatable' category, each choice can only be used once.
Scholam Psykana:
The Scholam Psykana is still under construction, but the Astropathic Choir it is connected to is positively ancient. You could examine it and learn a bit more about where you'll be
[] Training from the Black Sentinels:
The Black Sentinels are excellently trained and drilled fighters. Ask them to assist in training and drilling your Shock Troops.
Costs 5 Lord Prefect favour
[] A meeting with your Tech-Priest:
You've not met the machine assigned to your Scholam, but you can see that he is a fully ordained priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Talk with them attempt to convince them to supply your Psychic Shock Troops with better equipment than simple force weapons, lasguns, and flak.
Costs 5 Lord Prefect favour
Repeatable:
[] Assist Prefect:
You aid another Prefect in setting up their Wyrdvane program. You will cooperate on a mutually beneficial development.
You gain+1 Influence and +1 Relationship with a Prefect
[] Do a favour for another Prefect:
You aid another Prefect in setting up their Wyrdvane program. You will aid them in a way that only assists their program.
You gain +3 Influence and +1 Relationship with a Prefect.
Psychic Studies:
Research and studying is considered an important part of the Astra Telepathica. You will exercise this rare privilege as an Imperial Citizen in order to become a better master for your students.
[] Develop one of your Schools:
You attempt to improve your ability to work one of your Psykana Schools.
-Write in which school of Psykana you want to train in your spare time.
[] Combat-Biomancy feasibility studies:
Work with Astrid to lay out how your theoretical Psychic Shock Troops might best train their biomancy for both healing and self-empowerment.
Costs 2 Influence with Astrid
Improves relationship by 1
Or
[] Combat-Biomancy feasibility studies - For a favour:
Work with Astrid to lay out how your theoretical Psychic Shock Troops might best train their biomancy for both healing and self-empowerment. Promise to do a favour for them.
Next turn, Astrid will ask for your assistance in setting up her Wyrdvane programme.
[] Transcribe Telekinetic Teaching instructions:
While you could train excellent Telekinetic students, doing so will require your training. By taking the time to transcribe your knowledge into a stored format, you can ensure that your Wyrdvane pattern does not require your personal presence to be trained.
Removes dependency upon you for telekinetic training.
[] Develop Gravity Manifestation:
Continue developing your Gravity manifestation technique to try and improve your Telekinesis. Focus upon developing your personal abilities by experimenting upon your Psychic abilities.
Sapphire Keep Library:
The Library of the Sapphire keep is a humongous edifice built into the planet. Most texts are transcripts of astropathic messages, but there are also a great many scholarly tomes. The further down you go, the more esoteric the findings and the more erratic the serfs.
[] Visit the old Psykana section of the Sapphire Keep:
In the depths of the Sapphire Keep, The Scribe Clan live to perform transcription services for the administration of the sector's astropaths, and are always in need of additional velum. Near to them live the descendants of sanitation workers that have gone feral and reorganized as a tribal society dedicated to the maintenance of the Sapphire Keep's trash incinerator, sacrificing interlopers to flames and raiding the scribes for captives. The Scribe Clan fights back with an organized militia and regularly raids the Incinerator Tribe for velum they can scrape clean, which the tribe would burn for fuel.
In the depths, the Scribe Clan's primitive black powder rifles and chemical explosives clash with steel swords, crossbows, and padded velum armour.
The old Psykana section lies on the other side of their territory and has not been visited in fifty years, since the last expedition ended in tragedy at the hands of an impromptu alliance by the two sides. According to legend, it contains Psykana training materials and studies of the planet's psykers. The reason why it was lost has been forgotten for millenia.
Costs two turn actions due to the length of the journey.
Nautilus Actions:
The great city beneath the waves of Odium is a thriving metropolis by Imperial standards. It might be worth establishing connections with groups within the city.
[] Black Market Connections:
You give Martha a supply of currency and have her get into contact with the local ratlings. You want to establish connections that you could make use of, both for finding esoteric lore, Psykers, and equipment.
Martha will not be available this turn.
[] Find suppliers outside the Adeptus Terra :
Currently, your Psychic Shock Troops are earmarked to only receive flak armour and robes. While the Munitorum will replace any equipment they lose, they will not improve your base equipment. You will need to ensure your Wyrdvane have good starting equipment. Instead of acquiring it from the Mechanicus Shrine of the Scholam Psykana, you attempt to purchase it from one of the many Manufactorums in Nautilus.
You will roll on a table of possible equipment suppliers you get in contact with.
[] Train them to fight dirty:
You want your Wyrdvanes to fight dirty and to come out on top. Head into the lower levels of Nautilus and search for underhive muscle and experienced fighters that could serve as instructors for your people.
Improves close combat training for your Psykers.
Recruitment and training:
When the recruits begin arriving, they will be processed by the Scholam Psykana Majoris and worked over to ensure they'll be ready for dedicated Wyrdvane training.
[] Training against the scum - Just do it:
The Pit is a great warren of industrial mazes and hand-dug tunnels full of hostile mutants and gangers. This would be an excellent environment to train your students combat ability by sending them out to kill the gangers. Sending Psykers to attack criminal gangs is an old Terran tradition, after all.
Improves Psychic Shock Troop Training
Or
[] Training against the scum - By the Book:
The Pit is a great warren of industrial mazes and hand-dug tunnels full of hostile mutants and gangers. This would be an excellent environment to train your students combat ability by sending them out to kill the gangers.
You want to avoid collateral damage, and so you'll need to work with local Enforcers to only hit targets of recidivist and infractions activity. They'll be hesitant at first, but could come to appreciate your assistance in hitting hard targets.
There is no additional bonus to doing it by the book. Doing things legally takes effort.
Improves Psychic Shock Troop Training
Costs 2 Lord Prefect favour to set up lines of communication with local law enforcement.
[] Recruit Rogue Psykers:
The question is not if, but where the Rogue Psykers of Nautilus reside. Go looking for them and offer to bring them gently into the Astra Telepathica instead of dragging them or getting the Enforcers or Arbites involved.
Chance to discover planetary psyker variations.
With the aid of the Emperor's tarrot, potential Psyker candidates of exceptional value are sought out and taken to the Scholam.
Requires 5/10 Relationship or 3/10 Influence with Alfonse, or training your Divination to Zeta level.
[] Request Telekine recruit priority:
Currently the assignment of students is the purview of the Lord Prefect. Meet with her and explain the importance that you acquire the most physically fit and healthiest Telekines, even if it means cutting into the amount provided to Hans's Psychic Artillery.
Costs 5 Lord Prefect Influence.
Lowers relationship with Hans by one.
Removes the need to develop a method to restore broken and/or physically sub-standard Telekines to combat readiness.
12 hour Moratorium. PLAN VOTING.
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Omake: Odium Telekinesis, Hydromancy
Omake: Odium Telekinesis, Hydromancy
Throughout the Telekines of the Adeptus Telepathica it is a well known fact that baring certain exceptions manipulating liquids is notably more complicated than manipulating solid objects. This fact is often attributed to the fact that liquids, unlike solids, have no set shape and thus force the psyker to expend more effort as opposed to solid object.
Naturally this fact is less true upon Odium.
While many psykers skilled in telekinesis on Odium utilize it in its more standard form, even learning from their ocean home to manifest the crushing forces of the deep on command, a notable percentage of Odium psykers take it a step further. Honing their abilities further than most these telekinetics develop a specialization in directly manipulating water, an ever present resource on Odium, and other liquids earning them the moniker of Hydromancers.
These Telekines through either careful study, training, or simple talent become exceptionally skilled in manipulating the liquid state of manner. Manifesting abilities in moving bodies of water with a fluid grace and impeccable control, and as they refine their understanding more potent abilities emerge. From raising walls of water as strong as ferrocrete to water blades so sharp and thin they are able to slice through armor and flesh like a steel sword. There are even recorded incidents of rogue psykers using a single water droplet or bead of sweat as a high velocity projectile to put a hole through a human skull.
Naturally due to how uncommon this breed of psyker is the majority of Nautilus's residents are ingorant of their existence with the only complete record of their history existing within the halls of the Scholam Psykana. Consequently this has made the Hydromancers uniquely skilled assassins and hitmen. After all it is a rare breed of paranoia that registers a flask of water as a deadly weapon.
A.N: I did another thing and made waterbenders.
Throughout the Telekines of the Adeptus Telepathica it is a well known fact that baring certain exceptions manipulating liquids is notably more complicated than manipulating solid objects. This fact is often attributed to the fact that liquids, unlike solids, have no set shape and thus force the psyker to expend more effort as opposed to solid object.
Naturally this fact is less true upon Odium.
While many psykers skilled in telekinesis on Odium utilize it in its more standard form, even learning from their ocean home to manifest the crushing forces of the deep on command, a notable percentage of Odium psykers take it a step further. Honing their abilities further than most these telekinetics develop a specialization in directly manipulating water, an ever present resource on Odium, and other liquids earning them the moniker of Hydromancers.
These Telekines through either careful study, training, or simple talent become exceptionally skilled in manipulating the liquid state of manner. Manifesting abilities in moving bodies of water with a fluid grace and impeccable control, and as they refine their understanding more potent abilities emerge. From raising walls of water as strong as ferrocrete to water blades so sharp and thin they are able to slice through armor and flesh like a steel sword. There are even recorded incidents of rogue psykers using a single water droplet or bead of sweat as a high velocity projectile to put a hole through a human skull.
Naturally due to how uncommon this breed of psyker is the majority of Nautilus's residents are ingorant of their existence with the only complete record of their history existing within the halls of the Scholam Psykana. Consequently this has made the Hydromancers uniquely skilled assassins and hitmen. After all it is a rare breed of paranoia that registers a flask of water as a deadly weapon.
A.N: I did another thing and made waterbenders.
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Psyker Inductee: Cwenhild Sul
Sir_Travelsalot
Never wakes up tired.
- Location
- At Home
Alright, I'll give it a shot.
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Subject Identity: Cwenhild Sul
Birthplace: Adulation of Diligence, Carrack-class merchant vessel, designated holding under Chartist Contract Torvum-SU.M34.842.090-SW-Theta, last recorded Lord-Captain designated as [MAHLOT SUL].
Age: 22 Terran Years
Sex: Female
Relations: Mahlot Sul, Father(Deceased, see Incident Report HMX-aiov.lcseit.hrc-0234274534), Perla Sul, Mother(Deceased, see Incident Report HMX-aiov.lcseit.hrc-0234274534), Gisbern Sul, Brother(Deceased, see Incident Report HMX-aiov.lcseit.hrc-0234274534), Marcolph Sul, Brother(Deceased, see Incident Report HMX-aiov.lcseit.hrc-0234274534), Emil Sevagarn, Cousin of maternal family branch(Deceased, see Incident Report HMX-aiov.lcseit.hrc-0234274534)
Appearance: Subject 'Cwenhild' appears as a youthful Voidborn adult in good health, if left malnourished by her recent ordeal, standing a full head taller than Terran standard, with the evident lack of access to natural light for multiple generations manifesting as a marbled skin tone, with surface veins and capillaries readily visible from underneath as a discoloured web. Off-white eyes peek out from beneath bangs of blue-black hair, and micro-scars on the hands suggest the presence of a sixth digit, presumably surgically removed at birth. (Revisions: Post-psychic awakening, multiple anomalies recorded in subject's appearance; most notably, several portions of her body continue to manifest bloodstains despite no open wounds and repeated cleaning. In light of subject's audio receptors having burned themselves out in psychic awakening, the eyes have been replaced by augmetics connected to miniaturized transcriber cognis cores implanted in place of the now-useless ear canals.)
Psychic Aptitude Grading:
Upon induction, acolyte achieved the following grades of psychic potential.
Telepathy: Delta (12)
Divination: Eta (9)
Telekinesis: Xi(2)
Pyromancy: Kappa(6)
Biomancy: Zeta(10)
Attached File: Incident Report HMX-aiov.lcseit.hrc-0234274534)
Accessing...
The Adulation of Diligence was making its bi-annual run out of the Sector towards Subsector Thranx, Sirium Sector, Segmentum Ultima, delivering Torvum export goods. During a routine system stopover after Warp transit, vessel underwent a coordinated rebellion from crew menials using weapons smuggled onboard by as of yet unidentified sources in Sector Customs, soon accompanied by the arrival of a pirate vessel later identified as the Iconoclast-class destroyer, Ghoul King. Close timing of events suggest mutineers were deliberately planted in Adulation's crew some time ago in a ploy to capture the vessel undamaged as a prize ship.
It is during this time that the mutineers breached the bulkheads of the officer's quarters and were in the process of slaughtering all occupants within, that subject Cwenhild experienced her psychic awakening, manifesting her telepathic abilities in the form of a carrier wave that caused mass hallucinations in all living beings onboard, causing them to descend into madness, hysteria and throes of self-mutilation and suicide. Her biomantic abilities have thus far only been surmised from maintaining this carrier wave for three weeks with no food, water or sleep as she wept by the side of her family's remains. An Imperial Navy patrol arrived in the system after the Adulation had been reported as late to its destination and out of contact, confirming the presence of the Ghoul King before the pirate vessel abandoned its siege of the transport and transited into the Warp.
Subject did not consciously resist, but the carrier wave made no distinction of friend or foe, as the first boarding teams discovered. Psychic null assets, assigned there on recommendation of strategic prognostication for the past six months, were able to board the vessel and subdue Cwenhild.
Psyker Inductee: Kasa
So here is my submission towards the psyker pool.
And yes this is because my latest omake got me thinking of waterbenders.
Subject: Kasa
Birthplace: Amundsen, an ice world with a population of humans that have regressed into many scattered tribal societies. The planet is a well known collection point of the Blackships due to a higher than average psyker population.
Age: 16 Terran Years
Sex: Female
Relations: Mother (deceased, resisted tithe), father (alive), brother (alive, bloodline under watch by Adeptus Telepathica), grandmother (alive)
Appearance: Subject designated Kasa is an adolescent in moderate to good health. Stands at average hight for standard human female with light brown skin pigmentation, brown hair, and blue eyes. Possesses no visible external mutations or internal mutations despite confirmed psychic bloodline, further observation required. Post-acquisition subject received burns upon both hands after an encounter with another psyker. Healed personally via biomancy but scars persist despite efforts of healers, dexterity reduction minimal and no further anomalies noted.
Preliminary Psychic Aptitude Grading:
Telepathy: Kappa (6)
Divination: Theta (8)
Telekinesis: Epsilon (11)
Pyromancy: Omicron (1)
Biomancy: Zeta (10)
Additional: Born on the ice world of Amundsen subject Kasa was missed by the initial collection but discovered by a follow up sweep of the system. Earlier collection from the subject's tribe led to minor disturbances when subject's mother attempted to resist collection, it is assumed subject awakened her psychic potential sometime after this event. Tribe was subject disciplining but left intact due to the existance of promising psyker bloodlines. During the return sweep ten years after subject willingly offered herself to the tithe to avoid another disciplining of her tribe.
Upon the blackship subject had a near leathal encounter with an unstable pyromancer who detonated in close proximity. Subject survived through the use of a telekinetic barrier but suffered burns upon both her hand. Before treatment could be provided subject manifested previously unknown skill in biomancy to repair the damaged tissue but leaving cosmetic scarring in place. Following this subject was stored away in the blackship's holds for transport to Scholam facility upon Odium.
Let me know what you think.
And yes this is because my latest omake got me thinking of waterbenders.
Subject: Kasa
Birthplace: Amundsen, an ice world with a population of humans that have regressed into many scattered tribal societies. The planet is a well known collection point of the Blackships due to a higher than average psyker population.
Age: 16 Terran Years
Sex: Female
Relations: Mother (deceased, resisted tithe), father (alive), brother (alive, bloodline under watch by Adeptus Telepathica), grandmother (alive)
Appearance: Subject designated Kasa is an adolescent in moderate to good health. Stands at average hight for standard human female with light brown skin pigmentation, brown hair, and blue eyes. Possesses no visible external mutations or internal mutations despite confirmed psychic bloodline, further observation required. Post-acquisition subject received burns upon both hands after an encounter with another psyker. Healed personally via biomancy but scars persist despite efforts of healers, dexterity reduction minimal and no further anomalies noted.
Preliminary Psychic Aptitude Grading:
Telepathy: Kappa (6)
Divination: Theta (8)
Telekinesis: Epsilon (11)
Pyromancy: Omicron (1)
Biomancy: Zeta (10)
Additional: Born on the ice world of Amundsen subject Kasa was missed by the initial collection but discovered by a follow up sweep of the system. Earlier collection from the subject's tribe led to minor disturbances when subject's mother attempted to resist collection, it is assumed subject awakened her psychic potential sometime after this event. Tribe was subject disciplining but left intact due to the existance of promising psyker bloodlines. During the return sweep ten years after subject willingly offered herself to the tithe to avoid another disciplining of her tribe.
Upon the blackship subject had a near leathal encounter with an unstable pyromancer who detonated in close proximity. Subject survived through the use of a telekinetic barrier but suffered burns upon both her hand. Before treatment could be provided subject manifested previously unknown skill in biomancy to repair the damaged tissue but leaving cosmetic scarring in place. Following this subject was stored away in the blackship's holds for transport to Scholam facility upon Odium.
Let me know what you think.
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Psyker Inductee: Alistair Vrungel
Psyker suggestion:
Name: Alistair Vrungel
Age: 17 years (Subjective time*)
Sex:Male
Birth world: HDMNS** "Paragon of defiance" -Overlord Class Battlecruiser of Battlefleet Torvum
Relatives: Maria Vrungel -mother (Gunnery officer in active service on HDMNS "Paragon of defiance"), Marek Vrungel - father (Gunnery officer in active service on HDMNS "Paragon of defiance"), 2 brothers and 1 sister (midshipmen in active service on HDMNS "Paragon of defiance" ). See attached document on Vrungel family for further information.
Appearance: Subject bears all the marks of a voidborn, albeit somewhat less expressed than usual , presumably due to the subject's life on- board a Navy vessel. The only marks of note are several tattoos on arms and torso. Accroding to the subject himself, those tattoos are traditional marks of service used by the crew of HDMNS "Paragon of defiance". Those claims are corraborated by interrogations of several unrelated members of the crew. Further investigation has uncovered reports from Naval Ecclesiarchy and Officio Praefectus detailing the tradition and an investigation into it which ultimately cleared it as non-heretical.
Psychic Aptitude Grading:
Upon induction, acolyte achieved the following grades of psychic potential.
Telepathy: Theta (8)
Divination: Eta (9)
Telekinesis: Epsilon(11)
Pyromancy:Mu(4)
Biomancy: Lambda(5)
Personal history.
Subject was born into a family of Navy officers onboard an Overlord Class Battlecruiser HDMNS "Paragon of defiance" early into the third decade of the ship's fithy years assigment as a leader of Hunter-Killer squadron Epsilon, a unit made of a single capital ship and several escorts and logistics vessels and tasked with independent patrolling, rapid responce to distress signals from local SDF and merchant vessels and aggresive hunting for pirate and other hostile vessels.
Subject recieved education and training from his family and other officers on board and served various minor roles as part of the ship's crew from early age. At 14 he was formally inducted in the Imperial Navy as a midshipman. Most of his short service was quiet. While ship's logs indicate multiple combat encounters during that, most of those were too onesided to be of relevance. The battle one crucial to subjects psychic awakening is the encounter named in naval AARs as " Skrimish at M-3904".
According to the AAR, HDMNS "Paragon of defiance" and the rest of Hunter-Killer Squadron Epsilon were investigating reports of pirate ships in the area near an asteroid field designated M-3904 when a contact was made with several vessels later identified as Lite Kroozer "Mork's ride" belonging to a Freeboota Kaptain Lootklaima as well as 3 unknown orkish escorts. Despite being outgunned Orks chose to engage in battle. Several attempts were made by the Xenos to ram or board Navy ships, resulting in several groups of greenskins managing to get aboard HDMNS "Paragon of defiance" via the usage of Assault boats. One such group ended up near the Starboard Macrocannon battery Primus command post where subject was present alongside his family, "learning on the job" according to the Navy officers questioned about this fact. Subject responded to the general order to gunnery crews to repel boarders and joined the fight against the Orks alongside other crewmembers.
The exact details of melee are unknown as the pict recorders in the area were destroyed in the fighting with only minimal data recovery possible. Eyewitness records are also lacking as most of the gunnery crews in the area were lost in the fighting, whereas Naval armsmen, who secured the site, only arrived as reinforcements and did not witness majority of the fighting. From the accounts available, it appears that the Subject was able to kill several orks in close quarters combat, apparently:"dodging them blows like he knew they were coming" and "blocking em like he was hit by another lad and not a ***** Xenos thrice his size". The most blatant proof of the Subject's abilities came at the very end, when Subject ended up targeted by the Nob leading the band. After a brief exchange of blows that ended up with the Subject knocked down on the floor and disarmed, the subject proceeded to raise his arms and: "That green bastard just stopped. Like someone paused the holovid halfway through. For a second, two maybe, but long enough for Cody to bring the shotcannon to bear " . In the immediate aftermath, Subject was found unconscious, bleeding from every facial orfice. The incident was brought up to the ship's Commisar, on whose orders Subject was sedated and kept in the isolation chambers of the ship's Astropathic Chorus, under oversight of the ship's Astropaths.
* As the subject was born and spend most of his life aboard a Navy vessel in active service, he has undergone a noticable amout of time dilation assosiated with Warp travel.
** His Divine Majesty's Navy Ship
Vrungel family: a clan of hereditary naval officers with official records mentioning them as early as M 36 and clan's own records claiming service as early as M 33. There are at least 5 confirmed generations of Vrungels serving aboard HDMNS "Paragon of defiance". For brevity's sake only the parents are mentioned in this dossier.
OOC: that got out of hand a bit. Please tell me of any misspelling or mistakes.
The dodging part is supposed to be Divination, where as blocking is Telekenisis, reinforcing the blade with psy power to be able to block a blow from an Ork. The Nob part is inspired by the Psyker fight in Astartes.
For those curious about appearance, one of Rogue Trader RPG splatbooks has an variation of a Voidborn origin that is specifically for Navy ship children according to which Navy vessels tend to have higher (= closer to 1g) gravity on board that leads to the voidborn lankiness being less pronounced.
Name: Alistair Vrungel
Age: 17 years (Subjective time*)
Sex:Male
Birth world: HDMNS** "Paragon of defiance" -Overlord Class Battlecruiser of Battlefleet Torvum
Relatives: Maria Vrungel -mother (Gunnery officer in active service on HDMNS "Paragon of defiance"), Marek Vrungel - father (Gunnery officer in active service on HDMNS "Paragon of defiance"), 2 brothers and 1 sister (midshipmen in active service on HDMNS "Paragon of defiance" ). See attached document on Vrungel family for further information.
Appearance: Subject bears all the marks of a voidborn, albeit somewhat less expressed than usual , presumably due to the subject's life on- board a Navy vessel. The only marks of note are several tattoos on arms and torso. Accroding to the subject himself, those tattoos are traditional marks of service used by the crew of HDMNS "Paragon of defiance". Those claims are corraborated by interrogations of several unrelated members of the crew. Further investigation has uncovered reports from Naval Ecclesiarchy and Officio Praefectus detailing the tradition and an investigation into it which ultimately cleared it as non-heretical.
Psychic Aptitude Grading:
Upon induction, acolyte achieved the following grades of psychic potential.
Telepathy: Theta (8)
Divination: Eta (9)
Telekinesis: Epsilon(11)
Pyromancy:Mu(4)
Biomancy: Lambda(5)
Personal history.
Subject was born into a family of Navy officers onboard an Overlord Class Battlecruiser HDMNS "Paragon of defiance" early into the third decade of the ship's fithy years assigment as a leader of Hunter-Killer squadron Epsilon, a unit made of a single capital ship and several escorts and logistics vessels and tasked with independent patrolling, rapid responce to distress signals from local SDF and merchant vessels and aggresive hunting for pirate and other hostile vessels.
Subject recieved education and training from his family and other officers on board and served various minor roles as part of the ship's crew from early age. At 14 he was formally inducted in the Imperial Navy as a midshipman. Most of his short service was quiet. While ship's logs indicate multiple combat encounters during that, most of those were too onesided to be of relevance. The battle one crucial to subjects psychic awakening is the encounter named in naval AARs as " Skrimish at M-3904".
According to the AAR, HDMNS "Paragon of defiance" and the rest of Hunter-Killer Squadron Epsilon were investigating reports of pirate ships in the area near an asteroid field designated M-3904 when a contact was made with several vessels later identified as Lite Kroozer "Mork's ride" belonging to a Freeboota Kaptain Lootklaima as well as 3 unknown orkish escorts. Despite being outgunned Orks chose to engage in battle. Several attempts were made by the Xenos to ram or board Navy ships, resulting in several groups of greenskins managing to get aboard HDMNS "Paragon of defiance" via the usage of Assault boats. One such group ended up near the Starboard Macrocannon battery Primus command post where subject was present alongside his family, "learning on the job" according to the Navy officers questioned about this fact. Subject responded to the general order to gunnery crews to repel boarders and joined the fight against the Orks alongside other crewmembers.
The exact details of melee are unknown as the pict recorders in the area were destroyed in the fighting with only minimal data recovery possible. Eyewitness records are also lacking as most of the gunnery crews in the area were lost in the fighting, whereas Naval armsmen, who secured the site, only arrived as reinforcements and did not witness majority of the fighting. From the accounts available, it appears that the Subject was able to kill several orks in close quarters combat, apparently:"dodging them blows like he knew they were coming" and "blocking em like he was hit by another lad and not a ***** Xenos thrice his size". The most blatant proof of the Subject's abilities came at the very end, when Subject ended up targeted by the Nob leading the band. After a brief exchange of blows that ended up with the Subject knocked down on the floor and disarmed, the subject proceeded to raise his arms and: "That green bastard just stopped. Like someone paused the holovid halfway through. For a second, two maybe, but long enough for Cody to bring the shotcannon to bear " . In the immediate aftermath, Subject was found unconscious, bleeding from every facial orfice. The incident was brought up to the ship's Commisar, on whose orders Subject was sedated and kept in the isolation chambers of the ship's Astropathic Chorus, under oversight of the ship's Astropaths.
* As the subject was born and spend most of his life aboard a Navy vessel in active service, he has undergone a noticable amout of time dilation assosiated with Warp travel.
** His Divine Majesty's Navy Ship
Vrungel family: a clan of hereditary naval officers with official records mentioning them as early as M 36 and clan's own records claiming service as early as M 33. There are at least 5 confirmed generations of Vrungels serving aboard HDMNS "Paragon of defiance". For brevity's sake only the parents are mentioned in this dossier.
OOC: that got out of hand a bit. Please tell me of any misspelling or mistakes.
The dodging part is supposed to be Divination, where as blocking is Telekenisis, reinforcing the blade with psy power to be able to block a blow from an Ork. The Nob part is inspired by the Psyker fight in Astartes.
For those curious about appearance, one of Rogue Trader RPG splatbooks has an variation of a Voidborn origin that is specifically for Navy ship children according to which Navy vessels tend to have higher (= closer to 1g) gravity on board that leads to the voidborn lankiness being less pronounced.
Vote closed
Turn 1 results
- Location
- Netherlands
The Sapphire Keep is an ancient construction, and moving around it is not easy. Designed primarily with Astropaths in mind, the lighting is largely sparse and nearly entirely provided by sodium tubes with energy cells plugged into them.
The structure is expansive, spreading organically using natural caverns and rock formations that were hollowed out and expanded for additional room. Massive arteries of psi-conductive cablings have been attached to intact mineral veins to create what looks like what you can only describe as geo-cybernetic constructs, flowing through and between the many Astropathic sanctums and choirs spread throughout the structure.
Groups of Astropaths shuffle from room to room, moving between the many lesser choirs across the Keep. Servitors trundle through the hallways, replacing energy cells as they go, and keeping every surface fastidiously clean. You decided to examine the Keep in more detail to see how it is operated, and the subsequent reveals are little short of astounding.
You have seen many astropathic choirs, but never one with as much mechanical assistance as the Nautilus one. Only short range and small broadcasts are processed in the heads of the Astropaths themselves, and every scrap of information that goes through the system is recorded.
At the upper levels of the keep, two dozen Lesser Astropathic Choirs remain in permanent contact with relays across the Sector, sending the telepathic images they receive to the Primary Choir for processing and transmission beyond the sector. The Primary Choir is a massive cylindrical chamber built around a great pillar of psi-reactive stone, hundreds of chairs facing inwards, guarded by patrolling Black Sentinels.
There are rooms dedicated to archeotech Memory Buffers, rooms full of vats of vat-grown psi-active brain tissue that serve to store messages intercepted by the Astropaths which would otherwise hold up one of the receiving astropaths, and allow for a message backlog to form.
Special installations to decipher these complicated messages are located at seemingly random distances from the Memory Buffers, in accordance with the geological layout of surrounding rock. In these chambers, Astropaths sit in meditation, drawing the contents from one buffer cell at a time, so they can be fed into vast memetic transcription looms. Wall-sized punchcard interfaces are configured by servitors connected to the Astropath, each image they receive coming from a set library and corresponding with a card.
As the wall clicks and grinds, rows of shifting wheels with many esoteric symbols each move, spelling out garbled texts that are automatically copied by servo-scribes on vast rolls of cloned parchment skin of uniform size and thickness. Each roll the size of a main battle tank. Long strips of esoteric text are immediatelyis immediately sliced off in marked locations, then fed into an auto-sanctifier where molecular locking agents are carefully applied over the still-wet ink, to encode the printing information into the ink itself.
These strips are loaded into pneumatic tubes, and shot at high speed towards the vast scriptorium of the Sapphire keep, where the scribes of the Keep can translate the symbols into Low and High Gothic. Hundreds of arthritic ink-stained hands transcribe these texts with quills that move faster than the eye can follow, while others type runes into their cogitators. Marked texts are copied additional times for storage, either types and entered into the vast date looms for short term digital storage, or transcribed onto specialized acid-free parchment for long term storage in a climate-controlled vault.
All pages of Parchment once completed, are fitted with wax purity seals and fed back into the pneumatic system for sorting and transfer by message servo-skull to whomever in Nautilus the messages are for.
Scholam Psykana:
The Scholam Psykana is still under construction, but the Astropathic Choir it is connected to is positively ancient. You could examine it and learn a bit more about where you'll be
[] Training from the Black Sentinels:
The Black Sentinels are excellently trained and drilled fighters. Ask them to assist in training and drilling your Shock Troops.
A routine request to make. (+20)
Your fellowship is 45 + 20 = 65
You rolled 86
2 degrees of failure.
Requesting the aid of the Black Sentinels proves harder than expected. First, there is a temporary confusion within the chain of command. The Sapphire Keep already has a standing force of Sentinels, which manage their safety. But the Nautilus Scholam Psykana is to have its own garrison.
So when you finally manage to track down and speak with the Sapphire Keep's Black Sentinel Captain, he says that the decision is one he expects his underling, a Lieutenant, to make the final decision.
In the end, you make your way back to the Scholam and find the still-under-construction barracks of the Black Sentinels, finding them playing a card game on the back of a currently inactive heavy-lifter servitor. They eye you cautiously as you enter the room.
The Scholam's Brotherhood of Black Sentinels is led by a Captain named Alstar Rostiam Odum Ood Udo, and he agrees to hear you out. You speak of your plans, and how you need people skilled at training soldiers.
"No." Is the answer you receive. "We are the iron fist of the Astra Telepathica. There will be no fraternization, no mutual training, no friendliness of any kind with our charges." He then narrowed his eyes. "And I do not want your Psykers being as physically fit as the ones meant to keep them in line."
The answer puts an end to any hope of getting assistance with physical training and exercise from within the Astra Telepathica.
Because the Black Sentinels flat out refused to train your Psykers, the Lord Prefect did not need to arrange any paperwork. You do not lose any influence.
[] Combat-Biomancy feasibility studies:
Work with Astrid to lay out how your theoretical Psychic Shock Troops might best train their biomancy for both healing and self-empowerment.
Working on teaching is challenging for you. (+0) But Astrid is experienced in this. Teaching is routine for her. (+20)
Target Difficulty (Psy-rating * 10) + Difficulty = 70
You rolled 28
5 Degrees of success.
Costs 2 Influence with Astrid
Improves relationship by 1
Astrid's suite within the fortress is already turning into a very macabre place. She has put up numerous anatomical models across the rooms, all consisting of humans and licensed abhuman strains with removable organs and intricately detailed veins and nerve structures.
She has a shelf full of cages, each containing different insects, reptiles, and other peculiar creatures you've never seen before. These are looked after by her Wyrdvane. She keeps them close in a set of rooms close to her suite, where they can assist her in her research. The Wyrdvanes are bound together into a shared telepathic mind to share the strain of their powers, although the extent to this you are not sure of.
They work around her new 'lab', performing a myriad of little tests and examinations on the collection of creatures.
You find Astrid inside of a surgical theatre that has the air of an Imperial Guard Medicae installation installed in a hurry. She is wearing a full surgical gown as she operates with the aid of a Wyrdvane orderly. There are three slabs, two of which contain a patient that has been strapped in. They are short and very pale humans, locals you surmise.
A Cherub hovers next to Astrid, the small servitor holding a tray containing a selection of small bone ink pots, each with a quill or a needle placed into it. Astrid looms over a patient that she intermittently draws upon with a quill, while a pair of mechanical arms from the ceiling aim medical instruments at the patient. She occasionally places the needle inside a small tattoo gun that she then uses to more complex symbols.
"Are you experimenting on a recidivist?" You ask, trying to think of why Astrid would be working on someone so early.
You look the man over. He has been secured on the surgical bed, but not very securely. The man on the slab glares at you, but does not move.
Astrid chuckles. "Throne, no. I took him from the Medicae ward where he was being fitted with an augmetic." Her hand twists and crackles, growing additional joints as it makes a series of complicated hand gestures. The lines of ink drawn upon the man's chest begin to glow.
Reaching out psychically for what she's doing, you note that she is causing the body to self-heal rapidly. The tattoos appear to have cleared up flows of energy within the body, or started them in the first place. The man's lungs, and you note one had been halfway shrivelled by something, are growing inside his chest and restoring to full functionality.
You lean over to examine the man. He isn't missing any limbs. "An augmetic?" You ask.
"Left foot." She says.
You examine the limb. Nothing seems wrong with it. You raise an eyebrow at Astrid.
"It wasn't there when he arrived." Astrid says with a smile. She moves over to the next patient. "Anyways. How can I help? I am preparing this one for surgery with the Wyrdvanes. Just removing some bone cancer, clearing cataracts. Simple enough." She frowns. "We have not had a chance for meatball surgery yet. The Lord Prefect hasn't gotten any heretics for me to place on the slab yet."
"I want to discuss possible uses for biomancy with my Wyrdvane. I am not as advanced in the subject as you."
Astrid considers the request. "Hrmm. That can be arranged. I take it you have primarily been considering ways they can heal themselves in the midst of combat."
"Our beloved Astra Telepathica tends to focus more upon Bio-Lightning and punching through heretics than the more subtle uses of Biomancy." She considers something. "But for shock-troops, you want something universal. Yes? Something even middling Biomancers could still do for the sake of improving their combat ability."
"Yes. I want my Shock Troops to fight as excellent soldiers first, before they even begin using their psychic powers."
Astrid muses on this. "I can help you with that. I wrote a medical journal about ways the human body and its organs can be optimized. With the right medical textbooks and demonstrations, it should be possible to teach even weak biomancers."
"An excellent choice for a choir." You remark. A Wyrdvane Choir, when properly connected with telepathic bonds, is capable of imbueing even the weakest of biomancers with potent enhancements, so long even one member of the Choir is capable of it.
You spend several days working the matter through with Astrid, as she inquires with the regular faculty of the Scholam, ensuring that they are instructed in the techniques you want your apprentices to learn. Astrid shows her skills, and soon the instructors are potent Biomancers in their own line.
Among your Psychic Shock Troops, dedicated Biomancers will be instructed by Astrid in the following abilities:
Biomantic Meatball Surgery
A skilled Biomancer can, by placing their hand upon a fallen comrade, knit bones together, grow back lost organs, restore ruined flesh, and ensure a fighter can keep going. Your Wyrdvanes will be trained extensively on how to get a soldier back into the fight quickly. These changes can be undone by a medical biomancer after the fighting is over.
When your Psykers form a choir, all members will me capable of:
Biomantic Self-Optimization:
Using subtle Biomancy, the senses of the soldier are optimized and improved beyond baseline humanity. Soldiers can smell hormones in the air, see in near complete darkness, and hear the most minute of noises, and achieve levels of strength comparable to the Tempestus Scions and Sororitas. This is a passive improvement that can be adjusted as needed by the Psyker. Part of this includes a low-level healing factor that actively clears the muscles of lactic acid, and allows cuts and lesser bullet wounds to heal by themselves.
[] Transcribe Telekinetic Teaching instructions:
While you could train excellent Telekinetic students, doing so will require your training. By taking the time to transcribe your knowledge into a stored format, you can ensure that your Wyrdvane pattern does not require your personal presence to be trained.
Transcribing training Telekinetic knowledge is challenging for you. (+0)
Target Difficulty (Psy-rating * 10) + Difficulty = 50
You rolled 16
4 Degrees of Success.
With a steaming hot cup of recaff and a quill, you got to work.
Tomes on Psychic lore are easily among the most regulated objects in the Imperium, and they are intentionally rarely transported between Scholams, and only with the most heavy of scrutiny. And what you create will undoubtedly be hoarded for generations to come.
You etched your knowledge onto crystalline wafers with a specialized acid pen, page after page of esoteric psychic lore instructing the readers how to manifest telekine fields. Some of your own essence was poured into each page, just enough that able Psykers can read the exact thoughts they need in order to manifest the powers you explain.
The tome you drafted an instructional, intended primarily to help Telekines start their psychic education. Training techniques, breathing exercises, mental processes to aid in managing their powers, and several abilities that from your opinion, are within the capability of Wyrdvanes. You included your newfound knowledge of Gravitic Manifestation. Although you are certain that you can greatly advance the ability, at its most rudimentary form, it will still impact with the strength of a grav-gun.
Among your Psychic Shock Troops, dedicated Telekines will be taught the following skills by instructors, using the knowledge you wrote down:
Crush:
A Telekine focuses their power upon a single point in space, manifesting a brief moment of intense gravity akin to a Grav-Gun.
Telekine Dome:
The Telekine, if equipped with a force staff or a potent enough focii, conjures a dome of Psychic energy for the squad to take cover in. The dome will absorb small arms fire and indirect shrapnel from artillery.
When your Psykers form a choir, all members will be capable of:
Telekine Personal Shields:
The Wyrdvane Choir pools their collective Telekine potential and spreads it evenly among their members, wrapping each soldier in a protective regenerating energy shield that deflects kinetic and energy small arms fire. The power of the shields can be adjusted by the Choir, or overcharged by an able Telekine among the Choir.
[] Black Market Connections:
You give Martha a supply of currency and have her get into contact with the local ratlings. You want to establish connections that you could make use of, both for finding esoteric lore, Psykers, and equipment.
Martha will not be available this turn.
Working with a black market is difficult for you, challenging (-10), but Martha is a Ratling and for her it is merely challenging. (+0). You providing funding allows her to roll with advantage.
Your fellowship is 45. 45 + 0 = 45
You rolled 67, 3 with advantage. 3 is the roll used.
4 degrees of success.
"You should go outside once." Martha says from the entrance of your doorway.
The Ratling is wearing a fine set of clothes tailored for her size, marked with a collar insignia marking her as member of the Astra Telepathica. She looks better than she did when you met her. Her hair has been washed, combed, and braided very nicely. Her rosy cheeks have a bit more colour, and there is a smile on her lips.
You take a sip of the recaff from the canteen she's prepared. "Perhaps. Is this about you going out to contact the Infractionists?"
Martha frowns at you. "Infractionist?"
"People who live beyond the Adeptus Terra. Criminals and the like."
The Ratling narrows her eyes. "You don't really get the Torvum Sector, do you? There's more than just the Adeptus Terra here."
"Be careful of what you say, Martha. If someone wished you harm, those words coul-"
"Occ', please. Let me explain." She gives you a scrutinous matronly stare.
That nickname. It always manages to disarm you. You offer a faint smile. "Sorry, Martha. Go ahead."
Martha takes a seat opposite to you, her legs not touching the floor as she sits. You remind yourself to get a seat for her prepared. "Torvum's Adeptus Terra has a very loose hand. Always has. Most of the economies are allowed to run on their own, so long the proper tithes are paid. Most people don't work for some Munitorum Manufactorum or the like. They'll work for a guild, conglomerate, or whatever The Gilded call it. Criminals aren't people who turned from the Adeptus Terra or detached themselves, most will never have worked for them in the first place."
You consider what she's said and think about it in the context of what you know of the Imperium. The Torvum Sector is definitely not the most normal of Imperial sectors. It is not one of the newly established sectors, where all industries and labour are controlled through the Adeptus Terra in one way or another. It is an old sector, with a history of loyalty to the Imperium, but also a sense of identity beyond the Imperium. The latter concerns you, going as it does against your ingrained belief that humanity and the Imperium are one and the same.
"What do I call people who aren't part of the Adeptus Terra in one way or another then?"
Martha quirks her head. "People." She frowns, voice suddenly serious. "Just how old are you, Occam?"
You consider the question. "I am physically twenty-five Terran years." A respectable age from your experiences upon Terra. You do not have the large families that someone your age might have upon Terra, but you have over a decade and a half of intensive training in the Psychic arts.
The Ratling blinks, eyes wide. "Occam, you look like you're fifty. I am forty-three!"
"You're ancient." You mutter. "Fifty years?" A note of panic enters your voice. "Wait. Do we need to get your family brought here? I thought you to be sixteen or perhaps eighteen. You must have a large family by now, yes?" You draw from your knowledge of Terra and your Hive World, where most women will have a child by sixteen and continue having them until their thirtieth year.
"I don't have children, Occam. Never wanted them."
You blink. "Emperor Bless you, Martha. You are my elder. I shouldn't send you out to work with hardened criminals."
Martha leaps onto your desk and point a finger at you. "Young man. I know quite well how to look after myself when I am in a proper mental space. You wanted to get into contacts with those people? Well, I have done just that. In fact, it is why I came here."
You let out a sigh of relief that you whitelisted Martha from the Murder Servitors in your room. Or one might have leapt into action following her energetic act.
"What do you have?"
"This city is old, Occ. Really damn old. And it is a real bitch, pardon the language, to get into. Turns out, when things get that old, the criminals go official in a lot of ways. So I splashed some cash around, started talking, gave some people some five-fingered encouragement, and got a scoop on what it is really like. Not the reports you'll have gotten." She grins sheepishly.
You wonder what a five-fingered encouragement is, but don't ask, instead you lean forward inquisitively and motion for her to continue.
She speaks animatedly, hands frantic. "The Pit is apparently full of Archeotech, old factories, corporate holdfasts, isolated communities. And all the major conglomerates and the like of Nautilus? They fight over it using gangs as proxies."
"This definitely isn't Terra." You say. "Any gang larger than ten gets targeted by the Arbites or Inquisition upon the Holy Throneworld." You consider her words and think about the clean streets you've seen in all the briefings of Nautilus. "Explains why there's barely any violence or conflict, even in the Lower-Middle and the Deep Hive."
"There's a whole code of conduct regarding fighting in Nautilus and the Pit. Places and people which can't be targeted, neutral zones, mediators and brokers. No targeting the air-cyclers, recyc stations, or getting in the way of the repair crews."
"What about the Enforcers? The Ministry of State must not appreciate such an area not being under control." You find it hard to imagine an Imperial government tolerating such an anarchic mess.
"They treat it like a resource. The place is allowed to run on its own, and routinely brings back archeotech salvage, cheaply mined ore, hardened fighters, the like. Anyone causing trouble gets hit by the 'Repair Crews'. Think Arbites, but they show up to repair the recyclers and keep the air flowing. They turn anyone who gets in the way into corpse starch."
"Just how big is this Pit?" You ask cautiously. "The Astra Telepathica said it was just old mining pits and the like. You make it sound like it is a civilization in its own right."
"I've heard prospectors talking about entire communities and even small cities across the planet. Its a popular topic of conversation. Lost cities with the tunnels sealed off, mutant outposts, stories of some kind of 'scuttlers' having a base so deep it nearly goes through the crust."
You lean back into your chair, considering what you've heard. "Do you have any permanent contacts we might get use out of?"
"There's ratlings all over the city. I got to know them, and they put me through to some very interested people who want to know just what we get up to."
Martha made several contacts within Nautilus. Of these, one of them is willing and able to have an immediate meeting with you.
Choose one group.
-Write in a short succint request and what you'd offer in exchange. The shorter the better.
[] Brotherhood of Kel:
An ancient corporation that has resisted any attempt to stamp it out. In Nautilus and across the Sector, Kel is an arms guild known for providing reliable and expensive autoguns, but with a lack of success in finding buyers for their designs, due to each design being artisanal.
Kayl-Tek is also the primary arms dealer for the world's elite criminals, producing weapons for crime-lords and the private forces of Deep Pit fiefdoms. The guild operates from somewhere in The Pit, with a front office in Nautilus itself for the sake of legitimacy. They have a somewhat good reputation for the eagerness with which the guild sends its private security after sources of unrest in the Pit, primarily as marketing. It is only the exceptional ties between the guild and the local Mechanicus that have stopped it being declared full outlaws.
Martha has made contacts with a faciliator of the Brotherhood whom has discussed providing equipment.
Provides:
Autoguns, Stubbers, weaponsmithing, specialized munitions creations, custom-weapons and in-house manufacturing under license.
[] Brakvarr Corsairs:
There is a well-equipped group of Abhumans operating within the Pit and parts of Nautilus, although nobody is sure how they got there. This group has a holdfast deep beneath the surface that regularly trades with Nautilus, providing potent technology and equipment to buyers that risk the wrath of the Mechanicus. Their technology is impressive, however unsanctioned. Their presence is a source of contention by Adeptus Terra representatives, whom cannot decide if they are
1: A band of licensed Abhumans named Squats, according to the Administratum.
2: A band of recidivist Non-Imperial Abhumans named 'The Votann' according to the Arbites.
3: A band of foul Xenos named 'The Demiurge' according to the Ministorum.
Various encounters between different groups have resulted in a situation where nobody is sure just which category the Abhumans fall under, which has left them in a legal loophole.
Martha has met a trader from the Corsairs whom is interested in legitimate trade with an Adeptus.
Provides:
Energy weapons, Power-weapons, possible contact with the Leagues of Votann.
Note: This is not officially sanctioned technology and the Mechanicus is legally allowed to seize this technology, if they so wish.
[] The Family:
Ratlings, lacking the might and lack of intellect of the Ogryns, often face persecution due to them being an easier target. This makes the Ratlings of the Imperium generally congregate into large communities for mutual support. Nautilus has a large population of Ratlings living throughout its lower levels as an oppressed working class, primarily working in maintenance, cleaning, and manufacturing. Nevertheless, the Ratlings have managed to form a network across the city.
'The Family' is the name for an underground crime syndicate that spans most of Nautilus and much of the Pit, woven through the many Ratling communities. They primarily provide intelligence, spying, and information upon activity throughout the city.
Martha has spoken with an elder, who has mentioned that The Family knows of some black market Psykers operating in the Pit.
Provides:
Information on activity within Nautilus, identities and locations of Rogue Psykers, hooks into 'soft' organized crime.
[] The Alkata Cartel
Every Hive city has its own criminal underbelly, providing luxuries and distractions for the Imperium's many -many- tireless labourers. And one able to provide these things, is liable to get quite rich indeed. But all riches need protection, and not everyone has a hereditary family of bodyguards to their name.
Outside the upper spires, Nautilus's Lower-Middle and Deep Hive are rampant with the narcotics trade, skin-trading pimps, sanctioned and unsanctioned recreational establishments, gambling, pit fights, and more. And when one of these entrepreneurs desire protection, they head to the Alkata Cartel.
The Cartel is rife with Imperial Guard and PDF veterans, Pit Gangers, and vat-grown hired muscle, trading protection for hard currency. Their services range from skilled bouncers for middle-class drinking establishments, bodyguards for drug-dealers and pimps, and gangs for hire in The Pit.
The Alkata, however, tries to maintain a veer of legitimacy and looks down upon any activities that might draw the attention of Imperial Authority. They will immediately hand over Psykers and mutants who attempt to hire them (for the bounty mostly).
Provides:
Muscle. Combat experience. Possibly trainers. Drugs. Narcotics. Hooks into hard crime.
You have unlocked contact with the following organizations:
The Brotherhood of Kel.
The Brakkvarr Corsairs.
The Family.
The Alkata Cartel.
You have unlocked the following research options:
Telekine Rounds:
The choir infuses solid projectiles with telekinetic energy, increasing the speed and impact of each round many times over. While a taxing process, this will allow Autoguns to hit like heavy stubbers.
Required for Psi-Munitions research alongside a source of Autoguns and ammunition.
Biomantic Juvenant Treatments and beauty:
You're twenty-five but look almost fifty according to Martha. It might be time to look into Biomantic Juvenant or perhaps visit a clinic in Nautilus, to bring yourself back in line with your actual age. This would also be a good opportunity to look into the presentability of future Psykers. Many high-ranking Imperials are vain, and many of your Psykers will come from poorer backgrounds. Straightening backs, whitening teeth, restoring hair, and removing unhealthy palours, could improve the status of your Psykers, making them look like paragons of the Imperial Ideal.
4 Hour Moratorium for the choice. Consider it a free action.
The structure is expansive, spreading organically using natural caverns and rock formations that were hollowed out and expanded for additional room. Massive arteries of psi-conductive cablings have been attached to intact mineral veins to create what looks like what you can only describe as geo-cybernetic constructs, flowing through and between the many Astropathic sanctums and choirs spread throughout the structure.
Groups of Astropaths shuffle from room to room, moving between the many lesser choirs across the Keep. Servitors trundle through the hallways, replacing energy cells as they go, and keeping every surface fastidiously clean. You decided to examine the Keep in more detail to see how it is operated, and the subsequent reveals are little short of astounding.
You have seen many astropathic choirs, but never one with as much mechanical assistance as the Nautilus one. Only short range and small broadcasts are processed in the heads of the Astropaths themselves, and every scrap of information that goes through the system is recorded.
At the upper levels of the keep, two dozen Lesser Astropathic Choirs remain in permanent contact with relays across the Sector, sending the telepathic images they receive to the Primary Choir for processing and transmission beyond the sector. The Primary Choir is a massive cylindrical chamber built around a great pillar of psi-reactive stone, hundreds of chairs facing inwards, guarded by patrolling Black Sentinels.
There are rooms dedicated to archeotech Memory Buffers, rooms full of vats of vat-grown psi-active brain tissue that serve to store messages intercepted by the Astropaths which would otherwise hold up one of the receiving astropaths, and allow for a message backlog to form.
Special installations to decipher these complicated messages are located at seemingly random distances from the Memory Buffers, in accordance with the geological layout of surrounding rock. In these chambers, Astropaths sit in meditation, drawing the contents from one buffer cell at a time, so they can be fed into vast memetic transcription looms. Wall-sized punchcard interfaces are configured by servitors connected to the Astropath, each image they receive coming from a set library and corresponding with a card.
As the wall clicks and grinds, rows of shifting wheels with many esoteric symbols each move, spelling out garbled texts that are automatically copied by servo-scribes on vast rolls of cloned parchment skin of uniform size and thickness. Each roll the size of a main battle tank. Long strips of esoteric text are immediatelyis immediately sliced off in marked locations, then fed into an auto-sanctifier where molecular locking agents are carefully applied over the still-wet ink, to encode the printing information into the ink itself.
These strips are loaded into pneumatic tubes, and shot at high speed towards the vast scriptorium of the Sapphire keep, where the scribes of the Keep can translate the symbols into Low and High Gothic. Hundreds of arthritic ink-stained hands transcribe these texts with quills that move faster than the eye can follow, while others type runes into their cogitators. Marked texts are copied additional times for storage, either types and entered into the vast date looms for short term digital storage, or transcribed onto specialized acid-free parchment for long term storage in a climate-controlled vault.
All pages of Parchment once completed, are fitted with wax purity seals and fed back into the pneumatic system for sorting and transfer by message servo-skull to whomever in Nautilus the messages are for.
Scholam Psykana:
The Scholam Psykana is still under construction, but the Astropathic Choir it is connected to is positively ancient. You could examine it and learn a bit more about where you'll be
[] Training from the Black Sentinels:
The Black Sentinels are excellently trained and drilled fighters. Ask them to assist in training and drilling your Shock Troops.
A routine request to make. (+20)
Your fellowship is 45 + 20 = 65
You rolled 86
2 degrees of failure.
Requesting the aid of the Black Sentinels proves harder than expected. First, there is a temporary confusion within the chain of command. The Sapphire Keep already has a standing force of Sentinels, which manage their safety. But the Nautilus Scholam Psykana is to have its own garrison.
So when you finally manage to track down and speak with the Sapphire Keep's Black Sentinel Captain, he says that the decision is one he expects his underling, a Lieutenant, to make the final decision.
In the end, you make your way back to the Scholam and find the still-under-construction barracks of the Black Sentinels, finding them playing a card game on the back of a currently inactive heavy-lifter servitor. They eye you cautiously as you enter the room.
The Scholam's Brotherhood of Black Sentinels is led by a Captain named Alstar Rostiam Odum Ood Udo, and he agrees to hear you out. You speak of your plans, and how you need people skilled at training soldiers.
"No." Is the answer you receive. "We are the iron fist of the Astra Telepathica. There will be no fraternization, no mutual training, no friendliness of any kind with our charges." He then narrowed his eyes. "And I do not want your Psykers being as physically fit as the ones meant to keep them in line."
The answer puts an end to any hope of getting assistance with physical training and exercise from within the Astra Telepathica.
Because the Black Sentinels flat out refused to train your Psykers, the Lord Prefect did not need to arrange any paperwork. You do not lose any influence.
[] Combat-Biomancy feasibility studies:
Work with Astrid to lay out how your theoretical Psychic Shock Troops might best train their biomancy for both healing and self-empowerment.
Working on teaching is challenging for you. (+0) But Astrid is experienced in this. Teaching is routine for her. (+20)
Target Difficulty (Psy-rating * 10) + Difficulty = 70
You rolled 28
5 Degrees of success.
Costs 2 Influence with Astrid
Improves relationship by 1
Astrid's suite within the fortress is already turning into a very macabre place. She has put up numerous anatomical models across the rooms, all consisting of humans and licensed abhuman strains with removable organs and intricately detailed veins and nerve structures.
She has a shelf full of cages, each containing different insects, reptiles, and other peculiar creatures you've never seen before. These are looked after by her Wyrdvane. She keeps them close in a set of rooms close to her suite, where they can assist her in her research. The Wyrdvanes are bound together into a shared telepathic mind to share the strain of their powers, although the extent to this you are not sure of.
They work around her new 'lab', performing a myriad of little tests and examinations on the collection of creatures.
You find Astrid inside of a surgical theatre that has the air of an Imperial Guard Medicae installation installed in a hurry. She is wearing a full surgical gown as she operates with the aid of a Wyrdvane orderly. There are three slabs, two of which contain a patient that has been strapped in. They are short and very pale humans, locals you surmise.
A Cherub hovers next to Astrid, the small servitor holding a tray containing a selection of small bone ink pots, each with a quill or a needle placed into it. Astrid looms over a patient that she intermittently draws upon with a quill, while a pair of mechanical arms from the ceiling aim medical instruments at the patient. She occasionally places the needle inside a small tattoo gun that she then uses to more complex symbols.
"Are you experimenting on a recidivist?" You ask, trying to think of why Astrid would be working on someone so early.
You look the man over. He has been secured on the surgical bed, but not very securely. The man on the slab glares at you, but does not move.
Astrid chuckles. "Throne, no. I took him from the Medicae ward where he was being fitted with an augmetic." Her hand twists and crackles, growing additional joints as it makes a series of complicated hand gestures. The lines of ink drawn upon the man's chest begin to glow.
Reaching out psychically for what she's doing, you note that she is causing the body to self-heal rapidly. The tattoos appear to have cleared up flows of energy within the body, or started them in the first place. The man's lungs, and you note one had been halfway shrivelled by something, are growing inside his chest and restoring to full functionality.
You lean over to examine the man. He isn't missing any limbs. "An augmetic?" You ask.
"Left foot." She says.
You examine the limb. Nothing seems wrong with it. You raise an eyebrow at Astrid.
"It wasn't there when he arrived." Astrid says with a smile. She moves over to the next patient. "Anyways. How can I help? I am preparing this one for surgery with the Wyrdvanes. Just removing some bone cancer, clearing cataracts. Simple enough." She frowns. "We have not had a chance for meatball surgery yet. The Lord Prefect hasn't gotten any heretics for me to place on the slab yet."
"I want to discuss possible uses for biomancy with my Wyrdvane. I am not as advanced in the subject as you."
Astrid considers the request. "Hrmm. That can be arranged. I take it you have primarily been considering ways they can heal themselves in the midst of combat."
"Our beloved Astra Telepathica tends to focus more upon Bio-Lightning and punching through heretics than the more subtle uses of Biomancy." She considers something. "But for shock-troops, you want something universal. Yes? Something even middling Biomancers could still do for the sake of improving their combat ability."
"Yes. I want my Shock Troops to fight as excellent soldiers first, before they even begin using their psychic powers."
Astrid muses on this. "I can help you with that. I wrote a medical journal about ways the human body and its organs can be optimized. With the right medical textbooks and demonstrations, it should be possible to teach even weak biomancers."
"An excellent choice for a choir." You remark. A Wyrdvane Choir, when properly connected with telepathic bonds, is capable of imbueing even the weakest of biomancers with potent enhancements, so long even one member of the Choir is capable of it.
You spend several days working the matter through with Astrid, as she inquires with the regular faculty of the Scholam, ensuring that they are instructed in the techniques you want your apprentices to learn. Astrid shows her skills, and soon the instructors are potent Biomancers in their own line.
Among your Psychic Shock Troops, dedicated Biomancers will be instructed by Astrid in the following abilities:
Biomantic Meatball Surgery
A skilled Biomancer can, by placing their hand upon a fallen comrade, knit bones together, grow back lost organs, restore ruined flesh, and ensure a fighter can keep going. Your Wyrdvanes will be trained extensively on how to get a soldier back into the fight quickly. These changes can be undone by a medical biomancer after the fighting is over.
When your Psykers form a choir, all members will me capable of:
Biomantic Self-Optimization:
Using subtle Biomancy, the senses of the soldier are optimized and improved beyond baseline humanity. Soldiers can smell hormones in the air, see in near complete darkness, and hear the most minute of noises, and achieve levels of strength comparable to the Tempestus Scions and Sororitas. This is a passive improvement that can be adjusted as needed by the Psyker. Part of this includes a low-level healing factor that actively clears the muscles of lactic acid, and allows cuts and lesser bullet wounds to heal by themselves.
[] Transcribe Telekinetic Teaching instructions:
While you could train excellent Telekinetic students, doing so will require your training. By taking the time to transcribe your knowledge into a stored format, you can ensure that your Wyrdvane pattern does not require your personal presence to be trained.
Transcribing training Telekinetic knowledge is challenging for you. (+0)
Target Difficulty (Psy-rating * 10) + Difficulty = 50
You rolled 16
4 Degrees of Success.
With a steaming hot cup of recaff and a quill, you got to work.
Tomes on Psychic lore are easily among the most regulated objects in the Imperium, and they are intentionally rarely transported between Scholams, and only with the most heavy of scrutiny. And what you create will undoubtedly be hoarded for generations to come.
You etched your knowledge onto crystalline wafers with a specialized acid pen, page after page of esoteric psychic lore instructing the readers how to manifest telekine fields. Some of your own essence was poured into each page, just enough that able Psykers can read the exact thoughts they need in order to manifest the powers you explain.
The tome you drafted an instructional, intended primarily to help Telekines start their psychic education. Training techniques, breathing exercises, mental processes to aid in managing their powers, and several abilities that from your opinion, are within the capability of Wyrdvanes. You included your newfound knowledge of Gravitic Manifestation. Although you are certain that you can greatly advance the ability, at its most rudimentary form, it will still impact with the strength of a grav-gun.
Among your Psychic Shock Troops, dedicated Telekines will be taught the following skills by instructors, using the knowledge you wrote down:
Crush:
A Telekine focuses their power upon a single point in space, manifesting a brief moment of intense gravity akin to a Grav-Gun.
Telekine Dome:
The Telekine, if equipped with a force staff or a potent enough focii, conjures a dome of Psychic energy for the squad to take cover in. The dome will absorb small arms fire and indirect shrapnel from artillery.
When your Psykers form a choir, all members will be capable of:
Telekine Personal Shields:
The Wyrdvane Choir pools their collective Telekine potential and spreads it evenly among their members, wrapping each soldier in a protective regenerating energy shield that deflects kinetic and energy small arms fire. The power of the shields can be adjusted by the Choir, or overcharged by an able Telekine among the Choir.
[] Black Market Connections:
You give Martha a supply of currency and have her get into contact with the local ratlings. You want to establish connections that you could make use of, both for finding esoteric lore, Psykers, and equipment.
Martha will not be available this turn.
Working with a black market is difficult for you, challenging (-10), but Martha is a Ratling and for her it is merely challenging. (+0). You providing funding allows her to roll with advantage.
Your fellowship is 45. 45 + 0 = 45
You rolled 67, 3 with advantage. 3 is the roll used.
4 degrees of success.
"You should go outside once." Martha says from the entrance of your doorway.
The Ratling is wearing a fine set of clothes tailored for her size, marked with a collar insignia marking her as member of the Astra Telepathica. She looks better than she did when you met her. Her hair has been washed, combed, and braided very nicely. Her rosy cheeks have a bit more colour, and there is a smile on her lips.
You take a sip of the recaff from the canteen she's prepared. "Perhaps. Is this about you going out to contact the Infractionists?"
Martha frowns at you. "Infractionist?"
"People who live beyond the Adeptus Terra. Criminals and the like."
The Ratling narrows her eyes. "You don't really get the Torvum Sector, do you? There's more than just the Adeptus Terra here."
"Be careful of what you say, Martha. If someone wished you harm, those words coul-"
"Occ', please. Let me explain." She gives you a scrutinous matronly stare.
That nickname. It always manages to disarm you. You offer a faint smile. "Sorry, Martha. Go ahead."
Martha takes a seat opposite to you, her legs not touching the floor as she sits. You remind yourself to get a seat for her prepared. "Torvum's Adeptus Terra has a very loose hand. Always has. Most of the economies are allowed to run on their own, so long the proper tithes are paid. Most people don't work for some Munitorum Manufactorum or the like. They'll work for a guild, conglomerate, or whatever The Gilded call it. Criminals aren't people who turned from the Adeptus Terra or detached themselves, most will never have worked for them in the first place."
You consider what she's said and think about it in the context of what you know of the Imperium. The Torvum Sector is definitely not the most normal of Imperial sectors. It is not one of the newly established sectors, where all industries and labour are controlled through the Adeptus Terra in one way or another. It is an old sector, with a history of loyalty to the Imperium, but also a sense of identity beyond the Imperium. The latter concerns you, going as it does against your ingrained belief that humanity and the Imperium are one and the same.
"What do I call people who aren't part of the Adeptus Terra in one way or another then?"
Martha quirks her head. "People." She frowns, voice suddenly serious. "Just how old are you, Occam?"
You consider the question. "I am physically twenty-five Terran years." A respectable age from your experiences upon Terra. You do not have the large families that someone your age might have upon Terra, but you have over a decade and a half of intensive training in the Psychic arts.
The Ratling blinks, eyes wide. "Occam, you look like you're fifty. I am forty-three!"
"You're ancient." You mutter. "Fifty years?" A note of panic enters your voice. "Wait. Do we need to get your family brought here? I thought you to be sixteen or perhaps eighteen. You must have a large family by now, yes?" You draw from your knowledge of Terra and your Hive World, where most women will have a child by sixteen and continue having them until their thirtieth year.
"I don't have children, Occam. Never wanted them."
You blink. "Emperor Bless you, Martha. You are my elder. I shouldn't send you out to work with hardened criminals."
Martha leaps onto your desk and point a finger at you. "Young man. I know quite well how to look after myself when I am in a proper mental space. You wanted to get into contacts with those people? Well, I have done just that. In fact, it is why I came here."
You let out a sigh of relief that you whitelisted Martha from the Murder Servitors in your room. Or one might have leapt into action following her energetic act.
"What do you have?"
"This city is old, Occ. Really damn old. And it is a real bitch, pardon the language, to get into. Turns out, when things get that old, the criminals go official in a lot of ways. So I splashed some cash around, started talking, gave some people some five-fingered encouragement, and got a scoop on what it is really like. Not the reports you'll have gotten." She grins sheepishly.
You wonder what a five-fingered encouragement is, but don't ask, instead you lean forward inquisitively and motion for her to continue.
She speaks animatedly, hands frantic. "The Pit is apparently full of Archeotech, old factories, corporate holdfasts, isolated communities. And all the major conglomerates and the like of Nautilus? They fight over it using gangs as proxies."
"This definitely isn't Terra." You say. "Any gang larger than ten gets targeted by the Arbites or Inquisition upon the Holy Throneworld." You consider her words and think about the clean streets you've seen in all the briefings of Nautilus. "Explains why there's barely any violence or conflict, even in the Lower-Middle and the Deep Hive."
"There's a whole code of conduct regarding fighting in Nautilus and the Pit. Places and people which can't be targeted, neutral zones, mediators and brokers. No targeting the air-cyclers, recyc stations, or getting in the way of the repair crews."
"What about the Enforcers? The Ministry of State must not appreciate such an area not being under control." You find it hard to imagine an Imperial government tolerating such an anarchic mess.
"They treat it like a resource. The place is allowed to run on its own, and routinely brings back archeotech salvage, cheaply mined ore, hardened fighters, the like. Anyone causing trouble gets hit by the 'Repair Crews'. Think Arbites, but they show up to repair the recyclers and keep the air flowing. They turn anyone who gets in the way into corpse starch."
"Just how big is this Pit?" You ask cautiously. "The Astra Telepathica said it was just old mining pits and the like. You make it sound like it is a civilization in its own right."
"I've heard prospectors talking about entire communities and even small cities across the planet. Its a popular topic of conversation. Lost cities with the tunnels sealed off, mutant outposts, stories of some kind of 'scuttlers' having a base so deep it nearly goes through the crust."
You lean back into your chair, considering what you've heard. "Do you have any permanent contacts we might get use out of?"
"There's ratlings all over the city. I got to know them, and they put me through to some very interested people who want to know just what we get up to."
Martha made several contacts within Nautilus. Of these, one of them is willing and able to have an immediate meeting with you.
Choose one group.
-Write in a short succint request and what you'd offer in exchange. The shorter the better.
[] Brotherhood of Kel:
An ancient corporation that has resisted any attempt to stamp it out. In Nautilus and across the Sector, Kel is an arms guild known for providing reliable and expensive autoguns, but with a lack of success in finding buyers for their designs, due to each design being artisanal.
Kayl-Tek is also the primary arms dealer for the world's elite criminals, producing weapons for crime-lords and the private forces of Deep Pit fiefdoms. The guild operates from somewhere in The Pit, with a front office in Nautilus itself for the sake of legitimacy. They have a somewhat good reputation for the eagerness with which the guild sends its private security after sources of unrest in the Pit, primarily as marketing. It is only the exceptional ties between the guild and the local Mechanicus that have stopped it being declared full outlaws.
Martha has made contacts with a faciliator of the Brotherhood whom has discussed providing equipment.
Provides:
Autoguns, Stubbers, weaponsmithing, specialized munitions creations, custom-weapons and in-house manufacturing under license.
[] Brakvarr Corsairs:
There is a well-equipped group of Abhumans operating within the Pit and parts of Nautilus, although nobody is sure how they got there. This group has a holdfast deep beneath the surface that regularly trades with Nautilus, providing potent technology and equipment to buyers that risk the wrath of the Mechanicus. Their technology is impressive, however unsanctioned. Their presence is a source of contention by Adeptus Terra representatives, whom cannot decide if they are
1: A band of licensed Abhumans named Squats, according to the Administratum.
2: A band of recidivist Non-Imperial Abhumans named 'The Votann' according to the Arbites.
3: A band of foul Xenos named 'The Demiurge' according to the Ministorum.
Various encounters between different groups have resulted in a situation where nobody is sure just which category the Abhumans fall under, which has left them in a legal loophole.
Martha has met a trader from the Corsairs whom is interested in legitimate trade with an Adeptus.
Provides:
Energy weapons, Power-weapons, possible contact with the Leagues of Votann.
Note: This is not officially sanctioned technology and the Mechanicus is legally allowed to seize this technology, if they so wish.
[] The Family:
Ratlings, lacking the might and lack of intellect of the Ogryns, often face persecution due to them being an easier target. This makes the Ratlings of the Imperium generally congregate into large communities for mutual support. Nautilus has a large population of Ratlings living throughout its lower levels as an oppressed working class, primarily working in maintenance, cleaning, and manufacturing. Nevertheless, the Ratlings have managed to form a network across the city.
'The Family' is the name for an underground crime syndicate that spans most of Nautilus and much of the Pit, woven through the many Ratling communities. They primarily provide intelligence, spying, and information upon activity throughout the city.
Martha has spoken with an elder, who has mentioned that The Family knows of some black market Psykers operating in the Pit.
Provides:
Information on activity within Nautilus, identities and locations of Rogue Psykers, hooks into 'soft' organized crime.
[] The Alkata Cartel
Every Hive city has its own criminal underbelly, providing luxuries and distractions for the Imperium's many -many- tireless labourers. And one able to provide these things, is liable to get quite rich indeed. But all riches need protection, and not everyone has a hereditary family of bodyguards to their name.
Outside the upper spires, Nautilus's Lower-Middle and Deep Hive are rampant with the narcotics trade, skin-trading pimps, sanctioned and unsanctioned recreational establishments, gambling, pit fights, and more. And when one of these entrepreneurs desire protection, they head to the Alkata Cartel.
The Cartel is rife with Imperial Guard and PDF veterans, Pit Gangers, and vat-grown hired muscle, trading protection for hard currency. Their services range from skilled bouncers for middle-class drinking establishments, bodyguards for drug-dealers and pimps, and gangs for hire in The Pit.
The Alkata, however, tries to maintain a veer of legitimacy and looks down upon any activities that might draw the attention of Imperial Authority. They will immediately hand over Psykers and mutants who attempt to hire them (for the bounty mostly).
Provides:
Muscle. Combat experience. Possibly trainers. Drugs. Narcotics. Hooks into hard crime.
You have unlocked contact with the following organizations:
The Brotherhood of Kel.
The Brakkvarr Corsairs.
The Family.
The Alkata Cartel.
You have unlocked the following research options:
Telekine Rounds:
The choir infuses solid projectiles with telekinetic energy, increasing the speed and impact of each round many times over. While a taxing process, this will allow Autoguns to hit like heavy stubbers.
Required for Psi-Munitions research alongside a source of Autoguns and ammunition.
Biomantic Juvenant Treatments and beauty:
You're twenty-five but look almost fifty according to Martha. It might be time to look into Biomantic Juvenant or perhaps visit a clinic in Nautilus, to bring yourself back in line with your actual age. This would also be a good opportunity to look into the presentability of future Psykers. Many high-ranking Imperials are vain, and many of your Psykers will come from poorer backgrounds. Straightening backs, whitening teeth, restoring hair, and removing unhealthy palours, could improve the status of your Psykers, making them look like paragons of the Imperial Ideal.
Nautilus Scholam Psykana Internal Hierarchy:
Like any Imperial organization, the Astra Telepathica is rife with factionalism and groups intending to climb to the top at the detriment of others.
The Scholam Psykana currently has five Prefects, one from each of the five major schools of Psykana, all of whom have been granted a great deal of freedom and leeway by the Astra Telepathica in the pursuit of setting up an efficient training schedule.
Your fellow Prefects are:
-Prefect Biologica Astrid.
Universal Epsilon Psyker.
Astrid is a middle-aged woman with black hair, blue eyes, and an eerily symetrical face. She routinely uses her biomancy to change or optimize her appearance how she sees fit. She has few visible implants.
Currently training Biomantic Support Choirs:
Astrid's Wyrdvances are taught to both be nurses as well as biomancers. While lacking the control for fine surgery, when they put their powers together, Astrid's Wyrdvane is able to perform miraculous feats of healing and regeneration.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 6/10
Your influence with them: 2/10
-Combat Biomancy Development Unlocked.
-Prefect Telepathica Silvia
Astropath Transcendant, Delta-Grade Telepath.
Silvia's skin is weathered and etched with the lines of countless years. Her blindfold is made from a deep indigo fabric. The robes she wears are adorned with subtle psychic wards, their intricate patterns barely visible unless caught in the right lumen light. Her cane is carved from dark wood, its surface polished smooth by years of use and imbued with latent psychic energy that hums gently under her touch.
Currently training Bonded Telepathic Choir:
Silvia's Wyrdvanes are trained to function as living relays for communications, providing a safe and instantaneous form of communication across a battlefield between each member of a Wyrdvane.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 3/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
-By proving that Psychic Shock Troops have potential, Silvia will assist in training Dedicated Telepath Vox Operators.
-Prefect Pyromania Hans:
Gamma-Grade Pyromancer, Delta-Grade Telekine
Hans is a dark-skinned Psyker with a head covered with cybernetic plugs and cables that connect to an imposing psychic hood. His middle-aged appearance belies the combat prowess he possesses, with every movement echoing the precision and power of his pyromantic and telekinetic skills. Despite the constant sheen of sweat from overheating, there's an undeniable aura of intensity that surrounds him.
Currently training Pyro-Telekinetic Psychic Artillery.
Hans's Wyrdvanes are taught to be Psychic artillery. They are to rain down hellfire and telekinetic strikes from a distance, destroying everything in their path.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 1/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
Hans believes your Psychic Shock Troops plan is doomed to fail and does not wish to involve himself.
-Prefect Divinatoria Alfonse:
Delta-Grade Diviner, Combat Cartomancer,
A pale-skinned man in simple clothes, rarely wearing robes, with dark black hair shaped over the cybernetics in the back of his head. Routinely seen wearing a bracer connected to a silver pane marked with six small rectangles.
Currently training Reading the Emperor's tarot. Sanctic sorcery.
Alfonse's Wyrdvanes are taught to read the Emperor's Tarot as well as divine the course of events. They are a support force meant to provide Imperial Commanders with knowledge of future events, or the likeliness of enemy actions.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 3/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
-By proving that Psychic Shock Troops have potential, Alfonse will aid your Psychic Shock troops to train their Precognition abilities.
-Prefect Telekinetica Occam:
Beta-Grade Telekine
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Scholam Psykana Faculty and Staff
You have gathered up a following of servants and allies that help with running the Scholam Psykana.
-Martha Sternback, Ratling:
A diminutive ratling woman whose dream job became a nightmare after a friendly Master of Service had her prepare meals for Imperial Guard officers kept as guests aboard her ship, the Sword of Integrity, instead of just the Junior officers. After deserting from the ship, you found her and offered her a better life. Due to the genuine kindness that you have shown her, you have her undying loyalty and friendship.
While a curious sight among the largely terran-norm members of the Astra Telepathica, few who actually speak with Martha don't find it easy to not be charmed by her smile, manners, and jovial attitude. Of those unable to get over their disdain for 'abbies' or 'gene filth', none dare to be rude to her, lest they face your considerable wrath.
Martha as a Ratling chef is a master of understanding the ability of food to motivate, encourage, punish, or break down an individual. She also has learned to work in the underbelly of society to survive, and finds it easy to make black market connections with the ubiquitous ratling communities across the Imperium.
-Gives a +20 to any rolls involving nutrition as a factor in Psyker education.
-Allows you to develop black market contacts.
The students have not yet arrived at the Scholam Psykana, but the final stages of construction are nearing their end. You have been given time to prepare fully for the arrival.
You have a nearly unlimited discretionary budget, but accessing it will require the (so far, Unlimited), approval of the Lord Prefect.
Like any Imperial organization, the Astra Telepathica is rife with factionalism and groups intending to climb to the top at the detriment of others.
The Scholam Psykana currently has five Prefects, one from each of the five major schools of Psykana, all of whom have been granted a great deal of freedom and leeway by the Astra Telepathica in the pursuit of setting up an efficient training schedule.
Your fellow Prefects are:
-Prefect Biologica Astrid.
Universal Epsilon Psyker.
Astrid is a middle-aged woman with black hair, blue eyes, and an eerily symetrical face. She routinely uses her biomancy to change or optimize her appearance how she sees fit. She has few visible implants.
Currently training Biomantic Support Choirs:
Astrid's Wyrdvances are taught to both be nurses as well as biomancers. While lacking the control for fine surgery, when they put their powers together, Astrid's Wyrdvane is able to perform miraculous feats of healing and regeneration.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 6/10
Your influence with them: 2/10
-Combat Biomancy Development Unlocked.
-Prefect Telepathica Silvia
Astropath Transcendant, Delta-Grade Telepath.
Silvia's skin is weathered and etched with the lines of countless years. Her blindfold is made from a deep indigo fabric. The robes she wears are adorned with subtle psychic wards, their intricate patterns barely visible unless caught in the right lumen light. Her cane is carved from dark wood, its surface polished smooth by years of use and imbued with latent psychic energy that hums gently under her touch.
Currently training Bonded Telepathic Choir:
Silvia's Wyrdvanes are trained to function as living relays for communications, providing a safe and instantaneous form of communication across a battlefield between each member of a Wyrdvane.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 3/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
-By proving that Psychic Shock Troops have potential, Silvia will assist in training Dedicated Telepath Vox Operators.
-Prefect Pyromania Hans:
Gamma-Grade Pyromancer, Delta-Grade Telekine
Hans is a dark-skinned Psyker with a head covered with cybernetic plugs and cables that connect to an imposing psychic hood. His middle-aged appearance belies the combat prowess he possesses, with every movement echoing the precision and power of his pyromantic and telekinetic skills. Despite the constant sheen of sweat from overheating, there's an undeniable aura of intensity that surrounds him.
Currently training Pyro-Telekinetic Psychic Artillery.
Hans's Wyrdvanes are taught to be Psychic artillery. They are to rain down hellfire and telekinetic strikes from a distance, destroying everything in their path.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 1/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
Hans believes your Psychic Shock Troops plan is doomed to fail and does not wish to involve himself.
-Prefect Divinatoria Alfonse:
Delta-Grade Diviner, Combat Cartomancer,
A pale-skinned man in simple clothes, rarely wearing robes, with dark black hair shaped over the cybernetics in the back of his head. Routinely seen wearing a bracer connected to a silver pane marked with six small rectangles.
Currently training Reading the Emperor's tarot. Sanctic sorcery.
Alfonse's Wyrdvanes are taught to read the Emperor's Tarot as well as divine the course of events. They are a support force meant to provide Imperial Commanders with knowledge of future events, or the likeliness of enemy actions.
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Your relationship with them: 3/10
Your influence with them: 1/10
-By proving that Psychic Shock Troops have potential, Alfonse will aid your Psychic Shock troops to train their Precognition abilities.
-Prefect Telekinetica Occam:
Beta-Grade Telekine
Lord Prefect favour: 20/100
Scholam Psykana Faculty and Staff
You have gathered up a following of servants and allies that help with running the Scholam Psykana.
-Martha Sternback, Ratling:
A diminutive ratling woman whose dream job became a nightmare after a friendly Master of Service had her prepare meals for Imperial Guard officers kept as guests aboard her ship, the Sword of Integrity, instead of just the Junior officers. After deserting from the ship, you found her and offered her a better life. Due to the genuine kindness that you have shown her, you have her undying loyalty and friendship.
While a curious sight among the largely terran-norm members of the Astra Telepathica, few who actually speak with Martha don't find it easy to not be charmed by her smile, manners, and jovial attitude. Of those unable to get over their disdain for 'abbies' or 'gene filth', none dare to be rude to her, lest they face your considerable wrath.
Martha as a Ratling chef is a master of understanding the ability of food to motivate, encourage, punish, or break down an individual. She also has learned to work in the underbelly of society to survive, and finds it easy to make black market connections with the ubiquitous ratling communities across the Imperium.
-Gives a +20 to any rolls involving nutrition as a factor in Psyker education.
-Allows you to develop black market contacts.
The students have not yet arrived at the Scholam Psykana, but the final stages of construction are nearing their end. You have been given time to prepare fully for the arrival.
You have a nearly unlimited discretionary budget, but accessing it will require the (so far, Unlimited), approval of the Lord Prefect.
Your goal is to train Psychic Shock Troops.
Current Armour: Flak
Current Weapon: Lasguns, laspistols, simple psi-staves.
Combat Training: Whiteshield
Sanctified Stakes: Not acquired yet.
Micro-Explosives: Not acquired yet
Biomancy Training:
All dedicated Biomancers in your Wyrdvane will learn the following abilities.
-Biomantic Meatball Surgery: A skilled Biomancer can, by placing their hand upon a fallen comrade, knit bones together, grow back lost organs, restore ruined flesh, and ensure a fighter can keep going. Your Wyrdvanes will be trained extensively on how to get a soldier back into the fight quickly. These changes can be undone by a medical biomancer after the fighting is over.
Telepathy Training: Simple
Pyromancy Training: Simple
Divination Training: Simple
Telekine Training: Excellent.
Your writing upon Telekinesis are already being spoken of highly by the tutors of the Astra Telepathica. They will ensure your Wyrdvanes receive excellent training.
-Crush: A Telekine focuses their power upon a single point in space, manifesting a brief moment of intense gravity akin to a Grav-Gun.
-Telekine Dome: The Telekine, if equipped with a force staff or a potent enough focii, conjures a dome of Psychic energy for the squad to take cover in. The dome will absorb small arms fire and indirect shrapnel from artillery.
Wyrdvane Skills:
A Wyrdvane is telepathically linked, sharing power, skill, and training. This allows them to tap into each other's shared powers. Several abilities will be shared by each member of the Wyrdvane Choir.
-Telekine Personal Shields: The Wyrdvane Choir pools their collective Telekine potential and spreads it evenly among their members, wrapping each soldier in a protective regenerating energy shield that deflects kinetic and energy small arms fire. The power of the shields can be adjusted by the Choir, or overcharged by an able Telekine among the Choir.
-Biomantic Self-Optimization: Using subtle Biomancy, the senses of the soldier are optimized and improved beyond baseline humanity. Soldiers can smell hormones in the air, see in near complete darkness, and hear the most minute of noises, and achieve levels of strength comparable to the Tempestus Scions and Sororitas. This is a passive improvement that can be adjusted as needed by the Psyker. Part of this includes a low-level healing factor that actively clears the muscles of lactic acid, and allows cuts and lesser bullet wounds to heal by themselves.
Current Armour: Flak
Current Weapon: Lasguns, laspistols, simple psi-staves.
Combat Training: Whiteshield
Sanctified Stakes: Not acquired yet.
Micro-Explosives: Not acquired yet
Biomancy Training:
All dedicated Biomancers in your Wyrdvane will learn the following abilities.
-Biomantic Meatball Surgery: A skilled Biomancer can, by placing their hand upon a fallen comrade, knit bones together, grow back lost organs, restore ruined flesh, and ensure a fighter can keep going. Your Wyrdvanes will be trained extensively on how to get a soldier back into the fight quickly. These changes can be undone by a medical biomancer after the fighting is over.
Telepathy Training: Simple
Pyromancy Training: Simple
Divination Training: Simple
Telekine Training: Excellent.
Your writing upon Telekinesis are already being spoken of highly by the tutors of the Astra Telepathica. They will ensure your Wyrdvanes receive excellent training.
-Crush: A Telekine focuses their power upon a single point in space, manifesting a brief moment of intense gravity akin to a Grav-Gun.
-Telekine Dome: The Telekine, if equipped with a force staff or a potent enough focii, conjures a dome of Psychic energy for the squad to take cover in. The dome will absorb small arms fire and indirect shrapnel from artillery.
Wyrdvane Skills:
A Wyrdvane is telepathically linked, sharing power, skill, and training. This allows them to tap into each other's shared powers. Several abilities will be shared by each member of the Wyrdvane Choir.
-Telekine Personal Shields: The Wyrdvane Choir pools their collective Telekine potential and spreads it evenly among their members, wrapping each soldier in a protective regenerating energy shield that deflects kinetic and energy small arms fire. The power of the shields can be adjusted by the Choir, or overcharged by an able Telekine among the Choir.
-Biomantic Self-Optimization: Using subtle Biomancy, the senses of the soldier are optimized and improved beyond baseline humanity. Soldiers can smell hormones in the air, see in near complete darkness, and hear the most minute of noises, and achieve levels of strength comparable to the Tempestus Scions and Sororitas. This is a passive improvement that can be adjusted as needed by the Psyker. Part of this includes a low-level healing factor that actively clears the muscles of lactic acid, and allows cuts and lesser bullet wounds to heal by themselves.
4 Hour Moratorium for the choice. Consider it a free action.
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