Funnily serapteks aren't even proper capital T titans they are just knight equivalents that punch way up their way class. A proper titan would be the crypt stalker mentioned in a book/codexes.
Echoes of Eternity: A Warhammer 40k Necron Lord Quest
- Thread starter boredblues
- Start date
-
- Tags
- warhammer warhammer 40k necron war
- Location
- barking
necrons sure love their machines looking like insects don't they
We saw a crypt stalker one time in a 2006 global campaign. If it's still canon, it was a tomb spyder of indeterminate size that killed a large number of chaos enhanced titans while still waking back up. Sadly it got destroyed before fully awakening, so who knows what it could actually do.
It was also sealed away by the Old Ones personally, so I think it was more of a one off thing.
Honestly, while we might not like chaos (because necron) we may have to worry about possible reprisal if we get discovered. Because we are neighbors with a Nurgle empire. If they catch wind of us, they will turn their blades towards us, unless they are busy with the imperium to focus on us.
Huh. How rare would Chaos-opposing pirates traversing the sector be?
Kind of expect some sort of Rouge traders dynasties specializing in schmuggling shit all over the place.
Need some promps for Omake I'm writing.
btw do we have a omake policy here?
Also btw, Which segmentum are we in? Obscurus or Ultima?
huh. Brana has a theme song...
Actually sick song
Kind of expect some sort of Rouge traders dynasties specializing in schmuggling shit all over the place.
Need some promps for Omake I'm writing.
btw do we have a omake policy here?
Also btw, Which segmentum are we in? Obscurus or Ultima?
huh. Brana has a theme song...
Actually sick song
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"We is honest smugglers, not heretics!"
Ultima.
Time to join Chaos. For the sick beats.
Mictlan
MICTLAN
Ruler: High Mistress Xorathis
POSSESSIONS
Atlas Sector, Eastern Galaxy Fringe, Ultima Segmentum
- Ixhal'tlan (Mournhold)
- Zhol'Thekai (The Burning Forge)
TREASURY
- Canoptek Awakener
- 136 Soul Stones (Gleaming), 44 Soul Stones (Broken), 102 Broken Wraithguard chassis, 7 Wraithlord broken chassis, 1 Wraithknight Ruined Chassis.
Ruler: High Mistress Xorathis
POSSESSIONS
Atlas Sector, Eastern Galaxy Fringe, Ultima Segmentum
- Ixhal'tlan (Mournhold)
Tombworld, fully awakened
Production: Good
Fortification: Discrete
Habitability: Abysmal
Production: Good
Fortification: Discrete
Habitability: Abysmal
- Zhol'Thekai (The Burning Forge)
Tombworld, Awakening in Progress -> 5 Turns (+2 from Minor Flayed Ones Infestation)
TREASURY
- Canoptek Awakener
Appearing as a segmented caterpillar, this advanced Canoptek comes in swarm of nano-forms specialized in jump-starting the activation of dormant Tombworld. By releasing them into one such sleeping complex, the time needed for its full activation will be halved.
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Allies and Enemies
IMPERIUM
The so-called Reign of Blood of Goge Vandire is at its peak, which means that it's entering its decline phase. The dictator's violent mood swings have condemned millions and now Sebastian Thor has risen on his homeworld in defiance of the tyrant. Multiple forces from all of the Imperium are joining him, but many more refused to, fearing Vandire's reprisal. A reprisal that seems about to fall like the Hammer of the Emperor Himself, if voices are right. A massive fleet of Frateris Militia is being assembled, ready to devastate Thor and all who follow him. As things shift and move, the Imperium holds its breath.
The Sector
Sector Lord Ikarus keeps his peace for now. Voices says he supports Thor and his Congregation of Light, but doesn't wish to make an enemy of the High Lord, so for now he waits and watches. Not like he can stay idle. The Nurglite kingdom on the south-east of the Protectorate is on the offensive, and the Sector Lord has his hands full trying to stem the tide of corruption. His ambassadors on Edessa have been pressing more than ever for the Forge-World to increase its contributions to the Sector defense.
Wider Galaxy
Biel-Tan
Martial Asuryani Craftworld
Attitude: Hostile
UM-RA
Planet-Engine of unfathomable power on a relentless hunt
Attitude: Indifferent
ATLAS SECTOR
Jebaiah Sub-Sector (Dead Archipelago)
Constellation of Tombworlds and abandoned Dead Worlds (You are Here)
Ikarus Protectorate
Imperium Loyalist
Attitude: Oblivious
Lost Expanse
Imperium Secessionists
Attitude: Oblivious
Kingdom of Brana-Kurath
Nurgle-affiliate Chaos Kingdom
Attitude: Oblivious
Exodite Worlds
Exodite Eldar
Attitude: Unknown
Kabal of the Poisoned Heart
Drukhari Aeldari
Attitude: Unknown
Lamenters' Poltava System
Space Marine Chapter's Recruitment Worlds, Independent
Attitude: Oblivious
Scrap-Kingdom of Maximis Prime
Orkish Kingdom
Attitude: Oblivious
The Vrynn Concordate
- Insectile Xeno-Kingdom
The so-called Reign of Blood of Goge Vandire is at its peak, which means that it's entering its decline phase. The dictator's violent mood swings have condemned millions and now Sebastian Thor has risen on his homeworld in defiance of the tyrant. Multiple forces from all of the Imperium are joining him, but many more refused to, fearing Vandire's reprisal. A reprisal that seems about to fall like the Hammer of the Emperor Himself, if voices are right. A massive fleet of Frateris Militia is being assembled, ready to devastate Thor and all who follow him. As things shift and move, the Imperium holds its breath.
The Sector
Sector Lord Ikarus keeps his peace for now. Voices says he supports Thor and his Congregation of Light, but doesn't wish to make an enemy of the High Lord, so for now he waits and watches. Not like he can stay idle. The Nurglite kingdom on the south-east of the Protectorate is on the offensive, and the Sector Lord has his hands full trying to stem the tide of corruption. His ambassadors on Edessa have been pressing more than ever for the Forge-World to increase its contributions to the Sector defense.
Wider Galaxy
Biel-Tan
Martial Asuryani Craftworld
Attitude: Hostile
- Focused on restoring the ancient Eldar Empire
- Aggressive and martial-oriented
- Ferocious guardian of Exodite and Maiden Worlds
- Aggressive and martial-oriented
- Ferocious guardian of Exodite and Maiden Worlds
UM-RA
Planet-Engine of unfathomable power on a relentless hunt
Attitude: Indifferent
ATLAS SECTOR
Jebaiah Sub-Sector (Dead Archipelago)
Constellation of Tombworlds and abandoned Dead Worlds (You are Here)
Awakening Tombworld
Attitude: Hostile
Anahakara Dynasty
Blood Hounds
Attitude: Hostile
Warbands, Undivided Chaos-Affiliated
- Stronghold: Mandira's Gap (Stable Warp-Breach)
Scavenger Tribes
Loose collection of outcasts, mutants, smugglers and criminals
Attitude: Oblivious
Attitude: Hostile
Anahakara Dynasty
- Charged with keeping guard over the Silent King's prisoner
- Loyal to the Triarchs
- Loyal to the Triarchs
Blood Hounds
Attitude: Hostile
Warbands, Undivided Chaos-Affiliated
- Stronghold: Mandira's Gap (Stable Warp-Breach)
- Searching for Mictlan
- Divided into warbands scattered across the Sub-Sectors and surrounding systems
- Chaos Space Marines presence
The Forgemaster
Agglomeration of noble minds and creation incarnate
Attitude: Indifferent
- Divided into warbands scattered across the Sub-Sectors and surrounding systems
- Chaos Space Marines presence
The Forgemaster
Agglomeration of noble minds and creation incarnate
Attitude: Indifferent
Scavenger Tribes
Loose collection of outcasts, mutants, smugglers and criminals
Attitude: Oblivious
- Mournhold System:
Traits: Dead Planets, Tombworlds, Heavy Necron Presence, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (on planets), Warp-Lanes Becalmed, Warp-Funnel
Factions present:
-- Scavenger Tribes (Currently skirmishing with Warband of the Red Eye, or hunkering down and waiting) "Dem dumb Chaos gits is stompin' 'round makin' a mess! We best keep low till dey bugger off!"
- Anahakara Tombworld (Dormant)
- Anahakara Tombworld (Dormant)
- Zhol-Thekai (Awakening)
- Anahakara Tombworld (Dormant)
- Anahakara Station (Awakening)
- Anahakara Station (Dormant)
- Ohtli System
Traits: Dead Planets, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Space)
Factions: Scavenger Tribes, Chaos Warbands
- Citlālin System
Traits: Dead Planets, Necron Presence, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Space), Red Giant, Gravitational Anomalies.
Factions: Scavenger Tribes, Tombworlds
- Yōllōtl System
Traits: Dead Planets, Necron Presence, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Planets), Shattered Dyson Sphere, Unstable Star.
Factions: Rogue World-Engine
- Tētl System
Traits: Dead Planets, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Space and On Planets), Necron Space-Structures.
Factions: Tombworlds
- Cozcatētl System
Traits: Dead Planets, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Space and On Planets), Awakening Tombworld (1).
Factions: Tombworlds, Chaos Warbands
Traits: Dead Planets, Tombworlds, Heavy Necron Presence, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (on planets), Warp-Lanes Becalmed, Warp-Funnel
Factions present:
-- Scavenger Tribes (Currently skirmishing with Warband of the Red Eye, or hunkering down and waiting) "Dem dumb Chaos gits is stompin' 'round makin' a mess! We best keep low till dey bugger off!"
- Anahakara Tombworld (Dormant)
- Anahakara Tombworld (Dormant)
- Zhol-Thekai (Awakening)
- Anahakara Tombworld (Dormant)
- Anahakara Station (Awakening)
- Anahakara Station (Dormant)
- Ohtli System
Traits: Dead Planets, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Space)
Factions: Scavenger Tribes, Chaos Warbands
- Citlālin System
Traits: Dead Planets, Necron Presence, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Space), Red Giant, Gravitational Anomalies.
Factions: Scavenger Tribes, Tombworlds
- Yōllōtl System
Traits: Dead Planets, Necron Presence, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Planets), Shattered Dyson Sphere, Unstable Star.
Factions: Rogue World-Engine
- Tētl System
Traits: Dead Planets, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Space and On Planets), Necron Space-Structures.
Factions: Tombworlds
- Cozcatētl System
Traits: Dead Planets, Ancient, Paranatural Phenomena (On Space and On Planets), Awakening Tombworld (1).
Factions: Tombworlds, Chaos Warbands
Ikarus Protectorate
Imperium Loyalist
Attitude: Oblivious
Ruler: Lord-Governor Alberic Ikarus (Deeply competent, strong-willed, efficient)
- On the defensive against the Kingdom of Brana-Kurath, Lost Expanse, Kabal of the Poisoned Heart, Scrap-Kingdom of Maximis Prime
- Strong and united
- Focused on fortifying and rallying internal support
- On the defensive against the Kingdom of Brana-Kurath, Lost Expanse, Kabal of the Poisoned Heart, Scrap-Kingdom of Maximis Prime
- Strong and united
- Focused on fortifying and rallying internal support
Forge-World Edessa:
World traits: Chaotic, Independant, Political Strife, Reject Not-Mechanicus, Hub of Production
Main Factions:
- Edessian Mecha-Lords (Traditionalist, Mechanicus Ideals, Isolationist, Hierarchical, Oligarchic, Explorator, Rituals): The Traditionalist Faction forms most of the ruling bloc of the Forge-World. They cleave to classical Mechanicus ideals, with a strong emphasis on rituals and hierarchy and an attitude toward absolute oligarchic rule. They reject the idea of opening Edessa, a strongly autonomous world, to the rest of the Sector and would prefer to focus on exploration runs to recover archeotech. They are a greedy and jealous lot that prefer to focus on inner affairs at the expense of the outside world and are annoyed by the growing efforts from the Sector Lord to intervene in the Forge-World affairs and raise their war contributions. With their entrenched powerbases, the Mecha-Lords are a fractious but powerful faction.
-- Toward Beta: Beta was received with all honors for "salvaging the Explorator missions and bringing them untold wonders from the Omnissiah's bounty" to the homeworld, but was quickly set aside as a dangerous upstart. Officially, her transition to Magos was sanctioned and her title was confirmed once her qualifications were brought to speed. The Mecha-Lords also offered her a place as an Explorator to bring more glory to the Forge-World, a dubious honor she refused. Once her ambitions became clear, they quickly turned on her. After an attempt to lobotomization, she found refuge alongside her followers among the Modernists.
[Magos Zakiah and Magos Haronnus are part of this Faction]
- The Modernists (Modernist, Mechanicus Ideals, Interventist, Hierarchical, Aristocratic, Warmongering, New Canon)
The Modernists are a growing movement of Magi and Fabricators left outside of the power loop from the Mecha-Lords' growing authoritarian. Not cleaving to anything different from the classic Mechanicus Ideals, they make for a steadily vocal majority that calls for more equanimity in the halls of power. Apart from that, they also wish for Edessa to abandon its traditional isolationism and increase the world's contribution to Ikarus' efforts to retake the rest of the Sector. Younger on average than the Mecha-Lords, the Modernists are young, ambitious and aggressive. They have a penchant for meritocracy but it revolves around violence, intrigue and arguable blessings from the Omnissiah. With their numbers and the support of the Sector Lord, they are a close second in influence and firepower to the Mecha-Lords.
-- Toward Beta: From her return, Beta was marked for greatness in the eyes of the Modernists, who did their best to court her favor. Still, it took an attempt on her life from the Mecha-Lords for her to ditch her position in the formal hierarchy and escape to the faction's holdings. Now, she's a rising star of the Faction, with an increasing following of minds and weapons. Her ambition and ruthlessness makes her a good pick for these firebrands and they keep her as their darling, having given her a whole Forge-Fane for herself.
--- Beta's Faction: Now a majority among the Modernists, this group revolves around Beta, attracted by her charismatic personality and promises of change. Centered around her Forge-Fane, it's a growing collection of ambitious Magi and Skitarii already able to influence its parent's faction policies heavily.
- The Machinists (Neutral, Undecided, Not-Political, Mechanicus Ideals, Heretek?, Work-Focused)
A faction composed of the multitude of minor Magi and Tech-Priests that care little for politics and want only to be left alone to do their work. Generally not-political, it's more of a work union than anything else, but its members are still divided about the choice between isolationism and intervention. They are still an important bloc of manpower and the two main factions court its members all the time to join them. Voices circulate that a cabal of Heretek allowed their passions for technomancy to cross into "innovation", but it's not sure.
World traits: Chaotic, Independant, Political Strife, Reject Not-Mechanicus, Hub of Production
Main Factions:
- Edessian Mecha-Lords (Traditionalist, Mechanicus Ideals, Isolationist, Hierarchical, Oligarchic, Explorator, Rituals): The Traditionalist Faction forms most of the ruling bloc of the Forge-World. They cleave to classical Mechanicus ideals, with a strong emphasis on rituals and hierarchy and an attitude toward absolute oligarchic rule. They reject the idea of opening Edessa, a strongly autonomous world, to the rest of the Sector and would prefer to focus on exploration runs to recover archeotech. They are a greedy and jealous lot that prefer to focus on inner affairs at the expense of the outside world and are annoyed by the growing efforts from the Sector Lord to intervene in the Forge-World affairs and raise their war contributions. With their entrenched powerbases, the Mecha-Lords are a fractious but powerful faction.
-- Toward Beta: Beta was received with all honors for "salvaging the Explorator missions and bringing them untold wonders from the Omnissiah's bounty" to the homeworld, but was quickly set aside as a dangerous upstart. Officially, her transition to Magos was sanctioned and her title was confirmed once her qualifications were brought to speed. The Mecha-Lords also offered her a place as an Explorator to bring more glory to the Forge-World, a dubious honor she refused. Once her ambitions became clear, they quickly turned on her. After an attempt to lobotomization, she found refuge alongside her followers among the Modernists.
[Magos Zakiah and Magos Haronnus are part of this Faction]
- The Modernists (Modernist, Mechanicus Ideals, Interventist, Hierarchical, Aristocratic, Warmongering, New Canon)
The Modernists are a growing movement of Magi and Fabricators left outside of the power loop from the Mecha-Lords' growing authoritarian. Not cleaving to anything different from the classic Mechanicus Ideals, they make for a steadily vocal majority that calls for more equanimity in the halls of power. Apart from that, they also wish for Edessa to abandon its traditional isolationism and increase the world's contribution to Ikarus' efforts to retake the rest of the Sector. Younger on average than the Mecha-Lords, the Modernists are young, ambitious and aggressive. They have a penchant for meritocracy but it revolves around violence, intrigue and arguable blessings from the Omnissiah. With their numbers and the support of the Sector Lord, they are a close second in influence and firepower to the Mecha-Lords.
-- Toward Beta: From her return, Beta was marked for greatness in the eyes of the Modernists, who did their best to court her favor. Still, it took an attempt on her life from the Mecha-Lords for her to ditch her position in the formal hierarchy and escape to the faction's holdings. Now, she's a rising star of the Faction, with an increasing following of minds and weapons. Her ambition and ruthlessness makes her a good pick for these firebrands and they keep her as their darling, having given her a whole Forge-Fane for herself.
--- Beta's Faction: Now a majority among the Modernists, this group revolves around Beta, attracted by her charismatic personality and promises of change. Centered around her Forge-Fane, it's a growing collection of ambitious Magi and Skitarii already able to influence its parent's faction policies heavily.
- The Machinists (Neutral, Undecided, Not-Political, Mechanicus Ideals, Heretek?, Work-Focused)
A faction composed of the multitude of minor Magi and Tech-Priests that care little for politics and want only to be left alone to do their work. Generally not-political, it's more of a work union than anything else, but its members are still divided about the choice between isolationism and intervention. They are still an important bloc of manpower and the two main factions court its members all the time to join them. Voices circulate that a cabal of Heretek allowed their passions for technomancy to cross into "innovation", but it's not sure.
Lost Expanse
Imperium Secessionists
Attitude: Oblivious
- Collection of warring potentates and states
Kingdom of Brana-Kurath
Nurgle-affiliate Chaos Kingdom
Attitude: Oblivious
- Collection of warring potentates and states
- Attacking the Protectorate
- Attacking the Protectorate
Exodite Worlds
Exodite Eldar
Attitude: Unknown
Kabal of the Poisoned Heart
Drukhari Aeldari
Attitude: Unknown
- Slavers and plunderers profiting off chaos
Lamenters' Poltava System
Space Marine Chapter's Recruitment Worlds, Independent
Attitude: Oblivious
- Faithful to the Imperium. The general chaos in the wider Imperium forced them to make themselves effectively independent
Scrap-Kingdom of Maximis Prime
Orkish Kingdom
Attitude: Oblivious
- Embroiled in a civil war and attacking the Protectorate
The Vrynn Concordate
- Insectile Xeno-Kingdom
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huh. Thought those were orks. Good to have that cleared up. Actually makes things easier and more predictable.
Then we have this. That is a problem. Sadly it will be a moment before we can addres it.
Hold up. Did our pest control action did not reveil those were waking up dou to chaos incursion?
Unless they went back to slumber afterwards. Which I fear to doubt. As nice as it would be, it is a consequence of us not dealing with them earlier. In the its QM choise. Would certanly be nice to have the room to adress Cozcatetl system sooner.
Victim of formating I presume.
Glad to have this info, makes following the fun easier.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
A very interesting time we are in.
Turn 5 - M36-150, 5 AS (After Sleep)
Mournhold lived.
It wasn't the life of an Uhn'Saekh world, made of mornings and evening, poverty and wealth, commerce and work, prayer and faithlessness; nor it was the life of an Asuryani Craftworld, revolving on the rythms of discipline and meditations, faint hope and stubborn pride; or even a Dark Eldar's settlements, where every breath was laced with thirst and pain undercurred in every step.
No, Mournhold life wasn't anything like that shared among the places where organics dwelled. It was a life made of glowing eyes and legions marching in the gloom, of data, information and unceasing movement. An existence that knew no pause, no breath, no doubt, where energy readings dictated decisions and outputs were all. A colossal machine where time was a trascurable variable, thought a joke and death something long forgotten.
A world of immortal machines. The eternal undeath of the Necrons.
Xorathis thought that it was efficient, if nothing else.
"Gauss matrices are working at 100%, High Mistress," Ptolomes's hologram quipped, his tendrils waving cheerfully. The Cryptek had recovered from his close encounter with Um-Ra, and his eagerness, affected or not, was back in full. "Production facilities are working at full efficiency. Mournhold never was more than a fortress, so we don't have anything special on top of a Tomb-World's regular fixtures, but those are working at peak performance." The Cryptek's many optics glowed with excitement.
Lounging on her throne, Xorathis hummed. The Tomb-World's processes were lively rivers in her processors. At the moment, she was managing troop processing in one of the main crypts, controlling energy fluctuations in the reactor line and scanning the sorrounding space-lanes through the planet's long-range sensors. With her remaining computational power, she was writing a couple of speeches, one Beta could have need of and the latter for the Acolyte and his little congragation.
The noise, the movement. They made her feel young again.
"The Steadfast Legion is awoke and ready," Rahotamen said, his voice a sepulchral rasp. The growing need for a memory wipe appeared as a hint of tension in his shoulders, but the Nemesor held his martial position with stoicism. "The Command Nodes are executing as per regular and are ready to dispense indications." He inclined his head with respect.
Rahotamen's words were punctuated by the tromping of metalling feet. At the foot of the ziggurat, thousands of Necrons were arrayed in battle formations. Formations of Immortal, their gleaming armor scraped clean of Ahamakara's glyphs, sorrounded Monoliths crackling with eldritch energies. The air was alive with Scarab swarms, their eyes forming constellations of viridian lights.
A lesser monarch would have felt a bit smug at the sight. Xorathis allowed herself a smile.
"What about the lesser aristocracy?" With the awakening of the Tombworld, most of the noble crypts had unlocked, releasing their inhabitants. Nemesors, Cryptek, lesser lords of the previous Dynasty who were meant to awaken right before the high nobility, both to provide their lieges with welcome and to relieve them of mundane tasks like having to put up with a half-woken complex.
Xorathis chuckled under her breath. They were surprised for sure at the new "management."
It was Korissah to reply. The Deathmark was a beautiful statue of death, her rifle looking ready to come alive in her light grip.
"Some resisted the change. They were dealt with accordingly," she said, cold and efficient. If there was any remorse to her actions, she didn't show a hint of it.
Beside the statuesque assassin, Khepra looked wretched, a lump of Necrodermis with noodle limbs and a slumped head. "Meat for the grinder…" he murmured without looking up, his voice a breathless rasp. The blades replacing his hands flickered forward like the limbs of a praying mantis.
Korissah didn't turn at him. "The rest submitted to Your Highness' authority and offered oaths of loyalty. They have been corraled in one of the crypts, where they wait for Your Highness' pleasure."
What will you do with the Ahanakara's aristocracy?
[] Accept them (200 Lesser Lords and 150 Lesser Crypteks join your retinue) [Loyalty Mixed]
[] Eliminate them
[] Scrub them (350 Mindless Vargards join your retinue)
"With that out of the way…" Xorathis turned to Rahotamen.
The Nemesor hit his breastplate with a fist, a solemn clang coming from the audio. At his gesture, a map of the sorrounding system bloomed before the throne. The star marked only as X0 was a green spark, providing light and energy at the six marbles orbiting it as it had done for millions of years.
"This system is recorded as Duat-Nesut, the King's Gate. It is here that the Ahanakara dynasty fulfilled their warrior duty, standing guard against the Pretenders and their slave-soldiers. The archives tell of mighty fortifications and a Containment Sphere around the stars, but they have been decommissioned for the Great Sleep. Mostly. Two Horus-class battlestations remain, sank into the outer planets' gas masses." At his words, the two planets most distant from the star were lined in emerals. "One has been disturbed by the corrupted Uhn'Saekh of Chaos and is in the process of awakening." A red speck appeared inside the planet, like a shard into flesh. "Prince Useret, secondborn of Phaeron Khepren, rules over it as Guardian of the Heavens, on par with the Guardian of the Stars. Scans show that he has not awoken yet. I advise to keep him from taking over its manse again. The battlestation carries powerful weapons, and it would be a bothersome spine in our defenses to eliminate, not to mention the waste its loss would mean for Mictlan."
Xorathis rubbed her fingers, thoughtful. "What do we know of Useret?" She asked to Korissah.
"A bastard," she said without hesitation. "His mother was Father's third wife, and he was meant to be used as a bargaining chip with another dynasty. According to customs, the Phaeroh adopted him as a second-rank son after his mother's passing, an event that both allowed him into greater fortunes and branded him with the mark of unwanted outsider. He led well during the War, climbing the ranks until he was made one of the two Guardians after the previous holder of the title was slain in combat against one of the Pretenders. But the station he was made to rule was formally declassed to third-line during his appointing ceremony, so that he couldn't reap the benefits in reputation that a front-line fortification would have brought him. Father loved his mother, but for some reason he never came to appreciate him, and the reasons I supect are more than just his origins."
Xorathis listened, thoughtful. "What about him personally? What is he like?"
Korissah paused, digging in her memory banks for the information. "Ambitious," she droned after a moment. "Insolent. Disrespectful. Angry." She fell silent, her elegant features knitting in a strange, puzzled expression.
Xorathis chuckled. "I like him already." She gestured for Rahotamen to continue.
"The five inner planets are Tombworlds," the Nemesor resumed like he had never stopped. "All of them. This was an important Anahakara's province, so they made sure to colonize the whole system. Together, the worlds form a Quiescent Glyph. It becalms the Warp around the system, stopping any bar the mightiest manifestations from riding its eddies. The only approachable entry-point is here." At his gesture, a tunnel appeared at the end of the system. "It was meant as a chokehold from which to fight off the Pretenders' assaults. A planet had been heavily fortified to act as a frontline in front of him, but it's nowhere to be seen. We theorize that some natural catastrophe must have annihilated it during the Sleep." A phantom sphere encircled the space where the eighth planet should have been. In its place, debris formed a ring around the system. "The Tombworlds are stable and dormant. We didn't see trace of heavy damage, but we won't be certain until more in-depth analysis is carried on. Right now, we have full control over Mournhold." The second planet from the star lit up. "And Zhol-Thekai, which is in the process of awakening." The fourth planet followed. "Unfortunately, the orbital shipyards of the Forge didn't survive the Great Sleep. But it's not an unrecoverable loss. The ground installations are still functioning and will be put back in order once the awakening is complete." Rahotamen paused. "Your Highness' guest has no deigned to emerge from the Forge." He didn't add more. His processes sang to Xorathis of how annoyed he was at this unknowable variable.
Xorathis chuckled. She would have to make some time to soothe him, later. "Do we have concerns?"
Rahotamen's optics glowed, cascades of data running across them. "Very little," he said. "With the corrupted Unh'Saekh destroyed, what belongs to the Warp in the system are the paranatural phenomena left from the Pretenders' magicks. These have little to do with Chaos, and the dynasty have long contained them, but they warrant attention as they are still psychic in nature."
A sound snapped from Ptolomes, a mix between an angry hiss and sharp clicking. "Innatural, as everything they touched. I counsel to build a wall around it and leave it to rot." For once, the Cryptek was anything but eager curiosity. His tone dripped with venom.
"Pointless," Korissah said, drawing the Cryptek's gaze. "The dynasty tried its best for millennia. No physical barrier will keep the phenomena in check. But they neither ever offered anything in the way of offense." She tilted her head, looking mildly puzzled at Ptolomes' glower. Behind her, Khupra hissed softly.
Rahotamen stared at both him and Ptolomes until they drew back, the Cryptek muttering against damned cursemongers.
"Apart from the corrupted," he resumed, "there's little apart from Necrons. The system has long been left alone by the Uhn'Saekh as it's considered dangerous and not worth the cost of dealing with the Pretenders' leftover phenomena. Only fringe tribes of outcasts made their living among the outer debris ring. They shouldn't be much of a nuisance…" He trailed off, optics running with calculations he had already followed and double-checked. As an efficient commander, he loathed the idea of leaving variables to chance.
"We shall cleanse them for the glory of Mictlan," Korissah said, a hint of vigor entering her dead speech.
"Or we could study them," Ptolomes suggested, giddiness returning. He clicked his long fingers together. "These mutations usually come from the effect of Gauss radiations on the Uhn'Saekh. I am dying to see what kind of changes they have on their anatomy."
Rahotamen stared at both for a moment. He nodded with something that could have been approval at Korissah.
"Whatever Your Highness decide, we know that their seafaring capabilities are pitiful. Mostly small crafts unable to go beyond the ring itself. As for the people in their biospheres, scans show numbers in the tens of thousands range. Judging from the level of technology, we don't anticipate a high level of Uhn'Saekh firepower to be found." At the word "technology", Ptolomes snorted a laugh.
At a gesture from Rahotamen, the vision changed, focusing on the funnel. "Strategically speaking, it all hinges on this passage. If we can take it and hold it, the system is easily defensible. All lesser races rely on the Warp to navigate, while we do not. It would make the system into a sanctuary for Mictlan from which to expand our reach." He looked at her, and Xorathi had to admit that his commanding side was quite… fetching. "I advise to focus on taking control of the whole system. Once Mictlan's foundations are stable, we'll be able to forge ahead in your name without fear of our powerbase being disrupted."
Xorathis lounged back on her throne, admiring him, tall and reliable as he was. She did so, smiling, until he started fidgeting imperceptly. But not to her.
"To keep me safe?" She teased.
Rahotamen's optics blinked, focusing sharply on her. He drank her image, still like a Monolith.
A wave of confusion passed through the data streams of her servants. Pleased to no end, Xorathis mentally rolled her eyes.
"You'll understand, as soon as I get around to fix you all."
The moment passed, and they all returned to business.
"I approve of Lord Rahotamen's council," Korissah said. "But I'd advise against focusing on defensive infrastructure at the expense of anything else. The surrounding systems and the general nexus are and remain a moving factor. It'd be wise to keep an eye on them."
"To catch good occasions too!" Ptolomes chirped.
Rahotamen grunted, not-commital.
Xorathis caressed her chin, smiling. Of course, she had not forgotten all the guests her world could entertain on a short notice; the Aeldari from Biel-Tan, maybe hard at work to reopen the Webway Portal, floating her way from the Exodite World or just pouring from another portal hidden in the system; the Drukhari, who could have taken an interest at what their erstwhile cousins were up to and follow through; or those corrupted Uhn'Saekh, coming from the Warp-tear at the center of the Sector or that cesspool of a kingdom close by. Or her kin, slowly awakening in a Tomb-World outside her control.
And that was leaving aside the politics of the various factions, in the Protectorate, the Expanse, the Space Marines, or even the wider Imperium, gripped in the throes of civil war. Most importantly, her adopted daughter, trying her best to become someone and not to be incinerated in the meanwhile.
Plenty of things to do, mh? Well, no time like the present.
In a corner, Khupra sharpened his blades, the sound like a silky whisper.
NEW TURN!
[Reports for Her Highness]
- Lack of general patrols makes us little more than blind. We know that the Scavenger Tribes are resuming their normal activities and that no other Warband made its entrance into the system. That's it.
- Beta's Faction has become the dominant force in the Modernists! Her actions grow in impact!
- New births! For the first time in eons, the Tomb is a witness to new life. The Cult of the Heavenly Guardians welcomes its new inductees.
Tombworlds Status:
- Zhol-Thekai: Awakening (Process will end in 6 Turns)
Turn Troop Production:
40 Annihilation Barges, 2 Monoliths, 2 Units of Canoptek Scarabs (10.000), 2 Units of Canoptek Spyders (100), 2 Units of Canoptek Acantrytes (100), 2 units of Plasmacyte (100), 1 unit of Doomstalkers (100), 1 unit of Reanimators (100).
Questlines Unlocked! Complete them to fulfill long-term objectives and unlock powerful rewards!
Necrons depend on their commanders to set policies and give directives. You have:
Xorathis (Personal, Cryptek, Phaerakh): 3 Actions
Ptolomes (Cryptek): 1 Action
Rahotamen (Nemesor): 1 Action
Korissah (Deathlady): 1 Action
Khupra (Champion): 1 Action
The Acolyte (Tech-Priest, Organic): 2 Agent Actions
Actions:
Martial
War is the Necrontyr's bread and water. Doubly so for the immortal Necrons. That there are only insects for you to use your might against means nothing.
[] Meat and Carrion: Flayed Ones are the living, rotting reminder that not even a successful rebellion is without consequences, not when waged against Gods. Still, they are powerful. Still, they can be enticed to serve. With the proper bait and the proper appliance of might.
Roll: 60. Reward: Variable Loss of Skitarii. Gain Variable number of Flayed Ones Troops. Chance of Flayed One Hero.
[] More Pests: None of the remaining warbands seem to move with the same certainty of the one destroyed by Rahotamen. Still, it's only a matter of time before we are discovered. You could take the initiative and move in force to destroy them. Such a move is sure to attract attention though.
Roll: ???. Will trigger battle against a Blood Hound Warband. Fleet Level: Very Low. Rewards: Prisoners. Chaos material. Chaos human ships. May lead to repercussions if enemies manage to escape. Will increase attention.
[] Set patrols: Your fleet is small, but it's still enough to set patrols for your system. Do so and make yourself informed of everything that happens among your stars. [Champion]
Roll: 40. Reward: Constant information about the coming and going of the System. Chance of being discovered by Warband of the Red Eye or Scavenger Tribes. Small chance of battle.
[] Ever onward: Rahotamen and Ptolomes brought you news of the Sector, Atlas as the Uhn'saekh decided to call it. A nest of malfunctioning scarabs to be sure. You must know more if you are to plot your course. Send explorers beyond your domain, plant moles and ears, discover what the mortals are up to. Write to what faction you send your infiltrators [] -
Roll: 45. Reward: You gain a steady trickle of general information regarding the selected faction. Meeting new characters. Possible knowledge of hidden Tomb Worlds.
[] Masks, to fool: You set your path toward heresy and ascension and certain revenge from the near-sighted. But it doesn't need to be so. Fund a new Dynasty, one that exists only to be your catpaw. Elect a Phaeron, set protocols, write glyphs. Making a persuasive facade will need to relinquish some measure of control but it may be worth it. Make a mouthpiece for your hidden voice.
Roll: 20. Reward: Gain a puppet Dynasty to interact with other Necrons and other powers without exposing yourself. Gain a Necron Demi-Hero (Limited Actions as per Lesser Control).
[] Open the Armories: New weapons are being produced for your Lords and Cryptek. Equip to the right standard.
Roll: 0. Reward: Necron Heroes armed with the most powerful weaponry at your disposal. No Action spent. Write in equipment, otherwise it'll be randomized. (one weapon, one side-weapon, one armor, one item per character)
Diplomacy
You are the sovereign of an isolated kingdom. This won't last forever, but for now your word is law and your strength unassailable.
[] Lost in Space: The Scavenger Tribes are a curious agglomeration of criminals, outcasts and lost souls. Rejected by the Imperium, they carve a glimmer of life among dead stars. Let's approach them. Carefully.
Roll: 40. Reward: ??? Will progress the Imperium questline.
Technomancy
The power to bend the fabric of the universe, to fragment stars and taunt the Gods. It begins and ends here, among Tesla generators and Gauss flash.
[] Of Fleets and Space: Xarothis' imprisonment was so paramount that Mournhold was never afforded a naval facility, as to avoid any chance for its prisoner to escape. Instead, portals and teletrasportation had to be the only methods of movement. This must be rectified if we want the Mistress to enjoy the power over the stars that she deserves.
Roll: 70. Reward: Set up a basic dockyard and naval installations.
[] Empyrean: The power of Xibalba awaits those with the skills and methods necessary. Delve into yourself and unlock the power within. (Only Xorathis)
Roll: 40. Reward: Third unique upgrade.
[] The Tools of War: With the Laboratories reactivated, new weapons churn to fuel the furnace of conflict. But we barely scratched the surface of the black sea. Go beyond the shallow. Raise the waters.
Roll: 60. Reward: Start production Doomsday Arks, Doomsdays Monoliths and Tesseract Arks.
[] Stoke the Fires: Beyond the horizon, war, as it once did, as it always did, rises. To avoid being swept in its flames, we must coax ours to surge ever higher.
Roll: 70. Reward: Higher production rates from units produced in the Laboratories. Limited effect by low number of Crypteks.
[] The Scarab Wall: The projects that our facilities can churn out are insufficient. Expand the Foundries, bring more resources to be bent to the skittering and glowing optics. More power awaits.
Roll: 60. Reward: Start production of Wraiths, Tomb Stalkers and Tomb Sentinels.
[] The Scarab Wave: The production of mechanical minds and insectile bodies is not nearly sufficient for the grand vision of our Mistress. Expand the facilities. Turn this river into a raging flood!
Roll: 70. Reward: Higher production rates from units produced in the Foundries.
[] A New War: The arrogance of your race brought them to fossilize their methods of war. While this is partly justifiable by Necron might and experience, there are always upgrades to make.
Roll: 40. Reward: Evaluate a unit type among those available and individuate eventual shortcomings and upgrades. (Champion)
[] Matters of the Dark: The Power Nexus is the centerpiece of Necron technology, a fount of endless energy from dark matter and dimensional interstices. The specimen powering your Tombworld is powerful but it's also average. Align the Scarabs. Send green power searing through the air.
Roll: 70. Reward: More powerful Nexus. Slight increase in garrison and Tomb performance. Allow for more facilities. Allows for upgraded Sections.
[] White Ghosts, Redux: The psychic realm was lost to your race when they took their path into damnation under the vile C'tan. But that's not so for you. With no Star-Vampire to devour the spiritual run-off of your bio-trasference, you retained a greater part of your soul and with it, the possibility to interact with that most dangerous realm known as the Warp.
Roll: 50. Reward: Build a Second Wraithbone Constructor. Improved version of the first. Increase production of Wraithbone. (Only Xorathis)
[] A Spear, to pierce: With Wraithbone at your disposal, you may start building weapons for your soldiers to use psychic power. It won't give them back their souls and may make them more visible to psychic entities, but the whole range of powers now not allowed to you will be yours.
Roll: 60. Reward: Unlock Psy-Weapons production for Lord-level and Commander-level units. (Only Xorathis)
[] A Shield, to defend: Psychic power has always been your Achilles' heels, to be countered only with Blackstone Monoliths and expensive apparatus. No more! Use your Wraithbone to build protection for your commanders.
Roll: 60. Reward: Unlock Psy-Shields production for Lord-level and Commander-level units. (Only Xorathis)
[] A Heart, to live: The greatest sorrow of the Necrons is that they have gained immortality at the cost of their souls. You dedicated your life to making this right, resulting in the Relief Matrix. Build the first batch. It won't give them back their souls but'll soothe their burden.
Roll: 50. Reward: Unlock Relief Matrices for two Heroes. (Write which -) (Only Xorathis)
[] The Great Engine: The first step to your glorious path. Awaken the Flower. Let the stars shine on you. Locked because of lack of Matters of the Dark
Governance
Allocations of ranks, resources and roles. This is all you need to concern yourself with. In a society as fragmented and rebellion-prone as the old Necrontyr was, it's almost refreshing.
[] Noble Sleep: The Noble Tombs contain Lords, Crypteks and champions of the Dynasty tasked with holding the Mistress prisoner. Now these fools will be made to serve. Still, awakening protocols are complex and lengthy, and having to rewrite the loyalty engrams makes it even more so. The lesser aristocracy is awoken in its entirety. What remains are the highest ones.
Roll: 75. Reward: Gain one new Hero.
[] The Grand Court: In ancient times, Cryptek were called together only on momentous occasions and always at the behest of a powerful Phaeron. The inception of your new Ascendancy must be marked with equal pomp. Have your architect engage in their craft. Build a court fit to awe any noble who looks upon it.
Roll: 35. Reward: Build the Grand Court and the Black Throne. Bonus to all diplomacy by the display of might and authority. Higher Loyalty for Martial-oriented Necron Lords.
[] The Viewing Hall: Mmh, something was being born as immortals watched mortals go about their small, short lives. How about making a habit out of it?
Roll: 25. Reward: Build the Viewing Hall. Bonus to entice Necron Lords to come under your service. [NEW!]
Intrigue
Steps in the shadows was not the Necrontyr way, its lords too attached to their "honor" to consider such means. But the old world is dead and the old ways with it. You only need to find someone worthy to spy on.
[] Search far, search fast: The Deathmarks make for excellent spies and infiltrators. Send one to make a mockery of the lesser races' defenses, steal their trinkets and learn their intents. Write in the faction you spy on [] -
Roll: 60. Reward: Focused and shorter pieces of information on a faction's planning. Meeting new characters. Chance of finding interesting items and resources. Possible discovery of a long-term danger.
[] Enemies, close by: Patrols, even well-cloaked, could result in discovery. Send a single small cruise with a complement of Deathmark. It won't be able to go far or range a large territory, but if there are Tombworld or hidden enemies in the surrounding systems, they will find them and not be found in the process.
Roll: 50. Reward: One tombworld explored safely and/or possible hidden enemies found.
[] Unleashing the Hounds: Um-Ra seeks a quarry, one you know hides on a planet at the border between the Protectorate and the Expanse. Send out feelers. See if you can find some hints.
Roll: ???. Rewards: Will progress the Quarry questline.
Learning
The Necrons stopped being great when they stopped striving to be better. Perfection doesn't exist. There's always something to strive for. So strive.
[] The archives of Mournhold are impressive for the planet's size. Maybe Szerakh held more than the Mistress here? Let's discover the Silent King's secret.
Roll: 30. Reward: ??? Will progress the Great War questline.
[] The Cairn: Rahotamen's flagship is a magnificent example of Necrontyr tech at its pinnacle, many of which would be rare to be found even in a Crownworld. Delve in its data-banks and learn all its secrets.
Roll: 70. Reward: ???
[] Blackstone Marvels: Psy-tech was still in development when you were imprisoned and it seems to have stepped up since. The Blackstone Pillars are only one example of it and since you once were the leading mind of the branch, you feel it's both your duty and right to learn all there is about it.
Roll: 70. Reward: Greater comprehension of Null tech. (Only Xorathis)
[] A Matter of Control: To make some small amend for his mistakes, Szerakh destroyed the command protocols that lent him complete control over his subordinates. While you will grudgingly commend the gesture, it also means that the Necrons are condemned to fall once more in the furious infighting that featured the entirety of their history. Since awakened Lords cannot have their loyalty rewritten, it means that you'll be forced to fight your own race. Again. You have no intention to do so. The Gods, if they are worthy, will forgive you. If not, you'll forgive yourself.
Roll: 70. Reward: Greater comprehension of command protocols. (Only Xorathis)
[] The Forge's Curse: Your people's fate was sealed in the green flame of bio-trasference. While you were one of the leading minds who developed the process, essential parts of it still escape you, locked behind the C'tan's inscrutable minds. You dare not entertain the idea that your people's souls could be healed, but you must try.
Roll: 60. Reward: Greater comprehension of Bio-Transference.
Agents Actions
Connection
Most of the problems the Galaxy faces arise from a lack of mutual understanding. Break the mold. Pass some time with another. Choose 2.
[] The Brother Vesperian, and their Spiritseer companion. Will progress the Lament of the Aeldari questline.
[] Rahotamen. The Seeker walked the width of the Galaxy in his unrelenting search. His data-banks didn't survive the journey, but there's much that a discerning hand could retrieve. May progress a random questline, offer new insights or unlock new questlines.
[] Magos Beta. This hellion of a girl is on a path of ambition. You found yourself fond of her, almost to the point of calling her daughter. Spend some time with her. Will offer more information on the Protectorate and Forge-World Edessa. Will progress the Imperium questline.
[] Yourself. Will progress the Great War questline.
Miscellanea
Canoptek Awakener:
[] Choose Tombworld to awaken -
AC - And there we are. Turn 5. Since we now know for sure the year, I'll be adding it at each turn alongside the Necron chronology. I've probably forgotten something, so do tell me if you spot something. With this new Turn, we start delving into Questlines. These are long-term endeavors that if followed allow for juicy rewards and new story options. Every Action which result is sure to produce progress in a questline will be indicated, but that doesn't mean that others won't give some progress. Leaving that to you guys' judgment.
I'd like to have more options for you guys, but health, never reliable, is playing tricks and my work time is limited. With that, I hope you'll still like it. I'll be adding wargear and additional weapons to the armoury as soon as I can.
It wasn't the life of an Uhn'Saekh world, made of mornings and evening, poverty and wealth, commerce and work, prayer and faithlessness; nor it was the life of an Asuryani Craftworld, revolving on the rythms of discipline and meditations, faint hope and stubborn pride; or even a Dark Eldar's settlements, where every breath was laced with thirst and pain undercurred in every step.
No, Mournhold life wasn't anything like that shared among the places where organics dwelled. It was a life made of glowing eyes and legions marching in the gloom, of data, information and unceasing movement. An existence that knew no pause, no breath, no doubt, where energy readings dictated decisions and outputs were all. A colossal machine where time was a trascurable variable, thought a joke and death something long forgotten.
A world of immortal machines. The eternal undeath of the Necrons.
Xorathis thought that it was efficient, if nothing else.
"Gauss matrices are working at 100%, High Mistress," Ptolomes's hologram quipped, his tendrils waving cheerfully. The Cryptek had recovered from his close encounter with Um-Ra, and his eagerness, affected or not, was back in full. "Production facilities are working at full efficiency. Mournhold never was more than a fortress, so we don't have anything special on top of a Tomb-World's regular fixtures, but those are working at peak performance." The Cryptek's many optics glowed with excitement.
Lounging on her throne, Xorathis hummed. The Tomb-World's processes were lively rivers in her processors. At the moment, she was managing troop processing in one of the main crypts, controlling energy fluctuations in the reactor line and scanning the sorrounding space-lanes through the planet's long-range sensors. With her remaining computational power, she was writing a couple of speeches, one Beta could have need of and the latter for the Acolyte and his little congragation.
The noise, the movement. They made her feel young again.
"The Steadfast Legion is awoke and ready," Rahotamen said, his voice a sepulchral rasp. The growing need for a memory wipe appeared as a hint of tension in his shoulders, but the Nemesor held his martial position with stoicism. "The Command Nodes are executing as per regular and are ready to dispense indications." He inclined his head with respect.
Rahotamen's words were punctuated by the tromping of metalling feet. At the foot of the ziggurat, thousands of Necrons were arrayed in battle formations. Formations of Immortal, their gleaming armor scraped clean of Ahamakara's glyphs, sorrounded Monoliths crackling with eldritch energies. The air was alive with Scarab swarms, their eyes forming constellations of viridian lights.
A lesser monarch would have felt a bit smug at the sight. Xorathis allowed herself a smile.
"What about the lesser aristocracy?" With the awakening of the Tombworld, most of the noble crypts had unlocked, releasing their inhabitants. Nemesors, Cryptek, lesser lords of the previous Dynasty who were meant to awaken right before the high nobility, both to provide their lieges with welcome and to relieve them of mundane tasks like having to put up with a half-woken complex.
Xorathis chuckled under her breath. They were surprised for sure at the new "management."
It was Korissah to reply. The Deathmark was a beautiful statue of death, her rifle looking ready to come alive in her light grip.
"Some resisted the change. They were dealt with accordingly," she said, cold and efficient. If there was any remorse to her actions, she didn't show a hint of it.
Beside the statuesque assassin, Khepra looked wretched, a lump of Necrodermis with noodle limbs and a slumped head. "Meat for the grinder…" he murmured without looking up, his voice a breathless rasp. The blades replacing his hands flickered forward like the limbs of a praying mantis.
Korissah didn't turn at him. "The rest submitted to Your Highness' authority and offered oaths of loyalty. They have been corraled in one of the crypts, where they wait for Your Highness' pleasure."
What will you do with the Ahanakara's aristocracy?
[] Accept them (200 Lesser Lords and 150 Lesser Crypteks join your retinue) [Loyalty Mixed]
[] Eliminate them
[] Scrub them (350 Mindless Vargards join your retinue)
"With that out of the way…" Xorathis turned to Rahotamen.
The Nemesor hit his breastplate with a fist, a solemn clang coming from the audio. At his gesture, a map of the sorrounding system bloomed before the throne. The star marked only as X0 was a green spark, providing light and energy at the six marbles orbiting it as it had done for millions of years.
"This system is recorded as Duat-Nesut, the King's Gate. It is here that the Ahanakara dynasty fulfilled their warrior duty, standing guard against the Pretenders and their slave-soldiers. The archives tell of mighty fortifications and a Containment Sphere around the stars, but they have been decommissioned for the Great Sleep. Mostly. Two Horus-class battlestations remain, sank into the outer planets' gas masses." At his words, the two planets most distant from the star were lined in emerals. "One has been disturbed by the corrupted Uhn'Saekh of Chaos and is in the process of awakening." A red speck appeared inside the planet, like a shard into flesh. "Prince Useret, secondborn of Phaeron Khepren, rules over it as Guardian of the Heavens, on par with the Guardian of the Stars. Scans show that he has not awoken yet. I advise to keep him from taking over its manse again. The battlestation carries powerful weapons, and it would be a bothersome spine in our defenses to eliminate, not to mention the waste its loss would mean for Mictlan."
Xorathis rubbed her fingers, thoughtful. "What do we know of Useret?" She asked to Korissah.
"A bastard," she said without hesitation. "His mother was Father's third wife, and he was meant to be used as a bargaining chip with another dynasty. According to customs, the Phaeroh adopted him as a second-rank son after his mother's passing, an event that both allowed him into greater fortunes and branded him with the mark of unwanted outsider. He led well during the War, climbing the ranks until he was made one of the two Guardians after the previous holder of the title was slain in combat against one of the Pretenders. But the station he was made to rule was formally declassed to third-line during his appointing ceremony, so that he couldn't reap the benefits in reputation that a front-line fortification would have brought him. Father loved his mother, but for some reason he never came to appreciate him, and the reasons I supect are more than just his origins."
Xorathis listened, thoughtful. "What about him personally? What is he like?"
Korissah paused, digging in her memory banks for the information. "Ambitious," she droned after a moment. "Insolent. Disrespectful. Angry." She fell silent, her elegant features knitting in a strange, puzzled expression.
Xorathis chuckled. "I like him already." She gestured for Rahotamen to continue.
"The five inner planets are Tombworlds," the Nemesor resumed like he had never stopped. "All of them. This was an important Anahakara's province, so they made sure to colonize the whole system. Together, the worlds form a Quiescent Glyph. It becalms the Warp around the system, stopping any bar the mightiest manifestations from riding its eddies. The only approachable entry-point is here." At his gesture, a tunnel appeared at the end of the system. "It was meant as a chokehold from which to fight off the Pretenders' assaults. A planet had been heavily fortified to act as a frontline in front of him, but it's nowhere to be seen. We theorize that some natural catastrophe must have annihilated it during the Sleep." A phantom sphere encircled the space where the eighth planet should have been. In its place, debris formed a ring around the system. "The Tombworlds are stable and dormant. We didn't see trace of heavy damage, but we won't be certain until more in-depth analysis is carried on. Right now, we have full control over Mournhold." The second planet from the star lit up. "And Zhol-Thekai, which is in the process of awakening." The fourth planet followed. "Unfortunately, the orbital shipyards of the Forge didn't survive the Great Sleep. But it's not an unrecoverable loss. The ground installations are still functioning and will be put back in order once the awakening is complete." Rahotamen paused. "Your Highness' guest has no deigned to emerge from the Forge." He didn't add more. His processes sang to Xorathis of how annoyed he was at this unknowable variable.
Xorathis chuckled. She would have to make some time to soothe him, later. "Do we have concerns?"
Rahotamen's optics glowed, cascades of data running across them. "Very little," he said. "With the corrupted Unh'Saekh destroyed, what belongs to the Warp in the system are the paranatural phenomena left from the Pretenders' magicks. These have little to do with Chaos, and the dynasty have long contained them, but they warrant attention as they are still psychic in nature."
A sound snapped from Ptolomes, a mix between an angry hiss and sharp clicking. "Innatural, as everything they touched. I counsel to build a wall around it and leave it to rot." For once, the Cryptek was anything but eager curiosity. His tone dripped with venom.
"Pointless," Korissah said, drawing the Cryptek's gaze. "The dynasty tried its best for millennia. No physical barrier will keep the phenomena in check. But they neither ever offered anything in the way of offense." She tilted her head, looking mildly puzzled at Ptolomes' glower. Behind her, Khupra hissed softly.
Rahotamen stared at both him and Ptolomes until they drew back, the Cryptek muttering against damned cursemongers.
"Apart from the corrupted," he resumed, "there's little apart from Necrons. The system has long been left alone by the Uhn'Saekh as it's considered dangerous and not worth the cost of dealing with the Pretenders' leftover phenomena. Only fringe tribes of outcasts made their living among the outer debris ring. They shouldn't be much of a nuisance…" He trailed off, optics running with calculations he had already followed and double-checked. As an efficient commander, he loathed the idea of leaving variables to chance.
"We shall cleanse them for the glory of Mictlan," Korissah said, a hint of vigor entering her dead speech.
"Or we could study them," Ptolomes suggested, giddiness returning. He clicked his long fingers together. "These mutations usually come from the effect of Gauss radiations on the Uhn'Saekh. I am dying to see what kind of changes they have on their anatomy."
Rahotamen stared at both for a moment. He nodded with something that could have been approval at Korissah.
"Whatever Your Highness decide, we know that their seafaring capabilities are pitiful. Mostly small crafts unable to go beyond the ring itself. As for the people in their biospheres, scans show numbers in the tens of thousands range. Judging from the level of technology, we don't anticipate a high level of Uhn'Saekh firepower to be found." At the word "technology", Ptolomes snorted a laugh.
At a gesture from Rahotamen, the vision changed, focusing on the funnel. "Strategically speaking, it all hinges on this passage. If we can take it and hold it, the system is easily defensible. All lesser races rely on the Warp to navigate, while we do not. It would make the system into a sanctuary for Mictlan from which to expand our reach." He looked at her, and Xorathi had to admit that his commanding side was quite… fetching. "I advise to focus on taking control of the whole system. Once Mictlan's foundations are stable, we'll be able to forge ahead in your name without fear of our powerbase being disrupted."
Xorathis lounged back on her throne, admiring him, tall and reliable as he was. She did so, smiling, until he started fidgeting imperceptly. But not to her.
"To keep me safe?" She teased.
Rahotamen's optics blinked, focusing sharply on her. He drank her image, still like a Monolith.
A wave of confusion passed through the data streams of her servants. Pleased to no end, Xorathis mentally rolled her eyes.
"You'll understand, as soon as I get around to fix you all."
The moment passed, and they all returned to business.
"I approve of Lord Rahotamen's council," Korissah said. "But I'd advise against focusing on defensive infrastructure at the expense of anything else. The surrounding systems and the general nexus are and remain a moving factor. It'd be wise to keep an eye on them."
"To catch good occasions too!" Ptolomes chirped.
Rahotamen grunted, not-commital.
Xorathis caressed her chin, smiling. Of course, she had not forgotten all the guests her world could entertain on a short notice; the Aeldari from Biel-Tan, maybe hard at work to reopen the Webway Portal, floating her way from the Exodite World or just pouring from another portal hidden in the system; the Drukhari, who could have taken an interest at what their erstwhile cousins were up to and follow through; or those corrupted Uhn'Saekh, coming from the Warp-tear at the center of the Sector or that cesspool of a kingdom close by. Or her kin, slowly awakening in a Tomb-World outside her control.
And that was leaving aside the politics of the various factions, in the Protectorate, the Expanse, the Space Marines, or even the wider Imperium, gripped in the throes of civil war. Most importantly, her adopted daughter, trying her best to become someone and not to be incinerated in the meanwhile.
Plenty of things to do, mh? Well, no time like the present.
In a corner, Khupra sharpened his blades, the sound like a silky whisper.
NEW TURN!
[Reports for Her Highness]
- Lack of general patrols makes us little more than blind. We know that the Scavenger Tribes are resuming their normal activities and that no other Warband made its entrance into the system. That's it.
- Beta's Faction has become the dominant force in the Modernists! Her actions grow in impact!
- New births! For the first time in eons, the Tomb is a witness to new life. The Cult of the Heavenly Guardians welcomes its new inductees.
Tombworlds Status:
- Zhol-Thekai: Awakening (Process will end in 6 Turns)
Turn Troop Production:
40 Annihilation Barges, 2 Monoliths, 2 Units of Canoptek Scarabs (10.000), 2 Units of Canoptek Spyders (100), 2 Units of Canoptek Acantrytes (100), 2 units of Plasmacyte (100), 1 unit of Doomstalkers (100), 1 unit of Reanimators (100).
Questlines Unlocked! Complete them to fulfill long-term objectives and unlock powerful rewards!
- The Lament of the Aeldari: Your ancient enemies are a shadow of what they were. Having gone through the fall of their Gods and the rise of another, they are now a splintered people, preyed upon and yet unbroken. Seek them. Understand them. In doing so, you'll find new paths for them and yourself alike.
Completion: 2%
- The Quarry: Um-Ra seeks. Um-Ra seeks. Um-Ra seeks. Join the hunt. Seek the quarry. Watch how Gods are slain.
Completion: 0%
- The Imperium: A new power rose during your slumber. Humankind spread like a firestorm across the Galaxy, colonizing every corner and building a mammoth empire that is as mighty as it's monstrous. Delve into its colossal gears. Understand its workings and uncover its heart.
Completion: 0%
- The Great War: Memory banks are faulty, yet you remember. Delve into the past of your kin. Remember. Beat paths once trodden, now overgrown, never forgotten.
Completion: 0%
- The Fruit of Our Mistakes: Chaos. It's there, always there, poisoning every good intention. Learn about it. Do so with the weight of one that shares its responsibilities.
Completion: 0%
Completion: 2%
- The Quarry: Um-Ra seeks. Um-Ra seeks. Um-Ra seeks. Join the hunt. Seek the quarry. Watch how Gods are slain.
Completion: 0%
- The Imperium: A new power rose during your slumber. Humankind spread like a firestorm across the Galaxy, colonizing every corner and building a mammoth empire that is as mighty as it's monstrous. Delve into its colossal gears. Understand its workings and uncover its heart.
Completion: 0%
- The Great War: Memory banks are faulty, yet you remember. Delve into the past of your kin. Remember. Beat paths once trodden, now overgrown, never forgotten.
Completion: 0%
- The Fruit of Our Mistakes: Chaos. It's there, always there, poisoning every good intention. Learn about it. Do so with the weight of one that shares its responsibilities.
Completion: 0%
Necrons depend on their commanders to set policies and give directives. You have:
Xorathis (Personal, Cryptek, Phaerakh): 3 Actions
Ptolomes (Cryptek): 1 Action
Rahotamen (Nemesor): 1 Action
Korissah (Deathlady): 1 Action
Khupra (Champion): 1 Action
The Acolyte (Tech-Priest, Organic): 2 Agent Actions
Actions:
Martial
War is the Necrontyr's bread and water. Doubly so for the immortal Necrons. That there are only insects for you to use your might against means nothing.
[] Meat and Carrion: Flayed Ones are the living, rotting reminder that not even a successful rebellion is without consequences, not when waged against Gods. Still, they are powerful. Still, they can be enticed to serve. With the proper bait and the proper appliance of might.
Roll: 60. Reward: Variable Loss of Skitarii. Gain Variable number of Flayed Ones Troops. Chance of Flayed One Hero.
[] More Pests: None of the remaining warbands seem to move with the same certainty of the one destroyed by Rahotamen. Still, it's only a matter of time before we are discovered. You could take the initiative and move in force to destroy them. Such a move is sure to attract attention though.
Roll: ???. Will trigger battle against a Blood Hound Warband. Fleet Level: Very Low. Rewards: Prisoners. Chaos material. Chaos human ships. May lead to repercussions if enemies manage to escape. Will increase attention.
[] Set patrols: Your fleet is small, but it's still enough to set patrols for your system. Do so and make yourself informed of everything that happens among your stars. [Champion]
Roll: 40. Reward: Constant information about the coming and going of the System. Chance of being discovered by Warband of the Red Eye or Scavenger Tribes. Small chance of battle.
[] Ever onward: Rahotamen and Ptolomes brought you news of the Sector, Atlas as the Uhn'saekh decided to call it. A nest of malfunctioning scarabs to be sure. You must know more if you are to plot your course. Send explorers beyond your domain, plant moles and ears, discover what the mortals are up to. Write to what faction you send your infiltrators [] -
Roll: 45. Reward: You gain a steady trickle of general information regarding the selected faction. Meeting new characters. Possible knowledge of hidden Tomb Worlds.
[] Masks, to fool: You set your path toward heresy and ascension and certain revenge from the near-sighted. But it doesn't need to be so. Fund a new Dynasty, one that exists only to be your catpaw. Elect a Phaeron, set protocols, write glyphs. Making a persuasive facade will need to relinquish some measure of control but it may be worth it. Make a mouthpiece for your hidden voice.
Roll: 20. Reward: Gain a puppet Dynasty to interact with other Necrons and other powers without exposing yourself. Gain a Necron Demi-Hero (Limited Actions as per Lesser Control).
[] Open the Armories: New weapons are being produced for your Lords and Cryptek. Equip to the right standard.
Roll: 0. Reward: Necron Heroes armed with the most powerful weaponry at your disposal. No Action spent. Write in equipment, otherwise it'll be randomized. (one weapon, one side-weapon, one armor, one item per character)
Diplomacy
You are the sovereign of an isolated kingdom. This won't last forever, but for now your word is law and your strength unassailable.
[] Lost in Space: The Scavenger Tribes are a curious agglomeration of criminals, outcasts and lost souls. Rejected by the Imperium, they carve a glimmer of life among dead stars. Let's approach them. Carefully.
Roll: 40. Reward: ??? Will progress the Imperium questline.
Technomancy
The power to bend the fabric of the universe, to fragment stars and taunt the Gods. It begins and ends here, among Tesla generators and Gauss flash.
[] Of Fleets and Space: Xarothis' imprisonment was so paramount that Mournhold was never afforded a naval facility, as to avoid any chance for its prisoner to escape. Instead, portals and teletrasportation had to be the only methods of movement. This must be rectified if we want the Mistress to enjoy the power over the stars that she deserves.
Roll: 70. Reward: Set up a basic dockyard and naval installations.
[] Empyrean: The power of Xibalba awaits those with the skills and methods necessary. Delve into yourself and unlock the power within. (Only Xorathis)
Roll: 40. Reward: Third unique upgrade.
[] The Tools of War: With the Laboratories reactivated, new weapons churn to fuel the furnace of conflict. But we barely scratched the surface of the black sea. Go beyond the shallow. Raise the waters.
Roll: 60. Reward: Start production Doomsday Arks, Doomsdays Monoliths and Tesseract Arks.
[] Stoke the Fires: Beyond the horizon, war, as it once did, as it always did, rises. To avoid being swept in its flames, we must coax ours to surge ever higher.
Roll: 70. Reward: Higher production rates from units produced in the Laboratories. Limited effect by low number of Crypteks.
[] The Scarab Wall: The projects that our facilities can churn out are insufficient. Expand the Foundries, bring more resources to be bent to the skittering and glowing optics. More power awaits.
Roll: 60. Reward: Start production of Wraiths, Tomb Stalkers and Tomb Sentinels.
[] The Scarab Wave: The production of mechanical minds and insectile bodies is not nearly sufficient for the grand vision of our Mistress. Expand the facilities. Turn this river into a raging flood!
Roll: 70. Reward: Higher production rates from units produced in the Foundries.
[] A New War: The arrogance of your race brought them to fossilize their methods of war. While this is partly justifiable by Necron might and experience, there are always upgrades to make.
Roll: 40. Reward: Evaluate a unit type among those available and individuate eventual shortcomings and upgrades. (Champion)
[] Matters of the Dark: The Power Nexus is the centerpiece of Necron technology, a fount of endless energy from dark matter and dimensional interstices. The specimen powering your Tombworld is powerful but it's also average. Align the Scarabs. Send green power searing through the air.
Roll: 70. Reward: More powerful Nexus. Slight increase in garrison and Tomb performance. Allow for more facilities. Allows for upgraded Sections.
[] White Ghosts, Redux: The psychic realm was lost to your race when they took their path into damnation under the vile C'tan. But that's not so for you. With no Star-Vampire to devour the spiritual run-off of your bio-trasference, you retained a greater part of your soul and with it, the possibility to interact with that most dangerous realm known as the Warp.
Roll: 50. Reward: Build a Second Wraithbone Constructor. Improved version of the first. Increase production of Wraithbone. (Only Xorathis)
[] A Spear, to pierce: With Wraithbone at your disposal, you may start building weapons for your soldiers to use psychic power. It won't give them back their souls and may make them more visible to psychic entities, but the whole range of powers now not allowed to you will be yours.
Roll: 60. Reward: Unlock Psy-Weapons production for Lord-level and Commander-level units. (Only Xorathis)
[] A Shield, to defend: Psychic power has always been your Achilles' heels, to be countered only with Blackstone Monoliths and expensive apparatus. No more! Use your Wraithbone to build protection for your commanders.
Roll: 60. Reward: Unlock Psy-Shields production for Lord-level and Commander-level units. (Only Xorathis)
[] A Heart, to live: The greatest sorrow of the Necrons is that they have gained immortality at the cost of their souls. You dedicated your life to making this right, resulting in the Relief Matrix. Build the first batch. It won't give them back their souls but'll soothe their burden.
Roll: 50. Reward: Unlock Relief Matrices for two Heroes. (Write which -) (Only Xorathis
[] The Great Engine: The first step to your glorious path. Awaken the Flower. Let the stars shine on you.
Governance
Allocations of ranks, resources and roles. This is all you need to concern yourself with. In a society as fragmented and rebellion-prone as the old Necrontyr was, it's almost refreshing.
[] Noble Sleep: The Noble Tombs contain Lords, Crypteks and champions of the Dynasty tasked with holding the Mistress prisoner. Now these fools will be made to serve. Still, awakening protocols are complex and lengthy, and having to rewrite the loyalty engrams makes it even more so. The lesser aristocracy is awoken in its entirety. What remains are the highest ones.
Roll: 75. Reward: Gain one new Hero.
[] The Grand Court: In ancient times, Cryptek were called together only on momentous occasions and always at the behest of a powerful Phaeron. The inception of your new Ascendancy must be marked with equal pomp. Have your architect engage in their craft. Build a court fit to awe any noble who looks upon it.
Roll: 35. Reward: Build the Grand Court and the Black Throne. Bonus to all diplomacy by the display of might and authority. Higher Loyalty for Martial-oriented Necron Lords.
[] The Viewing Hall: Mmh, something was being born as immortals watched mortals go about their small, short lives. How about making a habit out of it?
Roll: 25. Reward: Build the Viewing Hall. Bonus to entice Necron Lords to come under your service. [NEW!]
Intrigue
Steps in the shadows was not the Necrontyr way, its lords too attached to their "honor" to consider such means. But the old world is dead and the old ways with it. You only need to find someone worthy to spy on.
[] Search far, search fast: The Deathmarks make for excellent spies and infiltrators. Send one to make a mockery of the lesser races' defenses, steal their trinkets and learn their intents. Write in the faction you spy on [] -
Roll: 60. Reward: Focused and shorter pieces of information on a faction's planning. Meeting new characters. Chance of finding interesting items and resources. Possible discovery of a long-term danger.
[] Enemies, close by: Patrols, even well-cloaked, could result in discovery. Send a single small cruise with a complement of Deathmark. It won't be able to go far or range a large territory, but if there are Tombworld or hidden enemies in the surrounding systems, they will find them and not be found in the process.
Roll: 50. Reward: One tombworld explored safely and/or possible hidden enemies found.
[] Unleashing the Hounds: Um-Ra seeks a quarry, one you know hides on a planet at the border between the Protectorate and the Expanse. Send out feelers. See if you can find some hints.
Roll: ???. Rewards: Will progress the Quarry questline.
Learning
The Necrons stopped being great when they stopped striving to be better. Perfection doesn't exist. There's always something to strive for. So strive.
[] The archives of Mournhold are impressive for the planet's size. Maybe Szerakh held more than the Mistress here? Let's discover the Silent King's secret.
Roll: 30. Reward: ??? Will progress the Great War questline.
[] The Cairn: Rahotamen's flagship is a magnificent example of Necrontyr tech at its pinnacle, many of which would be rare to be found even in a Crownworld. Delve in its data-banks and learn all its secrets.
Roll: 70. Reward: ???
[] Blackstone Marvels: Psy-tech was still in development when you were imprisoned and it seems to have stepped up since. The Blackstone Pillars are only one example of it and since you once were the leading mind of the branch, you feel it's both your duty and right to learn all there is about it.
Roll: 70. Reward: Greater comprehension of Null tech. (Only Xorathis)
[] A Matter of Control: To make some small amend for his mistakes, Szerakh destroyed the command protocols that lent him complete control over his subordinates. While you will grudgingly commend the gesture, it also means that the Necrons are condemned to fall once more in the furious infighting that featured the entirety of their history. Since awakened Lords cannot have their loyalty rewritten, it means that you'll be forced to fight your own race. Again. You have no intention to do so. The Gods, if they are worthy, will forgive you. If not, you'll forgive yourself.
Roll: 70. Reward: Greater comprehension of command protocols. (Only Xorathis)
[] The Forge's Curse: Your people's fate was sealed in the green flame of bio-trasference. While you were one of the leading minds who developed the process, essential parts of it still escape you, locked behind the C'tan's inscrutable minds. You dare not entertain the idea that your people's souls could be healed, but you must try.
Roll: 60. Reward: Greater comprehension of Bio-Transference.
Agents Actions
Beta's current actions:
- Coaxing the Mecha-Lords into aggression [Raise hostility with a Faction] (Mecha-Lords's Strong Advantage)
- Seek connections with Sector Lord Ikarus [Build off-world diplomatic ties]
You can influence her. You may choose up to 2 for her to change her Actions to it (Lack of Max Loyalty may mean that your orders are disobeyed, read differently from how you meant them or just disregarded):
[] Seek a pact with a Faction to improve your standing with it. Write in Faction -
[] Raise hostility with a Faction. Write in Faction -
[] Investigate rumors and search for occasions.
[] Build your military strength.
[] Infiltrate a Faction. Write in Faction -
[] Build off-world diplomatic ties.
[] Invest in research (Innovation or Necron tech masked as archeteoch discovery)
[] Write in-
- Coaxing the Mecha-Lords into aggression [Raise hostility with a Faction] (Mecha-Lords's Strong Advantage)
- Seek connections with Sector Lord Ikarus [Build off-world diplomatic ties]
You can influence her. You may choose up to 2 for her to change her Actions to it (Lack of Max Loyalty may mean that your orders are disobeyed, read differently from how you meant them or just disregarded):
[] Seek a pact with a Faction to improve your standing with it. Write in Faction -
[] Raise hostility with a Faction. Write in Faction -
[] Investigate rumors and search for occasions.
[] Build your military strength.
[] Infiltrate a Faction. Write in Faction -
[] Build off-world diplomatic ties.
[] Invest in research (Innovation or Necron tech masked as archeteoch discovery)
[] Write in-
Cult's current action
- Establish Canon (Faith, Work, Prayer, Thought, Value of flesh, metal and soul, Choice, Discipline, Fealty. ) (Will produce an Agent)
- Growing numbers and building infrastructure
You can influence it. You may choose up to 2 Actions to have the Cult change its Actions to it. Otherwise, you can spend one of your Actions on one of these.
[] Establish Canon (Will be able to spread it once contact with other communities is made)
[] Focus on growing numbers and building infrastructure.
[] Focus on military training and upgrade weaponry.
[] Focus on societal build-up and appoint officials.
[] Build fortifications.
[] Write in-
- Establish Canon (Faith, Work, Prayer, Thought, Value of flesh, metal and soul, Choice, Discipline, Fealty. ) (Will produce an Agent)
- Growing numbers and building infrastructure
You can influence it. You may choose up to 2 Actions to have the Cult change its Actions to it. Otherwise, you can spend one of your Actions on one of these.
[] Establish Canon (Will be able to spread it once contact with other communities is made)
[] Focus on growing numbers and building infrastructure.
[] Focus on military training and upgrade weaponry.
[] Focus on societal build-up and appoint officials.
[] Build fortifications.
[] Write in-
Connection
Most of the problems the Galaxy faces arise from a lack of mutual understanding. Break the mold. Pass some time with another. Choose 2.
[] The Brother Vesperian, and their Spiritseer companion. Will progress the Lament of the Aeldari questline.
[] Rahotamen. The Seeker walked the width of the Galaxy in his unrelenting search. His data-banks didn't survive the journey, but there's much that a discerning hand could retrieve. May progress a random questline, offer new insights or unlock new questlines.
[] Magos Beta. This hellion of a girl is on a path of ambition. You found yourself fond of her, almost to the point of calling her daughter. Spend some time with her. Will offer more information on the Protectorate and Forge-World Edessa. Will progress the Imperium questline.
[] Yourself. Will progress the Great War questline.
Miscellanea
This incredibly ancient abomination cares only about perfecting his craft. Supply him with materials and he'll take your requests. You only need to ask him in a general way what the item is supposed to do its characteristics and the level of quality. He'll ask for something back if you ask for lots of his time.
1 Turn of work: The Forgemaster will produce a master-crafted (for Necrons) item (Weapons, Armors, War-Items). Inspiration will be enough payment.
2-9 Turns of work: The Forgemaster will produce an item of great power (Weapons, Armor, War-Items, Artifacts with applications even outside of battle).
10-99 Turns of work: The Forgemaster will produce something incredible. (Weapons, Armor, War-Items, Artifacts with applications even outside of battle).
100+ Turns of work: The Forgemaster will produce his final masterpiece. (Almost anything is possible, even a god-shattering weapon. Upon completion, the planet will shatter from the energy unleashed).
1 Turn of work: The Forgemaster will produce a master-crafted (for Necrons) item (Weapons, Armors, War-Items). Inspiration will be enough payment.
2-9 Turns of work: The Forgemaster will produce an item of great power (Weapons, Armor, War-Items, Artifacts with applications even outside of battle).
10-99 Turns of work: The Forgemaster will produce something incredible. (Weapons, Armor, War-Items, Artifacts with applications even outside of battle).
100+ Turns of work: The Forgemaster will produce his final masterpiece. (Almost anything is possible, even a god-shattering weapon. Upon completion, the planet will shatter from the energy unleashed).
Canoptek Awakener:
[] Choose Tombworld to awaken -
AC - And there we are. Turn 5. Since we now know for sure the year, I'll be adding it at each turn alongside the Necron chronology. I've probably forgotten something, so do tell me if you spot something. With this new Turn, we start delving into Questlines. These are long-term endeavors that if followed allow for juicy rewards and new story options. Every Action which result is sure to produce progress in a questline will be indicated, but that doesn't mean that others won't give some progress. Leaving that to you guys' judgment.
I'd like to have more options for you guys, but health, never reliable, is playing tricks and my work time is limited. With that, I hope you'll still like it. I'll be adding wargear and additional weapons to the armoury as soon as I can.
THERE WILL BE A SIX-HOUR MORATORIUM BEFORE VOTING. AS ALWAYS, VOTE WILL GO BY PLAN.
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Yep. Editing now.
We need to keep the mechanus girl in our influence and loyalty or else we lose her and her new faction
Necessary for Rahotamen. As quickly as possible honestly. Also the Deathlady.
[] Plan: Solving Problems and Dynasty Refounding
-[] A Heart, to live: The greatest sorrow of the Necrons is that they have gained immortality at the cost of their souls. You dedicated your life to making this right, resulting in the Relief Matrix. Build the first batch. It won't give them back their souls but'll soothe their burden.
Roll: 50. Reward: Unlock Relief Matrices for two Heroes. (Xorathis)
--[]Rahotamen
--[]Korissah
-[] Most of the problems the Galaxy faces arise from a lack of mutual understanding. Break the mold. Pass some time with another. Choose 2.
--[] The Brother Vesperian, and their Spiritseer companion. Will progress the Lament of the Aeldari questline.
--[] Magos Beta. This hellion of a girl is on a path of ambition. You found yourself fond of her, almost to the point of calling her daughter. Spend some time with her. Will offer more information on the Protectorate and Forge-World Edessa. Will progress the Imperium questline.
-[] Masks, to fool: You set your path toward heresy and ascension and certain revenge from the near-sighted. But it doesn't need to be so. Fund a new Dynasty, one that exists only to be your catpaw. Elect a Phaeron, set protocols, write glyphs. Making a persuasive facade will need to relinquish some measure of control but it may be worth it. Make a mouthpiece for your hidden voice. (Ptolomes)
- [] Empyrean: The power of Xibalba awaits those with the skills and methods necessary. Delve into yourself and unlock the power within. (Xorathis)
-[] White Ghosts, Redux: The psychic realm was lost to your race when they took their path into damnation under the vile C'tan. But that's not so for you. With no Star-Vampire to devour the spiritual run-off of your bio-trasference, you retained a greater part of your soul and with it, the possibility to interact with that most dangerous realm known as the Warp. (Xorathis)
-[] Unleashing the Hounds: Um-Ra seeks a quarry, one you know hides on a planet at the border between the Protectorate and the Expanse. Send out feelers. See if you can find some hints. (Rahotamen)
-[] A New War: The arrogance of your race brought them to fossilize their methods of war. While this is partly justifiable by Necron might and experience, there are always upgrades to make. (Khupra)
--[] Lychguards
-[] Search far, search fast: The Deathmarks make for excellent spies and infiltrators. Send one to make a mockery of the lesser races' defenses, steal their trinkets and learn their intents. (Korissah)
--[] exodites
-[] Build off-world diplomatic ties (Beta)
- [] Build fortifications (The Acolyte)
-[] A Heart, to live: The greatest sorrow of the Necrons is that they have gained immortality at the cost of their souls. You dedicated your life to making this right, resulting in the Relief Matrix. Build the first batch. It won't give them back their souls but'll soothe their burden.
Roll: 50. Reward: Unlock Relief Matrices for two Heroes. (Xorathis)
--[]Rahotamen
--[]Korissah
-[] Most of the problems the Galaxy faces arise from a lack of mutual understanding. Break the mold. Pass some time with another. Choose 2.
--[] The Brother Vesperian, and their Spiritseer companion. Will progress the Lament of the Aeldari questline.
--[] Magos Beta. This hellion of a girl is on a path of ambition. You found yourself fond of her, almost to the point of calling her daughter. Spend some time with her. Will offer more information on the Protectorate and Forge-World Edessa. Will progress the Imperium questline.
-[] Masks, to fool: You set your path toward heresy and ascension and certain revenge from the near-sighted. But it doesn't need to be so. Fund a new Dynasty, one that exists only to be your catpaw. Elect a Phaeron, set protocols, write glyphs. Making a persuasive facade will need to relinquish some measure of control but it may be worth it. Make a mouthpiece for your hidden voice. (Ptolomes)
- [] Empyrean: The power of Xibalba awaits those with the skills and methods necessary. Delve into yourself and unlock the power within. (Xorathis)
-[] White Ghosts, Redux: The psychic realm was lost to your race when they took their path into damnation under the vile C'tan. But that's not so for you. With no Star-Vampire to devour the spiritual run-off of your bio-trasference, you retained a greater part of your soul and with it, the possibility to interact with that most dangerous realm known as the Warp. (Xorathis)
-[] Unleashing the Hounds: Um-Ra seeks a quarry, one you know hides on a planet at the border between the Protectorate and the Expanse. Send out feelers. See if you can find some hints. (Rahotamen)
-[] A New War: The arrogance of your race brought them to fossilize their methods of war. While this is partly justifiable by Necron might and experience, there are always upgrades to make. (Khupra)
--[] Lychguards
-[] Search far, search fast: The Deathmarks make for excellent spies and infiltrators. Send one to make a mockery of the lesser races' defenses, steal their trinkets and learn their intents. (Korissah)
--[] exodites
-[] Build off-world diplomatic ties (Beta)
- [] Build fortifications (The Acolyte)
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Caphias Maran
Meh. It's a mid one
Rouge Treasure Hunt Begins!
Seratum Menes dynasty was quite a middling one in Atlas sector. Not a Minor one, far too many finger in far too many pies. Not a Major one either, stranglehold its competitors hold on the main markets proved difficult to dislodge. Still closer in wealth and influence to latter rather than first duo to simple value its capably acquired Connections. Meddling ones too.
It sure is hard to be rid of someone who knows someone in all the strata's one can move in. Alas such require such communities to exist. Which admittedly, it did for quite a while. Alas, Protectorate would not bemoan its fate- would it remain united with its holding that currently constitutes the Lost Expanse. So many disgruntled voices. So much finger pointing and face punching and army raising.
While one would think that Rouge Traders being what they are would be above such difficulties. Sadly some people take offence to friendships others hold. As such with fractioning of Lost expanse part of Atlas sector, Seratum dynasty which had most of its holding spread throughout its systems found itself in a rather difficult position. Difficult in a sense it required significant investment of effort to keep ahead of various self-appointed wanna-be-masters in order to maintain ownership over one's rightful property. At least till Protectorate gets up from its rear and reclaims all those territories.
Until then it is to the likes of Steering Homingbird and its crew to ensure dynasty of their captain maintains hold on their contracts and storage stations sources of revenue. Among others obligations.
---------------------
How about this? Well the station status has been confirmed. It blew up. Well, not completely. Looks like it was cleared first, then blew up, then someone took some of the pieces away. Bummer. I liked that station.
On one hand, less work. On another, now I have to do something else. That's a win - win for me. Minus contacts on the station. Maybe. Maybe they been kidnapped. Sadly that would put them in the hands of my cousin. May the Emperor be with any poor soul receiving help from her. She will make so many jokes at their expense.
Let it not be said that Rouge Trader Maran is a man afraid of dedication. Simply choosing battle wisely by their own definition of wisdom. No man in my position would earn what I hold by being incompetent or unreliable. No matter what ladies say, so cute of them to worry for my person and patronage.
Back to my problems and mine solution to them. Time for a treasure hunt! Archeo-tech this time. The fact that the last one resulted in finding of xeno-tech problematic enough that it had to be reported for avoidance of more problems, resulting in us barely managing to cover costs! Is of no concern, no matter what Raums says. He just lacks the sense of adventure and better half of his face.
This one is a bit far thou. Not the Dead Archipelago but far in Lost expanse none-the-less. That means dealing with pirates. And THAT means dealing with Balaki twins! Oh joy. Better prepare proper means of survival if the last three meetings are of any indication. An uneventful meeting with those two is as likely as drowning on a desert world. Which admittedly, did almost happened but that is beside the point and its own set of unlikely circumstances.
Time to consult my best not-friendly emotional- support-blank named Trauman. Given the saddening departure of my Eldar crewman Olithe, alternative measures of anti-warp capabilities are even more desirable. So long as it won't be too many people in the room with her. Still no more answers about why Eldari do not like going close to that part of void. They all keep muttering about 'horrors better left asleep' or at least I think so. Buggers keep weird things close to their chest, the few I've seen anyways.
Back to daemon stabber. She is asleep. Is what I'm told. Which means she's either in her room, listening to what must be Druchii grade music or in one of the officers only areas that remain vacant while she's there. The fact that she does not pick up my calls indicate the former. As annoying as it might otherwise be, the path to her room is not that far from the bridge. Otherwise it would take far too long for her to come to my rescue in an event of psychic attack on bridge. Which was the end of several captains of many dynasties that I know of. Including the second last captain of this very vessel.
Knocking on her warning-sighs-adorned door proves ineffective. Naturally. That was to be expected, the amount of soundproofing had reached such an extent that the awful music does not leave the room, something that is said to be a justifiable reason for the expense of it, according to most that heard it. Nevertheless entry is intended and being the captain no door bar my way. Thank you master override key.
The moment her rooms opens what assaults me can be compared to percussive maintenance of active scrap grinder mixed with angry arbities shouting match. Being used to it, I make may way to the most likely section of her room that contains reason for this unorthodoxy rhythmic ruckus.
Scene that greets me is one I expected and whiteness enough time to not be distracted by. Abusing the intricate and elaborate set of drums and drum-like instruments, clothing reduced to characteristically black undergarments, covered in exertion manifested sweat, her pale-white body with few death and bone oriented tattoos, chest long and definitely unkept black hair fallen on her face is one of the most honest people I had the misfortune of making friends with.
Actual friend. Hard earned one given how her very presence makes my skin desire to crawl clean of my flesh. First meeting and following acquisition being so full of complications that I considered given up on several occasions. Yet she proved worth the investment. And with less than decade together, a friend. A thought in need of reminding duo to her effect on people.
Ignorance is a blessing my kind cannot be afforded. How could we. With Forces of chaos so present in the sector, Protectorate near constant battling, traitor Astartes lead slave runs, deamon worlds and open warp manifestations spitting horrors every other corner of Atlas… Few in the know would consider a blank too problematic to deal with. Even if her stories are still grim, from just the few pieces I found out before and even more attempts on her live for just from people not reacting well to her null field.
Psykers like it even less. Especially when she wield that halberd of hers. It would be a pain to against even in my custom power armor, and I've seen it hit neverborne. She earns her keep that's for bloody sure. Still wish she painted her armor something else.
Looks like the memory lane getting back on main road cause her arms stopped moving. Meaning she's aware I'm here. Not that she would move her hair of the way to actually have a full look. Her typical black and white make-up running down again. Not a care in the world, yet she keep reapplying it. With the ever present undertone of anger breaks the silence.
"Things complicate already, I take it? Is the job unsalvageable?"
"Nice to see you too Emilia." Emilia Trauman. That's her name. she chose it herself. "The station in question is beyond saving by our hands. So we move elsewhere." Straight to the point in beginning. Eventually switching to banter and looser parts of the plan.
The base of operation in the southern part of Expanse, the tract to it, dead space and likely problems, twins and their price gouging adventures, half-hearted bets on prize disappointing us and so on. Just a talks between friends about to do something scary. Simple joys of life in grim reality.
All this time she tries to be obnoxious, annoying or unpleasant. A behavior that usually makes people not like her presence. Or rather, mask the actual reason. If she is disliked for her behavior rather than just being alive, it is something she has some control over, or excuse perhaps. Not so effective on someone aware of both facts. Being friends with her takes effort. She saved my live enough time and likely will many more to make it worth the effort it takes.
In the end we caught up, insulted each other without heat and talked shit about all the other misfits that made their way onboard. I bid her 'till later' and she started some maintenance on her instruments that as far as I'm aware do not require actual blood. Despite he jokes on that matter.
Next on the docked would be officers mesa. Given the technical side of things, getting everyone on the same page is rather prudent. Rest of my retinue will be addressed later. The elderly Catachan veteran fighter that got his way lost all the way over here, a dishonored arbiter with bounty on their head, one of the deadliest rattling snipers I so far failed to see in action and particular tech-priest with a grudge against forge-world of Edessa. What a volatile bunch do I entrust my life to. Great lads. Then are all the custom 'modifications' to my family vessel. Not exactly unique or complete but proven edge enough yet. I seriously need to get this overhaul dealt with, Braum will not shut up about it.
Alas. Atlas sector is a chest of treasures for those willing to brave it. And I always loved treasure hunts!
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Can someone versed in space time causation explain to me how can ones journey prove way too boring and exiting at the same time. Perhaps something to do with time perception and personal take on development. Or simply lack of gratification is to blame. Ughh! Where are all the eldars when you actually need one! And not the Druchii kind that tried to raid our suppliers before our departure! Would they waited an hour or two I would not care to do more than shot at them. As things went I ended up actually having to counter-board one of their smaller vessels, scrunching up how to pilot it and subsequently ram it into another one of theirs. True it did result in a quite heroic reception at that particular location but given geographic location of said location it is rather likely to change hands in coming future. If it was a singular such situation I would be more likely to accept it. Alas It was simply most daring interruption encountered. Every time opportunity sprung, it turned out to be a letdown. A noble rescued only to learn he's disowned and broke, a military genius access codes worth fortune if not for the fact said officer was 'fired' for political reasons making them all obsolete. And the Confessor. Ughhh! I want to forget that more than confess it.
Buggers.
At least progress is being made. Intel gathered and distance covered. Now it is the deserted space that's before us. May the Emperor bless our endeavors and Omnissiah our quest. They going to need that. For Caphias Maran is here.
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Traits:
Maran: Daredevil, instinctively competent, no sense of danger, charming.
Trauman: Cynic, angry, touch-starved, steadfast.
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To any anons more familiar with this quest than I, is there a reason we can't just refound the dynasty whose job it was to keep us contained, likely with some members of the dynasty restored with the relief matrices, ala the patients have escaped and are now running the asylum?
I don't know what it is, but I love the goal completion tracking with percentages.
We can found a dynasty, but why would we want to make it the same one? Better to design one that suits our needs. Also we are using the old ones lords/ladies, just with a couple of code changes, heh. Though the newly awakened ones this update won't be fully loyal since they woke up with the tomb.
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[] Accept them (200 Lesser Lords and 150 Lesser Crypteks join your retinue) [Loyalty Mixed]
Edit: upss, that was silly
Rolling with the theme. As for thieir plots and befudlements on what we do? Gotta get our entertaiment somehow.
Dear girl, have some patience. It does not bode well to strike in haste.
mhmm. Given my plan, it may be selfish but perhaps prudent to plan for expanshion...
Also, another one. Jolly.
I want all of those.
huh. We do have a number of unique artefacts in our possesion. Hard to define the limit of reson....
As in dormant or one already claimmed. Cause I want to awaken the planet with biggest shipyard in the system.
mhmm. good start . Can do beter.
[] Plan: Work in progress
-[] A Heart, to live:
Roll: 50. Reward: Unlock Relief Matrices for two Heroes. (Xorathis)
---[] Rahotamen
---[] Korissah
-[] White Ghosts, Redux:
Roll: 50. Reward: Build a Second Wraithbone Constructor. Improved version of the first. Increase production of Wraithbone. (Only Xorathis)
-[] The Viewing Hall:
Roll: 25. Reward: Build the Viewing Hall. Bonus to entice Necron Lords to come under your service. [NEW!]
--[] Xorathis
-[] Masks, to fool: You set your path toward heresy and ascension and certain revenge from the near-sighted. But it doesn't need to be so. Fund a new Dynasty, one that exists only to be your catpaw. Elect a Phaeron, set protocols, write glyphs. Making a persuasive facade will need to relinquish some measure of control but it may be worth it. Make a mouthpiece for your hidden voice.
--[] Ptolomes
--[] Khupra (Champion)
-[] Lost in Space: The Scavenger Tribes are a curious agglomeration of criminals, outcasts and lost souls. Let's approach them. Carefully.
Roll: 40. Reward: ??? Will progress the Imperium questline.
--[] Rahotamen (Is it wise? Who knows. Will he succssed? One way or the other)
- [] Open the Armories: Khupra (Champion)
Roll: 0. Reward: Necron Heroes armed with the most powerful weaponry at your disposal. No Action spent. Write in equipment, otherwise it'll be randomized. (one weapon, one side-weapon, one armor, one item per character)
-[] Enemies, close by: Roll: 50. Reward: One tombworld explored safely and/or possible hidden enemies found.
--[] Korissah
Beta's current actions:
- [] Seek connections with Sector Lord Ikarus [Build off-world diplomatic ties]
- [] Investigate rumors and search for occasions.
Cult's current action
- [] Establish Canon (Faith, Work, Prayer, Thought, Value of flesh, metal and soul, Choice, Thought, Discipline, Fealty. ) (Will produce an Agent)
- [] Focus on societal build-up and appoint officials. (The Acolyte)
-[] Most of the problems the Galaxy faces arise from a lack of mutual understanding. Break the mold. Pass some time with another. Choose 2.
--[] The Brother Vesperian, and their Spiritseer companion.
--[] Write in - Awakened Nobles - we may find someone of intrest.
Right... brb
-[] 2-9 Turns of work: The Forgemaster will produce an item of great power
--[] Seraptek Heavy Constructs - Battlefeal engineering/Arch - Canoptec grade 'steed'
-[] Canoptek Awakener:
-- [] Choose Tombworld to awaken - Anahakara Tombworld (Dormant) (one with biggest shipyard)
I am mostly conflicted on agrivating Mech-lords and preparing cult for growth in future.
A question to QM. What would it take to start waking other worlds in system? I do not see action for that. Esspecially now given our world is awaken in full....
Second question: -[] Enemies, close by:
Can we use it on the waking station is system? Just so they won't have time to fully wake and actually be aproblem? --[] Xorathis
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birdmaster01
Big Tech's Strongest Soldier
I am seeing an oppurtunity to make progress with both the imperium and eldar quests in the connection section so I recommend brother vesperian and beta as connections for any plan
birdmaster01
Big Tech's Strongest Soldier
Also the heart thing for korissah and khupra so they become less socially awkward
Could you elaborate on that train of Thought? I can understand Eldars, but I have a feeling we may benefit from looking inwards. A long time has passed, we must change along with them.
Would recoment looking for double-posting. Got hit a hammer for it.
Also any feedback on current plans?