Uh, will check this out now.
The tomb is underground, no drop pod landed on it. They did landed extremely close to it through.
Yes they did that.
Loyalty is its own Reward (A Traitor Legion Chapter Master Quest)
- Thread starter ThunderOwl
- Start date
Alright makes sense when their existing stockpile is bare so there's no way they can keep some keepsakes in their original look besides now being traitor colors even without the warp affects.
kelgar04
Knight Watcher
- Location
- Here and no were
The old nobility on world usurped authority from the Imperial Governor but did not secced from the Imperium of man, from there they rebuilt their strength and avoided sending people off world except for those criminal ment for the Night Lords. Crime surged again as you can imagine and they somehow managed to out do the average imperial noble in the corruption department.
Night Hunter came back found out what had become of his world then summoned his fleet to destroy the world. All the while putting down rebellion in his own ranks.
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Can't believe I'm actually doing it but I'm writing it out slowly for Severus meeting Rylanor. What I'm not sure of is the vision of Fulgrim visiting is disrupted because Severus visited early so he only meets Rylanor who hasn't set up the signal. I'm kind of just leaning towards having no Fulgrim visit but that doesn't mean later when Rylanor's fully restored.
The omake is slowly writing itself. Back when Severus was present in the official founding of the VIIIth Legion, Rylanor was present with the Emperor as the space marine poster boy since his legion's history has made them his heralds for a time plus Rylanor was mentioned fighting with the Emperor so he did also get to see Rylanor before his entombment into a dreadnought giving an induction speech before passing the VIIIth Legion's standard to their standard bearer.
Otherwise they didn't meet personally. Severus was just one of many space marines in the GC. Not too bad but not so great to be noteworthy which is ironic considering Rylanor's state and Severus's.
The omake is slowly writing itself. Back when Severus was present in the official founding of the VIIIth Legion, Rylanor was present with the Emperor as the space marine poster boy since his legion's history has made them his heralds for a time plus Rylanor was mentioned fighting with the Emperor so he did also get to see Rylanor before his entombment into a dreadnought giving an induction speech before passing the VIIIth Legion's standard to their standard bearer.
Otherwise they didn't meet personally. Severus was just one of many space marines in the GC. Not too bad but not so great to be noteworthy which is ironic considering Rylanor's state and Severus's.
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I want to see some of the other Legion options as a full quest because honestly any of the Legions would have made a compelling quest
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Could be a sequel if we all die horribly or the quest ends maybe?
I know bot commander started a loyal iron warriors quest but its only at around 7000 words and on indefinite hiatus.
If I was confident at all in my writing ability I'd run one where I just left the Night Lords out of the options.
Personally the 2 I'd most want to see would be World Eaters, and Death Guard. Though they all could be really cool. Personally I just want a Fleet using the Ursus Claws. And the inevitable Throwdown between the Chapter Master and Dear Old Dad if the World Eaters had won. Like We'd lose but it would be epic.
Plus Imagine the insane Relic Item that would be created by the Original Founding Chapter Master Using it to Duel their Own Primarch
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I think World Eaters would be really interesting if it was more then a handful of them. Like the Chapter Master has to herd a bunch of bloodthirsty madmen trying to keep them from going rogue. And knowing full well that in the long run he and the rest of the crusade era marines are going to have to die. Not only because the Imperium never going to really trust the chapter as long as they live but for the chapters long term stability.
Meanwhile he's trying to do the same thing we are with the Night Lords. Taking what worked for the original World Eaters/War Hounds and passing it onto the next generation. For chapter culture they probably pass on the fighting pits, caedere weapons and maybe have the apothecaries work on some sort of modified hypno-therapy to eventually create some sort of controlled berserker state or battle trance.
Seems to me a World Eater legacy chapter is to try and recreate the War Hounds albeit with modifications which is really easy when they already discarded their old colors.
You know interesting thing to think about but Severus is old enough to Remember when the Blood Angel's were the Revenant Legion. Back when they honestly could make Khornate Breserker's look sane
- Location
- USA
The legion of cannibals that somehow turned into noble angels. Severus must have been jealous that he got Konrad instead.
It's honestly almost Sad how the Blood Angels and World Eaters switched after they found they're Primarchs. The Blood Angels became the pinnacles of grace, and nobility in duty. While the World Eaters went from the great champions, to the mindless breserkers
It's actually kinda fascinating how different the Pre and Post Primarch versions of some Legions were.
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Turn 5: Action Results (758-763M41)
Smilnay System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 759 M41
Once the Thunderhawk you´re riding arrives at the landing pad, you're greeted by a far more augmented Arch-magos Delta-Iota-Kappa, the one who led the repairs on the Fear of Judgment decades ago.
"The Fabricator-General is currently supervising a test of our new Earthshaker munitions. I´ll take you to the testing area."
The tech-priest guides him and his honor guard to an elevator, manned by a servitor integrated into the machinery. As the platform descends you notice that the servitor stands to twitch, but you don't give it much thought.
"Take care when we meet the Fabricator-General." Warns Alesios the other honor guards with his private comlink. "I don't want a repeat of what happened with the Sororitas escort in Asis."
Lepidus shrugs in response, at least as much as his pauldrons allow him. "If our words offended them so greatly, perhaps they should have kept theirs unsaid."
"I mean it, Lepidus. We are the bodyguards of a Chapter Master, it is time that we acted like it." Martellus chuckles at Alesios stern words.
"Doth thou desire us to behave with utmost solemnity?" The Chapter Ancient mocks as he shifts the banner from one hand to the other. "It shall be done, mine Primarch." A second later he thinks about what he just said. "Sorry Julius, I didn´t thought…"
"Martellus." Cuts him off Numa softly. "Shut up."
In a curious paradox, while your honor guard don´t hold any ill-will to you or the other ex-legionnaires, they have taken the truth of their lineage harder than the members of Chapter Command. As such, the topic is taboo for them, and every mention of it kills conversations instantly, as it has just happened. The rest of the descent and the way towards the testing area occurs in complete silence. When you do arrive, you find yourself in a room of such size that even your transhuman eyesight struggles to see the opposite wall. Near the door two servitors load a shell on an earthshaker cannon, with a servo-skull floating around the artillery piece and a bunch of tech-priests attending the test. Fabricator-General Nikola Delta-Null 6 is easy to spot, seeing that he has a head over the rest of his subordinates. A variety of coils sparking with electricity seem to be implanted across the multiple mechadendrites on his back. His robes hide a body that has the bulk of an unarmored space marine, supported by a part of plantigrade metallic legs. Beneath the hood of his robes, two bionic red eyes stand on the surface of an unpainted metal plate that replaces his face, as undecorated as the wall behind him. As you take a step towards him, the earthshaker fires, and promptly explodes. The servitors are shredded by the blast, with some of the tech-priests falling with shrapnel wounds. The only ones unaffected by the explosion are you and your men, as between the distance and your power armor all the shrapnel bounces off harmlessly, and the Fabricator-General, who activates a conversion field. As the remaining pieces of the gun start smoking, you see the head of the Master of Smilnay tilt towards you.
"Excuse me for a moment, Chapter Master." He says. He then drifts towards one of the wounded magos. "Magos Steve-Mu-Omega-Mu, the improved propellant you suggested for the shells is clearly inneficient. You have 3.898 hours to submit a new mixture, dismissed." He turns back to you, ignoring who the tech-priest he just spoke to is trying to stem the flow of blood and oil pouring out of his body. "Glad to meet you in person, Chapter Master. Repairing such a venerable piece of engineering as the Fear of Judgement and the equipment within has given us plenty of useful insights to apply."
"Such as that one?" You ask with a jerk of your head to the destroyed gun.
"As I'm sure you understand." Starts Nikola Delta-Null 9 in what manages to be a bashful tone in a voice modulator. "The path of improvement is always fraught with setbacks.
You feel uncomfortable when he says "improvement", remembering when back in the Great Crusade a sergeant of the 65th asked the techmarines of the Fear of Judgment to "improve" his armor. Even now, he still ignored how Karark Zel had managed to lodge a cog in the marines skull through his helmet. "With all due respect Fabricator-General, you aren´t suggesting tech-heresy right?"
"Of course not!" You have to admit that for a voice module, his is surprisingly expressive, his indignation almost physical. "Have you spoken to those lagging cognitators in Milan? We do not "innovate"! "He spits with visceral disgust. "We just try to push our creations' specifications to their utmost limit!!"
You raise your hands in surrender "I apologize for any offense I might have caused Fabricator-General." He keeps your eyes on you, before nodding slowly.
"Apologies accepted Chapter Master. Now, I suppose you wish to discuss what our forges can offer to your Chapter?" You open your mouth to confirm it but he keeps on speaking. "We´ve got partnerships with the regiments of the Imperial Guard and the Knights of House Lothbrok and our equipment has superior performance to that of the ramshackle botch-jobs of Milan. We also have the experience and capability needed to produce Astartes equipment." You don't bother asking about what he wants in return, for he doesn´t slow down. "In return, we would be delighted if you provided escort to some of our Magos, field test some of our improved designs and assist our forces if the ever find themselves engaged with foes that might overcome them. I am sure you need time to consider these advantageous terms, would you like to accompany me on more tests in the meantime? There is a demonstration in bay 5 of an improved flamer design."
"I´m afraid I have to return to Luctus in haste." You decline, wisely lying about how you´re visiting Milan next. "Should you do something about them?" You ask, referring to the still wounded tech-priests laying about.
"They will be fine." Waves off Nikola Delta-Null 9. Then he nudges one of them with his foot. "Well, except Magos Steve-Mu-Omega-Mu, he has been rendered non-functional due to unhealthy amounts of hemorrhaging. May the Omnissiahs Blessing fall upon you Chapter Master.
You keep your thoughts from appearing on your face as you turn back towards the elevator.
-Contact gained: Fabricator-General Thomas Epsilon 1874 of Smilnay: Neutral
Milan System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 759 M41
For all the Mechanicum proclamations of disdaining the weakness of the flesh and devotion to efficiency and cold logic, you ́ve found that they are as prone to grandstanding and self-importance as the rest of Humanity. Case in point your meeting with Thomas Epsilon 1874 is not on his sanctum or office, but on the ring of shipyards and orbital defenses that surround the planet, in an observation deck that gives a perfect view of the launching ceremony of a new Retribution class Battleship for the Imperial Navy, the Glory of Martyrdom. Multiple techpriest used the scaffolding still in place in order to cover every single centimeter of the hull with incense and sacred oils, and the sound of prayers in binaric spoken in unison was audible even through the sound-proofed glass that separated you from the bay in question, as it had been for the last two hours.
"An impressive ceremony, Fabricator-General." You comment, even if you consider the whole thing a waste of time that could be spent in more pressing matters.
The tech-priest in question is not here, his body connected to multiple cogitators in the center of the Forge World. In his place there is a robed servitor, eyes replaced by pic-recorders and the whole lower jaw by a vox-cast unit. He says something in binary, then realizes that you don´t understand what he's saying. "The labor of our forges deserves to be treated with the respect the Omnissiah demands for it´s wisdom." The voice that comes out of the servitor is heavily distorted with static, the words coming with a slowness that speaks of disuse. "We pride ourselves in the care and effort we place in the construction and maintenance of our vessels, something that your chapter would surely appreciate, taking into account the state of your fleet."
You don't outwardly react to his words, even if it does surprise you that he knows about the damages to your ships. Your Honor Guard does tense slightly, but the servitor head remains fixed on you. "You are well informed, Fabricator-General."
A static sound that might be chuckle comes from the vox, "The Omnissiah knows all, comprehends all. And sometimes, they see fit to grant it´s humble servants some of that knowledge." HIs voice hardens. "I also know that you met with that malfunctioning sewage disposal unit they call Fabricator-General in Smilnay before coming here."
"So I did." You admit readily, "They repaired the Fear of Judgement before"
"A sub-optimal decision Chapter Master." The servitor tilts its head. "But one that can be excused by your ignorance. Know that the capabilities of our adepts and the specifications of our designs are far superior to those that Smilnay has to offer. Ceasing your interactions with those computing errors is the most appropriate course for your chapter, as a better alternative is present here."
You are both impressed and disappointed by the raw hatred that his voice gains when he speaks of their neighboring homeworld, but you can recognize that the same animosity can be of use to your chapter "Those words are compelling, but I prefer if your offer was backed by data instead of words."
"Wise words Chapter Master. Our facilities are far more streamlined and efficient than those of those malformed cogs, which allows us to assemble our products faster." His voice takes a boastful tone." We also have contacts with the Imperial Navy, the might of our Skitarii formations and Astartes equipment blueprints which would be trivial to commence manufacturing. In exchange, we will require protection for our exploration fleets, bodyguarding some of our more prominent magos as they do their duties and "facilitating" the number of incidences that Smilnay´s endevours might face."
You tighten your fists, and your face shows the anger that the last part of his pitch has created. "Let me be absolutely clear Fabricator-General." Your voice is a whisper that contrasts heavily with it´s murderous tone. "I am not killing servants of the Imperium in the name of grudges. If you so much as think of insinuating that again I´ll take Smilnays offer without hesitation."
There is a moment of terse silence between you, until the servitor the Fabricator-General is puppeting lowers its head. "I understand, I….regret any offense that you might have taken for my words. I expect that this does not prompt you to make any…rash decisions."
"We´ll see." You take your eyes of the servitor and look below to the ongoing ceremony. "I will depart after the ceremony concludes. How long until it is over?"
"I acknowledge that multiple endeavors hold your attention, Chapter Master. As such, I´ve taken the liberty to shorten the procedures to a brief 8 hours." You are grateful that the pict-casts offer a lesser degree of vision than a normal eye, otherwise the Fabricator would have seen Spatha, Martellus and Lepidus placing a hand on his faceplate and Alesios subsequent admonishment.
-Contact gained: Fabricator-General Thomas Epsilon 1874 of Milan: Neutral
Luctus System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum 761 M41
"Thank you Stanislaus." You say to the Head Serf as he carries a few bottles of gorionik za usta into your quarters. "I know this task is beneath your position."
"Tis no trouble Milord, the walking does me good." Says the old man as he sets the bottles on the new cabinet beside your desk, alongside some Astartes-sized glasses. As he stands up, he notices the vellum on your desk. "If I may be so bold as to ask Milord, what are those about?" He asks, peering at the script in confusion. He´s literate, you wouldn´t have chosen him for the position otherwise, but the documents are written in nostraman, in order to provide an additional layer of security.
After a short consideration, you decide to tell him. The old mayor of Schronienies loyalty had been tested extensively and the intel inside did not concern any inner matter of the Chapter. "News regarding the situation of the Ultima Segmentum."
Stanislaus perks up. "Anything interesting? We hardly hear news in Luctus regarding the rest of the sector, let alone the wider galaxy."
"Interesting, plenty, but not much of it good." You run a hand through your beard as you speak. "Both the Damocles Crusade and the Tyranids hive-fleet have caused a substantial depletion of the Imperial Guard and Space Marine forces in the Segmentum. Even now, Tyranid Splinter Fleets are roaming across the segmentum, diverting forces from other fronts. Also, the Tau have grown bold and have annexed several worlds in the Damocles Gulf. We might be called upon to punish those worlds for their betrayal."
Stanislaus shakes his head at the last part with an expression of loathing in his weathered features. "Abandoning the God-Emperor to lick the boots of the damned xenos? I hope you make those heretics suffer."
You chuckle, but you don´t reply as Servilius and Thrax, the members of the Honor Guard currently on rotation, open the door from outside to let someone in.. Marcus Fretensis, your master of the Arsenal, frowns as he sees the Head serf in the room before fixing his attention on you.
"We´ll have to continue this latter, Stanislaus, for now I must ask you to leave." The old man bows and walks away. Neither you nor Fretensis speak until his footsteps fade from your hearing.
"You´ve been quick to answer to my summons." You gesture towards the chair in front of your desk. "Take a seat Marcus."
Fretensis remains standing. "Why have you called me?" He demands to know imperiously. You sigh, displeased about how this is going to go but expecting all the same.
"Out of all of the members of Chapter Command you are the one most displeased with the truth of our gene-line. I want to discuss your concerns about it."
Fretensis eyes narrow. "Have you been spying on me?"
"I didn´t need to, you´re not exactly subtle about it." You drum your fingers on the table. "Now out with them."
"I don´t trust you." Snarls the younger marine. "You lied to us before, you demand that we lie to the rest of our brothers, and you lie to us now. You and the rest of the "founders", "He says the word as if it was an insult. "fought in one of the most despicable of the Traitor Legions, and I'm supposed to believe that you conveniently were Lost to the Warp before the Heresy, and that out of thousands of legionnaires you turn out to be the only righteous ones. A noble veteran of the Unification Wars and his faithful men? Groxshit. You want to know my concerns?! My concerns are that you are and the others are thrice-damn traitors, and that you've managed to fool some power-hungry inquisitor in order to get away with your sins!! " He's shouting by the end of his tirade, prompting Numa and Maximinus to burst into the room, hands on the grips of their chainswords.
You address your bodyguards first. "Everything's fine, Marcus is just expressing himself heatedly. Return outside." Numa leaves the room with that. Thrax lingers for a moment, gaze shifting from you to Fretensis before he follows suit. You rise from your seat, locking eyes unflinchingly with the Martian-born Marine, from which to his credit he tenses but doesn't back away from.
"Firstly, If I was the traitorous scum you believe me to be, I could have slit your throat at the start of this conversation and then tell Numa and Maximinus that you attacked me first." You state factually. Fretensis is fully armored and armed, while you're only clad in a single robe and your weapons are hanging behind you. He doesn´t contest it. "Secondly, I´m neither righteous or noble, and I´ve never been in any sense of the word. I´ve committed despicable deeds for decades, as did any marine from the Great Crusade. Did you know that the IXth butchered worlds in cannibalistic frenzy, or that the XIXth you were so much agreeable to be descendants of weren´t as dissimilar to us once?" You step around the table, putting yourself so close to Fretensis your noses could touch if you leaned. "Everything I´ve done has been in the name of duty, and if the Emperor wished that I killed every single one of the Marines in this fortress with my bare hands, I would do so or perish in the attempt." You take a step back now. "And lastly, what are you going to do about your concerns now?"
Fretensis seems to consider the question. "I´ll do my duty." He declares resolutely, hand drifting to the hilt of his chainsword.
A wide and mirthless grin blooms in your face. "That answer does you credit Fretensis, but let´s go through what that would mean." You raise the index finger of your right hand. "First you have to kill me, preferably fast enough that Servilius and Thrax don´t interfere." You raise the middle finger. "Then you have to kill them, again, quickly enough that they don´t report that you have murdered me." The ring finger follows. "If you they raise the alarm, you´ll have the whole chapter hunting you down, and you won´t have a chance to talk before they gun you down. If you kill them before they can do so, then you´ll have to quickly convince both other officers and our battle brothers both of helping you stage a coup and of the truth in the case of the latter." You raise your pinky finger last. "Then you have to actually win that coup, and even if you do so, you´ll be left with a chapter with a dead Chief Apothecary, Master of the Forge and Master of Recruits, alongside everyone who you couldn´t convince to join you and those that you did convince but died in the fighting." You close the fist. "And all of this for something you just suspect, but don´t have any concrete proof of."
Fretensis looks uncertain as you finish speaking, both seeing your point but at the same time still reticent to back down. You sigh and your voice softens. "I understand that your concerns, Fretensis, but they are misplaced and acting on them wouldn´t benefit anyone. I´m not asking you to be my friend, or to ignore the truth, but at the end of the day your blood is that of the VIIIth, and you can´t change that. So If you can´t bring yourself to trust me or the rest of the old legionnaires, at least keep your peace, for the good of the chapter."
The younger marine closes his eyes, before letting out a deep breath. "Fine, but I will be watching Chapter Master." He leaves without another word, and as soon as you hear his footsteps fade away you open one of the bottles that Stanislaus had just restocked, without bothering to grab the glass.
-Learned more about the situation of the Ultima Segmentum
-Fretensis earns 6d50= 18, 2, 13, 31, 46, 12=122 Fellowship XP, 172/400 XP
Luctus System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum 760 M41
"...And with the writing of Article 15, the 1st chapter of the Luctusian Constitution is settled. There will be a 10 minute recess until we start debating the 2nd." The Mayors of all Refuges in Luctus stand up in reaction to these words. Amidst them is Lylia Semyonovna, the mayor of Skloniste, who stretches on her chair until she hears her back creak. One of her assistants, a nephew of an old friend of hers, dutifully passes her a glass of water, which she empties in one gulp. The last article concerned the re-settling of reclaimed refugees and getting a compromise of all refuges pitching population had taken the better part of an hour. The assembly in general is being extremely bothersome, with hundreds of mayors present, from the smallest of the Refuge to those with the population to actually matter, all of which needed lodgings and meals. With Skloniste being the unofficial planetary capital, it had been her duty to host the assembly and all the planetary leaders, which was extremely stressful. At least Article 5 had recognized her refuge as the official planetary capital and her as the Planetary Governor, despite how much that little bitch of Gustaw from Ubezhishche had whined that it is the closest Refuge to the Fortress-Monastery of the Mist Shrikes.
Speaking of which, Lylia glances at the one assistant to the assembly who could kill every single one of the others present. Master of the Keep Domitian looked exactly the same as ten years ago, when she had met up with her to discuss the raising of PDF regiments on the planet, while Lylia's hair had gone gray in the meantime. There were advantages to being an Angel of the God-Emperor she supposed. The marine had not spoken in the 13 hours the assembly had lasted until now, just standing there and listening.
That changes when the 10 minute break pass and the mayors reconvene again. The marine then moves towards the speaker, an old stalker, and hands him a scroll. The speaker reads it quickly and speaks back to the camera.
"For the second chapter of the Luctusian Constitution, Domitian, Master of the Keep of the Noble Angels of Death of the Mist Shrike Chapter proposes codifying the relationship between his Chapter and the Luctusian Government. The Noble Astartes will distribute copies of the proposal."
Domitian then proceeded to do as such, pulling a prodigious amount of parchment and handing one copy to each of the mayors. The Angel of Death bowed his head an infinitesimal amount in greeting when he hands it to her, and she wastes no time in reading through it. The terms are simple and concise, protecting the Mist Shrikes recruitment rights, giving them the capability to co-op any PDF forces if they so needed, judicial and police authority in the Refuges, a seat in the Congress of Representatives (A provisional name), and right of veto for any laws and decrees.
"Does anyone object to the proposal made by Master of the Keep Domitian?" Asks the speaker after some time. No one is stupid and/or heretical enough to tell a Space Marine no, so the speaker hits the desk he´s sitting one with his gavel. "Then the 2nd Chapter of the Luctusian Constitution is approved. The next chapter concerns the responsibilities, powers and rights of the Planetary Governor…"
As several mayors stand up and start shouting, Lilya wishes that the Mist Shrikes had made a whole constitution instead of just a chapter of it. It would have sped up this mess.
-Luctus establishes a more centralized government, Mist Shrikes rights and interests protected by the Luctusian Constitution.
-New Contact gained: Mayor-Governor Lilya Semyonovna (Neutral)
Luctus System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum 761M41
To Karark Zel´s delight, Severus had authorized the internment of Quintus in a Dreadnought´s frame. He had never participated in such an important ritual before, and his experience with the venerable machines extended to the routine maintenance and repairs that he had made on old Aristeo back in the Great Crusade. Shame that the pattern they were going to use now was the Castaferrum-Pattern, Comtemptors were a superior model in his opinion, but one works with what the Motive Force grants.
Of course, while he´s perfectly capable of handling the technological components of the procedure, he doesn't have the same expertise on matters of the flesh. Which was why Valzadai is inside the forge, checking the amniotic fluid that would be placed in the sarcophagus.
"The nutrient ratios in the fluid seem adequate." Comments Valzadai, putting emphasis on the "seem". "I will check it again later."
The Master of the Forge shrugs. "If you think it necessary. Neural connections are ready." He takes his attention away from the cognitator and focuses it on his fellow veteran. "How are your investigations going?"
Valzadai pauses for a moment, before shifting his attention to Sertorius' anesthetized body. "We´re making progress with Spatha´s condition, thanks to the preparations needed to intern Sertorius into a dreadnought. I´ve noticed that the preserving conditions of the sarcophagus might be able to keep the marine alive despite the dangerous degeneration that the afflictions bring upon the geneseed. We just need some practical test to confirm that hypothesis." He now inspects the marine´s Black Carapace, to see if they can use the connectors to the power armor for the neural feeds of the sarcophagus. "As for the Mist, we haven't been able to make any progress in developing a counter-measure, although it would be far more suspicious if we had, it is a Dark Age of Technology weapon after all."
"Truly the products of that Age are beyond what our minds can comprehend." Karark Zel states with a mix of reverence and wariness. He spends a moment scanning the sarcophagus for structural weaknesses, and smiles when he finds none.
"By the way, how are your subordinates working after the reveal?" Asks Valzadai suddenly.
"Pretty well actually." Replies the Master of the Forge as they both insert Setorius into the sarcophagus, before commencing the connection of neural ports. He remembers with smug superiority how, unlike their uninitiated brothers in the mysteries of the Machine God, his techmarines had not focused on unimportant matters like their geneline or origins, instead reacting with excitement at having a superior with knowledge of Great Crusade Era technologies. That had ended with their whole brotherhood watching him obsessively as he demonstrated the construction of a Volkite Charger. He had thought that they would already know how to do so, but apparently their instructors in Mars had not bothered teaching them about Volkite weaponry because "it wasn´t part of the arsenals of the Astartes chapters". He had the urge to go to Mars and rip the augmentations from the flesh of whoever said that. Knowledge is the sacred gift of the Machine God and to deny it for something a s trivial as practicality made what remained of his flesh boil with anger.
"Good, yours aren´t twitchy about it like mine are." Valzadai says grumpily, pulling Karark Zel out of his thoughts as he looks upon him with an incredulous expression.
"Valzadai, the way you broke the news to them was extreme." He says slowly. "I would dare say that if Severus hadn´t chose that moment to check on you one of them might have ended up dead." Valzadai scoffs. In response
"Compared to how I was instructed, I'm taking a gentle and caring approach. They should grow a thicker skin." Karark Zel chooses not to reply on account of the sheer hypocrisy of that statement, instead closing the sarcophagus after they fill it with fluid.
"So, are you satisfied with the new member of your order?" Asks Karark Zel after a moment of silence.
"Too soon to tell, I will keep an eye on him until I can do so." Grunts the Chief Apothecary. They finish the connection and Valzadai stands back as Karark Zel links the sarcophagus with the rest of the Dreadnoughts frame. A serf grabs a censer and starts waving it in front of the censor with an overpowering smell of incense. Karark Zel mutters prayers, while Valzadai waits with arms crossed. Half an hour pass until the dreadnought shifts with a slow, pounderous movement.
"Quintus, can you hear us?" Asks Karark Zel.
"I can." The words come out slowly from the vox-casts. "What happened?"
"Vitals are all within ideal parameters, integration appears to be a success." Mutters Valzadai. He then addresses the entombed marine. "You almost died in Malbork, so we had to put you in a Dreadnought,"
"I see." Sertorius' frame shifts slightly, facing the Master of the Forge. "Who has been chosen as my replacement?"
Choose a new Captain for the 10th:
-[] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)
-[] Lieutenant Lanista: The second of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Lanista is popular with his marines, and is tactically inclined to fast to constant movement and improvisation (+Fellowship, Optimist.)
-[] Lepidus: A member of your Honour Guard, Lepidus' skill with a bolter is only matched by his casual demeanor. An ardent proponent of long-range engagements and assassinations (+Ballistic Skill, Sharpshooter)
-[] Choose a member of chapter command
–[] Write-in a member of Chapter command, then vote one of the other options to replace it in his current post.
-Gain 75 Nowalijki, 94 geneseed lost.
-Progress made in Geneseed study, negligible progress towards Mist counter-agents.
-Gained Apothecary-in-training Biernat, gained Chaplains-in-training Osinski and Jaronski.
-Gained 5 Power Swords, 1 Volkite Charger, 2 Chainglaives and 1 Whirlwind
-Repaired 1 Razorback, 2 Rhinos, 1 Whirlwind, 4 Attack Bikes and the Bird of Prey
Luctus System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum 762 M41
Artur tries to clean the lens of his gasmask with his sleeves, succeeding only in getting the Shroudwolf blood spread across the glass, tinting the world a faint red. His hands shake, and it takes an effort to get them to still. Around him are spread the corpses of both his fellow aspirants and those of the pack of predators that had ambushed them. He sees Lubomir rummaging through the packs of the dead, scrounging food rations, autogun bullets and gas mask filters. The older kid notices him watching, and tosses him a rag so that he can clean his mask better. Apart from the two of them, the only one alive is Stefan, hunched over the corpse of his older cousin. Artur wipes the blood off the lens completely and approaches Stefan, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Stefan, he's dead." He says, words blunt yet his voice kind. The younger kid freezes, before taking a small ring from his cousin's finger and standing up, crying all the while. Artur, not knowing how to comfort him, awkwardly pats him in the back before joining Lubomir in getting all the useful supplies from the dead aspirants. They finish quickly, resources scarce after five weeks of travel, which has reduced their group from 20 to 3. After a few prayers to the God-Emperor for the souls of the deceased the kids resume their march, the only sound being that of their breath and the muffled crying of Stepan.
Artur had been warned that the trials would be like this. The Angels of Death that had visited his home of Adapost to round up candidates had made extremely clear that the chance of dying was high and that they would not help anyone. Still, he had dreamt of this, and he would achieve it. Some of the other kids had backed down when people had started dying, but he would reach the Fortress-Monastery or perish in the attempt.
Lubomir stops and pulls a map from his backpack, straining his eyes in order to pierce the Mist, "I think is over there." He points to a mountain barely visible in the horizon.
"You´re sure?" Asks Artur. "I still think we should have turned south yesterday."
"Well, it won't hurt to go there. If it is, then we´ve made it, and if it isn´t we can turn south from there." Lubomir shrugs. "Or something there kills us."
Artur tries to discern something amidst the Mist but gives up after a few seconds. "Well, time´s wasting then. C´mon Stefan." The mourning kid follows the two of them as they keep walking.
-23 Neophytes gained, 34 Nowalijki become Marines
-Average Marine Agility increases to 6
Q.M notes: Apologies for the slight delay. I´m open for suggestions for the next planet of the guide.
Once the Thunderhawk you´re riding arrives at the landing pad, you're greeted by a far more augmented Arch-magos Delta-Iota-Kappa, the one who led the repairs on the Fear of Judgment decades ago.
"The Fabricator-General is currently supervising a test of our new Earthshaker munitions. I´ll take you to the testing area."
The tech-priest guides him and his honor guard to an elevator, manned by a servitor integrated into the machinery. As the platform descends you notice that the servitor stands to twitch, but you don't give it much thought.
"Take care when we meet the Fabricator-General." Warns Alesios the other honor guards with his private comlink. "I don't want a repeat of what happened with the Sororitas escort in Asis."
Lepidus shrugs in response, at least as much as his pauldrons allow him. "If our words offended them so greatly, perhaps they should have kept theirs unsaid."
"I mean it, Lepidus. We are the bodyguards of a Chapter Master, it is time that we acted like it." Martellus chuckles at Alesios stern words.
"Doth thou desire us to behave with utmost solemnity?" The Chapter Ancient mocks as he shifts the banner from one hand to the other. "It shall be done, mine Primarch." A second later he thinks about what he just said. "Sorry Julius, I didn´t thought…"
"Martellus." Cuts him off Numa softly. "Shut up."
In a curious paradox, while your honor guard don´t hold any ill-will to you or the other ex-legionnaires, they have taken the truth of their lineage harder than the members of Chapter Command. As such, the topic is taboo for them, and every mention of it kills conversations instantly, as it has just happened. The rest of the descent and the way towards the testing area occurs in complete silence. When you do arrive, you find yourself in a room of such size that even your transhuman eyesight struggles to see the opposite wall. Near the door two servitors load a shell on an earthshaker cannon, with a servo-skull floating around the artillery piece and a bunch of tech-priests attending the test. Fabricator-General Nikola Delta-Null 6 is easy to spot, seeing that he has a head over the rest of his subordinates. A variety of coils sparking with electricity seem to be implanted across the multiple mechadendrites on his back. His robes hide a body that has the bulk of an unarmored space marine, supported by a part of plantigrade metallic legs. Beneath the hood of his robes, two bionic red eyes stand on the surface of an unpainted metal plate that replaces his face, as undecorated as the wall behind him. As you take a step towards him, the earthshaker fires, and promptly explodes. The servitors are shredded by the blast, with some of the tech-priests falling with shrapnel wounds. The only ones unaffected by the explosion are you and your men, as between the distance and your power armor all the shrapnel bounces off harmlessly, and the Fabricator-General, who activates a conversion field. As the remaining pieces of the gun start smoking, you see the head of the Master of Smilnay tilt towards you.
"Excuse me for a moment, Chapter Master." He says. He then drifts towards one of the wounded magos. "Magos Steve-Mu-Omega-Mu, the improved propellant you suggested for the shells is clearly inneficient. You have 3.898 hours to submit a new mixture, dismissed." He turns back to you, ignoring who the tech-priest he just spoke to is trying to stem the flow of blood and oil pouring out of his body. "Glad to meet you in person, Chapter Master. Repairing such a venerable piece of engineering as the Fear of Judgement and the equipment within has given us plenty of useful insights to apply."
"Such as that one?" You ask with a jerk of your head to the destroyed gun.
"As I'm sure you understand." Starts Nikola Delta-Null 9 in what manages to be a bashful tone in a voice modulator. "The path of improvement is always fraught with setbacks.
You feel uncomfortable when he says "improvement", remembering when back in the Great Crusade a sergeant of the 65th asked the techmarines of the Fear of Judgment to "improve" his armor. Even now, he still ignored how Karark Zel had managed to lodge a cog in the marines skull through his helmet. "With all due respect Fabricator-General, you aren´t suggesting tech-heresy right?"
"Of course not!" You have to admit that for a voice module, his is surprisingly expressive, his indignation almost physical. "Have you spoken to those lagging cognitators in Milan? We do not "innovate"! "He spits with visceral disgust. "We just try to push our creations' specifications to their utmost limit!!"
You raise your hands in surrender "I apologize for any offense I might have caused Fabricator-General." He keeps your eyes on you, before nodding slowly.
"Apologies accepted Chapter Master. Now, I suppose you wish to discuss what our forges can offer to your Chapter?" You open your mouth to confirm it but he keeps on speaking. "We´ve got partnerships with the regiments of the Imperial Guard and the Knights of House Lothbrok and our equipment has superior performance to that of the ramshackle botch-jobs of Milan. We also have the experience and capability needed to produce Astartes equipment." You don't bother asking about what he wants in return, for he doesn´t slow down. "In return, we would be delighted if you provided escort to some of our Magos, field test some of our improved designs and assist our forces if the ever find themselves engaged with foes that might overcome them. I am sure you need time to consider these advantageous terms, would you like to accompany me on more tests in the meantime? There is a demonstration in bay 5 of an improved flamer design."
"I´m afraid I have to return to Luctus in haste." You decline, wisely lying about how you´re visiting Milan next. "Should you do something about them?" You ask, referring to the still wounded tech-priests laying about.
"They will be fine." Waves off Nikola Delta-Null 9. Then he nudges one of them with his foot. "Well, except Magos Steve-Mu-Omega-Mu, he has been rendered non-functional due to unhealthy amounts of hemorrhaging. May the Omnissiahs Blessing fall upon you Chapter Master.
You keep your thoughts from appearing on your face as you turn back towards the elevator.
-Contact gained: Fabricator-General Thomas Epsilon 1874 of Smilnay: Neutral
Milan System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum, 759 M41
For all the Mechanicum proclamations of disdaining the weakness of the flesh and devotion to efficiency and cold logic, you ́ve found that they are as prone to grandstanding and self-importance as the rest of Humanity. Case in point your meeting with Thomas Epsilon 1874 is not on his sanctum or office, but on the ring of shipyards and orbital defenses that surround the planet, in an observation deck that gives a perfect view of the launching ceremony of a new Retribution class Battleship for the Imperial Navy, the Glory of Martyrdom. Multiple techpriest used the scaffolding still in place in order to cover every single centimeter of the hull with incense and sacred oils, and the sound of prayers in binaric spoken in unison was audible even through the sound-proofed glass that separated you from the bay in question, as it had been for the last two hours.
"An impressive ceremony, Fabricator-General." You comment, even if you consider the whole thing a waste of time that could be spent in more pressing matters.
The tech-priest in question is not here, his body connected to multiple cogitators in the center of the Forge World. In his place there is a robed servitor, eyes replaced by pic-recorders and the whole lower jaw by a vox-cast unit. He says something in binary, then realizes that you don´t understand what he's saying. "The labor of our forges deserves to be treated with the respect the Omnissiah demands for it´s wisdom." The voice that comes out of the servitor is heavily distorted with static, the words coming with a slowness that speaks of disuse. "We pride ourselves in the care and effort we place in the construction and maintenance of our vessels, something that your chapter would surely appreciate, taking into account the state of your fleet."
You don't outwardly react to his words, even if it does surprise you that he knows about the damages to your ships. Your Honor Guard does tense slightly, but the servitor head remains fixed on you. "You are well informed, Fabricator-General."
A static sound that might be chuckle comes from the vox, "The Omnissiah knows all, comprehends all. And sometimes, they see fit to grant it´s humble servants some of that knowledge." HIs voice hardens. "I also know that you met with that malfunctioning sewage disposal unit they call Fabricator-General in Smilnay before coming here."
"So I did." You admit readily, "They repaired the Fear of Judgement before"
"A sub-optimal decision Chapter Master." The servitor tilts its head. "But one that can be excused by your ignorance. Know that the capabilities of our adepts and the specifications of our designs are far superior to those that Smilnay has to offer. Ceasing your interactions with those computing errors is the most appropriate course for your chapter, as a better alternative is present here."
You are both impressed and disappointed by the raw hatred that his voice gains when he speaks of their neighboring homeworld, but you can recognize that the same animosity can be of use to your chapter "Those words are compelling, but I prefer if your offer was backed by data instead of words."
"Wise words Chapter Master. Our facilities are far more streamlined and efficient than those of those malformed cogs, which allows us to assemble our products faster." His voice takes a boastful tone." We also have contacts with the Imperial Navy, the might of our Skitarii formations and Astartes equipment blueprints which would be trivial to commence manufacturing. In exchange, we will require protection for our exploration fleets, bodyguarding some of our more prominent magos as they do their duties and "facilitating" the number of incidences that Smilnay´s endevours might face."
You tighten your fists, and your face shows the anger that the last part of his pitch has created. "Let me be absolutely clear Fabricator-General." Your voice is a whisper that contrasts heavily with it´s murderous tone. "I am not killing servants of the Imperium in the name of grudges. If you so much as think of insinuating that again I´ll take Smilnays offer without hesitation."
There is a moment of terse silence between you, until the servitor the Fabricator-General is puppeting lowers its head. "I understand, I….regret any offense that you might have taken for my words. I expect that this does not prompt you to make any…rash decisions."
"We´ll see." You take your eyes of the servitor and look below to the ongoing ceremony. "I will depart after the ceremony concludes. How long until it is over?"
"I acknowledge that multiple endeavors hold your attention, Chapter Master. As such, I´ve taken the liberty to shorten the procedures to a brief 8 hours." You are grateful that the pict-casts offer a lesser degree of vision than a normal eye, otherwise the Fabricator would have seen Spatha, Martellus and Lepidus placing a hand on his faceplate and Alesios subsequent admonishment.
-Contact gained: Fabricator-General Thomas Epsilon 1874 of Milan: Neutral
Luctus System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum 761 M41
"Thank you Stanislaus." You say to the Head Serf as he carries a few bottles of gorionik za usta into your quarters. "I know this task is beneath your position."
"Tis no trouble Milord, the walking does me good." Says the old man as he sets the bottles on the new cabinet beside your desk, alongside some Astartes-sized glasses. As he stands up, he notices the vellum on your desk. "If I may be so bold as to ask Milord, what are those about?" He asks, peering at the script in confusion. He´s literate, you wouldn´t have chosen him for the position otherwise, but the documents are written in nostraman, in order to provide an additional layer of security.
After a short consideration, you decide to tell him. The old mayor of Schronienies loyalty had been tested extensively and the intel inside did not concern any inner matter of the Chapter. "News regarding the situation of the Ultima Segmentum."
Stanislaus perks up. "Anything interesting? We hardly hear news in Luctus regarding the rest of the sector, let alone the wider galaxy."
"Interesting, plenty, but not much of it good." You run a hand through your beard as you speak. "Both the Damocles Crusade and the Tyranids hive-fleet have caused a substantial depletion of the Imperial Guard and Space Marine forces in the Segmentum. Even now, Tyranid Splinter Fleets are roaming across the segmentum, diverting forces from other fronts. Also, the Tau have grown bold and have annexed several worlds in the Damocles Gulf. We might be called upon to punish those worlds for their betrayal."
Stanislaus shakes his head at the last part with an expression of loathing in his weathered features. "Abandoning the God-Emperor to lick the boots of the damned xenos? I hope you make those heretics suffer."
You chuckle, but you don´t reply as Servilius and Thrax, the members of the Honor Guard currently on rotation, open the door from outside to let someone in.. Marcus Fretensis, your master of the Arsenal, frowns as he sees the Head serf in the room before fixing his attention on you.
"We´ll have to continue this latter, Stanislaus, for now I must ask you to leave." The old man bows and walks away. Neither you nor Fretensis speak until his footsteps fade from your hearing.
"You´ve been quick to answer to my summons." You gesture towards the chair in front of your desk. "Take a seat Marcus."
Fretensis remains standing. "Why have you called me?" He demands to know imperiously. You sigh, displeased about how this is going to go but expecting all the same.
"Out of all of the members of Chapter Command you are the one most displeased with the truth of our gene-line. I want to discuss your concerns about it."
Fretensis eyes narrow. "Have you been spying on me?"
"I didn´t need to, you´re not exactly subtle about it." You drum your fingers on the table. "Now out with them."
"I don´t trust you." Snarls the younger marine. "You lied to us before, you demand that we lie to the rest of our brothers, and you lie to us now. You and the rest of the "founders", "He says the word as if it was an insult. "fought in one of the most despicable of the Traitor Legions, and I'm supposed to believe that you conveniently were Lost to the Warp before the Heresy, and that out of thousands of legionnaires you turn out to be the only righteous ones. A noble veteran of the Unification Wars and his faithful men? Groxshit. You want to know my concerns?! My concerns are that you are and the others are thrice-damn traitors, and that you've managed to fool some power-hungry inquisitor in order to get away with your sins!! " He's shouting by the end of his tirade, prompting Numa and Maximinus to burst into the room, hands on the grips of their chainswords.
You address your bodyguards first. "Everything's fine, Marcus is just expressing himself heatedly. Return outside." Numa leaves the room with that. Thrax lingers for a moment, gaze shifting from you to Fretensis before he follows suit. You rise from your seat, locking eyes unflinchingly with the Martian-born Marine, from which to his credit he tenses but doesn't back away from.
"Firstly, If I was the traitorous scum you believe me to be, I could have slit your throat at the start of this conversation and then tell Numa and Maximinus that you attacked me first." You state factually. Fretensis is fully armored and armed, while you're only clad in a single robe and your weapons are hanging behind you. He doesn´t contest it. "Secondly, I´m neither righteous or noble, and I´ve never been in any sense of the word. I´ve committed despicable deeds for decades, as did any marine from the Great Crusade. Did you know that the IXth butchered worlds in cannibalistic frenzy, or that the XIXth you were so much agreeable to be descendants of weren´t as dissimilar to us once?" You step around the table, putting yourself so close to Fretensis your noses could touch if you leaned. "Everything I´ve done has been in the name of duty, and if the Emperor wished that I killed every single one of the Marines in this fortress with my bare hands, I would do so or perish in the attempt." You take a step back now. "And lastly, what are you going to do about your concerns now?"
Fretensis seems to consider the question. "I´ll do my duty." He declares resolutely, hand drifting to the hilt of his chainsword.
A wide and mirthless grin blooms in your face. "That answer does you credit Fretensis, but let´s go through what that would mean." You raise the index finger of your right hand. "First you have to kill me, preferably fast enough that Servilius and Thrax don´t interfere." You raise the middle finger. "Then you have to kill them, again, quickly enough that they don´t report that you have murdered me." The ring finger follows. "If you they raise the alarm, you´ll have the whole chapter hunting you down, and you won´t have a chance to talk before they gun you down. If you kill them before they can do so, then you´ll have to quickly convince both other officers and our battle brothers both of helping you stage a coup and of the truth in the case of the latter." You raise your pinky finger last. "Then you have to actually win that coup, and even if you do so, you´ll be left with a chapter with a dead Chief Apothecary, Master of the Forge and Master of Recruits, alongside everyone who you couldn´t convince to join you and those that you did convince but died in the fighting." You close the fist. "And all of this for something you just suspect, but don´t have any concrete proof of."
Fretensis looks uncertain as you finish speaking, both seeing your point but at the same time still reticent to back down. You sigh and your voice softens. "I understand that your concerns, Fretensis, but they are misplaced and acting on them wouldn´t benefit anyone. I´m not asking you to be my friend, or to ignore the truth, but at the end of the day your blood is that of the VIIIth, and you can´t change that. So If you can´t bring yourself to trust me or the rest of the old legionnaires, at least keep your peace, for the good of the chapter."
The younger marine closes his eyes, before letting out a deep breath. "Fine, but I will be watching Chapter Master." He leaves without another word, and as soon as you hear his footsteps fade away you open one of the bottles that Stanislaus had just restocked, without bothering to grab the glass.
-Learned more about the situation of the Ultima Segmentum
-Fretensis earns 6d50= 18, 2, 13, 31, 46, 12=122 Fellowship XP, 172/400 XP
Luctus System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum 760 M41
"...And with the writing of Article 15, the 1st chapter of the Luctusian Constitution is settled. There will be a 10 minute recess until we start debating the 2nd." The Mayors of all Refuges in Luctus stand up in reaction to these words. Amidst them is Lylia Semyonovna, the mayor of Skloniste, who stretches on her chair until she hears her back creak. One of her assistants, a nephew of an old friend of hers, dutifully passes her a glass of water, which she empties in one gulp. The last article concerned the re-settling of reclaimed refugees and getting a compromise of all refuges pitching population had taken the better part of an hour. The assembly in general is being extremely bothersome, with hundreds of mayors present, from the smallest of the Refuge to those with the population to actually matter, all of which needed lodgings and meals. With Skloniste being the unofficial planetary capital, it had been her duty to host the assembly and all the planetary leaders, which was extremely stressful. At least Article 5 had recognized her refuge as the official planetary capital and her as the Planetary Governor, despite how much that little bitch of Gustaw from Ubezhishche had whined that it is the closest Refuge to the Fortress-Monastery of the Mist Shrikes.
Speaking of which, Lylia glances at the one assistant to the assembly who could kill every single one of the others present. Master of the Keep Domitian looked exactly the same as ten years ago, when she had met up with her to discuss the raising of PDF regiments on the planet, while Lylia's hair had gone gray in the meantime. There were advantages to being an Angel of the God-Emperor she supposed. The marine had not spoken in the 13 hours the assembly had lasted until now, just standing there and listening.
That changes when the 10 minute break pass and the mayors reconvene again. The marine then moves towards the speaker, an old stalker, and hands him a scroll. The speaker reads it quickly and speaks back to the camera.
"For the second chapter of the Luctusian Constitution, Domitian, Master of the Keep of the Noble Angels of Death of the Mist Shrike Chapter proposes codifying the relationship between his Chapter and the Luctusian Government. The Noble Astartes will distribute copies of the proposal."
Domitian then proceeded to do as such, pulling a prodigious amount of parchment and handing one copy to each of the mayors. The Angel of Death bowed his head an infinitesimal amount in greeting when he hands it to her, and she wastes no time in reading through it. The terms are simple and concise, protecting the Mist Shrikes recruitment rights, giving them the capability to co-op any PDF forces if they so needed, judicial and police authority in the Refuges, a seat in the Congress of Representatives (A provisional name), and right of veto for any laws and decrees.
"Does anyone object to the proposal made by Master of the Keep Domitian?" Asks the speaker after some time. No one is stupid and/or heretical enough to tell a Space Marine no, so the speaker hits the desk he´s sitting one with his gavel. "Then the 2nd Chapter of the Luctusian Constitution is approved. The next chapter concerns the responsibilities, powers and rights of the Planetary Governor…"
As several mayors stand up and start shouting, Lilya wishes that the Mist Shrikes had made a whole constitution instead of just a chapter of it. It would have sped up this mess.
-Luctus establishes a more centralized government, Mist Shrikes rights and interests protected by the Luctusian Constitution.
-New Contact gained: Mayor-Governor Lilya Semyonovna (Neutral)
Luctus System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum 761M41
To Karark Zel´s delight, Severus had authorized the internment of Quintus in a Dreadnought´s frame. He had never participated in such an important ritual before, and his experience with the venerable machines extended to the routine maintenance and repairs that he had made on old Aristeo back in the Great Crusade. Shame that the pattern they were going to use now was the Castaferrum-Pattern, Comtemptors were a superior model in his opinion, but one works with what the Motive Force grants.
Of course, while he´s perfectly capable of handling the technological components of the procedure, he doesn't have the same expertise on matters of the flesh. Which was why Valzadai is inside the forge, checking the amniotic fluid that would be placed in the sarcophagus.
"The nutrient ratios in the fluid seem adequate." Comments Valzadai, putting emphasis on the "seem". "I will check it again later."
The Master of the Forge shrugs. "If you think it necessary. Neural connections are ready." He takes his attention away from the cognitator and focuses it on his fellow veteran. "How are your investigations going?"
Valzadai Intelligence roll 8d10= 4, 4, 7, 8, 6, 10, 6, 7= 7 Successes, 7+2= 9/15
Valzadai Intellligence roll 8d10= 7, 9, 8, 4, 1, 2, 1, 4= 1 Success, 1/100
Valzadai Intellligence roll 8d10= 7, 9, 8, 4, 1, 2, 1, 4= 1 Success, 1/100
Valzadai pauses for a moment, before shifting his attention to Sertorius' anesthetized body. "We´re making progress with Spatha´s condition, thanks to the preparations needed to intern Sertorius into a dreadnought. I´ve noticed that the preserving conditions of the sarcophagus might be able to keep the marine alive despite the dangerous degeneration that the afflictions bring upon the geneseed. We just need some practical test to confirm that hypothesis." He now inspects the marine´s Black Carapace, to see if they can use the connectors to the power armor for the neural feeds of the sarcophagus. "As for the Mist, we haven't been able to make any progress in developing a counter-measure, although it would be far more suspicious if we had, it is a Dark Age of Technology weapon after all."
"Truly the products of that Age are beyond what our minds can comprehend." Karark Zel states with a mix of reverence and wariness. He spends a moment scanning the sarcophagus for structural weaknesses, and smiles when he finds none.
"By the way, how are your subordinates working after the reveal?" Asks Valzadai suddenly.
"Pretty well actually." Replies the Master of the Forge as they both insert Setorius into the sarcophagus, before commencing the connection of neural ports. He remembers with smug superiority how, unlike their uninitiated brothers in the mysteries of the Machine God, his techmarines had not focused on unimportant matters like their geneline or origins, instead reacting with excitement at having a superior with knowledge of Great Crusade Era technologies. That had ended with their whole brotherhood watching him obsessively as he demonstrated the construction of a Volkite Charger. He had thought that they would already know how to do so, but apparently their instructors in Mars had not bothered teaching them about Volkite weaponry because "it wasn´t part of the arsenals of the Astartes chapters". He had the urge to go to Mars and rip the augmentations from the flesh of whoever said that. Knowledge is the sacred gift of the Machine God and to deny it for something a s trivial as practicality made what remained of his flesh boil with anger.
"Good, yours aren´t twitchy about it like mine are." Valzadai says grumpily, pulling Karark Zel out of his thoughts as he looks upon him with an incredulous expression.
"Valzadai, the way you broke the news to them was extreme." He says slowly. "I would dare say that if Severus hadn´t chose that moment to check on you one of them might have ended up dead." Valzadai scoffs. In response
"Compared to how I was instructed, I'm taking a gentle and caring approach. They should grow a thicker skin." Karark Zel chooses not to reply on account of the sheer hypocrisy of that statement, instead closing the sarcophagus after they fill it with fluid.
"So, are you satisfied with the new member of your order?" Asks Karark Zel after a moment of silence.
Neophyte Implantation success rolls 1d94=60+15(60x0.25)=75
Techmarine candidates 1d4-2=2-2=0
Apothecary candidates 1d4-2=3-2=1
Chaplain candidates 1d4-2=4-2=2
Techmarine candidates 1d4-2=2-2=0
Apothecary candidates 1d4-2=3-2=1
Chaplain candidates 1d4-2=4-2=2
"Too soon to tell, I will keep an eye on him until I can do so." Grunts the Chief Apothecary. They finish the connection and Valzadai stands back as Karark Zel links the sarcophagus with the rest of the Dreadnoughts frame. A serf grabs a censer and starts waving it in front of the censor with an overpowering smell of incense. Karark Zel mutters prayers, while Valzadai waits with arms crossed. Half an hour pass until the dreadnought shifts with a slow, pounderous movement.
"Quintus, can you hear us?" Asks Karark Zel.
"I can." The words come out slowly from the vox-casts. "What happened?"
"Vitals are all within ideal parameters, integration appears to be a success." Mutters Valzadai. He then addresses the entombed marine. "You almost died in Malbork, so we had to put you in a Dreadnought,"
"I see." Sertorius' frame shifts slightly, facing the Master of the Forge. "Who has been chosen as my replacement?"
Choose a new Captain for the 10th:
-[] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)
-[] Lieutenant Lanista: The second of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Lanista is popular with his marines, and is tactically inclined to fast to constant movement and improvisation (+Fellowship, Optimist.)
-[] Lepidus: A member of your Honour Guard, Lepidus' skill with a bolter is only matched by his casual demeanor. An ardent proponent of long-range engagements and assassinations (+Ballistic Skill, Sharpshooter)
-[] Choose a member of chapter command
–[] Write-in a member of Chapter command, then vote one of the other options to replace it in his current post.
-Gain 75 Nowalijki, 94 geneseed lost.
-Progress made in Geneseed study, negligible progress towards Mist counter-agents.
-Gained Apothecary-in-training Biernat, gained Chaplains-in-training Osinski and Jaronski.
-Gained 5 Power Swords, 1 Volkite Charger, 2 Chainglaives and 1 Whirlwind
-Repaired 1 Razorback, 2 Rhinos, 1 Whirlwind, 4 Attack Bikes and the Bird of Prey
Luctus System, Aetelian Sector, Ultima Segmentum 762 M41
Recruitment rolls 2d100/2= 13+34/2=23.5=23
Psyker recruitment rolls 1d4-2=2-2=0
Toughness Training rolls 6d50=29,6, 35, 6, 14, 44, 40, 9=171+160=331/500
Willpower Training rolls 6d50= 45, 28, 23,9, 9, 12, 48, 41= 197/500
Psyker recruitment rolls 1d4-2=2-2=0
Toughness Training rolls 6d50=29,
Willpower Training rolls 6d50= 45, 28, 23,
Casualty rate causes -100 points in Weapon Skill for Average Marines
-Falce gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Karark Zel gains 130 Intelligence XP
-Karark Zel gains 60 Ballistic Skill XP
-Myrok Kuthil gains 30 Weapon Skill XP
-Myrok Kuthil gains 30 Agility XP
-Myrok Kuthil gains 50 Fellowship XP
-Constantinus Logos gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Emilianus Pluvia gains 60 Ballistic Skill XP
-Severus gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Honor Guard gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Aelius Catilina gains 30 Ballistic Skill XP
-Aelius Catilina gains 60 Agility XP
-Claudius Spatha gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Marcius Hostilius gains 60 Intelligence XP
-Gallienus gains 60 Ballistic Skill XP
-Valzadai gains 60 Ballistic Skill XP
-Valzadai gains 100 Intelligence XP
-Domician gains 50 Strength XP
-Tullius Apollodorus gains 50 Strength XP
-Paolos Numerian gains 50 Strength XP
-Cato Utica gain 50 Strength XP
-Marcus Fretensis gains 50 Strength XP
-Average Marine gains 90 Ballistic Skill XP
-Average Marine gains 30 Weapon Skill XP
-Average Marine gains 30 Agility Skill XP
-Average Marine gains 90 Toughness XP
-Average Marine gains 30 Willpower XP
-Falce gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Karark Zel gains 130 Intelligence XP
-Karark Zel gains 60 Ballistic Skill XP
-Myrok Kuthil gains 30 Weapon Skill XP
-Myrok Kuthil gains 30 Agility XP
-Myrok Kuthil gains 50 Fellowship XP
-Constantinus Logos gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Emilianus Pluvia gains 60 Ballistic Skill XP
-Severus gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Honor Guard gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Aelius Catilina gains 30 Ballistic Skill XP
-Aelius Catilina gains 60 Agility XP
-Claudius Spatha gains 60 Weapon Skill XP
-Marcius Hostilius gains 60 Intelligence XP
-Gallienus gains 60 Ballistic Skill XP
-Valzadai gains 60 Ballistic Skill XP
-Valzadai gains 100 Intelligence XP
-Domician gains 50 Strength XP
-Tullius Apollodorus gains 50 Strength XP
-Paolos Numerian gains 50 Strength XP
-Cato Utica gain 50 Strength XP
-Marcus Fretensis gains 50 Strength XP
-Average Marine gains 90 Ballistic Skill XP
-Average Marine gains 30 Weapon Skill XP
-Average Marine gains 30 Agility Skill XP
-Average Marine gains 90 Toughness XP
-Average Marine gains 30 Willpower XP
Artur tries to clean the lens of his gasmask with his sleeves, succeeding only in getting the Shroudwolf blood spread across the glass, tinting the world a faint red. His hands shake, and it takes an effort to get them to still. Around him are spread the corpses of both his fellow aspirants and those of the pack of predators that had ambushed them. He sees Lubomir rummaging through the packs of the dead, scrounging food rations, autogun bullets and gas mask filters. The older kid notices him watching, and tosses him a rag so that he can clean his mask better. Apart from the two of them, the only one alive is Stefan, hunched over the corpse of his older cousin. Artur wipes the blood off the lens completely and approaches Stefan, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Stefan, he's dead." He says, words blunt yet his voice kind. The younger kid freezes, before taking a small ring from his cousin's finger and standing up, crying all the while. Artur, not knowing how to comfort him, awkwardly pats him in the back before joining Lubomir in getting all the useful supplies from the dead aspirants. They finish quickly, resources scarce after five weeks of travel, which has reduced their group from 20 to 3. After a few prayers to the God-Emperor for the souls of the deceased the kids resume their march, the only sound being that of their breath and the muffled crying of Stepan.
Artur had been warned that the trials would be like this. The Angels of Death that had visited his home of Adapost to round up candidates had made extremely clear that the chance of dying was high and that they would not help anyone. Still, he had dreamt of this, and he would achieve it. Some of the other kids had backed down when people had started dying, but he would reach the Fortress-Monastery or perish in the attempt.
Lubomir stops and pulls a map from his backpack, straining his eyes in order to pierce the Mist, "I think is over there." He points to a mountain barely visible in the horizon.
"You´re sure?" Asks Artur. "I still think we should have turned south yesterday."
"Well, it won't hurt to go there. If it is, then we´ve made it, and if it isn´t we can turn south from there." Lubomir shrugs. "Or something there kills us."
Artur tries to discern something amidst the Mist but gives up after a few seconds. "Well, time´s wasting then. C´mon Stefan." The mourning kid follows the two of them as they keep walking.
-23 Neophytes gained, 34 Nowalijki become Marines
-Average Marine Agility increases to 6
Fighting between the Mist Crawlers and the Red Ribbons has died out. The 5th Regiment "Skloniste´s Rangers" have suffered significant casualties facing of against a Great Devourer. As a consequence of the Constitutional Assembly, trade routes have been thoroughly cleansed in order to guarantee the safety of the visiting dignataries. Schronienie has started it´s resettlement, with the initial inhabitants selected from a sample of various other refuges.
Efforts to locate cultists have turned out empty, although law enforcement have located empty cultist hideout, which makes us suspect that they´ve found the empty base of operations they were looking for. Also, Spaceport control in Skloniste detected a merchant ship acting erraticly before exiting the system.
Efforts to locate cultists have turned out empty, although law enforcement have located empty cultist hideout, which makes us suspect that they´ve found the empty base of operations they were looking for. Also, Spaceport control in Skloniste detected a merchant ship acting erraticly before exiting the system.
Q.M notes: Apologies for the slight delay. I´m open for suggestions for the next planet of the guide.
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Ah yes the glorious: "I lived through the age of your myths and half of the is BS and was told with rose-tinted glasses"
It's the loyalist version of what Bile told Rafen but without including the God Emperor bit. He should one day tell more about that.
He'd probably laugh a bit at Lorgar's sick joke that everyone now believes in.
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Nicholas Brooks
Redeemer and Destroyer
- Location
- United States
Well... I have no fucking clue how to handle the Forge Worlds. Though given Thomas was the one to openly talk about how his Tech Priests perform sabotage operations, I suspect Milan is the one that, at least at the moment, is more aggressive in this petty feud of theirs. Maybe Karark Zel could give them a talking to?
In somewhat brighter news, we've got 75 new Nowalijki and 34 new Battle Brothers which is a pretty good boost to the Chapter so far. Less pleased about the 23 new Neophytes, though. We could use all the help we can get. The extra Apothecary and 2 new Chaplains will be very needed. Can't wait until Grigori comes back, the extra possibilities brought about by psychic powers will save a lot of lives.
Stats: I'm annoyed about losing 100 Weapon Skill progress but we'll get it back. Thankfully we now have 6 Agility too.
Gear: We are going to need to make more Crozius Arcanums to ensure all our Chaplains are properly equipped. Also probably make more Iron Halos to protect our notables... if we have BP for it. Ships ain't cheap.
Chaos continues to be a concern. We haven't exactly got a good track of them given how deadly it is just to go outside on Luctus. I honestly don't know what to do here.
As for the vote...
[X] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)
In somewhat brighter news, we've got 75 new Nowalijki and 34 new Battle Brothers which is a pretty good boost to the Chapter so far. Less pleased about the 23 new Neophytes, though. We could use all the help we can get. The extra Apothecary and 2 new Chaplains will be very needed. Can't wait until Grigori comes back, the extra possibilities brought about by psychic powers will save a lot of lives.
Stats: I'm annoyed about losing 100 Weapon Skill progress but we'll get it back. Thankfully we now have 6 Agility too.
Gear: We are going to need to make more Crozius Arcanums to ensure all our Chaplains are properly equipped. Also probably make more Iron Halos to protect our notables... if we have BP for it. Ships ain't cheap.
Chaos continues to be a concern. We haven't exactly got a good track of them given how deadly it is just to go outside on Luctus. I honestly don't know what to do here.
As for the vote...
[X] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)
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[X] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)
Honestly i think we try to give both of them the exact same contracts at the exact same time(That is going to be something hard to do i admit) but more a less limit things to only what Astartes use and try to do the Naval vessels in house to avoid any "Favor" one over the other.
[X] Lieutenant Lanista: The second of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Lanista is popular with his marines, and is tactically inclined to fast to constant movement and improvisation (+Fellowship, Optimist.)
- Location
- Canada
Well, the meetings went well and we have a better understanding of the wider Segmentum and Spatha's Geneseed, the amount of Neopytes is a bit low compared to what we need, but we got a good stock of Geneseed and an ever increasing amount of Apothacaries to keep our losses lighter.
As for the new Captain.
[X] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)
He seems like the best bet and has similar tactics to the last one, less of a shift needed. Plus that already good WS will probably keep him alive longer.
As for the new Captain.
[X] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)
He seems like the best bet and has similar tactics to the last one, less of a shift needed. Plus that already good WS will probably keep him alive longer.
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)
[X] Lieutenant Secutor: The first of the 10th Company Lieutenants, Secutor has demonstrated excellent skill with his combat knife, and favors careful planning and overwhelming ambushes. (+Weapon Skill, Methodical)