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The Long Night Part One: Embers in the Dusk: A Planetary Governor Quest (43k) Complete Sequel Up
- Thread starter Durin
- Start date
- Location
- United states
Well we might want him to look into the nature of curses since not only would that help with Guilliman but would just be flat out useful against all kinds of curses in the future.
Doomed Wombat
Let's go Darling!
- Location
- Dancing on wires!
Likely not that kind of curse unfortunately.
They're so big and weird we get to do each one individually.
- Location
- Earth
But could Julius's curse from Amnaich the Golden count under here, had we had the knowledge back then?
Doomed Wombat
Let's go Darling!
- Location
- Dancing on wires!
Probably.
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario(occasionally)
@Durin
1. How are we doing on holding the twentyish planets we've sallied to defend?
2. Who is in command of these defence groups? I assume our heroic generals are getting the worst ones, but it's hard to tell.
Edit: Okay, so the Orks and Amir Ka in the path of the Hive fleet were weakened, the local Chaos powers were drawn away, and the Eldar have a god problem keeping them busy now, all at once.
3. In the opinion of the Diviner's/Inquisitors we have, is this increasing the odds that this is actually a Tzeentch plot?
The Eldar can't send more assistance
4. Do the ones near us think trading Ridcully Divinations to the Krork for more forces is a viable course of action? Or just likely to piss off the local Orks?
5. What's the viability assessment of the Eldar/Vanahiem naval officers on the subject of trading Divinations/us using Eldar favours on their behalf to Callamus for ships?(via the previously specified prize crew transfer plan)
Do the Eldar think they would go for it fast enough to be useful? Do the Vanahiem officers think we could crew such ships in a useful timeframe?
Hey, thread, suppose I though of writing something about Amir Ka pulling a great general out of stasis(MacArthur?), where he was put when he threatened to actually reach a five star rank and gain the authority to command all of their military forces. Worth doing or counterproductive?
1. How are we doing on holding the twentyish planets we've sallied to defend?
2. Who is in command of these defence groups? I assume our heroic generals are getting the worst ones, but it's hard to tell.
Edit: Okay, so the Orks and Amir Ka in the path of the Hive fleet were weakened, the local Chaos powers were drawn away, and the Eldar have a god problem keeping them busy now, all at once.
3. In the opinion of the Diviner's/Inquisitors we have, is this increasing the odds that this is actually a Tzeentch plot?
The Eldar can't send more assistance
4. Do the ones near us think trading Ridcully Divinations to the Krork for more forces is a viable course of action? Or just likely to piss off the local Orks?
5. What's the viability assessment of the Eldar/Vanahiem naval officers on the subject of trading Divinations/us using Eldar favours on their behalf to Callamus for ships?(via the previously specified prize crew transfer plan)
Do the Eldar think they would go for it fast enough to be useful? Do the Vanahiem officers think we could crew such ships in a useful timeframe?
Hey, thread, suppose I though of writing something about Amir Ka pulling a great general out of stasis(MacArthur?), where he was put when he threatened to actually reach a five star rank and gain the authority to command all of their military forces. Worth doing or counterproductive?
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Well, if he was sidelined partially because he was too good at defensive warfare and the Nurglite leader at the time didn't like how few losses they were taking then I don't think it'd be much of a problem. Amir Ka is getting facerolled regardless, so it really depends whether he'd be good enough to be a threat if he had a third to half of their current territory. Plus, if this guy let himself be frozen in the first place he's probably vulnerable to backstabbing, which we can arrange if necessary.
- Location
- Australia
@Durin, I have an idea. You know how it's illegal in the Imperial Trust to summon all warp entities, even the ok ones? I'm thinking that instead our xenos allies can do it since they're allowed, and if they're worried about who they're summoning, we can vouch for the god. For example, if we're suffering a daemonic incursion, the nynye could pull off a ritual to summon Zahak after we've vouched for her. As an Exalted equivalent, she'd be a massive boon to the defence of Avernus.
- Location
- Singapore
Fortunately, inspiration struck me like a train and I've finished it already. Now pending review and Durin's approval.
Doomed Wombat
Let's go Darling!
- Location
- Dancing on wires!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Sends prayers to the gods.
(In all seriousness the wait is killing me and I don't like it, I can't concentrate on my ****ing revision anymore!)
Screaming continues!
- Location
- The United States
You deserve to achieve transcendence because of your great work.
- Location
- Earth
Durin said that the worst-case scenario (a crit fail) on the lizardmen diplomacy action next turn will undo our ability to trade with both sides. He also said that a normal success is only one side considering peace.
So:
Crit fail: Back to square 1. Need to choose a side to trade with now, since Lin probably doesn't have the time to undo his mess-up
Fail: Most likely we just waste those years with nothing else happening
Success: One side agrees to consider peace
Crit success: Both sides make peace. Lin rolls for Transcendence
So:
Crit fail: Back to square 1. Need to choose a side to trade with now, since Lin probably doesn't have the time to undo his mess-up
Fail: Most likely we just waste those years with nothing else happening
Success: One side agrees to consider peace
Crit success: Both sides make peace. Lin rolls for Transcendence
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sabreFather
Dr Pepper is the flavour that I savour
- Location
- Land of Bears and Loggers AKA Oregon
From the Discord
PS I eventually would like someone to do a... data entry write up thingy(?) so that some of the stuff I did in the tabletop thing I'm working on could conceivably be used in quest. AT least in as much as it is in the background or somesuch. I'm not good at making a write up
EDIT: the fuck!? Ok, removed the hella huge emote
well fuck, the Blood Angels and their Successor Chapters (and us, thanks to trade with the Blood Dragons) have been sitting on the Psy Throne all this time. And they already did the work adapting it to Dreadnoughts, so we'd just need to adapt it to the Calgar Dread Suit so our Librarians can go Murderificate our enemies.
PS I eventually would like someone to do a... data entry write up thingy(?) so that some of the stuff I did in the tabletop thing I'm working on could conceivably be used in quest. AT least in as much as it is in the background or somesuch. I'm not good at making a write up
EDIT: the fuck!? Ok, removed the hella huge emote
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- Location
- United states
What's the Calgar Dread Suit again?
- Location
- Back in Cali
Ultramarine Gundam more or less. Built from reverse engineering Tau tech by secundus.
Calgar Elite Dreadsuit
The Ultramarines made a large scale battlesuit around the size of a Knight Titan, named in honor of one of their more famed Chapter Masters from history. It's a very expensive unit to produce, but is cutting edge technology for Secundus. The Dreadsuit moves swiftly and relies more heavily on energy shielding in lieu of heavier armor that most units of its size would boast, with the goal of swiftly closing in on Tau lines where it is absolutely devastating in melee combat against a foe that dislikes such engagements. Though its advanced weapons ensure it's still very deadly against foes at range. Further, Secundus has managed to integrate Dreadnought life support technology into the suit, giving the option of placing critically injured Astartes into one of these instead of a typical Dreadnought.
- Location
- Berkeley
From discord, an idea by Enjou that Durin said would cause a 'decent' increase in the chances of healing Guilliman:
First, Lin's part and the rod. It might be possible to have Lin work with Vulkan to actually reforge the rod into something specialized for healing. Said rod has been siphoning off concentrated soul power from Lin for a decent chunk of time as well as effectively providing Lin with a measure of resistance to some very negative Warp effects. Altering it into something like a Staff of Asclepius seems plausible, as well as a way to allow Vulkan to contribute some of his narrative weight without causing a 'too many cooks' scenario. If it succeeds on a non-crit and Lin doesn't get super lucky and survive, that staff might work to reduce the malus Guilliman gets from the lingering effects.
Second, Vlad's contribution. As Vlad's status as a biological immortal was caused in part by the Black Crystal jewelry, I would imagine that having Guilliman wearing the pieces of it we have would not conflict with the proposed narrative. Having Vlad seek out said herbs also makes sense, to have it better incorporated into the narrative as well. Finally, if we can convince Areatha to do any relevant Alkehestry with them we should not only get a superior product it might also contribute to the agelessness/deathless aspect, as she herself has a similar deal going on from a similar source. It's also possible that her Transcendent trait and the new knowledge on Chaos counter-frequencies she is helping us work on will let her tailor the counter-agent to be even more effective. We might want to expand his mandate on hunting down the herbs into a more general hunting down things that would be useful—I would expect it to still end up being almost exclusively healing herbs, but it fits better with the idea of 'explorer' than 'go find 2 grams of X, 7 grams of Y...' does. It might allow him to let us incorporate a True Rune of Healing without too many cooks if he hunts it down himself too...
Third is Ridcully's part. In keeping with the general idea of having each person directly involved in the creation of whatever healing aspect they contribute, having him continue to work on Chaos counter-frequencies would be a good idea, as would brushing up on healing (which I have no doubt he would do regardless). However, in my mind his greatest role in this is as the guide—gathering information, providing rerolls, that sort of thing. Providing more 'guidance' might improve the narrative of the ritual. Some ideas on that front are doing a scrying to help Vlad in his task as well as doing the action on the narrative law (as following that is what guides this entire attempt).
By having each of the participants have their own 'side-quest' style preparations before the true group effort it should hopefully add a bit more punch to the overall effort above and beyond the actual meat of each side quest.
I like the symmetry between the three-part wound and the three-part healing—it seems like that should also add something to the attempt. Also, all three of those doing the healing have very strong ties to Avernus, which might help the narrative as well (as Avernus the planet seems to be more than a bit of a dark horse in galactic affairs, meaning plots by the Ruinous Powers are less likely to successfully account for it).
Side not, it seems possible that the curse itself would have a narrative weakness to being purged in a religious ceremony, given that's how Horus got over it. Turning the machinations of the Ruinous Powers back against themself seems fitting...
I have a few ideas on potential refinements for the ritual, as well as pointing out ways it could actually have more narrative significance than it does 'naturally'.
First, Lin's part and the rod. It might be possible to have Lin work with Vulkan to actually reforge the rod into something specialized for healing. Said rod has been siphoning off concentrated soul power from Lin for a decent chunk of time as well as effectively providing Lin with a measure of resistance to some very negative Warp effects. Altering it into something like a Staff of Asclepius seems plausible, as well as a way to allow Vulkan to contribute some of his narrative weight without causing a 'too many cooks' scenario. If it succeeds on a non-crit and Lin doesn't get super lucky and survive, that staff might work to reduce the malus Guilliman gets from the lingering effects.
Second, Vlad's contribution. As Vlad's status as a biological immortal was caused in part by the Black Crystal jewelry, I would imagine that having Guilliman wearing the pieces of it we have would not conflict with the proposed narrative. Having Vlad seek out said herbs also makes sense, to have it better incorporated into the narrative as well. Finally, if we can convince Areatha to do any relevant Alkehestry with them we should not only get a superior product it might also contribute to the agelessness/deathless aspect, as she herself has a similar deal going on from a similar source. It's also possible that her Transcendent trait and the new knowledge on Chaos counter-frequencies she is helping us work on will let her tailor the counter-agent to be even more effective. We might want to expand his mandate on hunting down the herbs into a more general hunting down things that would be useful—I would expect it to still end up being almost exclusively healing herbs, but it fits better with the idea of 'explorer' than 'go find 2 grams of X, 7 grams of Y...' does. It might allow him to let us incorporate a True Rune of Healing without too many cooks if he hunts it down himself too...
Third is Ridcully's part. In keeping with the general idea of having each person directly involved in the creation of whatever healing aspect they contribute, having him continue to work on Chaos counter-frequencies would be a good idea, as would brushing up on healing (which I have no doubt he would do regardless). However, in my mind his greatest role in this is as the guide—gathering information, providing rerolls, that sort of thing. Providing more 'guidance' might improve the narrative of the ritual. Some ideas on that front are doing a scrying to help Vlad in his task as well as doing the action on the narrative law (as following that is what guides this entire attempt).
By having each of the participants have their own 'side-quest' style preparations before the true group effort it should hopefully add a bit more punch to the overall effort above and beyond the actual meat of each side quest.
I like the symmetry between the three-part wound and the three-part healing—it seems like that should also add something to the attempt. Also, all three of those doing the healing have very strong ties to Avernus, which might help the narrative as well (as Avernus the planet seems to be more than a bit of a dark horse in galactic affairs, meaning plots by the Ruinous Powers are less likely to successfully account for it).
Side not, it seems possible that the curse itself would have a narrative weakness to being purged in a religious ceremony, given that's how Horus got over it. Turning the machinations of the Ruinous Powers back against themself seems fitting...
War, Blood, and Murder
- Location
- Singapore
The land echoes with brass and drums and war and blood. The metallic clang ripples through the skies, the heavy beat booms in the hearts of all creatures. War calls, the scent of blood overpowering.
And war calls indeed. An army unlike any seen in the materium even in this bloodsoaked era masses in the Warp. Three of Khorne's Exalted, each calling upon eight times of their cohorts, again calling upon eight times, then eight times more. Winged and horned with black bone that catches light like brass, the Bloodthirsters howl for death, death and skulls and war and blood and death. They howl, and roar, and bellow. They stamp their feet and beat their chests, clash their axes and hammers against one another, scrape their claws against their horns. They scream, scream for blood. Blood. BLOOD.
Their forces are legion multiplied against legion. Bloodletters marching in perfect cadence, their swords dripping with hissing blood that glows with the rage of war and burns the mark of Khorne into the stones beneath them with every drip and drop. Flesh Hounds stalk and dribble on the flanks of each host, their jaws snapping and baying for flesh and bone. Juggernauts ride amongst them and on the vanguard, their limbs gnashing and crashing with the sound of brass on brass. Few among them are ridden by Bloodletters, their masters peerless in posture and murderous in countenance. And at their head rides the Skulltaker, U'zhul, ready to claim yet another prize.
The host of An'ggrath the Unbound chants his name, championing the victories of the greatest of the Exalted. The host of Ghalh'kra the Infernus march silently, for words would be empty before the roar of his mighty flames. The host of Ka'bandha screams for blood with every step, their voices growing louder and heavier with every beat of the drums. These mighty armies march, each of them enough to burn a hundred Sectors, the bane of billions of men, the doom of mighty God-Machines. And they do not march alone.
The World Eaters scream and exult the name of Khorne, hundreds of thousands charging at the foe with axes in their hands and blood in their eyes. Angron himself, Fallen Son of the Corpse-Emperor, the Red Angel, charges at their head. To his left flank is Doombreed upon a mighty Juggernaut of brass and blood, leading a host of bow-wielding Daemon Princes, each commanding a host of their own. To his right is Kharn the Betrayer, riding atop a Land Raider raising Gorechild high, forging ahead with thousands more of his brothers and many thousands more tanks anointed with blood and skulls.
Countless legends, gloried in the name of Khorne, who have spilt much blood and presented many skulls, march and charge as one force. All of them, together, wage war this day in the Blood God's name, to his glory, in his sign, for the greatest prize of all. They make for the shards of a great War God, his hands wet with the blood of eons, his skull ever-elusive.
They make for Margtageth, where the Nightbringer, Kaelis Ra, was defeated by the Bloody-Handed God, Kaela Mensha Khaine. And where one who wears his aspect, who embodies it wholly, makes his stand as he works foul sorcery in a place holy to his God, right beneath the eyes of the Lord of Skulls himself, with three times his holy number. Eight Hundred and Eighty Eight pieces of the Bloody-Handed God, ripe for the taking.
And as the war begins, and Arha the Fallen Phoenix makes his desperate stand, all for a futile effort to spit in the eye of the Sire of Slaughter.
Blood shall be spilt! Death will come! None shall survive! And glory to the one who slays the Fallen Phoenix, and lays his skull at the feet of the Throne!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE! LET THE GALAXY BURN!
----
The battle had been raging for seven days when the Phoenix Lords arrived. One by one, they arrive with a mighty host, between them a force numbering over two hundred thousand. But this is but a drop in the ocean of blood, for the armies of Khorne are legion beyond imagining. Once more the Eldar are hampered by the pitiful state of their race, outnumbered by magnitudes. But this time, there will be no clever tricks. No clever works of fate, no masterful tapestry to work the art of war. It was pure fortune they had seen the battle at all, and little time to act upon it.
The eleven Phoenix Lords gather, for haste makes waste and the Eldar have not the numbers to even consider it. Each one of them speaks their peace, such that they may maximise their numbers.
Lhykosidae, the Wraith Spider, a Phoenix Lord scattered across the Webway through time and space until he finally found himself again, proposes a daring assault on the flanks of the legions, such that Arha may sally his forces and attempt a breakout. Amon Harakh of the Crimson Hunters proposes that they begin with aerial strikes to obfuscate their numbers and claim the skies for themselves. Baharroth, the Swooping Hawk first amongst Asurmen's pupils, suggests they execute the leaders of each host and recover Arha in the confusion.
Fuegan, the Fire Dragon, impatiently proposes killing Arha, saving the shards and being done with all this. Many Phoenix Lords support it immediately, but their hand is stayed by a word from Jain Zar.
Each Phoenix Lord offers a plan, and even Dromen Teclis of the Seer Keepers, who have guarded the Black Library since time immemorial, presents a stratagem to exploit the bloodlust of the Blood God's armies. But all are rejected, for they have not the time nor the success. Soon seven days will turn into eight, and Khorne will be ascendant.
And then Asurmen speaks, and all listen to the one who saved their race. The Dire Avenger says little, but his words move mountains. He presents four words and his Shard of Khaine.
"There is no time."
At once, all understand what the Hand of Asuryan means. The time has finally come. Like it or not, Rhana Dandra has begun. And if they are to have a part to play in its conclusion, they must accept change.
This is a battle for the fate of Khaine. And so let Khaine fight for his fate.
----
The clang of brass and the booming drums roared to a fever pitch on the seventh day as the daemonic hordes wore down at the Fallen Phoenix's fortress. His sign burned on their walls, carved in by untold numbers of dead daemons, yet they stood defiant of Khorne. Each charge was thrown back by the Incubi, the loyal of Arha, wielding the fantastical technologies of the Eldar. Stars burned and light died all across the battlefield, a carnival of light and smoke beyond those mighty fortress walls. But soon they will fall. For with every passing moment the day turns to Eight.
And then the wheel of fate turns, just as it always does. And it turns against Khorne.
First, hundreds of fighters like blades of midnight fill the skies and take it away from them, lead by an angel with flaming wings and a burning lance of light upon each arm. For Amon Harakht, the Blinding Blade, strikes the first blow.
Next is when thousands of arrow-shaped bikes tear across the land and straight into their flanks, lead by a flaming giant that wielded a star in the shape of a lance that blinds all with its radiance. For Drastanta, the Lightspeed Blade, strikes with unyielding speed.
Then a radiant huntress riding upon wings of stars charges alongside her sisters, her shrieks like waves of force that rip holes into the line as her blade carved through daemons like wheat, and another strikes from above with wings of shadow alongside his brothers, lashing out with a double-bladed sword of shining light and darkest night. For Jain Zar, the Harbinger of Doom, and Baharroth, the Precise Predator, strike with peerless speed and doubtless strength.
Haunting terror fills unshakable hearts for the first time as the inevitability of death looms heavily, a promise soon delivered by an unwavering rain of death commanded by a skull-faced reaper with a heavy weapon in each hand, wielded like toys in his mighty grip. For Maugan Ra, the Inescapable Death, promises much with every pull of the trigger and every boom of his guns.
When the daemonic legions turn to fight back, they find their ranks filled with eldar and death - death in the form of a six-armed titan armed with weapons of void and death, sowing discord amidst their very ranks. When they try to form up, inky darkness forms beneath their feet, and tendrils like the void of space pierce through their being and drags them low. Lhykosidae, the Eternal Guardian, and Dromen Teclis, the Abyssal Terror, bring them to their knees with chaos and the void.
By then, the reality is all too obvious. No more were the Phoenix Lords mere Eldar. They have grown to become more than that, true aspects of Khaine and their Gods, true hands of murder steeped in blood. They have become Phoenix Avatars, and woe betide any who oppose them.
First Skulltaker roares his challenge, and it is Fuegan who answers. He parries the Slayer Sword with the barrel of his favoured Firepike, and immolates U'zhul with rays of light from his eyes and mouth. And in the aftermath thousands died, vaporised or immolated, screaming or silent. For the Careless Destroyer cares not who else dies in the aftermath, only that he destroys.
Then Angron roars in boundless rage, and it is Karandas who answers. Every motion a whisper, his face a mask of pure apathy, he takes on the Red Angel with precision and coldness and shatters his joints in but seconds. Kharn the Betrayer is thrown aside with a single thrown blade, and Doombreed is blown back with a single punch. And when he makes his kill, the Silent Hunter moves on to the next with purposeful precision.
Ghalh'kra the Infernus moves next, and with a sweep sets the battlefield ablaze. But Irillyth confronts him head on. He strides through the flames as if they are nothing, killing every Daemon in sight with the light of his prism rifle. Every blow they strike is turned aside like it is nothing, not even the axe of the Infernus piercing his skin. For the Eternal Warrior fights on, no matter the cost, until his enemy's head is ash beneath the waves.
Yet, An'ggrath and Ka'Bandha alike continue their siege, in pursuit of blood and skulls. Ka'Bandha scours the defenders from a face of the wall, and An'ggrath shatters it with a single blow of his axe. And as their legions flood in, it is Asurmen who confronts them both, the Dire Avenger, First amongst them all. Darting between the two upon wings of light, turning aside blows with grace and ferocity, he leaves them each bleeding flame and blood and is himself untouched. And when he finally parts Ka'Bandha's head from his body, he whispers a prayer to his Gods before shooting apart An'ggrath's wings and claiming his heart. For he is the Noble Warrior.
And with every death, every victory that the Phoenix Avatars win, the Eldar cheer. For victory is that much closer.
----
And then the seventh day turns to the eighth.
----
Tainted with the blood of Khorne, burning with his sign, the orange light of Khaine turns into the bloody crimson of Khorne. The crashing brass and the booming drums grow louder and faster. The Shards coalesce, and it is not a bloody-handed God who steps from the light, but a titan in brass and blood, sitting upon a throne of skulls, leaning upon a double-headed axe.
Though they have made the ultimate sacrifice and become More, the Phoenix Avatars are too late. Khaine does not stand before them, but Khorne. Arha's folly will soon doom them all. He stands, and his legions bay for blood.
It is Amon Harakht who strikes first, swooping overhead with his lances alight, charring holes straight through the Avatar's plate. Lkykosidae is next, appearing and leaving innumerable wounds through those holes. Jain Zar, Karandas and Baharroth strike together, turning aside his axe and cutting through his legs. Heavy firepower strikes from afar and heat burns him from close in, shadows bind his movements and prismic light pierces his chest. A pike of light pins him against the far wall, and then Asurmen cuts his head off.
All for naught, as Khorne's form jolts and reasserts himself. Flames begin burning upon his brow and in his eyes. The Avatar flexes and throws the Phoenix Avatars aside. And then he raises his axe and brings it low.
The fortress shatters, leaving skulls and blood tumbling into the crevice. The Phoenix Avatars continue their assault, but it is for naught; as Khorne grounds himself, he moves faster, strikes harder, with all the cunning of a martial god, a war god. Even eleven on one, hammered by many blades and guns and flames and firepower, united in experience and in Khaine, they are losing.
Until a titan of molten rock joins the fray, a flaming sword in one hand and blood dripping from the other, and stays the Avatar's axe from biting deep into Asurmen. Others soon follow suit, striking at the Blood God's brass axe, until it is forced back - and cracks.
Roaring with laughter, Arha the Fallen Phoenix, The Murderer that Khaine is always feared to be, presses the offensive as he screams for blood.
Together, the twelve Phoenix Avatars strike, a storm of death and steel, leaving Khorne's armour pitted and useless. His axe is shattered by Fuegan's fire, his legs consumed by Dromen Teclis, his guard broken by the Phoenix Avatars combined. And then his head, claimed by Asurmen and Arha together, tasting deep of his lifeblood.
And then the Avatar turns to flaming blood, all at once, and his armour crashes deafeningly loud against his throne of skulls, before turning to smoke. The drumbeat of war fades with his banishment. But the smell of blood remains.
They have won victory this day, but it is a hollow victory. For Khorne has his prize.
----
The battle done, their forces battered, their strength spent, the Phoenix Avatars gather in council once more. Now all eyes turn upon Arha, whose folly has given their enemy a great weapon. And yet the Murderer insists on the necessity of trying, for only Khaine has the strength. He turns upon them, decrying their weakness, their failures. Had they supported him from the beginning, Khorne would have never even stepped foot upon Margtageth!
He lays this defeat in victory at their feet, and proclaims Khaine the true King of Gods, the rightful heir to Asuryan. He demands Ynnead's obedience, and serve as consort, subservient to him as they all were to Asuryan before. When he speaks, it is with both his voice and a dark, slaking echo, stained with murder and hatred and bloodlust. With the voice of Khaine the Murderer, in whose aspect he threatened Vaul and forced Asuryan's hand.
And then the Murderer leaves, his tattered host of Incubi with him. And spent as they are, none can attempt pursuit.
They have won this day. But in doing so, they have only courted doom and death.
And war calls indeed. An army unlike any seen in the materium even in this bloodsoaked era masses in the Warp. Three of Khorne's Exalted, each calling upon eight times of their cohorts, again calling upon eight times, then eight times more. Winged and horned with black bone that catches light like brass, the Bloodthirsters howl for death, death and skulls and war and blood and death. They howl, and roar, and bellow. They stamp their feet and beat their chests, clash their axes and hammers against one another, scrape their claws against their horns. They scream, scream for blood. Blood. BLOOD.
Their forces are legion multiplied against legion. Bloodletters marching in perfect cadence, their swords dripping with hissing blood that glows with the rage of war and burns the mark of Khorne into the stones beneath them with every drip and drop. Flesh Hounds stalk and dribble on the flanks of each host, their jaws snapping and baying for flesh and bone. Juggernauts ride amongst them and on the vanguard, their limbs gnashing and crashing with the sound of brass on brass. Few among them are ridden by Bloodletters, their masters peerless in posture and murderous in countenance. And at their head rides the Skulltaker, U'zhul, ready to claim yet another prize.
The host of An'ggrath the Unbound chants his name, championing the victories of the greatest of the Exalted. The host of Ghalh'kra the Infernus march silently, for words would be empty before the roar of his mighty flames. The host of Ka'bandha screams for blood with every step, their voices growing louder and heavier with every beat of the drums. These mighty armies march, each of them enough to burn a hundred Sectors, the bane of billions of men, the doom of mighty God-Machines. And they do not march alone.
The World Eaters scream and exult the name of Khorne, hundreds of thousands charging at the foe with axes in their hands and blood in their eyes. Angron himself, Fallen Son of the Corpse-Emperor, the Red Angel, charges at their head. To his left flank is Doombreed upon a mighty Juggernaut of brass and blood, leading a host of bow-wielding Daemon Princes, each commanding a host of their own. To his right is Kharn the Betrayer, riding atop a Land Raider raising Gorechild high, forging ahead with thousands more of his brothers and many thousands more tanks anointed with blood and skulls.
Countless legends, gloried in the name of Khorne, who have spilt much blood and presented many skulls, march and charge as one force. All of them, together, wage war this day in the Blood God's name, to his glory, in his sign, for the greatest prize of all. They make for the shards of a great War God, his hands wet with the blood of eons, his skull ever-elusive.
They make for Margtageth, where the Nightbringer, Kaelis Ra, was defeated by the Bloody-Handed God, Kaela Mensha Khaine. And where one who wears his aspect, who embodies it wholly, makes his stand as he works foul sorcery in a place holy to his God, right beneath the eyes of the Lord of Skulls himself, with three times his holy number. Eight Hundred and Eighty Eight pieces of the Bloody-Handed God, ripe for the taking.
And as the war begins, and Arha the Fallen Phoenix makes his desperate stand, all for a futile effort to spit in the eye of the Sire of Slaughter.
Blood shall be spilt! Death will come! None shall survive! And glory to the one who slays the Fallen Phoenix, and lays his skull at the feet of the Throne!
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE! LET THE GALAXY BURN!
----
The battle had been raging for seven days when the Phoenix Lords arrived. One by one, they arrive with a mighty host, between them a force numbering over two hundred thousand. But this is but a drop in the ocean of blood, for the armies of Khorne are legion beyond imagining. Once more the Eldar are hampered by the pitiful state of their race, outnumbered by magnitudes. But this time, there will be no clever tricks. No clever works of fate, no masterful tapestry to work the art of war. It was pure fortune they had seen the battle at all, and little time to act upon it.
The eleven Phoenix Lords gather, for haste makes waste and the Eldar have not the numbers to even consider it. Each one of them speaks their peace, such that they may maximise their numbers.
Lhykosidae, the Wraith Spider, a Phoenix Lord scattered across the Webway through time and space until he finally found himself again, proposes a daring assault on the flanks of the legions, such that Arha may sally his forces and attempt a breakout. Amon Harakh of the Crimson Hunters proposes that they begin with aerial strikes to obfuscate their numbers and claim the skies for themselves. Baharroth, the Swooping Hawk first amongst Asurmen's pupils, suggests they execute the leaders of each host and recover Arha in the confusion.
Fuegan, the Fire Dragon, impatiently proposes killing Arha, saving the shards and being done with all this. Many Phoenix Lords support it immediately, but their hand is stayed by a word from Jain Zar.
Each Phoenix Lord offers a plan, and even Dromen Teclis of the Seer Keepers, who have guarded the Black Library since time immemorial, presents a stratagem to exploit the bloodlust of the Blood God's armies. But all are rejected, for they have not the time nor the success. Soon seven days will turn into eight, and Khorne will be ascendant.
And then Asurmen speaks, and all listen to the one who saved their race. The Dire Avenger says little, but his words move mountains. He presents four words and his Shard of Khaine.
"There is no time."
At once, all understand what the Hand of Asuryan means. The time has finally come. Like it or not, Rhana Dandra has begun. And if they are to have a part to play in its conclusion, they must accept change.
This is a battle for the fate of Khaine. And so let Khaine fight for his fate.
----
The clang of brass and the booming drums roared to a fever pitch on the seventh day as the daemonic hordes wore down at the Fallen Phoenix's fortress. His sign burned on their walls, carved in by untold numbers of dead daemons, yet they stood defiant of Khorne. Each charge was thrown back by the Incubi, the loyal of Arha, wielding the fantastical technologies of the Eldar. Stars burned and light died all across the battlefield, a carnival of light and smoke beyond those mighty fortress walls. But soon they will fall. For with every passing moment the day turns to Eight.
And then the wheel of fate turns, just as it always does. And it turns against Khorne.
First, hundreds of fighters like blades of midnight fill the skies and take it away from them, lead by an angel with flaming wings and a burning lance of light upon each arm. For Amon Harakht, the Blinding Blade, strikes the first blow.
Next is when thousands of arrow-shaped bikes tear across the land and straight into their flanks, lead by a flaming giant that wielded a star in the shape of a lance that blinds all with its radiance. For Drastanta, the Lightspeed Blade, strikes with unyielding speed.
Then a radiant huntress riding upon wings of stars charges alongside her sisters, her shrieks like waves of force that rip holes into the line as her blade carved through daemons like wheat, and another strikes from above with wings of shadow alongside his brothers, lashing out with a double-bladed sword of shining light and darkest night. For Jain Zar, the Harbinger of Doom, and Baharroth, the Precise Predator, strike with peerless speed and doubtless strength.
Haunting terror fills unshakable hearts for the first time as the inevitability of death looms heavily, a promise soon delivered by an unwavering rain of death commanded by a skull-faced reaper with a heavy weapon in each hand, wielded like toys in his mighty grip. For Maugan Ra, the Inescapable Death, promises much with every pull of the trigger and every boom of his guns.
When the daemonic legions turn to fight back, they find their ranks filled with eldar and death - death in the form of a six-armed titan armed with weapons of void and death, sowing discord amidst their very ranks. When they try to form up, inky darkness forms beneath their feet, and tendrils like the void of space pierce through their being and drags them low. Lhykosidae, the Eternal Guardian, and Dromen Teclis, the Abyssal Terror, bring them to their knees with chaos and the void.
By then, the reality is all too obvious. No more were the Phoenix Lords mere Eldar. They have grown to become more than that, true aspects of Khaine and their Gods, true hands of murder steeped in blood. They have become Phoenix Avatars, and woe betide any who oppose them.
First Skulltaker roares his challenge, and it is Fuegan who answers. He parries the Slayer Sword with the barrel of his favoured Firepike, and immolates U'zhul with rays of light from his eyes and mouth. And in the aftermath thousands died, vaporised or immolated, screaming or silent. For the Careless Destroyer cares not who else dies in the aftermath, only that he destroys.
Then Angron roars in boundless rage, and it is Karandas who answers. Every motion a whisper, his face a mask of pure apathy, he takes on the Red Angel with precision and coldness and shatters his joints in but seconds. Kharn the Betrayer is thrown aside with a single thrown blade, and Doombreed is blown back with a single punch. And when he makes his kill, the Silent Hunter moves on to the next with purposeful precision.
Ghalh'kra the Infernus moves next, and with a sweep sets the battlefield ablaze. But Irillyth confronts him head on. He strides through the flames as if they are nothing, killing every Daemon in sight with the light of his prism rifle. Every blow they strike is turned aside like it is nothing, not even the axe of the Infernus piercing his skin. For the Eternal Warrior fights on, no matter the cost, until his enemy's head is ash beneath the waves.
Yet, An'ggrath and Ka'Bandha alike continue their siege, in pursuit of blood and skulls. Ka'Bandha scours the defenders from a face of the wall, and An'ggrath shatters it with a single blow of his axe. And as their legions flood in, it is Asurmen who confronts them both, the Dire Avenger, First amongst them all. Darting between the two upon wings of light, turning aside blows with grace and ferocity, he leaves them each bleeding flame and blood and is himself untouched. And when he finally parts Ka'Bandha's head from his body, he whispers a prayer to his Gods before shooting apart An'ggrath's wings and claiming his heart. For he is the Noble Warrior.
And with every death, every victory that the Phoenix Avatars win, the Eldar cheer. For victory is that much closer.
----
And then the seventh day turns to the eighth.
----
Tainted with the blood of Khorne, burning with his sign, the orange light of Khaine turns into the bloody crimson of Khorne. The crashing brass and the booming drums grow louder and faster. The Shards coalesce, and it is not a bloody-handed God who steps from the light, but a titan in brass and blood, sitting upon a throne of skulls, leaning upon a double-headed axe.
Though they have made the ultimate sacrifice and become More, the Phoenix Avatars are too late. Khaine does not stand before them, but Khorne. Arha's folly will soon doom them all. He stands, and his legions bay for blood.
It is Amon Harakht who strikes first, swooping overhead with his lances alight, charring holes straight through the Avatar's plate. Lkykosidae is next, appearing and leaving innumerable wounds through those holes. Jain Zar, Karandas and Baharroth strike together, turning aside his axe and cutting through his legs. Heavy firepower strikes from afar and heat burns him from close in, shadows bind his movements and prismic light pierces his chest. A pike of light pins him against the far wall, and then Asurmen cuts his head off.
All for naught, as Khorne's form jolts and reasserts himself. Flames begin burning upon his brow and in his eyes. The Avatar flexes and throws the Phoenix Avatars aside. And then he raises his axe and brings it low.
The fortress shatters, leaving skulls and blood tumbling into the crevice. The Phoenix Avatars continue their assault, but it is for naught; as Khorne grounds himself, he moves faster, strikes harder, with all the cunning of a martial god, a war god. Even eleven on one, hammered by many blades and guns and flames and firepower, united in experience and in Khaine, they are losing.
Until a titan of molten rock joins the fray, a flaming sword in one hand and blood dripping from the other, and stays the Avatar's axe from biting deep into Asurmen. Others soon follow suit, striking at the Blood God's brass axe, until it is forced back - and cracks.
Roaring with laughter, Arha the Fallen Phoenix, The Murderer that Khaine is always feared to be, presses the offensive as he screams for blood.
Together, the twelve Phoenix Avatars strike, a storm of death and steel, leaving Khorne's armour pitted and useless. His axe is shattered by Fuegan's fire, his legs consumed by Dromen Teclis, his guard broken by the Phoenix Avatars combined. And then his head, claimed by Asurmen and Arha together, tasting deep of his lifeblood.
And then the Avatar turns to flaming blood, all at once, and his armour crashes deafeningly loud against his throne of skulls, before turning to smoke. The drumbeat of war fades with his banishment. But the smell of blood remains.
They have won victory this day, but it is a hollow victory. For Khorne has his prize.
----
The battle done, their forces battered, their strength spent, the Phoenix Avatars gather in council once more. Now all eyes turn upon Arha, whose folly has given their enemy a great weapon. And yet the Murderer insists on the necessity of trying, for only Khaine has the strength. He turns upon them, decrying their weakness, their failures. Had they supported him from the beginning, Khorne would have never even stepped foot upon Margtageth!
He lays this defeat in victory at their feet, and proclaims Khaine the true King of Gods, the rightful heir to Asuryan. He demands Ynnead's obedience, and serve as consort, subservient to him as they all were to Asuryan before. When he speaks, it is with both his voice and a dark, slaking echo, stained with murder and hatred and bloodlust. With the voice of Khaine the Murderer, in whose aspect he threatened Vaul and forced Asuryan's hand.
And then the Murderer leaves, his tattered host of Incubi with him. And spent as they are, none can attempt pursuit.
They have won this day. But in doing so, they have only courted doom and death.
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- Location
- Brazil, Minas gerais
Since the Seer is helping with knowledge (among other things) should we suggest to him to study the accumulate knowledge of healing and other things of the Apothecaries? maybe ask Ridcully for the place in that planet with would empower/resonate the most to help the healing (places where Guilliman had successfully healed or surpassed trials)? Since I am brainstorm with you guys, I would suggest to ask the Seer to see a moment where the local warp would not be associate with negative traits (if this is possible), I mean if even the chaos gods have 'good' traits, then the even change chaos should have a moment that is less evil.
While not so sure, I wonder if a human god/remain of SM marines'souls could help by stopping others being influence. Because I sure that narrative speaking Chaos did help behind the scenes to bring down this primarch. So It should be possible to help the ritual doing something opposite to that, I think.
edit: wow, I had no idea that the interlude would come when I was (slowing) write my post.
While not so sure, I wonder if a human god/remain of SM marines'souls could help by stopping others being influence. Because I sure that narrative speaking Chaos did help behind the scenes to bring down this primarch. So It should be possible to help the ritual doing something opposite to that, I think.
edit: wow, I had no idea that the interlude would come when I was (slowing) write my post.
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It's not so much got away as no one fought him.