- Location
- United States
Yeah, it happened a few years ago. It was kind of a problem though, because there were so many that it created a real backpile. But, I mean, the Imperium is still much better for it.
The Lost Primarch Quest
- Thread starter Daemon Hunter
- Start date
Yeah, it happened a few years ago. It was kind of a problem though, because there were so many that it created a real backpile. But, I mean, the Imperium is still much better for it.
Arsene Lupin
I Am The Pillager Of Twilight
- Location
- The Sea of Souls
[X]Plan: Future Investments
- Location
- United States
That's actually from an Omake faction, qnd it's basically a way for that faction to stealthily make a lot of innovations without the Mechanicum burning them all down. Currently, if I remember correctly, they've taken the False Omnicidapedia and are 'purging it.'
Sadly, innovation is slow, and getting the false STCs from this project will take a while, so it's unlikely the false STCs wil be coming out before the end pf the Quest.
Basically the fake one made by khorne was a thing in canon, and WoG was that the Majestic, the omake group trying to get more SCIENCE! up in this beetch was having trouble introducing new STCs cause HERESY! I figured we could use the two problems to solve each other.
We'd have to destroy the khorne fake anyway, so this gave us something to replace it with that has *actual* useful technologies and the process of 'cleansing it' which we'd have to have done anyways would still take at least 2 or three centuries which is interestingly the same amount of time it'll take Majestic to nail their forging of STCs methods down pat so...win/win.
We remove a corrupted artifact that would have been an utter blight on anything made from it *AND* gave majestic a way to give new STCs
We'd have to destroy the khorne fake anyway, so this gave us something to replace it with that has *actual* useful technologies and the process of 'cleansing it' which we'd have to have done anyways would still take at least 2 or three centuries which is interestingly the same amount of time it'll take Majestic to nail their forging of STCs methods down pat so...win/win.
We remove a corrupted artifact that would have been an utter blight on anything made from it *AND* gave majestic a way to give new STCs
- Location
- Elsewhere
Alright, I'm going to call the vote here due to the one-sidedness of it, looks like Future Investments wins.
Devilish Weapons (Must Read)
Devilish Weapons
However, Morningstar had his own endeavor to accomplish. He was still devoid of arms and armor for all his power and strength. One usually did not go into battle without a weapon. Whether that weapon was a sword, gun, or spell didn't matter. What mattered was that Morningstar had none of those available to him. Well, it was time to change that.
After leaving instructions for Kasmitch, Morningstar returned to the Tower of Babel within his own pocket dimension. This would be a challenging prospect, as his aspects weren't focused on crafting or creating objects. However, a god wasn't devoid of the ability to do either, especially if he had the necessary components and reagents; they just couldn't produce wonderous martial or destructive instruments. Even so, that wasn't going to stop him from trying.
Only a handful of individuals in the galaxy could ever hope to understand the nuance and intricacies of crafting divine artifacts. A sufficiently powerful one could be strong enough to reshape an entire world into becoming an extension of the god's will or perhaps even a specific tool design for your particular aspect. More often than not, though, a divine weapon was just another tool of death and destruction.
Sadly, Morningstar would need such instruments in the coming battle. He'd have tried to create something more worthwhile for his followers if he had chosen. A harsh reminder of the choices he made and the state of the galaxy. War was coming, and such carnage would soon follow in its wake. Besides, Morningstar wasn't exempt from inheriting the darker aspects of his legacy. Lucifer was a being of peace, but he still waged war against his enemies when the time came. His followers were also a combination of victims and perpetrators of it. His soul and birth were influenced by their prayers and memories.
Cruel was the galaxy that ingrained war's lingering specter into his soul. In all facets of his creation even. Such was the hand given to all of them. The only thing to do then, the only "logical" decision, was to embrace it. Whatever sacrifice had to be made for the good of his followers and to ensure the Light of Freedom and Dawn would become extinguished.
To that end, Morningstar prepared himself. The Devil readied for war.
---
If Ravenloft had been at the Tower of Babel to witness Morningstar creating his weapons, they'd have likely made several keen observations. The first was that Morningstar used the recorded and identified materials from the Dawn Star Event. Namely Celestial Ichor, Chimeric Mass, and the Estus Particle. Yet while they had limited understanding of their properties and usage, they'd have likely determined that they were the reagents or components necessary for creating divine weapons.
The second observation was how exactly these items would take shape. The Tower of Babel acted as a focal point, a funnel for Morningstars' will in the creation process, hinting that places of divine power could serve as a center for such creations. There was no dedicated "forge" or "manufactory" for this event; instead, the god used his body to shape the materials.
If one were to recognize the implication, it would imply that a god can create or shape matter using their bodies. However, if Morningstar had enough care to comment on such observations, he'd have pointed out how exceedingly difficult it was to shape a divine relic using one's body and soul. Even the gods had to accept that one can only make the best possible items inside a proper facility or smithy.
The third observation was the strain. As mentioned before, it is taxing for a god to create a weapon without the necessary setup. This resulted in a strange event where Morningstar would allow him to make the required shape. This would've baffled most human observers because how exactly would the weapon be able to function if such an item was made by subconscious designs? At which point, Morningstar would answer that he was letting the Warp and the collective desires of his followers use his soul and let them mold the weapon.
A smith god was the only one who could have the ability and power to forge whatever relic they saw fit. The only other option was to brute force the creation and let your desires run rampant. The Warp was always listening. One need only looks towards the events in the Blood and Thunder War to see the consequences of the latter. Yet, for all Morningstar's limited power, he still had the wherewithal to temper his expectations.
Yet as the god's relics took shape and form, he encountered problems.
---
Judgment.
That was the name Morningstar felt in his heart when he saw the weapon take shape. To bring judgment upon the foes of Enlightenment and Freedom. It seemed almost sanctimonious in his eyes to call it as such, but it was always so difficult to predict what the Warp did or wanted. Even so, Morningstar bore witness to divine creation unfolding before him.
What appeared almost made him laugh.
It was a crossbow.
Although that was too simple a declaration, though. It wasn't just a crossbow, especially when one saw what appeared to be an ammo drum attached to it and complex machinery covered by ornately carved wood and gold. Instead, it looked more like a marriage between a crossbow, an SMG, and a shotgun. A device born only from children's minds, psychopaths, or weapon enthusiasts. Yet, in his hands, Morningstar could feel the power and destruction radiate off of Judgment.
When it finally transformed from nothingness into reality, Morningstar held the weapon in his right hand. It was heavy, but such things as weight mattered little to a god. One of the most notable features that Morningstar recognized was a golden rams head. How amusing that even tens of thousands of years, such extinct beasts were still associated with the Luciferians. One more cosmic joke at his expense.
Even so, everything about Judgment practically bled power and destruction. The sharp angles, the sturdy craftsmanship, and the almost arcane technologies hinted that while a man could've made such a weapon, it would only bring ruination upon his very being if used. A power pack of all things installed into the machine, albeit no bigger than a thumb. One would've worried about such a machine breaking or becoming impossible to wield. However, Morningstar would not be having such issues. Now the real question was its capabilities. It would've been easy to assume that it fired crossbow bolts, but while that was the case, it was only to a certain extent.
Deciding to take it for a test run, Morningstar summoned a flock of strange, gangly flying creatures. They were ugly cretins, each one no bigger than a child and with leathery wings as they flew around in no set pattern. He frowned at seeing how "evil" his servants could be. Even these mindless, soulless meat puppets would terrify a child or adult.
Imps. That was what they were, ugly, mischievous, imps.
As the imps floated and flew around him, chattering like birds or insects, Morningstar aimed Judgement towards one. As he aimed down the sight of Judgment, for, of course, the weapon came with a tactical view, the Warp whispered to him a word...
Hellspike
Morningstar felt word upon his lips, yet he need not speak it for Judgment to receive the instructions. The relic seemed to "load" a bolt, and without much hesitation, the Herald pulled the trigger. Judgment was unlike any accurate crossbow. The only fundamental similarities were the look of its design and the bolt that shot out towards the Imp. The bolt traveled at unnatural speeds, quickly that of a ball of plasma or bolter shell. It burned blood-red as it hit the Imp, which exploded with enough force of a small bomb...which promptly destroyed a dozen of other imps in proximity.
An unexpected result, but not necessarily a bad one. It proved that the power of Judgment was capable. Strangely enough, there was still more to it as Morningstar heard another word whispered into his ears.
Dirge
Like with the Hellspike, Judgment activated once more. Yet this time, Morningstar felt the mechanism of the weapon shift ever so slightly. The god focused on the small horde of imps. A vibration and whining emanated from Judgment along with a series of glowing leylines across its chassis. Morningstar pressed down on the trigger, but instead of a solitary bolt, a swarm of energy bullets shoots out from Judgement towards the Imps. Rather than create a spectacular explosion, it was a chaotic hailstorm of death that, upon hitting the Imps, simply rendered them inert and lifeless. What made it unusual was that the Dirge seemed to bypass any defense and left no harm upon the body.
This must have been what Morningstar would identify as the SMG feature. His amusement was only elevated when he heard the final word uttered by the Warp.
Oblation
It was difficult to imagine any god getting hit with a blast strong enough to cause them to fall flat on their ass, but upon uttering Oblation, he scarcely had time to notice the micro-second of build-up and the subsequent energy release. It felt like a shotgun, but also like a flak cannon going off. Once Morningstar got his bearings, the attack had not only destroyed the group of Imps but also slightly damaged part of the Tower. Looking down at Judgment and shaking his head, the Herald decided that feature would need to be used sparingly.
After that, the whispers stopped. There was only silence now, which allowed Morningstar to look upon Judgment with both certainty and unease. He had crafted a weapon to defend his people and domain from the predators in the Warp. Nevertheless, the god of dawn was unsure if this would be good enough for the coming battles. He was not a war or smith god, so Morningstar had only a faint inclination of the power that could be afforded to him in action.
Even so, he would not go without a fight.
---
The echoes of war reached across the Warp, even to the most backwater worlds. While most mortals never felt the aftermath of what Morningstar called the Drought, otherwise known as the conclusion to the Ritual War, such an event was perceived in more detail by a god of the Warp.
It was the first of many ominous portents towards Morningstar. The Gods, Demigods, and mortals waged war across a hundred thousand fronts. This was good for him, to a certain extent. Even with his declaration, the Herald was still a small fry. The other gods and powerful daemons would no doubt desire his end, but they all had bigger fish to fry as the old saying went.
Yet that would not last forever. If anything, there would be more enemies coming to kill him if only to get the necessary infamy and power from his death. It didn't take a god to recognize that he needed to take additional steps to ensure victory for himself and his people. Unfortunately, a problem had quickly become apparent to him.
He lacked the necessary materials to create something akin to Judgment. All that was left from his ascension was gone now. But he quickly realized there was another source of the divine materials.
That being himself.
---
A god was an amalgamation of concepts and things. Vague as that would've been to explain to a mortal, to any creature of flesh and blood, soul and memory, it was the best way to describe them. True, the so-called divine materials that gave them a physical anchor upon this realm, but as Morningstar and most gods would attest, those born from the Warp were born of an idea first and foremost.
Even so, a god could extract from their bodies and souls such materials. Most never did it for the same reason a man never took out one of his kidneys unless necessary or a replacement was on standby. You lost a part of yourself, you were weaker, and in the end, you ran the risk of injury or even death. To take from yourself was dangerous, and to do so as a god was insanity.
Yet these were insane times. Morningstar had to accept that he had to take additional steps after throwing down the gauntlet. Judgment would not be enough. He needed another weapon to back it up. An instrument designed specifically to reflect the horror and insanity across the galaxy. But what exactly? The first answer would be his sword, Zodiac. But that weapon was beyond his reach, and he didn't have the power to summon it. At least not now.
The end result; Morningstar needed to make something else. And to do that, he required Estus, Celhor, and Chimeric Mass. The only other source was his body, resulting in his power becoming significantly diminished. Yet it would give Morningstar the edge needed in battle and increase his chances of winning and thus surviving.
Sacrificing personal power for a weapon would've been called a suboptimal or even lousy trade. Morningstar didn't care for those indecisive fools. They had nothing worth living for, worth dying for, and if he wanted to make a difference, Morningstar had to fight to survive. Besides, one could almost call it an investment. If he survived the coming centuries...such a weapon would "pay" for itself.
Yes, this was the right decision in the end. A costly one, but right all the same.
---
Extracting divine matter from a living god was an impossible task. That was not a statement made in exaggeration. Just like trying to take the organs from a still breathing, conscious man, you'd more than likely cause him to die from pain and stress. Thankfully what Morningstar was about to attempt wasn't as intensive. All he needed now was to concentrate. To allow his very being to become open to this reality.
He kneeled atop the Tower of Babel, closed his eyes, and focused on surpassing the ego barrier and the shielding around his metaphysical core. Gently, both defenses became thin and translucent in his mind's eyes. Grey and black colors appeared in his vision before long, allowing Morningstar to gaze at the collective elements and concepts that made Morningstar a god.
Yet past all of that and centered inside this collection was his soul. A burning bonfire of light and energy, shining proudly into the chaos of the Warp. A mortal soul was barely a flicker, a momentary bit of light from a match in comparison. Yet Morningstar regarded such flickers are beautiful in their own right. For he knew that even a tiny flame could set alight a great fire that could surpass even the brightness of his soul. Humanity was one of the few species with such potential.
But right now, Morningstar needed to make use of his own potential, even if it meant having to rend his soul apart. And like a man reaching into the bonfire, he grabbed not fire but the light and heat.
There was no pain as Morningstar began to literally remove his very essence. He took the time, ensured that while the links were severed, they would, in time, perhaps one day reshape themselves. Each "cut" brought spilled for Celestial Ichor from his spiritual veins, and in some cases, he picked out what would've been known as Estus or Chimeric Mass. The blood, bones, and DNA are given form but only just.
While there was no pain, Morningstar felt lighter in his soul. It didn't feel good or good, more like he was keenly aware of something missing on his person. A mortal would've called it a lingering sensation in the back of their minds, which to many would've been a nightmare. The constant feeling of not having something important. To go through life constantly realizing you weren't whole might have been a miserable existence all the same. Such a thing terrified the mortals to feel a piece of themselves missing.
At least with this, Morningstar knew why the emptiness in his soul existed. Even just knowing would've been enough to allow most individuals to move on with their lives then. However, there was also the finality of this event that struck Morningstar more than anything. Because while his soul might recover someday, all that he took out could never return to him fully intact.
One does not remove a piece of yourself and expect it to come back as before. Sometimes things change, and not for the better. Ultimately, it was a sacrifice that had to be made, and if nothing else, it was a price that only Morningstar had to pay in the end. However, it still filled him with no little amount of dread. How many leaders gave a part of themselves under the notion it was for the good of all?
Perhaps then, if Morningstar fell in battle here, he'd be spared at least that misery.
---
Unlike the creation of Judgment, Morningstar would have been more influence over the forging of this weapon. Every bit of material was from his soul, and thus it shall reflect that hereditary in its form and function. A reflection of himself, albeit in a destructive concept. Once more, a poetic take on the metaphysical nature of divinity. If Morningstar were to explain it to a mortal in terms they could understand, it would be only the fundamentals at best.
As Morningstar stood atop the Tower of Babel, he channeled the Warp once more. This time, though, his domain began to shudder and shake. Around the Herald of Dawn's body, a ring of fire that stretched almost a yard surrounded him. Each heartbeat caused the fire to grow and crack, almost as if in anticipation. The sounds of a hammer hitting an anvil, the smell of choking smoke of industry, and chanting echoed in his mind.
Yes, this was different than before. And somehow, it felt strangely familiar as well, although Morningstar couldn't pinpoint how exactly. The chanting reminded him of a song, but from where exactly? Hmm, no matter now. The devil had work to do.
The fire grew hotter while the Chimeric Mass and Estus Particles began to spin around one another, creating the shape of a weapon...a club from the initial look. A barbaric weapon for a barbarous age. How fitting, but unsightly as well. Morningstar didn't consider himself a prude when it came to war, but even he expected a little nuance to how he might kill his opponents.
However, as the weapon began to take shape, he saw that it wasn't a club...but a mace. More than that, the form was also familiar. Had he perhaps wielded a mace once upon a time? It might have fit. Spears and clubs were iconic instruments of war in ancient times when his gestalt first took shape. So much lost knowledge and memories of different guises and entities before his sundering.
The Celestial Ichor soon flew into a solidifying shape. And as Morningstar concentred and the flames around him grew hotter and higher...he heard the Warp speak the weapon's name, and he was almost surprised when he heard it.
GROND
For a brief moment, the god paused as the word echoed in his mind...before Morningstar began to laugh, almost joyously. Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld and weapon of Morgoth, the first Dark Lord and Scourage of the First Age! Yes, now he understood. A physical reference to one of his favorite book series that mankind produced. One might have been insulted, having a weapon based on a fictional tyrant of a forgotten land from a forgotten story. And yet, Morningstar felt only what he might have called "glee" at owning such an instrument.
He was a god of humanity and one of their most avid supporters. He most certainly found entertainment in their stories, sometimes even solace. Besides, he enjoyed flattering depictions of the Devil in stories. Most gods seethed at even the slightest hint of mockery...but Morningstar had thick skin and enjoyed knowing that no matter how great and vast the stretch of humanity had gone, the idea of Lucifer Morningstar had been brought with them, both for good and ill.
"Yes," Morningstar spoke softly as Grond finished taking shape, "This is a good thing indeed." He reached forward and caught the completed mace (or hammer?) in his hands. It felt perfectly balanced and weighty, easily capable of bashing a man's skull or breaking a limb. Yet Morningstar knew there was more to Grond. Because he knew that Grond, infused with his soul and blood, was part of him.
Morningstar examined the jet-black metal substance...it felt hot in his hands. It wanted to bring light to the world. The Herald of Dawn obliged the weapon in his hands.
"Let there-" He held up Grond with both his hands as if to signal the stars above, "LIGHT!"
And from the head of Grond, a brilliant flash of energy and flames took shape, shooting out towards the endless sky like a pillar of fire. The heat alone would've melted man and machine and lesser daemon if they were even within ten years of this explosion of power. And the light itself would've shattered and blinded their souls just as well if they had survived. Such power and destruction, reminding Morningstar that Grond was a weapon designed to bring only death and misery upon his foes. Though it took the form of something whimsical, it was still an instrument of war.
Nevertheless, Morningstar had what he sought to create, exceeding his expectations. So much untapped potential in his hands now. It was almost frightening to imagine. It was, however, necessary to conceive, even at the cost of rending his soul. The battles that awaited him would be harsh, unforgiving, and fraught with peril. His survival was not guaranteed, but at least now Morningstar had a chance.
Grond and Judgment. One born of the whispering Warp and the other from the mind of the creative human mind. The weapons of the Devil for this age.
---
@Daemon Hunter Okay, finally done with this omake. Time to move on to the next one.
Si vis Pacem, Para Bellum (If you want peace, prepare for war) - Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus
---
A storm was coming to Kairune. Morningstar recognized that it was coming because of his decision, his challenge to the other gods. The price to pay for making such a statement and his hubris. He knew the difficulties ahead would be challenging. Arrogant as he was, Morningstar wasn't blind to the dangers. To that end, preparations had to be made. Majordomo Kasmitch was focused on preparing the New Dawn for the eventual offensive. Meanwhile, the survivors of Kairune had converted to the New Dawn after the events that followed with Dawn Star. He would need to aid his followers in their preparations in due time.---
However, Morningstar had his own endeavor to accomplish. He was still devoid of arms and armor for all his power and strength. One usually did not go into battle without a weapon. Whether that weapon was a sword, gun, or spell didn't matter. What mattered was that Morningstar had none of those available to him. Well, it was time to change that.
After leaving instructions for Kasmitch, Morningstar returned to the Tower of Babel within his own pocket dimension. This would be a challenging prospect, as his aspects weren't focused on crafting or creating objects. However, a god wasn't devoid of the ability to do either, especially if he had the necessary components and reagents; they just couldn't produce wonderous martial or destructive instruments. Even so, that wasn't going to stop him from trying.
Only a handful of individuals in the galaxy could ever hope to understand the nuance and intricacies of crafting divine artifacts. A sufficiently powerful one could be strong enough to reshape an entire world into becoming an extension of the god's will or perhaps even a specific tool design for your particular aspect. More often than not, though, a divine weapon was just another tool of death and destruction.
Sadly, Morningstar would need such instruments in the coming battle. He'd have tried to create something more worthwhile for his followers if he had chosen. A harsh reminder of the choices he made and the state of the galaxy. War was coming, and such carnage would soon follow in its wake. Besides, Morningstar wasn't exempt from inheriting the darker aspects of his legacy. Lucifer was a being of peace, but he still waged war against his enemies when the time came. His followers were also a combination of victims and perpetrators of it. His soul and birth were influenced by their prayers and memories.
Cruel was the galaxy that ingrained war's lingering specter into his soul. In all facets of his creation even. Such was the hand given to all of them. The only thing to do then, the only "logical" decision, was to embrace it. Whatever sacrifice had to be made for the good of his followers and to ensure the Light of Freedom and Dawn would become extinguished.
To that end, Morningstar prepared himself. The Devil readied for war.
---
If Ravenloft had been at the Tower of Babel to witness Morningstar creating his weapons, they'd have likely made several keen observations. The first was that Morningstar used the recorded and identified materials from the Dawn Star Event. Namely Celestial Ichor, Chimeric Mass, and the Estus Particle. Yet while they had limited understanding of their properties and usage, they'd have likely determined that they were the reagents or components necessary for creating divine weapons.
The second observation was how exactly these items would take shape. The Tower of Babel acted as a focal point, a funnel for Morningstars' will in the creation process, hinting that places of divine power could serve as a center for such creations. There was no dedicated "forge" or "manufactory" for this event; instead, the god used his body to shape the materials.
If one were to recognize the implication, it would imply that a god can create or shape matter using their bodies. However, if Morningstar had enough care to comment on such observations, he'd have pointed out how exceedingly difficult it was to shape a divine relic using one's body and soul. Even the gods had to accept that one can only make the best possible items inside a proper facility or smithy.
The third observation was the strain. As mentioned before, it is taxing for a god to create a weapon without the necessary setup. This resulted in a strange event where Morningstar would allow him to make the required shape. This would've baffled most human observers because how exactly would the weapon be able to function if such an item was made by subconscious designs? At which point, Morningstar would answer that he was letting the Warp and the collective desires of his followers use his soul and let them mold the weapon.
A smith god was the only one who could have the ability and power to forge whatever relic they saw fit. The only other option was to brute force the creation and let your desires run rampant. The Warp was always listening. One need only looks towards the events in the Blood and Thunder War to see the consequences of the latter. Yet, for all Morningstar's limited power, he still had the wherewithal to temper his expectations.
Yet as the god's relics took shape and form, he encountered problems.
---
Judgment.
That was the name Morningstar felt in his heart when he saw the weapon take shape. To bring judgment upon the foes of Enlightenment and Freedom. It seemed almost sanctimonious in his eyes to call it as such, but it was always so difficult to predict what the Warp did or wanted. Even so, Morningstar bore witness to divine creation unfolding before him.
What appeared almost made him laugh.
It was a crossbow.
Although that was too simple a declaration, though. It wasn't just a crossbow, especially when one saw what appeared to be an ammo drum attached to it and complex machinery covered by ornately carved wood and gold. Instead, it looked more like a marriage between a crossbow, an SMG, and a shotgun. A device born only from children's minds, psychopaths, or weapon enthusiasts. Yet, in his hands, Morningstar could feel the power and destruction radiate off of Judgment.
When it finally transformed from nothingness into reality, Morningstar held the weapon in his right hand. It was heavy, but such things as weight mattered little to a god. One of the most notable features that Morningstar recognized was a golden rams head. How amusing that even tens of thousands of years, such extinct beasts were still associated with the Luciferians. One more cosmic joke at his expense.
Even so, everything about Judgment practically bled power and destruction. The sharp angles, the sturdy craftsmanship, and the almost arcane technologies hinted that while a man could've made such a weapon, it would only bring ruination upon his very being if used. A power pack of all things installed into the machine, albeit no bigger than a thumb. One would've worried about such a machine breaking or becoming impossible to wield. However, Morningstar would not be having such issues. Now the real question was its capabilities. It would've been easy to assume that it fired crossbow bolts, but while that was the case, it was only to a certain extent.
Deciding to take it for a test run, Morningstar summoned a flock of strange, gangly flying creatures. They were ugly cretins, each one no bigger than a child and with leathery wings as they flew around in no set pattern. He frowned at seeing how "evil" his servants could be. Even these mindless, soulless meat puppets would terrify a child or adult.
Imps. That was what they were, ugly, mischievous, imps.
As the imps floated and flew around him, chattering like birds or insects, Morningstar aimed Judgement towards one. As he aimed down the sight of Judgment, for, of course, the weapon came with a tactical view, the Warp whispered to him a word...
Hellspike
Morningstar felt word upon his lips, yet he need not speak it for Judgment to receive the instructions. The relic seemed to "load" a bolt, and without much hesitation, the Herald pulled the trigger. Judgment was unlike any accurate crossbow. The only fundamental similarities were the look of its design and the bolt that shot out towards the Imp. The bolt traveled at unnatural speeds, quickly that of a ball of plasma or bolter shell. It burned blood-red as it hit the Imp, which exploded with enough force of a small bomb...which promptly destroyed a dozen of other imps in proximity.
An unexpected result, but not necessarily a bad one. It proved that the power of Judgment was capable. Strangely enough, there was still more to it as Morningstar heard another word whispered into his ears.
Dirge
Like with the Hellspike, Judgment activated once more. Yet this time, Morningstar felt the mechanism of the weapon shift ever so slightly. The god focused on the small horde of imps. A vibration and whining emanated from Judgment along with a series of glowing leylines across its chassis. Morningstar pressed down on the trigger, but instead of a solitary bolt, a swarm of energy bullets shoots out from Judgement towards the Imps. Rather than create a spectacular explosion, it was a chaotic hailstorm of death that, upon hitting the Imps, simply rendered them inert and lifeless. What made it unusual was that the Dirge seemed to bypass any defense and left no harm upon the body.
This must have been what Morningstar would identify as the SMG feature. His amusement was only elevated when he heard the final word uttered by the Warp.
Oblation
It was difficult to imagine any god getting hit with a blast strong enough to cause them to fall flat on their ass, but upon uttering Oblation, he scarcely had time to notice the micro-second of build-up and the subsequent energy release. It felt like a shotgun, but also like a flak cannon going off. Once Morningstar got his bearings, the attack had not only destroyed the group of Imps but also slightly damaged part of the Tower. Looking down at Judgment and shaking his head, the Herald decided that feature would need to be used sparingly.
After that, the whispers stopped. There was only silence now, which allowed Morningstar to look upon Judgment with both certainty and unease. He had crafted a weapon to defend his people and domain from the predators in the Warp. Nevertheless, the god of dawn was unsure if this would be good enough for the coming battles. He was not a war or smith god, so Morningstar had only a faint inclination of the power that could be afforded to him in action.
Even so, he would not go without a fight.
---
The echoes of war reached across the Warp, even to the most backwater worlds. While most mortals never felt the aftermath of what Morningstar called the Drought, otherwise known as the conclusion to the Ritual War, such an event was perceived in more detail by a god of the Warp.
It was the first of many ominous portents towards Morningstar. The Gods, Demigods, and mortals waged war across a hundred thousand fronts. This was good for him, to a certain extent. Even with his declaration, the Herald was still a small fry. The other gods and powerful daemons would no doubt desire his end, but they all had bigger fish to fry as the old saying went.
Yet that would not last forever. If anything, there would be more enemies coming to kill him if only to get the necessary infamy and power from his death. It didn't take a god to recognize that he needed to take additional steps to ensure victory for himself and his people. Unfortunately, a problem had quickly become apparent to him.
He lacked the necessary materials to create something akin to Judgment. All that was left from his ascension was gone now. But he quickly realized there was another source of the divine materials.
That being himself.
---
A god was an amalgamation of concepts and things. Vague as that would've been to explain to a mortal, to any creature of flesh and blood, soul and memory, it was the best way to describe them. True, the so-called divine materials that gave them a physical anchor upon this realm, but as Morningstar and most gods would attest, those born from the Warp were born of an idea first and foremost.
Even so, a god could extract from their bodies and souls such materials. Most never did it for the same reason a man never took out one of his kidneys unless necessary or a replacement was on standby. You lost a part of yourself, you were weaker, and in the end, you ran the risk of injury or even death. To take from yourself was dangerous, and to do so as a god was insanity.
Yet these were insane times. Morningstar had to accept that he had to take additional steps after throwing down the gauntlet. Judgment would not be enough. He needed another weapon to back it up. An instrument designed specifically to reflect the horror and insanity across the galaxy. But what exactly? The first answer would be his sword, Zodiac. But that weapon was beyond his reach, and he didn't have the power to summon it. At least not now.
The end result; Morningstar needed to make something else. And to do that, he required Estus, Celhor, and Chimeric Mass. The only other source was his body, resulting in his power becoming significantly diminished. Yet it would give Morningstar the edge needed in battle and increase his chances of winning and thus surviving.
Sacrificing personal power for a weapon would've been called a suboptimal or even lousy trade. Morningstar didn't care for those indecisive fools. They had nothing worth living for, worth dying for, and if he wanted to make a difference, Morningstar had to fight to survive. Besides, one could almost call it an investment. If he survived the coming centuries...such a weapon would "pay" for itself.
Yes, this was the right decision in the end. A costly one, but right all the same.
---
Extracting divine matter from a living god was an impossible task. That was not a statement made in exaggeration. Just like trying to take the organs from a still breathing, conscious man, you'd more than likely cause him to die from pain and stress. Thankfully what Morningstar was about to attempt wasn't as intensive. All he needed now was to concentrate. To allow his very being to become open to this reality.
He kneeled atop the Tower of Babel, closed his eyes, and focused on surpassing the ego barrier and the shielding around his metaphysical core. Gently, both defenses became thin and translucent in his mind's eyes. Grey and black colors appeared in his vision before long, allowing Morningstar to gaze at the collective elements and concepts that made Morningstar a god.
Yet past all of that and centered inside this collection was his soul. A burning bonfire of light and energy, shining proudly into the chaos of the Warp. A mortal soul was barely a flicker, a momentary bit of light from a match in comparison. Yet Morningstar regarded such flickers are beautiful in their own right. For he knew that even a tiny flame could set alight a great fire that could surpass even the brightness of his soul. Humanity was one of the few species with such potential.
But right now, Morningstar needed to make use of his own potential, even if it meant having to rend his soul apart. And like a man reaching into the bonfire, he grabbed not fire but the light and heat.
There was no pain as Morningstar began to literally remove his very essence. He took the time, ensured that while the links were severed, they would, in time, perhaps one day reshape themselves. Each "cut" brought spilled for Celestial Ichor from his spiritual veins, and in some cases, he picked out what would've been known as Estus or Chimeric Mass. The blood, bones, and DNA are given form but only just.
While there was no pain, Morningstar felt lighter in his soul. It didn't feel good or good, more like he was keenly aware of something missing on his person. A mortal would've called it a lingering sensation in the back of their minds, which to many would've been a nightmare. The constant feeling of not having something important. To go through life constantly realizing you weren't whole might have been a miserable existence all the same. Such a thing terrified the mortals to feel a piece of themselves missing.
At least with this, Morningstar knew why the emptiness in his soul existed. Even just knowing would've been enough to allow most individuals to move on with their lives then. However, there was also the finality of this event that struck Morningstar more than anything. Because while his soul might recover someday, all that he took out could never return to him fully intact.
One does not remove a piece of yourself and expect it to come back as before. Sometimes things change, and not for the better. Ultimately, it was a sacrifice that had to be made, and if nothing else, it was a price that only Morningstar had to pay in the end. However, it still filled him with no little amount of dread. How many leaders gave a part of themselves under the notion it was for the good of all?
Perhaps then, if Morningstar fell in battle here, he'd be spared at least that misery.
---
Unlike the creation of Judgment, Morningstar would have been more influence over the forging of this weapon. Every bit of material was from his soul, and thus it shall reflect that hereditary in its form and function. A reflection of himself, albeit in a destructive concept. Once more, a poetic take on the metaphysical nature of divinity. If Morningstar were to explain it to a mortal in terms they could understand, it would be only the fundamentals at best.
As Morningstar stood atop the Tower of Babel, he channeled the Warp once more. This time, though, his domain began to shudder and shake. Around the Herald of Dawn's body, a ring of fire that stretched almost a yard surrounded him. Each heartbeat caused the fire to grow and crack, almost as if in anticipation. The sounds of a hammer hitting an anvil, the smell of choking smoke of industry, and chanting echoed in his mind.
Yes, this was different than before. And somehow, it felt strangely familiar as well, although Morningstar couldn't pinpoint how exactly. The chanting reminded him of a song, but from where exactly? Hmm, no matter now. The devil had work to do.
The fire grew hotter while the Chimeric Mass and Estus Particles began to spin around one another, creating the shape of a weapon...a club from the initial look. A barbaric weapon for a barbarous age. How fitting, but unsightly as well. Morningstar didn't consider himself a prude when it came to war, but even he expected a little nuance to how he might kill his opponents.
However, as the weapon began to take shape, he saw that it wasn't a club...but a mace. More than that, the form was also familiar. Had he perhaps wielded a mace once upon a time? It might have fit. Spears and clubs were iconic instruments of war in ancient times when his gestalt first took shape. So much lost knowledge and memories of different guises and entities before his sundering.
The Celestial Ichor soon flew into a solidifying shape. And as Morningstar concentred and the flames around him grew hotter and higher...he heard the Warp speak the weapon's name, and he was almost surprised when he heard it.
GROND
For a brief moment, the god paused as the word echoed in his mind...before Morningstar began to laugh, almost joyously. Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld and weapon of Morgoth, the first Dark Lord and Scourage of the First Age! Yes, now he understood. A physical reference to one of his favorite book series that mankind produced. One might have been insulted, having a weapon based on a fictional tyrant of a forgotten land from a forgotten story. And yet, Morningstar felt only what he might have called "glee" at owning such an instrument.
He was a god of humanity and one of their most avid supporters. He most certainly found entertainment in their stories, sometimes even solace. Besides, he enjoyed flattering depictions of the Devil in stories. Most gods seethed at even the slightest hint of mockery...but Morningstar had thick skin and enjoyed knowing that no matter how great and vast the stretch of humanity had gone, the idea of Lucifer Morningstar had been brought with them, both for good and ill.
"Yes," Morningstar spoke softly as Grond finished taking shape, "This is a good thing indeed." He reached forward and caught the completed mace (or hammer?) in his hands. It felt perfectly balanced and weighty, easily capable of bashing a man's skull or breaking a limb. Yet Morningstar knew there was more to Grond. Because he knew that Grond, infused with his soul and blood, was part of him.
Morningstar examined the jet-black metal substance...it felt hot in his hands. It wanted to bring light to the world. The Herald of Dawn obliged the weapon in his hands.
"Let there-" He held up Grond with both his hands as if to signal the stars above, "LIGHT!"
And from the head of Grond, a brilliant flash of energy and flames took shape, shooting out towards the endless sky like a pillar of fire. The heat alone would've melted man and machine and lesser daemon if they were even within ten years of this explosion of power. And the light itself would've shattered and blinded their souls just as well if they had survived. Such power and destruction, reminding Morningstar that Grond was a weapon designed to bring only death and misery upon his foes. Though it took the form of something whimsical, it was still an instrument of war.
Nevertheless, Morningstar had what he sought to create, exceeding his expectations. So much untapped potential in his hands now. It was almost frightening to imagine. It was, however, necessary to conceive, even at the cost of rending his soul. The battles that awaited him would be harsh, unforgiving, and fraught with peril. His survival was not guaranteed, but at least now Morningstar had a chance.
Grond and Judgment. One born of the whispering Warp and the other from the mind of the creative human mind. The weapons of the Devil for this age.
---
@Daemon Hunter Okay, finally done with this omake. Time to move on to the next one.
- Location
- Elsewhere
As I was reminded of this by Shadaki, here are the Primarch actions for the upcoming turn as they might be interesting to people.
Which book is Konrad reading
- Location
- Elsewhere
That would be a Diviner's Chronicle on the Unification War which ends when the Primarchs were scattered. And contains a few of the Emperor's conversations including the Last Church. Just not the one in canon.
Horus: helps psykers and investigate something
Leman: trains his legion (shouldn't zunia and fulgrim be a single action)
Ferrus: wants to build up the imperium's production
Vulkan: superwepons I am concerned
Guliman: general calming of the situation
Dorn: defense
Sangunious: traning his heroes and human troops
Khan: wants to do his expedition
Mortarion: how nice that he cares about his brother
Corvus: writes his own codex arstartes
Konrad: discusses something and then helps build a neutral medical unit.
Agron: FREEDOM! (I hope that is a joke and not that he actually escaped)
Lion: something something secret
Magnus: a death in the black library could be interesting
Leman: trains his legion (shouldn't zunia and fulgrim be a single action)
Ferrus: wants to build up the imperium's production
Vulkan: superwepons I am concerned
Guliman: general calming of the situation
Dorn: defense
Sangunious: traning his heroes and human troops
Khan: wants to do his expedition
Mortarion: how nice that he cares about his brother
Corvus: writes his own codex arstartes
Konrad: discusses something and then helps build a neutral medical unit.
Agron: FREEDOM! (I hope that is a joke and not that he actually escaped)
Lion: something something secret
Magnus: a death in the black library could be interesting
- Location
- Sweden
So just 99 more and they get something nice?
- Location
- Elsewhere
For reference, the openning roll was a 100 (Crit) vs 5. And the rest was spent salvaging the mission.
Basically I'm fluffing it as the 40k version of Skaven hit the world which held it right as the heist team showed up, leading to just a clusterfuck of a mission where they recovered the Sword, a hostage, and video of the rest of what was in the vault.
- Location
- Sweden
Was the nat 100 for the Skaven or the eldar?
- Location
- Elsewhere
Neither, the nat 100 was initially for the world in question's preparation for the heist.
To confirm, Eldrad wants to go back to the Vault due to what was uncovered being inside it
- Location
- Sweden
Tell Eldrad that he can hire us to help him but its going to cost him. If there is anyone with loads of money it must be the eldar we can work as mercenaries for them its an win win.
- Location
- Elsewhere
At the moment the Eldar payment system is favor for favor, money does work for this though as well.
- Location
- Sweden
Tell that cheap fucker Cegorach to start paying for it I know that he has the money.
Next time in Lost Primarch:As I was reminded of this by Shadaki, here are the Primarch actions for the upcoming turn as they might be interesting to people.
Leman Russ gets Marriage Councilling from Fulgrim. Dorn builds walls on Terra and makes the IA scream for more money while broke. William Wallace is FREEEDOM. Angron is there too. Magnus's sister cant be this cute!
- Location
- United States
All I'm imagining is Cegorach using his god powers to spawn in gold ajd then getting away with the standard: "Wololololol!"