Hmm, so a "Hard" check is 2 successes. Presumably, a "Normal/Easy"* check is 1 success, and there's some 3 success or 4 success checks for, like, truly herculean efforts.
And it does fit being "Hard" because even with rolling in her best stat, on average she'd have to take one Harm to get what she needs to do it, so it would cost her just a little bit.
Of course, this time we rolled really well.
*My assumption is that actual "Easy" stuff the character just... does.
The metal was hot to the touch, slick under your fingers, like touching the side of a hot kettle. You willed your fingers to stay and read what was there.
The blade was not possessed, or haunted, or cursed. It was not made of special materials, not carved from the bones of some great beast or forged by strange xenos with forgotten technology. It didn't crackle with strange energies or hum with power. The poison which had once coated the blade had been scoured off and nothing now remained. It was just a sharp slip of steel.
But that's not all it was. It was nestled in a web of perception, which imbued it with a special kind of power. This whole place was built to contain it, out of revulsion and horror for what it had done. The Enemy had descended to this world looking for it, so great was the prize. Millions of people over thousands of years had bound this steel up in webs of thought and feeling until it came to reflect what was put into it, until its psychic shadow had cast into the materium, all bound up around one connection in particular.
This was the blade which had slit the throat of Roboute Guilliman. The blade by which Fulgrim had spilt his brother's blood. That connection held to this day, a metaphysical line which bound the two of them together, and you could see it. One line disappearing into the violent eddies of the warp, and the last…
Everyone knew that the Primarch Guilliman lay in stasis on Macragge, held at the brink of death, a mirror of the Golden Throne in miniature. There was rumour from pilgrims, always rumour, that the wound was healing, slowly sealing over the millenia, but that was not how stasis worked. Time was frozen, a portion of the universe removed from its flow, nothing could change. The dim light which reached the eyes of pilgrims was a projection, light scattering off light which had frozen at the edge of the field. That preservation is what kept the link between this blade and the demigods it had connected so strong.
But this connection was not frozen. The wound was not open. The connection, imperceptible, was fading.
You withdrew your fingers and sat back. You were sweating, the exertion having crept up on you. Your heart was pounding, ears ringing. You stood and walked out from under the creaking stone.
"Is it done?" Deacon Eisexel asked. You nodded.
"Yes. I have the information my mistress needs," you responded. The first part of your mission here was complete. "Your cooperation is noted; you have done the Imperium a great service."
You began to move toward the door, but your way was blocked by a wall of golden shields. An older woman behind one thrust a hand between them, holding a golden aquilia on a chain. It radiated power; a saint had once worn it around her neck, in her final hours, and there was a world full of temples dedicated to her serenity and joyful sacrifice.
"Touch it," the woman ordered. You put two fingers to it and heard a young woman crying out for mercy, felt her fingers around the metal go limp as the shadow of her memory tried to cling to your mind. "Speak the first verse of the Lectio Divinitatus."
"Gaude, quia nuntium gloriosum tibi affero. Deus adest," you responded automatically. She asked you to open your mouth, and stared at your tongue.
"Go, witch," she snarled. You pushed past her for the entrance of the vault, out of this awful place.
---
Your mission here is, technically, complete, once you report back to the Inquisitor, but you have a feeling this world isn't done with you yet. Your companions will be vital to finishing the work here.
Firstly, you have an assistant, a close second who you have become fast friends with. They remind you of yourself.
[ ] Seth, formerly a Scout Marine in the Gate Wardens chapter. His ascension to full Space Marine halted by a genetic anomaly, the Inquisitor took him on as a ward. He is young, impulsive, and brave to a fault.
[ ] Vira Reineiss, once a Repentia of the Order of the Last Candle who the Inquisitor requisitioned the service of. Left to die of her wounds, the Inquisitor rescued her against her will.
[ ] Castallya Solaali, once a stormtrooper of the Tempestus Scions, she was placed in a penal unit for charges of degenerate behaviour and ended up catching the Inquisitor's eye for her talents.
[ ] Write In (a person of similar age to Dahlia, and fallen from an honoured position in the Imperium).
Secondly, you have you specialist, a less-attached but still vital part of your group shoring up a weakness. Their loyalty is perhaps questionable; their skills are not.
[ ] Arkhan Mabez, enginseer who came to Praxis' service from the shattered remains of the Cadian regiment he was once attached to. Brilliant, sour-tempered, and constantly on the verge of tech-heresy.
[ ] Rhonda Wienu, an administrator whose corruption was so widespread it was equal parts despicable and impressive. Praxis recruited her as an alternate to her well-deserved execution, to put her skills to use.
[ ] Ishmael Skaldric, a cutthroat assassin who had been sent to kill the Inquisitor by one of her rivals. After Marvel-Ann blew off both his legs with a Phosphor Serpenta, he was forcefully recruited.
[ ] Write In (a shady character with important skills)
Finally, you have your minder. Technically they follow your orders, but in reality they are assessing you for the Inquisitor… and keeping you safe for Sister Charitina, who will probably kill them if you get hurt.
[ ] Dremell, an Ogyrn bodyguard formerly of the Imperial Guard who Praxis hired to be your bodyguard. He is immensely protective. Perhaps overly so.
[ ] Janetta Lovero, underhive guide turned Inquisitorial enforcer. While her husband stayed behind with the dogs, she accompanied you to ensure anyone who attempted to interfere had a very, very bad day.
[ ] Zodalos Xi-5, a Skittarri Ranger whose obedience protocols were reprogrammed by Marvel Ann during a job. He is unflinchingly loyal to his orders, to the letter, and his first is to not let you come to harm.
[ ] Write In (Somebody who won't let you have any fun)
[ ] Janetta Lovero, underhive guide turned Inquisitorial enforcer. While her husband stayed behind with the dogs, she accompanied you to ensure anyone who attempted to interfere had a very, very bad day.
[ ] Castallya Solaali, once a stormtrooper of the Tempestus Scions, she was placed in a penal unit for charges of degenerate behaviour and ended up catching the Inquisitor's eye for her talents.
[ ] Arkhan Mabez, enginseer who came to Praxis' service from the shattered remains of the Cadian regiment he was once attached to. Brilliant, sour-tempered, and constantly on the verge of tech-heresy.
I was really tempted by the space marine but this character reminded me of a great quote "'Degenerate Hussy' is what your daughter likes about me."
[ ] Castallya Solaali, once a stormtrooper of the Tempestus Scions, she was placed in a penal unit for charges of degenerate behaviour and ended up catching the Inquisitor's eye for her talents.
This guy feels likew he is the least upset to be here even if he's not fully loyal.
[ ] Arkhan Mabez, enginseer who came to Praxis' service from the shattered remains of the Cadian regiment he was once attached to. Brilliant, sour-tempered, and constantly on the verge of tech-heresy.
Luv' Ogryns. Ogryn's need more love.
[ ] Dremell, an Ogyrn bodyguard formerly of the Imperial Guard who Praxis hired to be your bodyguard. He is immensely protective. Perhaps overly so.
I was really tempted by the space marine but this character reminded me of a great quote "'Degenerate Hussy' is what your daughter likes about me."
[X] Castallya Solaali, once a stormtrooper of the Tempestus Scions, she was placed in a penal unit for charges of degenerate behaviour and ended up catching the Inquisitor's eye for her talents.
This guy feels likew he is the least upset to be here even if he's not fully loyal.
[X] Arkhan Mabez, enginseer who came to Praxis' service from the shattered remains of the Cadian regiment he was once attached to. Brilliant, sour-tempered, and constantly on the verge of tech-heresy.
Luv' Ogryns. Ogryn's need more love.
[X] Dremell, an Ogyrn bodyguard formerly of the Imperial Guard who Praxis hired to be your bodyguard. He is immensely protective. Perhaps overly so.
[ ] Seth, formerly a Scout Marine in the Gate Wardens chapter. His ascension to full Space Marine halted by a genetic anomaly, the Inquisitor took him on as a ward. He is young, impulsive, and brave to a fault.
Reckless Meatshield is a role we desperately need filled since we decided to go more into soft power, and I did like Sketch's depiction of Space Marines in Suffer Not.
[ ] Arkhan Mabez, enginseer who came to Praxis' service from the shattered remains of the Cadian regiment he was once attached to. Brilliant, sour-tempered, and constantly on the verge of tech-heresy.
I'm down for some tech heresy
[ ] Dremell, an Ogyrn bodyguard formerly of the Imperial Guard who Praxis hired to be your bodyguard. He is immensely protective. Perhaps overly so.
[ ] Janetta Lovero, underhive guide turned Inquisitorial enforcer. While her husband stayed behind with the dogs, she accompanied you to ensure anyone who attempted to interfere had a very, very bad day.
[ ] Castallya Solaali, once a stormtrooper of the Tempestus Scions, she was placed in a penal unit for charges of degenerate behaviour and ended up catching the Inquisitor's eye for her talents.
[ ] Arkhan Mabez, enginseer who came to Praxis' service from the shattered remains of the Cadian regiment he was once attached to. Brilliant, sour-tempered, and constantly on the verge of tech-heresy.
It radiated power; a saint had once worn it around her neck, in her final hours, and there was a world full of temples dedicated to her serenity and joyful sacrifice.
"Touch it," the woman ordered. You put two fingers to it and heard a young woman crying out for mercy, felt her fingers around the metal go limp as the shadow of her memory tried to cling to your mind. "Speak the first verse of the Lectio Divinitatus."
So things have power because of the belief people have in them, and Dahlia is aware of that innately because of her psychic abilities. Does that mean that a token like this would have an actual affect on someone possessed? Like the knife being powerful because of its past and the fear/veneration it's at the center of, does that have an effect on people besides Dahlia if they don't already know what the item is?
It seems ironic that this token is being used as an excuse to administer some bullshit purity test on a person who can actually feel the weight of belief poured into it. Not to mention being another reminder of the dissonance between scripture and fact that Dahlia must experience constantly.
[ ] Seth, formerly a Scout Marine in the Gate Wardens chapter. His ascension to full Space Marine halted by a genetic anomaly, the Inquisitor took him on as a ward. He is young, impulsive, and brave to a fault.
Big, little brother get.
Also, how could you not want a demi-Space Marine in your retinue?
[ ] Rhonda Wienu, an administrator whose corruption was so widespread it was equal parts despicable and impressive. Praxis recruited her as an alternate to her well-deserved execution, to put her skills to use.
Of the token evil teammates, I find Rhonda to be the least threatening. And given our mission to topple the evil and corrupt, I like the idea of going all White Collar on their asses. Criminal consultants for the win!
[ ] Janetta Lovero, underhive guide turned Inquisitorial enforcer. While her husband stayed behind with the dogs, she accompanied you to ensure anyone who attempted to interfere had a very, very bad day.
I love the idea of an ongryn baby-sitter, but I think an underhiver would really add to the character of our retinue.
[ ] Vira Reineiss, once a Repentia of the Order of the Last Candle who the Inquisitor requisitioned the service of. Left to die of her wounds, the Inquisitor rescued her against her will.
It's like Young Us, but...worse.
[ ] Rhonda Wienu, an administrator whose corruption was so widespread it was equal parts despicable and impressive. Praxis recruited her as an alternate to her well-deserved execution, to put her skills to use.
Let's be honest, a corrupt administrator knows way more about how things really work than an honest one.
[ ] Dremell, an Ogyrn bodyguard formerly of the Imperial Guard who Praxis hired to be your bodyguard. He is immensely protective. Perhaps overly so.
[ ] Castallya Solaali, once a stormtrooper of the Tempestus Scions, she was placed in a penal unit for charges of degenerate behaviour and ended up catching the Inquisitor's eye for her talents.
[ ] Arkhan Mabez, enginseer who came to Praxis' service from the shattered remains of the Cadian regiment he was once attached to. Brilliant, sour-tempered, and constantly on the verge of tech-heresy.
[ ] Dremell, an Ogyrn bodyguard formerly of the Imperial Guard who Praxis hired to be your bodyguard. He is immensely protective. Perhaps overly so.
[X] Vira Reineiss, once a Repentia of the Order of the Last Candle who the Inquisitor requisitioned the service of. Left to die of her wounds, the Inquisitor rescued her against her will.
[X] Rhonda Wienu, an administrator whose corruption was so widespread it was equal parts despicable and impressive. Praxis recruited her as an alternate to her well-deserved execution, to put her skills to use.
[X] Dremell, an Ogyrn bodyguard formerly of the Imperial Guard who Praxis hired to be your bodyguard. He is immensely protective. Perhaps overly so.
